Which every Russian knows, and which are already hackneyed, moved up and down. We go to the Crimea by car, explore new territories, look at the Crimean bridge, which we “waited, waited for, and finally waited for!”.
Why I went to Crimea by car across the Crimean bridge
Certainly, private car on vacation gives a lot of advantages - you do not depend on transport and can visit any corner of the peninsula on your own at the right time. That's why I prefer car rest. A trip to the Crimea by car was nevertheless predetermined by the discovery Crimean bridge May 16, 2018. Of course, I wanted to go to the Crimea, but I could go next year, and in 2 years. And here is the bridge! So it was decided we had to go.
But first you need to be patient and overcome to the very end the M-4 highway, or simply the Don, which, unlike some notorious roads, is considered one of the best in Russia. But there is a huge advantage - now a trip to the Crimea by car does not need a crossing, and this is an extra waste of money and time in line for loading. We left on May 20th. It's good that the weather turned out to be good. Spring in general this year turned out to be hot, both in the Crimea and in Moscow.
It is best to go to Crimea by car in 2019, as you can visit a lot of beautiful and unique places! See the Crimean bridge, which is visible even from space! Touch the legendary construction site of the century. A trip to the Crimea by car from Moscow, in addition to saving money, is also attractive because you can take all the necessary things with you.
Traveling from Moscow to Crimea by car: expenses
The main expense items on the road to the Crimea by car are related to the car, accommodation (if you don’t want to sleep in the car) and meals on the road. Everyone can get a different amount, which depends on the fuel consumption of the car and the number of people.
An approximate calculation of the trip Moscow - Crimea by car in 2018:
- Fuel - for the entire trip 13,000 rubles (the biggest expense);
- Overnight stay on the way there - 2000 rubles;
- Overnight stay on the way back - 2000 rubles;
- We took food with us, so we spent a little - 1000 rubles.
The total is 18,000 rubles without hotels in the Crimea. Approximately how much would a full-fledged flight to Simferopol with a reservation a couple of months before departure cost. But this is for one or two people, and four can go by car.
Documents on the road
Mandatory documents for a trip to the Crimea by car.
- Driver's license
- Vehicle registration certificate
- OSAGO policy (if the policy ends, you can compare prices and order online and )
Useful things for a trip to the Crimea by car.
- Maps.Me - work offline
- Branded travellink cards- all sights are marked, the maps are completely offline, they plot a route without the Internet.
How much to drive to Crimea by car: travel time
You can get to the peninsula without stopping, leaving Moscow early in the morning, as our friend did. To Kerch, the journey from Moscow to Crimea by car took him until the evening, and at 10 p.m. he had already crossed the Crimean bridge. But in this case, you should better calculate your time and effort, because not all points of Crimea can be reached in a day. Especially if your hotel is located somewhere in Sevastopol or Yalta, which is a long enough drive from Kerch.
How long does it take to get from Moscow to Crimea? Since we stopped for the night on the way, a trip to the Crimea by car from Moscow came out in time for us:
- We left Moscow at 4 am;
- At 10 am we passed Voronezh;
- At 15:00 - Rostov-on-Don;
- Arrived in Timashevsk at 18.00, overnight at the hotel;
- In the morning at 7 o'clock we went to the bridge and got to Kerch by 10:30;
- The road from Kerch to Yalta took us about 5 hours, because we were lucky to get into a strong wind, through which we drove all the way to Yalta. At 15:30 we arrived in Yalta.
We went home at 7 am from Sevastopol. Almost at midnight we arrived at the Voronezh hotel. There was, of course, the opportunity to spend the night in Rostov-on-Don, but in order to get to Moscow early and avoid the crowds of summer residents, we decided to drive to Voronezh. Already at 12 noon we entered the Moscow Ring Road.
Friends, leave feedback about a trip to Crimea by car in the comments! You can also read the 2018 reports from our readers there. And for previous years too.
Trip to Crimea by car 2018: overnight stay on the way
This is our first trip to Crimea by car from Moscow. The total distance to the crossing is 1500 kilometers, from Kerch to Yalta - 290 km. In general, you can perform a swift march and not spend the night on the road at all, but not everyone is able to withstand it. The most important thing is to get out of the Moscow Ring Road to M-4 as soon as possible, and then the road will seem easier.
On the way to the Crimea by car in 2018, you can drop into several large cities, which many travelers, like us, will find interesting. The most popular places to stay on the way there from Moscow are Kamensk-Shakhtinsky, Novocherkassk, Rostov-on-Don and Timashevsk. You can find decent accommodation there. Kamensk-Shakhtinsky is the very first city along the way, here you can find inexpensive housing. Novocherkassk is not far from Rostov-on-Don, but the prices are much lower. Rostov-on-Don - a huge amount of housing, but the most high prices. Timashevsk is closer to the Crimea, there is little housing, but it is inexpensive.
Kamensk-Shakhtinsky, Russia
Kamensk-Shakhtinsky is the first city where you can spend the night on a trip to the Crimea by car.
— 2200 rub. during the high season.
— 2700 rub. during the high season.
Novocherkassk, Russia
— 2000 rub. during the high season.
- 2400 rubles. during the high season.
- 1700 rubles. during the high season.
— 2500 rub. during the high season.
Rostov-on-Don, Russia
— 2600 rub. during the high season.
— 2000 rub. during the high season.
- 1600 rubles. during the high season.
- 3300 rubles. during the high season.
Timashevsk, Russia
— 2000 rub. during the high season.
— 1900 rub. during the high season.
- from 1200 rubles.
- 1500 rubles. during the high season.
To Kerch from these cities 2-4 hours. Very comfortably. Better to leave early. Especially during peak season. The biggest plug on the roads is during the day, and the most freedom is at night and very early in the morning. We decided that we would not stop on our next trip to the Crimea by car and go straight to Kerch, so as not to waste too much time and start resting as early as possible.
