Moscow Zoo
Both educational and entertaining, children will love the Moscow Zoo, where they can get up close with all types of birds, mammals, reptiles and more. With creatures from all corners of the earth on display and fascinating exhibits, the zoo provides spacious enclosures for its residents and a welcoming place in which to admire the animals.

Gorky Park
Moscow’s most popular fun fair and amusement park, Gorky Park is known by many from Martin Cruz Smith's cold war novel of the same name, which featured the park. Enjoy the excellent views across the Moscow River from the top of the Ferris wheel, laugh and tumble on the ice-skating rink or win prizes at the fun fair; Gorky Park is suitable for the whole family. Those who are looking to relax and take a break from the crowds can stroll through the beautiful ornamental gardens.

Obraztsov Puppet Theatre
Hosting two or three matinee performances each day, the Obraztsov Theatre shows daily puppet performances aimed at children, while adults can return for one of the evening performances of a different genre. As Russia’s primary centre for the teaching and documentation of puppetry, it is no surprise that the theatre is also home to the fascinating Russian State Museum of Theatrical Puppets, which displays more than 3,000 puppets and contains a whole library of literature related to the art of puppetry. Visitors can pre-book tickets online or by telephone (+7 95 299 3310).

Great Moscow State Circus
In operation since 1971, the circus is acclaimed the world over for daring acts including performances by jugglers, clowns, gymnasts and various animals. The circus tours internationally each year and over the years it has built its reputation as one of the best circuses in the world. Daily performances can be seen at the Great Moscow State Circus.

Russian Banya
The ornate Sandunovskie Banya, known by locals as Sanduny, is one of the most popular Russian bath houses in Moscow. Its an experience not to be missed and many Muscovites come to the steam bath to wash and soak up the relaxed atmosphere. Offering separate sections for men and women, the public banya has an exquisite interior, with massage and private rooms as well as beauty shops in addition to the general hall. An entrance fee is charged per person and the ticket allows you to stay all day.

Bolshoi Theatre
A central part of Moscow cultural life, the Bolshoi Theatre in Teatralnaya Square is one of the city’s oldest. Visitors can watch performances inside the early 19th century ornate structure, which once had a reputation for being one of the best theatres in Europe.

The Kremlin
Holding a pivotal place in history, the Kremlin is now a modern day museum, open to tourists for exploration. Treasures from throughout Russian history are hidden in its cathedrals and chambers, with highlights including the Spasskaya Tower, Emperor Cannon and the Emperor Bell.

St Basil’s Cathedral
Built by Ivan the Terrible in commemoration of the Russian taking of Kazan in 1552, the cathedral is Moscow’s most iconic landmark and its striking fairytale towers, representative of various events in the siege of Kazan, command over Moscow’s Red Square. Designed for all-round viewing, St Basil’s interior is interesting yet simple.

State Tretyakov Gallery
This national museum of Russian fine art takes its name after its founder, a prominent Moscow merchant and textile manufacturer. Exhibiting art from across the centuries, the gallery is housed in two separate buildings.

Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts
Rivalled only by the Hermitage in St Petersburg, the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts has some world-class art collections, most significantly its impressive collection of Ancient Egyptian art, Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works and galleries of 16th to 18th century art and sculpture.

Dostoyevsky House Museum
The reconstruction of Dostoyevsky’s family house was based on the world-renowned writer’s recollections and diaries, and it now houses the Dostoyevsky House Museum, where visitors can gain an insight into 19th century Moscow life. A tour of the house will reveal the bedroom that Mikhail and his younger brother Fyodor shared and the family living room as well as some fascinating artefacts from Dostoyevsky's life.

Leo Tolstoy Museum
A comprehensive insight into the life and works of the famous Russian author, the Leo Tolstoy Museum makes for a worthy visit. Personal belongings and works by the penman, including some original editions, are on display at the museum, which is housed at Krushchev Mansion.

Lenin's Mausoleum
When the Soviet hero died in 1924, Lenin’s body was preserved and put on display for all his followers to pay tribute too. Still a popular attraction today, visitors can pay their respects to the former leader at the Kremlin buildings, which once also housed the body of Stalin. Following the removal of Stalin’s body in 1961, Lenin now takes the spotlight and his corpse can be viewed briefly before you are hurried on to the graves of several other Soviet dignitaries. An experience not to be missed, Lenin’s mausoleum might give some visitors the creeps, but it is hard to find an attraction that characterises Russian kitsch so completely.

