Moscow Visitor Guide 2024: Everything you need to know

Searching for a new adventure in Eastern Europe? Consider a trip to Moscow. Russia's capital and largest city, this frigid megacity is known for its political, scientific, and literary pursuits. With traditional Russian architecture, unique cultural traditions, and several world-class museums, Moscow is a city that should be on everybody's bucket list.

With a population exceeding 12 million, Moscow is one of the world's largest economies and one of the richest cities in Europe. Moscow is also a very popular vacation destination and has four international airports, linking the Russian capital with locations worldwide. Check in at a Russian luggage locker, and check out some of the best sights Moscow has to offer. 

A weekend in Moscow

8 Best Ways To Experience Moscow In 2024

From the Red Square to the Bolshoi Theater to the Red October Chocolate Factory, Moscow is overflowing with unique and diverse attractions as well as endless examples of eye-boggling architecture. Moscow is not just the biggest city in Russia, but one of the largest in the world and has a history covering over eight centuries. For those two reasons alone it makes sense to explore it with people in the know. The companies and guides detailed below will make sure your visit to Moscow is as fascinating and exciting as the Russian capital itself. Don’t forget to drop off your luggage at a Bounce luggage locker in Moscow so that you won’t be carrying more than you need to.

Best Free Tour – The Guide In Moscow

Keep more rubles in your rucksack by taking a free tour of Moscow with The Guide In Moscow. You'll find the guide under the statue of Karl Marx in the Red Square holding a white umbrella. Once the group of the day has gathered, you'll set off to go around all the best sights by foot while the guide narrates interesting facts and anecdotes about the famous landmarks you're seeing.

To find out more details of this free tour of Moscow send an email to info@theguideinmoscow.com or call The Guide In Moscow on 79-670-273-002.

Best Food Tour – Moscow With Locals

The best way to learn all about the gastronomy of a city is to experience it with a local. Try a food tour with Moscow with Locals and you'll be amazed at the eateries and dishes they introduce you to. It definitely beats eating in McDonalds every day because you haven't got a clue what the food on the restaurant menus contains. Once you've eaten Russian dumplings, you'll never eat a burger again.

Prepare for a food adventure in Moscow by emailing Moscow With Locals at hello@moscowwithlocals.com or call them on 79-032-400-786.

Best Sightseeing Tour – Lovely Moscow

There are as many interesting monuments outside of Moscow as there are in it. Head away from the city with a guide from Lovely Moscow and they'll take you on a journey of discovery to see the Kremlin of Suzdal, the Golden Gates of Vladimir, and the monastery in Sergiev Posad. This tour is also a great way of getting to see rural Russia where the landscape is dotted with scenic lakes.

Get ready to explore rural Russia with Lovely Moscow by calling them on 79-267-253-159 or by emailing them at lovelymoscowtours@gmail.com.

Best Off-The-Beaten-Path Tour – Spasibo Tours

Sometimes doing something totally different from the regular touristy things makes for a more memorable visit no matter where you go. You can take an off-the-beaten-path tour of Moscow with Spasibo Tours that will give you a real insider view of the city. By the time you've finished photographing several metro stations or visited half a dozen vodka museums, you'll feel just like a local yourself.

Plan to do something different in Moscow by contacting Spasibo Tours on 79-036-194-438 or email them at info@spasibotours.com for more information.

Best Metro Tour – Maria Moscow Tours

The metro stations in Moscow are an underground world of amazing architectural finesse. Take a tour of ten of them with Maria Moscow Tours and you'll be impressed from the first to the last by the elaborate Art Deco and Baroque designs. There are incredible mosaics, giant marble columns, and even stained glass panels, so plenty of opportunities for some great social media-worthy photos.

Get in touch with Maria Moscow Tours by calling 79-096-903-661 or by emailing info@mariamoscow.com.

Best Private Tour – We Heart Moscow

If your free time in Moscow doesn't coincide with the day of the tour that's caught your eye, take a private tour with We Heart Moscow instead. They have a super range of tours covering all of the city's main attractions and then some. You can choose the pre-organized itinerary that suits your schedule and interests or arrange your own tailor-made tour.

Make the most of your time in Moscow by contacting We Heart Moscow by email at tours@weheart.moscow or call them on 74-951-667-269.  

Best Cultural Tour – MoscowMe

Moscow is world-renowned for its ballet, theater, and art. To learn more about all three of these aspects of the city's culture, and some food too, go out and about with a guide from MoscowMe. They have in-depth knowledge of the history of the arts in Moscow and enjoy nothing more than sharing their knowledge with interested visitors.

