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Russia Trip Packages

Getting your itinerary right is essential for any destination you decide to travel to. The same goes for trips to Russia. There is a lot to see and do, but how do you decide what goes into your itinerary and what doesn't? We always suggest planning your Russia vacation with a travel expert that has organized multiple trips before. Yes, we're talking about ourselves. We know the ins and outs of this gorgeous destination, and we're ready to help you see the best of Russia. But are you ready, though? If you are considering booking an escorted tour of Russia, chat with us right away, and we will tailor-make an itinerary that suits your travel preferences and our premium travel values.

Top Things To See in Russia

• The Moscow Kremlin & Armoury Chamber (Moscow)
• The State Hermitage Museum (Saint Petersburg)
• St. Basil's Cathedral (Moscow)
• The Grand Palace (Peterhof)
• Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood (Saint Petersburg)
• Peter and Paul Fortress (Saint Petersburg)
• Kul Sharif Mosque (Kazan) 
• Statue "The Heroes of the Battle of Stalingrad" (Volgograd)
• Lake Baikal (Listvyanka Village)
• Lena Pillars (Siberia)

Tips for Russia Travel

• You will need some cash on your trip for tips, souvenirs, and other small expenses. Make sure to exchange rubles before you arrive in Russia
• Are your shoes comfortable enough to walk hours? Bring the most comfortable pair!
• Check the weather forecast before your travels, and pack a water-resistant jacket just in case
• Tipping in Russia is optional, but we always suggest to leave around 10% of your bill total
• Learning a few Russian phrases will come in handy, when trying to communicate with the locals
• Russian Visa process takes time, so plan at least a few months in advance

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Read our articles and discover Russia’s tourist attractions, ways to learn its traditions and culture, top activities and interesting places, world-famous museums and hidden gems, and much more that’ll inspire you to come and see Russia.

These are some of our hand-picked tours and itineraries that will let you get the most out of your trip to Russia. Choose one of ready programs or customize it and create your own trip!

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• 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 .

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Russia Tour Packages

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• The Moscow Kremlin: This is the best place known for the Kremlins (Russian citadels), a fortified complex in the center of Moscow. It includes five palaces, four cathedrals, and the enclosed Kremlin Wall with Kremlin towers. In addition, within the complex is the Grand Kremlin Palace, formerly the Russian emperor's residence in Moscow. The complex is now the official residence of the Russian president. It also features a museum with over three million visitors every year. It overlooks the Moskva River to the south, Saint Basil's Cathedral and Red Square to the east, and Alexander Garden to the west.
• Red Square: It is next to the Kremlin, which has an east wall, and the famous Pokrovski Cathedral (Cathedral of St Basil the Blessed), which is one of the most beautiful monuments of age-old Russian architecture built in 1555–1560, symbolizing the victory of Ivan the Terrible over the Kazan Khanate. It has magnificent domes apart from paintings inside and outside the cathedral. Red Square is one of the oldest and largest squares in Moscow, which is the site of official military parades and demonstrations intended to display the strength of Soviet armed forces.
• Baikal Lake: Lake Baikal is extensive and diverse so that everyone can put it on the itinerary for a perfect holiday here. From just sitting on its shore to hiking up Chersky Mountain, it offers leisure and adventure. The area surrounding Baikal is unique, and many of the flora and fauna exist only in this area. The lake is filled with rich marine life like Baikal Seals, 50 species of fish, 25 species of gobies, and over 320 bird species. This lake is protected under the Lake Baikal Coastal Protection Zone and is now designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• The State Tretyakov Gallery: It is an art gallery in Moscow, considered the foremost depository of Russian fine art in the world. It was built in 1856 when the Moscow merchant Pavel Mikhailovich Tretyakov acquired artworks by Russian artists to create a collection that might later grow into a national art museum.
• Sochi: Sochi is known as a city and resort area of Krasnodar Kray (territory), in the southwestern region of Russia. The city shares a border with the Black Sea coast at the foot of the western part of the main Caucasus Mountain range. The presence of mineral springs, beautiful coastal and mountain scenery, long beaches, and a pleasantly warm climate has made Sochi a large and popular holiday destination and a health resort for vacationers. Sochi has dozens of hotels, tourist centers, campsites, and over 50 sanatoriums. The streets of the city and gardens are filled with exotic subtropical trees and shrubs. 
• Lighthouse Egersheld: Established in 1876, Lighthouse Egersheld is one of the oldest lighthouses in Russia. It is located on an artificial stony spit from Tokarevsky Cape - the so-called Tokarevskaya Koshka. Tourists can visit the first one from the Tokarevsky Cape to the lighthouse by car. Another part of the spit, leaving into the sea, is called the "cat's tail,” which one can reach during the low tide. 
• Kenozersky National Park: About 550 miles from Moscow city, the Kenozersky National Park contains natural and cultural monuments. It is also a famous ecotourism destination. Several trails have been opened in the park. In addition, there are many wooden architectural monuments. The park is home to small, quaint villages, rugged hills, ancient wooden chapels, and serene lakes. It is encompassed by breathtaking taiga forest and huge wetlands that add to its charm. This attraction was declared a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 2004.
• The Golden Ring: The name ‘Golden Ring’ refers to an overland tourist route, a return loop from Moscow that became a popular journey among Muscovite travelers in the 60s. This is a perfect retreat to the medieval cities of Russia. It is nestled amidst green hills and floral meadows, with rambling country roads surrounded by forests, lakes, orchards, and wooden farmhouses. 
• Kizhi Island: It is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located amidst Lake Onega. The island is home to stunning wooden architectural marvels and shows brilliant traditional crafts. It also features the country’s oldest wooden church - the Church of the Resurrection, which dates to the 14th century.

Things to do in Russia

• Take a canal tour: This amazing tour begins from St. Petersburg Canal. You can discover the romantic network of canals within the city, built around the waters of the Neva River. Round-trip hotel transport is also provided at most of the hotels, and you can also sightsee multiple attractions on this tour. Summer is the best time when you can enjoy this tour on a boat.
• Go to the skiing valley: Skiing is one of the must-do activities on Mount Elbrus. You can ski at the Red Valley, a mini paradise for those who enjoy adventures. This famous valley of the Mzymta River offers calm scenery of high mountains and landscapes and incredible settings for presenting wonderful and thrilling skiing experiences. The steep slopes, high altitude, well-maintained pistes, fast and convenient lifts, and quality service make it full of challenges and thrills. So, if you are thirsty for an adventure, doing this activity in Russia is breathtaking.
• Explore Samara Embankment: It is a 5 km long well-paved walking path on the Volga River's left bank. One can enjoy a sunny day with family and friends in the summer. It begins from Lesnaya Street and Samara River Port, which provides great opportunities for clicking photos to get a fond memory of beautiful and classical structures as impressive backdrops. Relieve yourself from all the worldly stress and tension by taking a stroll, hopping on a boat cruise on the Volga, or enjoying the beach. 
• Visit Samara Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre: This is meant for those who enjoy music and dance. It is one of the largest music theaters presented in Russia, and it offers an insight into Russian culture through musical folklore. They have mind-boggling and fabulous decorations and impressive stages. Not just that. Fine actors/actresses, dazzling costumes, and great themes are all something you can use to entertain yourself in Russia.
• Go on a hiking trail: If you go to a mountainous region, witnessing sunsets or sunrises is a given. And many recreational activities are also offered on many hiking trails, including Mount Elbrus, Northern Urals and near the cliff on the banks of River Ballikal. 
• Surprise your tastebuds with Russian cuisine: One must try some lip-smacking and mouth-watering dishes while in Russia. These include Blini, Russian pancakes traditionally made round but thin and fresh to eat when hot. It is also called French crêpes, which are sweet and served with sour cream, salmon, caviar, or mushrooms. There’s also Beef Stroganoff, a delicacy that is a mixture of sautéed beef served in a delicious sauce with smetana (sour cream). You can also try other famous dishes like Okroshka and Pirozhki.
• Experience the vibrant nightlife: As the heat is defeated by the sun's setting, the night takes on Russia and people enjoy their time at clubs, casinos, and pubs. Drinking and dancing to trendy music is a popular activity. You can check out Moscow City Lights, Detalka Anticafe, Kot Shrodingera, and Einstein Lounge for some fun and good food.
• Head to The State Hermitage Museum: Featuring a whopping 3 million items in this collection, the Hermitage Museum is a must-visit tourist location in St. Petersburg. This museum is considered one of the most prestigious ones across the globe, and it is the best place to explore. These are the most loved and rare treasures many tourists see. Most of the bulk collection of this museum comes from the Winter Palace, a house for the Russian Rulers.
• Catch a show at Moscow Cat Theatre: The Moscow Cat Theatre is a world-famous feline-centric circus in which over 100 cat actors perform stunts who are well trained along with their human masters, and they perform various acts like balancing on a ball, walking a tightrope, etc. It was founded by the veteran Russian clown Yuri Kuklachev in the year 1990 to entertain Russians with something unusual and new. 
• Check out the psychedelic salt mines: There’s your typical salt mine and then there’s the psychedelic salt mine - a unique mine made hundreds of years ago. It lies below Yekaterinburg City, an abandoned Psychedelic Salt Mine replete with a natural wonder of colored patterned walls. It is the most captivating site and the beauty of the mine leaves you dazzled. This is one of the most fascinating things to explore in Russia. It contains layers of carnallite, creating swirls of colors on the tunnel walls, making technicolor masterpieces throughout the rocks. The color spectrum varies from yellow, white, and reddish to blue and even completely colorless. 
• Go ice skating at Gorky Park: This activity that most young generations enjoy is Moscow’s premier green space, Gorky Park, which is meant for ice skating. It is one of the most fun activities in Russia, and many tourists watch or experience it. In winter, half of it gets converted into one of the city's biggest skating rinks, where over 4000 visitors can enjoy a lifetime skating experience. You can glide over the ice with your skates, and it is one of the milkiest smooth ices among beautiful surroundings, illuminated paths, lovely crowds, and melodic music.

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Allure of Moscow & Saint Petersburg

6 Nights / 7 Days

Moscow(3N) → Saint Petersburg(3N)

₹ 54,385* per person

₽ 54,385*

per adult on twin sharing

Moscow St Petersburg Tour Packages - 8 Nights 9 Days

8 Nights / 9 Days

St Petersburg(3N) → Kazan(2N) → Moscow(3N)

₹ 85,898* per person

₽ 85,898*

Sightseeing Tour Package Moscow & St Petersburg

4 Nights / 5 Days

Moscow(2N) → Saint Petersburg(2N)

₹ 44,396* per person

₽ 44,396*

Budget Russia Holiday Package -St Petersburg & Moscow

5 Nights / 6 Days

Moscow(2N) → Saint Petersburg(3N)

₹ 38,846* per person

₽ 38,846*

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Russia Tour Package for 9 Nights 10 Days

9 Nights / 10 Days

Moscow(2N) → Tver(1N) → Veliky Novgorod(2N) → St Petersburg(3N)

₹ 91,011* per person

₽ 91,011*

5-Star Splendid Russia Tour Package with Vladimir

Moscow(2N) → Vladimir(1N) → St Petersburg(3N)

₹ 154,276* per person

₽ 154,276*

Fascinating Russia Tour Package with Murmansk

Moscow(2N) → Murmansk(1N) → St Petersburg(2N)

₹ 67,702* per person

₽ 67,702*

Beautiful Moscow Tour Package

3 Nights / 4 Days

₹ 35,516* per person

₽ 35,516*

St. Petersburg Tour Package with Hatchet Hangout Experience

₹ 45,505* per person

₽ 45,505*

Beautiful Murmansk Tour Package - Russia Tours

Murmansk(4N)

₹ 51,055* per person

₽ 51,055*

Classical Russia Tour Package

St Petersburg(3N) → Tver(1N) → Suzdal(1N) → Moscow(3N)

₹ 120,979* per person

₽ 120,979*

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Russia Travel

“Russia is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.”

Winston Churchill’s observation is as pertinent today as it was in the mid-20th-century. Russia is as intriguing as it ever was. Stubbornly standing its ground as a country which will bow down to no conventions-refusing to be classified as either European or Asian-Russia is still Russia.

While the country has modernised in leaps and bounds since the fall of the USSR, the culture remains ever defiant in its distinctness to western norms. Stirring ballets and operas, not soppy musicals, fill the playbills and sincerity, which is often mistaken for seriousness, i s valued over shows of pleasantries.

Apart from the allure of the enigmatic Russian soul, there are countless other reasons to visit the world’s largest country. Its pristine forests are ripe territory for explorers thirsty for adventure and eye-opening vistas. Villages and cities alike are treasure-troves for history-fanatics. And, since the collapse of the Soviet Union, both art and religion have blossomed — reviving the rich legacy left by the Russian Empire.

Should you already have your heart set on Russia and simply need guidance on the practicalities of visiting this magnificent country, please see our Russia travel tips page.

Your Guide to Russia by a Local Travel Expert

• 1. What is Russia Famous for?
• 2. Is Russia Safe to Visit?
• 3. Top Destinations
• 4. Top Experiences
• 5. Visa Matters
• 6. Russia Travel Seasons
• 7. Russia Travel Map
• 8. Holidays and Festivals
• 9. Curious about Russian Cuisine?
• 10. Dos and Don’ts in Russia
• 11. Speak the Language
• 12. Virtual Russia Travel Guide: Further Reading
• 13. At Your Service

What is Russia Famous for?

R oyal residences: The Romanov family possessed one of the greatest fortunes in their times, most of which they used in building the most extraordinary palaces and parks.

O rthodox religion: The golden cupolas of Orthodox Churches have brightened up Russia’s villages and cities for almost half a millennial. Submerge yourself in the history and traditions of this ancient religion.

S oviet history: In all of Russia’s cities, the Red forces left their indelible mark. Though the gargantuan concrete structures may seem oppressing even today, they are a must-see for anyone hoping to understand Russia’s history.

S cenery: Being the largest country on earth, Russia has no shortage of sights to take your breath away. Any enthusiast of the great-outdoors should see Lake Baikal, Mt. Elbrus and the Siberian Taiga.

I zbas: Far away from civilisation, deep in the depths of Russia’s forests, villages made up of traditional izbas (log houses) seem to come out of a distinctly Russified version of Handsel and Gretel.

Y uletide: Russia is special in any season. But for those who brave the cold and come in December, something more than just special awaits.

A rt: Ballet, poetry, architecture, landscape: Russians have mastered the language of the heart better than any other nation. Experience the crème-de-la-crème of Russian art from the glittering balconies of the Mariinsky and Bolshoi and delve into its history down the marble corridors of the Hermitage and the Tretyakov Gallery.

Is Russia Safe to Visit?

Despite the political jostling between the West and Russia, Russia is as safe for tourists as any other European destination. Since the wild '90s, a lot has changed. Russian cities now have lower crime rates than some of their counterparts in America and corruption in the police force is no longer the norm. Though only a third of Russians speak English, foreigners are met with enthusiasm (and rounds of vodka) in almost all regions of Russia. There are less savoury locations in the south of Russia, but these regions are far from the tourist trails. The only danger that could pose an actual threat to visitors is Russians’ infamously reckless driving. Only taking licensed taxis and crossing roads with care easily solves that issue.

Top destinations

Discover the real Russia — feel the force of history on the Red Square and be dazzled by the best of Russian culture at the Bolshoi — while having all the comforts and conveniences of big city life at your fingertips. Centuries-old royal estates like Tsaritsyno, haunts of the soviet-era — such as Lenin’s Mausoleum and the Seven Sisters — along with the high-rises of Moscow City and high-tech of Star City paint a vivid picture of Russia’s history; from its beginnings as a princedom to the capital of a world superpower. There’s no better place to start your journey into Russia than the sprawling, roaring, yet always welcoming capital that is Moscow: Europe’s biggest city.

Saint Petersburg

See Russia from the vantage point of one of the world’s most cultured cities: Saint Petersburg. Far away from the buzz of Moscow, time seems to stand still. Reflections of baroque palaces glitter in canals and the golden domes of neo-classical cathedrals dominate the skyline unblighted by high-rises. The Hermitage, Peterhof and the Mariinsky — bastions of prestige — are complemented by hidden gems such as the Alexander Nevsky Monastery and Pavlovsk Palace. In Russia’s Imperial capital, culture, history and architecture intertwine to form a city so romantic that it would make a poet’s heart sing.

