20 best excursions in Kaliningrad

Excursions around Kaliningrad and the region are an opportunity to get acquainted with an amazing corner of Russia. Rich history, architectural monuments, military buildings, real open-air museums – all this for those who are interested in the past. Amazing natural landscapes, poetic dunes, the inimitable Curonian Spit will captivate adults and children. And during the excursions you can hear ancient legends, taste delicious smoked fish with beer, buy amber jewelry. Go?

City tour

It is with this program that it is best to start acquaintance with the city. If you are in Kaliningrad for a short time, you will still get a basic idea of ​​​​it and see the most interesting. If you are planning to spend a vacation here, a sightseeing walk will help you orient yourself and understand which of the sights you will later want to see in more detail. Tourists will see one of the forts, and visually imagine what kind of global work was behind the construction of such fortifications.

They will also visit the fortress of Frederick the Great, take pictures of the bastions, visit the Royal Gate. Of great interest is a visit to the Fish Village, where time seems to turn back. And of course, you will hear organ music in the Cathedral, appreciate the Brandenburg Gate, stand on the Three Marshals Square.

Walk in search of Koenigsberg

It is possible to see ancient Koenigsberg through the features of modern Kaliningrad. And the journey will be exciting. Tourists will see how the nobility and ordinary citizens lived in the past centuries. Where they comprehended sciences, were treated, worked and walked. For example, at the “Gate of the Three Kings” there were richly decorated tenement houses. It will be possible to see the layout of the apartments of those residents of the city who did not have to worry about money.

There was also an area in Koenigsberg where shelters and hospitals for the poor were located. To some extent, the tradition has been preserved. Here you can still get free meals from the Catholic community. Tourists will also look at the city gates, which still remember Emperor Peter the Great, see the Fire Station, built at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The elegant “Dollhouse” will always remain in your memory, like a guest from the past. “Royal Street”, fortifications, old photographs – in a word, this tour is distinguished by a rare richness of information.

To the Curonian Spit through forts and castles

During this trip, tourists will see a lot. Kaliningrad is separated from the Curonian Spit 25 km. On the way, tourists will look at Fort No. 3, walk along its underground passage, and hear numerous legends associated with this place. You will also have to visit Nesselbeck Castle, which will make you remember the Middle Ages. Here you can drink beer and have a snack, and if you're lucky, you can see “knightly fights”. The next stop will be at the Museum of Soviet military equipment – mostly tanks.

And finally, the Kursk Spit. Here, tourists will visit the museum of the reserve of the same name, an ornithological station, where they will see the process of ringing birds. They will stop by for a bite to eat in a cafe in the village of Rybachye – amazingly delicious fish dishes are prepared here. Next in the program is a visit to the “Dancing Forest”, trees that have a bizarre shape grow here. And finally, you will see the dune of Efa, whose height exceeds 62 m, it once swallowed up the whole castle. The view from the dune is breathtaking.

National Park “Curonian Spit”

This journey will take a whole day, but the trip is worth it. First you will hear a story about the defensive lines of the old Königsberg. Then the guide will tell you about the history of Zelenogradsk. Well, then you will find a story about the Curonian Spit itself – its flora and fauna. The narrowest point is located near the village of Lesnoye. Here you can admire beautiful landscapes. Employees of the ornithological station will conduct an excursion for tourists, tell and show how birds ring.

Since the trip lasts several hours, tourists will definitely want to have a bite to eat. You can do this in one of the cafes in Rybachy village, where they serve amazingly delicious smoked fish. Another stop will be near the “Dancing Forest”, which resembles a fairy tale come to life, you will see such amazing trees here. And from the height of the dune, you can enjoy the enchanting panorama of the sea and the bay.

Further program depends on the weather. In the summer, in the warm season, you can swim. If the weather is cold, it is raining, the guide will offer to visit the Museum of the Kursk Spit with a large number of exhibits. The road will also not be boring. You will hear many fairy tales born in these places, and on the way back you will stop by the beautiful Neselbek Castle.

Mosaic of coastal cities

The most famous cities of the Kaliningrad seashore are Baltiysk, Svetlogorsk and Yantarny. Each of them is distinguished by its own peculiar beauty. Harsh Baltiysk is the city of the navy. This tradition originates from the era of the king of Sweden. And now warships are based here. And here you can also see the monument to Peter the Great, feed the swans.

