qantas luxury travel

Lounges, lay-flat beds, and award-winning menus. Here's what you can expect from this Australian airline's premium offering.

• Qantas Airlines is recognized as the world's safest airline and a leader in ultra-long-haul flights.
• The airline offers travelers a premium and innovative flying experience.
• Perks include lay-flat beds, world-class lounges, and award-winning food choices.

With a legacy spanning over 100 years, Qantas remains the epitome of pioneering excellence in aviation. Recognized as the world's safest airline and a trailblazer in ultra-long-haul flights, Australia's esteemed flag carrier blends graceful tradition with cutting-edge innovation. 

Beyond its role in connecting the world to Australia, Qantas steers the evolution and defines the benchmark of premium air travel. 

So if you're looking to book Qantas' First and Business seats, flying in an A380 aircraft from Singapore to Sydney or London — or navigating between Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, and Sydney aboard an A330 or B787s — an unparalleled union of style and sophistication awaits.

Read on to find out more about the best-in-class offerings Qantas has in store:

Pre-flight pampering

In Qantas' First Lounges — located in Singapore, Sydney, Melbourne, and Los Angeles — discerning passengers and elite flyers can look forward to entering a haven of luxury. These expansive spaces effortlessly combine business and relaxation, featuring complimentary LaGaia spa treatments in Sydney and Melbourne, private office suites, and the added indulgence of gourmet dining options. Meanwhile, Qantas' Business lounges offer stylish interiors, productivity-focused workspaces, exclusive shower suites, free-flow drinks, and delicious meals and snacks. 

Best beds in the sky

Once aboard, step into Qantas' First Suite and sink into roomy armchairs designed for in-flight comfort and entertainment. Fully adjustable and complete with in-seat massage options, the bedding down service transforms your suite into a luxurious bedroom with beautiful Sheridan bed linen, including a pillow menu, 100 percent cotton woven throw, and a duvet and memory foam mattress for truly peaceful sleep. Stretching 212 cm, when fully flat on Qantas' A380, it's arguably the best bed in the sky. 

Business passengers can enjoy equally inviting ergonomic lay-flat beds. Combining functionality with privacy and space, they feature luxurious bedding, including a 100 percent cotton duvet, a mattress carefully designed to provide optimal support during long-haul flights, and a European-style pillow. 

Tailored amenities

Qantas weaves luxury into every detail, with amenity kits elevating comfort for flyers in First, featuring Martin Grant-designed sleepwear and matching slippers, LaGaia skincare products, and a thoughtful array of travel essentials. Business passengers revel in Signature Qantas pajamas, wellness balms, terry cotton and jersey eyeshades, and eco-conscious products, ensuring a relaxing journey.

In-flight entertainment delights

In-flight entertainment becomes an immersive experience for premium travelers, featuring extensive options accessible on large, high-resolution screens, complemented by noise-canceling headphones for First and Business passengers. Each premium seat comes with cutting-edge technology, including touch screen controls, power access, and USB ports for added convenience.

Taking dining to new heights

Multi-award-winning Australian chef and restaurateur Neil Perry curates the culinary journey in First and Business. Inspired by seasonal ingredients and blending Asian flavors with modern Australian cuisine, First presents an à la carte menu featuring signature dishes, including premium plant-based options. Served elegantly on designer tableware crafted by David Caon, these culinary creations elevate the dining experience.

Business passengers also enjoy a selection of Neil Perry-designed dishes celebrating Australian produce and flavors along with a standard full formal dining offering. Qantas is further expanding its culinary horizons by offering premium passengers specialty Korean cuisine on flights in and out of Seoul, and Japanese cuisine on board flights in and out of Japan, further enhancing the onboard dining experience.

Australian wine odyssey

Qantas' dedication to excellence extends to its wine selection, embracing Australia's vibrant wine culture. Premium flyers engage with Qantas' Sommeliers in the Sky, ensuring impeccable wine pairings focusing on the nation's finest regional vintages that complement the onboard menu. The airline's accolades in the prestigious Cellars in the Sky Awards 2022 for Best Business Class White, Best First Class White, and Best First Class Cellar underscore its unwavering commitment to quality.

