Where are the best beaches in the Kaliningrad region? The sea in the vicinity of Kaliningrad: which resort to choose? Where in Kaliningrad

This is a great list of things to do and places of interest in Kaliningrad and the Kaliningrad region. Using it, you can think over and organize on your own your tour and your travel program to the Kaliningrad region. Many items are included in our signature tours (Intensive, Prussian Vacation, Full Immersion)

Of course, just ticking the box is not an end in itself, try to get imbued with this special region, nature, landscapes of the Kaliningrad region (the former Konigsberg and part of East Prussia).

This list will help you choose the places and sights to visit and things to do. You can also check your level of understanding of Kaliningrad, Konigsberg and East Prussia (levels are taken from the structure of the Teutonic Order):

It turned out to be something like a game where you need to mark and score more points.

Knowledge levels of Kaliningrad and Konigsberg

Up to 10 points - Ordinary knight, Novice tourist in Kaliningrad
Up to 30 points - Komtur, an experienced traveler of the Kaliningrad region
Up to 50 points - Landkomtour, local Koenig
Up to 70 points - Landmeister, I have been living for more than ten years
More than 100 points and their own moments - the Grand Master of the Order, a local lore guru

For almost every item, on our site you will find a separate note-page.

Museums and sights of Kaliningrad, Konigsberg and East Prussia

Take a walk in the Amalienau area (aka Oktyabrsky). Find about a hundred different architecture former German and modern villas in the Jugendstil and Bauhaus.
Spend 1-2 days in all branches and events of the Museum of the World Ocean with unique ships and exhibits.
Visit one of the best ethnographic expositions in Russia by Hubert Matishek "People of the Sea" by patron Vladimir Ivanovich Shcherbakov in Svetlogorsk.
Visit the Amber Museum, and then thoughtfully walk around the branded amber shops in the area and buy amber products, bright and elegant beads or amber rosary.
Castles of the Teutonic Order. Drive through 20 abandoned castles of Prussia and the Teutonic Order in the Kaliningrad region. Waldau (Lower), Georgenburg (Mayovka, near Chernyakhovsk), Insterburg (Chernyakhovsk), Labiau (Polessk), Neuhausen (Guryevsk), Preussisch-Eylau (Bagrationovsk), Tapiau (Gvardeysk), Taplaken (Talpaki), Shaakovo , Lauken (Saranskoe), Balga (about 5 kilometers from the Znamenka Novaya station between Ladushkin and Mamonovo), Brandenburg (Ushakovo), Gerdauen (Railway), Gross-Wonsdorf (Kurortnoe), Saalau (Kamenskoe), Kaimen (District), Kreuzburg (Slavskoe), Ragnit (Neman), Tilsit (Sovetsk), Fishhausen (Primorsk), Friedland (Pravdinsk)
A full day visit to Baltiysk (Former Pillau), the westernmost city in Russia, which was visited by Peter 1.
Take a sightseeing tour of regional cities connecting rivers Deima and Pregolya: Polessk, Gvardeysk, Znamensk (Labiau, Tapiau, Velau in East Prussia)
Forts of Konigsberg. Make a survey of all 15 forts of Konigsberg.
Separately visit forts 5 and 11 with a guided tour - Denhoff, King Frederick William III
Visit the main cathedrals and churches of Konigsberg, especially pay attention to the St. Nicholas Convent - Kirhu Yudchen.
Walk the route in memory of the great philosopher Immanuel Kant.
Visit the Bagrationovskiy district, driving along the picturesque Kaliningrad-Mamonovo road, and through the forests and lakes in the Bagrationovsk district.
Take a half-day walk in the Khufen district of Konigsberg (the area between Mira avenue and Borzova street) and solve riddles along Luizenallee street (Komsomolskaya street).
Spend the whole day walking around Svetlogorsk, Prussian-Kaliningrad Switzerland.
Drive to the vintage, dilapidated, but still well-preserved village after the Second World War Zheleznodorozhny (former Gerdauen).
Flip through books or photos about old Konigsberg. Then, walking around the city, remember these photos, and compare with what survived and was restored and reconstructed.
To visit 3 large cities in the east of the region - Nesterov, Gusev, Chernyakhovsk and places nearby (for example, Tokarevka bridge), you can try to combine it with the reconstruction of the Gumbinnensky battle.
Visit the Cathedral and the Kant Museum, and walk around the Kneiphof island, imagine what this city was like before, studying old photographs and maps and taking pictures in the sculpture park.
Visit the Museum Dugout - one of the real bunkers of the Second World War in the center of Kaliningrad
Walk in the afternoon through the proletarian industrial quarter of Ponart Konigsberg (Baltic region of Kaliningrad)
Go to the House of Soviets, to one of the most avant-garde buildings in the USSR in Kaliningrad. Take a picture next to him. Climb to the top as far as possible.
Visit the excursion at the Amber Combine in the village of Yantarny, take a walk in the Becker Park and the wide Baltic sandy shore.
Visit the new castle, restaurant, Nesselbek brewery in Orlovka, study the instruments of punishment in the torture museum.
Get acquainted with the history of the city of Königsberg on one of the best sites on the history of East Prussia, see documentaries and video.
Read the 1912 pre-war guidebook of tsarist Russia to Konigsberg in Russian.
Sign up for one of the excursions from a folk guide and plunge into the history of one of the districts of Kaliningrad-Konigsberg
Look at the German-Prussian way of life in the Friedlansk Gate Museum
A full day trip to Sovetsk-Tilsit, to the border with Lithuania, to the Prussian area of Skalovia.
Visit the Kaliningrad Zoo, one of the oldest zoos in Europe. There are more than three and a half thousand animals: giraffes, elephants, monkeys, lions, tigers, birds, reptiles, swimming and others.
Examine the externally preserved and restored Prussian buildings of the old Konigsberg in Kaliningrad: Wrangel Tower, Kronprits Tower, Gates (Royal, Rosgarten, Bradenburg, Friedlansk), Stock Exchange building, South Station, barracks of the Wrangel Cuirassier Regiment, Astronomical ), Amber Manufactory, walk along the Lithuanian Wall, Ponart Brewery in Baltraion.
Walk around and take pictures with all the iconic historical and not very monuments and sculptures of Kaliningrad, and there are more than 100 of them in Kaliningrad and the region.
Visit one of the three castles of the Teutonic Order with 8 centuries of history: Waldau Castle, Schaaken Castle or Balga Castle.
Visit the Kaliningrad History and Art Museum, imbued with the history of Prussia and post-war Kaliningrad.
Drive through the places where Napoleon Bonaparte stayed in East Prussia. Visit 6 regional cities and towns where he stayed from 1807 to 1812, houses and sights associated with him.

