Russia has much to offer on a river cruise holiday, from magnificent cities to museums, historical towns, and beautiful views along the waterways. Book one of our fantastic river cruises in Russia to experience the brilliant culture the country has to offer.
Take a look below at what you can expect to see on your holiday:
St Petersburg
As well as being a historically interesting city to visit, St Petersburg has many artistic highlights. Founded in 1703 by Peter the Great, it is Russia’s only port on the Baltic Sea. Many of the buildings have pastel colours; as the city is so far north, it helps to brighten up the streets on the long dark days. Tours around St Petersburg will give you the chance to see the Hermitage Museum, one of the biggest art museums in the world, and Catherine Palace, the site of the historic siege of Leningrad in World War 2. There is also the chance to visit the Peter and Paul Cathedral, the graves of the last Tsars and more. In the evening there is also the opportunity to see a performance of ballet at the Hermitage Theatre.
Kizhi
On one of the biggest lakes in Europe, Lake Onega, can be found the island of Kizhi, one of over a thousand islands found on the lake. It is famous for the wooden churches and other buildings which date back to the 15th century, and has been named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Legend has it some of the churches were only built using an axe and one of the churches found on Kizhi is the oldest wooden church in the world.
Uglich
Along the River Volga, the river cruise will stop at the historical town of Uglich. A walking tour through the town will allow you to see and stop at the churches and cathedrals, some of which are linked to the reign of Ivan the Terrible in the 16th century.
River Volga
The longest river in Europe, with a total length of 2,293 miles, the Volga is west Russia’s main waterway. It divides to three parts, stretching from its source near Moscow before heading to the Caspian Sea. A number of other waterways, from canals and rivers connect to the Volga, making it one of busiest and most interesting routes throughout Europe.
The best time to travel is through the late summer, when the floods from ice have died down, and before the weather becomes too cold for comfortable travel. The late summer is also a great time for missing the bigger crowds at the popular tourist destinations.
Moscow
You can explore the capital of Russia on day tours, admiring places like St Basil’s Cathedral, the Red Square, the Moscow Kremlin, the Tsar Bell and more. St Basil’s Cathedral is a stunning view, shaped like a bonfire, with its vibrant colours and classic Russian architecture. Built between 1555 and 1561, it is one of the most iconic buildings in the whole of Russia. It is also great to visit at night, when lit up and night tours of the city can be taken. As well as seeing the main tourist attractions, there are also opportunities for taking tours to the Cosmonaut Museum, the Old Tretyakov Gallery, and the chance to explore Moscow on your own.
Top tips before leaving:
Before going on one of river cruises in Russia, please note a visa will be required. All transactions and purchases must be done in Russian currency, the ruble, and some items may have restrictions on exporting them out of the country. At certain tourist attractions, photography is prohibited or limited, so be aware of any restrictions in place.
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About Alex Leete
Who is Alex Leete? A passion for travel and over 15 years' experience in the industry encouraged me to set up Global River Cruising, our own family run company. Over the last few years we have been on as many river cruises, ships and seen as many destinations as we possibly can so we can rightfully call ourselves "experts". As independent specialists we work hard to find the perfect river cruise for our clients - at the very best prices too!
View all posts by Alex Leete