Hotel Zimnyaya

Northern European Russia


Don’t be put off by the Gostiny Dvor building’s decrepit entrance and stairways: the Zimnyaya’s vaulted cell-rooms are (aptly) austere and overpriced for what they are, but they’re clean and cosily decorated. All but three have shared bathrooms. In spite of its name, the Winter Hotel receives guests year-round.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Northern European Russia attractions

1. Transfiguration Monastery

0.7 MILES

Souvenir stalls line the short road that leads, via short-cut steps, up to Valaam’s main attraction. The monastery is radiant in gleaming white and sky…

2. Nikolski Skete

0.96 MILES

For a great picnic site, stroll about 20 minutes north of the Transfiguration Monastery to the quaint, heptagonal bell tower of Nikolski Skete.

3. Nikonovskaya Area

2.92 MILES

One of the few parts of the island that's easily accessible on foot from the monastery is the forested Nikonovskaya area, dotted with chapels and sketes.

4. Kronid Gogolev Museum

23.42 MILES

This museum displays the works of Russian artist Kronid Gogolev, who spent much of his life in Sortavala. His landscape paintings are appealing but not…

5. Petri Shemeikka

23.43 MILES

Those interested in the Kalevala epic poem will want to pay their respects to the kantele-plucking statue of Karelian rune singer Petri Shemeikka that…

6. Firehouse

23.48 MILES

Attractive wooden relic of bygone years. Can only be viewed from the outside, however.