The best options for children's leisure in Simferopol

In May 2022, Anastasia visited Simferopol. In this article, she will share her impressions of the city and tell you which places in Simferopol are a must-see for every tourist.

Simferopol is the second largest city on the territory of the Crimean Peninsula, it is located in the very center of Crimea. Most official sources indicate that the city was built in 1784. However, most historians believe that this date is not the correct year of the founding of Simferopol.

Simferopol is translated from ancient Greek as “gathering city.” This is logical, because at different times its inhabitants were engaged in growing delicious fruits and vegetables, making wine, and developing in the field of light and heavy industry. And the entire peninsula was supplied with products produced in Simferopol.

Simferopol still remains the largest production and transport hub in Crimea, and therefore many people think that it is not worth going to this city for a vacation. However, this is not so, because Simferopol has simply a huge number of interesting places and entertainment!

• The airport is located in Simferopol. If you have not yet decided how best to get to the city, compare both options - by plane or by train/bus.
• For those who will be traveling around Crimea, our guides to the nearest major cities - Bakhchisarai and Sevastopol.

City

Naples Scythian

Address : 1 Archaeological Street Opening hours : 10:00 - 18:00 Tue-Sun, Mon - closed Cost : adult ticket - 70 rubles, children's ticket - 20 rubles (ticket price includes excursion support) Phone number , +7 (978) 847-71-58 Official website : https://neapolis-scythian.com

Note! On the first Monday of every month, persons under 18 years of age and large families can enter the territory of the Naples Scythian Museum-Reserve for free.

Scythian Naples is definitely a must-see when traveling to Sevastopol. This is an archaeological reserve containing the ruins of an ancient Scythian city. At the moment, Scythian Naples is considered one of the most important historical attractions of the entire peninsula.

According to the results of archaeological research, this place was the capital of the Late Scythian state, which existed in the 3rd century BC. e. - III century AD e. The state was ruled by King Skilur. During excavations, a limestone relief was discovered depicting an elderly and young man. The head of the excavations, Blaramberg, claims that this relief depicts the king and his son Palak.

The reserve occupies a truly vast territory. Today you can see the remains of the city walls, a reconstructed tower, a necropolis with the graves of the Scythian nobility and a public building with columns. Scythian Naples is a constantly updated exhibition, because excavations on its territory have not yet been completed. Every year the exhibition expands and will continue to expand until the complex is fully explored.

Oak "Bogatyr of Taurida"

Address : Kirova Avenue, 51

The Bogatyr of Tavrida oak tree is located on the territory of the Simferopol children's park. The oak itself is a majestic tree, estimated by experts to be between 600 and 800 years old. It is truly huge: the trunk circumference is 6 meters, the crown span is more than 30 meters.

There are many legends about oak. One of them says that it was this oak that inspired Pushkin to write the lines familiar to us from childhood: “Lukomorye has a green oak...”. According to historical data, the Russian poet walked through the estate of the naturalist De Serra, on the territory of which an oak tree grew. It was there that he saw this majestic tree.

In 2007, the oak “Bogatyr of Taurida” was included by the city administration in the list of monuments of the reserve fund. So now this tree is officially protected.

Next to the giant oak tree there was a house where Winston Churchill often stopped to rest.

Gagarinsky Park

Address : Gagarin Street (stop “Factory-Kitchen”)

In addition to hiking in the mountains, temples, museums and other attractions, sometimes you just want to take a walk in the park. An ideal option for such leisure would be Gagarinsky Park - a favorite place for Simferopol residents.

Gagarinsky Park is quite old, it was built back in the 70s. Now this is a truly huge park area, which occupies more than 50 hectares. In the very heart of the park there is a large pond into which the Salgyr River flows. During the warm season, you can rent a boat in the park and go for a ride.

In 2013, Gagarinsky Park began to be restored. Now on its territory there are several playgrounds, restaurants and cafes.

Kebir-Jami Mosque

Address : Kurchatova street 4 Official website : https://qirimmuftiyat.org.ua Phone number : +7(3652)274353

The Kebir-Jami Cathedral Mosque is considered the main spiritual center of Crimean Muslims. This building can rightly be called one of the oldest buildings in Simferopol, because it was erected already in 1504. Throughout its existence, the Kebir-Jami Mosque was rebuilt several times, and only in 1907 did it acquire its final appearance.

