What is the special charm of the Crimea? The abundance of the sun, the open sea, amazingly beautiful mountains, the healing air and the riot of southern nature attract tourists. And also an abundance of attractionsto visit - from cave towns and the Nikitsky Botanical Garden to the Swallow's Nest and the Livadia Palace. And I want to see all this!
In the south of mainland Eurasia is a unique territory with a special climate and rich nature. The Crimean peninsula, someone reminiscent of a bunch of grapes, someone a rhombus and even a heart, is surrounded by two seas.
Features of the peninsula:
- The waves of the Black Sea wash Crimea in the south and west, and the waters the shallowest sea in the world of Azov - in the north.
- The flat landscapes of most of the peninsula to the south gradually rise and are replaced by the Crimean mountains with the highest peak Roman Kosh (1545 m). This entire territory covers an area of \u200b\u200b26,860 km².
- The population of Crimea is 2,340,921 people. Most of the residents live in the city of federal significance Sevastopol, capital of the republic of Simferopol - the second most populous.
- Crimea is famous for its healing climate, which differs in different parts of the peninsula: on its greater territory, the mild steppe climate of the temperate zone is more humid and cool in the mountainous Crimea. Climate conditions on the southern coast of the peninsula close to subtropical Mediterranean. The summer is sunny, but the heat is not exhausting, the air refreshes the sea breeze, the water warms up to + 24 ° on average. Autumn on the coast is warm, winters are mild and short-lived.
- Crimea is good for holidays in any season.
The main attractions
Each guest of the peninsula discovers their Crimea. Of interest to someone are natural attractions - caves, waterfalls, mountain plateaus.
Others are attracted archaeological sites, museums and palaces of Crimea. Moving by car from Cape Tarkhankut in the west to Kerch in the east, you can discover all the beauties of the peninsula.
We have prepared for you a guide to the main attractions of Crimea with photos and names so that you do not have questions what to see on the peninsula.
The most extreme western point of the Crimean peninsula is Cape Tarkhankut. These places are famous for themselves. clean water with clear water.
Divers, surfers, and just beach lovers away from the hustle and bustle of popular resorts have already appreciated the benefits of Tarhankut.
Fans of new experiences here also have something to see:
- natural boundary Atlesh with its huge natural arch, bays, grottoes, caves and a 98-meter through tunnel. Favorite films of many generations "Pirates of the Century" and "Amphibian Man" were shot here;
- Bowl of love up to 9 meters deep - a romantic place where lovers test their feelings. You need to jump into the water without breaking your arms, and then, according to ancient belief, the couple will be happy together for many years;
- Avenue of Leaders - An underwater museum with more than 50 exhibits;
- Kalos-Limen and Scythian burial grounds.
The Museum-Reserve "Tauric Chersonesos" is located at the address: 1 Ancient Street.
Here you can see ruins of ancient Chersonesos. The ancient Greek polis was founded at the end of the 5th century BC. It was here that Prince Vladimir himself adopted Christianity and laid the foundation for the baptism of all of Russia. In honor of this event, the Cathedral of St. Vladimir.
Tourists love to be photographed against the background of the famous Misty bell. Lovers of antiquities will be interested to get acquainted with museum exhibits.
In the summer, every day, from 8.30 in the morning until 8 in the evening you can visit the reserve, admission is free. But for excursions and viewing exhibits you need to pay.
it legendary place on the Ship side of Sevastopol. An important strategic point in height was heroically defended by Russian troops in the Crimean War (1854 - 1855) and Soviet soldiers in 1942.
Memorial Complex includes more than 20 monuments. Here you can see places where admirals Kornilov and Nakhimov, ancient artillery batteries, the Eternal Flame, the Alley of Friendship were mortally wounded.
Information for visitors:
Near the Nakhimov Square, the main one in Sevastopol, there is a peculiar emblem of the hero city, a marina called Grafskaya. This is in honor of Count Voinovich, commander of the Sevastopol squadron.
Marina - a historical place, it was built on the shore of the Sevastopol Bay, in its southern part, awaiting the arrival of Catherine II. Later it was landscaped, and today the white colonnade is the decoration of the city. Marble stairs lead down to the sea.
Count's pier is called the front sea gate of the city. Veterans gather on its steps during the holidays. From here, guests of Sevastopol admire the scenery of the bay.
Near Sevastopol at cape Fiolent, on a high terrace above the sea, is the monastery of St. George.
The legend of its occurrence says that it happened in 891. At the place where, thanks to St. George, Greek sailors were saved from the storm, they founded this monastery. For several centuries in a row the monastery was a place of pilgrimage for Crimean Christians.
The monastery has a difficult history, in our days it began to be revived in 1991. It is worth visiting not only for believers. The breath of history is felt in this place.. The monastery is located in a beautiful place, on a staircase of 777 steps, from a 200-meter height, you can go down to Jasper Beach.
Visitors are welcome to the monastery on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Free admission.
One of the decorations of the southern coast of Crimea - church of the Resurrection, often referred to simply as the Foros Church. The small and graceful shape of the temple as if soars in the air, at 412-meter height. The view from below is especially mesmerizing, it must be seen, the sensations are indescribable.
The best craftsmen participated in the construction of the church, it is one of the architectural monuments of the 19th century.
The temple is active, services, baptisms, weddings are held in it. The viewpoint offers breathtaking views of Foros and the surrounding area.
The Church of the Resurrection of Christ is located at: Foros, st. Terletsky, 3. Visiting the temple is free, but if acquaintance with it is included in the excursion route, then the price is negotiable.
The pride of the resort Alupka is considered to be the Vorontsov Palace, or rather, it is a whole museum reserve with a palace complex and a park. The summer residence of Count Vorontsov was completed by the middle of the 19th century.
Interesting facts about the palace:
- Three generations of the Vorontsov family owned the palace. Today, when it became a museum, one can see preserved luxurious interiors of the past.
