What to see in Vladikavkaz
Hospitable residents, delicious food, and wide rivers... Yes, these could be Kazan attractions, but today we'll talk about North Ossetia, the best places in Vladikavkaz and its surroundings that you can visit on vacation. Let's go!
How to get to Vladikavkaz
Let's start with the fastest option — by plane. Buy a ticket on Kupi.com for a flight to Vladikavkaz (the flight takes three hours) or (the flight lasts four hours). The distance from the airport to the city is 25 km. You can cover it by bus 126A in 40 minutes or by taxi. Local taxi drivers will be waiting for you at the airport exit. The price for the trip will vary — from minimal to fantastic. If you like to bargain, this is an opportunity to show your skills.
You can also travel by land. By train , it takes from 36 hours, — from 46 hours. By bus — from 20 hours, — from 30 hours.
Where to stay in Vladikavkaz
We share a small selection of accommodation in the capital of Alania.
Hostels
Prices for hostels start from 800 rubles per night. The coziest rooms near the city center can be found at Pillow, Rock Hostel, and Amici.
Three-star and above
Prices per night start from 2,000 rubles. We suggest staying at the following hotels: Amran, Sova, Moskva.
Four-star and above
If you like to relax comfortably, be prepared to pay from 8,000 rubles per night. Book a room at the Vladikavkaz or Alexandrovsky Hotel.
Attractions
Mukhtarov Mosque, or Sunni Mosque
This mosque on the left bank of the Terek was built between 1905 and 1908 with money from believers who greatly needed it. Later, they sought funds from patrons in Baku. Today, this building of white Baku limestone in Egyptian style with pure gold trim can be seen at Kotsueva St., 62.
Kosta Khetagurov Park
Kosta Khetagurov Park, named after the founder of Ossetian literature, is considered the best in the North Caucasus. This park with two terraces is now listed in the register of botanical natural monuments of North Ossetia. For those who love extreme sensations, we recommend riding the attractions here. Afterward, stroll along the ponds and relax in the shade of the trees. The park is located on Prospekt Mira.
M. S. Tuganov Art Museum
The Tuganov Art Museum is a place for those who cannot imagine their trip without cultural recreation. It was founded in 1939. It exhibits works by Ossetian and Russian artists of the 18th–19th centuries. Visiting here, you will see paintings by Karl Bryullov, Ilya Repin, Ivan Shishkin, Martiros Saryan, and Kosta Khetagurov. Yes, Kosta was a good writer and also an artist. He worked in the genres of fresco and easel painting. Tickets are available on the museum's official website.
St. George's Cathedral
St. George's Cathedral was built on the site of an old cemetery. From afar, you might not recognize it as Orthodox: there are four minarets at the corners, and a Byzantine dome adorns the center. Once inside, be prepared to be awestruck by its beauty — high arches, bright walls, and icons painted in a modern style. The cathedral is located at Barbashova St., 38.
Terek River Embankment
“The Terek howls, wild and malicious…” — Mikhail Lermontov wrote about this turbulent river. However, it can only be seen like that in mountainous areas. Strolling along the embankment in Vladikavkaz, you will discover a more romantic scene: flower beds, a picturesque panorama of the Caucasus Mountains, smiling skaters and cyclists passing by. By the way, an interesting fact: the bridge over the Terek was originally cast iron, made in England. It has now been replaced with a reinforced concrete one, but the name remains the same. That's how it is!
Tram Bridge
This bridge over the Terek was built in 1903. Previously, one could cross to the other side of the river by both tram and on foot. After some time, tram traffic was suspended, and now the Tram Bridge is in critical condition. Even pedestrian movement is prohibited on it. So just take a photo against the backdrop of this monument of engineering art and continue your walk.
Vladikavkaz History Museum
Passing by the red-brick Art Nouveau building on Revolyutsii Street, 61, be sure to step inside. The Vladikavkaz History Museum is located here. On two floors, there are exhibits on the history of the revolutionary period, the Civil War, and the Great Patriotic War. In addition, you can see collections of national costumes and furniture. Creative and literary evenings are also often held here.
