Golden Ring Tours & Add-ons
The Golden Ring is a series of often beautiful historic towns to the north and east of Moscow and make of an ideal Russia tour for those with an interest in history and architecture. The route is best started and finished in Moscow either at the beginning or end of a Trans-Siberian tour or can be taken as a standalone week to 10 day tour that also includes Moscow and St Petersburg.
If you are starting your Trans-Siberian trip in St Petersburg we can also adjust the itineraries below to start in Vladimir which can be reached by train from St Petersburg before finishing in Moscow to start your Trans-Siberian itinerary.
Contact us with any questions you have.
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VLADIMIR Владимир
Vladimir once laid claim to be the capital of all Rus with it’s majestic Assumption Cathedral sitting high above the Klyazma River. The white-stone medieval architecture is as good as anywhere in Russia as well as having some great later buildings and museums as well.
SUZDAL Суздаль
A fairytale setting awaits the traveller here with very few modern buildings and only the cathedrals being taller than two stories in height. You won’t find chain stores or hotels here just flowery meadows and an abundance of ancient architecture in a peaceful rural setting.
IVANOVO Иваново
Known as the “The city of brides” from Soviet times due to the large number of women working in the textile industrial city. Faded mosaics to Soviet heroes abound and the grim reality of life for many Russians is obvious everywhere, a sharp contrast to the other Golden Ring cities.
KOSTROMA Кострома
Situated 300km north east of Moscow Kostroma has a wonderful historic town centre. The impressive Ipatian Monastery is the main attraction here founded by a Tatar prince back in 1330 after a vision of the Virgin Mary and the martyr Ipaty of the Ganges.
YAROSLAVL Ярослáвль
The second largest city in Central Russia after Moscow and the most urban feeling of all the Golden Ring destinations. It’s right on the bank of the Volga River and there are churches hid round every corner and in every nook and cranny of this living museum.
ROSTOV-VELIKY Ростов
“Great” Rostov at first appears to be a sleepy village until you lay eyes on the extremely photogenic Rostov Kremlin. This is one of the prettiest and oldest towns in the Golden Ring and it beautifully situated next to Lake Nero.
PERESLAVL-ZALESSKY Переславль-Залесский
A peaceful village atmosphere pervades the streets here. Monateries are the main attraction and it is also the birthplace of Alexander Nevsky. Plescheyevo lake is where the young Tsar Peter I took his marine military exercises.
SERGIEV POSAD Посад
Orthodoxy abounds in this town with St. Sergius, founder of the local monastery, being the patron saint of Russia. Bearded priests, babushkas and hordes of believers are everywhere paying tribute to Saint Sergius, the keeper of Russia.
GR-01: 3 Nights / 4 Days
MOSCOW ● VLADIMIR ● SUZDAL ● IVANOVO ● KOSTROMA ● YAROSLAVL ● ROSTOV ● PERESLAVL-ZALESSKY ● SERGIEV POSAD ● MOSCOW
This is our recommended trip for the Golden Ring as it covers all the main towns giving a rounded understanding of the fascinating history and architecture of this popular part of Russia. Fully guided and transport by private car this is a fantastic standalone trip or Trans-Siberian add-on.
Contact us for a quote.
Day 1 - Moscow to Vladimir & Suzdal
Drive to Vladimir With a City Tour Before Continuing to Suzdal to Overnight
This morning begin your Golden Ring trip driving the 173 km to Vladimir, your first stop on this Golden Ring adventure. This city once laid claim to be the capital of all Rus with it’s majestic Assumption Cathedral sitting high above the Klyazma River. The white-stone medieval architecture is as good as anywhere in Russia. Afternoon city tour visiting Bogolyubovo Convent, The Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin on the Nerl River, Dmitrov Cathedral and the Dormition (Assumption) Cathedral. We also stop at the Crystal & Lacquer miniature museum as this craft is a speciality of this region. Continue 35 km to Suzdal reaching there in the evening.
Meals Included: None today.
Day 2 - Suzdal to Kostroma via Ivanovo
Suzdal, One of Russia’s Best Preserved Towns, Ivano & Kostroma
You awake in the fairytale setting of Suzdal, a small town with few modern buildings, only the Cathedrals are taller than two stories. You won’t find chain stores or hotels here – just flowery meadows, occasional livestock wandering the streets and an abundance of ancient architecture in a peaceful rural setting providing a fantastic insight into pre-revolutionary Russia. Your morning tour in Suzdal will include the Kremlin, Saviour Monastery of St Euthymius and the Museum of Wooden Architecture. Drive on the 78 km to Ivanovo, known as the “The city of brides” – a name from Soviet times due to the large number of women working here. Faded mosaics to Soviet heroes abound and the grim reality of life for many Russians is obvious everywhere, a sharp contrast to the other Golden Ring cities. We spend a short time sightseeing before continuing on the 95 km to Kostroma to overnight.
