A weekend in Moscow
Two days give you time for the historic centre and a second side of the city. Spend the first day around Red Square and the Moscow River, then use the metro to explore Arbat and Moscow City. Leave room for a long lunch, a museum or a warm café when the weather changes.
Day 1: Red Square, Zaryadye and the river
Start at Red Square and take time to see the façades of St Basil’s Cathedral and GUM. If a Kremlin museum is a priority, plan the walk around your confirmed entry time and allow extra time for security. Red Square and the Kremlin museums have separate entrances.
Continue to Zaryadye Park for a view towards the river. From there, choose between a riverside walk and a museum afternoon. A river cruise can work well if you want to see the embankments from the water. Check the departure pier on your ticket before leaving the centre.
Day 2: Arbat, the metro and Moscow City
Start with a walk along Old Arbat and stop for coffee before visiting a few metro stations. Ploshchad Revolyutsii and Mayakovskaya make a good pair if you enjoy architecture and want to see two different styles. Save Moscow City for later in the day to see how the skyline changes as the lights come on.
For a snowy or windy day, trade part of the outdoor itinerary for the Tretyakov Gallery. Check which building hosts the collection you want to see before setting out. If you prefer to keep the afternoon flexible, stay around Arbat and pick a café or gallery nearby.
How to plan the two days
Book timed visits first and keep the rest flexible. Group nearby stops together, confirm your meeting point or pier and allow extra travel time if you have luggage. If you would like a guided introduction, Arbat Travel can help you compare a city tour, a museum visit and a river cruise for your dates.