Russia Travel Guide to Top Tourist Attractions
Home to the Soviet's most inspiring people in the world with a distinctive culture all of their own, Russia is where all great religions can pray as only one Europe. The world's largest country truly has it all--from valleys, warm lands, frozen terrains, glacier-covered mountains, earth's oldest lakes to steppes in Magnolia. Tourists here will find awe-inspiring attractions to last forever in their memories.
A few of Russia's oldest cities such as St. Petersburg and Moscow yet retain their royal splendor--conspicuous not just in their architecture but also obvious in their stunning parks, metro stations, and even shopping centers.
With varying excellent accommodation options to satisfy all needs and tastes and convenient public transportation, Russia offers everything to guarantee an experience of a lifetime.
For unusually good ideas on what to visit and see, read my Russia travel guide to find the top tourist attractions in Russia.
1) Kremlin. As Moscow's hands-down most recognizable landmark, the Kremlin is a fifteen-century fortified complex covering a vast area of no less than 275,000 square meters and surrounded by walls erected in the 1400s. The palace contains more than 700 rooms, though once Tsar family's home, today it's where the Russian Federation president resides, but the majority heads of state have chosen to live elsewhere.
Also, the huge complex consists of several other buildings, of which some are open to the general public. Besides three cathedrals and a few towers, the Kremlin houses the Armory structure, a museum which exhibits the royal crown, imperial carriages, Faberge' eggs, and Ivan the Terrible's ivory throne.
2) Bolshoi Theatre. The largest and the world's oldest opera and ballet companies call the Bolshoi theater home. Though it has undergone many major renovations during the past 100 years like in 2011 for restoring imperial architectural details, it yet retains remarkably all of its original Neoclassical grandeur.
The Bolshoi Theater which you may see now opened back in 1824, but after many older versions have burned down. Inside, gilt moldings, red velvet, and a 3-tiered crystal chandelier grace the theater with a Byzantine-Renaissance grandeur feel.
Watching a performance from the opera troupes and the resident ballet is a sweet treat, for the theater frequently hosts a fair number of classical shows like Rachmaninoff's Francesca da Rimini and Tchaikovsky's Mazeppa, both of which first premiered here.
3) GUM. As the oldest and most modern shopping center at the same time, GUM is an architectural wonder. GUM, short for "Main Universal Store," was constructed in the 1800s using a neo-Russian style for showcasing an exquisite combination comprising 20,000 glass-panels and a steel skeleton shaping an arched roof.
Back then this ambitious construction project the glass had to be sturdy enough to withstand the Russian snow-heavy winters. But the structure is just as extraordinary inside, with granite and marble covering all three levels.
Though GUM has lost that status of being Moscow's largest and longest shopping center, it's yet without doubt the most beautiful. Home to famous brands such as Manolo Blahnik and Gucci, this may not be the perfect stop for cash-strapped tourists, but for the splendor of this massive building justifies a visit here.
Climb to the 3rd floor and you'll find fine dining options such as a Soviet-style canteen serving traditional Russian dishes, and even a stand that sells hand-made ice cream utilizing a genuine 1954 recipe the Soviet government approved.
4) Lenin's Mausoleum. As Russian leader Vladimir Lenin's last and final place of rest, the mausoleum now occupies a main place in Red Square. The mausoleum has been not only holding but also remarkably preserving his body since his untimely demise in 1924, and despite the original plan was to bury him after a brief period of public showcase for mourning, this plan rapidly changed.
After receiving more than 100,000 visits over the course of six weeks, a decision took place for a new sarcophagus as well as a more lasting display space for preserving Lenin's body better, and his mausoleum got built. Since then, the mausoleum together with its marble stairs all became the central spot from where Russian leaders observed events and parades unfolding in Red Square.
Today, visitors can see Lenin's embalmed body, resting behind a bulletproof glass sarcophagus like he's only sleeping. Though a tour here was not the common thing to do for many in the past, it's now a must-do for history lovers wanting to comprehend how Lenin's heritage really impacted the country. But come prepared to wait, for lines generally form to enter.
5) Red Square. Since all main streets in Moscow begin at Red Square, it's easy to realize why this site is regarded as the city's beating heart. An enormous space of 70 meters by 330 meters, the square is bordered by the State Historical Museum, two cathedrals, the Kremlin, and Lenin's Mausoleum. In 1945, a mega Victory Parade occurred here to rejoice the defeat of the Nazis by the Russian soldiers.
St. Basil's Cathedral, a really recognizable building that stands on the square, got constructed in 1555. The Asian and Byzantine inspiring design reflects on the cathedral's unique architectural details. The church houses nine separate chapels, each boasting colorful mural art.
The Kremlin and the square are confirmed UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In particular, on weekends, stalls at times sell traditional items and souvenirs here like matryoshka at the square's entrance.
