Moscow is a bustling city like any other metropolitan city in the world. But what sets Moscow apart from all the others is the perfect blend of modern and ancient.

Around Moscow, you will see small snippets of history hidden amidst the busy concrete jungle. For example, the statues and historical buildings nestled between contemporary ones. The metro stations portray the blend between modern and traditional. The stations resemble palaces fit for kings and queens.

I was in the city for a couple of days still that was not enough. I wish I had had more time in Moscow. You need at least a week to explore this city thoroughly. 24 hours in Moscow is sufficient to fall in love with the city and visit the landmarks.

I’m more of a mountain or turquoise water and white sandy beach kind of girl. But this city made me fall in love with it.

Something about the city resonated with me. It was unexpected. I fell in love with the timeless charm. Moscow will always be one of my favourite cities in the world.

IS 24 HOURS IN MOSCOW SUFFICIENT?

Yes and no.

Yes, 24 hours in Moscow is sufficient time to visit a few other landmarks such as the Kremlin, St. Basil’s cathedral. But you need more than 24 hours to explore this timeless city extensively. You need at least a week.

There are numerous museums and monuments to visit in Moscow. It was difficult for me to cross off several sights off my list. I’ve tried to fit in as many places as possible to make the most of 24 hours in Moscow.
I’ve listed all the places I wouldn’t want to miss during my stay in Moscow.

After a hearty breakfast, I slipped on my comfortable walking shoes (you will be walking a lot) and armed with plenty of water, sunglasses and a camera I was ready to explore and fall in love with Moscow. Head out early to avoid tourists buses.

From my hotel, I took a metro to the station nearest to the Kremlin, Ploshchad Revolyutsii.

ALEXANDER GARDENS

I then headed to the Alexander Gardens (АЛЕКСАНДРОВСКИЙ САД) to buy a ticket for Ivan the Great Belltower from the ticket office in the gardens.

There was some time before I had to reach the armoury. I walked down the cobbled path examining the statues, admiring the flowers. My favourite area of the gardens were the fountains with black horse statues.

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After reading and gazing at hundreds of photos of the Kremlin I was finally here.

MOSCOW KREMLIN

There are 20 Kremlins in Russia, but the Moscow Kremlin is the most well-known and popular of them all. After all, it is the office of the Russian president. The word “Kremlin”, translated to English, is a fortress inside a city.

The Moscow Kremlin has five palaces, four cathedrals, the Kremlin walls and the towers. It’s surreal walking around the Kremlin, knowing, influential political leaders walk the same grounds. The Kremlin has a history dating back centuries, detailed art and architectural landmarks.

IMPORTANT INFO

Tickets for the museums inside the Kremlin are available at the ticket office in the Alexander gardens. All tickets except for the Ivan the Great Belltower tickets can be booked online.

Timing: 9 am – 5 pm.

I had already purchased my ticket beforehand thus, saving time. If you haven’t purchased tickets, you can do so at the ticket booth in the Alexander Gardens.

Most attractions and landmarks on my list are inside the Kremlin. The first attraction was the Armory.

I stopped by the armoury first because I had booked the 10 am slot. I didn’t want to miss it as a limited number of people are allowed inside at a time.

If you miss your session, the ticket becomes invalid and is non-refundable.

ARMOURY

Upon entering the armoury, I was transported back in time. Guns, shields, armours, silverware, carriages are a few of the artefacts the museum showcases.

The extensive collection of silverware and handwoven dresses, carriages give us a glimpse into the life of Russian in centuries past.

The detailing on the dresses, weapons, carriages, silverware is remarkable. I was in awe of Russian craftsmanship.

The interesting fact is that the museum has an extensive collection of 4000 artefacts displayed in 9 halls.

My personal favourites were halls 6 and 7 with the embroidered dresses from the 14th to 20th century and the ceremonial objects, regalia of the Tsars.

IMPORTANT INFO

Timing: 10 am – 6 pm (sessions- 10 am, 12 pm, 2:30 pm and 4:30 pm. Book tickets within these sessions).

Open days: Every day except for Thursday (closed).

Tickets: A ticket without the audio guide is 1,000 rubles and a ticket with an audio guide is 1,300 rubles.

It takes 60 – 90 minutes to walk around the museum.

After admiring the glittering silverware, elegant dresses, heavy artillery I, walked towards the Tsar Canon.

TSAR CANNON

This giant cannon is visible from a distance. It is unmissable with its memorial inscription, elegant and detailed markings and three cannonballs.

Tsar Cannon is the biggest in the world and never fired. It built on orders of Tsar Feodor Ioannovich.

People usually spend 5 – 10 minutes here.

