Places to visit in Russia

Russia has an astonishing variety of natural, cultural and urban wonders to explore. Incredibly vast territories and various climates, rich and completely diverse history, numerous indigenous peoples with their own religion and social structure make Russia a real treasure for travellers. There are so many beautiful destinations that the choices become almost dizzying - from the magnificent imperial palaces to the contemporary art galleries, from the wild woods and mountains of Siberia to the welcoming warm beaches of the Black Sea. This video will give you some inspiration for some good places to visit in our country.

MOSCOW

If you've already decided to visit our country, Moscow must be already included in your itinerary, and no wonder. We'll devote it another, more detailed video, because it really deserves that.
Moscow was the capital of the Russian state from XIV to XVIII century and from the beginning of the last century to the present day. The largest city in Russia and in the whole Europe, it blends its rich history with its ultra-modern present.
So, what is worth visiting in this ancient city?

*RED SQUARE AND THE KREMLIN
This is a tourist mecca, no one will pass by it. This is the historical center of Moscow with museums, Vladimir Lenin's mausoleum, St. Basil's Cathedral and the State Department Store, which is a historic site in itself. People often walk around Red Square, take pictures and move on, but history buffs still go inside the Kremlin - brick citadel with a huge architectural ensemble inside. It was the place where tzars lived, married and were crowned for centuries, and is still the official residence of the president. Kremlin is an ideal place for those who want to feel the Russian spirit.

*ST. BASIL'S CATHEDRAL
The temple, which has become nothing less than a symbol of Russia, was built in 1561 by order of Tsar Ivan the Terrible. The Tsar of all Rus' made a vow that he would build a church if the Kazan Khanate was captured. According to legend, Ivan the Terrible, upon seeing the cathedral, was so delighted by its beauty that he ordered the architects to be blinded so that they could no longer build a temple equal to it in beauty. Now the cathedral has the status of a museum.

*VDNKh
Also known as Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy, VDNKh is one of the largest exhibition complexes and a most interesting example of Soviet architecture. Today, it's the site for cultural and business events, which are held in its historical pavilions, palaces, and gardens. The Friendship of Nations fountain, located there, represents the 16 union republics, each of which is depicted as a golden statue. The complex also includes the famous Cosmonautics Museum.

*NOVODEVICHY CONVENT
The convent received UNESCO heritage status, although it enjoyed a bad reputation as a place where inconvenient queens and boyars were exiled.

*LENIN'S MAUSOLEUM
This controversial landmark is located on Red Square and is accessible to visitors free of charge. Although it was built as the resting place of Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin also rested there for eight years after his death. There are regular debates about whether the body should be buried, but the issue has not yet been finally resolved, and the flow of those who want to honor the memory of the leader of the revolution does not subside.

*TRETYAKOV GALLERY AND PUSHKIN MUSEUM
It would take a full day to visit each of these museums, so be prepared in advance. In the Pushkin Museum you can see paintings by Edgar Degas, Vincent van Gogh, Paul Gauguin, Rembrandt and Rubens. The Tretyakov Gallery is more dedicated to Russian art, and, for example, the famous «Black Square» by Kazemir Malevich hangs there.

*OSTANKINO TELEVISION TOWER
The tallest free-standing structure in Europe, Ostankino tower offers a picturesque view of the city, frightening in its height.

*METRO
Surprisingly, the metro can also be a work of art, and some of the old metro stations in Moscow are proof of this. Just like it some other large Russian cities.
The list of Moscow's attractions is not limited to the above. Ancient history lovers can visit, for example, the Cathedral of Christ the Savior and the Kolomenskoye Museum-Reserve; families with children, the Moskvarium (Moscow Oceanarium), the zoo and one of the largest planetariums in the world; for those interested in military history, the city offers many military museums, Victory Park honoring the memory of those died during World War II, etc.

ST. PETERSBURG

This is a former capital of Russia, the northernmost city with a population of over a million in the world, and definitely the second most popular city among tourists.
This city is not ancient and was founded in 1703 by Tsar Peter I, Peter the Great. All of St. Petersburg follows a uniform style to some extent, so in any place, except perhaps in remote residential areas, you feel that you are in St. Petersburg, in a European capital. Since Peter I was a renovator and was largely oriented towards the West, the spirit of this city is unlike the center of Moscow. The historical architecture is dominated by baroque and classicism.
What can it offer to travelers? Tons of things.

*THE HERMITAGE
Don't miss the second-largest art museum in the world with paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Titian, Rembrandt, and Renoir. The Winter Palace, part of the museum, attracts tourists not only with its main collection, but also with the rich decoration of the ceremonial chambers of the imperial family.

*PETERHOF
Another unmissable landmark in St. Petersburg - the former imperial country residence amazes with its splendor. The calling card of Peterhof is the cascading fountain with gilded statues.

*ST. ISAAC'S CATHEDRAL
The temple is located in the very heart of the city, and I recommend not passing by it, but going inside - its design is a real work of art.

