32 best attractions of Tomsk - the most complete overview

Who and when first called Tomsk the Siberian Athens is not precisely established, but it is known why the city received such a name - it is the oldest educational, scientific and cultural center in Siberia. What is interesting about the city and its surroundings is in the material of Izvestia.

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Sights of Tomsk

In Tomsk, the average tourist will find something to see. There are parks, museums and public gardens at every step. In addition, there are very kind and sympathetic people here with a special sense of humor. Many places have become truly famous throughout the city and beyond. You will definitely be able to find exactly the attraction that will be of interest to you. We offer you a list of places you can visit and their descriptions.

Square of wooden architecture, House with dragons
Memorial Museum "Investigative Committee of the NKVD"
City Garden, Living Puppet Theater “2+Ku”
The first museum of Slavic mythology
Khomich's mansion, Novo-Cathedral Square
Museum "Professor's Apartment", Square of Love
Bar “Kilev”, Club-restaurant “Mayak”, Seversky Zoo
Epiphany Cathedral
Monument “400 years of Tomsk”, Monument “Right now I’ll sing...”
Entertaining, Monument to the ruble
Shopping complex "Smile City", Tolovskie bowls
Monument to the Frog Traveler, Monument to the Lover
Virtual Reality Club, Lampsakov Estate
Ski resort "Metelitsa", Semiluzhensky Cossack prison
Cafe "Solyanka", Church of the Savior Not Made by Hands in Kolarovo

At the bottom of the article there is a map with the sights of Tomsk. With its help, it will be easier for you to navigate the place and choose your own route. You will be able to visit the places you like and have a good time relaxing.

Walking in the park

Photo: Serafima Kuzina

On a clear winter day, you should leave all the holiday fuss aside and go for a walk in a snow-covered park. The University Grove, transformed with garlands, will greet you with secluded corners where Christmas reindeer await you. The boulevard on Kirov Avenue has cozy sofa swings under spreading fir trees. The camp garden - a panorama of the left bank of the Tom River, forest paths and nimble Tomsk squirrels.

In the ancient Mikhailovskaya Grove there is an art trail with funny paintings on the trees. And on Potapov Meadows, where merchants loved to relax a hundred and fifty years ago, you will be greeted by stunning views of the Tom River Valley.

What to do: arrange a “snow shower” under the Christmas tree, feed the squirrels and tits, find a bullfinch on a branch, allow yourself a photo shoot with a scarlet rowan, make a wish on the last birch leaf, make a “snow angel”, drink herbal tea from a thermos.

What to see in Tomsk - day 1

The city of Tomsk is a treasure trove of interesting places. What's not here? On the first day of your trip, we invite you to get acquainted with the historical and cultural heritage of the city, visit theaters, museums, and walk along the old streets of the city. Only here you can study Siberian culture in such detail. This is simply an incredible city with an interesting history and centuries-old traditions. In addition, after walking around the city, you will immediately appreciate the humorous nature of Tomsk residents, looking only at the buildings and sculptures. Tomsk is a city that will certainly surprise you and leave a good impression.

Novo-Cathedral Square

The square has been the administrative center of the city for a long time; it has seen a lot: revolutionary rallies, military parades under Soviet rule and much more. Novo-Sobornaya Square is one of the central squares of Tomsk. In 1917, Novo-Cathedral Square was renamed Freedom Square, and later it began to be called Revolution Square.

In the 1930s, the main attraction of the square, the Trinity Cathedral, was destroyed. Currently, Novo-Cathedral Square is one of the main attractions of the city. Both locals and tourists love to relax here. The picturesque view and tranquil atmosphere attract crowds of people here.

In the center of Tomsk there are the best housing options, based on price and reviews:

Apart-hotel First. Rating: 9.3 based on 712 reviews. Price 1250 RUB.
Apartments "OK! Nikitina, 20 No. 1.” Rating: 9.8 based on 22 reviews. Price 1100 RUB.
Apartments Tomsk House. Rating: 9.8 based on 18 reviews. Price 1300 RUB.
Popular Hotel Central. Rating: 9.0 based on 1020 reviews. Price 1350 RUB.

Square of wooden architecture

This square opened on October 7, 2013. This is an extraordinary open-air museum where you can get acquainted with the art of Tomsk architecture. Here you can see several stands that are decorated with wooden frames. Each stand contains information in Russian and English about the history of wooden architecture monuments. In the very center of the square is the city’s coat of arms, made of wood, and the recreation area is decorated with a stone fountain. The park also has a family creative center that hosts various events for children and their parents.

