Things to do & places to visit in Volga District, Russia

Volga District #3 destination in Russia 2023. The average rating score is 4.63 based on 61.4k traveler reviews, of 426 attractions. Timezone: Europe/Moscow, current date and time: Sunday, May 05, 2024, 19:02.

Top things to do (27)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Kazan Kremlin (3.855 reviews)
- Best Kazan has to offer
Sunday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Speciality Museums • Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings

The historic fortress dating back to the 16th to 19th centuries. See more..
5.0 Kul Sharif Mosque (3.480 reviews)
- Striking old-new Mosque in Kazan
Sunday: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Religious Sites

The Kul Sharif Mosque is one of the most prominent sights in Kazan with an interesting history behind it. It's turquoise blue dome and minarets stand out on the city's panorama. The original Mosque on this place dates back to early 16c. However it was demolished to ground when Ivan the Terrible attacked Kazan. It's named after Imam Kul Sharif, who died defending the city with his scholars during Ivan's invasion. The present Mosque was finished in 2005, at the time of millennium celebrations of Kazan foundation. It's a symbol of multiethnic Tatarstan standing few hundred meters from the Annunciation Cathedral. Visiting the Mosque is free, and the interiors are also very nice. The ground floor is for men, while female pray on the second floor. Do climb the third floor terrace from where you can admire the entire interior with its lotus like ceiling. In the basement is a small Islamic museum with a small entry fee. See more..
5.0 Samara Embankment (1.014 reviews)
- Beautiful
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Lookouts • Scenic Walking Areas • Fountains

Beautiful with restaurants and bars. Nice clean park by the river. Great for a stroll, exercise or just relax. See more..
5.0 Limpopo Zoo (971 reviews)
- A lot of friendly animals.
Sunday: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Zoos

We visited the Zoo one time, was too cold but nice. There are a lot of friendly animals.You can buy some food there and feed the animals. See more..
5.0 Cathedral of the Apostles Peter and Paul (680 reviews)
- Beautiful outside and inside
Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites

The Cathedral of Apostles Peter and Paul requires some walking off the beaten track in an area north of the main Bauman St, where's nothing else to do. Beware it's an uphill walk through a residential area. However, it pays of as the Cathedral looks gorgeous, newly renovated and painted. To enter it you must climb a flight of stairs on the left side of the Cathedral. Doing that, first you'll be rewarded with a nice city panorama from Cathedral terrace due to that elevated position. Second, entering it, marvelous frescoes and iconostasis await you inside. See more..
5.0 Fedorovsky Embankment (604 reviews)
- Must to be seen
Historic Walking Areas

This is a place of Nizhny Novgorod representation. The card view. The view is gorgeous each time of the year, but the wind might be the trouble when the weather is not really fantastic. Starting early spring and following the end of the september(october) this place is full of local residents, tourists and whoever else. The thing is you will not find any cafe or places to hide (to escape the rain for ex) right there. Up at the very top (because the place is terraced ) you'' find a grocery store and somewhat about 50 cafes if you go down to Rozhdestvenskaya street which is really good (not far) walk. See more..
5.0 Annunciation Cathedral (384 reviews)
- The oldest Church in Kazan - beautiful
Churches & Cathedrals

The Annunciation Cathedral is the oldest Church in Kremlin, in fact in all of Kazan. It was built in 1554, just after conquering the city by Ivan the Terrible. It's a classic onion domed Russian Orthodox Church. Entry is free, and doing so you'll be rewarded with terrific interiors of priceless frescoes, iconostasis and chandeliers. Bonus TIPS: - behind the Cathedral is a terrace with magnificent panorama views of Kazan, - the Cathedral stands a couple hundred meters from the Kul Sharif Mosque, symbolizing peace and tolerance of people of Tatarstan. See more..
5.0 Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevskiy (346 reviews)
- Stunning architectural monument
Churches & Cathedrals

The cathedral was built in honor of Alexander II, who visited Nizhny Novgorod during the International industrial artistic exhibition that was held in Nizhny Novgorod in 1896. See more..
5.0 Museum "Tatarskaya Sloboda" (337 reviews)
- Old Tatar Sloboda
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums

If you want to feel the real atmosphere of Kazan, the city, where two religions and two national Cultures peacefully coexist, you shold visit this place. You can see old mosques and havtrye some Tatar national meal in the restarant. See more..
5.0 State Bank (333 reviews)
- Pleasure trip
Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings

One of the oldest banks in Russia. A very iconic building with old structure and architecture. A good place to visit. See more..
5.0 Iyoshkin Cat Sculpture (308 reviews)
- Famous cat
Points of Interest & Landmarks