The White Mosque will be interesting to visit for Muslims or simply people interested in religion. It is better to go to this place without children. Also, do not forget that when visiting a mosque you need to adhere to a special dress code (especially for women!).

Karaite kenassa

Address : Karaimskaya street, 6 (stop “Krasnoznamenaya”) Website : https://karai.crimea.ru

The Karaite kenassa is a religious building built by the Crimean Karaites (the so-called followers of the religious movement of Karaism). This building has gone through a lot of events, because it has existed since 1892.

This building combines eclectic, Moorish, Byzantine and Gothic styles. That is why the Karaite kenassa is considered a unique architectural monument.

In 1930, by order of local authorities, the kenassa was closed. Later, since the building was not maintained, it became unsafe. In 2013, it began to be restored, and is currently used for Karaite services.

Indo-European Telegraph

Address : Ekaterininskaya street, 25 (stop “Zhelyabova”)

The Indo-European Telegraph was a historically famous telephone line station that ran from London to Kolkata, India. The total length of the line was more than 11 thousand km.

The telegraph point in Simferopol served people until the early 30s. It was through the telegraph that the broad masses learned about the creation of the German Empire, the gift of the Statue of Liberty to the Americans, the crimes of the daring and elusive Jack the Ripper in London, the creation of Coca-Cola, the 1917 revolution and much more.

Previously, the Indo-European Telegraph in Simferopol was subordinate to England. It was destroyed during the war and was never reconstructed. Therefore, at the moment the telegraph looks more like post-war ruins. But nevertheless, this place is still worth visiting.

Simferopol Zoo

Address : Kirova Avenue, 51 (stop "Kuibysheva Square") Opening hours : 07.00 - 08.00 daily Ticket price : adult - 200 rubles, children - 100 rubles (free admission for children under 5 years old) Official website : https:// childrenpark.crimea.ru

The Simferopol Zoo is located on the territory of a children's park. It contains about 300 animals of different species. The inhabitants of deserts, shrouds and forests live here. The zoo also houses birds and domestic animals.

The real stars of the Simferopol Zoo are the lion Baron (he moved here from Yalta) and a large pelican who loves to be photographed.

The zoo also has a pond where many waterfowl and turtles live. Those who like to feed animals can purchase special rations at the checkout for this purpose, the composition of which is as beneficial as possible for the animals.

Chocolate Museum

Address : Kirova street, 86 Opening hours : excursions are held from 10.00 to 18.00, the confectionery is open from 9:00 to 22:00 Cost : adults - 100 rubles, children and schoolchildren - free Official website : https://chocosalon. net Phone number , +7 (978) 783-44-60

Chocolate - isn't it the most delicious sweet in the world? Then why not visit a confectionery shop and a chocolate museum in Simferopol? In the Simferopol cafe Salon Du Chocolat there is an exhibition that tells the history of chocolate. All exhibits at the exhibition are made of chocolate; craftsmen made them using different techniques.

By the way, tickets to the museum are also made of chocolate!

After the tour, you can stop by the confectionery shop, where they sell delicious chocolate. Here you can buy dark, white and milk chocolate sweets with a wide variety of additives.

Central Museum of Tavrida

Address : Gogol street, 14 Opening hours :

• Exhibition halls: 09.00 - 18.00 Mon, Wed, Sat, Sun, 11.00 - 20.00 Sun. Ticket office: until 19.30
• Golden Pantry: 10:00-17:00 Wed-Sun

Price:

• Entry price: children under 7 years old - 60 rubles, adults - 120 rubles. Entrance to the exhibition halls is paid separately, children under 7 years old - 30 rubles, adults - 60 rubles.
• Entrance to the Golden Pantry: children under 7 years old - 60 rubles, adults - 100 rubles.

Official website : https://tavrida-museum.ru Phone number

The Central Museum of Taurida is the largest scientific and educational institution in Crimea. Its employees are engaged in collecting, storing and studying the cultural and historical heritage and natural resources of the republic.

The museum was founded in 1867, now it has more than 100 thousand different exhibits. You can talk about this place endlessly, but it’s better to visit it once, walk through its halls and absorb the energy of the objects that are stored there.

