browning safari pencil barrel

No products in the cart.

Browning Safari Medium Action Pencil Barrel Stock. Factory Original. Like New Condition

$ 1,695.95

• Description

Product Description

• All Factory Parts
• Factory Butt Plate
• High Gloss Finish
• Pencil/Standard Barrel Channel

Must Be Fitted By A Qualified Gunsmith.Sold As Is

• Introductions & get togethers
• News & articles
• Safari planning guide
• Hunting Africa
• Hunting reports
• Firearms, ammo, optics & gear
• Hunting & fishing worldwide
• Shows, books, jokes & more
• Search forums
• Classifieds

For Sale Browning Safari Grade .308 Pencil Barrel With Leupold 2.5x8

• Thread starter Thomas G. Vogt
• Start date Oct 11, 2020

Thomas G. Vogt

• Oct 11, 2020

Very nice rifle indeed. The metal surfaces under the wood could not be cleaner. Looks like new.  

• Oct 14, 2020

Update: Going through a box of different sights and I found the rear sight for this rifle.  

CoElkHunter

Very nice rifle!  

• Nov 26, 2020
• Feb 11, 2021

Bump HA, forgot I still had this one for sale.  

• Mar 7, 2021

BUMP  

• Mar 21, 2021

Two week bump  

• Mar 22, 2021

SOLD PF  

Members online

• Safariman5000
• Backyardsniper
• Tokoloshe Safaris
• soumya sarkar
• JimmyJack54
• grand veneur
• MATTANJA HUNTING SAFARIS
• Altitude sickness
• Osama Mahdi
• Hunt anything
• Hillbilly Marine
• cajunchefray
• HuntingGold
• Wishfulthinker580

Forum statistics

Proudly sponsored by.

• More sponsors

Latest posts

• Latest: jpr9954
• A moment ago

• Latest: BeeMaa
• Latest: Grat
• 2 minutes ago

• Latest: Rule 303
• 5 minutes ago
• Latest: radname

Latest profile posts

HENRY GRIFFITHS SAFARIS hunting/trailcam pictures and hunting/tour updates

Share this page

• This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies. Accept Learn more…

• Forum Listing
• Marketplace
• Advanced Search
• Technical Information
• The Ask the Pros & What's It Worth? Forum

Early Browning Safari Rifle

• Add to quote

I have a Browning Safari Rifle that I bought in 1961. It's a .243 with a pencil barrel on a small ring Mauser action. Serial # is L1189. I'm certain that it was a first year production, but is there any way I can find out if it is a first month rifle? It is in excellent shape and no corrosion anywhere. What is the value ?  

Sounds like you might have a Browning High-Power Bolt-Action rifle. Safari was a grade, as was Medallion and Olympian. If so, yours was likely made by FN of Belgium, given that it is on a Mauser action. They made them for Browning 1959-1975. Your gun may appear to be in excellent shape but I suggest you remove the stock from the action/barrel to check for salt damage to the metal. Salt was used to cure the wood and later caused rust and pitting to the metal which came in contact with the stocks. If you are OK there, your gun could be worth $900 or more. I suggest several hands-on appraisals, however.  

Thanks for the response. I took the metal out of the stock, for the first time in 30 years. No corrosion at all. The inside of the stock is nicely inletted, with the serial number of the rifle stamped into the barrel channel. The metal is like new. Hard to believe it's 50 years old. Do you know of any Browning collector websites? [email protected]  

Prices for these vary a lot depending on condition. NIB can bring a pretty good price. Any wear and tear and it decreases dramatically. Unfortunately, the .243 with the pencil barrel seems to be a pretty common caliber, so the prices will be less.  

• ?            
• 71.5K members

Top Contributors this Month

It appears that you are accessing the Browning Website from outside North America. Would you like to visit Browning International?

BAR Mark II Safari

$1,229.99 - $1,849.99 MSRP

The BAR MK II Safari is the ultimate sporting autoloader, featuring the time-honored combination of fine walnut, a precision machined steel receiver and a hammer forged barrel. Classic in looks and contemporary in performance, the BAR MK II Safari is the hunting rifle that sets the standard for every other autoloader on the planet with accuracy, speed and a caliber selection unmatched by any other hunting semi-auto. This magnificent rifle will make autoloading enthusiasts out of the most skeptical riflemen.

The Browning BAR sporting version is certainly a distinct and separate rifle from the military BAR M1918, but its design is the result of the understanding and expertise that started with John M. Browning. His grandson, Bruce Browning, was the driving force behind today's BAR. A large team of automatic firearms experts at the FN factory in Belgium also played a key role in its development. This group of designers, lead by Marcel Olinger, began serious work on the project code named "Carbine 66," with full-scale development and testing done throughout 1966 in preparation for an official 1967 product launch. Both the history and the efficiency of this amazing rifle is unequaled among autoloading rifles.

NOTE: Unless specifically listed as included with a firearm, accessories shown such as scopes, optical sights, rings, ring mounts, optic rails, bipod rails, ammunition, etc. are NOT included. Accessories are available at authorized Browning dealers and  here on Browning.com.

• READ A HISTORY OF THE BAR.     
• READ A REVIEW OF BRUCE N. CANFIELD'S ARTICLE  (NRA AMERICAN RIFLEMAN) ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF BOTH THE MILITARY AND SPORTING BARS. 

BAR Mark II Safari Features

• Blued receiver finish
• Gloss finish select walnut stock with cut checkering
• High-relief scroll engraving

BAR Features

• Gas piston operation
• Detachable Box Magazine
• High strength, the seven-lug rotating bolt that locks securely into the barrel for a precise breech-to-chamber relationship.
• Strong action bar/inertia block link-up reduces barrel vibration to improve accuracy
• Integral buffering system reduces wear and stress on the rifle’s operating system
• 308 Win • 22"
• 25-06 Rem • 24"
• 270 Win • 22"
• 30-06 Spfld • 22"
• 300 Win Mag • 24"
• 7mm Rem Mag • 24" NO LONGER IN PRODUCTION
• 338 Win Mag • 24" NO LONGER IN PRODUCTION
• 243 Win • 22" NO LONGER IN PRODUCTION

• Search forums

Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.

