Local Insights: Novosibirsk

Excellent editor and long-time friend of Kupi.com, Sofia Chernigovets, created a comprehensive guide to Novosibirsk especially for us. It covers what to do, what to see, where to dance to Agutin, and how to find the tastiest burgers. 

What to see in Novosibirsk in a couple of days

Lenin Square

The central square where locals usually meet and from where you can walk to Novosibirsk's main attractions. And there are plenty right here: the towering Lenin monument, the Opera and Ballet Theater, the City Commercial Building (now a museum), the city hall. In short, everything worth seeing in Novosibirsk in one day is here or nearby.

Lenin Street

Lenin Street could be a household name – there are so many of them in former USSR countries. And Novosibirsk has its own. The street starts from the main square of the same name and extends into residential areas. There's a cafe or shop at every turn here, and on holidays, the street is closed off and made pedestrian-friendly.

Be sure to take a stroll: almost every building at the beginning of the street is an architectural monument from the early 20th century. For example, Lenin, 7 is the Pobeda cinema, founded in 1926; now, in addition to films, it houses a cultural center and gallery. Step inside: you'll likely catch a retrospective of a famous director or an exhibition by local artists.

Krasny Prospekt (Red Avenue)

The city's main artery made it into the Guinness Book of Records as the longest straight street – 7 km. At the beginning of Krasny Prospekt, formerly Novonikolaevsky Prospekt, old merchant houses from the early last century are mixed with the first Soviet buildings, while the end of the street is still being developed. 

If you don't feel like getting too creative with routes, you can walk along the avenue from start to finish and gaze at whatever you encounter along the way. Krasny Prospekt has it all: bars, shops, cafes, and offices, alongside architectural monuments and modern residential complexes.

Quiet Center

Just turn a little off the bustling Krasny Prospekt or the crowded Lenin Street, and you'll find yourself in the Quiet Center – that's what they call a cluster of several central streets in Novosibirsk (Sovetskaya, Uritskogo, Chaplygina, Kommunisticheskaya) where cars don't rush by, and people leisurely stroll with coffee. It's cozy and beautiful here; in summer, you can not only walk but also settle on a veranda with a refreshing drink (yes, it can get up to +30 in Siberia too).

Embankment

A space along the Ob River with bike paths, bike and scooter rentals. There are also playgrounds, attractions, and the tallest Ferris wheel beyond the Urals, along with food kiosks and coffee points. On holidays, live concerts are held on the embankment, and in winter, a huge ice town with a slide and sculptures is built. In summer, you can also take a boat trip here – you can see the city from the water during the day or admire the night lights.

What to eat

Sibirsibir — a restaurant of refined Siberian cuisine by local restaurateur Denis Ivanov. There's one in Moscow too, by the way.

Spot & Choo’s — a burger joint in the best American traditions, where DJs are invited and parties are held on weekends. The guys are actively growing: after three locations in Novosibirsk, they opened a fourth in Bali.

FRY — a pub with delicious beer and street food (definitely try the 'poutine'), hidden in the courtyards on Lenin Street.

Gastrokort — a recently opened food space at the Central Market. Here you'll find Pan-Asian cuisine, shashlik, and even the departed Swedish meatballs in the 'IKEA' style.

Maverick — a bar where you particularly feel that you are in Russia. You can drink a nastoyka (infused vodka) and sing 'Znaesh li ty' and Agutin's songs in chorus with guests and bartenders.

Burger Records — juicy burgers and vinyl. Stop by, pick a record, and listen while you eat. Menu items are named after musicians – we recommend the Kanye West with caramelized onions.

Cultural life

NOVAT

The largest theater building in Russia and the former USSR is located here, in the capital of Siberia. NOVAT – the Academic Opera and Ballet Theater – opened in 1945 with the opera 'Ivan Susanin'. Since then, it has been the center of the city's cultural life: world-renowned artists tour the theater, and the best seats sell out instantly. So if you want to see 'The Nutcracker' on the new stage, it's best to plan ahead. Find flights to Novosibirsk on Kupi.com, grab your theater binoculars, and don't forget cash for sandwiches during intermission.

