The Kremlin is the main attraction of Nizhny Novgorod. It began to erect in the beginning of the 16th century, to protect against the Tatars' raids. The area can be visited free of charge.
A ticket allows you to walk over more than half of the Kremlin wall of 2,045 meters long, and to visit four museums situated in the ancient towers. You can visit the wall as well as the towers daily from 10h to 17h. Check out the official website (Ru) to learn more. Get directions.
Bolshaya Pokrovskaya can be called the main street of Nizhny Novgorod. This central pedestrian street with its 19th-century architecture leads from Gorky Square all the way to the Kremlin. Along the way, you will pass some of the city highlights and a large number of cafés, restaurants and shops. Get directions.
The Pechersky male monastery was founded in the middle of the 14th century. It was arranged according to the principle of the dormitory, meaning that the monks could not hold property, as all property was shared. Also, they could not leave the monastery without special blessings. The founder of the monastery, Saint Dionysius, lived in a hand-dug cave nearby. Get directions.
Shelokovsky Khutor (Ru) is one of the largest and most visited green areas of the city. It is more like a real forest with pleasant glades, where vacationers often start fires and make BBQs. Since the sixties, the park offers three ponds, all great for fishing or swimming.
Shelokovsky Khutor also offers a nice terrace, which can be found easily on our map – near this terrace you will also find the main entrance to the park. Get directions.
The Chkalov Monument (Ru) was erected in 1940 in memory of the famous Soviet pilot Chkalov, a Hero of the Soviet Union. He is most known for having conducted the first flight from Moscow to Vancouver via the North Pole, in 1937. There is also the legend that Chkalov once made a flight that passed under one of the bridges in Leningrad. Get directions.
A magnificent example of a noble house, styled after an Italian palazzo in the late 19th century. Today the building is used as a museum, as well as a venue for official events. Information is only provided in Russian, but probably more interesting than the museum pieces is the impressive interior of the house, with amazing decorations.
The Rukavishnikov Estate (Ru) is closed on Mondays. Have a look at the official website (Ru) for further visitor info. Get directions.
This Minin and Pozharsky Monument (Ru) is a reduced copy of a famous monument on the Red Square in Moscow. It is devoted to the merchant Minin and Prince Pozharsky, who ended the Time of Troubles in 1612. These national heroes brought together a volunteer army in Nizhny Novgorod, which freed Moscow from the Polish invaders. Get directions.
Fantastika is the largest shopping and entertainment center not only in the city but even in the region. On a total territory of 160,000 m2 you will find 195 stores of Russian and international brands. The mall also includes a cinema and a large food court, as well as a stage with every week new concerts and events.
Fantastika is open every day. Check out the official website (Ru) for more shopping information. Get directions.
The Cathedral of Alexander Nevsky is one of the symbols of Nizhny Novgorod. With 87 meters, it is the third tallest church in Russia, after the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow, and the St Isaac's Cathedral in St Petersburg. The construction work was finished in 1881, after 13 years. Get directions.
Sormovsky Park (Ru) offers not only fresh air but also a full range of modern entertainment services. Here you can visit a year-round ice-skating rink, an aqua park, a zoo, an amusement park for all ages, and go-karting. There is also an option of renting a summer house near the lake. Get directions.
With more than 200 years of experience, the Nizhny Novgorod State academic drama theatre (Ru) is one of the oldest in Russia. Traditional elements have remained visible in contemporary performances and continue to please visitors. There’s even an option to rent traditional theatre costumes here!
Check out the official website (Ru) to see what's on. Get directions.
Located in a picturesque part of the city, the area around the Nizhnevolzhskaya Embankment (Ru) offers you high-end shopping options. Some of the luxury brands present here are Balenciaga, Chopard, Fendi, Dolce & Gabbana and Givenchy. Visit the official website for an overview of all the boutiques and their products. Get directions.
The Eternal Flame (Ru) was lit in Gorky (the Soviet name of the city) in 1976, commemorating the big Russian losses during WWII, and in particular the fallen soldiers from Nizhny Novgorod. The victory in the Great Patriotic War (as Russian people call WWII) is still being extensively celebrated throughout the country, every year on 9 May – for visitors this forms an excellent opportunity to see big military parades. Get directions.
