longleat safari park gift card

Explore the UK's first safari park at Longleat

Longleat, wiltshire.

Feed giraffes by hand and walk on the wildside with lemurs at this popular safari park, found in the picturesque grounds of historic Longleat House.

First opened in 1966, Longleat Safari Park was the first drive-through attraction of its kind outside Africa, and it's still running strong today. With countless species of animals and attractions like Penguin Island, Stingray Bay, Jungle Cruise and an adventure castle, it's a great day out for the entire family. Explore the animal habitats on a road tour through the park, before stepping onto the Main Square and venturing into koala habitats, outdoor playgrounds and hedge mazes.

Special events run throughout the year, including the ever-popular Festival of Lights over the Christmas period; this large display of illuminated Chinese lanterns adorns the entire parkland and adds a touch of festivity to everything. And, of course, visitors can also extend their stay in the area with a tour through Longleat House and its surrounding pleasure gardens.

Longleat Safari Park is due to re-open on Monday 15 June - make sure to check the website through the link below for availability and opening times.

• Find out more about Longleat
• Find more wildlife and nature reserves in Wiltshire

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How To Get Cheap & Discounted Longleat Tickets (10 Ways!)

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Longleat is a fantastic day out for all the family. However, Longleat tickets are not cheap and entry for a family of four costs over £135. In this post, I look at how to get cheap and discounted Longleat tickets.

We recently took a trip to Longleat which is billed as being one of the best Safaris and Animal parks in the UK.

While we have visited several times before, I was surprised at how much ticket prices had increased since our last visit two and half years ago (£10 per person!).

Of course, I think as with everything, Covid, rising energy costs and inflation have all had an impact.

However, I was still keen to get a discount on our tickets if I could and fortunately for us a member of our party had a Blue Light Card, so I was able to 30% off our tickets.

How Much Are Longleat Tickets?

Prices correct as of 27/02/23

Adult (16yrs+) £39.95

Child (3-15yrs) £29.95

Infant (0-2yrs) £0.00

Carer (Any) £0.00

What Do Longleat Tickets Include?

Longleat tickets include access to the Safari drive-through and other attractions back at the main house such as the Longleat Railway, Boat Safari, Animal Adventures, hedge maze, children’s play areas and much more.

Tickets do not include entry to the house which is an additional £4.95 for a tour – you will be asked whether or not you would like to do this when you book.

Longleat run lots of special event throughout the year and you may need to purchase additional tickets for these or book a specific ticket that includes both safari entry and the special event.

If you don’t want to drive through the Safari in your own vehicle, you can pay an additional £9 per person (under 3s are free) to take the Longleat Safari bus. This cannot be booked in advance and must be booked when you arrive via Guest Services. The bus runs twice daily on a first come first serve basis and the journey through the Safari takes around two hours.

How To Get Discounted Longleat Tickets

1. purchase a longleat annual pass.

One of the biggest ways you can save money on the cost of Longleat tickets is by purchasing an annual pass.

An annual pass costs £100 per year and starts from the day you first use the pass, not the date purchased.

This means if you’re able to visit more than three times in a year you’ll be making a saving.

Of course, there are other things to factor in here such as how close you live to Longleat, travel costs and so on. We live around an hour and twenty minutes from Longleat and for now, it feels just too far for us to consider this as an option.

Annual passes may also be worth considering if you often holiday in the area, especially if you can work it so your holidays are within the same year eg the end of July and then the beginning of July.

As well as unlimited entry to Longleat you’ll also get discounts on VIP experiences at the park and in shops and food outlets.

It’s worth noting that Longleat isn’t open year-round and even with an annual pass you’ll still need to book ahead of time which costs £1 and is donated to charity.

Longleat Annual Pass Ticket Prices

Adult (16-59yrs) £100.00

Child (3-15yrs) £75.00

Senior (60yrs+) £90.00

Carer (Any) – Must be accompanying a guest with additional needs.

2. Longleat Military Discount Tickets

Longleat Military discount tickets can be booked via the link below and entitle anyone working for the military plus up to five guests travelling with them to 30% off standard ticket prices. Under threes go free and are not counted in the total number of guests.

A valid Military ID will be required on arrival to validate the tickets.

