30 Best Things To Do In Yekaterinburg You Really Shouldn’t Miss

Back in 2012, UNESCO made a list of the 12 ideal cities in the world, and one Russian city made the list but it wasn’t Moscow or Saint Petersburg. It was Yekaterinburg- the 4^th largest city in Russia. The city where Europe and Asia meet, the birthplace of the first bicycle and home to the shortest metro line in the world. The mix of stylish new-wave architecture and old rusty Soviet blocks gives this city a special charm, different from any other place in Russia and in this article, we’ll show you some of the best things to do in Yekaterinburg.

Before You Go, You Should Know That…

Only a handful of nationalities can visit Russia without getting a visa, so you probably need a visa to visit Russia. If you want to learn everything you need to know about the procedure of getting a Russian visa and learning how much it costs, visit this website.

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For the cheapest flights to Yekaterinburg, use this Qatar Airways offer to save up to 20% on all flights to Russia.

For accommodation deals, this Booking discount code gets you up to 20% off on all accommodation rentals in Yekaterinburg. And if you want to stay in the best hotel in town, this offer gets you 10% off on your stay at the local Radisson. For more suggestions, make sure to check out our list of the best hotels in Yekaterinburg.

Are you looking for some other hidden gems in Russia? Check out my article about the most underrated destinations in Russia.

About The City

With a population of 1.5 million inhabitants, Yekaterinburg is the 4^th largest city in Russia, after Moscow, St. Petersburg and Novosibirsk. Yekaterinburg got its name after Catherine the Great, Russia’s longest-ruling female leader. Yekaterinburg was where the last czar family was imprisoned and murdered by the Bolshevik troops. Today at this spot, you will find the Church of All Saints, one of the main landmarks of modern Yekaterinburg.

The city grew rapidly during WWII where people and industries were moving to the east to escape the war. During the Soviet era, the city’s name was Sverdlovsk, after the Communist party leader, Yakov Sverdlov. After the fall of the communism, the city got back its old name-Yekaterinburg. Today, Yekaterinburg is one of the biggest industrial cities, also known as the Russian Manchester.

Yekaterinburg is also Russia’s most consolidated million plus city. It is the only city with over a million residents living in such a clustered area. The metropolitan area stretches only 20 km from north to south and 15 km from east to west. The city is also one of the main theater hubs of Russia with 24 theaters, famous in both, Russia and abroad. Yekaterinburg’s Opera and Ballet Theater is also a unique architectural monument and one of the most fascinating landmarks in the city.

Finally, Yekaterinburg is home to the tallest building in Central Asia and the northernmost skyscraper in the world.  The business center Vysotsky is 198 meters high. It includes an underground parking for 700 cars and ground parking for 300 more cars and it has the best view in Yekaterinburg.

Getting To Yekaterinburg

You can reach via a flight to Koltsovo Airport, the biggest international airport in the region. The airport is located 12 km south of the metropolitan area. The quickest way to reach the city from the airport is the Express Koltsovo train. Alternatively, you can use public buses number 1, 29 and 67 that can take you straight to the city center. For the cheapest flights to Yekaterinburg, use this Qatar Airways offer to save up to 20% on your flight.

You can also reach Yekaterinburg by bus or by train. The Yekaterinburg-Sverdlovsk Railway Station is one of the biggest railway stations on the Trans-Siberian line. The city is also a regional transport hub with buses going to Chelyabinsk, Ufa, Parm, and Sochi all the time.

Where To Stay?

The three best neighborhoods to stay for visitors are the Downtown area, Shirokaya Rechka, and the Kirovskiy Rayon.

Downtown – This is where most of Yekaterinburg’s commercial buildings are located, including the Vysotsky skyscraper. Most of the landmarks are in this area and it’s easy to get to any other part of the city via public transport. This area will give you a myriad of choices when it comes to food. You will find a lot of continental restaurants but also Georgian, Uzbekh and other Central Asian cuisines.

Shirokaya Rechka – is a nice and quiet area which is a home to some of Yekaterinburg’s most unusual attractions. The most famous ones include a Mafia Graveyard and a Giant Keyboard.

Kirovskiy Rayon – If you want to relax and but not be too far from the city center you can choose this area. It’s close to Lake Shartash, where you can go for a relaxing walk or a swim at any time. If you’re a nature lover you can also take a boat to get to the other side of the lake to Shartash Forest.

You can find some great accommodation deals in all parts of Yekaterinburg with my Booking discount code and save up to 15%.

Related: interesting things you can only do in Georgia.

Historical and Cultural Landmarks

We’re starting this list of best things to do in Yekaterinburg with a few historical and cultural landmarks that you have to see if you decide to visit.

