The Academic Drama Theatre is the oldest theatre of Samara, built in 1851. People also call it the 'gingerbread house', for its red and white carved towers, made in the pseudo-Russian style. The performances here are designed to be interesting for both, newbies and more experienced visitors.
Check out the programme on the official website (Ru). Get directions.
The Cosmos Museum is devoted to Soviet space missions. Here you can not only learn about space exploration, but also try cosmic food, and explore devices and panels as used in spaceships. The museum is traceable from afar with the real rocket carrier Soyuz positioned in front. The weight of this rocket and its launching pad is about 20 tons.
The museum is closed on Mondays. Check out the official website (Ru) for further visitor info. Get directions.
Leningradskaya Street (Ru) is a pedestrian street in the historical part of Samara. Along this street you can find 19th and 20th century architecture, with also some merchant mansions. Any time of the year, this street is a favourite for meet-ups, walks, and street concerts. Get directions.
Vertolyotka is located on the edge of the Sokolih Mountains at an altitude of 120 meters. “Vertolyot” from Russian means helicopter. Once this scenic place on top of the Sokolny Gory, was in use as a helipad of an engine-building plant. The vanished helipad left the observation deck flourishing.
Photographers will appreciate the magnificent views from here over Samara, the adjoining islands and the unique nature of the national park 'Samarskaya Luka'. Please note that the observation point is closed for reconstruction works till autumn 2021. Get directions.
This part of the Samara Embankment offers a nice and wide city beach with soft sand. It is equipped with places for changing clothes, covered swings and parasols with seats, as well as volleyball and football courts.
The beach is scheduled to be open from June to September, provided that the water level of the Volga River is OK. Get directions.
This sculpture on the embankment of the Volga River was based on the painting Barge Haulers on the Volga, a work by the Russian realist artist Ilya Repin. Note that the appearance of this sculpture can vary greatly, depending on the weather and the angle of your view. Get directions.
This part of the Samara Embankment is a green strip, known as a place of events and concerts in summer. The bike lanes and sports fields provide opportunities for active rest alongside the Volga River. There's also a dock with a boat here, in navigation season ready to take you to the other side of the river. Get directions.
Gudok is a newly built modern shopping mall that resembles the shape of an iceberg. Consisting of 6 floors, it offers a huge number of international chain stores as well as local brands. A cool feature is its 'soft cinema', with very comfortable seating. Head for the top floor of the parking for nice panoramic views over Samara.
Check out the stores on the official website (Ru) of Gudok. The mall is open every day! Get directions.
The territory of the botanical garden is almost 34 hectares, part of which occupied by two ponds. The garden has its own greenhouse and a collection of more than 3,500 species of plants. One of the top attractions is the alpine hill with flora from the Zhiguli mountains.
Outside the winter season, the botanical garden is open on weekdays and entrance is free – learn more on the official website (Ru). Find the entrance on Moskovskoe Shosse – get directions.
Gubernsky Rynok is the central marketplace of Samara, located in a large market hall. The market offers a broad range of fresh products, with not only the usual suspects like meat, seafood, fruits and vegetables, but also halal and kosher products, or low-lactose and gluten-free variants.
The market is open every day! Get directions.
This snow-white boat with its large sail reaching up to 20 meters, is a symbol of Samara known as Ladya Stela (Ru). It was installed on the embankment in 1986, in honor of the 400th anniversary of the city. The spot is also nice for panoramic views over the Volga River and the Zhigulyovskie hills. Get directions.
Megacity is a modern two-storey shopping center that offers you a wide range of clothes stores with both international brands as well as the local ones. Besides this you can visit the entertaining part of the complex which includes a cinema, a large food court as well as a small petting zoo.
The mall is open every day. Visit the official website (Ru) for detailed info about the stores. Get directions.
The parks of Kuybyshev Square are four shaded public gardens, with each of the gardens in a slightly different design. These gardens on the largest square of Europe are a good place to relax before the fireworks start at the Opera and Ballet Theatre. Get directions.
Samara boasts one of the few Art Nouveau museums in Russia, located in the beautiful Kurlina House (Ru). The former owner of this 19th century manor, Sandra Kurlina, was a famous woman of fashion, who had her home decorated according to European Art Nouveau trends.
