Top 20 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Russia

St. Petersburg is a city with a long and eventful history and one of Russia’s best cities to visit. In 1611, the town was born under the name Nyens and steadily grew in size and prestige.

As regimes rose and fell around the great city, it was renamed again and again until it arrived at its present name, St. Petersburg.

The city’s history has left numerous iconic relics, such as beautiful old churches with ornate architecture. Today, visitors love exploring its culture, playing port sports, and enjoying the city’s fine art.

The ornate city boasts a fantastic cultural scene, including concerts, numerous museums, and historic tours. 

Altai is a Russian republic in southern Siberia whose terrain Altai is perhaps the most beautiful region in Russia. This wilderness area is nearly untouched, and the natural beauty is perfectly breathtaking. Altai is filled with glaciers, glacial lakes, and therapeutic hot springs.

Both sightseers and health seekers love this wilderness area for its undefiled natural offerings; this beautiful, unspoiled place in Russia is perfect for backpackers to explore.

Moscow is the capital of Russia, as well as the nation’s cosmopolitan epicenter of arts, music, science, academics, and politics.

This millennia-old city is a fascinating place to explore for visitors, with art and architecture from every era, besides plenty of modern-day pleasures to partake in. St. Basil’s Cathedral has charming patterned multi-colored towers and balloon-like roofs.

Although it looks like something out of Disneyland, the Cathedral, and all of Moscow, it is no mythical fairy tale but a real-life adventure! In the case of Moscow, reality trumps fantasy. This Russian metropolis is a beautiful place to travel to, unlike anything you’ll find elsewhere.

This is the world’s fourth-largest lake-bound island; for a step back in time, Olkhon Island is a beautiful place to visit and stay in Russia.

Located about 250 km north-east of Irkutsk, it’s reachable overland, or by the sea, and here, the culture of the local natives is remarkably well-preserved so that you can experience a unique corner of Russia authentically.

This large island is in the middle of Lake Baikal, and its isolated location makes it both uncrowded and naturally breathtaking. If you’ve explored all the sites in metropolitan Russia and you’re looking for more, then this is the place in Russia to head to.

The adventurous will love gorgeous Kamchatka, a sizeable peninsular landmass in the north of Russia.

Although Kamchatka, which lies in far eastern Russia, between the Sea of Okhotsk on the west and the Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea on the east, is relatively isolated, it continues to draw travelers because of its imposing volcanoes, steaming craters, and ethereal landscapes.

Between interesting buildings, strange geological formations, and numerous natural wonders, there is always something to discover in Kamchatka, and it’s easily one of the most beautiful places to visit in Russia. 

Kizhi is a quiet island located near the geometrical center of Lake Onega in the Republic of Karelia, in the north of Russia. During the warm summer months, the small community is sustained by tourism to the Kizhi State Open-Air Museum of History, Architecture, and Ethnography.

This open-air museum is dedicated to educating visitors about 18th-century life in Russia. If you visit Kizhi, you can walk through this preserved town and learn about everyday life, religion, entertainment, and families of rustic Russia.

One of the top attractions in Russia, it’s an informative and unique experience worth the trip.

Peterhof is a sub-district of St. Petersburg, and it’s worth a place on this top Russian destination list because it’s home to the beautiful Peterhof Grand Palace.

The Palace is an impressive structure dating to 1714 when Peter the Great of Russia began constructing his famous Palace.

Czars continued adding their wings, gardens, and ponds to the Palace and grounds in the following years. Unfortunately, much of the Palace was destroyed by the Axis Powers during the Second World War, and repairs are still ongoing today.

Still, the Peterhof Grand Palace is a beautiful and majestic place to visit. Visitors can arrange tours of the grounds and the ornately decorated interiors. 

The town of Ruskeala in Karelia is four hours north of St. Petersburg and is easily one of Russia’s most beautiful places to visit.

The area is next to the Finnish border on the famous Blue Highway, which connects Norway, Sweden, and Finland to Russia. Built upon the Tokhmayoki River, Ruskeala is renowned for its superb natural beauty and history as a marble mining center.

It is near several beautiful lakes, forests, and recreational centers. Ruskeala Mountain Park is a major attraction, offering underground tours of the inspiring marble quarries.

The Ruskeala Marble Canyon provides boating activities on colorful marble lakes, while the Ruskeala Waterfalls is a popular location for organized walks among the breathtaking scenery. Besides these natural wonders, tourists will also find various hotels, shops, and activities on offer!

Pskov is an ancient city not far from the Estonian border. The town is an excellent destination in Russia as it offers many lovely examples of historic architecture, especially churches and monasteries, along with the most prominent attraction – Pskov Krom.

This medieval riverside citadel is a Russian architectural gem with the equally famous Trinity Cathedral. The 12th-century Mirozhsky Monastery is another attraction well worth visiting and is renowned for its impressive religious murals.

In addition to fantastic ancient architecture, there is a wide variety of museums and theatres in Pskov city, along with many interesting monuments and statues to discover.

Situated in northwestern Russia, Kenozersky National Park is aa famous place for tourists in Russia. Surrounded by acres of dense forest and waterways. The large Lake Kenozero dominates the beautiful park and is much loved by walkers, cyclists, and organized tours.

