Yaroslavl in one day: attractions and independent walking route

Yaroslavl was recently recognized as the capital of the Golden Ring. The city carefully preserves the heritage of Ancient Rus', but at the same time, new tourism industries are rapidly developing. It is comfortable here to either spend an eventful weekend exploring ancient sights, or relax and stroll along the embankments and relax in modern tourist complexes. In 2 days on your own in Yaroslavl it is possible to explore most of the sights if you plan your route in advance.

Temple of Elijah the Prophet Photo: © Ena

Park of the 1000th anniversary of the city of Yaroslavl

A statue of a bear created by Zurab Tsereteli in the park of the 1000th anniversary of Yaroslavl
The park was built in 2010 on the banks of the Kotorosl River in the Kirovsky district as part of the preparation program for the city’s anniversary. Construction took place under the leadership of architects V. Grebenshchikov and N. Kudryashov. The recreation area is located on the site where there was previously a hippodrome. It continues the City Park complex.

The main attraction of the park was the statue of a bear, created by sculptor Zurab Tsereteli.

In the park, in honor of the city’s anniversary, the authorities hold events dedicated to public holidays (New Year’s Eve, Maslenitsa, Victory Day, City Day, Children’s Day, Family Day and many others). And in the summer, it becomes a center of entertainment not only for all residents, but also for city guests. Modern playgrounds have been installed especially for the safety of the youngest citizens. There are also separate places for bikers, rollerbladers and skateboarders.

Children's attractions in the summer make the park even more attractive. There you can not only relax by the fountains and flower beds, but also have fun riding cars or zorbing.

Entrance to the park is free for everyone.

Yaroslavl

History of Yaroslavl

According to written sources, Yaroslavl was founded by Yaroslav the Wise in 1010 on the site of the Meryan settlement Medvezhy Ugol. According to legend, in order to reconquer the land from the pagans, the ruler even had to fight a live bear, as a result of which a club-footed man armed with an ax began to appear on the official coat of arms of the city. The place chosen by the prince turned out to be convenient, first of all, from a strategic point of view: on two sides the new city was protected by the steep banks of the Volga and Kotorosl, and on the third, the steep Medveditsky ravine approached its walls. The Volga trade route, which passed through this territory, was not discounted either.

The Russian 1000 ruble banknote depicts Yaroslavl and a sculpture of the city’s founder, Yaroslav the Wise.

By the 12th century, Yaroslavl had grown significantly, becoming the capital city of the principality: stone churches began to be built there, and the first handwritten books appeared in the library of the Spasskaya Monastery. However, already in the second half of the 15th century, the city completely lost its independence and submitted to Moscow.

Yaroslavl managed to make a real economic breakthrough immediately after the Time of Troubles. By that time, most of the local population had turned to trade, turning their homeland into the country's second largest business site. A golden stream flowed into the city treasury, which gave impetus to the construction of new churches and cathedrals. The city lived in luxury until the ascension to the Russian throne of Peter I, who preferred to look for new trade routes. As a result, business life in Yaroslavl began to slowly but inevitably fade away, and the local merchants had to show remarkable ingenuity in order not to go bankrupt.

Alexey Bogolyubov. “Religious procession on the Volga in Yaroslavl” (1863)

In 1777, Yaroslavl received the status of a provincial city, continuing to bloom and become more beautiful. Educational institutions opened in the city, public parks were established, and even their own periodicals began to appear. The former Bear Corner also managed to satisfy the claims of Dumas the Father himself, who, during his trip to Russia, was indescribably delighted with the convenience of local hotels. People had to pay for external and financial well-being already at the beginning of the twentieth century. During the civil war, the city was subjected to devastating artillery shelling, which destroyed dozens of unique monuments of ancient Russian architecture. Soviet development also made a partial “contribution” to the distortion of the historical appearance of Yaroslavl.

Yaroslavl during the USSR

Economy

Having lost its status as the country's second trading platform at the beginning of the 18th century, Yaroslavl immediately relied on industrial production, thanks to which it found itself in a big plus. The modern city is a self-sufficient industrial center that built its material and economic base back in tsarist times. It is within its boundaries that such production giants as electrical machine-building, motor, car-repair and shipbuilding plants are located. Recently, the oil refinery OJSC Slavneft-Yaroslavnefteorgsintez, located on the outskirts of the city, has been bringing good income to the local budget. The light and food industries are represented by a clothing factory, a brewery, a dairy plant and a factory for the production of felted shoes.

Foreign investment is also being attracted to the city: in the early 2000s, not far from the regional center, a plant of the Japanese company Komatsu grew up, specializing in the assembly of road equipment, and in 2012 a factory for the production of pharmaceuticals of the Swiss concern Nycomed opened in Yaroslavl.

