Irbit

Irbit (Russian: Ирби́т eer-BEET) is a town in Sverdlovsk Oblast, Russia, about 203 km from Yekaterinburg by train or 250 km by car on the right bank of the Nitsa River. It is crossed by long distance railway Yekaterinburg–Tavda–Ustye-Akha and by road traffic routes, directed to Kamyshlov, Artyomovsk, Turinsk, and Tyumen. Total area of the town is approximately 64 km². Population: 42,578 (2005 est.)

Get in
There are a few direct trains from Moscow and more frequent trains from Yekaterinburg.

Buses run several times a day from Yekaterinburg to Irbit.

Get around
The city is well served by several bus routes running approximately every 20 minutes, and by frequent marshrutki (fixed route taxis) and several taxi companies. Maps of the city are available from the Konica kiosks and book shops.

Do
Irbit offers plenty of cross-country skiing, with trails stretching for kilometres. There are some downhill skiing runs as well. It will take you about 5 minutes to get to the Ski Base from the centre of the city by taxi. In summer the same area provides enjoyable hiking trails.

The Irbit Bike Show (Ирбитский байк слёт) is held every year at the end of July. It is organised by the local bike club as a celebration of the town's importance as a manufacturer of heavy motorcycles (see IMZ-Ural) in the Soviet Union and in Russia. Thousands of riders from throughout the Sverdlovsk region and other parts of Russia attend, and increasingly more foreign riders are attending.

Irbit round of the Russian Motorcross championships are held every August at the Hippodrome.

Eat
Staraya Melnitsa (The Old Mill) located on Sovietskaya St is the oldest restaurant in the city and has a good reputation. There is a pleasant café opposite in Detski Mir (Children's World). Another restaurant is found behind the Hotel Nitsa.

Drink
In Summer, beer tents pop-up in various locations throughout the city.

Sleep
Accommodation is limited to a few hotels.