Moscow is a big capital city with many awesome things to do and see. It can be quite overwhelming to plan where you want to begin your journey, so I decided to compile a list of incredible things to do and the best photo spots I found in this post. This should give you a good starting point for your trip and help you explore this stunning city in the best way possible.
Moscow Things to Do Itinerary Map
9 Incredible Things to Do and See in Moscow (3 - 4 nights)
1. Red Square
- 📍 Location: Red Square [Map Link]
Red Square is one of the highlights of Moscow, and for good reason. Many of Moscow's unique architectural wonders, such as St Basil's Cathedral and the State Historical Museum, are all located here. If you booked the hostel I recommended above, you will be minutes away from the Square, and you can visit this place at your own leisure.
Photo Tips: Getting a stunning photo of the Red Square is really tricky as it is one of the most popular attractions in Moscow, but it's not impossible. Try pointing the camera up to exclude the crowds or visit the Red Square at night when there are fewer people and better lighting.
2. The Kremlin
- 📍 Location: The Kremlin [Map Link]
Next to the Red Square is the Kremlin. Going inside the Kremlin is highly recommended. It is concentrated with stunning buildings of historical importance, such as the Ivan the Great Bell Tower, the Grand Palace, and the Cathedral of the Archangel.
Photo Tips: Walk across the bridge to the other side of the river and capture the Kremlin from there with all the lights. It is quite a nice, easy walk that should not take you more than an hour tops.
3. Cathedral of Christ the Saviour
- 📍 Location: Cathedral of Christ the Saviour [Map Link]
A gigantic cathedral near the Red Square with an iconic golden roof. You may have seen this from afar while walking around the Red Square, so don't forget to incorporate this into one of the stops on your walks. You can even go up the cathedral to the lookout point to see Moscow from above.
Photo Tips: Right before the bridge ends, connecting it to the cathedral platform with the cathedral on your left, you can get a nice perspective of Moscow. With a mix of old Russian architectural style and the modern style of the main building of Moscow State University, it creates a beautiful contrast between the two styles, especially during sunset.
4. Moscow's Underground
- 📍 Location: Komsomolskaya [Map Link]
Moscow's metro system is one of the oldest metro systems in the world and one of the most extravagant as well. Decorations in stations like Komsomolskaya and Mayakovskaya are left intact and still worth a visit. It is like walking into a palace full of people. However, not all of them are worth seeing, so pick the stations carefully.
Photo Tips: Going against all travel photography teachings, the stations are best visited during prime time when they are busiest. Long exposure shots are perfect for a poorly lit, crowded station like Komsomolskaya.
5. The Museum of Cosmonautics
- 📍 Location: The Museum of Cosmonautics [Map Link]
- 💰 Entry Fees: Free on third Sundays
If you are a space nerd like me, you probably know who Yuri Gagarin is (the first man in space). And since you are traveling in his country, what better way to pay respect to him than to visit the Museum of Cosmonautics in Moscow? The museum is interesting in itself with a large collection of amazing space instruments and satellites used during the Space Race, a little nod to Buran, the Russian Space Shuttle, and a history of the first man, woman, and dogs that went to space. You can spend half a day here learning all about the USSR's legacy during the Space Race.
Tips: If you don't mind waiting in long queues, on every third Sunday of the month, the museum is free to enter.
6. Moscow Business District
- 📍 Location: Moscow Business District [Map Link]
Moscow has many cool skyscrapers, but the best place to see all of this concentrated in one area is at the observation deck along the river near the Bagration Bridge. You can take the metro to Kievskaya and walk northwest across the streets toward the river. There, you can capture a nice perspective of the new, modern Moscow.
Photo Tips: The location of this observational deck is not very well documented, so you should not have a problem with the crowds. Try walking along the entire stretch of the river, and you should see a dock that goes down close to the river. With a beautiful calm day or night, you might be able to get a beautiful photo of these skyscrapers.
7. Arbat Walking Street
- 📍 Location: Arbat Walking Street [Map Link]
The Arbat walking street is the perfect place to go and see Russian street performers performing for interesting crowds after work hours. Even in cold wintry Russia, there are many street performers along the streets, under the connecting bridges, and around the entrance of the Arbat metro station.
Photo Tips: After work hours are the best time to see people interacting with street performers, perfect for street photography.
8. Church of Nikolaya Chudotvortsa Tverskoy Old Believers' Community
This is a small, relatively unknown cathedral, but what makes this place special for me is its location. The small cathedral is located between business centers and skyscrapers, which creates the perfect contrast between the old and the new.
Photo Tips: Walk up the street between Torro Grill and Bianca restaurants, in front of the church, for a bit, and then turn back. You will be able to get the perfect shot of this old church squeezed in between two modern skyscrapers.
9. Moscow State University
- 📍 Location: Moscow State University [Map Link]
Photos by Dmitry A. Mottl
Moscow State University is not only one of the highest-ranking universities in the world but also one of the most iconic architectural structures in the city. The main building, with its Neo-Palladian style, resembles the Empire State Building in New York, but it is larger and more captivating.
Photo Tips: The building is perfectly symmetrical, so if you walk through the botanical garden and turn back, you will be able to see a beautiful symmetrical view of the university.
Where to Stay in Moscow?
When To Visit Moscow?
June to August is by far the best time to visit Moscow as it is summertime with a comfortable temperature of 23 - 30 °C. I was there in November, and it rained the entire time I was there. However, I got to see the northern lights in the Arctic Circle, which was nice.
How To Get Around Moscow?
Moscow is very accessible via metros. The metros are also pretty easy to navigate, as all the airports are connected via the brown line, where you can switch to any colored lines from there. It is extremely cheap as well, with one ticket costing around 50 RUB for a single trip.
Before arriving, I would suggest that you download an offline map from here: Download Moscow Metro maps.
Daily Budget
This location is moderately priced, with transportation, food, and accommodation averaging around $35 - $55 USD per day per person. It's not exactly cheap, but it's not overly expensive either.
Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.
How to Get to Moscow?
You can fly into Moscow via Aeroflot, but if you are looking for the cheapest possible option, be sure to browse through Skyscanner or Expedia before comparing prices, just in case.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.
2 Comments
Thank you for sharing the photography spots. Actually, the whole post was helpful when I was exploring Moscow
Thank you Salah! :) Glad you find the post useful!