Russia’s twin capitals blend tsarist splendor, Soviet drama, and a modern creative streak. Moscow projects restless energy—gilded metro stations, skyline viewpoints, and trend-setting restaurants—while Saint Petersburg stages imperial palaces, canals, and the ethereal glow of White Nights.

Expect headline sights like Red Square, the Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral, the Hermitage Museum, and Peterhof’s fountains. Between them: the Sapsan high-speed train, a swift glide past birch forests and river towns, plus hearty Russian cuisine, cozy cafés, and sophisticated cocktail bars.

Practical notes: Check your government’s latest travel advisories and Russia’s entry rules. Many foreign bank cards do not work in Russia; bring enough cash (USD/EUR) to exchange, and confirm your accommodation can register your stay if required. E‑visas exist for some nationalities; mobile taxis (Yandex Go) and offline maps are handy; modest attire is appreciated in active churches.

Moscow

Moscow is all contrasts: onion domes and glass towers, ballet and street art, historic lanes and mega-parks. Start at Red Square, then dive into the Metro—often called “palaces for the people”—before drifting along the Moscow River at sunset.

Top sights include the Kremlin and Armoury, St. Basil’s Cathedral, Zaryadye Park’s floating bridge, the State Tretyakov Gallery, Gorky Park with Garage Museum of Contemporary Art, and the glamorous food halls Danilovsky Market and DEPO.

Where to stay: Base yourself near Tverskaya/Pushkin Square, the Arbat, or Kitay‑Gorod for easy metro access and great dining. Browse stays on VRBO Moscow and Hotels.com Moscow. A reliable midrange pick near Patriarch Ponds is Arbat House Hotel.

Getting in: Limited long‑haul options mean most travelers connect via Istanbul, Dubai, Belgrade, or Yerevan. Compare routes on Trip.com flights and Kiwi.com. From SVO/DME/VKO to the center, plan 45–90 minutes by taxi; Aeroexpress trains link each airport to the metro.

Day 1: Arrival, Red Square, and a Classic Moscow Dinner

Morning: Fly in and rest en route. If arriving early, grab a pick‑me‑up at Coffeemania (excellent syrniki and cappuccinos) or Skuratov Coffee (house-roasted beans, minimalist vibe).

Afternoon: Walk Nikolskaya Street’s lights into Red Square. See the candy‑colored domes of St. Basil’s and the red-brick State Historical Museum. Step onto Zaryadye Park’s floating bridge for skyline photos and a first look at the Kremlin walls.

Evening: Dine at Café Pushkin for textbook beef stroganoff, pelmeni, and a 19th‑century library setting. Nightcap along pedestrian Arbat Street, peeking into courtyards and street performances; if you still have energy, stroll the embankment to watch the riverboats glide by.

Day 2: The Kremlin, Armoury Treasures, and Metro “Palaces”

Morning: Tour the Kremlin’s Cathedral Square (Assumption, Archangel, and Annunciation cathedrals) and the Armoury Museum’s imperial carriages, Fabergé eggs, and bejeweled regalia. Book timed tickets in advance when possible.

Afternoon: Lunch on hearty dumplings at Varenichnaya No. 1 (retro decor, good for families). Then descend into the Moscow Metro: admire mosaics at Komsomolskaya, bronze sculptures at Ploshchad Revolyutsii, and art‑deco flourishes at Mayakovskaya.

Evening: Reserve White Rabbit for a modern spin on Russian flavors—smoked sterlet, foraged herbs—and a glass dome view over the Garden Ring. Casual alternative: DEPO food hall (try Syrovarnya’s fresh burrata or Farsh’s wagyu‑blend burger) and a local craft beer at a JAWSSpot taproom nearby.

Day 3: Art, Parks, and a Historic Banya

Morning: Explore the State Tretyakov Gallery’s golden icons and Russian realism (Kandinsky through Repin). Coffee at LES or Skuratov en route.

Afternoon: Gorky Park loop: stroll the river promenade, pop into Garage Museum for contemporary installations, then wander Muzeon’s sculpture garden. Lunch at Danilovsky Market—sip Georgian kharcho, nibble Dagestani chudu flatbreads, or slurp Vietnamese pho.

Evening: Steam at Sanduny Baths, Moscow’s most storied banya—opt for a venik (birch branch) massage for the full ritual. Later, casual dinner at Khachapuri (Adjara‑style cheese bread and mtsvadi skewers) or homestyle Russian at Mari Vanna (pickled starters and chicken Kiev). Beer lovers can finish at Zhiguli Bar on Novy Arbat for classic lagers and Soviet pub nostalgia.

Day 4: To Saint Petersburg by Sapsan

Morning: Catch a Sapsan high‑speed train from Leningradsky Station to Saint Petersburg’s Moskovsky Station (about 3 h 50 m). Typical fares range widely by class and advance purchase—roughly 3,500–12,000 RUB. Availability through international platforms can be limited; if needed, buy directly at the station or via the official rail channels. You can also check Omio trains for schedules (booking for Russia may be restricted).

