The top travel destinations in Russia

TL;DR:

Pair big cities with one wild area for balance.
Moscow, St Petersburg, the Golden Ring suit a first trip.
Lake Baikal, Altai, Kamchatka, and Karelia wow nature lovers.
Border zones and Arctic sites often need extra permits.
Many countries advise against travel to Russia as of 2025.

Russia is huge. This guide picks classic cities and wild regions, with seasons, routes, and rules a visitor should know. It aims to help global readers plan smarter.

Quick planner table

Place	Best for	Ideal trip length	Good season
Moscow	Kremlin, Red Square, museums	2–3 days	May–Sep, Dec for snow. UNESCO lists the Kremlin and Red Square.
St Petersburg	Palaces, canals, art	2–3 days	May–Sep, White Nights in June. UNESCO lists the historic centre.
Golden Ring (Vladimir, Suzdal)	Medieval churches, small towns	2 days	May–Sep. UNESCO covers “White Monuments.”
Kazan	Tatar culture, Kremlin	1–2 days	May–Sep. The Kazan Kremlin is UNESCO listed.
Lake Baikal	Clear water, winter ice	2–4 days	Jul–Aug, Feb–Mar for ice. UNESCO site.
Altai	Peaks, rivers, steppe	3–5 days	Jun–Sep. UNESCO’s Golden Mountains.
Kamchatka	Volcanoes, geysers, bears	3–5 days	Jul–Sep. UNESCO site.
Karelia & Kizhi	Wooden churches, lakes	1–2 days	Jun–Sep. Kizhi Pogost is UNESCO listed.
Murmansk & Kola	Northern lights, tundra	2–3 days	Sep–Mar. See official regional info.
Vladivostok & Primorye	Pacific coast, tiger forests	2–3 days	May–Sep. Sikhote-Alin is UNESCO listed.
Novgorod	Early Rus heritage	1 day	May–Sep. UNESCO covers its monuments.
Curonian Spit (Kaliningrad)	Dunes, Baltic beaches	1 day	May–Sep. UNESCO cultural landscape.

Use this table to sketch a route. Pair one city hub with a nature area.

Moscow

Stand on Red Square, then walk the Kremlin cathedrals. St Basil’s sits at the square’s edge. These monuments anchor Russian history and art in one place. UNESCO lists the Kremlin and Red Square for their universal value.

Tips: buy timed tickets online for the Armoury and Diamond Fund. Visit Zaryadye Park for skyline views.

St Petersburg

Palaces, canals, and the Hermitage fill a long weekend. The historic centre and related monuments are UNESCO listed for their Baroque and neoclassical ensembles. White Nights in June add late light and festivals.

Day trip: Peterhof for fountains or Pushkin for Catherine Palace.

The Golden Ring: Vladimir and Suzdal

Ride a fast train or drive from Moscow. The “White Monuments” group covers cathedrals, gates, and riverside churches that shaped medieval style. The Church of the Intercession on the Nerl is a highlight near Bogolyubovo.

Kazan

Kazan blends Tatar and Russian cultures. The Kazan Kremlin holds the Qolşärif Mosque and Annunciation Cathedral inside the same walls. UNESCO calls it the only surviving Tatar fortress.

Lake Baikal

World’s deepest lake. Summer brings hiking and boat trips. In late winter, clear blue ice forms natural art. The site covers vast habitats and rare species, recognized by UNESCO in 1996. Base in Irkutsk or Listvyanka for short visits.

Altai

Altai’s Golden Mountains include Lake Teletskoye, Mount Belukha, and the Ukok plateau. Think rivers, alpine meadows, petroglyphs, and borderland steppe. UNESCO recognizes intact ecosystems from steppe to alpine zones. Some border areas need permits, so plan early.

Kamchatka

Volcano cones rise over tundra and rivers. Helicopter flights reach the Valley of Geysers in Kronotsky Reserve on set routes with guides. UNESCO lists Kamchatka for its density of active volcanoes and dramatic landforms.

Karelia and Kizhi Island

In the north, Kizhi Pogost’s wooden churches stand on Lake Onega. The ensemble is a masterwork of timber craft without nails. Summer ferries and hydrofoils run from Petrozavodsk to Kizhi.

Murmansk and the Kola Peninsula

Chase the aurora from September to March. Expect short days, cold, and quick moves based on cloud cover and the KP index. The region’s official site shares tools and local routes.

