Moscow City Information
Everything to know about staying awhile

	Travel Articles From SRAS!
	Cheap Eats, Moscow!
	Vegetarian in Moscow
	SRAS Google Map of Moscow
	The Moscow Coffee Scene
	Off the Beaten Path  Part I: Art Part II: History
	Moscow's Seven Sisters
	Study Abroad in Moscow and Other Locations
	Student Life at the MGU Dorm
	Moscow's Dance Movements

Table of Contents (jump to)

1. Maps
   
2. The Weather
3. Restaurants
4. Groceries
5. Consumer Goods
6. Internet, Phones, Post
7. Banyas, Haircuts, Laundry, etc.
8. Health and Fitness
   
9. Theatre, Movies, and Music Concerts
10. Transport
11. Religious Services
12. Museums
         Must Sees!
         Quirky but Interesting
         Art
         History
         Literature, Theatre and Music
         Religious/Architectural 
         Science and Technology

1. Maps          (back to top)

1. SRAS Google Map of Moscow is marked with uni locations and lots of other cool stuff.  
2. Yandex Maps are basically Russia's answer to Google maps. Their map of Moscow also has a "streets" function called "Панорамы улиц" that let's you click on any blue-highlighted street and explore Moscow from the ground!
3. Rambler's "On the Map" also has a map of Moscow, as well as many other cities not yet covered by Yandex Maps.

2. The Weather          (back to top)
Weather wise, Moscow is a city of extremes. Winters do drop below zero and usually for a good long while, so pack warm. It also snows quite often, creating ice and dirty sludge, so you should bring a good pair of hiking boots with traction. Summers in Moscow reach the other extreme in temperature - averaging about 80 degrees in July. Summer can also be quite wet, as can fall and spring, so bring an umbrella. 

3. Restaurants         (back to top)

1. Cheap: SRAS has launched the Cheap Eats project to let you know which restaurants are specifically within a student budget. Check it out! Probably the cheapest place is town is Moo-Moo, where it's possible to get a full meal for under $5. Kruzhka is chain that caters to low-end student needs - and often offers sports on TV as well.  
2. Traditional Gone Pop:  Yolki Palki, Moo-Moo (both Russian), Kish Mish (Uzbek), Shesh Besh (Azeri), and similar restaurants with funny names offer  inexpensive buffets and entrees. Good value, decent food, and entertaining if not exactly always authentic atmosphere. These are everywhere, just keep an eye out!
3. More Traditional Former USSR Traditional: The Pushkin Café (Tverskoy Boulevard, #26a; M. Tverskaya) serves exquisite Russian food in an atmosphere recalling the glory of Czarist times. The prices are high, but as an experience this is recommended. - Excellent Georgian food (which is excellent and friendly to both carnivores and vegetarians) can be had quite inexpensively at Gurya (7 Komsomolskyi Prospekt, Korpus 1 - Metro Park Kultury) Mama Nina (8 Sechenovsky Per. - M. Kropotkinskaya). - For great Uzbek food, try Chaikhana, a great chain of comfy cafes. - Ever wanted to actually try salo? We tried it at Korchma, a chain of Ukrainian restaurants, and actually liked it!
4. Urban Bohemian: Project OGI (8/12 Potapovsky Per. - M. Chistiye Prudy – enter through the courtyard) is a stylish café-bar with fair-priced beer and decent snacks. Bookshops adjoin and sometimes they have live music.
5. For Music:  Art Garbage (aka Zapasnik - 5 Starosadsky Per., Building 6 - M. Kitai-Gorod) and Kitaisky Lyotchik (aka Dzhao Da - 25/12 Lubyansky Proyezd - M. Kitai-Gorod) are two of the genuinely hippest places in town currently and feature local and European bands. Drinks are decent and covers reasonable.
6. For the Homesick: Starlite Diner (16a Bolshaya Sadovaya Ul. - M. Mayakovskaya), open 24 hrs, is packed with American families and friendly Russian waitresses who understand a bit of English. They feature IBC root beer, $5 milkshakes (feel like John Travolta for a moment), Philly cheese steak, pancake stacks, etc. Moscow is also dotted with numerous TGI Friday's restaurants. For a full meal expect to pay $5-10 more than you usually would in the states, but all locations do provide free WiFi.
7. Coffee: Moscow has a vast array of coffee choices - see this article for more info. 
8. Russian Microbrew: Pyaty Okean (20 Marksistskaya Ul., Building 1 - M. Marksistskaya) brews on-premises and pipes it directly to you. It flows from two taps (light and dark) at each table (how cool is that?). A meter measures your drink and subsequent bill – it’s not cheap, but not outrageous. Semi-formal nautical atmosphere, good food and classical piano are probably what keep this from turning into a beer brawl. Located near Taganskaya metro. Khamovniki is a bar on the premises of the Khamovniki beer factory. This is across from Kosmos bowling on Lev Tolstogo street, close to metro Park Kulturi. Good, cheap beer and a primarily Russian crowd. Outdoor seating nice in summer. Also a good place to play Russian-style billiards!
9. Drinking Soviet Style: Zhiguli is a revived Soviet standby on the New Arbat, right below Yolki Polki. Very reasonable prices and they play Soviet retro at night in the back hall (front hall that you see from the street is more of a cafeteria.
10. Vegetarian in Moscow: Jagannath (11 Kuznetskii Most and other locations) has an all-vegetarian and partly-vegan Indian and Asian menu, as well as amazing desserts, plus a shop that sells spices, soy products, rice flour, specialty teas, etc. Ganga Cafe also has a wide array of vegetarian and vegan friendly dishes. Avocado (12/2 Chistoprudny Bulvar) also offers all vegetarian food with fresh ingredients in creative dishes.
    See also: Article on SRAS on maintaining a vegetarian diet in Moscow.
11. Ethnic/Vegetarian Friendly: Safron (metro Pushkinskaya, B. Kozikhinskii Per., 10.) has Lebanese in an excellent atmosphere and while not cheap, is generally affordable especially if you go as a group. - Maharajah (2/1 ul. Pokrovka - enter on Staroposdadkii Lane, across from a green church) offers fantastic, authentic Indian food with superb service, but it's pricey. If you're looking for spice, say so – the chefs tone it down for Russian palates but will jack it up for anyone who asks. - Viet Café (3 Gazetny Lane) has tasty vegi-friendly Vietnamese fare. - Bungalow Bar (6 Zemlianoi Val) has great Ethiopian food that is delicious and great for a small group. - East Buffet is a popular and enormous all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet. You might want to call early for reservations.
    
