Where to go in Kazan - 2021: ten tips from locals

It's kind of strange not to have an article about the city in which you live in your blog. Moreover, if he is SO popular.

All hands did not reach, and we gave the text for writing to Nastya - our frequent guest in Kazan. They meticulously checked it for compliance with tourist reality, corrected something somewhere, and here it is - pretty material about where to go in Kazan on your own.

In the text there are 2 sections - walking and supervising and gastronomic (our favorite). Choose what you like, or you can both at once 😉

Why is it worth coming to Kazan?

So why do you need to relax in Kazan on the weekend?

+ A beautiful city. Special thanks to the 2013 Summer Universiade and the 2015 World Aquatics Championships. And the 2018 Football Championship.

+ Architecture! Not Peter, of course ... but Europa left its colors on the city.

+ Evening Kazan is magical! Especially the Kazanka embankment.

+ Delicious chak-chak from bakery # 3 (and this is not an advertisement, it really is). Write down the address right away: Pushkin, 42; it's right in the center.

Kazan attractions - what to see in 3 days?

The Kazan Kremlin and the Syuyumbike tower are nearby,
so worth looking at in one go

For a weekend in Tatarstan, 1 day will not be enough, a week - a lot, although notable places in bulk. What to see in Kazan in 3 days is a must?

* not Ikea and not Riviera, you've probably already heard about them.
** do you like excursions? The most interesting ones in Kazan are on Tripster.

Kremlin

The Kazan Kremlin is the heart of the republic. This includes Syuyumbike tower, Kul Sharif mosque, Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery, Annunciation Cathedral and much more - everything from the XII-XX centuries! And the Volga flows nearby - beauty. Simply put, since you are in Kazan, you must see the Kremlin.

Opening hours: round the clock (entrance through the Spasskaya Tower).
The entrance to the territory of the Kremlin is free.
A single ticket to all 7 museums - 800 rubles.

Tower Syuyumbike

Local "Leaning Tower of Pisa" with its legends. According to the most tragic of them, Ivan IV learned about the beauty of the Kazan regent (Syuyumbike) and decided to make her his wife. The queen was against it, but the king threatened to destroy the khanate and kill all the inhabitants in case of refusal. Syuyumbika had no choice but to agree. But something went wrong, and on the wedding night she threw herself down from the building.

You can see it exclusively from outside

Kul Sharif

Zilant overlooking the Kul-Sharif mosque

You couldn't help but see this mosque (at least on postcards or magnets)! The image of Kul Sharif is the first thing that comes to mind when Kazan is mentioned. It was built in honor of another legendary mosque, dating back to the times of the Kazan Khanate, which was destroyed by the siege by the troops of Ivan the Terrible.

Anyone (of any religion) can just visit Kul Sharif. But women will have to cover their heads with a handkerchief.

Working hours: 9: 00-19: 30, on Fridays break 12: 00-14: 00.
The entrance to the mosque is free.

The Palace of Farmers and the Kremlin Embankment

The Palais des Farmers is the office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food (does not sound so attractive, but symbolic) in the style of the Small Palais in Paris (already more romantic). The "first stone" in construction was laid just in the year of our move - in 2008.

The waterfront nearby is such a pleasant public space. There is a sports ground, restaurants with a view, carousels, and rental of bicycles / rollers / etc. If you get carried away with a walk, you can walk to Gorky Park.

Now it is difficult to imagine Kazan without its lace dome and bronze tree in the center of the arch. We advise you to see, especially in the evening or at night. Backlit is prettier 🙂

Palace - free of charge and around the clock.
Carousels - 100-200 rubles.
Bicycle - 150-200 rubles / hour, scooter - 200 rubles / hour.

Bauman street

Tourists are photographed with the Kazan cat

After the above, go down the Bauman. You know, this is a variant of the Kazan Arbat, and it is in the "must see" category for tourists. Shops, souvenir shops, cafes and bars coexist with various sights and monuments.

In order from the Kremlin, you will see:

• strange horse sculpture,
• dram. Kachalov theater,
• monument to His Majesty the Cat 🙂
• and next to it is the carriage of Catherine the Great,
• National Bank of Tatarstan,
• the bell tower, where you can climb (100 rubles),
• and the old hotel "Chaliapin" with a monument to the opera singer.

Note to tourists. You can have a snack on Bauman if the walk is prolonged. ✓ Modestly and budgetary - in Good canteen (Bauman, 21). The first floor is vegetarian (lentil cutlets ♥), the second is for everyone. ✓ Fashionable and youth (Bowls and Bagels) - in Early bird (Astronomical, 17). ✓ Drink coffee (great!) - in Skuratov (Bauman, 9). Read to the end, find out even more cool places 🙂

What else can you see in Kazan, what sights to see and where to go / go?

