Europe attractions

With its underground network of trains and tunnels stretching for more than 190 miles (305 kilometers) across 200-plus stations, Moscow’s metro system covers a lot of territory. It’s more than just a transport hub though. Many metro stations are architectural landmarks, built in Soviet times and dubbed "the palaces of the people."

Opened in 2003, the Izmailovo Kremlin on the outskirts of Moscow pays homage to the other kremlins around Russia. Built in a pseudo-Byzantine style, it was inspired by both Russian fairytales and the design of early Russian palaces. More than a half dozen museums can be found within the Kremlin walls, including the Museum of the History of Vodka, the Museum of Bread, the Museum of Miniatures, the Museum of the History of the Russian Navy and the Chocolate Museum. There are also a couple restaurants and a wooden church dedicated to St. Nicholas of Myra, the patron saint of arts and crafts. Visitors can also learn more about traditional Russian matryoshka (nesting) dolls and even try painting their own. Adjacent to the Kremlin is the Izmailovo Vernissage, a large flea market where visitors can buy a variety of souvenirs and kitschy items such as fur hats, chess sets, Soviet paraphernalia and, of course, matryoshka dolls. Prices are generally lower than elsewhere in Moscow and bartering is expected; transactions are cash only. The Vernissage is open daily, but many vendors only come out on the weekends.

Stretching along the western wall of the Kremlin, Alexander Garden is one of Moscow’s oldest urban parks, laid out in the early 19th century. A popular spot for picnicking and strolling, it’s dotted with historic monuments, lined with colorful flower beds, and has sweeping views of the Kremlin.

While the magnificent Winter Palace is now home to the immense State Hermitage Museum, part of the original royal residence—known as the Winter Palace of Peter the Great (Peter I)—has been preserved, allowing visitors a glimpse of the emperor’s grand living quarters and personal items.

Created in 1941, the Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Moscow Music Theatre may not be as well-known as the famous Bolshoi Theatre, but it has been staging world class opera and ballet performances for nearly a century. The theatre was formed by the combination of the Stanislavski Opera Theatre, originally founded in 1918, and the Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenko Musical Theatre, which produced both musical comedy shows and opera from the 1920s. Today, the theater is based in a building on Bolshaya Dmitrovka Street in the heart of Moscow and features one opera and two chamber music halls. The building was built on the site of Count Pyotr Saltykov’s estate and the lobby integrates remains of the estate dating from the mid-1800s. While showing many classic operas and traditional Russian ballets, the theater is known for being bold and experimental. It was the first in Russia to perform ballets by Nacho Duato, Jiri Kylian and Jorma Elo and hosted the world premiere of Vladimir Kobekin’s Hamlet.

Lisbon’s fascinating history—from the Phoenicians and Romans through the medieval Age Of Discoveries to the devastating 1755 earthquake and the Carnation Revolution in 1974—is condensed into a series of colorful comic strip–style panels at the History of Lisbon Mural. Painted by illustrator Nuno Saraiva, the public artwork is one of Lisbon’s most unique free attractions.

Part of Moscow’s vast All-Russian Exhibition Center (VDNK), the Russia – My History historical park chronicles some of the key moments in Russia’s history through an innovative series of interactive exhibits and multimedia installations. Organized throughout the country by the government and the Russian Orthodox Church, the exhibit offers a nationalistic view of historical events and figures.

One of several churches in Cathedral Square inside the Kremlin, the Assumption Cathedral is arguably the most important. Regarded as the mother church of Muscovite Russia, it was long the place of coronation for the Romanov tsars and the burial place for Moscow metropolitans and patriarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Named after the 1917 revolutionaries who congregated here, this vast pedestrianized square still occasionally serves as a place of protest for Muscovites. On a regular day, however, you’re more likely to encounter sightseers who come to check out surrounding landmarks, such as the art nouveau-style Metropol Hotel.

Russia’s long and turbulent history—from prehistoric times to the early 20th century—is recounted in fascinating detail at this enlightening museum. Housed inside a Russian revivalist building, its 4.5-million-strong collection includes everything from mammoth tusks to treasures belonging to czars, with exhibits arranged chronologically.

The first aquarium of its kind in Russia, the Planet Neptune Oceanarium transports visitors into an underwater world, with more than 4,500 fish and marine creatures. Over 150 different species are represented, including sharks, seals, stingrays, moray eels, and a variety of Russian fish.

Turkish artist and musical icon Zeki Müren is the subject of this eponymous museum, housed in the late singer’s 2-story Bodrum home. Inside, fans can admire many of his elaborately designed stage costumes, browse photographs and memorabilia that span his long career, and see the artist’s original furniture, personal belongings, paintings, and classic car.

The Port of St. Petersburg is the largest port in northwest Russia, serving as one of the world's most popular cruise destinations and the primary gateway between the Baltic Sea and Russia. Ships docking at the St. Petersburg Cruise Port do so in the heart of the city, at Vasilyevsky Island.

The Central Air Force Museum is one of the largest aviation museums in the world, with more than 170 aircraft on display. A must for aviation enthusiasts, the vast collection includes rare Soviet planes, WWII and Cold War bombers, and helicopters.

The Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius has been the spiritual center of the Russian Orthodox Church since the mid-14th century. In the small town of Sergiev Posad along Russia’s Golden Ring, the monastery complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an architectural marvel, capped with blue and gold onion domes and surrounded by castle-like walls.

The Mariinsky is St. Petersburg’s most notable theater, home to the Kirov Ballet (now known as the St. Petersburg Mariinsky Ballet in Russia, and a venue for opera and classical music. As well as the 19th-century building, modern additions have added to the performance space. Arts and culture lovers shouldn’t miss seeing a performance, such as Swan Lake or Anna Karenina.

