Mountains, valleys, freezing plains, and warm sands—the largest country in the world has it all, and then some, with an unbelievable amount of wonderful natural destinations to impress any traveler.
Moscow and St. Petersburg, two of Russia’s oldest cities, still exude royal beauty, visible not only in their buildings but also in their parks, malls, and even subway stations.
The spectacular grandeur of the tundra and the Northern Lights, active volcanoes, and more skiing than you can imagine may all be found in other cities and areas, including remote locations in Siberia and the Far East.
Top 7 Places to Visit in Russia
Check out our recommended destinations in Russia, which range from beautiful natural settings to eye-catching golden palaces.
1. Lake Baikal
Lake Baikal is almost impossible to top when it comes to setting new benchmarks. With a maximum depth of 1,642 meters and an estimated age of 25 million years, this gigantic high-altitude rift lake in Siberia is both the oldest and deepest lake in the world.
Almost twenty percent of the world’s freshwater is contained in Baikal, making it the largest freshwater lake in the world. Although much of the lake’s surface freezes over for up to five months of the year, in the winter, it is possible to see as far down into the water as 40 meters.
This is despite the fact that Lake Baikal is considered one of the clearest lakes in the world. The lake’s water temperature rises to roughly 16 degrees Celsius in the middle of August, making it pleasant for brief swimming. Yet, during the remaining months of the year, temperatures rarely rise over five degrees Celsius.
2. Moscow
Given that the vast majority of flights from abroad touch down in Moscow, spending at least a day there is highly recommended. The Russian capital is a beautiful city with lots of parks, beautiful buildings, and historical sites to visit.
Tourists typically begin their Moscow adventures in the city’s historic core, around Red Square and the dazzling St. Basil’s Cathedral. The glass and steel-roofed GUM shopping mall is a favorite with visitors, who can find both affordable and high-end stores and restaurants inside.
3. St. Peterburg
St. Petersburg is smaller than Moscow, yet it has so many attractions that seeing them all would take too much time. In St. Petersburg, magnificent art and excellent design details blend with history to create a more European atmosphere than in Moscow.
You may sail along some of the 300 kilometers of canals that wind through the imperial city, or you can simply walk around and take in the sights.
Moika Castle (renowned for being the spot where Rasputin was executed) and the Neoclassical, 19th-century St. Isaac’s Church (really a Russian Orthodox museum) provide a beautiful excess of white and gold colors.
4. Altai
Located in Siberia, the Altay Mountains span international borders with Russia, China, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia. Locals and visitors alike go to this area, which was historically occupied by a variety of ethnic groups engaged in horse husbandry and forestry.
The Altay Mountains are a part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site that also includes a number of natural reserves and lakes.
Altay has a lot of unspoiled natural beauty, including frozen rivers and snowcapped mountains that draw cross-country skiers and other nature enthusiasts in the winter, and hikers, kayakers, and climbers in the summer (particularly in the area near Aktru Glacier).
Diving, cave exploring, and foraging for herbs and mushrooms are among the many out-of-the-ordinary pursuits that can be enjoyed here.
5. Sochi
In 2014, the Winter Olympics were held in the Russian city of Sochi, located on the Black Sea. Sochi is more than just a ski destination; it also plays host to the Russian Grand Prix of Formula One and the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Sochi is a major section of the Russian Riviera due to its subtropical temperature and beautiful beaches, even though it sometimes gets snow in the winter. Russians can have a relaxing summer (or winter) vacation in the resort city.
The coastal embankment is a great place to go for a stroll. The Caucasus Biosphere Reserve is a great destination for ecotourists. Sochi also boasts the region’s most northern tea gardens.
6. Veliky Novgorod
One of the oldest northern Russian cities, Veliky Novgorod dates back to the 10th century. It was in Veliky Novgorod that the first Russians invited the Scandinavian Prince Rurik to establish a dynasty that would rule the country for the next seven hundred and fifty years.
The oldest church and bell tower in all of Russia, Saint Sophia, is a must-see, as is the Hanseatic Fountain, which is rumored to return 1,000 rubles for every coin dropped into it, and the many museums dedicated to everything from iron and porcelain to history.
Veliky Novgorod, on the shores of Lake Ilmen, is renowned for its borscht and its bio-honey.
7. Vladivostok
Vladivostok, located in eastern Russia, is a stunningly attractive city due to its proximity to both mountains and bays. Vladivostok is the largest port on the Pacific Ocean and the western terminus of the Trans-Siberian Railway. It is conveniently close to both North Korea and China.
Actor Yul Brynner was born in this city in 1920, and he is only one of the numerous cultural offerings the city has to offer. Tourists can relax in one of the city’s many beautiful parks, such as the historic Minny Gorodok Military Park. Admiralsky Skver is the central plaza, and not far away lies a submarine museum.
Conclusion
Russia, the former largest and most powerful part of the USSR, is still an interesting place to visit. Great subtropical beaches contrast with icy winters in the north, making this a land of extremes.
Even though there are less people in the east, many of the most beautiful cities in Russia are located there. History, from bloody battles to beautiful classical music and literature, is omnipresent in Russia.
Not just in the museums, but also in the city’s many churches, are works of magnificent art on display for visitors.