For a visitor, taking photos in Moscow is easy and, in most places, completely fine. Personal, amateur photography is allowed almost everywhere tourists go — the streets, parks, most metro stations, Red Square and the exteriors of churches and landmarks. The restrictions that matter are specific and predictable: no photography inside Lenin's Mausoleum and some Kremlin buildings, no flash or tripods in the metro and many museums, and nothing at all around military, security or certain government sites. Drones are banned in the city — and, as of 2026, photographing drones or the aftermath of drone strikes is itself a criminal offence. This guide covers exactly where the lines are so you don't get an unwelcome word from a guard, or worse.
Quick reference: where can you take photos?
| Place | Personal photos? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Streets, squares, parks | Yes | Free to shoot; be considerate of people |
| Moscow Metro stations | Yes | Handheld personal photos are allowed; flash and tripods are prohibited; professional/stationary equipment needs written permission from metro management |
| Red Square (open square) | Yes | Great for architecture; the square itself is open to photos |
| Lenin's Mausoleum | No | Cameras and phones must be checked at the entrance; no photos inside |
| Kremlin cathedrals & grounds | Partly | Grounds/exteriors generally fine; the Armoury Chamber, the Diamond Fund and many cathedral interiors prohibit photography |
| Museums & galleries | Usually | Often allowed without flash or tripod; check signs — some halls and special exhibits ban photos |
| Military, security & some government sites | No | Illegal; can carry criminal liability |
| Drones (anywhere in Moscow) | No | Civilian drone flights are banned — reinforced from 20 June 2026, until further notice |
| Drones & drone-strike aftermath | No | New: photographing or sharing images of UAVs or the aftermath of drone attacks is prohibited by law — fines or imprisonment |
| Professional / commercial shoots | Permit | Tripods, lighting rigs and crews need permission/accreditation |
Public places: shoot freely
No permit is needed for personal photography in public spaces. Moscow's streets, embankments and parks are open to photographers, and the city's landmarks — from Red Square to the Moscow-City skyscrapers — are among the most photogenic in Europe. For the best vantage points, see our guides to Moscow's iconic photography spots and the 9 best photo spots in Moscow.
The Moscow Metro
The metro's "underground palaces" — Komsomolskaya, Mayakovskaya, Novoslobodskaya and others — are a photographer's dream, and handheld personal photography is permitted. Keep it quick and unobtrusive: under the metro's passenger rules, flash and tripods (and monopods) are prohibited, and any professional or stationary equipment requires written permission from the metro's management. Never block passengers or platforms.
The Kremlin, Red Square and the Mausoleum
The open expanse of Red Square is free to photograph, and it's one of the city's best exteriors — see our complete guide to Red Square. Inside the Kremlin, rules vary by building: the grounds and cathedral exteriors are generally fine, but photography is prohibited inside the Armoury Chamber and the Diamond Fund, and restricted or banned inside many Cathedral Square interiors. At Lenin's Mausoleum, cameras and phones must be handed in before entry and no photography is allowed inside.
Museums and galleries
Most Moscow museums allow personal photography without flash or a tripod, but always check the signs at the entrance or ask staff — individual exhibition halls, temporary shows and loaned collections frequently forbid photos entirely. Where photos are allowed, keep flash off to protect the artworks and other visitors' experience.
What you must not photograph
Military installations, security and law-enforcement facilities, border zones and certain government or strategic infrastructure are off-limits. Photographing military objects or sites containing state secrets is illegal and can lead to criminal liability, so if you see a "no photography" sign or a guarded perimeter, put the camera away and ask if unsure.
Critical 2026 restriction: do not photograph, film, or share images of drones (UAVs) or the aftermath of drone strikes. Russian law prohibits publishing such images, and a U.S. Embassy security alert in June 2026 warned that violations can result in fines or imprisonment. If you witness an incident, do not take out your phone. In an emergency, our guide to emergency services in Russia lists the numbers you need.
Drones and professional filming
Civilian drone flights are banned in Moscow — a sweeping ban over the city and several surrounding regions was reinforced from 20 June 2026 and remains in force until further notice, covering recreational and private use. Leave the drone grounded in the city; the details and the (limited) legal options are in our guide to drone photography in Moscow. If you are planning a professional or commercial shoot — bringing production equipment, using tripods and lighting, or filming with a crew — you will need permits and, for imported gear, customs handling; see our guide to filming in Russia: customs and permit requirements.
Photographing people
Candid street photography for personal use is generally accepted, but be respectful: ask before photographing individuals up close, and note that publishing recognisable images of people for commercial purposes normally requires their consent. Avoid photographing children without a parent's agreement.
Frequently asked questions
Can you take photos in the Moscow Metro?
Yes. Handheld personal photography is allowed in the Moscow Metro. Flash and tripods are prohibited, and professional or stationary equipment requires written permission from metro management. You must not obstruct passengers.
Is it legal to photograph the Kremlin and Red Square?
Red Square and the Kremlin's exteriors are fine to photograph. Inside the Kremlin, the Armoury Chamber and Diamond Fund ban photography and many cathedral interiors are restricted. Lenin's Mausoleum allows no photos, and cameras and phones must be checked at the entrance.
Can I use a drone in Moscow?
No. Civilian drone flights are banned across Moscow and nearby regions, reinforced from 20 June 2026 until further notice. In addition, photographing or sharing images of drones or the aftermath of drone strikes is prohibited by law and can result in fines or imprisonment.
Do I need a permit to take photos as a tourist?
No permit is needed for personal photography in public places. Permits are only required for professional or commercial shoots involving tripods, lighting, crews or imported production equipment.
Can I photograph inside museums?
Usually yes, without flash or a tripod, but always check the signs. Individual halls, temporary shows and loaned collections often prohibit photography.
Before you shoot
Rules at individual venues change and are enforced by on-site staff, so treat posted signs and guards' instructions as final. When a location's status is unclear — especially anything that looks official, military or security-related, or involves a drone or an incident — don't photograph it.
