From the train window: the most beautiful and unusual railway routes of the Silver Necklace

Traveling by rail is not just moving from point A to point B, but a real romantic adventure, wonderful landscapes outside the window and, by the way, an excellent cultural and educational experience.

The tourist information centers of the Silver Necklace have collected for you in one collection retro and sightseeing trains, railway cruises and simply beautiful routes in the Northwest. Feel the special romance of the most unusual routes of the Silver Necklace!

MURMANSK REGION

Under the sound of wheels in the historic city

If you go to Murmansk by rail, we advise you to look into the city of Cola on the way – it is at the Cola station that any train makes the last stop before Murmansk. The city is interesting because it was founded in 1565 and is one of the oldest settlements of the peninsula. An architectural monument of the beginning of the XIX century, the Annunciation Church, has been preserved in Kolya. It is also home to one of the most beautiful viewpoints of recreation on the Kola Peninsula – the Pomorskaya Embankment.

See the keeper of railway history

The railway station of the southernmost city of the Murmansk region – Kandalaksha – is notable for the fact that an unreconstructed wooden station with a sign with carved letters has been preserved here. It was built in 1916 in connection with the laying of the railway in Romanov-on-Murmansk (Murmansk). You can admire the old building, which has preserved its original appearance and color, right from the train window.

REPUBLIC OF KARELIA

To the Ruskeala Mountain Park by retro train!

The most spectacular way to get to the famous mountain park is to take a daily tourist retro train on a steam locomotive "Ruskeala Express", which runs along the route Sortavala – Mountain Park "Ruskeala" – Sortavala. It is noteworthy that the interior of the cars is made in the original design of the "Nikolaev Express" in the style of the late XIX – early XX centuries.

Karelian Voyage Railway Tour

If you want to visit all the main pearls of the Northern Ladoga region in one trip, we advise you to go on a trip by rail under the telling name "Karelian voyage". The tour starts in Moscow, and then passes through the capital of Karelia – Petrozavodsk, Kizhi Island, the ancient city of Sortavala, the mountain park "Ruskeala" and Vyborg – a city with a medieval flavor.

Tourist Information Center of the Republic of Karelia, ticrk.ru

PSKOV REGION

On the "Swallow" to the stronghold of Orthodoxy – Pechora

Tired of the noise of the big city? Do you prefer to travel in comfort? Don't know where Russia begins? Then the "Swallow", following the route St. Petersburg – Pechory will be an ideal option for you! The Pskov-Pechersk Monastery is a paradise of the Pskov region with a rich history on the very border of Russia with Estonia.

GAU Tourist Information Center of the Pskov region, visit.pskov.ru

ARKHANGELSK REGION

A trip along the most beautiful narrow-gauge railway in the world

Severodvinsk and the village of Beloe Ozero are connected by the Kudemskaya narrow-gauge railway. In summer, the train carries passengers in trailers and on open platforms. A little more than 30 km of rails winding in the taiga, past forest lakes and country villages. By the way, Kudemskaya road was included in the list of the most beautiful railways in the world according to Forbes.

Along the White Sea

Traveling from Severodvinsk to the ancient village of Nenoksy by train will allow you to see a lot of exciting pictures of the White Sea: a choppy sea with white sheep, sand dunes and magnificent pine forests. The final stop is the ancient village of Nenoksa, where a unique wooden five–tent temple has been preserved, the Salt Museum and the "House of the Northern Architect" work. Since there is a military training ground nearby, it is necessary to issue a pass in advance for travel.

The Center for the Development of Tourism and Culture of the Arkhangelsk region, pomorland.travel

VOLOGDA REGION

On the locomotive to Santa Claus

Every year, on New Year's holidays, a New Year's train with locomotive traction goes to Veliky Ustyug to the homeland of Santa Claus. What if you go too? Tourists arriving by retro train can visit the winter wizard's domain and walk around Veliky Ustyug, and in the evening continue their journey through the Russian North.

Tourist Information Center of the Vologda region, vologdatourinfo.ru

KOMI REPUBLIC

A beautiful trip in honor of a beautiful date

During the celebration of the 101st anniversary of the republic, you can go on an exciting journey from Syktyvkar to Mikun on a retro train with an interesting tour of Ust-Vym. Passengers will be served by conductors in a form stylized according to the standard adopted in the USSR in the middle of the last century.

Agency for Tourism Development and Promotion of the Komi Republic, tourism.rkomi.ru

KALININGRAD REGION

The romance of Kaliningrad railways

In search of preserved German architecture, go to the city of Chernyakhovsk. You will see the order castles, a Catholic church and an old water tower. Along the way, do not miss the chance to enjoy the endless fields. The rail bus departs on weekends at 09:20 from the Southern Railway Station. The journey time will be 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Roads of the first settlers: the route to Sovetsk

An unusual route by electric train can be made to the city of Sovetsk and see with your own eyes two different epochs: modern and Soviet. After all, the first residents of the Kaliningrad region were precisely immigrants. There is even a monument dedicated to such families in Sovetsk. The train departs from Kaliningrad on weekdays at 18:14. The journey time will be 2 hours and 20 minutes.

Tourist Information Center of the Kaliningrad region, Kaliningrad, visit-kaliningrad.ru

LENINGRAD REGION

Train tour for the whole family

"Journey to the locomotive country" is an exciting and unforgettable weekend tour for the whole family to the world of "iron giants". Participants take a retro train from the Baltic Railway Station to the village of Lebyazhye, where the most atmospheric branch of the Central Museum of Railway Transport is located.

Information and Tourist Center of the Leningrad region, St. Petersburg, lentravel.ru

Saint Petersburg

Summer steam train ride

Why not go for a ride on a real steam locomotive one fine summer day? The route begins with a small excursion and a photo shoot at the retro train at the most beautiful Vitebsk railway station – one of the pearls of the Art Nouveau style. On the way, you will find a story about steam locomotives and the history of railways, as well as a transfer to the rolling stock of the Malaya Oktyabrskaya Children's Railway – are you interested in finding out how everything works there?

To Peterhof by train

It is very convenient to get to Peterhof by meteor and bus. But! We advise you to go to the fountain capital by rail at least once. An electric train from the Baltic railway Station will take you to the final station with an amazing neo-Gothic railway station. To see an approaching architectural miracle from the windows, to go out onto the historic platform and find yourself at a building with lancet windows and Gothic spires is an impression for years.

City Tourist Information Bureau of St. Petersburg, www.visit-petersburg.ru 

Traveling through the regions of the Silver Necklace of Russia, visit tourist information centers and museums, participate in the program "Club of travelers in the Northwest RussiaTravel.club", earn bonus points and exchange them for prizes!