Mother Russia is still great, not only in big cities, but in some villages you can find something little explored with great historical value, not to mention recognized sights. The main flows of foreign tourists are directed to Moscow and St. Petersburg, because here the infrastructure is better than anywhere else, the sights are heaped, of which there are so many that you can get acquainted with them for weeks. In addition, in the capital's hotels, the service is approaching European standards, and prices are even ahead of them. But other places in Russia are also becoming more and more popular.

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1. Moscow

First of all, tourists go to the capital and are interested in the culture of the host country there. It is best to get acquainted with it in museums, and there are over 400 of them in the capital. Museum-apartments of various celebrities or museum-reserves are also popular. Foreigners tend to visit the famous Tretyakov Gallery. The most authentic photographs can be taken in the Kremlin and Red Square. You can often meet foreigners on the Arbat, Tverskaya Street and Theater Square.

2. St. Petersburg

The second largest Russian city is one of the most beautiful in the world, so the flow of tourists here does not weaken. For example, in 2015, 2.8 million foreigners came here and 3.7 million Russian tourists. The city is located at the mouth of the full-flowing Neva River, which flows into the Gulf of Finland. St. Petersburg has the status of an independent subject of the federation on a par with Moscow. He is not like the others Russian cities at least his historical Center. The heart of the city was the stretched facade for 200 meters along the Neva Winter Palace. Catherine II built the Hermitage building next to it, where various works of art were brought. In our time, the Hermitage has absorbed the Winter Palace itself, and in total it includes 5 buildings, the exposition area of ​​​​which is second only to the Louvre. In the historical part of the city there are many neoclassical and baroque buildings. There are also many different churches in St. Petersburg. The dome of the amazing St. Isaac's Cathedral took more than 100 kg of gold leaf, and the Kazan Cathedral located on Nevsky Prospekt somewhat resembles the square with St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. There is also the Peter and Paul Cathedral, in the Imperial tomb of which all Russian emperors rest, with the exception of Peter II and Ivan VI. In 1998, the remains of Nicholas II and members of his family were transferred here. Drawbridges over the Neva became the symbol of the city, and riding along the canals and rivers of the city became a good entertainment.

3. Krasnodar Territory

The Krasnodar Territory has become perhaps the most popular holiday region in Russia. It contains many of the most popular resort cities: Sochi, Adler, Anapa, Gelendzhik. Not far from here is sunny Abkhazia with magnificent Lake Ritsa and pristine nature. Sochi is the most promoted, but therefore also the most expensive resort in the region, it has noticeably changed for the Winter Olympics. The largest oceanarium in the country is also located here. Also at the service of vacationers is a huge (50 hectares) arboretum and the Riviera amusement park. It is also worth mentioning the many waterfalls and caves, dolmens and mountain rivers.

4. Golden Ring of Russia

This is the name of the whole route, invented back in the days of the USSR and connecting several ancient cities of Central Russia, rich in architectural and historical sights. Over the years, traveling along the Golden Ring has only gained in popularity. The route initially included 8 cities, but now their number has increased. It covers five regions: Moscow, Vladimir, Ivanovo, Kostroma and Yaroslavl. Tours are organized throughout the year.

Yaroslavl

This city is the largest of all included in the Golden Ring route. It is included in the list of objects world heritage formed by UNESCO. Urban development took shape in the 17th-18th centuries and serves as an excellent example of the mutual influence of the culture and architecture of Russia and Western Europe.

Vladimir

This city is a famous Russian historical and cultural center, one of the pearls of the Golden Ring. Together with Murom, he is one of ancient cities central Russia. This city-museum has preserved unique monuments dating back to the 12th century: the Assumption and Demetrius Cathedrals, as well as the Golden Gate - they are protected by UNESCO. Here even the bank buildings of the hospital and shopping complex belong to the ancient monuments of architecture.

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Kostroma

Kostroma was included in " Golden ring» due to the ancient Ipatiev Monastery and unique urban development. Hero of the Russian-Polish war (1609 - 1618) Ivan Susanin was born in Kostroma. They decided to make it the homeland of the Snow Maiden. Kostroma is an ancient jewelry city - a third of all domestic jewelry is made in its district.

