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Kazan, Russia

You are here, about kazan.

As the capital city of the Republic of Tatarstan, Kazan is a glorious city that represents Russia's Tsarist past. With complex palaces, towering churches, and a thriving cultural scene, Kazan is a pure Russian city with incredible beauty and heart.

Main Attractions in Kazan

As the "Third Capital of Russia," there is plenty to see and to do while staying in Kazan. Visitors can enjoy long walks down the streets of the city, as each of them offers a new arrangement of colors and historic buildings. Kazan is also one of the largest economic, political, scientific and cultural centers of the country.

Kazan Kremlin

One of the main attractions is the Kazan Kremlin. Built by Ivan the Terrible on the ruins of the palace of the Kazan Khanate that he destroyed, this white fortress is a beautiful sight in any season. The Kremlin of Kazan reflects not only the ethnic mix of Tatars and Russians that make up this important region of the Russian Federation, but also the combined strength of the region's two great religions: Islam and Orthodox Christianity.

Kul Sharif Mosque

The magnificent Kul Sharif Mosque , named for Kazan's last great Imam before Ivan the Terrible invaded and seized the city, is the Kremlin's main jewel. It is the largest Muslim place of worship in Europe, and serves as home to a rich collection of ancient books.

Annunciation Cathedral

As an equally important place of Orthodox worship, the Annunciation Cathedral within Kazan’s Kremlin is an architectural gem completed in 1561, 9 years after the city was conquered. The cathedral is said to have been designed by Postnik Yakovlev, the same architect who was said to be blinded after completing St. Basil’s Cathedral on Moscow’s Red Square.

Temple of All Religions

Today's Kazan appears to be equally strongly tied with its unique mixture of religious beliefs. Philanthropist Ildar Khanov began work on his Temple of All Religions in 1992 near the shores of the Volga River, and this unique building is still under construction. The Temple makes use of religious architecture from all over the world, and has an Orthodox church dome, a minaret, synagogue-like fixtures, and other items representing 16 of the world's many faiths.

In 2005 Kazan celebrated its millennium jubilee. Despite such venerable age, the city is growing and dynamically developing in all respects.

A prevailing feature of life in the city is peaceful, creative coexistence of different religions and nationalities. Due to its gorgeous architecture, breathtaking scenery, and welcoming locals, Kazan is the perfect destination for travelers of all ages. So if you've already decided to add Kazan to your bucket list, browse our collection of Russia tours below and choose your ideal Kazan itinerary!

Best Things to Do in Kazan

• Explore the gorgeous Kremlin and the Temple of All Religions
• Immerse into the local culture, discovering Kul Sharif Mosque
• Sample authentic flavours of unparalleled Tatar cuisine

Top Attractions in Kazan

The stunning Kul Sharif Mosque, set in the Kazan Kremlin, is the great symbol of both the city and the Republic of Tatarstan.

All Attractions in Kazan

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Top 12 Things to Do in Kazan, Russia

Russia's most impressive Kremlin isn't in Moscow

Kazan is not one of Russia 's most famous tourist cities, which makes sense when you consider that it's not in Russia —at least not completely. Kazan is the capital of Tatarstan, which sits within Russia 's official borders, but whose government operates autonomously in many capacities, due to the large populations of ethnic Tatars who live within its borders.

A trip to Kazan, to be sure, is like no other experience in Russia, thanks to the city's millennium of history, the diverse population (and the fact that it manages to live mostly in peace) and a standard of modernity you might not expect outside  Moscow or St. Petersburg .

Tour Russia's Most Unique Kremlin

One thing many travelers don't realize, if they've never visited Russia, is that there is no such thing as "The" Kremlin, though the one in  Moscow  usually gets the most attention.

Every Russian city of a certain size has a Kremlin (which means "citadel" in Russian), and they all feature a combination of government, religious and military buildings inside a wall, often over a body of water (the Volga River, in Kazan's case).

The Kazan Kremlin has a decidedly Islamic character, owing to the city's large Muslim population and the mosque that exists within the citadel.

Visit the Temple of All Religions

Kazan has long gained accolades not only from within Russia but from all around the world, for the fact the Christians and Muslims have lived together here in peace for nearly a millennium.

Although it's easy to see this harmony lived out among locals, one site that pays homage to co-existence is the aptly-named Temple of All Religions.

This sacred site, which features multiple architectural styles in order to achieve its aim, sits just outside Kazan's city center.

Experience the World's Religions Individually

Of course, you're welcome to appreciate Kazan's religious eclecticism in a more piecemeal fashion, if that suits you.

Within the aforementioned Kazan Kremlin, for example, you'll find the blue-domed Kul Sharif Mosque, as well as the Annunciation Cathedral, which represents Russian Orthodox Christianity.

Religious sites are abundant outside the Kremlin as well, from Märcani Mosque to St. Peter and Paul's Cathedral.

Relax in a Variety of Green Spaces

Kazan is well-known within Russia for the quality of life its citizens enjoy, and a big part of this is the wide variety of green spaces in the city. The most popular of these is Millennium Park, built to commemorate the city's 1,000th birthday in 2005. Other Kazan Parks include the Central Park of Culture and Park Imeni.

Cool Off at an Exciting Water Park

Kazan is also home to a park of another sort, in the form of Riviera Aquapark. This park comes in handy too, since Kazan is much hotter than other cities in Russia, with summer temperatures that regularly rise into the '80s and '90s. A trip to Riviera Aquapark is a particularly good choice if you won't have the time to explore the lakes you find in Tatarstan outside Kazan.

Go Back in Time to the Soviet Union

Though Kazan was never a purely Russian city, it was nonetheless under the control of the Soviet Union during the country's entire existence. A stop at the quirky Soviet Lifestyle Museum is not so much a lesson in Soviet history (though there is plenty of artwork and other propaganda in case that's your thing), but a compelling comparison of how things were under the USSR government vs today's largely autonomous regime.

Shop for Local Tatar Handicrafts

Like Moscow , Kazan is home to its own GUM department store, as well as a number of other "big box" retailers that would have Stalin rolling over in his grave. Heading to the more traditional Koltso shopping area, meanwhile, allows you to browse local Tatar handicrafts, including Tubeteika hats that are a common sight throughout Central Asia.

Check out a Variety of Festivals and Other Cultural Events

Kazan, like many other Russian cities, features a variety of festivals and other cultural events throughout the year, many of which are international and cosmopolitan in their scope. Music festivals devoted to opera and jazz roll through the city in February and August, respectively, while a high-profile festival dedicated to Muslim cinema from around the world returns every September.

Discover Local Tatar Culture

Of course, a trip to Kazan presents plenty of opportunities to experience and celebrate local Tatar Culture, whether that entails shopping for clothing items as above, sampling Tatar cuisine as below, or participating in the Karavan Festival in May, which takes places not only in Kazan but throughout the Republic. If you're interested in Tatar Culture, this might be the best time of year to visit Tatarstan!

Enjoy the Tasty Tatar Cuisine

Tatar food is a bit more evergreen than conspicuous displays of traditional culture, though some items seem more appropriate in warm or cold weather than others.

Ukha  fish soup, for example, is a more welcome choice to slurp down during the frigid winter months, while chak-chak doughnuts are more palatable when the temperature rises into the 80s and 90s. 

Ride a Riverboat During the Summer

Speaking of the warmer months, it is during this period exclusively (May to October, give or take) when boats travel on the Volga River that runs through Kazan.

While some companies do exist for the purpose of taking tourists on pleasure rides along the river, you should keep in mind that many of these boats are essentially water buses.

While this means they're affordable, they can also be quite crowded, making for an authentic experience, but a less than idyllic one.

Get Out of Town

Kazan is the capital of Tatarstan, but it's not all there is to the Republic. You could take a day trip to Raifa Monastery, which sits on the shores of a lake whose chilly waters are perfect for a dip during the summer.

The town of Bolgar is a little farther (if you do visit on a day trip, it'll be a very long day), but has been important throughout Russian history, and is currently a pilgrimage site for Muslims.

Finally, Christopol feels more like the rest of Russia, with a 1700s aesthetic that may have you feeling like you're in the time of Catherine the Great—or closer to Helsinki than to Istanbul, as it were.

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Kazan Travel Guide - Perfect Your Travel Itinerary

Home / Russia Travel Experiences / Kazan Travel Guide – Perfect Your Travel Itinerary

Craving a one-of-a-kind, awe-inspiring trip to a place of ancient histories, visually spectacular, and spiritual marvels? The Kazan Travel Guide has everything you need to get just that.

Kazan is the capital of the Tatarstan Republic, also known as Russia’s third capital. Just an hour-and-a-half flight away from Moscow, this beautiful and thriving metropolis has a centuries-old history. Founded in 1005, Kazan is one of Russia’s oldest cities (older than Moscow) with sites and architecture reminiscent of its glorious 12th-century reign by the river Kazanka. The multiethnic region is famous for the harmonious co-existence of many different religions, whose sculpted sacred sites are some of the world’s most beautiful buildings. You’ll find a sublime fusion of Tatar and Russian culture in this city, creating a glorious melting pot of different cultures. Whilst predominantly Muslim, you will find all religious backgrounds within the republic. Discover how easy it is to be entranced by the captivating Kazan – it is even worth making a detour on the Trans-Siberian Railway for.

This Kazan Travel Guide will help you plan everything down to preferred months of travel according to seasonal highlights, main attractions, meals from our pick of Tatar cuisine delicacies, methods of transport, and activities from morning until noon.

Table of Contents

Why travel to Russia’s Kazan?

Kazan kremlin.

This UNESCO listed fortified citadel is the most familiar landmark of Kazan. Kazan Kremlin is full of cozy parks, picturesque streets, delectable foods, and beautiful sites. Take a tour through the only surviving Tatar fortress in Russia and lose yourself in its Middle Ages era splendor with this heritage-listed site. Many of the Kremlin’s architectural wonders are sculpted by the famous Postnik Yakovlev and Ivan Shirjay, recruited by the Tzar. Kazan Kremlin is also home to the Söyembikä Tower and museums, where Kazan’s extensive history and legends take centre-stage. Many also flock to the multi-faith place of worship for its glorious sculpted sacred sites such as Kul Sharif Mosque.

Söyembikä Tower

Kazan’s tiered tower of Soyembika, also known as the leaning tower or ‘Khan’s Mosque’ is the highlight of Kazan Kremlin. Its construction is recorded by scholars to date back as far as the 16th century, whose age-old history is expressed in some of its majestic colonial architecture. The colours are stunning in summer, and even in winter, the snow creates a fairytale-like scene. Once inside, you should pay attention to the haram carpet and elaborate details on the ceiling. Romantic and mystic legends surround the tower and the only woman to rule the Kazan Khanate for which it’s named after. It is said to be the same tower that led the beautiful Princess Syuyumbike to her death, built for her by Ivan the Terrible who seized Kazan in 1552 and then demanded they wed. Others tell a different history of a Soyembika forcibly detained here by Muscovite forces, before being taken to Kasimov where she died. For those interested in its story, be wary of self-nominated guides- the official Kazan guides are a purchase worth making. Despite its tragic history, many locals believe if you touch the tower and make a wish it will come true.

Kul Sharif Mosque

The Kul Sharif Mosque is Kazan Kremlin’s main mosque and one of the city’s most beautiful buildings. You will hardly be able to take your eyes off this one-of-a-kind structure. This attraction is not just for Muslims. It is open to all Kazan’s travellers, but it is preferred that women have their hair covered during their visit. The Kul Sharif Mosque takes the place of a former mosque conquered by Ivan the Terrible in 1552. From outside, the majestic lotus-flowered dome landmark sits atop a hill overlooking Kazan. Inside, it’s fitted with a modern yet classical interior where you can pray with the names of 99 gods inscribed on ceilings and window glass. On the ground floor is a Museum of Islam, where a tour in English may be available if there’s an English-speaking docent on shift. Otherwise, there are booklets in English that explain the whole exhibit. Whilst everything is free to all visitors, they ask you pay 3 rubles for shoe slip-covers to help keep its floors clean. It is recommended you go in the morning to avoid a queue to visit the Kul Sharif Mosque, boasting a reputation as one of the best mosques in the world.

Temple of All Religions

For those interested in the spiritual marvels of Russia, it is also recommended you see the Temple of all Religions located along the Volga river of Kazan . This is under construction, so it’s not a must-see, but worth the visit if you have time to kill before taking a train or bus. It boasts 16 towers all for various different religions- a stunning sight to behold from the outside.

Baumana street

The Baumana Street is the main tourist and pedestrian zone between the Kremlin and Tokai Square. Tatarstan restaurants, stalls of street painters, boutiques, souvenir shops, fountains that fulfil wishes and kiosks are just a few of its gems that are ready to assure your every need and charm your socks off. Monuments and fountains make for a perfect photo backdrop, with statuary ranging from a bronze carriage of Catherine II to the “thick lazy Cat of Kazan”, a tribute to its feline protectors who fended off mice. Whilst mingling with the locals, the rich chimes of Kazan’s bell tower help bring the vibrant Arbat to life. Baumana street’s historical attractions include houses of the 19 th century, a monument to Feodor Chaliapin, and a Russian baroque style Epiphany cathedral. For opportunists seeking for the perfect Russian souvenir, Baumana street is the place to buy everything: Matryoshka dolls, Tatar folk costumes, and one particular favourite of tourists is the Tatar national male headwear “Tubeteika”. This is a street that never sleeps- when the sun sets, it becomes a hub for nightlife.

Palace of Farmers

The Palace of Farmers is a vast and regal building like something out of a fairytale. Despite being a recent addition to Kazan’s collection of ancient sites, it looks to be built well over a century ago. This eclectic architectural piece boasts elements of Classicism style, the Second Empire, and the Belle Epoque. A magnificent, 65-foot tall bronze tree sculpture grows in the archway of the palace’s façade- a sight that makes for a mesmerizing photo backdrop. This is a governmental building related to agriculture, so the interior is not accessible. However, it’s worthwhile just to see its magnificently sculpted exterior. Located adjacent to the Kremlin and Kazan river embankment, the Farmer’s Palace makes for beguiling scenery for your riverside stroll. Manicured gardens out front create a serene, relaxing space in the summer sunshine, the site’s most popular season. When the sun sets, the Palace of Farmers comes alive with an array of spectacular light displays.

Raifa Monastery

Whilst known as one of the largest monasteries in Russia, Raifa Monastery had humble beginnings as a place of solitude where monastic followers could dedicate themselves to God. Found in a serene location by Sumy Lakes in a lush pine forest, this centuries-old site has been rebuilt time and time again. Its history tells of temple destruction, brutal plundering, arson, and has once made a home for juvenile delinquents. The history behind the monastery’s name is no exception to this trail of tragedies. In fact, the hermitage was established and named in memory of holy fathers tortured in Sinai and Raithu. Abandoned for over half a century, the ruins have been given new life with well doted on additions. This includes the Holy Trinity Cathedral, the Cathedral of God’s Mother of Georgia, the Church of the Ss Reverend Fathers and bell tower, with beautiful onion-domed architecture and intricate iconography. It’s free to wander monastery grounds, where small shops and cafes populate the area. Arrive at this stunning rural monastery via a 40-minute drive from Kazan (with some free parking available), bus tour, or a scenic boat trip.

