What to See in Derbent – Attractions and Interesting Places

Derbent Fortress Naryn-Kala

The Derbent Fortress Naryn-Kala, or the "Naryn-Kala" Citadel, is the main historical attraction of Dagestan, a magnet for all travelers to the Republic. It's a unique structure with no equal in Russia. It is a cultural heritage site of the peoples of the Russian Federation and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We confidently recommend it as a must-see during your trip to Dagestan.

Translated from Persian, Naryn-Kala means "Sunny Fortress". This vast fortress complex was built by the Persians and served as a defense against attacks from neighboring states. Naryn-Kala's history is rich with events and cultural influences. It belonged to the Sassanid Persians, the Arab Caliphate, served as a residence for emirs, and as a post for a Russian garrison. Its construction dates back to the 6th century, but in subsequent centuries, the fortress was rebuilt and added to with new structures, right up to the 19th century. More about the Derbent Fortress and how to visit it.

Old City Magaly

The Old City, or the Magaly district, is the historical part of the ancient city of Derbent, and this is where the history of Russia's oldest city began. A walk through the old, narrow, winding streets past low, old residential buildings and ancient architectural monuments will undoubtedly become one of the most memorable moments of your vacation in Derbent.

Today, it is one of the most visited places in the city, with well-preserved architectural monuments and unique historical sites. More about the Old City of Derbent and how to visit it.

Juma Mosque

The Derbent Juma Mosque is the oldest mosque not only in Russia but also in the CIS countries. For Dagestan, the Juma Mosque holds special significance: built in 734 AD, it became the center for the spread of Islam in Dagestan. Like the Naryn-Kala Fortress, it is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and is classified as a cultural heritage site of the peoples of the Russian Federation. Today, you can see it while walking through the Old District of Derbent; it is open to tourists. It is included in all tour routes around the city, so there are always many tourists here. More about the Juma Mosque in Derbent.

Derbent Tourist Mile

This is a pedestrian tourist route in Derbent, passing through the entire city center along the fortress wall from the historic Magaly district to the Nizami Ganjavi Park with the famous musical fountain. In other words, it's a new pedestrian zone in Derbent, very beautiful and excellently arranged after the city's recent renovation of tourist spots. The length of the Tourist Mile is just over a kilometer, although if you include the equipped pedestrian path along the old Magaly district, it's a full 2 kilometers. Along the route, there are rest areas, shops, modern installations in traditional Caucasian style, as well as genre sculptures reflecting the life, traditions, and history of the peoples of Dagestan. There are information boards with a map and description of the route and its objects, so the walk will also be educational. You'll see part of the fortress wall masonry, its foundation, and an ancient urban water supply system, considered one of the oldest in the world. More about the Derbent Tourist Mile.

Operating 17th Century Kyrkhlar Hamam

The operating 17th-century hamam, or Kyrkhlar Hamam, is located on the outskirts of the old Magaly district in Derbent. And it is indeed operating; you can visit it, following quite strict traditional rules: only couples or families can visit together, requiring proof of marriage; visits by different families together are prohibited. You need to book here in advance, preferably several weeks ahead, and a prepayment is required. More about Kyrkhlar Hamam.

Fatima az-Zahra Mosque

This is a small mosque in a narrow alley of Derbent's old city, and probably for this reason, it is one of the least known and most unusual mosques for tourists. It is indeed located in a dead end; finding it is not easy, as there are no signs. But if you use a map and navigator, you'll find it easily – just read where it is at the end of the article in the "how to get there" section. Unfortunately, you cannot enter the mosque outside of prayer times; it is locked. And as you know, tourists are not allowed to enter mosques during prayer times to avoid distracting worshippers. So, tourists can only view it from the outside. More about Fatima az-Zahra Mosque.

Bala Mosque

This is an ancient mosque in Derbent's old city, a historical and architectural monument of federal significance. Honestly, it's hard to call it one of the "top" or most spectacular attractions of the city, but if you are walking the tourist route in the old city, we recommend paying attention to it. The mosque was built between the 11th and 19th centuries and is an example of a typical quarter mosque. During the siege of Derbent in 1796 by Russian troops under General V. Zubov, the building was severely damaged. Afterwards, a new mosque was built on its site as a single-story structure with a flat roof, but without a dome. This is how you will see it today. The inscription at the entrance indicates that the new building was erected in 1225 AH (which corresponds to 1812 AD). More about Bala Mosque.

