A Comprehensive Neighbourhood Guide To Perm

Perm is one of the 15 cities in Russia with a population of over one million inhabitants. It is the last city on the European side of the Ural mountains and also a place hiding many unexpected cultural gems. When you do visit Perm, you should know where to go and which areas to stay away from.

1. Leninsky

University

Leninsky is a neighbourhood divided into two parts by the Kama river. Chances are it is also the neighbourhood that you will spend the most time in: the southern part of Leninsky is Perm’s most strict centre. In the northern part of the neighbourhood, you’ll find the campus of Perm Polytechnical University.

Leninsky district, Perm, Permsky Krai, Russia

Perm Opera and Ballet Theatre | © D V S / WikiCommons

2. Derzhinsky

Train Station, University

Derzhinsky is a district directly neighbouring Leninsky. A vast part of its area is occupied by residential buildings, but it also houses establishments of municipal importance: the Perm-2 train station, which, next to the airport, is the city’s most important communication hub; and the campus of Perm State University, the most important higher education institution in the region.

Derzhninsky district, Perm, Permsky Krai, Russia

Perm-II Railway station | © Grue / WikiCommons

3. Industrialny

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Industrial_district_of_Perm_(ru).svg

This is the youngest of Perm’s neighbourhoods, established in 1972. It was separated out of Derzhnisky due to its rapidly growing population. The district’s most important establishment is Osentsovsky industrial hub. The city’s oil and gas processing is centred here and it is a very pragmatic, industrial-residential district. The city’s airport, Bolshoye Savino, is located right outside Industrialny.

Industrialnyi district, Perm, Permsky Krai, Russia

Industrial district, Perm | © D V S / WikiCommons

First established as the city’s district in the 1930s, Motovilikhinsky was initially the sleeping quarters of the workers of the nearby factories. Now it is growing to be the most important residential district of Perm. It is the part of the city with the most single-family detached houses. Motovilikhinsky is a wonderful place for an afternoon stroll: the streets are wide and green, there are plenty of cafes to stop at for a coffee on the way. If you’re looking for a spectacle to watch, Motovilikhinsky also hosts the city’s planetarium and circus.

Perm Planetarium, Gagarina 27A, Perm, Permsky Krai, Russia, +7 342 260-41-29

Perm State Circus, Uralskaya 112, Perm, Permsky Krai, Russia,+7 342 260-48-87

Motovilikhinskyi district, Perm, Permsky Krai, Russia

4. Kirovsky

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kirovsky_district_of_Perm_(ru).svg

Kirovsky is the westernmost part of the city, and also one of the districts which are furthest away from the city centre. Its official name is Kirovsky, but the locals usually call it Zakamsk (as it’s entirely located on the northern bank of the Kama river, behind the river: “za-” means “behind”, “kamsk” comes from the Kama). It’s a highly industrial region which has a very bad reputation among the locals. It is a very interesting place, but also not the best destination for a relaxing evening stroll.

Kirovsky district, Perm, Permsky Krai, Russia

Kirovsky district, Perm | © D V S / WikiCommons

5. Ordzhonikidzevsky

Ordzhonikidzevsky is the northernmost part of the city. It stretches over both banks of the Kama river. The district is crucial for the energetic security of the city: it is where the Kama hydroelectric power plant is located. It is yet another pragmatic industrial-residential district and the type of settlement that most of provincial Russia is composed of.

Ordzhonikidzevsky district, Perm, Permsky Krai, Russia

Kama hydroelectric power plant in Perm | © Nikolai Maksimovich / WikiCommons

6. Sverdlovsky

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%D0%94%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B5%D1%86_%D0%BA%D1%83%D0%BB%D1%8C%D1%82%D1%83%D1%80%D1%8B_%D0%B8%D0%BC%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8_%D0%A1%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B4%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0_(%D0%9F%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%BC%D1%8C).jpg

One of the southernmost parts of the city. It was established in 1936 and originally called Stalinsky but was soon renamed. Throughout the communist period, Sverdlovsky housed the headquarters of many establishments of regional importance, but with time it lost a lot of its prestige. Sverdlovsky is an another example of the industrial-residential fabric of which most of Russia is woven.

Sverdlovsky district, Perm, Permsky Krai, Russia

The culture centre in Sverdlovsky district | © Tara-Amingu / WikiCommons

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.