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Russia is one of the most intriguing locations on the planet. The country's rich culture and tradition make it a popular tourist destination. When it comes to natural wonders, the world's biggest country really has it all: mountains, valleys, icy wastelands and balmy dunes, and a staggering amount of breathtaking locations sure to wow any tourist. There is still a sense of royal majesty in the architecture of Russia's oldest towns, such as Moscow and St. Petersburg, as well as its grand parks, retail malls and metro stations. Other towns and locations, such as Siberia and the Far East, give an opportunity to see the spectacular grandeur of the tundra and the Northern Lights, as well as volcanoes and more snow-capped mountains.

For an absolutely amazing trip to Russia, book your car hire in advance with Enjoy Travel for the best deals! You’ll find average car hire prices in Russia for just €24 per day for an economy car like a Hyundai Solaris Sedan or similar. Prices for a compact car like a Skoda Rapid or similar start from just €35 per day.

Guide to Russia

Geography

As a transcontinental nation, Russia spans Eastern Europe and Northern Asia and is officially referred to as the Russian Federation. More than one-eighth of the world's populated land area is covered by this nation, which has a land area of about 17 million square kilometres (6.6106 sq mi). Russia is the world's largest country, spanning eleven time zones and bordering 16 other countries (Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia and North Korea). It has a population of 146.2 million people, making it Europe's most populated nation and the world's eighth. The largest cities, cultural capitals, and commercial centres are Moscow and Saint Petersburg. Russia also borders 3 oceans and is home to over 100,000 rivers.

Climate in Russia

Russia has a humid continental climate that prevails in all save the tundra and far southwest regions, with just a few exceptions. For the most part, the climate of Northwest Russia and Siberia is subarctic, with harsh winters in Northeast Siberia's interior and milder winters elsewhere. Oceanic climate may be found in areas of Kaliningrad Oblast on the Vistula Spit, as well as in Krasnodar Krai to the south in the North Caucasus. Southwestern Siberia and the southernmost reaches of the Volga and Caspian Seas have a semiarid climate. The majority of the nation gets snow as winter precipitation.

For the most part, the region has just two distinct seasons: winter and summer, with spring and fall being characterised by rapid swings in temperature. In general, January is the coldest month and July is the hottest month of the year, although wide variations in temperature are common. Summer (June to August) is the best season to visit Russia because of the long, bright nights and comfortable temperatures (between 21°C and 25°C).

Culture

There are at least 190 ethnic groups living in Russia, and more than 100 minority languages. The majority of Russians are fluent in English as a second language. The Russian Orthodox Church is followed by more than half of the country's population, while approximately 10% to 15% of Russians are believed to follow Islam. In Russia, Tengrism (a mix of paganism, animism, and shamanism) ranks as the third most popular religion.

Russian culture also has a long and illustrious history, rooted in literature, ballet, painting, and classical music, among other art forms. So it goes without saying that the nation has a vibrant cultural history, from the vibrant folk costumes to the intricate religious symbols.

The coldest place on earth at Oymyakon

Siberian village Oymyakon holds the record for being the coldest place on earth, thanks to its location deep in the Arctic. Many communities manage to live here year-round, even though temperatures drop to –96.16°F (–71.2°C). Oymyakon's 500 people survive on reindeer and horse meat. Realistically, it’s quite hard to live there- frozen fuel tanks make it difficult to start cars, batteries degrade at an alarming rate, pens don’t work as the ink freezes, and gadgets are almost worthless in the cold. However, many tourists still visit for the novelty. You can participate in activities such as reindeer hunting, ice fishing, and making use of the hot springs. There are also adventure trips that you can take to local attractions like the Lena Pillars or the Tomtor hamlet, which organises an annual Pole of Cold festival celebrating Yakut and Evenk culture and food every year.

