In the 5th century BC, an expedition set out from Constantiple with the goal of finding new rich lands. The Black Sea did not greet the brave sailors kindly. After numerous storms and storms at sea, the ship's food supplies and fresh water ran out, and the sailors' strength was running out. In addition, a strong fog fell on the sea. Desperate and exhausted sailors lost all hope of salvation. But then the fog suddenly melted, and the lookout’s shouts were heard from the top of the mast:
-Yalos!, Yialos! (from Greek “shore”).
The sailors, who had already resigned themselves to inevitable death, gained new strength, the rowers leaned on the oars with joy and hope, and the galley quickly rushed towards the shore. So the Greeks landed on the fertile lands of Tauris. Here they founded their first settlement. It is with this legend that Yalta, rightfully the best resort on the Black Sea coast, begins its history.
Yalta one hundred years ago
Yalta at the beginning of the 20th century
Over the course of several centuries, the Crimean peninsula has changed many owners. The peninsula and Yalta were owned by hostile Taurus tribes, Greeks, Genoese, the Principality of Theodoro, and Turks. Only in 1778, by decision of the Russian government, Crimea was settled by Christians. Until 1835, Yalta was isolated from all civilization; the settlement could only be reached along mountain paths. It was this year that the construction of the road that connected Yalta with Sevastopol began. At this time, the city begins to develop rapidly, and sea piers appear. In 1838, Yalta received the status of a city, which consisted of a single street. The population was 224 people. The surroundings of Yalta were greatly transformed with the appearance of the summer residence of the Russian emperor in Livadia. Gradually, Yalta turned into a fashionable resort for the aristocracy. The city is being intensively built up with luxurious palaces and residences. The resort business begins to develop intensively in the city. A huge number of all kinds of dachas, boarding houses and sanatoriums are being built. Before the start of the Great Patriotic War, there were 42 sanatoriums and boarding houses in the city, capable of accommodating more than 5,000 people at a time. During the German occupation, many buildings were destroyed. However, after the war, Yalta is experiencing a new round of development. Intensive development of the city is underway, a highway is being built to connect the city with Simferopol, which has saved tourists from a tedious journey along the mountain serpentines of the Crimean Mountains, and the famous Yalta trolleybus line is appearing. The Yalta port was rebuilt and became capable of receiving large liners.
Sights of Yalta
Over its long history, Yalta has seen a huge number of famous and talented people of various occupations: artists, composers, writers, military commanders, architects, governors and officials. All of them, in some way, left their mark on the appearance of the city.
life in Yalta does not stop for a minute
in the center of Yalta in the evening
Just as it is impossible to inspect and study all the sights of Yalta during one stay in Yalta, it is also impossible to consecrate them within the framework of one article. We will only try to briefly tell our readers about them. The face of the city, of course, is the Yalta embankment, more than a kilometer long, which is rightfully considered the most beautiful street in the city. For more than a hundred years, it has been attracting local residents and numerous tourists to vacation in Yalta with the freshness of the sea air and a large number of all kinds of restaurants, cafes, shops, attractions and all kinds of entertainment.
storm on the embankment
view of the embankment from the sea
Mentions of the embankment have left their mark in the works of many artists. Currently, the embankment is a place of concentration of creative personalities. Dozens of artists selling their works are available to vacationers. The embankment is crowded at any time of the day or year.
Castles and palaces of Yalta.
On the embankment of Yalta there is a marine terminal and a yacht berth, from which you can take pleasure boats to the world-famous attractions. First of all, this is a majestic architectural structure on the cliff of a high cliff, from which stunning views open up.
spectacular shot of the Swallow's Nest castle
Yalta is also famous for its palaces, in which royalty once lived - the summer residence of the imperial family, a wonderful architectural monument - the luxurious residence of Alexander III, secluded in the mountains, in which he never lived - “Massandra Palace”. The Yusupov Palace, the Palace of the Emir of Bukhara, the Dulber Palace - provide an opportunity to touch the lives of people who did a lot for the development of the Crimean Peninsula.
spectacular view of the facade of the Massandra Palace
main facade of the Massandra Palace
Parks and gardens of Yalta
In addition to architectural monuments, the parks and gardens of Yalta can rightfully be called a landmark of Yalta. Nikitsky Botanical Garden, which was founded in 1812 by the famous biologist H.H. Steven. Nikitsky Botanical Garden is the oldest research institute in Russia. Occupies a well-deserved place of honor in the world community of botanists. He was the founder of entire branches of biology - ornamental horticulture, subtropical fruit growing, viticulture, essential oil plant growing and tobacco growing. There are collections of fruit, ornamental and tree plants of more than 11,000 varieties here.
flower exhibition in the botanical garden
The seaside park of Yalta, which is located at the end of the embankment, is always open for those who like to wander along the shady alleys and breathe in the wonderful aroma of sea freshness and coniferous vegetation. During the midday heat you can relax on the numerous benches. The attraction of the Primorsky Park is the colonnade and its fountains. Guests and residents of Yalta also have access to countless parks located on the territory of sanatoriums and boarding houses.