The Church of St John the Baptist is one of the oldest stone churches of Nizhny Novgorod, which appeared here already in 1683. In 1937 the temple was closed and, strikingly, its building was given to the motorcycle sports school. During the Soviet years the church got severely damaged, with restoration efforts not starting before 2004. Today the church is open to visitors again. Inside you can see an icon of St John the Baptist, with his Holy relics. Get directions.
Besides beautiful views down the steep slope and over the river, you will find a memorial complex here. There is an obelisk in memory of Minin and Pozharsky, who freed Moscow from the Polish in 1612 by means of an all-Russian volunteer army. The eternal flame reminds about the big Russian losses during WWII, whereas the T-34 tank symbolizes the contribution of the soldier in achieving victory. Get directions.
One of the main attractions of Old Nizhny Novgorod is the house of merchant and industrialist Afanasy Olisov, built in the 1670s. The house with its unusual tiles represents a unique architectural monument and a model of ancient Russian architecture. Nowadays the building belongs to the diocese. Get directions.
Nizhnevolzhskaya Embankment (Ru) is a nice walking area near the riverside, with simple benches and almost no trees. Not to be missed is the boat 'Hero' down the Chkalov Stairs: a legendary boat that worked on the Volga for almost 100 years, and was used even in several wars (it participated amongst others in the Battle of Stalingrad). Get directions.
Nizhny Novgorod is located relatively close to Kazan, so there are quite a few Tatars around. Thanks to the efforts of the Tatar community the city got this Grand mosque (Ru). Like all religious institutions, it was closed during Soviet times: for several decades there was a warehouse, then a kindergarten, and later a military hospital. The mosque was returned to the parishioners on the eve of the perestroika, in 1988. Get directions.
Respublika is a basic shopping center, offering primarily local stores. Among the many stores around Moskovsky Railway Station, Respublika is actually one of the more comfortable places to go. The mall offers mostly clothes, but also a good range of other products like electronics, cosmetics and accessories.
Respublika is open every day. Visit the official website (Ru) for more info about the stores. Get directions.
This female monastery from the 14th century was shut down after the 1917 Revolution. The buildings were used to lock up camp prisoners, in particular, the urban intelligentsia, priests, and nobles.
Today the Holy Cross Monastery (Ru) has returned in its historical state, with the church as a place of worship. One of the highlights here is the 4.5-meters crucifix, painted by the icon painters of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra in Moscow. Get directions.
The Old Srednoy Market recently moved into this new three-story building, equipped with elevators and escalators. The assortment includes farm products, meat and fish, cheese and dairy products, fresh vegetables and fruits. On the second floor, there is a food court.
Srednoy Market works from Tuesday to Sunday, from 8-20h. Have a look at the official website (Ru) to learn more. Get directions.
The Transfiguration Cathedral (Ru) was designed in 1822 by the French architect Auguste de Montferrand, who had later gained fame by designing the magnificent St Isaac’s Cathedral in St Petersburg. The green piece of land surrounding the Transfiguration Cathedral makes the setting extra peaceful, and ideal for a moment of contemplation. Get directions.
Alexander Garden (Ru) is considered to be the oldest public park of the city, with roots going back to 1835. The park was built on a steep hill which leads down to the Volga Embankment. It is a nice place for walking, a good alternative for taking the Chaklov Stairs. The simple benches here provide great views. Get directions.
If you are interested in the life of Maxim Gorky, and his literature, this is the place to go! Besides all the Gorky objects, you will also find objects related to other famous writers who (temporarily) lived in Nizhny Novgorod, such as the ‘disorganized desk’ of P.I. Melnikov (alias Pechersky).
Please note that the museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Check out the official website (Ru) for further visitor info. Get directions.
This green area is built on a slope connecting the upper side of the city with the riverside. The boulevard atop the hill is great for walking and offers stunning views over both rivers. Three pedestrian bridges (complete with wedding locks) conveniently connect the different hills. All along the area, there are staircases connecting the top with the riverside. Get directions.
The Church of Our Lady of Kazan is a modern temple, built in typical Orthodox style. It was inaugurated on the eve before the Day of National Unity, on 3 November 2005. The site has a long history though, once containing one of the oldest churches of the city – a wooden church that was built to memorize the heroic events of 1612, when Russia was liberated from the Polish Intervention. Get directions.
The three-story Fashion Gallery is a high-end shopping mall. It offers visitors world-famous luxury brands of clothing, footwear and accessories. In addition, the mall offers five nice restaurants and a comfortable mini-cinema.