Shopping and shops in Kaliningrad and the Kaliningrad region

Arrange periodic long-term shopping in the main shopping centers and streets of Kaliningrad.
Regularly complete your grocery basket in the three main grocery chains of Kaliningrad, Victoria, Seme and Spara, Vester, and in the farmer's meat, fish, dairy and bakery shops and fairs of the city.
Buy ceramic souvenirs, multi-colored brooches, panels, Prussian houses, magnets from local ceramics masters.
On weekends, visit the local small flea market, which is located behind the central market in the area of ul. Thalmann
Buy yourself something old-Prussian as a keepsake, a beer mug, a bottle, a porcelain figurine, a doll in a couple of antique shops in Kaliningrad.
Buy souvenirs from the Max Price manufactory or books about Konigsberg and Kaliningrad from the Kaliningrad publishing house We Live.

Food, restaurants, cafes and food in Kaliningrad

A week-long hike through 7 major breweries in Kaliningrad.
Eat 7 different delicious buns, desserts and pastries in small and large Kaliningrad pastry shops and coffee shops.
Walk around the Central (Zakharovsky, Baltic, Selma) market and buy various local and imported goodies and delicacies.
Taste the cuisine of at least three different local gastronomic enthusiasts and culinary experts at street food festivals and picnics in Kaliningrad and Svetlogorsk.
Visit the best restaurants Kaliningrad for every taste and budget from the establishments of the Residence of the Kings complex to the Britannica pub.
Try 7 different types fish from Baltic Sea, bay and numerous lakes and rivers to choose from: bream, pike perch, cod, eel, herring, perch, flounder, smelt, burbot, catfish.
To drink delicious coffee in coffee shops - Bus Station, Laundry, GS coffeeshop

Active rest in Kaliningrad and the Kaliningrad region

Drive the full route along the Curonian Spit, using the official app from the national park.
Visit the wild Baltic Spit. Walk 10 kilometers forward along the road and back along the beach and vice versa.
Collect amber crumbs on the Baltic coast after a storm, see how the locals do it.
Make a descent along the Angrapa River from Ozersk (8-28 km).
Spend the whole day in Rominten Forest (Red Forest) - a large and beautiful forest on the border with Poland and Lithuania, where the Prussian royal families loved to relax and the grandmasters of the Teutonic Order hunted.
Join the cycling movement of Kaliningrad - ride 30-50 km along all the roads of Kaliningrad during the day.
Admire the wind turbines near the beach in Kulikovo.
You will be imbued with the special atmosphere of a quiet province during an evening or morning walk in one of the 14 historical districts of Konigsberg - Kaliningrad (Altstadt, Amalienau, Zakheim, Kalthof, Kneiphof, Lavsken, Löbenicht, Maraunenhof, Ponart, Ratschorf, Hoerbiethof).
Go to the edge of the Kaliningrad region to Vishtynetskoye Lake, spend the whole day there, sailing on the lake on a boat.
Collect mushrooms and berries in the autumn in the numerous forests of the Kaliningrad region. Key mushroom spots: Lublinsky, Baltic, Gvardeisky, Znamensky, Svetlogorsky, Red forests, forests in the direction of Mamonovo, Bagrationovsk
Fishing on a boat in the bays or on the Baltic Sea near Cape Taran in Primorye, on various lakes, reservoirs and rivers of the Kaliningrad region.
Jump on trampolines and climb on the climbing wall in the center "Amplitude"
Ride horses, go on a horse excursion to horse farms in Kaliningrad and the region.
Spend a day in the Mushkino safari park-farm in the village of Mushkino, Bagrationovsky district, see the zoo of wild animals in their natural habitat, deer, roe deer, foxes, wild boars, beavers, arrange hunting, fishing, take a steam bath, play golf.
Take the eco-route in the Polesie region. Explore many different dams, canals, dams and pumping stations.
Go kitesurfing at Kitebeach locations
Go skiing, snowboarding, ATVs in the winter at the Malye Beavers center in the village of Novo-Guryevskoe
It will take a ride by car along the secondary roads of the region, leading to different farms and small villages; beautiful hills, lakes, forests, small and large farms and villages will open up.
Visit the cemetery sea ships and ships near the Baltic.
Play paintball in paintball clubs Western Front, Assault, Liquidation.
Walk along the ecological path to the singing Big Moss Swamp in the Slavsky District, the largest in the Kaliningrad Region.
Walk along one of the large or small scenic trekking routes in the region (5-15 km) along the Baltic coast or through the wide and dense forests in the region.
Go ice skating in the Ice Arena and Lapland in Central Park and rollerblading in City Park.
Visit one of the health and fitness centers in Kaliningrad: swim in the pools, shake your muscles, do yoga or fitness.
Rafting on kayaks in the Polessky region along the rivers Zayachya, Matrosovka and go to the Curonian Lagoon
Spend an hour behind a racing car at the Leader karting club on the weekend.
Go to see the Masurian Canal and the sluices in the Gvardeysk region, which connected the Pregel River and the Masurian Lakes.

Resort rest, walks and relaxation in Kaliningrad and the Kaliningrad region

Visit in 1 day 4 main resorts of the Kaliningrad region in the resort cities of Zelenogradsk, Svetlogorsk, Yantarnoe, Pionersky.
Pass the Upper and Lower ponds of Kaliningrad along the entire route in a circle.
Sail on a tourist boat in the center of Kaliningrad along the Pregolya to the port and back, or on a yacht along the entire bay.
Visit the picturesque Baltic coast with steep cliffs near the villages of Otradnoye, Lesnoye and Primorye, Donskoye.
Walk in the numerous and picturesque squares and parks of Kaliningrad, read a book or instagram in the shade of centuries-old trees, feed the birds, arrange an open air and paint a landscape.
Visit in spring Botanical Garden Kaliningrad and a small arboretum in the city center.
Walk along the embankments along Portovaya Street, look at Sea port, drawbridge German railway bridges, various ships and ships.
Visit one of the local sanatoriums and undergo a series of therapeutic procedures: mud therapy, hydrotherapy.
In the evening, go to the Baltic Sea coast and watch the sunset. Repeat many times from different places.
Spend the whole day lounging and swimming on the beach, in Yantarny or on the Curonian Spit.
Walk around the Rybnaya Derevnya complex, climb the lighthouse, walk along the Jubilee Bridge, eat and drink coffee and beer in one of the café-restaurants of the complex.
View the city from the highest observation points and observation decks in Kaliningrad.
10-20-30 times to bypass Lake Float, it is Bread, it is Gemini, in good weather while chatting with friends and family, or listening to music or an audiobook.
Spend a whole day in folk Zelenogradsk (aka Zelik or Krantz) on the beach, or walking along the coast, park and city.

