Year 2022 will be special for Russian volleyball: for the first time in history, our country will host the Men’s World Volleyball Championship. The event will cover 10 cities of Russia, one of which will be Novosibirsk. Six matches of the 2022 World Championship will be held in the capital of Siberia. Four teams from Group C will compete at the Lokomotiv Arena: ones from Poland, USA, Mexico, and Bulgaria.
If you decide to attend these matches and visit Novosibirsk, we have prepared the detailed guide that will definitely help you spend time in an interesting and useful manner in this Siberian city — straight for this purpose.
MUST SEE
Novosibirsk Zoo
The Zoo rightfully occupies a special place in the list of Novosibirsk sights. It is one of the largest zoos in Russia, and there are 11,000 animals of 770 species, more than 350 of which are listed in the Red Book.
The entrance fee for an adult is 400 rubles, and a ticket for a child aged 7–16 years costs 150 rubles. Tip: be sure to choose weekdays for a visit to the zoo, because there are a lot of people there on weekends.
Opera House
After a walk around the zoo and exposure to new species of animals, we advise you to move to the heart of Novosibirsk — the Opera House built in the very center of the city. The way from the Zoo to the Lenin Square, where one of the main Novosibirsk sights is located, will take only about 15 minutes by taxi.
The Novosibirsk Opera House is the largest theater building in Russia which has also been operating for 75 years. In the afternoon, you can walk around it and sit on a bench nearby, and go to the ballet in the evening.
Central City Park
The next stop after the Opera House can be made in the Central City Park, which is a 5-minute walk away and was founded almost 100 years ago — in 1921. This place is unique for its entertainments: there are about 30 of them in the park, so it will not be difficult for you to choose one that suits you.
There is also enough space in the Central Park for leisurely walks, during which you can admire the surrounding nature.
Novosibirsk Akademgorodok (Academic Town)
If you have had enough of the city’s hustle and bustle, be sure to visit Akademgorodok. Yes, it’s a long way to go: to get to the place you will have to spend about an hour. But bank on it: it’s worth your time, as it’s full of beautiful green areas, forests, and various parks. People even breathe differently there.
Besides its gorgeous nature, Akademgorodok has extremely important scientific significance for the whole country: it is one of the most essential scientific and educational centers in Russia.
Monument of Glory
On the way back from Akademgorodok visit the huge monument to the Siberians who took part in the Great Patriotic War. It is located on the left bank of Novosibirsk, in the Leninsky City District.
Saint Nicholas Chapel
The Orthodox chapel located in Krasny Prospect is one of the city symbols. It was founded back in 1914, but only 16 years later a decision was made to demolish the building. It’s only in 1993, by the 100th anniversary of Novosibirsk, when the Chapel was rebuilt. Now it is an integral part of the city’s architecture.
EXPLORE
Monument to Wedding Toast «Now a Kiss!» (Gorko!)
The sight was opened on September 6, 2011, and for a good reason: Novosibirsk is not only the capital of Siberia, but also a wedding center of our country, since the largest number of marriages are registered here every year. And the monument to wedding toast «Now a Kiss!» (Gorko!) was included in the Guinness Book of Records as the first monument to a toast.
The composition by Novosibirsk sculptor Aleksandr Krutikov symbolizes the newlyweds’ shapes kissing while dancing.
Sovetskaya Street
Sovetskaya Street is one of main streets in Novosibirsk. Until 1920, it was called Kabinetskaya Street in honor of His Imperial Majesty’s Cabinet, a state institution which owned the entire land of most Siberian cities. Kabinetskaya Street was also a cultural center of Novonikolaevsk (Novosibirsk had this name until 1926).
Now it houses the city museum, the monument to the Soldiers of Victory, and many iconic Novosibirsk establishments. It’s a must see for guests of the city.
Planetarium
The planetarium is located rather far: on one of the highest points of Novosibirsk, the Klyuch-Kamyshensky plateau (about 40 minutes from the downtown). It was opened on the Day of Russian Science, February 8, 2012, as part of the federal program on celebrating the 50th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s flight.
In the planetarium you can watch full-dome films (the cost of a ticket is 280 rubles for adults, 196 rubles for children), theatrical performances (490 to 570 rubles), as well as various concerts, shows, and entertainment events. Besides, the largest Russia equatorial sundial is installed on the territory of the planetarium as well.
