Explore the Town of Klin over the Weekend
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Why Visit Klin?
The town is located northeast of Moscow, on both sides of the Sister River. Its name can be literally translated as ‘wedge’. Although Klin is more than 700 years old, there are many legends and differing stories about the origin of this name. The most popular explanation is that the city was located in a triangular bend of the river, reminiscent of a wedge.
Klin is a small town that can easily be explored over one or two days. This place is a great example not only of the history and traditions of Russia, but also its nature.
How to Get There
The easiest way to get there is by train from the Moscow Leningradsky Railway Station. Trains operate throughout the day and night. The journey will take between 50 minutes and two hours, depending on the number of stops on the route.
In order to find the exact time of arrival and departure of trains to Klin, it is advisable to check the website, since the schedule depends on the day of the week. You can buy a ticket for the Lastochka train, which will take you directly to Klin, or take a train to the nearby city of Tver. Ticket costs around 300–500 roubles.
Key Landmarks
Klinskoye Podvorie Museum of Christmas Tree Toys
Klinskoye Podvorie is both a museum and at the same time part of a well-known Christmas decoration factory. The museum has two workshops where visitors can see the manufacturing process, where glass is blown and then painted. It is possible to attend bauble-painting master classes.
They also organise excursions to theatrical performances on Saturdays, and on March 16th, Maslenitsa will be celebrated there.
Check out a video about the museum (English subtitles are available)
Address: Klin, 4 Staroyamskaya Ulitsa
Opening hours:
Mon–Sat: 9am–5:30pm
Sun—day off
Tickets:
Sightseeing tour ticket— 500 roubles.
Ticket for master classes—from 350 to 500 roubles. (Depending on the type of masterclass. You can choose the most suitable one for you on the website)
Tickets can be purchased in advance on the website, you can also check the schedule there
Tchaikovsky State House-Museum
This is the oldest Tchaikovsky museum in Russia. In May 1892 Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky began renting an estate on the outskirts of Klin, and was resident there during the last two years of his life. The museum was established in 1894 by Pyotr's younger brother, Modest.
Pyotr Tchaikovsky—a prominent Russian composer of the Romantic period. Tchaikovsky’s most popular compositions include music for the ballets Swan Lake (1877), The Sleeping Beauty (1889), The Nutcracker (1892) and also Romeo and Juliet overture (1870).
The museum includes many of the composer's belongings, including manuscripts of his works, diaries, notebooks, letters, books, photographs, fine art and household items. On the second floor, there is a large piano, at which Pyotr composed his last works, including The Nutcracker and The Queen of Spades.
Today, it is a museum complex that includes a house with a completely preserved memorial setting in which the composer lived and worked. There is also a memorial park with estate buildings.
Address: Klin, 48 Tchaikovskaya Ulitsa
Opening hours:
Mon, Tue, Thu – Sun – from 10am to 6pm
Wed – day off
Closed for cleaning on the last Monday of the month
Tickets:
Student entrance ticket – 450 roubles. (Tickets can be purchased in advance on the website)
The museum also hosts concerts and excursions (Prices and schedules can be found on the website)
Gaidar State House-Museum
The famous Russian writer Arkady Petrowich Gaidar lived and wrote many of his most famous works in this house, including Chuk and Gek and Timur and His Team.
Arkady Gaidar—a Red Army commander and Russian Soviet writer, whose stories were popular among Soviet children.
Visitors can see a collection of Gaidar’s photos, documents, books, and other items connected with the writer’s creative work. The museum conveys the atmosphere that surrounded the writer during his life in Klin from 1938 to 1941.
The museum provides an inclusive environment for people with disabilities who use a wheelchair and people with poor eyesight or hearing.
Address:
17 Gaidara str., Klin, Moscow region
Opening hours:
Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday: 09:00-18:00.
Thursday, Friday: 09:00-19:00.
Monday and Tuesday are days off.
The last Friday of each month is a sanitary day.
Tickets:
For adults—70 roubles.
For children—40 roubles.
Excursion for adults—350 roubles.
Excursion for schoolchildren and students—200 roubles.
Where to walk
Sestroretsky Park
The park is located on the banks of the Sestra River and occupies ten hectares. In the park you can relax, enjoying peace and sanctuary from the noise of the city, as well as sharing a picnic with friends in one of the pavilions. The park also hosts different events for children and adults every day. There is an ice-rink in winter and a beach area with SUP board rental in summer.
Address: Klin, 32 Mira Ulitsa
Open: 24\7
Shopping Arcade
Initially, these rows of shops were made of wood and were designed so that they were at the intersection of two trade roads, one of which connected Moscow and St Petersburg, and the other—Dmitrov and Volokolamsk. Here you could buy shoes, iron products, meat, baked goods, fruits and vegetables. However, after they were destroyed by fire in 1885, it was decided to rebuild them in brick, using a design by Sergei Rodionov.
For a long time, these rows of shops were in a dilapidated condition, but following a restoration project, they have regained their historic appearance and now there is a lively collection of cafes and shops. Another attraction earby is Trinity Cathedral.
Address: Klin, 20/2, Sovetskaya Square
Open: 24\7
Where to eat
Oblaka Loft Bar
In this cozy restaurant, you can enjoy both Italian and Russian cuisine, with a menu that includes vegetarian options. An important feature of the restaurant is its panoramic view of the city. This is an ideal place to have a delicious dinner and watch the sunset.
Address: Klin, 22a Dzerzhinskogo Ulitsa
Open:
Mon-Thu from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Fri-Sat from 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Sun from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Average bill: 1500 roubles per person
An inexpensive restaurant in the city-centre offering Italian food, and a great place for relaxing and chatting with friends.
Address: Klin, 11/1, Sovetskaya Square
Open: Mon-Sun from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Average bill: 1000 roubles per person
Zavtrak ,Obed, Uzhin
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
The name of this cafe speaks for itself. This is a great place for any time of day, located right in the city-centre and where you can try food from many different countries.
Address: Klin, 20/4, Sovetskaya Square
Open: Mon-Sun from 08:30 AM to 7 PM
Average bill: 1000 roubles per person
Where to stay
There are several places to stay in Klin. Some of them are:
Golden park
This hotel is convenient for walks around the city and sightseeing. Many of the sights described above are close to this place. The hotel provides free Wi-Fi and breakfast.
Address: Krasnaya str., 48, Klin
Price: Around 2300 roubles per night.
Klinskoye Podvorie
Close to the museum of Christmas Tree Toys. Provides free Wi-Fi and local transfers. The staff speak both English and Russian.
Address: 6 Staro-Yamskaya str., Klin
Price: Around 3500 roubles per night.
Hotel Spectr
Convenient location near the train station. Shops, cafes and sights are all within walking distance. The hotel provides free Wi-Fi and breakfast.
Address: Novoyamskaya str., 6, Klin
Price: Around 3000 roubles per night.
Useful Tips:
- Students can get a discount on museum tickets by presenting their student card, so don’t forget to bring it with you!
- Make sure you get a window seat. On the train to Klin, you can enjoy the landscape, passing through small villages and beautiful nature.
- Take some cash with you, as some museums may not accept card payments.
Text by Polina Safronova, Polina Sukhacheva and Olga Timofeeva, bachelor’s students of Foreign Languages and Intercultural Communication, interns at the HSE University English website team