It is not surprising that a country as vast as Russia has many high-flying destinations: it is a country of immense natural splendor and beauty. From the old mountain ranges to the ocean-sized lakes, from the remote and rugged wild lands to the picturesque landscapes, these are some of the most beautiful places to visit in the country.
Dykh-Tau
Another snowy peak of the Caucasus, Dykh-Tau is located above the Bezengi Valley, which is known as the "Russian Himalayas" because it contains the highest snow-capped peaks in the region. Its altitude and remoteness means that only a few people live in the valley and even less try to climb the majestic mountain.
Ural Mountains
The old Ural mountain range crosses the center of Russia, from north to south. However, the most accessible point would be around Yekaterinburg, where day trips and short hikes will take you through stunning scenery.
Mount Belukha
Mount Belukha is the highest peak of the Altai Golden Mountains, included in the UNESCO list. While climbing the top requires skill and experience in mountaineering, there are also trekking trails for beginners.
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
The Kamchatka Peninsula was called 'The Land of Fire and Ice' thanks to a chain of more than 160 volcanoes, 29 of them still active. The main city of the peninsula, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, is flanked by two and is much more accessible than the belt of the volcano itself.
Kola Peninsula
Almost entirely within the Arctic Circle, the Kola Peninsula boasts the midnight sun in summer and brilliant displays of the northern lights in winter. The port city of Murmansk is an ideal base for departing into the desert of low mountains, tundra, abandoned villages and lakes.
Mount Elbrus
The Caucasus mountain range in southern Russia, near the border with Georgia, has the highest peak in Europe. An inactive volcano, it reaches 5,642 meters (18,511 feet) above sea level and offers spectacular views for experienced mountaineers and enthusiastic amateur adventurers.
The Church of Our Savior on the Spilled Blood
The vaulted churches and monasteries are scattered throughout Russia, but only a few are as rich in religious iconography as the Church of Our Savior on the Spilled Blood of St. Petersburg. Built at the end of the 19th century, the church is covered with intricate mosaics inside and out.
Peterhof Palace
With a technical location in a suburb of Russia's second city, St. Petersburg, the grounds and architecture of the Peterhof Palace are a luxurious display of Baroque design and style. Often referred to as the Russian Versailles, the elaborate estate was built during the reign of Peter the Great.
The Red Square
The immense Red Square in Moscow is the heart of the nation and time has not weakened its historical importance nor its grandiose presence. Flanked on one side by the red walls of the Kremlin and the historic GUM department store on the other, it houses the iconic St. Basil's Cathedral and Lenin's mausoleum.
The Valley of Geysers
The Valley of the Geysers on the Kamchatka Peninsula is the second largest concentration of geysers in the world. More than 40 steaming geysers and springs cover an eight-square-kilometer canyon, which is about 180 km (112 miles) away from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky along the eastern volcano belt of the peninsula.
Kizhi Island
Another beautiful place in Karelia, the wooden churches of the eighteenth century that sit on the shores of the Kishi Island of Onega Bay, are inscribed in the world heritage of UNESCO. It is estimated that the structures were built in 1713 (a clock tower was added in the 19th century) and are examples of the medieval architecture of northern Russia and Scandinavia.
Kaliningrad
The westernmost enclave of Russia houses Germanic architecture, a Baltic coast and a green birch forest. It is the gateway of Russain to the Sponian Curonian Spit.
Lake Teletskoye
The Republic of Altai is one of the most beautiful regions of Russia, and this lake at the top of the mountain is one of the must-sees in the region. Along the coast of this 70 km long (43 miles) lake are steep gorges, rugged rock walls, caves, waterfalls and beautiful bays.
Dargavs
In the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, there is an old cemetery attached to the town of Dargavs, built on the spectacular and misty side of the mountain. Also called the City of the Dead, there are more than a hundred stone tombs where the villagers used to bury their dead along with their possessions and clothes.
The Solovki Islands
In the northwest of Russia, the remote Solovki archipelago, in Onega Bay, on the White Sea, used to house a famous gulag during the Soviet era. Now, however, ancient cemeteries and ancient monasteries attract travelers to these windswept islands.
Krasnaya Polyana
The 2014 Winer Olympics put the snow-capped mountains of Krasnaya Polyana on the map, and they remain a popular ski destination today. It is a panoramic trip from Sochi to the mountain village of the same name, from where you can access the ski fields and world-class views.
Ruskeala
The northwest region of Karelia is known for its exuberant beauty, and the landscape surrounding the small town of Ruskeala is the glory of the region. The Ruskeala Mountain Park is a ravine full of water, where holidaymakers can sail, hike and swim.
Sergiyev Posad
The many bright onion domes of Sergiyev Posad stand out over the picturesque surrounding landscape. A day trip from Moscow, the city is one of the eight that make up the Golden Ring, and is home to the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra monastery, a World Heritage Site of UNESCO, which is considered the spiritual center of Russia.
Ussuri Bay
A short drive from Vladivostok, a city less than 500 km (311 miles) from the borders of North Korea and China, is a unique anomaly of nature. Over time, thousands of discarded bottles and broken pieces of glass have been softened by Mother Nature, and now appear to be multicolored pebbles that line the rugged coastline.
Olkhon Island
Steep cliffs and serene bays mark the coast of Olkhon Island, the largest island of Lake Baikal. Hidden in the vast desert of Siberia, it is an important shamanic site for the inhabitants of Buryatia who are originally from Siberia.
Lake Kardyvach
Located between three mountain tops and fertile alpine meadows, the beauty of Lake Kardyvach is crowned by waterfalls. It is located only 44 kilometers (27 miles) away from the popular Krasnaya Polyana in the Sochi region, and is a good hiking destination for those adventurers who want to immerse themselves in the remoteness of Russia.
