Alushta is a large resort town on the southern coast of Crimea. Alushta is located 45 km from Simferopol and 30 km from Yalta. Based on our recent experience, we tell you about an independent holiday in Alushta. How to get there, where to stay, which beach, where to go, what to see and where to eat.
How to get to Alushta
- The nearest airport is in the city of Simferopol. There is also a railway station there, but trains do not run to Crimea until 2022.
- You can get from Simferopol by public transport: trolleybuses 51, 52, as well as numerous buses and minibuses. Travel time is about 1.5 hours. Most often, transport leaves from the Kurortnaya bus station.
- A taxi from the airport will cost about 1500-2000 rubles. Taxi calling apps do not currently work in Crimea.
- You can order a private transfer here.
Artek trail
The Artek Trail is the shortest route to conquer Ayu-Dag, and runs on the border between the Alushta and Yalta regions, in the Partenit area. The year-round route, which runs through protected spaces, was developed more than 90 years ago. To this day it remains one of the most popular and memorable.
The beginning of the movement is marked by an information board, which indicates the length of the route and the direction - southeast. By the way, in 2016, the Artek trail was reconstructed: warning signs, benches and garbage containers were installed, steps were installed, and observation platforms were equipped. Every year the area adjacent to the trail is treated for ticks.
At the very beginning, the path to Ayu-Dag passes through a low-growing forest overgrown with lichen, ivy and moss, then the path begins to wind between rocks and stone rubble. The higher tourists climb, the more impressive panoramas open below. In addition to Partenite and the view of the main ridge of the Crimean Mountains, in clear weather you can even see the tip of Cape Meganom and the gazebo of the winds.
Bear Mountain itself is an open-air museum, the “exhibits” of which are over 577 species of flora, 16 species of fauna and many man-made objects. In addition, 40 of the 200 minerals found on the peninsula can be found on the ridge. Also on Ayu-Dag there are remains of archaeological monuments from the Middle Ages, including basilicas and the monastery of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, founded in the 8th century by John of the Goths.
Artek trail. Photo: somethings.narod.ru
Tourist information
Route length
: 1.5 km
Difficulty level
: medium
Duration
: 1 hour.
Where does it take place?
: on the territory of the state nature reserve of regional significance "AyuDag"
Starting point
: at the fork of the old highway to Partenit and "Artek"
Ending point:
peak 570 m high
Beaches of Alushta
All beaches in Alushta are free and look approximately the same. As a rule, this is a small section of pebble shore, with breakwaters on both sides, and a concrete embankment at the back. The water is clean and clear if there are no waves. We did not notice any garbage or dirt, either in the sea or on the beach.
Small and large pebbles on the shore and in the water. There are no sandy beaches in Alushta. We recommend that you immediately buy swimming shoes so that it doesn’t hurt to walk on rocks and swim normally.
All Alushta beaches have sun loungers (for a fee), sun canopies, changing rooms and lifeguards. Toilets are not common, as elsewhere in Crimea. There are dozens of such short beaches.
There is a beach for the disabled in the center near the semi-rotunda. Other people are not allowed to go down on it; they immediately drive you away.
The Laskiy Bereg beach, which is located to the left of the rotunda, is the only one here without a concrete embankment and with a hint of sand. But closer to the water there are stones again.
Here for the first time we saw two-story beaches! Below people lie on pebbles, and above on the roof on sunbeds. By the way, a sun lounger costs 150 rubles.
Alushta is also remembered as a city of breakwaters. Probably there is more boom here than anything else in Crimea
Kosmo-Damianovsky Monastery
On the territory of the Crimean Nature Reserve there is also one of the main shrines of the peninsula - the Kosmo-Damianovsky Monastery, built in the 19th century. It got its name in honor of two saints who dedicated their lives to treating people.
Icons depicting Cosmas and Damian are kept within the walls of this active monastery, as well as the unique icon of the Mother of God from the holy Mount Athos. On the territory of the monastery there is the Savlukh-Su spring with healing water containing magnesium, manganese and silver.
Alushta is a small but rich city with attractions. Its natural beauty and architectural monuments, as well as many places for family recreation and cultural leisure, make Alushta popular among tourists who visit Crimea every year.
