moscow golden ring tour

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser .

• Golden Ring Tours and more

Our 10 Best Golden Ring Tours of 2022

Journey to Russia’s Golden Ring with us and let us take you back in time to medieval Russia when the Tsars ruled. The Golden Ring is a set of beautiful, ancient and mysterious Russian cities not far from Moscow. Tours can be combined with any of our Moscow tours and customized to fit your plans and budget. Our most popular classic tours are listed below. Please click on the tour details to learn more or contact us for more information about our Golden Ring tours using the form at the bottom of the page. Feel free to also schedule a call with one of our Russian travel specialists. Many travelers have found this to be the best way to together, create an unforgettable customized tour for you.

Sergiev Posad, Russian Vatican

This short tour takes you to Sergiev Posad, the temporary residence of the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church. You will visit the magnificent Trinity St. Sergius Monastery which is included in the UNESCO list of World Cultural Heritage.

• Schedule Tour can be started on any day
• Route Moscow - Sergiev Posad - Moscow
• Languages English-speaking guide is guaranteed. Other languages are on request.
• Accommodation The following hotel options are available: This is a one-day tour, accommodation is not included.
• PRIVATE TOUR This is a private tour, there won't be other people in your group

Sergiev Posad and Vladimir

This Golden Ring tour covers two ancient Russian towns. Vladimir dates back to the XI century and is one of the oldest and most important towns along the ring. Sergiev Posad dates back to the XIV century and is sometimes called the Russian Vatican.

• Route Moscow - Sergiev Posad - Vladimir - Moscow

Sergiev Posad and Suzdal

This short tour takes you to Serviev Posad, the temporary residence of the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, and Suzdal, a quiet, beautiful town with an ancient Kremlin and a museum of wooden architecture.

• Route Mocsow - Sergiev Posad - Suzdal - Moscow

Vladimir and Suzdal

This tour includes two very important towns on the Golden Ring. Vladimir dates back to the XI century and it is one of the oldest towns along the ring. Suzdal is full of old churches, wooden houses and the sounds of bird song and the ringing of church bells.

• Route Moscow - Vladimir - Suzdal - Moscow

Express Golden Ring (hotel in Vladimir)

Although this tour covers only a small section of the Golden Ring, it is probably the most beautiful part. You will visit Suzdal with its beautiful old churches, Vladimir with its famous Golden Gate and the small village of Bogolyubovo.

• Route Moscow - Vladimir (overnight) - Bogolyubovo - Suzdal - Moscow
• Accommodation The following hotel options are available: 3 stars - 4 stars

3 Gems of the Golden Ring

This Golden Ring tour covers three ancient Russian towns: You will learn about Russia�s tumultuous history in Vladimir, listen to the church bells ringing in beautiful Suzdal and admire the grandeur of Sergiev Posad, sometimes called the Russian Vatican.

• Route Moscow - Sergiev Posad - Vladimir - Suzdal - Moscow

Express Golden Ring (hotel in Suzdal)

This tour covers two ancient Russian towns and one ancient village along the route of the Golden Ring. You will visit Vladimir dating back to the XI century, Suzdal with its ancient churches, and the marvelous, tranquil village of Bogolyubovo.

• Route Moscow - Suzdal (overnight) - Bogolyubovo - Vladimir - Moscow

Highlights of the Golden Ring

Travel to the Golden Ring with us! Visitors will enjoy this tour to 6 ancient Russian towns along the Golden Ring. This Golden Ring tour takes you through Suzdal known as the Russian Mecca, majestic Kostroma, beautiful Yaroslavl and Vladimir. You will truly feel the heart and soul of Russia.

• Route Vladimir - Bogolyubovo - Suzdal - Kostroma - Yaroslavl - Rostov Veliky

Classic Golden Ring

Visitors will enjoy this tour to 6 ancient Russian towns along the Golden Ring. This tour takes you through Suzdal known as the Russian Mecca, majestic Kostroma, beautiful Yaroslavl and Vladimir. One of our most popular tours, you will truly feel the heart and soul of Russia.

• Route Moscow - Vladimir - Bogolyubovo - Suzdal (1 night) - Kostroma (1 night) - Yaroslavl (1 night) - Rostov - Sergiev Posad - Moscow

Treasures of the Golden Ring

This is our most complete tour across the entire Golden Ring. You will visit magnificent Vladimir, serene Bogolubovo, picturesque Suzdal, majestic Kostroma, beautiful Yaroslavl, ancient Rostov Velikiy, and Sergiev Posad sometimes called the Russian Vatican.

• Route Moscow - Vladimir - Bogolubovo - Suzdal (2 nights) - Kostroma - Yaroslavl (2 nights) - Rostov - Pereslavl Zalessky - Sergiev Posad - Moscow

Ancient Russia, the Beginning

The Central European part of Russia is known for its ancient towns. On this tour you will make stops in the most important towns of the Silver Ring - Velikiy Novgorod, Pskov, Izborsk and Pechory. Each of these towns are home to unique monuments of Russian history and culture.

• Route St. Petersburg - Novrogod (1 night) - Pskov (2 nights) - Izborsk - Pechory - Smolensk (1 night) - Moscow

Just returned from a fanstastic and rich experience in moscow, the Golden cities and St. Petersbrg. We felt taken care of as if we were royalty! our guides were extremely knowledgable and so we learned so much and gained such an appciation for the people, the struggles and the country. Witout the guide and driver, we would have just appreciated the architecture but learned nothing. You helped at every turn - this could not have been a better experience and we cannot thank you enough.

I just want to inform you that we have completed our trip to Russia. We really enjoyed the arrangement you have made for us, from the airport transfer, picking up our Bolshoi tickets, the hotel in Moscow, and of course the Golden Ring tour itself. Our tour guide, Irina, provided us with a lot of information on the buildings and history, which make our following visits to Moscow+St. Petersburg more rewarding. Thanks again for making our visit to Russia a wonderful one.

The Golden Ring of Russia

The Golden Ring is a group of medieval towns and cities that form a ring to the northeast of Moscow. These towns played a significant role in early Russian history and in the formation of the Russian Orthodox Church. The towns are full of ancient Russian architecture from the Middle Ages including kremlins (walled fortresses), monasteries, cathedrals and churches. Visiting the Golden Ring will give you a chance to go back in time and imagine a Russia that used to be. The cities are associated with Russian Princes and knights, early Tsars such as Ivan the Terrible, the Mongol invasions and many other historical figures and events. Listening to the history and legends told by your experienced guide will evoke memories of storybooks and fairy tales. The towns of the Golden Ring are all in the Russian countryside which is beautiful – full of forests and fields and rivers and lakes. Apart from the Golden Ring, we also offer tours to the Silver Ring of Russia. These tours include such famous towns as Veliky Novgorod and Pskov. Your time in these ancient areas will be a great break from the bustle of Moscow and St. Petersburg. Walk along ancient Kremlin walls and see the onion domes rising from cathedrals where time has stopped, or follow paths along old riverbanks – travel back in time with our Golden Ring tours. An unforgettable adventure awaits.

Tours to the Golden Ring

Our Golden Ring tours are offered as land only where you arrange your own airfare and we meet you at the airport and handle everything else. You can easily book the discount tickets yourself through our own discount internet ticket office . Please browse our discount air tickets section to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions From Our Travelers

How far are the golden ring cities from moscow.