For many years he came to work in Yoshkar-Ola, but could not get to this monument in any way. This time we managed to do it. The cat sits cross-legged on a bench in the public garden near the art museum on the right. A good place for a photo with the personification of the famous Russian expression - Yoshkin cat! It’s something like “Oh, my God”. See more..
5.0 Church of Nativity of Most Holy Mother of God (294 reviews)
- Wonderful orthodox church
Churches & Cathedrals

The Christmas or Stroganov Orthodox Church is one of my favorites not only in Nizhny Novgorod, but also in Russia. The combination of pink walls and white stone carvings looks very elegant. The highlight of the church is that the heads of the temple at the end of the 19th century, they were painted like the heads of St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow. The chapters were originally green. Windows, portals of entrances, additional columns are decorated with white stone carvings. Definitely worth a visit. See more..
5.0 Tatar-Tour (281 reviews)
- Kazan and Sviyazhsk
Sunday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM City Tours • Multi-day Tours • Walking Tours • Sightseeing Tours • Private Tours

Milyausha, our highly-knowledgeable, English-fluent guide, helped us gain a deeper understanding of how Tatar and Russian history are intertwined over two days. We spent a half day visiting the Kazan Kremlin and nearby historical sites and another half day touring Sviyazhsk (an island that was the staging ground for Ivan the Terrible’s successful siege of Kazan). What we saw of the region demonstrated the benefits of plowing oil and industrial revenue into infrastructure and renovation - unusual in modern-day Russia. While some might consider Kazan way off the beaten path, after this visit I recommend it as a window on the legacy of the Golden Horde and the subsequent Russian and Soviet dominions. It’s just a one-hour flight from Moscow. Good hotels and food. Wherever we event, the people were friendly and accommodating. See more..
5.0 Perm State Art Gallery (277 reviews)
- A gallery full of treasures
Art Museums

It is an amazing art gallery with plenty of interesting pieces. There are very few famous names but there are two things that make it worth the visit the first one being the building and the second one - the collection of wooden sculpture. The building is that of a former cathedral and it is very peculiar. It doesn't look like a Russian church at all and the place where it is located (on the bank of the Kama river) is just spectacular. The collection of wooden sculpture, so called "Perm Gods" is truly unique. There are a number of naive sculptures carved by local pagan population (the Komi) who used to live in this region long before the Russians arrived. I enjoyed the visit because this gallery is not larger than life - you can see pretty much everything in 2 hours. You should certainly go there if you visit Perm. See more..
5.0 Saratov State Museum of Military Glory (265 reviews)
- Excellent!
Military Museums

One of the greatest military museum I've ever been. Numerous vehicles and pretty good taken care of. Not to miss if you're in the area See more..
4.5 Bauman Street (Kazansky Arbat) (2.508 reviews)
- Nice to visit and enjoy
Sunday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Points of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas

Wonderful street to enjoy the beauty and varieties of Kazan. Many bars, shops and cafes - always nice to do a stroll here! See more..
4.5 The Kremlin (2.233 reviews)
- Impressive history details founding of Nizhny Novgorod
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Castles

The Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin, the monument of history and culture of the world. Erected in the early 16th century to protect the Eastern borders of the Russian state, he never surrendered to the enemy! It is at the walls of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin 400 years ago our countrymen at the call of Kuzma Minin joined forces for the expulsion of the invaders from Moscow. See more..
4.5 Nizhny Novgorod Cableroads (1.965 reviews)
- Great Ride Even in the Winter
Sunday: 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Trams

The ropeway between the cities Nizhny Novgorod and Bor. In February, 2012 the first passenger lift in Russia was put into operation as an alternative means of transport in Nizhny Novgorod.The ropeway connects two cities – Nizhny Novgorod and Bor.The project is implemented by JSC “Nizhegorodskie ropeways”.Engineering data of the ropeway Nizhny Novgorod – BorAltitude difference – 62 mLength – 3661 mNumber of cabins - 28Gondola type – DIAMOND C8S190Ropeway type – MULTIX GD8Capacity – 500 persons/hourInterval between gondolas – 288/58 secDiameter of the main cable – 54 mmSpeed max. – 5 m/sSpeed max. at station – 0,3 m/sWay time – 12,5 minNumber of towers - 10 See more..
4.5 Chkalov Staircase (1.374 reviews)
- Pleasure trip
Sunday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Points of Interest & Landmarks

The top of this massive staircase behind the Chkalov Monument offers a great view of the Volga River. See more..
4.5 Bolshaia Pokrovskaia Street (1.350 reviews)
- Returned 20 years later
Points of Interest & Landmarks

I used to be a frequent visitor to this main and at that time only pedestrian street in Nizhni. Back in 1990s Pokrovka (as it is affectionately called by the locals) was a sure place to meet hip style people without the risk of bumping into hooligans (gopkins). This time I found Pokrovka to be just the same. Same vendors, same merchandise - but I enjoyed walking it once again. See more..
4.5 Agricultural Palace (1.210 reviews)
- A very beautiful place where you can take a walk in the park.
Sunday: Architectural Buildings

