The third capital of Russia with a thousand-year history attracts tourists at any time of the year. The city skillfully intertwines original culture, Tatar hospitality, historical traditions and service at the level of European standards. A trip to Kazan in December is a great way to relax. No one will be bored here and there is always something to do.
Weather
Continental climatic conditions provide real winter weather in Kazan in December. Even during the day, negative temperatures of -3-10˚С are observed. At night, the thermometer drops to -15˚С. Frequent precipitation in the form of snow leads to the formation of a stable winter cover on the soil. Most of the month it is cloudy, the sun rarely shines.
On average, in the first winter month, only one clear day is recorded in the city, 9 days with prolonged precipitation. The rest of the time is cloudy weather or partly cloudy: the sun looks out for a short time and is soon covered with clouds.
Is it cold in December
Winter does not indulge in warmth. Fresh wind from the Volga and Kazanka, high humidity up to 89% increase the feeling of chilliness. In order not to catch a cold on a trip, you should thoroughly think over your wardrobe. Clothing should be warm, waterproof and not restrict movement. There are a lot of interesting things in Kazan, most likely your vacation will be active.
A windproof jacket with a hood, a hat, a woolen scarf, gloves, a sweater will come in handy. Shoes must be resistant to moisture and have non-slip soles. In December, there are often freezing rains and sleet.
What to see
It is worth starting a tour of the city from the White Stone Kremlin, located on a cape on the left bank of the Volga and Kazanka. On the territory (free entrance) is the Presidential Palace with gilded gates, the leaning Syuyumbike tower, the Kul-Sharif mosque, which can be viewed from the inside. The Annunciation Cathedral is also located here – as a symbol of the peaceful coexistence of the Christian and Muslim religions.
Bauman pedestrian street in winter is especially beautiful in the evening. Colorful illumination reminds of a winter fairy tale. There are many shops and cafes on the street. Fairs and theatrical performances are held from mid-December.
It is interesting to walk along the Tatarskaya Sloboda, where there are residential houses of Tatars of different classes, built in the 16th-17th centuries. Go to the interactive museum “Tatarskaya Sloboda” (K. Nasyri, 38), where you can get acquainted with the cultural and everyday traditions of the people of Tatarstan. Take part in a master class on making famous national sweets. The museum “Chak-Chaka” is also located here.
Tugan Avylym National Complex (14/56 T. Minnulina Street) is a street with log huts, where you will be treated to a national dinner cooked in the oven, you will be offered the services of a bath complex, and there is a play center for children.
In the evening, the theaters of Kazan open their doors: them. Kachalov (st. Bauman, 48), them. Kamala (St. Tatarstan, 1), Opera and Ballet Theatre. M. Jalil (Svoboda Square, 2).
Vacation with children
Arriving on vacation with the whole family, you will find in the city a lot of entertainment for children. The water park “Riviera” (F. Amirkhan str., 1) is open all year round. There are more than fifty attractions here. Nearby there is a Ferris wheel, cabins are equipped with heating and music.
Visit the oceanarium (M. Gafur str., 46) – in huge aquariums there are more than 3,000 species of fish, stingrays, sharks, crocodiles. Puppet theater “Ekiyat” (street Petersburg, 57) in the form of a fairy-tale castle leaves an unforgettable impression on the children. RC “Vnebopark” (ul. Moskovskaya, 48) has a trampoline arena, a climbing wall, a rope town.
In the RC “FUN №24” (M. Gafuri St., 46) the purchased ticket implies unlimited access to the gaming areas. In inclement weather, you can visit a circus, a modern planetarium, a theater for young spectators. Teenagers will be interested in the Country of Quests game center (Zaslonova St., 5), where they need to solve problems based on popular films. Club “CityZen” (R. Zorge str., 60) immerses visitors in virtual reality.
Excursions
In winter, a sightseeing tour of the city is more pleasant in a comfortable bus. You can take a trip with a visit to the Kazan Kremlin or just take a double-decker Hop on-Hop off shuttle bus, see the most remarkable places in Kazan and get off at the place you are interested in. In winter, sightseeing trips around the city in the evening are popular.
Families with children will enjoy a trip to the Wild Farm, where spotted deer and deer roam freely. A visit to the city of professions “Kid Space”, where the child can play the role of a driver, baker, policeman or builder.
