What to see in Kislovodsk in winter - thermal springs, attractions in the city and surrounding area, excursions, photos, reviews

Thermal springs Sights What to see in winter in the surrounding area What to do in Kislovodsk in winter with children Reviews and advice from tourists Where to stay in Kislovodsk Excursions

Kislovodsk is a year-round resort of Mineralnye Vody Caucasus. Recently it has become much prettier and has become more attractive not only for a sanatorium holiday. People go to Kislovodsk just to walk, enjoy the views, bask in the springs and try Caucasian cuisine. Winter is no exception for this, but quite the opposite.

Is it worth going and what kind of weather awaits - these are the questions that concern any tourist who chooses a winter vacation. Winter in Kislovodsk begins at the end of November and lasts until March. November is like late autumn, and in March there are truly spring thaws. Due to the city's location in the mountains, strong winds are rare. There is usually little snow, low humidity, and often sunny. The average air temperature in Kislovodsk in winter is around zero degrees. It’s like winter, but better than in the main part of Russia. Checking the current forecast will help you avoid the rare excursions when temperatures drop to -25°C. However, a reverse turn is also possible - to the side up to +25 °C.

By December, the colors of autumn fade, the fountains close, but the air, green conifers and picturesque landscapes of the Resort Park, coupled with the weather, are no less pleasing at this time. A significant advantage will be the reduced cost of housing, and the absence of crowds on the streets, with the exception of holidays, will appeal to those who prefer a vacation without fuss.

Below is more information about what to see and do in Kislovodsk in winter, where to go with children and where to relax in the surrounding area.

Kislovodsk in November Photo: © Vladimir Shefer

Thermal springs

Bathing in a hot spring is one of the popular recreational options in the Caucasus, and it is especially pleasant in winter. Warm water allows you not only to warm up: with its help, beneficial minerals penetrate the skin better.

The closest thermal springs to Kislovodsk are in the village of Suvorovskaya , 45 km from the city. Next to each other in the village there are two complexes with indoor and outdoor swimming pools, locker rooms, lockers, hotels, and cafes. Suvorov springs are recognized as unique, having the properties of “living water”. You can not only swim in them, but also drink. The water temperature in the baths reaches +43…+50 °C.

Hot pools at the sports complex "Mashuk Aqua Therm" Photo: © Official page of "Italian Therms" Vkontakte

Even further, 80 km from Kislovodsk, in the village of Kavkazsky in Karachay-Cherkessia, there are thermal springs “Pearl of the Caucasus” . The complex with the hotel and cafe has five outdoor and indoor swimming pools with cold, warm and hot water, two of them with an area of 300 sq. m. m. There is a separate women's pool. A bathhouse, hammam, sauna, massages, phyto-barrel and salt cave will help diversify your holiday.

Outside Pyatigorsk, at the Mashuk Aqua Therm , there are “Italian Baths” - five outdoor pools with different mineralization and temperature, massage. In addition to them, there is a hammam, a Roman bath, aromatic and salt saunas, hardening baths - a Kneipp path and other spa services.

October Baths Photo: © Vladimir Shefer

If you don’t want or have the opportunity to leave Kislovodsk, you can swim in the city itself at the “October Baths” or any health resort. Narzan, pearl, iodine-bromine, pine and other baths are health procedures with a certain effect; consultation with a doctor is required.

More options for where to go swimming:

Thermal springs of the Caucasus

When to go

Kislovodsk, whose natural attractions are beautiful at any time of the year, has a mild climate. Thanks to its location in the valley of the Caucasian mountain ranges, the weather here is extremely pleasant and does not differ in sudden temperature changes for most of the year.

The average temperature in the winter months is from -2°C to -4°C. The most turbulent time is April. During this period, both air temperature drops to -4°C and truly spring weather are possible – up to +12°C. In May there comes a time of frequent thunderstorms and showers, but despite this the air warms up to +22°C.

In June it is often stuffy due to high humidity and temperatures up to +27°C.
It is best to come to Kislovodsk in September and October. These months are characterized by warm weather (+18°C-+23°C) and clear skies, with virtually no precipitation.

Attractions

All the famous places of Kislovodsk that highlight and personify the city do not depend on the time of year. The weather creates only a certain mood, presenting them in its own way.

