The popular resort town is popular with travelers not only because of the excellent beaches and picturesque nature, but also because of the many attractions - architectural, historical, religious, cultural. They are scattered over the territory of Big Yalta. In the villages closest to the city, there are places that can surprise any tourist.
In the village of Livadia there is the famous Livadia Palace, next to which there is a monument to Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill. The Organ Music Center is also located in Livadia. There are also beautiful palaces of the 19th century in the village of Koreiz - the Yusupov Palace and Dulber. In the village of Kurpaty there is Dacha Kichkine, in the city of Alupka - the Vorontsov Palace. The most recognizable architectural symbol of Yalta, the Swallow's Nest Castle, is located next to Gaspra.
The most interesting and beautiful places
List, photos with names and descriptions of the best attractions of Yalta. He will help you plan routes for exploring the top places of the city on your own in 2-3 days.
"Swallow's Nest"
An architectural monument, located on a 40-meter steep cliff of Cape Ai-Todor, 12 km from Yalta. The building was given the look of a romantic medieval castle by the architect Sherwood at the beginning of the 20th century by order of the millionaire from Moscow Sergei Rakhmanov. The stone Gothic building with a high tower is considered a symbol of southern Crimea and is one of the most visited places by tourists. Collections of paintings are located within the walls of the castle.
Lenin Embankment
The central pedestrian street with a length of 1 km, loved by tourists and residents of the city. Many attractions are concentrated on the well-equipped embankment - a monument to Lenin, the Villa Sofia hotel, a restaurant in the form of an ancient Greek ship. There are attractions and souvenir shops. From the embankment you can go on a boat trip on a motor ship or boat; there is also a cable car station here.
Ai-Petri mountain peak
A beautiful and popular peak with a height of 1234 meters. It is unusual with curly teeth on the ridges and an interesting color of the rocks. From the height of Ai-Petri, the sea is visible for more than 100 km. The excursion program of the ascent to the top usually includes a visit to the beech grove and the Yalta cave. You can climb to the observation deck by cable car. Further, a hiking trail leads to the famous battlements at the peak of the summit.
Winery "Massandra"
A unique winery producing Crimean wines, one of the largest in the CIS. Excursions for visitors are conducted on the territory of the plant, which includes visits to wine cellars, inspection of the collection of wines from more than a million bottles, acquaintance with the history of the plant. In the Main Cellar, built by order of Prince Golitsyn at the end of the 19th century, guests are offered to taste several varieties of Massandra wines.
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
Founded in 1890. The main Orthodox Yalta church is located at the foot of a hill in the city center. The cathedral is considered one of the most beautiful in the city because of the facades in the Moscow style of the 17th century and the walls, painted in yellow and white-pink colors. In appearance, the cathedral resembles a primordial Russian tower. The interiors of the cathedral are made in the Byzantine style, the walls are decorated with graceful paintings. It contains ancient icons and valuable relics.
Suspension bridge on Ai-Petri
Popular entertainment among extreme tourists. Consists of two spans of 45 meters between the peaks of the summit. The bridge stretched at an altitude of 1200 meters offers incredible views of the southern coast of Crimea. In appearance, the bridge seems to be an unreliable structure, but this kind of bridge was given specifically to get great emotions when passing it. Tourists can cross the bridge only with insurance and after instructions.
Cable cars of Big Yalta
To visit Yalta and not climb to the top of Ai-Petri is a big omission. The views are amazing. There are always a lot of tourists on the cable car in Miskhor. There is another cable car right in the city center.
Cable car "Miskhor - Ai-Petri"
Passenger cable car with a length of 2980 meters connects the Ai-Petri peak and the Miskhor tourist area in Yalta. The journey takes about 15 minutes. 4 cabins with a capacity of 40 people run along the route. Particularly beautiful views open to tourists in the front of the booth. The upper station is located at an altitude of 1152 meters. On the observation deck there is a cafe with local cuisine, souvenir shops.
Cable car "Yalta - Gorka"
Laid from the center of Yalta to the Darsansky hill. Its length is 600 meters, the travel time is just over 10 minutes. For passengers, small cabins are equipped that can accommodate only two people. From the upper station, you can admire the views of the Black Sea and the Old City of Yalta, as well as see the memorial complex Hill of Glory with the Eternal Flame. There is a lounge bar with European cuisine on the observation deck.
