spirit yachts 47cr

SPIRIT YACHTS

MODERN CLASSIC YACHT DESIGN & BUILD

Based in Suffolk on the east coast of the UK, Spirit Yachts has a portfolio of custom, wooden sail and power yachts ranging from day sailers to superyachts.

From humble beginnings in the Suffolk countryside, Spirit Yachts now operates from a large waterside facility with a team of highly skilled designers, naval architects, boat builders, cabinet makers, electricians and engineers.

TIMELESS ELEGANCE

Spirit Yachts’ contemporary, elegant design style is world-renowned. Subtle variations on 1930s classic yacht design with long overhangs, low profiles and smooth lines, married to contemporary underwater profiles and the latest technology, are synonymous with Spirit’s modern classic cruising, racing, and power yachts.

Spirit yachts are designed to be as beautiful in 100 years as they are today.

“THE SPIRIT TEAM IS WITHOUT DOUBT THE BEST IN THE WORLD WHEN IT COMES TO A UNIQUE BUILD EXPERIENCE AND A TIMELESSLY BEAUTIFUL YACHT.”

WORLD-CLASS WOODWORK

Spirit Yachts comprises a talented team of craftsmen and women who are passionate about and dedicated to the highest standards of boat building.

Using hand-selected timber sustainably sourced from responsibly managed forests, Spirit yachts incorporate the beauty of wood with the latest modern technology for sailing performance and a luxury guest experience.

SUSTAINABILITY

WOOD IS AT THE HEART OF EVERY SPIRIT YACHT.

Wood is a natural, sustainably-sourced boat building material offering beauty, a favourable strength-to-weight ratio, and durability. Spirit Yachts is committed to the environmental sustainability of its wood and is meticulous in sourcing the highest quality timber from responsibly managed forests and regulated suppliers.

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• Yachting World
• Digital Edition

Spirit Yachts: Inside the British yard behind some of the world’s most beautiful boats

• February 6, 2020

Few builders possess the power of seduction demonstrated by British wood epoxy experts Spirit Yachts. David Glenn reports

Spirit Yachts’s workforce with one of the laminated sapele frames of the Spirit 111. Photo: Emily Harris

Highly stylised furniture

Two of the defining features of the Spirit 111 are aesthetics and a determination to use modern technology to make the yacht as efficient as possible, reducing the amount of fossil fuel required.

In profile she has a noticeably low freeboard and while the owner was warned this might limit headroom in the ends of the accommodation he was prepared to sacrifice this for looks. “The freeboard is just 1.4m which means she looks stunning – she’s more J then a J,” said Sean McMillan who is clearly relishing working with a client who won’t let anything get in the way of aesthetics.

Using some unusual, highly stylised furniture as guidance on how he wanted the interior designed, the client went to Rhoades Young in the UK to develop the accommodation. The result, which suits the use of wood construction perfectly, is quite extraordinary.

The yacht’s drive train comprises a 200hp electric engine served by four banks of lithium ion batteries providing a 380V system. The technology has been developed by the German outboard manufacturer Torqeedo, which has branched out into other forms of what it calls ‘water-based electromobility’ in response to the need for boats to be super eco-friendly on European inland lakes.

Nigel Stuart and Sean McMillan visited several companies developing the technology and were impressed by what they saw at Torqeedo in Gilching, Bavaria. One of the attractions is that the company considers the system as a whole, including batteries, the drive train to the folding Gori propeller, the ‘freewheeling’ prop generator system while sailing, and smart control to keep electricity consumption to a minimum.

The electric propulsion package perfectly suits the Spirit 111’s easily driven hull and relatively light displacement of just 59 tonnes. The batteries, which are similar to those used by BMW for their i3 and i8 electric cars, have a nine-year warranty and are small enough to fit under the yacht’s cabin sole in way of the keel.

It is anticipated that the Spirit 111 will be able to remain in quiet ship mode (no generator running) using all domestic appliances including air conditioning and water making for three to four days, assuming charging via the propeller while sailing can be achieved for up to five hours a day. Recharging the batteries using the yacht’s twin 25kw/33hp four-cylinder Torqeedo generators takes just four hours.

The deckhouse of a new Spirit in build showing the fan skylight. Photo: Emily Harris

In addition to propulsion efficiency, low current means running motors for cooling systems for the battery bank and the electric engine itself, plus pumps for the hydraulic system and a Webasto electric water heater, will also be far more efficient through smart control and monitoring. If these targets can be reached, the Spirit 111 will use half the amount of fuel than that of a conventional system, demonstrating a big advance in the search for the genuinely eco-friendly superyacht.

Another yacht in search of low consumption, and attracting considerable attention, is the recently-launched Spirit P70 motor yacht . She’s a semi-displacement fast cruiser with a top speed of 25 knots, whose owner required a 1,000nm range at 18 knots enabling him to complete cruises from Hamble in the UK to Scandinavia and back without refuelling.

Her advantageous power-to-weight ratio is achieved through her lightweight timber construction requiring two MAN diesel inboard engines of just 800hp each to reach the required performance. She carries 10,000lt of fuel, divided into five tanks, which is automatically distributed between the tanks to maintain efficient trim as the fuel is consumed. With luxurious accommodation on three levels this is a businesslike-looking yacht capable of high average speeds in almost all sea conditions.

The P70 powerboat hull in the early stages of build with major engineering fitting such as engine and stabilisers. Photo: Emily Harris

With these three yachts alone, Spirit Yachts is displaying not only its known ability in sophisticated wood epoxy construction, but also its keenness to use advanced technology available from other industries. It’s a powerful combination likely to attract considerable attention in the demanding world of superyachting.

The Spirit Yachts story: From a cowshed in Saxmundham to building superyachts

Spirit Yachts has come a long way since a 37-footer called Spirit was built in a cowshed in Saxmundham in 1993. The hull of this beautiful long-ended, wood epoxy sloop was so light that Sean McMillan and his late business partner Mick Newman could pick it up between them and turn it over for completion.

Demand for larger yachts soon grew with eleven 46s built to date, four 52s and many other sizes including a 56, 74 and the 100-footer Gaia . Despite a steady flow of orders over the years and a big spike in interest when a Spirit 54 ‘starred’ in the James Bond movie Casino Royale , Sean McMillan had to spend a lot of time explaining the advantages of building in wood epoxy to the boat buying public.

Daniel Craig took the helm of a Spirit 54 in Casino Royale

“Thirty years ago people thought wooden boats were dirty smelly things, difficult to maintain with dodgy stuff lurking in the bilges,” said McMillan. “The journey has involved subtly re-educating the yachting public about composite wooden yachts.”

Due to its epoxy saturated protection, composite wood yachts are almost maintenance-free, they are easy to repair and can be done so invisibly, maintains Sean McMillan. The very structure of the hull is, without doubt, a thing of beauty something illustrated by the interior of the stripped out Spirit 52D Oui Fling . And it is the outward appearance of the Spirit genre that gives it its must-have status.

In 2007 Spirit Yachts launched five yachts including the 100ft Gaia , but it was also the year in which Sean lost his business partner Mick Newman, who died in a light aircraft crash in Turkey. Shortly after that in 2008 the financial crisis hit, although the effects didn’t filter down to Spirit Yachts until 2010 when business slowed.

The stripped-out interior of the Spirit 52D Oui Fling exhibits the yard’s craftsmanship. Photo: Mike Bowden

When Nigel Stuart arrived in 2013, the first thing he did was replace the industrial style metal door leading to reception with a solid mahogany one. He booked a stand at the Düsseldorf Boat Show, fired up the media machine and sat Sean down at his drawing board.

Stuart has also encouraged the company to re-define its range, which now includes, The Classic Style (Spirit 46,52, 56); The Cruising Style (Spirit 47CR, 55CR); The Deckhouse Range (Spirit DH57, DH60); Spirit Superyachts (100 to 130) and then the entirely bespoke. Spirit Yachts expanded into new, modern premises in 2017, making the build process faster. In all respects it’s a very long way indeed from that cowshed in Saxmundham…

The go-faster factor

A key player in almost all Spirit Yachts projects is John Parker of OneSails, based in Suffolk Yacht Harbour. He is passionate about Spirit’s modern classic ethos. His sails are not only Spirit’s preferred choice, but clients are urged to discuss their needs from early on in a project.

The interior of the Spirit 74 is beautifully built in ruby rich mahogany and flooded with light. Photo: Anthony Morris

“It’s important to understand how people are likely to use their yachts,” said Nigel Stuart. “Are they setters and leavers, or non-stop tweakers? Will they simply go cruising or take to the race course?” Based on these facts carbon mast specification can be decided.

“We try to futureproof yachts by building in items like additional sheave boxes and mast track laminate reinforcement for spinnaker poles – it’s amazing how many clients seem convinced they don’t want to race but end up being tempted,” said Stuart.

Low friction rings, soft shackles and bespoke, colour-coded running rigging – even hand stitched leather winch handle pockets – are all part of what’s on offer to ensure clients get the best out of their Spirit and that the boat looks the part.

Adapted and updated from an article published in the September 2017 edition of Yachting World.