In winter, you can go sightseeing in Kislovodsk on your own; they are compact for walking, or take a guided tour.

Resort Park Photo: © Vladimir Shefer

Resort Boulevard

Kurortny Boulevard is one of the two main walking places in Kislovodsk. It stretches for 750 m in the southern part of the city near the railway station. This is a well-kept street with a beautiful view of the mountains surrounding the city, with numerous shops and cafes, with monuments to Nicholas the Wonderworker , WWII doctors and revolutionary Ksenia Ge .

At the beginning of winter, the flower beds of the promenade are decorated with bright autumn plants. For the New Year, festive trees, LED installations and colorful lighting of buildings appear. Music, strolling holidaymakers, a Christmas market and snow, if you're lucky, create a fabulous holiday atmosphere.

New Year tree on Kurortny Avenue in Kislovodsk Photo: © 296Olga

Kislovodsk Kurortny Boulevard is the first street of the resort; mansions of past years remain on it. Thanks to the splendor of the decor and the appearance of the eastern palace, the most noticeable are the Main Narzan Baths , now the sanatorium complex of the same name. The Narzan Gallery is attractive with its Gothic features - narrow towers and high windows , in which the resort's mineral water is available completely free of charge. Another prominent structure is located behind it: the snow-white Colonnade marks the entrance to the Resort Park.

Read more: Kurortny Boulevard in Kislovodsk

The main Narzan baths in festive lighting Photo: © 296Olga

Resort park of Kislovodsk

Kislovodsk Park is a real pearl of the resort, a huge forest with varied topography, created by nature and ennobled by man. Several paths continue on the territory.

The park is no less interesting in winter than in summer. The sound of trees, the chirping of birds, beautiful views from above and wonderful fresh air, which is not found in any city in Russia, impress all the senses. All year round, the conifers growing on the upper tier delight with greenery; man-made corners occupy attention on the lower one.

Lookout in the Resort Park Photo: © Vladimir Shefer

Even a day is not enough to explore the sights of Kislovodsk Park in detail, despite the opportunity to use electric cars and a cable car. Here are monuments to A. S. Pushkin and M. Yu. Lermontov , carved gazebos and the bridge “Lady’s Caprice” , the Mirror Pond with the pavilion “Glass Stream” , an impressive bas-relief of Lenin a sculpture of an eagle traditional for the Caucasus , Red stones resembling mushrooms, and much more. From such places as the Krasnoe Solnyshko , Maloye Sedlo , Sosnovaya , as well as the Seven Winds gazebos, panoramas of the park, the city and its surroundings open up. The view from Cascade Stairs .

Chaliapin Museum

On a hill along Shalyapin Street there is an unusual house, almost hidden by trees. The skillful “teremok” will certainly captivate those passing by. This is the museum of Fyodor Chaliapin, the legendary singer of the turn of the 19th - 20th centuries. He visited Kislovodsk more than once, and lived in this mansion with his family in the summer of 1917.

The building, with Art Nouveau elements, artfully combines stone, wood, carvings, stucco, spiers and stained glass. Inside there are exhibitions about the life of the house during the singer’s life; they contain original belongings of the Chaliapin family and their guests, antique furniture and interior items. The museum hosts musical and literary events in the city.

Read more: Chaliapin's Dacha Museum in Kislovodsk

Chaliapin's dacha Photo: © apreleva1409

Solzhenitsyn Museum

The name of A.I. Solzhenitsyn is known to many, but not everyone knows that the writer was born and spent the first years of his life in Kislovodsk. In 2015, a writer’s museum was opened in the house of his aunt M. Z. Gorina. The exhibitions are dedicated to childhood and adolescence, the first literary attempts and successes, and the post-war period, when arrest and exile occurred.

Gorina's mansion is an architectural monument. The lower floor of the house is made of red brick, and the upper floor is made of wood, richly decorated with carvings. The beauty of the house is enhanced by the three-story tower adjacent to it. The top floor has balconies and is covered with a tent roof, they are also trimmed with wooden lace.

