TravelTips24 : Russia : Central Russia : Golden Ring : Vladimir Oblast : Suzdal

Suzdal

Table of Contents

Culture and History / History / Travel to Suzdal, visa requirements / Get around / Suzdal attractions and sightseeing / City tours / Shopping, Suzdal souvenirs / Good restaurants and cheap meals / Suzdal nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs. / Hotels, youth hostels, lodging / Get out

Suzdal (Су́здаль;[1]) is a historic small town in Vladimir Oblast east of Moscow Russia, about 25 km north of Vladimir. It was once the capital of several Russian principalities and has many examples of early Russian architecture. It is probably the most interesting of the Golden Ring cities.

Culture and History

History

During the time of the Soviet Union, nearly all of Suzdal's economy was planned around its tourist potential. As a result, very few modern buildings were constructed in Suzdal (by law there are no structures more than 2 stories high except cathedrals). Also, a number of wooden structures from other parts of Russia were transported here, and the whole city was converted into an 'open-air museum'. Unfortunately, Suzdal's dependence on tourism also meant its economy nearly came to a standstill when tourists stopped coming after the fall of the USSR. The town's tourist trade now appears to be revitalizing itself however, mostly due to an influx of Russian tourists from Moscow and elsewhere.

Suzdal retains a rustic atmosphere. You will not find any McDonalds restaurants or any trace of Western chain shops or hotels here. Livestock wandering the streets and elderly women washing cloths in the river (and tourists wielding digital cameras) are regular sights in Suzdal.

Travel to Suzdal & Visa Requirements

There are no trains to Suzdal, so aside from organized bus tours, the only way to reach the city is by bus or car. There is one daily bus from Moscow's Shelkovskaya bus station. However, a more convenient option is to first visit Vladimir, and then take a bus from there. Buses depart from Vladimir to Suzdal every thirty minutes.

Tours & Getting around Suzdal

Suzdal attractions and sightseeing

Suzdal city tours

July 16 - Day of Cucumber. Funny holiday, based on the fact that Suzdal's cucumber have a reputation as the best cucumber in central Russia. Per se a folks music holiday.

Suzdal souvenirs & shopping

Suzdal Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

Trapeznaya. It's placed in real room of refectory on the territory of Suzdal's Kremlin. It has a traditional russian menu with "bliny" with caviar and something else, but prices are much lower than in Moscow. Try their marinated forest mushrooms - it's beautiful, alone or with cold vodka.

Suzdal nightlife, bars, clubs & pubs

As usual in Russia - vodka. But, in Suzdal you can test another drink - miedovukha. It's a russian variant of cider, made from honey. Be careful - don't buy it on the streets - it may be fake, ask your guide where you can buy real medovukha.

Suzdal cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels & lodging

Suzdal maybe is one of the Russian City where you can not just find out a place to stay but have a choice. There are many small hotels with 5-20 rooms. Be sure to book ahead for NY holidays, Day of Independent, and during the summer high season.

The biggest hotel is a "Tourist" (not the best name, isn't it?) It's a 3 star hotel, may be the best place for backpackers, also there are "cottages" with garage inside.
Sokol, A large hotel recently renovating after fire.

Hotel Pushkarskaya Sloboda, ul. Lenina 41, ☎ +7 (49231) 2-33-03(info@slobodahotel.ru, fax: +7 (49231) 2-33-63), [2]. Prices start at RUR 2,500 for a double or twin room. edit

Goryachie klyuchi aka "Bashenki" Address: ul. Korovniki, 14. Tel. +7 (09231) 24-000, +7 (0922) 42-00-77, fax. +7 (09231) 2-41-01 . A very nice complex of hotels with big wooden rooms, sauna etc., situated in a very quite place, 20 min. walk from the town center and nearly 40 min. walk from the Cremlin. The price start at RUR 3 000.00 for a room

Get out

This page was last edited at 13:09, on 25 September 2008 by ????? ????????. Based on work by Larisa, Pascal Schoenmaekers, Peter Fitzgerald, Ryan Holliday, Michele Ann Jenkins, Colin Jensen, Tom Holland, Evan Prodromou and Jani Patokallio, Wikitravel user(s) Jonboy, Johnsemlak and Huttite and Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel.

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