Nizhny Novgorod
A guide for EVS volunteers
A guide for EVS volunteers
Nizhny Novgorod
Welcome to Nizhny Novgorod (short names are Nizhny or Gorky, as it was called in former times). The city was founded in 1221, and it is situated at the intersection of two big rivers – Oka and Volga. The city is one of the biggest trade and industrial centers in Volga Federal district. A lot of traditional Russian arts were born in this region – Khokhloma, Gorodets, metal decoration, etc.
Untill 1993 Nizhny Novgorod was a closed city (foreigners were not allowed to come in). That's why many people don't speak English and sometimes they are very surprised to hear foreign languages. Anyway, they are usually kind and ready to help a foreigner despite of the language barrier.
In Nizhny Novgorod you can find a lot of cultural centers – L'Alliance Française, Japanese and Czech educational centres, Greek, Hungarian, Swedish and Polish centers. It won't be a problem for you to find somebody who speaks your mothertongue.
The city also has strong connections with Germany, because of its twin city – Essen. If you want to know more about the city or you need any kinds of other information, visit these internet pages www.nnov.ru (Rus), www.nn.ru (Rus) or www.admgor.nnov.ru (Eng).
Untill 1993 Nizhny Novgorod was a closed city (foreigners were not allowed to come in). That's why many people don't speak English and sometimes they are very surprised to hear foreign languages. Anyway, they are usually kind and ready to help a foreigner despite of the language barrier.
In Nizhny Novgorod you can find a lot of cultural centers – L'Alliance Française, Japanese and Czech educational centres, Greek, Hungarian, Swedish and Polish centers. It won't be a problem for you to find somebody who speaks your mothertongue.
The city also has strong connections with Germany, because of its twin city – Essen. If you want to know more about the city or you need any kinds of other information, visit these internet pages www.nnov.ru (Rus), www.nn.ru (Rus) or www.admgor.nnov.ru (Eng).
Before the departure
The previous volunteers advise you what to take before you arrive in Nizhny.
1
Winter clothes
Winter jacket and shoes, warm socks, good gloves and hat will keep you warm and safe during winter. The lowest degree is in January, about -20C°. However, it can be even colder!
2
Camera
To photograph every single thing you see, from your hundreds walk in Kremlin to beautiful nature in the suburbs.
3
Souvenirs from your home country
Postcards, magnets, flags to give them as a present to your close friends.
Transport
Going to Nizhny Novgorod
It is possible to have a flight directly to Nizhny Novgorod from Spain, Greece and Turkey. However, mostly people travel to Nizhny by train from Moscow.
The cheapest tickets to Moscow can be found on Aviasales, Skyscanner and Momondo. A volunteer usually has a lot of luggage, so please check the rules of baggage allowance of your airline company, and the list of goods restricted for import (eng.customs.ru/index.php).
The most comfortable and not expensive way to go from an airport in Moscow to the train station is Aeroexpress (aeroexpress.ru/en), that is cheaper to purchase online. Aeroexpress arrives at one of the railway stations. You just have to go down to the Underground and reach the station you need.
The cheapest tickets to Moscow can be found on Aviasales, Skyscanner and Momondo. A volunteer usually has a lot of luggage, so please check the rules of baggage allowance of your airline company, and the list of goods restricted for import (eng.customs.ru/index.php).
The most comfortable and not expensive way to go from an airport in Moscow to the train station is Aeroexpress (aeroexpress.ru/en), that is cheaper to purchase online. Aeroexpress arrives at one of the railway stations. You just have to go down to the Underground and reach the station you need.
Train system in Russia
A railway network is well-developed with a lot of trains going to almost every part of Russia and also to other European and Asian countries. A railway company is called РЖД: Российские железные дороги (RZD, Russian Railways). To go by train is much cheaper than by plane. Trains always arrive on time and all the information is written on a ticket. You can also buy a ticket online on the official webpage: www.rzd.ru (English available) and show the copy of a ticket and your identity document to the train attendant.