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Pictures: Spirit Yachts through the years

• Stef Bottinelli

From the Spirit 54, also known as Soufrière, which starred in James Bond's Casino Royale, to the much-awaited Spirit 52, we take a look at the British boat builder's most beautiful vessels

From Spirit Yachts’ first boat, built in 1993, to the much awaited Spirit 52, which will be unveiled in 2017 , we take a look at the iconic British boat builders’ craft through the years.

Spirit 37, 1993

The first yacht built by Spirit Yachts in 1993, the Spirit 37’ embodies Spirit’s core principles of beauty, style and performance. A stunning day racer, the Spirit 37s can be seen competing successfully in classic regattas all over the world.

Spirit P35, 1996

©Håkon Borg/MAGPIE – www.magpievisuals.tk // www.hakonborg.tk

Originally designed and built by Spirit Yachts in 1999 for a Swedish owner, Ali Baba is the first and only existing Spirit P35 to date. This stunning day/weekend cruiser was recently bought by a British customer who brought her 1,200 miles back across the North Sea to the UK from Halden in southern Norway. Following a refit in the Spirit yard, the re-named Amelia set off for the south coast, where she is now used for family cruising on the Hamble river.

See Spirit Yachts in pictures below

Spirit 46, 2003

Spirit 46; Narragansett Bay, RI

Eleven Spirit 46s have been built to date, which is testament to her classical elegant lines and racing performance. Built for speed (she can regularly achieve speeds of 18+ knots) and weighing only 4.5 tonnes (of which half is her keel), the Spirit 46’ offers comfortable accommodation for up to five people and ample galley space. With all controls led aft to the cockpit, short-handed or single-handed sailing is accomplished with ease, whilst a full regatta can be undertaken with a crew of just four.

Spirit 54, 2006

The Spirit 54’, which starred alongside Daniel Craig and Eva Green in Casino Royale©, is perhaps Spirit’s most iconic yacht. Following her movie début, the yacht was sold and went on to enjoy subsequent years’ cruising and participating in competitive racing.

Spirit Yachts CEO and head designer Sean McMillan comments:  “ Soufrière was designed specifically for Casino Royale© following the production company’s search for a classically elegant, unique, British built yacht.”

Describing the filming of Casino Royale© , McMillan adds: “The most challenging voyage for Soufrière came during filming in Venice when we had to take the rig in and out ten times; she was the first sailing yacht to go up the Grand Canal for 300 years.”

See the boats featured in James Bond films

Spirit 52, 2007

Designed as a performance cruiser by Spirit CEO Sean McMillan for himself and his wife Jenny, the first Spirit 52’ Flight of Ufford enjoys an impressive power to weight ratio, and with a displacement of only eight tonnes she is an extremely light performance cruising yacht. With a top speed to date of 16 knots, she is one of Spirit’s most successful racing yachts and is a regular class winner at the BCYC Panerai Week in Cowes.

Spirit 100, 2007

Spirit’s flagship, and largest yacht built to date, is the 100-foot Gaia . Built for racing as well as relaxed family sailing, Gaia remains a ground-breaking example of modern classic, wooden yacht technology.

Keen superyacht fans will have spotted Gaia on the race circuits at the Loro Piana and Superyacht Cup regattas, and at 48 tonnes she has an impressive strength to weight ratio for a yacht of her size. Gaia comprises North 3DL sails, Nordic carbon mast with BSI nitronic rod rigging, carbon rudder, full stainless steel 2 speed electric self-tailing Anderson winches and custom deck gear by Hercules.

Skyfall yacht Regina for sale

Spirit 76, 2008

The first Spirit 76’ Nazgul , was designed for speed on the racing circuit with the option for comfortable family cruising and longer passages onboard. With a large aft owner’s suit spanning the width of the hull, the 76’ has a luxurious saloon area with plenty of seating and space for entertaining.

Spirit 60DH, 2009

The brief for the first 60-foot Spirit Deckhouse was a classically designed yacht that could easily be sailed short-handed and was comfortable enough to spend long periods of time living onboard. The result was the Spirit 60DH, with its raised coachroof offering protection from the elements. Spirit of Rani ’s owner spends his time cruising around the Caribbean and can often be spotted competing at the Panerai Antigua Classic Week.

Spirit 74, 2014

The client’s brief for the Spirit 74’ was simple; to build the most beautiful yacht possible with no compromise on quality and performance. The result is Galatea; a stunning 74-foot yacht with large fan skylights and windows in the coachroof flooding the large saloon below with natural light. The huge cockpit, designed for the best of Mediterranean cruising, and sweeping aft deck offer plenty of space to relax. Performance remains at the forefront of the 74’ design with potential for speeds of over 20 knots in the right conditions.

Spirit P40, 2015

The Spirit P40 is a sophisticated 12-metre power boat that perfectly demonstrates the clean lines and structural integrity synonymous with Spirit Yachts’ modern classic style. Incorporating practicality as well as beauty, the Spirit P40 offers the flexibility of either a luxurious leisure motor cruiser or stylish superyacht tender.

Spirit 47CR, 2016

The first yacht to be launched from Spirit’s new cruising range, the 47CR is shortlisted in the 2017 category in the European Yacht of the Year awards. The design has more volume and headroom down below for cruising and, as with all Spirit Yachts, the 47CR boasts an impressive power to weight ratio offering the option for competitive Spirit of Tradition racing.

Spirit 52, 2017

The new Spirit Classic 52’ currently in build has been tailored specifically for racing, with no compromise on performance. With a completely stripped out interior, flush decks, and carbon rigging, spars and rudder, the yacht is being built for an experienced and competitive racing sailor. Bound for the south coast classic regattas next summer, this Spirit 52’ will be complemented by an extensive sail wardrobe for all weather conditions.

Spirit Yachts’ first yacht, built in 1993, the Spirit 37’ embodies Spirit’s core principles of beauty, style and performance.

Spirit Yachts p35

Built in 1999, Ali Baba is the first and only existing Spirit P35 to date.

Credit: Håkon Borg/MAGPIE

Eleven Spirit 46s have been built to date, which is testament to her classical elegant lines and racing performance.

Credit: Billy Black

The Spirit 54’, which starred alongside Daniel Craig and Eva Green in Casino Royale©, is perhaps Spirit’s most iconic yacht. Following her movie début, the yacht was sold and went on to enjoy subsequent years’ cruising and participating in competitive racing.

Credit: Casino Royale © 2006 Danjaq, LLC & United Artists Corporation

With a top speed to date of 16 knots, she is one of Spirit’s most successful racing yachts and is a regular class winner at the BCYC Panerai week in Cowes.

Credit: ©Anthony Morris

Spirit’s flagship, and largest yacht built to date, is the 100foot Gaia. Built for racing as well as relaxed family sailing, Gaia remains a ground-breaking example of modern classic, wooden yacht technology.

Credit: carlo-borlenghi

The first Spirit 76’ Nazgul, was designed for speed on the racing circuit with the option for comfortable family cruising and longer passages onboard. With a large aft owner’s suit spanning the width of the hull, the 76’ has a luxurious saloon area with plenty of seating and space for entertaining.

Credit: JEAN FRANCOIS CANAVAGGIA

Spirit 60DH

The brief for the first 60foot Spirit Deckhouse was a classically designed yacht that could easily be sailed short-handed and was comfortable enough to spend long periods on time living onboard.

Credit: Anthony Morris

A stunning 74foot yacht with large fan skylights and windows in the coachroof flooding the large saloon below with natural light. The huge cockpit, designed for the best of Mediterranean cruising, and sweeping aft deck offer plenty of space to relax.

Credit: © 2015 Anthony Morris

The Spirit P40 is a sophisticated 12metre power boat that perfectly demonstrates the clean lines and structural integrity synonymous with Spirit Yachts’ modern classic style.

Credit: Emily Harris

Spirit Yachts 47CR

The first yacht to be launched from Spirit’s new cruising range, the 47CR is shortlisted in the 2017 category in the European Yacht of the Year awards.

Credit: Paul Wyeth

Projects: Spirit 54: a Bond girl with a difference

When Daniel Craig cruised the Spirit 54 along Venice’s Grand Canal in the 2006 James Bond movie Casino Royale, it was the first time a sailing boat had entered those waters for 300 years. We spoke to the Spirit Yachts team about this breathtaking wooden beauty and discovered how WEST SYSTEM® epoxy resin had more than just a bit-part to play in her construction.

“The filming schedule was extremely intense, and the multiple changes of location involved taking her mast in and out a total of ten times” says Nigel Stuart, Managing Director of Spirit Yachts. “To film on the Grand Canal, the mast needed dropping, re-stepping and taking down again once filming was complete; she was the first sailing yacht in that part of the canal for 300 years.”

When the Casino Royale team approached Spirit, they knew the Suffolk-based classic yacht builder could create a boat to stand out from the crowd. “Bond is obviously famous for his taste in classic cars like the Aston Martin, so the production team were looking for a quality build. That’s why they came to Spirit,” says Nigel. “Every yacht in the Spirit portfolio is entirely crafted in wood, so they ooze quality and classic elegance. It was a great opportunity to showcase British craftsmanship.”

“Every yacht in the Spirit portfolio is entirely crafted in wood, so they ooze quality and classic elegance.”

Speed and sophistication

Like every other Spirit yacht, the Spirit 54 (actually named ‘Soufrière’, after a dormant volcano on the French island of Guadeloupe) is the pinnacle of elegance. A scaled-up version of the Spirit 52, she is built entirely in wood and epoxy, featuring the company’s iconic mahogany topsides and teak deck, as well as two double cabins with en-suite facilities. There’s also a spacious living area, complete with mahogany dining table and a well-equipped galley.

