broughty ferry active travel

Over £22 million allocated for three landmark active travel projects

Over £22 million has been awarded to three permanent active travel schemes in Ayr, Hawick and Broughty Ferry.

The money has been provided by the Scottish Government and allocated through the Sustrans Places for Everyone initiative. When complete, the projects will make it easier for people to walk, wheel and cycle for everyday journeys by reallocating road space in favour of sustainable active travel modes.

As outlined in the Programme for Government, the Scottish Government has committed to investing over £500 million in active travel across the next five years. More permanent projects, including smaller schemes, will be progressed through the Sustrans Places for Everyone programme – in line with the vision of a more sustainable transport system as outlined in the National Transport Strategy.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson said:

“It’s been really encouraging to see the strength of ambition, demonstrated by local authorities, in their applications to the Sustrans Places for Everyone scheme. With the support received by local communities, these three large scale active travel projects will transform opportunities to walk, wheel and cycle across Ayr, Hawick and Broughty Ferry.

“Encouraging more sustainable active travel journeys is vital to our health, wellbeing and in our response to the climate emergency. Our recently published Climate Change Plan update puts active travel at the heart of our actions to secure our world leading net-zero ambitions. That’s why we’re investing over £500 million over the next five years, in addition to a further £50 million to support new ‘Active Freeways’ to some of Scotland’s major destinations.

Karen McGregor, Director of Sustrans Scotland said : “Despite the challenges of 2020, we have been presented with an impressive range of major projects this year. We’re pleased to be contributing to securing Broughty Ferry and Hawick against the threats posed by flooding and contributing to the regeneration of Ayr, while at the same time helping all three places transform the way people get about by foot, by bike and by wheel.”

Councillor Peter Henderson, Leader of South Ayrshire Council said:

“We are thrilled to receive this funding from the Sustrans’ Places for Everyone scheme, which will allow us to implement our ambitious accessibility programme, an important step towards a Net Zero Carbon South Ayrshire.

“The active town vision for Ayr includes the major investments of a new leisure centre close to the High Street, new public open space and an athletics centre of excellence.  Our accessibility programme will play an important role in connecting these elements and promoting active travel.”

Shona Haslam, Leader of Scottish Borders Council said:

“I am thrilled that Scottish Borders Council has achieved this funding to deliver an active transport scheme in Hawick connected to the ongoing Hawick Flood Protection Scheme which includes a 7km long cycle route.

“The project has been developed with the community through working groups led by the Hawick Flood Protection Scheme and the input received has been instrumental in this successful outcome.

“This investment will provide vital links to communities, encourage more people to walk, wheel and cycle their journeys by creating dedicated traffic-free routes and enhance key locations throughout the town. This will be of benefit not only to the townsfolk but visitors too.”

Mark Flynn, Convener of Dundee City Council's City Development Committee said: "This is one of the largest investments ever made in the area's active travel infrastructure and a clear sign of the commitment to continue helping people to make choices that are good for them, good for the community and good for the wider environment.

"This was a collaborative process that relied heavily on the input and support of the people of Dundee and Angus and I am grateful for their backing for road space being used this way, particularly on the wider sections which will give cyclists and walkers exclusive use.

"I am sure that the improvements to the route will encourage even more people to get out walking or wheeling to enjoy the views and wide-open spaces of our coastline and in doing so boost their health and wellbeing."

Scheme information

Hawick Flood Protection Active Travel Network, Scottish Borders Council

Total Project Cost: £12,642,481 with £11,813,508 awarded through Places for Everyone

The Hawick Active Travel Network, working alongside The Hawick Flood Defence Scheme, will deliver over 7km of new active travel facilities for the town of Hawick. It will provide links to key communities and will create five key landscaped areas and the enhancement of the 3km of the river corridor. This package of measures will ensure a safer, more attractive, more interesting and biodiverse environment for the people of Hawick.

Broughty Ferry and Monifieth Active Travel Improvements, Dundee City Council

Total Project Cost: £9,379,655 with £9,367,113 awarded through Places for Everyone

The Broughty Ferry active travel project will link the communities of Broughty Ferry and Monifieth with high quality cycling infrastructure including the first fully segregated cycle lanes in Dundee. It will create improvements to beachfront access, and a number of placemaking schemes and public art on the length of the route.

Accessible Ayr, South Ayrshire Council

Total Project Cost: £16,515,124 with £1,314,431 awarded through Places for Everyone

Accessible Ayr is a key component of an ambitious Active Town vision for Ayr, which is being promoted by South Ayrshire Council. It will improve active travel infrastructure within and around Ayr Town Centre removing barriers and allowing the community and visitors to make more sustainable travel choices. In addition, the project will create an integrated network of pedestrian, cycle and wheeling priority routes that connect key areas and transport nodes in the town, while improving links to the surrounding neighbourhoods and developing new green infrastructure.

