There is only a day: 5 destinations for short road trips outside the Moscow Ring Road

President of Pro-Vision, author of the Vinogradov.story community

Even if you have only 24 hours for rest and impressions, you should not deny yourself the pleasure of spending them in a new place. Get behind the wheel, turn on music to suit your mood and experience complete freedom from worries and anxieties. A few routes for easy and short outings outside the city – in the selection below.

Pirogovo, Moscow Region

How long to drive: about an hour

Pirogovo Reservoir is an oasis of active water recreation in the near Moscow region. Several sandy beaches, a marina with yachts and boats, a surf club and recreation areas scattered in a pine forest make Pirogovo the first place in the ratings of the most popular locations among Muscovites. In the warm season it is quite crowded here. However, it creates a rare relaxed atmosphere of a coastal spot, and for the opportunity to plunge into it for at least one day you can forgive a lot.

Pirogovskoe Reservoir

Nikola-Lenivets, Kaluga region

How long to drive: about 3.5 hours

It is almost impossible to visit all the objects of the art park in a day. It’s better to tune in for quality rather than quantity. Nikola-Lenivets, located in a stunningly beautiful place, is interesting as a place for long leisurely walks with stops for inspection or interaction with the objects.

Upon entry, guests are given a map of the park’s attractions – but it’s much more interesting to explore the area blind, stumbling upon the legendary Rotunda or Lighthouse with a sense of unexpected joy. It is better to leave Nikola-Lenivets from the capital at dawn – and this is an additional bonus for those who like to meet a new day on the road.

Istra and the New Jerusalem Monastery, Moscow Region

How long to drive: about 1.5 hours

Just 100 kilometers from Moscow is perhaps one of the most peaceful and tranquil places in the Moscow region – New Jerusalem. Russian Palestine, “moved” by Patriarch Nikon closer to the Kremlin, and the museum and exhibition complex of the same name offer travelers food for both spiritual and secular reflections.

Exhibitions, concerts and lectures are regularly held here. And in neighboring Istra it is quite pleasant to walk around: it is worth at least to walk along Chekhov’s places, to look in the city park, and if you are in the right mood to stay for an evening performance in the Istra Drama Theater.

Zavidovo, Tver region

How long to drive: about 2.5 hours

Zavidovo is another good location for recreation on and near the water. A large-scale recreational zone has been created on the banks of the Ivankovskoye Reservoir, where families with children, groups of friends, and solo travelers can comfortably spend the whole day.

The latter should take a closer look at the local wake park: here they teach wakeboarding and wake surfing, helping to get on a board in the most favorable conditions – in the clear water of the Moscow Sea and with beautiful panoramic views.

Zavidovo

Kolomna, Moscow region

How long to drive: about 2.5 hours

For those who are in Kolomna for the first time, it will almost certainly seem excessively stiffened and therefore a bit artificial. But you should move away from the old center and the real Kolomna will appear: ancient, tired in some places, but sincere and alive.

And while watching the sunset over the Moskva River, you can lose track of time: you don’t want to leave this merchant town at all. Even the ubiquitous pastilla and kalacha at this moment you begin to love a little more.