On the way back, you can stop in Voronezh. There are many hotels and different price categories. The location for overnight stay is very convenient.
Voronezh
2200 rub. during the high season.
2600 rub. during the high season.
1200 rub. during the high season.
1300 rub. during the high season.
1300 rub. during the high season.
Drive to Crimea in 2018: Crimean Bridge
It was the most long-awaited part of the trip, I really wanted to be among the first. Travel across the Crimean bridge is free, drive 19 km, i.e. about 20 minutes on brand new smooth asphalt. The speed on the bridge is up to 90 km / h, but you can’t stop. There are a lot of cameras, you can immediately get a fine. There are no pedestrian zones on the bridge either. The most beautiful part is the fairway, it looks like a frame from some cool movie.
There are a lot of cars, but there are no traffic jams. You feel like on the Moscow Ring Road, only there are fewer lanes, 2 in each direction. Most of the Crimean bridge runs on land. You won't be able to admire the views from the bridge - almost everything is covered with noise screens. On the way back you can watch the construction railway bridge, he will be on the right. The bridge to the Crimea is really long, the longest building in Russia. It can also withstand a magnitude 9 earthquake. In general, we have tried.
Before the opening of the bridge, the trip to the Crimea by car with the crossing was somehow quite sad, there were stories on the Internet, how people waited for 40 hours. Not always, of course, but it happened too. Now I have only one fear - the narrow roads of the Crimea will not withstand such a flow of motorists.
By the way, now there are security posts at the entrance to the bridge and selectively stop cars. Previously, there was an inspection of each car, which greatly delayed the queue.
Road to Crimea by car 2018: M-4 Don highway at the beginning of the holiday season
It’s not the first time we’ve been driving along the M-4 highway on the Moscow-Crimea trip by car - the previous 2 years in the summer we went to rest in the same way, but in Krasnodar region. The road surface itself becomes better with each of our trips to the sea, and traffic jams become less and less if there are no accidents.
Currently, there are 3 places where you can get stuck in a traffic jam on your way to Crimea by car 2018. But knowing some tricks, you can avoid them, saving valuable time:
1. The first place where traffic jams often occur is near the village of Losevo, Voronezh Region. Many who travel to the sea along the M-4 are familiar with this place. When we drove for the first time in the afternoon, we stood there for at least an hour. Until lunch, oddly enough, the road is free. Local residents offer drivers to show a bypass road for money. But in order not to pay 500 rubles each, it is better to bypass the traffic jam through neighboring villages.
2. The next difficulty in traffic is a large section of the road in front of Rostov-on-Don, where serious work is being carried out. Of course, this contributes to regular traffic jams, and the Aksai district is generally worth it. We cheated and drove next to the road behind the fence after another car. Most of the cars probably stood there for more than one hour.
You can get around all this action through Novoshakhtinsk, if you are coming from Moscow. Then you can get to Novocherkassk already.
On the way back, we still drove through Aksai and got into a small traffic jam, but we stood for quite a bit of time. Repairs are being carried out very zealously and will probably be completed by the end of the summer season.
3. A large railway crossing in Timashevsk is our third possible obstacle. On the way to the sea coast, many stumble upon traffic jams at this very crossing. Yandex Navigator showed us a detour, but nevertheless, the number of cars stubbornly standing at this turn is impressive. Locals, as it is not surprising, here they offer drivers for a nominal fee of 500 rubles to show another way. The detour itself will pass through the city, where you can drive through the crossing a little further than this.
In general, the M-4 Don is an excellent track. The road to the Crimea by car in 2018 from Moscow will not be tedious even for a beginner, the surface is smooth and even, there are no extreme sections. This does not apply to many parts of the Black Sea region, for example, a fairly complex serpentine near Sochi. But for those who travel to the Crimea, Tuapse, Anapa - these tips will help to reduce travel time somewhat. Even in case of an unforeseen situation, you can find an experienced local driver who will not neglect detours, albeit not the most obvious ones.
New on the M-4 Don highway
On the way, there was once another difficult gap in the Voronezh region - called Novaya Usman, where you had to make your way through dust and traffic jams, albeit small ones. But there were a lot of eateries where you can have a tasty and inexpensive meal or just sit in a cozy atmosphere, like in the Gramophone cafe, for example. Now there is a section of the toll road around Novaya Usman, which will allow you to save about half an hour of travel time.
Crimean roads
In general, we did not meet very bad roads. Only in cities, as well as almost everywhere, there were pieces of streets with potholes. Intercity communication is good, the roads are new, there are almost no cameras. On the south coast, up to Sevastopol, a slightly winding road stretches, but it is not scary to drive along it.
Having visited the main roads of the peninsula, we met many ups and downs from Alushta to Feodosia. It does not look so scary, but attentiveness does not hurt in this area. However, you can go around and through Simferopol. The local landscapes and reliefs are, of course, impressive. You can safely go by car to the Crimea, it's worth it.
Food, gas stations and other amenities on the M-4
As a rule, the farther gas stations are from regional centers, the smaller they are, but the more cars there are. This, obviously, leads to queues at the cashier, in the toilet, in the cafe. Therefore, when traveling to the Crimea by car in 2018, it is better to immediately refuel the car to the eyeballs with fuel even at the beginning of the route in the Moscow region. The most popular gas stations with a high level of service are also found there - Shell, Tatneft, Lukoil and others. If we manage to avoid traffic jams, then this is enough for us to reach Voronezh, where we can refuel without annoying queues.