Note: this_feature_currently_requires_accessing_site_using_safari

• Hey All! Lately there has been more and more scammers on the forum board. They register and replies to members requests for guns and/or parts or other things. The reply contains a gmail or hotmail address or similar ”anonymous” email addresses which they want you to reply to. DO NOT ANSWER ANY STRANGE MESSAGES! They often state something like this: ”Hello! Saw your post about purchasing a stock for a Safari. KnuckleheadBob has one. Email him at: [email protected] ” If you receive any strange messages: Check the status of whoever message you. If they have no posts and signed up the same day or very recently, stay away. Same goes for other members they might refer to. Check them too and if they are long standing members, PM them and ask if the message is legit. Most likely it’s not. Then use the report function in each message or post so I can kick them out! Beware of anything that might seem fishy! And again, for all of you who registered your personal name as username, please contact me so I can change it to a more anonymous username. You’d be surprised of how much one can find out about a person from just a username on a forum such ad our! All the best! And be safe! Jim
• Discuss all things related to Sako firearms here
• Other firearms built on Sako actions

Browning Safari .243 pencil with sights (Sako Barreled Action)

• Thread starter woodman
• Start date Feb 15, 2011

Sako Collectors Club Discussion Forum

Well-Known Member

• Feb 15, 2011

I just purchased a Browning Safari .243 pencil barrel with sights. Made in 1969 with a Sako barreled action. I hope its as good as the seller says. Suppose to be a non saltwood gun, new and unfired in the original box. I have a 3 day inspection period. I cant wait to get my hands on this baby. Anybody here own one of these? How do you like it and how do these pencil barrels shoot? If it is as clean as I am thinking I may just have a new safe queen. I will post some pix when she arrives Woodman  

bloorooster

The old hippie.

Congratulations on a great find! Can't wait to hear how ya like it, and oogle over the pictures!:evil2:-Bloo  

SCC Secretary

They're exquisite little rifles. The pencil barrels are a little whippy and heat up quickly, so don't expect it to shoot a large number of shots into a small group. I'd say shoot no more than three shots in about as many minutes and you'll find its accuracy to be similar to stiffer barrels. After all, it's the first shot from a cold barrel that counts when you're hunting. In regard to saltwood, the best test is to remove one of the screws from the buttplate. If there's going to be any corrosion, it's almost certain to show up there.  

Stonecreek, Thanks for the info. I will definitely check those screws, and also going to pull the stock off and oil er up good.  

Woodman, a good friend sold me one, also unfired & NIB 1966 model, a year ago for a bargain price. The wood and workmanship is exquisite, and I think the feel and balance of the rifle is first rate. Because it is so nice, I have only fired three rounds through it, so it's really not even broken for me to attest to its accuracy.  

Bsmith, Thats nice to hear, I'm really excited to get it. It will be like Christmas day as a kid when it gets here.  

• Mar 2, 2011

I have a browning safari .308 with sights and a pencil barrel.The rifle was used when i bought it and it shoots 1 and a half too two inch groups so long as i do my part, not moa, but minute of deer for sure.It is by far the nicest looking rifle i own.The nicest thing about it how it balances in my hands and it trail carries like a lever gun you will love it. Happy hunting  

fishermen0105

Active member.

• Mar 29, 2011

Anybody ever seen these with a factory recoil pad? I came across one today with a browning pad, but I thought they all came with just the butt plate. Maybe the stock was changed at a later date for salt?  

The one I just received has the plate. I'm really not sure about the pads.  

Looks just like the pad they put on the magnums but I am pretty sure the non magnums like the sako's came with the plate. Kind of strange.  

Sako-addicted

Looks like the owner wanted to increase his LOP. Those don't come with pads, just plates. The plates are very hard to find.-Misako  

• Mar 30, 2011

Fishermen0105, If you are interested in getting the factory Browning pad we could talk to sala-ampuja about making one for you. I could remove one of my plates and send it to him and he could make a mold for it. I've seen a lot of old FN's with broken or missing pads. I would need as many measurements as you could give me like the lenght between screw holes center to center and the length and width. Is your butt straight or curved? It is suppose to be curved but some people have stock cut straight for a new pad install. If yours has been cut straight your options may be more limited. woodman  

Well, I was thinking about buying this one but did not. The owner claimed that pad was factory but I was pretty sure it was not. Also it was a '68 and figured there was a good chance the stock was salt. Thanks for the help though.  

Latest posts

• Latest: bloorooster
• Today at 7:55 PM
• Latest: Steven69
• Today at 7:10 PM
• Latest: pepperC
• Today at 1:02 PM

• Latest: marlin92
• Today at 12:58 PM
• Today at 12:41 AM
• Latest: Machineryhill
• Yesterday at 8:05 PM
• Yesterday at 5:39 PM
• Latest: Maximus
• Yesterday at 6:40 AM
• Latest: pecosbill
• Yesterday at 5:04 AM

• Latest: stonecreek
• Yesterday at 12:31 AM
• This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies. Accept Learn more…

• Forum Listing
• Marketplace
• Advanced Search
• Rifle and Rifle Cartridges
• Rifles and Rifle Cartridges

Browning safari rifles in 22-250

• Add to quote

Hello all, I just joined this forum and Im trying to find some info on two Browning Safari rifles that were left to me. One is a varmit or heavy barrel with a serial number of 16833Z74 and the other is a pencil barrel with a serial number of 4365Z5. Both are in good condition with the varmit or heavy barrel being a little better. Im trying to find out when they were manufactured and what they might be worth. I have searched far and wide on the internet but the info I have found hasnt been much help. Thanks in advance for any help provided. God bless and pass the ammo.  

I have Browning Safrai 243 and it's build Sako action. Might want to check here and join. https://sakocollectors.com/forum/threads/browning-sako-safari-243-photos-now.12206/  

Safari grade Brownings were made in three configurations-- Dovetailed Sako, round top Sako and FN. Send me a picture and I'll post and Id for you. J belk 09 at gmail dot com  

CC's comment isVER important. If you rifles have very nice wood, it could be a salt cure rifle. salt is embeded salt which will rust your rifle beyond use. Browning will do nothing to fix Safari salt rifles. they were excellent rifles, but I'd clean it competely and lightly oil it at least annually. Salt cure on Safari rifles is commonly seen on 'safe queen' guns.  

