Russia is a vast and diverse country, spanning two continents, eleven time zones, and fourteen borders. It is the largest country in the world, covering one-eighth of Earth's landmass. It is also one of the most fascinating and rich countries in the world, with a history that dates back to over a thousand years, a culture that reflects its multiethnic and multireligious identity, and a nature that ranges from the arctic to the subtropical.
But how can you make the most of your trip to Russia? What are the best places to visit, the best hotels to stay, the best food to eat, the best shopping to do, the best transportation to use, and the best tips to follow? In this article, we will answer these questions and more, giving you a comprehensive guide to explore the beauty and diversity of Russia.
. Destinations
Russia has 85 federal subjects, each with its own charm and personality. Depending on your preferences and the season, you can choose from a variety of destinations to explore in Russia. Here are some of the most popular ones:
- Moscow : The capital and the largest city of Russia, Moscow is the political, economic, and cultural center of the country. It is a city that combines the ancient and the modern, the traditional and the innovative, the majestic and the cozy. Moscow has some of the world's most famous and impressive landmarks, such as the Kremlin, the Red Square, the Saint Basil's Cathedral, the Bolshoi Theatre, and the Moscow Metro. Moscow is also a city that offers a vibrant and diverse nightlife, a rich and varied cuisine, and a lively and cosmopolitan atmosphere.
- Saint Petersburg : Saint Petersburg is the second-largest city and the former capital of Russia, located on the Neva River, near the Gulf of Finland. It is a city that is often called the "Venice of the North", for its numerous canals, bridges, and islands. It is also a city that is known as the "Cultural Capital of Russia", for its many museums, galleries, theaters, and festivals. Saint Petersburg has some of the world's most beautiful and elegant monuments, such as the Hermitage, the Peter and Paul Fortress, the Catherine Palace, and the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood.
- Lake Baikal : Lake Baikal is a natural wonder and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in Siberia, near the border with Mongolia. It is the world's deepest and oldest lake, containing about 20% of the world's fresh water. It is also the world's most biodiverse lake, hosting over 2,000 species of plants and animals, many of them endemic. Lake Baikal is a place of stunning beauty and tranquility, where you can enjoy the scenery, the wildlife, and the activities, such as hiking, biking, kayaking, or ice skating.
- Sochi : Sochi is a resort city located on the Black Sea coast, near the border with Georgia. It is a city that is famous for hosting the 2014 Winter Olympics, and for being the summer residence of the Russian presidents. It is also a city that attracts millions of visitors every year, looking for sun, sea, and sand. Sochi has some of the best beaches and mountains in the country, offering a paradise for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts. Sochi also has a range of resorts, hotels, restaurants, bars, and clubs, catering to all tastes and budgets.
. Cities
Russia has many cities that are worth visiting, each with its own charm and personality. Here are some of the most popular ones, along with their main attractions and features
- Moscow : The city of contrasts, power, and culture. Moscow has so much to offer, from its iconic landmarks, to its museums, to its neighborhoods, to its cuisine, to its nightlife. Some of the must-see places in Moscow are:
- The Kremlin: The Kremlin is a fortified complex that was built in the 12th century, and served as the seat of power for the Russian tsars, the Soviet leaders, and the current president. It is a complex of palaces, cathedrals, towers, and walls, covering an area of 27 hectares. You can admire the architectural and artistic masterpieces, such as the Grand Kremlin Palace, the Cathedral of the Assumption, the Ivan the Great Bell Tower, and the Tsar Cannon.
- The Red Square: The Red Square is the main and most famous square in Moscow, located in the heart of the city, and surrounded by some of the most important and impressive buildings in the country. You can visit the landmarks of the Red Square, such as the Saint Basil's Cathedral, the Lenin's Mausoleum, the State Historical Museum, and the GUM department store. You can also enjoy the events and the festivals that take place in the square, such as the Victory Day parade, the New Year's Eve celebration, and the Spasskaya Tower festival.
- The Bolshoi Theatre: The Bolshoi Theatre is one of the oldest and most prestigious theaters in the world, founded in 1776, and located in the Theater Square. It is a theater that is renowned for its ballet and opera performances, featuring some of the best artists and musicians in the country. You can watch the shows and the concerts that the Bolshoi Theatre offers, such as Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Carmen, and La Traviata. You can also visit the museum and the backstage of the theater, and learn about its history and its secrets.