But if it turns out that it is still necessary to refuel on the way, then it is better to do it at Rosneft, where there is good quality fuel and fast service. It is strange that Gazprom loyalty cards do not work at all outside the Moscow region, and food and coffee are of noticeably poor quality. One gets the feeling that this is not Gazprom at all, but only a big name. We do not recommend using local gas stations or unknown ones, it can cost you more. Some of them have an absurd level of service, when fuel and food are paid for by separate checks or a separate queue. So I managed to get into such a double queue, when everything is paid separately. Therefore, it is better to take everything with you in advance.
Long-distance wanderings have always attracted lovers of adventure and new experiences. And especially if in one of the most fantastic and charming corners of our nature - in the Crimea. Despite the difficulties of organizing such a trip, it will be an unforgettable and vivid memory in life.
Car owners prefer the option of traveling by car to the Crimea. It is very good for those who plan to visit different interesting places ah, visit dozens of sights and relax richly and beautifully. In addition, your car is also a lability, you can easily change the route and go to another place at any time.
Travel organization: main aspects
Before you start the engine and rush towards new adventures, you need to be well prepared for such a long journey. The first, and most important, part of this preparation is the technical inspection of the car, the elimination of all problems and problems. Nothing can spoil a vacation like unexpected breakdowns along the way, which delay tourists for a long time and entail unnecessary troubles and expenses.
The second important aspect is the detailed route planning. Even those who love adventure and impromptu make at least a rough plan of action to avoid fatigue and inconvenience on the road. It is irrational to go by car to the Crimea without an idea about the future path. It is better to immediately choose for yourself the possible places to spend the night, stop for lunch and walk, as well as explore the interesting sights that you meet along the way.
What to take is also an important question. Although from the outside it seems that it is not so scary to forget something, because you can stop by any supermarket along the way. But so that a trip by car to the Crimea does not turn into a difficult quest called "buy a manicure set", it is better to take care of everything right away. In addition, the necessary things at home can cost much less, for example, a bathing suit or panama. To make traveling by car to the Crimea comfortable, you can attach an external trunk. It is better to pack things in small bags and backpacks than in bulky suitcases.
Route features, possible complications and problems
- Specificity of mountain roads. Crimean mountains very dangerous for inexperienced drivers, it is full of difficult serpentines and narrow sections. The speed here is limited to 40, and sometimes up to 20 km per hour.
- Car service and gas stations. In principle, there are no problems with this in Crimea, but the quality of service is not always satisfactory. It is better to stop at those stations that are part of large network companies.
- Night traffic. It is better to plan the time so that at the stage of moving mountain range it was morning or afternoon. It's dangerous to drive here at night.
- Campsites and car parks. In order not to look for where to stay for the night in one place or another of the peninsula, stock up on a map of campsites and tent camps with the ability to park your car. So you save time for more interesting walks and excursions.
Most picturesque corners Crimea
Traveling by car to the Crimea can be organized in such a way as to see many interesting and beautiful places and attractions. There are just an incredible number of them here, so you need to think over the route very carefully. It is difficult to single out the most beautiful and unforgettable corners of the peninsula. Here are just a few of them:
- Yalta Palace, Ai-Petri Plateau and Bolshoi
- Sevastopol and its picturesque bays, ancient Chersonese, Balaklava and temples.
- Treasures of South Demerdzhi, Ghost Valley and beautiful waterfalls.
- Fabulous bays of the New World, Sudak and its ancient fortress on the rock.
- Fantastic magical aura of steppe expanses and coastal cliffs.
And there is also Nikitinsky Botanical Garden, palaces and fortresses, cozy towns, mysterious caves and stormy mountain rivers. Crimea hides hundreds of treasures in its depths - look for them together with your friends, traveling on four wheels throughout the peninsula!
Motorists who want to go by car to the Crimea in 2018, do not doubt the reality of this event! If one way is closed, then it will certainly find a completely worthy alternative.
To the Crimea through the ferry
The best option to get by car to any point of Crimea in 2018 is the way through the Kerch Strait, which is 300 km longer than the usual road through Chongar, but it has a number of advantages:
- it is not required to cross the border of Ukraine twice;
- most of the way passes on an excellent freeway;
- From the car window you can see previously unknown places in Crimea and make stops.
Moscow — Port Kavkaz
Most of the route Moscow - Crimea, both by bus and by car, passes along the M4 (E115) highway " Don”, which was prepared for the 2014 Olympics and is rightfully considered the best in Russia. The road is flat, mostly has two lanes in each direction.
From Moscow to Voronezh paid sections . The fee is approximately a ruble per kilometer. According to reviews on the Internet on the topic “Crimea by car 2018”, you can drive on a toll road at a good speed without sparing the money spent. In addition, the route has developed roadside infrastructure, roadsides are regularly cleaned, and the trip Moscow-Crimea, regardless of the season, by car will not be too tiring.
Interactive map of Crimea with all roads
Map of toll sections on the M4 highway - Photo 03 To travel by car to the Crimea, after Rostov-on-Don, you need to get to Port Kavkaz. The path goes through Slavyansk-on-Kuban, which can be reached either through the village Kislyakovskaya and Timashevsk, or through Krasnodar, rounding the city on the bypass. The path is longer, but the road is better. Alternatively, from Rostov you can go to Krasnodar, then through Krymsk to Anapa, then by ferry to Kerch. The ride is more comfortable, although longer.
Ferry to Crimea
From Port-Kavkaz to Port-Krym, the path lies through ferry crossing. You should not go to the port, but to seaport. Having passed the traffic police post, then we move to the sign "seaport - sea station", after which we turn to the railway crossing, drive up to the sea station and get in line. Then you have to enter observation deck, where the car is measured with a tape measure and a ticket is issued, with which you need to go for a ticket.
You must have with you passports, birth certificates all passengers money. The purchase of tickets at the Port of Crimea for passengers with a car in the summer of 2018 should accelerate, as the number of ticket offices is planned to be increased to eight.