Church on the Blood: A Symbol of Russian History

We’re starting this list of the best things to do in Yekaterinburg with the city’s most famous landmark. Visiting the Church on the Blood in Yekaterinburg offers a profound experience steeped in history. Built on the site of the Ipatiev House, where the last Russian Emperor, Nicholas II, and his family were executed by the Bolsheviks during the Russian Civil War, the church stands as a solemn commemoration of the Romanov sainthood​​. This complex includes two churches, a belfry, a patriarchal annex, and a museum. The altar of the main church is situated directly above the execution site, covering a total area of 2,760 square meters​​

The Beatles Monument: Music’s Influence on Soviet Hearts

Despite the Soviet Union’s efforts to censor The Beatles’ music, considering it part of the Western propaganda machine, the band’s tunes resonated deeply with the Soviet youth. Fans clandestinely listened to smuggled vinyl records and bootlegs, bringing The Beatles into the center of the Soviet underground music scene and Russian counter-culture​​​​.

This monument, conceived in 2003 by Vladimir Popov, the president of the Beatles Fan Club of the Urals, was funded entirely by the fans’ efforts, as neither the government nor the local council contributed financially. The club raised the necessary $9,000 through concerts, music events, and auctions over six years.

Sevastyanov’s House: Architectural Marvel

Sevastyanov’s House in Yekaterinburg, often likened to a palace, stands as a magnificent example of architectural artistry on the east bank of the City Pond on Lenin Avenue. Its distinct style, blending Gothic and Moorish elements, sets it apart from other 19th-century mansions in the area​​.

The house’s history dates back to 1817, although its more modest initial structure was significantly transformed when Nikolai Sevastyanov, a mining department official who made his fortune during the Crimean War, acquired it in 1860. Under Sevastyanov’s ownership, the house underwent extensive renovations and expansions, resulting in its current grandeur. Architect A. I. Paduchev was responsible for its ornate Moorish ornaments and Gothic features, with the richly decorated round rotunda and belvedere as notable highlights

The Square of 1905 and City Administration

The Square of 1905 and the City Administration building in Yekaterinburg beautifully blend the historical and the modern, reflecting the city’s vibrant evolution. This square has been central to Yekaterinburg since its early days, originally featuring a wooden Epiphany church, and later, a two-story stone Epiphany Cathedral. It became a hub for trade and a focal point for revolutionary events in the early 20th century, including the first political demonstration and rally on 1 May 1905. Following the Bolshevik victory in the October Revolution of 1917, the square was renamed after the 1905 Russian Revolution​​.

Victory Park: A Tranquil Retreat in the City Center

Victory Park in Yekaterinburg, located on Poklonnaya Gora (Submission Hill), is a tranquil retreat steeped in historical significance. The park, officially founded in 1995, honors the Soviet victory in the Second World War and serves as a venue for Russia’s Victory Day celebrations. It features several important monuments and structures, each symbolizing different aspects of wartime history:

1. Triumphal Arch: Constructed between 1829 and 1834, it commemorates Russia’s victory over Napoleon, originally built on Ploschad Tverskoy Zastava and later reinstalled in its current location​​.
2. Victory Monument: A significant structure within the park, this 141.8-meter tall obelisk, unveiled in 1995, is decorated with reliefs and topped by the goddess Nike. The base features a statue of St George slaying a dragon adorned with Nazi symbols​​.
3. Central Museum of the Great Patriotic War: Situated just behind the Victory Monument, this museum details the course of the Second World War and the Soviet victory, featuring dioramas of major battles​​.
4. St George’s Church on Podklonnaya Gora: This religious building, opened within the park in 1995, commemorates the 50th anniversary of the end of the Second World War​​.
5. Open-Air Exhibition of Military Equipment: Showcasing over 300 examples of military equipment from the Second World War, the exhibition includes both Soviet and German military artifacts​​.
6. Monument to Soldiers Missing in Action without a Grave: Unveiled in 1995, this monument honors soldiers who went missing during the war​​.
7. “In the Fight against Fascism We Were Together” Monument: Unveiled in 2010, this monument is dedicated to all the republics of the Soviet Union and features a recreation of Red Army soldiers raising the Soviet flag above the Reichstag​​.
8. Spanish Civil War Memorial-Chapel: Erected in 2003, this chapel is dedicated to Spanish Volunteers who died in Russia during the Second World War​​.
9. Allies Monument: Unveiled in 2005, it features an obelisk and statues representing the main allies in the Anti-Hitlerite Coalition: France, the USSR, the USA, and the UK​​.
10. Peoples’ Tragedy sculpture: Dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust, this sculpture was unveiled in 1996 and is the work of sculptor Zurab Tsereteli​​.
11. Memorial Mosque: Built between 1995 and 1997, this mosque incorporates architectural styles from Tatarstan, Uzbekistan, and the Caucasus​​.