However, just like every Spirit yacht, looks are only part of the package; behind Soufrière’s glossy wooden exterior beats the heart of a racing boat. At just 8.1 tons, with 40% of that weight in the keel, she’s light for her size. Plus she has a carbon mast, jacked rig and racing sails. “We treat wood as an engineering product. With the right construction techniques, wood and epoxy can build very lightweight, stiff boats. In comparison to our own production methods, fibreglass is heavy,” says Nigel.

Building the Bond boat

Construction of the iconic 007 boat followed the same process as every Spirit yacht, beginning with the hull. The Spirit team laminated Sapele ring frames in epoxy over full-size, computer-generated patterns. They then positioned the ring frames and bulkheads onto a ‘strongback’ – a lengthwise bracing beam, designed to add strength – before the hull planks were glued into position.

“We then meticulously bevelled everything, ready for the first layers of Douglas fir planking to be glued into place with epoxy,” says Nigel. Next, the whole assembly was faired, before the team covered the hull with 3mm Khaya veneers. “We applied the veneer strips in a double-diagonal formation, at 90° to the first layer of planking. They were bonded with epoxy, using vacuum bagging techniques. This creates a super-strong structure,” explains Nigel.

The final stages of the Spirit 54 build saw the hull sheathed with biaxial fibreglass cloth and epoxy. “This created an almost totally waterproof barrier,” says Nigel. “The process also makes the hull even stronger, while providing an excellent base for the topside paintwork.” Spirit Yachts also used epoxy for teak deck bonding and interior carpentry.

“We use WEST SYSTEM products across our whole portfolio and for absolutely everything; we don’t use any other glue or epoxy products at all”

Clearly, epoxy had a critical role to play throughout this build. WEST SYSTEM Epoxy Products were the only ones used, namely 105 Epoxy Resin ®, 205 Fast Hardener® and 206 Slow Hardener® . “We use WEST SYSTEM products across our whole portfolio and for absolutely everything; we don’t use any other glue or epoxy products at all,” says Nigel. “WEST SYSTEM products are consistent, industry-standard products that we can trust to deliver the strength and durability we need on every one of our builds.”

A sought-after style

Not long after Soufrière’s debut in the 2006 movie, Spirit Yachts had enquiries coming in thick and fast. “We had about four times our normal yearly enquiries that year. This continued for about 18 months,” says Nigel. “Even today, we still get enquiries from people that have found us via Casino Royale.”

In the decade since the movie hit our screens, Soufrière has been showing her prowess on the international racing circuit. Just last year she placed second in Class 1 Modern Classics, won the ladies’ race and took line honours in the Round the Island race at the British Classic Yacht Club Panerai regatta on the Isle of Wight.

At the end of 2015 Soufrière came back into the Spirit Yachts fold for a freshen up. “We varnished the hull and generally took care of any wear and tear. She’s held up really well over ten years,” says Nigel. “That’s all thanks to her robust construction.”

Today, the Spirit Yachts team can be found preparing to launch two new additions to their portfolio: the Spirit 47CR and 55CR, which focus on luxurious leisure sailing with the performance for racing when needed. “We’re really excited about the new cruising range,” says Nigel. “It will be ready to launch this autumn.”

Find out more about Spirit Yachts’ 007 yacht via their website .

You can also learn more about Spirit Yachts’ brand new 47CR and 55CR here .

To see how WEST SYSTEM Epoxy Products can help you build a boat that’s licenced to thrill, visit the West System International website .

Images: Casino Royale© 2006 Danjaq, LLC & United Artists Corporation.

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PARIS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 30: Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe at Paris Motor Show on September 30, 2010 in Paris

MOSCOW,RUSSIA-JULY 10: Rolls-Royce emblem logo on display at the start annual Rally of classical cars "Zolotoe kol'co" on Red Square on July 10, 2010 in Moscow, Russia

BERLIN - JUNE 14, 2015: Detail of wheel and brake system of the full-size luxury car Rolls-Royce Ghost (since 2010). The Classic Days on Kurfuerstendamm.

LONDON - SEPTEMBER 04: The Spirit of Ecstasy, mascot of Rolls-Royce at Chelsea AutoLegends, on September 04, 2011 in London. The Spirit of Ecstasy is also called the Flying Lady or the Silver Lady.

NONTHABURI, THAILAND - March 25: The Rolls Royce Ghost Extended Wheelbase is on display at The 36th Bangkok International Motor Show on March 25, 2015 in Nonthaburi, Thailand.

Luxury car parked on unpaved road near mountains

rolls royce

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - SEPT 24: A 1962 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II in the final stage of the competition for classic cars at the Closing of the season Rally Retro Car on September 24, 2011 in Moscow,Russia

expensive car convertible. Rolls-Royce Dawn luxury convertible.

SINGAPORE - FEBRUARY 03: Rolls-Royce presented their trent swept titanium alloy fan at Singapore Airshow February 03, 2010 in Singapore

Szczecin,Poland-October 2020:Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II .3d illustration.

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - SEPT 24: A 1952 Rolls-Royce Phantom V in the final stage of the competition for classic cars at the "Closing of the season Rally Retro Car" on September 24, 2011 in Moscow, Russia

Front low angle view of oldtimer vintage saloon car. The front lights and chrome grill of classic beauty looking solid yet elegant and attractive.

June 13th 2017, Riga, Latvia: Rolls Royce Ghost Black Badge photo shoot for editorial use. Photographer shooting pictures of car in rainy day under Rolls Royce original umbrella.

RIGA, SEPTEMBER 2018 - New Rolls-Royce Phantom luxury car is displayed for editorial purposes. Shallow focus effect

BERLIN - MARCH 08, 2015: Showroom. Luxury car Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited global manufacturer of luxury cars.

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 3: Spirit of Ecstasy is the bonnet ornament on the english car Rolls-Royce Phantom competed at the annual L.U.C. Chopard Classic Weekend Rally on June 3, 2012 in Moscow, Russia.

London, UK-7 MAY, 2019: Private executive airplane with limousine Rolls Royce Phantom luxury car shown together at international Heathrow Airport. VIP service at the airport. Business class transfer.

Vintage Rolls Royce

WESTERN POLAND - AUGUST 4: View through a window of the New Boeing 787 Dreamliner during a training flight from Bydgoszcz to Wroclaw on August 4, 2013 in Western Poland.

PARIS, FRANCE - SEP 12, 2016: Headlight and logotype of a exclusive Luxury Rolls-Royce car limousine parked in city during fashion wedding vip event waiting for passenger. Rolls-Royce is a British car

London, UK-7 MAY, 2019: Private executive airplane with limousine Rolls Royce Phantom luxury car shown together at international Heathrow Airport. VIP service at the airport. Business-class transfer.

SINGAPORE - APRIL 12: Rear leather seats with star ceiling of the Rolls Royce Wraith on display during Singapore Yacht Show at One Degree 15 Marina Club Sentosa Cove April 12, 2014 in Singapore

Kiev, Ukraine - February 11, 2016: Logos collection of different brands of cars: Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, Honda, Jaguar and others, printed on paper and placed on white background.

12 October 2014: Fair of the spouses to San Pellegrino Terme Italy. the Rolls Royce logo

Rolls Royce

Rolls Royce Phantom Series II 2015 6.75-liter V-12, Monte Negro, Test Drive,The Spirit of Ecstasy bonnet ornament

Munich, Germany - March 16, 2014: Blue Royce Rolls at BMW Museum - Photo 1

the silhouette of the car. Rolls Royce.

United Kingdom, Manchester May 2021.The Black Leather Multi Function Steering Wheel With Rolls Royce Double R Logo On The Steering Wheel Of A 2018 Rolls Royce Dawn Black Badge

vector oldtimer car

Rolls Royce angel

BADEN-BADEN, GERMANY JULY 13: ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM (1934) at The International Exhibition of old cars "Internationales Oldtimer-Meeting Baden-Baden" on July 13, 2012 in Baden-Baden, Germany.

PARIS - OCTOBER 14: Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe in Carrara White metallic with Bespoke design at the Paris Motor Show 2010 at Porte de Versailles, on October 14, 2010 in Paris, France

PARIS - OCTOBER 11: Rolls-Royce Ghost in Bespoke Ghost Silver 100 is displayed at the Paris Motor Show 2010 at Porte de Versailles, on October 11, 2010 in Paris, France

SINGAPORE - FEBRUARY 12: Rolls Royce trent engine fan blades on display at Singapore Airshow February 12, 2014 in Singapore

Indianapolis - Circa September 2017: Rolls-Royce Aerospace Jet Turbine Plant. More Rolls-Royce products are built in Indianapolis than anywhere else in the world IX

AUGUST 2011 - KAMPEN: "Emmy" or "Spirit of Ecstacy", hood ornament of a Rolls Royce luxury car at the Sturmhaube, Kampen, Sylt, Germany.

This photo was taken in Silverstone, Northamptonshire / United Kingdom - August 18th, 2018: The front headlight of a modern Rolls Royce Wraith luxury car.

