How to get there
Most tourists get to Moscow by plane. There are several international airports in the city, the most popular of them are Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo and Vnukovo. To get to the city center quickly, we recommend using the special Aeroexpress train. Aeroexpress runs between airports and central stations every 30 minutes, travel time is 35-45 minutes, and ticket costs about 6.5 euros (500 rubles).
If you intend to use taxi, order a car through an application (Uber works perfectly fine in Moscow) or contact the official airport taxi service. Of course, the order via the application will be cheaper - without traffic jams, you can get to the city center for about 13 euros (1000 rubles).
Speaking of traffic jams. Moscow is especially "famous" for its traffic difficulties. During the rush hours, but not only, it is possible to stuck in traffic for a very long time. That's why, if your time is precious for you, plan your trip from airport to the final destination in advance ( you can use Yandex.Navigator, for example) to know how much time will be needed for such trip.
How to get around
If you are one of those tourists who likes to rent apartments in the city center and get everywhere on foot, we must note, that in Moscow it is not a good idea. The reason is the size of the city. Of course, you can get along on foot near the Kremlin and the nearest metro stations, but you will not have a chance to get to know the city well in this case.
We understand, that you don't want to learn the scheme of public transport by heart, but we recommend to learn a scheme of the metro, at least - you can make a printscreen on your phone, for example. Just trust us when we say that in this city subway is the only way to get to the right place in right time, avoiding traffic jams. Besides, central stations of the subway are very beautiful and are famous by their design, bas-reliefs and stucco.
Do not be intimidated by the abundance of metro lines, since tourists are only interested in central stations and the very convenient Koltsevaya Line (the train runs in a closed circle within the heart of the city). One-time trip in the subway costs 0.7 eur (55 rub).
In addition to popular types of urban transport in Moscow, there is also a monorail. This type of ground metro was launched in 2002 for the convenience of tourists, and now it is actively used by citizens of the city. Traveling on a monorail is perfect sightseeing tour. Starting from the VDNKh or from the subway station Timiryazevskaya, from the train window you can see the very sculpture “Worker and Kolkhoz Woman”, the museum of cosmonautics and the “Cosmos” hotel, the house-museum of academician Korolev, see the Ostankino television tower and the Ostankino palace itself. By the way, transfer from the subway to the monorail is for free.
When the roads are free, after the rush-hours use taxi, but don't forget our tips listed above.
Where to stay
We will not argue with the fact that Moscow is an expensive city. And hotel prices are another proof. However, after hosting the World Cup in the summer of 2018, a lot of new mini-hotels and decent hostels opened in the city, after which subsequently, under the influence of great competition, prices for all housing dropped significantly. For example, a double room in a small good hotel in the very center of the city (near the subway) can be rented for 65-80 euros per day, and breakfast is also included here often. Of course, in expensive high-class hotels that Moscow abounds in, the price tag will grow 2.5-3 times.
Where to go
The Kremlin, the Mausoleum, St. Basil's Cathedral and the Tretyakov Gallery are probably the most popular places in the Russian capital. It doesn't matter whether you choose a book guide, audio guide, walking guide or mini bus tour in Moscow, you will certainly learn and see a lot. However, after the main attractions, leave yourself a day or two for a little less popular, but no less worthwhile places.
The Boulevard Ring
This is the name of the series of boulevards and squares in the very center of Moscow, which can literally be circled around. Wherever you start your journey - from Tverskoy Boulevard, Myasnitskiye Gate, Arbat Square and so on - you will get a wonderful walk with the best views, green squares, churches, historical monuments, museums and a variety of architectural styles that Moscow is so rich with.
Patriarch's Ponds
The Patriarch's Ponds are well known to everyone who read Bulgakov's mysterious novel “The Master and Margarita”. In addition to the pond, which is the heart of this old central area, there is a huge number of interesting cafes and bars, pleasant streets and shops. Calmly, without haste to take a walk on the Patriarch's - definitely a must-do.
