school tour photos

• AI Generator

1,821 Guided School Tour Stock Photos & High-Res Pictures

Browse 1,821 guided school tour photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more photos and images..

• Images home
• Editorial home
• Editorial video
• Premium collections
• Entertainment
• Premium images
• AI generated images
• Curated collections
• Animals/Wildlife
• Backgrounds/Textures
• Beauty/Fashion
• Buildings/Landmarks
• Business/Finance
• Celebrities
• Food and Drink
• Healthcare/Medical
• Illustrations/Clip-Art
• Miscellaneous
• Parks/Outdoor
• Signs/Symbols
• Sports/Recreation
• Transportation
• All categories
• Shutterstock Select
• Shutterstock Elements
• Health Care

Browse Content

• Sound effects

PremiumBeat

• PixelSquid 3D objects
• Templates Home
• Instagram all
• Highlight covers
• Facebook all
• Carousel ads
• Cover photos
• Event covers
• Youtube all
• Channel Art
• Etsy big banner
• Etsy mini banner
• Etsy shop icon
• Pinterest all
• Pinterest pins
• Twitter All
• Twitter Banner
• Infographics
• Zoom backgrounds
• Announcements
• Certificates
• Gift Certificates
• Real Estate Flyer
• Travel Brochures
• Anniversary
• Baby Shower
• Mother's Day
• Thanksgiving
• All Invitations
• Party invitations
• Wedding invitations
• Book Covers
• About Creative Flow
• Start a design

AI image generator

• Photo editor
• Background remover
• Collage maker
• Resize image
• Color palettes

Color palette generator

• Image converter
• Creative AI
• Design tips
• Custom plans
• Request quote
• Shutterstock Studios
• Data licensing

0 Credits Available

You currently have 0 credits

See all plans

Image plans

With access to 400M+ photos, vectors, illustrations, and more. Includes AI generated images!

Video plans

A library of 28 million high quality video clips. Choose between packs and subscription.

Music plans

Download tracks one at a time, or get a subscription with unlimited downloads.

Editorial plans

Instant access to over 50 million images and videos for news, sports, and entertainment.

Includes templates, design tools, AI-powered recommendations, and much more.

Search by image

School Tour photos

20,853 school tour stock photos from the best photographers are available royalty-free..

Our company

Press/Media

Investor relations

Shutterstock Blog

Popular searches

Stock Photos and Videos

Stock photos

Stock videos

Stock vectors

Editorial images

Featured photo collections

Sell your content

Affiliate/Reseller

International reseller

Live assignments

Rights and clearance

Website Terms of Use

Terms of Service

Privacy policy

Modern Slavery Statement

Cookie Preferences

Shutterstock.AI

AI style types

Shutterstock mobile app

Android app

© 2003-2024 Shutterstock, Inc.

• A photo Photos   10k
• A stack of folders Collections   100k
• A group of people Users   0

School trip

Browse premium images on iStock | 20% off at iStock

Make something awesome

We’re sorry, but Freepik doesn’t work properly without JavaScript enabled. FAQ Contact

• Notifications
• Go back Remove
• No notifications to show yet You’ll see useful information here soon. Stay tuned!
• Downloads 0/60 What is this?
• My collections
• My subscription

Find out what’s new on Freepik and get notified about the latest content updates and feature releases.

• Kids travel

guided school tour

School tour bus, school tour icons, virtual school tour, 92,723 school tour stock photos and high-res pictures, browse 92,723 authentic school tour stock photos, high-res images, and pictures, or explore additional guided school tour or school tour bus stock images to find the right photo at the right size and resolution for your project..

• AI Generator

54,228 School Tours Stock Photos & High-Res Pictures

Browse 54,228 school tours photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more photos and images..

• Enrollment Guide
• Tours & Events
• Kindergarten
• Grades 8–12
• Awards and Rankings
• Accreditation
• Senior Projects
• About BASIS Charter Schools
• Career Opportunities
• Contact BASIS Charter Schools
• Washington D.C.
• Find a School
• New! Phoenix North Campus
• ParentSquare
• Support BASIS Charter Schools

Limited Seats Available for 2024–2025

Limited Seats Available for 2024–2025 Click here to apply to multiple schools easily through our online portal.