House with dragons

In the very center of Tomsk, at 68 Krasnoarmeyskaya Street, there is an extraordinary two-story house. Its walls are decorated with blue wooden details. This house was built according to the design of one famous Tomsk artist-architect V. Orzhenko at the beginning of the twentieth century. Local residents began to call this place “the house of dragons.” Whole seven heads of the fabulous beast decorate the roof of the building and its canopy.

This mansion is different from the local wooden houses, and it's not because of the dragons. This building has dark walls with large white windows, a fairly high roof, and also has a corner tower. The house with dragons has become the hallmark of the city of Tomsk, and the building itself is classified as an architectural monument of federal significance. Now the Center for Medical Prevention operates in this house.

Local guides will tell you as much as possible about the city on these excursions:

Tomsk Sightseeing tour by car. Rating: 5.0 based on 95 reviews. Price 4950 RUB (for 1-3 people)
Elan. Walk along the reserved streets of Tomsk. Rating: 5.0 based on 45 reviews. Price 3510 RUB (for 1-5 people)
Excursion – Welcome to Tomsk. Rating: 5.0 based on 25 reviews. Price 2000 RUB (for 1-5 people)
Around Tomsk by car in 3 hours. Rating: 5.0 based on 80 reviews. Price 3500 RUB (for 1-3 people)

City Garden

Tomsk City Garden is one of the most favorite recreational places for local residents. Although it looks young and modern, it is almost 150 years old. In 1883, by order of local authorities, paths were laid in this place, a fountain was installed, trees were planted and playgrounds were installed. In 1946, a dance floor and an indoor stage appeared in the park. Today in this garden you can not only take a walk, but also go on rides, watch sports competitions, take part in games and quests, and in the evening dance at a disco. For photography lovers, there are photo zones in the garden.

The first museum of Slavic mythology

The first museum of Slavic mythology is a sociocultural project, based on an art collection. These are works of decorative and applied art based on Slavic history, Russian fairy tales and customs. The museum collects and popularizes the works of contemporary artists.

Today the museum is a modern building, where various exhibitions are presented on three floors, there is a gift shop and a workshop. The museum hosts excursions and master classes, celebrations and meetings. In the museum they will tell you many legends, myths and fairy tales and teach you how to make various handicrafts. This museum is definitely worth the attention of any guest of Tomsk.

Khomich's mansion

The work on the mansion was carried out by architect S.V. Khomich started in 1904, and 10 years later the building was erected. The mansion is included in the list of architectural monuments of federal significance. The processing of the facades is done in a pseudo-Russian style, and it looks very beautiful and bewitching. There is a legend in the city that the writer A. Volkov was inspired to create “The Wizard of the Emerald City” by this very building. We won’t know whether this is true or not, but looking at the magnificent mansion you really think that you are in a majestic emerald castle.

Theater of living puppets "2+Ku"

The 2+Ku Living Puppet Theater is literally the place where puppets live and work. This extraordinary doll design was developed by Vladimir Zakharov. Dolls can do a lot: blink, move their mouths, move their fingers. When asked how this happens, the theater managers confidently answer that real magic is involved here. Theater visitors also sincerely believe in this, because dolls cannot be so alive.

The theater was founded in 1991, when the inventor of the puppets himself began working on his own fairy tale, “Jean from the Pod.” And a year later - on June 17, 1992 - the first premiere of the play took place for the closest friends and acquaintances. And today the theater opens its doors wide to a large number of visitors, including children and adults. All these people dream of immersing themselves in a fairy tale, and dolls help them with this, and the skill of the puppeteers is natural. This theater is open all year round, there is no time to take vacations.

The auditorium seats about 80 people; on the cozy terrace you can drink tea and cookies (the most popular are herbal). In addition, here you can see the houses of doll elves and a real squirrel. After the performance, you will be able to get to know the dolls better and have an atmospheric photo shoot.

Museum "Professor's Apartment"

The interior of this apartment is decorated in the style of the early twentieth century. The creators of the museum tried to recreate as accurately as possible the life of the Tomsk professors of that time. In this place you can fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere of professorial life.

Among the exhibits you can find various pieces of furniture and household items, books, paintings and photographs. And most importantly, there are no signs saying “do not touch with hands” or “photography is prohibited.” In addition to guided and individual excursions, you can rent an apartment for a photo shoot or for an event. Also, if you have interior items from the early twentieth century that you no longer need, you can easily donate them to the museum; this is most welcome.

