From the history and majesty of the Kremlin and Red Square at the very heart of the city to the beauty of a ballet performance at the Bolshoi, cosmopolitan Tverskaya Street with its stylish boutiques, or a cruise on the Moskva River, Moscow offers visitors surprises at every turn.
Culture, history, business and gastronomy all combine to make the Russian capital one of the most fascinating destinations within a short flight of the GCC, and with only a one or two-hour time difference between Moscow and the Gulf countries, travellers don’t have to worry about jet-lag ruining their plans.
Moscow has long been at the forefront of great gastronomy in Russia, and the arrival of the Michelin Guide in the city in October 2021 will surely cement the city’s culinary credentials even further. Russia’s huge area and variety of different climates means it produces exceptional ingredients which dazzle diners at many of the city’s excellent restaurants when in the hands of the new generation of talented chefs.
For travellers with a love of culture, the Instagrammable domes of St Basil’s Cathedral, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Church of the Holy Martyr Clement are Yelokhovsky Cathedral are must-sees, and it’s easy to spend hours wandering the Kremlin, Novospassky Monastery or Krutitsky farmstead, learning about the fascinating history of the state.
Shoppers should head for the iconic GUM department store on Red Square, not only for the stores contained within, but also for its beautiful architecture.
Those with a sense of adventure will find much to offer in Moscow and its surrounding areas. Budding astronauts should head to Zvezdny Gorodok, also known as Star Town, home of the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre. Visitors can see a model of the Mir space station used for training and SOYUZ spaceships. The truly brave can even experience a Zero Gravity flight. The Cosmonautics and Aviation Centre in the renovated Cosmos pavilion at VDNH is another must-see for space-lovers.
For those who want to get an aerial view without quite such a thrill, helicopter tours over Moscow offer a bird’s eye view of the city and its incredible architecture. By day or night, the experience is unforgettable.Moscow’s green surroundings offer great opportunities for hiking in the forest or walking along eco-paths. Pick up some snacks from one of Moscow’s famous markets, such as DEPO food market or the Central market, and head out for a picnic.
For more thrills in the open air, cross the Moskva River by zipline or navigate its turns via boat tours available year-round. Moscow is home to exceptional hotels and hospitality and there is sure to be something to suit every type of traveller.