Dive deep into Slavic culture in the land of the taiga, Ural Mountains and Lake Baikal in Russia’s largest region: Siberia. See how generations of Siberians have braved the extreme climate in historic towns like Tobolsk and marvel at the forces of nature in the boundless wilderness of Siberia’s forests.

Off the beaten-track destinations

On the banks of the Volga, east meets west in the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan: Kazan. Having been founded more than a millennial ago by the Mongols, the city still retains the pompous aura befitting for a key city of the Golden Horde. Elements of Orthodoxy and Imperialism, however, diluted the Oriental influences during the five hundred year Russian rule. See Russia’s lesser-known side, uncover its ties to both Arabia and Asia and meet Russians of many faiths and faces: like a matryoshka doll, Kazan is full of surprises.

Nizhny Novgorod

As the largest closed city in the Soviet Union, this historic hub of industry still remains unknown to most tourists. Yet, according to UNESCO, its collection of medieval cathedrals merits it a place in the top 100 cities of the world. Sail the 300 mile journey from Moscow up the Volga or catch the overnight train to have ancient Rus’ treasures almost all to yourself.

Veliky Ustyug

In the northerly Vologda region, in forests deep and dark, a land of mythical creatures beckons those who are young at heart. Ded Moroz (Father Frost — the Russian Santa Claus) welcomes thousands of guests to his official residence on the outskirts of this small town. Within his whimsically carved wooden palace, Russia’s oldest fairytales are brought to life with the help of the ghastly Baba Yaga and gorgeous Snegurochka. Veliky Ustyug itself is delightfully quaint — being one of the few towns in Russia with almost all its pre-revolution architecture intact. In tsarist times, it was famed for its craftsmen who produced religious iconography — examples of which can be admired in the town’s Museum of Iconography.

Top Experiences

Visa Matters

Tourist visas for visits of 30 days or less can be obtained through Russian consulates, official visa centres or via tour operators like us. The requirements are literally as easy as 1-2-3 to meet. A visa application form, passport and letter of invitation are all that is needed. But, while in theory it may be smooth sailing, the practicalities of applying for a visa in a Russian consulate can make the process rather daunting. Worldwide, dreadful queues and waiting lists served with the typical lack of courtesy characterise Russian consulates. The fees official visa centres or tour operators charge are almost always more palatable than the ordeal that is an appointment at a Russian consulate. While US citizens must apply for a visa via one of the ways listed above, some nationalities can avoid the queues and fees entirely. Lucky nationals of Israel, South Africa, Qatar and the UAE among a few others can visit Russia for up to 90 days without any visa. While citizens of other countries like the EU, China, Norway, Switzerland, India, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Turkey can also skip consulate queues by applying for a free, 8-day e-visa when going to designated tourist areas like Saint Petersburg.

For further information or assistance please visit our page dedicated to visa applications .

Best Time to Visit Russia

It is difficult to generalise when speaking about a country as vast as Russia. With regards to weather, this is especially true. While certain parts of Russia are indeed formidably freezing, down south the flocks of Russian holidaymakers on picture-perfect beaches gleefully disprove the stereotype that Russia is miserably cold. That being said, the majority of foreigners only visit north-western cities like Saint Petersburg and Moscow and hence the climate most tourists need to prepare for can be characterised as moderately cold European weather. To read about the climate of other Russian regions click here or take look at our travel map below.

When to visit the North-West of Russia:

Spring: Winds of change, fresh and vibrant, fill the air with excitement as crowds bustle in the streets to celebrate the end of winter with an endless stream of public holidays. Defender of the Fatherland Day, Women’s Day, Maslenitsa (blini week), May Day and Victory Day all make for perfect excuses to visit Russia in spring, as do the bargain prices. But though Russians may mark the beginning of spring with much ado in March, snow, ice and knuckle-freezing temperatures are all possible till mid-May.

Summer: Russia isn’t known for its warm summers but, in fact, the period from mid-May to August is almost always pleasant, if not a little too pleasant (temperatures can shoot to 30c and over in cities like Moscow). Prices rise with the temperature as tourists stream in to marvel at the sprawling royal estates in full bloom and the enchanting White Nights in Saint Petersburg. While the main ballet troupes embark on international tours during the summer down season, outdoor festivals like Scarlet Sails take centre stage and enthral crowds till the wee hours of the morning.

Autumn: Affectionately known as Babye Leto (Indian summer), the first few weeks of Russian autumn are often just as golden as the leaves on the parkland trees. As the 20c temperatures plunge towards the end of September, locals replace their weekend strolls with days in the near-empty museums and warm up during the crisp evenings in cozy jazz bars or lavishly-decorated theatres for the start of the ballet season.

Winter: There is no view more quintessentially Russian than that of a church’s onion domes bulging out under a quilt of snow. Nor is there a season that reflects the character of the Russian people better. For those prepared to wrap up warm, a whole month of merriment and heart-warming sincerity during the New Year celebrations awaits as do a multiplicity of traditional and daredevil winter sports.

Russia Travel Map

Use the Russia Map to locate the country’s main cities and find out what each one has to offer:

Holidays and Festivals

Organise your travels to Russia around one of these celebrations:

New Year Season (December to January 8th) – Undoubtedly the nation’s best-loved holiday, Russia’s legendary New Year’s celebrations officially last a whole week. Unofficially, Russians usually pop open the champagne and start turning the music up by the middle of December when New Year’s bazaars, outdoor ice-rinks and ice festivals are in full swing. Uniquely in Russia, one can see in the New Year twice. The splendour of the fireworks, feasts, family-gatherings and fun in the snow are repeated yet again on January 14th — New Year according to Russia’s pre-revolutionary, Julian calendar. Best place to celebrate: Moscow or Saint Petersburg

International Woman’s Day (8th March) – “International Woman’s Day” is a bit of a misnomer. While the day is most certainly feminine (chocolates and flowers are the symbols of this holiday), only ex-Soviet states and their allies actually celebrate Women’s Day in a meaningful way. Along with appreciating mothers, grandmothers, sisters and aunties, this holiday also doubles as a Russian alternative to Valentines Day. This combination of feminism, family and romance may be unorthodox, but somehow it all merges together to form something really special. Best place to celebrate: Moscow

Maslenitsa (Late February-Early March) – This holiday is the perfect excuse to indulge in all the delights of the Russian cuisine. While often translated as “Shrovetide”, Maslenitsa differs starkly from Pancake Day. For starters, the pancake flipping lasts an entire week and the resulting mountains of buttery golden, paper-thin discs are quite unlike western pancakes. In Russia, pancakes or blinis are a meal in themselves. Caviar, fried mince, potatoes, condensed milk and sour cream are just some of the delights stuffed within blinis. Best place to celebrate: Moscow and the Golden Ring

• Siberian Maslenitsa Tour

Victory Day (9th May) – Russia may well be an enigma, but it can become that bit more comprehensible if one learns some of its history. Each spring, on the anniversary of the surrender of Nazi Germany, Russia’s sorrowful history is relived with great passion and pride. The grand parades, solemn ceremonies and nation-wide exhibitions provide the perfect opportunity for foreigners to peer into the Russian national psyche. Arrive a few days earlier on May 1st to see the equally grand May Day celebrations which hark back to the communist parades, with their red banners and mega-floats, banging the drum for workers’ rights. Best place to celebrate: Moscow or Saint Petersburg

White Nights Festival (June) – From May 26th to July 16th, Saint Petersburg becomes the only city in the world with a population of over 1 million to be plunged into the endless days of the polar summer. Strolling under a frothy-pink sky at midnight is a mesmerising experience in itself but, in typical Saint Petersburg fashion, even the seemingly perfect is improved upon and taken to new heights. With the bright-sky as a backdrop, Saint Petersburg’s renowned performing arts troupes take to the streets and wow audiences with pirouettes, arias and rock concerts. The festivities peak at the height of June with the other-worldly high-school graduation celebration, Scarlet Sails; a recreation of a romantic Russian fairytale with a nautical twist. Best place to celebrate: This festival is only held in Saint Petersburg

Spasskaya Tower International Military Music Festival (Late August – Early September) – Fighting for the love and admiration of the audience with the clamouring beat of drums and bellow of trombones, the annual military tattoo in Moscow is a ‘battle of the bands’ in the truest sense of the word. Army bands from the world over come to the Red Square for the chance to march past the monumental walls of the Kremlin in an annual show of musical and military prowess. The harmonious combination of military, classical, folk and pop music, parades and light shows makes this festival one of the brightest and most memorable events of the year. Best place to celebrate: This festival is only held in Moscow

Curious about Russian Cuisine?

The Top Best Dishes to taste while in Russia:

Refined Tastes of Saint Petersburg

Finely sliced beef sautéed in sour cream and forest mushrooms served on a bed of either rice or pasta. This immensely popular dish was dreamed up in the 19th century by French chefs for the ageing Count Stroganov who couldn’t chew tough meat.

As soon as the ice on the Neva melts, quaint fishermen’s boats sail through the centre of Saint Petersburg to catch bucket-loads of silvery smelt. On corner cafes and streets stands, dozens of these finger-sized fish are battered and fried to a crisp. Locals sometimes call these fish “cucumbers” because of their peculiarly fresh, cucumber smell.

Many of Russia’s most elaborate dishes can be traced to the royal scullery of the Hermitage. Comprising of dozens of crisp, caramelised layers of honey biscuit slathered in whipped crème-fraiche, even Empress Elizabeth — who detested honey — was wowed over by the floral notes and luscious creaminess of this cake. Medovik is one of many delectable desserts created by the confectioners of the Romanov court that are still enjoyed by Russians.

Hearty Slavic Foods in Moscow

Piping-hot, puffy and bite-sized, Russian piroshki are worlds-apart from flat american-pies or flaky cornish-pasties. They are an integral part of the Russian diet — the original Slavic fast food — and are especially popular in Moscow. Fillings range from savoury to sweet and change with the seasons: berries or fresh cottage cheese for summer and wild mushrooms, potatoes or baked pumpkin for winter.

The humble blini rules supreme as the ultimate culinary achievement of Russia. The difference between a pancake and a blin may just be a pinch of yeast, a teaspoon of caviar and a dollop of cream, but these small alterations make all the difference. In Moscow’s ritzy restaurants, one can savour the most sumptuous renditions of this classic Slavic dish.

Invented in 1978 by a confectioner in Moscow’s Praga restaurant, the unique combination of the cake’s airy vanilla mousse, entrapped in a thin layer of crisp chocolate and cushioned by a fragrant sponge is simply beyond belief. Hence, the cake’s unusual name. It’s so delicious it seems too good to be true — a little like mythical birds’ milk.

Rib-Sticking, Fiery Siberian Dishes

Stuffed with satiating fillings and served simmering hot with a spoon of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh herbs, Siberian pelmeni were made for firing up bellies in the harshest of winters. Throughout the ex-USSR, renditions of these petite dumplings abound. The Ukrainians have varenyiki, the Poles pierogi, but none come close to rivalling the original, meaty, umami-spiced pelmeni of the Siberian hunters.

From the seemingly boundless waters of the Baikal, fishermen haul in copious stocks of fish. The most prodigious species of fish in Baikal, the Omul, is preserved through an age-old curing process. Long lines of these semi-desiccated fish can be seen drying in between windows, trees, market stalls and even bus stops throughout Siberia. These salted fish are then shipped throughout Russia where they are considered a delicacy.

Check out our Russia Travel Guidebook for Food for an in-depth look at:

• Russian National Cuisine

Dos and Don’ts in Russia

• Carry your passport and visa with you at all times. The police sometimes ask foreigners, especially men, to present their IDs.
• Dress modestly, take off your hat and cover your hair with a scarf (if female) when visiting religious sites.
• Be prepared for very cold weather in winter and sweltering days in summer.
• Contact your bank in advance to notify them of your travels to Russia so as to ensure your card payments aren’t subject to undue security restrictions in Russia.
• Carry at least 2000 roubles in cash — card readers aren’t universal. Also, American Express and Discover customers should bear in mind that these sort of cards aren’t usually accepted as a means of payment.
• Use taxi hailing apps or licensed cab companies to get around: it’s easy and avoids the risks that could come with flagging down a ride.
• Look twice when crossing the road, even when crossing on green.
• Drink alcohol outside on the streets or anywhere that isn’t a bar or a restaurant — it could be against the law.
• Buy alcohol or cigarettes from unlicensed buyers.
• Drink unfiltered tap water.
• Purchase antiques of value without procuring an export certificate from the seller.
• Be scared to ask for help. Most Russians understand English, even if they’re too embarrassed to speak it.
• Accept free drinks (foreigners are often targets for drink spiking) or invites to clubs or even museums by strangers on the street.

Speak the Language

Knowing a few basic phrases in the local language will endear you to people and open up doors for friendship and connection during your travels in Russia. Some words and sayings that may come in handy:

Virtual Russia Travel Guide: Further Reading

• Russia Travel Tips
• Russia Tours Page

At Your Service

Whether you’re visiting Russia for the first or hundredth time, a little help and expertise from our passionate team in Moscow will go the way to making sure your trip to Russia is perfect from touch-down to take-off.

Our Russia travel services include:

RUSSIA GUIDE

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites
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• Russian Customs
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The dos and don'ts of visiting Russia for the first time

Sep 24, 2021 • 6 min read

These top tips can help you make the most of your visit to Russia © MarinaDa / Shutterstock

The world’s largest country beguiles and fascinates with its world-class art, epic landscapes and multifaceted society. You may also find that perseverance  and a sense of humour will go a long way in enriching your first-time Russian travel experience. From the things you absolutely must do before you travel to the things we recommend that you steer clear of once you're there, here are some top tips for avoiding common pitfalls when visiting  Russia .

DO apply for a visa early and register on arrival

Visas must be applied for in advance by all visitors. How you do that varies depending on your nationality and where in Russia you are traveling to. Travelers from many countries, including the UK and US, need to apply in-person at an embassy or consulate and provide biometric data. An e-visa may be an option for passport-holders from 52 countries, which include many EU travelers, as well as those from China, India, Japan, Singapore, and some Middle Eastern countries. However these are temporarily suspended due to COVID-19.  Check with your local Russian embassy or consulate for confirmation, or get up-to-date information here . 

You can apply at the last moment, but it may cost you a fortune. Start the application process at least a month before your trip and consider using a specialist travel agency to arrange visas and make key transport bookings. Every visitor to Russia should have their visa registered within seven days of arrival, excluding weekends and public holidays. The obligation to register is with your hotel or hostel, or landlord, friend or family if you’re staying in a private residence. Also keep in mind that your visa entry and exit dates will be written according to European calendar convention (day/month/year) as opposed to the American style, so don't get mixed up or over-stay your visa. 

DO check the events calendar

During major holidays – the first week in January (between New Year’s Day and Orthodox Christmas) and the first week or two of May (around Labour Day, or May Day, and Victory Day) – Moscow and St Petersburg empty out. Despite this, both cities are festive during these times, with parades, concerts and other events, but museums and other institutions may have shortened hours or be shut altogether. May to September is the best time to visit St Petersburg but mid-June is when the city is irresistible, with the White Nights revelry at its peak.

DO dress up for a night out

We can’t guarantee you’ll make it past Moscow’s "face control" (the term comes from clubs trying to "save face" by only letting in patrons who meet their image standards) but you can better your chances of getting in to the top clubs by making a sartorial effort – high heels and skirts for women, all black for men. Russians also make an effort when they go to the theater or a posh restaurant – you should do likewise to fit in.

DO learn the Cyrillic alphabet

Making an effort to familiarize yourself with the Cyrillic alphabet repays tenfold. It will help you decode street and metro signs, maps, timetables and menus, even if you don't know many Russian phrases. While digital tools like the Russian Metro app  and Google Translate make it easier than ever to visit countries where you don't speak or read the language, brushing up beforehand can reduce frustration and endear you to the locals.

Rideshare options such as Taxovichkoff and Yandex Taxi upended the taxi industry in Russia as much as anywhere else. That means less pressure to know the Russian phrases you'd need to hails cabs in the streets, but it still is wise to learn key phrases in case there's a navigation mixup, like the address of your hotel or intersection of your short-term apartment rental. 

