Irkutsk Russia: what to do in the heart of Siberia?

Irkutsk is the largest city and administrative center of Irkutsk Oblast, Russia. It is the largest city in Siberia on the eastern side of Russia. In this blog post, I will try to mention the what-to-do list of activities that we can experience in Irkutsk Russia. It is one of the most popular stops along the Trans Siberian Railway which goes from Moscow to Vladivostok. Its one branch, the Trans–Mongolian Railway goes from Moscow to Beijing, China via Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Irkutsk is around 5,200 km east of Moscow and just over 1,600km from Beijing. Its home to a rich history, unique architecture, and is in close proximity to the deepest and oldest lake in the world. So, when we think about lake Baikal then we think about Irkutsk too. Irkutsk is in Siberia, and Siberia was the place where criminals or undesirable people were exiled in Russia and the Soviet Union. In addition, Siberia is famous for its wooden architecture too.

How to Get to Irkutsk?

Definitely, the Trans Siberian Train is the most common way for travelers to arrive in Irkutsk. It is also a what to do activity in Irkutsk Russia. Most people traveling on the Trans Siberian express take a break here while coming from Moscow, Vladivostok, or Ulaan Baatar.

There is an international airport in Irkutsk too. Irkutsk international airport is a small airport but it flies internationally and domestically to cities in Russia. Likewise, we came from St Petersburg to Irkutsk with a connection in VKO Moscow. For air travel, many local Russian companies like Pobeda, Aeroflot, S7, and the Ural are best to use for your trip. However, you can book your ticket by Skyscanner or direct from an airline company.

Our landing to Irkutsk was a bit sort of an adventure. Whereas, early in the morning, we landed on Irkutsk(we assumed it was Irkutsk). Even so, after the landing, all the passengers were waiting inside the plane. Then after my query, an English-speaking host explained to me that due to bad weather in Irkutsk, we have landed in Ulan Ude that was about 500km ahead of Irkutsk. We waited there for half an hour and then flew back to Irkutsk. So, in this way, We enjoyed a flight over Lake Baikal too.

How to get Around Irkutsk?

Bus and Minibus: You can use this option within the city. Google Maps and Yandex will be your best companion to get on the track while taking the ride. When you go by minibus, make sure to tell the driver about your stop so you will not pass that back. If you are not sure when your stop, ask the driver or passengers for help

Tram is the oldest form of public transport here in Irkutsk. The tram stop is always announced. The value of the fare is 15 Rubles for all types of public transport in Irkutsk City and you have to pay the conductor or driver at the end of your journey.
Usually, it’s possible to catch public transport from 06:30 to 22:00. The average time to catch the transport is 10-20 minutes.

Where to Stay in Irkutsk Russia?

Irkutsk airport is about 7km from the city center. I had a two-night booking in Rolling Stone Hostel Irkutsk that I had booked by Hostelworld.com. From the airport, you can get buses #20, 42, 43, and 480. Large buses will take cash while on trolly bus you can pay as per your choice from cash or credit card. Whereas, we took a bus and reached our specific stop. Then after a few minute’s walk, we reached our hostel. Also, the Rolling Stones hostel is ideally located in the heart of the city about a mile away from most of the city attractions. So, it is a perfect place for backpackers, couples, and tourists on a budget.

What to do in Irkutsk Russia?

Undoubtedly, Irkutsk offers plenty of activities from ornamentally decorated churches to its old wooden houses. Indeed, it is the heart of Siberia, a break-point of Trans Siberian tourists, and home to Lake Baikal. In the map below we follow most parts of the green route and then a few specific places and activities which we did in our two-day stay in Irkutsk.

Follow your What to do points on GreenLine Irkutsk Route

Greenline means a self-guided tour of the Irkutsk. It is a unique Idea that overcomes the burden from travelers to go to the key places of Irkutsk city center. Likewise, you can stop at important buildings, unique monuments, or Architectural churches on your way. Greenline got its name because of the line that was drawn on the streets which are green and you simply have to follow it with a map in your hand. Above all, you can easily get a hard copy of the Irkutsk map from your hostel. After getting the map, I customized it by narrowing down my selection, and then I was on the road.

