Armoury Chamber
Armoury Chamber
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
About
A dazzling array of treasures from the 4th to the 20th century are housed in this Kremlin museum, including thrones and carriages of the tsars, the works of Moscow silver and goldsmiths, arms, jewels, precious Russian Easter eggs and other Russian and foreign decorative arts.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Full view
The area
Address
Neighborhood: Tverskoy
How to get there
- Borovitskaya • 4 min walk
- Biblioteka Imeni Lenina • 5 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
7,538 within 3 miles
Attractions
3,761 within 6 miles
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
3,945 reviews
Excellent
2,917
Very good
752
Average
203
Poor
36
Terrible
37
Marsha E
Oviedo, FL121 contributions
Sep 2022 • Friends
If you visit Moscow, YOU MUST TOUR THE ARMOURY!
Our guide met us in our hotel lobby. We walked to the Kremlin and over to the Armoury building. We had toured the Kremlin on the previous day so we bypassed any overview our guide may have wanted to offer. One thing I have learned with touring in Russia is that the large tour groups get out early, and if you can get ahead of them, you have a much greater chance of missing long lines or seeing sights without crowds of people in your way. The treasures in this museum were beautiful - from coronation gowns to carriages, clergy sacrament clothing, gifts to the church, gifts from worldwide ambassadors and the infamous Faberge Eggs. Our guide offered historical backdrop to the items, further rounding out our newfound knowledge of Imperial Russia history. We also toured the Diamond Fund in the same trip, which houses a wealth of the jewels and jewelry worn by royalty. This tour was my favorite of all Moscow tours.
Our guide met us in our hotel lobby. We walked to the Kremlin and over to the Armoury building. We had toured the Kremlin on the previous day so we bypassed any overview our guide may have wanted to offer. One thing I have learned with touring in Russia is that the large tour groups get out early, and if you can get ahead of them, you have a much greater chance of missing long lines or seeing sights without crowds of people in your way. The treasures in this museum were beautiful - from coronation gowns to carriages, clergy sacrament clothing, gifts to the church, gifts from worldwide ambassadors and the infamous Faberge Eggs. Our guide offered historical backdrop to the items, further rounding out our newfound knowledge of Imperial Russia history. We also toured the Diamond Fund in the same trip, which houses a wealth of the jewels and jewelry worn by royalty. This tour was my favorite of all Moscow tours.
Written September 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
CAPerth
Perth227 contributions
Jun 2019
You should book tickets on line for peak time visits as numbers are limited, but beware that you still have to exchange the on-line voucher for a ticket and that still means queuing up with everyone else. Tickets are cheap though. The Armoury is basically the Treasury including carriages, Faberge eggs, jewellery, armour and ceremonial clothing). the Diamond Fund is basically a collection of individual stones and some set pieces, and tickets are purchased from inside the Armoury. Could give the Diamond Fund a miss if you are short of time.
Unfortunately, no photos are allowed.
Unfortunately, no photos are allowed.
Written May 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
BasicsTouring
Jerusalem, Israel1,005 contributions
Feb 2020
The Armory chamber on the Kremlin grounds has all the richess that was collected and given as gifts to the Czars of Russia, with their original clothing, thrones, carriages and gifts from ambassadors from all over the world. The bible of Charles the XII of Sweden is in the collection and elaborate gold and silver gifts from all over the world. The Faberge eggs made the biggest impression on me, but photography was not allowed.
Written February 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Elena N
Moscow, Russia2 contributions
Jun 2021
The Armory has obviously too small space for the exibition. Even a moderate number of visitors create a croud around each item. The halls are so small that at each time there are two or three groups with guides, who are trying to outshout each other. I've been there with my family, and two times guides pushed us away from the items with their huge hips. They seem to be exhausted at 11 am already, and they're rude too if you are not in their group. The collection: combination of Bern and Turin museums covers everything except some special tsar Alexei items. Armors, goblets and so forth are mainly from Western Europe, except for several armors from Turkey. Genuine Russian items are scarce.
Written June 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Henry Lee
Kuching, Malaysia22 contributions
Dec 2019
Interesting and beautiful displays of Tsars' and Tsarinas' clothings, crowns and impressive carriages. Should visit with a good local tour guide if not familiar with Russian history. This will make the visit more meaningful and interesting.
Written February 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Aleksandar
Belgrade, Serbia8,213 contributions
May 2016 • Solo
One of the best displays of Russian might and wealth during history. Simply amazing museum.