- The English delegation arrived at the Yalta Conference with Winston Churchill at the head and lived in the Vorontsov Palace.
- Famous Soviet films - from "Scarlet Sails" and "Ordinary Miracle" to "Assa" and "Ten Little Indians" were shot here.
- The palace looks great against the backdrop of Mount Ai-Petri, among cypresses and magnolias.
The address of the Vorontsov Palace in Alupka: Palace Highway 18. Hours - from 9.00 to 17.00, daily.
You can visit all the halls and expositions by single ticketwhich costs 650 rubles. The price of visiting individual exhibitions is from 50 to 300 rubles.
Not far from Yalta there is a world-famous place where collected trees and flowers of several thousand species. In the Nikitsky Botanical Garden, not only scientists and researchers work. There are always welcome lovers of flora, arrange tours, exhibitions, whole flower balls and festivals.
Lotuses and irises, tulips, roses and chrysanthemums - the garden is beautiful in any season. You can admire the unique herbarium in the museum, and cacti in the greenhouse of the botanical garden.
What visitors need to know:
- throughout the year, the garden welcomes guests daily, from 8.00 to 17.00;
- the entrance to the Arboretum, which consists of two parks, will cost an adult 300 rubles, for schoolchildren 150 rubles;
- you can visit the Seaside Park and the greenhouse for 100 rubles. adult and 50 rubles. a child from 7 to 14 years old;
- a ticket to the museum costs 50 rubles. and school children will pay half the price for his visit;
- there is a botanical garden in the village of Nikita, Yalta.
Livadia Palace built for the royal familyfor over 100 years. But even today, the residence of the Romanovs, which has become a museum-reserve, attracts visitors with its beauty.
Just a few kilometers from Yalta is this snow-white architectural masterpiece. The main expositions are dedicated to the Romanov dynasty and the Crimean conference of leaders of the Soviet Union, Great Britain and the USA. Themed exhibitions are also held here.
Attention visitors:
Everyone knows this architectural landmark in absentia - seen on postcards. It is located on cape Ai-Todor in Gaspra, on a 40-meter sheer Aurora rock. The castle itself is small, it was restored, giving its current appearance and today it is an exhibition complex.
And on the adjacent terrace in the evenings there are concerts, performances, vernissages. From here it is good to admire the sea views.
Information for those wishing to visit the Swallow's Nest:
- the territory adjacent to the palace can be visited for free. A ticket to the castle itself costs 200 rubles for adults, 100 rubles for children;
- during the period from May to October, opening hours are from 10.00 to 19.00 daily, and from November to May, the visiting time is reduced to 16.00, on Monday the castle is closed for visits;
- the Swallow's Nest is located in the village of Gaspra, on 9A Alupkinskoye Shosse.
Near the village of Generalskoye in the vicinity there is a wonderful place, especially desirable for tourists on hot summer days. Even in the very heat, the Jur-Jur waterfall is full and pleases with a cool and picturesque sight - water rushes down from a 15-meter height.
Where the waterfall is located belongs to the territory of the reserve of the same name. Having paid 100 rubles for entry, you can go to the observation deck.
If a visit to the Jur-Jur waterfall is organized as part of the tour, then the average price will be 750 rubles.
With an independent visit, drive up to the sights, and not walk through the forest, you can agree on the price with local residents.
Genoese fortress in Sudak is museum-reserve, a monument to the history of the medieval era. A defensive structure erected on top of the Fortress Mountain to make the fortress impregnable, it took almost a hundred years.
But today, visitors will see only the remnants of its former power, which are still impressive. It is not for nothing that historical reconstructions and tournaments of knights are carried out here.
Attention tourists:
Fans of the great marine painter Ivan Aivazovsky will be interested to visit Theodosian Art Gallery. In Russia, by the way, this museum is one of the oldest.
Here you can see the works of not only the famous artist but also other masters of painting, including contemporary ones, photographs, archival documents and things.
The house of Aivazovsky himself and his sister - in these buildings, architectural monuments of the 19th century, is a museum exhibition.
Information about the museum:
To visit this palace will be interesting to everyone who wants to learn about the architecture, traditions and culture of the Crimean Tatar people.
Residence of Crimean Khans conceived as a paradise on earth. But over a centuries-old history, the palace has undergone destruction and alterations.
Today, visitors to the historical and cultural reserve can see the interiors of residential chambers and the harem, mosques, Divan hall, Sary-Guzel baths, gardens, courtyards and fountains. The most famous of them - praised by Pushkin
Attention visitors:
- you can see the Khan's Palace daily, from 9.00 to 17.00. The average ticket price for an adult is 300 rubles, for students - 100 rubles. But the exact cost of visiting depends on how many exhibits are planned to be visited;
- The Khan's Palace in Bakhchisarai is located on River Street, 133.
A meeting awaits visitors at this private zoo. with animals over 100 species, including rare ones. Here live tigers and leopards, bears and camels, ostriches and hippos, chimpanzees and giraffes.
Inhabitants can be fed, but only with special food purchased at the entrance. Children will be interested in talking with animals in petting zoo “Grandma’s Courtyard.”
Information for guests of the zoo:
- an adult will pay 500 rubles for entering this kingdom of fauna, half the cost of a ticket for a child under 10 years old;
- the zoo is open from 9.3- to 19 daily. You can find it at the address: Yalta, st. Kirova, 156.
Map of Attractions
We mentioned only a small part of the sights of the peninsula. Much more is indicated on the map:
Disappointment in the Crimean sights is impossible. They are so different - unique corners of nature, picturesque parks, mountain landscapes, magnificent palaces, historical monuments. All this must be seen firsthand and to understand why Crimea is attractive for you.
The territory of the Crimean peninsula is famous for its abundance of attractions and a very rich history, full of important events related to various states. For this priceless from a geographical point of view, the territory has repeatedly sparked interstate wars and conflicts. What is there to hide, who just did not want to own the Black Sea "pearl".