Alushta embankment
The embankment stretches for several kilometers along all the beaches. In the central part of the city, the embankment is wide, short and uncomfortable. When approaching the beach from Gorky Street, on the way there will be some kind of ridiculous amusement park, a souvenir market, restaurants and a jumble of different buildings.
There is a small park here.
For some reason, in the central part of Alushta, cars can drive along the embankment. Not all of them, only official ones, but they travel often, which creates inconvenience.
If you move towards the Professor's Corner area, the embankment becomes more pleasant for walking. Cars can also pass there, but along the road there is a separate pedestrian zone for people. There are cafes, restaurants, drinks on tap.
Valley of Ghosts
The Valley of Ghosts on Demerdzhi is a collection of strange boulders and rocks, covered in legends and mysteries. Avid hikers often include this route in their mandatory program for visiting the Crimean Mountains because of the extraordinary landscapes and stone creations that play with bizarre shadows in the sunset rays. When the lighting and time of day change, the natural “theater” of pillars and faces, columns and towers, mushrooms and battlements begins to “come to life”, changing outlines, color, and even appearance.
So, we begin our walk from the village of Luchistoye, following the signs. The official entrance to the territory of the gorge begins at the border of the stone chaos formed when the slope collapsed during the earthquakes of 1891 and 1966. A clearly visible path leads travelers up a kilometer - to the foot of the Valley of Ghosts.
The first one that greets tourists on the way to the top is the famous Nikulinsky nut, sitting on which the Balbes threw nuts at Shurik. One of the episodes of the comedy “Sportloto-82” was filmed here. Passing the venerable “film veteran” we rise even higher, to branches leading, among other things, to Solnechnaya Polyana.
The closer tourists get to the mountain that “gives birth to clouds,” the more monumental the stone army looks, consisting of “Giants,” “Finger of Peter,” “Monomakh’s Cap,” and “Broken Heart.”
At the tip of the ridge one can see the “Head of Catherine II” (Khoi-Kai), which is also called the “Sphinx” for the similarity of the royal profile with the silhouette of the Egyptian man-lion. Article on the topic: Top 10 mountain peaks of Crimea that are worth conquering for tourists.
Road to the Valley of Ghosts. Photo: takiedela.ru
Tourist information
Route length
: 2.5 km
Difficulty level:
easy
Duration
: 2-2.5 hours.
Where does it take place?
: on the territory of the state natural reserve of regional significance “Demerdzhi Yayla”
Starting point:
the village of Luchistoye
Ending point:
Valley of Ghosts
Professor's Corner Alushta
This is the western part of Alushta. More comfortable, more beautiful views. The beaches are the same, though. The area is more calm and quiet. It got its name due to the fact that in the 19th century, famous scientists and professors began to build dachas here.
For relaxation, we would probably choose accommodation in this part of Alushta. I liked it visually more than in the center. Here are some good hotels right on the first line:
- VK Hotel Royal
- Hotel Aquapark 4*
- Hotel Terrasa
What to see in Alushta
There are some attractions in the city that you can visit on your own. For example, the house in which some episodes from Prisoner of the Caucasus were filmed (we didn’t recognize it). Address: st. Lenina, 3 — on the map
On the embankment you should definitely find a semi-rotunda and take a photo in front of it. A point on the map
But you shouldn’t waste your time on the tower of the Aluston fortress. Nothing interesting, just a brick tower surrounded by bushes and village houses.
- park of Crimean miniatures (~500 rubles)
- 2 dolphinariums
- aquarium
- local history museum
- old mansions
- Church of All Crimean Saints and Fyodor Stratelates
- Lazurnoye nudist beach and abandoned boarding house
- You can visit Aivazovskoye Park in the neighboring town of Partenit on your own
- It’s not difficult to get on your own to Gurzuf and Yalta, where you can go on a boat trip to the Swallow’s Nest
- Take an excursion to waterfalls, palaces, the top of Ai-Petri and throughout Crimea.
Circular trekking along South Demerdzhi
The circular route along the southern slope of the Blacksmith Mountain partially follows the path laid to the Valley of Ghosts. However, the “loop” hike to Demerdzhi is longer, with a sufficient climb, but not difficult, despite the fact that you have to cover 12 km.
