Lonely Planet - Lonely Planet Moscow (Travel Guide)

What is more thrilling than watching a ballerina defy gravity, leaping across the stage at the glittering Bolshoi Theatre? Or feeling the force of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, just a few blocks away from where it premiered more than a century ago? Or oohing and aahing as circus performers soar under the big tent? The classical performing arts in Moscow are still among the best in the world. Nowadays, even the most traditional theatres are experimenting with innovative arrangements, reviving lost favourites and hosting world premieres. Whether you appreciate the classics or prefer the contemporary, the capital's performing arts will impress.

Orthodoxy & Architecture

At nearly every turn in Moscow, you'll see golden domes peeking out over the rooftops and hear church bells peeling through the streets, which are dotted with some 600 churches many of which are glittering after recent renovations. There are colourful hidden gems, historic fortresses and gargantuan cathedrals. The exteriors are adorned with stone carvings and glittering domes; interiors are packed with ancient icons, swirling incense and faithful worshippers. For more than a millennium, Orthodoxy has helped to define the Russian nation, a significance that is palpable in these atmospheric spiritual places.

St Basils Cathedral, Red Square | alex alekseev/shutterstock

By Mara Vorhees, Writer

Moscow lives and breathes Russian history, from the ancient Kremlin on the city's founding site to the ubiquitous legacy of the Soviet period. Yet the history is not staid: on every visit I witness it unfolding in the here and now. The metro expands in every direction. Old factories and power plants are converted into art centres and nightlife hubs. Bans on imported food inspire an innovative locavore movement. The biggest hotel in the world gives way to a 'wild urbanism' park. Moscow is unstoppable and it never ceases to inspire me in some unexpected way.