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Top Things to Do in Marthandam

Things to do in marthandam.

• Good for Kids
• Budget-friendly
• Hidden Gems
• Good for Big Groups
• Adventurous
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Good for Couples
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Chitharal Hill Temple

THE BEST Marthandam Sights & Landmarks

Marthandam landmarks.

• Historic Sites
• Ancient Ruins
• Good for Kids
• Budget-friendly
• Hidden Gems
• Good for Big Groups
• Adventurous
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Good for Couples
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Chitharal Hill Temple

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What's the weather like in Marthandam?

It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA on what the weather is like in Marthandam for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.

• Weather in Marthandam in January
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• Weather in Marthandam in June
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Explore nearby places

• Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
• Kanyakumari
• Chettikulam
• Ambasamudram
• Koonthakulam
• Tirunelveli
• Kottarakkara
• Thiruchendur
• Tiruchendur

All related maps of Marthandam

• Map of Marthandam
• Map of Poovar
• Map of Chowara
• Map of Muttom
• Map of Vizhinjam
• Map of Nagercoil
• Map of Kovalam
• Map of Suchindram
• Map of Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
• Map of Kanyakumari
• Map of Kallar
• Map of Chettikulam
• Map of Palode
• Map of Ambasamudram
• Map of Ponmudi
• Map of Nanguneri
• Map of Kadayam
• Map of Koonthakulam
• Map of Courtallam
• Map of Varkala
• Map of Tirunelveli
• Map of Tenkasi
• Map of Thenmala
• Map of Anchal
• Map of Kottarakkara
• Map of Punalur
• Map of Kollam
• Map of Thiruchendur
• Map of Tiruchendur
• Map of Mannady

Marthandam throughout the year

• Marthandam in January
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• Marthandam in March
• Marthandam in April
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• Marthandam in June
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• Marthandam in August
• Marthandam in September
• Marthandam in October
• Marthandam in November
• Marthandam in December

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Marthandam is a small town in Kanyakumari District. Marthandam is a major trade centre across National Highway (NH 47). Marthandam is famous for honey, cashew nut processing, rubber and hand-embroidered motifs. It is about 40 km from Thiruvananthapuram and lies between Kanyakumari and Thiruvananthapuram. The town is famous for the CSI Church built in 1883. Thiruvattar is about 6 km from Marthandam.

Marthandam has bus services to Thiruvananthapuram, Nagercoil and Bangalore. The nearest airport is the Trivandrum International Airport and Kuzhithurai Railway Station is the nearby railhead.

Popular Destinations

Vattakottai Fort

Padmanabhapuram Palace

Mathur Hanging Bridge

Kanyakumari Beach

Muttom Beach

Thirparappu Waterfalls

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THE BEST Marthandam Sights & Landmarks

Marthandam landmarks.

• Historic Sites
• Ancient Ruins
• Good for Kids
• Budget-friendly
• Hidden Gems
• Good for Big Groups
• Adventurous
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Good for Couples
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Chitharal Hill Temple

Top Things to Do in Marthandam, India

Things to do in marthandam.

• Good for Kids
• Budget-friendly
• Hidden Gems
• Good for Big Groups
• Adventurous
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Good for Couples
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Chitharal Hill Temple

Love Exploring

Here's What Europe's Most Famous Attractions Looked Like Before Tourism

Posted: April 13, 2024 | Last updated: April 13, 2024

Europe without the queues

Each summer, millions of visitors from all around the world flock to Europe to experience its incredible history, dazzling culture, and of course the delicious food. As they queue up for an overpriced gelato, many probably find themselves wondering what the continent was like before the hordes of tourists arrived.

Click or scroll through our gallery now to see photos of your favorite European attractions as they looked more than a century ago...

1856: Charles Bridge, Prague, Czechia

The sandstone Charles Bridge in Prague was built in medieval times to connect the old town with Prague Castle and was the only way to cross the Vltava River until 1841. For most of the 7.4 million visitors who descend upon Prague each year it still is, especially so they can rub the statue of St John of Nepomuk to bring good luck and ensure they return to Prague. This photo taken in 1856 shows that the bridge has changed little over the centuries. Other than the number of visitors crossing back and forth, of course.

1870: The Colosseum, Rome, Italy

The Colosseum in Rome is the most popular tourist attraction in Italy with an estimated 9.8 million people visiting in 2022 alone. But when this photo was taken in 1870, the once-mighty stadium lay abandoned and empty. It had been treated as a quarry for marble and stone for over 1,000 years. And with Rome a battleground in the war for Italian unification during this turbulent period, even the young aristocrats on their Grand Tour of Europe had stopped calling by to admire these ancient ruins.

1870: Aletsch Glacier, Switzerland

The Aletsch Glacier in Switzerland’s Bernese Alps is the mightiest mass of ice in Europe. Covering a staggering 66 square miles, it has always attracted tourists, including these smartly dressed chaps in 1870. Sadly, the glacier has lost almost two miles of its length since this photo was taken, and by 2100, scientists' predictions suggest it could shrink by a further eight miles.

c.1870: Pompeii, Italy

People travel from all over the world to visit the vast archaeological site at Pompeii, drawn by the terrible story of a Roman city perfectly preserved under yards of ash after Mount Vesuvius erupted in AD 79. The laborers seen here worked for Italian archaeologist Giuseppe Fiorelli. He became director of excavations in 1860 and is credited with bringing order and clarity to the process. It was also his idea to make casts of the poor souls who had perished by pouring plaster into the hollows formed in the volcanic ash where their bodies had disintegrated.

c.1870: Cologne Cathedral, Cologne, Germany

The studded Gothic spires of Cologne Cathedral boast one of the longest overall construction times in world history. The foundation stone was laid in 1248, but war and financial difficulty caused constant disruption. The building was practically abandoned during the Reformation in the 16th century, and it would be 300 years before a pair of plucky architects took up the mantle once again, using drawings that were already five centuries old. After 632 years the cathedral was finally completed in 1880, roughly a decade after this photo was taken.

1880: Sorrento, Italy

These days, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast have become cluttered with bars and hotels offering Aperol spritzes as the sun sets over the Tyrrhenian Sea. But back when this photo was taken, it was still a place of quiet reflection for the likes of Byron, Keats, Goethe, Nietzsche, Ibsen, and Ivanhoe author Sir Walter Scott. After the construction of the first coastal road connecting its colorful villages and towns in the mid-19th century, it began to draw visitors on the classic Grand Tour, and its tourist appeal has never waned.

1880: Carros de cesto, Madeira, Portugal

Wicker basket sleds known as carros de cesto have been carrying people down the steep slope from the hilltop village of Monte to the streets of Livramento in Madeiran capital Funchal since the 1850s. The baskets are mounted on two wooden runners that are greased with tallow to make them go faster and guided by drivers called carreiros. Today, the sleds provide a thrilling ride for tourists. But back when this photo was taken in 1880, they were a necessary way of getting from A to B in Madeira – very quickly!

