River Cruise in Moskva River Moscow

I’ve always felt that a river running through a city adds a special charm, enriching its beauty and ambience - especially when the water is clean and free from pollution. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed memorable river cruises, such as drifting along the Seine in Paris (Read here) and the Danube in Budapest (Read here). Equally captivating, though in a different way, are the experiences of strolling along the riverbanks and crossing historic bridges. Some of the most delightful walks I’ve had were by the Ljubljanica in Ljubljana, Slovenia (Read here), the Mur in Graz, Austria (Read here), and the Vltava in Prague, Czech Republic (Read here), each offering its own unique perspective of the city.

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The two-and-a-half-hour river cruise along Moskva River in Moscow from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm on 13.09.2025 gave us the perfect window to experience Moscow’s transformation from day into night. We watched as the city shifted from the soft brightness of late afternoon into the golden glow of sunset, before fading into dusk and, at last, the glittering brilliance of city lights. Each stage of this transition offered wonderful opportunities for photography, from shimmering reflections on the river to dramatic silhouettes of the skyline. The interplay of warm sunset tones with the cooler shades of artificial illumination lent the landmarks an even more striking beauty. 

On board, the atmosphere was calm and unhurried, accompanied by gentle background music. We spent much of the time seated in the glass-enclosed dining area, stepping out occasionally to the open decks for a better view. As evening descended, a cool breeze drifted across the water. The river itself seemed to join in the performance, catching the glow of bridges, embankments, and city windows, and turning them into a glittering, almost theatrical display.

Seated with John Wong and his wife, Penny Lim - who

coincidentally, shares the same name as my wife!

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We caught sight of the roof of Luzhniki Stadium. This is the largest sports arena in Russia and one of the most renowned in Europe. Built in 1956 and originally known as the Central Lenin Stadium, it sits on the banks of the Moskva River near Sparrow Hills. Over the decades, it has hosted many historic events, from the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1980 Summer Olympics to the final match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. With a capacity of around 81,000 spectators, the stadium has been carefully modernized to meet world-class standards while preserving its original Soviet-era façade. Its vast oval shape and distinctive roofline make it a landmark easily recognizable from the river. Today, Luzhniki continues to serve as a stage for major football matches, international sports tournaments, concerts, and cultural gatherings, standing as both a symbol of Moscow’s sporting heritage and a centerpiece of the city’s skyline.

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During the river cruise, we once again caught sight of some of Moscow’s “fairytale” landmarks, such as the magnificent St. Basil’s Cathedral, which we had admired earlier on land. Seen from the water, however, the cathedral and other landmarks revealed a fresh perspective - casting an even more enchanting spectacle of wonder.

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The tall and imposing structure is the main building of Moscow State University (MSU), also known as Lomonosov Moscow State University. It stands as one of the iconic “Seven Sisters” skyscrapers of Moscow. During the cruise, we had the opportunity to admire it under both daylight and again later, bathed in the softer hues of twilight - each view highlighting a different charm of its grandeur.

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Old and new bridges of different designs.

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Peter the Great Statue, a 98-m-high (322ft) monument, located at the western confluence of the Moskva River and the Vodootvodny Canal in central Moscow, Russia.