Top 5 Places to Visit in Russia

When a westerner thinks of traveling to Russia, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? As the world’s largest nation, Russia has a special draw for visitors from all over the world. The country’s size means that there truly is something for everyone, whether you’re interested in historic cities and monuments, dramatic landscapes and scenery, meeting beautiful Russian singles, or world-class museums. Russia may have a few travel restrictions at the time of this article, but the chance to visit this incredible country is well worth it. It would be impossible to see everything the country has to offer in a single visit, but here are the top 5 beautiful places to visit in Russia.

1. St. Petersburg

The second-largest Russian city after Moscow, Saint Petersburg is absolutely filled with culture. The sightseeing opportunities are endless: from the romantic canals, the Nevsky Prospect, St. Isaac’s Cathedral and the iconic Hermitage Museum. In addition, St. Petersburg houses top-notch theaters and operas, such as the Mariinsky, which is worth a visit while in Russia (and a great place to bring a first date that you met online.)  If you’re looking to find love internationally, St. Petersburg should be near the top of your list.

2. Moscow

Moscow has stunning tourist attractions ranging from huge squares to picture-postcard spires, which will mean you’ll be clicking your camera countless times. The history behind the red walls of the Kremlin dates back centuries. The city is one big museum, and is the perfect spot to start your Russian tour or test out some of your best Russian pick up lines. The colossal Red Square is where the parades and spectacular celebrations take place. It dates back to the 15th century where you will find the pointy cathedral and the Lenin’s Mausoleum. Next up are the fairytale towers of St. Basil Cathedral, an astonishing building with its origins way back in the 16th century. Each brightly colored tower symbolizes a historical event or geographical location, and looks like a colorful interpretation of Disneyland.

3. Yekaterinburg

Yekaterinburg is a unique destination which has many attractions for the western visitor. The last decade has brought the city tons of improvement, and has since become the third major city in Russia after Moscow and Saint Petersburg. It’s full of historical events and rich in minerals because of the Ural mountains. You’ll find many interesting attractions like museums, art galleries, and theaters including the Opera and Ballet, as well as the fabulous Yekaterinburg Circus.

4. Sergiyev Posad

It’s commonly referred to as the ‘temple of love’. This city’s situated at the Volga River bank. Yaroslavl Quay rose and came into being under Yaroslav, a famous prince. The distance from this area to Moscow is 300 kilometers. That makes this land among the largest transport centers in the world. In particular, there are two railway stations, a river station, and an airport to get around and take in the sights. Most people consider it among Russia’s most beautiful cities, so we’ll let you be the judge. It’s decorated with art and a place you’ll likely never forget.

5. Sochi

Russia is not only about history. Traveling further south, you’ll have a chance to see the country from the other side. Warm sea, sun-drenched beaches, blossoming trees, top-ranked resorts… all these can be found in Sochi. One of the main advantages of the city is that, without going far away, you can visit all climatic zones, from subtropical to cold arctic. Sochi is the only Russian resort where it is possible to bask in the sun in front of the sea and go skiing to the mountains in one day. In conclusion, most people believe that Russia isn’t a place for tourists. Others claim that there’s nothing worth seeing, all of which simply aren’t true. If you’re planning a trip soon, be sure to add these top 5 beautiful places to visit in Russia to your list if you truly want to experience all that this beautiful country has to offer.