Free audioguide included with the ticket, but I additionaly recommend to buy a guidebook which is rather cheap but has great pictures of displayed stuff so you can use it as an reminder of what you saw, since taking photos is prohibited.
You can buy this guide at the ticket sales building in Alexander Garden (Aleksandrovsky sad).
Buying the tickets is the worst part of the whole thing since there is only one or two ticket boths and the line can get rather long and the selling of the tickets starts only 45 minutes before specific entry time (they have 4 entry times per day: 10, 12, 14:30, 16, if I recall right).
Be advised that number of tickets per entry is limited.
Once you acquire your ticker you don't need to go to the main tourist entrance to the Kremlin since it's rather crowded. Instead, go to the smaller entry on the edge of the Alexander garden which is primarily for The Armoury and Diamond Fund.
Highly recommended, mustn't miss.
Free audioguide included with the ticket, but I additionaly recommend to buy a guidebook which is rather cheap but has great pictures of displayed stuff so you can use it as an reminder of what you saw, since taking photos is prohibited.
You can buy this guide at the ticket sales building in Alexander Garden (Aleksandrovsky sad).
Buying the tickets is the worst part of the whole thing since there is only one or two ticket boths and the line can get rather long and the selling of the tickets starts only 45 minutes before specific entry time (they have 4 entry times per day: 10, 12, 14:30, 16, if I recall right).
Be advised that number of tickets per entry is limited.
Once you acquire your ticker you don't need to go to the main tourist entrance to the Kremlin since it's rather crowded. Instead, go to the smaller entry on the edge of the Alexander garden which is primarily for The Armoury and Diamond Fund.
Highly recommended, mustn't miss.
Written May 24, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
David T
Christchurch, New Zealand2,268 contributions
Sep 2017 • Business
So many amazing things to see that you can't do it justice. We bought the 700p Armoury ticket, then the 500p Diamond Fund ticket but were too tired to make it worth buying the additional Kremlin ticket. I would recommend all three if possible but would start with the Armoury and do the short Diamond Fund afterwards. If you still have energy, carry on to the Kremlin tour.
The Diamond Fund has amazing jewels old and new and huge gold nuggets including the world's largest at 37 kg!
The Armoury is filled with staggering treasures. I especially loved the royal carriages. You need a good hour or 90 minutes for this alone.
The audio guide is free and excellent. Don't push any buttons on it until it tells you to. You can't fast forward or rewind and it's hard to get back to the right position easily.
Definitely the number one attraction in Moscow.
Please push the helpful vote icon if I helped you.
The Diamond Fund has amazing jewels old and new and huge gold nuggets including the world's largest at 37 kg!
The Armoury is filled with staggering treasures. I especially loved the royal carriages. You need a good hour or 90 minutes for this alone.
The audio guide is free and excellent. Don't push any buttons on it until it tells you to. You can't fast forward or rewind and it's hard to get back to the right position easily.
Definitely the number one attraction in Moscow.
Please push the helpful vote icon if I helped you.
Written September 10, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ToonTowner
Dhahran, Saudi Arabia2,733 contributions
Jan 2015 • Family
My family and I visited the Amoury in December of 2014. Would we go again? No. Would we recommend them to friends? Probably. I would tell them though that over all I was disappointed with Armoury tour. It just didn’t have the “wow” factor that I was expecting.
You have to buy your tickets to the Amoury in advanced and for a specific time. There is a mandatory coat check that is included with the price of your ticket. With the tour, you are given an audio guide which you hold up to your ear. The problem with the audio guide is that, unlike other museums, you have to go in sequential order to follow the guide. You can’t simply walk up to display and type in a number to listen to information about it.
I have uploaded pictures of the Armoury better picture of it.
If you found my review helpful, please let me know that by clicking the Helpful Button. Thanks.
You have to buy your tickets to the Amoury in advanced and for a specific time. There is a mandatory coat check that is included with the price of your ticket. With the tour, you are given an audio guide which you hold up to your ear. The problem with the audio guide is that, unlike other museums, you have to go in sequential order to follow the guide. You can’t simply walk up to display and type in a number to listen to information about it.
I have uploaded pictures of the Armoury better picture of it.
If you found my review helpful, please let me know that by clicking the Helpful Button. Thanks.
Written January 14, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Julia K
Santa Clara, CA104 contributions
Jul 2020
I'm not a big fan of history and weapons, but this museum just has stolen my heart. This is the oldest one in Moscow, and I was surprised to see the royal arsenal dating back to the 16th century. It will be interesting for kids and adults for sure!