- The Moscow Metro: The Moscow Metro is the subway system that serves the city of Moscow, and one of the most efficient and beautiful in the world. It was opened in 1935, and has 232 stations, covering 381 kilometers. It is a metro that is famous for its art and architecture, featuring some of the most stunning and elaborate stations, decorated with mosaics, sculptures, chandeliers, and paintings. You can explore the metro and see the stations that are considered as the "underground palaces", such as Komsomolskaya, Mayakovskaya, Novoslobodskaya, and Ploshchad Revolyutsii.
- Saint Petersburg : The city of bridges, canals, and culture. Saint Petersburg has so much to offer, from its ancient and elegant monuments, to its museums, to its culture, to its scenery. Some of the highlights of Saint Petersburg are:
- The Hermitage: The Hermitage is one of the largest and most famous museums in the world, founded in 1764, and located in the Winter Palace. It is a museum that contains over 3 million items, spanning from the prehistoric to the modern periods. Some of the most famous and impressive pieces are the works of Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Picasso, and Matisse. The museum is also a masterpiece of architecture and design, featuring some of the most beautiful and lavish rooms, such as the Malachite Room, the Gold Room, and the Peacock Clock.
- The Peter and Paul Fortress: The Peter and Paul Fortress is a fortress that was built in 1703, and served as the original citadel of Saint Petersburg. It is a fortress that is considered as the birthplace of the city, and the symbol of its foundation. It is also a fortress that contains some of the most important and historical buildings in the city, such as the Peter and Paul Cathedral, the Grand Ducal Mausoleum, the Mint, and the Trubetskoy Bastion Prison. You can visit the fortress and see the tombs of the Romanov tsars, the museum of the history of Saint Petersburg, and the cannon firing ceremony.
- The Catherine Palace: The Catherine Palace is a palace that was built in the 18th century, and served as the summer residence of the Russian tsars. It is a palace that is one of the most splendid and extravagant in the world, featuring a rococo and baroque style, and a blue and white facade. The palace has over 300 rooms, some of them with a stunning and lavish decor, such as the Great Hall, the Amber Room, the Agate Rooms, and the Cameron Gallery. The palace also has a park, where you can see the pavilions, the lakes, and the gardens.
- The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood: The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood is a church that was built in the 19th century, on the spot where Emperor Alexander II was assassinated in 1881. It is a church that is one of the most recognizable and iconic landmarks in Saint Petersburg, for its colorful and ornate domes, and its Russian Revival style. The church has a rich and elaborate interior, featuring over 7,000 square meters of mosaics, depicting scenes and figures from the Bible and the Orthodox tradition. The church also has a shrine, where you can see the preserved section of the pavement where the emperor was wounded.
- Lake Baikal : The lake of wonders, wildlife, and activities. Lake Baikal has so much to offer, from its scenery, to its wildlife, to its activities. Some of the must-do things in Lake Baikal are:
- The Circum-Baikal Railway: The Circum-Baikal Railway is a railway that runs along the southern shore of Lake Baikal, from the town of Slyudyanka to the village of Port Baikal
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. Hotels
Russia has a wide range of hotels to suit every taste, budget, and occasion. You can
choose from luxury hotels, boutique hotels, chain hotels, budget hotels, or even unusual hotels, such as ice hotels, capsule hotels, or train hotels. Here are some of the best hotels in Russia, according to the travelers' reviews and ratings on TripAdvisor
- Four Seasons Hotel Moscow : Four Seasons Hotel Moscow is a five-star hotel located in the heart of Moscow, near the Red Square, the Kremlin, and the Bolshoi Theatre. It is a modern and elegant hotel, with a blend of Russian and contemporary style, and features 180 rooms and suites, some of them with a view of the city, a spa, a fitness center, an indoor pool, and five restaurants, serving international and local cuisine. The hotel also offers a concierge service, a limousine service, and a kids club. The average price per night is 500 dollars.
- Belmond Grand Hotel Europe : Belmond Grand Hotel Europe is a five-star hotel located in the center of Saint Petersburg, near the Hermitage, the Nevsky Prospect, and the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood. It is a historical and luxurious hotel, built in 1875, and featuring a neoclassical and art nouveau style, and features 266 rooms and suites, some of them with a view of the canal, a spa, a fitness center, a caviar bar, and six restaurants, serving Russian, French, Italian, and Asian cuisine. The hotel also offers a concierge service, a room service, and a ballet and opera program. The average price per night is 300 dollars.
