Moscow

Centre: North of the River

The area north of the river is heart of the tourist area of Moscow, with the imposing Kremlin and Red Square with its myriad of attractions such as Lenin's Mausoleum, the State Museum and the vibrant St. Basil Cathedral top of everyone's must-see lists. Not far from here is the famous Bolshoi Theatre, home of the National Ballet. In fact, there is culture everywhere you look, with the Pushkin Fine Arts Museum, the Palace of Romanov Boyars, where future Tsars used to grow up and the State Museum of Oriental Art. You can also learn about some characters dear to the Soviets' hearts at the Mayakovsky Museum and the Vladimir Vysotsky Cultural Centre.

Centre: South of the River

Across the river there is slightly less to see, with the Tetryakov Galleries, both Old and New nearby. Around the corner from the New Gallery is the surreal Sculpture Park, formerly called the Park of Fallen Heroes, which is where all the old communist statues reside, as well as some new pieces. Gorky Park, popular for summer strolls, is also here. The majority of hotels in either central area are high-end luxury ones, but if you want to stay in the city centre then renting an apartment could be a good alternative to stretch your budget. Beware though, whilst the apartment itself may be well-decorated, the communal areas and water and electricity facilities can be notoriously neglected.

North

Further out of the centre, if you're looking for cheaper hotels then stick to the areas near the metro stations and you won't have a problem getting around. The Mayakorskaya metro station is one of the best loved for its décor. Out to the east you can find the Andrei Publev Museum of Ancient Russian Art, showcasing the Russian orthodox style, and also the Ismailovo Flea Market if you're after some bargains. In the west you'll find the Museum Panoramo which has an extraordinarily large spinning war panorama, and surrounding it are many more war relics. Elsewhere, the Obratsov Pupper Theatre is famous for its shows, and the Museum of Armed Forces is a must-see for those interested in the many battles waged for Moscow.

South

The stately home of Kuskovo lies out to the east here, with its fine gardens and huge buildings. The Moscow State University is worth visiting, even if just to see the tallest building in Moscow; a gothic monolith, and from the central square you can see across the whole city. The south of Moscow is great to escape from the hectic pace of the city, with the Novodevichy Convent and Cemetery offering pretty grounds and a smattering of history. Alternatively, you can head to Victory Park (also called Park Pobedy) and see Poklonnaya Mountain, the monument to the Great War, or go to the Kolomenskoye Estate Museum and wander around the former summer residence of the Russian Tsars.