Natural attractions of Yalta
In addition to human hands, nature itself also tried to create the sights of Yalta. In the vicinity of Yalta there is the highest point of the Crimean Mountains -. The name of the mountain has Greek roots and literally means “Saint Peter”. The height of the mountain is 1234 meters. There is a unique cable car to the top of the mountain, famous for being the longest cable car without a span in the world and listed in the Guinness Book of Records.
view of Mount Ai-Petri
From the top of the mountain an unforgettable panorama of Yalta and its surroundings opens. If you go up the mountain by car, you will come across another attraction along the way - the highest waterfall in Crimea, more than 100 meters high - the Uchan-Su waterfall (translated from Tatar as “falling water”), which is especially beautiful in winter, when it freezes .
And of course, we cannot mention the main attraction of Yalta, for which millions of tourists flock to Crimea - these are beaches, of which there are a large number in Yalta, for every taste and preference.
Conclusion
Summing up our short virtual trip to Yalta, we can say with confidence that this is the place where you want to return. It is impossible to see everything in one trip; every year you make new discoveries for yourself. Yalta attracts everyone: beach lovers, connoisseurs of architecture and art, nature connoisseurs; adherents of religious tourism will also find something for themselves. Having visited Yalta at least once, it is impossible to fall in love with it.
Time of photography: August 2011, April 2016, September 2018.
I have been to Yalta several times. The very first time I came here by bus from Sevastopol and came to Yalta several times by car. At the entrance to Yalta from Sevastopol you can see a round stele with the name of this resort city.
From this place there are beautiful views from above of Yalta, mountains and the Black Sea.
HD photo panorama of Yalta in the rays of the setting sun, April 2016
(This photo of Yalta in HD quality and in high resolution 4120 by 2080 pixels
HD photo of Yalta in the rays of the setting sun, April 2016
(This photo of Yalta in HD quality and in high resolution 4140 by 2580 pixels can be opened in a new window for detailed viewing)
Bus station
The first time we arrived in Yalta by bus from Sevastopol for a couple of days. This was in August 2011. By the way, here is the Yalta bus station:
By the way, there are no trains or planes flying to Yalta due to the difficult mountainous terrain surrounding the city. It is the Crimean Mountains in Yalta that protect it from outside climatic influences. Only the sea can significantly influence the weather in this city: it retains heat in the fall and accumulates cold in the spring.
Right from the bus station we went to the Yalta embankment. Well, this is understandable: many believe that the Lenin embankment is the main attraction of Yalta, although I personally found this city very attractive in other respects.
Even simple streets and houses in Yalta are very beautiful and elegant. During this hectic holiday period, I felt very comfortable in this city, despite the fact that it was my first time in Yalta.
Yalta trolleybuses
We got to the embankment by trolleybus. In Yalta, trolleybuses are also special - these are old Skodas with round headlights.
There was no fuss or hustle in them either. I also noticed that foreigners were taking pictures in the trolleybus. By the way, there are a lot of foreigners in Yalta. It is clear that this resort is also loved in foreign countries.
Lenin Embankment
A small attraction of Yalta are palm trees. They are visible already on the approach to the Yalta embankment.
I assume that it is the special Yalta climate that allows palm trees to survive calmly in this area. For example, on the embankment of Sevastopol, from which Yalta is just a stone's throw away, I did not notice a single palm tree.
We went to the Yalta embankment every day. We did everything we wanted and could do here: we spent the whole night here looking at the sea, got drunk in a restaurant, and left the embankment only in the morning.
The sign reads: On April 11, 1919, the British cruiser Marlborough left the Yalta raid, forever taking into exile the surviving members of the Romanov imperial family, among them the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna
Sailboat "Chersonese" in Yalta
At the end of September 2018, I saw the sailing ship “Khersones” on the Yalta embankment.
Graffiti with Vladimir Putin on the Yalta embankment
On the Lenin embankment in Yalta, behind the attractions, on the wall you can see graffiti with Vladimir Putin at the helm. In front of him is a picture of a fighter leaving behind a trail - the flag of Russia.
(This photo in HD quality and in high resolution 4210 by 2800 pixels can be opened in a new window)
(This photo in HD quality and in high resolution 3970 by 2640 pixels can be opened in a new window)
From the Yalta embankment there is a beautiful view of the lighthouse and the Crimean Mountains.
Yalta lighthouse
Here I offer all lovers of beauty a beautiful landscape photo of Yalta in high resolution and HD quality with a view of the mountains and this lighthouse. Here you can carefully examine the beauty surrounding this resort town.
The lighthouse on the embankment is one of the main attractions of Yalta
(This photo in HD quality and in high resolution 3008 by 2000 pixels can be opened in a new window)
Evening photo of the lighthouse on the Yalta embankment in the dark
(beautiful and high-quality night photo of the lighthouse on the embankment in Yalta in HD quality with resolution 4200 by 2800 pixels
As a big amateur photographer, I then photographed this lighthouse on slide film.
