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Moscow will forever be associated with its imperialist past, with iconic images such as the Kremlin, Red Square and Lenin’s Tomb bound to linger in the imagination. However, an autumn visit to Russia’s capital reveals an alternative side to the city, where you can relax in the peaceful surroundings of landscaped parks, enjoy fine entertainment and dining in the vibrant clubs and restaurants, wade through centuries of culture in museums and art galleries or enjoy a spot of browsing in one of the many shopping malls. With the fiercest winter temperatures yet to bite and air fares at their most competitive, autumn is an ideal time to explore the wonders of this sprawling historic city.
Arriving by Air from the UK
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For travellers aspiring to the convenience of a direct flight combined with a relatively short journey time, Russia’s imposing capital city is an ideal choice of destination this autumn. A flying time of less than four hours from London puts Moscow on a par with the more popular seasonal destinations of the southern Mediterranean and, with a choice of three airlines (British Airways, Aeroflot and easyJet) operating non-stop services from either London Heathrow or London Gatwick to Moscow’s principal airports, the journey is quick and efficient.
If London, however, is not an ideal departure point, numerous options exist for travellers wishing to enjoy the convenience of one of the UK’s regional airports. With one-stop connections available via Amsterdam, Helsinki and Frankfurt, among others, and a number of airlines providing rapid services to mainland Europe en-route to Moscow from airports including Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and Cardiff, an overall journey time of little more than five hours means you can be in the heart of Russia’s historic capital in a surprisingly short time.
Places to Stay
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Moscow’s reputation for high accommodation prices is well-established, with average hotel rates standing out as among the most expensive anywhere in the world. If price isn’t a concern and you’re seeking a high-class branded hotel, then there are plenty from which to choose, including recognised worldwide chains as well as independent luxury boutiques where you can enjoy indulgent living and fine Eurasian dining in the heart of the city.
For those travelling on a budget, however, cheaper options are increasingly available, although the cheapest hotels tend to be located on the outskirts of Moscow, such as the Hotel Na Pokrovke and Hotel Izmailovskaya, which offer rooms for between £35 and £50 per night. If choosing to stay at one of the budget hotels away from the city centre, you’ll need to allow for the cost of travel into Moscow, as well as the additional time.
For a bargain basement alternative – in the region of £20 per night – in a central location, a room at a hostel is a viable solution. There are a number of hostels available and, while facilities are scraped back to the bare minimum, the overall standard of accommodation is acceptable for those who don’t wish to invest heavily in a premium stay.
Things to Do
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Autumn is traditionally a time when stunning visuals grace the landscape and Moscow’s parks offer a riot of colour that visitors to the city are bound to appreciate. The Aptekarskiy Ogorod Botanical Garden, Izmailovksy Park and Sparrow Hills are among the most delightful choices while, for more energetic hikers, the Losiny Ostrov National Park and Bittsa Forest offer a variety of more challenging walks.
The season heralds a bumper crop of berries and mushrooms – staple parts of a Russian diet that is heavily influenced by nature’s harvest – and you can enjoy some creative cookery if you’re self-catering, with Dorogomilovsky Market the most plentiful source of local produce. If you’re relying on others to cater for you during your stay, wild mushroom dishes are widely available at Moscow’s many restaurants featuring an assortment of varieties that must be savoured to be appreciated.
As the cooler weather draws in, visitors may wish to head indoors and there are numerous opportunities to absorb traditional Russian culture, with the State Tretyakov Gallery one of the leading attractions, displaying centuries of Russian art to form the finest collection of its type in the world. With the Pushkin State Museum, The Kremlin and the Bolshoi Ballet also among the most unmissable visitor attractions, it’s likely that you’ll only scratch the surface of this incredible historic city.
Eating Out
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Under the rule of communism, Moscow’s eateries tended to offer limited fayre with little influence of tastes from beyond its heavily armed borders, but recent decades have seen a gradual merging of cultures as international cuisine has wrestled its way into the city’s restaurants. Visitors to Moscow can discover food from across the globe at a variety of eateries ranging from side street cafes to high class restaurants and international branded fast food outlets, so there’s likely to be something for everyone, irrespective of their individual tastes.
If sampling local delicacies is high on your priority list, pastries, noodles and dumplings (‘pelmeni’ or ‘varenniki’) are worthy of tasting, while vegetarian dishes – particularly those featuring pickles and mushrooms – are also commonplace.
Moscow’s reputation for high prices isn’t restricted to its hotels and travellers are often alarmed by how expensive some of the city’s restaurants can be. On the whole, the highest prices are reserved for the most exclusive outlets where the dress codes are exacting and whether you’re admitted may even come down to whether your face fits, but more affordable options are widely available for the traveller who is visiting Moscow on a limited budget.
Generally speaking, local tax is included in your food bill but a tip of between 5% and 10% should be added if service is not included.
Shopping
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If you’re able to afford the high prices that accompany a meal at a high class restaurant during your stay in Moscow, shopping for suitable attire is simple in a city that has numerous shopping malls featuring some of the world’s most recognisable fashion labels. Adjacent to Red Square, the stunning Moscow GUM is home to, among others, Dior, Louis Vuitton and Calvin Klein, while Armani, Versace and Emanuel Ungaro can be discovered at the Crocus Shopping Mall close to the Myakininskaya metro station.
More affordable high street names such as American Apparel and Topshop can be found in the Tsvetnoy Central Market while a fascinating day can be enjoyed perusing the art, antiques and crafts displayed at Izmaylovsky Market, which opens daily – also offering the unmissable opportunity to depart with a traditional Russian fur ushanka: perfect for keeping the head and ears warm in the cooler autumn weather.
Title Image Credit: Alexander Kalashnikov (Image Cropped)