Yalta or Evpatoria – which is better? A blue flag in your hands and an ear of corn or everything about the beaches of Yalta Oceanarium where is better in Yalta or Evpatoria
Greetings, friends!
To give you an idea of what Yalta Crimea beaches are like at the height of the summer season, I have prepared a detailed review.
Today we will look at which direction in the sunny resort is best to go, so as not to end up standing on a beach packed denser than kernels on an ear of corn.
Or is it easier to jump straight from the cable car straight into the depths of the sea, so as not to weave between naked bodies, looking for the entrance to the saving waters!
Follow me, please!
The beaches of Yalta and its surroundings are all pebbly and not too spacious. Within the city there are very narrow coastal areas for recreation, with a steep entrance to the sea, and well-equipped long beaches.
Yalta has been and remains the most popular destination. We are attracted by the beauty of the surrounding mountain-forest landscapes and entertainment options. Housing for every taste (more only in Sevastopol), proximity to other cozy resorts and good transport links.
Beach areas are divided into municipal, general use, children's, medical, and separated from each other in such a way that it will not be possible to cross the shore. You will have to go around either along the embankment or along other streets.
By the summer season in the tourist area it is usually trying to make a mess.
But don’t be surprised if, next to a neat, fully equipped and modern beach, you come across a washed-out area with rusty structures, old sun loungers and a broken embankment.
Now let's take a closer look at each of them.
Massandrovsky with the Blue Flag
Without exaggeration, we can say that this is the best beach not only in Yalta, but also in Russia. The infrastructure here is well thought out, from themed areas, comfortable sun loungers, entertainment to the only free bathroom on the entire embankment.
Massandra beach has received international awards more than once "Blue Flag" (and in 2018 too). It means that this recreation area meets international standards and is safe for sea swimming.
Actually it's a whole complex of beaches , each of which has its own style, mode, size, program, prices.
You can choose any of them – the entrance is free .
But you will have to pay more for services than at neighboring resorts. Depending on where you choose a place - under a canopy, an umbrella, on a covered terrace over the sea, renting sun loungers will cost from 300 to 450 rubles before the specified time.
The surface is large and small pebbles, the coastal strip is spacious, separated by breakwaters. The descent into the sea is relatively gentle, but quickly gains depth.
There are paths leading to the sea and between the rows of sun loungers, and there are swimming pools for children and even adults with sea water.
Some people like to relax by the sea, but swim in the pool.
Entertainment and infrastructure
Every beach has your own nightclub , which continues to entertain guests with its fiery shows after the beach closes. So life here is in full swing from early morning until late at night.
Fun events and parties dedicated to some fictitious holiday are often held here. Mussel Day, For example.
Concerts and musical battles are held - all announcements are on the official website of Massandra Beach.
The embankment is not wide, decorated with plant compositions and original designs. There are also massage cabins, shower rooms and changing rooms, nice cafes, game attractions, boutiques with various products, and a travel agency.
Here you can rent a bungalow with a bed, a table and sun loungers for an hour, a day or night, or a day. Cost from 500 RUR/hour, 1500 RUR/day.
This is a very busy, noisy place. There is always music playing here, parties are taking place and a large number of young people are having fun. If you are a fan of a relaxing holiday, then it is better to look for a quieter corner.
Location
Massandra Beach is located between the Marine Station and the boarding house " Actor ».
The exact address: st. Drazhinsky, 31G.
You can get here on foot from the central embankment towards the Marine Station.
Or get there from the Yalta bus station on minibuses No. 6, 18a, 34, 39, 109 to the stop “Veshchevoy Tsentr”, “Embankment”, “Roosevelt”, and then walk a little, following the signs.
Official site: massandrabeach.com
A quiet place for relaxation and recovery
The contrast with the previous place will be beach of the boarding house "Akter" . It is located 500 m from Massandra and offers peace and quiet.
You can get there if you are not a boarding house client, but for a fee. Entrance here is through the entrance.
Usually there are few people here, since the place is considered closed, and the beach is considered therapeutic. The infrastructure on the coast includes changing cabins, canopies, sun loungers, rescue stations, and a concrete area under a tent with sun loungers.
The beach is pebble, the descent into the sea is gentle, there are rocky areas. The territory is clean, relatively spacious - the capacity is just over 300 people.
The boarding house itself is good, but prices are comparable with the hotel " Yalta-Intourist «.
Beach of the Donbass sanatorium
The reviews mention the beach well sanatorium "Donbass" , or Green Park, as it is marked on the maps.
It is located next to the hotel complex "Yalta-Intourist". But to get there you need to either go down the cable car (if you have a pass), or take a minibus just before reaching the cargo port.
The beach is not very crowded, it has all the infrastructure, including modern extreme sports, diving, and playgrounds. It is adjacent to a spacious embankment with cafes, canteens, showers and sanitary areas, and a first-aid post.
Please note that the descent on foot does not seem so difficult, but the way back can be quite tiring, especially if you are with small children.
The use of beach equipment, as elsewhere, is paid for outsiders, and free for residents of the sanatorium.
Not only for foreign tourists, but also for everyone
The next quite attractive beach belongs to the hotel complex "Yalta-Intourist".
