leaf green safari zone tips

In Fuchsia City, you will notice a lot of Pokemon in enclosures, this is because there is a zoo right in Fuchsia City. This makes it look very big, but size wise it isn't. Gameplay wise, there is quite a bit to do. When navigating around, you can get to all areas without Cut, but it's easier to cut bushes down to work your way around Fuchsia.

Firstly head to the Pokecenter by heading to the left side of town, then head down and to the right. Heal up and head to the house on the left. The man inside will delete moves (including HM moves) off your Pokemon. For more information check out the Move Tutors Guide .

The Safari Zone is not only a great place for catching Pokemon, it is also crucial in gaining two important HMs in the game, Surf and Strength. Head as far north as you can go in Fuchsia, and enter the building at the top. This is the Safari Zone.

When you encounter a wild Pokemon you will have four options, Throw Ball means you will throw a Safari Ball and will try to catch the Pokemon. Throw Bait will keep the wild Pokemon around for longer. Throw Rock will make the Pokemon easier to catch but it will be more likely to flee. Run means you will just run from the wild Pokemon. Now here is a small tip if you get into an area a long way from the entry and have very few steps left or are running low on cash. Stay in one spot, and by lightly tapping the direction buttons, you can turn around. This will not count toward your steps but you will still encounter wild Pokemon! Also note, EVERYWHERE you go in the Safari Zone counts as steps, including the "Rest" houses. Listed below are the wild encounters and rates. Note that fishing is the same anywhere in the Safari Zone.

Now here is what you need to do to finish the Safari Zone and get all the items:

• From the Entrance head to the top right hand exit into Area 1.
• In Area 1, head right and north up the stairs. Continue north to find a Leaf Stone.
• Head back to the stairs and this time head to the left and down the next set of stairs.
• Head to the left and bit and up. To the right on the grassy peninsula near the water is TM11 - Sunny Day.
• Leave the Peninsula and head north-west to find a Max Potion.
• From the Max Potion head to the left and up the next set of stairs, to the right and down those stairs.
• To the right of here is a rest house (nothing inside really) and below it a Full Restore. Head north from the trainer house and to the left.
• When the route splits, take the bottom route still heading to the left into Area 2.
• Continue left and go north up the first set of stairs you come across.
• Follow the path and when you've gone down some stairs head to the left to collect Quick Claw.
• Head back to the start of Area 2. If you head down you will be in the top part of the Entrance Area.
• Nothing new here except if you come back with Surf. So instead, head to the northern part of the grass and head up the stairs.
• Follow the path and down the next set of stairs.

**From here you can head south into Area 3. (You will probably need to enter once more to get these, because it is unlikely you can get to the final house if you go down this south route. So instead do the bits between the double stars in your next trip.) Continue south and then head to the left and collect the Max Revive. The head up the stairs and to the left. Follow the path and at the base of the next set of stairs is a Max Potion. Return to where you were before the stars.**

• Head north, past the three pools and to the right a bit is TM47 - Steel Wing.
• Continue to the right and then head up. Collect the Protein.
• Now head west and all the way south down into Area 3.
• From the teeth head to the left. South of the hut grab TM32 - Double Team.
• Head inside the hut.

Talk to the man inside and he will give you HM03 - Surf. Now you have Surf, you can travel on water by pressing A next to a Surfable area. Now leave the Safari Zone. Now let's head to the Warden's house, the one to the right of the Pokecenter. Talk to the Warden Inside and give him his teeth. As thanks, he will give you HM04 - Strength. This can be used to move large boulders like the one in the Warden's house. Teach it to one of your Pokemon. move the boulder in his house and grab the Rare Candy.

Heal up and get ready for the next Gym Battle. When you're ready, head over to the gym. When you enter it looks relatively easy to get to the leader...however the walls are invisible. Here is a map showing the walls so you can navigate through the Gym:

The specialty in this gym is Poison, so let's try a few trainer battles first, starting with the bottom left and bottom right trainers:

Head to the right hand side of the gym and head up to fight the next two trainers:

When you get to the very top, head all the way to the left and down to fight the next two trainers:

Now onto the leader, Koga:

The biggest thing to watch out for in this battle is Toxic. This Poisons your Pokemon and the damage inflicted increases each turn. Be sure to stock up on Antidotes beforehand. If Toxic is getting the better of you, try inflicting a status effect on the opponent as soon as possible, this reduces the chance of a successful Toxic. You could also use a Poison type, which aren't affected by Toxic. I would strongly advise a Psychic type though as this is best against Poison. The two Koffing are nothing new and should be easy, however they have the Levitate ability so Ground attacks won't hit them at all. Muk has pretty good Spec. Def. and has pretty high Attack. Acid Armor boosts its Defense, but a Psychic type should mow him down pretty easy. If his Pokemon get low on health, Koga has a Full Heal and two Hyper Potions just to make things a bit harder.

Once you have the Tea, exit Celadon to the east. Now enter the house to the right with the guard, which have not allowed you to pass previously. Give him the Tea, and he will let you through. You can now enter Saffron City through any of the four guard houses. Leave the guard house to the right and enter Saffron City.

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• Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen

How to Get Strength on Pokémon Leaf Green

Last Updated: November 22, 2022

This article was reviewed by Ishrak . Ishrak is a Gaming & Video Expert specializing in sharing Pokémon and Minecraft videos. With over seven years of gaming and streaming experience, Ishrak has a follower base of over 30,000 YouTube subscribers and over 8 million views. He is also a Pokémon ROM-Hacker and some of his most popular videos highlight tips and advice for people learning how to play Pokémon games. This article has been viewed 254,999 times.