Longleat Military Discount Tickets

3. Longleat Emergency Services Discount Tickets

Longleat also offers a 30% discount to those working in the emergency services, such as the police, fire service, NHS and ambulance services. As before, this discount is valid for up to six guests total (including the emergency services worker) all arriving together and those under three go free and do not count towards guest numbers.

A relevant ID card will be required on arrival to validate the tickets (blue Light Cards and Company IDs are accepted)

Longleat Emergency Services Discount

4. Longleat Bluelight Discount Tickets

Anyone with a Blue Light Card will be pleased to know that it can be used for discounted Longleat Tickets and the discount is 30%.

As with the emergency services and military discounts, it is valid for up to six guests including the cardholder themselves (must all arrive together) and under threes are free and not counted towards this limit.

Blue Light Card is required on arrival to validate the tickets

Longleat Blue Light Discount

How Do I Sign Up For A Blue Light Card?

Blue Light Cards are available to anyone working in emergency services and the NHS but also to those working in other care-related jobs such as social workers and care home workers.

There are even some volunteer roles that are eligible such as those that volunteer for the RLNI or St. Johns Ambulance.

You are required to provide evidence of either your company ID or a Payslip and membership costs £5 per two years.

Find out more about who is entitled to a Blue Light Card.

5. Free Longleat Tickets For Blue Peter Badge Holders

You’ll be pleased to know that if your child has a Blue Peter Badge and Card then they can get free entry to Longleat provided they are accompanied by a full-paying adult.

However, there are quite a few T&Cs to this discount including not being able to book online in advance (tickets must be purchased at the gate), not being valid with any other discounts and not being valid during the winter season or on event days in the summer.

As Longleat advises tickets should be purchased in advance to avoid disappointment, you might not want to risk not booking ahead and then being denied entry on arrival.

Longleat Blue Peter Badge Terms

6. Turn Tesco Vouchers Into Cheap Longleat Tickets

If you have Tesco Clubcard vouchers then you can turn these into cheap Longleat tickets as they will be worth three times their value.

Every £0.50 in Tesco vouchers can be into £1.50 to use with Longleat (or £1 from 14 June 2023). 

You simply create your Clubcard vouchers either on the app or on the Tesco website and purchase your tickets through the link below.

There is no need to have the full amount in Tesco Vouchers, you can simply pay the difference.

Longleat Tesco Clubcard Tickets

7. Free Longleat Tickets For Carers and Under 3s.

If your child is under three then there is no need to purchase a ticket for them when visiting Longleat. We made the most of this taking our daughter for both her first and second birthdays!

Carers can also get free tickets when accompanying someone who needs care. Evidence of this is required on arrival such as Blue Badge or DLA award letter.

8. More Than 12 In your Party? Book A Discounted Longleat Group Day Ticket

Did you know that Longleat offer discounts to large groups? If there are twelve or more at your party you can get a 20% discount off standard prices.

Find prices and terms here: Longleat Discounted Group Tickets

9. Staying At Center Parcs Longleat? Book Discounted Longleat Tickets Through Center Parcs

If you’re staying at Longleat Center Parcs you may be able to get discounted Longleat tickets when booked through the Center Parcs website.

This used to be quite a generous discount but in recent years seems to have been reduced to around £5 so you might find using a Blue Light Card or some of the other discounts mentioned above will give you more money off if you want to visit during a Center Parcs stay.

How To Save Money At Center Parcs

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20 FREE Center Parcs Activities

10. Longleat Local Discount Tickets

Anyone living in the following postcodes can get discounted annual passes to Longleat.

Adults can save £15 on the cost of an annual pass and children can save £11.25. When purchasing your annual pass you’ll need both ID and proof of address.

Can I Change The Date Of My Longleat Tickets?

Once booked, you can change the date of your Longleat Tickets but this is charged at £5 per person and tickets can only be moved three times within the same year.

Are Discounted Longleat Tickets Refundable?

When booking in advance, Longleat Tickets are non-refundable.

However, you can purchase insurance which costs £5 per booking. We did this to give us peace of mind should we need to cancel and because we were already getting quite a generous discount by using a blue light card.

Can I Use Nectar Points To Buy Longlet Tickets?

