Volga Region

Kazan City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Tour, 1 or 2 day Options

Situated on the Volga River of Russia, Kazan is a magnificent city to explore, boasting over 1,000 years of history. Stay on board for the entire 1-hour loop, or hop on and off as you please to explore by foot. Visit the city's main sights and landmarks including the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Kremlin of Kazan, the Volga River, Kazan State University, the Our Lady of Kazan holy icon and many legendary performing arts centers.   Hop-on to the City Sightseeing bus tour at any of the 10 stops located around the city, or if you’d like to start at the beginning, hop-on at Stop 1 at Gabdulla Turkey Square. Here you’ll find the Statue of Gabdulla Turkey, the famous poet, which is a significant monument in Kazan. At the Yunusov Square, enjoy more significant sights including the Yunusov-Apanayev House, a large estate with a history dating back to the early 1800’s. Passengers on the tour will hear all about its occupation from our wonderfully informative on-board audio commentary, or you can hop-off and explore it for yourself! When you’re ready, hop back on as the tour continues to more of Kazan’s magnificent landmarks including the Bell Tower of Epiphany Church and the National Museum of Tatarstan, where you can continue to discover the city’s extensive historic background. Another memorable spot to explore is the Sultan-Galiyeva Square, hop-off here and discover why it was named after the national movement leader.  Enjoy the more sociable and leisurely side to Kazan at Liberty Square, which is home to many shops, eateries, cafes and bars. You can also admire the city’s Town Hall, which is one of the city’s most important modern-day buildings. Another bustling street in Kazan is the Bauman, hop-off here to enjoy more wonderful attractions and a vibrant atmosphere of an evening! The full list of tour stops along the route: Gabdulla Turkey Square Yunusov Square Kombinat Zdorovye Baumana Street Lobachevskiy Street First of May Square Gogol Street Sultan Galieva Square Baturina Street Liberty Square

Kazan Full-Day Tour with Visit to Raifa with Friendly Private Guide

This tour can be customized to make it a unique experience for you.10am Meet your knowledgeable local guide in your hotel lobby, hop inside your private, air-conditioned vehicle and head out to the Raifa Bogoroditsky Monastery, unique architectural landmark located in outskirts of Kazan. On your way admire magnificent bucolic landscapes and learn about history of Kazan which traces its beginnings to 11th century. Feast your eyes on outstanding ensemble of churches with golden crosses on the green and sky-blue domes and white-stoned Gate bell-tower while your expert guide will entertain you with fascinating stories about origin and history of ancient cloister.12pm Hear about hieropriest Philaret, founder of Monastery who had settled in 1613 Raifa, constructing a solitary cell and visit highlights of the complex - Trinity Cathedral and Georgian Cathedral, home to the main shrine of the monastery – an exact copy of the miraculous Georgian icon of the Mother of God. Immerse yourself in amazing atmosphere of solitude and serenity, amble along the scenic banks of adjacent Raifa Lake and take in the beauty of pristine nature. Visit the chapel with the Holy spring, scour for Raifa souvenirs and step in for a leisurely lunch at one of the cozy cafes located nearby.2pm Your appetite sated, venture to the Temple of All Religions, which is also known as the Universal Temple. The structure is not an active temple of any one religion, but a unique cultural complex and one of the most visited sites in Kazan. Hear personal story of its founder, local artist and philanthropist Ildar Khanov and marvel at peaceful combination of quirky elements representing the religious architecture of 16 major religions of the world including several cupolas, minarets, Chinese domes and spires.3pm From here, continue to Kazan Kremlin, striking white limestone fortress built at the behest of Ivan the Terrible on the ruins of the former castle of Kazan khans. See the monument to Musa Dzhalil, prominent Soviet Tatar poet, deepen your knowledge about Russian history and admire the grandeur of iconic landmarks like enormous white and blue Kul Sharif Mosque, legends-steeped Leaning Suyumbike Tower and gorgeous Annunciation Cathedral (all from outside). Wander along the scenic Kremlin embankment, eye up to the ‘Kazan’ family center built in the form of a huge boiler-cauldron and learn about the origin of the name of the city. 4-5pm Ogle to sumptuous Dvorets Zemledeltsev (Palace of Farmers) and fuel up with cup of tea or coffee with delicious Russian blini (own expense) before your tour concludes.

Private Food Tour in Kazan with Traditional Chak Chak Sampling

This tour can be customized to make it a unique experience for you.10am Meet your knowledgeable private guide in front of the “Koltso” (The Ring) shopping mall and see the city’s main thoroughfares – Peterburgskaya and Baumana streets. Catch a glimpse of Epiphany Cathedral, which rises beautifully on the urban skyline, ogle to quirky Watch monument and afterwards, continue to the Tuqay public garden, small cozy park.Your next stop takes you to the square in front of Galiaskar Kamal Tatar Academic Theater, where you eye up to whimsical monument ‘the secret of Shurale’ and marvel at breathtaking water show on the adjacent Kaban lake fountain.  See the striking Nurullah mosque (from outside), one of the most historic mosques in Kazan which traces its beginnings to 1849 and admire its ornate exteriors.11am Take a stroll through one of the most ancient Kazan neighborhoods – iconic Old Tatar Settlement. Take a closer look at historic timbered buildings featuring flamboyant traditional decorations and old mosques dating mainly from the 17th and 18th centuries.Take a glance at green and white exteriors of Mardzhani mosque established in 1767, once the largest and most important mosque in Kazan.11.30am Take in the city’s intriguing past by visiting the Yunusov Square and snap astonishing photos with Shamil’s House, one of the most magnificent city mansions looking like eclectic-style castle built in the late 19th century. Afterwards, experience Tatar hospitality sampling scrumptious Tatar desserts like crunchy Chak-chak, dried apricots and others washed down with a cup of hot tea at the Tatar Settlement Museum. Opt for 4-hour tour and enjoy the fascinating tour through the life of Tatars from 16th century to the present days (not available for last minute bookings). If you opt for a 4-hour tour, your tour will finish at 2pm.12.30pm Take a digestion break with a short stroll to Apanaev Mosque, the Russian ‘Moscow’ Baroque style building with elements of Tatar decorative art. Listen to the history of Islam in Russia and then, wander down the scenic embankment of Kaban Lake, where you’ll want your camera to capture unbeatable views of city skyline.1pm Round off your fabulous trip enjoying a leisurely lunch in “Tatarskaya Usadba” restaurant. Marvel at traditional Tatar decor and please your palate with one of the national classics, like authentic pastry, or dishes with horsemeat and lamb, or hearty soups and stews. And then, indulge your sweet tooth with the famous Tatar pastries accompanied with a cup of aromatic tea or coffee.