INDIANAPOLIS - CIRCA OCTOBER 2015: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Indianapolis, IN II

BERLIN, GERMANY - JUNE 01, 2016: Turbofan jet engines Rolls-Royce Trent XWB. Exhibition ILA Berlin Air Show 2016.

SINGAPORE - FEBRUARY 12: Front view of the intake fan of Boeing 787 Dreamliner's Rolls Royce Trent 1000 engine at Singapore Airshow February 12, 2012 in Singapore

Luxury premium high class realistic sedan coupe sport colour blue elegant new 3d car urban electric power style model lifestyle business work modern art design vector template isolated background

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY - April 19, 2017: Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge parked in a country club near Budapest. Its 6.6 litre twin-turbo V12 has been enhanced to deliver more torque and a thrilling 603hp.

PLYMOUTH - JULY 29 : A vintage Rolls Royce hood ornament at the Concours D'Elegance July 29, 2012 in Plymouth, Michigan.

BANGKOK, THAILAND - 4 AUGUST 2017: Rolls-Royce Ghost and Exclusive Luxury Rolls Royce at Car Showroom in Bangkok, Thailand

BEIJING - MAY 2: A Rolls-Royce Ghost is on display at the 2010 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition (Auto China 2010) on May 2, 2010 in Beijing, China.

Yerevan, Armenia - 13 January 2019. Most comfortable and luxury car ever - Rolls-Royce. In bright white color it looks perfect, especially surrounded with dark trees in the central park.

DALLAS, TEXAS, USA – SEPTEMBER 22: 2017 Rolls-Royce Ghost steering wheel and tan leather bespoke interior located in Dallas, Texas on September 22, 2017.

Munich, Germany - March 16, 2014: Blue Royce Rolls at BMW Museum - Photo 2

LONDON, UK - AUG 30, 2014: Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament on English Luxury Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow Car On A Cobblestone Street In London, UK, Aug 30, 2014

MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 19: Rolls Royce detail on display at Milano AutoClassica, the classical and sporting car show in Milan, Italy on February 19, 2012

BERLIN, GERMANY - MAY 17, 2014: The famous emblem "Spirit of Ecstasy" on the Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit. Black and white. 27th Oldtimer Day Berlin - Brandenburg

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15 Fantastic and Easy Day Trips From Moscow

Is the hustle and bustle of Moscow starting to wear you down? No worries. There are multiple great day trips from Moscow that will let you see a different side of Russia that you won’t find in the metropolitan area. Each day trip I’ve listed below can easily be done by train from Moscow, and there are trains every day of the week.

The area surrounding Moscow is rich in cultural attractions and natural beauty. By traveling only a short distance, one feels far away from the crowds, and lines of the sprawling Russian capital. Since Russia is undoubtedly an expansive country it may take from half an hour to two hours to reach some of the landmarks on this list (by train or car) from the Moscow city center.

You can escape to the picturesque Russian countryside, visit war memorials, battlefields, admire onion-domed churches, and get insight into the local way of life. Easy day trips from Moscow include the incomparable white-stone Trinity Cathedral in Sergiyev Posad, the spectacular Cathedral of the Assumption in Dmitrov, and the Russian military aircraft in Monino. For those who love rural tranquility, Suzdal and Vladimir are a must-see. History buffs will appreciate the Patriotic War of 1812 reenactment that took place in Borodino on the first weekend of September.

Without further ado, here are 15 best day trips from Moscow that are well worth your attention.

The Best Day Trips from Moscow

There’s a reason Moscow is one of Europe’s most enigmatic destinations. It’s got culture, class, food, history, and more, but even better, is that it is the country’s main transport hub with so many attractions within a day trip from Moscow. While you can definitely spend days or even weeks in Moscow, it can, of course, be done in just one week. What can you do in Moscow in seven days ? Well, you can do a lot if you know how to plan a trip to a place you know so little about.

If you’re ready to get out of the city a bit and soak up the culture, fresh air, and enchanting architecture, I’ve rounded up my favorite day trips outside of Moscow. I often get asked: What are the best cities to visit in Russia? And these are places that I’ve been and loved.

My Favorite Easy Day Trips from Moscow:

Dmitrov Kolomna Zvenigorod Sergiyev Posad Yaroslavl Arkhangelskoye Estate Vladimir Suzdal Korolev Borodino Patriot Park in Kubinka Melikhovo Gorki Leninskie Kaluga Monino

1. Day Trip to Dmitrov from Moscow

Dmitrov may not be as popular as other cities in Russia, but the fact that the city was founded only 7 years earlier than Moscow makes for a great day trip. This small city some 90 kilometers from Moscow is particularly beautiful in the summer. As you walk the streets you can see sparkling fountains, charming centuries-old buildings, yachts and boats transiting through the canal and, of course, the Museum-Reserve Dmitrov Kremlin.

The Kremlin (castle) is the city’s main draw. The 10m high and about 1km long earthen rampart remained behind the wooden wall and gives an idea of how the castle looked like 400 years ago. The oldest surviving building on the Kremlin grounds is the 16th-century Assumption Cathedral with a unique five-tier iconostasis.

Not far from the Kremlin there is a compact 15th-century Borisoglebsky convent. Its main building – the 16th-century Cathedral of Sts. Boris and Gleb is open to the visitors only for services of worship. In the 1930s in the convent housed a labor camp, which contained the builders of the Canal named after Moscow.

Getting There: Dmitrov sits an easy hour and sixteen minutes by train from Savyelovskiy Rail Terminal. This cheap day trip from Moscow is a great chance to soak up the historic charm to be found in Moscow Oblast.

2. Day Trip to Kolomna from Moscow

Situated to the south-east of Moscow, Kolomna is a beautiful port city on the Oka River. This is one of the oldest Russian cities in the region. So you can discover the old history in museums and monasteries. Interestingly, the city was a site for important weapon factories under the Soviet Union. Although it was opened up in 1994 Kolomna is not as popular as other day-trip destinations in the region.

Nevertheless, it is a great place to visit with friends and family where you can explore the 15th-century Kremlin made of red brick, try incredibly sweet traditional pastila (marshmallow), and visit some of the cute little churches and 19th-century mansions.

Getting There: Take the express train (commuter line train) from the Kazansky rail terminal to Golutvin station. The trip lasts one hour and forty minutes.

3. Day Trip to Zvenigorod from Moscow

This one is usually a given due to its proximity to and ease of transport from Moscow. It’s one of the easiest day trips from Moscow by train. You can easily hop on the train from the city and land right in the town of Zvenigorod where you can visit the 14th-century Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery and sample the sparkly and refreshing kvass, a Russian specialty beverage that’s enjoyed in the summer months.

Zvenigorod is an adorable little town just under an hour away from the Moscow city and is an amazing place to visit as it will give a relaxing break from the hectic life of Moscow. Check this day trip if you don’t feel like planning.

If you have a sweet tooth, spend some time in the quirky Museum of Russian Desserts, where you can indulge in uniquely delicious treats and explore the intersection of food and culture.

Then you may want to pay the Zvenigorod Museum of History, Architecture, and Art a visit. The museum’s exposition is located on the territory of the Savvino-Storozhevsky monastery, or rather, in the 17th-century Tsaritsyny chambers, built for the wife of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. Stroll through the museum halls to view the permanent exhibitions, which offer insights into various aspects of Russian history. The intricate museum’s building is adorned with a decorative porch, complex patterned elements, and looks very impressive in general.

4. Day Trip to Sergiyev Posad from Moscow

If you’re looking for cheap day trips from Moscow, Sergiyev Posad is a good choice at just a few dollar train ride away. Known as a major center of pilgrimage and home to one of the largest Russian Orthodox Monastery which has been here for hundreds of years, Sergiyev Posad is a fun day trip from Moscow and can be combined with Abramtsevo Museum Estate. As the only town in Moscow Region which is included in the Golden Ring of Russian cities, Sergiyev Posad is an incredible destination for a day trip from Moscow that packs UNESCO-protected Trinity Sergius Lavra, great museums, and gorgeous architecture into one day.

Make sure you see the six-pillared Assumption Cathedral that was commissioned by Ivan the Terrible in mid-16th-century and go inside to marvel at the impressive iconostasis that features Simon Ushakov’s masterpiece, the icon of Last Supper. Enjoy a delicious lamb steak with wheat kasha, Ukha fish soup, or hand-made dumplings as you learn a lot about religious and cultural history.

Getting There: Known for its small-town charm and welcoming feel, you can get to Sergiyev Posad by train, by bus, or by car. Trains depart from Yaroslavsky Rail Terminal every thirty minutes, and the trip lasts about an hour and a half. Alternatively, you can hop on a bus at the ‘VDNKh’ metro station. A bus trip to Sergiyev Posad takes two hours on average but can be reached in 90 minutes depending on traffic. If you go by car expect to spend about an hour and a half attempting to traverse the congested Yaroslavskoye highway.

5. Day Trip to Yaroslavl from Moscow

Going from Moscow to Yaroslavl may seem like a really long day trip, but honestly, if you take the comfortable train, it only takes about four hours to reach the city, so making a Yaroslavl day trip is totally doable. Although I do recommend much more than one day in Yaroslavl, especially if it’s your first time.