Leading the journey in luxury

Looking ahead, Qantas continues to invest in enhancing its lounge facilities, promising modern designs, and expanding amenities. Anticipate forthcoming upgrades in Sydney, Melbourne, and Auckland, plus the unveiling of a new London First Lounge at Heathrow Airport, setting the stage for an indulgent pre-flight experience. Additionally, the airline is expanding its Neighbour Free seating option, allowing Economy passengers worldwide to guarantee an open seat beside them for added comfort during their journey.

Qantas, where tradition meets innovation, invites passengers to embark on an extraordinary journey, promising an unparalleled fusion of luxury, sophistication, and exceptional service.

Find out more with Qantas.

This article was created by Insider Studios with Qantas.

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Qantas Holidays introduces luxury short-life deals

All-new qantas luxury holidays brand debuts in 2023.

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Qantas Holidays has kicked off 2023 with the launch of a premium focused brand – Qantas Luxury Holidays.

The “all-new” Qantas Luxury Holidays is offering exclusive limited-time offers which can be purchased as hotel-only or bundled with a flight, although not all accommodation options offer flight packages. For its debut, the division is promoting savings of over 60% on regular rates.

Accommodation and packages that are currently listed online are available across many of Qantas Holidays’ network of destinations, domestically and internationally, and include luxury hospitality brands such as InterContinental Hayman Island Resort, Four Seasons Hotel Sydney, Jumeirah Bali, COMO Point Yamu in Phuket, as well as numerous QT Hotels and Crystalbrook locations, and others.

The holidays vary from as few as two nights duration, through to seven nights, with Qantas Frequent Flyer members able to use either cash or points (a minimum of 5,000 points are required) to book the deals.

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Depending on the property, “exclusive inclusions” built into the Qantas Luxury Holidays packages may include items, such as, food and beverage credits, meals, excursions and activities, transfers, room upgrades, and a complimentary bottle of wine.

“From exclusive room upgrades, food and beverages, luxury spa treatments and more – this new world of luxury is packed with value and ready for you to enjoy,” an email announcing the new arm of Qantas Holidays said.

Members of Qantas Frequent Flyer were notified of the new brand this week via email, while the Qantas inflight magazine has been promoting Qantas Luxury Holidays from the start of January on flights around the country, featuring a dedicated, multipage lift-out.

“Our holiday experts have negotiated exclusive inclusions… with our best hotel partners, just for you. Each offer is available for a limited time only and in most cases, can be combined with Qantas flights to create the ulitmate luxury holiday package,” the Qantas magazine states.

Frequent Flyers will earn 3 Qantas Points per $1 spent on accommodation, plus Status Credits on packages including flights, when booked through Qantas Luxury Holidays.

The company says that Qantas Frequent Flyers will also use 30-45% points across holiday package when they utilise Points Plus Pay to book packages, as part of a “permanent program change”.

When booking with Qantas Luxury Holidays, Points Club members will earn 25% more Qantas  Points, and Points Club Plus members will earn 50% more  Qantas Points.

For more details, see qantas.com/luxuryholidays

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Qantas, Expedia and Others Eye This Australian Luxury Online Travel Agency: Here’s Why

Raini Hamdi, Skift

December 11th, 2019 at 7:00 AM EST

Luxury Escapes, which is expanding next into the U.S. and China, is drawing not just more affluent travelers but potential investors, with Qantas Airways being tipped to be making an offer

Raini Hamdi

Since its launch six years ago, Australia’s Luxury Escapes has defied the notion that well-heeled clients will not buy holidays off the shelves online because these customers require a high level of personalization and personal touch.

In the time, however, it has built a database of more than 3.2 million travelers, according to its CEO Cameron Holland. Half of its customers are repeaters, with some having done more than 10 trips with the company.

The Melbourne-based company’s revenue is around $239 million (A$350 million) this year, from serving more than 500,000 travelers with 260,000 trips sold, Holland told Skift in an interview. This generates more than two million room nights for hotel partners.

All this is also generating interest from suitors to acquire the fast-growing company, with Qantas Airways, Webjet and Expedia Group among those speculated to be interested.

Australia’s  Financial Review  recently reported that Qantas had tapped investment bank Citi for due diligence and financing towards making an offer for a full or partial stake of Luxury Escapes.

