10 Things To Do In Tula, Russia

1. P. Belousov Central Park of Culture and Recreation

The biggest park in Tula, the P. Belousov Central Park of Culture and Recreation offers a tranquil spot to enjoy nature. Spanning 353 acres (143 hectares), the park has a forest, three ponds, and a recreational area. There are a wide variety of trees, plants, and grasses to enjoy, and a variety of animals call the park home.

It’s been recently refurbished, and there are plenty of activities to do. Visitors love to bicycle, skateboard, and rollerblade. There’s a carousel for kids, and the grassy areas are great for picnics. If you like the outdoors, this park is a must-see in Tula.

P. Belousov Central Park of Culture and Recreation

Address: Pervomaiskaya, 13A K6, Tula 300053, Russia

Website: P. Belousov Central Park of Culture and Recreation

2. Tula State Museum of Weapons

One of the oldest museums in Russia, the Tula State Museum of Weapons displays weapons from the 16th-century to today. The galleries feature Russian weapons, as well as weapons from Western Europe and North America. The production of arms in Tula began in 1712, and in 1775 the first version of the museum was opened (though it did not open to the public until 1924).

The museum has been recently refurbished, and is spread out over a couple of floors. There are interactive elements, videos, and iPads with information in both Russian and English. As Tula has a history of weapon making, this museum is a great spot to learn more about the city’s industry.

Tula State Museum of Weapons

Address: ul. Oktyabrskaya, 2, Tula, Tulskaya oblast’, Russia, 300041

Website: Tula State Museum of Weapons (in Russian)

3. Pyotr Petrovich

On the edge P. Belousov Central Park of Culture and Recreation lies Pyotr Petrovich, the perfect spot for beer lovers. A brewery and restaurant, this is the perfect spot to down a cold glass of house-made beer.

Reviewers love the atmosphere of the restaurant, the food, and of course the wide selection of beer. Do keep in mind that the menus are only in Russian, but the friendly staff will help you select what you’d like.

Pyotr Petrovich

Address: ul. Pervomayskaya, 13Ак15, Tula, Tulskaya oblast’, Russia, 300035

Website: Pyotr Petrovich

4. Yosnaya Polyana

Perhaps the most visited attraction in Tula is Yosnaya Polyana, the former home of the writer Leo Tolstoy. Now a museum, it’s located 7.5 miles (12 km) southwest of Tula. It is the home where Tolstoy was born, and where he wrote both “War and Peace” and “Anna Karenina”.

The museum is run by one of Tolstoy’s descendants, and in it you can see the author’s personal items and his library of 22,000 volumes. In addition to seeing the home, visitors can view the school Tolstoy founded for underprivileged children and his gravesite.

Yosnaya Polyana

Address: Tula Oblast, Russia, 301214

Website: Yosnaya Polyana

5. Tula Gingerbread Museum

If you have a sweet tooth, a stop at the Tula Gingerbread Museum is a must. Gingerbread, or prianik, has been made in Tula since the 17th-century. Traditionally made with honey, today they contain jam or condensed milk. Tula gingerbread is imprinted, showing symbols, images, or names, and this stamping of the gingerbread is considered an art form.

At the museum, you can learn the history of the gingerbread and see videos showing its production. You can also see a giant cake made of gingerbread, weighing 35 pounds (16 kg).

Tula Gingerbread Museum

Address: Oktiabrskaya St. 45A, Tula 300000, Russia

Website: Tula Gingerbread Museum

6. Tula Kremlin

The Tula Kremlin is one of the oldest fortresses in Russia. Built in the 16th-century, it is a great example of Russian defense architecture. Tula Kremlin contains two cathedrals: the Holy Assumption Cathedral, built in the 18th-century, and the Epiphany Cathedral, built in the 19th-century. There is also a shopping arcade and Tula'a first power plant building.

Visitors love the architecture, the green space around the Kremlin, and say the shipping arcade is a good spot to pick up souvenirs like samovars, dolls, and art.

Tula Kremlin

Address: Mendeleyevskaya St., 8, Tula 300041, Russia

Website: Tula Kremlin (in Russian)

7. Tula Museum of Samovars

Speaking of samovars, number seven on our list is the Museum of Samovars. Tula is known as the place in Russia where samovars are made, so it’s no surprise that the city has a museum dedicated to the metal vessel.

The museum explores the history of the samovar, with examples showing the artistry and craftsmanship it takes to make them. The collection has samovars from as far back as the 18th-century, and shares a variety of designs. If you’d like to take one home with you, there’s a museum shop on site which sells them.

Tula Museum of Samovars

Address: Mendeleevskaya St., 8, Tula 300041, Russia

Website: Tula Museum of Samovars (in Russian)

8. Salden's Brewery

If your Tula trip has got you feeling a bit tired, stop in to Salden’s Brewery and relax with a nice drink. As with many places, craft beers have become incredibly popular is Russia, and this brewery is one of the most celebrated in the country.

Many Russian microbreweries use American hops and German malt, but they’re also known for being experimental and using unique local flavors. At Salden’s Brewery, you can try the Pryanik Ale, inspired by the gingerbread.

Salden's Brewery

Address: Novomoskovsoye shosse 54, Tula, Russia 300045

Website: Salden’s Brewery

9. Memorial Complex to Defenders of Motherland Sky

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

On the edge of Tula sits this large war memorial. The statue is dedicated to the air squadron that defended the city during the Battle of Moscow during World War II. The grounds around the statue are nice and worth a stroll through. You won’t spend hours here, but if you’re in the area, stop by.

Memorial Complex to Defenders of Motherland Sky

Address: Moskovskoye Hwy., Tula, Russia

10. Tula Exatorium

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Finishing up our list is the Tula Exatorium, the city’s zoo. It opened in 1987, and has the largest collection of snakes in the world. 55 species are on public display, including a striped monitor lizard which is 6.5 ft (2 meters) long and a giant tortoise. The zoo was part of the team that discovered the long-nosed shrub racer, which was considered to be extinct. They were successful in breeding the animal, and have helped put the long-noses shrub racer in other museums around the world.

An excellent spot if you’re traveling with children, the Tula Exatorium and its inhabitants will keep you occupied for a day!

Tula Exatorium

Address: ul. Oktyabrskaya, 26, Tula, Tulskaya oblast’, Russia, 300002

Website: Tula Exatorium

Tula's Heritage

Tula, Russia offers plenty of opportunities to explore the city’s history. From Tula’s weapon making, to the tastier samovar and gingerbread making, there are a wide range of museums and attractions to explore this industrial history.