January for a travel lover is a vacation that can be extended in order to have time to properly relax and bring back more impressions. And even if you only have holidays for your trip, they will be enough for a busy vacation. Choose one of the Russian destinations, and we will tell you what to do, how to get bright emotions or, conversely, relax and reboot.
Sochi
Besides skiing, there is plenty to do here in January. Down by the sea, the temperature is around 10℃ and it rains often. Take a bus tour to move comfortably between interesting locations, go to the dolphinarium and oceanarium. On dry days you can take a walk around the arboretum. And if time permits, don’t give up on water activities: in the village of Esto-Sadok and at the Gazprom ski resort there are large indoor water parks where you won’t notice how the whole day flies by. And don’t forget that in neighboring Matsesta you can support your body, because the cold doesn’t end there: there are hydrogen sulfide springs, swimming in which is good for the immune system.
How to get there
You can fly from Moscow to Sochi for 5,000* rubles, the journey takes 4 hours. By train the journey will take about 23 hours, and the ticket will cost from 6,400 rubles.
Where to stay
“Magellan O’din” (rating 9.0 out of 10) – from 2,200 rubles per night for two. The main attractions of Sochi, as well as the railway and bus stations are 5 minutes away. There are many cafes and entertainment centers around.
“Melody of the Mountains” (rating 8.6 out of 10) – from 6,000 rubles per night for two. Mountain hotel, stylized as an Alpine chalet. In addition to the rooms, there is a separate cottage.
“Khludov’s Estate” (rating 9.9 out of 10) – from 20,000 rubles per night for two. Outside you will be greeted by Russian Art Nouveau, and inside – Imperial Baroque. All decorative items are created in a single copy, and paintings by Russian artists are presented on the walls.
Karelia
January is the frostiest month here, so if you associate a holiday at this time with a winter fairy tale, Karelia is best suited. Majestic forest landscapes, marble canyons, multi-stage waterfalls – when covered in snow, all this looks ruggedly beautiful. But tourists are attracted here not only by the picturesque landscapes. On the island of Kizhi you can get acquainted with ethnographic monuments and wooden architecture, and in the village of Pryazha you can get exciting memories while riding a dog sled. When the outdoor races are over, Karelian cuisine will seem especially tasty and warming to you. Be sure to try kalitki, sulchina and kalakeitto.
How to get there
From Moscow you can fly to Petrozavodsk in 1.5 hours (ticket price from 5,200 rubles). Or by train to Sortavala for 3,800 rubles, the journey will take you 13.5 hours.
Where to stay
“Gardarika” (rating 8.6 out of 10) – from 3,600 rubles per night for two. The restaurant serves Karelian dishes, and the hotel offers fishing and hiking equipment.
“Winter’s Dacha” (rating 10 out of 10) – from 9,800 rubles per night for two. The hotel was built in a historical place on the shore of Ladoga. There is a bath complex and a panoramic restaurant.
“Onega Castle” (rating 8.9 out of 10) – from 2,800 rubles per night for two. The rooms maintain Karelian flavor, thanks to traditional ornaments, handmade wooden lamps, and magnificent views from the windows of Lake Onega.
Adler
Adler is not only a beach holiday. During the cold season, only seasoned daredevils swim in the sea, but those who like to spend time in the warmth should enjoy the museums. The Lost World Dinosaur Park transports guests back millions of years. At the Leonardo Da Vinci Museum you will get acquainted with the inventions of Russian professors, and at the Tesla Museum they will easily and playfully show you how the world of physics works. You can also warm up through sports: there are wonderful indoor skating rinks in the Olympic Park. And if you are lucky with the weather and there is no rain, which happens quite often in January, take a walk through the Southern Cultures arboretum – you will be enchanted by the evergreen cypresses and pines with their winter-cozy pine aroma.
How to get there
You can fly from Moscow to Sochi by plane for 5,000* rubles, the journey takes 4 hours. By train the journey will take about 23.5 hours, and the ticket will cost from 3,200 rubles.
Where to stay
“Malecón” (rating 9.5 out of 10) – from 2,300 rubles per night for two. The hotel offers a panoramic view of the sea and the majestic Caucasus Mountains. And the courtyard is landscaped with cypress trees and flowering bushes.
Portobello Sochi (rating 10 out of 10) – from 3,100 rubles per night for two. Nearby there is a water park, a dolphinarium, a drinking pump room with medicinal mineral water, and a wide variety of cafes. The hotel itself also has an excellent restaurant.