Districts

Geographically and administratively, the city of Yaroslavl is divided into 6 districts:

• Dzerzhinsky;
• Zavolzhsky;
• Kirovsky;
• Krasnoperekopsky;
• Leninist;
• Frunzensky.

Yaroslav the Wise founded Yaroslavl on this site in 1010.
The main flow of tourists falls on the Kirovsky district, which includes the territory of the historical center, where the main architectural attractions are located. Not every Yaroslavl resident can afford to buy an apartment in this part of the city: the area is considered prestigious and real estate prices in it are close to those in Moscow.

The right bank of the Kotorosl was occupied by the city industrial zone - Krasnoperekopsky district or, as the locals say, Perekop. In the 18th century, the distant ancestors of today's enterprises - manufactories - were located here; accordingly, most of the families of factory workers settled in Perekop. Today, tourists visit this area mainly to see the Church of John the Baptist in Tolochkovo, the Church of Peter and Paul and St. Andrew of Crete, the Fedorovsky Church, as well as the Peter and Paul Park.

The largest district of the city is Zavolzhsky, stretching along the left bank of the main water artery of Yaroslavl and known as the place where one of the oldest Orthodox monasteries in Russia is located - the Tolgsky convent. To take an excursion to the temple complex in Korovniki, tourists will have to go to the Frunzensky district, but you can stroll through the exhibition halls of the Museum of Military Glory in the Leninsky district.

Sights of Yaroslavl

It is almost impossible to visit the sights of Yaroslavl in one day. The ideal option is to stay for a couple of days to leisurely and thoroughly explore several dozen of the most outstanding places.

Bogoyavlenskaya Square

You should begin your acquaintance with the capital of the Golden Ring from Epiphany Square or, as the locals call it, Podbelki, where all tourists entering Yaroslavl from Moscow end up. In the center of a small area with circular traffic there is a monument to the founder of the city - Yaroslav the Wise. The main decoration of Podbelka is the Church of the Epiphany. The external appearance of the building is somewhat distorted by unsuccessful restoration (the differences between the shades of bricks of ancient and modern masonry are too striking), but in general you can get an idea of ​​the original appearance of the church.

Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery in Yaroslavl

The Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery has spread its chapels nearby: today the oldest of the city's stone buildings and the favorite abode of the “tyrant of all Rus'” Ivan the Terrible. Note the rocket-shaped structure opposite his gate. This is the chapel of the Kazan Mother of God, erected in 1997 in memory of the people’s militia gathered by Prince Pozharsky and set off from here on a campaign against Moscow. By the way, it was in the library of the monastery that an invaluable monument of ancient Russian literature was found - “The Tale of Igor’s Campaign”. Hidden behind the monastery is the Church of Elijah the Prophet, which is worth visiting if only to look at the 17th-century altar iconostasis and the picturesque frescoes created by local craftsmen.

Assumption Cathedral on Kotorosl embankment

It is worth noting that there are an incredible number of Orthodox monasteries and churches in Yaroslavl, and new ones are not very common among them. A few exceptions include the Assumption Cathedral on Kotoroslaya embankment. The oldest temple in the city was blown up after the revolution, and what can be seen today in its place is nothing more than a modern copy.

On the territory of the city there are two ancient convents, Kazansky and Svyato-Vvedensky. One of the oldest Russian icons is also located in Yaroslavl, in the Church of the Archangel Michael, so if you come to the city to venerate Orthodox shrines, welcome to the temple on Pervomaiskaya Street. But the Ilinsko-Tikhvinskaya Church on the Volzhskaya Embankment is better known for its pretentious exterior, which is not surprising: services have not been held in the temple for a long time, and its premises are occupied by archives and artists’ workshops.

Kazan Convent

Holy Vvedensky Tolga Convent Church of the Archangel Michael, Yaroslavl

Elias-Tikhvin Church

You can appreciate the frescoes by Russian isographers of the 17th century in the Church of St. Nicholas Nadein, on Narodny Lane, and to pray at the icon “Softening Evil Hearts” you will have to find the Church of the Savior on the City on Pochtovaya Street. Another original architectural monument in the Peter the Great Baroque style is hidden in Peter and Paul Park. The Church of Peter and Paul is not spoiled by visits from curious tourists, since it has not been fully restored, so all those looking for off-the-beaten-path routes should come here. The temple with the 1000-ruble bill is the Church of John the Baptist in Tolochkovskaya Sloboda. The walls of this fifteen-domed structure are lined with colored tiles depicting scenes from the Holy Scriptures.

Church of St. Nicholas Nadein

Church of the Savior on the City

Church of Peter and Paul in Yaroslavl

Church of John the Baptist in Yaroslavl

Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery

The Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery is located in the very center of the historical part of Yaroslavl, at the confluence…

Church of Elijah the Prophet

The Church of Elijah the Prophet is an elegant snow-white temple located in the center of Yaroslavl, on Sovetskaya…

Museum Music and Time

The Museum of Music and Time is located in Yaroslavl. This is the first private museum in Russia, founded in 1993...

