You can get around the city on foot, by bus, tram or taxi. There are also bike lanes if you want to cycle around while admiring the tsar-era buildings. 

Many areas of the city were rebuilt after being ruined during the German occupation in 1942.

A notable landmark in Krasnodar is a steel-lattice water tower designed in the early 20th century by famous architect Vladimir Shukhov. Locals deem it grand enough to be called the Russian Eiffel Tower. Near the tower, you can find the Krasnodar State Circus with acrobats, camels and performers. 

Another landmark is the largest fountain in Europe. Theatre Fountain can be found on Theatre Square and don’t miss the spectacular free light and music show every weekend. It was gifted to the residents of Krasnodar on City Day in 2011. Boasting 370 water jets that can rise up to 25 meters, it is a stunning sight. There are many fountains around the city but this is the most dramatic one and the sight of many cultural and important events. At Christmas and New Year, the fountain area is transformed with elaborate decorations and a festive tree.

St. Catherine’s Cathedral and the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral are Russian orthodox churches named after the famous empress and prince. Both are beautiful with shiny gold domes and grand white entranceways that are regal and elegant. St George’s Church is also worth a visit because it is a very photographic place of worship.

Red Street, also called Krasnaya Ulitsa, runs through the heart of the main city area. At night it is closed to traffic so you can stroll down the street without worrying about traffic. This vibrant street is always busy with lots of statues, fountains, monuments, and shopping to enjoy. Look for the statues of two standing dogs, which locals believe bring good luck if you rub your nose on them. 

Chistyakovskaya Roshcha Park is a lovely area with century-old oak trees. Stroll around, enjoy a picnic and take in the scenery and artwork in this beautiful green space. Next to Krasnodar Stadium is a fairly new park created by wealthy businessman Sergei Galitsky, who owns the Krasnodar soccer club. Covering over 22 hectares, it includes a long tulip boulevard, open-air theatre, a vista point, a climbing wall and many other interesting features to discover. The Rozhdestvensky Park of Culture and Leisure, Solnechny Ostrov (Sunny Island) Park and the City Botanical Garden are all beautiful for a few hours outdoors, taking in the fresh air.

Beef stroganoff, kebabs, Russian pancakes and dumplings and traditional beef soup can be found at many of the traditional restaurants in the city. You can expect an exotic blend of south Russian, Georgian, Armenian and Greek flavours with a strong focus on fresh, locally-grown produce. There are some restaurants serving international fare but not a huge selection. Don’t forget your vodka shots or try a hookah bar!