If you travel to Russia you must visit Samara, a city full of monuments, museums and beautiful natural landscapes, as well as its beautiful architecture full of modern buildings and temples. The Volga River near the hills creates a truly satisfying sense of tranquillity. The city is 900 kilometres southeast of Moscow. So if you want to learn more about the Second World War or the culture of the Soviet Union, this is definitely the city for you. Read on to find out more!
Things to do in Samara Russia
Stalin’s Bunker
If you are interested in Russian history, Stalin’s Bunker is a must-see in Samara, Russia. It dates back to 1942 and is 37 metres deep, built as an escape route for Stalin. It is connected to other important facilities in the city by tunnels, and it has a private office as well as many fake doors inside. What was a refuge in its time is now a large museum that you can visit to learn about the Soviet Union and its wars. You can find it under the Academy of Culture and Arts.
Kuibyshev Square
If you are interested in Russian history, Stalin’s Bunker is a must-see in Samara, Russia. It dates back to 1942 and is 37 metres deep, built as an escape route for Stalin. It is connected to other important facilities in the city by tunnels, and it has a private office as well as many fake doors inside. What was a refuge in its time is now a large museum that you can visit to learn about the Soviet Union and its wars. You can find it under the Academy of Culture and Arts.
Museum of Space History
If you want to find out about the development of Russia’s space industry, the Museum of Space History in Samara is a must-see. The exhibition is permanent, open every day except Mondays, with long opening hours, and costs €1.50. Among the things you can find there is a real Vostok rocket and parts and models that were used during the war as “Yantar-4k1 or Resurs F-1” which are models of rocket boosters. As well as some exact copies like the legendary “Soyuz” rocket. A unique experience for those interested in technology as well as astronomical progress.
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Zhiguli Brewery
After touring several monuments you must see the iconic Zhiguli Brewery, one of the city’s first enterprises and a symbol of Samara. It is in the centre of the city and was built by the Austrian Alfredo Von Vacano in 1880. One thing that visitors tend to like is that at the Zhiguli Brewery you can taste the beers directly from a keg which you can then buy and take home with you.
The Iversk Women’s Monastery
This monastery on the banks of the Volga River is one of the most beautiful monuments in the city. Founded in 1850 with the women’s community of the Sisters of Charity, it later became a women’s convent. Although it was destroyed, it was restored in 1991. The Iversk monastery grew into a town with three churches, ten residential and administrative buildings and two cemeteries. Over the years it has also served as an orphanage for girls and an academy. It is near the Zhigui brewery. Visiting hours are from 7:30 to 8:00 pm.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
Things to do around Samara Russia
Zhiguli Mountains: If you are a fan of natural landscapes you have to see the Zhiguli Mountains. It is perfect to enjoy the calm and see beautiful views, as it is in fact it is a UNESCO nature reserve. You can see the views of the Volga River, ideal to escape from the stress of the big city.
Konstantin Golovkin’s Country House: If you are a fan of architecture you must see this estate. Inside the residence is the design of two life-size elephants, built at the beginning of the 20th century. Although nowadays it is in disuse, the estate is so beautiful that it is one of the places you must visit in Samara.
Samara Beach: In the coastal area you can enjoy Samara beach, the warmest area of the city, if you go in summer you can take a swim and if you go in winter you can have a picnic or enjoy eating in restaurants around with nice views.
Visit the Volga river and its viewpoint: If you want to have a nice view you have to go to the viewpoint of the Volga river. It is an old heliport, and takes very little time to get there as it is on the outskirts of the city, but it is worth it. Here you can distinguish the curve that separates the river from the Zhiguli mountains, a place to find peace and quiet after visiting the city.
Samara Embankment: If like to take long walks talking about life, you have to see this spot. You can find one of the most beautiful gardens in the city and see the views of the Volga. There are beautiful statues, kiosks and street musicians that brighten up the promenade. Not one to miss.
What to do in Samara Russia in 3 days?
We recommend, depending on how many days you stay, you make a list of the places you really want to see, so that if you are too tired on the third day you can enjoy yourself and not rush. It is normal to want to see everything, but it is very important that you rest well to enjoy yourself at all times.
