Nizhny Novgorod: Best Things to Do

Image by Alexxx Malev from Flickr - Photo by Alexxx Malev

Nizhny Novgorod is a city and the capital of Volga district, Russia known as Russia's Hollywood since it becomes a filming location for numerous movies.

There are many cultural heritage sites like museums and churches dating back to 15th century buildings.

Explore the majestic fortress in central Russia, The Kremlin as the most visited destinations there.

The city also popular for Gorky House Museum that holding Maxim Gorky's works.

Let's explore this amazing city!

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SIGHTSEEING

Nizhny Novgorod offers plenty cultural and historical destinations to visit. Discover an idyllic spot of the city at The Chkalov Staircase to watch sun’s rays set over the city. This historical site was first built in 1937 with over 1500 stairs connecting the city center with river embankment. Now it becomes one of the most recognizable landmarks of the city. There is a monument to the boat "Hero" at the bottom stairs.

The Chkalov Staircase

One of the most beautiful places in the town.

Important to visit and count the stairs up and down.

There is a picturesque view from the top of the stairs.

Address : Nizhnevolzhskaya embankment, Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Russia, 603001

DOWNTOWN

The downtown of the city is a historic center full of ancient buildings and natural landmarks dating back to 1917. Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin is one of the greatest destinations to be explored. It is the most majestic fortless in central Russia designed by Italian architect. This place has 13 magnificent towers that allow you to see some of the best city views from its top. You will get impressed with the spectacular Kremlin walls and its surroundings that bring you back to 16th century.

Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin

An excellent tourist place.

A small town having all the facilities a tourist require.

Peoples are friendly and cooperative.

The place worth to see in Nizhny Novgorod.

Address : Minin and Pozharsky Square, Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhegorodskaya oblast', Russia, 603005

SHOPPING

Bolshaya Pokrovskaya Street is a pleasure for shopaholic. This area becomes the center for shopping, relax at the cafes, and dine in restaurants. Dozens of boutiques and souvenir shops can be found on the side along the street. You can also find a small shopping center, Nebo mall that offers Russian and International brands, restaurants, and also cinema.

Nebo mall

Super big mall.

This mall has some luxury stores and the overall look is luxurious.

There are some small cafeterias on the 5th floor.

A lot of open space from the 1st to the 5th floor is very impressive.

Address : Bolshaya Pokrovskaya St, 82, Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Russia, 603000

FOOD & DRINK

Once you are in Nizhny Novgorod, don't leave without trying the local's fish soup, as a signature dish form the city. The soup is made from saffron, ruffe fish and yellow sterlet. Or you may also try Blini, a small pancakes filled with caviar, fish, melted butter, or sour cream.

CULTURE

As a city with centuries-long history, Nizhny Novgorod has plenty amazing literature, art, music, as well as multiple religions. Those combination makes the city has fascinating landmarks, monuments and museum that dating back to 15th century. For the beverage, people usually drink alcohol such as Nastoiki as its handmade liqueurs.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The best time to visit Nizhny Novgorod is between May to June. You will get the pleasent weather while exploring the entire city.

HOTEL

Nikitin Hotel is where you should go to experience historic stay in Nizhny Novgorod. This hotel was first built in 19th century with a unique style and retained architectural traditions. You will get a cozy room with classic style yet still appropriate with European standards. More importantly, the hotel offers a tour service to several historical places in the city. While if you want to stay in the central area, you can book a room at Minin Hotel. It will easier for you to catch popular destinations like Museum Gorky, The Kremlin and Academic Drama Theater.

Nikitin Hotel

A small beautiful historical hotel with perfect stuffs.

Spacious lounge, good cozy atmosphere.

Their staff are very knowledgable and accomodating.

Address : Strelka St, 13, Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Russia, 603086

Minin Hotel

Hotel is located very conveniently in the city center.

The hotel is modern, clean, central, not too big.

Friendly personnel, delicious breakfast,and spacious clean room.

Delightful decor and layout.

Address : Ulitsa Pozharskogo, 1, Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Russia, 603005

RESTAURANT

Complete your foreign culture experience by eating in a traditional Russian cuisine restaurant called Vitalich. It situated in the heart of Nizhny Novgorod and has a hunting-lodge theme inside. They offer extensive Russian menus with moderate to high prices. If you want to experience dining like in 19th century merchant, you can head to Pyatkin. This antique restaurant serves traditional excellent Russian dishes that make your mouth watering.

