Top Things to Do in Yekaterinburg

About the City

Yekaterinburg: A City of Contrasts Nestled on the border of Europe and Asia, Yekaterinburg offers a vibrant mix of culture, history, and modernity. Known for its theatrical flair, the city boasts an array of colorful performances at the renowned Yekaterinburg State Academical Opera and Ballet Theatre. It's a place where tradition waltzes with innovation; one can find historical squares that whisper tales of the past, just a stone's throw away from futuristic skyscrapers that graze the skies. Food lovers rejoice in the delicious borscht and pelmeni served piping hot from local culinary hotspots, while shopaholics can browse the multitude of malls and boutique stores. As the sun dips, the nightlife awakens with an eclectic mix of bustling bars and serene jazz clubs. But it's not all glittering lights; the city's weather can be a fickle friend, with frigid winters that might send a chill down the spine of even the hardiest of souls. And while the green patches like the lush Mayakovsky Central Park offer an escape, the industrial façade of some districts reveals the city's gritty, working-class roots. Yekaterinburg is a city of many faces, where a walk through its streets is like flipping the pages of a living, breathing storybook — each chapter promising a new adventure, be it delightful or challenging.

Things to Do in Yekaterinburg

Gobble up Golubtsy

Food & Drink

Prepare your taste buds for the epic Russian comfort food that is Golubtsy! Imagine tender cabbage leaves hugging a mix of juicy meat and rice, all bathed in a savory tomato sauce. You'll want to cozy...

Forest Bathing in Olenyi Ruchyi Park

Outdoors

Immerse yourself in the whispering pines and rustling leaves at Olenyi Ruchyi Park. It's all about soaking in the zen and maybe hugging a tree or two. Tune into nature's playlist – the babbling brooks...

Unearth the Past at the Ural Industrial Heritage Museum

The Unexpected

Step into a time machine that's all about gears and gizmos at the Ural Industrial Heritage Museum! Bound to get your inner history nerd and gadget geek all fired up—this place is a tribute to the mach...

Be a Metallurgist for a Day

The Unexpected

Get fired up and forge your own piece of metalwork with the help of Yekaterinburg's master smiths. It's hot, it's sweaty, and you'll hammer away like a true Ural craftsman!

Craft Your Own Matryoshka

The Unexpected

Channel your inner artist and paint a Matryoshka (Russian nesting doll) to take home a piece of folk art made by none other than you. No art skills? No problem! It's all about the fun of creation.

Embark on a Poetic Journey

The Unexpected

Let your inner bard loose and scribble your own verse during a poetry slam event! No need to be Pushkin; just grab a mic and spill your soul in rhyme. Bonus points if you can do it in Russian!

Ultimate Frisbee Fun

Outdoors

Gather your pals or join a group of friendly locals for a flying disc extravaganza at one of Yekaterinburg's vibrant city parks. Feel the thrill of the chase and the glory of the catch as the frisbee ...

Go for a Forest Frenzy Run

Outdoors

Lace up those sneakers and hit the forest trails for a heart-pumping, lung-expanding run in the wilderness of the Ural region. Nothing says 'I'm alive!' quite like dodging tree roots and leaping over ...

Snowshoeing in Shunut Mountain

Outdoors

Strap on some snowshoes and step into a winter wonderland as you trek through the powdery paradise near Shunut Mountain. It's like walking on a giant frosted cake, but you're burning calories while yo...

Scale the Rocks at Chertovo Gorodische

Outdoors

Get your climb on at Chertovo Gorodische, where nature's own jungle gym awaits! Scramble up the ancient volcanic rocks and peek through the peepholes at the world below. It's a hands-on, grip-tight ad...

Munch on Medovik

Food & Drink

Sink your teeth into the sweet layers of Medovik, a honey cake that's stickier than a bear's hug! This Russian dessert staple will have you buzzing with joy as you savor the creamy honey-packed layers...

Ride the Iset River Eye

Sights

Hop on the giant Ferris wheel, aka the Iset River Eye, and get whisked up to ogle at Yekaterinburg's splendor from the top. It's like peeping through a giant kaleidoscope, with cityscapes, sunsets, an...

Conquer the Yeltsin Center

Sights

Unleash your inner history buff at the Boris Yeltsin Presidential Center, where politics and cool digital exhibits collide. Dive into the life of Russia's first president, grip onto the rocky ride of ...

Revel in Russian Theater Flair

Sights

Culture vultures, it's showtime at the Yekaterinburg State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre! Dress to impress and prepare for an evening where music weaves magic and ballerinas twirl tales of passion...

Unveil the Ural Visionaries

Sights

Breeze through the halls of the Yekaterinburg Museum of Fine Arts where masterpieces from Ural artists flirt with your curiosity. Let your eyes dance across paintings and sculptures that echo the soul...

Immerse in the Ural Mineralogy

Sights

Rock on at the Ural Geological Museum! It's a paradise for anyone whose heart beats faster for shiny gems and ancient rocks. Be dazzled by shimmering minerals and get up close with geology that tells ...

Savor the Pelmeni

Food & Drink

Get ready to indulge in Russia's little parcels of joy – Pelmeni! These doughy delights are crammed with minced meat goodness, and they're the perfect pocket-sized treat to warm you up on a chilly Yek...

Feast on Borscht

Food & Drink

Slurp up some Borscht, the beetroot bonanza that's like a party in your mouth! This ruby-red soup is a velvety blend of veggies and, depending on who's making it, a sprinkle of magic in the form of be...

Devour Solyanka

Food & Drink

Tackle a bowl of Solyanka, the hearty soup that's a smorgasbord of flavors! Packing a punch with pickles, meats, and a tangy twist, it's like a tasty treasure hunt in a bowl—every spoonful is a surpri...

Take a Ghostly Tour of the Mafia Cemetery

The Unexpected

Got a thing for eerie spots with a side of history? The Mafia Cemetery is just the place. This is where Yekaterinburg's mobsters lie, and the tombstones are as lavish as they come—think of it like a '...