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Nizhniy Novgorod – a brief overview
The home town of Maxim Gorky, Nizhny Novgorod has a dramatic setting at the meeting point of the Volga and Oka Rivers. In imperial times, this was the most important city in Russia after Moscow and St Petersburg, and the city’s dramatic kremlin (fortress) was constructed using the lavish wealth accumulated from the Makaryev Fair, the country’s most important trading fair.
The fortunes made from trade along the Volga were ploughed back into grand civic buildings and the stately mansions and townhouses that line ulitsa Bolshaya Pokrovskaya. Today, Nizhny Novgorod has grown into a busy city of 1.25 million people, full of museums and landmarks, but it still feels a world away from the crowds and traffic of Moscow and St Petersburg.
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Top 10 sights in Nizhniy Novgorod

Kremlin
ul. Ivanovskiy Syezd
603005 Nizhny Novgorod
Russia
Tel: +7 831 422 1051
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Opening times:
Tue-Wed and Fri-Sun 1000-1700
Thu 1000-1900
The original meaning of the word kremlin was fortress, and the fort in Nizhny Novgorod is one of Russia’s finest, created by Italian architects in the 1500s but considerably embellished over the centuries. The state buildings inside the fortified walls contain several interesting museums and there are stunning views from the outer walls of the compound.
Nizhegorodsky State Art Museum
ul. Ivanovskiy Syezd
603082 Nizhny Novgorod
Russia
Tel: +7 831 439 0855
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Opening times:
Mon-Wed and Fri-Sat 1100-1800
Thu 1200-2000
Set in one of the grand buildings of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin, the city art museum is packed with artworks and treasures that once graced the private collections of wealthy local families. The paintings in particular offer a fascinating window onto the elegant lives of Russia’s ruling classes.
Rukavishnikov Mansion
Nizhny Novgorod
Russia
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Opening times:
Tue-Thu 1000-1700
Fri-Sun 1200-1900
This grand baroque mansion was the home of the wealthy Rukavishnikov family, who amassed a vast fortune trading along the Volga. It’s an extravagant family home by any standards, with a grand facade covered in figurines and floral flourishes.
Pechersky Ascension Monastery
603093 Nizhny Novgorod
Russia
Tel: +7 831 432 1032
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Opening times:
Daily 0730-1830
Overlooking the Volga, this chocolate-box monastery topped by green onion domes houses the Museum of the Nizhny Novgorod Diocese, with religious treasures and displays on the persecution of the church during the Russian revolution. The beach below the monastery is one of the city’s favourite places to unwind.
National Centre of Contemporary Art
ul. Ivanovskiy Syezd
Nizhny Novgorod
Russia
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Opening times:
Tue-Sun 1200-2000
The Nizhny Novgorod campus of this nationwide art foundation hosts a dynamic programme of exhibitions and performances. As well as edgy art displays, the centre holds regular dance parties and music events.
Sakharov Museum
603137 Nizhny Novgorod
Russia
Tel: +7 831 466 8623
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Opening times:
Sat-Thu 0900-1700
The Nobel-Prize-winning scientist and Russian dissident Andrei Sakharov was held under house arrest in this small apartment for six years, before being released suddenly in 1986 following a phone call from Mikhail Gorbachev. The flat is now a museum devoted to Sakharov’s life and work.
Maxim Gorky Childhood Museum
603109 Nizhny Novgorod
Russia
Tel: +7 831 433 8589
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Opening times:
Fri 1100-1900
Sat-Mon 0900-1700
The famous author and activist Maxim Gorky spent his childhood years in Nizhny Novgorod, and his former home, the Kashirin House, has been preserved much as it was when the Gorky family lived here in the 1870s.
Volga Cable Car
603024 Nizhny Novgorod
Russia
Tel: +7 831 411 1009
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Opening times:
Mon and Thu 0645-1045 and 1300-2100
Tue-Wed 0645-2100
Fri-Sat 0645-2200
Sun 0900-2200
Connecting Nizhny Novgorod and Bor across the Volga, the Volga cable car offers stunning views over the river as it completes the 3.6km journey between the two cities. Gondolas complete the river crossing in 13 minutes.