Wikipedia also says that many Soviet films were filmed in the Yalta film studio to simulate a tropical climate or rich life. This is where Dolce Vita comes into its own:
Architecture of Yalta
The architecture of Yalta is beautiful and varied. This resort city in Crimea combines pre-revolutionary architecture and Soviet architecture of sanatorium buildings and complexes.
Monuments in Yalta
There are many monuments in Yalta. They organically fit into the surrounding urban landscapes, and I would even say that they are a decoration of the city. Here you can easily take a photo with Chekhov's lady and her dog. And only Lenin, like everywhere else, stands on the Yalta embankment somewhere at the top.
Meeting with Artemy Lebedev in Yalta
Back in Yalta, an amazing meeting took place with Artemy Lebedev. Walking through the galleries of vacationing Yalta artists on Pushkinskaya Street, I personally came across a portrait of Theme.
On Arbat in Moscow you may not see a portrait of Artemy Lebedev, but in Yalta you can.
Moto photo show on the Yalta embankment
While walking on the embankment in Yalta I noticed this motorcycle photo show. Let me note that the main participants in this show were cool Honda Gold Wing motorcycles.
With such a motorcycle, like with a Christmas tree, you’re tempted to take a photo:
Photos of all motorcycles are presented here in HD quality and in high resolution (2000 by 3000 pixels) for detailed consideration.
Palaces, hotels and restaurants
I repeat that Yalta is a very beautiful city. Yalta is decorated with palaces, houses and hotels that were built before the revolution. And modern establishments look attractive here too.
The steps of the Vodopadnaya River also decorate Yalta
(photo in HD quality with resolution 3000 by 2000 pixels can be opened in a new window for detailed viewing or for printing)
Everything around is beautiful, calm and expensive: if you don’t ask any lady on Pushkinskaya who rents out an apartment for 1 night, you’ll find out that it’s unclear where to spend the night - it costs $100.
However, we managed to find shelter in this city for only 250 hryvnia. I met the sunrise sitting on the summer veranda of a private house in the area of Pirogovskaya Street, intoxicated by the beauty of Yalta and light beer.
Yalta in April
Yalta in April is almost empty and free. Swimming in the sea at this time is still cold, but during the day it is already warm here. You can wear a T-shirt, ride a bike, walk around the city, surrounding areas, mountains, palaces and museums.
HD photo from the Yuzhnoberezhnoe highway to Yalta and garage cooperative No. 10
(this is landscape photo in HD quality and in high resolution 4256 by 2832 pixels
HD photo with a view of Yalta and garage cooperative No. 10 in April from the Yuzhnoberezhnoe Highway
(this is landscape photo in HD quality and in high resolution 4256 by 2832 pixels can be opened in a new window for detailed viewing)
HD photo of Yalta in April from Bolnichny Lane
(this is landscape photo in HD quality and in high resolution 4256 by 2832 pixels can be opened in a new window for detailed viewing)
Yalta is a fantastic city, a fairy tale city, a city of happiness, such reviews can be heard from people who have visited Yalta. Yalta is surrounded by greenery and its climate has a miraculous effect on the human body.
This is a wonderful city on the southern coast of Crimea; locals call Yalta the pearl of Crimea. I have heard another definition that Yalta is a city for those who have achieved success, and I can also agree with this expression. Yalta is also a health resort city, with a healing climate and stunning nature.
Yalta can be compared with these two cities are somewhat similar to each other. Of course, Yalta is much larger than Alushta, and if I may say so, “more glamorous,” but these two cities are very similar to each other. Like Alushta, Yalta is surrounded on its perimeter by mountains. The only difference is that Yalta does not have mountain passes. It is surrounded by a continuous ring of kilometer-long mountains. Due to the lack of mountain passes, Yalta does not “breathe” like Alushta, and it is harder for the air to renew itself.
For the same reason, Yalta is considered rainy. This is explained by the fact that the moisture that evaporates from the sea cannot overcome the mountain barrier. Resting against the mountains, it forms rain clouds, and immediately falls in the form of precipitation. The weather in Yalta is changeable. But thanks to this, you can observe such phenomena.
About 100,000 people live in Yalta, and over the year Yalta and Greater Yalta (villages and cities from Gurzuf to Foros) are visited by over 2,000,000 people, and this number of people makes Yalta look like an anthill, life is in full swing and in full swing day and night .
I was lucky enough to live in Yalta for 4 months, so I will try to describe this wonderful city in my own words.
My impressions.
I liked Yalta, and I would love to live here. As Chekhov said, Yalta is in no way inferior to Nice, and in many respects it is even better. I never had a chance to visit Nice, so I’ll take the most talented writer’s word for it.
What can you say about Yalta in a nutshell? If you vacation in Yalta, then of course it is incomparable, you are not burdened with the routine of everyday life, and all your tasks come down to where to go and what to see.
And in Yalta there is something to see. There are not so many attractions in Yalta itself, but if you take Greater Yalta into account, then even two weeks will not be enough for you to visit everywhere, and if you add tourist routes to this, then there will be too many places to visit, and There is very little time to see everything. Therefore, I will compile for you the Top 10 places that I really liked and remembered, and which I recommend visiting first.
