Travelling to Russia can be intimidating – especially if you’ve never been before. There are so many questions: Where should I eat? What should I do? Is there much to see and do? It’s not just the typical tourist destinations that are appealing, but discovering lesser-known treasures in hidden gems where people live, work and play. We have our own list of things to do in Russia that will put your travel itinerary together.
There are many other historic landmarks to visit such as Red Square, Lenin’s Mausoleum, Peter and Paul Fortress, and Saint Isaac’s Cathedral. If you’re the adventurous type you might want to check out the Russian Far East which features some epic wildlife experiences and beautiful scenery including pristine beaches.
No matter how you look at it, Russia is a unique country to explore. The culture alone is enough reason to visit, but you also get free museums, free food and drinks, and excellent shopping. We’ve put together a guide on the best things to do in Russia. This guide will help you learn about where to go and the things you shouldn’t miss out on.
Lake Baikal
Lake Baikal is a unique natural wonder and a great place to visit no matter how old you are. It’s the deepest lake in the world, and it contains 20% of the world’s unfrozen freshwater supply! The lake is also home to over 3,000 endemic species, including about 700 species that live nowhere else on Earth.
The best way to see Lake Baikal is by taking a boat tour of the area with one of its many local tour operators. There are plenty of options depending on what you’re looking for: if you want to see some wildlife, there are tours that focus on whales or birds; if you want to get up close and personal with nature, there are tours that allow you to hike through forests or even camp out overnight; if you want a more relaxing experience, there are also sunset cruises available where you can sit back and enjoy a meal while taking in the scenery around you.
A beach where you can swim with seals! You’ll see some of the most beautiful scenery in
Russia! Also, you can go ice fishing! If you’re looking for an adventure in Russia, Lake Baikal is one of the best places to visit.
Moscow
If you’re looking for some great food and tourist destinations in Moscow, then look no further! We’ve compiled our Top 10 list of places that everyone should visit when they’re in Moscow!
1) Red Square: The Red Square is known for being the largest city square in Russia. The
Kremlin is located on one side of this historic landmark and St Basil’s Cathedral sits on the other
side.
2) Lenin Museum: Located inside of Pushkin House, this museum features a collection of
paintings, sculptures and documents from Vladimir Lenin’s life; as well as his personal
belongings such as his clothes, car and even his death mask!
3) Chekhov Moscow Art Theatre: This theatre was designed by architect Konstantin Melnikov
and built between 1913-1914; it showcases Russian avant-garde architecture at its finest!
4) GUM: The State Department Store (GUM) opened in 1894 and has been an iconic symbol
ever since; it even appears on the Moscow City Coat Of Arms! Moscow also has many restaurants that serve traditional Russian cuisine and other dishes from around the world. There are many things to do in Moscow!
St. Peterburg
Russia is a vast country and has so much to offer that it’s hard to know where to start. If you’re
looking for an adventure, St. Petersburg is the place for you!
St. Petersburg, nicknamed “the Venice of the North”, is a city full of beauty and history. From its
stunning architecture to its delicious cuisine, it’s no wonder that this city is considered one of the
most beautiful in the world. Here are some places you should visit if you’re planning a trip to St.
Petersburg:
- Catherine Palace
- Peter & Paul Fortress
- Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography
- The Hermitage Museum
And don’t forget about the shopping! There are tons of stores where you can buy clothes made in
Russia as well as other items that make great souvenirs. This restaurant has an amazing view of St. Petersburg from its terrace—which is why it’s one of our favourite places to eat when we visit! You can enjoy French cuisine prepared with fresh local ingredients while taking in views of the city’s historic landmarks like Peter & Paul Fortress and Palace Bridge.
Altay
Are you tired of the same old tourist destinations? If you’re looking for something new, exciting, and adventurous to do this summer, then I have just the place for you: Altay, Russia.
Altay is a beautiful region in Russia that offers a wide variety of activities for tourists. You can go hiking, biking, or horseback riding in the mountains. You can visit museums and galleries full of art from some of the most famous artists in history. Or you can just relax on one of their beautiful beaches with a good book!
Altay is also famous for its hot springs and mineral water springs that are used for drinking and
bathing by locals. So if you’re looking for some relaxation while you explore this region then
you’ll definitely want to make sure you book yourself into one of these spas!
There is also plenty of great food to try while you’re there—everything from traditional Russian
recipes like stroganoff (a savoury dish made with beef) to local delicacies like dried reindeer meat
(yum!).
It’s known for its incredible nature and is a great place to visit if you want to get out and explore.
The natural beauty of the region is what makes it such a popular tourist destination, but there
are also some great food and tourist destinations in Altay that can’t be missed.
The Russian Tundra
The Russian Tundra is a place of extremes. It’s home to the coldest temperatures in the world, where you can find ice-covered lakes and frozen tundra for miles in all directions. The Russian Tundra is a place of extremes. It’s home to the coldest temperatures in the world, where you can find ice-covered lakes and frozen tundra for miles in all directions.
Watch the sun rise over Lake Baikal. Lake Baikal is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the
world and also one of its deepest ones—you can walk around it on foot or bike along its
shoreline without seeing any other humans until you reach one end or another!
The main attraction here is wildlife viewing which includes polar bears, arctic foxes, caribou and
other smaller mammals like squirrels and lemmings. It’s also possible to see birds such as geese migrating south or hawks hunting prey near open water areas where they can easily spot them flying overhead.
