As winter gets into its stride, Moscow turns into a living fairy tale. If you already have a visa to Russia, trust us: now is the prime time to make use of it! And if you still don’t, don’t worry: Smart System Holidays can help you procure one just in time to have an unforgettable vacation!
But what are the absolute must-see and must-visit places in Moscow during the New Year season? To answer this question, we have prepared this guide to holidays in the Russian capital city – so read on, and you will learn everything you need to know and more!
See also: want a super-straightforward experience? Check out our holiday packages, then!
The festive center
If you want to see New Year’s Moscow in all its glory, head to the very center. It’s here, in the tangle of boulevards and squares, that the atmosphere is born that tourists come for. A simple route will give you vivid impressions.
1. From Tverskaya to Red Square
Start your journey at Arbatskaya metro station and walk along Nikitsky and Tverskoy boulevards. Turn onto Tverskaya Street, the city’s main artery, decorated with garlands and light installations.
Don’t rush; take a closer look at the facades of historical buildings and pop into Kamergersky Lane with its cozy, almost homelike lights and theater posters that make you feel as if you’ve stepped into another world.
The highlight of the route is Red Square. Saint Basil’s Cathedral in winter and the sparkling facade of GUM (Moscow’s main luxury mall) make for stunning photos. Be sure to visit the Christmas markets: you can buy souvenirs, enjoy a cup of fragrant mulled wine, ride the carousels with kids, or skate at the ice rink.
2. Vorobyovy Gory and Moscow City
Are you after some truly great panoramic shots? Go to Vorobyovy Gory. From the observation deck, you can see the snow-covered city, the Kremlin, and the curves of the Moscow River.
Then head to the Moscow City business district. In this relatively short span of time, you’ll feel as though you’ve visited several different cities.
Ice rinks
We’ve mentioned the one in GUM already, but Moscow presents many, many more.
3. The historic rink on Red Square and near GUM
The Kremlin walls lit with garlands and the fairy-tale towers of Saint Basil’s Cathedral create the winter wonderland that thousands of tourists come to Moscow to see – all while doing pirouettes on ice, no less!
4. The large rink at VDNH
It’s one of the biggest in Europe: the track is over a kilometer long. Skating here is a real pleasure, and when you get tired, you can visit nearby pavilions for snacks or stop by the Moskvarium.
5. The modern rink in Gorky Park
High-quality ice resistant to thaws, and in the evenings themed parties and DJ performances often take place.
See also: if you are ready for a more exotic destination this holiday season, why not give Baikal, the largest lake in the world, a shot? Learn about travelling to the Baikal.
Exhibitions, theaters, and tours
Even though there is more to see in Moscow than one reasonably can during just one vacation, it would be a disservice not to get acquainted with its rich cultural life. Theaters, art exhibitions and a lot more venues await you.
6. Theaters
A trip to a theater, especially the Bolshoi, is always a great event. The winter repertoire traditionally includes The Nutcracker, a story that perfectly captures the spirit of Christmas. (But be sure to get tickets well in advance, because the nearer the holidays, the bigger the chance they will be all sold out!)
You can also check the programs of the Chekhov Moscow Art Theater, Vakhtangov Theatre, Satyrikon, Sovremennik, and others.
For non Russian-speaking tourists the best bet would be, of course, operas and ballets.
7. Museums and galleries
The Tretyakov Gallery, the New Tretyakov Gallery, and the Pushkin Museum: if it’s snowing outside, you can always spend a few hours among masterpieces of Russian and world art. Treasures such as Andrei Rublev’s mysterious Trinity and Kazimir Malevich’s Black Square await you.
See also: do you have any questions about obtaining a Russian visa? Well, don’t worry, because we’ve got you covered! Here’s a helpful guide for you in which you can discover everything there is to know about it.
Parks
In winter, they’re even more fun than in summer, especially if the cold season actually lives up to its name and presents us with some long-awaited snow and wintery atmosphere.
8. Gorky Park
It’s always lively here, and at the main entrance stands a huge holiday tree with interactive lighting.
After skating, tourists traditionally warm up in a café, restoparking, or one of the galleries. The New Tretyakov Gallery which we mentioned earlier, located right in the park, regularly hosts major photo exhibitions. Fans of contemporary art should check out the Garage Museum.
The nearest metro stations are Park Kultury and Oktyabrskaya, so there is no problem getting to and from here.
9. Zaryadye
Zaryadye is a park next to the walls of the Kremlin, where you can find:
- The Floating Bridge. The park’s calling card. It offers one of the best views of the Moscow River and the Kremlin. In winter, especially in the evening, the view is truly magical.
- The Ice Cave. A unique spot where you can escape winter slush. The artificial cave maintains a temperature of about -5°C year-round; the walls and sculptures are covered in real ice and frost.
- The Florarium. The perfect place to warm up: a tropical greenhouse where it’s always summer.
10. VDNH
And last but certainly not least on our list sits VDNH. It is more than just an amusement park, as it is also the place where you can genuinely learn something new about nature, science, and many other aspects.
VDNH is a true city within a city. People come here to spend the whole day: stroll along snowy alleys, admire the architecture, visit museums, and enjoy outdoor activities.
Its main winter attraction is one of the world’s largest ice rinks with artificial ice covering 20,000 m².
If you get cold, warm places are always nearby. The Space pavilion houses the Cosmonautics and Aviation Center with unique exhibits, and in the Moscow Model pavilion you can see the whole city in miniature.
The huge Ferris wheel works year-round, so you can give your kids unforgettable memories or plan a romantic date.
Winter in Moscow leaves no room for boredom. Dress warmly, and you’ll be able to have fun for hours, discovering the magical and welcoming winter capital.
And all you need to get this experience is a visa to Russia. The good news is that it’s absolutely not hard to get if you are using our services. So if you would like to go on an incredible holiday trip, contact us in any way convenient to you, and we’ll start preparing your best New Year vacation yet!
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