Tourism in Russia in 2024 - Moscow

According to the Border Service of Russia, in the first quarter of 2024, almost 219 thousand foreign citizens visited Russia for tourism purposes. In the same period in 2023, there were 67.7 thousand visitors, and before the pandemic in January-March 2019, there were 470 thousand tourists. It is logical to assume that the numbers will be even more impressive at the end of the high spring-summer season.

So, let's look at how the numbers were distributed in 2024: China (99 thousand tourists), Turkmenistan (15.9 thousand), Turkey (12.5 thousand), Germany (8.4 thousand), UAE (7.3 thousand), Saudi Arabia (almost 6 thousand), Cuba (4.7 thousand visits), Iran (4.6 thousand), Poland (4.2 thousand), Kuwait (4 thousand), as well as Estonia, Bulgaria, Vietnam, India, Kazakhstan, Finland, and others.

The establishment of a visa-free regime for tourist groups undoubtedly contributes to the growth in the number of foreign tourists. Individual tourists also make a significant contribution: they can obtain electronic visas, which now apply to citizens from 55 countries.

The most popular route for foreigners in Russia remains Moscow - St. Petersburg, which accounts for about 40% of bookings. Foreigners also have interest in Baikal, Kazan, and Tyumen, while the Far East attracts tourists from China and countries in Southeast Asia. In our series of articles, we will tell you more about what you can see and visit in the most popular tourist cities in Russia during a 1-2 day visit. And we will start our series of materials with the Russian capital - the city of Moscow.


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Point 1: Moscow Kremlin

It is best to start the route with the main must-see attraction in Moscow - the Kremlin. Inside the fortress walls, you will find the Residence of the President of the Russian Federation (the Grand Kremlin Palace with a number of buildings), Cathedral Square with ancient temples, the Armory Chamber, and the Diamond Fund, where the imperial treasures, precious relics, and historical collections are stored. You can also visit the Assumption, Annunciation, and Archangel Cathedrals, climb up to the observation platform of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower, take a photo with the Tsar Cannon and Tsar Bell.

Point 2: Red Square 

The route to Red Square passes through Alexander Garden. If you are traveling in the summer, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the wide alleys of the garden, adorned with hundreds of flowers, as well as magnificent fountains on the Manezhnaya Square side. At the beginning of Red Square is the State Historical Museum. It has about 40 halls with exhibits telling the history of Moscow and Russia. If you plan to visit the museums in the future, you can spend the saved time visiting Lenin's Mausoleum, the Necropolis by the Kremlin Wall, Kazan Cathedral, or St. Basil's Cathedral.

Point 3: Central Children's Store 

You can't miss the Central Children's Store (formerly known as "Detsky Mir"): a huge building with arched windows located at the very beginning of Lubyanka Square. It is a real paradise for children - all kinds of toys, children's goods, and play complexes occupy 5 floors. Adults also have something to do. For example, you can reminisce in the Childhood Museum at the Central Children's Store or climb up to the observation deck and enjoy the magnificent views of the center of Moscow.

Point 4: Bolshoi Theatre 

If you are in Moscow for only a few days, it will be enough to admire the magnificent classical-style building from the outside or take a guided tour of the theater halls. But if you have time, do not miss the opportunity to attend one of the legendary performances. Just keep in mind that tickets should be purchased in advance.

Point 5: Tverskaya Street 

Tverskaya Street is the largest shopping street in Moscow with a rich history and plenty of attractions. Tverskaya is called the main street of the capital - festivals and mass celebrations are constantly organized here. The heart of the street is Tverskaya Square. It starts with a monument to Yuri Dolgoruky - the founder of Moscow. On Tverskaya Square, tourists can visit the Church of Saints Cosmas and Damian and the Museum-Workshop of D.A. Nalbandian. When you reach Pushkin Square, you can adjust your route: either continue to explore Tverskaya street, or walk down Strastnoy Boulevard to Petrovka and spend the rest of the day in the Hermitage Garden. Another option is to continue your walk along Tverskoy and Nikitsky Boulevards, which will lead you to Old Arbat.

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This route is one of the most popular and allows you to get to know Moscow literally in one day. If you have more time in the city, be sure to take a boat trip on the Moskva River and visit the city parks. Set aside a few hours for museums: fans of Russian art are always welcome at the Tretyakov Gallery, while those who want to see international masterpieces are welcome at the Pushkin Museum. Look for paintings and sculptures by artists of the 20th and 21st centuries at the Moscow Museum of Modern Art and the Garage Museum.

You can also dedicate one of the days of your visit to exploring VDNKh and the Ostankino Tower, or visit the Park and Museum of Victory on Poklonnaya Gora.

Moscow has hundreds of attractions, cultural and historical sites, interesting places for every taste and preference. You can plan your own routes or use the services of guides who will create a personalized program based on your preferences. Regardless of the format chosen, we are sure that Moscow will leave unforgettable impressions for a lifetime.

For more than 14 years the RAUIE has been helping to arrange business and personal entries for foreign citizens to the Russian Federation. Our migration consulting center will help you to issue a temporary residence permit, residence permit, an official invitation to Russia, obtain a work permit / patent and also provide any related services - translation, legalization of documents, etc. 

For free consultation, you can leave a request on the website ("ask a question" on the right side of the page) or write to imm@raspp.ru. A specialist of the RAUIE migration consulting center will help you