Novosibirsk is the largest city in Siberia and the third largest city in Russia. The city is located on both sides of the Ob, the longest river in our country. And if we’re talking about the very best, then the metro in Novosibirsk with the longest metro bridge in the world. However, in addition to interesting facts, the city has plenty of interesting places and activities. Read about some of them in this article.
Spending a weekend in Novosibirsk will be interesting for residents of Tomsk, Barnaul, Omsk and other nearby cities, the journey from which will not take much time.
Approximate travel budget for one person: from 4,300 rubles.
- Round train tickets from 1,200 rubles;
- 1 night in a hostel – from 250 rubles* or in a 3* hotel – from 800 rubles*;
- The average bill in a cafe is 400 rubles;
- Walks around the city, travel on public transport, souvenirs – 800 rubles.
A direct flight from Moscow will take about 4 hours. The cost of a one-way ticket starts from 4,000 rubles (on weekdays). Every day, 5-9 airlines fly from the capital of Russia to Novosibirsk.
1. Opera House
The main symbol of the city is the Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet Theater. This is the largest theater building in Russia. The theater team is a regular participant and winner of various festivals, including international ones.
Focus on ballets with Denis Matvienko and Roman Polkovnikov, and the main star of the opera, which attracts full houses, is Veronica Dzhioeva. By the way, all operas come with subtitles.
Working days: daily.
Opening hours: 10.00 — 21.00.
Poster and tickets – on the official website.
2. Zoo
Novosibirsk residents are very proud of their zoo. Bengal tigers, penguins and even a liger, a hybrid of a lion and a tigress, live here. Find an enclosure with polar bears Kai and Gerda – they love to pose in front of the public. If you’re lucky, you’ll also see the gloomy Pallas’s cat. On the territory of the zoo there is a dolphinarium, where performances are held, and a pond with ducks. And be sure to check out the upside-down house!
Working days: daily.
Opening hours: 10.00 — 24.00.
3. Water park
Novosibirsk “Aquamir” is divided into two zones: a water park with slides and thermal baths. For the first time, it is better to take a ticket to visit both zones and try everything without haste. The most extreme place is the “Water Loop” slide, 19 meters high and with a real loop! More relaxed travelers can take a ride on the bobble that the current carries around the slides, or swing on the waves. To warm up after a swim, head to the sauna or steam bath.
There is a cafe on the territory of the Aquapark. When planning your visit, please note that Saturday is the busiest day.
Working days: daily.
Working hours: 10.00 — 22.00.
Tickets – on the official Aquaworld website.
4. Citrus raf at the Coffee Academy
The most delicious coffee drink is made at the Coffee Academy – citrus raff. It is prepared according to a proprietary recipe. The taste is moderately sweet, creamy and delicate. And, of course, vanilla foam, without which it’s hard to imagine raf.
Due to the popularity of the establishment, it can be noisy here and it is difficult to find a free table. Better order raf to take away.
Working days: daily.
Working hours: 07.30 — 23.00.
Addresses and promotions – on the official website.
5. Excursions to the Novosibirsk Museum
The best way to learn about the history and secrets of the city is to join a tour conducted by the Novosibirsk Museum. Walk through the center with the avant-garde-mystical program “Batman in Siberian Chicago.” Or take a look at Novosibirsk from a boat on a river excursion. In winter, tourists are taken around the Novosibirsk-Glavny station and the city hall. If time permits, take a tour of the hydroelectric power station – this is a secret facility that is usually closed to the public.
Working days and operating hours – depending on the excursion.
Schedule and registration for excursions – on the official website of the Novosibirsk Museum.
6. Floating fountain
A three-jet fountain shoots directly from the Ob River. The best view of it opens from the “City Beginning” park, not far from the bus station. The fountain is open from May to September. In the evening, when it gets dark, color music is added to the fountain – the illumination and height of the jets change.
Working days: all days except Monday.
Opening hours: 16.00 — 22.00.
7. Cinema in IMAX
The first IMAX theater beyond the Urals opened in the Cinema Park cinema (Royal Park shopping center) and still remains the only one in Novosibirsk.
IMAX technology provides the most immersive experience when watching 3D films. New technologies can especially bring Hollywood films to life: sound passes through the viewer, and a special screen uses peripheral vision.
By the way, glasses in IMAX are more convenient than in 3D – they can be worn over regular glasses.
Working days: daily.
Working hours: 10.00 — 24.00.
Schedule and tickets – on the official website of Cinema Park.
8. Wine bars
Wine bars are like any other – only instead of beer there is wine, and the atmosphere is more cultural. Wine can be taken by the glass or just a bottle. The waiter will help you with your choice.
The best and relatively budget places: “Library”, “Ruby” and Pardon my French. By the way, “Ruby” has a promotion – they will exchange a free ticket from the Philharmonic or museum that you visit on the same day for a glass of wine.
Working days: daily.
Opening hours: 12.00 – 24.00.
9. Hockey club “Siberia”
The Sibir hockey team, bronze medalist of the KHL season 2014/2015, works well with the audience. It’s worth coming to the game if only to feel the special atmosphere that the players and fans of the club create together. When the whole audience sings in one impulse: “Forward, Siberia!”, goosebumps march down your spine.
Working days: the hockey season begins at the end of August and, if Siberia makes it through the playoffs, will last until April.
Schedule and tickets – on the official website of HC Siberia.
Photo: Tatyana Krivenko
10. Bohdan Khmelnitsky Street
Bogdan Khmelnytsky Street is famous for its post-war houses surrounded by fir trees, linden trees and rowan trees. While walking, look carefully around. Sculptures by architect Gennady Arbatsky are hidden in the most unexpected places. Let’s say a musician is lurking on a poster stand, and Aibolit is standing opposite the pharmacy.
Walk around the Gorky Palace of Culture. Weddings are often photographed on its steps and balconies. And on Bogdashka there are semi-secret fairy-tale courtyards: “Alice” with card figures and arches (1st Krasnodonsky Lane, 9) and “Gulliver” with a giant slide chair (2nd Krasnodonsky Lane, 10).
11. Akademgorodok
If time allows, be sure to set aside a day to travel to Academy Town. It starts from the River Station, where future scientists and current startupers stand in line for the minibus.
The two buildings of Academpark meet above Nikolaev Street, which is why the locals nicknamed them Geese (by the way, this is also the name of the local brewery). Walk along Lavrentiev Avenue and breathe in the air of freedom. It was in Academgorodok that many major researchers went in Soviet times to make world discoveries. Their houses are located not far from the Botanical Garden. And at the intersection of Zolotodolinskaya and Maltsev streets there is a wonderful pond with ducks who willingly pose for everyone.
* Prices for travel and accommodation are indicated at the time of writing. The cost indicated in the material and the final price may vary depending on the season and time for which tickets are purchased.
You can book hotels online on the website or in the OneTwoTrip app.
Text author: Maria Kargapolova
