Vladivostok.
Vladivostok is Russia's main Pacific port and the eastern terminus of the Trans-Siberian Railway. The city climbs the hills around Golden Horn Bay between the Amur and Ussuri bays, and its name means "Ruler of the East".
- Region
- Primorsky Krai
- Population
- 600,378 (2013)
- Founded
- 1860
- Airport
- Vladivostok Knevichi · VVO
Good news & stories
All good newsHistory
The military post was founded in the summer of 1860 by sailors who arrived on the transport ship Manchur. In 1871 Russia's main Pacific naval base moved here, and in 1880 Vladivostok became a city. Trans-Siberian traffic opened in 1903, making it the line's eastern end. For decades in the Soviet era the city was closed to foreigners, reopening in the early 1990s, and large cable-stayed bridges were built for the 2012 APEC summit.
Culture & traditions
The Primorsky Stage of the Mariinsky Theatre presents opera and ballet, and the Gorky Drama Theatre is also here. The Arseniev Museum covers the history of the Far East, while the Vladivostok Fortress museum explains a defence system built from the 1880s onward that counts more than 1,300 structures. Since 2002 the city has hosted the Pacific Meridian film festival. The actor Yul Brynner was born in Vladivostok.
Sport
The ice hockey club Admiral is the city's best-known team. Spartak-Primorye in basketball and Luch in football also represent Vladivostok.
Food & drink
Vladivostok's cooking is built on fish and seafood such as crab, sea cucumber and salmon. Korean, Chinese and Japanese influences are strong, and the closeness of Asia shows on the plate.
Practical information
Knevichi International Airport lies near the town of Artyom, about 44 km north of the centre, linked by a commuter express train. Vladivostok is the terminus of the Trans-Siberian Railway, and ferries run to South Korea and Japan. Local time is Moscow plus 7 hours. The climate is monsoonal, with cold, windy winters and cool, humid summers; late summer and early autumn are the best time to visit.
What to see
- Zolotoy Bridge — the cable-stayed bridge over Golden Horn Bay, opened in 2012
- Russky Bridge and Russky Island — the way to the FEFU campus and the Primorsky Oceanarium
- Vladivostok Fortress — a museum of a vast network of fortifications
- Funicular — a short ride up the hill to views over the city and bay
- Railway station — the end of the line for the Trans-Siberian
- Tokarevsky Lighthouse — one of the emblems of maritime Vladivostok
Plan a trip
Vladivostok · VVO
Airport: Vladivostok Knevichi · compare fares on Aviasales
Search flightsAdvertisement. Go Travel Un Limited. Tax ID 9909520797. We may earn a commission from bookings through this link.
Vladivostok
Compare areas, cancellation terms and the full price on Ostrovok.
Find a hotelAdvertisement. Bronirovanie Gostinits LLC. Tax ID 7703389880. We may earn a commission from bookings through this link.
With a local guide
Tripster experiences in our catalogue:
- Владивосток 194
Tripster affiliate catalogue. We may earn a commission on bookings.
Prices, dates and availability are confirmed by the partner when you book.
Sources
Texts are prepared by the russia.direct editors from open sources and will keep growing. Spotted an error? Write to privet@russia.direct.