This article will show you how to get Strength in Fire Red/Leaf Green.

Community Q&A

• Strength is used for moving boulders. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
• It's suggested to teach Strength to a Machoke, Primeape, etc. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 3

• Strength will not be enabled until you get Erika's Rainbow badge. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0

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• Walkthrough

Using This Walkthrough

Our walkthrough for Pokémon Leaf Green/Fire Red is written in chronological order, taking you through the entire map of Kanto. By following this walkthrough you will battle every trainer and find every Item available in the game. However, since it is written chronologically and organized by Badges, you may have a problem figuring out exactly where you need to go in the walkthrough. Use the descriptions below to find the section you're looking for. Click on the links to go to that segment of the walkthrough.

• Pallet Town, Route 1, Viridian City, Route 2
• Viridian Forest, Pewter City
• Route 3, Route 4, Mt. Moon, The Two Fossils, Cerulean City
• Route 25 & Cerulean City
• Route 5, Route 6
• Vermilion City
• Vermilion City Gym
• Route 11, Diglett's Cave
• Route 2, Route 9
• Rock Tunnel, Route 10, Lavender Town
• Route 8, Route 7, Celadon City
• Team Rocket's Hideout
• Pokemon Tower
• Saffron City
• Silph Company
• Saffron City Gym
• Fuschia City
• Safari Zone
• Fuschia City Gym
• Power Plant
• Seafoam Islands
• Cinnabar Island
• Cinnabar Island Gym
• Three Island
• Route 21, Viridian City
• Victory Road, Indigo Plateau, Elite Four, Final Battle, Back to One Island, Islands

Up Next: Boulder Badge

Top guide sections, was this guide helpful, in this guide.

Appendix : FireRed and LeafGreen walkthrough/Section 9

• 1.1.3 The Amazing Eevee
• 1.2.5 Rooftop Square
• 1.3 Celadon Gym
• 1.4 Fickle Fortune
• 1.5 Shady Dealings
• 1.6.1 A Secret Switch?
• 1.7 Prize Corner
• 1.8.1 B1F (North)
• 1.8.3 B1F (West)
• 1.8.6 B4F (Northwest)
• 1.8.7.1 VS Giovanni
• 1.9 The Key to the City
• 2.1.1.1.1 If the player chose Bulbasaur:
• 2.1.1.1.2 If the player chose Charmander:
• 2.1.1.1.3 If the player chose Squirtle:
• 2.2 Mr. Fuji's house

Celadon City

Celadon City is located between Route 7 to the east and Route 16 to the west. The Celadon Department Store in the northwest offers all kinds of items for sale. The Celadon Mansion is a hotel, with a group known as Game Freak as its current occupants. Visitors can try their luck at the Game Corner in the heart of the city and redeem their winnings at the Prize Corner next door. The Celadon Gym stands on a hill in the southwest part of town.

Celadon Mansion

The tall building in the north part of town is Celadon Mansion .

Speak to the elderly woman on the first floor to receive a cup of Tea , a healthier alternative to the usual drinks . It's not meant for Pokémon consumption, however, so hold onto it for now.

On the third floor, Game Freak 's game designer promises a reward for showing him your completed Pokédex .

The Amazing Eevee

To further this goal of completing the Pokédex, leave an empty slot in your party and follow the path behind the Pokémon Center to find a break in the trees. Enter the mansion through the back door and climb to the top floor to obtain an Eevee . This Pokémon's unique genetic makeup allows it to evolve into one of several different forms. Exposure to a Water Stone , ThunderStone , or Fire Stone will cause it to evolve into Vaporeon , Jolteon , or Flareon , respectively. Any one will make a useful addition to your team, as they can cover your first Pokémon 's weakness. These stones can only be purchased in the nearby Department Store.

Celadon Department Store

The Celadon Department Store is the largest shop in Kanto . Nearly any item a Trainer could want can be found here.

The Trainer's Market is found on the second floor. Everyday items like Great Balls and Super Potions are offered here.

The third floor holds the TV Game Shop, with various video games on display. There are no items for sale, but the clerk behind the counter is a Move Tutor who offers to teach Counter to a compatible Pokémon. This move retaliates from any physical hit with double the damage taken.

Wise Man Gifts is located on the fourth floor. The stones that cause certain Pokémon to evolve can be purchased here. Be sure to pick up a Poké Doll or two, as they are useful for running from wild Pokémon.

The Drugstore can be found on the fifth floor. Battle items and vitamins are offered here.

Rooftop Square

The Rooftop Square houses a picnic area and several vending machines . Each machine offers Fresh Water , Soda Pop , and Lemonade . If you purchase one of each drink for the little girl nearby, she rewards you with TM16 ( Light Screen ), TM20 ( Safeguard ), and TM33 ( Reflect ), respectively.

Celadon Gym

CELADON CITY POKéMON GYM LEADER: ERIKA The Nature Loving Princess!

The Celadon Gym specializes in Grass-type Pokémon. This type is generally vulnerable against Fire -, Ice -, Flying -, Poison -, and Bug-type attacks. Most Pokémon inside are also part-Poison, which leaves them exposed to Psychic moves, as well. Water , Rock , and Ground Pokémon are best kept on the sidelines. Grass Pokémon tend to harass their target with status ailments, so it is a good idea to bring healing items like Antidote , Parlyz Heal , and Awakening . Once the first few Gym Trainers have been defeated, have a Pokémon use Cut on one of the small trees to reach the clearing with the Gym Leader.

