10 Best Museums to Visit in Moscow

The Moscow Kremlin is probably the most famous landmark not only in Moscow but also in entire Russia. Situated in the heart of the capital, the kremlin is the open-air museum that houses a vast collection of Moscow's must-visit highlights. Wondering where to start?

Soak in the main locations, including the vibrant Red Square, St. Basil's Cathedral, and GUM. Don't miss a chance to visit the glorious Grand Kremlin Palace, witness the beauty of golden domes of the Assumption Cathedral, and take a lovely walk in the Alexander Garden.

Won't it be exciting to take a look at the most famous "modern mummy"? Lenin's Mausoleum is the top attraction in Russia.

The Bolshevik Revolution leader Vladimir Ilych Lenin died on January 21, 1924, and today he is frozen in time. Visitors can gaze at the tomb for five minutes in a small group under the eye of guards in every corner.

Russia is proud of its achievements in space and aviation. In Moscow and around, you will easily find several aviation and space museums. One of the main ones is the Central House-Museum of Aviation and Space, located on Krasnoarmeyskaya Street.

Visitors have an opportunity to see more than 36 000 exhibits, including aircraft models, unique simulators used to train astronauts, space suits, and more. The museum houses significant collections of Russian history and definitely deserves much more attention than it gets.

The Central Armed Forces Museum or the Museum of Soviet Army boasts impressive collections from early Russian wars to the modern-day. Explore military relics of the Soviet period attracting plenty of tourists.

Visitors can witness a grand array of tanks, aircraft, and missiles. The highlight of the museum is the Soviet Banner of Victory raised over the Berlin Reichstag in 1945. The museum is a must-visit, especially for history enthusiasts.

Numerous fans visit the writer’s Mikhail Afanasyevich Bulgakov house in Moscow, which today has been transformed into a museum.

The museum is famous for the novel “The Master and Margarita” which was written in this exact place. Visitors can see many photographs, documents, and personal belongings of Mikhail Bulgakov. There are also audio-visual animations of his life.

The State Tretyakov Gallery is an art museum collecting Russian fine art. If you like art, this is the museum which you can’t miss. The large gallery houses plenty of paintings through which you can better understand Russian history and culture.

Moreover, there are more than 130 000 exhibits, including paintings Portrait of an Unknown Woman by Ivan Kramskoi, Catherine the Great by Dmitry Levitzky, Portrait of Alexander Pushkin by Orest Kiprensky, and more others.

Definitely, the State Historical Museum is an impressive architectural building and the largest national museum in Russia. Proudly standing in the Red Square, the vast red-brick museum was built in Russian Revival Style and attracted explorers' attention.

Indeed, it is worth a visit! The museum contains over 4.5 million items from ancient times to the 19th century. Opened in 1883, the museum is divided into many halls that boast relics from different times. Visitors can see vast exhibitions, including archeological artifacts, manuscripts, icons, and the Russian Empire's history.

The Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts is the largest European art museum in Moscow, housing about 700 000 artworks. In the main building, visitors can admire paintings, drawings, sculptures, and the collection of plaster cast reproductions.

Moreover, the museum is an important cultural center in Russia, boasting artistic and educational work with kids and adults, having music festivals, and providing scientific activities.

Exploring the Armoury Chamber in Moscow gives you an opportunity to get back to the luxurious Russian past. The museum is a treasure house and a part of the Grand Kremlin Palace’s complex. The life of the Russian monarch is reflected in the precious items.

There, visitors can witness jewels from the 12th century to the October Revolution of 1917. The magnificent collections include ceremonial royal garments and coronation dresses, ceremonial arms and armor, carriages, and the most extensive collection of gold and silverware made by craftsmen.

Tsaritsyno is the Neo-Gothic palace-museum and park reserve dating back to the 18th century. Built by Russian Empress Catherine the Great, it is situated in the southern part of Moscow and occupies almost 400 ha of area. This exotic summer house is one of the main attractions for tourists and Muscovites.

Indeed, it's not hard to notice the beauty of this gorgeous palace that combines old Russian, Arabic, Gothic, and Classical styles. Visitors can take a walk around the palace, enjoy its gardens decorated with pavilions and sculptures as well as admire the exhibitions of 18th-century art inside the Tsaritsyno Palace.

Undoubtedly, Moscow has plenty of great museums to explore. We hope you got inspired by our top 10 best museums in Moscow. If you are eager to explore more exciting sights in Russia, don’t hesitate to take a train from Moscow to St. Petersburg and see one more significant city!