Saratov is located on the right bank of one of the most beautiful and deep-flowing rivers in Russia called the Volga. The city stretches for 34 km along the western bank of the Volgograd Reservoir and is one of the largest river ports in the country. Due to its location, the city and its surroundings contain many natural attractions that are worth seeing while traveling through the Volga settlements.
Brief description of Saratov
Saratov is located on the right bank of the Volga River, 389 kilometers from Volgograd and 858 kilometers southeast of Moscow. It is a regional center. The population is approximately 850 thousand inhabitants. The area it occupies is 394 square meters.
Saratov is often called the “capital of the Volga region”
From references in historical records it is clear that the city was founded in 1590 on the territory between Samara and Tsaritsyn. It was designed as a guard fortified city and a pass point on an extensive trade route; it was located on the site of the former city of the Golden Horde. The name was taken from the mountain on which it was located - “yellow mountain” - in Tatar - “sary tau”. The founders are considered to be boyar Fyodor Turov and Prince Grigory Zasekin, who acted by order of Tsar Fyodor Ivanovich. By the 17th century, Saratov turned into a large fortress with its own garrison of archers, with a port for ships and became the main city trading in fish and salt. In the 18th century it was awarded the title of provincial town. During the Great Patriotic War, due to its industrial development, the settlement was an important element in the military equipment production system: up to 12 fighters were produced per day. Today it is a beautiful developing city with modern industrial enterprises, cultural institutions and architectural monuments.
Lipki City Garden
The city garden is located opposite the Saratov Conservatory. On the street Radishcheva from st. Volzhskaya to Cathedral Square, on the other side the borders end along the street. Cathedral.
The garden area covers 4.7 hectares. It is completely planted with linden, poplar, chestnut, pine and rowan trees, between which there are asphalt paths. The entire area is illuminated by round lanterns installed at each bench.
The center has a children's playground with a trampoline. There is a library next to it. Throughout the garden you can find points selling ice cream and drinks.
How to get there
Saratov is located at the intersection of railways and highways, so getting to it is not difficult:
- By plane. It is possible to get to Saratov by air from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Simferopol and Surgut. The flight from Moscow to your destination will take about an hour and a half, the ticket price is approximately 4,500 rubles. Saratov Airport is located within the city - on Zhukovsky Street, 25. You can get to the center by bus No. 90 and minibuses No. 31, 45, 65, 89, 115.
- By train. You can get to Saratov by rail from almost any city in Russia. From Moscow there are several daily flights from Paveletsky and Kazansky railway stations. Travel time ranges from 15 to 17 hours. Ticket prices range from 1000 to 10500 rubles. The railway station in Saratov is located on Station Square, building 1. You can leave the station by buses No. 246, 253, 284, 379, 491, trolleybuses No. 1, 2, 10, 15, 16, minibuses No. 3, 25, 45, 48 , 54, 60, 64, 65, 67, 72, 75, 76, 79, 82.
Saratov railway station traces its history back to 1871 - By bus. This type of transport can also be used to get to Saratov from many Russian cities. More than ten flights depart from Moscow daily. Travel time takes from 13 to 15 hours, the ticket price is approximately 1,600 rubles. The Saratov bus station is located on Moskovskaya Street, building 170. You can go to the center using the same transport as from the bus station.
- By car. Several routes lead to Saratov: P228, E38, P158, P226, P234, P208. Getting to the city will not be difficult for tourists from any locality. From Moscow to Saratov there are about 850 kilometers, which can be covered by a personal car in twelve hours. You should leave the capital along the M4, M5 or M6 highways.
Where to go for a walk and have fun with children
There are interesting places in Saratov not only for adults, but also for children.
Children's park
In addition to the Lukomorye and Lipki parks, you can take your kids to the Children's Park. There are many interesting attractions and playgrounds, a sports town and a karting club, a shooting range and libraries.
In winter, the park has the best skating rink in the city and skate rentals. Opening hours: from 06:00 to 22:00. Location address: Saratov, st. Pugacheva, 98.
Waterpark "Limkor"
A large modern water park is located within the city. Here is the latest computer system for water purification, filtration and thermoregulation. The floors here are covered with pebbles, just like on the sea coast.
The water park infrastructure contains:
- swimming pools for children of all ages and adults;
- open and closed slides;
- swimming pools with hydromassage;
- Finnish saunas;
- Turkish baths;
- cafes and restaurants.
