The 7 Best Countries to Visit While Learning Russian (That Aren’t Just Russia!)

Whether you're learning Russian for travel, work, literature or diplomacy, gaining fluency in the language opens the door to a vast and diverse cultural world – home to some of the greatest literary minds like Tolstoy and Dostoevsky, a rich tradition of classical music and ballet, and a unique geopolitical presence.

But here’s the good news: you don’t need to visit Russia to immerse yourself in Russian language and culture! Thanks to its historical reach, Russian is still widely spoken in many other countries that may be better for your budget or geographically closer to you, some of which may surprise you. In this blog post, we’ll explore seven countries to visit while learning Russian, each offering a different blend of history, culture, and linguistic immersion to help you grow your skills and experience the language in living colour.

1. Latvia – A Baltic Gem with a Russian Heartbeat

Latvia, a small but vibrant Baltic nation, offers a unique mix of Western European charm and Soviet-era remnants. While Latvian is the official language, Russian is still widely spoken, especially in the capital city, Riga, and eastern regions like Latgale.

Why visit?
Riga, the capital, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its stunning Art Nouveau architecture, cobbled Old Town and buzzing café culture. You can explore the House of the Blackheads, take in panoramic views from St. Peter’s Church, or relax in the Jūrmala seaside resort, just 30 minutes away. Latvia also has beautiful forests, lakes, and medieval castles like Cēsis Castle – perfect for day trips. The mix of Soviet remnants and Western charm makes for a truly layered travel experience. You’ll hear the language in markets, shops, and among older generations – plus it has never been easier to learn Russian in Latvia than with our Wiseward ‘Russian Immersion’ course. Riga is one of our favourite travel destinations for learning Russian not only for it's buzzing social scene and the gorgeous views, but also because Latvia has been a part of the EU since 2004 which means there's no faffing about with visas if you're a UK or EU citizen - good times are only a plane or train ride away!

Russian speakers: Approximately 37% of the population speaks Russian as a first or second language.

2. Kazakhstan – Modern Cities and Soviet-Era Vibes

Kazakhstan is the largest country in Central Asia and a fascinating blend of cultures, landscapes and languages. Russian is an official language alongside Kazakh, and it remains the lingua franca across major cities.

Why visit?
Kazakhstan offers a striking contrast of futuristic urban design and vast, unspoiled nature. In Astana (Nur-Sultan), you'll find cutting-edge architecture like the Bayterek Tower, the Khan Shatyr tent-shaped mall and the surreal Palace of Peace and Reconciliation. Meanwhile, Almaty is nestled near the mountains and is known for its leafy boulevards, vibrant bazaars and the beautiful Big Almaty Lake. The country is also home to the Charyn Canyon – a dramatic natural wonder that rivals the Grand Canyon.

Russian speakers: Around 84% of the population speaks Russian, although only about 20% are ethnic Russians.

3. Ukraine – A Complex but Rewarding Destination

While Ukrainian is the official language, Russian is still commonly spoken in parts of Ukraine, particularly in the east and south, and in cities like Odessa, Kharkiv, and Dnipro.

Why visit?
Despite its complex political history, Ukraine is a culturally rich and visually stunning country. Odessa offers a coastal charm with its famous Potemkin Stairs, quirky catacombs, and vibrant nightlife. Lviv, although more Ukrainian-speaking, is a European-style gem with baroque architecture, charming cafés and a thriving arts scene. Kyiv, the capital, combines golden-domed monasteries like Kiev Pechersk Lavra, bustling metro stations and Soviet-era grandeur. You’ll find echoes of history on every street corner.

Russian speakers: About 29% of Ukrainians reported using Russian at home before 2022, though this number varies by region and continues to shift.

4. Belarus – Russian as the Primary Language

Belarus is perhaps the most Russian-speaking country outside of Russia itself. Though Belarusian is the co-official language, Russian dominates in everyday life, signage, education, and government.

Why visit?
Minsk, Belarus’s capital, is surprisingly modern and spacious, with wide boulevards, clean streets, and impressive Soviet monuments like Victory Square and the Museum of the Great Patriotic War. The city has a growing creative scene, with independent bars, cafes, and galleries peeking through its uniform façades. Nature lovers can visit Belovezhskaya Pushcha, one of Europe’s last primeval forests and home to the rare European bison. Belarus offers a glimpse into a more preserved Soviet past – quiet, orderly and unique.