If you bought the ticket for the train in advance and then your plans were shifted, you can change your ticket to another date or request the money back. Do it online or at the railway station. You should remember that changing or returning a ticket must be done as soon as possible, so you can receive all your money back, and pay only a fee. The current regulations about it are on the official webpage.
If you bought the ticket for the train in advance and then your plans were shifted, you can change your ticket to another date or request the money back. Do it online or at the railway station. You should remember that changing or returning a ticket must be done as soon as possible, so you can receive all your money back, and pay only a fee. The current regulations about it are on the official webpage.
Long-distance trains
Long-distance trains are usually really long consisting of 15 – 25 carriages, so come to the train station at least 20 min earlier, because you may have to walk for a while before you will find your carriage.
Trains are comprised of different types of carriages, for example: Compartment carriage (K - купе), Carriage with reserved seats (П - плацкарт), Carriage with seating (С - сидячий), All-purpose carriage (О – общий).
In case you are going to spend a night in a train, it's more convenient to choose a compartment carriage. Besides, the price is much lower if you buy a ticket in 60 days before the departure.
Carriage with reserved seats, "platzkart" is a carriage where there are no doors between sections with sleeping places. One section include 2 floors of 6 sleeping places. When you walk through the carriage you can see all people. For foreign travelers this kind of carriage might be a very exciting experience or the biggest nightmare of life. Among your neighbors could be anyone, old ladies, transit workers, students, whole families, businessmen, other travelers and so on… So you should be prepared for everything – night snoring, long drunk talks or non-stop screaming children. Take earplugs!
Anyway, during long train journeys you usually meet a lot of nice people who are usually very interested in talking to you. Believe me, during your trip you won't be bored at all and your book can even stay unopened for the whole time of travelling.
Usually when you take train in Russia you travel for more than 7 hours so you should take some food with you, because the meal in a restaurant carriage is extremely expensive.
Russian people usually change their clothes when they travel by train. Comfortable clothes to sit, sleep, with sleepers on their feet. We recommend you to do the same, so that you can feel comfortable.
Trains are comprised of different types of carriages, for example: Compartment carriage (K - купе), Carriage with reserved seats (П - плацкарт), Carriage with seating (С - сидячий), All-purpose carriage (О – общий).
In case you are going to spend a night in a train, it's more convenient to choose a compartment carriage. Besides, the price is much lower if you buy a ticket in 60 days before the departure.
Carriage with reserved seats, "platzkart" is a carriage where there are no doors between sections with sleeping places. One section include 2 floors of 6 sleeping places. When you walk through the carriage you can see all people. For foreign travelers this kind of carriage might be a very exciting experience or the biggest nightmare of life. Among your neighbors could be anyone, old ladies, transit workers, students, whole families, businessmen, other travelers and so on… So you should be prepared for everything – night snoring, long drunk talks or non-stop screaming children. Take earplugs!
Anyway, during long train journeys you usually meet a lot of nice people who are usually very interested in talking to you. Believe me, during your trip you won't be bored at all and your book can even stay unopened for the whole time of travelling.
Usually when you take train in Russia you travel for more than 7 hours so you should take some food with you, because the meal in a restaurant carriage is extremely expensive.
Russian people usually change their clothes when they travel by train. Comfortable clothes to sit, sleep, with sleepers on their feet. We recommend you to do the same, so that you can feel comfortable.
Suburb trains
Every region in Russia has its own network of local trains called электричка (elektrichka). People use these trains as an everyday transport to work, or for visiting their summer houses. By elektrichka you can reach other famous cities in the region: Arzamas, Semyonov, Gorodets. The suburb train station is near the railway Московский вокзал "Moskovsky vokzal" It has it's own entrance and offices for buying tickets.
Transport in Nizhny Novgorod
In Nizhny you can use different means of public transport: buses, trams, trolleybuses, Underground and cable car. You won't have problems with moving from one city disctict to another in the daytime. Some shuttle busses also provide routes during the night. Buy a transport card in order not to save money.