Sviyazhsk Island

Sviyazhsk Island, or “Conqueror City”, began as a fortress for Ivan the Terrible in 1551 when Kazan was an unassailable fortress. Frozen in time, visiting the Island is like going through a time machine with no fewer than 37 cultural-historical monuments. Its religious marvels are a must-see. Trinity Church is the last of its kind in Sviyazhsk- a wooden structure dating back to the time of Ivan the Terrible. Axe marks made by Yaroslavl carpenters can still be seen. The Dormition Cathedral boasts a glorious collection of 16th-century frescos. Its most famed is St Christopher with a horse’s head- a fresco that tells the story of a saint so handsome he pleaded to God for ugliness, to avoid unwanted attention from women. However, these monasteries have seen their fair share of horrors- the Soviet political repression saw them turn into prisons, concentration camps, and psychiatric hospitals. A local museum, Sviyazhsk State Museum of History and Architecture, is no stranger to these horrors. Here, inmates and prisoners were executed and their belongings are still on display in abandoned cells inside. A monument to the victims of political repression forms a two-meter-tall marble slab on the island.

The Ancient City of Bolgar

Not far from Kazan, Russia’s mysterious Muslim City, Bolgar, dates back to the 7th and 15th centuries. With such a powerful history, this Eurasian metropolis is one of Russia’s first UNESCO listed sites. It’s served as the capital of the Mongol Golden Horde, ruled by the founder of the Timurids Empire, and even the Prince of Moscow. A 1969 excavation for the State Historical and Architectural Museum and Reserve saw the city turned into a huge open-air museum.  Stone citadels, mosques, and tombs are some of its jaw-dropping remains from its glory days. Other attractions include the Khan’s palace, White Mosque, the hidden healing well of Gabdrakhman, a 700-year-old burial chamber for Bolgar nobility, and an interactive bread museum. The city of Bolgar has great religious significance, once the center of Islamic civilization in Europe. Here, you can find the largest printed Kora in the world weighing at 500kg. Bolgar remains a sacred pilgrimage destination to Tatar Muslims. The city of Bolgar is a three hours’ drive from Kazan along the scenic route of the river Volga.

Kazan from a boat

Kazan’s river station is flocked to by tourists eager to experience the scenic water route along the city’s shores. Travelling through Kazan with a Volga River boat trip is filled with incredible landscapes and jaw-dropping scenes. Gorgeous views of some of the city’s beloved icons include the Kazan Kremlin, whose structure sparkles like a jewel in the sun in all its Russian glory. The comfortable steam-ships on the rivers and lakes of Russia depart a few times a day to make for regular service (12:00, 15:00, and 19:00 on most days). Two-hour boat trips without stops, with a guided tour along Kazan’s coast. A total of 9 dams choke the river and halt its waters to a standstill- a glistening, magical scene that is a magnet for artists, writers and explorers. By its shores, the Volga river is a favourite for camping, relaxing, fishing, and swimming.

Kazan Cuisine Guide: A Foodie’s Haven

Kazan is the central home of Russia’s Tatar cuisine, boasting many restaurants and cafes that have earned its keep in the hearts of foodies across the globe. This Kazan Travel Guide will convince you why this is a haven for Russian and eastern cuisine.

Museum of Chak-Chak

The Museum of Chak-Chak (Çäkçäk) is named after the mouth-watering honey-baked balls of doughy goodness, a delicacy served at celebrations and festivities. This museum-turned food establishment is dedicated to traditional Tatar foods and drinks, particularly their national sweet foods. Bashkir dishes, chak-chak, bursak, and kak-tosh made from almonds are some of the recipes derived from Tatar enlightener kayum nasyri. These are only some of the most popular must-try dishes that cannot go unsampled. Here, guests drink tea and sample desserts whilst guides tell stories of the ancient Tatar people’s way of life, tradition and customs. If you want to learn the secret to cooking the perfect Tatar dish, this is the place to be.

Dom Tatarskoi Kulinarii (restaurant)

Dom Tatarskoi Kulinarii, or House of Tatar Cuisine, is one of the oldest national restaurants that has earnt its place in the heart of foodies from across the globe. Its dishes are based on Yunus Akhmetzyanov’s time-tested recipes and traditions – a beloved local guardian of traditional Tatar cuisine. Here you can find confectionary like Tatar sweets, and authentic dishes such as:

• Echpochmak: These are triangle-shaped pastries stuffed with mince and potatoes. A small hole remains at the top of the stuffed and folded dough. Halfway through the oven baking process, the pastries are filled with a spoonful of broth, ensuring that the meat (stuffed raw) is moist and tender.
• Gubadiya: Layered pie which contains cottage cheese or quark, minced beef or lamb and boiled egg, which is combined with raisins or mixed dried fruits (such as figs, prunes and apricots). This filling is then covered with melted butter before being baked into a mouthwatering dessert.
• Kazylyk: Originating from Tatar nomadic culture, this dish is a horse meat sausage which has been traditionally cured by air-drying in the sun and wind. It is often spiced with coriander or cumin, served in thin slices with pickled sliced onions
• Talkysh kaleve: This intricate dessert involves honey and sugar spun into a stringy fairy-floss which is then moulded into miniature cones and coated with a powder of melted butter and flour
• Manti: Tatar dumplings made from either spiced lamb, beef or horse meat, which can be mixed with pumpkin or squash depending on the region. They can be boiled or steamed in their own juices, typically served with butter, sour cream, onion sauce or red pepper powder.

In the evenings, your wining and dining with this Bauman street food will be accompanied by live music and the opportunity for master classes about preparing national dishes.

Kazan Travel Guide: Summer Highlights

Months & temperature.

  June, July, August: +24 – +27 C

Summer is by far the most popular and most frequented time of year to trek to Russia’s glorious Kazan city. The bustling, sunny and comfortable seasons of June, July and August are some of the best months to travel here. July is its hottest month at an average of 27 degrees- the perfect time to bask by the mesmerising Volga River.

The Sabantuy Tatar National Festival in June is jam-packed with competitions, sports events, dances, feasts, and music. This holiday hallmarks the end of spring crop planting and draws crowds of up to 40,000 in Kazan’s village of Mirny. Competitions of sportsmanship draw contenders near and far, both amateur and professional, in games like the egg-and-spoon race, sack races, horse races, and wrestling matches. Contenders for the more professional scenes like wrestling can earn prizes varying from home electronics to cars. The wrestling champion is declared ‘Batyr’ and lifts an overweight ram onto his (or her) shoulders for the cheering crowd. This festival is a marvel to behold, especially witnessing it for the very first time.

Similar to this: See also International handicraft festival ‘Spasskaya Yarmarka’ in August, Elabuga city

Kazan Travel Guide: Winter Highlights

  November, December, January, February – 0 to -10 C

For those far-reaching globetrotters, here is your chance for a true white Christmas- Kazan in Winter gets especially chilly in November, December, January, and February, the coldest months to travel. In November and December, there is a high chance of snow. Besides public holidays, winter outings mean fewer crowds, fewer queues and a more serene, quiet atmosphere.

The Nardugan Pagan Holiday Festival is popular in Kazan as an annual celebration honouring the winter solace. According to the ancient Tatar calendar, the birth of the Sun is December 22. This begins weeklong festivities and celebrations acknowledging the awakening of nature and the beauty of life. Dancing, traditional costumes, theatrical performances, Tatar baker’s delicacies, and fortune tellers are part of the joyous festivities.

For those creative art buffs interested in the sophisticated art forms of ballet and opera, see Kazan’s Shalyapin International Opera Festival (February), and the International Festival of Classical Ballet, Rudolf Nureyev Dance Festival (May).

Kazan Travel Guide: How to Get There

Kazan international airport.

Kazan’s international airport in the Laishevsky district is the only one in Russia that secured a win in the World Airport Awards of 2018. It’s equipped with paid and free parking, medical facilities, free Wi-Fi, shops, cafés and restaurants, a post office and more whilst being English friendly. The train terminal of inner-city travel is located within the airport. Find out more about travel options via the air through the Russian Official  Kazan Aero site, Aeroflot Airlines, or plan your trip with Google Flights.

Railway station

For visitors travelling to Kazan from within Russia, the Russian railway is connected to the city’s two main stations: Kazan-Passazhirskaya and Vosstanie-Passazhirskaja station. Trains from the Russian cities  Moscow , Yekaterinburg, Nizhniy Novgorod, St. Petersburg , Novosibirsk and Adler pass by these stations. The railway stations are fitted to meet your every need, supplying luggage storage, baby changing facilities, tourist info desks, ATMs, cafes and more.

Trans-Siberian Railway

Kazan is one of the top must-see stops on the Trans-Siberian Railway . The traditional Russian Trans-Siberian Railway route stretches from Moscow to Vladivostok, and has Kazan as one of its main stops. Even if you weren’t planning on visiting Kazan but will be making your way through the Trans-Siberian Railway, this is a detour you won’t regret making. Kazan is a 1000-year-old ancient city, still full of life, and the perfect place to lose yourself in (but not too lost, because their diverse transport system will be sure to get you back on track).

Enjoy a short Kazan city tour via this entertaining video:

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Kazan Kremlin

Kazan’s striking kremlin is home to government offices, pleasant parks, museums, the enormous Kul Sharif Mosque and other religious buildings. Among the…

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Interactive museum dedicated to traditional Tatar food and drink, particularly sweet 'chak-chak', balls of dough that are baked in honey and served on…

Soviet Lifestyle Museum

Kazan's most unusual museum, packed with Soviet knick-knacks, is proof that Russia's socialist epoch fostered a lively contemporary cultural scene –…

Kul Sharif Mosque

The Kul Sharif Mosque was completed in 2005 and is named after the imam who died defending the city against the troops of Ivan the Terrible in 1552. The…

Old Tatar Settlement

This assemblage of historic timbered buildings, dating mainly from the 17th and 18th centuries, marks the quarter where ethnic Tatars were forced to live…

Annunciation Cathedral

The attractive Annunciation Cathedral, built on on the foundations of a razed eight-minaret mosque, was designed by Postnik Yakovlev, who was also…

National Museum of the Republic of Tatarstan

Opposite the kremlin’s main entrance, the National Museum occupies an ornate 1770 building and has a worthwhile archaeology collection as well as…

House of Zinaida Ushkova/Tatarstan National Library

This small but extraordinary library dates from the early years of the 20th century, when several mid-19th-century houses were united and restyled to give…

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Kazan city, Russia

The capital city of Tatarstan republic .

Kazan - Overview

Kazan , the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, is a city with a long history located about 820 km east of Moscow on the left bank of the Volga River. This is one of the largest economic, scientific, educational, religious, cultural, and sports centers of Russia.

The population of Kazan is about 1,259,000 (2022), the area - 589 sq. km.

The phone code - +7 843, the postal codes - 420000-420141.

Kazan city flag

Kazan city coat of arms.

Kazan city map, Russia

Kazan city latest news and posts from our blog:.

24 September, 2022 / Sviyazhsk - a historical town-island in Tatarstan .

10 March, 2020 / Summer Evening in Kazan .

29 January, 2020 / The Historic Island Town of Sviyazhsk .

24 May, 2019 / Aesthetics of winter in provincial Russia .

6 March, 2018 / Winter in Kazan - the view from above .

More posts..

News, notes and thoughts:

10 July, 2013   / The situation in Kazan Universiade becomes ridiculous. The Russian team is leading with a total 82 medals, including 41 gold medals. However, the closest pursuers, Japan and South Korea, have 6 gold medals. Russian sports officials apparently are eager to show excellent results. That's why Russian champions of the Olympic Games, World Championships are included in the team. A brilliant solution!

Brief History of Kazan

Foundation of kazan and its early history.

Kazan was founded more than 1,000 years ago as an outpost on the northern borders of the Volga Bulgaria - a historic Bulgar state in the Middle Volga region and the Kama River basin, which existed from the 7th to 13th centuries. The age of Kazan was determined during excavations on the territory of the Kazan Kremlin, when a Czech coin dated 929-930 was found here, as well as the remains of masonry, a wooden fence, utensils.

In the 1220s-1240s, the Volga Bulgaria was conquered by the Mongols and, retaining some autonomy, was included in the Ulus of Jochi also known as the Golden Horde. After the formation of the Golden Horde, the Volga Bulgarians (Bulgars) became one of the main components in the ethnogenesis of today’s Kazan Tatars and Chuvashs.

In the 13th-14th centuries, Kazan became an important trade and political center of the Golden Horde. The growth of the town was also due to its favorable geographical position at the intersection of major trade routes connecting East and West. In the Russian chronicles, Kazan began to be mentioned in the 14th-15th centuries.

In 1438, the Bulgarian fortress of Kazan was captured by the Golden Horde khan Ulugh Muhammad, and the town became the capital of the Kazan Khanate. During this period, the production of leather goods, pottery, and weapons developed here. Kazan traded with Moscow, Crimea, the Ottoman Empire, and other regions.

More Historical Facts…

A series of conflicts with the Principality of Moscow eventually led to the capture of Kazan by the army of Ivan the Terrible in 1552. After the suppression of the uprisings in the Kazan region, a new era began in the history of the town - as part of the Russian state. In the 17th century, the first manufactories appeared in Kazan. In 1646, there were 5,432 men and 1,652 households in the town.

Kazan as part of the Russian Empire

In 1708, Kazan became the capital of the vast Kazan Governorate. During the reign of Peter the Great, it became one of the most important industrial and administrative centers of Russia. A tannery and a cloth manufactory were built here. In 1722, Peter the Great visited Kazan.

The rapid development of Kazan began after the visit of Empress Catherine II in 1767, when she lifted all previous restrictions on the construction of stone mosques and Tatar public buildings, as well as in connection with her decree “On the tolerance of all faiths.” She presented Kazan with a galley and a carriage. The galley was lost during a fire, but the carriage was preserved. It is also installed as a replica-monument on the pedestrian Bauman Street.

In 1781, Catherine II approved the emblem of Kazan, in 1782 - the first regular development plan for the city, which determined its development for a century and a half. By the end of the 18th century, about 22 thousand people lived in Kazan, more than 40 thousand with nearby settlements, Tatars made up only about 10% of the population.

In 1804, Imperial Kazan University was opened, the most famous students of which are Vladimir Lenin and Leo Tolstoy. In 1844, Karl Ernst Claus, professor at Kazan University, discovered ruthenium and named it in honor of Russia. Ruthenium is the only chemical element discovered in the Russian Empire and the USSR before the synthesis of transuranium elements in the late 20th century.