Informally, Crimea is called an “open-air museum”. A unique combination of climatic conditions, topography, flora and fauna confirm this. The Crimean peninsula is very popular among immigrants from the countries of the former USSR, they strive here in pursuit of indelible impressions of a unique architectural ensemble, beautiful nature, various palaces, museums and historical monuments. The wealth of attractions creates the feeling that eternity is not enough to visit them all, so it will not be superfluous to first familiarize yourself with a description of the most famous and main of them.
A large number of palaces on the southern coast of the peninsula has great tourist value, these architectural objects are remembered by Count Shuvalov, the Romanov dynasty, Count Vorontsov and other persons of history. The palaces, once the property of Crimean aristocrats, are museum complexes, attracting many guests with the sacrament of whole generations.
Vorontsov Palace in Alushta
The Vorontsov Palace, located in Alushta (a resort city), consists of a register of architectural monuments and adorns the foot of Ai-Petri Mountain. Built in the first half of the 19th century (1848), the palace was the summer residence of Count Vorontsov, where three generations of the count family lived. Today it is a museum-reserve with the famous Alupinsky park in the composition.
Massandra Palace
The Massandra Palace of Emperor Alexander III, which adorns the village of Verkhnyaya Massandra, has repeatedly changed its owners, including: Emperor Nicholas II, Alexander III, and the Vorontsov family. Guests of the palace were many famous personalities of the Soviet political arena, such as Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin, Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev and Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev. Guests of the complex can look at the original interior and furnishings of the time. The palace was built at the end of the 19th century and is a branch of the Alupka Museum Complex.
bird home
The swallow’s nest is a kind of architectural emblem of the peninsula; its image can often be seen on souvenir items. The gothic style of the building makes it look like a medieval castle, and its location on the edge of the cliff offers unique views of the southern coast. Due to its low height, which is only 12 meters, this creation of architecture is recognized as the smallest castle in the world. The initiator of the construction was the German P.L. Steigel, who was inspired by the appearance of the castle, located on the banks of the Rhine river.
Kichkine Palace
Kichkine Palace, built in 1913, was the property of Dmitry Konstantinovich Romanov. The attraction is made in an unusual style with pronounced oriental "notes". A beautiful park, a staircase to the sea and grottoes for vacationers are striking.
Suuk-Su Palace
The Suuk-Su Palace is located in the village of Gurzuf, near the Artek International Children's Center. The building is considered a cultural heritage and is contained in the lists of architectural monuments. Suuk-Su received its elite status thanks to the reception of eminent guests, attracting them with hydrotherapy procedures, comfortable hotels and the availability of electricity. In 1942, the landmark was damaged by a fire, but fortunately, after a while, the palace and the unique setting were restored.
Khan's Palace
The Khan's Palace, located in Bakhchisarai, symbolizes the representation of the Tatars on the earthly paradise. The palace was built in the XVI century and was once a khan's residence. Three generations of the Gireyev family lived here, each of which left an imprint in the form of a sight that, unfortunately, was lost as a result of the fire and perestroika in the 18th-19th centuries. Only in the XX century the building was restored, and unique interior images restored.
Livadia Palace
The Livadia Palace is the basis of the palace complex with unique parks and a unique landscape, located in the village of Livadia. The appearance of the first buildings of the complex is dated to the beginning of the XX century. In 1861, it was bought by the royal family and served them for summer purposes. The terrifying consequences of World War II, the palace and the park were turned into ruins, but in 1945 restored.
Museums and exhibitions of Crimea
The Crimean peninsula has more than three hundred museums, including twenty state ones. As a rule, they are located in large cities, such as Sevastopol, Feodosia, Simferopol and others. By the way, tourists will not have to get bored, because museum complexes are very rich in the number of exhibits on a variety of topics.
Art Gallery named after I.A. Aivazovsky in Crimea
Art Gallery named after I.A. Aivazovsky presents to his guests a collection of works, which includes more than four hundred works of the great creator. Here you can see things belonging to the artist’s family and get acquainted with the history of the gallery. In the thirtieth year of the 20th century, a monument to an artist was erected near the gallery building, on which the inscription flaunts: "Theodosius - Aivazovsky."
Adzhimushaysky quarries
Adzhimushaysky quarries are of great memorial significance, in 1942 here for six months, local residents and soldiers of the Soviet army resisted the Nazis. Out of 13 thousand resistance, only 48 survived. In memory of the victims, a memorial was erected. Heroic defense made a huge contribution to the victory of the Red Army, linking the essential forces of the enemy.
Object 825 GTS
Object 825 GTS, sometimes referred to as the “Museum of the Cold War" - the main attraction of Sevastopol. Tourists have a unique opportunity to look at the former strategic, secret object of the Cold War. Engineers managed to create a structure with special characteristics in a short time. The design is an underground "parking" of submarines that can protect against direct nuclear strike.
Panorama "Defense of Sevastopol"
Panorama "Defense of Sevastopol" is a famous monument in the hero city. Timed to the defenders of the city from the assault of the British and French in 1856. The enemy wanted to oust Russia from the Black Sea. The city held the defense for almost a year, after which it was taken.
Alexander Green Museum
The Alexander Green Museum is a building with rooms similar to ship cabins. It tells about the history of the famous author, and also, to the eyes of the guests appears the world of heroes from the works of the writer. The museum began its existence in 1970 and is very popular among tourists; creative writers often organize here.
Kerch Art Gallery
The Kerch Art Gallery is known for its wealth of exhibits; more than two thousand paintings are collected under one roof. The beginning of the exhibition dates back to 1985. Of great cultural importance is the building itself, consisting of registers of architectural monuments.