On its territory there are areas only for hotel guests, or those who have paid "day stay" with access to indoor and outdoor swimming pools, restaurants and other facilities.
The cost of such a “day” is 1,500 rubles for adults and 1,000 rubles for children over 6 years old.
Although this beach is indicated everywhere as public use, only local residents can freely pass through all the turnstiles by presenting a document with registration. Judging by the reviews of “non-locals,” there is still an entrance fee.
Hotel beach Yalta-Intourist "has three levels: pebble - equipped with canopies, sun loungers, changing rooms, directly by the water, with entertainment facilities, and artificial sand with gazebos.
The area is very clean, well equipped and beautifully decorated, for which this beach also received the Blue Flag award.
GORONO Beach
On the other side of Massandra beach, right next to the pier there is a municipal public beach called "GORONO" LLC Aqualux Crimea .
This is a well-equipped area, but without any extras - there are no showers or shade canopies. But there are ramps, wooden paths to the sea, rental of sunbeds and umbrellas, a playground for children, and rescue stations.
The coastline is not wide, there is a slight slope, and there is a concrete section.
Central embankment area
Along the Lenin embankment, the busiest in the summer season, there are public pebble beaches, separated by breakwaters, piers and even nets.
The infrastructure includes rental of sun loungers and umbrellas, and everything you need - toilets, cafes, entertainment - is located on the embankment.
Of course, during the season there are water attractions, and boats depart from the pier every 15 minutes for sea excursions.
Probably the most spacious beach in the area restaurant "Orange" but unfortunately not very clean. The proximity of various cafes, a large number of vacationers, plus the not too active activity of workers have an effect.
Hotel "Oreanda"
The site is equipped with stylish canopies, recreation areas, paths, and plant compositions. Slender rows of comfortable sun loungers are diluted with comfortable tables.
The beach is covered with small pebbles, the entrance to the sea is cleared of stones, and the depth gradually increases.
You can get here for free, provided there are free places.
This is where you can finally have some fun!
Primorsky Beach is a complex of several areas, municipal and adjacent to hotels. But admission is available everywhere for free.
There are wide, spacious areas with smooth artificial turf, areas hidden in the shade, and tiled areas for the promenade and gatherings in cafes.
Last year the owners of this LLC changed, so there was perestroika - demolition some unwanted objects and the construction of new ones, installation of beach equipment, attractions, repair work, which took a little longer.
But in general, the infrastructure is adequate, here you can relax and have fun.
Beaches of Greater Yalta
A 30-40 minute walk from the central embankment of Yalta is Dolphin Beach . Geographically, it belongs to Livadia.
There are several beach maps, and on the long promenade there are establishments for leisure, food, and entertainment. The coastal strip is spacious, has a pebble surface, the bottom is sandy and pebbly, and the depth increases gradually.
Each of the recreation areas has its own set of services, which differ in price tags.
So, a day on the terrace costs 150/200 rubles, in the solarium – 250 rubles, renting a bungalow for half a day/day costs 750/400 rubles, in the comfort zone called the “family corner” a holiday will also cost 750/400 rubles. Rental of sun loungers and umbrellas – 50-100 rubles.
In general, the holiday here is not bad, if you do not pay attention to some of the usual nuances for Crimea, namely, some shabbyness, overflowing trash cans, and worn-out equipment.
City Livadia
Next, from " Delphine» closed sections of sanatoriums follow, after crossing which you will find yourself on a long City Livadia beach common use, divided into 4 recreation areas.
The authorities do not pay much attention to this beach - the shoreline is clearly eroded, and cosmetic repairs do not hide the rust, outdated and rotten structures, and peeling old buildings.
Nevertheless, the sea here is clean, there is more than enough space, and the necessary infrastructure - changing rooms, showers, toilets, catering establishments, attractions and entertainment - justifies the rental of sun loungers and umbrellas.
You can get here from the Yalta bus station by minibuses No. 11, 100, 113 to the Livadia stop, then about 15 minutes on foot.
Livadia Beach has large pebbles and there are rocky areas in the water - comfortable shoes are a must, especially for kids. The descent to the sea is complicated by the mountainous terrain; you will have to overcome a steep slope and several stairs.
From the sea straight to the garden
On the opposite side of Livadia there are also beaches, which are easier to get to from Yalta in the summer by boat (don’t forget to check the schedule).
There are very beautiful landscapes, magnificent air, clean sea. But this part of the coast cannot boast of service and infrastructure. The beaches here are narrow, with rocky areas. Old wooden sun loungers are available for rent.
Above the coastline there is a section of the embankment with kiosks and benches where you can buy something to eat and drink.
This place is not very suitable for families with children, the road is too tiring (if you travel by minibus), it is uncomfortable to run barefoot along the shore, and you need to wear shoes to enter the water.
It’s gratifying that there are beaches in Otradnoye
Hidden between Nikita and Yalta itself is the small village of Otradnoye, where reputable hotels and apartments border on simple and uncomplicated boathouses.
And some advice right away. If you haven’t managed to book accommodation in Yalta at a reasonable price, then look rental prices Here. Especially if you are a group and especially if you have a car! Although there is also a minibus to Yalta.
There is a small coastline of about 300 meters with pebbles of various sizes, separated by concrete piers.
