When I first started telling people about my plans to visit Russia back in 2013, I got a lot of strange looks, raised eyebrows, lots of ‘are you sure?’, and ‘don’t do anything to draw attention to yourself’. (Well, first of all, I keep that last one in mind every where I travel…). Not many people were venturing to the country. Despite the collapse of the Soviet Union more than 20 years before, something about the country just brings less-than-completely-democratic-actions to mind. While there are certainly remnants of its past, most of Russia has embraced a modern, forward thinking way of life. European Russia (often referring to the area west of Yekaterinburg – including Moscow and St Petersburg) is very much full of western influences, and there are only few visible differences between the two major western cities, and most major cities in the world, and certainly, in Europe.
World class theatre and arts, beautiful architecture, amazing museums, and more restaurants, cafes and lounges than you could ever visit. Soaring churches and palaces, sophisticated and reasonably priced public transport, and pristine parks and gardens. Paris? London? Moscow? Could be any, or all.
But the best way, I’ve found, to become interested in a place isn’t by reading about it. It’s by seeing it! (Or, in lieu of going there yourself, seeing lovely travel pictures!)
1. First, the palaces. Many refer to the palaces and summer homes outside of St Petersburg to be comparable to Versailles. I’m pretty sure Versaille doesn’t even compare.
The palace of Catherine the Great. At some point, the entire building was painted with gold leaf, but then she decided that there was such a thing as too much gold, so she had it painted this beautiful blue colour. As you’ll see in various building’s throughout Russia, this is a very common colour. Call it Russian-Blue, or Catherine’s Blue. Its everywhere. And every time you see it, it’s beautiful.
Palaces 1.1 – the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg. One of the largest museum collections in the world, with dozens of room with authentic furniture, original paintings, and of course, more gold leaf.
2. And closely following palaces: summer residences.
Obviously, one can’t spend their whole lives in one little castle right? They need to escape during the warm summer months. Here, we have the summer residences, also outside of St. Petersburg. This is the Peterhof Summer Residence. (Petrodvorets)
Obviously, not such thing as too much gold leaf in the summer homes. The gardens are home to some 1400 statues, each painted with shimmery gold-leaf. There are over 400 fountains and pools. There are stunningly shaped gardens, flowers, and manicured lawns.
3. Churches!
While most of the older, larger churches are no longer associated with any religious activities, some of the more unique ones were thankfully spared destruction during Soviet anti-theism, and are now explorable as museums. My person two favourites are St Basel’s Church in Moscow, and St Isaac’s Cathedral in St Petersburg.
St Basels. As the story goes, this church was built to be the most beautiful in the world. When the architect was finished building it, he showed the finished product to Ivan the Terrible. Wanting to be sure that there would never be another building as beautiful as his own, Ivan asked the architect if he truly thought it was his best work, and if he thought he could build something even more beautiful. The architect, wanting to keep himself in work, responded that he thought it might be possible to build even more beautiful buildings. Ivan, hearing this and wanting no such building to be built, had the architect blinded, so that he could never see again to build a building similar to his own. While just a story, and likely not completely accurate, it is certainly true that the building is one of a kind, and absolutely incomparable.
St Isaac’s Cathedral is the largest orthodox basilica in the world, and the fourth largest cathedral in the world.While the church is mostly a museum, after the fall of communism, regular worship has resumed in the cathedral
Russia is home to the largest Orthodox church (above), but also, the smallest. There is room inside for only 2 chairs, plus priest and altar. While services are sporadic, the church is still a place of worship today. Find it along the shores of Lake Baikal between Slyudyanka and Listvyanka.
Dormition Cathedral in Omsk, Siberia. Said to be the most beautiful cathedral in Siberia. Russian-Blue roof tiles.
Aleksandar Chapel by the River; Omsk, Siberia, Russia
Paraskeva Pyatnitsa Chapel, Krasnoyarsk, Russia
Church of the Ascension, Yekaterinburg, Russia
Intercession Cathedral, Krasnoyarsk, Russia.
4. Underground Museums disguised as Public Transportation
Ok actually, it’s public transportation disguised as a museum. Stalin decided that, if Russians had to take public transport, then at least they could do it surrounded by beauty. Any city with more than 1 million people during Stalin’s time had an underground public transportation system. Some cities didn’t get very far (with only one line and few stations), but some, like those in major cities today, are expansive, sophisticated and extremely reasonably priced. In several cases, public transportation is so valued that the grandeur and beauty of Soviet stations is continued, even today.
The metro stations, especially in Moscow, but also St Petersburg are famous for their statues, tile mosaics, mazes of hallways of marble, paintings, chandeliers, local musicians (most often string quartets) and perhaps most incredibly, no garbage anywhere! The metro stations are increasingly hi-tech with security cameras, on-duty guards, screens showing train arrival times, and destination/direction. While most of the information, moreso in Moscow than St Petersburg (which is increasingly tourist-friendly), is in Cyrillic, they are fairly easy to navigate, and very easy to change directions, should you realize you’ve made an error.
Finally they are incredibly reasonably priced. Tickets start at .70$, and can be cheaper if you purchase groupings of rides (for example, a card with 11 rides bought at one time with cost you less than 4$US). In Moscow, several people can share a cards rides, making it a very cost effective choice, however in St Petersburg, each card can only be swiped once every 15-20 minutes, so it isn’t practical to buy a card to share between people traveling together.