The Golden Ring cities are located within 2-4 hours drive of Moscow. The distance by road between Moscow and Suzdal is 219 km (3-4 hours drive), between Moscow and Sergiev Posad – 73 km, nearly a 2 hour drive. However, the distance between the cities of Golden Ring is rather short: e.g. between Vladimir and Suzdal it’s only 37 km.

Which cities of Golden Ring are worth visiting?

The following cities are the most well-known and attract the most attention: Suzdal, Vladimir and Sergiev Posad. If you have more than 1-2 days, we recommend Yaroslavl, Rostov Veliky and Kostroma.

Why do people call this group of cities the “Golden Ring”?

The cities of the Golden Ring, located northwest of Moscow, are spread out in a ring shape. The term was created in 1967 by historian and journalist Yuri Bychkov who wrote travel articles under the name “Golden Ring” because his route took the shape of a ring as he travelled through these cities.

How to get to the Golden Ring cities of Russia?

You can travel by train from Moscow to Vladimir, Sergiev Posad, Kostroma, Rostov Veliky and Yaroslavl. Alternatively, you can order a private tour and go by car with a private driver

What can I do while visiting the Golden Ring cities and towns?

Golden Ring cities and towns are very different from Moscow and St Petersburg. Instead of visiting art museums and ballet performances, you can enjoy exploring local Kremlins and fortresses, ancient churches and monasteries, listening to the church bells ringing, enjoying local foods and drinks, visiting banyas, spending time in pristine nature, and strolling along the Volga river.

Our travel brands include

Express to Russia

Join us on Facebook

We invite you to become a fan of our company on Facebook and read Russian news and travel stories. To become a fan, click here .

Join our own Russian Travel, Culture and Literature Club on Facebook. The club was created to be a place for everyone with an interest in Russia to get to know each other and share experiences, stories, pictures and advice. To join our club, please follow this link .

We use cookies to improve your experience on our Website, and to facilitate providing you with services available through our Website. To opt out of non-essential cookies, please click here . By continuing to use our Website, you accept our use of cookies, the terms of our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service . I agree

• Moscow Tours
• Customized tours
• Moscow for kids
• Evening activities
• Moscow evening activities
• St Petersburg evening activities
• Day trips out of Moscow

Golden Ring tours

• St Petersburg tours
• Russian tour destinations
• Package tours
• Moscow highlights
• Travel Tips
• Upcoming group tours
• Moscow events

Tour duration : 6-7 hours Tour covers : Sergiev Posad: Holy Trinity St. Sergius Monastery

Tour duration: 14-15 hours Suzdal: Museum of Wooden Architecture, St Euthimius monastery (or Intercession Convent), Suzdal Kremlin Vladimir: Assumption cathedral (interior if it is open), St Demetrius cathedral (exterior), Golden gates (exterior)

Tour duration: 16 hours Tour covers: Transfiguration Monastery, Church of Elijah the Prophet (in summer), the Volga river embankment

Tour covers: Rostov: Kremlin and exhibition of Finift (enamel), panoramic view of Nero lake Yaroslavl: Transfiguration Monastery, Church of Elijah the Prophet (in summer), the Volga river embankment, walking tour of the city center

Tour covers: Vladimir : Assumption cathedral (interior if it is open), St Demetrius cathedral (exterior), Golden gates (exterior) Bogolubovo : Pokrova-on-the-Nerl Church(exterior) Suzdal : Suzdal Kremlin, Intercession Convent, Shyurovo Gorodische

Tour covers: Sergiev Posad: Holy Trinity St. Sergius Monastery Suzdal: Museum of Wooden Architecture, St Euthymius monastery (or Intercession Convent), Suzdal Kremlin Bogolyubovo: Pokrova-on-the Nerl Church Vladimir: Assumption cathedral (interior if it is open), St Demetrius cathedral (exterior), Golden gates (exterior)

Tour covers: Rostov: Kremlin and exhibition of Finift (enamel) Yaroslavl: Transfiguration Monastery, Church of Elijah the Prophet (in summer), the Volga river embankment, ¨Music and Time¨ museum, Russain doll museum visit Tour cost: 12700 pp (in a party of 4)/ 23100 pp (in a party of 2)

Tour covers: Sergiev Posad: Holy Trinity St. Sergius Monastery Yuryev-Polskoy: St. George Church and Archangel Michael Monastery Suzdal: Museum of Wooden Architecture, St. Euthymius monastery (or Intercession Convent), Suzdal Kremlin Bogolyubovo: Pokrova-on-the-Nerl church Vladimir: Assumption cathedral (interior if it is open), St Demetrius cathedral (exterior), Golden gates (exterior)

Astashevo Terem is one of Russia’s exciting hidden treasures, much different from the usual tourist destinations. To visit this 19th century datcha is like to get into a Russian fairy tale in the middle of nowhere.

Tour covers: Sergiev Posad: Holy Trinity St. Sergius Monastery Rostov: Kremlin and Finift exhibition (painted enamel) Yaroslavl: John the Baptist church, Church of Elijah the Prophet (in summer), Volga river embankment Suzdal: Museum of Wooden Architecture, St Euthymius monastery (or Intercession Convent), Suzdal Kremlin Vladimir: Assumption cathedral (interior if it is open), St Demetrius cathedral (exterior), Golden gates (exterior)

Tour covers: Sergiev Posad: Holy Trinity St. Sergius Monastery Rostov: Kremlin and exhibition of Finift (painted enamel) Yaroslavl: Transfiguration Monastery, Church of Elijah the Prophet (in the summer), the dolls museum, Volga river embankment Kostroma: Ipatievsky Monastery, the Trinity Cathedral, city tour Suzdal: Museum of Wooden Architecture, St Euthymius monastery (or Intercession Convent), Suzdal Kremlin Bogolyubovo: Pokrova-on-the Nerl Church Vladimir: Assumption cathedral (interior if it is open), St Demetrius cathedral (exterior), Golden gates (exterior)

Tour covers: Vladimir: Assumption cathedral (interior if it is open), St Demetrius cathedral (exterior), Golden gates (exterior) Bogolyubovo: Pokrova-on-the Nerl Church Suzdal: Museum of Wooden Architecture, St Euthymius monastery (or Intercession Convent), Suzdal Kremlin Kostroma: Ipatievsky Monastery, the Trinity Cathedral, city tour Yaroslavl: Transfiguration Monastery, Church of Elijah the Prophet (in the summer), Volga river embankment Rostov: Kremlin and exhibition of Finift (painted enamel) Pereslavl Zalessky: Red Square, Transfiguration cathedral (exterior)

Tour covers: Sergiev Posad: Holy Trinity St. Sergius Monastery Rostov: Kremlin and exhibition of Finift (painted enamel) Yaroslavl:Transfiguration Monastery, Church of Elijah the Prophet (in the summer), the dolls museum, Volga river embankment Kostroma:Ipatievsky Monastery, the Trinity Cathedral, city tour Suzdal: Museum of Wooden Architecture, St Euthymius monastery (or Intercession Convent), Suzdal Kremlin Bogolyubovo: Pokrova-on-the Nerl Church Vladimir: Assumption cathedral (interior if it is open), St Demetrius cathedral (exterior), Golden gates (exterior)