The view of Yalta itself can be spoiled by the cranes of the Yalta cargo port. And with a certain wind, the smell from the Yalta wastewater treatment plant will be in the air.
But that’s how it is in Crimea—nothing is ideal. And if the place is quiet, calm and inexpensive, then there will definitely be some kind of blunder. Oh yes! And here you walk along the inclined surface to the beach.
Make sure your feet don't jump out of the flip flops))
Where is Golden Beach from?
Near sanatorium "Kurpaty" , which you can learn about from, there is a spacious small-pebble Golden Beach .
It is named so, according to one version, thanks to the small pebbles that shimmer with sunlight in the spray of the sea. According to another, because of the legend about treasures washed ashore by a wave, but in fact one part of it belongs to the complex of the same name.
This beach is attractive because of its flat and wide coastline, convenient and gentle entrance to the sea, distance from large enterprises and the port, plus there are gorgeous green landscapes.
Otherwise, it does not benefit from anything - the same rental of sun loungers and sun loungers, paid services of sanitary zones, a basic set of attractions.
Of the minuses:
- Not easy to get to. A narrow serpentine road leads to this area, along which it is impossible for two cars to pass each other.
- Vacationers note that by four o’clock in the afternoon the huge shadow from the sanatorium building covers a good half of the beach.
- Abandoned and damaged pier. Nearby, directly in the coastal waters, there is a dump of concrete blocks with protruding reinforcement.
By public transport from Yalta you need to get to the stop " Kurpaty", then go down for about 15 minutes to the shore.
Good to know
- You can get to Yalta both from Simferopol and Anapa. My experience of finding cheap tickets to Crimea and back. How to get there from the new Simferopol airport. You may also find it useful if you travel here by train.
- To wisely choose housing in Yalta, I recommend. How to successfully find and book inexpensive accommodation in Crimea.
- Some beaches and attractions can only be reached by car. If you don’t have it with you, then how to choose the right company to rent a car in Crimea
- If you find yourself bored with lying down sea treatments, there are two options: active-extreme And unconventionally instructive. Choose for yourself.
- Yalta has the best restaurants. Especially for you and recommendations for budget meals on vacation.
That's all
Dear friends, if such a variety of beaches does not satisfy you, do not hesitate to go to the coast or, as they say, to compare and expand your tourist horizons.
I haven’t told you everything yet, so I suggest subscribe to new articles my blog and also join
Many tourists consider pebbles to be a disadvantage of Crimean beaches. Like, you can only sit on it on a sun lounger, walk only in beach slippers, and the kids won’t be able to really play. But in Crimea there are not only pebble shores. According to reviews, the beaches of Evpatoria are ideal for family holidays - there is sand, they are shallow and in many places there is protection from jellyfish.
Central Beach: in the very center, near the embankment
The central beach of Evpatoria is long - 2 km, but not wide. In fact, this is a whole chain of recreations. Some areas are rented and for “mere mortals” the conditions for staying there are somewhat unfavorable, but most of them are in the public domain.
The necessary infrastructure is there, but in different parts of the beach it may have varying degrees of accessibility and differ in quality. You have to pay for convenience. Prices are modest, their level depends on the “prestige” of the service. But there is everything - toilets, showers, canopies and sun loungers of various designs. There are also places to eat. It passes nearby, its capabilities are added to the beach ones. Families usually choose the area adjacent to - due to the fact that the sea there is shallow.
There are also disadvantages. The main one is cramped conditions. The city beach is popular; it is better to choose a place on it in the morning. Even during waves, it often brings algae to the shore. Often they do not have time to remove them immediately, as a result, a specific smell appears.
Solaris Beach: a guest from another planet
Fans of S. Lem's work will definitely choose Evpatoria for swimming. Its less poetic name is Konsky. It is due to the fact that previously there were cavalry barracks in the area, and horses were periodically bathed here. There is even written confirmation of this fact.
Now there are no barracks or horses, but there is a small but well-maintained and fairly clean beach. The sand here is quite coarse, sometimes there are stones at the bottom, but they are easy to notice, since the water is clean. The descent is gentle, parents don’t have to worry about their kids.
There is everything to make your stay comfortable: changing rooms, showers, mini-toilets, cafes. There are also food sellers peddling food. represented by water slides, banana boats and catamarans. Like Central, during the day during the season Solaris resembles a seal rookery. Due to the large influx of people, garbage is sometimes found, although the beach is cleaned regularly.
Robinson Beach: an inhabited island
Continues Central near Frunze Park. It is comfortable, with a smooth entry, without stones at the bottom, and is conventionally divided into two sections. One is concreted and canopies are installed there. The second one is sandy, so it’s easy to settle down according to your own taste.
All the infrastructure is there, but part of it - toilets, showers, foot washes - is paid. However, the cost is very modest. Renting sun loungers is much more expensive, but the sandy Evpatoria beaches make it easy to do without them.
Robinson provides amenities for vacationers. It has a rental point, various cafes, and a storage room. As a result, it does not resemble a desert island; on the contrary, it is quite crowded and visited.
