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3 Days in Moscow: Complete City Itinerary: Day-by-Day Plan

By Moscow Vibes ·

3 Days in Moscow: Complete City Itinerary: Day-by-Day Plan
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3 Days in Moscow: Complete City Itinerary is for a first visit that has room for more than the central square. The first day covers the historic core on foot, the second adds a large cathedral, the main Russian art gallery and the riverside parks, and the third goes out to a convent, a viewing hill and the old exhibition grounds.

It assumes about seven to eight hours of sightseeing a day, one long lunch and several short Metro rides. By the end you will have seen the Kremlin and Red Square, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, a collection of Russian art, Gorky Park, Novodevichy Convent, the city skyline from Sparrow Hills and the grounds of VDNH.

At a glance: Day 1 is the historic core on foot. Day 2 follows the river from the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour and the Tretyakov Gallery to Gorky Park. Day 3 goes west and north: Novodevichy, Sparrow Hills, Arbat and VDNH.

Day 1: The Kremlin, Red Square and Zaryadye

A compact first day within a few hundred meters of Red Square, mostly on foot. The Kremlin takes the morning, since it has timed entry and the longest visit, and the afternoon is lighter, with the square, the cathedral and the park by the river. Finish in the old merchant quarter.

  1. Alexander Garden – Start at Aleksandrovsky Sad (Line 4, light blue); walk along the Kremlin wall to the Kutafya Tower, the visitor entrance (20 minutes)
  2. Moscow Kremlin – Cathedral Square and the grounds have one ticket and the Armoury another; the Kremlin is closed on Thursdays and the hours change by season, so check them (2 to 3 hours)
  3. Red Square – Walk through the Resurrection Gate for the view of the Kremlin wall, GUM and the colored domes; the Kazan Cathedral on the corner is a free working church (30 minutes)
  4. St. Basil's Cathedral – Look at the domes from every side; the inside has its own ticket and the opening hours change by season (20 minutes outside, 45 to 60 minutes inside)
  5. Zaryadye Park – Walk down behind the cathedral to the floating bridge over the Moskva River for the view of the Kremlin (1 hour)
  6. Kitay-Gorod – Walk back through the old merchant quarter and Varvarka Street to Kitay-Gorod Metro (Lines 6 and 7) (30 minutes)

Tip: Buy the Kremlin ticket in advance for the first morning slot and keep everything else on foot, so that you reach Zaryadye when the light is best.

Day 2: The Cathedral, the Gallery and the River

The second day moves south along the river, with one large church, one major art collection and one big park, with Metro rides between them. The pace is slower, with a long gallery visit in the middle of the day and an open afternoon on the riverside.

  1. Cathedral of Christ the Saviour – Start at Kropotkinskaya (Line 1, red); the large church is free to enter, and the Patriarshy Bridge outside gives a view of the river (45 to 60 minutes)
  2. Tretyakov Gallery – The main collection of Russian art in Lavrushinsky Lane, with its own ticket; check the closing day (2 to 3 hours)
  3. Krymsky Val – Walk or ride to this embankment street on the way to the park, past the Muzeon sculpture park (30 minutes)
  4. Gorky Park – The park is free to enter, with a riverside promenade, a beach zone in summer and a free skating rink in winter (1.5 to 2 hours)
  5. Moscow Metro – End with a ride through a few of the decorated stations; see the How to see the most beautiful Moscow Metro stations in one route guide (45 to 60 minutes)

Tip: Swap the gallery and the park if it rains: the Tretyakov Gallery is an indoor visit and Gorky Park is better in dry weather.

Day 3: Novodevichy, Sparrow Hills, Arbat and VDNH

The third day covers the west and north of the city. The morning is spent at a convent and on a viewing hill, the middle of the day on a pedestrian street, and the evening on the old exhibition grounds, which are open around the clock. It involves the most Metro time of the three days.

  1. Novodevichy – Start at Sportivnaya (Line 1, red); the convent has a ticket for its grounds and some churches, and its hours and closing day should be checked (1.5 to 2 hours)
  2. Sparrow Hills – Ride to Vorobyovy Gory (Line 1, red) for the viewing terrace over the river bend and the university tower (1 hour)
  3. Arbat – Ride to Arbatskaya (Line 3, dark blue) for the pedestrian street and a late lunch; the side streets are quieter (1 to 1.5 hours)
  4. VDNH and Ostankino – Ride to VDNKh (Line 6, orange) for the grounds, which are free, with fountains and pavilions that have their own tickets; see the How to visit VDNKh guide (2 hours)

Tip: Leave Novodevichy by early afternoon, because the Metro ride to VDNKh crosses the city and the grounds are best seen before dark.

Moscow Vibes Tips

  • Put the Kremlin on the first or second day and not on a Thursday, when it is closed; the rest of the plan has no fixed closing day, so it can move around that.
  • Ride the Metro in the middle of the day, not at rush hours, when the central stations are crowded; see the How to avoid rush hour in the Moscow Metro guide if it exists, or plan the rides between 10:00 and 16:00.
  • Eat the main meal at an unusual hour on day two, since the cafes near the Tretyakov Gallery fill up at midday.
  • Use the third day as a buffer: if you are tired, drop Arbat and go straight from Sparrow Hills to VDNH.
  • Carry a power bank and some rubles on the third day, since the distances are larger and foreign cards are reported not to work.
  • Add the Bolshoi Theatre in the evening of day one or two only with tickets booked in advance; see the How to buy tickets for the Bolshoi Theatre guide.

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FAQ

Is three days enough for Moscow?

Three days cover the main sights: the Kremlin and Red Square, a major gallery, a park, a convent, a viewpoint and the VDNH grounds. They do not allow for several museums or the day trips.

Which day should I do the Kremlin?

Day one, or any day except Thursday. Buy the ticket in advance; see the How to buy tickets for the Moscow Kremlin guide.

Is the Armoury included?

No. The Armoury Chamber and the Diamond Fund are separate visits; see the How to visit the Armoury Chamber and the Diamond Fund guide if you want to add them.

Do I need tickets in advance?

For the Kremlin and the Bolshoi Theatre, yes; for the Tretyakov Gallery it is wise on busy days. The parks, Red Square and the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour are free to enter.

How much walking is there each day?

About six to nine kilometers a day, with Metro rides between the later stops.

Can I do this with children?

Yes for older children; the floating bridge, Gorky Park and VDNH are easy highlights. You can shorten the gallery and the convent.

What if it rains?

Swap the outdoor stops for indoor ones: the inside of St. Basil's Cathedral, the Tretyakov Gallery and the Metro stations, and keep the parks for a dry hour.

Can I pay with a foreign card?

Foreign Visa and Mastercard cards are reported not to work in Russia, and your country's sanctions rules may restrict some services, so carry some rubles and check this yourself.

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Last updated: October 8, 2026.

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