Yaroshenko Estate Museum

The museum of Nikolai Aleksandrovich Yaroshenko, an artist of the second half of the 19th century, became a gallery in Kislovodsk. The basis of his work was portraits of social categories (“Student”, “Student”) and specific individuals. The nature of the Caucasus occupied a significant part in the landscapes. “Shat Mountain” (Elbrus) once amazed the capital’s society with the unreality of the picture.

The estate is located at the western borders of the Resort Park. For 13 years, the Yaroshenkos vacationed here in the summer, receiving prominent luminaries of art and science as guests. The main building, the White Villa, and two wings, surrounded by a manor park, are now occupied by an exhibition. The museum presents one and a half hundred works by Yaroshenko, as well as works by Kasatkin, Polenov, Levitan, Savrasov and other famous artists of the past.

Museum of the Kislovodsk Fortress

On the western side of the park there is a museum of the Kislovodsk Fortress. A local history exhibition was opened on the site of the Russian fortification, from which Kislovodsk began in 1803. Unfortunately, the fortress has not been preserved entirely. The entrance to it is marked by a gate with three rows of battlements at the top. In the courtyard there is a lapidarium and an area with military equipment, as well as the Fortress sanatorium, which was opened here a hundred years ago.

The museum materials highlight the history of the founding of the fortress and the development of resort life. The exhibitions feature archaeological finds, ethnographic exhibitions with costumes, weapons and jewelry, documents and artifacts from the Second World War of 1941-1945. From the inhabitants of the ancient Tethys Sea, dinosaurs, mammoths to animals known today, the nature of the region is described.

Read more: Museum of the Kislovodsk Fortress

Gate of the Kislovodsk fortress Photo: © Magdalena happiness

Street architecture

The thinning foliage provides a good opportunity to examine the remarkable architecture of Kislovodsk, which flourished due to the city’s popularity as a resort. The most unusual buildings appeared under the hands of local architect E. B. Khodzhaev. In addition to the museums mentioned above, which occupy beautiful buildings, dozens of houses are hidden on the streets, capable of capturing the attention of those passing by. Let us note a few of those that often fall into the tourist lens.

Trying to spend the whole summer in Kislovodsk, many famous cultural and scientific figures of the 19th and 20th centuries rented dachas there. In addition to Chaliapin's house, Kshesinskaya's dacha on Lenin Avenue is noticeable, although the famous ballerina's residence here is just a fantasy of the guides. A more correct name is the estate of A.I. Tvalchrelidze , named after the first owner. On all four sides, the Art Nouveau building features original yellow facades with white stucco.

Tvalchrelidze Estate Photo: © apreleva1409

Section on the topic:

Sights of Kislovodsk

On Zhelyabova Street there is an interesting dacha of captain V.V. Putyata , a “house of cards”. The mansion is also built in Art Nouveau style. It is decorated with several types of windows, unusual in shape, and two towers, making the house resemble a castle or lighthouse.

Near the Cascade Staircase at st. Dzerzhinsky, 2 Tarasov's mansion . Its features are more strict and classify the building as neo-Gothic. Representatives of the royal family visited the dacha in 1910.

Hotel Zipalova, early 20th century. on the main promenade Photo: © miljkovic14

Opposite Chaliapin's dacha, on a hill now covered by trees, stands Villa Retvizan , a brick mansion in the Art Nouveau style. It is famous for the fact that the widow of A.P. Chekhov, Olga Knipper-Chekhova, and later F.A. Tsander, a test designer of the first Soviet missiles, stayed there.

Between Lenin and Dzerzhinsky streets there is a temple of Panteleimon the Healer . It was built in 1990–2010 on the site of the previous one, which stood on this site for the first half of the 20th century. Its high bell tower and five-domed main part, painted red, are visible far beyond the city limits.

Narzan gallery Photo: © Vladimir Shefer

Theater-Museum "Grace"

In winter, the days are shorter and the evenings are longer, making it a great time to visit the theatre. “Grace” is a chamber theater opened in the beautiful mansion of teacher Agafonov not far from the Cascade Stairs. It seems to continue the tradition of musical and literary evenings previously organized by the owner of the house.

