Destinations > Central Russia

Moscow Region

If you have just one free day in Moscow and want to change this crowded metropolis to a quiet historical town, similar to the Golden Ring but located not far from the capital, the Moscow Region is your best option, it has much to offer you

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As Charming as the Golden Ring Route

As you go away from Moscow, you can notice how gradually the noisy high-rise modern metropolis is replaced by small amazing provincial towns. Like on the Golden ring route, in the Moscow region you can see amazing Russian churches with golden domes, taste national food, cooked according to the ancient recipes, dive into the Russian history and culture, enjoy fascinating landscapes and impressive historical buildings. Formed in 1929 the Moscow region includes more than 70 towns and also very beautiful historical estates, villages. Let’s discover the most interesting of them.

short region information

LOCAL TIME	UTC+3
CLIMATE	Temperate
POPULATION	7,7 million people
HIGHLIGHT	Kremlin, Arkhangelskoe Memorial Estate, Peter Tschaikovsky`s Estate, New Jerusalem, Alexander Pushkin Museum, Fyodor Dostoevsky`s Estate, Vladimir Lenin`s Estate

types of tourism

Religious

Excursion

Nature

theme

A yellow two-storey palace with a round tower decorated with columns in the middle, palace with a spire, staircase decorated with classical statues and a round flowerbed in front of the palace

A garden of a palace with a round flowerbed with a white classical sculpture in the middle, two wings of a yellow palace in the distance

Versailles near Moscow

Arkhangelskoe Estate

Equal to St. Petersburg with its Peterhof and Pavlovsk Palaces, Moscow is famous for its Arkhangelskoe Memorial Estate, the most frequented estate of the region. It is the palace and park complex of incredible beauty and unique atmosphere of olden times, situated about 25 km far from Moscow. Founded at the beginning of the 19th century, it was owned by Russia’s wealthiest aristocratic families, such as the Sheremetevs, the Golitsyns, and the Yusupovs. The construction and decoration of the estate are associated with the names of such architects as Gern, Trombara, Petondi, Gonzaga, Beauvais, Klein.

The estate with attractive lawns and well-maintained alleys combines the 3 magnificent parks: Italian with amazing sculptures, French with splendid galleries and lawns, and English with stunning landscapes. The main Palace is a perfect example of Classical architectural style. It is a majestic structure of harmonious proportions with a lot of tall windows and glazed doors filling the interiors with light. The interior decoration is characterized by the combination of geometric and plant elements, ancient ornaments and attributes, and Egyptian motifs. During the excursion, the tourists can also be impressed by the ‘colonnade’ of the Yusupovs’ family vault, St. Michael’s Church, and the Tea House, the treasures of Russian historical heritage.

The Town to Fall in Love with

Kolomna

Kolomna is one of the most amazing ancient towns of the Moscow Region, located about 100 km away from Moscow. Many impressed tourists consider Kolomna surprisingly underappreciated among other towns of the region. Its architecture, rich history, longstanding traditions, and warm welcome sink deeply into every soul.

Kolomna was founded in 1177, it is only 30 years younger than Moscow. The town is proud of its Kremlin, which was chosen in Top 10 Greatest Symbols of Russia in 2013, on an equal basis with Peterhof Palace, Trinity Sergius Lavra, and Baikal lake. The mighty Kremlin of Kolomna, built in the 16th century, is incredibly well preserved and can give you an unforgettable journey through time. It keeps a lot of legends and stories, which can touch any traveler. Moreover, the buildings and churches of the Kremlin compound are so beautiful and tidy, that look like theatrical scenery for the 19-century plays.

A snowy street of small Russian town, colorful wooden houses and a small red church in Kolomna, small red church with hexagonal towers and gilded domes

A beautiful ancient Russian city on a bank of a river during the sunrise, monastery consisting of several churches and bell towers

Three pink marshmallow sweets on a plate, homemade pastila

Kolomna also has a lot to offer for food lovers. It’s famous for its Honey Wine, Kalatch, and Pastille (Marshmallow) Museums, where you can participate in the cooking process, buy and taste products, made according to the 18th-century recipe. Excursions can be accompanied by costumed performances, which make an unforgettable impression on the tourists.

