The nature of our country is incredibly diverse, and any traveler will find a holiday option for themselves here. On the shores of the Baltic you can sunbathe, in Altai you can fly in a helicopter and admire the mountains, and on Sakhalin you can catch crabs.
We have chosen popular destinations for holidays in Russia in the summer: from the beach resorts of the Krasnodar Territory to the wild places of the North.
Sea and sun
- Sochi
- Anapa
- Dagestan
- Zelenogradsk
Sochi
Of course, this is one of the most popular and developed tourist resorts in the Black Sea. The city offers all the infrastructure for a comfortable beach holiday – sun loungers, umbrellas, changing rooms, water activities, rescue towers, cafes and restaurants on the coast.
The central beaches (there are dozens of them) can be crowded in the summer, in which case go to the less popular wild beaches in the surrounding area, for example, in Khosta or the Lazarevsky district of Sochi. The swimming season lasts here from May to October. And if you’re tired of sunbathing, you can hide in the shade of the mighty trees of the Arboretum Park or go on an excursion to the Sochi Discovery World Aquarium.
Where to stay
“Magellan O’din” (score 9) – from 7,200 rubles* for a room for two. A new three-star hotel in the center of Sochi, surrounded by cafes and restaurants, just a kilometer walk to the city beach. The rooms are quiet and comfortable, and the staff is friendly and helpful.
Cosmos Sochi Hotel(score 9.9) – from 8,300 rubles* for a room for two. Four-star hotel in the very center of Sochi – the main museums and parks can be reached on foot. The hotel has 153 comfortable rooms, from standard to suites, on the ground floor there is a 4STARS restaurant.
Cosmos Stay Le Rond Sochi (rating 9.8) – from 12,000 rubles* for a room for two. Four-star stylish apart-hotel 12 km from the center of Sochi, in the resort area of Dagomys. An ideal option for a family – the room has everything you need, from a kitchen to a large view terrace.
Anapa
Another famous resort on the Black Sea coast. The city is ideal for families with children – there are many amusement parks and attractions. The central beach of Anapa is very popular in the summer. But in the neighboring villages of Dzhemete and Vityazevo it is more free. If you want complete privacy and wild nature, go to the Bugaz Spit, 50 km from the city. This is a protected area where there are no hotels, restaurants or other infrastructure, but there are golden sand dunes and deserted beaches. The swimming season here lasts from June to October.
In the vicinity of Anapa there are many places where you can go on excursions – the cypress lake Sukko, a lake with Indian lotuses, the Abrau-Durso sparkling wine factory and the open-air museum of antiquities – the Taman Peninsula.
Where to stay
“Eurasia” (rating 8.8) – from 2,000 rubles* for a double room. Three-star hotel in the very center of Anapa near the sea. Most rooms offer views of the beach and water surface. Main attractions, restaurants, cafes, nightclubs and water park within walking distance.
“Gala Palmira Vityazevo” (rating 9.1) – from 8,300 rubles* for a double room. Three-star hotel in the suburbs of Anapa with a swimming pool and all-inclusive meals. The sandy beach can be reached on foot, the Skazka amusement park and the Olympia water park are very close.
“Cranes of Dzhemete”(score 10) – from 10,050 rubles* for a double room. Modern family all-inclusive hotel in the Dzhemete area. You can walk to the sandy beach in ten minutes, and if you don’t feel like going to the sea, you can swim in one of the four pools.
Dagestan
Beach holidays are not the most popular pastime in the mountainous Republic. However, this is a plus, because there are significantly fewer tourists on the coast of the Caspian Sea than in the resorts of the Krasnodar Territory.
The length of the coastline of Dagestan is approximately 530 km, the most equipped beaches are located in Makhachkala, Kaspiysk, Izberbash and Derbent. The tourism infrastructure here is quite modest; at the moment, the authorities are actively working to improve the coastal areas. Nevertheless, the region is perfect for families with children – the sea here is shallow and warm, and entry into the water is long. Local residents recommend swimming not on the central city beaches, but on wild ones, where the water is cleaner. The season lasts from June to the end of September.
Where to stay
“Arbat Makhachkala”(score 9.1) – from 3,900 rubles* for a double room. Three-star hotel with standard and family rooms on the Caspian Sea coast. Not far from the hotel there is the Mosque named after the Prophet Muhammad, green parks and Lake Akgel.
