Moscow

Empire across eleven time zones

• Passport strength: ≈115 visa-free destinations
• Language: Russian · ~15% speak English
• Free-trade agreements: ≈5

Moscow — Red Square and golden domes

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Saint Basil's Cathedral Cathedral

The swirl of painted onion domes on Red Square, Russia's fairy-tale icon.

Best time: May–Sep — Warm months are best for the open square.

Things to do:

• Ascend the spiraling passages through color-domed chambers
• Examine the intricate tilework and religious iconography
• View the underground crypt and relics of saints

The Kremlin Landmark

A walled citadel of palaces, gold-domed cathedrals and the seat of power.

Best time: May–Sep — Milder months suit the vast grounds on foot.

Things to do:

• Tour the Armory museum with tsarist regalia and carriages
• Climb the bell tower for elevated city panoramas
• Attend services in the white-stone Orthodox cathedrals

Red Square Landmark

The great cobbled heart of Russia, ringed by the Kremlin and GUM.

Best time: May–Sep — Pleasant weather is best for the open plaza.

Things to do:

• Stand before the Lenin Mausoleum and guard rotation
• Browse the upscale GUM department store galleries
• Watch the changing of the Kremlin gates ceremonial guard

State Tretyakov Gallery Museum

The definitive collection of Russian art, from icons to the avant-garde.

Best time: Year-round — An indoor gallery welcome even in deep winter.

Things to do:

• Study Russian Impressionist and Realist masterpieces
• View the avant-garde Constructivist and Suprematist works
• Examine rare medieval icon panels and gold-leafed altarpieces

Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts Museum

Major art museum housing European paintings, sculptures, and classical antiquities collection.

Best time: Year-round — Excellent counterpart to Tretyakov Gallery with international and classical collections.

Things to do:

• View European art from medieval through modern
• Explore Egyptian antiquities and sculptures
• Photograph impressionist paintings collection
• Attend temporary blockbuster exhibitions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Russia?

It depends on where you go: every place has its own ideal season on this page. For example, Saint Basil's Cathedral is best around May–Sep. Russia has 8 featured cities and areas to plan around.

Is English spoken in Russia?

Roughly 15% of people speak English. The main language is Russian.

How strong is the Russia passport?

The Russia passport gives visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to about 115 destinations.

Is Russia expensive to travel in?

This page lists indicative traveller costs for Russia — medical, insurance, connectivity and education ranges — and the interactive travelogue holds the full breakdown.

What is there to do in Russia?

Saint Basil's Cathedral, The Kremlin, Red Square, State Tretyakov Gallery, Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, Hermitage Museum — each with the best time to visit, why it is worth it, and specific things to do.