Culture and entertainment in Kaliningrad and the Kaliningrad region

Take part in folk festivals at the herring day in April and city day in June, buy something at the fair, have a drink and a snack at the food court, listen to a concert of local folk groups and orchestras.
Look at local works at regular fairs of Kaliningrad folk art and hand-made masters.
Visit the main music festival of the city of Kaliningrad City Jazz, which has already been held 11 times.
Go to the best performances of the leading Russian theaters as part of the Baltic Seasons theater festival.
View the weekend in the fall in Zelenogradsk on autumn festival fireworks.
Participate in the role of a student of a knight of the Teutonic Order at the Kaup Viking Festival in July in the village of Romanovo.
Go to the Cinemapark IMAX cinema for a blockbuster movie in the Europa Center.
Listen to a good concert in one of the three main acoustic halls of the Kaliningrad region - the Kaliningrad Philharmonic, Amber Hall in Svetlogorsk, an organ concert in the Cathedral.
Enjoy live sound and voice for the weekend at a jazz concert-party at the Kaliningrad City Jazz club in the London pub.
Watch films from various film festivals at the iconic Zarya cinema.
Attend some great theatrical performances in each of the 3 main Kaliningrad theaters during the spring or fall seasons.
Dance at a local party on Fridays and Saturdays, at least in one of the main nightclubs in Kaliningrad, and to the maximum in each: Lining, Platinum, Universal, Refined, Nisha, Amsterdam, California bar, Skybar, and so on.
Spend an evening at a lecture, exhibition, chatting with friends, playing in one of the cozy café-bars-exhibitions of Kaliningrad: Soul Kitchen, Art Apartment, Art Gate, Altes House, Sukhomyatka, Zakheim Gate.
Get acquainted with the work of local Kaliningrad artists at exhibitions in the Kaliningrad art gallery and the Artist's House
Play with the company in one of the Kaliningrad quests (for example, Barber and Bunker).
Sing the entire repertoire from the film The Best Day in one of the karaoke bars in Kaliningrad (for example, in Euphoria)
Visit one of the many master classes in painting, modeling, theater, handicrafts, puppetry, embroidery, music, singing, cooking, which are regularly conducted by Kaliningrad experts and professionals.
Listen to the songs of the bards at the Wuhan Bard Song Festival in Baltiysk in the last week of July.
Take tram number 5 along the only remaining scenic tram route in Kaliningrad.

Perhaps the most frequently asked question from guests visiting the city of Kaliningrad for the first time.

This is not an idle question, but a purely practical one. Accommodation in hotel apartments for short-term, daily rent located in the city center, gives:

step-by-step accessibility to everything and everyone, including the main attractions of the city
a nearby abundance of shopping centers and malls, shops and shops, salons and boutiques, cafes and canteens
ease and speed of movement to any point in the city by public transport, due to its huge number, etc.

Since even among Kaliningraders there are different assessments of the location of the city center, we will try to combine these opinions without offending anyone and without pretending to be absolutely infallible.

Only one thing is certain: the geographical center of the city is considered to be the Tsentralnaya square, located near the Kaliningrad hotel and the unfinished House of Soviets. Interactive map city (Google or Yandex), with the search query "map of Kaliningrad" opens it with the center, namely THIS square. Before the war, there was a Royal Castle on the square, from which, at present, only ruins remain, on which excavations are underway, with open access to visitors. Nearby, on the island of Kant (Kneiphof), is the main symbol of the city - Cathedral... The Museum of the World Ocean is located on the embankment of the Pregolya River near the flyover bridge.

From the Tsentralnaya square it is easy to get to the main hubs of the city.

There are three points.

1. Victory Square.

The main square of the city, which focused on: power, religion, education, business, transport.

Authorities: City Hall of the city of Kaliningrad and, not far from the square, the government of the Kaliningrad region.

Religion: the main Orthodox stronghold of the city is the Cathedral of Christ the Savior.

Education: the main building of the Kaliningrad State Technical University.

Business. Kaliningrad business center and many shopping centers, shopping and entertainment centers, etc.

Transport. The main traffic flow cities, as well as partly railway transport... From the North Station, located on the square, electric trains leave on local routes and, in particular, it is very convenient to get to the coast. About an hour on the road and you are at the Baltic Sea.

2. South Station.

The main transport hub of the city. Intercity and local trains leave from the station. Local trains start their way to the coast exactly from the South Station, passing through the North Station. In summer, at rush hour, plunging into a train carriage at the North Station, you can stand all the way to the sea on your feet. So, for lovers of sedentary movement, I recommend leaving the South Station after all.
Bus station. For local bus transportation by region. In the recent past, the bus station received and sent people both in the region and in Europe. Today the international bus station has been moved to a new address, at 184 Moskovsky Prospekt.
Almost all public city transport, one way or another, passes near the South Station.

3. Marshal Vasilevsky Square.

Also one of the important transport interchanges in the city. On the square there are numerous branches of business companies and banks, the local TV company "Kaskad", the Amber Museum. Alexander Nevsky street leading to the airport starts from the square.

Combining these points (Victory Square, Yuzhny Station, Marshal Vasilevsky Square) in a circle with the center on Tsentralnaya Square, we get this picture of the central part of the city of Kaliningrad. Yellow blots - hotel apartments, offered by us for daily, short-term rent.

By the way, the diameter of the red circle, denoting the central part of the city, corresponds to the distance of 3.4 km on the ground.

So what about step by step availability? If you are not lazy ...

P.s.

The entire city of Kaliningrad in terms of area and population, in comparison with other cities, is approximately equal to:

Central Administrative District Moscow,
Kalininsky district of St. Petersburg,
Leninsky district of Novosibirsk.

Hello everyone! We continue the story about the Kaliningrad region!

A little chronology

In the previous part, I talked about my trip in 2010-2011. The second part will focus on my stay in the region in 2012-2013. In the last part, we stopped at the fact that in the summer of 2011 I flew from Kaliningrad to Kiev, and then to the Crimea. This was my last idle trip. In September 2011, the girl came to me in St. Petersburg, and we got married. So in the summer of 2012 we went as a family.

It was in May 2012. We lived for three weeks in Kaliningrad, then a couple of weeks in Chernyakhovsk. At the height of summer we went to Ukraine, and from there to Gelendzhik and Belarus. In the fall we returned to Kaliningrad, and after living a couple of months in Kaliningrad, we went back to St. Petersburg to live and work permanently there. That was the end of our honeymoon and travels, ahead of our workdays and family routine. In January 2013 we went to Chernyakhovsk for a week to spend holidays with our relatives. Since then, we have not been to the Kaliningrad region and it is unlikely that we will not visit there in the next 5-7 years. It's a pity.