Memorial Museum "Investigative Committee of the NKVD"

Tomsk Memorial Museum "Investigative Committee of the NKVD" dedicated to the history of political repressions, is located in the basement of the building where the Tomsk prison of the city department of the OGPU-NKVD was located from 1923 to 1944. This is one of the most popular museums in the city, which carries the bitter memory of those people who were repressed in the 30s of the last century.

The area adjacent to the building formerly served as the courtyard of the prison. Currently, the Memory Square is located in this place; in 1992-2011, monuments to the repressed were erected here. The memory square and the museum now represent a single memorial complex, which is certainly worth the attention of any tourist.

The permanent exhibition of the museum includes: the interior of the investigator's office, a reconstructed prison corridor and a cell for pre-trial prisoners. Among the exhibits you can find original documents from investigative cases, embroidery, photo albums, paintings, wood and stone crafts made by prisoners, and playing cards. The museum has a library that has a large number of books, videos and photo archives and a large electronic database that stores information on more than 200,000 people who went through all the horrors of repression and dispossession.

Epiphany Cathedral

This cathedral is located right in the center of Tomsk, it is difficult not to notice it. The cathedral building stands out sharply from Soviet-built houses. Around the seventeenth century, a wooden church stood on the site of this cathedral, and construction of a stone building began in 1777; construction was completed 17 years later. In the 19th century, the cathedral played an important role in the city: it opened a school and a library with a large number of books. During Soviet times, the building was used as an industrial premises, which is why the cathedral was seriously damaged: not a single dome remained, the bell tower was almost destroyed, and the decor of the facade was changed.

Restoration of the cathedral began in 1995 shortly after the collapse of the union; five years later regular services resumed, and in 2003 the premises were illuminated. The building of the Cathedral of the Epiphany is an example of Siberian Baroque. The cathedral itself is two-story and built of brick, it has an asp, a refectory and a bell tower. The facade of the building is decorated with bow kokoshniks.

There is a lot of light in the spacious hall of the temple, and although the walls have not yet been painted, there is something to admire. The cathedral houses the relics of St. Panteleimon; people turn to this saint with requests for healing. Today the cathedral is developing quite active educational activities; a Sunday school, a museum, a youth club and a community for the deaf operate on the basis of the cathedral.

Square of love

In 2022, Love Square was opened in Tomsk. Small architectural forms, such as the Eiffel Tower, the monument to Romeo and Juliet, and the Pyramid of Cheops, found a place in it. The territory of the park is landscaped with comfortable benches, cute gazebos and an original flower pendant. This cute square has become one of the favorite places for lovers. Wedding registrations and family photo sessions are often held here.

Here are more inexpensive housing options in the very center of Tomsk:

Apartments "Kvart Hotel Nadezhda". Rating: 9.5 based on 19 reviews. Price 1250 RUB.
Hotel "Kuhterin". Rating: 9.8 based on 49 reviews. Price 1400 RUB.
Apartment "Petrovskie on Gogolya, 15". Rating: 9.5 based on 13 reviews. Price 1150 RUB.
Mini-hotel "Silk Road". Rating: 9.3 based on 40 reviews. Price 1350 RUB.

Monument "400 years of Tomsk"

For more than four hundred years of its existence, Tomsk has become home not only to people, but also to a large number of monuments that are scattered throughout the city. They create a special atmosphere in the city, fill it with humor and love of life, and serve as a reminder of historical events.

A monument was erected on Lenin Square in honor of the city’s birthday in 2004. The design of the monument demonstrates the entire history of Tomsk; at the corners of the square there are pillars with images of important events in the history of the city. The sculpture is decorated with the crown of the Russian Empire on top.

Monument “Right now I’ll sing...”

Local residents have a very subtle sense of humor, so ironic sculptures are the calling card of the city; it would be a shame not to take a photo next to at least one of them. Below we present the TOP of the most popular monuments in Tomsk.

The sculpture is an exact copy of the famous wolf from the cartoon “Once Upon a Time There Was a Dog.” Hidden in the monument is a microsystem with which the wolf pronounces his most famous phrases. The wolf sits on his “pedestal”, well-fed and satisfied, you look at him, and it seems that he is really about to start singing. Local residents believe that the monument perfectly reflects the state of happiness.

Monument to the Frog Traveler

This is the smallest monument on the planet depicting a frog sitting on a stone. This monument is only 44 mm in height, made with great painstaking care and incredible precision. The monument is installed next to the Tomsk Hotel and attracts thousands of tourists every year with its originality. The monument has been delighting tourists and Tomsk residents since 2013 and serves as a symbol of travel and tourism.

