The Moscow Sun Ferris Wheel, officially the Sun of Moscow, is a 140-meter observation wheel at VDNKh in northern Moscow and the tallest in Europe. Moscow Sun Ferris Wheel tickets cover one ride of about 18 minutes 40 seconds in an enclosed, climate-controlled cabin.
It opened in 2022 on the site of an older wheel, and it offers views over VDNKh, the Ostankino Tower, the Stalin-era skyscrapers and, on a clear day, much of the city. This guide explains the ticket types, the glass-floor cabins and how to reach the wheel from VDNKh metro station.
Quick Facts
| Russian name | Солнце Москвы |
|---|---|
| Built / opened | 2022 |
| Address | VDNKh, 2nd Ostankinskaya Street 3, Moscow, Russia OpenStreetMap · Google Maps |
| District | Ostankinsky |
| Metro | VDNKh (Line 6 (Kaluzhsko-Rizhskaya, orange), about 10–15 min walk through the VDNKh grounds) |
| Opening hours | The official site lists weekends and public holidays from 10:00 to 23:00. A recent guide says the wheel runs daily until 22:00 all year.
The wheel can stop in extreme cold or strong wind, so check conditions before you go (as of October 2026 – check the official site, en.moscow-sun.ru). |
| Admission | A standard ticket was reported at the upscale level (₽₽₽), with a lower fare (₽₽₽) for children aged 4 to 13 and free for children under 3. A glass-floor cabin costs more, in the upscale range (₽₽₽). VDNKh itself is free to enter. |
| Best time to visit | Clear evenings near sunset are the best time, when the light is warm and the city lights come on. Weekday mornings are calmer, with shorter waits.
The enclosed cabins run all year, but the wheel can stop in extreme cold or strong wind. Fog and low cloud hide the view, so check the forecast. |
| Recommended duration | 1–1.5 hours |
| Website | en.moscow-sun.ru |
| Last updated | October 6, 2026 |
What Is (and Isn't) Part of a Visit to Moscow Sun Ferris Wheel?
| Part | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ride on the Ferris wheel | Separate ticket or institution | A ticket is needed for each ride; children under 3 ride free. |
| Glass-floor cabin | Separate ticket or institution | A higher-priced ticket for one of the five glass-floor cabins. |
| Promenade and complex grounds | Included in the standard ticket | Free to walk through, with entrances from the VDNKh side and the center. |
| VDNKh grounds | Outside / not part of it | The exhibition park is free to enter; see the VDNKh Moscow article. |
| Moskvarium | Outside / not part of it | A separate aquarium at VDNKh with its own ticket. |
| Ostankino Tower Moscow | Outside / not part of it | A separate observation tower nearby with its own tickets. |
Why Visit Moscow Sun Ferris Wheel?
The wheel gives one of the highest views in Moscow, at 140 meters, and the ride is slow and calm, with a full turn taking 18 minutes 40 seconds. On a clear day visibility is up to about 50 kilometers, and more than 30 landmarks can be picked out.
Each of the 30 cabins is enclosed, air-conditioned and heated, so the ride works in any weather. Five cabins have glass floors for a view straight down.
It also sits inside VDNKh, which is free to enter and has pavilions, fountains and the Moskvarium nearby, so the ride fits naturally into a half-day visit to the exhibition park.
How Moscow Sun Ferris Wheel Is Laid Out
The wheel stands at the southern end of the VDNKh grounds, near the Moskvarium, on a raised platform with a promenade around it.
The complex of about 26,000 square meters has a city promenade, entertainment spaces and the wheel itself. It can be entered from the VDNKh side and through a central entrance. The 30 enclosed cabins load from the platform, and a ride takes about 18 minutes 40 seconds for a full turn.
VDNKh’s main avenue, with its fountains and pavilions, lies to the north, and the Ostankino Tower is visible to the northwest.
A sensible route is to walk from VDNKh metro station along the main avenue, ride the wheel, then continue to the pavilions or the Moskvarium. Riding near sunset gives the best light.
Highlights of Moscow Sun Ferris Wheel
The wheel and the ride
At 140 meters, the Moscow Sun is the tallest Ferris wheel in Europe, with 30 enclosed cabins carrying up to 15 people each. One turn takes 18 minutes 40 seconds, slow enough to take photographs and pick out landmarks.
It replaced the earlier Moscow-850 wheel, which was dismantled in 2016, and opened in September 2022.
Tip: Ride near sunset for the best light and to see the lights of the city come on.
Glass-floor cabins
Five of the 30 cabins have transparent floors, which give a 360-degree view including straight down to the ground.
They cost more than a standard cabin, about ₽₽₽ on a recent guide, and are popular, so booking in advance helps.
Tip: Choose a glass-floor cabin on a clear day; in cloud or fog the extra view is lost.