Browning did replace stocks original owner and salt problem also happen in Browning shotguns. https://shotgunreport.com/2013/05/22/browning-salt-wood-explained/ My Browning not part of the salt and stock has serial # of rifle.  

" Salt cured stocks ". Geez whatever for? Is there any possibility that rifles out of Europe had received this treatment at any time? We have Walthers and BRNOs in the family but none shows any rusting whatsoever. Must get my head around this one. No kidding? - let wood cells via the process of osmosis absorb salt and then inlet an expensive piece of complicated, finely interfacing metal mechanisms into that wood? Were the buyers informed of the process? Did Ruger or Marlin at any time do this? Geez... help!  

Yet again, the Browning salt wood saga-- Browning's wood buyer forgot to send a payment for about 100,000 pounds of Claro walnut in California. (Supplies of the much better French walnut had tripled in price in 1967). The wood dealer sold the whole lot to a furniture maker in S. America. They commonly use salt for the first cure then the kiln drying. When Browning realized they had no stock wood, they had to buy it from the furniture maker. It cost Browning something near $4million to repair the mostly high grade guns stocked with salt wood. I did those replacements, repairs and re-blues for Browning for two years and came up with a way to seal the wood against further damage (but the stock needs replacement instead) Look very closely at the edge of the inletting for black stains under the finish. They look like ink smudges in the wood. That's the salt reacting with the ferric oxide of the bluing. Sometimes, under the stock can be pitted so bad nothing but the hard chrome plating holds the parts together.  

Jerkied walnut. Thank you Jack, that was unknown history to me - the only Browning I ever owned was an FN 9mm Parabellum. The Walthers and BRNOs are all 40+ years old and I suppose none of them ever ordered stock blanks from Browning. Like the Musgraves they come out of their stocks once a year to check the under barrel pressure bands with a thin strip of paper for tightness - and of course for rust; the blueing was unaffected at the last inspection. (Just thinking about that now - not a single rifle in the family has a free-floated barrel - all are still with their factory spaced pressure points).  

Wrong, Browning didn't replace any Safari rifles or their 22 semi that was salt cured. They only replaced the Browning Supperposed belguim made shotguns, and only to the original owner. It took me several letters from an attorney to get Browning to replace the stock. And thw wood replaced was NOT as good as the original. the only reason that Browning did this was the superposed shotguns came with a "Lifetime Warranty". It was even marketed with a plastic Owners Card. And Browning was so reluctant (nasty) that i never buy Browning products to this day. At the time it was rumored that IG Browning had to fix all the salt cured rifles, it would have gone out of business. So if you are not an original owner of a Browning supperposed shotgun, you should take special care of you other Browning guns made between 1967 to 1972. some people will poly eurothane the areas of the stock where metal contacts wood; it helps (slows down the process) but the salt will always work thru. Unfortunately, this processed seems to have been done to mostly of those guns with nice figured walnut stocks.  

The entire wood order was for the higher grade guns. Only about 10% of the blanks were rifle length. The real sufferers were Pigeon Grade and higher Superposed and nearly all the four barrel skeet sets. I was a Browning repairman during that mess. The first salt wood Browning I saw belonged to the President of the Florida state senate. He called and said the trigger had fallen off his Olympia Grade .375 while sitting in the gun rack. That gun was so rusted I pushed a thumbnail through the skirt of the action. Only the hard chrome was still there. Browning replaced that entire rifle in a week. Polyurethane does NOT work for long over salt. It's epoxy or nothing.  

Your Browning safari rifle with the z74 number letter combo was made in the year 1974. The z5 was a 1965 produced safari rifle. This info can be found in the back of the thirty ninth edition of the S.P. Fjestad blue book of gun values,page 2435. I have in my procession a 1969 model safari rifle that was a medallion grade rifle.The stock was of salt wood. I did get it replaced by Browning,but the replacement was a simple safari grade wood stock. After all my letters and complaints I considerd myelf lucky just to get the replacement stock. I was the original owner. Mine is chambered in 7mm magnum.I do admit that I still own the rifle and it does shoot very well with my handloads. That is why I still own it to this day.  

OP pictures-- You'll notice his one 22-250 is built on a round top Sako action. This is what's called the 'two step' FN barrel and fancy Claro walnut stock. I question the recoil pad and no doubt that cuts the collector value by a couple hundred but still a $2K rifle with a 4.5-14 Leupold on it.  

Attachments

The scope adds nothing to the value of a rifle. Like period Cragar wheels on a black with red interior, factory 4 speed '69 Chevelle SS396. Any gun dealer/pawn shop isn't going to pay you for the Leopold scope, just the rifle. I routinely see guns stripped (of the scopes) and "pieces" sold separately to make more money. With avenues like GunsAmerica and Gunbroker to compare to, that's what the rifle(s) is/are worth. If it was me, I'd keep them and enjoy their accuracy and the OOOHS and AAAAHS I'd get at the range or the the ker THWOKS while thinning rogue prairie dog population. I'd put them right up there with vintage 788's, not for pretty but for accuracy. RJ  

There are three ways to appraise guns: Buying, selling and insuring. For insurance purposes, scopes, cases, ammo, slings and accessories are included. You would not receive $2K for that rifle from a dealer, but would be a fair price on a gunshow table.  

• ?            
• 51.9K members

Top Contributors this Month

• ALL MOSCOW TOURS
• Getting Russian Visa
• Top 10 Reasons To Go
• Things To Do In Moscow
• Sheremetyevo Airport
• Domodedovo Airport
• Vnukovo Airport
• Airports Transfer
• Layover in Moscow
• Best Moscow Hotels
• Best Moscow Hostels
• Art in Moscow
• Moscow Theatres
• Moscow Parks
• Free Attractions
• Walking Routes
• Sports in Moscow
• Shopping in Moscow
• The Moscow Metro
• Moscow Public Transport
• Taxi in Moscow
• Driving in Moscow
• Moscow Maps & Traffic
• Facts about Moscow – City Factsheet
• Expat Communities
• Groceries in Moscow
• Healthcare in Moscow
• Blogs about Moscow
• Flat Rentals

Moscow parks – leisure, nature and historical

Moscow is the most green megapolis in the world. There are over a hundred parks and green spaces like gardens, squares and boulevards. You will definitely bump into a few of them wherever you go. Whether you are interested in memorial, historic parks, parks of wildlife or you just want to have a calm break from the speedy city life – city parks have something special for everyone.

