This Siberian industrial center sits between mountains and pine forests. A population of 1 million makes it a key hub for Eastern Russia's economy and transport.
Krasnoyarsk, Russia's eastern-most city with over a million residents, sits along both banks of the Yenisei River in central Siberia. You can climb the volcanic rock pillars at Stolby Nature Reserve, watch the rushing waters at the 124-meter-high hydroelectric dam, or examine Siberian artifacts inside the Egyptian-style Regional Museum. Walk through Tatyshev Island's 15km of paths, climb to the red-brick Paraskeva Pyatnitsa Chapel on Karaulnaya Hill, or see Siberian tigers at the Royev Ruchey Zoo.
Getting to Krasnoyarsk
The Yemelyanovo Airport, 27km northwest of the center, connects Krasnoyarsk with major Russian cities and several international destinations. The Trans-Siberian Railway makes a significant stop here, with regular trains to Moscow (61 hours), Irkutsk (18 hours), and Vladivostok (86 hours). You can take local buses between the airport and city center, with a one-hour journey to the train station.
Climate and Seasons
Krasnoyarsk has a continental climate with sharp seasonal changes. January temperatures drop to around -15.5°C, while July brings warmth at 18.7°C. The Yenisei River maintains a constant flow without freezing, thanks to the upstream hydroelectric dam keeping water temperature below 14°C year-round.
Exploring Stolby Nature Reserve
Stolby Nature Reserve spans 470 square kilometers of Siberian taiga. You can climb or hike around volcanic rock formations up to 100 meters high, each with names reflecting their shapes - like "Grandfather" and "Lion Gate." Four marked trails range from 3km to 16km long, winding through cedar and pine forests.
Museums of Krasnoyarsk
Walk into the Regional Museum through its Egyptian-style facade to find mammoth skeletons, indigenous artifacts, and geological exhibits. The Vasily Surikov Art Museum displays 15,000 artworks across three floors, including Russian paintings from the 18th to 21st centuries. Visit the Surikov Museum-Estate to see the 1830s wooden home where the Russian painter lived and worked.
Parks and Urban Spaces
Tatyshev Island sits in the middle of the Yenisei River, with two bridges linking it to the city. You can cycle on dedicated paths, run on rubber-coated tracks, or relax in designated picnic zones. At the 31-hectare Royev Ruchey Zoo, you'll find 300 species including Amur tigers, brown bears, and the only penguin colony east of the Urals.
Religious Architecture
The Holy Intercession Cathedral, dating from 1785-1795, stands as an example of Siberian Baroque with its white walls and blue domes. The red-brick Catholic Church of the Transfiguration combines its religious function with regular organ concerts in its main hall.
