Parks

Photo: Olive beach in Gorky Park

Tired of the city's hustle and bustle, many Muscovites and visitors look for peace in Moscow's park areas. Green spaces take up almost one-third of the city. Many of the parks are built close to palaces, summer residences of the nobility, and other monuments, which helps to make the walk through the parks a cultural and enlightening experience.

Recently Moscow government has taken serious steps to improve parks landscape, develop recreation infrastructure and organize various performances and events.   Once these steps are implemented, parks will probably become  the main past time destination for residents and tourists!

Gorky Park

This is the main park of the city and the primary venue for dozens of public events and festivals every year.  In 2011, a new “Olive” beach was opened, named after the olive trees planted there. 

In the western part of the city you can find one of the largest parks in Moscow - Fili-Kuntsevskiy park, which includes the scenic embankment on the Moscow river.

Park-Estates

Luxurious park-estate Tsaritsino is a very popular place, constituting an architectural ensemble which was designed by Vasily Bazhenov for Empress Catherine the Great. Visitors of the park will enjoy  the "singing lighted fountain".

Established in the XIX century, Sokolniki park is famous for its comfort and special atmosphere.  In addition to attractions and artistic stages, the park has the cultural and exhibition center “Sokolniki”, established in 1959.

Other notable parks are Troparevsky, Timiryazevsky, Bitsevsky, Losinoostrovsky. Visitors can also walk around smaller parks in the city center, including Catherine's Park, Hermitage and Aptekarsky gardens.