Discover Russia — experience a winter fairytale!

Russia invites you on a unique winter journey...

Popular locations

Northern Lights

Caucasus

Sochi

Kazan

St. Petersburg

Moscow

Moscow –
the Heart of Russia

The Russian capital in winter is like a winter fairy tale come to life: millions of lights sparkle, music plays, and the air is filled with a festive atmosphere. Here, you will experience the hospitable spirit of Russia — from ancient cathedrals to luxurious boutiques and modern art spaces

What to see:

Red Square and the Kremlin – the heart of the nation

Saint Basil's Cathedral – a symbol of Moscow

Zaryadye Park and VDNKh – modern urban spaces

The Bolshoi Theatre – world-class ballet and opera

The Tretyakov Gallery – art that makes you fall in love with Russia

Moscow Metro – an underground museum with mosaics and stained glass

Moscow Cathedral Mosque - one of the largest mosques in Europe

Things to do:

Skate by the Kremlin walls - experience a truly iconic winter activity

Visit oriental restaurants and enjoy halal menus - rich flavors from across the East

Relax in luxurious hotels with panoramic city views - comfort in the heart of Moscow

Taste traditional festive cuisine - warm, authentic Russian dishes

Saint Petersburg and the Leningrad Region: harmony of history and culture

Discover the winter fairy tale in Russia’s cultural capital. Saint Petersburg captivates with the grandeur of its palaces, cathedrals, and canals adorned with sparkling snow. Immerse yourself in the rich history of the imperial capital and enjoy the comfort of its luxurious interiors and refined dining establishments. Beyond the city, pristine nature and modern, high-end resorts await for a complete retreat and rejuvenation.

What to see:

Tsarskoe Selo – the Catherine Palace with its Gold Rooms and the Amber Room

Peterhof – the summer residence of the Russian Tsars

New Holland – a contemporary urban space featuring boutiques, cafes, and markets

Ethnopark "Shuvalovka" – a traditional Russian village with workshops, tea ceremonies, and a unique atmosphere

Vyborg – Russia’s only medieval European castle nestled along narrow cobblestone streets

Igora and Okhta Park Resorts – modern suburban complexes designed for family leisure

The cruiser "Aurora" and the Peter and Paul Fortress – landmarks where modern Russian history began

Architectural masterpieces of Saint Petersburg – the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood and the Palace Bridge set against the backdrop of evening Nevsky Prospect

Things to do:

Take a stroll along the Neva embankments – from the Winter Palace to the Admiralty — and witness the reflections of bridges and palaces in the winter city's lights

Experience a traditional Russian tea ceremony by the samovar at "Shuvalovka"

Relax at the spa complexes of the Igora and Okhta Park Resorts

Embark on an excursion to the Leningrad Region — Vyborg, Pushkin (Tsarskoe Selo), or Peterhof

Visit the historic cities and fortresses of the Leningrad Region — Vyborg and Staraya Ladoga

Kazan — a city with a millennia-old Islamic culture

Kazan — a city where a 1000-year history comes alive amid the gleam of domes and minarets. It cherishes its ancient Muslim heritage, beautifully accentuated against the shimmering snow. In the heart of the city, the main jewel awaits you — the Kul Sharif Mosque and the historic Kremlin. Outside the city, eco-hotels, snowy forests, and thermal spa complexes await. Here, you can experience Eastern hospitality and the tranquility of a Russian winter.

What to see:

The Kazan Kremlin and the Kul Sharif Mosque

The Old Tatar Quarter – an area featuring traditional Tatar architecture and interactive museums

Bauman Street – a winter stroll amidst dazzling lights and restaurants

Sviyazhsk Island – a fairytale open-air museum-reserve

Museum of Islamic Culture

The "Tugan Avylim" Ethnographic Entertainment Park

Things to do:

Attend workshops on preparing traditional Tatar cuisine

Sample chak-chak, echpochmak, and the local halal menu

Spend quality time with family

Enjoy a ride on sleds or a dog sled

Sochi: Snow-capped peaks and a warm sea at your doorstep

Sochi is a unique resort destination with a mild winter, where in a single day you can conquer the snowy slopes of the Krasnaya Polyana ski resorts and enjoy a stroll along the promenade by the warm Black Sea. Experience the city's top-tier infrastructure, which hosted the 2014 Winter Olympics, along with its luxurious hotels and an array of attractions—from thermal springs to mountain nature reserves. Feel the contrast between a winter fairy tale and a refreshing sea breeze.