What Lenin Worried about

Leninskie Gorki Museum-Estate

The famous estate, devoted to the Russian leader Vladimir Lenin, is called Leninskie Gorki and is located just 30 km away from Moscow. The Soviet leader worked and rested here for 6 years till his death in 1924. Lenin spent his last years in illness and depression, he realized the failure of his political concept of the development of the USSR, which was the main aim of his life. It was rather hard and unbearable for him. After his demise, the estate was turned into the Leninskie Gorki Museum-Reserve, in 1949 the Lenin House-Museum was opened, in 1994 the Museum “Office and Apartment of V.I. Lenin,” was moved here from the Moscow Kremlin.

During the excursion, you can get acquainted with the Soviet leader`s life and work, his original documents, and household items, which help you to understand better his controversial soul and political intentions. You will enjoy the incredibly beautiful view of the main courtyard of the estate, the large linden alley, and the round pond with grotto and amazing meadow. You will also learn the rich history of this land, which started in the 16th century.

Holy Land in Russia

Istra New Jerusalem

Istra is a small quiet town, located just 40 kilometers away from Moscow on the banks of the Istra River. The history of Istra is closely connected with the chronicles of the New Jerusalem Monastery. It was at its walls that the future town was formed. In the 17th century Patriarch Nikon, a major religious figure in Russia, decided to build «Palestine near Moscow». Its location was chosen for its similarity to the Holy Land. Jordan was represented by the Istra River, the buildings symbolized the holy places of Jerusalem. The project was colossal, its construction was carried out by the best Russian craftsmen. Even after the Patriarch`s death, the convent remained unfinished, however, it was not abandoned but supported by the royal family’s princesses Tatyana and Sophia.

Nowadays the New Jerusalem is a grandiose Orthodox center with amazing turquoise-gold domes and snow-white walls, the highlight of Istra town. The monastery keeps a large library, one of its treasures. During the tour, you will visit the New Jerusalem Museum, learn the history of Russian art, visit the exhibition of ecclesiastical and secular art of the 16th – 20th centuries.

The Heart of Alexander Pushkin

Bolshiye Vyazyomy Estate

The estate, located about 54 km from Moscow, is one of the outstanding architectural complexes of the 17th-18th centuries. First, it was a country residence of Boris Godunov, the Russian ruler of the Terrible Times. Later the estate belonged to the Golitsyns` noble family, among whose guests were the commander-in-chief Mikhail Kutuzov, and the great poet Alexander Pushkin. At the beginning of the 19th century, the poet visited his grandmother in the village of Zakharovo, located near the estate, and these places were reflected in his works, including his most famous novel, Eugene Onegin. Not only Pushkin`s childhood but also the acquaintance with his future wife Nataly Goncharova is connected with the estate.

As a result, in present days the Bolshie Vyazyomy Estate has become a part of the Pushkin Open-Air Museum, one of the most charming and frequented Pushkin places. The main mansion of the estate keeps splendid furniture and everyday items of the 19th-20th centuries. Those, who are interested in the greatest writer`s life and the Russian aristocracy in general, are highly welcomed in this Museum.

The Town of Defensive Line

Dmitrov

Dmitrov is another beautiful town in the Moscow region that deserves visiting. It is located 65 km north of Moscow. The town was founded in 1154 (7 years later than Moscow) by Duke Yuri Dolgoruky on the site of an ancient Slavic settlement, where the big trade route to the Volga River was located. In the past, Dmitrov was a rather significant city in Russia and formed Moscow’s northern defensive border.