Delos (rating 10 out of 10) – from 8,000 rubles per night for two. Located on the first line, the rooms are bright and spacious. There is an excellent spa, which is included in some rates.
Kazan
Walking around Kazan in January, with its standard temperature of -10 degrees, should be active. So go to the Kremlin embankment. The ice skating rink, which is considered the longest in Europe, is being filled here. But a holiday in January without sliding on ice can be considered incomplete, just like without visiting the bathhouse. In Kazan there is the only complex of adobe bathhouses in Tatarstan and the largest in Russia. It’s called Soloma, and it combines a fashionable wabi-sabi design and panoramic glazing, so people come here not only to take a steam bath, but also to take atmospheric shots. Bauman Street and the local Arbat are also suitable for beautiful winter photographs – the illumination here is simply amazing. Walking along it, you will not get too cold, as you will go to numerous souvenir shops, restaurants and museums.
How to get there
You can fly from Moscow to Kazan for at least 4,800 rubles (for a round-trip ticket). You can also go by train, but you will have to spend 12 hours on the road, and pay at least 3,200 rubles for return tickets.
Where to stay
“Kunak Rooms” (rating 8.8 out of 10) – from 3,500 rubles per night for two. Located near Lake Kaban, the apartments overlook it. The rooms are stylized to resemble Tatar culture.
“Kazan” (rating 9.7 out of 10) — from 5,800 rubles per night for two. Located next to Bauman Street, and iconic attractions can be reached on foot in a few minutes.
“Hanuma” (rating 9.6 out of 10) – from 3,000 rubles per night for two. The hotel is located near one of the most popular streets in Kazan – Bauman Street, where there are many restaurants and cafes. Guests like Hanuma for the cozy and stylish design of the rooms and the friendliness of the staff.
Kaliningrad
Snow in Kaliningrad is a rare phenomenon, and the air temperature in January stays around zero, sometimes rising higher. You can devote your vacation to leisurely walks through ancient parks, visiting ancient castles and churches. Take some time, take the train and go to Svetlogorsk or Zelenogradsk. In the first town you will like the villas, which in cloudy weather begin to look even more mysterious, in the second town you will find colorful and very cute street decorations. If you get to the now popular Nordic Spa complex in the village of Yantarny, you can swim in a vat of warm water right on the shore of the Baltic Sea – you need to relax in January for the benefit of your soul and body.
How to get there
Flying from the capital by plane costs 5,000 rubles and takes 3 hours, but by train you will have to travel 20 minutes, tickets cost from 4,100 rubles.
Where to stay
“Europe” (rating 10 out of 10) – from 5,000 rubles per night for two. Conveniently located 100 meters from the main square and next to the station, from which you can go to the Baltic Sea every half hour. There are three shopping centers within walking distance.
FishDorf (rating 10 out of 10) – from 4,700 rubles per night for two. Located on the river bank, next to the bay and lakes. Guests have access to a spa complex, a wood-fired sauna, billiards, karaoke, gazebos with barbecues.
“Tchaikovsky” (rating 9.4 out of 10) – from 5,700 rubles per night for two. An early 20th century building in Art Nouveau style with Baroque elements. The hotel is authentic: everywhere there are rare things from around the world, as well as design objects reminiscent of the works of the great composer.
Veliky Ustyug
Where you can relax in January in Russia so that your vacation turns out to be truly magical? Of course, on the estate of Father Frost. In his residence you can walk through 12 rooms and find out what he does in his free time. On the alley next door you can meet fairy-tale characters, and in the ice kingdom you can take pictures with amazing figures. The streets of the city are also interesting: here you will see beautiful white-stone houses and ancient architecture of the 17th century, ride a horse-drawn carriage and try hot sbiten. Veliky Ustyug also has dense coniferous forests that make the air incredibly fragrant.
How to get there
Until recently, it was possible to get to Veliky Ustyug only by train, from Moscow to Kotlas, for example, in 19 hours with a ticket price starting from 1,200 rubles. Then it was necessary to travel another 1.5 hours by taxi to the residence city itself. On December 25, Veliky Ustyug Airport opened after reconstruction and received its first flight. Flights to the patrimony of Father Frost are carried out by Severstal and Vologda Airlines five times a week. So, planes fly from Cherepovets for 6,600 rubles in both directions, and from Vologda – for 4,500 rubles in both directions. One hour – and you are in Veliky Ustyug. Flights with transfers from Moscow and St. Petersburg will also be launched.