What to see:

Roza Khutor – a cutting-edge mountain resort of international repute surrounded by majestic peaks. In winter, enjoy skiing and snowboarding, walks along a snowy promenade, and a cozy stay at hotels offering halal cuisine and spa facilities

Olympic Park – a spacious coastal area with fountains, parks, and modern architectural ensembles, ideal for a seaside stroll even in winter. Enjoy light shows, festivals, and cultural events here

Krasnaya Polyana – a natural oasis featuring mountains, cable cars, and hot springs

Mount Akhun and its observation tower – a spot where you can simultaneously see the snow-capped peaks of the Caucasus and the sun-drenched coastline. An ideal location for panoramic photography

Riviera Park – one of the coziest spots for winter walks: palm trees, lights, the sea, and fresh mountain air create an extraordinary ambiance of a mild winter along the Black Sea

Things to do:

Ski or snowboard – the season runs from December to April

Relax at spa complexes with views of the Caucasus and the Black Sea

Savor dishes of Caucasian cuisine, as well as fresh seafood

The Caucasus: Russia's Islamic Heritage

The Caucasus is a region of Russia where Muslim peoples reside. This is the land of the country's highest mountains, where ancient Islamic traditions are intricately intertwined with the splendor of nature. Here you will experience traditional hospitality, halal cuisine, and some of the world's most impressive mosques.

What to see:

Mount Elbrus (Kabardino-Balkaria) — the highest point in Europe, boasting panoramic viewpoints and modern cableways

Grozny (Chechen Republic) — a modern and secure city featuring the "Heart of Chechnya" mosque, one of the largest in Europe

The City of the Dead "Dargavs" (North Ossetia) — a mysterious necropolis nestled in the mountains, a mystical site with ancient tombs that exude an atmosphere of secrets and age-old legends

Argun (Chechen Republic) — the city of light with the futuristic "Heart of the Mother" mosque

Mineralnye Vody — Russia’s natural spa resort, home to renowned therapeutic springs and upscale spa hotels designed for wellness and relaxation

Derbent (Dagestan) — — the oldest city in Russia and one of the oldest in the world. Visit the formidable Naryn-Kala Fortress and the Juma Mosque — the oldest mosque on Russian territory (8th century)

Things to do:

Visit mosques and spiritual centers

Savor halal Caucasian cuisine

Ride the cable car to the base of Elbrus and enjoy panoramic views of the Caucasian Range

Northern Lights — Follow the Lights of the North

One of the most mesmerizing natural wonders – the Northern Lights. According to Eastern beliefs, it is regarded as a symbol of luck and happiness. The best places to witness this magic are Teriberka and the Kola Peninsula, where the polar sky is illuminated by thousands of shades of light.

Places to explore:

Murmansk Region (Teriberka and the Kola Peninsula)

Things to do:

Witness and photograph the Northern Lights

Experience rides on reindeer and dog sleds

Enjoy ice fishing

Explore snowy expanses by off-road vehicles

Go to the catalog

For more special travel destinations in Russia for tourists from Arab countries, see the Time to Travel catalog

How to get there

Departure cities

Direct flights

Buy tickets

You can view flights here

Air connectivity between the Persian Gulf countries and Russia is rapidly expanding. Direct and connecting flights provide convenient, hassle-free access to Russia's key tourist regions:

Departure cities

Qatar:

7 flights per week, daily
Doha – Moscow

UAE:

More than 300 direct flights
to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, and Sharjah

Oman:

5 flights per week
(daily from December 2025)
Muscat – Moscow

Saudi Arabia:

6 flights per week
Riyadh – Moscow

Turkey:

Over 800 direct flights
to Adana, Alanya, Ankara, Antalya, Bodrum, Dalaman, Izmir, and Istanbul

Bahrain:

7 flights per week, daily
Manama – Moscow

Iran:

5 flights per week
Tehran – Moscow

Kuwait:

7 flights per week, daily
Kuwait City – Moscow

Direct flights*

Qatar

Qatar Airways

regular flights to Moscow and Saint Petersburg

UAE

Air Arabia, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Flydubai, RedWings, S7 Airlines, Aeroflot, Pobeda, Ural Airlines, Utair

regular flights to Moscow

Oman

Oman Air

flights to Moscow

Saudi Arabia

Flynas, Saudia Airlines

regular flights to Moscow

Turkey

AJet, Corendon Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, Red Wings, Southwind, S7 Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Azimuth, Aeroflot, IrAero, Pobeda, Rossiya, Ural Airlines, Utair

regular flights to Moscow

Bahrain

Gulf Air

regular flights to Moscow

Iran

Mahan Air, Aeroflot

regular flights to Moscow

Kuwait

Jazeera Airways

regular flights to Moscow

Where to stay

Northern Lights

Caucasus

Sochi

Kazan

St. Petersburg

Moscow

In Moscow, you will find stylish boutique hotels, cozy apartments, and premium five-star hotels with panoramic views. Find the option that perfectly suits you.