Unfortunately, Longleat is not currently one of the retailers at which you can spend Nectar points.

However, you could spend your Nectar points on food and drink for a picnic for your visit, as you are allowed to take your own food and drink into Longlet.

Can I Get 2-for-1 Longlet Tickets?

There are no current discounts or offers that give 2-for-1 Longlet tickets.

However, if you are a carer for someone with disabilities, you can receive a complimentary ticket. T&Cs apply and you will be asked for proof (such as a blue badge) when you arrive at Longleat.

Are Longleat Tickets Worth The Money?

We enjoyed our recent trip to Longleat, however, there is no hiding the fact that it is not a cheap day out.

For us, the most enjoyable part of the trip was the Safari, which in total took us around three hours. This included stopping to get out of the car at the African Village and then continuing around the Safari including quite a long stint with the monkeys!

The monkey drive-through was by far our four-year-old’s favourite part of the day.

When it comes to the other attractions back behind the main house, certain areas could do with some improvement, in particular the Animal Adventure zone which is quite run down and dilapidated.

We were also disappointed to see lots of attractions had closed since our previous visits such as the Bat Cave and Butterfly House but hadn’t been replaced with anything new.

How Can I Save Money At Longleat Sarafi Park?

Now you’ve read all about the different ways you can get cheap and discounted Longleat Tickets you might also be looking for ways to save money while you’re there.

Luckily, I have a post on just that!

How To Save Money At Longleat Safari Park

What Is The Best Time Of Year To Visit Longleat Safari Park?

Longleat Safari Park is a great day out at any time of year.

We have found our most enjoyable visits crowd-wise to be during the summer, during term time – we usually try and visit on an inset day if possible.

Once you’ve parked and headed into Longleat, there isn’t a huge amount of shelter or indoor activities. We had one June trip where it rained pretty much the whole time we were there and we were pretty wet and grumpy by the end of the day.

Something else to take into consideration is that when on Safari there are areas where you can’t open your car windows.

If you don’t have air conditioning this can be very hot in the height of summer!

I hope these tips help you to save money on your next trip to Longleat!

2 thoughts on “ How To Get Cheap & Discounted Longleat Tickets (10 Ways!) ”

That’s some good advice, Tesco was surprising

I can remember visiting Longleat Safari Park with my family as I kid and would love to go again. I wonder if I can also find a discount code or cashback offer for something like this.

Thanks for the tips 🙂

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Hi, I’m Fiona and Savvy in Somerset is my award winning Personal Finance blog where I cover all things money saving, side hustles and getting the most out of the cash you have.

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Longleat Safari Park

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Longleat Safari Park

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Longleat Safari Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

The Festival of Light: Longleat Safari Park at Christmas

Are you needing to get into the Christmas spirit? If so, the Longleat Festival of Light is sure to bring festive cheer and wonder to even the Grinchiest of souls!

This glowing walk through light trail in Wiltshire is certainly a sight to behold, with it’s ginormous show-stopping lanterns and dazzling light displays as far as the eyes can see.

So grab your winter coat and wrap up warm, ready to soak in all the festive atmosphere Longleat Safari Park has to offer!

In this article...

How much are tickets for Longleat’s Festival of Light?

This year there are 3 types of tickets to chose from for the Festival of Light:

• Day ticket with the safari
• Day ticket without the safari
• Twilight ticket

The prices vary depending on whether you require a full day ticket to explore the entirety of the park, or if you’re happy purchasing a slightly cheaper ‘twilight’ ticket, which gives you entry from 3pm for the Festival of Light. There are peak and off-peak pricing options too. But in all cases, under 3’s go free!

With no discounted family ticket options available, an all day trip to Longleat Safari Park can work out pretty costly at £174.80 for a family of 4. Whereas the peak twilight ticket will come in at £104.80, which may make this trip a little more accessible for some.

It’s also worth mentioning there are some optional additional charges once you’re in too! Like the Santa train for example, but we will get to that later.

What is there to do at Longleat safari park?

Longleat is actually the UK’s OG safari ! In 1966, it became the first drive through safari park to open outside of Africa!