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FURTHER INFORMATION

Here are further sources of information that may be of interest:

Dundee Cycling Strategy – Dundee City Council’s strategy for encouraging more people to walk, wheel and cycle for journeys around the city.

Angus Active Travel Strategy – Angus Council’s strategy to encourage and enable more people to walk and cycle more often.

Sustrans Places for Everyone – the programme used to fund this scheme, which aims to create safe, attractive, healthier places by increasing the number of trips made by walking, cycling and wheeling for everyday journeys.

Sustrans traffic-free routes and greenways design guide – A guide created by Sustrans that provides guidance for the planning, design, construction and maintenance of new traffic-free routes and greenways.

Broughty Ferry Flood Protection Scheme – flood defence scheme between Douglas Terrace and Beach Crescent that aims to prevent flooding in Broughty Ferry.

Broughty Ferry active travel project to get £1.25 million boost

The £1.25 million boost will be funded by the Scottish Government through Sustrans Scotland’s Places for Everyone programme.

Work to deliver the Broughty Ferry to Monifieth Active Travel Project could receive more than a million in new funding if approved by councillors.

The  £1.25 million boost will be funded by the Scottish Government through Sustrans Scotland’s Places for Everyone programme.

The redevelopment of the coastal path between the Dundee suburb and Monifieth was originally due to cost £9million – but has since doubled to £18 million.

The major jump is being put down to increased costs in the construction industry, with inflationary pressures across the UK driving up the price of materials.

The project has so far been funded by Transport Scotland’s Places for Everyone scheme – which is administered by charity Sustrans.

It means the cost of the project has been met by the Scottish Government rather than the Dundee City Council budget.

What is happening to the coastal path?

The latest phase will see a shared pedestrian and cycle path through Castle Green and a shared path and soft landscaping to join The Esplanade.

The project looks to promote a healthier lifestyle for locals and tourists, creating a  safer environment for people to walk and cycle.

Improvements to the junction of Castle Lane and The Esplanade will also take place, along with the creation of a new entrance and exit to Windmill car park.

As well as this additional street lighting to illuminate the path would also be installed.

Councillors expressed a lot of enthusiasm for the project which is recommended for approval.

Fair Work, Economic Growth and Infrastructure Convener Steven Rome said: “This transformational and pioneering project is opening up an impressive route for active travel between Broughty Ferry and Monifieth.

“I am pleased to see that important elements to join sections up are now coming on stream.

“The latest section of work will see Windmill Gardens included in the scheme, while also continuing the improvements that will make the area more attractive for visitors and locals.

“This will provide healthy and sustainable travel opportunities that will benefit people for years to come.”

The proposal will be considered by the Fair Work, Economic Growth and Infrastructure committee on Monday.

Active Travel Project Set to Move Up a Gear

Work to deliver the Broughty Ferry to Monifieth Active Travel Project could be set to move up a gear, as more than £1.25 million of further investment is recommended for approval by councillors. 

The Fair Work, Economic Growth and Infrastructure Committee will discuss a tender to deliver components of the initiative at the Castle Green & Mill Street Shared Cycleway and footway, which includes improvements at the Castle Lane/Esplanade junction. 

Funded by the Scottish Government through Sustrans Scotland’s Places for Everyone programme, the coastal path project is working to provide a continuous off-road route between Dundee and Monifieth. 

Councillors will hear that project aims to create a better, safer environment for people to walk, cycle and wheel, and to encourage both locals and visitors to enjoy a healthier lifestyle through active travel. 

The proposed works package to be discussed by the committee focuses on the provision of a shared pedestrian/cycle path through Castle Green, the removal of Mill Street and the continued provision of a shared path and soft landscaping to join The Esplanade. 

This will also lead to Windmill Gardens being included within the boundary of Castle Green.  

Improvements to the junction of Castle Lane and The Esplanade would take place, along with the creation of a new entrance/exit to Windmill car park.  

Additional street lighting to illuminate the path would also be installed. 

A tender from Tayside Contracts worth a total cost of £1.25 million is recommended for approval by the committee. 

Convener Councillor Steven Rome said: “This transformational and pioneering project is opening up an impressive route for active travel between Broughty Ferry and Monifieth. 

“I am pleased to see that important elements to join sections up are now coming on stream. 

“The latest section of work will see Windmill Gardens included in the scheme, while also continuing the improvements that will make the area more attractive for visitors and locals. 

“This will provide healthy and sustainable travel opportunities that will benefit people for years to come.”

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Getting Around Dundee

Get active out and about in Dundee city.  A compact city bursting with places of interest, history, and things to see, it is so easy to get around .    

