9 BEST Photo Spots and Things to Do in Moscow, Russia

9 Incredible Things to Do and See in Moscow (3 - 4 nights)

1. Red Square

Red Square is one of the highlights of Moscow, and for good reason. Many of Moscow's unique architectural wonders, such as St Basil's Cathedral and the State Historical Museum, are all located here. If you booked the hostel I recommended above, you will be minutes away from the Square, and you can visit this place at your own leisure.

Photo Tips: Getting a stunning photo of the Red Square is really tricky as it is one of the most popular attractions in Moscow, but it's not impossible. Try pointing the camera up to exclude the crowds or visit the Red Square at night when there are fewer people and better lighting.

2. The Kremlin

Next to the Red Square is the Kremlin. Going inside the Kremlin is highly recommended. It is concentrated with stunning buildings of historical importance, such as the Ivan the Great Bell Tower, the Grand Palace, and the Cathedral of the Archangel.

Photo Tips: Walk across the bridge to the other side of the river and capture the Kremlin from there with all the lights. It is quite a nice, easy walk that should not take you more than an hour tops.

3. Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

A gigantic cathedral near the Red Square with an iconic golden roof. You may have seen this from afar while walking around the Red Square, so don't forget to incorporate this into one of the stops on your walks. You can even go up the cathedral to the lookout point to see Moscow from above.

Photo Tips: Right before the bridge ends, connecting it to the cathedral platform with the cathedral on your left, you can get a nice perspective of Moscow. With a mix of old Russian architectural style and the modern style of the main building of Moscow State University, it creates a beautiful contrast between the two styles, especially during sunset.

4. Moscow's Underground

Moscow's metro system is one of the oldest metro systems in the world and one of the most extravagant as well. Decorations in stations like Komsomolskaya and Mayakovskaya are left intact and still worth a visit. It is like walking into a palace full of people. However, not all of them are worth seeing, so pick the stations carefully.

Photo Tips: Going against all travel photography teachings, the stations are best visited during prime time when they are busiest. Long exposure shots are perfect for a poorly lit, crowded station like Komsomolskaya.

5. The Museum of Cosmonautics

If you are a space nerd like me, you probably know who Yuri Gagarin is (the first man in space). And since you are traveling in his country, what better way to pay respect to him than to visit the Museum of Cosmonautics in Moscow? The museum is interesting in itself with a large collection of amazing space instruments and satellites used during the Space Race, a little nod to Buran, the Russian Space Shuttle, and a history of the first man, woman, and dogs that went to space. You can spend half a day here learning all about the USSR's legacy during the Space Race.

Tips: If you don't mind waiting in long queues, on every third Sunday of the month, the museum is free to enter.

6. Moscow Business District

Moscow has many cool skyscrapers, but the best place to see all of this concentrated in one area is at the observation deck along the river near the Bagration Bridge. You can take the metro to Kievskaya and walk northwest across the streets toward the river. There, you can capture a nice perspective of the new, modern Moscow.

Photo Tips: The location of this observational deck is not very well documented, so you should not have a problem with the crowds. Try walking along the entire stretch of the river, and you should see a dock that goes down close to the river. With a beautiful calm day or night, you might be able to get a beautiful photo of these skyscrapers.

7. Arbat Walking Street

The Arbat walking street is the perfect place to go and see Russian street performers performing for interesting crowds after work hours. Even in cold wintry Russia, there are many street performers along the streets, under the connecting bridges, and around the entrance of the Arbat metro station.

Photo Tips: After work hours are the best time to see people interacting with street performers, perfect for street photography.

8. Church of Nikolaya Chudotvortsa Tverskoy Old Believers' Community

This is a small, relatively unknown cathedral, but what makes this place special for me is its location. The small cathedral is located between business centers and skyscrapers, which creates the perfect contrast between the old and the new.

Photo Tips: Walk up the street between Torro Grill and Bianca restaurants, in front of the church, for a bit, and then turn back. You will be able to get the perfect shot of this old church squeezed in between two modern skyscrapers.

9. Moscow State University

Photos by Dmitry A. Mottl

Moscow State University is not only one of the highest-ranking universities in the world but also one of the most iconic architectural structures in the city. The main building, with its Neo-Palladian style, resembles the Empire State Building in New York, but it is larger and more captivating.

Photo Tips: The building is perfectly symmetrical, so if you walk through the botanical garden and turn back, you will be able to see a beautiful symmetrical view of the university.

When To Visit Moscow?

June to August is by far the best time to visit Moscow as it is summertime with a comfortable temperature of 23 - 30 °C. I was there in November, and it rained the entire time I was there. However, I got to see the northern lights in the Arctic Circle, which was nice.

How To Get Around Moscow?

Moscow is very accessible via metros. The metros are also pretty easy to navigate, as all the airports are connected via the brown line, where you can switch to any colored lines from there. It is extremely cheap as well, with one ticket costing around 50 RUB for a single trip.

Before arriving, I would suggest that you download an offline map from here: Download Moscow Metro maps.

How to Get to Moscow?

You can fly into Moscow via Aeroflot, but if you are looking for the cheapest possible option, be sure to browse through Skyscanner or Expedia before comparing prices, just in case.

What to Pack for Moscow, Russia?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Moscow, Russia:

• Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
• Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
• Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
• Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
• Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
• Down Jacket: In freezing temperatures, a down jacket is essential. The Columbia Men's Lone Fir Hooded Jacket (for women) is my choice. They are warm, lightweight, and available in various colors.
• Wool Beanie: A wool beanie is perfect for keeping your head and ears warm.
• Wool Gloves: I always have wool gloves handy to keep my hands warm in cold weather.
• Wool Socks: Don't forget to keep your feet warm with wool socks.
• Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
• Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
• Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
• Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
• Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
• Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
• Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
• Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.

Looking for a more comprehensive packing list for Europe? Check out:What to Pack For Europe: The Essential Packing List

Further Reading for Russia

I hope you found this Russia travel guide useful. If you want to read more about Russia, I have tons more articles you might like.

• Saint Petersburg has everything you would expect from a developed European city, but at half the price. Here's a complete travel guide on how to spend 3 days in Saint Petersburg.
• When people think of a trip to see the Northern Lights, they associate it with being an expensive activity. But did you know that you can do it in Russia, which is probably one of the cheapest places to witness the Aurora Borealis in the world? Here’s a guide on how to witness the Northern Lights cheaply in Murmansk, Russia.
• You can find more Russia travel guides on my Russia Travel Guide page.
• Or watch my award-winning Russia travel video here: "Russia Hour" travel video.
• Looking for a complete backpacking itinerary for Europe? Here is the 3-Month Itinerary for Europe.
• Packing for a trip to visit a region as big as Europe is extremely daunting. Here's a packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe - The Essential Packing List.
• Want to visit Europe in winter? Better prepare for the cold. Here's a winter packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe in Winter - The Essential Packing List.
• Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
• Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
• Want to dive deeper into Northern Europe? You can find more about it on my Northern Europe Travel Guide page.
• For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.