Kaliningrad region on its own: trip plan and useful tips

There are so many interesting things to see in Kaliningrad! How can you see all the most important things in a week? I answer the most popular questions about the Kaliningrad region: what to see, where to stay, where to go, where to eat, what to try. I'll tell you how to plan your vacation from start to finish. I compiled a route around Kaliningrad and the best resort towns. I will share my personal experience, leave login passwords, and give advice to beginners.

Tickets and transport

There are 3 ways to get to the Kaliningrad region:

1. Airplane . To fly to Kaliningrad you only need a Russian passport: a foreigner and a visa are not required. I buy air tickets at Aviasales. Look at the low price calendar: Pobeda, SmartAvia and other airlines often have sales on this route. In October 2022, we flew to Kaliningrad from St. Petersburg for only 5 thousand rubles for two.
2. Automobile . You will have to travel through Lithuania or Poland, you need a foreign passport. And in 2022, transit through the EU is possible only with special passes.
3. Trains and buses . In the first case, to travel to the Kaliningrad region you need a foreign passport, and instead of a visa you can apply for a simplified travel document through Russian Railways. A foreigner with a visa is required for the bus (traffic is limited from March 2022). Travel rules to Kaliningrad in 2022 are constantly changing, so read the information not on the Internet, but on the official website of Russian Railways.

I advise you to choose a plane. In this case, you will fly to Khrabrovo airport. There is no requirement to take a COVID-19 test. It is convenient to get to the city by taxi. Three services have the best prices:

• Yandex Go;
• Maxim;
• Uber.

If you do not rent a car, you can travel between cities of the Kaliningrad region by buses or trains. I recommend driving Lastochkas. They are new, fast, and the price is almost the same as buses. Buy tickets at the box office or through the Russian Railways mobile application.

Schaaken Castle

One of the many castles in the Kaliningrad region is located in the village of Nekrasovo. It is believed that the Teutonic Order began construction of a wooden fortress as early as the 1250s. Further strengthening and various extensions were made. What makes Shaaken unusual is its special shape: the castle is oval, unlike other similar fortresses of those times, which had rectangular features. The reason for this is the too active attacks of the Lithuanians on the Teutons. The latter simply did not have time and the structure was erected “in haste.” Subsequently, it was decided not to rebuild Schaaken, but to expand and deepen it. This continued until the start of the Great Patriotic War. When the former Koenigsberg became part of the USSR, there was a shelter for German orphans, and then the castle became a refuge for everyone who simply had nowhere to live in the post-war period. Today, Schaaken is open for excursions, has its own tavern and even a torture museum. They say that the ghost of a knight, killed by relatives because of an inheritance, wanders here. From time to time, various cultural events and even exhibition knightly battles are held here.

You can get to the castle from Kaliningrad, including by public transport. Route No. 116 runs from the Kaliningrad bus station at intervals of 1.5-2 hours; you need to go to the final station.

Coordinates of the village of Nekrasovo for traveling by car: 54.906357, 20.668415

Shops and souvenirs

If you are staying in apartments, you will need supermarkets. In Kaliningrad and at resorts I recommend chain stores:

• Victoria (in Kaliningrad there is even one in the center near the Fish Village);
• Spar;
• Family.

What to buy besides your favorite usual products:

• bread or buns from Kaliningrad bakeries (I really like dark bread with additives in the form of grains, seeds, dried fruits and even a regular milk loaf);
• dairy products without milk fat substitute: cottage cheese, sour cream, fermented baked milk, glazed cheese curds and everything else;
• cheese – local or Belarusian;
• pies (the most delicious are at Victoria) with potatoes, meat, cabbage, jam - they don’t skimp on the fillings, and the dough is delicious;
• cakes and sweets of the Baltic Cake, Tortino brands or Victoria’s own production;
• marzipan and chocolate: for tea, buy Koenigsberg from the Pomatti brand;
• smoked fish or canned fish “For the Motherland”, “Fish menu”.

I wrote a separate article about souvenirs from the Kaliningrad region. What exactly and where to buy – read here.

Kaliningrad

I would advise setting aside 2-3 days for the city. During this time, you can see all the main attractions of Kaliningrad on your own or with excursions.

Where to stay

We lived in the RiverSide 3* hotel. It stands on the Pregolya embankment, but not in the center. Overall, I really liked it: the service is good, you can see the new stadium from the window, the grounds and rooms are excellent.

If you want to stay in the center so that it is convenient to see the main attractions, I advise you to consider the hotels “Europe”, “Kaliningrad”, “Kaiserhof”.

Where to eat

I can recommend places where you can try Baltic cuisine, local fish, or just dine on homemade dishes:

1. Aunt Fisher . German restaurant with a cool atmosphere. Try smoked meats, fish quiche, homemade sausages and strudel.
2. Hops . The restaurant is popular, so you may not be able to get there during peak hours. They have their own brewery. Nourishing, tasty, atmospheric.
3. Peppers . For “tasty and inexpensive” food in Kaliningrad, you should go here. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., you can take a business lunch for up to 300 rubles. Other restaurants also offer set lunches, but I liked the large selection of dishes at Pertsy.

Be sure to have a snack at the Konigsbaker chain establishments - they have delicious buns, pies, and cakes (they operate throughout the region). I really like their bagels, cheesecakes and quiches.

