The Garage Museum of Contemporary Art Moscow is the city’s best-known contemporary art museum, housed in a rebuilt Soviet modernist restaurant in Gorky Park. Garage Museum of Contemporary Art Moscow tickets cover the exhibitions, while the park around it is free.
The building, the former Vremena Goda restaurant of 1968, was reconstructed by Rem Koolhaas and OMA and opened as the museum in June 2015, with a translucent polycarbonate facade wrapped around the old concrete structure. This guide explains the building, what is inside and how to reach it from the metro.
Quick Facts
| Russian name | Музей современного искусства «Гараж» |
|---|---|
| Built / opened | 2015 |
| Architect(s) | Rem Koolhaas and OMA (reconstruction of the 1968 Vremena Goda restaurant) |
| Address | Gorky Park, Krymsky Val 9/32, Moscow, Russia OpenStreetMap · Google Maps |
| District | Khamovniki |
| Metro | Oktyabrskaya (Line 6 (Kaluzhsko-Rizhskaya, orange) and Line 5 (Koltsevaya, brown), about 10–15 min walk through Gorky Park) Park Kultury (Line 1 (Sokolnicheskaya, red) and Line 5 (Koltsevaya, brown), about 10–15 min walk through Gorky Park) |
| Opening hours | The museum is open daily from 11:00 to 22:00, and the ticket office closes 30 minutes before the museum closes.
Some events and special exhibitions can follow different schedules (as of October 2026 – check the official site, garagemca.org). |
| Admission | A ticket is needed for the exhibitions, and some special exhibitions may need separate tickets. The current price was not confirmed, so check the official site. |
| Best time to visit | Weekday afternoons are calmer, and the museum is open until 22:00, so an evening visit works well. The building is indoors, which makes it a good choice for cold or wet days.
In summer the park around it is busy, so allow extra time to walk from the metro. |
| Recommended duration | 2–3 hours |
| Website | garagemca.org/en |
| Last updated | October 6, 2026 |
What Is (and Isn't) Part of a Visit to Garage Museum of Contemporary Art Moscow?
| Part | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Exhibition galleries | Included in the standard ticket | Covered by the museum ticket; five galleries with changing exhibitions. |
| Special exhibitions | Separate ticket or institution | Some may need a separate ticket. |
| Library, bookshop and cafe | Included in the standard ticket | Open under their own hours; purchases and meals are paid. |
| Gorky Park Moscow | Outside / not part of it | A free park around the museum with its own attractions; see its article. |
| Muzeon Art Park Moscow | Outside / not part of it | A sculpture park across the area, free to walk through. |
| New Tretyakov Gallery Moscow | Outside / not part of it | A separate museum of 20th-century art across Krymsky Val with its own ticket. |
| Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center Moscow | Outside / not part of it | It now occupies the Bakhmetevsky Bus Garage, the museum's first home. |
Why Visit Garage Museum of Contemporary Art Moscow?
The building is part of the visit. The derelict restaurant of 1968 was kept as a structure, wrapped in a double layer of translucent polycarbonate and filled with five galleries, with original mosaics and tiles preserved inside.
The museum shows contemporary art with exhibitions of Russian and international artists, and holds what it describes as the only public archive of Russian contemporary art from the 1950s onward. It also has a library, a bookshop, a cafe and a creative center for children.
It sits in the middle of Gorky Park, so it combines easily with a walk by the river, the Muzeon sculpture park and the New Tretyakov Gallery.
Highlights of Garage Museum of Contemporary Art Moscow
The Koolhaas building
The museum occupies the former Vremena Goda restaurant of 1968, which stood derelict for about 20 years. Rem Koolhaas and OMA kept the concrete structure and wrapped it in a double layer of translucent polycarbonate, with tall sliding panels.
The building is raised about two meters above the ground, giving views over Gorky Park from inside.
Tip: Look at the facade from the park paths at different times of day, since the polycarbonate changes with the light.
The Soviet mosaics
Some original elements of the Soviet building were kept, including mosaics, decorative tiles and brickwork. A mosaic called The Fall, from the 1960s, is described as a key element and symbol of the new museum.
They show the building's earlier life as one of the park's best-known restaurants.
Tip: Look for the preserved mosaics as you move between the galleries, since they are easy to pass by.
The galleries and temporary exhibitions
Five exhibition galleries are spread through the building, with changing exhibitions of Russian and international contemporary art.
Some special exhibitions may need a separate ticket, so check the program before you go.
Tip: Look at the current exhibition list on the museum's site, since the visit depends on what is on.
The library and archive
The museum has a library described as Russia's first public library devoted to the history and theory of contemporary art, and a collection described as the only public archive on the development of Russian contemporary art from the 1950s.
They are the research side of the museum, and open to readers under their own rules.
