Moscow in the Rain: Indoor Sightseeing Itinerary: Dry Stops and Art

The Moscow in the Rain: Indoor Sightseeing Itinerary is for the days when the forecast is poor and the plan has to move indoors without losing the main sights. It keeps the outdoor stretches to a few minutes and fills the day with places that have a roof: a Metro station, a shopping arcade, a cathedral and a gallery.

It assumes about eight hours at an easy pace, with a long lunch and one long museum visit. By the end you will have seen bronze statues in a station, the glass-roofed arcade by Red Square, the small rooms inside St. Basil’s Cathedral, a large collection of Russian art and a huge white cathedral, and you will have stayed dry for most of the day.

At a glance: Start in a decorated Metro station, have lunch in the GUM arcade, go inside St. Basil's Cathedral, spend the afternoon in the Tretyakov Gallery and warm up in the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour.

One Wet Day: A Roof Over Every Stop

Each stop has a roof, and the walks between them are short, so the rain matters little. The morning is on Red Square with only a few minutes outdoors, the long middle is the gallery, and the late afternoon is a large church that is free. Check opening days, since the gallery and the Kremlin have weekly closing days.

1. Ploshchad Revolyutsii – Start at this station (Line 3, dark blue), where bronze figures stand between the arches, a few minutes' walk from Red Square under cover of the station exits (20 minutes)
2. Stolovaya 57 – A hot lunch in the self-service canteen in the GUM arcade, under the glass roof, with the walk to GUM only a few minutes across the square; see the How to order food in a Russian canteen guide (45 to 60 minutes)
3. St. Basil's Cathedral – Cross the square to the colored domes and go inside, where the small rooms and passages are the real attraction; the inside has its own ticket and seasonal hours, so check them (45 to 60 minutes)
4. Tretyakov Gallery – Ride to Tretyakovskaya (Line 6, orange, or Line 8, yellow) for the main collection of Russian art in Lavrushinsky Lane; it has its own ticket and a weekly closing day, so check the hours (2 to 3 hours)
5. Cathedral of Christ the Saviour – Ride to Kropotkinskaya (Line 1, red) and warm up in the large white church, which is free to enter and has its own hours that end in the evening (45 to 60 minutes)
6. Moscow Metro Tour: Most Beautiful Stations Itinerary – Finish with a ride through a few of the decorated stations, which cost only the fare and are dry; see this itinerary for the order (45 to 60 minutes)

Tip: Do the Red Square stops first, in the morning, before the crowds arrive with their umbrellas*, and keep the gallery for the middle of the day when the weather is worst.

Moscow Vibes Tips

• Take a compact umbrella and shoes with grip: the cobbles of Red Square and the marble of the stations are slippery when wet.
• Use the Metro for every longer move, since the stations are connected underground and you avoid the street for most of the day.
• In the gallery, choose one or two floors rather than all of it, and rest in the cafe; the Zamoskvorechye and Tretyakov Gallery Walking Itinerary has more on the district.
• If the Kremlin is open, the Armoury is an indoor alternative to the gallery, but it has its own ticket and must be booked; see the Red Square and Moscow Kremlin Walking Itinerary.
• If the rain stops, walk the last stretch outside: the Patriarshy Bridge by the cathedral is a short walk and has the best view of the river.
• Carry a small towel or a spare pair of socks, and some rubles for the canteen, since foreign cards are reported not to work.

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Browse more: All Itineraries · All Seasonal Routes

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FAQ

Can I see St. Basil's Cathedral inside in the rain?

Yes. The inside is a museum of small rooms with its own ticket and seasonal hours; see the How to visit St. Basil's Cathedral guide.

Which indoor sights are free?

The Metro stations, the arcade of GUM and the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour are free to enter; the cathedral has its own hours.

Is the gallery open every day?

No. It has a weekly closing day, reported as Monday, and the hours differ by day, so check the official site; see the How to visit the Tretyakov Gallery guide.

What if it rains on a Thursday?

The Kremlin is closed then, so keep to this plan, which does not need it.

Is the plan good for children?

Yes for older children; for a gentler day see the Moscow with Kids: One-Day Family Itinerary.

Can I add another museum?

Yes. Choose one with a Metro station nearby and replace the gallery or the cathedral; see the Top 10 Must-See Attractions in Moscow list.

What if the rain stops?

Swap in an outdoor stop, such as Zaryadye Park or Gorky Park; see the Kitay-Gorod and Zaryadye Park Walking Itinerary.

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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