Cultural tourists visiting Yaroslavl should start their exploration by strolling the historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A spacious 100-hectare area enclosed by Sobinova and Republican streets is home to most popular attractions – the 17th-century Church of Elijah the Prophet that survived almost exactly in its original form, and in contrast to it, the white stone Assumption Cathedral, restored in the 2000s.

If you walk a bit further passing the Holy Trinity sculpture and city’s foundation stone, you will find yourself at Strelka, a park on the cape, which offers panoramic views of the spot at the confluence of Volga and Kotorosl rivers. On the way back, there is a pleasant walk along the picturesque Volga embankment to the Governor’s Garden with shadowy alleys and an open-air Sculpture museum.

Getting There: Yaroslavl is about 280 km (173 miles) northeast of Moscow, so the best way to get there is to take a morning train from Yaroslavskiy Rail Terminal. A tour is also a great way to see the Yaroslavl without having to worry about driving or searching for trains. You can book a tour here.

6. Day Trip to Arkhangelskoye Estate from Moscow

Situated on the outskirts of Moscow and dates back to the late 18th-century, Arkhangelskoye Estate was the domain of the nobility for over a century until the Russian Revolution swept people who owned the estate out of the country. The estate was turned into a museum, which it remains today.

The Arkhangelskoye Estate Museum holds the largest rare-book collection. The exhibition also includes old manuscripts, historical documents, photos from the past, a vast collection of sculpture, paintings, engravings, and exceptional examples of decorative art. These art objects once belonged to Prince Nikolai Yusupov, the former owner of the estate.

Arkhangelskoye Estate is often referred to as the Russian version of Versailles because of the intricately manicured garden and beautiful 18th-century park. Famous Russian writers and poets such as Pushkin, Herzen, Mayakovsky loved to spend their free time here making long excursions in the surrounding area. Arkhangelskoye is a perfect place to appreciate the terraces decorated by delightful statues, exquisite vases, and busts.

Visitors can take tours, which introduce them to vibrant examples of Russian art and culture.

Getting There: To reach the estate it’s best to take a bus or a privately-owned minibus that departs from Tushinskaya metro station.

7. Day Trip to Vladimir from Moscow

Situated only two hours east of Moscow, Vladimir is absolutely one of the best places to visit near Moscow for a day trip. This splendid city dates back to the 12th century and has a very rich history. If magnificent Orthodox cathedrals and traditional white-stone architecture entice you, then this place is perfect for a day trip with your significant other.

First things first, you need to see the Golden Gate, which indicates the entrance into the old town. This 12th-century medieval masterpiece of military architecture is associated not only with Vladimir but with the Golden Ring tourist route itself. At the top of the gate, where once was the Church of the Deposition of the Robe, there is the Museum of Weapons. Great looking arrowheads and spear points date back to the Grand Principality of Vladimir, while the exhibition in an impressively majestic setting features a number of Batu-Khan related artifacts.

There’s a variety of attractions to put on your must-see list: the Old Believers Trinity Church right behind it, the Cathedral of St Demetrius, and Dormition (Uspensky) Cathedral. If you plan on shopping for souvenirs like birch-bark masterpieces of Kunov’s masters, drawings, carving, embossing, figures of people and animals, stop by the Lacquer Miniature, the Museum of Crystal, and the Gingerbread Museum. Many of the local attractions were added to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites.

Getting There: The best way to visit this area is to catch an early train from Moscow and book a full-day tour of Vladimir in advance. This one includes the town of Suzdal as well.

8. Day Trip to Suzdal from Moscow

This gem of a little medieval town perched on a hill just a 30-minute ride from Vladimir is one of those places I’ve visited and could move there permanently and be happy! It’s a charming little piece of history that also has a Kremlin and visiting it feels like stepping back in time. if you’re a culture enthusiast you’ll be glad to know there are numerous churches, five monasteries, including Spaso-Yevfimiev Monastery in Suzdal. Check them out if you want to get a real taste of the country!

pend some time shopping at the Torgovaya ploshchad (Market Square), where you can buy baskets made of birch bark, ceramic handmade plates, honey or souvenirs and, of course, grab some afternoon tea!

Getting There: Trains leave regularly from Moscow’s Kurskiy Rail Terminal to Vladimir where you can hop on a bus to Suzdal. You can also take a bus from Moscow. In this case, it might take longer and you’ll probably encounter infamous traffic jams. If you go by express train the trip takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes. There are slower trains of course, but I’d recommend going with the fast one and save a lot of time!

9. Day Trip to Korolev from Moscow

Located some 30 kilometers northeast of Moscow, Korolev has become arguably the most important space research center with skilled workers from across the Soviet Union who came here to expand the space program.

It became a leading institute dedicated to aerospace research in the country. Today, that tendency can still be clearly seen on the streets and in the buildings. When the Soviet Union collapsed, the city retained its status as the headquarters of Russia’s space surveillance network and now it hosts the Russian Mission Control Center, an analogue of the American Mission Control Center at NASA’s Space Center in Houston.

If you want to learn more about Mission Control Center and the former Russian Mir space station, book a tour with a knowledgeable guide who can clearly tell the history of this place.

If you’re not into space exploration there is also a Memorial Apartment Museum of Marina Tsvetaeva in Bolshevo. With a picturesque park next to the museum, it’s a great place for walking in the fresh air. The highlight of the park is memorial stones with quotes from Tsvetaeva’s poems.

Getting There: I’d recommend going by train. Catch one at Yaroslavskiy Rail Terminal that departs every 30 minutes to reach Bolshevo station.

10. Day Trip to Borodino from Moscow

The historic Battle of Borodino on September 7, 1812, took place just outside the small village of Borodino, about 140 km west of Moscow, and about 15 km from the nearest town of Mozhaysk. Although the French won the Battle of Borodino and went to capture Moscow, it was one of the bloodiest battles of the pre-twentieth-century that is also predetermined Napoleon’s defeat.

While it was a battlefield back then, not much remains today. It’s mostly a green and grassy field now with a few monuments of military honor, architectural objects dated back to 19th and 20th century, and fortification facilities scattered throughout the area. The largest of these is the 27-meter high obelisk located right at the heart of the former battlefield.

Every year the military and patriotic festival and theatrical performance take place in Borodino. Early September is considered to be the best for visiting. But if you just want to feel the spirit of the battle, it’s better to go at any other time of the year.

Getting there: Hop on a train from the Belorussky rail terminal, disembark in Mozhaysk, and then take a bus to the museum. The whole travel time is about 2 hours.

11. Day Trip to Patriot Park in Kubinka from Moscow

Once a Red Army tank training ground, now it’s a military Disneyland with history, structure, guns, and armored vehicles! The tank museum originally housed one of the world’s largest and rarest collections of tanks. In 2016 they combined the training grounds with the newly-created Patriot Park. Since then, some of the notable and rare items have been moved to the Patriot Park site, so you may want to combine both sites into one tour (only about 20 minutes apart).

The exhibition grounds include some very rare specimens that are must-see for any military enthusiasts out there. The staff is friendly, helpful and kind, while the museum has a small shop. As this site is part of an operating military base, they may ask you to show your passport, or provide them with a photocopy of the front pages. There are vending machines for snacks and drinks, and there are bathroom facilities. There’s plenty to see, so I recommend setting aside an entire day!

Getting there: Situated halfway between Borodino and Moscow, the best way to reach Patriot Park in Kubinka is by car. Alternatively, if you don’t want to rent one, consider car-sharing apps like Gett or UBER. The price of ride-sharing services is cheap enough to make them a viable proposition for choosing them.

12. Day Trip to Melikhovo from Moscow

Located some 80 km from Moscow, Melikhovo is one of the most important museums dedicated to Anton Pavlovich Chekhov. This renowned Russian writer and playwright acquired Melikhovo in 1892. He lived there with his parents and close relatives for 7 years before moving to the Crimea in 1899. Melikhovo is where he wrote his plays “The Man in the Case” and “The Seagull”.

The estate faded into oblivion right after the Revolution but in 1939 Anton Chekhov’s sister Maria and his nephew established a museum based on Chekhov’s place of living. The museum opened its doors to the public in 1941.

Today museum’s exhibition reveals the legacy of a celebrated writer and shows his path not only as a writer but as a doctor and public figure as well. The collection also features some of the best-known paintings by famous artists like Isaac Levitan and Vasily Polenov, who were Chekhov’s friends. When it comes to fun and educational day trips from Moscow, Melikhovo is a nice place for learning more about Chekov’s life and work.

Getting There: You can reach Melikhovo by train from Kurskiy rail Terminal. Disembark in the town of Chekhov and hop on a minibus that will get to the estate. Alternatively, hop on a bus that departs from the Yuzhnaya metro station.

13. Day Trip to Gorki Leninskie from Moscow

Once the realm of Russian nobles, Gorki Leninskie was turned into Lenin’s museum some 25 years after his death. The estate sits some 30-minute bus ride from the Domodedovskaya metro station and houses Soviet-era memorabilia and Lenin’s memorial flat recently transferred from the Kremlin, as well as his vintage Rolls-Royce.

Most people only associate this place with the name of the first communist leader. In fact, the name of the estate was first mentioned in documents dating back to the 16th-century. Throughout its history, the estate was owned by a number of prominent figures. It’s in fact one of the best museums that holds the country’s finest collection 19th-century furnishings and a unique collection of domestic items owned by nobles. Plus, ancient Vyatichi native tribe or East Slavs who inhabited a part of the Oka basin’s burial mounds and a few notable sculptures are hidden behind the avenues of lime trees in the park.

