Kirov travel guide
Kirov Tourism | Kirov Guide
You're Going to Love Kirov
Settled since ancient times, Kirov is one of the oldest cities in Russia. The capital of Kirov Oblast, the city sprawls along the banks of the Vyatka River in the western part of the country. Today, Kirov is a major center for science, commerce, and culture.
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Kirov
1. Explore Centuries of History
From monuments and statues such as the Marshal Konev Monument, buildings like the ornate House of Merchant Bulychev, the beautiful Aleksandrovskiy Cathedral, you can stroll the streets and check out the centuries-old history of the city.
2. Discover Fascinating Museums
The city is home to a diverse selection of intriguing museums, including the Chocolate History Museum and the Dymkovskaya Toy Museum, along with cultural institutions such as the Vyatka Vasnetsovs' Art Museum and Modern Art Center.
3. Parks and Gardens
While it's a hub for industry, the city has many green spaces and parks, including the Botanical Garden and Alexander Garden with its iconic gazebo.
4. Dining Scene
The city is home to a fantastic dining scene, with an emphasis on Russian and European cuisine, as well as diverse selections from Asia and the Middle East, among others.
5. Nightlife
As the regional capital, the city offers a thriving nightlife scene that includes live music, dance clubs, bars, and cocktail lounges, alongside a highly respected theater and performing arts scene.
What to do in Kirov
1. Awaken Your Inner Senses
Considered a gem of Kirov, Russia, the Alexander Garden was among the first public parks in Moscow. The garden was developed in 1821 by Osip Bove, a distinguished architect. It mainly consists of three distinct gardens, the upper, middle and lower that stretch for some 865 meters (2,838 feet). The red, white and green colors of the flower beds have a picturesque appeal. Awaken your senses as you take a slow stroll through these luscious gardens at any time of the day, preferably in the morning.
2. Home Of Ancient Art
Established in 1866, the Kirov Regional Museum hosts approximately 200,000 visitors every year. For a number of years it has been chosen to host major international conferences, and for a good reason. Its collections have around 250,000 items that exhibit the region's ethnography, history, and culture. Set your sights on the museum's baroque-style external architecture and walk through the artifact-filled hallways within. Every moment within the confines of this fine museum is an evocation of the past.
3. Marvel At The Scenic Beauty
In 1911, the House of Tikhon Bulychev was constructed by Ivan Apollonovich Charushin, a professional architect. Designed in the Gothic style, while having features of eastern and classical architecture and the appearance of a castle, it was initially built for merchant T.F. (Tikhon Philippovich) Bulychev. An impressive balcony, supported by columns, stands above the entrance. Today, the building is owned by Kirov's Federal Security Service Department.
4. Unwinding The Perfect Way
A visit to Kirov is not complete without a place to stay, right? The Hilton Garden Inn has been a trusted hotel with a family-friendly appeal since the 1980s. It is strategically located in the business district, 2km away from the Vyatka Philharmonic and Kirov Botanical Garden. The smoke-free ambiance makes dining in the restaurant or enjoying a drink in the lounge very enjoyable. If you love to work out, there is a fitness center that operates on a 24-hour basis and has all the equipment you may need.
5. New-Age Art Redefined
Located in Kirov, Russia, the Vyatka Art Museum is among Russia's major art attractions. It boasts a rich collection of various works of art, including original and valuable pieces by Shishkin, Vasnetsov, Aivazovsky and many more acclaimed artists. It offers detailed and scholarly exhibitions of new-age art that you will find fascinating. Though the building is breathtakingly enormous, you won't get lost. The presence of professional guides makes sure that you keep track of your educational journey through the museum.
1. Awaken Your Inner Senses
Considered a gem of Kirov, Russia, the Alexander Garden was among the first public parks in Moscow. The garden was developed in 1821 by Osip Bove, a distinguished architect. It mainly consists of three distinct gardens, the upper, middle and lower that stretch for some 865 meters (2,838 feet). The red, white and green colors of the flower beds have a picturesque appeal. Awaken your senses as you take a slow stroll through these luscious gardens at any time of the day, preferably in the morning.
