Russian Federation \(Russia\) 3 Day Itinerary

Day 1: Exploring Moscow

  • Morning: Start your day with a hearty breakfast at a local café. Then, head to the iconic Red Square (Красная площадь) and marvel at its historic buildings such as St. Basil’s Cathedral (Храм Василия Блаженного), Lenin’s Mausoleum, and the beautiful GUM department store.

  • Afternoon: Visit the Kremlin (Дом Отечества) - the official residence of the President of Russia. Don’t forget to explore the Armoury Chamber with its stunning collection of Fabergé eggs, coronation finery, and royal carriages.

  • Evening: Enjoy a traditional Russian dinner at a restaurant like “Café Pushkin” or “White Rabbit.” After dinner, take a stroll along the Moskva River and admire the city’s beautiful architecture.

Things to know:

  • Moscow is vast, so it’s best to use the metro for navigation. It’s one of the deepest and most beautiful metro systems in the world.
  • Russian language is widely spoken, but many people also speak English in tourist areas.
  • Be respectful when visiting religious sites. No shorts or sleeveless tops are allowed.

Day 2: Day Trip to Sergiev Posad (Zagorsk)

  • Morning: Take a train from Moscow’s Kazan Station to Sergiev Posad, a town located about 70 km north of Moscow.

  • Afternoon: Spend your day exploring the magnificent Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius (Троице-Сергиева Лавра), one of the oldest and most important Russian Orthodox monasteries. Don’t miss the Cathedral of Trinity, which houses the relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh.

  • Evening: Return to Moscow by train. Spend your evening exploring the vibrant Arbat Street (Улица Арабатская), known for its street performers and souvenir shops.

Day 3: Saint Petersburg

  • Morning: Take a high-speed Sapsan train from Moscow’s Leningradsky Station to Saint Petersburg, the cultural capital of Russia.

  • Afternoon: Start your exploration with the famous Hermitage Museum (Государственный Эрмитаж), one of the largest art museums in the world. Don’t miss the Peacock Clock and the Scipione Chronicles.

  • Evening: Take a stroll along the Nevsky Prospect, the main street of Saint Petersburg, and visit the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood (Церковь Спаса на Крови). End your day with a boat ride along the canals to see the city’s beautiful architecture at sunset.

Visa Requirements:

  • All foreign citizens need a visa to enter Russia unless they are from one of the visa-exempt countries. You can apply for a tourist visa online or through a local embassy/consulate.

Transportation:

  • High-speed trains like Sapsan and Allegro connect Moscow and Saint Petersburg in less than 4 hours. Domestic flights are also available but tend to be more expensive. City transportation includes metro, trams, buses, and taxis.