Both children and adults will have an interesting time at the Limkor complex.
Opening hours:
- Mon-Fri – from 08:00 to 22:00;
- Sat-Sun – from 09:00 to 20:00.
Location address: Saratov, st. 3rd Okolnaya, 17/1.
Other interesting places
In addition to the above interesting places you can visit with your child:
- equestrian club “Golden Horseshoe”, where kids and older children can watch horses, ride them in the lap of nature, and treat them to delicacies (Saratov, Reinik district, 1st microdistrict, 38);
- equestrian and health club “Sivka-Burka” (Saratov, 2nd Mostovoy proezd, 42);
- the Kumysnaya Polyana natural park, its green natural area is a great place for walking and relaxing with children; There are rental points for winter and summer sports equipment, rental of horses and sled dog sleds, ATVs and snowmobiles, skis and skates (Saratov, Kumysnaya Polyana, Lesnaya St., 10).
For cultural development and entertainment for children, you can visit:
- theater of magic and tricks “Samokat” (Saratov, Komsomolskaya str., 1);
- Academic Theater for Young Spectators named after. Yu. P. Kiseleva (Saratov, Kiseleva Square, 1);
- puppet theater “Teremok” (Saratov, Babushkin Vzvoz street, 16);
- State Circus named after Nikitin brothers (Saratov, Chapaev St., 61).
The city of Saratov has its own centuries-old history. It is not surprising that it has so many interesting sights and beautiful places that will be interesting for both adults and children. The hospitable regional capital of the Volga is always happy to show them to everyone.
The main attractions of Saratov
Saratov is attractive to tourists of all ages. It has many entertainment, educational and historical centers to explore.
Holy Trinity Cathedral
The oldest religious monument in the city is the Holy Trinity Cathedral. It is located on Museum Square, within the historical boundaries of the city. The original structure of the temple was built at the end of the 17th century; subsequently the church was rebuilt several times until it was finally completed in 1710. The temple is an example of Moscow Baroque. The revolution of 1917 had a bad impact on the Holy Monastery: the clergy were shot, and the church itself was later given over to the local history museum for storage. During the war, the temple was revived; people came here to pray for their relatives. During perestroika, the building was subject to waves of vandalism several times. Currently it is the Cathedral. Every day the temple is visited by dozens of pilgrims.
The Holy Trinity Cathedral was built at the expense of the townspeople
The most ancient and revered icon of the cathedral is the Image of the Savior Not Made by Hands, which, according to legend, was brought to the fortress under construction from the Trinity-Sergius Monastery. Several icons arrived here from the monasteries of Mount Athos in the 19th century: for example, the icons of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear” and “Seeking the Lost,” as well as the icon of the holy great martyr and healer Panteleimon. Since 2005, the temple has kept a unique Orthodox item - a reliquary, which contains 132 pieces of relics of saints.
Address: st. Moskovskaya, 6. Entrance to the temple is free. From the station you can get here by trolleybuses No. 1, 4, 5, buses No. 11 and 33, minibuses No. 3, 32, 33, 82.
Temple "Quench My Sorrows"
The church was erected in 1906. Its appearance resembles the capital's St. Basil's Cathedral. Thanks to its beauty, the temple was not destroyed during the Soviet Union - the Bolsheviks did not demolish the building, deciding to open a planetarium in it, which existed until the end of the twentieth century. In 2008, the church was restored and now services are held there.
Architect Zybin, during the construction of the temple “Quench My Sorrows,” took Moscow’s St. Basil’s Cathedral as a basis; ultimately, he came up with a smaller, but no less impressive copy of this capital’s cathedral
Address: Radishchev Street, building 24. Opening hours: from 7.00 to 20.00. Free admission. How to get there: by trolleybuses No. 1, 2 and 5, buses No. 11, 12, 33, 284, 284K, 284A, 284B, minibuses No. 32, 54, 93, 94, 97. You need to get off at the “Radishcheva” stop.
Art Museum named after A. N. Radishchev
The museum is located in 8 buildings, only three of which are located in Saratov: two buildings of the main museum and the Museum-Estate of V. E. Borisov-Musatov. The history of the museum begins in 1877, when the government of Saratov received news that the professor of painting Bogolyubov A.P. wants to give the city his collection of paintings and sculptures for eternal use and name the museum in which the exhibits will be stored in honor of his grandfather A. N. Radishcheva. It was only in 1883 that the first building for the museum was built on Teatralnaya Square. A number of more exhibits were brought from the St. Petersburg Hermitage to fill the premises.