Tip: Check the library's hours separately if you want to use it.
The bookshop and cafe
The museum has a bookshop with art books and publications, and a cafe, which make it easy to spend a long visit in one place.
Prices and menus were not confirmed.
Tip: Plan a break in the cafe between galleries; the building is large.
The setting in Gorky Park
The museum stands in the middle of Gorky Park, close to the river and the Muzeon sculpture park, and many visitors combine them in one day.
Before 2015 it was in a temporary pavilion in the park by Shigeru Ban, and before that in the Bakhmetevsky Bus Garage, which gave it its name.
Tip: Walk through the park from Oktyabrskaya metro station to arrive, rather than by taxi.
Atmosphere
From the outside, the museum is a glowing box in the middle of the park, a pale translucent shell that looks soft in daylight and lit from inside at dusk. Inside, the spaces are large and bright, with white walls, concrete and the old mosaics left in place.
Visitors move slowly, often in small groups or alone with headphones, and the sound is footsteps and low voices. Students and young Muscovites fill the cafe and the bookshop.
In the evening the museum stays open until 22:00, and the park outside is busy with walkers. In winter, the polycarbonate glows against the snow.
History of Garage Museum of Contemporary Art Moscow
The Garage was founded in 2008 by Dasha Zhukova as the Garage Center for Contemporary Culture, and, according to some sources, with Roman Abramovich. It is a non-profit project of the IRIS Foundation.
From 2008 to 2011 it occupied the Bakhmetevsky Bus Garage on Obraztsova Street, a constructivist building by Konstantin Melnikov, which gave the museum its name. The building later became home to the Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center.
From 2012 to 2015 the museum was based in a temporary pavilion in Gorky Park designed by the Japanese architect Shigeru Ban. It changed its status to a museum in 2014.
On 12 June 2015 it moved to its first permanent home, the former Vremena Goda restaurant in Gorky Park. The restaurant, a Soviet modernist building of 1968, had been derelict for about 20 years before it was bought for the museum.
Rem Koolhaas and OMA led the reconstruction. They kept the concrete structure, wrapped it in a double layer of translucent polycarbonate and preserved some original mosaics, tiles and brickwork. The building has five exhibition galleries, a library, a bookshop, a cafe and a creative center for children.
The museum has organized the Garage Triennial of Russian Contemporary Art, the first in 2017 and the second in 2020, and exhibitions of international artists. Its collection includes an archive on the development of Russian contemporary art from the 1950s.
Today the Garage is one of the best-known museums of contemporary art in Moscow and a regular stop on a visit to Gorky Park.
Tickets and Booking for Garage Museum of Contemporary Art Moscow
| Ticket | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Museum ticket | See the official page | Entry to the exhibitions; the current price was not confirmed, and some special exhibitions may need a separate ticket. |
₽ budget · ₽₽ moderate · ₽₽₽ upscale · ₽₽₽₽ splurge. Price levels are estimates compared with typical prices for visitors.
Buy tickets on the museum’s official site, garagemca.org, or at the ticket office, which closes 30 minutes before the museum does. The online booking window and prices were not confirmed, so check the ticket page for your date; if a date does not show, sales for it may not have opened yet.
- Special exhibitions: some events and exhibitions may need separate tickets.
- Entrance: in the middle of Gorky Park, a walk from the park’s main entrance.
Payment options for foreign cards were not verified, so carry some cash. Rates for Russian citizens and concessions differ. All categories are on the official site, garagemca.org.
Plan and Book
Suggested itineraries Garage Museum of Contemporary Art Moscow
2 hours
Walk through Gorky Park from Oktyabrskaya metro station to the museum, see two or three galleries and the preserved mosaics, then have a coffee in the cafe.
3 hours
See all the galleries and the current special exhibition, then visit the bookshop and the library. Look at the facade from the park before you leave.
Half day
Combine the Garage with the Muzeon Art Park and the New Tretyakov Gallery across Krymsky Val, then walk along the river in Gorky Park in the evening.
How to Get to Garage Museum of Contemporary Art Moscow
The museum stands in the middle of Gorky Park, south of the center of Moscow, on Krymsky Val.
- Oktyabrskaya (Line 6, Kaluzhsko-Rizhskaya, orange, and Line 5, Koltsevaya, brown): about 10 to 15 minutes on foot through Gorky Park from the main entrance.
- Park Kultury (Line 1, Sokolnicheskaya, red, and Line 5, Koltsevaya, brown): about 10 to 15 minutes on foot through the park.
A taxi can drop you near the park’s entrance on Krymsky Val. The walking time depends on the entrance you choose, so check a map.
Accessibility
Accessibility details were not confirmed. The building is modern and the museum's design raises it about two meters above the ground, so check the entrance arrangements. Contact the museum before visiting if you need step-free access or assistance, and check garagemca.org for current information.
