For a winter escape from Moscow during the February or March holidays, Kostroma, Kazan, and the Murmansk region stand out as appealing options. Travel writer and blogger Elena Liseikina, known for the Travel with Camera group, shared insights about these destinations with socialbites.ca, offering practical ideas for a memorable trip.
According to Liseikina, Kostroma is especially convenient to reach by car from Moscow, with a travel time of roughly five hours. The route is straightforward, and the city sits comfortably along the Volga, presenting a scenic drive through northern towns and countryside that feels like stepping back into a quieter era. Kostroma’s charm unfolds in its historic streets, where old merchant houses and county town atmosphere mingle with modern comforts, creating a gentle contrast between past and present.
She described Kostroma as a picturesque town on the Volga’s banks, a place that invites visitors to pause and imagine life in the 18th century, when trade and craftsmanship shaped the region. The experience is enhanced by a blend of cultural pockets and culinary curiosities that reflect the area’s rich heritage. A recommended stop is the cheese exchange in Kostroma, a nod to the region’s traditional agro-food trades, paired with a nearby deer farm where visitors can observe tranquil animal life. Spending time in a wooden tower at Astashovo adds a unique vantage point, offering sweeping views and a moment to breathe in the winter air.
Travelers looking to extend their journey from Kostroma can reach Kazan by car in roughly six and a half hours along well-maintained highways. Kazan presents a different kind of wonder, mixing riverfront scenery with a deep historical layer. The city’s walkable streets invite exploration, while the Volga’s presence lends a serene backdrop to daily activities. In Kazan, visitors can wander through its historic districts, enjoy scenic viewpoints, and discover Bolgar, a site famed for its ancient excavations that reveal the area’s long-standing significance in regional history. The combination of architectural beauty, cultural texture, and river ambiance makes Kazan a compelling stop for travelers who relish a blend of old and new.
For those not ready to retire the winter, the Murmansk region remains a strong option. With a flight of about 2.5 hours from Moscow, this northern destination is rapidly developing and offers a growing array of hotels and Arctic-centric cuisine in restaurants. Adventure-seekers can organize snowmobile trips into the surrounding mountains, while those lucky enough to reach the shores of Teriberka may encounter whales in their natural habitat. A standout experience in Murmansk is traversing the Lenin icebreaker, a vivid reminder of maritime history that is a must for visitors. Food experiences include trying locally sourced sea urchins and reindeer moss chips, while skyward moments can culminate with the spectacular display of the northern lights over the Barents Sea coast. A visit to Teriberka provides dramatic coastal landscapes, and the ascent to Volosyanaya Sopka offers snow-blanketed peaks and panoramic vistas that linger in memory long after departure.
Beyond these destinations, casual travelers occasionally consider nearby regions that are eminently reachable from Moscow by air. The Perm Territory and the Kaliningrad Region were highlighted as additional options where one can quickly reach excellent resorts, cultural sites, and winter landscapes, expanding the repertoire of weekend escapes for the city-based traveler. Each of these regions brings its own seasonal character, whether it’s robust Arctic cuisine, accessible nature, or historical towns that reward exploration with less-crowded itineraries and unique experiences.
In reflection, these destinations underscore a pattern: road or air trips from Moscow can yield a spectrum of winter experiences, from the quiet past of Kostroma to the vibrant river cityscape of Kazan, and the high-latitude expanse of Murmansk. They also demonstrate how winter travel can balance cultural immersion, outdoor adventure, and culinary exploration. The possibilities invite travelers to tailor a trip to their own pace and interests, whether that means slow sightseeing along historic streets, active snow-based excursions, or coastal encounters with Arctic wildlife. The overall takeaway is that a well-planned winter itinerary from Moscow can deliver meaningful memories across a range of northern and northwestern Russian environments, each with its own distinctive flavor and seasonal appeal.
Previously named Five destinations for romantic travel in Russia. (Source: Travel with Camera blog)