Top 10 Tourist attractions in Russia to visit in 2019

The many places and faces of Russia offer tourists a wide variety of splendour and romantic historical sites. These top ten Russian tourist attractions to visit in 2019 have been put together to offer visitors a complete and breath-taking experience while visiting this extraordinary country.

Lake Baikal is the largest fresh water lake in the world. Located in Eastern Siberia, it contains about 20% of the Earth’s unfrozen fresh water. With a maximum depth of 1,632m and a length of 640km long, Lake Baikal is more like a sea than a lake. With global warming, you can visit it during the whole 2019. There are many species that are unique to this lake, including the Baikal freshwater seal and the Baikal grayling. The Baikal National Park allows for tourists to walk the trails, as well as take boats around the lake. The summer and late spring are the best times of year to visit this natural wonder.

Catherine Palace is located about 25km southeast of St. Petersburg. It was originally built by Catherine I of Russia for a summer get away in 1717, and later expanded and refurbished by later Tsars. The grandiose palace has sparkling golden accents that gild the stucco veneer and all 385 rooms within the palace are ornately decorated. The best months to visit Catherine Palace is during the summer in Russia from May to September 2019.

The Moscow Metro is one of the world’s most used transit systems. The Moscow Metro connects tourists and locals alike to 190 metro stations inside the city and throughout several suburbs. Tickets for a ride on the Metro are available at each station, and recent updates for the system allow for people to pay for their tickets with 30 squats! Exercising for your ride on the subway, another Russian innovation in health and technology.

The Trans-Siberian Railway, connecting Moscow with the Russian Far East, is the longest railway in the world. First developed in 1890, the railway is still being expanded and worked upon. The line spans through seven time zones, is roughly 9,259km long, and would take a little under eight days to complete the entire journey! The railway has successfully connected the European rails with the Chinese rail network, and a six-day journey will take you from Moscow to Beijing. Tickets prices vary according to destination and starting point.

Built in 1714 under the rule of Peter the Great of Russia, this majestic palace offers ridiculously beautiful gardens, fountains and ornately decorated rooms. The Great Cascade references one of the largest fountain ensembles in the world. Over sixty fountains, more than 250 statues, and the Great Grottos encompass the landscape outside of the Peterhof. You can get to the palace from St. Petersburg by bus, train and boat. Booking tickets in the summer months should be done in advance.

The St. Petersburg’s Church of Our Saviour on Spilled Blood is one of the most beautiful churches and cathedrals in Russia. Built on the sight of Alexander II of Russia’s assassination and dedicated to his memory, this Russian Orthodox church is simply awe-inspiring. The ornate details both inside and outside the cathedral are based on the romantic nationalism style with “onion domes” and dark tones. Visiting the church and learning about it’s extraordinary history is a must for tourists in Russia.

The State Hermitage Museum was founded by Catherine the Great in the year 1764 and is one of the oldest and largest museums in the world containing over 3 million items. The grounds surrounding this vast area of St. Petersburg has 6 large buildings, including The Winter Palace, which was the official residence of Russian Monarchs from 1732 until 1917.

The city of Moscow is home to the beauty of the Red Square. The square is known to as the heart of Moscow, and essentially the heart of Russia, as all of the major Moscow roads and highways originate from the square. The Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral and the State museum all reside within the Red Square, making it a must see stop for anyone visiting Russia.

The Kremlin is one of the most intriguing and unique buildings in the world. Located near the Red Square in Moscow, the Kremlin is the official home of the President of the Russian Federation. Within the fortified red-brick Kremlin walls and Kremlin towers, there are five palaces and four churches. The site dates back to 1482, and has been a principle location for anyone visiting Moscow. The beautiful complex is not only home to politics, but museums and art collections as well.

One of the worlds’ most recognizable architectural structures, St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow is indeed a sight worth seeing. Built in the late 16th century to resemble flames rising into the sky, there is no other structure in Russia as unique as this beautiful cathedral. The Cathedral rests in the Red Square, adjacent to the Kremlin. The bright colours of the elaborate exterior and the various smaller churches within the walls are a testament to Russian architecture.