About what the best masters of Amber are doing, it is clear from the name of the city. You can see how amber is mined, processed, buy souvenirs and jewelry with a “sun stone”. Or even try to find amber on the seashore.

Svetlogorsk is a famous resort, very beautiful, with many attractions. Among them are Goering's hunting lodge, a water tower of remarkable beauty, and a magnificent embankment. You can spend the evening in Svetlogorsk, have dinner in one of the local restaurants. Or go to see the museum “Fort No. 5”, and then return to the city.

Curonian Spit for children and adults

Designed for both adults and young tourists. You will see the most interesting objects of the Curonian Spit, hear fairy tales and legends associated with these places. Anyone who is fond of photography will be able to take pictures of rare beauty here. You will walk along the roads that knights and kings walked, find out who the “crow biters” are, and maybe believe that trees have a soul.

Tales of Hoffmann are connected with the Curonian Spit, in Zelenogradsk there is a pond of the turtle Tortilla. If you wish, you can visit a real cat museum, which bears the funny name “Murarium”. You will remember the singing sands and poetic dunes for a long time. If you are lucky, you will meet animals that live on the spit – for example, deer or foxes. For lunch, smoked flounder awaits you.

Museum-apartment of 1912 – a living history of the city

A very interesting and unusual museum was opened relatively recently, in 2014. But since the construction of the house where it is located, a whole century has passed. The family of the merchant Gustav Grossman once lived in the apartment where the museum is located. And the tourists are given the opportunity to get acquainted with the life of the people who lived at that time. All exhibits collected here are genuine.

You can sit on a chair, play the piano, light a lamp… And it is interesting for tourists to look around the bedroom of the merchant's wife – to see the mistress's dresses, underwear, toilet accessories. The guide will tell you how people lived at that time, what rules they followed in everyday life.

Koenigsberg-Kaliningrad history through the ages

It will start at the Kaliningrad Hotel. The guide will tell you about the history of Paradnaya Square, you will drive along Leninsky Prospekt, hear rare legends associated with the extraction of amber. Then it will be the turn of acquaintance with the theatrical art of the city, and the most famous sculptural compositions of Kaliningrad. You will learn that the spirit of Queen Louise still lives in the Puppet Theater.

Further, the guide will offer to see the military fortifications that have been preserved in Kaliningrad since the 19th century, and will take you to have a bite to eat in the Fish Village. Then you will go to the grave of Kant, and you will also see the pride of Kaliningrad – the Cathedral in the Gothic style. And finally, you will learn how to prepare “amber vodka”, which has healing properties.

Romantic walks in the mysterious city

One of the most romantic excursions that Kaliningrad has to offer. It will begin with the guide's story about the legendary she-wolf Gerra. You will walk along the Bridge of Lovers, see a narrow street of the Middle Ages, see what the Masonic signs look like. Near the zoo you have to meet a bear. Then you will admire the sculptures installed in the city even before the war.

Kaliningrad has its own Sherwood Forest, reminiscent of Robin Hood. And the architecture of other parts of the city is best described by the expression “frozen in stone music.” This will be followed by a walk in the vicinity of Lake Poplavok. Tourists will also see the defensive structures of the city, and at the end of the program, climb the Astronomical Hill. The journey will end with stories about ghosts living in the Royal Castle.

Royal resorts of Zemland

That is how the peninsula, surrounded by water on all sides, was called before. Here were the resorts Kranz (Zelenogradsk) and Raushen (Svetlogorsk), which the nobility liked to visit. The guide will tell you the legends associated with these lovely towns. In Zelenogradsk you will walk around the city, get acquainted with its architecture, try the local mineral water.

Svetlogorsk resembles a botanical garden. Since the time of the Prussian king, rare plants have been planted here. And the elegant local houses seem fabulous. The walk will end in a cafe on the seashore. By agreement with the guide, the program can include medical procedures and special master classes for children.

