In 2024, Ufa celebrated its 450th anniversary and underwent significant transformations. The streets of Lenin, the Belaya River embankment, and the Lesovodov and Neftekhimikov parks were renovated. The city has become more cozy and hospitable, as if it were inviting you to visit. The guide contains everything you need to know about Ufa.
Contents
- How to get there
- Where to stay
- What to see and do
- Where to eat
- What to bring back
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How to get there
By plane. There are about 10 direct flights from Moscow to Ufa every day from Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, and Vnukovo. The journey takes only a couple of hours, and tickets start at 3,800 rubles. Ufa Airport named after Mustai Karim was recently renovated, and the Neboart Hotel appeared next to the terminal.
By train.The journey from Moscow will take at least 22 hours on the South Ural high-speed train or about 30 hours on regular trains. Tickets — from 2200 rub. From other cities, for example, from Yekaterinburg, you can get there in just 15-16 hours, starting from 2,300 rubles.
By bus. It takes about a day to get from Moscow, tickets start from 1600 rubles. From Kazan and Yekaterinburg it is faster — 8 hours, but the ticket will cost 2000-3000 rubles
By car. The M-12 toll highway can be reached in 13 hours, and the free roads can be reached in 17 hours. The journey from Kazan and Yekaterinburg takes the same amount of time as a bus ride, about 14-15 hours.
About 10 direct flights fly from Moscow to Ufa every day. Photo: frantic00/Shutterstock.com
Where to stay
In Ufa, you can easily find accommodation for every taste, from cozy apartments to five-star hotels with international names. We have compiled a selection of good options in the historical center area.
Bashkiria Hotel Complex. A five-star hotel with a unique Bashkir flavor in its interiors and atmosphere. The building was constructed in 1939 and has the status of an architectural monument. The hotel’s restaurant serves traditional Bashkir cuisine. Rooms start at 8,553 RUB.
Sheraton Plaza Ufa Congress Hotel. This luxurious hotel offers a comfortable and serviced environment. Guests can enjoy a beautiful interior, high-quality service, and a convenient location near the National Museum, the Opera and Ballet Theatre, and Salavat Yulaev Park. Rooms start at 15,000 RUB.
Sheraton Plaza Ufa Congress Hotel.
Hills Garden. Formerly a Hilton hotel. The main advantage of the hotel is the view of the Belaya River and the monument to Salavat Yulaev. All the city’s attractions are within walking distance. Rooms start at 9,196 RUB.
Trevel Hall Apartments. A cozy apartment in the heart of the city in a new building. Just a few steps away are the Gostiny Dvor, various establishments, a bus stop, and two parks. The apartment features a smart home system and contactless check-in. Night — from 3369 rub.
Ufa Hostel. A budget option close to the main attractions. Inside, there is a colorful interior and ergonomic common areas. There are several accommodation options: capsules and dormitories for 4 or 6 people — from 900 rubles, as well as separate double rooms — from 2274 rubles.
Travel Hall Apartments.
What to see and do
Take a photo in front of the monument to Salavat Yulaev
Salavat Yulaev is a national hero and an important figure in the history of Bashkortostan: a fighter for freedom and land, a poet and storyteller, and the author of more than 500 works. Streets, squares, and parks throughout the republic are named after him, as well as the capital’s hockey team.
There is an amphitheater near the park — in the summer, concerts, festivals, and open-air film screenings are often held here. There is a steep staircase leading down to the embankment, and you can also drive down to it from the road near the Bashkir State University.
The monument to Salavat Yulaev is the hallmark of Ufa and the largest equestrian statue in Europe. Photo: Art Konovalov/Shutterstock.com
Check out the Art Square
The area features impressive art objects, including the “Boy with a Kurai” by Rustam Salemgareev, the “Kiss” live sculpture, the “Courtyard 100 Years Ago” mural, painted walls, mosaic panels, and sea containers filled with food, drinks, and souvenirs.
A modern space with an atmosphere reminiscent of New Holland in St. Petersburg. Photo: asp-id/Yandex.Maps
Visit the Gostiny Dvor
Like other tourist cities, Ufa has its own Gostiny Dvor. The first shopping arcades appeared in the 19th century, and they were completely rebuilt in 1999 and restored to their current appearance in 2014. The building is a cultural heritage site.
In the summer, outdoor restaurant terraces are open on the square, and in the winter, an ice rink is set up. Inside the Gostinka, as it is known in Ufa, there are souvenir shops selling honey, tea, elements of national costume, postcards, and magnets. It is also home to the city’s first gastronomic space, shops, a fitness club, a creative workshop, and a recording studio.
One of the most recognizable landmarks in Ufa is located just a minute’s walk from the square. The “Seven Girls” fountain is considered the largest in the city. Its composition is inspired by the Bashkir legend of the same name about seven sisters who chose freedom over captivity. The fountain looks especially beautiful at night, with its lighting and music.
The first shopping arcades appeared in the 19th century. Photo: dentorson/Shutterstock.com
Visit the National Museum
At the National Museum, you will learn more about the republic and its history, natural resources, flora and fauna, archaeology, and ethnography. In addition to permanent exhibitions, temporary exhibitions are organized for important events or celebrations, such as the 105th anniversary of the writer Mustafa Karim in 2025. You can walk around the museum on your own or as part of a guided tour or a thematic tour.
We recommend visiting the museum’s branches, such as the cozy house museum of Sergey Aksakov, the author of “The Scarlet Flower,” or the atmosphericThe Chaliapin Music Museum, where you can feel the spirit of his era.
