Moscow Russia 5 Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & Red Square

  • Accommodation: Consider staying at the Ritz-Carlton, Moscow (Tverskaya Street) or Hotel National (Manezh Square), centrally located and offering luxury comfort.

  • Activities: Visit the iconic Red Square and its landmarks: St. Basil’s Cathedral, Lenin’s Mausoleum, GUM department store, and the historic Kazan Cathedral. Don’t forget to admire the Kremlin from outside (entrance requires a separate ticket).

  • Lunch: Try traditional Russian cuisine at Cafe Pouchkino (Bolshaya Dmitrovka Street) or Lavka-Lavka (Goncharny Lane), both offering a wide variety of dishes.

  • Dinner & Nightlife: Explore Arbat Street for souvenir shopping and dining options. A popular choice is Arbatskaya 36 (Arbat Street). For nightlife, head to Propaganda Club (Bol’shaya Yakimanka Street) or White Rabbit (Znamenka Pereulok).

Day 2: The Kremlin & Bolshoi Theatre

  • Activities: Spend the day exploring the Kremlin. Inside, visit the Armoury Chamber, Ivan the Great Bell Tower, and Cathedral Square’s historic churches. In the evening, attend a performance at the Bolshoi Theatre (Teatralny Prospekt).

  • Lunch & Dinner: Lunch at Shokoladnitsa (Sadovaya-Kudrinskaya Street), a famous Russian café chain, or Café 33 (Kuznetsky Most Street) for gourmet sandwiches. For dinner, head to White Rabbit (Znamenka Pereulok).

Day 3: Museums & Parks

  • Activities: Visit the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts (Volkhonka Street) or the Tretyakov Gallery (Lavrushinsky Lane), both housing significant Russian art collections. Spend the afternoon in Gorky Park (Moscow River Embankment) or the botanical garden, Aptekarsky Ogorod (Old Garden).

  • Lunch: Grab a bite at Varenichnaya No.1 (Kuznetsky Most Street) for traditional Russian pierogies, or try the Georgian cuisine at Iveria (Malaya Dmitrovka Street).

Day 4: Metro Tour & Night Market

  • Activities: Explore Moscow’s stunning metro system. It’s like a museum underground! Visit Novodevichy Convent (Novodevichy Lane), one of the most beautiful monasteries in Moscow. In the evening, explore the Danilovsky Market (Danilovsky Street) for local food and goods.

  • Lunch & Dinner: Enjoy a meal at Teplyashka (Novospassky Pereulok), a cozy restaurant serving traditional Russian dishes. For dinner, head back to Danilovsky Market or try the modern Russian cuisine at White Rabbit (Znamenka Pereulok).

Day 5: Zaryadye Park & Departure

  • Activities: Spend your last day exploring Zaryadye Park (Krasnopresnenskaya Naberezhnaya), an innovative green space with interactive installations. Take a river cruise to see Moscow from the Moskva River (departs from Varvarskaya or Khokhlovka Embankment).

  • Lunch: Have lunch at Cafe Pushkin (Tverskaya Street) before heading to the airport, or grab something quick at one of the many cafes in and around the park.

Things to Know:

  1. Russian is the official language; English proficiency varies among locals.
  2. Metro is the most convenient way to get around the city. Buy a Troika card for multiple rides.
  3. Taxis can be expensive, but ride-hailing services like Yandex Taxi are available and affordable.
  4. Be mindful of cultural etiquette; Russians tend to be formal and reserved.
  5. The weather in Moscow can be unpredictable, so pack layers for all seasons.
  6. Always check opening hours and days before visiting attractions, as they may change.