“Tarho Hotel” (rating 8.5) – from 4,500 rubles* for a double room. Three-star hotel near the city beach of Makhachkala. It features a café and free parking. The hotel is located near the train station, several major museums and the Central Juma Mosque.
Jacques (rating 9.3) – from 8,500 rubles* for a double room. A modern four-star hotel surrounded by theaters and museums of Makhachkala. Standard rooms and suites are available to guests. Here you can enjoy massages, spa services, sauna and Turkish bath.
Zelenogradsk
In the Kaliningrad region there are several small towns on the shores of the Baltic Sea, where people go for a beach holiday. Zelenogradsk is one of the best resorts in the north of Russia, where you will be pleasantly surprised by its developed tourist infrastructure, excellent restaurants and modern hotels. To swim in warm water, you need to come here in July and August; the rest of the time the sea will seem cold to most people.
The golden sand beach and long promenade are not the only attractions of the city. In the center of Zelenogradsk you can find architecture reminiscent of the European past of the former Kranz.
Where to stay
“Residence” (rating 8.7) – from 8,600 rubles* for a double room. Three-star apart-hotel on the shores of the Baltic Sea near the railway station. The beach and promenade are a 7-minute walk away. The rooms have a kitchen, so guests can cook for themselves if they wish.
Zelenogradsk Spa Hotel(score 9.6) – from 13,000 rubles* for a double room. Stylish four-star hotel near the Zelenogradsk embankment. Here guests will find cozy and spacious rooms, a spa center, a sauna, a buffet, a restaurant and a bar. At the hotel you can rent a bicycle and go explore the surroundings of the city.
GreenDorf Hotel & SPA (score 9.1) – from 16,000 rubles* for a double room. Modern four-star design hotel with indoor pool, fitness center and sauna. There is a forest and Zelenogradsky park nearby, the beach can be reached in 10 minutes.
Mountains and springs
- Arkhyz
- Pyatigorsk
- Belokurikha
- Matsesta
Arkhyz
Karachay-Cherkessia is associated primarily with ski resorts, but it is especially beautiful here in the summer. At this time, the mountains are covered with bright green forests, rivers and waterfalls are noisy, and flowers are fragrant.
Arkhyz is a small village surrounded by picturesque peaks, and an ideal place for hiking and trekking. Here you can enjoy views of waterfalls and blue mountain lakes, ride horses through flowering meadows and explore ancient Christian churches. An unusual attraction of Arkhyz is the astrophysical observatory with the largest telescope in Eurasia. You can go there on a night excursion and watch the stars.
Where to stay
“Sofia Peaks” (rating 7.9) – from 6,400 rubles* for a double room. Hotel complex with swimming pools, outdoor bath, bar and restaurant. Some rooms offer stunning mountain views.
“White Peak”(score 8.0) – from 9,000 rubles* for a double room. Hotel with a panoramic terrace overlooking the Caucasus ranges. A restaurant, Turkish bath and sauna are available for guests’ use. Guests note the high quality of service and friendly staff.
“Chalet Leona” (rating 9.1) – from 8,000 rubles* for a double room. These apartments with mountain views are suitable for the whole family or a large group. Each house has a kitchen, living room and spacious bedroom.
Pyatigorsk
Caucasian Mineral Waters resort, famous for its balneological sanatoriums. People go here to relax and improve their health – clean mountain air, combined with treatment with mineral waters, has a beneficial effect on a person’s general condition.
The two main attractions of the city are the Mashuk and Beshtau mountains. The first one can be reached by cable car, but the second one can only be reached on foot. There are trails of varying difficulty, the easiest option of which can be mastered by a person of any physical fitness.
In addition to natural beauties and health resorts, the city is famous for Lermontov. Here is his house, the place of the duel and several locations associated with the famous works of the writer and poet.
Where to stay
“Lost Paradise at Mashuk” (rating 9.1) – from 4,000 rubles* for a double room. Here you will live alone with nature, but the city infrastructure will also be at hand. Near the hotel there is Mount Mashuk, the site of Lermontov’s duel, the Eolian Harp gazebo and Lake Proval.
“Cristella” (rating 9.2) – about 5,800 rubles* per night. Four-star hotel with elegant interiors near the historical center of Pyatigorsk. Delicious breakfasts are included in the price.
“Beshtau”(score 9.3) – about 5,500 rubles* per night. A three-star hotel with views of the mountains from the room windows. The spa menu offers a variety of body treatments, from body wraps to lymphatic drainage and anti-cellulite massages, as well as facial treatments.
