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Essay writing: Main body

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“An appropriate use of paragraphs is an essential part of writing coherent and well-structured essays.” Don Shiach,   How to write essays

The main body of your essay is where you deliver your argument . Its building blocks are well structured, academic paragraphs. Each paragraph is in itself an  individual argument  and when put together they should form a clear narrative that leads the reader to the inevitability of your conclusion.

The importance of the paragraph

A good academic paragraph is a special thing. It makes a clear point, backed up by good quality academic evidence, with a clear explanation of how the evidence supports the point and why the point is relevant to your overall argument  which supports your position . When these paragraphs are put together with appropriate links, there is a logical flow that takes the reader naturally to your essay's conclusion. 

As a general rule there should be one clear key point per paragraph , otherwise your reader could become overwhelmed with evidence that supports different points and makes your argument harder to follow. If you follow the basic structure below, you will be able to build effective paragraphs and so make the main body of your essay deliver on what you say it will do in your introduction.

Paragraph structure

• A topic sentence – what is the overall point that the paragraph is making?
• Evidence that supports your point – this is usually your cited material.
• Explanation of why the point is important and how it helps with your overall argument.
• A link (if necessary) to the next paragraph (or to the previous one if coming at the beginning of the paragraph) or back to the essay question.

This is a good order to use when you are new to writing academic essays - but as you get more accomplished you can adapt it as necessary. The important thing is to make sure all of these elements are present within the paragraph.

The sections below explain more about each of these elements.

The topic sentence (Point)

This should appear early in the paragraph and is often, but not always, the first sentence.  It should clearly state the main point that you are making in the paragraph. When you are planning essays, writing down a list of your topic sentences is an excellent way to check that your argument flows well from one point to the next.

This is the evidence that backs up your topic sentence. Why do you believe what you have written in your topic sentence? The evidence is usually paraphrased or quoted material from your reading . Depending on the nature of the assignment, it could also include:

• Your own data (in a research project for example).
• Personal experiences from practice (especially for Social Care, Health Sciences and Education).
• Personal experiences from learning (in a reflective essay for example).

Any evidence from external sources should, of course, be referenced.

Explanation (analysis)

This is the part of your paragraph where you explain to your reader why the evidence supports the point and why that point is relevant to your overall argument. It is where you answer the question 'So what?'. Tell the reader how the information in the paragraph helps you answer the question and how it leads to your conclusion. Your analysis should attempt to persuade the reader that your conclusion is the correct one.

These are the parts of your paragraphs that will get you the higher marks in any marking scheme.

Links are optional but it will help your argument flow if you include them. They are sentences that help the reader understand how the parts of your argument are connected . Most commonly they come at the end of the paragraph but they can be equally effective at the beginning of the next one. Sometimes a link is split between the end of one paragraph and the beginning of the next (see the example paragraph below).

Paragraph structure video

Length of a paragraph

Academic paragraphs are usually between 200 and 300 words long (they vary more than this but it is a useful guide). The important thing is that they should be long enough to contain all the above material. Only move onto a new paragraph if you are making a new point. 

Many students make their paragraphs too short (because they are not including enough or any analysis) or too long (they are made up of several different points).

Example of an academic paragraph

Using storytelling in educational settings can enable educators to connect with their students because of inborn tendencies for humans to listen to stories.   Written languages have only existed for between 6,000 and 7,000 years (Daniels & Bright, 1995) before then, and continually ever since in many cultures, important lessons for life were passed on using the oral tradition of storytelling. These varied from simple informative tales, to help us learn how to find food or avoid danger, to more magical and miraculous stories designed to help us see how we can resolve conflict and find our place in society (Zipes, 2012). Oral storytelling traditions are still fundamental to native American culture and Rebecca Bishop, a native American public relations officer (quoted in Sorensen, 2012) believes that the physical act of storytelling is a special thing; children will automatically stop what they are doing and listen when a story is told. Professional communicators report that this continues to adulthood (Simmons, 2006; Stevenson, 2008).   This means that storytelling can be a powerful tool for connecting with students of all ages in a way that a list of bullet points in a PowerPoint presentation cannot. The emotional connection and innate, almost hardwired, need to listen when someone tells a story means that educators can teach memorable lessons in a uniquely engaging manner that is   common to all cultures. 

This cross-cultural element of storytelling can be seen when reading or listening to wisdom tales from around the world...

Key:   Topic sentence    Evidence (includes some analysis)    Analysis   Link (crosses into next paragraph)

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How to write an essay: Body

• What's in this guide
• Introduction
• Essay structure
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Body paragraphs

The essay body itself is organised into paragraphs, according to your plan. Remember that each paragraph focuses on one idea, or aspect of your topic, and should contain at least 4-5 sentences so you can deal with that idea properly.

Each body paragraph has three sections. First is the topic sentence . This lets the reader know what the paragraph is going to be about and the main point it will make. It gives the paragraph’s point straight away. Next – and largest – is the supporting sentences . These expand on the central idea, explaining it in more detail, exploring what it means, and of course giving the evidence and argument that back it up. This is where you use your research to support your argument. Then there is a concluding sentence . This restates the idea in the topic sentence, to remind the reader of your main point. It also shows how that point helps answer the question.

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How To Write Essay Body Paragraphs

3-minute read

• 4th October 2022

Writing essays is an unavoidable part of student life . And even if you’re not pursuing a career that involves much writing, if you can boost the quality of your essays , you’ll improve your grades and have a better chance of reaching your goals.

One effective way to improve your writing is to strengthen your essay body paragraphs. Those are the paragraphs between the introduction and the conclusion. In our guide below, we’ll consider four components of body paragraphs:

●  Purpose

●  Evidence

●  Analysis

●  Connection

For each paragraph you write , ask yourself: Why are you writing this paragraph? What point are you trying to make? This can be turned into a topic sentence, which is a brief sentence at the beginning of the paragraph clearly stating its focus.

Let’s say our essay is arguing that Fall is the best season, and, in this paragraph, we’re promoting the enjoyableness of Fall activities. Our topic sentence could be something like:

Fall activities, like apple picking, visiting a pumpkin patch, and playing in the leaves, are more enjoyable than activities in other seasons.

Now that you have a clear idea of the point you’d like to make, you must support it with facts. You can do this by citing scientific and/or academic sources; sharing data from case studies; and providing information that you’ve discovered yourself, such as by conducting your own study or describing a real-life experience.

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We sent a survey to 100 participants. One question asked: “Which activity do you prefer: apple picking, building a snowman, planting flowers, or kayaking?” Sixty percent of respondents chose apple picking.

Now that you’ve provided evidence, critically analyzing it is key to strengthening your essay. This involves explaining how the presented facts support your argument, what counterarguments exist, and if there are any alternative points of view.

Although the response to one question indicated that 55% of respondents prefer swimming to jumping in piles of leaves, the responses to the rest of the questions in the survey showed that most participants chose Fall activities as their favorites. These findings indicate that Fall activities are more enjoyable than other types of activities.

