The Far Eastern city, located on the shores of the Sea of Japan, attracts many tourists for a reason. Seaside nature, power and beauty of seascapes, military past and preserved historical architecture - this is not a complete list of the city's attractions. Cable-stayed bridges are laid across the picturesque bays, because of which Vladivostok is called the Russian "San Francisco".
You can get acquainted with the nature of Primorye in the Botanical Garden of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences or on Popov Island, part of which is under the protection of UNESCO as a unique biosphere object. The cultural life of Vladivostok is also diverse. Its opera house is a branch of the legendary Mariinsky Theater, the main team of which often participates in performances of the Vladivostok Tetra. The museums of the city acquaint with its military past and the history of the region.
Cable-stayed bridges of Vladivostok
Immediately after their construction in 2012, the bridges became the main visual symbols of the city, its tourist business cards. You can see them in this glory from the observation platforms.
Golden Bridge
One of the city's most popular attractions. The bridge is laid over the Golden Horn Bay. It connects two districts of Vladivostok - Leninsky and Pervomaisky. The cable-stayed structures in the form of a fan for the bridge were brought from France. The bridge is 1388 meters long and 64 meters high. Pedestrians are not allowed to walk on the bridge. You can inspect the grandiose structure from the observation deck located on the Eagle's Nest hill.
Russian bridge
Automobile bridge between Nazimov Peninsula and Russky Island. It is one of the longest cable-stayed bridges in the world with a span of 1104 meters and a height of 324 meters. The bridge was opened ahead of the 2012 summit. The outer coloring of cable-stayed cables in the colors of the Russian flag has become unusual. You can see the bridge in all its glory from the observation platforms of the Novosiltsevskaya battery and the Eagle's Nest hill.
The most interesting and beautiful places
List, photos with names and descriptions of the best sights of Vladivostok. He will help you organize routes for exploring the top places of the city in 2-3 days.
Russky Island
Located in one of the bays of the Sea of Japan. It is part of the Empress Eugenia archipelago. The size of the island is 18 * 13 km. This is one of the favorite vacation spots for citizens and guests of the city. On the Russky Island there is an oceanarium, batteries and forts of the Vladivostok fortress. The coastline has many beautiful coves, beaches and grottoes in rocky shores. Among the natural beauties, the most popular are the Tobizin Peninsula and the Ajax Bay.
Golden Horn Bay
Long narrow bay of the Eastern Bosphorus Strait. It has a large number of ports - trade, fish, ship repair enterprises. The depth of the bay at the entrance to it is 27 meters, at the coast - from 5 to 1.5 meters. There are many attractions on the shore of the picturesque bay - the Tsarevich embankment, the seaport, the Golden Bridge and the ship's embankment. On the water excursion, you can see the ships of the Pacific Fleet.
Memorial complex on Korabelnaya embankment
Created in memory of the founders of the city. In 1860, it was in this place that a detachment of soldiers from the Manjur ship landed, from which the foundation of the city began. The basis of the memorial is a 14-meter high obelisk, which is made in the form of a sail. Anchors and memorable dates "1860-1965" are located next to it. The Pacific Glory Memorial Complex includes the Red Pennant ship and the S-56 submarine.
Eagle's Nest observation deck
The hill is the highest point in the historical part of the city. The observation deck at its top is located at an altitude of 160 meters. It offers a wonderful view of the Russky Island and the cable-stayed bridge leading to it, the Golden Horn Bay and the Golden Bridge laid above it. The effect of the photo will be added by ships in the port of the Sea of Japan. Also from it you can appreciate the unusual relief of Vladivostok, built on the hills.
Vladivostok funicular
Opened in 1962 as a type of public transport. Located on the slopes of the Eagle Hill from the side of the Golden Horn Bay. The end point is an observation deck at the top of the hill. The initiative to create the funicular belongs to Khrushchev, who wanted to make Vladivostok a "second San Francisco". During the trip by mountain tram, a beautiful view of the sea bay and the cable-stayed bridge opens up.