Belokurikha
Due to its location at the outlet of thermal springs, the village in the foothills of Altai has become a popular balneological resort. The main reason people come here is for treatment with radon waters. For those who want to relax and do nothing, Belokurikha has many sanatoriums with wellness treatments.
However, there are activities for active travelers here too. In summer, here you can swim in rivers and lakes, go hiking, explore rocks, places of power and the amazing nature of Altai – your vacation will be very eventful.
Where to stay
“Cedar Coast” (rating 8.0) – about 4,650 rubles* per night. A recreation center surrounded by forests and green hills. Come here with the whole family – you can rent a large two-story house with a kitchen and several bedrooms.
Belovodye Hotel&Resort(score 9.5) – about 7,400 rubles* per night. Four-star hotel surrounded by mountains. For children there is a playroom and a water park, and for adults there is a fitness and spa center, solarium, sauna, billiards and bar.
“Streams at the Dacha” (rating 9.1) – about 8,100 rubles* per night. Cozy family rooms and suites with mountain views. There is a playroom for children. Not far away is a local landmark – the rock “Four Brothers”.
Matsesta
Another famous balneological resort, but this time in the Krasnodar region. There are thermal springs and many sanatoriums with wellness treatments such as mud therapy, hydrogen sulfide baths and massage. This is a microdistrict of Sochi, so you can quickly get to the main attractions of the city, but you will live in a quiet and cozy place without crowds of tourists. And of course, the Black Sea awaits you here.
Matsesta is surrounded by stunning natural landscapes and surrounded by greenery. In summer, here you can enjoy the healing mountain air and beautiful scenery while walking along forest paths. In an ecologically clean area among the Caucasus ranges there are tea plantations, where you can go on a tour and taste local tea. From Old Matsesta, where the ancient hydropathic clinic with thermal springs is located, you can walk to the “Eagle Rocks”, which offers magnificent views of the mountain peaks of the Caucasus.
Where to stay
Hotel InnReef (rating 9.0) – about 4,100 rubles* per night. Three-star mini-hotel with delicious breakfasts. The room capacity includes standard, superior rooms and suites. From here you can quickly get to both Old Matsesta and central Sochi.
“Rest-Matsesta” (rating 9.0) – about 9,000 rubles* per night. Three-star hotel surrounded by palm trees and pine groves with its own descent to the beach. Rooms offer mountain or sea views.
“Villa Polianna”(score 9.2) – about 11,000 rubles* per night. A small hotel in a quiet and green place with access to the sea. Guests can enjoy the spa, sauna and indoor pool.
Lakes and rivers
- Baikal
- Ladoga and Onega lakes
- Seliger
- Volga
Baikal
This lake hardly needs any introduction, but we still note that lovers of pristine nature should definitely visit this place. In July and August, you can swim in the clear waters, go trekking, horseback riding or explore the surrounding area by bike. On the shores of the lake there are recreation centers where you can stay comfortably.
The lake is so large that boat cruises have become one of the popular types of recreation here. They last from 5 days and allow you to cover a maximum of attractions – islands, capes, bays and hot springs.
Where to stay
Baykal-Dar (rating 9.2) – from 6,800 rubles* for a double room. Here you will live in your own home, surrounded by wild nature, away from city noise. Entertainment options include horse riding, table tennis, and a playroom for children. For maximum relaxation, visit the on-site bathhouse.
Baikal View(score 9.9) – from 10,340 rubles* for a double room. Three-star hotel with excellent guest ratings. There is a swimming pool, restaurant, bar, sauna and buffet meals. The rooms offer stunning views of the mountains, forest or lake.
Villa Malina (rating 8.2) – from 15,000 rubles* for a double room. A modern three-star hotel where guests can enjoy pristine nature without losing the usual amenities. Here you can book a whole bungalow or a deluxe room. The services include a spa center, sauna, swimming pool, sun terrace, bar and restaurant.
Lake Ladoga and Onega
The two largest lakes in Russia after Baikal are located in several regions at once. Ladoga – in the Leningrad region and on the territory of the Republic of Karelia, Onega – in the Leningrad, Vologda regions and Karelia. You can get to the reservoirs from Petrozavodsk.
The lakes are famous for their protected northern nature, picturesque islands and cultural attractions. For example, the largest island of Ladoga, Valaam, will amaze travelers with its steep cliffs, mighty trees, cozy bays and an 11th century monastery.
