Irkutsk City

Gate of Baikal

Irkutsk tourism information

A journey to Lake Baikal begins from Irkutsk. You will find all the necessary information for tourists about this city on this page.

A bit of history at the beginning. In 1661 cossacks found a fortress on the bank of a small river Irkut. Here is where the city name came from. The fort was an essential point of supporting Russian troops in the region. After a while, it became a significant military, trading, and cultural center.

Nowadays, the city is in the touristic focus because:

Many Activities

No problems are relaxing after a day full of discovery. Visit a museum, an exhibition, or taste an original Siberian beer.

Location

Irkutsk occupies both banks of the Angara river, 60 kilometers from the Baikal. It is the only big city in the region.

Tourist Infrastructure

It is elementary to reach the city by car, train, or plane. A good infrastructure allows you to visit many other places in the region.

Baikal Natives

The city is the right place to learn about local people’s lifestyles, and culture, both Russian and Buryat.

Local Cuisine

A lot of restaurants and cafes where you can taste the food of Russian and Buryat cuisine.

Tourist Service

Many hotels, hostels, guide tours, tourist equipment stores, and other tourist services.

Бабр Иркутска

A mythic animal Babr — a symbol of Irkutsk

Irkutsk tourism information

A journey to Lake Baikal begins from Irkutsk. On the website, you will find all the necessary information for tourists about this city.

A bit of history at the beginning. In 1661 cossacks found a fortress on the bank of a small river Irkut. Here is where the city name came from. The fortress was an important point of supporting Russian troops in the region. After a while, it became a significant military, trading, and culture center.

Nowadays, the city is in the touristic focus because:

  • Irkutsk occupies both banks of the Angara River, 60 kilometers from the Baikal. Therefore, it is easy to reach the Lake from the town.
  • There are many hotels, hostels, guide tours, tourist equipment stores, and other tourist services.
  • The city is the right place to learn about local people’s lifestyles and culture, both Russian and Buryat people.
  • A good infrastructure allows you to visit from Irkutsk many other tourist places on Baikal.
  • A lot of restaurants and cafes where you can taste the food of Russian and Buryat cuisine.
  • There are no problems to relax after a day full of discovery. Visit a bar to taste Siberian beer or go to any nightclub.
Бабр Иркутска

A mythic animal Babr — a symbol of Irkutsk

Tourist Information Center – visit this place to get more helpful info for your travel

Irkutsk city center touristic areas

Irkutsk tourist areas

The main touristic area in Irkutsk is the city center. International tourists can see the old buildings of the 18th and 19th centuries! Usually, it is enough to spend 1-2 days touring the town center. Besides it, visitors can relax in city parks or try the delicious food of Russian and Buryat cuisines in cafes and restaurants. Of course, every city guest must taste the local delicacy – boozy, which you can order in Buryat cuisine restaurants.

There are seven tourist zones in the city. Main sightseeings are in Karl Marx Street, Lenin Street, Lower Embankment, and District 130.
Gagarin avenue is an excellent place for walking and a landing point for ship tours. Island Youth is a popular place to do sport or rest after a workday.
The Central Market is where you can take a bus to Baikal.

Please read the detailed description of the areas below.

Irkutsk tourist areas

The main touristic area in Irkutsk is the city center. International tourists can see there the old buildings of the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries! Usually, it is enough to spend 1-2 days touring the town center. Besides it, visitors can relax in city parks, or try the delicious food of Russian and Buryat cuisines in cafes and restaurants. Every guest of the city must taste the local delicacy – boozy, which you can order in Buryat cuisine restaurants.

There are seven tourist zones in the city. Main sightseeings are in Karl Marx Street, Lenin Street, Lower Embankment, and Gagarin Avenue zones.
The Central Market is interesting as a place you can take a bus to go to Baikal from.
Don’t forget to visit Island Youth to see how Irkutsk citizens spend their free time!

Please read the detailed description of the zones below.

Irkutsk city center touristic areas


Entering an orthodox temple, women must cover heads with a shawl

Irkutsk attractions

A short description of city touristic areas:

Karl Marx Street is the main street of the city. It is maybe the longest street in the town center. However, to go through it from start to finish, you need about 40 minutes.
During the walk, you see many cafes and restaurants of Buryat and Russian cuisine as well as the 18-19 centuries old-style buildings. Also, on the street, tourists can see the following attractions: Art Theatre, Local History Museum, Irkutsk Drama Theatre, Monument to Emperor Alexander III, as well as the monument to you! Yes, to you personally! Monument to a Tourist!
Karl Marx street is in the heart of the city. Therefore, visiting the other exciting places is very convenient – the 130 Kvartal, the island Youth, or the Central Market.