Wooden Houses of Irkutsk

I have a plan to start my visit from the Moscow Gate near the lower embankment. So, I left my hostel after breakfast and followed the Green Line. Consequently, After a half km walk through Gorky Street/ Sverdlov Street, I reached a beautiful square near Irkutsk Circus. This square named Proletarskaya street has many fountains and historical monuments like Leonid Gaidai.  As I was visiting Irkutsk with a kid, so, I got some information about the Circus time and planned to give it a try on the next day.

Then a walked through many wooden buildings to go further. Although Some of them are partly wooden now but quite obvious and historical like

• Fineberg Mansion
• Rogal Art exhibition
• Vtrove Mansion

The Moscow Gate

Particularly, most of the tours start or end at the Moscow Gate. So, I planned to start from here and end at Babr to 130 Kvartal. It is a giant triumphal arch painted yellow. This triumphal arch was erected in 1811 to commemorate the accession to the throne of Emperor Alexander I. It is just beside the lower embankment. So, here you can see the beautiful views of the Angara River and admire the living places on the other side of the Angara River. We spend a few minutes there while purchasing a few snacks and drinks from the snack shop in the area. Then we took a long stroll toward the Lower embankment. We went through the children’s park and beside a couple of monuments.

Founder of the Irkutsk in Lower Embankment

We can say, The Lower Embankment is the area in which we can mark the maximum of the Irkutsk attractions. It is a nice area for a leisurely walk with amazing views of the river and churches nearby. Needless to say, the locals love it, so you will see many families here.

Here you can see the impressive monument of the founders of Irkutsk. Yakov Pokhabov is considered the founder and pioneer of Irkutsk who founded the Irkutsk in 1661. This monument on the bank of Angara River was established on the 350th anniversary of Irkutsk in 2011.

Churches of Irkutsk near lower Embankment

After visiting the lower embankment area, I took a left turn towards Kirov Square. In this small area, you can spot three prestigious cathedrals

• Apiphany Cathedral
• Spaskaya Church
• Polish-Catholic Cathedral

Epiphany Cathedral, The fairytale of Irkutsk

Epiphany Cathedral (Sobor Bogoyavlensky). This church is located at the Lower Embankment and looks like out of a fairy tale. Its decoration and ornaments are amazing.  You can admire its windows with grids and golden domes too. It was built in 1693. Inside the cathedral is also very amazing. You are not allowed to take pictures from inside. On the west side of the cathedral, there were busted monuments of noble persons related to the Cathedral. If you can read Cyrillic then you can easily read the names from the monuments.

Spasskaya Church

After visiting the Epiphany Cathedral, you have to cross the road and reached Spasskaya Church. It is an old building built in 1706 in Irkutsk. The white walls and green vault over them make this church a refreshing feeling to visitors. We can visit a chapel beside the main church. In some tourist maps, it is written as Church of our Savior.

Polish-Catholic Cathedral

Polish Catholic Cathedral or also known as Roman Catholic Cathedral. It also serves as a place for concerts and performances. All three churches that are laying in the close vicinity are quite different from each other. Although the place is adjacent to the lower embankment and Kirove Square, I wanna call it Church Street.

Speransky Square and Kirov Garden

Our next stop was Kirov Garden in Speransky or Kirov Square. It is very popular among the locals of Irkutsk. Its main part is Kirov Garden with many benches and a majestic fountain. This square is the place for many local celebrations like Christmas, victory day, and others. It was known as the Kremlin Square in the 17th-18th centuries and was a popular marketplace. In the 19th century, the square became bigger, but in 1879 a fire destroyed almost half of the existing buildings. There are many educational and governmental buildings that cover Kirov Square. We have relaxed there and chit chat with local people in the Garden.

Big Ben Park

While coming from Kirov Square to Lenin Monument and just one turn before the monument you can see a narrow archway entrance to a beautiful Sculpture Park. It is located in front of the JSC Dental Center building. Here you can see a small antique clock tower known as Big Ben of Irkutsk by many. There are plenty of monuments and statues of kids and animals there. A big fountain is the central point of the park. It is a wonderful little park that the children seem to love.

Lenin Street and Monument in the heart of Irkutsk

Lenin Square is right in the city center not far from the main city attractions. It is about a 1.5km long road with main traffic on it. It starts at 130 Kvartel near Babr Sculpture and goes at the backside of Spasskaya Church. One of the most famous monuments on this road is the giant statue of Lenin. There is a park parallel to Lenin street and it is a part of the Lenin Monument Area. Besides visiting this park we took a late lunch in Uzbekistan Restaurant and tried a few Uzbek dishes there. After lunch, we again spend a little time in the park while relaxing and then go to our next stop.

