Kostroma: attractions, souvenirs, prices

Where to stay in Kostroma

One of the best hotels in the city is the four-star Ostrovsky. It is located in the very center close to the main attractions. A stylish standard double room here will cost 4,200 rubles. Those who love an intricate interior will like the Aleksandrovsky Hotel, where a night for two will cost 4,500 rubles. If you prefer home comfort, consider the option of staying at the Skvorechnik guest house. A double room there costs 3,500 rubles, and very close by is one of the most popular Kostroma bars "Dear, I'll be late."

There shouldn't be any problems with finding private accommodation in Kostroma, especially since there are a lot of modern and tastefully furnished apartments on Airbnb. For example, in such a cozy studio you will feel no worse than in a hotel, and it will cost 3,391 rubles per night. Another bright studio with panoramic windows is rented for 3,742 rubles per day (or another apartment in a similar style from the same hostess for the same price). Finally, such a wonderful apartment can be rented for 3,508 rubles (just keep in mind that it is located in the Zavolzhsky district, from where it is not very convenient to get to the center).

What sights of Kostroma to see

Susaninskaya square

The main starting point for a walk in Kostroma is the spacious Susaninskaya Square, which Kostroma residents call the Skovorodka. The main sights of the city are concentrated in this area, and a few steps away is the Cheese Exchange (Muchny Ryady street, 1) with a large assortment of local cheeses and dairy products, tasty and inexpensive.

Fire Tower

It is the Kostroma fire tower on Susaninskaya Square that is considered the most popular and notable city attraction. Now it is no longer used for its intended purpose - there is a firefighting museum and a tour desk inside. Only now you won't be able to climb to the very top, although the view from the observation deck is certainly wonderful.

Assembly of the nobility

Sights of Kostroma: collection of nobility

If you are ready to allocate time for only one city museum, let it be the Noble Assembly. It was from this building that the history of the Kostroma Museum-Reserve began in 1891. Inside you will find a small exposition telling about the life of local nobles in the 19th century, and you can admire the grand openwork staircase, the indescribable beauty of the ballroom and other interiors of a bygone era.

Guardhouse

Until the beginning of the 20th century, the guardhouse building was used for its intended purpose. In Soviet times, officials and public organizations worked here, and nowadays there is a military history museum. Be sure to check it out if you love military history: the collection contains weapons from different countries and eras.

Romanov Museum

You will definitely not miss the Romanov Museum: the building in the neo-Russian style stands out for its unusual appearance. After admiring the mansion from the outside, do not be too lazy to go inside. There you can learn the stories of the boyar families of the Godunovs and Romanovs, see paintings by Aivazovsky, Shishkin and Levitan and buy books on history and art.

Church of the Resurrection on Debra

This church, which has been preserved since the 17th century, is called the most beautiful in the city. The temple is located at some distance from the center. If you enter Kostroma over the bridge over the Volga, the church will be on the right. It can also be reached on foot along the embankment. From the inside, the building is richly decorated with frescoes, only they cannot be photographed.

Holy Trinity Ipatiev Monastery

This place is worth visiting with an excursion even for people far from religion, in order to learn more about the events that took place here over several centuries. Be prepared for the fact that the entrance to the territory is paid (170 rubles), it is forbidden to rent buildings from the inside, and tourists are required to observe the dress code (clothes must cover their knees and shoulders, women must cover their heads with a scarf).

Where else to go in Kostroma

Museum of Wooden Architecture

It is located right behind the Ipatiev Monastery, so if you wish, you can have time to see both sights. On a relatively small territory of the museum, old wooden buildings are collected: houses of people of different incomes, barns, a bathhouse. Moreover, you can even look into some buildings. Better to take a guided tour.

Kostroma shopping arcade

Picturesque rows have been preserved practically in the same form in which they were built. Initially, there was an old merchant center of Kostroma, and now there are colorful shops selling Kostroma cheese, products of local craftswomen, souvenirs and much more.

Mayor's House

A chamber, cozy and surprisingly atmospheric museum, where you will get to know merchant life closely, see a rich collection of antique dishes and just have a pleasant time in authentic interiors. Before ordering an excursion, be sure to call the museum: not all events are announced on the website.

Sumarokovskaya moose farm

This is the only moose farm in Russia. They live on a huge territory, they can be freely stroked, played and communicated with them. You can also try moose milk here. Tourists warn: you will have to drive to the farm on a very bad road. Consider this if you go by car.

What to bring from Kostroma

Kostroma cheese

The most famous local delicacy appeared at the end of the 19th century. It was produced at the cheese factory of the merchant Vladimir Blandov. In Soviet times, Kostroma cheese was considered one of the three most popular in the country. You can learn more about it, and at the same time try and buy it in the cheese museum (Tchaikovskogo str., 19). The ticket will cost 380 rubles, which is a lot for Kostroma. But the price includes an interactive tour and tasting.

Another place where you can buy local cheese is the Cheese Exchange (Muchny Ryady St., 1), which we have already mentioned above.

Linen

Kostroma textiles are known no less than cheese. At the beginning of the 20th century, they were even supplied to the imperial court. You can buy linen tablecloths, clothes and other things in any store that you come across while walking around the city, for example here.

Jewelry

The local village of Krasnoye-on-Volga is called the jewelry center of Russia; here you can buy inexpensive jewelry made of gold and silver. If you are traveling without a car, you can get to it from Kostroma from the bus station by bus number 115. If you have time, appreciate the local architectural sights, primarily the beautiful tent-roofed church of the Epiphany of 1592. And if you do not want to travel outside the city, go to one of the brand stores where the products of the Kostroma Jewelry Factory are sold.

Kostroma black (Thursday) salt

Black salt has long been considered healing in Russia. Today it is produced in the village of Ivankovo, Kostroma region. The taste of this salt is no different from white, but, they say, it has many useful properties. Believe it or not - it's up to you, but in any case, such an unusual souvenir will come in handy on the farm, because black salt, like ordinary salt, can be added to any dishes.