From medieval principalities to tsarist grandeur and Soviet might, Russia’s story unfolds in its two greatest cities: Moscow and Saint Petersburg. In five days you’ll trace onion-domed skylines, marble-clad metro palaces, and riverfront palaces that read like a living museum. This itinerary prioritizes iconic sights, local food, and efficient logistics so you can see—and taste—the best.

Moscow, a city of seven hills and endless energy, centers around Red Square and the Kremlin. Saint Petersburg unfurls along the Neva like a stage set—baroque facades, stately museums, and romantic canals built by Peter the Great to rival Europe’s finest. Together they showcase Russia’s contrasts: avant‑garde and old-world, fast-paced and contemplative.

Practical notes: Check your government’s latest travel advisories and visa requirements; Russia’s electronic visa is available to many nationalities as of 2025 for short stays. Foreign bank cards generally do not work in Russia—bring sufficient cash (EUR/USD) to exchange, and expect to pay cash often. Major museums and theaters remain open; book timed-entry tickets early and carry your passport for ID checks.

Moscow

Moscow is Russia’s political and spiritual heart—golden cupolas beside cutting-edge dining, imperial cathedrals near glass towers. Start with Red Square and St Basil’s, then dive into the Kremlin’s cathedrals and the Tretyakov Gallery’s soul-stirring icons. Don’t miss the city’s subterranean museum: the art-filled Moscow Metro.

• Top highlights: Red Square, Kremlin & Armoury, St Basil’s Cathedral (exterior), Zaryadye Park, Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow Metro art tour, Bolshoi Theatre.
• Why it’s special: Centuries of architecture in a single stroll, from medieval brick walls to 20th-century Stalinist grandeur and 21st-century skyline views.
• Great bites: Classic Russian at Café Pushkin; homey dumplings at Varenichnaya No. 1; Georgian feasts at Khachapuri; pastries and perfect cappuccino at Coffeemania or Skuratov Coffee.

Stay: Tverskaya and Arbat place you close to sights and dining. Browse stays on VRBO (Moscow) and Hotels.com (Moscow). A reliable midrange pick is the centrally located Arbat House Hotel (walkable to the metro and Arbat Street).

Getting in: Compare international flights to Moscow on Trip.com, Omio (to/from Europe), or Kiwi.com. From Sheremetyevo (SVO) and Domodedovo (DME), Aeroexpress trains reach the center in ~45 minutes; taxis and ride-hailing exist, but cash is often simplest for visitors.

Day 1: Arrival, Red Square first look, and a night in the center

Afternoon: Land in Moscow and drop bags at your hotel. Stretch your legs at Zaryadye Park—the floating bridge gives a cinematic view over the Moskva River, Kremlin walls, and gold domes. Wander into Red Square for the GUM galleries’ glass-roofed arcades and a nostalgic Soviet-style soft-serve from the ice cream kiosks.

Evening: Dinner at Café Pushkin, a literary‑themed institution known for beef stroganoff, borscht with pampushki, and syrniki for dessert; request the library room for old-world ambiance. If you have the energy, catch a performance at the Bolshoi Theatre (ballet or opera; tickets typically 2,500–12,000 RUB) or sip a nightcap with skyline views at White Rabbit, famed for modern Russian tasting menus and a glass-domed panorama.

Day 2: Kremlin treasures, metro art tour, and the river by night

Morning: Breakfast at Coffeemania (try the cottage-cheese syrniki with sour cream and jam). Tour the Kremlin: Cathedral Square’s Annunciation, Assumption, and Archangel cathedrals, plus the Armoury’s Fabergé eggs, ceremonial carriages, and tsarist regalia (book timed slots; allow 2.5–3 hours).

Afternoon: Take a Moscow Metro art tour: Komsomolskaya’s baroque mosaics, Mayakovskaya’s aviation-themed ceiling, Novoslobodskaya’s stained glass, and Ploshchad Revolyutsii’s bronze statues (rub the dog’s nose for luck). Lunch on Arbat Street—Varenichnaya No. 1 serves vareniki dumplings with potato-mushroom or sweet cherry; or choose Khachapuri for adjaruli (cheese-egg bread) from Georgia.

Evening: Stroll the embankment or opt for a Moskva River cruise aboard the Radisson flotilla (year-round, with glass-enclosed boats). Dinner at Remy Kitchen Bakery for modern seasonal plates and excellent bread, or Severyane for wood-fired Russian comfort food; both popular with locals, reservations recommended.

Saint Petersburg

St Petersburg is Russia’s cultural capital—baroque palaces, canals, and museums that could fill months. The Hermitage alone spans the Winter Palace and the General Staff Building, from Rembrandt to Monet. Walk Nevsky Prospekt and you’ll pass cathedrals, arcades, and pastry shops that still whisper of the Silver Age.