Vladivostok fortress
A powerful fortification was built from 1889 to 1918. The completion of the construction was completely prevented by the revolution and the First World War. We managed to build 11 forts, which are now part of the museum complex dedicated to the fortress. Also, visitors can view torpedoes, a rifle parapet, artillery and anti-aircraft guns, mines, machine guns, and missile systems on the open-air site.
Voroshilov battery
The historical building is located on the Russky Island. The two-tower battery was built in the 1930s at an altitude of more than 50 meters above sea level between two hills. It is a powerful defensive structure with sophisticated mechanisms designed by military engineers. The battery's guns reliably protected the Ussuri Bay from enemy invasion, so the Japanese naval forces were never able to approach the southern shores of the city.
Primorsky Oceanarium
The unusual structure of the oceanarium is made in the form of a giant shell of a bivalve mollusk. The aquarium is located on the Russky Island. On its area of 37,000 m² there are scientific laboratories and exhibitions for visitors. For underwater inhabitants, 135 aquariums of different sizes have been made. Of particular interest to visitors is the 70-meter long tunnel surrounded by water. The dolphinarium hosts a dolphin show.
Museum of the History of the Far East named after V.K.Arsenyev
One of the largest museums in the Far East. Has been working since 1884. It presents to the guests collections of different subjects - local history, ethnographic, archaeological. The most interesting are the expositions dedicated to the Bohai kingdom, the culture and traditions of the indigenous peoples of Primorye - the Nanai, Adyghe, Aleuts, Eskimos, as well as exhibits of the 12th century from the burial complex of Prince Esykuy.
Military History Museum of the Pacific Fleet
The museum is located within the walls of a 1903 mansion built for naval officers. A beautiful building in the classicism style is located near the Tsarevich embankment. The museum funds contain about 40,000 exhibits dedicated to the history and development of the Pacific Fleet. Flags, banners, weapons, models of ships, personal belongings of sailors are exhibited in 11 halls of the museum. There is an open-air exhibition of military equipment.
Frigates "Pallada" and "Nadezhda"
They are a symbol of the sailing Far Eastern fleet. The locals often call the graceful sailboats the aristocrats of the sea. "Nadezhda" is a training frigate, its 26 sails, which are the main driving force of the vessel, are manually controlled. "Pallada" is a three-masted training vessel, built in 1989. Tourists enjoy watching sailing ships sailing along the picturesque Amur Bay and the Golden Horn Bay.
Sopka Refrigerator
Located 8 km from the city center in the Pervorechensky district. Previously called Muravyov-Amursky Mountain. The height of the hill is 257 meters, from its top there is a good view of the Amur Bay. Downhill and cross-country cycling competitions are often held here, you can see glider riders. On the hill there are 4 ancient abandoned weapons of the tsarist times. There are many mystical legends around the peak.
Popov Island
Located in the Peter the Great Bay.It is separated from the Russky Island by the Stark Strait. There is a ferry service between the island and the city. Part of the island and the water area around it is part of the Far Eastern Marine Reserve, which has the status of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Tourists can visit the reserve only by prior arrangement. Special ecological paths have been laid for visitors.
Tokarevsky lighthouse
The operating lighthouse attracts many tourists and has become one of the city's hallmarks. Also known as Egersheld Lighthouse. Located on a narrow artificial embankment, along which at low tide you can walk directly to the lighthouse. The cape illuminates ships passing through the narrow strait of the Eastern Bosphorus. Its height is 119 meters, the light of the lighthouse can be seen from a distance of 19 miles. The lighthouse was erected in 1876.
Beautiful streets and embankments of Vladivostok
Leisurely walks along the beautiful streets and embankments of the city are the easiest and most affordable way to see its main attractions.
Svetlanskaya street
The main street of the city, where historical beautiful buildings of the 19th century are located. The first houses were built on it back in 1861. The street is named after the ship "Svetlana", on which the Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich arrived in the city in 1873. The first arrival in the city of one of the members of the royal family was an important event for the city. The most interesting buildings of the street are the houses of the Kunst and Albers Association.
