What to see in Ryazan

If you're looking for new experiences without the tiresome routine of international travel, head to Ryazan — a city just 200 km . What to see and do in Ryazan — we tell you in this article.

Why you should visit Ryazan

Ryazan is one of Russia's oldest cities, full of attractions: museums, monuments, churches, and monasteries. The city is compact, and the center is comfortable for walking: Shchedrin and Pochotovaya streets, and Lybedsky Boulevard are ideal for this. And although Ryazan is small and cozy, it is quite developed in terms of tourist infrastructure. Moreover, the city is part of the Great Golden Ring of Russia — it's like a standard list, but a bit broader.

You can quickly visit Ryazan for a weekend trip or other cities. Here, for example, is a ready-made express route : take flights to Moscow, and in the capital, take a bus or train to Ryazan. A couple of hours — and you're there.

Main Attractions of Ryazan

Ryazan Kremlin

The Kremlin is one of the must-visit places. It is as important a part of Ryazan as it is in Moscow. The city's history began in the 11th century with this, then wooden, defensive structure. And to this day, the Assumption Cathedral of the Ryazan Kremlin remains the main symbol of the city. The cathedral, by the way, was built twice: the first time it collapsed before completion due to builders' errors. The second attempt was successfully completed in the early 18th century, when the cathedral was consecrated.

The Ryazan Kremlin is full of interesting structures: the Cathedral Bell Tower, for example, is still considered one of the tallest buildings in the city — 83.2 meters. Prince Oleg's Palace on the Kremlin grounds functions as a museum: stop by to see where the princely court once stood.

Ryazan Embankment

After the Kremlin, head to explore what's interesting in Ryazan by the Trubezh River, on which the city stands — if you don't feel like walking, river cruises start right here. The embankment stretches along the bank near the Kremlin — a great chance to see the landmark from the water.

Monument to Prince Oleg

A monument to Prince Oleg of Ryazan is erected on Cathedral Square — he sits on a horse with a sword and in armor. It was created by the famous sculptor Zurab Tsereteli. The prince is highly revered here: under Oleg, the Ryazan principality flourished, despite the internecine strife prevalent in Rus' at the time, so he is even depicted on the city's coat of arms.

Monument to Evpaty Kolovrat

Evpaty Kolovrat is a hero of local tales and legends. According to folklore, he single-handedly defeated the Mongol army of Khan Batu. In his honor, a monument was erected to Kolovrat: the hero sits astride a horse. Yes, heroes on horseback are loved in Ryazan.

Church of the Savior on Yar

The Transfiguration Church on the bank of the Trubezh has preserved its ancient Russian appearance and is still active today. The stone church is crowned with five domes and adorned with carved platbands. Nearby is a monument to Sergei Yesenin — so monumental that the poet's arm span is eight meters.

Museums

I.P. Pavlov Museum-Estate

Among ideas of what to see in the Moscow region, estates always stand out: for example, in Ryazan, there is the I. P. Pavlov Museum-Estate — a biologist and a native of the city. The place has functioned as a museum since the mid-20th century. Many household items, two houses, a bathhouse, and a garden have been preserved here. The exhibition is dedicated to both the daily life of the scientist and his family, as well as his scientific works. 

Gingerbread Gallery

The Ryazan Gingerbread Gallery is ideal for family outings: in addition to a tour and a lecture on the role of baking among different peoples, they offer tastings and master classes on making and decorating gingerbread. You can also grab sweet treats for gifts here.

Ryazan Lollipop Museum

If you're choosing what to see in Ryazan in one day — head to the Lollipop Museum. The exhibition tells about the appearance of sugar and the development of sugar production in Ryazan, about the first sweets and the famous cockerels on a stick. As a bonus — a tasting, and master classes are also held where you can make a lollipop yourself. 

Art Museum

The museum is over 100 years old, and within its walls are 12,000 exhibits, including works by Aivazovsky, Serov, Kandinsky, and Vrubel. The core of the collection consists of engravings by Ivan Pozhalostin, who spent his last years in Ryazan.

Museum of Travelers

Another interesting option if you're wondering what to do in Ryazan: for everyone who loves to travel the world, the city has prepared a themed location. The exhibition at the Museum of Travelers tells about the discovery of Alaska, the history of navigation, and natives of Ryazan: geographer P. P. Semyonov-Tyan-Shansky, V. M. Golovnin, A. P. Avinov.

