Top 20 free attractions in Kazan

Unfortunately, domestic tourism for Russians is becoming more expensive every year, and Kazan is no exception. A considerable share of expenses in tourist trips to Kazan brings visiting attractions and museums, because the price of visiting them is far ahead of inflation and all reasonable limits. So, only over the past four years, visits to many state and commercial museums have doubled in price.

We have prepared a selection of free attractions in Kazan so that you can save your budget a little:

Kazan Kremlin

The Kazan Kremlin is the main attraction of the city, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000. In addition to the fact that the Kremlin itself is a historical architectural object, on its territory of 15 hectares there are: the main mosque of Tatarstan Kul-Sharif, the Annunciation Cathedral, the Syuyumbike tower, nine museums and galleries, several viewing platforms, as well as many other monuments and attractions. In addition, there are administrative buildings and the residence of the president of the Republic.

Visiting the Kremlin is free, visiting museums and exhibitions is paid. You can also join a group or buy an individual sightseeing tour for a fee. Excursions are sold in the windows at the entrance to the Kremlin through the main gate of the Spasskaya Tower, as well as in travel agencies in the city. Read more about the Kazan Kremlin and photos here.

Practical Information

🕐 Working hours: the Kremlin is open for access through the entrance to the Spasskaya Tower around the clock (main entrance) and through the Taynitskaya tower from October 01 to April 30 - from 8:00 to 18:00, from May 01 to September 30 – from 8:00 to 22:00. Museums and attractions on the territory operate on their own schedule.

💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: entrance to the Kremlin is free, visiting museums and exhibitions is paid additionally.

🚶 How to get there: the Kremlin is located in the historical center of the city on the banks of the Kazanka River (Kremlin on the map). If you are staying in the historical part of the city, you can get there on foot, Bauman pedestrian street leads directly to it. By Metro you can get to the station "Kremlin". By bus you need to go to the stops "Central Stadium", "Palace of sports", "Tsum".

Kremlin observation deck

Behind the Annunciation Cathedral of the Kazan Kremlin is an excellent observation deck, which offers a wonderful view of the city, the river, the palace of farmers and the Church of Paraskeva Friday. Access to the site is free, for a fee (10 USD) you can explore the city through binoculars. We recommend visiting this place twice, in the afternoon and in the evening after dark. The views are wonderful, for photography it is better to take a tripod with you.

Practical Information

🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

🚶 How to get there: the observation deck is located on the territory of the Kremlin behind the Annunciation Cathedral(viewing platform on the map).

Syuyumbike Tower

This is one of the iconic architectural sights of Kazan. Its image can be seen on souvenirs, postcards, booklets, and, of course, with your own eyes on the territory of the Kazan Kremlin. Its peculiarity is that it is "falling", i.e. slightly tilted like the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, and this is clearly visible to the naked eye. Its height is 58 meters. Tourists can explore the tower, take pictures on its background, but you can not get inside.

Initially, it was a watchtower, built presumably during the Kazan Khanate, i.e. around the 16th century, but even the century of construction is not known for certain. But for tourists, the legends associated with the tower and the origin of its name, which guides tell during a sightseeing tour of the Kremlin, are much more interesting. Read more about Syuyumbike Tower here.

Practical Information

🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

🚶 How to get there: the tower is located on the territory of the Kazan Kremlin (tower on the map).

Bauman Street

The main pedestrian and tourist zone of Kazan is located in the pedestrian part of Bauman Street, which originates from the main entrance to the Kremlin and stretches to Gabdulla Tukai square. Its length is 1.3 kilometers, and it is almost all closed to traffic, with the exception of two intersections with other streets. This is the most popular place for hiking in Kazan. There is always something going on here: street artists perform, public and political actions take place. The street is the center of attraction for all tourists, and therefore they always try to be located within walking distance from it. Of course, along Bauman there are many cafes, restaurants, nightclubs, shops, boutiques, some of the sights and entertainment of Kazan. In general, you can walk along the street endlessly, it will always be interesting and there will be something new. Read more about Bauman Street and photos here.