Monument to the Founders of Yekaterinburg

The Monument to the Founders of Yekaterinburg is dedicated to the city’s two main founders; Vasily Tatishchev, a prominent Russian Imperial statesman and Georg Wilhelm de Gennin (his replacement). Both together have contributed to creating the foundation for what Yekaterinburg is today. The monument was erreceted next to the Iset River in 1998, on the 275th anniversary of the city.

Artistic Things To Do In Yekaterinburg

Next, we’ll share a few exciting things to do in Yekaterinburg for people interested in unique art-related experiences.

The Yekaterinburg Opera and Ballet Theatre

The Opera and Ballet Theatre in Yekaterinburg, a city of rich cultural heritage, is a true gem in the world of performing arts. This beautiful building facing Lenin Avenue became home to the city’s Opera and Ballet Theatre in 1912, one that echoes the grandeur of the Vienna and Odessa Opera Houses. The project of architect Vladimir Semenov, selected through a competition, gives life to this architectural marvel with a capacity for 1200 spectators. The facade, adorned with bas-reliefs, massive balconies with balustrades, and a sculpture group of three muses, speaks of a grandeur that Yekaterinburg had not seen before

Glavny Prospekt International Arts Center

The Glavny Prospekt International Arts Center in Yekaterinburg stands out as a unique, modern art space that attracts art enthusiasts from around the country (and the world, for that matter). Opened in a former metal processing factory building, it retains a sense of industrial chic, merging history with contemporary aesthetics. Visitors love the loft-style interiors and the inviting ambiance it creates. Some of the things you can expect to find inside include exhibitions dedicated to Salvador Dalí and Francisco Goya, the regular printmaking workshops, the beautiful sculptures by Yuri Krylov, and even live music performances (from time to time). The center even features a cozy café where you can unwind surrounded by the beautiful art installations and peaceful atmosphere.

Museum of Fine Arts

The Yekaterinburg Museum of Fine Arts, established in 1986, is a distinguished cultural institution in Russia’s Ural region, known for its impressive art collections. Housed in one of Yekaterinburg’s oldest buildings, a hospital built in 1730 for the Yekaterinburg Ironworks, the museum has undergone various modifications. In the 1970s, this historical site was transformed into the Historical Square, with the remaining structure eventually becoming the museum we see today​​.

The museum’s journey began in 1936 as the Sverdlovsk Art Gallery, originally located in Weiner Street. It housed significant collections of Russian avant-garde from the 1910–1920s, and Russian art from the 1920–1950s to the present day. Remarkably, during World War II, the Hermitage Museum’s treasures were transferred here for safekeeping. In the mid-1980s, the art collection was moved to its current location on Voevodina Street, and in 1988, it was granted the status of a Museum of Fine Arts, adopting its current name in 1992​​

Literary Quarter: Strolling Through Historical Narratives

Next on our list of best things to do in Yekaterinburg, we have the Literary Quarter. Nestled in the heart of Yekaterinburg, the Yekaterinburg Literary Quarter id a prime example of the city’s rich cultural and literary heritage. This area is famously recognized for its restored wooden houses, many of which have been transformed into museums dedicated to celebrated local writers. Founded in 1980, this large museum complex unifies the legacies of several authors who lived and worked in the Urals, thereby preserving and promoting the region’s literary history.

Unique Attractions

This list of the best things to do in Yekaterinburg wouldn’t be complete if we don’t mention a few of the city’s most unique attractions.

Keyboard Monument

Created by Russian sculptor Anatoly Vyatkin, this unique landmark was installed on October 5, 2005, along the embankment of the Iset River in the heart of Yekaterinburg. This monumental artwork features 104 concrete computer keys, each meticulously crafted and arranged over a 50 x 13-foot area. The scale is truly impressive: it’s built on a 30:1 ratio, meaning each key is thirty times larger than on a standard keyboard and some of these keys weigh as much as 450 kilograms.

Vysotsky Observatory: City Views from Above

The Vysotsky Observatory in Yekaterinburg, named after the famed Russian singer Vladimir Vysotsky is perched on the 52nd floor of the Vysotsky skyscraper, and provides visitors with one of Russia’s most iconic urban panoramas. The skyscraper, which stands as the third tallest building in Russia outside of Moscow, was built in 2011 and is whopping 188.3 meters (618 feet)​​​​. This platform, open from 13:00 to 22:00, offers a sweeping, uninterrupted view of Yekaterinburg’s urban landscape and its beautiful Ural surroundings​​.

