Russian Federation - Applying for a visa and tips for a smooth journey

The Russian Federation is a multinational country with a rich historical past and cultural heritage. Its vast expanse, stretching from Europe to Asia, offers an astounding variety of landscapes, from the majestic Ural Mountains to the vast Siberian forests and golden sandy beaches of the Caucasus.

Moscow, the capital of Russia, is known for famous landmarks such as the Kremlin, Red Square, St. Basil's Cathedral and Lenin's Mausoleum. These historic places not only embody the architectural splendour but also the cultural heritage of the country.

St. Petersburg also impresses with its palaces and museums. The Hermitage, one of the largest art museums in the world, houses internationally acclaimed works of art. Strolling along Nevsky Prospekt and along the riverbanks, you can soak up the atmosphere of bygone eras.

When speaking of nature, one must definitely mention Lake Baikal – the deepest lake in the world. Its crystal-clear waters and impressive landscapes attract travellers and scientists alike. Here you can enjoy active leisure activities such as hiking, boating and even winter fishing.

The Golden Ring of Russia is a tourist route that takes you to historic towns such as Sergiev Posad, Rostov Veliky and Vladimir. These towns inspire with their architecture, old churches and atmosphere of antiquity and tell of the greatness of Russia.

In Kamchatka, you can admire the splendour of wild volcanoes and hot springs. This country will not leave indifferent those who love adventure and the beauty of untouched nature.

Don't forget to apply for a visa if you want to travel to the country – this is a mandatory step for every foreign citizen. Our visa service provides detailed information about visa types, their costs, consular services, document certification and other procedures. The Buch-dein-Visum.de team will help you apply for your visa, get your visa as quickly as possible, inform you about entry requirements and offer you additional services such as health insurance and invitations to make your trip as pleasant as possible. Plan your trip in advance, choose interesting routes and don't miss the chance to see this country in all its splendour. Russia is waiting for you!

Russia is a country where tradition and modernity meet, and its vast expanses hide many secrets and surprising facts. From majestic mountains and beautiful lakes to historic monuments and cultural treasures, Russia offers endless opportunities for learning, exploring, and traveling. Every corner of this diverse country can surprise with its uniqueness and depth.

Russia is the only country whose coasts are washed by twelve seas.

The Siberian Lake Baikal is the deepest lake on Earth and with a volume of 23 cubic kilometers, it is the largest freshwater reserve on the planet. To fill its volume, all the major rivers in the world - such as the Volga, Danube, Dnieper, Yenisei, Urals, Ob, Ganges, Orinoco, Amazon, Thames, Seine, and Oder - would have to flow for almost a whole year.

The Ural Pencil Mountain is considered one of the oldest mountains on Earth. Its age is about four billion years, which means the mountain is practically as old as our planet. This assumption was made by geologists who studied the Istrandite rock.

The Kliuchevskaya Sopka is the highest active volcano in Eurasia, standing at a height of 4850 meters. It ejects ash up to a height of eight kilometers and has been erupting for 7,000 years, with its height constantly increasing.

On the coats of arms of Russian cities, animals are often depicted, for example, a fox in Saransk or a deer in Nizhny Novgorod. On the coat of arms of Chelyabinsk, a camel is depicted. There are several theories about how this exotic animal became the symbol of the city. The most widespread version states that two centuries ago, the Great Silk Road passed through Chelyabinsk, and trade caravans with camels made a stop here. According to the official heraldic description, the camel symbolizes the city's wealth in various goods.

In Russia, there are three particularly popular tourist routes:

• The Golden Ring of Russia, which includes cities like Sergiev Posad, Pereslavl-Zalessky, Rostov Veliky, Yaroslavl, Kostroma, Ivanovo, Suzdal, and Vladimir.
• The Silver Ring, which includes Veliky Novgorod, Staraya Russa, Velikie Luki, Pskov, Izborsk, Vyborg, Pechory, Staraya Ladoga, and other cities in the northwest of the country.
• The Great Ural Ring with Yekaterinburg, Nizhny Tagil, Solikamsk, and Perm, where you can learn more about the unique culture and history of the Urals region.

As part of a nationwide vote, people in Russia chose their 7 Wonders. The list includes the Valley of Geysers in Kamchatka, Lake Baikal, Peterhof, the Basilica Cathedral in Moscow, the monument 'The Motherland Calls' on Mamayev Kurgan in Volgograd, Mount Elbrus, and the weathering columns of Manpupunyor in the Komi Republic.

The Moscow Kremlin is the largest medieval fortress in the world. The length of its walls is 2,235 meters. Although the Kremlin has long lost its defensive function, it has become a significant symbol of Russia.

The Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg houses around 3 million exhibits from various historical epochs, from the Stone Age to modern times. According to international ratings, this museum is among the top ten museums in the world. To fully explore the collections of the Hermitage, one would have to visit the museum every day for many decades, without spending more than a minute at any artwork or artifact.

The Samovar is a symbol of Russian identity. Nowadays, it is considered an art and collector's item, although it used to be commonly used for boiling water.