Kilisa Mosque

An operating quarter mosque and architectural monument in Derbent's old city, located almost in the center of Magaly on the market square. This is one of those attractions that tourists walk past without paying much attention, not even noticing it's a mosque. And this is not surprising, as little in its architecture reveals it as a Muslim place of worship. Nevertheless, this place has a rich history. The exact time of the initial construction of the Kilisa Mosque is unknown. Elements of its architecture, which are hard for a non-specialist to distinguish, indirectly indicate its age. Specifically, the portal has features of Derbent architecture from the 17th to early 19th centuries. However, the official tourist plaque on the building indicates it is an 11th-century mosque, but we could not find any confirmation of this from open sources. More about Kilisa Mosque.

Eastern Men's Bathhouse

This is one of the historical attractions of Derbent's old city and, at the same time, a museum. Inside the bathhouse, a modest exhibition tells the history and traditions of Eastern baths, which served not just as a place for washing, but also for restoring strength and lifting spirits, resting, and having friendly and business conversations. Such public baths played a significant role in a Muslim city, being an integral part of social life, and were usually located near quarter mosques. More about the Eastern Men's Bathhouse.

Peter the Great's House

Closer to the coast in the central part of Derbent is a small museum dedicated to Emperor Peter the Great, known as Peter the Great's House (or Peter the Great's Dugout). The museum opened in 2015 on the spot where the Tsar stayed during the Persian Campaign in August 1722. He lived here for just a few days, waiting for supplies for his army arriving from Astrakhan. On the site of today's brick structure, a low hut consisting of two small rooms was built specifically for Peter I in those distant times. The roof of this stone building was covered with a layer of clay, which led people to call it "Peter the Great's Dugout". Over time, the house collapsed, and today only the remains of the lower stone layer are visible, allowing us to understand the size of the structure. More about the Peter the Great's House Museum.

Railway Station and Russian Railways Museum

This is one of the most beautiful railway stations in Russia and the Caucasus. The building stands out noticeably from its surroundings with its unusual architecture. You simply can't walk by without admiring it. This operating transport facility is located in the city center. The station was built in 1899, and about a year before that, the first steam locomotive arrived. Here, on the first floor in one of the former waiting rooms, the Museum of Railway History, or the Room of Labor and Combat Glory of the Derbent Railway Junction, was organized in July 2017. More about the railway station and Russian Railways museum.

Derbent Embankment and Seaside Park

The Derbent Embankment and Seaside Park are the main place for walks along the shore during your vacation in Derbent, one might even say the epicenter of tourist beach life. Moreover, it's the only proper promenade in Dagestan, and even Makhachkala doesn't have one. It is well-equipped; renovations were carried out in 2022 to increase the walking space, and now the pedestrian path has been extended to Heydar Aliyev Street in the center. Like any other seaside promenade, there's fast food for sale, simple children's rides, a fountain, and pavilions with souvenirs and beach goods. More about the Derbent Embankment.

Derbent Musical Fountain

In 2022, the largest musical fountain in Russia opened in Nizami Ganjavi Park. It occupies a central place in the park. The structure covers an area of 4,700 square meters, equipped with 1368 spotlights, two video projectors, and an acoustic system. The water jets reach a height of 30 meters, which is lower than the famous singing fountain in Adler's Olympic Park, but the scale is still larger. Built using the most modern technologies, it allows for very colorful and impressive musical performances, including those with three-dimensional projected images. More about the Derbent musical fountain.

Nizami Ganjavi Park

The park was significantly transformed in 2022 and has undoubtedly become one of the most popular places in Derbent, attracting not only locals but also tourists. And thanks to the largest musical fountain in Russia, which opened in 2022, it has also become a "calling card" of the city, alongside the Naryn-Kala Fortress. More and more city guests come to see it. The park area is equipped with children's and sports grounds, there is a tower with an observation deck, plantings in the form of living mazes, rest areas, walking paths, and playgrounds. More about Nizami Ganjavi Park.