Suzdal

This is the smallest of the cities included in the Golden Ring. But even in this small old Russian town there are a lot of architectural sights (the Kremlin, monasteries, temples), as well as good hotels. Suzdal is like Russia in miniature - here priceless fragments of ancient Russian culture coexist with provincial outback.

5. Baikal

The deepest and most full-flowing lake on the planet - Baikal is located in Irkutsk region Eastern Siberia. Travelers from all over the world seek it. Olkhon Island is especially popular here - it is the only inhabited island on Baikal. A large flow of tourists who came to these parts seeks to get to the famous medicinal properties thermal springs Thalaya. The part of Baikal, separated by Olkhon, is called the Small Sea, it is especially lively. Even seasoned tourists the view of the luxurious Ukovsky waterfall is impressive, a powerful stream of which from a 50-meter height rushes into the gorge. The shores of Lake Baikal abound with caves and picturesque bays.

6. Kaliningrad region

The former Koenigsberg, and now Kaliningrad, has experienced a mixture of European and Russian culture and it is no coincidence that it is one of the most beautiful cities Russia. It has a huge number of monuments, museums and temples. In the Kaliningrad region, the Curonian Spit is especially famous, which now has the status national park. This is a very long (almost 100 km) narrow sandy spit, divided between Russia and Lithuania. On endless beaches curonian spit Lithuanians love to relax very much and German tourists. There is a unique "dancing forest" in which the trees resemble snakes crawling out of the ground. Scientists have not yet found an explanation for this strange phenomenon.

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7. Karelia

This is a region with incredibly beautiful and diverse nature. There are over 60 thousand lakes in Karelia, the largest of which are Ladoga and Onega. Itineraries are very popular among travelers. amazing islands Kizhi and Valaam. Latest Laid hiking trails, walking along which you can admire the amazing nature, see the life of the rare inhabitants of the island and the monks of the local monastery. In Kizhi there is a museum of Karelian architecture, its the best examples protected by UNESCO. The Kivach nature reserve is very interesting; water cruises to Karelia starting from St. Petersburg are popular.

8. Kazan

Relatively recently, the capital of Tatarstan became one of the most popular tourist cities Russia, this was facilitated by the activities of the city authorities aimed at its improvement. This was also helped by the holding of the Universiade in 2013, which was preceded by a thorough preparation of the city. Today's Kazan is in many ways similar to European cities. Its main attraction is the Kremlin. Historically, Orthodox and Islamic cultures are closely intertwined in the city, so here the mosque peacefully coexists next to Orthodox church. Many Kazan families profess different religions, and spouses can be of different nationalities.

9. Nizhny Novgorod

This famous city on the banks of the Volga has long been an important economic and cultural center of Russia, attracting the attention of foreign tourists as well. In the center of the city stands stone kremlin, built at the beginning of the 16th century, there are also many historical buildings of the 18th-20th centuries, monuments of Russian wooden architecture. From the upper city embankment, you can clearly see the confluence of the majestic Volga with the faster Oka.

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10. Altai

Altai is one of the most beautiful places not only in Russia, but also in the rest of the world. Its endless mountain landscapes, glaciers, lakes, caves and stormy mountain streams amaze with its grandeur. There are excellent conditions for water and ski holidays or descents into mysterious caves. Among other attractions of Altai, Mount Belukha is especially popular with travelers - highest point Altai and Siberia, Denisova cave. UNESCO took under protection the whole area - the "Golden Mountains of Altai", which includes the Katunsky and Altai reserves, Sailyugemsky national park, the Ukok Plateau and Lake Teletskoye - one of the 15 deepest lakes on Earth. Repeatedly the city of Belokurikha was recognized as the best Russian resort.

11. Adygea, Karachay-Cherkessia, Kabardino-Balkaria

Three small North Caucasian republics seem to be destined for active tourism. They are mostly mountainous, so the centers of domestic mountaineering are located here. Only the two-headed majestic Elbrus dream of conquering thousands of climbers. But Mount Cheget is considered more difficult in terms of climbing. There are many mountain lakes and caves. Particularly popular Blue Lakes, Tambukan Lake, Tsar's Crown Waterfall, Honey Waterfalls, Guam Gorge and Devil's Gate Pass.

