Moscow (Russian: Москва, Moskva) is an 870-year-old iconic, global city, which has played a central role in the development of Russia and the world, as the capital of the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union, and, today, the Russian Federation. For many, the sight of the Kremlin complex in the centre of the city is still loaded with symbolism and history.
Today, Moscow is a thriving, exuberant capital city that overflows with life, culture and sometimes traffic. A sprawling metropolis, Moscow is home to numerous museums, Soviet-era monoliths and post-Soviet kitsch, but continues to pave the way forward as Muscovites move into the 21st century.
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Moscow is the financial and political centre of Russia and the countries formerly comprising the Soviet Union. It has a population of around 13 million and an area of 2,511 km² after an expansion in 2012. One-tenth of all Russian citizens live in the Moscow metropolitan area. Moscow is the second most populous city in Europe, after Istanbul. Moscow is in the UTC+3 time zone; there is no daylight saving time.
For many years since the break up of the Soviet Union, the economy has improved, and the modern era has brought upon a wide variety of construction projects, modern architecture and newer transport systems replacing the derelict ones during Soviet times.
Moscow is a large metropolis on the Moskva River, which bends its way through the city. The historical center is on the northern bank of the river. The other major waterway is the Yauza River, which flows into the Moskva east of the Kremlin.
Much of Moscow's geography is defined by the 3 'Ring Roads' that circle the city at various distances from the centre, roughly following the outline of the walls that used to surround Moscow. With Red Square and the Kremlin forming the very centre, the innermost ring road is the Boulevard Ring (Bulvarnoye Koltso), built in the 1820s where the 16th century walls used to be. It runs from the Christ the Savior Cathedral in south-west central Moscow, to the mouth of the Yauza in south-east central Moscow.
The next ring road, the Garden Ring (Sadovoe Koltso), derives its name from the fact that landowners near the road in Tsarist times were obligated to maintain gardens to make the road attractive. In Soviet times, the road was widened, and there are now no gardens there.
The Third Ring Road, completed in 2004, is not much use for tourists but is a heavily used motorway which absorbs a bit of Moscow's traffic. It roughly follows the outline of Kamer-Kollezhsky val, the customs boundary of Moscow in the 18th – early 20th century. The outer edge of Moscow is largely defined by the Moscow Ring Road (widely known by its abbreviation: MKAD-Moskovskaya kolcevaya avto doroga), a motorway which is 108km long and encircles the entire city (similar to London's M25 and Paris' Périphérique).
Moscow has many attractions, but many of them are not friendly to a non-Russian-speaker. English-language newspapers like The Moscow Times, Element, Moscow News and others can help to navigate towards English-language friendly attractions and services.
Make sure you visit a Russian bathhouse (banya) while in Moscow, as it's an important Russian tradition and some Russians, especially aged 40+, go at least once a week. Have a hot steam, followed by a good whipping with birch branches. While it's not the most pleasant experience, the benefits you'll receive afterward will enable you to understand why Russians are loyal to their banya.
- Sandunovskye Baths, Neglinnaya Str. 14 Building 3-7 (Metro: Kyznetsky Most or Trubnaya, +7 495 782-1808. The oldest and most famous Banya in Moscow, it looks like a palace with enormous halls, marble stairs, and frescos. The restaurant serves drinks for the complete after-banya experience. 90-minute guided tours are available on Tuesday evenings. 4-person bath room: From /hour, with a 2-hour minimum.
- Pokrovskie Baths, Bagrationovsky proezd, 12 (Metro: Bagrationovskaya. Has a famous steam room with horseradish-flavored steam. Wide selection of brooms from birch tree, tatarian maple, lime tree, and eucalyptus. Prices are cheaper than other banyas.
- Rzehvskye Baths, Bannyi Proezd 3a (Metro: Prospekt Mira, +7 495 681 10 74. Daily 09:00-22:00. 120 years old but renovated.
- Lefortovskie Baths, Lefortovsky Val, 9A (Metro: Aviamotornaya, +7 495 362-55-70 07. Famous for its traditionally-Russian massage with brooms soaked in mead where cold water is poured on you to get the blood flowing!
Sandunovskye Baths, Neglinnaya Str. 14 Building 3-7 (Metro: Kyznetsky Most or Trubnaya, +7 495 782-1808. The oldest and most famous Banya in Moscow, it looks like a palace with enormous halls, marble stairs, and frescos. The restaurant serves drinks for the complete after-banya experience. 90-minute guided tours are available on Tuesday evenings. 4-person bath room: From /hour, with a 2-hour minimum.