Everything You Need to Know About School Tours

Before enrolling your child in a new school, it’s important to do your research. Looking up information about schools near you is a good place to start, but when it comes to getting a full picture of what a school is like, nothing beats an in-person visit. 

At BASIS Charter Schools, we proudly offer tours to prospective families. During these tours, we deliver all the information that families need to make an informed decision for their child.

Signing up for a tour is easy! Simply visit our Events page, select the tour you’re interested in, and RSVP via Eventbrite.

Here’s everything you need to know to prepare for a tour at a BASIS Charter School campus.

Benefits of going on a school tour

Going on a school tour is a great way to learn about potential schools for your child. Some of the main reasons to tour a school include:

• Seeing classrooms in action: School tours often give you a chance to observe a classroom, allowing you to see what your child’s day-to-day learning environment will look like.
• Having the opportunity to ask questions: Asking questions can be incredibly valuable as you consider different schools for your child. A school tour is the perfect time to ask your questions and get immediate answers!
• Meeting teachers and staff: Before you send your child off to a new school, you want to make sure that they’ll be in good hands. Going on a school tour is a great way to meet school leadership, faculty, and staff.
• Getting familiar with the campus : During a school tour, a staff member will show you around different parts of the campus. This gives you a chance to assess the cleanliness and safety of the school. Plus, touring a school helps you and your child become familiar with the layout of the campus, which can ease some first-day-of-school stress .
• Learning about the school’s values: During a school tour, a staff member will speak to you about the history and mission of BASIS Charter Schools. Plus, you’ll learn about the individual school’s culture and community.

What to expect from your BASIS Charter School tour

On a school tour, you’ll learn about who we are, what makes our curriculum unique, and why we excel at teaching K–12 students.

Our tours are led by experienced school administrators who know our schools inside and out. After some introductions and an overview of what BASIS Charter Schools are, you’ll set off on your walk-through tour of the campus.

During the tour, you can expect a brief look inside some of the classrooms. You’ll also be shown areas such as the multi-purpose room, playground, and art room. Along the way, your tour guide will provide detailed information about the BASIS Charter School Curriculum, school culture, extracurricular activities, and more. There is plenty of time to ask questions—both during the tour and at the end!

Our tours are approximately 45–60 minutes long. We ask that you arrive 15 minutes before your tour is scheduled to start so that you have plenty of time to check in at the front desk and get a visitor’s badge. For security purposes, we require all adult attendees to present photo identification when checking in.

How to prepare for your school tour

Excited about your upcoming school tour? We get it; we’re excited to see you, too! Here are a few things you can do to make sure you get the most out of the experience.

Research the school

First and foremost, we recommend doing a bit of research on the school you’ll be visiting. Here are a few pages on our website that will help you learn more about our high-performing schools:

• BASIS Charter School Curriculum

Of course, you’ll learn more about these topics during your school tour—but getting a head start doesn’t hurt!

Make a list of questions

Take some time to jot down any questions you may have about the school you’re touring. Whether it’s general questions about BASIS Charter Schools’ teaching philosophy or specific questions geared towards your child’s needs, a school tour is a great time to get answers!

Some example questions include:

• What is your average class size and student-to-teacher ratio?
• Do you offer any before- or after-school programs?
• What types of extracurricular activities are available?
• How are fine arts incorporated into your curriculum?
• What kind of student support do you provide?
• What is the enrollment process like?

Don’t forget to bring your list of questions with you on your tour. This will ensure you don’t forget anything you were meaning to ask!

Get ready to take notes

There’s a lot to take in during a school tour! Whether you prefer to use your phone or a notepad and pen, be sure to bring something with you that you can use for notetaking. During the tour, write down any key details, as well as your general impression of the school.