The most famous island of Lake Onega is Kizhi. There are monuments of wooden architecture from the 15th to 20th centuries. The largest sailing championship in Russia is held annually in the water area of the reservoir.
Where to stay
“Spa Hotel Karelia” (score 10) – from 4,770 rubles* for a double room. Four-star hotel in Petrozavodsk on the shore of Lake Onega. There is a restaurant, swimming pool, conference room, and self-catering rooms. Nearby are the main cultural attractions, museums, theaters and a waterfront park.
“Frigate” (score 10) – from 8,500 rubles* for a double room. Four-star hotel in the heart of Petrozavodsk. The rooms offer stunning views of Lake Onega. The National Museum of Karelia and the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral can be reached in a couple of minutes on foot.
“Vladimirovsky”(score 9.0) – from 11,200 rubles* for a double room. Stylish four-star complex on the shores of Lake Ladoga. Here you can stay in a presidential class suite with a study, a bar counter and views of the water surface. Or in a cozy standard room, where the interiors are no worse.
Seliger
A very clean and beautiful lake of glacial origin with more than 160 islands, forests and a coastline of 528 km. In the warm season, people come here to enjoy nature, pick berries, fish, live in a tent or at a recreation center and swim.
The nearest large settlement is the city of Ostashkov, from where water transport departs, which can easily take you to the Seliger Islands with ancient churches. You can also rent a boat and navigate the lake on your own. For example, go to Stolbny Island, where the Nilo-Stolobensky Monastery with six churches is located.
Where to stay
“Epic”(score 8.7) – from 4,200 rubles* for a double room. Three-star hotel in Ostashkov on the banks of the Seliger River. There are standard rooms, junior suites and suites. Guests can dine in the hotel’s restaurant and relax in the evening at the bar or play billiards.
WISH HOTEL Seliger (rating 9.3) – from 4,600 rubles* for a double room. In this mini-hotel you can enjoy nature in cozy wooden houses surrounded by forest. On site you can have a barbecue and visit the sauna. You can get to the lake in 5 minutes.
“Seliger for you” (rating 9.9) – from 5,100 rubles* for a double room. Cozy hotel right by the water. For a large family or complete privacy, you can book the entire cottage. The hotel offers rental of bicycles, boats, and fishing equipment.
Volga
Another option to enjoy warm weather, summer nature, ancient temples and kremlins from the water is river cruises. On this trip you will live in a comfortable cabin and eat in a restaurant. A popular route among similar routes is traveling by boat along the Volga.
Liners depart from different cities, the most common starting points are Moscow, St. Petersburg, Samara, Yaroslavl, Nizhny Novgorod. Cruises can last from two to twenty days, so you can cover a lot in one trip. It’s up to you to choose the departure city and route.
Where to stay
Marins Park Hotel (rating 8.3) – from 5,400 rubles* for a double room. Four-star hotel in the center of Nizhny Novgorod on the embankment of the Oka River, at its confluence with the Volga. All the historical sights of the city are very close.
“Music and Time” (rating 9.3) – from 5,555 rubles* for a double room. Boutique hotel in the historical center of Yaroslavl on the banks of the Volga. Located in the building of a former merchant estate – an architectural monument of the 18th century. Nearby is the promenade, the Temple of Elijah the Prophet, the Old Town and Strelka.
7 Avenue Hotel and SPA(score 9.9) – from 7,500 rubles* for a double room. Five-star hotel near the Volga embankment. It features a fitness center, swimming pool, solarium, spa and buffet breakfast. Not far from the hotel are the Botanical Garden and the Samara Zoo.
Extreme and hiking
- Karelia
- Ural
- Altai
- Sakhalin
Karelia
The northern nature of this region will help you reboot and temporarily disconnect from city worries. Some travelers come here in their car with a tent and boat and live in the forests on the shores of the lakes. If you are one of those brave souls, Karelia may become a place where you will want to return again and again. What to do here?
In the Ruskeala mountain park, which is called the pearl of the republic, you can ride a zipline over a quarry, jump with a rope from a rocky cliff and walk along suspension bridges over waterfalls. Adrenaline lovers will appreciate rafting along the rapids of the Vuoksa River. Here you can also explore the culture of the north, for example, the White Sea coast with picturesque fishing villages or the Solovetsky Islands, where a 15th-century monastery has been preserved.
Where to stay
“Point on the map” (rating 9.4) – from 8,200 rubles* per night. Three-star hotel located deep in the Karelian forest in Sortavala. Here you can admire the northern landscapes right from your room: the windows overlook the lake and forest.