Yalta itself resembles a triangle, which at one end abuts the sea, and the other two goes to the bus station and to In the center of this triangle is Darsan Hill, which the main roads of the city go around. You can climb the hill by the Yalta-Gorka cable car. And if you have an idea to look at Yalta from above, I recommend climbing the rock I guarantee you will like it. Just take a walk along the famous Botkin trail, improve your health and see panoramic views that will remain in your memory for a long time.
All the streets of Yalta descend to one of the main attractions of Yalta - the embankment. The Yalta embankment is always full of people, and it feels like it is not only a beautiful place where you can take a leisurely stroll, but also an entertainment alley. There are so many people here: break dancers, fakirs, singers of various genres and musicians, and cartoon characters who insistently offer to take pictures with them, etc. and so on. You definitely won't be bored. And from the embankment itself there is a beautiful view of the mountains.
It is impossible to die from hunger in Yalta. There are plenty of cafes, restaurants, and canteens, shawarma on every corner, kebabs are fried everywhere, and their aroma, mmm. I still remember.))) Another question is the price. Well, this is a city for successful people... But even budget tourists like us can have a great time here. There are many places where you can have a relatively inexpensive meal. But we mostly always ate at home. It's safer that way.
Yalta at night is very beautiful. You need to see it with your own eyes.
Yalta is also characterized by the fact that its streets constantly wind, sometimes gaining and sometimes losing height. It took me a long time to get used to this. When we were planning the routes, we did not take into account the fact that Yalta is full of ascents, descents and stairs, that its streets twist like snakes, and because of this we often miscalculated time and energy. Maps do not show terrain. Compared to Yalta, even Sevastopol can be called a flat city. Therefore, the most common transport among young people is rollerblades, not bicycles. And I understood why this is so, because roller skates are much easier to pull up the mountain, with them you can jump into a trolleybus and drive to where you need to go. And you can develop excellent speed from roller coasters, so this is the most suitable means of transportation for Yalta.
Let me give you an example of the city's topography. Here are two neighboring houses, two five-story “Khrushchev” buildings, the distance between them is no more than 50 meters. But in order to approach the courtyard of the neighboring house, you need to climb the steep street stairs, and having climbed up, you will see the roof of the house from which you started your journey. How do you like this? And on the map these two houses are shown very close together. And no hint of a steep climb. And imagine climbing such a climb with a bicycle on a hump.
Now a few words about the excursions, where you are offered to see almost all the sights of Yalta in one day. I have a negative attitude towards such excursions. You are led around like a herd of sheep, everything is limited in time, you don’t even have the opportunity to take normal photographs as a souvenir, since there will be a lot of you, and everyone gets in each other’s way. Plus, at the same time, you are fed a stream of continuous information, which is difficult to remember while sightseeing and trying to take photos. Therefore, I recommend exploring interesting places on your own, it’s cheaper and much more interesting, and everything else can be gleaned from Wikipedia, or on my blog.)))
Beaches in Yalta.
What can you say about them if they don’t exist? At least in the form in which I am used to understanding the beach. For me, a beach is a section of shore without breakwaters, with sand or pebbles, so that there is an opportunity to admire nature. For example, like in Uchkuevka or Lyubimovka in Sevastopol, or like on the Sea of Azov.
But in Yalta, unfortunately, there are no such beaches. Instead, you will see concrete breakwaters that spoil the whole view. It is clear that breakwaters are needed so that the storm does not destroy the coastal zone, but nevertheless, I cannot call it a beach.
But swimming in the sea in Yalta is great; here there are waves of such strength that it becomes scary. My wedding ring even washed away here, so easily that I didn’t even notice, and I could only remove the ring with soap. So, if you suddenly find my ring in Yalta, I ask you to return it for a reward.)))
Prices in Yalta.
It’s difficult to call prices in Yalta cheap, but again, we must not forget that this is a resort city. Although I talked with Belarusians and Russians, these prices are acceptable for them. For myself, I used a coefficient of 1.5, it turned out that the main products that we bought were 1.5 times more expensive than in Ukraine (I compare with the city of Zaporozhye). Meat and dairy products are 2 times more expensive. I can’t say anything about household appliances, since I wasn’t even interested in them, I think that you are unlikely to need them either. You're going on vacation!
Housing prices. Cheaper than in Sevastopol, I don’t know what this is connected with, but it is so. For example, an apartment in Sevastopol costs 1,000 rubles per day, but in Yalta the same one can be found for 800 rubles. and cheaper. We generally rented a two-story house with its own courtyard and barbecue for 1,200 rubles. True, this was already in September and prices had dropped significantly. In July and August, such a house was rented out for 3,000 rubles.
In the winter, I rented a one-room house in the center of Yalta for 8,000 rubles, and friends rented approximately the same house in the center of Sevastopol for 17,000 rubles. I can give this advice that it is better to look for housing yourself, because if you use the services of intermediaries, then you will overpay 20% of the cost of housing, and this is good money. And finding housing on your own is not that difficult.
