Introduction
What to do
Where to eat
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Hiring a car
Local costs

Yekaterinburg travel guide

Yekaterinburg Tourism | Yekaterinburg Guide

You're Going to Love Yekaterinburg

Ekaterinburg may not thrill you with outstanding monuments or picturesque streets, but don't be fooled by the unassuming exterior; the city has played a key role in Russia's history and is a busy regional capital for business, arts, culture and entertainment. Located where Europe meets Russia, the city makes a great starting point for exploring the Ural Mountain region.

Article

Top 5 Reasons to Visit Yekaterinburg

1. Explore Dramatic History

Ekaterinburg has seen the onslaught of miners lured by the gemstones in the Ural Mountains. It was also the scene of the execution of the Romanov family during the Revolution. You can explore the city's storied past at museums and historic sites like the decorative Railway Museum or the Romanov Death Site.

2. Eat, Drink and be Merry!

As the capital of the Ural region, the city has a growing and thriving restaurant scene with everything from traditional Russian favorites to Asian fusion on offer, along with bars, lounges and night clubs to suit every taste.

3. Arts & Culture

The city boasts many fine and impressive museums, such as the Architecture and Design History Museum and the Yekaterinburg Museum of Fine Arts which includes a separate Vaynera Branch featuring a collection of Russian avant-garde works.

4. The Great Outdoors

No matter what the season, you can count on outdoor fun, including cross country skiing, horseback riding, paragliding and hiking trails. There is also a traditional zoo and a petting zoo that allows you can get up close and personal with the animals.

5. Gemstones and Jewelry

The Ural Mountains contain a wealth of precious and semi-precious gemstones, and Ekaterinburg has been a center for the jewelry trade for centuries. You can explore the city's many shops or visit the popular State Stone-Cutting and Jeweller's Art History Museum or Ural Geological Museum.

1. Explore Dramatic History

Ekaterinburg has seen the onslaught of miners lured by the gemstones in the Ural Mountains. It was also the scene of the execution of the Romanov family during the Revolution. You can explore the city's storied past at museums and historic sites like the decorative Railway Museum or the Romanov Death Site.

2. Eat, Drink and be Merry!

As the capital of the Ural region, the city has a growing and thriving restaurant scene with everything from traditional Russian favorites to Asian fusion on offer, along with bars, lounges and night clubs to suit every taste.

3. Arts & Culture

The city boasts many fine and impressive museums, such as the Architecture and Design History Museum and the Yekaterinburg Museum of Fine Arts which includes a separate Vaynera Branch featuring a collection of Russian avant-garde works.

4. The Great Outdoors

No matter what the season, you can count on outdoor fun, including cross country skiing, horseback riding, paragliding and hiking trails. There is also a traditional zoo and a petting zoo that allows you can get up close and personal with the animals.

5. Gemstones and Jewelry

The Ural Mountains contain a wealth of precious and semi-precious gemstones, and Ekaterinburg has been a center for the jewelry trade for centuries. You can explore the city's many shops or visit the popular State Stone-Cutting and Jeweller's Art History Museum or Ural Geological Museum.

What to do in Yekaterinburg

1. The Last Tsar

Resplendent, majestic, magnificent: these are just a few of the adjectives used to describe the Church upon the Blood in Honour of All Saints (its full name). If the name gives a sense of something rather ominous, don't be alarmed. It's simply Russian history as usual. The church is built on the site where, in 1918, following a year of confinement, the Emperor Nicholas, his wife and children were executed. Of course, the former USSR was nothing if not expedient and, in 1977, the original house was demolished and up went this magnificent church. Ignore the macabre sense of irony (which is quite evident in the works of Russian authors) and enjoy the stunning interiors, which are as amazing as the outside.

2. 52 Stories High

What's the view like from the Vysotskiy Viewing Platform? Simply use the elevators to scale its 52 floors (that's 618 ft!) to get a breathtaking, panoramic view of the city of Ekaterinburg from way on up high. This is the second tallest building in Russia outside of Moscow, making the Vysotskiy skyscraper, which also houses many important and highly visible businesses, an unofficial icon of the city.