Krasnyy Fakel (Red Torch) Theater
One more cultural landmark of Novosibirsk. The history of the Krasny Fakel Theater stretches back to Odessa where it was founded in 1920. Twelve years later the theater moved to Novosibirsk, and the same year the first performance was given. From that time, the building of the Red Torch Theater has undergone more than one internal reconstruction and renovation, but its exterior has remained intact since its opening.
If you are not a huge fan of opera or ballet, this theater is for you. It is located very close to the downtown: it takes less than 10 minutes to walk from here to the Lenin Square.
To explore other places to visit, check out the guide from the fashion blogger:
MUST EAT
Akademia Kofe (Coffee Academy)
If you want to spend the morning with a cup of coffee or fragrant tea while enjoying delicious breakfast, you should visit the Academy. The first coffee shop of this chain was opened in the center of Novosibirsk in the building of the Tsentralnaya Hotel back in 2014. Since then, the chain of these coffee shops has grown to 8 branches all around the city.
The most popular Academy is the one in Lenin Street. With a special application, you can order coffee in a few clicks, so, when you arrive to the coffee shop, a fragrant drink will already be waiting for you on the counter. It’s a perfect solution for guests of the city who want to have time to see all the sights in a short period of time without spending precious minutes in line for a coffee.
Twiggy Restaurant-Museum in English Style
The restaurant is located in the center of Novosibirsk, at Potaninskaya Str., 10a. It is a perfect choice if you get a little tired of the architecture of the Siberian capital and would like to immerse into more aristocratic interiors: the restaurant is furnished in the London style. The menu is abundant in its variety, and a range of beautiful and delicious cocktails will captivate you.
Fenimore Cooper Restaurant
Your next gastronomic stop should be at the Fenimore Cooper restaurant. The interior here is unusual: the place is decorated in the style of Westerns, so there are a lot of Indian-cowboy things and household items.
The menu mainly consists of meat dishes, therefore the restaurant is perfect to satisfy hunger after a long walk or a city tour.
Sosedi (Neighbors) Restaurant of National Cuisine
The Sosedi Restaurant is likely one of the most unconventional establishments in Novosibirsk. There are brick walls and pillars, ethnic patterns on the walls and ceiling, a piano and shutters, and the menu featuring Kamchatka crabs, Sakhalin oysters, scallops, octopuses, and caviar. Unconventional, isn’t it?
An average bill in the establishment is about 2,000 rubles, which is higher than upon the average in Novosibirsk. But it’s worth it.
Krysha (The Roof) Bar
If you want to experience the atmosphere of night-time Novosibirsk, Krysha will be an excellent choice. The bar is located near the Aura Trade Center, and it is very close to the Lenin Square.
The average bill here will be about 1,500 rubles.
Bla Bla Bar — a Food Court Bar
Be sure to visit this establishment, because it has no analogues in entire Russia. This is the largest bar space in the country, which accommodates about 20 bars. And, as you might guess, the choice of alcoholic beverages and cuisines is the widest here.
Every weekend, concerts of stars take place in the Blah Blah Bar: over the past six months, Klava Coca, Niletto, Mitya Fomin, Lesha Svik, SHURA, Kasta, and many others have performed here. The establishment is open on Fridays and Saturdays only, and the average bill is about 2,000 rubles.
Skomorokhi (Buffoons) Café
Tired of the hustle and bustle, and want placidity and something sweet? Skomorokhi is a perfect option. One of the oldest pastry shops in the city will open its doors to you and offer an impressive range of delicious desserts.
You can take the products with you or taste them right on the spot: each Skomorokhi Café is furnished with special tables.
VOLLEY VIBES
Sportivny Gorod (Sports City)
Sportivny Gorod is happy to welcome volleyball fans and provide them with a venue to engage in their favorite sport. On weekends, it often hosts tournaments where everyone may take part. You can enroll in a team regardless of your sex, age, and sports category.
Lokomotiv Arena
Lokomotiv Arena is certainly a center of Novosibirsk volleyball. It was decided to build the newest facility after the Lokomotiv’s victory in the European Champions League in 2013. The opening of the arena took place just over a year ago, on October 3, 2020.
Now it hosts games of the Lokomotiv main team and sports school classes in volleyball.
Sever (The North) Sports Complex
Before the Lokomotiv Arena was built, it had been Sever SC that had served as a heart of volleyball in Novosibirsk. It was the only sports complex where games of the Russian Volleyball Championship could be held. Aside from volleyball players, boxers, football players, judokas, and karatekas practice there as well.
CLOCKS
The clock counting down the time until the start of the World Championship was launched in the end of August 2021, on the Mikhailovskaya Embankment.