The Fashion Gallery is open every day. See the official website for more info about the stores. Get directions.
The oldest monastery (1221) of Nizhny Novgorod stands on a broad, elevated terrace on the steep right bank of the Oka. The long history of the Annunciation Monastery (Ru) is full of dramatic events: its construction was subject to unmerciful enemy invasions, and it was burnt and rebuilt many times. But today, the monastery is still there. Get directions.
A cute little flea market that operates every week on Sundays. You can easily find interesting things from the Soviet era here, which could be a great alternative to standard souvenirs. Here you will run into small flea of all kinds, like badges, porcelain, posters and postcards, various utensils and other treasures. Get directions.
For centuries the Nizhny Novgorod Fair was a big event, attracting merchants from Russia and Asia. In 1889 the Fair moved into this newly built accommodation, which was constructed in just one year time.
As of 2017 the fair houses a museum with three modern multimedia exhibitions focusing on the Rurik Dynasty, the Romanov Dynasty and 20th-century history. The museum is closed on Mondays – check out the official website (Ru) to learn more. Get directions.
The Dormition Church (Ru) is one of the oldest and most famous temples of Nizhny Novgorod, built in 1672-1673. The unusual white stone house opposite it belonged to the merchant Olisov, who had funded the construction of the church. Get directions.
The Chkalov staircase counts 560 steps. This iconic symbol of Nizhny Novgorod connects the Kremlin with the Volga riverbank. It received its name in honour of the famous test pilot Valery Chkalov, who made the world's first non-stop flight from Europe to the Americas via the North Pole, in 1937. Get directions.
Nebo is one of the larger shopping centers of Nizhny Novgorod. It offers around 250 shops of mostly Russian brands, selling clothes, cosmetics, electronics and everything in between. The mall also includes a supermarket in the basement, a food court and a cinema.
Nebo is open every day. Learn more about its stores on the official website (Ru). Get directions.
The Nizhny Novgorod Stadium was newly built for the FIFA 2018 World Cup, providing seats for almost 45,000 football fans. After the World Cup, the multipurpose stadium started serving as an event venue and as the football temple of FC Olimpiyets Nizhny Novgorod, the local football team. Get directions.
Bolshaya Pokrovskaya Street is known among locals as "Pokrovka". This central pedestrian street began to develop in the 17th century, as can be traced back by its many beautiful houses of former noble families here. Today it is a popular place for locals and tourists, where you won't only find cafés and restaurants, but also some interesting local clothing stores and souvenir shops. Get directions.
The Church of St Sergius of Radonezh (Ru) is one of the oldest in Nizhny Novgorod. It was founded in the 14th century as the main temple of a monastery. In Soviet times, it became a stage for artists from the Union of Nizhny Novgorod. In 2006, the tower was equipped with 12 bells. Get directions.
Verkhnevolzhskaya Embankment (Ru) is one of the most beloved places of Nizhny Novgorod, great for walking. This boulevard on top of the hill leads you along historical buildings, and provides you with stunning views over the Volga River. Get directions.
This sizeable lake is a natural monument, protected by the state. Once Meshcherskoye Lake (Ru) was a channel of the Volga River, but over time its Eastern part was washed with sand, and the flowing pond turned into a lake. The lake is not recommended for swimming. Get directions.
The Cableway lets you travel from Bor to Nizhny Novgorod in less than 20 minutes. It is not just one of the most efficient ways of transport, but also a main tourist attraction due to the wonderful views you’re able to get over the Volga River. A one-way ride costs only about 2 euro.
Check out the opening hours on the official website. Get directions towards the Nizhny side or the Bor side.
The construction of the State bank of Nizhny Novgorod (Ru) was dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the reign of the Romanov dynasty, and, of course, the construction had to comply with such a momentous anniversary. The result was a festive and richly decorated architectural construction in neo-Russian style, much more reminiscent of a medieval castle than a financial institution, which it still is today. Get directions.
This shaded park was founded on the territory of the former Petropavlovsk cemetery in 1940. What distinguishes Kulibin Park (Ru) from others is silence and tranquillity. There are no modern attractions in the park, but there are some playgrounds. Get directions.
The House of Kashirin (Ru) welcomes you in the Museum of childhood of Maxim Gorky. The grandparents of the famous writer used to live in this small log building. Gorky spent only a few months here, at the age of four. But exactly those months and the life of his family formed the basis for some of his works.
