The Red Square and the Kremlin are super important attractions and we went back to this part of Moscow 3 days in a row. You need at least 2 days to hit the main museums and attractions in this area and or just sit down and people watch. The Kremlin is unbelievable – with its golden spired domes, many cathedrals and amazing murals inside the curved walls of the churches.
Red Square is one of the most impressive squares in the world anchored by the world famous fairy tale like St. Basils church on one end, the Kremlin walls on the other, the the huge red building on another end and the massive 19th century building on its other end now full of about a 1/4 mile in length, name brand shops (GUM building – pronounced like “goom”). St. Basils is definitely most impressive from the outside (be sure to walk all the way around – as most tourists just see it from the Red Square). It is open to the public on certain days, and although the security guard said “no photos” to us, many people were taking photos and videos inside. Sometimes you might find a quartet singing ancient hymns which only adds to the ambience of a visit here.
The Kremlin is huge and it can take 45 minutes to an hour to walk around its entire walls. The ticket counters for entry into the Kremlin are located about a 15 minute walk down from the Red Square. There are two small ticket buildings and while watching people get their tickets we noticed one of these always had shorter lines (both sell the same tickets). Typically you buy 2 tickets – one to the armory and one for the cathedrals. Cameras are allowed into the Kremlin and the armory but you cannot take pictures in the armory or inside the Kremlin cathedrals. All backpacks and large bags need to be checked into the baggage holding area, located down the stairs and to the right from the actual ticket counters. This service is free.
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