The view over Moscow
On a clear day visibility reaches about 50 kilometers, and more than 30 landmarks can be seen, including VDNKh, the Ostankino Tower, the Stalin-era skyscrapers, the Spasskaya Tower and the skyscrapers of Moscow City.
The ride gives a gradual climb, so there is time to find each landmark.
Tip: Bring your phone camera and look for the Ostankino Tower first; it is the easiest landmark to identify.
The city promenade
The wheel stands in a complex of about 26,000 square meters with a promenade, entertainment spaces and views of the wheel from below.
It can be entered from the VDNKh side and through a central entrance, and it is free to walk around.
Tip: Walk the promenade before or after your ride for views of the wheel against the sky.
VDNKh next door
The wheel stands inside VDNKh, a large exhibition park with pavilions, fountains and the Moskvarium. VDNKh is free to enter, while attractions inside have their own tickets.
It is covered in its own article and combines easily with the ride.
Tip: Plan the wheel as the end of a VDNKh day, when the lights of the park come on.
Atmosphere
The wheel is a quiet presence at the edge of VDNKh: a very large white ring turning slowly against the sky, with cabins lit from inside at night. Around it, the platform is open and breezy, with families, couples and groups of friends waiting their turn.
Inside a cabin, the sound is a gentle hum and the voices of fellow passengers, with the city spreading out below in a flat grid of roofs and avenues. The ride is smooth, and the horizon opens gradually.
In the evening the park is lit, the promenade is full of walkers and the wheel is at its busiest. On weekday mornings it is calmer, with short waits.
History of Moscow Sun Ferris Wheel
The wheel at VDNKh has a short history. An earlier wheel, Moscow-850, stood in the park for years and was among the tallest in Russia until a wheel opened near Sochi in 2012. In 2015 a court decided in favor of VDNKh in a dispute over the lease, and the old wheel was dismantled in 2016.
A concept for developing the united territory of VDNKh, the Botanical Garden and Ostankino Park, developed in 2015, included a new Ferris wheel 135 to 140 meters high in the southern part of VDNKh.
Construction of the new wheel began in November 2020 and was completed in July 2022. It was built as a steel structure with 30 cabins, each weighing about 4,300 kilograms and carrying up to 15 people, and the wheel weighs about 1,500 tons.
The wheel opened on 10 September 2022, in time for City Day on 11 September, when Moscow celebrated its 875th anniversary. On the first day there were queues of several hours, and the first wedding ceremony took place in a cabin.
At 140 meters, it became the tallest Ferris wheel in Europe and the tallest in Russia. It remains among the tallest in the world, though several larger wheels have since been built elsewhere.
Today the Sun of Moscow is part of a multifunctional complex with a promenade and entertainment spaces, and it is one of the main attractions at VDNKh, running all year with enclosed, climate-controlled cabins.
Tickets and Booking for Moscow Sun Ferris Wheel
| Ticket | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard adult ticket | About ₽₽₽ | One ride of about 18 minutes 40 seconds in an enclosed cabin; a recent guide gives this price, so check the current figure. |
| Child ticket, ages 4 to 13 | About ₽₽₽ | One ride; children under 3 ride free according to the same guide. |
| Glass-floor cabin | About ₽₽₽ | One ride in one of the five cabins with a transparent floor. |
Buy tickets on the wheel’s official site, en.moscow-sun.ru, or at the ticket points on site. The online booking window was not confirmed, so check the ticket page for your date; if a date does not show, sales for it may not have opened yet. Queues were long on the opening day, and weekend evenings can be busy.
- Cabins: each holds up to 15 people and the ride takes about 18 minutes 40 seconds.
- Glass floor: five cabins have transparent floors and a higher price.
- Entrance: the complex can be entered from the VDNKh side and through a central 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, en.moscow-sun.ru.
Plan and Book
Suggested Itineraries for Moscow Sun Ferris Wheel
1 hour
Walk from VDNKh metro station along the main avenue to the wheel, take one ride and walk back through the park.
2–3 hours
Ride the wheel near sunset, then walk the promenade and the VDNKh avenue as the lights come on. Finish at a cafe in the park.
Half day
Visit a pavilion or the Moskvarium in the afternoon, then ride the wheel in the early evening. Continue to the Ostankino Tower area if you still have time.
How to Get to Moscow Sun Ferris Wheel
The wheel is at the southern end of the VDNKh grounds in northern Moscow.
- VDNKh (Line 6, Kaluzhsko-Rizhskaya, orange): about a 10 to 15 minute walk through the VDNKh grounds, along the main avenue and past the fountains.
A taxi can drop you near the entrance on 2nd Ostankinskaya Street. The monorail and tram also serve the area; check current routes and fares.
Accessibility
Accessibility details were not confirmed. The cabins are enclosed and load from a platform, and the promenade and the VDNKh grounds are mostly paved and flat. Contact the wheel's operator through the official site before visiting if you need step-free access or assistance with boarding.
