Vladivostok

Eco-friendly travel guide to Vladivostok advises how to be a responsible tourist. Learn how to explore the attractions in a sustainable way and how to respect the local people and culture. Make your trip green by supporting locally owned hotels, organic restaurants and other businesses. Read more on how to protect the environment by making conscientious choices and how to travel green in Vladivostok, Russia.

View of Vladivostok from the Tigrovy cape on the Shkota peninsula (Primorsky Krai, Russia).

Air quality: 3.5 / 5

Exploring by foot: 3.5 / 5

Exploring by bicycle: 4 / 5

Public transportation: 4 / 5

Parks: 3.5 / 5

Outdoor activities: 3.5 / 5

Locals' English level: 2.5 / 5

Safety: 3.5 / 5

Accommodation: US$20 - $150

Budget per day: US$50 - $180

Responsible Travel

This wonderful city is located in Russia on the eastern side that has a total population of more than 605,000. This city is very well known in the country for serving as the administrative center of Primorsky Krai. Vladivostok is also very popular with another nickname San Fransisco of Russia as it offers a lot of hills and mountains around the city.

Every year a lot of tourists visit this city to witness some of the world-famous sites and attractions. From the Trans-Siberian Railway to other locations, you will need to stay a lot of time to explore the places and unique culture of the city. However, there are some of the things that you need to keep in mind during your trip to maintain the environment of the city and help out local people.

Along with the traditional cuisines, give a try to the street foods as well in this city to get the cultural touch and help out the street vendors
The city offers plenty of mode of transportations, but make sure to choose only those which are eco-friendly and helps to keep the environment safe from pollution
Stay as comfortable as any other accommodation options in the green hotels. As an eco-friendly traveler, it is a nice way to contribute to the city environment
You need to support the green in the city by visiting the parks. It will help you to get far from the crowd of the city and enjoy the fresh air
During the time of your trip, try to purchase goods and items from the local vendors to help them out and save some money as well. As most of them are dependent on tourism, it will hello them a lot to keep providing

Air Quality and Pollution

Most of the time the air quality of Vladivostok stays good through the year but sometimes it changes to moderate. As the air quality fluctuates, you need to check it before visiting the city. Having moderate air quality can become a serious issue for travelers who have specific health conditions. Air pollution can cause different issues to normal people as well.

So, make sure to carry some of the important things with you before visiting this city such as masks, medicines. If you have some serious health problems like breathing or asthma, then it is best to take the help of doctors. They will help you to know what precautions you need to take in the city to stay safe during your trip.

Respect the Culture

Culture is one of the important elements that make many tourists visit a city from different countries. Things are quite similar to this city as well because the culture of Vladivostok is known around the world. There are so many things to explore about this city from food to people. You will get to see some of the unique traditions in this city that will make your travel more interesting.

You will get to see a lot of similarities in the culture of this city with Asian culture as the city is located near the Chinese, Korea, and Japan border. However, it makes the culture more diverse and interesting for travelers. Make sure to explore the city very well to get the best cultural experience in the city. You might catch some of the popular festivals as well, which will help you a lot to know more about the culture.

Top 10 Places to Visit

You would love to visit Vladivostok because it is a wonderful place and can give you a lot of enjoyment. There is a reason behind this thing, and it is because of these 10 famous places.

Vladivostok Circus- Start your day with this lovely circus and get to see some enthralling performances by the Russian performers. It will give you a fine experience, and you will have loads of fun.
Triumphal Arch for Tsar Nicholas II- It is a fort where you can get to know about the significance of Tsar Nicholas II. This way, you would get adequate knowledge about him and feel like sharing it among your beloved persons.
Botanical Garden-Institute FEB RAS- In this garden, you would get various types of plants and herbs from different parts of the world. Visit here, and it would take you to an interesting tale and give you a very nice feeling.
Intercession of the Mother of God- You can call it a Russian orthodox church where you can pray from your true heart and make a nice wish. Just try this place, and it is guaranteed that one day your wish will definitely become a reality.
Vladivostokskii Oceanarium- It is a live aquarium that features more than hundreds of marine species. Try it for the first time, and you will love the experience to the fullest.
Eternal Flame- This is a monument that tells you a brief history about the time of World War 2. Come here, and you will get to know about it in full detail.
Shrine Chapel of St. Andrew- Without any doubt, we can say that it is the best cathedral that displays some artifacts of Jesus Christ. Have a tour of it and see how you get to experience something new and extraordinary.
Seventh fort- This is called the seventh fort because here the seventh war was fought between Germans and Russians. If you want to know more about it, then you have to come here as soon as possible.
Monument Eleanor Prey- In this place, you will get a wide variety of sculptures and know about their purposes. Never miss it because this opportunity might not come again and again.
Khristianskaya Metodistskaya Tserkov- One of the Christian church which depicts the origin of this religion. You will not only adore it but also understand the importance of it in a brief manner.