Today the museum (Ru) is open to the public, every day except on Mondays. Get directions.
The Saint George is a small church in the Russian-Byzantine style, rising high on a hill above the Volga River. It was built in 2000 in honor of the 55th anniversary of the victory in WWII and the 2000th anniversary of Christianity. In the upper part of the temple there is an observation terrace.
Have a look at the official website (Ru) for further info about the church. Get directions.
Pobedy Park is the greenest part of the wide and open Slavi Square. In this nice and calm park you can find a sculpture of the Saints Peter and Fevronia, the patrons of love and family in the Orthodox Church. Get directions.
One of the smaller beaches of Samara, located next to Ladya Stela and the park, which provides a shaded getaway if the Russian sun becomes too much. The beach is equipped with changing cabins, covered swings and parasols with seats.
The beach is scheduled to be open from June to September, provided that the water level of the Volga River is OK. Get directions.
Revolution Square (Ru) is a small park equipped with plenty of benches, good for a short break while enjoying the historical Samara. According to historians the square began as a small lake in a grassy glade. It developed into a market square following the 1782 architectural plan for the construction of Samara. Get directions.
The Samara Mosque is a unique architectural complex, containing one of the largest religious buildings not only in Russia, but also in Europe. With a height of 60 meters and a total area measuring 4,800 square meters, the mosque can accommodate around 5,000 prayers at a time. Get directions.
This part of Tolstogo Street is known as a luxury shopping spot in Samara. Here you can find the boutiques of high-end international brands like Gucci, Max Mara or Armani. Get directions.
The Zhigulyovsk Brewery is a 19th century architectural ensemble on the banks of the Volga River. It is one of the oldest still working breweries of Russia, founded in 1881 by the Austrian Alfred von Wakano.
It is possible to get a tour through the factory, with of course a tasting of the legendary Zhigulevsky beer included. Visit the official website to learn more. Get directions.
The forth part of the Samara Embankment is green with many benches. It contains Ladya, a symbol of Samara, from where you're able to get a good view over the picturesque landscape of the right bank of the Volga River. In summer season you can enjoy the river beach here, as well as the open-air cinema. Get directions.
Avrora is a multifunctional shopping center that offers trendy stores selling clothes and shoes of international and Russian manufacturers, electronics, books and cosmetics. An entire floor is dedicated to entertainment for all ages, including an ice-rink, a cinema and a food court.
See the official website (Ru) for more shopping info. The shopping center is open every day! Get directions.
True to its name, from the outside the brand-new Cosmos Arena may appear like a space object rather than a football stadium. It can host up to 45,000 fans. The stadium was one of the venues of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Get directions.
In the centre of Samara stand the sparkling dome and bell tower of the oldest church of the city, the Ascension Cathedral (Ru). After replacing a small wooden church in 1847, it served as the main temple of Samara for half a century. Nowadays there's an almshouse, a library and a Sunday school. Get directions.
Cosmoport is a big shopping center that offers not only clothes of international chains, but it also has a part with interior stores and repair shops. The top floor contains a cinema and a food court, with a wide choice of meals.
Visit the official website (Ru) for more detailed shopping information. The mall is open every day! Get directions.
If you prefer not to be disturbed by tourists while having your moment on the beach, go here! This beach contains a dock called 'Glade in the name of Frunze', from where you can cross the Volga, or get on a river cruise.
The beach is scheduled to be open from June to September, provided that the water level of the Volga River is OK. Get directions.
Gagarin Park (Ru) is popular among locals. It contains a small amusement park and a lake where you can rent a boat. Throughout the park there are nice benches to relax on. There is also a stadium which turns into an open skating rink during winter. Get directions.
This 19th century merchant's mansion resembles a miniature fairy-tale castle. Since the 1990s, the mansion is home to the Children's Picture Gallery (Ru). The fund has more than 20,000 exhibits, like children's drawings, dolls of the peoples around the world or ancient household items. Get directions.
Spusk Sovetskoy Armii is a secluded beach with soft sand, quite far from downtown Samara. Still, it is one of the more comfortable beaches, with parasols and lockers being offered on site, as well as some beach bars popping up in summer season.
