Sometimes you just want to take a break without planning a long trip, booking tickets a month in advance, or following a complicated itinerary. Fortunately, there are plenty of places around Kazan that offer a change of scenery and a chance to recharge in just a few days. Whether it’s Yoshkar-Ola with its gingerbread houses, Innopolis with its robots, the ancient city of Bolgar, the parks of Cheboksary, or the street art in Almetyevsk, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
It’s profitable to stay nearby
Book apartments, studios, and private houses with a 20% discount (up to 1500 RUB) using the promo code NEARBY on Ostrovok from August 8 to 31, 2025.
Contents
- Yoshkar-Ola
- Innopolis
- Bolgar
- Cheboksary
- Almetyevsk
Yoshkar-Ola
- How to get there: by bus from Kazan’s Northern or Eastern bus station in 2 hours and 30 minutes, with a ticket starting at 770 RUB. The train departs from the Central Station, with a journey time of 2 hours and 40 minutes and a ticket price of 441 RUB. By car, it takes a little over two hours to drive northwest.
The capital of the Republic of Mari El is known for its vibrant architecture and unique appearance. People come here for the color and beauty, to get acquainted with the local culture and delicious dishes of national cuisine, such as soup with dumplings laska. Most importantly, a couple of days will be enough to see the iconic places.
It is worth walking along the Bruges embankment with a European atmosphere and “gingerbread” houses, and then go to the Annunciation Cathedral, which resembles St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow. By the way, the Annunciation Tower is nearby, which is very similar to the Spasskaya Tower of the Moscow Kremlin.
Here you should walk along the Bruges embankment with a European atmosphere and gingerbread houses. Photo: Tatiana Zinchenko/Shutterstock.com
Yoshka cats are the local mascots. There are several of them: sculptures of Yoshka cats, cats, and kittens can be found in different parts of the center. This is a great opportunity to organize a mini-quest and take memorable photos.
Where to stay in Yoshkar-Ola:
- DejaVu Apartments is a stylish one-bedroom apartment located near the city center in a modern residential complex. From 4592 RUB for two people.
- Proletarskaya Apartments is a spacious two-bedroom apartment with an area of 60 square meters, suitable for a large family or group of friends. There are grocery stores nearby, a bus stop, and the center is only 1.5 kilometers away. From 5627 rubles for two people.
- The apartment near the Bruges waterfront is a bright apartment with posters and a touch of loft style in the form of a brick wall, 1.5 kilometers from the city center. From 3436 rubles for two people.
DejaVu Apartments.
What else to see in Russia’s only city starting with the letter Y, was described in the article.
Innopolis
- How to get there: by shuttle bus No. 108 or No. 106 (about an hour and a half, starting at 230 RUB). By car or taxi in 40-45 minutes via Zalesnaya Street and the M-7 highway.
This is the youngest and most technologically advanced city in Russia — it’s like stepping into the future. Here, robots deliver food to your home, work as waiters, help you check into hotels, and even man the front desk. In fact, the design of Innopolis was created by an architect who was involved in the creation of modern Singapore. In 2012, a village was founded, and in 2014, it was granted city status.
On the streets, you can find unmanned taxis, admire futuristic buildings, and take a sightseeing tour. Visit the Popov Technopark, the main building of the city that resembles a hockey puck. For entertainment, attend one of the events at the Artspace cultural center, where you can learn dance, participate in workshops, and watch movies. Innopolis is still developing, so the weekend is enough to get into the city and explore it inside and out.
Take a look at the Popov Technopark— the main building of the city, which looks like a washer. Photo: Irina Kononova/Shutterstock.com
Where to stay in Innopolis:
- The apartments on Tsentralnaya are a great option for relaxing after walks and new experiences. From 5234 RUB for two.
- The apartments on Sportivnaya are a cozy apartment with a beautiful view from the window. Shops and a city park are nearby. From 6969 RUB for two.
- Inno-2 Apartments is a bright, minimalist apartment with an ergonomic kitchen, air conditioning, and a lighted mirror. It is located in the Yu Quarter, a new residential complex with a European flair. It is a pleasant place to imagine yourself as a city dweller. From 5714 RUB for two.
Apartments on Tsentralnaya.
Bolgar
- How to get there: by car — 200 kilometers in 2.5 hours. Or with a breeze on the Volga: from the river station there is a “meteor” on the route Kazan — Bolgar — Tetyushi, on the way about two hours, the ticket — 1500 RUB.
Travelers go to Bolgar to see the heritage of an ancient civilization. The city has a rich and sometimes tragic history: it was once the center of Volga Bulgaria, survived attacks, destruction and fires, and also saw the heyday of the Golden Horde.