12. Kosher in Moscow: Students looking for kosher food in Moscow should be warned that restaurants sometimes offer "kosher-type meals" without maintaining a separate kosher kitchen. For the latest info, we recommend contacting the International Jewish Community of Moscow (which usually has someone available who speaks English at tel: 783-8472). At last check, recommended places for real kosher included Shagal for fine dinning and live music (Bolshaya Nikitskaya, 47/3; open from noon to midnight) and, for a more affordable option, there are two kosher cafes inside the Marina Roscha Synagogue and Jewish Community Center (2nd Vysheslavtsev pereulok, 5a). There is also a Kosher Supermarket at Trifonofskaya St., 45 (not far from the community center).
13. Foodie Food: Food Story is a blog run by a local Moscow foodie. The places that are listed are not generally "budget" selections - but they are the generally some of more reasonably priced hip spots to hit in Moscow if you are someone who really likes food and cuisine.

4. Groceries          (back to top)

1. Hard-to-Find Food Items: Most expats eventually crave things like peanut butter, maple syrup, Betty Crocker mixes, and other things which simply have not entered the Russian diet and are therefore rare finds in Russia. Lucky for us, there is Stockman's, a large grocery store which specializes in these. Stockmans is located in each of Moscow's MEGA and Metropolis shopping centers and have a website in English. Of course, if you want import goods, expect to pay import prices...
   
2. Vegetarian Food Items: Perekrestok (Druzhba Shopping Center, Metro Novoslobodskaya, Novoslobodskay Ul., 4.) is a good spot to get tofu and ingredients for Chinese food. The entire complex is Chinese-owned, as is the very good restaurant (also called "Druzhba"), at the far end of the complex. Indian Spice Market (M. Sukharevskaya, Sretenka Ul., 36/2). It is hard to locate, but look for a sign that says "рыбалка" hanging on the shop next to it. It has spices needed for vegi-friendly eastern dishes. If you are feeling more adventurous than wealthy, try this page for a list of places to buy budget-friendly vegetarian groceries like tofu. Be warned that most of places listed are not in places easily accessed by metro. Eliseevskiy Supermarket (Metro Tverskaya, Tverskaya Ul., 14.) is one of Moscow's most prestigious and centrally located sources for certain vegetarian items like tofu (about $1 for a 2-3 ounce package).   
3. Organic Produce: Bio Market (Metro Belorusskaya, Lesnaya Ul, 5; inside the Belaya Ploshad business center; 9am - 9pm) was the first organic produce supermarket in Moscow. Features a wide variety of organic produce from all over the world and has a café. Bio Gourmet (Metro Park Kultury, Ostozhenka d.40/1) The supermarket features a selection of organic produce from Europe, has an eco-Café and offers delivery.   
4. Anything you want for really cheap: Rinoks are your friend. Know them, love them; they are Russian and you will miss them when you go home. Find out more here.

5. Consumer Goods          (back to top)

1. Antiques and Souveniers: The best place to buy these is Vernisazh, located at Ismilovsky Park, at Ismilovskaya metro. Click here for a map. Go into the side entrance flanked by wooden spires. The place will be full of westerners and collectors looking for good deals.
2. Clothing: Red Square is now littered with high-end retail (such as in the famous GUM - worth a look, but the prices are prohibitive. Close by you will find Oxotney Ryad, a three-story underground mall with more realistic pricing. As for the bargain shopper, try Fashion Mart (ul. Liublinskaya, d. 126; M. Marino) for American/European brand-name clothing for low prices. Familiya specializes in even cheaper clothing, usually from brands you won't recognize. Great bargains can also be found at the open markets (rynki) around Moscow. There is a gigantic, plentiful rynok near M. Sportivnaya, selling anything from food to heavy coats (try to get there early in the day; they pack up everyday by late afternoon). In the midst of this chaotic market you can also find Obuv'nyi ryad which just may be the largest selection of inexpensive winter boots in town.
3. Books in Russian or English: Dom Knigi on (Novy Arbat, 8) is the main mecca for book worms in Moscow. If you don't find what you are looking for there, try Biblio Globus (Myasnitskaya Ul., 6/3) which also has fantastic selection. Moscow has several large bookstores that offer English-language sections. Note, however, that their selection is often limited to contemporary non-fiction, classic literature, and language resources. For a list of stores, see RedTape.ru. You might also try RedTape's Book Swap Club, which meets about once a month. Also, Ozone.ru is Russia's version of Amazon, although if you are living in the dorms, you may have trouble arranging delivery.
4. IKEA and Shopping Malls: Moscow has several large western-style shopping centers. The largest of these are appropriately named MEGA and are run by IKEA, which has a location at each mall. These are some of the best places to go for cheap bedding, furniture, and kitchen needs. You'll also find everything from electronics (Media Markt), to everything you need for serious home improvement (OBI) among clothing stores and foodcourts. Go on a weekday to avoid the crowds. Other major malls include Metropolis and, near Moscow State University, is the Kapitolyi Shopping Center.
5. Anything you want for really cheap: Rinoks are your friend. Know them, love them; they are Russian and you will miss them when you go home. Find out more here.

6. Internet, Phones, Post          (back to top)
For more information on bringing and using electronics in Russia, please see our Packing Guide and our Post and Phones Guide.

1. Mobile Phones: SRAS students on regular SRAS programs in Moscow will be given a mobile phone for use during their time in Moscow. Anyone else can easily purchase a cheap phone and a pay-as-you-go SIM card in any Evroset store and get going for a minimum investment of about $100.
   
   
2. Internet Cafes:
   
   CafeMax is the largest and most reliable chain of Internet cafes in Moscow. The connection is reliable and all locations are open 24/7, with the exception of New Year's Eve and Day and Russian Christmas (Jan 9th). Cost is around $3.50 per hour, but is figured by the amount of computers available (how's that for market economics!).
   
   Cafe Online is centrally located inside the Actor Gallery at Tverskaya St. 16. an hour of Internet will run you about $6.50. Open from 11am-10pm.
   