Volzhskaya embankment

The Volzhskaya embankment in Yaroslavl is a bright calling card and the main promenade of the ancient city. Above the bend...

Yaroslavl Zoo

Yaroslavl Zoo is the first and largest landscape-type zoo in the Russian Federation,…

Circus in Yaroslavl

The circus in Yaroslavl is a vibrant entertainment center in the capital of the Golden Ring tourist route...

All sights of Yaroslavl

Interesting places

Going to Yaroslavl just to wander around the historical part of the city is not the right approach to the matter, especially since there are many other exciting routes you can create here. Be sure to walk along Kirov Street, called Yaroslavl Arbat. So far this is the best place in the city for sitting in a cafe and doing a little shopping.

By the way, the residents of Yaroslavl themselves prefer to spend their free time on the embankment, which has three tiers and is considered the most beautiful of all the Volga embankments. You can get here by walking to the end of Pervomaisky Boulevard, another iconic place in Yaroslavl, which locals jokingly dubbed Broadway. Promenades along the main waterway of the city can be combined with a cultural program, since in the vicinity of the Volzhskaya embankment there are several museums (Museum of History, Yaroslavl Art Museum) and historical buildings (Arsenal Tower, Metropolitan Chambers, Tikhomirov estate).

Volzhskaya embankment

Yaroslavl is a rather large city, and if we also take into account its industrial significance, the question of recreational areas immediately arises, which in such places are simply necessary to restore strength and psychological balance. Topping the list of the best vacation spots is the so-called Strelka, a park at the confluence of the Volga and Kotorosl, where there is a monument in honor of the founding of the city. The park itself is two-level: once upon a time, on the site of its upper part there was a chopped city (Kremlin), from which the history of Yaroslavl began. The greatest activity on Strelka reigns in the evenings, since it is at this time of day that the light and music fountains turn on their illumination.

Arrow of Yaroslavl

On weekends, residents of Yaroslavl move to the Damansky Island Park, famous for its mind-blowing attractions and fabulous paths that entangle the entire park area. A favorite place for newlyweds and musical groups is the Governor’s Garden on the Volzhskaya Embankment, where you can not only sit sedately on a bench, but also look into the governor’s house, where a collection of paintings by Russian avant-garde artists is kept.

Damansky Island ParkGovernor's Garden on the Volzhskaya Embankment

A dolphinarium, a circus and the largest landscaped zoo in Russia are open for little tourists in the city. Well, for those who are not indifferent to the secrets of the Universe, the Yaroslavl Planetarium, built in 2010 and equipped with modern astronomical equipment, awaits.

Circus in YaroslavlWhite lion cubs in the Yaroslavl Zoo

Yaroslavl Planetarium

Cultural program

Drama Theater named after
Fedora Volkova If you come with a baby, be sure to go to see “The Golden Key” or “The Canterville Ghost” at the city puppet theater on Svobody Street. For old-school spectators, a chamber theater is suitable. The establishment is in private hands, but, according to reviews, they play here masterfully. A place with centuries-old traditions and an off-scale level of dignity - the Drama Theater named after. Fedora Volkova. Any self-respecting Yaroslavl resident will definitely tell you that this is the first professional theater in Russia, founded by a descendant of a local merchant. You can listen to choral singing, classical musical improvisations and even jazz at the city Philharmonic.

Fans of all kinds of exhibitions will also find something to keep themselves busy, since there are more than a dozen museums in Yaroslavl. You can get acquainted with paintings by Repin, Kramskoy and Perov, unknown to the general public, at the art museum. To hear interesting facts about Yaroslavl and its residents, check out the city museum on the Volzhskaya embankment. In the former merchant's house on Sovetskaya Square there is a museum of foreign art, where the works of the great graphic artists of the Middle Ages are exhibited, including engravings by Albrecht Durer. By the way, most of the exhibits were once owned by private collectors in the city.

T-54 tank and Grad-1 installation in the museum of military equipment

Museum "Aleshino Podvorie"

The male half usually does not miss the museum of military glory, which has a park of military equipment, and young naturalists prefer the museum of entertaining sciences, where you can try on the role of a mad scientist, performing a couple of exciting experiments. To plunge into childhood, you will have to find the house at number 8 on Poshtovaya Street, which is home to at least 700 bears. The exhibition is represented mainly by toys, figurines and other souvenirs, but this does not make it any less interesting.

