Russia Destinations: What to See and Where to Start
For a first trip, Moscow and Saint Petersburg. If you’ve already been or want something else, there’s Kazan, the Trans-Siberian, Lake Baikal, Sochi, the northern lights in Murmansk or Kaliningrad. Here’s each destination with what you need to decide, plus my guides to plan it.
Depending on your trip
Which destination suits you?
Russia is huge and you don’t need to see all of it. Start with what you’re after.
- First tripMoscow and Saint PetersburgThe two capitals, about 4 days in each and the 3 h 45 min high-speed train between them.
- Something different in 2 or 3 daysKazanA mosque and a cathedral inside the same kremlin, plus Tatar food. One night by train from Moscow.
- Two weeks or moreThe Trans-SiberianFrom Moscow to the Pacific by train, stopping in Yekaterinburg, at Lake Baikal or in Vladivostok.
- Northern lightsMurmanskAbove the Arctic Circle. Season from late August to mid-April; February is the best month.
- Beach or skiingSochiOn the Black Sea: beach from June to September and skiing in Krasnaya Polyana from December to April.
- Entering via Poland or LithuaniaKaliningradThe former Königsberg, overland and on the e-visa. From there you fly on to Moscow or Saint Petersburg.
Destinations
All guides by destination
Every destination has its own guide: what to see, how many days to spend, where to stay and how to get around.
MoscowThe capital: the Kremlin, the metro and museums. 4 to 6 days.
Saint PetersburgThe Hermitage, the canals and the White Nights. 3 to 4 days.
Golden RingThe medieval towns near Moscow, as a day trip or a weekend.
KazanThe Tatar capital, between Europe and Asia. 2 to 3 days.
Trans-SiberianRoutes, stops and tickets. 2 to 3 weeks with stopovers.
Lake BaikalIrkutsk, Olkhon Island and Ulan-Ude, in summer or on the ice. 3 to 4 days.
SochiBlack Sea beaches and skiing in the Caucasus. 3 to 4 days.
MurmanskNorthern lights in the Arctic. 3 to 4 days to get several nights.
KaliningradThe Baltic exclave and its coast. 2 to 4 days.
At a glance
How many days and when to go
For almost every destination you’ll have to get to Moscow or Saint Petersburg first: there are no direct flights between the European Union and Russia.
| Destination | Days | When to go | How to get there |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moscow | 4–6 | May to September (September, for me) | By air via Istanbul, Belgrade, Yerevan or Dubai |
| Saint Petersburg | 3–4 | June and July, for the White Nights | 3 h 45 min by train from Moscow, or by bus from Tallinn and Riga |
| Kazan | 2–3 | May to September | One night by train or 1 h 30 min by air from Moscow |
| Trans-Siberian | 14–21 | June to August; in winter, down to -30 °C | Starts in Moscow |
| Lake Baikal | 3–4 | 15 June to 15 August, or on the ice from mid-February to late March | 3.5 days by train or about 6 hours by air from Moscow |
| Sochi | 3–4 | June to September (beach) or December to April (skiing) | By air, or by train from Moscow (22 to 43 hours) |
| Murmansk | 3–4 | Late August to mid-April; February is best | 2 h 30 min by air from Moscow, or an overnight train |
| Kaliningrad | 2–4 | May to September | Overland from Poland or Lithuania, or by air from Moscow and Saint Petersburg |
Combining destinations
How to link one destination to the next
Hardly anyone sees just one destination. These are the most common combinations and how to do each leg.
- Moscow and Saint PetersburgHow many days to spend in each city.
- Moscow to Saint PetersburgHow to travel between the two capitals.
- Moscow to KazanTrain, plane, car and bus.
- From Kaliningrad to the rest of RussiaHow to continue to Moscow or Saint Petersburg as a foreigner.
- How to get to MurmanskFlights, the overnight train and the crossing from Norway.
- Russia itinerariesRoutes based on how many days you have.
FAQ
Questions about Russia’s destinations
Which Russian cities should I visit on a first trip?
Moscow and Saint Petersburg. They’re the country’s two big cities, they’re linked by a 3 h 45 min high-speed train, and together they give you a fairly complete first picture of Russia. If you have days to spare, add Kazan or a trip to the Golden Ring.
How many days do I need for Moscow and Saint Petersburg?
A sensible plan is 4 days in Moscow, 4 in Saint Petersburg and a day on the train between them: 9 nights in total. If you only have a week, split it 4 and 3.
What is there to see in Russia besides Moscow and Saint Petersburg?
Kazan, the Tatar capital, in 2 or 3 days; the Trans-Siberian and Lake Baikal if you have two weeks or more; Sochi for beach or skiing; Murmansk for the northern lights, and Kaliningrad if you’re entering via Poland or Lithuania.
Where can you see the northern lights in Russia?
In Murmansk and on the Kola Peninsula, above the Arctic Circle. The season runs from late August to mid-April and the best month is February. The best spots are outside the city, such as Teriberka or the Khibiny Mountains.
When is the best time to travel to Russia?
It depends on the destination. For Moscow, Saint Petersburg and Kazan, May to September. For the northern lights in Murmansk, February. For skiing in Sochi, December to April. And Lake Baikal has two seasons: summer, and the ice from mid-February to late March.
Still have questions?
Ask someone who’s just been
On the Russiable forum there are travellers who’ve recently been to these destinations. And once you know where you’re going, move on to the planning, step by step.
Which Brands Left Russia (and What They’re Called Now)
Understanding Russia Through Film: Essential Movies to Watch Before You Travel