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One of the largest countries in the world, Russia has a large selection of attractions for visitors and locals to explore.

One of the largest countries in the world, Russia has a large selection of attractions for visitors and locals to explore. Steeped in history from ancient and recent times, Russia has an abundance of sites to see, but there’s much more to the country than its past. In recent years, Russia has become a popular tourist destination, and with good reason. You can travel on epic train rides, visit spectacular natural wonders, skate on scenic frozen ponds, view architectural marvels, and enjoy the liveliness of vodka-fueled nightlife.
<h2>1. The Armoury</h2>
At the Kremlin, you will love exploring The Armoury, which dates to 1511. Vasily III founded the building to make and store weapons, regalia, and imperial arms for the royal court. In later times, The Armoury also manufactured jewelry, embroidery, and icon frames. Today, you can explore the dark nooks and crannies of this historic site and ogle dazzling treasures for yourself.

[caption id="attachment_26458" align="alignnone" width="2119"]<img class="size-full wp-image-26458" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/11/GettyImages-805580350.jpg" alt="Kremlin in Moscow at Sunset Twilight Russia" width="2119" height="1414" /> Mlenny / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>2. Alexander Garden</h2>
Situated next to Palace Square in St. Petersburg, this beautiful garden is a fantastic place to escape the city bustle. Designed in the 19th century to honor the 200th birthday anniversary of Peter the Great, Alexander Garden was the popular hangout for St. Petersburg’s aristocracy in the 1800s. You can see a large variety of plants while strolling through this peaceful slice of nature.

[caption id="attachment_26459" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-26459" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/11/GettyImages-1168997091.jpg" alt="view of green public Alexander Garden near Kremlin" width="2121" height="1414" /> KrimKate / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>3. Veliky Novogrod</h2>
The walled city of Veliky Novogrod dates from the 10th century, and it claims to be the birthplace of Russia. The early residents of this place invited the Scandinavian Prince Rurik to become the ruler of Russia. He subsequently created a dynasty that would last 750 years. Today, the city is a charming place to take a stroll and see its many sights. You won’t miss the impressive centerpiece, Saint Sophia Cathedral, and Bell Tower. Also, make sure you throw a coin into the Hanseatic Fountain, as legend says it returns 1,000 rubles for every ruble thrown into it.

[caption id="attachment_26460" align="alignnone" width="2197"]<img class="size-full wp-image-26460" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/11/GettyImages-1040995242.jpg" alt="Aerial view of Veliky Novgorod kremlin at dusk " width="2197" height="1365" /> bbsferrari / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>4. Gorky Park</h2>
If you want to work up a sweat with fun activities while in Russia, head to the fabulous Gorky Park in Zamoskvorechie. You can enjoy things like volleyball, cycling, table tennis, and rollerblading. In the wintertime, you can ice skate, as the ponds become flooded and the park becomes a massive ice rink. You’ll also find various exhibitions and festivals at Gorky Park throughout the year.

[caption id="attachment_26461" align="alignnone" width="1988"]<img class="size-full wp-image-26461" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/11/GettyImages-1154639618.jpg" alt="Gorky park, bridge over the pond" width="1988" height="1508" /> Elena Bezzubtseva / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>5. Kizhi Island</h2>
Sitting on Lake Onega, Kizhi Island is a gorgeous UNESCO World Heritage Site. Not only will you find breathtaking natural beauty, but you’ll also discover marvelous Russian wooden architecture. The island is one of only a few places in the country where you can view this incredible style. There are many spectacularly-crafted multi-domed wooden churches on Kizhi Island. In the wintertime, the island has a magical feel, but you may prefer the summertime when flowers and trees are in bloom, which makes for a genuinely captivating experience.

[caption id="attachment_26462" align="alignnone" width="3157"]<img class="size-full wp-image-26462" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/11/GettyImages-461204547.jpg" alt="Church of The Transfiguration - Kizhi Island, Russia" width="3157" height="2097" /> jejim / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>6. The City of the Dead</h2>
The City of the Dead is a cemetery in the Prigorodny District of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania. The mysterious necropolis comprises of 99 tombs and crypts. Many of the latter have distinctive ridged curved roofs that meet at points at the top. No one knows precisely when this cemetery dates from, but it appears to be somewhere between the 12th and 16th century. This haunting site is a truly one-off experience. The City of the Dead isn’t an accessible destination to reach, but it’s most certainly worth your time and effort.

[caption id="attachment_26463" align="alignnone" width="2094"]<img class="size-full wp-image-26463" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/11/GettyImages-1184785035.jpg" alt="Dargavs, the medieval city of the dead in the mountains of the Caucasus" width="2094" height="1431" /> Lindrik / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>7. The Kremlin</h2>
The fortified complex overlooks Red Square in the east, the Alexander Garden in the west, and the Moskva River in the south. The Russian citadel includes an incredible four cathedrals, five palaces, and the old Kremlin walls and towers.  Visit the Archangel Cathedral, as it holds the tombs of Moscow’s grand princes.

