Peninsula of transformation: what new objects attract tourists to Crimea
The new phase of Tavrida's homecoming has brought many changes to the life of the republic. This beautiful piece of land has obviously gained a second wind. The Black Sea outpost of Russia, capable of competing with the best world resorts, never ceases to amaze tourists with its diversity. Life is changing - Crimea is changing too. Details of the transformation - in the material "Izvestia".
Tourist traffic is noticeably growing
According to the press service of the Crimean Ministry of Tourism, in January-November 2024, the tourist flow to the Republic amounted to more than 5.8 million people. This is 17% higher than the level of the same period of 2023 (5.2 million tourists). 64% of guests arrived here by cars and buses via the Crimean Bridge, 25% - by rail, 11% - through the historical regions of Russia (by land). The average hotel occupancy rate in November was 41.3%, 27% higher than in November 2023. Health resort treatment was chosen by 31% of arriving guests.
- According to tour operators' estimates, Crimea has become the fastest growing vacation destination in Russia in relation to last year, - Anastasia Abramenkova, head of the press service of the Crimean Ministry of Tourism, told Izvestia. - There is an active booking for the New Year holidays, as well as for the summer season of 2025. It is especially important that our region is among the top five most popular destinations in the country for health resort vacations.
Minister of Resorts and Tourism of the Republic of Crimea Sergey Ganzii told Izvestia that since 2014, 109 tourist facilities have been opened in the republic.
- Only this year there are four new places, - said the Minister. - These are Tesla electric museum in the city of Alushta and the museum of the first Russian impressionist Konstantin Korovin in Gurzuf in Yalta; the object of agro-industrial tourism "My Chocolate Factory" in Simferopol, a large observation deck with gastroobjects over the resort "Mriya".
Design projects for Alupka and Yevpatoria were completed. They made it possible to introduce a unified architectural code.
"New Chersonese": a symbol of prosperity
Hardly the greatest pride of Crimea in recent times can be considered "New Chersonese". Its opening took place quite recently. The importance of this monument for the history of our country was noted by President Vladimir Putin.
"For us, it is primarily associated with the baptism of Prince Vladimir, with the subsequent baptism of all of Russia," the president said in an interview for the documentary "New Chersonese".
"New Chersonese" - archaeological park, which is being created in the historical part of Sevastopol, at the museum-reserve "Chersonese Tavrichesky". It is located in the coastal part of the hero-city. Buildings and structures with a total area of 140 thousand square meters - it is a whole Byzantine city - are located on the territory of the garden and park ensemble.
The complex includes three major museums, the world's only temple-park, antique park, sculpture park, amphitheater, reconstructed Byzantine quarter, as well as educational centers. By the way, the dome of the three-story museum on the territory is an exact copy of the legendary Hagia Sophia in Constantinople. The imagination is struck by a frame temple in the open air. The ruins of an ancient tomb and recently excavated parts of ancient buildings are also interesting.
This museum of Christianity was conceived in the distant 1913. There was a sketch approved by Emperor Nicholas II, but the First World War cut short the realization of the plan.
Caves, gardens, eco-trails: what attracts Crimea?
In addition to the "New Chersonese" in recent years have been reconstructed palace-castle "Swallow's Nest" in Yalta, Alushta Museum of History and Regional Studies, Mount Mithridates in Kerch, the State Academic Musical Theater in Simferopol, as well as the Konstantinovsky Battery, Balaklava underground museum complex and Malakhov Kurgan in Sevastopol.
This year, after three years of reconstruction, the I.K. Aivazovsky Art Gallery was opened. I.K. Aivazovsky Art Gallery in Feodosia. In Saki on the territory of the mineral water boulevard a new complex "Saxony" started working. In the movie park "Viking" on the highway Simferopol - Alushta was built a real settlement of Scandinavian sailors - Borg.
Another tourist innovation can be called the cave "Tavrida" in the Belogorsk district, found in 2018 during the construction of the highway of the same name. According to scientists' estimates, "Tavrida" is approximately 5 million years old. This is the longest - 1300 meters - cave in the foothills of the Crimea, and also the only one in Russia accessible for tourists with low mobility.
- In addition, the peninsula is worth visiting three objects located on the territory of the new resort complex "Mriya" in Big Yalta, - told the press service of the Ministry of Resorts and Tourism of the Republic of Crimea. - These are the Japanese garden "Six Senses", designed by the famous Japanese architect Shiro Nakane, where there are more than 3 thousand species of plants; entertainment park "Dreamwood", where young guests are waiting for more than 20 activities and attractions, as well as multifunctional space Winepark, combining underground gravity winery, wine library, tasting rooms.
Recently in the Crimea improved the first 100 km of excursion-ecological pedestrian route "Big Crimean Trail" (BCT), its total length will be 1 thousand kilometers. The trails in the vicinity of Sudak and Feodosia, Kirovsky district have already been arranged. In the future, a large-scale project will unite more than 3 thousand tourist facilities.
Where to stay in Crimea
In recent years in the Crimea opened more than 60 new accommodation facilities. Artem Berezovsky, representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry in Simferopol, told Izvestia that the palm of superiority, along with the well-known attractions of the region, undoubtedly belongs to the sanatorium-resort complex "Mriya" in Bolshaya Yalta. This, according to him, "has been repeatedly confirmed by many prestigious international awards and prizes".
On the territory of the premium five-star resort there is a real architectural miracle of Crimea - the main building of the health complex, designed in the shape of a lotus. It was designed by one of the most famous modern architects - Norman Foster. In each "petal" of the hotel there is a separate outlet (five-star hotel with 399 rooms). In addition to the main building, there are villas with their own swimming pools and spa areas on the territory of the resort. More than two dozen restaurants with different gastronomic concepts are at guests' disposal.
"Mriya" is a premium "shelter" for the most demanding guests. However, there are hotels for every taste and purse in Crimea. In Sudak there is "Astarta". From the residential building to the water - only 30 meters. Guests can get to the equipped city beach in just a few minutes. Another modern resort Ribera Resort & SPA level four stars is located on the coast with beautiful views. There is a beach with fine pebbles, three restaurants, two outdoor pools, a children's pool, a sauna and salt cave, a karaoke club and a bar.
Another four-star complex in Alushta "Kipresso" is located near the seafront. Not far away is a pebble beach. There are several outdoor pools of different shapes and sizes, an indoor pool with a panoramic dome, a spa center with whirlpool baths, steam rooms and massage rooms. Another hotel complex "White Gryphon" is located in Koktebel. The rooms offer views of the coast and mountain landscapes. Guests of the complex can relax on the sandy beach.
For those who are looking for a more budget option, you can recommend several three-star hotels. In Alushta in the first line from the sea you can stay in the "Mango-Panoramic". On its territory there is a water park with attractions, entrance to which is included in the accommodation. In Miskhor, which is famous for its clean sea and pine forests, there is a hotel "1001 Night". It has a private beach, an outdoor swimming pool, a wood-fired Russian bath. In Gaspra, near Ai-Petri Mountain, you can recommend the Marat Park Hotel.
In the very center of Yalta, 350 m from the sea, is Kailas Hotel. Its windows offer picturesque landscapes. Finally another quite budget option (in Koktebel) is located just 300 meters from the sea and equipped beach. "As-El" is located on a protected territory. It offers a large swimming pool with fresh water.