Red Torch Theater

The theater building was erected before the revolution: it used to belong to the Commercial Club and served as a venue for official events and banquets, tours by poets and acting troupes. The traveling 'Red Torch' theater was organized in Odessa in 1920, and in 1932, it moved and settled in Novosibirsk. From 1941–1944, the building housed the Leningrad Pushkin Theater, while the main troupe had to relocate temporarily. 

Currently, the theater is a three-time laureate of the 'Golden Mask' theater festival. It stages both classics and original productions, and also offers backstage tours – book in advance, as demand is high.

Globus Theater

Shakespeare helped found the eponymous London theater in the 16th century. Novosibirsk's 'Globus' is, of course, younger – it started as a Youth Theater in 1930 – but no less popular among locals than its English namesake, and has won as many as six 'Golden Masks'. Today, the theater offers performances for any audience and strives to showcase all artistic styles, schools and directions. So, whether you're going with children or want to thoughtfully watch a complex psychological drama, you'll definitely find something suitable in the 'Globus' repertoire.

Novosibirsk Philharmonic

By the way, it's the largest concert organization in Russia. Programs are designed for all tastes and ages: people come to the Novosibirsk Philharmonic to listen to jazz, classical music, folk music, rock, spiritual chants, and pop. Concerts are held for children and adults, featuring world-class virtuosos and foreign jazz musicians.

Local Lore Museum

The museum collection numbers 147 thousand exhibits. Here you'll find a complete mammoth skeleton discovered in the Novosibirsk region, and a collection of household items of the indigenous peoples of Siberia. There is a permanent exhibition about the region in ancient times, before the arrival of Russians – a must-visit if you're curious to learn what life was like in a sharply continental climate without heating and hot water.

Temples and Churches

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

The first cathedral in the city appeared in 1899 and is dedicated to Emperor Alexander III, who actively developed and built up Siberia. The royal family significantly invested in its construction: they allocated land, donated money, and gifted icons, utensils, and vestments. After the revolution, the place met the same fate as other churches in the country. During the Soviet period, it housed everything from a design institute to a newsreel studio; they even wanted to equip a concert hall. Due to these metamorphoses, little of the original decor remains, but the cathedral is worth visiting: after all, there aren't many 19th-century landmarks in city N., as it was founded in 1893.

Catholic Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Lord

In 1910, a Catholic church was already opened in Novosibirsk for four thousand local Catholic parishioners, but it has not survived to this day. The current cathedral appeared in the city center in the 1990s and immediately catches the eye with its Gothic architecture. On weekends, organ music concerts are held here – it will be interesting even if you are not Catholic and far from religion.

Ascension Cathedral

An Orthodox church founded in 1913. It also met a Soviet fate: from 1937–1944, the church was closed and used as a grain storage. From 1946, the church received the status of a cathedral, and in 1988, for the 1000th anniversary of the Christianization of Rus', a complete reconstruction was completed: entirely stone walls were rebuilt, mosaics were installed, and the surrounding area was landscaped.

Parks and Squares

Pervomaisky Square

A lively spot in the city, favored by street musicians. In summer, they not only sing here but also hold yoga on the grass, read Tarot cards, and draw portraits, while in winter, ice sculptures are poured and snow-covered trees are decorated with garlands. On a warm day, you can spread a blanket under a tree and organize a picnic, after grabbing some takeout treats – there are plenty of restaurants just a couple of minutes' walk away.

Central Park

If you want to go on rides, head to Central Park. It's not very large, but it accommodates extreme roller coasters and carousels for children, as well as a stage where concerts and dances for seniors are held. 

Zayeltsovsky Park

A huge forest area where in winter you can go sledding, ice skating, horseback riding, or dog sledding with huskies. In summer, it's great for walking, cycling, or running. 