Please note that the museum is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays – we recommend to double check opening hours on the official website (Ru) before your visit. Get directions.
Back in the 19th century, this place was still a ravine and a swamp. It developed into a square when Nicholas I approved a city reconstruction plan after his visit to Nizhny Novgorod. Nowadays Maxim Gorky Square (Ru) provides plenty of benches and is surrounded by about 250 trees of different species, brought from different corners of the Soviet Union. And of course, there’s a statue of Gorky! Get directions.
With roots going back even to a wooden church in the 13th century, the Khram znameniya Bozhiyey Matery (Ru) is of great historical value. The stone version of the church dates from 1649. The Soviet revolution meant closure of the church and destruction of its towers. It was thanks to old photos, that the Temple of Our Lady of Sign could be restored in its original form. Get directions.
Limpopo Zoo (Ru) was founded in 2003, spanning an area of over 7 hectares. Today the zoo is home to more than 1,300 animals and 230 different species. Every now and then new animals appear at the zoo, often donated by patrons. For further info you can check out the map of the zoo, or visit the official website (Ru). Get directions.
The Elijah's Church (Ru) has a special significance for salespeople. After the old Nizhny Novgorod fair burned in 1817, a new temporary fair was opened next to this church, on the feast of Elijah the prophet. This became the place where merchants prayed for a good bargain. In addition, the territory of the church became available for coachmen, to rest after a long trip. Get directions.
This green hillside leads from the Volga River up the Verkhnevolzhskaya Embankment (Ru), one of the most beautiful boulevards of Nizhny Novgorod. The boulevard is nice for walking, and offers pretty views over the Volga River. Various staircases lead you up and down the green hill. Get directions.
Sedmoe Nebo is a spacious mainstream shopping center, offering Russian brands as well as a considerable number of big international brands. The mall also includes restaurants and a cinema.
Sedmoe Nebo is open every day. Check out the official website (Ru) for further information about the stores. Get directions.
The most central market of Nizhny Novgorod is a bit hidden, and likely to be missed from Pokrovskaya Street. The market hall offers fresh food, whereas the outside stalls also sell other products, such as clothes.
Mytny Market welcomes you every day! Get directions.
The oldest church of Nizhny Novgorod was founded as a wooden church in 1221, in honour of the Archangel Michael. Already in 1227, the Cathedral of the Archangel Michael (Ru) was rebuilt with stone. According to the legend, Kuzma Minin had approached his compatriots near this cathedral with an appeal to liberate Moscow from the Polish-Lithuanian invaders. Get directions.
The Arsenal (Ru) is one of the largest buildings of the Kremlin. It’s an architectural monument, built in the middle of the 19th century, and recently completely renovated. In the central part, there is an exhibition hall, showcasing exhibitions of Russian and foreign art, like video art, photography, sculptures, paintings, installations and much more.
The museum is closed on Mondays. Have a look at the official website (Ru) to learn more about the Arsenal. Get directions.
The idea of building a church for the Armenian community followed up on the notion that the city used to have an Armenian church for about 100 years since 1828, as located on the territory of the Nizhny Novgorod Fair. Unfortunately that church hadn’t survived the Soviet era. In 2013 Nizhny Novgorod celebrated 20 years after the re-establishment of the Armenian community with the opening of this church, the Surb Amenaprkich. Get directions.
This is a very calm green area in the middle of the Kremlin. You won't find many trees here, but plenty of benches to rest and take a look around this beautifully maintained green area. If you were searching for more rest, have a look inside one of the main attractions of the city: the Cathedral of the Archangel Michael. Get directions.
The Museum-apartment of Gorky (Ru) was founded in 1971. Here you will find a fascinating story about the life of Maxim Gorky and learn more about the unknown facts of his personal life and endeavours in the literary field. An experienced guide will tell you everything about his creations, close people and life.
Please note that the museum is closed on Mondays and Thursdays. Have a look at the official website (Ru) for more visitor info. Get directions.
The All Saints church (Ru) is the only preserved sample of Russian Baroque of the 18th century in the city. In the godless period, Soviet people used to live in the church, and it became a venue for entertainment events. Currently, there is still restoration work going on. Get directions.
A small but nice green space on the main square of Nizhny Novgorod, Minin and Pozharsky Square. Amidst some benches, there’s a beautiful fountain, usually accompanied by classical music. In the night the fountain is illuminated by various colours. Get directions.