   Internet Club at Metropolis is located at Leningradskoe Shosse 16a, inside one of Moscow's best shopping malls. Head to Voikovskaya metro and follow the signs to TTs Metropolis. An hour online costs about $4.50. Open from 10am-11pm.
   
   Playground.ru is an Internet cafe, but is mostly frequented by gamers who come for the opportunity to play computer games against each other or to try out the latest releases. It's located inside the Tishina Shopping Mall at Tishinskaya Square, 1, near Metro Belaruskaya.
   
   
3. Free WiFi: For WiFi users with thier own laptops or tablets, Moscow has more than 200 free locations - and the number is growing rapidly. The connection tends to vary from location to location and often there is a limit to how long you can stay logged on for at any one time. Most McDonald's locations offer decent speeds. Other chains that usually offer free WiFi are Kofe Khaus (a coffeehouse), Il Patio (Italian), and most Starbucks locations. Often, if you head someplace where there are multiple restaurants you can often pick up a free signal from one restaurant in any of them. Moscow is also now planning several free hotspots. The first city hotspot has already been launched in Gorky Park.
                                    
   
4. Pay Wifi:
   
   SkyLink is probably the best service going in terms of quality, but it is a bit more expensive than most. You buy a SkyLink modem at any Evroset location for $60-120 (depending on max speed) and then either pay about $33 per month for unlimited access inside the city limits, or pay three rubles per MB.
   
   Yota is a similarly priced and trendier option, but has weaker signals around the major dormitories.
   
   The major cell phone providers also offer cheapy modems and Internet services. You'll need to buy a modem at any Evroset location for about $20 and then can sign up for an unlimited package for about $25 per month. However, again, students have complained about the coverage around the dorms.
   
   
5. Repair Services: If you find you need laptop repair services while in Moscow, several of our Russian acquaintances have recommended SP-Service.ru for speed, quality, and cost. You'll need to speak Russian with them. 
    
6. Post: The main post office (in the Tsentralnyi Telegraf building) is located on Tverskaya St., 7.  It's open from 8am to 10pm daily and offers stamps, envelopes, postcards, and other mailing services. For packages, etc. there is also a DHL office in this post office (tel: 956-1000; web: www.dhl.ru). More on post services in Russia.

7. Banyas, Haircuts, Laundry, etc.          (back to top)

1. Banyas: During the summer, all Russian cities turn off the hot water (communally provided) for "pipe maintenance." It can be off for 3-4 weeks, meaning that showering can be difficult, if not painful. As a good alternative, find a bathhouse and have a cleansing, cultural experience all at once. The most famous in Moscow is the Sandunovsky Baths (14 Neglinniy St, 3-7; Tel: (495) 625 4631). For WOMEN they have 2 rates for the public halls – 1,000 RUR (basic; two hours) and 1,500 RUR (VIP; three hours). For MEN they have 3 rates for public halls – 1,000 RUR (basic; two hours), 1,300 RUR (VIP; two hours), and 1,600 RUR (VIP; three hours). Bed-sheet rental (you wrap this around you while sitting in the bath) costs 150 RUR, plain towel is 30 and terry towel is 60 RUR. Go with a group for the best deal – the group rate for 12 people is 7,000 RUR per hour until 10pm, with a 20 percent increase thereafter. The smallest, least expensive private sauna is 3,000 RUR per hour.
2. Haircuts: Moscow now has a reasonably priced English-speaking barber service! For about $20, you can get a cut from someone who knows what the phrase "feathered in the back" will mean by going to Expat Barbers (2 Sretensky Bulvar; Tel: 8 (967) 181 9717). Note that they only work by appointment! Or, if you are looking to practice your Russian - try any building marked "салон красоты" or "парикмахерская."
3. Dry Cleaners: Diana is the largest chain of dry cleaners in Moscow. They've achieved this postion by being inexpensive (though not of the highest quality). See thier site for pick-up points (in Russian: Приемные пункты). Also, try Contrast Cleaners, which offers an English-language website, dry cleaning and laundry, and a delivery service.
4. Charitable Giving: Giving is not as easy as in the US. The most convenient drop-off point in Moscow is the International Women's Club, who then distributes the items to charities. Check their site for operating hours (which are very limited). They are located at Gruzinsky Pereulok, 3, Apt. 1A (entrance 1, on ground floor, press "2" on the key pad to ring in) tel: 8-916-410-1366; see our Google Map as well.
5. Hobbies: Students looking for art supplies, crafting materials, specialty sporting equipment, or almost anything else should check out Gorod Khobbi at Shelkovskoe Shosse, 3 (building 1) near Cherkizovskaya metro station on the north end of the red line. For art enthsiasts, WinZavod (4th Syromytnicheskii Pereulok, 1, building 6), a wine-factory-turned-artistic-community-center has a well-stocked shop on site as well.
6. More Cool Stuff to Do: Check out The Moscow Times's Community Page for more groups and local events!

8. Health and Fitness          (back to top)
Find out more about general health, saftey, and insurance issues in Russia from our guide.  

1. The Water: You may drink the water in Moscow. However, the mineral content of the water is actually visible and most westerners remark that it tastes funny. Bottled water can be bought fairly cheaply in most stores.
2. Allergies: Sufferers of allergies should be aware that Moscow contains many poplar trees (apparently they were Stalin's favorites), creating "snowstorms" of little white cottony seeds (Russians call it "pukh") in spring. Bring hay fever medication if you think you will need it.
3. Doctors and Dentists:
   
   The American Medical Center offers doctors and nurses that speak English. They are located at 31 Grokholsky per., 31, and are open 24 hours a day. Office visits: about 120 USD. Reach them by phone at 7 (495) 933 7700 or e-mail.
   
   The American Dental Clinic offer English-speaking, American board certified dentists in Moscow at 1st Tverskaya-Yamskaya St., 5. Reach them by phone at 7 (495) 730-4334 or by email.
   
   Unimed Laboratories are recommended for any blood tests you might need, including HIV, for your visa or other reasons. They are located at 4th Dobryninsky lane, 4 and can be reached by phone at 7 (495) 785-1025 or 931-9976.
   
   MosItalMed is Italian Run and does not speak English, but are considerably cheaper than those clinics they do speak English. An office visit costs around twenty dollars. They do dental work as well. They are conveniently located at Arbat Ul., 28/1, Str. 1. Contact them by phone at 7 (495) 956-1767 or 956-1768. For dental work, call 956-6095. You may reach them by email too. 
   