Oasis Beach: relaxation by the sea
Residents of Evpatoria, if asked to indicate the best sandy beaches, often call Oasis. Its name was given by a hotel nearby, but the site is publicly accessible. It has paid and free zones. The difference is that in the second, the traveler has no guarantee that he will find a place - it is extremely popular. Another drawback is one that can be easily eliminated. They “forgot” the concrete slab at the bottom, and quite a few beachgoers have already hurt their fingers painfully on it. But it is clearly visible through the clear water, and there is a possibility that it will be removed by the next season.
Otherwise - excellent. It is covered with fine sand, which employees periodically sift through nets to remove debris. So even picky tourists are satisfied with the cleanliness here. Everything you need is there - locker rooms, shelters, showers, cafeteria, various entertainment. There is a play labyrinth for children, and beach volleyball courts for adults. When a travel agency needs photos of Evpatoria beaches for advertising, Oasis always has a good chance of becoming a “model.”
Cote d'Azur - the best beach in Evpatoria
The Cote d'Azur beach is somewhat removed from the center, to the side (west of the resort), but is considered the most comfortable in the city. There is an entrance fee, but the payment is symbolic, and then you don’t have to pay for using the hygienic infrastructure (shower, toilet).
The beach is spacious, it is never crowded (even during peak season). The entrance to the sea is gentle, but you don’t have to walk a hundred meters to reach the depth. Almost perfect cleanliness is maintained here. There is a “jellyfish catcher” installed in the sea, so recreation is especially recommended for those who are afraid of gelatinous creatures.
You have to pay for additional amenities (umbrellas, sun loungers, mattresses), but the prices are affordable. Here, faster than anywhere else in Yevpatoria, the old Soviet sun loungers are “retiring”, they are replaced by “Europeans” with soft mattresses. A company or a large family can rent a reed house. Numerous cafes and food stalls offer drinks and snacks.
A motorist tourist should not rack his brains about which Evpatoria beaches are suitable for him. The road is like this, there is a car camp here. Vacationers on wheels will be able to live literally at the water's edge for a reasonable fee. Reasonable organization of the matter ensures that car camping holidaymakers do not disturb other beachgoers, and those do not disturb them.
All beaches on the map of the city of Evpatoria
It is not recommended for impressionable people to look at the beaches of the city of Evpatoria in photographs in winter - they are so attractive that in the midst of rain and snow they can spoil the mood. Unless the viewing was started with the aim of choosing a site for a vacation. In conclusion, watch a video from one of them, enjoy watching!
Alupka
The coast of Alupka is covered with large pebbles, only on the “Côte d'Azur” there is a sandy strip. The beaches are well-maintained, everywhere you can rent a sunbed and umbrella, use the toilet and shower, and choose water activities. Cafes and eateries are located near recreation areas.
Rating: 3 points
On all beaches, the entrance to the water is gentle and safe, but it is better to swim in special shoes, since the bottom is lined with pebbles. For vacationers with children, the Children's Baths beach is suitable; the pebbles there are smaller.
Rating: 2 points
Evpatoria
The entire coastline of Evpatoria is covered with soft golden sand. In the central part, near Gorky embankment, there are canopies, sun loungers, cafes, changing cabins and toilets. One minus - it's always crowded here. In the suburbs of the resort there are not many people on the beaches, but you should understand that there is no infrastructure there, the beaches are wild.
Rating: 4 points
When entering the sea on the beaches of Evpatoria, stones brought from the sea may come under your feet. This is especially noticeable at the beginning of the season. The depth is not sharp, which is suitable for bathing even the smallest children. Sometimes waves rise, bringing with them turbidity and algae, and then you have to go to the central beach, where the shore is cleaned best.
Having seen enough of the beauty of Alushta during our first trip in 2006, the next year, 2007, we decided to stay here. We booked a room in a mini-hotel in advance on the Internet.
We got from Ryazan to Alushta well, without incident. We enter the city, and I immediately stop liking it here more and more: narrow streets, houses stuck to each other and all this climbs up the mountains.
We found a hotel. Well, what can I say - the room was good, a well-kept courtyard, I remember two Germans (I mean shepherd dogs), well trained and synchronously bringing a wand. We settled in and went to the sea. And this is where an unpleasant surprise awaited.
Firstly, all of Alushta is built on mountains, on the one hand it’s beautiful, on the other, you understand. Secondly, it’s not so easy to get to the sea; you have to go through the souvenir market and the embankment, i.e. push through the crowd. Thirdly, the beach is small, there were enough people even in the evening, so I suspect you need to go and grab a spot early in the morning. But there was nothing to be done, they arrived, they arrived, and then His Majesty Chance intervened in the matter.
The fact is that that night Levin played his favorite game: the temperature was forty, nothing was bothering him, in general, he fell ill again. We had to urgently adjust our plans: I talked to the hostess, she understood everything, and we went to Saki to visit relatives. We went to the hospital, for 30 hryvnia they listened to us, and immediately did tests. Let me make a reservation right away: I would not be indignant about paid medical services in Ukraine. I personally was shocked when I found out that our relative, a local resident, went to the hospital to confirm his disability group and at the same time paid for the entire stay himself; compulsory insurance, like ours, does not apply there.
It makes no sense to talk about how we were sick for a week in Saki. Lyovka recovered, and they began to think about where to live. It was July, my friends didn’t have any free rooms at Priboi, so we rented an apartment in Yevpatoria through the apartment bureau.
