Things To Do
in Kazan

A triangular baked pastry filled with meat, potatoes and onions; widely available in bakeries and traditional restaurants.

Must-Try!

Fried or baked meat pie with juicy filling, a common street-food snack sold at bakeries and kiosks around the city.

Sticky fried dough balls coated in honey syrup; the classic Tatar dessert found in markets, cafes and sweet shops.

A large round meat-and-potato pie often served on festive occasions and available in restaurants specializing in Tatar cuisine.

Traditional market selling fresh produce, local dairy, meats and small stalls offering quick bites like pies and kebabs—good for tasting local ingredients.

Street vendors and small kiosks along the main pedestrian street serve pastries, blini, coffee and peremech—convenient for on-the-go tasting.

Handshake and eye contact are common in formal situations; using a polite Russian greeting (Zdravstvuyte) is appreciated. Address older people with respect and use surnames with patronymics if you know them.

When visiting mosques and churches, dress modestly—cover shoulders and remove hats as appropriate; follow signs and staff instructions. Be respectful photographing worshippers and rituals.

Hosts may ask guests to remove shoes indoors—bringing slippers or wearing clean socks is considerate. Bringing a small gift (flowers, sweets) is appreciated when invited to a home.

Avoid hot political topics or stereotyping; locals are proud of Tatar culture—showing interest and asking polite questions is welcome.

Tipping around 5–10% in restaurants is customary if service is good; rounding up taxi fares and leaving small tips for porters is common but not obligatory. In smaller cafes and markets tipping is less expected.

Credit and debit cards (Visa/Mastercard) are widely accepted in hotels, larger restaurants and shops; many places also accept contactless and mobile payments. Have some cash (rubles) for markets, small vendors and marshrutkas; Russian domestic card system Mir is common as well.

Warm and pleasant (average 20–28°C), long daylight hours, ideal for walking, river cruises and outdoor festivals. Peak travel season—expect more crowds at popular sites.

Cooler temperatures with colorful foliage (September–October), fewer tourists and crisp air; pack layers and a waterproof jacket for rain.

Cold continental winters (often −5 to −20°C) with snow; beautiful for winter scenes and ice activities but bring warm clothing and be prepared for icy sidewalks.

Variable weather with thaw and mud in March–April, gradually warming in May; great time for lower prices and blooming parks—pack layers.

Main airport serving Kazan with domestic flights across Russia and seasonal/international connections. Located about 25–30 km from the city center; taxis and airport buses connect to downtown.

Regional airport serving the nearby industrial cities (Nizhnekamsk, Naberezhnye Chelny) ~60–90 km away—useful as an alternate regional gateway with shuttle or road connections to Kazan.

Tatars are a significant and influential ethnic group in the republic—Tatar language and Islamic traditions shape local culture.

Ethnic Russians form a large part of the population, contributing to Orthodox traditions and Russian-language culture.

Kazan is a major educational center with universities drawing students from across Russia and abroad, creating a lively young demographic.

Various ethnic groups from across Russia and former Soviet states live in Kazan, adding to its multicultural mix.