2. Home Of Ancient Art
Established in 1866, the Kirov Regional Museum hosts approximately 200,000 visitors every year. For a number of years it has been chosen to host major international conferences, and for a good reason. Its collections have around 250,000 items that exhibit the region's ethnography, history, and culture. Set your sights on the museum's baroque-style external architecture and walk through the artifact-filled hallways within. Every moment within the confines of this fine museum is an evocation of the past.
3. Marvel At The Scenic Beauty
In 1911, the House of Tikhon Bulychev was constructed by Ivan Apollonovich Charushin, a professional architect. Designed in the Gothic style, while having features of eastern and classical architecture and the appearance of a castle, it was initially built for merchant T.F. (Tikhon Philippovich) Bulychev. An impressive balcony, supported by columns, stands above the entrance. Today, the building is owned by Kirov's Federal Security Service Department.
4. Unwinding The Perfect Way
A visit to Kirov is not complete without a place to stay, right? The Hilton Garden Inn has been a trusted hotel with a family-friendly appeal since the 1980s. It is strategically located in the business district, 2km away from the Vyatka Philharmonic and Kirov Botanical Garden. The smoke-free ambiance makes dining in the restaurant or enjoying a drink in the lounge very enjoyable. If you love to work out, there is a fitness center that operates on a 24-hour basis and has all the equipment you may need.
5. New-Age Art Redefined
Located in Kirov, Russia, the Vyatka Art Museum is among Russia's major art attractions. It boasts a rich collection of various works of art, including original and valuable pieces by Shishkin, Vasnetsov, Aivazovsky and many more acclaimed artists. It offers detailed and scholarly exhibitions of new-age art that you will find fascinating. Though the building is breathtakingly enormous, you won't get lost. The presence of professional guides makes sure that you keep track of your educational journey through the museum.
Where to Eat in Kirov
Enjoy Russian and Central European classics in an upscale, elegant dining room at Tsarskoe Selo, where mains start at ₽1,700. You'll relax in the casual atmosphere of a historic building near Spasskaya Street at Pivnoy Dvorik Beer Garden and Restaurant, with a menu of local and international favorites and long beer list. Main dishes start at ₽300.
When to visit Kirov
Due to below freezing temperatures during the winter, most tourists visit the city during the summer months, between May and September, when temperatures hover between 55 and 75 degrees.
How to Get to Kirov
Plane
Pobedilovo Airport (KVX) is a regional airport just under 14 miles southwest of the downtown, with international connections through Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and other major centers. A bus into the city costs ₽50.
Train
The Kirov-1 station, the main railway station in the city, is on the Trans-Siberia route, connecting the city to other major centers in the region, such as Saint Petersburg, Kazan, and the Black Sea coast.
Car
Kirov is a major transportation hub in the Kirov Oblast region, accessible by a well-maintained network of highways, including Russian route R176 or Vyatka Highway, which runs from Cheboksary to Syktyvkar along the Vyatka River.
Bus
The Kirov bus terminal provides intercity service to major centers in Kirov Oblast, including Kazan, Syktyvkar, and Cheboksary, as well as many towns in Kirov Oblast.
Where to stay in Kirov
Pervomayskiy Rayon - this district straddles the river, and it's where you will find the landscaped Alexander Garden, Museum of Military Glory, and other attractions.
Popular Neighborhoods in Kirov
Spasskaya Street - you'll find a European vibe along this pedestrian mall in the downtown area, home to the Chocolate and Ice Cream, and Vyatka Paleontological Museums, along with shopping and dining options.
Leninskiy Rayon - this neighborhood in the northern part of the city is where you will find the Diorama Museum with its park and lake, along with many other parks and green spaces.
Where to stay in popular areas of Kirov
How to Get Around Kirov
Public Transportation
Public transportation comes in the form of buses, trolleys, and marshrutkas or minibuses. Flat fares start at ₽22.
Taxi
Taxis are plentiful throughout the city. Fares start at ₽75, rising by ₽10.15 for every 0.6 miles.
Car
It is feasible to drive within the city, but car rentals are often in short supply. A compact rental starts at about ₽4,400 per day.
The Cost of Living in Kirov
Shopping Streets
Along with Spasskaya Street, Karla Marksa Street is another downtown street where you will find a number of shopping and entertainment options.
Groceries and Other
Globus and Produktovaya lavka are two of the major supermarket chains in the city. Milk costs about ₽43 per quart and a dozen eggs comes to around ₽68.