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The 5 alternative sights in Moscow that you must not miss
Even the most ardent luxury traveler can grow tired after days of high-end restaurants, expensive malls and glitzy hotels. Luckily, Moscow offers a ton of cool sights and activities that will appeal to luxury and regular travelers alike, even if some of these will require a bigger-than-average budget. These five tips are guaranteed to get your adrenaline levels up.
Driving a real Soviet tank
It wouldn’t be a real trip to Russia if a few tanks weren’t a part of it, am I right? Approximately a two-hour ride away from Moscow, you get the chance to drive a real WW II tank. For the real luxury traveler, there is always the option of adding a few gimmicks to a mere tank ride. From firing a few shots, driving over used-up cars to entire quests and competitions – your budget is the only limit.
Visiting Bunker 42
If driving a tank sounds a bit extreme for your liking but you’d still like to learn a thing or two about Russian history, then head to Bunker 42 close to Paveletskaya Metro station. This old Cold War bunker will take you back to an era where James Bond was still regularly fighting Soviet Union villains that were trying to make over the world. The claustrophobic atmosphere will definitely be a change-up from your luxurious accommodation. The tour finishes with a simulated nuclear attack on the bunker and if you still haven’t had enough after that, you can always visit the restaurant that is a part of the complex.
Taking the cable car from Sparrow Hills to Luzhniki stadium
The veteran luxury traveler has, of course, taken a few rides with cable cars in the Alps. But now you can do so in Moscow as well and you’d really miss out in case you decide not to go. The cable car takes you from Moscow’s Sparrow Hills to the famous Luzhniki stadium. On the way you get to enjoy some of the best and most unique views of the city. The ride itself only takes a few minutes but you can always connect it with a walk around the beautiful area of Moscow’s State University in the Sparrow Hills.
A tour of Moscow’s rooftops
Continuing with the theme of being in the clouds, you might be interested of taking a tour of Moscow’s rooftops. Of course, there is always the option of seeing Moscow from above from one of the high-end restaurants in Moscow City. But this tour will take you to lesser known or usually completely inaccessible rooftops that are for example on residential buildings.
You will discover Moscow from an entirely different perspective. Those who are looking to treat themselves can always book a romantic date on one of the rooftops and take pleasure in one of Moscow’s late summer sunsets.
Restaurant “In The Dark” (V temnote)
Instead of sunsets, you’ll enjoy pitch black darkness as a part of this restaurant experience. Its concept is serving food in complete darkness and experiencing the world “with the eyes of a blind person”. From the moment you enter the dining room you will see absolutely nothing, which puts you in the same position as your waiters that are all blind people. Although the food is not really haute cuisine, the highly unusual experience makes more than up for it and I can recommend this restaurant over certain luxury restaurants in Moscow.
Ivan Crnogatic is the Author of Moscownightguide. Moscownightguide is an expert guide to Moscow’s high-end and nightlife scene.
If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.
Visiting Bunker 42
If driving a tank sounds a bit extreme for your liking but you’d still like to learn a thing or two about Russian history, then head to Bunker 42 close to Paveletskaya Metro station. This old Cold War bunker will take you back to an era where James Bond was still regularly fighting Soviet Union villains that were trying to make over the world. The claustrophobic atmosphere will definitely be a change-up from your luxurious accommodation. The tour finishes with a simulated nuclear attack on the bunker and if you still haven’t had enough after that, you can always visit the restaurant that is a part of the complex.
Taking the cable car from Sparrow Hills to Luzhniki stadium
The veteran luxury traveler has, of course, taken a few rides with cable cars in the Alps. But now you can do so in Moscow as well and you’d really miss out in case you decide not to go. The cable car takes you from Moscow’s Sparrow Hills to the famous Luzhniki stadium. On the way you get to enjoy some of the best and most unique views of the city. The ride itself only takes a few minutes but you can always connect it with a walk around the beautiful area of Moscow’s State University in the Sparrow Hills.
A tour of Moscow’s rooftops
Continuing with the theme of being in the clouds, you might be interested of taking a tour of Moscow’s rooftops. Of course, there is always the option of seeing Moscow from above from one of the high-end restaurants in Moscow City. But this tour will take you to lesser known or usually completely inaccessible rooftops that are for example on residential buildings.
You will discover Moscow from an entirely different perspective. Those who are looking to treat themselves can always book a romantic date on one of the rooftops and take pleasure in one of Moscow’s late summer sunsets.
Restaurant “In The Dark” (V temnote)
Instead of sunsets, you’ll enjoy pitch black darkness as a part of this restaurant experience. Its concept is serving food in complete darkness and experiencing the world “with the eyes of a blind person”. From the moment you enter the dining room you will see absolutely nothing, which puts you in the same position as your waiters that are all blind people. Although the food is not really haute cuisine, the highly unusual experience makes more than up for it and I can recommend this restaurant over certain luxury restaurants in Moscow.
Ivan Crnogatic is the Author of Moscownightguide. Moscownightguide is an expert guide to Moscow’s high-end and nightlife scene.
If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.
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Born in the dangerous years of the Cold War, when I often feared that I might not see my next birthday, having lived through the neurosis and tension, I’ve always had a fascination with The Cold War.
I’d never heard of Bunker 42 but as I’ve read a few John Le Carre books I can just imagine the cramped, claustrophobic, underground atmosphere.
I know that it wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea but I’d rather visit Bunker 42 than some of the more conventional sites.
I doubt that my car insurance covers driving a tank and I also doubt that a Russian tank is covered on the categories of my British driving license but I expect the Russian organisers have got all the bases covered. Driving a Russian tank hadn’t featured on my bucket list until now. It’s just the sort of quirky experience that I like to try when I’m travelling.
The “In the dark” restaurant makes a fair point. Over the years food has become such a visual feast that our eyes are doing a lot of the work. Once we are deprived of our sight then our taste buds and sense of smell will go into overdrive. Then again, decor is all part of the experience of eating out. Being sat in the dark between courses, especially if there’s a long wait, might not be a great experience.
Yeah, the In the dark restaurant is interesting but it’s probably not the place for a first date!
Driving Tank would be great pleasure. In our country only military personnel have right to do so.To say more even government and military association has only few.
I’d love to know a bit more about the tank. Is it just a run of the mill tank that’s been recently retired from active service? Or has it seen some action recently? Has it been part of the great military parades in Moscow?
Can’t tell you for sure because I haven’t been. As far as I know, they use old Soviet tanks.
The best travel is related to nature where mind is fresh to see these natural things
Not sure I’d have the heart to write a WW2 tank, but I can see the appeal for people who like that kind of stuff and want to relive a bit of history. I do like the idea of a rooftop tour though, that’d be a great way to get a new perspective on the area and get some fab photo opportunities too I imagine!
Something at work suddenly made me think of driving a Soviet tank on a holiday to Moscow and I just couldn’t resist returning to this post to read it again.
It’s my favourite left-field, out of the box, wacky A Luxury Travel Blog post of all time.
I still can’t get my mind around around the restaurant in the dark. If it really is in the dark how do you see the bill? And how does the waiter know that you’ve given him the right money???