The most beautiful palaces of Yalta
Historical palaces in the vicinity of Yalta, perhaps, can be attributed to the most visited attractions of this city. There is something to see here.
Livadia Palace
Three km. from Yalta, in the village of Livadia, there is a former imperial residence in the Italian style. Several generations of the Romanovs spent their summer holidays in this luxurious palace. The residence was founded in the 19th century. 116 rooms are decorated in different styles. An excursion program around the palace and its territory has been developed for tourists. There are two permanent exhibitions dedicated to the imperial family and the Crimean conference.
Recommended: 20 best palaces in Crimea.
Massandra Palace
Located in Upper Massandra. The palace was built in the 19th century in the style of Louis XIII. He changed many owners, including serving as a dacha for Stalin, Brezhnev, Khrushchev. Since 1822, the palace has been surrounded by a splendid English-style garden. Tourists are attracted not only by the eclectic and elegant look of the building, but also by the preserved interiors of the 19th century - stucco, tiled tiles, wooden carvings, antique furniture, paintings on the walls.
Yusupov Palace
The palace for Prince Yusupov in the neo-Mauritanian style was built in the village of Koreiz in 1909. It was erected on the site of the Rose House of Princess Golitsyna. The palace is decorated with decorative elements of various styles, including those of the Italian Renaissance. The graceful staircases and arches are decorated with marble figures of lions and characters from Greek mythology. You can get to the palace as part of an excursion group.
Vorontsov Palace
Built in 1848. Located at Mount Ai-Petri in the city of Alupka. Its architectural appearance is made taking into account the surrounding landscape; it harmoniously and organically fits into the surrounding landscape. The English style of classicism is originally combined with the neo-Moorish style. The park around the palace was created in the middle of the 19th century by the German botanist and gardener Kebach. It contains both conifers and magnolias and cercis trees.
Dulber Palace
A masterpiece of palace and park art is located 10 km from Yalta in the village of Koreiz. It was built in the 19th century for the grandson of Nicholas I, who traveled extensively in eastern countries. The building, with white walls and silvery domes, combines Moorish and Egyptian architectural styles. Around the palace there is a park decorated with sculptures, fountains and beautiful gazebos. The palace now houses a sanatorium.
Palace "Gaspra"
Built in the 19th century. It got a blooming and original appearance under Countess Panina. She rented out the palace as a summer residence to creative people. The guests of the palace were Lev Tolstoy, Chekhov, Kuprin, Chaliapin, Nabokov, Gorky. A museum room has been preserved since the time of Tolstoy. The palace was built in the Gothic style. Exotic plants grow in the English garden. Now the palace is run by the sanatorium, but anyone can visit it and the park.
The best gardens and parks of Yalta
The embankment is not the only place where you can take a walk. The city has beautiful parks for leisurely walks and relaxation among fragrant flowering plants.
Nikitinsky Botanical Garden
Founded in 1812 by decree of Emperor Alexander I. It contains thousands of plant species from all over the world, many exotic trees and flowers. The lower part of the garden is decorated with a large pool with beautiful lotuses. Blooming plants can be enjoyed at any time of the year - in the Paradise Garden. Already in March, tulips begin to bloom, of which about 150 species grow in the botanical garden. There are greenhouses where Mexican cacti are planted.
Primorsky Park named after Yu.A. Gagarin
One of the most beautiful parks in Yalta is located along the embankment. There are cafes and attractions in a quiet park among tall trees. The guests of the park will like to walk along the alley with pink flower beds, among cypresses, Crimean pines and Himalayan cedars. The palm alley ends with a pond that has the outlines of the Black and Azov Seas, the Crimean peninsula. The total area of the park is about 20 hectares.
Japanese Garden "Six Senses"
The unique garden is located on the territory of the Mriya Resort & Spa, 25 km from Yalta. It was created by a Japanese architect, the creator of the imperial gardens. 1700 tons of sand, stones and trees were brought from Japan especially for the creation of the original design. On an area of 6 hectares there are several terraces, the Tea Garden, the Dragon Falls, the Turtle and Upper Ponds, the Walking Garden, and thermal baths. An atmosphere of relaxation and tranquility reigns here.
The main beaches of Yalta
There are more than a dozen beaches in the city. They are also found in many settlements of the urban district. The most popular are Massandrovsky and Primorsky, located in the center of the resort town.