The beach is scheduled to be open from June to September, provided that the water level of the Volga River is OK. Get directions.
The State Philharmonic building was restored in 1980 following the Art Nouveau design of the Theatre Circus Olympus (Ru), which was located here early 20th century. Nowadays it is a place to find concerts (also with organs), music lectures and other performances with Russian and foreign artists.
Check out the programme on the official website of the venue. Get directions.
Mira Park is the youngest and smallest city park, with cozy benches and winding alleys nice for walks. There is also a small playground, beloved by the little ones. In the south end of the park you can find the picturesque orthodox Church of the Holy Myrrhbearers, built in 2006. Get directions.
The Sacred Heart of Jesus is a Roman Catholic church in neo-Gothic style, founded by the Polish community in 1906. The spires of the church hover above Samara at a height of 47 meters. The altar of the church contains the fresco Christ of Saint John of the Cross, a copy of Salvador Dalí's painting. Get directions.
The Monument to Vasily Chapaev is a dynamic sculptural composition from 1932, dedicated to the famous Red Army soldier Vasily Chapaev. It commemorates the October Revolution of 1917. The monument was the first multi-figure sculpture created under Soviet rule. Get directions.
The Samara Art Museum is located in an early 20th century merchant's mansion. The collection is displayed amidst a palace-like interior. It includes over 35,000 exhibits, from icon paintings to the works of Malevich.
Please note that the museum is closed on Tuesdays. Get directions.
InCube is a modern shopping mall that combines luxury products and mainstream brands. The first floor is occupied by a perfumery store, with cosmetics of all kinds. The second floor is made up of boutiques offering clothes and luxury footwear.
Check out the official website (Ru) for further info about the stores. The mall is open every day! Get directions.
Kuybyshev Square is the main square of the city, occupying 17.4 hectares. It is considered to be the largest square of Europe. Its size makes the square perfect for city events of any size, like the annual Victory Day celebrations on the ninth of May. Get directions.
This beach is a great feature of the Central Park of Culture and Leisure. The trees along the beach provide plenty of shade and help you through the hottest days in Samara. The site contains cabins for changing, and a small playground.
The beach is scheduled to be open from June to September, provided that the water level of the Volga River is OK. Get directions.
This nice park positioned in front of the Slavi Monument is dedicated to a Hero of the Soviet Union, Dmitry Ustinov. In the postwar years, Ustinov became Minister of Arms and Defense Industry of the USSR. In the middle of the park, there's a nice fountain in the colors of the Ribbon of Saint George. There's plenty of benches and shaded parts in the park. Get directions.
The St Cyril and Methodius Cathedral (Ru) is the largest Orthodox church of the city, accommodating up to 3,000 people. Located on a vast complex of neoclassicism, it was built in honor of Cyril and Methodius, the creators of the Old Slavic alphabet. Get directions.
An original and 'cozy' monument dedicated to the invention of the heating battery, quite important for surviving Russian winters. The protagonist of this sculpture is the cat sitting on the radiator. The magic lies in touching his nose or paw, in order to get your wish fulfilled. Get directions.
Opened in 2014 on the embankment of the Volga River, this monument is dedicated to Prince Grigory Zasekin (Ru), who founded the Samara Fortress in 1586. In his hands you can see a banner with the image of Messiah, symbolizing the God-given deeds of the Prince who protected the city from enemies. Get directions.
The brutal gray building of the Opera and Ballet Theatre built in the 1930s, has a surprisingly bright palace-like interior. It is located on the largest square of Europe, Kuybyshev Square. The legendary Seventh (Leningrad) Symphony by Shostakovich, as written in the sieged Leningrad, was performed for the first time on the stage of this theatre.
Check out the official website to learn more about the programme. Get directions.
The longest Volga embankment of Samara, measuring about 3 kilometers. Any time of the year this place is good for a walk or a rest on one of the benches. In summer season the area comes alive with the beaches and terraces opening, the River Station, and the activity on the sports fields and playgrounds close by. Get directions.