- Baikal View Hotel : Baikal View Hotel is a four-star hotel located on the shore of Lake Baikal, near the town of Listvyanka, and the Circum-Baikal Railway. It is a cozy and relaxing hotel, with a wooden and rustic style, and features 56 rooms and cottages, some of them with a view of the lake, a spa, a fitness center, an outdoor pool, and a restaurant, serving local and organic cuisine. The hotel also offers a concierge service, a shuttle service, and a tour desk. The average price per night is 100 dollars.
- Radisson Blu Resort & Congress Centre : Radisson Blu Resort & Congress Centre is a five-star resort located on the coast of the Black Sea, near the Olympic Park, and the Sochi International Airport. It is a modern and stylish resort, with a glass and steel facade, and features 508 rooms and suites, some of them with a view of the sea, a spa, a fitness center, an indoor pool, an outdoor pool, and three restaurants, serving Mediterranean, Russian, and international cuisine. The resort also offers a concierge service, a shuttle service, and a kids club. The average price per night is 150 dollars.
. Meals and Restaurants
Russia is famous for its cuisine, which is considered one of the most hearty and diverse in the world. Russia has a long and rich culinary tradition, influenced by its geography, climate, and culture. Russia is also home to some of the best chefs and restaurants in the world, with a variety of dishes, flavors, and styles.
In Russia, you can enjoy a variety of dishes, from the national specialties, such as the borscht, the pelmeni, the blini, or the pirozhki, to the regional classics, such as the stroganoff, the shashlik, the solyanka, or the okroshka. You can also taste some of the delicacies, such as the caviar, the vodka, the honey, or the sbiten. You can also discover some of the exotic and fusion cuisines, such as the Georgian, the Uzbek, or the Chinese.
In Russia, you can find different types of restaurants, depending on your budget, your taste, and your occasion. You can choose from
- Stolovaya : A stolovaya is a cafeteria-style restaurant, serving fast and cheap dishes, such as soups, salads, sandwiches, or pies. A stolovaya is usually informal and crowded, with a self-service and a pay-by-weight option. A stolovaya is a good option for a quick and casual breakfast or lunch. Some of the best stolovayas in Russia are: Stolovaya No. 57 and Mu-Mu in Moscow, Stolle and Pirogovy Dvorik in Saint Petersburg, and Stolovaya No. 1 and Bistro No. 1 in Sochi.
- Teremok : Teremok is a chain of fast-food restaurants, specializing in Russian pancakes, called blini. Teremok offers a variety of fillings and toppings for the blini, such as cheese, ham, mushrooms, caviar, jam, or chocolate. Teremok also offers other dishes, such as soups, salads, dumplings, or drinks. Teremok is a good option for a tasty and affordable snack or meal. You can find Teremok outlets in many cities in Russia, such as Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Sochi, and Novosibirsk.
- Cafe Pushkin : Cafe Pushkin is a fine-dining restaurant, located in a 19th-century mansion in Moscow, near the Tverskaya Street and the Pushkin Square. It is a restaurant that is inspired by the poetry and the atmosphere of the Russian writer Alexander Pushkin, and features a classic and elegant decor, with a library, a fireplace, and a piano. The restaurant offers a sophisticated and creative menu, based on the Russian and French cuisine, such as the beef stroganoff, the salmon coulibiac, the duck with apples, and the Napoleon cake. The restaurant also offers a high tea service, a wine list, and a live music program. The average price per person is 50 dollars.
- Mari Vanna : Mari Vanna is a cozy and charming restaurant, located in a three-story house in Saint Petersburg, near the Fontanka River and the Summer Garden. It is a restaurant that is designed to resemble a typical Russian apartment, with a vintage and eclectic style, and a cat named Vasya. The restaurant offers a homely and authentic menu, based on the Russian and Soviet cuisine, such as the borscht, the herring under fur coat, the chicken Kiev, and the syrniki. The restaurant also offers a tea service, a vodka list, and a board game collection. The average price per person is 30 dollars.