Porta-Kavkaz — Photo 04 
Route map from Port Kavkaz to Port Krym — Photo 05 When boarding a ferry, keep in mind that cars with young children become extreme left turn. Loading and crossing takes place within an hour, and unloading is faster - the Port of Crimea works more quickly. In total, 4 ferries run at the crossing. The way back from Crimea by car in 2018 also promises to be more organized thanks to the introduction of an electronic car queuing system in the Port of Crimea. Electronic ticket can be obtained from the terminals.
Before leaving for the Crimea by car, you should ask about the weather - the crossing of passengers and cars by ferry to the Port of Crimea at the beginning of 2018 did not work for several days due to thick fog and storm.
Crossing freer at night or early morning It is easier to cross on weekdays than on weekends. The ferry is on the way for 20 minutes. The cost of transporting a car varies from 1050 to 2190 rubles, depending on the length of the body. An adult ticket costs 143 rubles, a child ticket costs 72 rubles. 50 kop.
Port Crimea — Photo 06 A trip around the Crimea (main roads, highways)
Arriving in Crimea by car, you need to get to the federal highway A17 "Kerch-Yalta", also known as E97, E105, M17. After the city of Kerch, the road passes along the slightly hilly Kerch Peninsula. To the right there will be a turn to the village of Lenino, through it you can get to the village of Shchelkino, located on a warm shallow coast Sea of Azov which is ideal for a relaxing holiday with kids.
Behind the village of Primorsky, the road goes to the Black Sea coast, on the left is a spacious sand beach, right - the entrance to the city of Feodosia. From the village Bulk to the left turns the road to Koktebel. The mountains are getting taller and the landscapes are majestic. From the village of Grushevka to the left - turn to Sudak, then along the road - the city of Belogorsk, near which is the famous Taigan safari park with lions and tigers.
Before Simferopol, you should pay attention to the signs. To get to the southern and western coast of Crimea by car, it is better to take the bypass road. To get to Sevastopol, you will have to cross the city center.
Roads of Crimea — Photo 07 
Road to Ai-Petri — Photo 08 The condition of Crimean roads is satisfactory, and it is constantly improving. Currently, there are enough equipped parking lots, comfortable campsites, and tent camps. To calculate the budget for a trip to the Crimea by car, one should proceed from the price of a liter of gasoline: A92 - 37 rubles, A95 - 39 rubles.
Road to Crimea through Ukraine
If in 2018 you decide to overcome the Moscow-Crimea route by car using the traditional route, you should be interested in how official information about Ukraine, and reviews on the Internet of motorists who visited Crimea by car.
Most short route from Moscow to the Crimea, 1500 km long, begins on the Simferopol highway. Crossing the border with Ukraine takes place in the area of Cossack Lopan. Crossing the border is not a quick matter, you can lose up to 10 hours. In Ukraine, the road passes through Kharkov, Dnepropetrovsk, Zaporozhye, Melitopol. The track mainly has one lane in each direction and long sections where overtaking is prohibited. Starting from Melitopol, since July, spontaneous markets have formed along the road, which makes it difficult for cars to move to the Crimea. It will not be possible to quickly reach Crimea by car along this road in the summer, in the Chongar region there is again customs and a loss of precious time.
Road map of Crimea — Photo 09 There is a route, travel by car along which to the Crimea in 2018, most likely, will have to be postponed until better times. By M4 you can get to Rostov-on-Don, turn to Taganrog, cross the border with Ukraine between Taganrog and Novoazovsk, then move along the Novoazovsk-Odessa road to Melitopol, take the bypass around Melitopol to the Moscow-Simferopol highway. The unpleasant moments of this road are the traffic through the cities of Rostov and Mariupol.
Route Moscow-Crimea - Photo 10 Driving mode and safety
You should seriously prepare for a trip to the Crimea by car. You need to take water and a small supply of food with you to make it easier to survive the forced downtime in lines or emergency situations, and food on ferry crossing quite expensive. A trip to the Crimea by car does not suffer from malfunctions - it is necessary to check its technical condition. As a spare wheel, it is better to take not a dokatka, but an ordinary wheel.
If the route by car to the Crimean resort passes along a mountain road, remember that when going down the mountain, you should slow down with the engine. Please note that there are catching dead ends on the steep descent from the Angarsk Pass.
Road trip to Crimea — Photo 11 You should not try to overcome the Moscow-Crimea route by car in one day. It is better to stay overnight in Rostov-on-Don. At the entrance to the city (1055 km + 800 m) there is a hotel where you can comfortably spend the night, and in the morning continue your journey with fresh forces. Then, having arrived, you will not have to rest for a day after the road. Even spending the night in a car or in a tent is better than continuous movement. Before you go to the Crimea, stock up on car pillows, you can inflatable, which will make the road more comfortable.
If you plan to travel to the Crimea by car with a child, then you should stock up on everything you need in advance. First of all, you need to think about nutrition, not counting on purchases along the way. Water should be taken with a margin to avoid dehydration. If the child is small, then to control his condition, you need to watch how much he pees in the diaper. Two sets of clothes and a blanket should be on hand if it gets colder.
Traveling with a child to the Crimea by car: watch out for safety - Photo 12 
Trip with children to Crimea — Photo 13 When traveling to the Crimea by car, you should stop from time to time and remove the child from the car seat. If the child is breastfeeding, it is advisable for him to do a light massage, get out of the car, walk, let him rest and stretch. It will take more time to travel to the Crimea with a child by car, but you should not neglect the rest. It is very important, when going on vacation to the Crimea, to complete the first-aid kit in the car with insect bites.
