Two capitals of Ancient Russia. Summer and autumn tour to V. Novgorod and Staraya Russa

A weekend in two capitals of Ancient Russia at once is a real adventure that awaits us on this trip.

The Imperial city with an ancient health resort and Dostoevsky's house, Veliky Novgorod with a princely court and a Craft settlement where you can try yourself in various crafts, and Staraya Ladoga, famous for its monasteries, in one of which Evdokia Lopukhina lived — it sounds incredible, doesn't it?

Location

Veliky Novgorod
from
$460
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
3 days
2 nights
Departures
5 - 7 Jun
12 - 14 Jun
12 - 14 Jun
19 - 21 Jun
26 - 28 Jun
3 - 5 Jul
10 - 12 Jul
17 - 19 Jul
Accommodation
  • Hotel
    2 nights
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 visit Dostoevsky's house
It was here that the writer created the famous works "Demons" and "The Brothers Karamazov"
Let's walk along the ancient street
What could be more atmospheric than a walk along the most ancient street in the country — Varangian
Let's feel the flavor of the village
Let's walk through the Novgorod village in the Museum of Wooden Architecture "Vitoslavlitsy"

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - A walk along Staraya Ladoga

    Arrival in Novgorod (we meet the train from Moscow at 06:24 train No. 42 and St. Petersburg at 10:26 train No. 7001 and additional train No. 7931).

    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.

    Excursion to Staraya Ladoga (193 km). Maybe the first capital of Ancient Russia. Staraya Ladoga is the oldest city in Russia. It was here that the castle of the legendary Rurik, the founder of Russia, was located.

    Visit the ancient Old Ladoga fortress, towering on a promontory by the Volkhov River. It is believed that the first building was made by the legendary Prince Rurik. You will walk along the walls, explore the towers, and visit a museum exhibit dedicated to the history of Staraya Ladoga.

    Admire the beautiful St. George's Cathedral. Inspection of the archaeological exposition. In the city of Staraya Ladoga you will see Varyazhskaya Street, the oldest street in Russia.

    Visit to the Assumption Monastery. This monastery is known primarily for its resident, Evdokia Lopukhina– the first wife of Peter I. Nevertheless, the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, built in the 12th century, recalls its ancient history.

    Visit to the Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist. You will see an unusual temple in terms of architecture and interior design. He remains the only reminder of the rich Ladoga Fair and St. John's Monastery, which was favored by Boris Godunov's family.

    or

    Visit to the Nikolsky monastery (XII–XIII centuries. original construction). The monastery is located half a kilometer from the Old Ladoga Fortress. The area where the monastery is located is unusual, right on the left bank of the Volkhov River, under a hill.

    Return to Veliky Novgorod.

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  • Day 2 - A tour of Novgorod and Yaroslav's hillfort
  • Day 3 - Staraya Russa, Dostoevsky house and the oldest health resort
Difficulty
Suitable for everyone
Tour organizer's comments

Sightseeing bus trips and walking tours are waiting for you.

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • Hotel
    2 nights
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

(3obeds)

Dinner Package

(3 dinners at the hotel)

Akron 5*

The buffet

 

 

 

Standard with air conditioning5267268032-2850-

"Volkhov" 4*

The buffet

 

Standard with air conditioning40000421763398428502850
Comfort with air conditioning427004710033984

Sadko 3*

The buffet

Standard (cond on request)33728351363155221002100
Superior with air conditioning344004205031552

Intourist 3*

The buffet

Standard (cond on request)35136417923078421002100

Comfort with air conditioning

 

367004490030784

A discount for a child under 14 years of age for any accommodation option is 400 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 2 nights
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
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
3 days 2 nights
Group meets at
Veliky Novgorod

Included in price

  • accommodation in a hotel of the selected category;
  • meals included in the program: 3 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;
  • 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.