Itinerary
One of our ever-popular tours, this Best of Moscow and St Petersburg tour visits two of Russia’s most extraordinary cities where you can indulge yourself in the rich history and diverse culture. Your trip will take you to the very best that Russia has to offer, including The Kremlin and Red Square in Moscow, as well as the Winter Palace and The Hermitage in St Petersburg. Get a chance to explore the twisting, winding canals of St Petersburg and the bustling beauty of Kutuzov Avenue in Moscow, not to mention the beautiful buildings of both. You will find that this tour has all the ingredients you need to give you an in-depth Russian experience.
Day 1 - Arrival in Moscow and free time
Your journey begins upon arrival at the Moscow airport. There, you will meet a local guide and embark on a private transfer to your 4-star hotel, located in the historical centre of the Russian capital. Once you have had a chance to get settled in and store your luggage, you will have the rest of the day to explore this vibrant city.
Day 2 - Full day city tour in Moscow (half walking/half by car)
Your private tour will begin in the heart of Moscow – The Kremlin, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Kremlin was home to the Russian Tsars and, following the fall of Tsarist order, Communist leaders. In modern times it is where the President resides and the epicentre of the Russian government.
Surrounded by medieval walls you will see the Ivan III White Bell Tower dating back to the 16th century. At the foot of the bell tower is the Tsar Bell, a well-known Russian symbol.
Following lunch, you will explore the legendary Red Square, St Basil’s Cathedral and Lenin’s Mausoleum. Please note that fees to St Basil’s Cathedral and Lenin's Mausoleum are at an additional cost.
Moscow State University
Your excursion continues along the Moskva River Embankment, the ideal place to stop and take in the magnificent views of the Kremlin. Other important sights you will see include the Cathedral of the Christ the Saviour, New Maiden’s Convent and the Moscow State University.
Your day’s excursion finishes at Manezhnaya Square, a pedestrianized square built by Stalin in the 1930’s which features buildings from the Communist era.
The rest of the evening is free time and the ideal opportunity to explore some of Moscow’s restaurants and nightlife.
Day 3 - Choice of excursion and Underground tour in Moscow. Free time
You are free to choose from one of the following fantastic options for your morning excursion.
Option 1 – River Cruise tour
River Cruise
This incredible four-hour cruise will give you the opportunity to take in the scenic beauty of Moscow from the water. The boat will take you past more than one of the famous Seven Sisters, as well as iconic landmarks, such as The Kremlin and the monument to Peter the Great, and some of Moscow’s most important religious buildings, such as the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour.
Option 2 – The Tretyakov State Gallery tour by metro
This exciting excursion will certainly please fine art lovers, as you will visit the State Tretyakov Gallery, one of the largest fine art museums in Russia built in 1856. This gallery, often referred to as Old Tretyakov, is home to 62 rooms with 100,000 works displaying Russian art from the 10th century to the end of the 19th century. The guided excursion lasts four hours.
Option 3 – The Kolomenskoe Park Estate by car
This four-hour excursion will take you to the Kolomenskoe Park Estate – a wonderful historic site with extensive options for leisure. The park and its awe-inspiring buildings are so steeped in history that not even The Kremlin itself can quite so well evoke the Russia of old. Starting from the 15th century, Kolomenskoe served as a summer country residence for the Grand Dukes of Moscow and Russian Tsars. Due to this fact, a rich architectural heritage was formed in the area. The most significant attraction is the Church of the Ascension of the Lord, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage monument.
In the afternoon, after the Choice of excursion, you will enjoy the Underground tour and discover why the Moscow Metro is recognised as the most beautiful in the world. Our professional local guide will show you the Russian capital’s most celebrated stations built during the Soviet period.
After this excursion, you will return to your hotel where you will have your own free time to explore more of Moscow at your leisure or to relax and perhaps enjoy some of Moscow’s nightlife.
Day 4 - Free time in Moscow and arrival in St Petersburg
St Isaac's Cathedral
Today your private transfer with a guide will collect you from the hotel and take you to the railway station to hop aboard the high-speed Sapsan train in the direction of St Petersburg. The travel time from Moscow to St Petersburg on the Sapsan train is approximately 4 hours.
Due to a wide choice of departure times for the Sapsan train throughout the day, you can be flexible to leave early in the afternoon and spend the evening in St Petersburg or extend your afternoon in Moscow and leave either early, or mid, evening.
Should you wish to spend your afternoon in Moscow, why not taking an additional excursion in the Russian capital? We recommend Russian Vodka Museum tour or the Jewish Sights tour by car.
Upon arrival in St Petersburg, you will be collected from the railway station and taken by private transfer to your centrally located 4-star hotel. Following check-in, you will have free time to relax and unpack or take in some of what St Petersburg has to offer.
Day 5 - Full day city tour in St Petersburg by car
St Petersburg View
Our knowledgeable local guide will greet you at the hotel and take you on a full day private tour of amazing St Petersburg.
You will explore the city's must-see sights, including Nevsky Prospekt, the Admiralty, Moscow Railway Station, St Isaac's Cathedral and Kazanskiy Cathedral.
Throughout the day you will also visit the Church of the Saviour on the Spilled Blood, built in memory of the Tsar Alexander II following his assassination in 1881. It took 24 years to build and it is especially famous for its five onion-shaped domes that sit on top, each of which are intricately decorated in colourful jeweller’s enamel.
Following lunch, you will continue your tour with a visit to the Peter and Paul Fortress. The first ever structure built in St Petersburg, its original function was to act as defence for the city. It is best known as a military base, but it is also where members of the Russian royal family are buried.
Your tour ends with transfer back to your hotel where you are free to relax or perhaps explore more of St Petersburg.
Day 6 - Hermitage walking tour and free time
The Hermitage
One of the world’s largest museums, and famous for its incredible artefacts and collections, it has over 3 million items to explore. Collections include Impressionist masterpieces, oriental treasures, Russian art and more. To help you gain a deeper understanding of the items and artwork on display, you will have a personal guided tour of the exhibitions inside.
The afternoon gives you the opportunity to enjoy free time where you can relax or explore fascinating St Petersburg.
Day 7 - Free time and departure
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, followed by more free time. At a prearranged time, your private transfer with a guide will collect you from your hotel and take you to your point of departure.
If leaving is just too difficult for you, which it is for many of our customers, Real Russia can extend your time and arrange more thrilling excursions for you (at an additional cost).