"Happy People" Street

This is a wonderful new pedestrian zone in Derbent and one of the places most crowded with tourists and locals in the city center, especially in the evenings. This pedestrian street appeared in Derbent after a large-scale renovation of the city's tourist center in recent years, after which it simply flourished, and "Happy People" Street is at its very epicenter. It's not very long, about 350 meters, but it's completely pedestrian. In the evenings, it's beautifully lit, features several genre sculptures, has restaurants and cafes, sells street food, tour vendors set up stalls with brochures, and sometimes street performers appear and artists display their work. Also here is the "Covered Market" or "Passage" shopping center – a small mall with local goods for tourists and souvenirs. More about Happy People Street.

Museum "Culture and Life of Ancient Derbent"

The Museum "Culture and Life of Ancient Derbent" is located in the building of the former 13th-century "Maiden's Bathhouse" or Wedding Bathhouse. You can visit it while walking through the historic part of the Old City and visiting the Juma Mosque. These baths were intended exclusively for unmarried girls. Within these walls, a purification ritual for the girl before the wedding took place, a so-called bachelorette party, hence the second name of the baths – Wedding Bathhouse. The bathhouse premises consist of 3 halls where bathers spent their time. Stone pools and reservoirs for hot and cold water are well preserved. Women's traditional costumes and household items used while taking baths are vividly displayed. More about the Museum "Culture and Life of Ancient Derbent".

Kyrkhlyar Mosque

Another historical and architectural monument in the old city is the Kyrkhlyar Mosque, or Abulfazil-Abbas Mosque. It is a small stone mosque with a single dome and no minaret. The structure dates back to 1627. It was rebuilt and reconstructed several times between the 17th and 19th centuries. This is clearly visible if you look closely at the walls, which are partially made of different bricks. Its interior is also interesting, with a carved stone mihrab featuring a floral pattern. More about Kyrkhlyar Mosque.

Kyrkhlyar Cemetery

On the outskirts of Derbent's Old City lies the oldest Muslim burial site in the Caucasus – the Kyrkhlyar Cemetery. The oldest graves are in the center of the cemetery and are fenced off with a brick wall. They are stone, whitewashed tombstones, exactly 40 in number. This is an important place for Muslims and a pilgrimage site for the deeply faithful. Besides the warriors' graves, there are many other ancient burials from various periods, up to the present day, and the mausoleum of Tuta-bike. More about Kyrkhlyar Cemetery.

Armenian Church

The Armenian Church, or Church of the Holy All-Savior, can be visited during a walk through the Old District; the walking route passes by it. It is a beautiful architectural monument, listed as a cultural heritage site of the Russian Federation. Built in 1871. Bullet marks from the Civil War of 1918-1922 are visible on the facade. Currently, the church is not functioning; the Carpet and Decorative Arts Museum is located inside, so its architecture can only be viewed from outside the fence. If you want to go inside, you'll have to buy a museum ticket.

Carpet Museum

The Museum of Carpet and Decorative Arts is housed in the building of the Armenian Church. The exhibits include Dagestani carpets, ceramics, silver and copper items, and wood carvings. The collection is small but is being supplemented with new items. For those interested, an informative tour is offered, during which they will talk about carpet production, jewelry making, and the features of ornamentation on weapons.

Kele-Numaz Synagogue

The Kele-Numaz Synagogue appeared on this street in 1914 and remains in the same building to this day. During the Soviet era, religion was, to put it mildly, not held in high regard. The Soviet authorities refused the local Jewish community's requests to allocate land for a new synagogue, and as a result, after nearly a century of existence, the building fell into severe disrepair and was in an emergency state. In 2009, a decision was made to reconstruct it; the synagogue was completely dismantled and then reassembled from original stones and new materials. However, very sadly, in 2024, the peaceful coexistence of religions in Derbent was disrupted. As a result of a terrorist attack that killed 22 people, the synagogue was severely damaged, with almost its entire interior burned out. The building is now again in an emergency state and closed to visitors. Whether the synagogue will be restored and reopened for visits is currently unknown, but you can come and see it from the outside. More about the Kele-Numaz Synagogue.

Crystal Bridge

A new tourist spot appeared in Derbent near the northern fortress wall in 2021 – the Crystal Bridge or Glass Bridge. It's a modern pedestrian transparent bridge; walking across it, you can see below, through the glass dome, the excavations of an ancient aqueduct that was part of the ancient city's fortress. Nearby are stone slabs with Arabic inscriptions, the meaning of which can be learned from an information plaque installed nearby. More about the Crystal Bridge.