Some streets have only tram or trolleybus lines, some only buses and shuttle-buses. The Underground is the best solution for rush hours in the morning and in the evening. It works till midnight, while other transport mostly make the last route at 22.00.
Marshrutka is a mini-bus or shuttle bus. Marshrutkas move faster than buses. If you want to get in the marshrutka, you should wave down an approaching shuttle bus, and press the button above the door before the stop you need to get off. If a shuttle bus is overcrowded, just ask people to hand your money over to a driver, and soon you will receive a ticket. Some shuttle busses have their own relatively cheap transport cards.
Some streets have only tram or trolleybus lines, some only buses and shuttle-buses. The Underground is the best solution for rush hours in the morning and in the evening. It works till midnight, while other transport mostly make the last route at 22.00.
Marshrutka is a mini-bus or shuttle bus. Marshrutkas move faster than buses. If you want to get in the marshrutka, you should wave down an approaching shuttle bus, and press the button above the door before the stop you need to get off. If a shuttle bus is overcrowded, just ask people to hand your money over to a driver, and soon you will receive a ticket. Some shuttle busses have their own relatively cheap transport cards.
Shopping
Money
Russian money is called рубль/ruble (RUR). 1 ruble is 100 kopeikas.
If you take your money from your bank account with a card, do it at an ATM in euros and then change money in a bank into rubles. Check the best exchange rate in different bank offices.
In Russia food and alcohol are usually cheaper than in Europe. However, clothes and shoes are sometimes much more expensive. Second-hand shops have cheaper prices but in most cases the difference is very small.
If you take your money from your bank account with a card, do it at an ATM in euros and then change money in a bank into rubles. Check the best exchange rate in different bank offices.
In Russia food and alcohol are usually cheaper than in Europe. However, clothes and shoes are sometimes much more expensive. Second-hand shops have cheaper prices but in most cases the difference is very small.
Shops
Pyatyorochka (Пятерочка) and Magnit (Магнит)
The cheapest supermarkets that are in every corner. There you can buy groceries, alcohol and minimum of household goods. They are usually open from 9.00 to 21.00, however, some shops may decide their own open hours.
Spar
Spar and Eurospar are spreading around the city. Prices are higher, but the quality of goods worth it. Many of Spar Express shops work until late evening.
Auchan (Ашан) and Lenta (Лента)
Auchan can be found in the shopping center Fantastika in 20 minutes by bus from the city center. Lenta is in one bus stop further. People go there to buy groceries for the whole week, because it's cheaper than to buy food everyday in other supermarkets.
Shopping center Fantastika and Respublika
There are lots of butiques and shops of different price categories. Good shoes, outerwear and anything else you need are there. Fantastika provides also leisure activities. Concerts in the main hall, pizza cafés and cinema on the top floor will make your shopping pleasant.
Fix Price
A range of shops with goods of the same fixed price, which is much lower than in other shops. If you need to by a mop, check Fix Price first!
The cheapest supermarkets that are in every corner. There you can buy groceries, alcohol and minimum of household goods. They are usually open from 9.00 to 21.00, however, some shops may decide their own open hours.
Spar
Spar and Eurospar are spreading around the city. Prices are higher, but the quality of goods worth it. Many of Spar Express shops work until late evening.
Auchan (Ашан) and Lenta (Лента)
Auchan can be found in the shopping center Fantastika in 20 minutes by bus from the city center. Lenta is in one bus stop further. People go there to buy groceries for the whole week, because it's cheaper than to buy food everyday in other supermarkets.
Shopping center Fantastika and Respublika
There are lots of butiques and shops of different price categories. Good shoes, outerwear and anything else you need are there. Fantastika provides also leisure activities. Concerts in the main hall, pizza cafés and cinema on the top floor will make your shopping pleasant.
Fix Price
A range of shops with goods of the same fixed price, which is much lower than in other shops. If you need to by a mop, check Fix Price first!
Leisure
Places to eat and drink
Beerloga, (Берлога) bar
Рождественская 24
A good place to drink beer and watch football with friends. There you can buy two beers for the price of one on Friday and Saturday!
