Day 4. Sightseeing in Moscow

On By Little Miss TravellerIn Europe, Moscow December 2017

There had been more snow overnight but it was a reasonably bright morning.  Our first stop after breakfast was Lubyanka, which is the next station on Line 1 from Red Square.

The former KGB Building, Lubyanka Moscow
The former KGB Building, Lubyanka Moscow

Climbing the steps from the metro station we could see the former headquarters of the KGB across the square.  Lubyanka was once a name associated with violence and torture but times have changed and it is now an affluent district filled with luxury shops.  Just off Lubyanka Square we strolled through a stone archway onto Tretyakovsky Passage, the only street in Moscow to be built from private funds.  Since 2000 it has been one of the most expensive shopping streets in the world with Bentley and Ferrari showrooms alongside Prada, Armani, Gucci and numerous other designer stores.

Tretyakovsky Passage Lubyanka Moscow
Tretyakovsky Passage Lubyanka Moscow

Our morning stroll continued through this affluent area towards Red Square passing the Bolshoi theatre, a statue of Karl Marx and the beautiful Government of Moscow building, home of the Moscow mayor.

Bolshoi Theatre Moscow
The Bolshoi Theatre Moscow
Government House, Moscow
Government House, Moscow

A little further along Tverskaya Street we popped into the elaborate Eliseevsky grocers.  Entering the shop is like walking into a museum with its awe inspiring neo-classical architecture and sumptuous decorations.

Elseevssky Grocers, Moscow
Elseevssky Grocers, Moscow

Cakes, pastries, hand made chocolates, caviar and many other Russian delicacies are on offer and surprisingly its prices are only slightly higher than regular supermarkets.

Elseevsky Grocers, Moscow
Inside Elseevsky Grocers, Moscow

On reaching Pushkinskaya Square we paused to admire the huge statue of the celebrated poet Alexander Pushkin before taking the metro to Smolenskaya station so that we could explore Arbat Street.  This cobbled, pedestrianised street retains buildings reminiscent of its elegant past.  The 1 km street has existed since the 15th century, making it one of the oldest surviving streets in Moscow.

Arbat Street, Moscow
Arbat Street, Moscow

Originally the street formed part of a trade route and was home to a large number of craftsmen.  Nowadays it’s mostly a collection of restaurants and gift shops aimed at tourists but still a very pleasant place for a stroll and to stop for morning coffee.

Arbatskaya Metro Station, Moscow
Arbatskaya Metro Station, Moscow

The pedestrianised street opens up into Arbat Square where we found the Ministry of Defence and the chapel of St. Boris and St. Gleb.  This church was built in 1997 to replace a similar church which was destroyed 70 years earlier.

Arbatskaya Metro Station, Moscow
Elegant metro station platforms

We caught the metro from the Arbatskaya station featuring a high vaulted ceiling which is elaborately decorated with ornamental brackets, floral mosaics and chandeliers.  Our next stop was at Partizanskaya station in the north east of the city to visit the Izmailovsky district.  Partizanskaya is yet another beautiful station with its platform walls and pillars faced with white marble.

Partizanskaya Metro Station, Moscow
Partizanskaya Metro Station, Moscow

The Izmailovsky cultural centre and market are a ten minute walk from the metro station.  It was a little confusing to locate.  To get there we needed to cross the road outside the station, walk under an archway and continue past a large hotel on our left before seeing the complex in the distance.

Ismailovsky Cultural Centre, Moscow
Ismailovsky Cultural Centre, Moscow

Modelled on traditional Russian architecture these buildings were only completed in 2007.  The complex houses several small niche museums focusing on such things as vodka and bread.  Popular with tourists is the vast Izmailovsky open-air market selling souvenirs and traditional handicrafts.

Ismailovsky Cultural Centre, Moscow
Ismailovsky Cultural Centre, Moscow

Only a few stalls were open during our December visit as not many people were around but I can imagine it to be crowded during the summer months.  We found decorative eggs, lacquered boxes, wooden nesting dolls and fur hats amongst other trinkets and souvenirs to take home as souvenirs of a visit to Russia.

Ismailovsky Cultural Centre, Moscow
Ismailovsky Cultural Centre, Moscow

We then returned to our hotel to warm up with a relaxing sauna and to take a rest before setting off out once again in the sub zero temperatures for our evening meal.  Instead of returning to the city centre we opted instead to spend the evening near our hotel in Sokolniki.  Our evening stroll took us to Sokolniki Park, a ten minute walk from the hotel.

Sokolniki Park, Moscow
Illuminated gateway to Sokolniki Park, Moscow

Brightly illuminated entrance gates welcomed us into the park where we found some little wooden huts selling snacks and hot drinks.  We continued to Festival Square which, during the winter months, is home to a 5,600 m2 ice rink.  There were people of all ages enjoying the ice, circling the rink to the sounds of festive music such as ‘Frosty the Snowman’ and ‘Santa Claus is coming to town’.

Sokolniki Park, Moscow
Sokolniki Park, Moscow

Overlooking the ice rink we spotted an Italian trattoria which looked inviting with its traditional red and white checked tablecloths exuding a cosy atmosphere.  We wandered in and managed to get one of the remaining tables.  Our two course meal was delicious and it was lovely to be able to watch the skating from its large windows.

Sokolniki Park Ice Rink, Moscow
Sokolniki Ice Rink, Moscow

All the other diners appeared to be local, enjoying an evening out.  Children coming in with their skates shared pizzas with their families, and a boy at the next table was finishing his homework whilst tucking into a slice of tiramisu.  It was lovely to observe local life and to find this cosy restaurant for dinner despite not sampling Russian delicacies.

Merkato Italian Restaurant, Sokolniki Park Moscow
Italian restaurant overlooking Sokolniki ice rink, Moscow

Leaving the restaurant, the ice rink was empty as it was being prepared for the final session of the evening.  It was bitterly cold walking back towards the hotel so we gathered around one of the park’s steel braziers warming our hands on the burning logs for a few minutes.

Sokolniki Park Moscow
Keeping warm in Sokolniki Park Moscow

Back in the hotel we caught up on the news, made a cup of tea and were soon off to sleep after another fun filled day in snowy Moscow.

Sokolniki Park Moscow
Sokolniki Park, Moscow

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66 thoughts on “Day 4. Sightseeing in Moscow”

  11. Another fascinating day in Moscow! The architecture continues to amaze me and so much snow! Thanks for all the superb photos. It all seems so far away from the heat and sunshine (and Summer storms) here at home!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you Jo for your continued interest in my Moscow series of posts. There was so much to see and do that we could easily have stayed a bit longer. The Metro stations are amazing and each one is different. We didn’t get around them all but hope to return at some point.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  18. Moscow is such a beautiful city! It was the first city I traveled to outside of my home country when I was little. Now I have big plans of taking my husband and showing off the beautiful architecture and the Russian culture. Great post! Loved your photos!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  22. Zoe | Together In Transit

    Wow I’d love to go to Moscow in the winter! The Ismailovsky Cultural Centre looks so pretty with the winter scene. Maybe i’ll look into visiting this year for a short weekend!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  30. I keep finding myself not following your blog for some reason… every now and then I will go through the feed and see a post and follow you again xD

    Interesting post, I have always wanted to visit Russia, I feel it would be somewhere completely different to what I am used to.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

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