The charm of Staraya Russa. The Imperial route to the Novgorod Region

Let's feel like real emperors?

We will walk around the imperial resort city of Staraya Russa, admire the Old Russian icon of the Mother of God and visit the house where Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky once lived. And we will also get acquainted with Veliky Novgorod and try our hand at ancient crafts.

Location

Veliky Novgorod
from
$253
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
2 days
1 night
Departures
27 - 28 Jun
4 - 5 Jul
11 - 12 Jul
18 - 19 Jul
25 - 26 Jul
1 - 2 Aug
8 - 9 Aug
15 - 16 Aug
Accommodation
  • Hotel
    1 night
Comfort
  • Upscale
Difficulty
Easy
Suitable for everyone
Group
From 2 to 40 tourists
Minimum age
5 years old
Group meet at
Veliky Novgorod
Contact the tour coordinator
Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)
Or text us in messengers

Tour highlights

Let's plunge into the atmosphere of the Russian village
Let's find out how the Novgorod peasants lived: they built huts without nails and adjusted their way of life
Let's try the old crafts
How about weaving a chain mail, making a candle with your own hands, or minting a coin?
Let's take a walk through the mineral springs
We will visit the oldest health resort with mineral lakes and see a fountain with a column of mineral water

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - A tour of Novgorod and Yaroslav's hillfort

    Arrival in Novgorod. Meeting with a guide at the railway station with a sign at the main entrance from the platform.

    06:24 Meeting of the guests from the Moscow train.

    10:26 Meeting of the Lastochka guests from St. Petersburg.

    The estimated start time of the tour is at 9 a.m. If the group includes tourists arriving by Lastochka from St. Petersburg, the start time will change to a later date.

    Guaranteed hotel accommodation from 14:00. Morning check-in if possible. Items can be left free of charge in the luggage room of the hotel.

    Breakfast at the hotel.

    The estimated start time of the tour is at 9 a.m. If the group includes tourists arriving by Lastochka from St. Petersburg, the start time will change to a later date.

    Tour of the Kremlin complex "Walls and towers of the Ancient Detinets" in 1044. the walls and towers of the Ancient Kremlin were laid by Yaroslav the Wise, a Veche was held here, the election of the Mayor, the chronicle was conducted – Likhudov building; St. Sophia Cathedral (XI century.) – an outstanding monument of ancient Russian architecture; St. Sophia bell tower of the XYI century. and a unique collection of ancient bells of Veliky Novgorod (XVI – XVII centuries); monument "The Millennium of Russia" – an encyclopedia of the Russian state, imprinted in bronze – is a chronicle of the thousand-year history of the Russian state.

    Free time for souvenirs.

    Country tour: We invite you to an exciting and informative excursion "To the origins of Russia!".

    We will visit an amazing place – Yaroslav's Courtyard, where you will hear what the Novgorod veche was about, why there are so many temples on the territory of the auction and where the princely court of the famous Russian Prince Yaroslav the Wise was located. The acquaintance with the history of the ancient city will continue in the picturesque southern surroundings, where the monastery of St. George, one of the oldest in Russia, is hidden from view.

    The monastery is located at the source of the Volkhov River, flowing from the legendary Lake Ilmen. And the route will end with a walk through the Novgorod village in the Museum of Wooden Architecture "Vitoslavlitsy".

    You will touch the traditions of the Russian countryside and learn a lot of interesting things: how huts were built without a single nail, get acquainted with the life of Novgorod peasants. The fabulous beauty of the interiors will not leave anyone indifferent!

    Attention! It can be replaced by the Hutynsky Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery.

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  • Day 2 - A walk through the Imperial City
Difficulty
Suitable for everyone
Tour organizer's comments

Sightseeing bus trips are waiting for you.

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • Hotel
    1 night
Comfort
  • Upscale

The tour provides accommodation in a hotel of your choice in Veliky Novgorod.

The cost of the tour for 1 person, depending on the accommodation, RUB.:

HotelRoom category

Place in

2-bed room

Place in

1-bed room

3rd adult for an additional location

Lunch Package

(2 lunches)

Dinner Package

(2 dinners at the hotel)

Akron 5*

The buffet

Standard with air conditioning29 76037440-1900-

Volkhov 4*

The buffet

Standard with air conditioning22 400234881939219001900
Comfort with air conditioning23 8002595019392

Sadko 3*

The buffet

The standard (cond. on request)18 816195201772814001400
Superior with air conditioning19 2002300017728

Intourist 3*

The buffet

The standard (cond. on request)19 520228481734414001500
Business with air conditioning20 3002440017344

A discount for a child under 14 years of age for any accommodation option is 350 rubles.

Please pay for the package of dinners when purchasing the tour, the package of lunches can be paid on the spot.

The Volkhov Hotel or Sadko Hotel or 1 night
The Volkhov Hotel

The Volkhov Hotel is the oldest operating hotel in Veliky Novgorod. The housewarming party in the historical center of the city on Predtechenskaya Street took place back in 1959, on August 8, and was timed to coincide with the celebrations dedicated to the 1,100-year anniversary of the oldest Russian city.