So, we climb from the village of Luchistoye to the mountainside along the same path, the beginning of which is marked by the information and tree “arch” “Demerdzhi Tract”. Further, the path passes by the Valley of Ghosts through the Sunny Glade, located on a vast gentle ledge, surrounded by outlier boulders of gigantic size.
Then we follow to the top of South Demerdzhi, from where amazing views of the Black Sea and Alushta Valley open up. A little further away, at an altitude of 1193 m, Mount Alenga is located, on which a triangulation tower is installed. The famous “Profile of Catherine II” rises at the southern tip of this rocky ridge, from where the coast of Sudak is visible.
A little more - and here it is, the peak of South Demerdzhi, reaching 1239 m. It offers a panorama of the Wolf's Mouth rock and the Avatar Mountains, “floating” in the air like celestial islands. The atmospheric location with coniferous trees clinging to the steep cliffs amazes even old-school photographers, let alone novice photobloggers.
Having thoroughly enjoyed the fantastic panoramas, it’s time to return back - either along the same route, or slightly deviating from it. In the second case, you will have the opportunity to admire the mountain lake, Dzhurla waterfall and relict beech forest.
Note to travelers: A look from above: the most dizzying observation decks in Crimea, Krasnodar Territory and Abkhazia.
Avatar landscapes of South Demerdzhi. Photo: morgoth.ru
Tourist information
Route length
: 12
Difficulty level
: medium (for children from 6 years old)
Duration
: 7 hours.
Where does it take place?
: on the territory of the state natural reserve of regional significance “Demerdzhi Yayla”
Starting point
: s.
Luchistoye End point:
Luchistoye village
Transport
You can travel along the embankment from the Professor's Corner to the central beach on these electric minibuses. We nicknamed them tuk-tuk. The fare is not cheap - 100 rubles per person (there may be discounts for children). You can’t go for a ride every day, but you can definitely afford it once if you’ve gone far so you don’t have to walk back.
In Alushta itself there are trolleybuses, buses and minibuses. A trolleybus ride costs about 15 rubles around the city. About 200 rubles to Simferopol. Minibus No. 109 to neighboring Partenit costs 35 rubles. Minibus to Yalta 100 rubles (trolleybus 52 is cheaper). Almost all routes are marked on the Yandex map.
Where to eat in Alushta, proven restaurant
We only recommend food where we ourselves have eaten. Cafe Capri is located in the very center on the embankment at the entrance to the sea. We walked past looking for somewhere to eat. There were almost no visitors, but they still came in to look just because of the modern design. Cafe on the map
As a result, we ate there all day. The portions are large, the food is prepared tasty and quickly, and the dishes look beautiful. The downside is that the prices are a little more expensive than in other places. Literally 20-50 rubles. Apparently, that’s why many people come in, look at the menu and leave. And in the evening they add +50 rubles to the check for “live music”.
You can also order an omelet here for breakfast. And they will bring you not a square casserole from the canteen, but a normal real omelette. We took it with cheese. Tasty, but, of course, a little expensive for such food.
Alushta reviews
- Alushta is conveniently located. Getting from the airport is not difficult and all the main attractions of Crimea are nearby.
- The beaches of Alushta are mediocre, the views from the beach are also ordinary. Mountains in the background in the distance. It’s better in Sudak or the New World.
- All beaches are pebble, there are no sandy ones. But they are free.
- The embankment is not the most beautiful in Crimea, and besides, cars drive along it. In the Professor's Corner the embankment is nicer.
Personally, we didn’t particularly like anything here; the resort didn’t evoke any strong emotions. There are several advantages, and there are also disadvantages. But this is our opinion. You will have yours. After all, we had already traveled to Alushta through a number of resorts, starting with Feodosia.
Write in the comments how do you like this resort? Would you like to relax in Alushta? And if you have already been, then write your reviews.
Dolphinarium "Watercolor"
Website: dolphinarium-alushta.ru Address: Alushta st. Gorky, 7D. Cash desk opening hours: from 09.00 to 17.00
The sights of Alushta will also delight those traveling with children. A visit to the dolphinarium is a great holiday option for the whole family. In addition to performances with dolphins and fur seals, there are a number of additional services: swimming with dolphins, which is carried out both in groups and individually.
Interesting: dolphin therapy is useful for children with primary autism, mental and speech development disorders. Treats communication with these friendly mammals and diseases of the musculoskeletal system, depression and chronic fatigue.