DO expect to spend your money

Moscow is one of the most expensive cities in the world and St Petersburg is not a cheap destination either; wallet-thinning shock is common at many restaurants and hotels. As a foreigner you’ll also find yourself paying more than a Russian for some museums – often as much as 10 times the price Russians pay. If you’re a student, flashing your ID can save you money at museums and other institutions.

You can save on dining out a few different ways. Many restaurants offer "business lunches" that are great value and very filling. Several years ago the trend for " anti-cafes " cropped up in larger Russian cities, and there are still a few where you pay by the minute for coffee, biscuits, and a little wi-fi time. 

Food markets  that blend farmers markets and food halls are popular, and are often found in architecturally significant vintage buildings. You can shop for ingredients to cook yourself or sample cuisines from around the world from dozens of  vendor stalls. Many food markets are less expensive than sit-down restaurants and let you try a wider variety of local and international dishes. 

DON’T ask for a mixer with your vodka

Few traditions in Russia are as sacrosanct as the drinking of vodka , and any foreign notions of drinking it with orange juice or tonic are anathema to your average Russian. If you need something to wash it down, you can chase it with a lemon, a pickle or, perhaps, a separate glass of water. Vodka is drunk in swift shots, not sipped. It’s traditional (and good sense) to eat a little something after each shot, so order some vodka snacks too.

DON’T be disrespectful in a church

Working churches are open to everyone, but as a visitor you should take care not to disturb any devotions or offend sensibilities. There's no face control, but women should cover their heads and bare shoulders when entering a church. In some monasteries and churches it’s also required for a woman to wear a skirt – wraps are usually available at the door. Men should remove their hats in church and not wear shorts.

DON’T take photos of government buildings

Be very careful about photographing stations, official-looking buildings and any type of military-security structure – if in doubt, don’t snap! Travelers have been arrested and fined for such innocent behaviour.

DON’T be surprised if you’re stopped by the police

Although new laws were passed in 2011 that ostensibly reconfigured Russia's police and their interactions with the public, it's still wise to carry a photocopy of your passport, visa and registration – not to mention travel documents that indicate how and when you'll return home – and present them when an officer demands to see your documents. You may also see special tourist police near major attractions like the Red Square , who have special training and language skills to assist travelers.

If you're issued a fine, Russian authorities might expect an "unofficial payment" to expedite their service on the spot, as opposed to handling the matter later at the station. Either way, always ask for an official receipt, and consider carrying the phone number for your country's embassy in case matters get more complicated. 

You might also like: How to spend a perfect weekend in Moscow    How to plan and pack for the Trans-Siberian Railway    Beyond the Trans-Siberian: travelling Russia's unexplored northwest by train   

This article was originally published in August 2009.

This article was first published October 2019 and updated September 2021

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Russia Travel Destination Guide - Best Places to visit in Russia

Home / Russia Travel Experiences / Russia Travel Destination Guide – Best Places to visit in Russia

Thinking of travelling to or within Russia but undecided on which destination to go? This Russia Travel Destination guide shares tips and highlights of the best locations to vacation in Russia.

The world’s largest nation has it all – fast-paced, cosmopolitan cities with eye-popping architecture, quaint historic rural villages, mountain ranges, ancient volcanic landscapes, lakes, rivers and forests. From magnificent stretches of coastline to snow-swept tundra to semi-arid desert, no other country can challenge, surprise, inspire and delight visitors with incredible diversity quite like Russia. If you’re planning for the perfect holiday get-a-way to Russia whether it be independent, a guided trip, as part of a group tour or a Russia travel package , this Russia Destination Guide is for you.

Best way to use this Russia Travel Destination Guide: use the Table of Contents below to click on a topic most relevant to you.

Table of Contents

The Russia travel destination guide is your travel companion

1. Top 9 must-visit Russia travel destinations: This Guide will arm you with invaluable traveller’s insights into the most amazing  regions of Russia and what each of them has to offer every traveller.

2. Practical tips for each region: This guide summarises everything from practical travel advice on sightseeing highlights, what to see and experience, to practical information for your ideal trip like the best time to go and how to go, whether you’re coming from overseas by air or travelling overland within Russia.

3. Personalised travel destinations for all: Whether you’re a hardcore historian, architecture admirer, nature and wildlife lover, off-the-beaten-track adventurer or a traveller seeking authentic connections with local people, this is your go-to Russia Destination Guide to a one-of-a-kind experience.

Wherever your interests lie, the Russia travel advice and tips within this guide will reveal in vivid detail which regions in Russia will best fulfil your travel aspirations. Read on and start planning the Russian vacation of your dreams!

Destination #1: Moscow

A modern mega-city of some 13 million souls and bursting at the seams with possibilities, Moscow is a city like no other. It’s exciting, chaotic and constantly on the move. Ugly, beautiful, glamorous, cool and confident, with surprising warmth and hospitality beneath a stern, business-like façade.

A visit to Moscow is an endlessly surprising journey to sights unseen and tastes unsampled. Whims and indulgences are catered to wholeheartedly, whether your desires lie in the steamy pleasures of a traditional Russian sauna, evenings sipping vodka and champagne in an exclusive nightclub, gourmet feasting in a high-class restaurant or simply taking in the atmosphere of the city’s famous public parks and squares and watching the world go by. Moscow’s architectural splendour is legendary but seeing it for yourself will fill you with a sense of awe and wonder that no picture can recreate.

Born from an imperial past, yet an enduring symbol of Soviet Russia, Moscow is a city between two worlds. Unique to any other city you’d find in this Russia Destination Guide, Moscow’s art and architecture reflect a crossroad position astride the Eastern and Western worlds and revels in the centuries of comings and goings of great minds that have called this captivating and engrossing metropolis home.

Moscow is full of history and intrigue – a spiritual and political hub and billionaire playground with a youthful, cosmopolitan culture stirring just beneath the surface. Visit Moscow and decide for yourself what this dynamic city means to you.

Why visit Moscow?

To understand Russia, first, you need to visit Moscow. The city dates back at least 900 years, and there’s a real sense of being transported through time as you stroll the ever-changing streets and districts, showcasing mind-bogglingly intricate 18th-century neo-classicalism and Soviet-era concrete monoliths, through to constructivism’s quirky Russian avant-garde and gleaming contemporary glass skyscrapers. Moscow is all about culture – architecture, history, food , arts, music and nightlife. In a city this size, there’s something to cater to every taste, no matter how eclectic. Dive into the rabbit hole of Moscow’s endlessly engrossing history with visits to the Imperial palaces where mighty rulers rose and fell from power and revolutions were born. Visit magnificent cathedrals, state-of-the-art museums and world-class art galleries.

Moscow shines in the evening, with nightly music, ballet and opera performances in its majestic theatres and concert halls. In recent years, Moscow has become a hub of gastronomy thanks to a new breed of local and international chefs. Yes, Moscow has its fair share of fancy fine dining restaurants and hipster cafes, but you’ll still find street snacks in abundance and homely, traditional Russian fare served in well-loved, hole-in-the-wall eateries.

If you’ve come to Moscow keen to party, you’re in luck. Moscow’s nightlife scene rivals almost any major international city. The label “city that never sleeps” isn’t always warranted, but in Moscow, it’s the truth. There’s after-dark fun to be had every day of the week, with various nightlife districts home to mega dance warehouses, atmospheric underground clubs, friendly local pubs, jazz lounges, rock venues, performance art spaces and the best bar-crawling action this side of London.

Weather in Moscow and when to go

The peak season to travel to Moscow is in Summer between June and August, where temperatures usually hover around a pleasant 20 degrees Celsius. While summers are slightly rainier than other seasons in Moscow, downfalls tend to be fairly heavy but short-lived.

However, for Russia Destination Guide readers keen to avoid higher prices that come with booking accommodation in the summer, you might try the shoulder seasons of spring and early autumn. Late spring (April and May) provide more sunshine and less rainfall, while in autumn, the city’s parks are filled with flowering trees and colourful leaves.

The depths of mid-winter are undoubtedly cold, but a winter visit is an adventure that will give you a true insight into Moscow life – both its hardships and its great beauty. Furs and vodka keep the locals warm and the snow-filled streets are postcard picturesque. With layers of shimmering show blanketing the roofs of Moscow’s grand palaces, parts of the city are transformed into a fairy-tale wonderland. The Christmas lights, traditional winter markets and News Years celebrations offer sights and sounds and an atmosphere to be savoured.

Highlights of Moscow

The Kremlin

No place better represents the triumphs and turmoil of Russia’s past than the Kremlin . Built between the 14 th and 17 th centuries, it served first as the Imperial Residence of the Tsars and later as the headquarters of the Russian presidents. Within the imposing walls of the Kremlin are a plethora of classic buildings, each as stunning as the next. Wander past the Kremlin Palace, the neoclassical Senate Building, the 40-tonne Tsar Cannon and the 200-tonne Tsar Bell, the Armoury Museum, Cathedral Square and others.

The Red Square

Along the eastern side of the Kremlin Wall is the vast cobblestoned expanse of the Red Square . Although it’s been the scene of countless displays of military might, parades and protests since the 15 th century, it’s traditionally been a place of trade and social gatherings/ Today thousands flock to the square to celebrate official state events, be photographed in front of famous monuments or simply soak up its historic splendour.

St Basil’s Cathedral

Located in Red Square is one of Russia’s most iconic buildings, with its vibrant rainbow-painted, onion-shaped domes. The cathedral was commissioned by Ivan the Terrible in 1552 to mark the capture of Kazan from the Mongol forces. According to legend, Ivan was so enamoured by architect Postnik Yakovlev’s design that he had him blinded so that he would never be able to design anything as fantastical again! If the cathedral is open, it’s possible to visit the interior, richly decorated and well worth an explore.

Arbat Street

In the heart of downtown Moscow, Arbat is Moscow’s oldest pedestrian street. The cobblestone roads and classical statues are reminders of its elegant past, but today the area caters mostly for the tourist crowd, with rows of souvenir shops and restaurants and cafes of varying quality. Still, it’s a must-visit attraction with a lively atmosphere. Street performers and musicians ply the street day and night, and you can often watch traditional Russian craft-makers at work.

The Moscow Metro

Apart from being one of the largest and oldest underground railway systems in the world, and a fantastic, cheap way to get around Moscow, the metro is a tourist attraction in its own right, thanks to its spectacularly decorated underground stations. The stations have been described as underground art museums, home to fantastic sculptures, murals and striking architectural elements from stained glass panels to mosaic marble floors.

Bolshoi Theatre

A historic theatre in the centre of Moscow, renowned for its world-class ballet and opera performances. An evening at the Bolshoi Theatre is one of Moscow’s most romantic after-hours options and the theatre offers a range of Russian and foreign works throughout the week. Equally as spectacular as the theatre’s performances is the rich, lavish interior of the six-level auditorium. No matter what performance you take in on this historic stage, the experience is sure to make you feel like royalty, at least for a couple of hours.

How to Get to Moscow

Travel by plane:.

The are four major airports in Moscow – Domodedovo , Sheremetyevo , Vnukovo and Zhukovsky. The majority of international flights go in and out of Sheremetyevo (most of the major international airlines and Russian airline Aeroflot ). Domodedovo Airport is the main hub for Swiss Airlines, Air Malta, British Airways, Emirates, China Eastern, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways and most of the Central Asian airlines. Most domestic flights also operate out of Domodedovo and Sheremetyevo, with a few departing from Vnukovo (UtAir, Vladivostok Avia, flights to North Caucasus), as well as German Wings flights to and from Germany.

To get to the centre of Moscow from the airports, the Aeroexpress train is the fast and easy way, especially during Moscow’s notorious morning and afternoon rush hours. The trip to the city clocks in at around 35 to 40 minutes. Outside of peak times, taxis take an average of 1 hour to reach the city centre, while a private transfer or shuttle is the most comfortable option to arrive directly to your hotel.

Travel by train:

Russia overland travellers from Europe can also reach Moscow by train. Train travel is often less cost-effective compared with flying (at least within Europe) and provides a totally unique experience with the ability to stopover in various European cities along the way.

Direct trains to Moscow depart from Paris, Berlin, Warsaw, Amsterdam and Kiev. The Paris-Moscow Express runs once a week all year and is the most glamorous and comfortable option. The train traverses through four countries (France, Germany, Poland and Belarus) before pulling in at Moscow’s long-distance Belrussky train station after a journey of just under 40 hours. Another classy option popular among tourists is the Berlin-Moscow Swift train. Departing twice a week (Sundays and Mondays) from East Berlin station, it takes a little over 20 hours to cover the 1,896km between the German capital and Moscow.

Destination #2: Saint Petersburg

The former capital of the Russian Empire, the city that Peter the Great founded in 1703 is today a decidedly more laidback city compared with the frenetic pace of Moscow. Explore the highlights of this living museum, where the city centre of Saint Petersburg (also known simply as ‘Peter’) consists of one colossal architectural masterpiece after another.

Peter the Great transformed a tract of swampland on the Neva River delta into what would be regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful cities, reflecting the cultural and artistic prowess of Imperial Russia and a sophisticated European influence inspired by the likes of London, Paris and Vienna.

At the same time, St Petersburg is a thriving, modern metropolis with a population of over five million. Just as it originally attracted architects, poets, painters, composers and revolutionaries, today young creatives flock to St Petersburg’s lively streets, artistic hubs, galleries and performance venues, many of them housed in the shells of crumbling old-world mansions and derelict palaces, providing a youthful, edgy and energetic counterpoint to the city’s stately ornamental façade.

Why visit St Petersburg?

Moscow may be the seat of Russia’s political power, but St Petersburg is the country’s cultural capital. There are many reasons the Russia Destination Guide has to make visiting St. Petersburg a must. Not just for its numerous palaces, churches and museums , but also its theatres and concert halls, its contemporary art hubs and its flourishing live music and bar scene.

St Petersburg is renowned for its illustrious architecture, home to the magnificent Palace Square and Peterhof Palace, the Russian equivalent of Versailles. It also boasts one of the world’s greatest museums in the imposing State Hermitage complex. The entire historic city centre is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site.

Known as the “Venice of the North” for its numerous rivers and canals, Russia’s most romantic city is famous for its beautiful drawbridges. The Palace Bridge is drawn every night in front of crowds of tourists and has become one of the most recognisable symbols of the city. History fans will be enraptured by St Petersburg’s perfectly preserved monuments to Tsarist extravagance, and the many sites and landmarks which played an integral role in the Russian Revolutions and both World Wars.

The city’s epic White Nights are the intoxicating summer weeks between late May and early June when night never falls and the streets and parks are alive with all-night revellers, open-air concerts and dusky evenings that transform almost unnoticeably into the morning.

Weather in St Petersburg and when to go

Despite being the northernmost metropolis in the world, St Petersburg’s proximity to the Gulf of Finland blesses the city with a maritime climate, making it far less chilly than much of Russia over winter, with temperatures rarely dipping below -7°C even in the coldest month of January.

Summers are usually pleasantly warm, with the occasional spell of hot, humid weather. Mid-summer (between late May and mid-June) is also the time of the legendary St Petersburg White Nights when the sun never completely sets and the evenings are alive with a festive atmosphere and concerts and performances take place nightly around the city.

A good amount of snow over winter in St Petersburg is always a given. During winter, the city is arguably at its most beautiful. The streets are relaxed and uncrowded, the Neva River becomes a wilderness of ice and shiny white snowflakes cover buildings and monuments set against a backdrop of bare trees covered in crystalline frost. In winter many parks are converted into ice skating rinks and skiing is possible outside of the city. Theatre life is very much alive over the winter months, with performances of the Nutcracker being a special Christmas favourite.

Here’s a Russia Destination Guide tip: If you find yourself in St Petersburg over New Years, the best way to celebrate in this destination with the locals is to head down to Palace Square. You can join in the countdown for the fireworks display before warming up at one of the many bars, clubs and hotels holding parties.

Highlights of St Petersburg

The State Hermitage Museum

The Hermitage is undoubtedly the jewel in St Petersburg’s cultural crown. One of the world’s greatest collections of ancient and modern art, only the Louvre in Paris and Prado in Madrid rival the Hermitage in terms of worldwide cultural importance. The museum houses some three million individual artworks and artefacts, from Egyptian antiquities to 19 th and 20th-century modern art. The Hermitage comprises six individual buildings including Winter Palace, with its stunning white-columned facade and gallery rooms.

Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood

One of St Petersburg’s most iconic sights is this extraordinarily decorated church marking the site where Tsar Alexander met his untimely death at the hands of bomb-wielding revolutionaries. Although it bears a resemblance to Moscow’s 16 th St Basil’s Cathedral, with its intricate mosaics and multi-coloured onion domes, the church is just over a hundred years old.

St Issacs Cathedral

St Petersburg is home to countless cathedrals, most conceived in the baroque and neoclassical styles. St Issacs Cathedral is the largest cathedral in St Petersburg, identifiable by its gold-illuminated dome and twelve statues of angels. The cathedral’s history tells an intriguing story of conflict and dissent. The anti-religious Soviet government denounced the Cathedral and converted it into a museum of atheism. In 1937 it was converted into a museum of art, and religious activities resumed in 1990.

Tsarkoye Selo

This grand Imperial estate is located in the handsome town of Pushkin, 25km south of St Petersburg. Amid exquisite parks and gardens, you’ll find the baroque Catherine Palace, a luxurious summer sanctuary surrounded by acres of gardens where remarkable structures like the Marble Bridge, the Dutch Admiralty and the Creaking Pagoda were constructed for her amusement. The estate is also home to Alexander Palace. A fine example of neoclassic architecture, its tumultuous history paints a fascinating portrait of the Romanov family.

Peterhof Palace

With its exquisitely manicured gardens, magnificent fountains and gold sculptures, Peter the Great modelled his sumptuous summer palace on the Baltic Sea on Versailles. It’s living rooms, bedrooms, ballrooms and ceremonial rooms are all extraordinarily beautiful. Peter’s daughter, Empress Elizabeth later extended the park and ordered the construction of the 22km Grand Cascade, featuring a total of three waterfalls, 64 fountains and 37 gilt statues.

Nevsky Prospect

St Petersburg’s high street is a 4.5km long royal avenue lined with stately mansions and palaces as well as countless shops, luxury hotels and Gostiny Dyor , the city’s largest department store. Walking the length of the avenue during the day and again at night is highly recommended by the Russia destination guide to take in the atmosphere of this living piece of history and its captivating mixture of old and new.

Bridges and canals of St Petersburg

A relaxing canal tour is a must-do activity, allowing you to see the sites of St Petersburg and its surrounding suburbs from an entirely different perceptive. A city made up of 42 islands across the Lena River delta, St Petersburg is crisscrossed by 300km of artificial canals, flowing beneath a network of over 800 bridges.

How to get to St Petersburg

The distance between Moscow and St Petersburg is approximately 700km, making either flying or train travel excellent for travelling between the cities. There are numerous flights per day and the flight time is around 1.5 hours. However, you’ll have to factor in the time need to get to and from the airports, which are located on the city outskirts.

Most overseas visitors first touchdown in Moscow and then connect to St Petersburg. There are also direct flights to St Petersburg’s Pulvoko Airport from many international destinations, mostly in Europe, including Paris, London, Brussels, Amsterdam, Zurich, Frankfurt, Prague, Helsinki and Stockholm. Direct flights also operate from Shanghai, Beijing, Doha, Dubai and Istanbul and many other international hubs.

From Moscow, overland options include daytime high-speed trains such as the Sapsan , which whisks you from Moscow to St Petersburg in about four hours. Ticket prices vary but at the time of writing this Russia destination guide, expect to pay around US $70 for an economy seat. Business-class costs around twice as much and first-class around twice again.

There are also several overnight train services travelling between the two cities. The journey takes around 8 to 9 hours and offers the benefit of saving you a night’s accommodation. A bunk in a third-class sleeper carriage is around 2,000 rubles (US $30), while a first-class cabin on the luxury Red Arrow train will set you back around 8,800 rubles (US $134)

Train tickets can be purchased at the station, but to be safe, you can purchase them online up to 90 days in advance from RZD , the official website of Russian Railways.

Destination #3: The Golden Ring

The Golden Ring is renowned as the most popular overland tourist trail through the charming provincial cities of central Russia, and thus certainly deserves a spot in the Russia destination guide’s list. The 740km circular route passes through a collection of small cities northeast of Moscow that counts among Russia’s oldest medieval townships. Despite their modest size, many of the Golden Ring’s cities played a vital role in shaping the country’s history. Its oldest settlements can be traced back to at least the 10 th century.

Scattered across a postcard-perfect landscape of rolling hills, flower blanketed meadows, rivers and streams, the cities of the Golden Ring were considered political backwaters by the time Soviet industrialisation took hold, escaping much of the urban progress that rapidly engulfed Moscow and its surroundings. Consequently, many locals still lead a largely traditional existence, living in tight-knit communities where the ancestral izba (wooden farmhouse) is the centre of daily life.

Today, the region remains remarkably untouched by urbanisation. Surrounded by rolling hills and verdant meadows, these lands are a throwback a rural Russia that has changed little for generations. Many of the towns were instrumental in the rise of the Orthodox church, as evidenced by the abundance of magnificent cathedral spires and domes. Apart from their religious significance, these proud towns have staunchly preserved their time-honoured traditions, folk art and cuisine.

Why visit the Golden Ring of Russia?

Wandering the tranquil, cobblestone streets of the ancient Golden Ring towns feels like genuinely stepping back in time. Virtually every city on the circuit is a living museum, made up of ancient forts, towering monasteries, imposing palaces and magnificent cathedrals. Several of the Golden Ring towns are home to UNESCO World Heritage-listed treasures, including the medieval White Monuments of Suzdal and Vladimir and the historic centre of Yaroslavl.

Readers of the Russia Destination Guide who are admirers of classic architecture  or perhaps history buffs will adore these destinations. Those hoping for an intimate insight into the places, people and events that shaped the complex, deep-rooted history that shaped Imperial and Soviet Russia will find the sights and stories of the Golden Ring region a fascinating and enthralling experience. You can feel the history in the air, among the perfectly preserved medieval wooden houses and the grand fortress and kremlins built in times where these cities wielded substantial political and religious power. Instrumental in the rise of the Russian Orthodox Church, across the centuries, many of these strategic settlements found themselves battling ruthless Mongol invasions, rebellious Tatar sieges and a string of Tsarist scandals.

Due to its proximity to Moscow, the Golden Ring is a popular side-trip for visitors to the Russian capital. The gorgeous countryside and laidback pace of the towns provide a welcome respite from the frenetic atmosphere of Moscow, well worth a diversion of at least a couple of days (hardcore history fans will ideally need a week or more to see most of the region’s highlights).

Weather in the Golden Ring and when to go

With this Russia Destination Guide, you can plan the perfect date of arrival with these tips. The Golden Ring is truly a year-round destination, with each season bringing a new and beautiful palette of colour to the rural countryside. Visitor numbers peak with the warm summer months (June to August) when the skies are a vivid blue, making for a particularly great backdrop against the domes and cupolas of the region’s many churches and cathedrals. In spring (April through to May) the meadows come alive with flowers while in the short autumn months (September to October) the scenery takes on the rich hues of red, orange and yellow. The freezing temperatures of the winter months (November to March) often bring a thick blanket of snow that creates a dreamy wonderland with lakes and rivers frozen over, perfect for ice skating.

Highlights of the Golden Ring of Russia

The most picturesque stop on the Golden Ring circuit, 1,000-year-old Suzdal appears like a scene from a Russian storybook. It’s quiet laneways, cobblestone plazas and medieval churches have inspired artists and poets for centuries. With many of residents living in colourful wooden houses, and classic horse-drawn buggies still a fixture of its quiet streets, Suzdal has managed to retain a tranquil, rural atmosphere, giving you an impression of how much of Russia might have looked centuries ago.

Explore  Yaroslavl,  the first Christian city on the Volga River and the subject of epic poems and heroic prose for centuries. Many of Russia’s greatest craftsmen, stonemasons, painters and sculptors came together to create this city of magnificent churches and monuments, dating back to the 1100s. The Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Saviour is one of the richest and most fortified monasteries. Here’s a Russa destination guide tip for you: A bird’s-eye view of Yaroslavl and its rivers can be had by climbing up to the top of the cathedral’s bell town.

The oldest town in the Golden Ring and is also one of its most architecturally impressive, rich in elegantly restored monuments dating from the 12 th to the 17 th century. Today, a sleepy, village-like atmosphere hovers over the town, bringing a quiet stillness to the evenings that only breaks with the crowing of the cockerels at first like. The supremely photogenic Rostov Kremlin features walls of delicate pink, enclosing a number of extraordinary 17th-century buildings including the domed Assumption Cathedral and the St John the Divine Gateway Church.

Sergiev Posad

The Russia destination guide presents to you Sergiev Posad – one of the most important spiritual centres of the Orthodox Church sometimes referred to as the ‘Russian Vatican’. This is because of its city-wide scattering of magnificent white-walled churches with contrasting blue and gold cupolas – the colour scheme most strongly associated with the perception of Russian divinity. Founded in 1340 by the country’s most revered saint, St Sergius of Radonezh, Sergiev Posad is one of Russia’s holiest destinations, attracting devoted pilgrims since the 14 th century.

How to get to the Golden Ring 

Moscow is the logical starting point for excursions into the Golden Ring region. This small group or private tour is popular among foreign visitors as it allows you to cover the most ground in the shortest amount of time. On a customised tour, you can choose your pitstops and overnight stays depending on which cities most strike your interests. This Russia Destination Guide will assist you in picking the right experience for you.

Day tours that operate out of Moscow and will hit up one or two of the closest towns from the capital (typically Sergiev Posad, or Suzdal, sometimes combined with Vladimir) but to truly appreciate the variety of the Golden Ring cities the languid beauty of its, a multi-day day tour is highly recommended. If you only have a limited amount of time, a tour encompassing an overnight stay and two-day detour from Moscow in the region’s most beguiling town of Suzdal is highly recommended.

It’s also possible to visit some of the major cities on the Golden Ring route via train, although not every popular destination on the route is serviced by a train station. A popular rail loop from Moscow allows for direct stops in Rostov, Yaroslavl, Ivanovo and Vladimir.

Destination #4: Lake Baikal

An ancient lake so vast in size it’s referred to as Siberia’s “inland sea”, the deepest point of Lake Baikal is an abyssal 1,637m, making this 30 million-year-old body of water the deepest lake in the world. Incredibly, 20% of the world’s entire freshwater supply is contained within Lake Baikal. The crescent-shaped lake extends for 636km from north to south and contains 27, mostly uninhabited islands. The vast Baikal region is home to several indigenous cultures, including the ethnic Buryat people who practice a unique form of Buddhism blended with ancient shamanistic rites and religious beliefs. Traditional villages are dotted along the lake’s shore, interspersed with taiga forest and rocky steppe terrain. The national park surrounding Baikal harbour diverse array of wildlife, and the lake’s waters are home to the N erpa , the beloved freshwater Baikal seal.

With its mirror-clear blue water and enthralling natural beauty, Lake Baikal is considered Siberia’s premier attraction and is recognised by UNESCO as one of Russia’s 28 World Heritage Sites. It will certainly enchant any Russia destination guide reader planning a trip to Russia.

Why visit Lake Baikal?

Lake Baikal offers something for every traveller. Readers of the Russia destination guide attracted to laidback summer cruise vacationers, who are adventure sports enthusiasts and culture buffs keen to discover will love this destination. The blend of European, Turkic and Mongol influences are found in the region’s languages, customs, cuisine and traditional ways of living.

With a surface that freezes solid between early January and late May, the ice covering Lake Baikal can be up to a metre thick, giving winter visitors the chance to experience unique activities such as ice driving, snowmobiling, ice fishing and ice rafting (river rafting on an actual chunk of Baikal ice). Lovers of landscape photography are drawn to Lake Baikal’s mystical frozen caves and shimmering ice floes. Summer is the season for Russia destination guide readers interested in multi-day cruises and epic kayaking expeditions to hidden coves and pristine beaches.

Weather in Lake Baikal and when to go

Lake Baikal has a maritime climate which is typically much milder than the rest of Siberia. The vast majority of visitors to Baikal arrive in the summer months, with peak season hitting between June and mid-August. Summer days in Baikal are typically warm and pleasant. Sunbathing and swimming are possible, although water temperatures of 15 degrees or below usually keep swim sessions bracingly short! Boating season starts with the break-up of pack ice in late June and can last until September, although cruise tours are generally offered in July and August.

Autumn falls between the end of August and October and is usually the rainiest time of year. Still, this Russia Destination Guide recommends this season’s exquisite autumn scenery for photographers looking to capture the red and gold flora of the forests and the moody, sometimes dramatically windy and stormy weather.

The lake freezes over between January and May. Baikal is arguably at its most enchantingly beautiful over the winter period. The extreme transparency of the lake’s solid surface allows you to peer beneath the ice and into the inky, unfrozen depths below. The ice caves and glittering hummocks are at their most impressive in March, when the ice is at its thickest and winter sports enthusiasts take to the lake for skating, biking, 4WDing and ice-hole fishing.

Highlights of Lake Baikal

For most tourists reading the Russia destination guide, the unofficial regional capital of Irkutsk is the gateway to Lake Baikal, which lies 70km to the east. With a population of about 600,000, Irkutsk is a compact and friendly city, well worth a visit for its charming traditional wooden architecture, 18th-century churches and local history and art museums.

Olkhon Island

Beautiful, rugged Olkhon is the most populated of Baikal’s islands, consisting of a scattering of tiny villages, occupied mainly by indigenous Buryat communities. The middle of the island, one of the highlights of this Russia destination guide journey, is a green sanctuary of Siberian taiga forest. Its majestic coast is made up of the rocky steppe, white sand beaches and soaring cliffs providing perfect vantage points for witnessing spectacular sunsets across the shimmering surface of the lake.

Circum-Baikal Railway

The Circum-Baikal railway is a short, picturesque stretch of railway running between Slyuduanka and Port Baikal, along with the southern tip of Lake Baikal. A steam train trip along the Circum-Baikal make a great day trip, passing through tunnels and bridges that serve to highlight the sheer feat of engineering that first made the journey possible in the early 1900s.

Baikal Nature Reserve

On a wild, southeastern stretch of Baikal’s coastline, the desolate mountains of the Khmer Daban Range descend steeply to the rocky shores of the lake. The park preserves subalpine meadows and tundra, and deep within the taiga forests, Siberian brown bear, lynx, otter, wolverine and golden eagle.

How to get to Lake Baikal 

The city of Irkutsk is considered the main tourist gateway to Lake Baikal for Russia destination guide travellers. Although it’s about 65km from the lake itself, it hosts an airport with several flights a day arriving from Moscow (around 7 hours). There are also regular flights from the major Russian cities, including St Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk and Krasnoyarsk. Regular international flights are operated from Beijing and occasional flights from Bangkok, Hong Kong and seasonally, twice a week from Seoul. For the western shore of Lake Baikal, the closest airport is Ulan-Ude. It’s a smaller airport, serviced by flights from Moscow and the larger Siberian airports, as well as flights from Beijing.

Travel by train via the Trans-Siberian Railway:

If time isn’t a limiting factor for you, the Russia Destination Guide will go through a far more interesting way to reach Lake Baikal. This is via the Trans-Siberian Railway . If you’re taking the east-west route from Moscow, the train journey from Moscow to Irkutsk takes about three to four days. To reach Lake Baikal from the Irkutsk railway station, you’ll need to make your way by public transport to the main bus station in town, where buses regularly depart for Listvyanka.

Destination #5: Kamchatka

Once considered an inaccessible “edge of the world” location, only visited by the hardiest of adventure travellers, today Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula is gaining a reputation as one of Russia’s most remarkable tourist destinations. Make no mistake, Kamchatka is remote – with no road or railways connecting it to the outside world, the only practical access into this pristine wilderness is by air, and the only way to travel long distances inside this refreshingly undeveloped region is by 4WD or helicopter.