Museum of Socialist Life

For those who are interested in breathing the air of the 60s-80s. Perhaps it was the time of your youth or the youth of your parents. In any case, we advise you to run in.

Here are rare typewriters, abacus, old bicycles, fashionable hats, a bottle of elite "Red Moscow" and more. And yes, you can take pictures!

Address: Universitetskaya, 6.
Working hours: 10: 00—20: 00.
Ticket prices: adults - 250 rubles, schoolchildren and students - 100 rubles.

Temple of All Religions

The ecumenical monument of tolerance to any faith is an ambiguous place. Both in meaning and in architecture. Inside there is a Buddhist hall, Egyptian, Catholic, the hall of Jesus Christ, alien mind and other worldviews. It is far away, and if you have 1-2 days in Kazan, you can skip it.

Address: Staro-Arakchinskaya, 4. From the Ring, take bus # 2 to the Old Arakchino railway station.
Opening hours: 8: 00-20: 00.
Price: 100 rubles per person; children under 14 are free.

Innopolis

We went to Innopolis for the last time several years ago,
when it just opened

The first settlement in Russia for IT specialists with the Smart City concept. That's what it means - everything for education and business. Innopolis has 150 registered companies, 19 residential buildings, a kindergarten, a school, an IT lyceum, a medical and sports center. There are post offices, banks, supermarkets, cafes and bars, a car wash, pharmacies, bookstores and flower shops, and even a hobby center.

The road from Kazan will take 40-50 minutes, depending on the type of transport. There are two bus routes from the capital of the republic - from the Zdorovye plant and from the Vostochny bus station. And you can take carsharing from Yandex.

Ticket price: by card - 100 rubles, in cash - 150 rubles.

These 9 sights can be supplemented with a few more. These will be personal recommendations - those streets and parks where you want to walk even after 10 years of living in the city!

What to see in Kazan - our favorite places

Local "Patriarch's Ponds" - Black Lake Park / Terrace of one of the cozy bars on Profsoyuznaya - Sol

• Gorky Park - a huge park, green, with tall trees. Here are the Singing Fountains, secluded walking trails, a cemetery "with special status" and the installation of letters "Love - Mahabbat", with which everyone takes pictures.
• Old Tatar Sloboda - our well-trodden route: from the site in front of the Kamala theater → on the right side of the Kaban lake (Mardjani st.) → and back to Kamala along the st. Fat.We admire the colorful village houses, some of which have grown into the ground up to the first floor, and the mosques.
• From the Kremlin across the Lenin dam to Festivalny Boulevard - go on foot to the other side of Kazan, observing the landscape with skyscrapers on the way, in order to climb the famous Chalice and see the panorama of the Kremlin. Festival Boulevard was built specifically for the 2018 World Cup.
• Profsoyuznaya and Shchapova Streets - there, you know, such a youth-student spirit 🙂 Many establishments are located here, which we would advise.
• Park Black Lake - sit on a summer day with a book / coffee on the grass, watch yoga practitioners, join.

What about viewing platforms in Kazan? The most famous are two - the Kazan Family Center (aka Chalice) and the chapel on Bauman. Entrance - 100–150 rubles; The bowl is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Looking for a sunbathing beach? Lake Lebyazhye (outside the city) and bulk near the Riviera.

Where to go in Kazan? Cafes and bars

Nice Cho Pho Bo Vietnamese place in Mega and decent Benedict at Botanica

We have studied Kazan and the sights, now the question is: where to go to eat? Oh, we can talk about food forever. In general, for the sake of this section, this text was started 🙂 For 10 years, so many cafes and bars have been used, so many coffee and pastries have been tried.

In fact, at first the list of establishments came out large, about 20. But we chose the best ones.

And remember that the exact prices and opening hours are easy to find on the institution's Instagram page. Stories usually have menus / promotions, etc. - which is convenient.

• Smorodina cakes - the most popular cafe for breakfast "all day" in Kazan, as well as a place about desserts. Napoleon, anthill, Pavlova, macarons, profiteroles with tea or coffee - everything is delicious (and this is a very limited selection) and within 150-300 rubles. One of the best pastry shops in Kazan, in our opinion. From the Ring you can walk in 15 minutes.

