Conquering the status of the unofficial capital of the republic is worth a lot. Indeed, such a situation is sometimes much more important than the legal aspects. On the other hand, this city was simply doomed to turn into a resort center Crimean peninsula. It was Yalta that became the true mother of the hotel industry on the territory of the Russian Empire, which made the beautiful area stand out from the crowd settlements. The number of vacationers on the local coast grew rapidly and does not stop to this day. Incredible serpentine roads, air with the scent of pine forests and other elements of the landscape instantly make vacationers fall in love with the reserved serenity. No, civilization could not pass by, but the echo of the metropolis is barely audible here. Fortunately, no one dared to turn natural elegance into a concrete jungle monolith.
The road awaits us
The famous resort does not display a VIP sign at its boundaries. Anyone can get to this wonderful city. Traveling to the unofficial capital of the peninsula does not require diplomatic immunity or other attributes of elitism. Fortunately, transport links with Yalta do not pose any difficulties. Yes, processes took place here that influenced the methods of movement. However, the changes did not affect comfort too much. The infrastructure allowed vacationers to try alternative transfer options from the mainland. However, some of the delights of logistics have been preserved in their traditional form. Simferopol Airport, as before, serves as a transit zone. But the usual route along the railroad tracks now offers detours. This situation does not at all increase the time between point A to point B; fortunately, the opening of the Crimean Bridge eliminated the need for a visit to the Kerch crossing.
- Simferopol Airport allows you to get to Crimea from almost any region of the country
- Buses to Crimea depart from Krasnodar region over the mentioned bridge
- You need to travel along the railway track to the Krasnodar Territory, and then take a bus to Kerch
Road connections of the peninsula
It is immediately worth noting that the transplants described above do not cause serious discomfort. Perhaps they only increase the resort excitement. Yalta is very easy to get to and from air harbor Simferopol, and from Kerch. The road, as they say, is on a crossroads, and does not imply any significant financial costs. Let's start with the fact that the existence of a “single transport ticket” (train-bus) already at the start saves the pilgrim from emptying his wallet. The desire to free tourists from additional financial problems is certainly felt. It is visible not only on the mainland, but also in the possessions of the peninsula. The legendary trolleybus route "Simferopol - Yalta" openly hints at romance to guests of Crimea public transport. There, regular buses run from the official capital to the resort capital. From Kerch it is just as easy to move to the south of the autonomy. Well, the logistics of reaching the city “I” are very rich. What is the amazing cable car worth?
- The trolleybus route Simferopol - Yalta is not only a transport hub, but also a landmark of Crimea
- A bus to Yalta from Kerch will cost a tourist about a hundred rubles and will take about two hours
- The journey by bus from Simferopol will take the same amount of time, and the ticket price for a similar transfer from Kerch is almost identical
Let's visit a restaurant
In terms of gastronomic tourism, Yalta will give a head start the best resorts Europe. No, of course, you should not perceive this part of the holiday as the only type of leisure. However, the number of cafes, combined with the native love of cooking among the locals, makes the city on the Black Sea coast a real center for gourmets.
- The fish menu is especially appreciated in Yalta
- Restaurants are scattered throughout the city, and also concentrated on the coast
- In view of large quantity catering outlets, prices on the menu usually do not scare visitors with exorbitant values
Tender climate
The climatic features of Yalta were sung by both great writers and legendary artists. Medical professionals also spoke about the benefits of the Crimean air. The great Botkin recommended the southern shores of the region, perhaps, not as a medicine. It was here that Anton Pavlovich Chekhov tried to overcome a progressive illness. Tuberculosis, which attacked the classic, retreated in battles with the local air. In addition to the incredible number of sunny days, the weather on the peninsula favors a tourism boom. Infrequent rain, not too intrusive heat and a refreshing wind - an outstanding combination!
- The concept of “off season” is irrelevant for Yalta
- Local walruses do not consider themselves as such, since the water temperature already in February reaches at least ten degrees
- Let us add that this part of the Black Sea is never covered with an ice crust
Cradle of the hotel business
As we have already said, it was Yalta that turned out to be the starting point for the creation of the hotel industry in the south of the Russian Empire. The building named after the state now has a different sign, but still exists. She remembers the visits of Stanislavsky and Chekhov, as well as a huge number of legendary people. Of course, the business veteran is now surrounded by competitors. Moreover, we are talking not only about elite structures, but also about the private sector. Low-rise hotels are also full participants in the mentioned process. Gradually, all the complexes are gaining myths about cult figures from the world of art and politics living in their apartments. This is probably the best evidence of the growing quality of service.