For this Russia Destination Guide readers keen to get closer to nature, this is a trip worth making. Located at the northernmost edge of the “Pacific Ring of Fire”, the Kamchatka Peninsula juts out dramatically from the northeastern tip of Russia. Thirty active volcanoes are scattered across the peninsula, including Klyuchevskaya Sopka, the largest in the Northern Hemisphere. Equally as stunning are, the 90 geysers and numerous hot springs that make up the 6km Geyser Valley. The second largest concentration of geysers on earth, this natural gem remains a virtually untouched region of raw geothermal power. Getting to Kamchatka is half the journey, but once you arrive, the raw beauty of this far-flung region will floor you.

Why visit Kamchatka?

For lovers of wildlife, challenging hiking and rugged natural scenery, Kamchatka is paradise on earth. If your idea of the ultimate adventure is scaling an active volcano, coming within metres of wild brown bears, or exploring some of the most remote and wildlife-rich coasts on earth, Kamchatka should be at the very top of your bucket list. Active travellers seeking unique physical challenges where few tourists have gone before should visit in winter for action-packed tours , or in summer for incredible backcountry sea kayaking and camping expeditions, tracing Kamchatka’s dramatic coastline, paddling beneath the shadows of volcanoes and riding the swirling Pacific surf.

Weather in Kamchatka and when to visit

Kamchatka stretches across several climatic zones. Central Kamchatka’s climate is mild and continental. The alpine valleys are characterised by frosty winters and hot, humid summers, while the coast experiences a temperate, marine climate. The summer and autumn months (June through to October) are by far the most popular when max temperatures range from 15°C to 30°C but a growing trend in winter sports means Kamchatka receives visitors year-round.

Kamchatka’s famous brown bears hibernate during the long, snowy winter, so you’ll need to visit between late July and mid-September to be able to spot them. Swimming and kayaking in Avacha Bay is possible during the summer months, and the fly fishing season is between May and October. Kamchatka’s ski resorts and off-piste mountain slopes attract hardcore snow junkies from January through to May.

Highlights of Kamchatka 

Volcanoes of the Pacific Ring of Fire

Kamchatka earns a deserving place as one of the most outstanding volcanic regions of the world, with a high density of active volcanoes. Rugged volcanic peaks interspersed with lush valleys, desolate lava-spewing plains and ancient glaciers form a dynamic landscaped with a strange, almost otherworldly sense of beauty. Nineteen active volcanoes are included in the within the six groups of UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites of Kamchatka. Travellers who fancy themselves as mountain trekkers can easily walk to the bases of some impressive mountains.

Valley of Geysers

Seething, steaming and periodically expelling huge volumes of hot water in a spectacular jet, geysers are a remarkable natural phenomenon. Kamchatka’s Geyser Valley is home to the second largest concentration of geysers on earth, scattered across a 6km basin with the Martian-like volcanic scenery. Due to their remote location, the geysers can only be accessed by helicopter. Once inside the valley, local guides and wooden walkways provide a safe passageway past some of the largest and most spectacular geysers.

The Brown Bears of Kamchatka

The Kamchatka brown bear , one of the largest subspecies of brown bear in the world. The region’s well-preserved wilderness has created a safe sanctuary for one of the most concentrated brown bear populations in the world, meaning summer sightings of these impressive animals are virtually guaranteed. During late July to mid-September, Kuril Lake hosts Kamchatka’s largest salmon spawning event, attracting about 2 million fish each season. Tourists, escorted by rangers can observe the bears as they swim, play and fish for salmon.

Kamchatka’s Pacific Coast

Vast, rugged and largely uninhabited, Kamchatka boasts one of the most isolated stretches of coastline in the world. The region’s capital, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, is situated beside the calm waters of Avacha Bay, under the shadow of the three Petropavlovsk volcanoes. Beyond Avacha are thousands of kilometres of rocky coastline. The most conspicuous residents here are seals, giant Stellar sea lions, orcas, whales and sea eagles.

Heli-Skiing in Kamchatka

For experienced skiers and snowboarders with a taste for the extreme, heli-skiing the untouched volcanic slopes of Kamchatka will be a wild winter adventure that’s virtually unrivalled. The experience starts with an incredible flight over the untamed peaks of the peninsula in a Russian chopper – the ultimate chairlift! Then, touchdown in the middle of nowhere and prepare for the free ride of a lifetime. Kamchatka is the only place on earth where it’s possible to ski down active volcanoes, and even to ski into the crater, with active steam vents smoking around you!

How to get to Kamchatka

Sandwiched between sub-Arctic Russia and the Pacific Ocean, Kamchatka has no overland routes leading into the region. There are no regular passenger ferries to anywhere in Kamchatka, so the only practical way for travellers to arrive is by air. You can find the airport located 20km from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in the village of Yelizovo. There are daily flights from Moscow (nine hours), and several flights a week from St Petersburg, Khabarovsk, Novosibirsk, Vladivostok and Beijing. In the peak summer season, there are occasional flights from Anchorage, Alaska and Tokyo, Japan.

Destination #6: Karelia

Karelia exudes an air of magic unlike anywhere else in Russia. Encompassing vast tracts of untouched wilderness, the far northwestern republic is covered in dense forests, idyllic lakes and waterfalls, fertile hills and barren steppe country. Iconic animal species now extremely rare in much of Europe – bears, wolves, wolverine, lynx, reindeer, moose and otter roam freely along the Russian frontier.

Bordered by Finland and the White Sea, Karelia is not just a far-flung no-mans land but a living museum of human history. Inhabited by Scandinavian peoples for 6,000 years and intermittently contested by Finnish, Swedish, and Russian forces over centuries, Karelia, despite having much of its territory ceded to the Soviet Union in 1939, the region still retains a strong cultural connection with eastern Finland. Distinctly Karelian culture lives on in the peasant traditions of poetry, music and folk ceremonies that reinforce the people’s bond with the land and sea.  

Why visit Karelia?

This Russia Destination Guide will present to you some of the highlights and high points of this magnificent destination. Easily accessible from Moscow and St Petersburg, and blessed with extraordinary natural beauty, a unique culture unlike anywhere else in Russia and some of the best-preserved traditional wooden architecture in the country, Karelia slowly starting to appear on the radar of international travellers.

The region offers a fantastic mix of nature, outdoor adventure and cultural discovery, from the prehistoric petroglyphs near the White Sea Coast to the republic’s most famous attraction, the World Heritage-listed Kizhi Pogost, an open-air museum in the middle of a lake, dedicated to fine 17 th ad 18th-century wooden architecture.

Karelia is an equally enchanting eco-tourism destination for Russia destination guide readers, home to the primordial forests of  Kivach Nature Reserve , and  Ruskeala Mountain Park , a former marble quarry that has been naturally transformed over time into a magnificent flooded canyon, carved from a unique and harmonious fusion of the natural and the man-made.

Karelia’s rivers, lakes and streams allow off-the-grid kayaking, fishing and camping for weeks. In winter, the woods become an enchanting playground for dog sledding, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.

Weather in Karelia and when to visit

Generally speaking, Karelia has a continental climate zone, with typically much milder winters in contrast to other northern regions near the Arctic. However, Karelia’s climate has a reputation for being unpredictable, so no matter which season Russia Destination Guide traveller’s trips coincides with, be prepared for practically any weather.

The short summer period from June to mid-August is modestly warm, but this time of the year welcomes the most visitors to Karelia since it enjoys the sunniest days by far. By the peak of July, the famous ‘midnight sun’ visits northern Karelia, and shines almost around the clock. Expect maximum daytime temperatures of between 16 and 21°C. Karelia’s relatively mild temperatures make it one of the most comfortable destinations for experiencing winter in the Arctic zone. The Russia Destination Guide implores you to explore the ethereal taiga forests and fairytale wooden houses which look especially magical against a snowy winter backdrop. The snowy landscapes are perfect for enjoying favourite local sports such as snowmobiling, skiing and dog-sledding. Its proximity to the Arctic Circle means that the skies above Northern Karelia are sometimes graced with an appearance from the Northern Lights.

Highlights of Karelia

One of the largest open-air museums in Russia has been built on the island of Kizhi in the middle of Lake Onega. Kizhi is immediately recognisable thanks to the iconic Transfiguration Church. This masterpiece of timber architecture features five tiers of 22 wooden domes, built in 1714 without the use of a single nail. The pine walls and domes of the church change colour as the day progresses. The Kizhi State Museum is home to dozens of 18 th and 19th-century log buildings, some furnished in period style, moved here from Karelian villages during the Soviet era.

Ruskeala mountain park

Ruskeala was formerly a marble quarry, mined by the Swedes, Finns and Russians for around three centuries. The 109-metre wide canyon now stretches for 456 metres and its sides are riddled with caves and grottoes. Tall pines sprout from the tops of the canyon walls and the groundwater has become a river of deep emerald green, creating a truly beautiful union of the natural and the man-made. The canyon can be traversed by boat, and some of the caves and mine shafts can be explored with a professional guide.

Solovetsky Islands

The Solovetsky Islands, is a place that many travellers fantasise about visiting when in Russia but few actually ever end up doing so. Located in the Onega Bay of the White Sea, the archipelago is made up of 6 main islands and many smaller ones. The largest island is the Bolshoy Solovetsky and it is home to the main monastery, which dominates the rural idyll of Solovetsky Village, the islands’ main settlement.

Valaam Island

As one of the most popular Orthodox tourist destinations, the main attraction that draws visitors to its shores is the 14th century Transfiguration Monastery. It is a monumental structure that sits on top of the high hill, making it visible from many locations on the island. In the past, the monastery had been subjected to numerous accounts of destruction and devastation from fires and invasions. Now, the gardens, a bakery, vegetable patches and a farm, rolling prairies and granite cliffs with around 200 Orthodox monks living within its walls permanently.

How to get to Karelia

For Russia Destination Readers travelling within Russia itself, S7 Airlines fly between four and five times a week from Moscow (Domodedovo) to the Karelian capital of Petrozavodsk (approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes). The timetable changes regularly so keep an eye out on S7’s flight schedule. Petrozavodsk is a small airport about 12km out of town. Taxis or private transfers are the preferred means of getting into the city. Once you arrive at the Petrozavodsk airport, it is about a 12km drive to the city centre. Pre-arranged private transfers are typically the preferred methods of transportation to get to town.

There are several trains per week, both daytime and overnight departing from St Petersburg to Petrozavodsk (7 hours) or day trains (4 hours). Trains from Moscow to Petrozavodsk run daily, an overnight journey of around 16 hours. The twice-weekly train to Murmansk (capital of Kola Peninsula) also makes a stop in Petrozavodsk.

Travel by bus:

A bus service connects Petrozavodsk to Joensuu in Finland (Thursdays to Sundays) and takes around 4 hours and 40 minutes. There are also bus services to Petrozavodsk from St Petersburg, which takes between 5 and 6 hours and is an extremely cheap way to travel between the two cities.

Destination #7: Kola Peninsula

Pierced by the snow-dusted pines of the taiga forest in the south and blanketed by an endless expanse of tundra in the north, the Kola Peninsula is the quintessential Russian Arctic destination. Inhabited by reindeer-herding nomads and bound by the White and Barents Seas (plied by only the strongest of nuclear ice-breaker ships), this remote region is the stuff of romance and legend. Situated almost entirely above the Arctic Circle, between mid-May and July, daylight lasts a full 24 hours, bathing the peninsula in the dazzling light of the unsetting midnight sun. Conversely, for two months over winter, the Kola Peninsula is blanketed by the polar night, when the sky is only lit by the appearance of the mesmerising Aurora Borealis.

A land of jewel-like lakes and crystal clear rivers, unexplored mountain ranges and wildlife-rich Arctic coastline, Kola’s vast grasslands are subject to visiting grazing reindeer in their thousands over the summer months. Many of the indigenous Sami, who also inhabit northern Scandinavia, still live on to a semi-nomadic way of life, depending on reindeer herding for their livelihood, traversing the tundra on husky-drawn sleds and holding on to their own ancient customs, language and traditions.

Not all of Kola is untouched by modern development. The capital Murmansk, with a population of over 300,000, is the largest city north of the Arctic Circle, and despite its industrial port town feel, is a remarkably lively town, with bars and restaurants and interesting Naval history.

Why visit the Kola Peninsula?

Still very much a frontier tourist destination, Kola is a place for travellers seeking unusual and extreme environments and boundless Arctic wilderness. For those Russian Destination Guide readers keen on winter sports, Kola offers some of the Arctic region’s best cross-country skiing, and the opportunity to go snowmobiling in the taiga. For hardcore history buffs, the peninsula is also a hunting ground for Soviet-era ruins including a haunting submarine graveyard near the Russian naval base at Olenya Bay.

Between the months of September and April, the city of Murmansk receives an influx of visitors hoping to catch the cosmic dance of the Northern Lights above the city rooftops and the hills, forests and snowfields surrounding the town.

Weather in the Kola Peninsula and when to go

Despite its extreme northern location, Kola enjoys one of the mildest climates of any region above the Arctic Circle, thanks to the influence of the warm Atlantic currents. This has helped make Kola an attractive destination for Northern Lights tourism between the autumn and late winter months of September and April.

The coldest month is January, with an average temperature of about -10°C in the Murmansk region. July is the warmest month, with temperatures between 12 and 20°C. From early December till late January, the sun is hidden beneath the horizon day and night, with artificial light the only means of illuminating the infamous polar night. The season of the polar day is from late May to late July when bright sunshine persists regardless of the time of day.

Highlights of the Kola Peninsula 

The Northern Lights in the Kola Peninsula

Known as the best place in the Russian Arctic for a chance to witness the breathtaking spectacle of the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights , Murmansk and its surrounds have become one of the world’s premier destinations for observing and photographing this bewitching natural phenomenon. Although their appearance is unpredictable, the lights can be sighted between late August and April, with September to April considered the best months for maximising your chances.

Nomadic Saami culture

The Sami (or Saami) are also the most prominent indigenous group in Lapland, Scandinavia. So distant is their language and way of life from the rest of Russia the Sami-dominated parts of Kola are usually referred to as Lapland. With a local guide, it’s possible to visit a traditional Sami settlement where many traditional dwellings are still in use. You may be invited to test your reindeer lassoing skills, commandeer your own troupe of sled-pulling huskies and taste authentic Lappish cuisines such as Arctic fish soup and berry pie.

Snow Village

The Snow Village is an ambitious tourism project featuring ornately decorated buildings, sculptures, labyrinthine tunnels and intricately patterned rooms, painstakingly constructed almost entirely out of ice and snow. Drop in at the ice bar, watch a film at the snow cinema, check out the ice sculpture gallery or stroll through the enchanting “village” where you’ll encounter fairy tale characters, mythical snow maidens and perhaps even Santa Klaus himself.

Teriberka Village

Teriberka is an old village, located on the Barents Sea coast. The way to the village takes travellers through the tundra with splendid sceneries on their way. Teriberka village is an authentic place and you will be impressed by arctic nature, village life and almost destroyed households Soviet Union period, cemetery old wooden ships and the famous breathtaking view of the Arctic ocean.

Destination #8: Yamal

Once considered a virtually inaccessible “edge of the world” location, only visited by the hardiest of adventure travellers, Yamal is one of the last refuges of Siberia’s nomadic reindeer herders, custodians of a land of vast plains that stretch from the Polar Ural Mountains to the Kara Sea in the Arctic Ocean. While large-scale reindeer herding is slowly disappearing throughout Russia and the Arctic, Yamal’s remoteness has been key to the preservation of this ancient way of life practised by the indigenous Nenets. Even so, the discovery of immense oil and gas resources in the peninsula will mean the Nenets culture is becoming increasingly under pressure from modern industrial development.

With much of its territory above the Arctic Circle, Yamal means ‘edge of the world’ in the language of its indigenous people. Its administrative centre, the historic town of Salekhard (population 43,000) straddles the Arctic Circle. The Yamal Peninsula was considered so inhospitable that Stalin built his prison camps here. And yet a rich, colourful and resilient culture and ancient shamanistic religion have managed to survive here.

To survive Yamal’s extreme climate, the Nenets migrate with herds of up to 10,000 strong from their winter pastures in the southern taiga, north to their summer grazing lands near the Arctic Ocean. Crossing the frozen Ob, the world’s fifth-largest river is just part of a journey which can span over 1,000km, one way, making it one of the longest annual human migration routes in the world.

Why visit Yamal?