At the Museum “Music and Time” on the Volzhskaya Embankment they will tell you about the principle of operation of the harmonium, not forgetting to demonstrate the extensive collections of antique watches and porcelain. A unique collection of ancient icons is located in the Museum of Ancient Russian Art in the Metropolitan Chambers. Well, for a real fabulous show you will have to go to the Aleshino Podvorie museum, where the guides are Alyosha Popovich, Lyubava and the prankster brownie.

Yaroslavl in winterKirov streets in Yaroslavl

Hotels

Travelers who come to Yaroslavl for the “spirit of Russian antiquity” are usually recommended thematic design hotels, for example, “Ioann Vasilyevich” or “Alyosha Popovich Dvor”. Here you will be offered original decorated apartments, a steam bath in a real bathhouse, and traditional Russian dishes. Prices for a standard double room in both hotels are not astronomical: around 2800-3600 rubles.

A large number of housing offers can be found in the vicinity of the historic city center. Basically, these are quite decent establishments with a couple of stars, or without them at all. Some of the mini-hotels in Yaroslavl are located in newly restored historical buildings (Dostoevsky, Kuptsov House), which gives them additional attractiveness in the eyes of tourists.

You can rent a studio or a separate apartment with a good renovation for 2000-2800 rubles. per day. If your budget is bursting at the seams, do not hesitate to look into city hostels such as Oxygen O2, Like Hostel, Attic and Kefir. For five hundred, a homeless wanderer will be provided with a bed in a common room. By the way, in the same “Kefir”, if necessary, they will allocate a warm place for your four-legged friend.

For those who come to Yaroslavl with the aim of fishing, wandering through mushroom places, or simply taking an introductory excursion around the Volga region, there are country hotels and forest cottages - “Bend”, “Coastal Yarburg”, park-hotel “Yaroslavl”. The beauty of such housing is that it is, as a rule, located on the picturesque banks of the Volga and relatively remote from industrial facilities.

Booking.com

Restaurants and cafes in Yaroslavl

Coffee house “Horns and Hooves”
The owners of Yaroslavl cafes are not only enterprising, but also creative people, as the names of the catering outlets themselves clearly hint at. For example, fans of the immortal creations of Ilf and Petrov will definitely appreciate the colorful interiors of the Horns and Hooves coffee shop on Pervomaiskaya. The place is proud of its authentic atmosphere and good quality food (they do not serve fried Keys). For a fatty piece of pork knuckle and a glass of good old schnapps, stop by the U Stirlitz beer restaurant. By the way, on weekdays, from 11:00 to 16:00, there is a tempting 20% ​​discount on the entire menu. If you miss a glass of foam and the gastronomic heritage of the Soviet past - dried vobla, welcome to Afonya. It was not by chance that the owners gave this name to their tiny establishment: it was on the streets of Yaroslavl that the tragicomedy of the same name with L. Kuravlev was once filmed. An economical dining option in the city center for those nostalgic for Soviet interiors is Gastronom No. 1. According to reviews, it is better to come here in the morning: by evening the range of dishes in the cafe becomes noticeably poorer.

Connoisseurs of Asian cuisine should pay attention to the wok cafes "Maneki" and "Tokyo", but in Yaroslavl it is customary to satisfy the longing for hamburgers and fried potatoes in fast food restaurants like McDonald's and KFC.

Holidays and festivals

Once every two years, the streets of Yaroslavl resound with viscous musical rhythms, which signals the beginning of Russia's oldest jazz festival, Jazz over the Volga. In addition, once a year the former Bear Corner gathers professional bell ringers from all over the country, who come here to take part in the Transfiguration music and bell festival.

Every summer, the Yaroslavl Levtsovo airport is stormed by a crowd of thousands of representatives of various subcultures, occupying these places during the Dobrofest rock festival.

Dobrofest

On the last Saturday of May, the whole of Yaroslavl is covered with a wave of unbridled fun: the sky over the Volga is painted with colorful explosions of pyrotechnics, festive excitement reigns in the streets, and musical groups compete in numerous parks. This general riot means only one thing: the festivities in honor of City Day are officially open.

Yaroslavl, City Day

What to bring from Yaroslavl

Souvenir from Yaroslavl
Well, of course, the official symbol of the city is a bear! Porcelain, plush, painted on a T-shirt - in general, in any form, as long as it is clear that this is the Yaroslavl clubfoot.

An ideal gift for the harsh representatives of the stronger half is the products of the local distillery, in particular the well-known balm “Old Yaroslavl”, infused with wild berries and medicinal herbs. If, while walking around the city, you went to the Music and Time Museum, then most likely you came out with porcelain bells in your hands. Speaking of porcelain: the quality of local majolica is considered to be quite high, so don’t hold back and buy a few figurines and cups to commemorate your trip. And here you can also find the legendary “Chaika” watch, yes, the same one from the Soviet past. And don’t forget about Poshekhonsky cheese: after all, the Yaroslavl region is its real homeland.