“Hotel Fregat” (score 10) – from 8,500 rubles* per night. Four-star hotel with stylish and spacious rooms in a green area right on the shore of Lake Onega. The hotel has a fitness center, restaurant and conference room.
“Chunki” (rating 9.4) – from 9,600 rubles* per night. People come here for fresh air, unique nature and a Russian bathhouse. Guests of the guest house will live in cozy pine cottages in the middle of the forest.
Ural
This region is also known for its outdoor activities. There are many natural and national parks suitable for trekking, river rafting and mountain climbing. You can create a comfortable route for the whole family, book an overnight stay in advance and enjoy the warm weather.
For example, in the Chusovaya River natural park you can go rock climbing, go camping with tents and go sailing on a kayak, catamaran or paddleboard, admiring the views of the coastal cliffs. And trekking in the Zyuratkul National Park can be conveniently combined with climbing Iremel – the second highest mountain in the Southern Urals, which is considered sacred.
“Onegin” (rating 9.9) – from 5,700 rubles* for a double room. Guests will appreciate the beautiful interiors of the rooms, the buffet, the convenient location in the center of Yekaterinburg and views of the Holy Trinity Cathedral. After an active holiday, you can relax here in the sauna or Turkish bath.
“ParkCity” (rating 9.9) – from 4,950 rubles* for a double room. Four-star hotel with swimming pool, fitness center, sauna and restaurant. Nearby are a pine forest, several parks and the Chelyabinsk Zoo.
“Nesterov Plaza” (score 10) – from 5,250 rubles* for a double room. A wonderful hotel with fresh renovation and stylish interior. Guests particularly appreciate the caring staff and delicious food. Near the hotel there are the main theaters and museums of Ufa.
Altai
If a vacation on the beach or in a sanatorium with all the amenities does not appeal to you, go on an adventure. They definitely exist in Altai. Here you can raft on wild rivers or go jeeping in the mountains.
What else? In the Altai Nature Reserve you can go diving and go to the bottom of Lake Teletskoye with scuba diving. Or fly by helicopter over Mount Belukha, the highest in Siberia. If you want to explore the dense taiga, rent an ATV or buggy. The republic traditionally attracts lovers of extreme recreation from all over Russia.
Where to stay
“Grand Hotel Altai” (rating 9.1) – from 5,300 rubles* for a double room. Four-star hotel in the center of Gorno-Altaisk near the National Museum of the Altai Republic and several popular observation platforms.
Geometrika lounge hotel(score 10) – from 11,800 rubles* for a double room. Modern guest houses surrounded by forest and silence. All cottages have a stylish design and are equipped with the amenities familiar to a city dweller. Nearby there is a cable car on Lake Manzherok and an apiary, supermarkets can be quickly reached by car.
“Terra Altaya” (rating 8.6) – from 8,000 rubles* for a double room. Designer houses with views of the mountain, forest or Katun River. Amenities include massage, sauna, spa center and restaurant.
Sakhalin
An island in the Far East attracts romantics and the most avid travelers with its beauty and mysteries. Crystal rivers, bays and rocks, capes and grottoes – all this can be seen with your own eyes, having overcome a difficult path.
Despite the occasional rain, summer is a great time for climbing to the tops of the hills, jeep tours through the forests, fishing and crab fishing, kayaking and swimming in hot springs. Surfing is gaining popularity – depending on the forecast, you can catch waves on the shores of the Sea of Okhotsk or the Sea of Japan. In July and August, you can even arrange a lazy beach holiday here, the main thing is to choose a suitable and safe location. Locals recommend the coasts at Yablochny, Okhotsk and Aniva beaches.
Where to stay
“Islander” (rating 9.0) – from 2,100 rubles* for a double room. A hostel with standard rooms and shared rooms where you can book a bed. A kitchen and laundry facilities are available to guests. The mini-hotel is located in the city center, next to the main museums of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.
“Youth” (rating 9.7) – from 4,400 rubles* for a double room. The hotel is located in the tourist center of the city, on Victory Square, 450 meters from the Mountain Air resort. A buffet and free parking are available. You can choose a room with a mountain view.
“Mega Palace” (rating 9.7) – from 7,700 rubles* for a double room. The hotel has both standard rooms and business class apartments. Choose what you want to see from the window – the city, mountains, lake or park.
*Prices are current at the time of publication.