Getting There: You could, of course, hop on a bus from Domodedovskaya metro station. But it would be much easier just to use UBER or Gett. The estate isn’t that far from the Moscow Circle Road but going there by bus may involve some navigating.

14. Day Trip to Kaluga from Moscow

If you’re looking for an educational day trip from Moscow, look no farther than Kaluga! This beautiful city could really entertain you for more than just a day, but to get a taste of science, be sure to visit the Tsiolkovsky State Museum of the History of Cosmonautics. Or in other words, the Space Museum.

Visitors to the museum will learn more about the history of space exploration. In fact, this is one of the largest Space Museums in Russia, which opened its doors in Kaluga in 1967. Here you can see a prototype of the iconic MIR space station and a duplicate of the Voskhod rocket. The very same rocket that took the first man to space. There’s also a planetarium, which from the outside resembles a spaceship.

Kaluga is a totally walkable city. Make sure to spend some time strolling Teatralnaya street with the authentic 19th-century pavement that now marks the Kilometer Zero. Then walk across the 18th-century Kamenniy Most (the Stone Bridge) that somewhat resembles a Roman aqueduct. If you’re an architecture buff marvel at the Church of St. Cosmas and Damian.

It is assumed that the church was erected by one of the followers of Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli in 1794. The church resembles the Smolny Convent in St. Petersburg. With five church towers directed upward and six tiers of oblong windows give the exterior a sense of lightness and airiness.

Getting There: Trains from Kiyevsky Rail Terminal to Kaluga leave every 90 minutes. The trip takes about 2 hours and 35 minutes.

15. Day Trip to Monino from Moscow

Are you looking for great family & kid-friendly day trips from Moscow? If so, consider visiting the Central Museum of the Air Forces at Monino. This unique military open-air museum is home to over 180 Russian aircraft and 100 aircraft engines and the perfect place to go when your crowd is looking for a break from hectic city life. Check this tour if you don’t feel like planning.

This site was formerly an operational airbase from 1932 till 1956 and many of the Russian aviation Design bureaus have made a contribution to the operation and maintenance of the museum. Along with aircraft from the Second World War, there are the TU-95 Bear four-engine turboprop-powered strategic bomber and the TU-144 Charger a Soviet supersonic passenger airliner (which resembled the Concorde). The museum also has exhibits related to military aviation history such as the uniform of captured U2 pilot Gary Powers.

Getting There: This museum is located at Monino Town, about 30 km from Moscow. It is open on all days from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, except Mondays and Tuesdays. To get there take a train departing from Yaroslavskiy Rail Terminal and disembark at Monino station. Alternatively, hop on a bus from Schelkovskaya or Partizanskaya metro station.

Final Thoughts on the Best Day Trips from Moscow

I hope this post has helped you discover some amazing day trips from Moscow. From imposing cathedrals, mighty fortresses and monasteries, there are a lot of incredible places to visit the Russian capital, and the best part is that getting there is always ways to get around on the cheap.

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Great article for visitors in Moscow , thanks for sharing

Marie Hernandez

I hadn’t considered traveling to Moscow until NOW! Fantastic post and ideas for visitors! Thanks!

Graham Marsden

Nice to see so many options outside of Moscow, but I have to say I wish this list had a recommendation for a hike or a beautiful natural areas or national parks. Maybe the next list!

I have to admit that I knew nothing about the area surrounding Moscow. This is definitely an inspiring list of places to go.

When I read this article about Moscow. I wanted to pack my bags and get there sooner. thank you for the great write up.

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Moscow Restaurants: Best Cafe & Restaurants in Moscow on Any Budget

Home / Russia Travel Tips & Essential Advice / Moscow Restaurants: Best Cafe & Restaurants in Moscow on Any Budget

Moscow’s restaurant scene is booming with Russian dishes that are to die for. A city in the midst of a foodie revolution where almost anything goes, there is perhaps no dining scene in Europe as dynamic, exciting and adventurous as Moscow’s. 

At long last, Moscow is being recognised as an international culinary destination. New eateries are popping up at an astounding rate, and first-time visitors can expect to feel a little overwhelmed when it comes to places to eat in Moscow.

This guide to eating out in Moscow covers some of the top restaurants in Moscow for any budget, from the top end of town to some of the city’s tastiest cheap eats. There are plenty of excellent options here whether you’re looking for breakfast, lunch or dinner in Moscow. We’ve focused mainly on Moscow restaurants serving Russian food but thrown in some best-in-class representations of other cuisines for some added variety. In this list, you’ll find some of the most famous restaurants in Moscow, a few lesser-known gems and a few totally unique institutions which have become Moscow tourist attractions in their own right. Moscow’s food prices vary wildly. It’s easy to spend big in this town, but it’s also easy to find extremely affordable eats if you know where to look. One thing is for sure though – no matter what your tastes or budget, in Moscow, you’ll never go hungry for long.

Table of Contents

Fine Dining Restaurants in Moscow

Café pushkin.

A Moscow institute is known for its impeccable fine dining Russian and French cuisine, the palatial Café Pushkin opened in 1999 and immediately attracted a loyal following among high society folk. Elaborately decorated to recreate the feel of a 19th-century aristocrat’s manor, Pushkin has become equally popular with tourists keen to soak up the stately atmosphere of pre-Revolution Russia. The menu features sophisticated interpretations of definitive Russian cuisine, with a nod to classical French techniques. The kitchen’s insistence on high-quality ingredients lifts well-known favourites to another level of complexity and refinement. The signature beef stroganoff consistently receives rave reviews, while the roasted rack of lamb is the ultimate in rich, meaty indulgence. Of course, a restaurant of this standing serves several varieties of caviar a selection of top-shelf vodkas fit for an emperor.

Despite its rather formal appearance, the Café Pushkin experience is utterly charming. The waiters dress like 19th-century servants and diners are treated like royalty, but not without a sense of fun and theatrics. Bookings well advance are recommended.

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Price Range: 3-course dinner at approx. 3,500-4,000 RUB plus drinks (US $60-80) Hours: Open 24 hours for breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks Address: 26A Tverskoy Boulevard Nearest Metro Station: Tverskaya Contact Details: cafe-pushkin.ru, +7 495 739-00-33 Facebook

White Rabbit

Consistently ranking in Restaurant Magazine’s prestigious annual World 50 Best Restaurants list, White Rabbit is the first restaurant in Russia to receive such international acclaim. Its success (it secured 15 th place on the list in 2018) is a sure sign of Moscow’s ascendance as a global gastronomy destination.

White Rabbit’s whimsical and immersive interiors are designed to evoke a sense of fantasy and wonder, with rabbits everywhere and antique rococo furniture straight out of a Wonderland tea party. On the 16 th floor of the Smolenskiy Passazh shopping centre, White Rabbit’s glass dome captures mesmerising 360-degree views, showcasing the awe-inspiring scale of the Russian capital.

Chef Vladimir Mukhin has dreamt up an inventive European menu employing seasonal ingredients from across Russia. Standout dishes from this luxury Moscow restaurant include rabbit and cabbage rolls with potato crisps and truffle, roast suckling pig and Black Sea oysters.

Price Range: ‘Russian Evolution’ tasting menu – 10,000 RUB per person Hours: Mon-Wed and Sun 12pm – 12am; Thur-Sat 12pm – 2am Address: 3 Smolenskaya Square, Smolensky Passazh Shopping Centre, 16th floor Nearest Metro Station: Smolenskaya Contact Details: whiterabbitmoscow.ru ,   +7 495 782-62-62

One of the best and most luxurious restaurants in Moscow.  The Estate is designed in style of baroque, classicism and renaissance. The refine painting, jewel porcelain vases, moulding, genuine Gobelene tapestries, ancient clocks and fireplaces. Two workshops of wood engravers, painters, sculptors had been manufacturing the interior’s details for six years. All here including carved lumps of modern authors’ work is of museum importance.

The menu includes dishes from Japan, European, Chinese cuisines, and fusion cuisine, as well. Alan Yao, the only chief cook who is awarded with two stars of Mishlen, is responsible here for Asian food. The music corresponds to the institution: instrumental music (harp, violin, violoncello) sounds here every evening.

Price Range: Average check with no drinks RUB 4,000 (US $70) Hours: Monday to Sunday 12 pm – 12 am Address: 26/5 Tverskoi Bulvar Nearest Metro Station: Tverskaya, Chekhovskaya Contact Details: turandot-palace.ru ,+7 (495) 739-0011

This Siberian restaurant is dark and traditional. The tables are lit by small lamps with tassels, while chandeliers contribute more to mood than illumination. Mournful music plays softly, the sound absorbed by the heavy tablecloths and all the soft furnishings. The menu is a treat for the adventurous. You might start with pate of polar partridge, then go for the sweet grilled meat of Altay yak with tomato and mustard sauce; or the gamey richness of minced meat of Sayan bear with cream-cowberry sauce and buckwheat.