Pokrovskie Baths, Bagrationovsky proezd, 12 (Metro: Bagrationovskaya. Has a famous steam room with horseradish-flavored steam. Wide selection of brooms from birch tree, tatarian maple, lime tree, and eucalyptus. Prices are cheaper than other banyas.
Rzehvskye Baths, Bannyi Proezd 3a (Metro: Prospekt Mira, +7 495 681 10 74. Daily 09:00-22:00. 120 years old but renovated.
Lefortovskie Baths, Lefortovsky Val, 9A (Metro: Aviamotornaya, +7 495 362-55-70 07. Famous for its traditionally-Russian massage with brooms soaked in mead where cold water is poured on you to get the blood flowing!
- Moscow State Circus, prospekt Vernadskogo (просп. Вернадского), 7 (near the University, +7 495 939-45-47. Tickets 10:30-19:30. A state-owned enterprise, opened 30 April 1971 is an auditorium in Moscow located at the Vernadsky Prospekt, with a seating capacity of up to 3,400. The circus has 5 arenas (equestrian, water, illusionist, ice rink, and light-effect) located 18 metres below the floor. Touts may be selling tickets outside and can save you a lot of queueing, and they'll speak more English than the ticket office. Sometimes they are selling tickets at the cover price, and sometime at twice the price. Ask and make sure before parting with your cash. From.
Moscow State Circus, prospekt Vernadskogo (просп. Вернадского), 7 (near the University, +7 495 939-45-47. Tickets 10:30-19:30. A state-owned enterprise, opened 30 April 1971 is an auditorium in Moscow located at the Vernadsky Prospekt, with a seating capacity of up to 3,400. The circus has 5 arenas (equestrian, water, illusionist, ice rink, and light-effect) located 18 metres below the floor. Touts may be selling tickets outside and can save you a lot of queueing, and they'll speak more English than the ticket office. Sometimes they are selling tickets at the cover price, and sometime at twice the price. Ask and make sure before parting with your cash. From.
- Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure, Krymsky Val (Крымский вал), 9 (Across the Moskva River from Park Kultury Metro Station, +7 495 995 0020. 10:00-17:00, evening 17:00-23:00. It is most famous but overcrowded and ice is not always in ideal condition. The Park opened in 1928. morning, evening.
- Luzhniki aka Kristall skating ring, Luzhnetskaya nab.(Лужнецкая наб.), 24 (M: Sportivnaya. has arguably the best ice, although service can be tough and open hours are not always convenient.
The winter rinks at Chistye Prudy or Izmaylovsky Park are other alternatives.
Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure, Krymsky Val (Крымский вал), 9 (Across the Moskva River from Park Kultury Metro Station, +7 495 995 0020. 10:00-17:00, evening 17:00-23:00. It is most famous but overcrowded and ice is not always in ideal condition. The Park opened in 1928. morning, evening.
Luzhniki aka Kristall skating ring, Luzhnetskaya nab.(Лужнецкая наб.), 24 (M: Sportivnaya. has arguably the best ice, although service can be tough and open hours are not always convenient.
- Watch football: Moscow has four teams playing in the Premier League, the top tier of Russian football. They often qualify for European tournaments, and their stadiums are used for international games. The four are:
FC Locomotiv Moscow play at RZD Stadium, completed in 2002 with a capacity of 27,000. It's in the northeast of the city, use metro station Locomotiv (aka Cherkizovskaya) on Circle Line 14 and Red Line 1.
PFC CSKA Moscow play at VEB Arena, completed in 2016 with a capacity of 30,000. It's in the northwest of the city, use metro station CSKA on Lines 8A and 11.
FC Spartak Moscow play at Otkritie Arena (aka Spartak Stadium), completed in 2015 with a capacity of 45,000. It's on the northwest edge of the city, use metro station Spartak on Line 7.
FC Dynamo Moscow are expected to play at the VTB Arena (aka Lev Yashin Stadium), scheduled to open in August 2018 with a capacity of 27,000. It's north of city centre, use metro station Dinamo on Line 2, or Petrovskiy Park on Lines 8A and 11.
Big games (including the 2018 World Cup Final) are often played at Luzhniki Stadium. This Russia's national stadium and doesn't have a resident team. Built in 1956, it was upgraded in 1996 and has a capacity of 78,000. It's southwest of the centre, use metro station Luzhniki on Line 14, or Sportivnaya or Vorobyovy Gory on Line 1.
