Kazan: a first-timer's guide to the capital of Tatarstan

Why visit Kazan

Kazan feels different from Moscow. The signs are in Tatar as well as Russian, the call to prayer can be heard near the mosques, and the food is distinct. The city also invested heavily in its centre for sporting events, so streets, embankments and parks are well kept and easy to walk. It is a good choice for families, for visitors interested in Islam in Russia and for anyone who wants to see a side of the country beyond the two capitals.

Read your government's travel advice before planning. Kazan and wider Tatarstan have been hit by long range drone attacks during the war in Ukraine, including on industrial sites, and the airport sometimes suspends flights.

The main sights

**The Kazan Kremlin**, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the heart of the city. Inside its white walls stand the **Kul Sharif Mosque**, rebuilt and opened in 2005 with turquoise domes, and the 16th century **Annunciation Cathedral**, side by side. Look for the leaning **Söyembikä Tower** and walk the walls for views over the rivers.

**Bauman Street** is the pedestrian main street, running from the Kremlin past cafés, shops, street musicians and the bell tower of the Epiphany Cathedral. The **Old Tatar Quarter** (Staro Tatarskaya Sloboda) around Lake Kaban has colourful wooden houses, the Marjani Mosque and small museums of Tatar life.

Across the river, the **Kazan Family Centre**, shaped like a giant bowl, has a viewing platform with the best panorama of the Kremlin. The **Temple of All Religions** on the edge of the city is an eccentric building combining domes, minarets and towers of many faiths, made by a local artist as a symbol of harmony.

Day trips

**Sviyazhsk**, an island town on the Volga reached by road or river boat, was founded by Ivan the Terrible as a base for his siege of Kazan. Its Assumption Monastery is a UNESCO site with rare frescoes. **Bolgar**, a few hours away by boat or road, holds the ruins of the medieval capital of Volga Bulgaria, where Islam was adopted in 922, and is another UNESCO site and an important pilgrimage destination.

Food and drink

Kazan is one of the best food cities in Russia. Try **echpochmak**, triangular pastries filled with meat and potato; **chak chak**, fried dough with honey, often bought as a gift; **kystyby**, flatbreads with mashed potato or millet; and **gubadia**, a layered sweet pie. Restaurants serving Tatar food line Bauman Street, and the **Kazan Central Market** is good for dried fruit, honey and sweets. Halal food is easy to find.

Getting around

The centre is walkable, with a single metro line and good buses for longer trips. Trains connect Kazan with Moscow overnight or in daytime, and a fast rail line is planned. The airport is linked to the centre by Aeroexpress train and taxi.

Practical tips

Dress modestly when visiting mosques; women should cover their heads, and scarves are often available at the entrance. Kazan is generally calm and friendly, but follow official guidance during drone alerts. Bring cash, since foreign cards do not work, and keep your passport and registration with you.