The last thing you want to do when planning a vacation is to deal with paperwork: filling out forms, getting bank statements, and printing vouchers. The good news is that Russians can travel to dozens of countries without a visa. Here are some suggestions for resorts to consider.
Contents
- Azerbaijan
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Vietnam
- Thailand
- Maldives
- Kenya
- South Korea
- Tunisia
- Serbia
Azerbaijan
How to get there: by plane to Baku from Moscow or St. Petersburg. The cost of a direct flight is from 16,637/20,390 RUB one-way (estimated for July). The travel time is 3-4 hours.
Entry rules: by foreign passport for up to 90 days within a year. It is necessary to register at the place of stay: this must be done within 15 days after entering the country.
According to some, Azerbaijan is not the most obvious country to visit in the summer. However, you can relax by the Caspian Sea at one of the resorts: Nardaran, Novkhana, Pirshagi, Buzovna — the choice is great. It is convenient to combine the trip with exploring Baku — of course, if you are not afraid of high temperatures outside: on the hottest days, the thermometer shows +30 … +33 °C.
If you like mountains, you will surely like the atmospheric town of Gabala, which is also called the Azerbaijani Switzerland. Three kilometers away is the turquoise Lake Nohur.
Here you can relax by the Caspian Sea at one of the resorts: Nardaran, Novkhana, Pirshagi, Buzovna — the choice is great. Photo: MasyuraN/Shutterstock.com
Kazakhstan
How to get there: there are direct flights from most Russian cities to Almaty, Astana, Shymkent, and Karaganda. The average price is currently 15,000-18,000 rubles for a one-way flight. The flight takes at least three hours.
Entry requirements: you can enter the country with a Russian internal or foreign passport, and you can stay for up to 90 days within six months without a visa.
Another country with access to the Caspian Sea. Tourists are increasingly traveling to the coastal city of Aktau for beach vacations. The climate is desert-like and arid, and in summer, the sea water warms up to a comfortable +25°C to +28°C, making it an ideal destination for beach lovers. In contrast, Almaty offers stunning green and mountainous landscapes. A cable car ride adds to the experience.
In Almaty, you can enjoy green and mountainous panoramas. Photo: MaxZolotukhin/Shutterstock.com
In the vicinity of Almaty, you can visit the Assy Plateau with its astrophysics laboratory, the amazing singing sandbar, and the emerald-colored Great Almaty Lake. In addition to the Caspian Sea, you can also enjoy water activities at the salty Alakol Lake, Lake Balkhash, and the Borovoe resort, all of which offer well-developed infrastructure for travelers.
You can read more about interesting and unique places in Kazakhstan in our review article.
Kyrgyzstan
How to get there: You can fly to Bishkek without stops from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Krasnoyarsk, and Yekaterinburg. On average, the ticket price in July is about 18,000 RUB. The travel time from the capital is 4.5 hours.
Entry requirements: You need an internal or foreign Russian passport. Travelers who plan to spend more than 30 consecutive days in the country or more than 90 days in total over six months are required to register on the portal.
Kyrgyzstan can be considered a water-rich country, with approximately 30,000 rivers and 2,000 lakes. The most popular lake among travelers is Issyk-Kul, known for its scenic beauty and well-developed infrastructure. Visitors come here to admire the stunning landscapes and relax on the well-equipped beaches. However, it is worth noting that in the summer, the local sea is quite crowded.
The most popular lake among travelers is Issyk-Kul, due to its picturesque nature and well-developed infrastructure. Photo: alwih/Shutterstock.com
If you want to admire untouched nature and take impressive photos, head to the high-altitude lake of Köl-Suu. The reservoir is located on the border with China, so tourists need to get a border pass. So there are no crowds here, as in Issyk-Kul, in these places you can enjoy peace and tranquility. The path to the lake passes through the Kok-Kya valley — this place easily competes with the Alps in terms of picturesqueness.
Tip: for a better immersion in the culture of the country, we recommend visiting a traditional yurt camp located in the valley, or driving to a similar one in the village of Kyzyl-Tuu.
You can enjoy the pristine natural views and take impressive photos at the high-altitude Lake Köl-Suu on the border with China (you will need a border pass to visit).
If you want to admire untouched nature and take impressive photos, head to the high-altitude lake of Kyol-Suu. Photo: Lana Kray/Shutterstock.com
Vietnam
How to get there: There are direct flights from Moscow to Nha Trang several times a week. The one-way ticket price is from 45,000 RUB. The journey takes 10 hours.
Entry requirements: foreign passport. You can stay in the country for up to 45 days without a visa. If you apply for an electronic visa, you can stay for up to 90 days.
