Published on: 2026-09-26
Source: Moscow Government – Правительства Москвы –
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In Moscow parks under the jurisdiction of the capital Department of Culture, there are many vantage points from which the city appears in unusual perspectives. Visitors can see panoramas of the center, the Moscow River and embankments, old estates and modern buildings, and from the Ferris wheel — park areas from a bird’s-eye view.
The history of the capital in city panoramas
At the Kolomenskoye Museum-Reserve, a former royal residence, the main panoramic viewpoint is located at the foot of the Church of the Ascension. From here, you can see the gentle bend of the river, the line of the Tsar’s Embankment, the silhouette of the monastery, and the outline of the sluice. The panorama combines natural and architectural objects associated with different periods in the estate’s history: the Moskva River has been an important transport artery for centuries, and the surrounding territory developed as a place of settlements, defensive lines, and royal walks.
The Church of the Ascension of the Lord, 62 meters tall, is a monument of Russian architecture from the 16th century and a UNESCO World Heritage site. There is also a viewpoint gallery in the church that offers a wide view of the territory and the historical landscape. Access to the observation deck is paid; tickets can be purchased on site.
From the top of the grotto dating back to the late 19th – early 20th century, with a height of about four meters, there is a view of the N.E. Bauman Garden. It is a cultural heritage site located between Old and New Basmannye Streets. The buildings here were once part of the Golitsyn estate. The grotto was closed to visitors for a long time, and its restoration was completed in 2022. Specialists recreated the stone and brick masonry of the cascade and the grotto itself, as well as restored the lost stairs and arches.
In Lianozovsky Park, the viewpoint is located on the Lovers’ Bridge, situated near the central square. From a height of three meters above the water, there is a view of the large pond and a photo exhibition. Against the backdrop of the reservoir, fountain, and cascading waterfall, one can see a family of swans living on the pond.
Another panorama opens up in the Altufyevo estate. In the center of the park, you can see a pond, the Church of Faith, Hope, Love and Sophia, the Exaltation of the Cross Church, and the old Altufyevo estate in the Neo-Russian style.
Main city panoramas
One of the main panoramic viewpoints of the capital is located on the Vorobyovy Gory (Sparrow Hills). The observation deck is situated on the right bank of the Moscow River, about 80 meters above the water level. It is open 24/7 and free of charge.
Visitors are presented with a view of the Luzhniki Sports Complex and the bend of the Moskva River, while a cable car connects the Vorobyovy Gory with Luzhniki. Approximately four and a half kilometers in a straight line away are the skyscrapers of the Moscow International Business Center (Moscow-City). The panorama also includes the Stalin-era skyscrapers, the Novodevichy Convent, and the Ostankino and Shukhov towers. On clear days, one can see the Kremlin from here, about six kilometers in a straight line, and the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, located less than five kilometers away.
A panoramic view of the Olympic Ponds is available in the Olympic Village Park. From the central observation deck, located along the walking paths by the reservoirs, there is a view of four ponds with fountains and arched bridges, the Olympic Village sports complex — 80, and the district’s skyscrapers. The deck is situated at a height of 25 meters. Here, you can watch the sunset or rest after a run.
From the Filevskaya Embankment of Fili Park, the Mnevniki floodplain is clearly visible, making it one of the most picturesque spots in the park for urban photography. Another panorama opens from the central alley of the 50th Anniversary of October Park near the rotunda. From here, the spire of the main building of Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov is clearly visible — the straight-line distance to it is about two and a half kilometers.
Embankments, bodies of water, and natural landscapes
An unusual view of the city opens from the embankment of the Northern Tushino Park. Here is located the Museum of the History of the Russian Navy with a unique open-air collection. Among the exhibits are a large diesel-electric submarine “Novosibirsk Komsomolets,” the ekranoplan “Orlyonok,” and the hovercraft assault landing boat “Skat.”
From the embankment, you can see the water area of the Khimki Reservoir and the historic building of the Northern River Terminal. The water surface, the reflection of the 1930s architecture, and the vessels passing through the reservoir create a special urban landscape.
In Serebryany Bor, you can admire the pine forest from a height of 20 meters from an ornithological tower. From there, you can see Bezdonnoye Lake, the Picturesque Bridge, as well as marshland and forest habitats. The ascent to the tower is free of charge.
Nearby there is a pine forest, a wooden platform with panoramic viewing areas, and benches for rest. You can reach the tower via the ecological trail “At the Bottomless Lake”, including with children.
Moscow from above: towers and Ferris wheels
At the Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve, interesting views open up from several points immediately. From the side of the Grand Bridge over the ravine, the Third Cavalry Corps and the church are clearly visible. If you walk a few meters, a panoramic view of the Bread House, the Cavalry Corps, the Small Palace, and the Figurative Bridge opens from the main square.
There are also less familiar perspectives in “Tsaritsyno.” From the top of the tower-ruin, one can see the backwaters of the Upper Tsaritsyno Pond and the distant Rusalka Gates on a small island. From the earthen pyramid on which the Small Palace is built, the pier with sphinxes and the surrounding landscape are visible. September and October are considered especially favorable times to visit the museum-reserve, when the foliage is already thinning but the weather still invites for walks.
In Sokolniki Park, you can see the city and the park from a bird’s-eye view on the Ferris wheel in the amusement park “Planeta Sokolniki.” The cabins ascend to a height of 35 meters. From here, there is a view of the park and the Sokolniki district. Tickets can be purchased at the box office.
In Izmailovsky Park, the viewpoint is located by the Round Pond in the central part of the park, near the boat station. From here, there is a panorama of the decorative 17th-century pond created during the reign of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, an artificial island with a grove, and a large Ferris wheel.
Moscow’s parks encompass more than 50 areas that provide facilities for sports, cultural and family recreation, walks, and experiencing nature. Scenic viewpoints complement this infrastructure and allow familiar urban spaces to be seen from new perspectives. At the same time, the parks preserve the unique landscapes and natural areas of the capital.
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