Budget-Friendly Places to Visit in Russia for International Students

Russia is a huge country; the largest country in the world. Thus, the options for places you can visit are seemingly endless. Due to the country’s size, you will experience different and unique activities per region. 

If you are looking for some of the best but budget-friendly places to visit in Russia, then you are in luck as we will be discussing them in this article.

Adler Market in Sochi

If you are staying in Sochi, or have plans to visit Sochi, do not miss its famous market in Adler. Not only is it one of the best places to buy fresh food at an affordable price, but it is also a good way to check out one of Russia’s traditional markets and meet the friendly people of Sochi.  

For students, buying your ingredients at the Adler Market is much better than going to the supermarkets (where prices may be doubled). You can buy anything from a broad selection of meats, fruits, vegetables, bread, spices, and traditional sweets or snacks that you can only find from the region and beyond. In fact, many of the fruits and vegetables in the market are from Turkey. 

Moreover, aside from ingredients, you can also buy flowers and handmade stuff like baskets, and so on. In case the things you are looking for are not in the market, you can check other stuff that surrounds the market, including malls. 

Russia’s Oldest City of Veliky Novgorod

If you love history and want to learn more about early Russia, then you must visit its oldest city of Novgorod, also known as the birthplace of Russia. In fact, in the middle ages, the city was an important city in Eastern Europe and the only place that was spared from the Mongol invasion of Russia.

If you are staying in or coming from St. Petersburg or Moscow, Novgorod is just near both these cities. It is southeast of St. Petersburg and Northwest of Moscow, so if you want to save money, you can ride the bus or train to go to Novgorod. 

Some of the famous places you can visit in this old city are the following (most entrance fees are also free or at an affordable price): 

• Cathedral of Saint Sophia (the oldest cathedral in Russia) 
• Novgorod Kremlin, once the administrative and religious center of Novgorod
• Monasteries of Perynsky and St. George
• Vitoslavlitsy Wooden Architecture Museum (entrance fee is 200 rubles)

Visit the Olkhon Island on a Budget 

If you want to relax in one of the country’s most beautiful places, you can visit Russia’s Olkhon Island, which is located in Siberia. 

Although it is a famous place for Russian tourists themselves, the place is not that popular among foreigners. The best time to visit the island is during summer, where you can do more outdoor activities such as swimming, kayaking, and so on. In the winter, the lake surrounding the island freezes. From the Siberian city of Irkutsk, you can take a bus to the island, and a 15-minute ferry ride. 

If you are coming from another city outside Irkutsk, worry not, as there are many student accommodations including hostels where you can stay on a budget. Once you get to the island, there are also hostels and camping sites that are also budget-friendly. 

Aside from the places discussed above, there are more budget-friendly places to visit in Russia. In fact, each region has its own unique places you can visit. 

Learn more tips and information about living in Russia. To start, check out MSM Unify’s article on study abroad.