Vladivostok

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Bridge across the Golden horn bay in Vladivostok

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Overview

The unofficial capital of the Russian Far East and one of Russia's most important commercial ports and naval bases, Vladivostok ('Master the East') is also a thoroughly charming city, with a gorgeous, hilly setting, striking architecture and numerous verdant islands and sandy bays along its Pacific coastline. Most notable of these is Golden Horn Bay (named for its likeness to Istanbul’s), over which now soars a massive suspension bridge, one of two built in recent years that have hugely improved the city's lumbering Soviet-era infrastructure.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

Zarya Centre for Contemporary Art

Vladivostok

The full renovation and repurposing of a former clothing factory into a giant creative complex containing offices, studios, cafes and work spaces is one…

Russky Island

Vladivostok

A fully militarised zone for most of the past 150 years, this big island just offshore has been reinvented as a business and academic centre and is home…

Primorsky Oceanarium

Vladivostok

This massive new development on Russky Island is one of Vladivostok's planned key attractions and opened with great fanfare in 2016. It's a vast space in…

Funicular

Vladivostok

Vladivostok’s well-oiled funicular railway makes a fun 60-second ride up a 100m hill every few minutes (unless the old girl is experiencing one of her…

Arsenev Regional Museum

Vladivostok

This recently redone museum dates from 1890 and offers three floors of galleries, although there's little in the way of English labelling. Exhibits delve…

S-56 Submarine

Vladivostok

Perched near the waterfront, the S-56 submarine is worth a look. The first half is a ho-hum exhibit of badges and photos of men with badges (all in…

Transfiguration Cathedral

Vladivostok

Vladivostok was building a massive new cathedral on its central square at the time of writing, and it's set to be one of the city's most recognisable…