Russia's Top 10 Holiday Spots
10. Altai Republic
The beautiful Altai Republic attracts tourists with its mountains and lakes, but travelers will have to reach deep into their pockets to see the more remote, hard-to-reach parts of the region.
A report published Monday by a Russian tourism agency judged 85 Russian destinations across nine categories, including each region's current popularity among domestic and foreign tourists, the local environment, transport and tourist infrastructure.
Russian tourists are increasingly having to look inside the country's borders for vacation destinations. The sharp devaluation of the ruble — which has lost roughly half of its value compared to the dollar over the past year — has made travel to Europe and Western countries a luxury many Russians can't afford.
The beautiful Altai Republic attracts tourists with its mountains and lakes, but travelers will have to reach deep into their pockets to see the more remote, hard-to-reach parts of the region.
A report published Monday by a Russian tourism agency judged 85 Russian destinations across nine categories, including each region's current popularity among domestic and foreign tourists, the local environment, transport and tourist infrastructure.
Russian tourists are increasingly having to look inside the country's borders for vacation destinations. The sharp devaluation of the ruble — which has lost roughly half of its value compared to the dollar over the past year — has made travel to Europe and Western countries a luxury many Russians can't afford.
Dmitry A. Mott / Wikicommons
9. Nizhny Novgorod
Nizhny Novgorod has at different times in its history been called "the pocket of Russia," "Russia's Detroit" and "Russia's third capital." But today it is Russia's fifth city in terms of population
Home of the Soviet writer Maxim Gorky and with a history as an important commercial center, Nizhny Novgorod remains — to this day — one of Russia's most animated cities.
Nizhny Novgorod has at different times in its history been called "the pocket of Russia," "Russia's Detroit" and "Russia's third capital." But today it is Russia's fifth city in terms of population
Home of the Soviet writer Maxim Gorky and with a history as an important commercial center, Nizhny Novgorod remains — to this day — one of Russia's most animated cities.
Alexei Beloborodov / Wikicommons
8. Yaroslavl region
Yaroslavl region features beautiful landscapes. Its forests, rivers and valleys have inspired many Russian writers, artists and composers. Tourists can check out the region's many architectural monuments inherited from talented craftsmen of the past.
Yaroslavl region features beautiful landscapes. Its forests, rivers and valleys have inspired many Russian writers, artists and composers. Tourists can check out the region's many architectural monuments inherited from talented craftsmen of the past.
Peter / Flickr
7. Karelia region
Karelia is a republic in northwestern Russia. Petrozavodsk is the capital of the region. Fragments of ancient archaeological artefacts show that humans first appeared in these lands in the seventh millenium B.C. The area is still inhabited by indigenous people — descendants of the Karels and Veps.
Karelia is a republic in northwestern Russia. Petrozavodsk is the capital of the region. Fragments of ancient archaeological artefacts show that humans first appeared in these lands in the seventh millenium B.C. The area is still inhabited by indigenous people — descendants of the Karels and Veps.
Edwin Poon / Wikicommons
6. Kaliningrad region
More than 90 percent of the world's amber reserves are concentrated in the Kaliningrad region which is the smallest and most westerly part of Russia. Despite its distance from the rest of Russia, Kaliningrad region remains a popular seaside resort, where many people spend their holidays, despite border formalities. The picturesque surroundings lend themselves to interesting walks. In the vicinity there are many sights, including historic and cultural monuments.
There are excellent opportunities for outdoor activities: hiking, biking and horseriding, surfing and kitesurfing, yachting and fishing. Yet the main attraction remains, of course, the sea.
More than 90 percent of the world's amber reserves are concentrated in the Kaliningrad region which is the smallest and most westerly part of Russia. Despite its distance from the rest of Russia, Kaliningrad region remains a popular seaside resort, where many people spend their holidays, despite border formalities. The picturesque surroundings lend themselves to interesting walks. In the vicinity there are many sights, including historic and cultural monuments.
There are excellent opportunities for outdoor activities: hiking, biking and horseriding, surfing and kitesurfing, yachting and fishing. Yet the main attraction remains, of course, the sea.
Vladimir Filonov / MT
5. Moscow region
Kolomna (pictured) is one of the Moscow region's ancient towns, situated at the confluence of the Moskva and Oka rivers.
Old towns in the Moscow Region have always been popular with tourists. Monasteries and churches have preserved the brightest artistic and cultural achievements of Russia.
Traveling to the Moscow region means a tourist can find Russian history, ancient architecture and warm hospitality.
Kolomna (pictured) is one of the Moscow region's ancient towns, situated at the confluence of the Moskva and Oka rivers.
Old towns in the Moscow Region have always been popular with tourists. Monasteries and churches have preserved the brightest artistic and cultural achievements of Russia.
Traveling to the Moscow region means a tourist can find Russian history, ancient architecture and warm hospitality.
Falco / Pixabay
4. Crimean peninsula
A beautiful region on the Black Sea, the peninsula annexed by Russia in March 2014 and designated as a hub for domestic tourism, claimed fourth place. The weather in Crimea during the summer season is rather Mediterranean and that attracts many tourists who want to enjoy the peninsula's beaches.
A beautiful region on the Black Sea, the peninsula annexed by Russia in March 2014 and designated as a hub for domestic tourism, claimed fourth place. The weather in Crimea during the summer season is rather Mediterranean and that attracts many tourists who want to enjoy the peninsula's beaches.
Alexxx1979 / Wikicommons
3. Moscow
Moscow, the capital, is simultaneously the country's most multi-cultural and the most authentically Russian city. A mention of Moscow immediately brings to mind Red Square, the Kremlin, St. Basil's Cathedral and the world-renowned Bolshoi Theater.
Moscow, the capital, is simultaneously the country's most multi-cultural and the most authentically Russian city. A mention of Moscow immediately brings to mind Red Square, the Kremlin, St. Basil's Cathedral and the world-renowned Bolshoi Theater.
Alligator48 / Pixabay
2. St. Petersburg
It's impossible not to fall in love with St. Petersburg. This city, associated with Russia's emperors, is also the setting for works by Alexander Pushkin, Nikolai Gogol and Fyodor Dostoevsky. Its streets are dominated by former palaces built in the European baroque architectural style. St. Petersburg is to this day known as Russia's cultural capital.
It's impossible not to fall in love with St. Petersburg. This city, associated with Russia's emperors, is also the setting for works by Alexander Pushkin, Nikolai Gogol and Fyodor Dostoevsky. Its streets are dominated by former palaces built in the European baroque architectural style. St. Petersburg is to this day known as Russia's cultural capital.
Tpsdave / Pixabay
1. Krasnodar region
Russia's southern Krasnodar region topped the list of places in Russia with tourism potential.
Sochi (pictured), Russia's largest sea resort, is best known as the host city of the 2014 Olympic Games and Paralympic Winter Games. Situated between the Caucasus Mountains and the Black Sea, Sochi is home to an important film festival — Kinotavr — and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Caucasian Biosphere.
Russia's southern Krasnodar region topped the list of places in Russia with tourism potential.
Sochi (pictured), Russia's largest sea resort, is best known as the host city of the 2014 Olympic Games and Paralympic Winter Games. Situated between the Caucasus Mountains and the Black Sea, Sochi is home to an important film festival — Kinotavr — and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Caucasian Biosphere.
Roman Ganoshenko / Wikicommons