Moscow
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8:15 AM
Moscow
Moscow is a city of contrasts, where the bohemian and the glamorous merge in an idiosyncratic fusion – do not be surprised to find a golden-domed 16th century church next to an ultra-modern glass skyscraper or a Soviet block house. Here, salty fish eggs (caviar) are washed down with bubbly champagne and worn-out commuters travel by the elaborately decorated, elegant metro, one of the city's main attractions.Find your trip
The monument, designed by Mihail Chemiakin, shows 2 children at play, surrounded by 13 menacing-looking figures, each representing a vice or evil the youth is often faced with growing up. Can you interpret the meaning of each sculpture? You can find the monument south of the Moscow Kremlin, in Bolotnaya Square.
Built in memory of the emperor Peter I, who reigned the nation for 43 years, the monument faces the Moskva River and is the 8th highest statue in the world, standing at 98 meters (322ft) tall. Besides the statue, you can also enjoy a beautiful view over the river around the area, as well as spot some boat traffic.
Several religious buildings surrounded by a wall make up the monastery, set amid a park on the Moskva River bank. To grasp the importance of the place throughout the course of Russian history, visit the Novodevichy Cemetry, where many prominent Russians found their final resting place, from literary behemoths (Chekhov and Gogol) to politicians (Boris Yeltsin). The monastery has remained near-intact since the 17th century.
The church was built to mark the birth of prince Ivan VI, who was later to become Ivan 'the Terrible' -- it was the first of its architectural kind in Russia. The structure faces the Moskva River and is marvellous in its unique architectural design. Kolomenskoye Park stretches along the Moskva River and is a favourite among locals for day trips, too.
Today's Wooden Palace of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich is a complete reconstruction, since the building's original was, sadly, demolished on command of Catherine the Great in the 18th century. The museum inside showcases the lively embellishments and ornate furniture that was replicated through paintings dating back to the time.
The Pushkin Museum of Fine Art is a paradise for those interested in art. Here Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art mingles with older works by Rembrandt and Botticelli.
With its 62 halls and 100,000 paintings, the Tretiakov Gallery contains the world’s largest collection of Russian art. Fortunately, all of these pieces are not all displayed together, but a few at a time.
If you yearn for gold, velvet and precious stones, you must visit the Armoury. The treasures that have been collected over the centuries by the Russian tsars and princes can be found here. Some magnificent examples are the Fabergé egg and Catherine the Great’s coronation dress.
The monument, designed by Mihail Chemiakin, shows 2 children at play, surrounded by 13 menacing-looking figures, each representing a vice or evil the youth is often faced with growing up. Can you interpret the meaning of each sculpture? You can find the monument south of the Moscow Kremlin, in Bolotnaya Square.
Built in memory of the emperor Peter I, who reigned the nation for 43 years, the monument faces the Moskva River and is the 8th highest statue in the world, standing at 98 meters (322ft) tall. Besides the statue, you can also enjoy a beautiful view over the river around the area, as well as spot some boat traffic.
Restaurant “Expedition. Northern cuisine” serves delicacies of northern Russian cuisine of the highest quality. Each product “flies” or “comes” or “swims” here from distant ecologically clean lands and is cooked only on Baikal water! This restaurant is the place for those who appreciate high quality in everything! So don’t be surprised if some famous singer is performing a song for his friends at a table next to yours… They are a big family and every guest for them is a good friend!
Despite the name, Moscow's Central Market isn't really much of a market, but rather a collection of trendy restaurants and cafes serving dishes of world cuisines. Once you take your pick from its vast array of culinary offerings, stop by the wine shop (main entrance, first right) and pick up a bottle to your liking - you can even borrow a pair of wine glasses with your purchase. On summer evenings, the outdoor terrace teems with people. It's one of the current places to be.
Do not be fooled by "café" in its title: this is one of Moscow’s finest restaurants. Go on a journey through time back to the sumptuous 19th century. Here, well-dressed Muscovites enjoy caviar and the Franco-Russian cuisine. Here you can also enjoy a grandiose breakfast buffet.