Food Nearby
VDNKh has many cafes, food halls and kiosks, especially along the main avenue and near the Moskvarium, and the complex around the wheel has entertainment venues. Menus and hours change by season, so check opening times before you go.
What to Bring
Bring a camera or phone and a light layer for the platform, which can be windy. Cabins are air-conditioned and heated, so you do not need heavy clothing inside.
Best Views and Photo Spots of Moscow Sun Ferris Wheel
Inside a cabin at the top
A wide view over VDNKh, the Ostankino Tower and the skyline, with the horizon far away.
Best time: Sunset, when the light is soft
Glass-floor cabin
A view straight down the wheel's structure to the promenade below.
Best time: Clear mornings
Promenade at the base
The full ring of the wheel rising against the sky, with visitors in the foreground.
Best time: Dusk, when the wheel is lit
VDNKh main avenue
The wheel in the distance above the fountains and pavilions.
Best time: Early evening
Photography Rules
Photography from the cabins is common and allowed for personal use, though reflections from the glass can be a problem. Rules on tripods were not confirmed. Drone rules in Moscow are strict and change, so do not fly one near the wheel or VDNKh.
Family Suitability
The wheel suits families, with enclosed cabins, a slow ride and free travel for children under 3. The glass-floor cabins may worry small children. The platform and the VDNKh grounds are mostly flat and suitable for strollers, though stroller access to the platform was not confirmed. Allow time for queues on weekends.
Moscow Vibes Tips
- Ride about an hour before sunset to see the city in daylight and as the lights come on in one trip.
- Choose a seat on the side facing the Ostankino Tower; it is the easiest landmark to identify from the cabin.
- Combine the ride with VDNKh's evening lights, which turn on across the grounds.
- Check the weather and the wind before booking, since the wheel can stop in extreme conditions.
- Pick a weekday if you can; weekend evenings bring the longest queues.
- Do not confuse this wheel with the older Moscow-850, which was removed in 2016.
Explore Nearby Moscow Sun Ferris Wheel
Sights near Moscow Sun Ferris Wheel
VDNKh Moscowabout 650 m away (~11 min walk) · typical visit: 3–6 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Ostankino Tower Moscowabout 1.2 km away (~20 min walk) · typical visit: 1.5–3 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Moskvarium Moscowabout 100 m away (~2 min walk) · typical visit: 3–5 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Moscow Metro · typical visit: 1.5–3 hours for a tour of showcase stationsMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Friendship of Nations Fountain Moscowabout 150 m away (~2 min walk) · typical visit: 30–45 minutesMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Sergey Korolev Memorial House Museum Moscowabout 450 m away (~8 min walk) · typical visit: About 1 hourMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Metro stations near Moscow Sun Ferris Wheel
VDNKh Metro Stationabout 1.0 km away (~16 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Restaurants and cafes near Moscow Sun Ferris Wheel
Kroshka Kartoshkaabout 100 m away (~2 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Hotels near Moscow Sun Ferris Wheel
City Hotel Baykalabout 1.3 km away (~22 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Cosmos Hotel Moscowabout 1.4 km away (~22 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Events and traditions near Moscow Sun Ferris Wheel
Moscow Book Fairabout 650 m away (~10 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Cosmonautics Day in Moscowabout 850 m away (~14 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Related guides
Ostankino Estate Moscow: Serf Theatre Palace, Church and ParkMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Stone Flower Fountain Moscow: Smalt, Gold and a Fairy-Tale StoryMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
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Browse more: More in Ostankinsky · All Entertainment · All Sightseeing
FAQ: Moscow Sun Ferris Wheel
How tall is the Moscow Sun Ferris Wheel?
140 meters, the tallest Ferris wheel in Europe. It has 30 enclosed cabins, each for up to 15 people.
How long does the ride take?
One revolution takes 18 minutes 40 seconds. The ascent is gradual, with time for photographs.
Are the cabins heated?
Yes, cabins are air-conditioned and heated, and the wheel runs all year, though extreme cold or strong wind can stop it.
What is the glass-floor cabin?
Five of the 30 cabins have transparent floors. They cost more than standard cabins. See the tickets section.
Is VDNKh free?
Yes, the grounds are free to enter. The wheel and other attractions need their own tickets. See the VDNKh Moscow article.
What can I see from the top?
VDNKh, the Ostankino Tower, the Stalin-era skyscrapers, the Spasskaya Tower and the skyscrapers of Moscow City, with visibility up to about 50 kilometers.
Is it the same as the old VDNKh wheel?
No. The earlier Moscow-850 wheel was dismantled in 2016, and the Sun of Moscow opened in 2022 on a new site.
When is the best time to ride?
Near sunset on a clear day, when the light is good and the city lights come on. See the best time section.
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Last updated: October 6, 2026. Found an error or something out of date? Report it and we will check and fix it.
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