Where to go in Moscow in winter
Oops, you've found yourself in the capital of Russia! Congratulations, because in winter Moscow shimmers with the lights of New Year's lanterns, smells of mulled wine, and everywhere you can hear the joyful laughter of those who have gone to the Christmas markets.
We've put together a guide to the capital for tourists who want to see classic sights and visit previously unknown locations. Let's go!
The most popular places to visit in winter
Here is a short list of places you definitely need to visit if you find yourself in Moscow for the first time.
Red Square
Perhaps the most popular place among tourists in Moscow! Every attraction on Red Square has its own history and special beauty: the Kremlin with its towers, the cozy Kazan Cathedral, the Resurrection Gate. Be sure to visit St. Basil's Cathedral to admire the icons. On Red Square, you won't be without a festive atmosphere: a luxurious Christmas tree, lanterns, and even one of the most popular ice rinks in Moscow near GUM.
Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts
The Pushkin Museum houses about 700,000 works from different eras, from Ancient Egypt to the beginning of the 21st century. Three buildings are open for visitors. We could say the museum is very beautiful, but you won't believe it until you see it for yourself. In the main building of the museum, for example, there is a copy of Michelangelo's David statue, which often appears on social media.
Observation deck in "Moscow City"
PANORAMA360 is located on the 89th floor of the Federation Tower and is considered the highest observation deck in Europe. Here you can not only admire evening Moscow but also enjoy a delicious dinner at the "360" restaurant. We also recommend this place for a date. Who knows, maybe it's here that you'll want to propose to the lady of your heart.
Moscow Parks in Winter
What to do in Moscow first? That's right, take a stroll through the parks of the beautified capital. We share the best options for those who want to be closer to nature.
Zaryadye Park
Zaryadye is a place for long walks with a view of the Kremlin. During the pre-New Year period, glowing spheres are installed throughout the park, reminding visitors of the most anticipated holidays of the year.
Gorky Park
Gorky Park's winter highlight is its ice sculpture exhibitions. After a walk along the embankment past Vorobyovy Gory (Sparrow Hills) and Neskuchny Garden, you can confidently head for art at the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art. Lunch is easy to find at street food stalls or in Italian cafes.
Kuzminki Park
In Kuzminki Park, guests can take a guided tour of the estate of the same name or even go horseback riding. For those who come here to enjoy nature, rejoice! Everything is for you — walks along Shibaevsky Pond and the Churilikha River, a walking route through the central part of the park, and many cozy cafes where you can relax and refuel for your further journey.
Sokolniki Park
Sokolniki was opened in 1878, making it one of Moscow's oldest parks. In winter, it's a paradise: adults and children go sledding, skiing, and ice skating, and there's also a hill.
Museums
Some residents of St. Petersburg visit all the museums in their city, buy tickets on Kupi.com for a St. Petersburg — Moscow flight, and set off for new experiences. And it's true, because the capital does not yield to its northern competitor in the scale of its cultural life.
State Darwin Museum
A must-visit for proponents of sexual selection theory and fans of "On the Origin of Species." In general, the Darwin Museum will be interesting for biologists, children, and ordinary tourists who want to learn more about natural sciences. In short, be sure to visit — you'll love it.
Bulgakov Museums
In the capital, there are three dedicated exhibitions for the Bulgakov Museum, each with its own special atmosphere. However, they are all united by one goal — to show that very Bulgakovian Moscow, a bit whimsical and mystical. Most visitors to the city love to visit the "unclean apartment" on Bolshaya Sadovaya Street, about which Mikhail Afanasyevich often wrote in his works.
Museum of Cosmonautics
The Museum of Cosmonautics offers tours that explain the operation of rockets to both adults and children. The collection itself numbers about 100,000 exhibits. The most popular are the first artificial Earth satellite, Yuri Gagarin's cardiogram, and the core module of the Mir station.
Where to go in the evening
A bit of culture or laughter after a long walk certainly won't hurt. Here's where you can go in Moscow in the evening.
Bolshoi Theatre
A somewhat costly, but truly impressive and emotional visit should happen this winter. Besides its internal content, the architecture of the Bolshoi Theatre is also impressive. In short, if you prepare financially for the visit (or even have the will to stand in line for "The Nutcracker" tickets), you are guaranteed a great evening.
Nikulin Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard
The circus is considered one of the oldest in Russia: it welcomed its first spectators on October 20, 1880. Yuri Nikulin was the artistic director of the circus from 1982 to 1997. It will be interesting for any visitor, regardless of age: during the New Year holidays, the "The Little Humpbacked Horse" show will take place, for which we recommend buying tickets in advance.
Ostankino TV Tower Observation Deck
The Ostankino TV Tower offers a wow-view of all of Moscow. However, you visit here without a guide. With a guide, you can take the "Tower from the Inside" route to learn about the engineering features of the structure. Don't forget to bring your passport: it will be needed to get a personalized pass. By the way, children under six are not allowed here.
Winter Festivals and Events
"Journey to Christmas" Festival
"Journey to Christmas" will take place at 36 venues in the capital. This festival is best represented in numbers: 22 ice rinks will be opened and over 4,000 different master classes will be held, introducing residents and guests of the capital to boyar, merchant, and noble Moscow.
"New Year's Concerts by 1,000 Candles"
The festival will run until January 7, 2024, so it's best to hurry with your visit to the capital. Concerts featuring works by great composers and soundtracks from popular films will take place in the Grand Palace of the Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve, the Petrovsky Travel Palace, and the tropical greenhouse at VDNKh.
"Christmas in Arkhangelskoye"
The Arkhangelskoye Museum-Reserve annually hosts a Christmas festival with musical concerts. During the New Year holidays, guests will be able to listen to the greatest works of Mozart, Chopin, and Bach. Be sure to arrive early to visit the estate itself before the concert and see its collection of paintings, graphics, and sculptures.
Ski Slopes
Those who have already conquered Sheregesh and Krasnaya Polyana might want to ski in Moscow too. Here's where you can do it.
Sports Complex "Kant"
An excellent place for those who want to start learning to ski or just go tubing with friends. The most attractive thing is that "Kant" is located within the city limits.
"Novo-Peredelkino"
Despite the fact that the ski complex in Novo-Peredelkino is located on an artificial hill, it is very popular among Muscovites. All conditions for comfortable skiing are provided here: artificial snowmaking, three ski slopes, and a tubing track.
"Vorobyovy Gory" (Sparrow Hills)
Professionals at "Vorobyovy Gory" have three slopes available to conquer heights, so experienced tourists can confidently come here to train. We won't neglect beginners either — there's a school here for learning to ski and snowboard.
Where to go with children
Moscow Planetarium
Two star halls, a 4D cinema, and the Urania Museum are designed for you and your child to try to learn if not everything, then certainly a lot about space. This is truly a location where you feel like a tiny grain of sand in the vast Universe.
Center of Oceanography and Marine Biology "Moskvarium"
A must-visit right after the Darwin Museum, but for exploring the theme of the World Ocean. 80 aquariums with 12,000+ inhabitants, an immersive show, a children's theater... And this is far from the complete list of activities at "Moskvarium." In short, a full immersion is guaranteed.
Moscow Zoo
You can make friends with reptiles, manuls, fish, and other fascinating fauna at the Moscow Zoo. In addition to viewing animals, children are offered lectures and even the chance to try their hand at a ceramics workshop.
Overall, this is a wonderful selection for travelers who have already discovered what to see in St. Petersburg in winter, and are looking for new experiences in the capital.
We wish you a great trip to Moscow and short queues at the GUM ice rink!