Involve your child in the tour process

If possible, we recommend bringing your child along for your school tour. This is a great way for your child to become familiar with the campus and meet teachers and staff. Your child’s impression of the school may also play a large role in your decision-making process.

Mark your calendar

Set a reminder for your tour date and make sure you have a plan for getting to the school on time. Aim to arrive 15 minutes before the tour’s scheduled start time, so you have time to check in.

Take the next step—sign up for a school tour!

What are you waiting for? If you haven’t already, sign up for a school tour today by visiting our Events page and registering for a tour at your local BASIS Charter School campus. 

We hope to see you on a tour soon!

• Recent Posts

• Introducing BASIS DC’s New Head of School, Calvery Cooper - April 10, 2024
• How BASIS DC’s House System Fosters Teamwork and Community - April 9, 2024
• Congratulations to Our 2024 Flinn Scholar, Edward W. - April 3, 2024

Search Our Site

• February 2024
• January 2024
• December 2023
• November 2023
• October 2023
• September 2023
• August 2023
• February 2023
• January 2023
• December 2022
• November 2022
• October 2022
• September 2022
• August 2022
• November 2021

Post Categories

• BASIS Ahwatukee
• BASIS Baton Rouge Materra
• BASIS Baton Rouge Primary Mid City
• BASIS Cedar Park
• BASIS Chandler
• BASIS Chandler Primary South
• BASIS Charter Schools
• BASIS Charter Schools Texas
• BASIS Flagstaff
• BASIS Goodyear
• BASIS Oro Valley
• BASIS Peoria
• BASIS Peoria Primary
• BASIS Phoenix
• BASIS Phoenix North
• BASIS Prescott
• BASIS Scottsdale
• BASIS Scottsdale Primary East
• BASIS Tucson North
• College Talk
• Educational Resources
• Meet Our Teachers
• Parenting Tips
• School Life
• School News
• Selecting a School
• Student Accomplishments

Join our Interest List

Follow BASIS Charter Schools on social media to see what our campuses are up to!

Ways to Support

Managed by basis ed.

Touropia Travel Experts

Discover the World

17 Top Tourist Attractions in Moscow

The capital of Russia is an incredible place to explore. Visitors to Moscow come away spellbound at all the amazing sights, impressed at the sheer size and grandeur of the city. Lying at the heart of Moscow, the Red Square and the Kremlin are just two of the must-see tourist attractions; they are the historical, political and spiritual heart of the city – and indeed Russia itself.

A fascinating city to wander around, stunning cathedrals, churches, and palaces lie side-by-side with bleak grey monuments and remains from the Soviet state. In addition to its plethora of historical and cultural tourist attractions, Moscow is home to world-class museums, theaters and art galleries.

Renowned for its performing arts, fantastic ballets and amazing circus acts, catching a show while in Moscow is a must. The wealth of brilliant restaurants, trendy bars, and lively nightlife means there is something for everyone to enjoy.

See also: Where to Stay in Moscow

17. Tsaritsyno Palace

Once the summer residence of Catherine the Great, the stunning Tsaritsyno Palace is now a museum-reserve. The architecture is magnificent and there is a lovely park surrounding it for visitors to explore.

Located in the south of Moscow, the palace was commissioned in 1775 and recent renovations mean its lavish interior looks better than ever before with its elegant halls and beautiful staircases.

The exhibits on display look at the life of the empress as well as the history of Tsaritsyno itself. The huge palace grounds are also home to some other delightful buildings with the elegant opera house and wonderful brickwork of the Small Palace being particularly impressive to gaze upon.

Starting out in 1935 as the ‘All-Union Agricultural Exhibition’, VDNKh has slowly morphed over the years into the fascinating open-air museum of today. Remarkably, over 400 buildings can now be found within its confines.

The huge park complex has numerous pavilions representing former Soviet republics on show, such as those of Armenia and Turkmenistan and the distinctive architecture of each of the buildings is always interesting to gaze upon. In addition to this there is the fascinating Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics which is dedicated to space exploration and the fun Moskvarium aquarium even offers you the chance to swim with dolphins.

