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Moscow Aquarium

I recently took my family to Moscow Aquarium and we were blown away by the sheer variety of marine life on display. From colorful fish to majestic sharks, there's something for everyone to enjoy. We spent hours exploring the different exhibits and learning about the importance of conservation. The staff were super friendly and knowledgeable, too - they even let us get up close and personal with some of the star attractions. If you're looking for a fun and educational day out in Moscow, Moscow Aquarium is a must-visit. Trust me, you won't be disappointed!

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The Moscow Pavilion at VDNH - Love It or Hate It, But I'm Still Confused!

Name: The Moscow Pavilion at VDNH - Love It or Hate It, But I'm Still Confused!
Item: Moscow Aquarium
Rating: 3
Author: Huhhe11

summarizeEditor's Summary

I'm still trying to wrap my head around the Moscow Pavilion at VDNH, home to the largest aquarium in Russia. I've been hearing about it for almost a decade, and I finally got to experience it for myself. With its massive collection of marine life and spotless surroundings, it's no wonder it's a popular spot – but was it worth the hype? From the moment I stepped in, I was blown away by the sheer size of the aquarium. But with so many visitors, I wasn't sure if it was worth the wait. I spent a whole day exploring the Pavilion, and I've got to say, it's a real mixed bag. The aquarium's got some amazing exhibits, like the shark tunnel and the sea otter enclosure, but some of the other displays felt a bit dated. The Pavilion's central location at VDNH makes it super easy to get to, with plenty of parking options available. The staff are super friendly and knowledgeable, happy to answer any questions you may have. But be prepared for crowds, especially on weekends and school holidays. Overall, I'd say the Moscow Pavilion at VDNH is definitely worth a visit, but don't expect it to be a completely stress-free experience.

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BinaerKarar8/10

KafeselDegerlendirme7/10

KullaniciDegerlendirmesi9/10

Hello everyone! I'm super excited to share my experience with you.

I'd been hearing about the largest aquarium in Russia – the Moscow Aquarium – located at VDNH for almost a decade now. With all the media coverage, it's not hard to imagine why it's a popular spot, even if you live in another region.

I'd been wanting to visit the Moscow Aquarium just for the positive vibes, you know?

Moscow Aquarium, Moscow

As mentioned earlier, the Moscow Aquarium is located on the VDNH territory.

Here's the exact address:

prosperity Street, 119, building 23, Moscow

Since we lived in the city center at the time, we took the metro to get there, which was super convenient.

The Moscow Aquarium at VDNH is Pavilion No. 23. By the way, the Delphin Cafe and the Exhibition 'In the Distant-Distant Galaxy' are nearby.

Moscow Aquarium, Moscow

The building itself is pretty massive: four full floors that are almost entirely taken up by bars and restaurants, and then there's the ground floor which is the aquarium itself.

To get into the pavilion, you go through a scan tunnel.

Moscow Aquarium, Moscow

I'll be honest, we went on a weekday and it was still packed with people (more on that later). But when we walked by on a weekend, we were terrified to even try to get in: the line stretched all the way out onto the street. I can only imagine what it's like on a weekend.

Moscow Aquarium, Moscow

You can buy your ticket at the counter or at the entrance terminal, or online on the Moscow Aquarium's website. In reality, all you'll need is the QR code to get through the turnstile and down to the aquariums.

On the prices (weekday prices are lower than weekend prices):

Admission ticket - 1400 rub

Child ticket (3-12 years old, not inclusive) - 900 rub

Family ticket (2+1) - 3400 rub

Family ticket (2+2) - 4100 rub

I'd say the price isn't bad for the kind of entertainment you get. Plus, there are plenty of activities for kids.

Another thing I wanted to mention before I got to the 'aquarium zone' was that there's a toilet and other basic amenities right by the entrance.

Moskvarium, Moscow

And there's a tiny little souvenir shop with some really cool themed stuff.

Moskvarium, Moscow

And, fun fact, they sell really cute toys there.

Moskvarium, Moscow

Here's the price tag.

Moskvarium, Moscow

Honestly, I even thought about buying it, but I blocked that impulse because I imagined people touching these things with grimy hands and not being super careful, and it just wasn't worth it.

I have to say, we're moving on to the aquarium zone now.

I liked that there are eco-exhibits with information about ecology in many places.

Moscow Aquarium, Moscow

Most of the aquariums in this space are relatively small, and right next to each one is a display with useful information. From there, you can learn exactly which inhabitant is in the tank, and what region it's from in the wild.