Each paragraph must be connected to the paragraphs around it and the main point. You can achieve this by using transitional words and sentences at the end of the paragraph to summarize the current paragraph’s findings and introduce the next one. Transition words include likewise , however , furthermore , accordingly , and in summary .

Therefore, Fall is the best season when it comes to activities. Furthermore, the clothing worn during this season is also superior.

Proofreading and Editing

This step should not be overlooked. Even the best writers will miss errors in their own writing, so it’s crucial to have an outside pair of eyes check your work for spelling, grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and readability.

Our expert editors can also ensure your referencing style is followed correctly, offer suggestions for areas where your meaning isn’t clear, and even format your document for you! Try our service for free today by uploading a 500-word sample .

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Main body How to write a good essay paragraph

As the name suggests, the main body is the main part of your essay. It is a collection of paragraphs related to your topic, and in order to understand how to write a good main body, you need to understand how to write good paragraphs. This section will help you understand the three main structural components of any good paragraph: the topic sentence , supporting sentences , and the concluding sentence . An example essay has been given to help you understand all of these, and there is a checklist at the end which you can use for editing your main body.

The topic sentence

The topic sentence is the most important sentence in a paragraph. It is usually the first sentence, though may sometimes also be placed at the end. It indicates what the paragraph is going to discuss, and thus serves as a useful guide both for the writer and the reader; the writer can have a clear idea what information to include (and what information to exclude), while the reader will have a clear idea of what the paragraph will discuss, which will aid in understanding.

The topic sentence comprises two separate parts: the topic of the paragraph, and the controlling idea, which limits the topic to one or two areas that can be discussed fully in one paragraph.

Consider the following topic sentence (from the example essay below):

The most striking advantage of the car is its convenience .

The topic of this short essay is the advantages and disadvantages of cars, as a result of which each paragraph has either the advantages or the disadvantages of cars as its topic. In this case, the topic is the advantage of cars . The controlling idea is convenience , which limits the discussion of advantages of cars to this one idea. This paragraph will therefore give supporting ideas (reasons, facts, etc.) to show why convenience is an advantage of cars.

Here is another topic sentence from the same example essay :

Despite this advantage, cars have many significant disadvantages , the most important of which is the pollution they cause.

The topic of this paragraph is the disadvantage of cars . The controlling idea is pollution . This paragraph will therefore give supporting ideas (reasons, facts, etc.) to show why pollution is a disadvantage of cars.

Here is the final topic sentence from the same example essay :

A further disadvantage is the traffic problems that they cause in many cities and towns of the world.

The topic of this paragraph is again the disadvantage of cars . The controlling idea this time is traffic problems . This paragraph will therefore give supporting ideas (reasons, facts, etc.) to show why traffic congestion is a disadvantage of cars.

The following are key points to remember about the topic sentence:

• it should be a complete sentence
• it should contain both a topic and a controlling idea
• it is the most general statement in the paragraph, because it gives only the main idea with any supporting details

Supporting sentences

Supporting sentences develop the topic sentence. They are more specific than the topic sentence, giving reasons, examples, facts, statistics, and citations in support of the main idea of the paragraph.

Below is the whole paragraph for the second topic sentence above. The supporting sentences are in bold.

Despite this advantage, cars have many significant disadvantages, the most important of which is the pollution they cause. Almost all cars run either on petrol or diesel fuel, both of which are fossil fuels. Burning these fuels causes the car to emit serious pollutants, such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and nitrous oxide. Not only are these gases harmful for health, causing respiratory disease and other illnesses, they also contribute to global warming, an increasing problem in the modern world. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists (2013), transportation in the US accounts for 30% of all carbon dioxide production in that country, with 60% of these emissions coming from cars and small trucks. In short, pollution is a major drawback of cars.

The paragraph above has the following support:

• burning fuels (petrol and diesel) in car engines emits pollutants - fact
• cars emit carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide - examples (of pollutants)
• the pollutants are harmful for health - fact
• the pollutants cause respiratory disease - example (of how they harm our health)
• the pollutants contribute to global warming - fact
• 30% of carbon dioxide in the US comes from transport - statistic
• 60% of the these emissions come from cars and small trucks - statistic
• this information comes from Union of Concerned Scientists (2013) - citation

The concluding sentence

The concluding sentence is an optional component of a paragraph. In other words, it is not absolutely necessary. It most useful for especially long paragraphs, as it will help the reader to remember of the main ideas of the paragraph.

Below is the concluding sentence from the paragraph above:

In short, the harm to our health and to the environment means that pollution from cars is a major drawback.

Here the concluding sentence not only repeats the controlling idea of the topic sentence , that cars cause pollution, but also summarises the information of the paragraph, which is that the pollution from cars is harmful to both our health and the environment.

The following are useful transition signals to use for the concluding sentence:

• In conclusion...
• In summary...
• In brief...
• Therefore...
• In short...
• These examples show that...
• This evidence strongly suggests that...

Example essay

Below is a discussion essay which looks at the advantages and disadvantages of car ownership. This essay is used throughout the essay writing section to help you understand different aspects of essay writing. Here it focuses on topic sentences and controlling ideas (mentioned on this page), the thesis statement and general statements of the introduction, and the summary and final comment of the conclusion. Click on the different areas (in the shaded boxes to the right) to highlight the different structural aspects in this essay.

Although they were invented almost a hundred years ago, for decades cars were only owned by the rich. Since the 60s and 70s they have become increasingly affordable, and now most families in developed nations, and a growing number in developing countries, own a car. While cars have undoubted advantages , of which their convenience is the most apparent, they have significant drawbacks , most notably pollution and traffic problems . The most striking advantage of the car is its convenience. When travelling long distance, there may be only one choice of bus or train per day, which may be at an unsuitable time. The car, however, allows people to travel at any time they wish, and to almost any destination they choose. Despite this advantage, cars have many significant disadvantages , the most important of which is the pollution they cause. Almost all cars run either on petrol or diesel fuel, both of which are fossil fuels. Burning these fuels causes the car to emit serious pollutants, such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and nitrous oxide. Not only are these gases harmful for health, causing respiratory disease and other illnesses, they also contribute to global warming, an increasing problem in the modern world. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists (2013), transportation in the US accounts for 30% of all carbon dioxide production in that country, with 60% of these emissions coming from cars and small trucks. In short, pollution is a major drawback of cars. A further disadvantage is the traffic problems that they cause in many cities and towns of the world. While car ownership is increasing in almost all countries of the world, especially in developing countries, the amount of available roadway in cities is not increasing at an equal pace. This can lead to traffic congestion, in particular during the morning and evening rush hour. In some cities, this congestion can be severe, and delays of several hours can be a common occurrence. Such congestion can also affect those people who travel out of cities at the weekend. Spending hours sitting in an idle car means that this form of transport can in fact be less convenient than trains or aeroplanes or other forms of public transport. In conclusion, while the car is advantageous for its convenience , it has some important disadvantages , in particular the pollution it causes and the rise of traffic jams . If countries can invest in the development of technology for green fuels, and if car owners can think of alternatives such as car sharing, then some of these problems can be lessened. References

Union of Concerned Scientists (2013). Car Emissions and Global Warming. www.ucsusa.org/clean vehicles/why-clean-cars/global-warming/ (Access date: 8 August, 2013)

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Below is a checklist for the main body of an essay. Use it to check your own writing, or get a peer (another student) to help you.