Addresses: Shchapova, 43; Chistopolskaya, 20a; Lobachevsky, 10a (our favorite location, you take coffee + a tube with condensed milk and go to the Black Lake Park to read a book!)

Oh yes, breakfast in Currant is also great!

• Early bird - our guilty pleasure. Here are p-o-t-r-i-s-a-u-u-i-e bagels (bagel, cut in half and stuffed) and curd rings. Plus, there are breakfasts - avocado, salmon, poached, all according to the modern canon. On Thursdays 15% discount on bagels, we recommend baked with pesto.

Address: Astronomical, 17.

• Salt - club in the evenings, in the afternoon - a good place for lunch. Minimalism in design and zakos under Peter. The menu includes burgers, pastas, steaks and soups, and - the most favorite - complex breakfasts / lunches until 18:00, including for vegetarians, within 350 rubles. Delicious and inexpensive (especially the steak lunch).

Address: Profsoyuznaya, 22.

• Tawooks - there are many Turkish cuisine establishments in Kazan, but Tavuks is the best of them. First, there is an excellent shawarma (no mayonnaise!); secondly, a real kyuft, as in Turkey; thirdly, they prepare kunefe (280 rubles, try it, it's a dessert). A set of shawarma-soup-tea costs only 180 rubles.

Address: st. Moscow, 40.

Good food at New Kitchen bar / restaurant

• New kitchen Is a gastrobar. If you are from Moscow, and the word "gastrobar" evokes associations with the College, then ... no, Kazan is not at that level. But the menu, in comparison with the rest of the restaurants, is really unbroken. We recommend a salad with mozzarella and pear (320 rubles), onion soup (220 rubles). On weekdays from 12 to 15 20% discount.

Address: Petersburg, 44.

• Vegan day - vegan cafe (lactose and meat free). By the way, one of the 3 for the whole city! We usually have falafel on a plate (200 rubles) and tofu nuggets (180 rubles). It's great to take out something and go to the Kaban Lake to eat!

Address: st. Kawi Najmi, 8a.

• Skuratov - is included in our top 3 coffee shops. Cool modern space with good coffee. Cappuccino - 180-200 rubles, filter - 100-120 rubles. Do you like sweets? Then latte halva - 250 rubles. Alternative milk is of course available (for oat, for example, you do not need to pay extra). Desserts include sugar-free nut cookies.

Addresses: Baumana, 9; Pushkin, 5; Decembrists, 85; Shchapova, 14/31.

And this is probably our favorite coffee shop Skuratov

• Oil - also a coffee shop. Appeared even earlier than Skuratov, but there is less space to sit. Decent coffee!

Addresses: Universitetskaya, 7; Decembrists 85Bk1.

• Khinkalnaya - everything is clear here. Khinkali (50 rubles / piece), khachapuri (320-350 rubles), pkhali, etc.

Address: Universitetskaya, 14.

• Bar Port - an interesting place, but we are only concerned about poke with salmon (390 rubles, the best in Kazan, we declare authoritatively).

Address: Shchapova, 49.

Where to go with your child?

Going to Tatarstan with children and need something less, hmm, historical? Ok, it doesn't matter. Where to go with a child in Kazan to have fun?

+ Waterpark Riviera... Nearby is the highest observation deck (from 100 rubles for adults, 80 rubles for children) and the Ferris wheel "Around the World" (adults - 290–350 rubles, children - 190–250 rubles) - don't pass by. The sight captures the spirit.

+ Zoo (simple) or one of the oldest zoo and botanical gardens in Europe (difficult). 200-300 rubles for adults, 100-150 rubles for children under 14 years old.

+ Oceanarium with a 130-year-old huge land turtle. Ticket: 700 rubles, for children 500 rubles.

+ Natural History Museum with interactivity and dinosaurs - 150-250 rubles.

+ Puppet Theatre "Ekiyat" - performances, ticket 300-400 rubles.

+ Chak-chak Museum - 450-500 rubles for adults on weekdays / weekends (with tea!) And 350-400 rubles for children under 14 years old.

+ Kyrlay with more than 30 attractions and entertainment areas. One attraction will cost 200-260 rubles.

+ And for big children, that is, you, we would advise to have fun in FUN24where attractions and fun for adults. The child can be left in a special children's room - everything is thought out. Day ticket - from 450 to 900 rubles.

Best excursions

White Mosque in Bolgar - our trip there last summer

There are many excursions in Kazan, from the word very much. It is not for nothing that this direction is included in the TOP-5 in Russia. Of course, you can make your own route, take a walk to the sights, and read historical summaries on the Internet. But, you must admit, it's easier when everything has been thought out for you, everything has been paid for (no need to worry about accounting) and the person-reference (guide) is nearby.