Monument to the Scuttled Ships
Monument to the scuttled ships is an object of monumental art, completely surrounded by water surface. The memorial is a memorial of the events of the XIX century, when in the Sevastopol bay the Russian fleet flooded their own ships in order to close the approach to the ships of the French and British.
Ancient settlements in Crimea
City Chufut-Kale
The city of Chufut-Kale is a fortified city, which is located on a high mountain plain near Bakhchisaray. It is an ancient cave-type settlement, founded in the V-VI centuries of our era, supposedly played the role of fortification. The road to it runs through the territory of the rocky Holy Assumption Monastery. In the XIII-XIV centuries, the attraction was the "heart" of a small principality, which was under the influence of the Golden Horde, in that era there lived the people of the Karaites. In the XIX century, the remaining settlers left here.
Tauric Chersonesos
Tauric Chersonesos is part of Greek history, the policy, the existence of which begins from the 5th century BC, was the center of the Greek colony. In the II century BC, it was influenced by the Bosporus kingdom, and later became a Roman vassal. Khersones has great religious value, because it was on this earth that Russian Prince Vladimir was baptized, and the first Christians appeared on this territory in the 1st century of our era.
Genoese fortresses
Genoese fortresses are located in three cities of the peninsula: Sudak, Balaclava, Feodosia. In the Middle Ages, forts served as a shield, saving the Genoese from raids from the sea. In the XVI century, all three fortifications were at the disposal of the Ottoman Empire.
Religious sights of the peninsula
Sunday Church (Foros)
Sunday Church (Foros) built in 1882 in the village of Foros, is located on a cliff, revealing for tourists the grandeur of the beauties of the surrounding nature. The sanctuary was erected by decree of Alexander III to commemorate the catastrophe with the train, during which the imperial family miraculously survived. In the post-revolutionary years, a restaurant opened here, which ceased to exist in the seventies. During the Great Patriotic War, the landmark served as a refuge foros border guards, with courage to repel the onslaught of the German invaders.
Holy Assumption Cave Monastery
The Holy Assumption Cave Monastery has a very deep history and is a functioning male temple. The monastery began its existence in the VIII century, its founders are Byzantine monks. According to legend, the Crimean khan himself came to honor the local shrines during the Ottoman rule. In 1927, the sanctuary was destroyed by an earthquake, the beginning of restoration activities dates back only to 1993.
Crimean nature sights
In addition to man-made sights, the peninsula is rich in conspicuous and colorful creations of Mother Nature herself.
Ak-Kaya or White Rock
Ak-Kaya or the White Rock is a vertical rocky wall that attracts attention from afar due to its white color. It is located near the village of White Rock above the Biyuk-Karasu Valley. Many tourists come to look at the splendor of this miracle of nature and take a photo for memory.
Valley of Ghosts in Crimea
The valley of ghosts is located in the Alushta region of Crimea, it is a bizarre rock formations. The attraction is located on the territory of the natural monument, whose area is 20 hectares. The peculiar form of shadows formed from stone forms gives this place a “touch” of mystery and mystery.
Balaklava Bay
Balaklava Bay represents the consequences of lithological processes, forming a peculiarly rugged relief of the coast, where one of the three Genoese fortresses is located. The development of the territory by the first settlers began in the VIII-VI centuries BC. During the Crimean War, the base of the English fleet was located here, and during the Soviet era - the secret base of submarines.
Pushkin rock
Pushkin Rock is a wonderful corner of nature, named after the great poet, the place is the best suited to protect yourself from the growing fuss of modern time and enjoy the calm, moderate atmosphere of relaxation. The "pearl" of nature is located in the village of Gurzuf, on the southern coast of the peninsula.
Ayu-Dag Mountain
Ayu-Dag is a mountain between Big Yalta and Big Alushta, sometimes called Bear Mountain. The height of the mountain range is 570 meters above sea level and has a ledge into the marine basin of almost 2500 meters. The natural complex consists of lists of natural monuments, a lot of old traditions and stories are associated with this place.
Sun trail
The sun trail is a favorite route for tourists. Sometimes it is called the royal path, apparently because it runs from the children's sanatorium in the village of Gaspra to the Livadia Palace. A variety of sculptures and rare, unique vegetation adorn the path. Almost 7 kilometers of miracle (the length of the trail) will not leave indifferent any tourist, the presence of viewing platforms opens up unique panoramas of the southern coast.
Adalara Islands
The Adalars are two islands of rocky origin in the south of the Crimean coast. The exterior resembles medieval Gothic castles. According to ancient legend, these are two brothers, punished in this way by the gods for their misconduct. The attraction is important for tourism, once a rocky path led to the islands, which has not survived to this day under the influence of the sea.
Red Caves (Kizil-Koba)
Red Caves (Kizil-Koba) - a large system consisting of several caves 2.5 million years old, located in the mountains of Crimea. The name is not accidental, because the color of the rocky sights is red-red, the reason for this is iron oxides in the rocks. The brainchild of nature is in the register of natural monuments, the explored length of the cavernous formations is 25 kilometers in the form of underground labyrinths.
Crimea waterfalls
It is worth noting that the peninsula is also rich in the presence of water sources (about two thousand), and lovers of waterfalls will certainly not stay on the sidelines, there are many wonderful waterfalls on Crimean land: Su-Uchkhan, Lower and Upper Yazluar, Three Saints Falls and many others . All of them are beautiful in their own way, form photogenic species and definitely deserve the attention of travelers!
Jur-Jur Waterfall
Dzhur-Dzhur is considered the peninsula’s deepest waterfall, the falling water column is fifteen meters high, and the channel reaches five meters wide. The water temperature, even in the summer, is not higher than 10 degrees Celsius. The spectacle is really beautiful, because every second the flow of water is almost three hundred liters, exciting, right?
Ai-petri
Ai-Petri - a mountain peak on the southern coast of the peninsula, is part of the Yalta Mountain Forest Reserve. History mentions a Greek monastery that was once located here. The attraction is famous for its cable car, which is recognized as the longest in Europe (about three kilometers). When climbing to the top, visitors can see colorful panoramas from a height of up to 1300 meters above sea level.
