There are about 500 landscaped parks in Moscow. The first park areas appeared in the capital in the XIV century. at monasteries, gardens were planted near royal residences. Currently, most parks have been created on the territory of the Central District. Walking in Moscow parks has become a popular pastime for Muscovites and visitors to the city.
Parks in Moscow
A lot of green areas in Moscow – parks, squares, boulevards – allow citizens not to feel discomfort from staying in the metropolis.
Gorky Park
Created in the 30s of the XX century, the park in the Yakimanka district between Pushkinskaya Embankment and Leninsky Prospekt is the most visited in the city. The recreational part of the park begins from a figured fountain, arranged near the entrance from Krymsky Val Street, 9. The territory is open around the clock.
The park is equipped for a long stay, it has:
- places of rest;
- drinking fountains;
- toilets.
A greenhouse and a rose garden are open on the territory, and an 8 km long bike path has been laid. You can take a boat ride along Golitsynsky and Pionerskiy ponds, swans live on many reservoirs, and squirrels live on trees.
The park offers guided tours and quest games, an Olive beach and a cinema in summer, and an ice rink in winter.
Sokolniki
The park in the Sokolniki district occupies over 500 hectares and is open from 8 to 23 hours. The main entrance is located on Sokolnicheskiy Val Street, 1.
Radial clearings, planted with trees of different species, radiate from the Fountain Square. Picnic areas and recreation areas are made on the territory, toilets are working. In the walking area there is a rose garden with an area of almost 4 hectares, 13 ponds occupy over 10 hectares. Birds and squirrels live in the aviaries.
Bike paths have been laid through the park, and a health trail has been made along Deer Creek. In summer, the park offers a recreation area with sun beds and a swimming pool. You can explore Sokolniki during a mini-bus tour. The recreational part of the park passes into the forest park and the Losinoostrovsky Nature Reserve.
Zaryadye
A walk through the park of Moscow has become one of the indispensable tourist attractions due to the emergence of modern green areas such as Zaryadye. The recreational area in the center of Moscow near the Kremlin walls occupies over 13 hectares, it is divided into 4 landscape areas representing flood meadows, the Russian North, the steppe and the forest.
Every year, over 10 million guests visit the park, they are attracted by the opportunity to walk along convenient paths leading to museums and a concert hall, admire the panorama of the capital from the “floating” bridge.
The park is landscaped for a long stay: it has sanitary rooms, lighting, and comfortable places to relax. You can get to the park from Varvarka Street, Moskvoretskaya Embankment and Red Square, the park is open around the clock.
Near Kolomna manor
The park area around the royal residence Kolomenskoye occupies 390 hectares. The main entrance is located at 39 Andropov Ave. Admission is free, the territory is closed at night, in the evenings most of the park is not illuminated.
The park is located on a hill, there are 2 ponds in the ravine, and there is an embankment and a pier near the river.
The ecological trail passes by historical and architectural monuments, including the Alexei Mikhailovich Palace and the ethnographic complex, restored royal apple orchards and meadows. The park’s infrastructure includes toilets, cafes, benches, and visitors can relax on lawns or inflatable sun beds on the lawns. Cycling is allowed in the park.
Victories
The main entrance to the park, opened in 1995, is located near the Victory Park metro station. The central alley is laid to Poklonnaya Gora and the museum, decorated with monuments and fountains. In total, the park has over 1,400 illuminated fountain zones.
Walking paths radiate from the center, benches are placed on the alleys, and there are toilets. There are monuments to the heroes and events of the Second World War, modern art objects on the territory. There are special paths for cyclists. Victory Park is separated by Minsk Street from Matveevsky Forest.
Ostankino
A walk through Moscow’s Ostankino Park gives you the opportunity to plunge into the atmosphere of the XVIII century, which the park area acquired after the reconstruction of 2014. One of the oldest parks in the capital occupies 71 hectares between Botanic and 1st Ostankino Streets and is combined with the Botanical Garden of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
There are many paths and alleys through the gentrified forest. The basis of the park was an oak grove, the trees of which are over 200 years old. Wild birds and animals (squirrels, hedgehogs, weasels) can be found in the forest.
