The Golden Ring is one of the most interesting tourist routes through the ancient cities of Russia, located in a “ring” in the northeastern side of Moscow. Visiting these places is a great opportunity to see and feel the spirit of ancient cities, admire the unique masterpieces of architecture and culture, and learn something new from the history of the Russian state.
The main route of the Golden Ring covers 8 cities: Yaroslavl, Kostroma, Ivanovo, Sergiev Posad, Pereslavl-Zalessky, Rostov Veliky, Suzdal, Vladimir. Hundreds of tourists visit these places every day, going on excursions from travel agencies or on their own.
A trip to the cities of the "ring" includes visits to museums, sightseeing, exciting excursion programs, participation in master classes on ancient Russian crafts. In many places, there are annual festivals and folklore celebrations, which a large number of people want to attend. A variety of events, festivals and excursions allows you to choose the most interesting for any age and contingent. This route is suitable for both school and corporate groups.
Why go
See the unique structures of architecture and wooden architecture, masterpieces of icon painting, walk the streets of ancient cities, visit the places of heroic battles, visit ancient temples and monasteries - all this can be done in a short period of time by traveling along the Golden Ring of Russia.
Each city of the "ring" is interesting and unique, and each of them has those sights that attract tourists from all over the world.
- In Vladimir, one should see the Golden Gate, the Dmitrievsky and Assumption Cathedrals, walk along the old earthen rampart, and also visit the Bogolyubovsky Monastery and the Church of the Intercession on the Nerl in the Vladimir suburb of Bogolyubov.
- Suzdal is famous for its museum of wooden architecture, the Kremlin, as well as ancient monasteries and buildings.
- The pride of Rostov the Great is the Kremlin, built in the 17th century as the residence of Metropolitan Iona Sysoevich. On the territory of the Kremlin there is the Cathedral Belfry, famous all over the world for its bell ringing.
- In Kostroma, you should definitely visit the museum-reserve, which includes the building of the Noble Assembly, the Fire Tower, etc., as well as the Ipatiev Monastery.
- In Yaroslavl there is a symbolic sign of the “zero kilometer of the Golden Ring”. It is also worth seeing the numerous architectural monuments and the ensemble of the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery.
- In Sergiev Posad there is the Holy Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Near the Lavra there are other attractions: the Spaso-Bethany Monastery, the Gethsemane Chernigov Skete, the Bogolyubskaya Kinovia.
- In Pereslavl-Zalessky, you need to see the Transfiguration Cathedral, founded by Yuri Dolgoruky, as well as ensembles of various ancient monasteries. Pereslavl is also famous for Lake Pleshcheev. At this place, Peter I arranged a joke fleet.
Since 2021, another ancient city, Uglich, has become part of the Golden Ring. It contains several ancient monasteries and the Kremlin, where, according to legend, the brutal murder of little Tsarevich Dmitry took place.
Golden Ring Tour Options
There are a large number of excursion programs that allow you to see the cities of the Golden Ring. These are short "weekend" tours and big week-long trips. In addition to the classic, so-called "small" ring, tourists have the opportunity to visit the sights of the large Golden Ring, which already covers 26 settlements in Russia. The most convenient way to travel is by choosing to visit 2-4 places in one trip. For example, from Rostov the Great you can go to Borisoglebsk, from Kostroma to Plyos and Kineshma, from Vladimir to Bogolyubovo and Yuryev-Polsky, from Ivanovo to Shuya and Palekh.
What souvenirs can I bring?
Each city of the Golden Ring is unique and distinctive. And this is reflected not only in the monuments of history and culture, but also in handicrafts. The selection of souvenirs is very wide:
- In Kostroma you can buy wonderful birch bark products - boxes, caskets, baskets, tuyeski.
- From Pereslavl-Zalessky they bring exclusive items for interior decoration made of carved wood.
- Rostov Veliky has a large selection of enamel jewelry.
- Suzdal is famous for tapestries, and Vladimir for patchwork.
- In Ivanovo, the products of local weavers are presented.
- In Palekh and Mstera, you can choose a unique little thing with a lacquer miniature made on it.
10 things to do in the cities of the Golden Ring
- In the spring, celebrate the birthday of the Snow Maiden in Kostroma.
- In July, go to Suzdal for the Cucumber festival.
- Find the Blue Stone in Pereslavl-Zalessky and make a wish.
- Buy exclusive felt boots and scarf from Ivanovo masters.
- Ring the bells at the Cathedral Belfry in Rostov the Great.
- Walk along the bear trails of Yaroslavl and get a local bear.
- To catch a pike from Lake Nero and say "at my command" in Rostov the Great.
- Swim in the Pleshcheyevo lake in Pereslavl.
- Collect holy water from the source in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra in Sergiev Posad.
- Take the best photo of the Church of the Intercession on the Nerl in Bogolyubov.
