The 9 best circuits in Russia

You're going to visit Russia but don't know where to go? Discover our ideas of the best circuits in Russia!

The Russian Federation, the largest country in the world, is with its 17.1 million km2 one of the few countries of the planet standing on horseback on Asia and Europe. With 146,7 million inhabitants, Russia is increasingly popular with international tourists. Its historical and cultural heritage, including the 23 UNESCO World Heritage sites, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

Russia is so vast that it offers a multitude of thematic visits, whether in the city or in the countryside, from the Baltic Sea in the Caucasus, from Siberia to the China . Visiting this immense country, its monuments, its landscapes and its cities undoubtedly involves preparing itineraries and organizing in advance. If travel to Russia has been complicated for a long time, obtaining the Russian visa is subject to a very strict protocol (dates and accommodations, invitations to a local, etc.), the conditions to enter are now a little more flexible.

So, what are the best circuits to do in Russia? Here is a mini guide that will help you choose the one that suits you best!

1. From yesterday to today: Moscow and St. Petersburg

This circuit in Russia 8 days explores two historically rival cities: the capital — Moscow — and St. Petersburg. They offer two different faces of this vast country, between tradition and modernity. The visit of Moscow can be made with a French-speaking tourist guide, which will make you discover the Orthodox cathedrals, the history of the central districts, and the medieval and modern architecture of the Russian capital.

To be seen in Moscow: Place du Manège, the famous Kremlin , the Cathedral of Christ Saviour, Saint-Basile-le-Bienheureux Cathedral , the Red Square and the Kremlin of Izmaïlovo – a gigantic chip market evoking the history of the country (matriochkas, memories of the USSR, etc.). Don't miss getting around by metro, which is an underground museum.

After two days in the capital, go to St. Petersburg on a night train to see the Place des Décembristes, the Amirauté, the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul, or the canals of the city. Among the museums of St. Petersburg, go through the Hermitage Museum , the largest museum in Europe, classified as UNESCO’s heritage, tracing history from Antiquity.

2. Crossing Russia in Trans-Siberian

The crossing of this country-continent in Trans-Siberian is among the best routes to be made in Russia, for a trip off the beaten paths. This is the longest railway line in the world, linking the city of Moscow to Vladivostok. Environ 17 days are advised to bury through Siberia and discover the vastness of the Russian territory. Steps and cities are Moscow, Kazan, Ekaterinburg, Ural Mountains, Lake Baikal Irkutsk, Khabarovsk and Vladivostok.

3. Moscow and the Precious Cities of the Year of Gold

The Golden Ring, located between the Volga and the Kliazma in the north-east of Moscow, is delimited by about 15 ancient precinct cities, like the following cities: Aleksandrov, Iaroslavl, Iouriev-Polski, Ivanovo, Rybinsk, Kostroma, Vladimir, etc.

This circuit. 9 days Discover the heart of Russia, made up of the oldest cities in the country that form the Golden Ring, a historically prosperous region where important events of Russian history are played.

These cities have in common heritage many churches, covered with golden domes, near a sumptuous lake. The Golden Ring is also the native region of the Russian Orthodox religion. Beginning in Moscow, step by step Souzdal — the cradle of Russia — in Plios — on the banks of the Volga — and in Yaroslav, a city renowned for its 17th century churches.

4. The must-see sites of Moscow

Among the circuits to be made in Russia, the visit of the Russian capital is inevitable. This circuit. 5 or 6 days through the Moscovite agglomeration allows to break the prejudices of an austere and grey city. You will discover many historical monuments of the city, its culture and its history.

From Red Square, to the historic centre of Moscow, Tretiakov Gallery , the Kremlin, Mont des Moineaux, Tverskaya Street and Palais des Armures where you can see a wide collection of ancient objects (works of art in gold and/or gemstones, costumes of sacre of Russian tsars, thrones, chapka of Monomaque, etc.).

Book a day for the emblematic monuments of the tsars era: the Laure of the Trinity-Saint-Serge — one of the most famous Russian monasteries — the domain of Kolomenskoyé (former residence of the Russian tsars, with the church of Ascension), the Kremlin of Izmaïlovo.