Journey in the style of “Safari” in the Kaliningrad region

“Where the infantry will not pass” is sung in a popular song. But the jeep will go everywhere. You will be able to visit places that are difficult to reach by ordinary car. These are the ruins of ancient castles and fortresses, abandoned noble estates. Here you can fully experience the indescribable atmosphere of the Baltic States. You can choose different destinations for your trip. For example, go to the Baltic Spit. During the trip, you will see the ruins of the castles of Fischhausen and Lochstedt, the “Tree of War”, an observation tower, Fort Shtile and much more.

Or you would prefer to go along the “Green Path” and see Zelenogradsk, windmills, mineral water springs, visit Cape Taran, see the old quarry where amber was mined. It will be interesting to get acquainted with fortifications, to see the ruins of a castle that belonged to the Teutonic Order, a trip to the Curonian Spit or the Masurian Canals, where it was planned to test Wehrmacht submarines.

Yantarny and Svetlogorsk

A pleasant excursion that will not tire you, but will give you a lot of impressions. From Kaliningrad you will head to the small town of Yantarny. There is also something to see along the way. Picturesque nests of storks, ruins of ancient churches… Then you will see an amber quarry and an amber pyramid. Visit the beautiful Becker Park and the observation deck overlooking the Baltic Sea.

The next stop will be in Svetlogorsk. A very green and beautiful town with quiet streets, a magnificent water tower, and an elegant embankment. There are a lot of souvenir shops where you can buy amber crafts, and a cafe where it's so nice to sit over a cup of coffee in conclusion.

Amalienau is the atmosphere of Old Königsberg

The Amalienau area is the living history of the city. You have to walk along the cobbled streets and see houses that belong on old postcards. You will be surprised by trees and shrubs unusual for the Baltic Sea coast. In Amalienau you can see beech and walnut, jasmine and ginkgo. You can admire the work of the architect Heimann. It was also once where the last witch in the area was executed.

Tourists will also have to go along the roads where Queen Louise liked to walk, who is especially revered in these parts. She did a lot for her people during the war with Napoleon. The queen's church has been preserved.

It will be interesting for tourists to learn about the peculiarities of Prussian cuisine. For example, who can tell what the legendary bed bugs are? And how delicious the local marzipan is, the recipes of which have been carefully preserved since the 13th century! The most interesting dishes can be tasted and appreciated.

Epochs of Kaliningrad – a look into the past

What Koenigsberg used to be like and how it changed during the Soviet development – you will learn about all this during the tour. It will start on the island of Kant. You will see the grave of a famous scientist and philosopher, see the Cathedral. You will see the defensive structures of the city, its bastions. Of great interest is the Bunker Museum, where the surrender of Koenigsberg was signed.

At the end you will see a very interesting area of ​​Amalienau, where the old meets the modern. You can ask the guide the most pressing questions for tourists regarding Kaliningrad. He will talk about the best museums and exhibitions, cafes and shops. He will advise where else to go to get the most complete picture of the Kaliningrad region.

In the footsteps of the Amber Room

You will learn many mystical and mysterious stories. The starting point is the Kalinin Park, before the war it was called Luizenval. The guide will begin his story with the story of the queen's mystical necklace. The road to the coast of the Baltic Sea will take about 40 minutes. During this time, you will see the old church, and stop to drink coffee.

Then you have to visit the “Amber Castle”, where there is even a torture chamber. You will walk along the wooden embankment, look into the church, walk along the alleys of the old park and along the seashore, where you can easily find amber. You will see the Anna mine, it is possible that the Amber Room is hidden somewhere here. You can dine at the Galera restaurant, and you should stop by the nearby shops to buy amber products, including handmade ones.

A walk through time – old and new Kaliningrad

The multifaceted image of Kaliningrad will unfold before you. The times of knights and the legacy of the Soviet era – here you can see cultural monuments of different eras. The first thing you will see is the foundation of the Royal Castle under the glass sarcophagus. Once upon a time, pagans lived on this place, then the castle itself was erected. He remembered knights and kings, Emperor Peter the Great visited here, the best wine was stored in the cellars here.

It was planned that, destroyed in the middle of the 20th century, the castle would overshadow the new House of Soviets, but it was never completed. Then you will walk along the promenade along the lake, visit the island of Kant, where you can hear organ music every day in the Cathedral, bow to the grave of the great philosopher. It will end in the Fish Village, with its picturesque houses. Here you can go shopping where they sell amber souvenirs, and sit in a cafe.

