As one of the world’s largest countries, Russia holds numerous tourist destinations to look forward to. The size of the country means there is something for everyone. There are many tourist attractions from historic cities, deep-rooted culture, world-class museums, art and literature to explore.

However, hidden gems within the country that most tourists are yet to explore are available. Forget about the most famous cities in Russia, such as St. Petersburg and Moscow.

There are majestic sites known by few tourists that will make your next holiday a memorable one. From historical sites and large natural spaces, please look at our list of hidden gems to visit in Russia.

explore Russia

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“Ruskeala Express” is a tourist retro train running along the route Sortavala – Mountain Park “Ruskeala” – Sortavala in the Republic of Karelia. Today, it is the only daily steam train in Russia.

The average train speed is 40-60 km/h, the travel time is 1 hour. The interior of the train and the uniform of the train employees are made in the style of the late 19th – early 20th centuries. Photos by: Slava Stepanov.

interesting tourist train

Tags: Karelia Republic

“Kudykina Gora” is a park located on the bank of the Don River near the village of Kamenka, Lipetsk Oblast, about 74 km west of Lipetsk.

This large park of 500 hectares, opened in 2007, is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Lipetsk Oblast offering entertainment for children and adults. “Kudykina Gora” on Google Maps. Photos by: Alexandr Lipilin.

very interesting park

Tags: Lipetsk oblast

There are lots of ways to feel breathtaking emotions, but today only online activities let us get thrilled and be safe at the same time. Playing PC games or trying to win a jackpot at https://nationalcasino.com/en_ca/casino/slots are the best in this case. But soon we will be able to go out and even travel abroad to feel unforgettable emotions, and Russia is a wonderful place if you don’t want to spend much and are eager to feel natural beauty. And here are natural sites you should visit first.

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Irkutsk is the sixth largest city in Siberia with a population of about 617 thousand people, the administrative center of Irkutsk Oblast. The city is located in Eastern Siberia, on the banks of the Angara River, at its confluence with the Irkut River (hence the name of the city), about 66 km from Lake Baikal.

Irkutsk is an old Siberian city founded in 1661 and included in the list of historical settlements of Russia. Its historic center is included in the preliminary list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Photos by: Slava Stepanov.

fly over Irkutsk

Tags: Irkutsk city

Vyborg is a city with a population of about 74 thousand people located in the north-west of Leningrad Oblast, about 140 km from St. Petersburg. In total, more than 300 different monuments are concentrated here: architectural, historical, sculptural, archaeological, garden and park art.

The main attraction of this city and its symbol is the Vyborg Castle – one of the few fully preserved monuments of Western European medieval military architecture in Russia. Photos by: Alexandr Lipilin.

picturesque medieval castle

Tags: Leningrad oblast · Vyborg city

As you know, Russia is a vast country boasting many wonderful museums. Pretty much everyone has heard about the most popular ones, such as the Hermitage Museum, Winter Palace, Armoury Chamber, and Faberge Museum.

But what do you know about sights a bit further from the public eye? The country houses numerous museums and galleries that are less widely known but just as deserving your attention. Let’s have a look at some of the most interesting options to spice up your travel plans.

explore Russian museums

Tags: museum

Yaroslavl is one of the oldest Russian cities founded in the 11th century. In 2010, this city located about 260 km northeast of Moscow celebrated its millennium. It is depicted on a 1,000-ruble banknote.

The historical center of Yaroslavl with 140 monuments of architecture is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Yaroslavl is traditionally included in the famous tourist route “The Golden Ring of Russia”. Photos by: Slava Stepanov.

fly over Yaroslavl

Tags: Yaroslavl city

“Lesnoy Terem” in Astashovo is a former residence of the peasant Martyan Sazonov (1840/2-1914) located in the central part of Kostroma Oblast, about 200 km from Kostroma.

This is quite a unique phenomenon – a country residence built in the middle of a small village in a remote place. This picturesque wooden house was built in the Russian style with rich and varied carved decor. Lesnoy Terem in Astashovo on Google Maps. Photos by: Alexandr Lipilin.

amazing wooden house

Tags: Kostroma oblast

Kizhi is an island in the northern part of Lake Onega in the south of the Republic of Karelia. It is known primarily for the exposition of the historical, architectural and ethnographic museum-reserve “Kizhi” located here, including the architectural ensemble of the Kizhi Pogost – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Most of the buildings are monuments of architecture, a lot of them were moved for exposition from other villages of this region. Kizhi Island on Google Maps. Photos by: Alexandr Lipilin.

snow-covered monuments of wooden architecture

Tags: churches · Karelia Republic · Petrozavodsk city