Povolzhye Peoples' Architecture and Life Museum
603081 Nizhny Novgorod
Russia
Tel: +7 831 465 1598
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Opening times:
Sat-Thu 1000-1700
Set in the forest on the outskirts of Nizhny Novgorod, this open-air museum recreates a traditional Russian village of timber houses. It’s a peaceful escape from the city bustle, with actors in traditional costume and a handsome wooden church from 1731.
Chkalov Staircase
603005 Nizhny Novgorod
Russia
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Named in honour of Valery Chkalov, the Soviet aviator who flew non-stop from Moscow to Vancouver via the North Pole in 1937, this Nizhny Novgorod landmark is a fine vantage point from which to admire the Volga. More than 1,500 steps link the riverbank to the city centre.
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Country information
Country overview
Russia is at once breathtaking, baffling and stunningly beautiful. Monumental in every respect, it’s a land where untamed wilderness sits alongside bustling urban centres, and adventure lurks around every corner. From imperial splendour to icy Siberian tundra and from time-worn Soviet-era monuments to über-hip urban culture, Russia is a land of contradiction and superlatives.
For the first time in its history, Russia is now wide open for foreign visitors to experience, and exploration beyond Moscow and St Petersburg is well advised. The Golden Ring, a collection of ancient gems, transports the traveller back to a bygone age.
Geography
The Russian Federation covers almost twice the area of the USA, and reaches from the enclave of Kaliningrad in the west over the Urals and the vast Siberian plains to the Sea of Okhotsk in the east. The border between European Russia and Siberia (Asia) is formed by the Ural Mountains, the Ural River and the Manych Depression. All in all Russia has 16 international borders with countries including Finland, Lithuania, USA, Japan, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and China.
European Russia extends from the North Polar Sea across the Central Russian Uplands to the Black Sea, the Northern Caucasus and the Caspian Sea. Siberia stretches from the West Siberian Plain across the Central Siberian Plateau to the Lena River and takes in the Sayan and Yablonovy ranges in the south.
East of Siberia stretches the Russian Far East, a region almost as big as Siberia itself, running to the Pacific coast and including the vast Chukotka and Kamchatka peninsulas.
Given the vast size of the country, Russia’s terrain is hugely variable. From the Siberian tundra to the mountains of the Urals, the beaches on the Black Sea coast, and the plains of western Russia, such variable geography means one can experience many different Russias.
General knowledge
Key facts
Population: 142500482
Population Density (per sq km): 8
Capital: Moscow.
Language
Russian is the official language, although there are over 100 other languages. English is widely spoken by younger people as well as some educated older people.
Currency
Rouble (RUB; symbol руб) = 100 kopeks. Notes are in denominations of 5,000, 1,000, 500, 100, 50, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of 10, 5, 2 and 1, and 50, 10, 5 and 1 kopeks.
Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz. Russia uses a standard two-pin European plug.
General business opening hours
Mon-Fri 1000-1800, with a lengthy lunch break, usually from 1200-1400, during which no work is done – even telephones are left unanswered.
Public Holidays
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2018 – December 2019 period.
2018
Nowogodnije kanikuly (New Year): 1 to 6 January 2018
Roschdestwo Christowo (Orthodox Christmas Day): 7 and 8 January 2018
Den saschtschitnika Otetschestwa (Defender of the Fatherland Day): 23 February 2018
Meschdunarodny schenski den (International Women’s Day): 8 March 2018
Prasdnik Wesny i Truda (Spring and Labour Day): 29 April to 1 May 2018
Den Pobedy (Victory Day): 9 May 2018
Den Rossii (Russia Day, Republic Day): 10 to 12 June 2018
Den narodnowo jedinstwa (Unity Day): 3 to 5 November 2018
2019
Nowogodnije kanikuly (New Year): 1 to 6 January 2019
Roschdestwo Christowo (Orthodox Christmas Day): 7 and 8 January 2019
Den saschtschitnika Otetschestwa (Defender of the Fatherland Day): 23 to 25 February 2019
Meschdunarodny schenski den (International Women’s Day): 8 March 2019
Prasdnik Wesny i Truda (Spring and Labour Day): 1 to 3 May 2019
Den Pobedy (Victory Day): 9 May 2019
Den Rossii (Russia Day, Republic Day): 12 June 2019
Den narodnowo jedinstwa (Unity Day): 4 November 2019
All information subject to change.
