Nothing says summer like a cold beer and a barbecue in the great outdoors. But it's not a case of just setting up your grill on the nearest lawn — to avoid fiery mishaps the Moscow government has implemented designated shashlik zones throughout the city. Here are some of the spots you can enjoy guilt free alfresco dining over the summer months.
Kuskovsky Forest Park
This beautiful park toward the east of the city offers 17 areas for a shashlik, some of which can be booked beforehand if you're planning a party. After feasting on your shashlik, spend the evening wandering around the park and discovering a little bit of wilderness to offset your stressful city existence. Look out for the Kuskovo manor, which is one of Russia's earliest surviving country residences. The park also has a ceramics museum and a program of classical concerts in the summer months.
Kuskovsky Forest Park
mosgor-park.ru
40 3rd Muzeinaya Ulitsa. Metro Perovo
Troparyovsky Park
At Troparyovsky Park, you can bring your own shashlik supplies or you can use the supplies provided at the park. All in all there are 20 shashlik areas with tables, benches and a barbecue. After your meal, why not indulge in a spot of bird-watching — the park offers tours where you can see birds up close. The park also boasts a fishing pond where you can rent supplies as well as a stream and natural spring.
Troparyovsky Park
moscow.info
Ulitsa Akademika Anokhina. Metro Troparyovo
Fili Park
A forested haven toward the west of the city, Fili is the perfect spot for gathering with friends on long, warm evenings. There are plenty of quiet spots near the riverbank and several shashlik areas on the wooded slopes of the park provide the perfect location for your evening barbecue. After your meal, you can rent sports equipment and bikes to explore the surrounding area.
Fili Park
parkfili.com
22 Ulitsa Bolshaya Filyovskaya. Metro Fili
Izmailovsky Park
A former royal estate featuring stunning birch forests, the beautiful Pokrovsky Cathedral and picturesque alleys, Izmailovsky is a favorite with Muscovites for obvious reasons. By the shore of the "Oleny Prud" (Deer pond) there is a barbecue with a seating area and a lovely view of the park. Afterward head to the Izmailovo Kremlin and browse the stalls.
Izmailovsky Park
izmailovsky-park.ru
Alleya Bolshogo Kruga. Metro Izmailovskaya
Pokrovskoye-Streshnevo Forest Park
This nature lover's' paradise offers beautiful walks through linden trees, overgrown romantic alleys, and a cascade of ponds by the river Chernushka. An 18th century manor, orangery, greenhouses, elegant fencing, ponds and several beaver dams add to the charm. The numerous shashlik areas within the park are completely free to use and are popular with locals throughout the summer season.
Pokrovskoye-Streshnevo Forest Park
2a 5th Voykovsky Proezd. Metro Voykovskaya, Sokol
Bitsa Park
Bitsa park offers one of the largest and most unspoiled green areas in Moscow. There are 3 designated shashlik spots, but as the park is so large you may need to do a bit of a hike to reach them. Various country manors can be found within the grounds and it's a great place for nature watching: woodpeckers, hedgehogs and, of course, a whole lot of squirrels.
Bitsa Park
travel2moscow.com
1 Novoysenevsky Tupik. Metro Bitsevsky Park, Konkovo
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