   European Medical Center offers doctors and dentists that speak a range of langagues (including English) at 2nd Tverskoi-Yamskoi Pereulok, 10. Reach them at 7 (495) 933-6655. A general practitioner office visit is around 120 Euro. They offer dental services at Konushkovskaya Ul., 34. Call 7 (495) 797-6767 for an appointment. A dentistry office visit is around 75 Euro and a cleaning is 230 Euros.
   
   MediClub Moscow is run by Canadians and located at Michurinski Prospekt, 56. Call 7 (495) 931-5018 or reach them by email. It costs about $100 to see the Canadian family physician and $30-35 to see a Russian specialist.
                  
   
4. Chiropractor: Moscow Chiropractic is run by Dr. Charles Register, an American. His office are at Zubovski Bul., 13, the second door on your right coming from the metro. He works Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Reach him by telephone at 7 (495) 234-9656 or 202-6587 or by email.
5. Eyeglasses and Contacts: Lensmasters has several locations in Moscow now. They can sell you disposable lenses, cut glasses, etc. If you know your prescription, no visit to the doctor will be needed.
6. Pharmacies: Moscow is strewn with little pharmacies, marked with the international symbol of a green cross (or the word "аптека"). These are generally good for general medications (aspirin, anitinflamatories), but you should know that Russian has different names for most medications and the folks working at these places don't usually know English.  Also, not everything available in the West is available here so bring a supply of any prescriptions you will need. "Western pharmacies" (which carry more prescription meds) can be found at:
   
   - Pharmakon, Ul. Tverskaja 4, Tel 292 08 43, 292 03 01 (Most central)
   - Drug Store House, 4th Dobrininsky pereulok, 4 Tel 237 40 34 (same building as Unimed Labs - see "Doctors")
   - Litpharm, Ul Tschernjachovskogo 4, Tel: 155 87 88, 155 70 80
   - Sana, Ul. Nischn. Pervomaiskaja 65, Tel 464 12 54
7. Fitness:
   
   Lata-Track Outdoor Sport Complex rents bikes, balls, etc. in the summer and skies and snowboards in the winter for use on its fairly large facility (though there are few hills of any note, be warned). The best maps and directions on thier site (in Russian). SRAS has also included it on its Google map for Moscow. 
   
   Chaika Fitness Complex offers Moscow's best pool as well some aerobics classes, tennis courts, massage, and other facilities. Plus, it is very convenient to MGU, MIRBIS, and MGIMO. There are three options there: 1) General monthly pass (fairly expensive - around 150 USD). 2) Time-share (discounted by about 60% or so, but you must chose a very exact timeframe to use the membership. 3) Pay-per-visit (around 10-15 USD per visit).
   
   Planeta Fitness is likely the most reasonably priced chain in Moscow.
   
   Orange Fitness is quite popular - prices are higher, but it is well-equipped.
   
   Other gyms: World Class Fitness; Gold's Gym; Dr Loder's; Sportline.

9. Theatre, Movies, and Music Concerts        (back to top)

1. Tickets: Russia is known for its performing arts. Take advantage and see all that you can. Tickets can be purchased at the theatre or concert hall itself. If you can read Russian, see www.kontramarka.ru. You can reserve tickets for almost any Moscow or St. Pete theatre and pick them up at a kontramarka location near you. Tickets may also be purchased from the many, many theatre kiosks and tables around town. These are quite visible and say “Teatr” at the top and most have schedules posted on two giant posters on one side (although their selection is usually for major theatres and theatres nearby). There are also little tables in the metro that offer tickets as well; they look shady but are perfectly ok. If you want to see something on short notice, particularly something at the Bolshoi, you may find yourself at the mercy of scalpers. Expect to pay $30-50 or more for the ticket, no matter what the ticket says it cost. You can also purchase advance tickets for the Bolshoi online at www.bolshoi.ru and pick them up later at the box office. For an extended list of theatre recommendations, see Theatres in Moscow.
2. Movies in English: You can also find movies in English (though, we of course do not recommend our students spend a lot of time at these places) at some theatres such as The Dome, which shows new release Hollywood films in the original English, and 35mm, which shows international art-house films in the original language(s) with Russian subtitles. The website for 35mm is not incredibly informative and is all in Russian, so you may have to guess the original language of film by its name or where it was produced. Each fall, an American Film Festival is held in Moscow as are Australian and British festivals. They usually get announced on embassy websites and in The Moscow News if you are interested.

10. Transportation          (back to top)

1. The Metro: Moscow is blessed with one of the most efficient systems of public transportation in the world, the Metro (a subway or underground). Not only does it effectively transport few million people everyday, it also contains some of the city's best architecture (see "Museums" for more info). The Metro is open from about 6 am to 1 am every day. Clickable, Official Maps of the Moscow Metro: in English and in Russian. See also this unofficial but interesting site in Russian on the Metro and its history.
2. Bikes: OliverBikes is Moscow's bike rental service!
3. Buses: Rusavtobus.ru provides bus schedules for Moscow in English (although inputting addresses in English seems to not work so well). Just click on the map they provide to select your starting and ending destinations. The site will then calculate which metro lines, buses, trams, and/or trolleys to use. Keep in mind that above-ground transport in Moscow is slightly less effective due to the growing number of cars in the growing metropolis. Rides on Moscow's buses, trams, and trolleys cost about one dollar each.  
4. Marshrutki: Those small yellow or white mini-vans that you see at bus stops are marshrutki. They are private lines that duplicate bus routes, but only stop on demand (if you find a marshrutka that has the same number as the bus you want, you can take that instead). Because they are smaller, they better navigate the city's traffic than buses. However, if you don't speak Russian, you may find it intimidating as you must tell the driver in advance where you want to stop (e.g. остановите на следующей остановке, пожалуйста). If you are unsure where your stop will be, tell the driver where you are going as soon as you get in.
5. Taxis:
   
   XXL Taxi is one of Moscow's best values for taxis. Call them at +7 (495) 995-82-94 to order a car.
   
   Taxi 921 is fairly cheap and generally reliable. Call +7 (495) 921-92-13 for a car.
   
