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To Irkutsk
Travelling to Irkutsk
Just a breath away from the mysterious landscapes of the mythical Lake Baikal, the capital of Eastern Siberia attracts many visitors.
From a small Russian gold and fur trading base, Irkutsk was transformed over the centuries into a historic city and rich urban, industrial centre.
As a place of exile of the Decembrists, it acquired its unrivalled cultural and spiritual glamour in the 19th century, while its spectacular architectural heritage has been preserved untouched until today.
Its historic centre is like a fairy-tale scene, composed of majestic baroque churches, grand aristocratic mansions, and an open-air museum of Siberian wood architecture. Take a stroll along the atmospheric riverside promenade, with the cafes on the bank along the length of Gagarin Boulevard. Admire the astonishingly poetic statues that adorn its squares and visit its beautiful museums. The authenticity and nobility of Rudolf Nureyev’s birthplace will enchant you.
Find the best deals on flights to Irkutsk on Olympic Air’s site and discover the ‘’Paris of Siberia’’, an elegant and romantic city on the banks of the serene River Angara.
Things to do in Irkutsk
Stroll through the captivating 130th District (130 Kvartal), a historic area in the city centre. Admire the restored wooden buildings of former traders from the 19th century, now housing shops, restaurants and museums.
Stroll along Dekabrskikh Sobytiy, Babushkina and Zhelyabov streets, the only place in the world where you can admire unique examples of Siberia’s wooden ‘’lace’’ architecture. Don’t miss the famous Europe House (1907) trimmed with intricately carved fretwork, also known as the ‘’lace house’’ and a symbol of the city.
Admire Irkutsk’s imposing baroque churches including the Church of the Saviour (Spasskaya Church, 1706), the oldest stone building in Siberia with exquisite paintings on its outer walls, and the Cathedral of the Epiphany (Bogoyavlensky Cathedral, 1718), a wonderful example of Siberian baroque.
Irkutsk owes its cultural glamour to the select members of the Decembrists, who transformed their place of exile into a fine cultural centre of the 19th century. Learn all about their history and lives with a visit to the imposing museum-houses of the revolutionary aristocrats Volkonsky and Trubetskoy.
Don’t miss visiting the stunning Sukachev Art Museum, one of the oldest art museums in Russia. Admire major works of Russian and European painting (17th – 20th century) as well as superb examples of Tibetan Buddhist paintings (thangkas).
Day trips from Irkutsk
Lake Baikal, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a natural wonder that you should not miss. Take the Trans-Siberian Railway to the lakeside village of Slyudyanka and board the legendary Circum-Baikal Railway which ends at Port Baikal. You will enjoy a breath-taking 94-km ride along the shoreline, through the rich vegetation of the Russian taiga with stops at rare architectural, natural and cultural monuments in the area.
Visit beautiful Arshan spa village at the foot of the Sayah mountains, which, in addition to its mineral waters, is also known for its small Buddhist temple Buryat (Datsan).
Take a boat to Olkhon island and admire its unrivalled natural beauty. It is the largest of the 22 islands on Baikal Lake and has been the sacred centre of the Shamans in the northern hemisphere for centuries. According to the legend, it is the site of Ghengis Khan’s tomb.
Shopping in Irkutsk
Go to Karl Marx Street, the city’s main shopping street, to find international design brands as well as specialist shops selling local goods.
Take a stroll along the wonderful pedestrian Uritsky Street, where, in among the pretty historic buildings, you can find some of the best-known European clothes and accessories labels.
Discover typical Siberian souvenirs, such as ethnic wood-carved and varnished decorative boxes, fur hats, wooden boxes made of birch, and the wonderful stakan glasses.
Don’t leave Irkutsk without having bought a pair of kamusi, otherwise known as unty, the characteristic winter boots of the Siberian natives, made of reindeer fur with different ethnic motifs.
You must definitely visit Irkutsk’s colourful central market, where the locals love to stop daily. You can find everything here, from smoked meat and honey, to homemade vodka, herbs from the Baikal taiga, and excellent tinned caviar. Take a tour through the clothes and jewellery shops of the small vendors from every corner of Siberia, and you will be sure to dig out some exceptional bargains.
End your shopping expedition with a visit to one of the city’s numerous shopping centres, such as the popular Irkutsk Shopping Centre or the trendy Modny Kvartal.
Food and Entertainment in Irkutsk
The meat, game and fish of Lake Baikal are the main ingredients of the local cuisine, accompanied by the vegetables and fruits of the Siberian taiga. A favourite speciality is omul (a kind of Baikal salmon), which is served in two ways: Saguday (raw omul with salt, pepper and lemon) and skewered omul (cooked on an open flame).
Try also buhler (a traditional soup of the Buryat and Mongols, made with lamb, spring onions and edible roots, Gruzinchiki (fried rolls filled with finely-chopped fish and onions), a salad made from fern sprouts and wild garlic.
Don’t leave Irkutsk without having visited a “pose cafe” to try the most famous delicacy of the Buryat, poses or buuzy (a type of steamed Russian ravioli with lamb, beef or pork filling). The locals love to eat it with sour cream, soya sauce or mustard.
Most of the places for food and entertainment in Irkutsk are located on Karl Marx Street (from restaurants to exotic nightclubs), the pedestrian Uritsky Street, as well as the atmospheric riverside promenade beneath Gagarin Boulevard, with many cafés and restaurants along the banks.
The city’s fashionable youth prefer the new district of 130 Kvartal, packed with pubs and bars.
Transport from the airport to Irkutsk
You can get to the centre from the airport in about 30 minutes by trolley bus (no. 4) or one of the buses nos. 80, 480, 42. Alternatively, you can take minibus no. 20 or 61.
Romantic and elegant Irkutsk is an ideal all-year-round destination. If you are brave enough to face the harsh Siberian cold, dog-sledding across frozen lake Baikal will be an unforgettable experience. Book a flight to Irkutsk with Olympic Air and enjoy an unforgettable fairy-tale experience in the heart of Asiatic Russia.