A district is an excellent place for tourists. We especially recommend this place to foreign visitors of the city. Here, they can see some of the most popular Irkutsk attractions like Krestovozdvizhenskaya Church and Babr monument.
Furthermore, Irkutsk’s guests will see city sights and the restored buildings of Irkutsk of 18-19 centuries. In addition, there are many pubs, restaurants of Buryat and Russian cuisine, cafes, and souvenir shops.

The island may be the most popular place for family rest among Irkutsk citizens. Here are green grass, big trees, fresh air, and plenty of different services: Ferris wheel, renting a catamaran, bicycle, roller skates, and many other activities.
We recommend you visit island Youth to see how Irkutsk citizens spend their free time. And don’t forget bread to feed ducks!

Here, the city guests can look at Eternal Flame – Monument to the soldiers who fought in the Great Patriotic War (this is how we call the World War II).
Have a walk along the Angara river, look at Moscow Gates, visit the Cathedral of Epiphany, Spassky Church, and enjoy organ music in the Polish Catholic Church.
The Embankment links with Lenin Street, so keep discovering the city in this direction.

It is one of the oldest streets in Irkutsk. Lenin street is famous for the beautiful architecture of 18th-century buildings and the Irkutsk Art gallery.
As you can see on the map, Lenin Street is not large. So, it takes about 20 minutes to go from 130 District through Lenin street to the Lower Embankment by foot.
An essential part of Lenin Street is Kirov’s Square. It is a great place to have a rest after a walk. Sometimes, citizens and city guests can see exhibitions or performances in the square on weekends. Moreover, there is a special place for international guests — Tourist Information Center. You can buy maps, souvenirs, ask questions, and take advice from English-speaking staff. Kirov’s square is located very close to Lower Embankment, so you can continue your walk to see more Irkutsk attractions.

Gagarin Avenue takes its name after the famous Soviet cosmonaut, the first man in space – Yuri Gagarin. It stretched along the bank of the Angara River. You can take a leisurely walk from the bridge leading from the train station to the island Youth through the avenue.
There are several hotels and hostels on Gagarin Avenue and a large store of tourist equipment. Along with that, this place is interesting for tourists because of dock “Gagarin Avenue.” Passengers take ferries for ferry trips around the Angara River. While waiting for the ferry, you can sit in the shade of trees or nearby cafes. When the time comes to the board, the ferry will emit a loud beep.
There are not many monuments or attractions on Gagarin Avenue. It’s just a nice place to walk on a warm summer evening.

Central Market is a vital part of Irkutsk. You can visit this place and learn more about the city residents and how they live. But, honestly, international tourists will not find anything interesting there, except fresh and cheap food.
However, the Central market is an important part not only of Irkutsk but your travel also! The market is the starting point of many routes on Baikal.
From here, you can get Listvyanka, Slyudyanka, Baikalsk city, Ust-Orda, Taltsy, etc. It is comfortable and straightforward to go to these places from the market bus stop. We have noted the bus stop location on the “Irkutsk Map.”
For example, suppose you want to go to Listvyanka. In that case, you need to go to the market, find a big parking lot (it is elementary), and sit in a minibus with the inscription “Listvyanka” (“Листвянка” in Russian). Have a good travel!

Irkutsk attractions

A short description of city touristic areas:

Karl Marx Street is the main street of the city. It is maybe the longest street in the town center. However, to go through it from start to finish, you need about 40 minutes.

During the walk, you see many cafes and restaurants of Buryat and Russian cuisine as well as the 18-19 centuries old-style buildings. Also, on the street, tourists can see the following attractions: Art Theatre, Local History Museum, Irkutsk Drama Theatre, Monument to Emperor Alexander III, as well as the monument to you! Yes, to you personally! Monument to a Tourist!

Karl Marx street is in the heart of the city. Therefore, visiting the other exciting places is very convenient – the 130 Kvartal, the island Youth, or the Central Market.

Click an image to see its description

A district is an excellent place for tourists. We especially recommend this place to foreign visitors of the city. They can see here some of the most popular Irkutsk attractions like Krestovozdvizhenskaya Church and Babr monument.

Irkutsk’s guests will see here not only city sights but also the restored buildings of Irkutsk of 18-19 centuries. There are many pubs, restaurants of Buryat and Russian cuisine, cafes, and souvenir shops.

Click an image to see its description

And here you have enjoyed the architecture of the city and inspired by its individuality and Siberian spirit.

Now it’s time to feel like an ordinary resident of Irkutsk. The workweek finished, and all you need now is green grass, big trees, and fresh air. Irkutsk citizens choose a small island Youth as an excellent place to rest after a workday. Join them!

