Guide to Kaliningrad: what to see and where to go

If you like traveling around Russia, Kaliningrad should be on your list of must-see cities. Avid tourists call this place the home of Europe, and it’s hard to argue with that. Kaliningrad, also known as Old Koenigsberg, is an amazing place on the map of our country, where you feel completely different from, for example, Kazan or especially Moscow. Pleasant climate, cultural heritage monuments and, of course, the Baltic Sea. In short, let’s go!

Let’s start with a slightly sad but true fact: Kaliningrad is expensive. Of course, you can go here with your budget, but in this case, you need to book both the hotel and the flight ticket in advance. For example, now the most affordable tickets for May holidays start from 15 thousand rubles per person in both directions. On a normal weekend, if you buy a few weeks in advance, it is quite possible to find a ticket for 10 thousand liras.

The restaurants and hotels here are not exactly budget-friendly either. Therefore, many tourists prefer to rent apartments and go to local bars and cafes for dinner. But first things first.

What to see in Kaliningrad?

Kant Island

Coming to Kaliningrad and not visiting Kant Island is the same as coming to Moscow and not walking on Tverskaya. Its main attraction is the Cathedral of Our Lady and St. Mary’s Cathedral, where the tomb of philosopher Immanuel Kant is located. Adalbert. Although its interior was damaged during the bombing in 1945, the building, built in the 14th century, was preserved.

fishing village

Directly from the island you can reach the Fisherman’s Village, a relatively modern area with many cafes and restaurants. The complex was built in 2005 to celebrate the 750th anniversary of Kaliningrad and has become another symbol of the city. The building imitates pre-war Königsberg in a medieval half-timbered style. Excursion boats depart from the Fisherman’s Village pier every hour.

Amalienau district

Previously, only wealthy Germans settled in this area, but after the war they were expelled from there, and former German estates and villas remained empty. It is now one of the most popular places for hiking among locals and tourists alike. By the way, an interesting fact: there are almost no streets that intersect at right angles here. But it has rail streets, rondo squares, side streets, squares and even its own lake.

Crown Tongue

It is impossible to come to Kaliningrad and not visit the Curonian Spit. This is a national park and on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The length of the spit is 98 km, its upper part belongs to Lithuania, and its lower part belongs to Russia. The Baltic Sea is on one side of the spit, and the Curonian Lagoon is on the other. The most convenient way to get here is from Zelenogradsk, there are direct buses from there. You can rent a bike or car to get around.

Svetlogorsk

Svetlogorsk is a charming resort town on the Baltic coast, formerly German Rauschen. Here is the same water tower mentioned on many postcards from Kaliningrad. This place is considered the symbol of the city. If you prefer to walk along the coast, go to the city beach. Since Svetlogorsk is located in the hills, there is a long staircase leading to the beach. The journey will take about 15 minutes, but there is an easier and faster option: the cable car.

Where to eat in Kaliningrad

Steindamm 99

Steindamm 99 is the calling card of Kaliningrad. It is located in an ancient area, in a historic building that survived the bombings during World War II. The menu includes clear dishes of Prussian cuisine. So don’t expect unexpected gastronomic combinations for which your stomach is sometimes not ready. If you are looking for a win-win and friendly option for dinner, this is definitely for you.

“Madame Boucher”

If you really miss Europe while wandering around the Fish Village, head to the French restaurant Madame Boucher. It is located right on the shores of an ancient lighthouse overlooking Kant Island and the Pregolya River. Overall, it is a must-visit place after long walks in the city.

“Yeltsin”

Many people love Kaliningrad for its bar culture. Therefore, we definitely recommend you to visit the Yeltsin bar. This place is known and loved not only by locals but also by tourists. It has a pleasant atmosphere and affordable prices. But keep in mind that there are a lot of people here on weekend evenings.