With lots of eateries scattered about and numerous entertainment options such as horse-riding and zip-lining, there is something for everyone to enjoy; the Friendship of Nations fountain truly is wonderful.

15. Kremlin Armoury

One of the oldest museums in the city, the Kremlin Armoury has a wealth of treasures; highlights include the ornate Grand Siberian Railway egg, the historic Cap of Monomakh and the stunning Imperial Crown of Russia which often has a crowd of tourists around it, jostling to take a photo.

Once the royal armory, there are loads of fascinating objects on display. Perusing the many sabers, jewelry, armor and more is as interesting as it is educational and entertaining and the swords are so finely crafted that you’ll almost wish you could pick up one and wield if yourself.

Established in 1851, the museum is situated in the Moscow Kremlin.

14. GUM Department Store

Standing for ‘Main Universal Store’ in Russian, GUM is stunning. Its wonderful skylights and beautiful facades mean it doesn’t look out of place alongside its illustrious neighbors on Red Square.

With over 200 shops, boutiques and upmarket eateries inside, it is a shopaholic’s heaven and concerned partners will be glad to find more affordable options alongside luxury brands such as Dior and Prada.

The main department store in the city, GUM was opened in 1893. The stunning architecture makes it well worth a visit even if shopping isn’t your thing.

13. Moscow Metro

It’s not often that public transport looks like a work of art. So many stops on the Moscow Metro will astound visitors with their beauty and elegance.

Decked in marble and with frescoes covering the walls, the stations are amazing to gaze upon and are part of one of the longest metro systems in the world, with the first stations opened in 1935.

Using the metro is the quickest and easiest way to get around Moscow and braving the crowds of commuters is well worth it for the beauty all around you.

12. Arbat Street

An elegant yet lively street, Arbat is full of impressive architecture and was once a popular place to live for aristocrats, artists, and academics.

A historic place, it is down Arbat Street that Napoleon’s troops are said to have headed on their way to capture the Kremlin.

Nowadays, there are many cafes, restaurants, and shops, as well as various monuments and statues to former residents such as Alexander Pushkin who was reputed to be a lover of the Russian Empress due to his massive influence in court.

11. Novodevichy Convent

Drenched in history, the Novodevichy Convent is located in a striking building that was once a fortress. This captivating place is well worth visiting when in Moscow.

Founded in 1524, the convent houses four cathedrals; Smolensk Cathedral is the undoubted highlight due to its delightful 16th-century frescoes.

Wandering around the grounds is like stepping back in time. The Novodevichy Cemetery is where many famous leaders of the Soviet Union are buried, such as Yeltsin and Khrushchev.

10. Pushkin Museum

Despite its name, the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts actually has no connection at all to the famous poet other than that it was named in his honor after his death. A delight to visit, its extensive collection focuses on European art with masterpieces by Botticelli, Rembrandt, and van Gogh all featuring.

Sculptures, graphic art, paintings and more can be found in its beautiful galleries; various sections look at themes and epochs such as the Renaissance, the Dutch Golden Age, and Byzantine art.

Among the many highlights are the clownish characters which can be found in Cezanne’s Fastnacht (Mardi Gras) and the twirling ballerinas who look so elegant in Degas’ Blue Dancers. Picasso’s Young acrobat on a Ball is also well worth checking out for its interesting use of shapes and colors.

9. Christ The Savior Cathedral

This gorgeous Russian Orthodox cathedral is located on the banks of the Moskva River, just a stone’s throw away from the Kremlin.

The church as it stands today was consecrated in 2000, as the original church that stood here was destroyed on the command of Josef Stalin in 1931 due to the anti-religious campaign.

With its delightful golden dome, spires and dazzling white facades, the Christ the Savior Cathedral is stunning. The interior is just as captivating to wander around, with its beautifully tiled floors and impressive altar.

8. Lenin Mausoleum

Opened to the public in 1924, Lenin’s Mausoleum is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Moscow. The red granite structure is located at the heart of the city in Red Square.

