The Golden Ring is old Russia: monasteries, wooden houses and quiet rivers.
It’s a ring of towns around Moscow. Shall I tell you which ones I’d pick?
— Sasha
The Golden Ring
Old towns north-east of Moscow
White churches, wooden houses and onion domes over the meadows, a few hours from the capital.
Sasha's picks
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SuzdalA small town of white churches, wooden houses and meadows along the Kamenka river.Half a day
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VladimirThe Golden Gate and the Assumption Cathedral, with frescoes by Andrei Rublev.Half a day
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Sergiev PosadThe Trinity Lavra of St Sergius, the heart of Russian Orthodoxy, about two hours from Moscow.Half a day
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Museum of Wooden ArchitectureLog churches and farmhouses moved here from villages across the region.Two or three hours
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Rostov VelikyA lakeside kremlin that looks like a film set, and has been one.Half a day
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YaroslavlPainted churches on the Volga. The historic centre is UNESCO-listed.Half a day
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Medovukha tastingSuzdal’s honey mead, tasted where it is still made.About an hour
When to go
May to September for walking and the meadows. In winter Suzdal looks like a Christmas card.
| Season | Months | What it’s like |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | Dec–Feb | Snow on the domes and sleigh rides. |
| Spring | Mar–May | Muddy in March, green by May. |
| Summer | Jun–Aug | Warm evenings by the river and the cucumber festival in Suzdal. |
| Autumn | Sep–Nov | Golden birches in September. |
A 2-day plan
Two days, with a night in Suzdal so you see it after the day visitors leave.
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1
Vladimir and Suzdal Vladimir · Suzdal · Medovukha tasting
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2
Wood and a monastery Museum of Wooden Architecture · Sergiev Posad
Getting there
Trains reach Vladimir from Moscow in under two hours. The rest of the ring is easiest with a car and driver.
ROTW prices every trip for your dates, hotel level and group size. Pin what you like, send it to me, and I'll come back with a real quote.
— Sasha
Questions people ask
Can I do it as a day trip?
Sergiev Posad works as a day trip. Suzdal deserves a night.
Do I need a car?
A driver makes it simple. Buses run between the towns but they are slow.
How many days?
Two or three days for the main towns.
