Hostel Stars

Northern European Russia


This friendly hostel is on the third floor of a rundown office building, but don't let the unappealing exterior put you off. The color-coded dorms are bright and clean and equipped with comfy bunk beds. Shared showers and toilet.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Northern European Russia attractions

1. Kronid Gogolev Museum

0.01 MILES

This museum displays the works of Russian artist Kronid Gogolev, who spent much of his life in Sortavala. His landscape paintings are appealing but not…

2. Petri Shemeikka

0.05 MILES

Those interested in the Kalevala epic poem will want to pay their respects to the kantele-plucking statue of Karelian rune singer Petri Shemeikka that…

3. Firehouse

0.08 MILES

Attractive wooden relic of bygone years. Can only be viewed from the outside, however.

4. Nikolski Skete

22.85 MILES

For a great picnic site, stroll about 20 minutes north of the Transfiguration Monastery to the quaint, heptagonal bell tower of Nikolski Skete.

5. Transfiguration Monastery

23.3 MILES

Souvenir stalls line the short road that leads, via short-cut steps, up to Valaam’s main attraction. The monastery is radiant in gleaming white and sky…

6. Nikonovskaya Area

24.14 MILES

One of the few parts of the island that's easily accessible on foot from the monastery is the forested Nikonovskaya area, dotted with chapels and sketes.