2 Days in Moscow, Russia: A Moscow Itinerary
Even with only 2 days in Moscow, you can still tackle a heck of a lot. Here’s what to do to make the most of your two days in Moscow.
This article on 2 days in Moscow is brought to you by a contributor for travelingmitch, Elizabeth, who called Moscow home for a year, and knows the city far better than I. Take it away, Elizabeth!
Moscow, Russia is a fascinating city that you need to visit at least once in your life. Although it is technically a European city, it is so different from other cities in Europe. From the magical domed top cathedrals to the Soviet history, this is a city to truly enjoy.
You may be wondering, “how many days in Moscow is enough?”
I lived in Moscow for a year and still didn't get to do everything there is to see and do. But don't fret, if you only have 2 days in Moscow you can still see many of the Moscow highlights, and have a taste of what makes this city so unique.
Follow along with this itinerary to plan your Moscow two day itinerary or Moscow weekend.
Day 1 of Your 2 Day Moscow Itinerary
If you know anything about Moscow, you know you can't miss the Red Square. Many of the city's most famous places are in the Red Square, such as the Kremlin, St. Basil's Cathedral and the State Historical Museum.
Here's how to spend your first day making the most of this part of Moscow. If you’ve only got two days in Moscow, you need to make it count.
Take a Red Square Walking Tour
I always love to start my time exploring a new city with a free walking tour.
Yes, it's fun to wander around a new city on your own, but you can learn so much more with a knowledgeable guide. Unless you speak Russian you will definitely want to take the Moscow free walking tour of the Red Square on your first morning. Unlike cities like Brussels, Dublin, or Oslo, in Moscow you won't find everything in English. Many museums and attractions do not have all the text translated. The guided tour will give you a good start in learning about the history and culture of the city. This will help you when exploring the main Moscow attractions by yourself later.
With only 48 hours in Moscow you will want to fit a lot into a short period of time. This tour is jam packed with the iconic Moscow highlights and sights, as well as information about the city.
It's always fun to learn some practical tips from a local as well.
Eat Lunch at GUM in the Red Square
After all the walking in the morning you will most likely be ready to try some Russian food for lunch. The famous mall, GUM, is handy and has several places to eat. Don't worry I am not suggesting a food court with McDonalds and Burger king. GUM is an upscale mall with a variety of food options.
You can have a sit down meal or try Canteen # 57, which is a casual counter serve restaurant. It is a little faster if you want to keep exploring, but gives you the opportunity to try classic Russian dishes like borscht and dumplings. It was helpful for me to be able to see the food and choose what I was eating based on how it looked. You may run into restaurants that do not have English menus and then you will know why this is an advantage!
Also, a tip from someone who has spent more than 2 days in Moscow in her life - don't miss out on trying the ice cream in GUM. There are carts around the mall and usually downstairs by the main fountain. The ice cream is made from a secret recipe!
Visit the Kremlin
Even if you only have two days in Moscow, you need to make time to visit the Kremlin, the Russian president's home. Be aware that the Kremlin is a huge complex. It is an UNESCO world heritage site filled with different museums and cathedrals. There is a lot to see and do there and various ticket options. This may be another time you want to consider a guided tour. With or without a tour you will definitely want to buy tickets ahead of time to avoid some of the lines.
I didn't make it to the Armoury and Diamond fund, but this is one of the top stops within the Kremlin. Who wouldn't want to marvel at the country's most prized jewels?
Stroll through the Alexandar Gardens
If you have some extra time in the day, take a walk through the free Alexandar Gardens. The gardens were one of the city's first public parks and they run alongside the Kremlin walls. You will see that the gardens are a nice respite from the hectic square for both tourists and visitors alike.
Try Vareniki at Varenychna №1
For an authentic Russian dinner head to Varenychna №1. It's a retro cafe that is decorated to resemble an old USSR home, so both the food and decor will make you feel like you stepped back in time.
The vareniki (dumplings) are their specialty. With everything from cheese dumplings to black currant dumplings you are sure to find one variety that appeals to your taste buds or at least intrigues you!
Attend the Bolshoi Theatre
One of the best things I did in Moscow was to see an opera at the Bolshoi Theatre. It's one of the most opulent theatres in the world, so everyone dresses up for the occasion.
When planning your Moscow itinerary, design it around an opera or ballet performance. To prepare yourself I should point out that the operas are done in the original language (Italian, German, French, etc) and the words are translated into Russian on the screen above the stage. It's worth it to attend the theatre, even if you can't understand what is happening!
If it doesn't work out to attend a performance, you can also take a guided tour of the theatre in English. But, if you can, try to fit this into your 48 hours in Moscow.
2 Days in Moscow: Day 2
Although there is definitely more to see and do in the Red Square, go outside of the usual tourist track today and see some of the other unique places in Moscow.
Ride the Metro to Izmailovsky Market
Coming from the US I found taxis very cheap here. Even though most drivers do not speak English, using the Yandex taxi app is an easy and cost effective way to get around the city. You may be tempted to do that, but I urge you to take the Moscow metro at least once. It is an even cheaper method of transportation. Using the tips in my Moscow metro guide, you will find that it is fairly easy to use as well.
Most importantly the metro is actually a Moscow highlight. When I moved from NYC to Moscow I was in absolute awe of the beauty and the efficiency of the system. The trains come every two minutes or less and are always on time! In some stations you feel like you are walking through a museum, instead of a gritty underground hole that gets you from one place to another.
See What You Can Find at Izmailovsky Market
The architecture within Izmailovsky Market makes you feel like you are in a fairytale Russian village. The buildings serve many purposes, and some of them are actually niche museums, such as a vodka museum and a bread museum! In between the buildings you will find souvenir, craft and flea markets. It's surprising what you may encounter here.
Buy your souvenirs and any presents at this market instead of at the more touristy shops near the Red Square. You will get handmade items at a better cost. Matryoshka dolls, the Russian nesting dolls, are one of the most common purchases to make here.
There are some street food vendors and also a few different indoor restaurants. The main bathrooms in the market are not free, so using the restroom while eating at a restaurant is a smart idea!
Get Lost at VKNKh
Vystavka Dostizheniy Narodnogo Khozyaystva, or shall we call it VKNKh?..... is somewhere that doesn't make the cut on many Moscow itineraries. You may be asking, what is VKNkh? Well I still ask myself that from time to time!
It's a large indoor and outdoor exhibition center. Like Izmailovsky Market it has some very specific museums, a beekeeping one, for example. It is also home to the popular Museum of Cosmonauts. while pavilions, gardens and fountains fill up the rest of the space. There are numerous food options, from street food stalls to sit down cafes.
It's such an intriguing place that tends to be filled with more locals than tourists. Other than the museums and certain events, there are no tickets or entrance fees. Walk around the complex at your leisure and see what you can discover.
Cruise Along the Moskva River
End your time in Moscow with a relaxing dinner cruise along the Moscow River.
It's a good way to see more of the city that you didn't see in person, while giving your legs a rest after two busy days. The evening is the perfect time to see the lights of Moscow's famous landmarks. You can see the views from the indoor or outdoor deck. If you are traveling in the winter you will be glad to get out of the cold for a bit.
I hope these ideas inspire you to spend at least 2 days in Moscow. I'm sure after only two days you will want to extend your trip.
Dasvidaniya (good-bye)!
Elizabeth is a travel writer from the Midwestern US who runs the website, The Fearless Foreigner.