The grand epicenter of the Kremlin and the official residence of the Russian president, Moscow’s Cathedral Square (or Sobornaya Square) takes its name from the trio of magnificent cathedrals that stand watch over the plaza—the Cathedral of the Dormition, the Cathedral of the Archangel, and the Cathedral of the Annunciation.

With its perfectly preserved medieval architecture and two working drawbridges, Château de Montmuran is a highlight of the Rennes countryside. Join a guided tour to explore its two original 12th-century towers, as well as the imposing gatehouse, guardroom, dungeon, and chapel, plus take in views over the lush Dinan landscape dotted with more than 20 bell towers from atop the fortress walls.

The Snowmaiden's Palace (Terem Snegurochki) is the home of the Russian fairy tale character Snegurochka. It is located a few hours northeast of Moscow in the town of Kostroma on Russia's famous Ring Road. Though the story varies, the Snow Maiden is usually depicted as a daughter, granddaughter, or helper of Father Christmas or Father Frost. The palace in Kostroma is a place where visitors can learn about the Russian folklore in a fantastical setting. It is a fun place for children to explore, hold birthday parties, and make all sorts of crafts including dolls and holiday decorations. Children will believe in magic at the Snow Maiden's Palace. Several different rooms and programs bring them into the fairy tale world with games and holiday traditions throughout the year. Visitors can also learn about traditional Russian dances and other aspects of Russian culture, and it is an entertaining place for adults as well as kids.

GUM is an abbreviation meaning “Main Universal Store”, from the Russian “Глáвный универсáльный магазѝн”. It is the name of a private shopping mall located in central Moscow, just opposite Red Square. The building is a trapezoidal shape, with a steel framework and a glass roof. This made it quite unique at the time of construction, in the 1890s. From 1890 to the 1920s, the Red Square GUM was known as the Upper Trading Rows and served as a State Department Store. It was built to replace the previous trading rows, which were destroyed during the 1812 Fire of Moscow. However, GUM hasn’t always served as a shopping destination. In 1928, Joseph Stalin converted it into office spaces, and it only reopened as a department store in 1953. It then became one of the only stores in the former Soviet Union not to suffer from consumer goods shortage, often resulting in long shopper queues spilling into Red Square.

One of the highlights of Val Veny, the Santuario di Notre-Dame de Guérison is a 19th-century sanctuary set at the mouth of the valley just below the Brenva Glacier. Built to house a Madonna statue believed to have miraculous powers, this pocket-sized church is a popular pilgrimage destination and an attraction for passing hikers and cyclists travelling through the valley to the slopes and peaks above.

Telling the story of the Gulag—the forced labor camps set up by Stalin in the early 20th century—the Gulag History Museum provides a harrowing look at one of the darkest periods in Soviet history. Founded by a former labor camp prisoner, it’s an emotional tribute to those held captive in the camps.

Amsterdam’s top English-language comedy show, Boom Chicago boasts plenty of star alums—including Seth Meyers, Jordan Peele, and Jason Sudeikis. Running for 30-plus years, it’s known for its fast-paced ensemble improv evenings, but also offers Friday night stand-up shows, comedy classes, and sets by touring comedians.

The late 18th-century Mikhailovsky Castle was designed to appease Emperor Paul I’s fear of being assassinated—an impenetrable fortress, protected by fortified ramparts, drawbridges, secret tunnels, and a moat. The Emperor’s paranoia was well-placed; in an ironic twist of fate, the Tsar was murdered in his sleep barely a month after moving in.

From ancient Egyptian art to Byzantine masterpieces, through French impressionism and the Dutch Golden Age; the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts presents one of Russia’s largest and most comprehensive collections of international art. More than 600,000 works feature in the permanent collection, housed in a recently renovated museum complex.

Once a Soviet-era amusement park, Gorky Park (Park Gorkogo) has reinvented itself in recent years as one of Moscow’s most popular public green spaces. More than 300 acres (120 hectares) of parkland stretch along the Moskva River, featuring walking trails, botanical gardens, and recreational areas.

Once the summer residence of the Russian tsars and now a museum, Catherine Palace was named after Catherine I, who had it built in 1717. The structure was later rebuilt into an elaborately decorated Rococo-style palace in 1756 by Bartolomeo Rastrelli under the direction of Empress Elizabeth, meant to rival the Palace of Versailles in France. Today, the palace is famous for its baroque style and neoclassical interior that exemplifies Russian wealth and extravagance. Its main attractions are the Grand Hall, the opulent Amber Room, which is lined with gilded amber wall panels and ornate furniture, and the 1,400-acre (566-hectare) Catherine Park with its masterful landscaping.

Housed in an imposing horseshoe-shaped brick building, the Military Historical Artillery Museum is an impressive structure. The central courtyard is flanked by armoured tanks, and the Russian flag rises proudly from the roof. Inside, the museum houses one of the largest collections of military equipment in the world.

Red Square has been Moscow’s historic and cultural epicenter for centuries, holding everything from a medieval marketplace to Soviet military parades to rock concerts. No visit to the Russian capital is complete without a stroll through the square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that's encircled by some of Moscow’s most iconic landmarks.

The white façade and gleaming copper domes of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior divert attention from its checkered past. Built by Tsar Alexander I to celebrate Russia’s defeat of Napoleon, it was later destroyed by Stalin. Today’s reconstruction was completed in 2000 and holds the title of the tallest Orthodox Christian church in the world.