People also come here in summer, despite the precipitation. The resort and active Nha Trang is suitable for recreation — short-term rains in the evenings are perceived more as an opportunity to cool down after a hot day. The resort has spacious beaches, a variety of entertainment and vibrant attractions: a pagoda, Cham Towers, and a rock garden.
If you have enough time, visit the picturesque Hoi An, an ancient port city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. People love to come to Vietnamese Venice for its numerous canals, boat trips and thousands of lanterns lit in the evenings.
Colorful Hoi An is an ancient port city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Photo: Hien Phung Thu/Shutterstock.com
Or visit the photogenic capital city of Hanoi. Centuries-old temples, Chinese and French architectural styles, and Confucian monuments coexist peacefully with skyscrapers. The minimum program in Hanoi includes: pho bo soup, a ride on a bicycle rickshaw, throwing a coin into the Lake of the Returned Sword, and taking a photo at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.
- Vacation in Vietnam: Practical Tips
Thailand
How to get there: Direct flights from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Khabarovsk, Novosibirsk, and Yekaterinburg to Bangkok or to the island of Phuket. From there, you can get to other cities in the country: Samui, Chiang Mai. The travel time from the capital is about 9 hours. The cost of a flight is currently from 39,000 RUB. Options with connections are cheaper — from 27,000 RUB.
Entry rules: by foreign passport. Without a visa, you can stay in the country for up to 60 days, and you can extend your stay for another 30 days at the immigration office.
In the summer, many people’s favorite Phuket experiences heavy rains, so it’s best to plan a trip to the island from December to March. In the middle of the year, Pattaya, known for its vibrant nightlife, can also experience wet weather, with the dry season lasting from November to March. However, the weather on the islands of Koh Samui and Koh Phangan will be more favorable. Keep in mind that it rains much more often in Pattaya by August, so if you are planning a trip there, it is better to choose June or July.
The weather on the islands of Koh Samui and Koh Phangan will be more favorable in the summer. Photo: Muzhik/Shutterstock.com
Another option is the island of Koh Samui, with its snow-white beaches, postcard-worthy sunsets, and exotic nature. It is often visited by families with children, as there is plenty to see, from a crocodile farm to an aqua park.
The island of Koh Phangan offers a completely different atmosphere, with nightly beach parties.Ibiza, no other way!
We reveal the secret places of Thailand and share practical tips in the article O!Blog.
Maldives
How to get there: There are direct flights from Moscow to Male. The ticket price is from 39,000 RUB one-way. With transfers, you can fly from 28,000 RUB.
Entry rules: by foreign passport. You can stay in the country for up to 90 days without a visa. 96 hours before departure, you must fill out a health declaration.
Although it is rainy season in the Maldives during the summer, it is still worth visiting. Rainfall often occurs at night, and the cloudy weather lasts only a short time during the day. Moreover, during these months, you can find great discounts on accommodation even in the most luxurious hotels. By the way, you can read more about how to save money on a trip to the Maldives here.
During the summer months, you can catch good discounts on accommodation, even in the most luxurious hotels. Photo: SennaRelax/Shutterstock.com
There are not as many people here in the summer as during the season, which is also a plus. In July and August, experienced surfers come to the paradise islands. The waves usually roll in the area of North and South Male, in the Gaafu Dhalu atoll.
In July, at night, on the sandy beaches of the Maldives, you will be able to observe a fantastic phenomenon – glowing plankton: tiny marine organisms begin to emit a glow. It seems that you are in a world of miracles: the sea coast becomes strewn with sparks. The most impressive brilliant performance can be seen on the island of Vaadhoo. It looks especially spectacular together with a bright starry sky.
In July, you can observe a fantastic phenomenon — glowing plankton — on the sandy beaches of the Maldives at night. Photo: nabyh/Shutterstock.com
Kenya
How to get there: by plane with one or two transfers through Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Manama (the capital of Bahrain), and Sharjah to Nairobi. The flight cost starts at 28,000 RUB, and the entire journey takes at least 12 hours.
Rules of entry: by a foreign passport with an issued electronic ETA. Without a visa, it is possible to stay in the country for up to 90 days.
Summer is the perfect time to travel to Kenya. The weather is improving, and the tourist season begins on the beaches of the Indian Ocean. While there may be occasional short rains in June, July and August are clear and warm days.
For vivid impressions, we recommend going on a tour to the Masai Mara Nature Reserve to observe the migration of wild animals. There, you can feel like a photographer or a cameraman for the “Animal World” show.