5. The new and the old, right beside each other
Opera House, Omsk, Siberia, Russia
Russia is a land of contrasts. You’ll see old churches hundreds of years old, literally in the reflection of sleek, brand new buildings. The merging of the two very different styles is a fantastic architectural experience.
‘Moscow City’ (Business District), Moscow
6. Places like this to escape
These tiny cabins are available to rent on a nightly/weekly basis. Found in a beautiful wooded area just outside of Yekaterinburg, they are about 30 metres from a beautiful scenic lookout, and a five minute drive from the border of Europe and Asia. 
7. Lake Baikal
Where you can escape to nature, but also, where vodka and fish are plentiful. Only a short 4-day train journey from Moscow, and widely thought to be the half-way point on the transSiberian train journey.
8. The Bolshoi and the Theatre/Fine Arts.
Any ballet, opera, musical, play, fine art activity is incredible in Russia. With so many theatre groups, and so many performance venues, it would probably be possible to see a different performance every night of the week, and never repeat yourself.They change completely at least about every 4-6 weeks. They are all spectacular, and best of all, they are all reasonably priced! The seat I had below was spectacular, and cost me 20$ US. In 2013, I saw Gisele in St Petersburg for 6$ US. And in addition to seeing the performance, you get to see and experience the incredible theatres in the country.
Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, Russia Ballet and set design inside the Bolshoi
9. All things Lenin
Lenin is very highly thought of in and throughout Russia. Every major centre has a Lenin (or Lenina) Street. Every city has a statue or monument dedicated to Lenin, but none quite as impressive as Ulan-Ude, Russia. One of the last stops on your transSiberian/Mongolian train journey (headed east), Ulan-Ude is frequently skipped in favour of spending more time in Baikal or Mongolia. However, it is a beautiful city full of both Russian and Asian influences, and beautiful parks, squares, and architecture. Its major claim to fame however, is a massive monument of Lenins head in Lenin square at the end of, you guessed it, Lenin Street.
10. Lights. Everywhere.
People say Paris is the city of lights. But Paris has nothing on the sheer number of illuminations in Moscow, much less the entire country. Every building has accent lighting in just the right places. It’s not just building that are lit up. It would be one thing to have streetlights. No big deal, right? Most cities have streetlights. But most major Russian cities have glittery flower arrangements. Massive, creative displays of light that guide pedestrians home safely.
Gum Department Store in the Red Square, Moscow. No, not Disneyland. Just a store to buy toothpaste and pyjamas in.
Streetlights in Moscow. Massive flower arrangements with beautiful light displays.
Street Lights in Moscow – above the roads. Umbrellas in the summer, candles in the winter, and every month or so, changed to reflect seasons, festivals, or moods. This was during a jam festival in town (see the giant pear?)
Nope. It’s not enough to light above the streets and sidewalks. Why not light the paths by lighting trees. Not Christmas time. Just a regular weekend in July. Magical? Definitely.
11. The Longest Train Journey in the World.
The transSiberian/Mongolian train journey is the longest train journey in the world. It takes you some 9000kms, 7 different time zones, and between 1-3 countries, depending on your route. The route is beautiful, and the journey, relaxing, but seeing the stunning train stations is a fantastic bonus. Russia shows the rest of the world what long-distance train travel could be like. One day, maybe we’ll catch up.
Slyudyanka Train Station Circum-Baikal Rail Route
Russian Blue Again! Omsk Train Station Novosibirsk Train Station. Recognize the colour?
Krasnoyarsk Train Station and Square
Yekaterinburg Train Station
12. Stunning Sunsets
Beautiful Omsk Skies
Sunset over Lake Baikal
13. Parks. With a Healthy Dose of National Pride 😉
Russians seem to value their green space. Parks that span multiple city block lengths, parks spanning kilometres of riversides. Parks in squares. Parks by train and bus stations. Everywhere. Whether its due to the shorter summer months, or because there is high value placed on outdoor aesthetics, each one is unique, and each is beautiful to explore.
Riverside Park in Omsk, Siberia, Russia, with a beautiful river-like mosaic, branching out into the Russian flag.
14. Government Buildings (Disney-fied?)
Pre-booked tours are highly recommended for entrance into the Kremlins or museums. Most descriptions are in Russian only, and it is very difficult to gain any information without a guide.
The fortified Moscow Kremlin and armoury off the Red Square. How many onion domes do you see?
The colourful towers of the Izmailovsky Kremlin, Moscow.
15. Musical Fountains
Need I say more? This one was one of the best ones I’ve found; located in Ulan-Ude, Russia. I actually wrote an entire post about musical fountains, if you’d like more information here.
16. This Chinese Tea Shop in Moscow (Perlov Tea House)
There is no shortage of interesting architecture in Moscow. This hidden gem is located just a few blocks off the Red Square, and is one of the most intricately designed buildings. Sit down and enjoy a beverage, or buy a supply to take home.
17. The 10-Rouble Tour in Krasnoyarsk
There are three main images on the 10-rouble note. All three sites are found in and around Krasnoyarsk. Check out the 10-rouble tour to see a bit of the countryside, and check off the sites like this hydroelectric dam.
Have you booked your trip to Russia yet?
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