Very few foreigners have set foot on the Yamal Peninsula. There are no roads from outside into the area, and outsiders (both Russians and foreigners) must apply for a visitors permit at least two months ahead. Due to the challenging logistics of visiting Yamal, a guided tour is highly recommended.

The Russia Destination Guide presents to you the single most compelling reason to make this difficult journey to Yamal. Here, you can submerge yourself in a culturally immersive experience like no other. During the reindeer migration season, you will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to live amongst the indigenous Nenets of Yamal, sleeping in their summer tented camps, working with reindeer and following them on part of their migration on wooden sleds through the snowy taiga forest. The highlight of the year for visitors to Yamal is the annual Reindeer Herder’s Festival , the most important event on the Nenets calendar which showcases all manner of reindeer-related physical challenges.

Weather in Yamal and when to go

Most of the Yamal territory is located within the northern part of the West Siberian Plain, and a small part of the eastern slope of the Ural Mountains. The climate of this region is characterised by long, harsh and winters of up to eight months, and short summers with strong winds and relatively light snow cover.

Summer temperatures hover around 5 to 25°C but the wind chill factor still makes warm clothing outside a must. In deepest winter, out on the tundra, temperatures of a staggering -50°C are common. Clothing and exposure protection suitable for extreme cold is an absolute must for surviving Yamal in the winter time. The Nenets wear heavy coats, hats and boots fashioned from reindeer skin, and while living with them in their tents, guests are highly advised to do the same.

Highlights of Yamal

Reindeer Migration with Nenets

Travel with the Nenets on one leg of their annual migration – it’s one of the most unforgettable and incomparable cultural experiences on earth! Each spring, the Nenets migrate from winter pastures on the Russian mainland to the summer pastures in the Arctic Circle, a one-way journey of up to 1,000km. This is a remarkable extraordinary opportunity to get to know one of the world’s last true nomadic reindeer herders through their eyes.

Reindeer Herder’s Festival in Yamal

The Reindeer Herder’s Festival is a one-day holiday, celebrated in late March or early April in Yamal. For the nomadic Nenets people, a festival day is a major event, which offers a chance to meet with friends and compete in contests of physical skill and a variety of other competitions. It has also become an event in which the Nenets are able to share with the world a rarely-glimpsed slice of their culture, which has remained relatively unchanged for centuries. Visits to the festival combined with a stay in a traditional nomad camp can be arranged by a specialist tour company.

How to get to Yamal

The Arctic city of Salekhard is the gateway to the rest of Yamal. There are direct flights from Moscow and St Petersburg (both around 3 hours) and also from Ekaterinburg (1.5 hours) on Yamal Airlines. Salekhard Airport is about 7km from the city centre.

Fancy a ride on the real, modern-day Polar Express? The train named the “Polar Arrow” was launched in 2013 and makes the 3,550km journey from Moscow, cutting through the Ural Mountains, hauling through Asia and Siberia and crossing the Arctic Circle to reach Labytnangi (the closest station to Salekhard) some 43 to 46 hours later. Taxis from Labytanangi will take you to Salekhard’s town centre in less than half an hour.

Destination #9: Altai Republic

The Altai Republic is, in a word, “diverse.” A mountainous region whose borders touch the semi-deserts of Mongolia and the vast Kazakh plains, Altai has one the most varied climates in Siberia. Still largely undiscovered, Altai now supports a growing, community-based eco-tourism industry. As well as being an incredible hike and ski destination, Altai offers the unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the traditions of the mountain-worshipping Altay people, whose ancient culture reflects Altai’s location at the crossroads of both Europe and East and Central Asia.

Altai is impossibly scenic – watch the scenery slide by as it rolls from rocky steppes to the high desert to impenetrable taiga forest. Colours shift, fields lay in hushed snowfall or blossom in spring. Everything changes here, with only one exception – Altai’s majestic mountain peaks. Home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site “The Golden Mountains of Altai”, the Altai Mountain Range is a refuge for some of the world’s rarest animal species. In the raw, rugged beauty of this long-forgotten wilderness, you can hike for miles in complete solitude. Go fishing in the pristine tributaries of the Katun and Chemal Rivers, search for snow leopard prints in the hills, explore vast underground cave complexes or get your fix of winter sports action in one of the region’s burgeoning boutique ski resorts.  

Why travel to Altai?

Blessed with unforgettable mountain scenery – eternally snow-capped alpine peaks, broad green valleys, rocky canyons and mighty glaciers – Altai cements its place in the Russia destination guide as the ultimate hiking destination. Altai has an enormous amount to offer lovers of landscape, nature and wildlife photography. Despite being a relatively unknown ‘adventure’ destination, Altai’s trekking routes offer something for hikers of all levels of experience, from easy jaunts in the foothills and meadowlands to hardcore, high-altitude multi-day and multi-week treks straddling the mountain ranges that straddle the Mongolian, Chinese and Kazaz borders. Altai’s hiking trails are endless and reaching the summit of one of the high peaks is of the most rewarding things to do in the Altai region.

Weather in Altai and when to go  

The Altai Republic has three main climatic zones – warm and humid continental, subarctic and cold semi-arid, making it essentially a year-round destination. Being located far from the oceans, the lands of the Altai Ranges heat up considerably in summer and cool rapidly in winter, making late spring and summer the ideal season for mountain trekking and camping.

Summer is peak whitewater rafting season in Altai. The Russia destination guide recommendation is to visit around the end of August where you may witness or participate in the White Water Siberia Forum, a sensational event that attracts professional rafters from around the world attempting to conquer the incredibly wild rapids and of the majestic Chuya River.

Highlights of Altai

The Golden Mountains of Altai

The Golden Mountains of Altai is a UNESCO World Heritage site forming the major mountain range in Western Siberia and the source of its greatest rivers – the Ob and the Irtysh. The region harbours the most diverse vegetation and microclimatic zones in central Siberia, from steppe to dense mix forest and high alpine vegetation. The dramatic Altai ranges are home to nearly 700 animal species, including the mountain ram, reindeer and the endangered snow leopard. Stunning Mount Belukha is the highest peak in Siberia at a cloud-piercing 4,506m.

Lake Teletskoye – The Golden Lake

Lake Teletskoye or Altyn-Köl, which means “Golden Lake” is the world’s second deepest freshwater body after Lake Baikal (up to 325m at its deepest point). A dazzlingly transparent aquamarine sometimes referred to as “Baikal’s Little Brother”, the lake spans 233 square kilometres and is surrounded by the alpine meadows, forests and the jagged, rocky peaks of the Altai mountain ranges.

The Indigenous Cultures of Altai

Altai is home to 5 million people speaking 40 languages. The indigenous population includes the various ethnic groups of the Alati people, descendants of the Turkic tribes with ancient cultural links to the Mongols. Among the most famous Altai ancestral traditions is throat singing. The style of throat singing or ‘overtone singing’, (as it sounds as though the vocalist is singing two notes in separate frequencies at the same time) performed in Altai is unique to certain cultures in Siberia and Mongolia.

How to get to Altai   

For Russia Destination Guide readers travelling within Russia, there are two main options for reaching the Altai Mountains by air. From Moscow, you can take a direct flight to Gorno-Altaysk, the capital of the Altai Republic. S7 Airlines runs about two flights a week (check the schedule for seasonal changes to the timetable) with a flight time of about 4 hours and 4 minutes.

Flights also operate several times a week from Moscow to Barnaul (just over 4 hours flight time), capital of the neighbouring Altai Territory and a larger and more developed city than Gorno-Altaysk, from where you can take public transport or rent a car for the three-hour drive to Gorno-Altaysk

Although it is not part of the Altai Republic, lying 447km from the Altai capital of Gorno-Altaysk, Novosibirsk is one the most popular jumping-off points for trips into rural Altai. As the largest city in Siberia, Novosibirsk is well serviced by air, with daily flights to and from all the major Russian cities and some international flights from Frankfurts, Hannover, Beijing, Seoul and Tel Aviv. The largest local airport it Tolmachovo Airport, located 20km west of the city centre by taxi, hotel shuttle bus or private transfer.

The Trans-Siberian Railway from Moscow passes through Novosibirsk, and travellers can disembark the train here before continuing their 5 and a half to 6-hour journey to Gorno-Altaksy by road.

From Novosibirsk or Baurnal, the cheapest way to get into Gorno-Altaysk is by bus. There are around 4 to 5 trips per day from Novosibirsk, while buses depart from Baurnal roughly every 2 hours.

We hope this Russia destination guide was informative and useful to you. Feel free to get in touch with our team for more information on options to travel to Russia.

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European Russia stretches from the borders of Belarus and Ukraine to the Ural mountains, over 1000km east of Moscow; even without the rest of the vast Russian Federation, it constitutes by far the largest country in Europe. Formerly a powerful tsarist empire and a Communist superpower, Russia continues to be a source of fascination for travellers. While access is still made relatively difficult by lingering Soviet-style bureaucracy – visas are obligatory and accommodation usually has to be booked in advance – independent travel is increasing every year, and visitors are doubly rewarded by the cultural riches of the country and the warmth of the Russian people.

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Moscow, Russia’s bustling capital, combines the frenetic energy of an Eastern city with the cosmopolitan feel of a Western one. With its show-stopping architecture – from the tsarist palaces of the Kremlin and the onion domes of St Basil’s Cathedral, through the monumental relics of the Communist years, to the massive building projects of today – and the impersonal human tide that packs its streets and subways, the metropolis can feel rather overwhelming. By contrast, St Petersburg, Russia’s second city, is Europe at its most gracious, an attempt by the eighteenth-century tsar Peter the Great to emulate the best of Western European elegance in what was then a far-flung outpost. Its people are more relaxed and friendly, and its position in the delta of the River Neva is unparalleled, giving it endless watery vistas. Visible – often ostentatious – but uneven wealth creation in both cities has made them twin figureheads for Russia’s recent high-speed renaissance.

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Awe-inspiriting architecture, free-flowing vodka, hearty cuisine and fairy-tale castles. Sprawling expanses of forest and icy planes. Hip bars, opulent cathedrals and high-end shopping precincts. There’s a reason travellers are becoming increasingly intrigued by a trip to Russia. Welcome to our Russia travel guide.

One of the world’s most mysterious destinations (thanks to that impenetrable Iron Curtain), Russia is starting to pop up on many a travel hot list.

The nation’s capital, Moscow is one of Europe’s great cultural destinations. Among the many drawcards are the magnificent historical and contemporary art galleries, the picturesque Red Square, The Kremlin and the Bolshoi Theatre. On top of that are the incredible parks and churches.

The variety of food on offer in Moscow is also worthy of note. Feast on traditional Russian soups, stews, pelmeni (dumplings), filled pancakes and caviar.

For more than 100 years Hotel National Moscow has witnessed the country’s political transformation, from imperial reign through to communist rule and the fall of the Soviet Union.

It’s a hotel that perfectly matches the city’s fascinating history.

St Petersburg is a culture capital as riddled with tales of Russia’s turbulent history as it is with artworks and canals.

Thanks to its extreme northerly position, from 11 June to 2 July St Petersburg becomes an insomniac’s dream as the sun never sets. Known as the season of the midnight sun, it’s celebrated with the White Nights Festival. This showcases classical ballet and opera and culminates in the traditional Scarlet Sails celebration.

St Petersburg’s legendary State Hermitage Museum or the Winter Palace, was historically the main residence of the Russian Tsars. Today it presents something of a quandary – do you view the three million (no, that’s not a typo) artworks spanning the Paleolithic to the present day, or the grand architecture housing the art – the splendid confection of the Winter Palace with swathes of gold on walls, columns and ceilings?

According to those in the know, if you spent a minute looking at each exhibit, you would need 11 years to see them all.

Part of the Golden Ring of quaint towns some 200km north-east of Moscow, Suzdal was the capital of the Rostov-Suzdal principality in the 12th century. It’s a quaint little town with a very rich history. Having avoided the industrialisation that blighted much of Russia during the Soviet era (it was bypassed by the Trans-Siberian railways in the 19th century despite lobbying by locals), the town is dotted with stunning historic Russian architecture, including blue-domed churches (the Nativity of the Virgin Cathedral), monasteries, and its very own 10th-century Kremlin.

You may like to venture further afield and explore the icy beauty and rambling forests of Siberia .

Perhaps a trip on the iconic Trans-Siberian railway appeals. It’s the longest railway line in the world (9289 kilometres of track) travelling through the wilds of Siberia taking six nights to travel from Moscow to Vladivostok, and also branching off along the way into the Trans-Mongolian and Trans-Manchurian railways from where you can travel to Beijing, China, and then by connecting train to Vietnam and even Singapore if you are patient.

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Russia is a country of subtropical beaches and lovely cities where the people are so sweet to make your trip sweeter. Our Russia travel packages are not only offering you excursions of multiple places but also stapling more joy with museum and churches here. There are a number of places to explore in Russia and we are listing a few of those incredible destinations here –

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What’s Special: Historical sites, churches, scenic views

Timings: Throughout the day

Major Attractions: Saviour Monastery of St Euthymius, Old Vladimir

Distance From City: 0 km

Transportation Option: Bus, cab, taxi, train

Museum, Rostov-Veliky Kremlin, Assumption Cathedral, Pereslavl Railway Museum Golden Ring is filled with quaint cottages, cherry orchards, domes and the awe-inspiring churches. All are containing the old country arts and this is making the place special to visit and explore. If you want to experience the bygone era of Russia, you must visit this place. The place also has fortresses and monasteries, where you must visit.

What’s Special: Ancient sites, intricate architecture

Major Attractions: Hermitage Museum, Krestovsky Stadium, Peterhof Palace, Pushkin Museum, Kolomenskoye, Novospassky Monastery

Moscow has its own political reasons to stay popular in Russia. Additionally, there are many more reasons that are making the place special. There is the very impressive Red Square and the stately Kremlin, that none can afford to miss with this trip. The artistic endeavors are making the place awe-inspiring and fascinating.

3. Saint Petersburg

What’s Special: Cultural sites, architectural monuments, theatres, galleries, museums

Major Attractions: Hermitage Museum, Peterhof Palace, Mariinsky Theatre, St Isaac Cathedral, Palace Square

Saint Petersburg is the second-largest city in Russia and is now known as Leningrad. Still, there are many in Russia and all over the world who are referring to the city with the name Saint Petersburg. This place is also known as the cultural capital of Russia. Also known as “The city of Boats”, it is one of the finest collections of art.

What’s Special: Mosques, historical attractions, cultural sites

Major Attractions: The Kazan Kremlin, Museum of Soviet Life, Kul Sharif Mosque, Kazan Arena, Suyumbike Tower

Transportation Option: Bus, cab, taxi

Kazan has one of the highest standards of living in the nation. Kazan is the capital city of Tatarstan. There are church towers and minarets that are filling the skyline. The Kul-Sharif Mosque is worth visiting, which is named after a man who was killed while defending Kazan.

5. Nizhny Novgorod

What’s Special: Historic monuments, heritage sites, lovely river views

Major Attractions: Memorial Apartment of Andrei Sakha, Kremlin, Rukavishnikov Mansion, Nizhegorodsky State Art Museum

Nizhny Novgorod lies on the confluence of two rivers, the Volga and Oka. Formerly, the town was known as Gorky as Maxim Gorky was born here and the town was seeded with a mere fortress. Gradually, the town thrived and adopted the immense beauty of architecture. Adding this town to your itinerary will not spike up your Russia trip cost, therefore, you can plan on visiting it on your vacation.

What’s Special: Natural surroundings, rich history and culture, waterfalls, caves, forests, lakes

Major Attractions: Park Riviera, Rosa Khutor Ski, Park Arboretum, The Singing Fountain, Lake Ritsa, 33 Waterfalls, Frunze Park, Stalin’s Villa

Sochi is a popular town in Russia, located on the coast of the Black Sea and surrounded by the beautiful Caucasus Mountains. The place is known for its remarkable sandy beaches and outstanding architecture. The place is also known for Kinotavr, a summer festival, which is celebrated with much enthusiasm. Sochi is also known for its rich flora and fauna and has Caucasian State Nature Biosphere Reserve in 50 kilometers vicinity. So, before booking Russia packages from India, make sure to include Sochi in your itinerary.

