Things to do in Krasnoyarsk Region
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Stolby Nature Reserve
Arguably Krasnoyarsk's greatest attractions are the spiky volcanic rock pillars called stolby. These litter the woods in the 17,000-hectare Stolby Nature Reserve south of the Yenisey River. To reach the main concentration of pillars, start by walking 7km down a track near Turbaza Yenisey. Alternatively, there is much easier access via a long chair lift from beside Kafe Bobrovyylog (ul Sibirskaya).
This usually runs year-round on request, but was closed throughout 2005 during a massive ski-slope redevelopment. From the top of the chair lift, walk for two minutes to a great viewpoint or around 40 minutes to reach the impressive Takmak Stolby. Infected ticks are dangerous be…
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Regional Museum
The Regional Museum is one of Siberia’s best. Its wonderfully incongruous 1912 building combines art nouveau and Egyptian temple-style features. Arranged around a Cossack explorer’s ship are models, icons, historical room interiors and nature rooms where you can listen to local birdsong and animal cries. The basement hosts a splendid ethnographic section comparing the historical fashion sense of shamans from various tribal groups. The gift shop sells old coins, medals, postcards and excellent maps.
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Chasovnya
For great city views climb Karaulnaya Hill to the pointy little Chasovnya which features on the Russian 10-rouble banknote. At midday there’s a deafening one-gun salute here.
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Mama Roma
Herb-filled air wafts temptingly from the best Italian eatery in town. Freshly baked pizzas are half price until 6pm. English menu.
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Che Guevara
Has dancing or live music in a fun saloon-club with 1950s pin-ups and a commie-Cuba theme.
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Terrasa Kafe
The Luch entertainment complex contains several eateries, including fast food, fine Russian cuisine and notably the airy glassed-in Tererasa. Enjoy fine views across pl Lenina. Menus range from Japanese to Uzbek and there’s a remarkably filling R150 lunch deal, available daily.
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Retro
Confused decor combining Marilyn Monroe, the Eiffel Tower and cobbled Central Europe, but tasty, if pricey, meat, seafood and salads. For dessert try ‘gifts of the taiga’ – ice cream with forest berries, honey and cedar nuts. English menu.
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Krasnaya Palatka
Watch skiers slither down the slopes from the huge circular windows at this film-themed self-service cafeteria. The decor is trendy, but the Russian and international dishes are unexciting and perhaps appreciated more after a long hike or climb in the Stolby.
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Surikov Museum-Estate
The Surikov Museum-Estate preserves the house, sheds and vegetable patch of 19th-century painter Vasily Surikov (1848–1916). The heavy-gated garden forms a refreshing oasis of rural Siberia right in the city centre.
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Havana Club
A big nightclub with three dance floors and Moscow DJs. Seems to have gone more hardcore in recent years with regular nonstop striptease nights. Wednesday is still student night and Monday’s Russian nostalgia discos are fun.
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Lenin House
In April 1897 the goateed wonder stayed in Krasnoyarsk at ul Markovskogo 27. Lenin House is now preserved and surveyed by a pensive, replinthed statue. A big, much prouder, Lenin statue stands opposite the popular city park.
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Museum
A fascinating little museum at the Victory Memorial relates Krasnoyarsk’s role in WWII, when much Soviet industry was strategically shifted east away from potential bomber raids.
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Traveller’s Coffee
The tempting aroma of newly milled beans lures you into this Starbucks-style coffeehouse, which blends empire-style sofas with exposed heating pipes. Smiley service and sensibly priced milkshakes, muffins and pancakes.
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Kofemolka
Sip roasts from every corner of the bean-growing world amid retro coffee sacks, twirling art nouveau– style wrought iron and sham mahogany at Krasnoyarsk’s newest caffeine stop. Long dessert menu.
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Ekspeditsiya
Source all the equipment you need for a trek into the Siberian wilderness or replace lost or broken camping gear at Ekspeditsiya, a small outdoor shop next to the Sayan Ring office.
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SV Nikolay
Permanently docked below an ugly brown-concrete exhibition centre (formerly the Lenin Museum) is the boat SV Nikolay which transported Vladimir to exile in Shushenskoe.
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Resurrection Church
The top-heavy but elegant 1804–22 Resurrection Church was decapitated in the 1930s but given a new tower in 1998–99. Its icon-filled interior billows with incense.
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Roev Ruchey Zoo
Nearby, the relatively humane Roev Ruchey Zoo is home to numerous Siberian species rare and not so rare, along with happily humping camels. Take bus 50 or 50A.
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Bar Chemodan
A wonderfully atmospheric, if fiercely expensive, 1920s-themed pub-restaurant stocking dozens of whiskies. The stair lift outside is for both the disabled and the inebriated.
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Central Market
There are plenty of eateries along pr Mira, summer cafés on the promenade near the river station and cheap snack stalls in the extensive central market.
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Luch
A futuristically angular entertainment complex with cinemas, video games, pool tables and a moai guarded nightclub. Plenty of fun for children.
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Last Bow Museum
Directly opposite in Astafiev’s grandma’s cottage compound is the Last Bow Museum, giving a taste of rural Siberian life.
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Stolovaya Ok
Well signposted from ul Parizhskoy Komunity, this supercheap and ultrabasic student canteen keeps both stomachs and wallets happy. Handwritten menu.
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Miks Patio
With budget airline decor, a menu heavy with Slavic comfort food and prompt service, this is the stolovaya dragged into the 21st century.
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Rock-Jazz Kafe
Entered through a small bar beside the Dublin Irish Pub, this dark venue showcases live bands around an upturned motorcycle from 6pm most days.
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