Vladimir and Suzdal Tour

The cities of Vladimir and Suzdal are far older than Moscow and were prosperous medieval cities while Moscow was just a small settlement on the boundary of Vladimir-Suzdal principality. Vladimir and Suzdal are located 200km to the northeast of Moscow, and 30 km away from each other.

Suzdal today is a small town of 10 000 residents but its importance in the Russian history should not be underestimated; it is best compared to York, the capital of England many centuries ago. The tangible signs of its former glory are stone churches – as many as 40 of them – and monasteries with high and massive walls and cathedrals rivalling the present Moscow Kremlin in size. Today, Suzdal is located away from busy roads and industrial hubs, so its authenticity is fully preserved not only by circumstances, but also by law – Suzdal is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Suzdal is a great place to relax and explore, at a leisurely pace, its numerous indoor and outdoor museums – the Museum of Russian Wooden Architecture, monasteries and convents with ancient frescoes and icons, the Suzdalian Kremlin, and other. Listen to the church chants sung a cappella in ancient cathedrals, and church bell ringing performance, explore the local souvenir market and enjoy truly authentic Russian food cooked with local ingredients – wild game, traditionally pickled cucumbers, forest mushrooms and berries, and locally brewed honey wine, or mead.

Contrary to Suzdal, the City of Vladimir is a busy regional capital of 350 000 residence, but its historical center is fully preserved. Back in the 12^th - 15^th centuries, Vladimir was the capital of Russia, and when the Moscow princes took over the first thing they did was to model their Moscow cathedrals and palaces after the ones that existed in Vladimir. The central structure in Vladimir, and its one of the oldest building in the city, is the Assumption Cathedral built in 1158-1161, next to St. Dmitry Cathedral which alone is worth a visit due to its stunningly beautiful proportions – an example of architecture at its best.

Best way to enjoy the private Vladimir and Suzdal Tour is to drive to Vladimir, explore the city, have a lunch at a local restaurant, move on to Suzdal for sightseeing tour, and then a drive back to Moscow.

One-day round-trip tour necessitates early departure from Moscow and late arrival.

Two-day round-trip tour can be arranged as well and your can spend a night in Suzdal. This city offer comfortable hotels with Western level of service – from family-run B&B rooms to spacious resorts offering Russian traditional log houses, or chalets, for accommodation.

Vladimir and Suzdal Tour Itinerary, one day round trip

Ca. 8am departure from Moscow

Ca. 12am arrival to Vladimir, quick snack on the way

Ca. 12am exploring local sights: Cathedral of the Assumption, St. Dmitry Cathedral, the Golden Gate

Ca. 3pm arrival to Suzdal, lunch

Ca. 4:30pm exploring key Suzdal sights: the Suzdalian Kremlin, the Monastery of Our Saviour, the Museum of Russian Wooden Architecture, souvenir shopping

Ca. 7pm departure for Moscow

Ca. 10pm arrival to Moscow

Vladimir and Suzdal Tour Itinerary, two days round trip

Day 1

Ca. 9am departure from Moscow

Ca. 1pm arrival to Vladimir, lunch

Ca. 2pm exploring local sights: Cathedral of the Assumption, St. Dmitry Cathedral, the Golden Gate, the Bogolyubovo Monastery (optional), the Church of the Intercession on the River Nerl (optional). Free time.

Ca. 7pm arrival to Suzdal, check into the hotel, Russian dinner a la carte.

Day 2

Ca. 8am breakfast

Ca. 9am checkout of the hotel, exploring key Suzdal sights: the Suzdalian Kremlin, the Monastery of Our Saviour, the Museum of Russian Wooden Architecture, tour of Suzdal, the ancient church of St. Boris and Gleb (oldest in the heartland Russia, optional), the Convent of the Intercession (optional).

Ca. 2pm lunch

Ca. 3pm departure for Moscow

Ca. 7pm arrival to Moscow 

Languages: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish and other foreign languages. 

 Every day.