Lenin’s embalmed body lies in a glass sarcophagus; it is a somewhat eerie experience walking past the former leader of the Soviet Union but is well worth doing as you understandably can’t do it anywhere else in the world.

After visiting the mausoleum, head to the Kremlin wall right next to it for more graves of important communist figures such as Stalin and Brezhnev.

7. Tretyakov Gallery

Home to the most extensive and impressive collection of Russian fine art in the world, the State Tretyakov Gallery is definitely worth visiting when in Moscow for the wealth of amazing art pieces that it has on display.

Having started out as the private art collection of the Tretyakov brothers, there are now over 130,000 exhibits. Highlights include the iconic Theotokos of Vladimir which you will almost certainly recognise despite probably not knowing the name and Rublev’s Trinity which is considered to be one of highest achievements in Russian art.

An absolute must for art lovers, the State Tretyakov Gallery will delight visitors with all that is has to offer.

6. Kolomenskoye

Once a royal estate, Kolomenskoye is now a museum-reserve and lies a few kilometers outside of the city center. A captivating place to visit, there is a plethora of history on show and the site overlooks the Moskva River.

Consisting of four historical sites, there are extensive gardens for visitors to explore, as well as loads of interesting old buildings, the former village of Kolomenskoye itself and the impressive Palace of the Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich – once considered the Eighth Wonder of the World by contemporaries.

Among the many stunning sights, it is the brilliantly white Ascension Church that is the undoubted highlight – dating back to 1532.

5. Gorky Park

Lying alongside the Moskva River, the huge Gorky Park is a lovely place to visit. Its extensive gardens are home to numerous cultural institutions and visitors should definitely check out the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art and while the eclectic exhibits may not always feature such incredible sights as a balloon-covered rider on a zebra; they certainly always succeed in pushing back the boundaries of art.

Pop-up exhibitions and festivals can be found from time to time in the park itself and there is an open-air theatre and numerous eateries alongside a plethora of leisure activities.

Whether it’s cycling, table tennis or yoga that you are after or beach volleyball and rowing, Gorky Park certainly has it. In winter, there is a huge ice rink for visitors to enjoy.

4. Bolshoi Theatre

The Bolshoi Theatre is the main theater in the country. The amazing opera and ballet performances it has put on over the centuries go a long way in explaining Russia’s rich history of performing arts.

While the Bolshoi Ballet Company was established in 1776, the theater itself was opened in 1825. The glittering, six-tier auditorium is lavishly and decadently decorated; it is a fitting setting for the world-class performances that take place on its stage.

Spending a night watching a performance of such classics as The Nutcracker or Swan Lake at the Bolshoi Theatre is sure to be a memorable experience and the beauty all around you only adds to the sense of occasion.

3. Moscow Kremlin

This famously fortified complex is remarkably home to five palaces and four cathedrals and is the historic, political and spiritual center of the city. The Kremlin serves as the residence for the country’s president. It has been used as a fort, and this fact is made clear by its sheer size. The Kremlin’s outer walls were built in the late 1400s.

Under Ivan III, better known as Ivan the Great, the Kremlin became the center of a unified Russian state, and was extensively remodeled. Three of the Kremlin’s cathedrals date to his reign that lasted from 1462-1505. The Deposition Church and the Palace of Facets were also constructed during this time. The Ivan the Great Bell Tower was built in 1508. It is the tallest tower at the Kremlin with a height of 266 feet (81 meters).

Joseph Stalin removed many of the relics from the tsarist regimes. However, the Tsar Bell, the world’s largest bell, and the Tsar Cannon, the largest bombard by caliber in the world, are among the remaining items from that era. The Kremlin Armory is one of Moscow’s oldest museums as it was established more than 200 years ago. Its diamond collection is impressive.