City's legends

Urban legends of Yaroslavl are not classic tales hastily invented by enterprising guides in order to impose their services on an unlucky tourist.
Here, every horror story has a real basis, sometimes outrageously distorted, but, nevertheless, it took place. For example, if they tell you the legend about Biron’s carriage, which travels along the Volzhskaya embankment at night, then keep in mind that Anna Ioannovna’s favorite, who fell into disgrace, was actually once sent into exile in the former Medvezhiy Ugol. The dancing night lights on Bozhedomka also have their own backstory. In ancient times, there was a cemetery here where suicides, drowned people and vagabonds were buried. They usually did not stand on ceremony with the corpses: they dumped them in a common pit and did not have a funeral service for a long time. The dead, naturally, did not like such inattention, so they started a tradition of wandering around Bozhedomka and giving random passersby a heart attack - at least some kind of entertainment. Among the relatively new horror stories, one can recall the tale of a poltergeist who settled in a pink house with an arch on Red Square. In the 30s, this building was inhabited by the party elite, and then they slowly began to thin out the inhabitants of the house. Unreliable “elements” were quickly identified and disappeared forever, and after a while inexplicable things began to happen in the apartments of the repressed, frightening the new residents. Well, how can we not remember the famous Spassky Monastery, in which, according to some sources, Ivan the Terrible once kept a secret prison. It was not city thieves who were kept in her cells, but personal enemies of the sovereign, with whom only the tyrant himself had the right to talk.

5 things you must do in Yaroslavl

• Dine at the Ioann Vasilievich restaurant and receive a compliment from the chef in the form of “overseas caviar, eggplant.”
• Rub the nose of the bronze bear on Pervomaiskaya Street and listen to the menacing roar that the clubfoot makes once an hour.
• Go to the most beautiful village in Russia according to the results of 2015 - the village of Vyatskoye, which is 25 km from Yaroslavl.
• Take a photo hugging the monument to the heroes of the film “Afonya” at the pub of the same name.
• Support a domestic manufacturer and buy a pair of felt boots, which are made in a local factory. This company has been producing felted boots for over a hundred years, so you can rest assured of the quality of the products you purchase.

Restaurant "Ioann Vasilievich"Bronze bear on Pervomaiskaya street Village of VyatskoyeMonument to Athos in Yaroslavl

Transport

Yaroslavl trams
The main types of public urban transport are buses and minibuses connecting all areas of the regional center. Typically, traffic on the streets of Yaroslavl begins at 5:00-6:00 and subsides by 23:00-23:50.

Yaroslavl is one of the few places in Russia now where you can still ride a tram. The line here is old, operating since 1900, and the number of routes is constantly decreasing: for example, in 2009, trams were completely “expelled” from the historical center of the city. However, colorful trailers are still running along the streets of Blucher, Chkalov, Sverdlov and Volgogradskaya. There are also several trolleybus routes in Yaroslavl, which, presumably, will also soon cease to exist.

Useful information: to explore the historical center of the city, wait for trolleybus No. 1, which goes around the main architectural sights.

The cost of travel on any type of public transport is 23 rubles. Either the driver (on a bus) or the conductor (on a tram and trolleybus) must pay for the trip. Electronic travel cards have recently been introduced in Yaroslavl, but buying them is not profitable for a tourist arriving in the capital of the Golden Ring for several days.

There are about fifty taxi companies serving residents and guests of the city in Yaroslavl. As for the costs for this type of transport, the following scheme applies: a fee for calling a car (about 80-100 rubles per landing) plus a fixed fee per kilometer (about 8-11 rubles).

There is also a river station in Yaroslavl, where you can buy a ticket for a motor ship or river bus, which will take you along the Mother Volga with the breeze, giving you the opportunity to admire the romantic panorama of the former Bear Corner.

Yaroslavl River Station

Connection

Cellular communication services in Yaroslavl are provided mainly by the Big Three operators (Beeline, Megafon, MTS), so when going on a weekend to the oldest of the Volga cities, it is not necessary to purchase an additional SIM card. It is enough to activate the necessary roaming option on your existing SIM card in advance or simply change the tariff to a more favorable one, which provides a discount on calls from another region. There are also no difficulties with the mobile Internet: the LTE standard in Yaroslavl was launched quite a long time ago by all cellular operators. Traditional “habits” of free or conditionally free Wi-Fi are local hotels and catering outlets.

How to get there

Yaroslavl has its own Tunoshna airport, which receives flights from Arkhangelsk and St. Petersburg. On average, a flight from the Northern capital takes 1 hour 20 minutes.

Tunoshna Airport

The more popular form of transport is the train. Several routes depart daily from Yaroslavsky Station in Moscow towards the city. In addition, trains going to Arkhangelsk, Syktyvkar and Chita stop in Yaroslavl. The average ticket price is 1100-1600 rubles.

