Being the third famous city in Russia – after Moscow and St. Petersburg -, Nizhny Novgorod offers a wide range of tourism spot, including museum heritage, amazing wooden architecture and its beautiful nature. Separated by two big rivers, Volga river and Oka River, it is located on the east side of Moscow, Russia.
The uptown part of the town is called Nagornaya and the downtown is called Zarechnaya, while the local residents simply call these “uptown” verhnaya and “downtown” nizhnyaya. While uptown mainly are kremlin, museum, and other historical place, the downtown are some industrial districts.
History
When you want to have a calm and peaceful holiday in Russia, go and find yourself lost in a historical city of Nizhny Novgorod. Although it’s considered small city compare with the two capital city, exploring it would always amaze you. However, there is a long background history behind its now so called metropolitan city. A long time ago, before 20th century, the city is a very well known as a trading merchant city centre, a place where you can find all kinds of stuffs, whether it is served local trading or international trading. Then it comes to the time of Soviet industrial era, when Nizhny Novgorod became a hometown of many industrial equipments. The city industrial products include ships, machinery and automobiles. As for this reason, the city is closed and just opened again in the 90s.
Going through such long historical background, the glory is still remaining the same. It is proved by the building from 19th of merchant city era, you can find blocks of wooden houses near the Main fair building which has not changed for centuries. Besides that, you will also discover the historical building of 20th century Soviet era, which is marked by the stalinka block (all similar Soviet apartment buildings) filled with babushkas.
Markets
Travelling is not complete without shopping. Thus, you can not miss the shopping experience once you are in Nizhny Novgorod. There are many large shopping centers and some huge malls along with modern supermarkets which provide everything the tourist wants. While some tourist prefer modern trade center, the other still find it interesting to buy the thing they want in traditional local market. Here are some popular markets you should visit when you are in Nizhny Novgorod:
This was actually a former historical market place and has been closed for a long period. Until it was once restored at 1991, this place then functioned as the center of modern exhibition. Many international events, local or international fairs and exhibition are held in this site. A yamarka itself has something closest with fair. For years it became the attractions for tourist who went there, whether it is for admiring the culture or for doing for some business since it belong to the cultural market. Those who are eager to visit cultural fair, Nizhegorodskaya should be on your list.
2. Bolshaya Pokrovskaya Street
Often called as “the Arbat of Nizhny Novgorod”, this street is really suitable for tourist pedestrian to explore city and enjoy window shopping since the street is full of cafes, restaurants and lovely local souvenirs shop. This street is remarkable by the authentic atmosphere of well preserved building –along with the history- and the evening street performance by street musicians. Besides, the tourist can shop what souvenirs they want along the street while stop at the café nearby to please their hunger. So have you decided to write this on your list? Keep exploring and feed your curiosity.
3. “Zhar-ptitsa” shopping center
Located in Sovetskaya Square, it is belong to the most modern market in the city. The one stop place which integrated all the visitors need; including shopping center, travel agencies, fitness center, entertainment center and games center. Besides all that facilities, you still can buy the fresh fruits and vegetables for instance: tomatoes, avocados and basil.
4. Second hand shop in Moskosvy train station
For you vintage lovers, I really suggest you to come visit this place. This is a place where Nizhny Novgorod fashionistas gather and reveal their secret fashion. What makes you surprise is the way of their selling system. To make it clear, they sell their stuff by weight, not per items. So here you can buy clothing, footwear, hats, even books all together in once payment. The price depends on the scale of your picked stuff. Wow, amazing right. There is a saying just like finding a gem in a bunch of a trash. So it also depends of the availability of shop stocks and your fashions sense.
5. Nizhegorodskaya Starina on Beketova Street
This is much recommended for those books addict. It is popular market for its secondhand books. This place offers various range of books, from history of past until contemporary books with cheaper price. And if you are lucky, you can have small discussion with the owner shop Oleg Ryab. Enjoy a good day there.
For your information, this market is not available daily, but it is only held once a week, especially on weekend. A popular flea market in the city, which has became attractive place for many locals and also foreigner tourists looking for antique stuffs. Here you can find lots of vintage items, like imperial roubles, coins and kopecks. There are also household utensils, retro posters, old books, porcelain etc from the 70s and 80s era. It’s the best place to collect unique vintage Russian stuff, right?
7. Art crafts
Despite its huge store, the Art crafts actually belong to branded shop. This shop location is on Bolshaya Pokrovskaya Street, the heaven of every pedestrian. It provides a wide range selection of almost everything you need with the best reasonable prices, so don’t be worry much. When you still have time and money, don’t hesitate to go shopping here.