Office in the city center
Our office is in the center of Saint Petersburg, and bus pickup points are nearby. You do not need to search for the departure point or walk several blocks.
Karelia: what to see, history, and attractions
The Pearl of Karelia: Ruskeala
Discount: -100 rub. per ticket
14 h.
Ligovsky Prospekt 10
In one day, you will get to know the main gem of Karelia – the Ruskeala mountain park, the Ahvenkoski waterfalls, and see the historical sights of the town of Sortavala
Dream Journey "Bus Tour to Drive Park on Ladoga"
10 h.
Discover the rugged beauty of Karelian nature in just one day. This journey offers more than just sights.
From 3500 ₽ per person
Why choose Leningrad-Tour
Tours for groups
You can book a trip for a large group, family, school class, corporate event or celebration. We will match the format and the number of seats you need.
Discounted tickets
Seniors, students, schoolchildren and preschoolers get discounted rates on a number of tours.
Tours across Russia
Besides Saint Petersburg and its suburbs, we offer multi-day tours to cities and regions across Russia.
A wide choice of routes
Sightseeing, bus, boat, evening, walking and school tours, plus suburban trips — we will find a program for any kind of visit.
Comfortable transport
We operate clean, comfortable tourist coaches. A spacious cabin matters most on longer routes.
Ruskeala • Ladoga skerries • waterfalls • forests • lakes • Sortavala
Karelia: lakes, cliffs, waterfalls and routes from Saint Petersburg
Karelia is a northern land of lakes, forests, granite shores and roads that quickly lead away from Petersburg to a different rhythm. A single route brings together Ruskeala, the Ladoga skerries, waterfalls, Sortavala, old Karelian villages, forest trails and landscapes that people later revisit in photos for a long time.
Karelia: a land of water, stone and northern forest
The history of Karelia begins in very ancient times. The first settlements in the northwest of modern Russia appeared after the glacier, around the 7th–6th millennia BC. People lived by the water, engaged in hunting and fishing, and later mastered agriculture, cattle breeding and iron production.
The name of the region is linked to the indigenous people – the Karelians. There are several versions of its origin: from the word "karja", connected with cattle and shepherd life, from the Finnish kari – "reef" or "underwater stone", and also from the Baltic garia – "forest" or "mountain". All the versions sound very Karelian: stone, water, forest and people who lived alongside nature for centuries.
In different eras, Karelian lands were linked by trade routes, fortresses, monastery islands, crafts, forest industries, mining, and roads to the White Sea, Ladoga, and Onega. That is why Karelia is perceived not only as nature, but as a large northern region with ancient history, a strong character, and very diverse routes.
Karelia on the road
Karelia is best felt on the road. First, St. Petersburg is left behind, then the forest grows denser, the air cooler, and water begins to flash around the bends more and more often. In Sortavala, your gaze catches on old houses; in Ruskeala, everyone heads to the marble canyon; by the waterfalls, conversations naturally become quieter. Such a route rests on simple things: the road, forest, stone, water, northern light, and pauses between stops.
What to see in Karelia
It is best to put together your first route through Karelia as an introduction to the different sides of the region. A few rocks, a bit of water, an old town, waterfalls, a road through the forest, and at least one stop where you can simply stand and look around.
- Ruskeala Mountain Park with its marble canyon and bright water
- Ladoga skerries – rocky islands and bays of Lake Ladoga
- Sortavala with Finnish architecture, the embankment, and the road to Ruskeala
- Karelian waterfalls: Ahvenkoski, Kivach, and forest cascades
- Valaam, Kizhi, Lake Onega, and long routes across the north of the region
Even a short trip through Karelia feels like a big journey. The road itself becomes part of the route, and then simply a way to reach a destination.
Why people go to Karelia
In Karelia, it is the details that stay with you: the scent of pine needles after rain, the dark water by the shore, granite cliffs, old wooden houses, bridges over fast rivers. Plus the feeling that the north begins very close to St. Petersburg, even though in mood the trip seems much farther.
- For nature that looks strong and real
- For Ruskeala, the skerries, waterfalls, and forest roads
- For a short getaway from St. Petersburg with the feeling of a big journey
- For beautiful photos and a clear route
- For the northern atmosphere that changes from season to season
Ruskeala: the marble canyon and water the color of northern glass
Ruskeala often becomes the first powerful encounter with Karelia. The marble canyon is memorable right away: light-colored walls, green water, paths along the edge, viewing platforms, and adits where you can feel the region's mining history.
Marble used to be quarried in these places for St. Petersburg palaces and cathedrals. Now the quarry has become a mountain park: you can walk along the canyon, go down to the water, enter the adits, look at the cliffs from different sides, and understand why Ruskeala is so often included in the first route through Karelia.
- The marble canyon and walking paths around its perimeter
- Viewing platforms overlooking the water and cliffs
- Mining history, adits, and traces of old quarries
- A recognizable spot in Karelia for a first route
Ladoga skerries: cliffs, islands and water to the horizon
Ladoga skerries – rocky shores, islands, pines on stones, narrow straits and open water. In places like this Ladoga looks almost like the sea: open space ahead, granite on the sides, northern air all around.
The skerries are best seen from the water and from the coastal viewpoints of the northern Ladoga area. In clear weather the landscape turns out bright and airy, in overcast weather – more severe: grey sky, dark water, granite and pines come together into a truly northern shot.
- Rocky islands and bays of Lake Ladoga
- Views of pines, granite and wide expanses of water
- The main natural symbol of Karelia
- Pairs well with a route through Sortavala and Ruskeala
Karelian waterfalls: the sound of water, forest and stone
Waterfalls in Karelia sound like a short pause on the road. The bus stops, the stream can already be heard ahead, then a wooden walkway appears, damp air, stones and water cascading through the forest.
