Floating Bridge

The Floating Bridge — one of the brightest and most unusual attractions in the capital, located in the heart of Zaryadye Park. This is a 70-meter cantilever structure that seems to hover above the Moskva River, creating the effect of real levitation. Opened in 2017, the bridge instantly became a symbol of modern Moscow and a must-visit spot for everyone seeking the best panoramic views of the Kremlin, Red Square, and the historic center.

Where the Floating Bridge is located and how to get there

Address: Ul. Varvarka, 6, bldg. 1 (entrance to Zaryadye Park from the Moskvoretskaya Embankment).
Coordinates: 55.749581, 37.629465
Nearest metro stations:

• Kitay-gorod (Tagansko-Krasnopresnenskaya and Kaluzhsko-Rizhskaya lines)
• Ploshchad Revolyutsii
• Okhotny Ryad

It’s only a 5–7 minute walk from Red Square to the bridge via Moskvoretskaya Street.

Opening hours and admission cost

• The Floating Bridge and the park grounds are open 24/7 and free of charge
• Park pavilions: Mon 14:00–20:00, Tue–Sun 10:00–20:00
• Access to the bridge itself is always free; queues are possible only during high season

Architecture and design: why the bridge really “floats”

Main characteristics

• Total length — 244 meters
• Length of the cantilever (“floating”) section — about 70 meters
• Height above the water — 13–15 meters
• Shape — a giant horseshoe or “boomerang” (Muscovites affectionately call it a “paperclip”)
• Maximum load — more than 240 tons (up to 4,000 people at once)
• Weight of the structure — 3,700 tons

The bridge is held by powerful tension cables and a concrete support. There are no intermediate pillars in the river — this is the first and so far the only such structure in Russia.

Views from the Floating Bridge

From the cantilever you can see almost the entire historic Moscow:

• The Kremlin and Saint Basil’s Cathedral (to the right)
• The Stalinist skyscraper on Kotelnicheskaya Embankment
• Raushskaya Embankment and GES-2 power plant
• Bolshoy Moskvoretsky and Bolshoy Ustinsky bridges
• The Balchug Kempinski Hotel on the opposite bank
• Zaryadye Park itself with its hills and the “Glass Bark”

This is one of the best spots in the city for panoramic photos, especially at sunset.

Interesting facts about the Floating Bridge and Zaryadye Park

1. In 2018, Zaryadye Park entered the Time magazine’s list of the 100 greatest places in the world — the only Russian entry.
2. The bridge was designed by the famous American firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro, authors of New York’s High Line.
3. Construction of the bridge cost 860 million rubles.
4. The bridge leads nowhere — it starts and ends on the same bank, so it is often compared to the Tsar Cannon and Tsar Bell.
5. The park recreates four Russian climate zones: tundra, forest, steppe, and flood meadows.
6. You are allowed to walk on many of the lawns — the plants were specially chosen to be trampling-resistant.

What else to see in Zaryadye Park

• Large amphitheater under a glass dome
• Ice Cave
• “Glass Bark” with solar panels
• Preserve Embassy and underground archaeological museum
• Media center with a “Flight over Russia” attraction
• Zaryadye Concert Hall

Useful tips for visitors

• Commercial photoshoots require permission from the administration
• During fireworks and salute displays the bridge is closed for safety reasons
• In winter the bridge can be slippery — wear shoes with good tread
• Best time for quiet photos — early morning or weekdays
• There are great coffee spots and street food nearby

Why you should visit the Floating Bridge

It’s not just a viewing platform — it’s a symbol of the new Moscow, where thousand-year history meets cutting-edge architecture. In just a few minutes on the bridge you’ll see more iconic views of the capital than in hours of walking along the embankments. Free, open around the clock, and guaranteed to deliver vivid impressions — the perfect place for a first acquaintance with the city and for anyone looking for the most photogenic angle of the Kremlin.