- MiGs over Moscow, +41 44 500 50 10. This great adventure started after the end of the USSR, due to the lack of money in the army. In the beginning flights in MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-25, MiG-29 and Sukhoi Su-27 started from Zhukovsky Airbase. Today this base is closed for passenger flights, but flights in MiG-29 Fulcrum and L-39 Albatros jets are still possible from other airbases near Moscow. starting at under €2000 for a flight including transfer from Moscow, interpreter services and all preparations.
- Kva-Kva Water Park, Gostinichnaya str., 4/9 (M: Vladikino, +7 495 788 72 72. Daily 10:00-22:00. Water Park affiliated with Maxima Hotels (discounts for guests). There are 7 high trills (90-120 meters length) and a pleasant surprise for extremers – Tsunami trill – unique in Russia. There are also 4-line trills – Multislide and a special area for kids – a small tropical town with shallow pool. Kva-Kva Lagoone offers hydromassage. There’s also pure Russian bath, Finnish sauna, Turkish bath (hamam) and Kva-Kva SPA-salon. Night discos take place every weekend, with free admission for Maxima Hotel guests. .
- Hot air balloon ride, Suburban Moscow. .
- Moscow Zoo, Bolshaya Gruzinskaya str., 1 (M: Barrikadnaya or Krasnopresnensky, +7 499 252 3580. Tu-Su 10:00-17:00. The oldest (1864) and the biggest zoo in Russia, has over 6000 animals representing about 1000 species and covers an area of about 21.5 hectares., photo cameras free of charge; summer weekends.
Watch football: Moscow has four teams playing in the Premier League, the top tier of Russian football. They often qualify for European tournaments, and their stadiums are used for international games. The four are:
FC Locomotiv Moscow play at RZD Stadium, completed in 2002 with a capacity of 27,000. It's in the northeast of the city, use metro station Locomotiv (aka Cherkizovskaya) on Circle Line 14 and Red Line 1.
PFC CSKA Moscow play at VEB Arena, completed in 2016 with a capacity of 30,000. It's in the northwest of the city, use metro station CSKA on Lines 8A and 11.
FC Spartak Moscow play at Otkritie Arena (aka Spartak Stadium), completed in 2015 with a capacity of 45,000. It's on the northwest edge of the city, use metro station Spartak on Line 7.
FC Dynamo Moscow are expected to play at the VTB Arena (aka Lev Yashin Stadium), scheduled to open in August 2018 with a capacity of 27,000. It's north of city centre, use metro station Dinamo on Line 2, or Petrovskiy Park on Lines 8A and 11.
Big games (including the 2018 World Cup Final) are often played at Luzhniki Stadium. This Russia's national stadium and doesn't have a resident team. Built in 1956, it was upgraded in 1996 and has a capacity of 78,000. It's southwest of the centre, use metro station Luzhniki on Line 14, or Sportivnaya or Vorobyovy Gory on Line 1.
MiGs over Moscow, +41 44 500 50 10. This great adventure started after the end of the USSR, due to the lack of money in the army. In the beginning flights in MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-25, MiG-29 and Sukhoi Su-27 started from Zhukovsky Airbase. Today this base is closed for passenger flights, but flights in MiG-29 Fulcrum and L-39 Albatros jets are still possible from other airbases near Moscow. starting at under €2000 for a flight including transfer from Moscow, interpreter services and all preparations.
Kva-Kva Water Park, Gostinichnaya str., 4/9 (M: Vladikino, +7 495 788 72 72. Daily 10:00-22:00. Water Park affiliated with Maxima Hotels (discounts for guests). There are 7 high trills (90-120 meters length) and a pleasant surprise for extremers – Tsunami trill – unique in Russia. There are also 4-line trills – Multislide and a special area for kids – a small tropical town with shallow pool. Kva-Kva Lagoone offers hydromassage. There’s also pure Russian bath, Finnish sauna, Turkish bath (hamam) and Kva-Kva SPA-salon. Night discos take place every weekend, with free admission for Maxima Hotel guests. .
Hot air balloon ride, Suburban Moscow. .
Moscow Zoo, Bolshaya Gruzinskaya str., 1 (M: Barrikadnaya or Krasnopresnensky, +7 499 252 3580. Tu-Su 10:00-17:00. The oldest (1864) and the biggest zoo in Russia, has over 6000 animals representing about 1000 species and covers an area of about 21.5 hectares., photo cameras free of charge; summer weekends.
Credit card acceptance is widespread. ATMs are plentiful, display in English and accept the major card networks such as Visa/Plus and MasterCard/Cirrus. Currency exchange offices are plentiful in the city, but be sure to count your change and note that the advertised rates sometimes don't include an added commission or only apply to large exchanges. Be sure to break your and notes where you can since the smaller merchants, street vendors and even many metro clerks often refuse them.