And yet, I remember Yalta for Mercedes and Panameras, there are plenty of them here. And I remember well the feeling when you are walking around the city on foot, and some guy of about 20 years old drives by in a “gelding” with an open top. And this is not an isolated case; I’ve seen plenty of this here. It hits my ego, at least it hit me personally. And I also really wanted to drive along the Crimean serpentines in such a car, which means that I had a new dream, and soon you will read the report of my trip around Crimea in an elite car.))) Therefore, subscribe to the blog newsletter so as not to miss out such an event.
Nature.
Yalta amazes with the beauty of its nature. These are mountains with steep cliffs, and coniferous protected forests with the purest forest air, these are fast-moving crystal-clear mountain rivers and streams that noisily rush to the Black Sea and form waterfalls and cascades (although in the summer they become much smaller, and to name them noisy is difficult).
One of these waterfalls is called , this waterfall is the highest in Europe, and the panoramic views from the waterfall will not leave anyone indifferent and will remain in the memory for a long time.
Cable car to Ai-Petri
In Yalta itself you can find many evergreen plants, palm trees, cypresses, and many more plants whose names I don’t even know, but they remain green even in January, which was a very unusual phenomenon for me.
Walking around Yalta in January, I saw green trees, young green grass emerging from under the unfrozen ground, the sun was shining and birds were singing. It felt like spring, but there was snow in the mountains, reminding us that it was January. And these contrasts made a strong impression, and for me it was strange.
Climate.
Yalta is subtropical, so the climate here is mild and warm. In summer there are very hot days, but in the evening there is always coolness. The sea softens the heat of the day, and at night cool mountain air descends on the city and residents and vacationers can take a break from the heat of the day. In addition, Yalta is surrounded by greenery. Shade from perennial trees also protects residents from the sun's scorching rays.
The climate of Yalta is significantly influenced by the sea and mountains. In summer they save the city from the heat, and in winter from the cold. The water temperature in the sea on summer days can reach +26 degrees, and swimming in such water is a pleasure. But at the same time, warm water contains a large number of bacteria and microorganisms that can cause stomach upset. Therefore, you need to carefully monitor your children so that they do not swallow water.
Autumn in Yalta is golden. September is difficult to distinguish from a regular summer month; the city is full of tourists, the beach season is in full swing. In October and November, of course, it becomes cooler, but, nevertheless, you can safely swim in the sea, which I did with pleasure, and on sunny days you can even laze on the beach. In general, autumn is a great time for mountain hiking.
And in winter it is warm in Yalta. Of course, it’s not like in the tropics; I compare it with my hometown of Zaporozhye. But even if compared with Crimean cities such as Sevastopol and Simferopol, Yalta is always 5-6 degrees warmer. This is explained by the fact that Yalta is surrounded on all sides by mountains, and the cold north wind cannot penetrate through them. And the sea still gives off its heat for a long time.
The coldest month is February. In February, the sea cools down as much as possible, and its water temperature drops to +5-7 degrees. This month, as locals say, they even wear hats. But winters are different, and sometimes you have to get your hats out earlier.
Spring in Yalta comes a little later, this is due to the fact that the sea takes a long time to warm up, but when it warms up, Yalta is ready to welcome tourists again. Yalta is also characterized by large temperature changes; it can be very hot during the day and very cool at night. Again, this is due to the mountains and the sea.
Primorsky Park named after Yuri Gagarin.
Transport.
There are no problems with transport; there are trolleybuses and minibuses. But I practically didn’t use public transport, since Yalta is a small town and everything is within walking distance, and we loved to walk as a family, exploring and getting to know the city.
Trolleybuses are perhaps the most convenient transport for a budget tourist: they run frequently, are the cheapest form of transport, and the names of stops are announced over a loudspeaker, which is very convenient in an unfamiliar city. Also in Yalta, you can ride both on a rare trolleybus, which I personally had not seen before Yalta, and on a modern one. Such skating is also quite an interesting pastime (of course not during peak hours).
And such a paradox, the cost of travel in Yalta minibuses is 15 rubles, and travel in Sevastopol in a minibus, which goes through the entire city and the length of the route is 3 times longer than in Yalta, costs 11 rubles. These are the pies.
And the main transport interchanges in Yalta are:
- bus station - from here you can go to Simferopol and Sevastopol, as well as to any other city or village of Greater Yalta, and from here you can also go to Ai-Petri. How to get to Ai-Petri from Yalta
- clothing market - from the clothing market you can go to Nikita, Massandra and Alupka, as well as routes around the city.
— Spartak is the city center, from here you can go to anywhere in Yalta, there is a large transport interchange in the city.
But for vehicle owners, Yalta is not a very good city. The streets here are narrow, there are few parking spaces, and traffic jams often occur on the central streets. This is a minus. But this is perhaps the only drawback of the city.
Conclusion.
To summarize, I can say that Yalta is an amazing city. Yalta is good for its climate and nature, as well as its warm and gentle sea. For those who like to “hang out,” there are a lot of entertainment venues, there is even a boat that goes out to sea at night and hosts a disco on it on the open sea.
If you have never been to Yalta before, be sure to visit it. There are a lot of interesting places that are worth seeing, especially the wonderful nature here, it will not leave you indifferent.
