Spring and early summer are the perfect times for a short getaway. It's far more enjoyable to visit attractions when the sun isn't yet scorching, and nature, dressed in its finest attire, is at its most beautiful. This is especially true for the Zhiguli Mountains, which transform into a colorful patchwork quilt of blooming vegetation, beckoning visitors to climb their peaks.

Where to Take a Walk

Molodetsky Kurgan marks the beginning of the Zhiguli mountain range. From its summit, you can enjoy breathtaking panoramas of two rivers—the Volga and the Usa. Eco-trails, laid out within the territory of the Samarskaya Luka National Park, lead the way to the top.

Mount Strelna is considered one of the highest points in the Zhiguli Mountains and attracts visitors seeking aesthetic pleasure. Here, you can admire the beauty of the protected mountains and the Volga with its islands, while breathing in the crisp spring air. The area is home to numerous rare plants and birds, making birdwatching one of the most fashionable and meditative hobbies.

Mount Otvazhnaya offers a spectacular view of the Zhiguli Sea, the hydroelectric station, the city of Tolyatti, and the cascading Zhiguli Mountains. The Sokolyi Hills, steep and covered in ravines, are a magnet for extreme mountain biking enthusiasts. Meanwhile, Mounts Lysa, Barsuk, and Tip-Tyav provide vistas of the famous Zhiguli Gates, the narrowest point of the Volga River. Samara is just a short distance away from here.

Podvalsky Terraces, a part of the Zhiguli Mountains, span an enormous area of over 660 hectares. The local landscapes are awe-inspiring: chalky landslide slopes resemble sets from a sci-fi film, and ancient rock formations often reveal fossils such as shells and sponges.

What to See

Samara Embankment: Undoubtedly, the embankment is the city's main attraction. Sandy beaches are separated from the promenade by ornate iron railings, and the embankment stretches for over four kilometers—a record among cities in the Volga region. Along the route, you'll find chestnut and linden trees, fountains, flowerbeds, intriguing sculptures, and cozy spots to relax. And, of course, the majestic Volga River: locals say that gazing at the water daily can extend your life by ten years.

Zhiguli Brewery: The first beer—a barrel of "Vienna"—was shipped in 1881, a year after Austrian Alfred von Vacano built the brewery on the banks of the Volga. The brewery's architecture is charming, featuring weathervanes and spires adorning smokestacks, as well as metal structures bearing the marks of German manufacturers. Von Vacano often placed his signature emblem—a symbol of the union between founders Vacano and Faber—on the buildings. The emblem resembles a radiant delta or the "all-seeing eye." The brewery also contains Masonic symbols, such as two stone obelisks (Jachin and Boaz), representing "established by strength" and "established by God." Additionally, two wooden panels on the factory's stone buildings are crafted in the shape of the Star of David.

House with Elephants: Merchant Golovkin's summer home at 292 Sovetskaya Armiya Street is famously known as the "House with Elephants." Konstantin Golovkin had a deep appreciation for art, which inspired him to establish an art museum. Later, he decided to build his dream home on the steep Volga bank, placing two elephant sculptures in front of the facade, clearly visible from the river. With its massive forms, slit-like windows, and rustic stone base, this house is truly one of a kind—not just in Russia, but globally. The project was co-designed by architect Vladimir Tepfer.

Kukhmeisterskaya: Add this unique destination to your itinerary, where history intertwines with modernity. In the early 20th century, Alfred von Vacano commissioned the construction of a mansion-restaurant-shop, dubbed "Kukhmeisterskaya." Today, the building has been restored based on archival drawings and photographs. Previously, it housed dining halls and a buffet, where, according to urban legends, men were only admitted in top hats, bowlers, and proper suits. It is said that a beer pipeline was installed in the building, delivering fresh Zhiguli beer directly from the brewery to the bar counter. Guests included a young Vladimir Ulyanov (Lenin) and Maxim Gorky, who worked for the Samarskaya Gazeta.

Where to Stay

Guests can enjoy the thermal complex from 7 AM to 11 PM without any time restrictions. Relax in the warming jacuzzi, dry Finnish saunas, hammam, herbal bath, or panoramic pool with a counter-current system. Spa enthusiasts can indulge in rituals and treatments using premium Elemis cosmetics, such as the "Frangipani Flower Salt Scrub," "Seaweed Lifting Wrap," or nourishing "Royal Care." At the Black Diamond Beauty salon, you can receive top-notch facial and body treatments, professional manicures and pedicures, or entrust the stylists with creating a daytime or evening look.

Where to Eat

The menu features light appetizers, hearty wok and robata-style mains, memorable signature desserts, and unique cocktails. Highlights include chicken kushiyaki with curry sauce and sweet corn, shrimp platter, "Yuzu" dessert, Voda roll with crab, scallop, and strawberry, and the "Lady of the Night" cocktail—a full immersion into the world of Pan-Asian flavors. The inspiring view of Samara's historic center enhances the experience.

Where to Relax

Another reason to visit Yurik is its unique interior inspired by a paleontological park. The name humorously refers to the Jurassic period because, in 1903, paleontologist Pyotr Kazansky identified fossils found near the village of Novaya Racheyka in the Syzran district as remains of the Volga ichthyosaur—a reminder that Samara's surface was once the bottom of the Tethys Ocean.

Where to pamper yourself