Cape Fiolent
Fiolent is a cape located 15 kilometers from Sevastopol and known for its magnificent landscape, unique flora and fauna. Here is the St. George Monastery and the famous Jasper Beach, which are connected by a multi-stage staircase. The cape is considered a favorite place for fans of diving, due to the fact that there are no boats and visibility under water is very good.
Golitsyn trail
Golitsyn trail - a mountain trail three kilometers long, cut down on the initiative of Prince Golitsyn. She was timed to the arrival of Nicholas II. Nowadays, it is important for tourism and recreation, in the location of the attraction there are equipped observation platforms along walking routes. Located along the coastline and mountain ranges, has a length of more than five kilometers.
Nikitinsky Botanical Garden
Nikitinsky Botanical Garden is located near Yalta. This is a kind of scientific complex with an area of \u200b\u200btens of hectares; various studies of science are being carried out on its territory (mainly in the botanical field). It was founded at the beginning of the XIX century thanks to the support of Count Vorontsov and the assistance of the botanist Bieberstein. The first leading person of the complex was the famous naturalist Steven, who, over the course of 12 years of his work, managed to adapt about five hundred different plants to local climate conditions. The abundance of colorful flower ensembles affects the most hidden "strings of the soul", and the peaceful paradise makes many tourists come back here again and again.
Nature reserves and entertainers of Crimea
The wealth of the animal and plant world of the peninsula in the era of progressive evolutionary processes of anthropogenic nature needs reliable protection from their effects. For a long time, various reserves and sanctuaries cope with this. There are thirteen nature conservation complexes on the territory, the main of which are the Karadag and Crimean nature reserves, Cape Martyan and the aforementioned Cape Fiolent.
Karadag reserve
The Karadag reserve is a property not only of the peninsula, but of the whole of Russia, located between Sudak and Feodosia and is of scientific value. A feature of this "pearl" can be noted that on its territory there is an ancient, destroyed volcano.
Cape Martyan
Cape Martyan is the smallest reserve in the Crimea, its area is 240 hectares, but despite this, its “shoulders” are entrusted with the task of preserving a special relict sub-Mediterranean forest, the age of some trees in which reaches six centuries.
Crimean nature reserve
The Crimean nature reserve is one of the peninsula's oldest nature reserves; forests and representatives of the animal world living in them are protected.
Attractions in Crimea for children's leisure
The richness of the sights of Crimea may interest the young category of tourists. Children will be interested in visiting places like the Livadia Palace, visiting the cable car in Yalta, various waterfalls, the Khan's Palace and the famous Crimean Puppet Theater.
While in Yalta, children can be brought to the zoo or crocodile aquarium. Alushta aquarium will be of interest to school-age children; guided tours of a small zoo and a terrarium are held right there. Visits to museums will not be superfluous, by the way, on the territory of the peninsula there are many specifically children's museum complexes.
It is worthwhile to include the Museum of Fairy Tales in the program of visits, where young tourists can see characters of various works, a similar complex is in the Brownies Museum (city of Alushta). Visiting Yevpatoriya, you can pay attention to the Museum of Pirates of the Black Sea and the Museum of Water Disasters, where children will be told about the historical facts of navigation. In the large cities of the peninsula there are recreational water parks, in Alushta, for example, there is a wonderful dolphinarium, and the benefits of contact of children with the kindest water inhabitants have long been known. Here, kids will be able to prove themselves in a variety of contests and attractions.
Crimean land is a storehouse of attractions; here even the most demanding traveler will be able to satisfy his tourist needs.
Category:And thanks to the construction of a grand bridge across the Kerch Strait, it became easier to get to its wonders and sights. If you are planning your first trip to the “peninsula that returned home”, or were already there on vacation, but want to see something new and interesting, we will tell you the most beautiful places of Crimea. The list was compiled taking into account the reviews of tourists on the review sites, as well as the recommendations of travel agencies.
Wuchang-Su Waterfall
The name of the largest waterfall of the peninsula in translation from Turkic means "flying water". There is a beautiful legend that a beautiful girl was turned into a waterfall, who, becoming a rapid stream, helped her family get rid of the drought. In the summer months, the waterfall is not particularly impressive, but during the melting snow on the Yalta Yail it fully lives up to its name.
bird home
This is one of the most famous tourist attractions, posted on many postcards and photos dedicated to the Crimea. The castle, made in the neo-Gothic style, was erected on the steep cliff of Aurora. Near it is a wish tree and viewing platforms, and inside the castle are held art exhibitions.
Ghost valley
This mysterious place is full of bizarre cliffs. Some of them are similar to people and animals, others - to objects or fantastic creatures. At dawn and sunset, thanks to the play of light and shadow, the figures seem to come to life and change their shape, color and even shape.
Ai-petri
You can admire beautiful views in the Crimea from the picturesque Ai-Petri Mountain. You can climb to the top of the mountain using the Miskhor - Ai-Petri cable car, and we recommend that you go down the beautiful Taraktash trail that leads straight to Yalta.
Livadia Palace
The former summer residence of Nicholas II served as a meeting place for Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill. The Yalta Conference of 1945 was held in this palace, where issues of the post-war order were resolved. Thematic exhibitions are currently taking place in the palace, and there are two permanent exhibits: one devoted to the Romanov family, the other to the Crimean conference of leaders of the countries of the anti-Hitler coalition.
Karadag reserve
Tourists are allowed into this natural monument only accompanied by employees of the reserve, and you need to move around special ecotropes. Many representatives of the flora and fauna of the Karadag reserve are listed in the Red Book. During the four-hour excursion you can admire the unusual rock formations (“King and Queen”, “Ivan the Robber”, “Golden Gate”, etc.), numerous bays and the enchanting beauty of the Black Sea.
