Russia is a mysterious mountain range of majestic snow-capped mountains, deep lakes, golden sands, icy tundra, and thousands of rivers that meander through quaint villages and scenic national parks. However, the world’s largest country is also home to some impressive works of art, overwhelming palaces, and palatial cities whose charm and drama have inspired writers and poets for centuries.
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The word “diversity” is very important when describing Russia. Magnificent mountains, deserts, beaches, springs, ruins, palaces, frozen lakes, amazing art, and architecture make this country a museum. The communist country has also produced some of the world’s most famous artists and politicians. And if that’s not enough, how can one escape the typical delicious Russian cuisine?
With the 2018 FIFA World Cup looming, the timing seems perfect for getting to know Russia’s top tourist destinations, some of which are host cities for the year’s biggest sporting events. Whether you’re a football fan or not, check it out and plan your trip accordingly.
Here is an overview of some beautiful places in Russia that travelers must visit on their next tour to Russia. Have a look:
With a long and turbulent history, some great arts and culture, and the world’s largest community of billionaires, Moscow has always been seen as a city of preferences and dramatic contrasts, as well as a creative and intellectual hub.
Today, the awe-inspiring and developing Russian capital is an expensive and almost intimidating megacity with world-class art galleries, restaurants, upscale shopping, an ancient and vibrant culture, and exciting nightlife.
The most famous sights in Russia’s political, financial, and cultural center are undoubtedly the magnificent Red Square and the majestic Kremlin, with its red brick towers, beautiful churches, magnificent museums, and fascinating historical monuments.
Moscow is also home to some of the world’s best museums, galleries, and cultural institutions, so don’t miss a world-class show at the Bolshoi Theatre, the Tretyakov Gallery (a true celebration of Russian fine art), or the Pushkin Museum. Fine Art—One of the most prestigious European art galleries in the world.
The city’s museums are also interesting, where you can learn about Russia’s wonderful literary heritage. These include the Pushkin Memorial Museum, the Tolstoy House Museum, the Dostoevsky House Museum, the Mayakovsky Museum, and the small but charming Gogol Museum. Memorial Room.
Moscow’s nightlife, shopping, and dining are top-notch, and the city is home to numerous bars, clubs, restaurants, and boutiques.
Often considered Russia’s most European and forward-looking city, St. Petersburg is an excellent travel destination, especially for history and culture lovers. More than 2,000 libraries, 220 museums, and 80 theatres make up the city’s mature cultural scene. At the same time, exciting art galleries, bohemian cafés, bustling underground clubs, and a minimalist Scandinavian hotel in Via Interiors show the innovative side of St. Petersburg.
The UNESCO-listed historic center of St. Petersburg, with its impressive network of canals lined with striking Baroque and Neoclassical buildings, is a must-see for everyone visiting Russia’s former capital.
It also has its biggest museums (the wonderful Hermitage and the Russian Museum) or the bustling Nevsky Prospekt, the city’s main street and the main destination for shopping, dining, and nightlife.
Beautifully decorated churches, the world-famous Mariinsky Theatre, Peter and Paul Castle, and Vasilievsky Island are also worth a visit.
The best time to visit St. Petersburg is during the summer when the city witnesses its famous White Nights – midnight sun hours, beautiful traditions, and many nightly festivals.
Not as famous as Moscow and St. Petersburg, but a notable Russian destination is Kizhi Island in the center of Lake Onega. Particularly known for its wonderful open-air museum, this unique complex of historical, cultural, and natural significance houses an amazing collection of wooden structures, some of which are part of the UNESCO World Heritage List and others dated back to the 14th century.
The island’s most popular attractions include the Church of the Resurrection of Lazarus (the oldest wooden church in Russia) and the ruins of Kizhi Pogost with its impressive 22-domed Church of the Transfiguration. In addition to some of the best examples of wooden architecture in the country, visitors will have the opportunity to explore Karelia’s series of ancient rural settlements scattered throughout this beautiful, nearly unspoiled paradise.
