N About Belgorod
The city of the first salute of the Victory, a resort without a sea - this is how Belgorod is unofficially called. Freed from the invaders during the Battle of Kursk, it received the title of the city of military glory. Not surprisingly, most of the sights are of historical importance. In the early 50s Belgorod was built anew. Since then, the capital of the region has been reminiscent of a European seaside town, from the water resources here is the Seversky Donets River, a tributary of the Don.
In the last 10 years, Belgorod has been trying to move away from the image of an industrial and transit point linking Russia with Ukraine. Now it attracts those who want to look at unusual monuments: a janitor, an honest traffic police officer, the first teacher, and even a shuttle trader. Also, fishing enthusiasts, fans of rural and ecotourism go to Belgorod. The city is also interesting from the point of view of gastro travel: here you can get acquainted with the most popular dishes of Ukrainian and old Russian cuisine.
How to get to Belgorod
The capital of the region has an advantageous transport location, and you can get to it any day without losing extra money. Belgorod International Airport receives daily direct flights from Moscow. From the air harbors of Domodedovo and Vnukovo, 2 flights a day are made by Rusline and UTair. The most favorable tariff is offered by the Pobeda low-cost airline, travel time is 40 minutes.
There are direct flights from Pulkovo in St. Petersburg and Koltsovo in Yekaterinburg, and you will have to spend 2 and 3 hours in flight, respectively. From other Russian cities, only flights with connections in the Russian capital are available to you.
By train from Moscow to Belgorod can be reached for 1000 RUB and 7 hours, from the city on the Neva - from 1500 RUB. The railway line Krivoy Rog - Moscow also passes through Belgorod. From the Dnieper region, the travel time will be about 23 hours. Prices on the page are for September 2021.
From Moscow to Belgorod, traffic is organized along the federal highway M2 "Crimea" or M4 "Don", - in both cases, the distance will be approximately 670 km. These roads have a high-quality surface, in some sections the permissible speed reaches 130 km / h.
Traveling by private car can reduce travel time by choosing paid sections of the route. Also, 10 intercity buses depart from the capital daily in the morning and in the evening: landing at the Salaryevo Bus Station and at the bus stations near the Novoyasenevskaya and Varshavskaya metro stations. Travel time is 10 hours, the cost of services is from 900 RUB.
From airport to city
Belgorod Airport is located on the outskirts of the northern part of the city. Getting from it to the center is very easy. There is a bus stop at the exit of the only terminal. Trolleybuses and buses No. 1 and 4 will take tourists and local residents to the railway station. Bus number 8 carries passengers to the Technological University. All these routes pass through Glory Avenue, along which in 5 minutes you can walk to the main square of the city - Cathedral Square. Travel time is from 15 minutes.
Transport
The center of Belgorod can be bypassed in half an hour. But if you need to visit other areas, you can use the bus, minibus or trolleybus. The city has a well-developed public transport network, running on more than 40 routes from 5:30 to midnight. The ticket costs from 25 RUB.
There is no single standard for the work of taxi companies: some have installed meters, others carry at fixed rates - the second option is considered more profitable for the client. You can catch a car on the street or order by phone, just keep in mind that during peak hours or during holidays, a car will have to wait up to an hour.
Traffic in the city is moderate, traffic jams occur only during the morning and evening rush hours, as well as during major holidays.
Parking in the city center on weekdays from 8:00 to 20:00 costs 30 RUB per hour. Free time - half an hour a day. Automated services and pedestrian inspectors work on the roads, looking for violators. There is a fine for incorrect parking.
Renting a bike or scooter for a day or a few hours is a great way to spend an active weekend. Most bike rentals are located in the city center.
What to bring home
Traditionally, tourists bring honey from Belgorod, collected by bees from plantations in the region. It is best to buy honey in the Belgorod market from private traders selling their own product.
Also from Belgorod it is worth taking sweets from the Slavyanka confectionery factory. The plant, located in Stary Oskol, has been producing sweets since 1932. Today, the assortment includes dozens of items for every taste: chocolate bars, chocolate figurines, assorted sets.
Majolica from the village of Borisovka is popular: it is known not only in Russia, but also abroad. Pottery originated here in the 18th century and began to actively develop after the end of the Great Patriotic War, along with the revival of the region. During a tour of the Borisov Ceramics factory, located 40 km from the capital of the region, you can watch the work of the masters and sit at the potter's wheel yourself, and then buy a clay pot in the company store.
Weather
Belgorod has a temperate continental climate: summers are hot here, and winters are cool and treacherous, the weather often changes dramatically. In early December, there are thaws with rains, and frosts can hit by the middle of the month. At the same time, the local reservoir is covered with a layer of ice. Windy spring comes to the city in March, and sunny warm weather sets in by mid-May. In summer, frequent showers are replaced by dry periods. In general, the most favorable period for walking around Belgorod and fishing in its vicinity is the end of spring and all summer. In October-November, rains come, but at this time you can see the golden autumn.