Biblioteka café (Библиотека)
Большая Покровская 46, the third floor of the bookshop Дирижабль
A café with fantastic pizza and pasta, and its own library for visitors. In summer a balcony with a few tables is open to enjoy the view on the the main pedestrian street of the city.
Khachapuriya (Хачапурия)
Большая Покровская 6
Traditional Georgian meal and desserts, and great wine. You can take-away almost everything from the menu for cheaper price.
Soula (Соула/На Алексеевской) café
Алексеевская 15
The favourite place of EVS volunteers. A nice hostess will meet you inside and offer Uzbek meal. You can have a delicious lunch there for the best price in the city.
Salyut burger café (Салют)
Октябрьская 9а
Best burgers in the city, friendly staff and impressive interior.
Noot restaurant
Большая Покровская 15
The restaurant is famous for its remarkably tasty falafel and a wide choice for vegans and vegetarians. It is a quite and peaceful island nearby a lively street.
Рождественская 24
A good place to drink beer and watch football with friends. There you can buy two beers for the price of one on Friday and Saturday!
Biblioteka café (Библиотека)
Большая Покровская 46, the third floor of the bookshop Дирижабль
A café with fantastic pizza and pasta, and its own library for visitors. In summer a balcony with a few tables is open to enjoy the view on the the main pedestrian street of the city.
Khachapuriya (Хачапурия)
Большая Покровская 6
Traditional Georgian meal and desserts, and great wine. You can take-away almost everything from the menu for cheaper price.
Soula (Соула/На Алексеевской) café
Алексеевская 15
The favourite place of EVS volunteers. A nice hostess will meet you inside and offer Uzbek meal. You can have a delicious lunch there for the best price in the city.
Salyut burger café (Салют)
Октябрьская 9а
Best burgers in the city, friendly staff and impressive interior.
Noot restaurant
Большая Покровская 15
The restaurant is famous for its remarkably tasty falafel and a wide choice for vegans and vegetarians. It is a quite and peaceful island nearby a lively street.
Dance and music
Many pubs, cafes and restaurants In Nizhny are with live music. There are also a wide variety of nightclubs in all parts of the city. If you want to know more about clubs and what is going on in the city, visit a website www.zvuk.in. There under the name Афиша you can find a list of all parties and concerts for a certain day.
Rock bar
Пискунова 11
Café with a really rock atmosphere with a small stage for concerts. It is a good place to listen live rock or jazz music. They usually have at least 2 concerts per week, with local bands. Service is really horrible; here you can meet really nasty Russian waitresses who can also yell at you because you asked them for something too many times. But don't mind the service, because concerts are great! In this café you can get some Mexican food or sushi, but this is quite expensive for what you get.
Milo Concert Hall
Родионова, 4
Here you might see concerts of prominant Russian bands as well as singers famous worldwide. Modern design, huge dancefloor, great sound. If you feel that you need drive in the evening, every weekend there are parties with dancing and good music.
Fidel Club
Родионова, 165
A nightclub and a bar with everything for leisure: beer of all kinds, pool, table tennis, dance and live music events. This place is suitable for getting together with friends to watch football with beer and snacks, and for very loud parties.
Fonoteka (Фонотека)
Большая Покровская 46, entrance from the left side of the building to the ground floor
It's a nice music café for your soul. You drink tea, eat and listen to jazz music. They organize also nights with live music, evenings of reading poetry or discussing some popular books.
Rock bar
Пискунова 11
Café with a really rock atmosphere with a small stage for concerts. It is a good place to listen live rock or jazz music. They usually have at least 2 concerts per week, with local bands. Service is really horrible; here you can meet really nasty Russian waitresses who can also yell at you because you asked them for something too many times. But don't mind the service, because concerts are great! In this café you can get some Mexican food or sushi, but this is quite expensive for what you get.
Milo Concert Hall
Родионова, 4
Here you might see concerts of prominant Russian bands as well as singers famous worldwide. Modern design, huge dancefloor, great sound. If you feel that you need drive in the evening, every weekend there are parties with dancing and good music.