Museum Of Stone-Cutting & Jewelry Art History

The Museum of Hardstone Carving and Jewelry History in Yekaterinburg is a unique museum, actually first of its kind in Russia that is dedicated to the rich heritage of stone-carving and jewelry-making in the Urals region. Situated in the historic center of Yekaterinburg, the museum is housed in a beautiful building, an architectural monument in its own right, known as the former Mountain Pharmacy. The museum opened its doors for visitors in February 1993 and spans three floors, each hosting several separate thematic expositions that showcase unique mineralogical monuments.

Dom Metenkova: A Window into Historical Photography

The Dom Metenkova is another fun museum dedicated to historic photography located in a mansion built in the late 19th century by the renowned Urals photographer Veniamin Leontievich Metenkov. Metenkov was a distinguished figure in the Russian Geographical Society and the Ural Society of Natural Science Lovers, and the first one who started filming in the Urals. The museum’s collection, which spans several decades, provides a comprehensive and detailed chronicle of the Urals through the lens of Metenkov’s photography​​​​.

Religious and Spiritual Sites

In this next section, we’ll cover some of the best things to do in Yekaterinburg when it comes to religious and spiritual sites, starting with…

Church of Ascension: The Oldest Church in Yekaterinburg

Built in 1792, this is the oldest and most historically significant religious site in the city. Originally built of wood in 1770, the church was later reconstructed into a two-story stone structure two decades later. The unique architectural aspect of this church is that its lower floor was named in honor of the Nativity of Christ, while the upper floor was dedicated to the Ascension.

1926, the church was closed to worshippers and was repurposed for various uses over the years, including as a school and pioneer club. It also served as a historical-revolutionary museum and a local history museum. In 1991, after the tumultuous events of the 20th century, the building was returned to its original purpose as a place of worship​​.

Ganina Yama Monastery

Originally a pit in the Four Brothers mine near the village of Koptyaki, Ganina Yama was the initial burial site of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia and his family after their execution in 1918. Their bodies were first thrown into this pit, only to be relocated later by the Bolsheviks when the site’s secrecy was compromised. In recognition of the site’s historical significance and in honor of the Romanov family, who were canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad in 1981, the Russian Orthodox Church declared Ganina Yama holy ground. In 2001, the Monastery of the Holy Imperial Passion-Bearers was constructed on the site with financial assistance from the Ural Mining and Metallurgical Company.

Outdoor and Recreational Activities

This list of best things to do in Yekaterinburg can’t be complete if we don’t mention at least a few outdoor and recreational activities.

Red Line Walking Tour: Discovering Yekaterinburg on Foot

The Red Line Walking Tour in Yekaterinburg is one of the best ways to explord Yekaterinburg’s most notable attractions on foot and on a budget (yup, it’s free). This walking tour follows a 5.5-kilometer (approximately 3.4 miles) route marked directly on the asphalt with red lines, guiding tourists through the heart of the city. The tour was created through the dedicated efforts of local residents (take notes, cities around the world) and encompasses 35 of the city’s most notable attractions, including historical sites, unusual monuments, and architectural highlights.

Plotinka: The Heart of City Life

Established in 1723 to power the iron works that marked the city’s inception, Plotinka has transformed from an industrial cornerstone into the heart of urban social life​​. The bridge, spanning between the Iset River and the city pond, serves as a popular meeting spot for locals. It’s a place where honeymooners capture their new beginnings, students gather for relaxation, and residents convene for social interactions. This transformation symbolizes Yekaterinburg’s evolution from an industrial powerhouse to a lively urban center​​.

Rastorguyev-Kharitonov Palace: Exploring the Grandeur

The Rastorguyev-Kharitonov Palace, nestled in the heart of Yekaterinburg, is a monument of architectural grandeur and historical intrigue. palace, with its Neoclassical design, was constructed on Annunciation Hill, close to the Annunciation Church, which was being built simultaneously​​​​. Kharitonov, who inherited the property in 1824, added to the estate’s grandeur.

He employed architect Mikhail Pavlovich Malakhov to connect the buildings with covered passageways and commissioned an English park on the grounds. In the Soviet era, the palace underwent repairs in the late 1930s to accommodate a local Pioneers Palace. Following the fall of the USSR and the pioneers’ system, it continued to function as a children’s art school, thus preserving its cultural and educational significance in modern times​​.

Museums and Educational Sites

Before we get to day trip ideas, we’ll just quickly cover a few more notable museums in Yekaterinburg that you should seriously consider visiting.