Travel to your favourite spot,  whether you hop on one of the Green Buses ( map ), or discover somewhere new and enjoy the scenery and landscape of the city, we have more parkland per head than any other city in the UK.  C heck out Dundee’s Nature Prescription and explore the outdoors all year round.

Dundee’s active travel routes in and around the city have been developed over the last few years with a key objective to encourage active travel through walking, cycling and public transport, and deploy sustainable alternatives to decarbonise transport.

The Active Travel Hub and Urban Beach will be set in a new civic space immediately adjacent to the V&A Dundee.  This hub will be a focal point for walking and cycling in the city.  Dundee is also part of the National Cycle Network routes on the East of Scotland (Route 1) where you can enjoy the beautiful east coast scenery.

Broughty Ferry to Monifieth Active Travel will provide the city's first fully segregated cycle lanes along the Esplanade as well as wide paths through the green space at Castle Green and Balmossie Park.  This will extend the superb riverside path that will run the full length of Broughty Ferry and connect all of the city’s waterfront through Dundee Port, city centre and along Riverside.

The Green Circular  alone stretches over 25 miles.  It links major parks to many places of interest through the city from the country park at Camperdown, to the water front at Broughty Ferry to the city centre.

Other cycle providers include:-

Electric Bikes Scotland – cycle hire and trailers

Dundee’s renaissance has sparked a boom in specialist tours, trails and interesting walks exploring the city’s history and environment.  Most of the tours are on foot, taking advantage of Dundee’s “walkable city” geography.

Check out Dundee’s Nature Prescription and explore the outdoors all year round.

Travel around Dundee on the low emission fleet (operated by Xplore Dundee    -   Good to Go ).  There are 23 buses known as 'Emeralds’ with modern features such as next stop announcements, complimentary WiFi, USB charging points, leather seats and extra legroom.

A full range of flexible mTickets can be bought in advance on the integrated app  or website .  Passengers can also find their way with enhanced journey planning tools, service updates, and bus location tracking.

Explore the city using the Green Bus Map

Dundee City Council has a fleet with over 100 Electric Vehicles, being the largest of any UK local authority.   Dundee was also named the  most visionary electric vehicle city in the UK  in  2018.

Throughout the city from car parks, on-street and pop ups there are 498 electric vehicle charging points.  Read more…    Of which t here are currently 3 city centre multi-storey car parks each with 20 charging points, with a further 3 EV hubs planned.

Should you wish to use a car whilst visiting there is the  Co-wheels Car Club .

If you want to use a taxi, then Dundee has 24% of the city’s taxi fleet are electric.  For list of taxi companies click on yell.com .

Getting to & from Dundee

Ember offers an electric coach service, which runs from Edinburgh to Dundee (coach point at Dundee Science Centre), with stops in Perth and Inchture.  They have 2 bike spaces that can be reserved online for free at the same time as buying a ticket

For air, rail, and other transport click here .

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Active travel projects awarded £22m, the scottish government has allocated more than £22 million to three permanent active travel schemes in ayr, hawick and broughty ferry..

When complete, the projects will make it easier for people to walk, wheel and cycle for everyday journeys by reallocating road space in favour of sustainable active travel modes.

Flood-prone Hawick in the Scottish Borders will get almost £12m to develop active transport routes alongside work to prevent flooding.

The project will include a 7km cycle route, five landscaped areas and other improvements along the river corridor.

Dundee City Council is set to receive £9.3m to link Broughty Ferry and Monifieth with better cycling infrastructure and street art on the route, as well as first fully segregated cycle lanes in Dundee.

Another £1.3m will go towards the Accessible Ayr project, which will build a network of accessible routes for pedestrians, cyclists and people using wheelchairs and pushchairs across the town.

As outlined in the Programme for Government, the Scottish Government has committed to investing over £500m in active travel across the next five years. More permanent projects, including smaller schemes, will be progressed through the Sustrans Places for Everyone programme – in line with the vision of a more sustainable transport system as outlined in the National Transport Strategy.

The Broughty Ferry a ctive travel project

Cabinet secretary for transport, infrastructure and connectivity Michael Matheson said: “It’s been really encouraging to see the strength of ambition, demonstrated by local authorities, in their applications to the Sustrans Places for Everyone scheme. With the support received by local communities, these three large scale active travel projects will transform opportunities to walk, wheel and cycle across Ayr, Hawick and Broughty Ferry.

“Encouraging more sustainable active travel journeys is vital to our health, wellbeing and in our response to the climate emergency. Our recently published Climate Change Plan update puts active travel at the heart of our actions to secure our world leading net-zero ambitions. That’s why we’re investing over £500 over the next five years, in addition to a further £50 million to support new ‘Active Freeways’ to some of Scotland’s major destinations.”

