The most interesting regions of Russia from this selection incorporate everything we travel for. European streets and ancient Russian estates, sparkling cities and Asian flavor, postcard panoramas of forests and lakes, mighty mountains and romantic beaches. Our country opens up endless scope for research without visa problems. We tell you where to go in Russia to fall in love with the world around you again.
Updated September 6, 2021 . Before planning a trip amid a pandemic, be sure to check the current rules: they change quickly. We recommend that you follow our news page and check the instructions of your regional authorities.
The most interesting regions of Russia: Moscow region
You get the feeling that a real Hogwarts Express is running from Moscow, taking you straight to a parallel magical world. The contrast is so impressive after a huge, noisy city, when a couple of hours on the train transports you to the ancient Russian flavor with cozy churches or the kingdom of untouched nature where bison roam.
For peace, head to Sergiev Posad, the closest Golden Ring city to the capital. People come here to visit the Holy Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius and other beautiful temples, churches and chapels that this ancient city is rich in.
A couple of hours drive from the Moscow City skyscrapers - and before you come to life paintings by Russian painters
The estates of the Moscow region can also be explored endlessly. Here you have Abramtsevo, where Serov wrote the famous “Girl with Peaches”, and Muranovo, where the Boratynskys and Tyutchevs lived, and even “Guslitsa”, where a co-working, co-living and cultural and educational center have now been opened.
You finally become immersed in the magic of the Moscow region on the eco-trails of the Prioksko-Terrasny Nature Reserve. Bison and bison rule here, and guests watch the furry peers of mammoths from observation platforms. And to breathe fresh air in solitude, go to the lake or into the forest: you can go for a picnic or stay in a wonderful glamping camp.
For dessert - romantic Kolomna with its atmospheric trams, carved frames and Russian delicacies according to ancient recipes.
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Crimea
The peninsula is usually divided into three shores: Western, Southern and Southeastern. The first and last ones are more interesting for a beach holiday, and the main attractions and the most famous resort towns are located in the South Coast. It is worth seeing at least the Livadia Palace, the summer residence of the Russian emperors near Yalta, and Vorontsov Park in Alupka.
If the excursion takes you to the Massandra wine estate, founded at the end of the 19th century by the Golitsyn princes, then you can also look into the Massandra Palace, similar to a French castle. Another castle-palace, the famous “Swallow’s Nest” on the top of a 40-meter cliff, is called the calling card of Crimea. It is also located in the vicinity of Yalta.
A cable car has been laid from ancient Miskhor to the top of Mount Ai-Petri, unique in that there are only 2 supports for its 2980 m length. This is a world record.
Literature lovers will find the house-museums of Chekhov, Voloshin, and Green on the South Bank. Art connoisseurs will discover the country's largest collection of paintings by Aivazovsky, a native of Feodosia. And fans of military history will not pass by the “Defense of Sevastopol” panorama and the underground Cold War Museum in Balaklava, on a former submarine base.
In a fit of nostalgia, you can even go to the Artek children's camp, where all Soviet schoolchildren dreamed of going.
Where to go outdoors in Russia: Altai Republic
The Altai Republic is one of the best options for where to go outdoors in Russia in any season. In winter they go skiing here, and in summer they go trekking.
Altai is undoubtedly included in the list of the most beautiful regions of Russia: local mountain landscapes and ribbon forests speak for themselves
In Altai there are routes for both beginners and experienced hikers. Ambitious climbers conquer the mystical Belukha, but the trek to Lake Akkem does not require any special preparation: you will enjoy the views on horseback and on foot and count the stars over a cup of aromatic tea from Altai herbs.
Another impressive place to explore is the Katunsky Nature Reserve with its magnificent Multinsky Lakes. To access these areas you will need permits, but the views are worth it.
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Valley of Geysers in Kamchatka
This is the only geyser field in Eurasia and one of the five largest geothermal areas on the planet. It is difficult to get here; tourists can get to the Valley of Geysers only as part of a tour or in agreement with the administration of the reserve.
The valley is a gorge 8 km long. The Geysernaya River flows along its bottom, and geysers stretch along its bed. The most important of them, the Giant, erupts every 5 - 7 hours, throwing jets of boiling water to the height of a nine-story building.
The most colorful regions of Russia: Far East
All interesting regions of Russia are beautiful and original, but the Far East stands out even among them. Volcanoes here are given affectionate pet nicknames, scallops and ferns are eaten for lunch, and in local museums shamanic drums coexist with artifacts from the time of the construction of the BAM.
