Russia spans two continents and holds centuries of imperial history within its borders. The world’s largest country offers travelers ancient fortresses, ornate cathedrals, and vast natural wonders. If you are planning a trip, there are countless things to do in Russia that will stay with you for a lifetime.
This article covers 11 attractions across Russia. You’ll find details on the Kremlin, St Basil’s Cathedral, and the frozen expanse of Lake Baikal. We also look at world-class museums, imperial palaces, the Trans-Siberian Railway, and several cultural gems spread across the country.
1. Red Square & The Kremlin
Red Square sits at the heart of Moscow and serves as the symbolic center of all Russia. This cobblestone plaza stretches 330 meters long and 70 meters wide. The square dates back to the late 15th century.
The Kremlin walls border the western edge of Red Square. This ancient fortress complex covers 28 hectares and houses four cathedrals from the 15th and 16th centuries. Visitors can tour the Armoury Chamber, which displays royal treasures including Fabergé eggs, ceremonial armor, and imperial carriages.
- Google Rating: 4.8/5
- Location: Red Square, Moscow, Russia, 109012
- Timings: Open 24 hours (Square); Kremlin open daily 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
- Price: Red Square – Free; Kremlin Cathedral ticket starting from RUB 1400/ INR 1,702; set aside a full day to explore these attractions
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2. St Basil’s Cathedral
St Basil’s Cathedral stands at the southern end of Red Square. Ivan the Terrible ordered its construction between 1555 and 1561 to celebrate the conquest of Kazan. The cathedral features nine chapels, each topped with a uniquely designed onion dome.
The building’s colorful exterior became iconic worldwide. Inside, narrow passageways connect the chapels, with walls covered in floral patterns and religious frescoes. UNESCO designated it a World Heritage Site in 1990. This ranks among the must-see places in Russia for architecture lovers.
- Google Rating: 4.8/5
- Location: Red Square, 7, Moscow, Russia, 109012
- Timings: Daily 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Price: RUB 700/ INR 851; Free for children under 16; set aside 2 to 4 hours to explore this cathedral
3. State Hermitage Museum
The State Hermitage Museum occupies six historic buildings along the Neva River. Catherine the Great founded it in 1764 to house her private art collection. Today, the museum holds over 3 million items spanning millennia.
The Winter Palace serves as the main building and former residence of Russian emperors. Collections include works by da Vinci, Rembrandt, Raphael, and Picasso. The museum covers 233,345 square meters with 365 exhibition rooms. This is definitely one of the top things to do in Russia for art enthusiasts.
- Google Rating: 4.8/5
- Location: Palace Square, 2, St Petersburg, Russia, 190000
- Timings: Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Friday, Saturday, Tuesday 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Closed Monday
- Price: For adults, RUB 700/ INR 851 and RUB 300/ INR 364 for children between 14 and 18; Free for children under 14; set aside 3 to 4 hours to explore this museum
4. Peterhof Palace
Peterhof Palace stands 30 kilometers west of St Petersburg on the Gulf of Finland. Peter the Great commissioned this estate in 1714, inspired by the Palace of Versailles. The complex earned the nickname “Russian Versailles” for good reason.
The Lower Park contains over 150 fountains, including the famous Grand Cascade with 64 water jets. Golden sculptures decorate the cascading waters. The Grand Palace interior displays baroque decor with gilded details throughout. The fountains operate from late April through early October.
- Google Rating: 4.8/5
- Location: Razvodnaya Ulitsa, 2, St Petersburg, Russia
- Timings: Daily 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Price: For adults, RUB 1000/ INR 1,215, RUB 700/ INR 851 for children between 14 and 17, RUB 250/ INR 304 for children between 7 and 13, free for children under 6; set aside 4 to 5 hours to explore this palace
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5. Lake Baikal
Lake Baikal holds the title of the world’s deepest freshwater lake at 1,642 meters. Located in Siberia, it contains roughly 20% of Earth’s unfrozen fresh water. Scientists estimate its age at 25 million years, making it also the oldest lake.
