Ulyanovsk
Russia · Europe
About Ulyanovsk
Ulyanovsk, known as Simbirsk until 1924, is a city and the administrative center of Ulyanovsk Oblast, Russia, located on the Volga River 705 kilometers (438 mi) east of Moscow. Ulyanovsk has been the only Russian UNESCO City of Literature since 2015.
The city was the birthplace of Vladimir Lenin (born Ulyanov), for whom it was renamed after his death in 1924; and of Alexander Kerensky, the leader of the Russian Provisional Government which Lenin overthrew during the October Revolution of 1917. It is also famous for its writers such as Ivan Goncharov, Nikolay Yazykov and Nikolay Karamzin, and for painters such as Arkady Plastov and Nikas Safronov.
Simbirsk was founded in 1648 by the boyar Bogdan Khitrovo. The fort of "Simbirsk" (alternatively "Sinbirsk") was strategically placed on a hill on the western bank of the Volga River. The fort was meant to protect the eastern frontier of the Tsardom of Russia from the nomadic tribes and to establish a permanent royal presence in the area.
In 1668, Simbirsk withstood a month-long siege by a 20,000-strong army led by rebel Cossack commander Stenka Razin. Also in Simbirsk another country rebel, Yemelyan Pugachev, was imprisoned...
Ulyanovsk travel guide
Getting there
By boat During summer there are boats from Kazan, Samara and other destinations on the Volga River.
By plane Ulyanovsk has two airports. Ulyanovsk-Tsentral'niy or Barataevka (Ульяновск-Центральный/Баратаевка) is a regular domestic airport that serves UTAir and RusLine flights to Moscow. Ulyanovsk-Vostochniy has been constructed as an experimental airfield for testing new aircraft (its runway is more than 5 km long!) Now it is converted into another passenger airport and may also cater to international flights (that do not exist, though). Flight Airlines (Russian: Полёт) operates flights to Moscow.
By train The train takes you here from Moscow (from Kazanskaya train station) in approximately 16 hours or from Volgograd in about 20 hours. Ulyanovsk Main Station is located 6 km from the city center.
1 Ulyanovsk Central railway station (Ульяновск-Центральный). (updated May 2021)
Getting around
Ulyanovsk has an extensive public transportation network that includes buses, trolleys, and trams. It is very affordable, but congested and may be quite confusing. You won't find any route maps or schedules, neither at bus stops nor in buses. Fee collectors usually don't speak English. Express buses and semi-private van routes are more comfortable and more expensive. Taxis are not expensive, and that's your best bet if you want to get somewhere (relatively) quickly, in (relative) comfort (almost all cars are old Russian ladas or over 10 year old non-Russian cars), and without much hassle. They are also most likely to have English speaking drivers (one in 1000) and superloud Russian pop music. Getting between the banks of the Volga is a problem. There is a two lane bridge connecting the banks and it's nearly always congested, so if you're unlucky, it can take a couple of hours. Most locals avoid going over the bridge if they can. A four-lane bridge was planned to relieve these problems.
See
As the home town of Lenin, it's worth visiting the Lenin Memorial Centre and Gardens and museums based in his former houses. There is also a museum dedicated to the poet 'Goncharov' and the war memorial at the end of the main street 'Ulitsa Goncharova' offers breathtaking views over the Volga.
Do
In winter, try cross-country skiing along the Sviaga river, in summer take a boat ride over the reservoir.
Buy
The city's main shopping centre 'Tsum' is basic to say the least but does offer some basic shopping.
Eat
Shpinat, Ulitsa Kirova, 79 (in Rakurs Hotel), ☏ +7 842 258-53-41. An upscale restaurant with small portions but big on presentation if that appeals to you. (updated Feb 2021) Gonzo, Ulitsa Goncharova, 48+7 842 244-44-22 (across from Hilton Garden Inn), ☏ +7 842 244-44-22. Lots of tasty Russian dishes, particularly heavy on meat. (updated Feb 2021) Veprevo Koleno, Ulitsa Federatsii, 11, ☏ +7 951 094-51-15. featuring Czech food and beer. (updated Feb 2021) Gallery Restaurant, Ulitsa Goncharova, 25 (inside Radisson Hotel), ☏ +7 8422 41-74-71. 09:30-02:00. Buffet breakfast, lunch, and dinner featuring Russian and international items. Lobby Bar, ul. Goncharova 25, ground floor (inside Radisson Hotel). 09:30-02:00. Quick bites.
Sleep
Budget
Mid-range Hotel Europe, Moskovskoye Shosse, 100 А, ☏ +7 800 550 26 67, [email protected]. Small hotel in European style. 1695 руб. Hotel Oktyabrskaya, Ulitsa Plekhanova, д. 1, ☏ +7 8422 42-12-65, fax: +7 (8422) 31-47-19, [email protected]. — This 3-star hotel (54 rooms) is in the city center, close to the Kuybyshev reservoir (river Volga). 1253 руб. Gostinitsa "Venets", ul. Spasskaya 19/9, ☏ +7 8422 44-18-80 - 44-18-70, fax: +7 (8422) 44-15-67, [email protected]. Check-out: 12:00. — This 3-star hotel (263 rooms) is opposite the Lenin Memorial Centre and is more lively than hotel Oktyabrskaya. 1474 руб.
Splurge Imperial Club Deluxe, ul. Alexandrovskaya 60, ☏ +7 8422 240-240. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Sits on its own lake and has indoor pool and rich creamy soup at the restaurant for when you get hungry. 3242 руб.
Go next
The capital of Tatarstan, Kazan, is a stunning city just 7 hours train ride from Ulyanovsk.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.