The money has been provided by the Scottish Government and allocated through the Sustrans Places for Everyone initiative.

Karen McGregor, director of Sustrans Scotland , said: “Despite the challenges of 2020, we have been presented with an impressive range of major projects this year. We’re pleased to be contributing to securing Broughty Ferry and Hawick against the threats posed by flooding and contributing to the regeneration of Ayr, while at the same time helping all three places transform the way people get about by foot, by bike and by wheel.”

Councillor Peter Henderson, leader of South Ayrshire Council , said: “We are thrilled to receive this funding from the Sustrans’ Places for Everyone scheme, which will allow us to implement our ambitious accessibility programme, an important step towards a Net Zero Carbon South Ayrshire.

“The active town vision for Ayr includes the major investments of a new leisure centre close to the High Street, new public open space and an athletics centre of excellence.  Our accessibility programme will play an important role in connecting these elements and promoting active travel.”

The Hawick Flood Protection Active Travel Network

Shona Haslam, leader of Scottish Borders Council , said: “I am thrilled that Scottish Borders Council has achieved this funding to deliver an active transport scheme in Hawick connected to the ongoing Hawick Flood Protection Scheme which includes a 7km long cycle route.

“The project has been developed with the community through working groups led by the Hawick Flood Protection Scheme and the input received has been instrumental in this successful outcome.

“This investment will provide vital links to communities, encourage more people to walk, wheel and cycle their journeys by creating dedicated traffic-free routes and enhance key locations throughout the town. This will be of benefit not only to the townsfolk but visitors too.”

Mark Flynn, convener of Dundee City Council’s city development committee , said: “This is one of the largest investments ever made in the area’s active travel infrastructure and a clear sign of the commitment to continue helping people to make choices that are good for them, good for the community and good for the wider environment.

“This was a collaborative process that relied heavily on the input and support of the people of Dundee and Angus and I am grateful for their backing for road space being used this way, particularly on the wider sections which will give cyclists and walkers exclusive use.

“I am sure that the improvements to the route will encourage even more people to get out walking or wheeling to enjoy the views and wide-open spaces of our coastline and in doing so boost their health and wellbeing.”

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£200k commission offered for ‘placemaking’ sculptures on Broughty Ferry to Monifieth cycle lane

Dundee City Council will provide two artists with £100k each for the two sculptures.

Dundee council is looking for artists to create two sculptures – one for either end of the Broughty Ferry to Monifieth cycle lane.

The administration has a budget of £100k per statue with plans to commission a different artist for each of the “significant landmark sculptures”.

The active travel route links Broughty Ferry and Monifieth via an off-road cycle lane and path.

The pieces should assist with “placemaking” on the route and “will encourage walking, cycling, wheeling and… provide enjoyment, comfort and protection.”

The council is looking for “suitable experienced artists” to submit their proposals by Tuesday February 21, according to a post on public procurement website Public Contracts Scotland.

The tender reads: “The brief for both sculptures is the same apart from the location where they will be installed – one at The Esplanade, Broughty Ferry, and one at Monifieth.

“It is a specific requirement for the two sculptures to be unique placemaking pieces and, to accommodate this, each location will be commissioned from a different artist.”

Unique, placemaking art wanted

Councillors are looking for unique pieces of art that are relevant to people who use the route. That means mainly cyclists and pedestrians.

They will need to show two examples of relevant experiences – artworks of a similar size and scale to this project, that involved working collaboratively.

Council chiefs previously announced they had commissioned five pieces of public art along the route. These were supposed to be in place by “late spring” this year.

They included dolphin sculptures, a bollard trail and railings.

It is not currently clear if the latest commissions are in addition to the previously announced pieces, or are an alternative. The £80K funding for that project came from active travel charity Sustrans with the condition it had to be spent on “placemaking.”

📢 Sculpture commission! Dundee City Council is currently commissioning for TWO significant landmark sculptures at… Posted by Creative Dundee on  Friday, 3 February 2023

£9 million active travel revamp

The Esplanade is undergoing a major revamp as part of a wider £9 million active travel plan.

Dundee City Council and Angus Council are working together to create this off-road route for walkers and cyclists between Broughty Ferry and Monifieth.

Last year cyclists were angry van drivers had already started parking in the cycle lane .

In order to accommodate this new road layout of The Ferry, Dundee councillors have agreed to add  further parking restrictions  around The Esplanade.

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Check out Moscow’s NEW electric river trams (PHOTOS)

Water transportation has become another sector for the eco-friendly improvements the Moscow government is implementing. And it means business. On July 15, 2021, on the dock of Moscow’s ‘Zaryadye’ park, mayor Sergey Sobyanin was shown the first model of the upcoming river cruise boat.