After the battle, Erika awards you the Rainbow Badge , which ensures obedience from all Pokémon up to level 50 and enables the use of Strength in the field. She also gives you TM19 ( Giga Drain ) as a prize.

Fickle Fortune

Stop by the restaurant on the city's south side and talk to the man near the back wall. A string of bad luck at the slot machines has cost him all of his money, so he has no more use for his Coin Case and gives it to you.

Shady Dealings

Several Team Rocket Grunts can be seen loitering around the city. Next door to the restaurant, there are workers organizing the transport of 2,000 Pokémon every month to the Game Corner to be used as prizes. Numbers like that mean money, and are sure to draw Team Rocket's attention. Whatever the group may be involved in, as one of the workers points out, it surely has nothing to do with a hidden switch in the Game Corner.

Game Corner

The prizes offered next door are expensive, so it will require a large number of coins to receive all of them. Coins may be purchased at the counter in sets of 50 for $ 1,000 and sets of 500 for $ 10,000. Others can be obtained by speaking with other patrons, and even more can be found dropped on the ground.

A Secret Switch?

Nothing seems out of the ordinary at first, but there is something off about the man in black who is fixated on a poster on the back wall. When you try to speak to him, he picks a fight with you. Defeat his two Pokémon and he retreats, leaving the poster unguarded. Inspect it to find a secret switch hidden underneath; press this switch and a hidden door opens to the right, revealing a secret stairway leading underground.

Prize Corner

Rocket hideout.

The Rocket Hideout is a secret underground complex used by the group as their base of operations. Rumors point to a certain item being located somewhere in Celadon that can identify the ghosts of Pokémon Tower . It would not be surprising for Team Rocket to have acquired an item as valuable as this, so be sure to take it back if you can find it!

B1F (North)

Visit the western room to get an Escape Rope , then take the stairs down to B2F.

Go west to fight the next Team Rocket Grunt. Further west is a maze of spinner tiles meant to thwart any intruders; step on one of these arrow tiles to be sent spinning until you reach a stopper tile.

Enter the maze and follow the spinner tiles to the stopper tile in the northwest. Backtrack carefully to reach an X Speed in the northeast corner. Collect the Moon Stone , TM12 ( Taunt ), and Super Potion on the way southward. Step on the southernmost spinner tile to reach the maze exit and climb the stairs to the east.

Battle the two Rocket Grunts here and pick up the Hyper Potion .

Backtrack through the east side of the maze and head down the stairs to the northeast.

Go south past the lone Rocket Grunt to reach TM21 ( Frustration ), then head west to enter the second maze of spinner tiles. Collect the Rare Candy on the way southward, then battle another Rocket Grunt. Pick up the BlackGlasses and go downstairs.

B4F (Northwest)

On this first visit to B4F, it is only possible to reach the two rooms on the west side. Pick up the Max Ether on a table to the south, then visit the northwest room. Pick up TM49 ( Snatch ) and battle the nearby Rocket Grunt. Talk to him afterward and he drops the Lift Key , which operates the elevator in the southeast part of the complex.

Climb back up to B2F and make your way through the larger maze again to reach the elevator. Take it down to B4F.

B4F (Southeast)

Exit the elevator and go west to reach a Calcium . Defeat the last two Rocket Grunts and the electronic door that they are guarding opens. Step inside to confront the Rocket boss.

VS Giovanni

Both Giovanni 's Onix and Rhyhorn take massive damage from Grass and Water attacks. His Kangaskhan takes serious damage only from Fighting moves. Avoid using attacking moves if Onix uses Rage , as this boosts its Attack every time it takes damage.

Giovanni cannot believe that he lost, but acknowledges that you raise your Pokémon with great care. He says that a child like you could never understand his goals, then he and most of the other Rockets disappear. Be sure to pick up the Silph Scope that he leaves behind. Ride the elevator to B1F and battle one last Rocket Grunt on the way out.

The Key to the City

With the cup of Tea from Celadon Mansion , you can pass through Saffron City on the way back to Pokémon Tower . Enter Saffron's west gate and the guard sees that you have a beverage. If you give it to him, he shares it with the other three guards which now allows you to reach the city from any direction. Travel eastward through the city to return to Route 8 and Lavender Town .

Lavender Town

Pokémon tower.

The Ghost Pokémon of Pokémon Tower are immune to Normal - and Fighting-type attacks, but are vulnerable to Dark-type attacks. The spirits can be relentless, so it may be useful to bring a supply of Repels and Poké Dolls along to avoid them as much as possible. There are still many possessed Channelers here as well, so be sure to bring some Super Potions along.

Rival Battle 5

By this point, Blue has assembled a team that includes Grass , Fire , and Water Pokémon to cover his weaknesses. His first Pokémon takes the place of either Exeggcute , Growlithe , or Gyarados , whichever matches its type. His Pidgeotto can still harass Grass- and Bug-type Pokémon with Gust , and strike first with Quick Attack . Exeggcute can induce Sleep with Hypnosis , so use Awakenings as necessary. Growlithe's Ember can deal a decent amount of damage and may cause a Burn . As Blue's only fully-evolved Pokémon, his Gyarados has the biggest offensive presence so be sure to take it down quickly. Kadabra takes super effective damage from Bug-, Ghost -, and Dark-type moves, but physical moves will wear it down as well. Blue's first Pokémon has grown to level 25 and learned some new moves, but it should not be too much to handle. Use super effective moves to send your rival packing and continue up the tower.