Scattered around the park, tourists will encounter countless historical buildings, such as churches and monasteries, the majority built by the Novgorod people, who were the first inhabitants of this area. Quaint Russian villages line the lake’s edge and offer a fascinating insight into the historic local culture.

Since 2004, Kenozersky National Park has been a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, making it a critical conservation area for ecosystems and local species.

Located in Russia’s far-eastern region next to the Bering Sea and Sea of Okhotsk, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky has an awe-inspiring backdrop of mountainous lands.

The city is a great place to stay in Russia. It is becoming increasingly centered around tourism, offering boating and organized trips to nearby scenery, including the Valley of Geysers and Uzon Volcano.

Besides fantastic scenery, tourists can visit museums, theatres, and sights of historical significance. Popular destinations nearby include the Monument to Peter and Paul, the Tri Brata volcano and nature reserve, and the volcanic museum, Vulkanarium.

A must-see attraction in Russia, the Russian Arctic National Park is located in the northern snowy region of Severny Island on Novaya Zemlya.

Further north, the archipelago of Franz Josef Land also forms part of this deserted park. It is ideally suited for tourists who enjoy vast open landscapes and marine mammals.

The area is excellent for sightseeing unusual arctic-dwelling animals, predominantly grey and bowhead whales, polar bears, and walruses. Opened in 2009, the national park is an essential conservation and ecological study area.

Vladimir, located just east of Moscow, is a bustling, historic city and a major tourist attraction in Russia’s western region.

As the capital of the Vladimir Oblast administrative area, the city is fortunate to have retained many examples of historic Russian architecture. It is well-connected to primary transport links, including road and rail. The town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, providing tourists plenty to see and do.

The Cathedral of Saint Demetrius and Assumption Cathedral in Sobornaya Square are major attractions, as are the ancient churches of St. Nicholas in Galea and Nikitskaya Church.

Visitors can also visit Bolshaya Moskovskaya Street for shopping and recreation, while museums and theatres provide plenty of entertainment value.

Shorsky National Park is located in eastern Russia, near the border with Mongolia, China, and Kazakhstan. It is a mountainous region of dense woodland trails perfect for long walks and fresh air.

The park is one of the best natural attractions in Russia and is home to various wild animals, including brown bears, deer, wolves, and lynx.

Tourists visiting this Russian gem can expect to find a wide range of activities within the park’s boundaries, such as caving, horse riding, walking, and boating.

Besides vast forest expanses, tourists can enjoy beautiful cave formations and waterfalls. The terrain is quite rugged and mountainous at times, but for the daring, the scenery is truly spectacular!

Irkutsk is a large city in East Siberia, near he southern tip of Lake Baikal, said to be the world’s most profound freshwater body of water.

Known as a principal stop on the Trans-Siberian Railway, the city is an excellent spot in Russia to explore as it blends traditional architecture with 21st-century living.

Visitors can expect quality shopping, fantastic culture, and entertainment in bars, theatres, and museums. The city also plays host to the Central Market and a variety of Western-style indoor shopping precincts.

Stolby Nature Reserve on the banks of the Yenisei River is located just south of the city of Krasnoyarsk. The reserve is popular with walkers, cyclists, and rock climbers and features a dense forest surrounded by interesting rock formations.

This area, known as The Pillars, features huge rock monoliths up to nearly 100 feet in height, offering many challenges to new and even seasoned rock climbers.

In addition, the reserve has plenty of accommodation and guest houses. However, many tourists enjoy this wonderful place in Russia as many camping opportunities are available.

Kazan is an eclectic city, with its identity rooted in sports, arts, religion, and sciences. It is perhaps most famous for its athletic events and is often called the “Sports Capital of Russia.” 

However, visitors to Kazan are more likely to encounter its numerous museums and religious centers. Huge mosques exist side-by-side with massive cathedrals, all equally beautiful and masterfully designed.

This is a tourist hot spot in Russia as various museums, from art to science to history, are available for the lifelong learner, such as the Museum of Happy Childhood and the Museum of Soviet Life. It’s undoubtedly an exciting and diverse city in Russia for the urban explorer to discover.

Nizhny Novgorod resides on the Volga and Oka rivers in western Russia. This city of over one million inhabitants combines a historical past with a modern, industrial present.

With fantastic transport links, the city is easily accessible by rail, air, or car. The Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin complex is perhaps the most notable tourist attraction.

This medieval fortress is an architectural masterpiece featuring 12 towers lined on its walls. But the city offers plenty more for tourists, from Minin and Pozharsky Square to the Chkalov Stairs. Sormovskiy Park is a notable hotspot and offers outdoor recreation areas ideal for kids.

Ice skating, a funfair, and outdoor entertainment are all featured here.

Sochi became famous during the 2014 Winter Olympics, but it’s also excellent in its own right. This city is located on the Black Sea’s edge, making it ideal for winter and summer sports.

During warm seasons, amateur and professional athletes love to take advantage of water sports such as kite surfing; during the winter, it’s a popular destination for skiing and snowboarding.

If you’re looking for a place to get your athlete on, Sochi is a great choice, and I think the views and the fantastic beach make it a must-see Russian destination!

Any of these 20 beautiful places to visit in Russia would make an excellent destination for your trip. Wherever you decide to go, you will discover a unique and varied culture Russia offers. Get ready for a memorable journey of a lifetime, seriously!