The lake hosts over 3,700 plant and animal species, 80% of which are found nowhere else on Earth. The Baikal seal (nerpa) is the only freshwater seal species in existence. Winter transforms the lake into a natural ice rink with crystal-clear frozen surfaces. Summer brings hiking, kayaking, and wildlife watching opportunities.
- Google Rating: 4.8/5
- Location: Irkutsk Region, Russia
- Timings: Open year-round
- Price: Free access; set aside a full day to explore these attractions
6. Bolshoi Theatre
The Bolshoi Theatre opened in 1825 and remains Russia’s most celebrated performing arts venue. The neoclassical building features eight Ionic columns and a bronze quadriga of Apollo atop the portico. The main auditorium seats over 2,000 people.
This theatre has hosted world premieres of legendary Russian ballets, including Swan Lake and The Nutcracker. The Historic Stage underwent extensive restoration and reopened in 2011. Ballet and opera performances run from September through July. Attending a show here counts among the fun things to do in Russia.
- Google Rating: 4.8/5
- Location: Theatre Square, 1, Moscow, Russia, 125009
- Timings: Performance timings vary
- Price: RUB 600 – 15,000 (INR 729 – INR 18,239) depending on seats and performance; set aside half a day to explore this attraction
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7. Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood
This Russian Orthodox church rises along the Griboyedov Canal in St Petersburg. Construction occurred between 1883 and 1907 on the exact spot where Tsar Alexander II was assassinated. The building resembles medieval Russian architecture more than St Petersburg’s typical baroque style.
The interior contains over 7,000 square meters of mosaics – more than any other church in the world. These mosaics depict biblical scenes and took 24 years to complete. The church now functions as a museum. These things to do in Russia today connect visitors directly with imperial history.
- Google Rating: 4.8/5
- Location: Griboyedov channel embankment, 2б, лит. А, St Petersburg, Russia, 191186
- Timings: Daily 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Closed on Wednesday
- Price: For adults, RUB 450/ INR 547 and RUB 200/ INR 243 for children between 7 and 18 years old; set aside 1 to 2 hours to explore this palace
8. Golden Ring Towns
The Golden Ring refers to a tourist route connecting ancient towns northeast of Moscow. The main cities include Suzdal, Vladimir, Sergiev Posad, and Yaroslavl. These towns preserve traditional Russian architecture from the 12th through the 17th centuries.
Vladimir houses the 12th-century Assumption Cathedral with original frescoes by Andrei Rublev. Suzdal contains over 200 historical monuments within its small area. Sergiev Posad hosts the Trinity Lavra of St Sergius, Russia’s most important monastery. Exploring these towns offers excellent things to do in Russia for tourists seeking authentic Russian heritage.
- Google Rating: NA
- Location: Various towns 70-200 km from Moscow
- Timings: Towns accessible year-round; Individual site hours vary
- Price: Museum entries typically Rcost UB 200-500/ INR 243-607; set aside at least 5 to 7 days to explore the town
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9. Trans-Siberian Railway
The Trans-Siberian Railway stretches 9,289 kilometers from Moscow to Vladivostok. Tsar Alexander III began construction in 1891, and his son Nicholas II completed it in 1916. The journey covers seven time zones over six nights.
Trains pass through the Ural Mountains, cross the Yenisei River, and skirt Lake Baikal. Passengers can disembark at cities like Yekaterinburg, Irkutsk, and Ulan-Ude. Different train classes offer varying levels of comfort from shared compartments to private cabins.
- Google Rating: NA
- Location: Moscow to Vladivostok (with variants to Beijing and Ulaanbaatar)
- Timings: Multiple departures weekly; Full journey takes approximately 6-7 days
- Price: varies based on your travel distance and ticket options, etc.
10. Moscow Metro
The Moscow Metro opened in 1935 and now includes over 250 stations across 15 lines. Many central stations feature palatial decorations with marble columns, chandeliers, and mosaics. Architects designed these underground halls to serve as “palaces for the people.”
Stations like Mayakovskaya, Komsomolskaya, and Ploshchad Revolyutsii rank among the most beautiful metro stops worldwide. Trains arrive every 90 seconds during peak hours. The metro system safely transports over 9 million passengers daily.