If the player chose Bulbasaur :

If the player chose charmander :, if the player chose squirtle :.

Grab the Escape Rope by the north wall and climb the stairs to 4F.

Pick up the Elixir and Awakening in the center of the room, and the Great Ball near the south wall. Climb the western stairs.

A Channeler in the middle of the fifth floor has not been possessed and maintains a healing area with her white magic. When a Trainer enters this protected zone, all of their Pokémon will be fully healed. A Cleanse Tag can be found here, as well; when held by the lead Pokémon, it decreases the chance of encountering wild Pokémon by 33%. Battle another Channeler or two and grab the Nugget before taking the eastern stairs.

Collect the X Accuracy to the south, then northward past three more Channelers. Grab the Rare Candy in your path and proceed to the south stairway. As you approach, the ghost attacks and the Silph Scope activates, revealing a level 30 Marowak . Unfortunately, this spirit cannot be caught and must be defeated.

When the battle is over, the mother Marowak's spirit is calmed. Finally able to rest, she departs to the afterlife.

Climb the final stairway to the seventh floor.

Defeat the three Rocket Grunts and speak to Mr. Fuji . He thanks you for calming Marowak's spirit and asks that you accompany him to his home, the Volunteer Pokémon House, at the foot of the tower.

Mr. Fuji's house

Speak to Mr. Fuji to receive the Poké Flute as thanks. This instrument awakens any sleeping Pokémon who may hear its music. With this, you can finally wake the two Snorlax who have been blocking the way to southern Kanto . But first, head west to return to Saffron City and take on the next Gym.

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The Game Corner has been a staple of every Pokemon game up to Generation IV. Here you can buy coins, test your luck, and win fabulous prizes, including new Pokemon and TMs you won't get anywhere else.

TM23 Dragon Rage: 3300 Coins A decent move and the only Dragon-type one in the game. Will always deal 40HP damage to anything regardless of type, stats, or weakness. Can be learned by the Dragons and dragonesque Pokemon including Charizard and Aerodactyl. You can probably figure out better options for these Pokemon later in the game but if you have some money to blow after the fourth badge it can be helpful to have a set damage attack.

TM15 Hyper Beam: 5500 Coins A very powerful Normal-type move. 150 Base Power, but forces you to recharge after using if you don't faint the enemy. Attach it to a strong and fast Pokemon with great Attack power (like Gyarados) and go hog wild.

TM50 Substitute: 7700 Coins A support move which creates a miniature doll of your Pokemon using a bit of its health to absorb stat-drops, conditions, and damage until its threshold is reached and it breaks. Not as useful as in later generations but can still be used for a good strategy or two.

#030 Nidorina/ #033 Nidorino: 1200 Coins If you didn't catch one of the Poison-type Nidorans earlier in the game you can get their evolved forms here. Both save you a bit of time training and are pretty good when you evolve them. If you forgot to get a Moon Stone, there's one in the Rocket Hideout in the basement or one at Cinnabar Island.

#035 Clefairy: 500 Coins (Red) 750 Coins (Blue) Again, this can make up for not getting one of these rare little buggers in Mt. Moon. It too evolves with a Moon Stone and learns a few good Special moves. Normal-type.

#063 Abra: 120 Coins (Blue) 180 Coins (Red) Makes catching this little Psychic-type a heck of a lot easier now that he can't escape with Teleport. Evolves into a Pokemon with one of the best Special stats in the game (albeit reaching his last form via trade).

#123 Scyther: 5500 Coins (Red) A formidable Bug/Flying-type Pokemon with great Speed and Attack. Only found in the Red Version and in the Safari Zone, he's much easier to get with slots than randomly tossing balls at him and hoping for the best.

#127 Pinsir: 2500 Coins (Blue) Another Bug-type Pokemon with a killer stat set version exclusive, this time Pokemon Blue. Again, only found in the Safari Zone for the rest of the game.

#139 Porygon: 6500 Coins (Blue) 9999 Coins (Red) Exclusive to the slots, Porygon is very expensive in both versions. If you're looking for a strong battler, it's not going to be Porygon, though it has a fun novelty to it you could try and make work with its strong movepool. Normal-type.

#147 Dratini: 2800 Coins (Red) 4600 Coins (Blue) The only Dragon-type family in the game is found in its genesis only here and at the Safari Zone. Extremely rare and learns a myriad of great attacks, Dratini would make a smooth addition to any team.

A Guide to the Most Beautiful Green Spaces in Moscow

Home to more parks than any other city in Russia , Moscow offers a cornucopia of choice when it comes to green spaces. From innovative wild urbanism to 18th-century royal estates, here are the best places to escape from the city buzz in Russia’s capital.

Spread over a territory of almost 300 acres, Gorky Park is Moscow’s most popular green space. Opened in 1928, it was designed as ‘a city inside a city’ with its own telegraph, police unit and a doctor’s office. Some 90 years later, Gorky Park offers everything from segway rides to an open-air movie theatre, through to illuminating lectures and fantastic dining spots.

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As the name implies, Muzeon is perfect for art lovers. The park plays host to art fairs, exhibitions, music festivals and video performances. But even if you don’t care for art, Muzeon has a lot to offer: from an elegant boardwalk to hip coffee shops to an in-ground fountain, where you can actually cool off in summer.