Moscow leisure parks

The leisure Moscow parks are undoubtedly the most popular and famous with the locals and travelers. Today such parks provide a great number of exciting entertainments for Muscovites and city guests, adults and children.

The Gorky Park

Gorky Park opened in 1928 and was the first holiday park in the Soviet Union with playgrounds, a sports stadium, exhibition halls and attractions for kids. Today it has a fresh, vibrant appearance. The park features bike rental stations, a comfortable business area with Wi-Fi, an outdoor movie theatre and a greenhouse where you can buy fresh greens such as basil and lettuce. To contemplate the sky and the stars, go to the observatory and look through the telescope while listening to fascinating stories from astronomers. Enjoy many sports in the park: volleyball, handball, football or a peaceful jog around the beautiful surroundings.

Zaryadye Park

Opened in September 2017, Zaryadye is the youngest on our list. Located just a few minutes away from Red Square, it includes various activities like the floating bridge with its thin V-form extension, an ice cave, also concert hall and an amphitheater. The entire territory of the park was divided into four zones of Russia: forest, steppe, tundra, and the floodplains.

Neskuchny Sad

By walking along the Moskva River’s bank from the Gorky Park towards Vorobievy Gory (Sparrow Hills) you’ll reach Neskuchny Sad («Not Boring» garden), a wonderful place in the Moscow center, one of Moscow’s oldest parks, charming slice of wildlife. The park mostly consists of pristine forest, dotted with old summer pavilions, ponds and quaint little stone bridges. There are a lot of opportunities for different activities lots of children playground, a ping-pong and chess clubs, football fields and tennis courts, horse riding, tree climbing and having rest in one of the nice cafes.

Museon Park

Hermitage Garden

Hermitage Garden has always been known as an amusement, entertainment center with theatres, shows, cafes, summer pavilions, pergolas since 1830. Shalyapin, Sobinov, Nezhdanova – great Russian opera singers starred on the garden stage. Famous Russian composer Rakhmaninov conducted the orchestra. Sara Bernar, Maria Yermolova, outstanding actresses, played in the open air performances. Tolstoy and Lenin had a stroll in the garden. So lots of celebrities from different epoques liked it a lot and spent their time in Hermitage Garden. You can find here three theatres in the garden: Hermitage, Sphere and New Opera. During winter an ice rink works here and in summer a musical stage is assembled to host jazz and brass band festivals.

In Sokolniki Park visitors can play billiard, chess or draughts, table tennis, as well as go cycling, roller blading and swimming in the summer and ice skating or skiing in winter. Each season is highlighted by special memorable and bright events, for example, Summer Jazz Festival or Baby Fest (for future mums), open air beach disco parties, Ice Cream Day, International Clown Festival and many other shows and exhibitions. The park has an observatory, kids center and a co-working zone with free Wi-Fi which is really nice for spending high quality work time there.

Moscow nature parks

The nature parks are national reserves with the amazing forestry and incredible variety of animals and plants there. The breath of wildlife and the chance to be closer to the virgin nature excites both children and grownups. Hundreds of different species of animals can be found in Moscow nature parks. The richest woodlands with old and even ancient trees, like a 200 years pine-tree in the Elk Island National Nature Park, are the point of passionate interest for visitors.

Aptekarsky Ogorod

Aptekarsky Ogorod (Apothecary Garden)

Aptekarsky Ogorod (Apothecary Garden) is one of the oldest gardens in Moscow. It was founded in the XVIII century by Peter the First (great Russian emperor). A larch that he planted himself still grows in the garden, so it’s more than 250 years old. At the time of its foundation, it was a garden with herbs and medicinal plants and was used as an educational center for doctors. Today there are the orangery with its tropical palms, the carp pond, and the immense trees that dot the landscape and turn wonderful golden shades in the autumn. Several restaurants and cafes work here making it a very nice spot for relaxation no matter what season it is. You can book a special tour or join the guided excursion group.

Losiny Ostrov

Losiny Ostrov (Elk Island Park)

Losiny Ostrov (Elk Island Park) is located at the north of Moscow. It covers 22 km from the west to the east and 10 km from the north to the south and it’s one of the most beautiful national parks in Moscow. Two rivers, Yausa and Pechorka begin here. You can find lots of fields, ponds, meadows, streams in the park as well as elks. Here you can enjoy guided tours, available in English. You can choose a guided tour about flora and fauna of the area, you’ll learn why elks are there, which animals are their neighbors. Or enjoy another excursion, which is totally devoted to historical past of ancient tribes once lived there, you’ll know about old Russian mythology, rituals and traditions.

Serebyany Bor

Serebyany Bor (Silver Forest)

Serebyany Bor (Silver Forest) is a famous pine forest in the west of Moscow. The park has 230 forms of plant life, and is also home to watersports complex, providing a lot of activities for visitors. The layout of Serebryany Bor is unusual, as it is located on an artificial island between a meander in the Moscow River and a channel. There is an artificial lake, the Deep Gulf and picturesque Bezdonnoe (Bottomless) Lake in the depths of the forest. Serebryany Bor’s beaches are the cleanest in the city and very popular among Muscovites. On weekends it is difficult to find a free spot here, especially because a whole range of services are offered to visitors, from simple deckchairs to catamaran and yacht rides. Driving is prohibited on the territory of the island so be ready to use trolleybus to reach the entrance.

