Most Russian tourists for a beach holiday in the fall go to familiar resorts – Turkey, Egypt or the UAE. But if you want exotic, unusual locations and getting to know a completely different culture, we suggest considering alternative destinations for a seaside holiday.
We have selected five interesting countries with warm and clear weather, to visit which you do not need to apply for a visa in advance.
Morocco
Entry rules: Russian tourists need a foreign passport; you can stay in the country for up to 90 days without a visa. Vaccinated travelers must present an appropriate certificate; others must present a PCR test, which is done a maximum of 72 hours before departure. Before entering the country, all tourists must fill out a special form.
How to get there: There are no direct flights between Russia and Morocco. You can get from Moscow to Casablanca with one change in Istanbul, Bahrain or Cairo. Ticket price – from 64,050 rubles round trip*.
Morocco is a Muslim kingdom in North Africa. The exotic country attracts tourists with the opportunity to combine the usual beach holiday with excursions to ancient cities and see impressive buildings in the oriental colonial style.
Although Morocco is an African country, nature here is not limited to deserts and sandy beaches. At the foot of the mountains you can often find citrus and cedar thickets, and on the slopes and tops of ridges you can walk along mountain gorges and waterfalls. In Agadir, tourists can climb to the observation deck of the Atlas Mountains, see the preserved sections of the ancient fortress and get a bird’s eye view of the city. It is better to go on excursions and walks in the mountains in the fall, when there is no sweltering heat, and the weather is still sunny and warm.
The main resorts are located in the west of the country along the Atlantic coast – Casablanca, Agadir and Essaouira. The high tourist season in Morocco lasts from March to early November. The open ocean dictates its own rules, so the swimming season ends here in the last week of October, after which strong waves begin. The average air temperature in October is +25…+27 °С, the ocean is warmed up to +20…+21 °С.
Where to stay: at the five-star Sofitel Casablanca Tour Blanche hotel – from 10,410 rubles per night with breakfast or at the three-star Kyriad Residence Casablanca hotel – from 3,530 rubles per night*.
Bahrain
Entry rules: Russian tourists enter the country using a foreign passport, a visa is issued directly at the airport upon arrival. The period of stay in the country is no more than two weeks, the cost of a single-entry visa is $15. All Covid restrictions for travelers have been lifted.
How to get there:Direct flights fly to Bahrain International Airport (located on the island of Muharraq, seven km from Manama) from Moscow several times a week. The cost of a direct flight is from 47,900 rubles in both directions*.
Bahrain is the smallest island state in South-West Asia. It is located on 33 islands in the western part of the Persian Gulf. The capital and main beach resort is the city of Manama. People come here for a heavenly holiday in modern hotels, and in their free time they get acquainted with ancient culture and participate in races on high-speed cars. On the streets of Manama, huge glass business centers and skyscrapers-sailboats coexist with millennial mosques and fortresses.
You can sunbathe and swim in Bahrain all year round, but the high tourist season lasts from November to April. It is in November that the sweltering heat subsides and the air temperature averages +28 °C. In September and October at resorts it is +35 °C and above. Throughout the fall, the water in the Persian Gulf is warmed up to +28…+30 °C.
Where to stay: at the five-star InterContinental Regency Bahrain hotel – from 11,500 rubles per night or the Noor Amwaj Apartment hotel – from 6,850 rubles per night*.
South Africa
Entry rules: you only need a foreign passport, the maximum period of stay without a visa is 90 days. All requirements for the provision of Covid-19 documents have been lifted. Before departure You must fill out the online form.
How to get there: There are no direct flights between Russia and South Africa. You can get from Moscow to Cape Town with one change in Addis Ababa. The cost of the flight is from 47,200 rubles round trip*.
South Africa is the most developed country in Africa. It occupies the southern tip of the continent. Here you can see rare animals, exotic nature and get acquainted with African culture. And all this can be done without sacrificing the usual comfort. South Africa is washed by two oceans at once – the Indian and the Atlantic. In autumn it is better to swim in Indian, since the water there is warmer due to southern currents. Surfers and windsurfers prefer the Atlantic Ocean – this coast has high waves and strong winds almost all year round.