It is almost impossible to get lost while overcoming the Moscow-Crimea route by car in 2018. There are many signs on the territory of Crimea, it will not be difficult to get to any place of the peninsula by car, besides, the GPS system works. When you return from your trip to Crimea, please write reviews of your trip "Moscow-Crimea by car" season 2018 on the Internet!
Bon Voyage!
The tourist season is inexorably approaching: the breath of summer is already felt in the Crimean air, and those who came to the May holidays tourists turned out to be a kind of training for the new Russian resort. AiF correspondent Lidia Yudina drove the peninsula and assessed its conditions from the point of view of a vacationer.
Russian tourists are welcome here as the most welcome guests. “We are happy that we are together again,” she tells me with tears in her eyes. Tatyana Ivanovna, a resident of Alupka. “We know for sure that everything will be fine now. And difficulties, whatever they may be, are a temporary phenomenon. Crimea can still help Russia! The main thing is that you accept us back with a pure heart.”
A bag of money and a positive attitude
But there are technical problems associated with the fact that the peninsula, which was until recently Ukraine, became Russia rather suddenly. They are surmountable, but tourists should be prepared for them.
For example, this year you need to take a bag of money with you to Crimea. First, pay bank cards now it is impossible neither in hotels, nor in restaurants, nor in shops. Hotels suspended non-cash payments - hoteliers actually had no choice: Ukrainian banks left the market, and cooperation with Russian ones has not yet been officially formalized. According to businessmen's forecasts, there is a risk that due to confusion with banks, plastic cards will not be accepted during the entire holiday season. It is also difficult to withdraw cash in many places. If Sberbank ATMs can already be found on the peninsula, they are located mainly in major cities- Yalta, Simferopol, Sevastopol, then no other banks are widely represented here yet.
“I haven’t carried so much cash with me for ten years,” admits Lyudmila Sergeevna, a Moscow pensioner, - To be honest, with a tightly stuffed wallet I feel very uncomfortable - especially in the evenings.
Photo: AIF / Lidia Yudina
“And take the change in hryvnia!”
Secondly, the simultaneous circulation of two currencies creates inconvenience. Changes from large ones - over 500 rubles - will either have to “wait a little” or take hryvnias (it is clear that any conversion is in favor of the seller, and double - first from hryvnias - into rubles, then - from rubles into hryvnias - significantly increases the price goods). Therefore, the most popular banknotes that you need to stock up on are 50- and 100-ruble notes. But this is worth considering for those who travel to the Crimea in May. Because it was announced: from June 1, the circulation of the hryvnia on the territory of the peninsula stops, and there is no longer any need to worry about the “dishonest” change. So far, however, there are no restrictions on the circulation of the Ukrainian currency, it is accepted everywhere.
Money for a mobile phone also needs to be put in advance - and if you plan to actively talk - more. Crimea . Profitable domestic roaming in the Crimea will not be able to connect. So, for “hello from Crimea”, subscribers of one of the Big Three networks, for example, will have to pay 25 rubles per minute.
But these are the difficulties of the transitional period ... But now you can get to Crimea by plane, and tickets are actually on sale without the hype and trade markups.
Tiramisu, taxis and nightstands
Taxi prices in Crimea have grown since last year. If 1-2 years ago it was possible to get from the airport to the South Bank for one and a half thousand rubles, now 2000 Russian rubles is considered a “gift”. However, there is also a budget option: the famous Simferopol-Yalta trolleybus will deliver you to the capital of the South Coast for only 50 rubles. It goes 3 hours, allowing you to admire the beauty of the Pass.
Photo: AIF / Lidia Yudina
There are a lot of accommodation options in Crimea, for every taste and budget. The owner's room (bed, bedside table, hangers on a nail driven into the wall) in May costs from 500 to 1000 rubles per day. Three or four of them (parents with children, students and traveling Russian pensioners) are stuffed into such birdhouses. A slightly more expensive option is a room in a boarding house (usually it looks like this: the owners live on the first floor, the guests live on the completed second and third floors). Here it is a little more spacious and more expensive - around 2000 rubles per night. But in the room there can be a gas stove, dishes and a refrigerator.
From 3000 rubles per day and above it is worth living in hotel rooms. Oddly enough, ordering a room in the “standard” category in them is the most difficult thing - most of them are booked for participants in various forums, congresses and meetings that are now actively held in Crimea. Ordinary tourists are left with only suites and junior suites - at a price of 7,000 rubles and more.
Prices in Crimean cafes and restaurants are not much inferior to Moscow ones. Lunch without alcohol (“Caesar”, chicken noodles, Black Sea fish fillet with vegetables or pork chop with potatoes and tea and coffee) in one of the many cafes on the embankment will cost the same as a business lunch in an average Moscow restaurant - 250-300 rubles per person. You can drink coffee in Yalta on the embankment for 120-150 rubles, and dessert - tiramisu or strudel - will cost the same amount.
Photo: AIF / Lidia Yudina
But in Yalta, unlike Moscow, you can dine on a budget. Numerous canteens - "Homemade", "Yaltinskaya", "Chernomorskaya" - are located in the most convenient parts of the city - next to expensive establishments. They also have outdoor terraces, Wi-Fi zones and decent toilets. At the same time, prices are the same as in student canteens. Soups - 30-50 rubles, fish - from 80 rubles per 100 g, tea bags - 20 rubles.
Products in stores still have Ukrainian labels, and their prices are slightly lower than in Moscow. Bread - 15 rubles, milk - 20, a pack of cottage cheese - 38, a kilogram of doctor's sausage - around 200.
Photo: AIF / Lidia Yudina
And put the bed back in place!
Contrary to gloomy forecasts, ordinary vacationers are not felt. Although Soviet times in boarding houses in some areas, water was given by the hour - now it is in the taps around the clock. On the collective farm "Rainbow" in the village of Medicinal, there is enough water even for watering the plants. Interruptions, even if they will, according to assurances local residents will not affect those who came as a tourist.
