The city
With a population of more than one million people, Rostov-on-Don is the largest city in the south of Russia, and the administrative centre of the Southern Federal District and the Rostov Region. It is located on the banks of the Don river,
46 km from its confluence with the Azov Sea. The distance from Moscow to Rostov-on-Don along the Don highway is 1,073 km. A completely new, modern international airport “Yuzhny” is being built specially for the World Championships. You can also reach the city by train and boat.
Schedule of matches
Rostov-on-Don will host five world championship matches: four group games – with the participation of teams from groups A, D, E and F, and an 1/8 final. They will be held on June 17, 20, 23, 26, and July 2 at the new “Rostov Arena” stadium, which is being built specially for the World Cup on the left bank of the Don.
The stadium
“Rostov Arena” will be able to accommodate 45,000 spectators. As locals note, the arena will become an important part of the city since at the end of the World Cup the stadium will become the home ground for the local team “Rostov”, one of the leaders in the top Russian division. Address: Kirov District, Left Bank of the Don (near the Rowing Canal).
How to get to the stadium
There are plans to organize parking for 7,000 cars near “Rostov Arena”. During the World Cup there will be 10 routes running 200 free shuttle buses for fans with tickets between the stadium and districts of the city. 40 regular public transport routes also serve the arena.
Fan zones
The fan zones will be in the centre of the city: the main one on Teatralnaya Square, and an additional one on Fontannaya Square, both designed for 25,000 people. As in other cities, fans can listen to music, watch football matches on the big screen, buy souvenirs, and take part in sports competitions. A separate programme is being developed for children.
Where to stay
Rostov-on-Don has more than 150 hotels, guest houses, mini-hotels and hostels. The five best economy-class hotels, according to tripadvisor.ru, are “AiDi Hostel” ($15), “Maxi House Hostel” (from $14), “Baba Valya Hostel” (from $25), the loft hotel “Nabokov” (from $10 per bed) and the guest house “9” (from $35). Among five-star hotels, are “Petrovsky Pier Luxury Hotel & Spa” (from $150 per night),” to Marins Park Hotel Rostov – “(from $40) and “Mercure Rostov-on-Don Centre” (from $90). The total number of rooms in all categories will rise to 8,000 by the start of
the World Cup. There are also accommodation options in the neighbouring towns of Shakhty, Azov and Vol-godonsk, which can be reached in 90 minutes.
Where to eat
Rostov-on-Don offers a variety of restaurants with Russian, Ukrainian, Tatar, Caucasian, Mediterranean and other cuisines, from fine dining establishments and cafes to fast-food establishments. You can try local specialities at the “Stanitsa” Cossack restaurant, while the “Valery Chkalov” bar-restaurant will take you back to the atmosphere of the Soviet era. The cafe “Pirogi Kuchkov” offers a tasty and inexpensive choice of dumplings, served quickly. Italian cuisine can be found at the “Donna Anna” cafe and “Sicily” restaurant, while “Sakura” offers Japanese cooking.
ROSTOV-ON-DON OFFERS A VARIETY OF RESTAURANTS WITH RUSSIAN, UKRAINIAN, TATAR, CAUCASIAN, MEDITERRANEAN AND OTHER CUISINES.
What to see
Get to know the city with a walk along Bolshaya Sadovaya – the central and the longest street of Rostov-on-Don, discovering the Chernivi Apartment House, the Musical Theatre, the Town Hall and other local attractions. This multinational city has Orthodox churches, a Catholic church, a mosque, and a synagogue. On Baghramyan Street stands the 18th century church of the Armenian monastery of Surb Khach, with its walls housing a museum of Russian-Armenian friendship. The botanic garden with its mineral spring, and the Voroshilovsky bridge connecting the banks of the Don are also worth seeing.
The bridge crosses the geographical boundary between Asia and Europe. If you have the time, visit Taganrog, the home of the great Russian writer Anton Chekhov, and explore the ancient city of Azov on the way.