First day:
- Stalin’s bunker
- Kuibyshev square and surroundings
Second day:
- Samara space museum
- Iversky monastery
Third day:
- Zhiguli mountains
- Samara embankents
- Zhiguli brewery
Tips for your trip to Samara Russia
- The currency in Samara is the Russian ruble (1 Russian Pablo = 0,012€).
- Change your money in advance and always have cash on you, especially if you are going to buy something from a local souvenir shop.
- If you decide to visit Samara in summer, always bring water, a hat or cap, sunglasses and sunscreen.
- If you decide to visit Samara in winter, take a thermal shirt and a warm jacket, as it can get very cold if you are not used to it.
- Take a small first aid kit for emergencies.
- Take comfortable clothes if you plan to travel to different places and especially to see mountains and natural landscapes.
- Get plenty of rest and wear comfortable shoes if you want to walk a lot.
How to get to Samara Russia?
If you plan to travel to Samara from other parts of Russia, a great option is to use public transport such as trains, buses, trams, car-sharing or even rent a car.
By train from Moscow to Samara it takes thirteen to seventeen hours and costs twenty to fifty euros. The same is true from St. Petersburg to Samara, varying in price and time. Trains in Russia connect all cities. We recommend buying your ticket online to speed up the process.
If your idea is to travel directly to Samara airport, there are several bus lines that will drop you off in the city centre.
To get around the city you have the cheap option of using trolleybus, tram and metro, as the city is very well connected. In fact, you can get a metro pass for the days you are staying in Samara to save on travel, the price is 15 Russian rubles.
Another more expensive option is to use taxis to get around the city – these are private companies and are available all day, and average around €15.
Where to eat in Samara Russia?
Kipiatok: Located in the old town, famous for its varied menu of local Russian cuisine and beer. The price is between €4 and €14.
Restaurant Olli: Located in the city centre, famous for serving typical Russian food, it has vegetarian options. The price is between €5 and €35.
Cambridge Café: Located in a shopping centre in the city, ideal for going and relaxing after sightseeing, it serves European and British food. Prices range from €1 to €14.
Restaurant-museum Staraya Kvartira: This place is famous for its 60’s style interior design. It looks like a trip into the past of the Soviet Union. The food they serve is typical Russian, although you can ask for vegan options. The price is à la carte.
Na Dne: A pub famous for offering various types of beer. The bar is located near the Zhiguli brewery. Price between 1€ and 6€.
Megapolisbar PEOPLE`S: Famous for the amount of meat they offer, as well as European food and vegan options. It is in the city centre. Prices range from €2 to €24.
Where to stay in Samara Russia?
Moya Glinka: It is a hostel with different rooms, they offer services such as fridge, air conditioning, etc. The facilities are very good, they have a gym, bicycle rental to explore the area, activities for children and breakfast included. Price between 37 € and 41 €.
Ibis Samara: Located in the centre of Samara, pet friendly, shuttle bus service to the hotel, air conditioning, free parking, and conference facilities. Price between 30 € to 35 €.
Hampton by Hilton Samara: It is a hotel that is in the landmarks of the city, ideal if you want to be in the centre. Nearby you have Chapaev monument and The Temple of George the Victorious. Moreover, it offers free breakfast and free parking, wifi, air conditioning, TV in the rooms, etc. The price is 46€.
Hotel Volna: Located near the beach in Samara, the rooms include a fridge, air conditioning as well as free wifi. The price is 23€.
Like Hostel: Located near the Volga, the facilities have wifi, free parking and also a children’s play area with DVDs and books. Prices range from €14 to €30.
How to organise what to see in Samara?
Sign up or download the Passporter App and discover all its useful features.
- Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
- Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
- Add the spots you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organise your itinerary by days and according to their location (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make the necessary modifications and you are ready for your trip.
- Finally, share your experience. Upload photos of every place you visited to the app and recommend to other travellers all there is to see in Samara, Russia.
If you have any doubts about how to plan your itinerary, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Samara
– Solianka is a fish soup to start with.
– Pelmeni, dumplings filled with meat, it can be beef, pork or lamb.
– Blini, a typical sweet made of crepe with butter, jam, sweet cottage cheese, apple and honey.
– Varéniki are small pies filled with potato, cabbage and cottage cheese.
– Baltika, a typical Russian beer.
It depends on what you are looking for. In spite of the cold, the snowy city is beautiful and worth it, despite how could you will be. On the other hand in summer everything is very beautiful and green, especially the natural landscapes.
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