This came after its earlier report that Luxury Escapes’ parent company itself, Lux Group, was testing the waters for a sale, and potential suitors included Expedia and Webjet. Lux Group owns other e-commerce businesses including Cudo and Scoopon , which offer lifestyle deals including travel, shopping, dining and wellness.

The airline couldn’t be reached for comment at press time. Holland would neither confirm nor deny that talks are going on with Qantas.

“We’re a rapidly growing business, and we recognize that as a privately-held company we are subject to a lot of interest and speculation in the market from time to time,” said Holland.

“We do regularly assess the market and consider strategic options but we are focused on growing our leadership position and on doing right by our shareholders and customers.”

Qantas seems the most plausible buyer, as it is already in a frequent traveler partnership with Luxury Escapes that allows consumers to earn Qantas points when buying from Luxury Escapes or redeem their points on Luxury Escapes.

As well, Qantas, whose profit dropped 6.5 percent last year to $891 million — blamed on higher fuel cost and weakening travel demand — has said it aims to diversify earnings.

Rapidly Growing

Luxury Escapes is targeting a $500 million revenue in 2020 as it keeps expanding in international markets. After entering Asia with offices in Singapore and India in 2017, expansion in China and the U.S. are next.

In China, Luxury Escapes has just inked a joint venture with Zanadu , China’s premium travel agency, to launch the Luxury Escapes website in Mandarin, which will be called “Yidu.” Zanadu owns 51 percent of the joint venture to target upmarket Chinese travelers.

In the U.S. it has a small team in San Francisco. “We’re only at the beginning our journey in tackling the U.S. market, with 200,000 members in our database now,” said Holland.

Luxury Escapes is now sold in 29 countries in the world. Overall, international markets now comprise 40 percent of bookers, and the rest are Australians.

So how does Luxury Escapes change the way rich holiday makers book travel?

Unlike online travel agencies, its main focus is around curating three, five, seven or 10-night stays at classy hotels and campaigning them online to its 3.2 million traveler database for a period of time, usually two weeks, upon which the hotels won’t be featured again for six to 12 months.

Instead of selling just rooms, it throws in VIP and other perks such as gourmet dining, unlimited drinks, lounge access, spa, cooking class, return transfers, et cetera, depending on the hotel.

“Because these short and sharp campaigns generate a high volume of roomnights for the hotels, we are able to get fantastic deals with inclusions from hotels. So everybody wins,” said Holland.

Giving an example of how fantastic the deals could be, he said Hawaii’s newest luxury hotel, Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani, currently featured on Luxury Escapes, is priced at A$2,999 ($2,045) per room for a six-night stay. “The same hotel on Booking.com or another OTA will cost on average A$5,500 ($3,750) for six nights — with less inclusions,” said Holland.

“We are usually 40 to 45 percent cheaper, with more inclusions.”

At the time of writing, other campaigns include plush properties such as Fairmont Maldives, Jumeirah Dubai, Lord Howe Island New South Wales, and Hotel Wailea Maui, a member of Relais & Chateaux. At any one time, Luxury Escapes features 80 to 100 deals, and add 30 to 40 new ones each week.

It also now sells homes and villas, small group tours of no more than 16 people, ocean cruising, in-destination experiences and recently added flights. Luxury hotels however remains its focus.

“The biggest thing we did is to make the buying process for luxury travelers clean, clear, simple with cutting edge digital technology. We cut through the noise by curating 80 to 100 luxury deals on our site, whereas OTAs feature thousands, which is fine for them as they target the bulk [of travelers],” said Holland.

“We target the mass affluent — people who would like to experience the VIP treatment without breaking the bank.”

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Tags: australia , luxury , qantas

Photo credit: Cameron Holland, CEO, Luxury Escapes. Luxury Escapes.

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Qantas Frequent Flyer Program Unveils Classic Plus Flight Rewards

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'Quiet luxury' was once all about fashion — but now it describes how the top 1% travel too

• Stealth wealth is spilling into the travel industry, as the rich increasingly forgo glitzy see-and-be-seen destinations, such as Capri, for more discreet getaways. 
• High-profile events are losing some luster too, as more opt for remote locations for mental health and family connection.

Heli-skiing on virgin snow in Antarctica for a cool $2.2 million. A polar bear safari in an "off-limits" area of Norway's Svalbard for $300,000. How about tracking snow leopards in the Himalayas with renowned explorers for $100,000? 