Russian speakers: Over 70% of the population uses Russian as their primary language in daily life.

5. Kyrgyzstan – Learn Russian in the Mountains

Kyrgyzstan is a Central Asian country known for its dramatic landscapes and nomadic traditions. Russian is widely spoken, especially in the capital Bishkek, and is a mandatory language in schools.

Why visit?
Kyrgyzstan is a nature lover’s paradise. Bishkek, the capital, has leafy parks, Soviet-era architecture, and bustling bazaars like Osh Bazaar. But the real draw lies outside the city: Issyk-Kul Lake, a massive alpine lake ringed by mountains, is a top destination for swimming, hiking and traditional yurts. You can ride horses in Song-Kul, trek through Ala-Archa National Park and experience centuries-old nomadic traditions. It’s raw, real and incredibly scenic.

Russian speakers: Roughly 50% of the population speaks Russian fluently, though it is far more prevalent in urban areas.

6. Estonia – A Taste of Russia in the EU

Although Estonian is the national language, much of the population speaks Russian, particularly in cities like Narva (on the Russian border) and Tallinn. Russian media and signage are still present in some areas.

Why visit?
Tallinn, Estonia’s capital, is one of Europe’s most picturesque cities, with its perfectly preserved medieval Old Town, gothic spires and hidden courtyards. It also boasts vibrant tech innovation and café culture. The city of Narva, right on the Russian border, feels like a mini-Russia within the EU, with a large Russian-speaking population and landmarks like Narva Castle overlooking the Ivangorod Fortress across the river. Estonia is where old meets new – with fairy-tale charm and high-speed modernity.

Russian speakers: About 30% of the population speaks Russian, with a higher concentration in the northeast.

7. Moldova – Where Russian, Romanian and History Collide

In Moldova, Russian remains a widely spoken minority language, especially in Transnistria, a breakaway region that still operates like a Soviet time capsule. You’ll hear Russian in the capital Chișinău and it’s one of the three official languages of the region.

Why visit?
Chișinău, the capital of Moldova, is a laid-back city filled with leafy parks, Soviet apartment blocks, and friendly locals. You’ll find traces of both Romanian and Russian heritage in its architecture and cuisine. Wine lovers should head to Cricova or Milestii Mici, two of the world’s largest underground wine cellars. The breakaway region of Transnistria, with its Lenin statues, Soviet flags and Russian ruble currency, offers a surreal glimpse into a frozen-in-time microstate where Russian is king.

Russian speakers: Around 14% of Moldovans use Russian as their main language, but it is understood by many more, especially in urban areas.

Some tips on how to make the most out of your travels to Russian-speaking countries:

• Don’t miss any opportunity to speak Russian – Try asking a local rather than Google Maps for directions or visiting a restaurant instead of cooking at home so that you’re spending as much time as possible speaking the language.

• Really listen to regional slang and accents – Textbooks rarely teach the way Russian is really spoken across different regions so be on alert for the sayings, dialects and idiosyncrasies of each country.
• Learn the Cyrillic alphabet before you go – Even a basic understanding of Cyrillic will make a big difference. Many signs, menus, and metro stations are only in Russian, especially outside major tourist areas. Being able to sound out words helps you feel less lost—and more connected.
• Keep a travel journal – Note anything interesting you learn, any new vocab or even write a summary of what you did each day in Russian in a travel journal. Get creative with it and stick in any receipts, labels, tickets and other bits and bobs to make it your own! 

Russian is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, and you don’t have to travel to Russia to learn it. It can feel intimidating to learn (especially for English speakers) because of it doesn’t use the Latin alphabet, has tricky verb conjugations and lots of harsh sounds in speech, but it’s not something you have to do on your own thanks to our Wiseward ‘Russian Immersion’ course! Whether you just started learning Russian yesterday or have been familiar with the language for most of your life, Wiseward welcomes anyone and everyone to better their Russian skills and get immersed as they learn. Our partner school in Latvia, Liden & Denz, five-time winner of the prestigious ST Star Awards in the World Languages category, you’ll be in good hands with people who have been in the language teaching business for over 30 years! From Latvia, there are so many countries you can take your Russian skills to; learning Russian is the key to opening so many doors.

Whether you're sipping coffee in a Riga café, hiking the steppes of Kazakhstan, or exploring the Soviet streets of Minsk, you’ll find that each destination brings a new perspective – not just on language, but on culture, identity and communication.