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Of course, Moscow and St. Petersburg. All other trips inland for most foreigners are associated with extreme tourism.

However, in addition to the two capitals, Russia has something to show and surprise. And it seems that the interest of tourists in the Russian hinterland not only does not weaken, but only intensifies every year.

Recently, many experts have been talking about the fact that the Golden Ring brand has “blown away”, its former popularity has allegedly declined. However, if you study the proposals of European tour operators, travel to the cities of the Golden Ring occupy a strong position after Moscow and St. Petersburg. One of the most popular cities on the list is the city-reserve of Suzdal. The city is amazing, it personifies a quiet and modest Russia, where life flows measuredly like the Klyazma River. The city can be easily explored on foot in a day ancient monuments, including 5 monastic ensembles, the Museum of Wooden Architecture, more than 30 churches, look into the workshop of a potter or blacksmith, and after a delicious dinner, lie on the banks of the quiet Kamenka. The only livelihood of the city is tourists, so everything is done here to make the guest feel good. In recent years, new hotels and complexes have appeared in the city that meet world standards, so foreign speech began to be heard on Suzdal land not only on the days of large-scale festivities like the Cucumber Festival or Bast Shoes Day.

Rostov the Great

People go to ancient Rostov Veliky, spread out on the most picturesque shores of Lake Nero, to the homeland of St. Sergius of Radonezh, not for entertainment, but for spirituality. Most of the foreigners who come here are elderly people. However, foreigners in general, as you know, travel more when they are retired. Domes are everywhere here: the Kremlin, the Spas-Yakovlevsky and Avraamiev monasteries, the Assumption Cathedral and the Holy Trinity Varnitsky Monastery. Unfortunately, hot water is still turned off in many Rostov hotels, “Taganka… Why did you ruin me?” sounds in restaurants, and axes can be hung in bars because of swirling cigarette smoke, but such “little things” do not stop foreigners. And how can they be a reason to refuse a trip that can change the perception of Russia.

Yaroslavl

After the inclusion of the historical center of the city in the UNESCO list, Yaroslavl received a second birth. Today, the French, Germans and British mainly come to the city. But the interest of Americans in Yaroslavl has greatly decreased - especially many US citizens came to the city in the 80s, after the fall of the Iron Curtain. The choice of a cultural program often depends on the traveler himself: many are in a hurry to see what was created in the 17th century, the Church of Elijah the Prophet, frescoes. And, for example, some Norwegian farmer will drink a glass of beer on Kirov Street with great pleasure and will be absolutely happy from such a “journey”. Increasingly, foreigners refuse to see the sights, and ask to see the life of the city, and not some polished spot in the center, but real, Russian. Curious foreigners are interested in everything: why are tree trunks whitewashed or why do most Russian women always wear high heels? And foreigners are very fond of the "Stone of Desires", by attaching to which a sore spot, one can supposedly be healed. The Spaniards and the French are more than others ready to support the tradition and willingly apply their "sores" to the stone, and many men even rub their balding heads against the stone.

Velikiy Novgorod

The name of Veliky Novgorod as New Rome is very common among foreign tourists. They are invited in the city to visit the Byzantine Hagia Sophia and the Novgorod Kremlin, as well as to see the icons of the 11-12th centuries and the frescoes of Theophanes the Greek. The program also includes a bell ringing concert at the Vitoslavlitsy Museum of Wooden Architecture. They meet foreign guests with bread and salt, as well as with laudatory songs, dances, games and round dances, in which foreigners gladly take an active part. Special dinners for foreigners often include tasting pancakes and the Novgorod drink spotykacha. In general, staying in Veliky Novgorod can be not only useful, but also very fun. Some old Novgorod amusements - running on stilts or pushing on poles - are worth something. Of particular interest is a visit to the workshops, primarily a visit to birch bark craftsmen, where foreigners are happy to weave souvenirs in memory of Russia.

