Vladikavkaz is a small, but very cozy and sincere capital of North Ossetia. The wild and wayward Terek River flowing through the entire city and the majestic Caucasus Mountains in the background look great at any time of the year.
In winter, snow-capped mountains and tree branches covered with a white veil create a special charm. And when you leave the city, you can find yourself in a real winter fairy tale, admiring frozen waterfalls, snow-covered forests and breathing in crystal clear fresh mountain air.
Vladikavkaz, welcome guests!
What to expect from the weather
The weather in Vladikavkaz in January, despite the proximity of the mountains, is quite comfortable and suitable for long walks. The air temperature usually stays around −3–+3°C, regardless of the ten-day period of the month. But there are also exceptions. The maximum high temperature was recorded at +20°C, the minimum - -27°C.
Winter clothes and warm, comfortable shoes will be useful no matter the weather forecast and will definitely not be superfluous - whether you are planning to walk along the Terek or go to conquer mountain peaks.
Weather forecast in Vladikavkaz for January 2022.
Excursions in Vladikavkaz
The best way to start exploring the city is with a sightseeing tour in the company of an experienced guide. And don’t miss anything interesting, and you will learn a lot of new and useful things.
You can see the main attractions, listen to the history of the city, local stories and legends, and get inspired by the life of its famous natives on the excursion “Vladikavkaz - First Date” (pedestrian, individual, 2.5 hours, 2,600 rubles for a group of up to 7 people).
The city will enchant you with mountain peaks, temples of different religions, picturesque parks and ancient trams.
Famous gorges, the “path of miracles”, a high-mountain monastery, a waterfall and the magnificent nature of the Caucasus Mountains await you on the excursion “East Alania: Tagauria and Kurtatia” (vehicle-pedestrian, 6 hours, 1700 rubles per person).
Winter in the Kurtatinsky Gorge.
On the excursion “City of the Dead” - a trip to Dargavs, to the ancient necropolis” (bus-pedestrian, 4 hours, 1800 rubles per participant) you will see many crypts, in the windows of which you can see the skulls and bones of people who died several centuries ago, learn the history and legends of this place.
The city of Dargavs is shrouded in legends.
The Dzheirakh gorge, an ancient Christian temple, an ancient tower complex and the ancestral tower of the Tsurovs, who still live next to it, can be seen on the excursion “Dzheirakh - “the heart of the mountains”. Acquaintance with ancient Ingushetia" (bus and pedestrian, 7 hours, 2300 rubles per person).
The Dzheirakh Gorge is the historical center and the most ancient part of the republic.
Excursion “Balkar Gorge and Blue Lakes” (bus and walking, mini-group up to 10 people, 9 hours, 2500 rubles per person) - an opportunity to admire the untouched nature of Kabardino-Balkaria. The bright blue lakes, due to the admixture of hydrogen in the water, are beautiful at any time of the year. But in winter they are especially interesting - one of them is not covered with ice and looks great against the backdrop of snow-covered nature, the water temperature in it is + 9°C all year round.
Blue Lakes are one of the most beautiful places in Kabardino-Balkaria.
Traditions, legends and history of the Ossetian people will be revealed on the excursion “Digoria - the land of a thousand waterfalls” (bus and pedestrian, 9 hours, 2300 rubles for participation). In addition, you will see ancient towers, sanctuaries, crypts, caves, visit the Nana Museum and have the opportunity to take part in a pottery master class.
Winter morning in Digoria.
The Fyrydon waterfall, the Kakhtisar observation deck, the Dargavsky necropolis and the Karmadon Gorge, the place of death of Sergei Bodrov Jr., await you on the excursion “All the splendor of North Ossetia in one day!” (car-pedestrian, individual, 5 hours, 7,000 rubles for a company of up to 4 people).
Landscapes of North Ossetia.
We recommend selecting and booking excursions via the Internet. The assortment here is wider than in any local tourist office, and prices are 15-20% lower. You can read descriptions of excursions and reviews about them in advance, look at photos and choose what is really interesting to you.
The websites Sputnik8.com and Tripster.ru are the largest and most reliable online platforms for selling excursions. Choose...
And bright impressions for you!
What to see on your own
The main walking street of the city is Mira Avenue. The buildings here can serve as a textbook on architecture - this is classicism, this is modern, and there is eclecticism. This street is pedestrian, and an exception was made only for one type of transport - the historical tram, one of the oldest in Russia. It’s worth a ride on it to be transported back to the last century, imagining yourself as a citizen of Vladikavkaz. At the beginning of January, when the city is dressed in festive decorations, it is especially beautiful here.
Shall we take a walk through the snowy Vladikavkaz?
Marina, 39 years old, from Kostroma says in her review:
“In Vladikavkaz, especially in the historical part of the city, there are many coffee shops. Locals said that a walk here is not considered a walk unless you drink coffee in one of them. Everyone has their favorites. We couldn't help but try it - the coffee is really tasty, and the selection is impressive. And this is very relevant for January weather - it warms and invigorates.”
