6 Things to Do in Kazan — Kremlin, Kul Sharif Mosque, and a Temple for All Faiths

Kazan is no ordinary Russian city — it is the point where two great civilisations converge. The Kazan Kremlin, a UNESCO World Heritage site, stands shoulder to shoulder with a gleaming white mosque; Orthodox bell towers rise next to Islamic minarets. The city holds both worlds without conflict, and when it hosted the 2013 Universiade and the 2018 FIFA World Cup, it showed the world it could perform on any international stage.

#1

📍 City centre of Kazan, on a hill above the Kazanka River

Kazan Kremlin

A UNESCO World Heritage site since 2000 and the heart of Kazan. The Kremlin was originally built by the Tatars in the 10th century before Tsar Ivan the Terrible conquered it in 1552. More than 1,800 metres of white stone walls enclose a mosque, churches, towers, and museums within a single complex. The fusion of Tatar and Russian architecture in one place is what makes Kazan unlike any other city on earth.

Best time 8–10 a.m. or dusk around 6–8 p.m., when floodlights illuminate the white walls

How to get there About a 5-minute walk from Kremlevskaya metro station, or take bus 6 or 15 and alight at the Kremlin stop

Travel tips

• Entry to the Kremlin grounds is free all day; individual museums inside charge separately — expect 200–400 roubles per attraction.
• Before 9 a.m. the crowds are thinnest. Morning light on the white walls is especially striking in winter.
• English- and Russian-language guided tours run every 1–2 hours. The history here is layered enough that a guide is worth the cost.

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#2

📍 Inside the Kazan Kremlin

Kul Sharif Mosque

The defining symbol of the Tatar people and of Russian Muslims. The mosque was rebuilt in 2005 to commemorate the original that was destroyed during Ivan the Terrible's conquest, and is named after a Tatar religious scholar who died in the battle of 1552. Its four minarets stand 57 metres tall, designed by Tatar architects; inside, the hall is decorated with mosaic tilework and Iranian carpets and can hold more than 10,000 worshippers.

Best time Weekday mornings 9–11 a.m., or mid-afternoon after 3 p.m. once the afternoon prayer has finished

How to get there Located inside the Kremlin — about a 5-minute walk from the Kremlin's main gate

Travel tips

• Women must cover their hair and wear long clothing — headscarves are available to borrow free at the entrance. Men should wear long sleeves and trousers.
• The mosque is closed to visitors during prayer times, particularly Friday midday prayer. Check the schedule in advance.
• The upper floor houses a museum of Tatar Islamic history that is well worth the 150-rouble admission.

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#3

📍 Staroye Arakchino district, west of Kazan city centre

Temple of All Religions

One of the most architecturally singular buildings on earth. It was created by Ildar Khanov, a Tatar artist who dreamed of a place where all faiths could coexist, and it incorporates symbols from 16 religions — Orthodox gold domes, Islamic minarets, a Chinese-style roof, the Star of David, and more. Construction began in 1994 and was still ongoing when Khanov died in 2013, having devoted his life to the project.

Best time Afternoon, 1–5 p.m., for the best light. Open daily, no admission charge.

How to get there Take the metro to Kozya Sloboda station, then a bus or taxi for around 15 minutes — roughly 30–40 minutes total from the city centre

Travel tips

• Parts of the exterior are visibly unfinished — that is intentional and part of the building's character and authenticity.
• The best photography angle is from the Volga riverbank in front of the building; afternoon light catches the gold domes well.
• Pair the visit with a Volga river cruise, which passes directly in front of the temple.

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#4

📍 Inside the Kazan Kremlin

Soyembika Tower

Another Kazan landmark, this one with a melancholy legend. The red-brick tower stands 58 metres tall, was built in the 17th century, and leans approximately 2 metres from vertical — a tilt that draws comparisons to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Legend holds that Queen Soyembika ordered the tower built and then threw herself from the top to avoid capture by Tsar Ivan. The story lacks confirmed historical evidence, but it gives the tower an air of mystery that no guidebook quite erases.

Best time Morning or dusk, when raking light picks out the detail in the red brickwork

How to get there Inside the Kremlin, about a 2-minute walk from Kul Sharif Mosque

Travel tips

• Climbing the tower is not permitted, but the best photo angle is from the Kremlin courtyard in front of it, with Kul Sharif Mosque in the background.
• English-language information panels at the base explain the history and the legend even-handedly.
• Step back about 50 metres to see the lean clearly — it is much more visible from a distance than from directly beneath.

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#5

📍 Old Town centre of Kazan, extending from the Kremlin

Bauman Street

Kazan's main pedestrian street, stretching roughly 1 kilometre from the Kremlin into the old town. The strip is lined with colourful classical Russian architecture, cafés, souvenir shops, and several good photo stops. The famous Kazan Cat sculpture stands at the midpoint — legend holds that Catherine the Great sent 30 Kazan cats to the Hermitage to control its mice problem, and touching the statue brings good luck. It is the most lively part of Kazan at almost any hour.

Best time Late afternoon to evening, 4–9 p.m., for the liveliest scene; early morning for architecture shots without crowds

How to get there The Kremlin end of the street is a 2-minute walk from the Kremlin gate; Kremlevskaya metro station is nearby

Travel tips

• The Kazan Cat sculpture sits roughly halfway along the street. The story linking it to Catherine the Great and the Hermitage is displayed on the plaque beside it.
• Several shops along the street sell chak-chak — a Tatar honey-and-dough confection. Try a few stalls to compare.
• The atmosphere is best between 5 and 8 p.m., with street musicians performing and restaurant terraces lit up.

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#6

📍 Inside the Kazan Kremlin, directly opposite Kul Sharif Mosque

Annunciation Cathedral, Kazan

The oldest Orthodox church in Kazan, commissioned by Tsar Ivan the Terrible immediately after his conquest of the city in 1552 — making it one of the first stone churches built in Russia. Inside, the cathedral preserves ancient icons and frescoes dating from the 16th to 19th centuries. The fact that it faces Kul Sharif Mosque across the Kremlin courtyard has made it the defining visual symbol of Kazan's two-faith identity.

Best time Weekday mornings 9 a.m.–12 p.m., for good light and quiet

How to get there Inside the Kremlin, about a 3-minute walk from the main gate, directly opposite Kul Sharif Mosque

Travel tips

• Open only on days without religious services — call ahead to confirm: +7 843 292-72-32.
• Women must cover their heads; men must remove hats. Head coverings are available to borrow at the entrance.
• Frame both the cathedral and the mosque in a single shot from the courtyard — it captures Kazan's dual identity in one image.

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