While most of Moscow's major attractions can only be reached from the Izmailovo Alfa Hotel by metro, Izmailovsky Park, which surrounds the Izmailovo hotel complex, is one of Moscow's most interesting historic green spaces, and is well worth exploring. Founded in the 14th century as a royal hunting ground, the park was developed under the first Romanov Tsar, Alexei Mikhailovich, as a model village for experiments in agriculture. It was also a retreat for the Tsar's family, and Peter the Great spent much of his troubled childhood at Izmailovo, boating on the lakes and playing war games in the park's ample grounds and forest.
The highlight of the park is probably the glorious Pokrovskiy Cathedral on Silver Island, and the complex of buildings that surrounds it, many of which are the work of the great neoclassical Moscow architect Konstantin Ton.
Izmailovsky Park is the perfect place for a stroll in the summer sun or the winter snow, and is also a popular tourist destination thanks to the Izmailovsky Souvenir Market, which is held in a wooden fenced enclosure near the metro station every Saturday and Sunday, and is one of the best places in Moscow to pick up traditional gifts at reasonable prices, including matryoshka nesting dolls and hand-painted wooden bowls and spoons.
Major attractions |
|
| Distance: | 11 kilometers |
| Taxi: | 25 - 30 minutes Show driving route |
| Public transport: | It takes only around 20 minutes to get to the Kremlin from the Izmailovo Alfa Hotel. Take the metro from Partizanskaya Metro Station, across the road from the hotel front entrance, and travel west on the dark-blue line six stops to Arbatskaya. When exiting the metro, use the interchange station Biblioteka im. Lenina and follow signs for the Kremlin. You will emerge just a few steps from the main visitor entrance in the Kutafya Tower. Show transit route |
|
|
| Distance: | 10 kilometers |
| Taxi: | 20 – 30 minutes Show driving route |
| Public transport: | You can reach Red Square from the Izmailovo Alfa Hotel in under 20 minutes. From Partizanskaya Metro Station (only 50 meters from the hotel) take the dark-blue line westbound five stops to Ploshchad Revolyutsii. On exiting the metro, turn left and walk less than 100 meters to reach the Resurrection Gate on your left, which leads on to the north side of Red Square. Show transit route |
|
|
| Distance: | 11 kilometers |
| Taxi: | 20 – 30 minutes Show driving route |
| Public transport: | : The trip to the theatre from the Izmailovo Alfa will take just over 20 minutes. Head to Partizanskaya Metro Station, across the road from the hotel, take the dark-blue line westbound and travel five stops to Ploshchad Revolyutsii. Exit the metro via the interchange station Teatralnaya and you will find yourself on Teatralnaya Ploshchad ("Theatre Square"), about 50 meters from the Bolshoi Theatre. Show transit route |
|
