A riverside walk from the pedestrian Patriarshy Bridge past the Muzeon sculpture park and Krymsky Bridge to Gorky Park and the quiet paths of Neskuchny Garden.
Follow the Moskva River on a scenic walking tour from Patriarshy Bridge to Neskuchny Garden Moscow. This route suits first-time visitors, photographers, couples and anyone who enjoys exploring a city on foot. Allow approximately two to two and a half hours, including time for the audio commentary, photographs and short breaks. Along the way, you will see the Peter the Great Statue, outdoor sculptures in Muzeon Park of Arts, the distinctive Krymsky Bridge and the riverside paths of Gorky Park. The walk combines Moscow's architecture, public art and green spaces with changing views of the river.
The route at a glance
- Patriarshy Bridge
- Peter the Great Statue
- Muzeon Park of Arts
- Krymsky Bridge
- Gorky Park
- Neskuchny Garden Moscow
- 1
Patriarshy Bridge
We start on the Patriarshy Bridge, a steel pedestrian bridge that links the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour with the island of Bersenevka. It crosses both the Moskva river and the Vodootvodny Canal, and it lies a little over half a kilometer west of the Kremlin. Stop in the middle and look in both directions: the water, the embankments and the city on each side make a good opening to our walk.
- 2
Peter the Great Statue
Follow the embankment and you will see an enormous monument at the point where the Moskva river and the Vodootvodny Canal meet. This is the statue of Peter the Great by the sculptor Zurab Tsereteli, made to honor the Russian navy, and it rises to nearly a hundred meters. It stands on a tall base shaped like a ship's rigging. Walk closer to see its scale, then continue south along the water.
- 3
Muzeon Park of Arts
Now we enter the Muzeon Park of Arts, the largest open-air sculpture museum in Russia, with more than a thousand works. Among the modern pieces you will find old Soviet statues that were moved here from public squares. The park lies beside the large building on Krymsky Val that houses the New Tretyakov Gallery and the Central House of Artists. Wander along the paths and look at the sculptures from different angles before you move on.
- 4
Krymsky Bridge
Next you reach Krymsky Bridge, a steel suspension bridge and the only suspension bridge in Moscow. It links Zubovsky Boulevard on one side with Krymsky Val on the other, and the Metro stations Park Kultury and Oktyabrskaya are both nearby. Look up at the long cables and the tall towers, then walk under the wide passage by the embankment that leads toward Gorky Park, which is our next stop.
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Gorky Park
Gorky Park is the best-known park in Moscow, running along the river. Its main entrance is a colonnaded portal facing Krymsky Val, a recognizable landmark that many visitors use as a meeting point. Inside there are wide paths, open lawns, cafes and places to rent bikes. Take a slow turn around the central alleys, find a bench by the water if you like, and then follow the signs that lead toward Neskuchny Garden.
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Neskuchny Garden Moscow
We finish in Neskuchny Garden, the oldest park in Moscow, which runs along the embankment of the Moskva river. Its name means not boring, and it was formed from several old estates. You will find shaded paths, ponds, small bridges over the ravines and the old Orlov house, as well as the Green Theatre, one of the largest open-air amphitheaters in Europe. Slow down here and enjoy the quiet at the end of your walk.
Final thoughts
Your walk along the Moskva River has revealed a quieter side of Moscow, where monumental sculptures, modern bridges and landscaped parks sit beside the water. From the open river views at Patriarshy Bridge to the wooded paths of Neskuchny Garden, the route has shown how the city's public spaces connect. After finishing, explore the garden's winding paths and historic features, or find a peaceful spot overlooking the river to enjoy the surroundings.
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