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2 Krimsky Val, Moscow, Russia , +7 985 382 27 32

Hermitage Garden

Opened in 1894, the Hermitage garden is a lovely compact park, nestled between high rise buildings in Moscow center. Home to theaters New Opera, Hermitage and Sphera, the garden is predictably crowded, with theatre-goers along with office workers from the business centres in Tverskaya – all flock here for a green respite.

3 Karetnyy Ryad, Moscow, Russia , +7 495 699 04 32

Sokolniki Park

An open-air cinema, a rope course, amusement park, bike rentals and more – Sokolniki is 1,275 acres of fun. In winter the whole park turns into one of Moscow’s most famous skating rinks. Sokolniki gradually blends into Losiny Ostrov National Park – the world’s third largest forest in a city.

1 Sokol’nicheskiy Val, bld. 1, Moscow, Russia , +7 499 393 92 22

Izmailovsky Park

Moscow’s biggest park, Izmailovsky stretches for almost 3,800 acres. Particularly favored by hikers and cyclists, the forest-like park is a popular family spot, equipped with a ferris wheel, outdoor gyms and all kinds of places to eat.

7 Alleya Bol’shogo Kruga, Moscow, Russia , +7 499 166 61 19

Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve

Tsaritsyno estate is a perfectly reconstructed specimen of 18th century architecture set amid a lush green forested area. The only park in Moscow that boasts a light and music fountain, Tsaritsyno draws crowds with spectacular night water shows.

1 Dol’skaya Ulitsa, Moscow, Russia , +7 499 725 72 87

Severnoye Tushino Park

Despite a rather remote location, this park is definitely worth a visit. A half-a-century old apple garden, serene views on Khimkinskoye reservoir and a dry-docked submarine housing a Museum of Submarine Navy will definitely make up for the ride from the city centre.

Ulitsa Svobody, Moscow, Russia , +7 495 640 73 55

Kolomenskoye

Kolomenskoye Park is not merely a tranquil green space, but a celebrated museum reserve, where nature and historically significant architecture blend together. Here you can see one of Moscow’s oldest churches Church of the Ascension and a former residence of the Tsar Aleksey Mikhailovich Romanov, the father of Peter the Great. It’s also perfect for romantic walks along the Moskva river.

39 Andropova Ave, Moscow, Russia , +7 499 782 89 17

In this park you’re guaranteed to encounter some ducks, woodpeckers, squirrels, hares and urban wildlife. The park is also famous for its beautiful boardwalk, open-air cinema, ropes course Panda Park, gallery of retro cars and a variety of places to eat.

22/1 Ulitsa Bol’shaya Filevskaya, Moscow, Russia , +7 499 145 45 05

The former estate of the Sheremetev family, Kuskovo is a fascinating piece of 18th-century Russia. Home to 20 unique architectural monuments, it is Moscow’s only historical park with a French formal garden, decorated with green walkways, marble statue and state-of-the art pavilions.

44/2 3-Ya Muzeynaya Ulitsa, Moscow, Russia

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Apr 24 2017

City Street Guides by f.d. walker: A Street Photography Guide to Moscow, Russia

*A series of guides on shooting Street Photography in cities around the world. Find the best spots to shoot, things to capture, street walks, street tips, safety concerns, and more for cities around the world. I have personally researched, explored and shot Street Photography in every city that I create a guide for. So you can be ready to capture the streets as soon as you step outside with your camera!

At over 12 million people, Moscow is the largest city in Russia and second largest in Europe by population ( Istanbul is #1). An urban, cosmopolitan metropolis with more than enough glitz and glam to cater to the elite, but without losing its fair share of Soviet era roughness around the edges. It can be fast paced, brash, busy, and trendy like other big cities, but it has its blend of West meets Russia atmosphere and beauty that provides plenty of unique interest. The Red Square is as famous as it gets, but there’s so much more to this city, including the most beautiful subway system you’ve ever seen. It would take years to capture all of Moscow, but that means you have an endless amount of areas to discover.

So here’s a Street Photography guide so you can be ready to capture all that Moscow has to offer before you even arrive!

• Patriarch’s Pond
• Old Arbat Street
• Maroseyka Street
• Tverskoy Boulevard

Top 5 Street Spots:

1. red square.

The Red Square is the most famous square in not just Russia, but all of Eastern Europe. The name actually doesn’t come from the color of the bricks or communism, but from the name in Russian, Krásnaya, once meaning “beautiful” before its meaning changed to “red.” This large plaza is what you see on the cover of guide books and magazines for Moscow, with St. Basil’s Cathedral being the center piece next to Lenin’s Mausoleum surrounded by the Kremlin Wall. Of course, the Red Square attracts hordes of tourist due to the main attractions, but all that activity around an interesting atmosphere does provide street photo opportunities. It’s also the central square connecting to the city’s major streets, providing a good starting point to explore outward.

You’ll also find the popular pedestrian only Nikolskaya Street connecting the Red Square to Lubyanka Square. This line of expensive shops includes plenty of activity, while also leading you to another popular square. Filled with history rivaling any city, the Red Square and surrounding areas are the heart and soul of Russia.

2. Patriarch’s Ponds

Patriarch’s Ponds is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Moscow. Despite the name being plural, there’s only one large pond, but it’s worth a visit with your camera. It’s a popular spot for locals and expats to come relax or take a stroll around the pond. You get an interesting mix of young and old too, from young love to “babushkas” feeding pigeons. It’s a very peaceful park atmosphere in one of the nicer areas within the city center, while bringing enough activity for street photography. 