In this article I tried to tell as much as possible about Yalta what I learned after living in the city, perhaps I missed something. If you have anything to add to the article, leave comments. I will write about our travels around Yalta and its surroundings in the following articles, I hope that you will find it interesting and useful. Therefore, subscribe to blog updates and be the first to receive new articles!!!
Yalta is a popular resort on the southern coast of Crimea, with an amazing climate, crystal-clear sea, beautiful nature and an abundance of attractions. Tourists feel welcome here at any time of the year and can always find something to their liking.
Modern Yalta is a city where about 90,000 people permanently reside., in the summer the number of people here sometimes increases to 500,000, thanks to vacationers and guests of the city.
This city is the center of resort life on the Crimean peninsula and the center of the entire Crimean region - Greater Yalta, stretching along the Black Sea coast for 72 kilometers, uniting a large number of cities and towns: Gurzuf, Alupka, Miskhor, Foros, Simeiz, Livadia and others. This is the most popular holiday destination in.
The climate of Yalta is similar to that of Mediterranean resorts: mild winters, sunny, hot summers; the number of cloudless sunny days per year is more than 250, which is the maximum for the entire territory of Russia; the mountains completely cover Yalta from cold winds from the land; The swimming season starts in May and lasts until October; The coldest month on the peninsula is February, but even then the temperature here remains above zero.
Whenever you plan your trip, you can always find accommodation in Yalta at this address: https://edem-v-gosti.ru/rus/gostinitsy-yalty/.
Main attractions
There are a lot of interesting places in Yalta and its surroundings: historical sights, natural beauty, and gorgeous beaches. In this article we will get acquainted with the most popular of them, which are definitely worth a visit. For your convenience, all places have a description, photo, address and prices.
The heart of Yalta is the Central Embankment, its length is about 1 kilometer. It is here that all tourists vacationing in Yalta invariably come for a walk..
This is one of the oldest streets in the city, this is where most of the monuments and simply interesting places are concentrated: a monument to Chekhov’s Lady with a Dog, a spreading plane tree named after Isadora Duncan and a lovers’ bench, an ancient lighthouse of the 19th century, by which ships are guided even today. The small cable car starts from the embankment.
There are piers from which boats and ships depart for boat trips and excursions, and the best cafes, restaurants and discos are located here. A leisurely evening walk along the embankment will remain in your memory for a long time.
If you are lucky enough to vacation in Yalta, be sure to visit the unspoken symbol of Crimea - Swallow's Nest - a small Gothic castle, located on a steep cliff 40 meters high on Cape Ai-Todor in the village of Gaspra. You can stand for a long time on the observation deck, from where you will see amazingly beautiful sea views. 
You can visit the museum located in the castle and see ancient works of painting, objects found during archaeological excavations, historical photographs (exhibitions are updated approximately once every 2 months). Don’t forget to take photos, they look incredibly beautiful here and will remind you of your wonderful vacation in Yalta for a long time.
Address: pos. Gaspra, Alupkinskoe highway, 9a. Opening hours during the tourist season: from 10-00 to 19-00, seven days a week. The cost of entrance tickets for adults is 200 rubles, for children 100 rubles. The Swallow's Nest observation deck is open to the public for free.
The Vorontsov Palace and its park complex were built for the famous figure of the Russian Empire, Count Vorontsov. The count loved luxury, so the palace turned out to be majestic and impressive.
The palace has an unusual appearance; according to the description, it resembles a medieval castle-fortress, intricately combines different architectural styles, and is surrounded by greenery. The nine state rooms of the palace have retained their original decoration.. The park has mini waterfalls, lakes, and unusual trees; there are more than 200 species of trees and shrubs from around the world.
Address: Alupka, Dvortsovoye Highway, 18. Opening hours: from 9-00 to 17-00, seven days a week. Entrance to the park is free, to the South Terrace, to the famous Vorontsov lions - entrance is paid. The cost of a single ticket, which gives the right to visit all expositions and exhibitions of the palace museum: 830 rubles.
While vacationing in Yalta, it is worth visiting the Livadia Palace; it will not leave you indifferent. The views of visitors are attracted by the snow-white residence of the Romanov dynasty, surrounded by numerous flower beds, fountains, and lawns. The palace offers amazing views of the sea.
Here you can take a break from the bustle of life and touch the secrets of history by walking along the paths along which Emperor Nicholas II and members of his family once walked while on vacation. Try to walk along the “royal path”, laid out specifically for Nicholas II’s walks among the Crimean pines. The length of the trail is 6.5 kilometers, and not everyone manages to complete it completely the first time.
Address: pos. Livadia, st. Baturina, 44a. Ticket price is 400 rubles. Opening hours: from 10-00 to 17-30, Monday and Wednesday - days off.
Massandra Palace is a sophisticated and romantic, expressive and luxurious castle of the Russian Emperor Alexander III. It is decorated with balconies, terraces, open galleries, and winding staircases.
The intricate and cozy palace is surrounded by lemon, orange and olive trees and is a museum of the royal Romanov dynasty.
