Moscow is the capital city, as well as one of the, most visited tourist places in Russia. The city has a fascinating history and colorful, awe-inspiring architecture in the form of stunning cathedrals, churches, and palaces. The intricate detailing and complex architectural designs of the bygone era will surely keep anyone tranquilized. Red Square, St. Basil’s Cathedral, and Moscow’s Kremlin are the most prominent historical places to visit in Moscow. Besides, the city is also home to several museums where you can learn about Russia’s fantastic literary heritage, such as the Pushkin Memorial Museum, the Tolstoy House Museum, the Dostoevsky House Museum, and the Mayakovsky Museum. These places to see in Moscow are not just interesting but are beyond magical. Explore here, our list of best places to visit as part of Moscow Tour Packages.
Red Square
Red Square or Krasnaya Ploshchad is one of the largest and most impressive squares situated at the heart of the city of Moscow. Built-in , the 73,000 square meters Red Square is separating the royal citadel of the Kremlin from the ancient merchant quarter of Kitai-gorod. It served as a gathering tourist place in Moscow, a marketplace, and a festival ground during the Soviet era. It is one of the most popular places to visit in Moscow due to its wealth of historical sights and cultural landmarks such as the Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral, Lenin’s Mausoleum, and the State Historical Museum. Moscow’s Red Square along with the Kremlin was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in . Besides, wandering around the massive square is a humbling experience and undoubtedly one of the highlights the city has to offer as part of the Russia tour packages.
Bolshoi Theatre
The Bolshoi Theatre is a historic theatre of ballet and opera situated at the Theatre Square in Moscow. With more than 200 dancers, it is one of the second-largest ballet and opera companies in Europe, and the main theater in Russia. This historic theatre was founded back in , but the present magnificent building was built in . Designed by architect Joseph Bove in classical Russian architectural style, the building is all in white with 8 columns, intricate detailing on the facade, and the ‘quadriga’ adorned at the entrance. The six-tier auditorium is lavishly decorated and is a perfect setting for the world-class performances that take place on its stage. The performances here are mostly of Russian origins, with a few foreign performances also taking place. Spending a night watching a performance at the glittering Bolshoi Theatre is sure to be a memorable experience.
The Moscow Kremlin
The Moscow Kremlin is a fortified complex located in the center of Moscow. Founded by the Rurik dynasty in the 15th century, it was once the home of the Tsar family and is now the official residence of the president of the Russian Federation. Constructed beautifully and with a great eye for detail, the Moscow Kremlin complex covers an area of 275,000 square meters with 20 towers, 15 buildings, and more than 1.5 miles of walls that are made up to 21 feet thick. The intricate decor inside the Grand Kremlin Palace reflects the pure charm of the Revival architecture in Russian that blends perfectly with the architectural style of Byzantine Revival. The Cathedral Square is considered to be the center of the Kremlin complex and has three cathedrals of magnificent architecture. The complex is also home to several palaces and also the Ivan the Great Bell Tower. In the south is the Armoury building, a museum holding everything from the royal crown and imperial carriages to the ivory throne of Ivan the Terrible and Faberge eggs. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990, it is undoubtedly one of the best Moscow tourist places.
St. Basil’s Cathedral
A trip to Moscow is incomplete without visiting this unique and impressive cathedral. Located in the impressive Red Square, St. Basil’s Cathedral is one of the top places to visit in Moscow and a popular cultural symbol of Russia. Also called ‘Pokrovsky Cathedral’, it was built in 1555 – 1561 by the order of Tsar Ivan the Terrible to celebrate his victory over the Khanate of Kazan. Built-in unique architecture inspired by Byzantine and Asian design, it is a magnificent work with 8 distinctive candy-colored onion domes. There are nine individual chapels inside the church, all decorated with colorful mural art. Today, St. Basil’s Cathedral serves as a museum, allowing visitors to see the simply breathtaking interiors and the intricacy of the work that was put into its construction.