Practical Information

🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

🚶 How to get there: Bauman Street is located in the heart of the tourist district of Kazan (Street on the map). You can get here by Metro to the stations "Kremlin" and "Gabdulla Tukaya"

Staro-Tatarskaya Sloboda

Another pedestrian tourist area, Staro-Tatarskaya Sloboda, is located in the historical part of the city, but a little away from Bauman Street, behind the lower Kaban Lake. But the pedestrian part, which stretches for 500 meters along Kayuma Nasyri Street, is not the whole Old Tatar settlement. The territory of this area is very large, for tourists, first of all, the pedestrian street and the surrounding streets and alleys are interesting.

This area was formed after the conquest of Kazan by Ivan the terrible, during the 18th and 19th centuries. A distinctive feature is the large number of mosques. In the evenings, you can hear the singing of the muezzin, inviting to prayer, and there is a feeling that you are in a distant Eastern country, and not in Russia at all. The pedestrian part of the settlement is not at all the same as, for example, Bauman Street. There is not a large number of tourists, and there is practically no entertainment, souvenir shops and screaming signs of boutiques, but the architecture and way of life of the old settlement are carefully preserved. Along the street there are several cafes, a hotel, a hotel and entertainment complex "Tatar Manor" with a children's cafe and a contact zoo, but all this does not spoil the view and the old style of architecture. Read more about tatarskaya Sloboda and photos here.

Practical Information

🕐 Working hours: around the clock, most interesting to visit in the evening.

🚶 How to get there: Staro-tatarskaya Sloboda is located along Kayuma Nasyri Street about a 20-minute walk from the metro station and Gabdulla Tukai Square (tatarskaya Sloboda on the map). You can also get there by any bus or trolleybus going to the final stop "Rechnoy vokzal", and tram number 2.

St. Petersburg Street

Another pedestrian tourist zone is located on part of Petersburgskaya Street, starting from Tukaya Square and the ring shopping center, and stretches for 500 meters. It is not as interesting as Bauman Street, there are much fewer people here. There are no attractions, cafes and restaurants, and along most of it stretches the building of the shopping center. It is remarkable, perhaps, only by the fact that it was built to celebrate the millennium of Kazan and is made with elements of the architecture of St. Petersburg. Learn more about St. Petersburg street and photos here.

Practical Information

🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

🚶 How to get there: Petersburgskaya Street continues immediately after the end of Bauman Street after Tukai square. You can get from one street to another through an underground passage, and it is also the entrance to the metro station "Gabdulla Tukai Square" (Street on the map)

Kul Sharif Mosque

This is the main mosque of Kazan and Tatarstan, and one of the symbols of the city. Her image can be seen on postcards, souvenirs, and, of course, live on the territory of the Kremlin. However, it is visible from many places in the city, especially at night, when it is very beautifully illuminated. Built from 1996 to 2001.

Inside the mosque you can go, examine everything in detail and take pictures. Of course, you should be dressed appropriately, and behave accordingly. At the entrance, capes are offered free of charge, which will hide your bare shoulders and legs, scarves, and shoe covers should also be worn. Inside, the ground floor is equipped with something like a museum with a couple of exhibits telling about the mosque, and in the basement there is a museum of Islam (for a fee). Then you can go up to the upper floors, from where you can see the prayer hall from the balconies. Tourists are not allowed to enter the hall itself. Read more about the Kul Sharif mosque and photos here.

Practical Information

🕐 Working hours: from 09:00 to 18:00.

🚶 How to get there: The Kul-Sharif mosque is located on the territory of the Kazan Kremlin (mosque on the map).

Annunciation Cathedral and Museum

The Annunciation Cathedral of the Kazan Kremlin was built in 1552, immediately after the capture of Kazan by the troops of Ivan the terrible. Initially it was a wooden church, and nine years later the wooden structure was replaced by a stone one. Tourists can explore the architecture of the cathedral from the outside and go inside. Of course, inside you should behave and be dressed appropriately, because this is not only a landmark, but also a functioning temple. There is also a museum of the Annunciation Cathedral (for a fee), which tells about the history of this place. The exposition is small, and will be interesting to a wide range of tourists only with excursion service, which is offered at the entrance to the museum for an additional fee. Read more about the Annunciation Cathedral and Museum here.

