Stand on the paved walkways above the Yenisei and you notice two things at once: the river, which runs through the city without freezing in winter, and the forested hills rising behind it. Krasnoyarsk is a Trans-Siberian junction and an industrial city, but it is the natural setting that visitors remember, and Chekhov judged it the most beautiful city in Siberia.
This guide suits travellers who are passing through on the Trans-Siberian Railway, or who are willing to give the city a day or two for its museums, its river views and the rock formations of the Stolby Nature Reserve. It covers the sights named in the source material, with practical notes on how to reach them and what to combine.
Top things to do in Krasnoyarsk
1. Stolby Nature Reserve
Stolby, literally "Pillars", covers 470 km² and holds many extraordinarily shaped volcanic rock formations up to 100 m high. There are marked trails and an online map, though all information on the signs is in Russian.
Take a bus to Hotel Snezhnaya Dolina, 15 km southwest of the city centre, then walk up the 7-km trail, or use the chairlift of the ski resort. The chairlift trail was officially closed in 2020, while others from the main entrance remain open. The source recommends a guide for hiking in the nearby forests, as trails are not well laid out and there are dangers including animals.
2. Krasnoyarsk Dam
The dam is 124 m tall and stands 40 km southwest of Krasnoyarsk, with a power station and an aluminium smelting plant that benefits from the cheap electricity. The waterfall created by the dam is worth seeing.
Reach it by taxi, by elektrichka train or by bus 106 to Divnogorsk, or in summer by jet boat or hydrofoil.
3. Karaulnaya Gora
Karaulnaya Gora, Russian for "The Watch Hill", is a large hill topped by the Paraskeva Pyatnitsa Chapel, a symbol of the city depicted on the 10-ruble banknote.
Take bus #32, #64, #74 or #88 to Ploschad Pobyedy, then walk along Stepana Razina Str. until you see the chapel.
4. Muzey-Usad'ba Surikova
This is the two-story wooden house built in 1830 by the father of Vasiliy Surikov, one of the greatest Russian painters, who was born and lived there for many years before moving to Moscow to become a member of the National Academy of Arts.
Combine it with the Surikov Art Museum, the later-built one-story house holding many of his works.
5. Surikov Art Museum
The second of the two Surikov museums, this one-story house holds many of the painter's works. It pairs naturally with Muzey-Usad'ba Surikova, since both tell the story of the same artist.
6. Krasnoyarsk Regional Museum
On Dubrovinskogo Str. 84, this restored monumental building in an ancient Egyptian style holds good exhibitions on the history of the Krasnoyarsk Krai as well as many archaeological artifacts. It also has a souvenir shop.
7. Culture and History Center
The former Lenin Museum constantly presents local and international exhibitions and events, all open to the public and sometimes free: fine art and photography by modern artists, art-house and independent movie festivals, museum nights with performances by young local artists, wax figure exhibitions and moving exhibitions from other cities.
The building itself is an interesting place to visit for its original and atmospheric interior architecture.
8. Roev Ruchey Zoo
Roev Ruchey, or Royev's Brook, has a large animal collection where animals live in a good environment. Its most famous inhabitant is a polar bear called Sedov.
It sits one bus stop west from the entrance to the Stolby Nature Reserve, so it can be combined with a day at the rocks.
9. Andrey Dubensky Monument
At the top of the Krasnyy Yar hill, near Partizana Zheleznyaka Str. 1, this monument honours the Cossack leader Andrey Dubensky, who founded the stockaded fort of Krasnyy Yar in 1628 by the order of Michael I. It was erected in 2003 to honour the 375th anniversary of the city.
10. Flower monuments
Large figures 2 to 5 m high, made of flowers, are found all over the city and can be seen only in summer. The first figure is a Bear, standing near the mayoralty building known for its modernist Big Ben-like clock; there is a family of Giraffes on the Lenina str. behind the Regional Government building known as the Grey House, a Rooster near the Theater of Musical Comedy, and a family of Elephants on the Kopylova str.
11. City Day
City Day is celebrated every year in June, with a street carnival of different topics each year and evening fireworks.
12. APFest
The Krasnoyarsk International Music Festival of the Asia-Pacific region takes place in the last week of June, with theatre, ballet, concerts, street art and other events.
13. Lawnmower Racing Festival
Held in July, this festival features races on lawnmowers, motorcycles, ATVs, jet skis, gliders, hang gliders and helicopters, and includes music concerts.
14. Krasnoyarsk Jazz-bike festival
Running 5 to 8 August, the first two days are jazz, and the third day includes contests and music groups. Columns of bikers gather at the sports complex on the island at 16:00 on 6 August, and the music programme on 7 August launches at 19:00, with the competitive programme starting at 23:00.
15. The Night of Ad Eaters
Held annually in June at the Opera and Ballet Theater on Perensona Str. 2, this presents a collection of advertisement trailers by Jean Marie Boursicot to the local elite starting at midnight. Tickets cost over US$100.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at the Krasnoyarsk Regional Museum on Dubrovinskogo Str. 84 for the history of the krai and its archaeological artifacts, then walk to the Culture and History Center, the former Lenin Museum, to see whatever exhibition or event is on.
Afternoon: Take bus #32, #64, #74 or #88 to Ploschad Pobyedy and walk up Stepana Razina Str. to Karaulnaya Gora for the Paraskeva Pyatnitsa Chapel and the view over the city. If you have time before dark, continue to the Andrey Dubensky Monument at the top of the Krasnyy Yar hill.
Evening: Return to the centre and look for the flower monuments while they are lit, starting with the Bear near the mayoralty building with its Big Ben-like clock. In summer, check whether City Day, APFest or the Night of Ad Eaters falls during your stay.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to see the flower monuments?
Only in summer. The large figures made of flowers, between 2 and 5 m high, are placed around the city in that season and are not present at other times of year.
How do I reach the Stolby Nature Reserve?
Take a bus to Hotel Snezhnaya Dolina, 15 km southwest of the city centre, then walk up the 7-km trail, or use the chairlift of the ski resort. Note that the chairlift trail was officially closed in 2020, while other trails from the main entrance remain open.
Can I visit the Krasnoyarsk Dam without a car?
Yes. It is reachable by taxi, by elektrichka train or by bus 106 to Divnogorsk, and in summer by jet boat or hydrofoil.
Which festivals should I plan around?
City Day in June, APFest in the last week of June, the Night of Ad Eaters in June, the Lawnmower Racing Festival in July and the Krasnoyarsk Jazz-bike festival from 5 to 8 August.
Decide which of these fits your dates, check how you will reach the Stolby trailhead or the dam, and start planning your days in Krasnoyarsk.