Coincident or not, one of Russia’s most attractive cities is a picturesque Pacific Ocean port closer to the lands of China, Japan, and South Korea than the Siberian state of Lake Baikal. So, 4,000 miles from Moscow, beautiful Vladivostok impresses with its beautiful location, sweeping sea views, and mountain streets that remind travelers of San Francisco.
Only 15 years ago, this easternmost point on the famous Trans-Siberian highway was a closed city, but today Vladivostok is booming with modern architecture, delicious cuisine, and endless entertainment opportunities.
In summer, Sportivnaya Harbour is the city’s busiest place, with a theme park and dozens of street vendors offering drinks, food, and a variety of colorful souvenirs.
Other attractions in Vladivostok include the city’s main square, Ploschad Bortsov Revolutsy; the modern Russky Island Bridge, which connects the town and the island; the Arsenev Regional History Museum; and the Primorsky State Art Gallery.
The cuisine of Vladivostok is particularly attractive because it combines European and Asian culinary traditions, offering a very tasty menu based on delicious seafood and oriental dishes.
Known locally as the Paris of Siberia, Irkutsk is a fairly compact city with impressive historic churches, museums, theatres, and beautiful wooden houses decorated with beautifully hand-carved ornaments. In addition, it is the closest major city to the majestic Lake Baikal, making it an excellent base for exploring the world’s largest, oldest, and deepest freshwater lake.
Irkutsk’s main attractions include the City History Museum, the Geological Museum, with its unforgettable display of gems and minerals collected in Siberia and the Russian Far East, and the Old Town, with its lively outdoor cafés and grand architecture. 19th-century and Street Vibrant performers create a friendly and relaxed atmosphere for people to hang out, eat, and watch the world go by.
A scenic one-hour drive from Irkutsk will take you to the world-famous Lake Baikal, Russia’s most stunning nature reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, it is unquestionably a place of unquestionable natural beauty and geological significance.
These days are a good time to visit Kazan, as the city has just undergone tremendous changes. Many world events await here, including the 2014 World Fencing Championships, the 2015 World Swimming Championships, and the highly anticipated 2018 FIFA World Cup.
The capital of the Russian Republic of Tatarstan is a melting pot of cultures, a multi-ethnic mix of Muslims and Christians living peacefully on the Volga River. Its main historical attraction is the UNESCO-listed Kazan Kremlin, which has beautiful churches, watchtowers, and museums. In addition, Kazan has a wide variety of excellent bars, cafés, restaurants, and boutiques to choose from, most of which are located on the lively Baumann pedestrian street.
Known for its quaint old-world cities, medieval fortresses, and ancient onion-domed churches, the Golden Ring is one of Russia’s most fascinating tourist destinations. Although located northeast of Moscow, this group of ancient cities appears to be a million miles from the elegant and sophisticated Russian capital, offering visitors a taste of the past and the opportunity to explore architecture.
More interesting stops along the way include Vladimir and the charming nearby town of Suzdal, Sergiyev Posad, known as the spiritual home of the Russian Orthodox Church, the mountain city of Pereslavl-Zalesky, Veliko Rostov, and the quiet town of Pylos, often called the Pearl of the Volga.
Sochi, the site of the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Games, is Russia’s largest tourist center and a major destination for summer and winter holidays. A scenic spot on the Black Sea coast, this seaside summer resort attracts domestic and foreign tourists with its stunning sunny beaches, luxury hotels, world-class restaurants, vibrant nightlife, and countless cultural and natural attractions.
Soviet-era luxury architecture is still common in Sochi, but the atmosphere is starting to change thanks to the city’s latest developments and its international popularity.
Since 2017, Saba Ghani has been serving as the talented and dedicated chief content writer for Pakistan Tour and Travel & EMHI Solutions. With her exceptional writing skills and in-depth knowledge of the travel industry, she has been instrumental in crafting engaging and informative content that captivates the audience. You can catch her at [email protected] or Twitter
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