Other than enjoying the festival of Light, you can carefully drive your own car through the animal safari where you will pass elephants, lions, tigers, deers and wolves. You’ll also have the option to cruise through Monkey Mayhem, where you’ll likely experience a cheeky monkey perched on your bonnet whilst another clambers along your roof. Just be aware, these monkeys have been known to peel off wiper blades like banana skins. So, if you’re particularly precious about your car, you may wish to bypass a trip through the chaos that can sometimes be caused in Monkey Mayhem!

Other than the Safari, house and array of animals to see and learn about. There is a huge park for the kids, a fun Rockin’ Rhino ride, plus the chance to take a ride on the train and boat. You’ll also find the largest maze in all of Britain here!

Longleat is vast and there’s loads to explore. The safari itself can take 2-3 hours to complete, so you can easily spend an entire day here.

Top tip: To avoid becoming the lions lunch, motorbikes and soft top cars aren’t allowed to drive through the safari.

What’s the address for Longleat safari park?

Longleat is just off the A36 between the picturesque city of Bath and Salisbury. As you get closer to Longleat, you’ll see plenty of brown tourist signs to help guide you the rest of the way. Or, tap the following postcode straight in to your google maps:

Longleat, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 7NW

How long is the Festival of Light on for?

The festival of light only runs for a few months out of the year. Opening on selected dates between  11th November 2023 – 7th January 2024 . Head over to the Longleat website to see which days they are open.

What is Longleat’s Festival of Light?

The Festival of Light is an immersive walking trail which winds it’s away around the grounds of Longleat Safari Park. This year the light trail has 1500 exciting and incredibly detailed glowing lanterns, with some stretching over 15 meters high! Plus theres other impressive light shows to admire too, like the enchanted Christmas Tree show.

Every year they unveil a different theme for their Festival of Light, so if you’ve been before – know that it will be a different theme the following year.

What is the 2023 theme at Longleat?

The 2023 Festival of Light is named Treasured Tales , so get ready to step into all of your favourite childhood books this year. The epic displays will include scenes from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Cinderella, Snow White, and The Wizard of Oz to name a few!

My photos are from a previous year, where the theme was ‘Myths & Legends’.

Are dogs allowed?

As Longleat is a safari and home to many animals. No dogs (or pets of any sort) are allowed.

Do you have to pay to park

There is no additional charge for parking at Longleat, its included in your ticket price.

Longlest Festival of Light blue light card holder discount

Longleat offer a discount to any blue light card holders when tickets are prebooked online in advance.

They offer a blue light discount on the twilight tickets too, plus you get earlier access than the regular twilight tickets with entry from 11am instead of 3pm.

Whats the Enchanted Christmas Tree show?

Be sure to head over to the Enchanted Christmas Tree during your visit to The Festival of Light. Illuminated with over 88,000 twinkling fairy lights, this singing christmas tree stands a whopping 15 meter high! This year the tree has been fitted with multiple snow machines to provide you with a magical flutter of snow and even more Christmas cheer.

The Enchanted Christmas Tree show has a duration of 15 minutes, which is repeated every 20 minutes between 3:30pm-7:10pm.

Can you drive the safari with a Festival of Light ticket?

You’ll be able to drive the 6.5 mile safari with your Festival of Light safari day ticket. It’s worth remembering that during the winter, last entry for the drive-through Safari is at 2pm. The safari is unavailable for people who have booked ‘non safari’ and ‘twilight’ tickets.

Top Tip: Some of the animals don’t enjoy the cold too much, and will be snuggled up inside in the warm. Which means you may not see quite so many out and about on the winter safari!

Is the Santa train an extra charge at Longleat?

Fancy a quick trip to the North Pole whilst you’re here? Then you’ll need to fork out even more money, as a ticket for the Santa Train is an additional cost on top of your Festival of Light ticket. Adult tickets for the Santa train are £6.95 each, and children are £22.50 each.

For the adults, the train ride to visit Father Christmas includes a hot chocolate and a mince pie. Whereas the children’s tickets will include a gift instead. If you’re bringing a baby along (who doesn’t require a gift) then they wont need a train ticket and can stay bundled up in your arms for the ride.

Longleat Christmas light show

Back again, but this year it’s bigger and better! This dazzling light show is synchronised to music and projected onto the front of Longleat House – a little bit like the Saks light show in NYC! Plus, there’s even more magic to be found at the all new fountain show on half mile pond.