The Kremlin’s gardens – Taynitsky, Grand Kremlin Public and Alexander – are beautiful. The Kremlin has also served as the religious center of the country, and there is a tremendous number of preserved churches and cathedrals here. The collections contained within the museums include more than 60,000 historical, cultural and artistic monuments. Those who enjoy the performing arts will want to consider attending a ballet or concert at the State Kremlin Palace. Completed in 1961, it is the only modern building in the Kremlin.

2. Red Square

Lying at the heart of Moscow, Red Square is the most important and impressive square in the city. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions due to its wealth of historical sights and cultural landmarks.

Drenched in history, the huge square is home to incredible sights such as the Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral and Lenin’s Mausoleum, among others. Consequently, it is not to be missed when in Moscow as it really is home to the city’s most stunning monuments.

It is here that many important moments in Russian history took place; the former marketplace has hosted everything from Tsar’s coronations and public ceremonies to rock concerts and Soviet military parades. Wandering around the massive square is a humbling experience and undoubtedly one of the highlights the city has to offer.

1. Saint Basil’s Cathedral

Located in the impressive Red Square, St. Basil’s Cathedral is gorgeous; its delightful spires appear as if out of a fairytale. The most recognizable building in the country, the cathedral is very much a symbol of Russia. No visit to Moscow is complete without having taken in its unique and distinctive features.

Ivan the Terrible ordered the cathedral’s construction in the mid-16th century, and legend holds that Ivan put out the architect’s eyes so that he would be unable to build another cathedral more glorious than St. Basil’s. Designed to resemble the shape of a bonfire in full flame, the architecture is not only unique to the period in which it was built but to any subsequent period. For various reasons, both Napoleon and Stalin wanted to destroy the cathedral but fortunately did not succeed.

Known for its various colors, shapes and geometric patterns, St. Basil’s Cathedral houses nine different chapels that are all connected by a winding labyrinth of corridors and stairways. On the lower floor, St. Basil’s Chapel contains a silver casket bearing the body of St. Basil the Blessed.

Throughout the cathedral are many beautiful murals, frescoes, wooden icons and other art works and artifacts. Outside the cathedral is a lovely garden with the bronze Monument to Minin and Pozharsky, who rallied an all-volunteer Russian army against Polish invaders during a period of the late 16th century known as the Times of Troubles.

Share this post:

Where to Stay in Moscow

15 Best Attractions & Things to do in Saint Petersburg, Russia

14 Most Scenic Small Towns In Russia

10 Best Places to Visit in Russia

15 Best Cities to Visit in Russia

10 Top Tourist Attractions in Russia

9 Most Beautiful Regions in Russia

10 Most Amazing Destinations in Eastern Russia

8 Best Mozambique Beach Resorts

10 Best Seychelles Luxury Resorts

• Bahasa Indonesia
• Slovenščina
• Science & Tech
• Russian Kitchen

20 most BEAUTIFUL buildings in Moscow (PHOTOS)

1. The Kremlin

Perhaps the most recognizable building in Russia and beyond. But did you know that Italian architects were responsible for this symbol of Russian power? Their skills were highly valued back in the days of Muscovite Russia. In the 15th century, Ivan III invited a team of architects from Italy, consisting of Aristotle Fioravanti, Aloisio da Milano, Antonio Gilardi, and Pietro Antonio Solari, to transform the capital’s fortress. It was they who designed the first   Kremlin towers , as well as the churches and palaces inside its walls.

2. The State Historical Museum

This museum of incredible beauty — dedicated to ancient Russia and the imperial era — looks as old as the nearby Kremlin. In fact, it was built only at the end of the 19th century, but its neo-Russian style blends seamlessly with the Red Square ethos. Today it houses over 5 million exhibits.

3. The Grand Kremlin Palace

Built on the territory of the Kremlin in the mid-19th century by order of Nicholas I and used for the coronation of Russian emperors and audiences with foreign monarchs, today it is the ceremonial residence of the Russian president (who works in the Senate Palace next door). Anyone can enter the Grand Kremlin Palace, but only as part of a tour group ( see here for details ).

