Nizhny Novgorod, Russia - Wontra Travels

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Welcome to Nizhny Novgorod

Nizhny Novgorod
  • Area: 460 Km2 (180 Sq Mi)
  • Dialing Code(s): +7 831
  • Founded: 1221
  • Federal Subject: Nizhny Novgorod Oblast
  • International Airport: Strigino International Airport (GOJ)
  • Previous Names: Nihny Novgorod (until 1932); Gorky (until 1990)
  • Stadium: Nizhny Novgorod Stadium
  • Population: 1,250,619 (2010)
  • Time Zone: MSK (UTC+03:00)

 

Founded in 1221, Nizhny Novgorod, colloquially known as Nizhny, is the fifth largest city in Russia, sitting behind Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Novosibirsk and Yekaterinburg. During the Soviet Period from 1932 to 1990, the city was known as Gorky in honor of the famous writer Maxim Gorky.

Nizhny Novgorod is located 417 km east of Moscow, in the center of the East European Plain, at the confluence of two major European Russia waterways - the Oka and Volga rivers. This location makes the city one of the largest Russian centers of river tourism and an important shipping center of the country.

The city is the economic and cultural center of the Volga economic region, and also the administrative center of Nizhny Novgorod Oblast and Volga Federal District. It is Russia’s largest industrial center and also one of the country’s richest cultural centers with various theaters, museums and cinemas to show.

Nizhny Novgorod is divided by the Oka River into two distinct parts: the Upper city (Nagornaya chast) on the hilly right side and the Lower city (Zarechnaya chast) on the left bank of the river.

The Nizhny Novgorod Stadium is one of the venues of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. The stadium has a capacity between 44,899 to 45,000 and will be used for home matches of the FC Olimpiyets Nizhny Novgorod in the Russian Football Premier League after the tournament is over.

The city is served by the Strigino International Airport, also referred to as Nizhny Novgorod International Airport. It is one of the oldest airports in Russia and responsible for serving the 3,281,000 residents of the Nizhny Novgorod Oblast.

Information & Facts

Activities

Nizhniy Novgorod is home to numerous tourist attractions including the two largest Russian rivers, the Volga and the Oka. The city’s most expensive shops, cafe, bars, and best restaurants can be found along both sides of the popular "Big Pokrovskaya" street. Some of the famous sights to visit include: Nizhniy Novgorod Kremlin, Michael the Archangel cathedral, and Strelka (Confluence of Volga and Oka rivers).

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. - Wikipedia

Getting Around

  • By Bicycle: The city does not have a well developed bicycle infrastructure. Although, some special bike paths can be found only at the Upper-Volga and Lower-Volga embankments and on Rozhdestvenskaya Street.
  • By Foot: Due to the city’s compact nature, Nizhny Novgorod is walkable due to the fact that many of its attractions are within distance of each other. However, the city is very hilly and full of steep inclines as well as steps from river banks. Also, the sidewalks are very narrow and
  • Public Transportation: The city has a network of trams, trolleybuses, buses, marshrutkas and a 2-line metro system. Google maps can also be used for directions via public transport.

Language

Russian is the only recognised official language at the national level.

Money

Like the rest of Russia, Nizhny Novgorod's  official currency is the Ruble or Rouble (RUB).

Notes come in denominations of 5000, 1000, 500, 100, 50, and 10 Rubles, and there are 10, 5, 2 and 1 Ruble coins. One Ruble equals 100 kopeks which come in 50 and 10 kopek coins. 

Night Life

Nightlife in Nizhny Novgorod is firmly concentrated on Bolshaya Pokrovskaya Street. The trendy Beryozka bar, less formal Rock Bar, Bessonnitsa, Bufet art café and Z-TOP Club are just some of the many spots to visit for food, drinks and parties.

Shopping

Nizhny Novgorod is one of Russia’s most important centres for the wholesale and retail trading. The city has a number of shopping malls and fashion galleries where locals and tourists can shop till their heart desire. Some of the popular fashion galleries and malls include: Mega, Fantastika, Chocolade, Etazhi, Respublika, and LP Fashion Gallery.

Sightseeing

There are more than 600 unique historic, architectural, and cultural monuments in Nizhny Novgorod. The historic center of the city, despite significant restructuring, has a significant number of historic civil buildings of the 18th - early 20th centuries, including a lot of monuments of wooden architecture.

Time

Moscow Standard Time (MSK) is the time zone for Nizhny Novgorod. Since 26 October, 2014, it has been set to UTC+3 all year round. Descriptions of time zones in Russia are often based on Moscow Time rather than UTC. For example, Samara (UTC+4) is said to be MSK+1 within Russia

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