Large shopping malls are common near metro stations.
Dining establishments in Moscow range from food stalls near metro stations to quick canteen-style 'Stolovaya' eateries to American-style fast food chains to overpriced restaurants catering to tourists to high-end restaurants where you can spend .
Restaurants and cafes promising "European and Caucasus cuisine" generally cater to tourists and are usually bad; seek a restaurant that specializes in a single region instead (Georgian, Russian, Italian, French, etc.).
Many small restaurants offer lunch specials costing . These deals are valid from 12:00 to 15:00 and include a cup of soup or an appetizer, a small portion of the main dish of the day, bread and a non-alcoholic beverage.
For information on tipping in restaurants, see Russia#Eat.
Authentic ethnic food from countries of the nearby Caucasus (Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia) is common in Moscow. Japanese food, including sushi, rolls, tempura, and steakhouses are very popular in Moscow. Other Asian cuisines including Vietnamese, Thai, and Chinese are becoming increasing more common.
Free-standing kiosks serving sausages, meat pies, or kebobs are plentiful, although the origins of the meat served is questionable and the food has been known to occasionally make people sick.
Muscovites are also fond of their ice cream, consumed in any weather, even in the dead of winter, cheap and usually of superior quality; kiosks can be found all over the center and near all Metro stations.
- McDonalds and KFC have locations near almost every shopping mall. It is common to pay extra for condiments.
- Kroshka-Kartoshka – These green kiosks sell microwave-baked potatoes as well as toasted sandwiches and a few drinks. Hot and filling, but rather expensive for a potato.
- Riksha Ivan ("Ivan the Rickshaw") – Quick Chinese-like cuisine; fried rice with meat to go.
- Teremok – These brown-colored kiosks sell large blinchiki, Russian crepes that come with a variety of fillings. Very tasty and authentic. Make sure to try the Kvass, a traditional Russian drink made from rye bread.
- Kruzhka – Serves cheap food and mugs of beer. 20 locations around Moscow. The menu is relatively simple, consisting mainly of types of kebab and shawarma, with fries. Sports events are on often shown on televisions or a big screen.
- Prime Star – Specializing in natural food such as sandwiches and salads. for a cold soup, salad, and beverage.
McDonalds and KFC have locations near almost every shopping mall. It is common to pay extra for condiments.
Kroshka-Kartoshka – These green kiosks sell microwave-baked potatoes as well as toasted sandwiches and a few drinks. Hot and filling, but rather expensive for a potato.
Riksha Ivan ("Ivan the Rickshaw") – Quick Chinese-like cuisine; fried rice with meat to go.
Teremok – These brown-colored kiosks sell large blinchiki, Russian crepes that come with a variety of fillings. Very tasty and authentic. Make sure to try the Kvass, a traditional Russian drink made from rye bread.
Kruzhka – Serves cheap food and mugs of beer. 20 locations around Moscow. The menu is relatively simple, consisting mainly of types of kebab and shawarma, with fries. Sports events are on often shown on televisions or a big screen.
Prime Star – Specializing in natural food such as sandwiches and salads. for a cold soup, salad, and beverage.
In these cafeterias, you take a tray, move along a counter with food (either taking the dishes yourself or asking the staff to give you a bowl of soup, a plate of vegetables, etc.) and pay at the cash register at the end of the counter. These self-serve establishments have decent quality food, no waiting time, and good prices. Canteen chains include Café Moo-Moo (30 locations) and Grabli (Грабли).
This term is used in articles by local food critics: since 2016, several special food courts were opened with independent and small food chains, for those people who get bored of McDonald's-like food. They offer a wider choice of cuisines.
- Danilovskiy market.
- Usachevsky market.
- Gastroferma.
- Food store. 24/7. The center one
- Depot. Former trolleybus park #4. The biggest one.
- strEAT. Mon-Thu 10-22, Fri-Sun 10-23. near Avtozavodskaya metro station.
Danilovskiy market.
Usachevsky market.
Gastroferma.
Food store. 24/7. The center one
Depot. Former trolleybus park #4. The biggest one.
strEAT. Mon-Thu 10-22, Fri-Sun 10-23. near Avtozavodskaya metro station.
- Gavan' v Khamovnikakh, ul. Rossolimo 7 (Near Park Kultury Metro Station and Gorky Park, +7 499 246-94-32. Great authentic Armenian food.
