Question by nickp: If one were traveling to Russia for the first tme for tourism, which city should be visited first?
I am thinking perhaps Moscow, St Petersburg, Khabarovsk, Sakhalin Islands, and Vladivostok. I want something with an Eastern feel to it since I know Japanese but I also don’t want to visit a very boring area, I want to go to a very lively city with a high youth population.
Answers and Views:
Answer by طيف
St. Petersburg is very lively. It’s probably your best bet.
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Tero J says
St Petersburg the most beautiful city in Europe (during the summer)
Its also a big university town with a lot of young people clubs and bars.
For Sights
Hermitage, Petershof (specially in summer) and Church of Isak are musts
Other ideas:
Only 2 blocks away from church Vodka museum (the heart of the Russian culture) with English guidance worth while. Kunstkammer a special natural history museum, blue building across Neva from Hermitage. I love Kirov museum, home museum preserved as the home of the 1932 party leader assassinated by Stalin a bit further (taxi) away.
If you want to eat gourmet in the evening in StP restaurant named "1906" is excellent and reasonably prized if vegetarian/fish then restaurant "Idiot" by Moika channel. Fun place for beer and snacks is "Lenin's Mating Call" (your read it right) some retro socialist stuff and making fun n ideology. All within nice walking distance from the center.
St Petersburg is safe to walk if you don't have MONEY written all over you and watch for pickpockets in crowds, especially if you use the underground. Don't keep you wallet on back pocket and leave valuables in the hotel. No other problems. About as safe as New York.
If you want to think of you budget DONT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING WITHIN 2 BLOCKS OF NEVSKI (the main street) the prices will more than half going a block further
sweetiegirl_mx_99 says
If it was me….I would go visit Moscow 1st to see the Kremlin and then I can go to any other place…LOL
Elle says
St.Petersburg…in summer:) If you want "a kind of Russia", probably, Kiev is the best. Late spring or summer
CBETA says
Moscow.
red_star_pilot says
Sankt Peterburg, just remember that in big citys, especially at night. tourists are easy pickings. Dont get drunk and runn your mouth
tigger says
besides the ones you've listed, try Pskov (very beautiful castles), Tula (famous for weapon factories, samovars, spice-cakes), Ryazan (very nice monastery)
www.9323610.812.ru says
Vladivostok off caurse it`s marvelous place
Babs says
St. Petersburg; no contest.
Adrian P says
why would anyone want to go to rusia??? it's cold out there… brrr