Khan's Tower in Nizami Ganjavi Park

The Khan's Tower in Nizami Ganjavi Park is not at all a historical attraction, as one might think, but a modern entertainment. It's a replica of a tower, featuring a decorative "glowing vortex" for visitors' amusement, a photo zone with Eastern-style costumes, and you can climb to the top observation platform. However, don't expect to see anything special from the observation deck, as the tower is not tall. The tower is visited for a fee, and in our opinion, it will only be interesting for those who like taking selfies in the photo zone and for children. Around the tower, there is a labyrinth of living bushes, which you can walk through for free. More about Khan's Tower.

Museum of the History of World Cultures and Religions

In the central part of Derbent, you can visit the Museum of the History of World Cultures and Religions. It is small, consisting of one hall, which displays items belonging to different religious movements and their traditions, from paganism to the major world religions – Buddhism, Judaism, Orthodoxy, and Islam.

The exhibits include traditional ritual costumes, books, clothing, household items of the peoples of the Caucasus, and archaeological finds. For a more detailed introduction to the museum's collection and its theme, it is worth taking a guided tour, during which you can watch a video using VR glasses. On the first floor of the museum, temporary exhibitions are organized, and there is a souvenir shop. More about the museum.

Bestuzhev-Marlinsky House Museum

Within the Old District of Derbent, not far from the Naryn-Kala Fortress, is the house-museum of writer, publicist, and ethnographer Alexander Alexandrovich Bestuzhev-Marlinsky. The writer lived in this house during his exile from 1830 to 1834. The exhibition is dedicated to the writer's creative work; the interior of the house has been preserved, and some of his personal belongings are displayed. More about the Bestuzhev-Marlinsky House Museum.

Historic Buildings and 19th Century Architecture

Derbent is rich and interesting not only for its ancient history but also for its later historical buildings and architectural monuments from the 19th and early 20th centuries. While walking through the city center (not the Magaly district), especially along Lenin Street, you will encounter many buildings from this period, recognized as cultural and architectural monuments of regional significance. You can identify such buildings by the plaques attached to their facades, but unfortunately, they don't provide any information about their significance or history. However, they do have QR codes that you can scan to go to a page with a description. More about historic buildings and 19th century architecture in Derbent.

Tour of the Derbent Sparkling Wine Factory

The Derbent Sparkling Wine Factory, or "DZIV", is one of the oldest producers of sparkling and still wines in Dagestan and Russia. They produce wine drinks here, and this brand is known to everyone in our country, as no celebration is complete without a bottle of "Derbent Champagne," especially New Year's Eve. Tours are conducted at the factory, during which you will see the full production cycle from manufacturing to bottling, and can participate in a tasting. More about tours of the Derbent Sparkling Wine Factory.

Tours of the Derbent Winemaking Company

This is a young, modern wine production enterprise. Informative tasting tours are conducted here, similar to the famous DZIV. During the tour, you will have the opportunity to visit the winery and taste the wine at the place of production, see how a particular flavor is created, and uncover the secrets of its origin. This is a great way to expand your knowledge and get to know Dagestan better. Moreover, the enterprise is located in the center of Derbent and is easily accessible by transport or on foot. More about tours of the Derbent Winemaking Company.

"Kubachi" Ethno-House

One well-known private souvenir shop and museum in one – the "Kubachi" Ethno-House – can be found in the historic part of Derbent on the way to the sea. It's a two-story building; on the first floor is a shop with original traditional goods and souvenirs at reasonable prices. Among the souvenirs, there is a large selection of weapons, ceramic items, dishes, gift sets, and magnets. On the second floor, the owners – descendants of jeweler Huseyn Tushiev from the village of Kubachi – opened a museum in 2017, which houses a collection of Kubachi jewelry, traditional women's attire, dishes, and utensils. More about the "Kubachi" Ethno-House.

"Brilliantovaya Ruka" Cafe

The "Brilliantovaya Ruka" Cafe is a small family cafe in the old Magaly district, known for its resemblance to the place where scenes from the famous Soviet film "The Diamond Arm" were shot. Specifically, the episode near the pharmacy where smugglers waited for their accomplice to bandage his arm and hide diamonds inside, using the code phrase "Damn it." According to the film's script, these events took place on the streets of Istanbul, but the filming was done in the then-Soviet city of Baku, not Derbent. However, this spot in Magaly looks so much like the scenes from the film that many tourists actually believe that this is where the episode was filmed. More about the "Kubachi" Ethno-House.