Vladivostok Circus

Explore

Now when we speak about exploring then these 10 places are not enough. You should try out some city museums and parks as they can give you a different level of exposure.

City Parks

Pisatel'skiy Skver - This park is awesome and has a nice ambiance for having a family picnic. Just go for it and see how well your time is spent
Pokrovsky - There is no doubt about this thing that this place is for everyone. Try it out and see how you get to pass your quality time over here

National Parks

Zemlya Leopard National Park - This is a deep, dense forest cum park where you can get some of the best Russian leopards. See them from far and take their pictures so that they remain as a memory.

Beaches

Dvimovsky Beach - The water of this beach is pure, and you will love to have a bath in it. Lounge into the water and get the real presence of a sea.

Landmarks

Mayak Na Myse Basargina - This lighthouse is very popular and you would never feel disappointed after visiting here. It gives you some better scenic views and informs you about the actual meaning of nature.

Museums

Voroshilovsky battery - Do not go by its name because it is a museum that displays the historical ships and guns which were used in the period of war. After visiting here, you would have an eagerness to know the purpose behind this war and how it happened.
Memorialnaya Gvardeyskaya Krasnoznamyonnaya podvodnaya lodka - Enter inside this museum, and you will feel like getting into a submarine. There is a deep fact behind it, and you would get a real experience of a live ship.

Eat

As mentioned above, food plays a crucial part in both understanding the culture of the city and boosting your travel experience of the city. You need to try all the different types of food that are available in the city to know the true taste. You will get a lot of different restaurants in almost every corner of the city from luxurious to cheap ones. Apart from that, make sure to try the street foods also as they play a major role in the traveling experience.

Before any other dishes, make sure to try the traditional dishes first for the best eating experience. Some of the foods are not available in any other places in the country. While visiting these restaurants, try to book the seats online to avoid any hassle and ensure your table.

Traditional Local Restaurants

Traditional foods are one of the first things that you need to try in the city. They will help you a lot to know more about the food culture of this city. Plenty of traditional restaurants are available in the city that you can visit to have traditional dishes at a low price. As the city is located near the Sea of Japan, you will be able to get a lot of seafood dishes. Here are some of the famous ones that you need to visit while traveling to the city.

Studio - It is one of the most famous restaurants in the city that is very well known for offering a lot of traditional dishes. The specialty of this place that makes it different from all the other restaurants is the seafood dishes. You will be able to get sushi, beverages, salads, pizza, and many other dishes
Kvartira 30 - The ultimate fusion dishes and mix range of both Asian and Russian food are available in this restaurant. You will find some of the best dishes at a very low price that will help you to get the best experience and save some money

Vegetarian and Vegan

Many travelers are vegan and do not like to miss out on traditional foods while visiting the city. If you are one of them, then do not get worried as there are many traditional vegetarian foods as well that you can taste. Plenty of vegetable restaurants are available in the city that you can visit to get these food dishes. Here are some of the popular ones given below that you need to visit during your trip.

Rahra - Ganga - This is one of the most well-known restaurants in the city that is well known for providing vegan foods to customers. You will be able to get both Russian and Indian dishes in the city
Stream & Dream - This restaurant is entirely vegan and comes with a long list of vegan dishes. All the traditional dishes are available in this restaurant in vegan format

Street Food

Might be the most crucial thing in a city that can help you to know the culture, lifestyle of the people. You will come across many street vendors along the road and corner of the city. You can visit these small vendors to taste some memorable dishes. Although most of the street foods are situated in the streets, you will also find some food vans and small restaurants that provide street foods as well. Being a coastal city, it also offers some of the best seafood dishes to enjoy the food. Some of the street food items that you need to try in the city include Korean steamed pie and others.

Drink

Between your tour to the city, you need to take the help of drinks to keep yourself hydrated and energetic. The city offers a lot of different drinks to customers from alcohol to other types of drinks. You can get different kinds of drinks in various parts of the city.