Massandra beach
Has a length of 500 meters. In 2010, he received the prestigious Blue Flag award, which speaks of the excellent ecology of the beach area. The beach is divided into 6 zones, each with its own infrastructure and entertainment. The coast is covered with large and small pebbles. Sun loungers and parasols can be borrowed for a fee. On the territory of the beach club there is a pool with water from mountain springs, beach parties are held.
Seaside beach
The beach stretches for 400 meters in the center of the resort town. Vacationers love this beach for its gentle entry into the clear water and excellent infrastructure. The coast is covered with small pebbles. New changing cabins, showers have been installed, retail outlets and cafes are operating, there is a rental of umbrellas and sun loungers. There are a number of water activities - banana rides, catamarans, flyboarding and diving, parasailing over the water.
Places of worship, churches and temples of Yalta
The list of top religious places includes Armenian, Catholic and Orthodox shrines of the city.
Church of St. Hripsime
It is called a masterpiece of Armenian religious architecture. The church was built in 1909-1917 in the likeness of the church in Echmiadzin. The temple was built in the early Christian style and looks absolutely monolithic. Volcanic tuff was used in its construction. The interior decoration is modest but elegant. High vaults are decorated with frescoes depicting saints. They were made by the painter Vardges Surenyants.
Church of St. John Chrysostom
The cathedral church, the original building of which was built in the middle of the 19th century. A century later, it was destroyed and restored in 1998. Since the 19th century, only the three-tiered bell tower has survived, which towered 45 meters and was an important navigational mark for ships. The modern appearance of the temple is close to the historical one. The architect Petrova was guided in her work by the surviving drawings of Toricelli.
Church of the Immaculate Conception
The building of the Roman Catholic church is considered one of the most beautiful in the city. The church is made in the Gothic style. It was built in 1906. The parish of the church is about 200 people of different nationalities. Services are conducted in three languages - Russian, Ukrainian, Polish. Liturgies of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, which does not have its own building, are also held in the church. Organ music concerts are held.
Church of the Resurrection
Orthodox church in the village of Foros, 40 km from Yalta. Located on the steep Red Rock at an altitude of 412 meters above sea level. Built in 1892 and is an architectural monument. A.P. Chekhov was a guest and friend of the first rector of the church. Nicholas II visited the church with his family. The restoration of the church after its desolation in Soviet times began after the visit of Raisa Gorbacheva. The murals and mosaics on the façade have been restored.
Architectural landmarks of Yalta
There are notable and recognizable monuments of architecture and urban planning in the city, even if you do not take into account the famous Yalta palaces.
A. I. Rofe's bathing establishment
Historical monument on the Yalta embankment. A snow-white building adorns the quarter. Its gate is made of marble in the Moorish style, the hall is decorated with stucco. The baths were built on the territory of the "France" hotel in 1897. Currently, this is the territory of the Villa Sofia hotel, which belongs to the singer Sofia Rotaru. It was her intervention that prevented the destruction of the baths in the 1980s.
Dacha Kichkine
The dacha looks like a miniature palace - a marble staircase leading to the sea, openwork windows, an observation tower with a spire, graceful arches and columns. The stairs are equipped with grottoes and gazebos. The construction of the dacha in the oriental style was completed in 1914; a park with beautiful flower beds was laid out around it. Anyone can inspect the dacha and the park ensemble. It is located in the village of Kurpaty, 8 km from Yalta.
Dacha "Omur"
The Gothic mansion was built in 1888. About a year after the construction, A.P. The owner of the dacha Kapitolina Mikhailovna took care of the sick writer before he moved to the White Dacha. Here Anton Pavlovich wrote several stories. The exhibition "Chekhov and the Crimea" on the first floor of the building is dedicated to this period. Furniture and household items of the 19th century have been preserved. In other years, the guests of the mansion were M. Gorky, L.N. Tolstoy, M.A. Voloshin.
House of A. Spendiarov
The rectangular building was built in the "second Pompeian style". Its loggia with caryatids is a copy of the portico of one of the temples of the Acropolis of Athens. The house was built in 1881. In 1889, the new owner, Spendiar, carried out a renovation. Italian craftsmen added marble floors and fireplaces, tiled finishes, and busts to the parapet of the building. The house was damaged during an earthquake and fire, and was restored at the end of the 20th century.
