10 most beautiful towns in Russia

1. Sviyazhsk

This pretty little town is located on the historic axis between the Volga and Silk rivers. Its strategic location was so important that Tsar Ivan the Terrible built a fortress here in the 16th century. Today, the fortress is Sviyazhsk’s main tourist attraction.

2. Uglich

This ancient town is famous for a 16th-century story: The town's church bell tower was cut off and "exiled" to Siberia because it dared to "ring" to announce the assassination of Ivan the Terrible.

3. Kirillov

Kirillov has been a tourist attraction since the days of Soviet Russia. The town was built around a large, ornate monastery dating back to 1397. More than a dozen other churches were built on this small plot of land.

4. Shlisselburg

The mighty Oreshek fortress, built in 1323, attracts a lot of tourists. It used a lot of wood to build it, but it was eventually destroyed by the Swedish king Magnus IV. Peter the Great rebuilt the fortress in 1352 in stone. The town of Shlisselburg was founded 350 years later.

5. Rostov

In Russia, the term “Kremlin” describes a large central fortress. The well-known Kremlin is located in Red Square in Moscow, but the Rostov Kremlin is the second most beautiful fortress in Russia, attracting many tourists because of the beautiful scenery surrounding it.

6. Ostashkov

Some say Ostashkov is the most beautiful town in Russia. Its narrow streets lead to beautiful churches, mixed with the neoclassical architecture of the 17th-century architect Ivan Starov.

7. Plyos

The timeless serenity of Plyos was immortalised by the artist Yitzhak Levitan in his world-famous moody landscape. The town, located on the banks of the Volga River, was founded in 1238, but has retained its beauty to this day.

8. Kargopol

Kargopol was once one of the richest cities in Russia. By the 16th century, it was growing rapidly due to its position on the trade route between Moscow and the port city of Arkhangelsk. Today, Kargopol is a quiet little town with more churches than people.

9. Svetlogorsk

Before World War II, Svetlogorsk was a German resort town called Rausch. During the war, the town fell into the hands of the Soviet army but was almost completely destroyed. You can still find some German-style houses here.

10. Stary Izborsk

This ancient village is located near the border with Estonia. Its name means “Old Izborsk” – as it was founded around 862 AD. The combination of the ruins of the ancient fortress and the Nicholas Church – which dates back to the 14th century – makes Stary Izborsk a fascinating stop for visitors looking to learn about the history and heritage of the area.