If you are an alcohol lover, then you need to visit the nightlife of the city as well. It offers a wide range of alcohol to the customers. There are pubs, bars, and many beach resorts in the city that offer plenty of drinks. Apart from them, juices, soft drinks are also available in many shops. Here are some of the sections of water given below in detail that will help you to know more.

Tap-water

The very first thing that comes to mind is the tap water drinkable in the city or not while thinking about drinks. It is the foremost safety concern that you need to know before visiting the city. Drinking tap water is not recommended by the local people and other sources. Although many people in the city use tap water for drinking and many other things, it is best to ignore it.

You will be able to get packaged water at a very low price around the city. So, it is better to choose them instead of tap-water. If you have to use the tap water for drinking or any other purposes then boil and filter the water very well before using it. Filters are widely available in retail stores.

Organic Cafés

Organic foods are one of the few things that many travelers like to have during their trip. It helps you to keep you healthy during your travel and prevent eating harmful properties of food. You do not have to look at many places if you are looking for organic cafes. There are plenty of organic cafes available in the city that you can choose for the best organic foods. Most of them are not expensive and come with a long list of menus that help you to get a lot of options. Some of the most popular ones are given below to help you find them easily during the trip.

Shonkel Burger Diner
SVOY fete

Breweries

Beer and coffee are very popular in Vladivostok, and you need to taste them once during your tour. If you are an alcohol lover, then you will be able to get a wide range of selections. From craft beers to international ones, you will be able to get a lot of them in the pubs, bars, and other places. Make sure to visit the breweries in the city to witness the making process. Some of them also offer free drink testing and others charge some money for it. However, it will be a very special experience for you to explore the brews. Here are some names of the breweries that you need to visit on your trip.

Coffee & Beer Brewery
Khmel

Activities

There are plenty of places available in the city that will help you to get the best experience of doing activities in this city. You will never get bored as there are plenty of activities available to do. Not only famous attractions, but you will also get to participate in many outdoor activities as well.

Being a coastal city that comes with a lot of hills, you will be able to take part in both water activities and other mountain activities. Most of the travelers from different countries like to visit this city and stay for a long time to have a great time. You can get far from the city crowd and take part in yoga too for mental relaxation. From forest to beaches, an all in one experience to make you feel wonderful.

Yoga and Retreats

Yoga is the best way for travelers to stay calm during their travel. Covering a lot of famous attractions in a day can be very hectic. Take a break from all the crowd and visit the yoga centers in the city to participate in yoga classes. As the citizens of this city are very conscious about their health, they attend yoga classes pretty regularly. You will find a lot of classes in almost every corner of the city. It is best to book yoga classes online to get a good package at a low price.

Accommodation

Before you visit the city, you need to know which options are available to you for your stay in the city. You will need to choose one based on the time duration of the trip and budget. There are many different options available in this city as it is one of the most well-known tourist destinations in Russia.

From luxurious hotels which are very expensive to cheap apartments, you will be able to get a lot of them in the city. As an eco-friendly player, choosing green hotels are the best way to keep the city safe and reduce pollution during your stay. Here are some of the options that you need to know in detail to save your time and pick your choice.

Green Hotels

As mentioned earlier, green hotels are the best option for travelers who want to keep the city safe from pollution and reduce it. It is getting popular around the different countries to improve the environment. You will get a lot of green hotels in Vladivostok that come at a reasonable price. Most of them offer a lot of basic benefits along with all the other ones. They use recycled items and resources are used as benefits that help a lot to reduce waste. Here are some of the popular green hotels that you can choose from for your stay.

RODINA Grand Hotel
Hotel Bristol

Hostels and Guest Houses

If you are planning to stay for more days in the city, then the best-staying option that you can choose in this city is the hotels and guesthouses. They offer most of the benefits and features of a hotel along with a flexible budget. You can book a guesthouse very expensive with a private swimming pool, or get a sharable hostel room at a very low budget. They are perfect for you if you are planning to stay in the city for more than 2-3 weeks. Here are some of the famous hostels and guest houses in the city that you can choose to stay in.

VladStar Inn Hostel
Seal Hostel
Superstar Guesthouse

Apartments

Apartments are the best option for you if you are thinking of staying in the city for more than one month. It will help you to save a lot of money and offer a comfortable stay. Some of the basic features and benefits are available in almost all the apartments. From expensive to cheap ones, different types of apartments are available to choose from. The best thing about staying in apartments is that you will be surrounded by the local people. It will help you a lot to know more about the culture and lifestyle of the local people in the city. Here are some of the best apartments that you can rent in the city.