*CHURCH OF THE SAVIOR ON THE SPILLED BLOOD
You will immediately notice this building, because it stands out against the background of the rest of the architecture. It will remind you more of something Moscow (and yes, non-locals often confuse it with St. Basil's Cathedral). The church has a great collection of mosaic icons.

*CATHERINE PALACE
If you want to feel like a king, go to the suburbs of St. Petersburg, to the city of Pushkin, and visit the Catherine Palace, as the name suggests, built by order of Catherine the Great. The gigantic halls, almost entirely decorated with gold, with elegant stucco and skillful frescoes, will not leave you indifferent.

Although St. Petersburg is famous for its historic sights, it's also considered a youth city and is the venue for different festivals.

GOLDEN RING OF RUSSIA

Those interested in the ancient and medieval history of Russia simply must go on a tour of the Golden Ring. This is a group of historic towns northeast of Moscow called «open-air museums» which will tell you the story of how Rus' lived, how it developed and what crafts it was famous for. This tourist route is especially good because you don't have to go far to get acquainted with it - the farthest city is located only 200 kilometers away.

KAZAN

Russia is made up of many ethnicities, including indigenous, and Kazan is one of the best destinations to experience the contact with other cultures.
Kazan is the capital of the Russian republic Tatarstan, which is mostly populated by the Tatars - a Muslim Turkic people. In XVI century, when this city was the capital of the Kazan Khanate, it was captured by Ivan the Terrible, and now is unofficially called the «Third Capital of Russia».
When in the Third Capital, be sure to visit the UNESCO listed Kazan Kremlin where a lot of historic buildings are located. and Kul Sharif Mosque, which is the calling card of Tatarstan.
Try Tatar cuisine - it has nothing to do with Russian cuisine; and learn more about the local culture and history if the Museum of the Republic of Tatarstan.
Also worthy of attention are such crazy things as the Temple of All Religions - perhaps the only institution of its kind in the world - or the marriage registry office in the form of a qazan - tatar cauldron (cauldron as a dish and Kazan as a city are practically homonymous in the Russian language).

SOUTHWESTERN RUSSIA

Krasnodar Krai, located in Southwestern Russia, is a place where Russians from all over the country flock in the summer; and Sochi is the most popular resort city among tourists. If you are not a fan of the cold Russian winter, then the sun-drenched beaches and warm sea are your option. Also, of interest to travelers in the South of Russia is the city of Volgograd (formerly Stalingrad), where the most significant battle of World War II took place - the Battle of Stalingrad; it marked the beginning of the end of the Nazi onslaught. That is why in Volgograd you will find many attractions dedicated to this victory, and the war in general.
Also, do you know who the Cossacks are? Historically, these were an ethnic and, at the same time, class group of members of military formations that performed border service in the South. The Cossacks were formed from many nationalities (mostly Russians and Ukrainians), and under the influence of neighboring nations, as well as due to the specifics of their activities, they created their own, unique culture. If you want to learn more about them, go to Rostov-on-Don.
Tourists also frequently visit the Muslim Caucasian republics in the far south of the country.

KALININGRAD

Former Prussian, Polish and German city, also known as Königsberg in the past, the city of Kaliningrad was annexed by the USSR after the end of World War II. It also has its own special European charm and is known as the birthplace of Immanuel Kant, who, as is well known, never left it till death.

KARELIA

Karelia, located in the north of the European part of Russia, is a good place for those tourists who want to experience Russian nature, but don't want to travel far beyond the Ural Mountains. There are both natural and man-made attractions here (including ancient artifacts), and the climate is milder than in the more eastern parts of the country.

OFF-THE-BEATEN-PATH

Everything I have just told you about pertained to the European part of the country, and it is not surprising - the Asian part, that is, to the east of the Ural Mountains, was developed later, the largest cities are in Europe, and the climate there is milder. But the eastern region has its own charm and attracts tourists who prefer extreme entertainment. I'm talking about the Urals, Siberia - Western and Eastern - and Far East.
This is a monstrously vast territory, the great majority of which remains uninhabited; therefore, the main destinations of this region are diverse nature reserves and national parks including those located beyond the Arctic Circle.
A large number of different Finno-Ugric, Turkic and Paleo-Asian peoples live in the Asian part of Russia. As a rule, these peoples speak their own language and, despite partial urbanization, preserve their crafts and original culture.
Let's talk about these regions in more detail.

