Top 12 beautiful, cozy and popular places to travel in Russia: climate and landscape like abroad

Which Russian places are similar in climate and nature to your favorite foreign destinations?

Tourism experts answer.

Beautiful climate, diverse landscape, beautiful sea with a variety of beaches for every taste from pebble to sandy – all this can be found not only abroad. There are many picturesque places in Russia that can easily be mistaken for abroad. For example, popular destinations like Greece or Bulgaria are quite comparable to Crimea. And Karelia with its unearthly landscapes, cliffs, impenetrable forests and many lakes is compared by many to Canada. What other alternatives are there?

Anna Eremina

travel expert, author of the travel website Moyway.ru

In recent years, hotels in Anapa, responding to the demands of vacationers, more actively move to an all-inclusive system. But not only for this reason, the city is often compared to Turkey. The resort is widely sought after primarily by family tourists thanks to shallow sandy beaches, where it is convenient and safe to relax with children. Water parks and a wide range of water activities – another indispensable component of a vacation in Turkey. They are no less in demand in Anapa. In the city and its vicinity there are six water parks with steep slides and modern attractions.

Anapa

Sochi is an amazing city, actively developing in recent years. Quite a mild climate, gentle sea, where dolphins often swim, the proximity of the mountains. Landscapes are similar to the countries of the Balkan Peninsula: Montenegro, Croatia, Albania.

Several domestic resorts are competing for the title of Russian Maldives. Immaculate white beaches, for which the Maldives are so famous, are located in different parts of the country. These are Crimean Olenyovka, Kosa Belyaus, General’s beaches. In the Kaliningrad region there is the protected Kurshskaya Spit, in Krasnodar region – Dolzhanskaya village and the village of Dzhemete. The northernmost “Maldives” in our list is the deserted Sarai beach of Olkhon Island.

Sochi

Dubai in Grozny

Anna Mikhailova

travel expert, head of sales at Go Travel

The Chechen Republic is quite young, but it is already quite popular with tourists. Ultra-modern buildings, unusual architecture along with ancient structures, strong traditional foundations, and gorgeous landscapes make the region very attractive for tourism. Many compare Grozny to Dubai, at least it has something to aspire to.

Grozny

Europe in St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad

St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad perfectly correspond to European cities. They amazingly transport travelers to Europe thanks to their magnificent architecture and well-preserved historical buildings.

Yoshkar-Ola is Europe in the center of Russia. In just a few years the city center has acquired a luster and unique charm. Many new buildings resemble well-recognized European locations: Piazza San Marco, Bruges embankment, Neuschwanstein Castle, Doge’s Palace.

Kaliningrad

Courchevel in Krasnaya Polyana

Anna Eremina: “Rosa Khutor is a worthy competitor to Courchevel, a resort in the French Alps. It is the newest and most advanced ski center in Krasnaya Polyana. The elegant buildings of the center are organically integrated into the natural landscape. Hotel buildings are surrounded by picturesque mountains on the banks of the Mzymta River. Thanks to the peculiarities of the subtropical climate, the snow is soft and fluffy, and the surrounding scenery is delightful. In summer the slopes of the resort are in demand no less than in winter. Elevators continue to bring tourists to the peaks, where the best viewing platforms are located and popular hiking routes to natural beauties are laid out.

Sheregesh, Dombai, Arkhyz are also actively developing and can offer guests recreation for every taste and purse. Beautiful slopes and gorgeous views, restaurants and cafes, equipment rentals, spa complexes – a good alternative to the resorts of Andorra, Bulgaria, Italy and France.

Krasnaya Polyana

Scandinavia in the Murmansk region

Anna Mikhailova: Mountain Altai is at the peak of popularity. Amazing and unusual lakes, ancient buildings, fast mountain rivers, majestic mountains, pronounced sharply continental climate are similar to New Zealand.

Murmansk and the Russian North remind Finland and Norway. Both there and there tourists have an opportunity to watch the northern lights and live in a real yurt.

Murmansk region

Karlovy Vary in Minvody

Anna Mikhailova: Thermal springs exist not only in Hungary. The pearl of Siberia – Tyumen – is famous for its springs with mineral water coming straight from the ground. Numerous spa centers and sanatoriums of the region have created unique programs for recovery with the help of springs.

The resorts of the Caucasian Mineral Waters are a treasure trove of natural attractions and a wonderful place for recovery and treatment. Sanatoriums in this area are rightfully considered one of the best. And the air and water there really work wonders. It can be safely considered as an alternative to Karlovy Vary.

Pyatigorsk

Anna Eremina: Mineralnye Vody is one of the oldest resorts in Russia. But it is not only their rich history that reminds us of Karlovy Vary. People come to the Caucasus health resorts, first of all, for the sake of high-quality medical base, which is based on natural mineral water and mud. After visiting recovery procedures, guests can relax in the spa center, pamper themselves with massages and cosmetic procedures.