Flight and accommodation
Nightlife in Nizhniy Novgorod
As a prosperous regional capital, Nizhny Novgorod has plenty of options after hours.
Take your pick from informal beer kiosks along the Volga or sleek cocktail bars and nightclubs in the city centre.
Angliyskoye Posolstvo
603000 Nizhny Novgorod
Russia
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A top choice for beer drinkers, this theme pub has plenty of beers on draught and a familiar menu of British pub meals.
Franky
603005 Nizhny Novgorod
Russia
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Cool cocktails, moody lighting and a prime location, close to the ritzy ulitsa Bolshaya Pokrovskaya shopping strip.
Club Z Top
603001 Nizhny Novgorod
Russia
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Dance tunes and disco divas set the scene at Z Top, where top DJs spin beneath crystal chandeliers.
Rock Bar
603005 Nizhny Novgorod
Russia
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The name tells you exactly what to expect at this laid-back watering hole – guitar rock, cold beers and occasional live bands.
Berezka
603000 Nizhny Novgorod
Russia
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Enjoy first-class mixology at this snazzy restaurant and cocktail bar on the main drag in the centre; vodka infused with birch sap is the house speciality.
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Restaurants in Nizhniy Novgorod
Traditional Russian dishes dominate menus in Nizhny Novgorod, but sushi chains provide variety for more adventurous palates.
In summer, inexpensive kiosks set up close to the Chkalov Staircase, catering to the summer crowds on the Volga embankment.
Tiffani
603003 Nizhny Novgorod
Russia
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Price: Expensive
Expect lots of razzle-dazzle at this ritzy restaurant and bar with views across the Volga; dress to impress for a table at dinner.
Bezukhov
603001 Nizhny Novgorod
Russia
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Price: Moderate
An antique shop of a café, with the atmosphere of grandpa’s living room and a huge menu of pasta, soups and salads.
Pyatkin
603001 Nizhny Novgorod
Russia
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Price: Moderate
Set in a handsome mansion downtown, Pyatkin serves traditional Russian food in a classic Russian setting.
Tyubeteyka
603001 Nizhny Novgorod
Russia
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Price: Moderate
An old-fashioned Uzbek restaurant with lots of hearty stews, grills and finger-licking shashlik kebabs.
Biblioteka
603000 Nizhny Novgorod
Russia
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Price: Cheap
Bookworms gather at this quirky Italian café above the Dirizhabl bookshop for inexpensive pasta dishes, pizza and panini.
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Calendar of events
Night of Museums
May 2018
Venue: Museums throughout Nizhhniy Novgorod
Galleries, museums and heritage buildings throughout the city open their doors for an evening crammed with special events. Visitors can join late-night behind-the-scenes tours, meet local artists, watch craft demonstrations and historical reenactments, and enjoy live concerts, plays and poetry recitals.
City Day
12 June 2018
Venue: Throughout the city centre
A day packed with festivities draws large numbers of Nizhhniy Novgorod’s residents into the centre. Stalls spring up selling handicrafts and sweet pastries, while activities range from breakdancing, board game and karaoke contests to a soapbox race, concerts and a sparkling fireworks display.
Alfa Future People
July 2018
Venue: Airfield on the River Volga
Not only does this festival boast an enviable line-up of international DJs (think Paul Oakenfold or Markus Schulz), but it also gives festivalgoers a chance to test future technologies and gadgets galore such as virtual reality headsets, YikeBikes and 3D printing.
Prestige Jewellery Fair
October 2018
Website
Venue: Nizhhniy Novgorod Fair
The Russians are quite possibly the undisputed kings and queens of bling, and this fair is the place to mingle with the nation’s top jewellery experts. On display is a glittering array of rings, watches, necklaces, bracelets and just about anything else that sparkles.
