Moscow has been the beating heart of the Russian Federation for centuries—once a medieval stronghold, later capital of tsars and Soviets, and now a sprawling metropolis of art, science, and everyday rituals. From the fortified Kremlin to avant‑garde galleries, it’s a city where grand history meets street‑corner habits: steaming pelmeni, brisk metro rides, slow park strolls.

You’ll find museums among the finest in Europe, metro stations that double as underground palaces, and parks designed for lingering—Gorky Park, Zaryadye’s floating bridge, and leafy estates like Tsaritsyno. Fun fact: Moscow’s metro isn’t just transport; it’s a curated gallery of mosaics, marble, and stained glass. Another: Russia spans 11 time zones, but Moscow time keeps the rhythm of the nation.

Practical notes as of 2025: check visa rules (many travelers can use an e‑visa), and review current travel advisories for your nationality. Expect limited acceptance of foreign bank cards—carry sufficient cash and confirm your accommodation’s payment policy. Download offline maps, pick up a local SIM, and dress for the season: icy winters, luminous summers, and crisp shoulder months perfect for walking.

Moscow

Moscow rewards unhurried travel. Linger in grand squares, trace the river bends, and let the metro whisk you to neighborhoods where daily life hums—markets, canteens, banyas, and pocket-sized clubs. The skyline mixes onion domes and glass towers; your days can too—one foot in history, the other in the present.

Top sights blend the famous with the personal: Red Square and St. Basil’s, the Kremlin and Armoury, the Tretyakov Gallery, VDNKh, the Museum of Cosmonautics, and contemporary hubs like Garage Museum. Between them, pause for blini at a streetside counter or dumplings at a no‑frills pelmeni bar.

• Stay: Search budget stays and apartments on VRBO Moscow and Hotels.com Moscow. A solid mid-budget option with a central location is Arbat House Hotel (walkable to the Kremlin and the Old Arbat).
• Getting in: Compare flights to Moscow (SVO/DME/VKO) on Trip.com Flights and Kiwi.com. Typical routings connect via Istanbul, Dubai, Belgrade, or Yerevan. From the airport, the Aeroexpress train (35–45 min) or budget city buses/metro will get you into town.
• Local transport: Pick up a Troika card for cheap metro, bus, and tram rides; Moscow’s metro is frequent, safe, and an attraction in itself. Taxis are affordable via local apps, but the metro is faster at rush hour.
• Easy eats on a budget: Teremok (blini, soups), My‑My/Mu‑Mu (cafeteria classics), Marketplace (mix‑and‑match counters), Lepim i Varim (pelmeni), Varenichnaya No.1 (dumplings and soups), and Khachapuri i Vino (Georgian—order khachapuri adjaruli).
• Cafes to know: Skuratov Coffee (specialty), Coffeemania (pricey but polished), LES and Surf Coffee (casual chain staples).
• Live music: Zaryadye Concert Hall (orchestra, chamber), Moscow Conservatory (student masters), Tchaikovsky Concert Hall (classical), 16 Tons and Powerhouse (bands, jazz, indie). Weeknights are best for cheaper tickets.

Day 1: Arrival, Red Square glow, and Zaryadye at sunset

Morning: In transit. Hydrate, download offline maps, and note your nearest metro stops. If you arrive early, drop bags at your hotel.

Afternoon: Orient yourself along Tverskaya Street toward Red Square. Take in the State Historical Museum’s red-brick façade, the Kremlin walls, and St. Basil’s candy-colored domes. Step into Zaryadye Park next door—its floating bridge arcs over the river for sweeping photo ops without a ticket.

Evening: Keep dinner simple: try Teremok for buckwheat blini with mushrooms or salmon, or Varenichnaya No.1 for pierogi-style dumplings and borscht. If energy allows, stroll Nikolskaya Street’s festive lights. Check Zaryadye Concert Hall’s schedule—weekday seats can be very affordable for choir or chamber sets.

Day 2: Kremlin treasures and a restorative banya

Morning: Book timed entry for the Kremlin and Armoury Museum. The Armoury holds Fabergé eggs, royal regalia, and jeweled weaponry; pace yourself and focus on a few rooms to avoid museum fatigue. Coffee beforehand at Skuratov near the center; grab a sweet syrnik (cheese pancake) if you spot it.

Afternoon: Walk the historic lanes of Kitay‑Gorod and Varvarka Street, pausing at ancient churches and courtyard viewpoints. Lunch at My‑My (Mu‑Mu) for budget staples: buckwheat, cutlets, vinegret salad, and kompot. Drop by the newly revitalized Polytechnical or Historical Museum if you want extra context on science and the city (allow 60–90 minutes).