The modern infrastructure of the green zone in the Northeastern District includes:
- shops;
- hammocks;
- gazebos;
- coffee machines;
- toilets;
- bike paths.
You can go boating on ponds, and ride horses on special paths. The alleys located along Botanic Street are decorated with small sculptures and flower beds. The park is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Izmailovo
The largest park in Europe unites 4 zones covering over 1600 hectares:
- Terletsky and Izmailovsky forest parks;
- Izmailovsky Park;
- Silver Grape Pond.
The longest walks in Moscow’s parks can be taken in Izmailovo Park
In the forest part of Izmailovo, along birch groves and pine forests, well-groomed paths are laid, you can walk along them to the architectural monuments of the XVIII century. In winter, the paths are turned into ski trails.
Along the paths there are benches, lanterns, gazebos, houses and feeders for birds and squirrels. There is a boat rental and a beach on the Round Pond, where birds live, in summer.
The park is equipped with toilets and outdoor cafes. You can visit the park at any time of the day, admission is free. The main entrance is located near the Sokolinaya Gora metro station.
Catherine’s
One of the ancient parks of the capital was landscaped in 2005 and occupies 16 hectares in the Meshchansky district near the theater of the Soviet Army. In the center of the territory there is a pond with an area of 1 hectare, which is inhabited by carp. In summer, boating is done on the pond, and in winter a circular ski run is laid on the ice.
The well-groomed alleys of the monument of landscape art are illuminated in the evenings. Elms, rowan trees, ash trees, birches, fir trees grow in the park, and some trees are up to 200 years old. The territory is decorated with rotundas, ancient pavilions and sculptures, there is a toilet.
The main entrance is located on Bolshaya Yekaterininskaya str., 27. The park is open from 7 am to 23 pm, access with bicycles is not allowed.
Kuzminki
A walk through the park of Moscow leaves a pleasant impression. Opened in 1977. Kuzminki continued the tradition of the French landscape park, established in the 19th century near the Golitsyn estate.
After the reconstruction in 2016, 3 thematic routes appeared in the 375-hectare park area:
- 5-kilometer running track;
- historical tour of the architectural complex of the Kuzminki estate and park sculpture;
- family-friendly with visits to the squirrel garden, attractions and playgrounds.
Recreation areas have been made near the Shibaevsky Pond, and boat rentals are open in summer. You can walk, ride bicycles and roller skates, and practice Nordic walking on the Kuzminok alleys. There is a sensory trail for walking barefoot.
In summer, vacationers can do cottage work in public flower gardens, vegetable gardens and greenhouses of the park, where over 100 species of plants are grown. There are cafes, toilets in the park, and a green area is open around the clock.
Kuzminki is separated by the MKAD from Zhulebinsky and Kuzminsky forest parks, and the 12 Rays Park is located nearby. The main entrance is located near the metro station Volzhskaya.
Moose Island
The First National Park occupies 12,500 hectares on the territory of Moscow and the Moscow region. Most of the park is forest, 10% is occupied by swamps and reservoirs.
The park is divided into 3 zones:
- over 50% of the area is occupied by the recreational part;
- an area with cultural and historical monuments, open to the public;
- protected nature reserve (34%).
The Losiny Ostrov complex includes 2 Moscow and 4 suburban parks. You can drive in from Yaroslavsky and Shchelkovsky highways.
Dirt tracks and trails are laid along the valley of the Yauza River, through the Alekseevskaya grove and Korzhevsky plantings, along the taiga near Moscow and around Lake Bulganinskoye. Those who wish will be offered to take 3 and 10-kilometer kayaking trips through the reservoirs. Walking tours and quests around the territory are provided.
