1. How to Get from the Garden Ring Hotel
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On foot: ~20–25 minutes. Walk along Prospekt Mira towards the center to building No. 26 (entrance near the MSU Faculty of Biology).
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By transport: From metro station "Krasnye Vorota" (10 min walk from the hotel) to "Prospekt Mira" (1 stop), exit to Apothecaries' Garden.
2. Why Visit?
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Apothecaries' Garden is Moscow’s oldest botanical garden, founded by Peter the Great in 1706 for growing medicinal herbs.
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Today, it houses over 8,000 plant species: from medicinal and rare wild herbs to exotic orchids, giant cacti, and tropical palms.
- A cozy atmosphere in the heart of the metropolis.
3. Garden Route
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Enter through the main entrance on Prospekt Mira, turn to the palm greenhouse, where you’ll be transported to the jungle.
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Stroll to the pond with lazy golden orfe, then visit the Japanese garden corner — a perfect spot for slow walks and photos.
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Finish among flowerbeds and perennial alleys, where everything is drowned in colors in summer and in a soft golden haze in autumn.
4. Day Plan
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Time: 1.5–2 hours for a walk, best on weekday mornings.
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Clothing: Comfortable shoes, a hat in summer, a raincoat in spring/autumn.
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Where to eat: Café in the garden or restaurants on Prospekt Mira.
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Seasonality: Beautiful year-round, but the brightest displays are in spring and early summer..
5. Life Hacks
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Buy tickets online to avoid queues.
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In winter, visit the greenhouses — it’s +25°C and tropical inside.
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In summer, come at opening time — fewer people and soft light for photos.
Imagine: you step onto cobblestones that are 500 years old, surrounded by the living history of Russia. Red Square is not just a point on the map of Moscow; it's an emotion everyone should experience. Forget standard tours! We will reveal the square to you like a personal treasure chest.
Why is it unique?
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Red Square: Not 'Red' but 'Beautiful'. The name isn't about the color, but about beauty. In the 17th century, this was a bustling marketplace, and the square was known as "Torg" (Market) or "Pozhar" (Fire). The name "Krasnaya" (which means both 'red' and 'beautiful') stuck because it was the most splendid and magnificent place in the city.
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The Mystery Temple: Saint Basil's Cathedral is 11 churches in one! Legend says Ivan the Terrible blinded the architects so they couldn't replicate this masterpiece. Step inside: not a single floral pattern on the walls repeats.
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Lobnoye Mesto: Not for executions! This was an ancient platform for tsarist decrees. Executions were held nearby, on Vasilyevsky Descent. Here, tsars were crowned, and holy relics were displayed.
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Underground Secrets: Did you know that in the 16th century, there was a moat with lions and elephants near the Kremlin wall? They were kept for the tsar's amusement.
What to include in your route?
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Toss a coin for luck at the Zero Kilometer (near the Resurrection Gates). Legend says it guarantees your return to Moscow.
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Soviet Vibes: On the 3rd floor of GUM, visit "Stolovaya No. 57". Try Chicken Kiev and borscht as in USSR times — prices remain generous..
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Panorama of Time: Stand by the Historical Museum. Before you lies the entire ensemble: Lenin’s Mausoleum (enter if you dare to queue!), the multicolored domes of St. Basil’s Cathedral, and the Spasskaya Tower, where the chimes play the Russian anthem.
Little-Known Facts:
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Until 1930, trams ran across the square! They were removed to hold military parades.
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In 1941, when fascists stood near Moscow, the military parade on Red Square lasted only 25 minutes. Soldiers went straight from the parade to the front.
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The cobblestones were brought from Crimea. And in winter, the country’s main ice rink is flooded here.
Important for Tourists:
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Free admission: Walking on the square requires no ticket! Exception: museums (Kremlin, Armoury Chamber).
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Life hack: Come at dawn to avoid crowds. The views in the morning light are magical!
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Metro: The nearest stations are "Okhotny Ryad" and "Ploshchad Revolyutsii" (5 minutes’ walk).
Why go?
Red Square is a time machine. You’ll see:
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GUM with its 19th-century glass galleries is a masterpiece by engineer Shukhov;
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Kazan Cathedral, destroyed in 1936 and rebuilt in the 1990s as a symbol of Russia’s revival;;
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Spasskaya Tower, where once everyone was required to take off their hats before entering the Kremlin — a sign of respect for the icon above its gates.
Special Offer for You!
Book a tour by August 31 and get:
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📜 A branded map with secret spots of the square (e.g., where Peter I held "fire amusements");
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🍦 Plombir ice cream in GUM — the very one from Soviet childhood;;
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🎁 A mystery souvenir from the "Heritage" shop in GUM..
