Visit knightly castles, explore the only remaining Kremlin in Siberia, and travel along the most beautiful road in the country. All of this during the most picturesque months of the year. 1. Castles of the Kaliningrad region Russia’s westernmost region is known not only for its Baltic Sea resorts and amber deposits but also for the medieval castles of the Teutonic Order. Many of these are in ruins today but are gradually being restored. Knightly armor and trophies can be seen in the castles of Waldau (village of Nizovie) and Schaaken (village of Nekrasovo), and in the town of Chernyakhovsk, you can stroll along the preserved fortress wall of Insterburg Castle. There are also ruins in Neman, Bagrationovsk, and Znamensk. Read more here. 2. Chuysky Tract Perhaps the most beautiful road in Russia, it runs along the former Silk Road to China. It starts in Novosibirsk and stretches for a thousand kilometers through Altai to the Mongolian border. Along the way, you will encounter breathtaking landscapes: mountains, rivers, and lakes of incredible beauty, especially in the Kurai Steppe area. 3. Plyos – a picture-perfect town This small town in the Ivanovo region was beloved by artists – these views often appeared in the paintings of Isaak Levitan. And autumn, with its vibrant golden and red leaves, makes the scenery even more picturesque. It feels as though time has stood still here, allowing modern visitors to wander between merchant estatesand old churches. What else to do in Plyos? Read more here. 4. Tobolsk Kremlin – the only one in Siberia Surrounded by dense forests in the Tyumen region lies a fairy-tale town with cobblestone streets, cozy cafes, and a neo-Gothic cathedral. Tobolsk is the only city in Siberia where a white-stone Kremlin from the 17th-18th centuries has been preserved. Inside the Kremlin, you will also find Siberia’s oldest stone church, the Sophia-Uspensky Cathedral, the Order Chamber, the Merchants’ Yard, and a bell tower where the bell from Uglich was “exiled.” In 1591, this bell announced the death of Tsarevich Dmitry, and as punishment, it was exiled to Siberia for 300 years. 5. Karelia’s waterfalls The Kivach Waterfall. Blue lakes, marble canyons, and mountain forests with giant boulders – the northern landscapes of Karelia captivate at first sight. For example, the Kivach Waterfall – the second-largest flatland waterfall in Europe. And the extinct paleovolcano Girvas, which looks like a rocky forest with lakes. 6. Bridges and lighthouses of Vladivostok The Russky Bridge. Vladivostok is often called “Russian San Francisco” due to its scenic views with bridges across bays. The two most famous bridges are Zolotoy and Russky. There’s also one of Russia’s oldest lighthouses – Tokarevsky, located on a small island connected by a narrow artificial spit. 7. Parks of the Caucasian Mineral Waters resorts The park in Kislovodsk. The resorts in this region of the Caucasus are known for their healing springs, mountain parks, and cozy old towns with southern charm and Caucasian cuisine. Kislovodsk, Essentuki, Zheleznovodsk, and Pyatigorsk are the main towns of the Caucasian Mineral Waters region, each with its own unique appeal. In Essentuki, there’s a pre-revolutionary “ancestor” of modern gyms where people practiced “mechanotherapy.” In Zheleznovodsk, you’ll find the Cascade Staircase with fountains, 860 meters long. In Kislovodsk – a huge park with many trails and hiking routes of varying difficulty. In Pyatigorsk – the “Tsvetnik” park and the karst lake “Proval.” 8. The capital of the Russian North – Vologda Famous for its lace, creamy butter, and carved window frames – this is the heart and unofficial capital of the Russian North. Vologda, as old as Moscow, was historically a major trading city where folk crafts flourished. The city’s center is a Kremlin dating back to the mid-16th century, with the Sophia Cathedral and the Archbishop’s Court. The central museum is, of course, dedicated to lace. 9. Velvet season in Krasnodar Krai The Cypress Lake in Sukko, Anapa. If you love beach vacations, you can still swim in the Black Sea until October. However, Krasnodar Krai also offers other exciting activities. Near Anapa, you can visit the ruins of the ancient city of Gorgippia (5th century BC), and on the Taman Peninsula, explore the “Ataman” Cossack village tourist complex. 10. Ancient city of Derbent The Naryn-Kala Fortress in Derbent. Derbent in Dagestan is the southernmost city in Russia and one of the oldest. Derbent was founded in the 6th century BC, and many ancient sites have been preserved here. Among them is Russia’s oldest fortress, Naryn-Kala, built in the 6th century. Also, the Juma Mosque, dating back to 734, is the oldest not only in Russia but in the entire post-Soviet space. In autumn, it’s not too hot in Derbent, but you can still swim in the Caspian Sea.