explore Yekaterinburg, Russia

What to see in Yekaterinburg, Russia

  • Ganina Yama. Once a pit in the woods where the bodies of the executed Romanov family and three of their dedicated servants were disposed, Ganina Yama is now home to a series of wooden chapels dedicated to the memory of the Romanovs. In addition to the chapels on sight, there is a garden of lilies that honors the family. Bus 223 runs to Ganina Yama 6 times a day. Take the Yekaterinburg metro line to Mashinostroiteley and walk to the bus stop. In summer months, minibuses from the train station run 3hr long tours to the sight for approximately 500 rubles. Taxis cost about 1000 rubles one way to the sight. The Yekaterinburg tourist center runs tours to the site as well.
  • Church on the Blood, (Near the metro station Dinamo). Church on the Blood built in 2003 at the site of the execution of Tsar Nicholas II and his family. The largest temple of Yekaterinburg is located in the site of the execution of the royal family. The ensemble of the complex includes a chapel in the name of Martyr Elizabeth (Princess Elizabeth of Hesse and by Rhine, Tzaritsa Alexandra’s older sister, also murdered in the Revolution) and patriarchal farmstead, together with Ascension Church area is called the Holy Quarter. The temple-on-Blood is one of the main attractions of Yekaterinburg. There are Orthodox fairs and Processions bring distinguished guests. So beautiful the building in winter, when the temple seems to glow from within in the dark. 
  • Ekaterinburg Museum of Fine Arts, 5, Voevodina str (Just south of the Goroskoy Prud, on the west bank of the river). Some fine works by Russian 18th and 19th century artists, minor artists of the 16th to 18th Century European Schools and some lovely small sculptures and jewelry.
  • QWERTY Monument, (On the river bank near metro station Ploshad’ 1905 goda). Easily one of Russia’s weirdest attractions is the gargantuan keyboard monument in this city. Big white stones rise from the earth, and as you approach, you see engraved upon them, typical keys like “Q” and “SHIFT.”
  • Circus, (Near the metro station Geologicheskaya). Richly ornamented building which hosts all sorts of circus shows. Nearby is the abandoned television tower.
  • Ural State University, (To the east from 1905 square along Lenin avenue). It’s a wonderful building situated in a neighborhood full of beautiful old buildings. Makes for a pleasant stroll in the direction of Square of 1905.
  • Ural State Technical University. Another wonderful building. Alma mater of Boris Yeltsin.
  • Opera and Ballet Theatres. There are many theatres situated in the inner city around Square of 1905.
  • Shirokorechenskoye Kladbishche Cemetery. This is the infamous “Mafia cemetery” where there are dozens of graves ornated with big life-size images in stone of former Mafia members.
  • Ledovyj Gorodok, (Right on Ploshad’ 1905 goda). During New Year’s. A whole city block under the eyes of Lenin made out of ice. On the central Square of 1905. Open approximately from December 20th and works for a month.
  • Vysotsky Skyscraper. Best-known urban observation deck is located on the 52nd floor. From a height of 186 meters you can see both the center of Yekaterinburg and remote areas.
  • Zoo. The zoo is one of the favorite places for rest of citizens and guests of Ekaterinburg. Here you can relax with the whole family to see exotic animals, learn more about the amazing life of the inhabitants of the zoo. The Yekaterinburg zoo has existed since 1930. Today it contains more than 380 species of animals, 70 of which are listed in the Red Book. Currently, it’s situated in the city center and has very limited space, so don’t expect modern safari-style zoo there. Currently, the new place for a zoo is being designed near the airport.
  • The Square of 1905. The Square of 1905 is the main city square, which citizens are used to calling just “the square”. It’s located in the city center and area overlooks such streets as 8 March, Yeltsin, Weiner and Volodarsky and Banking alleys. On the west and east sides, it’s being crossed by Lenin avenue. The name of the area was due to the revolutionary events that occurred there in November 1905. The square also hosts important events of Yekaterinburg.
  • Yeltsin Centre, ul. Borisa Eltsina. Opened in 2015 Boris Yeltsin Presidential Centre serves as a social, cultural and educational center. One of the main objects of the centre is Boris Yeltsin’s Museum, a vast exposition dedicated to the contemporary political history of Russia and the first president of Russia. After a brief exhibit about the history of Russia (only in Russian) proceed to the contemporary history part of the museum. Equipped with dozens of films and interviews (with English subtitles) one can easily spend whole afternoon there.
  • Limpopo. The largest water leisure park in Europe.
  • Yekaterinburg For You English Club. Every Wednesday at 8:00 PM at Osobnyak restaurant, ul Krasnoarmeyskaya, 8. Great place to meet other foreigners and local Russians who speak English. 

Yekaterinburg offers plenty of cross-country skiing. There are some downhill skiing resorts as well. It will take you approximately 25 minutes to get to the nearest of them from the center of the city.