Marble Cave
One of the most beautiful sights of Crimea is divided into several halls, each of which has its own unique look. Beautiful crystals, flowing columns, openwork baths and pools, and other wonders of this treasury of the mountain king make the Marble Cave a must-see point for visiting Crimea. Just dress warmer, because in the underground halls the temperature does not rise above 8 degrees Celsius.
Massandra Palace
The construction of this palace took a long time - from 1881 to 1902. However, he was not destined to become at least a temporary home for the first persons of the Russian Empire, the last Russian autocrat preferred the Livadia Palace. Currently, the Massandra Palace attracts tourists with its beautiful park and park zone.
Panagia Lake
Near the village of Zelenogorye, in the gorge there is a clear deep-sea lake Panagia, the waters of which have an emerald hue. They reflect the mountain peaks surrounding the lake in a ring. In the vicinity of Panagia are the Arpathian cascades of waterfalls.
Swan islands
In the reserve with a beautiful name in the summer live up to 5 thousand swans and up to 250 species of migratory birds. Seagulls, ducks, cormorants, gray and white herons, and other feathered beauties inhabit six islands, stretching along the Black Sea coast of the Karkinitsky Gulf.
Jur-Jur Waterfall
The size of the Jur-Dzhur can not be compared with, but it is the most full-flowing and one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Crimea. In a second, it throws up to 270 liters of water. It is better to admire this miracle of nature in the distance, it is not only noisy, but also is “thrown” by stones that fly down along with water.
Tauric Chersonesos
One of the main historical monuments in Crimea was an important Greek settlement in the 5th century BC. It was with him that the Greek expansion to the east and west of Crimea began. Now Tauric Chersonesos can be visited both independently and in the company of a guide who will interestingly talk about Greek customs, traditions and legends.
Cape Chameleon
This cape got its name due to the fact that it changes color depending on the time of day and weather. It consists of shales that reflect light in different ways.
Baikal Spit
This landscape park is located near the village of Steregushchey - one of. There are no equipped beaches on the territory of the spit, but there are “wild” beaches with pleasant yellow sand. An ideal place for walking and relaxing holidays.
Vorontsov Palace
In Crimea there are some of the most beautiful palaces in Russia. And one of them - Vorontsovsky, bearing the name of his customer - Count M.S. Vorontsova. The building is uniquely a blend of Tudor Indo-Moorish and English architectural style. The palace is surrounded by a large and well-groomed park, and in the building itself is a museum with grandiose interiors.
Yalta embankment
One and a half kilometers along this embankment at one time went Chekhov and Yesenin. Abundantly “seasoned” with greenery, Yalta embankment combines modern chic with elegant antiquity. On its territory there are bars, restaurants, hotels, a children's amusement park, as well as Roffe baths, built in the late 19th century.
Balaklava Bay
This is the main attraction of the small resort town of Balaclava. The bay is hardly noticeable from the sea, the winding fairway protects it from strong waves, and steep cliffs from the wind. It is best to evaluate the landscapes of the Balaklava Bay by boat, skiff or climbing to the Cembalo fortress - it offers a breathtaking view of the open sea.
Lavender fields
Although lavender is considered the hallmark of French Provence, in the Crimea there are no less beautiful lavender fields. They can be seen, in particular, on both sides of the Simferopol-Sudak road, on Cape Tarkhankut and near Alushta, near the village of Lavender.
Cape Fiolent
The main feature of this piece of land formed by volcanic rocks are bizarre rocks and a clear sea with emerald green water. To the east of the cape is Jasper Beach, to which there is a staircase with 800 steps.
Baidar Valley
This huge hollow, located in the southeast of the peninsula, is surrounded on all sides by green mountains. Many rivers flow into the valley, which form small waterfalls. And in the center of the basin is Chernorechenskoe reservoir - the largest in the Crimea. Many rare plants grow in the Baydar Valley, and for its pleasant mild climate it received the unofficial title “Crimean Switzerland”.
A list of the most popular attractions of Crimea with photos and logical routes for their inspection are given below.
You can remove or expand some points when planning your vacation in Crimea. It all depends on the time of year, the number of days that you have, and transport.
This list contains only those objects that we visited ourselves (I do not like to write about what I did not see with my own eyes) and which I recommend visiting you. And in this article you will find my recommendations on how to make route in Crimea to see as many places from this list as possible.
So let's go ...
Sights of Crimea: photos, descriptions, tips for visiting
If you go to Crimea by car, then the first attraction you will have Crimean bridge .
The Crimean bridge consists of two parallel bridges - the automobile, which is part of the A-290 road, and is being built near the railway. The total length of the Crimean bridge is 19 km.
Well, actually behind the bridge we get to the first city on our route - Kerch .
Kerch
Despite such a convenient location, tourists often bypass the city of Kerch with their attention, rushing to the more promoted and publicized places in the guidebooks of the Crimea. But believe me, Kerch is worth a closer look.
Firstly, Kkrch itself is a city with a rich historical past. Its history dates back 26 centuries. And each historical era, each empire, which once included these lands, left its monuments in Kerch.
Also in the Kerch area there are two national parks, which will be discussed later. I am sure that the natural beauty of these places will not leave you indifferent. Therefore, I advise you to stay in Kerch for the night. For example, here at.
Opuksky reserve and Koyashsky pink lake
Opuksky Nature Reserve is located about 50 km from Kerch, on the Black Sea. Until 1998, the reserve was closed and belonged to a military base.
I will not paint about the uniqueness of the reserve, about the beautiful beaches in this part of the coast. Koyashskoye (or Opukskoye) salt lake - that’s why it is worth coming here on local roads that are not very good (and sometimes very bad). This lake is also called pink - It takes on such a shade from mid-April to the end of June.
Karalar Natural Park
That's where I did not expect to see such stunning landscapes, so it’s on Azov coast !
