Visit Moscow's Red Square and the Kremlin
A UNESCO World Heritage complex at the historic and political heart of Russia, including St. Basil's Cathedral's iconic onion domes.
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Eastern Europe
Things to do in Russia
The largest country on Earth, spanning eleven time zones from Moscow's Red Square to Siberia's frozen expanse, currently under severe Western travel advisories tied to the war in Ukraine and the risk of wrongful detention for some nationalities.
Explore Russia on the map →Budget$
Best forNot currently recommended by most Western governments
CapitalMoscow
VisaUS, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian citizens are not eligible for Russia's e-visa and must apply for a standard visa in person with an invitation letter; most Western governments currently advise against travel to Russia given detention risk and severely limited consular support.
CurrencyRussian ruble (RUB)
LanguagesRussian (official)
InternetHeavily restricted, many Western platforms are blocked nationwide
Typical lodging$20–$55/night
Driving sideRight
Power & voltage220V / 50Hz (Type C/F plug)
Time zoneUTC+2 to UTC+12 (eleven zones)
Emergency number112
Dialing code+7
★★★★★ Culture★★★★★ Photography★★★★★ Adventure
Visa rules and emergency numbers can change without notice. Confirm the specifics for your nationality and dates before you travel.
Travel smart
Bottled water recommended outside capital cities. 10% is common in restaurants.
Russia is the largest country on Earth by land area, spanning eleven time zones and holding an extraordinary concentration of cultural heritage, from the Kremlin and Hermitage Museum to Lake Baikal, the deepest and oldest freshwater lake on the planet, containing roughly a fifth of the world's unfrozen fresh water. Since 2022, most Western governments have issued severe travel advisories for Russia, citing the risk of arbitrary detention of foreign nationals in addition to the diplomatic fallout from the war in Ukraine, and US, UK, and several other Western consular services operate with significant limitations inside the country.
When to go
SummerJune–August
Historically the most popular and comfortable window nationally, including St. Petersburg's famous 'White Nights.'
SpringApril–May
Mild temperatures in western Russia, though much of Siberia remains cold well into spring.
AutumnSeptember–October
Cooling temperatures and fall color, historically a scenic shoulder season.
WinterNovember–March
Extremely cold across most of the country, though historically popular for winter palace visits and Siberian ice landscapes.
20 things to do
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Culture & history
9Explore the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg
One of the largest and oldest art museums in the world, housed in the former Winter Palace of the Russian tsars.
Explore the Golden Ring cities northeast of Moscow
A cluster of historic towns holding some of Russia's oldest and most significant Orthodox churches and monasteries.
Visit the Peterhof Palace fountains near St. Petersburg
A UNESCO World Heritage palace and garden complex famous for its elaborate gravity-fed fountain system, often compared to Versailles.
Experience St. Petersburg's White Nights
A summer phenomenon where the sun barely sets this far north, historically drawing visitors for extended daylight festivals and events.
Explore Kizhi Island's wooden church architecture
A UNESCO World Heritage open-air museum of wooden churches built without nails, showcasing traditional Russian carpentry craftsmanship.
Explore Suzdal, a preserved medieval town
Part of the Golden Ring, Suzdal retains an unusually intact medieval townscape with numerous historic churches and monasteries.
Explore Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre
One of the world's oldest and most prestigious ballet and opera companies, historically a centerpiece of Russian high culture.
Visit the historic city of Kazan
A city blending Tatar Muslim and Russian Orthodox heritage, home to a UNESCO-listed kremlin combining a mosque and cathedral within its walls.
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Adventure & outdoors
2Ride the Trans-Siberian Railway
The longest railway line in the world, historically connecting Moscow to Russia's Pacific coast across nearly the entire breadth of the country.
Visit the Kamchatka Peninsula's volcanoes
A remote, dramatically volcanic region in Russia's Far East, historically one of the country's most spectacular and least-visited wilderness areas.
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Nature & scenery
1Visit Lake Baikal, the world's deepest freshwater lake
Containing roughly a fifth of the world's unfrozen fresh water, and home to species found nowhere else, including the Baikal seal.
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Food & drink
6Eat Russian borscht and pelmeni
Beetroot soup and filled dumplings reflect Russia's deep culinary traditions, shared in various forms across much of Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
Try Russian blini with caviar
Thin pancakes traditionally served with caviar and sour cream, reflecting Russia's historic association with fine caviar production.
Try Russian pirozhki, filled hand pies
Small baked or fried pastries filled with meat, cabbage, or fruit, a genuine everyday snack found across Russia.
Try Russian shchi, cabbage soup
A traditional cabbage-based soup considered one of Russia's oldest and most enduring national dishes.
Try Russian kvass, a fermented rye drink
A mildly fermented rye bread beverage, a traditional and refreshing drink found across Russia and neighboring countries.
Try Russian syrniki, sweet cottage cheese pancakes
Pan-fried cottage cheese pancakes often served with jam or sour cream, a beloved traditional Russian breakfast dish.
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Photography
2Visit the Hermitage's Winter Palace exterior at night
St. Petersburg's illuminated riverfront palaces offer one of the most photographed cityscapes in Eastern Europe.
Explore the Moscow Metro's ornate historic stations
Several Moscow Metro stations feature elaborate Soviet-era mosaics, chandeliers, and marble, considered some of the most ornate public transit architecture in the world.
Common questions
▾Is it safe for Western travelers to visit Russia right now?
Most Western governments currently advise against travel to Russia, citing the risk of arbitrary detention of foreign nationals alongside diplomatic fallout from the war in Ukraine, plus severely limited consular support if problems arise. This page is a factual reference, not current travel guidance.
▾Can US, UK, or EU citizens get a Russian e-visa?
No. Citizens of the US, UK, Canada, and Australia are not eligible for Russia's e-visa and must apply for a standard visa in person with an invitation letter, a considerably more involved process.
▾Why is Lake Baikal significant?
It's the deepest and oldest freshwater lake on Earth, containing roughly a fifth of the world's unfrozen fresh water, and home to species found nowhere else, including the Baikal seal.
▾Is any part of Russia currently safer to visit than others?
Government advisories generally cover the entire country given detention risk and limited consular access, rather than singling out specific regions, so this isn't a case where one part of Russia is currently considered lower-risk for Western travelers.
▾Why include Russia on this site at all right now?
To provide accurate cultural and historical context for people researching or planning ahead, not as a suggestion to travel there under current conditions. Always check official government advisories before making any decisions.
▾Can foreign tourists currently visit Russia?
Entry requirements and options for foreign tourists have changed substantially in recent years, and many countries currently have travel advisories in place along with limited flight connectivity and financial-service restrictions (foreign cards generally don't work). Check your government's current advisory and Russia's latest visa rules for your specific nationality before making any plans.