Moscow Travel Guide

Moscow is changing and becoming more Westernized every day, but it had a long way to go when the USSR collapsed and this is still not one of the easier cities to visit. This is a fascinating place, but it isn’t particularly cheap and there are parts of the city that are considered to be unsafe for tourists. Locals don’t eat out much so restaurants are considered (and usually priced as) a luxury, but there are more fast food places and other local choices if you look around.

What To Do

The Kremlin a major highlight for any visitor. This walled complex dates back to the 11th Century and contains the Kutafya Tower as well as several churches and other interesting structures including Ivan the Great Belltower. The Kremlin borders Red Square, which itself is a tourist draw and is also where you’ll find the famous St. Basil’s Cathedral with it’s brightly colored onion domes.

Lenin’s Tomb is also on Red Square. Since his death in 1924, Lenin’s mummified body has been on display here and still draws crowds of curious onlookers. Leave your camera outside, as photos are not possible. On a less morbid note, Gorky Park is a giant park along the river housing amusement park rides among other things. It’s obviously popular in summer, but during winter ice-skating is available.

Getting There

Being a long way from everywhere, Moscow isn’t an easy place to get to by train. The track gauge is different from Europe so trains must stop and switch trucks entering Belarus, making a long journey even longer. It’s best to book a flight into Sheremetyevo International Airport (code: SVO), which is where most international flights arrive. A few carriers are switching to Domodedovo International Airport (code DME) so it’s worth checking that one as well.

Where To Stay

This is a huge city so it pays to be careful of the location when booking a hostel in Moscow or a hotel in Moscow. It’s probably worth paying a bit more to be closer to the tourist center, particularly if you don’t speak Russian all that well.

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