[caption id="attachment_26464" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-26464" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/11/GettyImages-171281152.jpg" alt="Cloudy sunrise over Kremlin wall and Moskva river" width="2121" height="1414" /> Mordolff / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>8. Lake Baikal</h2>
This lake is Russia’s most famous natural wonder. If you want to escape big city life for a while, head out to Lake Baikal in the Irkutsk Region. The lake is the largest one in the world and also the largest freshwater source on the planet. During wintertime, the lake freezes over and becomes a giant ice rink. If ice skating isn’t your thing, visit in the summer when the place has a magical and fresh feel. In the summertime, you can also travel to the island on the lake to spot local seals.

[caption id="attachment_26465" align="alignnone" width="4080"]<img class="size-full wp-image-26465" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/11/GettyImages-155370422.jpg" alt="View of Lake Baikal" width="4080" height="2237" /> avdeev007 / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>9. Winter Palace</h2>
The Winter Palace is one of the most iconic buildings in Russia. It began as a Dutch-style wooden house in which Peter the Great and his family lived. In the subsequent years, the home transformed into the magnificent and ornate palace that it is today. Constructed on a monumental scale to reflect the power of Imperial Russia, the spectacular Winter Palace was the official residence of Russia’s emperors from 1732 up to 1917. Located in St. Petersburg, the palace is the dominant feature of Palace Square. Inside the palace, you can explore majestic staircases, ornamentation with gold-leaf trim, and intricate marble work.

[caption id="attachment_26466" align="alignnone" width="2500"]<img class="size-full wp-image-26466" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/11/GettyImages-136360366.jpg" alt="Saint-Petersburg. The Winter Palace" width="2500" height="1674" /> TanyaSv / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>10. Saint Basil’s Cathedral</h2>
The striking and distinctive Saint Basil’s Cathedral is one of the most well-known buildings in Russia. Although it’s commonly known as Saint Basil’s, its official name is The Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed. Situated in Red Square in Moscow, the church’s colorful architecture almost looks like it belongs in Disneyland. With its bulbous domed towers, the church is said to resemble flames rising into the sky. Built in the 16th century on orders from Ivan the Terrible, the cathedral is a strange piece of architectural design to find in Russia, as there are no other similarly designed buildings anywhere else in the country. Saint Basil’s Cathedral should most definitely be on your checklist of places to visit in Russia.

[caption id="attachment_26467" align="alignnone" width="2091"]<img class="size-full wp-image-26467" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/11/GettyImages-481824876.jpg" alt="St. Basil&#96;s Cathedral, Moscow, Russia" width="2091" height="1434" /> scaliger / Getty Images[/caption]

The Most Exciting Places to Visit in Russia

At its core, Moscow is as culturally relevant and exciting to visit as any of the other big cities in Europe. Home to 13.2 million residents and with one of the largest economies in the world, it’s also a city that is often misrepresented. Architecturally, Moscow is unlike any city in the world.

At its core, Moscow is as culturally relevant and exciting to visit as any of the other big cities in Europe. Home to 13.2 million residents and with one of the largest economies in the world, it’s also a city that is often misrepresented. Architecturally, Moscow is unlike any city in the world. From the Imperial State Historical Museum to the Iberian Gate and the towering Monument to the Conquerors of Space, Moscow’s history is built into its very core. There is simply so much to see in Moscow, Russia; all of which are reasons you need to visit.
<h2>1. Ride the Moscow Metro</h2>
This might sound like a given, but you haven’t seen a metro system until you’ve witnessed Moscow’s. Although you might find yourself using the system most days, it's very important that you open your eyes. The Moscow Metro makes for a quick, easy, and cost-effective way to get around this stunning city. However, its stations are also so extravagant that it's like having an underground museum filled with treasure. Some of the best examples of Metro architecture include the Baroque-themed ceiling of Komsomolskaya Station, Ploshchad Revolyutsii's impeccable socialist sculptures, and the Cathedralesque Novoslobodskaya. And these are just a few. If you visit the stations between 11 am to 2 pm or after 10 pm, you'll also be able to make the most of your time and take in everything.

[caption id="attachment_1019424" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-1019424" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/GettyImages-178460769-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="Moscow Metro Komsomolskaya Station" width="1024" height="683" /> scaliger / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>2. Moscow Museum of Modern Art</h2>
The Moscow Museum of Modern Art is a relatively new build, unveiled in 1999 as Russia's first state museum. Inside, you'll find a collection filled with 20th and 21st-century art from all over the world. Although the museum primarily focuses on Rusian artists, there are also pieces by Pablo Picasso, Henri Rousseau, and Salvador Dalí. Moscow is full of refined museums, art, contemporary, and historical alike, but the MMoMA comes fully recommended.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1019426" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/shutterstock_1019449606.jpg" alt="Moscow Museum of Modern Art" width="1000" height="664" />


<h2>3. The Kremlin</h2>
Moscow has several UNESCO world heritage sites to its name, and one of the best known is the Kremlin. One of the most valued examples of architecture in the world, its foundations date back to the 12th Century. The Kremlin also borders both Red Square and the Moscow River. Inside of the Kremlin, you'll find Royal Cathedrals such as the Assumption Cathedral, the Grand Kremlin Palace, the Armoury Museum, and more. The Kremlin is a historical and cultural treasure, and you'll be privy to plenty of photo ops while there.