Written June 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rachael C
United States80 contributions
Nov 2018 • Solo
As of November 2018, the price is 700 RUB (~$10 USD) for the Armoury Chamber only ticket. There was not a long line, I waited about 5 minutes. I went later in the day and had the 1430 (2:30pm) ticket. The ticket agent spoke English. I spoke Russian to her, but she spoke English to me! I do not think the security men spoke English. All they wanted was to check the ticket, have you go through the metal detector, and inspect your bag. If you do not understand Russian, it will be ok, this is what they are asking for. There is a free coat check. You cannot skip it, if you try to enter the Armoury with your coat on they will not let you scan your ticket to enter!
It took me about an hour to tour the Armoury. I did not get the audio guide because it was 1500 RUB (~ $22 USD). I just did not feel it was worth it. So I cannot comment on the quality of the audio guide. However, on all the displays the signs are in BOTH Russian and English. Sometimes there are two signs (one for each language) and some it is Russian first followed by English.
There are staff members scattered about to scold you for taking photos, as photography is not permitted. However, many people took out their cell phones and took some pictures. Since it was low season, there were not many people and it was not hard to spend ample time at each display.
The items in the Armoury are beautiful and were definitely worth seeing. The architecture alone is worth seeing. The many jeweled altar Gospels are incredibly beautiful. There is a wide array of displays from housewares, jewelry, battle armor, religious artifacts, clothing, and carriages. Really, there are so many things it is hard to name all the categories.
I struggled whether to rate this as average or very good because I did expect it to be larger and take more time to tour. However, I think for the price and what you see, it is worth a trip inside. In my opinion, it is a one time experience. No need to go back if you find yourself in Moscow again. I would urge you skip the gift shop as the prices are very high.
In some reviews, people have said the ticket office is hard to find. It is not. When you pass the State History Museum, pass through iron gates, walk past the tomb of the unknown soldier (on your left), and just keep walking! There is not a sign, just keep following the path. You will see it on the left.
It took me about an hour to tour the Armoury. I did not get the audio guide because it was 1500 RUB (~ $22 USD). I just did not feel it was worth it. So I cannot comment on the quality of the audio guide. However, on all the displays the signs are in BOTH Russian and English. Sometimes there are two signs (one for each language) and some it is Russian first followed by English.
There are staff members scattered about to scold you for taking photos, as photography is not permitted. However, many people took out their cell phones and took some pictures. Since it was low season, there were not many people and it was not hard to spend ample time at each display.
The items in the Armoury are beautiful and were definitely worth seeing. The architecture alone is worth seeing. The many jeweled altar Gospels are incredibly beautiful. There is a wide array of displays from housewares, jewelry, battle armor, religious artifacts, clothing, and carriages. Really, there are so many things it is hard to name all the categories.
I struggled whether to rate this as average or very good because I did expect it to be larger and take more time to tour. However, I think for the price and what you see, it is worth a trip inside. In my opinion, it is a one time experience. No need to go back if you find yourself in Moscow again. I would urge you skip the gift shop as the prices are very high.
In some reviews, people have said the ticket office is hard to find. It is not. When you pass the State History Museum, pass through iron gates, walk past the tomb of the unknown soldier (on your left), and just keep walking! There is not a sign, just keep following the path. You will see it on the left.
Written November 20, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hello, I’m trying to order tickets to the armory chamber online but can’t find any for the 29/12/19-05/01/20 dates.
The armory chamber working this dates?
If so, maybe I would be able to find tickets in the tickets's office?
Thanks.
José F
Merida, Mexico571 contributions
hay audioguías disponibles dentro del museo ?
en caso de que sí haya audioguías, las recomiendan ?
y alguien recuerda el costo de rentarla ?
EnamoradosdeEuropa
Hurlingham, Argentina368 contributions
Hola. Si tienen audioguias que nos dieron. Tuvimos que dejar un depósito de dinero en garantía (creo que fueron 100 rublos) que luego nos devolvieron. Y es recomendable pedirlas. Saludos!!
Dddzz
Milan, Italy407 contributions
Saro’ a Mosca x un solo giorno e vorrei vedere solo le cose davvero imperdibili.
La guida che ho prenotato mi propone 2,5 ore x armeria, 2 ore x visita territorio cremlino e 1 ora San Basilio...dalle 9,30 alle 16,00, una sfacchinata! Mi sembra di capire che il museo dell’armeria + tesoro valga la pena. Secondo voi servono 2,5 ore x vedere il meglio?
Non ne faccio una questione economica: l’audioguida e’ buona o e’ dispersiva e vale la pena prendersi una guida?