1884: Temple of Apollo, Corinth, Greece

This photo of a lone visitor at the Temple of Apollo in Corinth, in the Peloponnese region of Greece, is truly evocative of a time past. It was taken in 1884, 12 years before excavations on the site of the ancient Greek city of Corinth began, led by a group of American archaeologists based in Athens. They revealed the remains of other temples, villas, a theater, shops, public baths, pottery factories, a gymnasium, and a large triumphal arch, confirming the city’s importance in the ancient world.

1886: Neuschwanstein Castle, Schwangau, Germany

This fairy-tale castle famously influenced the design of castles in early Disney movies – and by extension the modern Disney logo. But its real-life history is much less magical. It was built on the orders of King Ludwig II of Bavaria – a dreamer sometimes known as 'the mad king' – with a deliberately medieval aesthetic atop a vertiginous rocky ridge. Construction started in 1869 and Ludwig hoped, extremely optimistically, to move in within three years. He died in 1886 – the year this photo was taken – with much of the building still obscured by scaffolding.

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1887: Eiffel Tower, Paris, France

It’s hard to believe now, but when the Eiffel Tower was finally completed in 1889, it was not loved by everyone. In fact, the French novelist Leon Bloy called it a "truly tragic street lamp". The general public disagreed, with just under two million of them climbing the tower the year it was opened. Now considered a symbol not just of Paris but of France as well, the Eiffel Tower attracts nearly seven million visitors a year.

1890s: Palace of Versailles, Versailles, France

The Palace of Versailles was the principal residence of the French kings from the time of Louis XIV to Louis XVI and so ornate and embellished that it was considered the model of the ideal royal residence for over a century. After the French Revolution, it was decided that the palace should become a museum devoted 'to all the glories of France' and it was first opened to the public in 1837. Here we see a scattering of visitors in the 1890s, but today, there are considerably more – close to 15 million each year.

c.1890: Grand Bazaar, Istanbul, Turkey

This photo taken of the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul by photographer Jean Pascal Sebah in the 1890s is proof of how little things really change. To this day its vaulted interior remains beautiful and richly decorated. Merchants still stand outside their stalls beckoning you to stop and peruse their goods. And cafes still serve strong Turkish coffee and offer hookah pipes to suck on. The only differences are the goods on sale. Souvenir fezzes and ‘I Heart Istanbul’ T-shirts were few and far between in the 19th century.

1890: Canals of Amsterdam, The Netherlands

The picturesque canals and colorful merchant houses of Amsterdam may be Instagram-friendly today, but back when this photo was taken in 1890, the famous city was spiraling into decline. The Dutch Golden Age of the 17th and 18th centuries was well and truly over and international conflicts with England and France were taking their toll. Thankfully the arrival of railways and the opening of new museums at the start of the 20th century put the city back on the path to the prosperity it enjoys today.

1890: Coffee houses, Vienna, Austria

Vienna’s gilded coffee houses are so integral to the fabric of the city and its history that in 2011, UNESCO added Viennese Coffee House Culture to its Intangible Cultural Heritage list. With their intricate baroque interiors, marble-topped tables, and ritualistic waiter service, these were places to discuss ideas and philosophize, not just drink coffee and eat Sachertorte. Here we see a group of local intellectuals in a Vienna cafe discussing the politics of the day in 1890. Or perhaps discussing whose turn it was to pay the bill...

1890: Nyhavn, Copenhagen, Denmark

Nyhavn is a colorful waterfront area in Copenhagen that dates back to the 17th century and is today one of the city’s liveliest entertainment districts. Its brightly colored old townhouses are home to bars, cafes, and restaurants, while historical wooden schooners sit anchored against the wharf. Little has changed since this photo was taken in 1890, except that the traditional ships were brand-new working vessels, and the rowdy bars were full of sailors celebrating survival on the rollicking waves of the treacherous North Sea.

1890: Waterfront, Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon is the European city that seems to be topping everybody’s wish lists and it’s not hard to see why. The colorful Portuguese capital is bursting with history, charm, authentic cuisine, and the haunting sounds of the local fado music. Built on a beautiful natural harbor, it was a key starting point for the navigators who set off to explore the New World in the 16th century and returned bearing great treasures. But by 1890, when this photo was taken, the city’s Golden Age had long passed.

1894: Tower Bridge, London, England

Tower Bridge in London is such an iconic part of the fabric of the English capital that it is hard to believe that it was only opened in 1894. Here we see the grand structure on the day of its inauguration on 30 June, when it was declared open by the Prince and Princess of Wales with great celebrations. It remains one of the most recognizable – and most photographed – attractions in London.

c.1895: Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey

Chaotic and intoxicating Istanbul straddles Europe and Asia and is an exotic melting pot where East meets West. It has always been that way, as we see from this photo taken around 1895. Boatmen gather in the shadow of the city’s iconic Hagia Sophia mosque to transport people and goods across from one continent to the other, a journey made so much easier today after the Bosphorus Bridge was opened in 1973.

1895: Grand Canal, Venice, Italy

Even before 30 million visitors began descending upon Venice each year, this magical city on the water was accustomed to crowds. Here we see gondolas crammed in front of the Rialto Bridge to celebrate one of the city’s fete days in 1895. These flat-bottomed boats were once colorful and richly decorated but a law passed in the 16th century stated that all gondolas must be painted black, as competition between the local nobles to have the fanciest boat was deemed unseemly, and they remain that shade to this day.

1895: Mundal, Vestland, Norway

Mundal is a small community that sits beside the water of Fjaerlandsfjorden. It was settled during the time of the Vikings and now serves as a base for hikers who walk the trails that branch out along the fjord and up the surrounding mountains. Times were difficult when this photo was taken in 1895, and many of Mundal’s citizens chose to emigrate to America for a new life rather than farm the difficult soil. Among them were the family of Walter Mondale, US Vice President under Jimmy Carter, who opened Fjaerland's first road connection in 1986.

1897: Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy

The Leaning Tower of Pisa began tilting by the time the first story was completed in 1178 and has been sloping an extra 0.05 inches per year ever since, although efforts to stabilize it have reduced the incline. That hasn’t stopped an estimated 500,000 people climbing the 251 steps to the bell tower each year. Or the nearly 6 million tourists who visit the Square of Miracles in front of the tower and have their photo taken pretending to hold it up. Photography was still a new medium when this photo was taken in 1897, and the bemused locals simply looked straight at the camera.

1897: Promenade, Cannes, France

Boulevard de la Croisette stretches along the golden shore of the Mediterranean Sea and is the heart of the glitz and glamour of modern-day Cannes. It’s home to France’s version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Chemin des Etoiles, where the great and good attending the Cannes International Film Festival leave an impression of their hand-print in the pavement. This photo taken in 1897 shows that it has always been a popular place to promenade, though back then there were a lot fewer people wearing a lot more clothes.

1897: Buckingham Palace, London, England

No visit to London is complete without seeing Buckingham Palace. It has been the London residence of British monarchs since 1837 and the guards that protect it, wearing red uniforms and tall bearskin hats, are famous around the world. This photo shows Queen Victoria reviewing a parade during her Diamond Jubilee in 1897. The edifice appears darker than it is today; it was refaced in Portland stone in 1913 by Aston Webb to provide a fitting backdrop for the grand monument to Queen Victoria.