In autumn in South Africa, the weather varies depending on the resort. The high tourist season in the country begins in November. From now on, you can choose any place on the southern coast of the country for a beach holiday – the average air temperature is +22…+26 °C, and the water in the ocean warms up to +18 °C. In September and October, it is still cool in popular resorts such as Cape Town, Durban or Port Elizabeth. In the first half of autumn it is better to go to Plettenberg Bay, Knysna or George. The air here warms up to +24 °C, and, for example, in Cape Town at the beginning of autumn it is no higher than +19 °C.
Where to stay: in the four-star Atlantic Affair Boutique Hotel (Cape Town) – from 4,650 rubles per night or in a five-star hotel in the resort town of Knysna: Turbine Hotel & Spa – from 6,500 rubles per day with breakfast*.
Maldives
Entry rules: Russian tourists enter the country using a foreign passport. The period of stay without a visa is up to 30 days. Upon arrival, you may be asked for a tourist voucher; for independent travelers, confirmation of your return air ticket and hotel reservation. Among the Covid restrictions is the requirement to fill out a health declaration on the website (within 96 hours before arrival) and present the received QR code when going through passport control.
How to get there:You can fly to Male, the capital of the Maldives, from Moscow without transfers. Ticket price starts from 114,000 rubles in both directions*. It takes longer to get there with one transfer through Dubai, but the ticket is cheaper – from 76,600 rubles round trip*.
The Maldives is a destination for a traditional beach holiday. All the entertainment here is mainly related to nature and active sports in the Indian Ocean. People come to the Maldives for a quiet and secluded holiday, to see exotic jungles and a rich underwater world. The state consists of more than 1,000 atoll islands, and often the territory of one island is occupied by only one hotel. The main atoll, on which the capital and more than 25 island resorts are located, is North Male. An hour’s drive from the airport by speedboat is the second resort region – South Male Atoll. There are about 30 islands, most of which are occupied by luxury hotels. Fans of the exotic underwater world often go to Baa Atoll, whose resorts are located on the territory of a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
Swimming and sunbathing in the Maldives all year round. The proximity of the islands to the equator makes its own adjustments to the climate and divides the weather into two seasons. The first – from May to October – is the time of the southwest monsoon. During this period, the weather is more windy and heavy rains occur. The second season is from November to February – the time of the northeast monsoon. The weather becomes less humid, and the air and water temperatures in the ocean average +30 °C.
Where to stay: at the five-star Kurumba Maldives hotel – from 19,600 rubles per night in a superior triple room or guest house Sala Boutique Hotel – from 12 500 rubles per day*.
Argentina
Entry rules: Russian tourists enter the country with a foreign passport, the maximum period of stay in Argentina without a visa is 90 days. Among the Covid restrictions, only the need to fill out a health declaration form remains (within 48 hours before arrival).
How to get there:There are no direct flights between Russia and Argentina. The cheapest way to get from Moscow to Buenos Aires is with transfers through Istanbul and Sao Paulo, ticket price – from 140,000 rubles*.
Buenos Aires is one of the most beautiful cities in South America. It is located on the coast of La Plata Bay (South Atlantic Ocean). Many people associate the capital of Argentina with football, hot tango dancing and colorful building facades. Indeed, all this can be seen in Buenos Aires. In the evenings, tango is danced in city squares, and on weekends thousands of fans gather at football matches. Tourists who find themselves in the very heart of Argentina for the first time are surprised by the variety of colored facades of houses in the port area of La Boca.
The region is located in the southern hemisphere, so the seasons there are opposite to ours. The best time for a beach holiday is from November to March, when Argentina experiences spring and summer. The average air temperature reaches +32 °C, and the water warms up to +22…+26 °C. The largest well-maintained city beach, Playita De Olivos, is located in the north of the city in the Puerto Madero area, admission is free. From January to March, there are free city beaches in different parts of the city, which are equipped with sun loungers, umbrellas, swimming pools and attractions.
Where to stay: at the five-star Hotel Madero Buenos Aires – from 16,000 rubles per night for a superior room with breakfast or at the three-star Rochester Hotel Concept – from 6,400 rubles per night*.
*Prices valid at time of publication.