To get to Yaroslavl from St. Petersburg, you will have to start your journey from the Moskovsky station, from where the St. Petersburg - Yaroslavl train and the comfortable Tekstilny Krai train go in the desired direction with a final stop in Ivanovo. From other routes you can choose trains to Ufa and Samara.

You can also get to the oldest of the Volga cities from Moscow by bus (departures from the Shchelkovo bus station every 1.5-2 hours). Travel time will be around 5 hours, ticket price – from 700 rubles.

Those who dare to travel to Yaroslavl by personal vehicle will have to travel along the M-8 Kholmogory highway, through Korolev and Pereslavl-Zalessky. Just 3.5 hours - and you are in Yaroslavl. The road from St. Petersburg through Cherepovets and Poshekhonye will take at least 10 hours.

"Museum-Reserve"

Yaroslavl "Kremlin" - museum-reserve

The most popular tourist attraction in the city is the state museum-reserve, which is located on the territory of the former Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery. Today the temple is not operational, but it is still called the Yaroslavl Kremlin due to its massive towers. The museum is also unique in that its visitors were Ivan the Terrible and Mikhail Romanov.

Along with the cathedral, the complex of the museum-reserve includes six more churches built in the 17th-18th centuries, located in Yaroslavl outside the reserve:

1) Elijah the Prophet with tented bell towers. 2) Nikola Nadeina, who is decorated with mother-of-pearl tiles. 3) Annunciation, paved with red brick. 4) Epiphany with expensive fresco painting. 5) John the Baptist with fifteen chapters. 6) Nativity of Christ, decorated with ancient frescoes.

The first place to visit is Epiphany Square and the church of the same name, which is located next to the reserve.

View of Yaroslavl from the tower of the museum-reserve

Where to relax on the weekend near Yaroslavl?

There are interesting routes not only in the city, but also in the Yaroslavl region and neighboring regions. Anyone who likes to travel around Russia by car often chooses the following destinations for a weekend tour:

Rostov the Great - Pereslavl-Zalessky. They are located on the M-8 highway (60 and 120 km from Yaroslavl, respectively). These are two ancient cities that are included in most Golden Circle tours.

If you decide to visit Rostov, be sure to take a walk around the white-stone Kremlin, where the film “Ivan Vasilyevich Changes His Profession” was filmed. And those who choose to stay in Pereslavl-Zalessky will see many ancient churches and the beautiful Lake Pleshcheyevo.

Tutaev - Rybinsk. These two cities also stand on the same road from Yaroslavl, only in a northwest direction (at a distance of 40 and 85 km). Tutaev is, first of all, the Resurrection Cathedral and a park of the Soviet period. Rybinsk is interesting for its architecture and reservoir, where in good weather you can have a beach holiday.

Myshkin - Uglich. Two Volga cities with a quiet and enchanting atmosphere. Both are located approximately 100 km from Yaroslavl.

Park on Strelka

Yaroslavl “Strelka”
It will take you at least 2 hours to completely explore the entire territory of the reserve. After this, you can walk along the embankment to the place where two rivers merge. This is the most picturesque place in Yaroslavl, which was called “Strelka”. Recently, a monument was erected in the park, which is dedicated to the city’s anniversary (1000 years). It has the shape of an arrow with a double-headed eagle, at the base of which there are statues of important figures headed by Yaroslav the Wise.

What to see in 2-3 days

If it is possible to stay in the city for 2-3 days, you will be able to carry out the excursion route:

1. Start your walk from Red Square, from which go on foot to Pervomaisky Boulevard to the Drama Theater. Volkova.

2. Passing by, you will be able to see the surviving building of the Kazan Monastery.
3. Opera lovers should turn into Sverdlov Lane and follow it to Sobinov Street, where the house-museum of the famous opera singer is located.
4. Further along Sverdlov Street is the Vorontsov Theater.
5. Immediately behind the theater are historical buildings of the 19th century, among them the Gostiny Dvor, which has partially survived.
6. Pervomaiskaya Street ends at the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery, facing the river, you can see the Church of the Epiphany on the right.
7. Not far from the intersection of B. Oktyabrskaya and Sobinov streets is the D. Solunsky Cathedral.
8. Going down the Kotorosl embankment, you will pass by the Church of St. Nicholas the Mokroy, behind which is the street. Tchaikovsky.
9. Following it on foot, you will be able to get to the city's Millennium Park.
10. Opposite the park is the Planetarium.

Embankment of the Volga River

From Strelka you can walk to the embankment towards the Volga. The modern, landscaped square does not create a contrast with the general appearance of the ancient city. On the contrary, they complement each other. It’s better to start your acquaintance from the second level, which offers an incredible panoramic view. Also, many historical monuments and valuable architectural objects are concentrated here: the Volga Tower, the Music and Time Museum, the Metropolitan Chambers, ancient houses and estates.

