Karelia is a mysterious land. Those who travel to this region and believe that true hospitality is hidden behind its harshness, discover the full power of these places. Here you can feel the power of pristine nature and feed on its strength. This happens in any type of vacation, be it an active holiday with trekking, fishing and rafting, excursion trips to famous attractions, an emphasis on visiting spiritual places, or simple life in a campsite alone with ancient forests.
You can start getting acquainted with Karelia from Petrozavodsk, the capital of the republic. The city is located right on the shore of Lake Onega. Stroll along the waterfront with quaint, eclectic monuments donated by the sister cities, and explore the museums. For example, there is an ethnographic and a marine one; take a look at the Shungite room. Go to the “Devil’s Chair” rock on the opposite shore of the lake to look at Petrozavodsk from an unusual angle and relax among the spruce and pine trees. And then you can go on an excursion.
Where to stay in Petrozavodsk
- Hotel “Severnaya”: price per night for two from 2,890 rubles.
- Hotel ” Frigate”: price per night for two from 4,365 rubles.
- Hotel Piter Inn: price per night for two from 6,200 rubles.
What to see in Karelia
If you are interested in looking at other settlements, pay attention to Lakhdenpokhya – the historical place of residence of the Karelian peoples on the shores of Lake Ladoga, Kalevala – a village with wooden huts right in the dense forest, Olonets – one of the oldest cities in the north, Medvezhyegorsk and Kondopoga – small quiet towns on the banks of Onega.
Valaam
Rocks covered with pine trees and the famous monastery with temples and hermitages.
Hospitality always reigns here. You will be greeted with cordiality, you will get acquainted with the sights, and then go for a walk through the centuries-old forest, enjoying the silence, which is broken only by the ringing of bells and the chirping of birds.
Kizhi
Masterpieces of Russian wooden architecture were built here in the 18th century. This open-air museum houses more than 50 thousand exhibits telling about the history of the Russian north! Even the most sophisticated tourists are amazed at the wonders created by Russian masters. Buy a map of the island and walk through the temples, houses, baths, barns, mills and chapels to get a feel for the ancient culture and way of life.
Ruskeala
Take a walk along the scenic Marble Canyon trail and stop by a mining workshop to see how masterpieces are created and buy marble souvenirs. Go underground: the inside of the quarry is also very beautiful. Stop by the “Abode of Angels” – a museum of elegant wooden sculptures that, surprisingly, were carved with a chainsaw. Take a zipline ride over the lake. The whole day will pass like this, but you definitely won’t forget it.
Ethnic village Kinerma
Photo: SergeyPhoto7/Shutterstock.com
A standard example of a traditional Karelian settlement. You will get acquainted with the life of the Karelians, live in ancient houses, visit a bathhouse, try kalitki, rybnik, sulchiny and other traditional dishes. 2 kilometers from the village is Vedlozero, one of the largest lakes in Karelia. You can walk to it along a forest road with picturesque landscapes.
Kivach Waterfall
Kivach translated from Finnish means “powerful, swift.” This fully reflects it. And it’s also sudden. Imagine: the river surface is quiet and calm, as if it is not going to fall on the stones with a roar, but completely unexpectedly it is broken by a threshold. In summer, the waterfall is surrounded on all sides by the greenery of the forest, in winter it impressively makes its way through the ice. It’s worth coming here at any time of the year.
Girvas Volcano
Considered one of the oldest on the planet, it is more than 2 billion years old! Once here, you will touch eternity. Once upon a time the volcano was incredibly high – reaching 6 kilometers. Time has destroyed it, but the vent itself and the drawings of flowing magma streams have been preserved. You will walk along a field of fossilized lava, the layer of which is about a hundred meters.
Mount Vottovaara
There are many mystical places in Karelia, but this is one of the most mysterious. The trees are bizarre, flattened and strongly curved, most were destroyed by fires. The lakes have died, and numerous ancient rock formations cover the summit. For example, a staircase going into the sky, a huge amphitheater with a swamp in the middle, a swimming pool with surprisingly smooth outlines, giant boulders that seem to be cut in half by a laser. Tourists note that they do not feel fear here. On the contrary – calm and tranquility.
National parks
There are four of them in Karelia: Vodlozersky, Kalevalsky, Paanayarvi and Ladoga skerries. Tourists there take a break from civilization, fish, raft on rivers, ride on lakes, explore the area in jeeps or bicycles, go trekking, and have picnics. They also just sit back, enjoying untouched nature: primeval forests inhabited by northern animals and birds, desert swamps, countless ponds, waterfalls, cliffs and gorges.
Where to stay in Karelia, except Petrozavodsk
- Cottages and bungalows in Shuiskaya Chupa: price per night for two from 9,700 rubles.
- Hotel “Karelia” in the city of Kondopoga: price per night for two from 2,130 rubles.
- Mini-hotel “Svir” in Lodeynoye Pole: price per night for two from 1,500 rubles.
- Hotel “Ladoga” in Sortavala: price per night for two from 5,000 rubles.
- Mini-hotel “Seasons” near the village of Rautalahti: price per night for two from 5,885 rubles
How to get to Karelia
For example, Pobeda Airlines flies from Moscow to Petrozavodsk. Flights are direct. Travel time is 1 hour 40 minutes. Price – from 1,200 rubles one way. You can get from Novosibirsk with a connection in the capital in 14 hours and 7,500 rubles one way. From St. Petersburg, Arkhangelsk, Vladivostok and other locations to Petrozavodsk you will have to fly on different airlines or even change the airport in the transfer city. For example, first arrive in Moscow, and from there go to the capital of Karelia.
You can get to Karelia by train from Moscow. There are two options.
- Ride on the branded “Arctic”, choosing a reserved seat, coupe or SV car. The train departs at night, after lunch (travel time is 16 hours) you will find yourself in Petrozavodsk. Ticket price – from 2,725 rubles.
- Take the Moscow – Petrozavodsk train. It takes a little longer (20 hours), there are no sleeping cars and the ticket price is slightly more favorable – from 2,063 rubles. Arrives at noon.
You can take the same trains in St. Petersburg. A ticket to the Arctic will cost from 1,483 rubles. For the train “Moscow – Petrozavodsk” – from 1316 rubles. Travel time is 6 and 11 hours respectively. Another branded train, “Swallow”, will take you from St. Petersburg to Karelia in just 5 hours. It has only seated carriages. Ticket price – from 1437 rubles.
Restrictions in the Republic of Karelia introduced in connection with coronavirus
Tourists must immediately report their arrival, place, dates of visit, as well as contact information, including information about the place of registration and place of residence in Karelia to the Ministry of Health hotline by phone 88002010657.