Tsesarevich embankment
Laid along the northern coast of the Golden Horn Bay. It runs from the ship repair docks to the Golden Bridge. This place is popular with lovers of leisurely walks by the water surface, who are attracted by the mesmerizing seascapes. The views are especially beautiful at night, when the bay is illuminated with colored lights. The length of the embankment is 640 meters. It has two fountains. From the pier you can go on a boat trip.
Sports embankment
The foundation of the embankment dates back to 1862. Now it is a well-maintained pedestrian zone where city holidays, discos, festivals, and festive events are held. There are bike paths, catamarans for rent. An excellent view of the Tsarevich embankment opens from the Ferris wheel. The Vladivostok Oceanarium and the Vladivostok Fortress are located nearby. One of the main decorations of the embankment is a light and music fountain.
Korabelnaya embankment
It was laid at the Golden Horn Bay in the center of the city. It was at this place that Muravyov-Amursky built a military post, from which the history of the city began. The embankment has a short length - only 500 meters. Its main feature is a large accumulation of historical and memorial monuments - the ship-museum "Red Pennant", the Eternal Flame, the monument to Solzhenitsyn, the Memorial of Glory, the Arch of the Tsarevich.
Admiral Fokin Street
The central street of the city, which is often chosen for walking by guests of the city. It is often called the "Vladivostok Arbat". A leisurely walk along Fokina Street will give you a lot of pleasant impressions. It has small but beautiful fountains, souvenir shops, cozy cafes. Street musicians perform, street artists arrange mini-vernissages. The architecture of the street with houses of the 19th and early 20th centuries is interesting.
Architectural landmarks of Vladivostok
The most recognizable monuments of architecture and urban planning that adorn the streets and squares of the city.
Monument to the Fighters for Soviet Power in the Far East
Located on the square of the Fighters of the Revolution - the central square of the city. The architectural ensemble of the square began to take shape back in the 19th century. It harmoniously combines historical and modern buildings. An excellent view of the Golden Horn Bay opens from the southern part of the square. The tall monument is the dominant feature of the square. The figure of a fighter holding a waving flag in his hand is installed on a 30-meter pedestal.
The building of the trading house "Kunst and Albers"
Located on Svetlanskaya Street. It is a monument of the country's cultural heritage and is included in the architectural "golden fund" of the Far East. The department store was built in the Romantic Art Nouveau style in 1906-1907. Project architect - Georg Junghendel. Since its construction, the building has not changed its commercial purpose; in 1934, instead of the trading house of a German partnership, GUM began to work in it.
Monument to G.I. Nevelsky
Opened in 1897. The monument to the outstanding sailor-geographer was erected on Svetlanskaya Street. The installation of the monument was carried out at the expense of the public. It is a four-sided obelisk, the top of which is crowned with the figure of a two-headed eagle. In the niche of the obelisk there is a bronze bust of Admiral Nevelskoy. On three slabs there is a description of the Amur expedition, headed by Nevelskoy.
Nikolaev Triumphal Gates
An elegant and picturesque monument in the style of old Russian architecture on the Admiral's pier. The arch-gate was erected in the 19th century in honor of the arrival of the future emperor, Tsarevich Nicholas in the city in 1891. Most often, among the local residents of the city, the short name "Arch of the Tsarevich" is used. The striking building is a popular tourist destination and is included in almost all excursion programs.
Railway station Vladivostok
Located near the park named after. Lenin. The station building was erected in 1891-1893, initially its central part was one-story, and the side ones were two-story. After the reconstruction in 1910, the station became completely two-story. The future Emperor Nicholas II was present at the laying of the first stone of the station, as indicated by a commemorative plaque placed on the wall of the station in 2017. The inner hall is decorated with the panel "Our Great Motherland".
Places of worship in Vladivostok
The city has monasteries and beautiful temples. You can see Orthodox cathedrals, a Catholic church and even a Lutheran church.
