The most popular beach destinations are Turkey, the Emirates, and Thailand. Maldives, Georgia, and Montenegro are also in demand. Despite the visa–free regime for Russians, restrictions may apply – for example, at the border they check for how long the passport is valid, or you need to present a return ticket. Many countries are not formally visa-free, but apply for a visa on arrival, which is very convenient and does not require time and preparation of documents.
Features of a trip without a visa
If you are traveling to a visa-free country, you must check the validity period of your passport. Many countries require that the passport be valid for several months after entering or leaving the country – this needs to be clarified on a case-by-case basis when buying a ticket. In some countries, this period can be up to 6 months.
There are also various requirements for documents for children. Somewhere there should be separate passports for minors (for example, in the UAE or Armenia), in other countries it is enough that the child is registered in the parents’ passport.
The birth certificate must contain a mark of citizenship if the child enters countries where a passport is not needed using the certificate.
In addition, check passports for errors – the recently introduced law on the possibility of passport seizure can lead to problems if border guards find discrepancies in documents.
Europe
In Europe, you can visit several countries without a visa, which are interesting both for sea holidays and for sightseeing tourism. There are certain restrictions on entry, which differ in each state. Most often, the trip is limited to one month.
Serbia
Hospitable Serbia has beautiful nature, clear rivers and lakes. Here you can swim and sunbathe on the Danube beaches, visit medieval fortresses and try raki. There is a direct flight from Russia to the Serbian capital Belgrade. It is allowed to stay here for up to 30 days, but registration is required – at the hotel or at the police.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina has picturesque mountains and ancient sights. In this Balkan country, you can see unique waterfalls, caves and beautiful views. Staying here on a foreign passport is allowed for up to 30 days. You can also visit neighboring visa-free countries, for example, Montenegro.
Montenegro
It is worth coming to Montenegro for a beach holiday – to the Budva Riviera with its picturesque coast and the warm Adriatic Sea. There are beautiful mountains and lakes, many ancient towns and fortresses.
Turkey
Turkey is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world. People come here to the resorts of the Mediterranean Sea, for excursions to Istanbul and acquaintance with amazing antiquities and architectural sights. Fast direct flight, lack of bureaucratic conditions and a variety of leisure opportunities attract tourists here.
Asia
The list of visa-free countries for Russians in Asia is very extensive, there are many very different and distinctive countries here.
Azerbaijan
A country on the shores of the Caspian Sea, with sandy beaches, where it is pleasant to relax and engage in active sports. The most ancient monuments, ancient palaces, interesting nature reserves, medical sanatoriums and resorts, ski centers – this is not a complete list that sunny Azerbaijan can offer. The ultra-modern and sparkling capital of Baku is a must-visit.
And there is also a very tasty South Caucasian cuisine here. The period of stay is up to 90 days, registration will be required after 15 days.
Georgia
Russians can stay in Georgia for a year, there are direct flights from Russia. Georgia is a country with green forests, subtropical climate, mountain rivers and clear lakes. It is famous for its beaches and health resorts on the shores of the warm Black Sea. Ancient Christian churches and monasteries, ski resorts make your vacation even more diverse. People come here for wine and delicious dishes from one of the most popular cuisines in the world.
Thailand
Thailand is suitable for trips from November to March. For family beach holidays – Phuket, Koh Samui, Koh Chang, Hua Hin resorts. Koh Phangan, Pattaya, Bangkok – for lovers of nightlife and hangouts. There are also places in Thailand for secluded recreation and active tourism. You can rest for 30 days (an extension of another 30 days is possible).
Vietnam
The country with a long line of beaches on the coast of the South China Sea is characterized by a warm climate, year-round good weather, ancient monuments, exotic oriental traditions. Vietnam has almost everything: rich culture, popular cuisine, cheap fruits, diverse landscape and various pleasures, and everything is very budget friendly. It is good to relax with children here. The most popular resorts are Nha Trang, Phan Thiet, Mui Ne and Phu Quoc. You can stay without a visa for up to 45 days, if you need to stay longer, you need to apply for a visa online.
United Arab Emirates
An amazing young country in which there are incredibly many wonderful man-made objects, and the service and infrastructure are of the highest quality. The tallest building, the largest shopping mall and cutting-edge theme parks are located in the UAE. The Emirates has a wonderful beach holiday by the sea with sandy beaches.
Fans of the best shopping, excursions, skiing, extreme hobbies and interesting museums will not be bored here. You can stay for up to 90 days, but you need to remember about separate passports for children to enter.
Maldives
The azure Indian Ocean, reefs and snow–white sand – a bounty-style vacation in the Maldives has become synonymous with a dream vacation. For diving enthusiasts, there are excellent conditions, bright fish and other fauna, an ideal wind for those who like to ride the waves. The maximum stay is 90 days.
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is one of the oldestcountries with perfectly preserved monuments, rich nature, modern cities and impressive cuisine. Here you can walk through the streets of ancient cities, travel through mountains and deserts and buy incredible handmade products. The period of stay is not set, but registration is required 15 days after entry.