Theodosius
Another city of Crimea, which may not impress you at first, but if you spend time exploring its sights, it will open before you in all its glory.
It is worth coming here just to go to the museum of the famous painter Aivazovsky . It was the landscapes of Theodosia Bay that inspired him to create many famous paintings.
We read and make a route around the city:
In the city you can also stay for a couple of days to swim in the famous Golden beach and take a boat trip to Golden Gate - beautiful cliffs in that area of \u200b\u200bthe coast.
On the way from Feodosia to the next item on our list - Sudak - you can call in another resort town, the name of which is heard by tourists - Koktebel .
Here you can spend literally an hour of time walking along the promenade and visiting the house-museum of the writer Voloshin. But I did not notice any special charm in Koktebel. Therefore, it did not become a separate item.
Sudak: Genoese fortress
The town of Sudak itself is not amazing. But there is such a grandiose construction as the Sudak Genoese fortress. Which is well preserved, it is excellent in the photo, and therefore tourists love it very much.
And half an hour from Sudak is absolutely amazing place - the New World.
New World: champagne factory
The small village of New World hid in a beautiful bay:
A gorgeous sandy beach, a gentle entrance to the sea - all this pleases tourists in the summer months. But even in mid-autumn, when cold wind was blowing on other beaches of Crimea, there was a quiet sea, and the water temperature allowed us to swim.
And it is here, in the New World, that you have a chance to try elite Crimean champagne whose story is as impressive as the price tags on the bottles. To do this, you should go on a tour of the local champagne wine factory:
The foundation date of the New World Champagne House is considered to be 1878, when the prince Lev Golitsyn acquired an estate in the area of \u200b\u200bthe modern New World and decided to start a new, promising business here - the production of champagne. How much it cost him and what came of this venture, you will learn during the tour. Well tasting several varieties of champagne taste receptors will be pleased.
Golitsyn trail
Another attraction in the New World is associated with the name of this person. it walking trail , the movement on which will give you a vivid impression, especially in good weather.
In the distant 1912, Prince Lev Golitsyn came up with this route to please Nicholas II, who was planning a visit to Paradise - that was the name of the New World at that time. The Golitsyn trail was cut in the rocks in such a way as to demonstrate the beauty of this place: rocks, bays, cape, juniper grove.
In order not to drive after a champagne tasting, you can pre-book a hotel in the New World. True, they are not cheap here, but I can suggest a couple of good options: boarding house "New World"
Further from Sudak towards Alushta and Yalta, you can ride along the coast. But I warn you: the road will be beautiful, but extremely difficult. The famously twisted serpentine will not allow to accelerate faster than 30-40 km / h, and the road surface leaves much to be desired. Therefore, once driving along this road, the next time we decided to go through Simferopol. It is not so picturesque, but the speed of movement will be 80 -90 km / h.
From Simferopol we again turn towards the coast. And before reaching Alushta, we find ourselves in another amazing place - the Valley of Ghosts.
Mount Demerdzhi and the Valley of Ghosts
Mount Demerdzhi is one of the most beautiful and mysterious mountains in Crimea. She is credited with both color transformations and mysterious visions. Therefore, the name is the Valley of Ghosts.
This is probably the most unusual place in the mountains of Crimea. You will not take such photos anywhere else:
And from here it is just a stone's throw to the next resort - Alushta.
Alushta
Actually, if you have already visited Mount Demerdzhi, then the rest of the sights of this town can be seen in half a day. Therefore, whether to stay here for the night is up to you. Well, we decided to do it in Yalta.
Yalta
But in the beauty of Yalta, one day is clearly not enough for you to see all the most interesting places.
Perhaps this is the city of Crimea, which falls in love with itself at first sight. And if you come here, so at least 3-4 days. Read this article to understand how long it will take you to explore the city:
There are many hotels in Yalta, and in general they cost more than in other resorts of the Crimea. Of the recommended: GC YALTA-INTURIST, hotel Alexandria, Hotel Levant 3 *
Gurzuf
In this small resort town there are only five museums:
- a.S. Museum Pushkin,
- museum of A.P. Chekhov
- museum of K. Korovin
- cosmonautics Museum (yes, astronautics - in Gurzuf!)
And Gurzuf is the legendary rocks of Adalara. They are a symbol of Gurzuf.
Well, the Gurzuf bay itself, with white houses running down the slope and narrow streets, reminds me of the coast of Italy in some places.
It seems, right?
Massandra
Another place in the Crimea, which is easily confused with the sweet corner of some old European woman, is Massandra :
The village of Massandra is located near Yalta and is the birthplace of Crimean wines.
3 places to visit in Massandra:
- Massandra Palace built for emperor Alexander III. Each hall in the palace has its own style. Here you can see how the princes and emperors of the Russian Empire lived.
- Massandra Park . He is quite big. His pride are plants that were brought here in past centuries. For example, strawberry tree, Himalayan cedar, giant sequoia and other species grow here.
- Winery« Massandra . This is the visiting card of the village. This is the oldest wine factory in the Crimea. In addition, its territory is simply huge. It produces millions of bottles of high quality wine, including collectible. More about all this, tourists are told on a tour of the Massandra wine cellars. Tasting is included in the price of the tour.
bird home
This castle, hanging on a sheer 40-meter-high cliff above the Black Sea, is most likely seen in pictures in magazines, television programs, the Internet ... But all these pictures are nothing compared to reality:
There I wrote in detail how best to drive to this place by car.
Mount Ai-Petri
Another popular object in this part of Crimea is ai-Petri Mountain .
The mountain, whose height is 1234 meters, is popular with tourists for several reasons. But first of all, these are gorgeous panoramic views of the Big Yalta. In general, from the top of Ai-Petri all resorts of the Southern coast of Crimea are clearly visible, and the sea from here is visible at a distance of 135 km.