Day 1

We look at the center of Kaliningrad: the Fish Village complex, the embankment, Kant Island. If you love boats, take a walk along the Pregolya River. I liked this one: comfortable and with a cool route that captures as many of the sights of Kaliningrad as possible.

On the same day you can visit the Museum of the World Ocean. This is also on the embankment. If the theme doesn't interest you, just look at it from the outside, it's beautiful. Especially the new pavilion in the shape of planet Earth. In the evening you can listen to an organ concert in the Cathedral or drink beer in a German restaurant.

Day 2

Walk to the Church of the Holy Family. Visit the Marzipan Museum at the Brandenburg Gate (free admission). If you have any energy left, head towards the Amalienau residential area with beautiful German houses. Or stop by the Amber Museum and take a walk along the Upper Pond.

I wrote in detail about the most important attractions of Kaliningrad here.

House of Kant

The famous German philosopher lived here from 1747 to 1751. He was born in Prussia and never left its borders. He was buried there, near the walls of the Cathedral, which was later named in his honor. Before his body was buried, hundreds of fans and followers of his theories about life managed to say goodbye to him. Kant is a man who has had a powerful influence on the history of modern Western philosophy. At different times of his life, he was the author of philosophical books, a private teacher and a lecturer at the University of Königsberg. His lectures, seasoned with “dry” humor, found enormous response and recognition among students.

He came to the village of Veselovka, where the house is located, from Konigsberg for inspiration and was engaged in private teaching. Today there is a branch of the historical and art museum here; Kant’s belongings and documents have been preserved. Of course, the house has since been renovated and not much of the past remains. However, it is not the stones in the walls that play the main role, but the energy of the place where such a significant person for the history of Prussia and the philosophical world in particular spent, albeit for a short time.

You can get to the village of Veselovka in a couple of hours by car.

Coordinates: 54.590223, 22.032197

Curonian Spit

An endless strip of sand, soft dunes, fresh air of a coniferous forest, untouched nature... These places remain in the heart forever.

Day 3

I advise you to devote the next day in the Kaliningrad region to the most popular excursion - a trip to the Curonian Spit. If you wish, you can see the city itself and the resorts on your own (although it’s still more interesting with guides – checked). But it’s worth visiting the national park with a tour. I wrote a detailed review about my trip to the Curonian Spit - read here.

We took a tour in a mini-group and were delighted. We saw the most important sights and had lunch at a fish restaurant. The guide adjusted the route to suit us. I liked everything: the royal forest, the slopes to the water, the mysterious dancing forest, observation decks and the atmosphere of primeval nature. These pictures are still before my eyes.

The path to the Curonian Spit from Kaliningrad lies through Zelenogradsk. I recommend getting off at the resort on your way back. Book your hotel in advance. You will return from the spit at approximately 17-18 hours. You will have time to have a snack somewhere and walk a little. And devote the next day to walking.

Comparison of resorts by parameters

Quick navigation:

• Svetlogorsk
• Zelenogradsk
• Amber
• Pionersky
• Curonian Spit

Zelenogradsk

The old name of the royal resort is Kranz. This is one of the most beautiful cities in the Kaliningrad region. Here you will see sights that few people know about. You will also admire the Baltic Sea and truly relax.

Where to stay and eat

In Zelenogradsk we lived in the Hercules Hotel 3*. Small, cozy, with very tasty breakfasts. The rooms are not spacious, but comfortable. For a couple of nights - that's it. I liked the view from the window of the Transfiguration Cathedral. Among other hotels, I can recommend the spa hotel “Zelenogradsk” 4* (very cool, located right on the shore) and “Eliza Inn” 3*.

I can recommend 3 options for restaurants:

1. Hercules . It is located at the hotel of the same name. Just where we lived in Zelenogradsk. Everything was delicious, prices were good. Try their pizza!
2. Sambia . Restaurant serving local and Baltic cuisine with panoramic views. Try fish (take any - all are good), smoked ribs, soups, pies. The presentation of the dishes is very beautiful. The desserts are especially good.
3. Neptune's . Another panoramic restaurant in Zelenogradsk. They cook here using products from local farms. The menu is huge – it’s dizzying. I recommend dishes cooked over an open fire. Everything is delicious. Prices are above average.

You can eat relatively inexpensively in Zelenogradsk at the Papa Beppe pizzeria. For coffee and desserts, go to Port-o-coffee, Konigsbaker or Croissant. There are also many amazing bakeries and bakeries in the city.

Day 4

Kurortnaya Street is the first thing you need to see in Zelenogradsk. Look for cats: real, drawn, in the form of sculptures. On the same day it is worth visiting the Water Tower. Inside there is the Murarium Museum. Cat lovers will be delighted! There is an observation deck at the top. There is also an unusual museum of skeletons. If you are not tired of walking, go to the Zelenograd promenade.

Day 5

Dedicate it to the sea. Zelenogradsk has stunning sandy beaches. In summer you can swim, and the rest of the time you can just admire the Baltic Sea and feed funny seagulls. Take a walk along the boardwalk. There are exercise equipment, swings, benches, and observation decks. Walk to the Queen Louise pump room. Bring a bottle with you to fill up with water.

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