Philippines
In a remote archipelago in East Asia there are beautiful beaches, opportunities for diving, surfing, exploring the amazing ocean fauna, coral reefs. It is interesting to spend time here, traveling on cruises between islands, relaxing at comfortable resorts and getting to know an interesting country.
America
Visas are not required for tourist holidays in most countries of Central and South America. For example, visa-free holidays for Russians are provided in many countries located in the Caribbean, you will only need a passport.
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic has all the pleasures of ocean holidays – luxurious lagoons, crystal waters with exotic fish and coral reefs, unusual diving, all-inclusive hotels. The amazing climate and clean beaches are complemented by carnivals and resorts with a vibrant nightlife. There are also quiet resorts for families with children, as well as places for surfing. You can rest for up to 60 days.
Cuba
Cuba has paradisiacal resorts with white sand, accessible all year round, national parks with pristine nature and colonial architecture. Cuba accepts tourists from Russia for 90 days.
Venezuela
Venezuela, located in South America on the ocean, offers beautiful beaches and islands for recreation. Margarita Island is one of the favorite tourist centers, where there are not only white sands and clear water, but absolutely everything is created for the comfort of vacationers. Venezuela has a magnificent rare nature, and it is here that the highest waterfall in the world is located. You can enter for three months.
Africa
Entry to African countries is mostly visa-free. The visa is issued on arrival at the airports of Tanzania and Zimbabwe. You will need an entry permit to Kenya, which can be obtained electronically.
Mauritius
A magically beautiful island for lovers of beach holidays and adventures, which is located in the Indian Ocean. Here you can go kitesurfing, ocean fishing, catamarans, and golf. The beaches here are magnificent, the service is perfect, and the mix of many cultures will delight even experienced travelers. You can stay in Mauritius for up to 3 months.
Namibia
A unique country for lovers of real adventures – here is the world’s oldest Namib Desert, Fish River Canyon and Etosha National Park. Namibia is suitable for those who love wildlife and are ready to be a real tourist. You can enter for 90 days.
Seychelles
The paradise Islands in the Indian Ocean are one of the most successful countries in Africa. Seychelles offers a tropical vacation, amazing flora and fauna. The best fishing, unusual diving and sunny beach relaxation are here. You can stay in the Seychelles for up to 30 days, you will need an entry permit, which is issued electronically.
Tunisia
The North African country on the Mediterranean coast offers unique natural places, wide comfortable beaches, comfortable hotels, world–famous thalassotherapy in magnificent spas and exciting trips to the Sahara. Amazing monuments for lovers of antiquities have been preserved here, including the famous Carthage, as well as the fabulous Arab flavor of the sunny Maghreb. The duration of stay is up to 90 days.
Egypt
Tours to Egypt are very popular and attract tourists from Russia and other countries every year. Egypt has a visa-free regime upon arrival in Sharm el-Sheikh. According to its terms, you can stay in the country for 15 days, but only in the Sinai Peninsula. Entry to other parts of the country is also simplified – a visa is issued at the airport, costs $ 25, or is ordered in advance online. You can rest on a visa for up to 30 days. In Egypt, it is worth relaxing on the Red Sea, enjoying the good weather, the warm sea with unusual marine life and taking advantage of all the advantages of all-inclusive hotels. For excursions, you can always go to Cairo or Alexandria.
You can fly on a sea or sightseeing vacation not only without visas, but also with an internal passport of Russia. There are several countries where you can go with a Russian passport without a visa and even without a foreign passport.
Armenia
Armenia has a unique nature, ancient monasteries and an interesting history. It is worth admiring the majestic Mount Ararat, walking along the ancient streets of Yerevan and tasting famous Armenian dishes, tortillas and wine.
Armenia accepts tourists from Russia for up to 180 days, subject to arrival by plane. When crossing the land border, you will need a passport. This does not apply to children under 14 years of age – they need a passport anyway.
Kyrgyzstan
The Tien Shan Mountains and Lake Issyk-Kul are the main riches of this Central Asian country. Luxurious and diverse nature, hospitable residents and entry with an internal passport are the reasons to come to Kyrgyzstan and explore the ancient and interesting region. Duration of stay: up to 90 days (after 30 days registration is mandatory).
Abkhazia
Black Sea resorts, incredible waterfalls and mountain landscapes, amazing Lake Ritsa and rich Abkhazian cuisine are what you need for an inexpensive, but very memorable rest. In Abkhazia, you can visit ancient monasteries, admire the beautiful mountain views or go to the Botanical Garden. You can fly to Abkhazia via Sochi.
Belarus
There are incredibly many offers for tourists in Belarus – nature reserves, open-air museums, memorial complexes, estates, eco-routes, excursions. There are many sanatoriums with various wellness programs. Untouched nature, ancient castles, lakes will make it very interesting to spend time here, and modern cities will not let you get bored.