The performances in the repertoire are far from ordinary. Some are based on biographical works. Small exhibitions telling about the characters of the plays are always opened for the screenings. Thus, the theater’s works reflected the life paths of Admiral Kolchak, aircraft designer I. Sikorsky, writer M. Bulgakov, poet V. Mayakovsky and others.

Rest as a savage

Kislovodsk, whose natural attractions are used for medicinal purposes, has enough opportunities for a savage to relax. This type of vacation is chosen by tourists who want to plan their time independently, without being tied to the regime of sanatoriums and health centers.

Travelers who decide to vacation in Kislovodsk as a savage can choose several options for spending their time. Those who come to the resort for health improvement will save significant money if they pay only for medical procedures in sanatorium institutions.

They can arrange an overnight stay:

in tents outdoors;
in rented housing;
at the hotel.

Tent cities are set up in places such as the Mara base on the Gum-Bashi pass and the Valley of Charm base. You can rent both an apartment and a house in the private sector.

Tourists traveling as wild people most often choose hotels and inns to spend the night and enjoy the benefits of civilization. Cooking will also not be difficult. In any area of the city and its surroundings there are cafes, canteens and snack bars. The nature of Kislovodsk is truly unique.

Clean mountain air, healing mineral waters, beautiful architecture and natural attractions of the city place the resort on a par with the largest vacation spots in the country.

Article design: Svetlana Ovsyanikova

What to see in the surrounding area in winter

The surroundings of Kislovodsk will delight you with the variety of relief and therefore the picturesque landscape. Although nature is best viewed in the summer, snow-capped mountains, desert valleys and frozen waterfalls are no less amazing in the winter. It is possible to go to some places on your own, while to others it is better to take an excursion: the roads can be difficult for simple cars. In any case, it is better to travel in clear weather or no precipitation.

Neighborhoods of Kislovodsk, view of Elbrus Photo: © Vladimir Shefer

Honey Falls

Several waterfalls, united by the name Honey, are located in the Alikonovsky Gorge not far from the city. With the onset of constant minus temperatures, ice icicles grow in the water falling from steep cliffs. Frozen mountain waterfalls are very beautiful in winter: for some they resemble crystal castles, for others the white beards of the storyteller frost. The frost covering the rocks and trees nearby only adds to the wonder of this tale.

The paths in the gorge are equipped, however, it is necessary to choose comfortable and non-slip shoes, as well as dress warmly, because due to the high humidity it is colder here. You can warm up and have a snack in the cafe located at the top, and buy nice gifts in the souvenir cafes. For example, honey is always offered here.

Bermamyt plateau

To the southwest of Kislovodsk in the foothills of Elbrus lies the Bermamyt plateau. It gained its popularity for the unusual rocks that frame it along the edge and the magnificent view of Elbrus, the main mountain of the Caucasus and Russia. Despite the flatness of the top of the plateau, its height above sea level is more than 2500 meters.

They get to the place in an SUV. Excursions are conducted for guests, but much less frequently than in the summer. The ability to get to Bermamyt depends entirely on the weather. It is important to take into account not only the current one, but the previous one and the future one, since it is reflected in the passability of the road. Clarity or at least the absence of precipitation is also essential for the purpose of travel - views into the distance.

Jily-Su

The Djily-Su tract is another incredible place in the Elbrus region, the views of which outshine all the difficulties of the winter journey. It contains several waterfalls up to 40 meters high, unusual rock formations and mineral springs. Even in winter, the waterfalls do not freeze completely: their power is so great. However, ice forms from numerous splashes nearby, creating a bizarre frame.

The road to them is also beautiful, with the huge Elbrus standing in the background. In January-February it may be more difficult to get here if there is snow. The open space along which the route passes is subject to wind drift of snow or, conversely, snowdrifts of a couple of meters. In the latter case, it is impossible to get there.

Elbrus

The double-headed peak of Elbrus, dressed in a white cap, adorns the panoramas of Kislovodsk and its environs. Anyone can take a closer look at the mountain and even visit it: on the slope of Elbrus there is a cable car that takes you to a very significant height - 3847 m.

The ski season lasts from November to April. The complex has blue and red trails, as well as green ones for beginners. Those who want to ski, snowboard or tubing can rent everything they need. Instructor services are available for beginners. Before your trip, it’s worth visiting the GC website to check if the trails are open and if the cable cars are working.

