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To Kazan
Travelling to Kazan
A beautiful and regal city, Kazan, capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, is a delightful combination of Slav and Islamic culture, a model for centuries of peaceful coexistence of Muslims and Christians.
In 2005 Kazan celebrated the thousandth year since its founding, with a comprehensive programme of renovation of buildings and infrastructure, launching its contemporary image as a Mecca of culture, universities and sport.
The 2013 Summer Universiade, the 2015 World Aquatics Championships and the 2018 FIFA World Cup, have further strengthened the city’s position as ‘’Sports Capital of Russia’’ and as an up-and-coming tourist destination.
Find the best deals on flights to Kazan on Olympic Air’s site and discover a unique Russian city – cradle of the Tatar civilisation.
Things to do in Kazan
A good place to start your exploration of the mysterious charms of Kazan is its famous white Kremlin, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. Built on a hill with a view of the River Volga, the Kremlin houses within its walls some of the most beautiful and magnificent of the city’s monuments.
Admire the Kul Sharif mosque with its multicoloured minarets, the Annunciation Cathedral (16th century), the legendary leaning Suyumbike tower (16th century) as well as important art museums including the Hermitage Kazan Exhibition Centre.
Visit Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral, a magnificent example of 18th century Russian Baroque.
Explore the culture and arts of the Tatar people at the National Museum of the Republic of Tatarstan.
Walk along imposing Bauman pedestrian street dotted with lovely commercial buildings, picturesque fountains and spectacular orthodox churches.
Visit the phantasmagorical Temple of all Religions, on the left bank of the Volga, an impressive complex of religious architecture intended, when completed, to represent in architectural terms the world’s 16 main religions.
Exploring Kazan
Take in a show at the famous Kazan Opera House and admire the 19th century neoclassical building it is housed in.
Enjoy a day of great fun and relaxation at Aqua Park Riviera, on the banks of the River Kazanka. It is one of the largest artificial water parks in the world, with 10 themed water-slides, state-of-the-art spas, restaurants and cinemas. Experienced surfers should head straight for the impressive watercourse known as the “Flow Rider”.
Shopping in Kazan
Stroll along Kazan’s main shopping street, pedestrian Bauman Street, which runs from the Kremlin to Tukaya Square and is lined with numerous clothes boutiques, souvenir shops, corner kiosks, cafés and bars.
Explore the open-air souvenir stalls around the walls of the Kremlin where you will find ethnic wares deeply rooted in Tatar culture, including the particularly popular traditional Kazan costumes.
Buy a ‘’Tubeteika’’ (the characteristic man’s cap or hat in a golden-green colour), silk scarves, Tatar slippers, embroidered leather shoes and leather boots (the Tatars have a centuries-long tradition of leather-working). You will also find rosary beads, amulets and charms and flashy jewellery.
For western-style shopping, head for one of Kazan’s big shopping centres: The historic GUM department store (Ul. Baumana 51/50), extending over 6 floors and showcasing the products of local firms, the TSUM mall, opposite the Kremlin, (Ul. Moskovskaya 2) that stocks many international brands and Koltso mall (Ul. Peterburgskaya 1), easily identified by the huge revolving ring on its façade.
Designed for family outings, MEGA is the most up-to-date (2005) and largest mall in Kazan, with a whole host of different outlets (selling everything from clothes to furniture) and leisure activities for all ages.
Food and Entertainment in Kazan
Book a table at one of the authentic restaurants serving Tatar cuisine, most of which are located in the historic centre of the city and around central Bauman street. Tatar cuisine is a mix of ‘tweaked’’ flavours from Central Asia and Russia.
You should sample plov (spiced rice and meat), pilman (Tatar dumplings), burek (cheese or meat pies, served fried), ochpochmak (little triangular pies filled with meat and onion), beshmarak (boiled pieces of meat with noodles), cheburek (ground beef pie). Horsemeat is still a staple of the local cuisine; it is usually grilled or served as an accompaniment to the local spiced rice (pilaw).
You will also find excellent restaurants serving international dishes in the historic centre and inside the big shopping centres.
You definitely must try the favourite national dessert of Tatarstan, chak-chak, a sort of fried doughnut with honey and a characteristic gummy texture. These can be bought anywhere in the city, even at the railway station.
With a large student population Kazan is a lively city at night. There is something to suit every taste, from Bavarian beer halls and Irish pubs to big dance clubs.
Transport from Kazan airport
You can get to the city centre from the airport by bus no.197, which runs every 20 minutes (between 06:00 and 22:00).
Or, order an officially licensed taxi from the airport desk.
The best time to visit Kazan is in the spring and summer, if you want to avoid the harsh Russian winter. In April and May, the city hosts the International Opera Festival and the Rudolf Nureyev Ballet Festival. Book a flight to Kazan with Olympic Air and live a multicultural fairy-tale in Russia’s most colourful city.