Kazan is an amazing city. Ancient, beautiful, very diverse ... It successfully combines ancient memorabilia and the achievements of our time, national flavor and progressive trends, Tatar and Slavic cultures. No wonder that every year hundreds of thousands of tourists seek to visit the capital of Tatarstan.
Of course, 2 days in Kazan is not enough to explore all its sights. Here, perhaps, not even a week is enough. But even in a short time you can, if you wish, have time to “skim the cream” from this amazing city. If you know where to go first, and correctly plan a route. This article will tell the traveler what to see in Kazan in 1-2 days.
Kazan Broadway
It is best to start exploring any city from its main street. In the capital of Tatarstan, such is Bauman. It is somewhat similar to Broadway in New York or to Arbat in Moscow. Perhaps not so long, but the color is not inferior to a single gram. And before deciding for yourself what to see in Kazan in 2 days and where to go, it is worth walking along Bauman.
Just think - this street is four hundred years old! She remembers Catherine the Second and other Russian emperors, at one time Pushkin and Dumas wandered about her, Chaliapin was born and grew up here, to whom grateful descendants erected a monument on Bauman. By the way, something also reminds of the great Empress Catherine, namely, a chic iron carriage. Probably, the queen once came to Kazan, and now young Kazan gentlemen bring their beautiful ladies here. For photo shoots, and just like that - plunge into the past.
Another interesting object on Broadway's local spill is the Arabic-style watch. This is the most popular place where Kazan residents date each other. And at the fountain from the fairy tale “Vodyanaya,” mothers and their children like to gather.
Bauman street will be pleased with admirers of architecture. On both of its "shores" - a lot of attractions of such a plan. This is the ancient hotel "Kazan", and the Epiphany Cathedral, and theaters and much, much more. And if you turn to Musa Jalil Street, then one of the main Orthodox churches of Tatarstan - the Peter and Paul Cathedral will appear before the gaze of the traveler.
Kazan’s zero meridian is located on Bauman Street, therefore it is called the center of the “urban Universe”. Naturally, there are many cafes, souvenir boutiques and other interesting shops. The street is a pedestrian zone, it is pleasant to walk along it at any time of the year.
The heart of the city - Kazan Kremlin
The heart of the capital of Tatarstan is its Kremlin. And this is certainly what you need to see in Kazan in 2 days! By the way, it is located very close to Bauman - on the Kremlin street. You can walk on foot, and quickly enough.
The object, created in the 16th century, is under the protection of UNESCO, and a whole collection of pearls of Tatarstan is hidden behind its walls. This is the local Hermitage, and the Kul Sharif Cathedral Mosque , and the Annunciation Cathedral, and the leaning tower called Syuyumbike, and the Presidential Palace, and the Palace Church ...
A tour of the Kazan Kremlin will not leave anyone indifferent and will take at least two hours. But this time is worth allocating from your limit! Because if you were not in the Kremlin, consider that you were not in Kazan.
On site you can buy souvenirs, and from the top of the Kremlin offers a gorgeous view of the city. Experienced tourists are advised to meet the sunset here.
Old Tatar settlement - the soul of Kazan
The soul of any city is that place where traditions of its native inhabitants are carefully kept; where, like the apple of an eye, they protect the culture and honor history. Such a place in the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan is the Old Tatar settlement. And those who have thought what to see in Kazan in 2 days should definitely add this object to their route.
When Kazan was conquered by Ivan the Terrible, it was here that the Tatars were allowed to settle. They settled down and for many centuries passed on from generation to generation the traditions, rites and customs of their people.
In order to feel the spirit of ancient Kazan, to be imbued with its “mood”, you need to at least walk around the settlement. And those who look into the Mardjani Mosque will receive an even more complete impression.
"Home village"
So, Her Majesty Kazan: where to visit, what to see, in addition to the already listed? The “Native Village” is similar in spirit to the Old Tatar settlement, only it is a “man-made” monument of national culture. This is a specially created complex of entertaining and informative nature in the city center, where curious tourists can get acquainted with the peculiarities of the Tatars.
The buildings here look like they looked many centuries ago: carts ride through the streets, and windmills carry on their “wings” to the distant past.
But not only lovers of antiquity will feel at home in “Native Village”. A huge number of cafes, restaurants, institutions with billiards and bowling, clubs and discos make it attractive for those who want to just have fun and relax.