Foreigners may choose Pskov in those cases when they want to get acquainted with the history of Russia in detail. After all, it was here on Vechevaya Square that they first started talking about Russian democracy. The baptist of Rus', Vladimir, spent the Pskov land and Princess Olga grew up. The author of the well-known concept of "Moscow - the Third Rome", the elder Filofey, lived in the Eleazarovsky Monastery. Nicholas II abdicated at the Pskov railway station, and the story ended Russian Empire. In the battles with the Kaiser units near Pskov, the legendary Red Army was born. Many foreigners want to visit the military reenactment festivals Battle on the Ice, Iron City and Isaborg or take part in the Maslenitsa festivities. Pskov conquers foreigners with its antiquity and silence, and people - with openness and beauty. You can often hear the comparison of Pskov with Paris. Both cities are one big attraction. Only here in Paris announcements in public places are dubbed into English.

Ekaterinburg

About 140 thousand foreigners visit Yekaterinburg every year, and most of them come to the city on a business trip. 68% of foreigners consider the city as an attractive place for investment and business. Ekaterinburg is most often presented to foreigners as the place where the family of the last tsar "was overtaken by a violent death", and also as the birthplace of the first president of Russia, Boris Yeltsin. They also remember Ural mountains. People come here willingly for adventure, because the “city of a sad image” in the minds of most Europeans and Americans is a real exotic. True, most savage tourists do not go to Yekaterinburg, but they definitely include it in their free "swimming" around Russia. Foreigners live in Russian families, go for walks in the forests, cope along the Ural rivers. In general, they emerge from civilization at the first opportunity, and Yekaterinburg is one of Russian cities who successfully helps them in this.

An ideal trip for foreigners who want to see Siberia with their own eyes, as well as for those who have an incredible desire to confirm or debunk the many rumors and stereotypes about Russia, a huge country in which, according to foreigners, it is often not clear what is happening. Russia - was and is a mystery for those who have never been in it. And between the search for answers to an unresolved question, foreigners are conquered by samples of Tomsk wooden architecture - there are no such houses anywhere else in the world. These are not just buildings, they are real works of art. And, of course, they cannot leave indifferent and river views opening from observation deck Camp garden. Even after Nizhny Novgorod and Tobolsk they are impressive. Many people come to the Russian outback to study, work, for an internship or just to relax. And almost everyone thinks with regret that they will have to leave this country.

THE CITY SHOULD BE CONVENIENT FOR TOURISTS

I watch with interest how opponents of the city’s transformations begin to whine that “Moscow is not for tourists, but for Muscovites” and “for whom is all this being done at all.” For tourists as well. Countries and cities spend huge amounts of money to attract tourists. Because tourists are money, tourists are new jobs. And the city should be convenient for tourists!

Russia does not know how to work with tourists. The share of income from tourism in our country is no more than 1.5% of GDP, while in the global GDP this figure is about 10%. We still don’t have a normal taxi service at any airport in the capital so that you get out and without hesitation get into the official city ​​taxi, which at a fixed rate will take you home. We do not have a developed service sector, it is dangerous and inconvenient to walk around the city. St. Petersburg and Moscow are still somehow reaching out and accepting the people, but outside the capitals there is generally darkness.

I did a little calculation of income from tourism in different countries, and here's what happens.

As you can see, we are very far behind developed countries. Despite the fact that we have a huge tourism potential! Gorgeous nature, cuisine, historical cities, art. Russia could receive 10 times more tourists.

Tourism is a great stimulus for the development of the city. The reason for this is the growth of small and medium-sized businesses. Demand creates supply, and in places where there is a large tourist flow, locals do not miss the opportunity to open small hotels and hostels, coffee houses and bars, souvenir shops and various entertainment venues. Jobs are being created, employment rates are rising, people are earning more and spending more, tax revenues are increasing, and the city is growing and prospering.

But there is one thing: in order to attract tourists to the city, you must first create comfortable and interesting conditions. This is the big problem in Russia. Nobody wants to create tourism infrastructure, restore monuments and monitor the quality of service. No one wants to build normal roads and develop air traffic so that it is not so difficult for visitors to get to resorts and tourist centers. Nobody wants to cancel visa regime for countries with high level outbound tourism. Americans, Chinese, Germans, British, Italians, French and other nations that lead in terms of spending on foreign trips still have to apply for visas to Russia. And residents of Honduras, Nicaragua, Peru and Guatemala at this time can easily come to us without visas, only they don’t need it at all.

