Russia is a country that many do not take seriously as a tourist destination. In the minds of foreigners, it is bears, balalaikas, vodka, and cold. But those who have decided to come often change their minds. Russia is vast. There are deserts, glaciers, ancient kremlins, and modern skyscrapers. The tourist flow in 2026 is gradually recovering after the pandemic and geopolitical turmoil. What attracts guests from abroad? Let's be honest.Moscow and St. Petersburg: timeless classicsThe two capitals are the main magnets. Moscow attracts with its scale: Red Square, the Kremlin, Stalinist skyscrapers, Moscow-City. Here you can see imperial luxury, Soviet gigantism, and capitalist glamour. St. Petersburg is the Hermitage, the Russian Museum, canals, and drawbridges. European chic with a Russian soul. Tourists come here for "Instagram" views but stay for the atmosphere. Plus, infrastructure: five-star hotels, high-end restaurants, nightclubs. In 2026, tourist information centers in Moscow and Petersburg actively work with Russian and English guides.The Golden Ring and small towns ... Read more