Established as a theatrical company in the latter half of the 18th-century, the iconic Bolshoi Theatre has transformed into what is now one of the most revered landmarks of Moscow. Although the Bolshoi Theatre Company was established in 1773, the theater was built only in 1824 in place of the once standing Petrovsky Theatre. Characterized by fine nuances of Neoclassical architecture, the theater is officially home to the renowned Bolshoi Ballet and Bolshoi Opera, staging a plethora of events revolving around Russian performing arts. Held together by elegant columns and two wonderfully-carved pediments, this historic building retains its bygone appeal, while embracing modern comforts. Plush, red velvet upholstery and five-storied balconies are seamlessly fused with contemporary facilities like excellent acoustics. The theater hosts a repertoire of renowned opera and ballet performances, having been the ground of several significant premieres and performances by luminaries like Galina Pavlovna Vishnevskaya. Iconic in every sense, the magnificent Bolshoi Theater has largely framed the cultural and artistic landscape of Moscow.

It is impossible to miss this museum, given that it sits right on Red Square. At the entrance, there's always someone dressed as Ivan the Terrible or Lenin, for those looking for a photograph. The museum opened its doors to the public in 1883 and recognized as Russia's largest museum as it houses artifacts that are over a hundred years old. Inside, there are various exhibitions dedicated to the sweeping richness of Russian history, from mammoth tusks and bronze age relics to the posters dating back to the Soviet-era.

Pavel Tretiakov, the collector of some of the best work of contemporary artists in Moscow and St. Petersburg, founded this gallery in 1856. His brother Sergei collected French and Dutch masters, and in 1872 they combined their collections and opened this extremely popular museum named The State Tretyakov Gallery (Tret'iakovskaia Galereia). In 1892 it was donated to the city of Moscow and lives on with works by famous Russian painters such as Vasilii Perov, Ivan Kramskoi and Ilia Repin.

This two-story 19th-century house is a very interesting place for those who would like to know more about Russia's great poet Alexander Pushkin and about the city life at the time. This house was a very significant part of Pushkin's life. He married the beautiful Natalia Goncharova and he spent the first three months of his married life here. The museum has many portraits of Pushkin and his friends, numerous engravings of 19th-century Moscow and copies of Pushkin's handwriting. A beautiful statue of Pushkin and his wife stands in front of the museum.

Synonymous with Moscow, Red Square evokes a sense of history and heritage. Here, the past meets the present under the shadow of some of the city's most famous landmarks like the Kremlin and the brightly colored Saint Basil's Cathedral. Awash in history, the Red Square wasn't always as architecturally impressive as it is now, starting as a humble market square. Over the centuries, the square evolved with new additions being added at various intervals. During the Soviet Era, the square was the site of numerous military parades during World War and the Cold War. Bustling with activity throughout the day, the square is at its visual best once the sun sets and the beautiful buildings are lit with colorful lights.

This world-famous fortress was the political and religious focal point for much of Russia's history and remains at the heart of the nation's government as the official residence of the president. The walls of the Kremlin were originally constructed out of white stone and were later rebuilt in the 15th Century with the now distinctive red brick. An amalgamation of architectural styles, around every corner of the Kremlin, await domes and generously ornamented turrets. The fort comprises historic religious sites like the Cathedral of the Assumption (Uspenskii Sobor), Archangel's Cathedral (Arkhangelskii Sobor), and Patriarch's Palace (Patriarshii Dvorets). Also onsite are other palaces, museums, towers and monuments, each a defining piece of Russia's rich architectural heritage and cultural legacy. Entry to all attractions is gained via the Kutafia Tower (Kutaf'ia Bashnia).

Nestled in the heart of Moscow, the majestic Kremlin Armoury is a treasured jewel of the Kremlin complex. Established in 1851, it is regarded to be one of the oldest museums in the city. Constructed by eminent architect Konstantin Ton, the museum was once a royal arsenal that was tasked to safeguard several precious possessions like arms, ammunition and jewelry belonging to the imperial nobility of ancient Russia. Today, the armory functions as an elaborate museum which retains many artifacts left behind by the mighty Tsars, some of which are the Imperial Crown of Russia, the back-swords of Minin and Pozharsky, the bejeweled Clover Leaf Egg, the throne of Ivan the Terrible and many other relics like household artifacts, royal carriages, and more. The legacy of the ancient monarchs lives on in this museum which is strategically demarcated into distinctive halls and the Armoury Chamber inside. Also sheltering exhibits and collectibles which reveal the ancient artistic tenor of Eastern Europe, this museum has been widely instrumental in chronicling the royal, historic and cultural heritage of Russia.

One of the most integral markers of the iconic Red Square, Lenin’s Mausoleum holds the remains of Vladimir Lenin, the founder of the Soviet Union. A work of distinctive architectural finesse by Aleksey Shchusev, the mausoleum is modeled on the terraced temples of the ancient Assyrians and Babylonians. Bounded on both sides by the Kremlin Wall Necropolis, the mausoleum features a step pyramid within which rests the remains of Lenin. Bearing a rather solemn facade, the mausoleum has undergone numerous structural transformations ever since the collapse of the Soviet regime. Outside, the main sanctum is patrolled by an arsenal of guards, while inside, visitors file around round the embalmed body of the man whose legacy still resonates with the masses of not only Russia but the entire world. One of Moscow's most revered historical landmarks, the mausoleum reserves a special place in the hearts of the people.

Gorky Park (referred to as Park Kul'tury i Otdykha or Park of Culture and Recreation) stretches along three kilometers of the Moskva River to the southwest of the city center. The park became known to the Western public thanks to a blockbuster movie based on Martin Cruz Smith's best-selling book, Gorky Park, and the Scorpions' famous song. Laid down in 1928, the original ornamental gardens are now accompanied by an entertainment zone, hosting everything from science lectures to rock concerts in its auditorium.

A mesmerizing collection of vivid hues and domes, St. Basil's Cathedral looms at the southern end of the Red Square, one of Russia's most widely-recognized architectural monuments. Originally built between 1555 and 1561 to commemorate the victory of Ivan IV in Kazan, the cathedral was a vision in white stone with gilded domes. The colors and patterns were not added until the 17th Century. Little is known about the architects of this majestic edifice and for a time legend had it that Ivan IV had the duo blinded to prevent them from replicating the design. Originally composed of nine chapels, a tenth was added a few years later where the tomb of Saint Basil lies. Although officially named the Cathedral of the Intercession, this historic jewel's more popular moniker derives from this. Today, St. Basil's Cathedral is a museum attracting droves of visitors each year, inspiring awe in all those who lay their eyes upon it.