A trip to the Russian Far East - an encounter with nature in all its dazzling power
The Far Eastern historical and cultural geographical region has hit the jackpot in terms of natural attractions. This partially includes the Kamchatka, Primorsky and Khabarovsk territories, the Amur, Magadan and Sakhalin regions, the Jewish Autonomous Region, the Chukotka Autonomous District, Yakutia and the Trans-Baikal Territory.
11 sure ways to love Baikal
These names have long become synonymous with untouched, harsh nature and almost alien exoticism. It remains to add that reality exceeds expectations.
A vacation in the Far East cannot be called relaxing. But the words “the brightest adventure of life” are just right.
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Interesting places in Russia with a European mood: Kaliningrad region
A list of interesting regions of Russia is impossible without Kaliningrad with its European manners and Baltic atmosphere.
People come to the Kaliningrad region for the European atmosphere and romance
Once you've walked around the ancient mansions of the Amalienau region and listened to the organ in the Cathedral, head to the sea. The swimming season in the Baltic is short, but it’s also nice to just breathe the salty breeze.
All coastal towns and villages of the Kaliningrad region have pleasant promenades and cozy hotels. A special pleasure is to stay at a spa hotel or sanatorium and admire the sea from an open-air hot tub.
On the Curonian Spit, climb the Orehovaya dune for the best views, photograph the enchanted dancing forest, relax on a deserted beach - and make sure that you can never have too much romance and the sea.
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The most interesting things in Russia: Leningrad region
It’s not for nothing that St. Petersburg is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and the surrounding area is not far behind. The Leningrad region is replete with picturesque places: here you will find castles, fortresses, fountains, eco-trails in the forests, and even waterfalls with geysers!
Magnificent palaces, parks and tranquil nature - the surroundings of noble St. Petersburg cannot be otherwise.
To admire the architectural grandeur, go to Peterhof, Pavlovsk, Vyborg, Pushkin or Gatchina. And for natural wonders they go to the Zubrovnik eco-park, to the village of Korpikovo with its secret geysers, to the Sablinsky caves and to the Gulf of Finland.
If you are determined to continue exploring the local beauties, across Ladoga from the Leningrad region is Karelia, another interesting region of Russia, full of adventures.
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Sochi and Krasnaya Polyana
Sochi is called the summer capital of Russia. It became a resort back in 1909, with the opening of the Caucasian Riviera sanatorium complex, the most comfortable in Tsarist Russia. Today, the beaches of the Sochi region stretch for 114 km and attract vacationers with the warm sea, fresh mountain air and entertainment for every taste.
After the 2014 Winter Games, a huge Olympic Park and a new resort area, Imeretinsky, were added to them, which arose on the site of the former Olympic Village. If previously people traveled to Sochi and its suburbs mainly in the summer, the Olympics made it an all-season destination.
Just 39 km from the city is the village of Krasnaya Polyana. A variety of slopes, modern ski lifts and developed infrastructure, completely modernized for the Olympics, have brought the resort to a new level. Now it can also be called the winter resort capital of Russia.
Traveling around Russia in questions and answers
Is it possible to travel around Russia now? In general, traveling around Russia is possible. We recommend following safety precautions and checking local government regulations before traveling.
Where should you go in Russia? There are many wonderful places in Russia for every taste. For inspiration, look at a selection of the most atmospheric towns and villages in the country, a list of comfortable places to relax at home, and unusual winter travel ideas. And also admire the most beautiful lakes and mountains of Russia and find out where to get acquainted with folk crafts.
How interesting is it to spend a vacation in Russia? In the vastness of Russia, it’s easy to arrange a colorful trip close to home. Take a closer look at cool mineral and bath resorts, picturesque nature reserves, truly unique hotels and beautiful hotels in the mountains.
Gold and Silver Ring
In addition to Moscow and St. Petersburg, there are cities in Russia that claim to be the “third capital”. Usually this title is given to the capital of the Urals, Yekaterinburg, which is famous for the huge Church on the Blood, built on the site of the execution of Emperor Nicholas II and his family.
In recent years, Ekaterinburg has gained a rival - Kazan, the heart of the Republic of Tatarstan. People come here to see the Kazan Kremlin, where ancient Orthodox cathedrals coexist peacefully with the recently built Kul-Sharif mosque. One of the symbols of the Kremlin is the leaning tower of Syuyumbike: it is 2 meters higher than the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
The charm of deep, provincial Russia is revealed in excursions around the Golden Ring, which includes Vladimir and Kostroma, Suzdal and Pereslavl-Zalessky, Sergiev Posad and Yaroslavl, Rostov Veliky and Ivanovo. There is also the Silver Ring - fortified cities located within the borders of the ancient Novgorod land, led by Veliky Novgorod itself.
