Have you ever wondered whether there’s more to Moscow than the brightly lit Kremlin and busy central streets? This unique city harbors a lot of secret locations that you won’t find in any tourist guidebook. These are the kind of places that you want to go to in order to experience the more authentic side of the capital. Here’s our list of the top 10 secret spots in Moscow totally worth checking out:
Address: 36 Khamovnicheskiy Val (Vystavochnaya tube station)
This relatively small museum is nestled inside one of Moscow’s tube stations – it depicts the history of the Moscow metro system in a few concise exhibition halls. What’s more, the museum is entirely free and usually empty because it is rarely publicised.
Address: 80 Sovetskaya Street
Even though it’s a bit far from the city centre, Stalin’s bunker is definitely worth a visit when you’re in Moscow. This luxurious bunker consists of a conference hall, a dining room, some office rooms, and a couple of supply rooms. It’s truly one of the most exciting secret spots in Moscow that not even many locals know about.
Address: 21 Bolshoi Haritonievsky Lane
A beautiful construction located amid the busy Moscow streets, the Volkov Yusupov Palace dates all the way back to the 16th century. It has still retained its unique historical charm – after all, it has been occupied by Ivan the Terrible and a number of other prominent Russian political figures.
Address: 10 Smolenskaya Embankment
The Russians loved Conan Doyle’s creations so much that they even erected a monument to immortalise their love and respect for the famous duo. Guess what – this monument is the only one in the world that depicts the two heroes side by side. What an incredible way to remember such a spectacular work of literature!
Address: 123B Prospect Mira
This museum is relatively new compared to other attractions in the city, which is part of the reason why it’s not as crowded and therefore less well known. It showcases a wide range of exhibitions that vary from Socialist Realism to contemporary photography projects.
Address: Kolkhoznaya Street, Bykovo
A beautiful Gothic-style Church surrounded contemporary dacha houses, the Church of Vladimir in Bykovo is a unique sight that not even many Moscow residents know about. It’s an impressive structure, considering that it has managed to survive in its original state and was untouched by modern development.
Address: 5 Sharikopodshipnikovskaya Street
Designed by the talented British architect Zaha Hadid, the Dominion building is easily one of the most incredible modern buildings in the entire country. Its intricate design and impressive execution make it a popular attraction for local residents. It’s certainly a singular sight that you have to check out.
Address: 13a Posadskaya Street, Kolomna
Dedicated to the famous Russian sweet, the Pastila Museum is worth a visit not just for educational purposes. Imagine how many delicious sweets you could try, all in the space of a few hours! The Kolomna Museum has managed to revive the traditional recipes, which make their pastila all the more authentic.
Address: 12 Kuznetskiy Most Street
Have you ever wondered what kind of arcades people enjoyed behind the Iron Curtain? This interactive museum takes you on a journey through time as it transports you into a world of immortalized Soviet gaming. They are currently in the process of restoring more machines, so the museum will only increase in size in the coming years.
Address: 332 First Gardens
A secret spot that’s been frozen in time since the 1980s, this incredible public museum depicts what life was like in Soviet dachas. These summer homes were (and still are) an important part of people’s lifestyle and have retained that unique atmosphere of the bygone years.
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