Yalta

Yalta is the main resort of Ukraine. Together with nearby towns it forms the Big Yalta, a special administrative unit, the territory of which stretches 70 kilometers along the Black Sea from mount Ayu-Dag to Foros. Because of the sea and the mountains, the climate here is very different from the climate in the rest of Ukraine. It is more similar to the Mediterranean and flora and fauna is similar to that of subtropics.

Since the mid-19th century, rest in Yalta was considered aristocratic. This is a fairly young city: in 1838, when it became a town, only 130 inhabitants lived here. Growth and attractiveness of Yalta as a resort began after the end of the Crimean War, from the 1860s. By the end of the 19th century Yalta became a luxury resort and the nearest suburb Livadia became the southern residence of the royal family. In the days of the Soviet Union hundreds of sanatoriums and health resorts were built in Big Yalta. Many of them are unique palace and park complexes.

Reading the numerous forums and comments of Russians and Ukrainians, I can always find the word "sovok". This word means "Soviet style of life". I believe that those who write that either never visited Crimea or simply don't know how to relax. It all depends on your mood. Don't try to find the "sovok", and "sovok" will not find you.

Before the trip, we have been chosing the hotel for a long time: they are expensive in Yalta and not many rooms were available because of the May holidays. Some hotels put crazy prices but still have enough visitors. For example, Villa Elena or Oreanda with the cheapest accommodation for 4000-5000 UAH ($500 - $600).

For comparison, price at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel in Singapore, the construction cost of which is $6.4 billion, is $400 per night! The same prices are in gold hotel Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, with construction cost of $3 billion. It's a mystery to me how elite hotels of Yalta generate such prices. 

We found a hotel called Crimea, which is located on the waterfront in the center of Yalta (booking.com). This is an old 100-year-old building. But at the same time we paid just 500 UAH per day ($60) for a suite. The suite has two rooms, two balconies and sea/waterfront view. The building has a good canteen (in Soviet style, by the way) where we ate every day. Also McDonald's is in 10 meters. All minibuses to the attractions stop in 100 meters from the hotel. We were very pleased, almost no bad comments, except for the noise. The hotel could replace the windows, as it was noisy until 10-11 pm because of concerts on the waterfront.








There are many other cheaper types of rooms in the same hotel. But don't book them, book only a suite or better.

In general, Yalta is an ordinary resort city, which is ideal to stop if you don't plan to spend much time on the beaches (city beaches are too small and dirty). If you want to relax on the beach without crowds, it is best to go to an elite area of ​​the Massandra beach (~$19 per person). Other beaches are also not free, but the entrance fee is much lower.

It is very comfortable to reach all sights from Yalta. Taxis, buses and trolleybuses from the central market can take take you to any attraction. There are no remarkable sights in the city, except for the waterfront, the sea and great landscapes. Probably the city cable car will be interesting to tourists. It is quite unusual, just look at the pictures. This cable car appeared in the Soviet movie Assa.

And of course the granite waterfront of Yalta, which is the most popular place in the city and where almost all tourists spend time.












To sum up, we can say that Yalta is an ideal city to visit Crimea from mid-October to mid-May, i.e. not in high season. And if you don't plan to spend much time on the beach, then come here any time, since the infrastructure is the best.






























Getting there: You can go by Crimean trolleybus from the train station in Simferopol, it'll be a very cheap and eco-friendly trip. Buses from Simferopol go every 10-15 minutes, from Sevastopol every 30-40 minutes. Taxi between Simferopol and Yalta costs about 400 UAH ($50).