   "Bombili" (bombers) are what Russians call the swarms of unlicensed taxis that roam their cities. Expats, for some reason, usually refer to them as "gypsy cabs." While we will not recommend these (as they are not actually legal and can pose some obvious safety concerns), we can say that they are how many Russians get around the city and even foreigners who speak enough Russian to negotiate their fares. Short trips can be had for about 100 RUR, longer trips for 600 or 800 - if you pay much more you probably got ripped off.
6. Boats: River boats can cruise you around the city via a scenic route during the summer for about thirteen dollars and have snacks, beer, and sodas available for sale. Highly recommended.
7. From the Airport: All regular SRAS programs have airport transfers included for SRAS students. For anyone looking to get independently from the airport to Moscow, take a look at these options.

10. Religious Services           (back to top)

1. International Christian Assembly  Phone: 7 (962) 933-35-81
   Hours: Sunday from 11am to 1pm for our English-speaking International worship service.
   Location: Yunost Hotel. 34 Khamovnichesky Val, 1 minute walk from Metro Sportivnaya 
2. Russian Orthodox Church of St. Catherine 
   Hours: Saturday (at 5 p.m.) and Sunday (at 10 a.m., confession starts at 9 a.m.) in Slavonic, and in English the last Saturday of every month. There are English-speaking priests to minister to the needs of English speakers.
   Location: 60/2 Bolshaya Ordynka (Metro Polyanka)
3. International Judaism Phone: 7 (495) 768-7392
   The ‘Expat’ Jewish community serves the needs of Expatriate Jews, from many backgrounds, including representatives of the international media, businessmen, educators, diplomats and their families. Offers Shabbat Dinners and regular activities.
   Location: 2nd Vysheslavtsev pereulok, 5a 
4. Jehovah's Witnesses  Email the group
   Hours:
   - Theocratic Ministry School and Service Meeting on Fridays at 19:00.
   - Bookstudy on Wednesdays at 19:00 near the metro Tretyakovskaya (for info call the Kingdom Hall).
   - Public Talk and Watchtower study on Sundays at 10:00.
   Address: Kingdom Hall; Mikhalkovskaya street 36 (bus 90 from metro Voykovskaya or bus 123 from metro Vodny Stadion to the bus stop 'Depot Likhobory')
   
5. Adventist International Church  Phone: 7 (903) 277-9404
   Hours:
   - 10:30 a.m. each Saturday, including classes English and Russian
   - translated worship service follows at 11:30 a.m.
   - Fridays at 7 p.m. is Praise Service
   Address: Nagatinskaya Ulitsa 9/3; Metro Nagatinskaya
6. International Babtist Fellowship  Phone: 7 (495) 507-0635; 405-8103
   Hours: 11:15 am each Sunday
   Address: Shukin Theatre School, Bolshoi Nikolopeskovsky Pereulok, 12a, metro Arbatskaya.
7. Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy (MPC) Phone: +7 (499) 143-5748
   Hours: Every Sunday at 3:00 p.m.
   Address: St. Andrew's Church, Voznesenskiy Pereulok 8, near metro stations Arbatskaya, Okhotny Ryad, and Pushkinskaya.
8. St. Andrew’s Anglican Church Phone: 7 (495) 629-9889; 629-0990
   Hours:
   - Sunday: Morning Prayer at 8:00; BCP Holy Communion at 8:30; Adult Education at 10:00; Sung Liturgy at 11:00 Sunday School and Creche available at 11:00 services
   - Wednesday: Eucharist at 19:00 followed by Bible Study from 19:30 – 21:00
   - Thursday: Classical Music Concerts [PDS] every Thursday night in aid of the church's restoration fund.
   - Morning Prayer weekday mornings 8:30 (excluding Saturdays)
   - Evening Prayer weekday evenings at 18:30 (excluding Thursdays and Saturdays)
   Address: St. Andrew's Anglican Church in Moscow is situated at Voznesensky Pereulok d.8/5 (Pushkinskaya Metro).
   
9. Latter-Day Saints (LDS, Mormons)  Phone: 7 (964) 538-3725
   Address: Strominsky Pereulok # 6 (Sokolniki Metro)
   Hours: Worship service 9:30 am on Sundays 
10. Salvation Army  Phone: 7 (495) 911-2600
    Address: Khlebnikov Pereulok, 7., Bld 2
    
11. Catholic Masses at Our Lady of Hope Parish    Phone: 7 (499) 243-9621
    Hours:
    - 7:00 pm Monday - Friday Daily Masses (English Mass)
    - 6:00 pm Saturday and Sunday (English Mass)
    Address: Kutuzovskii Prospekt 7/4, Korpus 5, Entrance 3, Apartment 42 (Metro Kievskaya) at the following times:
12. Catholic Masses at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral     Phone: 7 (495) 785-5434
    Hours: Sunday Mass at 12:15 is a Bi-Lingual English-French Mass
    Address: 27 Malaya Gruzinskaya Ulitsa (Metro Krasnopresnenskaya).

11. Museums          (back to top)
This is a small sampling of Moscow’s plethora of Museums.  If you are interested in taking guided excursions to any of these locations (or have requests for others), you may contact SRAS about arrangements.  If you would like to simply visit these sites on your own, we have provided addresses, metro stops and telephone numbers for all of them.  You should keep in mind that many of the smaller museums in Moscow tend to keep odd hours, and change them at will.  You should call ahead to make sure your location will be open when you arrive. 

Note: Those entries in red are "clickable" to the museum site. 

Must Sees!          (back to top)

The State Tretyakov Gallery
(Lavrushinsky per., 10; M. Tretyakovskaya; Tel.: 231-13-62)
This is Moscow’s largest and most famous collection, started when the great Count Tretyakov gave his massive collection to the state. Open daily except Monday from 10 to 8pm (kassa closes at 6:30).  The nearby special gallery occasionally hosts very interesting exhibitions of everything from icons to Shagal.  Call to see what Many complain that this gallery tends to show mostly portraits of Russian aristocracy who, many times, were not Russian, painted by painters who were also not Russian.  For a more art-centered museum, see the Puskin. 

Mayakovsky Museum
(Lybyansky Proyezd 3/6; M. Lybyanka, Kitai Gorod; Tel: 921-9560)
They took the building Mayakovsky once lived and worked in, gutted it (save the small room he once lived in) and filled it with a profusion of colors, futurist structures, original manuscripts and photographs and other exhibits, which combine to make the visitor rather feel as if he is taking a stroll through Mayakovsky's bizarre and futurist brain! The museum is a real experience and shouldn't be missed!

