Vyborg: attractions, accommodation and souvenirs

Table of contents

• How to get to Vyborg
• Where to stay
• What sights of Vyborg to visit
• Where else to go
• What to bring

Vyborg is a small town located 120 kilometers northwest of St. Petersburg. The main thing that attracts tourists here is a combination of medieval European architecture and northern nature. But first things first.

How to get to Vyborg

Easiest get there to him by train from St. Petersburg, which departs from Finland Station. Travel time on a regular electric train is 2 hours 15 minutes. On the Lastochka, you will spend only 1 hour 15 minutes on the road, and the ticket in the summer of 2023 will cost at 393 rubles.

You can also get to Vyborg by bus number 850 from the St. Petersburg metro station "Parnas" or by car. Travel time is about 2.5 hours.

Where to stay

Majority tourists arrives in Vyborg during the white nights - from mid-May to mid-July. During this time, house prices are on the rise.

Late spring - early summer take off a one-room apartment in the old town is possible for 2,200–2,300 rubles per day. Studios in the center surrender a little cheaper - from 2,000 rubles. It is worth checking in advance whether it is possible to take with you pets. And if this option is approved, get ready for the fact that the rent will increase.

Those who wish to rent a hotel room can stay in the retro hotel "At the pretzel factory". It is located in the historical part of the city. Price per day - from 5,300 rubles for two. Popular with tourists and hotel "Northern Crown". It is located in the geographical center of Vyborg, next to the park of culture and recreation. The cost of a double room here is lower - from 2,300 rubles. Places in the high season in all popular hotels should be booked in advance.

You can also stay in Vyborg hostels. For example, a day in Linna Hostel, located in the old town 800 meters from the sea, for two adult tourists will be cost from 1,200 rubles. And again a warning: book your seats in advance, otherwise it will turn out that everything is occupied.

What sights of Vyborg to see

Lots of options. You can try apps from this collectionto create your own route. We used the hints of the Yandex neural network YandexGPT, which is available in the application "Yandex - with Alice». To do this, you need to launch a voice assistant and say: “Alice, let's think of it,” and then ask her to make a trip plan.

The application has another useful feature: a smart camera. If you see a beautiful tower or an old building while walking around the city, you can simply point the camera at them and learn more.

Vyborg Castle

Address: Castle Island, 1.

Main symbol The city is located in the very center, on Zamkovy Island. This fortress was built by the Swedes in 1293. Swedish militia soldiers landed on a small Karelian island, laid a castle on it and called it Vyborg. This word is translated as "holy fortress". Swedish army led Thorgils Knutsson, and he is considered the founder of both the Vyborg castle and the whole city.

Inside the fortress you will find many old brick and stone buildingswhich are very popular with tourists. These are Olaf's Tower, East and South Bastions, Paradise Tower, Arsenals, wine cellars and warehouses.

Entrance to Castle Island is free. But to get into a museum or an exhibition, you need purchase tickets. Their cost is from 150 to 500 rubles for Russian citizens.

Mon Repos Park

This is a huge park. area over 160 hectares. It consists of two parts: park and forest park. The first is surrounded by a fence, and animals are not allowed there.

Mon Repos is located on the coast of the Baltic Sea, in Zashchitnaya Bay. This is a landscape park with many granite rocks, ledges and huge boulders. The combination of wild nature and graceful architectural structures attracts tourists almost all year round.

Here you can see architectural monuments: the main manor house and the library wing, the Ludwigsburg Chapel, the column of the Two emperors, erected in honor of Paul I and Alexander I, the snow-white pavilion "Temple of Neptune" and other interesting buildings and attractions. For tourists are held historical excursions.

No less interesting is the nature of the park. Among its miraculous monuments there is a massive Stone of the Chinese Umbrella and a Falling Stone - a huge boulder that supposedly saves a thin birch from falling. Attract attention photographers and tall pine trees of unusual shape, and a man-made orchard. Guests can go on excursions to the distant cliffs or walk along eco-route along the coast.

Mon Repos is open for residents and guests of Vyborg almost all year round. The only period when visiting the park area is prohibited is April. The entrance ticket for an adult costs 200 rubles. Excursions - from 3,500 rubles for one guest and from 400 for an organized group. How to order them can be found at official website parka.

Town Hall Tower

Address: st. Vyborgskaya, 13A.

One of attractions Vyborg, which tourists certainly strive to see. A rectangular stone structure with a pointed roof in the form of a pyramid was built in 1475. This tower was built with the money of the townspeople, which were collected by the town hall - hence the name.

The structure remained from the citadel that surrounded and protected medieval Vyborg. From the second half of the 17th century, it became a church bell tower, and today a museum is located here. Children from 10 years old can come to the tower. But animals are not allowed here. The entrance ticket costs 150 rubles, it can be purchase through the Internet.

Square of the Old Town Hall

It is located at the intersection of Krepostnaya Street and the Northern Wall.

Contrary to the name, the square is not located next to the Town Hall tower. This small space is located near the embankment and the entrance to the Fortress Bridge, along which you can walk to the Vyborg Castle.

