Travelling to Russia for the FIFA World Cup 2018? Or just looking to plan a holiday to somewhere you’ve never visited before?
We’re exploring some of the World Cup host locations to reveal seven absolute must-visits around the country. From stunning architecture, vibrant culture and beautiful sites, Russia has plenty to offer for every type of traveller. And it’s really no surprise, what with Russia being the geographically largest country in the world!
So, while you’re not busy supporting your team at the World Cup, we’d recommend heading out for a spot of site-seeing…
St. Petersburg | Home to the Krestovsky Stadium
A city packed full of culture, natural beauty and impressive architecture, a visit to St. Petersburg is an absolute must. Russia鈥檚 second largest city is a source of inspiration for many authors, poets and artists. It鈥檚 home to the Hermitage palace and museum, as well as a number of Eastern Orthodoxy鈥檚 most famous cathedrals.
Canals weave their way through the city, while baroque-style buildings, museums, palaces and cathedrals combine to create the ultimate cultural experience.
Kazan | Home to Kazan Arena
The city of Kazan is a great example of the cultural and religious diversity in Russia. From the Soviet Lifestyle Museum or the Kul Sharif Mosque to contemporary bars and restaurants, Kazan offers something for everyone.
As a regional sports and tourism capital, Kazan has previously hosted various international competitions including hockey, gymnastics and fencing. And now in 2018, it鈥檚 adding the FIFA World Cup to the list, so there’s plenty going on in this city!
Did you know? The Kazan Arena, Russia was designed by the same architect firm as both London Wembley and the Emirates Stadium in the UK.
Moscow | Home to Luzhniki Stadium
Next up is the federal capital of Russia and the biggest city in Europe, Moscow. If you鈥檙e looking for a bustling city with an abundance of things to do, then Moscow is a must-visit! It鈥檚 steeped in history with Soviet architectural triumphs and cathedrals dating back to the 1500s. And it seamlessly transitions into a contemporary metropolis with sky-scrapers and a lively bar and restaurant scene. Whatever you’re looking for from your trip to Russia, Moscow is the ideal place to encounter a multitude of experiences.
Kaliningrad | Home to Kaliningrad Stadium
Located on the coast of the Baltic Sea, Kaliningrad lies between Lithuania and Poland. Formerly part of Germany, the city and its port were integrated into Russia after World War II.
Kaliningrad has lots to offer when it comes to history and architecture, featuring German, Soviet-era and modern-day structures. The port is well-known for its excellent fishing, as well as being home to 90% of the world’s amber. There’s even an amber museum to showcase it all!
Interesting fact: This is the only port in Russia that stays free of ice throughout the year.
Saransk | Home to Mordovia Arena
The small city of Saransk, home to around 30,000 people, is currently undergoing a period of actively promoting sports. If you’re into speed-walking, then you may well have come across Saransk before as the country’s Olympic training center is located here. The city is known for being uniquely Russian and is probably one of the quieter host locations to pay a visit too. But, it is the capital of Mordovia so it’s another capital city to tick off your list!
