'''Perm''' is the largest city and administrative capital of Perm Krai.

Understand

Perm (Russian: _P_u___}__) is a large industrial city situated on the Kama river banks, at the western foothills of the Ural Mountain range. The city was founded in 1723 by Vasily Tatishchev, who was sent by Peter I to exploit the vast amounts of ores found in the region. The city was named Molotov (_M__?_|_______r), after Vyacheslav Molotov, the minister of foreign affairs under Jozef Stalin.

Get in

During Soviet times, Perm was a closed city to foreigners as well as to non-residents to a great extent. After the fall of the Communist regime in 1991, Perm rapidly modernised, causing an increasing demand for public transportation in and out of the city.

By plane

Perm has an international airport called Bolshoe Savino ({{IATA|PEE}}; {{ICAO|USPP}}), maintaining international flights from Frankfurt (with Lufthansa) and several CIS capitals such as Dushanbe and Yerevan. Bolshoe Savino airport is the hub of Perm Airlines [http://www.aviaperm.ru/]. Perm Airlines, Aeroflot, SkyExpress and S7 Airlines to Moscow (5-6 times per day to Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo and Vnukovo airports), St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Surgut, Sochi (Adler) and Samara. KD Avia ensures a daily route to Kaliningrad, providing there connection to many european cities. In summer, charter flights are operated to Dubai, Munich, Tashkent and several destinations of the Turkish riviera. Perm's second regional airport Bakharevka now mainly serves as a helicopter airport.

By train

Perm-II station is an important junction on the Trans Siberian Railway and therefore very well served by train. There are many daily trains to Moscow, among which Perm's brand train called "Kama", as well as other major Russian cities.

By car

Although Perm lies on the "Siberian Trakt", the main motorway from Moscow to Siberia, its roads are no different from most of Russia's road network - of poor quality.

By bus

The central bus station of Perm, located on Shosse Kosmonavtov opposite the central market, mostly serves destinations in the province. Furthermore there are daily connections with Ekaterinburg, Kazan, Izhevsk and Chelyabinsk.

By boat

Perm is accessible through its Kama river port. Passenger transportation limits to recreational cruises to Chaikovsky, Kazan, Moscow, St. Petersburg and Volgograd. Cruise companies tend to sell return tickets only.

Get around

Getting around in Perm is not very easy for non-locals. Distances tend to be great given the fact that the city stretches along the Kama river. Getting from from one end to the other often requires changing buses and/or trams multiple times. Tram costs 9 RUR and bus 10 RUR, regardless the number of stops. Changing bus or tram, however, requires buying a new ticket. Tickets are sold by conductors only. The city, although spaciously built, is increasingly coping with heavy traffic, especially its vast centre. However, Perm has a well-developed bus and tram network serving the whole city including its most distant suburbs such as Gaiva and Kur'ya. Perm airport Bolshoe Savino is served by bus 35. Public transport works from 05:30am until 12:30am.

See

Although an industrial city, Perm has some places worth visiting.
  • The '''Museum of Arts''', located at the crossing of Komsomolsky Prospekt and Ordzhonikidze Street is one of the largest in Russia.
  • The '''18th century Perm-I train station''' is worth seeing, although it needs a lick of paint. The Motovilikha open-air museum located at the Square of 1905 (north of the centre) boasts an impressive collection of warfare made in the city's Motovilikha factories. There, you are looking at tanks, scud launchers and ballistic missiles.
  • The world famous '''Opera and Ballet Theatre''' "Chaikovsky" offers high-standard opera and ballet events.
  • In summer, entertainment is best found at the '''Kama Boulevard'''. With dozens of party tents and (live) music, it is a popular place for all ages.
  • In February, the annual '''Snow, Ice and Fire Festival''' is a must-see. The festival boasts an international ice and snow sculpture competition with teams from all over the world competing. It takes place mainly in Park Gorkogo, located halfway Komsomolsky Prospekt.
  • The main '''regional sights''' are the Ice Caves in Kungur and Perm-36 in Chosovoi, the only remaining camp of the GULAG archipelago, now a museum.
  • Do