Moscow Aquarium, Moscow

It's actually a good idea to have these descriptions and labels. It would be weird if the aquariums just sat there without any information. But in reality, those signs are hard to read because of the crowd and the physical layout, so at first, I read the first few, and then just walked around.

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Now, I'll show you some inhabitants of Moscow Aquarium. Since I didn't catch their official names, I'll just call them 'fish' in some cases

Take this little guy, for example - the 'guppy'.

Moscow Aquarium, Moscow

Each aquarium is immaculately maintained, with a ton of algae and other decorations.

Moscow Aquarium, Moscow

The fish are a bit bigger now.

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I have to say, the fish were really quite fierce.

Moskvarium, Moscow

It seemed like starfish were in almost every aquarium.

Moskvarium, Moscow

It all looked really beautiful, of course.

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There are aquariums packed with fish of all colors and sizes, which creates a really vibrant scene.

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Combined with the coral reefs, it looks absolutely stunning.

Moscow Aquarium, Moscow Moscow Aquarium, Moscow

I saw a whole coral reef aquarium.

Moscow Aquarium, Moscow

Then I came across a really unusual underwater creature – the sea cucumber.

Moscow Aquarium, Moscow

Clownfish, which inevitably remind me of the animated movie "Finding Nemo".

Moscow Aquarium, Moscow

And Dory))

Moscow Aquarium, Moscow

I'm now going to show you the most charismatic residents of the Moscow Aquarium, in my opinion.

Take the lionfish for example. Its appearance stuck with me after watching the comedy "The Man from U.N.C.L.E."

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Or these tiny fish.

Moscow Aquarium, Moscow

I'm afraid I've forgotten the name of this species, but I ended up standing in front of their enclosure for more than five minutes, wanting to take a closer look.

Moscow Aquarium, Moscow Moscow Aquarium, Moscow

I love how all these fish are so unique and yet living their best underwater lives together.

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Some of these fish have the most incredible color patterns - like that one leopard-like fish.

Moscow Aquarium, Moscow

And check out this fish in a polka dot pattern.

Moskvarium, Moscow

I'm still blown away by how nature's colors pop out in these photos.

Moskvarium, Moscow

And look at these fish glowing in the dark - it's almost otherworldly.

Moskvarium, Moscow

Check out these interesting creatures as well.

Moskvarium, Moscow

I've seen some big crabs in my time, but this one at Moskvarium in Moscow is just ridiculous – it's giving the visitors a hard stare, just like they're the ones being observed!

Moskvarium, Moscow

Turtle time!

Moskvarium, Moscow

And that's not all – the aquarium's got rays and more!

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Let me say it again, there were an awful lot of sea stars.

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There were also some electric rays that caught my eye, aside from the usual suspects. I did notice a specific warning about safety precautions for handling them.

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I was impressed by how clean and well-maintained all the aquariums were.

Moscow Aquarium, Moscow

One time, we even caught a staff member at Moscow Aquarium doing some maintenance work in this area.

Moscow Aquarium, Moscow

I was glad to see that there's a reasonable fine in place for violating cleanliness rules.

Moscow Aquarium, Moscow

But what really caught my eye was the variety of exhibits beyond just the aquariums. I mean, who wouldn't want to explore terrestrial displays too?)

Moscow Aquarium, Moscow

Like this chameleon we spotted during our visit.

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Amphibian enclosure.

Moscow Aquarium, Moscow

And alligators.

Moscow Aquarium, Moscow

As well as capibaras.

Moscow Aquarium, Moscow

I loved the otter exhibit with those narwhals.

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These little guys are ridiculously cute and addictive.

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The massive aquarium with dolphins was a highlight. To be honest, they were almost invisible at first.

Moscow Aquarium, MoscowBut as you kept watching, they started to appear.

Moscow Aquarium, Moscow

Moscow Aquarium, Moscow Moscow Aquarium, Moscow Moscow Aquarium, Moscow

This photo still gets me all teary-eyed: a momma dolphin with her little one.

Moscow Aquarium, Moscow

Another popular resident at the Moscow Aquarium is the manatee. Unfortunately, I never got to see it in person.

Moscow Aquarium, Moscow I only caught a glimpse of it once, or maybe just a shadow. Guess that's just the way the fish crumbles sometimes...

Moscow Aquarium, Moscow Moscow Aquarium, Moscow

Looking up, you'll see these installations hanging up there.

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From this higher level, you can take a closer look.

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Right there within the aquarium area, we stumbled upon another little shop. It didn't have any stuffed animals, but it had complete aquarium sets. I guess the idea is that after watching the underwater creatures, people will get inspired and want to bring one home.