Historical buildings can be seen on the territory of the archaeological complex “Hillfort of the Bulgarians”, a single ticket is 1100 rubles. There are the remains of the Khan’s palace, the cathedral mosque, and the small minaret. The complex is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Historical buildings can be seen on the territory of the archaeological complex “Bulgar Settlement”. Photo: Poliorketes/Shutterstock.com
There are also modern attractions in Bolgar. The most famous is the White Mosque, built in 2012 as a symbol of the birth of Islam in these parts. A majestic building with an atmosphere of tranquility and tranquility inside. Anyone can enter there, the main thing is to follow the rules.: take off your shoes at the entrance, close your hands and feet, keep quiet inside, and hide your hair for the girls.
It is also worth visiting the Bread Museum, an ethnocomplex with a manor, a mill, a bakery, a blacksmith shop and equipment. Here they tell you how bread was baked on Tatar land in different times.
Where to stay in Bolgar:
- The private house of the Ivanov family is a spacious cottage for a large group with a gazebo in the yard and a wood-burning sauna. The owner personally greets each guest and helps them get around. The main attractions are a half-hour walk away or a 5-minute drive. From 7255 rubles for the entire house.
The White Mosque, built in 2012 as a symbol of the birth of Islam in these parts. Photo: shushonok/Shutterstock.com
Cheboksary
- How to get there: by bus from the Northern or Central Bus Station (travel time is 2 hours and 40 minutes, and the ticket costs at least 650 RUB). The drive takes about 3 hours by car.
There are so many interesting things to see in the capital of Chuvashia that it’s hard to choose just one. Start with the city’s main symbol, the Monument to the Mother-Protectress, which stands tall over the Cheboksary Bay. Nearby, visit the ancient Cathedral of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, one of the few surviving monuments from the 18th century.
We recommend a walking route along the Boulevard of Merchant Efremov to the Red Square, a modern urban space by the water. Here, you can enjoy a meal, ride the Ferris wheel, or simply sit and admire the view of the bay. It’s worth visiting the nearby National Museum to learn about the Chuvash culture. If you’re looking for something unique, don’t miss the Beer Museum with its calendar of beer rituals or the Tractor History Museum, where you can ride a real tractor.
Start with the main symbol of the city — the Monument of the Mother-Protectress, which rises above the Cheboksary Bay. Photo: Collection Maykova/Shutterstock.com
If you want peace and greenery, go to Victory Park, and children will have fun at the Amazonia theme park. For spectacular photos, use the observation decks on the Moskovskaya Embankment overlooking the Volga.
Where to stay in Cheboksary:
- The apartment on Raduzhnaya is a one-bedroom apartment with a light interior in a new district. There are grocery stores, a bus stop, and playgrounds nearby. It is more convenient to get to the center by car. From 4278 rubles for two people.
- The apartment on Oleg Volkov is a spacious apartment with a beautiful view of the city. From 4687 RUB for two.
- Apartment on Pirogova — bright apartments with bright accents in the interior, two kilometers from the city center. From 3947 RUB for two.
- Apartment “Lux” on Aigi — stylish renovation, ergonomic layout, and all necessary appliances. From 2786 RUB for two.
Apartment on Oleg Volkov.
Cheboksary is bigger than it seems — you’ll find a few more locations in our guide.
Almetyevsk
- How to get there: by car in 3 hours via a toll road for 735 RUB. By bus from the Central Bus Station in 5 hours for 1060 RUB.
People often travel to Almetyevsk on business — the city is considered the oil capital of the region. But tourists will also find something to do. Start your walk with the cozy city park of the 60th anniversary of Tatarstan oil: there are a lot of greenery, places for recreation and children’s attractions.
For cultural leisure, take a look at the museum of local lore: the exposition tells about the life, nature and oil history of the region. You can relax from the heat on a local beach with white sand and well-developed infrastructure.
Start your walk from the cozy city park of the 60th anniversary of Tatarstan oil: there is a lot of greenery, places to relax and children’s attractions. Photo: Daniil Moskvich/Yandex.Maps
Walking around the city, you can see murals — huge drawings on panel houses with plots about life values and family. The most famous are the “Treasure Box” in the courtyards on Lenin Street and “Five Kettles” near the Almetyevsk Reservoir. These murals were painted by artists from Russia, Greece and Uruguay.
Where to stay in Almetyevsk:
- The apartment on Lenina is a budget-friendly studio in the heart of the city with a cozy atmosphere. The cost per night starts at 1973 RUB.
- Apartment in Almetyevsk with modern repairs and close proximity to developed infrastructure: shops, bus stop, and shopping center are nearby. From 3056 RUB for two.
- Apartment in the best area is an apartment with a restrained interior, a great option for car travelers. From 4014 RUB for two.
An apartment in the best area.
Pack your backpack with chok-chok, put your thermos of tea with milk on the go! And to make your trip profitable, use the promo code CLOSE: with it, you can get a 20% discount (up to 1500 RUB) when booking apartments and private houses on Ostrovok from August 8 to 31, 2025.
Cover photo: Borisb17/Shutterstock.com