Fidel Club
Родионова, 165
A nightclub and a bar with everything for leisure: beer of all kinds, pool, table tennis, dance and live music events. This place is suitable for getting together with friends to watch football with beer and snacks, and for very loud parties.
Fonoteka (Фонотека)
Большая Покровская 46, entrance from the left side of the building to the ground floor
It's a nice music café for your soul. You drink tea, eat and listen to jazz music. They organize also nights with live music, evenings of reading poetry or discussing some popular books.
Cinema and theatre
Opera and ballet theater
Белинского 59
The best place to be in the centre of cultural life of Russia. Modern plays and classic ballet will leave a great impression.
Youth Theatre
Максима Горького 145
Lovely dramatic performances by children and young people. Small but comfortable hall, good acoustic, a buffet, and cheap tickets.
Орленок (Orlenok)
Большая Покровская 39а
An old but pleasant cinema with a lot of foreign non-hollywood films. Tickets are usually cheaper than in other bigger cinemas.
Cinema-theater Record (Кинотеатр Рекорд)
Пискунова 11
An alternative place, with one nice cinema hall. They make a lot of different movie festivals, like the festival of German old movies, anime, etc. Exhibitions and live concerts are also often organized here.
Movie club Sputnik
Большая Покровская 15б
It is a hidden, secret place, but all of the volunteers know about it. There is a man called Maxim who owns two small, comfortable cinema rooms, for 10-20 people. Here you can reserve a room in advance and select the movie you would like to watch. The owner has a big collection of films in different languages with Russian or English subtitles. It is very nice to take a bunch of friends, bring your food and beverage and have whole cinema for yourself.
Белинского 59
The best place to be in the centre of cultural life of Russia. Modern plays and classic ballet will leave a great impression.
Youth Theatre
Максима Горького 145
Lovely dramatic performances by children and young people. Small but comfortable hall, good acoustic, a buffet, and cheap tickets.
Орленок (Orlenok)
Большая Покровская 39а
An old but pleasant cinema with a lot of foreign non-hollywood films. Tickets are usually cheaper than in other bigger cinemas.
Cinema-theater Record (Кинотеатр Рекорд)
Пискунова 11
An alternative place, with one nice cinema hall. They make a lot of different movie festivals, like the festival of German old movies, anime, etc. Exhibitions and live concerts are also often organized here.
Movie club Sputnik
Большая Покровская 15б
It is a hidden, secret place, but all of the volunteers know about it. There is a man called Maxim who owns two small, comfortable cinema rooms, for 10-20 people. Here you can reserve a room in advance and select the movie you would like to watch. The owner has a big collection of films in different languages with Russian or English subtitles. It is very nice to take a bunch of friends, bring your food and beverage and have whole cinema for yourself.
Sport
It's possible to find enourmous number of sport groups in Nizhny. You just need to decide what attracts you more: karate, aerobics, yoga, Irish dancing, or maybe volleyboll.
Dvorets sporta (Palace of sports)
Проспект Гагарина 29
In this palace you can watch international hockey and basketball games, or go skating.
There are several ski centres in the suburbs of Nizhny:
Kuznechikha (поселок Кузнечиха, 143)
Sormovich (Дубравная 21)
Pecherskiy kanyon (Германа Лопатина 11)
Dvorets sporta (Palace of sports)
Проспект Гагарина 29
In this palace you can watch international hockey and basketball games, or go skating.
There are several ski centres in the suburbs of Nizhny:
Kuznechikha (поселок Кузнечиха, 143)
Sormovich (Дубравная 21)
Pecherskiy kanyon (Германа Лопатина 11)
Adventure
What to visit in the city
Kremlin (Кремль)
It is a historical centre of the city, where the executive branch of power is situated. The view from the Kremlin is always beautiful especially during sunsets.
Here you can find Russian tanks and weapons near the main entrance, art gallery, cathedral, eternal flame in rememberance of those who died in World War II, and museum. For a fee you are allowed to visit towers of the Kremlin.
