Location: Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
Top Things to do in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
Top Restaurants in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
The 10 Best Things to Do in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky (Russian: Петропа́вловск-Камча́тский) is a city and the administrative, industrial, scientific, and cultural center of Kamchatka Krai, Russia. Population: 179,780 (2010 Census); 198,028 (2002 Census); 268,747 (1989 Census).
Restaurants in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
1. Volcano Mutnovsky
Overall Ratings
5 based on 147 reviews
Reviewed By Andrew M
Mutnovsky is one of the most accessible of the many volcanoes on Kamchatka. It is located in the Yuzhno-Kamchatsky Nature Park and is accessible all year. The name Mutnovsky, translated into english, is "the cloudy", which relates to the unpredictable weather in this area.It is 70 kilometers south of PPK, and you will pass through the villages of Yelizov, Nikolayevka,Paratunka and Termalnij. We had planned to trek to the peak of Mutnovsky, but the notoriously bad Kamchatka weather prevented this. We had to be content with a drive on the Glacier and Glacier walk.
Mutnovsky is a little over 2,300 meters tall, and has had major eruptions in the 1940's and 1960. The last eruption was in 2000. The road was rough as expected, but the truck that we traveled in was great, and easily managed the challenges presented by the volcano. Our first stop was at the entrance to the nature reserve, which had three totem poles, and many small piles of rocks that seemed to be a tribute to the mountain. We were used to seeing these piles of rocks as trail markers when trekking on Mountains.The views here of the Glacier and Mountains was good, but the thick fog prevented us from getting great pictures.A short drive from the entrance, the driver had to put "snow chains" on the tyres for the Glacier drive. We drove for almost an hour on the Glacier and stopped quite a few times to walk on the Glacier and take photos. There are quite a few rivers on Mutnovsky, and these make for great photos with the various hills in the background.
At the western end of the north crater, the Vulkannaya river turns into a 80 meter waterfall known as "dangerous canyon" - Russian translation "Ovrag Opasny ". This area is awesome! The views are great and the wind was extremely strong. We had to take great care here when taking photos, as a wrong step would mean a fatal fall in the canyon below. The photos here are worth the trip, even if the weather does not allow a trek on the volcano. We walked the Glacier to an ice cave, and viewed many other interesting formations of the volcano. We were particularly interested in the amount of green vegetation that survived amidst all the ice covering.
When planning a trip to volcanoes in PPK, give yourself at least a week, as the weather may prevent you from going and realistically you may have a maximum of 2 good days per week. We had planned to climb Avachinsky the previous day, and it was cancelled due to the bad weather.We plan to return to PPK, as our time was limited to six days, and the weather was bad throughout. The trip to Mutnovsky is a full day trip, but will be one of the most memorable in PPK.
2. Gorely Volcano
Overall Ratings
5 based on 116 reviews
Reviewed By kenl461 - British Columbia, Canada
One of our stops on our ship's shore excursion was a stop at the Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Petropavlovsk, Kamchatka, Russia. On the back side landing of the Cathedral, we got an amazing view of the Gorely Volcano.
3. Avachinsky Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 154 reviews
Reviewed By Tinde_K - Moscow, Russia
If you can survive the abysmal looks of the bay itself, you will enjoy the rest of the trip throughout the bay immensely. Loads of birdwatching, eating freshly caught crab, Avachinsky Bay boat tour is one of the things one has to do when visiting Kamchatka peninsula. Make sure to dress warmly and pack some food with you, it will be long and cold :)
4. Kamchatka Regional Museum of Local Lore
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 94 reviews
Reviewed By shorexcursions
A really nice, interesting museum. There is a lot to see & there are lots of artifacts spanning the history & culture of the Petrapavlovsk & Kamchatka region. It's a steep walk up an outside path to get to the entrance & when inside its easy to move around. Photos & video are allowed, there is a place to leave your coat & other items, plus there are toilets. The Petrapavlovsk museum is worth a visit.
5. Drama and Comedy Theater
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 63 reviews
Reviewed By faithandhope2live - Canada
Our cruise ship stopped at Avacha Bay. It took half a day to clear customs. Then we took the tender boats to the port of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, it’s not a big town. One side is a residential area, and the other side is a commercial area. At the commercial side, there is Peter & Paul monument, and Lenin Square, a little further down is the theatre. People were standing there for the show or meeting people. I don’t know their language. Otherwise maybe I will get a ticket to enjoy a show.
There are 2 souvenir stores. One is on Leninskaya, on that street we saw a tiny orthodox church there. It's worth to go in for a look. The other souvenir store is on Sovetskaya, that one is bigger. I love their handmade souvenirs; unique and nice.
Happy Travelling!
6. Monument to Peter and Paul
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 63 reviews
Reviewed By DrCraq - Bavaria
I went down on foot to the sea and came across this monument. It wos already evening so there were no bright and clear background, but it still was worth a picture. If you are in the city and have a little time, i recommend a short visit - its quite clear fom pictures what to expect.
7. Memorial complex sopki Nikolskoy
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 60 reviews
Reviewed By ExpatriateInGermany - Stuttgart, Germany
In 1854, the British and the French tried to attack Petropavlovsk. Despite an overwhelming superiority in numbers and in cannon, they were soundly beaten, and the six ships ended up fleeing the area, leaving most of their marines, even the wounded, behind. The Russians treated the wounded and took good care of the rest, while the fallen were buried at this complex (the Brits and the French on the left as you face the chapel, the Russians on the right). Please exercise caution when visiting here - the stairs going up are not in very good shape.
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 39 reviews
Reviewed By bobe2 - Abilene, Texas
Although new construction, the frescoes and paintings were very striking. It's a relative small Cathedral so other than the frescoes and paintings there isn't much to look at. The views of the snow-topped Mountains and volcanoes from walk just outside the main entrance are superb if you're there on a clear day. It has a small gift shop downstairs but it has a very limited collection.
9. Nikolskaya Sopka
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By brahmasmi1974 - Moscow, Russia
It's recommended to visit this place in summer till end of October. Here is very nice view to the bay and sopka Petropavlovskaya. It's good idea to come here to the sunset.
10. Bay Seroglazka
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 51 reviews
Reviewed By cool_alaska - Juneau, Alaska
Not as pretty as Avacha Bay, but still good with nice views. It's the old part of town with many old homes that don't look pretty, but it's the marine line that you go there for, so enjoy it!
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