Tour covers: Bogdarnya farm and dacha visit Vladimir: Assumption cathedral (interior if it is open), St Demetrius cathedral (exterior), Golden gates (exterior) Bogolyubovo: Pokrova-on-the Nerl Church Suzdal: Museum of Wooden Architecture, St Euthymius monastery (or Intercession Convent), Suzdal Kremlin Kostroma: Ipatievsky Monastery, the Trinity Cathedral, city tour, Elk farm Yaroslavl: city tour, Church of Elijah the Prophet (in the summer), Russian village visit, pryanik master class Rostov: Kremlin and exhibition of Finift (painted enamel) Pereslavl : Red Square, Transfiguration cathedral (exterior) Sergiev Posad: Trinity Monastery of St. Sergius visit

Tour covers: Suzdal: Museum of Wooden Architecture, St Euthimius monastery (or Intercession Convent), Suzdal Kremlin Vladimir: Assumption cathedral (interior if it is open), St Demetrius cathedral (exterior), Golden gates (exterior)

We use cookies to improve your experience on our website, and to facilitate providing you with services available through our website. By continuing to use our website, you accept our use of cookies, the terms of our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service . I agree

• Trip Planner
• Private Tours
• Small Group Tours
• Two Capitals
• City Breaks
• Trans-Siberian
• River Cruises
• Russia & Beyond

4-star edition of the private 9-day tour of the Russian capitals

5-star edition fo the private 9-day tour of Moscow & St. Petersburg

13-day in-depth discovery of Moscow, Kazan, and St. Petersburg

7-day tour designed to harness the best of the Venice of the North

11-day private discovery of Moscow, St. Petersburg, and the Golden Ring

Your Russia Getaway

Fill out the short trip survey to receive a personalized itinerary from a destination expert.

• Travel guide
• Before you go
• What to see

Russia Trip Planner

Learn about the dos and the don'ts for your amazing trip to Russia

• Our Partners
• Reservation Policies

Rated 9/10 on the Trustpilot review platform

• My itineraries
• Chat with us
• Trip survey

Groups & Agents

• For Suppliers

+1 (888) 744-6056

• North America : +1 (888) 744-6056
• Oceania and Australia : +61261888118

You are here

Russia golden ring tours.

• Tips & Highlights

Tour Reviews

• Other Destinations
• Related Posts
• Reset filters

Golden Ring Trip Packages

Set off on an adventure along the Golden Ring route in Russia and enjoy a truly unforgettable traveling experience! Taking you through mind-boggling sceneries, picture-perfect sights, authentic towns and villages, and other attractions, the Golden Ring trips also take you to such must-visit cities in Russia as Moscow, Suzdal, Yaroslavl, and Vladimir. It is undoubtedly one of the best ways to get acquainted with not only the picturesque sceneries but eventful history and one-of-a-kind culture as well. However, coming up with the perfect itinerary for such a journey might become a headache; therefore, leave all the worries of planning to our team of experienced destination specialists and enjoy the untroubled Golden Ring tour.

Golden Ring Tour Highlights

Feel the soul of Russia by going on a Golden Ring tour and visiting historical towns.

Learn which towns of the Golden Ring route are must-see and which sights are the most significant for Russian culture. Customize your perfect itinerary together with our destination specialist.

• Tretyakov Gallery
• Exploring Moscow
• Tour of Suzdal & Vladimir
• Visiting Yaroslavl & Rostov
• Tatar Cooking Master Class
• Kazan Sightseeing
• The Trinity Lavra, Sergiev Posad
• Discovering Golden Ring monasteries
• Historical Kremlins
• UNESCO Heritage Sites

Tips for Golden Ring Travel

Read our expert tips and be perfectly prepared for your Golden Ring itinerary.

What to pack

Make sure to pack warm and comfortable clothing, as well as a waterproof jacket, and an umbrella.

Most Russia citizens do not speak English, learning a few phrases would give you an advantage.

You might also want to have some local currency on hand; the local in Russia is Rubles.

How much to tip

Tipping is optional; however, it's considered good etiquette to tip 10%-15% of your bill.

The average summer temperature is approx 18°C (64°F), and winter is around -6°C (22°F).

Some of the most popular souvenirs from the Golden Ring are wood carvings, and shawls.

Best Golden Ring Sights

Volga River, the largest river in Europe, is Russia's vast national symbol and biggest pride.

Velikiy Novgorod - one of Russia’s oldest cities with numerous medieval monuments that have made it to our days.

Goritsy is an extraordinarily picturesque tiny river town and a slice of Russia's deep and diverse history.

Mandrogi is a town of tradition and folklore renown for homemade vodka, horse-draw carriages and unique craftwork.

Named after Saint Sergey Radonezhsky, Sergiev Posad features the Trinity Lavra - a monument of old Russian architecture.

Step into Russia's 16th century traditional life in the open air museum of Kizhi to experience the past first-hand.

I am very satisfied.

I have been using the Firebirds (Travel All Russia) services for a while. I am very satisfied.

WOW. From the choice of hotels to...

WOW. From the choice of hotels, an itinerary that ran to plan, the amazing Guides and drivers, and of course the stunning cities of Moscow and St Petersburg. No long queues for entry to museums, churches, and palaces.  I would gladly recommend using Firebird Tours (Travel All Russia) to anyone.

THANK YOU for making this happen for me !!!

I must say from the day I started to book my tip till the day I got home I had one GREAT trip and experience I always felt safe and cared for help was seconds away not that I needed any I will defiantly highly recommend your company to any traveler to Russia WELL DONE to the Whole team THANK YOU for making this happen for me !!!

Travel All Russia was flawless

My husband and I have traveled extensively over decades and this is one of the finest trips we have ever taken. From planning to our flight home, Travel All Russia was flawless. The hotels, logistics, and guides were all superb. Thank you for a wonderful trip!

Absolutely the trip of a lifetime

Absolutely the trip of a lifetime. Russia is a beautiful country with so much history and culture. The local people were wonderful and so very helpful. I wish there wasn’t so much bad political press from our media in the US. Hopefully, more people will visit Russia and see the beauty of the country and its people. Thanks for your amazing services.

We enjoyed the trip immensely

We thoroughly enjoyed Russia and would happily recommend Travel All Russia to anyone planning a trip to this part of the world.

Dealing with the staff of the Travel All Russia was so pleasant - Russian Ancient Kingdoms, May 2017

Related destinations, more about golden ring.

• Call us now
• Request a call
• Chat on WhatsApp
• Start Live chat
• Contact via email

Moscow & St. Petersburg Small Group Tours Private Tour Packages Trans-Siberian Trips Russian River Cruises Moscow Tour Packages St. Petersburg Tours All Russia Tours

Why Travel to Russia Best Time to Visit Russia Russian Visa Information Tips Before Traveling Tips on Arrival Russian Currency Moscow Travel Guide Read More in Our Blog

Hermitage Museum Church of the Savior on Blood The Kremlin Sergiev Posad, Golden Ring Kizhi Island The Red Square Siberia Lake Baikal

Fla. Seller of Travel Ref. No. ST39939 All Rights Reserved © 2024 About Us | Testimonials  | Our Blog  |  Terms of Service  | Privacy Policy  

Golden Ring

The 'Golden Ring' (Zolotoe Koltso) is a modern name for a loop of very old towns north-east of Moscow that preceded the present capital as the political and cultural heart of Russia. The towns' churches, monasteries, kremlins (city forts) and museums make an incredibly picturesque port-folio of early Russian craftwork. Another attraction of the region is that some of the towns are really little more than villages, providing a peaceful glimpse of country life as it is lived all over European Russia.

