The cable car to mount Ai-Petri was built in 20 years, from 1967 to 1987. The upper station is located at an altitude of 1153 meters and offers spectacular views of the southern coast of Crimea. There is an interchange station on the cable car and the upper part is one of the longest in Europe without any supporting structures - 1670 meters. Only a military cable car in Germany has a longer unsupported span.
The most important thing you need to know about the cable car to Ai-Petri is that it's very popular. During the May holidays and the high summer season, the number of visitors is very large. And at 11 am you can find a queue that is more than 100 meters long. But we came in the morning, at 9 am (usually it works from 10 am, but during high season from 9 am) and soon got to the top among the first visitors.
Because of the large queue, there's a lot of taxi drivers near the lower station of the cable car. They offer to get you to the upper station for the same amount as the cost of the ticket. If the queue is large, it's a good option, but consider that it will take you about an hour.
At the top station a mini town has been built in recent years. Here you can find restaurants, entertainment and annoying Tatars. We heard a question "Do you want to ride a horse?" for more than 30 times! And every time we politely responded - no, thanks. 15 more times we refused shashlik :)
Be sure to climb to the top of Ai-Petri (the so-called "teeth") at the height of 1234 meters. Only here you will find the best panorama of the coast. But you will have to go through the woods and rocks, so you should wear appropriate shoes.
In winter Ai-Petri is one of the few places in Crimea with snow. Here you can enjoy skiing, there are several trails and ski lifts. Very often the main cable car is the only option to get to the top, because the road can be blocked with snow.
Entrance fee: $7.5 for one-way ticket. Please be aware that you can buy the return tickets only at the upper station.
Cable car to Ai-Petri ©Yuriy Buriak
A small town was built at the top station. ©Yuriy Buriak
Cable car to Ai-Petri ©Yuriy Buriak
You will find a plateau at the top. ©Yuriy Buriak
Upper cable car station on Ai-Petri ©Yuriy Buriak
"Teeth" of Ai-Petri ©Yuriy Buriak
It seems that this plant was used as the logo of British Petroleum. ©Yuriy Buriak
Path to the top of Ai-Petri ©Yuriy Buriak
Yalta can be seen in the distance. ©Yuriy Buriak
Ship or plane? ©Yuriy Buriak
Alupka and Vorontsov Palace ©Yuriy Buriak
Yalta in the evening ©Yuriy Buriak
Military base on Ai-Petri ©Yuriy Buriak
Getting there: By minibus #32 from the clothing market in Yalta.