The park has recreation areas where you can light a fire, and there are toilets on the trails. There are no catering points in the park, picnic places must be ordered and paid for. Moose Island is open around the clock.
Moskvoretsky
The park is located in 5 districts in the north-west of Moscow and occupies 3660 hectares.
The territory includes several green areas:
- Krylatsky hills;
- Kirovskaya, Mnevnikovskaya and Stroginskaya floodplains;
- Filevsky and Suvorovsky Parks;
- Serebryanoborsky forestry.
The park is landscaped, it has boat rental stations, beaches are made. There are special routes for runners and electric vehicles. Picnic areas have been allocated, cafes are open, and toilets are available. The park is open around the clock.
In the Moscow region
In the Moscow region, work is constantly underway to improve forest park areas. In 2023, there were about 200 parks in the region.
Pekhorka (Balashikha)
Among the 7 parks in Balashikha, Pekhorka is the most popular. After reconstruction in 2017, toilets, cafes, and lighting were installed in the 15-hectare park area. Benches and poufs are installed along the paths laid through the forest, sculptures are placed and flowers are planted. Bicycle paths are separated from pedestrian paths.
An embankment with berths, a boat station, as well as recreation areas and a bathing area appeared on the banks of the Pekhorka River. Entrance is possible from the side of Park and Picturesque streets, the park is open from 6 a.m. to midnight.
Krivyakino (Voskresensk)
A walk through a park in Moscow or the Moscow region can take a whole day. The park at the Krivyakino estate, built in the XVIII century, occupies 18 hectares in the city of Voskresensk.
The green area on the banks of the Moskva River is divided into landscape and regular parts, illuminated pedestrian paths are laid along them, on which there are benches for recreation. Several antique-styled photo zones and art objects have been created, as well as places for playing chess and checkers. Toilets are installed in the park, there is a cafe.
The system of park ponds dates back to the XVIII century. and it is a cultural monument. Some Krivyakino trees are listed in the register of the oldest plants in Russia, they are about 200 years old. The reservoirs are home to over 30 species of birds, many of which are in the Red Book. Recreation areas and viewing platforms are located near the Moskva River.
The park is open from 7 a.m. to 23 p.m., admission is free. Paid tours are available on site.
Skitskie ponds (Sergiev Posad)
In 2013, the territory between the Gethsemane and Chernihiv monasteries of Sergiev Posad was landscaped – this is how the city park “Skitskie Ponds” appeared, designed for outdoor recreation for adults and children.
There are walking paths between the 100-year-old trees. There are mini-libraries next to benches and sun loungers, from which you can borrow interesting literature for free. There are kiosks with food and drinks, cafes and toilets in the alleys.
Artificial ponds were created by monks in the XVIII century and stocked. Now amur, carp, and perch are found in them again, recreation areas and a boat station pier are arranged on the shore.
The central entrance is located at 151 Vifanskaya Street. The park is open from 8 a.m. and accepts visitors until 22 p.m. in winter and until 23 p.m. in summer, admission is free.
Urban (Solnechnogorsk)
Most of the Sestroretsk City Park, which occupies 13 hectares, is given over to footpaths and paths surrounded by flower beds and lawns. The walking alleys are decorated with park sculptures created by the best sculptures of the Russian Federation and other countries. In winter, the tracks are turned into a ski run. More than 1.5 thousand trees grow in the park, there are toilets and cafes.
There is a city beach on the shore of Lake Senezh. In the summer season, lifeguards work here, sun loungers are placed along the coastline, and there is a rental point for water equipment. An alley decorated with a sculpture of a Mermaid by A. Rukavishnikov is laid along the lake. The park is open around the clock, the entrance is located on Krasnaya Street.
Sestroretsky (Wedge)
The recreational area occupies 30 hectares on the left bank of the river Sister in Klin. Walking paths stretch for 2 km, and you can ride a bike or scooter in the park. The paths are illuminated, benches and gazebos are installed for relaxation. In winter, ski trails are laid on the territory and an ice rink is made.
