Russia Beyond Sochi: 10 Unmissable Ways to Explore the World's Largest Country
While the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi generated controversy, it undeniably spotlighted the immense travel appeal of the world's largest country.
As the coordinating author of Lonely Planet's Russia guidebook and a visitor for over 20 years—having navigated challenges like theft, stray dog encounters, and even brief detentions—I've been continually captivated by Russia's profound cultural heritage, stunning natural landscapes, thrilling adventures, and the warm hospitality of its people. Here are my top 10 recommended experiences, in no particular order.
Relax in a Traditional Banya
One of the best ways to bond with locals is sharing a steam bath in a public banya, a cherished Russian ritual. For an opulent experience, visit Moscow's Sandunovskiye Banya (www.sanduny.ru). Its changing rooms boast vaulted mahogany ceilings, leather banquettes, and ornate turquoise-and-gold walls patterned with fleurs-de-lis, leading to a steam room and pool evoking ancient Grecian splendor.
Sail Across Lake Baikal
The shore of Lake Baikal in summer. Image by Nutexzles / Flickr / Getty Images.
For a rustic twist, try the natural hot springs at Khakusy turbaza (holiday camp) on Lake Baikal's shores. I sailed there at dawn from Severobaikalsk, the sapphire waters serene. First, visit the Bay of Ayaya, where reindeer roam pine-lined beaches. Then, cross to Baikalskoe, a picturesque fishing village of gingerbread homes with blue shutters and flower gardens. Book similar cruises via Rashit Yakhin/BAM Tour (www.gobaikal.com).
House Hunt in Tomsk
The Siberian gem Tomsk, once restricted to foreigners due to its nuclear and military significance during Soviet times, now thrives as the 'Oxford of Siberia.' With one in five residents a student, its streets showcase exquisite 'wooden lace' architecture—intricately carved wooden facades. Highlights include the Peacock House (with bird silhouettes on gables), Dragon House, and restored Russian-German House.
Sleep on a Trans-Siberian Train
A station on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Image by tak.wing / CC BY-SA 2.0.
Countless nights aboard Russian sleeper trains have lulled me to sleep, but the pinnacle is the six-day, 9,289km Trans-Siberian journey from Moscow to Vladivostok—the world's longest continuous rail service. Panoramic views reveal rivers, swamps, mountains, forests, and steppes. Yet, the real magic lies inside: chance encounters, deep conversations, and lasting friendships.
Ride a Funicular in Vladivostok
Revitalized for the 2012 APEC summit, Vladivostok—Russia's 'San Francisco'—offers stunning vistas. Ride the 1962 funicular (vladivostok-city.com/places) up Orlinaya Sopka for breathtaking views of Golden Horn Bay. One of Russia's two funiculars, tickets cost just R6 (under US$0.20).
Attend a Performance at the Mariinsky
A large crowd inside the Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg. Image by Glow Images / Getty Images.
Russians revere the performing arts, with grand theaters in major cities. Moscow's Bolshoi (www.bolshoi.ru) is iconic, but St. Petersburg's Mariinsky (www.mariinsky.ru) is unparalleled. Since my first visit in 1994 for Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin, its gilded opulence and diverse audiences have enchanted me on every return.
Slip Back in Time in Suzdal
In Suzdal's Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Saviour, a monk choir's a cappella performance amid brilliant frescoes, followed by bell tower chimes, transported me to 16th-century Russia. This Golden Ring town brims with ancient monasteries, convents, onion-domed churches, and ornate wooden cottages.
Climb an Active Volcano in Kamchatka
A helicopter tour group exploring Kamchatka. Image by Einar Fredriksen / CC BY-SA 2.0.
Kamchatka, near Alaska, delivers raw adventure: pristine wilderness, abundant fish, and active volcanoes. Highlights included helicoptering to a remote camp and hiking Mt Mutnovskaya (2,322m)'s sulfurous caldera with boiling mud pots and ice fissures. Arrange tours with Lost World (www.travelkamchatka.com) or Kamchatintour (www.kamchatintour.ru).
Discover Contemporary Art
World-renowned collections at St. Petersburg's Hermitage (www.hermitagemuseum.org) and Moscow's Tretyakov Gallery (www.tretyakovgallery.ru) are must-sees. For modern vibrancy, explore Garage Centre for Contemporary Culture (garageccc.com) in Gorky Park or galleries in Moscow's repurposed Red October Factory opposite the Kremlin.
Conquer a Kremlin in Veliky Novgorod
Predating Moscow's by two centuries, Veliky Novgorod's red-brick Kremlin anchors a charming, visitor-friendly town. Climb Kokui Tower for views of the 11th-century St. Sophia Cathedral and the Millennium of Russia Monument, a 300-tonne chronicle of the nation's first millennium (visitnovgorod.com/sights/kremlin.html).
Simon Richmond is the coordinating author of Lonely Planet’s Russia guidebook. Follow him on X @simonrichmond.