1899: Canos de Carmona, Seville, Spain

The Canos de Carmona is a Roman aqueduct built during the first century BC to supply spring water to the ancient Roman city of Hispalis, or modern-day Seville. In its heyday it transported around 177,000 cubic feet of water and was still being used until 1912, well after this photo was taken. It was demolished after locals complained it was being used as a haven for criminals, and today only three small segments survive.

1900: Mont St Michel, France

Those who have queued for hours to visit Mont St Michel in sweltering summer heat would have given anything for a joyful scene such as this, taken on the beach in front of the medieval abbey at the turn of the century. These days, that same stretch of sand sees up to 2.5 million visitors a year line up to shuffle through its narrow lanes and inch along its ramparts. Such is the overcrowding that in 2023, the French government actively campaigned for tourists to visit other parts of the country instead.

1900: Windmills of Zaandijk, The Netherlands

For visitors to rural areas like Zaandijk in Zaanstad, traditional windmills make for an evocative backdrop to their holiday photos, especially if they are surrounded by tulips. But when this photo was taken in 1900, they were used to help control and prevent flooding in the region, pumping water out of the lowlands and back into the rivers beyond the dikes so that workers like this young lad could farm the land.

1903: The Acropolis, Athens, Greece

Frederic Boissonnas was a Swiss photographer who fell in love with Greece and its people and made it his life’s work to capture the country on film. He made several trips to the mainland and islands between 1903 and 1933. The images he took, like this one of the Acropolis in Athens snapped in 1903, helped to raise awareness of the country across Europe, effectively kickstarting the Greek tourist industry, and to preserve images of local life and manual labor that would otherwise have been lost to time. 

1905: St Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City

As you shuffle your way through St Peter’s Basilica with 25,000 other daily visitors, it can be easy to overlook what a mind-blowing sight this mighty place of worship must have been when it was completed in 1615. For close to 400 years, St Peter’s was the largest church in Christendom. Here, viewed from the Tiber River near Castel Sant'Angelo in 1905, it appears like a beacon of light in otherwise bleak surroundings.

1905: La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain

Construction had already been underway for 23 years when this photo of these smart chaps was taken beside the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona in 1905. Designed by eccentric Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi, it remains the largest unfinished Catholic church in the world. It was Gaudi’s most audacious and spectacular creation, with the current scheduled finish date set for 2026, the centenary of his death.

1907: Montmartre, Paris, France

Now a charming quarter full of cafes and patisseries, the Parisian suburb of Montmartre was once a rustic village where people eked out a modest existence. It was blighted by a huge gypsum quarry (now Montmartre cemetery), which kept rents low and attracted the less fortunate, who could not afford the ever-increasing cost of living in Paris. Among them were artists like Modigliani, Monet, Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec, Picasso, and Van Gogh, who all set up studios here, creating the bohemian atmosphere that visitors so love today.

1910: Old Town, Dubrovnik, Croatia

At times it can feel like every tourist in Europe is crammed into the old walled city of Dubrovnik in Croatia, especially during the summer. Thanks to the city’s undeniable beauty – and starring role in the smash hit TV series  Game of Thrones – the 'Pearl of the Adriatic', as it was dubbed by Lord Byron, welcomes around 1.25 million tourists each year. It wasn’t always this way. When this photo was taken in 1910, Dubrovnik was still known by its historic name of Ragusa, and was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

1935: Palma, Mallorca, Spain

Before hotels and mass tourism arrived on Spain’s magical Balearic Islands in the 1950s, Mallorca's unique culture had changed very little over the centuries. This 1930s photo shows women dressed in traditional costume with striped shawls and ‘rebozillo’ headscarves, a common sight until tourism began to develop on the island under Spain’s fascist regime as a much-needed source of revenue.

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Now discover what your favourite destinations in other parts of the world looked like before tourism arrived

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9 Things to See in Moscow's Red Square

 Sir Francis Canker/Getty Images

In most cases, you'll be entering Red Square from the north, passing landmarks such as the Bolshoi Theatre and Duma parliament building as you make your way southward. Although you don't necessarily have to pass through the Voskresensky (or Resurrection in English) Gates in order to gain access to the square these days, they definitely provide a sense of arrival, to say nothing of the way their left arch frame's St. Basil's Cathedral if you look from just the right angle.

An interesting fact is that while a gate of some kind has stood here since the mid-16th century, the one you currently see wasn't built until 1994, having been destroyed in 1931 so that tanks could enter and exit Red Square during military parades.

St. Basil's Cathedral

TripSavvy / Christopher Larson 

Few sights are as iconic not only of Moscow and Red Square but indeed of Russia than St. Basil's Cathedral, whose colorful, onion-shaped domes are a symbol of the country around the world. Officially known as the Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed, this church has stood since 1561, which is quite miraculous when you consider all the turbulent history that has transpired since then.

Among other things, religion was severely prohibited during the Soviet period , which led some to believe that this emblem of the Russian Orthodox church might not withstand the tenure of the USSR. 

An interesting fact is that St. Basil's is the so-called "Kilometer Zero" of Russia; all of Moscow's main roads (which can take you anywhere in Russia) begin at the exits to Red Square. In this way, St. Basil's iconic status also has an extremely tangible element.

The Kremlin

TripSavvy / Christopher Larson

When you think of The Kremlin, it's unlikely that positive images enter your mind. The fact that simply saying the word "Kremlin" is too vague a descriptor (most Russian cities have their own Kremlin complexes; you should say "Moscow Kremlin") notwithstanding, this misunderstood place is incredibly beautiful, even if you don't like the policy that comes out of it.

Senate Square

In spite of its name, which refers to the role the building that rises above the square played during Imperial Russia, Senate Square is actually home to Russia's presidential administration, currently helmed by Vladimir Putin. In order to see where Russia's legislature operates from, walk just outside Red Square to the Duma parliament building.

Dormition Cathedral

Dating back to the year 1479, the gold-domed Dormition Cathedral pays homage to an Orthodox religious feast that commemorates the death of the Virgin Mary . As is the case with St. Basil's, it is curious that such a conspicuously religious structure was able to survive through the Soviet period.

Armoury Chamber

Though it takes its name from the fact that it housed Russia's royal arsenal when it was built in the 16th century, the most notable resident of the Kremlin's Armoury Chamber today is the Russian Diamond Fund.

Notable Kremlin Towers

Robert Schrader

The interior of the Moscow Kremlin is more beautiful and inviting than you'd expect, but the walls and towers that rise around it better live up to the intimidation with which the complex is associated. 

Borovitskaya Tower

Named to commemorate the dense forest that once stood atop the mount where it's built, this tower is extremely picturesque. Built in the late 15th century, it's visible from most places in the square, and also as you walk along the Moskva River.

Nikolskaya Tower

Also built in the year 1491, this tower currently suffered destruction at the hands of Napoleon's army in the 19th century. What you see now is the result of an 1816 re-design and renovation, though artillery fire during the Russian Revolution also caused superficial damage to the tower, named to honor St. Nikolas of Mozhaysk , so it's difficult to know which elements of it are original.