In the second half of the 19th century, significant changes took place in the infrastructure of Kazan: gas (1874) and electric (1897) lighting, one of the first electric trams (1899), telegraph (1859) and telephone (1881). In 1874, the city water supply was opened. In 1896, the railway connected Kazan with Moscow.

Kazan in the 20th century and beyond

In 1901, the Kazan Observatory was opened. In 1914, the population of Kazan was about 194,200 people. In 1918, during the Civil War in Russia, fierce battles were fought for Kazan. The troops of the Czechoslovak Legion in the course of five-day battles captured Kazan on August 6. The Red Army established control of the city on September 10.

On May 27, 1920, the Tatar Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic was formed with its capital in Kazan. In the 1930s, intensive industrialization of the city began, accompanied by rapid population growth. In 1939, the population of Kazan was 398,014 people.

During the Second World War, large factories were evacuated to Kazan. The city also became the temporary scientific “capital” of the USSR. The Academy of Sciences of the USSR, as well as most of the research institutes and a number of design bureaus were evacuated here.

After the war, the active development of the city continued. Kazan became one of the largest industrial, scientific, and cultural centers of the USSR, the population increased 2.5 times. In 1979, it exceeded 1 million people. Kazan also became one of the largest river ports, a new airport was built.

In 1990, Kazan was declared the capital of the sovereign Republic of Tatarstan. In the 1990s, this city became one of the most important interregional political, financial, sports, and tourist centers of Russia. In 2008, Kazan registered the brand “The Third Capital of Russia.”

In the 1990s-2000s, the historic center of Kazan was significantly rebuilt in preparation for the celebration of the millennium of the city. In 2005, the Millennium of Kazan was celebrated. In connection with this event, such objects as the Kazan Metro, the Kul-Sharif Mosque, the Millennium Bridge, the new hippodrome, Tatneft-Arena were built.

About one million tourists a year began to visit Kazan making it one of the most important tourist centers in Russia. The Kazan Kremlin became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Several foreign general consulates and other diplomatic, trade, humanitarian representations were opened in the city.

Such large international sports competitions as the World Summer Universiade 2013, the World Aquatics Championship 2015, and six matches of the 2018 World Cup were held in Kazan.

Contrasts of Kazan

In the center of Kazan

Author: Sergey Bulanov

Kul-Sharif Mosque and Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral in Kazan

Author: Ayhan Sahin

The cultural-entertaining complex Pyramid in Kazan

Author: Sergey Kozin

Kazan - Features

The Kazanka River flows from the north-east to the west through the middle of the city and divides Kazan into two parts - the historic part to the south of the river and the new part to the north. They are connected by five dams and bridges, as well as a metro line.

The climate of Kazan is temperate continental, severe frosts and scorching heat are rare and not typical for this city. The average temperature in January is minus 10.4 degrees Celsius, in July - plus 20.2 degrees Celsius.

There are several legends associated with the name of the city. According to the most common one, it originates from the Tatar word “kazan” meaning “cauldron”. The legend says that Kazan was founded on the spot where water boiled in a cauldron dug into the ground without fire. The historical symbol of Kazan, which is depicted on the emblem of the city, is the mythical dragon-like creature Zilant often mentioned in Tatar legends.

The industrial basis of Kazan includes engineering, chemical and petrochemical industries, light and food industries. The largest enterprises of Kazan are the chemical complex of Kazanorgsintez, the Kazan gunpowder factory (the oldest in Russia), and a unique cluster of three aviation industry enterprises. Tourism is also one of the promising directions for the development of the city. In 2019, about 3.5 million tourists visited Kazan.

This is one of the largest transport and logistics hubs in Russia. Kazan International Airport offers regular flights to such cities as Antalya, Baku, Barcelona, Yekaterinburg, Krasnodar, Moscow, Omsk, Perm, Thessaloniki, St. Petersburg, Sochi, and a number of others. Kazan (Volga) Federal University is one of ten Russian federal universities and the third (after St. Petersburg State University and Moscow State University) oldest university in Russia.

Kazan is a place where people of different nationalities and religions live peacefully, in an atmosphere of friendliness and tolerance. In this city, two religions are historically closely intertwined: Sunni Islam and Orthodoxy. Kazan has more than 60 mosques, 40 Orthodox churches, a dozen churches of other Christian movements, 1 synagogue, prayer houses of Bahai and Krishna.

In total, representatives of over 115 nationalities live in the capital of Tatarstan. According to the 2010 census, the most numerous of them are Russians (48.6%) and Tatars (47.6%). Also among the residents of Kazan you can meet the Chuvash, Ukrainians, Mari, Bashkirs, and Udmurts.

Main Attractions of Kazan

The Kazan Kremlin - the oldest part of Kazan included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is a complex of architectural, historical, and archaeological monuments of the 12th-20th centuries. On the territory of the Kazan Kremlin, eastern and western cultures are harmoniously intertwined. The residence of the Head of the Republic of Tatarstan and the Government of Tatarstan are located here.

Kul-Sharif Mosque (1996-2005) - the main mosque of Tatarstan located on the territory of the Kazan Kremlin. This is an amazing building with four minarets, each 58 meters high, with stained glass windows and observation towers. The mosque has a museum of Islam, as well as observation balconies for tourists.

The Annunciation Cathedral (1555-1562) - the oldest building of the Kazan Kremlin. This outstanding monument of Russian architecture of the 16th century is the most remote example of the Pskov school of architecture.

Syuyumbike Tower - an old watch tower in the Kazan Kremlin, one of the main architectural symbols of Kazan. It belongs to the “falling” towers, as it has a noticeable slope to its northeastern side. Today, the deviation of its spire from the vertical is about 2 meters.

The Museum of Natural History of Tatarstan in the Kazan Kremlin - the only museum and scientific-educational center in the Volga region, which provides complete information about the geological history of our planet from the moment of its formation until the appearance of the first ancient people. The combination of traditional forms of presentation with interactive elements makes this museum attractive to a wide range of visitors.

The Hermitage-Kazan Exhibition Center in the Kazan Kremlin - the first regional branch of the State Hermitage (the second largest art museum in the world located in St. Petersburg). In the museum halls you can see paintings, graphics, ancient artifacts including household items made of gold and silver, weapons of the 8th-13th centuries, various archaeological artifacts, and modern art installations.

Bauman Street (Kazan Arbat) - the main pedestrian street of Kazan, about 4 km long. The street starts at the Kazan Kremlin and stretches through the city center. On this street you can see a lot of historical buildings, monuments, museums, a theater, countless cafes where you can taste national dishes and drinks, souvenir shops.

Epiphany Cathedral (1731-1756) on Bauman Street. The main attraction of this church is its magnificent tall bell tower (74 meters high) built in the style of “Russian Baroque” with numerous external decorative elements.

The National Museum of the Republic of Tatarstan - the main museum of Tatarstan opened in 1895, one of the largest museums in the entire Volga region. In total, this museum has about 800 thousand exhibits that tell about the culture, history, life, traditions of the peoples of Tatarstan. The museum occupies a building, which is a monument of architecture and history of federal significance. Kremlyovskaya Street, 2.

The Museum of Fine Arts of the Republic of Tatarstan - one of the largest art museums in Russia. Here you can see paintings, graphics, sculptures, works of decorative art of Western European and Russian schools of the 16th-19th centuries, as well as Soviet art. An important place in the exposition is occupied by a collection of icons from Sviyazhsk cathedrals and a unique collection of paintings by Nikolai Ivanovich Feshin - a master of impressionism and modernism. Karla Marksa Street, 64.

The Old Tatar Sloboda - one of the historic districts of Kazan. Its pedestrian part stretches for half a kilometer from Bauman Street and occupies part of Kayuma Nasyri Street. The district was formed in the 17th-18th centuries, when picturesque houses, mosques, and other attributes of the Tatar culture were built here. In Soviet times, most of them were lost. In the 2000s, it was reconstructed to give it its former splendor.

Shamil’s House - an eclectic building located in the Old Tatar Sloboda, an architectural monument and an object of cultural heritage of regional significance. Today, it houses the Literary Museum of Gabdulla Tukay. Gabdully Tukaya Street, 74.

Chak-Chak Museum . This museum located in the Old Tatar Sloboda is dedicated to the main Tatar dessert and one of the symbols of Tatarstan. The atmosphere of the Tatar prosperous house of the late 19th century is recreated here (old furniture, household utensils, tools, etc.). The exposition tells about the history of chak-chak from the times of the Volga Bulgaria to the present. Parizhskoy Kommuny Street, 18.

Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral (1723-1726) - an architectural monument built in the style of “Russian Baroque”. It is known for its 7-tier gilded iconostasis and rich history. Musy Dzhalilya Street, 21.

The Temple of All Religions . This unusual architectural structure dedicated to various religions of the world is also known as the Ecumenical Church and the International Cultural Center for Spiritual Unity. This is the only such building in the world on the territory of which 16 faiths are united, but no religious rites are held here, since the complex has only symbolic meaning. Staro-Arakchinskaya Street, 4.

The Palace of Farmers (2008-2010) - a palace complex built in the Empire and Classicism styles. The Ministry of Agriculture of Tatarstan is located here. The main decoration of this magnificent building is a huge bronze tree placed inside an arch. At night, the facade of the palace is illuminated. Fedoseyevskaya Street, 36.

The Family Center “Kazan” (2013). This original building serves as the Wedding Palace of Kazan. Inside, there are three thematic zones, which are decorated and furnished in the styles of the Volga Bulgaria, the Kazan Khanate, and in a classical manner. The top of the building is crowned with a huge Turkic cauldron (“kazan”). In the days free from wedding registration, tourists can visit this building and climb to the observation deck. Sibgat Khakim Street, 4.

The Island-Town of Sviyazhsk - a historic town founded on an island at the confluence of the Sviyaga into the Volga in 1551. Located about 64 km west of Kazan, it is a very unusual and incredibly picturesque place.

Kazan city of Russia photos

Sights of kazan.

Circus in Kazan

Monument to Mussa Jalil in Kazan

The National Museum of the Republic of Tatarstan in Kazan

Attractions of Kazan

The wall of the Kazan Kremlin

Syuyumbike Tower in Kazan

Kul-Sharif Mosque in the Kazan Kremlin

Author: V.Morrison

Pictures of Kazan

The view from the shore of Lake Lower Kaban in Kazan

Inside the Kazan Kremlin

The questions of our visitors

The comments of our visitors.

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12 Things to Do in Kazan, the Magical Capital of Tatarstan

After  Moscow  and  Saint Petersburg ,  Kazan  is arguably  Russia ’s nicest big city and its most multicultural one. The capital of historical Tatarstan is home to the country’s only Kremlin with a mosque inside. Included in Unesco’s World Heritage Sites list, it is quite unique. However, there are plenty of other things to see and do in Kazan. The place to be is Bauman Street, the pedestrian street lined with neoclassical buildings and churches, cool cafés, and lots of street performers. Another pedestrian street is Kayuma Nasyri, with loads of colorful wooden houses and old mosques.

Things to Do in Kazan

Explore the kazan kremlin.

One of the most important things to do in Kazan is visiting its grand  Kremlin . Ivan the Terrible built the medieval citadel to replace the ruins of the former residence of Kazan Khans. This monumental fortress is close to the confluence of the Kazanka and Volga Rivers. Hence, the views are outstanding and sunsets unforgettable. The Kremlin is home to the Governor’s Palace, several museums, towers, churches, and a mosque. The lavish  Kul Sharif Mosque  is from a recent date. It stands on the place of an old mosque destroyed by Ivan the Terrible. The Kremlin’s oldest structure is the  Annunciation Cathedral  from the 16th century. However, its most famous landmark is the  Söyembikä Tower , whose origin is unclear. It owes its name to the Kazan queen Söyembikä, who threw herself to her death from the tower.

People Watch on Bauman Street

Kazan’s main drag  Bauman  is a 1,3-kilometer long pedestrian street in the city center. It bears the name of Nikolay Bauman, a local revolutionary hero. This lively street is where everything happens. Restaurants, bars, shops, churches, and museums line the street. The street begins at the Kremlin and goes all the way to Pushkin Street. Nevertheless, the pedestrian area doesn’t end there. It continues, albeit with a different name: Peterburgskaya Street. At the beginning of the street, close to the Kremlin, you’ll find the late 17th-century  Cathedral of Saint Nicholas . Closer to the end, you will see the  Epiphany Church  with its red bell tower. Take your time, and be sure to notice the little stars on the floor dedicated to Tatar celebrities!

Soak Up History on Kayuma Nasyri Street

Another pedestrian street well worth spending time at is the historical  Kayuma Nasyri . Unlike Bauman Street, there aren’t many shops or commerce of any type. Instead, you’ll find several mosques and some of the most colorful wooden houses in Russia. Kayuma Nasyri is the best-preserved aristocratic street in the Old Tatar Settlement, one of Kazan’s oldest neighborhoods. Noble Tatar families, rich merchants, and representatives of the higher clergy owned the 19th-century houses that line the street. The highlight of the street is the beautiful  Märcani Mosque . It marked the beginning of a multi-faith religious tolerant society in Russia, proclaimed by Empress Catherine II at the end of the 18th century. It is the oldest mosque in Kazan and all of Tatarstan, but also one of the biggest.

Visit Kazan’s Most Important Church

The  Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral  is Kazan’s most distinguished church and one of its spiritual symbols. Upon arrival, you will immediately notice its unique colorful decoration. The church belongs to the so-called Russian baroque, a style that dominated the late 17th and early 18th centuries in Russia. Though it’s unclear who built the church, its resemblance to the early 18th century churches from Ukraine is quite evident. The church impressed many Russian emperors, including no other than Catherine II. Not only that, but three famous Alexanders also visited and wrote about it: Pushkin, Von Humboldt, and Dumas.

Bike Along Rivers and Lakes

Biking is, without a doubt, one of the most fun and relaxing things to do in Kazan! The mighty  Volga and the Kazanka Rivers  surround the city. Additionally, several canals and the Kaban Lakes cross it in the middle. We biked along the rivers on a newly built promenade enjoying the views, and through a bizarre new luxurious neighborhood. Then we went to the National Cultural Center Kazan and turned on Pushik Street to see the  Opera House.  From there, we biked all the way to the  Kaban Lakes . We went back to the bike rental shop along the  Bulak Canal . The shop is right under the Kremlin, between the Kazanka River and Baturina Street. Don’t forget to bring your passport or any other valid ID.

Admire Soviet Brutalist Architecture

Just like all other big Russian cities, a variety of brutalist buildings from the Soviet Period dots Kazan. A bunch of large soviet residential blocks lies on the eastern outskirts of the city. Another massive soviet neighborhood is north of the center, across the Kazanka River. You can see that one from the top of the Kremlin. Among the many interesting buildings, our favorite was the abovementioned  National Cultural Center Kazan . Built in 1991, it is one of the most active museums in Kazan. You’ll recognize the building for its simple red tuff façade and the tall obelisk named Freedom.