The A. N. Radishchev Art Museum is one of the most significant art museums in the provinces of Russia
The opening of the museum, intended for all classes, took place in 1885. Currently, the museum's collections contain more than 30,000 exhibits. The collections are based on paintings by A. P. Bogolobov, V. I. Surikov, I. N. Repin, I. P. Aivazovsky, B. M. Kustodiev, K. P. Bryullov. The museum is famous for its collection of Russian and foreign sculptural compositions and a collection of icons.
In the Radishchev Museum you can find icons dating back to the 15th century
Addresses in Saratov: st. Radishcheva, 39, st. Radishcheva, 41, st. Pervomaiskaya, 75. Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday - from 10.00 to 18.00, Thursday and Friday - from 12.00 to 20.00, Monday - closed. The last day of the month is sanitary day. You can get to the museum from the railway station by trolleybus No. 1, bus No. 284, from other areas you can take trolleybus No. 11 and bus No. 33 to the Radishcheva stop. Cost of visiting: 150 rubles. For students, large families and pensioners: 80 rubles.
Museum-Estate of Nikolai Chernyshevsky
The museum was opened in 1920 in honor of the statesman, philosopher, writer - Nikolai Gavrilovich Chernyshevsky, and his son Mikhail. Now the house and its surrounding area are the oldest literary museum in Russia. The estate is a family nest, consisting of the main house where the Chernyshevsky family lived, an outbuilding, the house of the Pypins (family relatives) and an administrative building. The main house was built at the beginning of the 17th century in the classicist style and has survived to this day almost unchanged. In it you can see things that belonged to the writer and hear about the life and work of a brilliant man and his family. The furnishings of the house will tell you what people of the 19th century were interested in. Also presented here is a collection of artifacts, which includes: antique furniture, mirrors, awards of the War of 1812, rare editions of the works of A. S. Pushkin, V. A. Zhukovsky, M. Yu. Lermontov. The tour includes a visit to the main house, including Chernyshevsky’s room and a tour of all the buildings that belonged to the estate.
Chernyshevsky was born in this estate and lived for a total of more than twenty years.
Address: Chernyshevsky street, 142. Opening hours: from 10:00 to 17:00. Day off is Monday. Cost: 200 rubles; students, schoolchildren and pensioners: 100 rubles. You can get to the museum-estate by trolleybuses No. 4 and 2a, minibuses No. 42, 105 and 42k (stop “Babushkin Vzvoz”).
Limonary
If you want to visit an exotic place, then you should go to the limonarium. The garden was opened in 2000 for citizens and guests of the city. Here you will find yourself in a miniature tropical corner. Lemons of different varieties, oranges, bananas, pomegranates, flowers, myrtle trees - all this is harmoniously intertwined with each other. Among the branches you will be greeted by the good-natured iguana Drakosha. They will also tell you myths and stories about exotic vegetation. Walking through the lemon garden is not only interesting, but also useful due to the phytoncides released from citrus trees.
Saratov can boast of real tropics in the city center; there are few places like the local Limonary in Russia
Address: Sokolovaya Gora street, 4B. Opening hours: from 10:00 to 15:00, visiting by appointment. Ticket price: 150 rubles. How to get there: minibus No. 52, 95, bus No. 2d. Stop "Turn".
Gagarin field
Not far from Saratov, in the village of Smelovka, there is an open-air architectural complex dedicated to the landing of Yu. A. Gagarin from space in 1961. Gagarin himself was happy with the fact that he was able to land in exactly the places where he first sat at the controls of the plane. Now the monument to courage consists of a rocket stela flying into the sky, a monument to Gagarin himself and several portraits of Soviet cosmonauts. The landing site of the country's first cosmonaut is marked with a sign. It’s worth coming here for fun and to experience the atmosphere of joy from space exploration.
Every year on April 12, ceremonial events are held on Gagarin Field in honor of Cosmonautics Day.
Address: Smelovka village. You can get to the field by bus only on a holiday - April 12, Cosmonautics Day. By personal transport, you need to take the road leading through the old Saratov Bridge (P236), then along the P226 highway through the city of Engels, the village of Kvasnikovka and Novaya Ternovka. Before reaching the village of Smelovka, you need to turn left to Gagarinsky Field.
