Krasnodar pampers its guests with fresh crayfish, soaked watermelons, galleries, parks and a resort mood, because the sea is only 4 hours away by train. What’s nice is that you don’t have to spend your last savings to travel to the Kuban. Traveler Ksenia Semkina has collected places and activities that will bring joy and will not hit your pocket.
Content
- Krasnodar Park
- Krasnaya Street
- Krasnodar Regional Library named after A. S. Pushkin
- Art-Soyuz Gallery
- Antique pharmacy
- Charlie Bookstore
- European Courtyard on Krasnaya Street
- Bonus
Krasnodar Park: landscape project of Krasnodar philanthropist
Where: Krasnodar Park.
Working hours: daily, 05:00 – 24:00.
The park was built and opened by Sergey Galitsky, a local businessman and owner of the Krasnodar football club. The philanthropist spent more than 4 billion rubles on the construction of the park, so that citizens and tourists can enjoy a detailed public space with free entrance.
Rare trees from all over the world are collected here — by the way, some areas were designed by the same team as the famous French gardens of Etretat. Take a look at the art objects “Inner Child” and “Artificial Environment” and wander through the musical and mirror labyrinths. In the park you will find ponds with carp, turtles, playgrounds, children’s areas, restaurants and coffee points, a space toilet and a Japanese garden, opened in 2023. To visit the latter, you need to get a QR code in advance at special vending machines near the entrance or book a table at the Retey restaurant or Kissaten coffee shop.
In the park you will find ponds with carp, restaurants and a Japanese garden. Photo: Alexander Denisenko/Shutterstock.com
Krasnaya Street: the main tourist artery
Where: Krasnaya Street.
Krasnaya Street is home to the best coffee shops and restaurants, shopping malls and monuments. Pay attention to the Alexander Triumphal Arch and St. Catherine’s Fountain, don’t miss the monument to Shurik and Lidochka (the ones from Operation Y…) and the monument “Walking Dogs”, which is inspired by Mayakovsky’s poem. The historical facades of the houses refer to the tsarist past and Cossack times, and local restaurants are tempting to taste Kuban borscht.
Krasnodar Regional Library named after A. S. Pushkin: a cozy reading room
Where: Krasnaya Street, 8.
Opening hours: 9:30 – 19:00, closed to visitors on Friday.
The Alexander Pushkin Library, founded back in 1899, is one of the largest in southern Russia. It has retained its historical charm and can serve not only as a place for enlightenment (after all, more than one million books in Russian and foreign languages are stored here), but also for contemplation — all thanks to the retroatmosphere. To visit, you will need to issue a reader’s ticket. For this, bring your passport and a 3×4 photo. Yes, bureaucracy, but everything is free.
The Alexander Pushkin Library, founded back in 1899, is one of the largest in southern Russia. Photo: Stetiukha Kristina/Shutterstock.com
Art-Soyuz Gallery: art for everyone
Where: Oktyabrskaya Street, 51.
Working hours: Mon. – Fri.: 10:00 – 18:00, Sat.: 11:00 – 18:00, Sun.: 12:00 – 18:00.
There is an Art-Soyuz gallery in Krasnodar, located in a red brick building with a long history. Once there was a Lutheran church here, but now works of art are on display. The collection includes paintings, graphics, sculpture, stained glass, ceramics, batik, souvenirs, art objects, art photos, posters. Well, the hallmark of the gallery is the works made by Kuban masters, members of the Union of Artists of Russia. Admission to all exhibitions is free, and real enthusiasts and lovers of beauty work here. In addition to studying the exhibitions themselves, you can attend events and lectures at the Art Union.
Antique pharmacy: the most beautiful in Krasnodar
Where: 92 Gogol Street, Pharmacies of Kuban.
In 1918, the Czech pharmacist Yakov Javelov opened Pharmacy No. 8 in the city, which was then called Yekaterinodar. He was a rare specialist with an academic degree, so the pharmacy not onlyHe sold medicines, but he made them according to his own recipes. In 1933, Yakov Yavelov was repressed, but the legacy of the outstanding pharmacist is not forgotten today. One of the oldest pharmacies in the city is still in operation, and it’s worth coming here, even if you don’t plan to buy medicines. Historical interiors with monograms, painted ceilings and bottles on the shelves have been restored here. They say Samuel Marshak, who lived opposite the pharmacy in the 20s of the last century, looked in here. We advise you to take a look too — moving into the past will be ensured.
In 1918, the Czech pharmacist Yakov Javelov opened Pharmacy No. 8 in the city, which was then called Yekaterinodar. Photo: Municipal pharmacy chain «Pharmacies of Kuban»
Charlie’s Bookstore: retroathmosphere
Where: 68 Krasnoarmeyskaya Street (in Yandex.They say on the maps that it works more, but in fact the bookstore is not closed).
Krasnodar residents know, love and appreciate the legendary Charlie bookstore. It’s not just a small bookstore. It is a living space with a nostalgic atmosphere and an excellent collection of literature. In addition, “Charlie” hosts cozy reader meetings. In general, everything here is done with a soul. Of course, the visit is free, but an interesting book bought here will be an excellent souvenir from the Kuban for yourself or your loved ones.
The European courtyard on Krasnaya Street: the main bar gateway of the city
Where: the landmark is Camorra Pizza E Birra, Krasnaya Street, 90.
There are many fashionable establishments in Krasnodar and, alas, they are definitely not free. But the guests of the city still need somewhere to eat and have a cultural rest, so we recommend the best spots. Come to the specified point and dive into the European courtyard, as Krasnodar residents call it. You can enjoy the atmosphere for free. And if you decide to go all out, then remember: stop by Camorra for the best pizza, grab a couple of tinctures at the Volna bar and snack on Soviet sandwiches with sprats. Nearby, the Yokai serves the best ramen in the city, and if you walk a little further down the street, you can get lost in another trendy courtyard and drink excellent beer at Hopkins Bar.
Check out Camorra for the best pizza. Photo: Camorra Pizza E Birra/Yandex.Maps
Where else to eat in Krasnodar
The most delicious places are collected in the gastronomic guide: There you will find gastropubs, foodmarkets, coffee shops, restaurants and other must-see establishments.
Bonus: a trip to the sea by train
Being in Krasnodar and not going to sea is akin to a crime. Such a trip doesn’t necessarily have to be ruinous, especially if you’re traveling out of season. Boarding a Swallow (direct ticket to Sochi — from 993 rubles, 4 hours on the way) and getting off at any resort/farm on the coast to breathe in the salty air, soak up the sun and admire the sea sunsets is priceless. We told you more about the resorts of the Krasnodar Territory in the review About!The blog.
You can board a Swallow and get off at any resort/farm on the coast to breathe in the salty air. Photo: Quatrox Production/Shutterstock.com
Objective: to save money on a hotel in Krasnodar
The answer to the question of affordable housing lies in the terms of the GURU Island loyalty program: the more you travel, the higher the discount.
- To save from 10% on accommodation, it is enough to register.
- After the second trip, free hotel bonuses are available (parking, room upgrade, breakfast — all this can be received as a gift).
- After the fourth, priority support becomes available.
- Experienced tourists who have scored more than 12 bookings reach the highest GURU level and can expect to benefit up to 40%.
We recommend staying in one of the inexpensive hotels available on the Island. Below is a selection of options for up to 4,000 rubles per night:
The capital of the Krasnodar Territory can be inexpensive or chic — in any case, it will win the hearts of tourists. If the above is not enough, then we wrote in more detail about the city and its best attractions in this article. Have a nice Kuban weekend!
Cover photo: saiko3p/Shutterstock.com