Practical Information

🕐 Working hours: the cathedral is open from 09:00 to 18:00 daily. The museum is open Monday-Thursday, Saturday, Sunday-from 10:00 to 18:00; Friday-from 11:00 to 20:00.

🚶 How to get there: the cathedral is located in the Kremlin (Cathedral on the map).

Kazan Bogoroditsky monastery

Kazan Bogoroditsky monastery is one of the most interesting religious sites for tourists, and a very important temple for believers. Its history is inextricably linked with the acquisition of one of the most revered icons and shrines in Russia - the miraculous Kazan Icon of the mother of God. In the Soviet years, most of the monastery complex was destroyed, the territory was built up with residential buildings, a tobacco factory was built. In 2005, the Great Holy Cross Church was returned and restored, where today one of the most revered lists (a copy) of the icon is kept - the Vatican list. Now the monastery is being revived, but now as a male, not a female. It is not distinguished by special architectural delights, but its strong atmosphere is felt even by people who do not believe. The list of the icon is displayed in the monastery's Cathedral. When visiting, remember that this is not only a tourist place, but also a functioning temple, so you need to behave and dress appropriately. Read more about the monastery and photos here.

Practical Information

🕐 Working hours: during daytime.

🚶 How to get there: Kazan Bogoroditsky monastery is located on Bolshaya Krasnaya Street, 5 (temple on the map), just a short walk from the Kazan Kremlin and Bauman Street. Getting from other parts of the city is most convenient by Metro to the station "The Kremlin".

Roman Catholic Church

The Catholic Church of the exaltation of the Holy Cross or simply Vozdvizhenskaya church is the only Catholic Church in Kazan. It was built in the period from 2005 to 2008 to replace the church, originally built in 1858, because even then in the city lived quite a lot of Catholics, mainly Germans and Baltics. The old church was closed during the Soviet period, and its building was transferred to the A. N. Tupolev Technical University. It was equipped with a wind tunnel, and it turned out that it was cheaper to build a church in a new place than to restore a new one, which was done. Remarkably, the new church was illuminated exactly 150 years after the lighting of the old one.

From a tourist point of view, the church is interesting as an architectural object. It can be viewed from the outside and freely get inside, the main thing is not to disturb the believers of the parish with a flash and a click of the camera shutter. The ministers are friendly, and even welcome interest in their church.

Practical Information

🌐 Website: http://kazan.dscs.ru/

🕐 Working hours: daily from 10:00 to 19:00, break from 13:00 to 15:00.

🚶 How to get there: located near the historical center of the city, Ostrovsky STR., 73 (church on the map). You can get by Metro to the station "Gabdulla Tukaya Square" and then 10 minutes on foot.

Puppet theater "Ekiyat"

Puppet theater "Ekiyat" (translated from Tatar - fairy tale) is one of the oldest puppet theaters in Russia, it has been operating since 1934. True, he was not always in the building in which he is now. In the new building, made in the form of a fairy-tale palace, he entered in 2012. The building is very colorful, really fabulous, beautifully illuminated at night and in fact it can be attributed to a modern architectural landmark, although the design, of course, is controversial. Inside the building is also very colorful.

The repertoire of the theater includes classic children's performances Mukha Tsokotukha, Teremok, The Wizard of Oz, etc., as well as performances based on Tatar folk tales. If time permits, be sure to bring your kids here during the trip. Tickets are purchased for both children and accompanying adults. Learn more about puppet theater here.

Practical Information

🕐 Working hours: performances in the theater are held according to the schedule, which is presented on the official website, usually it is once or twice a day, but not every day.

🚶 How to get there: the puppet theater is located near the tourist district of Kazan, St. Petersburg, 57 (Puppet Theater on the map). From Bauman Street you can walk in 20-30 minutes, or take the Metro to the station "Sukonnaya Sloboda" and from there 5 minutes on foot.