Work

In the area of work, little. In cities such as Chernyakhovsk and Gvardeisk, there is none at all. There is work in Gusev, Sovetsk, but it is not enough, and it is poorly paid. There is seasonal work in Svetlogorsk and Zelenogradsk. And in Kaliningrad there is a lot of work, but it, as a rule, is low-paid. Employers offer everyone from 8,000 to 20,000 thousand rubles a month. Do not rely on a salary above 20,000 thousand, if you are not a unique nugget, able to offer something so special to the employer. And why should he pay more if there is a lot of labor here. The whole region goes to work in Kaliningrad, Kazakhstan goes to Kaliningrad for permanent residence, other regions of Russia go to live and work in Kaliningrad. Workers are a dime a dozen here, and employers have a huge choice.

I repeat, if you are a competent specialist, a boss, a competitive unique and a nugget, you will be offered 50 thousand and 80 thousand. But if you are an ordinary cog in the system and a simple performer, you will not get more than 20 thousand, well, nothing. Even lawyers are offered 15,000 a month. The salary situation is unlikely to ever change. Local Kaliningraders, of course, receive more than 20,000 a month, as a rule, but they hold on tightly to their places and are not going to vacate their warm places for visitors.

Kaliningrad is a city of contrasts, here people receive mostly from 8,000 to 20,000, but there is a middle class stratum, they receive from 20 to 50 thousand. Such, according to my observations, 10-15 percent, and there are tops who receive more than 50 thousand, there are only a few of them. Logisticians with cronies and talents live well.

I repeat, and this is very important: People in Kaliningrad receive from 8,000 to 20,000 rubles. What do you mean get? This is their salary. Moreover, the salary is gray, white is even less. But incomes significantly exceed salaries. People are spinning as they can: shuttles, hack, jiggle. Therefore, he who knows how to live has a good income.

Competition in Kaliningrad is crazy, hence a lot of scams, scammers and personal growth trainings. Builders are in great demand in the city. There is no salary as such, how much you earn, so much you get. My godfather is a workaholic, he works as a logistician, I won't say how much, but more than 80,000 rubles, by the word gets I mean income, not an accounting receipt. The godfather's son is also a workaholic, at a construction site he receives from 50 to 130 thousand a month. So if you are a builder, driver, logistician, military man, sailor, and so on, then you will be like cheese in oil to ride.

Port professions are also in demand. You can earn a lot. Drivers get paid in different ways, in rich companies you can earn in the region of 50-70 thousand.

Business is very developed in Kaliningrad. They trade in everything, goods and services of the sea. The godfather's son-in-law works in the field of plumbing installation, receives a lot. A lot of people are connected with intermediary trade with Poland and Lithuania, many Kaliningraders feed on this. Customs clearance, shuttle business, speculation, resale, purchase, mediation and so on, there is a lot to turn around. Some young people leave to work in Poland and Lithuania.

Relatives and their acquaintances earn extra money in the service sector like “husband for an hour”, here it is in great demand, obviously because there are more women in the city, and there are many military men and they have no time for home life. The sister-in-law works as a teacher of the Polish language, speaks very much in demand and is well paid for such work.

When you walk around Kaliningrad, you can see that the city is diverse, a city of contrasts. There are poor areas, there are rich, there are medium and many more gradations. There are a lot of expensive foreign cars; shopping centers show that the people are not in poverty. On the other hand, there are many poorly dressed people, and it is the poor, and not just modestly dressed. People come from the region for any penny, people from the region are often ready to work for a penny, people use it.

Housing and communal services

In Kaliningrad, UK for every taste, there is no problem with that. For a three-ruble note in Kaliningrad, ours pay 5000-5500 rubles, in Chernyakhovsk, approximately 4500 are obtained. There are no problems with the snow, according to relatives.

Kindergartens and schools

My relatives with kindergartens are tense, getting to kindergarten is very difficult, the queues are huge. In schools, levies, as in St. Petersburg. Although St. Petersburg is cooler. In Chernyakhovsk, education is in trouble, according to familiar teachers. The teacher is nobody in the class, but the student is the king. Therefore, what is allowed to a student is not allowed to a teacher, hence complete immorality and impunity. Some teachers receive 20,000 a month, others 10,000. This is due to different directors, and, accordingly, each school has its own black bookkeeping. SHOCK! In Cherepovets I have never heard of such a thing. Well, Petersburg, that Petersburg.

The medicine

In Kaliningrad, medicine is controversial. On the one hand, everyone goes to König for treatment, hence the huge queues and a shortage of doctors, on the other hand, doctors come across different ones. Relatives of Kaliningrad scold medicine, and Chernyakhovskie praise, everything is known in comparison.

My wife came across medicine personally; in Chernyakhovsk, many doctors simply do not know what to do and are automatically sent to Kaliningrad.

The main problem in Kaliningrad is an acute shortage of specialists. For example, in 2012 there was no immunologist in Kaliningrad, there were allergists, but there was no immunologist in the region at all. In Cherepovets, for example, we have one immunologist for the whole city. Not all operations are done in Koenig yet, for some they are sent to Moscow.

Another problem is the workload of doctors, for example, my mother-in-law and I sat in line for 5 hours to see the endocrinologist! And the reception lasted 2 minutes. People come from all over the region. A typical picture - a 70-year-old grandmother from Chernyakhovsk goes to see a doctor in the morning.

The pharmacies are striking. It is not so easy to buy antibiotics without a prescription, the German pedantic influence is evident.

Shops and groceries

There is an abundance of food and drinks in the Kaliningrad region. There are a lot of products on the shelves from Poland and Lithuania, often they are sold as local. There are few farm shops of their own, in Chernyakhovsk they sell local products in the markets, and in Kaliningrad there are more European products. Local fruits are represented mainly by apples and pears, and even then in the markets, the rest is from Europe. It is difficult to buy something local in Kaliningrad, there were no problems in Chernyakhovsk. And the prices are different, in supermarkets the prices are the same as in St. Petersburg, and in the markets, Polish vegetables and fruits are cheaper than local ones.

Our relatives buy local vegetables and fruits not in the city itself, but in the suburbs, where there are local points of sale. Everything is very cheap in the summer if you know the places. In Chernyakhovsk, Zelenogradsk, Gusev, grandmothers sell milk, vegetables and fruits.

In general, Kaliningraders are divided into those who buy from local farmers, and such a minority, and who travel to Europe for food, in shopping centers and there are not so many people in the shops. Buying local products is not so easy, you need to come to specific place, v certain time as the offer is limited. In the region, few people are involved in the sale of local vegetables, fruits, meat and milk. It's all small farms... In Chernyakhovsk we went to 6 in the morning, but it was cheap and tasty.