- Kharbin, Nizhnyaya Pervomayskaya ul. 66 (m. Pervomayskaya. M-Su 11:00-23:00. Well outskirts—but worth a dedicated trip. Non-Europeanized authentic Chinese restaurant. with therefore generous portions, each main can typically fill a couple. Both run entirely by and where 80% of clients are Chinese. Try turtle soup; eggplants in caramel sauce. Loud karaoke weekend evenings. No credit cards. per person for a filling dinner without alcohol.
- VietCafe, Several locations. A popular chain of Vietnamese restaurants. .
- Acha Chacha . Leningradsky prospekt, 9b building 1. 12:00-00:00. Cosy restaurant of Caucasian cuisine near Belorusskiy train station that managed to avoid that annoying style of many other Georgian places mainly based on the imagery of Georgia taken from the Soviet era. Cash only but there is an ATM right at the entrance.
Gavan' v Khamovnikakh, ul. Rossolimo 7 (Near Park Kultury Metro Station and Gorky Park, +7 499 246-94-32. Great authentic Armenian food.
Kharbin, Nizhnyaya Pervomayskaya ul. 66 (m. Pervomayskaya. M-Su 11:00-23:00. Well outskirts—but worth a dedicated trip. Non-Europeanized authentic Chinese restaurant. with therefore generous portions, each main can typically fill a couple. Both run entirely by and where 80% of clients are Chinese. Try turtle soup; eggplants in caramel sauce. Loud karaoke weekend evenings. No credit cards. per person for a filling dinner without alcohol.
VietCafe, Several locations. A popular chain of Vietnamese restaurants. .
Acha Chacha . Leningradsky prospekt, 9b building 1. 12:00-00:00. Cosy restaurant of Caucasian cuisine near Belorusskiy train station that managed to avoid that annoying style of many other Georgian places mainly based on the imagery of Georgia taken from the Soviet era. Cash only but there is an ATM right at the entrance.
- Carré Blanc, Selezniovskaya ul. 19/2, +7 495 258-44-03. French restaurant with an attached and much cheaper bar/cafe which also serves good food. Good wine list. French/English/Russian spoken.
- Chemodan (Suitcase), Gogol Boulevard 25/1 (Metro: Arbatskaya, Kropotkinskaya, +7 (495) 695 3819. Specifically a Siberian restaurant, with a menu featuring the freshest river-fish from Siberia's vast rivers and lakes, game dishes from the riches of the taiga forests, pickles and preserves featuring mushrooms and berries. Good food, good service. Mains:.
- Expedition, Pevcheskiy Lane 6, +7 495 775-60-75. Northern cuisine, specializing in seafood. Mains: From.
- Nedalniy Vostok (Not far East), Tverskoy Blvd 15. Stylish Japanese atmosphere.
- Cafe Pushkin, Tverskoy Blvd 26А (Metro: Tverskaya, Pushkinskaya. Has a cafe and restaurant (cafe is cheaper). A fake 19th century mansion (built in 1999) that pretends to be a tourist attraction, not just a place to eat. The legend goes that so many foreigners were asking for the restaurant with this name that they finally opened one. With a stretch of imagination the food might pass for what it purports to be, the aristocratic Russian cuisine from the Czarist times. Still, it's probably the only place in Moscow to try true Russian cuisine, as it's cooked at home (at least, it's quite difficult to find another of the same quality).
- Riviera, 4 Bolshaya Dorogomilovskaya Ul. (Metro: Kievskaya, +7 499 243-09-77. French restaurant with live music from a harp. Great ambiance but the service can be slow..
- Vogue Cafe, ul. Kuznetskiy Most (Kuznetskiy Bridge), 7/9 (across the street from TSUM on Kyznetski Most Street building 7/9. The restaurant is a great little find but do not be fooled by the word cafe. It is quite trendy inside and can be busy in the evening. Overall, the food is absolutely delicious. Fish dishes range between ; Wine: + per bottle.
- White Rabbit, 3, Smolenskaya Square (Metro: Smolenskaya, +7 495 66 33 999. Astonishing interiors in fusion style. Combining an old fireplace with fretted designer furniture and an active bar in the middle of the hall with a 360 degree panorama view of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ukraina hotel. You get an outstanding view on the Garden Ring, the New Arbat and the river Moscow through the windows.
Carré Blanc, Selezniovskaya ul. 19/2, +7 495 258-44-03. French restaurant with an attached and much cheaper bar/cafe which also serves good food. Good wine list. French/English/Russian spoken.
