From June 10 to 12, we have three days off – a great opportunity to go on a short trip. In the ancient cities of Russia it is pleasant to ride on river buses, admire the domes of churches and nature. Not far from St. Petersburg you will find medieval castles and baroque palaces from the time of Peter I, and in Minsk – the Stalinist Empire style and Catholic churches.
We have selected five options where you can get from the capitals by personal or public transport in a few hours.
Suzdal
Museum city on the banks of the Kamenka River in the Vladimir region. The first mention of it dates back to the 11th century. Despite its modest size, Suzdal contains about 200 architectural monuments, many of which are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
It is prohibited to erect tall buildings here and there are almost no modern buildings, which is why Suzdal has become a popular film location – more than 60 films have been shot in the city. The main tourist attractions are the Suzdal Kremlin, shopping arcades of the 19th century, active ancient monastery complexes and a museum of wooden architecture with buildings of the 18th–19th centuries.
Things to do
Be sure to climb the 72-meter-high Venerable Bell Tower to see the city from above, and take a ride on a river bus – stunning views of Suzdal churches open from the water. For entertainment, you can visit a real Russian bathhouse or a pottery master class.
In the summer it is pleasant to walk here both in the city center and in the surrounding area – spacious meadows and untouched forests will enchant you with their beauty. 5 km from Suzdal is the village of Kideksha, where the 12th-century Church of Boris and Gleb stands – the earliest stone building in Rus’.
How to get there
By bus or car from Moscow in 3.5-4 hours. Another option is by train “Lastochka” Moscow – Vladimir, then by taxi to Suzdal.
Where to stay
“Guest house 44” with access to the river (rating 8.8) – from 6,000 rubles per night* for two.
Hotel “Sokol” opposite the Kremlin (rating 9.9) – from 7,900 rubles per night* for two.
Hotel “Pushkarskaya Sloboda” (score 10) – from 11,400 rubles per night* for two.
Ostashkov
A provincial town in the Tver region, known as the capital of Seliger. There are not many cultural attractions in Ostashkov itself, and some of the surviving buildings are in a dilapidated state, which, however, gives them additional charm. Here you can find houses and churches from the 17th–18th centuries. The Znamensky Convent and the Cathedral of the Life-Giving Trinity are noteworthy. To learn more about the history of the city, visit the Local History Museum, founded in the 19th century.
Most tourists come here to admire the natural beauty. Seliger is a lake of glacial origin with more than 160 islands, forests and a coastline length of 528 km. This is a very clean and beautiful reservoir. In summer, water transport departs from Ostashkov to Seliger, which takes you to the islands of Gorodomlya and Klichen.
Things to do
Enjoying the nature. In the summer you can pick berries and mushrooms, live in a tent, fish, swim in the lake and sail a boat. In a couple of days you will have time to explore the nearby islands and villages with ancient churches. Head to the Nilo-Stolobensky Monastery on Stolbny Island, a popular place for pilgrims with six temples. You can move between the islands on a rented boat.
How to get there
By bus in 6 hours or by private car.
Where to stay
Hotel “Epos” (rating 8.7) – from 4,200 rubles per night* for two.
Recreation center “Ilyinka” – from 9,600 rubles per night* for two.
Vyborg
Here you can feel the medieval European atmosphere, because the city at different times belonged to Sweden and Finland. Vyborg has preserved cobbled streets, a 13th-century castle, magnificent houses in the northern Art Nouveau style, a 17th-century town hall and other historical buildings.
The main tourist spots are Vyborg Castle, the historical center, Old Town Hall Square, Market Square, Mon Repos Park and the library designed by the famous Finnish architect Alvar Aalto. There is even a branch of the St. Petersburg Hermitage, where exhibits from the Winter Palace are brought.
Things to do
Go in search of the oldest residential building in Russia at 13A Krepostnaya Street. Go to Vyborg Castle and attend a master class on blacksmithing. Stop by the medieval restaurant “Tavern” and try the famous Vyborg pretzel in the ancient Burger’s Estate.
