Things to do in

Tretyakov Gallery

View the best collection of Russian paintings in Russia at the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow. Walk through the halls of the museum and see paintings by renowned artists, including Orest Kiprensky, Karl Bryullov, Ilya Repin, Isaac Levitan, Ivan Shishkin, and others. Begin in Borovikovsky Hall, where you will be greeted by the "Diamond Prince" and the famous portrait of Maria Lopukhina. Continue on and learn the meaning behind Vasily Surikov's painting "The Morning of the Strelets' Execution," and you will understand how an artist can be a battle painter and a pacifist at the same time. This self-guided audio tour is ideal for a first-time visitor to the gallery and for those who want to gain a deeper understanding of the museum's collection.

The Moscow CityPass is your key to the city, offering great value and convenience with free entry to more than 40 top attractions, a 1-day hop-on-hop-off bus tour, river cruise, observation deck, and walking tour. Enjoy free entrance to more than 40 attractions in Moscow and observe the city from different perspectives with 7 free excursions by land or water. Save your time with the skip-the-line option at such top attractions like Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral and other. Head out to the Kremlin Museums or board the Radisson Royal River Cruise, and then enjoy the special offers at various restaurants to get the full experience of Moscow. Plan your trip using a free guidebook and city map (metro map included). Moscow CityPass is your smart way to travel. The tour operator has already chosen the most interesting attractions for you. Just open your guidebook and decide where you will go at first. The City Pass is much cheaper than buying tickets separately and helps to save your time with skip-the-line entrances. The Pass activates at the moment of your first visit to the museum, bus tour or river cruise. Moscow CityPass is valid for 1, 2, 3 or 5 days. Free Entry: Museums: • The Moscow Kremlin • State Historical Museum (main building) • Museum of the Patriotic War of 1812 • State Tretyakov Gallery • State Tretyakov Gallery on Krymsky Val • St. Basil’s Cathedral (Pokrovsky Cathedral) • Underground Museum in the park “Zaryadye” • Shilov Art Gallery • Artcentre. Moscow • Lumiere Brothers Center for Photography • Schusev State Museum of Architecture • Mosquarium (VDNH) • Historical Park “Russia — my history” (VDNH) • House-museum of Pushkin on Staraya Basmannaya • Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center • Bunker-42 (The Cold War Museum) • Moscow Transport Museum • State Pushkin Museum • Pushkin Memorial Apartment on Arbat Street • Memorial Apartment of Andrey Bely • Mikhail Bulgakov Museum • Bulgakov's House Museum-Theatre • Liublino Estate • Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve • Kolomenskoye Museum-Reserve • Palace of the Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich in Kolomenskoye • Izmailovo Estate • Vodka History Museum (The Kremlin in Izmailovo) • Museum of Bread (The Kremlin in Izmailovo) • Weapons Museum (The Kremlin in Izmailovo) • The Living Museum of Folk Arts (The Kremlin in Izmailovo) • World History in plasticine (The Kremlin in Izmailovo) • Museum of Soviet Arcade Machines • Experimentanium Science Museum • Paleontological Museum • Museum of Contemporary History of Russia • “Presnya” • Museum of Underground Printing Press (1905-1906) • Institute of Russian Realist Art • Museum of Russian Icon Excursions: • Radisson Royal Flotilla river-cruise • Moscow City sightseeing bus trip • Observation Deck of the hotel Ukraine • “Zaryadye” sightseeing tour • Walking tour with Moscow free tour • Skating ring mega ice

Start with a tour of the rooms of the Tretyakov Gallery in chronological order with your guide. Discover one of the richest collections of Russian icons, especially those of the master icon painter, Andrey Rublev. Founded in 1854 by Pavel Tretyakov who wanted to make his collection of Russian paintings available to the greatest number of viewers, the Tretyakov Gallery has the richest collection of Russian pictorial art from the 12th to the 20th centuries. As you walk through the rooms of the gallery, find out why it is known as one of the foremost repositories of Russian fine art in the world. Explore a unique collection of Russian paintings, dating back to the 19th century, including the great works of Ivan Aivazovsky, Ivan Shishkin, Alexander Ivanov, Konstantin Korovin, Ilya Repin, Valentin Serov, Vasily Surikov and many others. Finally, discover the room devoted to the works of Mikhail Vrubel, with his impressive works of art filled with mysterious beauty.

Meet your private guide in the lobby of your hotel and go either walking or by metro (depends on the location of your hotel) to the Zamoskvorechye district where the Tretyakov gallery is situated. On your way to the museum you can enjoy one of the most beautiful stations of the Moscow underground - Novokuznetskaya (if you go by metro).  During your 3-hour tour, you can admire great masterpieces and also get to know the rich history of Russian fine art. The gallery was founded in 1856 by a wealthy merchant and a famous patron of the arts Pavel Tretyakov, who had been collecting unique artworks and supporting Russian artists for many years. The works of such outstanding painters as Ilya Repin, Valentin Serov, Viktor Vasnetsov, Ivan Shishkin and Mikhail Vrubel are prominent in the main building of the gallery. This is the best way to experience the unique Russian spirit while looking at such magnificent masterpieces as Surikov’s “Boyarina Morozova” or Vasnetsov’s “Bogatyrs”. Combine the visit to the gallery with a stroll through the Zamoskvorechye (“behind the Moscow river”) district, located on the southern shore of the Moscow River. Follow a guide through its ancient streets and admire the diverse architectural styles for which this corner of Moscow is famous. You can finish your tour in the most favorite place of all Muscovites - Gorky Park.

