Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Guide

Author: Dimitry Paranyushkin (on 09 Aug 2020)
 
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky is the capital and the only city at the Kamchatka peninsula. Built as a base for the Russian Navy the city has poor infrastructure and because of that has a very temporary feel to it. The only airport at Kamchatka is situated near the city, so it is a starting and final point for any tourist visiting Kamchatka. It only makes sense to stay there a few hours and go straight to the nature but if you need to spend a night there is a very nice hostel called "Three Skiis" (Tri Lyzhi) and a cool bar called Bay House created by Kamchatka Freeride Community.
 
 

General Info and Facts about Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky

Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky is the capital and only city at the peninsula. It is so far from Moscow that the time difference to the Russian capital there is bigger than Iceland: GMT +12 (London +12, Paris +11, Moscow +9, New York +17). Its population is about 300.000.

The easiest way to get around the city is to book a taxi using Yandex.Taxi (which doesn't work so well) or inDriver (a local app that has an English version that lets you bid on the lowest-priced taxi offer). There is the main street leading through Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky along the bay all the big shops and sights can be found there. Most of the offices and banks and shops open from 10.00 to 18.00. Meanwhile, there are many daily shops.

Weather: The weather is quite unpredictable, the rains are frequent.
Average temperatures in the area of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky:
Mon Jan Feb May Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Celc -8 -8 -5 -1 4 9 12 13 10 4 -2 -6
Fahr 18 18 23 30 39 48 54 55 50 39 28 21Phoning

There are two types of local phone numbers: 5-numbered and 6-numbered one. The phone code of the city is 4152. All the main Russian mobile operators are present at Kamchatka.

 

Brief History

1740 - navigator Ivan Elagin explored the bank of Avachinskaya bay and founded a harbor in it.
1740, 6 october - first two ships arrived to the new port. Official date of foundation of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Port was perfectly located, so many long-distance geographical expeditions used it.
1779 – the third expedition of James Cook arrived at the port.
1787 – the circumnavigation expedition of La Peruz arrived at the port.
1804 – first Russian circumnavigation expedition headed by Kruzenshtern arrived at the port.
1812 – Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky was proclaimed the capital of Kamchatka.
1822 – Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky obtained the status of the city (it was just a settlement before).
1830 - Population of the city ran up to the 1000 inhabitants.
1849 – Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky obtained the status of the primary Russian Pacific port
1850 – First lighthouse was built in the port. It was the single lighthouse at the Russian Pacific shore.
1854 – 10 days long defense of the city. Allied UK and France were up to conquer Russian Far East and Alaska (it was part of the Russia then ). Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky as the important Russian

Crater Kamchatka Russia
A "Burned" Crater at Kamchatka

Navy base was the primary target of the Allies. Six military ships carried 900 soldiers entered Avachinskaya bay and attacked the city. The garrison of 350 soldiers was equipped with two ships only. Main struggle took part at the Nikolskaya sopka (the hill in the central part of the city). The Russians won and got rid of the conquerors.

1917-1922 – Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky was the center of revolutionizing actions at Kamchatka.
2000-2001 – The lack of the coal at the local coal station during the wintertime. Inhabitants were using open fires to heat their apartments.
2003- Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky was listed by WayToRussia.Net guide.

 

Walking Around

Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky provides very few possibilities for a pleasant walk. It's not a good-looking city, most of it looks pretty ran-down. However, if you are into Soviet brutalism, it can be interesting to do a tour. Otherwise, head straight to the nature. If you do end up walking around the city, just take the main street and you will see all the main sights.

Ploshad Lenina (square of Lenin)
All the main squares in soviet towns were called after Lenin. But for the last 10 years almost all of them were renamed and redecorated. Things seems

 

 

Skaters at Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Russia
Skaters in Petropavlovsk

to be the same in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, there is still Lenin’s square with the monument of Lenin in the center of it.
Local skaters occupied a small area just near the square. To get there face the monument and go to the right, pass building of the local administration and the skaters hub will be at your left.
How to get there: there is only one Ploshad Lenina in the city, most of the buses go there.