- Google Rating: NA
- Location: Throughout Moscow
- Timings: Daily 5:30 AM – 1:00 AM
- Price: Varies based on ride; Troika card offers better rates
11. Catherine Palace
Catherine Palace sits in Pushkin (Tsarskoye Selo), 25 kilometers south of St Petersburg. Empress Elizabeth commissioned the current baroque structure in the 1750s. The palace stretches over 300 meters in length with elaborate blue, white, and gold facades.
The famous Amber Room inside contains six tons of amber panels backed with gold leaf and mirrors. German troops dismantled the original during World War II, but Russian craftsmen recreated it in 2003. The surrounding park covers 1,400 acres with ponds, pavilions, and formal gardens.
- Google Rating: 4.4/5
- Location: 1-Y Krasnokursantskiy Proyezd, 3/5, Moscow, Russia, 111250
- Timings: 10:00 AM – 4:45 PM; Closed Tuesday and the last Monday of the month
- Price: For adults, RUB 2,200/ INR 2,675, for children aged between 14 and 1,7 RUB 2,200/ INR 2,675, for children aged between 7 and 13, RUB 700/ INR 851
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FAQs
What are the best things to do in Russia for first-time visitors?
Red Square and the Kremlin are where most people start, and honestly, they should be. St Basil’s Cathedral is steps away, and the Moscow Metro stations are worth a visit on their own. Got extra time? Take the high-speed train to St Petersburg. The Hermitage and Catherine Palace alone make that trip worthwhile for tourists.
What shouldn’t you miss in Russia?
Put the Hermitage Museum and Peterhof Palace at the top of your St Petersburg list. Lake Baikal is something else entirely. Nature lovers won’t forget it. The Golden Ring towns feel like stepping back in time. A Bolshoi Theatre performance rounds out the must see places in Russia that everyone talks about.
What are the best things to do in Russia during the day?
Daytime is for museums, palaces, and getting outside. The Kremlin and its cathedrals deserve a full morning in Moscow. St Petersburg’s canals and parks reward slow walkers. Peterhof is ideal between May and October when the fountains run. Worth adding to your things to do in Russia today if you’re mapping out plans.
What are the best things to do in Russia at night?
Nights here feel different. A ballet or opera at the Bolshoi or Mariinsky is hard to beat. Red Square after dark hits differently with all those lights. Summer visitors to St Petersburg get the White Nights, when the sky refuses to go completely dark.
What are the most kid-friendly activities in Russia?
The Moscow Metro wins over most kids. Stations look like mini palaces. Peterhof’s fountains are a hit with younger visitors. Moscow’s oceanarium is one of Europe’s biggest. Circus shows carry on a long Russian tradition. Park Zaryadye has interactive exhibits and room to play. Solid fun things to do in Russia when traveling with family.
What are the best cultural things to do in Russia?
Culture runs deep here. The Tretyakov Gallery houses Russian art that stops you in your tracks. Live performances at historic theatres stick with you. Golden Ring monasteries offer something quieter and more reflective. The Hermitage and Russian Museum in St Petersburg could fill several days easily.
What are the top food experiences in Russia?
Borscht comes first. That beetroot soup with sour cream is everywhere for good reason. Pelmeni dumplings have kept people full since Siberian traders spread them across the country. Blini work any time of day, sweet or savory. Moscow’s Danilovsky Market lets you taste it all. One of the top things to do in Russia if food matters to you.
What are the best shopping areas in Russia?
GUM department store faces Red Square and impresses inside and out. Arbat Street has souvenirs and street performers lining the walkway. Nevsky Prospect in St Petersburg mixes boutiques with larger shops. Matryoshka dolls, amber jewelry, and lacquer boxes remain popular things to do in Russia for tourists hunting for gifts.
What’s the best time of year to visit Russia for sightseeing?
May through September works best for outdoor plans. June and July bring White Nights to St Petersburg, daylight that barely fades. September offers milder weather and thinner crowds. Winter draws its own visitors with frozen Lake Baikal and New Year festivities. Each season opens up different things to do in Russia based on what calls to you.