    The Perm province, called Prikamye, is known to offer the best of the Ural Mountains. It has more karst rocks, rivers, caves and nature reserves than any other region in the Urals, apart from the polar Ural Mountain area. River rafting is extremely popular. Other favourite outdoor activities are fishing and hiking. For those, staying too short to leave the city, it is well worth to attend a sports game of local favourites:
  • Hockey club "Molot Prikamye" ("the hammer of Prikamye"), playing in Russia's second ice hockey league after degradation in 2007. Molot Prikamye plays home games in the "Molot" stadium, located in Motovilikha area. Although football is gaining popularity, ice hockey remains Russia's number 1 sport.
  • Basketball team "Ural Great", who are among the best teams of Russia since 2002. They also play at the "Molot" stadium.
  • Football team "Amkar". Amkar plays in Russia's premier league, although their stadium "Zvezda" does not give this impression as it is very small. Nevertheless, Zvezda stadium boasts a good atmosphere. Tickets are usually sold at the stadium on the morning of match day. Tickets are sold to anybody who is prepared to conquer the long queues at the ticket office. Zvezda stadium is situated in Kuybisheva street, not far from Komsomol Square.
  • Learn

    Work

    Buy

    With the city quickly developing, new shopping malls appear everywhere. Definitely worth seeing is the always crowded Central Bazaar, with uncountable kiosks and market stands, as well as huge market halls. The bazaar is located opposite the central bus station, at the very beginning of Kosmonavtov avenue. Perm also has a Chinese market, with mostly clothing being sold.

    Eat

    Budget

    Mid-range

    Splurge

    Drink

    Sleep

    There are a number of suitable hotels in the centre.

  • Hotel Amaks Premier. O___u_|__ _@_}_p_{__. (formerly "Turist") on Ordzhonikidze street is a good choice for leisure and business tourists. This mid-sized hotel was completely renovated in 2006-2007. The staff speaks a number of foreign languages, including English and French. The Kama boulevard, central shopping street Komsomolsky Prospekt and the "Chaikovsky" Opera & Ballet Theater are on walking distance. The hotel has a large bar/restaurant with a very affordable a la carte menu next to its modern bowling facilities. Small swimming pool with sauna/banya in the basement.

  • Hotel Ural. O___u_|__ _T___p_|. 8, Lenin street. 7-(342)-218-62-20. ral-hotel@permtourist.ru. 7-(342)-236-34-54. ttp://www.hotel-ural.com/. It's Perm's largest hotel. Apart from a wide choice of room classes, the hotel offers a wide range of facilities. Although parts of the hotel were thoroughly renovated, it still has a grey Soviet look.

  • Next to hotel Ural lies the <sleep name="Prikamye Hotel" alt="_O___u_|__ _P___y_{_p_}___u"> Although the hotel is quite large, it offers very little facilities.</sleep>
  • New Star Hotel. N___r_p__ _H_r_u_x_t_p. __|. _C_p_x_u____ ___H_r_u_x_t_p__, 38-_A . ast from the railstation Perm II. 7-(342)-220-68-01. nfo@newstar.perm.ru. ttp://www.newstar-hotel.ru/. ouble room: from 4300 rubles (2009). , (opened 2006) is a more upscale hotel. Prices are also upscale. The hotel stands on Gazety Zvezda Street. Since the building is among the tallest in the area, the top floors offer panoramic views over Perm's skyline.

  • Also newly opened, the <sleep name="Gabriel Hotel " alt="_C_p_q___y___|__ _O___u_|__">, which stands on Kirova street is also a very nice place to stay. Everything is taken care of!</sleep>
  • Zhemchuzhina Hotel Complex . G_u_}_____w_y_~_p. __|. _A___|___r_p__ _C_p_s_p___y_~_p, 65-_@ " phone="+7-(342)-261-90-91. ook@pearl-perm.com. ttp://hotel-gem.ru/en. tandard Premium room: from 3500 rubles (2009). , (_gthe Pearl_h ? in translation), opened at the beginning of 2008 is a more upscale hotel. Prices are also upscale. Central location of the hotel as well as its proximity to the highways makes it possible to get to any point of the city. The hotel stands on Gagarina Blvd. 65a. It is the 10-storeyed hotel building .

    For world-class stay, althrough not located in the center, the city also hosts a Hilton hotel.

    Contact

    Stay safe

    Visitors have very little to worry about in Perm when sticking to common sense. Pickpocketing is common in the crowded public transport and in the Central and Chinese Bazars. Occasional drunkards may be somewhat annoying but rarely pose any menace. It is wise to stay out of city parks during the night time, particularly the huge Balatovo Park. Reckless drivers are probably the biggest threat regarding safety.

    Cope

    Get out