Central Armed Forces Museum
(2, Ulitsa Sovietskoy Armii; M. Novoslobodskaya; +7 (495) 681-48-77)
This has all of the top end goodies from WWII - big deal trophies from every battle, including Zaitsev's rifle from Stalingrad and the eagles from the Reichstag rooftop. The great hall has all of the trophies from the Victory Day parade, including all of the Nazi battle standards laid on the ground next to their positions on the giant photo of them being laid at the foot of Lenin's mausoleum. At the end, you walk into the back courtyard to massive collection of military equipment from jets to tanks to rocket launchers. Admission is cheap, there's a cheap guide with English translation for each battle hall, and the folks who work there are wonderful. Every couple of years they reprise their "Hitler's Private Office" exhibit of stuff from the Berlin bunker.

Kremlin Armory
(M. Biblioteka Lenina, Aleksandrovsky Sad; Tel.: 921-4720)
Definitely worth a visit and be sure to bring your student card for a significant discount. There are always tons of tour groups, so you can listen in on several different guides, if you don’t want to pay for one yourself.  There are always tons of intellectual-looking Russian outside who will tell you in perfect English that you cannot enter the facility without a guide (they are lying and will overcharge you for the experience).  Located near the Armory is the Diamond Fund (tel.: 229-20-36), where a collection of precious stones and Russian jewelry, golden and platinum nuggets is displayed. It is somewhat pricey to get into this exhibition (no student discounts).

Lenin’s Mausoleum
The Mausoleum was built in January 1924 to preserve Lenin's body. Lenin's coffin was brought from the village of Gorki, where he died, on 23 January and placed in the Hall of Columns of the House of Unions for people to pay their last respects. The same night the architect A. Shchusev was instructed by the government to design and build a temporary mausoleum near the Kremlin walls in which the body would remain until the funeral, which was fixed for 27 January. Shchusev wandered around Red Square for a long time, and by sunset the design for a wooden mausoleum was prepared. It was in the form of a cube (a symbol of eternity) with a height of three meters. The contemporary Mausoleum was erected in Red Square in 1930 replacing the wooden mausoleum. Lenin's body, with its face uncovered, was placed in a glass sarcophagus, and thousands of people filed past each day.

Victory Park and the Museum to the Great Patriotic War
(M. Park Pobedii - can't miss it)
Construction on this complex actually began just before WWII ended.  The museum is a massive collection of arms, uniforms, propaganda and social history pieces from the war, and some interesting tributes to Stalin (the “Great Commander”).  Unfortunately, all information is in Russian, so you may need a guide.  The new park was finished in time for the 50-year celebration WWII. Makes for interesting stroll (or rollerblading - bring your own skates) and on summer weekends you can play “count the brides” due to the Russian tradition of visiting war memorials on your way from the cathedral.   

Novodevichy Cemetary
Here lies Gogol, Shostakovich, Kruschev, Tupolov, Mayakovsky, Chekov, Bulgakov, and many, many others amongst impressive headstones. Exit Metro Sportivnaya and follow Luzhnetsky prospect to Novodevichy Convent, turn right and follow the wall.  You will be charged a small admission and can (recommended) buy a map of the famous graves.

Off-The-Beaten-Path
Round out your experiance in Moscow with these not-often seen gems picked by former SRAS student Hannah Chapman.

Quirky but Interesting          (back to top)

The Metro Museum
(Inside M. Sportivnaya; 3rd floor - past the militsya stand, up the stairs; Tel: 222-7309)
Dedicated to the history of the Moscow Metro, this is small and all in Russian, but has displays where you can take a picture of yourself (if you pay the extra photo fee) getting “run over” by the metro or driving one of the trains.  The old guy that takes care of it will turn on the little cut-away model that shows you how the escalators work.  

The Water Museum
(Sarinsky pr-d, 13; M. Proletarskaya; Tel: 276-92-13)
Shows the history of Moscow’s water system.  A mecca for those who still wonder why the city shuts off their hot water for a month every summer to “clean the pipes.”

Moscow Zoo
(B. Gruzinskaya, 1; M. Krasnopresnenskaya; Tel: 255 5375, 253 6367, 252 3580)
Mayor Luzhkov, with all of his resources, finally decided to put some money in the Moscow Zoo. Doesn’t seem to have had much affect on overcrowding in the cages, but the entrance is clean and impressive, and there are more things to spend money on.

Museum of the Lend-Lease Program
(Zhitnaya Ul., 8; M. Oktyabrskaya; Tel: 238-75-89)
A small group of Russians organized this small museum in a public school as part of the 60th anniversary of the end of WWII.  The thing that makes it interesting is that the Land-Lease Program, hailed by western history textbooks as major contributor to that victory, is understated (if mentioned) in the Russian.  This museum is one-of-a-kind here. 

Museum of Soviet Arcade Machines
(Baumanskaya Ul, 7; M. Baumanskaya; Tel: +7 (916) 167 19 25, +7 (926) 576 62 08)
Here you can see about 30-40 fully-restored, Soviet-era arcade games - all those on display are in full working order and you can even play some of them. Admission will run you just over $10, but include 15 tokens to play the games on display!

Art          (back to top)

The Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts
(Volkhonka str., 12; M. Kropotkinskaya; Tel: 203-79-98)
While the massive reproductions of Egyptian and Greek art are a bit over-blown, this is our favorite museum of art.  A good collection from ancient Russian art to a couple of Chagals and a Picasso on permanent exhibition. 

The Metro
Some of Moscow’s most beautiful art and architecture is underground! Chances are you will see many of the nicer stations in the center without having to make a special trip, but you might want to make a point of visiting all of the stations on the ring line, as these are especially impressive. 

The Tsaritsyno Museum
(Dolskaya Street, 1, "Tsaritsyno" or "Orekhovo" M Orekhovo, Tsaritsyno, Tel: 321-07-43)
This museum displays antique furniture and ceramics, and a fine collection of modern paintings.

The Andrei Rublev Museum of Early Russian Culture and Art
(Andronyevskaya Square, 10; M. Ploshchad Ilyicha; Tel: 278-1289).  On display are the icons of Moscow's school of the 15th to 16th centuries, sculptures of the 12th–17th centuries, copies of frescoes.  An affiliate of the museum is located at the Church of the Intercession (ul. Novozavodskaya, 6; M. Fili; Tel: 148-4552) which displays the icons of the end of the 17th century painted by the Tsar's craftsmen.