The best museums of Yalta
The most interesting museums in the city, which are definitely worth a visit.
Yalta Museum of History and Literature
Founded in 1892. Has several branches. The funds of the museum store more than 150,000 exhibits of various subjects. Initially, most of the collection was numismatics and geology, but over time, rare books, paintings, works of decorative and applied art appeared in the museum's expositions. Of particular interest is the exhibition "The Golden Storeroom", which displays the ancient treasures of the peoples of the Crimea.
House-Museum of Chekhov
Built by the writer after moving to Yalta in 1898. Here Chekhov spent the last years of his life. Famous works were written in this house - The Cherry Orchard, Three Sisters, Lady with a Dog. The very next year after the death of the writer, a memorial museum was founded in the house. The furnishings have been preserved in the rooms - the bedroom, the living room, the study. The museum has about 17,000 items - a literary archive, photographs and letters from the writer.
Memorial Museum of Lesya Ukrainka
Dedicated to the memory of the Ukrainian poetess. It is located in a former merchant tenement house where the poet lived. She lived in Yalta for about two years and during this time she wrote a number of outstanding works - the poems "Aisha and Mohammed", "Kassandra", "On the ruins". The museum was created in the 1970s at the suggestion of an initiative group. At the same time, a monument to the poetess was erected. She is depicted sitting on a stone and pensively looking into the distance.
Museum of Automotive Art
Created in 2017 at the initiative of a local resident - a master of restoration work. In a car workshop, he, from sometimes rusty and dilapidated cars, created the author's masterpieces of the automotive industry. In total, about 20 exhibits are exhibited, and many of them exist in a single copy. The “Shark” roadster received a lot of prizes at various competitions. There is a Cadillac DeVille, Dodge Diplomat, Lincoln Continental Mark IV.
Theaters and concert venues in Yalta
The city theater is named after the famous Russian writer-playwright. Theatrical life of Yalta is not the brightest side of the resort town. But it also has its own pearl - this is a stunning organ in Livadia.
Yalta Theater named after A. Chekhov
Founded at the end of the 19th century, when the aristocracy began to expect more from the cultural life of the resort town. The theater building is solemn and luxurious. Especially the stately portico with paired snow-white columns. The auditorium looks simple and sophisticated. It accommodates 493 spectators and is equipped with modern light and sound systems. The Yalta theater does not have its own troupe; touring groups perform on the stage.
Organ Music Center "Livadia"
The building of the organ hall in 1911 was conceived as the power plant of the palace. It is built from reinforced concrete blocks and has excellent acoustics. In 1998, it was turned into a concert hall, adorned with thousands of decorative elements - stucco, colored stained-glass windows, pilasters, capitals. The organ in Livadia has 4,600 pipes. Organ concerts are popular with audiences and are held every day. Organize international festivals.
Children's attractions of Yalta
The resort town is replete with interesting places where you can spend time with children. These are water parks with slides and zoos with wild animals.
Aquapark "Atlantis"
Made in the form of a sunken ship. Located in a picturesque place between the mountains and the sea. Tropical plants grow on its territory, statues are placed. There are many different water attractions, there are swimming pools, including a wave. Fans of vivid impressions will like the "Virage" slide, the beginning of which is located at a 20-meter height. In free fall, a person goes through not only bends, but also through a "loop".
Yalta Zoo "Fairy Tale"
A private zoo with about 1,500 animals of 150 different species - monkeys, lemurs, ostriches, tigers, lions, reptiles and birds. Some animals can be photographed and fed. The territory of the zoo is very beautiful - multi-level terraces are decorated with rose bushes and statues, fountains and exotic flowers. Peacocks, guinea fowls, ornamental hens roam freely. There is a "Marine Aquarium" with an entrance in the form of a shark's mouth.
Museum "Glade of Fairy Tales"
Children's open-air museum. It contains hundreds of sculptures of characters from fairy tales of different nations. The sculptures are made of wood, marble, clay, concrete. The museum is located in a cozy natural corner next to the Krestovaya mountain and the Uchan-Su waterfall. In the hut on chicken legs, you can talk to Baba Yaga and take a photo with her. There is the "Kingdom of Crooked Mirrors", where you can laugh at your reflection to your heart's content.
