Syktyvkar

Syktyvkar is a city in northwestern Russia of about 235,000 and the capital city of the Komi Republic. It is an industrial city and also a major logistics hub for forestry products.

Street scene in Syktyvkar.

Syktyvkar has passenger services from Moscow (25 h) and Saint Petersburg (32 h) on most weekdays, as well as daily regional trains from most cities in Komi. Regional trains are often quite slow and usually don't carry first class carriages.

• National Museum of the Komi Republic, Ulitsa Lenina 57. Provides perspective on history and natural aspects of the Komi region, with interactive exhibits. Then across the way in the city square you'll find Lenin in all his statuary.
• Sobor Svyatitelya Stefana Permskogo Dukhovnyy Tsentr Pravoslaviya, Ulitsa Lenina, д.6. Stephen's cathedral with gold-colored onion domes.

• “Рубликъ” Rublion Sinema, 73/6, Kuratova St, ☏ +7 821 220-60-00. 9.30 – 00.30. Modern cinema, the first entertainment center in the Komi Republic. The cinema is on the ground floor, and there is an entertainment center on the first floor. There is also a café on premises. 200-300 руб. 
• Ski Complex Raisa Smetanina (Лыжный Комплекс Раисы Сметаниной), Severnaya st., 1a, Vyl'gort (a few km southwest of Syktyvkar). Olympic training complex southwest of town where you can do some cross-country skiing, or watch people train (if you are into that). 

• Pullman Hostel, Ulitsa Katayeva, 35/1, ☏ +7 821 231-10-59. A frugal place to stay, but sometimes it gets cold and noisy inside. $9. (updated Apr 2021)
• Klukva Hostel, Ulitsa Sovetskaya, 80, ☏ +7 912 152-00-11. The hostel, whose name apparently means cranberry, offers a well-maintained and comfortable place to stay. $15. (updated Apr 2021)
• Snegiri Hotel (Отель Snegiri), Ulitsa Kommunisticheskaya, 21/1, ☏ +7 821 256-50-07. Offers rooms or suites, wifi, and breakfast for a surcharge. $29. (updated Apr 2021)

The 600-year-old monastery at Ust-Vym is an easy day trip.