Where to go in winter: TOP 7 most beautiful places in Russia

What are the benefits of winter trips in Russia

Winter helps you see familiar routes in a new way. At this time of the year, the mood of cities and natural locations changes, and familiar views look different due to snow and winter light.

Advantages of winter trips

• There are fewer tourists in popular locations, and it's easier to plan routes.
• Museums and city attractions are becoming more accessible.
• Snow and winter air accentuate the architecture and natural lines.
• There are interesting seasonal fairs and winter festivals.
• Lower prices for travel and accommodation in most regions.
• It is easier to find available places in hotels and choose convenient dates.

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The most beautiful cities in Russia for winter travel

St. Petersburg: imperial luxury in snow

The most beautiful cities in Russia in winter begin with the Northern capital. Petersburg looks different under the snow.
The frosty air makes the silhouettes of buildings more contrasting, and the even winter light highlights the lines of the facades. Ice on rivers and canals is changing the usual picture of the city: the water surface disappears, and architecture becomes the main focus. Summer queues are decreasing, so in winter it is easier to get to the Hermitage or climb the colonnade of St. Isaac's Cathedral to look at the center from a height.

In the evening, festive lights are lit in the city. Lights on the embankments, illuminated buildings and decorated bridges create a festive mood. Seasonal fairs are held in different districts of St. Petersburg. They usually include Christmas trees, mini street scenes, and small food outlets. The main city Christmas tree, decorations and light installations are being installed on the Palace Square.

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How to keep warm after a walk:

• Go to a concert at the Annenkirche.
• Visit the greenhouses of the Botanical Garden
• To see a play in one of the theaters.
• Have a cup of coffee with crumpets on Bolshaya Konyushennaya Street.
• Walk along the embankments and look at the bridges in the evening light.

Where to stop:

SO/Saint Petersburg on Voznesensky Prospekt is suitable for living in the center. It is located opposite St. Isaac's Cathedral, and it is convenient to plan city routes from it. A more affordable option is Novotel Saint Petersburg Center, from where it is easy to walk to Nevsky Prospekt and many winter locations.

Baikal: winter routes on the largest freshwater lake in the world

It is impossible to imagine the most beautiful places in Russia in winter without Lake Baikal. In the cold season, the lake completely changes its character. Its surface is covered with ice with different natural patterns, and the coastal rocks and coastal trees become more expressive against the background of snow.

In strong winds, hummocks form — large ice piles that rise above the surface of the lake. Small caves form in the coastal areas, and long icicles of ice appear on the rocks. There are so-called statues on individual stones. These are splashes that look like frozen waves. Frozen air bubbles on flat areas of ice create drawings that photographers love to shoot.

Olkhon remains one of the most visited places in winter. There are several popular viewing platforms on the island, including Shamanka Rock. Cape Khoboy also attracts tourists: in winter it offers a wide view of the lake and the neighboring shores.

Winter activities here are offered for every taste. Tourists choose hivus walks, trips along the coast, ice fishing and short hiking trails. In some places, you can rent a fat bike with winter tires or try a dog sled ride. Rental offices and tour desks are available in Listvyanka and Olkhon.

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What to do:

• Ride a hivus or a dog sled on the ice.
• Visit the ice caves and observation points in the coastal areas.
• Arrange ice fishing.
• Visit the Baikal Museum in Listvyanka.

Where to stay

The most convenient way to start a trip is from Irkutsk. The ibis Irkutsk Center is located there. The hotel offers easy access to Listvyanka, where winter excursions and transportation to popular points on the coast depart.

Arkhangelsk: the cultural capital of the Russian North

Arkhangelsk is convenient for winter routes through the center. The embankment of the Northern Dvina is a starting point from which it is easy to reach the historical quarters. Wooden houses with northern architraves, outbuildings and small courtyards have been preserved on parallel streets. These areas run along the river and are well suited for short city walks.

The main cultural venues are within walking distance: the Arkhangelsk Museum of Local Lore, the Museum of Artistic Exploration of the Arctic and small exhibition spaces in the city center. It is convenient to travel between them without public transport — the distances are small.

The museum-reserve "Malye Korely" is located outside the city. It is a large territory with chapels, huts and barns, transported from different regions of the Russian North. During the winter season, some routes remain open, and it takes several hours to visit. You can get there by bus or taxi from the center.

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What to do

• Take a route from the embankment of the Northern Dvina to the blocks with wooden buildings.
• Visit the Malye Korely Museum.
• Go to the museums.
• Go to one of the city theaters.
• Climb to the city observation deck.

Where to stay

The Novotel Arkhangelsk is located in the center. It is convenient to build city routes and travel to the countryside from the hotel.

Yekaterinburg: walking in the capital of the Urals

There are many points in the center of Yekaterinburg that are conveniently connected in one route: Plotinka, Historical Square, Vayner Street and museum quarters around 1905 square. The distances are short, and walking through these areas takes several hours without long hops.

