Novosibirsk (Russian: Новосиби́рск nuh-vuh-see-BEERSK) is a city of 1.6 million people (2018) in Novosibirsk Oblast, Siberia. Its main interest for visitors is as a stop-off on the Trans-Siberian Railway, two days from Moscow.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
The course of the Trans-Siberian Railway was dictated by where it was possible to span the great rivers of Siberia, and this altered as engineering techniques advanced. To cross the mighty River Ob, they eventually chose the village of Krivoshchekovskaya, founded in 1696. A new town grew up, at first called Novonikolayevsk (Новониколаевск), in honour both of Saint Nicholas and of the reigning Tsar Nicholas II.
The city centre is fairly compact and a walk from the railway station to Lenin Square takes around 20 minutes. Public transport includes a Metro system in the city centre as well as buses, trams, marshrutkas and trolleybuses. A ride on intra-city public transport costs 35 руб or less. Be careful: The trolleybus line at main street has a terminus called "Airport", but this is the station for the disused airport, not OVB.
1 Novosibirsk Museum of Regional Studies (State Museum of Local History and Nature, Museum of History and Ethnography, Новосибиркий Государственный Краеведческий Музей), Krasnyi Prospekt 23 (Metro: Ploschad Lenina), ☏ +7 8 383 227-15-43. W F 10:00-18:00, Th 12:00-20:00, Sa Su 13:00-18:00, closed M Tu. History of Novosibirsk and Siberia and its peoples from mammoth-hunting days through Russian colonisation, the coming of the railway, communism, and today. Audioguide via izi.travel app. Temporary exhibitions on the top floor. 200 руб. (updated Sep 2019) 2 Novosibirsk State Art Museum (Новосибирский государственный художественный музей), Krasnyi Prospekt 5 (short walk S from Lenin Sq).
1 Opera House (Novosibirsk State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater) (In the city centre), ☏ +7 383 222-60-40, office@novat.nsk.ru. Many of the performances are famous works and it is interesting to see the Siberian interpretations. Recommended to purchase tickets in advance. Since there is plenty of snow in Siberia during the winter, going skiing or ice skating could be a lot of fun in Novosibirsk. There are a lot of ice arenas in the city. Some of them are free of charge, but those don't usually rent skates. The ones that rent skates may be not free of charge. One of the centrally located stadiums is "Spartak".
There are many good dining options and many local chain restaurants. Lenin Square is a popular place to eat. Italian food, sushi, and Russian food are all very popular. Many cafes offer lunch specials on weekdays. Beerman. Friendly beer restaurants with several locations in the city: Beerman&Grill (1 Vokzalnaya Av., Novosibirsk Hotel), Beerman&Pelmeni (7 Kamenskaya St., Hilton Hotel), Beerman&Pizza (7 Karla Marksa Sq.) Great food and in-house beer. Pechki-Lavochki (Печки-Лавочки), Ulitsa Frunze, 238 (in Sibirskiy Moll), ☏ +7 383 335 80 38. Rustic "Traktir"-type restaurants with typical Russian cuisine — grilled and/or smoked beef and pork, sausages. Several kinds of fish dishes.
Rock City, Krasnyy Prospekt, 37, ☏ +7 383 227 01 08. M-F 17ː00-00ː00, Sa Su 12ː00-02ː00 or later. People's Grill & Bar, Ulitsa Vokzal'naya Magistral', 16 (Down a stairway opposite St. Nicholas Chapel), ☏ +7 383 222-62-15. 12:00-02:00. Celebrity hangout. Serves burgers, wraps, pasta, pizza, sushi, fajitas and cocktails. Pub 501, ul. Lenina, 20, ☏ +7 383 218-09-39. Serves great food as well as drinks. Prices are higher than most places.. The Russian café chain Coffee House (Кофе Хауз) has several locations in Novosibirsk, but the food is considered to be subpar and overpriced. Travelers Coffee, Several locations. Good selection of tea and coffee. English menu is available.
While it's better to stay away from some run-down areas, the overall situation is not bad. Pervomayskiy rayon and far-off neighbourhoods of Leninskiy and Kirovskiy rayons should be avoided at any time. The safest place is the centre, nearby Lenin Square.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
In Jul, Novosibirsk typically sees ~24°C daytime highs and 12 rainy days.
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