Cosmonauts Embankment
The city's embankment appeared only in 1960. Before this, there was always a pier with narrow streets leading to it, where fishermen and laborers lived. Along the river there were warehouses and sheds with cargo to be sent by water. Since the end of the 18th century, the government had hatched a plan to build a promenade, but it was not implemented for a long time due to lack of funds. Along the Volga, houses were built in the Stalinist Empire style, and landscaping was carried out.
Cosmonauts Embankment has four tiers
The embankment itself was built on the principle of 4 tiers:
- the first, the lowest one is an alley along the Volga;
- the second - with benches and greenhouses;
- the third, shady - boulevard with trees;
- the fourth is adjacent to residential buildings.
In 1962, the coastal zone was named in honor of the landing of cosmonaut Yu. A. Gagarin near Saratov - Cosmonaut Embankment. To this day, it is a popular holiday destination for residents and guests of the city. Small motor ships depart from the pier, which anyone can also take a ride on. Along the entire strip of this walking area you can find several interesting monuments: the Gagarin monument, the rotunda, the monument to lovers. For lovers of modernity, on the stone fence of one of the tiers of the embankment there is graffiti depicting the history of the city.
Address: the embankment stretches from Volskaya Street to the road bridge along the Volga River. You can get here by trolleybuses 4 and 5, as well as by bus 11 to the Museum Square stop.
Road bridge Saratov-Engels
The bridge turned out to be a necessary component for the city at the beginning of the 20th century in connection with the development of industry. It was opened in 1965. The length is 2825 meters. At the time of its completion it was the longest bridge across the river in all of Europe. 12 Komsomol detachments worked on it under the leadership of the country's leading architects: V. M. Iodzevich, V. N. Ivanov, B. M. Nadezhin. The bridge looks wavy due to different heights: the high span is for the passage of heavy ships, the low level is close to the island where the city beach is located (staircases lead to it from the bridge).
No Saratov landmark is photographed as often as the arched automobile bridge.
Along the edge of the bridge there is a pedestrian zone that offers views of the embankment and the expanse of the Volga. Until 2004, there was a trolleybus lane across the bridge, which was closed due to the heavy load and the disrepair of the supports. A small reconstruction has been carried out, but the bridge still needs major repairs. You can walk there and back in 30 minutes. Between the cities of Saratov and Engels, minibuses travel across the bridge. This bridge is considered the hallmark of the city.
You can climb to the bridge from Cosmonauts Embankment. To drive across the bridge by car, you need to drive onto Bolshaya Gornaya or Sokolovaya streets; they connect and lead you directly to the bridge.
Saratov Museum of Local Lore
The museum was formed in 1886 under the archival commission that studied the archeology and paleontology of the region. It found its permanent premises only in 1930 - in a classic building of the 19th century, which once belonged to the merchant M. A. Ustinov. The museum collection contains more than 400 thousand historical and cultural materials. This museum is the only museum in the country that houses a collection of materials and documents about P. A. Stolypin. Also here you can find exhibits telling about history from ancient periods to the present day.
Chair No. 5 from the Kyiv City Theater, on which the wounded Stolypin fell, has been preserved in the Saratov Museum of Local Lore.
Permanent collections of the museum:
- "Natural rarities";
- "City and People";
- "Road to Space";
- "Our noble fellow countrymen";
- “Stolypin and the Saratov region”;
- "From the history of the Volga Germans."
Address: st. Lermontova, 34. The museum exposition is open daily from 10.00 to 18.00, except Mondays. The last Tuesday of every month is sanitary day. An adult ticket costs 100 rubles, a discounted ticket (students, disabled people, pensioners) costs 50 rubles. Directions: Trolleybus: No. 1, 4, 5, bus: No. 3, 11, 32, 33, 42 to the “Museum Square” stop.
Kirov Avenue
The street is the main pedestrian area of Saratov. It was open to tourists at the beginning of the 21st century, and the first buildings appeared here in the 19th century. Local residents call the avenue “Saratov Arbat”.
The avenue is equipped with comfortable benches, souvenir shops, small cafes, and several interesting monuments:
- “There are so many golden lights.” The sculpture was born from the words of a popular song, which in Saratov is considered the unofficial anthem of the city. The figure appeared here in 2009 and immediately became very popular among tourists and townspeople.
