Things to do in Yekaterinburg
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Romanov Death Site
On the night of 16 July 1918, Tsar Nicholas II, his wife and children were murdered in the basement of a local merchant's house, known as Dom Ipatyeva (named for its owner, Nikolay Ipatyev). During the Soviet period, the building housed a local museum of atheism, but it was demolished in 1977 by then-governor Boris Yeltsin, who feared it would attract monarchist sympathisers.
Today, the site is marked by an iron cross dating from 1991, and a second marble cross from 1998 when the Romanovs' remains were sent to St Petersburg for burial in the family vault.
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Ekaterinburg Guide Centre
An enthusiastic group that organises English-language tours of the city and trips into the countryside, including all destinations described in the Around Yekaterinburg section and the difficult-to-reach village of Verkhoturye (where Grigory Rasputin started his spiritual journey), as well as hiking and rafting expeditions. Day trips cost anything between R1900 and R5000, depending on the number of people in the group.
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Urals Mineralogical Museum
For a stunning introduction to the Urals semiprecious stones, visit Vladimir Pelepenko’s private collection, also known as the Urals Mineralogical Museum, in Bolshoy Ural Hotel. This impressive collection contains thousands of examples of minerals, stones and crystals from the region, many crafted into mosaics, jewellery and other artistic pieces.
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Church upon the Blood
The massive Byzantine-style Church upon the Blood dominates this site. While many believe these funds might have been better spent, this new church was built to honour the Romanov family, now elevated to the status of saints. Rumour has it that this controversial church contains the most expensive commissioned icon in all of Russia.
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Ural Expeditions & Tours
This group of geologists from the Sverdlovsk Mining Institute has found a unique way to market their skills and knowledge – leading trekking, rafting and horse-riding trips to all parts of the Urals, including Taganay and Zyuratkul national parks. English-speaking guides. To reach the office get trolleybus 3 or 7 to the Gurzufskaya stop.
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Georgian Kitchen
This is a classic Georgian place, complete with kitschy artwork and Christmas lights. But the shashlyk, kharcho (rice with beef or lamb soup) and khachapuri (cheese bread) are spicy and delicious. And the keyboardist-crooner belting out the ballads never fails to inspire some dancing (or perhaps that's the Georgian wine).
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Chapel of the Revered Martyr Grand Dutchess Yelizaveta Fyodorovna
The pretty wooden Chapel of the Revered Martyr Grand Dutchess Yelizaveta Fyodorovna honours the imperial family’s great-aunt and faithful friend. After her relatives’ murders, this pious nun met an even worse end when she was thrown down a mineshaft, poisoned with gas and buried.
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Port Stanley
The sunny terrace on the banks of the Iset makes this a top spot for dining in summer, while the modern interior is also pleasant. The menu is seafood - not from the Iset, we hope. Sample Russian favourites, like grilled sturgeon or herring salad, or more-exotic fare, like sea bass or lobster.
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Ekaterinburg Guide Center
An enthusiastic group that organises English-language tours of the city and trips into the countryside. Popular excursions include rafting, hiking and biking trips in the Urals, as well as Ganina Yama and the Europe-Asia border. Also arranges discounted accommodation and home stays.
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Istorichesky Skver
The city of Yekaterinburg grew up around Istorichesky skver, where today you'll find a clutch of tiny museums housed in the historic buildings. Peek into the old water tower, one of the city's oldest structures, then head over to the old mining-equipment factory and mint buildings.
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Gordon’s
Yekaterinburg has a bevy of places posing as English, Scottish or Irish pubs, although in fact they are rather expensive restaurants/nightclubs with a strict dress code. The most famous of them is the Scottish Gordon’s, part-owned by an Irishman.
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Vodoley
Specialises in trout, which patrons are encouraged to catch with fishing rods from a pool outside. Much less crowded and much friendlier than its more centrally located rival, Pyramid. Wild boar, venison and bear shot by the owner may end up on the menu here.
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Ural Geology Museum
More-serious geologists will appreciate the Ural Geology Museum, which has over 500 carefully catalogued Ural region minerals and a collection of meteorites. Enter from ul Khokhryakova inside Urals State Mining University.
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Uspensky Food Court
On the top floor of the Uspensky shopping centre, this food court offers burgers, pizza, sandwiches, sushi and more. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide a sweeping view of the city centre and a new perspective on the activity below.
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Paul Bakery
No relation to the British namesake, this café, entered from ul Vaynera, is great for a quick snack and coffee, ordered from the counter. It is located in a compound with a several other restaurants of the Malachite empire.
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Mak Pik
Now in several locations around the city, Yekaterinburg's original fast-food restaurant specialises in burgers like the 'Big Mak Pik'; it also does pizza, pelmeni (Russian-style ravioli) and, of all things, sushi.
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Nigora
Nigora offers spicy filling Uzbek food - soup and plov (fried rice with lamb and carrot) to fill the belly and warm the soul. Heavy wooden tables and a low, painted ceiling add to the cosy, welcoming atmosphere.
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Synagogue
The city’s new synagogue is further along ul Kuybysheva. It has a cheap cafeteria inside (open from noon to 8pm, Sunday to Friday) and an internet café (open noon to 5pm on the same days).
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Dacha
Each room in this restaurant is decorated like one in a Russian country house, from the casual garden to the more formal dining room. It’s a great place to enjoy unbeatable Russian cuisine and hospitality.
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Rosy Jane
An English pub - not to be confused with the Scottish pub down the street and the Irish pub around the corner. The dark wood bar features seven different draught beers and more than 150 kinds of whisky.
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Serbian Courtyard
Patrons talk international politics here, but whichever side of any of the ex-Yugoslavs’ conflicts you might leaning to, this place will treat you to the best Balkan fare this side of the Urals.
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Em Sam
Sushi is the rage all over Russia, and Yekaterinburg is no exception. Nice lunch specials and a convenient location make this place particularly popular. There is another outlet in Bolshoy Ural Hotel.
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Philharmonic
Yekaterinburg’s top venue for the classical performing arts often hosts visiting directors and soloists, as well as the regular performances of the acclaimed Urals academic orchestra.
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Railway Museum
Housed in the old train station, dating from 1881. Exhibits highlight the history of the railroad in the Urals, including a re-creation of the office of the Soviet-era railway director.
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