Kazan

Good to know

1. 1The Kazan Kremlin, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, holds both the Annunciation Cathedral and the Qol Sharif Mosque, which is a fair picture of the city's mix of Orthodox Christian and Muslim traditions.
2. 2Tatar is spoken alongside Russian, and you will see signs in both languages. Tatar is a Turkic language, closer to Turkish than to Russian.
3. 3The city stands where the Kazanka river meets the Volga, and its long embankments are a favourite place for evening walks.
4. 4Tatar cooking is a big part of the visit. Look for chak-chak, a sweet made of fried dough pieces held together with honey, and echpochmak, a triangular pastry filled with meat and potato.
5. 5Kazan hosted the Universiade in 2013 and matches of the 2018 football World Cup, and the sports venues built for them are still part of the city's skyline.
6. 6The leaning Söyembikä Tower inside the Kremlin is tied to many local legends, and the city's people tell them readily.

Tips for a first visit

• The centre is easy to cover on foot, with Bauman Street, a long pedestrian street, running toward the Kremlin. Save the metro and buses for the farther districts.
• Try a Tatar meal at least once, and have tea with it, since tea is central to Tatar hospitality.
• Carry some cash as a backup, as card acceptance can be uneven, and check ahead how your own bank cards will work.
• Dress modestly and cover your head or shoulders when visiting working mosques and churches, and follow what local visitors do.
• Learn a few words of Russian or have a translation app ready, because English is not widely spoken outside hotels and the main tourist spots.
• Take a short walk or boat trip along the Volga to see the city from the water.

When to go

Summer is warm and long, with light evenings that suit the riverside and the parks. Autumn is pleasant and quieter, while winter is properly cold and snowy, which gives the Kremlin a postcard look if you are dressed for it. Spring arrives late and can be muddy as the snow melts, so late May to September is the easiest time for a first visit.

From the airport

Kazan International Airport lies southeast of the city, and the centre is roughly 25 to 30 kilometres away. An airport rail link runs to the city's main railway station, taking about 30 to 40 minutes, and taxis and ride-hailing cars make the same trip by road in a similar time depending on traffic. From the main station you can continue by metro or on foot to the Kremlin area.