Discover Kazan’s New Kitchy Architecture

One of the things that caught our eyes when we were in Kazan’s Kremlin is the plethora of new interesting buildings. Once we got closer, we realized how unusual they are, with weird decorative elements and materials. The one building that we noticed immediately is the so-called  Agricultural Palace , which is the Ministry of Agriculture of Kazan. You’ll easily recognize this lavishly decorated building by its 20-meter high bronze tree. Critics say it combines everything from the baroque to the renaissance, but tourists love it! Another building that we loved for its bold kitschy appearance is the  Tatar State Puppet Theater . Its castle-like structure seems to come from a Russian fairy tale.

Visit the Temple of all Religions

One of the most interesting things to do in Kazan is to go on an excursion to the  Temple of all Religions . This colorful temple is on the outskirts of the city. Consequently, you will have to take a public bus, hire a private taxi, or book an organized excursion. We are not talking about a religious building, but rather a cultural center. Its architecture incorporates an orthodox church, a mosque, and a synagogue. Though it is still under construction, it will eventually have 16 domes, representing the 16 major religions in the world. According to its authors, the Khanov Brothers, it’s a temple of culture and truth.

Learn About Tatarstan and Russia at a Museum

Kazan has several interesting museums. If you didn’t have time to visit the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg, you are lucky. The Kazan’s Hermitage exhibits some of its pieces.   Apart from temporary exhibitions, the Hermitage displays European, Asian, and National art from different periods. The  National Museum of the Republic of Tatarstan , Kazan’s premier museum, is across the Kremlin’s main entrance. Here you’ll find large archeological and ethnographic collections. If you have Soviet nostalgia, visit the  Soviet Lifestyle Museum  inside a communal flat. If you are looking for something even more unusual, visit the  Museum of Chak Chak  dedicated to the traditional Tatar dough pastry.

Try Tatar Cuisine

Contrary to our expectations, we enjoyed food all around Russia. It is usually very well prepared, and there are plenty of dishes to choose from. Tatarstan is a great place to savor food since it combines local cuisine with Russian and Asian influences. The Echpochmak, a triangular pie, the Chak-chak, a sweet soft dough, and the Koymak, a kind of pancake, are its highlights. We had lunch on a beautiful terrace in  Tatarskaya Usadba . They offer delicious food, but you have to be patient with your order. If you want to try typical Tatar food, go to  Dom Tatarskoi Kulinarii . If your thing is quick, delicious, and cheap local food, go to  Dobraya Stolovaya  or  Tubatay . Finally, if you want to try something even more exotic, the  Rubai  offers delicious Uzbek food.  

Join a Local Festival

Kazan hosts numerous events and festivals all year round. Our last day was a holiday. Locals were singing and dancing to their national songs. Later we realized that we had attended the celebrations of Tatarstan national day. The city’s greatest local festival is  Sabantuy . It takes place after the crop planting and includes horse races, wrestling matches, and all kinds of singing events. If you happen to visit Kazan in February, you’ll be delighted by its  Opera Festival . If you visit in July or August, don’t forget to attend the  Kazan Jazz Festival . The concerts are held inside the Kremlin’s Pushechnyy Dvor every Thursday evening.

Explore the Rest of Tatarstan

Tatarstan’s cultural heritage is so rich that it has three Unesco World Heritage Sites. Obviously, Kazan is one of them. The other two are Bolgar and Sviyazhsk.  Bolgar  was the medieval capital of Volga Bulgaria, a state that existed between the 7th and 13th centuries. The Bolgar Historical and Archaeological Complex has several mosques, mausoleums, and palaces from that period. Sviyazshk , on the other hand, is a fortress from the 16th century that the Russian army used as a base during the siege of Kazan. Its most important landmark is the Assumption Cathedral.

Where to Stay in Kazan

Kazan is one of Russia’s top tourist destinations. Thus, you have several hotels to choose from. We wanted to stay on the main street, so we chose the  Shalyapin Palace Hotel . It proved a wonderful idea since the hotel is elegant, rooms are comfortable, and views over Bauman Street splendid. Another gorgeous hotel on the same street is the historic  Nogai Hotel . The large constructivist building from 1937 used to host publishers and writers. If you are still not satisfied, book a room in Kazan’s best hotel:  Kazan Palace by Tasigo . This delicately designed hotel is an art nouveau palace from the beginning of the 20th century.

Things to Do in Kazan – Photos

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THE 10 BEST Kazan Sights & Historical Landmarks

Kazan landmarks.

• Architectural Buildings
• Points of Interest & Landmarks
• Churches & Cathedrals
• Monuments & Statues
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Kids
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Good for Couples
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Hidden Gems
• Adventurous
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Kazan Kremlin

2. Bauman Street (Kazansky Arbat)

3. Kul Sharif Mosque

4. Agricultural Palace

5. Cathedral of the Apostles Peter and Paul

6. Suyumbike Tower

7. Tatavatar

8. Kazan Family Center/ Viewpoint

9. Annunciation Cathedral

10. Kremlyovskaya Embankment

11. Epiphany Cathedral

12. Monument Cat Kazan

13. Kazan Arena Stadium

14. Kazan Virgin Monastery

15. Ushkova's House

16. Monument Carriage of Catherine II

17. Compound of the Raifskiy Monastery

18. Monument Dragon Zilant

19. Tatneft Arena Ice Palace

20. Kazan Federal University

21. Temple of All Religions

22. Al-Marjani Mosque

23. Musa Jalil Statue

24. National Library of the Republic of Tatarstan

25. The Clock in the Arabic Style

26. Ferris Wheel Vokrug Sveta

27. Monument to Tatar Pie "Echpochmak"

28. Sculpture Composition Doveriye

29. Monument Philanthropist

30. Millenium Bridge

What travelers are saying.

• Kazan Kremlin
• Kul Sharif Mosque
• Bauman Street (Kazansky Arbat)
• Agricultural Palace
• Kremlyovskaya Embankment
• Annunciation Cathedral
• Cathedral of the Apostles Peter and Paul
• Suyumbike Tower

• The Best Things To See...

The Best Things to Do in Kazan, Russia

Kazan, a city deriving its name from the Tatar word for cooking pot, is true to its name. Over a hundred years older than Moscow, a genuine stew of both Tatar and Slavic cultures makes the capital of the Tatarstan Republic a treasure to explore. Here are 10 recommendations for what to do in Kazan that will ensure you get the most out of the city.

Rub shoulders with the locals in bauman street.

Bauman Street, the main pedestrian thoroughfare, pumps life through the city centre both day and night. Alongside souvenir shops sit cafés, shops and museums with street performers and buskers out to entertain. At night people who are out looking for a good time fill up the restaurants, clubs, and bars that the strip has to offer. One of the oldest streets in Kazan, even a casual stroll down it will take you past beautiful sights such as the iconic bell tower for the Epiphany Church and the unique Monument Cat Kazan.

1. Get a culture hit at the Hermitage-Kazan Center

Art Gallery, Building, Museum, School

3. Gaze at the Kul Sharif Mosque

Church, Mosque

4. Eat Tatar food

5. Be inspired by the Temple of All Religions

6. Ponder matters of the heart at Syuyumbike Tower

7. Visit the Soviet Lifestyle Museum

8. Catch a match at the Kazan Arena

9. Soak up the local atmosphere at the Central Market

Market, Russian, Vegetarian

Echoing Tatar bazars of yore, Kazan’s central market is a vibrant reminder of life in bygone times. Vendors push their wares and rub shoulders with babushkas selling produce straight from their garden, or berries and mushrooms foraged from nearby forests. An onslaught of smells, tastes and sights, the central market is the place to be to soak up local atmosphere, buy souvenirs, or get stuck into a tasty lunch.

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10 things you must do in Kazan

Kul Sharif Mosque in Kazan

Kazan (800 km southeast of Moscow), the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan and one of Russia's oldest cities (founded in 1005), is full of sights, beautiful streets, and cozy parks. As for Tatar cuisine, it deserves special attention. If you happen to be in Kazan for a day or two, our must-see & must-do guide will make your stay as enjoyable as possible.

1. Immerse yourself in the Middle Ages in the Kremlin

Many Russian cities started with the construction of a kremlin and Kazan is no exception. This is where you should start your tour of the city. It’s the oldest building in the city and was rebuilt in the second half of the 16th century on Ivan the Terrible's orders. Postnik Yakovlev and Ivan Shiryai, the architects responsible for one of Moscow’s most iconic symbols - St. Basil's Cathedral - were involved in the construction of the fortress.

2. Don’t let Söyembikä Tower topple

According to legend, the tower is named after the only woman to rule the Kazan Khanate. Ivan the Terrible heard of Söyembikä's beauty and proposed to her, but she turned him down - so the Russian tsar threatened to raze Kazan to the ground. Söyembikä had to agree to marry him, but in return she asked for an unusual wedding present: A seven-storey tower to be built in seven days . Her desire was fulfilled and the tower was built one floor a day. On day seven the tower was completed and the wedding feast started. During the celebration Söyembikä climbed the tower and threw herself off it.

It’s situated in the grounds of the Kazan Kremlin. Its height is 58 meters and as of today it leans by two meters, like the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa.

3. Visit Kul Sharif Mosque

The main mosque of the Republic of Tatarstan and one of the city's most beautiful buildings is also located in the grounds of the Kremlin. A mosque stood on the site back in ancient times but was destroyed during the seizure of Kazan in 1552. It wasn’t rebuilt until 2005 and, until the huge mosque opened in Grozny, was the biggest in Russia.

The interactive Museum of Islamic Culture at semi-basement level is also worth a visit.

4. Taste Tatar cuisine

Echpochmak, smetannik, peremyach, bokkan, and baursak - you must try these! To appreciate real homemade Tatar cuisine and a Soviet ambiance at the same time, you can go to the Tea House at 64 Bauman Street. The place is indeed reminiscent of a Soviet canteen, but the locals are fond of it and many come here for lunch.

Baursaki - a type of fried dough food

5. Admire the architecture of the Palace of Farmers

This building proudly calls itself a "palace" and attracts tourists from all over the world. The Palace of Farmers houses the Ministry of Agriculture but not all locals appreciate its splendor: Activists campaigned against the modern Baroque Revival style during its construction from 2008-10. Some people think it’s tasteless and ugly. What do you think?

6. See the sunset from Kremlin Embankment

If you go through the park adjacent to the Palace of Farmers, you'll end up on the Kremlin Embankment. The best time to come here is in the evening. And if you’re lucky, you might catch one of the most fantastic sunsets you are likely to see.

7. See Kazan at night from the other bank

The Kazan Family Center, which is also a registry office, is situated on the other side on the River Kazanka. According to legend, the name of the city comes from the word "kazan" which means a "cauldron," and the building really does resemble a big cooking pot, symbolizing abundance and fertility. Along its perimeter the Kazan Center is guarded by winged leopards and Zilant dragons. Thirty-two meters up on the eighth floor there’s a platform that offers a panoramic view of the city's historic part. The view is particularly beautiful after sunset: All of the Kremlin buildings and the embankment are illuminated and the lights are reflected in the river.

8. Visit Sviyazhsk Island

Sviyazhsk (58 km from Kazan) is often described as a place with powerful energy. In actual fact, it is not quite an island - a thin isthmus with an road connects it to the mainland. Nowadays Sviyazhsk has become one of Tatarstan's main tourist attractions, not only because of its natural beauty but also thanks to its historical importance: The town, built in the mid-16th century, has largely retained its original appearance. On an area 1.5 km x 0.5 km there are about 10 historical and architectural monuments, and the Assumption Monastery of Sviyazhsk has been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

9. Ride the metro

The Kazan underground is very small - one line and 10 stations - but in beauty it is well nigh on a par with the legendary Moscow Metro thanks to its unique frescoes and mosaics on the walls, stained-glass windows, and huge amount of marble in its cladding. By the way, the tokens that are used for travel on the underground are also available as souvenirs.

10. Buy chak-chak

Don't forget to indulge yourself, your friends, and family, and buy the traditional Tatar delicacy chak-chak. It’s a national Tatar and Bashkir dish made from pastry with honey. You can buy it in many small shops around the city.

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Understand [ edit ]

With a population of about 1.3 million (2011 census), rich history, deep culture and strong economic influence. Kazan holds the title of "The Third Capital of Russia" (after Moscow and Saint Petersburg ), taking this title from the competing Nizhny Novgorod . By many measures, Kazan has the one of the highest standards of living in Russia only after Moscow and St. Petersburg.

In the 2010s, Kazan earned the reputation of a sports city due to its investments in this domain. In 2018 it staged several games in the FIFA World Cup Finals. Kazan is also a university city hosting Kazan Federal University (KFU - formerly Kazan State University, TGGPU and the Kazan Finance Institute), Kazan State Technological University (KGTU), Kazan State Technical University (KAI) and "Energa" University. Many foreign students study in Kazan, adding color to the city's tolerant and diverse population. Schools in Kazan and wider Tatarstan tend to be some of Russia's best.

Located between Europe and Asia having both Russian and Tatar populations, Kazan peacefully blends Muslim and Christian cultures. There are also many other religions represented in Kazan, for example, in the city center there is a synagogue and new Catholic church. This vibrant city with over 1,000 years of history is an excellent travel destination and the number of tourists visiting is rapidly increasing every year.

Climate is Continental, but not as severe as Siberia. Summers are pleasantly warm (and wet) and winters drop to around -10 C.

By train [ edit ]

See Russia#By train 2 for general advice on travelling in Russia by train. Kazan has two major train stations:

Lots of food options close to the station: long-distance trains may halt at Kazan-1 for up to an hour, so if you're slick you should be able to restock en route. As well as the facilities within the station, very close by is Dobraya Stolovaya (self-service cafe) and five minutes walk to the right as you exit brings you to the city market. You can also stock up in the Bakhetle supermarket located on the ground floor of the TsUM mall northeast of the train station. This is also your way to the city center and Kremlin. Kremlevskaya metro station is 10 minutes walk from the train terminal, straight ahead as you exit.

Kazan has good train connections to Moscow (2-3 overnight trains, 11–13 hours) and Saint-Petersburg (daily train, 22 hours). One of the Moscow trains is firmenniy , dubbed Tatarstan, with fancy new double-decker cars and Tatar-style on-board restaurant. Although Kazan is not on the classic Trans-Siberian route (which lies to the north), many trains from Moscow to Siberia and the Far East pass this way, rejoining the classic route at Ekaterinburg (15 hours). Cities like Izhevsk and Ulyanovsk are served at least twice daily (5–6 hours), and there is a suburban train to Yoshkar-Ola (3.5 hours).