Best known is little Suzdal, officially protected against industrial development and littered with so many protected buildings that it's almost one big museum. The other towns are more lived-in but are equally rich in old buildings such as churches, monasteries or kremlins. Made from stone, these buildings have outlived most wooden structures.

You do run the risk of 'old Russian church' overload here, so it pays to travel selectively. The most visited places are Sergiev Posad and Suzdal, but Vladimir and Bogolyubovo, Plyos, Kostroma, Yaroslavl, Rostov - Veliky and Pereslavl-Zaiessky, in their different ways, all have big attractions too.

Most places in the Golden Ring can be visited individually on day or overnight trips from Moscow, but a better way to absorb the region's beauties and history, if you have time, is to devote a few days to taking in a combination of places. Transport and accommodation are easy enough to find as you go along. One or two-day excursions are also available from Moscow, and Golden Ring visits are a standard item on many package tours to Russia.

This section covers the Golden Ring going anticlockwise, though if you're doing a full circuit you might prefer to travel in a clockwise direction, as the distances between the first few destinations are shorter that way.

Contact us for tailored individual trips and guaranteed departure group tours at

+7 915 430 3573  (phone, WhatsApp, Viber) or  [email protected]

The carefully-preserved beauty of the medieval towns of the Golden Ring is waiting for you!

(feel free to get in touch via WhatsApp/Viber at +7 (915) 430-35-73)

• #Luxury travel
• #Unusual Moscow
• #Jewish Heritage
• #Russian traditions
• #Golden Ring
• #Russian History
• #Special Interest
• #Interesting places

Moscow with the visit to Golden Ring

This tour is fully dedicated to the history and religion of Russia, with the visit to the ancient Russian towns that used to be the main religious centers of Russia and keep the heritage of the 10th-20th centuries. You will see multiple examples of Orthodox architecture, learn about the history of Russian religion and the development of the country and visit UNESCO-listed sights. The guide will accompany you to make the trip more knowledgeable and easier in terms of all transfers, meals, and accommodation.

day 1 Arrival

As soon as you arrive in Moscow, a driver will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. If you wish, you can order optional tours in the afternoon.

day 2 City tour and Kremlin

Your first day in Moscow will start with a panoramic tour of the most essential sights: Red Square, Nikolskaya Street, Sparrow Hills with a magnificent view, magnificent MSU buildings, charming pedestrian streets, VDNKh Exhibition center, and other impressive spots. You will have enough time to shop around for Russian souvenirs and try Russian cuisine at one of the various restaurants.

The main spot today is the Kremlin and its splendid cathedrals — one of Moscow's landmarks. The tour includes a visit to the Kremlin's territory with its magnificent red walls, monuments of Tsar Cannon and Tsar Bell, and two cathedrals.

day 3 Tretiakov Gallery

If you are an art enthusiast, you will definitely be interested in observing the masterpieces of Russian art. Tretiakov Gallery is a famous collection of the best paintings from all over Russia and it is the world's largest museum of Russian art. The tour includes a visit to the classical art gallery, but you can also opt for another building with a modern art collection.

day 4 Departure to Golden Ring tour. Vladimir

We will lead you to the most spiritual route of our country – The Golden Ring of Russia. You will see the splendor architecture of temples and monasteries, get acquainted with the art of iconography which is an essential part of the Eastern Orthodox Church.

The first stop will be in Vladimir, one of the oldest Russian cities. The city tour of Vladimir takes just 3 hours, during which you will see the main symbols of the city such as the Golden Gate, Dmitrievsky, and Uspensky Cathedral. Of course, you will have an opportunity to go to the local museum just right around the cathedrals. As the town is small enough, we will move along to Suzdal, where you will have a sleepover.

day 5 Suzdal

What can be better than waking up in a fairytale? The architecture of Suzdal will charm you. After breakfast in the comfy hotel, our guide will pick you up for a city tour. So pick up your baggage with you and move along to the new horizons. During the tour, you will visit several monasteries. Also, we will guide you to the white-stoned Kremlin of Suzdal. Take a look at the variety of collections of old icons, unique objects of decorative arts and crafts made ages before our nativity. In the evening will transfer you to Kostroma city, where you will have a good sleep at the hotel.

day 6 Kostroma

This day you will see two cities. In Kostroma, you will have a city tour and visit the fire tower. Then you will be amazed by the exquisiteness of the twelve-dome church of Christ Ressurection.

Then you will move to the magnificent city Yaroslavl which is located right on a high bank of the Volga river. Again splendid architecture and mesmerizing monuments will take your attention. You will visit the Transfiguration monastery. Then our guide will take you to the first stone churches in the city - the Church of Elijah the Prophet and the Church of Nicola Idein. As the city is located right on the bank, you will have an occasion to walk along it enjoying the power and beauty of nature. After such a long day, we will be glad to take you to your hotel, where you may relax and prepare for the adventures of the next day.

day 7 Rostov the Great. Departure to Moscow

After breakfast, you will meet our guide and travel to Rostov the Great. The city is an open-air -museum showing off all the treasures of Russian national culture, history, and religion. You will visit Rostov’s Kremlin which is the masterpiece of the architecture of its kind. You will also see the Uspenskiy Cathedral. After the guided tour we will return to Moscow and get an overnight train to Saint Petersburg.

day 8 Departure transfer

It is time to leave — and your driver will pick you up to take to the airport with your luggage.

• Day 1: Arrival
• Day 2: City tour and Kremlin
• Day 3: Tretiakov Gallery
• Day 4: Departure to Golden Ring tour. Vladimir
• Day 5: Suzdal
• Day 6: Kostroma
• Day 7: Rostov the Great. Departure to Moscow
• Day 8: Departure transfer

We use cookies to improve your experience on our Website, tailor content, and measure advertising. By continuing to use our Website, you accept our Privacy Policy .

Your request has been sent successfully! Our travel expert will contact you shortly.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

• Golden Ring

About destination

Itineraries.

• St Petersburg
• Highlights of Russia
• Moscow Break
• Saint Petersburg Break
• Master-class in painting Russian matryoshka dolls
• Roof Top trip in Saint Petersburg
• Tour of the Bolshoi Theatre
• Booking and cancellation terms

• Yekaterinburg
• Novosibirsk
• Vladivostok

• Tours to Russia
• Practicalities
• Russia in Lists

Rusmania • Deep into Russia

Golden ring of Russia tours

Day tours of the golden ring.

  Day tours to a city on the Golden Ring are a great way of getting away from the hustle and bustle Moscow and visiting a provincial Russian city. Although most of the Golden Ring cities are located quite far from the capital, Sergiev Posad , Suzdal , and Yaroslavl can be visited in a day, returning to Moscow in the evening or even going on to St Petersburg or along the Trans-Siberian to Siberia.

GOLDEN RING IN 2 DAYS

  Two days in the most beautiful cities of the Golden Ring allow you to not only immerse yourself in the daily rhythm of provincial Russian cities, but also to appreciate architectural masterpieces which are protected by UNESCO and enjoy the calmness of these mediaeval cities full of history.

GOLDEN RING IN 3 DAYS

  Having just three days to travel around the Golden Ring is still enough time to see the most beautiful cities on the tourist route. We offer three options for three-day tours around the Golden Ring from Moscow in order to give you an impression of such tours and the distances, cities and sights involved. Each tour can be extended with a visit to St Petersburg, and here you can see an example of a tour of Moscow and St Petersburg via the Golden Ring.