Nowadays the town is famous for its magnificent Kremlin, amazing landscapes, churches, and monasteries, many of them can amaze you with the antiquity of the 15th and 16th centuries. Its main landmarks are porcelain, textiles, and gingerbread. The most interesting sight in Dmitrov is the Museum of History and Arts, a major exhibition space, which includes the Historical Square, the Kremlin, and many churches and buildings, making it a great place to explore. You can also be impressed by the beauty of the Assumption Cathedral, the Boris and Gleb Monastery, Kazan Church, the red-brick Entry Church, and others. Dmitrov is very popular among both travelers and pilgrims. Coming here for a tour, they are delighted with the identity of the town and the special atmosphere of the past.

Dostoevsky`s Town

Zaraysk

Zaraysk, called “a small town with a huge history”, is situated about 160 km from Moscow. The town was founded in 1146, 1 year earlier than Moscow. It is famous for the smallest (only 7 towers) fully preserved red-brick Kremlin in Russia, which was built in the 16th century to protect against the Tatar-Mongols` raids and was never captured throughout its history.

Nowadays tourists visit Zaraysk not only because of its historical monuments but also due to the estate of the greatest Russian writer Fyodor Dostoevsky, located nearby. Darovoe is an open-air museum, which keeps the memory of the writer`s childhood. The nature around the estate is fantastic: unique linden and birch groves, fields with flowering yellow mustard, and the air filled with the scent of sun-heated herbs and flowers. This place was described in many of Dostoevsky’s works, such as “Brothers Karamazov”, “Poor People”, “Small Hero”, etc. However, the dramatic events, happened with his father here, touched young Fyodor deeply, influenced his creative way, and made him avoid arriving at his family estate for a long time. During the excursion, you will visit the Dostoevsky’s house and dive into the atmosphere of the writer`s works.

Russian Switzerland

Zvenigorod

An amazing town, Zvenigorod, is located 50 km away from Moscow. It became well-known in the 14th century when Duke Dmitry Donskoy`s son Yuri founded his residence here along the shore of the Moskva River. In the 19th century, the town was popular among the intellectuals as a trendy banlieue of Moscow. Nowadays the area around Zvenigorod is widely known as Russian Switzerland. There are no mountains here, but this peculiar hilly landscape resembles the undulating plateau of the Alpine valleys.

The most famous sight of Zvenigorod is its Kremlin, which keeps the unique well-preserved sample of the 14th-century architectural constructions, the Dormition Cathedral. The interior of the Cathedral is decorated with murals of the outstanding Russian painter Andrey Rublev.

Aerial view of a well-preserved monastery hidden in the trees, territory with churches surrounded with fortress walls

Beautiful orthodox monastery against the sun, sunrise over the orthodox monastery

Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery is another preeminent landmark of Zvenigorod, which is also famous among travelers for its tasty bread, pastries, and kvass. The highest point of the monastery square is occupied by the beautiful Nativity Cathedral with fascinating golden domes. On the opposite side, you can see the monastery belfry, a magnificent monumental structure. In old times there was a bell there that had very loud and melodious ringing of an extremely wide range. Unfortunately, the bell didn’t survive up to modern times, but it became the symbol of Zvenigorod, which name can be literally translated as “a ringing town”.

musical town

Klin

An incredibly cozy town Klin is located in the North-West of the region, 70 km away from Moscow.

It was founded in 1317 and several centuries later it became rather attractive for Russian outstanding artists, writers, and scientists, who came here to draw inspiration from fascinating landscapes and quiet atmosphere. Among them were Dmitry Mendeleev, Ivan Shishkin, Arkhip Kuindzhi, Leo Tolstoy, and others.

But the town is closely connected with the name of the greatest Russian composer Peter Tschaikovsky. We offer you to visit his museum estate, where the composer spent his last years of life and work. “I worked nowhere so well as I do here” – wrote Tschaikovsky in his letters. The special value of the museum lies in the exceptional preservation of all the objects that the great composer touched and used in his everyday life. You can also see the famous grand piano, at which the master created his works.

Another unique museum, worthy of your attention, is the Russian New Year Decoration Museum, which offers you to dive into the New Year fairytale even in summer and get acquainted with the history and process of creation of amazing ornaments. Besides excursions, you can participate in round dances and tree decoration painting master-class. A lot of fun is guaranteed.