Holidays to Moscow
Russia's capital and once the centre of the Soviet Union, Moscow is a city of scale and drama unlike many others. More than 12 million citizens inhabit the city – the eighth-largest in the world. Book one of our holidays in Moscow and discover a destination rich with intrigue, history and beauty.
Landmarks
Occupying the very centre of Moscow, Red Square is one of the most famous plazas in the world. Here you'll see the walls and towers of the Kremlin, a fortified complex next to the Moskva River. Once the home of royalty, the Kremlin is full of historic churches that have witnessed the crowning of Tsars. A stone's throw away, St Basil's Cathedral was built in the mid-16th century and its exotic, richly coloured façade is one of the city's most iconic sights, with its cluster of onion-shaped domes. Within, you'll discover a warren of chapels and a museum.
Parks
All great cities have their parks and Moscow is no exception. Kolomenskoye Park contains an apple orchard and terrific view of the river. The biggest of Moscow's parks, Gorky Central Park is ideal for long walks or sitting and watching the world go by. There are attractions throughout the year, including Russia's largest ice-rink. There are also areas to play beach volleyball, ride skateboards and bicycles, take part in dancing and even enjoy a river boat cruise. A large outdoor space in the city, Victory Park on Poklonnaya Hill, is a spot that celebrates Russia's military achievements and memorialises the fallen.
Art and culture
Art lovers will savour a visit to the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts where you'll see works by Cezanne, Van Gogh, Renoir, Aivazovsky and many more great painters. You'll discover works of art and artefacts from ancient Egypt too.
Have tube, will travel
Moscow has 12 underground railways lines serving 196 stations. Very clean and splendidly furnished with paintings and sculptures, the Moscow Metro is as much a museum as a way of getting around the city. And you only need to buy one ticket to get on and off at as many stations as you like.
Shopping
Moscow has plenty of shopping areas and malls. GUM in Red Square is huge, and TSUM is also one of the city's largest malls The Atrium and Evropeisky are very modern, very big. Crocus City is the place for luxury shopping in elegant surroundings. Afimall City really pushes the envelope by including an IMAX cinema, 50 restaurants and cafés, not to mention five floors full of stores.
Going out
Café Pushkin isn't cheap but you do get terrific food served inside this beautifully decorated restaurant. Witness an incredible ballet or spectacular opera within the splendid surroundings of the Bolshoi Theatre. The Vakhtangov State Academic Theatre of Russia is one of the best in the country. Here you can see great dramatic works such as Anna Karenina or Cyrano de Bergerac, and a ballet, opera or modern dance performance.
