Amongst many popular cities of Russia, Moscow tops the list with so many tourist destinations to explore and get to know more. Hence whenever you visit Russia must visit Moscow and learn more about their cultural heritage.
From huge domed churches to many architectural marvels, you will find various tourist destinations here that are surely to surprise you with their unmatched beauty. Before that, there are a few things you should be aware before visiting the city. To help you with that, we have a list of 18 crucial do’s and don’ts in Moscow. Take a look:
#1 Do Keep Cash Handy
With so many local stalls spread throughout the city, you are surely going to be tempted to purchase some souvenirs from them. To pay for purchased items, not all local vendors are accepting card/online payments; hence you must have your cash with you.
Hence if you are a big time online payer, unfortunately it is not going to work here. You will find SBERBANK machines here from where you can exchange your currency and get your hands on local cash for your shopping in Moscow.
#2 Do Make Best Ever Instagram Stories
No matter where you go and which destination you visit, Moscow has so much to offer. When it comes to photograph-worthy backdrops, you are going to find tons of them here in Moscow. But one thing to keep in mind is that, you should hurry while capturing these beautiful moments as the city is full of tourists just like you.
To get the best ever Instagram worthy clicks, Red Square has so much for you. Other picturesque places include St. Basil’s Cathedral, Swings on Triumfalnaya Ploschad, GUM located on Red Square and many more all over the city.
#3 Do Visit Local Markets
Amongst many popular local markets, you should try and visit as many as possible and explore their locally produced/ handmade items in Moscow. The most famous one is Izmailovo Market. It is located on the outskirts of the city and takes around 1 hour through Moscow Metro to reach here.
Whatever you want, you are surely going to find here. Amongst many things, hand-carved jewelry boxes are definitely going to catch your ryes. The market is divided into various parts and each of these parts sells unique items from many different vendors.
#4 Do Try and Ride Moscow Metro
Every major city in Russia offers Metro and most of the locals travel through it for their everyday routine. While visiting the city, taking a few rides to explore the city in Metro is a must thing. It also happens to be the cheapest and fastest way to travel across the city.
For everyone’s convenience, there is Moscow Metro App which you can download and get all the essential details from the app. You might want to check-out the schedule and want to plan your Metro trip accordingly as sometimes rush hour has huge crowd travelling through the Metro.
#5 Do Visit Biblio Globus
Russians love to read books, and if you too – there is an amazing bookshop here for you. The Biblio Globus happens to be the largest bookshop in entire Moscow. It is located next to Lubyanka Square and old KGB Building. Hence while visiting this book store; you can also get to visit nearby attractions.
Not only Russian, but many books of various origins and languages are available here. You can choose any book for you to read while you are relaxing after enjoying entire day exploring the city.
#6 Do Try Local Cuisine
You will find many cheap yet delicious and unique Russian delicacies from various local restaurants as well as 5 star hotels around the city. You can go on trying authentic Russian dishes such as Teremok, Farsh, Lepim I varim and more.
At Teremok, you can have variety of pancakes of various unique and delicious flavors. They also specialize in unique dumplings for everyone. Burger lovers can go to the Farsh, located on Nikolskaya Street. Vegetarians can find FRESH and enjoy their fresh salads.
#7 Do Not Drink when in Public
As we all know, Russians love their vodka, but getting drunk is not the most popular thing here. Going on drinks with your friends is fine but there is no need to get drunk like crazy, as it is not going to be appreciated here at all, in fact, you might be getting yourself into some trouble by doing so.
On getting drunk, one might even face Police or scammers too. Hence if possible stay sober or enjoy your one or two shot/ drink and that’s all.
#8 Do Not Drink Tap Water
As you might not be informed about this, but do not go on drinking tap water while roaming streets of Moscow or anywhere in Russia. Most of the locals here have filtering system at their home. You will also get bottled water at your Hotel or Airbnb, which means No Tap Water Drinking.
You can enjoy showers at your hotel or even brushing is fine, but drinking it is not a good thing. Upon doing such, you are definitely going to upset your stomach. It is not something you want while on travel. So it is better to pay for your bottled water than getting bad stomach.