In Kaliningrad, farmers do not stand up to competition compared to sharks from Europe. For me personally, the celebration of the belly was in Chernyakhovsk, and in Kaliningrad it was impossible to look at glossy Polish pears without tears, although not all of them are glossy, of course.

We went to the cafe often, but not all the time, still not cheap.

Weather and climate

Compared to St. Petersburg, there is much more rain in Kaliningrad. They are longer. In general, the humidity is higher than in St. Petersburg, according to the sensations. Here at +18 it is very stuffy, you walk in sweat, and then a breeze and hello! t 37.2. Hello lemon and a bunch of antibiotics with raspberries. In Chernyakhovsk and Gusev, the climate is better, there is no wet abomination.

My mother-in-law cannot be in Kaliningrad at all, everything is swelling. I also have severe edema in Kaliningrad in the summer. In autumn, of course, it's beautiful Golden autumn picturesque, but damp. Again, there is no such thing in Chernyakhovsk.

If we compare with Petersburg and Cherepovets, then in Kaliningrad autumn is not rotten, it is much better. But in the summer the chimney, it will be stuffy at +16 and at +17 and at +30. No matter how long I have been to Kaliningrad, it is always stuffy. It can be stuffy, stuffy, stuffy, very stuffy, stuffy and dukhotidze. In short, 50 shades of stuffiness. Even in clear weather. Therefore, due to the strong humidity, it was necessary to completely abandon bags, umbrellas and windbreakers. Just shorts and a light T-shirt to avoid sweating. At +16 degrees, if it is calm, then a windbreaker or a T-shirt leads to a cold, as the city soars.

In general, in the calm, I tried not to go outside or walk not far from home. But from 5 m / s, you can safely go out in a T-shirt or shirt. It is very good in the city, when the temperature is below +15, it is impossible to sweat in such weather, which means you can calmly freeze on your health and not get sick. In winter it was comfortable, much better than in St. Petersburg. May in Kaliningrad is magnificent, it is not stuffy yet, but everything is blooming and very beautiful.

Zelenogradsk and Svetlogorsk have a special microclimate, it is more like the climate of Palanga, one to one who was, he will understand.

Changes in pressure and temperature are very frequent. For example, today it may be 765 mm Hg, and tomorrow it will be 751 mm Hg. Or today +14 and it is clear, and tomorrow +1 and sleet. Such drops are very common in April and November.

Traffic jams

There are a lot of traffic jams in the city, and there are a lot of vehicles, hence the disgusting air, fumes and stench from the iron gnat. The city is being built, which means that all dump trucks and concrete mixers will poison the air in the city. Buses are especially fun to ride. We always walked away from highways and midges, so we breathed fresh air.

Kenig tse Europa. Long live lace lingerie and the EU

I would like to say a few words about the mentality of Kaliningraders that is special for Russia. The mentality is very similar to the mentality of Grodno or Lviv. The general vector of thought of young people is as follows: We are Europeans, Raska, our city of Konigsberg, not Kaliningrad, and in Poland it is better, etc., etc. It's all difficult to describe in words, you need to communicate with people. All Europe looks into the eyes and is filled with devotion, young people constantly ride to Europe and repeat how good it is there, and what a backward Russia is. All general needs boil down to “I’m a girl, I don’t want to join the Customs Union, but I want panties in the EU too,” in a word, philistine concepts, the same as in Ukraine and Belarus. This is where one people is. If Kaliningraders are settled in Ukraine, and Ukrainians in Kaliningrad, then no one will notice.

This lacy mentality manifests itself in everything, when you start communicating with people, this is already at the level of the cultural code, you need to accept this, you need to come to terms with this. But there is also a downside to the coin. Kaliningraders know etiquette and ethics, drivers let pedestrians pass, and in yards there are few places where you can find parked cars anywhere. There are many cyclists in the city, some even prefer to ride a bike to work. In! "Russia" I have not seen this.

It is noteworthy that many residents of the Kaliningrad region have not been to “ Greater Russia", never. There were many in Europe, but not in Russia. Although, when you sit at the station, you see packed trains with the Kaliningrad-Adler connection.

Districts of Kaliningrad

Kaliningrad is a city of contrasts. I do not recommend settling in the south, the area is teeming with drunks and boys. But in the north there is beauty and the farther north, the calmer. The west of the city is good too, there beautiful houses and a calm atmosphere. In the east there are brezhnevka, and there are no playgrounds as a class.

My favorite districts of Kaliningrad: houses along Telman street. Nearby is Gorky Street, typical of Vologda, the contrast is very spectacular - from Europe to the Russian hinterland. Therefore, I do not advise Gorky. The area of Gaidar Street is good, the best area to live in, in my opinion. The area of Kutuzov and Mira streets. Great choice, European atmosphere and very relaxed.

I liked the city of Gusev much more than Chernyakhovsk. It is more comfortable, its budget is larger, and there is work in the city, enterprises are functioning, so if anyone wants a small town, consider Gusev. Here the city is focused on tourists, in contrast to the same Chernyakhovsk. There are good cafes and restaurants, very nice, well-groomed. Gopniks I have never seen and drunks too. The city does not give the impression of a depressed city, unlike Chernyakhovsk, Yantarny, Sovetsk. Patients from other cities (Cheryakhovsk, Gvardeysk, Polessk, etc.) are referred to this city to clinics and hospitals. The city is financed better, hence the equipment is better in medical institutions. Chernyakhovsk doctors praise Gusev schools.

What's the beautiful!

Sea

The sea above +22 does not warm up, but if you splash in shallow water on a sunny hot day, you can swim in +25 degrees water. Checked. The sea is amazing air, nature. One Curonian Spit is worth something! My wife and I were taken to the Curonian Spit by a godfather, unfortunately, we were there only twice. This perfect place, where the cleanest air and views, views, views! In the heat, there was no stuffiness, but a light gentle breeze. In cloudy weather, there was no dampness, but only warm coolness, gentle, Baltic, healing.

There are the cities of Zelenogradsk, Svetlogorsk and Pionersky. They are included in the resort belt. In Baltiysk, Yantarny I was only 1 day, so I will not write anything, but in Svetlogorsk and Zelenogradsk I had to walk thoroughly. I have not studied the cities from the point of view of permanent residence, but according to the reviews of relatives, it is not bad to live there, the cities are not depressed, they are not like other cities in the region. Apparently, the cities are not poor, as there are many cars and well-to-do houses, obviously people have good business or work in Kaliningrad.

There is a lot of work in the field of construction and tourism. The medicine here is not bad, and if anything, then 1.5 hours to the Regional Hospital.

