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Recommendations
Sandunovsky Baths (Sandunovskiye Bani)
Visiting a traditional banya ( bathhouse is a quintessential Russian experience and there are few places more impressive than the Sandunovsky Baths. Founded in 1808, it’s Moscow’s oldest and most luxurious bathhouse, adorned with chandeliers, marble staircases, and gold frescoes.
Wednesday-Monday 8 a.m.-11 p.m.
Neglinnaya ul. 14 bldg 3–7, Moscow, Russia
The basics
An admission ticket to Sandunovsky Baths allows up to two hours at the bathhouse and you can choose between two different grades—first or top class—or even rent a private room. To follow the traditional Russian routine, head to the steam room for 15-20 minutes, then jump into a pool of cold water, before repeating it all over again. You might also get “beaten” with birch twigs while in the steam room—another long-standing Russian tradition. Saunas, spa treatments, and massages are also available, and you can take a break in-between steam sessions to enjoy a tea, beer, or snack at the bar.
Things to know before you go
- A visit to the Sandunovsky Baths is a must-do cultural experience for all travelers to Moscow.
- There are separate bathing areas for men and women. Couples wanting to share the experience will need to book a private room.
- Bring your swimsuit; bath hats, towels, and slippers are all available to rent.
- Some of the baths are accessible for wheelchairs but it’s best to make an advance reservation.
How to get there
The baths are located in central Moscow, a 20-minute walk north of the Red Square. The closest metro station is Trubnaya, a 5-minute walk away.
Trip ideas
When to get there
The Sandunovsky Baths are open daily, typically from 8am to 10pm or 11pm. The baths get busy, especially on weekends. The quietest time to visit is mid-morning or mid-afternoon on a weekend.
Moscow’s Bathhouses
If you liked the banya experience, there are a number of other places to try in Moscow. Vorontsovskie banya and Varshavskie banya are the main rivals to Sandunovsky Baths, both offering a luxury experience with various different packages available. Krasnopresnenskaya banya is a modern bathhouse complete with a Japanese restaurant and a spa where you can try out some of the latest treatments. For those on a tight budget, Seleznevskie banya is a 19th-century bathhouse that’s good value and popular with locals.
- Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Moscow Music Theatre
- Bolshoi Theatre
- Revolution Square (Ploshchad Revolyutsii)
- GUM Department Store
- Kazan Cathedral (Kazansky Kafedralny Sobor)
- Hermitage Garden
- Alexander Garden (Alexandrovsky Sad)
- State Historical Museum (Gosudarstvennyy Istoricheskiy Muzey)
- St. Basil’s Cathedral (Pokrovsky Sobor)
- Lenin's Mausoleum
- Tverskaya Street (Ulitsa Tverskaya)
- Moscow Kremlin
- Gulag History Museum
- Cathedral Square
- Russian State Library (Rossiyskaya Gosudarstvennaya Biblioteka)