Eat, Explore, Experience recommendations are crowdsourced from locals and uncover the hidden gems often missed by tourists.

Write to us at hello@proximityapp.co with your favorite city secret!

From its incredible architecture, to creative clusters of galleries and studios housed in former factories, to dynamic public spaces like Gorky Park, the city is relentlessly vibrant and has activities for everyone. Start exploring by getting on to the world famous metro system where you can admire the monumental Soviet-era public art and commute anywhere in the city for under $1.

Eat: Strelka Institute’s Bar and Restaurant

Housed in one of the buildings of the former Red October Chocolate Factory, the Strelka Institute sits on an urban island in the middle of Moscow, with a stunning view of the Moskva river and the infamous Church of Christ the Savior. The restaurant and bar serve an ever changing menu of delectable Russian and international cuisines and home-made cocktails. Sample the amazing food while you hobnob with the city’s new generation of architects, urbanists and artists.

Photo of Strelka Institute for Media by Alexei Kalabin (https://www.flickr.com/photos/strelka/7846040534). CC licensed https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Address: Bersenevskaya Embankment, 14, Bldg. 5A, Moscow, Russia

Phone: +7 (495) 771 74 16

Explore: Nikola Lenivets Art Park

Don’t miss an excellent day trip from the city to Nikola-Lenivets, a rural land art park situated around three villages in the greater Moscow region. The park, located 200km from Moscow, hosts events throughout the summer, including annual architectural and music festivals and summer creative camps for children. Wander and explore the beautiful natural surroundings and tour of the over 50 massive art objects. Accommodation ranges from tents, a hostel in former military barracks, and a small hotel.

Photo by New Media Night (https://www.flickr.com/photos/britishcouncilrus/14434581470). CC License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/).

Address: Nikola-Lenivets Art Park, Kaluga Oblast, Russia

Phone: +7 (495) 663-91-36

Experience: The Museum of Soviet Arcade games

Moscow is peppered with arts and culture institutions, state and private owned. The Museum of Soviet Arcade games is a step back in history (and your own childhood) with hundreds of rare and almost defunct gaming machines. The ten dollar entry fee includes 5 kopek coins to use in the machines as you play precursors to most modern video games, a throwback to the former USSR.

Address: Baumanskaya St., No. 11, Moscow 105005, Russia

Phone: + 7 916 167-1925

If you like this, check out what we’re building with Proximity or find us on Twitter.