Where to stay
Hotel Velikiy Ustyg (rating 7.6 out of 10) – from 4,800 rubles per night for two. You will live in the historical center, within walking distance from the embankment and the main city attractions, including the Residence of Father Frost located nearby.
Murmansk
You can fly to the sea in January, but not necessarily to swim and sunbathe. When you find yourself in Murmansk, you will have every chance to watch whales. To do this you need to go to Teriberka. At the same time, check out the filming locations of the famous Russian film. There are no ultra-low temperatures here in January, but the climate suggests that you still need to take a lot of warm clothes with you. It will also come in handy if you decide to hunt for the northern lights. Or go to conquer the Khibiny Mountains in neighboring Kirovsk. There are two ski resorts here – “Kukisvumchorr” and “Bolshoi Vudyavr” – they attract with their long slopes and incredible Arctic nature.
How to get there
By plane for 6,500 rubles, the journey takes 3 hours. You can also get there by train, you will spend 35 hours on the way, and pay 4,000 rubles for a ticket.
Where to stay
“Renaissance” (rating 9.3 out of 10) – from 5,200 rubles per night for two. Comfortable hotel in the very center of Murmansk. The restaurant serves Russian and Pan-Asian cuisine, and you can relax in the lounge with an aquarium and fireplace.
Azimut (rating 9.9 out of 10) – from 6,500 rubles per night for two. Located next to Central Park, close to attractions. The station is 5 minutes on foot.
“Aurora Village” (rating 7.8 out of 10) – from 25,000 rubles per night for two. Glamping for Northern Lights hunting. You can relax even with your pets in warm panoramic igloo-shaped houses.
St. Petersburg
The northern capital is beautiful at any time of the year, but if you were looking for where to relax in Russia in January, and the choice fell on it, be sure to go to Palace Square. You will still have time to see the main Christmas tree of the city and get aesthetic pleasure from how the Hermitage and the surrounding buildings are decorated. In Central Park they go ice skating and Finnish sleigh rides, on the island of New Holland they buy jewelry, mittens and souvenirs, treat themselves to delicious food, and admire the fountains in the Alexander Garden in front of the Admiralty. Winter is not a hindrance for them, because they are light. In a word, St. Petersburg in January is cozy. However, as always.
How to get there
By plane in less than 2 hours and for 4,000 rubles, in addition, it is convenient to travel by train – from 2,000 rubles, the journey takes from 4 hours.
Where to stay
“St. Petersburg” (rating 10 out of 10) – from 3,200 rubles per night for two. Hotel overlooking the cruiser Aurora. The windows of the panoramic rooftop restaurant overlook the Neva. The hotel became the winner in the category “Best Business Hotel.
“Bryullov’s Mansion” (rating 9.4 out of 10) – from 5,900 rubles per night for two. An aristocratic house from the late 19th century in a historical district. The windows overlook the Neva embankment, guests are offered individual tours in a rare Rolls-Royce.
Wawelberg (rating 9.8 out of 10) – from 18,000 rubles per night for two in a Deluxe room. Nevsky Prospekt, a couple of minutes from the Hermitage and Palace Square. The interior contains sculptural masterpieces, and the rooms have an interactive system for ordering any services.
Moscow
When you’ve walked around the entire center – and you must do this to see all the brightly decorated corners – organize a marathon through the theaters. Ancient and modern, legendary and just starting out, large and intimate – you will probably not find such a variety of scenes anywhere as in the capital. You can continue the cultural program in museums. And then go for a walk not along the squares and avenues, because you have already walked around them, but along the courtyards that are hidden nearby. Interesting specimens are located, for example, next to Tverskaya, Bolshaya Nikitskaya, Znamenka and Vozdvizhenka. May your first trip in 2023 be filled with discovery and unconventional leisure activities to set the tone for your next trips.
Where to stay
“Fonda” (rating 7.6 out of 10) – from 5,800 rubles per night for two. There is a unique bath complex of eight towers, among which there is a Russian black bath. Some rooms have a private sauna.
Radisson Blu Olympiyskiy (rating 10 out of 10) – from 10,000 rubles per night for two. Those who want to relax with a magnificent panoramic view of Moscow will like it here. Evenings can be spent having a romantic dinner in a restaurant.
Lotte Hotel Moscow (rating 10 out of 10) – from 36,000 rubles per night for two. The hotel has a luxurious spa specializing in Balinese massage, and rooms with a private jacuzzi.