Price Range: Average check RUB 4,500 (US $80) Hours: Monday to Sunday 12 pm – 12 am Address: 25 Gogolevsky Boulevard Nearest Metro Station: Arbatskaya, Kropotninskaya Contact Details: chemodan-msk.ru Ph +7 (495) 695-38-19

Grand Café Dr. Zhivago

This ornate brasserie across from the Kremlin is Russian kitsch, with oversized statues, bright red chairs, white walls and colorful ceilings. It feels anachronistic, yet it’s the creation of a modern restaurateur, Alexander Rappoport.

There’s a lightness of touch in the dishes on a long menu celebrating Russian favorites from dumplings and pickled cabbage through to goose stew with cowberry. It’s especially good for breakfast, which includes more than 20 egg dishes and about a dozen types of porridge.

Price Range: Average check RUB 2,000-2,500 (US $40) Hours: Monday to Sunday 12 pm – 12 am Address: 15/1 Mokhovaya Street Nearest Metro Station: Teatralnaya Contact Details: drzhivago.ru

Erwin RekaMoreOkean

Another project of Aleksandr Rappoport, a restaurant with a phenomenal variety of fish and seafood at the most reasonable prices. Ninety percent of the fish in the restaurant is caught in Russia (from 25 rivers and seas). The restaurant features a caviar and oyster bar. Slices of frozen nelma (Siberian white salmon) and sterlet, thaw in the mouth with a natural, revealing taste of fish. Here, you can try the legendary Sagudai (raw fish slices) of muksun is the traditional Russian version of the ceviche. The restaurant also offers a large variety of crabs and shrimps: king crab, snow crab, frog crab, blue king crab, spiky crab, hairy crab, Argentinian shrimp from the warm waters of the Atlantic ocean; Dock shrimp from the cold waters of the northern seas and others.

A branch of this restaurant – “Erwin Reka”, is located directly on the board of the luxury yacht of the “Radisson Royal, Moscow” flotilla which daily cruises the Moscow River. The restaurant is open from noon to 1:00 am, and twice a day, at a scheduled time, travels along the Moscow river. The yacht-icebreaker leaves from the “Hotel Ukraine” pier regardless of the season and the weather: twice a day on weekdays (3.30pm and 8.00pm) and three times a day on weekends (12.00pm, 3.30pm, 8.00pm). Guests can enjoy not only the first-class fish and seafood dishes during a river cruise, but also relish picturesque views of the capital main sights: the famous high-rise hotel “Ukraine”, the House of Government of the Russian Federation, the Novodevichy Monastery, the Moscow State University complex, the Luzhniki Stadium, Gorky Park, the Central House of Artists, the giant Monument to Peter the Great, the legendary House on the embankment, the gold-domed Cathedral of Christ the Savior, the Moscow Kremlin and the gingerbread-like St. Basil’s Cathedral, the skyscraper on the Kotelnicheskaya embankment and the Zaryadye Park.

Price Range: Main dishes from RUB 960 to 5800 ($20-100), sets – from RUB 5100 to 21000 ($90-$350) Hours: Monday to Sunday 12 pm – 12 am Address: 2/1 Kutuzovsky Prospekt, Bldg. 2 Nearest Metro Station: Contact Details: rekamoreokean.ru , +7-495-785-02-22

Wine & Crab

This fun restaurant is on the main pedestrianized shopping street linking Red Square and Lubyanka. You can see the crabs as you enter. There are about 10 varieties, including Kamchatka king crab and Horsehair crab.

Price Range: Monday Party set, RUB 6,150 ($95) for 1.5 kilos of crab and 1.5 liters or Prosecco. Hours: Monday to Sunday 12 pm – 12 am Address: 19-21 Nikolskaya Street Nearest Metro Station: Lubyanka, Teatralnaya, Ploschad Revolutsii Contact Details: winecrab.ru, +7 495 621-73-29

If you want to dine with the oligarchs and the politicians, Beluga is a great place. It’s on the second floor of the Hotel National, which opened in 1903 and the restaurant’s large windows have views of the Kremlin. (Grand Cafe Dr. Zhivago is downstairs.) This is one of Moscow’s most famous luxury restaurants and just the place to invite your favorite big shot. Take your pick from two dozen varieties of caviar, washed down with a variety of vodkas as big as your pockets. It would be a shame to miss the Champagne, too.

Price Range: Average check RUB 3,500 (US $55) Hours: Monday to Sunday 12 pm – 12 am Address: 15/1 Mokhovaya Street Nearest Metro Station: Teatralnaya, Ploschad Revolutsii Contact Details: belugamoscow.ru , +7 (495) 901-03-36

Mid-Range Restaurants in Moscow

Sapiens est kitchen & bar.

The founding concept of this new gastronomic venue is companionship, which you can go there for at any time. In the morning Sapiens prepares fabulous breakfasts, in the afternoon a-la carte lunches, and in the evening guests can enjoy signature cocktails and musical rhythms from top DJs. The menu includes modern European dishes and the best examples of Pan-Asian cuisine.

Price Range: Average check RUB 1,200-1,700 (US $18-$25) Hours: Mon-Thur, Sun 12pm–12am; Fri-Sat 12pm–6am Address: Pushechnaya St, 4, building 1 Nearest Metro Station: Kuzneysky Most, Lubyanka Contact Details: sapiens-est.ru , +7 925 229-94-45

Lavka-Lavka Farm to Table

Located within walking distance from the Bolshoi Theatre, Farm Restaurant Lavka-Lavka is the place of a new Russian cuisine. All the ingredients are delivered from local farmers and the dishes are cooked in a simple yet sophisticated way. The menu is an interesting twist on traditional Russian food: you can try such unique specialties as meat tartar and deer heart. 

The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated, the staff is really nice and there is also a nice feature: a menu lists the name of the farmer who supplied the ingredients for the dishes. Each guest has a chance not only to try delicious meals with an original recipe but also to reconnect with the great tradition of Russian cuisine.

Price Range: Average check USD $30-$40 Hours: Mon 6pm–12am; Tue-Sun 12pm–12am Address: Petrovka St, 21, building 2 Nearest Metro Station: Chekhovskaya, Tverskaya, Trubnaya Contact Details: lavkalavka.rest , +7 495 621 20 36

The exquisite interior of 1956, picturesque views, author’s kitchen – the team of the restaurant Ottepel is inviting you to appreciate design of the reconstructed historical pavilion and enjoy ingenious dishes.

Staff wear Mondrian-inspired aprons and the menu is innovative — the restaurant specializes in upgrading well-known, simple Soviet dishes into high-end cuisine. Traditional Russian cabbage soup “shchi” (420 rubles) counts calamari among its ingredients while the ubiquitous cold soup “okroshka” (360 rubles) features salty pastrami. Another trending item is the  “koryushka” served with potatoes (380 rubles). The smelt fish originates from the Baltic sea and is immensely popular in St. Petersburg. If you seek a filling meal, try chicken in Georgian “satsivi” sauce with fried polenta and cheese (610 rubles).

It’s an innovative throwback to the Soviet era, and perfectly at home in the ramblingly grandiose exhibition park of VDNH.

Price Range: Average check USD $30-$40 Hours: 12pm–10pm Address: Mira St, 119, building 311 Nearest Metro Station: VDNH, Botanichesky Sad Contact Details: ottepel-restoran.ru , +7 495 748-61-02

Homey dining room for traditional Russian delicacies, decorated with standard lamps, bookcases and old photos on the wall. Its traditional Russian living room decoration and some Russian old school music playing in the background really gives you this “lovely Russian babushka” vibe which is part of the fun.

Portions are quite big and the price is reasonable. The menu itself is really interesting for tourists. Try out these traditional soviet Russian dishes: homemade cakes, borscht, Bird’s milk dessert. This is the right place to enjoy the delicious authentic meal, attentive service, and excellent ambiance! A great bonus for cat lovers: A resident cat Benjamin will stroll around now and then.

Price Range: Average check USD $25-$30 Hours: 10am–10:30pm Address: Spiridonievsky st 10A, level 1 Nearest Metro Station: Pushkinskaya, Tverskaya Contact Details: marivanna.ru/msk , +7 495 650-65-00

The word  uhvat  refers to a long-handled wooden utensil used to slide food in and out of a pechka, a wood-fired oven found in many Russian houses until the late 19th century. Uhvat is one of the restaurants leading the resurgence in traditional Slavic cooking, with slow-cooked dishes such as pumpkin  kashas  (a type of porridge) with honey and linden dressing (£3.50), baked roe with pickled bramble (£14)  schchi  soups with fermented cabbage and  chichelindas , an old recipe for pate, here made with ox tail (£5). Don’t leave without tasting  toplyonoe moloko , a thick creamy dessert made by baking milk for several hours. The pechka oven features in many Russian fairytales – the Baba Yaga witch shoves children into ovens – and takes the centre stage at Uhvat. Daily rituals, such as using goose feathers to dust out the ashes, enhance the magical atmosphere.

Price Range: Average check USD $30-$40 Hours: 12pm–12am Address: Rodchelskaya St 15, building 41 Nearest Metro Station: Krasnopresnenskaya Contact Details: uhvat.restaurant , +7 977 125-51-77

Art Rukav ( Rukav means sleeve) is a big platform where the free spirit of art and creativity reigns. There are art workshops, a gallery and a restaurant under the same roof. Rukav was named after the surname of the Russian sculptor Alexander Rukavishnikov.