Spasskaya Tower

Known in English as the "Savior's Tower," this iconic, star-topped tower is perhaps the best-known of all the Kremlin's towers. Built in 1491 like the other two towers on this list, it's certainly the most photographed. As a result of its proximity to St. Basil's, it often makes its way into tourists' pictures.

Mausoleum of Lenin

Just as it's strange to learn how many religious monuments survived through the Soviet period, it's a bit odd to think that Lenin's preserved body still sits in a mausoleum just beneath the walls of the Kremlin on Red Square, given the lack of consensus about the ultimate impact of his Revolution, even in Russia.

It's not guaranteed that you'll be able to see the body (which, believe it or not, seems to be improving with age ) when you go, and if you do you will likely have to wait in line, but even strolling past the outside of the Lenin Mausoleum, flanked by stone-faced guards that almost look like statues, illuminates the gravity of his body still being here.

GUM Shopping Center

You might cringe, at least initially, when you realize that one of the most iconic stops on a tour of Red Square is a department store—until you see said department store, that is. Built in 1893 and known during Soviet times as the State Department Store, GUM  ( Glávnyj Universáľnyj Magazín​ or Main Universal Store in English) hearkens back to the grandeur of the late 19th century, both seen from the outside (especially, when lit up at night) and the interior, which might have you feeling like you're further west in Europe.

A trip inside GUM is a particularly good idea during winter, when frigid temperatures outside will have you savoring the heat, the quality of souvenirs, confections and other goods sold inside notwithstanding. Also, make sure not to confuse GUM with CDM, which sits near the Bolshoi Theatre, even though both are stunning and iconic in their own right.

State Historical Museum

The Russian State Historical Museum is located near Voskresensky Gates, though you should wait until after you've seen the first few attractions of Red Square and the Kremlin to head back there and go inside. To be sure, as you pass by its facade (whose late-19th century grandeur somewhat obscures that fact that it's currently a museum accessible to the public) you might not even think to try and gain entry.

Once inside the museum, you can plan to spend at least a couple of hours, given that artifacts here date back to the very beginning of the Russian state in the ninth century. As is the case with GUM, this will be a particularly alluring prospect if you visit in winter, when Moscow is arguably at its most beautiful, but certainly at its least tolerable. 

Minin-Pozharsky Monument

It's somewhat easy to disregard this monument, which pays homage to the two Russian princes who ended the so-called "Time of Troubles" in the mid-16th century, during which Polish-Lithuanian forces occupied Russia, among other awful things including a famine. That's because the statue currently sits just at the base of St. Basil's Cathedral, which makes it very difficult to photograph or even see without being overwhelmed by that much more famous edifice.

Though the statue originally sat at the very center of Red Square, it came to be an obstacle to the movement of tanks during the Soviet period, much like the Voskresensky Gates. As a result, authorities moved it during that time, and it's stayed where you currently find it ever since.

Kazan Cathedral

Taken by itself, the smokey-pink Kazan Cathedral is an architectural marvel; originally built in the 17th century, the church you find here today, located just north of the GUM department store, dates back only to 1993.

Unfortunately, since it sits not only in the shadow of GUM, but also in the shadow St. Basil's and the Towers of the Kremlin, it's easy to miss entirely if you aren't looking. As a result, you might wait until you've seen just about everything else in Red Square before coming here to take photos, and to appreciate the understated beauty of this oft-overlooked cathedral.

Moskva River

As you head south from St. Basil's Cathedral to exit Red Square, make sure to walk onto Bolshoy Moskvoretskiy Bridge, which crosses the Moskva River. If you look due north, you can get an excellent shot of the church framed, on the left, by the towers of the Kremlin. Directing your gaze a bit to the west allows you to see the skyscrapers of Moscow City as they rise above the Kremlin's walls.

Walking westward along the riverbank is also a worthwhile excursion, for the views it provides of Red Square and the Kremlin, as well as the fact that doing so takes you to other iconic Moscow attractions, including Gorky Park and the Pushkin Museum. The views you enjoy from the river and the bridge are particularly stunning at night, though you should make sure you bring a tripod if you want to get a clear picture, given how strong winds over and near the river can be.

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17 Top Tourist Attractions in Moscow

The capital of Russia is an incredible place to explore. Visitors to Moscow come away spellbound at all the amazing sights, impressed at the sheer size and grandeur of the city. Lying at the heart of Moscow, the Red Square and the Kremlin are just two of the must-see tourist attractions; they are the historical, political and spiritual heart of the city – and indeed Russia itself.

A fascinating city to wander around, stunning cathedrals, churches, and palaces lie side-by-side with bleak grey monuments and remains from the Soviet state. In addition to its plethora of historical and cultural tourist attractions, Moscow is home to world-class museums, theaters and art galleries.

Renowned for its performing arts, fantastic ballets and amazing circus acts, catching a show while in Moscow is a must. The wealth of brilliant restaurants, trendy bars, and lively nightlife means there is something for everyone to enjoy.

See also: Where to Stay in Moscow

17. Tsaritsyno Palace

Once the summer residence of Catherine the Great, the stunning Tsaritsyno Palace is now a museum-reserve. The architecture is magnificent and there is a lovely park surrounding it for visitors to explore.

Located in the south of Moscow, the palace was commissioned in 1775 and recent renovations mean its lavish interior looks better than ever before with its elegant halls and beautiful staircases.

The exhibits on display look at the life of the empress as well as the history of Tsaritsyno itself. The huge palace grounds are also home to some other delightful buildings with the elegant opera house and wonderful brickwork of the Small Palace being particularly impressive to gaze upon.

Starting out in 1935 as the ‘All-Union Agricultural Exhibition’, VDNKh has slowly morphed over the years into the fascinating open-air museum of today. Remarkably, over 400 buildings can now be found within its confines.

The huge park complex has numerous pavilions representing former Soviet republics on show, such as those of Armenia and Turkmenistan and the distinctive architecture of each of the buildings is always interesting to gaze upon. In addition to this there is the fascinating Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics which is dedicated to space exploration and the fun Moskvarium aquarium even offers you the chance to swim with dolphins.

With lots of eateries scattered about and numerous entertainment options such as horse-riding and zip-lining, there is something for everyone to enjoy; the Friendship of Nations fountain truly is wonderful.

15. Kremlin Armoury

One of the oldest museums in the city, the Kremlin Armoury has a wealth of treasures; highlights include the ornate Grand Siberian Railway egg, the historic Cap of Monomakh and the stunning Imperial Crown of Russia which often has a crowd of tourists around it, jostling to take a photo.

Once the royal armory, there are loads of fascinating objects on display. Perusing the many sabers, jewelry, armor and more is as interesting as it is educational and entertaining and the swords are so finely crafted that you’ll almost wish you could pick up one and wield if yourself.

Established in 1851, the museum is situated in the Moscow Kremlin.

14. GUM Department Store

Standing for ‘Main Universal Store’ in Russian, GUM is stunning. Its wonderful skylights and beautiful facades mean it doesn’t look out of place alongside its illustrious neighbors on Red Square.