One of the hottest food courts in town, this one at Danilovskiy Market ('rynok') boasts several exceptional eateries at once. Try Shepka (Щепка) for high-quality smoked meats and fish (you'll want to bring some from the deli on your way out), Bô for as-authentic-as-it gets Vietnamese, Fiorella Pasta Fresca for fresh hand-made pasta, Georgian Street Food or Crabs Are Coming (with Alaskan king crab meat). Afterwards, take a gander around the market itself, and perhaps pick up a few items from the many stalls and deli shops.
If you're not quite sure what it is you're in the mood for, Depo is an excellent solution. The expansive space is shared by several dozen restaurants and food stalls, which serve up specialities of world cuisines, ranging from Vietnamese (at the well-liked "Bổ") to burgers, plus a few shops specialising in seafood (you can even get fresh oysters and sea urchin). Apart from eateries, the complex contains a large farmers' market with 120 shops selling produce from home and abroad, teas, sweets, and more.
In downtown Moscow, near Pushkinskaya / Tverskaya underground station, you can find the elegant Rybnyy Bazar ("fish market"). This restaurant serves seafood, and lobster and oysters are especially popular here.
Mu-Mu is an affordable self-service restaurant chain serving both light snacks and full meals. The interior is very cosy and the restaurant has become increasingly popular for its simple and tasty food. Multiple locations operate around the city.
Noev Kovcheg serves award-winning Armenian food. When here, be sure to taste the famous Armenian cognac. The prestigious restaurant opened its doors to the public on July 17th 1999, the same date that Noah’s Ark settled on the mountain of Ararat.
Restaurant “Expedition. Northern cuisine” serves delicacies of northern Russian cuisine of the highest quality. Each product “flies” or “comes” or “swims” here from distant ecologically clean lands and is cooked only on Baikal water! This restaurant is the place for those who appreciate high quality in everything! So don’t be surprised if some famous singer is performing a song for his friends at a table next to yours… They are a big family and every guest for them is a good friend!
Despite the name, Moscow's Central Market isn't really much of a market, but rather a collection of trendy restaurants and cafes serving dishes of world cuisines. Once you take your pick from its vast array of culinary offerings, stop by the wine shop (main entrance, first right) and pick up a bottle to your liking - you can even borrow a pair of wine glasses with your purchase. On summer evenings, the outdoor terrace teems with people. It's one of the current places to be.
Popular shopping streets are Noviy Arbat and the more exclusive Kuznetskiy, but the number one shopping street is Tverskaya ulitsa. Stalin had the street restored in the 1930’s, so here, too, there is evidence of his liking for massive, grey buildings.
Those who wish to start their shopping trip at one of the shopping centres with the finest old traditions in the world should head for GUM. The building was designed in the new Russian style at the end of 19th century. During the Stalinist period, GUM was temporarily converted into offices. Today it accommodates a plethora of international luxury brands, and is more of a landmark than a go-to shopping location.
Eliseyevskiy store is the name of Moscow’s most famous delicatessen shop (known during the Soviet period as Gastronomy no. 1). This is the place to buy your ration of vodka, caviar, and other local delicacies. Russians are avid tea drinkers and at Chudesa Podnebesnoi you can find the finest Chinese teas.
This late 19th century building stands out dramatically against its surroundings. It was built to emulate ornate Chinese tea houses of the era, and remains in its near-original condition to-date. Inside, multiple varieties of tea are sold both by weight and by package. There is a little on-site cafe that sells sweets, teas and coffee.
Popular shopping streets are Noviy Arbat and the more exclusive Kuznetskiy, but the number one shopping street is Tverskaya ulitsa. Stalin had the street restored in the 1930’s, so here, too, there is evidence of his liking for massive, grey buildings.
