What to see in Samara in 1-2 days: interesting places, tips, photos

First day Second day What else to see on the second day Stories, routes and tips from tourists Where to stay in Samara Where to go from Samara for 2 days

Samara is a city chosen as the reserve capital of the USSR during the Great Patriotic War. Then the city was called Kuibyshev in honor of the prominent party leader V.V. Kuibyshev. At the beginning of the war, many factories, government agencies from Moscow, and the Bolshoi Theater were evacuated here. The city made a significant contribution to the aircraft manufacturing industry. The names of such famous people as the writer A. Tolstoy, cosmonaut Yu. Gagarin, composer D. Shostakovich, director E. Ryazanov, and the main leader of the revolution V. Lenin are associated with Samara. Each of them spent a different amount of time in the city, but their memory is preserved in history and local museums. And back in the 20th century, due to its rapid economic and industrial development, Samara was called “Russian Chicago”. There were many rich people here, but criminals were also drawn here.

Samara for 2 days is a popular weekend trip option. You will see wooden houses with carvings and mansions in the Art Nouveau style, large squares and monuments. During this time, you will also have time to visit several interesting museums, taste local Zhiguli beer and go to the observation deck with a breathtaking view of the Volga and Zhiguli Mountains.

Kurlina's mansion (Modern Museum) Photo: © Irina Psareva

Train Station

If you plan to arrive in the city by rail , then when you get out of the car, you will immediately encounter the first attraction.

The station building is the tallest of its kind in Europe. It was erected at the beginning of the 21st century

The hundred-meter structure made of glass and concrete is a striking example of modern architecture.

Train Station

Museum-estate of A.N. Tolstoy

The famous writer was born and raised in Samara. House number 155 on Frunze Street was bought by his stepfather in the 19th century. The museum complex includes several buildings, a gazebo, a well and a utility yard.

The museum's exhibitions are dedicated to the life and creative path of the writer. The furnishings of the house have been recreated as accurately as possible.

Museum-estate of A. N. Tolstoy

Stories, routes and tourist tips

What to see in 1 day on your own in Samara? Stories from travelers will help you find the answer to your question. You will find routes taken by tourists, real impressions of what they saw, tips on hotels and restaurants. Pay attention to tourists’ recommendations for preparing and organizing a trip, find out which museums you should definitely visit as part of a one-day trip. If you are planning a tour of the Volga region, read the relevant reviews, since Samara is usually one of the cities along this route.

Tourist materials:

Larisa Kiseleva - “... And have a hundred friends! Samara meetings"
Sergey Arkhipkin - “On your own in Russia - Samara”

Reviews from tourists about Samara

Bar “At the bottom” Photo: © Larisa Kiseleva

Museum of Art Nouveau

only Art Nouveau museum opened in 2012. It was located in the mansion of the merchant A. Kurlin. The gate made in the shape of a butterfly immediately attracts attention All interior decoration, boudoir, bedroom, office, located on the first floor, are designed in accordance with the requirements of the style.

The second floor is occupied by rotating exhibitions . Paintings by contemporary Samara artists are also exhibited.

Museum of Art Nouveau

Kuibyshev Square

Another place in Samara that allows the city to compete with European countries. The Kuibyshev area occupies an area of more than 17 hectares . This is the fourth place in Europe.

There are four public gardens at the corners of the square. The Academic Opera and Ballet Theater is located on the square. The building is a monument of Soviet architecture.

Kuibyshev Square

Where to go if it’s your first time in the city

If you come to Samara by train, your acquaintance with the sights will begin immediately - from the station. The mirror building, more than 100 m high, is a record holder among all European train stations. Anyone who is in the city for the first time is advised to immediately go to the Volga embankment. Perfectly landscaped, it has long become a calling card: you can walk here all day long, especially since its length is more than 4 km.

It is also worth visiting the huge Kuibyshev Square, with a green park in every corner. The main promenade of Samara is the pedestrian Leningradskaya Street in the very center of the city, not far from the embankment. It is lined with ancient buildings, the lower floors of which are occupied by shops. Many tourists visit the Zhigulevsky brewery; excursions and tastings are conducted around the historical building.

Buildings of the Zhigulevsky brewery

Stalin's bunker

The building of the Institute of Culture, which previously belonged to the regional committee of the CPSU, played the role of Stalin’s bunker during the Second World War. The commander-in-chief's reserve headquarters was built in 1942 .

9 floors were built underground, between which an elevator moves

Its secret purpose became known in the 90s of the last century. A museum has been opened here, which you can visit as part of a group. The group is recruited every hour . Visitors are taken through the meeting room, the Generalissimo's office, and rest rooms. The furnishings of the 40s have been preserved in the premises.

Stalin's bunker

First day

When coming to Samara for two days, plan a route to the main attractions of the city. The first day will be the most eventful with walking. You will be immersed in different time periods and get acquainted with the history of the city through architectural monuments and iconic places. The program also includes a walk along the Volga and relaxation in the city park.