Next section

Find out how to structure the conclusion of an essay in the next section.

Previous section

Go back to the previous section about the essay introduction .

Author: Sheldon Smith    ‖    Last modified: 26 January 2022.

Sheldon Smith is the founder and editor of EAPFoundation.com. He has been teaching English for Academic Purposes since 2004. Find out more about him in the about section and connect with him on Twitter , Facebook and LinkedIn .

Compare & contrast essays examine the similarities of two or more objects, and the differences.

Cause & effect essays consider the reasons (or causes) for something, then discuss the results (or effects).

Discussion essays require you to examine both sides of a situation and to conclude by saying which side you favour.

Problem-solution essays are a sub-type of SPSE essays (Situation, Problem, Solution, Evaluation).

Transition signals are useful in achieving good cohesion and coherence in your writing.

Reporting verbs are used to link your in-text citations to the information cited.

Citation Style: APA 7th Edition: The Main Body

• Avoiding Plagiarism
• APA Style Guides
• Basic Formatting
• Title Page & Abstract

The Main Body

• The References Page
• Reference Citation Examples
• Citation Generation Tools
• Frequently Asked Questions
• 7th Edition vs. 6th Edition

Formatting the Main Body

Your main body should follow all of the rules outlined in the  Basic Formatting  tab. The full title of your paper should be at the top of the first page of the main body. It should bolded and in title case . There should be no extra spaces between the title and the beginning of your paper.

The beginning of every paragraph should be indented by half an inch (just hit the "tab" key on your keyboard). There should be no extra spaces between paragraphs. To ensure this is the case in Microsoft Word, use the spacing tool under the home tab to make sure both options at the bottom say "Add space", not "Remove space."

To see an example of a student paper in APA 7th edition format, click the link below:

• APA Sample Paper from Purdue OWL

In-Text Citations

In-text citations are used to direct the reader to the source you used to get a particular piece of information, usually contained in one sentence. APA requires parenthetical citations, instead of footnotes. This means that the basic citation information is contained in parentheses at the end of the sentence where the information from that source was used. This parenthetical citation occurs right before the ending punctuation of the sentence.

The purpose of the in-text citation is to allow the reader to check the references at the end of the page to find the full citation. From that information, they can find and read the original source, if they wish. That is why everything cited in-text should also be fully cited on your references page, and vice-versa.

An in-text citation requires three main elements for quotations and two main elements for a paraphrase. (Paraphrased information does not need to have a page number or paragraph number cited, however, it is recommended that you still include this information if you are paraphrasing from a longer document. This will help the reader to locate where you found your information.)

These are the three elements of an in-text citation:

(creator or contributor last name, year of publication, page or paragraph number)

As an example:

(Doe, 2018, p. 11)

You can also use the narrative format  (with a signal phrase) to include some of this information in the sentence, rather than in the parentheses at the end. For example:

Jane Doe (2018) asserted the importance of learning APA format and citation style early in the degree program to improve academic success (p. 11) .

Other verbs that can be used for signal phrases include: 

argued, asserted, claimed, commented, confirmed, contended, declared, denied, emphasized, illustrated, implied, insisted, noted, observed, pointed out, reported, responded, said, suggested, thought , and wrote.

Links to Further Help

• Citefast In-Text Citations Guide
• Purdue OWL APA In-Text Citations Guide

APA In-Text Citations and References Overview Video

The video below (created by Keuka College librarian, Nancy Marksbury) covers the basics of in-text citations and references format.

Reference Librarian

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Structure your writing

The main body of your assignment should present a clear and logical response to the question. You should discuss and evidence a few key points in detail, rather than including lots of points that are dealt with in a superficial way.

You should use focussed and connected paragraphs to develop your argument.

Paragraphs are an important part of how we structure writing. They form distinct sections of text, usually on one topic or theme and are made up of several sentences. Without paragraphs it would be difficult to follow the argument in an essay or the evidence presented in a report.

Whatever type of writing you undertake at university and beyond, well-constructed paragraphs will enhance the readability and presentation of your work.

What makes a good paragraph?

In academic work, paragraphs should have:

• an appropriate writing style for your discipline
• criticality

You may be asked to produce different types of writing at university. Essays are one of the most common types of writing, but you might also need to write reports, reflections, summaries, reviews or blogs. Paragraphs in different forms of writing can have different characteristics.

For example, in essay writing it is important to be balanced and represent the voice of the writer. In a report, you still need purpose, clarity, accuracy and criticality, but the extent to which every paragraph within that report needs balance and a writer’s voice, might vary.

Explore our Examples of paragraphs in academic writing resource to learn more about how paragraphs work in different subject disciplines and contexts. Each example has a commentary, showing how each part works together to create an effective paragraph.

You can also find your own examples by analysing the texts recommended in your reading lists. Use these to try to identify what works and how you could use the same techniques in your writing.

Find out about each of the characteristics of paragraphs in more detail below or skip to a particular section with these links:

• writing style

Every paragraph should have a unique purpose, so that each one is an essential part of the wider argument or discussion.

The main idea

Focus on one argument, idea or theme in detail in each paragraph.

Make sure that your reader understands the purpose of your paragraphs by setting out the main idea clearly (usually in the first one or two sentences).

For example:

“Developments in food technology have led to an increase in the availability of convenience foods in the UK over the last 30 years.”

More than one paragraph on a theme

You might have more than one paragraph on a similar theme. If so, make sure that they don’t repeat the same point. Ensure that each paragraph contributes logically and coherently to the overall purpose or argument of your piece of writing. One way to check this is to highlight the first and last sentences of every paragraph and look at whether they represent a fair overview of the points that you want to make.

Show the reader how the key idea of a paragraph contributes towards the overall argument by including sentences which guide or lead the reader through this part of the argument, idea or theme. Your paragraphs should connect to each other and follow on in a logical order.

For example, as part of a theme in an essay about the role of sugar in convenience foods, this sentence at the end of a paragraph on how sugar affects tooth decay moves the reader onto the next paragraph about sugar tax:

“The connection between a diet high in sugar and tooth decay is clear, but the impact of a tax on sugar is less well researched.”

This sentence moves the argument forward by advancing the discussion.

Appropriate writing style for your discipline

Writing good paragraphs takes practice and the commitment to actively respond to feedback to improve your work. The overall style and use of language differs between disciplines, but there are two basic aspects of writing style that are common to many disciplines: paragraph length and when to start a new paragraph.

