Road Trip from Moscow to Kazan: Must-Visit Stops Along the Way

Embark on an 800-kilometer, 12-hour drive enriched by 9 remarkable stops that will turn a monotonous route into a memorable adventure.

1. Alexandrov

• Distance to Kazan: 763 km.

The route to Kazan passes through the Vladimir region. You can either take the federal M-7 “Volga” highway via Reutov and Balashikha or bypass Moscow from the north. If you choose the northern route, Alexandrov is a must-see — a town both fascinating and haunting. In the late 16th century, Alexandrov was Ivan the Terrible’s personal residence and the de facto capital of Russia. It was here in 1581 that the tragic murder of Tsarevich Ivan occurred, famously depicted in Ilya Repin’s painting.

The architectural ensemble of Alexandrov dates back to the era of Ivan III. The town still retains fortress walls, the Pokrovskaya and Assumption Churches, the Trinity Cathedral, and the Church of Alexius the Metropolitan. Besides religious sites, there are domestic buildings such as refectories, royal chambers, stables, and a prison. Consider taking a guided tour to delve into the lives of 16th-century Russian rulers.

2. Orekhovo-Zuyevo

• Distance to Kazan: 741 km.

Orekhovo-Zuyevo emerged from the merger of three villages: Orekhovo, Zuyevo, and Nikolskoye. It was a significant center of Russian factory life. At the beginning of the 20th century, nearly 25,000 workers were employed in textile and paper mills here. The 1885 Morozov strike took place in this city, which, despite ending unsuccessfully for the organizers, led to the establishment of factory laws protecting workers' rights in Russia.

A monument to the strike participants stands in Oktiabrskaya Square, ironically near a bust of Savva Morozov, the founder of the entrepreneurial dynasty.

You can also admire industrial architecture like the House of Soviets built in 1912. Visit the local history museum to learn about the region’s wildlife and complex labor movement history. Don’t miss the Dulevo Porcelain Museum, showcasing the city’s production of porcelain decorated with traditional patterns alongside textiles and paper.

3. Pokrov

• Distance to Kazan: 718 km.

Pokrov is an ideal spot to take a break during your journey. This peaceful Central Russian town grew around a monastery and now features several historic churches and a quaint center with preserved architecture.

Even if you’re not drawn to the quiet atmosphere, stop here to purchase delicious edible souvenirs. Pokrov is a major hub of Russia’s food industry, known for its chocolate and gingerbread production. The city boasts a modern bronze monument to chocolate and a museum dedicated to this sweet treat. Learn how local factories transform exotic cocoa beans into delightful confections and pick up tasty souvenirs for the road.

While chocolate production began here in the 20th century, gingerbread has been made for over two centuries. The Pokrov gingerbread is unique for omitting eggs and using generous amounts of spices like clove, cardamom, and cinnamon. You can buy these treats at the factory’s branded store.

4. Petushki

• Distance to Kazan: 701 km.

Petushki is primarily visited by fans of Venedikt Erofeev’s cult poem "Moscow to Petushki." If you’re not among them, it’s still worth a brief stop. The town features a museum dedicated to the writer.

Other attractions include the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, built in 1910, the hyperboloid water tower designed by academician Vladimir Shukhov (famous for the Shabolovka Tower in Moscow), and a small Rooster Museum that children will likely enjoy.

5. Vladimir

• Distance to Kazan: 642 km.

Vladimir deserves a dedicated visit. If you only have a couple of hours, focus on must-see highlights like the 12th-century Russian church architecture. The Assumption Cathedral, founded by Andrei Bogolyubsky, is a contemporary of Paris’s Notre Dame. Inside, you’ll find impressive architecture and original frescoes by Andrei Rublev and Daniil Chyorny. These masterpieces show that pre-Mongol Rus was an integral part of European civilization, rivaling works by Italian artist Giotto.

Next to the Assumption Cathedral is the Dmitrievsky Cathedral, notable for its detailed white stone carvings on the facade. These depict biblical scenes alongside references to Slavic and ancient mythology.