Botanichesky Sad

Greenhouse of Botanical Garden

Main Botanical Garden of The Russian Academy of Sciences is the largest and most famous is Moscow. The garden is a real museum of nature with a very rich (more than 18000 types) collection of plants. The park was founded in 1945 at the place of the 17th century Apothecaries’ Gardens. The garden’s collection is turned into botanical expositions, made with use of modern receptions of landscape architecture. Here you can see a tree nursery, a shadow garden, hothouse complex, collection of flowers, a rosary, exposition of coastal plants, garden of continuous blossoming, Japanese garden and expositions of cultural plants and natural flora plants. The biggest part of Garden is the Tree nursery occupying the space of 75 hectares. About 2 thousand wood plants grow here. Another big exposition of the Garden is nature Flora, divided into six botanic-geographical collections: European part of Russia, Caucuses, Central Asia, Siberia and Far East. Pride of the Main Botanical Garden is the collection of tropical, coastal and water plants, which is considered as the best in Europe. The Japanese garden, a great model of Japanese landscape gardening art has a 13-level stone pagoda of the 18th century, stone Japanese lamps, ponds, falls and streams, tea lodges and more than 100 species of the most character Japan plants. It is especially decorative in spring, during Oriental cherry blossoming and in fall, when foliage blazes in crimson colors.

Moscow historic parks

Historic nature parks and estates once were the mansions of the Moscow aristocracy. At that far times the estates were outside the Moscow city limits, but after the city expansion and urbanization, they became easily accessible.

Kolomenskoye

Kolomenskoye Museum and Park

The chief attraction of the park is undoubtedly the stone Church of the Ascension of the Lord. It was constructed in 1532 by order of Tsar Vasily III to commemorate the birth of his son and heir, Ivan the Terrible. But there is a lot more to see in the park: the pretty Church of the Icon of Our Lady of Kazan – with its bright azure domes and plenty of gold. Further into the park there is a charming Church of the Beheading of St John the Baptist, built by Ivan the Terrible to mark his coronation.

Kuskovo Park

Kuskovo Park is one of the oldest country estates in Moscow. It was given to General Sheremetev by Peter the Great in 1715, but was left to fall into neglect before being plundered by Napoleon’s troops in 1812. Nowadays the estate has been restored to its former glory and is a good example of Russian 18th Century imperial architecture. The palace is a fine and rare example of wooden neoclassicism. It was completed in 1775, and the rich interiors remain unchanged since 1779. It includes a room hung with exclusive exquisite Flemish tapestries, an abundance of silk wallpaper and an impressive collection of 18th century European and Russian paintings. The palace looks onto the lake, which is surrounded by smaller pavilions: pretty Italian, Dutch and Swiss Cottages, Blank’s Hermitage and the old Orangery, where the State Ceramics Museum is located now, an extensive and absorbing collection of porcelain from the 18th century to the present day. On the other side of the lake is a large wood popular with local cyclists and joggers.

Our Private Tours in Moscow

Moscow metro & stalin skyscrapers private tour, moscow art & design private tour, soviet moscow historical & heritage private tour, gastronomic moscow private tour, «day two» moscow private tour, layover in moscow tailor-made private tour, whole day in moscow private tour, all-in-one moscow essential private tour, tour guide jobs →.

Every year we host more and more private tours in English, Russian and other languages for travelers from all over the world. They need best service, amazing stories and deep history knowledge. If you want to become our guide, please write us.

Contact Info

+7 495 166-72-69

[email protected]

119019 Moscow, Russia, Filippovskiy per. 7, 1

Mon - Sun 10.00 - 18.00

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser .

• Moscow Tours

Our 20 Best Moscow Tours of 2022

Join us on an unforgettable tour to Moscow, the capital of Russia. Imagine visiting Red Square, St. Basil’s the Kremlin and more. Moscow is one of Europe’s most vibrant cities and one of Russia’s most historical. All of our tours to Moscow are fully customizable and can be adjusted to fit any budget. Our most popular tours are listed below. Please click on the tour details to learn more or contact us for more information about our Moscow tours using the form at the side of the page. You can also schedule a call with one of our Russian travel specialists to learn more.

Classic Moscow

This is our most popular Moscow tour that includes all the most prominent sights. You will become acquainted with ancient Russia in the Kremlin, admire Russian art in the Tretyakov Gallery, listen to street musicians as you stroll along the Old Arbat street, and learn about Soviet times on the Moscow Metro tour.

Accommodation

PRIVATE TOUR

A Week in Moscow

This tour is a perfect choice for those who wish to get to know Moscow in depth. One of the highlights of this package is the KGB history tour which gives an interesting perspective on the Cold War. You will also have time for exploring the city on your own or doing extra sightseeing.

Weekend in Moscow

This tour is a great way to get acquainted with the capital of Russia if you are short of time. You will see all the main attractions of the city, the most important of which is the Kremlin - the heart of Russia. The tour starts on Friday and can be combined with a business trip.

Group Tour Moscow Break by Intourist

Russia's capital has so much to offer, from the Kremlin and the Metro to the Old Arbat street and the Tretyakov Gallery. Besides these sites, you will also visit a fascinating country estate which today is quite off the beaten path, Gorky Estate, where the Soviet leader Lenin spent the last months of his life.

Kolomenskoye Tour with transport

The history of Kolomenskoye stretches back for centuries. In 1380, Dmitri Donskoi’s army passed through Kolomenskoye on their way to the Kulikovo battlefield, and it was...

Tours by car

Kremlin, Red Sq., Cathedrals & Armory Tour

The Kremlin is truly a fascinating structure, at the same time it is an ancient tower, the city’s former military fortification, a palace, an armory, the sovereign treasury...

Walking tours

Kremlin, Red Sq., Cathedrals, Armory, Diamond Fund Tour

Old Arbat walking tour

You will be told of the street’s interesting history and view the street’s artisan culture. You will also have the opportunity to view and purchase souvenirs from the...

Tour to Sergiev Posad with transport

Considered by some to be the Russian Vatican, Sergiev Posad is the temporary residence of the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church. The Trinity St. Sergius Monastery (Lavra)...

Tour to Kuskovo with transport

The Kuskovo Estate often called the Moscow Versailles due to its perfectly preserved French park, is an example of an 18th century, luxurious Moscow summer residence. Its history...

Tour to Tsaritsyno with transport

The Tsaritsyno Estate is located in the southern part of Moscow. The estate was constructed for Catherine the Great by the Russian architects Bazhenov and Kazakov in a romantic...

Moscow Metro and Old Arbat Tour

The Moscow Metro is one of the largest and most grandly built metro systems in the world. It was meant to be a showcase of the Soviet Union’s achievements for both the Russians...

Vodka Museum Tour with transport (excursion and vodka tasting)

Vodka is an important component of Russian life, an element of national identity and everyday culture. We invite you to visit the Vodka Museum and feel the atmosphere of long-gone...