Andy1803
Catania, Italy210 contributions
Penso che l'Armeria sia da non perdere ma due ore e mezza sono troppe. Per guadagnare tempo consiglio l'audio guida che indirizza la visita verso le cose salienti. In sua assenza, si rischierebbe di perdersi tra le bacheche e si consumerebbe tempo tentando di leggere i pannelli. Dalle 9 alle 16 è un tempo sufficiente a visitare adeguatamente il Cremlino, San Basilio e la zona circostante, senza neppure correre troppo.
Cheryl W
1 contribution
Please can someone tell us roughly how long should we allow to visit the Armoury
Kerri-anne O
Brisbane, Australia87 contributions
Hi I would plan for 2hrd. Also there is no photography. My suggestion is that I did not find this as interesting as other areas but hope you enjoy.
zest-05
Samara, Russia10 contributions
Подскажите, пожалуйста, купила электронный билет в Оружейную палату, в нем указано 1 человек, а я иду с ребёнком 7 лет... нужно где-то было указать, что нас двое или не требуется, так как дети посещают бесплатно, как указано на сайте?
Варвара
Moscow, Russia108 contributions
Насколько я помню. электронные билеты обмениваются в кассе в Александровском саду, там же можно задать этот вопрос. Может быть на ребенка выдается бесплатный билет, такое бывает. Кроме того, можно позвонить заранее справочную музея.
Da V
Doha, Qatar25 contributions
Hello
We plan to visit the Armory - 2 adults and 2 kids under 16 .. I can purchase only the adult tickets online and get them exchanged for actual tickets from the ticket windows. My question is can I get the free tickets for the kids from the same windows where I go to exchange my voucher for real tickets or do I have to stand in a separate line at another window to get hold of the free tickets ?
Thanks in advance
Danesh R
221 contributions
Hope this is useful
The exchange of vouchers is carried out at the box office of the museum number number 6, 7, 8 in the Alexander Garden:
- To the Armory Chamber no later than 45 minutes before the start of the tour;
- To visit the architectural ensemble of the Cathedral Square no later than 20-30 minutes.
To obtain a ticket with the denomination "Free", you must submit a document confirming the age of the child.
You can also call at 8 (495) 695-41-46 and 8 (495) 697-03-49 from 9:00 to 17:00 through out the week
savvyr
Leicester, UK226 contributions
I'vse tried to get tickets but they are all sold out. On line. Can I pay on the day? I'm so disappointed. I have been waiting for my visa to come before I started booking attraction tickets. I can get Kremlin tickets but want to do armoury as well
Thank you
Mary Ann K
Watsonville, CA43 contributions
I’m not sure my answer to your most recent question is going to get posted because of a little issue with my phone. In any event, I think personal guides are well worth the extra expense. They are not expensive and you’re able to ask questions and expand on topics that you can’t do with an audio. Also, you will get to see you things that you might not see with the audio.
In Russia the guides are very well trained and tested before they’re allowed to give tours in certain areas. For example, our guide was certified to do the Kremlin and the armory tour. Not just anybody can go in and be a guide
latestfilly
West Yorkshire193 contributions
is the audio guide sufficient or would it be better to book a guide?
Deborah S
Moscow, Russia30 contributions
Audio guide works well.
309teep
Plattsburgh, NY290 contributions
Hello, can someone please offer any specifics about the size of a bag/backpack that is allowed? I have a regular purse that is a bit large, but it's clearly a purse and not a back pack at all. Husband has a small sized backpack, but we're concerned about having to check it, even though it's small.
Will they go through my purse? I usually have a camera and water bottle in there, but don't take them out if rules prohibit it.
fliss19
14 contributions
Hi there
We had to check in our bags - mine was a small handbag and my husbands a small backpack, plus our coats, hats and gloves.
They were very efficient so it was no problem but I would suggest not taking anything with valuables ;o)
Armoury Chamber, Moscow
Frequently Asked Questions about Armoury Chamber
- Armoury Chamber is open:
- Fri - Wed 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
- Hotels near Armoury Chamber:
- (0.17 mi) MIRROS Hotel Moscow Kremlin
- (0.16 mi) Honeycomb Hostel
- (0.20 mi) Hostel Kremlin Lights
- (0.20 mi) Nereus Hostel near Kremlin
- (0.19 mi) Kremlevskiy Guest House
- Restaurants near Armoury Chamber:
- (0.11 mi) Bulka
- (0.11 mi) Apollon
- (0.11 mi) Time On Line
- (0.11 mi) Flegmatichnaya Sobaka
- (0.17 mi) Korchma Taras Bulba