[caption id="attachment_1019407" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/614724736-1024x682.jpg" alt="moscow kremlin" width="1024" height="682" /> yulenochekk / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>4. Old Arbat</h2>
There are must-see streets in cities all around the globe and Moscow is no exception. In London, it's Notting Hill; in Copenhagen, it's Nyhavn, and in Moscow, it's Arbat Street. Old Arbat is one of the oldest and most famous streets in the city and is steeped in history and impeccable architecture. It's also as much of a landmark as anywhere else in Moscow. Although clearly a tourist trap, if you go early enough, you can avoid the crowds.

<img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-1019428" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/shutterstock_1217723200-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="Old Arbat" width="1024" height="683" />


<h2>5. Red Square</h2>
All of those images you've seen over the years of Moscow, a large part of them will have been taken around the Red Square. One of the most recognizable places in Russia, it's also the largest square in the country and a UNESCO-listed site. There's so much for you to do in the streets surrounding the Red Square. This includes The GUM; a mall haven for luxury shopping, and Lenin's tomb. As well as this, the State History Museum, whose iconic exterior contains within it the most comprehensive history of Russia.

[caption id="attachment_1019429" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-1019429" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/GettyImages-170096095-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="Red Square Moscow" width="1024" height="683" /> Mlenny / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>6. The Bolshoi Theater</h2>
Ballet is an art that, while not confined to Russia, Moscow could have invented. The Bolshoi Ballet Company, for example, is one of the city's most notable cultural traditions. Its home is Moscow's oldest and recently-renovated, the Bolshoi Theatre. Whether you're a fan of ballet or world-class opera, the Bolshoi is a must-see for its stunning interior, if not the performances. That being said, actually seeing a ballet here or at any of the city's 170 theaters, will be an event to remember. After all, Moscow is known as the City of Theaters for a reason.

[caption id="attachment_1019430" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-1019430" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/GettyImages-176194572-1-1024x682.jpg" alt="Bolshoi Theater Moscow" width="1024" height="682" /> kosmos111 / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>7. Gorky Park</h2>
As well as its architecture, Moscow also has a number of green spaces. There are parks everywhere, allowing you to stop or a second to take in the surroundings. Gorky Park is one of those spaces. A first-class park that was established in 1928, Gorky Park is at the very heart of Moscow and has fairs and music festivals year-round. Generations of natives have enjoyed themselves in the park, dancing, playing chess, and simply taking in its beauty. Now, imagine yourself doing the same.

[caption id="attachment_1019443" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-1019443" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/GettyImages-170171517-1-1024x581.jpg" alt="Gorky Park Moscow" width="1024" height="581" /> Mordolff / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>8. The Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics</h2>
Russia was one of the leading players in the space race and, to this day, is renowned for its consistent discoveries. Within Moscow alone there are several science museums, but none of these come close to the Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics. Inside you'll find exhibits dedicated to Yuri Gagarin, the first human ever to travel into space. The exhibit contains Gagarin's spacesuit, the spacecraft cabin that he landed in, and so much more. Further exhibitions include duplicates of Russia's famous satellites and spacecraft that you won't find anywhere else.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1019444" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/shutterstock_1154755561.jpg" alt="Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics" width="1000" height="751" />


<h2>9. New Maiden Convent</h2>
You don't need to be spiritual to visit some of Moscow's more religious sites. New Maiden Convent - or Novodevichy Convent - is one of those sites. Located on the banks of the Moscow River, the Novodevichy Convent was founded in the 16th Century by the then Grand Prince of Moscow. The building was once a fortress but, with time, grew instead to be a place of calm, serenity, and spirituality. At the center of the Convent, you'll also find Smolensky Cathedral; a pinnacle of Russian architecture.

<img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-1019445" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/shutterstock_1172913391-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="New Maiden Convent Moscow" width="1024" height="683" />


<h2>10. St. Basil Cathedral</h2>
Within Red Square, you'll find St. Basil Cathedral. This is a site revered for its memorable, unusual, and distinctly Russian architecture. This is a site that everyone should see for themselves at least once in their lifetime as photographs do not do this stunning cathedral justice. Inside is a maze of stunning walls and passages, taking its visitors back to the 16th century.

[caption id="attachment_1019446" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-1019446" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/GettyImages-1135449438-1-1024x684.jpg" alt="St. Basil Cathedral" width="1024" height="684" /> Lindrik / Getty Images[/caption]

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