Gateway to Kolyma, on the Sea of Okhotsk
A port city of around 90,000 on the Sea of Okhotsk in Russia's remote Far East, the capital of Magadan Oblast. It is the gateway to the Kolyma region and the eastern end of the notorious 'Road of Bones' highway to Yakutsk.
Founded in the early 1930s, Magadan was built as the administrative centre and port of Dalstroy, the Soviet agency that ran the vast Kolyma Gulag gold-mining camps. Hundreds of thousands of prisoners passed through its harbour.
Best May–Sep · Very cold Oct–Mar (varies widely by region) — this reflects Russia's seasonal weather and crowds.
eVisa (most passport holders). Entry rules depend on your nationality and change often — always confirm with the official Russia government or embassy before you travel.
Russian Ruble (RUB). You can convert USD to the live local rate right on this page.
Russian is the primary language in Russia.
Dial 112 for emergencies in Russia.
Tap water here is generally rated "Boil first". When unsure, choose sealed bottled or filtered water.
Type C/F. Bring a compatible adapter — you can build a full packing list for Magadan on this page.
Safety varies by neighbourhood and changes over time, so there's no one-word answer. The local emergency number is 112. Check SkyOSK's safety notes for Magadan and your government's current travel advisory before you go.