Length of paragraphs

There is no perfect length for a paragraph because this will vary between disciplines and types of assessments.

Long paragraphs can be difficult for a reader to follow and may prevent them from fully grasping the points that you want to make. To identify whether your paragraphs are too long, read through them and notice whether you are sticking to the original point as set out in the first one or two sentences. If you find that the content is deviating from the point, then you may need to re-think.

Very short paragraphs of less than three or four sentences might look as though you don’t have enough to say about that topic. Ask yourself whether the point that you want to make is genuinely important, which may indicate that you need to do more research to understand it and therefore explore it in more depth. Remember that the person reading your work is expecting each paragraph to be directly relevant to the overall piece.

When to start a new paragraph

One way to look at paragraphs is to think of them as a mini exploration of one aspect of a topic. If you were writing about how to build a house for example, you might include individual paragraphs about designing the building, choosing materials, considering outside space etc. A new paragraph is needed for each new aspect of the topic.

Generally, you should not start a paragraph by reiterating what you have just talked about. Your first sentence of a paragraph should alert the reader to a change of focus, and each paragraph should build to show how your ideas are progressing.

Criticality

Most of your written work needs to show much more than just the ability to repeat information and facts. Critical writing is important to demonstrate the depth of your knowledge and understanding of different arguments, theories and ideas. Our critical thinking webpages are a good starting point if you want to know more.

To show criticality in your paragraphs:

• explore the significance of an idea, principle, innovation or evidence
• tell the reader more than just what happened, what this is, how this works, and explore the causes, consequences, effects and implications of what you are writing about
• use appropriate evidence to support any claims or lines of reasoning
• evaluate the evidence, showing how it links to the overall argument
• compare, contrast or comment on how different pieces of evidence relate to one another and to your wider argument.

The boundaries of knowledge are constantly moving and at any one time there may be a wide number of different ideas or perspectives about your subject area. Over time and in different contexts, some of these ideas or perspectives may become more dominant than others.

When you are writing and researching, it is important not to lose sight of the fact that what we “know” today may change tomorrow, or that what could be “true” in one context is not true in another. This is where balance in your writing becomes important.

To demonstrate balance you can explicitly or implicitly acknowledge that there may be alternative viewpoints on the subject, for example by citing relevant arguments and literature.

You can also show that you understand that knowledge may be ambiguous and rarely definitive by using language which adds caution to your claims, for example:

“High levels of intrinsic motivation in students may be linked to greater satisfaction with their courses.”

Find out more about showing caution in your writing .

Gr. 11-12 Extended Essay

• Reflections
• Choose a Subject
• Choose a Topic
• Draft a Research Question
• Develop Your Search Strategy
• Computer Science
• Visual Arts
• World Studies
• Introduction

Writing Your Main Body

Identifying core points.

• Writing Paragraphs

Aspects of Paragraph Writing

Example paragraph, providing analysis in the main body, how to demonstrate analysis in your writing.

• Academic Integrity
• Common Questions
• For Supervisors
• EE Examples

The main body of an Extended Essay can differ structurally depending on the subject or topic you've chosen.

When you're thinking about structure, the first consideration for the main body is to choose between:

• a  free-flowing  writing style or
• a more compartmentalized style with information  subdivided into sections or chapters .

Regardless of your chosen structure, it is important to identify the  core points  in your essay. These can form the basis of the subheadings you use (or the layout of your paragraphs in a free-flow essay) to develop your argument.

Whichever structure you choose for your essay, you will need to use paragraphs .

• Thesis/Topic Sentence

Elaboration

The  thesis statement  or  topic sentence  establishes what point or issue your paragraph is going to develop..

This should be written in the form of a statement (a brief opening line or two) that is relevant to the overall question or topic being addressed.

Elaboration explains in greater detail what is meant by the thesis statement/topic sentence.

Elaboration should flow naturally from the thesis, and can serve to clarify your paragraph thesis's meaning, the areas it touches on, and so forth. It can offer mini-analyses as you wrestle with the implications of what you're saying.

Provide  evidence  to support  all  theses and points raised in your elaboration.

This could include:

• Quotes from secondary sources
• Examples from real-life situations (news, articles, events, etc.)
• Examples and/or events from personal experience (from the perspective of "the knower")
• Facts and data (e.g., statistical information, measurements)
• Illustrations and diagrams

Balance  your argument by offering alternative perspectives to the paragraph thesis under consideration.

This shows that you've looked at the issue from more than one angle, but make sure you counter-argue so that you have still made your point.

Provide  analysis  in your paragraph by concluding with a line or two to link the information back to your essay's overall research question.

This is a critical aspect of writing for your EE!

Ask yourself:  What insight does this paragraph offer to the overall question?

Thesis statement

Muhammad's string of early military victories, primarily against the Quresh, were a significant factor in the early development of Islam.

During Muhammad's prolonged exile in Yathrib (Medina) from 622 to 630, his position as the pre-eminent religious leader of the nascent Islamic community (umma) was consolidated and secured by this abilities to defeat the enemies of Islam in accordance with practices the local Arabs (badw) would recognize as noteworthy. Muhammad, in true tribal chieftain form, was able to attract supporters to his fold through the pursuit of raids and campaigns which bolstered his reputation and standing among his fellow men.

According to Armstrong, the Prophet Muhammad's victory at Badr "impressed the Bedouin tribes, some of whom enjoyed seeing ... the mightly Quraysh brought law" (Armstrong, 2001, p. 17). In time, Muhammad's victory at the Battle of the Trench where his force of 3,000 defeated a force three times larger "convinced the nomadic tribes that Muhammad was the coming man and made the Quraysh look decidedly passé" (Armstrong, 2001, p. 17).

However, despite the prestige gained from Muhammad's victories, these alone would have been worth nothing had he not follow it up with a more localized campaign in Medina and its surrounds to root out his most dangerous ideological rivals, principal among those being the Jewish clans who had aligned themselves with the Meccans (Qaynuqah, Nadir and Qurayzah). By crushing them, and in the case of the Quyrayzah, massacring all 700 of their men and selling their women and children into slavery, he ensured that his military victories brought about more long-term benefits.

It becomes increasingly clear, therefore, that Muhammad's military victories significantly aided his reputation and prestige among the Arab tribes by playing on local sensitivities and traditions of "good" leadership. However, these would not have translated into long-term benefits had it not been for his parallel campaign against ideological and political rival bases.

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15 reasons you must visit Moscow

Home / Russia Travel Experiences / 15 reasons you must visit Moscow

Home to almost over 12 million souls, Moscow is many things to many people, and everyone finds their own reasons to visit Moscow. There is an infinite number of reasons to visit Moscow and its attractions. To make it easier for travellers, we created a list of the crowd’s top fifteen reasons and attractions everyone should visit when in Moscow.