Initially, the hotel had 108 rooms, its main decoration was a marble staircase.
The complete reconstruction of the building, carried out in 1998-1999, turned the hotel into a modern, comfortable hotel that meets all standards. Moreover, without violating the original architectural design, while preserving all the positive features of a solid building.

In 2013-2014, a large-scale renovation of the halls and rooms was carried out, and the hotel was transformed again. The hotel's rooms and exterior are updated every year.

The hotel provides technically equipped conference rooms and a meeting room for business people, a travel agency and a souvenir shop for tourists. And for everyone, there are cozy rooms and a lobby bar with fresh press, a European—level restaurant and a library.

The Volkhov Hotel is located in the very center of the city, a two-minute walk from the Kremlin.

Modern technical equipment, service, proximity to the city's business center and convenient transport links provide guests with comfortable conditions for both active work and leisure.

At your service:

  • 123 cozy rooms;
  • free Wi-Fi;
  • Marusya Restaurant;
  • Lobby bar;
  • two conference halls with 50 seats;
  • parking lot;
  • billiard;
  • organization of sightseeing and transportation services, tours, master classes;
  • laundry service;
  • safe deposit box (at the reception), luggage storage.
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Another option
Sadko Hotel

The best hotel of its class in Veliky Novgorod. The hotel is named after the hero of Russian epics. Sadko Hotel complex is located in the historical part of Veliky Novgorod near the city center – the Kremlin.

Monuments of medieval architecture, unique museum collections, preserved picturesque landscape, convenient geographical location create excellent conditions for productive work and a good rest at the Sadko Hotel. 

The hotel was renovated in 2006 and is currently undergoing partial renovation of rooms (20203). 
Number of rooms: 171 rooms – consists of 77 single rooms (this is the largest hotel of its class in terms of single rooms in the city), 75 double rooms, 5 junior suites and 14 suites.

The rooms are equipped with TV and telephone, bathroom/shower, toilet, necessary furniture: bed, desk, chair, bedside table, lounge chair (in all except double rooms), mirror, wardrobe. A city telephone directory is provided free of charge, and a hairdryer and iron are provided upon request.

We are pleased to inform you that all rooms of the hotel are equipped with WI-FI access to Restaurants and bars: A cozy homely atmosphere has been created for guests in the restaurant of the Sadko Hotel. Friendly staff, legendary richness of the Russian table, healthy products and reasonable prices are waiting for you. 

The menu will delight guests with an abundance and variety of dishes, half of which are branded. Express cafe (winter and summer options) The hotel offers: On the ground floor there is a conference hall with 50 seats, a souvenir kiosk, and a hairdresser. Foreign languages of service: English, German.

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Another option
Intourist Hotel

Intourist is a convenient hotel for tourists and business people in the center of Veliky Novgorod.

The Novgorod Kremlin, St. Sophia Cathedral, the regional and city administrations, important sports facilities of the city, concert venues, and a drama theater are within walking distance from the hotel.

The Intourist Hotel offers its guests 118 comfortable rooms of various categories and prices. There are rooms for people with reduced mobility.

Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, including in the rooms.

Additional services: restaurant services, conference room, business center services.
Round-the-clock security, video surveillance in public areas, safes and luggage storage are the key to the safety of your stay at the Intourist Hotel.

There is no smoking in the rooms of the Intourist Hotel.

Check-out time at the hotel is 12.00, check-in time is 14:00. If rooms are available, it is possible to check in ahead of check-in time at no extra charge.

We accept cash/non-cash rubles, Visa, MasterCard, Maestro bank cards for payment.

Intourist – reliability, quality, affordable prices!

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Another option
Acron Hotel Veliky Novgorod 5*

Enjoy an ideal city vacation at the Acron Hotel Veliky Novgorod, a member of the Radisson Individuals. Conveniently located in the city center, our hotel is an ideal starting point for exploring the best sights of Veliky Novgorod. Our elegant rooms, suites and apartments with modern design and thoughtful amenities will make you feel at home during both short and long stays. 

Dine in an elegant setting in our hotel restaurant and bar and admire the stunning panoramic views of the city. Escape from the hustle and bustle of the city by taking a dip in our indoor pool or visiting the wellness fitness center to treat yourself to a rejuvenating spa treatment.

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Tour conditions

Group
From 2 to 40 tourists
Minimum age
5 years old
Duration
2 days 1 night
Group meets at
Veliky Novgorod

Included in price

  • accommodation in a hotel of the selected category;
  • meals (2 breakfasts);
  • tour service;
  • transport support according to the tour program;
  • group meeting and departure at the railway station;
  • guide services.

Paid extra

  • railway tickets to Veliky Novgorod and back;
  • lunches and dinners (dinners are paid for when buying a tour, lunches are available on site);
  • personal expenses;
  • additional excursions (the cost should be checked with the guide).

It's important to know

Are plane tickets included in the price of the tour?

Air and railway tickets are not included in the price of the tour. You can purchase them yourself or contact us for help.

Is insurance included in the price of the tour?
Are there any possible changes in the program?

Dates and Prices

Reviews Leave a review

  • EE
    Elena Evcharitskaya
    about provider
    15 Aug, 2025
    I really enjoyed the excursions. The guides’ stories were fascinating and rich in historical detail. We learned a lot about Russia’s history and were very pleased overall.