Babr, the Symbol of Irkutsk

It is the symbol of Irkutsk. Babr means tiger, So, this sculpture of a tiger holding a sable in its jaws. To take a selfie with Babr is a common and must-do thing in Irkutsk. This sculpture was approved by Catherine the Great but about a century later during the new approval, a mistake happened. This mistake was related to the very strange look of the animal that it has now. Due to a clerical mistake, the word Babr had changed with Bobr. As this approval was signed by the state, so Irkutsk management altered the design of the sculpture, as not to disown the state decision. Now the Babr which we are seeing is a mixed combination of Babr and Bobr. While going from our hostel, the Babr sculpture is right at the entrance to 130 Kvartal.

130 Kvartal, the lively street in Irkutsk

Walk around the 130th District. 130 Quarter is one of the coolest places in Irkutsk. it is a lively pedestrian street with wooden restaurants and some entertainment walk along the way. Street musicians play here closer to the evening, there is a huge shopping center at its other end, some facilities for kids, the I love Irkutsk sign, the planetarium. Usually, the place is full of young people, so the atmosphere is lively. It was a very satisfying end to our first day in Irkutsk. We took a light dinner in Ganga Restaurant and then went to our hostel for a night of deep sleep.

Central Market, what to choose from Fresh Irkutsk Food

Today was our second day in Irkutsk. Here we have two options. The first one is to do a half-day Listvyanka Tour and the second one to see the Irkutsk Circus. Here we started our day while passing through the Irkutsk Central Market. Irkutsk central market area has an outdoor area, and it works even in cold Siberian winter. You can find a wide variety of products that are delivered here directly from local farmers. It is also a source to Experience the local culture. Central Market is located near the Irkutsk bus station. You can buy fresh fruits, vegetables, and grocery items here at very economical rates. It is the place where local people used to purchase their household items.

Half Day trip to Listviyanka and Lake Baikal

Listvyanka Village This little settlement is located on the shores of the deepest lake in the world, Lake Baikal. Listvyanka is the closest lakeside village to Irkutsk, about 70 kilometers away from Irkutsk and you can get there by minibus from the central bus station in the city. In our half-day visit, we started early in the morning and reached Listvyanka in one hour. Although you have to stay a night there or at least it might be a full-day tour to Listvyanka. You can visit Baikal Museum, a Cable car ride, enjoy village life, wander into the Bazar or eat Omul Fish from there.

Irkutsk Circus

It was a good show and well-acted by the Russian Circus Artists. We bought our tickets for front rows from a good location. The ticket price for one person was 2000Rubles. The ticket price ranges from 600 – 2000 Rubles depends upon the choice of stands and sitting. It was a long show of about 3 hours with a short break in between. Conclusively it was a good show if you are accompanying kids or youth.

Day Trips from Irkutsk

You can do plenty of day/multi-day tours from Irkutsk. these include but are not limited to

• A two days trip from Irkutsk to Olkhon Island is recommended to visit the largest island of Lake Baikal.
• Hiking options. Listvyanka is a start point of the Great Baikal Trail that is a stunning path along Baikal coast. It goes from Listvyanka to Bolsoie Koty and further to different trails. Till Bolsoie Koty, the trail is 18km and it takes around 6 hours to reach at the last end.
• Circum Baikal Train Ride is a one day activity. You can do one side ride on a slow/Fast train and other side by bus. This was the most scenic part of old Trans Siberian route but now we can see the most picturesque part of the railways almost only by touristic train. 
• Bolshie Koty: a village in the heart of Baikal national park.You can do it by trekking or by ferry that operates once per day.

Irkutsk, A Trans Siberian Stopover in Russia

Irkutsk is an important pit stop on a Trans Siberian adventure. Specifically, Lake Baikal is the must-visit place and a particular breakpoint for all tourists. After taking a couple of days to relax at Irkutsk, tourist continues their next leg of Trans Siberian to the final destination. So, after visiting our what-to-do list of Irkutsk we started our next journey of Russia in Trans Siberian Train. During our Trans Siberian adventure, we visited Novosibirsk and Kazan as breakpoints and traveled almost 5400km in Trans Siberian Trains.