Kazan Guide: where to live, eat and walk

It became clear during the pandemic period when domestic tourism was on the rise that Kazan would become a new tourism center in 2024. And if for some reason you still haven’t been able to get to the “third capital” of Russia, we will explain why you should definitely do it.

Kazan is the most suitable city for those who want to feel like a tourist without leaving the country. And by the way, we heard this opinion from many travelers passing through different cities of Russia. Yet Eastern culture is very different from others. So, if you like delicious food and soulful walks in beautiful places, the capital of Tatarstan will definitely not disappoint you.

We fell in love with Kazan, chak-chak and echpochmak from the first time and forever, so we are talking about the best places you must see to get to know the city. Spoiler: The famous Kazan Kremlin is not in our selection, you will find out without us. Here we share notes on where to live, where to eat, and where to walk.

Hotels in Kazan

tasigo

Five-star Kazan Place by Tasigo is the most modern hotel in the city, although it is located in the historical center. The interior has a minimalist design and no hint of oriental culture. Those who do not like Tatar ornaments on carpets and wallpapers can stop here. However, prices here are high for Kazan. The price of a double room for the weekend is approximately 40 thousand. Therefore, if you are looking for a cheaper option, it would make sense to stay at the chain’s second hotel, Neo Kazan Place by Tasigo. It has four stars, but its interior and location are no worse than the first one. The cost of accommodation for two people here for two days will be around 20 thousand.

Address: Republic of Tatarstan, Kazan, Vakhitovsky district, Kalinina street, 3B

Luciano

Luciano is another five-star hotel in the center of Kazan. And its biggest advantage is the presence of a large SPA center and bath complex. We guarantee that the massage will not harm you after getting to know the local cuisine. And here, unlike many other hotels in the city, it is possible to book a room for a day (in some you can pay for at least two nights’ stay). It will cost about 10 thousand rubles.

Address: Republic of Tatarstan, Kazan, Pravo-Bulachnaya street, 49,

Where in Kazan

“Chiram”

Let’s move on to the most interesting thing – Tatar cuisine. If words like “kystyby”, “tokmach” and “shulpa” do not mean anything to you, urgently book a table in “Chiram”, the best restaurant of Kazan’s national cuisine. Translated from the Tatar language, “chiram” is young spring grass. The owners say that this name was not chosen by chance, because it characterizes the ancient traditions of Tatarstan and the changes that have occurred in the city over the past few years. The most pleasant thing here, besides affordable prices, is the view of the main attractions of the city and the Kazanka River. Well, the author of this text and at the same time the real lover of echpochmaks has never tasted Tatar cuisine as delicious as here.

Address: Kazan, st. Fedoseevskaya, 1a

“Marusovka”

Besides being known as the best project in Kazan according to the WHERETOEAT award, Marusovka restaurant has another interesting feature. Local residents are sure that the action of Maxim Gorky’s play “In the Lower Depths” takes place on the site of the now popular restaurant. The writer spent four years of his life in Kazan and, as the authors of his biographers assure, lived and worked in the Marusovka slum in the 80s of the 19th century. True, there is no historical evidence that the action of the play is specifically connected with this place. But we love the legend itself.

And the famous singer Fyodor Chaliapin was born in the houses of Marusovka (formerly the most unfavorable and criminal district). And this fact is absolutely undeniable, so we move on to the recent history of this place with a clear conscience and a closed gestalt.

Now “Marusovka” is an elegant restaurant serving Russian, European and Pan-Asian cuisine. You definitely won’t find simple flatbreads here. The cuisine is original, which means you can expect many unusual items and strange but interesting combinations on the menu.

Address: Kazan, st. Shchapova, 37

“Pepe”

If for some reason you suddenly want to switch to healthy eating in Kazan, we have found a special place for you. Pepe restaurant is one of the few projects that does not contain gluten and sugar in its menu. Your humble food editor approaches all such establishments with great curiosity, but here even my image of the world has changed. No green salad, quinoa or granola. More precisely, of course, but there are also Olivier, mimosas and diet cakes. If I find such a place in Moscow, I will definitely switch to proper nutrition.

Address: Kazan, st. Galiaskara Kamala, 4A

what to see

“To change”

Smena Contemporary Culture Center is the most popular place in Kazan. If one needed a comparison, it would be something between Moscow’s GES-2 and the Yeltsin Center in Yekaterinburg. But the main difference of Smena is that it is an independent institution that exists without constant private and state support. There is an unusual bookstore with books from independent publishers, contemporary art exhibitions and conferences are held here. Also in Smena there is a specialty coffee shop “Divan”, a record store “Siyanie” and a gastrobar “Soloma”.

Address: Kazan, Burkhan Shahidi street, 7

National Library of the Republic of Tatarstan

We understand that not everyone wants to spend time going to the library in another city on the weekend, but in Kazan it definitely needs to be done. The National Library of the Republic of Tatarstan is a new intellectual and cultural space and a real paradise for all literature lovers. At least this is a very stylish and modern workspace. Moreover, in addition to reading rooms, there is also a conference room, lecture classes, a recording studio and even a hall with musical instruments.

Address: Kazan, st. Pushkina, 86

innopolis

It is a real crime to come to Kazan and not visit Innopolis. Moreover, the journey takes only 40 minutes, and all this time you pass through picturesque places. In general, Innopolis is the city of the future. There are unmanned taxis, couriers and waiters, robots and futuristic architecture. And a third of its residents are a scientist or IT professional. Interesting facts include the happiness index of Innopolis residents is 84% ​​and the average salary in the city is 131 thousand rubles.

Photo: social networks