What to see near Tula: 7 Places Worth Staying for

Autumn in Tula is a great reason not to limit yourself to a walk through the historical center. In September and early October, the parks of ancient manors gradually turn golden, the familiar landscapes change, and trips outside the city become a separate part of the journey.

If the main attractions of Tula are already included in your itinerary, leave some more time to explore the area. There are famous manors, small ancient towns, picturesque places and museums associated with the most important events of Russian history.

We have collected 7 interesting places near Tula, for which it is worth staying in the region for another day or even for the whole weekend.

1. Yasnaya Polyana — behind the autumn alleys and the atmosphere of Tolstoy manor

It is worth starting with one of the most famous places in the Tula region — the museum-estate of Leo Tolstoy "Yasnaya Polyana".

In autumn, the manor is especially good for a leisurely stroll. Birch and lime alleys, ponds, old garden and forest gradually change colors and become an independent part of the trip experience.

It was here that Leo Tolstoy lived most of his life and worked on War and Peace and Anna Karenina. Therefore, the trip allows you to combine acquaintance with the history of Russian literature and a walk in nature.

Yasnaya Polyana is located near Tula, so it's easy to include it in the program, even if you only have half a day to explore the area.

2. Polenovo — to see autumn through the eyes of an artist

If you want to spend the whole day outside the city, go to the V. D. Polenov Museum-Reserve.

The artist himself chose a place for the future estate on the high bank of the Oka River and designed its buildings. The large house, the Abbey workshop, the Admiralty and the landscape surrounding the estate create a very special atmosphere.

In autumn, the trip has another reason: the forest, the high bank of the Oka River and the historical architecture surrounded by golden foliage look almost like a finished landscape.

This is the case when you should not rush from one museum site to another, but leave time just for a walk.

3. Behovo is a small village with a great view

It is convenient to complement a trip to Polenovo with a visit to Behov.

The small village is located on the high bank of the Oka River. The Holy Trinity Church, designed by Vasily Polenov, is located here, but people come here not only for the sake of architecture.

The main impression is made by the landscape itself: the expanse, the river, the hills and the forests. In September and early October, Behovo is especially suitable for a quiet walk after visiting the estate.

If you're lucky with the weather, it's easy to catch that golden autumn mood here, away from the noise of the city.

4. Belev — an ancient city and a famous pastille

Another interesting destination is Belev, one of the ancient towns of the Tula region.

There is a completely different rhythm here: historical streets, temples, old buildings and views of the surrounding area allow you to see the region not only through famous museums and mansions.

One of the notable sights of the city is the Transfiguration Monastery, founded in the 16th century. The historical architectural ensemble and the surrounding landscapes look especially expressive in autumn colors.

But Belev also has its own famous gastronomic symbol — Belevskaya pastille. The tradition of its production appeared here in the 19th century and today has become one of the business cards of the city.

Therefore, a trip to Belev easily turns into a small gastronomic trip: stroll through the old town, get acquainted with its history and, of course, take a box of local marshmallows with you.

5. Bogoroditsk — palace and park for a leisurely stroll

Bogoroditsk is another destination for an autumn trip.

The main attraction of the city is the Bobrinsky Palace and Park ensemble. The snow-white palace towers over a large pond, and a historical park is located around it.

It is the park that makes Bogoroditsk especially attractive in early autumn. Here you can combine a visit to the museum with a long walk, look at the palace from different points and spend a few hours away from the urban rhythm.

Bogoroditsk is well suited for those who like manor architecture, parks and quiet routes without a busy program.

6. Kulikovo field — go to the place where the story took place

Kulikovo Field is a completely different format of travel in the Tula region.

Today, the museum-reserve unites museum spaces, memorial sites and the historical landscape associated with the Battle of Kulikovo.

Here you can learn about the history of the battle, visit museum complexes, see memorials and stroll to the confluence of the Don and Nepryadva.

There is another symbolic reason for this September trip: the Battle of Kulikovo took place in September 1380. Therefore, the beginning of autumn is especially suitable for exploring the history of this place.

It is better to set aside most of the day for the trip and think in advance about which objects of the museum-reserve you want to visit.

7. Odoev — for the atmosphere of a small ancient city

If you want to see the Tula region from another angle, go to Odoyev.

This is a small old town with a measured rhythm, where you can walk without haste and get acquainted with the local history and crafts.

One of the main symbols of these places is the Filimonov toy, a traditional folk craft of the Tula region. In Odoev, you can learn about the history of toys and other local crafts, and complement your trip with visits to small museums.

The Anastasov Monastery is also located in the vicinity — another interesting point of the route.

Odoev is especially suitable for those who like small towns, local traditions and travel without a busy sightseeing program.

How to make an autumn route in the Tula region

You should not try to see all seven places in one trip. It is much more pleasant to choose one direction and leave enough time for walking.

Yasnaya Polyana is easy to combine with a stay in Tula and set aside half a day for it.

Polenovo and Behovo combine well into one route: first visit the estate, and then continue the day with a walk along the banks of the Oka River.

Belev and Odoyev can be considered as a separate western direction in the region, especially if you want to get acquainted with small historical towns and local traditions.

Bogoroditsk is suitable for a quiet independent trip, and it is better to set aside a separate day to explore Kulikovo Field.

This way Tula becomes not just a destination, but a convenient starting point for several small trips around the region.

Important before the trip

The working hours of museums and tourist sites, ticket prices, visiting conditions and the schedule of excursions may vary. Pre-registration or purchase of tickets in advance may be required to visit some sites.

Before traveling, we recommend that you check the current information on the official website of the selected facility yourself, specify the opening hours and conditions of the visit, and set a route in advance.

When planning trips around the region, take into account the weather conditions and road conditions.

The information in the article is for reference purposes and is relevant at the time of publication.

Stay in Tula for one more day

In autumn, it is especially pleasant to travel without haste: have breakfast in the morning, go outside the city, spend the day in a manor, museum or a small historical town, and return to Tula in the evening.

Staying at the AMAKS Tula Hotel, you can combine exploring the city with trips around the region and choose a new destination every day.

And if you don't have much time to travel, start with Tula itself — we have compiled a ready-made route to the main attractions in the article "What to see in Tula in 1 day".

Autumn is no reason to end the travel season here. On the contrary, this is a time when familiar places look completely different — and it's a good reason to stay in Tula a little longer.