The pond is shallow and in the winter becomes a popular spot for ice-skating too. The area is also well-known for the location in the famous Russian novel, The Master and Margarita. 

3. Old Arbat (Stary Arbat)

Old Arbat is the most famous pedestrian street in Moscow, and dating back to the 15th century, also one of its oldest. Originally, it was an area of trade, but soon became the most prestigious residential area in Moscow. During the 18th century, Arbat started attracting the city’s scholars and artists, including Alexander Pushkin. Cafes lined the streets and impressive homes filled the neighborhood. Since then, New Arbat street was created as a highway in the area, while Old Arbat was paved for a 1km pedestrian only walkway.

Due to the historic buildings, famous artists that lived here, and the bohemian atmosphere, Old Arbat has become a big attraction for tourists today. Now, there’s a mix of cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, street performers, street merchants and other attractions for visitors, and some locals, to come enjoy. It can get really busy here and there’s usually something interesting going on so it’s a good street to come walk with your camera for guaranteed life.

4. Gorky Park

One of the most famous places in Moscow is Gorky Park. The official name is Maxim Gorky’s Central Park of Culture & Leisure, which gives you an idea of what goes on here. When built, it was the first of its kind in the Soviet Union. Divided into two parts, it stretches along Moscow River. One end contains fair rides, foods stands, tennis courts, a sports club, a lake for boat rides, and more. This end brings more active life due to its number of attractions, while the other end is more relaxed, where you’ll find gardens, trees, older buildings, and an outdoor amphitheater.

Gorky Park attracts mostly locals so it’s a good spot to capture the non-tourist side of Moscow life. Muscovites come here to escape the city and unwind in a picturesque setting. The park remains alive outside of the warmer months too, especially when the lake turns into the city’s largest outdoor skating rink. I’d recommend taking the metro out here to spend at least half a day exploring the massive park’s life with your camera.

5. Maroseyka Street

Maroseyka Street is a popular area not too far from the Red Square. The long, winding street turns into Pokrovka and is lined with restaurants, cafes, bars and places to stay. It’s actually where I like to stay when I’m in Moscow due to its location and solid street photography opportunities itself. You have Kitay-gorod station near and if you keep walking southwest, you’ll get to the Red Square. But if you walk northwest, as it changes to Pokrovka, you can find a long street of activity for photography with its own interesting atmosphere.

6. Tverskoy Boulevard

Tverskoy Boulevard is the oldest and longest boulevard in Moscow, beginning at the end of Nikitsky Boulevard, and finishing at Pushkin Square, a spot to come for activity itself. The boulevard is made up of two avenues, with pedestrian walkways in-between. You’ll find grass, shrubbery, trees, benches and more walking it’s almost kilometer length. Many people come here to enjoy some relaxation, walk their dog, or just to use it to walk wherever they’re going. Its center location also provides a nice place to walk with your camera near plenty of other spots you’ll want to check out anyway.

Sample Street Walk:

For a full day of Street Photography, covering some of the best spots, you can follow this sample street walk for Moscow:

• Start your morning walking around the Red Square (1), while exploring the surrounding area, including Nikolskaya Street
• Then walk northwest to Patriarch’s Ponds (2) and slowly walk the pond and surrounding area with your camera
• Next, walk east to the Pushkin Monument and stroll down Tverskoy Boulevard (6)
• Once Tverskoy Boulevard (6) ends, it will turn into Nikitsky Boulevard. Follow this down until you get to the start of Old Arbat Street (3), across from Arbatskaya station
• After you’re done walking down Old Arbat Street (3) for more street photography, spend some time checking out Moscow’s beautiful metro stations
• To finish off the day with more street photography, get off the metro near Red Square (1) again, Maroseyka Street (5) or wherever you’re staying for the night.

3 Things I’ll Remember about Shooting in Moscow:

1. museum metro.

The Moscow metro system was the first underground railway system in the Soviet Union and today includes 203 stations across 340km of routes. The elaborate system has some of the deepest stations in the world too, with escalators that seem to go on forever. None of this is what makes it so special, though. Many of its stations feel like stepping inside a museum, making it without a doubt the most interesting and beautiful metro system I’ve been in.

When built, Stalin wanted to make the metro stations “palaces for the people” with marble, chandeliers, and grand architecture. The best part is the variety of architecture and styles used, making many of the stations a completely different experience visually. You could easily spend a whole day traveling the stations and there are even tours available for people who wish to do just that. My advice, though, would be just to buy a ticket and hop on and off at different stations, while exploring different lines. The museum-like surrounding mixed with the crowds of characters can make for a great photography experience.

Since there are so many stations, here are some of my favorites to check out:

• Novoslobodskaya
• Mayakovskaya
• Elektrozavodskaya
• Komsomolskaya
• Ploschad Revolyutsii
• Dostoyevskaya
• Prospekt Mira

2. Moscow is Big

It’s no secret that Moscow is a big city, but it can feel even bigger with how spread out much of it is. This is especially true if you compare it to cities outside of Asia. If I compared it to cities in Europe, I’d probably say only Istanbul would warrant more time to really discover the depths of this city. Most only explore around the Red Square and surrounding area, but that is such a small part of the city. Although, that central area does give you plenty to see on its own.

Fortunately, I had a good friend living in the city to show me around, but it opened up my eyes even more to how much there is to discover in Moscow. It’s a big city with a variety of atmosphere that can take you from “east” to “west” and trendy to rugged depending on where you go. I’d imagine you’d have to live here a while to really know the city.