Bad weather, which is quite possible in January, can be waited out in museums. At the Center for the Development of Folk Arts and Crafts you can get acquainted with the Koban and Alan culture, see the ethnic costumes of the world-famous fashion designer Isolda Gogichaeva and purchase unusual souvenirs. For example, a bowl for Ossetian prayer beer or handmade scarves.
Art lovers do not miss the Maharbek Tuganov Art Museum. Paintings by famous Ossetian and Russian artists are presented here, and temporary exhibitions are often held. The building itself is also difficult not to notice even on Mira Avenue; the architect Ryabikin during its construction was clearly inspired by the St. Petersburg Winter Palace.
Let's continue our walks
Warm October weather beckons travelers outside to admire the beauty and breathe fresh air. This can be done in the city itself. We suggest going to the park of culture and recreation named after. Kosta Khetagurova (entrance from house No. 2, Mira Avenue). It is interesting because it is designed in the form of two terraces connected by stairs. There are wide alleys, fountains, sculptures, gazebos, and attractions. Another option for a leisurely walk is the children's park named after. Zhukovsky (located between Timiryazevsky Lane and Gennady Maslennikov and Kirov streets).
October is the best time for walks in the park.
If you are deciding what else to see on your own in the city, we recommend going to the local zoo (Costa Ave., 24). It is small - only 60 animals live here. But it is noteworthy that almost all of them have a sad fate - they were brought here either abandoned or sick. Residents of the republic help care for the animals by providing financial assistance to the zoo.
Next to the zoo there is a children's railway (Costa Ave., 30). Ride along its 2.72 km route. Schoolchildren serve the railway: they are drivers, conductors, and road workers. In October, the road is open on holidays and weekends, from 9:00 to 18:00. Ticket price is 80 rubles per person.
New Year in Vladikavkaz
Spending the New Year holidays in Vladikavkaz is a good idea. Banquets in a traditional style, with local specialties, are offered by most restaurants in the city. Throughout the New Year holidays in 2022, Vladikavkaz will host a variety of events - concerts, master classes, a fair and ice skating. Children will definitely want to visit Santa Claus's House in Central Park, and adults will appreciate the opportunity to watch a movie in an open-air cinema. Films will also be shown on New Year's retro trams, and travel on them will be free for everyone.
Feel the holiday spirit!
Pavel, 48 years old, from St. Petersburg shares his recommendation in a review:
“When you find yourself in Vladikavkaz, be sure to go to the Silk Road restaurant not far from Terrenkur Park. According to reviews, this is a favorite establishment of local residents. Here is real Ossetian cuisine and Ossetian service. The food is excellent, we were especially impressed by the double-filled pies.”
Let's go to a birthday party
Traditionally, the October poster of Vladikavkaz includes the celebration of the birthday of the founding father of Ossetian literature, poet and playwright Kasta Khetagurov. October 15, 2022 is its 162nd anniversary. For this date, the theaters of Tskhinvali and Vladikavkaz prepared performances for mutual exchange of screenings. On October 14, the State Drama Theater of South Ossetia will show the drama “Costa” in Vladikavkaz. And on October 15, at the North Ossetian State Theater (Vladikavkaz, Karl Marx St., 77) - the play “Fatima”. Performances start at 18:00, ticket price starts from 200 rubles.
What to bring from Vladikavkaz
In principle, you can go to the city market and completely close the topic of gifts and souvenirs - Ossetian cheese, pepper sauce, homemade wine and Ossetian moonshine "Araki" are among the most popular purchases of tourists. If you don’t want to walk for a long time and try a lot, all gastronomic souvenirs can be bought at the Meat Bank store. The Asik workshop (Gorky St., 3) sells dolls in national clothes.
Ossetian ceramics, which exactly replicate the products of the ancient Koban culture, handmade knitted scarves and a variety of jewelry with semi-precious stones, are popular. For beautiful postcards with views of the city, go to the Allon Billon bookstore and pay attention to the works of photographer Mikhail Gassiev.
Araki. Try it yourself and bring it to your friends.
Preparing gifts
Gastronomic delights, clothing and products in the national style—travelers have plenty to choose from in Vladikavkaz as gifts for friends and relatives.
The markets also sell good woolen mittens, socks, sweaters and hand-knitted hats. And leather products - shoes, belts, bags, wallets - are best purchased in stores. The prices are quite affordable.
For women, we recommend buying silver or gold jewelry - earrings that look like thin lace, a bracelet or a pendant in the national style. There is a large selection of them in jewelry stores and souvenir shops.
Men usually carry decorative daggers, the handle of which is decorated with carvings and the blade with engraving. Prices for such gifts start from 800 rubles.
Ossetian dagger - as a souvenir of the trip.
Pay attention to locally produced ceramics - vases, wine jugs, mugs, plates. The prices are incredible - for example, a jug can be purchased for 400–500 rubles.