All-Russia Museum of Decorative-Applied and Folk Arts
(Ul. Delegatskaya, 3; Tel.: 921-0139, 923-1741, 923-7725)

The State Museum of Oriental Art
(Nikitsky bulvar, 12;, M Pushkinskaya, Arbatskaya; Tel: 202-4555)

Art Complexes (Urban Revitalization)

WinZavod
4th Syromytnicheskii Pereulok, 1, building 6
This former wine factory is now an artistic community center hosting some of Moscow's most cutting-edge art as well as film showings, concerts, art lessons, and the largest crowds of Moscovite-bohemians to be found anywhere.

Red October
Bersenevskaya Embankment, 6
This former chocolate factory is now a complex of trendy bars and cafes, galleries and show rooms, designer and consignment clothes shops and more. Nothing here is cheap, but everything is cool.

Contemporary Art Galaries
The following gallaries are considered to be the most prestigious show rooms in Moscow among today's Russian artists (list contributed by E. Varshavskaya)

Stella Art Gallery
(Skaryatinksy Per., 7 and Mytnaya Ul., 62;  Tel: 495-291-3407)
(Email: info@stellaartgallery.com)

Marat Guelman Gallery
Marat Guelman, Curator
(Malaya Polyanka Ul, 7/7, apt. 5; Tel: 495-238-8492)
(Fax: 495-238-4040 Email: polyanka@guelman.ru)

Aidan Gallery
Aidan Salakhov, Curator
(10th Tverskaya-Yamskaya Ul., 22, 3rd Floor; Tel: 495-251-3734)
(Fax: 495-250-9166; Email: info@aidan-gallery.ru)

Gallery XL
Elena Selina, Curator
(Podkolokolny Per., 16/2; Tel: 495-917-8508)
(Email: mail@xlgallery.ru)

Yakut Gallery 
Alexander Yakut, Curator
Nizhny Susalny Per., 5, str. 16; Tel: 495-514-2910)
(Email: mayakononenko@rambler.ru)  

Victor Freidenberg's Art-Space
Laboratory of Conceptual Design (ARTStrelka)
(Bersenevskaya Emb., 14 - on the site of the Red October Chocolate Factory; Tel: 495-621-3317)
(Email: info@labvf.comartstrelka@rambler.ru)

Gary Tatintsian Gallery
(Ilyinka Ul., 3/8, str. 5 - enter from the courtyard Tel: 495-101-2102)
(Email: info@tatinsian.ru)

RuArts Gallery
Anastasia Matyushina, Director
(1st Zachatievsky Per., 10; Tel: 495-201-4475)
(Email: info@ruarts.ru)

History          (back to top)

Red Square, Lenin Mausoleum, the Cathedrals of Basil the Blessed and the Intercession
(M Okhotny Ryad, all located on Red Square)
Lenin Mausoleum keeps odd hours.  You will have to just go and see if it is open.  The square is blocked off during “visitation” hours. Visiting “Dead Lenin” is a strange experience, not one that every one enjoys. If you are one of those people that sense “negative energy,” you will sense it here. Luckily, Stalin has been tucked away in the wall, or it would really be eerie. Talk still goes on about whether or not to bury Lenin, so, if you want, see him now.  It could be anyone’s last chance.  The churches are interesting and Basil the Blessed is that big, colorful, domed building you have seen acting as the Kremlin “poster child” for years.

KGB Museum
Located in the Lyubyanka prison, this museum is rather elusive when it comes to visiting. This occasionally gruesome but fascinating exhibit cannot be seen if you do not make an appointment and is not really affordable unless you have a group.  You can contact SRAS for help in arranging a group.

Museum of the Revolution
(Ul. Tverskaya, 21 - M. Tverskaya Tel. 299-5217/6724)
This is a very interesting museum if you have a guide. Lots about the propaganda and the battles fought.   Understandably, the communists went all-out. 

State Historical Museum
(Red Square, ½; M. Okhotny Ryad; Tel: 292-8452)
A general collection of exhibitions from ancient to modern times in Russia.  Affiliates of the State Historical Museum are located in unique 16th–17th century buildings. These are Red Square, tel: 298-3304); Palaces in Zaryadye (ul. Varvarka, 10, metro "Kitai-Gorod”, tel: 298-5018); Krutitskoye Podvorye (ul. Krutitskaya, 11, metro "Proletarskaya”, tel: 276-9256), Novodevichiy Convent (Novodevichiy Proezd, 1, metro "Sportivnaya", tel: 246-8526, open 10.30-5.30, except Mondays); "Izmailovo" estate (the metro "Izmailovsky Park", tel: 367-5579).

The Kuskovo Estate
(Metro Kuzmenki)
The Kuskovo Estate is one of the most beautiful palace and park ensembles in Moscow. The estate and the lands around it belonged to Count Sheremetev at the beginning of the 17th century. The ensemble, together with the palace and park, was designed by architect Karl Blank.

The Museum of Modern History
(Ulitsa Tverskaia, 21; Tel.: 299-54-58)
It is one of the world’s biggest museums of modern history. The way of life in Russia during the last 150 years is exhibited here: days of peace and war, the greatest revolutionary events of the XX century. Many collections of the fund have no analogues - personal belongings of statesmen and political figures of the country, paintings, sculptures, numismatics and a scientific library.

The Museum of the History of Moscow
(Novaya Ploshchad, 12; M. Lubyanka; Tel.: 924-84-90)
A unique collection of artifacts detailing Moscow's history since ancient times to now.

Museum-panorama "Battle of Borodino"
(Kutuzovskyi prospekt, 38; M. Park Pobedii; Tel: 148-19-67) 
Gives a few exhibitions and a very interesting panorama painting of the battle, which is viewed with sound effects and narration playing over loudspeakers. 

Literature, Theatre and Music          (back to top)

The Palace-Museum of Serf Art in Ostankino
(1st Ostankinskaya Street, 5; M. VDNKh; Tel: 283-4645)
This is a brilliant monument representing the classic architectural style of the 18th century, as well as to once common-practice of serf theaters (rich counts kept serfs as professional actors, scene builders, etc., when the serfs were freed, these “kept” actors turned professional and helped found Russian theatre practices).