Along the river, through Sestroretsky and Demyanovsky parks, there is an urban health trail with a length of 10 km. You can relax after walking in a cafe, and there are toilets in the park.
The river bank is decorated with small architectural forms, there is a beach, a boat station. There is a public vegetable garden on the island, which is located in the middle of the Sister River. The entrance is from Mira Street, the park is open around the clock.
Prinarsky (Serpukhov)
A walk through the park of the Moscow region or Moscow is a great option to spend a day off usefully. Since 2014, a landscaped park with an area of 20 hectares has appeared in Serpukhov instead of a wasteland on the banks of the Nara River.
The central alley runs from Teatralnaya Street to the Vysotsky Monastery, along the river there is a walking area. There are several paid barbecue areas in the park, there is a toilet, a cafe. In summer, you can rent sports equipment. The park is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Birch grove (Dmitrov)
The park, located in the center of Dmitrov between Moskovskaya and Veretennikova Streets, is a favorite vacation spot for citizens. The green area covers about 15 hectares.
The central alley is decorated with a multi-tiered fountain complex equipped with lighting. There are recreation areas in the shade of trees – benches, rotundas, in summer you can relax on ottomans on the lawns. Citizens walk along the lighted alleys, do Nordic walking and crossfit.
In summer, a walk can be combined with yoga, which is free of charge, master classes, and watching movies in the open air.
There are sanitary rooms on site. The park is open from 8 a.m. to midnight.
Factory pond (Reutov)
The park with an area of 10 hectares, which has existed since the 19th century in the center of Reutov, was reconstructed in 2016. Now there are walking and bike paths on its territory, forming a circular route around the reservoir. Mini-playgrounds with sports and gaming equipment, toilets are made along the route.
Recreation areas have been prepared in the lighted alleys: walkers can sit on modern outdoor furniture and poufs, in summer those who wish arrange picnics on the grass. Fountains, sculptural compositions and landscape lighting decorate the territory.
The shore of the Factory Pond has been turned into a beach covered with imported quartz sand, and a promenade has been laid along the reservoir. The park is open from 6 am to 23 pm.
30th anniversary of Victory (Orekhovo-Zuyevo)
The park, which was landscaped in 2017, has become a popular holiday destination in Orekhovo-Zuyevo. A network of modern pedestrian and bicycle paths with a length of over 3 km has been laid along the Klyazma River on an area of 9 hectares.
At night, the walking alleys are illuminated, shady canopies and benches are installed along them, there is a chess pavilion and a place for yoga classes. Picnics are held on the lawns in the summer. An elegant illuminated fountain and a pile pier on the river have become favorite places for photo shoots.
Over 200 thousand flowers decorate the park every summer. For the convenience of strollers, there is a toilet, sports equipment rental, and a cafe. The park is open from 8 a.m. to 22 p.m., entrance from Madonskaya Street.
Urban in Ivanteevka
The city park is one of the largest in the Moscow region and occupies almost 40 hectares. A network of pedestrian alleys and walking paths covers the entire park, in the northern part of which there is a spring, and in the southern part there are attractions. Lighting works along the paths in the evening. Benches, sun loungers with canopies allow you to rest anywhere in the park.
The embankment of the Ucha river is landscaped: a wooden platform is made on it, recreation areas are installed, and the fountain, arranged in the riverbed, is illuminated. In summer, the park is decorated with floral arrangements.
The infrastructure of the park is represented by toilets, rental of sports equipment, cafes. The park is open around the clock. The entrance is located on the side of the Student Passage.
The landscaped parks of Moscow and the Moscow region have become a point of attraction for local residents. Modern parks are safe – video surveillance systems are involved in them, security is working. A walk through the park allows you to relax surrounded by nature. Modern parks have picnic areas, toilets, cafes, and rental shops.