Park House is a huge shopping mall and entertainment center. It offers around 100 stores of international and local brands where you can find good clothes, shoes and accessories. One entire floor is dedicated to entertainment with bowling, slot machines, activities for children, a food court and a cinema.
The mall is open every day of the week! Find more info about the stores on the official website (Ru). Get directions.
Zagorodny Park (Ru) is the largest park in the city of Samara, measuring about 43 hectares. The park has its own beach with a picturesque view over the Volga. In winter, the park offers an ice rink, and a ski slope with a ski lift. The entrance is free and can be found on Novo-Sadovaya Street – get directions.
This Chapel (Ru) was built in honor of Saint Alexius. While being on the Volga shores in 1354, Alexis predicted that a great city would be built there, which no one would ever conquer nor destroy. Three centuries later, it was Samara that appeared on the shores of the Volga! Get directions.
The museum-bunker is the most mysterious object of Samara – declassified only in 1990. The bomb shelter was built in 1942 for the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the USSR, Joseph Stalin. The bunker was designed for five days of autonomous existence, on a depth of 37 meters.
Please note that the bunker is closed on weekends. Check out the official website (Ru) for further visitor info. Get directions.
The Historical and Regional Studies Museum (Ru) opened its doors in 1898. It contains over 180,000 items from all over Russia, telling about the history from the Mesozoic era up to the present day. Nowadays the museum is located in this huge building, a fine piece of Soviet architecture from the late 1980s.
Have a look at the official website (Ru) to learn more about the museum. Please note that the museum is closed on Mondays. Get directions.
With its 53 meters, the Slavi Monument is one of the icons of the city. The shiny monument is dedicated to the excellent work of the aircraft industry laborers during WWII. The funds for its construction in 1971 came from the citizens of Samara, donating 1 Rouble each. Get directions.
This part of the Samara Embankment contains the largest city beach of Samara, stretching for a couple of kilometers. The wide beach with soft sand is equipped with cabanas, covered swings and parasols with seats. Volleyball, football and basketball courts can be found close by.
The beach is scheduled to be open from June to September, provided that the water level of the Volga River is OK. Get directions.
The Iversky Monastery (Ru) is an incredibly beautiful ensemble founded in 1850, towering over the Volga. Not just the Orthodox churches, chapels and bell tower are interesting but also the entire adjoining territory of the monastery, along which it is pleasant to stroll at any time of the year.
Have a look at the official website (Ru) to learn more about the monastery. Get directions.
A cozy wooden town barton from the 19th century, where the writer Aleksey Tolstoy spent his youth. Near the entrance, you can see a statue of his most famous character Buratino – the Russian Pinocchio. The museum offers guided tours, and occasionally also lectures, creative workshops and masterclasses, as well as concerts for all ages.
The museum (Ru) is open every day except Mondays. Get directions.
Strukovsky Sad is the oldest park in Samara, built by the end of the 18th century. It is designed for quiet walks amidst centennial trees. The park consists of pathways on and around a green hill. It is a favorite place for city festivals. Get directions.
Opera is a small shopping center in the heart of Samara, that offers a wide choice of local brands selling mostly clothes and shoes, underwear and accessories. Also for household items, computers and electronics, cosmetics and perfumery, Opera is worth a try.
Visit the official website (Ru) for more details about the shops. Get directions.
The Church of St George (Ru) is the oldest Lutheran church in the Volga region, built in 1854 in neo-Gothic style. The German National Cultural Center operates in the church, providing an active social and cultural program, with organ concerts and charity activity. Get directions.
The well-maintained Pushkin Square (Ru) was founded in 1899 in honor of the 100th anniversary of the great Russian poet Alexander Pushkin. It is located at one of the most beautiful places of the historical Samara, from where you're able to get a beautiful panoramic view of the Strukovsky Garden, the Volga River, the Zhigulevsky Brewery and the Iversky Monastery. Get directions.
Over the centuries Kuybysheva Street (Ru) has carried several names, including Bread, Cossack, Soviet and Noble Street. In this central street, neoclassicism meets with northern modernist architecture. Some beautiful merchant mansions, storing legends and secrets, nowadays serve the public good and are a delight for the eyes. Get directions.