The city lies on the Sunzha River. According to the 2021 census, it had a population of 328,533, up from 210,720 recorded in the 2002 census, but still less than the 399,688 recorded in the 1989 census prior to destruction of the city in two wars in Chechnya. It was previously known as Groznaya.
Getting to Grozny
Because Grozny was devastated by years of war, transportation is often tricky and hard as much of Grozny's transportation system has been destroyed. However, since reconstruction began, it's possible to take a flight to the city or use a train, bus or the convenient highway system.
- 01Grozny Airport
A night train departs from Moscow every second day, taking two nights.
Worth seeing
- 01Akhmad Kadyrov Mosque
Completed in 2008 and locally known as the Heart of Chechnya, this is by far the largest mosque in Russia and one of the more lavish in the world.
Things to do
On weekends, you can go and watch some football at the Sultan Bilimkhanov Stadium. FC Terek Grozny plays there in the Russian Premier League.
Where to eat
Café Oasis is a reasonable place to eat in central Grozny, although it may be difficult to find so a guide may be needed. Zhizhig & Galnash is a nice place serving Chechen cuisine right in the centre, at Putin Ave 5A
Getting around Grozny the local way
- Get aroundMost of the sites of Grozny are reachable by foot, and there are minibuses within the city.
From Wikivoyage: Chechnya, CC BY-SA. Not yet checked by us. Last edited 2026-05.
Text adapted from Wikipedia and Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photograph: Wikimedia Commons (see Commons), Wikimedia Commons.