Astrakhan, located near the place where the Volga flows into the Caspian Sea, is very popular among those who are fond of fishing and camping. There the biggest Russian river is divided into hundreds of canals forming a huge delta. There are a lot of fish in the area. You will have there all you need for comfortable recreation and managed fishing, which are offered by dozens of fishing bases or out-of-town hotels.
Astrakhan also has many interesting historical sights. This city was the capital of the Khanate of Astrakhan. The khanate was created in 15 century, after the collapse of the Golden Horde.
In 1502 it became a fully independent state, but already in 1556, after he defeated Kazan, Ivan the Terrible sent to Astrakhan a party of voivode Ivan Cheremisin. Khan Dervish Ali fled to the Turkish Azov and Astrakhan was annexed to Russia.
In 1557 it was decided to build a new kremlin in Astrakhan. The thing is the old town of Astrakhan was on the flat right bank of the river, so it was very difficult to defend it. The new kremlin was erected on the left bank of the river, on the high Shaban-Bugor island, later renamed Hare island.
Originally, this kremlin was a wooden fortress, but in 1569 the Turks attacked the city. The Turks were defeated but, taking into account a constant military threat, in 1580 Ivan the Terrible gave an order to replace it by a strong stone fortress.
So, the Astrakhan Kremlin is the most interesting place related to the history of Russia. There are also many other interesting sights and museums around the Kremlin, such as: the local history museum, the picture gallery, and the museum of Kustodiev. Beautiful parks and gardens were created along the walls of the Kremlin. The Swan Lake is not far from the Crimea Tower.
You should have a walk on the Volga embankment. Considering that Astrakhan is only at one canal of the Volga delta, the river is relatively narrow there. On the embankment you can see many bronze sculptures, as well as a big monument of Peter I.
