Russia’s Top Places to Visit
Russia is a vast expanse of mysterious snow-capped mountains, deep, golden sands and icy tundra. There are also thousands of rivers that run through charming villages and scenic national parks. The world’s largest nation is home to many amazing works of art, magnificent palaces, marvelous towns, and other attractions that have inspired poets and writers for centuries.
Moscow
Moscow is a city with a rich and turbulent history, great art and culture, and the largest group of billionaires in the world, and it’s not surprising that Moscow is a city of extraordinary contrasts and creative energy.
Today, Moscow is a sophisticated and intriguing metropolis that’s almost intimidating. It boasts world-class art galleries, top-notch shopping, vibrant and revitalized culture, and thrilling nightlife.
Petersburg
St. Petersburg is often Russia’s most European, forward-looking, and progressive city. This makes it a great destination for culture and history lovers. The city boasts a well-respected cultural landscape with more than 2,000 libraries, 220 museums and 80 theaters. While edgy art galleries and bohemian cafés, lively underground clubs and cool hostels featuring minimalist Scandinavian interiors showcase St. Petersburg’s creative side, there are also many other attractions such as bohemian cafes boisterous underground bars.
Kizhi Island
The Kizhi Island, located in Lake Onega, is not as well-known as Moscow or St Petersburg, but it’s a very interesting Russian destination. This unique complex is known for its spectacular open-air museum. It hosts a remarkable collection of wooden structures. Some of these structures are part of the UNESCO World Heritage list, while others date to the 14th century.
This tiny island is home to the Church of the Resurrection of Lazarus, the oldest wooden church in Russia, and the Kizhi Pogost with its 22-dome Transfiguration Church. Visitors will be able to see some of the best examples of wooden architecture in the country, as well as a variety of rural settlements that are unique to Karelia, scattered throughout this almost idyllic, natural paradise.
Vladivostok
It’s not a coincidence that one of Russia’s most beautiful cities is located on the Pacific Ocean, closer to China, Japan and Korea than the Siberian national Lake Baikal. Vladivostok is located approximately 4,000 miles away from Moscow. Its scenic location, unobstructed sea views and hilly streets remind travelers of San Francisco’s legendary San Francisco.
This easternmost point on the Trans-Siberian Highway used to be a closed city 15 years ago. But today, Vladivostok has beautiful architecture and delicious cuisine. There are endless entertainment options.
Irkutsk, Lake Baikal
Irkutsk, also known locally as the Paris in Siberia, is a compact city with a large collection of museums, churches, and theaters. It also has beautiful wooden houses with intricately hand-carved decorations. This is also the closest major city to Lake Baikal, making it an ideal base for exploring the world’s largest, oldest, deepest, and most beautiful freshwater lake.
The City History Museum and the Geology Museum are the main attractions in Irkutsk. They display gems and minerals from Siberia and Russia’s the Far East. The Old Town also has lively street cafes, 19th-century architecture, and joyous street artists. It’s a great place to relax, eat, and watch the world pass.
Kazan
This is a great time to visit Kazan since the city has just undergone a major makeover to prepare for the many world-class events scheduled to take place there. These include the 2014 World Fencing Championships and the 2015 World Aquatics Championships. The 2018 FIFA World Cup is also highly anticipated.
Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan capital is a melting pot of cultures. It is home to a diverse mix of Christians and Muslims who live peacefully alongside each other on the Volga River. The Kazan Kremlin is a major historical site that has been listed by UNESCO. It’s filled with beautiful churches, watchtowers and museums. Kazan also has a great selection of bars, cafes and restaurants. Most of them are located along the pedestrian Bauman Street.
The Golden Ring
The Golden Ring, a collection of picturesque old-world towns and medieval fortresses surrounded by ancient onion-domed churches, is a popular tourist destination in Russia. This cluster of ancient villages is located north of Moscow but feels a million miles away. It offers visitors an opportunity to experience the unique architecture, history and centuries-old crafting traditions of the region.