“To the woman and teenager who forged Victory in the rear”

This monument reminds us that victory in the Great Patriotic War is a merit not only of the army, but also of the home front soldiers. In memory of the “invisible heroes,” Tomsk residents erected a monument depicting a boy and a woman holding a shell in their hands. Every year on May 9, local residents bring flowers here to honor the memory of the heroes of that bloody war. Looking at this monument, you begin to think about what is important and appreciate what you have.

Monument to Lover

One of the funniest and most comical monuments in Tomsk adorns the wall of the Tomsk History Museum. The sculpture depicts a male lover who is taken by surprise. The unfortunate man in his underpants is hanging on the ledge. The presentation of this monument was held on St. Valentine's Day, and every year on this day the museum employees change the panties of a lover. All year round, tourists and city residents themselves visit this monument to take photographs and at the same time visit the museum.

Monument to the ruble

The monument to the Russian currency was erected in Tomsk in 2008 and since then has been considered the main attraction at the annual carnival. The coin weighs 250 kg and is two meters high. The Tomsk ruble is rightfully considered the largest ruble on the planet.

What to see and where to go in Tomsk - day 2

In addition to visiting museums and parks, Tomsk has plenty to do for those who love an active pastime. The city has many entertainment centers and parks. It’s impossible to imagine a proper vacation without a stroll through local fairs and shops, where you can buy gifts for yourself and your loved ones. After dark it becomes even more fun: the city has a lot of nightclubs and restaurants. Here you can replenish your stomachs with delicious food, and after you have refreshed yourself, you will continue on your mini-trip around Tomsk.

In addition to ordinary entertainment, there are more interesting ones: horse riding or sports matches; at any time of the year you can go ice skating in Tomsk. For IT technology lovers, there is a virtual reality club that is definitely worth a visit. You can take little tourists to the science amusement park. And finally, you can go to the cinema and watch several interesting film projects.

Entertaining

Entertaining is the place where you can go on vacation with your family. There is something for everyone here. For children, there is a huge playroom with a lot of entertainment: a dry pool with balls, a multi-level maze, an obstacle course, an area for very young children, master classes, animator shows and much more. In addition, the staff here is very attentive and you can easily rely on them.

While children are having fun in the playroom, parents can also afford to relax a little. For example, you can play bowling. You can book a time and number of tracks convenient for you. Playing bowling here is a pleasure, because modern lanes are installed for convenient play, there is a large selection of balls for people of different weights and ages, and there are tables next to the lanes so that you can have a snack during the game. And then you can go to a cafe-bar.

For those who like smaller balls, “Balls” has billiards. Here you can choose a convenient room for playing, there are only five of them: VIP room, pool room, comfortable room, small room and large room. Well, if you are far from billiards and bowling and you want to spend time interestingly and usefully, you can use the services of the sauna. There are various services here: Finnish sauna, relaxation rooms, bar, kitchen, showers, dressing rooms and much more. In a word, entertaining, definitely a place that is worth visiting when in Tomsk.

Shopping complex "Smile City"

Smile City is the shopping center of the city of Tomsk. In this place you can find literally everything: clothes, shoes, accessories, cosmetics, souvenirs and much, much more. In addition to large stores, you will find several food courts here and can relax after tiring shopping. For children there are entertainment attractions that you can visit and please your child. Smile City is a shopaholic's paradise.

Bar "Kilev"

We recommend visiting the Kilev bar for lovers of noisy parties and night discos. This place is the epicenter of celebration and drive. The club itself has three bars, two halls, several dance floors and a separate area for up to 30 people. At the entrance to the establishment, you will definitely encounter face control, and you will also be asked to provide a passport, since entrance to the bar is strictly 21+. Residents of Tomsk and tourists speak positively about this place and recommend it for visiting. There's always fun music and a lot of people. The bar's visitors never get bored and have a blast. If you like noisy discos, then this place is definitely for you.

Club-restaurant "Mayak"

In this restaurant you can not only have a delicious lunch, but also enjoy live music. This establishment has three zones: the live music nightclub “Mayak”, the banquet hall “White Lake” and the summer veranda “Deck”.

In the club you can enjoy songs performed by aspiring vocalists and young groups. Performances are held regularly with professional equipment and a special holiday atmosphere. The banquet hall seats about 50 people. This space can be booked for a variety of purposes: weddings, trainings, events and seminars. The hall is located right on the shore of White Lake. Such a picture gives impetus to our imagination, and our fantasy takes us far. The summer veranda is located on the roof of the building, overlooking the park and the entire city.

