5 most interesting routes of the 'Silver Necklace of Russia'

Have you ever heard of the 'Golden Ring'? Yes? And what about the 'Silver Necklace'? No? Well, this tourist project appeared in 2012 and unites as many as 11 regions of Russia! And if you will explore the cities of Ancient Rus’ along the 'Golden Ring', along the 'Silver Necklace', you'll visit the medieval lands of the North-West of Russia and the Russian North. Additionally, to make traveling along the ‘Silver Necklace’ more easy, Russia has developed national routes. We’ve chosen some of the more interesting ones below.

1. ‘Arkhangelsk: where the Arctic begins’

Route: Arkhangelsk–Malye Korely–Severodvinsk

Malye Korely museum.

Before the construction of St. Petersburg, Arkhangelsk was the commercial and cultural “window to Europe” for Russia. And all thanks to its port on the Northern Dvina River. 

Arkhangelsk was founded in the 16th century. It is the capital of Pomorye, a historical region from the Barents Sea to the White Sea. 

Merchant estates are preserved on the central streets. And you can see giant wooden mills and traditional Pomor houses in the ‘Malye Korely’ museum near Arkhangelsk.

2. ‘Pearls of the Russian North’ 

Route: Vologda–Kirillov–Semenkovo–Ferapontovo

Cyril-Belozersky Monastery

A journey through the Russian North begins in Vologda – this is its ancient capital. 

The city is famous for its 16th-century white stone kremlin, wooden houses with carved frames, icon painting and, of course, lace craft. 

Semenkovo village is a place where you can get acquainted with the life of Russian peasants in the local ethnographic museum. 

And Kirillov and Ferapontov, meanwhile, are home to some of the most famous monasteries in Russia. 

3. ‘Amber Mosaic’

Route: Kaliningrad–Curonian Spit–Yantarny-Svetlogorsk.

Fishermen Village, Kaliningrad

Did you know that almost the entire world’s amber reserves are located in the small village of Yantarny near Kaliningrad? There, you can see how amber is extracted from the quarry, as well as walk along the beaches of the Baltic Sea.

In the Kurshskaya Spit Nature Reserve, you will find yourself among the “dancing forest” and “singing sands”. 

In just an hour, you can get from busy Kaliningrad to Svetlogorsk, a quiet resort town by the sea.

4. ‘Petersburg. Peter. From the first stone to the skyscraper’

Route: St. Petersburg–Lomonosov–Strelna–Peterhof–Kronstadt–Shlisselburg

Golden Fountains of Peter's Palace

On this trip through St. Petersburg and its environs, you will see not only the main sights and palaces of St. Petersburg, but also visit the forts of Kronstadt and the famous Oreshek Fortress on the shores of Lake Ladoga. 

5. ‘From the Barents Sea to the White Sea’

Route: Murmansk–Teriberka–Kirovsk–Kandalaksha–Umba–Monchegorsk.

The coast of Barents sea with rack of ship, Teriberka

The national route runs along the Kola Peninsula and takes almost a week! 

Start in Murmansk, the world's largest city above the Arctic Circle. 

The village of Teriberka was an abandoned Pomor settlement on the shores of the Barents Sea not so long ago, but, today, it has become one of the most popular tourist destinations to admire the northern nature.

You will see the Khibiny Mountains, rivers and waterfalls on the way to Kirovsk and Monchegorsk. You will also cross the Arctic Circle!