Meals Included: Hotel Breakfast.
Day 3 - Kostroma to Rostov via Yaroslav
Continue Your Golden Ring Trip Touring the Highlights of Kostroma & Yaroslav
This morning tour Kostroma which has a wonderful historic town centre the highlight being the impressive Ipatian Monastery founded by a Tatar prince back in 1330 after a vision of the Virgin Mary and the martyr Ipaty of the Ganges. We also visit the Trooutsky cathedral. Drive on the 76km to Yaroslav, the second largest city in Central Russia after Moscow. Located on the bank of the Volga river, there are churches hidden round every corner. We visit The Monastery of Our Savior and Transfiguration, Church of Elijah the Prophet and the Fine Art Museum before driving the 57 km on to Rostov.
Meals Included: Hotel Breakfast.
Day 4 - To Moscow via Pereslavl-Zalessky & Sergiev Posad
A Final Day Touring Rostov, Pereslavl-zalessky & Sergiev Posad
City tour of “Great” Rostov which first appears to be a sleepy village until you lay eyes on the extremely photogenic Kremlin. This is one of the prettiest and oldest towns in the Golden Ring and is beautifully set next to Lake Nero. We visit the Kremlin and the Museum of Rostov Enamel before driving on the 66 km to Pereslavl-Zalessky. This relaxed village is also the birthplace of Alexander Nevsky. Our tour will include the Red Square and Transfiguration Cathedral. Drive on to Sergiev Posad. Orthodoxy abounds here with the towns namesake, Saint Sergius, being the patron saint of Russia. Bearded priests, babushkas and hordes of believers flock here paying tribute to the Saint. We visit the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius before the final 58 km drive back to Moscow.
Meals Included: Hotel Breakfast.
Hotels Usually Used
GR-02: 2 Nights / 3 Days
MOSCOW ● VLADIMIR ● SUZDAL ● PERESLAVL-ZALESSKY ● ROSTOV ● SERGIEV POSAD ● MOSCOW
This 3 day 2 night Golden Ring tour is a shortened version for those with less time or budget. Most of the main town are still visited including the highlights of Suzdal and Rostov. Perfect for those wishing to immerse themselves in Russian history.
Contact us for a quote.
Day 1 - Moscow to Vladimir & Suzdal
Drive to Vladimir With a City Tour Before Continuing to Suzdal to Overnight
This morning begin your Golden Ring trip driving the 173 km to Vladimir, your first stop on this Golden Ring adventure. This city once laid claim to be the capital of all Rus with it’s majestic Assumption Cathedral sitting high above the Klyazma River. The white-stone medieval architecture is as good as anywhere in Russia. Afternoon city tour visiting Bogolyubovo Convent, The Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin on the Nerl River, Dmitrov Cathedral and the Dormition (Assumption) Cathedral. We also stop at the Crystal & Lacquer miniature museum as this craft is a speciality of this region. Continue on 35 km to Suzdal reaching there in the evening.
Meals Included: None today.
Day 2 - Suzdal to Rostov via Pereslavl-Zalessky
Suzdal, One of Russia’s Best Preserved Towns, Pereslavl-Zalessky & Rostov
You awake in the fairytale setting of Suzdal, a small town with few modern buildings with only the Cathedrals taller than two stories. You won’t find chain stores or hotels here – just flowery meadows, occasional livestock wandering the streets and an abundance of ancient architecture in a peaceful rural setting providing a fantastic insight into pre-revolutionary Russia. Your morning tour in Suzdal will include the Kremlin, Saviour Monastery of St Euthymius and the Museum of Wooden Architecture.
Drive on the 66 km to Pereslavl-Zalessky. This town has a peaceful village atmosphere and is the birthplace of Alexander Nevsky. Plescheyevo lake is where the young Tsar Peter took his marine military exercises and the tour includes Red Square and the Transfiguration Cathedral. Continue on a further 57 km to Rostov to overnight.
Meals Included: Hotel Breakfast.
Day 3 - Back to Moscow via Sergiev Posad
A Final Day Touring Rostov & Sergiev Posad Before Returning to Moscow
City tour of “Great” Rostov which first appears to be a sleepy village until you lay eyes on the extremely photogenic Kremlin. This is one of the prettiest and oldest towns in the Golden Ring and is beautifully set next to Lake Nero. We visit the Kremlin and the Museum of Rostov Enamel before driving on to Sergiev Posad. Orthodoxy abounds here with the towns namesake, Saint Sergius, being the patron saint of Russia. Bearded priests, babushkas and hordes of believers flock here paying tribute to the Saint. We visit the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius before the final 58 km drive back to Moscow.
Meals Included: Hotel Breakfast.