Mikhail Bulgakov Apartment Museum

This apartment museum located close to Patriarch Ponds became the prototype of the "bad apartment" described in the novel "The Master and Margarita." Currently the museum's...

Kremlin, Red Sq., Cathedrals & Diamond Fund Tour

The State Museum of Lev Tolstoy Tour

Take this opportunity to learn more about the Russian writer Lev Tolstoy. During the visit to the museum you will see part of a vast collection of exhibits connected to Tolstoy...

Novodevichy Convent Tour with transport

Tour of the Novodevichy Monastery. Founded in 1524 by Grand Prince VasiliIoanovich, the original convent was enclosed by fortified walls and contained 12 towers. The structure...

City Tour with Visit to St. Basils & Red Sq. with transport

Panoramic City Tour. This Moscow tour is a great start to your trip and the best way to get acquainted with many of the city’s major highlights. Our professional guide will...

City Tour of Moscow

Head to the heart of Moscow with a professional guide on a 4-hour private walk through the city center. See Tverskaya and Old Arbat streets, Theatre Square with the world-famous...

Moscow Metro walking tour

Kremlin, Red Square and Cathedrals Tour

KGB Tour with transport

This is a very interesting and insightful tour. You will visit places connected with Stalin’s terror - a time of great repression and fear. You will be shown monuments to...

Soviet and Post-Soviet Moscow Tour

The tour begins with a drive or walk down Tverskaya Street – a Soviet masterpiece. In the years of Soviet power, Tverskaya began to undergo a transformation: it was widened...

Tretyakov State Gallery Tour

This world-famous gallery contains masterpieces of Russian art beginning in the 10th century up until today. You will view exquisite Russian icons and paintings from the 18th and...

Jewish Heritage of Moscow Tour

This tour offers a detailed look into the history and present-day life of the Jewish community of Moscow. On the tour, you will visit sites connected with the cultural and religious...

Vodka Museum Tour with transport (excursion only)

Lena, our guide in Moscow was excellent. She was very knowledgable and could answer any question we had for her. We liked that she could pick up on our interests and take us places we might not have thought of to go. When we realized that one of the places we had chosen to see would probably not be that interesting to us, she was able to arrange entry to the Diamond Fund and the Armoury for us. Riding the Metro with Lena was a real adventure and a lot of fun. In Saint Petersburg we found Anna well versed in the history of the Tsars and in the Hermitage collection. Arkady in Veliky Novgorod was a very good guide and answered all of our questions with ease. Novgorod was perhaps a long way to go for a day trip, but we did enjoy it. Vasily was a great driver to have and kept us safe with good humour and skill. We enjoyed ourselves so much, my daughter says she is already planning to return. We would both have no hesistation to recommend ExpresstoRussia to anyone we know.

Just wanted to let you know that My grandson Bruno and I couldn´t have been more pleased with our week in Moscow (6/15 - 6/21). We were absolutely enchanted with the whole experience, including getting lost a couple of times in the Metro during our free time. Although both our guides (both Eleanas) were excellent, I would particularly commend the first one (she took us to the Tatiakov, the KGB tour, and to that beautiful cemetery where so many great Russian artists, authors, composers, musicians, militarists, and politicians are buried). Her knowledge is encyclopedic; and her understanding of today´s Russia as a product of its past was, for us, truly enlightening. I will be taking another tour in Russia, with my wife, within the next two or three years. I will be in touch with you when the time comes. Meanwhile, I will refer you to other potential visitors to Russia as I meet them.

Tours to Moscow

Our Moscow tours are land only meaning that you arrange your own air travel to Russia and our expert staff meets you at the airport and handles everything else from there. Our online Airline Ticket booking system offers some of the most competitive rates to Russia available on the web so if you need tickets, please visit our Russian air ticket center . Rest assured that you will be taken great care of on one of our Moscow tours. Express to Russia has a fully staffed office in Moscow that will help to make your visit fun, informative and unforgettable. Please remember that of all these tours are private and can be adjusted to your taste. You can add, replace or skip some sights; you can add more days to the package or cut the tour short. Our specialists will be glad to help you create the tour of your dreams!

Moscow, a City Like No Other

Moscow is Russia’s largest city with a population of between 12 and 13 million. It is also Europe’s largest city and when you visit Moscow, you can feel it. The layout and architecture of the city is eclectic, ranging from crooked, ancient streets and alleyways to wide, bustling boulevards, from medieval churches to Stalin skyscrapers and to modern, glass buildings towering over everything and of course in the center of it all is the Kremlin and the magnificent Red Square. Moscow is also home to a fantastic, efficient and very beautiful metro system – each station having its own special design. In fact, Express to Russia’s Moscow metro tours and excursions are some of our most popular attractions that we offer. On our Moscow tours, you will see this and more.

Moscow Tours centering on Russian History

Moscow has a long and interesting history and has been the capital of Russia in many of its different iterations – capital of the Grand Duchy of Moscow , the Russian Empire and of course the Soviet Union (who could ever forget the Soviet Union?). Moscow, was founded in the 12th century by Prince Yuri Dolgaruki (Yuri of the long arms – he really did have long arms!). From that time on, it was home to the Russian Tsars until Peter the Great moved the capital to St. Petersburg in 1703. The city has survived invasions and sieges from the Mongols, the Tartars, the Poles, Lithuanians and Napoleon but has always persevered. Our Moscow tours will enlighten you on this great history and give you insights into Muscovites and their unique culture. Our Moscow tours show you what the city is like today but also brings to life the past. Moscow never seems to sleep and is bursting with energy. A Moscow tour with Express to Russia is truly the best way of getting to know Russia’s largest and most vibrant city.

Frequently Asked Questions From Our Travelers

What is the best time to visit moscow.

Any time of year is fine depending on what you plan to do. Summertime is pleasantly warm, ideal for exploring the city and its vibrant atmosphere, but Moscow will be much busier and accommodation is more expensive. Winter can be quite cold but beautiful nonetheless, and this is unproblematic if you intend to spend most of your trip in museums and galleries. There are also various festivals and events organised throughout the year. For more information about the best time to visit, read our guide

How many days are enough in Moscow?