Those who wish to start their shopping trip at one of the shopping centres with the finest old traditions in the world should head for GUM. The building was designed in the new Russian style at the end of 19th century. During the Stalinist period, GUM was temporarily converted into offices. Today it accommodates a plethora of international luxury brands, and is more of a landmark than a go-to shopping location.
The city's third and most compact airport, Vnukovo is located approximately 28 kilometres southwest of the city centre. The air hub is best reached by Aeroexpress trains departing from the Kievskaya Railway Station. Several mini-buses also run here from Yugo-Zapadnaya metro station (south end of the red line).
The largest international airport in Moscow is Sheremetyevo International Airport, located 30 kilometres from the city centre. The easiest and fastest way to reach any of Moscow's three major airports is by Aeroexpress - a fast train designated for air travelers (train departs from Belorussky Railway Station). The train ride takes 35 minutes. Another way to get here is by taxi. At the airport you can order taxis at the operator desk. You can usually book a taxi in advance through the hotel or travel agency when going to the airport. Alternatively, there are different bus routes. The buses take about 30-70 minutes depending on the route and your final destination. When traveling by car or bus, do keep in mind that rush hour traffic may sometimes be very dense, and significant delays are possible.
Another large airport in Moscow is Moscow Domodedovo Airport. The airport is located 22 kilometres away from the city. You can also reach the airport from Domodedovskaya underground station by mini-bus or bus and from Paveletsky railway station by train. The train from Paveletsky railway station takes 40-50 minutes going on the Aeroexpress train, and 1 hour and 10 minutes on the commuter train. The express buses and shuttles from Domodedovskaya underground station take 25-30 minutes and leave every 15 minutes. Buses run from 6am-12am. Taxis can be ordered at the domestic and international arrivals hall. There are car rental services at the airport.
Moscow has one of the world’s most beautiful underground railways which operates very efficiently. If you carry big luggage on the metro, make sure you buy a special luggage ticket. Tickets can be bought at station entrances - either at vending machines or special staffed kiosks.If you plan to use the metro multiple times during your stay, it makes sense to purchase a top-up card called "Troika".
In Moscow there are also buses, trolley buses and trams apart from the beautiful metro. Tickets can be bought from the kiosks in the street or from the driver and validated once aboard.
In Moscow the easiest way to get a taxi is the traditional way: to stand in the street and hold out your arm. Civilian cars like to operate as taxis, it is therefore recommended to only use professional taxi services. Taxi meters are not always used, so agree on a price before travelling. English-speaking taxi services in Moscow: Welcome Taxi +7 499 922 06 74 www.welcometaxi.ru LingoTaxi: +7 495 204 21 34
There are many post offices around town. If you want to send a letter you can drop it of in one of the dark blue post boxes. Main Post Office:
Medical care may be very expensive if you do not have insurance. Hotels often have their own doctor, so start there if you need help. There are dozens of pharmacies all throughout the city, and many work 24/7. Rigla 102 www.rigla.ru 15/43 Arbat, Moscow Apteka 36,6 www.366.ru 25 str 1A Zemlyanoy val, Moscow
The city's third and most compact airport, Vnukovo is located approximately 28 kilometres southwest of the city centre. The air hub is best reached by Aeroexpress trains departing from the Kievskaya Railway Station. Several mini-buses also run here from Yugo-Zapadnaya metro station (south end of the red line).
The largest international airport in Moscow is Sheremetyevo International Airport, located 30 kilometres from the city centre. The easiest and fastest way to reach any of Moscow's three major airports is by Aeroexpress - a fast train designated for air travelers (train departs from Belorussky Railway Station). The train ride takes 35 minutes. Another way to get here is by taxi. At the airport you can order taxis at the operator desk. You can usually book a taxi in advance through the hotel or travel agency when going to the airport. Alternatively, there are different bus routes. The buses take about 30-70 minutes depending on the route and your final destination. When traveling by car or bus, do keep in mind that rush hour traffic may sometimes be very dense, and significant delays are possible.
