Cosmopolitan in flavor, Russia’s capital is a place to be! Situated on the Moskva River, from which it gets its name, Moscow is the political, scientific, historical, architectural and business center of Russia, a city of contrasts, where turbulent history and dynamic present combine to create a truly magical environment. Moscow is now the epicenter of the ‘new Russia,’ and is the most populous city in Europe with a population of around 11 million. In addition, Moscow is the first city in the world estimated by the number of billionaires, so this proves its status of the world’s most expensive city. With a wealth of attractions, great dining scene and superb opportunities for adventures, Moscow for the visitor is, no doubt, tantalizingly overwhelming.
See
Moscow is blessed with a wealth of iconic buildings of architectural excellence and it’s home to many world heritage sites, including the Kremlin – the symbol of the Russian State and one of the greatest architectural complexes in the world, Red Square – Moscow’s most famous address, crowned by the legendary onion domes of St. Basil’s Cathedral, the wooden Kolomenskoye Palace – site of the oldest inhabited settlements in Moscow, and the ensemble of Novodevichy Convent – a cluster of 16 sparkling domes behind turreted walls with rich interiors and an important collection of paintings and artifacts.
Nothing short of spectacular, Moscow’s State Tretyakov Gallery remains an essential destination for budding Russophiles and all visitors to Moscow that holds the world’s best collection of Russian icons, as well as an impressive collection of other pre-revolutionary Russian art. The gallery has 62 rooms and 100,000 works, displaying the development of Russian painting from the 10th to the end of the 19th century.
Among must-see Moscow attractions, well-worth a note is also the imposing Cathedral of Christ the Savior, built to celebrate the victory over Napoleon.
Those visiting Moscow with a family should not miss out the Great Moscow Circus –a spectacle of bears, acrobats and clowns. Other family-friendly venues in Moscow include: Obraztov Puppet Theater and Museum, Gorki Park, Moscow Dolphinarium and The Moscow Zoo.
A post or two won’t be enough to introduce all the major attractions of Moscow, so expect to find detailed info about each of the above mentions places of interest separately in our future posts.
Eat and Drink
As to the dining scene, Moscow comes with a wide range of budget-to-luxury restaurants, where you can satisfy your hunger and thirst. Restaurants of all tastes are opening every week, with imported foreign chefs battling it out for Moscow’s upper and middle classes. Most exclusive and expensive Moscow restaurants are found in the city center, offering everything traditional Russian to Indian to Chinese to Latin American cuisine, and it’s highly recommended to book your table beforehand in such getaways. Cheaper dining options can be found in other parts of the city; however, the average check in restaurants is some $14.
Some of the best Moscow restaurants include: Red Square, offering traditional Russian menu (prices range $20 and up for main courses and about $16 for business lunch); Café Pushkin – perhaps Moscow’s most sophisticated 24-hour restaurant with stylish interior and superb menu (prices here are high, ranging between $32 and $80 for main courses); and Kitezh, famous for its superb dishes and a 17th-century farmhouse atmosphere.
Sleep
As to accommodation, Moscow offers abundant choices from simple lodging to luxury hotels with the highest standards of amenities and facilities. The price of hotel in Moscow depends on his level. Five-star hotel price, for instance, begins with $400 per night and unlimited, 4-star hotel prices range from $400 per night to $150, while 3-star hotel price is between $80-120 per night. There are also cheap hostels in Moscow that are mainly preferred by young people. Anyway, if you do good research a week before your trip to Moscow, be sure to find hotel in Moscow, which suits better for you.
The stunning Marriott Royal Aurora Hotel is definitely one of the best luxury choices in Moscow, offering discreet luxury, amazingly furnished accommodation, exquisite cuisine and unbeatable, personalized Butler service right in the very heart of the city, very close to such attractions, as Bolshoi Theater, Red Square, Moscow Kremlin and State Historical Museum. It’s the best of the four Moscow hotels offered by Marriott – one of the world’s best hotel chains and is an ideal choice for both business and leisure travelers.
The Garden Ring Hotel is a favorite choice for those looking for 4-star getaway and is found in the business district of Moscow, at the intersection of Garden Ring and Prospect Mira. The hotels come with fine facilities, including a SPA center, where, after a busy day guests can relax with various types of massages, as well as refresh in herbal and Finnish Saunas. The hotel staff is professional, ready to meet and exceed the highest expectations of the guests.
Guests can also plan their stay at the 3-star Maxima Irbis Hotel, a modern business getaway in the north of Moscow, with well-designed meeting and conference venues, comfortable guestrooms featuring modern furnishings and fittings, a reasonable restaurant and Turkish baths on-site and more, much more. Reasonable priced and serviced by a friendly, multilingual staff, the Maxima Irbis Hotel is a modest, yet attractive option and once you stay here, you are sure to return again and again.
Transportation
“It’s a bomb shelter, it’s an art gallery, it’s the Moscow metro!”- Gerald Easter, associate professor, Russian politics and history, Boston College. Yes, Moscow truly offers an efficient subway system. It is the fastest means of transport; trains are scheduled for every 90 seconds in a rush hour. However, many people prefer to drive their own cars, though the drive from homes to the offices may take longer in times as the city is immersed in the constant traffic jams.
Weather in Moscow & When to Go
Weather in Moscow can be different depending on the season, ranging from about +28°C in summer season to -25°C in winter season. There is no rainy season in Moscow, but more often rainy days in Moscow occur in July. The best time to visit the city is between April and May, when the sun begins to shine for significant portions of the day and hotel rates have yet to skyrocket into peak ranges. Luxury travelers, for whom spending a lot of money is no problem, can visit Moscow in summer, when the city is warm and bustling.