Kazan Night Tour of Must-See Sites with Private Local Guide

This tour can be customized to make it a unique experience for you. Timing is flexible and you can start the tour any time you prefer.7pm Greet your expert local guide in front of Galiaskar Kamal Tatar Academic Theater and feast your eyes on the magnificent water show on the adjacent Kaban lake fountain with its 50-meter spouting jets. Stroll along the scenic embankments of the legends-steeped water basin and hear exciting tales about treasures of Kazan Khanate.Plot your path through the lovely Millennium Park and find out the origin of the name of Kazan city. See the Roman Catholic Church of the erection of the Holy cross and eye up to ‘Basket-hall’ multi-purpose sports indoor arena, looking beautiful in the color of night.8pm Amble down refurbished Peterburgskaya Street, the so-called ‘area of St Petersburg’ in Kazan, admire its stylized bridges, fences and paving patterns, take a glance at the rotunda representing the prominent Kazan Cathedral. Linger for a while in front of famous Watch Monument, popular gathering spot among locals and then continue to Baumana, one the oldest streets of the city. Pass by a plethora of inviting cafes and bars placing tables and chairs on the street for diners to enjoy an alfresco meal outdoors under the cool night sky.Your next stop takes you to Kremlin, striking white-stone fortress where you’ll learn the history of its towers, marvel at the grandeur and art of Islamic architecture at the Kul Sharif Mosque, snap astonishing photos with Leaning Suyumbike Tower, ogle to floodlit Annunciation Cathedral and sneak a peek at the ruins of the Khan’s mausoleum. Experience the night enchantment of Kremlin embankment as your guide will provide you stories about history of the area. Take a moment to see gorgeous Dvorets Zemledeltsev (Palace of Farmers) and afterwards, take a ride at Kazan Metro and explore the beauty of its stations.9pm See the ‘Kazan’ Family Center, the main wedding Palace, and one of the top modern attractions of the city. Pass by trendy cafes and bars of Sibgata Khakima Street, view the TatNeft Arena, home to Ak Bars Kazan of the KHL and one of the largest ice sports venues in Russia and Europe and catch a glimpse of Kazan Riviera, hotel and entertainment complex with a renowned Water Park.10pm Round off your fascinating exploration of the city with the ride on Ferris Wheel if you fancy (own expense), and get a unique chance to absorb incredible shimmering vistas of the night city.

Day tour to Suzdal and Vladimir from Nizhny Novgorod

  A driver will meet you at your hotel in Nizhny Novgorod and take you to the railway station where you will get a high-speed train to Vladimir. At Vladimir Station another driver and your guide will meet you to take you on an excursion around Vladimir and tell you about its history and show you its beautiful buildings.  After the excursion you will have lunch in Vladimir (not included in the price) and then have a transfer to Suzdal which is just 35km from Vladimir, but you will feel as though you have travelled back in time a couple of centuries. Here you will visit the most famous sites in the city and then have one hour of free time in the city before being driven back to Vladimir to catch another high-speed train back to Nizhny Novgorod.  You should be back in your hotel by around 22:30, although it is possible to have a shorter excursion if you wish to get back to Nizhny Novgorod earlier.

KAZAN KREMLIN AND BAUMAN STREET

Spasskaya Tower gate serves as the main entrance to the Kremlin. First of all, you will go along Sheykman Street. A tour guide will tell you the Bulgarians history and the facts connected with the foundation and disintegration of the Kazan Khanate.Then you will visit the complex of the Saviour's Transfiguration Monastery, take a picture of the Kazan Kremlin architects monument, see the Khan's mausoleums, famous Syuyumbike (a leaning tower) and a cannon court complex. During the tour of the Kremlin you will definitely visit the Kul-Sharif mosque, which is the main mosque of Kazan. It is interesting for its architectural features, interior decoration and even because of its location.The Kremlin is shrouded in a lot of interesting stories about Queen Syuyumbike and her extraordinary destiny, the routes of the emperors. "Secret passages", mosques, cathedrals, which are the most fascinating things for any traveler.On the pedestrian Bauman Street you will see the oriental clock, decorated with figures from the Tatar fairy tales, “Fyodor Shalyapin” monument (THE FIRST IN THE WORLD!), fountain compositions, the Drama Theater building (erected over 100 years ago), the exact copy of the carriage that belonged to Empress Catherine the Great.Walking along the pedestrian street you can’t miss the Kazan Cat monument and the "Zero milestone of Kazan" with the alley of stars. Tourists will be curious to know about the underground passageways, the gold reserve of our country. You will receive answers to the following questions: why does the Bogoyavlenskaya (Epiphany) bell tower have such a height? What building looks like an unfolded book?