Big-ticket travel experiences like those are indicative of the " quiet luxury " trend which began in the world of fashion, with timeless lines trumping brand-blaring outfits.

Now, stealth wealth is spilling into the travel industry, as one-percenters are increasingly forgoing glitzy see-and-be-seen destinations, such as Capri, for more discreet getaways. 

Less limelight, more connection

Jaclyn Sienna India, the founder of the ultra-luxury travel company Sienna Charles , said she considers herself a longtime quiet luxury disciple.

While others may prefer the boulevards of Paris or the shores of Monaco, she escapes to Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City once a year.

She said her clients are focused more than ever on their families, well-being and mental health "because the world is a lot more stressful." As a result, they seek more connection than limelight when they travel.

But another important aspect of the quiet luxury movement concerns security. Since celebrity homes have been a target for thieves of late, high-profile events like the Super Bowl are less attractive, India said. 

Consequently, clients are seeking remote destinations, often at a moment's notice, she said.

"We just booked a billionaire family on an island in a villa in Brazil. Brazil is not a place that immediately comes to mind … But, to me, it's a place that still holds authenticity and soul. It's got great food and an incredible spa and wellness culture," India said.

Africa is another place where clients can seek solitude, she said. It was the choice of former U.S. President George W. Bush, whom she accompanied on a painstakingly organized personal trip to Ethiopia in 2015, she said.

Exclusivity and privacy

Roman & Erica is a luxury lifestyle company run by husband-and-wife team Erica Jackowitz and Roman Chiporukha. Jackowitz, a New York City native, compared quiet luxury to the understated elegance of cashmere, contrasting it with the Noughties trend of "wearing Chanel across your chest."

Jackowitz manages the lifestyle needs of 30 families, from politicians and tech CEOs to hedge fund executives, she said. For them, quiet luxury travel is about exclusivity and privacy, she said.

But the pandemic accelerated a desire among wealthy travelers to have meaningful experiences — which can range from requests for recommendations on where to take a quiet morning hike to organizing a game of tennis with Roger Federer, she said.

The next frontier

The business of catering to the ultra-rich comes with a fresh challenge: availability.

According to a 2023 Henley & Partners report, there are 28,420 centi-millionaires worldwide, which are those with investable assets of at least $100 million. That's nearly 12% more than 2022 estimates and twice the amount that existed in 2003 .

Jackowitz said her clients never opt for conventional cruises, as they prefer chartering private yachts. In fact, she said the booming charter market prevents many last-minute bookings. 

"You're now competing with 10 other people traveling with friends and family," she said. "There are just so many more people who can afford these kinds of experiences."

That's leading moneyed travelers to search for new places for solitude, she said.

The next frontier? Space, she said.

For a client, Roman & Erica secured a place on the first all-private astronaut mission for $50 million, she said. Space travel is so sought after that Chiporukha founded a separate entity, SpaceVIP, to cater to the demand.

Space Perspective plans to start flying six-hour journeys to the edge of space aboard its spherical capsule next year. So far, 50% of bookings are for full capsules that seat eight people, according to the Florida-based company. The price tag: $1 million. 

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‘20 Million New Flight Rewards’: Here’s What’s Changed With Qantas Frequent Flyer Program

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Qantas frequent flyer changes:, how many points do i need for a trip, how to take advantage of qantas frequent flyer changes.

The biggest headline out of the Qantas Frequent Flyer changes is that 20 million more reward seats will be available to FF members because of the introduction of Classic Plus Flight Rewards into the program. Per a statement from Qantas, the overhaul is the largest one in the Frequent Flyer rewards program’s history and is especially beneficial when it comes to travelling into places like London, Tokyo, New York and Singapore.

Classic Plus rewards seats will require more points than your standard Classic rewards seats, but Qantas has shared that the new tier will offer some better value rewards with more availability for travellers.

Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson shared the below statement on the Frequent Flyer changes:

“The Qantas Frequent Flyer program is an integral part of Qantas and has always been about recognising our customers for their loyalty. We’ve spent a lot of time listening to members about how we can better reward them,” Ms Hudson said.

