- Walking onto Red Square for the first time and seeing the colors of St. Basil’s Cathedral leap off the building.
- Gasping for the twentieth time upon seeing detailed ceiling paintings, gilded walls, or crystal chandeliers in one of the hundreds of rooms in the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg.
- Hearing stories about overcoming adversity during World War II.
Best Things to Do in Russia
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Things to do in Russia - Expert's guide
1. Moscow
Moscow is the 871 year old capital of Russia, rich in history and culture. Aside from it’s prominent source of power within Russia, Moscow attracts many tourists with its intricate and exceptional architecture and landmarks. The most notable attraction in Moscow is the Red Square.
Here we find the brilliant and vibrant St. Basil’s Cathedral, the Kremlin, the bold State Historic Museum, and the GUM Department Store all in close proximity of the central square. While in Moscow, try your best to score tickets to the Bolshoi Ballet, one of the oldest and most famous ballet companies in the world!
2. The Red Square
A top tourist attraction in Moscow, Red Square is rich in history and beauty. Contrary to popular belief, the square does not get its name from the color of its buildings, but from the Russian word for “red.” In Russian, the square is called Krasnaya Ploschad. The word “krasnaya” means both "red" and "beautiful” in Russian, and “ploschad” means “square” or “area.”
Some of the most breathtaking sights found in Red Square are the famous St. Basil's Cathedral, the Voskresensky Gates, and the Moscow Kremlin. Transitioning from its historical role of hosting military demonstrations, Red Square is now host to large concerts, festivals, and events for tourists and locals alike.
3. Saint Petersburg
With more of a European influence than Moscow, Saint Petersburg is a Russian city home to exquisite architecture, design, and culture. The Hermitage is comprised of world renowned art dating back to ancient times. This museum is a must-see from the inside-out on your visit to Saint Petersburg.
Kazan Cathedral and St. Isaac’s Cathedral are prominent landmarks and photo-ops in this magnificent city. Make sure to visit Peterhof Palace fountains and gardens for breathtaking views of elegance and grace. Summer travelers should be prepared for long, bright days and short nights. These are called the White Lights, when daylight lasts nearly the entire day and the sun never fully sets. These long hours of daylight lend themselves well to full days of tourism and excitement throughout the city.
4. Bering Strait
Residing slightly south of the Arctic Circle, the Bering Strait straddles the International Date Line. Here Russia and America are separated by only 2.3 nautical miles of ocean.
Within the Bering Strait are the Diomede Islands, sometimes called Tomorrow Island and Yesterday Isle. Big Diomede is a Russian territory, while Little Diomede is a United States territory.
5. Irkutsk
Irkutsk is located on the Angara River in eastern Siberia, Russia. This remote city is known for its stunning Eastern Orthodox architecture, especially the magnificent structures of the Church of the Savior, Kazan Church, and Prince Vladimir Monastery.
Other tourist attractions in Irkutsk include catching a frozen wave at Lake Baikal, the oldest and deepest lake on earth, touring the picturesque Irkutsk neighborhood of wooden buildings, and enjoying some traditional Siberian cuisine.
6. Hermitage Museum
Dating back to 1764, the Heritage Museum is a famous museum of culture and art located in Saint Petersburg. Rich with antiquity and history, this museum contains over 3 million pieces of art from all over the world. Lined with brilliant paintings, architecture, collections, and artifacts, the Hermitage Museum is a must see when in Saint Petersburg!
7. Kazan
This southwestern Russian city is located on the banks of the Volga and Kazanka rivers. It is home to many unique and striking structures, such as the Kazan Kremlin, the Kul Sharif Mosque, and the Temple of All Religions. This temple commemorates the harmonious cohabitation among Muslims and Christians in Kazan dating back nearly a millennium. Get a taste of Russian culture and religion when exploring the great Kazan!
8. Vladivostok
A major Pacific port city bordering with North Korea and China, Vladivostok is well known for being the final eastern stop of the Trans-Siberian Railway. Being a military port located on the western shores of the Sea of Japan, Vladivostok is considered the “Ruler of the East,” and is home to the Russian Navy’s Pacific Fleet.
When touring the city, you will explore the exotic eastern culture as well as principal attractions, including a World War II submarine and the scenic Golden Horn Bay.
9. Trans-Siberian Railway
The Trans-Siberian Railway is a massive stretch of railway spanning over 9,289 kilometres (5,772 miles). Existing as the longest railway in the world, the Trans-Siberian Railway connects Moscow to the eastern regions of Russia, with connections also extending to China, Mongolia, and North Korea.
The span of the railway travels through many Russian must-see spots. The spectacular Moscow, historic Kazan, Novosibirsk, Lake Baikal, Irkutsk, and the route’s terminus, Vladivostok, are among the many included destinations. Embark on your Russian adventure and ride in comfort as you explore all that these Russia tours have to offer!
10. Peterhof Palace
The Peterhof Palace consists of spectacular gardens, fountains, and palaces located in Saint Petersburg. As one of the most visited Russian attractions, Peterhof Fountains Park has a picture-perfect, romantic atmosphere. You will be awestruck by the magnificent fountains, functioning just like they did 300 years ago.
Exploring Peterhof Grand Palace, you will find 173 fountains, 3 large cascades, and several grand Palaces. The layout and design of Peterhof Park showcases a variety of architectural beauty. Peterhof Palace represents nearly two centuries of European culture and history.
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S
Sue
Oct 2024
Baltic Capital Cities
Excellent trip, there is a lot of ground covered but id id not find it to be to much.
L
Laura
Sep 2024
Baltic Capital Cities
Well organised, and the leader was flexible to accommodate the group’s needs. He was also full of information and answered all our questions - and we had plenty! Th...
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