Pyatigorsk
Regardless of the season, people go to Pyatigorsk for sanatoriums and health improvement. In winter this comes in handy more than ever. And if you are thinking about where to go in January in Russia to strengthen your body, pay attention to this resort city. Winter here is mild, the average temperature remains within 2 degrees Celsius. Snow, even if it happens, does not linger; you can wander the streets without fear of getting your feet wet. In hospitals and pump rooms you will be helped to improve your health with the help of mineral waters. And when you want brighter impressions, the atmospheric Lermontov places and the energizing mountains of the North Caucasus await you – excursions there can be easily found in Pyatigorsk.
How to get there
Fly from Moscow to Mineralnye Vody in 3.5 hours, the flight price starts from 6,300 rubles. You’ll spend about a day on the train, the ticket costs 3,000 rubles.
Where to stay
“Southern” (rating 8.5 out of 10) – from 2,500 rubles per night for two. There are interesting places nearby: the Park of Culture and Recreation, Kirov Avenue with many cafes and shops, as well as a train station from which it is easy to get to any location of the KMV.
“Lost Paradise at Mashuk” (rating 9.1 out of 10) – from 4,000 rubles per night for two. The hotel is in nature, but the city is not far. The spa area includes a thermal area with a swimming pool, Finnish sauna and Turkish hammam.
“Park Rodnik” (rating 9.4 out of 10) – from 4,600 rubles per night for two. An extensive range of activities is organized here to improve the health of the body and strengthen the immune system, there is even animal therapy.
Perm
The temperature in Perm in January can be quite low, so it is good to include visits to theaters and museums, cozy gatherings in cafes and restaurants with local cuisine in your walking program around the city. And you can look at the sights from the window of the Romantic Tram Cafe tram – in an hour and a half you will see all the most important things accompanied by live music and the sound of wheels. Try to make it to the Varnach Peninsula, it is located not far from Perm. Monuments of wooden architecture are collected here: houses and estates, churches and barns. The small area is very picturesque, especially in winter, when the buildings are covered with snow. You will get acquainted with the peculiarities of life in the Urals and take part in tea drinking. It will also be interesting to visit the Kungur Ice Cave with stalactites and stalagmites of bizarre shapes.
How to get there
From 5,600 rubles a plane ticket from Moscow to Perm costs 2 hours in the sky. You can also get there by train: from 2,500 rubles, and the journey will take you from 19 hours.
Where to stay
Holiday Inn Perm (rating 9.9 out of 10) – from 5,100 rubles per night for two. Modern building with impressive views of the city. The hotel is located in a green area near bus stops and a shopping center.
City Star(rating 9.5 out of 10) – from 3,500 rubles per night for two. A few minutes walk to the Kama embankment and the Perm State Art Gallery. Convenient transportation for traveling around the city.
Grand Hotel Perm (rating 9.5 out of 10) – from 8,500 rubles per night for two. The only boutique hotel in Perm. Located in the historical center. Breakfast is included in the price.
Suzdal
In winter, the architecture of Suzdal becomes fabulous: white stone churches and golden domes against the backdrop of snow, especially on bright sunny days, look amazing. Visit the churches, and then go to the Kremlin and take a walk along the Trade Square – in January they are still decorated, and festive events continue on their territory. Take a day to visit the Goryachiye Klyuchi bath complex on the river bank – these are log buildings in the traditional Russian style. There is a taiga salt bath, where you can plunge into a vat of milk. And one more day is worth dedicating to a visit to the Vladimir-Suzdal Nature Reserve.
There is the Gothic Khrapovitsky Estate – an eclectic castle with battlements and lancet windows looks especially romantic and mysterious in winter.
How to get there
Suzdal can be reached by bus in 4 hours from Moscow. A ticket costs about 900 rubles.
Where to stay
“MIRROS” (rating 9.1 out of 10) – from 4,900 rubles per night for two. 5 minutes walk from the Kremlin. The hotel has a restaurant where traditional Russian dishes are prepared in a modern interpretation.
“Pushkarskaya Sloboda” (rating 10 out of 10) – from 6,000 rubles per night for two. The hotel has an atmosphere of yesteryear, thanks to the authentic Suzdal architecture of the 19th century. Guests can explore cultural monuments from bygone eras.
“Hot Keys” (rating 9.9 out of 10) – from 8,500 rubles per night for two. Located in a secluded picturesque area. There is a complex of baths here, each of which opens onto a lake with underwater springs.