• Top highlights: Hermitage Museum, Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, St Isaac’s Cathedral, Peter and Paul Fortress, Fabergé Museum, Mariinsky Theatre, canals and bridges.
• Why it’s special: A planned imperial city with European grace, summer white nights, and world-class art packed into ornate palaces.
• Great bites: Pyshechnaya for Soviet-style doughnuts, Teplo for homestyle classics, Duo Gastrobar for inventive small plates, Teremok for quick blini, and El Copitas for a world-ranked speakeasy cocktail experience.

Stay: Aim for Admiralteysky, Tsentralny, or near Nevsky Prospekt for walkability. Compare options on VRBO (Saint Petersburg) and Hotels.com (Saint Petersburg). Long-loved hotels include Angleterre (facing St Isaac’s), Astoria, and Domina St Petersburg.

Moscow → St Petersburg: The Sapsan high-speed train takes ~3h45–4h between Leningradsky (Moscow) and Moskovsky (SPB); expect roughly $45–$120 depending on class and flexibility. Flights are ~1h20; compare prices on Omio or Kiwi.com. Buy train tickets via official channels in-country; bring passport for boarding.

Day 3: Morning train to SPB, Nevsky Prospekt, and canal lights

Morning: Depart Moscow on an early Sapsan; snack bar onboard serves coffee and baked goods. Roll into SPB late morning, drop bags, and refresh.

Afternoon: Quick lunch at Pyshechnaya (Bolshaya Konyushennaya 25)—order a plate of hot pyski (sugar-dusted doughnuts) and tea. Walk Nevsky Prospekt to Kazan Cathedral’s sweeping colonnade, peek into the Singer House (Dom Knigi) bookstore, then cut through Mikhailovsky Garden to admire the colorful onion domes of the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood.

Evening: Dinner at Teplo, beloved for cozy rooms and classics like chicken Kiev and herring under a fur coat; book ahead. For cocktails, El Copitas operates speakeasy-style with a short seasonal menu and hospitality that earned it a spot on global lists—message for a slot; otherwise try Dead Poets Bar for creative pours in a literary setting.

Day 4: The Hermitage, St Isaac’s views, and a Mariinsky night

Morning: Coffee and a croissant at Bonch near St Isaac’s. Tour the Hermitage: start at the Winter Palace’s Jordan Staircase, then cross to the General Staff Building for Impressionists and Modern Art (crowds are lighter there). Allow 3–4 hours; comfortable shoes are essential.

Afternoon: Climb St Isaac’s Cathedral colonnade for the best city panorama. Continue to Yusupov Palace on the Moika to see aristocratic interiors and exhibits on the Rasputin story. Lunch at Marketplace (choose-your-own counter spots with salads, soups, and hot mains) or Teremok for blini topped with salmon, mushrooms, or condensed milk.

Evening: Dress up for ballet or opera at the Mariinsky Theatre—an unforgettable cultural anchor. Post‑show dinner at Probka na Pochtamtskoy (excellent pastas, seafood, and a serious wine list) or Duo Gastrobar for inventive sharing plates like roasted cabbage with truffle and tender beef tartare.

Day 5: Fortress foundations and farewell

Morning: Espresso at Skuratov Coffee, then head to Peter and Paul Fortress, where the Romanovs are buried in the cathedral; the bastions and riverside walks tell the city’s origin story. If you prefer decorative arts, the Fabergé Museum in Shuvalov Palace showcases glittering imperial eggs and Art Nouveau treasures.

Afternoon: Lunch at Severyanin, a cozy spot for pelmeni, solyanka soup, and honey cake. Transfer to Pulkovo Airport or Moskovsky Station; compare flights on Omio (to/from Europe) or Trip.com and Kiwi.com for broader options. Aim to arrive at the airport 2.5–3 hours early; allow extra time for document checks.

Practical tips and costs

Budgeting: Metro rides ~60–75 RUB; museum tickets often $8–$25; Sapsan $45–$120; midrange dinners with wine $20–$40 per person. Many venues accept cash only—carry small bills.

Seasonality: May–September brings canal cruises and Peterhof’s fountain season; winter offers frozen rivers, snow-dusted domes, and indoor culture. Pack layers and comfortable shoes year‑round.

Connectivity & payments: Buy a local SIM on arrival with your passport; expect most foreign cards to be declined—use exchanged cash and confirm payment methods with hotels and restaurants in advance.

In five days you’ve crossed eras: tsarist palaces, Soviet stations, and contemporary kitchens reinventing Russian flavors. Moscow’s momentum and Saint Petersburg’s elegance make a balanced city break—rich in art, architecture, and the small rituals that make travel memorable.