Things to see in Russia

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By some measure the largest country in the world, Russia holds a wealth of sightseeing opportunities across all 11 of its time zones, incorporating the largest forestland and freshwater supply in the world. It's little wonder that Russians refer to their country as the Motherland - it is, undeniably, one bountiful place. Seeing Russia in all her glory would be a mighty, and time-consuming, feat.

Most visitors will stop first at the popular cities of the north-west, Moscow and St Petersburg - notable for the roles they played in the Napoleonic Wars and World War II. Moscow was the site of the bloodiest battle Napoleon described as ever having seen while St Petersburg was witness to both the Russian Revolution of the 1700s and the Russian Civil War of the 1900s. Thus both cities boast an abundance of ornate war memorials, museums and sites dedicated to their cataclysmic history.

In St Petersburg, the State Hermitage Museum captures ancient to modern Russian history in the six buildings which make up the Winter Palace - the former residence of the tsars. The Moscow Kremlin is a citadel complex, the most popular of the Kremlin buildings; alongside it is Red Square, Moscow's broad and bustling city square adorned by the famous Basil Cathedral. The Bolshoi Ballet Theatre, in neighbouring Theatre Square, is one of the most ornate theatres in the world and is home to the world's oldest and most successful ballet company. Russian architecture is an attraction unto itself and the cathedrals of Moscow in particular, prove a popular marvel for tourists the world over.

There is, however, more to see in the west by way of both history and natural splendour. Russia is jokingly referred to as the 'lungs of Europe' due to the expansive forestland, which absorbs 15% of the world's carbon dioxide. As you progress east, the forest becomes more dense and overwhelming.

The best way to take in the Russian countryside is by train, as the trans-Siberian Railway winds south-east from Moscow on the same route that once transported prisoners of Stalin's Purges to Gulag labour camps. Travel down to Lake Baikal, the deepest and largest lake (by volume) in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where there are several beautiful resorts along the lakeside.

The Kremlin

The oldest part of Moscow dating back to the city's foundation in 1147, and situated at the very heart of the city on top of a hill, the Kremlin is a fortress surrounded by a thick red wall interspersed with 20 towers. The... see full details

Red Square

Red Square is a dramatic open cobbled space in the centre of Moscow, originally the city's market place that served as a public gathering place to celebrate festivals, listen to government announcements or to witness executions, especially common during the reign of Ivan the... see full details

St Basil's Cathedral

St Basil's Cathedral with its multicoloured domes is the most famous image of Russia, standing on the edge of Moscow's Red Square, a striking design that was commissioned by Ivan the Terrible to commemorate his victorious military campaign against the Tartar Mongols at Kazan... see full details

Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theatre

Moscow's oldest theatre, the Bolshoi dates from 1824 and is Russia's most famous theatre, with its world-renowned opera and ballet companies in residence. Completely rebuilt after a fire in 1856, the grand building is a masterpiece of Russian neoclassicism, including an eight-columned entrance porch... see full details

Tretyakov Gallery

The Tretyakov Gallery houses some of the great masterpieces of traditional Russian art from before the Revolution and has the world's finest collection of Russian icons from the 11th to the 17th centuries. The gallery's collection of paintings, graphics and sculptures covers Russian art... see full details

Nevsky Prospekt

Almost three miles (five km) long, Nevsky Prospekt is one of the best-known streets in Russia and is the main thoroughfare of St Petersburg, starting at the Admiralty whose gilded spire is a famous city landmark, to the Moscow Railway Station and then... see full details

St Isaac's Cathedral

The golden dome of St Isaac's Cathedral dominates the skyline of St Petersburg, the colonnade around the cupola offering superb panoramic views over the city. It was commissioned by Tsar Alexander I to be a magnificent imperial cathedral, and the ensuing masterpiece was of... see full details

Poklonnaya Hill

Poklonnaya, literally meaning 'bow down', lies in the west part of Moscow and was historically a spot for Western visitors of the city to pay homage before entering the city. Today it is a beacon to Russia's military strength, having withstood invasions by... see full details

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

After Napoleon retreated from Russia, Tsar Alexander I declared that a cathedral be built in remembrance to the soldiers who had died defending mother Russia. Decades later the cathedral was demolished by Stalin (who found the monument abhorrent), only to be built again on... see full details

Borodino Panorama Museum

The battle of Borodino, is regarded as the bloodiest of the Napoleonic wars, seeing over 70 000 casualties in a single day, an event which saw Napoleon brand the Russians as being 'invincible'. The Borodino Panorama Museum was inaugurated in 1960 and serves... see full details

Moscow Metro

Visitors to Moscow are strongly encouraged to take a ride on the city's glorious underground rail system. The 'tarmac' consists of marble floors, ornate pillars and the walls are adorned with realist artworks. Moscow's metro boasts over two and half billion passenger rides per... see full details

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