The Best Day Trips From Kazan Russia

Venture into Kazan‘s surrounding countryside and the region’s immense cultural heritage becomes clear. If you’re looking for a change of pace away from the city hubbub, step into a wealth of Tatar culture and an ancient land with these easy day trips out of the mighty Kazan.

Raifa Monastery

About 30 km (19 miles) out of Kazan is the Raifa Monastery, situated in the Volga-Kama Reserve – a dreamy UNESCO protected nature sanctuary found at the conflux of the Volga, Kama and Myosha Rivers. A compound made of three different cathedrals, each decorated with ornate linings and embellished with iconography, it provides a lovely escape into the countryside and an opportunity to soak up Tatarstan’s beauty and enjoy the tranquility of the place. The largest monastery in Tatarstan and founded in the 1600s, it was closed during the Soviet era, reopening in 1991. Stop off for a quick look at the eccentric and colourful Temple of All Faiths on the way.

Sviyazhsk Island

Yelabuga

This spot is a quaint old merchant town 210 km (130 miles) away from Kazan on the banks of the Kama River. Its lack of a train station has meant the city has retained a lot of its yesteryear charm, so look out for the resplendent, 19th-century mansions and architecture, as well as the quirky new additions such as the monuments to the janitor, policeman, the samovar (a traditional vessel used to brew tea) and the postman. There are also museums dedicated to local artists as well as to the only female solider who served in the war of 1812, Nadezhda Durova. Though it’s only 2-3 hours away in a car, the bus journey can drag, so you might want to make this an overnight trip if on public transport.

Bolghar

The region’s ancient capital and of great significant Tatar cultural importance, Bolghar, about 130 km (81 miles) out of Kazan along the Volga, is now home to several World Heritage sights. As the intermittent capital of of Volga-Bulgaria between the 8th and 15th centuries, it was also once capital to an autonomous state within the Golden Horde. It survived as an Islamic mainstay during the Golden Horde, Kazan Khanate and the region’s absorption into the Russian state. Muslims from across Tatarstan and Russia, who weren’t able to make the pilgrimage across to Mecca, would travel down to Bolghar instead. Soak up the medieval grandeur in beguiling nature, and take in the ancient mosques and architecture for a real feel of traditional Tatar culture.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.