The number of tourists directly depends on how comfortable, accessible and interesting this or that country is for them. On this moment Russia is uncomfortable and inaccessible for tourists. According to the World Economic Forum in 2015, Russia ranked 45th in the ranking of countries in terms of attractiveness for foreign tourists. In the global flow of tourists, the share of trips to Russia is only 2-3%. And this share is not increasing for the reason that Russia lacks quality infrastructure for normal recreation - this is directly stated in official reports.

But what can we say about foreign tourists, when even the Russians themselves prefer to go on vacation abroad. Yes, in 2015, domestic tourism grew by 20% due to the collapse of the ruble and travel bans to Turkey and Egypt. But the very next year, it began to decline again as the Russians began to return to Turkey. Russian resorts And tourist cities do not compete even with a cheap holiday abroad. The reason for this is low quality. transport infrastructure, insufficient number of good inexpensive hotels and cafes, lack of resort infrastructure, undeveloped domestic air traffic and much more.

But back to foreign tourists. And here I want to give a few figures for clarity. In 2016 Foreign tourists spent $212 billion in the US, $119 billion in China, $65 billion in Spain, $46 billion in France and Germany, and $32 billion in Japan. How much do you think they spent in a huge and beautiful Russia? Only 11 billion dollars. And now evaluate how much money our country could earn if it had comfortable and well-maintained cities, restored architectural monuments, developed infrastructure, convenient tourist routes and normal transport connection.

So make comfortable and convenient cities. And if someone starts telling you that we don’t need tourists, that we don’t need to make pedestrian streets, know that this is an enemy of Russian cities.

Carcassonne, namely the Fortress of Carcassonne- France, Occitania region. Medieval walled city, surrounded by a 3-kilometer double wall with 53 towers. The walls were built by the Romans in the 3rd century AD and fortified by the French in the following centuries in the Romanesque style.

2. Prague (Historic Center of Prague)

Prague, namely the historical center of Prague - the Czech Republic. Prague is one of the most impressive medieval cityscapes in the world. The city has a huge number of outstanding architectural monuments in a picturesque natural environment. The historical center is large and consists of several parts, including the Old Town (Prague Old Town), New town(Prague New Town), Mala Strana and Hradchan, Charles Bridge, and Josefov.

3. New York (Manhattan)

New York, namely Manhattan - USA, New York. The most famous historic district of the most famous and popular city in the world is Manhattan, the historic center of skyscrapers. The world's first high-rise buildings were built here at the end of the 19th century. Currently, the most famous skyscrapers are the Empire State Building (381 m high, built in 1931), the Chrysler Building (282 m, built in 1930) and many others.

4. Sana (Old City of Sana "a)

Sana, that is Old city Sana'a - Yemen. An impressive display of unique Yemeni urban planning and architecture. Sana'a was founded in 500 BC. and many of the city's buildings date back to 500-600 AD. .The 9th century city walls are 14m high, the old city contains more than 100 mosques. Unfortunately, Sanaa is closed to tourists due to the ongoing war in Yemen.

5. Venice

Venice - Italy, Veneto. One of the most unusual and most beautiful cities on Earth, which contains an incredible amount of artistic and architectural treasures.

6. Hong Kong

Hong Kong, a former British colony and now a separate administrative region within China, is one of the most impressive cities in the world. Hong Kong is one of the most significant in the worldfinancial centers, with the highestfinancial development indexand is consistently includedmost competitive economies in the world.

7. Istanbul

Istanbul - Turkey, a city where the border between Europe and Asia passes, where European culture and Muslim culture come into contact. One of oldest cities peace, former center Christendom, namely Constantinople. Istanbul is one of the most populous cities in the world and the largest European city. Istanbul is the fifth most popular tourist destination in the world.

8. Vienna (Vienna)

Vienna is Austria, this is the jewel in the box of Austria. The perfect place for discovering classical music, Austrian pastries, the very best apple strudel in Weimar cafes, magnificent architecture that recalls Vienna's imperial past, especially masterpieces such as the exquisite baroque the Austrian National Library and the magnificent opera.

9. Jerusalem (Jerusalem)

Jerusalem - Israel, the most controversial city in the Middle East, although it is perhapsone of the few places in the worldwhere the churches stand peacefully next to the mosque and synagogues. Everything here seems to be covered in 4,000-year-old Jewish dust, but this is a surprisingly modern and young city.