With over 200 shops, boutiques and upmarket eateries inside, it is a shopaholic’s heaven and concerned partners will be glad to find more affordable options alongside luxury brands such as Dior and Prada.

The main department store in the city, GUM was opened in 1893. The stunning architecture makes it well worth a visit even if shopping isn’t your thing.

13. Moscow Metro

It’s not often that public transport looks like a work of art. So many stops on the Moscow Metro will astound visitors with their beauty and elegance.

Decked in marble and with frescoes covering the walls, the stations are amazing to gaze upon and are part of one of the longest metro systems in the world, with the first stations opened in 1935.

Using the metro is the quickest and easiest way to get around Moscow and braving the crowds of commuters is well worth it for the beauty all around you.

12. Arbat Street

An elegant yet lively street, Arbat is full of impressive architecture and was once a popular place to live for aristocrats, artists, and academics.

A historic place, it is down Arbat Street that Napoleon’s troops are said to have headed on their way to capture the Kremlin.

Nowadays, there are many cafes, restaurants, and shops, as well as various monuments and statues to former residents such as Alexander Pushkin who was reputed to be a lover of the Russian Empress due to his massive influence in court.

11. Novodevichy Convent

Drenched in history, the Novodevichy Convent is located in a striking building that was once a fortress. This captivating place is well worth visiting when in Moscow.

Founded in 1524, the convent houses four cathedrals; Smolensk Cathedral is the undoubted highlight due to its delightful 16th-century frescoes.

Wandering around the grounds is like stepping back in time. The Novodevichy Cemetery is where many famous leaders of the Soviet Union are buried, such as Yeltsin and Khrushchev.

10. Pushkin Museum

Despite its name, the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts actually has no connection at all to the famous poet other than that it was named in his honor after his death. A delight to visit, its extensive collection focuses on European art with masterpieces by Botticelli, Rembrandt, and van Gogh all featuring.

Sculptures, graphic art, paintings and more can be found in its beautiful galleries; various sections look at themes and epochs such as the Renaissance, the Dutch Golden Age, and Byzantine art.

Among the many highlights are the clownish characters which can be found in Cezanne’s Fastnacht (Mardi Gras) and the twirling ballerinas who look so elegant in Degas’ Blue Dancers. Picasso’s Young acrobat on a Ball is also well worth checking out for its interesting use of shapes and colors.

9. Christ The Savior Cathedral

This gorgeous Russian Orthodox cathedral is located on the banks of the Moskva River, just a stone’s throw away from the Kremlin.

The church as it stands today was consecrated in 2000, as the original church that stood here was destroyed on the command of Josef Stalin in 1931 due to the anti-religious campaign.

With its delightful golden dome, spires and dazzling white facades, the Christ the Savior Cathedral is stunning. The interior is just as captivating to wander around, with its beautifully tiled floors and impressive altar.

8. Lenin Mausoleum

Opened to the public in 1924, Lenin’s Mausoleum is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Moscow. The red granite structure is located at the heart of the city in Red Square.

Lenin’s embalmed body lies in a glass sarcophagus; it is a somewhat eerie experience walking past the former leader of the Soviet Union but is well worth doing as you understandably can’t do it anywhere else in the world.

After visiting the mausoleum, head to the Kremlin wall right next to it for more graves of important communist figures such as Stalin and Brezhnev.

7. Tretyakov Gallery

Home to the most extensive and impressive collection of Russian fine art in the world, the State Tretyakov Gallery is definitely worth visiting when in Moscow for the wealth of amazing art pieces that it has on display.

Having started out as the private art collection of the Tretyakov brothers, there are now over 130,000 exhibits. Highlights include the iconic Theotokos of Vladimir which you will almost certainly recognise despite probably not knowing the name and Rublev’s Trinity which is considered to be one of highest achievements in Russian art.

An absolute must for art lovers, the State Tretyakov Gallery will delight visitors with all that is has to offer.

6. Kolomenskoye

Once a royal estate, Kolomenskoye is now a museum-reserve and lies a few kilometers outside of the city center. A captivating place to visit, there is a plethora of history on show and the site overlooks the Moskva River.

Consisting of four historical sites, there are extensive gardens for visitors to explore, as well as loads of interesting old buildings, the former village of Kolomenskoye itself and the impressive Palace of the Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich – once considered the Eighth Wonder of the World by contemporaries.

Among the many stunning sights, it is the brilliantly white Ascension Church that is the undoubted highlight – dating back to 1532.

5. Gorky Park

Lying alongside the Moskva River, the huge Gorky Park is a lovely place to visit. Its extensive gardens are home to numerous cultural institutions and visitors should definitely check out the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art and while the eclectic exhibits may not always feature such incredible sights as a balloon-covered rider on a zebra; they certainly always succeed in pushing back the boundaries of art.

Pop-up exhibitions and festivals can be found from time to time in the park itself and there is an open-air theatre and numerous eateries alongside a plethora of leisure activities.

Whether it’s cycling, table tennis or yoga that you are after or beach volleyball and rowing, Gorky Park certainly has it. In winter, there is a huge ice rink for visitors to enjoy.

4. Bolshoi Theatre

The Bolshoi Theatre is the main theater in the country. The amazing opera and ballet performances it has put on over the centuries go a long way in explaining Russia’s rich history of performing arts.

While the Bolshoi Ballet Company was established in 1776, the theater itself was opened in 1825. The glittering, six-tier auditorium is lavishly and decadently decorated; it is a fitting setting for the world-class performances that take place on its stage.

Spending a night watching a performance of such classics as The Nutcracker or Swan Lake at the Bolshoi Theatre is sure to be a memorable experience and the beauty all around you only adds to the sense of occasion.

3. Moscow Kremlin

This famously fortified complex is remarkably home to five palaces and four cathedrals and is the historic, political and spiritual center of the city. The Kremlin serves as the residence for the country’s president. It has been used as a fort, and this fact is made clear by its sheer size. The Kremlin’s outer walls were built in the late 1400s.

Under Ivan III, better known as Ivan the Great, the Kremlin became the center of a unified Russian state, and was extensively remodeled. Three of the Kremlin’s cathedrals date to his reign that lasted from 1462-1505. The Deposition Church and the Palace of Facets were also constructed during this time. The Ivan the Great Bell Tower was built in 1508. It is the tallest tower at the Kremlin with a height of 266 feet (81 meters).

Joseph Stalin removed many of the relics from the tsarist regimes. However, the Tsar Bell, the world’s largest bell, and the Tsar Cannon, the largest bombard by caliber in the world, are among the remaining items from that era. The Kremlin Armory is one of Moscow’s oldest museums as it was established more than 200 years ago. Its diamond collection is impressive.

The Kremlin’s gardens – Taynitsky, Grand Kremlin Public and Alexander – are beautiful. The Kremlin has also served as the religious center of the country, and there is a tremendous number of preserved churches and cathedrals here. The collections contained within the museums include more than 60,000 historical, cultural and artistic monuments. Those who enjoy the performing arts will want to consider attending a ballet or concert at the State Kremlin Palace. Completed in 1961, it is the only modern building in the Kremlin.

