By area, Russia is the biggest country on the planet covering a total of 11 different time zones. It is also one of just a few nations that span two continents, stretching from the borders of the European Union and the coast of Baltic Sea in the West, to the border with China in the East. 

It’s a country with cities that remain permanently under snow and ice, while others melt under the heat of the summer sun. And although Russian is the only official federal language, there are 35 other languages that are considered “co-official” in certain regions of the country, and a further 100 unofficial tongues.

It is steeped in history, with the first Russian Czar Peter the Great creating the first Navy and establishing the new Russian capital, St. Petersburg. So we can see that it is evident that this country is not only a historical giant but it also a place where many have traveled throughout time to add to its diversity.

With so much diversity, there is a lot to see in Russia, with each city serving up unique sights, landmarks and culinary delights. This can make it difficult to choose where to start, so here are the cities to put at the top of your list.

Moscow

Moscow is the Russian capital and can trace its roots back more than 900 years. It is one of the most commonly visited cities, with it and St Petersburg attracting the most international tourists. 

Many of the famous landmarks that make Russia famous are found in Moscow, including St Basil’s Cathedral, Red Square and the Kremlin. These are all conveniently located next to each other, making sightseeing easy.

There’s much more in the city though, such as a range of museums and art galleries that show off Russia’s rich cultural history, including works from Leo Tolstoy, Alexander Pushkin, and Karl Bryullov. Moscow is also where you’ll find the city’s famous Bolshoi Theatre.

Moscovites love spending time outdoors with their friends, so you’ll find plenty of outdoor space to enjoy the hot summer weather, including Gorky Park and the VDNKh outdoor exhibition centre. 

Sochi

Sochi hosts many of Russia's international sporting events. It was made famous in 2014 when it hosted the Winter Olympics, and then again in 2018 when it hosted some of the World Cup games. It's not just these one-off events that take place in the city though. Every year it hosts a round of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship and a round of the European Poker Tour by PokerStars. 

Located on the coast of the Black Sea, Sochi is a beach resort that attracts many domestic tourists. It’s a great place to catch some rays and take a dip, so remember to pack your beachwear. It’s also a ski resort, with large slopes just a short car journey away from the coast. Few places epitomize Russia’s diverse geography and climate like Sochi. 

St Petersburg

St Petersburg served as the country’s capital for a large part of the Russian Empire’s existence. It was built on top of swampland, mostly by hand, and was designed to create a capital city that was more European than any other part of the country. 

Today, St Petersburg is the unofficial cultural capital of Russia. The city is home to over 200 museums, including the historic State Hermitage Museum, housed inside the Winter Palace on the bank of the Neva River. It’s also got over 50 theaters, including the Mariinsky Theatre, home of the famous Mariinsky Ballet company. 

During June, the sun never sets on St Petersburg, creating a phenomenon known as the White Nights. It’s a surreal experience to be walking down Nevsky Prospekt at 2 AM and it being as bright as midday, although it can also be frustrating when you can’t get to sleep. 

Yekaterinburg

Yekaterinburg is the fourth biggest city in the country, growing out of the banks of the Iset River in the 300 years since its founding. It’s unique because it’s located on the border between Europe and Asia, with several monuments in and around the city where tourists can stand with a foot in each continent. 

Like other cities, Yekaterinburg is filled with many museums, showing off exhibits ranging from fine art to stone ornaments. It’s also where you’ll find the Boris Yeltsin Presidential Center. 

Yekaterinburg has a mix of imperial, Soviet, and modern architecture, helping to show how the city has developed and grown through history. A good example of this is the Central Stadium, constructed originally in 1957, which was given a major upgrade in 2017 ahead of the FIFA World Cup in 2018. 

This gives it a blend of all three eras, including columns found in many imperialist buildings, the statues commonly found in Soviet architecture, and modern facilities that you expect from world-leading stadia. 

Just by exploring these cities, you could easily spend months and still have more to see and do. Russia is a country that continues to offer up surprises and interesting sights. You won’t be disappointed by visiting any of the destinations on this list.