  The tours below are ideal for three days and are created taking into account the sights, transport, accessibility, comfort and speed of travelling around the Golden Ring. However as the tours are all personal they can be changed to meet your wishes.

GOLDEN RING IN 5 DAYS

  A five-day trip around the Golden Ring is one of the most popular options for travelling around this route as in one trip you will see five of the most beautiful cities on the ring. Although the trip involves long distances, it does give you a chance to enjoy views of pretty landscapes of Central Russia from the window of your private car. The tours below are ideal for five-day trips and have been prepared taking into account the sights, transport links and comfort of travelling around the Golden Ring, but it can be changed to meet your preferences.

  We offer three options of five-day trips around the Golden Ring from Moscow, but if you would like to have a different tour please contact us and we will prepare your ideal trip.

GOLDEN RING IN 8 DAYS

  On this classic tour of the Golden Ring, we have combined the main and most beautiful cities on the route and in eight days you will visit Vladimir , Russia's mediaeval capital, and Suzdal , an open air museum of Russian architecture, as well as Ivanovo - the Russian Manchester - while travelling to the picturesque city of Plyos which is located on a hilly bank of the Volga. You will also go to Kostroma 's Ipatievsky Monastery, where the House of Romanov rose to power, and the stunning kremlin of Rostov Veliky . You will visit   Yaroslavl , the capital of the Golden Ring, and get to experience the provincial charm of Pereslavl-Zalessky which is located on beautiful Lake Plescheevo. Finally you will also go to the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra in  Sergiev Posad . Although this route can be covered in five days, we offer it as an eight day tour which gives you the chance to really soak in the atmosphere of these mediaeval Russian cities.

CRUISES ALONG THE GOLDEN RING

Plan your next trip to Russia

Ready-to-book tours.

Your holiday in Russia starts here. Choose and book your tour to Russia.

REQUEST A CUSTOMISED TRIP

Looking for something unique? Create the trip of your dreams with the help of our experts.

Destination guides

Download free Russia travel guides

St Petersburg

• Golden Ring
• Lake Baikal
• Murmansk (Kola Peninsula)
• Moscow & St Petersburg
• Russia River Cruises
• Expedition Cruises
• Trans-Siberian Tours
• Northern Lights Tours
• Siberia Tours
• Winter Tours
• Students Trips
• Luxury Tours
• Plan My Tour

Start planning my tour

Your Russia, your dates, your mates

• Destination Guides
• Russia Travel Tips
• Russian Visa
• Travel Insurance
• Why 56th Parallel
• Traveller Reviews

Moscow, St Petersburg and Golden Ring Rendezvous

Duration 11 days

Price from USD $2,655 ? Currency Conversion Converted from USD based on the latest exchange rate. Final amount and payment will be in USD. Final conversion rate is determined by your bank.

Trip Style Culture & Sightseeing

Time of year All Year

Home / Golden Ring Tours / Moscow, St Petersburg and Golden Ring Rendezvous

• Dates & Prices

Embark on an endlessly enthralling exploration of the places that shaped Russia’s history on this 11-day tour of Moscow, St Petersburg and the Golden Ring. From the reign of the Tsars to the iron grip of the USSR to the people and projects ushering in a new era of cultural expression and innovation, you’ll gain a deeper insight into Russia’s ancient heritage and a fascinating glimpse into its future.

Moscow, St Petersburg and Golden Ring tour highlights:

• Moscow City Walking Tour: Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of one of the world’s biggest metropolises on a guided tour of Moscow on foot, taking in the Red Square, the Kremlin, the fantastical St Basil’s Cathedral and more
• Moscow Metro Tour: go deep underground on a subway tour of the famous metro system, a Soviet innovation renowned for its palatial, lavishly decorated stations
• Mini Golden Ring Tour: spend two days in the gorgeous Russian countryside visiting three of the most beautiful towns of the historic Golden Ring – the medieval village of Vladimir, Suzdal’s storybook wooden houses and Sergei Posad, the “Russian Vatican”
• St Petersburg Walking Tour: Admire the spectacular urban architecture, old-world grandeur and buzzing vibe on a guided walking tour of St Petersburg, including a stroll along its lively high street, Nevsky Prospekt
• Take a hydrofoil boat trip to the World Heritage-listed Peterhof Palace and Park
• Marvel at some of the most esteemed treasures among the 3 million works of art on a guided tour of St Petersburg’s State Hermitage Museum
• Enjoy a day excursion to Tsarkoe Selo (the Tsar’s village) in the charming suburb of Pushkin, home of the extravagant Catherine Palace and the stately Alexander Palace.

Our Russian rendezvous begins in the faced-past mega-city of  Moscow , taking in its most famous attractions and uncovering the ongoing revolutionary spirit that makes Moscow one of the world’s most exciting urban destinations. Trace Russia’s extraordinary journey from one of the world’s greatest empires to a secretive Soviet state to a rising modern superpower. Next, be transported back in time as we follow the famous Golden Ring circuit through the Russian countryside. Enjoy the relaxed pace of rural life and explore some of the route's most historically significant and aesthetically charming townships.

Finally, we hop on the Sapsan to Moscow and St. Petersburg, a high-speed rail line and a testament to Russia’s technological progress. On arriving in St Petersburg, you’ll be stunned by the sights and sounds of one of the world’s most beautiful and romantic cities. With its splendid palaces, parks and canals, it’s the perfect place to end our expedition through the cultural heartland of Russia. Our signature Moscow, St Petersburg and Golden Ring tour is a travel dream come true for art, history and culture buffs. You’ll be treated to the accommodation at centrally located hotels, private drivers and hand-picked, professional local guides.

Accomodation

Culture & Sightseeing

Action rating ?

Type of tour

11 days / 10 nights

Private - Any Date

Culture & Sightseeing

Itinerary View map

Day 1 arrival to moscow.

Welcome to Moscow, the monumental capital of Mother Russia! You’ll be met by your driver at the airport and taken to your centrally located hotel. Rest up, or explore the local area on your own for the remainder of the day.

As an option* we recommend an evening on the Moskva River enjoying a sumptuous dinner cruise, taking in the stunning sights and city lights of this mesmerising metropolis by night.

Day 2 Moscow: Red Square, Kremlin and Armoury Chamber

There’s no better way to acquaint yourself with Moscow than a walking tour of the historic city centre. Our guided walk will include a stroll through the Red Square, the hub of cultural life in Moscow, with its fantasy-like St Basil’s Cathedral – a postcard-perfect symbol of the nation. Break for lunch in one of the many downtown restaurants before continuing on a tour of the Kremlin and Armoury Museum.

Spend the evening your way, or let us prepare something extra special as an option* - an unforgettable night at the opera or the Russian ballet at the iconic Bolshoi Theatre.

Day 3 Moscow: Metro tour, Tretyakov Gallery and Red October district

Start a day with a tour of the 19th century Tretyakov State Gallery, the world’s foremost depository of Russian fine art, containing over 130,000 exhibits, with work by Rublev, Kandinsky, Repin and many others. You’ll visit the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, one of the most important churches in Russia. We’ll get to the gallery via a Metro Tour, stopping on the way to marvel at some of the most elaborately decorated stations of the world-famous Moscow subway system. Beside the cathedral is a bridge with fantastic views of this part of the city.

Next, we explore the Red October district , and a vibrant hangout for Moscow’s youth, with its old industrial alleyways and lovingly restored courtyards lined with chic cafes, designer studios and galleries. After a break, the second half of the day consists of a wandering sojourn through some of Moscow’s most famous streets and squares.

