Here are the 11 host cities in Russia where the 2018 World

For soccer enthusiasts, you already know that the World Cup will soon be held in Russia. Eleven cities in the country were chosen to host this prestigious world event that has been awaited by many people. Of course, not only the stadium is very interesting in this city, while you enjoy world-class soccer matches, you should try to see the charm of various cities in Russia.

1. Moskow

kremlin moscow via pinterest

The capital of Russia is one of the most popular destinations in the country. Of course, this is due to the many tourist attractions that are scattered in various areas. Iconic buildings like the Kremlin, St. Stephen's Cathedral, or Lenin's Mausoleum make Moscow a beautiful city. Even the underground stations left over from the Soviet Union look luxurious. The look of the grand European buildings and their colorful decorations are sure to captivate visitors.

stadion luzhniki via dawn

Luzhniki Stadium is the main stadium where the opening and final matches take place. Of course, the stadium has undergone major renovations since 2013. Various preparations have certainly been made by the host coupled with the addition of seating capacity which makes the stadium more festive..

2. Kazan

This city, which is older than Moscow, has hosted many sporting events. Its nickname as the 'Sports Capital of Russia' has certainly made the city more widely known. The fusion of the two cultures, Tatar and Slavic, is also felt in the city.

temple of all religions via wikipedia

In this place there is also a unique building, the Temple of All Religions, which is a place of worship for various religions in Russia. There are many unique buildings and places of worship that you cannot miss when visiting this city. More about places of worship of 12 religions you can read at Phenomenal! This unique building in Russia serves 12 religions!

3. Samara

One of the cities at the confluence of two rivers, the Samara and Volga. In this city there are various places of worship from synagogues, cathedrals, to the largest mosque in Russia. The city is also famous for being the place where the Vostok 1 rocket was built where Yuri Gagarin was flown for the first time into space. The stadium used for the 2018 World Cup in this city, the Cosmos Arena, also has a unique and interesting design.

museum cosmos via chronograph

Russia's sixth-largest city certainly has its share of excitement. Samara has an opera theater as well as a ballet and orchestra hall. Museums with natural and local history educate the people. The city, which is known to contribute to advancing the development of the space industry, also has a cosmic samara museum building and an aerospace history exhibition at Samara State Aerospace University. In addition to the city's many quirks, the beauty of nature can be seen if you visit Samarskaya Luka National Park, or hike in the Zhiguli Mountains.

4. St. Petersburg

This majestic city is home to many of Russia's royal palaces and beautiful museums. Being the second largest city in Russia, it plays an important role in politics and culture. This enchanting city has certainly become a major tourist destination in Russia.

museum hermitage via martinlawrence

One of the city's iconic historical and beautiful buildings is the Hermitage Museum. The museum, which is also a historic palace, connects 5 buildings with its various collections. This typical European palace is lavishly designed with columns and decorative elements in the interior. The building, with its turquoise green exterior color, is certainly striking and appealing to a wide range of people.

5. Yekaterinburg

The city's stadium, the Ekaterinburg Arena, has also undergone improvements to make it more suitable for world cup group matches. The city is the easternmost city in Russia. It is a major economic and industrial center in Russia. Various art industries thrive in this city.

church on the blood via pinterest

Although the city was once known for its dark history, it is now a modern city with various places of worship that have extraordinary architectural value. One of the most famous places in the city is the Church on the blood, which looks solid with its white walls and golden dome. Enjoying the beauty of the city can also be done from the top of the Vysotskiy Viewing Platform, which provides a beautiful view of the city from above.

6. Volgogard

A visit to this city would not be complete without a visit to The Motherland Calls. This place is the most popular and sacred area plus the tallest monument in Europe. The monument was built as a memorial to those who died in the war. This is because the city of Volgogard is a silent witness to the history of the Second World War battle of Stalingrad.

motherland calls via lazerhorse

This 80km-long city is located west of the Volga river. In addition to historical monuments, the city also has other unique recreational areas such as the panorama museum where there are various war illustrations. The architectural design is certainly not far from the look of buildings in Russia in general.

7. Kaliningrad

The city known as Little Russia does not have many tourist attractions. However, the westernmost city in Russia has a wide range of culture and uniqueness. How could it not be? The city that once joined various countries such as Poland, Prussia, Germany, and also the Soviet Union gave birth to various cultures in it. Not only that, even the architectural appearance also varies so that it feels unique. This city is a destination for architecture and history lovers.

former stock exchange via dreamstime

The city, which is famous for its philosophy and music, is also a city that is certainly favored by women. Amber stones that can be made into various beautiful jewelry and unique objects are scattered in various regions in Kaliningrad. Perfect for those of you who want to give souvenirs typical of this city.

8. Nizhny Novgorod

nizhny novgorod kremlin fortress via vivowallpaper

One of the oldest cities in Russia, it is home to many areas of art and learning. There are many universities, theaters, museums and churches in the city. The main recreational area is the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin. An old fortress dating back to the 1500s surrounds the old buildings in the city.

Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary via wikipedia

One of the most architecturally beautiful buildings in the city is the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church. The church has a golden roof with colorful framing on the walls. It has also become the vocal point of Nizhny Novgorod because of its beautiful architecture.

9. Rostov on Don

This city is known as a port city along the Don River. The city itself is not famous as a tourist city, but various kinds of uniqueness are also found in this area.

city duma building via wikipedia

A well-known place in the city is the Central Market where Rostov specialties are sold. Beautiful parks are scattered along Pushkinskaya and Bolshaya streets. There are a variety of cafes serving delicious dishes with the park as a backdrop. Russia is known as a country of many different religions, so the city also has beautiful domed churches with shiny golden colors.

10. Sochi

This coastal city is again quite experienced in organizing major sporting events. In fact, at the 2014 Winter Olympics, the city of Sochi managed to give a festive impression that the 2018 World Cup will certainly not be less exciting.

sochi stadium for winter olympic 2014 via archdaily

This city of ruins is a vacation spot for nature lovers and history buffs. Various activities from exploring tea plantations, skiing in the Caucasus mountains, to waterfalls can be enjoyed in the Sochi city area. This city is a vacation area for Russians who want to experience the beauty of nature and are adventurous.

11. Saransk

Cathedral of St. Fyodor Ushakov via skyscrapercity

The last city we discussed is no less interesting than the other 10 cities. A city with historical and cultural heritage makes this place feel interesting. Various kinds of churches and cathedrals coexist in Saransk. The French-style architecture can be seen in the Cathedral of St. Fyodor Ushakov. It certainly has a different style compared to other places with its Russian characteristics.

pushkin park via admiral-saransk

Not only is the architecture stunning, but if you're visiting the city for the 2018 World Cup, don't forget to stop by Pushkin Park. This 40-hectare expanse of greenery is one of the most beautiful parks in the city of Saransk. A wide range of ages make this a comfortable recreation area. Plus, there is clean air. The park is also divided into three areas, namely the rest area, the attraction area, and the event area where various exciting events are often held.

So which city are you going to visit to watch the 2018 World Cup in Russia?

source: tripzilla