The model of the electrical boat with panoramic windows measures 22 meters in length. The river tram - as Muscovites call them - has a passenger capacity of 42, including two disabled seats. The trams will also get cutting edge info panels, USB docking stations, Wi-Fi, spaces for scooters and bicycles, as well as chairs and desks for working on the go. The boats will be available all year round, according to ‘Mosgortrans’, the regional transport agency. 

Passengers will be able to pay with their ‘Troika’ public transport card, credit cards or bank cards. 

The main clientele targeted are people living in Moscow’s river districts - the upcoming trams will shorten their travel time in comparison to buses and other transportation by five times, Mosgortrans stated. 

As the river trams are being rolled out, Moscow docks will also see mini-stations, some of which will also be outfitted with charging docks for speed-charging the boats.  

Moscow is set to announce the start of the tender for construction and supply in September 2021. The first trams are scheduled to launch in June 2022 on two routes - from Kievskaya Station, through Moscow City, into Fili; and from ZIL to Pechatniki. 

“Two full-scale routes will be created in 2022-2023, serviced by 20 river trams and a number of river stations. We’ll continue to develop them further if they prove to be popular with the citizens,” the Moscow mayor said .

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Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow: The Best of Moscow!

I just got back from one week in Moscow. And, as you might have already guessed, it was a mind-boggling experience. It was not my first trip to the Russian capital. But I hardly ever got enough time to explore this sprawling city. Visiting places for business rarely leaves enough time for sightseeing. I think that if you’ve got one week in Russia, you can also consider splitting your time between its largest cities (i.e. Saint Petersburg ) to get the most out of your trip. Seven days will let you see the majority of the main sights and go beyond just scratching the surface. In this post, I’m going to share with you my idea of the perfect travel itinerary for one week in Moscow.

Moscow is perhaps both the business and cultural hub of Russia. There is a lot more to see here than just the Kremlin and Saint Basil’s Cathedral. Centuries-old churches with onion-shaped domes dotted around the city are in stark contrast with newly completed impressive skyscrapers of Moscow City dominating the skyline. I spent a lot of time thinking about my Moscow itinerary before I left. And this city lived up to all of my expectations.

Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow

Day 1 – red square and the kremlin.

Metro Station: Okhotny Ryad on Red Line.

No trip to Moscow would be complete without seeing its main attraction. The Red Square is just a stone’s throw away from several metro stations. It is home to some of the most impressive architectural masterpieces in the city. The first thing you’ll probably notice after entering it and passing vendors selling weird fur hats is the fairytale-like looking Saint Basil’s Cathedral. It was built to commemorate one of the major victories of Ivan the Terrible. I once spent 20 minutes gazing at it, trying to find the perfect angle to snap it. It was easier said than done because of the hordes of locals and tourists.

As you continue strolling around Red Square, there’s no way you can miss Gum. It was widely known as the main department store during the Soviet Era. Now this large (yet historic) shopping mall is filled with expensive boutiques, pricey eateries, etc. During my trip to Moscow, I was on a tight budget. So I only took a retro-style stroll in Gum to get a rare glimpse of a place where Soviet leaders used to grocery shop and buy their stuff. In case you want some modern shopping experience, head to the Okhotny Ryad Shopping Center with stores like New Yorker, Zara, and Adidas.

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To continue this Moscow itinerary, next you may want to go inside the Kremlin walls. This is the center of Russian political power and the president’s official residence. If you’re planning to pay Kremlin a visit do your best to visit Ivan the Great Bell Tower as well. Go there as early as possible to avoid crowds and get an incredible bird’s-eye view. There are a couple of museums that are available during designated visiting hours. Make sure to book your ticket online and avoid lines.

Day 2 – Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the Tretyakov Gallery, and the Arbat Street

Metro Station: Kropotkinskaya on Red Line

As soon as you start creating a Moscow itinerary for your second day, you’ll discover that there are plenty of metro stations that are much closer to certain sites. Depending on your route, take a closer look at the metro map to pick the closest.

The white marble walls of Christ the Saviour Cathedral are awe-inspiring. As you approach this tallest Orthodox Christian church, you may notice the bronze sculptures, magnificent arches, and cupolas that were created to commemorate Russia’s victory against Napoleon.

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Unfortunately, the current Cathedral is a replica, since original was blown to bits in 1931 by the Soviet government. The new cathedral basically follows the original design, but they have added some new elements such as marble high reliefs.

Home to some precious collection of artworks, in Tretyakov Gallery you can find more than 150,000 of works spanning centuries of artistic endeavor. Originally a privately owned gallery, it now has become one of the largest museums in Russia. The Gallery is often considered essential to visit. But I have encountered a lot of locals who have never been there.