Table of Contents

1. Indulge in countless historical and modern artworks

Whether you are just dipping your toes into the art world or you know everything about arts, Moscow is a must-visit for every self-proclaimed or certified art connoisseur and historian. The city has numerous historical and contemporary museums and art galleries and they are essential in the list when you visit Moscow. Among the plethora of galleries and museums is The State Tretyakov Gallery  holding the world’s foremost collection of Russian fine art. Another is the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts which showcases artworks from the ancient times to this day such as the paintings of Rembrandt, Botticelli, Van Gogh, and Picasso. The Moscow Museum of Modern Art , on the other hand, displays artworks created in the 20th and 21st centuries.

Moscow is not only home to famous historical paintings, the city also showcases modern, educational, and multimedia arts. The Moscow Planetarium is one of the biggest planetariums in the world. It is an interactive museum that educates everyone with their scientific resources. The openness of Russia to new forms of arts can be seen in the Multimedia Art Museum, Winzavod (Wine Factory), Garage Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Lumiere Brothers Photography Center . These art galleries unite all forms of media, arts, and modern culture.

For the love of art, moreover, they have converted former industrial areas to unique art spaces. ARTPLAY Center of Design and Flacon Design Factory are two of the known art spaces for local organisations and artists to express their creativity, host their own workshops, lectures, design festivals, concerts, performances, and exhibits. 

TIP: Open Museum Day in Moscow offers free day-time admission in most city museums every third Sunday of the month. Forty museums and art galleries are participating including the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, Moscow Museum of Modern Art, Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics , and State Museum of Ceramics and Kuskovo Estate of the 18th Century.

If you’re craving for more museum adventures, we have created a list of the best museum to visit in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

2. Step onto the mighty Red Square

Walk onto the uneven cobblestones alongside the throngs of bustling citizens and you’ll see centuries of Russian (and world) history reflected in the architecture of Red Square. It is the epicentre of Russia. The country’s major highways and Moscow’s main streets all originate from the Red Square. However, it is not only the heart of Russian streets but is also the heart of Russian history and culture where most of the biggest Russian events and changes unfolded such as high-profile executions and military parades. The city square also served as the main marketplace and site for national public ceremonies and festive processions. Being considered as a sacred place, it is absolutely a must-see when you visit Moscow.

Official commemorations and parades today are still mostly held in the square. The surrounding buildings of the Red Square also add great significance to why you should include the beautiful square on your bucket list when you visit Moscow. Some of these famous attractions are iconic:

• St. Basil’s Cathedral
• Lenin’s Mausoleum
• The Kremlin
• Kazan Cathedral
• The historical GUM Department Store
• State Historical Museum
• The Iberian Gate (also known as the Resurrection Gate and Chapel

3. Visit the Moscow Kremlin

The Kremlin , together with Red Square was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990. UNESCO included this architectural ensemble not just because of its outstanding design but also because of its rich historical and political linkage. That is why you should not miss this when you visit Moscow. It is located on Borovitsky Hill just above the Moskva River, on the west side of the magnificent Red Square. It serves as the Russian President’s residence and treasure houses such as the Armory Chamber Museum and the Russian Diamond Fund . Two Royal Cathedrals, the Secret Garden, and Ivan the Great Bell Tower are some of the attractions you can visit inside the Kremlin. Also, along the Kremlin wall is where you can see the gravestones of most Soviet leaders -including Stalin’s.

TIP: The Kremlin is open every day except on Thursdays and tickets for each establishment inside the Kremlin are sold separately. They also limit the number of daily visitors. May to September of every year is considered as the peak season.

4. Awaken your senses in the Bolshoi theatre

The Bolshoi Ballet Company is one of the most enduring symbols of Russia’s esteemed cultural traditions, and Moscow’s Bolshoi (Big) Theatre is the association’s fittingly elegant headquarters. Moscow’s oldest theatre has been painstakingly restored and renovated in recent years. It is a must-see day or night with their world-famous opera and ballet performances when you visit Moscow. Taking in an evening performance of a classic Russian ballet like Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker is one of the city’s most captivating cultural experiences.

Aside from the Bolshoi Theatre, there are around 170 theatres in the city; each of which features unique performances. It is the sole reason why Moscow is coined as the “City of Theatres”.  No matter what genre, as long as it is in Moscow it will be surreal.  No wonder the city attracts all theatregoers around the globe. To name a few, here are the must-visit theatres around the city: (1) Maly Theatre which showcases classic traditions of Russian Theatre, (2) Moscow Art Theatre combines classical and modern drama traditions, and (4) Theatre of Nations and (5) Gogol Centre further popularized modern arts such as post-drama and comedy production.

TIP: Most people have been planning to witness a performance (especially in Bolshoi Theatre) for years. Remember to check and purchase tickets ahead of time before getting excited to watch the spectacular performance. Also, wearing your best evening dress won’t hurt.

5. Enjoy the ambiance of Moscow parks

While Moscow’s attractions are usually known as a mixture of extravagant Tsarist architecture and stern Soviet buildings, much of Moscow is actually surprisingly green and the city’s parks have grown into its pride and joy over the years. Take a break from walking around historical establishments and rest in these well-groomed green areas. These parks provide some of Moscow’s best people-watching spots and offer various activities you can do with your group or with the locals from playing sports and board games on the pavement to simply enjoying the outdoor cafes.

Slow down from the hectic pace of the city life by having a stop-over in the most popular green spaces when you visit Moscow. Gorky Park has its own telegraph and clinic, Park of Arts Museum often hosts music festivals, art fairs and exhibits, and lastly, Sokolniki Park and Izmailovsky Park have bike rentals and small amusement parks that are perfect for family day-outs.

6. Experience the magnificent Moscow Metro

Apart from being an extremely handy way to get around the city,  Moscow’s metro system  is a striking feat of engineering. Opened in 1935, it is one of the largest and oldest underground railway systems in the world. Its grand stations are remarkably beautiful. With their grandiose architecture, intricate mosaics, and dramatic sculptures, it has turned many metro stations into picturesque tourist attractions. There are 12 lines and a total of 200 stations. Elektrozavodskaya, Arbatskaya, Kievskaya, Komsomolskaya, and Mayakovskaya are just a few of the magical stations that seems to be like an underground palace.

Visit Moscow grand stations during “dead hours” —11 am to 2 pm or after 10 pm in order get the most out of the spectacular metro stations. And for the sake of courtesy and respect, always give your seat to Babushkas or the beautiful Russian grannies on the train. Train tickets can be shared and you can buy them for 1, 2, 20, 40, and 60 trips. Unlimited Metro travel for 1, 3, and 7 full days are also available from 210 to 800 rubles. Alternatively, you can purchase a Troika Card which costs 50 rubles and allows you to travel on all public transportation in Moscow.

7. Be amazed by the beauty & grace of Moscow’s churches

In Moscow, the majority of religion belongs to the Russian Orthodox Church which has 320 of total parishes in Moscow alone. Thus, it is not surprising that Orthodox churches and its unique architecture are one of the must-sees when you visit Moscow. Onion domes had long been known as the classic design of Orthodox churches in Russia. Below, we will mention some of the iconic churches you shouldn’t miss seeing in the city.

The Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed or St. Basil Cathedral is perhaps the most popular and most unusual church in the country. It is located at the Southern end of the Red Square. Built in 1555, it is originally called the Intercession Cathedral  to commemorate Ivan the Terrible’s victory over the Tatars. The bonfire-flame-shaped-cathedral has nine towers full of colours, shapes, and patterns. It was designed like a maze as a whole while each way leads to nine chapels with creatively decorated interiors. The magnificent cathedral is open every day except for the first Wednesday of every month.

With its golden onion domes, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour  is the largest cathedral of all Russian Orthodox Church and has the capacity of over a thousand devotees. However, there is another known cathedral with golden domes —the Cathedral of the Assumption. What makes this cathedral different is that its domes are not just gold, but  they  are also light-reflecting sitting inside the Kremlin. Lastly, we would like to feature a church with neo-gothic architecture –the Moscow Immaculate Conception Catholic Cathedral.  It  is the largest Catholic building in the country. To this day, masses and Catholic religious services are still being conducted in different languages in the cathedral.

8. Visit Moscow streets and the monumental architecture

The beautiful architecture of museums and churches, makes each city street a sight to behold. For sure you’ll have a jaw-dropping moment at least once when you visit Moscow. The streets around the Red Square are a good start for you to stroll and have them as background for your OOTD photos. 

Tverskaya Stree t is known as Moscow’s fashion street and main street. This street is also one of the most expensive streets in the world, basing from the commercial rental fees. Another fashion district, Kuznetsky Most (literally translates to Blacksmith’s bridge)is where popular shops such as “Kuznetsky Most 20” – a famous concept store and “House of Foreign Books” (which is the best foreign-language bookshop) are located. Ulitsa Varvaka claims to be the oldest street and has the most churches in the city; it also shows the more medieval side of Moscow. If you are looking for high-end souvenirs, take a look at the shops on Arbat Street . Just do not forget to negotiate with the vendors and ask for discounts! Also, you get a chance to taste local vodkas as they offer free samples on the street.

9. Enjoy Moscow street food and fine dining restaurants

Moscow can surprise even the most demanding gourmands with the variety of foods , flavours and dining scenes the city has to offer. Russian cuisine is famous for exotic soups and rustic, hearty dishes like pelmeni (meat dumplings), pancakes with different fillings, and last but not the least, caviar. Sweets are also a big thing in the Russian kitchen and they are incomparable with other confectioneries that can be bought outside the country. “RotFront” soya bars , Chak-Chak Sticks and Kozinaki are just a few of the most popular sweet snacks in Moscow.

Great food is everywhere, 24 hours a day in the city. Yar , one of the oldest restaurants in Russia has been serving local Russian cuisines for nearly a century now in Moscow. Another restaurant, Praga , which opened 150 years ago is known for its European and Russian dishes in addition to their pastry shop on the ground floor. Cafe Pushkin , a three-storey restaurant is open 24 hours a day. Each floor has its own menu and theme: the Pharmacy, Library, and the Fireplace Room. The Library floor is said to have the best view of the Tverskoy Boulevard during breakfast. However, if you want to time travel, find the secret door of Mari Vanna and experience what it is like to live in a Soviet home 50 years ago. Watch old Soviet channels and look through old bookcases and photos while having traditional Russian stews and pies. And oh, do not forget to book for tables!

But there’s so much more to Moscow’s modern gastronomic landscape. From sophisticated new takes on old-school cooking to cosmopolitan eateries offering refined cuisine from around the world, Moscow is also boasting with street foods. Chebureki or cheburechnaya, as what some cafes call them, are fried triangle-shaped thin dough stuffed with minced meat and spices. On the other hand, Blini is a better option for those who have a sweet tooth. They are crepes that can be filled with, cheese, jam, honey, ham, condensed milk, or red caviar. Today, Blini are famously made and sold in Teremok — a popular fast-food chain. Another fast-food chain has popularised a Russian local snack: Kroshka-Kartoshka . Although the name translates to “tiny potato”, they serve enormous baked potatoes with cheese, pickled mushrooms, butter, and other fillings. And lastly, pirozhki, which means pie seems to be the symbol of Russian street foods. Just look around the streets and try the four local snacks that we’ve mentioned and you’ll realise that every food is stuffed and/or filled with something. Now it is your turn to stuff your belly with Moscow street food!

10. Shop till you drop in Moscow boutiques

Muscovites are mad-shoppers and once you see the brands and collectives in each shopping centre, you might become one of them. From the most glamorous high-end fashion brands, art and design pieces, to antiques and traditional handicrafts, the opportunities for a hardcore spree are endless. Make sure to drop by the two most famous shopping centres, GUM and TSUM when you visit Moscow. They are must-visits even if you are only there to admire (or baulk at) their stupendous swankiness.

GUM is on the east side of Red Square. It is a former State Department Store. The building’s architecture will instantly give you an extravagant feeling. However, along with its luxurious interior, comes the most luxurious brands and prices. It is open for twelve hours each day from 10 am to 10 pm. On the other hand, TSUM , a six-story historical gothic building is the largest high-end department store in Eastern Europe. There is a luxury supermarket which is open for twenty-four hours on the ground floor.

More affordable options are in the city’s many bustling flea markets, or in beautiful old boutique stores. Tsvetnoy Central Market and Kuznetsky Most 20 are just two of the known markets in the city where both hot and hippy street brands can be found. Local creative contemporary designers and high-end creatives are also housed in both markets.

11. Earn bragging rights with the perfect Instagram snap

Up your Instagram and Facebook feed with these views and different angles of the city. Shamelessly share your food and shoes with the streets and floors you’re walking into with your virtual friends. Or take a snap of the random streets of Moscow depicting their rich cultures. Also, do not forget the big picture! Which literally means photos of the whole city.

Did you really visit Moscow if you don’t have any photo of the Red Square and Moscow Kremlin? Stand at the centre of Red Square and Kremlin, take the most iconic shot and show the world that you were actually in Moscow. We’ve listed three buildings that have the best top views of the city. The (1) Federation Tower which also has the highest restaurant in Moscow, (2) The Moscow State University has a panoramic view of the city inside The Museum of Geography on its top floor and (3) Cathedral of Christ ’s observation deck have the most breathtaking top views of the city.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Garage Museum of Contemporary Art , GUM, ARTPlay , and Moscow Metro stations are just some of Moscow infrastructures perfect for your channel your inner artsy persona.  While walking around the Moscow CBD, do not forget to look up and take photos of the skyscrapers as far as your eyes and camera can reach. However, if you want to take a break from all the spectacular man-made architecture, take a stroll in Patriarch’s Pond , where you can feel like a real Muscovite and nature-lover.