In general, it's good to live in Zelenogradsk, it's like a sleeping area in Kaliningrad, by St. Petersburg standards, of course. Our Sestroretsk and Zelenogorsk are located further from St. Petersburg than Zelenogradsk from Kaliningrad, so it's great to live in this city and work in Kenig.

Real estate is expensive, but you can find a good three rubles for 2 million rubles. How? There are such concepts as Urgent, Bargaining and the usual five-story building. My relative sold his five-story building, for example, for that kind of money, and such offers are often made, since people need money, and there is not always time to wait, because German-type houses are in demand in Zelenogradsk and Svetlogorsk, and not Soviet five-story sleeping bags.

The killed three rubles in the trash can be taken in general for 1 million, to make repairs there for 700 thousand. What caught my eye - no garbage, a lot of mothers with children (local). They can always be distinguished from the holidaymakers.

Conclusion

The Kaliningrad region has left a lot of good memories, I want to return there. And I will definitely return there. It is possible that we will move to Kaliningrad or Zelenogradsk for permanent residence.

In respect of weather conditions Kaliningrad region is far from the most the best place for beach holiday, but nice beaches in the Kaliningrad region is. One of the best is the beach of the village of Yantarny, whose width reaches 250 meters. The quality of this beach is evidenced by the fact that it is the only beach in Russia that was awarded the highest beach award - Blue flag... This beach is ideal for a relaxing family vacation... From the point of view of noisy entertainment, discos and everything else, which is concentrated in large numbers on the beach of Sochi, it can be boring here.

Vacationers who come to Yantarny can use free parking, there are several bars where you can buy refreshing drinks or have a snack of fast food. On the beach you can rent umbrellas, sun loungers, towels, folding chairs. The beach has clean sand and it has many kilometers in length, so even in the midst of the beach season there is no big crowd of tourists. This is a great place to relax from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Another advantage of this beach is that the entrance to the water is convenient, without stones, holes, which is conducive to rest with children. Many tourists find pieces of amber on the beach and take it home as souvenirs. On the territory of the village there is the only plant in the world that is engaged in the processing of amber and everyone can go there on an excursion.

Literally 30 meters from the beach there is a good area for camping (for those who are used to having a rest as savages). In this zone, it is allowed to set up tents, barbecue on the barbecue, and at the same time this zone is kept absolutely clean (without garbage, bottles and other waste), since the territory is regularly cleaned.

From Kaliningrad you can get to this beach by regular bus number 120, which departs from the city bus station every hour from 6.30 to 20.30 every hour. Travel time is only 45 minutes.

Not so long ago, the tourist infrastructure of the city of Zelenogradsk began to develop. Along with the beach in Yantarny, this beach is considered one of the best in the Kaliningrad region. The streets of this city lead to a large promenade and directly to the sea. The eastern beach is crowded, especially popular among young people, there are bars for various entertainment and everything else that is necessary for a good beach holiday. Western beach not so popular and comfortable, besides, it is difficult to get to it (you need to drive a car along a broken dirt road), but lovers of a quiet rest will definitely like it here.

The largest and longest beaches in the Kaliningrad region are considered to be the beaches Curonian Spit... Flaw local beaches the fact that it is forbidden to make fires on the spit, put up tents, and the beaches themselves are practically not equipped. For more comfortable rest it is worth going to the villages of Rybachiy and Lesnoy, where there are containers for garbage, changing rooms, public toilets, and on the territory of the beaches there are several bars and cafes. Here, vacationers are offered good opportunities for active recreation; you can rent a boat, catamaran, bicycle and various sports equipment. The warmest water on the spit is from the side of the bay. The warmest water on the spit is from the side of the bay, the depth there is shallow, only about 4 meters, due to which the water warms up as quickly as possible, and its temperature reaches 24 degrees. The sand on the beach is fine, white, and you can feel a pleasant crunch when walking. Buses to the Curonian Spit leave from Kaliningrad every hour, and the journey itself costs little money (in just 30 minutes you can get to the beautiful beaches).

The beach in Svetlogorsk is of certain interest, although it cannot be called the most popular beach in the Kaliningrad region. This beach is distinguished by large and sharp changes in coastal heights. The beach itself is sandy, but you always need to be on the alert, as there is a high probability of bumping into stones both on the shore and in the water. Strong wind and waves in this place are normal. Despite the fact that the Baltic Sea warms up poorly, swimming is quite comfortable in July and August. The beach has both crowded and secluded spots, but overall it is one of the most well-maintained beaches in the area. There are many benches, gazebos and other places for relaxation along the beautiful promenade.

The climate in Kaliningrad is transitional from maritime to temperate continental, with an abundance cloudy days and precipitation. Due to the influence of the Gulf Stream - the world's largest warm current - winters in Kaliningrad are somewhat milder than in other cities at the same latitude, with frequent thaws and precipitation. Summer will appeal to those who do not tolerate heat above 35 ° С - here such marks are rare, and the average temperature in July-August is 22 ° С.

Story

The history of the city on the Pregolya can be divided into two main periods - Prussian-German and Russian - they are qualitatively different from each other, but they are closely related. Such a combination of such different historically significant cultures determines a peculiar and unique image of modern Kaliningrad.

How did it all start? Mentions of the inhabited east coast The Baltic Sea is found in many ancient Greek historians and dates back to the 4th-3rd centuries BC. e. More advanced southern civilizations called the inhabitants of the Pregolya Valley "estyi", which means "living in the east." The Romans and Greeks were attracted by trade relations with local communities: for many centuries they sailed to these lands for a sun stone - amber.

In the 9th century A.D. e. for the peoples living in the east, the nickname "Prussians" was gradually entrenched, which is directly related to our ancestors. The fact is that after Kievan Rus joined the European civilization, the inhabitants of the Baltics ceased to be the most eastern people. They became those who live “before the Russians,” in other words, the Prussians.

By the 10th century, at the confluence of the Pregolya River into the Baltic Sea, a permanent settlement of Tvangste took shape. Its inhabitants were engaged in agriculture on the fertile lands of the river valley, and also collected amber and sold it to foreign traders, whose ships called at the local port.

The first turning point that drastically changed the vector of historical development was 1255, when the crusaders drew attention to the prosperous trading town. The powerful Teutonic Order easily conquered peaceful lands and, as a sign of their power, founded the Konigsberg Castle on the rocky coast. The name of the medieval fortress, which later was fixed for the city, is translated from the Germanic language as "Royal Mountain".