Famous for its souvenirs, musicians, and theaters, Arbat street is among the few in Moscow that were turned into pedestrian zones. Arbat street is usually very busy with tourists and locals alike. My local friend once called it the oldest street in Moscow dating back to 1493. It is a kilometer long walking street filled with fancy gift shops, small cozy restaurants, lots of cute cafes, and street artists. It is closed to any vehicular traffic, so you can easily stroll it with kids.

Day 3 – Moscow River Boat Ride, Poklonnaya Hill Victory Park, the Moscow City

Metro Station: Kievskaya and Park Pobedy on Dark Blue Line / Vystavochnaya on Light Blue Line

Voyaging along the Moscow River is definitely one of the best ways to catch a glimpse of the city and see the attractions from a bit different perspective. Depending on your Moscow itinerary, travel budget and the time of the year, there are various types of boats available. In the summer there is no shortage of boats, and you’ll be spoiled for choice.

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If you find yourself in Moscow during the winter months, I’d recommend going with Radisson boat cruise. These are often more expensive (yet comfy). They offer refreshments like tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and, of course, alcoholic drinks. Prices may vary but mostly depend on your food and drink selection. Find their main pier near the opulent Ukraine hotel . The hotel is one of the “Seven Sisters”, so if you’re into the charm of Stalinist architecture don’t miss a chance to stay there.

The area near Poklonnaya Hill has the closest relation to the country’s recent past. The memorial complex was completed in the mid-1990s to commemorate the Victory and WW2 casualties. Also known as the Great Patriotic War Museum, activities here include indoor attractions while the grounds around host an open-air museum with old tanks and other vehicles used on the battlefield.

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The hallmark of the memorial complex and the first thing you see as you exit metro is the statue of Nike mounted to its column. This is a very impressive Obelisk with a statue of Saint George slaying the dragon at its base.

Maybe not as impressive as Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl Tower , the skyscrapers of the Moscow City (otherwise known as Moscow International Business Center) are so drastically different from dull Soviet architecture. With 239 meters and 60 floors, the Empire Tower is the seventh highest building in the business district.

The observation deck occupies 56 floor from where you have some panoramic views of the city. I loved the view in the direction of Moscow State University and Luzhniki stadium as well to the other side with residential quarters. The entrance fee is pricey, but if you’re want to get a bird’s eye view, the skyscraper is one of the best places for doing just that.

Day 4 – VDNKh, Worker and Collective Farm Woman Monument, The Ostankino TV Tower

Metro Station: VDNKh on Orange Line

VDNKh is one of my favorite attractions in Moscow. The weird abbreviation actually stands for Russian vystavka dostizheniy narodnogo khozyaystva (Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy). With more than 200 buildings and 30 pavilions on the grounds, VDNKh serves as an open-air museum. You can easily spend a full day here since the park occupies a very large area.

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First, there are pavilions that used to showcase different cultures the USSR was made of. Additionally, there is a number of shopping pavilions, as well as Moskvarium (an Oceanarium) that features a variety of marine species. VDNKh is a popular venue for events and fairs. There is always something going on, so I’d recommend checking their website if you want to see some particular exhibition.

A stone’s throw away from VDNKh there is a very distinctive 25-meters high monument. Originally built in 1937 for the world fair in Paris, the hulking figures of men and women holding a hammer and a sickle represent the Soviet idea of united workers and farmers. It doesn’t take much time to see the monument, but visiting it gives some idea of the Soviet Union’s grandiose aspirations.

I have a thing for tall buildings. So to continue my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow I decided to climb the fourth highest TV tower in the world. This iconic 540m tower is a fixture of the skyline. You can see it virtually from everywhere in Moscow, and this is where you can get the best panoramic views (yep, even better than Empire skyscraper).

Parts of the floor are made of tempered glass, so it can be quite scary to exit the elevator. But trust me, as you start observing buildings and cars below, you won’t want to leave. There is only a limited number of tickets per day, so you may want to book online. Insider tip: the first tour is cheaper, you can save up to $10 if go there early.

Day 5 – A Tour To Moscow Manor Houses

Metro Station: Kolomenskoye, Tsaritsyno on Dark Green Line / Kuskovo on Purple Line

I love visiting the manor houses and palaces in Moscow. These opulent buildings were generally built to house Russian aristocratic families and monarchs. Houses tend to be rather grand affairs with impressive architecture. And, depending on the whims of the owners, some form of a landscaped garden.

During the early part of the 20th century though, many of Russia’s aristocratic families (including the family of the last emperor) ended up being killed or moving abroad . Their manor houses were nationalized. Some time later (after the fall of the USSR) these were open to the public. It means that today a great many of Moscow’s finest manor houses and palaces are open for touring.