Afternoon: Check in near Nevsky Prospekt. Coffee and a pastry at Bushe bakery (great honey cake and almond croissants), then a gentle walk to Kazan Cathedral and along the Griboyedov Canal.

Evening: Dinner with a view at Mansarda (panoramas over St. Isaac’s), ordering crab salad and baked pike‑perch. Cocktail lovers should reserve at El Copitas (intimate, agave‑forward; award‑winning) or try Dead Poets Bar for classics.

Saint Petersburg

Russia’s cultural capital charms with Italianate canals, pastel palaces, and literary echoes. In summer, bridges lift at 1–2 a.m., and the sun barely sets; in winter, the city glitters under frost and museum halls feel like your own.

Highlights include the Hermitage in the Winter Palace, the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, St. Isaac’s Cathedral colonnade, the Peter and Paul Fortress, Fabergé Museum, and the island enclave of New Holland.

Where to stay: Aim for Admiralteysky, Tsentralny, or near the Moika River for walkable access. Browse stays on VRBO Saint Petersburg and Hotels.com Saint Petersburg. Local taxis and metro rides are inexpensive; expect most metro fares under the equivalent of $1–2.

Day 5: The Hermitage, Canal Walks, and Ballet Night

Morning: Enter the Hermitage close to opening—start in the Winter Palace state rooms, then masterworks by Rembrandt, Rubens, and Matisse. Take breaks; the collection is vast.

Afternoon: Lunch at Severyanin (northern Russian cuisine—venison with lingonberries, pickled starters). Visit the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood to admire restored mosaics, then decompress in the Summer Garden’s baroque alleys.

Evening: See ballet or opera at the Mariinsky or Mikhailovsky—book ahead, bring smart attire. Post‑show bites at Teremok (buckwheat blini with salmon roe) or cozy Teplo (homey vibe, seasonal soups and pies) a short stroll away.

Day 6: Day Trip to Catherine Palace (Pushkin) or Peterhof

Option A – Catherine Palace: Take a suburban train from Vitebsky Station to Tsarskoye Selo (Pushkin) ~30–40 minutes, then a short bus/marshrutka to the palace. Tour the Amber Room and the enfilade of gilded halls; explore the landscaped park and Catherine Park ponds. Lunch in Pushkin at a café near the palace gates (try borscht and pirozhki), then return mid‑afternoon.

Option B – Peterhof: In warm months, ride the hydrofoil from the Admiralty embankment to Peterhof (about 45 minutes). Wander the Lower Park’s gravity‑fed fountains and trick jets; in colder seasons, go by commuter train/bus. Snack at park cafés; head back before dusk.

Evening: New Holland Island: browse galleries, skate or lounge seasonally, and dine at Kuznya House (modern Russian with wood‑fire influence) or sample the food kiosks around the courtyard. For a late walk, circle the Moika River for reflections of baroque façades.

Day 7: Fabergé, Markets, and Departure

Morning: Visit the Fabergé Museum (Shuvalov Palace) for jeweled imperial eggs and ornate objets d’art. Coffee at Bonch near Palace Square or another Bushe branch, then pick up edible souvenirs—tula pryanik gingerbread, Altai honey—at Kuznechny Market.

Afternoon: Depart from Pulkovo Airport (LED) or return to Moscow by Sapsan if your flight leaves there. Compare outgoing routes on Trip.com flights and Kiwi.com. Allow extra time for traffic and routine document checks.

Local Tips and Tasty Stops (Both Cities)

• Breakfast/coffee: Coffeemania (citywide; rich breakfasts), Bushe (St. Petersburg; excellent pastries), Skuratov Coffee (Moscow; specialty roasts).
• Casual Russian: Varenichnaya No. 1 (dumplings, cutlets), Teremok (blini), Mari Vanna (home-style recipes).
• Modern dining: White Rabbit (Moscow; skyline views), Mansarda (St. Petersburg; St. Isaac’s view), Birch (St. Petersburg; seasonal plates, reservations recommended).
• Markets/food halls: Danilovsky Market and DEPO (Moscow) for multi‑regional bites; New Holland’s food kiosks (St. Petersburg) for a sunny-day picnic.
• Transit: Sapsan runs hourly on peak days; book in advance for best fares. Moscow and St. Petersburg metros are fast, safe, and inexpensive; taxis via Yandex Go are handy late at night.

Estimated costs (subject to change): Sapsan 3,500–12,000 RUB; hydrofoil to Peterhof 1,500–2,200 RUB one way in season; suburban trains under a few hundred rubles. Metro rides are generally under the equivalent of $1–2; cross‑town taxis often $4–12 depending on traffic.

Note on bookings: For international flights use Trip.com or Kiwi.com. For European train planning you can check Omio trains, though Russian bookings may be limited—purchase at stations or via official domestic channels if needed.

This 7‑day Moscow and Saint Petersburg itinerary threads icons with local flavor—imperial halls, avant‑garde galleries, soulful cafés, and river sunsets. With smart logistics and timely reservations, you’ll cover the classics and still find space for serendipity.