The dates are chosen and the location is set? Well, then it is finally time to actually plan your trip. Russia is an unbelievably big country, rich with both natural attractions and human-built monuments. That makes it super hard to pick only several of them, but we hope we can help. Here are our top 5 most beautiful places in Russia.
1 – Ruskeala
Ruskeala is a rural locality in the Republic of Karelia, Russia, and it is simply exploding with stunning natural scenery. A series of cascade waterfalls surrounded by the marble quarries and impressive greenery. Not only will you be able to hike through this region, but you can also kayak, and if extremity is your thing, there are routes to take you straight through the waterfalls. There is also an international tourist route, prepared for travelers who like to plan out their track.
2 – Kaliningrad
The city of Kaliningrad is unique in its diversity – Germanic architecture, Baltic coast and with all of that, Kaliningrad is still the heart of Russian culture. Houses of Western designs and clean, narrow streets are bound to impress any traveler. There is also a side of public squares and modern shopping centers, so there will be plenty of things to enjoy and see here.
3 – Red Square
The pride of Russia – that is how the Red Square in the capital city, Moscow, has been described. Well, with its grand presence and such historical importance, the description fits perfectly. It is home to St. Basil’s Cathedral and the famous Lenin’s Mausoleum, as well as the historic GUM department store. The square takes your breath away whether you choose to visit in winter or in summertime, neither sun nor snow diminishes its greatness, so we suggest taking your time while walking around the area. Big cities such as Moscow are also great to spice up your common transportation and choose Russian river cruises, rather than travelling by buses or trains.
4 – Ural Mountains
Ural runs all the way from North to South through Western Russia and it is a conventional boundary between Europe and Asia. Its striking relief and impressive size attracts tourists from all over the world, and since the mountain has several low pases in cities like Yekaterinburg and Perm, it is quite easy to access. There are also several popular trails prepared for people who enjoy hiking and wish to see the mountain up-close. Ural is a part of Trans-Siberian railway tours, as it goes through Kazakhstan, which is one of the stops.
5 – Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
“The city of Fire and Ice” – that is the magical name for this magical place. Surrounded by high hills and volcanoes, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky gives off a fairy-tale vibe from afar, with glistening snow on the mountain tops and over 160 hot-spots, some of which are still very active. This city is a great choice for sea-lovers, as it is famous as a fishing center, with industries in fish-processing, can-making, net-making and ship-repairing. At first sight it may seem only as a place of Soviet block houses, but if you explore further you will find beautiful coastlines, churches and museums, all waiting for your visit. There are also numerous historical buildings and the beautiful Old Town.
We hope now the image of what to visit in Russia is a little clearer. In this trip, try to take as many opportunities as you can and see as much as possible, connect with the locals and do not miss a chance to soak up the beauty that is Russia.
