If you want to see a lot of Moscow, get to know the city centre and visit all the sights, I’d recommend taking a walking tour in Moscow. If you start on Red Square you have a good chance to see a lot in one day. It is the perfect start to your trip in this megacity. And if you need to go somewhere I would recommend that you go by metro so you get to know the beautiful Moscow metro stations. They are definitely worth a visit!
Let’s start our Moscow walking tour!
1. Red Square
To start an ideal Moscow walking tour, this central square is a must see if you visit the capital of Russia. Red Square separates the well-known Kremlin with the historic merchant centre of “Kitai-gorod”. It is uncertain where the name “Red Square” actually originated; there are two potential theories. The first suggests that Red Square is named in this way because of the red walls of the Kremlin. The second suggests that it is because of a small spot between St. Basil’s Cathedral and the Kremlin’s Spasskaya Tower. Some other, smaller cities around Moscow also have a “Krasnaya ploshchad”. In old Russian this can either be translated as “Red square” or, more interestingly, “Beautiful Square”.
2. Saint Basil’s Cathedral
This cathedral was built between 1555-1561 and for some time was the biggest building in the whole of Moscow. It looks stunning and follows the typical design of a Russian cathedral. It is one of the best places to take your holiday picture in the whole of Moscow. If you visit this cathedral the GUM is just across the Red Square. This shopping centre should be on your bucket list because its architecture is amazing and it has all that a shopper could need.
3. Historical Museum
Our Moscow walking tour continues on this historical building is situated on the south side of Red Square. On the other side of the museum there is Manege Square. For a short stop to refresh your knowledge or for a first glimpse at Russian history, this museum is the place to visit. If you want to know something about Russian culture and its heritage you should add it to your city tour plans.
4. Manege Square and Alexander Garden
On your walking tour in Moscow, we recommend include Manege Square and Alexander Garden. The Square is nick-named “Moscow’s Belly”, because it connects the famous “Tverskaya” and Red Square. If you leave Okhotny Ryad Shopping Centre through the food-court, it leads to Alexandovsky Sad Metro Station and in turn on to Alexander Garden where you will see stunning fountains. If you don’t want to visit the shopping mall, there is also an entrance to Alexander Garden on the south side of Manege square. The two most famous sights in Alexander Garden are the “0 Kilometer” and the “Tomb of the Unknown Soldier”.
To better conclude the walking tour you should stroll across the Tverskaya and look at all the stores. I would recommend walking up to the Pushkin monument and enjoying the park there. If you’re looking for somewhere nearby to spend the evening, there is a restaurant called Tschaichana, which serves good food and has a nice atmosphere.