The beaches in Crimea are now mostly municipal, with concrete breakwaters preserved from Soviet times and calls “No smoking!”, “No littering!”, “No diving!” and "Don't get in - it will kill you"! You can visit them for free, and no one will block your way. You will have to pay only for sunbeds (50 rubles), if you decide to lie down in the sun. Just keep in mind that you will have to bring them down the stairs and drag them to the place along the pebbles. And especially advanced “watchers” require that vacationers return their beds on their own.
Many, especially in spring, go to the Crimea not so much for rest as for impressions. And there really is something to see! In addition to the classic business cards» Crimea - Vorontsovsky Park, Livadia, Swallow's Nest - there are other little-known tourist sites that are interesting for vacationers with children. Yalta hosts the first private zoo on the territory former USSR- It opened in 1995. He is in fabulous place, from there a magnificent view of Yalta and the Crimean mountains opens.
Here, near the enclosures, there are no usual “defensive lines” - the animals live in compact enclosures, you can not only get close to them, but also pet them and even feed them. Animals have long been accustomed to this - therefore, badgers and monkeys pull their hands out of their cages, bears blow affectionately into a pipe into which visitors throw food, monkeys put on real performances, and goats and sheep on the "grandmother's yard" site follow on the heels of visitors and tear them out of hand greens and carrots.
The most democratic resorts here are in the west - Sevastopol, Balaklava, Evpatoria, locals choose the resort of Nikolaevka, the steppe Crimea, ascetic, but cheap. Average prices are those in the east: Kerch, Feodosia.
Crimea is one of the hottest destinations for domestic Russian tourism. Rest in Crimea will appeal to young people, families with children, the elderly, and lovers of active holidays - there is entertainment for every taste.
Crimea still retains the title of "all-Union health resort" - there are more than 600 sanatoriums and boarding houses on the territory of the peninsula. Treatment in the Crimea has a beneficial effect on the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, the musculoskeletal system, and the cardiovascular system. People come here with disorders of the nervous system, chronic fatigue, depression. The favorable climate of the Crimea, the warm sea, fresh air, combined with the procedures selected by doctors, have a powerful healing effect. Treatment developed in Crimea mineral waters, brine, mud.
For lovers active rest there are plenty of opportunities in Crimea - you can go hiking in the mountains, ride bicycles along the coast, paragliding in Koktebel, go down into caves, go diving.
7 things to do when you arrive in Crimea
1. take a walk along the Yalta embankment;
2. swim in the warm sea in secluded bays among the rocks;
3. admire the magnificent Yusupov and Vorontsov palaces;
4. feel the breath of history on the ruins of ancient Panticapaeum;
5. enjoy the coolness of Bakhchisaray gardens;
6. admire the famous "Swallow's Nest" in Gaspra;
7. taste the famous Crimean wines.
Crimean beaches
The beaches of Crimea stretch for more than 500 km. Most of the beaches are pebbly (artificial or bulk), very often on the beaches you can find large stone boulders. There are sandy beaches in Feodosia and Sudak, Evpatoria. The beaches are well equipped: there are changing rooms, sometimes showers. You can rent mats, parasols, sun loungers, deck chairs.
"Wild" rest in Crimea is a long tradition. Fans of nudism and naturism come to the beaches of Koktebel, to Lisya Bay. Secluded bays near Capes Aya and Fiolent - beautiful place to relax away from civilization, left alone with the Crimean rocks and the Black Sea.
Most beaches have a set water activities- Banana riding, jet skiing, parasailing. Sometimes there are equipped beach volleyball courts.
Climate and weather in Crimea
The swimming season in Crimea begins in June and ends in September. In some regions (for example, in Sudak) you can swim from May to October.
Resorts of Crimea
There are several dozens of resorts in Crimea. You can choose tours to the Crimea to your taste and budget - noisy Yalta and Alupka or secluded Koktebel and. Large Crimean cities- , . Most popular resorts are located on south coast Crimea (South Coast) - among them Yalta, Alushta, Alupka,.
Crimea is a great place to relax with children. It is here, near, that the famous "Artek" is located. The Artek camp complex is ready to host several thousand children. There are many dolphinariums and water parks in Crimea - a trip to the performance of marine artists or a descent from a dizzying slide will appeal to both children and adults.
Hotels and hostels in Crimea
From the end of January 2015, all sanatorium and resort complexes in Crimea will be required to undergo an official classification procedure according to the standard five-star system adopted in the Russian Federation. The process will have to be fully completed by the summer tourist season. In Crimea, you can stay both in officially accredited hotel-type facilities: hotels, hostels, guest houses, sanatoriums, boarding houses, and in the private sector (dachas, apartments). When placing in a boarding house, you can already expect that the institution passes the relevant sanitary checks, is accredited in accordance with the law and the tourist is more protected in his rights to a certain level of service.
It is worth considering that when placing "savage" the level of service may not meet any standards and cost. Rooms can be with outdoor facilities, the lack of hot water or electricity is not uncommon in such accommodation, as well as the fact that no one guarantees quality food. Remember the movie Be My Husband? Since then, almost nothing has changed.
Sights of Crimea
There are many attractions in Crimea. In addition to the visiting card of the peninsula - the Swallow's Nest Palace - there are more than a thousand interesting places worth visiting.
Alupka is rich in attractions. The brightest of them is the magnificent Vorontsov Palace built in the middle of the 19th century. It is located at the foot of Ai-Petri mountain. The palace was built by order of Count Vorontsov - as a result, a charming mixture of English traditions and oriental motifs turned out. Inside, the palace is luxuriously furnished - it is not surprising that Winston Churchill, who lived here during the Yalta Conference, liked it. Visit the winery "Massandra" with a tour - you will see the stages of production and taste the Crimean wines.