For a memorable experience, we recommend visiting the Masai Mara National Reserve. Photo: asims_gallery/Shutterstock.com
You can also go on safari in other national parks. Amboseli is home to over 400 species of birds, including herds of giraffes and elephants. “Tsavo”: its inhabitants are buffaloes, lions, leopards. Nakuru, where flamingos, herons and pelicans live side by side with hippos and rhinos.
In addition, some tourists combine relaxing on the beach and safari with climbing Mount Kenya at a height of 5,000 meters. The routes are simple, and it’s easy enough to walk along the scenic road. It’s worth investing at least 5 days in such an adventure, so that you don’t rush anywhere, and your body can acclimatize at different altitudes. You should only go on such trips as part of a group or with an experienced guide.
It is interesting to learn more about safari in Kenya: how to prepare, where to meet animals? Then open this article soon.
More than 400 species of birds live here, and you can also see herds of giraffes and elephants. Photo: Melnikov Dmitriy/Shutterstock.com
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South Korea
How to get there: from Moscow with a transfer in Beijing or Shanghai to Seoul. The ticket price is from 40,000 rubles one-way, with two transfers, you can find a ticket from 25,000 rubles. You will have to spend from 10 hours on the road.
Entry rules: by foreign passport with an electronic K-ETA permit. It is not required for children under the age of 18 and travelers over the age of 65. Instead, you must fill out a migration card. You can stay in the country for up to 60 consecutive days or 90 days with a six-month exit period.
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In Seoul, be sure to visit the colorful royal palaces of Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung, climb the Lotte World Tower observation deck, and explore one of the free modern art museums.
If you’re looking for a beach destination, you can take a train from the capital to Busan. The journey takes only 2-3 hours, and you’ll find yourself in a city with a pristine coastline, natural beauty, and unique temples. The popular and beautiful Heunde Beach is bustling with activity from morning to late at night. Various events are held here: open-air film festivals, yacht races, sunrise festival. And the beaches of Seongjeon and Kwangalli are no less picturesque, but much quieter and calmer.
In Seoul, be sure to visit the colorful Gyeongbokgung Royal Palace. Photo: js1876/Shutterstock.com
Tunisia
How to get there: from Moscow with a transfer through Istanbul to Tunisia (the capital), Djerba, or Monastir. On average, a one-way ticket will cost 28,000 rubles, and the journey will take approximately 10 hours.
Entry rules: by foreign passport with confirmed accommodation — for example, from a hotel. Without a visa, you can stay in the country for up to 90 days.
Summer in Tunisia is famous for hot, sometimes even dry weather: the air temperature reaches +40 degrees. But the water in the sea is like steaming milk — especially closer to August. Therefore, at this time, we recommend going to Tunisia for a beach holiday. It is pleasant to lie in the sun in the cities of Hammamet, Djerba, Sousse, Monastir, or on the island of Djerba. The prestigious resort of Gammarth, with its luxurious hotels, is located in the suburbs of the capital, and it even houses the summer residence of the president.
Visiting the Sahara Desert and taking various tours of the country’s attractions, including ancient cities and locations from the Star Wars movies, is best done in the spring or autumn due to the scorching weather. Instead, we recommend trying water activities, such as yachting, jet skiing, fishing, hot air ballooning, and paragliding.
We recommend going to Tunisia for a beach vacation. Photo: Travel-Fr/Shutterstock.com
Serbia
How to get there: There are direct flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg to Belgrade. The average ticket price is 33,000 to 45,000 rubles. The flight time is approximately 3 hours.
Entry requirements: you need a passport to enter the country. You can stay in the country for up to 30 days without a visa. Upon arrival, you must register at your place of residence, which is usually done by the hotel.
Serbia is a young country with a European atmosphere and a Slavic flavor.
It is usually warm here in summer: the air temperature reaches a comfortable +25 degrees. Although the country has no access to the sea, Belgrade and Novi Sad have well-maintained beaches on the Sava and Danube rivers. People also come here for fresh air and health benefits at the balneological resorts of Bujanovac Banya, Vrnjci Banya, and Niša Banya.
In the capital, we recommend taking a walk around the Belgrade Fortress, exploring the exhibits at the National Museum, and visiting the Nikola Tesla Museum, which houses his personal belongings. For a peaceful getaway, consider visiting the tranquil city of Zlatibor, a park-like destination with beautiful landscapes, caves, waterfalls, forests, and rivers.
Novi Sad has well-maintained beaches on the Sava and Danube rivers. Photo: Florian Augustin/Shutterstock.com
It is possible and even necessary to travel without a visa. And the loyal friend Ostrovok is always ready to help you choose a hotel, recreation center, or apartment.
Cover photo: Numaink21 /Shutterstock.com
