Moscow Hotels

Moscow, Russia

This spectacular, majestic city is the capital of the Russian Federation, making it the beating heart of the largest country in the world. Moscow is a city like no other; with 860 years of history under its belt, it’s loaded with stunning architecture, breathtaking attractions and diverse culture.

Discovering the City

Tverskaya is the street that runs straight through the center of Moscow, and it’s a great place to begin explorations. It’s lined with office buildings, upscale boutiques, cafes that send the sweet scent of coffee wafting out on the sidewalk and luxurious hotels. Tverskaya is a busy pedestrian area as well, and visitors can spend hours walking around here while people-watching and popping into shops.

For more shopping and eating, there’s Arbat Street, usually referred to as simply ‘the Arbat’. Just like in Tverskaya, life in the Arbat district is bustling with life, albeit at a slightly slower pace. Literature lovers should be sure to swing by the big statue built to commemorate Alexander Pushkin and his wife, Natalya. Street performers also dazzle crowds in these parts.

The focal point of Moscow, however, has to be the Red Square. The Kremlin and Lenin’s Mausoleum can be found here, as can the famous GUM department store. Kazan Cathedral lies on the eastern side, and for history buffs, there is the State Historical Museum. Red Square has been the major hub of the city for centuries, and it makes an excellent navigational point for visitors. 

History and Culture

No trip to Moscow is complete without a visit to the iconic 16th Century St Basil’s Cathedral in Red Square. Looking like something out of a fairytale, this Russian Orthodox Church was commissioned by Ivan the Terrible. A superior example of the grandest Russian architecture, this is a genuinely unique building with striped minarets, a kaleidoscope of geometric design and all the colors of the rainbow adorning its outer walls.

The Kremlin Walls and the Kremlin Palace are both worth checking out. The stunning palace was built in the mid-1800s on the estate of the Grand Princes, and now is an imposing structure overlooking central Moscow, and a strong symbol for the Russian State. Around the Palace stand the Kremlin’s redbrick walls, built at the end of the 15th Century.

Nothing can outdo The State Hermitage for culture; this magnificent institution was founded in 1764 by Catherine the Great, and it remains one of the largest and impressive museums in the world. The Hermitage holds upwards of three million pieces, a selection of which is displayed across six awe-inspiring buildings that stand on Palace Embankment, on the Neva River.

Things to Do

Moscow isn’t without its quirks, and one of the most eccentric places to visit is The Vodka Museum. Tourists can get acquainted with the centuries-long history of Russian vodka and take a look at over 600 exhibits devoted entirely to the national drink – of course, vodka is available to purchase.

For a taste of grandiose Tsarist Russia it is worth trying to get tickets for an opera or ballet performance at the 19th Century Bolshoi Theatre. The theater has been destroyed and rebuilt several times, but still retains its classic charm and remains one of the premier performance venues in the world.

Planning your holiday in Moscow? Explore our wide array of affordable accommodation options in this exciting city.