"Combat Glory" Museum

The "Combat Glory" Museum in Derbent is a museum dedicated to the memory of Dagestani heroes who fought during the Great Patriotic War, the Afghan War, and the Chechen Wars. Like the Combat Glory Museum in Makhachkala, it tells about the feats of strong and courageous people who gave their strength and lives in the struggle for freedom. The museum was created in 1991. The small museum exhibition consists of authentic photographs, documents, awards, and personal belongings of the soldiers. More about the "Combat Glory" Museum.

"Nature of the Caspian Region" Museum

The small museum "Nature of the Caspian Region" in the historic part of Derbent will be interesting for those who want to take a break from ancient architectural monuments. The museum's exhibition features stuffed animals and birds inhabiting the Republic of Dagestan and is divided into 4 thematic halls, from marine representatives of the Caspian Sea to animals and birds living in the steppe and forest zones. More about the "Nature of the Caspian Region" Museum.

Derbent Lighthouse

The Derbent Lighthouse can be seen near the walls of the northern fortress wall, 1 kilometer from the seashore. This 18-meter tower, painted white, is built directly on the fortress wall. The lighthouse was built in 1853 for the development of maritime navigation and trade and is one of the oldest in Russia and the southernmost.

Unfortunately, you cannot visit it, as the lighthouse is operational. You'll have to make do with an external inspection. In the evenings, its lights are turned on; this would be the best time to see it. Moreover, Nizami Ganjavi Park with the musical fountain – the largest in Russia – is very close, and its shows start in the evening. More about the Derbent Lighthouse.

Street Art or Murals

During a walk around the city, you might notice large paintings on the walls of residential buildings. This art is called street art, and it is becoming increasingly popular in Derbent; such images are called murals. The annual "Stena" festival is held here, attracting many artists. After the event, the city is transformed; the dull facades of buildings are decorated with new colorful paintings that will be admired not only by city residents but also by guests for a long time. All the drawings are done in local traditions, whether it's a girl with a jug or a cup on a table. More about street art or murals in Derbent.

Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin

In the historic part of Derbent is the only Orthodox church in the city – the Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin. Initially, a parish school existed here in 1899. With the establishment of an altar inside the school, the building turned into a church-school, and later a separate building was constructed nearby for educational purposes. Today, the Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin is not only a tourist attraction but also an active church, and you can freely enter it during a walking tour of Derbent. More about the Orthodox Church of Derbent.

Lun Ekranoplan

The Lun Ekranoplan, or Project 903, is a marvel of Soviet engineering, a military development for the USSR's Caspian Flotilla. For its time, built in the 1980s, it was a cutting-edge and unique project, and it remains so today. The ekranoplan was designed to destroy ships with a displacement of up to 20,000 tons, had a phenomenal speed for naval military systems of up to 500 kilometers per hour, and was invisible to radar. Unfortunately, due to the collapse of the USSR, it suffered a sad fate: only one of the 8 planned units was built, and it was in operation for 10 years before being decommissioned in 2001. More about the Lun Ekranoplan.

Amusement Park in Derbent

Unfortunately, Derbent cannot yet boast a modern amusement park. There are a few places where the smallest children can ride carousels or jump on trampolines, but there is no large permanent park. The only place with rides for older children and adults that we know of is the park near the former central station on Heydar Aliyev Street. This park doesn't even have a name, and the selection of entertainment consists of a couple of mildly extreme rides, a trampoline, a shooting gallery, and a playground. Prices for entertainment start from 150 rubles. But honestly, in our opinion, tourists from other cities are unlikely to be impressed by this park.

Golden Fish

The "Golden Fish" is an unfinished restaurant that has become a landmark. We wouldn't recommend going here specifically; it's quite far from the center and city transport doesn't reach it. But if you are vacationing in the area of the Derbent spit or have absolutely nothing else to do, you can come here. The restaurant is almost finished, and the unusual fish-shaped building looks complete from the outside. There is a walking area around it, now even called the "Golden Fish" park, although there isn't really a park there yet. You can fish from the rocks here, and nearby there is an equipped "Beach on the Spit or at the Fish." There's nothing else to do here. More about the Golden Fish.