The Best Day Trips From Samara Russia

Step outside Samara‘s industrial façade and you’ll come face-to-face with some of Russia’s finest scenery, including the mighty Volga River and the epic Zhiguli Mountains. If you’re in town for the FIFA World Cup, be sure to take time out and experience the beauty of the Volga region with these day trips out of Samara.

Shiryaevo and the Zhiguli Mountains

Take a trip out to Shiryaevo village, aka the Zhiguli Pearl – as part of the Samarskaya Luka National Park, it’s tucked away in the beauty of the Zhiguli Mountains, yet easily accessible by boat. Here, you can soak up the village life atmosphere, or check out the Repin Museum that has a small collection of Volga-inspired art. There are also naturally formed limestone caves for exploring. Venture out a little further into the mountains – a scenic and worthwhile jaunt in itself – and you’ll find Camel Mountain, a popular spot for rock-climbers and a cliff with a spectacular view. Even further into the range is the stone chalice, a sweet little monument, shrouded in peace and quiet. It’s about 10 km (6 miles) away from the village, so don’t feel bad about taking a car if you don’t feel like walking.

Krasnoglinskiy Fridge

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Volga boat tours

If you’re visiting in summer, make the most of the Volga. The largest river in Europe and a life force in Russia, it has a vast beauty that is best experienced first hand. Several ferries will take you across to various places, such as Shiryaevo or Togliatti. Alternatively, take a boat tour around the Samara Bend, the point where the Volga hairpins through the epic Zhiguli Mountains, and enjoy Russia’s rugged immense beauty while basking in the sun. According to local legend, Volga River pirates used to hide out in the nooks and crannies of the mountains.

Togliatti

Why wouldn’t you want to see the birthplace of the Lada, the cartoon-like car iconic to Soviet times? You can even go to the factory and find out how they’re made. This spot also has the Zhiguli Mountains right across the Volga, and so while it may be an industrial little town, it has a spectacular view and is still worth a mosey around. Togliatti also has a sandy beach – ideal if you still want to sun bake and swim, but want a change of view. Making use of the location, Classics over the Volga is an annual event that celebrates established and emerging classical artists on a stage, using the Volga and mountains as backdrop.

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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.

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