If you plan your itinerary strategically and aren’t averse to a packed schedule, you can cover Moscow’s main sights over a long weekend. Most popular attractions are in the city centre, and the Moscow Metro allows you to cover much ground in a small amount of time. Ensure that your accommodation is fairly central and book tickets in advance, so that you can make the most of your days. For an informative and well-organised day out, check out our Moscow day tours with options to suit all interests.

Do they speak English in Moscow?

As Russia’s capital city, tourists are well accommodated in Moscow. There should be English-speaking staff in restaurants, bars, hotels, shops and attractions in tourist hotspots, and there are also English-speaking tourist police. Transport services have English translations on their maps and English announcements via intercom; alternatively, order taxis from the Yandex Taxi app (Russian Uber), though it’s unlikely that your taxi driver will speak English. If you get stuck and cannot communicate, it’s fine to use Google Translate.

Is it safe to travel to Moscow?

It is no less safe to travel to Moscow than to any European city if you exercise common sense and look after your belongings. As with every city some regions can be more unsavoury than others, but no tourist attractions are located there. The traffic in Moscow is notorious, so exercise caution when crossing roads. Do not take unlicensed taxis; book in advance or take public transport, which is widespread and perfectly safe. If you encounter any problems, look for the special tourist police who can help you. For more information, read our guide about staying safe in Russia .

Our travel brands include

Express to Russia

Join us on Facebook

We invite you to become a fan of our company on Facebook and read Russian news and travel stories. To become a fan, click here .

Join our own Russian Travel, Culture and Literature Club on Facebook. The club was created to be a place for everyone with an interest in Russia to get to know each other and share experiences, stories, pictures and advice. To join our club, please follow this link .

We use cookies to improve your experience on our Website, and to facilitate providing you with services available through our Website. To opt out of non-essential cookies, please click here . By continuing to use our Website, you accept our use of cookies, the terms of our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service . I agree

Must-see nightlife in Moscow

Sisters Cafe

Meshchansky & Basmanny

This cosy and quiet cafe-cum-bar has a distinct feminine touch about it – as if Chekhov's sisters have finally made their way to Moscow and started a new…

Ukuleleshnaya

In its new location, this is now more of a bar than a musical instrument shop, although ukuleles still adorn the walls, prompting an occasional jam…

Noor / Electro

There is little to say about this misleadingly unassuming bar, apart from the fact that everything in it is close to perfection. It has it all – prime…

Bar Strelka

Zamoskvorechie

Located just below the Patriarshy most, the bar-restaurant at the Strelka Institute is the ideal starting point for an evening in the Red October complex…

Euphoria reigns in this postmodern nomad camp of a bar with its strategic rooftop position on Red October. The decor is bright-coloured kitsch, which…

Scooter enthusiast, that is. But you don't have to be one in order to enjoy this superbly laid-back bar hidden at the far end of a fancifully shaped…

Surf Coffee

Arbat & Khamovniki

This tiny coffee shop is hidden between the Old and New Arbat streets. A vibrant chain from Sochi, it envelops you in a special atmosphere of surfboards,…

Coffee Bean

Winds of change brought US national Jerry Ruditser to Moscow in the early 1990s on a mission to create the nation's first coffee chain, which he succeeded…

This Shabolovka district local is an alcohol-infused version of the Mad Hatter's tea party with a hint of BDSM. It features waitresses dressed as…

The biggest drinking and eating establishment in Hermitage Gardens, this veranda positioned at the back of the park's main building looks a bit like a…

Fun, informal and affordable (so surprising on swanky Stoleshnikov), Gogol is great for food, drinks and music. The underground club takes its bunker…

The name may not sound original, but these guys do get your mojo working! Their magic formula includes outstanding cocktails, classily understated design…

The goatee and moustache factor is high in this hipster-ridden verandah bar that comes with a dozen pétanque lanes. Grab a pitcher of sangria or a pint of…

Tucked into the courtyard in the old Tryokhgornaya manufacturing complex, Jagger is a super-hot bar with a super-cool vibe. Excellent cocktails, sharp…

Fcking Craft Pub

The scale of the craft beer craze is so terrifying for some folks in Moscow, they've decided it's time for a backlash. This large pub has no Russian beer…

Chaynaya Vysota

Tearoom? Gelateria? This place looks more like an academic library of tea and ice cream, an impression enhanced by it sharing premises with a bookstore…

Garage Club

This is the only place in Moscow you can drink and drive. Not to be confused with the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art, this is the reincarnation of a…

Rolling Stone

Plastered with covers of the namesake magazine and lit by naked bulbs, this place has the feel of an upscale dive bar. The music spans all genres and…

This playful club-cafe invites relaxation and fun with lounge furniture, tantalising cocktails and colourful modelling clay. Containers of pliable play…

Ready to satisfy your thirst and hunger (both literal and social) at any time of day and night, this venue comes with human-sized maharaja dolls, waiters…

Tsurtsum Cafe

Synonymous with Winzavod art centre, where it is located, Tsurtsum is a watering hole where all the beasts of the postindustrial savannah at the back of…

It looks like just another cellar bar, but if you walk all the way through the underground maze you'll find yourself in the huge overground 'orangerie'…

This cosy little pub hidden away from the perpetually crowded Klimentovsky per has the melancholy of an Edward Hopper painting or a good road movie. The…

One could claim that Coffee Bean started the coffee craze in Moscow. While the original location on Tverskaya ul is no longer open, there are a few of…

Mandarin Combustible

Dining, drinking and dancing are all on offer in this sexy space. There is a long menu of Pan Asian cuisine – as well as sushi, pasta, tapas and more –…

Strategically located on the city's busiest square, this place has nothing but a long bar and lots of taps pumping from barrels, representing dozens of…

Eclectic and atmospheric, Dom 12 may be the perfect place to attend an event or chat with friends over a glass of wine. The cosy interior is enhanced by…

Khitrye Lyudi

Occupying what looks like an abandoned classroom in its Winzavod premises, this easygoing cafe has hip, likeable waiters, an intriguing list of lemonades…

Tap & Barrel

Amid the craft-beer mayhem, a good old – and not-so-fake – Irish pub feels like a welcome refuge. Occupying a vast cellar space with vaulting bare brick…

