Things to do and see in Irkutsk Russia

Irkutsk is one of Siberia’s major cities and is located in a strategic enclave between Europe, China and Mongolia. Siberia accounts for three-quarters of the country’s land area, yet it is the most unpopulated area due to its harsh weather conditions. Still, you’ll be surprised at how much there is to see in Irkutsk Russia, which was founded in 1652 as a Cossack settlement and is a must-see if you’re travelling on the Trans-Siberian Railway. The city of Irkutsk is also known as the Paris of Siberia for its historical background and majestic streets lined with neoclassical palaces and colourful half-timbered houses.

What are the must-see places in Irkutsk Russia?

It won’t be hard to understand why Irkutsk is such a popular tourist destination once you’re there. Strolling around the city is a real pleasure, with its wooden facades, colourful Orthodox churches and the charm of its streets in general. In this post we tell you about the must-see places in Irkutsk Russia.

1. Historic centre

Between the Angara and Irkut rivers lies the historic centre of Irkutsk. This place is magical with its colourful wooden houses and many historic buildings. The best way to discover these buildings is via the Green Line, a pedestrian route that runs along the main buildings of interest.

In the centre is the main square Kirov, where the market selling products from the East used to be held. Today it is a popular tourist attraction, as the square is home to the town hall and administration buildings. In winter the square is dressed up for Christmas, with Christmas markets and ice rides for the little ones.

2. Decembrist houses and museum

The Decembrists were former Russian aristocrats, thinkers and artists who, influenced by the ideas of the Enlightenment and the French Revolution, rose up against the Tsar. The December 1825 uprising was unsuccessful, and the Decembrists were exiled to Siberia. They settled in Irkutsk and transformed the old wooden houses characteristic of Asiatic Russia into small palaces and brightly coloured houses.

Irkutsk became a cultural landmark thanks to the efforts of its new neighbours, as can be seen in the city’s Decembrist museum, built in the house of Princes Volkonsky and Trubetskoy, leaders of the movement. The museum is open from 10:00 to 18:00 every day except Mondays, and tickets can be purchased online.

3. Orthodox Churches in Irkutsk Russia

Since the Cossack occupation, more than 40 Orthodox temples, chapels and churches have been erected in the city, some with more than 300 years of history. The most important of these are the Epiphany Cathedral, the Church of St. Saviour and the Kazan Church.

• The Epiphany Cathedral, located in the very centre of Irkutsk, is characterised by its frescoes depicting baroque and indigenous Siberians. The cathedral was built in the 17th century and rebuilt in the 18th century after a fire. Surrounding the cathedral is a park with a memorial to Russian soldiers who died in World War II.
• St Saviour’s Church is one of the oldest in the city. It was built of wood in 1672 and rebuilt in stone in the 18th century. Its main interest lies in the frescoes that decorate the façade.
• The most spectacular church to see in Irkutsk Russia is the Kazan Church with its colourful architecture. It’s a little further away from the centre, but it’s a sight not to be missed. In winter, ice statues are carved in the surrounding area.

4. Irkutsk Regional Museum of History

Among Irkutsk’s tourist attractions are museums. In addition to the Decembrist, ethnographic and Angara icebreaker museums, there is the Irkutsk Regional History Museum, one of the oldest museums in the country. This building, which originally served as a prison, today houses exhibitions on the history, nature and customs of the area.

Admission to the museum costs 200 roubles, 250 roubles if you book a guided tour. The museum is open every day of the week except Mondays, from 10:00 to 18:00.

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What to see around Irkutsk Russia?

Iksutsk has an exceptional location between the Angara and Irkut rivers, which water the lush vegetation that grows along the coast. The landscapes around Iksutsk will leave you speechless with their icy, wild beauty. Therefore, when visiting Irskutsk we recommend booking excursions to see the sights in the surrounding area, which we will tell you about below.

1. Lake Baikal

Lake Baikal is the largest lake in the world. Its surface area exceeds 31,000 square kilometres and there are areas more than one and a half kilometres deep. This crystal-clear lake is known as the “Pearl of Asia” or the “Blue Eye of Siberia” and can be reached by public transport from Irkutsk. It takes about an hour.

Its attraction goes beyond its waters. Lake Baikal is located in a mountainous area full of cliffs and forests that are home to more than 800 species of plants and over a thousand species of animals. The lake is also home to a great diversity of algae. There are 21 islands in the lake, the largest of which is Oljon.

2. Oljon Island

Oljon Island has always been considered a mystical place, especially for shamans and Buddhists. This island is a very pleasant place for hiking excursions amidst its rugged relief and unspoilt nature. It is also possible to swim in the lake during the summer. Werecommend visiting the island between May and December. During these months a ferry leaves regularly from Irkutsk.

3. Taltsy Museum

47 kilometres from Irkutsk Russia, this museum exhibits the traditional customs and architecture of Siberia. It’s an open-air museum on the banks of the Angara River that recreates a Mongolian town surrounded by nature. It’s a great activity for young and old alike, and inside the grounds there are cafes where you can have a snack or a hot drink to warm up if you’re visiting in winter, which is highly recommended for the views. To get to the museum from Irkutsk there is a minibus that leaves from the central station and costs 100 rubles. The entrance fee to the museum is 250 rubles, plus 50 rubles if you want to hire a guide. The museum is open from Monday to Sunday from 10:00 to 1800.

