Be sure these 5 best museums in Moscow make your bucket list when you visit Russia.
Not only are they incredible spaces filled with prized collections, but each sheds a light into the past. These places of historic interest are a worthwhile experience.
And while there are more than 400 museums to choose from in Moscow, these 5 are certainly worth your time.
Continue reading to find out more.
CONTENTS – In this article, you will learn about the best museums in Moscow to visit, including:
- 5 Museums in Moscow with a Fascinating History
- Pushkin State Museum of Fine Art
- The Central Armed Forces Museum
- The Moscow Kremlin
- Lenin’s Mausoleum
- Central House Museum of Aviation and Space
- Final Thoughts
5 Museums to Visit in Moscow to Learn the Fascinating History
By understanding the history of a place, we gain a deeper understanding of the culture, leaders, policies, and initiatives for which they are famous.
And while Moscow is not a place recommended for American travelers right now, it’s a destination full of history.
That always makes a place worth exploring, so keep it on your bucket list.
When you’re ready to visit Moscow, you can apply for a Russian invitation letter for your visa.
Getting a visa for Russia isn’t a hard task but you must apply through an agency. This will help make sure the visa process goes smoothly without any kind of hiccups.
One of the main reasons why tourists are attracted to Moscow is because of its history.
In fact, Moscow there more than 400 private and state museums!
Here in this article, you will learn about 5 of the best museums in Moscow to visit.
The more you learn about Moscow, the better you’ll understand this megacity, better known to Russians as “Moskva.”
1. Pushkin State Museum of Fine Art
The Pushkin Museum is home to a collection of over 700,000 works of art. It’s one of the best museums in Moscow for fine art lovers.
The Impressionist and post-impressionist collection includes works by Matisse, Monet, Picasso, Van Gogh, and others.
But even if art’s not your thing, the history surrounding the art of this incredible collection is fascinating.
Among the art housed here, you’ll discover pieces by French impressionist and modern artists that were confiscated by the Bolshevik revolution.
In addition, the museum is houses a collection of Italian Renaissance sculptures missing from Berlin since World War II.
You’ll also find a collection of Egyptian art and sarcophagi, if ancient history sparks your interest.
Related: Best Art Museums in New England
2. The Moscow Kremlin
The Moscow Kremlin is one of the most popular landmarks in the city of Moscow – and it’s quite beautiful!
It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990, and is considered one of the iconic places in the entirety of Russia.
It’s situated in the middle of Moscow city and it’s now converted into an open-air museum. This makes it quite a tourist attraction, and one of the best museums in Moscow to visit.
Make sure to take a guide along with you when you’re visiting this museum. That way, you’ll get to learn about the rich history of the place.
The museum is so vast that it’s almost impossible to explore the entire place in just one day.
3. The Central Armed Forces Museum
The Central Armed Forces Museum is specifically dedicated to the Soviet army. You might also hear it called “The Museum of the Soviet Army.”
It’s known for having one of the best collections of military equipment from the early Russian wars to the modern-day equipment.
If you’re looking to learn more about the wars and army of Russia, then this museum in Moscow is a must-visit for you.
In the museum, you will get to witness a lot of modern as well as old tanks which have been used in war.
You’ll see aircraft and missiles on displayed in this museum, too. History buffs and military strategists will love this place, making it one of the best museums in Moscow to visit.
4. Lenin’s Mausoleum
Lenin’s Mausoleum is situated in the middle of Red Square.
It’s one of the biggest tourist attractions in the city.
The Bolshevik Revolution’s controversial leader, Vladimir Ilych Lenin, died on 21st January 1924. He has been remembered with help of this structure.
Lenin’s Mausoleum is covered with guards in all corners.
People are allowed to enter in small groups to explore this place.
This museum is open on all days except Mondays and Fridays. The Lenin’s Mausoleum is open from 10 in the morning to 1 in the afternoon.
For its historical value alone, Lenin’s Mausoleum belongs among the best museums in Moscow.
5. Central House Museum of Aviation and Space
Not a lot of people know this, but Moscow is known for being one of the top cities that invest a lot of money in research on space and aviation.
It’s said that the entire country of Russia is proud of the Central House Museum of Aviation and Space. And, it’s easily one of the most beautiful aviation and space museums in the entire world.
In this museum, you will get the chance to see almost more than 36,000 exhibits. They include:
- Space suits
- Trains
- Unique stimulators
- Aircraft models
- Many more things
Central Hour Museum has one of the best collections of Russian history. It deserves a lot more attention than what it gets!
If you’re in Moscow make sure you give this museum a visit.
Even if you’re not interested in space, this museum will surely get you all excited. Allow plenty of time to explore everything inside.
Final Thoughts on Best Museums in Moscow
Moscow is quite an old city and has a lot of history attached to it.
People who travel to Moscow to explore love going to museums to know more about the history of the city. These museums are quite popular and are a must-visit place when in Moscow – especially these 5 best museums in Moscow.
Here’s a tip: Be sure to always carry your Russian visa when visiting these museums, because you might need to show them during your time of entry.
All these museums are well-maintained and you will surely be able to hire a guide who will help you with the history of every item displayed in the museums.
There are a few other museums in Moscow which are worth visiting, like the Moscow Art Museum and the Museum of Moscow — but only if you’ve some extra couple of days to yourself.