Intercession Cathedral
The history of the cathedral in the southern part of Pokrovsky Park began in 1900. It was erected on the territory of the old cemetery, the cathedral was consecrated in 1902. During the Soviet era, along with many other religious buildings, the Intercession Cathedral was also damaged - the temple was blown up in 1935. The restoration of the temple was carried out in 2004-2007, on the ruins of the foundations of the historic cathedral. Now the cathedral is open to believers.
St. Paul's Lutheran Church
The Lutheran Church is one of the oldest buildings in the city. It was built in 1907-1909 with donations from parishioners. Most of the construction was paid for by the Kunst and Albers trading house. A religious building was built from bricks produced in Germany at the Müller factory. In 1997, restoration work began, which was also financed by Germany, which included the church of Vladivostok in the list of German cultural monuments.
Catholic Church of the Most Holy Theotokos
The brick church was founded in 1908 on the site of a burnt wooden one. Construction lasted until 1921, and in 1935 the Bolsheviks had already closed the church and placed the City Council within its walls. The building was returned back to the Catholic community only in the 1990s, and in 2010 its construction was completed. The church has a neo-Gothic style traditional for Catholic buildings - towers with spiers and colored stained-glass windows.
St. Nicholas Cathedral
The construction of the temple began in 1905 in memory of the soldiers who died in the Russo-Japanese War. The temple is located near Nagorny Park and is its architectural decoration. The building of the Orthodox church is included in the register of cultural and historical monuments. The appearance of the cathedral is not quite typical for Orthodox buildings, because in addition to the church itself, there was a school, a library, and living quarters in its building.
Martha-Mariinsky Convent
Located at the Amur Bay in the Sedanka area. The monastery includes two churches - in honor of Alexander Nevsky and in honor of Eusebius of Samosatsky, as well as the chapel of John the Baptist.The temple of Eusebius of Samosata, built of bricks, is considered the most elegant building on the territory of the monastery. It is decorated with a bright green roof and gilded onions of the domes. It looks more like a fairytale tower.
Gardens and parks of Vladivostok
The most popular parks and squares, where you can stroll along the alleys, breathe fresh air and sit on a bench.
Botanical Garden-Institute FEB RAS
A large botanical garden with an area of 169 hectares is located 19 km from the city center. It was founded in 1949. Its luxurious collections of plants from all over the world are an attractive tourist attraction. Ecological trails have been laid in the park, information stands have been installed. They conduct thematic excursions. The botanical garden displays about 800 plants, and its herbarium contains about 120,000 leaves.
Pokrovsky park
Founded in 1923 on the site of an old cemetery. In the 1990s, in addition to the aesthetic component, cultural and memorial features were added to the park. The objects lost during the Soviet era were gradually restored - the Seraphim Chapel, the Church of St. John of Kronstadt, and the Intercession Cathedral. A monument to Saints Peter and Fevronia was erected. Throughout the park, there are pedestrian walkways among green spaces.
Park of Culture and Rest named after Lazo
Located 20 km from the center of Vladivostok on the shores of the Amur Bay. It is good to relax here and spend time in nature at any time of the year. In summer, you can have a picnic under the shade of trees or swim in the waters of the bay, sit in a cafe or have fun at the rides. There is a rental of catamarans, gyro scooters, bicycles. There is a rope town. In winter, the skating rink is flooded. A fountain with figures of golden carps is installed in the park.
Interesting museums in Vladivostok
The most popular museums in the city, which you should definitely visit.
Primorsky State Art Gallery
Founded in 1965. Its main exposition is located in the historical building of the former Russian-Asian Bank on Aleutskaya Street. An additional exhibition hall is located on Partizansky Avenue. When visiting the permanent exhibition, visitors will see more than 150 masterpieces of painting, including canvases by Serov, Aivazovsky, Repin. There is a collection of old icons, paintings by European artists of the 16th-20th centuries.
Automotive Antiquity Museum
Founded in 2002 on Sakhalinskaya street. It displays about 50 exhibits that will be of interest to lovers of retro technology. The museum's collections include Soviet and foreign motorcycles and cars. There are exhibits from the times of the Great Patriotic War, including captured German motorcycles, cars produced in the 1950s. You can visit the museum both independently and as part of an excursion group.