4. The Cathedral of the Assumption

The oldest of Moscow’s fully preserved buildings and the tomb of almost all Moscow patriarchs is also located inside the Kremlin. Constructed in the 15th century, it was considered the main cathedral of the Russian state, where Byzantine relics and treasures were brought and housed. Also stored here is the decree of Emperor Paul I, son of Catherine the Great, according to which a woman was not entitled to rule the empire (Paul detested his mother). Since then, Russia has never had a female leader, royal or otherwise.

GUM (the Russian acronym for State Department Store) is not only a shopping center teeming with branded goods from classic luxury to modern Russian designers, but also a monument of architecture dating back to 1893. The main facade opens onto Red Square and matches the style of the nearby State Historical Museum.

6. St Basil’s Cathedral

The most famous Russian church appeared in its iconic location in 1555-1561 by order of Ivan the Terrible, and in fact contains   nine churches in one . The idea of ​​a multi-sectioned cathedral was intended to symbolize the Kingdom of Heaven (New Jerusalem). The architects conceived the “promised city” in the form of multiple churches on the same foundation.

7. The Cathedral of Christ the Savior

What we see today is an exact copy of the church that was built here in honor of Russia’s victory over Napoleon in 1812. But the original building did not survive the Bolsheviks. In 1931, they decided to blow it up and erect the futuristic Palace of the Soviets in its place. Either God exacted revenge or the foundations were too soft, but the half-completed construction had to be abandoned. Instead, the site was used for the largest swimming pool the country had ever seen. After the collapse of the USSR, the swimming pool’s days were numbered, and it soon made way for the cathedral mark 2.

8. Building of the Rossiya insurance company

These commercial premises, built at the very beginning of the 20th century, quickly caught the eye of the creative intelligentsia. In Soviet times, they housed various literary, musical and film organizations, as well as art workshops. The studios were a focal point of the Moscow underground, whose illustrious denizens included Ilya Kabakov, one of the most highly-valued contemporary artists of Soviet origin.

9. Igumnov House

The house of the Igumnovs, a family of Yaroslavl merchants, had an eventful time after the 1917 revolution. It was named after Nikolai Igumnov, who himself gave the building to the Soviet government, after which it served as the Soviet Institute of Blood Transfusion, the Institute of the Brain and, lastly, the residence of the French ambassador to Russia.

10. Bykovo Estate

This manor house, located in suburban Moscow, resembles a Disney castle. Today, it is in fact an   Orthodox church , having once belonged to various eminent families close to the imperial court. One of the owners was Mikhail Izmailov, a conspirator in the coup that brought Catherine II to the throne.

11. The Federation Tower

The tallest skyscraper in the Moscow-City business district, and the second highest in Europe. It stands 374 meters and 96 floors high. The architectural project is the brainchild of Sergey Choban and Peter Schweger. Besides offices, it contains numerous shops, restaurants, and premium apartments.

12. Tsaritsyno Palace

This magnificent palace atop a hill in southern Moscow has been given a new lease of life. Conceived as the Moscow residence of Catherine II, it was never used. Abandoned and in a terrible state until the late 20th century, the palace underwent major restoration work in the 2000s.

13. The Bolshoi Theater

The Bolshoi is one of the most famous opera and ballet theaters in the world. Its iconic facade is defined by the majestic colonnade crowned with Apollo’s chariot. However, what we see today is in fact the fourth   Bolshoi building , constructed in 1835, the three previous ones having burned down.

14. Melnikov House

This masterpiece of 1920s Soviet constructivism was conceived as an architectural experiment: architect Konstantin Melnikov wanted to populate the entire city with round houses, believing that the cylindrical shape would save money on materials. However, his architectural solution was rejected by contemporaries, and the house remained one of a kind.

15. Main building of Moscow State University

In 1947, Moscow celebrated its 800th birthday, in honor of which the government decided to erect   eight high-rise buildings   intended to project the might of the post-war Soviet superpower (partly inspired by US skyscrapers). In the end, only seven materialized (the so-called Stalin’s sisters). One of the most famous is the building of Moscow State University.

