Where to go and what to see in Kaliningrad

Where to stay

The best that a tourist who has escaped from the stuffy central Russia can imagine is a vacation on the seashore: left a cozy apartment, loft or even a designer house, walked 5-15 minutes - and you are on the beach. The most luxurious option is glamping, which combines the comfort of hotels with being in nature. A night at Polyana Glamping, located by the sea in the Curonian Spit National Park, costs 7,800 for two.

If a beach vacation is a secondary component of your vacation plans, then this is where you can comfortably accommodate in the regional center. The Tchaikovsky Hotel is located in a quiet area of the city - with breakfast, a picturesque summer terrace and courteous staff. A double room will be released at 4,500 rubles per night. A 5-minute walk from the North Station, very close to the main square of the city, among restaurants and shops is the hotel "Europe". A standard double room with breakfast costs from 4,265 rubles per night.

For the most creative tourists - the Tolstoy art hostel: each room looks like an independent art object, and the building itself, according to the owners, has seen two wars in its lifetime. The prices are the most pleasant: from 650 rubles for a bed in a common room to 2,400 rubles for a double room. Another budget and very advantageous option is a room in an art apartment behind the Kaliningrad zoo. Here you will live in a commune: rooms in a spacious apartment of a German house are rented out to guests - this place is especially loved by the guys from the creative community who have something to tell about the city. A room costs from 1,000 rubles per night.

What sights to visit in Kaliningrad

Cathedral and grave of Kant

The cathedral built in 1380, made in the Gothic style, is very beautiful. Immanuel Kant is buried near its walls, and inside there is a museum named after the great philosopher, where you can get acquainted with the life and habits of Kant and the history of Koenigsberg-Kaliningrad. There is also a functioning concert hall with the only organ complex in Russia and a special sound system that has no analogues. The concert schedule can be viewed on the cathedral's website.

Königsberg defensive structures

Any local guide will surely say that Kaliningrad is a walled city. As they say, it happened so historically. During the Great Patriotic War, fortifications played an important role. Now, some of them are museums.

On the territory of Fort No. 11 (Energetikov str., 12), you can walk plenty of underground and above the ground, touch the architecture almost untouched by time, admire the preserved coat of arms of the von Dönhoff family and look at the artifacts left over from the time of the assault on Koenigsberg. Fort No. 5 (Bulatova St.) introduces the history of the creation of the fort belt and is also open for research from the inside.

Most of the fortifications are abandoned. If you want to visit them, you can order a guided tour or contact the “People's Guide” community.

City gate

The first gates of Königsberg were erected in the 13th century. Those that have survived to our times were built much later, in the 18th century, when the Prussian king Friedrich Wilhelm IV ordered the Royal Gate in Kaliningrad to create a Second rampart fortification around Konigsberg.

Today we can see seven impressive structures: the Rossgarten, Royal, Zakheim, Friedland, Brandenburg, Railway and Ausfal gates. All of them are located in a circle around the central part of the city and will help you create a good introductory circular route around Kaliningrad.

There are also museums near some of the gates or right in them, introducing the history of the region. The double-arched Brandenburg Gate (at the intersection of Bagration and Suvorov Streets) houses the Museum of Marzipan, a traditional Prussian delicacy. Friedland Gate offers virtual tours of the streets of Königsberg. If the amber abundance on display cases and in street shops is not enough for you, come to the Amber Museum located in the Don Tower (at 1 Vasilevsky Square). It is also worth taking a look at the "Three Kings Pharmacy" - an exposition presented at the Royal Gate (at the intersection of Litovskiy Val and Gagarina Streets), which tells about the special place of pharmacies in the history and culture of Koenigsberg.

Ruins of the royal castle and the House of Soviets

The Great Patriotic War thoroughly went through the architecture of Koenigsberg, but the castle of the Teutonic Order, founded by the Castle of Koenigsberg - "Wikipedia" in 1255, survived. He could even be seen on Soviet photographs. However, the statesmen of the USSR, it seems, were an eyesore to the majestic historical building, and the House of Soviets arose on the site of the castle.