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There are 20 manor houses scattered throughout the city and more than 25 in the area around. But not all of them easily accessible and exploring them often takes a lot of time. I’d recommend focusing on three most popular estates in Moscow that are some 30-minute metro ride away from Kremlin.

Sandwiched between the Moscow River and the Andropov Avenue, Kolomenskoye is a UNESCO site that became a public park in the 1920’s. Once a former royal estate, now it is one of the most tranquil parks in the city with gorgeous views. The Ascension Church, The White Column, and the grounds are a truly grand place to visit.

You could easily spend a full day here, exploring a traditional Russian village (that is, in fact, a market), picnicking by the river, enjoying the Eastern Orthodox church architecture, hiking the grounds as well as and wandering the park and gardens with wildflower meadows, apple orchards, and birch and maple groves. The estate museum showcases Russian nature at its finest year-round.

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If my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow was a family tree, Tsaritsyno Park would probably be the crazy uncle that no-one talks about. It’s a large park in the south of the city of mind-boggling proportions, unbelievable in so many ways, and yet most travelers have never heard of it.

The palace was supposed to be a summer home for Empress Catherine the Great. But since the construction didn’t meet with her approval the palace was abandoned. Since the early 1990’s the palace, the pond, and the grounds have been undergoing renovations. The entire complex is now looking brighter and more elaborately decorated than at possibly any other time during its history. Like most parks in Moscow, you can visit Tsaritsyno free of charge, but there is a small fee if you want to visit the palace.

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Last, but by no means least on my Moscow itinerary is Kuskovo Park . This is definitely an off-the-beaten-path place. While it is not easily accessible, you will be rewarded with a lack of crowds. This 18th-century summer country house of the Sheremetev family was one of the first summer country estates of the Russian nobility. And when you visit you’ll quickly realize why locals love this park.

Like many other estates, Kuskovo has just been renovated. So there are lovely French formal garden, a grotto, and the Dutch house to explore. Make sure to plan your itinerary well because the estate is some way from a metro station.

Day 6 – Explore the Golden Ring

Creating the Moscow itinerary may keep you busy for days with the seemingly endless amount of things to do. Visiting the so-called Golden Ring is like stepping back in time. Golden Ring is a “theme route” devised by promotion-minded journalist and writer Yuri Bychkov.

Having started in Moscow the route will take you through a number of historical cities. It now includes Suzdal, Vladimir, Kostroma, Yaroslavl and Sergiev Posad. All these awe-inspiring towns have their own smaller kremlins and feature dramatic churches with onion-shaped domes, tranquil residential areas, and other architectural landmarks.

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I only visited two out of eight cities included on the route. It is a no-brainer that Sergiev Posad is the nearest and the easiest city to see on a day trip from Moscow. That being said, you can explore its main attractions in just one day. Located some 70 km north-east of the Russian capital, this tiny and overlooked town is home to Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, UNESCO Site.

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Sergiev Posad is often described as being at the heart of Russian spiritual life. So it is uncommon to see the crowds of Russian pilgrims showing a deep reverence for their religion. If you’re traveling independently and using public transport, you can reach Sergiev Posad by bus (departs from VDNKh) or by suburban commuter train from Yaroslavskaya Railway Station (Bahnhof). It takes about one and a half hours to reach the town.

Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius is a great place to get a glimpse of filling and warming Russian lunch, specifically at the “ Gostevaya Izba ” restaurant. Try the duck breast, hearty potato and vegetables, and the awesome Napoleon cake.

Day 7 – Gorky Park, Izmailovo Kremlin, Patriarch’s Ponds

Metro Station: Park Kultury or Oktyabrskaya on Circle Line / Partizanskaya on Dark Blue Line / Pushkinskaya on Dark Green Line

Gorky Park is in the heart of Moscow. It offers many different types of outdoor activities, such as dancing, cycling, skateboarding, walking, jogging, and anything else you can do in a park. Named after Maxim Gorky, this sprawling and lovely park is where locals go on a picnic, relax and enjoy free yoga classes. It’s a popular place to bike around, and there is a Muzeon Art Park not far from here. A dynamic location with a younger vibe. There is also a pier, so you can take a cruise along the river too.

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The Kremlin in Izmailovo is by no means like the one you can find near the Red Square. Originally built for decorative purposes, it now features the Vernissage flea market and a number of frequent fairs, exhibitions, and conferences. Every weekend, there’s a giant flea market in Izmailovo, where dozens of stalls sell Soviet propaganda crap, Russian nesting dolls, vinyl records, jewelry and just about any object you can imagine. Go early in the morning if you want to beat the crowds.

