About Moscow
Moscow is the capital of Russia and the largest megacity in Europe with a population of over 12.5 million people. The city was founded in 1147 and named after the river flowing through it.
The ICPC 2020 World Finals Moscow emblem combines Moscow’s recognizable symbols: the Kremlin wall element, an Orthodox church dome, the curve of the Moscow River and the radial structure of the city.
Moscow is in the TOP-50 student cities in the world according to the prestigious QS World University Rankings and ranks third among major cities worldwide for its availability of free public Wi-Fi hotspots. In 2019 Moscow beat other world cities to be recognized as the best tourist destination according to the prestigious World Travel Awards.
Weather
The end of June is a great time to visit Moscow. The temperature during the day is +22°C, while at night it is around +13°C. There are about nine rainy days in June, so don’t forget to bring a raincoat and warm clothes.
Sightseeing
Moscow is a modern city rich in history. Even if you’re not a big fan of sightseeing, there are some places definitely worth checking out — from Europe’s largest medieval fortress and grandiose cathedrals to lively green spaces and futuristic skyscrapers.
Most of these places are within walking distance from the ICPC WF 2020 host venues and hotels, so even a short walk will leave you with a lot of lasting impressions.
Red Square and the Kremlin
7 min walk from the Manege
Moscow’s calling card and Russia’s most recognizable symbol is included on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. It is an ancient fortress, with mighty walls and 20 different towers. Inside there is a complex of museums and churches, and the famous Tsar Cannon and Tsar Bell. The residence of the President of Russia is also found here. A photo on Red Square is an absolute must-have for everyone who comes to Moscow. www.kreml.ru
St. Basil’s Cathedral
13 min walk from the Manege
A colorful and unique church located on Red Square. In fact, it is eight different churches on one foundation. Legend has it that after the construction was completed, Tsar Ivan the Terrible ordered that its creators be blinded so that they could not build another such cathedral. Over the last four centuries, the church has come close to being destroyed several times: in 1812, Emperor Napoleon first dreamed of taking it to Paris, later wanted to blow it up, and in Soviet times, the cathedral got in the way of mass marches and there were plans to demolish it. Fortunately, they changed their mind. https://shm.ru/museum/hvb/
Zaryadye Park
13 min walk from the Manege
One of Moscow’s newest parks, it was inaugurated in 2017 to mark the 870th anniversary of Moscow. It is an open-air natural museum where there are recreations of landscapes of Russia’s various climatic zones — tundra, forests, steppes and bay meadows. Here, the opening ceremony of the final of the world championship ICPC 2020 will be held in the futuristic Zaryadye Hall.The park also boasts the Soaring Bridge, a unique structure in the form of a 70-meter long letter V overhanging the Moskva River. The structure has no support and seems to float over the water. The bridge offers a beautiful panorama of the Kremlin, the river and one of the Seven Sisters skyscrapers on Kotelnicheskaya embankment. The park is open 24 hours a day and entrance is free. https://www.zaryadyepark.ru
Nikolskaya Street
7 min walk from the Manege
A busy pedestrian street in the center of Moscow leading from the Manege to Zaryadye Park. Here you will find the department store GUM, numerous cafes and souvenir shops. During the 2018 FIFA World Cup Nikolskaya Street became a football hotspot and a favorite gathering place for fans from different countries.
Vorobievy Hills
Taxi from M Universitet or cable car from M Vorobyovy Gory
A viewpoint with excellent views of the city. Nearby you can see an architectural landmark — the main building of Moscow State University (MSU), whose students won the ICPC WF 2019.
Tretyakov Gallery
Main building: 5 min walk from M Tretyakovskaya
New building: 10 min walk from M Oktyabrskaya
One of the most important museums of fine art in Russia. The Gallery contains works by artists created between the 11th and the beginning of the 19th centuries, and you’ll find all areas of Russian painting on display— from icons to the avant-garde. The new building of the Tretyakov Gallery on Krymsky Val is where you can see the masterpieces of twentieth and twenty-first century art — avant-garde, social realism, nonconformism. https://www.tretyakovgallery.ru
Moscow City
20 min walk from Crowne Plaza Moscow Hotel
Moscow International Business Center is a new futuristic district that can be seen from many places in the city.The tallest observation deck in Europe can be found here on the 89th floor of the Federation Tower. https://pnr360.ru/en/
Gorky Park
10 min walk from M Oktyabrskaya or M Park Kultury
One of the most popular places Muscovites go to to relax and have a good time, it is especially loved by young people. The park is located along the river and smoothly transforms into the Neskuchny Garden. Here you can ride a bike, rollerblade or skateboard, rent a catamaran, or just lie on the lawn or walk along the 10 km promenade. The park features the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art and an open-air cinema. There are cafes and food stalls every step of the way. The park is open day and night, the entrance is free. http://www.park-gorkogo.com
VDNH
7 min walk from M VDNH
One of the largest architectural and exhibition complexes in the world including 49 cultural heritage sites. The Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy (VDNH) was inaugurated on August 1, 1939 and was recently restored to mark its 80th anniversary. The spirit of the Soviet era with its monumental pavilions and fountains has been preserved here. The territory has a beautiful park with flower beds, cafes and museums including the Space Pavilion and the Museum of Cosmonautics. Entrance to the territory of VDNH is free. https://vdnh.ru
Public transport
There are more than ten types of public transport in Moscow, and two thirds of Moscow’s residents use it daily, making 5.6 billion trips a year. We recommend using the metro or taxi for individual travel around the city.
Metro
The fastest and most popular urban transport in the capital. The Moscow Metro is the 5th most intensive metro system in the world and a real underground museum of architectural styles and historical epochs.
It is convenient and simple to use the metro: all signs, maps and announcements have been translated into English.
Tickets can be purchased at ticket offices or vending machines by paying cash or card. The cost of the ticket for one trip without time and distance limits is 57 rubles (~$0.8).
Each of the 232 stations has its own unique design, and many of the stations built in the Soviet era are recognized architectural masterpieces. Here are some of the most impressive examples:
Taxi
To order a taxi it is best to use the application Yandex.Taxi. It is convenient, affordable and safe. The application supports several languages and payment methods.
Money
You can use cashless payment almost everywhere in Moscow. Shops, restaurants, cafe points, metro and taxi, museums and many other places accept Visa and MasterCard.
If you still need cash, you can withdraw it from ATMs (most ATMs in the city centre operate 24 hours a day) or exchange currency at banks (most banks operate until 6pm).
Restaurants & shopping
There are two large shopping malls within walking distance from the ICPC WF 2020 host venue:
GUM (State Department Store). A large shopping mall with its facade overlooking Red Square. The building was built in 1893 and is an architectural monument. More than 100 global brands are represented in GUM, there is a cafe, a cinema and Gastronome №1, where you can find Russian delicacies.
Okhotny Ryad. An underground shopping complex under Manezhnaya Square. Here you can find mass-market clothing and shoe brands , a food court and a mini-market.
Souvenirs
A variety of souvenirs — dolls, shawls, plates, magnets, T-shirts, art albums, etc. — can be found on Nikolskaya Street, in GUM, as well as in the shop, Respublika, and the bookshop Moscow.
The best-selling gastronomic souvenir in Moscow is Alyonka chocolate. You can buy it and other sweet souvenirs in Gastronome №1 in GUM or in the Alyonka cafe-shop.
Russian cuisine restaurants
Three meals a day are provided for all finalists, but if you want to try the local cuisine, here are some interesting options within a 15 minutes walk of the ICPC WF 2020 host venue.
Local fast food
