Things to Do in Moscow and St. Petersburg.. For Free!
Traveling to Moscow and St. Petersburg by train is a fun experience but spending time in Russia's most popular cities – Moscow and St. Petersburg, is unparalleled. But these cities are modern and expensive and can be hard on the average traveler's wallet. Luckily, being an ode to historical events, both these cities have places that are interesting and free of cost to visit.
Moscow
Board any of the trains to Moscow without feeling any fear of losing your wallet's contents. The city, a cultural hub, has plenty to offer tight fisted tourists.
1) The Red Square is a must see sight and graced with many symbols of a by-gone era. It is lively by day, moody by night and home to numerous cultural celebrations.
2) Lenin's Body, as macabre as it may seem, can be found in the center of the city square. His tomb is a great tourist attraction, and a free one at that.
3) Stalin's Seven Sisters are grand buildings and perfect examples of old school Russian architecture. The seven buildings resemble those of a wedding cake.
4) The Cathedral of Christ the Savior is a very famous sight in Moscow, with its golden domes and white façade.
5) Sparrow Hills will treat you to a panoramic view of Moscow. You can take photographs of major sights from a platform.
6) Patriach's Pond makes for a peaceful escape from the madness of the main city and is not heavily populated. A perfect place to relax when tired.
St. Petersburg
Even if you're hard up on money, feel free to hop on to any of St. Petersburg's trains and visit the city. It's full of cultural sights, both convention and unconventional. From graveyards to dueling grounds, St, Pete's will keep you busy!
1) Palace Square is one of the most grand squares, left behind from Russia's imperial times. Walk through Bolshaya Morskaya Street and see the winter palace of Peter the Great and the Hermitage museum.
2) Nevsky's Prospekt has featured in innumerable poems, stories and songs. This is the heart of the city's history as well as its nightlife. You will find the Kazan Cathedral, a monument to Catherine the Great and many other sights.
3) The Bronze Horsemen is a symbol of the city. Ordered to be built by Catherine the Great, it became immortalized in a famous poem by Alexander Pushkin.
4) The Bridge of Kisses is exactly just that! A favorite spot for Russian couples to rendezvous, it offers a beautiful view of St. Isaac's Cathedral.
5) The Piskariovskoye cemetery is the final resting place to over half a million Russians who perished during World War II and is a striking testimony to the horrors of war.
After sightseeing to your heart's content, you can travel back from St. Petersburg to Moscow by train and indulge yourself in picking up more cost effective gifts from the villages in between. Not only are these villages great places to get a taste of what the real Russia is like, they're also great places to shop for souvenirs. Beautiful handicrafts and heirlooms will greet you and buying them will be easy on your wallet as well. This way, you get the most of what Russia has to offer.
Moscow
Board any of the trains to Moscow without feeling any fear of losing your wallet's contents. The city, a cultural hub, has plenty to offer tight fisted tourists.
1) The Red Square is a must see sight and graced with many symbols of a by-gone era. It is lively by day, moody by night and home to numerous cultural celebrations.
2) Lenin's Body, as macabre as it may seem, can be found in the center of the city square. His tomb is a great tourist attraction, and a free one at that.
3) Stalin's Seven Sisters are grand buildings and perfect examples of old school Russian architecture. The seven buildings resemble those of a wedding cake.
4) The Cathedral of Christ the Savior is a very famous sight in Moscow, with its golden domes and white façade.
5) Sparrow Hills will treat you to a panoramic view of Moscow. You can take photographs of major sights from a platform.
6) Patriach's Pond makes for a peaceful escape from the madness of the main city and is not heavily populated. A perfect place to relax when tired.
St. Petersburg
Even if you're hard up on money, feel free to hop on to any of St. Petersburg's trains and visit the city. It's full of cultural sights, both convention and unconventional. From graveyards to dueling grounds, St, Pete's will keep you busy!
1) Palace Square is one of the most grand squares, left behind from Russia's imperial times. Walk through Bolshaya Morskaya Street and see the winter palace of Peter the Great and the Hermitage museum.
2) Nevsky's Prospekt has featured in innumerable poems, stories and songs. This is the heart of the city's history as well as its nightlife. You will find the Kazan Cathedral, a monument to Catherine the Great and many other sights.
3) The Bronze Horsemen is a symbol of the city. Ordered to be built by Catherine the Great, it became immortalized in a famous poem by Alexander Pushkin.
4) The Bridge of Kisses is exactly just that! A favorite spot for Russian couples to rendezvous, it offers a beautiful view of St. Isaac's Cathedral.
5) The Piskariovskoye cemetery is the final resting place to over half a million Russians who perished during World War II and is a striking testimony to the horrors of war.
After sightseeing to your heart's content, you can travel back from St. Petersburg to Moscow by train and indulge yourself in picking up more cost effective gifts from the villages in between. Not only are these villages great places to get a taste of what the real Russia is like, they're also great places to shop for souvenirs. Beautiful handicrafts and heirlooms will greet you and buying them will be easy on your wallet as well. This way, you get the most of what Russia has to offer.