All the Bulgakov’s fans should pay a visit to Patriarch’s Ponds (yup, that is plural). With a lovely small city park and the only one (!) pond in the middle, the location is where the opening scene of Bulgakov’s novel Master and Margarita was set. The novel is centered around a visit by Devil to the atheistic Soviet Union is considered by many critics to be one of the best novels of the 20th century. I spent great two hours strolling the nearby streets and having lunch in the hipster cafe.

Conclusion and Recommendations

To conclude, Moscow is a safe city to visit. I have never had a problem with getting around and most locals are really friendly once they know you’re a foreigner. Moscow has undergone some serious reconstruction over the last few years. So you can expect some places to be completely different. I hope my one week Moscow itinerary was helpful! If you have less time, say 4 days or 5 days, I would cut out day 6 and day 7. You could save the Golden Ring for a separate trip entirely as there’s lots to see!

What are your thoughts on this one week Moscow itinerary? Are you excited about your first time in the city? Let me know in the comments below!

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24 comments.

Ann Snook-Moreau

Moscow looks so beautiful and historic! Thanks for including public transit information for those of us who don’t like to rent cars.

MindTheTravel

Yup, that is me 🙂 Rarely rent + stick to the metro = Full wallet!

Mariella Blago

Looks like you had loads of fun! Well done. Also great value post for travel lovers.

Thanks, Mariella!

I have always wanted to go to Russia, especially Moscow. These sights look absolutely beautiful to see and there is so much history there!

Agree! Moscow is a thousand-year-old city and there is definitely something for everyone.

Tara Pittman

Those are amazing buildings. Looks like a place that would be amazing to visit.

Adriana Lopez

Never been to Moscow or Russia but my family has. Many great spots and a lot of culture. Your itinerary sounds fantastic and covers a lot despite it is only a short period of time.

What was their favourite thing about Russia?

Gladys Parker

I know very little about Moscow or Russia for the\at matter. I do know I would have to see the Red Square and all of its exquisite architectural masterpieces. Also the CATHEDRAL OF CHRIST THE SAVIOUR. Thanks for shedding some light on visiting Moscow.

Thanks for swinging by! The Red Square is a great starting point, but there way too many places and things to discover aside from it!

Ruthy @ Percolate Kitchen

You are making me so jealous!! I’ve always wanted to see Russia.

Moscow is in my bucket list, I don’t know when I can visit there, your post is really useful. As a culture rich place we need to spend at least week.

DANA GUTKOWSKI

Looks like you had a great trip! Thanks for all the great info! I’ve never been in to Russia, but this post makes me wanna go now!

Wow this is amazing! Moscow is on my bucket list – such an amazing place to visit I can imagine! I can’t wait to go there one day!

The building on the second picture looks familiar. I keep seeing that on TV.

Reesa Lewandowski

What beautiful moments! I always wish I had the personality to travel more like this!

Perfect itinerary for spending a week in Moscow! So many places to visit and it looks like you had a wonderful time. I would love to climb that tower. The views I am sure must have been amazing!

I was lucky enough to see the skyline of Moscow from this TV Tower and it is definitely mind-blowing.

Chelsea Pearl

Moscow is definitely up there on my travel bucket list. So much history and iconic architecture!

Thumbs up! 🙂

Blair Villanueva

OMG I dream to visit Moscow someday! Hope the visa processing would be okay (and become more affordable) so I could pursue my dream trip!

Yup, visa processing is the major downside! Agree! Time and the money consuming process…

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Planning a trip to Moscow? Our travel guide contains up-to-date, personal information on everything from what to see , to when to visit , where to stay , and what to eat !

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Why visit Moscow?

Majestic churches, impressive historic fortresses, and palatial buildings: Moscow is a fascinating city whose emblematic architecture reflects the turbulent history that has defined Russia throughout the centuries.

The traces of the USSR can be found around every corner of the city , side by side with the iconic relics of Imperial Russia , like the mythical Red Square , the imposing Kremlin , and the beautiful  St Basil's Cathedral . 

Discover a fascinating world of Cold War bunkers, golden-domed basilicas, world-class art museums, and the legendary "palace of the people,"  as the Moscow Metro has been nicknamed. Whether you fancy watching a classical Russian ballet at the Bolshoi Theatre , perusing the fine arts at the Pushkin Museum , or marveling at the sheer size of the monuments to the Soviet state's achievements at the  All-Russia Exhibition Centre , this travel guide will help you on your way!

Where to start?

If you're going to travel to Moscow and you don't know much about the city yet, the first thing to do is to dive into its legendary history - understanding the past will help you understand the present. Next, check out our practical hints and tips on traveling to the city before discovering which of its most important museums , monuments , and attractions pique your interest.

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Booking your accommodation in advance is the best way to get great discounts. Our detailed guide on where to stay in Moscow  will help you decide which neighborhood you'd like to look for hotels or apartments in, and our hotel search engine will find you the best deals!

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