Architecture

One-Hundred-Apartment House

The house is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful in the city: the project won a first-degree diploma, a gold medal, and the Grand Prix at the International Exhibition of Arts and Technology in Paris in 1937. Originally, the one-hundred-apartment house, or rather, 110-apartment house, was built for officials and the elite – even rooms for servants were provided. Indeed, prominent people lived in the house: academics Gersh Budker and Evgeny Meshalkin, artist Nikolai Gritsyuk, who was visited by Vladimir Vysotsky. Nearby now are the Philharmonic and a cozy square named after A. D. Kryachkov, the architect who authored the project, and the one-hundred-apartment house is the only architectural heritage site of federal significance in the Novosibirsk region where people still live today.

House with a Clock

Greetings to constructivism fans. The House with a Clock is a prominent example of the style and stands out against the Stalinist buildings on Krasny Prospekt. The clock doesn't work, but that's not the main thing, is it? You can try your luck and climb onto the roof – you see more from a distance, so you can view the main attractions all at once.

Stevedores' House 

The house, built at the same time as the 100-apartment house, was erected in memory of the class struggle of the workers. In 1915, on Fabrichnaya Street, where the Stevedores' House stands, a strike took place: stevedores drove away a mounted police patrol and achieved a salary increase – this inspired the commemoration of the workers' resistance in the building.

For the whole family

Novosibirsk Zoo

This enormous zoo houses 11,000 individuals of 770 species, 350 of which are listed in the Red Book. It also features an oceanarium and dolphinarium, where you can not only observe marine fish but also swim with dolphins. Moreover, the zoo is great for simply walking around or riding an electric scooter – its vast 63-hectare territory allows for it.

Circus

The first circus booths appeared in the city as early as 1899. Until the 1930s, circuses in Novosibirsk remained temporary – a big top was set up on Lenin Street every summer. From 1971, the circus became permanent and occupied its current building – now you can come here with children and don't have to wait for summer.

Planetarium

The largest planetarium beyond the Urals, where lectures and other popular science events for children and teenagers are held. For exploring space, the planetarium has two telescopes, and among other interesting features are Russia's largest equatorial sundial and one of the largest Foucault pendulums – a device for observing the Earth's daily rotation.

Surroundings

Akademgorodok

This district is located 20 km from the main part of the city, part of its territory is forest, and within walking distance is the beach of the Ob Sea, a large local reservoir. Needless to say, Akademgorodok is incredibly peaceful and picturesque. Both in winter and summer, Novosibirsk residents come here for weekend strolls; on warm days, concerts and open-air raves are held in Akadem.

Akadem is the city's scientific and technical center: it houses Technopark – a residence for IT companies and startups, and the country's third-largest university – Novosibirsk State University. And one of its streets even broke a Guinness record as the 'smartest' in the world: over twenty scientific institutes are located along 2.5 km of Lavrentiev Avenue.

Lucky Park

Plan B if you want to escape the noisy concrete center for the weekend. Actually, it's considered to be outside Novosibirsk, in the region, although it's 20 km from the center, just like Akademgorodok, but in a different direction, to the north. The area here is designed for family recreation: first, a walk through the forest, then, when hungry, a visit to the 'Lucky Pizza' restaurant with a lake view, and in summer, lounging on the beach with breaks for swimming (beach access is right next to the restaurant).

Berdsk

Unexpectedly, another city made it into the Novosibirsk selection... Berdsk. The border between Novosibirsk and Berdsk is very conditional: as soon as you see a crossed-out 'Novosibirsk' sign on the highway, Berdsk begins. But it still has its own vibe: in contrast to busy Novosibirsk, Berdsk offers the tranquility of a small town. That's why people come here to relax: to sanatoriums along the Ob Sea coast or to the beach to watch the sunset – in summer, the city resembles Russia's southern resorts. Only palms are missing, but here they are replaced by coniferous forest.

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