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.
A special zest in winter travel is added by the huge opportunities for active outdoor activities: ice skating, skiing, sledging and cheesecakes. The streets of the city on the eve of the New Year are decorated with colorful New Year's illumination. Architectural monuments look picturesque against the background of winter landscapes.
Weather
Continental climatic conditions provide real winter weather in Kazan in December. Even during the day, there are negative temperatures of -3-10˚С. 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, the city has only one clear day, 9 days with long rainfall. The rest of the time there is cloudy weather or partly cloudy: the sun peeps out for a short time and is soon covered by clouds.
Is it cold in December
Winter does not spoil with warmth. Fresh wind from the Volga and Kazanka, high humidity up to 89% enhance 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 free of movement. There are many interesting things in Kazan, most likely your rest 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 a non-slip sole. In December, there are often freezing rains and sleet.
What to watch
You should start exploring the city from the White Stone Kremlin, located on the cape of the left bank of the Volga and Kazanka. On the territory (admission is free) there is the Presidential Palace with gilded gates, the falling Syuyumbike tower, the Kul-Sharif mosque, which can be viewed from the inside. The Cathedral of the Annunciation 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. The colorful illumination is reminiscent of a winter fairytale. There are many shops and cafes on the street, and since mid-December there are fairs and theater performances.
It is interesting to walk along the Tatarskaya Sloboda, where the residential houses of the Tatars of different classes, buildings of the 16th-17th centuries are located. Visit the interactive museum "Tatar 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 Chak-Chaka Museum is also located here.
National complex "Tugan Avylym" (T.Minnulina str. 14/56) - a street with log huts, where you will be treated to a national dinner cooked in the oven, services of a bath complex will be offered, a play center is open for children.
In the evening, the theaters of Kazan open their doors: them. Kachalova (Bauman str., 48), them. Kamala (Tatarstan street, 1), theater of opera and ballet named after M. Jalil (Svobody Square, 2).
Vacation with children
When you come on vacation with the whole family, you will find a lot of entertainment for children in the city. Aquapark "Riviera" (F. Amirkhan st., 1) is open all year round. There are more than fifty attractions here. There is a Ferris wheel nearby, and the cabins are heated and equipped with music.
Visit the oceanarium (M. Gafura str., 46) - over 3000 species of fish, stingrays, sharks, crocodiles are presented in huge aquariums. Puppet theater "Ekiyat" (St. Petersburgskaya, 57) in the form of a fairy-tale castle leaves an unforgettable experience for children. RC "Vnebopark" (street Moskovskaya, 48) has a trampoline arena, climbing wall, rope town.
In the RC "FUN No. 24" (M. Gafuri str., 46), the purchased ticket implies unlimited access to the gaming zones. In inclement weather, you can visit a circus, a modern planetarium, a theater for young spectators. Teenagers will be interested in the game center "Country of Quests" (Zaslonova st., 5), where they need to solve problems based on popular films. Club "CityZen" (R. Zorge street, 60) immerses visitors in virtual reality.
Tours
In winter, a sightseeing tour of the city is more enjoyable in a comfortable bus. You can take a trip with a visit to the Kazan Kremlin, or simply take a double-decker bus "Hop on-Hop off", explore the most remarkable places in Kazan and get off at the place that interests you. In winter, sightseeing trips around the evening city are popular.
Families with children will love the trip to the Wild Farm, where spotted deer and red deer roam freely. Visit to the city of professions "Kid-Space", where the child can play the role of a driver, baker, policeman or construction worker.
Schoolchildren will be interested in excursion quests "In Search of the Treasure" and "The Legend of the Tainitskaya Tower". The well-coordinated game of the team, solving problems and puzzles will help to find the treasure and protect the Kremlin from the squad of Ivan the Terrible. At any time of the year, excursions to the Sviyazh Island town and blue karst lakes, which do not freeze in the most severe frosts, are popular.
For those who are not afraid of long journeys, a trip to the city of Bolgar is offered with an inspection of an ancient settlement built in the XIII-XIV centuries, a complex of mausoleums, the famous White Mosque.
New Year
If you want to meet the New Year holidays in an unusual way, with a national flavor, it is not too late to plan a trip to Kazan at the end of December. The city celebrates the holiday on a grand scale. It is not customary to spend the New Year in front of the TV, 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 erected at the Kazan Wedding Palace. There is a New Year's program and a night disco until 3.00 am.
Many people meet the chimes while skating on skating rinks: the large indoor skating rink Nefis, on the Black River, the Kremlin embankment. Everywhere there are tents where you can warm up and have tea.
A trip to the residence of the Tatar Grandfather Frost - Kysh Babai in the village will leave an unforgettable experience for children. New Karlai. A fairy-tale house stands in a snow-covered pine forest, guests are greeted by the owner, the granddaughter of Kar-Kyzy and the retinue led by Shaitan.
Winter fun
Arriving in Kazan in December, you do not have to spend all the time in museums and entertainment centers. Numerous outdoor activities, widely developed in the city, will help you to feel all the charm of a real Russian winter. The longest ice skating rink in Russia (more than a kilometer) is being equipped on the Kremlin Embankment. Skates are available for hire, there are many places to warm up and have a snack.
In the park of culture and recreation. Gorky (next to the shopping center "Korston") in a cozy forest in the center of the city there are ski slopes, there is a skating rink "Trudovye Rezervy". In the evening twilight, the snow-covered alleys, decorated with New Year's illumination, are especially beautiful. The embankment near the Chash turns into a wonderful slide in winter. At the rental point you can always take sledges and cheesecakes. The dizzying descents will leave vivid impressions and wonderful photos.
In several districts, cities arrange fabulous towns with ice sculptures, snow compositions and slides. Chameleon lamps built into 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 the 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 - 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 your destination in the morning.
Housing prices are going down significantly in December. A room in a 3 * hotel costs from 1,850 rubles, 4 * - from 3,400 rubles. You can spend the night in the 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 travel than at other times of the year. Cheaper prices, no queues at museums, you can see the sights without hindrance. After freezing, you can go to one of the many cafes and, having tasted national dishes, form your opinion about the Tatar cuisine.
Those who celebrated the New Year in Kazan celebrate the wonderful energy of the oriental brightly decorated city, the festive atmosphere that reigns in the streets and squares that sinks into the soul. It seems that all people on New Year's Eve leave their homes and indulge in unrestrained fun.
Conclusion
Kazan is an amazing and diverse city. Here, the monuments of centuries old, adherence to folk traditions and the biorhythm of a large industrial metropolis merged into one. Visiting the city at any time of the year leaves an unforgettable experience.
The regional center is conveniently located and easily accessible 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, to actively relax in the fresh air.