The Russian Tundra is also known for its great food and tourist destinations. So if you’re looking
for somewhere to eat traditional Russian fare while soaking up some rays, this is the place for
you!
Saint Basil’s Cathedral
Saint Basil’s Cathedral is a must-see for anyone visiting Moscow. It is a beautiful architectural gem, built in the 1500s by Ivan the Terrible. It was originally meant to be an ordinary church, but it became so iconic that it remains one of the most photographed buildings in Russia today.
It’s one of the most iconic places in all of Russia, and it’s worth visiting for its sheer size alone.
The cathedral itself is massive and contains a large number of rooms, as well as two bell towers
that are known for their extravagant decorations.
Saint Basil’s Cathedral is located in Red Square, Moscow. The cathedral can be reached by
taking the metro to either Ploshchad Revolutsii or Okhotny Ryad stations, or by walking from
Kitay Gorod or Arbatskaya stations. If you’re coming by car, parking is available at 4 Ulyanovskogo Street (the street that runs along Red Square).
Saint Basil’s also has a number of restaurants where you can grab some grub before or after your visit! It’s also a great place to take in some fresh air and enjoy the view while you’re at it. The cathedral is located on Red Square, and you can’t miss it—the colourful red domes are hard to
miss.
If you’re looking for a quick bite before or after your visit, check out the nearby restaurants and
cafes. They offer everything from traditional Russian cuisine like blini with caviar to French
pastries and coffee.
Sochi
Need a break from the cold? Sochi has you covered. Sochi is a beautiful city in southern Russia, located on the Black Sea coast. It’s often called the “Russian Riviera” because it’s known for its beautiful beaches and mild climate. Whether you’re looking for a place to relax or a place with some adventure, Sochi has it all.
The city has many interesting historical sites including the Tsar’s Palace which is located near
the Olympic Park where you can also find several sports venues such as an ice hockey
stadium, tennis courts and more!
If you’re interested in Russian food then be sure to try some of their famous dishes like borscht
soup or pelmeni dumplings at one of their many restaurants around town!
Here are some of the things you can do in Sochi:
- Go skiing at Krasnaya Polyana
- Eat at one of the many local restaurants
- Walk along the promenade and enjoy the views.
There are tons of hiking trails here as well as activities like horseback riding and cycling (if you
have time). Make sure to bring your camera along so that you can capture these moments
forever!
Kizhi Island
Kizhi Island is one of the most beautiful places in Russia, but it’s not well-known. Located in Lake Onega, Kizhi Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is both stunning and interesting. Not only does the island have beautiful scenery, but it also has many historical sites and activities. The main attractions include the Church of St. George and the open-air museum of wooden architecture.
You’ll find here churches, bell towers, barns, houses, mills, and windmills. There are also many other attractions on Kizhi Island including:
-The Church of St. Nicholas (with its unique tent-roofed tower)
-The Church of Our Lady of Kazan (which has an onion dome covered in gold)
-The Church of Sts. Peter and Paul (with a beautiful blue cupola)
Kizhi is famous for its wooden architecture that has stood the test of time—even though it was
abandoned in the late 17th century due to a series of fires that destroyed many buildings on the
island, some structures remain intact today.
But what really makes Kizhi Island special is its architecture. You’ll find everything from wooden
churches to wooden houses built on stilts all around the island—it’s quite an experience!
Olkhon Island
Olkhon Island is a beautiful place to visit. There are many things to do, and it is easy to get around. The best way to get there is by boat or plane. You can also rent a car if you want to drive yourself. Olkhon Island is a popular tourist destination for its natural beauty. This island has beautiful landscapes and lakes as well as forests and mountains.
The lake is surrounded by a mountain range called Tunkinsky Mountains and has many rivers flowing into it. There are also many hills around the lake with different heights. The food on Olkhon Island is very delicious and fresh! There are many famous restaurants here where you can eat delicious Russian food like bliny, pelmeni, borscht soup, etc…
There are lots of hotels in Olkhon Island that offer different types of accommodations such as
hostels, bed & breakfasts, apartments and cottages. The island is famous for its wildlife and nature, but there are plenty of things to do off-the-beaten-path as well! Here are just a few:
- Hike around the island’s lakeshore trail
- See how many different birds you can spot at the bird-watching center
- Take a boat ride around Lake Baikal to see its amazing views and wildlife (this can be done
with any tour operator) - Go camping on one of Olkhon Island’s beaches (it’s totally legal here!).
There are many traditional Russian foods available on Olkhon Island such as borshch (soup), blini (pancakes), pelmeni (meat dumplings), oliviehki (potato pancakes) and kasha (porridge).
Kazan
Kazan is an amazing city with a lot to offer. There are many things to do in Kazan and this
article will tell you about some of the best places to visit in Russia. Kazan is a very old city, it was founded in the 14th century. It was built on the banks of the Volga River and has been a major trade center ever since. Today it is known as one of the most beautiful cities in Russia. The architecture is unique and interesting. The buildings are all built from red brick and white limestone which gives them their signature look.
Today it is known as one of the most beautiful cities in Russia. The architecture is unique and
interesting. The buildings are all built from red brick and white limestone which gives them their
signature look.
Go shopping at Kremlny Market: This market has everything you could ever want or
need while travelling throughout Kazan Russia!
There are also several restaurants in Kazan that serve traditional Russian cuisine like pelmeni
(dumplings), borscht (beetroot soup), and sviecka (jellied meat). These restaurants also offer
tours where visitors can learn how these dishes are made from scratch by local chefs who have
been cooking them for generations!