And be sure to bring warm clothes with you: the weather on top of the mountain can “please” you with a strong cold wind (I was almost blown off my feet ...)
Livadia: the palace complex
This palace, designed by N. Krasnov, commissioned by Nicholas II, is located on the territory of the luxurious Livadia Park with an area of \u200b\u200b40 hectares. And also from here originates the legendary Royal path.
It was built in 1909-1911. The architecture of the future palace was inspired by the journey of Nicholas II to Italy, where he was struck by the majestic beauty of Turin and Florence. The architect Krasnov was tasked with designing the palace in the spirit of the Italian Renaissance, but taking into account all modern trends of the 20th century.
The last time the family of Nicholas II visited Livadia in 1914, on the eve of the First World War. This palace is also known as the venue for the Yalta Conference of the Allies, which determined the post-war world order.
In Soviet times, until the beginning of the 80s, there was a sanatorium in the palace. Now the palace and park ensemble is open to the public, like a museum. Its exposition is dedicated to details from the life of the Romanovs. Even if you are not interested in history, visit this place - get a purely aesthetic pleasure.
This palace vie for the title of the most luxurious residence of the Crimea with the Vorontsov Palace.
Vorontsov Palace
Vorontsov Palace - completely different in style. But also makes a strong impression. And it is located in Alupka, at the foot of Ai-Petri Mountain. Built of volcanic stone - diabase, which was mined nearby.
Until the October Revolution, the castle safely served as the residence of the Vorontsov family. After the revolution, as usual, it was nationalized and used as a museum (it is strange that it did not become the next sanatorium for the proletarians ...) At present, tours are also being conducted on it.
The palace is traditionally surrounded by a luxurious park, which is also worth a walk (independently and completely free):
Balaclava
At a distance of 12 km from Sevastopol there is an amazing bay, and in it a small but cozy town - Balaclava .
In Soviet times, tourists were ordered to travel to Balaklava. Balaclava was a closed town, built specifically for the military and their families. But now this beautiful bay is advertised in all guides to the Crimea:
In addition to wonderful landscapes, it is worth visiting this place because of one unique object. This is the Balaklava Naval Museum Complex, which is a complex of underground structures designed for the repair and maintenance of submarines. It was built in 1955-1961 by order of Stalin and until 1995 was used for its intended purpose. In 2003 it was turned into a museum. Now open for tourists.
A tour of this facility makes a strong impression even on a lady as far away from military subjects as I am! Read and see the photo here: Balaclava - why it is worth a visit.
Other activities in Balaklava include diving, boat trips, off-road vehicles, ATVs, sea fishing, trips by sea taxis to remote beaches. In general, you can spend the night here. We did just that. I can recommend the hotels: Hotel dakkar, hotel "Mriya", hotel Listrigon 2 *.
Sevastopol
It is worth taking a separate day to Sevastopol. Both in the city and in its environs there are a lot of diverse tourist sites:
- Inkerman
- Khersones
- Sapun Mountain
Bakhchisarai: Khan's Palace
Bakhchisaray is a very ancient city, once the capital of the Crimean Khanate, and it does not look like any other city in Crimea. Today it is a charming resort with a true oriental touch. Ancient buildings in Turkish and Byzantine styles emphasize the origin of the city, and national Tatar cuisine fills the city with a stunning aroma of spices and seasonings.
Tourists in this town are interested in two objects - Xanne palace and famous Bakhchisarai fountain . Both of them were examined by us and described in this article:
You will spend a couple of hours to visit the palace and the fountain. And then tourists usually go to the mysterious cave city of Chufut-Kale.
Chufut-kale
To visit this place you will need to make some effort. The cave city is located, as the name implies, in caves, and the caves are in a high mountain range. You have to climb there on foot - no other options are provided. But after lifting you will be rewarded with a worthy sight:
Be sure to go to this town, you won’t be disappointed!
How to see all these places and objects
And now, as promised, I will tell you how to plan your trip to the Crimea in order to capture the objects you like on the road.
If you on your (or rented) car , then you can watch in the order in which they are on the list.
Car rental in Crimea
If you relax at a particular resort, then it will be easiest to do this by buying the appropriate tour. Almost all of the listed objects are actively visited by organized excursion groups.
But someone is more suitable individual excursions . There are such options too.
Most of all opportunities will be for tourists vacationing in Yalta:
For those who are accommodated in Alushta, there are also interesting offers:
There are good options for Sevastopol:
And this I will finish my review.
If you know what other interesting places you can see in the Crimea, please write in the comments - it will be useful to all of us :-)
Enjoy your journey through the beautiful Crimea to you, friends, and see you on the blog!
Crimean sights, as if specially, are very well located. No matter how you plan the route, there is always something interesting nearby. If you lay out all the sights of Crimea on a map, you can easily plan a route for every taste: in cave cities, palaces and museums, southern coastal parks, as well as any other historical, archaeological, natural and botanical monuments of the peninsula.If you like, then most often they are formed on a geographical basis. For example, "Sights of the Southern Crimea" will include Nikitsky Garden, and at least a couple of palaces - Livadia and Vorontsovsky, as well as the Yalta embankment, the cable car and, for dessert, a boat trip. But on excursions you will not be shown the "parade" of nudists in Fox Bay or the majestic cliffs and cliffs of Cape Fiolent. All the most interesting places are hidden from the eyes of an ordinary tourist and our site will help you uncover the secrets of wonderful Crimea!
Crimea map with landmarks
All the interesting places that you need to explore in Crimea for every tourist, we have collected in a convenient guide with photos and descriptions. Each point and each place is precisely marked on the map, you can download any category from the guide in a universal format.kml. This file can then be copied to your navigator or phone, tablet. This will allow you not to get lost and visit all the places planned in advance without unexpected “adventures”.Well, if you have not yet chosen a place to stay, we recommend booking service from our good friends. Actual prices and photos, without unnecessary overpayments and intermediaries.