Boldinskaya Osen: Pushkin Festival of Opera and Ballet
November 2018
Website
Venue: Nizhhniy Novgorod opera and ballet theatre
Dedicated to Russian author, poet and playwright Alexander Pushkin, this festival has been going strong for three decades. World-renowned conductors lead mesmerising performances of Pushkin’s works set to music, be they dance interpretations of his poetry or spectacular productions of Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin.
National Unity Day
4 November 2018
Venue: Popular Unity Square and throughout Nizhhniy Novgorod
Celebrated throughout Russia, this national holiday commemorates an uprising which liberated Moscow from Polish-Lithuanian forces in 1612. Processions, patriotic speeches, theatrical shows and wreath laying, often accompanied by brass bands or bell ringing, are all part of the solemn occasion.
Christmas Fair
December 2018
Website
Venue: Nizhhniy Novgorod Fair
Shoppers have a phenomenal selection of goods to browse at this huge Christmas fair. It’s a great place to pick up Russian speciality products such as leather goods, knitwear or jewellery. There’s also a tasty choice of regional food and drink to tuck into stockings.
All information subject to change. Please check the dates on the relevant event organizer’s website.
Flight and accommodation
Hotels in Nizhniy Novgorod
Hotels in Nizhny Novgorod range from boutique properties in period mansions and dock buildings to smart business hotels with Wi-Fi and other mod cons.
Be prepared for some dated décor and a little chintz, particularly at the budget end of the market.
Hotel “Jouk Jacque”
603000 Nizhny Novgorod
Russia
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Category: Expensive
Nizhny Novgorod’s most stylish rooms are set in a stately 19th-century mansion on the main shopping strip.
Nikola House Hotel
603005 Nizhny Novgorod
Russia
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Category: Expensive
Friendly service and clean, spacious rooms mark out this modern business-class hotel in a prime location close to the Kremlin.
Nikitin Hotel
603086 Nizhny Novgorod
Russia
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Category: Moderate
Across the River Oka but still close to the centre, the Nikitin has tastefully decorated rooms and an appealing setting in a converted dock building near the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.
Ibis Nizhny Novgorod
603000 Nizhny Novgorod
Russia
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Category: Moderate
Compact, tidy rooms in a modern tower downtown, close to the Bolshaya Pokrovskaya shopping strip.
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Best time to visit
Today: Tuesday, 24.04.2018 23:00 UTC

sunny
temperature
20°C
wind direction
southwind speed
5 mphhumidity
26%7 days forecast
Thursday
26.04.2018
12°C / 7°C
Friday
27.04.2018
13°C / 7°C
Saturday
28.04.2018
13°C / 5°C
Sunday
29.04.2018
13°C / 6°C
Monday
30.04.2018
14°C / 7°C
Tuesday
01.05.2018
18°C / 8°C
Wednesday
02.05.2018
11°C / 4°C
Climate & best time to visit Russia
As you’d expect Russia’s climate is hugely dependent on where in the country you find yourself. With temperatures known to hit a tarmac-melting 37°C (99°F) in the cities and fall to -30°C (-22°F) and lower during the Siberian winter, there’s no point generalising about Russia’s weather except to say, be prepared. The most favourable temperatures are found along the Baltic coast, where many Muscovites decamp for balmy summer holidays, whilst the site of the 2014 Winter Olympics, Sochi, also doubles as a beach resort, due to its tropical climate, earning it the epithet ‘Florida of Russia’. Minus the overly tanned pensioners of course.
While the notion of visiting a snow-blanketed Moscow or St Petersburg has a definite romance, most tourists prefer to come calling in the warm summer months of June, July and August. This means the “shoulder seasons” of April, May, September and October are good options for visitors keen to avoid the peak crowds – prices are generally lower from September to May, and tourist sites almost invariably less crowded. Spring is often characterised by slushy roads. And if your heart’s set on that winter wonderland? December’s the best bet. Seasonal climates apply elsewhere in Russia – Siberia can have devastatingly cold winters, while its summers are generally fairly pleasant, if a little rainy. The region of Russia near the Black Sea has mild winters, but again attracts a fair amount of rain.