Day 4 Moscow: free day

Today is yours to take the knowledge you’ve gained from your expert guide and discover your own favourite hang-outs and hidden treasures within this dynamic city of over 12 million.

Alternatively, choose from one of the experiences on offer* (download a detailed itinerary).

Day 5 Golden Ring: Vladimir and Suzdal

Today we depart Moscow and drive to two of the most picturesque Golden Ring cities, Vladimir and Suzdal. 190km east of Moscow, Vladimir was the former capital of medieval Russia and is one of the region’s oldest settlements. Visit spectacular landmarks including the white and gold Assumption Cathedral and the Golden Gates, constructed in 1164 and nearly obliterated in the Mongol invasions. After lunch, we head to our overnight destination of Suzdal, one of the most charismatic villages on the Golden Ring route. With wooden houses straight from the pages of a storybook and horse-drawn buggies plying its quiet streets, Suzdal has managed to retain a tranquil, rural atmosphere that’s changed little over a span of centuries.

We’ll walk the ramparts of the Old Kremlin and admire the divine frescoes and classic wooden architecture of the Church of the Transfiguration.

Day 6 Golden Ring: Sergiev Posad

Following the Golden Ring route 170km to the east of Suzdal, we head for Sergiev Posad on a scenic drive through the Russian countryside. The spiritual heart of the Orthodox Church, Sergiev Posad is known as the Russian Vatican thanks to the gleaming blue and gold cupolas scattered all around the town. Our afternoon will include a visit to the resplendent Trinity Lavra, dedicated to Russia’s patron saint. Built in 1423, the working monastery is a World Heritage site, with a cathedral brimming with works by many of Russia’s greatest religious painters.

In the evening, we board a Sapsan – a Russian high-speed train – which will whisk us to our next destination, St Petersburg, completing the 700km journey in just four hours. On arrival in St Petersburg, you’ll be transferred straight to your centrally located hotel.

Day 7 St Petersburg: historical city tour

Meet your friendly and knowledgeable St Petersburg guide in the lobby and begin your discovery of Russia’s ‘Cultural Capital’ with a walking tour of the city’s most popular attractions. Your walking tour will include Nevsky Prospect, St. Petersburg’s fanciful high street, the Anichokov Bridge and Palace, viewpoints over the Fontaka and Moika Rivers, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, Palace Square and the Senate Square, with its bronze horseman monument to Peter the Great and the Church of the Spilled Blood. You’ll also get the chance to stroll the grounds of the magnificent Peter and Paul Fortress on the banks of the Neva River, a burial place for the Russian emperors from Peter the Great to Nicholas II.

After lunch, we’ll pay a visit to the Aurora Cruiser, the legendary ship that supposedly sparked the Russian Revolution by firing the first shot, signalling the revolutionaries to storm the Winter Palace.

As an option* for this evening, we invite you to enjoy an evening of classical music at one of St. Petersburg’s beautiful palaces, with this 2-hour experience. Take a seat in the magnificent Hall of the Palace. Then, lose yourself in much-loved works by Russian composers such as Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich and others, all played by an orchestra of St Petersburg. As the perfect curtain raisers, enjoy an interesting pre-concert tour of the palace's halls and a glass of sparkling wine.

Day 8 St Petersburg: Peterhof

50km from St Petersburg is the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Peterhof, the ‘Russian Versailles’. We’ll travel by fast boat to avoid city traffic. Once the opulent summer resort of the Romanovs, today Peterhof is an open-air museum and a testament to Peter the Great’s contribution to the city’s development. Marvel at the brilliance of the 18th-century architects and artists who designed the Grand Palace, the Lower Gardens and some 150 stunning fountains on the palace grounds.

As an option*, we will visit the recently opened Faberge Museum, a private collection of over 4,000 Faberge Eggs and other bejewelled objects of desire, elegantly displayed inside the stunning Shuvalov Palace.

Day 9 St Petersburg: Hermitage and canals cruise

Today starts with a walk to the Palace Square to admire the grand designs of the Tsar’s Winter Palace, now a part of the State Hermitage Museum complex. In the afternoon, it’s time to see St Petersburg from a different angle on a boat ride through the city’s maze of canals. We’ll pass under some of the city’s 400 bridges and casually drift past 18th-century palaces and striking architectural landmarks. Affectionally referred to as the ‘Venice of the North', St Petersburg’s romantic atmosphere rivals Venice and Paris, with the bonus of far fewer tourists!

Enjoy special optional* evening activity – attending a Russian folk show at Nikolaevsky Palace. Alternatively, ask us about reserving a table and transfers to one of the city’s most famous restaurants.

Day 10 St Petersburg: Pushkin and Palovsk

Experience the extravagance of the Imperial rulers on an excursion to the suburban estates of Tsarskoe Selo (Tsar’s village). Now part of the nearby town of Pushkin, the vast estate is made up of acres of exquisite parks and gardens. Dotted with remarkable structures like the Marble Bridge and the Creaking Pagoda, constructed for the amusement of Catherine the Great, the Empress once strolled these grounds, accompanied by her beloved Italian greyhounds. Here you’ll find the baroque Catherine Palace, a dazzling testament to Catherine’s love of luxury and royal excess. We also explore the stately neoclassical Alexander Palace, whose tumultuous history paints a fascinating portrait of the Romanov family. We’ll also visit Pavlovsk Palace and Park, commissioned by Catherine as the summer residence of her son, Emperor Paul I. The 600-hectare park is one of the largest landscaped parks in Europe.

Optionally* you may choose to take a tour of Yusupov Palace on the Moika River, best known for being the scene of the assassination of Rasputin.

Day 11 Departure from St Petersburg

Our journey through the historic heart and cultural soul of Russia has come to an end. After breakfast and check-out, you’ll be transferred to the airport, filled with lifelong memories and unforgettable impressions of this captivating country.

Print this page

Save a printed version of this tour, so you can make a decision later

Send to my inbox

Email yourself or a friend the link for this tour

Ask a question

Have a question about this tour? Our experts will be happy to help

Group arrival and departure airport or train station transfers

All transportation on tour, according to the itinerary (private driver, metro)

Centrally located 3* hotels, can be upgraded to 4* or 5*

Breakfasts in the hotels, some meals during a tour of the Golden Ring cities

Sapsan train tickets from Moscow to St Petersburg ("economy plus" class, *can be upgraded to the business class upon request)

Local licensed English-speaking tour leaders

All activities indicated in the itinerary, except optional

Entry tickets, according to the itinerary (skip-the-line policy)

Russian visa support document

Travel insurance

Russian visa and visa fees. *Russian visa can be arranged by 56th Parallel for an additional cost (for Australian citizens only). Apply for concierge visa service here .

Optional excursions

Individual transfers

Moscow to St Petersburg

*Private Tour. Price is per person, based on min 2 people

Testimonials

Christabel Lim Australia

Thank you so much for arranging everything!

James and Maria Short Australia

We would recommend this tour to our friends and prospective travellers...

Vladimir, Suzdal and Posad – 

On the 5th day, we travelled with Irina and our driver to Vladimir and Suzdal – as with our experience in Moscow this tour did not disappoint. Irina was old school and we benefitted by her experience and mature viewpoint. The 2 days of this part of the tour was superbly balanced with the previous days spent in Moscow. The itinerary was impressive.