2. Red Square

Lying at the heart of Moscow, Red Square is the most important and impressive square in the city. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions due to its wealth of historical sights and cultural landmarks.

Drenched in history, the huge square is home to incredible sights such as the Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral and Lenin’s Mausoleum, among others. Consequently, it is not to be missed when in Moscow as it really is home to the city’s most stunning monuments.

It is here that many important moments in Russian history took place; the former marketplace has hosted everything from Tsar’s coronations and public ceremonies to rock concerts and Soviet military parades. Wandering around the massive square is a humbling experience and undoubtedly one of the highlights the city has to offer.

1. Saint Basil’s Cathedral

Located in the impressive Red Square, St. Basil’s Cathedral is gorgeous; its delightful spires appear as if out of a fairytale. The most recognizable building in the country, the cathedral is very much a symbol of Russia. No visit to Moscow is complete without having taken in its unique and distinctive features.

Ivan the Terrible ordered the cathedral’s construction in the mid-16th century, and legend holds that Ivan put out the architect’s eyes so that he would be unable to build another cathedral more glorious than St. Basil’s. Designed to resemble the shape of a bonfire in full flame, the architecture is not only unique to the period in which it was built but to any subsequent period. For various reasons, both Napoleon and Stalin wanted to destroy the cathedral but fortunately did not succeed.

Known for its various colors, shapes and geometric patterns, St. Basil’s Cathedral houses nine different chapels that are all connected by a winding labyrinth of corridors and stairways. On the lower floor, St. Basil’s Chapel contains a silver casket bearing the body of St. Basil the Blessed.

Throughout the cathedral are many beautiful murals, frescoes, wooden icons and other art works and artifacts. Outside the cathedral is a lovely garden with the bronze Monument to Minin and Pozharsky, who rallied an all-volunteer Russian army against Polish invaders during a period of the late 16th century known as the Times of Troubles.

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Solar eclipse 2024: Photos from the path of totality and elsewhere in the U.S.

Images show the Great American Eclipse, seen by tens of millions of people in parts of Mexico, 15 U.S. states and eastern Canada for the first time since 2017.

Millions gathered across North America on Monday to bask in the glory of the Great American Eclipse — the moment when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun. 

The path of totality measures more than 100 miles wide and will first be visible on Mexico’s Pacific coast before moving northeast through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois and upward toward New York, New Hampshire and Maine, then on to Canada.

Total solar eclipse 2024 highlights: Live coverage, videos and more

During the cosmic spectacle, the moon’s movements will temporarily block the sun’s light, creating minutes of darkness, and will make the sun's outer atmosphere, or the corona, visible as a glowing halo.

Here are moments of the celestial activities across the country:

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Moscow’s Top 13 – The Main Attractions of the Russian capital

13 Moscow Attractions

One of the most fascinating metropolis, breathtaking city, and a vibrant European capital, Moscow is a powerful mix of history and edginess, full of world famous sites and attractions that are worth exploring. However, it would take weeks to really explore all facets of the Russian capital – unfortunately hardly any traveler has that much time, which is why you should concentrate on the absolute Moscow top attractions and highlights. Here is the list of top 13 Moscow attractions you can choose on your next Russian travel journey.

What Times Square means to New York, Pariser Platz with the Brandenburg Gate to Berlin, or Trafalgar Square to London – Red Square means to Moscow. The heart of Russia’s capital it is the central meeting point and the most famous photo opportunity. No place stands for Russia and Moscow more than “krasnaja ploshchad”, as Red Square is called in Russian.

It is arguably one of the Moscow main attractions and most visited. With the gigantic military parade on Victory Day in World War II, which takes place every year on May 9, the pictures of the square go around the world year after year. But for the rest of the year you will mainly meet local and foreign tourists here, who take peaceful pictures and soak up the unique spirit. The square looks spectacular illuminated at night, but you should visit the square at least once in daylight as well.

If you stand in the middle of the huge cobblestone square, in the clockwise direction you can see the Kremlin and the Kremlin Wall with a total of 20 individually designed towers, Lenin’s Mausoleum, Historical Museum built with red bricks, the little Kazan Cathedral, the impressive luxury department store GUM, the imposing St. Basil’s Cathedral and, the bridge over the Moskva River. This unique ensemble offers more sightseeing highlights at one stroke than any other tourist attractions in Moscow or the world.

So it’s no wonder that Red Square is UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers the most popular photo opportunities worldwide. When visiting Moscow, there is no reason not to visit to Red Square and a selfie is practically also a must – getting there is easy even for Russia newcomers. Although Red Square does not have its own metro station, it is still child’s play to find the way there – especially since the Square is the absolute geographical center of the city.

There are four metro stations in the vicinity, from which it is only a short walk to Red Square, Okhotny Ryad and Teatralnaya directly at the northwest entrance of the Square at the Historical Museum; further to the west is the Lenin Library station, from which one arrives at the same entrance through the Alexander Garden. As well as the station Revolution-square behind the GUM department store, which leads past to the northeast side of the Square.

The Kremlin

This is the biggest active fortress in Europe offering a week’s worth of attractions. For more than 70 years, the Kremlin was the power center of the Soviet Union, which the US President Ronald Reagan called the Empire of Evil exactly 35 years ago, one of the symbols of the East-West conflict in the Cold War. People in the West feared the «dark» plans that were built behind the thick walls of the Kremlin.

The Kremlin is built in a triangular shape on the natural elevation above the Moscow River, known today as the Kremlin Hill. Today’s metropolis Moscow has expanded in a circle around it and the road around the Kremlin is considered the first of several ring roads in Moscow counting.

Now Kremlin has lost its terrifying image, although it is still the seat of the Russian President and thus one of the most important places in World political events. It is an inviting, historical sight for tourists, and one of the famous Moscow tourist attractions which can be visited for just a few dollars.

The large parts of the 28 hectare site can be visited by tourists – with the exception of the Kremlin towers, the presidential Grand Kremlin Palace and the Senate Palace. The first port of call on the site is the so-called Cathedral Square, which is the geographical center of the Kremlin and at the same time the highest point on the Kremlin Hill and contains the three oldest structures in the complex. The three 15 th -century cathedrals of the Kremlin (the Dormition, Archangel Michael and the Annunciation Cathedrals), which together with the Ivan the Great Bell Tower and the Cathedral of the Deposition of Mary, make the most famous ensemble of the Kremlin. Also to be visited here are primarily the Armoury and the Patriarch’s palace.

To get to the Kremlin, you have to pass a security gate at one of the two publicly accessible entrances – these are located at the Kutafja and Borovitsky towers. Tickets cost from 700 rubles upwards, the admission to the Armoury, the Ivan the Great bell tower and the Patriarch’s Palace being paid for separately.