Flight and accommodation
Phone calls & Internet
Telephone/Mobile Telephone
Dialing Code: +7
Telephone
When dialling the Russian Federation from abroad, the 0 of the area code must not be omitted. Most Moscow hotels have telephone booths with IDD. For long-distance calls within the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States), dial 8 then wait for the dial tone before proceeding with the call. Collect calls, calls placed using credit cards and calls from direct dial telephones in hotels can be extremely expensive. International calls can be made from phones in the street and phonecards are available from many shops and kiosks in the street. For enquiries regarding Moscow private telephone numbers dial 09; for businesses, dial 927 0009.
Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with international mobile phone companies. All major cities are covered by at least one operator. Handsets can be hired from some companies and local SIM cards are easily purchased for use within Russia if you have an unlocked handset.
Internet
Wi-Fi is available within most hotels in larger cities (although they may charge) and at internet cafes. Most connections will be either via dial up or broadband. Although Russia does not ostensibly censor the internet, there is an internet blacklist of sites which you will not be able to visit from inside Russia, which includes some independent news sites.
Flight and accommodation
Shopping in Nizhniy Novgorod
Key Areas
Lined with boutiques, department stores and bars, ulitsa Bolshaya Pokrovskaya is the place to start a shopping spree in Nizhny Novgorod.
Markets
There are a few old-fashioned markets in the suburbs, but downtown, most people shop in the malls.
Shopping Centres
Modern shopping malls abound in Nizhny Novgorod, with the usual range of Russian and global brands and snack franchises. Fantastika (ulitsa Rodionova) is the biggest and brightest mall, but you can also find a good range of stores at the Mega Mall in Feyakovo and Respublika (ploshchad Revolyutsii).
Flight and accommodation
Traveller etiquette
Social Conventions
It is customary to shake hands when greeting someone, though never across a threshold. Company or business gifts are well received; if you’re invited to someone’s home do bring a token gift, but avoid clearing your plate when eating; leaving some food is considered as a good sign.
Conservative wear is suitable for most places – women will need to cover shoulders and wear long skirts to enter an orthodox church – and the seasonal weather should always be borne in mind. Smoking and drinking is acceptable unless stated otherwise.
Russian society is still highly patriarchal and hierarchical; this may be reflected in chivalrous acts (men holding doors open for women for example) but it may also mean that women are taken less seriously, and engaging in ‘unfeminine’ behaviour may be interpreted wrongly, although being a visitor may get you some leeway.
Be careful with gestures – in Russia, giving the ‘thumbs up’ sign is an insult not an ‘OK’.
Photography
It is prohibited to take photographs of any military installation and/or establishments or sites of strategic importance. Failure to abide by this could result in police arrest.
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Health
Main emergency number: 112
Food & Drink
In general, Russia does not pose any serious health risks when it comes to food. Use common sense and caution when deciding what might be safe to eat. Tap water is drinkable, although those with sensitive stomachs may want to stick to bottled water. Similarly, some may want to make sure that water used for brushing teeth or making ice has been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Be mindful that eating salads may have vegetables washed in tap water; you may want to stick to well-cooked meals for the duration of your stay. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.
Other Risks
Vaccinations are sometimes recommended for Japanese B encephalitis, meningococcal meningitis and tick-borne encephalitis.
Contractual physician of Lufthansa
Dr. Zagainov, VladimirFederal Medical Center
Privolzhky
Nizhny Novgorod
Russia
Tel. +7-951-9066543
Please note that Lufthansa accepts no responsibility for the treatment nor will it bear the cost of any treatment.
Flight and accommodation
Visa & Immigration
IATA Travel Centre
The IATA Travel Centre delivers accurate passport, visa and health requirement information at a glance. It is a trusted, centralized source for the latest international travel requirements. The IATA Travel Centre is the most accurate source available because it is based on a comprehensive database used by virtually every airline, and information is gathered from official sources worldwide, such as immigration and police authorities.