Spring Has Finally Arrived in Moscow

Early to mid-May is the best time to enjoy the beautiful blossoms in the Moscow region. Apple trees, cherry trees, lilacs and dozens of other blooming plants and flowers can be seen not only in the suburbs, but also at many of Moscow’s parks and gardens. Here are a few of our favourites.

Pixabay collection

The Japanese Garden

The Japanese Garden is part of a huge botanical garden located in the northern part of Moscow. Japanese Garden features over 250 sakuras as well as traditional Japanese garden design. This year, the sakura blossom is expected to begin on May 1^st and 2^nd. It usually lasts for about 10 days, so don’t miss it! Be prepared to wait in a queue to get into the garden, particularly on weekends and national holidays: the place is a popular attraction.

The rest of the botanical garden is also well worth a visit. It’s a beautiful place for a stroll and there is free admission.

Open:

Fri, Sat, Sun, national holidays: 12pm – 8pm

Tue, Wed: 12pm – 6pm

Closed on Mondays and Thursdays

Tickets: 250 RUB (students 100 RUB)

Address: 4 Botanicheskaya Ulitsa, Vladykino metro. Walk from the main entrance to the Japanese Garden (see the map).

Aptekarsky Ogorod

This botanical garden was founded in 1706 for the cultivation of medicinal herbs (hence its name, Aptekarsky Ogorod, which means ‘Pharmaceutical Garden’ in Russian). It is Russia’s oldest botanical garden and is maintained by Moscow State University. A popular place for photo shoots, it is kept in very good condition and blooms throughout the year.

Open: 10am to 8pm daily. The ticket office closes at 7.30pm.

Tickets: 300 RUB (students 200 RUB).

Address: 26 Prospekt Mira, Building 1 (Prospekt Mira metro), see the map.

Lilac Garden

Lilacs are probably the most impressive tree blooming in Moscow in the Spring. You can find them everywhere, but if you take a trip to the Lilac Garden (Sirenevy Sad) in Izmailovo, you’ll be able to enjoy many different varieties with white, purple, pink and even yellow flowers. This is a public garden, open 24/7, with no admission fees.

Address: 8-12 Shelkovskoe Shosse. Cherkizovskaya metro, or Lokomotiv MCC (Moscow Central Circle) station (see the map).

Apple Gardens in Kolomenskoe

Kolomenskoe is not only a unique historical landmark, it’s also a great place to enjoy apple blossom. There are three apple gardens in Kolomenskoe. Entrance is free.

Address: 39 Prospekt Andropova (see the maps: Kazansky apple garden, Voznesensky apple garden, Dyakovo apple garden).