House-Museum of the Sukhanov family
The only museum in the country dedicated to the family of a tsarist official who devoted his life to the development and improvement of the Far East. The museum was opened in 1977 within the walls of a mansion that has preserved its original appearance from the time when the Sukhanov family lived there. In one of the rooms, the atmosphere of Sukhanov's office is recreated - a typewriter, old documents, photographs are on display.
Ship-museum "Red pennant"
The museum is equipped in a pre-revolutionary patrol ship. Initially, the ship launched in 1910 was named Admiral Zavoiko. In revolutionary times, she moved somewhat from red to white and vice versa, was in evacuation in Shanghai for two years. In the 1920s, the ship took part in battles with the White Guards and was part of research expeditions.
Traveler Arsenyev's House
The museum is dedicated to the memory of the traveler, researcher, writer and ethnographer Arseniev. The museum was founded in the house where Vladimir Klavdievich lived in the last years of his life from 1928 to 1930. The house was built in 1901 and is a cultural heritage site of Russia. The layout of the rooms in it has been preserved since the time of Arseniev. The furnishings in the rooms have preserved the original items of the early 20th century - furniture, dishes, decor items.
Main theaters of Vladivostok
The city boasts of its own cultural sites. The Opera and Ballet Theater in Vladivostok is one of the best theater stages in the country.
Drama theater named after Gorky
Founded in 1931. Since 1975 it has been located near Korabelnaya Embankment, in a modern building that can accommodate about 1000 spectators. The repertoire of the theater is diverse - there are classical performances, tragedies, comedies, children's performances. A feature of the performances is the combination of drama and musical art. The performances of the drama theater are also successful in other cities - the theater troupe goes on tour around the country every year.
Primorsky Stage of the Mariinsky Theater
The Opera and Ballet Theater has been operating in Vladivostok since 2013. It is housed in a stylish futuristic building with a glass facade and panoramic windows offering excellent views of the Sea of Japan. The main part of the repertoire is the recognized world masterpieces of ballet and opera. Large-scale performances are staged on the stage of the Great Hall, chamber performances - in the Small Hall. For children, they stage symphonic performances based on fairy tales.
Children's attractions of Vladivostok
Interesting places that can be visited with children are the local aquarium and zoo. They will not leave their guests indifferent.
Vladivostok circus
Founded in 1973. After the last reconstruction, the circus building on Svetlanskaya Street is in excellent condition and equipped with modern technology, which allows you to conduct bright and colorful shows - "Circus of Animals", "Show of Water, Fire and Light", "Empire of Predators". The circus arena is used not only for circus performances, but also for performances by pop artists who come on tour from all over the country.
Zoo "Sadgorod"
In the Vladivostok Zoo, the harmony of flora and fauna reigns. Here you can appreciate the beauty of the Far Eastern nature, see the wild inhabitants of the taiga, as well as exotic animals. The zoo is home to Amur tigers, peacocks, bears, leopards, African lions, monkeys, porcupines. The terrariums are inhabited by snakes, water turtles, and crocodiles. In total, the zoo is home to over 200 species of animals.
Vladivostok Oceanarium "Aquamir"
It is located next to the Vladivostok Fortress Museum. The aquarium has three thematic halls with a total area of 1,500 m². Dozens of aquariums are home to about 1000 species of marine and freshwater fauna. You can see the inhabitants of the Sea of Okhotsk, the Sea of Japan, exotic fish. A separate room houses a museum exhibition - corals, sponges, shells, alcoholized fish, embryos of marine animals.
Submarine S-56
The symbol of the military glory of Vladivostok. The submarine is installed on Korabelnaya embankment. This is the first Soviet submarine to sail the North around the world. For more than 40 years, the interior of the submarine has housed museum expositions dedicated to the submarine forces of the Pacific Fleet. The bow and central compartments have retained the original appearance of the submarine, they even have torpedo ammunition.