Museum of Electric Transport "Crimea Trolleybus"

Address : Kievskaya street, 78 Opening hours : 9:00 - 15:00 Mon-Fri Phone number : +7 (0692) 271-042

This is a very interesting place that will be useful to visit for people of different ages and professions. The museum houses many models of electric vehicles belonging to different times and other exhibits.

The Crimean Trolleybus Museum of Electric Transport has been operating since 1977; old-timers of the Crimean Trolleybus Administration began collecting exhibits for the museum collection. Then other structures joined in collecting copies.

The Crimea Trolleybus Museum houses unique exhibits that you most likely will not see in any other similar institution:

• a ticket office where tickets for trams were sold;
• front-line letter from the deputy head of the entire trolleybus department, Yubiler G.I.;
• medal made for the 25th anniversary of KTU (there is only 1 copy);
• a capsule with the soil of Leningrad, which survived the Second World War and went through the siege;
• diploma and medal of local driver V.V. Gordienko, presented by representatives for making a valuable proposal to the brand’s designers;
• medal presented to the transport department by the Secretary General of the International Council dealing with transport issues, A. J. Jacobs.

Simferopol reservoir

Address : Yaltinskaya street, 20 (stop “Student Town”)

The Simferopol Reservoir is the largest body of water on the territory of the entire Crimean Peninsula. Most of the city is supplied with water from this reservoir.

Officially, the entire territory surrounded by the reservoir is protected and closed to the public. However, this does not prevent locals and tourists from relaxing in these places.

Fishing enthusiasts will be interested to know that you can fish on the territory of the Simferopol reservoir. True, this can only be done from the shore. The reservoir itself is home to many varieties of large and small fish.

Water tower

Address : Obhodnoy lane, 4 (located on the territory of Psychiatric Hospital No. 1)

This architectural object would have been built at the very beginning of the 20th century. The tower has been preserved even despite the course of the war; it is made in oriental style.

The water tower is a reference to ancient times, when ladies in beautiful fluffy dresses walked along the streets of Simferopol. The tower's long and prominent windows, its cone-shaped roof and other decorative elements make it stand out against the background of other modern Simferopol buildings.

About walks around Simferopol

All the places for children that I have listed in this selection are undoubtedly worth visiting with the whole family. However, this is not a complete list of what to see in Simferopol in a day. If you walk along the old streets of the city, you will be able to see pre-revolutionary houses, a synagogue, and mosques. It is also worth going to a restaurant with Crimean cuisine, where you will be offered delicious dishes prepared according to ancient recipes. I wrote about what dishes are worth trying in Crimea in this article.

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Neighborhood

Marble Cave

Opening hours : every day from 8 am to 8 pm Cost of excursions (on different routes): from 500 to 1500 rubles (depending on the type and duration of the route), children under 5 years old are admitted free of charge, children aged 5 to 12 years are given a discount on ticket 50%. Phone number (for booking excursions to the cave and Simferopol) Official website : https://onixtour.com.ua How to get there by bus :

• From Simferopol by bus to the village of Mramornoe or Krasnolesye, then walk 8 km.
• By bus to the village of Zarechnoye, then by another bus to the village of Mramornoe and also 8 km on foot.

If you book an excursion in advance, its price will most likely include a transfer to the cave and back.
If a Simferopol resident is asked to name the most unusual, mysterious and magical place in the city, with almost 100% probability he will remember the marble cave. And this is a truly extraordinary place that is definitely worth a visit during your visit to Simferopol. This is the largest mountain cave on the peninsula, here you can see rocks that were born many years ago, appreciate the full power of nature, which is capable of creating “forests” or columns from stone.

The Marble Cave is located at an altitude of 920 meters in the Chatyr-Dag mountain. It contains many stalactites, stalagmites and a large number of crystals of different types.

The Marble Cave was named because of the proximity of a marble deposit to it.

The main feature of the Marble Cave is that it has retained its original appearance, despite such a venerable age. This state of the natural object is maintained by a whole group of scientists who provide the cave with proper care.