Walk along the Moscow River
If you are lucky enough to find yourself in Moscow in good weather, after visiting the Tretyakov Gallery, leave an hour or two for a leisurely stroll along the embankment of the Moscow River. Walk through the Museon Park of Art — interesting events are often held here.
Sparrow Hills
Admire the views of the city from the Sparrow Hills or go up to the 28th floor of the neighboring Moscow State University , which is one of seven "Stalin's skyscrapers", you need to sign up for a tour with a balcony to get there (http://mirmgu.ru/ekskursii/ekskursiya-s-vihodom-na-balcon).
Go down to the Luzhniki Stadium by a brand-new cable car, which also offers stunning views.
Moscow City
There is a beautiful observation deck in the Moscow City business area, famous for its skyscrapers. To get a thrill you can climb to the 89th floor, it will cost you only 10 euros (800 rubles). Sign up for a tour on the site http://smotricity.ru.
Zaryadye Park
Right next to the Kremlin is Zaryadye Park, which is also known as a park of future. You will be surprised how much innovation and incredible modern architecture is collected in one place. Go to the soaring bridge, sit by the water on the lower embankment, take a look at the gastronomic center for tasty get-togethers or take a picnic on the grass here. In the cold season, visit the botanical pavilion under the glass dome, the underground museum and the media center, where curious performances and shows are always arranged.
Theatres
Moscow is famous by its theatres. In classical theaters, which are scattered in the historic center, make wonderful performances with the participation of famous Russian actors. Be sure to check the repertoire of theaters in advance (afisha.ru can help you with that) to book a ticket - it is almost impossible to buy tickets on the day of performance. Many tourists tend to get to the famous Bolshoi Theater, but tickets here are not easy to get - you have to stand in long queues in advance or grab the remaining tickets through the theater website. In addition, ticket prices are not small and, on average, start from 20 to 200 euros (150-1500 rub).
Where to eat
Moscow is a metropolis, and in the choice of restaurants - for every taste and budget - you can easily get lost. Network cafes like “Shokoladnitsa” can be found on any corner, but if you come to the search for establishments a bit more creatively, you can get a lot of positive impressions - both from food and from the interiors, of even small coffee shops.
For example, if you are looking for a free atmosphere and a loose snack, go to “Etuziast” (Stoleshnikov per., 7, p. 5), copied from a cafe in Berlin Kreuzberg.
The fashionable place of Scandinavian cuisine “Björn @ (3/4 Pyatnitskaya St., p. 1) will please fans of a non-standard approach to food and those who are looking for something of such kind. Visiting this place - be sure to try the deer tartare with the soaked cranberries.
Unusual "15 kitchen + bar" is famous for its invited foreign chefs - for a couple of weeks or months. In addition, if after a hearty dinner you want to relax a little, the local bar is included in the list of the best bars in Moscow.
For excellent khachapuri, satsivi and khinkali, one should move in the direction of “Sakhli” (B.Karetny per., 6).
And if you just want a good slow coffee, then there are rumors that better place than Dablbi (Milyutinsky Lane, 3) is hard to find throughout Moscow.
“Brasserie Bridge” (Kuznetsky Most, 6/3, p. 3) breathes the flare of the best European bistros, with due pathos and gold in the interior - in general, everything is in the best traditions of modern Moscow. Contrary to prices, it is always crowded.
If you want to plunge into the atmosphere of the traditional Russian aristocracy of the tsarist times, visit the restaurant "Pushkin" (Tverskoy blvd., 26-A). It is best place for tourists to visit.
Money
Banks and ATMs can be found on every corner, most of the institutions (but not all) accept credit cards. Always carry a small supply of cash in rubles, just in case. During non-working hours in the city center one can meet round-the-clock exchangers, however the rate in them is obviously lower.
Souvenirs
The most popular souvenirs from Moscow are matryoshka, Khokhloma (painted wooden tableware), pavlovo-posad scarves, Vologda lace and jewelry boxes. There are a lot of souvenir shops around a city center and near popular tourist places and churches. If you want to bring something unusual from Moscow - go to the bookstores. The most popular are the book house “Moscow” on Tverskaya and “Biblio-Globus” on Myasnitskaya.
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