Moscow has a way of surprising you. Beyond the fashion shows, designer collections and stylish crowds, there is a city filled with breathtaking architecture, fascinating history, excellent food and shopping experiences worth making time for.
I was in Moscow recently for Fashion Week and The BRICS+ Fashion Summit, and while the runway was the main reason for my visit, it was the daily strolls from our hotel to the show venues that gave me a closer look at the city. Sometimes, the best way to discover a destination is to simply step outside and let the streets lead you somewhere interesting.
I have always maintained that Moscow is underrated. It may not be the first destination that comes to mind when people talk about beautiful cities to visit. Still, there is something about its grand buildings, expansive public spaces and mix of old-world charm and modern living that makes it unforgettable.
Start with Red Square
If there is one place you must see when visiting Moscow, it is Red Square. The historic square sits at the heart of the city and brings together some of its most recognisable landmarks, including the colourful domes of St Basil’s Cathedral, the Kremlin walls and the State Historical Museum.
Walking through the square feels like stepping into a postcard. The architecture is impressive, and there is plenty to take in, whether you are interested in history, architecture or simply finding a beautiful spot for your Instagram content.
Right beside the square is GUM, the historic luxury department store whose elegant shopping arcades are an attraction in their own right. Even if luxury shopping is not on your itinerary, the building is worth exploring for its architecture, impressive interiors and the range of stores inside.
One of my favourite experiences, however, was catching the sunrise with friends at the Zaryadye floating bridge. The bridge extends out over the Moskva River, offering sweeping views of the city and its landmarks. Watching the city slowly come to life in the early morning was a lovely reminder that some travel experiences are best enjoyed before the crowds arrive.
It was one of those simple moments that stay with you long after a trip ends.
Explore the Kremlin and the surrounding sights.
You cannot visit Moscow without appreciating the Kremlin, the historic fortified complex that remains one of Russia’s most important landmarks. Its towers, walls, cathedrals and palaces tell stories of the country’s political and cultural history.
The surrounding area is equally rewarding to explore on foot. St Basil’s Cathedral is a must-see, while the nearby Alexander Garden offers a quieter place to stroll and admire the surroundings.
Depending on how much time you have, consider visiting the Bolshoi Theatre, one of Moscow’s most celebrated cultural institutions. Even from the outside, its grand façade makes an impression.
My advice is to allow yourself time to walk between these sights rather than rushing from one attraction to another. Moscow is a city that rewards curiosity, and some of its loveliest details reveal themselves when you are not in a hurry.
A little shopping along the way
Fashion Week naturally comes with an appreciation for style, so shopping was always going to be part of my Moscow experience.
Our daily walks also took us to the underground Okhotny Ryad shopping centre, near Manezhnaya Square and opposite the Four Seasons Hotel Moscow. It offered a convenient opportunity to browse shops between the fashion shows, including stores featuring Russian brands.
It was an easy way to squeeze in some retail therapy without dedicating an entire day to shopping. For anyone interested in discovering local labels, it is worth adding to the itinerary.
And if you enjoy fashion, GUM deserves a little extra time. Beyond the shopping, its historic architecture and beautifully designed interiors make it one of those places where the experience is as much about looking around as it is about buying anything.
Moscow is quietly winning me over with its food.
I will admit something: food has not always been the highlight of my travel experiences. I have visited destinations where the sightseeing was wonderful, but the meals did not quite live up to expectations.
Moscow, however, is slowly making its way onto my list of cities with some of the best food I have ever tried.
During our visit, the Fashion Fund team organized different dining experiences at restaurants across the city, allowing us to explore Moscow beyond its traditional tourist attractions. Two places stood out for me: Rubel and BURO. TSUM.
Located on the ground floor of GUM, Rubel is particularly special because of its setting. One side of the restaurant looks into GUM’s elegant shopping arcades, while the other offers views towards the Kremlin.
The restaurant brings together traditional Russian cuisine, family recipes and contemporary dining. Its name comes from a traditional wooden tool once used to press and smooth linen, reflecting the restaurant’s interest in preserving elements of Russian heritage in a fresh, modern way.
The interiors draw inspiration from Moscow’s architectural history, with striking chandeliers and carefully selected historical details. There is a sense of occasion without the space feeling like a museum.
The menu takes diners on a journey through Russia’s diverse culinary traditions, with dishes inspired by different regions and generations of family cooking. Seafood features prominently, alongside familiar Russian favorites such as borscht, pelmeni, vareniki and traditional appetizers.
There are also more inventive creations, including a Russian-inspired barley dish with prawns and imaginative desserts that reinterpret familiar ingredients.
What makes Rubel particularly worth visiting is the combination of food, atmosphere and location. After exploring Red Square and GUM, settling in for a meal overlooking one of Moscow’s most historic settings feels like a natural extension of the experience.
BURO. TSUM: Where fashion meets food
If Rubel offers a taste of Russian heritage, BURO. TSUM brings a distinctly fashionable energy to the dining experience.
Located on the fifth floor of TSUM, Moscow’s iconic luxury department store, the restaurant sits at the intersection of fashion, shopping and contemporary dining. Its location makes it a natural stop for anyone exploring the city’s style scene.
The interiors take inspiration from classic French brasseries, interpreted through a contemporary design aesthetic. The result is an elegant space that feels right at home in one of Moscow’s most recognizable fashion destinations.
The menu combines European classics with modern culinary ideas and seasonal ingredients. Dishes include crab ravioli with shrimp, veal-stuffed cabbage rolls with morel sauce and creative interpretations of familiar favorites. The breakfast menu also offers interesting options, including blini, vareniki and zucchini pancakes.
One of the restaurant’s attractions is its setting. Depending on where you sit, you can enjoy views of the surrounding city, including the area around the Bolshoi Theatre.
For fashion lovers, BURO. TSUM is an especially appealing stop. You can spend the afternoon browsing designer stores at TSUM before settling in for a meal, making it easy to combine two of Moscow’s greatest pleasures: fashion and food.
Moscow deserves more attention.
What I took away from my time in Moscow was an appreciation for a city that offers so much more than its international reputation might suggest.
There is history in its grand squares, beauty in its architecture, character in its shopping streets and a culinary scene that deserves to be explored. Even the ordinary moments, walking between fashion venues with my delegate manager, Brovkina Ekaterina, and new friends I made along this trip, stopping to admire a building or discovering a restaurant along the way, became part of the experience.
I still maintain that Moscow is seriously underrated. People do not talk enough about how breathtaking the city is, and I would encourage anyone considering a visit to look beyond the obvious itinerary.
Make time for Red Square, explore the Kremlin area, catch a sunrise from the floating bridge, browse the shops and sit down for a proper meal at Rubel or BURO. TSUM.
And most importantly, leave room for a little wandering. Sometimes, the best discoveries happen between the places you originally planned to visit.