In the following decades, in order to avoid Prussian uprisings against the new government, the lands near the castle were actively populated by the Germans, who successfully assimilated with the local people. The favorable location of Konigsberg contributed to the growth of the city near the fortress and even the emergence of new settlements in the immediate vicinity. So, in 1300, Lebenikht appeared, which, although closely adjacent to the original buildings, had the status of an autonomous settlement. At the same time, Konigsberg began to be called Altstadt (" Old city"). In 1327, the duet of towns near Pregolya turned into a trio: they were joined by Kneiphof, a settlement on the island of the same name (now the island of Kant), formed by the river and its tributary. This ensemble successfully existed until 1724, until it was united into a single city of Konigsberg.

The year 1724 became remarkable for today's Kaliningrad not only as a long-awaited unification. On April 22, a boy was born into a completely ordinary family of artisans, who became the most famous and respected inhabitant of the city. We are talking, of course, about the founder of classical German philosophy, Immanuel Kant, who lived all his life in his native Konigsberg, where he died at the age of 79.

During the Seven Years' War in 1758, the city was captured by the Russians and belonged to them until 1762, when Catherine II, who came to power, liberated the occupied lands as a sign of reconciliation.

The 19th and early 20th centuries for Koenigsberg became a period of active cultural and economic growth. At this time, the city acquired a number of public and residential buildings in the Art Nouveau and Neo-Gothic styles, pleasing to the eye with their natural lines and intricate patterns. Many gardens and parks with recreation areas have appeared, and have been built Train Station and one of the first airports in Europe called Devau (1919).

On the night of November 9-10, 1938, which entered world history like Khrustalnaya, the Jewish districts of Konigsberg suffered at the hands of the Nazis who came to power. During the mass pogroms and fires, the New Liberal Synagogue was completely destroyed - one of the beautiful buildings not only the city, but the whole of Germany.

About the restoration (more precisely, about the construction of a new one on the site of the destroyed) Jewish shrine, they started talking only in 2011.

In August 1944, the city suffered from a bombardment by British aircraft as part of Operation Retaliation: many architectural monuments, including Konigsberg Castle, suffered significant destruction.

On April 6, 1945, Soviet troops under the command of Marshal A.M. Vasilevsky came close to Konigsberg. Fierce battles continued for more than 3 days, but on the evening of April 9, a red banner was already fluttering over the city. The victory cost our army 3,700 lives, while the Germans paid for the loss with 42,000 killed soldiers.

April 9, 1945 - the second and, today, the last, turning point in the history of Kaliningrad, marking the end of the Prussian-German period. Later in the same year, the heads of state of the anti-Hitler coalition decided to transfer East Prussia to the Soviet Union.

On July 4, 1946, the already domestic Konigsberg was renamed Kaliningrad in memory of the great revolutionary and party leader M. I. Kalinin, whose monument to this day stands majestically on the square in the center of the city.

In 1946-1949. here the active deportation of the German population and the settlement of the Kaliningrad region by Soviet residents took place.

The period of Soviet power for the culture and history of Kaliningrad can hardly be called favorable. At this time, the monuments of German architecture, the heritage of ancient Prussia were actively destroyed. Among other things, in 1968 the Königsberg Castle was completely destroyed, the walls of which have witnessed more than 700 years of city history. The main direction of development of Kaliningrad in the XX century was the strengthening of industrial power and consolidation of the region as a Russian territory.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Kaliningrad became the most western region country, its "representation" in Europe. Since 1991, the former Konigsberg has been open for international economic and socio-cultural ties. Honoring the history of bygone days, residents of the city are proactively restoring its historical appearance, from which a certain intelligence and high taste emanates.

sights

Every year, hundreds of thousands of tourists visit Kaliningrad, and it is not surprising, because there are more than 500 objects cultural heritage, collected on the principle of "a little of everything." Diversity interesting places allows you to get acquainted with the history and unique cultural content of Kaliningrad in a relatively short time, enjoy the beauty of nature and relax on the friendly Baltic coast (provided that the traveler is not too lazy to spend an hour and a half on the road to the Curonian Spit, because in the city itself there is no sea ).

Amber Museum

The most famous landmark of the city is the Amber Museum, located on the shores of Lake Superior on Marshal Vasilevsky Square, 1. The building itself - the Don Tower - is of considerable interest to tourists. This is a wonderful example of fortification architecture of the mid-19th century with elements of medieval decor, which visually covers the tower for a couple of hundred years.

The museum includes two groups of expositions: natural science and cultural and historical. Here curious tourists can not only get comprehensive information about the origin and industrial use of the most beautiful and mysterious mineral, but also enjoy the ancient and modern collections of jewelry made from the "tears of the sea goddess Yurata". The employees regularly organize educational contests, quizzes and master classes especially for the youngest visitors.

The Amber Museum in Kaliningrad is open to the public from May to September seven days a week, and from October to April on all days except Mondays. The cost of the visit is 200 rubles for adults, 100 rubles. - for students, 80 p. - for schoolchildren. There is also a large number of grace days, the schedule of which can be found on the website www.ambermuseum.ru.

It is worth starting acquaintance with the history of the city from the Kaliningrad Regional Museum of History and Art, located on the shore Lower pond(Klinicheskaya st., 21). The exposition is divided into 5 thematic parts, each of which occupies a separate hall:

nature - a description of the flora and fauna of the Kaliningrad region, ecosystems of rivers and numerous lakes. Here you can also enjoy the accurately recreated panorama of the Baltic Sea;
archeology - the oldest chronicle of the surroundings, from the times of the Vikings and ancient Prussians to the period of the conquest of territories by the crusaders;
the history of the region - the life of the region during the reign of the Teutonic Order and further, until the beginning of the Second World War, here visitors can learn about the life, traditions and rituals of this era;
war is perhaps the most emotional part of the exhibition, illustrating the difficult and tragic events of 1938-1945;
"Horizons of Memory" is a story about the history of Kaliningrad already as a Russian city, the peculiarities of the settlement of the region in the post-war period, the development of industry and culture in Soviet times.

This museum is open every day, except Mondays, from 10.00 to 18.00. The cost of admission for adults is 60 rubles, discounts are available for schoolchildren and students.

The Kaliningrad Regional History and Art Museum has a developed network of branches, a visit to which can reward tourists with many memorable impressions. It is recommended to visit at least the following:

Museum "Blindage" (Universitetskaya st., 1) - located in the bomb shelter of the headquarters of the German troops. The exposition reveals many unique and dramatic details of the storming of the city and post-war events: about the help of the anti-fascist Germans, about the fate of civilians and the fate of prisoners of war, about the identification of unmarked graves during the Second World War.
The Sculpture Park Museum (Kant Island or Central Island) is a favorite place for relaxation and evening walks. It houses a collection of 30 statues by different authors from all over the post-Soviet space. All sculptures, in one way or another, are associated with the life of the city. Each of them has its own history, which you can get acquainted with by ordering thematic excursion... If the facts and legends are not of much interest to visitors, you can simply stroll along the shady alleys, enjoying the silence and the variety of species in the arboretum, open 24/7.

