5 things you should do & see in Tver (PHOTOS)
This city on the Volga River, just 180 km from Moscow, is a little older than the capital itself. There, imperial chic blends seamlessly with contemporary urban spaces.
1. Enjoy the views of the Volga River
The best vantage point for Russia's main river is the Stepan Razin Embankment. A leisurely stroll along it takes about 20–30 minutes. Grab a coffee to go, take your time admiring the opposite bank with its ancient churches, walk all the way to the historic Old Volga Bridge and stop by the City Garden, where boat tours regularly depart from the pier.
2. Step inside the tsar’s palace
Tver lies right between Moscow and St. Petersburg, so travelers of past centuries often stopped there for the night. And emperors were no exception. Catherine the Great ordered the construction of a “travel” palace there for her own convenience.
Later, the Baroque palace was rebuilt in the Neoclassical style and, in the 19th century, it became the residence of Emperor Alexander I's sister. Today, it houses the Tver Art Gallery, considered to be one of the finest provincial art collections in Russia.
3. Stroll down the main pedestrian street
Street musicians, souvenir shops, coffee houses, bars and restaurants – all of this is Trekhsvyatskaya Street. It's also one of the oldest streets in the city, home to the majority of 18th–19th century architectural monuments. A vintage tram car, installed there as an art object and tourist information point, serves as a reminder that trams once ran along this very street.
The street also crosses Radishchev Boulevard, whose central strip also offers a green, walkable promenade.
4. Dine with Volga delicacies
Tver's food scene will pleasantly surprise you with its traditional cuisine reimagined in a modern way, abundant fresh fish, craft beer and a famous local brew from the ‘Afanasy’ brewery. For authentic Russian fare, check out ‘Levels’, ‘Beton, ‘Pro Myaso i Rybu’ or ‘Manilov’. We recommend choosing your spot based on fellow travelers' reviews.
Besides fish, another local specialty is the ‘Pozharsky cutlet’. It originates from the nearby town of Torzhok, was famously praised by Alexander Pushkin and has since become the gastronomic symbol of Tver Region.
5. Travel back in time
At the turn of the 19th–20th centuries, wealthy industrialists the Morozovs built their manufactories on the outskirts of Tver, along with an entire town featuring well-planned infrastructure for their workers. There were residential buildings, a hospital and even a theater. Today, the buildings are abandoned, but their Art Nouveau facades still amaze with their beauty.
If industrial aesthetics aren't your thing, head to the Museum of Tver Life instead. This historic city estate offers a glimpse into how Russian nobles and merchants lived in the 19th century.
How to get to Tver from Moscow:
- By train: From Leningradsky Station (high-speed trains like ‘Lastochka’, ‘Sapsan’ or ‘Aurora’ take about 1–1.5 hours; regular trains take 2–3 hours).
- By car: Via the M-11 ‘Neva’ toll highway (travel time is about 2 hours).
- By bus: From the ‘Severnye Vorota’ (‘Northern Gate’) bus station (travel time is about 2 hours).