URAL

Backbone between Europe and Asia, the Urals is the most ancient mountain range on Earth. The Ural Mountains are rich in minerals, and locals are proud that their region supplied the Soviet army during World War II.
At the same time, Ural is a real concentration of mysterious, anomalous and strange things and places which attracts mystery lovers. Uralians periodically report alleged UFO sightings, in the nineties, a creature similar to the movie alien was found there, which made a lot of noise throughout the country. And in 2013, on Valentine's Day, a meteorite flew into the city of Chelyabinsk, knocking out windows from buildings. Here and there, locals find strange structures that, according to believers in the supernatural, possess strong energy. But if we break away from the mystical point of view, there really are many curious structures in Ural built by ancient people, such as Arkaim or Akhunovskie menhirs.
Another mystery of the Urals is the Dyatlov Pass incident, in which nine Soviet ski hikers died together in the mountains under circumstances so mysterious and confusing that they gave rise to many conspiracy theories and even provided inspiration for the American horror film.
However, even without mysticism, there is something to see in Ural. Kungur Ice Cave is a huge cave that amazes tourists with its natural ice structures, and is the most photographed landmark of this region. Taganai national park is a treasure trove for hikers - wherever you pitch your tent, amazing, and most importantly, completely different views open up everywhere. Lakes Turgoyak and Uvildy are also worth visiting. And of course, there are plenty of ski resorts here.
If you are planning to come to the Urals, take a ticket to Yekaterinburg, from where you can get to various attractions, and in the city itself, visit local museums and see street art - it is not for nothing that Yekaterinburg is considered the capital of street art in Russia. And Chelyabinsk is jokingly considered the roughest and toughest city in Russia, with its atmosphere of a working Soviet city.

SIBERIA

Who hasn't heard of frozen wildernesses of Siberia? To its credit, the temperature, especially in its southern parts, can be quite high in summer, up to +35 degrees Celsius. But winter is cold and snow lies for about half a year, or even more in the northern regions. Of course, there are also many nature reserves and national parks here, but we will focus on the most interesting places to visit.
«Siberian Switzerland» - this is how Altai is called. The Altai Mountains stunningly high and beautiful, especially in the south, and it is no wonder that they are a magnet for hikers. The bright azure lakes add a special charm to them, and this is not just a comparison - they are truly azure like turquoise. The Martian fields deserve special attention; they really do look like a landscape on the Red Planet. In addition, here you can meet the local Altai people who will teach you throat singing and horse riding, and introduce you to local cuisine.
Lake Baikal is I guess the first thing that comes to mind when talking about Siberia. Deepest and oldest lake in the world, and among the clearest, it's not called a sea only because of its fresh water. In winter, the lake is covered with such a thick layer of ice that snowmobiles and cars can easily drive across it. Many strange phenomena occur on it, for example, frozen methane bubbles in the thickness of the ice, or blocks of ice that are layered on top of each other, resembling gems, or stones standing on ice «legs», which makes it look magical and even alien.
If you go to Baikal, also visit the Republic of Buryatia - this is a Buddhist region, where a curious architectural complex «Ivolginsky Datsan» is located - a functioning Buddhist monastery, which also receives guests.
Siberia boasts first-class ski resorts.
Interesting cities in Siberia are Novosibirsk, Irkutsk, Omsk, Tyumen and Krasnoyarsk, and if you want to experience real severe Siberian winter, head to Norilsk where they build cities on «legs». Do you know why? So that the permafrost on which the house stands doesn't melt from the warm house and doesn't collapse.

FAR EAST

The Far East of Russia is famous for its legendary geysers and volcanoes, so there was never a shortage of tourists there either. Klyuchevskoy, Avachinsky, Gorely, Tolbachik and other «smoking» hills attract hikers with their majestic beauty.
Another mist visit place is the Kronotsky Nature Reserve, which includes unique sights, such as:
- The Valley of Geysers, a must visit canyon where one and a half hundred different thermal springs come to the surface;
- The Uzon Volcano Caldera,a bowl-shaped basin resembling a lunar crater with hydrogen sulphide lakes and boiling clay;
- The Valley of Death, a piece of land at the foot of a stratovolcano, where toxic gases rising from the surface kill all living things.
To the south are the Kuril Islands. These were once a bone of contention between Russia and Japan; today they bear many traces of World War II: trenches, anti-tank ditches, warehouses, shells and abandoned equipment. History buffs will not be bored here. The islands' attractions also include wild beaches with black sand.
In the Far East, you can also experience all the delights of the Russian winter, namely in Yakutia and Chukotka. There are many beautiful natural landscapes here. And this place is also known for the village of Oymyakon - the coldest settlement on the planet, sometimes also called the «pole of cold»; the record low temperature in this village is -67.7°C.
Those who prefer a more cultural holiday can discover the city of Vladivostok. The main attraction of the city is the fortress, both a museum and a real historical site, its length being a terrifying 100 kilometers. In Vladivostok, tourists are sure to eat cheap and tasty fish and other seafood.
Other Far East cities worth visiting are Komsomolsk-on-Amur and Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. A hundred kilometers from the latter there is the remarkable Lake Busse. It's famous for the fact that during low tide you can catch sea urchins, trepangs, scallops and giant oyster, with your hands. After the exciting fishing, guests have the opportunity to arrange a luxurious lunch of Sakhalin delicacies.
Of course, all the beauties and wonders, neither urban nor natural, cannot be described in one video, but we tried not to miss the most interesting destinations.

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