3. Cosmopolitan Mix of East meets West

Modern skyscrapers mixed with amazing architecture, a world-class metro system with museum-like beauty, trendy fashion and chic clubs, Moscow is a rich mix of Russian culture and history in a more western cosmopolitan package. There is a push to keep the Russian culture, while also pushing forward with a modern metropolis the whole world will envy. This comes with an impressive skyline, that continues to grow, and endless modernities, but with soviet nostalgia and atmosphere mixed in for good measure.

Mixed in with this grand western cosmopolitan atmosphere, is a strong national pride in Russia. This includes their famous leader, Vladimir Putin. Maybe no other place will you see a country’s leader more often. All over, from the pricey tourist shops to the underground walkway stalls, you’ll find goods with Putin’s likeness covering them. From t-shirts to magnets to Matryoshka dolls. There’s a strong national pride that can be seen around the city, which also extends to their leader. Moscow is many things. It’s East meets West, modernizations meets Soviet era, and a whole lot more.

What To Do For a Street Photography Break?:

Eat at a stolovaya.

Stolovayas are Russian cafeterias that became popular in the Soviet days. You grab a tray and walk down the line of freshly prepared local dishes, and select whatever you want from the chefs. They’re usually inexpensive and a much better value than restaurants, while giving you the opportunity to try from a wide selection of everyday Russian food. They’re also very tasty. I always include some borsch on my tray and go from there. The places themselves are all over Moscow and usually come with Soviet-era aesthetics to complete the experience.

Street Safety Score: 7

*As always, no place is completely safe! So when I talk about safety, I’m speaking in general comparison to other places. Always take precaution, be smart, observe your surroundings and trust your instincts anywhere you go!

Being the 2nd largest city in Europe with over 12 million people, you’re going to have your dangerous areas, but for the most part, it feels safe walking around. Russia is statistically higher in crime compared to most of Europe, but this generally doesn’t apply to tourists and visitors. Around the Red Square and surrounding city center, you should feel completely safe walking around. Pick pocketing can happen, but no more than other touristic places. I always explore Moscow freely without coming across too much to worry about. It’s a spread out city, though, so of course it matters where you are. Just use basic street smarts, know where you are and Moscow shouldn’t give you a problem. 

People’s Reaction Score: 7

Moscow is fast paced, big city life, which usually means people aren’t too concerned with you, or your camera. I don’t find people notice or pay much attention to me when I’m out taking photos in Moscow. For the most part, people just go about their day. You shouldn’t get too many looks or concern. But it can depend on the area you are in. The more you stick out, the more you might get noticed with suspicions. I’ve never had any problems in Moscow, or Russia, but just be careful who you’re taking a photo of if you get out of the city center. Other than that, it’s about average for reactions. 

Street Tips:

Learn the alphabet .

Much of Moscow, including the metro system, doesn’t use english. The Russian alphabet uses letters from the Cyrillic script, which if you aren’t familiar with it and don’t know the sounds, can be hard to decipher the words. This is most important for street names and metro stops when trying to get around. It can save confusion and make it easier getting around if you learn the basic alphabet. At the very least then, you can sound out the words to see which are similar in the english conversion, which can help matching them to maps. When out shooting street photography, getting around is as important as anything. So save yourself some time and frustration by learning the Russian Alphabet.

Use the metro

While Saint-Petersburg feels very walkable for a city its size, Moscow can feel very spread out, even for its bigger size. Outside of the Red Square area, you can have plenty of walking before getting anywhere very interesting, so you’ll need to take the metro a lot if you really want to explore the city. Maps are deceiving here too, it will always be further than it looks.

Another reason it’s less walkable than Saint-Petersburg is its completely different set-up. Moscow’s streets are mostly contstructed in rings with narrow, winding streets in-between. This is common with medieval city cities that used to be confined by walls, but you usually don’t have it in a city this massive. Saint-Petersburg has a more grid-like pattern that also uses the canals to help you know your way around. When it comes to navigating on foot in Moscow, it can be more difficult, so bring a map and take the metro when needed. It’s why Moscow’s metro carries more passengers per day than the London and Paris subways combined.

Explore other areas if you have time

Moscow is really big. While most people stay around the Red Square within the Boulevard Ring, there’s so much more to the city. I covered some other spots outside of this circle, but if you really want to see the city, you’ll need time. If you do have time, some other areas I’d check out first are Zamoskvarechye, along some of the south and western Moscow.

Inspiration:

For some more inspiration, you can look through the Street Photography of Moscow photographer Artem Zhitenev  and check out 33 of my photos taken in Moscow .

Conclusion:

Moscow’s name brings a certain mystique, but once you’re there it might bring a different atmosphere than you expect. It’s big and sprawling, but beautiful in many ways. It can feel like a European capital on a grand scale, but you can definitely find its Russian side in there.

The urban sprawl of Moscow can be intimidating, but give it enough time and you’ll be rewarded with plenty to discover. All with the world’s best metro system to take you around.

I hope this guide can help you start to experience some of what Moscow contains. So grab your camera and capture all that Moscow has to offer for Street Photography!

If you still have any questions about shooting in Moscow, feel free to comment below or email me!

(I want to make these guides as valuable as possible for all of you so add any ideas on improvements, including addition requests, in the comment section!)

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A History of Moscow in 13 Dishes

Featured city guides.

Red Square & Moscow City Tour

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Description

Highlights:.