Vladikavkaz Zoo
At Kosta Avenue, 24 in Vladikavkaz, there is a small but cozy zoo. This location is a must-visit for those traveling with children. It is home to lions, camels, owls, and owlets, and there is also a terrarium. Some animals may even be allowed to be petted under the supervision of a trainer.
What to see in the surroundings of Vladikavkaz
Now let's explore the surroundings of Vladikavkaz. Spoiler: we've gathered the most interesting and picturesque places that you definitely need to visit if you decide to travel to Vladikavkaz.
Table Mountain
Table Mountain is a symbol of two regions at once: North Ossetia and Ingushetia. It is even depicted on the coat of arms of Vladikavkaz. Climbing Table Mountain, which is 2,993 m high, is quite a challenging activity and suitable for more experienced climbers. However, if you want to try your luck, it's better to drive to the village of Beini in Ingushetia — there's a route available for beginners.
City of the Dead
40 km from Vladikavkaz, in the Dargavs Valley, lies a famous tourist attraction — the "City of the Dead." It consists of 95 ancient crypts of two types: semi-underground with large capacity and above-ground tower-type with multiple tiers. Burials here date from approximately the 14th century to the mid-19th century.
The place will definitely appeal to those who like to pause and reflect on eternity. However, let's immediately clarify an important nuance: tourists who take photos with the contents of the crypts are not welcome here. Therefore, please treat the culture with respect.
Khetag's Grove
Khetag's Grove is a relict forest of almost perfectly round shape, which is a sacred place for Ossetians. It is said that prayers uttered here carry special weight (unless you intend evil against others). The grove is named after the son of a Kabardian prince who refused to convert to Islam. Khetag tried to escape from relatives who were angry with him for his refusal. Then a voice from above told him to hide in the forest. Since the prince did not have time to reach the forest, the forest came to him. According to legend, this voice from above belonged to Saint George.
Alania National Park
Perhaps one of the best locations for mountain recreation is Alania National Park. You can get here via the only mountain road in the Urukh River valley through the Akhsinta Canyon. However, such a seemingly difficult trip is worth it: the picturesque Donisar Lake, the majestic Karaugom Glacier, and the Fasnal pine forest. These are not all the attractions of Alania National Park. But as they say, it's better to see it once than to hear about how great this place is a hundred times. Come visit, in short!
Tsamad Village
Tsamad village is considered one of the oldest in Alania. It is located at an altitude of about 1,000 m above sea level. No one lives here anymore: only the ruins of the ancient family tower of the Cherchesov family and high-mountain eagles visiting Tsamad remain. Although in the 1860s, about 1,500 residents lived here. Ossetians themselves believe that their ancestors originated from these areas of the republic. The views of the mountain landscapes from here are also impressive.
Excursions
The main excursions in Vladikavkaz are conducted in two directions: visiting the mountainous regions of Alania or trips to neighboring regions. Of course, city tours can also be arranged for you — they are usually the cheapest of all.
The most popular mountain excursions:
- visiting the main gorges of North Ossetia: Dargavs, Koban, Digor;
- a trip to the Tagauria and Kurtatia regions, where you can see the Gusarinsky waterfall and the "City of the Dead";
- a tour to the Tsey Gorge. People mainly come here for the Rekom sanctuary, and in winter — for skiing.
Trips to other regions (and even countries):
- trips to mountainous Ingushetia. Impressive places await you, but be prepared for the journey to take about eight hours;
- an excursion to Tbilisi. A bit more expensive and a bit longer than a trip to Ingushetia, but you'll visit Georgia. Just be sure to bring your international passport;
- multi-day author's tours around Ossetia, Ingushetia, and Chechnya. Of course, this trip will cost you a pretty penny, but you'll have something to remember!
We recommend the following place to visit — check out Stavropol Krai. We recently shared our top places, what to see in Mineralnye Vody and its surroundings. Believe us, you'll definitely like it, and it's only about a four-hour bus ride from Vladikavkaz.
We wish you a great trip to Vladikavkaz!