By bus [ edit ]

Arriving in Kazan by bus is somewhat less common, unless you travel within Tatarstan , where buses and minibuses are by far the main mode of transportation. When coming by bus, you may find yourself at one of the two city's bus stations:

However, these bus station cater to less than half of bus traffic. Most routes are nowadays served by private-run ("unofficial") buses and minibuses that may terminate in different places, for example, at the train station (Kazan-1), at ploschad Tukaya, at Sovetskaya Sq. in the eastern part of Kazan, etc. The system is haphazard and impossible to track. If you arrive by bus, you will mostly likely find yourself at the train station, which is more or less in the city center. When you leave the city, check where the buses to your destination depart from.

Obeservatories [ edit ]

In 2023, two observatories in Kazan were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as the Astronomical Observatories of Kazan Federal University :

• 55.790917 49.119111 11 Kazan City Astronomical Observatory , Kremlyovskaya St, 18 building 5 . Russia's first faculty of astronomy was opened in 1810 at the University of Kazan. In the 1830s an observatory was built to serve the students. Today the observatory is a tourist attraction. ( updated Sep 2023 )
• 55.839908 48.812414 12 Engelhardt Astronomical Observatory , Ulitsa Aoe, 7, building 1 . A newer observatory, built in the suburbs and finished in 1901. Next to it, there's a planetarium presenting Space from a popular science point of view. ( updated Sep 2023 )

Do [ edit ]

Kazan offers a lot of various events you can visit during your stay here - international opera and ballet festival, different types of music festivals, popular singers concerts and many other interesting things to do. A must-see event in Tatarstan is a national holiday Sabantuy - Tatar summer festival, which is celebrated in the beginning of June.

In summer 2013 four double-decker buses began circulating along their routes in Kazan by "City Sightseeing" company. Tourists will ride on them through the city's downtown and see the main attractions, historical landmarks, and architectural beauties of Tatarstan's capital with their own eyes, and not merely see them, but also learn many interesting things about them. The two-level tour buses have been equipped with an audio guide. The audio recording designed to acquaint guests will the city functions in eight languages: Russian, Tatar, English, French, Spanish, German, Turkish, and Chinese. However the buses have not been seen in 2019.

Stroll Bauman Street. The pedestrian zone that stretches between the Kremlin and Tokai Square and the Hotel Tatarstan. This is Kazan's Arbat, with boutiques, souvenir shops and kiosks, cafes, bars, and plenty of opportunities for people-watching. The statuary (such as a bronze carriage) is especially interesting.

Events [ edit ]

• International opera festival named after Fedor Shalyapin - annually in February.
• Russian festival of Folklore "Karavon" - annually in May.
• International festival of classic ballet named after Rudolf Nuriev - annually in May.
• Summer Tatar festival Sabantuy - annually in June.
• International handicraft festival "Spasskaya Yarmarka" in Elabuga city - annually in August.
• International jazz music festival "Jazz v usadbe Sandetskogo" - annually in August.
• International open-air opera festival "Kazanskaya osen" (Kazan autumn) - annually in September or 30 August. Entrance is free.
• Kazan International festival of Muslim cinema - annually in September.

Parks [ edit ]

• Chernom Ozere , Ulitsa Dzerzhinsokogo . Also known as "Katok na chernom ozere", this is a place where you can go for ice skating. Entry is free and you can rent ice skates for 230 roubles (as of january 2024). free . ( updated Jan 2024 )

Theaters [ edit ]

Buy [ edit ].

Souvenirs from Kazan reflects Tatar culture and ethnic colour. You can buy items with national ornaments and scenes from Tatar folk tales, mosque figurines and many others.

The most popular souvenir, that each tourist want to buy, is Tatar national male headwear "Tubeteika".

Tatar national handicrafts is especially known for its unique leather art and tanning. This kind of very soft, yet long wearing leather called "safyan". Using ancient technologies, craftsmen make amazing items from leather - shoes, bags, slippers, keyfob etc.

Shopping and entertainment centers you can visit are:

• "Mega" is for a family holiday. It's really all organically combined: a relaxing atmosphere conducive to the implementation of the shopping, places for recreation and leisure, entertainment venues.
• "Koltso". The name of the shopping center "The Ring" was due to the location. It is an area that many residents of Kazan call the "Ring." It appeared in the city in 1768, and the project is creating the architect Vasily Kaftyrev. Historical background, and a convenient location shopping and entertainment areas account for its huge popularity.
• "GUM". Updated GUM is a 6 floors, which have clothes, shoes, accessories, jewelry and watch showrooms, shops Perfumery and cosmetics. In restaurants and cafes you can find a wide variety of Russian, Tatar, European, Oriental, Chinese, Mexican and Syrian cuisine.
• "TSUM". was founded in 1940. The complex is located in the historical center of Kazan, and has a rich past. TSUM always changes with the city, and today it is a large shopping complex with a convenient location and ample car parking.
• Bazar: between the Kreml and the Railwaystation, you may find everything you need (from shoes to hats). Outside there are many fresh fruits and cheap berry sellers. Do not forget to have a try at the bakeryes in the morning and eat some fresh local bread.

Eat [ edit ]

Self-caterers can find a large supermarket (one of the Bakhetle chain) in the TsUM building across from the Mirage Hotel. Please note that the Tartarian cuisine has a lot of meat to offer. It is not always easy to find fish or vegetarian food.

Stay safe [ edit ]

Since the '70s, Kazan has long the reputation of being one of the least safe city of Russia. The "Kazan phenomenon" of street gangs even became a journalistic and sociological concept. However, since the late 1990s, situation change fundamentally. Kazan has become host city for a lot of large international events. As a result, there was a modernization of police, so crime rate decreased significantly. For example, during the World Summer Universiade in 2013, a lot of citizens and guests shared their impressions, that they felt safe like never before, even walking in the city centre in the night.

Consulates [ edit ]

Visa centers [ edit ], go next [ edit ].

The Raifa Monastery 30 miles from Kazan, on the shore of a beautiful lake, in the middle of the forest, behind a white granite wall, in the center of a great National Park you will find one of the pearls of 17th-century Russian architecture: the Raifa Bogoroditsky Monastery. The greatest object of this monastery is the Georgian Mother of God icon, which in its day was venerated as a miraculous object with the power to heal the sick. Today the Raifa Monastery is among the most-visited in the world. The grounds of the monastery are located within the Volga-Kama National Park, where the terrain is a combination of southern taiga and deciduous forests. The park's botanical garden features more than 400 species of exotic plants from North America, Asia and Europe

Ancient city of Bolgar The National Park of Bolgar is one of few historical-architectural complexes left by the Volga Tatars. It is located on the bank of the Volga 120 km away from Kazan. Bolgar is related with the such names as Pushkin, Peter the Great, Catherine the Great, Kul Gali and many other famous people. It is a sacred place for all Tatars, a place of pilgrimage for Muslims, and a place generally steeped in legend and history. The National Park of Bolgar is an object of historical and cultural significance. In 1998 the Bolgar Historical-Architectural Complex was included in the provisional list of UNESCO World Heritage sites of the Russian Federation. In National Park of Bolgar you can visit Museum of Bakery, museum of archaeology, monuments of Islamic architecture from the 13th-14th centuries.

Island-town Sviyazhsk The place where the Sviyaga River flows into the Volga forms the idea for Push¬kin's lively tale of the Island of Buyan. Sviyazhsk was built by Ivan theTerrible as a fortress for the siege of Kazan, and it went on to become the first Orthodox Christian city in our area, the center of the spread of Christianity. The island also became home to the Uspensky monastery and the Ioanno-Predtechensky nunnery. The architectural composition of today's Sviyazhsk includes perfectly preserved churches, such as the antique wooden Troitskaya Church (built in 1551), Nikols¬kaya Church, and Uspensky Cathedral. When Alexander Pushkin first saw Sviyazhsk, he was overjoyed. It seems the city was exactly what he imagined for an ideal fairytale setting: beautiful island on a tall mountain, located exactly in the middle of a great river. This island with its surprising history cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Take the fast boat at pier 8 at 08:30.

Elabuga This charming 1000-year-old trade center on the shore of the river Kama and surrounded by natural beauty is one of the oldest cities in Tatarstan. Throughout its history the city was the cradle of Russian trade, where diverse waves of remarkable people flowed together. Most of its buildings have been preserved in their original condition to this day. Examples include the memorial house museum of Ivan Shishkin and the homestead museum of N. Durova, a famous heroine of the Fatherland War of 1812. Tragic circumstances led the city to become the last refuge of the poet Maria Tsvetaeva. Not far from the Elabuga is the famous Elabuga mound “Chertovo gorodishe” - the remains of a fortified settlement from the Volga tribes of the first millennium BC. The surviving stone tower is a symbol of Elabuga. On the banks of the river Toima, five kilometers from Elabuga, archaeologists discovered the Ananinsky burial ground, which lends its name to an entire Iron Age culture.

Kysh-Babay Residence (Tatar Santa Claus) The residences of Kysh Babay and Kar Kyzy are located in the village of Yana Kyrlay, in a pine forest on the bank of the river Iya, 60 km from Kazan. The fairytale journey begins with the forest ”customs” where Shaitan leads you into the estate of Kysh Babay. The map of Shurale leads guests to path filled with adventures. Among the tales, mysteries, miracles, and fairytale characters you will meet Shurale (the Wood goblin), Shaitan (the Devil), Uburly Karchyk (the Witch), Azhdaha (the Dragon), Batyr (the Kinught), Altynchech (Goldilocks), Tahir and Zuhra (Romeo and Juliet).

Chistopol The historic town of Chistopol was founded in the 18th century. This town is truly a living museum, with streets and buildings that preserve the spirit of past days. A walk around Chistopol introduces you to the quiet, very special beauty of the Russian countryside. The Melnikov House, the grounds of Uspensky Monastery, St. Nicholas Cathedral - these places all enhance the feeling that the city was built with care and love. You can find very interesting Boris Pasternak museum here. A few kilometers from Chistopol you'll find the remains of Juketau, a city of the ancient Bolgar Kingdom which served as a trade center during pre-Mongol period.

Tetushi The pearl of Tetushi is historico-architectural natural park “Dolgaya polyana”. Tourists visited this place say that you feel peace and calm. Local people claim there is anomalous zone with positive energy. Even Khans of Ancient Bolgar used to come to this place for several days to recover peace of mind. There are a lot of old buildings, dated from 1700s. You can even be lucky to see real archaeological excavation! And of course you can enjoy beautiful and splendid nature of Tetushi. Fond of historical reconstructions? Then summer reconstruction of battlefield on Vshiha mountain is definitely worth visiting! You can not only watch, but also participate!

Laishevo At the end of May, there is a big ethnic festival called Karavon. For 9 years annually more than 10,000 people come to take part. And according to legend, this festival exists more than 300 years! Here you can dance in a round, have a look at the town of craftsman, take part in national amusements and feel cheerful and holiday atmosphere among wearing national costumes people. This festival is definitely worth seeing!

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Visit Kazan | Moscow Kazan train | What to see, where to stay in Kazan?

• January 23, 2024

What to visit in Kazan in 1 day, 2 days or more? Here are all the main places to see in Kazan, as well as the good places to eat and to stay in Kazan, and other practical tips. Kazan is a city worth visiting if you take the Trans-Siberian Railway, and a Moscow Kazan train.

History and local people of Kazan

Welcome to Kazan, capital of Tatarstan and 6th city of Russia in population! Kazan is therefore an important metropolis in Russia

In short. Kazan was founded in 1005 by former Turkish-speaking Bulgarians. Then, from 1223 to 1236, the city was attacked several times by the Mongols led by the famous Genghis Khan. Kazan was then part of the Golden Horde which went from the Black Sea to present-day Mongolia. However, Ivan the Terrible will eventually conquer Kazan in 1552.

Tatars. Certain historians announce that 80% of the local populations would have been then killed by the Mongol invasions. At the present time, these people descended from the Golden Horde, form an ethnic group called the Tatars. There are Tatars in Kazan, but also in Crimea (all over the Golden Horde territory). Kazan’s ethnic makeup is 48.6% Russian (ethnicity, not nationality) and 47.6% Tatar. In addition, the Tatars have a strong identity and community. For example, it’s a bit like Breton or Corsican in France. Finally, the Tatars are predominantly Muslim.

Where is Kazan located Russia? Kazan is the capital of Tatarstan, a republic of the Russian Federation. It is located 800km from Moscow, due east. The Volga sinks to Kazan.

When to visit Kazan?

Kazan is far from the seas and oceans. So it’s a continental climate: cold in winter, hot in summer. In June and July it is hotter in Kazan than in Nice. In winter, it’s -11 ° C on average. The cold record is still at -46.9 ° C!

I went there for the first time in May: it was great. And a second time, this time with Florian, we visited Kazan at the end of February: very good too, because there was still snow! 🙂

How to go to Kazan? Moscow Kazan train? By plane, by car?

In Russia, the train is very popular. It’s cheap, reliable and punctual. The distances are great and the fast line for a Moscow Kazan train is not yet finished – it is scheduled for 2021.

Moscow Kazan train. From Moscow, it is very easy and affordable to reach Kazan by train. Currently, it is therefore necessary to plan 12 hours by train to reach Kazan from Moscow. The ticket starts at € 13, but it’s a seat on a night train. The price of a berth is from € 34. The best option is to buy tickets for a Moscow Kazan train from the official website .

New double-decker trains. The last time, to go to Kazan, we took a new double-decker train. It was very comfortable!

You can also take the plane: 1h30 and 50 €. For this kind of distance, the plane is the fastest, because the journey time is only 1h30. Even if we add 1.5 hours before departure and on arrival, the time to reach the hotel, it remains the fastest way. For example, the national company Aeroflot and the low-cost S7 operate the connection several times a day for € 50. And by car, allow at least 11 hours of driving.

By car. Plan at least 11 hours on the road.

Note also that there is a direct train from Saint Petersburg.

Visit in Kazan in 1 day

If you want to visit Kazan in 1 day, here is the list of the main places to see (more info on each place below):

• Kazan Kremlin
• Palace of Agriculture

Cathedral of Saint Peter and Saint Paul

• Bauman pedestrian street

Kremlevskaya Street

Visit kazan in 2 days.

If you want to visit Kazan in 2 days, you can then:

• Or visit the island village Sviajsk (outside the city);
• Either see the Family Center, the Temple of All Religions, or the old Tatar district.

What to visit in Kazan?

Here are the most interesting places to visit in Kazan, more in details.

Kazan Kremlin, must-see in Kazan

The Kremlin, like in Moscow, is the heart of the city, the president’s place of residence (here Tatarstan). The Kazan Kremlin was built in the 16th century. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site . Besides, it is an ideal place to admire the panorama of the Volga! 🙂

Kremlin means fortress in Russia. Inside the fortress are several interesting monuments:

Kul Sharif Mosque

Söyembikä tower, annunciation cathedral.

• There is also the Hazine Art Gallery and the Tatarstan State History Museum. We visited it, but there was very little information in English.