Evpatoria
We went to Yevpatoria without Lyovka. We found an apartment bureau near the railway station and began looking at housing. By the way, there are no problems with this in Yevpatoria: there are apartment bureaus, and people stand at the entrance with advertisements. We immediately liked the two-room apartment on Pobeda Avenue and rented it. A quiet courtyard, a huge attached loggia (my husband loved sleeping on it), what else do you need for relaxation? They took things, Lev, and moved to Evpatoria. I’ll explain my position right away: our relatives didn’t drive us out, on the contrary, they begged us to stay with them, but I adhere to the rule, there’s no need to strain anyone unnecessarily, and that’s how we lived for a week during Levka’s illness.
Now about the city. Evpatoria is a city larger than Saki, but still small. It is famous as a therapeutic resort for children. Here they also treat with mud, there are also mineral pump rooms. Yevpatoria already has more attractions than Saki. Particularly interesting are the Juma-Jami Mosque (1552) and St. Nicholas Cathedral (founded on July 11, 1893 in memory of the liberation of Evpatoria from the Anglo-French-Turkish invaders in 1856), which stand opposite each other. This is the “friendship” of different religions.
In Yevpatoria there are two embankments, a lot of entertainment and attractions: the more expensive ones are in the area of the park named after. Frunze, cheaper - Children's amusement park (Tokareva St., 43). There is also an indoor Dinopark (Belinskogo, 3-v). In general, you will always find something to occupy yourself in your free time.
Another thing that struck me about Evpatoria was the abundance of sculpture: I am silent about the Glade of Fairy Tales (Frunze Park). There is Baba Yaga, and the Wolf and the Hare, and other heroes. My son enjoyed running around when we went to the sea. But when you just walk around the city, you look - there is a baker (it turns out there is a bakery nearby), there is a cow with calves (dairy plant), there is a girl holding a child (maternity hospital).
But not everything is rosy in this city. Firstly, the beaches in Evpatoria itself are paid (maybe we didn’t try very hard, but I didn’t find free ones) and during the season they are filled to capacity. Secondly, there is no housing by the sea as such. The fact is that the entire private sector near the sea consists of buildings along the careless Tereshkova. Of course, people swim there too, but it’s asphalt and granite, not a beach, and then I saw with my own eyes the signs “Swimming is prohibited.” If you move to the second embankment, then in any case you and the sea will be separated by public garden trees, and you will have to walk to the sea. 
Well, at first we went for a swim in Zaozerny, but there you go 500 meters into the sea, and you’re up to your chest, and there were a lot of people too. Therefore, we changed our location - we started going to the wild beaches in front of Evpatoria, on the Sak side. We swam wonderfully, there was enough space for everyone, but this is just a “wild” beach, without changing cabins, toilets and other amenities of civilization. Although recently (when we go to Evpatoria), I see that civilization has slowly begun to approach these beaches, i.e. Something is already equipped at the very edge. 
I also want to say that I didn’t like it in Crimea in July: it was too hot, we went to the sea at half past five, and the stones were still heated. Crowd of people. Walking on the excursion is hot. All the grass was burned. My husband wondered why they put hay under the trees in the city, but the grass was burnt out.
But there was already plenty of fruit. And if I were considering the Saki-Evpatoria area, for me personally the priority would be: “Priboy”, Evpatoria, Saki, but we went by car.
Our travels around Crimea
This time we also did not sit in one place.
Sevastopol
Diorama "Assault on Sapun Mountain on May 7, 1944"(http://virtual-sevastopol.ru/sapun-gora-muzei.html). I confess right away that this is the only museum in which I voluntarily “ran away” from an excursion. I really love books and films on history, this is my hobby, but then after 10 minutes of “boring” in a monotonous voice, I “gave up”, and we quietly went to watch the Diorama.
The Diorama itself did not impress me; I was probably already spoiled by the scale of the Panorama. But here is Sapun Mountain itself... If you want to understand what our grandfathers did in that war, come here, you just have to see it: the slope along which I was already crawling, and they were going to fortified positions under a hurricane fire. Thank you very much for keeping us alive and for what you have done! And eternal memory to those who will not return...
The place itself is conducive to such thoughts; when you approach the eternal flame, a mournful melody sounds. 
Children are also interested here. I saw an even larger collection of military equipment only in the Vadim Zadorozhny Museum in Moscow. If you go down, the German fortifications are partially recreated and their military equipment is on display. And what’s important is that if you don’t go to Diorama, everything else is absolutely free.
But even here we couldn’t do without something funny. My husband bursts out laughing and asks what happened:
- Imagine, we go to the toilet, a grandmother is sitting - God's dandelion, grumbling something under her breath, holding out money.
- Are you Russians?
- Yes.
- Then go for free, otherwise this little one tortured you.
This is how they received a “freebie” for the first time for their nationality.
Then there was Inkerman, I would say, a suburb of Sevastopol. There is a winery here (http://www.inkerman.ua/rus/main), whose fortified wines I didn’t particularly like, but the collection of young wine is not even bad. There are also two more attractions in Inkerman: the ruins of the Kalamita fortress and the Inkerman St. Clement Cave Monastery - one of the oldest cave monasteries in Crimea, you can read about the history here - http://krim-palomnik.ru/monasteries/43-pages/ 87-2009-07-29-21-21-10.html).
