Discover Krasnoyarsk: the Yenisei, history and trails

Krasnoyarsk combines city history and art with experiences on the Yenisei and a distinctive staircase leading up to the Torgashinsky Ridge. The seasons also change the way the city looks: the river promenade is used for walks and active recreation in summer and is also a popular place in winter. This makes it easy to tailor your stay to your interests in culture, water and activity.

City history and culture

The octagonal Paraskeva Pyatnitsa Chapel has stood on Karaulnaya Hill since the mid-19th century. The triumphal arch complex marks a different historical connection: it stands on the site of a fort founded by Cossacks, which was the beginning of the city. The two structures reflect different chapters in Krasnoyarsk’s history—one through its long presence on the hill, the other through the city’s origins.

The National Center opened on the banks of the Yenisei in 2025. Its permanent exhibition, “The Energy of People – The Energy of the Krasnoyarsk Region,” introduces visitors to the region’s industry, nature, innovative technologies and businesses. The center also includes a children’s center and a cinema. The stated weekly schedule has it open Tuesday through Sunday and closed on Monday; check the hours before your visit, as operations may change. Art offers another activity: the halls of an art museum in Krasnoyarsk host more than 20 exhibitions each year, although the future program may vary.

The Yenisei, river promenade and Torgashinsky Ridge

In summer, short sightseeing trips by boat are available on the Yenisei; tickets can be purchased at the river terminal. As the current schedule is not confirmed, it is worth checking departure times before your visit. The river promenade offers a different view of the river: it is used for walks and active recreation in summer and is also a popular place in winter.

The staircase to the summit of the Torgashinsky Ridge is a distinctive destination for active days. It is 1,200 meters long and has 1,683 steps. Rest areas are located at both ends, and the railings are illuminated at dusk. Its length, number of steps and two rest areas give the climb a clearly defined scale, without specifying a walking time.

The “Malenky Tatyshev” children’s playground on Tatyshev Island features oversized play structures. These include a structure that visitors can enter and a duck they can sit on. This offers a different way to spend time than visiting an art museum or walking by the river: here, the unusually large play structures themselves are the main attraction.

Krasnoyarsk Region: nature and museum life

The wider destination of Krasnoyarsk Region offers additional, distinct themes. The Shushenskoye Museum Reserve presents a Siberian village from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, during the Russian Empire. Its 194 architectural monuments of rural life include farmhouses, a merchant’s shop, a blacksmith’s workshop and a prison fort. The architectural and ethnographic complex “Novaya Derevnya,” with a natural and landscape park, also opened on the grounds in 2011.

The museum reserve’s programs introduce visitors to the traditions and customs of the past and immerse them in peasant life. They include tasting peasant dishes, getting a first look at traditional crafts, and taking part in games, customs and festivals. Overview tours take place daily and do not require advance booking; check whether this offer is available before your trip.

Krasnoyarskie Stolby National Park is another distinct natural attraction in Krasnoyarsk Region. It is considered the region’s oldest and most visited national park. Its rock formations have individual names, including Vorobushki, Kitayskaya Stenka, Takmak, Ded, Babka and Vnuchka. At the eastern entrance, a granite quarry forms a picturesque stone amphitheater; it also offers a view of the Takmak rock massif. Several named rock formations can be reached from the eastern entrance in almost any weather. The main routes are marked and can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a full day; the “Krasnoyarsky Khayking” mobile app makes it easier to find your way.

To get to the eastern entrance, take bus No. 37 to the “Stolby (Vostochny Vkhod)” stop. From there, an access road of about one kilometer leads to the park entrance; it is unpaved. Bus routes and service may change, so check the details locally or before setting out.

Ergaki Nature Park lies in the south of Krasnoyarsk Region. Summer activities include hiking and horseback riding; in winter, the snow-covered slopes attract skiers and snowboarders, as well as people going on snowmobile tours and snowshoe hikes. The Putorana Sapadnik offers a different type of landscape: it includes the Putorana Plateau, with table mountains 1,000 to 1,500 meters above sea level, canyon-like basins of tectonic lakes and numerous waterfalls.

When looking for a holiday apartment, it helps to first decide on your main focus: city culture and experiences on the Yenisei in Krasnoyarsk, or an itinerary centered on individual nature and museum destinations in Krasnoyarsk Region. For regional destinations, plan for the season and the relevant transport connections separately.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Norilsk, Beret' , Dubinino, Drokino, Minusinsk, Ovsyanka, Parnaya, Minderla.

Go to the main travel overview: Krasnoyarsk Region.