I want to introduce you to some of the most beautiful and fun places to visit in Russia, based on my three week trip across the country this past summer.
You see, when I told my friends and family I would be spending almost an entire MONTH in Russia, taking a train across the entire country, everyone was in shock.
VIDEO: 8 Top Places To Visit in Russia
Map of Russia (and top cities)
8 Best Places To Visit in Russia
1. Kazan
2. Yekaterinburg
3. Moscow
4. Krasnoyarsk
I have mixed feelings about the industrial city of Krasnoyarsk but have decided to include it in this list for 2 reasons:
1. We had so much fun there and it was one of the places we thought we might hate.
2: Guidebooks and travel sites seems to tell everyone doing the Trans Siberian to SKIP Krasnoyarsk, saying there’s nothing to see or do there and I want to show people there are IN FACT THINGS TO SEE HERE.
To be honest we didn’t see much of the city but when we did walk around in search of nice restaurants and bars, we met some of the nicest locals we met on our entire trip. We also went hiking in Stolby National Park which was incredible – it was so nice to spend a day off the train, hiking and exploring in nature.
We also discovered a mini theme park just outside of Krasnoyarsk which was one of the funniest experience of our trip – flying down the side of a mountain on a biplane and a mountain coaster – laughing and screaming the whole way.
5. Lake Baikal
Most people doing the Trans Siberian across Russia seem to have one goal: travel as fast as they can from Moscow to Irkutsk then make their way to Lake Baikal. While I don’t agree with people who skip so many beautiful destinations along the way, I understand why so many people make a beeline to Lake Baikal.
Said it be the deepest lakes in the world and also one of the largest, it’s by far one of the most iconic destinations in Russia and known all over the world. Travelling here by mini bus, then taking a ferry over to the remote Olkhon Island was an experience I’ll never forget and travel in this part of Siberia is true eye-opening.
The lake is stunning at all times of day and we couldn’t believe how beautiful the beaches and coastline on this remote Siberian island were.
6. Perm
The city of Perm is another destination I wasn’t entirely sure if I should add to this list, but it is actually a fun place to visit and a great stop on any trans-siberian journey especially good for art lovers.
There are actually some really fun speakeasy bars here to explore, a beautiful boardwalk down by the river and some incredible old building to photograph including the old railway station, the Orthodox Cathedral, and the museum of modern Art.
While I didn’t have time to go, there’s also an infamous Gulag labour camp called Perm-36 just outside the city which I’m sure would be a fascinating visit.
7. Vladivostok
Vladivostok is one of the coolest and most unusual travel destinations in Russia, if not the world. This insanely modern city perched on the furthermost reaches of Siberia actually feels lies a modern European city – and yet it’s nearest neighbours are in fact North Korea and China!
Sadly I didn’t have any time to explore as scheduling meant I had to take a ferry to South Korea the same day my train arrived but from what I saw this is one cool city and well worth a visit.
8. St Petersburg
I know everyone watching this would think I am MAD if I make a video about out beautiful places to visit in Russia and don’t include St Petersburg – so here it is at the end of my list. The reality is a didn’t have time to visit this gem of a city, but many friends and followers have assured me it’s one of if not THE most beautiful city in Russia and one of the most beautiful in the world. So I’ve decided I’ll have to travel back to Russia in 2024 to visit!
I hope you enjoyed this short and sweet guide to beautiful places to visit I Russia. Be sure to give it a thumbs up and leave a comment if you liked ti and check out my channel for more Russia travel videos.
Last updated on October 13th, 2023 at 12:29 pm