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A few paces from the cannon sits the Tsar Bell.

TSAR BELL

The Tsar Bell sits on a large concrete block. Her other names are Royal Bell, Tsar Kolokol III.

She is the third version of the original.

Inscribed on the surface are inscriptions recounting the tragic events of her creation.

Empress Anna Ivanova ordered its creation. Skilled artisans decorated her with inscriptions, angels, floral pattern.

They dug a casting pit. The first casting attempt failed but, the second attempt succeeded. After casting the bell they raised it from the pit to let it cool.

A fire broke out in 1737 and destroyed the support structure. Workers, to prevent damage, doused her with cold water. Cracks ran across the surface and, a large piece broke off. Without the supporting structure, she fell into the pit where she lay for a century till 1836.

The Tsar Bell has never rung or hung from a bell tower. The bell is a symbol of cast iron and a treasure of the Kremlin.

People spend 5 – 10 minutes here.

I was almost late for my reserved entry slot for the Ivan Belltower. After a quick photo with the bell, I rushed towards the tower.

IVAN THE GREAT BELL TOWER

It was Moscow’s first skyscraper built on Grand Duke Ivan Kalita’s orders.

Twenty-two bells hang in this tower. The Uspenski Bell rings during religious festivals like Easter.

What attracts masses of tourists to this tower is the observation deck offering breathtaking views.

I climbed the winding staircase of 137 steps to the observation deck. Greeted by panoramic views of Moscow city, Kremlin, Moscow river was worth walking up the long staircase.

IMPORTANT INFO

You have to book tickets for the bell tower. They have one hour slots and allow a limited number of people at a time. If you miss the slot your ticket becomes invalid and non-refundable.

Timing: 10:15 am, 11:15 am, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm, 4 pm and sometimes 5 pm (31 July to 3p September)

Ticket: A ticket is 350 rubles. Tickets are available at the ticket office in Alexander gardens.

Many people had recommended going to the observation deck. I’m glad I decided to go. otherwise, I would have missed a spectacular view.

I was free to explore the cathedrals turned museum without rushing.

CATHEDRAL SQUARE

The cathedral turned museums form the cathedral square.

It takes more than 2 hours to visit all the museum of the cathedral square. I recommend visiting the Cathedral of Annunciation, the Cathedral of Archangel Michael and the Dormition cathedral.

IMPORTANT INFO

Timing: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm (15 May to 30 September); 10 am – 5 pm (1 October to 14 May).

Open days: Every day except Thursdays.

A combined ticket allows entry to all the cathedral turned museums in the cathedral square.

Tickets: A ticket is 700 rubles while one with an audio guide is 1,000 rubles.

DORMITION CATHEDRAL

The Cathedral of Assumption is amongst the oldest and biggest cathedrals.

Once upon a time, it was a cathedral but is now a museum. Ivan the Terrible’s coronation took place here. The cathedral has limestone walls and 5 golden domes.

A bright, colourful painting of the Virgin Mary decorates the royal procession door. It is a vivid contrast against the plain limestone walls.

I think this is the most striking cathedral in the square. While the exterior walls are plain, the interior walls are a whole new story.

Frescoes, icons and religious paintings enhance the cathedral walls. Tsars used one wall of the cathedral to display trophies from conquered lands. Ivan the fourth’s, Monomach throne, is here.

Not only the exterior but the interiors as well are remarkable.

If you have limited time, head here first.

It takes 20 – 30 minutes to tour the interiors.

After touring the cathedral, I moved on to the next.

CATHEDRAL OF ANNUNCIATION

This nine domed cathedral was the royal wedding and christening church.

The cathedral, now a museum. Fretwork garland the entrances while the gold foil and figures of poets and philosophers enrich the bronze doors.

Murals depicting religious themes, Russian heroic figures cover the cathedral walls, pillars and ceiling. 14th-17th-century icons cover a cathedral wall.

Smaller than the other two cathedrals but no less remarkable.

It takes 30 – 45 minutes to walk around.

Exiting the museum, I made my way to the third cathedral turned museum.

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CATHEDRAL OF ARCHANGEL MICHAEL

One golden dome surrounded by four smaller silver ones is the hallmark of this cathedral.

Before St. Petersburg became the capital, the Tsars used this cathedral as a Royal Necropolis. The cathedral has over 50 burials and tombstone. When the capital shifted, so did the Royal Necropolis.

Russian military victory festivities took place here.

This cathedral, similar to the previous cathedrals, is filled with murals and frescoes. One cathedral wall depicts icons and religious themes. The Archangel Michael’s Icon is the oldest and celebrates the Battle of Kulikovo.

It takes 20 – 30 minutes to walk around the museum.