Bulgakov sites
If you don’t know Bulgakov (Master & Margarita, Heart of a Dog, etc.) go find his books immediately. Then, take note that many of the sites mentioned in Master & Margarita can be visited in an afternoon’s walk.  Start with Bulgakov’s apartment near Mayakovskaya metro station.  It has very recently been turned into a house-museum with a live “Behemoth” strolling the premises.  It’s not easy to find, ask for directions from the Metro.  The graffiti is also quite interesting in the podyezd (entryway). Then walk over to Patriarch’s pond for an image of the opening scene.

The A.A. Bakhrushin State Central Theater Museum
(Ul. Bakhmshin; M Paveletskaya; Tel: 233 44 70)
This is one of Russia’s largest repositories of exhibitions and materials on theatre history.  They host seminars on theatre history occasionally and other events.  Well worth a look.  They have an affiliation with The Theatre Salon as well (Tverksoi bulvar, 11, bldg. 2). 

Tolstoy Museums (there are a handful)
First, at Tolstoy’s estate-museum, you can see the writer’s Moscow home, including paintings of his family and the bed he slept in.  Ask the babushkas to play the audio recording of him playing with schoolchildren. (Ulitsa Lva Tolstovo 21; M  Park Kultury; (095) 246-9444).  Second, at the Tolstoy Museum, see original manuscricpts, first-edition prints and more artifacts. (Ulitsa Prechistenka 11; M. Kropotkinskaya; (095) 202-2190).  Lastly, the true Tolstoy fan will not want to miss a day trip to Yasnaya Polyana, where his ancestral estate has been kept preserved. 

The House-Museums
Russia has tons of these preserved apartments, estates, and houses which also house things like original works, first-edition prints, and other gems from the famous people who lived in the residences.  These sometimes host special performances, concerts, and lectures.  You will also probably find babushkas that have worked there for ages and can tell you lots of interesting facts.  Here are a few that may be of interest, if you don’t find what you are interested in, you may contact us for more options. 

Pushkin House-Museum
(Old Arbat, 53 M. Arbatskaya). 

Memorial House of F. Shalyapin
(Novinskii bulvar, 25; Tel: 205-62-36, 252-25-30)

Scriabin Memorial Flat
(Ul. Vakhtangov, 11)

The Glinka Museum of Musical Culture
(Ul. Fadeyev, 4; Tel.: 972 3237)

Stanislavski House–Museum
(Leontyevsky Pereulok 6; M: Pushkinskaya; Tel: 229-2442)

The Chekov House-Museum
(Ulitsa Sadovaya-Kudrinskaya 6; M. Barrikadnaya; Tel: 291-6154)

The Glinka Museum of Musical Culture
(Ul. Fadeyev, 4; Tel: 972 3237)

Religious/Architechtural           (back to top)

The Pokrovsky Cathedral (Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed)
(Red Square; Tel: 298-33-04)
The “poster child” of the Kremlin, now fully restored to its early-medieval glory.

Novodevichy Convent
As you leave M. Sportivnaya, follow Luzhnetsky prospect till you get to the big Convent wall.  Inside you may visit one or two of the cathedrals (depending on where they might be doing repairs). Much has been restored in the last few years. If you can catch a service, you will enjoy the women’s choir. See the cemetery connected with it

The Alms-house of Count N. Sheremetev
(Sukharevskaya .ploshad, 3; M. Sukharevskaya; Tel: 921-08-06)

Kolomenskoye Museum-Preserve
(Andropov Avenue, 39; M Kolomenskaya)
This architectural and historical preserve built in the 16th-17th centuries used to be a village residence of the Russian Tsars (Peter the Great spent his early years here – you can see one of his old houses).  The museum is famous as an outstanding example of 16th-century tent-roof architecture, as the home of The Church of the Ascension (1530-1532) and for interesting samples of the Russian wooden architecture brought here from different regions of Russia.  This is also the location of a yearly “Honey Festival” and Maslenitsa celebrations. 

Science and Technology          (back to top)

Memorial Museums of Astronautics
(Prospekt Mira, 111; M VDNKh; Tel: 283-79-14, 283-18-37)
If this is a subject that interests you, think about taking a day trip to “Star City,” the command center and main training hall for Russian astronauts. 

Moscow State University Museum of the Earth (Geology)
(Inside the Main MSU building at Sparrow Hills; M. Universitet; 939-29-76)

Vernadsky Geological Museum
(ul. Mokhovaya, 11, k. 2; Tel: 203-53-87)

Paleontology Museum
(Profsouznaya St., 123; Tel: 339-15-00)
Whether you just had a childhood thing for dinos or mammoths or are really into paleontology, you will certainly enjoy a visit to this well-designed museum. Ask about any courses or seminars. Many of them are mainly for kids, but it might be good language practice anyway.

Ostanikino
(M. Shabolovskaya) s
This television tower is supposedly the largest under “Soviet” influence. Most recent fame is due to the storming of the tower in the last coup. Don’t bother going unless the skies are clear. Revolving restaurant up top is overpriced and not very good at last check.

Botanical Gardens
(26 Prospekt Mira; M. Prospekt Mira; Tel: 280-6765)
This park is not just for botanists. It is also a nice place to walk around or read a book.

 Day Trips from Moscow  (click for more info)            (back to top)

Tolstoy’s Country House Museum
"Hamovniki" After moving from Yasnaya Poliana to Moscow in 1881 Tolstoy bought a country estate in Hamovniki. The main house of the estate was built in 1805 – it is surrounded by an outhouse, household buildings and also a big garden with a pavilion and a well. The estate was converted to a museum in 1921. The museum is furnished as Tolstoy left it, so visitors are brought to the true atmosphere of Tolstoy's house. The exposition dates back to the time when the writer lived here in the years of 1893-1895.

Gzhel
Gzhel is the name of the oldest and most famous Russian ceramic center which is situated at the distance of some 50 km south-east of Moscow and known since XIVth century as a home of potter’s production. Gzhel is also the name of a village in this area and this name is applied to the beautiful artistic porcelain and majolica ware made there.

The Museum of Decorative, Applied and Folk Art
This museum is the only one of its kind in Russia, with a large and diverse collection of works of Russian applied and folk art. The collection contains more than 65,000 exhibits dating from the XIV century till the present time. Russian folk art is represented by items made from wood, birch bark, metal, ceramics and clay.

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