Karelia

A land of lakes and forests, with the UNESCO-listed wooden churches of Kizhi Island, Valaam Monastery and the Ruskeala marble canyon.

The Republic of Karelia lies in northwestern Russia, bordering Finland to the west, and is dotted with lakes; Lake Ladoga and Lake Onega are the two largest lakes in Europe. Kizhi Island on Lake Onega is known for its wooden churches built without nails and is a UNESCO World Heritage site; Valaam Island on Lake Ladoga has an ancient monastery; and the Ruskeala marble canyon and the Kivach waterfall are also popular. The white nights of summer are ideal for lake cruises, and in winter you can try dog sledding. The capital, Petrozavodsk, has an airport and a railway.

Destinations

• Petrozavodsk & Kizhi
• Sortavala & Valaam

Itineraries

• Karelia, Lake Ladoga & Lake Onega Loop – A self-drive loop from St. Petersburg around Lake Ladoga, connecting Valaam, Ruskeala, and Kizhi Island.