MOSCOW: A Tour of the Iconic Red Square and Kremlin

Moscow is the capital and the biggest city in Russia. It is a major political, economic and cultural center for Russia and Europe because it’s also the largest city in the entire European continent.

The megacity is famous for its unique architecture; but mainly it’s most famous building such as the Kremlin, the Red Square, and the world-renowned Saint Basils Cathedral.

Two of the most iconic structures in Russia and the perfect symbol of Russia’s historically rich and intriguing past.

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Watch Video: A Tour of Russia’s Greatest Cities: Moscow, St. Petersburg and Murmansk

Russia Series
• ST. PETERSBURG: The Greatest City in Russia
• MURMANSK: The Northernmost City above the Arctic Circle
• MOSCOW: A Tour of the Iconic Red Square and Kremlin

Moscow City is the heart and capital of Russia and is Considered to be one of the biggest cities in the world. This modern-day metropolis is home to some of the most unique architectures around.

The Red Square, the main central square or plaza in Moscow is located in the heart of Moscow and is surrounded by all the major streets and highways.

Contrary to common misconceptions, the Red Square didn’t get its name from the red paint or the link between the color red and communism.

It got its name from the Russian word Krasnya, which means both “red” and “beautiful.”

Inside the red square, you’ll see famous landmarks like “Lenin’s Mausoleum” and the “Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.”

A war memorial, dedicated to the Soviet soldiers killed during World War II. And just like any other war memorial, there is also an hourly ceremonial change of guards.

Also, beside the Red Square is the world famous “Kremlin”, a walled city which literally translates to “fortress within a city.” And sure enough the security was tight, and tourist traffic was limited.

The Kremlin houses all the top government officials including their president Vladimir Putin, just like the white house in the United States.

It’s also home to the cast bronze “Tsar Canon,” the largest bombard by caliber in the world and a real icon to the Kremlin. The Tsar Cannon was placed at several points around Moscow in its history as a deterrent it but it was never really used in a war.

Right beside the Tsar canon, you’ll find the “Tsar Bell,” The Largest bronze Bell in the world. Much like the “Tsar Canon” it too was never used or struck. In fact, a piece of it fell and cracked during a fire.

There are a bunch of walk-in museums and churches inside the Kremlin, but one of the most notable ones is the Ivan the Great Bell Tower.

The tallest tower and structure in all of Kremlin. The bell tower was one of the first stone structures in Russia, and it served as observation post against enemies approaching the fort.

But the Kremlin & Red Square really shines best as soon as night creeps in.

When all the lights highlight the magnificent facade and the intricate details of every building.

Luckily, the whole grounds itself is pedestrian friendly but is mostly filled with crowds of tourist.

Another building that stands out is The state historical Museum which seems to glow burning red come nightfall.

Inside the museum, exhibitions range from prehistoric relics to priceless artworks that portray Russian culture.

And of course the main star and probably the most famous landmark in all of Russia, The Saint Basil’s Cathedral.

Built by Ivan the Terrible, the old orthodox church (now a museum) was built to portray a flame rising into the sky.

Another landmark that Moscow is famous for is the Moscow Metro.

An underground rapid transit originally built in 1935 with just one line and 11 stations.

Now the modern metro has 207 stations and is ranked as the 6th longest in the world and is home to one of the world’s deepest underground station.

In here you can find the worlds longest escalator in the world, and It takes three full minutes to reach the deepest underground station. The train leaves every 2 min or every 15secs during rush hour.

Surprisingly, the famous Russian Moscow is clean and beautifully decorated despite its age and the sheer number of commuter it accommodates on a daily basis.

Roughly 8 million people ride the metro every day.

The underground metro takes you to literally every part of Moscow, and one stop worth visiting is the Triumphal Arc of Moscow. The oldest surviving arc in Moscow that was built in 1829.

We also visited the Izmailovo Kremil, A colorful and otherworldly structure that was built as a cultural center for old Russia.

The Izmailovo Kremlin houses many museums with the most famous one being the Vodka Museum in Moscow.

A museum that tells the story of the iconic Russian drink. It showcases hundreds of age-old Russian vodka collected from all over the world.

A visit to the museum is a must if you want to experience first hand how to drink like a Russian! But contrary to popular belief, vodka isn’t Russia’s national drink.

Instead, a golden brown alcohol called Kvass is the original Russian drink since the ancient times.

And just outside the Izailovo Kremlin, you also get to visit a very popular flea market, which in my opinion sells the cheapest souvenirs compared to all the sites that we visited.

They sell all sorts of trinkets, clothes, and souvenirs but they are more famous for their extensive collection of Matryoshka dolls.

A very popular and distinct Russian souvenir made out of wood and is a combination of stacking dolls of decreasing sizes placed one inside another.

Overall, Moscow is a massive city with lots of exciting places to visit. In here you can find most of the major tourist destinations and landmarks in the whole of Russia. The Red Square and Kremlin alone can easily consume a day or two on your itinerary for touring the enormous compound.

Moscow is also the most commuter and tourist-friendly among the three cities, so it’s perfect if you want to explore cities by commute or without a tour.