After visiting yet another artistic piece of history, I headed towards the exit. The Kremlin tour was not yet over. There was one more landmark to see.

TRINITY GATE TOWER

Troitskaya Tower was the tallest Kremlin building until it was succeeded by Ivan the Great Belltower.

It is the main entrance. The Troitsky Bridge connects Kutafia and Troitskaya towers. The Neglinnaya River once flowed where the Alexander gardens are but is now underground.

What most people don’t know is that the tower’s basement was once a prison.

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Usually, people spend 10 minutes here.

I was starving after walking all morning. It was time to feast on Russian delicacies at the cafes nearby before continuing the second leg of the city tour.

After a traditional Russian lunch, I walked down to the well-known Red square.

RED SQUARE

Once upon a time, it was a public marketplace, the city centre. Now it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Before, coronations took place here and now official ceremonies take place here.

The beautiful square was once Moscow’s centre. The historic significance plus the buildings on it make this square one of the famous squares of Europe.

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Eastern Kremlin wall, State historical museum, Lenin’s mausoleum are a few of the landmarks.

A quick walk takes 10 – 15 minutes.

St. Basil’s cathedral, the next landmark on my list, is on the Red Square.

ST. BASIL’S CATHEDRAL

St. Basil’s cathedral is the hallmark of Russia. The nine onion-shaped domes represent nine separate churches. The design resembles the flames of a fire.

The flame-shaped St. Basil’s cathedral was built by Ivan the Terrible to celebrate the conquer of Astrakhan and Kazan.

Napoleon Bonaparte wished to transfer this cathedral to Paris. But he failed to grasp the impossibility of this task. Since moving the cathedral was impossible, he tried to destroy it.

While most of the buildings on the Red square are either monochrome or dual colours, St. Basil’s cathedral is glaring contrast of red, blue and green.

This polychromatic cathedral is one of my favourite places in Russia. The colourful cathedral sitting near the Moscow river paints a memorable snapshot.

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IMPORTANT INFO

Timing: 10am – 6 pm (June to August); 11 am – 5 pm (November to April); 11 am – 6 pm (May, September, October).

Open days: Every day from Monday to Sunday. It is closed on the 1st Wednesday of each month for cleaning.

Tickets: A ticket for an adult is 1000 rubles. Tickets for children between 7 to 17 years are 500 rubles.

It takes 45 – 60 minutes to explore the churches.

Next up on my itinerary was the gulag museum.

GULAG MUSEUM

I took the metro from Teatralnaya station on the dark green line 2 to the 4th stop, Belorusskaya station, where I changed lines from the dark green line 2 to the maroon line 5. I took the metro to the next stop on maroon line 5, Novoslobadskaya station.

Gulag Museum is a 10-minute walk from the station.

This museum is unlike any other museum. Most museums display art, victories of kings but, this museum transports us to the dark chapter of Russian history.

The museum’s interior design resembles the forced labour camps.

The steel gates, brick walls, dim lighting create an eerie atmosphere. The suffering, pain, confinement faced by the people in the gulags is heartbreaking and goosebumps-inducing.

Thousands upon thousands of people taken to the gulags never made it back to their families.

The overhead speakers announce the countless names of the people in the gulag. The museum honours the memory of the victims.

This museum is not for the faint-hearted.

IMPORTANT INFO

Timing: 12 pm – 9 pm.

Open days: Tuesday to Sunday. But it’s closed on Monday.

Tickets: A ticket costs 400 rubles.

It takes 1.5 hours to 2 hours to walk around the museum.

My 24 hours in Moscow were coming to an end. I didn’t want the dark chapter to be the last place I visited in the city. I wanted to see the good chapters of Russia’s history.

METRO STATION TOUR

Walking around the metro stations feels as though you are in a palace. The themes of the station vary. Some depict war heroes, some illustrate poems and another has bronze statues while others are simple in design.

Moscow has over 200 metro stations. It might take an entire day to visit all the stations but, since you have only 24 hours in Moscow, I’ve picked the most magnificent and popular stations.

I visited the stations listed below-

• Novoslobadskaya station
• Novokuznetskaya station
• Park Pobedy station
• Prospekt Mira station
• Ploshchad Revolyutsii station
• Kievskaya station
• Komsomolskaya station

You have the option of either an organized metro station group tour or a self-guided tour.

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It takes one hour to tour the stations.

When I reached the hotel it was nearing 10 o’clock.

In conclusion, 24 hours in Moscow is not sufficient to explore the city thoroughly. I fell in love with Moscow during my stay. Someday I’ll be returning either for a few days or 24 hours in Moscow.

I hope this ignites your wanderlust.