- The private sector is located in the center of Yalta, but the price here is quite reasonable - from 1000 rubles per day per person
- Sanatorium facilities will offer a similar price tag
- Multi-storey complexes claim prices starting from 1,500 rubles per night
Both leisure and science
The Crimean peninsula is an ideal place for those who want to combine resort serenity with immersion in the cultural environment of the region. Yalta is not going to abandon traditional leisure. It would seem that ordinary things are turned into an exclusive offer here. Zoo, aquarium and central Street- an outstanding trio will make your holiday even more unforgettable.
- The Yalta Zoo is not inferior to its Moscow counterpart in terms of the number of animals and the size of its territories.
- The Yalta Oceanarium provides an opportunity to see marine animals living in completely different parts of the world (from Australia to North America)
- The central street of Yalta is lined with galleries open air. Almost all artists in the region exhibit their works there.
Yalta, beaches
The Yalta coast is unique. Moreover, this epithet should not be taken as a banality. The legendary “ghost ship” turned into a restaurant, the famous film studio, which has an analogue only in distant Malta - the list is long. And here, in an atmosphere of charm and wonderful shocks, guests of the city are given beach holiday. The Black Sea here does not frighten visitors with its huge waves. Storms, of course, happen, but they are never transformed into scenes from Aivazovsky’s painting “The Ninth Wave.” Well-groomed areas and a mild climate attract people of all ages.
- Despite the constant swimming season, it is still recommended to dive into the reservoir no earlier than the May holidays
- This part of the Black Sea is considered an ideal combination of shallow waters and more impressive depths
- Most of Yalta's beaches have a pebble surface (from small to very coarse)
Having visited Crimea for the first time, I fell madly in love with its inexhaustible riches and atmosphere, and then I returned here to live, since just a vacation is not enough to study and understand the peninsula. But nevertheless, you can get incredible impressions during your vacation. So let's sharpen our skis towards Crimea. More precisely, flippers. The skis there are not functional.
The pearl of the peninsula and the place of the most massive tourist pilgrimages is, of course, the South Coast ( South coast Crimea). It is here that the most diverse nature, the cleanest pebble beaches, the most high mountains, the most ancient forests, the most diverse flora and fauna, the juiciest fruits, the richest wines and the most healing climate. It is here that the most picturesque nature trails with tall cliffs and waterfalls are located, it is here that the palaces of princes and other unique buildings rise majestically architectural monuments... And many, many more unusual, unknown and fascinating things. And the pearl of the South Coast, which occupies a significant part of it and, in fact, spreads all these riches, is Bolshaya. Legendary area for sure worth a visit.
In general, traveling by train to the south is a very dubious pleasure: you will have to make a lot of transfers in the heat, and even the risk of being stuck at the crossing for several hours is very high. The tourists traveling with the “Single Ticket”, whom I met at the stations, had a very sad and “rumpled” look. They were no longer happy about coming to Crimea - fatigue from numerous road troubles took over.
This option may be relevant for residents of remote regions where flight fares are quite high. It allows you to save a lot of money. Getting to Crimea by plane from Central Russia is not at all expensive.
By bus
There are regular buses from Moscow and St. Petersburg to Kerch. The ticket price is about 3 thousand rubles. Having reached Kerch, you will need to get to the city you need on your own. Fortunately, the bus service between Kerch and the rest of Crimea is quite well developed.
There is another option: buy Bus tours, where all connections and logistics are already thought out for you. Similar offers can be found from many travel agencies. It's a little more expensive, but you won't have to wait long for connections. The same tours are organized to cities such as Yalta and Bakhchisarai. Then no transfers at all. Travel time is a little more than a day.
The buses that carry long distances are quite comfortable - my friends who travel this way did not complain of discomfort.
By car
You can get from Moscow to Yalta by private car in 18 hours, excluding stops and food breaks. Gasoline costs will be about 10 thousand rubles. The road will run through Ukraine. From Moscow you need to take the E105 highway, which leads directly to Yalta, the length of the route is 1,481 km.
The journey from St. Petersburg will take about 30 hours. There are options: go either only through Ukraine, or through Belarus and Ukraine. The average is 2,200 km. If you drive only through Ukraine, then you should take the E95 highway, in Bryansk get onto the E101, follow it to Belgorod, and then change the road to E105. This is the most optimal, simple
(less chance of getting lost at junctions and turns) and a fast option.
When is the season? When is the best time to go
The best time for a holiday in Crimea is mid-August - late September. Not so hot, not so stuffy, the sea is warm and rarely stormy. Local fruits, berries, nuts and vegetables have already ripened, young wines have been made from the new grape harvest, and markets are beginning to trade in all these riches of Crimea. In general, absolutely all, without exception, the delights of southern resort life can be enjoyed during this period.