Therefore, in this section we will tell you about the most interesting (in our opinion), already worked out and thought out excursions.

P.S. There are 5 excursions here - and look for five more popular and unusual ones in our new material, where we tell you how the excursion market works in Kazan: where is it more profitable, on the street or online, where is it better to go on your own?

SIGHTSEEING TOUR IN KAZAN WITH VISITING THE KREMLIN

For those who are in Kazan for the first time, we would recommend a sightseeing tour of the top places of the city. In a programme:

• Old Tatar settlement with ancient architecture and mansions of local merchant families
• Lake Boar
• Unusually shaped Kamala theater (in the form of a white sail)
• Tatar village "Tugan Avylym"
• One of the old puppet theaters - "Ekiyat"
• Kazan University on Kremlin Street
• Freedom Square
• Mother of God Monastery - I will tell the story of its main shrine - the Icon of the Kazan Mother of God, who gave life to the monastery.
• And the main highlight of the program is the Kazan Kremlin with the "falling" tower of the khanshi Syuyumbike, the famous multi-ministerial mosque "Kul Sharif"

Professional guide: included
Time: 4 hours
Cost: adults - 600 rubles, children 7-14 years old and pensioners - 560, children under 6 - free.

Bus trip to three shrines: the island-city of the times of Ivan the Terrible, the largest male monastery of the 17th century and the young Ecumenical Temple of Ildar Khanov (the village of Old Arakchino). We are interested in the last inactive, but original (already with the hall of alien intelligence).

Professional guide: included
Time: 8 hours
Cost: adults - 1200 rubles, children 7-14 years old and pensioners - 1120, children under 7 - free

Our guide to Sviyazhsk
+ many photos >>

BULGAR

Bus tour from Kazan to the ruins of the former capital of Volga Bulgaria. By the way, the complex was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. What's in the program?

• White mosque
• Eastern mausoleum
• Cathedral Mosque
• Black chamber
• Khan's tomb, minarets, museums of bread and crafts

Professional guide: included
Time: 11 hours
Cost: adults - 1880 rubles, children 7-14 years old and pensioners - 1760, children under 7 - free

BLUE LAKES

Individual excursion for a company of 1-6 people through the system of reservoirs of the protected zone of the republic. The water in them does not freeze all year round (the temperature is kept constant at 5-7 degrees). Bring your swimwear / swimming trunks and towels if you plan to go swimming in the lake. Tea from a guide.
Pick up from the hotel / hostel where you are staying.

Professional guide: +
Time: 2.5 hours
Price: 4000 rubles for a group of up to 4 people.

Our Tips

View in front of the Kazan Kremlin, and then the Kremlin street begins,
which is worth a walk

Where to take excursions? When planning our leisure program abroad or in other cities of Russia, we use 2 services. You can study the route, trip details in advance, evaluate photos from the destination, skim through the reviews for each trip.

• Tripster
• Satellite

Honestly? In them, we are more attracted by the opportunity not to run anywhere, but to choose, arrange and pay for excursions, sitting in the kitchen with tea and cookies.

In order to appreciate all the beauty of the city, we recommend going on a trip in the summer. If you want to join the local mass festivities, go to: Sabantuy (June 23) or City Day (August 30).

The price of a trip to Kazan

Decided to spend your vacation in Kazan, but you need to navigate the possible costs? We will help you.

You can get to the city by plane, train, bus or car. Suppose you have chosen a plane, there are two of you, we are flying from Moscow for 3 days.

➢ Round trip (for two) = 11,000 rubles.

➢ Housing? Read our article - where is the best place for a tourist to stay in Kazan. There we made a guide to the districts of the city, and a selection of hotels and apartments! But approximately housing costs 1300 rubles / night for two = 3900 rubles.

➢ We will take food at 800 rubles per day per person = 4800 rubles.

➢ Souvenirs to relatives and friends = 1000 rubles.

➢ How to get around the city? In Kazan, we have a whole one metro line, the fare costs 30 rubles. There is YandexTaxi, Uber and - more profitable than these two - YandexDrive carsharing. We took a car, drove it, left it in any public parking lot (even if it is paid) - it's convenient. The whole range of benefits of car sharing is revealed in a trip to / from the airport - it is always cheaper than a taxi. Enter the promo code reftz5CP2 when registering in the Yandex.Drive application and get a 50% discount from us on your first ride!

TOTAL: 20,000 rubles for two in 3 days.