The 3rd largest mosque in Europe, after Istanbul and Moscow. In addition, the Quolsharif Mosque is an active place of worship, built in 1996 and 2005, which can accommodate up to 6,000 people.

The Söyembikä Tower is special because it leans. Not as much as the Tower of Pisa, but enough for it to be seen with the naked eye. The tower is 58m high and there are 7 levels. Several legends circulate on the construction of this tower like, for example, that which tells that Ivan Le Terrible had it built in 7 days to imprison the tsarina Sumbiket who ended up jumping from the top of the tower.

The Kazan Annunciation Cathedral dates from 1561-1562. The architects are the same as those of the Basilica of the Blessed Basil of Moscow.

The famous writer Alexandre Dumas, known in Russia, already came here in 1858, during his trip to Russia which he would later describe in “Voyage en Russie” and “Le Caucase”. The cathedral is special and has a great oriental influence.

The Minister of Agriculture, one of the most beautiful buildings to visit in Kazan

It is a very nice building that we can see from the ramparts of the Kremlin. However, you can’t go inside.

It’s a very nice street. Rather calm and pleasant. Many universities, and therefore many young people.

National Museum of Tatarstan. It is a museum equipped with the latest technologies in order to project itself more easily into different eras. We mainly see objects found on the Ananyinskii archaeological site: for example, scrolls and manuscripts, pieces dating from the Stone Age. However, guided tours are available in English, Russian and Tatar.

Bauman Street, visit the main pedestrian street of Kazan

It’s a must see pedestrian street in Kazan. You will certainly even come back to it, as it is a nice and pleasant street. Many shops, cafes and restaurants are located there.

Family Center

The Kazan Family Center is a building with original architecture, shaped like a bowl. But above all, you can climb on the roof and have a panoramic view of the city, including the Kremlin located on the other bank.

Temple of all religions in Kazan

This temple is original because it brings together 16 major religions of humanity. Each dome represents one of them. Note: the temple is still under construction. Although the exterior is finished, the interior can be disappointing. Besides, the temple is located outside the center of Kazan. You have to take a city bus to get there.

Sviajsk Village Island

Sviajsk was used as an outpost by Ivan Le Terrible to conquer the Khanate of Kazan. It is an island that was at the crossroads of the Silk and Volga routes. There is only one road that leads to Sviajsk. You feel completely isolated from the world. On the other hand, Sviajsk is located outside the city of Kazan, and is not easily accessible.

Old tatar district

It was also Alsou who recommended us to visit this district. We can still see some houses of old architecture: lots of colors! This district is located not far from the lake quays. Very pleasant for a stroll.

Where to stay in Kazan?

Here are two addresses of hotels in Kazan that I know:

We spent 6 nights in the Park Hotel. It was really good, nothing to say. There was also a washing machine upstairs, so we were able to wash our things for free. As Kazan was on our Trans-Siberian itinerary, it was very convenient to be able to wash clothes. In addition, the Park Hotel is located not far from the lake quays, but also from the pedestrian street. So it was a good location for visiting the city. Breakfast was included. Of course, it was a bit repetitive, but it was fine.

We also hesitated with these two hotels: Ostrovsky Hotel and Hotel Imereti. They are both well located: not too far from the train station, but at the same time close to the main attractions of the city.

Where to eat in Kazan?

You will find quite a few restaurants and cafes in the pedestrianized Bauman street (indicated in the list above). We ate really well in Kazan. Besides, the prices are lower than in Moscow, and at the same time the food seemed better. It’s the big city / smaller city effect.

Our good addresses of restaurants in Kazan

Visit Kazan and eat well! Here are the addresses we tested (and approved).

• Khanuma canteen at 68 rue Bauman. Good places to eat well. There is a choice, the price / quality ratio is very good! However, this cafeteria is located in a courtyard, the entrance is a little hidden, you can’t see it from the street. The decor is quite nice, and does not canteen at all.
• “Dobraya Stolovaya” canteen at 21 rue Bauman. Inexpensive (less than 3 euros for a meal) and good!
• Café Skazka at 58 rue Bauman. A nice little cafe where you can eat well. Price quite correct.
• Halal and Tatar Tubetey coffee chain. It’s kind of the Tatar response to McDonald’s. There are soups, but also classics of Tatar cuisine revisited and modernized. It was good, and very practical. The negative point: some plastic waste like forks, for example.
• “Rubai” oriental restaurant at 23 Profsoyuznaya Street. Good food, vegetarian dishes.

We also tried more expensive restaurants (not only canteens), but we were a little disappointed. As we were on a long trip, we no longer wanted to eat rather simple food. It is for this reason that we had a preference for cafes or canteens.

What to taste to visit Kazan through the kitchen? Tatar specialties!

Some tatar specialities to taste:

• Tchak-tchak. You can buy them everywhere (in a food store too). It’s a honey dessert. Besides, the other pastries are also very good, always with an oriental note.
• Oetchpotchmak. These are small triangular turnovers stuffed with potatoes and ground beef. For example, you can taste them at Tubetey.
• Tea! Tatars love tea, especially with thyme, but also with mint.

Which transport to use to visit Kazan?

To get around, you will have the choice between public transport (Bus, Trolleybus, Metro) and taxi, although the vast majority of trips to visit Kazan can be done on foot.

Kazan Metro

There is a metro line running through the Kremlin (Kremlyovskaya). The trip costs 30 rubles. The metro is new and very clean.

Taxi in Kazan

Like everywhere in Russia, Yandex Taxi is present in Kazan. It is a chauffeur-driven car service, like Uber or Chauffeur Privé.

There are of course also old-fashioned taxis, with which you have to negotiate the price of the ride before riding.

Further information

• The official portal of Tatarstan (in English, Spanish, German, Chinese, Finnish… but not in French)

In summary, we really loved visiting Kazan! I came here in 2013, but the city has changed a lot since then. The history of Kazan, but also this mixture of cultures is very interesting. If you take the Trans-Siberian Railway, Kazan is clearly one of the cities to visit!

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10 Must Things to Do in Kazan, Russia

Has it ever happened to you that after seeing a picture of the place you knew you have to go there? It happens to me, a lot! One picture, one sentence in the book or one random fact is already a good reason for me to visit a destination.

That was the story with Chernivtsi, Ukraine or with Kotor, Montenegro . And that was also the case of Kazan, Russia.

When I planed my 9 days trip to Russia I knew I can use this whole time in Moscow only and still I wouldn’t be able to explore it properly (after all seeing all the beautiful Moscow metro stations takes a day or two!).

But I figured I can also visit Kazan since it’s not that far away (at least in the Russian standards, it takes one night by train to get there from the capital).

Once I started researching more about the city I knew it was a perfect idea – there were so many things to do in Kazan that I knew my one day in Kazan might not be enough.

Kazan exceeded my expectations. The city turned out to be super interesting, with some beautiful sights and a laid-back vibe. I can definitely recommend visiting Kazan when you are in Russia.

And to give you a little overview of what to do in Kazan here is my small Kazan guide.

Table of Contents

Where is Kazan

Kazan, with a population of around 1,2 million inhabitants, is the sixth-largest city in Russia and the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan.

The city is located in the European part of Russia, some 700 km east from the capital – Moscow. Kazan lies at the confluence of the impressive Volga and Kazanka rivers.

How to get to Kazan

I went to Kazan by train from Moscow and it was really easy. I took the night train and the whole journey was around 11 hours, from 9 pm to 8 am.

The train was very comfortable and I slept very well – that was crucial as I had only one day in Kazan before catching the next train to Sankt Petersburg and so I needed to be in the top shape. If you plan to travel around Russia – taking the train is your best option.

You can also fly to Kazan. The local airport is located around 25 km away from the city and serves mostly domestic destinations but you can also get here from Baku (Azerbaijan) , Nur-Sultan (Kazakhstan) , Minsk (Belarus) , Budapest (Hungary) or Istanbul (Turkey).

Where to stay in Kazan

I stayed in the hotel just around the corner from Bauman street – the main pedestrian zone in Kazan. I can definitely recommend this area – you will be within walking distance to most of the Kazan attractions.

Here are some of the recommended places to stay in Kazan:

• Budget: Happy House Hostel (8.9/10 on Booking) – that’s where I stayed
• Mid-range: Hotel Kaganat (9.3/10 on Booking)
• Luxury: Mirage Hotel (9.0/10 on Booking)

Short history of Kazan, Russia

The city was founded in the 11th century, however, the exact year is not known. In medieval times, Kazan was an important center of the Golden Horde and in 1438 it became the capital of the Khanate of Kazan.

A bit over a hundred years later the city was captured by Ivan the Terrible and incorporated into Russia. During the rule of Catherine the Great in the 18th century, Kazan grew significantly and flourished.

Today Kazan is one of the main Russian cultural, religious and industrial centers. It is also often called the “Third Capital” of Russia due to its significant importance in the country.

Things to do in Kazan

Now, that you know a bit about Kazan let’s talk about what to do in Kazan. I can guarantee you won’t be bored there!

Visit UNESCO listed Kremlin

Visiting Kremlin in Kazan is a must. The historic citadel was built when Ivan the Terrible was ruling the country in the 16th century, in the place where the former castle of the Khanate of Kazan used to stand.

On the Kremlin’s premises, you can find numerous important monuments, the oldest one being the Annunciation Cathedral which is the only Russian church from the 16th century with six piers and five apses.

You will definitely also notice Söyembikä Tower, most likely from the times of Peter the Great. Not only it is the highest structure in Kremlin and one of the city’s symbols, but it is also a leaning-tower.

The most impressive building, however, is the Kul Sharif Mosque – the main reason why I wanted to visit Kazan so badly as it just looked like from a fairy tale on the pictures I’ve seen.

This is one of the largest mosques in Russia and in Europe (besides Istanbul) and it is pretty big indeed, taking a decent picture of the building was a challenge. It was completed in 2005 (for the 1000th birthday of Kazan, although this date is just agreed on) and is standing in the place where originally the mosque was located before Ivan the Terrible captured the Kazan’s castle.

Be sure to visit the mosque inside too as the interior is just as stunning as the building itself.

If you have time I recommend visiting Kremlin twice – during the day time to visit all the monuments inside but also around the sunset time. The place will be pleasantly empty with only a few people around and the monuments, especially Kul Sharif Mosque, are beautifully illuminated.

In the evening Kazan Kremlin feels like a completely different place and that’s when you fully can enjoy its vibe.

Enjoy the pedestrian Bauman street

Bauman Street is the heart of Kazan, connecting Kremlin with Tukay Square in the center of the city. That’s where you usually find people strolling down, street musicians, lots of shops, restaurants, and events.

The street is named after Nikolay Bauman, the Russian revolutionist from the bolshevik party who was born in Kazan.

To be honest I wasn’t very impressed with Bauman street (I preferred Kremlyovskaya Street) but it is a pleasant place and definitely one of the spots you can’t miss in Kazan!

Climb the tower of Epiphany Cathedral

The Epiphany Cathedral is located at Bauman street, close to Tukay Square. Be sure to climb the 74-meter bell tower from the 19th century, a perfect example of the Russian neo-Baroque architecture.

From the top, you can admire the beautiful view of Bauman street and beyond, all the way to Kremlin. I was there just before the sunset when the whole city was covered in the soft yellow light – it was the prettiest.

I was also lucky to witness the bells concert up there – it was super loud but very beautiful!

Visit the Museum of Soviet Lifestyle

Located just off Bauman Street, this is such a fun museum to visit. It shows numerous artifacts from the Soviet times, mostly from the 1970s and 1980s. Everything is super kitschy but the fun part is – you can touch and play with many of the items!

If you were raised in the Soviet reality visiting the museum is like a walk down the memory lane (it was for me as I remember many of those artifacts from my childhood).

Otherwise, it’s a great introduction to how cheesy but sad life under the communist rule used to be.

Walk the Kazanka river embankment

Just below Kremlin, you can find the Kazanka river embankment – one of the favorite places of the locals to relax and hang around. You can find there numerous cafes, restaurants, open-air gyms, merry-go-rounds, sunbeds and more.

You might rent a bike to ride around or just walk and enjoy the place and views across the river. You can also stop by at the nearby Museum of the 1000 Anniversary of Kazan.

When you are going from Kremlin down to the embankment don’t miss the spectacular building of the Farmer’s Palace. This eclectic masterpiece is among the most photographed buildings in Kazan and it is popular for a reason – it’s one of the most unique architecture pieces you can see in Kazan.

Apparently it is possible to visit The Farmer’s Palace inside too and it’s worth doing so – I can’t confirm as I was in Kazan on May 1st when everything was closed but otherwise, I would have definitely gone inside as that’s what I always do.

Find Soviet remnants

If you like Soviet architecture and artifacts you will enjoy your trip to Russia to the fullest. There are so many interesting Soviet remnants all over the place and Kazan is no different.

As in every other Russian city, you can find here the statue of Lenin, standing proudly in the crucial place. In Kazan, he is guarding Svobody Square, within a walking distance from the Bauman street.

On the way take a closer look at the Physics Institute – you will see a nice themed bas relief there!

You can also go underground to see the Kazan metro. Even if it’s fairly new, opened in 2005, it can give you an overview of how grand Soviet metro stations can look like.

It’s not as spectacular as the metro in Kharkiv (Ukraine) , Tashkent (Uzbekistan) or Moscow metro but it is definitely worth seeing.

Admire beautiful architecture on Kremlyovskaya street

While Bauman Street is among the most popular places in Kazan, my personal favorite street was Kremlyovskaya. It’s parallel to Bauman street, leading all the way to the Spasskaya Tower – the main entrance to Kremlin in Kazan.

The street is lined with beautiful buildings from the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century (that was probably the reason why I liked it so much) and wandering around is pure pleasure.

The most impressive buildings include Ushkova House (from 1908), Aleksandrovsky passage (built between 1880 and 1883) or The National Museum of the Republic of Tatarstan (from 1894) but the whole street is very interesting really.

Be sure to also walk a few steps down to Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral – probably the most beautiful one of Kazan’s churches. It dates back to the 18th century and is one of the city’s symbols that you simply can’t miss!

Learn more about Tatar culture

As you probably have noticed Kazan is the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan. Tatars are the Turkic ethnic group, living mostly in this part of Russia, as well as Ukraine or Uzbekistan .

Kazan is the center of Tatar people and there is no better place to learn more about their history, culture, language and more.

You should definitely visit The National Museum of the Republic of Tatarstan, located right across the Spasskaya Tower of Kremlin – it has a great collection of artifacts connected to Tatar culture and some famous local people.

Afterward, you can visit the old Tatar quarter, dating back to medieval times, with some of the important historical and cultural monuments. You can find it across Kaban Lakes, not far from Tukaya Square.

Try Tatar cuisine

Speaking of Tatar culture – be sure to try some of the local food too! There is no better place to get acquainted with the Tatar cuisine than Kazan.

