Kazan Kremlin
A white-walled hilltop citadel and World Heritage Site that mixes Tatar and Russian architecture. Inside are a mosque, an Orthodox cathedral, a museum and views over the river.
Kazan
Tatarstan's capital, where Russian culture and Tatar Muslim culture meet around the Kul Sharif Mosque and the city's own Kremlin.
Attractive locations
Kul Sharif Mosque
A striking mosque inside the Kremlin with blue-topped minarets and a bright, ornate interior. It is among the largest mosques in Russia, and visitors are welcome outside prayer times.
Soyembika Tower
A tall brick tower in the Kremlin that leans slightly to one side. Local legends surround it, and it is among the city's best-loved symbols.
Temple of All Religions
An unusual building of many domes and towers styled after different faiths, created by a local artist. It is a cultural curiosity rather than a place of worship.
Bauman Street
A pedestrian street in the centre of Kazan running from near the Kremlin, lined with cafes, shops, statues and street performers. It is a popular place for an evening stroll.
Sviyazhsk
A small island town where the Volga and Sviyaga rivers meet, with a historic monastery and old wooden and stone churches. It is a usual day trip from Kazan.
Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral
A baroque Orthodox cathedral near the Kremlin, built in the early 18th century. Its ornate facade and decorated interior are open to visitors.
Airports
Kazan International Airport KZN
It is about 23 km in a straight line from Kazan.
Cheboksary Airport CSY
It is about 115 km in a straight line from Kazan.
Scams and safe taxis
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan-13.9 °C45 mm
- Feb-12.7 °C37 mm
- Mar-5.6 °C46 mm
- Apr3.2 °C44 mm
- May12.7 °C53 mm
- Jun16.5 °C69 mm
- Jul19.5 °C72 mm
- Aug17.5 °C61 mm
- Sep11.5 °C54 mm
- Oct3.5 °C63 mm
- Nov-4.4 °C50 mm
- Dec-11.8 °C51 mm
Driest months: Jan, Feb, Apr. Wettest months: Jun, Jul, Oct.
Costs
Prices here are about 35% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Who can help
Emergency
112 for all emergencies. Police 102. Ambulance 103. Fire 101.
ngo
Russian Red Cross Society
Helps with: Russia's national Red Cross society. Its programmes include first aid training, restoring family links and tracing, disaster relief, and a migration desk. Reception is open Monday to Friday, 10:00 to 19:00.
Who qualifies: People in Russia who need its first aid, family tracing, disaster relief or migrant support services.
Phone: +7 (499) 126-75-71
Email: mail@redcross.ru
Address: Cheremushkinsky Proezd 5, Moscow
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Russia
Helps with: The UN migration agency. Its Moscow office has worked in Russia since 1992 on migration management, crisis response and cooperation with partners. Contact is through its office and online form.
Who qualifies: Migrants and migration partners in Russia. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +7 495 660 77 82
Address: 4 Stasovoy Street, 119071 Moscow
local government
Ministry of Civil Defence, Emergencies and Disaster Relief (EMERCOM)
Helps with: Russia's national ministry for emergencies and disaster response. Its site lists the fire and rescue number 101 and an information helpline, and offers psychological aid and registration of tourist groups.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Russia needing fire, rescue or disaster help; tourist groups can use its registration service.
Phone: 101
Address: 1 Vatutina Street, Fili-Davydkovo, Moscow 121357
local government
Single emergency number 112 (Moscow city portal)
Helps with: Russia's single emergency number, listed on the Moscow city portal. The page also lists separate numbers for fire 101, police 102, ambulance 103 and gas 104. Calls to 911 are forwarded to 112.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Russia, including from mobile phones; the page says it works without an inserted SIM card.
Phone: 112
embassy
Finding your embassy or consulate in Russia (Moscow city portal)
Helps with: For emergencies, lost passports or detention, contact your own country's embassy or consulate. This Moscow city portal page explains what they do and says the Foreign Ministry website lists the missions in Moscow.
Who qualifies: Citizens of each country, through their own embassy or consulate.