Where to go and what to see in Astrakhan

Where to stay

It all depends on the goal. If you want to go fishing, merge with nature, learn how to bake pike perch on charcoal, go to the recreation centers. Fishfactory is "luxury where you don't expect it" (from 16,000 rubles per night). There are several rooms to choose from in different continental styles. Base "Olga" (from 6,100 per night) is located on the seaside, and its main feature is its own lakes. "AZIMUT Hotel Volga Astrakhan" is a familiar hotel on the seaside (from 2,500 rubles per night). Another "fishing" accommodation option is tents on the banks of rivers. But because of the Astrakhan mosquitoes, this type of recreation can be called extreme.

Oh, this is the story of the Chocolate Factory of the K. A. Sharlau with his sons”. The owner (Scharlau, as you understand) at the end of the 19th century built a chocolate factory building and decorated it with busty caryatids. At first everything was great, but then the local press made such a fuss about the shapes of these girls that it was just right to cut them down. There was a legend that Karl Scharlau, in order not to lose visitors, reduced the size of the caryatids' breasts. However, even at the present time, these ladies are unlikely to be surpassed by the splendor of these ladies. See for yourself on occasion.

Roman Catholic Church

The temple preserves the memory of the Italian Capuchin monks, and has an organ of incredible beauty in it. The first wooden church on this site was built by the Roman Catholic Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the 17th century. The existing temple was erected in 1762 on the site of the destroyed previous one. Before the pandemic, there were charity concerts, you could go in and listen. Follow the news on the website of the Revival of the Astrakhan Organ Foundation.

In the area of

Mount Big Bogdo

This is real magic. Imagine: among the steppe, in the wormwood and sands, a mountain of Martian outlines rises, which is also gradually growing. A unique mountain in the Astrakhan region grows by a millimeter a year.

Bogdo is located 260 kilometers from Astrakhan. The easiest way to get to it is by car: you need to go to the village of Nizhny Baskunchak, then turn right in front of a sign with the name and go along a country road until Bogdo appears in front of you. The mountain is a salt dome that is squeezed out of the ground every day. Here you can meet Buddhist monks who consider the mountain sacred, rare lizards and esotericists. Seems like a great excuse to visit this place.

Lake Baskunchak

Another attraction is located near Bogdo - Lake Baskunchak. It is called the "salt shaker of Russia" - indeed, Baskunchak is mined here - "Wikipedia" has been for many hundreds of years, since the VIII century. The views of the lake are cosmic, and swimming in its warm waters is unforgettable.

You can also get to the lake through the village of Nizhny Baskunchak. You need to enter it, cross the railway and turn right. You will have to leave the car in the parking lot and then walk to the places where you can swim.

Dune Big Brother

Another steppe celebrity is Big Brother. He does not follow you, because he is a dune.

Over the years, Big Brother reached a height of up to 20 meters. The dune is located in Narimanov district, and here you will feel yourself in a real desert - just choose a more reliable car for your trip.

This place is especially loved by rally drivers. Every year they come here for the rally "Gold of the Khagan" and "The Great Silk Road".

Lotus fields

But in the opposite side of our region there is an attraction that can be safely called the most beautiful. The lotus thickets in the Volga delta are simply an unreal sight. Huge pink flowers with giant leaves entwine small rivers. Every year I go there with tourists and every year I am amazed.

The flower is considered sacred: there is even a legend that Buddhist monks brought lotus seeds to the Volga delta so that it would sprout here and bless the land. According to another version, the seeds were brought by migratory birds.

Lotus flowers usually bloom in August, so plan your holiday to catch the sight.

Where else to go in Astrakhan

Cult Bar

Our Astrakhan Rubinstein Street is full of cool bars. You can plan out trips to each of them for the whole night. But be sure to start with the "Cult Bar" and its large summer house with many lights. During the pandemic, the guys retrained to work online, but we hope that they will soon start working as usual.

Market "Big Isady"

It is worth a visit, although for the reason that such an interweaving of dialects, languages, voices is difficult to find anywhere else. Bolshie Isady keep the traditions of a real oriental market: here you can find fruits, fish, spices, and jeans fitting on a cardboard box.

Market "Selenskiye Isady"

Sights of Astrakhan: the market "Selenskie Isady"

You should definitely visit the main fish market in Astrakhan. You may not buy anything here, but the assortment and smells will definitely strike you to the very heart. It is worth taking a closer look at the roach - spring, fresh salted, it will be an excellent gift for your family. My personal recommendation is to look into the shop of the Church of the Intercession on the way out of the market. They sell wine made by the monks from local grapes. And it will be the finest wine in your life.

Moo Cheese Dairy

In the same place, on Fioletova, I recommend stopping by the Moo Cheese craft dairy and trying cacchota with fenugreek. Cheesemakers use only local milk for cooking and are constantly inventing new recipes. It also has a cool collection of rare kitchen utensils. You can buy takeaway cheese and have a picnic near the Kremlin from the side of Lenin Square.

Coffee Mechanics

Drinking coffee at the coffee mechanic Sergei Kustov is a must. His coffee car is based near the Philharmonic (Molodaya Gvardii str., 3). The owner brings top-quality coffee from different countries, knows everything about roasting and knows how to choose a drink for the guest to suit the mood.

Brewery Gellert

You can also sign up for an excursion to the Gellert brewery. They brew delicious beer that combines local and German traditions.

What to bring from Astrakhan

Vobla

What is usually brought from Astrakhan? Those who come to fish take fish trophies home. Those who came to see the city … also carry fish. The specialty of our region is dried roach. It can be bought in the market, from hands, in any fish store. The bottom line is that you will not try such a delicious roach, except in Astrakhan, anywhere else. Therefore, do not hesitate, buy a roach.

Pike caviar

Someone else buys black caviar. But let me tell you a secret - here it usually costs the same as in your city. Therefore, it is better to take more pike caviar - fresh, freshly cooked, from the market. This is an indescribable pleasure. Compare the price for yourself: a kilogram of black caviar costs 45-50 thousand rubles, a kilogram of pike - 2,200 rubles.

Fish skin accessories

You can also find fish leather products. Wallets, purses and even boots are great options for fashionistas. There are two souvenir shops near the central entrance to the Kremlin, where you can usually find similar items.

Reed products

Also, we buy reed baskets as souvenirs - cute handmade products for every little thing at home. You can buy these baskets for fruits and vegetables. They are environmentally friendly and very durable: the Astrakhan reed is such a versatile material that it is even used for building houses.

Usually, cute things made of reeds can be found in souvenir shops in the Kremlin and in shops near it.