Travel

Ten Moscow Must-do’s For First Timers (on a budget)

Moscow is a big, vibrant city with a huge background, one that can still be breathed and felt just by walking on the streets and looking at people’s faces. It is without a doubt, one of the most expensive cities in the world, but contrary to what one may think, most tourist attractions are very affordable if not free.

Here are ten tips to keep the expenses on the low:

Ride the rails

Moscow’s Subway system is one of the three most-used transit systems in the world and the busiest in Europe, as it services about seven million people a day with trains running every thirty seconds on rush hours. For about 30 roubles (about 1USD), riding Moscow Metro is more like going from one big gallery to another in an enormous museum. The ride is even more exciting if you consider the supposed existence of “Metro-2”, a larger, deeper system that hasn’t been confirmed nor denied by authorities, and that it’s thought to have entrances at some stations of the public system.

Tip: Speakers announce the stations with a male voice if you’re moving towards the center of the city, and with a female voice if you’re going away from it. On the circle line, the male voice is used on the clockwise direction, while the female on the counter-clockwise direction.

Drink

Vodka in Russia is very cheap and quality will never be low, just be sure to follow the Vodka Etiquette. Medovukha is another option; this strong beverage made from honey can be found on honey stores and commercially bottled in most supermarkets. Also, St. Petersburg-based Baltika Brewery has more than ten beer options for every taste. “Baltika 3”, a pale lager, is the classic choice and can be found at most taps around the city at regular prices.

Tip: The Vodka Etiquette in three steps: smell a piece of bread, drink a shot, eat a pickle and repeat after 20 minutes at least two more times. Refusing a shot before the third round, as well as using mixers, can be considered rude by some people.

Stand in the Red Square

This is probably the most impressive site of the city and, arguably, one of the most famous squares in the world. The energy is so strong that one can only wonder about all that happened there. St. Basil’s Cathedral, at the end of the square has a small entrance fee; but the GUM department store, Lenin’s Mausoleum, The Alexander Garden and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier are open to the public and free of charge.

Tip: If you look young enough and smile, you can tell the lady selling tickets at St. Basil’s that you’re a student and she will gladly cut half the cost.

Stare at the Seven Sisters

Seen from almost any point of the city, these seven Stalinist buildings make most of Moscow’s skyline. It’s not very easy to go inside any of them, since they’re private, but they’re just as beautiful from the outside.

Tip: In front of Moscow State University there’s deck that overlooks the Olympic Stadium to the other side.

Visit the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

Although St. Basil’s Cathedral is Moscow’s quintessential icon, not very far from it is this gigantic building that was built as a gratitude and memorial after Napoleon’s retreat. It was demolished after the Revolution to make room for the later cancelled Palace of the Soviets, and was replaced by the world’s largest open-air pool. It was rebuilt in 1995 and is now the tallest Orthodox Church in the world. No entrance fee.

Tip: Take your time to explore.

Walk the Old Arbat Street

Although all souvenirs in stores along the street, this is a good place to find some cheap bars and eateries filled with locals and expats alike. There are a lot of artists performing and selling paintings. It is where the famous Pushkin Museum is located, and at the end of the street, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, one of the Seven Sisters.

Tip: Just hang out, don’t buy matryoshka dolls or fur hats because they will be very expensive.

Shop at Ismailovsky Market

Now, this is the place to get souvenirs. The exact same products found in the souvenir shops on the Arbat street, or even next to the Red Square, can be found here ten times cheaper… actually, really, truly ten times cheaper. Plus, there are about hundrends of options to choose from, every craftsman has their style and they’re all beautiful.

Tip: Get there about nine in the morning.

Stroll at Kolomneskoye and Tsaritsyno Park

A park must be the best free landmark of any city. And these two are no exception, except that like everything in Moscow, they are jumbo. The first one is where the White Column of Kolomneskoye an UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located. Tsaritsyno Park is an estate and palace formerly owned by Catherine the Great.

Tip: Take a nap and eat the apples from the trees… if it’s summer.

Be amazed by the Kremlin Armoury

This is probably the biggest expense on the list, and also the most worth it. Even so, the charge is about 300 roubles (11USD). Everything in display is a true and unique treasure, from the Imperial Crown of Russia to the ivory throne of Ivan the Terrible, as well as several Fabergé eggs, tsars clothes and the famous Russian Diamond Fund.

Tip: You may have to get your tickets in advance, ask for schedules and dates at the Kremlin ticket office.

Get lost in the Memorial Museum of Astronautics

With Yuri Gagarin being the first human to orbit the Earth, one big part of Russian History revolves around Space. Located a little north from the city center, this is a cheap (about 100 roubles, 3.5USD), very well kept and incredibly extensive museum that holds information about, among others, the Soviet Space Program, the Sputnik and the International Space Station. Outside, on top of it, the Monument to the Conquerors of Space and the Cosmonauts Alley are also must-sees.

Tip: Take a picture with Belka and Strelka, two very famous space dogs that returned safely to Earth.

About the Author: Luis is a Graphic Designer, travel and food lover from Mexico currently working as an intern for www.VagabundoMagazine.com, you can check out his work at his blog, Mexican Curious: http://curious.atole.mx

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