On the island, you can rent a bicycle or roller skates and use Ferris Wheel or catamaran. Oh, don’t forget bread to feed ducks!

Click an image to see its description

Here, the city guests can look at Eternal Flame – Monument to the soldiers who fought in the Great Patriotic War, this is how we call the World War II.

Having a walk along the Angara river, look at Moscow Gates, visit the Cathedral of Epiphany, Spassky Church, and enjoying organ music in the Roman Catholic Church.

The Embankment links with Lenin Street, so keep discovering the city in this direction.

Click an image to see its description

Lenin Street is famous for the beautiful architecture of 18th-century buildings. It is one of the oldest streets in Irkutsk. An essential part of Lenin Street is Kirov’s Square. It is a great place to have a rest after a walk. Sometimes on weekends, citizens and city guests can see exhibitions or performances on the Square.

Moreover, there you will find the Tourist Information Center – a special place for international guests. There you can buy maps, souvenirs, ask questions and take advice from English-speaking staff. Kirov’s Square is located very close to Lower Embankment, so you can continue your walk to see more Irkutsk attractions. As you can see on the map, Lenin Street is not large. It will take 20 minutes to go from 130 District through Lenin street to the Lower Embankment by foot.

Click an image to see its description

Gagarin Avenue takes its name after the famous Soviet cosmonaut, the first man in space – Yuri Gagarin. It stretched along the bank of the Angara River. You can take a leisurely walk from the bridge leading from the train station to the island Youth through the avenue. There are several hotels and hostels on Gagarin Avenue and a large store of tourist equipment.

Along with that, this place is interesting for tourists because of dock “Gagarin Avenue.” Passengers take ferries for ferry trips around the Angara River. While waiting for the ferry, you can sit in the shade of trees or nearby cafes. When the time comes to the board, the ferry will emit a loud beep.

There are not many monuments or attractions on Gagarin Avenue. It’s just a nice place to walk on a warm summer evening.

Click an image to see its description

Central Market is a vital part of Irkutsk. You can visit this place and learn more about the city residents and about how do they live. Honestly, international tourists will not find something interesting there, except fresh and cheap food.
However, Central Market is an important part not only of Irkutsk but your travel also! It is because the market is the starting point of many routes on Baikal.

There are two significant bus stops, helping city guests reach the most popular touristic directions. You can get from here Listvyanka, Slyudyanka, Baikalsk city, Ust-Orda, Taltsy, etc. It is comfortable and straightforward to go to these places from the market.
Moreover, the city residents and visitors prefer to go to Baikal from the bus stop in the Central Market than from the Bus Station or Train station. We have noted bus stops locations on the “Irkutsk Map.”

For example, suppose you want to go to Listvyanka. In that case, you need to go to the market, find a big parking lot (it is elementary), and sit in a minibus with the inscription “Listvyanka.” Have a good travel!

Click an image to see its description


The central market bus stop is a starting point for most of the destinations

Irkutsk Map

We offer you the Map of Irkutsk with the most precise and freshest information about the city. Here we marked:

  • ATM for changing money
  • Pharmacies
  • Irkutsk tourist areas
  • Irkutsk Attractions

The map is free. Downloading as a ZIP file.
The last refreshing was on 04.04.2023

Irkutsk Map

  • ATM for changing money
  • Pharmacies

  • Irkutsk tourist areas
  • Irkutsk Attractions

The map is free. Downloading as a ZIP file.
The last refreshing was on 04.04.2023

Irkutsk Weather

In winter

Siberia considers being one of the coldest regions in the world. However, unlike other Northern regions of Russia, winter temperatures rarely drop below -50 degrees. In the coldest winter months, the thermometer can show -40 degrees for one or two weeks. In general, the average temperature in winter in Irkutsk is about -25 degrees Celsius.

In summer

In the summer months, the city is in the heat! Since May, it is getting warmer, and in the middle of summer, the temperature can reach more than 30 degrees! At this time, it is nice to walk through the shady streets of the city or eat ice cream in a cafe. Sometimes the rains give citizens a break, but the heat will until September.


The central market bus stop is a starting point for most of the destinations

Irkutsk Weather

In winter

Siberia considers being one of the coldest regions in the world. However, unlike other Northern regions of Russia, winter temperatures rarely drop below -50 degrees. The thermometer can show -40 degrees for one or two weeks in the coldest winter months. In general, the average temperature in winter in Irkutsk is about -25 degrees Celsius.

In summer

In the summer months, the city is in the heat! Since May, it has been getting warmer, and in the middle of summer, the temperature can reach more than 30 degrees! At this time, it is nice to walk through the city’s shady streets or eat ice cream in a cafe. Sometimes the rains give citizens a break, but the heat will until September.

Irkutsk museums tell you about Siberia’s history