Top 5 Things to Do in Russia

Russian Ballet

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Last updated:
26.07.2019

When you plan your trip to Russia, there is always a question of what to do. Of course, it's impossible to fit all "must-do" things in one list, but we've selected a few popular activities that will let you feel how magnificent Russian heritage is.

Explore the Cultural Legacy

Russia is a place that gave the world Tolstoy, Aivazovsky, Pushkin, Rimsky-Korsakov, Tchaikovsky, Repin, and countless other people who left a mark in the world culture. And if you can enjoy the works of literature geniuses at home, there is no better place to explore the works of the great Russian composers and painters than gorgeous Russia itself. If it's hard to find a person who hasn't heard of the Hermitage, there is one more incredible place, housing hundreds of masterpieces created by the best and the brightest Russian artists, the Tretyakov Gallery.

Tretyakov Gallery

And you can't say you've traveled to Russia if you haven't attended a classical Russian ballet. This art form takes an extraordinary place in diverse Russian culture. Any self-respecting citizen of Saint Petersburg, for example, tries to attend a show at least once a month. To experience how brilliant the tandem of skilled Russian dancers and classic musical masterpieces is first-hand, we advise making time to attend a show in the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow or the Mariinsky Theater in Saint Petersburg.

Famous Art Museums in Russia:

  • The Hermitage, St. Petersburg
  • The Treyakov Gallery, Moscow
  • The State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg
  • Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, Moscow
  • Moscow Museum of Modern Art, Moscow
  • Tsarskoe Selo State Museum, St. Petersburg

Vodka Tasting

Well, it is impossible not to include this suggested activity on the list, and there are a lot of places offering to introduce you to the famous Russian drink.

But if you have time for one degustation only, that there is no better place to do it than the unique Russian Vodka Room #1 restaurant. Entering the restaurant is like traveling back through time, one minute you are on a busy street of 21st-century St. Petersburg, next you are in the late 19th-century tavern. The decor of the place is impeccable, the antique furniture really helps to set the place, and vodka definitely tastes better out of the old faceted shot glasses. Or the Russian Vodka Museum is also a great place to learn the fascinating history of Russian national drink and to drink a shot of vodka, accompanied by the traditional Russian snacks.

Enjoy a Boat Ride or a Moscow - Saint Petersburg Cruise

One of the most memorable ways to travel to Russia is onboard the majestic cruise ships. Boat rides along the Moscow River or the St. Petersburg canals are a wonderful pastime to include on your list.

Yet if you really enjoy being on a boat, choosing in favor of a cruise ship is incredible as many of them can be easily mistaken for a hotel with bright spacious cabins, featuring large beds, TVs, phones, power sockets, in-built safes, and even the private bathrooms. But don't think for a minute that you will sit in your room watching TV and getting more and more bored while the ship sails the waters of the Volga River. During the journey, you are welcome to attend classes of Russian history and language, master classes on Russian cuisine and traditional Russian singing, and take part in everyone’s favorite Vodka tasting party and costumed tea parties.

On Your Volga Cruise Enjoy:

  • Comfort accommodation
  • Classes of Russian history & language
  • Masterclasses of Russian cuisine & traditional Russian singing
  • Vodka tasting & customed tea parties

Go on a Rail Adventure

If you want to see as much of the biggest country in the world as possible in one go, there is no better way to do it than going all the way from Moscow to Vladivostok onboard a comfortable Russian train.

This way you will be able to see different regions of the incredible country, have a chance to compare the lifestyle of the locals and explore all the differences (and similarities) between the cultures.

The beauty of the Russian capital, the wildness of Syberian nature, the spirituality of Ulan-Bator, and so many more amazing things that you encounter during this ride will leave you no choice but to give your heart to Russia.

Northern Lights Hunting

Although beautiful Aurora is something usually associated with Scandinavia, Russia is just as a good place to look for the amazing natural phenomenon.

If you've decided to go on this winter adventure to the biggest country in the world than Murmansk is your destination region. It's among the best areas in the world to enjoy the spectacular colorful views in the sky.

What makes it even better is that there are way fewer tourists than in northern Norway or Iceland.

The best time to book a tour to see the northern lights is somewhere during the September - March period due to the high solar activity and very long nights (it's dark about 19 hours a day).

The City of Murmansk
is among the best areas in the world to enjoy the spectacular colorful Northern Lights in the sky.

There are so many unique things to do in Russia. Fabulous museums such as the Faberge Museum or Stalin's Hidden Underground Bunker are worth adding to your plans. Palatial wonders like the Peterhof Palace or Catherine's Palace will awe you as well. Russia is so diverse, and has something for everyone!