Tower of the Samara fortress

The route begins with an object symbolizing the foundation of the city - the tower of the Samara fortress . In 1586, the Samara Town fortress was founded. It was created by Prince G. Zasekin. This place was chosen to ensure protection of the state border from raids and to control navigation along the Volga. The fortress has not survived to this day. But in 1986, one of the towers of the watch fortress was modeled in memory of the founding of the city. However, the wooden tower burned down in 2014 and was rebuilt ahead of the 2022 World Cup. It is located at the intersection of Kutyakova and Vodnikov streets.

Revolution square

From the tower go to the street. Stepan Razin, which will take you to Revolution Square . The journey will take about 20 minutes. The square has a round shape, in the center there is a monument to V.I. Lenin , around is Alekseevsky Square. In the last century, workers' rallies took place here, V. Kuibyshev and M. Frunze spoke. The monument to Lenin appeared in 1927 on the site of the dismantled monument to Alexander II. Pay attention to the beautiful building on the street. Kuibysheva, 60 - the former house of the merchant Svetov , in which a court was later opened. In this court in the 1890s, V.I. Lenin served as an assistant lawyer and attorney at law A.N. Hardin. In the area of the square you will see mansions of past centuries; you can walk to the half-timbered house in the courtyard of the street. Chapaevskaya, 84B.

Revolution Square Photo: © Tatyana Tolstousova

Leningradskaya street

Proceed further along the street. Kuibyshev to go to Leningradskaya Street . From here to st. Galaktionovskaya Leningradskaya becomes pedestrian, for which it is called the local Arbat. Both residents and guests of Samara love to walk here. You will see various sculptures, restaurants, shops. The street is located in the historical center of the city, so look around at the houses surrounding you:

House No. 34 is the house of the artist, local historian and merchant Golovkin, built at the end of the 19th century. On the ground floor there was a shop for art supplies; the second floor appeared a little later, where Golovkin lived;
No. 46 - Zhukov’s house with rich decoration, a lion’s head and other stucco moldings;
No. 49 is a three-story Sidorov house, built at the beginning of the 20th century. with ornamental decor.

Details: Leningradskaya street

Zhukov's house on Leningradskaya Street Photo: © Irina Psareva

Intercession Cathedral

From Leningradskaya street turn onto st. Leninskaya to the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Mother of God . In the first half of the 19th century there was a cemetery area with a wooden church. Over time, the need arose for a larger stone temple. Construction of the new church took place in 1857–1861. The Shikhobalov merchants allocated funds for the construction. The temple operated after the revolution (for some time it was occupied by “renovationists”) and during the Great Patriotic War. However, the wall painting was badly damaged due to a fire in 1977. In terms of architectural style, the cathedral belongs to Moscow architecture of the 17th century. The temple has 5 domes and a tented bell tower.

Details: Intercession Cathedral

Intercession Cathedral Photo: © Yulia Kuznetsova

Frunze street

Nekrasovskaya street will take you from the cathedral to the street. Frunze , where many architectural monuments stand. House No. 111 housed the apartment building of attorney Pyotr Podbelsky - an example of eclecticism, decorated with atlases and caryatids. At the intersection of Frunze and Lev Tolstoy streets there is the Samara State Philharmonic . It was created in 1940 and was located in the former Olympus circus theater, the building of which was called the “pearl of modernism.” However, this structure was destroyed and rebuilt in the 1970s and 1980s, preserving many elements of the architect's original design.

House No. 155 is the museum-estate of A. Tolstoy . The writer was a native of the Samara province and lived in this house, bought by his stepfather. The museum's exposition is dedicated to the life and creative path of A. Tolstoy; a separate exhibition in a playful way introduces the fairy tale “The Golden Key or the Adventures of Pinocchio.” The next building is the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus . The neo-Gothic brick church appeared at the beginning of the last century; its construction was organized by the local community of Poles.

Samara Philharmonic Photo: © Larisa Kiseleva

Modern Museum

Continue further along the street. Frunze to Alexandra Kurlina's 1903 mansion, which houses the Art Nouveau Museum . This is the only museum of its kind in our country. Its appearance and interior decoration clearly introduce the Art Nouveau style. The decor in the form of butterflies on the gates looks especially interesting from the outside. In the museum you can visit a boudoir, a dining room and an office with recreated interiors. Among the valuable exhibits are items created by masters of the French “school of Nancy”. It’s worth visiting the museum to get a sense of the style that has captivated many wealthy residents of Samara. In the last century, Art Nouveau inspired them to create the beautiful and sophisticated mansions that can be seen today.

More details: Modern Museum

Gate of the Modern Museum Photo: © Victoria Sarkisova

Kuibyshev Square

From the museum along Krasnoarmeyskaya Street the path goes to Kuibyshev Square . This is an iconic city landmark, as the square is considered one of the largest in Europe. Its area is more than 17 hectares, with public gardens located in the corners. In 1938, a monument to Valerian Kuibyshev ; it was he who announced the victory of Soviet power in the city in 1917. The square was named after him in 1935. Before that, it was Communal, and even earlier - Cathedral, since a cathedral was built here in 1894. In 1930, the cathedral was blown up, and in its place the Palace of Culture was created in the Soviet Empire style. It housed the Opera and Ballet Theatre . During the war, performances of the evacuated Bolshoi Theater took place here, and it was here that Shostakovich's Symphony No. 7 was first performed.