On the square stands the "Bronze Knight" on a granite pedestal. This is the name of the monument to Thorgils Knutsson, the founder of Vyborg. It was installed in 1908 and is considered one of the symbols of the city. Behind the back knight is the building of the old town hall.

knight's house

Address: st. Vodnoy Zastava, d. 4.

At the beginning of the 17th century, this stone building was residential merchant's house. Then there was a Franciscan monastery school. And later - a Catholic parish, known as the Church of St. Hyacinth.

Today it is a well-known landmark of Vyborg and a museum where you can see expositions called "Knight's Hall" and "Torture Chamber". Ticket prices start from 200 rubles. Can be done in advance purchase them on the site.

Clock tower

Address: st. Fortress, d. 5.

The tower, built in 1494, was originally a bell tower. In 1660, a clock was installed on it. In 1796 here by decree Catherine II the alarm bell appeared. And also - a new clockwork that controlled it. Since then, the bell has been ringing every hour.

The clock, which tourists and residents of the city can see every day on the tower, was installed in 1848. And so far, they're doing just fine.

There are guided tours in the tower every hour. Tickets can only be purchased online. It costs from 300 rubles and is valid strictly at the time indicated on it. children You can come on excursions from the age of 12.

Where else to go in Vyborg

You can just wander the streets of the old city, visit an exhibition or attend an interesting master class.

Festival "Medieval Days in Vyborg"

Historical festivals are regularly held on the territory of the Vyborg Castle. The most famous of them - "Medieval days in Vyborg" - takes place annually.

Here you can see the armor and weapons of past centuries, as well as watch military maneuvers, participate in folk festivals, visit historical fair. And also - to visit a real knight's tournament.

Usually the festival takes place in the second half of August, the exact dates become known in early summer.

Alvar Aalto Library

Address: pr. Suvorova, d. 4.

It was built according to the project of the famous Finnish architect Alvar Aalto in 1935. This is a unique working library, created functionalist architectural style. It is distinguished by unique interiors created according to the principles of free space. As well as a specially designed system lighting. There are guided tours, ticket costs 250 rubles.

Exhibition Center Hermitage-Vyborg

Address: st. Ladanova, d. 1.

There are expositions dedicated to Italian painting of the Baroque era, French and Italian art, Flemish artists. They feature exhibits from the collections of the State Hermitage.

The art gallery hosts exhibitions of contemporary painting, arts and crafts, photography, and sculpture. The works of Vyborg artists are presented, Petersburg, Finland, other countries.

Details of exhibitions and expositions can be found at official website exhibition center.

Manor Burger

Address: st. Progonnaya, 7A.

This medieval stone building is a former residential building. Perhaps there were once workshops and warehouses here, simple food was prepared in the kitchen, and artisans rested in the living rooms. Or maybe merchants with not the highest income - the names of the owners and residents of the estate have not been preserved.

Today, a small exhibition hall is open here, and tourists can book a tour. Here you can buy various city souvenirs.

Round Tower

Address: Market Square, building 1.

This is another battle tower - the surviving part medieval fortresses. It was built in 1547-1550. The unofficial name is “fat Catherine”.

The tower stands on the edge of a large market square. Nearby is the building of the Central Market. And inside the attraction is a restaurant.

Forest park zone of Mon Repos

The forest part of Mon Repos, which we talked about above, is wild thickets and granite rocks on the coast. Anyone can come here at any time. With the beginning of summer, you can often see tourist tents on the coast, and rock climbers on granite ledges who train throughout the warm season.

Local residents say that it is better to visit the forested area in summer, starting from the first decade of June. By this time, the earth has time to dry out, and you can safely walk through the forest or set up tents.

What to bring from Vyborg

Pretzels

They were prepared in Vyborg in the Middle Ages. Unusual for Russian bakers were added to pretzels spices - mint, cardamom, cloves, cumin, and other spices. And today this pastry is loved by both locals and tourists. Pretzels can be bought at numerous coffee shops in the city. But they say that they are very tasty in the Burger's Manor and in the "Goodies Shop" on Krepostnaya, 3.

Clothing and textiles

In the market next to the Round Tower, interesting linen clothes are sold. Weaving traditions were well known to local craftsmen and are still followed today. On the Central market you can buy bags, toys, home textiles and clothes with interesting prints.

Decorations

For many centuries, traditional Finnish and Karelian jewelry has been made in Vyborg. Today, local craftsmen also make earrings, bracelets, pendants and other items very similar to those found here by archaeologists. For souvenirs, you should go to the "Masters' Shop" on Progonnaya Street, 1 and to the "Red Foot Shop" on Krasnoarmeyskaya, 11.

Amulet or souvenir from Vyborg Castle

The castle hosts master classes in pottery and blacksmithing. You can forge or mold an interesting amulet-decoration on them, take it as a keepsake or bring it as a gift.

Can be DIY and others souvenirs. For example, forge an original shoehorn or an elegant metal rose. Or make a small jug or vase on a potter's wheel.