'Parka' is a banya (bathhouse) term, hence the sauna-like decor, and just like a proper banya, this is a very relaxing place. The friendly bartenders let…

Kvartira 44

Back in the olden days, the best place to go for a drink was your neighbour’s flat, which would be crowded with mismatched furniture and personal…

Art Lebedev Cafe Studio

Owned by design guru Artemy Lebedev, this tiny space invites an attractive arty crowd to sip fancy coffee drinks and exotic teas. Regulars love the house…

Dictatura Estetica

Aesthetics indeed rule this stylish little bar, but its main appeal lies in the gin cocktails based on secret potions, which its mixologists produce out…

A flagship of the new converted factory space, Khlebozavod 9, this is a relatively large two-level bar specialising in craft beer. At the end of the week,…

Kamchatka is a generic term for all things fringe, and this cavernous pub seems to have been designed to prove that beer can go for R80 even in a prime…

Zhiguli Beer Hall

It’s hard to classify this old-style stolovaya (cafeteria) that happens to brew great beer. The place harks back to the Soviet years, when a popular…

Named for the Mayakovsky Theatre downstairs, this is a remake of a much-beloved club that operated in this spot throughout the 1990s. The reincarnated…

Don't leave Gorky Park without trying one of the invigorating tea-based drinks at this kiosk-like outlet on the embankment. Here, they mix tea with sweet…

Giant murals depicting Russian countercultural icons – Vladimir Vysotsky, Shnur and Sergei Bodrov Jr – observe a merry crowd of hipsters ticking off new…

Pitcher Pub

This strategically located little bar is all about craft beer with a couple of dozen ales, stouts and lagers on tap, coming from Russian and European…

More destinations you need to see

Moscow Tours & Travel Packages 2024/2025

Our 60 most popular moscow trips. compare tour itineraries from 45 tour companies. 308 reviews. 4.7/5 avg rating., popular moscow tours.

St Petersburg & Moscow in Style - Winter

• Explore the majestic St Petersburg & Moscow on private city tours
• Admire the rich Russian history, art and architecture
• Travel to Moscow on a highspeed train
• Enjoy the local cuisine in stylish restaurants

Lower Volga Voyage

• Visit magnificent Red Square and Kremlin and examine the collection at theKremlin’s State Armory.
• Experience Russia’s diverse musical traditions at lively folk music performances
• Explore Volgograd, the site of the decisive battle of World War II’s eastern front

Volga Dream Russian River Cruise

St Petersburg & Moscow in Style - Summer

White Russian - 7 days

• Discover Moscow's UNESCO-listed Red Square, home to spectacular St Basil’s Cathedral, Lenin's Mausoleum and the historic GUM Department store
• Explore the grounds of Moscow's mighty Kremlin, with its numerous governmentbuildings, gold-domed cathedrals and the giant tsar bell
• Celebrate New Year's Eve in Moscow!
• Take in the highlights of St Petersburg including a guided tour of the exquisite Church on Spilled Blood, Peter & Paul Fortress and Cathedral
• Take a guided tour of the remarkable Hermitage Museum at the Winter Palace

Vodka Shot - 6 days

• Explore the beautiful city of St Petersburg, including the exquisite Church on Spilled Blood, Peter & Paul Fortress and Nevsky Prospekt
• Marvel at the dazzling array of art and exhibits in the world-famous Hermitage Museum, at the Winter Palace in St Petersburg
• Discover a lavish residence of the tsars on a day trip to Catherine Palace at Tsarkoe Selo (winter: mid-October to April) or Peterhof Palace and gardens (summer: May to mid-October)
• Take in the highlights of the capital on a walking tour, visiting Moscow's famous Red Square, home to the historic GUM Department Store, Lenin’s Mausoleum and spectacular St Basil’s Cathedral
• Take a guided tour of the Moscow Kremlin, Russia’s political power house. Stroll around the grounds of this fortified complex, visit the Kremlin's cathedrals and see the mighty Tsar Bell

Route of the Romanovs - 10 days

• Learn about the last days of the Romanovs in Yekaterinburg, visiting the sites where Tsar Nicolas II and his family were assassinated and buried
• Straddle two continents at the famous obelisk Europe/Asia border marker in Yekaterinburg
• Experience the Trans-Siberian railway on an overnight train journey from Moscow to Yekaterinburg

New Year's in Moscow - 9 days

• Visit Catherine Palace at Tsarkoe Selo on Christmas Day and marvel at the incredible Amber Room
• Spend a night in Novgorod, an ancient city by the Volkhov River - explore the kremlin, cathedral and other sights and enjoy a traditional Russian banya (sauna)

All Moscow , expedition cruises, self guided adventures and vacation packages. Find the best guided and expert planned vacation and holiday packages. Read more about Moscow

Small Group Moscow Tours

Back in the USSR - 7 days

Russian Revolution - 9 days

• Visit historic Novgorod, an ancient city which straddles the Volkhov River. Explore the attractive riverside kremlin and experience a traditional Russian banya (sauna)

The Snowball - 6 days

• Visit Catherine Palace at Tsarkoe Selo and marvel at the incredible Amber Room

Mood for Moscow - 4 days

• Head underground to visit a Stalinist-era Soviet Bunker on an optional excursion
• Stroll to the vibrant Izmailovo Market, which lies behind the walls of an ancient Kremlin, and shop for an array of souvenirs

Best Moscow Tours by Duration

Tours, Cruises & Private Trips

Best Moscow Tours by Price

Top Moscow Attractions & Experiences

Moscow Tours & Travel Guide

Moscow Attractions & Landmarks Guide

Moscow reviews & ratings, capitals of the north.

some hotels could have been better

It was jam packed with every place I wanted to go and see. I especially love my photo of us setting out on the night time river cruise in St Petersburg and the Peter...

I really did not buy much and what I did buy was small gifts for others .

Johanna-Marie

Good hotels, some better than others. Interesting itinerary

Too rushed. Optional tour rather too short

See all Moscow reviews

Moscow Tours FAQ

1. Does Travelstride have all the tour operators?

2. How does the Member Savings program save me money?

3. Can I trust the tour operator and trip reviews on Travelstride?

4. What does ‘Stride Preferred’ mean?