On Bauman Street, you can find some restaurants serving local food, such as Dom Chaya – it might not look any special but it’s among the oldest and most famous Tatar cafeterias in Kazan.

My favorite one, however, was the fast-food chain Tubatay, located on Kremlyovskaya street. Don’t make the “fast-food chain” fool you – the food there was really good, they had vegetarian options and the menu had pictures so it was easier to choose as the names didn’t ring any bells in my head.

Everything I tried there was very good but don’t ask me what exactly I ate as I have no idea.

By the way, in Kazan you can find the chak-chak museum, dedicated to the most famous Tatar sweet dessert. I’m not a big fan of it, to be honest, but the museum can be a great place to learn more about chak-chak and Tatar cuisine.

Visit Temple of All Religions

This is one of the craziest temples I’ve ever seen! Unfortunately, I could see it only from the train when I was leaving Kazan but I was still very impressed.

The Temple of All Religions is located a bit away from the center of Kazan but if you have the time it’s definitely worth the trip.

The complex serves as the universal temple, inside you can find the Orthodox church, the mosque, the synagogue as well as architecture typical for other religions, including the past ones.

Despite the crazy idea, the Temple of All Religions, thanks to its uniqueness, is among the most popular Kazan attractions. And it looks so unreal, like from a fairytale really!

Is it worth to visit Kazan?

While my main reason to visit Kazan was to see the stunning Kul Sharif Mosque it quickly turned out that the mosque is only one of many things to do in Kazan.

The city is full of attractions, is much more beautiful than I expected, the vibe is laid-back and cool, there is so much to learn about (like the Tatar culture or the long and interesting history of Kazan). Not to mention all the great cafes I didn’t have time to visit!

I only wish I had more than just one day in Kazan so when you plan your trip to Russia give yourself more time there because as you can see there is a lot to see and do in Kazan!

Travel Resources

You can find the best accommodation options at Booking . They have many discounts and excellent customer service. Click here to look for the place to stay in Kazan

Never travel without travel insurance , you never know what might happen and better safe than sorry. You can check the insurance policy for Russia here.

I recommend joining organized tours to get to know the place better and to visit more places during your trip. You can find a great selection of tours at Get Your Guide – click here .

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• Sign up to my newsletter or follow me on Bloglovin to get updates about the new posts
• Join my Facebook group about Eastern Europe, the Balkans and former USSR and connect with fellow travellers and enthusiasts of these regions – just click here!
• I’ve included a few handy links of services and products I personally like and use so you can plan your own trip to Russia too. They are often affiliate links. This means I will get a small commission if you book/purchase anything through my links, at no extra costs for you. Thank you!

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Awesome overview! Thank you Kami!

Really makes me want to go to Russia and explore all the different sides of this ginormous country.

Thank you! I hope you will visit Russia one day, it’s such a fascinating country. I also can’t wait to go there again and see more of it.

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Kazan travel guide

Kazan tourism | kazan guide, you're going to love kazan.

The ancient capital of Kazan is Russia's third largest city. It's a thriving oil-rich metropolis, but Kazan's citizens still celebrate the language and folkways of the Tatar people, who came to the region in the 15th century.

Top 5 Reasons to Visit Kazan

1. visit a world heritage site.

Kazan's hilltop Kremlin was declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. Visit Kul Sharif Mosque, Annunciation Cathedral and Suyumbike Tower.

2. Buy a Traditional Souvenir

The pedestrian friendly Bauman Street is the place to buy everything from Matryoshka dolls to Tatar folk costumes.

3. Tour a Museum

Your choices include the artistic masterpieces at the Kazan branch of the world famous Hermitage or the quirky collection of communist kitsch at the Soviet Lifestyle Museum.

4. Take a Boat Trip

Enjoy leisurely views of the central Russian countryside during a two-hour boat trip on the Volga River.

5. Cheer the Home Team

Hoops-mad locals regularly pack the Basket-Hall arena to watch the Kazan Unics face off against a EuroLeague opponent.

What to do in Kazan

1. ivan's terrible fortress.

Kazan's historical core, the Kremlin (citadel) was built by Tsar Ivan the Terrible in the 17th century, as Moscow sought to extend its fragile authority over Tatarstan. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Kremlin is crammed with highlights, including the Annunciation Cathedral (built over a destroyed mosque), and the elegant Söyembikä Tower, which local myths tell was the site of a noble suicide by a local princess when Ivan took control. Handily, the new Kazan Metro has a stop for the Kremlin, so finding it is simple.

2. Art That Brings People Together

One of the most hopeful works of art in Russia, and perhaps the world, this quirky creation was built by Ilda Khanov, and incorporates design elements from all of the world's major religions. Constantly being added to, it's part art installation, part activist protest, and partly just a humanist gesture in a city that's managing diversity pretty well. Inside you'll find a cultural center and gallery, and the chance to meet the artist and his disciples - an inspiring experience.

3. Get Red-Dy For A Whole Lot Of Fun

Definitely the most offbeat attraction Kazan has to offer, the Soviet Lifestyle Museum offers a totally unique perspective on what everyday life was like under Communism. Located in the city center, it essentially contains a vast collection of Soviet kitsch, with toys, decorations, vinyl records and clothes from the 1950s to the late 1980s. Charming rocket toys give a flavor for how the Space Race was perceived, while instruction books containing propagandistic content offer a sobering view of Soviet-era education, and it's all fascinating.

4. An Elegant Religious Revival

Finished in 2005, this is both Kazan's newest religious center and its most lavish. Located in the Kremlin, and conceived as a cross-religious gesture of togetherness, Kul Sharif (or Qolşärif) is a direct INSERT IGNOREment for the mosque destroyed by Ivan the Terrible in the 16th century. And what a INSERT IGNOREment. Its four minarets are clad in white and blue, and rise majestically above the Kremlin, and the interior can hold 6,000 worshippers, making it one of the biggest in Russia. There's also a fine little museum which explains the mosque's phoenix-like story in more detail.

5. Kazan's Cultural And Social Center

When you're done with Kremlins, churches, mosques, and museums, Bauman Street is the only place to head. The hub of Kazan's social life, it takes its name from a martyr of the 1905 Russian Revolution, and is attractively lined with lanterns, linden trees, and tiles. Totally pedestrianized, Bauman Street brims with stores and cafes. Street performers show off their talents along its length, while you'll also come across numerous public art works as you wander from the Kremlin to Ploschad' Tukaya. There are Metro stations at both ends, so don't worry about having to retrace your steps. Just stroll and enjoy the vibe.

Where to Eat in Kazan

The cafeteria chain Dobraya Stolovaya offers basic Russian fare at affordable prices. Sample traditional Tatar cuisine such as creamy fish soup at Bilyar on Ulitsa Butlerova. The average price of a meal is RUB750.

When to visit Kazan

Visit Kazan in August or September. The temperatures average 70°F and there are jazz and opera festivals as well as a handicrafts fair.

How to Get to Kazan

Most international visitors will arrive via Kazan International Airport (KZN), which is 18 miles south of downtown. Visitors can take an Aeroexpress train to the Kazan Train Station for RUB40 or catch a taxi for around RUB500.

Kazan Train Station is a main stop on the routes to and from Moscow, St. Petersburg and Siberia.

Take the M7 highway east from Moscow or take the E22 west from Perm. Unscrupulous taxi drivers can drastically raise rates for foreign tourists, so it is best to choose wisely before booking a cab.

Long-distance routes to and from Kazan are mostly run by private companies, which can vary widely in reliability, times of operation and drop-off points. Check in advance to see if your chosen bus route stops at the Kazan airport.

Airports near Kazan

Airlines serving kazan, where to stay in kazan.

Check into the restored Shalyapin Palace Hotel on Ulitsa Universitetskaya for classically decorated rooms and haute cuisine. The Volga Hotel on Said-Galeeva Street and Hostel Kremlin on Bolshaya Krasnaya Street are clean, affordable accommodations within walking distance of the Kremlin.

Popular Neighborhoods in Kazan

Vakhitovsky - This central neighborhood contains the Kremlin and most of Kazan's museums.

Privolzhsky - This southern district is the center of Tatar culture. Don't miss the elaborately decorated Azimov Mosque.

Kirovsky - The Kyrlay amusement park is in this northwest district. Ride the Ferris wheel for panoramic views of the city.

Where to stay in popular areas of Kazan

Most booked hotels in kazan, how to get around kazan, public transportation.

There is a basic Metro service in central Kazan, and bus and tram lines run throughout the city. The cost for all public transport is RUB7.

Taxis average a cost of RUB100 per trip and should be booked ahead of time.

The Kremlin and Bauman Street are pedestrian-only zones, but the rest of Kazan is easily drive-able with ample parking. The average cost for a rental car is RUB3,834.

The Cost of Living in Kazan

Shopping streets.

In addition to Bauman Street, there is the Koltso shopping mall and TSUM department store. Expect prices to be a bit higher than in the U.S.

Groceries and Other

In central Kazan, you can get the basic necessities at convenience stores or open-air markets. The Privolzhsky district has five supermarkets. A quart of milk costs RUB180 and a loaf of bread RUB21.

• #Luxury travel
• #Unusual Moscow
• #Jewish Heritage
• #Russian traditions

Five things you will definitely like about Kazan

• #Interesting places
• #Great Russian Cities

Kazan is the biggest city and the capital of the Tatarstan Republic of Russia. Being one of the oldest cities in Eastern Europe, Kazan, surprisingly, appears to be a very modern and developed cultural center of Russia. If you want to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of ancient Tatar people and, at the same time, shake it up with colorful nightlife.

01 Kazan Kremlin

The first place any guide and any touristic route of Kazan takes you is undoubtedly the Kazan Kremlin — the UNESCO World-Heritage listed sight. Special attention should be drawn to the Kul Sharif Mosque, reconstructed in 2005, which not only fits perfectly in the whole ensemble of the Kremlin complex but also has a splendid interior with exquisite decoration in classical Mosque style. At the entrance, women are given skirts and headscarves, if needed, so you do not need any special preparation before you go. After your visit, don’t miss a walk down the Kremlinembankment to catch the amazing views of the city and the river.

02 Sviyazhsk Island

This site is not a temple in the conventional sense but a work of architectural art dedicated to different religions, so there are no masses or ceremonies in the Temple. What is there, then? First of all, an unusual colorful building that combines domes and facades of a Christian church, a Muslim Mosque, a Synagogue, and a Pagoda. According to the initial plan, it had to combine elements of sixteen religious building types. Inside, there is a cultural center with exhibitions dedicated to different cultures and religions. An interesting fact: this place is also a resident for the architect’s brother and sister, who remain the keepers of the project and work there as the guides.

03 Temple of All Religions

One of the shortest metro systems (only one lane and ten stations!) of the world is still impressive — frescoes, mosaics, columns in its stations' design make it comparable with Saint Petersburg and Moscow Metro, officially recognized as the architectural heritage. What you will also like is that the Kazan metro is the safest metro in Russia.

04 Kazan Metro

05 Chak-chak and other treats

Chak-chak is quite a popular dessert all over Russia but originally comes from Tatar cuisine, so here, in Kazan, it is some kind of a signature treat. It is quite difficult to describe the taste of this meal, but basically, it is a pile of honey syrup glazed small crispy bread bites, served out in the form of cake. What else should you try? Most people vote for the echpochmak — a small, triangle-shaped pie filled with onion, meat, and potato. It perfectly goes with traditional noodle tatar soup and different meat second courses.

• Ceramics read
• Lacquer Boxes read
• Russian Souvenir: what to bring home from a trip to Russia read
• The Top 10 Unusual Things to Do in Moscow read
• Nesting Dolls read
• Birch Boxes read
• 1. Kazan Kremlin
• 2. Sviyazhsk Island
• 3. Temple of All Religions
• 4. Kazan Metro
• 5. Chak-chak and other treats

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What to eat?

Horse meat, etchpetchmak, tchak-tchak are the dishes you have to eat when visiting Kazan. In another post , I have written about a list of dishes you must try when traveling to this city.

What to see in Kazan

Kazan Kremlin & Qul-Sharif Mosque, Ekiyat Puppet Theater, Soviet Lifestyle Museum, the football stadium of Rubin Kazan are the main places to visit. For things to do and landmarks in Kazan, click on this article .

Arriving and leaving Kazan

The train is the most practical and convenient way to travel inside Russia, that’s how I arrived from Moscow and move from Kazan to Nizhny Novgorod, and the railway station in Kazan is in the city center. Below, the time you take from Kazan to the presented cities.

Kazan to Moscow : about 13 hours

Kazan to Saint Petersburg : about 22 hours

Kazan to Nizhny Novgorod: about 9 hours

Kazan to Ekaterinburg: about 14 hours

Kazan to Irkutsk: about 68 hours (2 days and a half)

The nearest airport is Kazan International Airport, located 26 km from the city. You can take domestic flights from the main Russian airports and international flights.

Kazan to Moscow: about 14 hours

Kazan to Saint Petersburg: from 35 to 40 hours

Kazan to Nizhny Novgorod: about 8 hours

Kazan to Ekaterinburg: about 20 hours

Originally posted 2017-10-07 14:02:22.

Relacionado

Kazan in Winter: the ultimate travel guide

Due to the current situation, I advice against travel to Kazan and Russia at the moment. All affiliated links related to Russia have been removed. But I have decided to keep my posts about Russia as it remains a beautiful country. I hope that circumstances change and that travel is possible again in the near future.

Kazan in winter embraces the snowy and harsh cold weather that Russian winters are famous for. In fact, it was one of the coldest places I visited on my Russian trip, comparable with my visit to Murmansk that lies above the Arctic circle.

Why visit Kazan in winter?

Is that a reason not to visit Kazan in winter? Let me tell you, that I immediately fell in love with Kazan. One of the reasons was it’s Kremlin that was covered in snow. From there I had beautiful views on the frozen Volga river that runs through the city. It was wonderful.

Kazan’s main attractions like its Kremlin and cosy Bauman street only get more beautiful once the winter brings in a blanket of snow. Furthermore, Russian winters are an experience in itself and will add an extra dimension to your visit. If you consider traveling to Kazan in winter, I can say that the city still has a lot to offer.

I had other reasons to visit Kazan as well. People told me that Kazan with its unique culture was quite different from most other Russian cities. I wanted to know what islam in Orthodox Russia was like and that is why I took the train from Moscow to Kazan .

At first sight, Kazan actually didn’t look so different and felt familiarly Russian. It’s Tatar influence is subtle. But it’s there and this makes Kazan a fascinating place.

A short history of Kazan

Kazan is the capital of Tatarstan, an autonomous republic within Russia that is predominantly muslim. The Tatars are a Turkic people that once roamed on the lands of Russia and Central Asia on their horses. The most famous Tatar is of course Gengis Khan with his Golden Horde in the 13th century. It was one of his descendants that founded the Khanate of Kazan in 1438.

