TOP10 resorts in Crimea

There are many beach resorts on the small territory of Crimea, which are visited by millions of tourists every year. Crimea has a very beautiful nature, which creates great opportunities for excursions.

In this review on the online travel guide Geomerid you can read about the most famous beach resorts of Crimea:

1. Yalta
2. Pike perch
3. The New World
4. Foros
5. Alushta
6. Koktebel
7. Evpatoria
8. Balaclava
9. Sevastopol
10. Feodosia

Yalta - biggest and noisiest resort

Yalta is the largest and most famous beach resort in Crimea and all of Russia. Yalta can be compared with Sochi, which is located on the Caucasian coast of Russia. Yalta began to develop as a resort at the end of the 19th century, and it became a resort for the high society of the Russian Empire. Emperors and aristocrats built their palaces here.

Gothic castle Swallow`s Nest on the edge of a cliff in Yalta - a symbol of the Crimea

View of the teeth of Ai-Petri mountain from the top of the mountain plateau in the Yalta Nature Reserve

In the 19th century, the largest resort on the Southern coast of Crimea was Gurzuf, however, the climate of Yalta was more conducive for the development of the most famous resort in Crimea. This is due to the structure of the Crimean Mountains. In the Yalta area they are located in a form of large amphitheater far from the sea. Thanks to this, pine forests have grown here. Pine phytoncides, sea breeze and mountain air have created a unique climate in Yalta, useful for the treatment of lung diseases.

Sudak – medieval fortress

Sudak is one of the most popular beach resorts in the eastern Crimea. Here is the largest medieval Genoese Fortress in the Crimea. The coastline of Sudak is formed by reef mountains and this has created in the area of Sudak and the Novy Svet a very beautiful relief of the coast, as well as a unique Mediterranean landscape.

The beach and the embankment in Sudak near the Genoese Fortress

The Genoese Fortress in Sudak was built in 1371-1414, it was the most powerful military base of Genoa on the Black Sea

The local lands are quite arid, but the curved century-old junipers and pines create an amazingly beautiful landscape. It differs from the mountainous regions of Yalta or Foros, as well as the steppe regions of Sevastopol or Yevpatoria. There are many hiking trails in the local mountains, and there are interesting places for diving in the area of Cape Meganom. The embankment of Sudak stretches for 2 kilometers between the Fortress Mountain and Cape Alchak. There are many cafes, restaurants and places for entertainment on it. There are wide sandy beaches along the embankment. The entrance to the sea is flat, so there are many vacationers with children in Sudak.

Novy Svet – very beautiful nature

The village of Novy Svet is one of the most beautiful beach resorts in the Crimea. It is located 7 kilometers from Sudak in a cozy Green bay surrounded by high reef mountains that protect the village from cold winds. The climate here is very comfortable, and the water temperature is always higher than in the surrounding resorts.

Picturesque view from Cosmos Peak to the bays of Novy Svet resort

The rocky coast in the Valley of Hell in the Resort of Novy Svet is very picturesque

In past the village was called Paradise for the beauty of the local nature. In 1878, the village of Paradise was acquired by Duke Lev Golitsyn, who studied winemaking in Europe and decided to create his own Champagne winery in the Crimea. Novy Svet is known for its three beautiful bays. They are called: Green, Blue and Azure. All of them are surrounded by rocks, which are the fossilized coral reefs of the ancient Tethys Ocean.

The southern slope of Mount Sokol in the resort of Novy Svet is accessible only to climbers, they constantly train here

Royal beach in the resort of Novy Svet can be called the most beautiful beach in Crimea

The Golitsyn Trail begins in the Green Bay and then runs along the Blue and Azure Bay. Relict Juniper Grove is another wonderful attraction of the Novy Svet resort. It is located on a highland between the Koba-Kaya and Karaul-Oba mountains. Beyond the Juniper Grove there is another wonderful tourist route to the Valleys of Heaven and Hell, as well as to the Cosmos Peak. They are on Mount Karaul-Both. The Valley of Hell looks the most beautiful.

Foros - Place of Power

Foros resort is located on the southernmost point of the Crimean peninsula. It is a very famous beach resort. The Crimean mountains in Foros approach directly to the sea, and this creates a very warm climate. Sea currents converge in the Foros area near Cape Sarych, so the water in the Foros area is recognized as one of the cleanest in the Crimea.