For city dwellers who miss nature, we recommend taking a walk through the Mon Repos Nature Reserve on the shores of Vyborg Bay. It is large enough, so landscape lovers can spend a couple of hours on the boardwalk.
How to get there
By the Lastochka train St. Petersburg – Vyborg in one hour or by car from St. Petersburg in 1.5–2 hours.
Where to stay
Hostel Linna (rating 9.5) – from 2,900 rubles per night* for two.
Apart-hotel “Sampo” (rating 8.2) – from 3,000 rubles* per night for two.
ApartmentVyborg (rating 8.6) – from 5,100 rubles* per night for two.
Lomonosov
A small town on the shores of the Gulf of Finland. Founded in the 18th century as the residence of the favorite of Peter I, Prince Menshikov. The historical name of Lomonosov is Oranienbaum, which is now the name of the palace and park ensemble of the 18th century, for which tourists come.
The Menshikov estate is a magnificent palace in the Baroque style, picturesque ponds and canals with gazebos and bridges, sculptures, green parks, alleys and even its own “Chinese Palace”. Oranienbaum managed to avoid destruction during the war, so all of its monuments are restored originals.
Things to do
In addition to walking around Oranienbaum, which can take many hours, visit the historical center of Lomonosov, go to the city’s Local History Museum and explore the local buildings. For example, the Maksimov estate is an architectural monument of federal significance that survived a fire in 2022. If you have enough time, go to neighboring Peterhof, which is 10 km from Lomonosov.
In the Lomonosovsky district, in the village of Bolshaya Izhora, there is a location that few people know about – a long wild beach with a South 50 surf station. There you can try kite surfing, windsurfing and SUP swimming.
How to get there
By train St. Petersburg – Oranienbaum in 50 minutes. By car or bus from St. Petersburg in 45 minutes.
Where to stay
Hotel Nadezhda – from 3,500 rubles* per night for two.
Hotel “New Peterhof” (score 10) – from 10,400 rubles* per night for two.
Hotel ЁLKI Peterhof Fountains – from 14,500 rubles* per night for two.
Minsk
The capital of Belarus is a mixture of different eras. You can appreciate the post-Soviet heritage and buildings in the Stalinist Empire style on Station Square, where the 11-story twin towers “Minsk Gate” are located, and the central Independence Square with government offices. Here you will see the famous “Red Church” – a Catholic cathedral of the early 20th century.
For Baroque, Art Nouveau and European atmosphere, head to the historical heart of Minsk – the Upper Town. It offers stunning views of the Nemiga River, and there are also cathedrals, churches, town halls, restaurants and souvenir shops. On the Zybovskaya pedestrian street adjacent to the “city” there are cozy bars and musicians.
Contemporary art can be found on Oktyabrskaya Street, a favorite place for creative youth. Artists from Belarus and Brazil have been painting the walls here with bright graffiti for several years. Art spaces host exhibitions, master classes, and meetings with artists.
Things to do
Look at the city from the 23rd floor of the National Library or the 54-meter Ferris wheel in Gorky Park. Try sweets over a cup of coffee in the company store of the Kommunarka confectionery factory. Go shopping in GUM or the underground three-story Stolitsa shopping center on Independence Avenue.
Visit the Nesvizh national reserve, 1.5 hours drive from Minsk. It includes the territory of Nesvizh Castle with museums and picturesque gardens. You can spend the night in the rooms of the palace hotel.
How to get there
By train from Moscow in 7 hours or from St. Petersburg in 14 hours. By plane, the journey from both Russian capitals will take 1.5 hours.
Where to stay
“BonHotel” (rating 9) – from 5,400 rubles per night* for two.
IMPERIAL PALACE Hotel (rating 9.2) – from 9,000 rubles* per night for two.
Apart-hotel Nordy Homes – from 22,000 rubles* per night for two.
*Prices are current at the time of publication.
