12 Best Places to Visit in Russia

6. The Russian Tundra

The tundra is a unique biome that only exists in or near the Arctic Circle. Here, temperatures are so cold that trees can’t grow, and only moss, shrubs, and certain types of grasses can get through the winter. In most places, the tundra is synonymous with permafrost—meaning the ground is permanently frozen. In areas where the top layer of ground does melt during summer, marshes and streams will form over the land, leading to beautiful patches of colorful icy water.

The Russian tundra is home to polar bears, seals, gray wolves, and rich birdlife during nesting season. Over the past few decades, ecotourism has become more and more interested in the tundra areas, especially the Great Arctic State Nature Reserve near Krasnoyarsk Krai, where visitors can take a number of environmental routes to explore, try bird-watching, or visit as part of an educational tour.

The city of Murmansk, in the Kola Peninsula, not only offers incredible tundra views, but it’s also a great place to catch a tour to see the Northern Lights.