St Petersburg – 

The arrival in St Petersburg was after 9 pm and at the time the Hotel reception was chaotic with guest arrivals. The combination of a busy fast train and pesty Chinese travellers many of whom do not possess spacial awareness, plus vehicle transfer by a driver who seemingly was in an urgent hurry we have left abruptly at the entry of the hotel.

Having been spoiled with the quality of accommodation in Moscow and Suzdal we felt the room assigned to us at Solo Sokos Palace left a lot to be desired. The day following we upgraded to a suite, paid additional to our tour cost.

St Petersburg was in full flight tourist wise –  the longer we stayed the more familiar the city became.

By this time both of us were ill with the flu and we had to manage our excursions to suit the daily schedule. But not to be deterred we made the most of our days touring, and like all that have been to this city before us, we fell in love with St Petersburg.

Our guide Julia was young and eager to impart her knowledge of this great city with its amazing history.  We have little reason to criticize Julia although if there was any reservation it was her to do with her maturity – there were times we felt she was on task to cover her content a little to robotically. That said we sorted out things and cut short parts where we thought were repetitive. Mind you we did not doubt he knowledge of history and if we felt we had our fill of Tzars and Tzarinas we gently persuaded her to vary the tour. I have an interest in the siege of Leningrad during WW2 and the Stalinist period pre and post-war – to which she accommodated.

She was very ill herself the last day of the tour and we cut short the tour because of this although she was prepared to soldier on and insisted she arranged a refund for this part of the tour. In a few words, we Loved St Petersburg.

We would recommend this tour to our friends and prospective travellers,  the tour ran seamlessly and we did not want for anything.

Fiorella Calvinisti and Rolando Masseli Guatemala

The tour in Russia has been excellent!

It is hard to find a single most enjoyed thing in our tour, it was extremely good. We enjoyed it all. The selected places, the route, the food even the climate was perfect. There is one thing that deserves a special word and it is the tour guides. They were amazingly friendly and well prepared. Thank you very much 56th Parallel for such a wonderful time.

Similar tours

Highlights of moscow & st petersburg.

Immerse yourself in the art, history and culture of Russia and explore the contrasting styles of Moscow and St Petersburg in just one week. Experience the iconic landmarks of ...

Golden Ring – Reflections of Russian Heritage

The tour will take you to the eight cities of the Golden Ring, starting from Vladimir. The 'classical' route will take you to the fascinating sites of ancient cities. Get to see ...

Treasures of St Petersburg

This in-depth tour is a fun and fascinating discovery of the legacy of Imperialist Russia, just in one week. A showcase for the wealth and tastes of the Emperors of Russia from ...

Classic Moscow – Art, History and Culture

Breathe in the history of Moscow, explore its Imperial and soviet past, dynamic contemporary culture and lifestyle. On this 5-day tour of Moscow, you'll visit the must-see sights ...

Dowlnload comprehansive info-kit for this tour, FAQ’s and extras

Why travel to Russia with 56th Parallel?

Destination Specialists

Our team offers over 18 years of experience travelling and planning travel in Russia. Delivering outstanding travel experiences in Russia’s capitals and in some of the most stunning & remote locations takes experience, special access and the right connections. We make sure that all the fine details are handled perfectly so you can enjoy your Russia travel experience.

Group & Private Tours

The choice to join a small group on a guaranteed departure or chose to travel on your own dates with your own mates. Each destination we travel to in Russia offers an option between private tours and small group tours. Please note: on our adventure tours in remote destinations, we mostly run group tours to keep the cost down.

Bonded & Licensed

56th Parallel is a fully licensed, insured and accredited travel provider.

From USD $2,655

Day 1: Arrival to Moscow

Day 2: moscow: red square, kremlin and armoury chamber, day 3: moscow: metro tour, tretyakov gallery and red october district, day 4: moscow: free day, day 5: golden ring: vladimir and suzdal, day 6: golden ring: sergiev posad, day 7: st petersburg: historical city tour, day 8: st petersburg: peterhof, day 9: st petersburg: hermitage and canals cruise, day 10: st petersburg: pushkin and palovsk, day 11: departure from st petersburg, not included, start planning your tour.

A destination specialist will follow up on you enquiry shortly. Prefer to chat? Call us on +61 412 587 785 we will be delighted to be of service.

Email this tour to:

Have a question or need specific information.

Send us a note below or call us

Country * Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegowina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia Comoros Congo Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Cook Islands Costa Rica Cote d'Ivoire Croatia (Hrvatska) Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic East Timor Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France France Metropolitan French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard and Mc Donald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran (Islamic Republic of) Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao, People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macau Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco Mongolia Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands Netherlands Antilles New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Reunion Romania Russian Federation Rwanda Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain Sri Lanka St. Helena St. Pierre and Miquelon Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States United States Minor Outlying Islands Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Vietnam Virgin Islands (British) Virgin Islands (U.S.) Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Yugoslavia Zambia Zimbabwe

If you have any urgent questions or enquiries, please give us a call +61 412 587 785

The Golden Ring of Russia: Best Towns to Visit

What is the golden ring of russia, how to visit the golden ring.

Top 5 Towns Worth Visiting in the Golden Ring

#1 suzdal & vladimir the great (best choice), #2 sergiyev posad, #3 pereslavl-zalesskiy, #4 yaroslavl, #5 rostov velikiy.

Golden Ring Itineraries

The most popular towns of the Golden Ring

Vladimir and suzdal.

Rostov Velikiy

Photo by AirPano.ru

You may also like other r eal r ussia tours:.

Perhaps you already know, but there is a great difference between Moscow, St. Petersburg, and all other towns and cities in Russia. Visiting the countryside is a great opportunity to travel the real Russia and to see the common life of ordinary people. The best choice for a one-day Russian countryside experience is the Vladimir and Suzdal tour.

Vladimir and Suzdal are small towns that are famous worldwide because of their great history and picturesque architecture with numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the 12th century. Aside from golden cupolas of stunning churches and monasteries, you will experience a very rural real Russian outlook with bubbling streams and grassy meadows, chickens and livestock, and interesting and authentic local residents. All are a common sight on the streets, some of which remain unpaved. Be ready for a full-day trip and many unforgettable experiences during your Russian holidays!

•Road-tripping from Moscow to St. Petersburg

•Ecotour along the Volga River with visiting limestone quarries

•Real Russian countryside

•One day in a traditional Russian village

There is a great difference between Moscow, St. Petersburg, and all other Russia... The concept of this tour is to show you the real Russia with numerous small towns, pristine nature, abandoned churches and the life of people.

This tour does not include Golden Ring towns! Instead, you will see Staritsa town and Novgorod the Great, beautiful places to visit in Russia!

We will also visit an elderly couple living in a traditional Russia village. We will help them with their daily work - plowing the land (not by tractors, but by horses), caring for the livestock and cooking food in a traditional Russian oven… And surely we will taste some real fresh milk and eggs while they will be telling us about their common life, their habits, and the households.

The itinerary is perfect for those who are going to St. Petersburg. It takes only 4 hours to get there from Novgorod by a cheap local train.

