Tula is a popular choice for a weekend escape, reachable in about two and a half hours by branded express from Moscow. It offers standout dining and coffee spots, a charming pedestrian-friendly center, and regional specialties like honey gingerbread and Belev pastila that aren’t found in the capital. Pair that with visits to Yasnaya Polyana and Polenovo, and travelers can break free from city rhythms, enjoying tea from a samovar while soaking in the quiet county atmosphere. At the same time, tours of Yasnaya Polyana and the Tula Kremlin keep pace with history, while several other towns in the region await curious visitors who want a slower pace—topics we’ll explore further.
where time stops
Among Tula region’s historical towns that many travelers overlook is the village of Krapivna, which once held city status but lost it during the Soviet era. It sits a little over 50 kilometers from Tula.
“My indisputable favorite is Krapivna. It’s a historic village tied to Leo Tolstoy. It has preserved its old look—no modern buildings disrupt the scene. Time seems to stand still here. And the museums are excellent,” says Aleksandra Lipkan, founder of the Tula Guide team, in an interview.
Cobblestones, merchant houses, St. Nicholas Church, and the historic center give visitors the sense that the clock has paused. The town has recently seen development and now hosts four museums. Lipkan notes the Zemstvo Museum, housed in a restored building often called the Colonnaded House, as especially impressive.
“It’s magnificent—there aren’t similar museums in our country dedicated to this subject,” she adds. The local culture museum and the Fine Arts Museum are also notable in Krapivna. The village isn’t only for those who love history; Tolstoy fans will recognize the area as a place the writer frequented, while his estate lies a short distance away in Yasnaya Polyana, within the Krapivensky district.
deep into the forest
Travelers exploring the Tula region can choose a landmark that isn’t always front and center for tourists. The Great Zasechnaya Line is a defensive network from the 16th century designed to shield Moscow’s southern approaches from nomadic incursions. It ran as an earthen rampart between fortress towns such as Tula, Odoev, Venev, and Likhvin, surrounded by dense thickets. Ingenious construction meant enemies found it hard to pass: trees were cleared to create gaps, yet the forest continued to thrive, keeping the barrier formidable.
Today the Zasechnaya Line in the Tula region resembles an ordinary forest—yet it bears a peculiar, almost otherworldly character. The border area has been set aside as a conservation zone this year, according to Lipkan.
There are no official guided excursions into this forest at present, but visitors who want to glimpse the untouched landscape can hike the area. Those seeking more comfort can enjoy the nearby Just Wood country hotel complex by the Osetr River, where an audio guide can share the region’s history while guests relax by the water.
Nearby towns along the line offer a sense of timelessness. Veneva, about 52 km from Tula, is first mentioned in historical records in 1390. It was a fortress regularly raided by nomads and later became a key bread supplier for Moscow in the 19th century. Travelers should stroll Red Square-like spaces, sample a richly shaped donut, and ascend the 80-meter Nikolaevskaya bell tower for sweeping views of the city and its surroundings.
Odoev, another historical town dating to 1380 in connection with battles on the Kulikovo Field, sits on the Upa River. Relics from XII–XVIII centuries remain visible, including traces of the old Odoev settlement and the ruins of the Sergius and Ilyinsky churches. The town also hosts a local culture museum and the Filimonov Toy Museum, where visitors can take part in master classes to paint charming whistles shaped like roosters and take them home as curious souvenirs.
For hiking in the mountains or swimming along the river
The Tula region also features its own mountains, albeit modest in scale yet strikingly beautiful. The Romantsev Mountains, also known as Konduki, attract visitors with coal-mining lakes and landscapes that feel almost Martian in aspect (the activity paused in 1996). People still come with tents, though there’s a sense these wild pockets may soon gain more protection and lose some of their rugged charm.
Another recommended spot is the Pronya River, where the Gremyachy settlement lies along the banks. The dammed river creates a picturesque scene, ideal for a gentle boat ride or a quiet walk to savor the natural beauty. Nearby are the Arapovskiye caves, which require a guided descent since they aren’t equipped for independent exploration.