It was a Tatar stronghold until Ivan the Terrible took over in 1552 after a long siege. He destroyed everything that was Tatar such as the Qul Sharif mosque and the Tatar fortress. In its place he built a Russian Kremlin. In the next centuries Kazan developed into an important trade city and industrial center on the trans siberian route.

Throughout these years the Tatars kept their culture alive and when the Soviet Union disintegrated they wanted to become independent. What they got was an autonomous republic within Russia. Something that most people in Kazan seem to be ok with. Nowadays about half of the population is Tatar and the other half Russian.

The best things to do in Kazan in winter

The key to enjoy Kazan in winter is by having both outdoor and indoor activities. Luckily Kazan is a great city to do so. The main things to do in Kazan are concentrated in a small area around the Kremlin and the old Tatar settlement that are connected with each other by the 1.3 kilometer long Bauman street.

Kazan is therefore a great city to explore on foot, even in winter. If you walk from the Kremlin to the old Tatar settlement following Bauman street there are plenty of opportunities to warm up in one of the city’s funny museums or with a cup of tea in a trendy cafe.

Like most cities in Russia, Kazan has a fortified Kremlin with the city’s most important buildings. It looks like an ordinary Kremlin, but what is unique about Kazan is that it is one of the few in Russia with a mosque inside. The spires of the Qul Sharif mosque stand next to the onion domed cupolas of the orthodox annunciation cathedral.

It’s a reminder of the complex history of this place that started out as a Tatar fortress with a small mosque in the 13th century. They were destroyed by Ivan the Terrible during the siege of Kazan in 1552 after which he built a typical Russian citadel with churches and bell towers. It remained the military and administrative centre of the region in the years to come.

Already during the Soviet Union, Tatarstan became an Autonomous Soviet republic that had its seat of power in Kazan’s Kremlin. Since 1992 it’s been home to the Presidential palace for the President of Tatarstan, making the Kazan Kremlin the center of Tatar culture and state power.

Suyumbike tower

The main sights in Kazan’s Kremlin remain a mix of Russian and Tatar elements. One of the most interesting is the leaning Suyumbike tower. Some believe it was built by the Russians in the 18th century, others believe it is one of the few surviving Tatar structures.

Another legend goes that Ivan the Terrible wanted to marry a Kazan princess called Suyumbike who challenged him to build the highest tower both had ever seen. When the Suyumbike tower was finished after six days, Suyumbike jumped from the top.

Spasskaya tower

The white Spasskaya tower at the entrance of the Kazan Kremlin was once part of a larger monastery complex. The Spasskaya monastery was destroyed by Stalin during his anti religion campaigns. This is where you can have the best view on the citadel’s fortified walls that surround the Kremlin.

The Annunciation cathedral

The Annunciation cathedral was the first orthodox church to be built in Kazan’s Kremlin after the siege of Kazan by Ivan the terrible. Like the Spasskaya monastery it was destroyed during the Soviet times. However, already in 1977 restoration works began and the church reopened its doors in 2005.

Qul sharif mosque

When Tatarstan became an autonomous republic in 1992, the president prioritised the restoration of both the annunciation cathedral and the Qul Sharif mosque that was destroyed by Ivan the terrible.

The opening was on the 1000th anniversary of Kazan city in 2005 and it is among the largest mosques in Russia. As a visitor you are welcome to enter if you dress modestly, which in winter will probably not be a problem. There is even a small museum about Islam.

Bauman street

Bauman street is Kazan’s main pedestrian shopping street. With its pastel coloured buildings it almost feels like St Petersburg . In winter the colours contrast nicely with the blanket of white snow that covers the roofs.

The street itself is kept clean and it’s a great place for a stroll with plenty of opportunities to warm up somewhere inside. The boutique shops, cafes and restaurants at Bauman street are a welcome change of the winter scenery outside.

Museum of Soviet lifestyle

A small detour away from Bauman street is the small and quirky museum of Soviet lifestyle . The museum is located in a former communal apartment that is barely visible because of all the Soviet paraphernalia that represents daily life in the Soviet Union. The nostalgic items include school books, toys, propaganda posters and clothes that you are free to try on.

Epiphany church

The epiphany church is one of the most iconic sights on Bauman street. From the observation deck in the bell tower you have a beautiful view over the city.

Old Tatar settlement

The old Tatar settlement is a must see if you are interested in Tatar culture. After the siege of Kazan in 1552, the Tatars were forced to live in this area of the city near lake Nizhny Kaban. In winter the lake will probably be frozen and is quite a sight.

Nowadays the area of the old Tatar settlement is a mix of different architectural styles. It must be said that there are almost no remains of the original town that consisted mostly of wooden homes. Most streets are like any street in Kazan. However, some newly built wooden homes still show the traditional colourful Tatar decorations.

To explore the old Tatar settlement it is probably best to focus on the pedestrian areas and the Kayum Nasri street where Kazan indeed feels quite different from other Russian cities. Unlike Bauman it is very peaceful and quiet with few other tourists around.

The best time to visit is in the afternoon and if you are lucky you might be there to hear the call for prayers coming from the couple of mosques that are in this neighbourhood. Don’t miss lake Nizhny Kaban. In winter the boulevard next to the lake is quite windy and cold, but the views over the frozen lake are wonderful.

Chak chak museum

To learn more about Tatar culture you can visit the Chak Chak museum . Chak Chak is a sweet Tatar delicacy and although the museum revolves around this Tatar national dish it is at the same time giving you an intimate insight into Tatar culture.

The museum is like a traditional Tatar house and as your guide leads you along the kitchen and living rooms she explains everything about Tatar daily life, traditions and the importance of Chak Chak in Tatar culture.

The tour ends in the dining room with a cup of tea from the samovar and a tray of Tatar desserts for you to try. Of course, it includes chak chak as well.

If you want an english tour call them to make a reservation in advance.

The Kazan family center

The Kazan family center is a newly built wedding palace that opened in 2013. The building resembles an enormous traditional Tatar cauldron. The dragons outside are zilants, a legendary creature that is the symbol of Kazan.

The main reason to come here is to see the interesting architecture and the beautiful panorama views over the city’s Kremlin and the Volga river from the observation viewing platform on the second floor.

The Kazan metro

The Kazan metro is not at all comparable to the palatial metro stations of Moscow or St.Petersburg . It was also not built in Soviet times, although there were plans to do so. These only started to materialize in 2000 and the metro opened in 2005.

It’s stations are quite ordinary, except for the Kremlyovskaya station and ploschad Tukaya. Both were designed to show Tatar cultural elements. Kremlyovskaya has mosaic artworks showing daily life during the Tatar state of the Khanate of Kazan on the walls. On the roof is a fierce Zilant dragon

The Ploschad Tukaya station is dedicated to the Tatar poet Gabdulla Tukay. The walls have 22 art mosaics with images of Tatar daily life as described in the poems of Tukay.

Temple of all religions

One of the quirkiest things to do in Kazan is the temple of all religions . It is located a bit far from the center in one of the suburbs of Kazan. It’s definitely not a must see, but if you have some time left you might want to consider a visit.

For me, it was one of the strangest places I visited in Kazan. The building is an eclectic chaotic mix that tries to incorporate all the different faiths. Inside it is equally weird with different themed rooms and random items that seem to have no connection with each other.

What was most impressive in winter was the frozen Volga river outside. In front of the temple was a small port. In winter it was the entrance to a highway over the frozen river where cars could take a shortcut back to Kazan. I am not used to cold winters, so for me this was quite special to see.

Kazan in Winter Travel Tips

What to eat in kazan.

Maybe the biggest Tatar cultural influence in Kazan is in its cuisine. Tatar cuisine has some similarities with Kazakh and Kyrgyz food . For example they share a love for horse meat sausages (Kazilik), boiled noodles with meat (Beshbarmak), fried dough (Boorsok) and dried salty cheese (Kurut).

Other dishes are quite unique to the Tatars from Kazan. Worth trying are Echpochmak (triangular shaped pastries with minced meat, onions and potatoes), Kistibi (roasted flatbreads with a variety of fillings) and Chak chak (Tatar sweet).

Where to eat in Kazan

Now most restaurants in Kazan actually serve the standard Russian dishes like pelmeni, cutlets and so on. There are some upmarket Tatar restaurants such as Tatarskaya Usadba and Dom Tatarskoii Kulinari. However, some of the cheaper canteen style buffet restaurants do have Tatar specialities as well and here are some of my favourites.

Dom chaj : Dom chai is a Soviet style self service buffet restaurant that serves good and cheap Tatar food. This is a great place to try for example Echpochmak or Kistibi. It has a central location on Bauman street and not far from the Kremlin.

Dobraya stolovaya : Dobraya Stolovaya was one of the cheapest places to eat in Kazan and considering the prices the food wasn’t so bad. The choices are more limited though than in Dom Chaj or Cafe Chak chak.

Cafe chak chak : Cafe Chak Chak is very close to Kazan’s Kremlin. It also has a self service buffet style with cheap, but tasty food. It’s standard russian fare with some Tatar dishes thrown in. This is where I had meatballs in a tomato sauce Tatar style (in this case it means it was horse meat) and chak chak.

Where to stay in Kazan

Wings hostel : I stayed at the lovely Wings hostel. This hostel has a super friendly owner and is not far from the Kazan Kremlin. It has both dormitories as well as private rooms.

YOU hostel : YOU hostel has great reviews for its clean rooms and dormitories. It is a 25 minute walk to the Kremlin.

Stereo hostel : Stereo hostel is a great budget option in Kazan. The dormitory beds have curtains for privacy. The hostel is clean and well run.

How to get to Kazan

Kazan has an international airport with frequent flights from Moscow or St.Petersburg.

Personally, I prefer to travel in Russia by train. Kazan is on a northern branch of the Trans Siberian railway and therefore makes a convenient stop on any Trans Siberian railway journey.

There are comfortable night trains from Moscow to Kazan and therefore it is also possible as a long weekend trip from Moscow.

Disclaimer : This post about Kazan in winter contains affiliate links. If you buy any service through any of my links, I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you. These earnings help me to keep Backpack Adventures alive! Thanks for your support!

Due to the current situation in Ukraine all affiliated links related to Russia have been removed

3 thoughts on “Kazan in Winter: the ultimate travel guide”

I’m listening to a podcast about Russian food while reading this and realizing there’s so much out there to taste, to learn about! The food in this post looks really comforting. I’d love to taste the pelmeni and the echpochmak and learn more about Tartar food. And, of course, travel around Russia!

Before COVID restrictions I was travelling through Russia. My favourite place of all time was Kazan, so I was really happy to read your post. I would like to recommend the tea museum and Sviyazhsk Island. We were there for Maslenitsa and had a great time, plus it´s a really pretty place to walk around.

I had never heard of Kazan before, but it looks super interesting. The architecture alone would be enough to get me to go. You make a good case for a winter visit too, something I never thought I would hear myself admit to 🙂

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The Best Time to Visit Kazan, Russia for Weather, Safety, & Tourism

The best times to visit Kazan for ideal weather are

May 7th to September 9th

based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.

Kazan Travel Guide

Temperature.

• Perceived Temperature
• Rain and snow
• Humidity and wind
• The busiest and least popular months
• Overall travel experience by time of year

Other Kazan Travel Info

Weather in kazan.

Average temperatures in Kazan vary an incredible amount. Considering humidity, temperatures feel cold for about half of the year and otherwise nice with a very low chance of rain or snow throughout the year. The area is somewhat temperate — in the 50th percentile for pleasant weather — compared to tourist destinations worldwide. Weeks with ideal weather are listed above . If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit Kazan, the hottest months are July, August, and then June. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally early to mid July where highs are regularly around 80.1°F (26.7°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 60.1°F (15.6°C) at night.

Kazan Temperatures (Fahrenheit)

Kazan temperatures (celsius), “feels-like” temperatures.

The way we experience weather isn’t all about temperature. Higher temperatures affect us much more at higher humidity, and colder temperatures feel piercing with high winds. Our perceived temperatures factor in humidity and wind chill to better represent how hot or cold the day feels to a person.

Kazan Perceived Temperature (F)

Kazan perceived temperature (c), average kazan temperatures by month.

Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. A significantly lower mean and low generally just means it gets colder at night.

Show Fahrenheit

Show celsius, precipitation (rain or snow).

If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in Kazan are May, August, and then July. Note that we define “significant precipitation” as .1 inches or more in this section. The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around mid February. For example, on the week of February 19th there are no days of precipitation on average. By contrast, it’s most likely to rain or snow in early November with an average of 2 days of significant precipitation the week of November 5th.

Chance of Precipitation

The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in Kazan.

Snow on the Ground

The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in Kazan (in).

Average Rain and Snow by Month

Show inches, show centimeters, humidity and wind.

Kazan has some extremely humid months, with other moderately humid months on the other side of the year. The least humid month is May (44.9% relative humidity), and the most humid month is November (82.7%).

Wind in Kazan is usually moderate . The windiest month is November, followed by December and October. November’s average wind speed of around 9.1 knots (10.4 MPH or 16.8 KPH) is considered “a gentle breeze.” Maximum sustained winds (the highest speed for the day lasting more than a few moments) are at their highest in late April where average top sustained speeds reach 16.4 knots, which is considered a moderate breeze.

Relative Humidity (%)

The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in Kazan.

The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots.

Average Wind Speeds

Show wind speeds.

All wind speeds are in knots. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH.

Show Relative Humidity by Month

Is it safe to travel to kazan.

Our best data indicates this area is generally not safe. As of Dec 04, 2023 there are very strong travel warnings for Russia; avoid all travel. Check this page for any recent changes or regions to avoid: Travel Advice and Advisories . This advisory was last updated on Nov 29, 2023.

The Busiest and Least Crowded Months

The busiest month for tourism in Kazan, Russia is May, followed by March and February. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance. Tourists are unlikely to visit Kazan in December. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month.

Estimated Tourism by Month

Most popular months to visit, overall kazan travel experience by season, spring (march through may).

Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel moderately cold. Highs range from 74.7°F (23.7°C) and 24.8°F (-4°C) with far warmer temperatures in the later months. Rain is rare with 1 to 2 days of significant precipitation per month. Spring is the busiest for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for things to do.

Summer (June through August)

The middle-year months have very comfortable weather with high temperatures that are comfortable. These months see the least precipitation with 1 to 2 days of precipitation per month. June – August is the second busiest season for tourism in Kazan, so lodging and other accommodations may cost slightly more.

Fall (September through November)

Fall daily highs range from 67.4°F (19.7°C) and 28.3°F (-2.1°C), which will feel chilly given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a normal amount: 2 to 5 days per month. Tourism is the slowest during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be affordably priced.

Winter (December through February)

Weather is far too cold this time of year in Kazan to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 28°F (-2.2°C) and 12°F (-11.1°C). On average, it rains or snows a smalll amount: 2 to 5 times per month. These times of year are fairly slow with tourists.

Best Times to Travel › Eastern Europe › Kazan, Russia

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