7. Olkhon Island

What’s Special: Lakes, breathtaking views, natural surroundings, lake island, coastal sand dunes

Major Attractions: Cape Burkhan, Khuzhir Village, The National History of Museum of Revyakin, Cape Khoboy, Sagan Khushun Cape, Lake Baikal

Distance From City: 238 km

Transportation Option: Bus, marshrutka, ferry

Olkhon Island is one of the sought-after places in Russia and is also the third-largest lake island in the world. The entire island is home to lakes, dense forests, beaches, waterfalls, and rocks. Visit the island which attracts tourists with its natural beauty. The place is also known for its calm and serene ambiance far away from the hustle and bustle of city life. So if you are planning to visit this beautiful place, book the tour in advance, so that Russia tour packages from India cost can be minimized.

What’s Special: Historical town, Russian architecture

Major Attractions: Suzdal Kremlin, Muzey Derevyannogo Zodchestvo, Saviour Monastery of Saint Euthymius, Pokrovsky Monastery, Aleksandrovskiy Muzhskoy Monastery, Cathedral of Nativity of the Theotokos

Suzdal is a cultural and historic city in Russia. The city is truly charming and captivating, especially to history buffs. The city has managed to preserve its ancient history and valuable culture. You will see a plethora of cathedrals, monasteries, along with incredible landscapes. The tranquil surroundings and sacred vibes make this city a perfect place for a vacation.

What’s Special: Frozen rivers, glaciers, and snow capped mountains

Major Attractions: National Museum of the Republic of Altai, Waterfall Uchar, Altayskiy Reserve, Church of St. John, Chemal

The Altay Mountains extend from Russia, spreading out to China, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia. These mountains were traditionally inhabited by local ethnic groups, however, today it welcomes visitors from across the world. Home to numerous nature reserves and water bodies, these mountains are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

10. Peterhof

What’s Special: Long stretches of pebble and sand beaches, Stalinist architecture

Major Attractions: Sochi Park, Fisht Olympic Stadium, Krasnaya Polyana Mountain Cluster, Southern Cultures Park, Rosa Khutor Ski Resort

Peterhof was established in the early 17th century for Tsar Peter. It resembles the Palace of Versailles and is spread across almost 4000 hectares. The place is home to nearly 173 garden fountains, out of which Grand Cascade fountains are the most popular ones.

Best Time to Visit and Explore the Russia Tour Packages

June - august (summer).

Russia blooms greatly in the summer season. The snow melts to reveal the beauties of lawns and flowers, which makes for a perfect Russia trip plan. If you are not a fan of winter season, then you can plan your Russian vacay during these months. This weather is pleasantly warm that will make your vacation all the more memorable.

March - May (Spring)

As spring is considered to be the most favorable time of the year, you will get to spend time outdoors and enjoy the sunshine. The gardens, streets, and parks are usually filled with people to receive pleasant sunlight. During your time in Russia, you may visit various places in the capital of the country called Moscow. The Kremlin, where the president of Russia lives, is a must-visit and a fascinating sight to see. You will be able to visit it on the most exciting Russia packages.

December - February (Winter)

You can visit Russia during wintertime if you are interested in adventure sports. The lakes and rivers are frozen up during winter and it is an ideal time to get engaged in skiing and ice-skating. Winter usually lasts up to 3 months from December to February. The snowy scenery will captivate you and you may enjoy your vacation during this time of the year

How to Reach Russia?

The following are the best ways to reach Russia:

The fastest way to reach Russia is by air. Sheremetyevo International Airport, Domodedovo International Airport, Vnukovo International Airport, and Pulkovo Airport are the busiest airports in Russia. If you are traveling from India then direct flights are available to Moscow and St. Petersburg from Delhi and Mumbai.

Russian roads, as well as motorways, are well connected and you can rent a car from a nearby European country if you wish to drive to Russia. There are a few bus companies offering international connectivity to popular cities in Russia including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Helsinki, Tallinn, etc.

RZD Russian Railways are connected to numerous international cities. Central and Eastern Europe are well-connected to cities like Moscow and St.Petersburg, via these trains. Moscow also features extended rail routes even to Asia and Western Europe.

Bestselling Russia Tour Packages

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Russia Packages By Cities

Duration ( in Days )

Budget Per Person ( in Rs. )

Hotel Star Rating

Showing 28 Russia Tour Packages

Idyllic Russia Tour Package From India

₹ 30,250/- ₹ 32,880/-

Per Person on twin sharing

• Moscow City tour
• Kremlin Territory
• St. Petersburg
• Peter & Paul Fortress

Hotel included in package:

• Moscow (3D)
• St Petersburg (4D)

Encompassing idyllic sceneries, artistic riches, historic monuments, throbbing nightlif....

Upto 3 Stars

• Sightseeing

Enchanting Europe Tour Package

₹ 249,163/- ₹ 276,848/-

• Railway journey
• Group package
• St Petersburg (3D)
• Helsinki (2D)
• Stockholm (2D)
• Bergen (2D)
• Geiranger (1D)
• Copenhagen (3D)

Get the best of your holidays by choosing this one and only 19 nights 20 Days E....

Upto 4 Stars

Popular Moscow Packages From Delhi

₹ 92,999/- ₹ 101,086/-.

• Moscow (4D)

Russia Tour Package From Mumbai

₹ 38,499/- ₹ 41,847/-

• Hill station
• Moscow (2D)

Mumbai, the dream city of India, is doused in dazzling days and nights. There are many ....

St Petersburg Tour Package For 4 Nights 5 Days

₹ 47,999/- ₹ 52,173/-.

• St Petersburg (2D)

Russia is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. The place is beautiful a....

Russia Tour Package For 6 Nights 7 Days

₹ 58,000/- ₹ 63,043/-.

Today there are millions of people who travel to the country and explore each city of t....

Russia Tour Package For 10 Nights and 11 Days

₹ 96,999/- ₹ 105,434/-.

• Veliky Novgorod (2D)

Russia is known for its undenying beauty, architecture, history, food and of course Vod....

Russia Tour Package For 9 Nights 10 Days

₹ 80,000/- ₹ 87,912/-.

Russia is the perfect blend of artistic and historic sites. The country is full of a lo....

St Petersburg Tour Package For 2 Nights 3 Days

₹ 36,781/- ₹ 39,129/-.

Russia is a beautiful country that is rich in heritage and culture. It is high on touri....

Russia Tour Package For 8 Nights And 9 Days

₹ 65,000/- ₹ 70,652/-.

Russia, for sure is one of the most beautiful and intriguing places in the world. There....

Moscow Tour Package For 5 Nights 6 Days

₹ 53,999/- ₹ 58,695/-.

Everyone finds their own reason to visit the beautiful city of Moscow. One of the well ....

Moscow Tour Package For 2 Nights 3 Days

₹ 35,000/- ₹ 38,461/-.

Everyone finds their own reason to visit the beautiful city of Moscow. The city boasts ....

Popular Moscow Package From Mumbai

₹ 96,000/- ₹ 104,348/-.

Best-Selling Holidays To Russia From Kolkata

₹ 38,199/- ₹ 41,521/-.

Russia Tour Package From Delhi

Russia is the world’s largest country and has so much for you to enjoy the vacati....

Moscow Tour Package For 4 Nights 5 Days

₹ 45,200/- ₹ 49,130/-.

Considered as one of the most beautiful places in the world, Russia is a fabulous desti....

Moscow Tour Package For 6 Nights 7 Days

₹ 58,000/- ₹ 63,736/-.

There is a lot of history, art, and culture that people can see and experience here. Th....

Moscow St Petersburg Tour Package For 4 Nights 5 Days

₹ 78,999/- ₹ 85,869/-.

Russia is a major tourist hub, for people from all over the world and from all walks of....

St Petersburg Tour Package For 3 Nights 4 Days

₹ 41,000/- ₹ 44,086/-.

Known for its vodka, bears, and chilling climate, Russia is quite a popular tourist des....

St Petersburg Tour Package For 6 Nights 7 Days

Russia is one destination which is captivates travelers from all over the world. The co....

Moscow Tour Package For 3 Nights 4 Days

₹ 38,000/- ₹ 41,304/-.

Russia is famous for many things that are different from any other part of the world. T....

Russia Tour Package For 11 Nights and 12 Days

₹ 112,000/- ₹ 121,739/-.

Russia features a lot of beautiful cities like Moscow, and Saint Petersburg. Beside bea....

Russia Tour Package For 7 Nights 8 Days

₹ 71,999/- ₹ 78,260/-.

Russia Tour Package For 5 Nights 6 Days

₹ 49,999/- ₹ 54,347/-.

Russia Tour Package For 2 Nights and 3 Days

• Best sellers

Russia is one of the largest countries in the world and it has way too much to offer to....

Russia Tour Packages by Theme

Faqs for russia, what are the best russia tour packages offered by traveltriangle.

Below listed are some of the best Russia tour packages offered by us:

How many days are ideal for a trip to Russia?

Russia is home to many awe-gasping wonders, some of which require a full-day tour. Therefore, ideal duration of 7 days & 6 nights is suggested for a trip to Russia. An average trip of 7 days & 6 nights will most likely cover visiting some of the famous cities such as Moscow and St Petersburg. Moreover, it will take you to places that are apt for sightseeing tours.

What are some of the best things to do in Russia?

Russia being a vast country offers a plethora of activities that you can partake in. Mentioned below are some of the activities that you must indulge in on your trip to Russia.

• Diving in Ruskeala Marble Quarry
• Hiking in the Altai Region
• Horse Riding in Central Russia

When is the best time to plan a trip to Russia?

The temperature in Russia can at times really freeze you to bones, therefore, it is important to note down when to visit. If you are planning to travel to Moscow or St’ Petersburg, then the summer season is ideal for visiting. With the end of spring and the start of summer, the weather becomes soothing and perfect for embarking gon sightseeing tours. However, if you wish to skip crowds then plan your visit between the months of late spring and early summer.

When can I witness the snow and freezing temperature?

The winter season brings the snow and makes the place blanketed with the crisp white snow. The season runs from November to February and thus you should Visit Russia in this period of time.

What is there in Russia to eat?

Russians are most likely to eat wheat and veggies dishes. They are so much devoted for porridges.

What should I wear in Russia?

It is suggested to wear warm clothes in Russia. You can choose warm coats and sweaters for packing the stuff to move for vacations.

Where can the pedestrian enjoy shopping in Kazan?

Bauman Street in Kazan is a quite poplar street for pedestrians to enjoy shopping.

Where can I enjoy the shopping and dining more?

Saint Petersburg is the place where the streets are offering you best experiences of shopping and dining.

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Vishwash's 7 days trip to Russia

Vishwash Gupta

Jatin's 7 days trip to Russia

Jatin Makhija

Harvind's 7 days trip to Russia

Edul's 7 days trip to russia, annepogu's 6 days trip to russia.

Annepogu Sushma

Mahwish's 7 days trip to Russia

Mahwish Rashid

Princealagh's 7 days trip to Russia

Princealagh

Namita's 10 days trip to Russia

Namita Pande

Neha's 8 days trip to Russia

Neha Malhotra

Maddy's 8 days trip to Russia

Maddy Udaiwal

• Places To Visit In Russia

Let the experts guide you to the best of this mesmerizing destination

The Peter and Paul Fortress In St Petersburg

Saint Petersburg is the port city in Russia. Also, it has been the imperial capital of Russia for two centuries. There are various places to visit, and things to do in Saint Petersburg and among them is the Peter and Paul Fortress. Peter and Paul Fortress is an extremely famous citadel situated in Saint Petersburg, Russia. ...

• Ideal for friends
• Ideal For Family

The Russian Museum In St Petersburg

Saint Petersburg is the extremely beautiful port city in Russia. Also, it has been the imperial capital of Russia for two centuries. There are various places to visit and things to do in Saint Petersburg and among them is The Russian Museum. The Russian Museum is an extremely famous museum and is situated in Saint Petersbur...

• Ideal for families

Winter Palace In St Petersburg

Amidst all the glitz and glamour of urbanization, the best thing that St Petersburg has to offer is still its rich history and heritage. And right in the middle of it stands the magnificent Winter Palace of Peter the Great and all the Russian Tsars that came after him. Today, it is an inseparable part of St Petersburg’s cul...

• Winter Palace

Amber Room In St Petersburg

Tired of those boring beach trips to Goa or Gokarna? Here’s another value-added trip for you to make, this time to Russia. This country has great wealth and also some very good viewable material on showcase. Pack your bags and fly to beautiful country which has many stellar cities that offer a great deal when it comes to to...

Russian Museum In St Petersburg

With European trips being planned aplenty, go somewhere closer to home. Russia isn’t too far away, in the broader sense from India and the conversion rate of 1 rupee to Russian currency RUB 9 Rubles) stands at just 1.12 Rupee per Ruble. With costs covered, getting a visa could be a bit of a tirade, but it is still very much...

• Things To Do In Russia

Your list of the best things to do, compiled on the basis of actual traveler experiences

The Mariinsky Theatre In St Petersburg

Saint Petersburg is the Russia post city and is situated on the Baltic Sea. It has also been the imperial capital of Russia for two centuries. There are various places to visit and things to do in Saint Petersburg and amongst them is The Mariinsky Theatre. The Mariinsky Theatre is an extremely famous theatre situated in The...

Kazan Cathedral In Moscow

Kazan Cathedral is one of the largest cathedrals dedicated to Our Lady Of Kazan, in Moscow, Russia. The first mentions of the cathedral dedicated to the Virgin of Kazan are found in the historical record of 1635 as having been constructed by Prince Dmitry Pozharsky. It was torn down and rebuilt many times during the followi...

Ostankino Tower In Moscow

A radio and television tower located in the Ostankino district of Moscow, Russia, the Ostankino Tower is one of the iconic attractions in the city. Built around 163-1967, this amazing structure is made up of cement, and has an observation deck which makes it even a more interesting place to visit. As one visit this approxim...

5 Best Things To Do In Russia

There are a plethora of things that one can partake in on your trip to Russia. However, there are some things that are an absolute must to truly enjoy your vacations in Russia. Go through the following list to know more about these activities:

1. Canal Tour

Canal tour makes for a perfect activity to partake in while your stay in Russia. St. Petersburg is home to many canals, therefore, making canal tour an amazing way to see through the city. There are different types of boat tours that you can choose from.

Russia is also an ideal place to go skiing and Russia vacation packages make it possible. Anyone who wishes to go for skiing and snowboarding is recommended to take a trip to Red Valley that is an ideal place for these activities. Nestled there you will find mountains the slopes of which are any skier dream come true.

3. Visit to Amber Room

Amber Room is one of those spectacles that lures every traveler’s gaze. It is a beautifully architectured room in the Catherine palace. Its gold plated interior makes for an amazing piece of art.

4. Museum Tour

Russia is home to many unique and mesmerizing museums which one can explore while on a tour to Russia. The country is full of many hidden gems, which can be discovered while taking a museum tour. The most famous museums in Russia are Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts and the Hermitage, Museum of Hygiene, and Museum of Soviet Arcade Games.

5. Visit Star City

Visiting Star City is another most sought after thing to do in Russia. Star City is basically a cosmonaut training centre, located in Moscow. You can visit this place and experience many crazy things like zero gravity or know about rocket launch. It is an exciting and thrilling place for kids as well as for adults.

Best Places to Stay in Russia

1. swissotel krasnye holmy moscow.

Location: Kosmodamianskaya Emb., 52/6, Moscow 115054 Russia

Price per night: INR 15,000 onwards

TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5/5

One of the best luxury hotels in Russia, Swissotel Krasnye Holmy Moscow is known for its cozy ambiance and unmatchable luxuries. It is amongst the tallest buildings in Moscow and features 234 palatial rooms, from where you can witness breathtaking views of the surrounding region.

2. Lotte Hotel St. Petersburg

Location: Antonenko ln., 2, St. Petersburg 190000 Russia

Price per night: INR 22,000 onwards

TripAdvisor Rating: 5/5

The Lotte Hotel in St. Petersburg is established in the historical mansion that was built in the year 1849 - St. Isaac's square. As the property is located in proximity to the popular tourist attractions of the city, Lotte Hotel St.Petersburg serves to be a perfect escape for holidayers.

