Location: Irkutsk
Top Things to do in Irkutsk
Top Restaurants in Irkutsk
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10 Things to do in Irkutsk That You Shouldn't Miss
Founded in the mid-17th century as a winter quarters for traders and tax collectors, Irkutsk came to prominence in the 1800s. Participants in the Decembrist revolt against Tsar Nicholas I were exiled to Siberia in droves, turning Irkutsk into their cultural center. Today, it’s one of Siberia’s biggest and most important cities, with over half a million people, many universities, many historic churches and museums, and beautiful Lake Baikal, just about an hour away by train.
Restaurants in Irkutsk
1. Irkutsk Academic Drama Theater
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 244 reviews
2. Gallery of V. Bronshteyn
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 179 reviews
Viktor Bronshteyn’s Gallery is the largest gallery in Siberia. You can see the fine art paintings, graphic and sculptural works of not only Siberian artists, but also authors from different regions of Russia and other countries. Permanent exhibition of the well-known artist Dashi Namdakov is the pride of the collection. You can see the unique sculpture “Bird and Tiger” presented in the hall, which is made from lapis lazuli and bronze.
Reviewed By Loblolly8
This gallery is an absolute must for any traveler to Irkutsk. Here you can find the best contemporary art in Irkutsk and probably all of Siberia, with a strong focus on the indigenous Buryat and Evenk artists who explore their own roots with exceptional creativity and up-to-the-minute techniques. The gallery is quite large, offering the opportunity to see several exhibits at once. The staff is very welcoming, and there are opportunities on the premises to relax with refreshments and to buy creative gifts you can't find anywhere else. But the art is the real standout here. If you are curious about the direction of contemporary art in Siberia -- and want to enjoy the outstanding skill of some of its best practitioners -- then you've found the right spot!
3. Irkutsk Regional Memorial Decembrists Museum, Volkonsky House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 287 reviews
Irkutsk Decembrists museum, founded in 1970, includes Sergey Volkonsky’s and Sergey Trubetskoy’s homesteads. Authentic items of the Decembrist families are represented in the historical interiors of the houses. Volkonsky house was built in 1838 in the style of classical noble mansions, with elements of Siberian wooden architecture. The homestead consists of servants house, stable, carriage house, barn, cattle shed and well. The house itself has a permanent exposition "The Volkonsky Family in the Siberian exile", reflecting the traditions and life of the noble family. The Volkonsky House is known as one of the most interesting memorial museums in Russia. Its appearance and interior, a complex of manor buildings makes up organic whole, conveys the color of the epoch and the atmosphere of the aristocratic way of life in the middle of the 19th century. The museum offers a diverse program for visitors, including those with disabilities: excursions, literary and musical evenings.
Reviewed By gmshaw2015 - Camarillo, United States
The Decembrists' story comes alive while touring the house and grounds, how a group of army officers returning to Russia after campaigns in Europe sought to inject a modicum of liberal democracy into Tsarist Russia, and were rewarded by hard labor in Siberia. Wives and families followed the men, and brought with them St. Petersburg couture. Very interesting.
4. Cathedral of The Epiphany
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 222 reviews
Reviewed By Kanbaatar - Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
The Cathedral of The Epiphany, located very close to the Angara River, here in Irkutsk, Russia, sits amidst a fair number of other very interesting attractions. So this is definitely a prime area to visit here in Irkutsk. The exterior of the Russian Orthodox Cathedral is very beautiful as is its interior. Now for an interesting aside. I had visited the Cathedral of the Epiphany and totally missed truly seeing a pair of monumental busts along side of the Cathedral. First you have the Monument to Saint Innocent of Alaska. His monument, along with a neighboring monument to Saint Sophronius of Irkutsk, tend to be lost so to speak in the shadows of the great Cathedral of the Epiphany. I found out about these two monuments while researching Things to do in Irkutsk and returned to the Cathedral specifically to see them and to write a review thereof.
5. Znamensky Monastery
6. Cathedral of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 207 reviews
Reviewed By Kanbaatar - Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Icon .. Noun : a picture, image, or other representation. Kazan .. A city in Russia, 820 kilometers almost due-East of Moscow, on the Volga River. The original icon of Our Lady of Kazan / Mother-of-God of Kazan, dates back to the 13th century. I am not sure we know if the original icon has survived centuries of mystery including being stolen in 1904. It is doubtful. The two most famous, or most noted, Russian Orthodox Cathedrals consecrated to Our Lady of Kazan are in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia. As I write this review, currently on the Trip Advisor listing of Things to do here in Irkutsk, The Cathedral of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God stands as the number one, top-of-the-list attraction. This makes it a good reason not to pay it a visit due to it being crowded with sight-seers and somewhat, just a little, hard to find. My wife and I no choice in the decision to visit the Cathedral. Friends who live here in Irkutsk (unbeknown to us) simply took us to see it (along with a slew of other major attractions I must add). Bottom Line : IF churches / cathedrals / religious sites are of interest to you, this is an absolute must-do, must-see, attraction to visit. Yes there were many other visitors. No they did not detract in anyway whatsoever from our enjoying our visit. The ice sculptures alone were worth seeing. It is beautiful, gorgeous, fascinating, wonderful to see.
7. 130 Kvartal
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 948 reviews
Reviewed By SiberianVoyager - New York City, United States
Lovely new district styled with old wooden houses with cafes, restaurants and shops. Very pleasant walk in the evening. I wish the food was better there.
8. Monument to Alexander III
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 141 reviews
Reviewed By sergeyk147
Imposing awe-inspiring monument - as was the man whom it is dedicated to. It's ludicrous that when Soviet communists demolished it they still preserved not only the plinth but also all of its three bas-reliefs. While the first one was to Yermak, a "proletarian" conquistador who started subjugation of Siberia in the XVIth century, the second depicted a "bourgei" and "class enemy" count Nikolai Muravyov-Amursky (who incorporated Far East into Russian empire taking it from China three hundred years later) and the third a "tzarist henchman" Mikhail Speransky (he was governor-general of Siberia in 1819-1821 with his seat in Irkutsk). Never stop amazing how narrow-minded those commies were... History made fun of profane humanity transformers even when they still were in power - in the seventies Irkutsk dwellers called a stele clumsily pulled down upon the old plinth "a limpdick's dream". Anyhow, Alexander III is back in place reminding us again of his merits to the empire. He might be a controversial ruler but al least he didn't dump millions of his compatriots in labour camps and never started a single war.
9. Nizhnyaya Naberezhnaya Angary
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 94 reviews
Reviewed By Kanbaatar - Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Allow me to explain the name of this attraction : Nizhnyaya Naberezhnaya Angary. The Angara (this is the Angary in the title) River passes through Irkutsk. Along the river is a street (Ulitsa is the Russian word for street) named : Ulitsa Nizhnyaya Naberezhnaya. So there you have it. The street that runs (for a short distance) beside the Angara River here in downtown Irkutsk. After a short distance it turns South and becomes Lenin Street. In my opinion, a walk along the Angara River in this downtown section of Irkutsk is a do-not-miss attraction. There are a lot of other attractions (I won't even to begin to name them all here) in this area.
10. Sculpture Babr
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 331 reviews
Reviewed By mary_mat2001 - St. Petersburg, Russia
this street is full of cafe and Restaurant, in traditional home arcitectures. in the evening enjoying of street music and nice view of the city.