Schoolchildren will be interested in excursion-quests “In Search of Treasure” and “Legend of the Tainitskaya Tower”. Coordinated team play, solving problems and puzzles will help you find the treasure and protect the Kremlin from Ivan the Terrible's retinue. At any time of the year, excursions to the Island-town of Sviyazh and blue karst lakes, which do not freeze in the most severe frosts, are popular.
For those who are not afraid of long journeys, we offer a trip to the city of Bolgar with a tour of the ancient settlement built in the 13th-14th centuries, a complex of mausoleums, and the famous White Mosque.
New Year
If you want to celebrate the New Year holidays in an unusual way, with a national flavor, it's not too late to plan a trip to Kazan at the end of December. The holiday in the city is met with a big bang. It is not customary to spend the New Year watching TV here, thousands of people take to the decorated streets and congratulate each other.
The busiest places are St. Bauman, Millennium Park, pl. Freedom.
It is noisy, fun, music sounds, the night sky is colored with fireworks. The main city Christmas tree with a height of more than 30 m is installed near the Kazan Wedding Palace. There is a New Year's program and a night disco until 3.00 in the morning.
Many meet the chimes by riding on skating rinks: the large indoor Nefis skating rink, on the Black River, the Kremlin Embankment. Everywhere there are tents where you can warm up and drink tea.
Unforgettable impressions will be left for children by a trip to the residence of the Tatar Father Frost – Kysh Babay in the village. New Karlai. The fabulous house stands in a snow-covered pine forest, the guests are met by the owner, the granddaughter of Kar-Kyzy and the retinue headed by Shaitan.
Winter fun
Arriving in Kazan in December, you will not have to spend all your time in museums and entertainment centers. Numerous outdoor entertainments, widely developed in the city, will help you feel the charm of a real Russian winter. The largest ice skating rink in Russia (more than a kilometer) is being equipped on the Kremlin Embankment. Skates are available for rent, and there are many places where you can warm up and have a bite to eat.
In the park of culture and recreation. Gorky (near the shopping center “Korston”) in a cozy forest in the center of the city there are ski slopes, there is a skating rink “Labor reserves”. In the evening twilight, the snow-covered alleys, decorated with New Year's illumination, are especially beautiful. The embankment at the Chasha turns into a wonderful hill in winter. At the rental point, you can always take sleds and cheesecakes. From the dizzying descents, vivid impressions and wonderful photos will remain.
In several districts, cities arrange fabulous towns with ice sculptures, snow compositions and slides. The chameleon lamps built into the thickness of the ice paint the ice statues in all the colors of the rainbow.
The cost of travel
It is convenient to get to Kazan by plane or train. The cost of an air ticket is from 1,199 rubles, the travel time is 1 hour 30 minutes.
The duration of the trip by train is about 12 hours, the price of a reserved seat is from 900 rubles, a compartment is from 1,840 rubles. There are several flights to the city from Moscow, you can choose a convenient landing time. Take the train in the evening, and arrive at the place in the morning.
Check train ticket prices online
Housing prices in December are significantly reduced. A room in hotel 3 costs from 1,850 rubles, 4 – from 3,400 rubles. You can spend the night in a guest house for 1,000-1,200 rubles.
The cost of a trip for two for 5 nights is approximately 20-25 thousand rubles. taking into account the cost of food, excursions and entertainment.
Reviews of tourists
Most travelers agree that Kazan in December is no worse for traveling than at other times of the year. Cheaper prices, no queues at museums, you can see the sights without interference. Having frozen, you can go to one of the many cafes and, after tasting national dishes, form your own opinion about the Tatar cuisine.
Those who celebrated the New Year in Kazan note the wonderful energy of the brightly decorated city in the oriental style, the festive atmosphere that sinks into the soul, reigning in the streets and squares. It seems that all people on New Year's Eve leave their houses and indulge in unbridled fun.
Conclusion
Kazan is an amazing and diverse city. Here, the monuments of centuries-old antiquity, adherence to folk traditions and the biorhythm of a large industrial metropolis merged together. Visiting the city at any time of the year leaves an unforgettable experience.
The regional center is conveniently located, it is easy to get to it from most settlements in Central Russia. This allows you to make the trip quite budget. A trip to an ancient, colorful, amazingly beautiful city is a variety of entertainment, an opportunity to touch the original history of the Tatar people, and actively relax in the fresh air.