Immersion in the world of art begins from the very first entrance through the massive decorated door. In the cloakroom you get checks in the form of drops, bright red ladders harmonize with dark sofas… There is even a pipe-shaped slide! The place is really unique and is dramatically different from the usual places to eat. During lunches you will surely be attracted by the details in decorating: to the stylized ware, for example, or an unusual sculpture next to your chair.

Price Range: Average check USD $30-$40 Hours: 12pm–12am Address: 59 Zemlyanoy Val, Building 2 Nearest Metro Station: Taganskaya, Chkalovskaya Contact Details: art-rukav.ru , +7 (499) 271 88 74

Megobari Wine Bar & Restaurant

Megobari comes from Georgian and means as much as friend . This place brings the authentic Georgian dinning experience directly to Moscow and offers an eclectic variety of Georgian dishes including hand-made baked goods, meat stews, kebabs platters, as well as a wide variety of wines from the mountains of Georgia.

Price Range: average check USD $20-$35 Hours: Mon-Thur, Sun 12pm-11pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-12am Address: Maroseika 15 Nearest Metro Station: Kitay-Gorod Contact Details: megobari.wine , +7 (905) 700-40-07

Quick bites and budget restaurants in Moscow

Lepim i varim.

Lepim i Varim is legendary for boasting some of the most incredible pelmeni in town. These beautiful, hand-sculpted parcels of deliciousness consist of an outer pocket of unleavened dough, wrapped around a filling of ground meat, boiled and served piping hot. Lepim i Varim make everything from scratch and you can watch the pelmeni masters at work in the open kitchen while you queue up at the counter.

Traditional Siberian pelmeni are stuffed with mildly spiced pork and beef. In addition to the classics, Lepim’s have invented several original pelmeni creations. There’s an extravagant Kamchatka king crab, an Italian inspired chicken, parmesan and basil, and several vegetarian options including mashed potato and fried onion.

Price Range: Classic pelmeni 270 RUB (standard serve), 350 RUB (large serve), US $6-$10 Hours: Monday to Sunday 11am – 12am Address: Stoleshnikov Ln, 9, Buidling 1 Nearest Metro Station: Teatralnaya or Okhotny Ryad Contact Details: lepimivarim.ru, +7 499 399-31-23

Stolovaya No. 57

You might not expect to find an economy-priced cafeteria inside the stately walls of GUM, an enormous shopping centre on the Red Square specialising in luxury brands. But it seems no Muscovite (wealthy fashionistas and penny-pinching students alike) can resist cheap, simple and delicious Russian comfort fare, dished out in a quaint, Soviet-style “stolovaya” (a self-service, canteen-style eatery).

Stolovaya No. 57 serves the Russian equivalent of a home-cooked meal in a standard Russian family. Salads are super-popular here, including the mayonnaise-heavy Oliver salad and shuba (“Herring in a Fur Coat”) a layered salad of pickled herring, eggs, beets, carrots and potatoes in a creamy dressing. Also on the menu are beef stroganoff, chicken kiev and chebureki (a deep-fried, meat-filled pastry turnover).

Price Range: Mains 150 – 400 RUB, US $3-$10 Hours: Sunday to Saturday 10am – 10pm Address: Krasnaya Sq., 3 | Inside GUM, level 3  Nearest Metro Station: Teatralnaya or Okhotny Ryad Contact Details: gum.ru/cafe/stolovaya-57 , +7 495 620-31-29

The newly opened vegan restaurant run by gastro-enthusiasts who have collected a minimalistic menu from a variety of cuisines, self-described as “smart casual.” You can see everything being cooked right in front of you in the open kitchen.

Price Range: Mains 450-600 RUB Hours: Sunday to Saturday 10am – 10pm Address: 15/1 Tsvetnoy Blvd | “Tsvetnoy” Shopping Centre, 5th floor Nearest Metro Station: Tsvetnoy Bulvar, Trubnaya Contact Details: 5plus2cafe.ru , +7 995 301-64-48

Grechka Lab

The 1914 building — home of Moscow merchant Ivan Mikhailovich Korovin, and thereafter a bakery — was converted into a bright and airy café, contemporary bakery and brunch spot in the nation’s cosmopolitan capital. Flowers placed around the windows are a nod to wheat fields (‘ grechka ’ translates to buckwheat), whilst considered seating and textured walls evoke a sense of nostalgia.

Enjoy healthy soups, mains and salads, and try tasty éclairs,  “syrniki”  and cheesecakes.

Price Range: Average check 450-600 RUB, US $6-$8 Hours: Sunday to Saturday 8am – 11pm Address: Pushechnaya St 7/5c2 Nearest Metro Station: Kuznetsky Most, Lubyanka, Teatralnaya Contact Details: grechkalab.ru, +7 495 921-02-01

If you’re looking for a place that offers quick, cost-effective and flavoursome meals and snacks near Tretyakov Gallery, check out Vai Me!, a Georgian cafe chain with a fast-casual dining style. It has a self-service format with buzzers to let you know when your food is ready, so you don’t need to wait for your food at the checkout.

Despite the low prices, there are a variety of amazingly authentic Georgian dishes on offer. Muscovites love Georgian cuisine, and here they serve Moscow favourites like  khinkali  (Georgian dumplings), k hachapuri  (cheese-filled bread) and  satsivi  (chicken in walnut sauce).

Price Range: Average check RUB 350-600, US $5-$8 Hours: Monday to Sunday 10:00am – 11:00pm Address: 8 Pyatniskiy St, Section 1 Nearest Metro Station: Novokuznetskaya Contact Details: vaimecafe.com , +7 499 646 02 20

This Canadian restaurant and juice bar is on a mission to prove that vegetarian dining can be filling, exciting and varied and does not necessarily need to involve stereotypical joss sticks, Indian tapestries and variations on the lentil. Interior-wise it’s as fresh as they come, all clean minimalist lines, favouring industrial materials and rough edges over cuddly pictures of ethnic tribes. On the food front, Fresh gets full marks for providing an experience that both vegetarians and meat-eaters can salivate over – huge wraps bursting with scrumptious goodies and noodles bowls brimming with both delicate and fiery Asian flavours are just some of the long list of hits.

Price Range: Average check RUB 1,500, US $20 Hours: Monday to Sunday 10:00am – 11:00pm Address: Bolshaya Dmitrovka 11, building 1A Nearest Metro Station: Okhotny Ryad, Teatralnaya, Pushkinskaya Contact Details: freshrestaurant.ru , +7 965 278-90-89, +7 495 641-89-81

Marketplace

Part fresh produce market, part restaurant, Marketplace’s chic, minimalist design, open kitchen and well-priced, vegetarian-friendly international menu keep the atmosphere buzzingly energetic.

You can be sure the ingredients are fresh and everything is cooked in front of you while you wait. Once your meal arrives, retreat to the bright, stylish dining room or kick back with a beer in a courtyard full of potted plants and colourful metal chairs. There are sandwiches and shashlik for a substantial snack or salads for the health-conscious (minus the typical heavy Russian dressing). Also on offer are Asian wok stir-fries and a variety of pasta. For a sweet snack, pastries are baked on-site, ready to pair with a cappuccino or milkshake.

Price Range: Sandwiches approx. 220 RUB, mains approx. 300-500 RUB Hours: Sun-Thur 8am – 11pm, Fri-Sat 8am – 1am Address: 13 Myasnitskaya ST Nearest Metro Station: Chiste Prudy or Lubyanka Contact Details: market-place.me , +7 929 577-73-77

Shuk Food Mall

You find yourself in a lively, happy crowd, tucking into huge portions of fantastic Israeli food, and nothing can convince that you’re not actually in the middle of a Tel Aviv shuk. Tucked into a cozy side street in central Moscow, this place is fantastic. The atmosphere is simply delightful – and so is the food.

Price Range: Average check 700 RUB Hours: Every day 8am – 11pm Address: 7 Veskovskiy Ln Nearest Metro Station: Novoslobodskaya, Mendeleevskaya Contact Details: +7 495 966-25-01

DEPO Food Mall

Depo (which means ‘ depot ’ in Russian) food mall opened in Moscow in February 2019 on the premises of a former tram depot. Built between 1874 and 1910 in the industrial neo-Gothic style, the red-brick Miussky tram depot is considered an important architectural monument.

Depo houses a small farmer’s market, with fruit, vegetables, cheese and meat, as well as the largest food court in Moscow (and, allegedly, in the whole of Europe) with more than 70 stalls, where one can sample food from all over the world – from China to Thailand and from Mexico to Morocco. The food mall also regularly hosts live concerts, DJ sets, workshops and public lectures.

Apart from the main building, which contains the market and the food mall, there are several proper restaurants on the premises of the former depot, including Kraby Kutaby (Crabs and Qutabs) by one of Moscow’s leading restaurateurs, Alexander Rappaport.

Price Range: vide range Hours: Mon-Thu, Sun 10am – 11pm; Fri-Sat 10am-2am Address: 20 Lesnaya, Building 3 Nearest Metro Station: Novoslobodskaya, Mendeleevskaya, Belorusskaya Contact Details: depomoscow.ru , +7 495 788-88-10, +7 495 788-88-33

If these sound like music to your ears (or more fittingly, tickles your tastebuds) then check out some of our guided Russia tours for a one-stop ticket to discovering even more about the Moscow food scene. Check out the video below to see some delicious food you could find in Moscow:

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