7 road trip destinations for those who want to discover Tatarstan by car

Spin fishing and green fields in the Sorochi Mountains

Rybno-Sloboda region

As you travel along the P239 highway, just before the 14 metre Kama river crossing, take the turn off to the Sorochi Mountains. It’s worth it to go here simply to visit the untouched nature of the Volga region. At the earliest temperature rises after the cold winter, fishermen come from all over the Kama region, and lovers of outdoor recreation like to set up camp right on the river banks. Let's be honest: fishing here is unpredictable, but in Kama river, you might find carp, perch, pike, pike perch and other kinds of fish, which make for a great fish soup, cooked at your camp site. If you get bored camping, you can always head out towards civilization to the recreation centre “Sorochi Gory” with guest houses, a sauna, and sporting grounds. From here, you can also join one of the organized fishing or hunting group trips.

Sviyazhskiye Kholmy

Savino Village

The ‘Sviyazhskiye Kholmy’ ski resort, which is an hour's drive from Kazan along the M7 highway, becomes even more charming in summer. Instead of snowy mountains, you’ll find green fields and hills, from which an excellent view of the merging of the Volga, Sviyaga and Sulitsa rivers opens up. In terms of picturesqueness, this place is not inferior to the Swiss Alps, which is why it becomes the main subject of inspiration for local artists and photographers, as well as a popular destination for photo shoots. The entertainment complex is open all year round and offers guests over 100 pine chalets, a golf course, a shooting range and opportunities to recharge your health in the beautiful surroundings. If you prefer a camping getaway, set up a tent a little further down from the ski resort, on the bank of the Sviyaga River, and go fishing. The local sunsets will definitely not leave you indifferent, as the sun here sets directly into the river.

Gypsum Galleries

Kamsko-Ustinsky district

A road trip through Tatarstan cannot be complete without visiting the picturesque Kamskoye Ustye. On its banks you’ll find nature’s true treasure - gypsum tunnels. Inside await labyrinths of gypsum deposits, caves filled with water, and wide passages, which make for spectacular photos. The tunnel miners are still active here, so you will see their tools, trailers and wooden props along the walls. In the past, serfs, runaway criminals and handcuffed convicts worked and mined within these walls. As such, there are various legends among tourists and speleologists about the spirits and ghosts inhabiting these mines.

Ancient city ruins on Dzhuketau Mountain

Chistopol

What was once one of the major urban centres of the Volga Bolgar now looks like a mountain of ruins. This used to be the centre of the city with steep slopes on the banks of the Kama river. To this day, remains of fragments of the Bolgar buildings, cemeteries, necropolises and settlements can be found at the site. All around are moats and ravines, which are now overgrown with grass. On the territory of Dzhuketau, numerous items of the past have been found - coins of the times of the Golden Horde, fragments of ancient pottery and other everyday household items. Having disappeared in the 15th century, the city has left only memories of its greatness among the untouched beauty of the Volga region.