For these purchases, we advise you to look into the shops “Ossetian Souvenir” (Mayakovskogo St., building 15), “Souvenirs of the Caucasus” (Mira Avenue, building 46), “Fatima” (Mira Avenue, building 16).
Don't leave Vladikavkaz without delicious gifts. We advise you to buy local churchkhela at the market; it costs from 30 to 50 rubles. Also take dried fruits - apricots, dried apricots, figs, prunes. In October, these products are fresh - made from new harvest fruits.
Churchkhela is a sweet souvenir for relatives.
Don't pass by the spice counters. Take it by weight - with a reserve for all your relatives. This is beneficial because you will certainly receive a discount for a large purchase.
And don't forget about the cheeses. For them, it is better to go to the Central Market (Kuibysheva St., building 1). On the road it is better to take a chechil or a braid, but if the journey home is short, then you can bring both soft and pickled cheeses without loss. You will be surprised at the prices: a kilogram of these products costs on average 500–600 rubles.
Many tourists try to buy alcohol with them. But keep in mind that decent cognac is not locally produced, but of Georgian origin. But araka - Ossetian vodka - is worth attention. The homemade product is especially praised, not the factory product.
Araka - try it yourself and bring it to your friends.
If you want to buy local wine, take it not from the market, but from a cafe. There they will fill a container of the volume you need and pack it.
A wonderful gift is sweets. You can buy chocolate products from the small Damzoff factory in the supermarket.
Travel budget
Flights on the route Moscow - Vladikavkaz - Moscow in January will cost 6,700 rubles with luggage - see current prices on Aviasales.ru →
A train ticket from Moscow to the capital of North Ossetia in a reserved seat will cost 3,600 rubles one way, the journey takes 1.5 days - train tickets can be bought online at Poezd.ru →
Accommodation in a 3-star hotel with good reviews costs 3,000 rubles per day for two - find a suitable hotel on Hotellook.ru or Booking.com →
A one-room apartment can be rented for 1,500 rubles per day according to the website Sutochno.ru →
Dinner in a mid-level restaurant costs 700 rubles per person, and you can be sure that you will “roll out” of the restaurant. A glass of homemade beer - 100 rubles, a cup of cappuccino - 70 rubles. A taxi ride around the city will cost 300 rubles, a ticket for public transport costs 15 rubles.
Time for a snack!
Holidays in Vladikavkaz in January are a good idea if you love nature, historical sights and delicious food. There is entertainment here for both adults and children. The city enchants and makes you fall in love at any time of the year, and winter nature has a special charm. Here you can ski or snowboard, swim in hot springs overlooking snow-capped mountains, and admire the views almost completely alone. Prices at this time of year are lower, there are significantly fewer tourists, and the climate does not imply serious frosts.
Author: Victoria Smirnova
Article last updated: January 7, 2022
Modern facilities
Vladikavkaz (the city's attractions are also modern places of entertainment and trade) is a small city in area, but full of interesting places for visitors. It will be interesting for guests of the city to look at the places where the life of the townspeople takes place in order to see how modern life proceeds in North Ossetia.
Central Market
To try natural and high-quality local products, some city guests prefer to purchase gastronomic souvenirs at the Vladikavkaz market. Having been here, they see the process of trade from the times of the USSR, combined with southern flavor. Usually they buy meat, spices, wines and cheeses.
The market is open daily from 7:00-18:00 and is located on the street. Dzhanaeva, 40.
Spartak Stadium
The stadium building was built in the middle of the last century, but by 2010, large-scale work had been carried out on the internal reconstruction and renovation of the structure. So a large electronic scoreboard appeared at the stadium, the covering was replaced, and new stands were opened.
The stadium regularly hosts training and games of the Alania football club. At different times, football matches were held here with teams from Spain, Italy, France and Belgium. Here it is also possible to engage in sports sections independently or under the supervision of a trainer.
The stadium address is st. Shmulicheva, 6 (free admission).
Zoo
On the avenue Costa is the Vladikavkaz Zoo. Animals from different continents are kept here in enclosures or special rooms for amphibians and insects. Zoo workers accept sick animals for treatment and rehabilitation period
Visitors can also see performances with some of the zoo's resident animals. Such shows are organized by trainers who are part of the zoo’s staff. There are special enclosures in which you are allowed to pet and touch animals that have a positive attitude towards contact with people.
The zoo is open daily from 8:00 – 19:00. Ticket price at the entrance is 100 rubles.
The sights of the city of Vladikavkaz attract different tourists and for different reasons. The city, which is small in area, can show its guests historical, cultural, and architectural monuments.
Here tourists can get acquainted with the oriental temperament and pace of life, try local cuisine, and visit the Northern slopes of the Caucasus Mountains. If you wish, you can go to the immediate city limits to see the natural beauty of the area.
Author: Alena Povazhnyuk
Article design: Vladimir the Great