Yalta crocodilarium
It opened in 2011 after the birth of 77 Nile crocodiles at the Alushta zoo. It is home to a rare species of Siamese crocodile. Australian crocodiles, sharp-nosed crocodiles, dwarf caimans live in the crocodilarium. One of the most ancient inhabitants is the Gangetic gavial, which lived 65 million years ago. Several species of turtles, iguanas, monitor lizards, pythons, lizards, frogs also live here. There are aquariums with fish.
Theater of marine animals "Aquatoria"
An unusual entertainment complex where people and animals perform on the stage. Artists of the animal world - walruses, seals and lions, white whales, dolphins. The animals perform complex stunts, making the show incredibly entertaining. There is an opportunity to swim with dolphins. On the territory there is an aquarium with a collection of interesting Black Sea fish, a turtle farm. You can visit the UFO Museum and the Upside Down House attraction.
Monuments and monuments of Yalta
As in any resort town, the streets in Yalta are decorated with genre sculptures. There are beautiful historical and modern monuments to famous people.
Monument to Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill
The monument to political leaders is located in Livadia next to the former residence of the imperial family, in which the leaders of the anti-Hitler coalition signed an agreement in 1945. The bronze sculpture weighing 10 tons was made by Zurab Tsereteli in 2005. The sculptor took as a basis a photograph of politicians taken during the conference. However, due to political differences, the monument was erected only in 2015.
Sculpture "Anton Chekhov and the Lady with the Dog"
The bronze sculpture is dedicated to the writer and the character of his story, which took place in Yalta. The monument was opened in honor of the 100th anniversary of the writer in 2004 near the concert hall "Jubilee". The monument was created by Moscow sculptors Gennady and Fyodor Parshin. They portrayed the writer watching his romantic heroine from afar. A small spitz sits at the lady's feet. Tourists like to take photos with figures.
Monument to Mikhail Pugovkin
Located on the Lenin embankment. It was on the pier of Yalta that the scene of the famous painting by Gaidai was filmed, where Zina, Shurik's wife, sings a song. The sculpture of the actor is made in the image of one of his roles - director Yakin. Pugovkin watches Zina with her legs crossed - this is the characteristic pose captured by the sculptor. Mikhail Pugovkin himself lived in Yalta from 1991 to 2000 and was an honorary citizen of the Crimea.
Monument to A.S. Pushkin
Located on Pushkinskaya Street. The monument was opened on the day of memory of the poet in 2010. The author of the project is the architect V. Gordeev. He made the sculpture in the style of Russian realism. The bronze sculpture depicts the poet leaning slightly on a granite rail. Pushkin's gaze is serious and thoughtful. He is dressed in a suit and coat, holding a hat in his hand. Initially, the author of the monument insisted that the sculpture be made of white marble.
Natural attractions of Yalta
There are many interesting natural places in the vicinity of the city. If you are relaxing in Yalta for several days, we recommend that you also pay attention to these attractions.
Uchan-Su waterfall
The waterfall is considered the highest in Crimea. Its waters fall from a height of 98.5 meters. Its name is translated from Crimean Tatar as "flying water". The waterfall forms two cascades. A sculpture of an eagle is installed on the structure of the water intake on the second cascade. It is most interesting to watch the waterfall when the snow is melting or during heavy downpours. During the hot summer months, it often dries up. Uchan-Su is located 7 km from Yalta on the slope of Mount Ai-Petri.
Geophysical cave
Located in Mount Ai-Petri. The ancient inhabitants of the area avoided visiting the cave, as they believed that evil mountain spirits lived in it. The karst cave is beautiful with complex wells and underground halls. A 28-meter shaft leads into it, behind which there is a 100-meter gallery. It is richly decorated with stalactites and stalagmites, as well as stalagnate columns. Once upon a time, an underground stream flowed through this cave.
Diva rock in Simeiz
The most famous and picturesque rock of the South Crimea. It is located in the village of Simeiz and is part of the Crimean Mountains system. A steep rock protrudes from the waters of the Black Sea for 51 meters. There is an observation deck at its top, which is visited by thousands of tourists. You can get on it via a suspension bridge. A gorgeous view of the landscapes of Simeiz opens. The films "Amphibian Man" and "Ten Little Indians" were filmed near the Diva cliff.
