Best things to do in Rostov-on-Don

Rostov-on-Don Essentials

Rostov-on-Don, the 'Gateway to the Caucasus,' is defined by its strategic location on the Don River and its rich Soviet-era heritage. This selection covers major landmarks including the Constructivist Gorky Drama Theater, designed in the shape of a tractor, and the 2018 World Cup Rostov Arena. Architectural highlights range from the 19th-century Nativity of the Mother of God Cathedral to the monumental Tachanka sculpture. Cultural sites include the Rostov State Musical Theater and the Regional Museum of Local Lore, which showcases the history of the Don Cossacks.

Rostov-on-Don Essentials — Map

Суркова Галина / CC BY-SA 3.0

A

Pamatnik stacke 1902 goda

A memorial complex in the Zheleznodorozhny District commemorating the general strike of 1902. It features a large bronze composition of workers on a granite pedestal overlooking the city.

B

Memorial voinam-osvoboditelam

A 72-meter tall stele in Theater Square topped with a gilded statue of the goddess Nike. It honors the Soviet soldiers who liberated the city from Nazi occupation in 1943.

Pfgbcm ex`nyfz / CC BY-SA 4.0

C

Tacanka

A massive bronze monument erected in 1977 depicting a horse-drawn machine gun carriage. It commemorates the Red Army's cavalry operations during the Russian Civil War.

Rost.galis / CC BY-SA 4.0

D

Bogatyj kolodez

A historical site marking a natural spring where, according to legend, Peter the Great drank water and named the area 'Rich Well.' It features a memorial fountain and stone structures.

Dmitry89 / CC BY-SA 4.0

E

Rostov Arena

Rostov Arena is an association football stadium in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. It was one of the venues for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Unknown / Public domain

F

Rostov State Musical Theater

Rostov State Musical Theater is one of the biggest musical theaters in Southern Russia.

Unknown / Public domain

G

Rostovskij akademiceskij teatr dramy imeni Maksima Gorkogo

An iconic example of Soviet Constructivism built in 1935. The building's unique architectural design resembles a tractor, reflecting the industrial spirit of the era.

БИБЛИОТЕКАРЬ / CC BY-SA 4.0

H

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church,

The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Russian: was a Greek Orthodox church constructed in 1909 in Rostov-on-Don.

Rost.galis / CC BY-SA 4.0

I

Southern Federal University's botanical garden

Southern Federal University's botanical garden is located in the North-Western part in Rostov-on-Don, in the Temernik river valley.

J

Nativity of Mother of God Cathedral

A Russo-Byzantine style cathedral designed by Konstantin Thon and completed in 1860. It serves as the seat of the Rostov-on-Don Diocese and features a 75-meter bell tower.

Vlad2000Plus / CC BY-SA 2.5

K

Kraevedceskij muzej

One of the largest museums in Southern Russia, housing extensive archaeological finds, ethnographic displays, and exhibits on the history of the Don Cossacks.

Alex Elfimoff / CC BY-SA 3.0

L

Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure

Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure is a central urban park in Rostov-on-Don, Rostov oblast, Russia, named after Maxim Gorky.

Other Lists

Monuments and Memorials Parks and Gardens of Rostov