Ufa is the capital of the Republic of Bashkortostan – a green peninsula surrounded by three rivers, and at the same time, it is a city on the hills, with karst caves and underground springs. If you put all this into one picture, you will understand the uniqueness of the Bashkir capital – not only cultural, but also geographical. There is a lot of greenery, air, space – a city where you can be in nature without leaving its borders. We will tell you where to go and what to see to get a general picture of Ufa in this article.
Spending a weekend in Ufa will be interesting for residents of the Samara region bordering Bashkortostan.
Approximate travel budget for one person: from 4,050 rubles.
- Round-trip train tickets from 1,700 rubles*. Travel time one way from 7 to 10 hours;
- 1 night in a hostel – from 300 rubles* or in a 3* hotel – from 700 rubles*;
- The average bill in a cafe is 400 rubles;
- Walks around the city, travel on public transport, souvenirs – 800 rubles.
1. Monument to Salavat Yulaev
Bronze Salavat is a monument that greets guests on the banks of the Belaya River. Salavat Yulaev not only supported Pugachev and was a guy with character, but also wrote poetry. “Improviser, singer, fearless fighter” – there is a book about Yulaev. A hockey club and an avenue are named after him, there is an opera house of the same name, a business center and millions of variations on the theme of his appearance and character in the local tour industry. The monument to Salavat Yulaev is a point of attraction and the number one place to visit for all tourists: if you didn’t take a photo there, consider that you haven’t been to Ufa. And around the main attraction of the city is the “Ufa Amphitheater”, where the largest open-air events take place, bringing the whole city together to listen to music or watch a movie in the open air. At any time of the year or day, this place grabs you and doesn’t let go until the next meeting.
Congress Hall area. Vatan Park
2. Vatan Park
In the “Ufa amphitheater” on the square there is an ensemble of Bashkir yurts – the Vatan ethno-park. Seven yurts reflect the entire identity of the region, each with its own theme: for example, in the TAMGA yurt creative master classes and tea ceremonies are held, in the crafts yurt you can see how real Bashkir carpets are woven and listen to the musical instrument kurai or buy souvenirs, ethnographic yurt and “Nedra” of Bashkortostan present small museum exhibitions, and in the “Photostories” yurt you can take pictures in costumes. Also on the square there is an “Open Library” with books for bookcrossing, where cozy apartments and various events take place.
3. Center of Ufa. Alley ArtTerria
The main place for walking is the historical center. You should definitely take a walk in and around Gostiny Dvor: run into cozy coffee shops, atmospheric restaurants, look at the “Seven Girls” fountain dancing to the music and make a wish at the zero kilometer near the yellow building of the Main Post Office, after sending postcards “From Ufa with love” to your friends. For lovers of contemporary art, at the beginning of Lenin Street there is the ArtTerria alley, created in the summer of 2016 by sculptors from different countries as part of an international symposium. There is such a game in Ufa – “guess the name of an art object” – this process captivates and remains in the memory. There is also a monument to the name of the city in Bashkir – the letters ӨФӨ or “three screws”, as the Ufa residents themselves call it.
4. Area of two fountains
In the summer, be sure to go to the Square of Two Fountains. There is always music playing here – DJs play or artists perform – various events and open-air film screenings are organized, and, of course, there is the largest and most varied selection of street food, which you can try at tables or on comfortable pallets with blankets. Find a small red retro car (you can?). And of course, you can’t do without a souvenir photo next to the big letters “I love EFE.”
Lovers’ Bridge in the Garden named after. Salavat Yulaeva
5. Garden named after Salavat Yulaeva
There are many parks, squares and alleys in Ufa, but the garden named after Salavat Yulaev is considered the most popular and beloved among Ufa residents. This park on a hill, with old openwork gazebos (“Faith”, “Nadezhda” and “Love”) and a bridge over a ravine with high columns, is the first thing every guest entering Ufa sees. The bridge has the glory of being the main place for all lovers, which is why it has such a name. They say that here you can not only seal love by hanging a lock and throwing the key into a ravine, but also make wishes for two. To do this, you need to, holding the handrail with one hand and the hand of your loved one with the other, walk across the bridge. At night, the gazebos and bridge are beautifully illuminated, and at any time of the day there is a stunning view of the Belaya River.
Lido Castle in the Olympic Park. Photo: restocenter.ru
6. Olympic Park: Gummi Castle and Rope Park
The territory of the Olympic Park complex has everything: there is a princess castle, Chinese lions, a ski slope, a rope park, and, most importantly, an incredibly beautiful view of the river. In winter you can go skiing and snowboarding without leaving the city, and in summer you can climb trees in the Gummi rope park. There are trails for both adults and children. There are always a lot of events going on in the park, and there are no problems with choosing food: you can eat at the Lido Castle with a large food court and karaoke, as well as at the Chinese-style 108 Teapots cafe.
Photo: artoblaka.ru
7. Center for Contemporary Art “Clouds”
The Clouds Center for Contemporary Art is a space that unites an exhibition gallery, handmade stores, workshops, cafes, and quest rooms under one roof. Here you can always look at the works of Bashkir and other artists, visit imported exhibition projects, go through quests, take part in various events, master classes, buy something unique as a souvenir, or just have a delicious meal at the Pianocafe.
8. Chernikovka and Lyalya-Tulpan Mosque
The Chernikovka microdistrict is located in the northern part of Ufa. It was built by architects from Leningrad, so it resembles “Ufa St. Petersburg” and is very different from the central part of the city. It’s worth coming here to stroll along Pervomaiskaya Street, look at the first high-rise buildings in the city – “eight-story buildings”, and take a walk near the palace named after. Sergo Ordzhonikidze and look at military equipment, monuments and a beautiful view of the river in Victory Park.
Adjacent to the park is an unusual architectural landmark – the Lyalya-Tulpan Mosque. The mosque is open to visitors, the main thing is to follow the rules for visiting such institutions.
Photo: poufe.ru
9. Ashkhana “Neneika”
While in the capital of the Bashkir Republic, you should definitely get acquainted with the national cuisine. The best way to do this is in the ashkhan “Neneika”, which means “grandmother” in Bashkir. All dishes here are prepared using farm products, so home-style food is tasty and inexpensive. Chak-chak, eremsek, kumis, ayran, vakbelyash, echpochmak and other Bashkir dishes to the tunes of kurai await you in a cozy modern ashkhan. In addition to the small ashkhana “Neneika” on Oktyabrya Avenue 4/2B, there is also a larger “Zur Neneika” in Green Grove.
10. Creative coffee shop Esperanto Cafe
For lovers of cozy gatherings, master classes, apartment parties, lectures on art and poetry evenings, the Esperanto Café coffee shop is open. From food – sandwiches, panini and desserts, from entertainment – creative events of Ufa residents every evening.
* Prices for travel and accommodation are indicated at the time of writing. The cost indicated in the material and the final price may vary depending on the season and time for which tickets are purchased.
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Text by Elena Filipova and Dina Mudarisova, photographs by Marina Demchenko.