Volzhskaya embankment

The embankment has a fence, and each architectural monument has its own stand with detailed information. The embankment is decorated with musical fountains, cozy gazebos, and summer cafes with terraces, which provide a pleasant atmosphere for walks and cultural recreation.

Museum "Music and Time"

Museum "Music and Time" on the Volzhskaya Embankment
Collector John Mostoslavsky founded a museum in 1993 with a large collection of ancient musical instruments, watches, ceramics and various valuable antique exhibits. It became the first commercial organization since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Winter tourism

In Yaroslavl in winter you will be able to see what is inaccessible to tourists in other seasons of the year: the colorful life of the Old Russian population during the cold period.

Excursion programs include:

• history of the courier service;
• sleigh ride traditions;
• you can see old Russian huts smelling of bread.

Along with antiquity, the city has a well-developed modern infrastructure:

• 20 outdoor and indoor skating rinks;
• 32 hockey fields;
• parks for snowboarding and skiing.

In winter, special extreme sports parks operate in the vicinity of the city, among which are:

• “Fun” - sledding, tubing;
• “Podolino” is a place where you can have fun on sleighs, skis, and tubes;
• “Shaksha” will help brighten up your leisure time with skiing, snowboarding, and cheesecakes;
• “Bend” offers skis, snowboards, and cheesecakes for rent;
• “Nikolina Gora” is a park that provides skiing, snowboarding, and tubing services.

Red Square

Yaroslavl has its own Red Square with V.I. Lenin.
Along the embankment towards Pervomaiskaya Street there is an opportunity to get acquainted with the heritage of the Soviet Union - Red Square. It was built at the end of the 18th century. And its original name became “Semyonovskaya Square” thanks to the church located on the territory. After the revolution, the church was demolished, and the square was renamed Red. In the place where the church stood, a house with an arch appeared. A monument to the great leader Lenin was erected not far from it. This pedestal is a copy of the monument in front of the Smolny Cathedral in St. Petersburg.

Thematic excursions

Often, after walking around the city on your own, you want to learn more about the history and famous local residents. The best option for an in-depth acquaintance with Yaroslavl is guided tours. You can choose a specific theme (“Temples of Yaroslavl”, “History of the City” and others), or you can go for a walk along the city streets accompanied by a local - they will show you places hidden from mass tourism, the best places for lunch and buying souvenirs.

Excursions around Yaroslavl on the project Experts.Tourister.Ru

Assumption Cathedral Photo: © dualia1

Boulevard Pervomaisky

While walking along Pervomaisky Boulevard, be sure to visit the Kazan Convent.
The alley runs through the central part of the city: from the Volzhskaya Embankment through Red Square to Volkov Square. The boulevard is distinguished by its variety of valuable architectural monuments: the Kazan Convent, the sculpture of Saints Peter and Fevronia, the oldest theater in the country - the Drama Theater named after F. G. Volkov, as well as the Ognyanov estate and the monument to Nekrasov. In the evening, the boulevard becomes especially lively with crowds of tourists and locals in restaurants.

Sights of Yaroslavl: what else to visit in Yaroslavl?

If you have already seen those sights of Yaroslavl, photos with names and descriptions of which we have now given, pay attention to such objects as:

Planetarium of the Center named after. V. Tereshkova

Cultural and Educational Center named after.
V.V. Tereshkova is a landmark of Yaroslavl. The object was opened 8 years ago in a modern and very unusual futuristic building - in the shape of a spaceship. The complex includes: a room with a “Starry Sky” projector, an astronomy club, 5D attractions, a cafe, an interactive classroom and a museum. Scientific meetings and conferences are regularly organized. Buy a ticket to the planetarium and you can join the ranks of space fans and explorers.

Official website: https://yarplaneta.ru/

Yaroslavl Circus

Yaroslavl State Circus on Truda Square
is a real pride of the city residents: exciting and incredible shows are held on stage, interesting to visitors of all ages. The circus features magicians, clowns and gymnasts. In addition to local artists, the most famous troupes from different parts of Russia and the world come here on tour.

Official website: https://circus-yaroslavl.ru/

Yaroslavl Dolphinarium

A spectacular performance with the participation of unique sea animals at the Yaroslavl Dolphinarium.
A spacious entertainment complex, which features several restaurants and cafes, including for children, a hotel, playgrounds and attractions, a wellness center (also for children) and a giant swimming pool. There are two performances per day, in which trained dolphins and fur seals participate. The heroes of the show are also beluga whales. After the performances of the “artists” come to an end, everyone can swim with tame sea creatures (for a fee) and take great photos.

