The Imperial route "The Charm of Staraya Russa" for the holidays

We invite you to travel to the most ancient hearts of Russia — Novgorod and Staraya Russa! On the first day, you will enjoy an interactive program, a tour of the Kremlin and unique ancient Russian monuments steeped in history and legends. 

On the second day, you will find the ancient streets of Staraya Russa, a resort town with a rich history and miraculous shrines. Visit the Dostoevsky House, immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the Russian province and admire the mineral springs that create healing lakes.

Location

Veliky Novgorod
from
$189
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
2 days
1 night
Departures
6 - 7 Jun
13 - 14 Jun
20 - 21 Jun
27 - 28 Jun
4 - 5 Jul
11 - 12 Jul
18 - 19 Jul
25 - 26 Jul
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

Architectural monuments in the Kremlin
A tour of the complex with its walls, towers, St. Sophia Cathedral and belfry will give you the opportunity to see the real masterpieces of ancient Russian architecture.
Staraya Russa and its culture
Take a walk through the Imperial resort with its miraculous icon and mineral springs, as well as visit the F. M. Dostoevsky Museum.
Traditions of the Russian village
You will learn how huts were built without nails and how the life of Novgorod peasants was built.

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Yaroslavovo hillfort, "Vitoslavlitsy", Kremlin complex

    Arrival in Novgorod (we only meet the 07:06 train from Moscow No. 42; guests from St. Petersburg are kindly requested to arrive before 08:00. Meeting with the guide at the railway station at the main entrance from the platform.

    Guaranteed hotel accommodation at 14:00. Morning check-in if possible. You can leave your belongings free of charge in the luggage room of the hotel.

    Breakfast at the hotel.

    Country tour: We invite you to a fascinating 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! Duration: 3 hours.

    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, a Mayor was elected, and the Likhudov Building was chronicled.

    St. Sophia Cathedral (XI century) is an outstanding monument of ancient Russian architecture, the St. Sophia Bell Tower of the XYI century and a unique collection of ancient bells of Veliky Novgorod (XVI-XVII centuries).

    The monument "The Millennium of Russia" is an encyclopedia of the Russian state, imprinted in bronze — it is a chronicle of the thousand–year history of the Russian state.

    Free time for souvenirs.

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  • Day 2 - Imperial City Tour
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)

"Bianchi" 4*

The buffet

Standard2115226528-14503000
Akron 5*
The buffet
Standard2422431904-1450-

Beresta Park Hotel 4*

The buffet

Standard1833623968132161450-
Business1940026100

"Volkhov" 4*

The buffet

Standard17312184641385614501900
Comfort1890020700

Sadko 3*

The buffet

Standard13792143681193614501400
improved1470019700

Intourist 3*

Breakfast – complex UNTIL 28.02

Standard1462418700118081450-
Comfort1490019150

A discount for a child under 14 years of age for any accommodation option is 300 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 located in the center of Veliky Novgorod, within walking distance of the ancient Kremlin and Sofiyskaya Embankment. 

It offers rooms with free Wi-Fi. The rooms come with a private bathroom, a TV and a mini fridge. The windows overlook the park or the courtyard. 

The Volkhov Hotel's restaurant serves delicious European and Russian cuisine. The lobby bar serves a variety of wines and other beverages.

A Finnish sauna is available on site.

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Another option
Sadko Hotel

Sadko Hotel is located in the historical part of Veliky Novgorod.

The hotel is located in a 5-storey building. All rooms at the hotel have cable TV and a private bathroom.

A wide range of Russian and European dishes are served at the Sadko Restaurant. Guests can enjoy homemade cakes at the cafe, as well as a selection of drinks at the lobby bar.

Guests can visit the Sadko Hotel's hairdressing salon during their stay at the hotel. The hotel also has a shop selling handmade souvenirs from Novgorod.

The hotel is located about 1 km from St. Sophia Cathedral and 2 km from Lake Ilmen. Moscow and Saint Petersburg can be reached directly via the nearby M10 motorways.

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Another option
Intourist Hotel

The Intourist Hotel is located in Veliky Novgorod. It offers free access to a free Wi-Fi network. Car owners will be able to use private parking. If necessary, you can use a washing machine and ironing facilities.

The hotel offers 118 rooms decorated in a modern style. They are equipped with everything that is so necessary for a cozy and comfortable stay. The bathroom must have a hairdryer and personal hygiene products.

In the morning, you can order a delicious breakfast at a reasonable price. Groceries can be purchased at nearby stores and supermarkets. You can also have a delicious meal at the nearest restaurant.

A conference hall for 60 people is available on site especially for business people. It is fully equipped with special appliances and furniture.

Next to the hotel there is the Church of Simeon the God-Receiver, the Dostoevsky Drama Theater, as well as the Dukhov Monastery. The distance to the airport is approximately 187 kilometers.

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Another option
Bianchi

The Bianchi Hotel is located in Veliky Novgorod. It offers parking and free Wi-Fi.

The hotel can accommodate from one to four people. The rooms have all the necessary furniture, bed linen, towels. The bathroom has toiletries and cosmetics. Dry cleaning and laundry services are available for an additional fee. The room is cleaned daily.

There is a coffee shop and a bar on site. Breakfast can be ordered in the room.

There are public transport stops, chain stores, and some local attractions within walking distance. Cafes and restaurants are 100 m away. The river is 200 meters away. The distance to the railway station is 4 km.

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Another option
Beresta Park Hotel

Beresta Park Hotel is located in the center of Veliky Novgorod, close to various attractions and recreation areas.

The room stock is represented by various categories of rooms, which are decorated in a single style. The modern interior and cozy atmosphere are complemented by comfortable furniture and necessary amenities: TV and telephone. There is a hairdryer in the bathroom.

The on-site restaurant will delight guests with a wide range of dishes on the menu.

You can hold a business event of any format in the spacious conference hall for 200 people. It is equipped with necessary appliances and furniture.

The spa center with a swimming pool and sauna is an excellent choice for relaxing after a hard day. Within walking distance there is a spacious amusement park with access to the river. The distance to Pulkovo Airport is 152.1 km, to the railway station - 2.6 km.

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Another option
Akron

"Acron Hotel Veliky Novgorod a member of Radisson Individuals" is a stylish and comfortable hotel located near the Kremlin Park in Veliky Novgorod.

The modern rooms are equipped with a bed with a high-quality mattress, bedside lamps and sockets for additional convenience, free internet, as well as an individual bathroom with toiletries and a set of towels.

You can taste delicious dishes and drinks, as well as enjoy the panoramic view of the city at the Proun restaurant. The hotel also has a lobby bar.

Additional benefits include a fitness center, a year—round indoor pool, and a spa. Nearby you can find many iconic places of the city, including the Museum of Fine Arts, the Novgorod Kremlin, the Magdeburg Gates, the Church of the Intercession of the Virgin and many others. The nearest train station is 0.9 km away, and Pulkovo airport is 152.8 km away.

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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 included in the program: 2 breakfasts;
  • tour service;
  • transportation 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;
  • meals not included in the program: lunches and dinners (dinners must be paid for when buying the tour, meals can be served on site);
  • personal expenses;
  • entrance to the Staraya Russa resort —100-150 rubles;
  • 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?
What discounts are available on the tour?

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.