Beautiful Places in Ryazan Oblast

Konstantinovo

Just 40 kilometers from Ryazan — and you are in the Sergei Yesenin Museum-Reserve. The complex has been operating here since the 70s of the last century: it includes the house where the poet was born and lived — many personal belongings have been preserved inside, as well as the zemstvo school where Yesenin studied, a tea house, a carriage yard, and the priest's house.

Entertainment Complex "In a Certain Kingdom"

Just 13 kilometers from Ryazan — and you're as if in another world. The "In a Certain Kingdom" complex even has its own currency and laws. Rubles can be exchanged for local money at the entrance, and then used to pay for all services and entertainment inside. There are bathhouses, a zoo, restaurants, and a rope park — there's something for both adults and children to do.

Kasimov City

Kasimov is separated from Ryazan by 65 kilometers. The town was founded in the 12th century — the attractions here are mainly historical. Traces of the Suzdal Principality and the Kasimov Khanate have been preserved — go for a walk to admire Tatar shops, old houses, and churches.

Meshchyorsky National Park

Meshchyorsky Park, frankly speaking, is huge — it occupies over 100 thousand hectares, making it a good option for what to see in Ryazan in two days. Inside, there are over 850 plant species, 50 mammal species, and 170 bird species, many of which are listed in the Red Book. There are also burial grounds of ancient tribes, dating back to the first millennium AD.

Where to go with children

Water Park "Gorki"

Children will definitely appreciate this option of where to go in Ryazan. The water park operates all year round: there are swimming pools, bathhouses, saunas, and play areas for children and adults. There are both extreme steep slides and shallow "paddling pools," animators work for toddlers, and after a busy program, you can grab a bite at the cafe.

"Zabava" Fairy Tale Museum

The museum's name refers to Prince Vladimir's niece — Zabava, and the exhibition tells about epic poems and fairy tales. Theatrical performances and master classes are held for children, and animators give out gifts. 

Self-guided one-day itinerary in Ryazan

Let's see where to walk in Ryazan to get the most impressions. Fortunately, Ryazan is compact, and moving around won't take much time. 

We recommend starting your route from the Ryazan Kremlin — from there you can walk to the Trubezhnaya Embankment. After that — to the Church of the Savior on Yar and the Yesenin monument. Then, go for a stroll along the colorful central streets among carved wooden houses and green trees. Visit Shchedrin Street — where writer M. E. Saltykov-Shchedrin once lived, and the local Arbat — the pedestrian Lybedsky Boulevard and Pochotovaya Street. From here, it's convenient to go see the monument to Evpaty Kolovrat and the Art Museum.

Tours

Pre-planned tours allow you to cover all the attractions of Ryazan that can be seen in one day. Here are a few ideas:

• "Ancient Temples of Ryazan" — about the Kremlin, temples within and beyond its walls;
• "Ancient Rus' Ryazan" — a classic route through key locations;
• "Ryazan Love Stories" — about famous people of the city — Yesenin, Saltykov-Shchedrin, Paustovsky, and their personal lives.

Where to stay

Choose accommodation in the center to walk around and not worry about transport: stay on Griboedov, Lenin, Yesenin, or Sobornaya streets. Both budget hostels and higher-level hotels are available for tourists, where you can splurge. In the center, for example, are the four-star "Old Town" and "AMAKS Congress Hotel."

Where to eat

Let's figure out where you can grab a snack or a full meal and relax after walks in Ryazan:

• tea houses in the Lollipop Museum and Yesenin Museum;
• "Coffee Kult" — stop by for coffee and wood-fired pizza;
• "Khoroshie Ruki. Myaso" (Good Hands. Meat) — head here for ribs and shashlik, "Khoroshie Ruki. Ryba" (Good Hands. Fish) — this is the place for fish dishes;
• gastrobar "Est" (There Is), restaurant "Buffet", cafe "Grafin" — they serve Russian cuisine and traditional Ryazan dishes with a modern twist.

Tips for Tourists

• Plan your trip for the warm season. At this time, the city's charm is complemented by green trees and blooming flowers.
• If you're going for one day, it's worth taking a leisurely stroll around the city and focusing on attractions within Ryazan. If you have two days or more, there will be enough time to explore tourist locations in the surrounding areas.
• To make sure you don't miss anything, hire a guide and take author's tours.
• While in museums, don't forget about souvenirs: Yesenin's collections and lollipops are usually brought from Ryazan.

Now you know how to spend a few days in Ryazan as richly and beneficially as possible. After Ryazan, you can continue exploring the cities of the Golden Ring, for example, find out what to see in Kostroma, or go with friends to explore the Moscow region.

Have a great trip!