Boris Yeltsin Presidential Center

The Boris Yeltsin Presidential Center was inaugurated in 2015 with the idea to commemorate the life and legacy of Boris Yeltsin, Russia’s first president who (fun fact) happened to be born here. Designed by the architect Boris Bernaskoni, the Yeltsin Center reflects an interplay of architecture, communication, art, and industrial design. It has been recognized as the best museum in Europe by the Council of Europe in 2017, which was the first time for a Russian museum to get this award. The center also hosts various events, including concerts, festivals, and film screenings.

Ural Geological Museum

Founded as part of the Ural State Mining University in 1937, this fabulous museum is one of the most significant public collections of minerals not only in Russia but in the continent of Europe as well​​. The museum’s primary mission is the accumulation, investigation, systematization, and preservation of rock material from Ural deposits. With over 40,000 exhibits, it offers an extensive display of the region’s mineral riches and geology, which is also its most unique feature. Its focus on the geology of the Ural Mountains specifically, as opposed to global or continental geological collections typical of other museums.

Museum of Sverdlovsk Railway

Opening its doors in the 1970s, initially only for railway employees, the museum expanded its reach to the general public in 2003. The museum is housed in the Old Yekaterinburg Station building, a historic structure from 1878 designed by architect Pyotr Shreyber. Visitors are greeted by bronze sculptures of travelers and railwaymen, along with various railway artifacts like semaphore and freight carriage trucks near the entrance​​. The museum’s permanent exposition includes information boards about famous Sverdlovsk railwaymen, a model railroad, workplace tools, historical photographs, signaling arrangements, model trains (including the first Russian Cherepanov steam locomotive), and more.

Day Trips and Excursions

Now that we covered some of the best things to do in Yekaterinburg within the city borders, let us suggest a few interesting day trip ideas.

Europe-Asia Border: Standing Between Continents

This is where Europe meets Asia. Literally. In the city’s surrounding, you will find the border between Europe and Asia. At this spot, you can take a picture with your two feet on different continents. Yekaterinburg is also a great starting point if you want to explore the Ural Mountains.

Shartash Forest & Lake

If you’re a nature lover looking for a shorter day trip, then a trip to Shartash Lake (and Forest) is a great choice. Located just 20 minutes away from Yekaterinburg, this is one of the most popular picnic spots in the area and a great place to just relax and unwind.

The Leaning Tower of Nevyansk: The Urals’ Own Pisa

Located in neighbouring Nevyansk, the Leaning Tower Of Nevyansk is an 18th century tower standing at 57.5 metres (189 ft) tall with a base of 9.5 meters (31 feet) wide. The exact date of construction is somewhere between 1720 and 1745, making it one of the oldest and most prominent landmarks of Nevyansk (it’s even on the city’s coat of arms) and the Urals.

A Few More Tips On Things To Do In Yekaterinburg

Before we conclude this list of things to do in Yekaterinburg with a few more helpful tips and interesting facts. One final tip I could give you is to use the app 2GIS, for directions. All you need to do is download it and you can even access it without having your data turned on. This app works in some Russian cities and a few neighboring countries.

Yekaterinburg was the first city in the Soviet Union to get a metro line after Moscow and St. Petersburg. This metro line today, is the fastest one in the world, mostly due to its length. The Yekaterinburg metro only has one line with 9 stations spread out across 13 km that is covered in only 19 minutes.

Yekaterinburg is home to the world’s oldest wooden sculpture: The Big Shigir Idol. This sculpture is 9,500 years old, which makes it older even than the pyramids in Egypt.

In this article, I mentioned that Yekaterinburg is also known as the Manchester of Russia. However, you probably didn’t know that the steel used to construct the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty was imported from Yekaterinburg.

The first bicycle was actually created In Yekaterinburg in 1801. The first similar thing to this prototype didn’t appear in Europe until 1839. The creator was Efim Artamonov and he rode the bicycle to St Petersburg to attend the crowning of emperor Alexander.

Yekaterinburg is also home to the first transmitter for receiving satellite signals from space.

Enjoying this post? Then you may also like our popular stereotypes about Russia which aren’t true and our guide to Seversk.

As you can see by these facts and its monuments, Yekaterinburg is a unique Russian city where European and Asian cultures meet. Many people consider Dubai and Istanbul as cities with an “Out of the box” progressiveness, I would say Yekaterinburg isn’t really far from it. Comfortably situated under the Ural Mountains that geographically divide the two continents, Yekaterinburg is the crossroad where European and Asian cultures meet.

Did you ever visit Yekaterinburg? Are you planning to visit and found this list of things to do in Yekaterinburg useful? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.