You cannot pass by the unique Museum of the World Ocean - the only marine complex of this scale in the whole of Russia. The main pavilion is located on the embankment of Peter the Great, but the branches are also the expositions of the historical and cultural centers "The Great Embassy" (Royal Gate, Frunze St., 112) and "Ship Resurrection" (Friedrichsburg Gate, Portovaya St., 39). The unique museum introduces its guests to the nuances of the relationship between man and the ocean in many ways: it presents collections of marine flora and fauna, including beautiful aquarium, the history of the study of world waters is highlighted, the best examples of the domestic navy are presented, and much more. The peculiarities of visiting, the cost and ordering of excursions can be found on world-ocean.ru.

National Center for Contemporary Arts

City gate

Those who are attracted by architecture - a monumental trace of civilizations - will find it useful to know that, despite all the destruction and restructuring, there is something to see in Kaliningrad. First of all, these are 7 city gates - traces of fortifications, designed to protect the settlement from enemies. To look at them, you have to pretty much drive around the city, but it is certainly worth it.

1. Rosgarten Gate (1852-1855) - a typical example of fortification architecture, with turrets, an observation deck and embrasures on the outside.

2. The Brandenburg Gate was created in 1657, and in 1843 underwent a major restoration, despite which the signs of the Gothic style with its pointed peaks are clearly visible in them.

3. Zakheim Gate - is a cultural and historical monument of national importance, made in the neo-Gothic style. Since 2013, the "Gate" art platform has been operating here, on the basis of which photo exhibitions, meetings of contemporary art figures, master classes and lectures are regularly organized.

4. Ausfal (exit) gate - the most modest in terms of architectural design gates of Kaliningrad, due to their "economic" purpose at the time of construction in the first half of the 17th century.

5. Railway gates (1866-1869) - earlier one of the branches of the Konigsberg railway passed under them, which lost its significance after the Second World War. Today, this gate symbolically separates the 1200 Guards memorial and the park area for recreation.

6. Friedland Gate - the latest neo-Gothic building of the gate type in Kaliningrad, decorated with pointed peaks and sculptures of famous figures of the German past of the city. Today, the municipal museum "Friedland Gate" functions here, where tourists can get acquainted with the history of pre-war Konigsberg.

7. Royal Gate - looks like a small castle and is the most prominent representative of the neo-Gothic in Kaliningrad. In addition to the patterned turrets, visitors to these gates are attracted by the cultural and historical center "The Great Embassy", the exposition of which tells about the foreign policy relations of the old city.

Ruins of the Royal Castle and ancient streets

To feel the atmosphere of the first settlement erected on the site of Kaliningrad in the distant 13th century, you must definitely visit the ruins of the Royal (Königsberg) Castle, now located on Shevchenko Street, 2. Unfortunately, almost nothing has remained of the majestic fortress, but since the beginning of the 21st century here active archaeological excavations, thanks to which you can get acquainted with fragments of the ancient foundation and elements of the life of privileged persons of the Middle Ages. Exposition under open air belongs to the Kaliningrad Regional Museum of History and Art.

To get a complete impression of the pearl of the Baltic, it is worth strolling through the quiet streets of the old German districts, the best of which are Amalienau and Maraunenhof. Here tourists will not find ancient fortresses or majestic monuments, but small villas of the early 20th century, found everywhere here, very accurately reflect the aristocratic character of the city.

Old mansions in the Amalienau and Maraunenhof districts

Kaliningrad Central Park

Per active rest and entertainment you need to go to Central park located at 1. Pobedy ave. Here you can ride a Ferris wheel and enjoy the bird's eye views of the city, visit the Puppet Theater, relax after a day full of new impressions in a cozy coffee shop, or just eat sweets on a bench in the shade of trees. Also, for young and adult visitors, Central Park has prepared many attractions and entertainment events.

What tourists need to know

Kaliningrad is an extraordinary piece of our beautiful homeland, definitely worth the attention of even seasoned travelers. Here you do not have to carry a dictionary with you everywhere, get trapped due to ignorance local traditions and customs, endure the agony of acclimatization and so on. But, as elsewhere, there are nuances, the knowledge of which can make your stay in this city as comfortable and relaxing as possible.

Residence

It is worth taking care of where to stay in advance, our website can help with choosing an institution and booking rooms. Kaliningrad has an excellent selection of 3- and 4-star hotels, and the prices of the apartments will pleasantly surprise tourists. Here you can also find cozy budget hostels. And in order to fully taste the atmosphere of an aristocratic city, it is worth renting one of the villas in the old German districts, the prices for which can hardly be called exorbitant.

Kitchen

There are absolutely no problems with food in Kaliningrad, here you can find everything - from street fast food to gourmet restaurants. The cuisine of the region is Russian national dishes seasoned with German traditions. For example, Koenigsberg klops - in appearance they resemble ordinary meatballs, but when you try them, you feel something overseas in the shades of taste. There is also an exotic dish in Kaliningrad - smoked Baltic eel, which is unforgivable for tourists not to taste. You should also enjoy the delicate almond aroma of Königsberg marzipans.

What to bring as a keepsake

In memory of the Baltic pearl of Russia, it is imperative to purchase amber jewelry. There is also a lot of quirky antiques here, smoked and dried fish are popular with visitors, and, of course, traditional souvenirs with the symbols of the city.

How to get there

The first and most demanding question is: how to get to Kaliningrad? Most convenient option- plane, here are committed regular flights from many air stations in the country. In this case, no additional documents are required to cross the foreign border. Khrabrovo Airport is located 25 km from the city and communicates with it by public transport.

You can get to Kaliningrad by train through the territory of Belarus or Lithuania. If the train travels through Belarus, passengers need to have only a ticket and a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation with them. To cross the Lithuanian border, you will additionally need special permit, a request for which is automatically sent when buying a ticket. After 26 hours after registration travel document it is necessary to find out if the passenger has not been denied travel on the territory of the Baltic state. This can be done at the box office or at the Russian Railways information desk. Unfortunately, there are no direct bus routes from the main part of Russia to Kaliningrad, so lovers of this type of travel will have to get there with transfers in Minsk, Gdansk or Riga. Do not forget about the documents permitting stay in the territory of Lithuania or Poland - Schengen or transit visas.

You can also get to Kaliningrad by ferry, which departs from the port of Ust-Luga (150 km from St. Petersburg) and arrives in Baltiysk (about 45 km from Kaliningrad), the journey in this way will take 38 hours on average.