Big Yalta in summer
In summer, Yalta is crowded. There is a crush in all minibuses, traffic jams on the roads, finding a place on the beach is a rare success, there is a queue for excursions, it is often impossible to disperse on narrow mountain paths, on the embankment you cannot fight off merchants of all stripes - here they lure you with baklava, and here they offer to tell fortunes for the future. Prices for food, housing and other tourist services are the highest and unrealistically inflated. But! The south is still the south, and no matter how you look at it, it’s nice in Yalta in the summer.
All other advantages of resort life significantly outweigh the disadvantages. Sun, sea, beach, warmth, mountains, forests, wine and delicious food, kind people - in comparison with this, all of the above shortcomings seem so insignificant.
As for the sea, it warms up to a comfortable temperature (about +23 °C) by mid-June and remains warm until the end of September. The period of sweltering heat occurs at the end of July - beginning of August. Then neither the sea nor the shade of pine forests can save you from the heat.
Big Yalta in autumn
Autumn - best time for a trip to Crimea. If you want to relax comfortably without the crowded tourist bustle and heat, but with warm sea and red-red landscapes of the forest, maple and oak alleys, then autumn is ideal for you.
Off-season trips are good for those who do not like to be around noise and crowds. The city streets are not so crowded, many cafes are closed, and souvenir stalls are boarded up. But there is an opportunity to wander alone on the beaches, without stepping over densely lying sunbathers, to feel the scale of the elements, to listen to the waves. Well, housing, of course, is rented during this period at lower prices.
Big Yalta in spring
In spring, the sea is still cold (+15 °C), and only walruses enjoy swimming. During the day it is quite warm - the temperature rises to +25 °C, and at night to +17 °C. But, again, there are not many tourists, prices are not high. And if you come at the end of May-April, you can find Crimea in bloom! The plateau above Yalta is strewn with poppies, the forest clearings are all covered with snowdrops, and the gardens are covered in clouds of the most fragrant flowering in the world. It's incredibly pleasing to the eye! The lavender fields alone are worth it.
Big Yalta in winter
In winter, Yalta dies out. The embankment is emptying, many shops, cafes and hotels are closing, storms are becoming more frequent at sea, and cold winds blowing in the city, descending from the mountains. No one invites you on boat trips and diving, or offers boiled crayfish and salted corn. Yalta in winter is an ordinary small mainland town. There is simply no reason to go there at this time of year.
Snow in Yalta is a rather rare phenomenon. All winter it lies only in the mountains, and if it falls in the city, it melts within a day. The children immediately happily pour out into the streets and make short-lived snowmen. For Yalta, this is truly akin to a miracle (unlike the Simferopol region, which is located higher above sea level, and therefore fluffy precipitation lingers there longer).
Clue:
Big Yalta - weather by month
Districts. Where is the best place to live?
Yalta and surroundings (Massandra, Livadia)
As for Yalta itself, the well-known “Intourist” is always happy to welcome guests and is very much loved by tourists, and the prices there are quite reasonable. The most expensive places in Yalta these are, of course, hotels on the embankment (Villa Elena, Oreanda and others like them). These are architectural monuments where the Chekhovs and Chaliapins used to have tea. The hotels have a very high star rating, and therefore the prices are not budget. A comfortable area for living in Yalta is, again, its suburb - . Yalta itself is still very noisy and crowded, and the city beaches are dirty. Massandra is quieter, cleaner and still a little cheaper. more noisy, since the Livadia Palace is located there, and crowds of tourists come to it. But there are good beaches there.
But for lovers of noisy city life who do not want to live anywhere other than Yalta, I recommend the area of st. Pushkinskaya. This is the original Yalta Arbat, the center of vibrant city life. On the one hand, you live in a place with a high concentration of restaurants and clubs, and on the other, it’s only a 10-minute walk to the sea.
Only the prices there, of course, are high. Even simple housing can cost millions, just because of its favorable location.
Villages
Of all the Bolsheyalta villages for living, I would recommend. It is the most quiet, calm, clean and beautiful. Yalta and the most iconic sights are very close from there. You can read more about housing in Simeiz
The least I would recommend is . It is the most densely populated, the most hilly and mountainous, and the historical part in it is quite small. The rest of the space is occupied by standard block houses, built by the councils as dormitories for Artek employees - boring, gray and depressing. No resort romance. But here is the longest beach and embankment. The water in the sea, of course, is cleaner than that in Yalta, but still leaves much to be desired. But this is just my opinion; to some, Gurzuf may seem like an attractive resort area.
All other villages have the same idea - guest houses and simple hotels offer rooms of varying comfort. Somewhere there is a courtyard with gazebos and barbecues, somewhere there are swimming pools and other hotel attractions. Prices vary depending on the availability of these bonuses, the main one, of course, being distance from the sea.
