10 breathtaking views of Vladivostok (PHOTOS)

1. Golden Bridge

The best view of this engineering miracle is to be had from Orlinoye Gnezdo (Eagle's Nest) Hill, the highest point of the historical part of the city. This observation deck can be reached on foot or by cable car. Get your camera ready — it’s simply impossible to resist taking a selfie against such a backdrop.

2. Ships in Golden Horn Bay

When the city founders first arrived in these parts (mid-19th century), the landscape struck them as resembling the famous Golden Horn of Istanbul. Hence, the name. It is best to view the ships (including some on active military duty), sailboats and yachts from the water. Plus, you’ll get a closer look at the stunning Golden Bridge.

3. “Tokarevskaya Cat” Lighthouse

This view is undoubtedly Vladivostok's calling card. It is also one of the oldest lighthouses in Russia, located on an artificial island joined to a narrow dam that gets periodically flooded with water. But that doesn’t stop die-hard Instagrammers from enduring wind and water to get to the lighthouse for the sake of a better shot. Even locals are in awe of the place, the symbolic end of the continent, where the Pacific Ocean begins.

4. Krestovaya Hill

The mountains in Vladivostok are small, often described as mounds. But despite their modest size, they are not easy to climb. But Krestovaya (Cross) Hill is worth the effort for more stunning views of Golden Horn Bay, the Golden Bridge and the city as a whole.

5. Basargin Lighthouse

Another lighthouse that overlooks the “Bosphorus of the East” — located on a high cliff, separated by a thin isthmus from the rocky shore. It is partially cut off from the sea by reefs. A truly mesmerizing spectacle!

6. Russky Bridge

Another piece of epic engineering, the sight of which will take your breath away. It is considered the longest cable-stayed bridge anywhere in the world. Opened relatively recently, in 2012, the structure connects the mainland to Russky Island.

At night it is illuminated with the colors of the Russian flag. Incidentally, the bridge is depicted on the newish 2,000-ruble note (see here for the other Russian banknote landmarks).

7. Rynda Bay

This bay on the remote end of Russky Island is synonymous with tranquility: sea, pristine nature and riotous greenery all around. Plus there’s a homely restaurant where even Russian President Vladimir Putin dined!

8. Ushi Island

This quaint island is part of the Empress Eugénie Archipelago, which includes Russky and several other islands south of Vladivostok. All are renowned for their nature and variety of flora, and Ushi (translated as 'ears') also for its shape: two rocks sticking out of the water, connected by an isthmus.

9. Artillery batteries

Vladivostok is primarily a military port, so dozens of obsolete military batteries are strung along the winding coastline. One of the most impressive is the Voroshilov battery on Russky Island, while some incredible views open up from the Novosiltsevskaya and Nazimovskaya batteries, located at either end of Russky Bridge.

10. Glass Beach

Photographs make this seem like a magical place, strewn with thousands of multicolored glass stones. This is almost the case. However, the history of its origin is slightly less romantic: for many years there was a landfill here, then all the garbage was taken away, but millions of fragments of bottles and ceramics got left behind. The sea has since polished them smooth, turning the area into a tourist attraction. Incidentally, locals worry that souvenir-hunting tourists will soon strip their glass beach bare.