How long do you need to spend at the Festival of Light?

You’ll probably find you’ll be here for the majority of your twilight ticket. Even though the lights get switched on around 3:30pm, the Festival of Light comes alive once the night sky turns dark. I would advise to allow 2-3 hours to see it all.

Food options at the Festival of Light

Around the main square you’ll find seasonal pop up stalls offering some tasty takeaway options like hot dogs, dirty fries and loaded nachos. There’s vegan options on the menu too, and nearby you can tuck into something sweet with some mouthwatering churros!

Or you could head over to Pizza Piazza for a delicious little slice of Italy, and if you’re looking for somewhere warm to sit down, the regular cafes are open too.

Is the Festival of Light wheelchair friendly?

The majority of the Festival of Light takes you along flat, concrete paths. Making it accessible for wheelchair users and pushchairs.

Places to stay near Longleat’s Festival of Light

Longleat has a few fabulous accommodation options on site. I think the best one looks like ‘Keepers House’ or ‘Keepers Cottage’ which is situated in the heart of the safari! Imagine waking up and seeing a zebra right outside of your window?!

Theres also Longleat Centre Parcs just down the road, although I recommend booking well in advance as the lodges get snapped up quickly.

For cheaper options, maybe look a smidge further away at Frome , Westbury or Warminster .

Top tips for visiting the Festival of Light

To help you be extra prepared for your trip, here’s a few tips:

• The cheaper twilight tickets sell out fast, book early if you want one.
• Be sure to prebook your Santa train tickets. You cant just turn up on the day and they aren’t included in your entry fee.
• Don’t miss watching the Enchanted Christmas Tree show – it’s really beautiful.
• Expect everywhere to get extra busy from 3pm when all the twilight ticket holders start to arrive!
• Some attractions like the Lorikeet Aviary, Boat Safari and the Maze, will close before the Park does (they wont open in the dark).
• To help beat the queues, order food before the influx of twilight guests arrive.
• The catering areas and shops are only accepting debit card/credit card/smartphone payments.
• It’s a good idea to pack a power bank in your bag. You don’t want your phone battery to run out with all the photos you’re going to be taking.

Longleat Safari Park is a special destination for a family day out, and there’s no doubt in my mind that you’ll make heaps of lovely memories together here. Yes, it might be a bit of a splurge for a day trip. But the sheer magic and wonder of the place, especially during the immersive Festival of Light, makes it a unique experience that’s sure to captivate everyone, young and old alike.

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Moscow Gift Card

Give the gift of shopping local. one card redeemable at a variety of businesses in moscow..

Give the gift of shopping local! With this exclusive Gift Card you can share the experience of Moscow’s magic. Have a taste of our unique culinary culture. Sip some local brews or have a taste of our local wines. Enjoy the excitement of shopping at one of our many downtown boutiques or thrifting for new treasures. There are also many local activity venues who you can visit with the Moscow Gift Card. Gifting made simple while always supporting local. That’s how we bring commerce + community together!

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Browse a list of participating businesses in Moscow. We are always adding businesses so make sure to check back often for more opportunities to shop local!

Not sure of how much you have left on your Moscow Gift Card?

Moscow Gift Card is issued by Pathward®, N.A., Member FDIC. Funds do not expire, Non-reloadable and no cash access. For Cardholder Agreement or Customer Service:  www.getmybalance.com  or 1-833-558-1088 .

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Moscow CityPass

The Moscow CityPass is a tourist card that gives you free entry to more than 40 top attractions in the Russian capital, including the Kremlin and Saint Basil's Cathedral.

Included attractions

The  10 most popular attractions  included with the Moscow CityPass are:

• Saint Basil's Cathedral
• Bunker-42 Museum
• Tretyakov Gallery
• Tsaritsyno Palace Museum
• Museum of the Patriotic War 1812
• State Historical Museum
• Great Wooden Palace of Tsar Alexis I in Kolomenskoye
• Moscow Sightseeing Bus Pass
• Moscow River Cruise

Moscow CityPass Prices

You can buy the Moscow CityPass for a duration of 1, 2, 3 or 5 days depending how long you're planning to spend in the city.

Is it worth it?