Vladivostok and Primorye

Vladivostok is a port city of hills, bridges, and sea views. It is an easy base for the Ussuri taiga. The Central Sikhote-Alin UNESCO site protects temperate forests with Amur tigers. Regional tourist centres can advise on legal routes and guides.

Novgorod

Novgorod’s kremlin and medieval churches show early Rus art, including Theophanes the Greek’s frescoes. It sits on old trade routes and is an easy hop from St Petersburg by train. UNESCO lists its monuments for outstanding heritage.

Curonian Spit, Kaliningrad

A narrow dune strip between the Baltic Sea and a lagoon, part of a shared UNESCO site with Lithuania. Expect forests, birds, and moving dunes. Base in Zelenogradsk or Svetlogorsk on the Russian side.

The Trans-Siberian idea

The Trans-Siberian Railway runs about 9,289 km from Moscow to Vladivostok. It links many of the regions above. Russian Railways confirms the route and length. Break the ride into the city and nature stops.

Visas, permits, and advisories

Many nationalities can apply for a unified Russian e-visa online. Processing is advertised as 4 calendar days, but always check eligibility and timing rules. Use the official MFA portals only.

Border zones exist along many frontiers, in parts of the Caucasus, Altai, Arctic, and the Far East. Foreigners often need an FSB permit to enter these strips. Some classic trekking areas near Mount Belukha and on the Ukok plateau fall in these zones. Ask a licensed operator to handle paperwork.

Safety is a personal decision. As of 15 September 2025, several governments advise against travel to Russia. Review your country’s latest advisory, insurance limits, and exit options before booking.

Sample 10-day first-timer route

Days 1–3: Moscow for the Kremlin, Red Square, and galleries.
Days 4–6: St Petersburg for the Hermitage and canals.
Days 7–8: Train to Vladimir and Suzdal for the “White Monuments.”
Days 9–10: Fly to Kazan for the Kremlin and Tatar food.

When to go

Cities: May to September has mild weather and long days.
Baikal: July and August for hiking, late February to March for ice.
Kamchatka and Altai: July to September for trails and river trips.
Northern lights: September to March in Murmansk region.

Mini checklist

Pick one city hub and one nature area.
Check e-visa eligibility and dates on the MFA site.
Ask about border-zone permits for Altai, Caucasus, Arctic, and Far East.
Read your government’s Russia advisory and insurance fine print.
In parks and reserves, stay on marked paths and obey rangers.

Why it matters

Russia rewards careful routing. Pair icons with wild spaces and your days flow better. Permits and rules are real, so planning protects your time and budget.

Sources:

UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Kremlin and Red Square, Moscow, https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/545/, accessed 2025-09-15.
UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg, https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/540/, accessed 2025-09-15.
UNESCO World Heritage Centre, White Monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal, https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/633/, accessed 2025-09-15.
UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Historic and Architectural Complex of the Kazan Kremlin, https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/980/, accessed 2025-09-15.
UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Lake Baikal, https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/754/, accessed 2025-09-15.
UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Golden Mountains of Altai, https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/768/, accessed 2025-09-15.
UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Volcanoes of Kamchatka, https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/765/, accessed 2025-09-15.
Kizhi State Open-Air Museum, About the Kizhi Museum, https://site.kizhi.karelia.ru/info/en/, accessed 2025-09-15.
Murmansk Region Tourism, https://murmansk.travel/en, accessed 2025-09-15.
UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Central Sikhote-Alin, https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/766/, accessed 2025-09-15.
Vladivostok Tourist Guide, https://www.vladivostok.travel/en/, accessed 2025-09-15.
UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Historic Monuments of Novgorod and Surroundings, https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/604/, accessed 2025-09-15.
UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Curonian Spit, https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/994/, accessed 2025-09-15.
Russian Railways (RZD), Trans-Siberian trunk railway length, https://eng.rzd.ru/en/9572/page/564703?id=650, accessed 2025-09-15.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, e-visa portal, https://electronic-visa.kdmid.ru/index_en.html, accessed 2025-09-15.
U.S. Department of State, Russia Travel Advisory, https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/russia-travel-advisory.html, updated 2025-05-08.
UK FCDO, Russia travel advice, https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/russia, updated 2025-08-01.
Government of Canada, Travel advice and advisories for Russia, https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/russia, updated 2025-09-12.