Cheap Flights To Krasnodar

Empress Ekaterina II granted land to the Cossacks in 1793 on which they built the city of Krasnodar making it relatively young in Russian terms. If you keep your eyes open as you stroll around the city centre, you'll discover Cossack emblems and references everywhere. Lying on the banks of the Kuban River, the city enjoys a mild year-round climate while its architecture is an interesting mix of gracious 19th-century Baroque and Classic buildings with modernist Soviet-era constructions.

The city's gastronomic scene makes good use of local produce and traditions delivering hearty meals often with a contemporary twist. In fact, this really is one Russian city where the past and the present manage to co-exist harmoniously together. It is home to one of the few surviving hyperboloid towers designed by Muscovite Vladimir Shukhov while museums such as the Felitsyn showcase the city and region's history.

You will also find shady arboretums, riverside walks, Europe's largest splash fountain and elegant bronze statues dotted around the city centre as well as contemporary Tattoo shows and vibrant salsa festivals.

Things To Do

Taking a gentle stroll around the centre of Krasnodar is a real pleasure with its elegant Tsarist-era buildings and Parisian-style squares. Krasnaya, or Red Street, is the main boulevard and is ideal for browsing the shops during the day. As the sun sets it is closed to traffic and becomes the hub of the city's nightlife.

• One for dog lovers

The Soviet-era poet Vladimir Mayakovsky nicknamed Krasnodar the "canine capital" of the world because of the number of pet dogs in the city. This is celebrated with an unusual sculpture on Krasnaya Street featuring two dogs dressed in their Sunday best taking an afternoon stroll. Rub their noses for luck in love or their paws for stress-free travel.

• Stirring up Cossack history

The Felitsyn Museum is a small museum with some fascinating archaeological artefacts from the area as well as an informative look at the history of the Cossacks and how Russian history impacted on the region.

• Weird and wonderful architecture

The tower designed and built by Vladimir Grigorievich Shukhov in 1928 is part of the Constructivist legacy he left to early Soviet-era Russia. His work is often compared to that of Gustave Eiffel. Climbing to the top of this steel lattice hyperboloid tower delivers great views of the city.

Calendar Of Events

Krasnodar hosts a rolling programme of visiting events that vary from year to year. These range from Tattoo Shows to the Kubana Music Festival and the AKVA-TEMP+ Fest which gives youngsters the chance to show off their art, dance and theatre skills. Some more regular events are:

• The KrasnodarEXPO. This plays host to many different trade shows throughout the year. Check online for the exact line-up and dates.
• Krasnodar Salsa Festival: this takes place every April and is always a lively celebration of tango and dance. Exhibitions of salsa dancing are supported by workshops and concerts plus lots of opportunities to join in with the dancing fun at salsa parties.