If you went to rest in Alushta, then you can’t miss the Crimea in Miniature park. There are such parks in many countries of the world. In the Crimean one, you can see in all details mini-copies of more than 40 sights of the peninsula. It is worth going to the aquarium and the dolphinarium if you are relaxing with children - the guys will be really delighted with the jumps of smart dolphins!
Balaklava is one of the favorite places for yachtsmen and divers. From here it is convenient to go on boat trips, fishing, diving. It is here, in Balaklava, that one of the most secret objects of the USSR is located - a submarine repair plant. The plant was built during the Cold War and could even withstand a nuclear strike. The premises of the plant are hollowed out in the rock - on the one hand, the submarines swam, and on the other, they swam out. The complex of the plant is huge, on the territory of the former military base there is the Maritime Museum.
In Bakhchisarai, first of all, you should go to Khansaray, or the Khan's Palace. The building is almost 500 years old, over the years of its history it has been rebuilt many times. V palace complex especially interesting are the main, harem and count buildings. Visit the mosques, the mausoleum, the khan's cemetery, charming summer pavilions and courtyards. It is here that the famous Bakhchisaray fountain, or the Fountain of Tears, is located. It was built by the khan in memory of the deceased concubine. Just as the lower bowl of the fountain slowly fills with water, the heart of the khan was filled with grief. Near the fountain there is a bust of Pushkin, and there are always fresh flowers near the top bowl.
The Swallow's Nest Palace in Gaspra stands on the Aurora Rock, at a height of about 40 meters. It was built in 1912. Previously, an ancient temple stood on this site, then a Greek monastery, and later - the Tenerif dacha. At the beginning of the 20th century, the dacha was rebuilt into a stone palace with spiers and turrets, battlements - in the best traditions of European castles. At the beginning of the 21st century, the Swallow's Nest turned into a chic restaurant, and now there is a museum in the palace.
Gurzuf sights have been repeatedly sung by artists, poets and writers. Ayu-Dag, "Bear Mountain" - one of the symbols of Gurzuf. According to legend, a huge bear turned into a mountain, planning to drink the sea. A lot of poems and songs have been written about Ayu-Dag, as well as about the Adalar rocks. According to legend, twin brothers were turned into rocks, punished by the gods for their willfulness. A long time ago on Adalary was laid cable car and there was a restaurant on one of the rocks. Now Adalar can be reached by boat or by swimming.
In addition to the glory of the children's resort, Evpatoria is widely known for its health resorts. Evpatoria is also called the "Lake Land" - among the steppes and salt marshes there are lakes Sasyk-Sivash and the famous Moinak. There are many other lakes and estuaries around the city. The water in the lakes has healing power - people come here to smear themselves with mud and swim in brine.
In Kerch, look at the crypt of Demeter, where beautiful frescoes depicting the ancient Greek gods have been preserved, visit the Royal Mound. In Kerch, a unique monument has been preserved - the only surviving Byzantine church, the temple of John the Baptist. In the temple courtyard stone plate with a small notch - it is believed that this is the footprint of John the Baptist himself.
Koktebel is firmly associated with the name of the artist and poet Maximilian Voloshin. Maxim Gorky, Osip Mandelstam, Marina Tsvetaeva and dozens of other poets, writers and artists came to Maximilian Voloshin's Koktebel dacha. Now there is a museum in the building, and from the dacha there is a magnificent view of the "Voloshin rock" - at a special angle, the ledges resemble the poet's profile. Koktebel - Mecca for paragliders. On Mount Klementieva (Uzun-Syrt), a unique wind rose with descending and ascending air currents has formed. Tupolev, Korolev, Yakovlev and other aircraft manufacturers tested their aircraft here. A mandatory point is to swim through the Golden Gate arch, which is at the foot of Karadag, in the Carnelian Bay. Throw a coin in memory - to return to this wonderful place once again.
The main attraction of Koreiz is the Yusupov Palace. It is named after its owner, Prince Yusupov. In the Soviet years, the palace was renamed "dacha", the party elite rested here - for example, Felix Dzerzhinsky. During the Yalta Conference, Joseph Stalin lived here.
The Livadia Palace is a magnificent snow-white building surrounded by cypresses, a rose garden and a huge park. The Livadia Palace regularly hosts various exhibitions. The most significant event that took place in the Livadia Palace was the Yalta Conference, which was attended by representatives of the USSR, the USA and Great Britain.
The most famous Miskhor beach is "Mermaid". It is named after a sculpture depicting a mermaid with a baby. The sculpture is installed a few meters from the shore. A beautiful and tragic legend about a girl kidnapped by pirates is associated with her. According to legend, the girl Arza was stolen by pirates and sold to a Turkish harem. Unable to bear the longing for her homeland and family, Arza, with a child in her arms, rushed into the sea. Turning into a mermaid, she sailed to her native shores.
An interesting “legend” is connected with the village of Morskoye - according to the memoirs, it was here in 1981 that Viktor Tsoi and his friends decided to found a group. The name was chosen intricate - "Garin and hyperboloids." The “Kino” collective began to be called later - the Crimean name did not take root, but the idea was completely. It is said that famous musicians sang and played guitars on the local waterfront to earn money.
Many Soviet films were filmed in the New World - Pirates of the 20th Century, Amphibian Man, 3+2, Anna Karenina, Treasure Island. There are separate excursions to the Crimean places associated with cinema. The Novy Svet plant is still operating, producing 18 brands of champagnes and sparkling wines. The traditions laid down by Golitsyn are still honored - for example, bottles mature for 3 years in cellars designed by the prince himself. Tourists are happy to attend an excursion with a tasting of the plant's products.