12. Moscow never sleeps

>Let it be known: Russians love to party! And Moscow is undoubtedly the party capital of Russia. The capital city has an incredible array of nightlife options and a scene for everyone. Whether you’re keen to catch a live Russian rock band or slink into a smoky jazz club, Moscow is there for you. Go clubbing till the break of dawn or just lounge around with a beer and an endless array of fine local vodka. We have listed our top five bars and clubs to help you decide which one to go to. Go ahead and get your body moving along the music while drinking with Muscovites. In that way, you can actually experience Moscow.

Propaganda , or Probka as what regulars call it, is opened in 1997 and has about the same age as the Moscow club culture. Aside from local drinks and world-class DJs, the club is also boasting with cheap sandwiches and steaks. On Thursdays, they hold dance parties and gay parties on Sundays. Nauka i Iskusstvo (Science and Art) is for you if music is the sole reason for your night out. The club is said to host the best electronic and hip parties. Noor Bar, nonetheless, is known for their classic cocktails which can be best enjoyed on Fridays and Saturdays while listening to their DJ sets. Just make sure to go there early to secure a spot. Another two famous nightclubs are located in Artplay: Pluton and Rodnya . Pluton promotes all kinds of music and art-performances while Rodnya is a rooftop club where you can enjoy dancing while waiting for the sun to rise in Summer.  Squad 3/4  is one of the most bizarre nightclubs in Moscow. It is located at the basement of the former Central Baths building and often hosts bohemian raves.

13. Take a Moscow River Cruise

Cruising along the Moskva River is one of the best ways to see and visit Moscow. Ticket pricing of the cruise depends on the size of the boat; the bigger the boat, the more expensive and smoother its sailing will be. For 800 rubles, you can board the most famous tour boat in Moscow: the yellow Lay’s boat. It plays loud Russian pop music as you sail the river. Bigger boats cost 1,100 to 2,000 rubles per person. These cruises on bigger boats often offer cozy lunch and dinner on top of the cruise itself.

TIP : There are two main boarding piers: Hotel Ukraine and Park Kultury. If you want to save money, buy your tickets online and make sure to arrive earlier as it is hard to find the pier where your boat is at. However, if you do not mind spending more for tickets, you can purchase from street hawkers. They will personally guide you on where to find your boat and where to get off. Also, make sure to bring extra clothes even in the summer season.

14. White Christmas in Moscow

Visit Moscow and bring all your thick but light-weight clothes and experience Moscow’s white winter. The average weather in December is around -10 to 0 degrees Celsius with an average of 17-30 days of snowfall. Witness snowfall on the Red Square which transforms into a Christmas market and the biggest ice skating rink in December. Celebrate with Muscovites during the Russian Winter Festival and watch live performances, eat street foods, and play games from mid-December to mid-January in Manezh Square.

15. Explore the Medieval towns of Golden Ring

There is always more to see beyond the capital city of a country. And in Russia’s case, outside Moscow is the ancient region called the Golden Ring . The region’s name is derived from the golden onion-shaped domes of the churches around the towns and from the ring-like route in which 1967 art historian and journalist Yuri Bychkov travelled.

The Golden Ring is comprised of eight main cities:

• Yaroslavl is where the Transfiguration Monastery (now a museum) and Ioann Vasiliyevich — a Soviet-themed hotel and restaurant.
• Vladimir boasts its Golden Gate and the Cathedral of the Dormition of the Mother of God.
• Suzdal is a thirty-minute drive from Vladimir, it has five monasteries, thirty churches, and a market square (Torgovaya Ploshchad) where you can local berries and honey.
• Sergiev Posad is known to be the location of the Trinity Lavra of St Sergius — one of the largest monasteries in the world.
• Pereselavl-Zalessky is where you can enjoy windsurfing and ride hot air balloons.
• Rostov Velikiy or Rostov the Great is boasting its colourful churches and unchanged kremlin architecture.
• Ivanovo is known for its huge textile industry, it is also known as the city of brides since there more women than men in the area.
• Kostroma is where the town of Bui — a town of cultural heritage, and Trinity-Ipatiev Monastery can be explored.

Visit Moscow and experience and see in the Golden Ring afterwards. We have carefully crafted  tours  for every traveller like you.

Just as a cherry on top, here is an awesome video clip of this magnificent city, Moscow:

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Visit Moscow – Top 10 reasons to go

1. moscow architecture.

Saint Basil’s Cathedral

In Moscow you can travel through ages just walking through the streets. Diversified architectural styles wait for you at every turn. To see the beauty of ancient Russian architecture, visit the Kremlin or Kolomenskoe Museum. These places keep the unique Russian style, original and exceptional. The Moscow estates are good examples of the romantic flavor of the XVIII-XIX century’s architecture. The Home-museum of M. Gorky is situated in in a luxurious house built by F. Shechtel, well-known Russian architecture at beginning of the XX century. It is a fantastic example of Art-Nouveau style, one of the few saved places from that epoque, open to visitors. You can find constructivism in architecture, the most striking manifestation of Russian avant-garde, not far from the Arbat Street. The Soviet Empire style can be found on most of the Moscow central avenues and Tverskaya Street. The White Square Business District is a remarkable example of contemporary city building.

2. MOSCOW ART

Inside Garage Museum of Contemporary Art Hall

-> Read our main article about Art in Moscow

-> We also have MOSCOW ART & DESIGN TOUR , available for you

Moscow has a great amount of exceptional museums and galleries. The State Tretyakov Gallery, The Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, The Multimedia Art Museum, Moscow Museum of Modern Art and lots of other museums have unique collections and hold remarkable exhibitions. Lots of Moscow former industrial areas have become interesting cultural spaces, undoubtedly worth visiting. Garage Museum of Contemporary Art, Center for Contemporary Art Winzavod, ARTPLAY Center of Design, Flacon Design Factory are the new city meccas of cultural life. You can find here galleries, concept stores, cafes, educational activities and lots of art events – from designer fairs to concerts, exhibitions of Russian and foreign artists.

3. EMINENT THEATRICAL TRADITIONS

The Bolshoi Theatre

-> Read our main article about Moscow Theatres

Theatregoers have lots of opportunities to spend a wonderful evening in one of the Moscow theatres. Recently renovated Bolshoi Theatre offers world-famous opera and ballet performances. Malyi Theatre, Lenkom, Satirikon, Moscow Art Theatre have wonderful drama plays. You can enjoy one of the modern theatres, such as Practica Theatre, Theatre.doc or Gogol-center, with their contemporary performances.

4. CITY PARKS

The Gorky Park

-> Read our main article about Moscow Parks

The parks have undoubtedly become the pride of Moscow. These city areas have turned into well groomed nature spots, with enormous amount of things to do for the last few years. Have a walk, do the sports, play a board game, meet your friends in one of the cafes and restaurants, watch a movie or go to a concert – all these is available in Moscow parks. The Gorky Park, Sokolniki, Fili and also recently opened Zaryadye – are only a small part in the diversity of Moscow green areas.

