Russia’s rich cultural and political history make it a fascinating place to visit and in its capital city, Moscow, you will find many of the attractions that make this country great. Once you have made the practical arrangements such as booking your tickets and travel insurance, all that is left is to plan what to do and see when you get there. Here are five of our favourite Muscovite attractions.

Red Square

A magnificent attraction in its own right and home to several others, no trip to Moscow is complete without a visit to historic Red Square. At the southern end stands the iconic St Basil’s Cathedral with it iconic brightly coloured onion domes. Opposite St Basil’s on the north of the square is the State Historical Museum. The square is flanked on the western side by the Kremlin and Lenin’s mausoleum, and on the east by the magnificent GUM department store. Each of these attractions is worthy of a visit, but equally important is simply to stand in the square and soak up the atmosphere and the history that it exudes.

The Kremlin

A kremlin is a fortified stronghold and there are many throughout Russia. The term has however become synonymous with Moscow Kremlin, the centre of political power in Russia. The Kremlin, which overlooks Red Square and the Moskva River, is the official residence of the President of Russia. It was here that Lenin orchestrated the Soviet regime after the Russian Revolution and from here that Gorbachev instigated perestroika seven decades later. Much of the complex, including palaces, cathedrals and gardens, is open to the public.

GUM

Across Red Square from the Kremlin is GUM. GUM stands for Gosudarstvennyi Universalnyi Magazin, which means State Department Store, but the name, which dates back to its more austere Soviet past, doesn’t do justice to this monument to luxury and high fashion. No longer a realistic shopping option for your average Russian (or your average foreigner for that matter) the locals joke that GUM houses ‘exhibitions of prices’ rather than shops where people actually buy things. Nevertheless, even if its prices are beyond you, it is worth visiting for its stunning design and architecture and, perhaps, to see how the other half live.

The Moscow Metro

It may seem strange to recommend an underground train system as a tourist attraction, but the Moscow Metro is more than just a convenient way of getting around the city. Many of the stations feature stunning architecture, Soviet paintings, mosaics and bronze sculptures. It is like no underground system you have ever seen before.

The Bolshoi Ballet

No one does high culture better than the Russians and lovers of theatre, opera and classical concerts are well catered for in Moscow. But for a truly iconic Russian experience, what could be better than a night at the Bolshoi? The Bolshoi Ballet company puts on a variety of Russian and foreign works. It is a good idea to book tickets well in advance if possible as it remains as popular as ever.

So, now you’ve seen what this city has to offer, what are you waiting for? If you haven’t done so already, it is time to start looking for flight deals, booking some cheap travel insurance and organising your visa. The sooner you do it, the sooner you can start to enjoy your own fabulous Russian experience.