3. Radisson Blu Hotel, Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport

Location: Mezhdunarodnoe Shosse, 1A Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport, Khimki 141400 Russia

Price per night: INR 7,200

TripAdvisor Rating: 4/5

The Radisson Blu Sheremetyevo is known for its impressive structure that can be seen on arriving at the Moscow Airport. The property connects directly to the Sheremetyevo Airport terminal and you can indulge in a world-class dining experience.

4. Hotel Indigo St. Petersburg

Location: ul. Chaykovskogo, 17, St. Petersburg 191187 Russia

Price per night: INR 13,000 onwards

The Hotel Indigo St.Petersburg was established in 1863 and features a unique amalgamation of culture and luxury. The property is merely a few steps away from the iconic tourist attractions including Summer Garden, the Hermitage and the Neva River embankments.

5. Sochi Marriott Krasnaya Polyana

Location: 1 Vremena Goda Emb, Esto-Sadok, Sochi 354392 Russia

Price per night: INR 23,000 onwards

Sochi Marriott Krasnaya Polyana Hotel is another famous luxury hotel in Russia that gives you a perfect chance to enjoy opulence and world-class adventures. The property is located along the footsteps of the Caucasian Ridge, overlooking the panoramic mountains that surrounds the region.

Recommendations for Every Tourist

Russia is a country that is rich in history and architecture as well. Therefore, traveling to the place is no less than a treat for your soul. Russia holiday packages offer travelers to grab the best experiences from the place and to create a lifetime of memories. Here are some important travel tips you must keep in mind while planning a trip to Russia:

• Savor some of the best traditional Russian delicacies on your trip
• Make sure that all the top attractions are included in your itinerary
• Before finalizing the package, check all the inclusions and exclusions
• Research about opening days and timing of various attractions
• Carry the passport along with you all the time
• For commuting to various tourist attractions, try out the public transport

So book your trip now choosing from the many Russia tour packages that are provided by TravelTriangle. Moreover, you can also ask for customization if required as per your travel requirements.

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Russia COVID 19 Tourist Guide

About russia holidays, russia trip packages, why visit russia.

Russia is a very friendly tourist destination. With luxurious resorts, villas and bungalows, Russia ensures you of a great time during your vacation. The friendly locals happily host tourists and love to introduce them to Russian hospitality.

Russia has been a home to many artists, poets, political figures, and writers. Culture lovers would surely enjoy their time here. Every city in Russia has multiple museums and the towns boast of lovely architecture. Cities like Moscow and Saint Petersburg have a number of art galleries where you can spend your time enjoying remarkable works spanning decades.

Apart from Moscow and Saint Petersburg, other attractive places to visit in Russia include the imposing Mount Elbrus, breathtaking Valley of Geysers, fascinating Kizhi Island, and beautiful Lake Baikal. Among these places, Lake Baikal is one of the favourites because of its scenic charms. This lake is the deepest and the oldest on the earth and is known to hold 20% of water on Earth. Surrounded by mountain ranges, Lake Baikal has a picturesque view and stunningly clear water with abundant marine life that is visible. If you are travelling on your honeymoon or to seek luxury then you can easily spend a few days here at any of the quaint resorts.

Best time to visit Russia

Russia is an all year destination. Still the winters are very harsh and not everyone’s cup of coffee or hot chocolate. January is the best month to witness snow and around this time, Saint Petersburg also experiences long nights with day time spanning just a few hours.

Planning your vacation to Russia in the summers will assure you of an amazing time. The days are pleasant and the nights are perfect to take strolls in the city alleys. This season will disappoint you in a way because all the peaks are devoid of snow but on a plus side, the roads are open and water transport is completely operational. As the snow melts from the peaks and around Russian towns, beautiful flowers start blooming everywhere. Birds chirp around and green lawns make every corner of the country gorgeous.

During mid-summer in the northern city of St Petersburg there is no real darkness. This unique phenomenon is known as ‘the white nights’.

Easy Travel packages from Thomas Cook

We, at Thomas Cook, offer a varied number of packages for Russia and neighboring countries. Our experience in selling various international and domestic packages spans more than three decades. This has given us an extra edge upon understanding the latest market trends and new fads going in the world of tourism. Our motto is to make travel experience better and memorable.

The advantages of booking a Russia tour package with us is as mentioned below –

•         Best and detailed travel plans as per the time and budget of the traveler.
•         We offer the best hotels and resorts ensuring a luxurious travel experience.
•         We also book air tickets to and from Russia on the best flights. We will never compromise with the flight quality for our personal profit.
•         We have specialized packages for honeymooners and couples who want a more pampering experience during their trip to Russia.
•         Apart from travel packages for Russia, our team will also help you with visa applications.
•         Our state of the art currency exchange facility helps in finding the most profitable rates while converting.
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You can book a trip to Russia from us in many ways. We have made the facility of travel itinerary planning and booking very easy. We thrive to value your time and save you from running between your home and our office. This is why our booking portal provides all the facilities in order to give you a holistic travel experience.

You can visit our online portal and check for Russia travel packages. The related webpage will open and show you various travel plans keeping various budgets and dates in mind. From here, you can opt for the best plan and proceed for booking. After a short time period, our travel representative will call you and take you through booking process.

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We have a very easy and user-friendly payment process. You can either make your transaction online or convert the package to EMI. You can also visit our office or fix an appointment with your representative if you are interested in cash payment.

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FAQ of Russia

 Is Russia visa-free for Indians?

No, Citizens of India need a visa  to travel to Russia. A tourist visa can be valid for up to 30 days and can be issued for single or double entry.

What are the must-visit places in Russia?

When on a Russia tour, there are many must visit phenomenal mountains, beaches, glaciers, desserts, ethnic and ancient villages, making it one of the most beautiful countries. You must visit the Altai Mountains, Lake Baikal, Stolby nature reserve, Kizhi island, Leena pillars, the valley of geysers, and the Dargavs – the city of the dead.

What are the famous cuisines of Russia?

Russia has many traditional delicious cuisines that will make you go WOW. The famous dishes are the Blini – Russian pancake, beef stroganoff, syrniki, Kasha – Russian porridge, borscht, pirozhki, shashlik, okroshka, and many more; and hence when on Russia tour you have to try these famous cuisines.

Which languages are spoken in Russia?

Russian is the main and official language in Russia. However, English, German and French is widely spoken in Russia. There are over 100 minority languages in Russia, Tatar being one of the most spoken minority languages.

We at Thomas Cook believe in creating a long-term relationship that should not stop at one travel package. With our exceptional service and world-class facilities, we wish to create an impression that will keep bringing you to us over and over again. For more than three decades, thousands of customers have traveled and stayed with us because of the utmost satisfaction that they have found. Not only this, but they have continuously referred their friends and family.

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Germany’s Leader Walks a Fine Line in China

Chancellor Olaf Scholz tried to promote German business interests while delivering warnings from Europe about trade and geopolitical tensions.

By Alexandra Stevenson and Melissa Eddy

Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany tried to strike a delicate balance on a trip to China this week, promoting business ties with his country’s biggest trading partner while raising concerns over its surge of exports to Europe and its support for Russia.

Mr. Scholz met with China’s top leader, Xi Jinping, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Tuesday, the culmination of a three-day visit with a delegation of German officials and business leaders. He also met with Premier Li Qiang as the two countries navigate relations strained by Russia’s war in Ukraine and China’s rivalry with the United States, Germany’s most important ally.

Throughout his trip, Mr. Scholz promoted the interests of German companies that are finding it increasingly hard to compete in China. And he conveyed growing concern in the European Union that the region’s market is becoming a dumping ground for Chinese goods produced at a loss .

But Mr. Scholz chose a conciliatory tone over a combative one in his opening remarks before sitting down with Mr. Xi on Tuesday morning, in a meeting that stretched over three hours and turned into a walk and lunch.

It was the German leader’s first visit to China since his government adopted a strategy last year that defined the Asian power as a “partner, competitor and systemic rival ,” calling on Germany to reduce its dependency on Chinese goods.

Germany’s economy shrank last year, and its weaknesses have exposed a reliance on China for growth. Energy prices have risen because of the war in Ukraine, which has been facilitated by Beijing’s support for the Kremlin. German companies have pushed for more access to China and complained that they face unfair competition .

The chancellor visited German companies with extensive investments in China and met with trade representatives and officials in the sprawling industrial metropolis of Chongqing in China’s southwest and in Shanghai and Beijing.

At a talk with a group of students in Shanghai on Monday, Mr. Scholz fielded a question from a student who planned to study in Germany this year, who said he was “really worried” because the country had partially legalized cannabis. “When you study in Berlin, you can run around the whole time and never meet anyone who does that,” the chancellor assured him.

But he also used the platform to push more serious messages about trade. “Competition must be fair,” Mr. Scholz told the students. “We want a level playing field,” he said.

Mr. Scholz’s trip was an example of the difficult dance that Germany is trying to do: maintaining economic ties with China while managing U.S. pressure to align itself more closely with Washington against Beijing.

In his meetings, Mr. Scholz highlighted Germany’s commitment to doing business with China, but he also warned that Beijing had to curb the flood of Chinese goods into Europe. At the same time, he expressed reservations about the European Union’s investigations into China’s use of subsidies for green technology industries, saying that any discussion about trade must be based on fairness.

“This must be done from a position of self-confident competitiveness and not from protectionist motives,” Mr. Scholz told reporters on Monday.

China’s manufacturing push in green sectors like electric cars and solar panels has touched off trade disputes with Europe and the United States, where such industries have also received government support. But with 5,000 German companies active in the Chinese market, Germany stands to lose more than many of its European partners would if Beijing were to retaliate against the European Union.

“If the E.U. goes too hard against China, we could expect countermeasures and this would be a catastrophe for us,” said Maximilian Butek, the executive director of the German Chamber of Commerce in China.

“For us it’s extremely important that the Chinese market remains open,” he said.

In his meeting with Mr. Xi, Mr. Scholz indicated that Russia’s war on Ukraine and its arms buildup were high on his agenda. “They directly affect our core interests. Indirectly, they damage the entire international order,” he said in opening remarks at the meeting, a transcript of which was provided by Mr. Scholz’s office.

Despite pressing the issue with Mr. Xi, he did not appear to win the commitment that he had sought from the Chinese leader to take part in an international conference for Ukraine planned in June. Germany had hoped that China could use its influence over Russia to help work toward a peace agreement.

Germany would also like China stop selling goods to Russia that have potential uses on the battlefield, and Mr. Scholz told reporters that he had brought up the issue in his meeting. “The point has been made,” he said. “There can be no misunderstanding about how we see things.”

China is hoping to drive a wedge between Europe and the United States by courting leaders such as Mr. Scholz. State media reports depicted his visit as demonstrating the strength of China’s relations with Europe, playing up its economic ties with Germany.

In his opening remarks to Mr. Scholz, Mr. Xi said cooperation between China and Germany, which have the second- and third-largest economies, was beneficial to the world, a remark that could be read as directed at those who have urged Berlin to distance itself from Beijing.

“The two countries should view and develop bilateral relations from a long-term and strategic perspective and work together to inject more stability and certainty into the world,” Mr. Xi told Mr. Scholz, emphasizing the importance of seeking “common ground.”

Beijing is sure to welcome the message that German businesses are committed to China. The Asian giant is trying to court foreign investment to reinvigorate its economy, which has faltered because of a housing slowdown. Some Western businesses and investors have also been rattled by Mr. Xi’s emphasis on national security, which they regard as making it riskier to operate in the country.

From China’s perspective, Germany may be its best hope of delaying or watering down any trade restrictions from Europe, said Noah Barkin, a senior adviser in the China practice at the Rhodium Group, a research firm.

German carmakers have invested billions of dollars in China, and much of their revenue comes from there. Many worry that if the European Commission imposes higher tariffs on Chinese exports, and Beijing retaliates, German businesses will suffer most.

Chinese officials “know that German companies are heavily invested and they use that politically to influence political decision making in Berlin,” Mr. Barkin said.

Germany’s biggest companies, including BMW, Mercedes-Benz and BASF, have large operations in China and strong, effective lobbies in Berlin, Mr. Barkin added. Executives from those companies, along with several others, traveled with Mr. Scholz to China.

“The supply chain in China is stuffed with German goods,” said Joerg Wuttke, a former president of the E.U. Chamber of Commerce in China. “If China has a price war with Germany, then no one will make money anymore.”

Mr. Scholz also brought along the German ministers for agriculture, the environment and transportation, officials who experts said would be particularly interested in working with China.

“You set an agenda with these three ministers, the tonality is overall a cooperative one, these are areas that we want to work on,” said Janka Oertel, director of the Asia Program at the European Council on Foreign Relations.

Chinese officials, for their part, have brushed off the European accusations of unfair trading practices, calling them groundless and an act of “ typical protectionism .” They have hinted that they could retaliate for any actions taken by the European Union, saying that China was “strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposes” its investigations.

In an interview with the German newspaper Handelsblatt, Wu Ken, China’s ambassador to Germany, said the competitive edge of Chinese electric vehicles “relies on innovation, not subsidies.”

“The challenge faced by developed countries lies more in the fact that Chinese companies are more efficient,” the ambassador said.

Vivian Wang contributed reporting from Beijing and Zixu Wang from Hong Kong.

Alexandra Stevenson is the Shanghai bureau chief for The Times, reporting on China’s economy and society. More about Alexandra Stevenson

Melissa Eddy is based in Berlin and reports on Germany’s politics, businesses and its economy. More about Melissa Eddy

Chilling video shows fire erupting out of a Russian tank after an exploding Ukrainian drone flew into its open hatch

• Ukraine flew an exploding drone into a Russian tank's open hatch, a new video shows.
• It's not the first time operators have flown UAVs with such precision.
• Drones continue to terrorize both sides of the front lines, even killing high-value targets. 

A new chilling video shows a Ukrainian drone flying directly into the open command hatch of one Russia's main battle tanks before exploding and, apparently, setting off the ammo inside.

It's the latest example of how operators on both sides are flying unmanned aerial vehicles with astonishing precision and lethality , destroying everything from individual soldiers to expensive, high-value targets like top tanks.

The video was originally posted on Telegram on April 11 by the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and, later, shared on X. In it, Ukrainian first-person view drones conduct several successful strikes on Russian systems and vehicles, including what experts identified as a Russian T-90M tank, a weapon Putin has called "the world's best tank."

Video of Ukrainian SSO FPV strikes on a Russian T-90M tank and Desertcross ATVs. I cropped the video to avoid strikes on individual soldiers. 15/ https://t.co/UaZmDK7nXP pic.twitter.com/x1TNpIbHb7 — Rob Lee (@RALee85) April 15, 2024

In one particular portion of the footage, the drone flies towards the tank, navigates carefully through what appears to be a cage built on top of it and down into the tank's open hatch.

The footage then cuts to a surveillance drone 's perspective of an explosion inside the tank from a likely ammunition cook off.

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"FPV drone operators of the 8th Separate Regiment of the SSO inflicted significant losses on the enemy in the Donetsk direction," the Ukraine's Special Operations Forces said on Telegram.

The SSO claimed to have successfully eliminated a T-90, a T-72, and two other vehicles, as well as carried out individual attacks on Russian soldiers in trenches.

These kinds of high-precision kills are not new for Ukraine. Back in November 2023, a Ukrainian service member from the UAV unit known as the Magyar Birds with the 59th Motorized Brigade shared footage of a number of exploding FPV drones flying into the open hatches of Russian vehicles.

In that video, the voiceover says that "if a direct hit isn't working, then the mastery and experience of the pilot becomes most important," per a translation.

Drone operators have become invaluable assets for both sides of the war, as well as prime targets. In some cases, operators have been documented using their drones to target each other , hoping to take out their enemy's capabilities for flying the UAVs that have dramatically complicated battlefield maneuver and combat operations.

The recent attack on the apparent T-90M is another notable loss for the Russian army.

Back in January, Ukraine called the claim that it is "the world's best tank" into question after one of its US-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicles was able to overwhelm one with chain gun fire during combat in Stepove, a village outside Avdiivka in northeastern Ukraine.

In the video footage from the battle, the Bradley can be seen engaging in an intense fight with the T-90M, wrecking it with fire from its M242 25mm Bushmaster chain gun. After the modern main battle tank spins out of control and catches on fire, its crew abandons it, and Ukraine sends in an FPV drone to finish the job.

Watch: DIY exploding drones are changing the game in Ukraine war

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