Kizhi is an island in lake Onega. It boasts one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites known as Kizhi Pogost, which is 2 churches and a churchyard. One of the meanings of ‘pogost’ is ‘churchyard’. In the 20th century it was decided to make a museum of this island and other wooden building were brought here to make the exhibition larger. This place is definitely worth visiting as the churches are very beautiful and the island itself is very quaint. You can only walk the island as a part of a group, which will be formed when you arrive at the island. After excursion you can walk all by yourself. Please note that the weather in Karelia can change every 5 minutes, so take raincoat and sun cream. Hope this map will be of use http://goo.gl/YIdwJi
We should not forget that it’s an island and you should get there somehow. First of all you need to arrive in the main city of Karelia, Petrozavodsk. Then you can use the services of 2 companies which organize transportation to Kizhi.
Russky Sever – will bring you to Kizhi in 1 h 15 min for 1250 RUB/ adult, 625 RUB/child under 12. You should also pay for the admission to the island. I used their services and liked them very much. It is advisable that you get in touch with them and pay for your ticket beforehand. It is better to book seats at the head of the hydrofoil. You can buy tickets just before the trip at their office at the port. Embarkation starts 20 minutes before departure from pier 1. Timetable: hydrofoil departs from Petrozavodsk at 12.00 and arrives at 13.15, the return trip starts at 17.15 and ends in Petrozavodsk at 18.30. Contacts in Petrozavodsk: manager@welcome-karelia.ru; manager1@welcome-karelia.ru; leto@welcome-karelia.ru; tbk@karelia.ru; +7921-6266006; +78142-734343; +7921-8014776; +7921-4651757; skype ekaterina_mironova3 and daria_segreneva. Contacts in Saint-Petersburg (in Summer): spb1@welcome-karelia.ru and +7921-7003085. Website http://goo.gl/q5zs8g
Turholding Karelia – their hydrofoils promise to bring you to Kizhi in 1 h 15 min for 1250 RUB/ adult, 625 RUB/child under 12. You should also pay for the admission to the island. Embarkation starts 20 minutes before departure from piers 4,5,6. Timetable: ships depart from Petrozavodsk at 10.30, 11.30, 12.15, the return trip starts at 14.45, 15.45, 16.30. Contacts in Petrozavodsk: +78142-733433, +78142-560870, +7911-4037575, +7911-4004060, reserv@hotel.karelia.ru, tourism@hotel.karelia.ru, office at the hotel Karelia&SPA (naberezhnaya Gyullinga 2) http://www.tourholding.ru/ru/4543/ They can also organize transportation in winter season , but price is higher.
You can also get to Kizhi from the village Velikaya Guba (Великая Губа) which is located 94 km to the south of Medvezhegorsk. Transportation available in summer and winter. Contacts: vkizhi@rambler.ru ; vkizhi@vkizhi-ptz.ru and +7921-6259988. Prices: in summer – for a group of 3 people 4000 RUB, 4 people 5000 RUB, 5 people 6500 RUB, in winter – a group up to 5 people 8000 RUB. Website http://goo.gl/UkuDcR
All prices are subject to change.
Baggage should be paid for, a tip – leave your bags at the railway station not to carry them with you. You can easily walk to the port from the railway station, it’s a pleasant 20-30 minutes stroll. Working hours – 24hrs, closed 12.35-13.35, 0.30-01.30, 7.40-8.00, 19.40-20.00. Luggage storage is called Камера хранения in Russia and you can find it here: