Russia Route: Nizhny Novgorod to Moscow, Kazan & Kremlins
Explore Russia's cultural heartland across 1760 km, visiting Nizhny Novgorod's hilltop kremlin where the Volga and Oka Rivers meet, the historic Golden Ring cities, Moscow's iconic Kremlin and Red Square, and Kazan's blend of European and Asian architecture including the Kazan Kremlin and Kul-Sharif Mosque.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Нижний Новгород, Россия
- End
- Kul-Sharif Mosque
- Stops
- 6
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Нижний Новгород, Россия — Historic river port city where two major waterways converge, featuring a medieval kremlin and centuries of Russian merchant and cultural heritage.
- Kazan, capital of Tatarstan — Ancient city blending Russian and Tatar civilizations, showcasing the Kul Sharif Mosque and kremlin as symbols of religious and cultural coexistence.
- Moscow and the Golden Ring — Russia's capital anchors a circular route through historic towns with Byzantine monasteries, traditional wooden architecture, and centuries-old spiritual centers.
- Moscow Kremlin and Red Square — Fortified citadel containing palaces, cathedrals, and government buildings adjoining the vast plaza where Russia's political and cultural history converged.
- Kazan Kremlin — Historic kremlin ruins destroyed by Ivan the Terrible, major landmark in Kazan.
- Kul-Sharif Mosque — Mosque in Kazan named after a man who died defending the city from Ivan the Terrible.
Useful for your trip
- Transport
- Lake Baikal is accessible via the Trans-Siberian Railway; many travelers stop here during their journey.
- Transport
- Vladivostok is the last stop on the Trans-Siberian Railway and serves as the country's largest port on the Pacific Ocean.
- Tip
- Sochi hosted the 2014 Winter Olympics and offers nearby ski resorts in the mountains where the Olympics took place.
- Tip
- Visit the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg for its spectacular art collection.
- Tip
- The Moscow Kremlin and Red Square are must-see sights; Red Square is one of the largest squares in the world.
- Tip
- Explore the medieval heart of Veliky Novgorod and its numerous old churches, including the 11th Century St Sophia's Cathedral.
- Tip
- Visit the Kul-Sharif Mosque in Kazan and the remains of the Kazan Kremlin that was destroyed by Ivan the Terrible.
- Tip
- Take a scenic river cruise from Nizhny Novgorod to nearby villages and towns along the Volga and Oka Rivers.
- Tip
- Experience the Golden Ring by taking a traditional counter-clockwise loop through several cities outside Moscow featuring cherry orchards and onion-domed churches.
- Timing
- Sochi offers both winter sports and summer beach activities, making it suitable for year-round visitation.
- Tip
- In Yekaterinburg, explore numerous historical and cultural sites, and enjoy the growing gastronomic scene with bars and cafes.
- Tip
- Hike in Agura Valley near Sochi for mountain activities.
Video on this route
10 Best Places to Visit in Russia - Travel Video