Saratov, City on Volga River in Saratov Oblast, Russia.
Saratov sits on the right bank of the Volga, made up of several administrative sectors with wide boulevards, industrial districts, and residential areas. The city stretches along the river, with older buildings concentrated in the center and newer settlements spreading toward the outskirts.
The settlement began in 1590 as a fortress, protecting southeastern territories during the reign of Tsar Feodor I. It grew into a major trading center in the 19th century, with grain and salt passing through the port on the Volga.
Theater performances draw crowds throughout the week, with residents gathering in the lobbies before evening shows. On weekends, locals stroll along the riverfront promenade, sit in parks, and meet in cafés scattered across the neighborhoods.
Gagarin Airport links the city with other Russian regions, while trams, buses, and trolleybuses cover the local network. Walking works well in the central pedestrian zone and along the riverfront, though public transport is needed to reach outlying districts.
The Radishchev Art Museum opened in 1885 and became the first public art museum outside Moscow and Saint Petersburg. Its collection includes works by Russian painters, with many pieces arriving from private collections after the revolution.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