But in general, all coastal villages differ little from each other - a pebble beach, a market, a historical part with dilapidated houses and crooked streets, and new neighborhoods with Soviet-era buildings and modern cottages. The cost of accommodation starts from 700 rubles per day. But each village has its own iconic attractions and unique natural areas.
I don’t see much difference where to live. These villages are all typical. But if you like peace, then I would not recommend staying in Alupka, where the Vorontsov Palace is located, and in Gaspra, where the Swallow's Nest is located. Daily pilgrimages of crowds of tourists and motorcades from slow buses will not allow you to catch relaxation.
By the way, the ubiquitous grannies with “housing” signs have not gone away. And they will be able to offer you good houses in the private sector, which the Internet doesn’t even know about.
And the most prestigious hotel in Greater Yalta (and in Crimea in general) is Mriya Resort&Spa. It is located near Simeiz and is considered sanatorium-resort complex. All the big shots, coming to Crimea, stop there. A large territory, well-groomed safe beaches, tennis courts, restaurants and spa centers - all the benefits of civilization are at your service. The grannies with their signs weren’t even standing nearby.
I will tell you in detail about approximate housing prices in the section below.
What are the prices for holidays?
Nutrition
Lunch in a canteen or an average cafe will cost 200–300 rubles, and in restaurants and more decent cafes 500–700 rubles. The average price for visiting excursions and attractions is 300 rubles per piece.
Souvenirs
Classic souvenirs like magnets, shell beads, teas and soap can be purchased for 100 rubles. The price for tourist cards is the same. The cost of illustrated publications about Crimea starts from 300 rubles. Spices cost from rubles per bag. Wines - from 250 per bottle. In addition, in markets and souvenir stalls you can safely practice the art of bargaining and bring down the price a little :)
Main attractions. What to see
Top 5
Beaches. Which ones are better
There is nothing to do on the beaches in Yalta. There are too many boats and ships there, and the sea itself is very dirty. However, in the summer you can’t get through there either - there are too many people.
The beaches of all villages are approximately the same - a narrow pebble strip and groins every 50 meters. But nevertheless, there are protected places where the sea is clean and there are few people.
- Chekhov Bay in Gurzuf
In Gurzuf, on the territory of the Chekhov museum-dacha, there is a small cove, very clean and beautiful, surrounded by tall rocks, hidden from prying eyes. You can go there through the museum by paying the caretaker 50 rubles. But you are guaranteed peace and quiet there.
- Beach "Gurovskie Kameni"
Clean Artekivsky beach for public use. You can read more about it Now, due to the active construction of the new Artek buildings, the beach is closed. But I think that you can get into it through some hole in the fence, having first learned about it from the local old-timers.
- Wild beach in Simeiz
Adherents of nudism will be satisfied with the Semeiz wild beach. Lying near beautiful rocks on snow-white smooth limestone boulders - what else can you dream of? More about the beach -
- Beaches at the foot of Ayu-Dag
The famous one, which is located between and Partenite, is also famous for its wild beaches. You can get there by boat from Gurzuf or from Partenit (sea taxi is a very common phenomenon in Yalta. It’s very pleasant to relax there - mountain landscapes They are impressive, and the clear sea is very pleasing, especially after Yalta.
Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?
Very common in Crimea Muslim mosques and Orthodox churches. But in Yalta, unlike the Bakhchisarai region, there are no outstanding mosques of interest to tourists. But there are a couple of beautiful churches.
Museums. Which ones are worth visiting?
Basically, the museums of Yalta are divided into palaces of the Russian aristocracy of the 19th century, houses where famous writers and artists lived, and ancient fortresses. Not all of them are unusual, large-scale and worth the attention of a tourist. Here are the ones that I think are a must visit.
Parks
Gardens and parks invariably accompanied all large-scale palaces and aristocratic estates in Crimea. To create them, they called in foreign specialists and ordered plants from the world's leading greenhouses. Numerous sanatoriums also left a park legacy: plants were planted on their territory, the evaporation of oils from which has a healing effect
Tourist streets
In all coastal villages there are usually two tourist streets: the embankment, and another street going down from the city to it. They are notable for the fact that it is there that they sell everything that they go to Crimea for - herbs, tea, oils, fruits and vegetables, vests with the inscription “I love Yalta”, towels with a map Black Sea coast and other items that delight tourists’ bellies and souls.
Another tourist thoroughfare of the city is the pedestrian Pushkinskaya Street, which leads, of course, to the embankment. It is not for nothing that it is called that - after all, the very sun of Russian poetry, comrade, walked along it and admired the beauty of the city. Kit tourist places here is also a classic one: cheburek shops, cafes, souvenir shops, restaurants and terraces. The street is planted with beautiful southern trees, in the shade of which you can sit on comfortable wide benches. It also houses the Yalta Museum of Local Lore (poor and not developed in any way since Soviet times) and a Catholic church, quite nice from the outside.