Naberezhnaya (embankment)
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky is an ocean port, gaunt along the shore, but there is just single 200 meters long embankment. There are several 24h cafes over there.
How to get: As you get to Ploshad Lenina, look where the ocean are and get there.

Nikolskaya Sopka (Nikols knoll)
This is a small knoll just in the city center. It took me about 15 min to get to

Nikolskaya Sopka, Kamchatka, Russia
Nikolskaya Sopka, Petropavlovsk

the top. You don’t need any special equipment to get there, just wear the good pair of shoes. There is a splendid view to Avachinskaya bay and to the city from the top of the knoll.
How to get: You have to get to Ploshad Lenina. Face the bay, Nikolskaya sopka will be on your left. The road to get up is at the opposite side, but there are pathes you can use at this side either.

Chapel
Small grey building in the park, locals call it “Chapel” and recommend to visit. Absolutely ordinary.
How to get: Chapel is situated at the back side of Nikolskaya sopka. There is a path from Chapel leading to the top of the knoll.

 
 

Transportation and Getting Around Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky

Traveling around Kamchatka and Petropavlovsk
The best way is to order a taxi using the local Russian app inDriver that lets you bid on the lowest-priced taxi offer. It works pretty well and will get you around for about $10 (700R) for every 20 minutes, which is not that much.  

Getting to and from the Kamchatka Airport
The only way to get to Kamchatka is the airway and the only airport at Kamchatka is in the village called Elyzovo in 20km from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
To get to the city from the airport take the Bus #113 or shuttle with the same number. Bus will cost you $0.3, shuttle $0.5. You can take a taxi to the city for $5.

Traveling around Kamchatka.
You can travel around Kamchatka by the buses only. The buses operate between the city and local villages: Esso, Oktyabarskiy, Milkovo, Ust-Kamchatsk.

Bus station (Avtostanciya) in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky located at the beginning of the Prospect Pobedy street. Ticket offices open hours: 8-12.30, 13.00-16.00. Tickets can be obtained the same day only. The bus service will be cancelled if there will be few passengers on board.
There are daily services:
#215, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky - Esso, depart at 8.30, arrive at 20.00, price $15
#208, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky - Oktyabrskiy, 8.30-16.15, price $7
#201, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky - Milkovo, 8.30-16.00, price $10
#218, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky - Ust-Kamchatsk, 8.00-23.00, price $30
You have to pay for every luggage unit $2.

Around the city
The only public mean of tranport in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky is a bus transport.The green municipal buses operate all over the city. There is always a conductor inside the bus, you will buy a ticket from him for $0,15-0,30 (depends on the route).
There are also privately owned buses of different colors and models. They are operating at the same routes as city buses. The ticket costs $0.3-1. As you entered tell to the driver where he should stop and take your place.
The most popular mean of transport is the minibus (locals call it “meekreek”) – privately owned minibuses. These minibuses operate at the same routes as city buses. The ticket cost up to $1 for the ride. Mykreek stops by request only. So if you want to stop the passing by minibus wave with your hand and don’t forget to tell to the driver where to stop.

 

Accommodation and Hotels in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky

There are several hotels in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and they are pretty bleak. However, Bay House offers really decent accommodation and the Three Skiis hostel has a nice ambiance and is pretty clean and pleasant, so you can simply book a double room there instead of staying at a hotel. Hotels are usually full in the high season, so it's better to reserve a room beforehand. All the hotels accept cash only, rubles. 

Bay House
A nice house with very decent rooms, created by the local Kamchatka Freeride Community. As close to western style accommodation as you can get in the city. Prices start at €50 but usually can go up to €80 for a double.
Book Online
Address: Avachinskaya St, 15

Hostel Three Skiis
A nice hostel with a great ambiance, loved by young people, snowboarders, heli-skiiers and everybody who doesn't want to stay in the Soviet-style hotels. It has different types of rooms: dormitories but also private doubles. Located in the center of the city. Prices for a bed in a 8-bed dorms start at €21 per night, prices for private doubles are €80 per night. The hostel is often booked, so it's better to organize your travel beforehand.
Click Here to Book a Dorm Room Online
Click Here to Book a Private Double Room Online
Address: Sovetskaya st., 48