Address: Alupka, Dvortsovoye Highway, 18. Opening hours: from 9-00 to 17-00, closed on Mondays. The cost of a single ticket for all museum exhibitions: 550 rubles.
The Nikitsky Botanical Garden contains thousands of plant species, including rare flowers and trees that are difficult to see anywhere else.
The garden consists of upper and lower parks; palm trees, cedars, cypresses, figs, bamboo, lotuses and many other plants grow here; you can also buy home-produced products here: olive oil and a wide variety of honey.
Address: pos. Nikita. The park is open to visitors all year round, seven days a week, in summer from 8-00 to 19-00, in winter from 9-00 to 16-00.
Waterfall
Uchan-Su Waterfall is a natural landmark of Yalta, the largest waterfall on the peninsula. Its name translates as “flying water.” In terms of the height of the water fall, which approaches one hundred meters, this waterfall surpasses even the famous Niagara.
The waterfall is at its fullest during the period of snow melting and after prolonged rainfall.. Powerful streams of water fall from a height with a roar that can be heard for many kilometers around. We assure you that at this time there is something to see there.
Big cable car to Mount Ai-Petri. Mount Ai-Petri is one of the most popular places among tourists on the map of the Crimean Peninsula. 2980 meters of cable car connect the peak of Ai-Petri and Miskhor. In just 15 minutes you will rise to a height of 1153 meters, along the way you will be able to observe wonderful views of the Yalta Mountain Forest Reserve, and from the highest point of the mountain (1346 meters above sea level) a breathtaking panoramic view of the southern coast of the Crimean Peninsula opens.
Address: pos. Koreiz, Alupkinskoe highway. Opening hours: without breaks and weekends, from 11-00 to 15-00 rise, from 11-00 to 16-00 descent. One-way fare: adults 400 rubles, children 250 rubles.
Traveling with children
Are you vacationing in Yalta with children and do you need children's entertainment? Yalta will offer them to you!
The Yalta Zoo "Fairy Tale" always joyfully welcomes its little visitors and their parents. Currently, the zoo is home to more than 100 species of animals and birds, with a total of 1,500 inhabitants.
Domestic rabbits, goats and piglets live next to predatory lions, tigers, and leopards, beautiful swans swim in the pools, and peacocks walk importantly and completely fearlessly along the paths. Animals here can be petted and even fed; the zoo sells special food for this..
Address: Yalta, st. Kirova, 156. Opening hours: from 9-00 to 20-00, seven days a week. The cost of entrance tickets for adults is 500 rubles, for children 250 rubles.
Crocodile farm
Crocodile farm in Yalta - the Yalta crocodilarium, appeared in Yalta relatively recently, after the birth of 77 Nile crocodiles in the Alushta Aquarium.
Now the largest collection of reptiles in Russia is presented here; you can look at turtles, pythons, iguanas, monitor lizards and see a variety of species of crocodiles. The best conditions have been created here for the reproduction and growth of animal numbers. Needless to say, come and you will see everything for yourself.
Address: Yalta, st. Ignatenko, 1 (near the beginning of the central embankment of Yalta). Opening hours from 10-00 to 22-00. The price of an adult ticket is 600 rubles, for children a ticket will cost 400 rubles.
Glade of fairy tales
“Glade of Fairy Tales” is an open-air museum in Yalta. He will present to your attention figures of fairy-tale characters made of iron, stone and wood.. You will see Baba Yaga, Koshchei the Immortal, a countless number of princesses, mermaids and heroes. In this wonderful place, even adults plunge into a fairy tale and feel a little like children. 
Address: pos. Vinogradnoye, “Glade of Fairy Tales”. Glade of Fairy Tales welcomes visitors every day from 9-00 to 17-30. The price of an adult ticket is 200 rubles, the price of a child ticket is 100 rubles.
The small cable car is located very close to the Embankment. In 12 minutes, colorful carriages will take you, past city landscapes, city streets and houses of local residents, to Darsan Hill. The climb is not high, only 120 meters, but children and big fans of panoramic views who want to see Yalta from above will find it interesting. Round-trip ticket price: adult 300 rubles, children 150 rubles. 
City in winter
Yalta is no less beautiful in winter than in summer. On sunny days, even in winter you can walk here without a jacket. And if you are lucky and it snows, you will have exclusive photos against the backdrop of palm trees, as if dressed in white hats. In winter, Ai-Petri turns into a ski resort: there are several ski slopes with rope tows.
If you are a lover of excursions, the palaces and museums of the resort invite you to visit them.. You don’t have to jostle in crowded groups and stand in long lines; you can calmly examine and photograph everything that seems interesting to you.
In addition, people come to Yalta not only to relax, but also to receive treatment. This is due to the large number of sanatoriums located here. Resort specification: diseases of the lungs and upper respiratory tract, diseases of the cardiovascular and nervous systems. And healing sea air is always available at this resort: in summer, winter and in the off-season.
Yalta is a special city. Here you can relax for every taste, for every budget.. The list of its advantages can be endless. Come to Yalta, and you will see: this is a city where you want to return and rediscover it every time. Every time there is sure to be something else to watch. 