What to see in 1 day
So, you only have one day to visit Yalta. You shouldn’t be hysterical, annoyed at the injustice of fate, and believe that you won’t be able to accomplish anything in just one day in the vast Yalta. If you don't wrinkle your pillow until noon, you can embrace the immensity.
- 8 a.m. You have already left home and are standing at the bus station. Jump on a minibus to Alupka. You will be there around 9. A whole hour before the museum opens Vorontsov Palace you walk through the fragrant morning garden, admiring the landscape art and views of the sea. Around 10, go to the museum ticket office and buy a ticket for the first excursion. The guide is still cheerful, cheerful and you skim the cream of the Crimean excursion skills. At 11 you leave the palace, enriched with new knowledge and impressed by the royal interiors. To consolidate the material, you can go to one or two more exhibitions of the palace.
- 12:00. It's noon. Don't rush to fill your stomachs! We'll have lunch at , but in the meantime, grab a cheburek in case you have to stand in line at . From the palace you can get to it by minibus No. 132 or 102, but it takes just a couple of stops, so you can walk. We get in line for the ride and enjoy the impressive funicular ride.
- 13:00. You are at the top. Walk along the plateau, go to the battlements along the bridge (the rocks themselves are nameless, but both tourists and locals call them “teeth”), buy souvenirs at the Tatar market, admire the mountain and sea landscapes.
- 14:30. Dinner time. We have lunch at the wonderful cafe “Ai-Petri”. It is located on a cliff, to the right of the cable car station, if you are facing the sea. The prices there are surprisingly affordable for such a popular place, and lunch will cost 500 rubles. But the view is wonderful! From the panoramic windows you can admire the battlements, the sea, and Yalta. Beauty.
- 15:30. Having enjoyed the high - nature, we return to the earth, to the low. We jump into any minibus going from Miskhor to the Yalta bus station. At the bus station we transfer to transport to Massandra.
- 17:00. We have time for a five-hour excursion and subsequent tasting at.
- 19:00 . We tumble out of the factory, prudently taking their wine with us on the road. We are going to the evening party, where at this time life is in full swing: street musicians who have had enough sleep in the evening, fire show masters and other stunt performers begin to perform. Street artists paint you and the Crimean landscapes, and cafes are filled with the intoxicating aromas of delicious gourmet dishes.
- 20:00. Take a walk along the embankment, digest the impressions accumulated during the day, look into different shops for souvenirs, listen to the waves and admire the lights and garlands. And for dinner, go to the Yalta Dvorik cafe (Lenin embankment, 19). This is a cozy terrace with soft sofas, delicious food and good music. Dinner here will cost 500–700 rubles.
You can spend even one day in Yalta richly, filling it with interesting events.
What to see in the area
The surroundings of Yalta are replete with natural attractions. Not seeing them means not seeing Crimea.
Food. What to try
Of course, in Crimea, the first thing you should do is fill your belly with all the southern delicacies - crayfish, oysters and mussels, boiled corn, dried Black Sea fish, churchkhela and baklava. All this is available in stalls on beaches and embankments, as well as from merchants walking along tourist streets.
Since Crimea is famous for its rich Tatar culture, establishments of Crimean Tatar cuisine are most common here. And you should definitely try pilaf, chebureki, lagman and other national gastronomic delights. There are no such cafes in all the villages of greater Yalta, and on average lunch in them costs 500 rubles.
In addition, during the high tourist season, a bunch of canteens and cafes with European cuisine open. Many of them boast outdoor terraces.
Self-catering
Those who prefer to cook themselves will also not be disappointed. In the markets you can buy absolutely everything - meat, fruits and vegetables, and dairy products from local farmers. Well, even though Crimea is a village, supermarkets have reached it too. The popular chain stores here “Pud”, “Sosedi”, “Furshet”, “Yabloko” are scattered in handfuls throughout all the villages and villages.
In general, you won’t go hungry. Generous Yalta will feed everyone.
- Cafe "Mangal", st. Pushkinskaya, 18a
Lovers of quality grilling definitely come here! The intoxicating smells of kebab and kebabs are tempting. I tried fish cooked over charcoal there and was pleased with everything - the spices, the cooking, and the service. The interior is also very nice. Among other things, the cafe offers a wide selection of draft beer, which goes very well with its signature dishes :) The average check is 500 rubles.
- Cafe "Spices and Passions", emb. them. Lenina, 31b
Just a nice veranda on the embankment. A classic lounge-cafe with panoramic windows and sea views, a modern cozy hi-tech design and a standard menu - from pasta to tiramisu. The average bill is 600 rubles.
