10 places in Russia where you can see the most beautiful sunrises (PHOTOS)

1. Vorobyovy Gory, Moscow

This is one of the most romantic places in the capital, offering views of the Moskva River, Gorky Park, Moscow City and Moscow State University. And, of course, on Vorobyovy Gory (Sparrow Hills), you can, perhaps, see the most beautiful sunrises!

2. Solnechnaya Gorka, Murmansk

Murmansk has a tradition of welcoming the sun after the long polar night. Residents of the city gather on the highest point – Solnechnaya Gorka (Sun Hill) – to see the first rays of the sun.

The polar night in this northern city lasts 41 days, so the first sunrise of the year is a real event! 

3. Us Khatyn, Yakutsk

But, in Yakutsk, the main sunrise of the year is celebrated in summer, during the ‘Ysyakh’ holiday. This is an ancient folk holiday dedicated to the beginning of a new natural cycle – aka “summer New Year” (read more about it here). Meeting the sun just means the beginning of the year. The celebration takes place in a place called ‘Us Khatyn’ not far from the city. 

4. Elbrus, Caucasus Mountains

The highest point of Russia and Europe is Mount Elbrus at 5,642 meters. It is located on the territory of Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia in the Caucasus. Meeting the sunrise there is a traveler's dream!

5. Arkhyz, Karachay-Cherkessia

The Caucasus has a huge number of places where you can capture the most beautiful sunrises. Arkhyz is a popular mountain area in Karachay-Cherkessia. In winter, people go skiing there and, in summer, they go hiking through the valleys. 

6. Tokarevsky Lighthouse, Vladivostok

Sunrise at the edge of the continent is already an adventure! Vladivostok has many picturesque places where you can meet the sun: Russky Island, Zolotoy Rog (Golden Horn) Bay and Tokarevsky Lighthouse, which is reached by a narrow strip of land, just to name a few. The sun’s rays are reflected in the water and create unforgettable pictures.

7. Lake Seliger, Tver Region

Outdoor recreation lovers should definitely visit the shores of Lake Seliger at least once in their lives. This is not one lake, but three dozen reservoirs of different depths and sizes. An ideal place to meet a colorful sunrise! 

The famous Nilo-Stolobenskaya Pustyn island monastery is also located there. 

8. Krasnoyarsk Pillars, Krasnoyarsk

The most beautiful dawns can be seen in the mountains! There are almost two hundred rocks in the ‘Krasnoyarsk Pillars’ national park. At dawn, they acquire the most bizarre outlines. The impressions will last a lifetime!

9. Bogolyubovo, Vladimir Region

The Church of the Intercession on the Nerl is one of the most beautiful in Russia. It is located in a meadow, on a bend where the Nerl River flows into the Klyazma River. The rivers periodically overflow their banks, flooding the whole meadow and the church rises in the center. 

10. Lake Burlinskoye, Altai Krai

This lake is used for industrial salt mining, for which a railroad has been laid along the bottom. But, tourists also come here to capture epic sunrises, during which the lake takes on a pink hue.