Meet your friendly local guide in your hotel lobby and get prepared to explore one of the most historic areas of the Russian capital - Zamoskvorechye District.  Stroll through the main streets of the area for a true sense of the city’s eclectic culture and feast your eyes on 18th-century mansions, traditional Russian wooden homes, and Baroque houses. Wander along the scenic Moskva River embankments, take in the sweeping Kremlin views from the Bolshoy Moskvoretsky Bridge and enjoy the exciting tales about the rich and intriguing city’s history from the 12th century to present day.  Afterwards, get your art fix at the Tretyakov Gallery, showcasing almost 130,000 exhibits of the Russian art from the astounding large-scale canvases of old masters such as Ilya Repin and Viktor Vasnetsov to priceless religious icons. Learn more about the founder of the museum – prominent Moscow merchant Pavel Mikhailovich Tretyakov while you navigate the crowds to discover world-class paintings like “Trinity” of Adrei Rublev, “Black Square” of Kazimir Malevich, and “Moscow I” of Wassily Kandinsky. Your cultural exploration of Russian capital ends at Tretyakov gallery or a lunch place nearby.    

Meet your guide at the Ploschad' Revolyutsii (Revolutionary Square) metro station. Embark on a short tour around some of Moscow's most beautifully designed metro stations, the majority of which were built between 1934 and 1960. Admire the various architectural styles and artwork that make these stations an integral part of Moscow's heritage.  After the metro tour, visit The State Tretyakov Art Gallery, which is one of the largest art galleries in Russia. Discover a large collection of classical Russian art ranging from classical works, sculpture, and graphic design. See masterpieces by Vasnetsov, Repin, Ivanov, Serov, and Brulov as well as pre-Mongolian icons. See the world-famous icon "Trinity" by A.Rublev in the main building of the gallery.

Join a 3-day guided excursion in Moscow to see the city's scenic locations, museums, and much more. Go back in time as you visit Soviet sites and learn about Moscow's history and rich culture. Begin your discovery of Moscow by walking around the city to see Red Square, GUM, St. Basil's Cathedral, and other popular tourist spots. Head over to the Kremlin and explore the buildings and towers that this fortress houses. Explore the stunning architecture in the historical complex and find out why it is inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List. On the second day, visit Moscow's metro stations built during the Soviet era. Then, learn about the history of Russian cosmonautics and space science with a tour of the Museum of Cosmonautics. And as if a space museum is not impressive enough, proceed to Bunker-42, a once-secret military complex and bunker that will give you a glimpse into the Cold War. Immerse yourself in classical Russian art on your third day as you go to the Tretyakov Art Gallery. Marvel at works by Vasnetsov, Repin, Ivanov, Serov, Brulov, and A. Rublev. Lastly, go on a relaxing boat cruise and learn about Moscow's development as a city. Sail along the President's residence, the Russian parliament, Stalin’s skyscrapers, and other iconic sites.

Join a 3-day guided excursion in Moscow to see the city's scenic locations, museums, and much more. Go back in time as you visit Soviet sites and learn about Moscow's history and rich culture. Discover Moscow by walking around to see Red Square, GUM, St. Basil's Cathedral, and more sites. Head over to the Kremlin and explore the buildings and towers this fortress houses. See the stunning architecture in the historical complex and find out why it's on UNESCO's World Heritage List. On the second day, visit Moscow's Soviet-era metro stations. Then, learn about the history of Russian cosmonautics and space science with a tour of the Museum of Cosmonautics. Proceed to Bunker-42, a once-secret military complex and bunker that will give you a glimpse into the Cold War. On day three, admire and marvel at Russian classical art at the Tretyakov Art Gallery. Then, go on a relaxing boat cruise and learn about Moscow's development as a city. Sail along the President's residence, the Russian parliament, Stalin’s skyscrapers, and other iconic sites.

You’ll visit culturally significant Moscow Metro stations of the Soviet period from 1934 – 1960, comparing different architectural styles, and basking in the beauty of the underground. The metro tour takes from 30 to 50 minutes. The Tretyakov Gallery is one of the largest art galleries in Russia and famous for mostly classical Russian art. Paul Tretyakov left his collection to the city when there was no more room for the paintings in his home. You’ll see masterpieces by Vasnetsov, Repin, Ivanov, Serov, and Brulov, along with pre-Mongolian icons and the world famous “Trinity” by A.Rublev. After a leisurely 2-hour lunch, it's ship ahoy for the 2 1/2 hour boat trip on the Moscow river following the development of the city dating back to 1147. You’ll sail past the working residence of the president, St. Basil’s cathedral, the flying bridge, Zurab Tsereteli's monument to Peter the Great, massive sports complex Luzhniki, the Russian parliament, Stalin’s skyscrapers, and a myriad of other eye-popping architectural wonders.

The walking tour will introduce you to sights such as Red Square, GUM, St. Basil’s Cathedral, Lenin’s tomb, Alexander garden with its Grave of the Unknown Soldier, and the Bolshoi Theatre. Atop the roof of a huge toy shop, you can ask your guide about tsars and communist dictators who shaped the city. After lunch, you'll discover the Kremlin Museum. The Kremlin itself is a feudal-style fortress surrounded by defense walls, moats, and loophole towers with secret passages and hidden drinking water wells. There are also venues for ballets and concerts, cathedrals, and a massive Tsar Canon and Tsar bell. Check out the Kremlin's park, and don't forget Russian President's helipad. Day 2: The Tretyakov Gallery is one of the largest art galleries in Russia and famous for mostly classical Russian art. Paul Tretyakov left his collection to the city when there was no more room for the paintings in his home. You’ll see masterpieces by Vasnetsov, Repin, Ivanov, Serov, and Brulov, along with pre-Mongolian icons and the world famous “Trinity” by A.Rublev. Followed by a fabulous 2 1/2 hour boat trip which shows the development of Moscow through the millenia.