Things to do in Russia

Explore Moscow, the fascinating capital

In Moscow, most visitors begin their explorations in the city's historic core, which includes the Kremlin, Red Square, and St. Basil's Cathedral, which is known for its brightly coloured domes. In addition to being a famous tourist site, the glass-and-steel-roofed retail mall GUM is also a terrific spot to enjoy real Russian cuisine. Moscow is also home to world-class museums like the State Tretyakov Gallery, the Pushkin Museum, and the Kremlin Armory Museum, which has quirky things like gold-covered imperial vehicles. The pedestrian-only retail area Stary Arbat and the promenade along the River Moskva are two of Moscow's most popular attractions, and both need considerable walking to fully appreciate. If you’re a history buff, make sure to also visit Lenin’s Mausoleum.

Stroll around the culturally rich St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg, albeit smaller in size than Moscow, still has so much to offer. It boasts magnificent art and architecture coexisting with centuries of history in every direction. You may take a stroll around the imperial city or take a sail along the imperial city's 300 kilometres of canals. For an art-and-culture-filled day, visit the Hermitage Museum, the world's second-largest art and cultural museum. It has approximately 3 million objects, ranging from Altai nomadic tribes artefacts to works of art once belonging to Catherine the Great. If you’ve got a bit of time to spare, take a day trip to Peterhof Palace, located around 25 kilometres outside of St. Petersburg. It has a lot in common with Peter the Great's Palace of Versailles in France, which was also built in the early 1700s as a summer retreat.

Awe at the imposing Lake Baikal

The world's oldest and deepest lake, this gigantic high-altitude rift lake in Siberia is believed to be 25 million years old and 1,642 metres deep. Moreover, a fifth of the world's freshwater is found in Lake Baikal. With its crystal-clear waters and a long freezing season, Lake Baikal is known for its clarity year-round. In August, the lake's water temperature may reach approximately 16 degrees Celsius for a month or so, making it ideal for fast dips and short swims. Even yet, it's generally below freezing the remainder of the year due to a lack of sunlight. In the summer, Lake Baikal is a popular spot for water sports, including kayaking, boating, and island hopping. The frozen Tazheran Steppes caves are accessible by cross-country skiing during the winter months when the lake thaws.

Hike the majestic Altay Mountains

The Altay Mountains stretch over Siberia and are a popular tourist site for both residents and visitors alike. They have been home to a variety of ethnic groups active in horse husbandry and forestry, and are a component of a larger UNESCO World Heritage Site that includes natural reserves and lakes. Altay has a lot of unspoiled natural beauty, which in winter draws cross-country skiers and other outdoor enthusiasts, while in summer it attracts kayakers, climbers, and hikers (the region surrounding Aktru Glacier is particularly famous for hiking). Divers, cave explorers, and herb and mushroom foragers may all do their thing here. Bone pieces, artefacts, and even ancient horses have been found at the Denisova Cave in Siberia, some of which date back 50,000 years. Several tourist firms provide guided tours from Belokurikha, a prominent resort town in the Altay Mountains.

Amaze at the psychedelic salt mines of Yekaterinburg

While techno music and neon lights abound in Moscow on a weekend, they pale in comparison to the unreal natural formations found 1,000 kilometres to the east in Yekaterinburg, Russia. Layers of the mineral carnallite, which may be yellow, white, or even red and blue, are responsible for the bizarre swirls. A salt mine that has been abandoned for millions of years when a salty sea dried up and left behind mineral deposits has been painted with colourful rivers of paint. Yekaterinburg Mine was initially documented by young Russian explorer-photographer Mikhail Mishainik, who spent whole nights in the smoky tunnels. You’ll need to get government permission to visit these salt mines and make sure to take a flashlight and water (because your throat will start to feel really dry!) with you.

Visit the colourful Temple of All Religions

Kazan's colourful Temple of All Religions, or Universal Temple, is a mash-up of architectural flourishes drawn from the majority of the world's major religions to create a complex where all religions can come together in harmony. Located in Kazan, the Temple's facade resembles a scene from a Disneyland Small World attraction, with a Greek Orthodox dome and a Russian minaret interspersed throughout. There are spires and bells reminiscent of both Jewish synagogues and Islamic mosques. All in all, the Temple is a colourful kaleidoscope of religious devotion that includes architectural inspirations from 16 different faiths. Despite recent fire damage to part of the structure, the complex's chambers are still available for tours. The temple services are available to the public.

