Suzdal Guide: what to see and where to go?

When it comes to domestic tourism in Russia, three unshakable pillars mainly come to mind – St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod and Sochi. Of course, many destinations have emerged in recent years: from Northern Murmansk to Siberian Krasnoyarsk. We won’t even talk about Altai, Kamchatka and Sakhalin – these are the most fashionable places added to the wish list, along with the Maldives and Paris.

But what is unfairly forgotten are the cities of the Golden Ring. Although some of them have long been considered quiet and luxurious places. For example, let’s take Suzdal, where all Muscovites, tired of the city bustle, fled. Moreover, regardless of income and social status. In the summer months, parties are held here in honor of Cucumber Day (we will talk about this a little later), and in the winter there are cheesecake drives. But all this time you get the feeling that you are traveling in time. Still, you want to say to a passerby in Suzdal: “Good job!” – and run barefoot on the dew in the best traditions of Russian films.

We will tell you what to see and where to go if you decide to go to Suzdal on the weekend. And there’s a good reason for this; This year the city will celebrate its millennium.

what to see

Suzdal Kremlin

The main attraction of Suzdal is the Kremlin. It is impossible not to notice this and deliberately ignore it. Although it was built in the 10th century, the 1,400 m long earthen walls and castle moats are still preserved. There are several buildings inside the Kremlin, including the Bishop’s Chambers, which house eight halls with exhibits. Here you can see ancient icons and paintings, tour the interiors of the 18th century, visit the reconstructed Zemstvo school and the state fair.

Shopping malls

Suzdal is known for its many churches and cathedrals, as well as its shopping arcades. Moreover, for many years it was planned to be included in the UNESCO heritage list along with the city’s other tourist attractions. However, so far nothing is known about the new status of this place. Still, shopping malls do not lose their popularity among tourists. Here you can buy traditional Suzdal products as souvenirs: honey and mead, garden products, wood, leather, textiles and other products made by the hands of city residents.

Cucumber Day

Another attraction of the city is the festival dedicated to Cucumber Day, which attracts people from all over the country. Suzdal is the unofficial capital of cucumbers. And since the 17th century. In the famous work called “Historical Collection of the City of Suddal”, created by Nativity Cathedral cleric Anania Fedorov in the 18th century, the following is stated: “In the city of Suddal, due to the goodness of the world and the pleasant weather, there are plenty of onions, garlic and especially cucumbers.” Suzdal borage and its products are famous in the Vladimir region.

In Russia, the holiday began to be celebrated on the third Saturday of July since 2001. Currently, about 18 thousand tourists come to the city, where a real entertainment program is organized, from a cucumber parade to a traditional fair.

where to eat

“Gostiny Dvor”

One of Suzdal’s most famous projects is Gostiny Dvor, located in the city center near Trade Row. Here, without a time machine, you are transported to the last century: around you are original household items and food, and with their help you can understand what the Russian cuisine of that time would be like today. As you can imagine, local products are used to prepare the meals here, which means the place is a must-visit.

Address: Suzdal, Lenina street, 63A, Suzdal shopping arcade building

Big Cafe “Petrushka”

“Petrushka” is another landmark project for the city with its Russian food and Parisian salon atmosphere. Owners say all the dishes pay homage to banquets in royal and imperial palaces. Agree, spending an evening in the atmosphere of secular halls is a wonderful experience that you will definitely not expect in Suzdal. By the way, events with historians are regularly held in the large cafe, accompanied by tasting sets of different liqueurs.

Address: Suzdal, Torgovaya Square, 1A

“Baker’s Nest”

A must-visit restaurant in Suzdal is Baker’s Nest restaurant. In general, this is a family business with a special home atmosphere. The main star of the project is a real Russian bakery, where most of the dishes are prepared. For example, cabbage soup, buckwheat porridge with mushrooms or boiled leg of lamb. But what they love most here is the pastries. And especially the bread the restaurant bakes itself. Prices are also encouraging – dinner can cost 1,500 rubles. The price of breakfast goes up to a thousand rubles for two people.

Address: Suzdal, Tolstoy Street, 6A

Where do you live

“House of Suzdal”

Let’s be honest, it’s weird to choose a hotel with minimalist interiors like the one on Pinterest to stay in Suzdal. After all, this is a journey to the past, why don’t we try to live in the atmosphere of a house that does not belong to our century? So just Russian taste! “Suzdal House” – guest houses combining traditions and all modern amenities. They are located in the old part of the city, five minutes away from the main attractions. Yes, by the way, this place has already become a favorite among the heroes of Moscow gossip columns, so do not be surprised if upon arrival you realize that rural life can also be in fashion.

Price: from 30 thousand rubles per day

“White Shore”

The White Coast building is one of the most well-known buildings among tourists. This blue house is located on the banks of the Kamenka River. It belongs to Maria Polyakova, who thought of this place down to the smallest detail and affectionately called it her summer house. So here, as in a real cottage, a cat greets you and there are geraniums on the windowsills. You don’t have to worry about your own comfort; the service here is better than Dubai hotels. That’s right, there is a simple interior filled with handmade details everywhere.

What else is in any shed? Of course, a bathhouse. Here it is located right on the banks of the river, so the bravest can cool off after ascending. After the procedure, the owners, according to the best traditions, will brew fireweed tea in a samovar and offer you to relax in the hayloft. Babbling!

Price: from 12 thousand rubles per day