Nizhny Novgorod: The Capital of Sunsets
Nizhny Novgorod, with a rich history and culture that spans over 800 years, mixes ancient buildings with modern cultural spots. Located where the Oka and Volga rivers meet and unofficially called ‘the capital of sunsets’, the city offers breathtaking views of the two rivers.
Nizhny Novgorod is great for book lovers. It's where famous writer Maxim Gorky was born and grew up, and the city was named after him for a while.
How to Get to the City
The most efficient route from Moscow is by the Lastochka train, which takes around 4 hours and costs approximately 2,300 roubles for a one-way journey. Notably, Russian Railways provides discounts for students.
If you prefer to drive, the M12 and M7 highways connect Moscow to Nizhny Novgorod, with the trip taking about 5 hours over a distance of 430 km.
Nizhny Novgorod hosts an international airport, offering flights from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan, Novosibirsk, and other major Russian cities. Fares from Moscow begin at 3,500 roubles for a one-way ticket.
For those considering bus travel, an intercity bus from Moscow to Nizhny Novgorod ranges from 900 to 1,700 roubles one way.
During the navigation season, which runs from the end of April to mid-October, you can opt for a cruise ship. This scenic route connects Nizhny Novgorod with Moscow and other cities such as St. Petersburg, Astrakhan, Kazan, Kostroma, Plyos, Samara, Ufa, and Yaroslavl. Cruise packages often include excursion programs with a stop in Nizhny Novgorod lasting about 1–2 days. Prices for a cruise from Moscow start from 35,000 roubles.
Places to Visit
The Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin
The Kremlin in Nizhny Novgorod was built in the 16th century. The construction took 15 years, involving the work of Russian stonemasons and the expertise of Italian engineers. The Kremlin played a crucial role in the country's defence system and has never been taken by an enemy.
Nowadays, the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin is a cultural and administrative centre of the city and the oldest building in Nizhny Novgorod. The Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin Museum, the Art Museum, and the Centre for Contemporary Art are located within its premises.
In 2021, it became the first museum to open a circular route along the military course of the wall for walking tours.
Address: Nizhny Novgorod, 6a Minin and Pozharsky Ploshad,
Open: Daily 10:00am–7:00pm
Tickets: Prices depend on the route and the zone and vary from 50 to 300 roubles. Ticket offices are located in Ivanovskaya, Dmitrievskaya and Zachatskaya towers.
Tseh Space
Tseh is a multimedia art space, located in a former printing plant building. The building had been empty since 2019 when the production stopped. However, the creative community did not neglect the abandoned building, and in 2020, the creative cluster Tseh Space was founded.
The idea of the project is to establish a dialogue between the public and media art. Various events are currently being held at the creative cluster, including installations, public talks, concerts, and exhibitions.
Address: 32 Varvarskaya Ulitsa
Open:
Tue–Sat: 12:00pm–9:00pm
Closed on Mondays
Tickets:
500 roubles
30% discount for students and groups of 15 or more people.
A discounted ticket can only be purchased at the ticket office of the Workshop space
Chkalovskaya Stairs
The Chkalovskaya Stairs connect the Verkhnevolzhskaya and Nizhnevolzhskaya embankments. Located in the historic centre, it is one of the longest staircases in the country.
This landmark used to be one of the favourite places of Valery Pavlovich Chkalov (a Soviet test pilot and Hero of the Soviet Union), who now has a monument at the top of this staircase. The staircase retains its historical appearance even after reconstruction. There is a backlight on the stairs, so it is also suitable for evening walks
Address: Nizhnevolzhskaya Embankment
Where to Take a Stroll
Fedorovsky Embankment
Located on a high river bank, Fedorovsky Embankment or Naberezhnaya Fedorovskogo offers a great view of various parts of the city, including Strelka—the place where the Oka and Volga rivers meet. This viewpoint is perfect for evening strolls.
You can walk here, ride on a swing, relax on the benches, and enjoy the landscape of the city's confluence with nature.
Address: Fedorovsky Embankment, Nizhny Novgorod
Open: 24\7
Bolshaya Pokrovskaya Ulitsa
This pedestrian street, located in the historical centre of Nizhny Novgorod, is one of the oldest streets in the city.
Until 1917, it was considered the street for noblemen. It formed as the main street of the city by the end of the 18th century and is somewhat similar to Arbat Street in Moscow. Here, you can admire the architecture, purchase souvenirs, grab a snack, and visit the local street market.
Address: Bolshaya Pokrovskaya Ulitsa, Nizhny Novgorod
Open: 24\7
Switzerland Park
For those looking for a place to have a picnic and enjoy nature, the main park in the city is the best option. Switzerland Park, a cultural and recreational park, is the largest in Nizhny Novgorod and extends for 3.5 kilometres along the Oka River. It was recognised as the winner of the 2024 ‘Parks of Russia’ award.
Various concerts and events are frequently held in the park. The schedule of these events can be found on the park's website.
Address: Switzerland Park, Nizhny Novgorod
Open: Daily 5:00am – 10:00pm
Nizhny Novgorod Cableway and the Verkhnevolzhskaya Embankment
From the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin or the Chkalovskaya Stairs, along the Verkhnevolzhskaya Embankment, you can take a direct walk to the Nizhny Novgorod Cableway. This walking route includes a variety of attractions. The Verkhnevolzhskaya Embankment is one of the main streets in Nizhny Novgorod, formed in the 1830s. This boulevard, located on top of a hill, leads you past historical buildings and provides views of the Volga River.
The Nizhny Novgorod Cableway is a 3.660-metre-long gondola lift cableway that connects the city of Nizhny Novgorod with the town of Bor. The cable car crosses the Volga River on a 900-metre span, supported by two 82-metre-tall masts and six more masts along its full length. Local residents use it as public transport, but taking the cable car provides a great view of Nizhny Novgorod city and its surroundings.
Address: Kazanskaya embankment 8A, Nizhny Novgorod
Open:
Monday 6:45am–10:00pm; technical break 10:45am–1:00pm
Tue–Wed 6:45am–10:00pm
Thursday 6:45am –10:00pm; technical break 10:45am–1:00pm
Fri–Sat 6:45am–10:00pm
Sundays and public holidays 9:00am–10:00pm
Price: 100 roubles
SUP Surfing along the Volga River
If you are planning a trip in warm weather, then you have a great opportunity to rent a SUP board. SUP (stand-up paddleboarding) surfing is a variation of traditional surfing. In SUP surfing, you stand on the board and use a paddle.
This pastime does not require special athletic training. The rental kit includes a board, an oar, a safety belt, and a life jacket.
Address: 107 Grebnoy Canal Embankment, Nizhny Novgorod
See the relevant schedule and prices on the website
Where to Eat
Nizhny Novgorod is a great destination for a gastronomic journey. The city offers a wide range of restaurants, cafés, and coffee shops, catering to various price ranges and cuisines from around the world.
We recommend visiting Surf Coffee and Skuratov Coffee in the city centre for a relaxing experience, a cup of coffee, and a tasty dessert.
The best breakfast places are Temp, Cafe 38 and Bistro 9/18.
There are also some nice places to have lunch or dinner: Yula pizza, Salut, Ceylon and Curcuma.
Where to Stay
There is a great variety of places to stay in Nizhny Novgorod. You can look through the options on the website.
Text by Olga Timofeeva, Polina Safronova, and Polina Sukhacheva, bachelor’s students of Foreign Languages and Intercultural Communication, interns at the HSE University English website team