Eagle Nest Two
Bay View Apartments

Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing is a very popular way to stay in the city and save a lot of money. It is a community of travelers that help other travelers to stay in their home and provide food while visiting their home town. You will have no problem finding a host in this city but it is best to take the help of online services. This is one of the best ways to stay in the city that will help you a lot to know about the local traditions and culture along with food choices. The host will also provide you a lot of information about the city that will help you to travel without any interruption.

Camping

Are you a nature lover that loves to stay in the open sky? Well, camping is the one and the only option that helps you to stay in the sky and enjoy a lot of views or sceneries in the city. There are a lot of camps available in the city that are located near the beaches or hills. Surrounded by greens, these camps provide fresh air, nice views, and many other things to the travelers. You will be able to get some of the basic hospitalities here such as food arrangement, bonfire, electricity, toilet in most of the camps.

How to Get There

Before starting your trip to Vladivostok, you need to know what are the different ways that you can use to reach the city. Most of the travelers choose flights to reach the city from other countries or cities. However, you need to choose one depending on the time, and budget. There are many other transportation modes that you can use to reach the city except flights that take less time or money. So, here are some of the best options that you can get to visit this city from other countries or cities given below in detail.

Air

Air is known to be the most popular way to reach the country as it helps to reach the destination faster and well connected to most of the countries. But the bad thing about choosing air is that you will need to pay a high amount of fare compared to other modes of transportations while traveling by flight. Although it helps to reach much faster, you will miss out on the natural views that are available through the journey if you are traveling by air. Make sure to book the tickets earlier to get them at a low price and ensure your seat on the flight.

Bus

Buses are known to be the cheapest option to reach the city from other countries or cities. Although buses are connected to many different cities in Russia, it is not available from all the other countries. So, you will need to break your journey to travel by bus to reach the city. It is known to be one of the best ways to travel as it helps to save a lot of money and enjoy the scenic beauties on the way. You will be able to travel very well from different cities by bus but make sure to book the tickets earlier using online services to ensure your seat.

Train

Trains are known to be the second most popular transportation option after fights that take more time to reach the destination but provide a very good experience of the journey. You will be able to get a lot of trains from cities in Russia and some neighboring countries as well to reach the city. But railways are not very well connected with all the other countries. The fares for trains are much cheaper compared to flights and provide a very comfortable journey to travelers. However, book the tickets early to prevent waiting on the waiting list.

Hitchhiking

Hitchhiking is a very popular way to visit a city or travel destination as it helps to save a lot of money and provides a great adrenaline rush. This is one of the journeys that become more adventurous than the destination itself. You will be able to reach this city by hitchhiking as there are many roads connected to this city but you need to take the busiest roads among them. Also, keep in mind to choose some of the places where cars will stop such as petrol pumps, tolls, and others. Carrying some of the necessary things is very important such as water, dry food, maps, and others.

Others

There are also other ways available to you based on your location to reach Vladivostok. As the city is located near the Sea of Japan, you can reach the city from many other places with the help of cruise and boats. Although it will take a lot of time many people choose this to have a nice traveling experience. Not only by water, but you can also take the road to reach this country by bike or car. You will be able to get an unforgettable memory and time during the journey.

Moving Around

You will not be able to get a good time on the trip without exploring the city well. A major part of the exploration of the city is based on which mode of transportation you are choosing. From local transportations to walking, all of the different options are available for you. However, as some of them take a lot of time, you need to choose it based on how long you are staying in the city. Here are some of the sections given below in detail that will help you to know which one is best for your exploration.

Walk

If you are staying in the city for a long time and want to witness every bit of the city, then walking is the best option for you. It will help you to get into lanes and places where only pedestrians are allowed. You will be able to observe all the things such as buildings, lanes, people, markets, and many things on your way to the attractions. As there are many shortcuts and footpaths are provided for pedestrians, there is no concern of safety or reaching late. However, make sure to carry some things like an umbrella, water bottle, sunscreen lotion, and others.

Bicycle

Bicycling is another very popular option that is mostly chosen by the traveler as it helps to reach faster than walking and great exercise. It helps to explore the city very well and cover many famous attractions. There are many renting services available in the country that you can contact both online or offline to rent a bicycle. As there are many separate lanes provided for cycles, you do not have to worry about waiting in traffic.

