Summer has flown by again, and autumn is on its way. Before the unpleasant part of the season with cold weather, slush, and melancholy begins, there’s a chance to enjoy short weekend trips, beautiful nature, and sunshine. Or maybe you’re planning a velvet season at the seaside – there are options for that as well. Let’s explore where to go in September in Russia.
Contents
At the Seaside
- Bugazskaya Spit
- Abrau-Dyurso
- Suburbs of Kaliningrad
In the middle of nature
- Yasnaya Polyana
- Golden Ring of Russia
- Pushkin Hills
- Tsarskoye Selo
Bugazskaya Spit: walk on wild beaches and kiting
Why you should visit: to enjoy the clear, warm sea, see dolphins, and go kiting or surfing.
The Bugaz Spit is a narrow strip of sandy beaches about 12 km long between the Black Sea and the Bugaz Estuary, which has become an ideal destination for kite surfers due to its windy conditions, shallow waters, and natural beauty. There are schools for both beginners and experienced kite surfers that operate until the end of September (windsurfing and diving are also available).
Bugaz spit is an ideal place for kite surfers. Photo: G-Valeriy/Shutterstock.com
If this sport is not for you, the weather allows you to enjoy a beach vacation — the water is still warm in September, but it gets cool in the evening. The sand is quartz, mixed with small pebbles and shell rock in some places, and the views of the wild beaches are simply amazing!
Catch 10 more picturesque places in the Krasnodar region if you want to go further.
How to get there:Anapa airport, which is closest to Kos, is closed, and the railway station remains — tickets from Moscow start at 5,700 rubles. From the station you can get by car, taxi or minibus to the village of Blagoveshchenskaya.
It’s still warm during the day, but it’s better to bring something warm for the evening. Photo: G-Valeriy/Shutterstock.com
Where to stay
The Bugazskaya Spit is located in the Blagoveshchenskaya Spit Landscape Reserve, and there are many wild places for camping. If you’re interested in this type of recreation, we recommend Veselovka, but if you prefer civilization, you can stay in Blagoveshchenskaya.
- Guest House Bugaz — from 2436 RUB
- Guest House Inn Blaga Paradise — from 4223 RUB
- Green Roof Guest House — from 1843 RUB
Abrau-Durso: drink wine and enjoy the sea
Why visit: to drink wine on a beautiful coast and enjoy life.
The center of Russia’s wine tourism, home to the eponymous champagne factory, is an ideal destination for a September vacation. Most tourists have already departed, the weather is still pleasant, swimming in the beautiful lake is considered beneficial, and there are plenty of activities to keep you entertained.
Russian Wine Tourism Center, where the champagne wine factory of the same name is located. Photo: Stetiukha Kristina/Shutterstock.com
If you want to be active, go hiking, do yoga, go sailing on a yacht, or visit a gastronomic school. If you want to be lazy, you can spend days on the beach with clear water, and then slowly visit wine tastings and watch the sunset, wrapped in a cozy sweater (after all, it’s already cool in Russia on September evenings) with a glass of good sparkling wine.
How to arrange a wine vacation and what to do in Abrau-Durso, in addition to tasting, is described in this article.
How to get there: the nearest airport to Abrau-Durso is in Anapa, which is closed. You can take a train from Moscow to Anapa, which costs from 5,000 rubles, or to Novorossiysk, which costs from 5,500 rubles. From there, you can take a taxi or use public transportation.
Where to stay
- Imperial & Champagne-spa Hotel — from 14,850 RUB
- Mini-Hotel Wings — from 9,549 RUB
- Vintage Hotel – from 5053 RUB
Kaliningrad: experience the romance of the Baltic beaches and the autumn comfort of the suburbs
Why you should visit: we already know a lot about the Curonian Spit and Kaliningrad, but its suburbs are no less interesting, and few people get to the Baltic Spit at all.
In summer, the cities are immersed in greenery, and in autumn, the colors change to bright crimson. The beaches are a bonus: not everyone will want to swim here, of course, because the water is cool, but the sea is always the sea — it gives you energy in any circumstances.
We recommend staying in Svetlogorsk and enjoying the cozy autumn walk. Photo: V. Tarasenko/Shutterstock.com
We recommend staying in Svetlogorsk, Zelenogradsk, or Yantarny and enjoying the cozy autumn walk (the architectural heritage of Germany makes you feel like you’re in Europe) combined with the beach romance of the Baltic Sea.
Where to relax on the Baltic Sea? Check out our guide to the resorts in the Kaliningrad region.
How to get there: Direct flights from Moscow to Kaliningrad start at 4400 RUB. The most convenient way to travel between the suburbs is by car.
The Baltic Sea. Photo: Patryk Kosmider/Shutterstock.com
Where to stay
- Lumiere Art Hotel, Svetlogorsk — from 14,118 RUB
- Royal Falke Resort & SPA Hotel, Svetlogorsk — from 13,182 RUB
- Mini-Hotel Akvatoriya, Yantarny — from 5,855 RUB
- Apart-Hotel Friday, Yantarny — from 8,000 RUB
Yasnaya Polyana: Visit theLeo Tolstoy Museum-Estate
Why you should visit: to see the real golden autumn, to reread the classics from the school curriculum, and to spend some time in solitude. And, of course, to take a million beautiful photos!
