Nizhny Novgorod
Discover Nizhny Novgorod
Nizhny Novgorod (Russian: Ни́жний Но́вгород NEEZH-nee NOHV-guh-ruht), colloquially shortened to Nizhny, is Russia's fifth largest city, ranking after Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Novosibirsk and Yekaterinburg. It had a population in 2018 of 1.26 million. It is the economic and cultural center of the vast Volga economic region, and also the administrative center of Nizhny Novgorod Oblast and Volga Federal District. From 1932 to 1990 the city was known as Gorky (Го́рький), after the writer Maxim Gorky. Following the fall of the Soviet Union, the old name was restored.
What to Experience in Nizhny Novgorod
Taste of Nizhny Novgorod...
In the city stalls with shawarma are very popular. They can be found everywhere, even on the outskirts of the city. McDonald's and KFC have locations near almost every shopping mall and central streets and squares. It is common to pay extra for condiments. All hotels and hostels offer free Wi-Fi and many have computer terminals. Almost all accept credit cards. Hotels and hostels will usually provide a visa invitation and registration for an additional fee. For information on purchasing a SIM card in Russia, see Russia#Connect. Note that Nizhny Novgorod is in the Volga region zone, and SIM cards purchased elsewhere, such as in Moscow or Saint Petersburg, may be subject to roaming charges. There are payphones in the streets; however, you can only buy phone-cards in the post offices and in a few newspaper kiosks. Free WiFi is available in most hotels, shopping malls, university buildings, restaurants and cafes, the airport as well as several metro stations. There is also free public WiFi on B. Pokrovskaya street.
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Nizhny Novgorod into what it is today.
The city was founded by Grand Duke George II of Russia in 1221 at the confluence of two most important rivers of his principality, the Volga and the Oka. Its name literally means Newtown the Lower, to distinguish it from the older Novgorod. A major stronghold for border protection, Nizhny Novgorod fortress took advantage of a natural moat formed by the two rivers. Along with Moscow and Tver, Nizhny Novgorod was among several newly founded towns that escaped Mongol devastation on account of its insignificance and grew up into important centers of Russian political life during the period of Tatar yoke. For a short period of time it was the capital of the Suzdal Principality and competed with Moscow for the power in the region. However the competition with Moscow was lost and in 1392 the city was incorporated into Muscovy. Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin was built in 1508-1511 (under supervision of the Italian fortress engineers) and became one of the strongest Russian citadels. There is a legend saying that the project was initially developed with participation of Leonardo da Vinci. However there is no documented proof of Leonardo's work for that project, the only thing the legend is based on is the striking resemblance of Leonardo's sketches and the actual Kremlin schemes. The fortress was strong enough to withstand Tatar sieges in 1520 and 1536....
Climate
The climate in the region is humid continental and it is similar to the climate in Moscow, although colder in winter, which lasts from late November until late March with a permanent snow cover. The train station in Nizhny Novgorod is in the northern part of the city centre, near the Metromost Bridge. It is reachable via the metro. The main hall of the train station is beautiful and includes a chandelier as well as soviet-style mosaics symbolizing the life of Russian people. All Trans-Siberian trains from Moscow except for train 99/100 (which goes via Yaroslavl instead) stop at Nizhny Novgorod. When searching timetables and fares on the RZD website, enter "Nizhniy Novgorod" as the station for Nizhny Novgorod. There are several options for train travel from Moscow including high speed Sapsan trains (3½ hours, 1200-1700 руб) and slower late night trains (7 hours, from 700 руб). Trains are generally cheaper if purchased in advance.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThe train station in Nizhny Novgorod is in the northern part of the city centre, near the Metromost Bridge. It is reachable via the metro. The main hall of the train station is beautiful and includes a chandelier as well as soviet-style mosaics symbolizing the life of Russian people. All Trans-Siberian trains from Moscow except for train 99/100 (which goes via Yaroslavl instead) stop at Nizhny Novgorod. When searching timetables and fares on the RZD website, enter "Nizhniy Novgorod" as the station for Nizhny Novgorod. There are several options for train travel from Moscow including high speed Sapsan trains (3½ hours, 1200-1700 руб) and slower late night trains (7 hours, from 700 руб). Trains are generally cheaper if purchased in advance. Most trains from Moscow arrive depart from Moscow's Kursky or Yaroslavsky train stations. There are 2 daily overnight trains from Saint Petersburg (15-16 hours, from 900 руб)....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
The city centre is compact and walkable. However, there are many inclines or steps from the river banks. The bridges are not pedestrian friendly since the sidewalk is very narrow and cars drive extremely fast close to the pedestrians. There is a network of s-trains, trams, trolleybuses, buses, marshrutkas and a 2-line metro system. Google maps can be used for directions via public transport. The fare on public transport is 20 руб per ride and operating hours are generally 05:15 to 00:00. On surface public transport (trams, trolleybuses, buses and marshrutkas) you are expected to pay within one stop after you enter, the fare is fixed for one ride. A konductor who will come to you, take money and issue a ticket; if there is no konductor, you should pay directly to the driver. Both the driver and konductor will give change if needed, although notes of 1000 руб and larger are sometimes denied. It is best to have exact change ready.
Where to Stay
All hotels and hostels offer free Wi-Fi and many have computer terminals. Almost all accept credit cards. Hotels and hostels will usually provide a visa invitation and registration for an additional fee. For information on purchasing a SIM card in Russia, see Russia#Connect. Note that Nizhny Novgorod is in the Volga region zone, and SIM cards purchased elsewhere, such as in Moscow or Saint Petersburg, may be subject to roaming charges. There are payphones in the streets; however, you can only buy phone-cards in the post offices and in a few newspaper kiosks. Free WiFi is available in most hotels, shopping malls, university buildings, restaurants and cafes, the airport as well as several metro stations. There is also free public WiFi on B. Pokrovskaya street.
Money & Budget
Apart from simple souvenirs like thick pencils with city name, which are present in every Russian city with just the name changed, and have nothing to do with Russian traditions, there are some souvenirs that are really Russian and really Nizhny-Novgorodian. The most important and famous are Khokhloma gold-red-black painted wooden items such as tableware and furniture; Khokhloma is actually a village in Nizhny Novgorod oblast, a traditional center for the craft. Also there are other traditional Russia souvenirs such as Gorodets-style painted wooden items, and lots of different Matryoshkas. You can find lots of souvenirs on street stalls along the pedestrian part of Bolshaya Pokrovskaya street (especially in its upper and further from Kremlin part), and in some stalls inside Kremlin.
Safety Information
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Nizhny Novgorod
city skyline under blue sky
people walking near outdoor during daytime
a large building with a clock on the top of it
a bridge over a body of water with a building in the background
a street with cars parked on both sides of it
A view of a river and a city from a hill
a body of water with a city in the background
a large bridge over a large body of water
a large body of water with a city in the background
a church with a tower overlooking a body of water
city skyline under blue sky
people walking near outdoor during daytime
a large building with a clock on the top of it