Most beautiful places to see the autumn colours in the Russian capital

Gorky Park

The iconic park that runs parallel to the banks of the Moscow River has a wide range of deciduous trees and is a special place to enjoy the colours of the season.  It also has several interesting sculptures, including its symbol, the legendary Girl with an Oar sculpture.

Gorky Park is connected by walking and cycling paths all the way to Sparrow Hills, where there is a spectacular panoramic view of Moscow. The cable car which ascends from the bank of the river is a great way to view the autumn colours of the trees below.

Kolomenskoye

The old Dyakovsky, Kazansky, and Voznesensky orchards are true symbols of Kolomenskoye. Located at the highest point of the park, the orchards afford visitors wonderful views of the Moscow River in its autumn setting.

Source: Itar-Tass

Away from the busy boulevards, here you can enjoy the scent of apples and decaying foliage, a rare pleasure in today’s Moscow.  There is no place in the whole city quite so tranquil or serene than the apple orchards of Kolomenskoye Park. Take some friends, a blanket, and a picnic basket and you could forget you were in one of the biggest cities in the world.

In Kolomenskoye, there are various places to enjoy the autumn view of the capital (Hint: use the free panoramic binoculars at the Vozneseniya Square).

Izmailovsky Park

This park is the best place for autumn hiking within the city limits. Izmailovsky Park, unlike the rest of Moscow's parks and estates, is rather untamed, and so feels like a wild forest with tree branches and old stumps covered in moss.

Source: Lori/Legion-Media

Enjoy the crinkle of fallen leaves under foot or gather a beautiful bouquet of autumn foliage. The Izmailovsky Park grounds cover more than 700 acres, so if you want to see the whole park renting a bike is the best option. Or, to get an idea of the grand scale of the park, take a ride on the ferris wheel.

Tsaritsyno

Tsaritsyno is the only English-style landscaped park in Moscow. This park has a unique colour scheme, combining red brick with white stone ornaments. Pseudo-Gothic palaces, pavilions, arches, and lacework bridges appear magnificent set against the backdrop of the autumn landscape. The cascade of ponds reflects the surrounding beauty.

Source: Lori/Legion-Media

In the autumn, when the nights draw in, you can look and listen to the light and music fountain on Horseshoe Island in Tsaritsyno Pond.

Kuskovo Estate

The French-style garden decorated with genuine marble sculptures of mythological characters, as well as a preserved summer palace with authentic interiors and porcelain collections, makes this estate unique.

Source: Lori/Legion-Media

There are few grander places in Moscow for admiring the autumn landscape. Get out here on the weekend in early autumn when the trees and shrubs on the site are painted in the spectrum colors of nature.

The Botanical Garden

The pearl of the Botanical Garden is the Japanese garden carefully arranged in accordance with all of the conventions of the Japanese national landscape art. Come here to enjoy solitary contemplation of autumn nature.

Source: Lori/Legion-Media

It also creates the ideal opportunity to practice Momijigari, the traditional Japanese custom of admiring maples. The autumn colours, brought here specially by the Manchurian maples, gingkoes and spindles, combined with the blue sky are extraordinarily beautiful when reflected in the garden ponds full of floating fallen leaves.

In the centre of the garden composition is a stone pagoda imported from Japan which symbolizes a Buddhist temple, and tea ceremonies are occasionally held in the Azumaya teahouse.

This article was written in partnership with Moscow City Committee on Tourism and Hotel Industry. To make the most out of a visit to the Russian capital, check out travel2moscow.com

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