Electronic Vehicles

As an eco-friendly traveler, you need to know what are the different options available to you for traveling fast without polluting the environment. There are many options available in the city that can help you to cover a lot of famous attractions but electronic vehicles are the best to reduce pollution. Instead of vehicles that run on fuel, they produce less air pollution. However, the traffic on the road can cause you a lot of delays to reach your location. So, keep some extra time in your hand before leaving.

Public Bus

Public buses are available in the city and it is the cheapest mode of transportation. The buses are very frequent, which helps to catch one easily from anywhere in the city. Plenty of bus terminals and stations are available that you can choose to explore the city. The buses are well connected with every corner and attraction of the city that helps to get to the location very fast. You can take the help of online services to know the bus timings and track them.

Tram, Train and Subway

There are many other modes of transportations are available that you can use to explore the city. Trams are widely available in the city that helps you to get a very good experience of travel in the city. You will be able to visit different places in the city very easily using the trams. Railways are well connected with different parts of the city and help to travel without facing any traffic. Subways are well connected with the different corners, but you might have to walk to visit the famous attractions.

Sustainable Shopping

No matter where you visit, shopping is mandatory for boosting up the traveling experience. As an eco-friendly traveler, you can choose sustainable shopping that helps to both improve the environment and get you some local items. Vladivostok offers a lot of flea markets and second-hand markets that you can visit to get some of the best things at low prices. Here are some of the detailed information that will help you save time and know more about the markets.

Food Markets

Many travelers choose to visit the food markets first before all the other markets. Now, food markets are very colorful in this city as it offers a lot of seafood and fishes. You will be able to see a lot of different spices and food items in these markets. During the exploration of these markets, you can also take a break and enjoy the food experience at small food vendors. Some of the most famous food markets of this city are given below.

Fish Market
Niva-Khleb

Flea Markets

If you want to add some of the best and rare vintage items to your collection, then make sure to visit the flea markets in this city. Some of the flea markets are very popular in the locality for selling the best quality items at a very low price. You will need to visit the places very early to get them before they get sold out. Not only vintage items, but these flea markets also offer antiques, clothes, accessories, and other items.

Second Hand Stores

One of the best ways to contribute to reducing waste in the city is by choosing second-hand markets. Around the world, people are choosing second-hand items to preserve natural resources and reduce waste. This city is also taking part in this process, and you will get to see many shops in the city that offer items as well as new ones at low prices. Local people of the city are also adopting the second-hand items very well to keep the city clean.

Eco-Fashion

Eco fashions are made using natural resources to help you stay safe from any harm caused by chemicals. They are not very popular in the city like many other cities in different countries. However, you will be able to find some of the shops that offer branded eco-fashion to the customers. They might be a bit expensive but provide a very good color without any harmful chemicals to keep you safe.

Recycling

Recycling is very important for every city to keep it clean and reduce pollution. The city has taken a lot of initiatives to improve the environment. Most of the waste in the city is getting recycled every day and getting used in different processes. You will be able to see a lot of initiatives are taken by the government and local people. Make sure to play your part to keep the city clean and clear.

Waste

The annual wastage of the city has reduced a lot since the last few years. They have taken a lot of measures that helped to reduce pollution. You will be able to witness a lot of dustbins in the city of different colors. They are installed to separate the recyclable and non-recyclable waste. Make sure to place all the food and other waste in the specific bins to help the city stay clean.

Work and Study Abroad

You will come across many foreign students in this city who are studying with the help of different benefits. There are many universities and colleges in the city that offer different courses at low prices. You will be able to get a lot of courses and benefits like exchange students and others. Also, the number of foreign workers is high in the city as there are many available jobs in the city.

Exchange Student

It is one of the best ways to get a good education from different universities in foreign countries. Make sure to check the colleges in your hometown to know if they have a partnership with the colleges in Vladivostok. You will need to be nominated by the home university to get selected for this program.

Au Pair

Au Pair is a very helpful method in the city that helps to earn some money and get food, shelter in the city. This is very helpful for the people of different countries in their initial stage in the city. It helps them to earn some money and settle without any issues.

Volunteering

Volunteering is a very good way to contribute to the city to keep it clean or help reduce pollution. There are also many other volunteering jobs that you can do in the city, such as teaching English to the local people, keeping the port clean, and others. It will help you a lot to learn different things about the local people.