Useful maps and videos
View detailed interactive map sights of Yalta:
Panoramic map of Yalta with attractions: 
Scheme of the Glade of Fairy Tales: 
Watch the video about the sights of Yalta:
I propose to look at a Yalta that even the oldest old-timers don’t remember.
Clicking on the pictures will open in a larger size.
The original names of the pictures are given in quotation marks.
01. General view of Yalta from the Tea Hill side:
Late 1890s.
The road below leading to the elegant mansion is the current Rue des Communards.
The mansion itself has been preserved (Kommunarov St., 15 - opposite the place where Volodarsky St. begins).
On the right is the territory of the future Primorsky Park.
02. "View of the city from Livadia": 
1886.
The photo was taken from a point close to the 1st photo, but most importantly - earlier.
Construction is simpler and lower. There is no pier at the port yet. There is no palace of the Emir of Bukhara.
03. "View from the Livadia Road": 
1890s.
Valley of the Uchan-Su River. Below are two-story houses that still stand on Archive Street.
The Pushkin gazebo is visible on the left.
04. "Local residents on the road from Yalta to Verkhnyaya Outka": 
1886.
A dapper gentleman and Tatar children...
Outskaya Road is now Kirov Street.
05. "Local residents at the entrance to the Church of the Holy Martyr Theodore Tiron in Verkhnyaya Outka, near Yalta": 
1886.
In 1898, the old temple building that we see here was dismantled.
In its place, a temple was erected that still stands to this day on the corner of Club and Kolkhozny (holy shit!) lanes.
Let's go down to the sea...
06. View of the city from the place where the Oreanda Hotel is now: 
1882-1883.
At the left edge there is a clock tower, past which the cable car now runs.
On the shoreline there is a modest wooden bathhouse.
07. "View of the village near the bridge near the road to Uchan-Su": 
1886.
The establishment by the road somehow attracts horse carts.
08. "Embankment near the city garden": 
2nd half of the 1890s.
The hotel building on the left has not survived. The development in this part of the embankment was severely damaged during the Great Patriotic War and was never restored later.
The heaps lying at approximately equal intervals are mysterious. Manure?
09. "View of the coffee shop, chapel and old town from the Yalta embankment": 
1880s.
Actually, the title says it all.
10. Alexander Nevsky Chapel and beach: 
1880s.
"The season is failed"?! :0)
11. "View of the old city from the chapel on the embankment": 
1880s.
The chapel stood opposite the place where Krasnova Street opens onto the embankment.
Closed in 1932 and dismantled shortly thereafter.
12. Dacha of the state councilor, baron, engineer and Yalta mayor A.L. Wrangel: 
1875-1885.
At the turn of the century, shopping malls will be built on the site of the fence and nice gazebo.
In Soviet times, the popular “Gastronom No. 1” was located in the built-on row building.
13. "Vacationists in the garden near the building of the Rossiya Hotel": 
1886.
The hotel, the first establishment of such a high class in Yalta, was opened in 1875.
14. "View of the city and coast from the terrace of the Rossiya Hotel: 
1886.
15. View from the bay: 
1975-1885.
Once again the property of Wrangel and part of the Rossiya Hotel.
Darsan Hill is pristinely empty.
16. One of the oldest photographic images of the city: 
1860s.
17. On the embankment: 
1890s.
Colorful characters!
18. Ships in the port: 
1890s.
As you can see, the bathhouse was also located here.
19. View from the port to Polikurovsky Hill: 
1st half of the 1880s.
Let's go to the port itself...
20. "Return of Emperor Alexander III from a boat trip": 
1893.
Judging by the double-headed eagles, to the right of the yacht there is a special “royal” gazebo.
21. Imperial yacht "Standart" in the port of Yalta: 
1898.
Almost everyone who meets you is on wheels.
The yacht was built by order of the same Alexander III, but he never saw it ready.
22. "Local residents on the seashore near the boats": 
1886.
Resting...
23. "Local residents on the pier while loading bags into boats": 
1886.
Working...
24. "View of residential buildings in the village of Derekoy": 
1886.
This is the area of the current Kuibysheva/Makarenko streets.
You can get your bearings by the mosque, the building of which, although without a minaret, stands in its place (at the corner of Kuibyshev and Kievskaya streets).
In the center and a little higher is the Uch-Kosh gorge.
Let's now look at Yalta from the opposite side...
25. Bay and Cathedral of St. John Chrysostom: 
2nd half of the 1870s.
The cathedral has five more chapters. They say they didn’t even start building.
In the distance are the rocks near Oreanda.
26. View of houses on Polikurovsky Hill: 
2nd half of the 1870s.
27. View of Yalta Bay from Polikurovsky Hill: 
The turn of the 1880s/1890s.
The temple has been rebuilt. Like - in the process of construction. There are already many commercial and hotel buildings.
Let's finish the review with a colorized photo from the same series as the 1st photo.
28. "Yalta, road to Gurzuf": 
Late 1890s.
Let's mentally sit down next to the tired traveler on a stone by the road... haven't I tired you?
