Moscow city break highlights
Red Square
Red Square is a great place to start your Moscow sojourn. Here you’ll find the cathedrals of St Basil’s and Kazan, the Kremlin, Lenin’s Mausoleum and GUM – Moscow’s mighty department store. And that’s just scratching the surface. You could spend a holiday just touring Red Square itself and still find that you haven’t discovered everything.
A short walk away from Red Square, and overlooking the Moskva River, is the country’s largest cathedral, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. It's a vision in white, topped with golden onion domes, that dominates the city's skyline and is a must-see stop on your city break.
Museums and galleries
Moscow's museums and galleries are a treasure trove of history and art and are an essential part of your stay in Moscow. Tretyakov Gallery is where you’ll find works of art that span from the times of religious antiquity, right up to contemporary classics of the avant-garde. If you’d like to see works by luminaries such as Picasso, Gauguin, Van Gogh, and Monet, head to the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts.
Of the many Kremlin museums, the Kremlin Armoury is a must-visit for its eclectic collection of fine historic firearms, jewels and paintings – all created for successive Tsars and their families.
The Jewish Museum is the largest of its kind in the world and provides a fabulous interactive experience for visitors. Savour an array of audio, visual and written testaments that engage and inform in equal measures.
Bolshoi Theatre and Novodevichy Convent
A visit to Moscow is incomplete without exploring its rich cultural and historical landmarks. The Bolshoi Theatre, one of the world’s most prestigious opera and ballet venues, offers dazzling performances in a stunning neoclassical building. Equally captivating is the Novodevichy Convent and Cemetery, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its serene beauty and historical significance. The convent's striking architecture and the resting places of prominent Russian figures make it a fascinating stop on any city break in Moscow.
Going underground
The Moscow Metro is one of the most sophisticated and sprawling transport systems in the world, and has been around for more than 80 years. Unlike many other of the globe’s underground systems, travelling the Metro is like passing through a vast museum. Its stations are abundant with statues and mosaics, and architectural flourishes.
Culinary Delights
Moscow’s culinary scene is a treat for food lovers, blending traditional Russian flavours with modern influences. From hearty borscht and delicate pelmeni to savoury blini topped with caviar, the city’s restaurants offer a feast for the senses. Don’t miss a stroll along Arbat Street, where cosy cafes serve up these local delicacies alongside aromatic teas. Sampling Moscow’s cuisine is an essential part of a city break, offering a delicious way to experience its culture.
A city that never sleeps
Amid all the awesome architecture, cultural treasures and artefacts of bygone eras, a trip to Moscow has plenty to offer to anyone looking for a fun night on the town. You’ll find everything from booming nightclubs and alternative music venues to trendy cafés and elegant restaurants.
A great way to quickly become familiar with Moscow’s nightspots is by joining a City Pub Crawl. It’s a fun and safe way of discovering the best pubs and bars, as well as the foremost spots for live music and places to dance the night away.
At City Space Bar you can enjoy panoramic views of Moscow – on the 34th floor of swanky hotel, Swissôtel Krasnye Holmy. The bar’s name is apt because it somewhat resembles an interstellar craft that has descended upon a skyscraper. After a quick elevator trip, you’ll soon be sampling from a wide range of cocktails before choosing a fine meal over which you can enjoy excellent city vistas, an ideal way to enhance your Moscow stay.
One of Moscow’s top nightspots is Icon Club, a glitzy emporium that hosts top DJs spinning the latest tunes. They soon have the crowds dancing like crazy and into the early hours of the morning. The main dance floor can easily hold 2,000 bouncing people and the bar serves anything from beer to champagne.
And if you love cats, then you’ll adore Cat Café, a warm and friendly eatery that just happens to double as a cat sanctuary.