Foros Church on the Baydar pass is located in a very picturesque place and is one of the symbols of the Crimea

In Foros there are beaches both in the village and in Foros Park

Most of the village of Foros is occupied by Foros Park. Its territory is 70 hectares. Most beautiful attractions are located outside of Foros. It is impossible to reach them on foot. While spending a vacation in Foros, you need to plan trips to the Baydar Pass. There you will see the Baydar Gate and the Foros Church. It offers very beautiful views of the Crimean mountains and the sea.

Temple of the Sun - Crimean place of power at the foot of Mount Ilyas-Kaya

Lebanese cedars in front of the Kuznetsov Palace in the center of Foros Park

The excursion to the Temple of the Sun is one of the most interesting in Crimea. It is located near Mount St. Elias (Ilyas-Kaya); 5 kilometers from the village of Laspi and 10 kilometers from Foros resort. The Temple of the Sun in Crimea has many epithets: Place of Power, Crimean Stonehenge, Stone Flower, Dragon Teeth. Both lovers of esotericism and ordinary tourists talk about the special energy that is felt on the top of the mountain, near the altar.

Alushta – Valley of Ghosts

Alushta is a fairly large city on the Black Sea coast in Crimea. People mostly come here for a budget holiday, although in recent years high-class hotels have appeared here. The main attraction of Alushta is its huge embankment and beaches. The most interesting natural attractions are located outside of Alushta.

A huge stalagmite in a Marble cave, which is called The Host

The Church of St. Nicholas of Myra in the village of Malorechenskoe is 25 km from Alushta

The most interesting sights of Alushta are located outside. Demerdzhi Mountain with its famous Valley of Ghosts is 10 kilometers away. In Chatyr-Dag mountain you can visit the most beautiful caves of the Crimea: Marble Cave and Mammoth Cave. Many interesting places are located on the coast to the north and south of Alushta.

View of the Valley of Ghosts on the slope of the Southern Demerdzhi mountain

The bust of Catherine on the Alenga rock is a symbol of the Southern Demerdzhi mountain range

There are several interesting places on Demerdzhi Mountain. Most excursions are limited to visiting the Valley of Ghosts, which is located at the foot of the mountain near the village of Luchistoe. However, for the visit of Demerdzhi, it is better to plan the whole day and prepare for long hiking trips. In this case, you can see the most interesting places on the top of the mountain.

Koktebel – nudist beach

The small village of Koktebel is located on the eastern coast of Crimea and is one of the most popular resorts. Since the beginning of the 20th century, Koktebel has gained fame as a bohemian resort, where writers, poets and artists came on vacation. Initially, they came to visit the artist and poet Maximilian Voloshin, and then a corresponding subculture was formed here.

View of the Golden Gate Rock from the top of the Karagach mountain range in the Karadag Nature Reserve

The nudist beach in Koktebel is a recognized center of naturism throughout the post-Soviet space

Marina Tsvetaeva and Sergey Efron among friends at Voloshin`s house in Koktebel

Koktebel resort is located 20 kilometers south of Feodosia, and 34 kilometers north of Sudak. People come to Koktebel for beach holidays and entertainment. At the beginning of the 20th century, a large Nudist Beach appeared on the northern outskirts of Koktebel. The tradition of naturism in Koktebel was founded by poets and artists who visited Voloshin. However, even today, a lot of people rest on the Nudist beach of Koktebel every summer.

Yevpatoria – balneology and sandy beaches

Yevpatoria is located on the eastern coast of Crimea. There are no palaces and mountains, as well as subtropical forests, as on the Southern coast of Crimea, however, in the 19th century Yevpatoria became one of the most famous balneological resorts of the Russian Empire. People are not only resting here, but also being treated.

The sculpture Resting Hercules on the beach is a symbol of Yevpatoria

The beautiful pink color of the Saki Lake is due to the algae Dunaliella Salina, which secrete carotene

Therapeutic procedures in numerous health resorts of Yevpatoria are made with therapeutic mud, which is cultivate and extract in local lakes. Previously, mud was extracted in Moynaki Lake, and in recent years it has been done on Saki Lake, as well as Lake Sasyk-Sivash. In summer, these lakes have a fantastically beautiful pink color. All lovers of photo shoots come here.