Tatar village

Right in the center of Kazan, not far from the tourist area, there is a cozy corner in which the traditional National Village is recreated. How it turned out, you can assess for yourself, but the place is in any case interesting and worth a visit.

Of course, do not expect too much, we do not even classify the village as attractions, but have included it in the "entertainment" section. The most important entertainment here is lunch or dinner in one of the restaurants, cafes, pancake house or in the barbecue yard. There is also a guest house with a sauna, a rope park for children, a children's play park (swings, slides), a souvenir shop, A Museum of author's toys "Mishkin's house" (open from 11:00 to 19:00), a children's petting zoo. Well, at the main entrance, guests are greeted by a monument to echpochmak. Read more about the Tatar village here.

Practical Information

🕐 Working hours: Entertainment and restaurants are open from 10:00 to 24:00.

💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: entrance to the village is free, entertainment and lunch are paid extra.

🚶 How to get there: the Tatar village is located near the tourist area on Tufan Minnullin Street, 14/56 (Tatar village on the map). It can be reached on foot from Bauman Street in 15 minutes. By Metro you can get to the station "Sukonnaya Sloboda" and then 10 minutes on foot.

Monument to the first tram of Kazan

The monument to the first tram of Kazan or as this place has now become known as the "alley of trams" is actually not one monument, but a small one, in which there are three old trams that have worked out their long and difficult life on the roads of Kazan. In some of them you can even go, sit on the seats or be the helmsman. Such an action, of course, is liked by children, and therefore this place can be safely recommended to guests of the city who came here to rest with children. Read more about the monument to the first tram of Kazan here.

Practical Information

🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

🚶 How to get there: the monument to the tram is located at the end of the partially pedestrian street Petersburg near the metro station "Sukonnaya Sloboda" (tram on the map). You can get here by Metro, but it will not be difficult to walk, because from the end of the pedestrian street Bauman on St. Petersburg street here is a little less than two kilometers. Moreover, on the way here you can see other interesting places.

Lower Kaban Lake

Lake Nizhny Kaban is another great place in Kazan, where it will be nice to go for a walk. The embankment of the lake is very much loved by locals. On the western side of the lake, along the Old Tatar settlement, there is a promenade where families with children and tourists come to feed the ducks living in the lake and pigeons. Do not forget to buy a loaf of bread in the store for feeding. Well, even if you forget, it does not matter, because enterprising Kazan residents have installed devices for selling feed here, and for 10 rubles you can get a small portion of seeds or grain.

In the north of the lake, in front of the Kamal theater, you can walk among the fountains, flowers, as well as several interesting sculptures donated to the city. However, Fountains work only in the summer. Well, you can complete the hike to the lake with a walk on the water in a boat or pedal catamaran (water bike), which are offered for rent at a reasonable price: 2-seater catamaran from 250 rubles for 30 minutes, 4-seater from 300 rubles for 30 minutes, 5-seater boat from 250 rubles. Learn more about the lake here.

Practical Information

🕐 Working hours: around the clock, it is best to visit in the afternoon or evening.

🚶 How to get there: from the metro station Ploshchad Tukaya 10 minutes walk (Lake on the map).

Kamala Square and fountains

In front of the Kamal theater is a square with fountains, which is very pleasant to walk, especially in the evenings. On the square there are fountains, which in the evening are illuminated with different colors, music plays. Of course, this is far from singing fountains, as, for example, in Adler, but in general the place for walking is pleasant, besides it offers a view of Lake Nizhny Kaban. There is also a funny sculpture "riddles of Shurale". In walking distance from the Square is the Lake "Lower Kaban", a little further pedestrian street in the Old Tatar settlement. Read more about Kamala Square here.

Practical Information

🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

🚶 How to get there: Kamala Square is in front of the theater. Kamala is within walking distance from Tukaya Square (area on the map). The nearest metro station is tukaya square.

