What to see and do in Moscow? One of the best cities in Europe
The capital of Russia is one of the largest and most important cities in Europe, with an atmosphere steeped in history, important architectural monuments, and a modern city that is reminiscent of the great capitals of the world.
In Moscow, you can visit old buildings, interesting museums with the great masters of world painting or loaded with great Russian history, gardens and parks; in addition to the huge skyscrapers, some of which are among the tallest in Europe and the world.
9 essential visits to see in Moscow
1. The Kremlin
The image of the Moscow Kremlin is the main emblem of Russian political power, both today and in its earlier times.
However, unlike other cities where the presidential house or the most important government buildings are located, the Moscow Kremlin has several elements that make it an important tourist complex.
The first thing that can be seen is its great wall that surrounds the entire Kremlin, a wall built between the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.
Inside there are several administrative buildings of the Russian government, but there are also four palaces and four cathedrals, these buildings being some of its most important attractions.
Among the cathedrals we mentioned above, the Cathedral of the Dormition stands out, the emblematic place where the former tsars of Russia were crowned.
You can also visit the Kremlin Armory Museum, a place where you can see Russian weapons from different eras and one of the most important diamond exhibitions in the world.
2. Red Square in Moscow
Several interpretations have been given to the name of this iconic square, some point out that its name comes from the color of its red bricks, others elude that it made reference to the red color of communism; the truth is that it comes from a Russian word that means beautiful square.
On the Red Square in Moscow you can visit several important buildings, for example, the Saint Basil's Cathedral, the Kazan Cathedral or the Lenin Mausoleum.
In addition to these important buildings, you can see the State Museum of Russian History or the GUM Galleries.
Moscow's Red Square is also a central place in the city, where Muscovites usually have their most important celebrations, as well as hosting multiple cultural events a year.
3. Saint Basil's Cathedral
When we look at an image of the Red Square in Moscow, or when we see a postcard from Russia, those huge towers with their onion-shaped domes, which are considered the symbol of the city, always jump out at us.
If from the outside its towers and red domes attract attention, from the inside you can see nine chapels dedicated to different saints who helped Ivan IV, known as "the Terrible", to win different battles.
At night Saint Basil's Cathedral is a spectacle in itself, as many lights create an imposing atmosphere, matching Red Square and the impressive structure of the cathedral.
4. Moscow Metro
Perhaps some consider that naming public transport among the main attractions of a city is not the most appropriate; however, in the city of Moscow its metro is a wonderful work of art.
"The People's Palace", as the Moscow metro is called, is an underground museum that attracts numerous tourists worldwide, to enjoy the beautiful architecture, or the works of art that adorn its stations.
5. Museum of Cosmonautics
One of the most interesting parts of Russian history and of the 20th century is the period known as the "Cold War", where Russia and the United States engaged in a technological struggle, which would give great advances to the knowledge of the universe.
Russian cosmonauts are the astronauts in the West, which is why the museum is named after this exciting period in Russian history.
Inside the museum you can see several technological pieces, which were part of the Russian expeditions to outer space, as well as photographs, documents, and other items of interest.
In 2009, this museum underwent a renovation, complementing the collection with various pieces, articles, documents and accessories from the space programs of the United States, Europe, China and the International Space Station.
6. Alexander Gardens
The Alexander Gardens were inaugurated in 1821, to celebrate the victory of the Russian military forces over the invading hosts of Napoleon Bonaparte, who tried to conquer this territory in 1812.
The Alexander Gardens are located in the center of Moscow, very close to the Kremlin and Red Square.
In this public park you will be able to see: sculptures, several fountains and some war monuments, which recall various conflicts that Russia has had to face throughout its history.
One of the most important monuments in the Alexander Gardens is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which pays homage to all the Russian combatants who died during World War II.
7. Pushkin Museum
The Pushkin Museum, or the State Museum of Fine Arts, was originally a place dedicated to learning various works of classical art, so that art students could get acquainted with them.
Currently, it has a vast collection of historical pieces from great ancient civilizations, such as Egypt or Greece, in addition to its extensive painting collection with several world-famous artists.
Some great masters of European painting that you can see here are: Murillo, Rubens, Van Dyck, Rembrandt, Renoir, Van Gogh, Gaugin, and even Pablo Picasso.
8. Federation Tower
This imposing skyscraper serves as the highest viewpoint in the city of Moscow, where you can see the best views of the Russian capital.
It is not only an impressive office building, in this place, there are also residential apartments, since the building was made with the idea of vertical cities, which are large buildings with health centers, shopping malls, offices, etc., all in the same complex.
Despite this, the top floors of the Federation Tower have a space to observe the entire city, a restaurant with incredible views, and a conference area.
9. Moscow City
Although it is true that for many years Russia, the Kremlin and Moscow were the world symbols of communism; today, that is in the past and the area of skyscrapers in Moscow has nothing to envy to the great capitals of the world.
The complex is known as the Moscow International Business Center is located to the west of the Russian capital, and houses at least six of the ten tallest buildings in all of Europe.
Apart from the Federation Tower, the other emblematic building in Moscow City is the Evolution Tower, with its peculiar wavy shape reminiscent of a moving tape, it is one of the tallest "twisted" buildings in the world.