Archaeological Museum of Moscow
Housing artefacts from as far back as the 12th century, historians should not miss this museum. Highlights include a segment of the limestone Voskresenky Bridge, which once spanned the Neglina River; artefacts from early settlers that were gathered from the river bank; jewellery from the days of Moscow’s earliest dwellers; Muscovite coins; and 15th century Spanish doubloons.

Museum of the History of Moscow
This comprehensive museum gives visitors a worthwhile insight into the history of the city and opportunity to view some interesting archaeological finds. The museum dates back to 1896 and is located in the Church of St John the Divine under the Elm, with additional branches at The Old English Yard, the Moscow Archaeological Museum and the Museum of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. Collections include clothing, furniture, paintings, crockery, stamps, oil lamps and books from Moscow’s beginnings in the 12th century up to the present day. Many visitors come to the museum to view Apollinarius Vasnetsov’s famous medieval drawings of Moscow.

All forms of cuisine are available in the capital, particularly traditional Russian, Uzbek, Caucasian, Polish, Baltic, Belarusian and Ukrainian dishes on offer.

While Europeans mainly go to a restaurant to eat, Russians also go to be entertained, so expect an experience that surpasses just a tickling of your taste buds. Live bands, singing and dancing are all common features of popular restaurants, where the level of noise could be a bit above the tolerance of some tourists. While Russians usually dine in the evening after 19:00, lunchtime falls later than in most countries, with Moscow diners grabbing their midday meal between 14:00 and 15:00.

Food is mostly inexpensive, but like most international cities, you can either choose to dine at the top end or the low end of the spectrum, depending on your budget. Service is not normally included and you should leave a 10 per cent tip if you are happy with the service.

Traditional Russian breakfast includes boiled eggs, cold meats and tea, while porridge is also popular. Evening meals vary greatly, but some popular dishes to look out for include: borshch, a hot beetroot soup served with sour cream; ikra, caviar that comes in black and red; Tsipleonok tabaka, chicken roasted on a spit; pelmeni, meat dumplings; and for dessert, morozhenoye, a type of ice cream; and ponchiki, hot sugared doughnuts.

For those who like to shop, Moscow provides a treasure chest of bargains at prices that are cheaper than at most European destinations. TSUM is one of the city’s primary department stores, offering everything from clothing to electronics, and is conveniently located next to the Red Square. Alternatively, the close by GUM is also very popular and is housed in an ornate building that is worthy of a visit in its own right.

Okhotny Ryad shopping centre is another Moscow favourite that has three underground levels and over 100 shopping outlets. Situated right in the heart of the city, next to the Red Square, this centre not only provides shopping, but is also a great place to eat and boasts everything from travel agencies to bureaux de change.

For a wider variety of goods, head to CrocusCity, where you will find furniture, interior design items, electronics, garden wares, toys and food products. With such a wide array of items on offer, it is easy to get spend happy here. If you are interested in purchasing house wares or food products, make a trip to Perekriostok on Suvorovskaya. Here you will find meats, cheeses, fish and breads, all deliciously fresh and many of which are baked in-store.

Other souvenirs and products on offer include antiques and Russian art, books, traditional Matrioshka dolls, tobaccos, vodka and Russian fur items including coats, hats and muffs. Visitors should also not miss the famous Ismailovo Flea Market for unsurpassable bargains.

Horseback Riding
Some visitors may be surprised to find that horseback riding is available in Moscow, and the forested area in the southern reaches of the city, known as Bitzevsky, is home to the Bitza horseback riding centre. The area has a good selection of trails, which can also be enjoyed on foot. The centre can be accessed by disembarking from the metro at either Kaluzhskaya or Tchertanovskaya stations and then catching a number 28 or a number 671 bus to Bitzevsky Park. The centre is open on weekdays from 09:00 to 21:00 and on weekends from 09:00 to 18:00.

Skiing & Snowboarding
Just over an hour’s drive from the city is Volen Park, where skiers and snowboarders will find six slopes. The ski season here runs from mid-December until mid-March. Equipment rental is available and there are chairlifts to take you to the top of the slopes, while those wanting to stay overnight at the park can choose from a number of guesthouses. Other amenities include a restaurant, café and an equipment store. Entry to the park is free, while there are minimal charges for parking and the use of the chairlifts, making this a very inexpensive place to come skiing. Situated in Yakhroma, the resort is easily reached by train or car.

Ice skating
Ice skating is available at Young Pioneers' Stadium (Stadion Yunykh Pionerov), where skaters can enjoy a large rink that is illuminated in the evenings. Located north of the Tverskaya district, the rink is accessible via metro, with the nearest station being Dinamo. The rink is open daily from 10:00 to 24:00.