- South Cafe, st. Botkinskaya, 2v
A trendy cafe, atypical for Crimea. More like mainland establishments. What I like about it is that they offer... National dishes different countries- Japanese, Greek, Italian. You can choose according to your mood. There is also always pleasant music playing there, some kind of fresh Internet radio, where all the tracks are selected with great taste. The interior and service are also at the same level. I advise you to take a look. And, as far as I know, good musicians from the mainland come there on weekends and perform their music. Everyone praises these concerts :) The average bill is 700 rubles.
Budget
- Dining room "Crimea", st. Moskovskaya 1/6;
- Canteen "Lilac", st. Roosevelt 4;
- Dining room “At home”, emb. named after Lenin 15;
- Cafe "Mangal", st. Pushkinskaya, 18a;
- Cafe "Medusa", st. Marshak, 4.
Mid-level
- "People's Cafe No. 1", st. Lomonosova, 15;
- South Cafe, st. Botkinskaya, 2v;
- Restaurant "Chaika", emb. named after Lenin, 15;
- Cafe "Massandra", Drazhinsky street, 46;
- Cafe "Van Gogh", st. Massandrovskaya, 11.
Expensive
- Restaurant "Fabrikant", Primorsky Park, 4;
- Kaat Park, Primorsky Park, 1a;
- Restaurant "Tiflis", st. Baturina, 1;
- Cafe "Balcony", emb. named after Lenin, 35a;
- Grant-cafe Persona Grata, emb. named after Lenin, 17;
- Grand Cafe "Orange", emb. named after Lenin, 31a;
- Restaurant "Colonnade", Kommunarov Street, 2A, Primorsky Park;
- Verdi bar&restaurant, Primorsky Park 1.
Holidays
In September at the Theater. Chekhov International Theater Festival takes place in Yalta THEATER.CHEKHOV. YALTA" Theaters come there from many Russian cities, as well as from neighboring countries. All day long, the theater shows a wide variety of performances; during the festival, you can meet many famous actors in the city. 
This is a big event for Yalta residents, and it is definitely worth a visit. You can view the poster on the theater website, and buy tickets only at the box office on the embankment, or in the theater itself.
Safety. What to watch out for
In general, Yalta is a fairly safe city, but there are things that it is better to warn yourself against:
Things to do
Yalta is a great place both for a beach holiday and a night out, as well as for extreme sports enthusiasts of various stripes - rock climbers, divers, speleologists and racers. Everyone will find something to their liking here.
Shopping and shops
On the embankment, of course, there are several fashion stores of familiar brands, but due to sanctions, they initially have inflated prices and sell outdated collections. So fashionistas have nothing to do in Yalta. All fashion here begins and ends with flip-flops, striped shorts and a beer belly spilling out of them.
It is better to do shopping in Crimea in the markets. And buy exclusively authentic products - oils, jams, fruits, shells, teas, etc. Yalta is not for you, and you shouldn’t go there for fashionable clothes. But there’s so much that’s missing from the markets! And this is not there, and that is not there either :)
Local craftsmen and craftswomen sell all kinds of goods, here everyone will find something for themselves and their loved ones to taste. Food, cosmetics, traditional medicine, paintings by local artists, spices... You can’t list it all. The markets of Greater Yalta are a storehouse of folk wisdom and ingenuity.
Bars. Where to go
As you know, the highest concentration of bars in resort areas is located by the sea: on the beaches and not far from them. Yalta is no exception.
- Pub "Ulf", Karl Marx str. 4/2
An atmospheric place stylized as a medieval Irish pub. Here you will be offered strong ale and meat snacks, which are especially pleasant to eat under the vaulted stone ceilings on rough oak tables. Bar prices are slightly above average.
All bars are open until approximately 5 a.m.; only very low-class establishments, such as port wine bars, where port thieves and local drunks gather, are open 24 hours a day.
Clubs and nightlife
Nightlife is also in full swing. During the high tourist season, the clubs are open every day.
- Cafe-club "Chocolate", Kyiv street 1
Classical night club, where all the Yalta youth gather to hang out. Popular hits are played, popular drinks are poured. Parties are traditionally held on Fridays and Saturdays. There is nothing remarkable in the club itself, which is why the prices are quite standard for middle-class establishments.
Extreme Sports
The Southern Coast of Crimea is a real haven for extreme sports enthusiasts. Steep forest trails are wonderful for downhill cycling and freeride, mountain cliffs are for rope jumpers, the mysterious waters of the Black Sea are for divers and kayakers, tall rock formations are for rock climbing and mountaineering, relief plateaus are for jeeping, mountain river beds are for canyoning, deep caves - for caving tourism. And I'm sure this is not the whole list.
There are many companies that organize various extreme tours around Crimea and provide all the necessary equipment. You just have to do some good Googling. As for people who are independent in this regard, I can only talk in more detail about rock climbing and caving.
Rock climbing
The most famous rock massifs with a bunch of beaten routes are:
- and the Swan's Wing rock,
- Nikitskaya cleft in Nikita,
- Ai-Nikola rock massif and Alim rock in Oreanda,
- Red Stone in Krasnokamenka,
- Parus rock in Foros,
- Mount Krestovaya in Alupka.
The routes on them vary in difficulty from 4c to 8c.
There is a campsite for climbers under Red Rock where you can pitch a tent and use the shower and kitchen. And although the path from there to the sea is not close, under the rock itself there is a small lake, which is filled with cold springs. It is very pleasant to swim in it after climbing.
And under Parus there is an active rescue station and a spring.
Climbing on Ai-Nikola is very specific: on the road, above the massif itself, there is an Orthodox church, where a tape recorder with religious chants is played for the whole day from the very morning. They turn it off only at 6 o'clock. Echo, as you know, is quite strong in the mountains. And although the routes there are very interesting, it is difficult for an unprepared listener to endure such accompaniment for more than two hours.
The coolest thing about the Crimean Rocks is the short approaches. Many rocks are located 50 meters from the route, some take 10 minutes to walk to. There is no need to drag your equipment through the forest up the mountain, accompanied by mosquitoes, 10 kilometers to the nearest rock. The main rock type in Crimea is limestone. In some places it is very comfortable and pleasant for climbing, in others it is sharp and hurts your fingers. So you have to be careful.
Caving tourism
As for caves, many speleologists argue that speleology should be done only for the sake of later descending into the caves of Crimea. Mount Karabi, near Simferopol, is very famous in the world speleological community, as it contains some of the deepest and most unexplored caves in the world (for example, Krasnaya Cave). In addition, there you can find very beautiful caves with snow-white stalactites and stalagmites, sparkling crystals and other speleological goodies.
The caves of Mount Chatyr-Dag near Alushta are no less interesting for speleologists-researchers and ordinary speleotourists. In addition, the closest to Yalta is a mountain, in the depths of which a lot of interesting things are also hidden. The depth of the descents into many caves reaches hundreds of meters in total, so you need to correctly calculate the length of the rope and take it with a supply of hooks for hanging.
Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift
As a gift from Yalta, it is definitely worth bringing sweet Yalta onions, aromatic sunflower oil, Crimean teas and wines (only it is better to buy them at wineries, the markets are full of fakes), local spices (the Svan mixture is especially good), aromatic oils and soaps, nuts and olives, jam from local fruits.
In general, everything that makes Crimea Crimea. Its small, but very tasty and healthy pieces:)
How to get around the city
Transport communication between the villages of Greater Yalta is carried out by minibuses and trolleybuses. The latter go only towards Simferopol, to the east. That is, from Bolsheyalta villages you can only get to Gurzuf. Trolleybuses No. 51, 52 and 53 will take you to all eastern villages of Big Yalta. The trolleybus station is located across the street from the bus station. Minibuses regularly go to the villages located to the west of Yalta from the upper platform of the bus station.
Minibuses and trolleybuses also travel around the city itself. The fare is 13 rubles.
Taxi. What features exist
A taxi ride around the city costs on average 150 rubles. You just need to call the ordering services, and not use the services of bombs that lure rogue tourists. They jack up prices shamelessly. Yalta taxi numbers are available on the Internet, I just called the first number that came up in the search engine. Unfortunately, convenient Yandex taxi and other applications have not yet reached Crimea. To the airport, taxi drivers usually charge 2000–3000 rubles.
Transport rental
Many people rent cars and for good reason. This is much more convenient than being stuck in crowded summer minibuses, not knowing where to get off and whether you will catch the last flight.
At the airport itself in Simferopol there are several offices of various car rental companies. On average, renting an economy class car for 7 days costs about 8,000 rubles. Business class - about 15,000. During the high tourist season, you need to book cars in advance, at least a month in advance.
Be careful on winding and steep mountain roads - that's my only advice. Driving on flat terrain is different from driving on mountainous terrain. The latter requires more skill and dexterity. So don't be reckless, just be careful :)
Big Yalta - holidays with children
In my opinion, Crimea and Bolshaya!
Hotels- don’t forget to check prices from booking sites! Don't overpay. This !
Rent a Car- also an aggregation of prices from all rental companies, all in one place, let's go!
Anything to add?
Yalta is one of the most popular Crimean resorts with beautiful beaches and clear sea. There are many sanatoriums here where you can relax and improve your health. In Yalta you can visit the famous Massandra winery, admire the views from the top of Ai-Petri, visit the Chekhov house-museum and numerous parks and nature reserves.