Food Nearby
The museum has a cafe, and Gorky Park around it has many cafes, restaurants and food stalls. The Muzeon Art Park and the river embankment have more options. Menus and hours change by season, so check opening times before you go.
What to Bring
Bring comfortable shoes for the walk through the park and for the galleries, and a layer for the air conditioning. Large bags may need to be left in a cloakroom.
Best Views and Photo Spots of Garage Museum of Contemporary Art Moscow
Facade from the park paths
The translucent polycarbonate shell of the building seen through the trees, glowing against the sky.
Best time: Dusk, when the building is lit from inside
Preserved mosaic inside
One of the original Soviet mosaics set in the new concrete and glass interior, if photography is allowed.
Best time: Weekday afternoons, with fewer visitors
Gallery spaces
The large, bright rooms with white walls and exposed concrete, subject to the exhibition's photography rules.
Best time: Weekday mornings
Park view from the raised floor
The view over Gorky Park from the raised level of the building.
Best time: Late afternoon
Photography Rules
Photography rules inside the galleries were not confirmed and often differ by exhibition, so follow signs and staff instructions and avoid flash. The building's exterior can be photographed freely from the park. Drone rules in Moscow are strict and change.
Family Suitability
The museum suits school-age and older children interested in art, and it has a creative center for children. The galleries are large and quiet, so younger children may tire quickly. Strollers are likely to be accepted in the modern building, but access was not confirmed. Gorky Park around it is good for families.
Moscow Vibes Tips
- Check the current exhibition list first; the visit depends on what is on, and special exhibitions may need extra tickets.
- Look for the preserved Soviet mosaics, especially The Fall, which are easy to miss among the new galleries.
- Do not confuse the building with the old Bakhmetevsky Bus Garage; that is now the Jewish Museum, not the Garage.
- Walk through Gorky Park to arrive, and allow extra time in summer when the paths are busy.
- Combine the museum with the Muzeon Art Park and the New Tretyakov Gallery, which are close to each other.
- Visit in the evening when the building is lit; the museum stays open until 22:00.
Explore Nearby Garage Museum of Contemporary Art Moscow
Sights near Garage Museum of Contemporary Art Moscow
Gorky Park Moscowabout 150 m away (~3 min walk) · typical visit: 2–4 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Muzeon Art Park Moscowabout 500 m away (~8 min walk) · typical visit: 1–2 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
New Tretyakov Gallery Moscowabout 400 m away (~7 min walk) · typical visit: 2–3 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Cathedral of Christ the Saviour Moscow – about 1.8 km away (~29 min walk) · typical visit: 45 minutes to 1.5 hours; about 1 hour 20 minutes for the full guided tourMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts Moscowabout 2.1 km away · typical visit: 2–3 hours per buildingMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Museum of Moscowabout 1.1 km away (~17 min walk) · typical visit: About 1.5 to 2 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Metro stations near Garage Museum of Contemporary Art Moscow
Oktyabrskaya Metro Stationabout 550 m away (~9 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Park Kultury Metro Stationabout 900 m away (~15 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Restaurants and cafes near Garage Museum of Contemporary Art Moscow
Mushroomsabout 1.4 km away (~22 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Hotels near Garage Museum of Contemporary Art Moscow
Maidens Hotel Moscowabout 1.5 km away (~24 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Library Hostel Moscowabout 2.0 km awayMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Ibis Moscow Centre Bakhrushinaabout 2.3 km awayMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Events and traditions near Garage Museum of Contemporary Art Moscow
Moscow Summer Fairabout 1.6 km away (~26 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Orthodox Easter in Moscowabout 1.8 km away (~30 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Orthodox Christmas in Moscowabout 1.8 km away (~30 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
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FAQ: Garage Museum of Contemporary Art Moscow
Is Garage inside Gorky Park?
Yes, in the middle of the park, but it is a separate museum with its own ticket. See the Gorky Park Moscow article for the park.
What is the building?
The former Vremena Goda restaurant of 1968, reconstructed by Rem Koolhaas and OMA and opened as the museum in June 2015.
Why is it called Garage?
The museum was first in the Bakhmetevsky Bus Garage on Obraztsova Street, which gave it its name.
What does the museum show?
Contemporary art, with changing exhibitions of Russian and international artists, and an archive on Russian contemporary art from the 1950s.
Is there a library?
Yes, described as Russia's first public library devoted to the history and theory of contemporary art.
How long do I need?
About two to three hours for the galleries, plus time for the cafe and the bookshop.
When is it open?
Daily from 11:00 to 22:00, with the ticket office closing 30 minutes earlier. See the opening hours.
How do I get there?
By metro to Oktyabrskaya or Park Kultury, then a walk through Gorky Park. See the getting there section.
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Last updated: October 6, 2026.
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