Now about my impressions. The monastery became my favorite holy place in Crimea. The temple, which is located inside the rock, looks very interesting. There are not as many people as in the popular Bakhchisarai, so there is an opportunity to pray quietly. At the top of the Monastery Rock are the ruins of Kalamita (VI century). From here there is a stunning view of the limestone quarry, where mining is currently not carried out, and the Lake. So if you have the opportunity, be sure to visit.
And from this trip I learned another lesson - always take a sufficient supply of water if you go to places where you can’t buy it.
Red Cave (Kyzyl-Koba)
The parking lot is located five kilometers from the cave itself, but the walk takes place in the shade of trees, so walking here is a pleasure. They also offer a ride in a UAZ, but again they only take you to the most difficult place - the climb is at an angle of about 50 degrees, so evaluate your strength. A “well-fed” uncle was sitting on a stone with me: “Wait, son, otherwise you’ll get there without dad.” So whether to walk or travel for money is up to you, we walked and enjoyed nature.
Before the cave we visited Su-Uchkhan waterfall, it’s very nice to wash your face with cool water there on a hot day. And finally, the cave. I’ll say right away that there are practically no stalactites and stalagmites in the cave compared to Mramornaya, but it amazes with its power. What kind of water flow would there have to be to do all this?! There is also an underground lake in the cave - coins are thrown into it. Is it worth visiting the Red Cave? It’s probably worth it to understand the power of nature, all its boundless power.
Kara-Tobe(http://kara-tobe.h1.ru/russian/index.html) – the Greco-Scythian settlement is located on the Evpatoria-Saki highway. Excavations have been going on here since 1983. The construction of the Scythian village is also underway here. The museum itself is located in a former Black Sea coastal defense facility (DOT) built in the late 40s of the last century. It is interesting to look around a Scythian house, to understand in what “comfort” they used to live; the museum itself is also interesting, small, but with a rich collection of exhibits from excavations. You enter the museum through a tunnel, and from the roof there is a wonderful view of the sea. So I recommend visiting.
Well, briefly about our second trip to Crimea. Of course, we still walked a lot around Saki and Evpatoria, but I described what I remembered.
Anna Sadovskaya,
Ryazan
I discovered a budget holiday in Yalta. On Sverdlov Street there is a capsule hostel "Lime". The location is favorable. The embankment is within walking distance. I was pleased with the cozy atmosphere and cleanliness. Comfortable bed. You should stop at the description of the capsule itself, because... This is a new placement format for me. Equipment: ventilation, lamp, socket, hooks for clothes, mirror. There is also an iron, hair dryer, and washing machine. The kitchen is equipped with everything you need. I recommend.
I was pleasantly surprised by the new format of accommodation near the Yalta embankment. Hostel. Indeed, cleanliness is an important element for creating a good mood. Each capsule is equipped with ventilation, lamps, and sockets. Free WiFi. The administrator gave us three keys: to the locker where you can put your things, to the shoe drawer, and to the capsule itself. The kitchen has everything you need for cooking. Four showers and toilets. Daily cleaning. New bed linen. There is a washing machine, dryer, iron, ironing board, hair dryer. 24-hour reception. You can leave and return at any time convenient for you.
We vacationed in June 2018. What we liked. Good location of housing. We lived right in the center of the embankment, the sea was 15 meters away. I liked the climate and the beauty of nature. Great views etc. that's probably all. What I didn't like. Cleanliness and tidiness are observed only in the area of the embankment, you go higher into the city and..... the tidyness disappears somewhere. You find yourself somewhere in the mid-90s. In short, it seemed to us that Yalta, and probably the whole of Crimea, was 10-15 years behind the rest of Russia in terms of development. This is the main reason why many people don’t come here on vacation. There is a huge gap between prices and service. We paid 6000 rubles for housing in June, 7000 rubles in July. The apartment is certainly chic, in a good location, but... For 100 dollars a day, I think you can sometimes do the cleaning or change the linen. In Vietnam, for a room of $100/day, linen will be changed every day. There are a huge number of beggars on the embankment, which personally bothered us a lot and no one is chasing them away. In Sochi and Adler, on the embankment there are a lot of cafes and restaurants with live music, there are boutiques with hats from 16 thousand rubles. There is, of course, a cafe, but the prices seemed higher to us even than in Sochi, although they are nothing special. To make Crimea more attractive, billions of money need to be invested here. It probably won't be soon. Don’t believe the media that millions of Russians are coming here, I think this is a lie. Of course, you need to visit Crimea, but it’s unlikely to go here again, provided that everything here remains the same. And many people think that for that amount of money they can relax over the hill in more decent conditions. But everyone decides for themselves.