More about the Kremlin

Lenin’s Mausoleum

This is the ultimate love it or hate it tourist attractions in Moscow It may be mistaken for a gloomy performance, but Lenin remains an absolute attraction almost a hundred years after Vladimir Lenin death. The founding father of the Soviet Union is not only a fascinating historical figure of world renown for supporters of communism. Despite ongoing discussions about a final burial of the leader of the communist October Revolution in 1918, hundreds of thousands come year after year to the dark marble building on Red Square, right next to the Kremlin wall, to see the embalmed body of the legendary Russian revolutionary.

First opened to the public in 1924, the Mausoleum attracts 2.5 million visitors every year, so, visitors have to wait a long time to get into the illustrious building. Also, photos from inside the Mausoleum are prohibited. But a visit is still a must for Moscow visitors, especially since the visit is free. Please note that the Mausoleum is only open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The queue starts behind the Historical Museum and before you get into the actual mausoleum, you have to pass an airport-like security gate – cameras and cell phones are not allowed into the Mausoleum, but can be safely placed in a cloakroom for a small fee. On the way out of the Mausoleum, after the visit, you pass the graves of the other Soviet heads of state. Including the grave of Josef Stalin, who was briefly kept next to Lenin in the Mausoleum after his death. But in the course of de-Stalinization, the cruel dictator was moved to the less prominent place behind the Mausoleum.

More about the Lenin Mausoleum

The Alexander Garden (Alexandrovsky Sad)

If you visit Moscow in summer, the hustle and bustle in the metropolis of millions can get over your head. The city, best known for its icy winters, can turn into an absolute burning furnace in summer. It sometimes takes over an hour to get to the edge of the metropolis. The perfect retreat, located in the center of Moscow, is therefore the Alexander Garden and one of the Moscow top attractions.

Located directly on the western wall of the Kremlin, the Alexander Garden is just a small, but all the more well-kept park that extends to the nearby Manege Square (Manezhnaya Ploschad). The garden undergoes a lot of changes, with old trees cut down in 2012 and over 200 planted, the authorities also claim that there will be a rosary of 3000 roses. As soon as the first rays of sun warm up the Muscovites, tormented by the long winter, they set off into the countryside. If you are right in the center, you can choose the small park right by the Kremlin.

With a café in hand, which you can get yourself on Manege Square, you can linger here between the carefully tended flower beds. With the Grave of the Unknown Soldier and the regular changing of the guard, there is even a real tourist attraction on top. Entry is free.

The Moscow Metro

In no other metropolis in the world would the subway be declared a sight. Yes, that is truly right as riding this one of the top Moscow tourist attractions is an experience in itself or just a walk through the station is amazing in itself. Whether in New York, Berlin, London or Paris – the big city inhabitants of the world metropolises have a love-hate relationship with their metro. It’s different in Moscow – the residents of the Russian metropolis love their metro and there is a reason for that: in the early days of metro construction, dictator Stalin had built the stations into “palaces for the workers”.

All the splendor of the tsars, which the ordinary Russian never saw, is now open to everyone, regardless of their origin. Indeed, a number of stations on the Moscow Metro, each built shortly before or after the war, are unmatched architectural masterpieces. Mayakovskaya station is often compared to a ballroom for its chandeliers and ornaments. The Teatralnaya stop, located directly below the world-famous Bolshoi Theater, shines with decorations reminiscent of the country’s theater and ballet tradition. Colorful glass windows, almost like in a sacred building, adorn the Novoslobodskaya station.

But the uncalled queen among Moscow’s metro beauties is Komsomolskaya station, named after the youth organization of the Soviet Union. With its huge chandeliers and detailed ceiling decorations, it is the crown jewel among the 331 metro stations. It is not uncommon for tourists to stand in the middle of the platform and take photos under the glances of passengers who just want to walk past the annoying tourists to and from work as quickly as possible.

A ride on the metro currently costs 57 rubles, which is less than one dollar. You should plan a few hours for a tour of the most beautiful stations, but the good news is, once behind the turnstile, a single ticket is enough to stay in the metro system as long as you want.

The Bolshoi Theater

To see Tchaikovsky Swan Lake or the Nutcracker by the same legendary Russian composer on the famous Bolshoi stage – that is the dream of every ballet fan. Home to the largest and one of the oldest ballet and opera companies in the world, nowhere else is the fine art of musical dance lived as much as in Russia – and has been since the times of the tsars.

The Bolshoi itself has been shining back to its former glory since it was built in 1776 since its extensive renovation that cost almost a billion dollars a few years ago. The large historical hall of the building impresses with its opulent golden decorations and creates a very special atmosphere – this was also used by the communist leaders of the Soviet Union, who held their congresses in the building directly at the Kremlin. The Theater is so famous that it currently adorns the 100 ruble banknote and is among the Moscow main attractions.

If you’d like to go to what is probably the most famous ballet theater in the world today, it’s easier than ever. The program can be found months in advance on the official website bolshoi.ru  and can be ordered at very reasonable prices. The cheapest seats in the hall can be booked for as little as 100 rubles, i.e. less than $ 2. However, you should reserve tickets early, as the performances are usually booked weeks in advance. Even for good seats, you pay very moderate prices compared to Western Europe.

There are a few things to watch out for, however, proper, appropriate clothing is welcome, but apart from the obligation to wear trousers, it is not an exclusion criterion for men. If you arrive late, you have to wait outside until the next break so as not to disturb the other guests during the performance. The best way to get to the Bolshoi is by taking the Moscow Metro via the Teatralnaya station, which was built especially for the theater and which stairs are right in front of the main entrance.

More about the Bolshoi Theater

The GUM department store

The Russian abbreviation GUM means main all-purpose shopping center and sounds quite formal for such a shopping temple. Located in front of the Kremlin on Red Square, GUM has existed as a department store since 1920 and was previously a market. It is the most iconic and largest department store in Russia and among the Moscow tourist attractions .   The facade of the building, built in 1890, fits perfectly into the overall picture of Red Square and is illuminated photogenically at night.

In contrast to the scarcity economy of the Soviet era, the GUM today really has everything to offer that one can imagine. It has become the flagship of the shopping and fashion metropolis Moscow. But today you will mainly find smaller luxury shops here. From western high-couture boutiques such as Prada or Gucci to fur for the icy Russian winter, a well-to-do Muscovite or a tourist will find everything their heart desires here.

People can walk through the wide and beautifully decorated arcades of the GUM, free of charge. Cafes invite you to linger. A delicatessen shop on the ground floor sells Russian specialties at affordable prices. Chocolate, honey and caviar, as well as the all-round vodka in Russia, can be bought here as souvenirs for friends and family at home. In addition, the Soviet-style cafeteria on the upper floor is very cheap for lunch.

The GUM offers a special highlight every winter when the department store administration built an ice rink in front of the building directly on Red Square. For only 200 to 300 rubles per hour, depending on the time of day, you can lace up your skates and glide over the ice with the unique panorama of Red Square.

More about the GUM department store 

The Historical Museum

The Historical Museum is a museum of Russian history wedged between Red Square, Lenin Mausoleum, small Kazan Cathedral, and Manege Square. The red brick building of the Museum is a real eye-catcher and Moscow top attractions located on the opposite side of St. Basil’s Cathedral. It is dedicated to Russian history and is built in the Old Russian style, the building did not open until 1883.