8 km from the city of Saki there is a large water park "Banana Republic". Here you can relax in 8 pools and ride on 25 water rides. At the same time in banana republic» can accommodate up to 2500 people. The water park is divided into thematic zones, decorated with copies of sculptures from Easter Island, statues. Tickle your nerves on the Red Pepper and Blue Fog, the tallest rides that exceed the height of a seven-story building. In the evening, the territory and attractions of the water park are illuminated.
Sudak is one of the oldest Crimean cities; its age exceeds 18 centuries. Here is a magnificent monument of medieval architecture - the Genoese, it is also the Sudak fortress, built on an ancient coral reef, Mount Fortress. The building is almost a thousand years old, and still the fortress remains almost impregnable - it is surrounded by rocks and ditches. Do not confuse this fortress with the Genoese fortress in Feodosia.
The Aivazovsky Museum with a rich collection of paintings by the artist is located in Feodosia. The famous marine painter bequeathed his canvases to his native city - he personally designed the exhibition hall and arranged the exhibits. In particular, the most mystical painting by Aivazovsky - "On the death of Alexander III" is kept here. It is kept in a separate room. It is said that many tourists experience nervous breakdowns after viewing the picture.
The monument to the sunken ships in the bay of Sevastopol, depicted on the coat of arms of the city, has the glory of the most famous Sevastopol monument. In 1854, Sevastopol was under the threat of being captured by the Anglo-French-Turkish army. To cut off the enemy's path to the city from the sea, it was decided to flood in the entrance fairway sailing ships. In total, more than 15 ships were sunk.
The main spiritual center of the Crimean Tatars is located in Simferopol. Cathedral Mosque Kebir-Jami - an architectural monument of the times of the Crimean Khanate, the oldest building in the city.
Most popular place in Yalta - embankment. Day and night life is in full swing here - I work cafes and restaurants, shops; here you can meet musicians and street artists; children will enjoy the rides. On the waterfront is historical monument- Roffe baths, built more than a century ago. The building is decorated with white marble, and guests are greeted by a sign with a quote from the Koran: "Be blessed like water." A. Chekhov and other writers, poets, musicians and public figures loved to bask in these baths. Chekhov liked Yalta - the action of the story "The Lady with the Dog", for example, takes place exactly on the Yalta embankment. Yalta residents erected a monument to the heroine of the story. The plane tree of Isadora Duncan has been preserved on the embankment - here the ballerina and the poet Sergei Yesenin made appointments for each other. Not far from Yalta is Massandra with the famous winery. In addition to a tour with a tasting, visit the Massandra Palace, which was built specifically for Emperor Alexander III.
Crimean cuisine
There are many cafes and restaurants, as well as canteens and just eateries in Crimea. Their largest concentration, of course, is on the embankments - but they are more expensive there. You can eat at one of the establishments or simply buy fresh produce from the market or shop.
Crimea is a mixture of many kitchen traditions. You can meet not only dishes of Russian and Ukrainian cuisines, but also Greek, Tatar, Karaite, German and Jewish. Try lagman - noodles with meat and gravy. In Crimea, it is prepared according to their own recipes, each cook has his own lagman. Chebureks are one of the hallmarks of the Crimean cuisine. Chebureks here are fatty, juicy, with lamb and onions - they are also called “chir-chir”. Kubete - a dish of Krymchak cuisine, a pie with lamb, potatoes and onions. The pies are very tasty.
It is impossible to imagine a seaside town without a huge assortment of fish dishes. Restaurants and cafes serve red mullet, flounder, mullet, horse mackerel - all the freshest catch. Black Sea mussels and rapans are food for an amateur, but if you come across a skilled cook, you will lick your fingers. Mussels are served fried with onions and rice. Crimean wines are a different story. Of course, these are the wines of Massandra, Inkerman, champagne from the New World and Koktebel cognacs. Each wine reveals itself in its own way, so choose a specific variety for each dinner.
What to bring from Crimea
The most popular Crimean souvenirs are wood products: beads, hot coasters, hairpins, cutting boards and more. Juniper products are especially good. There are many onyx souvenirs in Crimea. It is believed that the stone has the ability to reduce pressure and is a talisman for the elderly. An excellent present - Crimean wines and cognacs.
Ladies will appreciate a bottle of rose oil or other essential oils produced in the Crimea as a souvenir. The main thing that you need to bring from the Crimea is a great tan and a lot of pleasant impressions from a great vacation.
Transport in Crimea
Crimea has a well-developed bus and trolleybus network. A unique trolleybus line "Simferopol - Yalta" operates here - a great opportunity not only to quickly get to the neighboring resort, but also to ride retro trolleybuses. By trolleybus you can even get from the airport to Yalta and Alushta and back.
In the Crimea, the cable car "Miskhor - Ai-Petri" operates.
There are electric trains in Crimea. From Simferopol you can get to Dzhankoy, Evpatoria and Sevastopol, from Dzhankoy - to Kerch. Of course, taxis and taxis work. They are convenient to move between the resorts of the South Coast.
It is best to bring cash with you. There are not many ATMs and there is no guarantee that the one closest to you will work.
Be sure to use sunscreen. There are few shadows in the Crimea, on wild beaches there is nowhere to hide from the sun. It is better to choose a cream with a high protection factor. Avoid sunbathing from 12 to 15 hours - at this time the sun is most active. At this time, you can take a walk in the parks or arrange a quiet hour.
Do not overdo it with healing mud. Consult your doctor in advance and find out if you have any contraindications to such treatment. Being smeared with mud from head to toe is, of course, fun, but not always useful.
In Crimea there is dangerous insects- for example, spiders, which are best avoided. On wild beaches, you can meet a stingray - he likes to burrow into the sand at the bottom and is easy to step on. The wound is not fatal, but very unpleasant. When hiking, beware of ash and hogweed plants. Touching them can result in severe burns.