Entrance into these attractions is worth much more than the cost of the CityPass, yet it offers even more, for example, the Pushkin Museum , the Museum of the History of Vodka and the Museum of Contemporary History , among others, plus discounts at restaurants, shows and shops. If you're already planning to visit these sights, then it's well worth buying the CityPass to save money on tickets.

Where to buy the Moscow CityPass?

You can buy your   Moscow CityPass online in advance  via our website . Then, all you need to do is collect it from the Komsomolskaya Tourist Information Centre  (Komsomolskaya Square, 5-1), near the Komsomolskaya metro station. The office is open from 9 am until 8 pm.

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Your 48-hour tour guide of Moscow this winter!

9 am – Visit the Red Square 

Christmas market on Red Square

The first thing that every tourist should do by default is visit the very heart of Moscow – it’s main and most beautiful (which ‘krasnaya’ actually meant in Old Russian) square! 

There are several ways to explore it:

• Take a selfie with Spasskaya Tower
• Have a warm drink at the Christmas market (which lasts until mid-January)
• Visit Lenin’s Mausoleum
• Shop in the gorgeous adjacent GUM department store
• Visit St. Basil’s Cathedral (and learn that it’s actually several churches under one roof).           

11 am – It’s Kremlin time! 

Inside the Moscow Kremlin

Entering the Kremlin is, actually, a bit of a quest, as it’s a presidential facility with no general access. You need to buy a ticket or, better still, book a guided tour. Inside the Kremlin’s walls, you will find ancient cathedrals, in which Russian tsars used to be crowned and buried, as well as explore the magnificent architecture of the Kremlin that reflects the rich history of the country. And, finally, you could also make a quick visit to the Moscow Kremlin Museums and admire artifacts from various Russian tsarist eras: carriages, thrones, crowns and the most incredible armory and jewelry. 

For more information, visit the official website of the Kremlin . It’s open from 10 am to 5 pm (and it’s closed on Thursdays) in winter.

2 pm – Watch the changing of the Guard

The honor guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

A very spectacular (and free) thing to do is watch how the honor guard does their ceremonial change at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Eternal Flame, situated in Alexander Garden, right next to the Kremlin wall. Every hour, from 8 am to 8 pm, the 1st Company of the Kremlin (Presidential) Regiment performs this rather old and beautiful tradition. But, be warned, it's often overcrowded. 

3 pm – Enjoy a green oasis just in the center

Florarium in Zaryadye

Just a few steps from the Red Square, you will find the fabulous Zaryadye park. Opened in 2017, it is designed by renowned American architect bureau ‘Diller Scofidio + Renfro’. You can walk among the very cozy botanical decorations and explore Russia’s climate zones, as each of them is represented in dedicated areas, complete with flora from those zones.

The floating bridge in Zaryadye Park

The park also has an underground museum, an “ice cave” and a 3D cinema, where you can take part in a virtual adventure – a flight over Moscow! However, the piece de resistance is a floating boomerang bridge over the Moskva River, one of the best places to take a selfie.

You can also grab a quick lunch or relax with a cup of coffee or tea in the park.

7 pm – Arrange a ballet night

The Bolshoi Theater

Of course, the most fancy way to finish your day in Moscow would be to go to the ballet at the Bolshoi Theater (in a perfect world, to see ‘The Nutcracker’!). However, getting tickets to the Bolshoi is not an easy task and should be done well in advance of your visit. 

But, don’t be upset if you don’t manage to get tickets to the Bolshoi. Moscow has dozens of other options to see a ballet (or opera). No less brilliant performances can be seen in the Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Music Theater or in The State Kremlin Palace (by the way, this is another way to get a quick glimpse inside the Kremlin!).

10:30 pm – Have a late dinner in a fancy restaurant

Dr Zhivago restaurant

There are not so many other cities with such a big choice of restaurants in a range of tastes and styles. In 2021, the authoritative Michelin guide announced their pick of the best of Moscow’s restaurants. And here’s our guide to all the places with Russian cuisine for any budget. But, if you happen to be in the area of the Bolshoi or Nemirovich-Danchenko Theater, then ‘Dr. Zhivago’ would definitely be a nice option (and it’s open around the clock).

DAY 2 

9 am – grab a moscow coffee.