4. Slyudyanka

It is a village on the shores of Lake Baikal 48km from Irkutsk, which can be reached by bus for €5 or by train for €9/15. It takes about two hours. You can also choose to take a taxi or go by car. In that case it takes about an hour and a half.

The Trans-Siberian Railway also stops in this village, and you can also book excursions on a train that runs along an old track on the shores of the lake. There are also many hiking trails through the surrounding forests. There’s a lot to see in Irkutsk, but it’s worth a day or two to see the surrounding area.

What to see in Irkutsk Russia in one day?

Although there is a lot to see in Irkutsk, you can easily cover it all in one day. The city is not very big, nor is it overcrowded, so it’s easy to get around the main sights without wasting time queuing for ages at tourist attractions. The best way to start the day is to walk around the streets and look for the most iconic buildings and churches. In these streets you will find the main buildings of interest: Bogdan Khmelnytsky Dekabrskikh Karl Liebknecht Sobytiy, Babushkina, and Volodarskogo.

After having lunch in one of the restaurants we recommend below, the best thing to do is to visit the museums. As we have already seen, there are several museums to suit all tastes, but the regional history museum, the Decembrist houses and the Angara icebreaker are the most interesting. Remember that many of these museums can be pre-booked online.

In the evening, especially if Christmas is approaching, the best option is to return to the city centre, to Kirov Square, and enjoy the Christmas lights and flea market. Although Irkutsk can be visited in a day, we recommend spending at least a couple of nights there and planning excursions to the surrounding area on the remaining days.

Where to stay in Irkutsk Russia?

Staying in Irkutsk is easy and affordable. In fact, it is a strategic location for getting around the area. Here is a selection of the best hotels in Irkutsk.

• Marriott Irkutsk City Center Hotel: on the banks of the Angara River, this hotel offers all kinds of amenities. It is centrally located and serves delicious breakfasts. But the best thing is probably the view of the river. Room rates per night range from €55 to €90.
• Hotel Victoria Irkutsk: this hotel is also very well located and has more affordable prices than the previous one, ranging from 40€-50€ per night. It also offers breakfast and from there you can book excursions and beauty treatments.
• Matreshka Hotel Irkutsk: a night here costs between €20 and €30 as it is a little further away from the centre. The service is excellent and the restaurant is highly rated.
• Hostels: In the city there are several very well located hostels such as Rolling Stones hostel, Bird House or the Chersky hostel. They don’t have as many services as the previous hotels but they are among the cheapest alternatives in the city. Rooms cost around €20 a night.

Best restaurants in Irkutsk Russia

Irkutsk cuisine is still influenced by the indigenous culture, whose diet was almost strictly limited to meat and milk. The climate made cultivation difficult, so whatever was available was consumed according to the season. Nowadays, the cuisine has been modernised and many more ingredients are available. One of the most famous dishes is bouzas, dumplings that are cooked in boiling fat.

Eating out in Irkutsk is not particularly expensive. You can easily eat for less than €10, and in the best restaurants for less than €20. Here is a selection of our favourite restaurants.

• Kochevnik: in the centre of town, this restaurant serves typical Mongolian food at very affordable prices. The menu features lamb dishes, soups and dumplings.
• Rassolnik: This restaurant serves traditional Russian food from the Soviet era. It is a nostalgic and retro restaurant with old films projected on the wall.
• Dom Rybaka: This restaurant is famous for its fish and seafood dishes typical of Siberia. Here you can try suguday, a Russian version of Peruvian ceviche.
• La Boulangerie & Patisserie: although this café is not exactly Russian, but rather French, it is a wonderful place to have breakfast or a coffee to warm up. It offers a wide variety of breakfasts for all tastes.

How to get to Irkutsk Russia?

Irkutsk is close to the Mongolian border, so it takes a long time to get there from Europe. The best option is to fly from Moscow, about 6 hours away. From Irkutsk airport you can reach the city centre by bus 480.

Irkutsk is well connected to the surrounding attractions. Buses run regularly from the train station.

Another option for getting to Irkutsk is the Trans-Siberian Railway. This luxury train runs through major Russian cities. The experience is incredible and there are no words to describe the scenery the train passes through on its journey. It’s also true that the ticket prices are in the four figures and are not very affordable.

Travel tips for visiting Irkutsk Russia

• The Russian currency is the Russian rouble (1 rouble = €0.012).
• Change your money in advance, as currency exchange at airports is more expensive.
• Take out travel insurance in case of medical emergencies.
• The best time to visit Irkutsk is from June to August as there is almost no rain and the weather is pleasant.
• You can also visit during the winter months, but bring plenty of warm clothes as temperatures do not rise above freezing.
• To travel from Spain you need to apply for a visa at the embassy.
• The city is safe, but as with any tourist destination, it’s best to be careful with your belongings.

How to organise your trip to Irkutsk Russia?

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• Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
• Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
• Add the spots you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organise your itinerary by days and according to their location (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
• Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make the necessary modifications and you are ready for your trip.
• Finally, share your experience. Upload photos of every place you’ve visited to the app and recommend to other travellers all there is to see in Irkutsk, Russia.

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FAQs about Irkutsk Russia