3. Ural Art

The long, nondescript building with its bright green gables could be mistaken for a country club if it weren't for the massive ironworks surrounding the building. Clearly of historical significance, these draw visitors in to know more. Once within the museum, you'll get a sense of the history and culture of Ekaterinburg. Besides the carefully curated collections in the gallery, of special note is the multiple dioramas or miniatures of the buildings. These show the progression and evolution of Ekaterinburg architecture and society.

4. Remembering A Historic President

Much beloved during Soviet Rule, the "Yeltsin Center" was opened in 2015 as an educational and political center. The center features concerts, multiple-day music festivals such as Island of the 90s", "Old new rock", cultural exhibitions, comic cons, and lectures by major international figures such as Germany's Minister of the Interior. The center hosts numerous domestic and global film festivals such as Artdocfest and Beat Weekend, while also presenting numerous cultural and heritage media initiatives such as Jewish cultural programming and winter holiday celebrations throughout the year

5. The Past Preserved

With its charming old lampposts, fences of cast iron, and walking paths leading to beautiful, traditional summer homes, the Literary Quarter of Ekaterinburg is the cultural center of the city. Not least because this district is where Ural writers and artists are celebrated and their writings preserved and displayed proudly. These include major contemporary figures such as Dmitry Mamina-Sibiryak and Pavel Bazhov. While these may be new names to visitors seeing Ekaterinburg for the first time, the Literary Quarter's eclectic charms are sure to feel familiar.

1. The Last Tsar

Resplendent, majestic, magnificent: these are just a few of the adjectives used to describe the Church upon the Blood in Honour of All Saints (its full name). If the name gives a sense of something rather ominous, don't be alarmed. It's simply Russian history as usual. The church is built on the site where, in 1918, following a year of confinement, the Emperor Nicholas, his wife and children were executed. Of course, the former USSR was nothing if not expedient and, in 1977, the original house was demolished and up went this magnificent church. Ignore the macabre sense of irony (which is quite evident in the works of Russian authors) and enjoy the stunning interiors, which are as amazing as the outside.

2. 52 Stories High

What's the view like from the Vysotskiy Viewing Platform? Simply use the elevators to scale its 52 floors (that's 618 ft!) to get a breathtaking, panoramic view of the city of Ekaterinburg from way on up high. This is the second tallest building in Russia outside of Moscow, making the Vysotskiy skyscraper, which also houses many important and highly visible businesses, an unofficial icon of the city.

3. Ural Art

The long, nondescript building with its bright green gables could be mistaken for a country club if it weren't for the massive ironworks surrounding the building. Clearly of historical significance, these draw visitors in to know more. Once within the museum, you'll get a sense of the history and culture of Ekaterinburg. Besides the carefully curated collections in the gallery, of special note is the multiple dioramas or miniatures of the buildings. These show the progression and evolution of Ekaterinburg architecture and society.

4. Remembering A Historic President

Much beloved during Soviet Rule, the "Yeltsin Center" was opened in 2015 as an educational and political center. The center features concerts, multiple-day music festivals such as Island of the 90s", "Old new rock", cultural exhibitions, comic cons, and lectures by major international figures such as Germany's Minister of the Interior. The center hosts numerous domestic and global film festivals such as Artdocfest and Beat Weekend, while also presenting numerous cultural and heritage media initiatives such as Jewish cultural programming and winter holiday celebrations throughout the year

5. The Past Preserved

With its charming old lampposts, fences of cast iron, and walking paths leading to beautiful, traditional summer homes, the Literary Quarter of Ekaterinburg is the cultural center of the city. Not least because this district is where Ural writers and artists are celebrated and their writings preserved and displayed proudly. These include major contemporary figures such as Dmitry Mamina-Sibiryak and Pavel Bazhov. While these may be new names to visitors seeing Ekaterinburg for the first time, the Literary Quarter's eclectic charms are sure to feel familiar.