Details: Kuibyshev Square

Kuibyshev Square Photo: © Sergey Arkhipkin

Stalin's bunker

Continue along the street. Shostakovich to Stalin's bunker . Now the entrance to the bunker is located on the territory of the Institute of Culture, but previously the building belonged to the regional committee of the CPSU. The secret facility was built in 1942 as a reserve headquarters for I.V. Stalin. Information about it was declassified only in 1990, a museum was created, which can now be visited with a guided tour by appointment. There were 9 floors built underground in the bunker, with an elevator running between them. Visitors see the meeting room, Stalin's office, corridors, rest rooms, furnished as in the 40s of the last century.

In detail: Stalin's bunker

The institute building, the entrance to Stalin’s bunker - from the courtyard Photo: © Sergey Arkhipkin

Chapaev Square

Next to the bunker you will see the house “Mukha” in the postmodern style, built at the end of the last century, and the house of the nobleman Poplavsky at the beginning of the last century with weather vanes and spiers. Cross Frunze Street and go to Chapaev Square . Since 1932, there has been a monument to V.I. Chapaev , the head of the Red Army division. The monument was made in Leningrad, where a copy of this monument was also installed. The sculptor was M. Manizer, who created monuments to Lenin and Kuibyshev in Samara. The multi-figure composition with Chapaev at the head looks monumental. Interestingly, Chapaev’s face was based on his son Alexander, who posed. The height of the monument is 10 m. Nearby there is a drama theater named after M. Gorky . This building was built in 1888. Thanks to its pseudo-Russian style, it is called a “gingerbread house”.

Details: Chapaev Square

Strukovsky Garden

From the square, head to Strukovsky Garden , the oldest city park. In anticipation of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the park was renovated. There are sculptures, attractions and fountains, a stage and a skatepark. After a walk, it will be nice to relax and walk along the green alleys. The garden runs along the embankment, from where you can go down to the river.

More details: Strukovsky Garden

Samara embankment

The garden goes down to the first stage of the Samara embankment . The landscaped area along the Volga consists of 4 lines, stretching a total of more than 4 km. There are city beaches parallel to the embankment. On the first day, you will have a walk along the area between Strukovsky Garden and the river station. Take a leisurely stroll along the path overlooking the river and passing ships. On the embankment you can see various sculptures, one of the most famous is “Barge Haulers on the Volga” near the “Sail” fountain. The dimensions of the monument correspond to the dimensions of Repin’s canvas, and the Volga itself plays the role of the background.

Details: Samara embankment

River walk along the Volga

Along the embankment you will reach the Samara river station , from which tourist flights, as well as ships to other cities, depart. A river walk along the Volga runs along the embankment. You will see the sights and view of the city from the water. The pleasure boat can go to Golodny Island, the village of Shiryaevo, the village of Vinnovka, under city bridges or in another direction. Travel agencies can offer entertainment programs on board. The duration of a standard walk is 1.5–2 hours.

Detailed advice on what to see in Samara in 1 day

Embankment

You can go down to the embankment directly from the garden . The landscaped area consists of four lines. On the embankment there is a sculptural composition “Barge Haulers on the Volga”, repeating the plot of Repin’s painting. The background is the Volga itself.

There are benches, bike paths, pavilions and cafes here. Adjacent to the promenade is a beach with beautiful golden sand.

On the old embankment there is the “Sail” fountain, installed in memory of the cabin boys who died during the Second World War.

Embankment

Wonderland Park "Galileo

This is the name of the interactive museum of illusions and wonderful mechanisms. The museum is attractive because you can touch all the exhibits. Pressing buttons and turning wheels is not forbidden; on the contrary, it is encouraged. Children feel like pioneers here.

In the labyrinth of illusions, the world turns upside down. The laws of physics work wonders. In conclusion, “Mirror Maze” will tickle your nerves.

Wonderland Park "Galileo

Museum and exhibition

Opened in 2001. The façade is decorated with a vertically installed Soyuz carrier. The height of the rocket together with the building on which it stands is 55 m .

The museum exhibits include fragments of spaceships that have been in space, space suits, and descent vehicles.

The permanent exhibition is located on the ground floor. The displays show information about how astronauts work and relax in space.

Museum and exhibition

In two days in Samara it is impossible to visit all the interesting places. Choose where to go based on your interests. We can say for sure that you won’t be bored.

The first art court in Samara

This courtyard is a real micro-museum of street art, well hidden from prying eyes in the old center. Here, just like in the studios, only in the open air, there are armchairs, an old piano, and even a refrigerator. And at the end of last year, bright graffiti appeared here, which will make any Instagram profile bloom.

Frunze 87/89 How to get there: take the wine bar “Drink to Love” as a guide. To the right of it we pass through the arch and cross the entire courtyard diagonally, moving to its far left corner - there will be an open door leading to a secret courtyard.