The Museum houses everything from an exhibition on the archeology of Russia, through the technological achievements, to the art of the gigantic empire in 16 sections and has a total of 5 million exhibits. So if you are interested in the history of Russia, you cannot avoid visiting this Museum and should plan enough time for it.

A visit costs 150 to 500 rubles, depending on which exhibition you want to visit. The Museum is open in winter, autumn and spring from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., closed on Tuesdays. In the summer months, the extended Saturday times apply daily.

It is probably the most famous park in the Russian capital and the top Moscow tourist attractions – a novel and its film adaptation and a Russian rock band have its name and numerous songs by Russian and international bands and TV series, such as House of Cards, mention it or act here. Gorky Park is a premier green space offering entertainment for every taste. Located southwest of the center of Moscow on the Moskva River, it is designed more for family attractions and rest and the classic park on the other side – has become one of the meeting places for Muscovites of all kinds in recent years.

Whether for a yoga class, a family picnic or beach volleyball match, skateboarding, and cycling – people meet here often. Because even in the Gorky there is an ice surface in winter, the largest in Moscow, which attracts many Moscow residents as well as tourists.

A large-scale renovation in 2011 breathed new life into the park – the roller kiosks were removed and more emphasis was placed on the maintenance of the green spaces. The park remained free of charge and developed into one of the most popular places in the capital. Whether with the rental bike through the green lungs, the pedal boat across the numerous ponds or simply watching the goings-on on the park bench – a visit to Gorki is also absolutely worthwhile for tourists.

Day trip to the Golden Ring

As much as the metropolis Moscow is fascinating, the side effects of a cosmopolitan city like Moscow – the noise, the traffic and the crowds – can overwhelm any tourist. What could be better than a day trip to escape the organized chaos of the cosmopolitan city?

The places on the Golden Ring near Moscow are an ideal destination for this and among the Moscow main attractions – located north-east of the metropolis, these old Russian cities, some of which have existed for much longer than Moscow itself, offer a welcome change from the hectic hustle and bustle of the capital.

Developed in the late 1960s uniting several mediaeval Russian cities located to the north-east of Moscow it is the most popular route around provincial cities of central Russia. More than a thousand year old city of Yaroslavl on the Volga is the largest, but at 260 km from Moscow also the most distant city of the Golden Ring. For only 650 rubles, however, you can take the three-hour train ride there.

Yaroslavl has been part of the world cultural heritage since 2005 and is best known for its two monasteries – the Monastery of our Savior and Transfiguration and the Monastery of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Tolga are located directly on the Europe’s longest river Volga and its inflow Kotorosl. Both testify to the long history of the Russian Orthodox Church. The cityscape of Yaroslavl is also really worth seeing with its classicist buildings – walking through the streets of the city with 500,000 inhabitants is a welcome contrast to Moscow. Things are even more slow in the small towns of Suzdal and Vladimir, both of which can still be reached with the Moscow suburban train network (known as Elektrichka) for a good 500 rubles. In both cities time seems to have stood a little – large sacred buildings dominate the cityscape.

Especially the Assumption Cathedral, located in the center of Vladimir, and the Golden Medieval Gate are the main attractions for tourists. The church, built in the early 12th century, is best known for its almost 700 year old wall paintings and frescoes and is a World Heritage Site. The Suzdal Kremlin is also part of the UNESCO World Heritage List and was first mentioned in writing in 1024.

Suzdal with its only 10,000 inhabitants has still retained the character of a small Russian town and in the town, which will celebrate its millennium in 2024, you can still find numerous wooden buildings typical of rural Russia – whether churches or houses, the colorful buildings are ideal as Photo motif and give an impression of the simple Russian provinces life away from the metropolises.

The exhibition of the achievements of the national economies is not in every travel guide as a classic Moscow main attractions and a must see of the Russian capital. But no other place in the modern mega-metropolis exudes the spirit of the Soviet Union as much as the enormous VDNKh (All Russian Exhibition Centre) in the north of Moscow. It was built as an agricultural exhibition before World War II, but was then renamed world exhibition for the 15 individual Soviet states and their achievements.

From the Armenian, Estonian and Kyrgyz culture, to the Soviet achievements in space travel and nuclear power, to statues about the heroes of the Soviet history, the VNDKh (Vystavka Dostizheniy Narodnogo Khozyastva) was an absolute attraction until the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. After that, the old charm fell into disrepair and the large central pavilion, which was built in the splendidly pompous Stalinist style, was filled with small traders selling souvenirs and matryoshkas.

Since its renovation in 2014, the exhibition in the park-like area is absolutely worth a trip again and with the metro station of the same name you can get from the center to the VDNKh quickly and without problems. There are still strange souvenirs, plus huge Soviet monuments worth seeing, as well as numerous rides for children. The Kosmos exhibition still exists and is now part of the Cosmonaut Museum, which is located at the front end of the park when coming from the metro station.

Here you can experience the various achievements of Soviet and Russian space travel vividly. From the very first Sputnik satellite, the spacesuit of Yuri Gargarin, the very first human in space, to the Buran space shuttle, you can learn an incredible amount about the conquest of the cosmos here. However, you should plan several hours just for a visit to the Cosmonaut Museum.

More about the cosmonaut museum

The Pushkin Museum and the Tretyakov Gallery

To complete the cultural program in Moscow, you should definitely make a tour to the Pushkin Museum and the Tretyakov Gallery when visiting the Russian capital. It is the largest museum of European art and among the Moscow top attractions. The former Museum of Fine Arts was named after Alexander Pushkin’s death in 1837 – it is still one of the most important art collections in the world today.

It boasts one of the richest collections of foreign art in Russia, showcasing global artistic developments from early times to the present day in expositions numbering 700,000 works of art.  Not far south of the Kremlin, exactly opposite the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, the Museum is housed in a classic building specially built for this purpose in 1898. From early Byzantine art to the famous Madonna by Lukas Cranach, the Italian masters, Peter Paul Rubens and masterpieces of Expressionism, for example by Paul Cézanne, you can admire a huge selection of important art here.

The regular entry ticket costs 800 rubles and the Ьuseum is open on weekends from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., during the week until 8 p.m. – only Monday is closed.

The second important art collection in the capital is the State Tretyakov Gallery. It is the national treasury of Russian fine art and one of the greatest museums in the world. Started by the textile entrepreneur and philanthropist Pavel Tretyakov as a collection of local contemporary art in 1851, the gallery has now developed into one of the cultural highlights of Russia. In contrast to the Pushkin Museum, you will primarily find Russian art from the 19th century and older icons.

Entry cost is 400 rubles and the Gallery is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. – Monday is also the day off.

Take a stroll across Red Square, meet Lenin and see the world-famous Kremlin?

Then first of all you need a visa! !

Alexander Popov

Welcome to Russia! My name is Alexander, I was born in Moscow and I'm a passionate tour guide. I want to share my passion for Russia and my hometown with you. On my website you will find useful information to make your individual trip to Russia as interesting as possible.

The Museum of Cosmonautics and the Planetarium in Moscow

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