The composition is a bronze statue of a young man waiting with flowers for his beloved, and symbolizes the single guys from the song “There are so many golden lights on the streets of Saratov”; next to the monument there is a lantern with a clock playing the motif of this song - Monument to the Saratov accordion. The sculpture also appeared in 2009. It was presented to the city as a birthday present from one of the banks. The perky musician with the harmonica gathers around him many tourists who want to take photographs with him.
The Saratov Harmonica Monument is a monument to a unique musical instrument, the birthplace of which is Saratov.
Saratov Conservatory named after Sobinov
The institution opened in 1912 and became one of the first higher educational institutions in Russia to provide music education. The conservatory is located in one of the most colorful buildings in Saratov, built ten years before its opening. The school was named after one of the best classical opera singers - L. V. Sobinov.
Saratov Conservatory named after Sobinov is one of the oldest universities in the country
Address: Kirova Avenue, building 1.
Sokolovaya Mountain
Sokolovaya Mountain is one of the city’s largest attractions. You can spend a whole day examining it. On the territory of the mountain there are:
- Victory Park and the Cranes Memorial. The entire territory of the park is dedicated to the history of the Great Patriotic War. Here is the most visible memorial of Saratov - the “Cranes” stela. The monument is forty meters long, which allows it to be seen from a distance of twenty kilometers. The memorial is located at the very top of the mountain, and around it there is a small observation deck from which you can enjoy views of the city.
The Cranes Memorial was opened on May 9, 1982 in honor of the anniversary of the Great Victory - Museum of Military Glory of Saratov. The museum's exhibition includes household items of soldiers who fought in the Great Patriotic War, as well as weapons and equipment of those times.
- National village of local peoples. The village museum was opened in 2003. Initially there were only six houses here, but now there are twenty buildings on the territory of the village, built on three streets. Here you can get acquainted with the history and life of the peoples who have ever lived on the territory of modern Saratov and the region. The complex is open from 8 am to 11 pm. Free admission.
Interesting places for entertainment
Interesting places for entertainment in Saratov are located in different parts of the city, they are diverse and have their own target audience. Among them are bowling alleys and billiards clubs, quest areas, karaoke bars, cinemas, concert and exhibition halls, amusement parks and attractions.
Sports and entertainment club "Grand Michel"
The establishment consists of several rooms designed for entertainment and business meetings. Here you can play bowling and billiards, take part in a disco, listen to good music or watch a show program. The club has a restaurant with good cuisine and a wide range of dishes from professional chefs.
Opening hours:
- Mon-Thu – 14:00–00:00;
- Fri – 14:00–01:00;
- Sat, Sun – 11:00–01:00.
Location address: Saratov, Kirova Avenue, 22.
Entertainment complex "Russian Club"
The entertainment complex has everything you need for a good rest and a pleasant pastime.
It includes:
- karaoke room;
- bath complex with Russian baths, Finnish sauna, Turkish baths, swimming pools;
- banqueting hall;
- restaurant;
- VIP area for business meetings;
- billiard club.
The establishment has professional staff and a wonderful atmosphere.
Opening hours:
- Mon-Thu, Sun – from 12:00 to 02:00;
- Fri, Sat – from 12:00 to 04:00.
Location address: Saratov, st. Lunnaya, 44.
Entertainment complex "Alexandria"
This is an interesting place where everyone will find entertainment to suit their taste.
The complex has:
- karaoke club;
- bowling center;
- conference hall;
- restaurant;
- large bar;
- Cafe "Elvis Center".
Alexandria often hosts corporate evenings, business conferences and all kinds of events. Opening hours: from 10:00 to 22:00 (daily). Location address: Saratov, st. Gvardeiskaya, 23A.
Entertainment complex "Ekaterina"
This entertainment complex is a great place for relaxation and entertainment with family or friends.
Here you can:
- play bowling and billiards;
- sing in a karaoke club;
- have a delicious meal in a restaurant;
- relax in the sports bar.
For younger guests, the complex has a large play area with swings, trampolines and slides. Professional animators work with children. Opening hours: from 12:00 to 24:00 (daily). Location address: Saratov, st. Mira, 13E.
City Park "Lukomorye"
The largest and greenest park in Saratov houses the most modern attractions for children and adults, cozy cafes, sports grounds, and exercise equipment for free use at any time of the year. Here you can rent a boat and ride on the lake, practice yoga with instructors in specially designated green areas.