5. CRADLE OF ORTHODOXY

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

790 Orthodox churches and chapels and 8 monasteries! Walking through the city center you will see a big amount of beautiful old churches. Practically all Moscow churches and monastic ensembles are functioning. These are unique monuments of Russian architecture. There are significant collections of old paintings and applied arts and the resting place of outstanding figures of Russian and world culture, military and political figures. Monasteries, built at the borders of the city were often called ‘the guards’. Powerful constructions had defensive purposes, and, in case of danger, the residents could take refuge inside the monastery walls. Some of the Moscow ‘guards’ have survived – Vysokopetrovsky, Rogdestvensky, Sretensky, Novospasskiy, Danilov, Novodevichy monasteries and others. Now the ancient fortress cherish the historical past.

6. TASTE IMPRESSIONS

A fish dish at Café Pouchkine

Visitors to Russia are often surprised by the variety and flavors of Russian traditional food. A great many can be described as «divine», and it will have you searching for the recipes when you return home! Russian cuisine is famous for exotic soups, cabbage schi and solyanka, which is made of assorted meats, pancakes with different fillings, and of course, caviar. Russians are great lovers of pelmeni, small Siberian meat pies boiled in broth. Of our folk soft drinks, kvass is the best-known. Made of brown bread or malted rye flour, it goes down best on a sultry summer day. If you add it to chopped-up meat and vegetables, you get okroshka, an exquisite cold soup. There are a lot of restaurants, providing national food. From very budget «Elki-Palki», to numerous luxurious restaurants like «Café Pouchkine». There you can not only taste Russian delicacies, but also plunge into the atmosphere of the XIX century Russia.

7. SPECTACULAR VIEWS

Luzhniki Stadium from Moscow State University by D. Chistoprudov

Here are the places with splendid views over Moscow:

• «Federation Tower» is a set of two high-rise towers, located in the Moscow City Business District. The 61st floor of the Tower West accommodates the highest restaurant in Moscow – «Sixty».
• The main building of the Moscow State University was built in the years 1949-1953 and its total height is 182 meters, with a spire – 240 meters. On the top floor there is a Museum of Geography with a panoramic view of Moscow.
• The observation deck of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior can be reached only in the excursions. There you can get a really exciting view of the Moscow center.
• The building of the Russian Academy of Science is called «golden brains» due to the original constructions of its roof. It stands on the high riverbank and opens a charming view of the whole Moscow. «Sky Lounge» restaurant is situated on the 21st floor.

8. CITY PROMEDATE

Stoleshnikov Lane

-> Learn more about Walking Routes -> Read our main article about City Tours

The main attractions and the most interesting places in the historic city center are within walking distance. Take a walk in Lavrushinsky Lane, Nikolskaya Street, Bolshaya Dmitrovka Street, Rozhdestvenka Street, Kuznetsky Bridge Street, Kamergersky Lane, Stoleshnikov Lane, Stariy Arbat, Maroseyka or Pyatnitskaya. If you don’t want to walk by foot take the city bus or river bus tour. You can choose a red open top double-decker bus that will take you around all of the key sites in Moscow. The total length of the tour is about 12 km downtown and has 18 stops around Moscow including the Kremlin, Red Square, St. Basil’s Cathedral, Bolshoi Theater, Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, The Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Old Arbat walking street and much more. To see the whole beauty of Moscow, have a boat trip at the Moskva River. At spring and summer season the variety of boat excursions are really big, you can travel through the center of the city, or go further to see picturesque nature around Moscow.

9. MOSCOW NIGHTLIFE

Denis Simachev Bar by Sergey Kaluzhniy

Night life in Moscow is divisive as everything else. Bars, clubs, concerts, parties – you can find here anything you want and can imagine. We heart Moscow suggests you some really nice places for you not to get lost in all this splendor.

• Simachev Bar is bar-club by the most famous Russian designer, a two-story house in Stoleshnikov Lane. The music and menu are diverse, as well as the audience. A special drink of the bar is cider «Sidor Simachev».
• Strelka Bar is a nice place with a great atmosphere, quality music, and beautiful interior, very popular among hip and intelligent Moscow public. In summer the terrace opens here and the place gives you stunning view of Moscow.
• Noor Bar is one of the famous bars in Moscow. Come here to try marvelous classic cocktails. Bar snacks are also noteworthy. The atmosphere is always positive and benevolent. On Fridays and Saturdays the bar has music DJ sets, and despite rather little area, there are many desirous to dance.
• Propaganda is one of the oldest clubs in Moscow. Opened back in 1997, it can be considered the same age as Moscow club culture. It is still nice and trendy. During the day time you can enjoy fresh homemade pappardelle, sandwiches on focaccia and steaks. In the evening – dances. On Thursdays it holds DJ Sanches dance party and gay parties on Sundays.

10. MOSCOW REGION

Sergiev-Posad Museum-Reserve

If Moscow is not enough for you, take a journey (of several hundred km from Moscow) and find yourself travelling through the «Golden Ring» of Russia. The Golden Ring is a name for several towns located around Moscow: Suzdal, Rostov, Vladimir are among them. If you want to know more about Russia, see old architecture, churches made of white stone, hear the bell-ring, see old fortifications, be ready to go out from Moscow. The first town of the Golden Ring, is Vladimir, located 179 kilometers to the east from Moscow with 378 thousand people living there. It is an old Russian town, it used to be the capital of Russia in the 12th century. Suzdal is located nearby. It’s an old town, steeped in medieval history, but with little more than 10,000 residents nowadays. Dating back to 990 AD, Suzdal is one of the oldest towns in Russia and the «jewel» of Russia’s history. Today the town is filled with busy churches and monasteries and its streets are lined by colourful traditional wooden houses. Having survived the blight of Soviet town-planning, Suzdal looks much as it did centuries ago and is one of the most popular tourist sights in Russia. Yaroslavl got its name from Yaroslav Mudry, who founded the town in the beginning of 11th century. Now it is a large industrial city, the biggest along the Golden Ring (630 inhabitants), however it has very interesting history, architecture, and city life. If you are tired of sightseeing and want to have some rest from Moscow busy life, you can take a breath of wonderful Russian nature, not going too far, and visit one of the nature hotels and spa situated near Moscow. Places like «Fox Lodge», «Zavidovo» or «Yahonty» are a good variant for relaxing rest, with marvelous nature around you and interesting entertainments for you not to get bored.

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Podolsk's most famous sight - the Our Lady of the Sign Church - is actually located just outside the city in Dubrovitsy and any visit to Podolsk should include a trip here. The city itself also has several sights worth seeing and both destinations can be visited as a day trip from Moscow .

Top recommendations in Podolsk

Go to Dubrovitsy to see the stunning and intricate Our Lady of the Sign Church.

Podolye Historical and Architectural Museum-Reserve

Visit the Podolye Historical and Architectural Museum-Reserve and see the house where Lenin's relatives once lived as well as examples of early 19th century architecture.

Podolsk Cadets Monument

Have a walk around Podolsk to look at the impressive Soviet-style Podolsk Cadets Monument and visit the Regional Museum located in the former Ivanoskoe Estate.

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