Cheap Flights To Novosibirsk

Novosibirsk is the capital of Siberia and the third most populous city in Russia. Initially a transport hub, the city eventually became an industrial centre. After the fall of the Soviet Union, the city became a beautiful and cultural destination, offering art galleries, monuments and museums. Notable visits are the Novosibirsk State Museum of Local History and Nature, the State Art Museum and the zoo. Monuments in the city include dedications to the heroes of the Great Patriotic War and Lenin's Square with its monument to Lenin dating from the Soviet era, facing the city's Opera and Ballet House.

Around 30 km from the city are several beaches on what is known as the Ob Sea, which was created when the Ob River was dammed. The city itself offers an exciting nightlife and a good range of restaurants offering international fare. The many shops in the city offer a wide range of products including international goods. Summers in the city are relatively warm with an average temperature of 18°C (64°F), while winters are very cold. Among its many annual events, the city hosts the Festival of Slavic Culture Rodniki, the Zavolokin Festival dedicated to accordion music and the Siberian Fair.

Things To Do

While shoppers can enjoy the many shops and malls in Novosibirsk, culture buffs will appreciate the many museums and monuments or an evening at the ballet and theatre. A visit to the local zoo is a must for animal lovers.

• State Museum of Local History and Nature

Located in the city centre and originally founded in 1920, the museum's first exhibits related to geology and astronomy. These days it is one of the city's main attractions with thousands of items on display relating to the archaeology, nature and history of the Siberian region.

• State Art Museum

Originally opened in 1958, the State Art Museum has around 10,000 art objects on display including restored Russian paintings, the graphic arts and sculpture including icons from the 16th century as well as modern art. There is also a small collection on display of foreign art from the 16th to 20th centuries.

• Novosibirsk Zoo

Among the largest in Russia, the city's zoo is both a scientific institution and popular tourist attraction. Visitors can see one of the few liligers in existence -- a hybrid of a lioness and liger (with a tiger and lion lineage) -- as well as polar bears, cheetahs and many other species living in natural environments.

Calendar Of Events

Novosibirsk values its Russian and Slavic culture and attracts many visitors during the summer with its many and varied events relating to music and dance, folk arts and crafts and the traditions of its people.

• Festival of Slavic Culture Rodniki: A relatively new event, the festival runs over three days each summer, offering folk craft workshops, fashion shows displaying the traditional clothing and Slavic gymnastics. The festival also covers the arts of midwifery and marriage.

• Zavolokin Festival: Held in honor of the famous accordion player Gennady Zavolokin who died in 2001, this folk music festival features accordion music played on several stages. Many people wear the traditional Russian clothing and there is a fair offering regional folk art.

• Siberian Fair: Held at the World Trade Centre in the city's centre in April each year, the Siberian Fair covers a regional beer festival and international food exhibition as well as an exhibition of trade equipment. There are also exhibits relating to furniture, interiors and construction.