Green Spaces

Gorky Park

M: Park Kultury, then take trolley bus B to the park entrance or walk along the bridge

Popularized by the film of the same name, Gorky Park stretches 3km along the Moscow River. In summer, the amusement park, boating lake and outdoor restaurants attract locals and foreigners alike. During the winter months the lakes and paths are flooded to form a vast outdoor ice-skating rink. Add to this the beautiful gardens and regular concerts, this is one venue not to be missed.

Victory Park

Park Pobyedy (Victory Park) or take a trolley bus to Victory Park from Metro Kutuzovskaya

The park was completed in 1995 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Soviet Union's World War Two victory. On May 9, Victory Day, Russians gather here to celebrate their triumph. The park itself is laid out around a grand fountain-lined axis with a huge white crescent-shaped building housing the Central Museum of the Great Patriotic War. (10-6 Tues-Sun). It is also a popular place for a picnic with friends, rollerbladers enjoying the sunshine, or children who can climb on the old tanks on display or take a tour around the park on the "train".

Victory Park by night

One of the many tanks in Victory Park

Moscow River Cruises

An afternoon cruise on one of the boats on the Moscow River is a great way to spend a hot summer's day in Moscow. There is an open air top deck and an enclosed bottom deck with a snack bar. You can embark and disembark from any number of points along the way, including Moscow State University, Gorky Park, Hotel Rossiya and Kievskaya. Boats depart daily every 30 minutes from 10 - 8.

VDNKh (All-Russia Exhibition Centre)

Metro: VDNKh
Hours: 9- 8 Mon- Fri, 9-9 Sat, Sun, public holidays.

Established in 1937, the center contains more than 80 pavillions each representing one aspect of the great economic, industrial and technical power of communism. Today, miniature trains ferry shoppers around this gigantic complex and rollerbladers enjoy the park.

Izmaylovsky Park

M: Partizanskaya (Izmaylovsky Park), then follow the crowds.
Hours: 10 - 5 daily.

Acquired by the Romanovs from the Izmaylovs in the 16th century to use as a hunting lodge, the land was developed into an estate by Tsar Alexei in the 17th century and became a favourite place of Peter the Great's. Plenty of the usual recreational facilities including ponds, woods, cafes and a children's area. The park is also home to the city's largest souvenir market, Izmaylovsky Market.

Sparrow Hills

M: Vorobyovy Gory, Universitet

Spectacular look-out point, with a view of Moscow from the south side of the river, overlooking Luzhniki Stadium and Moscow State University behind.