Here you can find Russian tanks and weapons near the main entrance, art gallery, cathedral, eternal flame in rememberance of those who died in World War II, and museum. For a fee you are allowed to visit towers of the Kremlin.
Chkalov staircase
(Чкаловская лестница)
(Чкаловская лестница)
The Chkalov Staircase connects Minin Square with the Lower Volga river embankment. Once you should take some time and go down to the river.
Moving along the embankment you will reach Grebnoi kanal (Гребной канал), an arrow of sandy beaches, to swim, play volleyball and sunbathe there.
Moving along the embankment you will reach Grebnoi kanal (Гребной канал), an arrow of sandy beaches, to swim, play volleyball and sunbathe there.
Lesopark Shchelokovskiy Khutor
It is a big forest in the city. There are three lakes, two churches and ethnographic museum with wooden architecture. During summer guides are dressed in traditional clothes and offer excursions inside the museum. In the forest you can also have a picnic with barbecue.
Park Switzeland
(Парк Швeйцария)
(Парк Швeйцария)
A huge park, 3,5 km long, with a magnificent view on the river Oka. Locals come here for a walk, jogging or having fun with children in an amusement park.
Lake Lunskoye
A big lake on the edge of Sormovsky district. A great place to have a walk, swim or have a barbecue. You can walk around the lake, just be careful that you don't get lost in the swamp. In case you are keen on fishing, the lake is full of pike, perch, bream and other small fish. On the way to the lake, you can see little summer houses with gardens, in Russia called dacha (дача).
What to visit in the region
Semenov (Семёнов)
This is a nice small city, 1,5 hours away from Nizhny by suburb train. Here is a very famous factory of Russian matryoshkas and wooden spoons with traditional painting called "khokhloma". There is souvenir shop near the factory where the prices are much lower than in Nizhny.
Gorodets (Городец)
This town is famous for the production of icons and beautiful paintings. There are many lovely wooden houses and museums in Gorodets. If you have more time, you should go and visit the biggest collection of samovars in the world. You can reach the town by bus in 2 hours.
I have been in Chuvashiia, Sankt Petersburg, Vladimir, Gorodets and Kalmykya. It was amazing. After these trips I really understood that Russia is huge, intercultural and very interesting country. I have one advice - if you have possibility to visit even a small village in Russia, go there! For sure, you will find something unique.
Przemysław Czekała
EVS volunteer in Nizhniy Novgorod
Bor (Бор)
Bor is a small town on the other side of the river Volga. The fastest way to go there is to use a cable car, and enjoy the view below from your cabin. After short trip around the town you can walk to the beach and have a picnic.
Lake Svetloyar
This lake is thought to be a holy place for all the believers of Orthodox Christian church. You should go around the lake on your knees to be cleared of your sins and go in it for a swim. There is also a legend about a city called Kитеж "Kitezh" that has sunk into the lake to be protected from the attack of a big army heading to the city. It is a really beautiful place to visit. In the summer you can go camping in a special camping zone.
Kerzhenets (Керженец)
The river Kerzhenets in Semenov region is the best place for those who prefer active sport like rafting. The nature of Kerzhenets is remarkably picturesque and diverse. Pine forest, a lot of fish in the river, different kinds of berries. Many people come here for 3-4 days camping.
Upon entering Russia, you need to be registered at certain address within 7 working days. Registration is done by your coordinator in SFERA and you need to give him/her original of your passport and migration card. If you travel somewhere in Russia, try not to stay longer than 7 working days but if you plan it, inform SFERA coordinator, please.
EVS experience
Chech the video of Przemysław Czekała, EVS volunteer in Nizhny Novgorod.
"SFERA" Movement
web www.dobrovolets.ru
e-mail ltv.sfera@gmail.com
Skype evs_sfera
Piskunova st. 27, N.Novgorod
Russia, 603005
web www.dobrovolets.ru
e-mail ltv.sfera@gmail.com
Skype evs_sfera
Piskunova st. 27, N.Novgorod
Russia, 603005