Chemodan (Suitcase), Gogol Boulevard 25/1 (Metro: Arbatskaya, Kropotkinskaya, +7 (495) 695 3819. Specifically a Siberian restaurant, with a menu featuring the freshest river-fish from Siberia's vast rivers and lakes, game dishes from the riches of the taiga forests, pickles and preserves featuring mushrooms and berries. Good food, good service. Mains:.
Expedition, Pevcheskiy Lane 6, +7 495 775-60-75. Northern cuisine, specializing in seafood. Mains: From.
Nedalniy Vostok (Not far East), Tverskoy Blvd 15. Stylish Japanese atmosphere.
Cafe Pushkin, Tverskoy Blvd 26А (Metro: Tverskaya, Pushkinskaya. Has a cafe and restaurant (cafe is cheaper). A fake 19th century mansion (built in 1999) that pretends to be a tourist attraction, not just a place to eat. The legend goes that so many foreigners were asking for the restaurant with this name that they finally opened one. With a stretch of imagination the food might pass for what it purports to be, the aristocratic Russian cuisine from the Czarist times. Still, it's probably the only place in Moscow to try true Russian cuisine, as it's cooked at home (at least, it's quite difficult to find another of the same quality).
Riviera, 4 Bolshaya Dorogomilovskaya Ul. (Metro: Kievskaya, +7 499 243-09-77. French restaurant with live music from a harp. Great ambiance but the service can be slow..
Vogue Cafe, ul. Kuznetskiy Most (Kuznetskiy Bridge), 7/9 (across the street from TSUM on Kyznetski Most Street building 7/9. The restaurant is a great little find but do not be fooled by the word cafe. It is quite trendy inside and can be busy in the evening. Overall, the food is absolutely delicious. Fish dishes range between ; Wine: + per bottle.
White Rabbit, 3, Smolenskaya Square (Metro: Smolenskaya, +7 495 66 33 999. Astonishing interiors in fusion style. Combining an old fireplace with fretted designer furniture and an active bar in the middle of the hall with a 360 degree panorama view of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ukraina hotel. You get an outstanding view on the Garden Ring, the New Arbat and the river Moscow through the windows.
- Tema Bar, Potapovsky pereulok (Потаповский переулок), 5 (Metro: Chistye Prudy; Located near Chistye Prudy Boulevard, +7 (495) 624-27-20, +7 (495) 979-21-22. boasts quite a long cocktail list, including all-time favorites like Screwdrivers, Cosmopolitans and Manhattans. The bar is packed on Fri and Sat nights.
Tema Bar, Potapovsky pereulok (Потаповский переулок), 5 (Metro: Chistye Prudy; Located near Chistye Prudy Boulevard, +7 (495) 624-27-20, +7 (495) 979-21-22. boasts quite a long cocktail list, including all-time favorites like Screwdrivers, Cosmopolitans and Manhattans. The bar is packed on Fri and Sat nights.
Nightlife in Moscow is bustling, intense and exciting. It starts quite late; it's common for the headliners to start at 02:00-02:00. Most noticeable are areas near Solyanka street and Krasniy Oktyabr' place. At summer time a lot of clubs opening open-air terraces called "verandas". Most of clubs in Moscow are very picky of who they let in, so make sure you have a positive attitude and dress up if you are going to a fancy club.
Gazgolder, and Squat 3/4 (not far from Kremlin) are among the best.
Moscow has several café chains with great coffee including Coffeemania, Coffee Bean, and Starbucks. Moscow also has a good selection of tea saloons. High-quality infusion teas such as Newby, are widely available in cafes, both in packets and loose.
Asking to add boiling water to the tea you ordered earlier is a practice that some cafes don't welcome, but normally it's acceptable.
Moscow enjoys a relatively low crime rate.
Drunk people are the most likely sources of problems. In the past years, lots of policemen were corrupt, and it was best to avoid them. Nowadays Moscow has a Tourist Police force, which officers are able to speak foreign languages and help tourists. Police officers are equipped with body-cameras.
It is preferable to avoid some parts of the outer districts of Moscow, especially in the south. Some of those areas are notorious for gopniks (drunkards notorious for muggings and starting fights with strangers, and will do so seemingly unprovoked), who normally hang out in sparse residential areas and in industrial zones. The same problems can be witnessed in the surrounding regions and in other Russian cities as well.
While traveling in Moscow, as in the rest of Russia, you should always have your passport with you. If you look non-white, your papers may get checked more often than otherwise. The police may demand to see your papers to check if you have been registered within 7 business days of your arrival into Moscow. Always remember that if you stay in a hotel then you are automatically registered and will be handed a confirmation paper at a time of check-in, so don't worry in this case. The police are usually looking for migrants from Central Asia and unless you fit this profile, you are unlikely to be questioned.