Tula
Soft and tasty gingerbread with tea from a samovar is what Tula is primarily associated with, but that’s not all that the city can surprise you with. In recent years, it has become a modern center of attraction for creativity and innovation, so it is perfect for a trip if you are looking for an interesting and unusual place to relax in Russia in January. For example, in Tula there is a creative industrial cluster “Oktava”, which regularly hosts lectures and performances, opens a laboratory-workshop, and operates a cafe. The Tula Museum of Fine Arts houses a rich collection of Russian avant-garde of the 20th century: works by Kandinsky, Malevich and other great painters. And in the Belyavsky House you can visit an old pharmacy with a special atmosphere of the 19th century: look at apothecary dishes, scales, medical instruments and other vintage items, learn how medicinal drinks and perfumes were prepared, and even make your own soap with medicinal herbs or put together your own perfume composition.
How to get there
Suzdal can be reached by bus in 3.5 hours from Moscow. A ticket costs about 800 rubles.
Where to stay
“Tula Lefty” (rating 9.2 out of 10) – from 4,000 rubles per night for two. Located on the oldest street of Tula, surrounded by luxurious mansions, noble and merchant houses. Nearby are museums, restaurants, tourist attractions.
“Armenia” (rating 9.3 out of 10) – from 4,900 rubles per night for two. A couple of minutes walk from the Kremlin. Guests can enjoy luxurious accommodations and a visit to the Turkish Hammam.
Sk Royal Tula Hotel (rating 9.9 out of 10) – from 6,700 rubles per night for two. 5* hotel in the historical center near the main square and other attractions. There is a swimming pool and a Finnish sauna.
Arkhyz
Arkhyz is the place where you should go to ski or snowboard and at the same time get acquainted with the amazing Caucasian nature. In January, it’s the height of the season at the ski resort, the snow on the slopes is already natural, and skiing on it is a pleasure. There are many wide trails with comfortable elevation changes, surrounded by picturesque coniferous forests. They are especially convenient for beginners – more than half of the segments are green and blue. In addition to conquering the slopes, you can take snowmobiles to the Arkasara plateau, visit the famous astrophysical observatory, walk through the ruins of the Nizhne-Arkhyz settlement and medieval temples, visit the Church Glade or climb to Pastukhov Peak to admire the panoramas of valleys and gorges. And on Arkhyz they fly paragliders and relax in thermal springs.
How to get there
You can fly to Mineralnye Vody by plane, the flight price starts from 6,300 rubles, the journey takes only 3.5 hours. You will have to travel by train for at least 21 hours, the ticket price is about 3,000 rubles.
Where to stay
“White Peak”(rating 10 out of 10) – from 8,000 rubles per night for two. Panoramic spa area and view rooms from the windows of which you can admire the mountains.
KORONA (rating 8.6 out of 10) – from 8,600 rubles per night for two. Located in a quiet area next to a mountain river and a pine grove.
Mairi Park Hotel (rating 9.8 out of 10) – from 51,000 rubles per night in a villa. Modern cottages on the mountainside with panoramic windows. Ski lifts within walking distance.
Dombay
Dombay is a wild beauty that appeals to lovers of untouched nature. For example, a very picturesque place is the suspended pedestrian bridge in the village of Dombay, connecting the banks of the Amanauz River. It offers a magnificent view of raging rivers, snow-capped spruce trees and white mountain peaks. Another interesting winter route is the Devil’s Mill Canyon. This is a high platform directly above a raging mountain river. And if you go skiing or snowboarding, know that not far from the resort, above the village of Nizhnyaya Teberda, there is the oldest Sentinsky temple in Russia. Speaking of the local ski slopes: the slopes are wide and quite flat, but there are also extreme sections, as well as opportunities for freeride and off-piste skiing. You can even be flown by helicopter to the top so that you can descend from it on untouched snow – in January it is already very plump.
How to get there
You can fly to Mineralnye Vody by plane, the flight price starts from 6,300 rubles, the journey takes 3.5 hours. You will have to travel by train for at least 21 hours, the ticket price is about 3,000 rubles.
Where to stay
“Vershina” (rating 9.8 out of 10) – from 12,000 rubles per night for two. Apartment with modern interiors and a fully equipped kitchen. There is a swimming pool and a sauna.
Andersen Hotel (rating 8.6 out of 10) – from 8,000 rubles per night for two. The rooms offer mountain views and ski storage. To the ski lifts – 200 meters.
“Chateau Leopard” (rating 8.7 out of 10) – from 3,100 rubles per night for two. A place for family relaxation and good sleep. There is no loud music or noisy events on the territory. You can relax in the bathhouse.
*Prices valid at time of publication.
A convenient website for finding a hotel is OneTwoTrip.
