With the largest concentration of billionaires in the world, it’s no wonder Moscow is a hot spot for luxury and indulgence. There’s the glitzy bars filled with Moscow’s elites quaffing champagne, and pricy boutiques where the uber fashionistas flock to get their weekly brand fixes. But look a little deeper and you’ll find a more sensitive side to Moscow hidden beneath the vodka fuelled oligarch bling.
Manezhnaya Square
explore the markets
For souvenirs there’s no better place to pick up your very own Matryoshka doll than at the Izmailovsky Market. This enormous, Kitsch market is a must see spectacle. Spend hours wandering through the labyrinth of stalls charmingly decorated with various statues of figures from Russian folklore and myths. Browse at unexpected finds from pre-war cameras and binoculars, to traditional Russian handicrafts and an impressive selection of original paintings, all at bargain prices. When you had your fill of bartering, rest your feet and enjoy a freshly barbequed Georgian shashliki, a traditional kebab.
wander the streets
To conjure up an image of true Russia head to the Old Arbat Street, one of the oldest roads in the city. Known for being the hub for Moscow’s artistic community during the 18th century, take a stroll along this charming mansion lined boulevards. Pull up a pew outside number 53, where Pushkin once called home, now a museum celebrating the poets work.
For all you literature junkies familiar with Mikhail Bulgakov’s novel Master and Margarita, get yourself to Patriarshy Prudiy. For those who haven’t come across it paints the perfect picture of Stalinist Russia, and the Surrealism that still exists here today. Patriarshy Prudiy, or “Patriarch’s Pond,” is surrounded by Stalin-era architecture, and features a dramatic sculpture garden allowing insight to the artistic movement at the time. The best time to go is early in the morning, armed with a coffee and a copy of Bulgakov’s masterpiece, what better way to get and under the skin of Moscow’s history.
Moscow by night
hit the shops
As all well heeled Muscovites will tell you, the only place to shop is the Gum shopping mall, located opposite the Red Square. A designer divas heaven, locals refer to the mall as an exhibition space, as no one can afford the mind boggling price tags. However, if you’re not willing to drop a bomb for your threads then even window shopping here is a worthwhile experience. Wander through the capacious, architecturally stunning hallways packed with every designer boutique you could ever dream of, and marvel at the splendour and pretentiousness. Those with a sweet tooth will love the famous Russian Confectionary Krasny Oktyobr, which specialises in traditional dark Russian chocolates.
traditional eats and watering holes
In a city that isn’t too keen on small and intimate hangouts, Simachev Bar is a Jewel in the usually over glitzy champagne fuelled Moscow nightlife scene. With a quirky retro 70’s look, delicious drinks and a rocking DJ, kick back with a Moscow Mule and let the good times roll.
No trip to the Russian capital is complete without a dinner at a traditional Georgian restaurant such as Tifilis. Moscow is the best place outside the Caucasus to sample the spicy cuisine of the former Soviet republic of Georgia, famous for its hearty meat dishes. Try the thick, rich and oh so tasty kharcho (beef soup).
to get to Moscow go to dunhill discoveries