#9 Do Pay for Bottled Water at the Restaurant
As you already know, not to drink tap water – there are various other water sources available, but for some restaurants – you will have to pay for your water bottle, additionally. Yes, you heard it right.
In Russia, water is not free in some restaurants and that is the reason why you will have to pay for your bottled water in Restaurants. Hence whenever you are deciding your menu, take a look at bottled water prices too.
#10 Don’t Get Lose in the Traffic
Being the capital city of Russia, Moscow receives huge numbers of tourists each year. So, there’s a possibility that you will get stuck in traffic jam, eventually. But nothing to worry, give it a few minutes, most probably, you will be fine as it will get cleared soon.
To prevent from any such things happening, do plan your city visit accordingly. Try and avoid rush hours during morning as well as evening – and you will be just fine. Also, a word of advice, do not go on planning a lot more during weekends i.e. Saturday and Sunday. It is because, there is going to be traffic, a lot more of it on weekends.
#11 Be Aware of the Weather
Weather here in Moscow is quite unpredictable. Hence you might want to plan your trip with a little backup planning. Hence weather will not be able to ruin your city exploring trip.
Sometimes during winter, you will face mild cold other times; even 3 warm coats won’t do any good! On the bright side, visiting Russia during winters will give you many other activities like dog sledding, troika rides and more.
#12 Do Enjoy Traditional Activities
There are so many activities which are still considered as the Traditional Russian Activities. Amongst many of these, enjoying traditional Russian Sauna would be the very first and famous one. Upon searching you will be able to find a place which offers just that!
There are some skate rinks which you can enjoy for skating, if you are not visiting Moscow during winters. Also, the weather in Moscow is quite unpredictable hence we advise you to plan accordingly.
#13 Do Visit Bolshoi
Do you know, the tickets for Bolshoi are available 3 months prior, which is a good thing for you as you can purchase them in advance and enjoy it later on. To do that, you can visit the official Bolshoi website and get those.
By any chance, if you couldn’t get the ticket, there’s always another option. You can enjoy ballet performance at another theater, as Moscow happens to have quite a few of those.
#14 Do Have a Scarf with You
As you probably already know, there are many religious places and monuments across Moscow. Many of these famous places, you will find mosques, churches and may others. While visiting a church, you will need to have a scarf over your head, just as a tradition.
You should have covered head while visiting a church in Moscow. Whereas, for men, it is polite to take their hats off while entering the church.
#15 Do Dress Appropriately For Religious Buildings
There is no official dress code but wearing traditionally respectable clothes to religious places would be really nice. Women should dress properly while visiting a Church or a mosque in the city.
You should have knee-level clothes along with shoulder covered dress. If you are not dress appropriately, you can cover your shoulders with a shawl or a scarf. Also, as we discussed earlier, keeping your head covered is also a sign of respect.
#16 Enjoy Military Rehearsals
There are a few occasions when you get to enjoy military parade in Moscow. Even if you are not staying over for more days, you can always enjoy a military rehearsal which happens almost every day prior to the actual parade day.
You can find and enjoy such parade passing through various main roads and streets of Moscow. If you are more interested into such things, do plan your Moscow trip around such parade schedule.
#17 Be Aware of Pickpockets Around You
Whenever you are visiting any new place, being cautious of your surroundings is always necessary. Although Moscow is one of the safe cities and huge numbers of tourists visit it, you might want to be more careful of your bag pack while exploring the city.
Do not go on carelessly keeping your wallet in your open side bag or even in your back pocket. There might be a pick pocket waiting for you to be careless while enjoying the shopping.
#18 Do Plan an Extended Trip
Moscow is one of those cities which cannot be visited entirely in just a day or two. Hence you should be ready to stay a couple more days to explore this beautiful city. There are many important historical sites here along with religious and natural places to explore in and around Moscow, which requires you to stay for a few more days.
If you have truly fallen in love with the city, you are definitely going to do anything to spend a little more time here!