Things To Do
in Kemerovo

Scenic riverside views, bridges and evening lights—great for sunrise and sunset shots and candid city life photography.

Classic Soviet-era architecture and monuments that capture the city's industrial past and public spaces.

Photogenic building and indoor exhibits about mining and regional history—good for documentary-style photos.

Green spaces with seasonal blooms and walking paths suitable for nature photography, especially in late spring and summer.

A great place to sample and buy local produce, smoked fish, baked goods and homemade preserves; try fresh pastries and local cheese from vendors.

Seasonal street kiosks offer blini (pancakes), pirozhki (filled buns) and shashlyk (grilled skewers) during warmer months and festivals.

A firm handshake and direct eye contact are common for first meetings; use surnames with honorifics until invited to use first names.

Showing respect to elders is important—stand when an older person enters, offer seats on public transport and use polite language.

Ask permission before photographing people, especially in more conservative or rural areas; some industrial sites may be restricted or sensitive.

If invited to a local home, bringing a small gift (flowers or sweets) is appreciated and remove shoes on entry if requested.

Tipping is appreciated but not always mandatory—around 5–10% in restaurants if service is good, and small tips for taxi drivers or hotel porters are common. In casual cafeterias and markets tipping is less expected.

Major credit and debit cards are accepted in larger shops, restaurants and hotels; smaller vendors and markets often prefer cash (rubles). ATMs are widely available in the city—inform your bank of travel plans to avoid card blocks.

Warmest and most comfortable time to visit (June–August) with temperatures often between 18–26°C (64–79°F). Ideal for riverfront strolls, outdoor festivals and exploring nearby foothills; mosquitoes can be present in rural and forested areas, so bring repellent.

Crisp, colourful foliage from September to October with rapidly cooling temperatures—good for hiking and photography, but pack layers as nights can be cold.

Long, cold winters (November–March) with heavy snow and temperatures often well below freezing; excellent for winter sports nearby but requires warm clothing, appropriate footwear and awareness of shorter daylight hours.

Thawing season with variable weather and muddy conditions in some areas; late spring brings budding trees and more comfortable temperatures, but some trails may be wet.

The primary airport serving the city with domestic flights to Moscow and other Russian cities; located a short drive from the city—accessible by taxi or shuttle bus.

Another regional airport in Kemerovo Oblast serving Novokuznetsk and nearby areas; reachable by road from Kemerovo and sometimes used by visitors heading to southern parts of the oblast.

The majority population is ethnic Russian, forming the core cultural and linguistic group of the city.

Other groups include Ukrainians, Tatars and smaller indigenous peoples of Western Siberia such as the Shor community in the region; urban Kemerovo is mixed but largely Russian-speaking.