Moscow is the capital and largest city of Russia, a sprawling metropolis of roughly 13.1 million people on the Moskva River. It combines the medieval Kremlin and Red Square, Soviet-era monuments and Stalinist skyscrapers, world-class ballet and museums, and one of the deepest and most ornate metro systems in the world.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Moscow.
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1
Red Square
Moscow's central square, about 330 m long, lies between the Kremlin wall, St Basil's Cathedral, the State Historical Museum and GUM. It has hosted coronations, executions, military parades and concerts. Access is via security checkpoints at Iberian Gate or Resurrection Gate.
Tip: Arrive before 09:00 or after dark for fewer crowds and better photos · Expect security screening at the Iberian and Resurrection Gate checkpoints · Check for closures on parade rehearsal days before travelling · Carry a passport or ID copy, as police checks are common in the centre · Take a break in GUM rather than in the tourist cafes on the square
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2
Moscow Kremlin and Cathedral Square
The official seat of the Russian president and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cathedral Square holds the Assumption, Archangel and Annunciation cathedrals, all with 15th-16th century icons and tombs of tsars, plus the Ivan the Great Bell Tower. Photography inside the cathedrals is restricted.
Tip: Buy tickets at the official Kremlin ticket offices or website to avoid resellers · Remember the Kremlin is closed on Thursdays · Arrive at opening on a weekday to avoid queues at Kutafya Tower · Dress modestly for the cathedrals and expect limits on interior photography · Bring a passport or ID and leave large bags in the left-luggage room · Allow separate time and tickets for the Armoury and bell tower
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3
Kremlin Armoury Chamber
A treasury museum of Russian royal regalia, Faberge eggs, coronation carriages, jewelled thrones and the Diamond Fund pieces of the tsars. Entry is by timed session bought with the Kremlin ticket.
Tip: Book a specific timed session and arrive before it starts · Buy the Armoury ticket separately from the cathedral ticket · Choose the earliest weekday session for fewer crowds · Leave bags and large items in the cloakroom · Consider an audio guide for the historical context of the objects
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4
St Basil's Cathedral
Built 1555-1561 for Ivan the Terrible, this cathedral of nine chapels with painted onion domes is the icon of Russia. Inside are narrow vaulted passages, fresco fragments and a small museum branch of the State Historical Museum.
Tip: Arrive shortly after opening on a weekday; midday tour groups make the passages crowded. · Check current hours and prices on the official shm.ru page, as they vary by season. · Wear shoes with grip; the stairs and old stone floors between levels are uneven. · For the best exterior photos, shoot in early light from the Red Square side. · Combine the visit with Zaryadye Park, a short walk away, for views back over the domes.
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5
GUM Department Store
An 1893 arcade with a steel-and-glass roof and three parallel galleries of shops and cafes. It is known for its fountain, its Soviet-recipe ice cream and the Gastronom No. 1 food hall.
Tip: Enter free and treat it as a covered walk between sights · Try the ice cream as a snack rather than a full cafe meal · Visit on a weekday morning for quiet galleries · Photograph from the upper bridges for the best view of the roof · Compare menu prices, since cafe meals cost more than nearby side streets
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6
Lenin's Mausoleum
A 1930 granite mausoleum containing the embalmed body of Vladimir Lenin. Visitors queue through Alexander Garden, cannot carry bags or cameras and must stay quiet and hatless inside; behind it stand the Kremlin wall graves of Stalin, Gagarin and others.
Tip: Arrive when it opens to avoid the longest queue · Leave bags and cameras at the storage point before entering · Stay quiet and remove hats inside · Check the current opening days, as it is closed several days a week · Expect a security check at the Alexander Garden entrance
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7
Bolshoi Theatre
Russia's premier ballet and opera house, opened in 1825 and reopened after a major renovation in 2011. Its six-tier gilded auditorium seats about 1,740. Tickets on resale sites often carry large markups; the official site sells at face value.
Tip: Buy tickets only at bolshoi.ru or the official box office · Book one to two months ahead for popular ballets · Arrive early to see the foyers and check coats · Dress smart-casual for evening performances · Check the season calendar, as the theatre closes in summer
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8
State Tretyakov Gallery (Lavrushinsky Lane)
The national museum of Russian art from icons to the early 20th century, including Andrei Rublev's Trinity icon, Repin, Vrubel and the Peredvizhniki painters. Founded by the merchant Pavel Tretyakov in 1856.
Tip: Visit on Thursday evening, when the gallery stays open until 21:00 and crowds thin. · Remember the gallery is closed on Mondays. · Use the cloakroom for coats and large bags before entering the galleries. · Consider an audio guide to make sense of the chronological route. · Verify current ticket prices and any timed-entry rules on tretyakovgallery.ru.
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9
New Tretyakov Gallery (Krymsky Val)
Russian and Soviet art of the 20th century, including Malevich's Black Square, Kandinsky, Chagall, the Russian avant-garde and Socialist Realism. It shares a building with the Central House of Artists.
Tip: Visit on Thursday evening for late opening hours · Buy tickets online at the official Tretyakov site · Combine with a walk in Gorky Park and Muzeon · Go on a weekday afternoon for quieter halls · Check the closed day, which is Monday
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10
Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts
Moscow's principal museum of European art, with Egyptian and Greek antiquities, Renaissance works and a strong Impressionist and Post-Impressionist collection (Monet, Cezanne, Van Gogh, Picasso) in the separate Gallery of European and American Art of the 19th-20th centuries.
Tip: Check which building holds the Impressionists before buying a ticket · Go on a weekday afternoon for smaller crowds · Use the cloakroom for coats and bags · Visit Thursday for the later opening time · Combine with the nearby Cathedral of Christ the Saviour
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
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Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
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- Payment: foreign Visa/Mastercard do not work in Russia; carry cash RUB, and use Mir or UnionPay cards where accepted (many kassas accept UnionPay/Alipay QR), Moscow Metro runs about 05:30 to 01:00; a single ride costs roughly 90-100 RUB (~$1.10-1.20) and can be paid with cash at station kassas, a Troika card, or face-pay where available, Kremlin closed Thursdays; most state museums close Mondays; Tretyakov and Pushkin Museum open late on Thursdays, Mobile internet shutdowns and drone-related airport closures occur in Moscow; download offline maps (Yandex Maps or 2GIS) and note printed addresses before going out, Bag checks and metal detectors are standard at museums, Red Square and the Kremlin; large backpacks are not allowed inside and coat checks (garderob) are usually free
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Visit popular attractions early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds and harsh midday light.
Book tickets online in advance for major attractions to skip long queues and sometimes save money.
Many cities offer multi-attraction passes that include public transport. Calculate whether they save you money based on your itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need to see Moscow's main sights?
Three full days cover Red Square, the Kremlin, one or two major museums, Zaryadye, the Metro highlights and VDNKh. Five days allow Novodevichy, Kolomenskoye or Tsaritsyno, the Bolshoi and a day for Izmailovo and Gorky Park.
Can foreign tourists buy Kremlin tickets online?
Yes. Tickets are sold on the official site kreml.ru and at the ticket office in Alexander Garden (near Kutafya Tower). Buying online for a timed entry avoids queues, and a passport is worth carrying for identity checks.
Can I use foreign bank cards to pay for tickets?
No. Visa and Mastercard issued abroad are not accepted in Russia. Visitors should carry cash in rubles for kassas and use Mir, UnionPay or Alipay where signposted.