1. The Last Tsar

Resplendent, majestic, magnificent: these are just a few of the adjectives used to describe the Church upon the Blood in Honour of All Saints (its full name). If the name gives a sense of something rather ominous, don't be alarmed. It's simply Russian history as usual. The church is built on the site where, in 1918, following a year of confinement, the Emperor Nicholas, his wife and children were executed. Of course, the former USSR was nothing if not expedient and, in 1977, the original house was demolished and up went this magnificent church. Ignore the macabre sense of irony (which is quite evident in the works of Russian authors) and enjoy the stunning interiors, which are as amazing as the outside.

2. 52 Stories High

What's the view like from the Vysotskiy Viewing Platform? Simply use the elevators to scale its 52 floors (that's 618 ft!) to get a breathtaking, panoramic view of the city of Ekaterinburg from way on up high. This is the second tallest building in Russia outside of Moscow, making the Vysotskiy skyscraper, which also houses many important and highly visible businesses, an unofficial icon of the city.

3. Ural Art

The long, nondescript building with its bright green gables could be mistaken for a country club if it weren't for the massive ironworks surrounding the building. Clearly of historical significance, these draw visitors in to know more. Once within the museum, you'll get a sense of the history and culture of Ekaterinburg. Besides the carefully curated collections in the gallery, of special note is the multiple dioramas or miniatures of the buildings. These show the progression and evolution of Ekaterinburg architecture and society.

4. Remembering A Historic President

Much beloved during Soviet Rule, the "Yeltsin Center" was opened in 2015 as an educational and political center. The center features concerts, multiple-day music festivals such as Island of the 90s", "Old new rock", cultural exhibitions, comic cons, and lectures by major international figures such as Germany's Minister of the Interior. The center hosts numerous domestic and global film festivals such as Artdocfest and Beat Weekend, while also presenting numerous cultural and heritage media initiatives such as Jewish cultural programming and winter holiday celebrations throughout the year

5. The Past Preserved

With its charming old lampposts, fences of cast iron, and walking paths leading to beautiful, traditional summer homes, the Literary Quarter of Ekaterinburg is the cultural center of the city. Not least because this district is where Ural writers and artists are celebrated and their writings preserved and displayed proudly. These include major contemporary figures such as Dmitry Mamina-Sibiryak and Pavel Bazhov. While these may be new names to visitors seeing Ekaterinburg for the first time, the Literary Quarter's eclectic charms are sure to feel familiar.

Where to Eat in Yekaterinburg

Enjoy Uzbek specialties like manti (steamed dumplings) at Nigora, where mains start at RUB200. For an upscale dining experience of pan-European cuisine, choose Vertikal, where mains start at RUB850.

When to visit Yekaterinburg

Most people visit Ekaterinburg during the warm and relatively wet summer months between May and September, when average temperatures range between 57°F and 75°F.

Data provided by weatherbase
Temperatures
Temperatures
Data provided by weatherbase

How to Get to Yekaterinburg

Plane

Koltsovo Airport (SVX) is located about 11 miles south of the city, serving both domestic and international flights. the RUB26 bus on the City Bus #1 route makes the trip to the main railway station.

Train

The Yekaterinburg-Sverdlovsk Railway Station is a major hub on the Trans-Siberian route, with connections throughout the region.

Car

Ekaterinburg is well connected to major centers throughout the Urals via a network of highways.

Bus

Ekaterinburg is a major hub for intercity bus travel, with easy connections to Chelyabinsk, Ufa, Parm and Sochi.

Plane

Koltsovo Airport (SVX) is located about 11 miles south of the city, serving both domestic and international flights. the RUB26 bus on the City Bus #1 route makes the trip to the main railway station.

Train

The Yekaterinburg-Sverdlovsk Railway Station is a major hub on the Trans-Siberian route, with connections throughout the region.

