Sunrise and Sunsetin Moscow, Russia

Moscow lies at 55.7°N, giving summer sunsets after 9pm and sunrises as early as 4:45am. Several elevated parks along the Moscow River and the observation decks of Moscow City and Ostankino offer wide unobstructed horizons above the flat cityscape.

Best sunrise spots in Moscow

1. Kolomenskoye

   The bluff above the Moscow River floodplain, topped by the 16th-century Church of the Ascension, faces east across open meadows. Park grounds open at 8am, which in spring and autumn coincides with the final stretch of sunrise. Metro: Kolomenskaya (Zamoskvoretskaya Line), 10 minutes on foot. Free access to the grounds.

2. Ostankino TV Tower

   At 337m, the observation deck has a 360-degree panorama with a clear eastern view over the flat residential districts. Opens daily at 10am, which works for winter and spring sunrises. Tickets are 1,800 RUB and must be booked online; the Telecenter stop on the Moscow Monorail is the most direct approach.

3. OKO Tower (Moscow City)

   The open-air deck on the 85th floor (354m) has no glass barriers and faces east toward the low-rise outskirts where the sun rises in winter and spring. Tickets from 1,500 RUB; Metro: Delovoy Tsentr or Vystavochnaya.

4. Gorky Park

   The Pushkinskaya Embankment inside the park runs along the south bank of the Moscow River facing northeast across open water, providing an unobstructed morning horizon in the city center. Metro: Park Kultury (two lines), 5 minutes on foot to the embankment. Free access.

Best sunset spots in Moscow

1. Sparrow Hills (Vorobyovy Gory)

   The main observation platform faces northwest over Luzhniki Stadium, Novodevichy Convent, and the city skyline. The Vorobyovy Gory metro station (Sokolnicheskaya Line) exits directly at the base of the hill; the climb to the platform takes about 10 minutes. Free access, open 24 hours.

2. Poklonnaya Gora

   The summit of Poklonnaya Hill at 171m provides a southwest-facing view over the city. Metro: Park Pobedy (two lines), then 5 minutes on foot up the park avenue. Grounds are free; only the Central Museum of the Great Patriotic War charges admission (350 RUB).

3. Ostankino TV Tower

   In summer the sun sets far to the northwest; the full deck perimeter lets you track the descent without changing position. Sunset time slots sell out several days in advance.

4. OKO Tower (Moscow City)

   Without glass panels, OKO is the better photographic option compared to the adjacent Federation Tower; the western and northwestern views extend beyond the city boundary. In summer, sunset falls after 9pm.

5. Panorama 360 (Federation Tower)

   The glass-enclosed indoor deck on the 89th floor (327m) is climate-controlled, making it the practical choice in poor weather. West-facing views toward the city center and the Kremlin frame the setting sun. Tickets from 2,600 RUB; Metro: Mezhdunarodnaya or Vystavochnaya. Open daily 10am to 10pm.