“We’re adding over 20 million new flight rewards with the launch of a new type of reward seat called Classic Plus. It’s one of the biggest expansions we’ve made to the Frequent Flyer program in its 35-year history.

“The growth and success of Qantas Loyalty is driven by engaged members who earn and redeem points across the frequent flyer program, including with our partners, and that’s why we’re investing in making more seats available to book with points.”

Qantas Loyalty CEO Andrew Glance added that:

“The widespread availability of Classic Plus means that frequent flyers have more options to fly where they want, when they want and more often, using their points.

“The new type of reward seat will usually require more points than the highly sought after existing Classic seats, and will be available to all destinations on the Qantas international and domestic network, across First, Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabins.”

Here’s a breakdown of the Qantas Points required for a standard (example only) fare:

The below is taken via the Qantas statement on Frequent Flyer changes.

Example Economy fares:

Off peak period: Example fares available for booking as at 5 April 2024 for travel between 10 – 28 February 2025. Peak period: Example fares available for booking as at 5 April 2024 for travel between 27 September – 13 October 2024 (school holidays). *Outbound leg of a return fare

Example Business fares :

Example Sale fares :

Sale fares available for booking as at 5 April 2024 for travel dates between 1 July 2024 – 6 December 2024 (Economy and Business fares between Melbourne – Auckland), 17 July 2024 – 6 December 2024 (Economy fares between Sydney – Nadi), 1 July 2024 – 30 September 2024 (Economy fares between Sydney – Los Angeles) and 8 January 2025 – 26 March 2025 (Premium Economy fares between Sydney – Los Angeles). *Outbound leg of a return fare

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19 Unique And Fabulous Experiences In Moscow

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Thinking of visiting Russia? When visiting such a famous city, one must, of course, visit the iconic landmarks first. Moscow has plenty of those, most of them in the center of the city, which is very well-planned for tourists. Once you’ve seen the sights that are on most travelers’ lists, it’s time to branch out and visit some of the lesser-known sites, and there are some fascinating places to see and things to do.

I know this list is long, but I just couldn’t help myself. You probably won’t have the time to see them all. But that’s okay. Just scroll through the list and choose what sounds the most interesting to you. Where possible, make sure to book in advance, as things can get crowded, especially during high season.

1. The Red Square, Kremlin, And Surroundings

Red Square (Krasnya Ploshad) is the heart and soul of Russia, and where much of the country’s history has unfolded. This is the most famous landmark in Moscow and indeed the whole country, it’s an absolute must-do! The square is always full of people and has a rather festive atmosphere!

Saint Basil’s Cathedral

This is the famous church with the rainbow-colored, onion-domed roof. The cathedral was commissioned in the 1500s by Ivan the Terrible and according to legend, the Tsar thought it was so beautiful, that he ordered that the architect’s eyes be cut out afterward, so he could never build anything more beautiful! He wasn’t called Ivan the Terrible for no reason!

Lenin’s Mausoleum

The “love-it-or-hate-it” of tourist attractions in Russia. A glass sarcophagus containing the embalmed body of Russian revolutionary, Vladimir Lenin. It may seem a bit bizarre to display the mummy of a person, but it has been there for almost half a century and the 2.5 million visitors who come each year, clearly feel the queuing and thorough body search are worth it, to be in Lenin’s presence.

Pro Tip: no photos and no loud talking are allowed inside the Mausoleum.

Eternal Flame

There is an Eternal Flame in honor of an unknown soldier on the left side of Red Square. The hourly changing of the guards is worth seeing.

The Kremlin is the official residence of the Russian president. You can see it from the outside, or you can take an excursion to one of the museums located inside. This is the biggest active fortress in Europe, and holds a week’s worth of attractions! Once behind the 7,332-feet of walls, there are five squares, four cathedrals, 20 towers, various museums, and the world’s largest bell and cannon to see. Worth a special mention is the Armory Chamber that houses a collection of the famous Faberge Eggs.

Pro Tip: You can only go inside the Kremlin if you are part of a tourist group.

2. Bolshoi Theatre

Bolshoi Theatre translates to “The Big Theatre” in Russian, and the building is home to both the Bolshoi Ballet and Bolshoi Opera — among the oldest and most famous ballet and opera companies in the world.

