Kazan is a great place to pick up unusual souvenirs which hold testament to the region’s unique cultural history. Here are some of the classic items which most tourists take back with them:

 

Chak chak - The sticky sweet traditional Tatar snack. You will find it sold everywhere, even at the train station and the minute you see it served in another city in Russia, you can be sure someone has just recently returned from Kazan – this is what every Russian buys when they visit the city.

 

Traditional clothing - The Tatars are very proud of their distinctive national clothing. Items worth considering buying include the Muslim skull cap decorated with a local design (usually green and gold), Tatar slippers with curled toes, silk scarves and embroidered leather shoes. Colourful leather boots, which funnily enough are quite reminiscent of cowboy boots, are also popular souvenirs.

 

Jewellery - Prayer beads are present everywhere as are jewellery items featuring the blue and white anti-evil eye talisman symbol, which are popular across the Islamic world. Extravagant earrings and necklaces in central Asian designs also make great gifts.

 

Kazan Rubin memorabilia - Kazan Rubin is the city’s leading football team and one of the best teams in the Russian league. Scarves, hats and bumper stickers in the team’s red and green colours can be found everywhere.