This is a building that some residents of the city treat with hostility, while others - with a slight irony. You definitely need to reach the local apple of discord, grieve over the pitiful ruins of the castle and look at the monument of Soviet modernism towering over them.

Villas Amalienau

The green city of Kaliningrad is ideal for relaxing walks if the weather favors it. In this case, you can combine the promenade with a tour of the villas located in the historic district of Amalienau. Many of them were built by the "Living Königsberg": the Amalienau villas - the Victory Avenue area from 1900 to 1914.

The district is located in the western part of Kaliningrad and was conceived as a garden city: low-rise buildings, an abundance of trees, flowers and shrubs. Bas-reliefs, forging, patterned doors, half-timbered houses (this is a decor from beamed structures) - walk, admire and indulge in dreams of a beautiful life. You can search for information about the first tenants of the villas - often they were the owners of large Konigsberg companies.

Fishing village

We do not undertake to judge how the architects managed to convey the atmosphere of pre-war East Prussia, but the embankment of the Rybnaya village is good for walks and photographs. There are restaurants offering fish dishes, the Lighthouse Tower - quite low, almost doll-like, but photogenic - a couple of hotels, a spa area, souvenir sellers and companies offering excursions on the water. In addition, several bridges, located on the site of their predecessors, which were built in the 14th century to connect parts of the city separated by the Pregolya River, lead to the recreated corner of Koenigsberg.

Museum of the World Ocean

One of the most magnificent museums in the city, which is constantly evolving. Now work is underway to create a huge exhibition building in the form of a mirror ball, depicting our planet and its water resources. To visit a research vessel, hear the roar of a sperm whale, go down on a real submarine B-413, see sharks (okay, they are small here) and just admire the scope of design solutions - everything can be done here. Tickets for exhibitions and individual objects cost from 100 rubles.

What sights to visit in the vicinity of Kaliningrad

Curonian Spit National Park

Sights of Kaliningrad: National Park Curonian Spit

The resort town of Zelenogradsk, located 40 km from Kaliningrad, is worth a visit in itself. And the reserve, which connects the city with Lithuania, is the place where you can wander for hours, admiring the natural beauty. Efa Dune, Dancing Forest, Müller Height - Explore all the top tourist spots and plan your itinerary.

You can get to Zelenogradsk by train or bus, the ticket price is up to 100 rubles one way, departures every half hour or hour. Buses also go to the Curonian Spit itself, but much less often - it is most convenient to use car sharing or join an excursion group.

Surfing spots

In Russia, the natural locations for surfing can be counted on your fingers. And a couple of them are located here, in Zelenogradsk and its environs.

Baltic surfing is a surprising phenomenon. But one has only to try - and skepticism is immediately washed away by a cool salty wave. Love for water sports in Kaliningrad is obvious and unconditional, but surfing began to develop not so long ago. Now there are only a couple of private surf schools (for example, König Surf Club and BALTIC SUP & SURF), which will gladly provide you with everything you need and give you a master class on the water. Lesson cost - from 2 100 rubles.

Where else to go in Kaliningrad

Port embankment

The industrial landscapes of the Kaliningrad port, which is open both day and night, are pleasant at any time of the day. Find bike rentals at the center, hop on your bike and head to Pravaya Embankment from the Two-Tier Bridge, which is a cultural heritage site in its own right. Take the time to drive to the end of the embankment - you will see a street graffiti gallery, dozens of moored boats, cutters and ships, as well as a beautiful brick elevator building, which in the past served the mill of a flour mill.

You may want to grab a bite to eat along the way. To the right of the roadway, in the direction from the bridge, you will meet the Bravo Italia pasteuria with a wonderful view of the Pregolya.

Creative space "PORT"

A new concentration point for young people just recently appeared at the end of the Right Embankment, in the same elevator building. On the sixth floor, there are photo studios and an art space where exhibitions, performances, festivals, but more often parties are held.

Of course, in the context of a pandemic, many events are paused, but it is also pleasant to relax on the impromptu summer terraces. Admiring the evening lights of the port while hanging out in the fresh air, and then meeting the sunrise here is a must for those who come to Kaliningrad, including for the nightlife.

