Moscow
Golden domes and Soviet grandeur
Moscow overwhelms on purpose. Red Square spreads vast beneath St. Basil's swirling onion domes, the Kremlin's red walls guard centuries of power, and metro stations gleam like underground palaces. It's a city of monumental scale, fierce winters, and unexpected pockets of tenderness.
How long to stay?
Two days centers on Red Square, the Kremlin's cathedrals and armory, the Tretyakov Gallery's Russian masterpieces, a walk through Alexander Garden, and an evening of ballet at the Bolshoi Theatre.
Imposing and fast-moving, with a reserved exterior that thaws over tea or vodka. Imperial splendor, Soviet monumentalism, and slick modern energy collide on a scale that dwarfs you.
Tverskoy and the area around Red Square put landmarks within walking distance. Arbat offers historic pedestrian charm and cafes. Patriarch Ponds (Patriarshiye Prudy) is leafy, fashionable, and full of restaurants.
Ride the metro purely to sightsee. Stations like Komsomolskaya and Mayakovskaya are marble-and-mosaic palaces, and a single ticket buys you an underground museum tour for the cost of a fare.
May to September brings the mildest weather and long days for wandering. Winter is brutally cold but magical with snow on the domes; book ballet and museums well ahead.
Three international airports (Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo) connect to the center via Aeroexpress trains. Long-distance rail, including trains from St. Petersburg and beyond, terminates at Moscow's ring of stations.
Currency is the ruble; Russian is dominant and Cyrillic signage is widespread, so a translation app helps. Foreign cards may face issues, so confirm payment options and check current visa requirements before traveling.