. Shopping
Russia is a paradise for shoppers, offering a wide range of products, from the souvenirs and handicrafts, to the antiques and jewelry, to the spices and perfumes. Russia is also known for its markets, where you can find authentic and local products, as well as bargains and treasures. In Russia, you can shop in different places, such as
- Souk : A souk is a traditional and lively market, selling a variety of goods, such as clothing, accessories, pottery, carpets, or lanterns. A souk is usually located in the old and historical areas, and offers a colorful and authentic shopping experience. You can bargain and haggle for the best prices, and enjoy the atmosphere and the culture. Some of the best souks in Russia are: Izmailovsky Market and Arbat Street in Moscow, Gostiny Dvor and Apraksin Dvor in Saint Petersburg, and Central Market and Baikal Market in Irkutsk.
- Mall : A mall is a modern and large shopping center, selling a variety of goods, such as clothing, accessories, cosmetics, electronics, books, or toys. A mall is usually located in the new and commercial areas, and offers a convenient and comfortable shopping experience. You can find local and international brands, and enjoy the facilities and the entertainment. Some of the best malls in Russia are: Aviapark and Mega Khimki in Moscow, Galeria and Europolis in Saint Petersburg, and MoreMall and Mandarin in Sochi.
- Boutique : A boutique is a small and unique shop, selling a specific type of goods, such as antiques, jewelry, spices, or perfumes. A boutique is usually located in the hidden and charming areas, and offers a rare and exclusive shopping experience. You can find quality and original products, and enjoy the aroma and the beauty. Some of the best boutiques in Russia are: Kuznetsky Most 20 and Tsvetnoy Central Market in Moscow, Au Pont Rouge and Babochka in Saint Petersburg, and Gallery of Siberian Art and Baikal Stone in Irkutsk.
. Transportation
Russia has a well-developed and efficient transportation system, which makes it easy and convenient to travel within and between the cities. Russia has different modes of transportation, such as
- Plane : Plane is the fastest and most comfortable way to travel in Russia, especially for long distances. Russia has a national and international airport network, connecting the major cities and the neighboring countries. You can book your flight online, at the airport, or at the travel agency. You need a valid passport, a visa, and a ticket. You also need to follow the security rules, such as the luggage, the check-in, and the boarding.
- Train : Train is the cheapest and most flexible way to travel in Russia, especially for short distances. Russia has a national and regional train network, connecting the cities and the attractions. You can buy your train ticket online, at the station, or at the machine. You can also buy a rail pass, such as the Russian Rail Pass or the Trans-Siberian Pass, which allows you to travel unlimitedly for a certain period of time.
- Metro : Metro is the most convenient and reliable way to travel in the cities, especially in Moscow and Saint Petersburg. Russia has a metro system that serves the urban areas, and is one of the most efficient and beautiful in the world. You can buy your metro ticket at the station, or use a smart card, such as the Troika Card or the Podorozhnik Card, which can also be used for other public transport. You can also admire the art and architecture of the metro stations, which are considered as the "underground palaces".
. Tips for Travelers
Russia is a wonderful and welcoming country, but it also has some peculiarities and challenges that you need to be aware of and prepared for. Here are some tips for travelers that will help you enjoy your trip to Russia
- Learn some Russian : Russian is the official and the most widely spoken language in Russia, and many people do not speak English or other languages. Learning some basic Russian phrases, such as greetings, numbers, directions, or questions, will help you communicate and interact with the locals, and show respect and appreciation for their culture. You can also use a dictionary, a translator, or a guidebook to help you with the language.
- Respect the customs : Russia has some customs and traditions that you need to follow and respect, especially in public places and religious sites. For example, you should always dress modestly and conservatively, especially for women, covering your shoulders, knees, and chest. You should also avoid public displays of affection, such as kissing, hugging, or holding hands. You should also avoid alcohol, pork, and drugs, as they are forbidden by the Orthodox Church.
- **Enjoy the hospitality**: Russia has a reputation for being one of the most hospitable and friendly countries in the world, and the locals are always eager to help and welcome the visitors. You should take the time and the opportunity to enjoy and appreciate the hospitality, by accepting the invitations, the gifts, or the compliments, and by offering a smile, a thank you, or a tip. You should also try to mingle with the locals, and learn about their history, their culture, and their lifestyle.
Conclusion
Russia is a country of beauty and diversity, with a lot to offer for the tourists. You can visit the amazing cities of Moscow and Saint Petersburg, the stunning Lake Baikal, and the sunny Sochi. You can enjoy the delicious and varied cuisine, the shopping and entertainment options, and the transportation and facilities. You can also learn about the history, culture, and hospitality of the Russian people. Russia is a country that will surprise you and delight you, and make you want to come back again.
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