Virtual Reality Club

We advise the most advanced tourists who follow the development of computer technology to visit the virtual reality club. Only in this place you can visit several worlds while in one building. The virtual reality club always offers only the newest games.

You can play in groups of 6 people. The main advantage is that while playing, you don’t have a computer backpack with a bunch of wires hanging behind your back. Firstly, it does not hinder movement and makes the game even more interesting. Secondly, it increases safety while gaming. The virtual reality club is a great place for entertainment for both adults and children.

Ski resort "Metelitsa"

For lovers of skiing and active recreation, we recommend visiting the Metelitsa ski base. Here you can ride from the slope, which is located not far from the stadium. There are five trails for driving, the longest of which is 5000 meters. All equipment can be rented directly on site at the rental point. Only in this wonderful and unique place can you experience the real Siberia.

Cafe "Solyanka"

Cafe "Solyanka" is the best place to have a hearty and tasty meal. The cafe has a very varied menu; here you will be offered: salads, soups, hot dishes, side dishes, sweets, various additives, drinks and hot snacks. The interior here is decorated in the style of a Soviet apartment. Here you can see old lamps, records, a bust of Ilyich, typewriters, button accordions and much more. At the sight of all this, my eyes widen. The interior and delicious food create a pleasant atmosphere of home comfort and warmth.

What to see in the vicinity of Tomsk

Not only Tomsk is rich in attractions, but also its surroundings. Tomsk land boasts marvelous landscapes, architectural objects from different times, unique museums and parks. The city is surrounded by broad-leaved and mixed taiga forests; sometimes there are forest-steppes and swamps. The climate here is temperate continental, winters are cold and harsh, sometimes the temperature reaches -50 degrees Celsius. But summer is cool and rainy. We present to your attention a list of the most interesting places in the Tomsk region that are worth visiting.

Tolovskie bowls

This beautiful natural monument consists of limestone formations that are shaped like bowls. They are about a meter high. The bowls are made of travertine. These bowls were formed due to the release of water to the surface of the earth, which was saturated with limestone formations. In addition, the walls contain a rather rare mineral - birnessite, which is manganese oxide. This is the second deposit of this mineral in Russia. Tolovsky bowls are located in the Mezheninovsky rural settlement, Basandaika village.

Lampsakov Estate

The museum complex was created in 2008, on the basis of the regional hospital. The museum is named after the doctor Nikolai Lampsakov, who organized a zemstvo hospital in the village of Novo-Kuskovo, where he received patients absolutely free of charge, and during the Civil War he nursed wounded Red Army soldiers and White Guards. The complex includes a birch bark museum, an exhibition dedicated to Lampsakov, and a museum of the Civil War. Quests and competitions are also often held here.

Church of the Savior Not Made by Hands in Kolarovo

The church in Kolarovo is one of the most famous active churches in the area. The wooden church building was erected in 1645. The stone building was erected only at the end of the 18th century. The main shrine of the Church - the image of the Savior - was lost in the 1930s. During the years of Soviet power, the church managed to survive only due to the fact that the building housed a granary and a local club. And in 1990, the church resumed its work after restoration.

Semiluzhensky Cossack fort

In the 17th century, a Cossack outpost was located in the village of Semilushki. One of the local residents, whose name is Vladimir Ilyin, personally restored all the buildings of that time: huts, a blacksmith, a church, wells, towers with bells, fortress walls, cannons and items of peasant life. The prison hosts various excursions, holidays, weddings, rituals and folk art festivals.

Seversky Zoo

The zoo in Seversk is so far the only zoo in the entire region. The zoo opened in the 60s, when a wildlife corner was created in a local park; later the collection of animals began to grow, which led to the formation of the zoo. Today there are about 220 species of different animals, including lemurs, crocodiles, monkeys, camels, ostriches and many others.

Tasty city

Photo: Anna Laas

Winter is a time of hearty special offers, starting with Siberian specialties like porcini mushroom soup, dumplings with venison, or elk cutlets, and ending with hot signature teas with sea buckthorn, cranberries and lingonberries, or sbiten and mulled wine.

The coffee-to-go kiosks scattered around the city offer not only classic espresso and Americano, but also exotic raffas with cedar milk and figs or beetroot and pepper lattes. And in numerous Tomsk bakeries and pastry shops there are scatterings of fresh pies, paninis, croissants, sugar “snails” and hearty echpochmaks.

What to do: take a walk around winter Tomsk, and then run somewhere to warm up and have a snack; try delicate meringue rolls and Christmas cupcakes. And also drink hot mulled wine with gingerbread, try Chinese cookies with “predictions” and wish to definitely come back!