16. The Dominion Tower

This office center, designed by world-famous architecture star Zaha Hadid, looks like a stack of books or a cake with skewed layers. Zaha Hadid Architects describes the idea as “​​spatial flight.” Despite its arresting appearance, the project is still less flamboyant than most of her creations elsewhere, having been slightly adapted to the harsh Russian realities.

17. Skolkovo campus

This building in western Moscow resembles a monument to suprematism and the works of Malevich. In fact, it is a business school, built in 2006 and designed by British architect David Adjaye, who also created the National Museum of African-American History and Culture in Washington and the Museum of Modern Art in Denver.

18. Pashkov House

Legend has it that architect Vasily Bazhenov, offended at Catherine II for not allowing him to remodel the Kremlin, designed this magnificent mansion directly opposite to underscore her error of judgment. However, there is no real evidence of this, or in fact that Pashkov House was the brainchild of Bazhenov. And that’s not the building’s only secret. It’s rumored that deep under the hill upon which it stands the lost   library of Ivan the Terrible   full of priceless ancient manuscripts lies hidden.

19. Petrovsky Palace

This palace was built in honor of victory in the Russo-Turkish War (1768-1774) on the orders of Catherine II, and used as a residence for nobles journeying from St Petersburg to Moscow. It even housed Napoleon and his guard for a night during their retreat from Moscow in 1812. Today, the palace contains a boutique hotel, allowing anyone to stay there.

20. Garage Museum of Contemporary Art

A superb example of the elegant minimalism of Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas. The basis of the project was an empty 1968 Soviet modernist building in Gorky Park, which had long accommodated the Vremena Goda (Seasons of the Year) restaurant. After its closure, the building stood abandoned for 20 years, and was only rejuvenated a decade ago. The museum interior decor preserves a unique mosaic and other architectural elements of Soviet times.

If using any of Russia Beyond's content, partly or in full, always provide an active hyperlink to the original material.

to our newsletter!

Get the week's best stories straight to your inbox

• Top 10 Russian WWII movies as voted by Russians themselves
• How not to get killed by Moscow Metro’s heavy entrance doors
• 15 most BEAUTIFUL buildings in St. Petersburg (PHOTOS)

This website uses cookies. Click here to find out more.

THE 10 BEST Moscow City Tours

City tours in moscow.

• Private Tours
• Walking Tours
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3rd Transport Ring (TTK)
• District Central (TsAO)
• Garden Ring
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for Couples
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Kids
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Adventurous
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Moscow Private Tours

2. Moscow through the Eyes of an Engineer

3. Moscow Free Tour

4. Bridge to Moscow

5. Spanish Guide Moscow - Day Tours

6. Go Russia Travel Company

7. Privilege Tour

8. Moscow Navigator

9. Put-in Tours

10. Walks With Folks

11. Moskovskiye Gulyaki

12. Moscow Bike Tours

13. Happy Moscow Tours

14. Tour of Moscow - Day Tours

15. Kremlin Tour

16. IdeaGuide - Your Personal Guide in Moscow

17. Tsar Visit

18. Excursions in Russia

19. Moscow Greeter

20. VikiTours

21. MoscowMe

22. Gulyayem po Moskve

23. Tour Gratis Moscu

24. Tour-Moscow

25. Gorodskoi Voyazh

26. Rusiatourmoscu

27. Moscow 360

28. Express to Russia

29. Russia With Love

30. Angel Taxi - Day Tour

What travelers are saying

• Put-in Tours
• Spanish Guide Moscow - Day Tours
• Walks With Folks
• Happy Moscow Tours
• Moscow Bike Tours
• IdeaGuide - Your Personal Guide in Moscow
• Moscow Private Tours
• Tour Gratis Moscu
• Moscow Free Tour
• YourLocalGuide Moscow
• Moscow Navigator
• Moscow through the Eyes of an Engineer
• Angel Taxi - Day Tour
• Your Moscow Guide & Driver
• Excursions in Russia
• Vadim Pavlov Guide and Driver in Moscow