October is a great, if not entirely obvious, time to take a vacation. Its main advantage is that the “velvet season” has already passed, which means that everyone is gradually returning to work and business, and there are not too many tourists on the streets. Mid-autumn is perfect for fans to calmly stroll through the streets and visit sights and museums without the accompanying crowd.
Weather
Most of the days (two thirds of the month) are usually cloudy. There are enough rainy days, about seven. You should not hope for sunny days – according to statistics, they are few, two or three per month, and they fall in the first half of October.
The temperature drops steadily throughout the month – if in the first week it averages +9 ° during the day, then by the end it will drop to only +2 °. However, you should prepare for the feeling that it is somewhat colder in the city – this will be facilitated by a constant wind (speed – a little more than five meters per second).
Is it cold in October
As mentioned above, the average temperature in Kazan is +5°-7°, which drops towards the end of the month. When thinking about what to take with you from clothes, you should also consider strong winds, which can make the air seem cooler than it is. An important role is played by the proximity of the rivers – the Volga and Kazanka (as you know, it is always colder near the water than among buildings). This should also be taken into account by those who are going to visit the famous Kaban lakes located within the city.
Of course, everyone perceives the cold in their own way. The best option would be to go in a demi-season jacket or coat, and perhaps take something with you that you can wear under it and keep warm – a jacket, cardigan or sweater.
What to see
Speaking of sights, you should start with the local Kremlin. The most famous places are concentrated in a small area, such as the Kul-Sharif mosque (with the museum of Islamic culture located inside) and the “falling” Syuyumbike tower.
Nearby is the famous Palace of the Farmer. The building houses the office of the Ministry of Agriculture, and attracts tourists with its unusual exterior and grandiose night illumination.
From the Kremlin embankment, you can admire the view of the opposite bank of the river, as well as the Chasha, a building in the shape of a huge cauldron. The registry office and the family center are located there. On the roof of the building there is an observation deck with a phenomenal view of the historic city center.
Bauman Street is great for walking – a local analogue of the Moscow Arbat. It originates just at the Kremlin (namely, at the monument to the dragon Zilant), and runs south, through the city center.
Not far from its intersection with Pushkin Street there are several museums, for example, the Tatarskaya Sloboda (where tourists can listen to the history of Tatarstan, as well as learn about the life and everyday life of the Tatars).
For fans of more modern history, it will be interesting for us to visit the Museum of Socialist Life, dedicated to the everyday life of Soviet citizens. An attack of nostalgia is provided for everyone.
Also obligatory to visit is the embankment of Lake Kaban. Actually, Kaban is a system of three lakes. Now only the embankment of the closest to the city center, the so-called “Upper Boar”, has been ennobled: there are cafes, boat rentals, and even a barbecue area.
Vacation with children
The Kremlin embankment is well suited for families with children – in addition to several cafes, there are several small attractions. On the opposite side of the river is Kyrlay Park – it is larger and the attractions there are more diverse, you can spend the whole day there.
Especially for children who love sweets, you can plan a visit to the chak-chak museum. On the one hand, this is informative – the hostess of the house will tell not only about the famous Tatar sweets, but also about some of the customs of Tatarstan, as well as about the life of an ordinary Tatar house. On the other hand, it will not do without treats – after a short excursion, guests are invited to the hall, where they are treated not only to chak-chak with tea, but also to baursak and marshmallow.
Excursions
There are a lot of sightseeing tours around the city. For those who are in the city for only a day or two, short ones, for a couple of hours, in the afternoon or evening, are suitable. You can choose a sightseeing tour of the city (the vast majority involve visiting the Kremlin) – during it, tourists will be told about the main attractions, which will help to plan a further route.
For those who are in the capital of Tatarstan for a longer period, excursions to the outskirts of the city are suitable – for example, a visit to the Ecumenical Temple, a trip to Sviyazhsk (an island city with churches and monasteries) or to Bolgar (an ancient city with buildings preserved from the time of the Tatars -Mongol yoke).
The cost of travel
Getting to Kazan is easy. It is best to use a train or plane from Moscow – these are the cheapest and most reliable ways. The journey by train will take, on average, twelve hours. Ticket prices are dynamic (the closer to the date, the higher the price), but out of season you can buy very inexpensive tickets. A trip in a reserved seat, on average, will cost about 2,000 rubles, in a compartment – about 3,000 rubles. Tickets will cost a little less if you leave during the day and arrive early in the morning.
Check train ticket prices online
Tickets for a direct flight from Moscow will cost about 1,600 rubles (the exact cost depends on the carrier company). Flight time is about one and a half hours. It is important to consider that the airport is located 26 km from the city. You can get to the city by bus or train.
There are no problems with housing in the city either – you can find a hotel for every taste. For example, rooms in hostels cost from 850 rubles per night. In an inexpensive but good hotel 3, a vacation will cost about 2,000 per night. Finally, in a hotel 4 nights will cost, on average, 4,000-4,500 rubles.
Thus, a trip for 5 days will cost 12,000 rubles (4,000 for a round-trip train, and 8,000 for four nights in a 3 * hotel).
Reviews of tourists
Most tourists agree that Kazan is a beautiful city with a rich history. Many note the variety of excursions and a large number of interesting museums. Tourists traveling with cameras especially note the night views of Kazan. The architecture, somewhat monotonous during the day, is transformed at night due to illumination.
Tatar cuisine deserves a special place in the reviews. Everyone notes its diversity, satiety and special taste, but they urge you to be careful when choosing a restaurant (for example, pay attention to prices, which you can always check before visiting the Internet).
On average, tourists come to the conclusion that it makes sense to allocate from two to five days to the city – and then only if you plan to visit out-of-town attractions.
Conclusion
Holidays in Kazan are an excellent choice for those who want to immerse themselves in the study of a new culture. There are plenty of options to spend time here – from walking along the streets and embankments and visiting amusement parks to long excursions around the city and its environs.
Prices deserve special attention – both hotels, cafes and restaurants are democratic, which allows you to even save a little on vacation. A trip to the capital of Tatarstan can be safely recommended to any friends and acquaintances, because it will not leave anyone indifferent.