The ancient square of Kazan
Well, what else to see in Kazan in 2 days? Attractions are literally at every turn! Go to any square and you will be surrounded by cultural monuments and architectural values ​​- just have time to photograph!
Tourists especially favor, as evidenced by the reviews, the ancient squares of the capital of Tatarstan. Walking, for example, at the Fair, you can capture the building of the Central Stadium, Pyramids and Circus. Freedom Square is framed by the opera house, the parliament of the republic and the building of the noble assembly. And Tukaevskaya Square is surrounded by picturesque hills with Vakhitov and Parthenon.
To see all this, you do not need to go far or ride. Everything is within reach of the pedestrian. You can devote a whole day to walking around the city center, but you still can’t see all the interesting places.
City parks
But what is attractive in the warm season of Kazan? What to see in 2 days in summer or spring?
If the weather is good, then the program of the first day in the capital of Tatarstan can include visits to parks or at least one of them. The choice is not very wide, but there is something interesting.
For example, Uritsky Park is famous for its bridges; conquers with national color the Millennium Park, which is not on the shore of Lake Kaban; also will appeal to the tourist TsPKiO and the Birch Grove park.
Raifa - the abode of purity and inspiration
If you managed to escape to Kazan for 2.5 days, what should you definitely see? In this case, it is advisable to set aside one day for visiting suburban attractions. For example, the Raifa monastery, which is the most important Orthodox shrine. The monastery is located on the territory of the Volga-Kama Reserve, on the lake. You can get to it by bus or private car.
Religious statues located in the courtyard of the monastery are extremely harmoniously combined with flowers of unprecedented beauty, which creates a special atmosphere of elevation and fills the soul with inspiration.
The monks carefully monitor the purity and order in their possessions, and this also contributes to spiritual purification. In the Raifa monastery is the Georgian icon of the Mother of God, considered the patroness of the arts.
Ecumenical temple
You can get by car to the Ecumenical Church, which is located in a village called Old Arakchino. This is another recommendation for those who are considering the question of what to see in Kazan in 2 days.
The temple sheltered seven world religions under its roof, so it can be called a memorial of reconciliation. Believers from different cities and countries come here to honor their shrines and get acquainted with the basics of other faiths.
Sviyazhsk and Bulgar - greetings from antiquity
According to reviews, the centers of ancient culture - Bolgar and Sviyazhsk - are very popular among tourists. A regular motor ship will deliver guests from Kazan to their shores, so that you can not only "taste antiquities", but also enjoy a pleasant trip along the Volga.
The island-city of Sviyazhsk, originating from the time of Ivan the Terrible, will immerse guests in the 16th century. Here is the oldest church in Tatarstan - the Trinity, and will also delight the hearts of the Orthodox Cathedral of the Assumption.
Bulgarians also have something to surprise travelers. This is a city-reserve where tourists can walk directly along the streets of the Middle Ages, excavated by archaeologists. The most beautiful building of the Bulgar is the Cathedral Mosque.
"Children's" Kazan
So, for an adult tourist in the capital of Tatarstan and its environs there is where to “take a walk”. But what to see in Kazan for 2-3 days with children? For younger guests, as evidenced by the reviews, there is also a lot of experience here.
Firstly, if a child is not quite a kid, then almost all of the above places will be interesting to him too. Secondly, Kazan is full of objects designed exclusively for children.
This is also the House of entertaining science and technology, where all sorts of different miracles take place; and the Museum of Natural History of Tatarstan with its dinosaurs, mammoths and the remains of saber-toothed tigers; and the Millennium Museum of Kazan, crammed full of antiques ...
Young travelers will enjoy the performances of the Kazan Youth Theater or the Ekiyat Puppet Theater; "Come off" in full on the attractions of the Kyrylai park, ride a children's railway in Lebyazhye park; they will visit the largest zoological garden, where they will see exotic animals, and they can even chat with some of them, etc.
And of course, in the capital of Tatarstan there are a lot of children's entertainment centers. You will not list all. As, however, you will not list other tourist attractions of Kazan. The list will be too long. But the most important objects are described in this article. And they can be seen in just 2-3 days. Reviews of tourists about the city are most wonderful. Not without reason in Russia Kazan is in the top three cities that are especially popular with tourists. Only Moscow and St. Petersburg bypass it.