Dombay

Dombay is another mountain resort in the Caucasus, located not so far from Kislovodsk. Of course, you can come here to ski from the mountains - there are conditions for both beginners and professionals. There are special off-piste areas for freeriders. Paragliding is an option to conquer mountains in the opposite direction due to rising winds.

Winter Dombay is also suitable for walking. The cable car ride is worth taking to admire the snow-capped mountain peaks. You can follow the trail to the Devil's Mill waterfall or to Shumka , see the Gonachkhir gorge with Lake Tumanly-Kel , explore the ancient Sentinsky temple or visit the animals in the small zoo of the Teberda Nature Reserve . Visiting baths and saunas, local restaurants, bars and discos is also popular as après ski in Dombay.

Chegem waterfalls

The Chegem waterfalls, located in the Chegem Gorge . In summer they appear as small streams flowing down the steep wall of the gorge in a wide stream. In winter, the waterfalls do not freeze, but continue to drip, gradually building up huge icicles, which then form an ice wall. This process takes time, so it’s worth going here when winter has fully come into its own and has hit you with good frost more than once.

You can look at the waterfalls both from below, from the gorge road, and from above, by climbing one of the stairs leading to their sources. Nearby there is a market and a cafe where you can get delicious food and warmth.

Have a delicious dinner

A necessary item on any trip is delicious food. In addition to the classic list: kebabs, kebabs, khychins and fresh vegetables, I recommend stopping by the locals’ favorite cafe and trying the legendary Kislovodsk donuts.

"Old park"

The cafe is located on the territory of the Resort Park and is a pleasant place to dine while enjoying the evening cool of the trees. The chef skillfully prepares lamb shashlik and kebab, cheese pies, and delicious jam.

"Tea House"

The restaurant is located on the road to the Honey Falls complex. So, on the way back from the extreme park, stop by here and try the most delicious solyanka, lula kebab, veal, and, of course, khichina - round flatbreads stuffed with potatoes, cheese, etc.

"Khinkalnaya"

Authentic restaurant on the street. Sedlogorskaya will delight lovers of Georgian cuisine - they serve fresh khinkali, khachapuri, pkhali, wine and Natakhtari lemonade. A table must be reserved in advance.

"Snowflake"

The cafe has been operating since the early 1960s and since then has remained a favorite place to visit for both tourists and locals. The menu includes a variety of burgers, fries, salads and other fast food. Be sure to try the donuts and milkshake.

What to do in Kislovodsk in winter with children

For vacationers with children in Kislovodsk, there are several entertaining options that will appeal to both children and adults.

For a walk, go, of course, to the Resort Park . On its territory above the Flower Calendar there is a children's playground with a wooden town: fairy-tale huts, sculptures, ladders, climbing frames and swings. In dry weather and there is no snow, you can ride a scooter or bicycle. Young children will also be interested in the area itself, which includes quirks of nature, for example, the Red Stones, which resemble huge mushrooms. There are always birds and squirrels in the park that need to be fed. There is also the opportunity to ride a cable car or ride a huge stone crocodile. When visiting the park with a child, it is worth getting acquainted with its layout, since some paths go far from city streets, and you can only return from them along the opposite route.

If it is really winter in Kislovodsk and snow has fallen, a small ski slope opens on Mount Baran in the outskirts of the city. At the Sosnovy Rai shopping center they go skiing, sledding, cheesecake, and then have lunch right there in the cafe.

The Kislovodsk Dolphinarium receives a lot of rave reviews . Visitors are offered hour-long performances featuring dolphins, fur seals and beluga whales. After the show, for an additional fee, those who wish can take photos with the artists or ride on a boat with a dolphin.

You can see other animals at the Ostrich Farmstead near Koltso Mountain. In addition to African ostriches, the farm is home to raccoons, rabbits, turtles, and sheep. Some will gladly accept treats from guests. The courtyard is open from 10:00 to 18:00 except Monday and Tuesday.

The Kislovodsk Circus is also worthy of the attention of adults and children. It has recently been renovated and makes a good impression. The circus program includes performances by touring troupes, the program of which will be presented on the official website of the establishment.