We have been vacationing in Crimea for more than 10 years. And always in one place, Livadia. But Yalta is a special place. With its unique streets and enchanting atmosphere. I love Yalta very much. Yalta is not a beach holiday, it is a holiday for the soul. Everything is combined here. And the sea, and the air, and entertainment. I don’t see it being particularly expensive. In stores, prices are the same as everywhere else in Russia. We go to cafes and sometimes eat in canteens. Everything is very tasty and fresh. My children adore Yalta. In the evening we can come for a walk along the embankment if we suddenly get bored. During the day we can wander through the narrow hot streets on foot and return on foot along the coast to Livadia. We tried to relax in different places in Crimea. But for some reason there was no real rest, and after a week we returned back to Livadia and Yalta. And since my children are asthmatics, they can breathe best here. And I’m already bringing 4 babies this year. Let him rest and enjoy the Yalta nature. Despite the fact that we have a large family. We come on vacation for a long time, at least 45 days. And financially it’s not very expensive. But we live in a rented apartment, feed ourselves and go to the store and market. And of course we give mom a break from cooking, the canteen is on the embankment near Bristol, it’s very tasty and inexpensive, and there’s a huge selection. And when I come to other resort towns in Crimea, my children do not swim there. And they are waiting for their sea in Livadia! And the fact that there is garbage (it has become much cleaner in recent years), then this is already a culture of giving. Just as they are used to keeping their home clean, this is how they behave on vacation. I probably wouldn’t trade Crimea for any foreign coasts. Air, sea, mountains, forest. And all this is ours. Native.
At the age of 70 I came to Yalta for the first time. The air, sea, mountains are impressive. I started to forget about inhalers. But a lot of things are reminiscent of the Moscow region and Moscow of the late 90s and early 2000s. An abundance of advertisements posted everywhere possible. There are attempts to combat this, but so far not very successful. It seems that many who post up pieces of paper wherever they can do not know about the Internet. There are a lot of Shanghai markets, the underground passages are so crowded with traders that it is difficult to get through. I’m not talking about spontaneous trading on the streets; they can’t eliminate it in Moscow either. And does it need to be completely removed? There is a lot of garbage on the streets. I walk along the street almost every day. Khalturin and in places it’s like you’re walking through a landfill. I would like to wish success to the residents and city authorities in restoring order in the city.
We were near Yalta, in Massandra in August. The sea is blooming, we swam a couple of times in almost 3 weeks, and the waves were also very strong. The vacation was very expensive. You could have a luxurious holiday abroad for this money. In general, the impressions are good, but a little expensive. Before that, we vacationed on the Sea of Azov (yes, yes, I know it’s a “puddle”, shallow and all that). But we really liked it - there weren’t many people, everything was cheap and cultural) we had a great time!
We went to Crimea last year, the Yalta Intourist Hotel, we really liked it, there was a lot of entertainment for families with children, there is a zoo on site, indoor playgrounds, outdoor playgrounds, swimming pools and in general a lot of things for children and adults)
In the evening it’s cool to sit in Orange on the embankment at a cafe in the shape of a boat. Be sure to sail to the Swallow's Nest and to Gurzuf to see Chekhov's dacha and Pushkin's house. I strongly recommend visiting excursions in the caves (unforgettable emotions) “Marble” and “Emine Bair Khosar”. An interesting excursion to Bakhchisaray "Chufut Kale" cave city, the view there is gorgeous!
Yalta. I wanted to go to Yalta right away, but alas, my plans were a little different. And when we got on the bus, planning to go to Alupka, we discovered that we were going to Yalta. Well, that means Yalta! Yalta is a resort city. You can feel a special resort atmosphere as soon as you get off the bus. After the absolutely rural life of Gaspra, I found myself and plunged into an atmosphere of bliss and relaxation. Despite the fact that the sea was stormy and a very strong wind was blowing, nothing prevented us from seeing everything, taking a leisurely walk along the embankment, seeing the ships, and soaking in the unique atmosphere of Yalta. The embankment is beautiful. The girls selling bouquets of flowers in chic crinolines were very pleasing to the eye. Unusual and beautiful. Another flower seller brought a smile - a French bulldog was running along the embankment, with a basket of bouquets in his teeth. What a seller! It was nice to sit on the wooden steps of the embankment staircase, as intended!!!, and enjoy the unforgettable spectacle of the stormy sea. A sea of extraordinary turquoise color, splashes of unruly waves, seagulls soaring and fighting the wind. Wave hunting also acquired a unique form of attraction. I really wanted to catch the splashes of the waves in my lens! All this is Yalta!
Yalta is a city in Crimea that my husband and I visit more often than others, since we have relatives here. But to be honest, I don’t like to stay here for a long time. Life in the city during the holiday season is too hectic and expensive, even though you don’t have to spend money on accommodation. Just relaxation involves entertainment, and there is a lot of it here, for every taste and at a high cost, designed for visiting vacationers. Even the beaches are mostly paid. Locals prefer to go out of town to splash in the sea, or even don’t even open the swimming season at all. For them, summer is the height of work, bringing income for the rest of the year. If we talk about what is worth seeing in Yalta, the list will be quite long. Personally, my minimum program includes Swallow’s Nest and Nikitsky Botanical Garden. By the way, I like to come to the botanical garden not even in the summer, but in the fall during the flowering season of my favorite chrysanthemums, and it’s beautiful in the spring when the tulips bloom. There is also a water park and a dolphinarium, clubs that are open all night, karaoke bars, cafes and a lot of entertainment that is offered on the beaches and in the sea. But, to be honest, a noisy life is not for me. I love climbing the surrounding mountains. Nature is amazing! On my first few trips to Yalta, I enjoyed visiting the Vorontsov Palace and went to the house-museum of A.P. Chekhov, was at the Massandra winery on an excursion with tasting and inspection of the Massandra Palace, went to the zoo (it will be very interesting for families with children). If you have a little more time and money, then you can go to the Livadia Palace and Ai-Petri, visit the old park in the Foros sanatorium and the Foros Church on the mountainside. It is clearly not possible to see all the beauties of Yalta in one day, and several visits will not be enough because... the city is changing and becoming more beautiful every year. If you haven’t seen Yalta, you haven’t seen Crimea, this city is its most worthy pearl. Have a nice holiday everyone.
