Yekaterinburg

Good to know

1. 1The city was founded in 1723 and named after Catherine I, the wife of Peter the Great. From 1924 to 1991 it was called Sverdlovsk, and you still see that name in the region's title and on older things.
2. 2It sits on the eastern side of the Ural Mountains, close to the traditional line between Europe and Asia. Obelisks outside the city mark that border, and visitors often make a short trip to stand with one foot on each side.
3. 3Nicholas II, the last Russian tsar, and his family were killed here in 1918. The Church on the Blood now stands on the site of the house where it happened.
4. 4The city has an unusual collection of Constructivist buildings from the 1920s and 1930s, with blocky, geometric shapes you do not find in many other places.
5. 5Boris Yeltsin, the first president of Russia, built his career in this region, and the city has a large museum and centre dedicated to him.
6. 6Yekaterinburg keeps its own time, two hours ahead of Moscow. People speak Russian and signs use the Cyrillic alphabet, with the rouble as the currency.

Tips for a first visit

• Follow the Red Line, a stripe painted along the pavement that links many of the central sights. It is an easy way to see the old centre without a plan.
• Try pelmeni, the filled dumplings that the Urals are well known for. Many local cafes serve them with sour cream, butter or vinegar.
• Learn to read the Cyrillic letters before you arrive, and keep an offline translation app on your phone. It makes menus, street signs and transport stops far easier.
• The city has only one metro line, so trams, buses and taxis will take you to many places the metro does not reach. A ride-hailing app is often the simplest choice.
• If you are invited into someone's home, take your shoes off at the door and bring a small gift such as sweets or flowers.
• In winter wear layers, a proper hat and boots with a good grip, because pavements can be icy for weeks.

When to go

Winters are long, cold and snowy, with a lot of snow and short days, and they suit people who enjoy a proper frozen city. Summers are short but warm and green, which makes them the easiest time for walking and day trips. Late spring and early autumn can be changeable, though early autumn often brings clear days and golden trees.

From the airport

The main airport is Koltsovo, southeast of the city. Most people take a taxi or a ride-hailing car, or a bus or minibus into the centre, and the trip usually takes about half an hour to an hour depending on traffic. Once in town you can use trams, trolleybuses, buses and the single metro line, and the central sights are close enough to walk between.