Jun 6, 2025

Clean Ponds Moscow

The place with the gripping name

""Clean Ponds" is quite a famous place in Moscow and with a history. Despite how popular it is, I can call it my favorite green oasis in the megalopolis."

Clean Ponds is quite a famous place in Moscow. It's in the center of the city, located near a number of famous cafes and restaurants, shops and office buildings. Despite its popularity and noisiness, I can call it my favorite green oasis in the megalopolis.

Every time I get to Clean Ponds and I draw in a breath of fresh air in the trees' shade, I am carried back several centuries and remember the history of this place. Actually, now there is only one pond. Before there were more of them and, according to one of the versions, there used to be a slaughterhouse nearby and waste from it would be dumped in the ponds.

Over time they were cleaned and from "nasty ponds" they were turned into Clean Ponds. However, there is the opinion that the ponds have every chance to become dirty again.

Walking on the Chistoprudny boulevard, I am reminded of scenes from famous films which were shot near the ponds: "Walking the Streets of Moscow " (1963) and "The Meeting Place Can't Be Changed" (1979).

By the way, there is a cozy restaurant exactly next to the pond. You can sense the smells from the kitchen around it, and in the warm season it is possible to ride on a catamaran in the pond.

Amsterdam
Antwerp
002-building
Art & culture
002-building
Art & culture
002-building
Art & culture

About this spot

Chistoprudnyy bulvar

RUB

free

Find your way with 134 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Moscow guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Moscow

Cheburechnaya Druzhba

Authentic '80s fast food

"Cheburechnaya Druzhba" in Moscow never changed in the last 30 years. hHre you can get authentic Chebureki, the 'national' Soviet middle-class fast food...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Anton

Alexandrov

Jun 14, 2025

House With A Unicorn

"Master & Margarita" spot

If you ever dreamed of meeting a unicorn, you have the chance here in Moscow! This Neo-Gothic building actually inspired Mikhail Bulgakov...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Irina

Rakhmanova

Jun 13, 2025

Cape Stroginskaya Kosa

Green peninsula

"Cape Stroginskaya Kosa" is in Moscow's suburbs in a green park. It's a calm, quiet place with many trees, surrounded by water from three sides...

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Irina

Rakhmanova

Jun 13, 2025

Ekologiya Garden

A sculpture square

"Ekologiya Garden" in Moscow is a sculpture park right next to busy Arbat Street dedicated to ecology. It's a real open-air museum!

002-building
Art & culture

by

Irina

Rakhmanova

Jun 13, 2025

Flacon

You won't believe it was a factory

"Flacon", or 'design factory Flacon' in Moscow, used to be a Soviet crystal factory. Now it's a must-visit hotspot for hipster design & architecture

002-building
Art & culture

by

Andrey

Berezkin

Jun 12, 2025

True Cost Live

Fair food for a fair price

"True Cost Live" is a restaurant in Moscow that has an entrance fee, but everything you order is priced at cost. It's not just cheap: I love the food!

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Andrey

Berezkin

Jun 12, 2025

Craftland Cultural Bar

A cozy bar underground

"Craftland Cultural Bar" in Moscow is a cool pub with red brick walls, extremely happy & helpful staff! I love the unusual beers & the 'Cocky Tony' burger.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Anton

Alexandrov

Jun 12, 2025

Friends Forever

A breakfast to recharge you

"Friends Forever" in Moscow is the place you just have to go for your breakfast. I recommend their scrambles on a bread with avocado paste...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Anton

Alexandrov

Jun 12, 2025

Vanya Nalyot

Tap it!

"Vanya Nalyot" in Moscow means 'Vanya will pour you a drink' - indeed he will. This bar is completely unpretentious and I love its terrace for a draft beer

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Andrey

Berezkin

Jun 12, 2025

Hermitage Garden

The LOVEliest place in the city

"Hermitage garden" in Moscow (don't mix it up with St. Pete!) is a tiny park in the centre I like for the atmosphere, romantic hints and the 32.05 cafe...

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Andrey

Berezkin

Jun 12, 2025

Gastroferma

Market of restoraurants

"Gastroferma" in Moscow is an untypically hip food market with plenty of restaurants. Here I can find every kind of international food I wish...

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Andrey

Berezkin

Jun 12, 2025

Strelka

Institute & bar where the trends live

"Strelka" is one of the most trendy and lively places in Moscow. I love the lectures at the institute, but the rooftop terrace bar is also great...

002-building
Art & culture
028-beach-bar-1
Bars
029-guitar-instrument-1
Music

by

Andrey

Berezkin

Jun 12, 2025

Heading to Moscow?

134 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Heading to Moscow?

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

134 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download Download our app

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Moscow

Our team loves Moscow

Get to know our other Spotters from Moscow

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
false
0
false
7301
Filters