Pro Tip: It’s hard to get an inexpensive ticket, so if you’re reading well in advance of going to Moscow then try buying tickets on the official website . Last-minute tickets cost around $250 per person. If this is out of your budget, about an hour before a performance, you can try buying a ticket at the entrance from a reseller. Most can speak enough English to negotiate the price.

Tour the Bolshoi Theatre: You can take a group guided tour of the Bolshoi Theatre which focuses on the history and architecture of the theatre and behind the scenes. There’s an English language tour that lasts 2 hours and costs around $300 for a group of up to six.

3. Luxury Shopping At GUM And TSUM

Russia’s main department store, GUM, has a stunning interior that is home to over 100 high-end boutiques, selling a variety of brands: from luxurious Dior to the more affordable Zara. Even if shopping is not on your Moscow to-do list GUM is still worth a visit; the glass-roofed arcade faces Red Square and offers a variety of classy eateries. TSUM, one of the biggest luxury malls in town, is right behind the Bolshoi and GUM. It’s an imposing building with lots of history, and worth a visit just for its design and its glass roof.

4. Christ The Savior Cathedral

This is one of Russia’s most visited cathedrals and is a newer addition to the gorgeous array of Muscovite cathedrals, but don’t let its young age fool you. After perestroika, in the early 90s, the revived Russian Orthodox Church was given permission to build a cathedral on this site. It did the location honors and built the largest temple of the Christian Orthodox Church. The façade is as grand as you’d expect, but it’s the inside that will mesmerize you, with its domes, gold, gorgeous paintings, and decor!

The cathedral is located just a few hundred feet away from the Kremlin and was the site of the infamous Pussy Riot protest against Putin back in 2012.

Pro Tip: Bring a shawl to cover your hair as is the local custom.

5. Gorky Park

Moscow’s premier green space, Gorky Park (Park Gor’kogo) is the city’s biggest and most famous park. There is entertainment on offer here for every taste, from outdoor dancing sessions to yoga classes, volleyball, ping-pong, rollerblading, and bike and boat rental in summer. In winter, half the park turns into a huge ice skating rink. Gorky Park is also home to an open-air movie theater and the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art. There is also Muzeon Art Park, a dynamic contemporary space with a unique collection of 700 sculptures. It is located right in front of Gorky Park.

6. Sparrow Hills Park

If you take a walk from Gorky Park, along the Moscow River embankment, you’ll end up in the city’s other legendary park, Sparrow Hills. Although the park doesn’t offer as many activities as its hip neighbor, it has a great panoramic view of the city

Pro Tip: You can take a free walking tour to all of the above attractions with an English-speaking guide.

7. River Cruising

One of the best ways to experience Moscow, and see all the famous landmarks, but from a different angle, is from the Moscow River. Take a river cruise. Avoid the tourist crowds. There are little nameless old boats that do the cruise, but if you are looking for a more luxurious experience take the Radisson Blu cruise and enjoy the sights with some good food and a glass of wine.

8. Metro Hopping

Inaugurated in the 1930s, the Moscow Metro system is one of the oldest and most beautiful in the world. Started in Stalinist times, each station is a work of art in its own right. I’d recommend touring the stations between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. This way, you’ll be able to properly see it without the crowds. Ideally, I’d recommend taking a tour with a knowledgeable guide with GuruWalk, who will tell you stories of forgotten stations and how the history of the country is interconnected with the metro development. If going by yourself, then I definitely recommend checking out: Mayakovskaya, Ploschad Revolutsii, Kievskaya, Kropotkinskaya, Kurskaya, and Novoslobodskaya stations.

Visit the free Moscow Metro Museum: For real train enthusiasts, located in the southern vestibule of Sportivnaya station is a small free museum. Here you can take a peek into the driver’s cabin, see a collection of metro tokens from different cities, and see different models of a turnstile, traffic lights, escalator, and more.

9. Moscow State University View

In his effort to create a grander Moscow, Stalin had seven skyscrapers built in different parts of town; they’re called the Seven Sisters. The largest of these buildings and the one with the best view is the main building of the Moscow State University. Although this is a little outside the city center, the view is more than worth it.