Women should take caution walking alone late at night since they may receive unwanted attention from drunk men. Women should also stay clear of large companies of men in front of bars, restaurants, etc. It is best to walk with a friend if possible.
Streets can become very slippery in winter. Wear shoes or, even better, boots with decent grip to prevent twisted ankles. Ice patches can be hard to spot. A waterproof raincoat is also sensible.
Traffic is poorly handled, and vehicle accident rates are very high. Stay safe.
If you need help with translation, ask students or pupils: younger people are more likely to be able to help you than the older generations.
For information on using telephones and buying SIM cards in Russia, see Russia#Connect.
Mobile Internet is quite affordable in Russia, but you have to buy Russian SIM-card first.
Moscow Metro has Wi-Fi in all trains. It is ad-supported.
Mosgortrans has Wi-Fi spots on every bus, trolleybus and tram. Also sometimes you can find Wi-Fi spot on a public transport stop.
Beeline Wi-Fi operates the largest network of both paid and free Wi-Fi access points. If there is a charge, you can pay online via credit card.
There is a large network of free Wi-Fi hotspots in the city centre; check your device in the middle of a busy area and you may find one.
Many cafes and restaurants offer Wi-Fi - ask for password. Most bookstores offer free Wi-Fi, including "Dom Knigi" on New Arbat Street or "Respublika" bookstore on Tverskaya near Mayakovskaya Metro Station.
Some establishments that offer free Wi-Fi may require you to verify an authorization code sent to a Russian phone number before gaining access, but for the most part, foreign numbers also work as of 2016.
Moscow is one of the global diplomatic capitals, competing with Berlin, Paris, London, and Washington D.C.. Most of the world's countries have their embassies in the city.
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Since Moscow is the biggest transportation center in Russia and one of the main points of entry for the foreign tourists, it is a convenient starting point for exploring much of European Russia. Even traveling through Moscow to Ukraine and some Caucasian and Central Asian countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan etc.) could be cheaper than direct flights from Europe/North America. Travel deals to Moscow are not rare and ticket prices are often pretty low within the former USSR.
- Golden Ring. — Old cities and towns rich in historical buildings, situated in the heartland of Muskovy Russia. There are many tourist companies organizing guided tours, but travellers with rudimentary knowledge of Cyrillic alphabet can do it independently. Many guidebooks are available in English.
- Nizhny Novgorod. — the so-called "younger brother of Moscow." Never call Nizhny Novgorod as Novgorod, it's 2 absolutely different cities. Nizhny Novgorod is located about 400 kilometers from the capital of Russia. You can get there from Moscow only 3,5 hours by train Lastochka or Strizh. If you want to get there with comfort, then it's best to take tickets in the compartment. However, 3.5 hours in a reserved seat are not very tiring for moving.
- Saint Petersburg. — 13 different overnight trains leave Moscow for the 7-hour (or thereabouts) journey, arriving the next morning. Don't try to save on sleeper accommodations; you won't like the coach car unless you aren't counting on getting any sleep at all (but in this case, you'd be better off taking one of the daytime high-speed Sapsan trains - they take around 4 hours, and the vistas rushing by on the other side of the window are lovely). You might even consider paying the extra money for a first class sleeper cabin which has two comfortable beds. Included in the price is a small snack for supper and breakfast. There is also an attendant for each carriage who is willing to make tea in classic metal and glass tea glasses. Very civilised way to travel. Though air travel is a preferred way of transportation.
- Tver. — Known as "Tiny Petersburg" thanks to its city structure. The administrative center of Tver Oblast. The Volga river divides the city into two very different parts.
- Sergiev Posad. - Famous old Orthodox monastery (Troitse-Sergieva Lavra). Commuter trains from Yaroslavsky Station, several daily; travel time about 1 1/2 hours.
- Kolomna. - A nice medieval town (2-3h from Moscow) with a number of very interesting churches and monasteries
- Arkhangelskoye Palace, Krasnogorsk (Metro stations: "Tushinskaya". - One of the finest of Moscow Oblast's usadbas (estates) is only a short elektrichka ride away from Moscow and makes a fine day excursion.
- Kubinka Tank Museum. One of finest armour collections in the world. About one hour west of the city. Access is restricted.
- Monino Central Airforce Museum. - A very large airfield and some hangars with a lot of planes, some of them unique (Tu-144, "Ilya Murometz", T-4, a lot of ramjet fighters, helicopters, etc).
