Where to stay in Moscow?
We always emphasise it (but you can’t understand how important it is until you feel it), Russia is big…and so is Moscow! Distances are huge and doing things can quickly became very time consuming. Plus, some parts of Moscow don’t really worth the visit. I mean it’s nice to see and discover what is the traditional Soviet architecture. But… well… no. So while staying in Moscow either for a long or short time, you must choose the neighborhood that will best suits your needs and expectations. So here are some tips and infos.
Lubyanka
Where?
The Lubyanka quarter is located at the north east of the Red Square. Very convenient, it’s about 15min by foot from the Kremlin and can be considered as in Moscow’s very heart!
Why?
First for its location obviously. It’s really close to the Red Square and so to the most symbolic sights of Moscow. But by not being on the Red Square you’ll avoid the crowd and the noise of Moscow’s biggest boulevard. As a result it’s very convenient for both tourists and expats.
What to do?
Lubyanka is mainly known for being the FSB (the Russian secret services) quarter. Indeed Lubyanka is famous for hosting during the USSR the KGB headquarters and so for being the heart of the Soviet repression. In addition Lubyanka is also known as being a “french quarter” and some visits are organised to better know this part of Moscow!
Want to book a tour? Check this out!
Chistye Prudy
Where?
Chistye Prudy is located right after Lubyanka on the north east of the Red Square. It makes the border between Moscow’s city center and the rest of the city. In fact Chistye Prudy’s heart is made of the garden circle that constituted the limit of Moscow some centuries ago.
Why?
Chistye Prudy is my favorite part of Moscow. First because it’s beautiful since it hosts gardens and ponds.This quarter is very clean and has been renovated some years ago. But also what makes Chistye Prudy my favorite quarter of Moscow is that it’s a more comfy part of the city. With many cafés, restaurants, super nice bars, it’s a quarter to relax and enjoy Moscow, and to remember that there is something for every taste here.
What to do?
Chistye Prudy doesn’t host a famous sight or museum. But you have plenty of things to do! Basically this quarter is the perfect one to relax, escape a bit the city and enjoy going in good cafés, restaurants and bars.
Want to book a tour? Check this out!
The Old Arbat
Where?
The Old Arbat is a famous quarter located on the east of the Red Square inside the garden ring.
Why?
This quarter of Moscow is one of the most beautiful. It’s mainly composed of a pedestrian street where stand beautiful colourful houses and artists’ shops. It’s another facette of Moscow’s city center that worth the visit due to its artistic and historic heritage.
What to do?
In the Old Arbat the best to do is just to enjoy a walk through it. The best of this quarter is its atmosphere characterised by its artistic and historic heritages. But to that and to really appreciate it, you must book a guided-tour!
Want to book a tour? Check this out!
Patriarshye Prudy
Where?
Located on the north east of the Red Square, Patriarshye Prudy is also constituted of the garden ring. This quarter is calm even though being really close to the Tverskaya.
Why?
First for its relaxing atmosphere. But also and above all because it’s Bulgakov’s quarter and so the very origin of “The Master and Margarita”. So if you’ve read the book, you definitely must go have a walk there!
What to do?
As for Chistye Prudy, Patriarshye Prudy is a very good place to chill and relax in gardens. It hosts the very famous Bulgakov’s house-museum that really worth a visit. You’ll also be able to find other great-quality museums.
Want to book a tour? Check this out!
Novokuznetskaya
Where?
Located 10min walk south of the Red Square, Novokuznetskaya is on the other side of the Moskova but remains in the very heart of Moscow.
Why?
Novokuznetskaya is a very nice and pretty quarter of Moscow with a peculiar atmosphere. Made of cafés, restaurants and a stunning church. On the plus side, Novokuznetskaya is close to the Red Square and is the quarter of the Tretyakov Gallery.
What to do?
Despite having a walk in the quarter, the thing you must do in Novokuznetskaya is the Tretyakov Gallery. It’s one of the most famous museum in Russia as it hosts the biggest collection of Russian art in the country.
Want to book a tour? Check this out!
Timiriazevskaya
Where?
In the north of Moscow, outside of Moscow city center and after the second ring, is the quarter of Timirazevskaya. Unknown from most of Muscovites and tourists, this quarter is located close to the famous VDNKh park.
Why?
This quarter is a nice one to live in since it’s residential but modern and calm. To be honest it doesn’t really worth the visit if you’re a tourist, but expats can be interested to live there. The main interest remains the proximity of VDNKh park.
What to do?
There is no much things to do in Timiriaevskaya expect going and visit the amazing VDNKh park and the Cosmonautics museum. VDNKh is a big park that hosted international exhibitions under the USSR. The buildings are surprising and the Cosmonautics museum is both impressive and interesting!
Want to book a tour? Check this out!
Sokolniki
Where?
The Sokolniki quarter is located between Moscow city center and VDNKh. So not too far from the main touristic and interesting places, but away from the noise and the crowd.
Why?
Sokolniki is a nice quarter with a good location that allows you to escape the difficulties of leaving in Moscow city center, and allows you to breath in its big park (like Hyde Park * 4), without going to the other side of the country.
What to do?
The main (well only) thing to do in the Sokolniki quarter is to enjoy nature (the real and wild one). If it’s dedicated to children and so hosts many activities for them, the park offers many things to do. You can walk in the forest, swim, run, skate, horse-ride… Very nice and convenient to chill out during weekends.
Want to book a tour? Check this out!
