The Volga River

About the Volga
UNESCO Heritage Sites
See quaint and historic port towns like Yaroslavl on the Volga River with a River Cruise Your Way

Ports-of-Call on the Volga River

Here you can find a list of some of the more common river cruise ports along the Volga River as it flows through Russia.  These may be the most common, but there may be others that can be found on select river cruises.  Your River Cruise Artist can provide you with the full itinerary and all ports for any river cruise that you may be interested in, on any river cruise operator. Explore the Volga River further and learn more about it’s ports-of-call.

Goritsy

Russia

Goritsy is a small river town that is most known for its Monastery of Resurrection. The Goritsy Monastery was a male monastery considered to be one of the most wealthy and safe and was intended to be the home of Ivan the Terrible upon his retirement. Today the Goritsy Monastery is one of a few Monasteries that are still in operation and available for visitors. Goritsy is a popular river cruise port of call as you sail the waterways of Russia between Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Kazan

Russia

Kazan is a vibrant small city in the southwest of Russia that lies on the banks of the Volga and Kazanka rivers. Kazan is the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, a semi-autonomous region, and is known for the historic treasure Kazan Kremlin, a fortified citadel containing museums and sacred sites. Kremlin landmarks include the tiered Tower of Soyembika, the blue-and-gold domed Annunciation Cathedral and the vast, colorful Kul Sharif Mosque. If you are fortunate to experience one of the few Volga River cruise itineraries that sail south from Moscow, you are sure to stop in Kazan for a truly unique and special cultural experience.

Kizhi

Russia

The pogost, or small settlement, of Kizhi is located on Kizhi Island, one of the many islands in Lake Onega, in Karelia, Russia. Two unique 18th century wooden churches, the largest being the Church of the Transfiguration, are prominent on the horizon as your Russia river cruise ship nears port. Also look for the octagonal clock tower, also in wood and built in 1862, as well as other architectural masterpieces of the period and region. Shop for some unique souvenirs before leaving this treasure. This rural river cruise port is a very special destination on your journey through Russia.

Kostroma

Russia

As your river cruise ship nears Kostroma on the mighty Volga, you will likely notice the Fire Tower that keeps watch over the region and lies above Susaninskaya Square and a firefighting museum. Here you will also be able to visit the five domed Epiphany Cathedral built in the 16th century. The Ipatyevsky monastery is also in Kostroma and survives mostly intact, with its 16th century walls, towers, belfry, and a 17th century cathedral.

Moscow

Russia

Moscow is the hub of western Russia where the Volga River meets the Moscow Canal into the Moskva River. Moscow is the home of the Kremlin, a group of historic governmental buildings that include St. Basil’s Cathedral with its glorious domed structure, as well as the Kremlin Armory, home to a vast collection of historical treasures from Russia’s rich and colorful past. As well as lots of traffic, this vibrant city offers historical sites like the famous London underground stops, the Bolshoi Theater, and many others. Visit Moscow to experience the urban vibrancy of modern Russia and the rich history or centuries past.

Nizhny Novgorod

Russia

Nizhny Novgorod is Russia’s fifth largest city, after Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Novosibirsk and Yekaterinburg. The city was founded by Grand Duke George II of Russia in 1221 at the confluence of two most important rivers of his principality, the Volga and the Oka. The historical center of Nizhny Novgorod features the Kremlin which is worth exploring, and contains a church, war monument with eternal flame, an art museum and impressive views along the Volga River. You will also find museums and monuments that chart the history of Russia. Enjoy Nizhny while you cruise the mighty Volga River.

Samara

Russia

At a sharp bend in the Volga River where it meets the Samara River to head towards the Caspian Sea, you find Russia’s 6th largest city – Samara. Samara is often a port for the few river cruises out of Moscow that head south on the Volga away from St. Petersburg. There is much to see in Samara including the Russian Space Museum, the largest square in Europe – Kuibyshev square, Pushkin Gardens, Stalin’s Bunker, and even more. Samara is a gem of a destination and one you will remember for years to come.

Uglich

Russia

Uglich is a small city in west Russia on the banks of the mighty Volga River. The historic grounds of the Uglich Kremlin surround the distinguished green-domed Transfiguration Cathedral, which has an ornate wall of icons inside. Nearby the Church of St. Dmitry on the Blood has historic, impressive and vivid frescoes memorializing the death of the son of the 16th century leader Ivan the Terrible. Uglich State Museum features antique weapons and religious artifacts, including other historic icons. The Hydro power Museum lies west along the Volga River and is often visited also by river cruisers that port at Uglich.

Ulyanovsk

Russia

Ulyanovsk lies in western Russia along the Volga River. Ulyanovsk is famously known as the birthplace of the infamous Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin. The central Lenin Memorial complex features museums in his former homes and a research center. Nearby, Ulyanovsk Regional Art Museum exhibits Russian paintings and sculpture in an ornate red-and-white building. In Ulyanovsk you will also find the Museum of Civil Aviation displaying many examples of old Soviet-era helicopters and airplanes. Ulyanovsk is a Volga River cruise port south of Moscow that is available on only a few itineraries that are perhaps best for the travelers enjoying Russia for the second time.

Volgograd

Russia

Volgograd, formerly known as Stalingrad, is a city in the southwest of Russia on the western bank of the mighty Volga River. It was the site of World War II’s Battle of Stalingrad, that is today commemorated by an impressive and imposing statue named The Motherland Calls, which is a part of a hilltop Mamayev Kurgan memorial complex. The statue is almost twice the height of the Statue of Liberty in New York City and is evident for miles around as well from your river cruise ship as you near Volgograd.

Yaroslavl

Russia

Yaroslavl is a historic Russian city northeast of Moscow along the banks for the mighty Volga River. Yaroslavl is one of the Golden Ring of ancient towns. Golden Ring towns played a significant role in the formation of the Russian Orthodox Church and preserve the memory of the most important events in Russian history. These towns, including Yaroslavl, have been called “open-air museums” and feature unique monuments of Russian architecture. These towns are among the most picturesque in Russia and prominently feature Russia’s onion domes. On the grounds of the 12th century Spaso-Preobrazhensky or Savior Transfiguration Monastery, the golden-domed Transfiguration Church has 16th century frescoes. Collections at the Yaroslavl Museum-Reserve include religious icons from the same period.

Your Volga River Cruise Awaits!

Are you ready to start planning your Volga River Cruise Vacation Your Way? A River Cruise Artist at River Cruise Your Way is ready to be your vacation concierge. Contact us today at 1-800-259-7612 or use the form below and let us know when it is most convenient to call you, we will confirm via e-mail, and then reach out at the agreed upon time and date.