The entrance to the sea on the Belyaus Spit is very flat, which makes it convenient for children to swim

Thanks to the beautiful sea and the magnificent sandy beach, the Spit of Belyaus is called the Crimean Maldives

In addition to therapeutic mud and mineral water (brine) from local lakes, Yevpatoria is famous for its wide sandy beaches. The width of the beaches in the city center averages about 50 meters. There are not only sun loungers and umbrellas, but also summer gazebos with white fabrics traditional for the beaches of Yevpatoria. The further away from the port, the wider the beaches become. The widest beaches are located on the Belyaus Spit, 40 kilometers from Yevpatoria. These places are often called "Crimean Maldives".

Balaklava – atmosphere of a Greek resort

The small town of Balaklava is one of the coziest resorts in Crimea. There are no beaches here, but its location in a narrow winding bay among the mountains creates a special atmosphere of comfort. Dozens of yachts and boats are moored in the marina of Balaklava Bay. All this gives the impression that you are in a Mediterranean resort in Greece or Italy.

View of Balaklava Bay and its embankment from the Chembalo Fortress

The Balaclava embankment and marina make it look like a Mediterranean resort

The center of Balaklava resort life is the Nazukin Embankment with facades of white stone houses. It stretches for 500 meters along the left bank of the Balaklava Bay. Each Balaklava restaurant serves local fish dishes. Many tourists specially come to Balaklava to eat dishes of fresh fish, which fishermen bring here every day.

Rhino Rock behind Fig Beach is a symbol of the Cape Aya Nature Reserve

Silver beach is covered with small pebbles and it is the most comfortable for recreation in the vicinity of Balaklava

Cape Aya Nature Reserve is located to the east of Balaklava. It occupies an area of 1.3 thousand hectares. The protected area of Cape Aya is one of the most beautiful places of the Crimean Mountains. This is the only place where trekking trails (including Great Sevastopol Trail) run along juniper and pine forests directly on the seashore along several beaches: Silver Beach, Golden Beach, Fig Beach.

Simeiz – youth resort

Simeiz is a famous beach resort on the southern coast of Crimea. It is located on a mountain slope near the Panea Rock. There is a very beautiful nature here. The symbol of Simeiz is the Diva Rock, which rises from the sea water above the Simeiz Beach. Most of the guest houses and hotels are located quite high on the mountain slope. The central part of the village of Simeiz near the seashore is occupied by Simeiz Park.

View of the beaches of Simeiz from the top of the Diva Rock

The sloping Diva rock in the waters of the Black Sea is a symbol of Simeiz

The most popular beach of Simeiz is located near the Diva Rock. Beaches of large pebbles and a rocky entrance to the sea make Simeiz not the most convenient resort for vacations with young children. Since Soviet times, Simeiz has been known as a place where naturism lovers came. At the foot of Mount Koshka among the stones is a nudist beach. It had the same fame as the nudist beach in Koktebel.

Sculpture of Hercules on Cypress Alley in Simeiz

Hedgehogs Gay Club at Cypress Alley in Simeiz

Also, since the early 1990s, Simeiz has gained fame as the only gay resort in the post-Soviet area. The main gay parting gathers at the Hedgehogs nightclub, which is located near the Cypress Alley. During the day it works as a restaurant, and at night as a dance club. It is closed from prying eyes. If you do not visit it, then it is impossible to understand that Simeiz is a gay resort.

Feodosia – Aivazovsky Gallery

Feodosia is located on the northeastern coast of Crimea. It is a fairly large city. It is interesting to come here with a short excursion, or you can stay for a few days. In the center of Feodosia there are beaches covered with small pebbles, and to the north of the city there is the famous sandy Golden Beach.

Aivazovsky Art Gallery is the main attraction of Feodosia

Kameshki Beach stretches along the entire embankment of Feodosia

In the Middle Ages, Feodosia (then it was called Kafa) was one of the largest cities in Europe and had powerful fortifications. It has not survived to this day. The main sight that attracts people to Feodosia from other resorts is the Aivazovsky Art Gallery. It was created in the artist`s native house in 1845, during his lifetime. Here you can see a huge collection of paintings by the great Russian marine painter. The pebble beaches of Feodosia stretch along the embankment, and there are sandy beaches in the suburbs.