Car

Ekaterinburg is well connected to major centers throughout the Urals via a network of highways.

Bus

Ekaterinburg is a major hub for intercity bus travel, with easy connections to Chelyabinsk, Ufa, Parm and Sochi.

Airports near Yekaterinburg

SVXEkaterinburg

Airlines serving Yekaterinburg

Emirates
Excellent (3,285 reviews)
flydubai
Good (141 reviews)
Air Arabia
Good (47 reviews)
Uzbekistan Airways
Good (33 reviews)
Azerbaijan Airlines
Good (9 reviews)
Sichuan Airlines
Excellent (14 reviews)
Somon Air
Good (2 reviews)
FLYONE Armenia
Good (1 reviews)
Ural Airlines
Good (2 reviews)
UVT Aero
S7 Airlines
Okay (10 reviews)
Yamal Airlines
Izhavia
AviaTraffic Company
UTair
Poor (1 reviews)
Yakutia Airlines
Aeroflot
Excellent (57 reviews)
Red Wings
Nordwind Airlines
Okay (2 reviews)
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Where to stay in Yekaterinburg

Downtown - This is where you'll find the city's commercial and business areas, including the Vysotsky skyscraper, Siberia's tallest building.

Popular Neighborhoods in Ekaterinburg

Shirokaya Rechka - This area is where you'll find one of the city's more unusual attractions: a Mafia cemetery on the river.

Kirovskiy Rayon - This residential area is where you'll find Lake Shartash, where you can escape the city to go cycling or swimming.

Shirokaya Rechka - This area is where you'll find one of the city's more unusual attractions: a Mafia cemetery on the river.
Kirovskiy Rayon - This residential area is where you'll find Lake Shartash, where you can escape the city to go cycling or swimming.

Where to stay in popular areas of Yekaterinburg

Most booked hotels in Yekaterinburg

See all
Palais Royal
4 stars
Excellent (9, Excellent reviews)
$58+
View
Suite Hotel
3 stars
Excellent (8.8, Excellent reviews)
$34+
View
Ramada by Wyndham Yekaterinburg
5 stars
Excellent (8.2, Excellent reviews)
$72+
View
Wedding Palace
3 stars
Excellent (8.1, Excellent reviews)
$41+
View
Marins Park Hotel Ekaterinburg
3 stars
Good (7.9, Good reviews)
$45+
View

How to Get Around Yekaterinburg

Public Transportation

The city is served by an extensive network of trams, buses and an underground metro. Single fares are RUB26.

Taxi

Taxis are plentiful in the city center, with fares that start at RUB70, increasing by RUB11.26 for each kilometer (0.6 mile).

Car

Traffic can be daunting in the city center but can be a good way of getting around the area. A compact rental starts at RUB2100.

Public Transportation

The city is served by an extensive network of trams, buses and an underground metro. Single fares are RUB26.

Taxi

Taxis are plentiful in the city center, with fares that start at RUB70, increasing by RUB11.26 for each kilometer (0.6 mile).

Car

Traffic can be daunting in the city center but can be a good way of getting around the area. A compact rental starts at RUB2100.

Find car hire in Yekaterinburg

The Cost of Living in Yekaterinburg

Shopping Streets

The so-called Chinese Market is a huge area in the western part of the city, where you'll find hundreds of stalls with everything you can imagine for sale. For more upscale shopping, you'll want to check out Vaynera Street in the central area of the city.

Groceries and Other

Eliseyskiy and Kirovskiy are two of the larger supermarket chains in the city, and you'll also find a large supermarket at the Mega Ekaterinburg Mall just outside the city. A quart of milk costs about RUB48 and a dozen eggs RUB65.

Yekaterinburg Travel Guide - View the KAYAK Yekaterinburg city guide for the best Yekaterinburg travel tips. To help you organise your Yekaterinburg trip ideas, this Yekaterinburg visitors guide provides travel information and trip tips about how to get there, where to stay, what to do, where to eat and more.