You can feed tame squirrels, ducks, fish and swans. The city park is the best place for family recreation, entertainment and photo sessions. Opening hours: from 06:00 to 24:00 (daily). Location address: Saratov, st. Chernyshevsky, 81/83.
What to see if you come with a child
In Saratov there is entertainment for the youngest travelers. It will be interesting and educational for a child to visit the museum complex “National Village”, because here you can see the dwellings of various nations: a Bashkir yurt, an Armenian house “khrtchit”, a Georgian estate, Russian peasant huts and much more. In addition, in the village you can try the national dishes of numerous peoples of Russia.
On the territory of the museum complex you can find a Korean pagoda and many other buildings
Also, the baby will have a great time in one of the oldest puppet theaters in Russia, Teremok. It began its work in 1936 and has never ceased to exist. Performances were held here even during the Second World War. The theater is located on Babushkin Import Street, at building 16. Ticket prices: from 150 rubles.
Another attraction that can captivate even the smallest tourist is the local circus. It was founded in 1873 and for more than a hundred years its arena has been hosting sold-out performances. This circus is also notable for the fact that it was here that the clowns Oleg Popov and Karandash, as well as Mstislav and Walter Zapashny, revealed their talents. The circus is located at the address: Chapaeva Street, building 61. Ticket price: from 600 rubles.
Kumysnaya Polyana Forest Park
The natural park is located in the west of Saratov. At the address of the village of Bolshaya Kumysnaya Polyana, 10 there is a forest park, through which the street passes. Lesnaya.
The SSTU ski base is located near the Smirnovsky Gorge. Along the entire length of the reserve you can find children's health camps Romantik, Udarnik, Zvezdny, Zvezdochka, Lesnaya Respublika and others. Near the Berezka camp there is a bicycle rental service called Velodrug.
Kumysnaya Polyana delights visitors with a large number of springs, for example, Raspberry, Tatarsky, and Serebryany. In the forest park there are wild animals, including foxes and hares.
How long does it take to look around the city?
It is almost impossible to see all the sights of Saratov in one day. After all, exploring Sokolovaya Mountain alone will take a whole day. The optimal solution would be to stay here for two to three days:
- You can spend the entire first day on Sokolova Mountain, exploring local monuments and museums. In the evening, you can go to Kirov Square to watch performances at the local circus or Youth Theater.
The circus in Saratov opened in 1873 - Start the second day with a walk along Kirov Avenue and explore the building of the local conservatory.
- Next, go to the Radishchev Museum and Chernyshevsky Estate.
- Then you can go to the embankment, look at the bridge and swim in the Volga, visiting the local beach.
- The next points are the local history museum and religious buildings.
- In the late afternoon, head to Gagarinskoye Field.
- Devote the morning of the third day to visiting the Limonaria.
Ethnographic village
Address: Sokolovaya Gora ter. Opening hours: 11:00 – 17:00 seven days a week Cost: free admission
In order to get to the ethnopark “National Village of the Peoples of the Saratov Region”, you do not need to leave Sokolovaya Mountain - it is located here next to Victory Park.
The idea of creating an ethnopark appeared a long time ago, but it was realized in 2003. At the moment, the national village has 3 streets with 15 courtyards.
Some of the farmsteads are modern stylized, but there are genuine exhibits brought from villages in the Saratov region.
The following farmsteads provide the opportunity to visit in a few hours, get acquainted with the life and national cuisine of the peoples inhabiting Saratov and the surrounding area:
- Tatar
- Bashkir
- Kazakh
- Volga Germans
- Ukrainian
- Georgian
- Armenian
- Mordovian
- Uzbek
- Belorussian
Tips for staying in Saratov
You should come to Saratov at any time of the year. All the main attractions can be visited either in winter or in summer. However, if you want to take a boat trip along the Volga River and swim in its waters, then you need to come to the city in the summer. In order to fully explore all the main places in Saratov, you need to stay here for two or three days. To do this, you need to take care of your place of residence in advance. Saratov is a fairly large city, so there are no problems with hotels here. Every tourist will find a place to live that suits their liking and budget, the main thing is to book a hotel in advance.
Beach lovers should come to Saratov in the summer
Saratov is in a different time zone from central Russia. Difference with Moscow time: +1 hour.
