Istra
The centerpiece of Istra is the New Jerusalem Monastery, founded in the 17th century by Patriarch Nikon. The reformer of the Russian church introduced biblical names to the Moscow region, and his legacy lives on in this sacred site.
As the New Jerusalem was raised, the surrounding landscape underwent dramatic changes. Restoration of the complex began in the 1970s and reached completion in 2019. Nearby a museum complex was built, becoming the largest in the Moscow region. Its exhibition spans paintings, graphics, church artifacts, and archaeological finds.
From the Moscow Ring Road to Istra is about 50 kilometers along the Novorizhskoe highway. When traffic is light, the journey takes under an hour.
Mozhaisk
The name Mozhaisk first appears in 13th century chronicles, and by the 15th century it had become the seat of a tributary principality. A kremlin once stood in the city, initially built from wood and later rebuilt in stone. Though the wooden fortress no longer survives, the central St. Nicholas Cathedral, completed in the early 19th century by architect Alexei Bakarev, stands as a lasting landmark. Bakarev studied under the famed Matvei Kazakov.
Nearby lies the ancient Ferapontov Monastery with well-preserved walls and temples. Close to the monastery is the Sergei Gerasimov House Museum, a wooden country house with a mezzanine dating from the early 20th century.
The route from Moscow to Mozhaisk along the Minsk Highway runs just over 100 kilometers. If travelers continue west by about 14 kilometers, they reach the site of the 1812 Battle of Borodino, home to a museum dedicated to the historic engagement.
Dmitrov
Dmitrov traces its origins to 1154, founded by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky. It bears the name of his son, Vsevolod, who was christened Dmitry. Like many border towns, Dmitrov features a kremlin whose walls still stand today. Inside, the Assumption Cathedral dominates the skyline as a key architectural landmark.
Historic public buildings and a former city prison have been preserved, now functioning as a museum and exhibition complex focused on Dmitrov’s 18th century history. The collection includes ethnographic items and decorative arts gathered during field expeditions.
From Moscow to Dmitrov is about 80 kilometers. A visit to the city pairs well with time in Moscow’s nearby ski resorts located in the Dmitrovsky district.
Tarusa
The quiet town on the Oka River is renowned for its traditional crafts, notably ceramics and embroidery, and for its long association with Russian literary and artistic figures. In the early 1900s the Tsvetaev family spent summers here. The house purchased by Marina Tsvetaeva’s grandfather in 1899 has been preserved and since 1992 has housed a museum.
Konstantin Paustovsky also spent summers in Tarusa. In 2012, his house museum opened, showcasing restored furniture, manuscripts, photographs, and personal belongings. Beyond its historic sites, Tarusa charms visitors with striking landscapes along the Oka’s high banks and with grand district town architecture.
Across the river lies Vasily Polenov’s estate, notable for its heritage and architecture as much as for its art collections.
Tarusa is reachable from Moscow via the M-2 highway, about 130 kilometers away. En route travelers can pause in Serpukhov to explore its historic center and climb Cathedral Hill for a panoramic view. The local history and art museum is nicknamed the Little Tretyakov Gallery due to its dense collection of Russian and Western European works.
Rostov Veliky
The Rostov Kremlin is a well-preserved ensemble that often appears during festive broadcasts. It is celebrated for its cathedral complexes, market square, and merchant and folk-art museums where painted spinning wheels, chests, and other everyday items are displayed.
Rostov is also famous for enamel art, with a local factory producing jewelry and souvenirs using this traditional technique. The city sits just over 200 kilometers from Moscow along the Yaroslavl highway, making it ideal for a multi-day trip. Travelers can combine a visit with stops in Sergiev Posad and Pereslavl-Zalessky.
Murom
Murom, the homeland of the epic hero Ilya Muromets, predates Moscow with its founding around 862. It is one of the oldest Russian towns mentioned in the Primary Chronicle as a settlement under Prince Rurik after the Varangians arrived. The town’s historic appearance has seen extensive restoration, with churches and monasteries rejuvenated and parks redesigned.
The railway station from 1912 and the water tower from the late 19th century still stand, and visitors often sample local kalachi while following the Oka River along the Muromsky Bridge, considered among the most picturesque in the region.
From Moscow to Murom is about 330 kilometers along the M-12 toll road. A one-day trip is possible, but a longer stay is recommended, with a possible detour to Vladimir on the way.
Tula
Tula is famous for its gingerbread, samovars, a freely accessible stone kremlin, a modern fashion district, and an interactive machine museum. The city dates back to 1146, making it slightly older than Moscow in historical records.
From the early 18th century and under Peter the Great, Tula became a major arms center, a tradition that continues today. The Tula Arms Museum occupies a new building shaped like a helmet and stands among Europe’s largest. Nearby is the Oktava machine tool museum inside the former Oktava factory, dedicated to the story of industrialization.
Not far away is Yasnaya Polyana, the Tolstoy estate and reserve, where Leo Tolstoy lived and wrote classic works including War and Peace and Anna Karenina.
From Moscow to Tula is under 200 kilometers south along the M-2. Travelers can detour to Pushchino to glimpse striking late-Soviet modernist architecture along the way.