Winter festivities mood in Moscow

Moscow is definitely a coffee city! You can find coffee shops on every corner and they all offer a huge range of drinks. Try a ‘raf’ coffee, a sweet, creamy drink that was created in Russia, or dare to pick one of the very unusual offers, like cheese coffee or a Soviet candy style one (check out our coffee guide here ).

10 am – Take a river cruise

Winter boating along the Moskva River

Another exciting way to explore Moscow is to observe it from the water. Boats cruise along the Moskva River all year round. Most begin their route from the Hotel Ukraine, one of Stalin's ‘Seven Sister’ skyscrapers, and will bring you back to the same spot after passing the medieval Novodevichy Convent, Moscow State University and Luzhniki Stadium, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour and giant monument to Peter the Great and many other sightseeings. 

It’s always at optimum temperature inside the boat, which also has huge panoramic windows. Select boats also offer a full dining experience, so it is also a nice place to have breakfast or lunch.

If you are not a water person, then discover other, unusual sides of Moscow – pick one of the activities we’ve prepared for you here ! 

1 pm – Visit ‘Russia’ Expo and taste a bunch of Russian regional cuisines

Russia Expo at VDNKh

Until April 2024, the Soviet-era VDNKh exhibition park is hosting the huge ‘Russia’ expo, with tons of activities and expositions devoted to Russia, its culture, science and nature. Check out our special guide on what to do there!  

An entire ‘House of Russian Cuisine’ has been opened at the expo. You will find 15 food stands with flagship dishes from Kamchatka, Siberia, Karelia and other regions of Russia. Imagine trying a range of cuisines and dishes in one place without even having to travel anywhere, be it Altai pelmeni, Tula kalach or Caucasian pies! A perfect place to grab some lunch.

House of Russian cuisines at VDNKh

The VDNKh exhibition park is a great place to visit, in general! Its pavilions are the perfect example of Stalinit Empire style architecture and you can almost feel as if you’ve traveled back in time! You will also find several interesting museums in the park – devoted to space exploration, Russian history and even a ‘Special Purpose Garage’, which showcases the various vehicles used by the country’s leaders. 

'Sun of Moscow' wheel

And, finally, you can ride Europe's tallest panoramic wheel – ‘Sun of Moscow’ – that will give you panoramic views of the city – from a height of 140 meters!

5 pm – Ice skate with view & mulled wine

Ice skating rink on Red Square (GUM department store on the background)

Ice skating is one of the most popular and affordable activities in Moscow. There are several great ice skating rinks in picturesque locations that are open all winter long. One of the biggest rinks in Europe is also at the aforementioned VDNKh or you can visit the one in Gorky Park, another very popular Moscow spot, or the small, but fancy rink – right on Red Square! 

All the parks offer ice skate rental, so the only things you need are warm clothes, a charged phone to record your memories and a good mood!  Moscow also gets dark at 4:30 pm in winter and hundreds of lights are switched on, turning the city into a giant fairy tale! 

A mulled wine with a view

And, if you are not a sports person, we’ve picked several other unusual activities that you could do in Moscow instead. For example, did you know that there is an entire district of dacha (countryside) houses, just 10 minutes from the center, surrounded by giant new highrises? How about taking a stroll there and feeling the early Soviet atmosphere?

8 pm – Warm up & laugh out loud

After all these outdoor activities, what could be better than a warm cozy bar with a hot drink and nice company? Moscow is a city full of entertainment for all tastes. So, if you know the Russian language or want to practice it, go to a theater or catch a stand-up comedy show. Moscow even has comedy shows in English, where you can hear both Russians speaking fluent English or foreigners (including Brits and Americans) who live in Russia speaking in broken or heavily-accented Russian (Check their show dates on the ‘ Moscow English Comedy ’ Telegram channel)!

11 pm – Finish by partying the night away!

Propaganda club in Moscow

Moscow never sleeps, as you might have heard. Which means there are plenty of bars and nightclubs where you can have a drink (or two or three; be sure to check out how Russians make Black Russian and White Russian cocktails) and chat with incredibly different people. Have fun and don’t miss your flight (or miss it and stay longer in the best city in the world!)!

That's it! See you soon in Moscow

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