What to bring as a souvenir
Saratov is famous for its edible souvenirs. First of all, this is the famous Saratov kalach. It is baked according to the same recipe, created back in the 19th century. In addition, Bohemia beer is often brought from this city, which is brewed according to an old Czech recipe from Czech ingredients. And, of course, fish should be brought from Saratov.
Saratov kalach has always been considered the most delicious bread in Russia, as it was made from high-quality grain
If the journey home from Saratov is expected to be long, then food souvenirs are not suitable. Then you can opt for the local light fabric “sarpinka”, which was produced by the Germans living in the local area in the 19th century.
Square on Teatralnaya Square.
The park area is located along Teatralnaya Square from the street. Moscow.
It represents the artistic design of the square and decoration in front of the Lenin monument.
The square area is no more than 1 hectare. The tree species represented in the design of the green space are mainly spherical topiary poplars and blue spruce. The park is intended for short-term recreation.
On both sides of the Lenin monument there are well-kept flower beds. They separate the roadway of Moskovskaya Street from the recreation area on Teatralnaya Square.
Saratov State Conservatory named after. Sobinova
Address: Prospect named after S.M. Kirov str., 1 Telephone: 8(845-2) 23-05-03 Website: https://sarcons.ru Opening hours: 09:00 – 17:00 Cost of concert tickets : from 200-300 rubles (to be specified)
In 1902, a building for a music school was built on the corner of Nemetskaya Street. In 1912, the school grew into a conservatory (the third in Tsarist Russia).
In the same year, as a result of reconstruction, the building received a new facade in the pseudo-Gothic (South German) style. This is how the architectural symbol of Saratov, familiar and recognizable to Saratov residents and guests of the city, appeared.
The building's pointed spiers were removed during WWII (so that they would not serve as landmarks for German bombers). They were returned in the 80s of the 20th century.
In 1935, the conservatory received the name of the opera singer Leonid Sobinov, whose first performance took place in Saratov in 1910.
The conservatory is not only an institution of higher education, it is also a venue for festivals, competitions, and concerts. In 2021, the Museum of the History of the Saratov Conservatory opened.
Kirova Avenue (Nametskaya Street)
Kirov Avenue was closed to transport and became pedestrian at the end of the 90s of the last century. From that time on, the name of Saratov Arbat was firmly assigned to it.
The walking area begins with the square where one of the oldest stationary circuses in Russia is located - the Nikitin brothers' circus. The fountain near the circus is a traditional meeting place: business and romantic.
The building of the Covered Market is a decoration of the Prospect and the square. The building was built in 1916 - the height of the First World War. The glass dome of the building and the fountain in the center of the hall can be seen when entering the market's shopping arcades.
From 1825 to 1917 the street was called German. The first settlers on it were foreigners:
- Volga Germans (at the invitation of Catherine the Great began the colonization of the region)
- French (captured and found shelter with kind-hearted Russian women)
- Foreign merchants (Saratov is a port and merchant city)
After February 1917, the street began to be called Republic Street; in 1935, the avenue was given the name of S.M. Kirov.
On the avenue there are several large shopping centers and many small boutiques, restaurants and street cafes, fast food chains, and beauty salons. The largest hotels in the city are located on the avenue itself - Volga and Pioneer-Lux. Within walking distance are “Cranes”, “Pearl”, “Oasis”.
The 1000-meter walking area ends in front of Lipki Park near the conservatory building.
Cosmonauts Embankment
If you go down Volzhskaya Street towards the Volga (in 2021 the street became a continuation of the pedestrian zone), the road will lead to Cosmonauts Embankment. Its improvement began in 1947: the construction of elite houses in the Stalinist Empire style, four tiers of the embankment, and the development of slopes to the Volga.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, the marinas were the dirtiest and most unsafe area of Saratov.
Now the embankment is a favorite place for walks. Here you can admire the river, breathe in the freshness of the Volga water, and hide from the hot Saratov sun in a shady alley.
In 1962, for the anniversary of Yu.A. Gagarin's first flight into space, the embankment received a new name: Cosmonauts' Embankment.
In 1965, traffic began on a new road bridge across the Volga, connecting Saratov and the city of Engels on the opposite bank. The silhouette of a bridge with openwork metal arches is often used in emblems, business cards, and postcards.
The bridge lights come on at 10 p.m. in the summer (it was restored in May 2021).