Official website: https://www.yardelfin.ru/

Yaroslavl Zoo

The entrance to the main building of the Yaroslavl Zoo
Menagerie is located conveniently close to a pine forest. Opening date: 2008. The zoo is loved not only by numerous guests of the metropolis, but also by local residents. The number of animals living on an area of ​​120 hectares is over 1,600. Such a vast area was allocated as a tourist attraction not by chance. Each animal species has a separate “living space”, arranged according to the principles of their natural habitat. Yaroslavl Zoo is one of the largest in our country.

Official website: https://yar-zoo.ru/

Demidovsky Garden

The Demidov Pillar in the center of the Demidov Garden in the city of Yaroslavl
is a city park area where parades and processions were held in former times. The central part of the square is decorated with a column in memory of Demidov. Let us note that initially the territory was developed by order and with the money of Vakhrameev, who held the position of mayor of the city. But the local population began to call the complex the Demidov Garden, remembering the column located here. 13 years ago the square underwent a complete reconstruction. An excellent place for a relaxing holiday and walks in the fresh air.

Ferris wheel "Golden Ring"

Attraction Ferris Wheel at dusk
The main feature of this wheel is its extraordinary size - it is one of the tallest in the Russian Federation and European countries. The structure is located on the city embankment and has a height of 22 floors or 65 meters from ground level. For VIP guests there are luxury cabins, for all other visitors there are 30 also quite cozy cabins with images of the regions of the Golden Ring. If you want to see Yaroslavl from a bird's eye view and take some breathtaking photos, you won't find a better place to visit.

Museum-reserve N.A. Nekrasov "Karabikha"

Museum-reserve of N. A. Nekrasov in the former Golitsyn estate of Karabikha.
The exhibits of the complex tell about the work and life of the great Russian writer Nekrasov. The exhibitions are located in an 18th-century mansion built at the direction of Golitsyn. At one time, the house belonged to the writer himself, and then to the city authorities. 60 years ago it was decided to organize a memorial museum there, which the estate is now.

Official website: https://karabiha-museum.ru/

Bear places in Yaroslavl

Topiary (shrub sculpture) shows the heraldic emblem of Yaroslavl. In the center of the landscape park there is a multi-meter coat of arms of Yaroslavl. Sculpture of a bear in Yaroslavl.
The symbol of the city is a bear, so in Yaroslavl there are several sculptures depicting a clubfoot. You can also find here Bear Gully and other attractions bearing the name of the mighty animal.

Arena 2000

View of the universal cultural and entertainment complex "Arena 2000. Lokomotiv"
One of the most comfortable entertainment and sports centers in Europe is located right here. The decision to create the complex was made at the end of the 20th century, when Yaroslavl hockey players managed to win the Russian Championship, and the previous arena could no longer accommodate all the fans of the popular game. The sports complex is equipped with the latest technology. If you are passionate about hockey, you should definitely check it out.

Official website: https://www.arena.yar.ru/

Volkovsky Drama Theater

The first drama theater in Russia

The Volkov Theater was the first drama theater in the country. It began its work back in 1750. The first performances for the audience were staged by Fyodor Volkov, who came from a merchant family. They took place in a barn for the production of leather goods.

The troupe was first moved to the theater premises in 1911. The repertoire presents classic works with a completely new vision.

Znamenskaya Tower

Znamenskaya Tower
Behind the Drama Theater and Volkov Square rises the Znamenskaya Tower. Previously it was called Vlasyevskaya. The original building, erected in the 16th century, was burned down. The new name was received because of the fresco called “The Sign”, which became a decoration of the tower. Currently, the building houses a university.

Gostiny Dvor

Rotunda of Gostiny Dvor
Outside the tower area is Gostiny Dvor, which has the appearance of a one-story exhibition and round building built in the early 19th century. This building has retained its purpose to this day. During the Soviet Union, there was a department store there, and since the 90s, private shops have opened. They are not of particular interest to tourists, so it is better to explore the attraction only from the outside.

Kirova street

Pedestrian street of Kirova
The most popular part of the city is the pedestrian street of Kirova. It stretches from the Znamenskaya Tower to the Volzhskaya Embankment. The place is very popular due to the variety of food outlets. There you can visit an establishment for every taste and budget.

The architecture of street buildings conveys the style of ancient hotels and taverns at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries.

Planetarium named after Valentina Tereshkova

Yaroslavl Planetarium
The planetarium first opened in 1948 in the building of the Church of the Intercession of the Virgin Mary of the Kazan Convent. But along with the collapse of the USSR, the building was given back to the clergy.

A new modern institution with an observatory and exhibition was restored for the anniversary of Yaroslavl. He was named in honor of the first woman who went into space, since Valentina Vladimirovna comes from the Yaroslavl region.