Great Russian Discovery: Golden Ring (Russian Province), Moscow & St. Petersburg (CB-06)

• Accommodation
• Daily breakfasts
• Train - 2nd class (day / night)
• English – speaking guides
• Guided tours & entrance fees
• Airport & railway transfers
• Visas: checking service
• Personal travel insurance
• Optional excursions
• Train compartment upgrade
• Evening meals at hotels
• Additional nights at hotels
• Theatre and circus tickets
• City-breaks: practicalities
• City-breaks: itinerary choice
• FAQ: travelling in Russia
• Russian visa procedure
• Book with Confidence - Covid FAQs

Note on pricing:

• All prices are per person, in US dollars. All included services are listed in the tour dossier and the section "Included" in the tour description.
• Price "Excluding flight" does not cover airfare, you are free to book your own flights. Alternatively we can quote for flights from any international airport.
• Single supplement goes towards single room (cabin for cruises) accommodation.
• Solo supplement is payable in the unlikely event when you are the only person on the tour. It will be refunded if other people join the same tour.
• "Train upgrade" supplement means an upgrade for a compartment for 2 people and refers to overnight trains only. Advisable to book if you prefer more privacy and comfort during your overnight train journeys. Read more about train upgrade .
• Discouns for children .

• Russia Tours
• Golden Ring Tours
• Moscow, St. Petersburg, and the Golden Ring Tour

Moscow, St. Petersburg, and the Golden Ring Tour 10 Days | Moscow, Vladimir, Murom, Suzdal, St. Petersburg, Peterhof, Pushkin, Pavlovsk

Discover more of north-western Russia’s history and architecture with our 10-day Moscow, St. Petersburg, and the Golden Ring tour package. Starting with Moscow’s famous Red Square, Kremlin, and Soviet buildings, you’ll journey to two “Golden Ring” cities, Vladimir and Suzdal, as well as historic Murom. The tour ends at Peter the Great’s masterpiece, the elegant city of St. Petersburg. Highlights of the tour include exploring the Peterhof, Tsaritsiyno, Catherine, and Pavlovsk palaces with their magnificent buildings, interesting museums, and beautiful gardens; admiring the UNESCO World Heritage “White Monuments” of Vladimir and Suzdal; and discovering numerous churches, monasteries, and other religious monuments. You’ll also have the chance to experience local culture with a master class in gingerbread making techniques and optional activities like mead tasting, craft workshops, and ballet performances.

• Testimonials
• Search Trip
• Trans-Siberian Tours
• Saint Petersburg
• Northern Lights
• Lake Baikal
• Russia For Expats
• Winter Trains
• Arctic & North
• Golden Ring
• Russia Cruises
• Trans-Mongolian

Sightseeing

• Trans Siberian
• Wildlife & Nature
• The Snow Empire
• Under 8 Days
• Kid Friendly
• Small Groups
• Senior Travels
• Expats Travel
• Luxury Trains
• Luxury Travels
• Russian Cruises
• Snowmobile Tours
• Youth Travel
• Why Book with Us
• Sustainable Travel
• At a glance
• Dates & Rates
• Terms & conditions
• Destinations
• Moscow   Saint Petersburg   Golden Ring   Karelia

Russia Uncovered

An exciting journey through the country explores the best Russia has to offer. This 14-days tour covers Moscow, St Petersburg, ancient towns of the Golden Ring Veliky Novgorod, where Russia was bord and stunning and isolated Kizhi Island. Culture, cuisine, traditions, landscapes, people, train travels and boat rides - this is all-in-one Russian adventure.

Explore rich Russian history and culture, taste cuisine, see the best of Russia through years from Tsars to the Revolution, from USSR till the present days

Tour to the Kizhi Museum - unique historical, cultural and natural complex

The largest cities and rural Russia

Wonders of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Kremlin & Hermitage, Red Square & Peterhof, secret spots and top highlights covered in one hassle-free journey

Best places to stay, to eat, to go out and have fun - safe and secure with the tour operator that specializes in Russia

Group tours are fully escorted by our English-speaking staff. Group size is 20 people max.

Private tours are fully customizable. Chat online now with our Destination Expert to plan your pefect trip to Russia

Day 1, Arrive St Petersburg

Day 2, Lost World. The Kizhi Island

Day 3, Petrozavodsk- Veliky Novgorod

Day 4, Veliky Novgorod

Day 5, 1000 years of Solitude

Day 6, Yaroslavl & Rostov the Great

Day 7, Suzdal

Day 8, Mighty Kremlin & The City

Day 9, Moscow Tour

Day 10, Arrive St. Petersburg

Day 11, The Hermitage & Iconic Landmarks

Day 12, Peterhof Tour

Day 13, The Catherine Palace

Day 14, Farewell

Transportation

• 4-hour standard class high-speed train fare from Moscow to St. Petersburg. Ask us about upgrading to a Business/First Class ticket or flight options
• St. Petersburg - Petrozavodsk, intercity bullet train, one way, standard class
• Petrozavodsk - Veliky Novgorod, intercity bullet train, one way, standard class
• Veliky Novgorod - Vladimir intercity overnight train, one way, 1st class
• Metro pass for Moscow & St. Petersburg
• Meet & greet at the airports/train stations
• Private return airport/train station transfers
• Private transportation on tours as per program in a comfortable a/c car/minivan/bus (except on walking tours)
• St. Petersburg full day (8 hours) guided tour: the Winter Palace and the Hermitage, Isaac Cathedral, Kazan Cathedral, the Church of the Savior on the Spilled Blood
• Full-day (8 hours) guided tour of St. Petersburg; Highlights include the Royal Palace of Peterhof, the Peter and Paul Fortress and Cathedral, boat cruise
• Pushkin/Tsarskoe Selo day (6 hours) guided tour: Catherine’s palace & Amber room
• Full-day (8 hours) guided tour of Moscow; Highlights include Moscow Kremlin (visiting the Cathedrals and the Armory), the Red Square, St. Basil's Cathedral (outside), Lenin’s Mausoleum (outside), GUM, the Bolshoi Theatre (outside), metro tour
• Moscow full day (8 hours) guided tour: the State Tretyakov Gallery, panoramic city tour, the Novodevichy Convent with the guided tour inside, Sparrow Hills, the VDNKh and the guided tour to the Museum of Cosmonautics, cable car ride over Moscow River
• Vladimir and Bogolyubovo full day (8 hours) guided tour: the Dormition Cathedral, the architectural complex of the Cathedral of St. Dimitriy, Intercession Church on the Nerl
• Yaroslavl half-day (4 hours) guided tour: the main cathedrals // Rostov the Great half-day (4 hours) guided tour: the Rostov Kremlin, master class on national crafts
• Suzdal half-day guided tour: Kremlin and the ensemble of the Monastery of Saint Euthymius, Museum of Wooden Architecture, master class on national crafts
• Veliky Novgorod full day (8 hours) guided tour: the Kremlin, the Cathedral of St. Sophia, Yaroslav's Court, the St. George's Monastery, the Wooden Architecture Museum
• Kizhi Island guided tour

Entrance tickets & visas

• Entrance tickets to all included sightseeing attractions (except optional)
• Russian Visa supporting documents, including an official visa invitation letter, and step-by-step guide on how to apply for your visa

We value your comfort

• Dedicated local English-speaking guide in all places as per program
• 24/7 support before and during your trip with us
• Best places to stay, to eat, to go out and have fun - safe and secure with the tour operator that specializes in Russia. Tips already included
• Group tours are fully escorted by a bilingual tour director
• Small group up to 10 people

CHECK OUT WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT TRAVELLING WITH US

Cheryl Moran, Australia: Great tour for seniors couple

PLEASE ENTER YOUR DETAILS TO GET YOUR BROCHURE

Your travel itinerary has been sent, thank you one of your our travel experts will contact you within 24 hours..

• Sign up for newsletter