Leo Tolstoy was born and spent most of his life in Yasnaya Polyana, and it’s easy to understand what inspired him – the nature is magical, especially in the vibrant colors of autumn. Take a walk around the area, read your favorite volume by Leo Tolstoy, enjoy the architecture, and visit the estate of the greatest writer.
Then, go further. Explore the sights of the Tula region or visit the estates of Russian artists and poets.
Take a walk around the area, read your favorite volume by Leo Tolstoy, and enjoy the architecture. Photo: Shevchenko Andrey/Shutterstock.com
How to get there: take the Lastochka train from Moscow (from 780 RUB) directly or drive to Tula. If you’re using public transportation, Yasnaya Polyana is within walking distance from the Shkolnaya bus stop.
Where to stay
- Hotel Center — from 6200 RUB
- Hotel Sofia — from 6788 RUB
- Hotel Bon Voyage — from 4784 RUB
Pushkin Hills: Get Inspired by Autumn Landscapes
Why You Should Visit: Because Alexander Pushkin himself created this place, and there is no more beautiful and inspiring place for a cozy autumn weekend.
Pushkin Hills is a historical and cultural reserve with vast meadows, lakes, estates (Mikhailovskoye, Trigorskoye, and Petrovskoye), old settlements, and a merchant village. Stay here for at least a couple of days, read the works of the great Russian poet, ride a bike, and take in the local scenery.
If you decide to explore the Pskov region, here are 12 must-see attractions.
Pushkin Mountains is a picturesque historical and cultural reserve. Photo: Elena Serebryakova/Shutterstock.com
How to get there: First, you need to get to Pskov (direct flight from the capital from 3400 RUB) and then take public transport (bus ticket ≈ 600 RUB)
Where to stay
- Guest House U Lukomorya — from 7137 RUB
- Literary Hotel Arina R — from 9616 RUB
- Guest Houses Kamenets — from 8061 RUB
Cities of the Golden Ring: check the box
Why you should visit: there is simply no better time to explore these cities. The rich Russian nature is ablaze with autumn colors, and against the backdrop of traditional churches (the main attraction of the Golden Ring), it looks even more atmospheric.
Autumn in Suzdal. Photo: Pavel Suhov/Shutterstock.com
Be sure to walk along the beautiful embankment in Yaroslavl; stop at Pleshcheyevo Lake in Pereslavl-Zalessky to turn off your thoughts; get acquainted with the masterpieces of wooden architecture in Suzdal; take the best photo of the autumn landscape with the Church of the Intercession on the Nerl River and be sure, absolutely sure, to stay in Plyos (we just have a one-day guide) – the landscapes of this village can be admired endlessly, it’s no wonder that all our creative intelligentsia used to hang out here.
Take a detailed route through the places of the Golden Ring, which are not always written about in travel guides. It won’t be boring!
How to get there: the best plan is to get in the car and drive through the cities, stopping in each one for a day. The route through Yaroslavl is better, but Vladimir is also worth visiting. For those who want to add a twist to their trip, there are cruise routes available.
The landscapes of Plyos can be admired endlessly. Photo: Baturina Yuliya/Shutterstock.com
Where to stay
- Alesha Popovich Dvor Hotel, Yaroslavl — from 6074 RUB
- Pereslavl-Zalessky Hotel — from 2,603 rubles
- Nikolaevsky Posad Art Hotel, Suzdal — from 10,353 rubles
- Mini-hotel “Grand Owl”, Ples — from 21,909 rub.
- Russian-French hotel “Private visit”, Ples — from 21,231 rubles
Tsarskoye Selo: An Aristocratic Weekend
Why you should visit: First of all, it’s an extra reason to visit your beloved St. Petersburg, as it’s particularly charming during this time of year. Secondly, Tsarskoye Selo is known for its rich history, magnificent palaces, and beautiful parks. You can purchase tickets for the Tsarskoye Selo State Museum-Reserve here.
If you’re interested in exploring the suburbs of St. Petersburg, a guide to the most beautiful parks and palaces is available.
How to get there: by train from Vitebsky Railway Station, or by minibus from Moskovskaya or Kupchino stations (travel time from St. Petersburg is 30-40 minutes).
Tsarskoye Selo impresses with history, palaces and parks. Photo: nimblewit/Shutterstock.com
Where to stay
- Tsar Palace Luxury Hotel & SPA, Pushkin — from 18,302 RUB
- Mini-Hotel Friedenthal, Pushkin — from 5,300 RUB
- Dostoevsky Hotel, Saint Petersburg — from 7133 RUB
- Nevsky Kontur Mini Hotel, Saint Petersburg — from 5873 RUB
We’ve come up with a bunch of ideas for you to travel in September and sincerely hope that your autumn will be warm and bright in every way, full of adventures, colorful landscapes, and new places! And don’t forget to post the best shots of leaves, without this, the trip doesn’t count.
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Cover photo: Tatiana Bralnina/Shutterstock.com