In southern Karelia, Akhvenkoski near Ruskeala is often visited. On longer routes, Kivach is added. Stops like these break up the journey nicely: walk a little, listen to the water, take a couple of photos and move on again.
- Akhvenkoski – a convenient stop on the way to Ruskeala
- Kivach – a well-known waterfall of the region
- Forest trails, little bridges, stones and the sound of water nearby
- A convenient format for a short nature walk
Greater Karelia: Valaam, Kizhi, Lake Onega and northern routes
Karelia reveals itself in layers. First come Ruskeala, Sortavala, the waterfalls and Ladoga. Then appear Valaam, Kizhi, Lake Onega, Petrozavodsk, the Belomorsk petroglyphs, Marcial Waters and the northern roads.
Valaam is chosen for its islands, monastery and Ladoga. Kizhi – for its wooden architecture and Lake Onega. Petrozavodsk is convenient as a base for a big route. Trips like these take more time and give a sense of a real journey through the region.
- Valaam – islands, monastery and Lake Ladoga
- Kizhi – wooden architecture on Lake Onega
- Petrozavodsk – a convenient base for routes through central Karelia
- Belomorsk petroglyphs and Marcial Waters for an extended programme
Routes in Karelia
Day 1
Karelia in one day
A great first route: Sortavala, Ruskeala, the Ahvenkoski waterfalls, beautiful stops along the way. The day is packed, but you immediately get rocks, water, forest and the marble canyon.
Weekend
Karelia in 2 days
Over a weekend you can add a walk around Sortavala, more time in Ruskeala, the Ladoga skerries and an evening by the water. This format lets Karelia unfold without feeling like a quick stop.
3 days
Karelia in 3 days
Three days let you combine Ruskeala, Sortavala, the waterfalls, the skerries and a calm day in nature. The route makes room for lakes, viewpoints and walks without constant driving.
5 days
Karelia in 5 days
Five days already feel like a full journey through the region: southern Karelia, Petrozavodsk, Kizhi, Kivach, Marcial Waters, Lake Onega and additional nature stops.
Karelia weather by season
Spring
about 0…+10 °C
In spring the rivers and waterfalls come alive, and the forest becomes damp and fresh. By May walks are already pleasant, and a windbreaker will come in handy by the water.
Summer
about +14…+22 °C
Summer is ideal for Ruskeala, the skerries, lakes and long walks. The warmest days usually fall in July.
Autumn
about +15…-2 °C
September often brings beautiful forests and gentle coolness, October brings rain and fog, and by November a winter mood sets in.
Winter
about -6…-15 °C
In winter Karelia becomes snowy and more northern. In Ruskeala the rocks, dark water, illumination and snow-covered forest look especially beautiful.
How to get to Karelia from Saint Petersburg
The most popular route from Petersburg heads toward Sortavala and Ruskeala. It is chosen for short trips, because in one day you can already see the real Karelia: forests, stone, water and the marble canyon.
- By train or Lastochka to Sortavala, then on to Ruskeala
- By car via Priozersk and the northern Ladoga area
- By bus or on a ready-made tour from Saint Petersburg
- For longer programs – via Petrozavodsk, Lake Onega and Kizhi
When to go to Karelia
Summer is ideal for the skerries, boat trips, long days and lake routes. Autumn brings bright forests, cool air and beautiful roads. Winter turns Ruskeala into an even more fairy-tale place with snow, illumination and dark water.
In spring, waterfalls and rivers are especially impressive. At this time, Karelia feels fresher: plenty of water, damp forest, clean air and the first long walks after winter.
Karelia in detail
Frequently asked questions about Karelia
What to see in Karelia on your first trip?
For a first trip, Ruskeala, Sortavala, the Ahvenkoski waterfalls and the Ladoga skerries are the best choice. Such a route immediately shows the main images of Karelia: cliffs, water, forest, an old town and the road through the northern Ladoga region.
Karelia in one day – is that really possible?
Yes, for one day people usually choose southern Karelia: Sortavala, Ruskeala, the waterfalls and scenic stops along the way. The day is packed, but you already get the feeling of a real trip to the north.
When is the best time to go to Karelia?
In summer it's great to see the skerries, lakes and water routes. In autumn Karelia is especially beautiful thanks to the forest and its colors. In winter it's interesting to go to Ruskeala, and in spring – to the waterfalls and rivers.
How to get to Karelia from Saint Petersburg?
The most convenient options are a train or the Lastochka to Sortavala, a car via Priozersk, or a ready-made tour from Petersburg. For Petrozavodsk and Kizhi, it's better to allow more time.
What is Karelia famous for?
Karelia is famous for its lakes, forests, granite cliffs, Ruskeala, the Ladoga skerries, Valaam, Kizhi, Kivach waterfall, Sortavala and northern nature that begins right next to Petersburg.
How many days do you need for Karelia?
One day is enough for a first introduction. For a more relaxed route, it's better to take 2-3 days. For Valaam, Kizhi, Petrozavodsk and remote natural sites, it's more convenient to plan 4-5 days.
What to take with you to Karelia?
Comfortable shoes, a windbreaker, water, a phone charger, and weather-appropriate clothing. Even in summer it can be cool near the water and in open areas, and on nature routes comfortable shoes are the most important thing.
Is Karelia suitable for a trip with children?
Yes, especially routes with Ruskeala, waterfalls, and short walks. Children are usually interested in the canyon, bridges, water, rocks, forest, and stops where they can move around rather than just listen to a story.
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