The building is located on Palace Square not far from the Kazan Kremlin and the embankment of the Kazanka River. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Tatarstan is located here. The building was built in 2008. The area around it is equipped, a park is laid out. Often there are photo shoots of the newlyweds. In the center of the building, in a niche, there is a large bronze tree, which is beautifully illuminated with green light at night. In terms of architecture, this building personally reminds me of the Hofburg Royal Palace in Vienna. A very beautiful place where you can take a walk in the park or along the river embankment. There is a large paid parking nearby. See more..
4.5 Salavat Yulaev Monument (1.024 reviews)
- Monument to Pugachyov's ally
Monuments & Statues

The monument to Salavat Yulayev is a dominant sight and I would sat even the official symbol of Ufa and the whole of the Republic of Bashkortostan. It stands on a high bank of Belaya river. I visted it in the morning, in the afternoon and in the evening - in the last rays of the sun. See more..
4.5 Suyumbike Tower (896 reviews)
- One of Kazan symbols
Sunday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings

The Suyumbike tower is the highest tower in all of Kazan Kremlin. It stands on the Kazan river side, opposite side of the Spasskaya tower (the white clock tower through which you enter the Kremlin). This red brick tower according to a legend was built by Ivan the Terrible right after conquering the city. He wanted to marry a Tatar princess Suyumbike, who agreed to that only if he could build the highest tower in 7 days. Being in rush, the engineering wasn't that good so the tower started to lean. At the end proud Suyumbike chose to jump from the tower instead of marrying her conqueror. You cannot climb the tower nor you can pass through it. See more..
4.5 Kazan Family Center/ Viewpoint (731 reviews)
- Interesting structure - good views with some strange issues
Sunday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Points of Interest & Landmarks

This is one of Kazan's symbols set on the other side of Kazanka river. It's a huge structure of a cauldron, representing the Kazan name in Slavic languages, as a mixture of people and religions. During our visit there were no weddings other travelers wrote about, in fact we were the only visitors there. It was strange for me that in such obviously expensive edifice they didn't install an elevator for the top viewing platform. More strangely, you access the platform using stairs at the side entrance which look like an emergency exit. Once up, there's a small desk with a lady collecting the symbolic entrance fee and a coffee machine - again strange. Imo, it'd be much more convenient to have an elevator and a coffee/snack bar up, which would attract more people and collect more income than around a dollar entry fee. Views are really great - 360', but that's it - you have nothing else to do there, so it becomes a 5 min stop after an exhausting climb. See more..
4.5 Museum of Soviet Life (696 reviews)
- Great!
Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums

the place was outstanding! as an indonesian i was surprised by the collection in this museum, antique, unique, and extravagant things in this museum literally in a massive scale, also the owner of this museum Mr. Rustem was really friendly. if u’re visit kazan city, this place should be in ur list! See more..
4.5 Kremlyovskaya Embankment (635 reviews)
- A great view of the Kazanka River.
Spent 2-3 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Scenic Walking Areas

From here you have a great view of the Kazanka River. Lots of cafes and restaurants where you can eat. There is a bike rental shop. In the evening, the embankment is beautifully illuminated. In winter, a skating rink is poured here. Definitely worth a visit. See more..
4.5 Permyak - the Salty Ears (565 reviews)
- A glimps at the spirit of the city
Monuments & Statues

Had just a short time in the city, and monument, along with the explanation beside it (as part of the green line walking tour, in English as well!) is a must if you come to perm. Plus you get a funny photo with the ears and some historical details about the place. See more..
4.5 Stalin's Bunker (527 reviews)
- A must visit
Sunday: Speciality Museums

This bunker was built during the war and Samara would have been the capital if Moscow had fallen, hence the bunker been built See more..
4.5 Museum of Chak-Chak (497 reviews)
- Чак чак
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums

Museum of national tatar dish - chak-chak in an old XIX century merchant's house. Interesting stories and legends about tatars' traditions. Tasty excurtions with tatar tea and tatar delicacies. Excurtion lasts for 1 hour. Please notу we have schedule: 10-00 a.m., 11-30 a.m., 01-00 p.m., 02-30 p.m., 04-00 p.m., 05-30 p.m., 07-00 p.m. It's better to reserve visit time before via mail or phone as we may have another excurtion on russian or tatar language orvery big groups, so we will not be able to meet you. See more..
4.5 Chkalov Monument (477 reviews)
- Liked the Statue and the views nearby
Monuments & Statues

This statue monument honors Valerii Chkalov, the first aviator to fly to the North Pole. See more..