Buy an iconic Matryoshka doll

The Matryoshka doll, often recognised as the Russian version of the American nesting doll, is a collection of interlocking wooden figures, each smaller than the next. These Russian stacking dolls, known as "babushkas," are made of wood and painted to look like traditional Russian women. They've become a popular keepsake and even a symbol of Russia itself throughout Eastern Europe.

Eating out in Russia

Russian cuisine features a lot of leavened dough foods such as dumplings and handmade noodles, and various dough-based dishes including pies, cakes, rolls, blini, and so on. Additionally, since Russia is mostly Orthodox Christian, which necessitates frequent fasts, the food is rich in vegetarian options such as mushrooms, pickles, and other pickled vegetables.

That being said, some of our top picks when it comes to restaurants in Russia are-

Café Pushkin is a restaurant in Moscow designed to evoke the opulence of a 19th-century aristocratic mansion. From the flowery menu font to the aristocratic country home décor, the pre-Revolution Russian ambience is absolutely lovely. Turandot transforms pan-Asian food with a touch of French elegance and audacity. While the interior design is stunning, it's the well-thought-out menu offerings and flawless execution that really make this a special place to eat. The views from Buono are nothing short of breathtaking, and classic Italian fare is served, prepared by renowned chef William Lamberti, who is well-known across Europe for his culinary prowess.

Petersburg's Transfiguration Cathedral may be situated near the hipster haven of Birch. However, despite the name (the tree is a Russian national emblem), you can anticipate a unique, global fusion cuisine with influences from Asia to Latin America. At Bohemian Bourgeois, the menu fuses Russian cuisine with French technique, Nordic flavours, and seasonal ingredients. Cococo, a popular restaurant in the area of St Isaac's Cathedral, uses local ingredients from the Leningradskaya region. You absolutely must try their 'Anna Pavlova' dessert at least once.

Russia Transport

Airport

In terms of passenger traffic, Sheremetyevo A.S. Pushkin International Airport (SVO) is Russia's busiest airport and Europe's fifth-busiest airport. The city centre can be reached in about 45 minutes by car. Domodedovo International Airport, Vnukovo International Airport, and Pulkovo Airport are some of Russia's other major airports.

Getting around Russia

Public transit in Russia is extensively accessible, reliable, and easy to use. Large cities like Moscow and Saint Petersburg have a plethora of well-used bus routes, metro lines, and tramways; on a typical day, 19 million people use public transit in Moscow alone. In addition, a world-class rail network connects eastern Europe to eastern Asia, providing service to the remainder of the nation.

Many visitors travelling across the nation also opt to hire a car for more flexibility and convenience.

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FAQs about car hire in Russia

Most frequently asked questions about hiring a car in Russia

The average cost per day of hiring a car in Russia is just €24.
Prices for Russian car hire start from just €21 when booking in advance with Enjoy Travel.
To hire a car in Russia you must be at least 21 years old.
Additional drivers can be added to your Russia car hire agreement upon request.
The best car for exploring Russia would be a compact car like a Skoda Rapid or similar.
The distance between Ukraine and Russia is around 705.6 km (around 2897.45 miles) - 11hr 48 minutes drive.
Russia is generally very budget-friendly for Europeans but the biggest cities can be quite expensive. You’ll need about 3489 RUB per day.
For those tourists who travel exclusively to one of the two main Russian cities (Moscow and Saint Petersburg), it is not worth renting a car, since the public transport system in these cities is very efficient and economical. However, for the rest, renting a car is the cost-effective means for transport.
The vast majority of tourists traveling to Russia visit Moscow and Saint Petersburg (and the surrounding areas of these cities), which account for about 90% of tourist traffic. It’s a great way to begin exploring the country.
The best dates are the months of May, June and September. You will find temperate climates and fewer tourists.
It is 12777 RUB for a week, or 1825.29 RUB per day.
Price of fuel in Russia is between 47.49 RUB and 46.42 RUB per litre.

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