Bar "Yeltsin"

It is unlikely that the residents of the capital and other large cities can be surprised by the assortment of craft beer, but they will definitely remember the atmosphere of the sincere bar "Yeltsin". It is here that it is sometimes so crowded that a Kaliningrad citizen will surely meet many friends or acquaintances.

Discussing important issues or sharing news here is not very comfortable because of the noise, but in order to join the party and make new friends, Yeltsin is ideal. During a pandemic, the bar gathers all those who like to linger in the evening after work in its courtyard.

Pedestrian area on Professor Baranov Street

Every tourist city should have a pedestrian zone, and in Kaliningrad it is located next to the Central Market. Since it is new, street musicians are just beginning to gather here and trendy establishments are opening: the pancake house is adjacent to the Harry Johnson's bar, which is loved by local connoisseurs of cocktail culture.

At the end of Baranova Street there is the Wrangel Tower - a fortification built in 1853. Perhaps, by the time of your arrival, it will turn into an open area for visits.

Flea markets

Since the war, a large number of "treasures" have remained in the lands of the region - household items, military paraphernalia. The proximity to Europe contributed to the replenishment of the collections of local hoarders, so strolling through the antique shops in Kaliningrad is a real pleasure.

Some of them are so interesting that they look like small museums: sometimes be prepared to pay a symbolic amount to enter, and in Altes Haus linger for a cup of coffee with a piece of marzipan. On Chernyakhovsky Street, 17, there is an entertaining shop called "Old", the owner of which also keeps a museum of Soviet themes at Sovetsky Prospekt, 63. We also recommend visiting the "Souvenir Shop" on Oktyabrskaya, 3, "Antiques" on Prospekt Mira, 80 and " Antique Salon "on Professor Baranov Street, 6.

Industrial legacy

The Ponart brewery, the water tower, the residences of the pumping station workers … Königsberg has left us with a rich heritage with a fascinating history - scattered throughout the city. Take a bike tour of the city's industrial sites and take a trip back in time! The cost of such an educational walk is 1,000 rubles.

What to bring from Kaliningrad

Clothing and accessories of local brands

If you prefer practicality, buy something that will last a long time as a souvenir or as a gift: for example, a swimsuit from the local ForFo brand, an Aumurmur handbag (a must-have for every Kaliningrad fashionista), a ring from the ZusArt workshop, ceramics from a local needlewoman.

The accounts of many handmade craftsmen can be found on the Boom Market flea market page. Some handicrafts are sold in the "Tvoya Polka" store (Leninsky Prospect, 20), as well as in Zelenogradsky "Barakholschik" (Kurortny Prospect, 27).

Non-trivial magnets

Even if you are not a fan of stereotypical souvenirs, it is very difficult to resist buying a fridge magnet. Take a closer look at the Slice of the Sea project, the author of which produces cute natural miniatures. You can buy them by writing to the creator in Direct or by visiting the Zelenograd coffee shop Coffee & Garden (Lenina st., 12B). Surely you will also like ceramic houses with Prussian motifs from the Max Preuss Manufactory or bits of bricks from old German buildings from the Royal Brick project.

Cosmetics with succinic acid

We will not describe the healing properties of amber, but simply say that cosmetics containing succinic acid are quite popular as a gift. This is produced by the Belotelov manufactory (Proletarskaya str., 27), which offers a wide range of cosmetic products: from soap to face serum.

Postcards with Koenigsberg

In kiosks, you can find photographs of the pre-war Königsberg landscapes and compare them with modern views of the city.

Marzipan

Among all the classic recipes for this sweet, the most popular is Konigsberg marzipan. It appeared in 1809, but the recipe has survived to this day.

In Kaliningrad, marzipan is produced by the Pomatti factory, which honors traditions and prepares sweets according to old recipes. If you like to choose from several brands, then take a look at the “Marzipan House” on the Pregoli embankment (1 Hugo St.), where marzipan is presented not only locally, but also from foreign factories.