Vitalich

This restaurant is one of the best in Nijhny Novgorod.

Its has a nice inside and outside.

They offer delicious Russian cuisine.

Helpful professional waiters.

Address : Bolshaya Pokrovskaya St, 35, Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Russia, 603000

Pyatkin

Old Russian buildings and it's very traditional Russian restaurant.

Amazing decorations and the Russian local food is so delicious.

The staff is friendly and could converse in English.

Address : 603000, Rozhdestvenskaya St, 25, Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Russia, 603001

CAFE

Coffee Cake Bolshaya Pokrovskaya is a great place to take a short break after exploring the city. The cozy style and large seating area will make you comfortable. Even more, they serve delicious coffee and various cakes to enjoy. Pelmennaya Lepi Testo is also the best cafe you can find in the city center. It is good for you to have breakfast here since they have a variety of pelmeni and dumplings at affordable prices.

Coffee Cake Большая Покровская

Superb coffe shop in the city center.

Meals are served in a beautiful dish.

And tasty foods with solid variety and portion sizes.

The cafe has a summer terrace and a "winter" room.

Address : Bolshaya Pokrovskaya St, 2, Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Russia, 603005

Pelmennaya Lepi Testo

It is a cozy place,perfect for a tourist snack or friendly get-together

The place is hip and modern with a café vibe.

Their homemade lemonade is very tasty.

Nice place with a reach choice of dumplings

Address : Minina St, 12, Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Russia, 603005

BAR AND NIGHTLIFE

There are a lot of nightlife places you can visit to satisfy your trip in Nizhny Novgorod. One of the famous bars in the city is Rock-Bar. This bar has dark and smoky atmosphere completed with live music performances. The place allows you to have a fun night by singing and dancing along. Mixtura Bar is another option to feel great atmosphere. It also has lovely music of Russian and International. Grab their fabulous cocktails and delicious food while enjoying the performances.

Mixtura Bar

Pricey place with live concerts and exclusive cocktails.

The food is delicious and cheap

They also have a wide variety of hookah flavor.

Good for chatting with visitors and spending a Friday's evening.

Address : Nizhnevolzhskaya embankment, 16, Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Russia, 603000

Rock-Bar

Really good place with AC, lots of tables and screens

Here a lot of rock music stuff and a bit soul and punk too.

a big choice of draft beers and cocktails.

Address : Ulitsa Piskunova, 11, Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Russia, 603005

INTERESTING PLACE

Beside enjoying the wonderful buildings in the city, you can find a fresh atmosphere at Limpopo Zoo. Stroll the entire zoo to see numerous mammals, birds, fish, and reptiles. You can also play at some play areas, rides, and another interactive attractions here. Interestingly, there is a small sculpture park you can enjoy. Another must visit destination is The State Gorky Literature Museum or Gorky House, home to Maxim Gorky's works. There are over 100,000 exhibits from one of the world's best known Russian writers.

Limpopo Zoo

It's one awesome zoo and park for the whole family to enjoy.

It has wide space, welcoming atmosphere, and you even get to feed animals.

It is great to spend your day with your families.

Address : Ulitsa Yaroshenko, 7Б, Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Russia, 603035

The State Gorky Literature Museum

The most beautiful museum.

The impressions are huge both from the performance and from the museum itself.

And the exposition of the museum is also very interesting.

Many photos of our countrymen of that time.

Address : Minina St, 26, Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Russia, 603155

INSTAGRAMMABLE SPOT

The city is truly a paradise for people who love photography. Since there are many remarkable buildings with great architecture to captured, it guarantees you to get the best photo ever. Head to Gosudarstvennyy Bank Rossiyskoy Federatsii or known as State Bank as it has fancy fairy-tale interior. While the neo-Russian style can be seen from the exterior. Another great spot is Rozhdestvenskaya Tserkov' or known as Church of the Nativity. This is a Russian Orthodox Church that built in the 17th century. It designed in a Stroganov style with an octagon dome in its top center.

Gosudarstvennyy Bank Rossiyskoy

Pretty nice building in the style of medieval european castles.

Christmas decoration is impressive, especially live spruce.

Worthy of attention

Address : Bolshaya Pokrovskaya St, 26, Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Russia, 603005

Rozhdestvenskaya Tserkov'

Unbelievable beauty place with excellent view around

Gold color, round roof, so pure red color, and more.

Turly amazing church architecture.

You must visit it and right after you will have different options to walk around.

Address : Rozhdestvenskaya St, 34, Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Russia, 603001