5. Visit Kamtchatka

A famous volcanic peninsula of 1,250 kilometers long in the far east of Russia, Kamtchatka is one of the most unusual circuits to do in Russia and allows to explore it in an original way. We can do this circuit. 8 days , beginning with the city of Petropavlosk, more than 7,000 kilometers east of Moscow. This isolated territory is only visited in the summer, between July and August . Discover the history of the city of Petropavlosk, founded in 1740 by Alekseï Tchirikov and Vitus Béring , who gave his name to the narrow eponymous separating Siberia from Alaska.

The circuit will continue on the bay of Avatchinskaya and Staritchkoff Island, and then on a trip to the Vatchkazhets Mountain by wandering in the volcanic circus between lakes and waterfalls. The volcano Moutnovsky will allow a beautiful hike to more than 2,000 meters above sea level. Between Smokingolles, plateaus of pain and mud pots, a lunar landscape will offer you. On the Moutnovsky volcano, join the Moutnovskaya geothermal station and Datchniye hot water sources. Then, do not miss climbing Mount Verblud.

6. Living in St. Petersburg at home

What are the routes to do in Russia outside the beaten paths? And if we were going to live in St. Petersburg with the inhabitant while 5 days ? You can visit the city with a French-speaking guide, including the perspective Nevski , the Cathedral Notre-Dame de Kazan, the Place du Palais d’Hiver, the Convent Smolny, Mariinsky , or the cathedral where the family Romanov . You can also visit the Tsars Peterhof residence.

The advantage of staying with the inhabitant is quickly found: it allows you to immerse yourself in Russian culture, learn some basics of the language (Cyrillic alphabet, some Russian words) and discover the habits of the premises.

7. Saint Petersburg and the Caribbean

Among the best circuits in Russia, we ask Karelia . At the departure of St. Petersburg, this circuit is made for you if you like large spaces. You can explore more than 60,000 lakes including Ladoga and Onega, which are among the largest in Europe. This region is the refuge of many pilgrims who go to the monastery of Valaam Island.

Take the pavement of the city of Priozerk, with a visit to the fortress of Korela , built between the 13th and 14th centuries under Swedish domination. Go for it. Ruskeala park and the village of Kinerma to discover a traditional northern Russia. During this trip, hike through the canyons and ancient marble quarries.

Continue on the island of Kiji for a timeless stay, to feel like at the end of the world. The ecomusée, dedicated to the construction techniques of Russian carpenters, awaits you. One day must be devoted to the Solovki Islands, where the visit of the Ascension Hermitage will make you discover the dark history of the USSR’s goulags under Stalin.

8. Historical circuit around Novgorod

The circuits to be made in Russia highlight large cities, but rarely the smallest. It allows to explore the historic city of Novgorod, northwest of Russia, between St. Petersburg and Moscow. A tour of the historic centre takes place with the visit of the Musée de l’architecture nationale and that of the Monastère Saint-Georges. If you wish, you will be able to request a private guide.

The circuit offers you a trip around Kremlin de Novgorod — the fortress who defended the city against the assaults of the enemies — as well as a visit of the interior of the Cathedral of Saint-Sophie-Sagesse of God. In the museum-reserve of Novgorod , visit the exhibition of icons, collecting masterpieces from the medieval era to the present day.

9. Circuit around Lake Baikal

What if we try a circuit at Lake Baikal? Among the best circuits to do in Russia, you should go 8 days to explore the area known as the "Dear of Siberia". Lake Baikal — a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996 — is one of the oldest lakes in the world and has a large reserve of endemic species.

You will discover a rich fauna and flora and you can go through a virtual dive at the bottom of the lake. Baikal Museum . Considered as a sacred site, Lake Baikal is a high place of the Orthodox Church, Buddhism and Shamanism: it is therefore a guaranteed cultural change! Then go for the Ile d’Olkhon , the uncontourable of the region, at 5 hours’ drive from Lake Baikal.