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One of the standout features of Moskvarium is the so-called "aquarium tunnel."

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I managed to snap a photo of one of the sharks in this tank, and let me tell you, it was a real highlight of my visit!

Moskvarium, Moscow Moskvarium, Moscow

But let's be real, when I first thought about this tunnel aquarium, I envisioned it as something bigger and wider. In person, it was a bit of a letdown. The aquarium itself is pretty small and narrow, and I had pictured a continuous tunnel. Yeah, the photos do look cool, but my expectations were way off.

So, I've shown and told you about what's inside Moscow's Aquarium. There are some pretty objective pros: its uniqueness, how well-maintained it is, and the variety of fish and animals on display. I mean, where else can you find something like that? But, at the same time, my impressions after visiting left me feeling conflicted. To put it bluntly, I didn't really enjoy it.

I do love the fish and animals, though. One of the smaller downsides is that I never got to see the caiman, and another thing is that the foundation of Moscow's Aquarium is made up of relatively small tanks, while this hyped-up "tunnel aquarium" is basically an afterthought. Plus, it's super narrow and small, and there's just no sense of scale or excitement.

And then there's the massive overcrowding – it's crazy for a place that's basically a closed-off, restricted area.

I'm having a hard time thinking of anywhere recently where we've tripped over our own feet so many times, or even gotten run over by a stroller, like that one time in a public place. It's even worse here.

Every aquarium was literally mobbed with people, especially families with kids who weren't always on their best behavior.

Moscow Aquarium, Moscow

I have to admit, I didn't feel like reading all the information on the display stands about the animals, and to be honest, it was hard to do so with all the chaos around. We ended up rushing through the whole space and I was relieved to get out of there, and that was on a weekday.

I think it would be a good idea to limit the number of visitors and set some time limits. Objectively, you don't spend a lot of time there - you take a look, and then you move on. But I wish they could find a more civilized way to do it, rather than having people yelling and pushing each other. I wouldn't go back there again, no way.

Moscow Aquarium, Moscow

live_helpFeatured FAQ

What's the best way to get to the Moscow Pavilion at VDNH?

The Pavilion is easily accessible by metro, with several nearby stations. You can also take a taxi or drive and park on site.

Are there any interactive exhibits for kids?

Yes, the Pavilion offers a range of interactive exhibits and activities for kids, including touch pools and feeding sessions.

Can I take photos inside the Pavilion?

Yes, photography is allowed for personal use, but please refrain from using flash or tripods.

Are there any restaurants or cafes on site?

Yes, the Pavilion has several restaurants and cafes offering a range of food and drink options.

Can I visit the Pavilion at night?

Unfortunately, the Pavilion's opening hours are limited, with no evening openings.

Are there any guided tours available?

Yes, the Pavilion offers guided tours in several languages, including English and Russian.

Can I bring my stroller or wheelchair?

Yes, the Pavilion is wheelchair accessible, with ramps and elevators throughout.

Are there any discounts or promotions available?

Yes, the Pavilion offers discounts for students, seniors, and groups. Check their website for the latest promotions.

Can I buy tickets online?

Yes, you can buy tickets online through the Pavilion's website or through a ticketing service like Ticketmaster.

check_circlePros

•The Moscow Pavilion at VDNH boasts an incredible variety of marine life, with species from all corners of the globe.
•The aquarium's cleanliness is top-notch, with not a speck of dirt or grime in sight.
•The Pavilion's central location at VDNH makes it super easy to get to, with plenty of parking options available.
•The building itself is a work of art, with stunning architecture that complements the surrounding gardens perfectly.
•The staff are super friendly and knowledgeable, happy to answer any questions you may have.
•The Pavilion offers a range of interactive exhibits and activities for kids (and adults!) to enjoy.
•The shark tunnel is a real highlight, with an incredible array of marine life on display.
•The sea otter enclosure is another must-see, with these adorable creatures putting on a show.
•The Pavilion's gift shop is a great place to pick up some souvenirs, with a wide range of marine-themed goodies.

cancelCons

•I was really looking forward to seeing the whales, but unfortunately, they weren't on display during my visit.
•The crowds can be overwhelming, especially on weekends and school holidays.
•Some of the exhibits felt a bit dated and in need of an update.
•The Pavilion's layout can be a bit confusing, making it hard to find your way around.
•The food options are limited, with not much to choose from in terms of healthy or vegetarian options.
•The Pavilion's opening hours are a bit restrictive, with limited evening openings.
•The prices are a bit steep, especially for families or groups.
•The Pavilion's audio guides could be improved, with more information about the exhibits and marine life on display.