- Leninskiye Gorki, +7 495 548-9309. - An old country estate, expropriated by the Communist authorities after 1917 and used by V. Lenin as his country residence when he became ill. Large museum, although pretty decrepit now.
- State Borodino War and History Museum and Reserve. Warning: preodered group visits only. This is the site of the famous Battle of Borodino. Museum and national historic site .
- Melikhovo. Chekhov's country house
- Yasnaya Polyana. Tolstoi's country house
- New Jerusalem Resurrection Monastery. - A monastery-fortress (male, working) with a number of museums inside and next to the walls: Wooden architecture museum, local history museum, Art and History museum etc. The monastery was founded in 1656 by Tzar Alexis II and Patriarch Nikon (his "cell", a three-storey house stands in the park outside the monastery walls) to resemble the original Jerusalem.
- Savvino-Storozhevskiy monastery. - A beautiful monastery with interesting history, closely connected to Russian Tzars.
- Dmitrov. - A town, on Moscow Channel, with old churches, interesting sculptures in the streets and a number of museums
- Snegiri. - Settlement, that boasts a monument to the Defense of Moscow during WW2, with a good collection of tanks, and a museum.
Golden Ring. — Old cities and towns rich in historical buildings, situated in the heartland of Muskovy Russia. There are many tourist companies organizing guided tours, but travellers with rudimentary knowledge of Cyrillic alphabet can do it independently. Many guidebooks are available in English.
Nizhny Novgorod. — the so-called "younger brother of Moscow." Never call Nizhny Novgorod as Novgorod, it's 2 absolutely different cities. Nizhny Novgorod is located about 400 kilometers from the capital of Russia. You can get there from Moscow only 3,5 hours by train Lastochka or Strizh. If you want to get there with comfort, then it's best to take tickets in the compartment. However, 3.5 hours in a reserved seat are not very tiring for moving.
Saint Petersburg. — 13 different overnight trains leave Moscow for the 7-hour (or thereabouts) journey, arriving the next morning. Don't try to save on sleeper accommodations; you won't like the coach car unless you aren't counting on getting any sleep at all (but in this case, you'd be better off taking one of the daytime high-speed Sapsan trains - they take around 4 hours, and the vistas rushing by on the other side of the window are lovely). You might even consider paying the extra money for a first class sleeper cabin which has two comfortable beds. Included in the price is a small snack for supper and breakfast. There is also an attendant for each carriage who is willing to make tea in classic metal and glass tea glasses. Very civilised way to travel. Though air travel is a preferred way of transportation.
Tver. — Known as "Tiny Petersburg" thanks to its city structure. The administrative center of Tver Oblast. The Volga river divides the city into two very different parts.
Sergiev Posad. - Famous old Orthodox monastery (Troitse-Sergieva Lavra). Commuter trains from Yaroslavsky Station, several daily; travel time about 1 1/2 hours.
Kolomna. - A nice medieval town (2-3h from Moscow) with a number of very interesting churches and monasteries
Arkhangelskoye Palace, Krasnogorsk (Metro stations: "Tushinskaya". - One of the finest of [[Moscow Oblast]]'s usadbas (estates) is only a short elektrichka ride away from Moscow and makes a fine day excursion.
Kubinka Tank Museum. One of finest armour collections in the world. About one hour west of the city. Access is restricted.
Monino Central Airforce Museum. - A very large airfield and some hangars with a lot of planes, some of them unique (Tu-144, "Ilya Murometz", T-4, a lot of ramjet fighters, helicopters, etc).
Leninskiye Gorki, +7 495 548-9309. - An old country estate, expropriated by the Communist authorities after 1917 and used by V. Lenin as his country residence when he became ill. Large museum, although pretty decrepit now.
State Borodino War and History Museum and Reserve. Warning: preodered group visits only. This is the site of the famous Battle of Borodino. Museum and national historic site .
Melikhovo. Chekhov's country house
Yasnaya Polyana. Tolstoi's country house
New Jerusalem Resurrection Monastery. - A monastery-fortress (male, working) with a number of museums inside and next to the walls: Wooden architecture museum, local history museum, Art and History museum etc. The monastery was founded in 1656 by Tzar Alexis II and Patriarch Nikon (his "cell", a three-storey house stands in the park outside the monastery walls) to resemble the original Jerusalem.
Savvino-Storozhevskiy monastery. - A beautiful monastery with interesting history, closely connected to Russian Tzars.
Dmitrov. - A town, on Moscow Channel, with old churches, interesting sculptures in the streets and a number of museums
Snegiri. - Settlement, that boasts a monument to the Defense of Moscow during WW2, with a good collection of tanks, and a museum.