Kunche Street

Kunche Street is the most unusual pedestrian zone in Kazan. The fact is that this historic street holds the title of the shortest and narrowest street in the city. Its length, according to various estimates, ranges from 90 to 110 meters, the exact figure depends on the start and end points of the measurement. Recently, it was reconstructed, and now it is decorated with lanterns and shops in the style of the XIX century. Read more about Kunche street here.

Practical Information

🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

🚶 How to get there: Kunche Street is located in Staro-tatarskaya Sloboda (Kunche Street on the map). You can get here in 20 minutes on foot from the Metro station "Ploshchad Tukaya", or take any bus or trolleybus going to the final stop" Rechnoy vokzal", and tram number 2.

You can also get acquainted with this street and other sights of the Old Tatar settlement with interesting excursions, pick up which available online at the trusted Tripster site.

Wedding palace

The wedding palace or Family Center "Kazan" is a modern architectural landmark of Kazan, which appeared in 2013. The unusual structure, sparkling with copper, is perfectly visible from almost any point of the embankment, and it is located on the peninsula opposite the Kremlin. You can not only explore this unique building from the outside, but also climb to the observation deck on the roof for 50 rubles. From there there is a wonderful view of the Kremlin, the historical part of the city and the Kazanka River. It is better to climb, of course, in good clear weather. Read more about the wedding palace and photos here.

Practical Information

🕐 Working hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10:00-19:00, Sunday 12:00-20:00, Monday-day off.

🚶 How to get there: the wedding palace is located on the opposite side of the Volga from the Kremlin, Sibgat Hakim Street, 4 (on the map). From the Kremlin you can walk across the bridge in about 40 minutes (3 kilometers), get to the metro station "Kozya Sloboda" and again on foot, but less, about 20 minutes. A little closer, if you take buses No. 15, 22, 28A, 29, 35A, 37, 47, 6, 74A, 75, 89, 98 or trolleybus No. 10 to the stop "Youth center".

Palace Of Farmers

The palace of farmers is the building of the Ministry of Agriculture of Tatarstan, and, perhaps, the most unusual architectural landmark of the city. The modern eclectic style building was built from 2008 to 2010, and although the controversy over its construction is not inferior so far, you should definitely see it with your own eyes. Yes, unfortunately, huge budget money was spent on the construction of this monumental structure, and it was built on the site of the old building, which could become an excellent attraction after restoration. But now this administrative building has become an integral part of the city facade, and invariably attracts the views of tourists. You can only look at it from the outside, you can not get inside. An excellent view of it opens from the observation deck of the Kremlin, as well as from the park of farmers in front of the building itself. Read more about the palace of farmers and photos here.

Practical Information

🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

🚶 How to get there: the palace of farmers is located next to the Kremlin and is perfectly visible from the observation deck (Palace on the map).

Sculpture "Dragon Zilant"

Zilant is a mythical creature from Tatar folklore, a half-dragon-half-bird. Zilant is depicted on the flag of Kazan and is one of the symbols of the city and the Republic of Tatarstan. According to one of the myths, Zilant lived on a hill very close to the center of Kazan, where the zilantov monastery is now located.

Practical Information

🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

🚶 How to get there: located near the Kremlin at the entrance to the underground metro station "Kremlin" (sculpture "Zilant" on the map).

Kremlin embankment

This is perhaps the most popular pedestrian zone in Kazan with locals, especially in summer. But it will be interesting and pleasant for tourists to walk along it. The embankment stretches along the city Bank of the Volga from the Kremlin to the National Cultural Center, which houses the Museum of the 1000th anniversary of Kazan.

The embankment is very well-groomed and beautiful, and every year it appears in a new form, something new appears. In summer, it offers rental of roller skates, Bicycles, children can ride on a children's locomotive. Of course, there are souvenir shops, cafes, restaurants. During the walk there are views of the Kremlin, the registry office, the Millennium Bridge.

Practical Information

🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

🚶 How to get there: the embankment stretches along the banks of the Volga River from the Kremlin to the National Cultural Center (embankment on the map).

🕒 19 April, 2026