Hotel Edelveis
Strange place. Crappy building with the entrance from the backside and small sign. No hall for reception, just table standing in the corridor. Receptionist speaks basic English. There are 20 room in the hotel. Double and single for same price – 52$ (breakfast included). Cash is only acceptable.
All the rooms equipped with telephones, TV-sets. There are no showers and toilets in the most of the rooms.
Address: Prospect Pobedy, 27
Tel.:5-3324

Hotel Petropavlovsk

Most “western” hotel in the city. Recently renovated, all the staff speak English. There is a bowling and a bar in the building. ATM machine can be found in the lobby (Visa, MasterCard, American Express). TV-sets and phones in every room.
Double- 88$, single- 78$, breakfast included. Cash is only acceptable.
Website in English, Japanese, and Russian.
Address: Karla Marksa str., 31.
Tel.: 5-03-74
http://www.petropavlovsk-hotel.ru/

 


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Heiser Hotel

 

 

 

 

The cheapest option in the city. There are two types of doubles for 30$ and 34$ and three types of singles for 45$, 28$, 17$. The difference is in the room size and width of the bed. They also provide number for 3 persons for 40$. Most of the stuff don’t speak English. They charge visitors for additional equipment – TV-sets, fridges, etc. Hot water in the rooms is available from 7.30 to 8.30 and from 21.00 to 22.00. Meanwhile there is always a hot water in the common showers at the floor. It smells like in Soviet hotel inside. Building is crappy, but they said it will be renovated soon. Hotel is near the main street, but far away from the ocean. To get there you need to walk about 10 min from the main road. Surprisingly this hotel is surrounded by colorful private houses. I was told this area called “The valley of beggaries”, there are Mercedeses parked near houses and even the helicopter. So you have an opportunity to live like you are in USSR and looking at new Russia at the window.
Address: Toporkova ul., 10
Tel.: 5-85-95
/

 

 

Avacha Hotel

 

 

 

 

Double- 76$, Single- 60$.
Nice, clean, recently renovated, full of Japanese tourists. The only casino “Collisem” in the city is in the same building. This hotel located in the middle of the city – not far from ocean, there are daily shops near and many restaurants, market is in front of it. There are TV-sets, fridges and phones in the rooms. The have tour agency inside and DHL office. English-speaking staff.

Address: Leningradskaya str., 61

 

Rus Hotel

 

 

Double: 25$, Single: $ 30.
This hotel is situated deep inside the residential blocs and far from city center. It was hard to get there, hotel is at the top of the hill, so you have to go up pretty much. The nearest bus station is in 15 minutes. There is a great view from the hotel to the city. Nobody at the reception speak English, although there are many Americans in the hotel. Clean.
Address: Zvezdnaya ul., 4/2
Tel.: 7-55-15
Fax: 7-06-82

 

 

Eating Out and Restaurants

There are several restaurants and cafes in the city, generally eating out is not popular in the city. All the hotels propose own cafes, where you can eat.

Café “Press-Club”
It was really hard to find it. I had an address, but when I come to the place I only saw crappy office building and several ruined houses around it. I thought, I came to the wrong place but I mistook. This restaurant is situated in the crappy building but considered to be one of the best. They serve seafood mainly.
Open: 12-till the last client
Address: Lukashevskogo, 5.
Tel.: 6-09-38

Keseku Japanese restaurant
Address: Leningradskaya, 35
Tel.: 3-70-71

 

Golubaya Laguna – aqua center.
The best aqua center in the area of the city. The hot water comes directly from the spring. They change water in swimming pool once a week on Wednesdays.
Entrance fee: $4
Open: 10.00-2.00, Tuesday – day off.
How to get: the aqua center located in several kilometers out of the city, so the easiest way it to get the taxi for $12 or you can take the Bus #110 from the Bus station.

Avacha Bay
Hire the motorboat and make the voyage to the ocean the bay. The shore looks nice from the boat and you watch the whales if you are lucky.
The boat can be hired through the tourist agency.

Casino “Colliseum”
Address: Leningradskaya str., 61 (in the building of Avacha hotel)

“Comic” bowling
Address: Karla Marksa str., 31. (in the building of Petropavlovk hotel)

 

 

 




 

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