What to do in Kazan in winter? Recommendations of an experienced traveler

President of Pro-Vision, author of the Vinogradov.story community

Kazan is charming in any weather. The change of seasons only emphasizes the diversity of culture, history and traditions of this ancient city, accentuating new and unfamiliar facets of legendary places and popular points of attraction. Despite this, after the New Year holidays tourists traditionally come to Kazan a little less than in the fall or summer – and for nothing! I’ll tell you what makes Kazan attractive in winter and what you should see, visit and try for those who are not scared of low temperatures.

Kazan from the inside: a guide in case of bad weather

Even if the weather on the left bank of the Volga leaves much to be desired, Kazan will offer a variety of scenarios for a vacation.

The classic one – with a visit to the Kremlin’s Annunciation Cathedral, the Kul Sharif Mosque and the Hermitage Kazan Center. Or the non-obvious one – with a visit to the Museum of Socialist Life, the Temple of All Religions and the tea house at the Museum of Chak-Chak, where you can taste natural drinks and desserts in the atmosphere of a Tatar merchant’s house.

Tatar cuisine deserves a special mention. What can be more timely than a generous portion of beshbarmak or shurpa after a brisk walk in the cold? I won’t even talk about fresh puffy echpochmaki or peremyachis – you should try them. You should visit cafes of traditional cuisine and conceptual restopubs, ask the waiters and cooks, taste familiar and especially unfamiliar menu items, and do not deny yourself a dessert: kosh-tel or talkish keliava, a sweet pyramid of honey.

Echpochmaki

Kazan outside: walking routes to beat the weather

Snow and frost allow you to look at Kazan from a completely new angle. The white stone walls of the Kremlin form a mesmerizing pastel ensemble with the snow-covered Kremlin Hill, which seems to “float” high above the Kazanka River.

A similar feeling arises when looking at the architecture of Bolgar, the “Taj Mahal of the Volga Bulgaria”, which is worth a day’s visit. Located 200 km from Kazan, in winter this city becomes almost deserted and gladly shows rare travelers its ancient monuments – albeit covered with snow.

But let’s return to Kazan. Fluffy snowdrifts add coziness to the already “lamplike” Old Tatar Sloboda, where you can wander leisurely, looking at the mansions of Kazan merchants, industrialists and intellectuals. The pedestrian Bauman Street is a bit faster, but there is a lot to see there too – from the high-rise dominant of this part of the city, the bell tower of the Epiphany Cathedral, to countless barely noticeable monuments scattered along the street.

Finally, it is impossible to visit Kazan in winter and not go ice skating on the evening Kremlin embankment, which is turned into a large city skating rink. Gliding along the ice gallery of light installations, it is easy to bring back long-forgotten childhood memories and realize that winter is still very good.

Farmers’ Palace