• Experience medieval Kitay Gorod (China town).
• Wander picturesque Red Square and Alexander Garden.
• Explore grand Christ the Savior Cathedral on our Red Square tour.
• Breathtaking panoramic views from Patriarch bridge.
• Enjoy a hearty lunch on the large open verandah and marvel at the stunning views of the Kremlin.
• Learn about Russian culture from the local through relaxed cultural discussions.

Tour Itinerary:

Red square:.

Russia and Moscow are synonymous with Red Square and the Kremlin and that's hardly surprising as you'll find these places absolutely stunning!

• - Walk-through the Resurrection Gate and don’t forget to flip a coin so you’ll be sure to come back one day!
• - Visit the world's famous Kazan Cathedral .
• - See the State Department Store (GUM), once the Upper Trading Stalls, which were built over a century ago and still operating!
• - Admire the lovely St. Basil's Cathedral! The French diplomat Marquis de Custine commented that it combined "the scales of a golden fish, the enamelled skin of a serpent, the changeful hues of the lizard, the glossy rose and azure of the pigeon's neck" and wondered at "the men who go to worship God in this box of confectionery work".
• - Walk by Lobnoye Mesto (literally meaning "Execution Place", or "Place of Skulls"), once Ivan the Terrible's stage for religious ceremonies, speeches, and important events.
• - Entering the Alexander Garden , you’ll take in spectacular views of Russian architecture from ancient to Soviet times, as well as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with an eternal flame. Watch Changing of the Guard Ceremony every hour in summer and every half an hour in winter.

Kitai-gorod:

Stroll along medieval Kitai-gorod with its strong ancient Russia feel, known for its bohemian lifestyle, markets and arts.

• - Nikolskaya Street. Here you will find the Russia's first publishing house, the second oldest monastery, and Ferryn Pharmacy, known as the number one pharmacy back in Soviet times and famous for its Empire-style architecture.
• - Ilinka Street. The financial street of the Kitaigorod (China Town) district, where you’ll find the Gostiny Dvor (Merchant’s Yard), which is now a showroom for Ferraris and Maseratis. The street was designed in the 1790s by Catherine the Great.
• - Varvarka street. The oldest street in Moscow, which dates back to the 14th century, and still has remnants of early Muscovite architecture, such as the Old English Court and the Palace of the Romanov’s.
• - Kamergersky Lane. Only a small road of about 250 meters, it is home to some of the oldest artifacts of the city, as each building holds a fascinating story. Some of Russia's most famous writers, poets, and composers from as far back as the Golden Age of Russian culture, have lived or worked on this lane.

Historic City Center

Walk the historical old center of Moscow with its cool local vibe, including the main Tverskaya street , and indulge in desserts in the first grocery “Eliseev's store” , housed in an 18th century neoclassical building, famous for its baroque interior and decoration.

From our tour. Impressions of our American tourist:

At 3:30, as energy flagged, lunch was on the agenda at a Ukrainian restaurant.  Just in time!  We asked our guide to order for us.  We all had the same thing....borscht (the Ukrainian version has beans and more tomatoes than the Russian version, which has more beets and includes beef). 

The special high bread served is called galushki.  Our main course was golubtsy...a dish of minced meat rolled in braised cabbage leaves.  Both dishes called for optional sour cream as a topping....of course, yes, please....I recommend it. 

Full, satisfied, and completely refreshed, it was off to Red Square and St. Basil's and GUM department store.  Red Square is not so named because of the color of the brick walls of the Kremlin.  Rather the word for 'red' and the word for 'beautiful' are similar in pronunciation....and, there you have it. 

As we made the turn by the National Museum in front of which is the mounted sculpture of the "Marshall of Victory," Giorgy Zhukov from WWII and caught our first view of St. Basil's, my friend and I simultaneously emitted "Oooohhhhh!"  There it was....the iconic onion domes of St. Basil's!  Hooray....it was open until 7....we had about 30 minutes and were allowed in, AND we could take photos with no flash. 

Now, I can give you a taste of what we saw in the other cathedrals in Cathedral Square.  What we learned is that St. Vasily and St. Basil are one in the same....Russian/English.  He was a common man who wandered Moscow unclothed and barefoot.  But, all, even Ivan the Terrible, heeded his opinions derived from his visions.  Ivan had this cathedral built over his tomb. 

As we exited and took photos up close of the onion domes, Inna presented us with chocolate (how did she know we were ready for another energy boost, and we each got a big piece of chocolate.  The baby's name pictured on the wrapper of this famous Russian chocolate is Alyonka....the Russian Gerber baby, don't you think? 

One could wear out the credit card in GUM's (capitalized because it is actually a government abbreviation), but the 'kitty' and my credit card stayed in my pocket as we strolled through the glass-topped arcade. 

We then strolled through some of Moscow's lovely pedestrian streets; paused to listen as a wonderful quartet performed Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" in an underground passage to cross the busy street (hooray!....we DID have our 'classical concert' experience after all; a request Alina tried in vain to fill because none was scheduled those days), saw the Bolshoi, which means 'big' (my friend has yet to recover that their performance schedule did not coincide with our cruise), saw the Central Telegraph Building, dating from the 1930's, and made our way to the Ritz-Carlton to see the night view of Moscow from the rooftop bar, called O2. 

There were fleece blankets to wrap yourself in....yes, it got that cold when the sun set.  We each ordered something hot to drink...the ginger, mint, lemon tea served to me in a parfait glass (for 600 rubles...about $9....you pay for the view here!) was delightful and hit the spot perfectly.  It was time to call it a night....

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting city tour, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time.

*This Moscow city tour can be modified to meet your requirements.

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