Planning a vacation in Yalta without intermediaries
Hotels and sanatoriums in Yalta are always ready to welcome tourists, but often the cost of their services is greatly inflated. You can organize your holiday in Yalta yourself: here it is easy to find accommodation on the seashore without intermediaries at affordable prices. When planning a vacation for the summer of 2019, book houses or apartments in the private sector in advance - this will allow you to save a lot. The choice is huge: you can rent a whole house or a city apartment, rent a room to live with the owners - it all depends on your financial capabilities. Carefully study the photo, check whether the room has everything you need (furniture, household appliances, etc.) and register your reservation.Prices for the private sector of Yalta in the summer of 2019 near the sea
The cost of living during a holiday in Yalta depends on the season and location of the house. The highest demand for apartments and rooms is in July and August, so they are more expensive. The cheapest accommodation is during the high season, when the flow of tourists subsides. You can rent residential premises in the private sector right next to the sea (for example, on Arkhivnaya Street, from where you only have to walk for five minutes). Holidays in Yalta can be quite budget-friendly: the cost of renting apartments in 2019 is from 1800 to 2500 rubles per day. Accommodation in remote areas of the city will be cheaper, although you will have to use transport to get to the sea.
Average prices for holidays in Yalta
| May | June | July | August | September | October | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apartments | RUB 2,240 | RUB 2,240 | RUB 3,040 | RUB 3,070 | RUB 2,350 | RUB 2,050 |
| Hotels | RUB 2,380 | RUB 2,380 | RUB 3,010 | RUB 3,110 | RUB 2,340 | RUB 2,040 |
| Private houses | 2,500 rub. | 2,500 rub. | RUB 3,080 | RUB 3,150 | RUB 2,550 | RUB 2,250 |
| Turnkey houses | RUB 2,450 | RUB 2,450 | RUB 3,050 | 3,100 rub. | RUB 2,450 | RUB 2,150 |
Average prices for holidays in Yalta
Yalta. About the resort
Yalta is amazing resort, which has long been recognized as the tourist capital of Crimea. Its name translates from Greek as shore. And this unique coast has long attracted many peoples. Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Turks, Genoese, and Armenians lived here. Yalta in the past never had important strategic importance, unlike its closest neighbors: Alushta and Gurzuf. Its great history began not so long ago, in the mid-19th century. In a short time, a small fishing village turned into a famous resort, and then into the pearl of Crimea.Yalta is an endless beautiful embankment, green parks, equipped beaches, prestigious hotels, and a famous public. There is no need to introduce it, everyone knows this resort. Holidays in Yalta are quite expensive and prestigious. In the summer, prices may unpleasantly surprise many, but this does not stop the huge number of vacationers. The fame of the city, picturesque views, numerous attractions, developed infrastructure, interesting entertainment - all this attracts guests to Yalta. Every year there are several million tourists who come here on vacation or on an excursion.
Climate
The climate here is temperate Mediterranean. The combination of the Crimean Mountains and the Black Sea plays an important role in this. In summer, Yalta is quite warm and dry. In July, the average daily air temperature is +23-24°C. This pleasant, comfortable weather lasts until mid-autumn. Winters on the coast are warm, the mercury column in the thermometer rarely drops below 0. The average January temperature is +4 C. Swimming season in Yalta lasts almost 5 months - from late May to mid-October. The average sea water temperature in summer is + 22 °C. Such a mild climate allows tourists to be received all year round.Attractions
The city can easily be called an open-air museum, because a huge number of attractions and monuments are concentrated here. In Yalta you can visit one of the museums: the Historical and Literary Museum, the Glade of Fairy Tales, the House-Museum named after. A.P. Chekhov, museum of sculpture and floristry. Adults and children will be interested in visiting the Skazka zoo, the crocodilarium, the theater of sea animals, the Yalta cable car and many other interesting places. Walking through the narrow and intricate streets of the city, you can see temples, palaces, noble dachas, ancient buildings and numerous monuments and sculptures.Who doesn’t know such a beautiful Crimean resort as Yalta? Beautiful fairytale castle"Swallow's Nest", hanging over the abyss, seems to be known to everyone. It in itself was a real pearl of Yalta, but after the Crimean earthquake, when part of the rock supporting it collapsed into the sea, the castle, saved by original engineering, also became interesting from a technical point of view. So it can well lay claim to the title of “Wonder of the World”.
Photos of Yalta
Housing in Yalta
Therefore, settling not far from such an attraction near the sea during your vacation is both prestigious and simply convenient - from many points of view. There are tourist sites, good infrastructure, and many entertainment venues at hand. Yalta also has mountains, sea, healing air, well-equipped beaches.There are many expensive sanatoriums here, and people go to Yalta to stock up on good health. But you can’t always buy tickets, and they can be expensive. An alternative may be to decide to rent housing in a private house in Yalta. You can do this in advance by contacting us on our website.