The Seventh Day Adventist church is built in pseudo-Gothic style at the end of the 1990s. The decoration inside the church is very modest: no icons, but basically just the crucifix and an altar. The three Christian churches which you can find here very close to each other, symbolize the religious unity of the region.
Have a look at the official website (Ru) for more background on the Seventh Day Adventist church. Get directions.
The Nativity of the Virgin Mary Cathedral was built in 1719 by Stroganov merchants, so it is often also called the Stroganov Church. In Soviet times, the temple was planned to be destroyed, but its abbot was able to explain its uniqueness and the historical and architectural value of the Stroganov Baroque. The church building was saved, but as an alternative, it had to be used as a museum of atheism. Get directions.
The Strelka is the confluence of the river Oka and the longest river of Europe, the Volga. It’s a place to get a good view over the historical part of Nizhny Novgorod. In the 19th century, the Strelka was adorned with the Transfiguration Cathedral, and more recently with the new football stadium. Get directions.
The Nizhny Novgorod State Art Museum (Ru) is one of the oldest museums of its kind in Russia. Today its collection consists of 12,000 pieces, mostly Russian art from the 14-20th centuries: icons, paintings, sculptures and decorative-applied art. Here you can see the works of Briullov, Shishkin, Levitan, Vasnetsov, Malevich, Kandinsky and other world-famous artists.
The museum is closed on Mondays. Have a look at the official website to see what's on. Get directions.
This church in honour of the Mother of God has a fairly unconventional composition: three-dome tops were used here, instead of the usual five domes. The exterior of the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows (Ru) is designed according to ancient Russian architecture, in a stylized way. Get directions.
Park Shveitzariya (Ru) is a large park filled with century-old trees and shaded pathways. It is an ideal place to spend time with family or friends, as there’s plenty of entertainment options: cafés and restaurants, a small amusement park, some playgrounds and the very first (small) zoo of Nizhny Novgorod: home to deer, lynx, wolves, camels, tigers, raccoons and other wild and domestic animals. The main entrance to the park can be found on the East side – get directions.
This little Photography Museum (Ru) is located in a former ranch. Photo exhibitions are devoted to Nizhny Novgorod and Soviet times, but you can also see the evolution of technology here: from 100-pound wooden Soviet cameras to Leica and Kodak. Find here also the studio where the founders of artistic and journalistic photography in Russia have been working from in the 19th century: Andrey Karelin and Maxim Dmitriev.
Please note that the museum is closed on Fridays. Get directions.
Etazhi was one of the very first large shopping centers in the city, opened in 2003. Today it is a place to find mainly local shops with clothes, shoes, a large selection of accessories and even souvenirs. In addition, a large supermarket is located on the ground floor.
Etazhi is open every day. Have a look at the official website (Ru) for more shopping info. Get directions.
Pushkin Park (Ru) is a quiet place, filled with trees. It is crossed by several pathways, which appear like shaded alleys in summer. The Northern part of the park is filled with tall birch trees, some more than 100 years old. There is also a playground for the little ones. Get directions.
The Church of the Ascension (Ru) is a stone three-altar church that was built early 18th century from the donations of parishioners and benefactors. It got closed during Soviet times and was instead used as a warehouse and a dwelling. In 2003 it was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church.
In the basement, there’s a sanctified Elizabethan chapel, used for worshipping. The restoration works inside aren't completely finished yet. Get directions.
Rozhdestvenskaya Street is one of the oldest and most beautiful streets of Nizhny Novgorod. According to official data, there are about 35 architectural monuments here, some dating back to the 18th century. The street is good for walking, offers some nice restaurants and is one of the hotspots to spend the night. Get directions.
Rio is a comfortable large mall offering a broad range of products, mostly of Russian brands. The mall includes a large supermarket on the ground floor, as well as a (fast) food court and a cinema on the top floors.
Rio is open every day. Check out the official website (Ru) to learn more about the stores. Get directions.
This church from 1884 was transformed into a bakery during Soviet times. In 1999 it was returned to the Nizhny Novgorod diocese, after which the services resumed in the annexe of the church.
Today, the main structure is still being renovated. In 2016 the residents of Nizhny Novgorod celebrated the 130th anniversary of the consecration of the Church of the Resurrection (Ru). Get directions.
