Makhachkala
Russia · Europe
About Makhachkala
Makhachkala, previously known as Petrovskoye (1844–1857) and Port-Petrovsk (1857–1921), or by the local Kumyk name of Anji, is the capital and largest city of Dagestan, Russia. The city is located on the Caspian Sea, covering an area of 468.13 square kilometres (180.75 square miles), with a population of over 623,254 residents, while the urban agglomeration covers over 3,712 square kilometres (1,433 square miles), with a population of roughly 1 million residents. Makhachkala is the fourth-largest city in the Caucasus, the largest city in the North Caucasus and the North Caucasian Federal District, as well as the third-largest city on the Caspian Sea, after Baku and Rasht. The city is extremely ethnically diverse, with a minor ethnic Russian population.
The city's historic predecessor is the port town of Anji (Andzhi), which was located in Kumykia, and which was a part of the possessions of the Tarki state, the capital of Kumyks known from the 8th century.
The city was named Petrovskoye after Peter the Great. After gaining city status in 1857, the Petrovskoye fortress was renamed Petrovsk-Port. After the Russian Revolution, Petrovsk-Port was renamed Makhachkala on May 14, 1921, after Bolshevik revolutionary Makhach Dakhadaev. On the same day, it became capital of the newly formed Dagestan ASSR. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the city became the capital of the Republic of Dagestan.
Makhachkala is an important economic, educational, scientific, and cultural centre of the North Caucasus. The city is a major Russian seaport on the Caspian Sea, and a transport hub. It is one of the fastest-growing cities in Russia, and is currently going through a construction boom.
Makhachkala travel guide
Getting there
A daily train service from Moscow is available, taking two nights. Long-distance connections with Novosibirsk and Saint Petersburg among others are 1-2 times each week. Trains heading to and from Baku also call here.
1 Makhachkala railway station, ul. V. Emirova, 10. (updated Sep 2019)
See
1 Natsional'nyy Muzey Respubliki Dagestan Im. A. Takho-Godi (Национальный музей Республики Дагестан им. А. Тахо-Годи), Ulitsa Daniyalova A. D., 33, ☏ +7 988 292-90-12. 10:00-18:00, closed M. Dagestan history museum, with guns and paintings and taxidermy and other fun stuff. (updated Jan 2021) 2 Grand Mosque of Makhachkala, Ulitsa Dakhadayeva, 136, ☏ +7 964 007-74-22. open sunrise to sundown usually. Financed by Turkey and completed in 1998, it is made in the likeness of Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul and is the premier mosque of Dagestan and landmark of Makhachkala. (updated Jan 2021) Anzhi Makhachkala, the local football club.
Do
1 Gorodskoy Plyazh. Beach for walking or possibly dipping a toe in if you don't mind a little debris in the water sometimes. (updated Jan 2021) 2 City Beach. Another beach, where you can potentially unwind and buy a fritter or two. (updated Jan 2021) 3 Tarki-Tau (approach thru township of Tarki southwest of Makhachkala via secondary roads). A promontory affording views of Makhachkala that can be attained via hiking (or driving) if security concerns permit. (updated Jan 2021) 4 Dagestan Russian Drama Theater (Дагестанский государственный Русский Драматический Театр им. М. Горького), Prospekt Rasula Gamzatova, 38, ☏ +7 872 267 73 75. A city landmark and fine place for repertory. (updated Jan 2021)
Buy
1 7 Kontinent (7 КОНТИНЕНТ), Ulitsa Yaragskogo, 30, ☏ +7 872 260 00 32. 09ː00-23ː00. A full shopping mall for all your shopping urges. (updated Jan 2021)
Eat
1 Pirosmani, Ulitsa Pushkina, 3, ☏ +7 963 411 32 32. Daily 12:00-00:00. Upscale dining featuring Georgian cuisine. (updated Jan 2021) 2 Kazan-Mangal (Казан-Мангал), Ulitsa Korkmasova, 33А, ☏ +7 988 292 55 95. Daily 09ː00-23ː00. Caucasian/Georgian cuisine (aubergine, lamb, etc), some English speaking waiters. Subdued ambience. (updated Jan 2021) 3 Ресторан "Номер 1", Ulitsa Batyraya, 11 (2nd floor Grand Plaza Business Center), ☏ +7 988 649 70 70. M-Sa 09:00-00:00, Su 13:00-00:00. Khan barbeque, kabobs, soup, pumpkin dessert in a warm environment. (updated Jan 2021)
Sleep
1 Хостел House (House Hostel), Portovoye Shosse 5, ☏ +7 967 177 77 94. New, clean, and economical beachfront hostel. US$5. (updated Jan 2021) 2 Маяк, Ulitsa Magidova, д. 36. Another hostel that is fairly clean and spacious, although a bit hard to find. US$7. (updated Oct 2021) 3 Khostel Cherdak, Ulitsa Ushakova, 6и (close to Merkuriy shopping mall), ☏ +7 928 055-12-82. Hostel with berths/bunks along the walls that will make you feel like you're a sailor. Maybe learn some Russian while you are getting acquainted with your roommates. US$16. (updated Jan 2021) 4 Gostinitsa "Tsentral'naya" Korpus 2, Ulitsa Daniyalova A. D., 68, ☏ +7 928 809-41-04. Low-key urban hotel with free breakfast and wifi. US$22. (updated Jan 2021)
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA). Photography via Wikimedia Commons.