The total length of the cave is 2 km. It has many rooms:

1. Obvalny (there are stone structures that are more than a million years old);
2. Palace;
3. Clay;
4. Tiger move;
5. Vernadsky Hall;
6. Chandelier;
7. Hall of Hopes;
8. Pink;
9. Theatrical.

It is impossible to completely walk around the marble cave at once. Usually tourists are offered to choose up to 3 routes for 1 visit.

Please note that compared to the temperature outside, the inside of the cave is quite cold (up to 9 degrees) and humid. However, you can rent a jacket at the entrance; you don’t have to bring it with you.

Mount Chatyr-Dag

Address : Simferopol-Yalta highway How to get there by car : along M18 38 km from Simferopol Other route options :

• By trolleybus from Simferopol to the village of Dobroye, then walk 5 km to the bus stop in Krasnolesye (14 km ride). Then along the field road in the valley of the Tavelchuk River, through the forest to the western part of Mount Chatyr-Dag.
• Take the Simferopol-Perevalnoye trolleybus to the final stop (19 km), then across the river along the field road to the Ayak spring. If you follow this path, along the road you can find the Three-Eyes Cave.

Getting to Chatyr-Dag is quite problematic, but it’s worth it. This mountain is the fifth highest mountain in the main ridge of the Crimean Mountains. Of course, this place will appeal more to those tourists who like to walk a lot. It’s definitely not worth climbing Chatyr-Dag with children.

From here you have a breathtaking view of the mountains. What can you see on the territory of Chatyr-Dag, besides the mountain itself? There are several interesting caves here:

1. Emine-Bair-Koba (aka Three-eyed and Nozdrya);
2. Emine-Bair-Khosar (Mammoth);
3. Marble.

Safari Park "Taigan"

Address : Belogorsk city, Lavandovaya street, 1 Opening hours :

• in summer: 8:00-20:00;
• winter: 8:00-16:00

Cost : children's ticket - 450 rubles, adult - 900 rubles Phone number Official website : https://park-taigan.ru How to get there : by any bus that goes from Simferopol towards Kerch or Feodosia (approximately 70 km).
You need to get off near the turn to the village of Aleksandrovka. The Taigan Safari Park is home to lions, large mammals, Scottish cows, bison, giraffes, roe deer, deer and other animals. They move freely throughout the park and can be observed from special platforms.

On the territory of the park there are attractions, cafes and even a hotel. If you stay in the safari park overnight, you can observe the animals' nighttime activities, when they behave more relaxed.

Bair-Khosar

Opening hours : 08.00 - 08.00 daily Ticket price : from 300 to 500 rubles (depending on the type and duration of the route) Phone number Official website : https://onixtour.com.ua How to get there: by any bus that goes to Mramornoe (distance from Simferopol - 21 km) or Krasnolesye (distance - 18 km). These are all buses that travel in the direction of Alushta and Yalta. After the bus you need to walk 9 km to the Mammoth Cave.

Bair-Khosar is a truly amazing place in Crimea. It is also called Mammoth Cave or “The well of the girl Emine on the mountainside.” Bair Khosar is a vertical ancient karst cave that was discovered in 1927.

The total length of the equipped trail is 700 meters; walking this route takes 1.5 hours. The lower parts of the Emine-Bair-Khosar cave are a natural mineralogical reserve of Crimea.

An excursion to Emine-Bair-Khosar can be booked in speleo.

Radio telescope TNA-400

How to get there : by car on the P25/P25 highway to Shkolnoye (drive 24 km from Simferopol)

This location is definitely worth a visit, even if you don’t have your own transport. You can easily get to the TNA-400 radio telescope by taxi. Here you can take cool photos or simply admire the majesty and scale of this structure.

The TNA-400 radio telescope is a high-precision telexop that was created to ensure safety during flights to the Moon and various planets. This device was actively used until the end of the 20th century. This telescope is primarily known for the fact that it was through it that the military first established good communication with the world's first artificial earth satellite.

Previously, there was a huge complex around the radio telescope, from where they monitored space expeditions and controlled various objects in space. Currently, all buildings have been destroyed by looters; only the TNA-400 radio telescope has survived.

Spring "Ladoshki"

Address : village of Perevalnoye How to get there by bus: first you need to get from Simferopol by regular bus to the village of Ivanovka or Perevalnoye. