Traveling through the cities of the European part of Russia, it is impossible to ignore Nizhny Novgorod. The city has a rich history and many historical sights have been preserved in the city. The city is located in a beautiful place, at the confluence of the Oka and the Volga. It will be interesting and pleasant for inquisitive tourists to visit Nizhny Novgorod, stroll along the streets and embankments of this ancient city.
A little about the city
The city of Nizhny Novgorod is one of the largest and one of the oldest cities in the European part of Russia. The history of the city is closely connected with the history of Russia and many historical places and sights have been preserved in the city.
There is much that Nizhny Novgorod can be proud of. The Nizhny Novgorod Fair used to be widely known in Russia. Gorky Automobile Plant was well known in the USSR. Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin - an ancient fortress - a beautiful historical landmark. Many cruise routes run along the Volga, so a visit to Nizhny Novgorod is included in the programs of many river cruises.
Where is Nizhny Novgorod
The city is located in central Russia, at a distance of about 400 kilometers east of Moscow), at the confluence of the Oka and Volga. Oka divides the city into two parts. (On the opposite bank of the Volga, there is already another city - Bor.)
Distances:
- Nizhny Novgorod - Moscow (by car, from the Moscow Ring Road) - 400 kilometers.
- Nizhny Novgorod - Vladimir - 230 km.
- Nizhny Novgorod - Kazan - 390 km.
- Nizhny Novgorod - Kostroma - 340 km.
How to get there
You can get to Nizhny Novgorod by different means of transport. It all depends on your place of departure and your preferences. Someone will be more comfortable by rail, someone will prefer the plane. Residents of nearby cities can come by bus or in their own car.
Nizhny Novgorod Railway Station (Nizhny Novgorod-Moskovsky) is located on the left bank of the Oka. (The Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin is located on the other side of the Oka.) The distance from the station to the city center is about 4.5 kilometers. It is more convenient to get from the railway station to the city center by bus or taxi. (Nearby is the metro station "Moskovskaya".)
Nizhny Novgorod Airport (Chkalov Strigino Airport) is located approximately 20 kilometers southwest of the city center and the railway station. You can get from the airport to the city center by bus (during the day) or by taxi. (See buses No. 20 No. 56 with a change at No. 40.)
The river station is located on the right bank of the Oka at its confluence with the Volga, not far from the Kremlin. During navigation, both cruise ships and local ships stop here. In summer, boat trips (on a yacht) are also offered along the Volga and the Oka.
What to see and visit
Nizhny Novgorod is a really beautiful city. There are many places where to walk and what to see for tourists.
Walk along the banks of the Volga. The river gives a special beauty to the city.
Climb to the high bank of the Volga along the Chkalov Stairs.
Walk around the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin. The Kremlin is the historical center of the city. The construction of the fortress began in 1221 . At first it was a wooden fortress. The construction of the stone Kremlin began at the beginning of the 16th century.
There are many beautiful places on the territory of the Kremlin. There is a beautiful view of the Volga from the territory of the Kremlin.
From the Kremlin (from Minin and Pozharsky Square) begins the main tourist street of the city - Bolshaya Pokrovskaya Street (Pokrovka). There are many beautiful buildings of the 19th century on the street, several sculptures interesting for tourists (A cheerful goat [although there is no much fun on her face], a sculpture of the actor Evstigneev, a smiling cat, a policeman). There are also plenty of places to eat on Bolshaya Posadskaya, including high-end restaurants, mid-range restaurants, and an inexpensive eatery. If you go a little further, beyond Maxim Gorky Square, you can reach the large shopping center "Nebo".
Chkalovskaya staircase. The staircase is one of the landmarks of the city. The staircase is located next to the Kremlin and connects the Upper Volga and Lower Volga embankments. (If you stand on the embankment with your back to the Volga and facing the Kremlin, then the stairs will be to the left of the Kremlin.) (For a long time it was the longest staircase in Russia.)
National Unity Square. The square is another beautiful, historical place. The square is located between the Kremlin and the Volga, near the Ivanovskaya tower of the Kremlin. On the square are the Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist and the monument to Minin and Pozharsky. Rozhdestvenskaya Street originates from it. The distance to the river station is about 500 meters.
Where to stay
It is more convenient for tourists to choose hotels located in the city center, not far from the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin. In this case, you will be able to walk around the most beautiful places in the city and get to the hotel on foot.
For example: the Oktyabrskaya Hotel is located in a beautiful place, on the banks of the Volga, within walking distance from the Kremlin.
If you are looking for a hotel near the railway station, then you can recommend (for example) hotels "Botanika Loft" or "Marins Park Hotel Nizhny Novgorod".