The dam is a good starting point. The buildings of the 19th century and the buildings of the first Ural factory have been preserved here. Nearby are the embankment of the City Pond and the Historical Park, where there are monuments, small platforms and observation points. There are coffee shops, shops, galleries and several museums within walking distance along Weiner Street.

There are routes outside the city that are suitable for short winter trips. These are forested areas, natural locations and viewing points in the direction of the Mountain Shield, a Wide River and urban surroundings. You can get there by car or public transport.

What to do

• Walk along the Dam and the Historical Park.
• Visit the museums on 1905 square.
• Take a look at the galleries and coffee shops on Weiner Street.
• Take a trip to a nature trail near the city.
• Go to the theater or philharmonic hall in the evening.

Where to stay

Novotel Yekaterinburg Center is located in the center of the Ural capital. It is convenient to plan hiking routes around the city and go to natural locations from the hotel.

Kaliningrad: European atmosphere in the cold season

Where in Russia is the most beautiful winter with a European flavor? Of course, in Kaliningrad. The city is suitable for relaxing walks, short routes and day trips. The main locations are compactly located: Kanta Island, the Upper Pond area, the museum quarters and the old streets in the center are located close to each other.

Kant Island is a convenient starting point. There is a cathedral, museum spaces and several short trails along the water. Nearby there are streets with pre-war buildings, where the characteristic brick houses and the layout of old Konigsberg have been preserved. There are coffee shops, galleries and small exhibition areas in the Upper Pond area, which are easy to include in the itinerary.

If you wish, you can leave the city. Zelenogradsk and Svetlogorsk are suitable for winter walks in the center and along the embankments, and the route does not take much time. The Curonian Spit is open all year round: nature trails of various lengths are available there, and they are also visited in winter.

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What to do

• Walk around Kanta Island and the area around the Cathedral.
• Visit the World Ocean Museum or the Amber Museum.
• Take a walk along the Upper Pond and go to one of the cafes.
• Go to the Curonian Spit.
• Spend a day in Zelenogradsk or Svetlogorsk.

Where to stay

From ibis Kaliningrad Center it is convenient to plan routes around the city, as well as trips to the Curonian Spit and seaside towns.

Sochi and Krasnaya Polyana: snow and palm trees in one journey

Imagine: in the morning you are walking along the sea embankment, you hear the sound of waves, admire the greenery and bask in the sun. And an hour later you find yourself in the mountains, where there is snow. Such a change of images is common in Sochi and Krasnaya Polyana.

It is convenient to start from the center of Sochi. The embankment and the Riviera Park are suitable for a quiet walk: short routes, many places where you can go to a cafe and relax a little. There are museums and small exhibition venues in the city, so it's easy to complement the walk with a cultural program.

A trip to Krasnaya Polyana is the next logical step. The road takes a little time, and as you climb, the urban landscape smoothly changes to a mountainous one. Ski resorts, ski lifts, training areas, and equipment rental are open in Polyana.

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What to do

• Walk along the Sochi embankment and take a look at the Riviera Park.
• Skiing or snowboarding in Krasnaya Polyana
• Visit museums and exhibition spaces in the center of Sochi.

Where to stay

In Sochi, it is convenient to stay at the ibis Styles: it is easy to go to the embankment and plan walks around the center. Suitable for Krasnaya Polyana Novotel Resort Krasnaya Polyana — the hotel is located near the ski lifts.

Krasnoyarsk: urban and natural winter routes

The city is good because here you can alternate urban routes and short trips to nature. The center is compact: the Yenisei Embankment, the Theater Square and the museum grounds are located close to each other. It is convenient to move between them on foot, stopping at cafes and observation points.

The Yenisei Embankment is a convenient starting point for a walk. In winter, it is especially beautiful here: a wide river, bridges, views of the hills and open space. There are museums and galleries in the center where you can warm up between walks.

Stolby Nature Reserve is the main destination outside the city. These are large rock formations several tens of meters high that rise above the forest and look like individual stone towers. Because of their shape and scale, they are considered one of the main natural attractions of the region.

It takes 30-40 minutes to get from the city to the start of the route. In winter, the main trail is open: it runs through the forest and rises smoothly towards the cliffs. The route is simple, it takes several hours.

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What to do

• Walk along the Yenisei embankment.
• Go to the Theater Square and the museums nearby.
• Go to the Stolby Nature Reserve.
• Take a look at the cafe in the center.
• View the evening city from one of the viewing points.

Where to stay

Novotel Krasnoyarsk Center is located near the embankment and the main city routes — from here it is easy to plan walks around the center and trips towards the reserve. The hotel ibis is a more budget option. It is also convenient to get to the main locations from here.

Conclusion

Winter in Russia opens up many destinations. Kaliningrad with its European atmosphere, St. Petersburg with its museums and embankments, Baikal with its ice routes, Arkhangelsk and Krasnoyarsk with nature nearby — each region has its own winter peculiarities.

You can easily recover from walking in Accor hotels. Warm, cozy rooms, thoughtful spaces and hearty breakfasts will help you focus on the most important things — your routes and discoveries.