A stay in the Russian capital is also a journey between the Russia of the Tsars, the communist period and contemporary Russia, which hitched the wagon of the capitalist economy in the early 90s. Why visit Moscow? Because she can be visited through its museums and its typical architecture ! Why not let yourself be carried away by its frantic pace, its modernity and its dynamism?
The most expensive city in the world
The most populous city in Europe (10,2 million inhabitants) has played a considerable role in Russian history. Moscow has long been the capital of its country, for a time dethroned by Saint-Petersburg, before becoming so again in 1918, when the USSR was created. Since the fall of the Soviet Union and the crises of the 90s, Moscow has rebuilt itself to the point where it is today a leading tourist destination. The city even recently received the - unenviable - title of the most expensive destination in the world for accommodation!
Cruise on the Moskva River
The cathedral with colorful towers
Why visit Moscow as a priority? Because the visit of the Russian capital invariably begins with that of the Red place and surrounding buildings: the Kremlin, the Goum, the necropolis, which houses Lenin's remains, and the Cathedral of Basil the Blessed. A true central place of power, the Kremlin is home to several cathedrals as well as the Grand Kremlin Palace, former residence of the Tsars, and the Presidential Palace. The Sainte-Basile Cathedral borders the other side of the square, it is well known for its towers with colorful domes.
Saint Basil's Cathedral
A century-old shopping center
Lovers of shopping, know that the Goum is one of the most famous shopping arcades in the world. Created in the early 1920s - its construction was supervised by Lenin himself - it housed the largest state store in the Soviet Union. Today, international fashion brands have taken their place in the aisles: in all, more than 2,5 km of shopping malls are spread over 3 levels.
Nasdrovia!
The center of Moscow, around the Kitai-Gorod district, also allows discover russian food and drink, an essential aspect of Moscow culture. Inexpensive restaurants abound, offering traditional dishes to visitors. Chtchi (soup) to start your meal then beef Stroganov as a main course: a classic! In luxury establishments, why not also taste the most expensive dish in the world, caviar, of which Russia is the best specialist. Vodka accompanies many meals in Moscow, don't forget that it is always drunk “dry”! A good reason which should answer the question “why visit Moscow”, no?
The Red place
Cheap weekend hotels
Accommodation will therefore be one of the most important budget items during a trip to Moscow. During the weekends, hoteliers still lower their prices. - it is above all business tourism that inflates prices. It is therefore possible to book your room at the last minute and find a cheap hotel for a short weekend stay. Fortunately, the budget for food is less: restaurants and bars are inexpensive.
Pratical information
- Saint-Martin Tourist Office : Visit the website of the Moscow tourist office
- Silver : the currency in force in Russia is the ruble.
- Visa and passport : the visa and a valid passport are essential to enter Russian territory. For the visa, you must contact the travel agency for a certificate before going to a Russian consulate.
Transports
- Getting to Moscow : two main airports, Sheremetyevo and Domodedovo, are located in Moscow, on the outskirts of the city. About 30 km from the center - one to the North, the other to the South - shuttles allow you to quickly reach the heart of Moscow. It takes about 3 hours 40 minutes to reach Moscow from Paris.
Compare flight prices to get the best rates. Do not hesitate to complete your research by also comparing the prices of the hotels. - Getting around Moscow : a very large network of subways crisscrosses the city and allows you to visit all the places of interest of the Russian capital.