10. Izmailovsky Market

Mostly known for the city’s largest flea market, the district of Izmaylovo is home to a maze of shops where you can get just about anything, from artisan crafts to traditional fur hats, handcrafted jewelry, fascinating Soviet memorabilia, and antiquities. It’s also one of Moscow’s largest green spaces. There are often no price tags, so be prepared to haggle a bit. Head to one of the market cafes for a warming mulled wine before continuing your shopping spree.

The History of Vodka Museum is found here, and the museum’s restaurant is the perfect place to sample various brands of the national drink.

Once you’ve covered the more touristy spots, Moscow still has plenty to offer, and the places below will also be full of locals! So for some local vibes, I would strongly recommend the spots below!

11. Moscow City

With a completely different vibe, Moscow City (also referred to as Moscow International Business Center) is like a mini Dubai, with lots of impressive tall glass buildings. Here is where you’ll find the best rooftops in towns, like Ruski Restaurant, the highest restaurant both in Moscow City and in Europe. Moscow City is great for crowd-free shopping and the best panoramic views of the city.

12. Tretyakov Gallery

Tretyakov Gallery started as the private collection of the Tretyakov brothers, who were 19th-century philanthropists. They gave their private collection to the government after their deaths. If there is just one museum you visit in Moscow, I recommend this one!

13. Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve

Tsaritsyno was a residence of Catherine the Great more than two centuries ago. It became derelict during the Soviet era but has now been fully renovated. With its opulently decorated buildings, gardens, meadows, and forests, Tsaritsyno Park is the perfect place for a green respite in Moscow.

14. Kolomenskoye

A 10-minute metro ride from the city center is Kolomenskoe Museum-Reserve, where you can get an idea of what Russia looked like 200 years ago. You’ll find ancient churches (one dating back to the 16th century), the oldest garden in Moscow, and the wonderful fairytale wooden palace of Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich, father of Peter the Great.

15. Ostankino TV Tower

Built in 1967, Ostankino TV Tower was the tallest free-standing construction in the world at the time, it’s still the 8th tallest building in the world and the highest in Europe. It’s also the best observation deck, with a glass floor and 360-degree views. The speedy elevators take you 1,105 feet in next to no time.

Pro Tip: You need to book in advance; entrance is based on specific ticket times and the capacity is limited and only a certain number of tourists are allowed per day. Don’t forget your passport, you’ll need it to get through security.

16. Zaryadye Park

Zaryadye is a newly opened, landscaped urban park so new you won’t find it in a lot of tour guides. The park is near Red Square and is divided into four climatic zones: forest, steppe, tundra, and floodplains, depicting the variety of climatic zones in Russia.

These last three suggestions are a little quirky, but all are really worth checking out.

17. Museum Of Soviet Arcade Games

Release your inner child playing on 66 arcade machines from the Soviet era! What a great way to spend a couple of hours when tired of visiting museums and palaces. The staff speaks excellent English and are happy to explain how the games work.

18. Moscow Rooftop Tour

Take a 1-hour private Moscow rooftop tour with an experienced roofer. I can just about guarantee none of your friends will be able to say they’ve done it! For your comfort, I recommend wearing comfortable shoes. Take your camera, there are some amazing photo opportunities out there!

19. Sanduny Banya

This classical Russian bathhouse opened its doors in 1808 and is famous for combining traditional Russian banya services with luxurious interiors and service. If you enjoy spas and saunas, then you should experience a Russian bathhouse at least once in your life! Go with an open mind and hire a specialist to steam you as it’s meant to be done — by being beaten repeatedly with a besom (a leafy branch)! This is said to improve circulation, but is best done by a professional!

So there you have my list of things to do in Moscow. I could have gone on and on and on, but I didn’t want to try your patience! There are so many things to do in this vibrant city that you’ll definitely need to allocate several days for exploring.

Here are some other reasons to visit Moscow and Russia:

• 7 Reasons To Put Moscow On Your Travel Bucket List
• Russia 30 Years (And 30 Pounds) Ago
• Massive Mysterious Craters Appearing Again In Siberia

Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, before moving to Africa at the age of 21, Sarah Kingdom is a mountain climber and guide, traveler, yoga teacher, trail runner, and mother of two. When she is not climbing or traveling she lives on a cattle ranch in central Zambia. She guides and runs trips regularly in India, Nepal, Tibet, Russia, and Ethiopia, taking climbers up Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro numerous times a year.