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Introduction to Moscow

Moscow, being the capital of the largest country on the planet, is supposed to be something impressive and it really is. It's a totally insane city full of raw and chaotic energy, concentrating 80% of the country's money and 10% of its population. Moscow is uncomfortable and charming, filthy rich and desperately poor, fast-paced and lazy, trendy and kitschy – all at the same time.
 
Kuznetsky Most area in Moscow
Kuznetsky Most area in Moscow

Unlikely contrasts are everywhere: fancy shops on Tverskaya street neighbor concrete shacks left from the Soviet times; crowds of star-gazing happy hipsters mix with rugged tired people with solemn and unhappy faces; Bentleys and BMWs share the busy chaotic traffic with half-destroyed old Ladas; and so on...

As everywhere in Russia it's like a mix of two worlds: Europe and Asia, democracy and communism, joy and grief, prosperity and poverty. Moscow could be just another capital, but it isn't. Rather, the city is an exaggerated version of everything you can get in Russia, as if conforming to the local stereotype: take everything to extremes.

Afisha Picknick - photo by Katya Kalimerova
(Afisha Picknick, photo by Katya Kalimerova)

To really enjoy Moscow, you need to make sure you know some people. The city is not so tourist-friendly and unless you know where to go, all the sightseeing possibilities will be exhausted in 2-3 days. Just to give you an idea of a good time out, we recommend to do the following:

• Walking around the city in the evening, hearing and feeling snow cracking under your feet.
• See the Kremin and The Red Square – even though they are both just a postcard, that's where it all started.
• Go out to Solyanka and Krysha clubs to taste the extremes of Moscow's entertainment
• Visit contemporary art galleries and venues: Garage, Fabrika, Winzavod.
• Check more obscure smaller places like Messto or Lyudi Kak Lyudi
• Go out to Izmailovsky Park for a walk (metro Izmailovskaya) and see babushkas dancing and singing every Friday



What is like Moscow? Click below to find out:
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