Evening: Unwind the Russian way at Sanduny Banya. Opt for the public hall for value; budget for entry plus a felt hat and sheet rental. Alternate hot steam with cold plunge, sip tea, and keep sessions short if it’s your first time. Dinner after: Khachapuri i Vino for comforting Georgian dishes—khinkali dumplings, badrijani (eggplant with walnut), and tarragon lemonade.

Day 3: Art morning, metro masterpieces, and a small-venue concert

Morning: Head to the Old Tretyakov Gallery to meet icons of Russian painting, from medieval masters to Repin and Vrubel. Two hours is ideal—then decompress along the pedestrian Tretyakovsky Proyezd or the riverside path.

Afternoon: DIY a Moscow Metro art tour: don’t miss Ploshchad Revolyutsii (bronze figures), Mayakovskaya (sleek mosaics), Komsomolskaya (Baroque grandeur), and Novoslobodskaya (stained glass). Between stations, stop for a quick, inexpensive lunch at Marketplace; try the borscht, salad bar, and a main for under typical sit‑down prices.

Evening: Concert night: check the Moscow Conservatory or Tchaikovsky Concert Hall for student recitals and chamber programs (often 300–1200 RUB). If you prefer modern sounds, 16 Tons or Powerhouse book local bands and jazz—arrive early for standing room and a low cover. Pre‑show caffeine at LES or a pastry at Volkonsky bakery if you pass one.

Day 4: Space age Moscow at VDNKh, markets, and a riverfront walk

Morning: Ride the metro to VDNKh. Start at the Museum of Cosmonautics under the soaring titanium rocket monument; highlights include the first satellites, cosmonaut suits, and a mock space module. Budget 90 minutes, then wander VDNKh’s grand pavilions—Soviet architecture, fountains, and wide alleys made for an easy stroll.

Afternoon: Lunch at VDNKh’s food courts (look for Kroshka Kartoshka for loaded baked potatoes or a budget shawarma stand). Then head to Gorky Park for a long, leafy walk; the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art offers a compact, rotating exhibition that won’t overwhelm. Coffee at Surf Coffee inside the park; rent a deck chair by the embankment if the sun’s kind.

Evening: Golden hour on Sparrow Hills: free skyline views by Moscow State University, with the optional cable car gliding over the river. Dinner at Lepim i Varim—choose Siberian pelmeni with smetana (sour cream) and dill, plus a kvass. If it’s the weekend, detour earlier in the day to Izmailovo’s Vernissage flea market for folk art and vintage finds (best in the morning; bring cash and bargain politely).

Day 5: Palace parks and market bites, then departure

Morning: Ease into the day at Tsaritsyno, Catherine the Great’s neo-Gothic estate. Walk lakeside paths, peek into the Grand Palace if time allows, and enjoy a last linger in the birch groves. Coffee and a light bite from a park kiosk keeps it simple.

Afternoon: Quick lunch-and-souvenir run at Danilovsky Market or the Central Market food hall—sample chebureki, Uzbek plov, or a slice of honey cake. Pick up dried berry teas or local chocolates for gifts. Then head to the airport (Aeroexpress trains run regularly from city terminals). If you still need flights, compare options on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Evening: In transit. Reflect on favorites and plan a return—perhaps in winter for snow-dusted domes or in high summer for long, luminous evenings along the river.

Where to stay (budget-first)

• Search broadly: Compare apartments, guesthouses, and small hotels on VRBO Moscow and Hotels.com Moscow. Look in Arbat, Tverskaya, or Kitay‑Gorod for easy metro access.
• Good value: Arbat House Hotel offers simple, central rooms; walk to the Kremlin in ~20 minutes.
• Money-savers: Prioritize places with kitchen access (breakfasts in), proximity to metro (≤5 minutes), and clear, confirmed payment terms given current card limitations.

Getting around and budgeting

• Transit: Troika card fares are low; most sights are within a few stops. Expect 2–4 rides per day for a relaxed plan.
• Food costs: Budget cafeterias and chains keep meals reasonable; aim for a light breakfast, hearty lunch, and simple dinner to stay on budget.
• Attractions: Prioritize 1–2 paid entries per day (e.g., Kremlin, Tretyakov, Cosmonautics) and fill the rest with parks and metro art. Watch for student discounts and free museum days.
• Concerts: Weeknight classical or student programs can be very affordable; smaller clubs often have low covers before prime time.
• Trains (reference): For train schedules in Europe, browse Omio Trains; for general train info outside Europe, see Trip.com Trains. In Russia, many intercity tickets are bought via local channels or at stations—verify details on the ground.

With a relaxed pace, you’ll see Moscow’s essentials without rushing: Red Square at twilight, the Kremlin’s treasures, metro art beneath your feet, and park life unspooling along the river. Museum mornings, market lunches, banya steam, and an intimate concert or two make the city feel personal—and affordable.