Chelyabinsk (Russian: Челя́бинск cheel-YAH-beensk) is a big city, with more than a million inhabitants, the capital of Chelyabinsk Oblast in the European part of Russia.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Chelyabinsk is the closest city to where a meteor exploded during its fall through the atmosphere on 15 February 2013. It is the largest known meteor to enter Earth's atmosphere since the 1908 "Tunguska Event". The high heat and extreme pressures of entering and traveling through the atmosphere caused the meteor to explode at an altitude of 30–50 km, sending a powerful shockwave through the city and surrounding regions. People in Chelyabinsk are mostly Russians, Tatars and Bashkirs; other nations are present as well. The level of education can vary as well as social background and wealth. The society is extremely polar from incredibly rich to extremely poor.
Marshrutka is a very convenient means of transportation. It is a typically Russian transport. Marshrutka can be considered as a shared taxi but it follows a certain route. All marshrutkas have route numbers painted on them. They follow the route like a city bus but they stop at bus stops only on demand. If you want to take marshrutka, stay at the right place (a bus stop) and hitch by stretching your hand. If you want to exit, just say it to the driver, preferably very loudly. Keep in mind that the driver will only stop at the next official bus stop and he might not hear you. You would better ask other passengers for instructions.
1 State Historical Museum of the South Urals (Gosudarstvennyy Istoricheskiy Muzey Yuzhnogo Urala), Ulitsa Truda, 100, ☏ +7 351 264-34-64. Traces history of Chelyabinsk area, including exhibits on dinosaurs and the 2013 Chelyabinsk Meteor. (updated Apr 2021) 2 Chelyabinsk Museum of Art, Ulitsa Truda, 92А. Smallish European/Russian art museum. (updated Apr 2021) 3 Monument to Kurchatov, west end of Prospekt Lenina next to Gargarin Park. Imposing statue of this physicist, a city landmark. (updated Apr 2021)
1 Chelyabinskiy Zoopark, Ulitsa Truda, 191, ☏ +7 351 263-18-64. City zoo. 2 Gagarin Park or Park Imeni Yuriya Gagarina. Heavily-forested park where you can enjoy taking a walk. Park Aloe Pole, Prospekt Lenina and Prospekt Sverdlovskiy. This is like a big city square with statuary and landmarks to view. Sad Pobedy, Ulitsa Geroyev Tankograda, 79. Greenspace where you can look at Russian artillery to your heart's content. Koleso Obozreniya, Prospekt Sverdlovskiy, 51А. A creaky-looking Ferris wheel that offers views of the Reka Miass embankment for the intrepid. Swimming. Swim in one of many Ural lakes. Swim season is from June to August. E.g. Shershni and Smolino lakes.
1 Farfor (Доставка еды Farfor), st. Molodogvardeytsev, 38A, ☏ +7-963-4613-555. 10:00-23:00. Pizza, rolls, sushi, assorted sets, Japanese soups, salads, desserts, main dishes and drinks. ~500 руб per person. (updated Aug 2023) 2 Restaurant Rodnya, Ulitsa Kirova, 82. A pretty Russian-representative dining experience. (updated Apr 2021)
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
In Jul, Chelyabinsk typically sees ~23°C daytime highs and 12 rainy days.
Cheapest destinations travellers searched recently — refreshed daily.
Flight prices are real fares travellers found in the last 48 hours, refreshed daily — the booking site confirms the final price. Train, bus and ferry fares are shown on the operators' booking sites. Weather data by Open-Meteo; exchange rates: ECB reference. Data updated 2026-07-22. Some links earn Stayonomy a commission at no cost to you.