Located in the Ural Mountains, this Russian industrial hub has more than 1.3 million residents. The capital of Bashkortostan includes both Islamic mosques and Russian Orthodox churches.
Ufa, the capital of Russia's Bashkortostan Republic, sits at the meeting point of the Belaya and Ufa rivers. With 1.1 million residents, the city combines industrial might with religious significance. Walk through Lenin Street to see 19th-century merchant houses, climb to the 10-meter bronze statue of Salavat Yulaev, or watch sunset from the Belaya River embankment with its modern fountains and walking paths.
Getting to Ufa
Ufa International Airport connects the city with Moscow, St. Petersburg, and international cities like Istanbul and Prague. Take bus line 110 from the airport to reach the city center. Trains run regularly between Ufa and major Russian cities at the central railway station on Chernyshevsky Street.
Moving Around the City
You'll find trams, trolleybuses, regular buses, and marshrutkas (shared taxis) throughout Ufa. The tram network runs through central districts and residential areas since 1937. Take tram line 1 to reach the National Museum, or bus 51 for the riverside promenade.
Cultural Landmarks
The Salavat Yulaev statue dominates a hilltop above the Belaya River. Local families gather in the surrounding gardens during summer and slide down ice slopes in winter. Inside the National Museum of the Republic of Bashkortostan, you'll find traditional Bashkir clothing, weapons, and household items dating from the 18th century onwards.
Religious Architecture
The Ar-Rahim Mosque construction project will create a 57-meter-high building with capacity for 10,000 worshippers. Visit the Lyalya Tyulpan Mosque to see its unique tulip-shaped minarets, or explore the 19th-century First Cathedral Mosque. The Central Spiritual Administration of Muslims, housed in a green-domed building on Tukaeva Street, manages Islamic affairs across Russia.
Weather and Seasons
Winter temperatures in Ufa typically range from -15°C to -5°C from November to March, with snow covering the ground. Summer brings temperatures between 20°C and 30°C, ideal for riverside walks and outdoor cafes. Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) see temperatures around 10°C with regular rainfall.
Industrial Areas
Oil refineries and engineering plants dominate Ufa's northeastern district. The Bashneft oil company operates three major refineries along the Belaya River. You'll see the industrial landscape from the city's eastern bridges, where processing towers and cooling systems stretch for several kilometers along the riverbank.