In the national museum, you will learn more about the republic and its history, natural resources, flora and fauna, archaeology, and ethnography. Photo: Ovchinnikova Irina/Shutterstock.com
See the Lala Tulip Mosque
If you have explored the historical center of the city, head towards Chernikovka. At the entrance, you will find the Lala Tulip Mosque, which features an unusual architectural design with its minarets resembling the buds of a spring tulip. Inside, you’ll find traditional ornaments, crystal chandeliers, colorful stained glass windows, and a carpeted floor. The entrance is open, but remember the rules: men should remove their shoes, cover their shoulders and legs, and women should wear a headscarf.
The Victory Park is a picturesque area near the mosque, providing a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Take a stroll through the trees and reach the Dezhnevskaya Stairs. If you feel like it, go down to the beach on the Belaya River. It has a beautiful view, and it’s nice to just sit by the water.
At the entrance, you’ll find the Lala Tulip Mosque, which has an unusual architectural style. Photo: pdeminhiker/Shutterstock.com
Go to Pavlovka
If you’re looking for a getaway, head to the Pavlovka Reservoir, which is located two hours away from Ufa. Along the way, you’ll encounter picturesque landscapes, and locals often refer to the area as “Little Switzerland.” Make sure to stop at the Krasny Klyuch, a spring with emerald-colored drinking water. Additionally, explore the Red Rocks, which offer stunning views. In the summer, it’s a pleasure to swim, sunbathe, and simply relax by the water in Pavlovka.
On your way back, you can stop by the Holy Bushes Monastery, a peaceful suburb of the Assumption Holy George Monastery with a picturesque garden. The name comes from an old legend: supposedly, three birches and two willows intertwined here. After that, locals began to hear bells ringing and experience visions. People started coming here to pray, and the place gained a special power.
On your way, you’ll find picturesque nature, and locals even call the area “Little Switzerland.” Photo: Wild_bik/Shutterstock.com
Climbing the Shikhane
Head towards Sterlitamak and visit the Toratau National Park. Here, you can climb to the top of the famous Shikhane and enjoy panoramic views from a height of 280 meters above the ground. Previously, the trails were wild, but recently, they have been equipped with stairs, railings, and benches for rest. There are souvenir shops and cafes at the entrance to the park. We recommend ordering Bashkir tea and relaxing on the terrace after a day of activity.
If you visit in August or September, make sure to bring your camera. The road to Toratau is lined with vast fields of sunflowers, providing stunning photo opportunities.
Toratau National Park. Photo: Tramp57/Shutterstock.com
Where to eat
In Ufa, you can find restaurants of almost any cuisine in the world, but you should start with the local one. Bashkir food is satisfying, tasty and distinctive: horse meat, koumiss, kystyby and baursaki. We’ve collected places where all this is served — and added a couple of trendy establishments to balance it out.
“Duslyk”. A traditional restaurant where you can enjoy rich horse meat broth, beshbarmak with meat and slices of boiled dough, and eremsek, a sweet red cottage cheese, for dessert. The restaurant’s name, which translates to “friendship” in Bashkir, reflects the warm atmosphere.
Aibat Hallyar. The national fast food menu features a modern interpretation of the kystyby dish. In its standard version, it is a flatbread filled with millet or potatoes. There is a variety of fillings to choose from: chicken, fish, vegetables, marbled beef patty, and four types of cheese. Of course, you can also try the classic options.
«Azyk-Tulek». An authentic restaurant with national ornaments in the interior and soothing Bashkir music. The dishes are prepared using farm-fresh ingredients. The menu includes homemade dumplings, horse and lamb dishes, beshbarmak, and baursak, which are pieces of dough dipped in honey and similar to chak-chak. For a deeper cultural experience, you can book a 10-person yurt.
«August». A Scandinavian-style cafe with a slight Italian influence, offering bruschetta, eggplant with Parmesan, pizza, and pasta. Breakfast is served until 16:00, which is perfect for a leisurely start to the day.
Hedonist. A trendy gastrobar where Ufa residents line up on weekends. Creative dishes, interesting cocktails, and a stylish summer terrace are perfect for those who appreciate the atmosphere.
Aibat Hallyar. Photo: laas1637/Yandex.Maps
What to bring
- Bashkir sweets. For sweets: chak-chak, baursak, nath — thin pieces of dough in honey, eremsek, or just honey or honey with nuts. Among the delicacies are kazy or kazylyk, a horse meat sausage, pressed horse meat, and korot, balls with the taste of cheese and cottage cheese. All of this is complemented by herbal tea from the Bashkir meadows.
- National costume. For example, skullcaps, bureks, kashmaw, and ethnic-style jewelry with coins. They can be not only worn, but also used as decor — it looks spectacular.
- Kurai. A flute made of a plant stem, a national instrument and a symbol of Bashkortostan. It can be not only brought, but also try to learn how to play it — master classes are held in Ufa.
- Souvenirs with humor. The symbol “Өfө” (this is how Ufa is written in Bashkir) looks like three screws — hence the name of the local brand. Mugs, t-shirts, bags, and even hats with three screws can be easily found in souvenir shops.
- Tableware with an ornament. Plates, bowls, and teapots with national ornaments or city symbols are a practical and beautiful souvenir.
You can buy souvenirs at Gostiny Dvor, the Art Square souvenir shop, and the tourist yurts opposite. For delicious snacks, go to the Central Shopping Center.
Bashkir goodies. Photo: Dmitrij Galacewicz/Shutterstock.com
Save the guidebook, plan your route — Ufa is waiting for you. Ostrovok will help you with accommodation.
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Cover photo: Valery Bocman/Shutterstock.com
