Red Square and the Kremlin

Red Square, the vast cobbled plaza at the centre of Moscow, is the symbolic heart of Russia and one of the most famous public spaces in the world. It is framed by an extraordinary ensemble: the riotous, candy-coloured onion domes of St Basil's Cathedral, the towering red-brick walls and towers of the Kremlin, the grand nineteenth-century arcades of the GUM department store, and the historic gates and monuments around its edges. Together, inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site, they form a breathtaking stage of Russian architecture and history, unmistakable and unforgettable, at the very core of the capital.

What you actually see

• St Basil's Cathedral - the fairy-tale swirl of coloured onion domes.
• The Kremlin - the red-walled fortress and its cathedrals and palaces.
• GUM - the grand glass-roofed nineteenth-century shopping arcade.
• The square itself - the vast historic cobbled expanse.

When to go

May to September brings the mildest weather and long days for exploring the square and Kremlin cathedrals on foot, while the square is also magical, if bitterly cold, under winter snow and festive lights. Timed entry helps for the Kremlin museums, which reward an unhurried visit.

Honest expectations

Red Square draws large crowds, especially in summer and around holidays, and can be closed to the public for state ceremonies and rehearsals, so a little timing helps. As the symbolic heart of Russia and a UNESCO World Heritage ensemble of world fame, with its fairy-tale cathedral and red fortress walls, though, it is an extraordinary and iconic sight.

Nearby

The Bolshoi Theatre, Tretyakov Gallery and the Moscow Metro's grand stations are near.