Are you planning to visit Kazan in winter? We tell you what to see and what to have fun on vacation. What is the weather, is it worth going in winter? Reviews and advice of tourists.
Winter weather in Kazan
The capital of Tatarstan is located in the temperate continental climate zone. Winter in Kazan is cold. Air temperature is -8 ... -16 ° С. There is warming up to 0 ° С and rain with sleet. Sometimes a strong wind blows and the thermometer drops to -30 ° С. Sunny days are few.
For a trip to Kazan in winter, we advise you to dress warmly. Bring a pair of warm sweaters and a windproof hooded jacket. Good waterproof shoes, a scarf, warm gloves and a winter hat will come in handy.
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What to see and where to go in Kazan in winter
Kazan is good at any time of the year. In winter, the city pleases with snow-covered parks, skating rinks, fun activities and colorful holidays. Where to go in Kazan in winter? Sharing interesting ideas and attractions!
1. Get to know the Kazan Kremlin
If you are visiting Tatarstan for the first time, start your trip around Kazan from the main attraction - the old Kremlin. The historic city center attracts like a magnet! See the great Kul Sharif Mosque, the ancient Cathedral of the Annunciation, and the leaning Syuyumbike tower.
You can enter the Kremlin through the Spasskaya Tower at any time of the day, through Taynitskaya - from 8 am. The entrance is free. There are many information signs on the territory, so it's easy to figure out where the buildings are. Take a guided tour if you want to hear a guide's story. In addition to the classic sightseeing tour, adults and children alike love the theatrical program with the Farolero lamplighter.
2. Go ice skating along the waterfront
In summer, the Kremlin embankment is the best place for promenades, and in winter, a 1 km long skating rink is arranged on it. It stretches from the Kremlin to the Kazan Cultural Center and is considered the longest in Europe. The unusual ice rink is open on weekdays from 16:00 to 22:00, and on weekends and holidays from 12:00 to 16:00 and from 18:00 to 22:00.
There are many other entertainments on the embankment - magical illumination, "Fairy Town" with Santa Claus's house, tubing slides and kiosks selling hot tea and pastries.
3. Take a dip in the water park
If you come to Kazan in winter with children, go to the water park. A slice of summer in the middle of winter is a real treat! Kazan "Riviera" is a large and modern water complex, which consists of 50 slides and attractions. In addition to the covered part, the water park has a heated outdoor pool.
The water park is open on weekdays from 10:00 to 22:00, on Saturday from 9:00 to 23:00, and on Sunday from 9:00 to 22:00. A ticket for 2 hours for adults costs 650 rubles, and for children from 5 to 12 years old - 290 rubles.
4. Take an excursion to Sviyazhsk
The island-town near the mouth of the Sviyaga River makes a strong impression. Sviyazhsk appeared as a fortress during the time of John IV the Terrible. Wooden fortifications helped the Russian tsar to conquer the impregnable Kazan Khanate. Today the architectural heritage is being restored. On the miracle island there are Orthodox monasteries and temples, museums of the Archaeological tree and the history of Sviyazhsk.
It is easy to get to Sviyazhsk by car or take a guided tour. The island is open and windy, so dress warmly!
5. Visit Tatar Santa Claus
An hour and a half from Kazan is the village of Yana Kyrlay, where the Tatar Santa Claus - Kysh Babay and his daughter Kar Kazy live. If you want to spend time in nature and breathe in the fresh air among the coniferous forest, plan a trip to the fabulous tower on the banks of the Oia River.
It is very interesting here in winter. Guests are greeted by the characters of Tatar folk tales: Shaitan, the forest spirit Shurale, Baba Yaga - Ubyrly Kachyk, the hero Batyr and his beloved Altynchech.
6. Visit the light show
Where to go in Kazan in winter with children? In the last week of December, a bright light show takes place on the Spasskaya Tower of the Kazan Kremlin. Every evening from 18:00 to 22:00 everyone can watch a free show.
Light installations with music are projected directly onto the ancient walls, and the old tower is transformed into a giant 3D screen. The mapping show lasts 40 minutes and then repeats over and over again. Give yourself and your children a real New Year's magic!
7. Go skiing
35 km from Kazan, in the village of Savino, there is a modern all-season resort "Sviyazhskie Hills". In winter, it welcomes guests with downhill skiing trails, snow tubing, ice skating rink, hotel, alpine houses, restaurants and cafes. The picturesque place is suitable for both beginners and ski gurus. On safe slopes, it is good to put children on the skis.
In "Sviyazhskiye Hills" it is not necessary to spend all the time on the street. After skiing, you can take a steam bath, play billiards, bowling or table tennis. The play center "Cabbage" is open for children. Please note that there is no public transport to the resort. You can get here only by taxi.
Reviews of tourists about the rest in winter in Kazan
According to reviews, in winter in Kazan you can have a good rest. A lot of entertainment awaits visitors.
Tourists are advised to try the national pastries that are sold in the Staro-Tatar settlement. Triangle with meat echpochmak, tatar pancakes ebiem koimagy and a tortilla with potatoes kystyby cost 80 rubles.
Victoria: "We would like to share our impressions of the trip to Kazan for the New Year holidays. We visited the Kazan Kremlin, went to Raifa and Sviyazhsk, took walks along Staro-Tatarskaya Sloboda and Bauman Street. During the rest of the day we were in the water park."
Anna Grineva: "January in Kazan is a wonderful time for skiing. The surroundings are replete with sports complexes, choosing the one that suits your money and ability is not a tricky business. True, I do not advise you to come there without special uniforms."
Aigul: "I liked the city madly! Clean, pleasant atmosphere, everything for tourists, cultured and pleasant people. We will be back."