Be sure to visit Pokrova-na-Nerli — a small yet stunning white-stone church set against a picturesque rural landscape. It’s a famous Russian landmark featured in many literature and language textbooks. The view is especially breathtaking during spring floods when the church appears on an island.

6. Gorokhovets

• Distance to Kazan: 491 km.

Gorokhovets resembles compact Russian towns from pre-revolutionary postcards: a river, lush greenery, churches, monasteries, and historic buildings. You can explore the town in about an hour. Notice the rare 17th-century stone residential houses, uncommon in Russia at the time. Wealthy merchant families built these, including the Ershov, Oparin, Shiryaev, and Kanonnikov houses.

The town is also known for wooden Art Nouveau monuments. This intricate architectural style, popular in Europe at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries, is rarely executed in wood except in Russia — Gorokhovets hosts a significant concentration. Check out the Shorin, Kuchin houses, and the Morozov and Prisheltzov mansions.

Fans of religious architecture will also appreciate the three ancient monasteries and two churches located in the town.

7. Nizhny Novgorod

• Distance to Kazan: 390 km.

Like Vladimir, Nizhny Novgorod merits more than just a quick look, but even a short stop offers plenty to experience. The city’s highlight isn’t just its historic architecture, such as 17th-century chambers, but its stunning natural setting. Located at the confluence of the Volga and Oka rivers, enjoy panoramic views from the Kremlin hill, then head to the river’s tip.

Nearby is the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and remnants of the steel structures from the 1896 World Industrial Exhibition, built using the same technology as the Eiffel Tower. Visit the Kremlin and explore two museums: the Arsenal Gallery for contemporary art and the Art Museum for classics, housing works by El Greco and Auguste Renoir, brought here post-World War II.

Finish with a stroll along the pedestrian streets Pokrovka and Rozhdestvenskaya.

8. Sviyazhsk

• Distance to Kazan: 60 km.

Close to Kazan, on a small peninsula, lies the village of Sviyazhsk, now an open-air museum-reserve. Over the years, Sviyazhsk has served as a monastery, prison, and psychiatric hospital. The museum shares the complex history of this place, reflecting some of Russia’s difficult 20th-century episodes. Legend says that Pushkin was inspired to create the magical island of Buyan after visiting Sviyazhsk.

The main attraction is the Bogoroditse-Uspensky Monastery, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017 for its unique 17th-century frescoes, including a famous depiction of Saint Christopher with a horse’s head. Don’t miss the small Trinity Church, one of Russia’s oldest wooden buildings, built by Ivan the Terrible’s order in 1551 alongside the fortress that paved the way for conquering the Kazan Khanate.

Before leaving, try local fish soup, bread, and mead — but only if someone else is driving!

9. Pechishi

• Distance to Kazan: 54 km.

Just before Kazan, on the opposite bank of the Volga River, lies the small village of Pechishi. Limestone was quarried here in the Middle Ages to build the white-stone Kazan Kremlin. The village still has remnants of 19th-century industrial furnaces by the river.

This vantage point offers the best panoramic view of Kazan’s city center, including the Kremlin, the Syuyumbike Tower, and the Kul Sharif Mosque. Pechishi also hosts Russia’s only museum dedicated to Belarusian writer Yanka Kupala (Ivan Dominikovich Lutsevich), who was evacuated here in 1941–1942.

You can reach Kazan from Pechishi by river ferry located 8 km away in Verkhny Uslon. A scenic 40-minute ride along the Volga’s waves will bring you to the capital of Tatarstan.

Discover engaging topics and analytical content in Travel & Leisure as of 13-08-2022. The article titled " Road Trip from Moscow to Kazan: Must-Visit Stops Along the Way " provides new insights and practical guidance in the Travel & Leisure field. Each topic is meticulously analyzed to deliver actionable information to readers.

The topic " Road Trip from Moscow to Kazan: Must-Visit Stops Along the Way " helps you make smarter decisions within the Travel & Leisure category. All topics on our website are unique and offer valuable content for our audience.