Get arty with MoscowMe by calling them on 79-100-965-565 or email them at info@moscowme.com for more details.

Best Adventure Tour – Travel Real Russia

Forget all about sedate sightseeing and go off-road in a pimped-up UAZ van along mud trails in the Russian forests. You'll ford rivers and go below ground with a session of caving before taking a break while your hosts cook you a big barbecue lunch. This tour is great fun but definitely only for the truly adventurous.

Plan your off-road adventure with Travel Real Russia by emailing them at info@travelrealrussia.com or by calling them on 79-263-614-981.  

Home to several world-famous landmarks and fascinating museums, planning a weekend away in Moscow is no easy feat. Maximize your time by dropping your cumbersome belongings at a Moscow luggage storage service, and head to some of these top attractions in Moscow.

• Plan a tour of the world-famous St Basil's Cathedral. Constructed in the 16th century under orders from Ivan the Terrible to celebrate military victories over Kazan and Astrakhan, St Basil's Cathedral is one of the finest examples of Russian architecture globally. 
• Take a stroll through Red Square. Moscow's central plaza is a must-see and is flanked by two of Russia's best-known buildings, the Kremlin and St Basil's Cathedral.
• Catch a show at the iconic Bolshoi Theatre. Home to the world's largest ballet company, the Bolshoi Theatre is one of the most highly respected venues in the world. 
• Chow down at one of the top restaurants in the Russian capital. Moscow is home to dozens of classy eateries, including Tkemali, Sabor de la Vida Restaurant, and Dzhumbus.

Moscow lockers

Moscow is a sprawling city, and during icy weather, the chances are you won't want to lug around anything heavy through snow-covered streets. Save yourself any unnecessary hassle by booking a spot at a Moscow suitcase storage service. Bounce provides the best luggage storage services in Moscow, with easy-to-locate and secure facilities across the city. Book online via the Bounce app, and before you know it, you'll have a safe spot to stow your suitcases while you explore the Russian capital. 

Off the beaten path in Moscow

Surprisingly, Moscow is one of the greenest cities in Europe, with around 40% of the city consisting of parks and green spaces. This makes Moscow the perfect place to relax and escape large crowds. Step off the beaten path and check out some of these parks and hidden gems dotted across Moscow. 

• Take in views of the city from Sparrow Hills. Located 260 feet up on a hill on the banks of the Moskva River, this parkland provides some of the best natural panoramas of Moscow's skyline. 
• Get some brief respite from the crowded streets at Gorky Park. Moscow's main public park is located at the center of the city, covering over 110 acres along the Moskva River. Challenge your fellow travelers to a game of volleyball, or peruse the park's modern art exhibitions. 
• Go for a romantic ramble with a loved one through the Apothecary Garden. Moscow University's botanical gardens date back to the 18th century and are meticulously laid out, featuring exotic flora from across the globe.

What to do alone in Moscow

Travelers who find themselves in Moscow on a Russian road trip or happen to be in town on business may be wondering how to kill time during their visit. Thankfully, Moscow offers a plethora of activities for solo adventurers. Keep your luggage safe by visiting a Moscow storage locker, and add these activities to your itinerary.

• Climb to the top of Europe at the Ostankino Television Tower. Standing at over 1,700 feet, the Ostankino Television Tower is the highest free-standing building in Europe. Enjoy the best bird's eye views of Moscow from the observation deck, or book a table at the 7th Heaven Restaurant for dinner in the clouds.
• Pay a visit to Lenin's Mausoleum. The final resting place of Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin, visitors can come face-to-face with the embalmed body of one of the most important political figures in Russian history. 
• Discover the largest art collection in Europe at The Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts. This massive art museum has a collection of over 700,000 objects, with artworks by the likes of Picasso, Rembrandt, and van Gogh.

The best souvenirs in Moscow

With a unique culture and long history, you'll find plenty of interesting souvenirs to pick up during your travels to Moscow. By far one of the most popular inexpensive mementos you can pick up is a Matryoshka or Russian nested doll. Another great souvenir you can pick up is a fur hat to keep you warm during your vacation and when you return home. 

If you're looking to splash out on something special, pick up an ornate samovar, a type of traditional kettle dating back to the 18th century. Moscow also has plenty of culinary treats that you might want to buy as gifts for folks back home. Muscovites are famous for their love of vodka, and you won't have trouble finding a unique bottle in the capital. Russia is also known for producing world-class caviar, in case you're looking to indulge in the finer things.