Opinions about Evpatoria
We vacationed with tents in 2017. Every morning at sea, the staff working there raked algae, so the sea was not clean. The administrator took no action. Hot water was often turned off. In the canteen the prices are the same as last year, but the portions are much smaller. But there is one plus compared to last year. The woman who cleaned the toilets and showers did her job conscientiously.
In May, my sister and I vacationed at the Lake of Dreams boarding house. We had a good rest, the room was spacious, the area was very beautiful, clean, the food was very pleasing, everything was very tasty. The team is very friendly, they will explain, tell and show everything. It’s a 10-15 minute walk to the sea, or they can take you by transfer. We didn’t regret at all that we rested at the “Lake of Dreams” boarding house. We will definitely come back next summer.
I definitely recommend Evpatoria - either to a boarding house or to a rented apartment (we did this) - we were there 2 years ago and just fell in love with this city, this sea, these dolphins) last year we couldn’t get out - we started renovating, but now For our family, if you want to relax by the sea, then only Evpatoria) just a little corner of paradise)
We were in Yevpatoria last year with two children aged 2 and 8, we traveled by car, and this was not the first time we were there. In my opinion, it’s very boring in Evpatoria now. We had a purely beach holiday. In the morning we woke up - to the beach, went home in the heat for lunch/sleep, woke up - to the beach and went home to sleep. And it’s good that we went by car, otherwise it would have been dreary. In the city itself, the beaches are crowded with vacationers, the coastline is narrow, and the beach is sand with boulders (but the sea is clean), but you literally go to the suburbs (Solnechnoye district) - the beach is like on Maldives. Gorgeous, and the sea is clean. But the city itself is very boring. But we were in Yalta the previous year (2015), we went in May. The sea was still cold, but we walked as much as possible. Yalta is the most beautiful, we lived within the old city, next to the sea. In Yalta, you can’t even look at everything. But again, the beaches in the city itself are rather dirty and Yalta itself is expensive, especially in high season. It is better to go on vacation to nearby settlements to Yalta. For example Alushta. The beaches are good, the prices are much lower and if you want you can always rush to Yalta to see something.
We rested in Evpatoria in March. Fell in love with Crimea once and for all!!! We will definitely go again!!! Can't convey all the beauty! See for yourself!
We vacationed in Evpatoria for 21 days with a child. The first impression was bad. We chose housing on the Internet, made an advance payment. The greeter arrived in Simferopol without a child seat and began to be indignant at the fact that there were 4 of us instead of three. Whereas before paying for the housing, we agreed on everything with the intermediary and calculated the payment. They brought us in the dark to a completely different apartment on the second floor, up the stairs across the courtyard. They immediately began to increase the price. The room was small, with a bathroom and a stove. After our scandal, they offered other housing. We didn’t take the risk because of the small child. We liked the sea. There are many good dining rooms. with normal prices. Fruits are expensive, houses are cheaper. Prices in supermarkets vary. The best ice cream is Saki, on the Embankment - 80 rubles. in mag. 60. If you are without a small child, it is better to look for housing upon arrival on Sanatorskaya Street, Gogol
Oh, I fell in love with Evpatoria at first sight... cozy, ancient, family-friendly, tolerant (several religious denominations coexist in the world)... narrow streets paved with stone... (well, narrow roads) motorists here are aces)).. .not to mention sand and sea without big waves...
We went to Yevpatoria for the clean sea and sandy beaches - in fact, this is in abundance here. There are paid and free beaches within the city. We personally visited the free city one - it was clean, comfortable, we liked it. A walk through the sights took us less than a day, although Evpatoria is a very colorful city that unites several cultures - Jews, Tatars, Russians, Ukrainians. This is all reflected in the architectural appearance, local cuisine, and souvenirs. The historic city center is completely pedestrian, so to enjoy its beauty you will need to walk a lot. Among tourists, public transport such as the tram is popular - it is considered a kind of pride of the city. In general, it’s good to travel to Evpatoria with children, since the seashore in this area is flat and the beaches, as I already wrote, are sandy. By the way, people also come to this city to ride the waves (after all, the terrain here is flat, which means it’s windy) and scuba diving.
We vacationed in Evpatoria in July last year, we liked everything! The city itself is wonderful, the beach is gorgeous! The sand is small! There are many walking areas where you can take a quiet walk with your child and budget eateries - the whole family had lunch, 3 of us, for 500 rubles. Prices for food in the city are different, in the resort area it is more expensive, a little further away from the residential areas it is cheaper. Entertainment is cheap, but! We went with the baby to the tropical park - 200 rubles, a water park for the whole day - a thousand. The vacation was completely worth it with the emotions I received!