Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Russia

10. Mount Elbrus

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Mount Elbrus is the highest peak in the Caucasus, and the highest peak in Europe. It is located several miles north of the main crest of the Central Caucasus, southwestern Russia. At 5,642 meters (18,510 ft) is slightly higher than the east at 5,621 metres (18,442 ft). A total area of 53 square miles (138 square km) of Elbrus is covered by 22 glaciers. Elbrus is a major centre for mountaineering and tourism in the Caucasus region. A cable car system can take visitors as high as 3,800 meters (12,500 ft), facilitating ascents to the summit.

9. Trans-Siberian Railway

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Part of the longest railway system in the world, the classic Trans-Siberian railway runs from Moscow to Vladivostok, a city near Russia’s borders with China and North Korea. It was built from 1891 to 1916 under the supervision of Russian government ministers who were personally appointed by Tsar Alexander III and by his son, Tsar Nicholas II. Most travelers use the train as overnight accommodation from one destination to the next.

8. Valley of Geysers

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The Valley of Geysers is a geyser field on Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia, and has the second largest concentration of geysers in the world, with about 90 geysers in the 6 kilometer basin. It was discovered in 1941 by local scientist Tatyana Ustinova. Since then it became a popular tourist attraction in Kamchatka and attracts a lot of interest from scientists and tourists. The geysers are part of a wildlife reserve, and visitors are likely to see a variety of creatures during their time at the geysers.

7. Kizhi Island

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The island is located on Lake Onega in the Republic of Karelia, northwestern Russia. The pogost is the area inside a fence which includes two large wooden churches (the 22-dome Transfiguration Church and the 9-dome Intercession Church) and a bell-tower. Other tourist attractions includes dozens of wooden houses, windmills, chapels and barns. The peasant culture is represented with craft demonstrations and folk ensembles.

6. St Sophia Cathedral, Novgorod

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St. Sophia Cathedral located in the Kremlin of the Russian city of Novgorod the Great is the oldest Orthodox church building in Russia. The cathedral was constructed between 1045 and 1052. The design of the cathedral was meant to resemble the main Orthodox Church in Constantinople. The cathedral was named St Sophia from the ancient Greek for 'wisdom'.

5. Suzdal

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Suzdal is a historic small town in Vladimir Oblast east of Moscow Russia, about 25 km north of Vladimir. It was once the capital of several Russian principalities and has many examples of early Russian architecture. Those who wish to experience the best of Russia’s historic architecture, full of onion-dome topped kremlins, cathedrals and monasteries, will find it in Suzdal.

4. Lake Baikal

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Lake Baikal is a lake in Eastern Siberia, Russia. It is the deepest (1,700 m) and oldest (25 million years) lake in the world. Known as the Pearl of Siberia, Lake Baikal is home to several resorts, making the area a popular vacation destination. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

3. Moscow Kremlin

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The Moscow Kremlin, usually referred to as simply the Kremlin, is a historic fortified complex at the heart of Moscow, overlooking the Moskva River to the south, Saint Basil's Cathedral and Red Square to the east, and the Alexander Garden to the west.  The Moscow Kremlin is one of the city's most important and most visited sights.  There, you can explore the Kremlin's grounds, take photos, view cathedral interiors, and be amazed by museums treasures.

2. Hermitage Museum

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The State Hermitage is a museum of art and culture in Saint Petersburg, Russia. One of the largest and oldest museums in the world, it was founded in 1764 by Catherine the Great and has been open to the public since 1852. The collections occupy a large complex of six historic buildings including the Winter Palace, a former residence of Russian emperors.

1. Saint Basil's Cathedral

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The Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed, commonly known as Saint Basil's Cathedral, is a church in Red Square in Moscow, Russia. Built between 1554 and 1561, design to resemble the shape of a bonfire in full flame, the architecture is not only unique to the period in which it was built but to any subsequent period. It has been among the top tourist attractions in Russia.