Knight's Castles of East Prussia

Pagans once lived on those lands where the Kaliningrad region is now located, then knights came here, these places remember the Napoleonic campaign, the First and Second World Wars. First of all, this tour is for those who love history. You will see the ancient regions of East Prussia, visit the place where the ancients made sacrifices, look at 7 knight's castles. Find out where the battles took place, look at the former German towns – now Gvardeysk and Chernyakhovsk.

It's no secret that a lot was irretrievably lost, and most of the castles were left in ruins. But photographs have been preserved, and touching the ruins of the Middle Ages, you can feel the harsh spirit of that time.

History of Koenigsberg and Kaliningrad

A three-hour walk will be led by a German-speaking guide who is an employee of the Amber Museum. Therefore, “immersion in the topic” will be complete, and the story will be very interesting. First, tourists will visit the island of Kant. Together with a guide, they will visit the grave of the philosopher, see the Cathedral, where the largest organ in Europe is located. Then you can see the defensive fortifications, feel their power.

In the Amalienau area, houses that are typical of German architecture of the early 20th century have been preserved. Many famous people lived here, and you will hear a detailed story about them. The tower, which previously belonged to Count Dona, today houses the Amber Museum, and even earlier this tower was part of the defensive system.

But it is impossible not to get acquainted with modern Kaliningrad. You will visit the city center, look at its port and ships, slowly walk along the embankment. The guide will tell you about the ships that have gone down in history. Of course, you will learn about how amber is mined and processed in the Kaliningrad region. Hear the legends associated with the “solar stone” We will also talk about the parks of Kaliningrad, about the well-thought-out system of planting greenery in the city, thanks to which Kaliningrad looks so impressive.

And, of course, you can ask the guide any questions related to the city. After all, it is quite possible that this program will become only the main point for you, and you will want to get to know the sights of Kaliningrad and the region in more detail.

Private sightseeing tour

European cities, founded, like Königsberg in the Middle Ages, usually have a vast and beautiful historical center. Unfortunately, due to the bombings during World War II, most of the old German buildings were destroyed. But even what remains will allow you to get an idea of ​​how Kaliningrad once looked. The rest will complement the detailed story of the guide.

Tourists will be able to see the city gates, bastions, the fortress, see the old churches, appreciate the picturesque view of the Fish Village. Visit Kant's grave on the island of Kneiphof. The Cathedral will enchant them with its Gothic architecture. It will end in a restaurant located in one of the defensive structures.

The most western cities of Russia

It will start with a visit to the westernmost point of Russia – the city of Baltiysk, where you will see warships – both in the port and in the roadstead. You will walk along a long pier, take a picture of an ancient fort of an unusual shape, visit the city beach. Then you will go to the city of Yantarny. Nowhere in the world is there such a quantity of “sun stone” as here. In addition, in the city you can see the church and the castle, a very beautiful park, take a walk along the wooden promenade. And the beaches in Yantarny are as wide as anywhere else in the Kaliningrad region.

Of course, tourists will take a walk through the amber plant and visit the amber pyramid. And, of course, if you have been planning to buy souvenirs or jewelry made of amber for a long time, it is best to do it here. You can stop for lunch at a place of your choice. For example, in the restaurant “Galera” or in one of the cozy cafes, where the food is delicious at home.

A shorter version assumes that it will end on the shores of the Baltic Sea, at the highest point in the region, from where a marvelous view of the sea surface opens up. But you can also extend the trip, visit Svetlogorsk, see the sights of this poetic town, and have dinner in the local cafe.

It is very convenient to order individual (designed for 1-10 people) excursions. At a very reasonable cost, you can agree on all the details with the guide. The time and place of departure will be exactly what you consider convenient. It is easy to adjust the program – make the trip longer or shorter, deviate from the planned route and visit additional objects that are of interest to you.

The guide takes into account the age of the tourists (he will definitely come up with something interesting for children), your wishes regarding rest, lunch, the end of the trip. Please note that during the high season it is advisable to book excursions in advance.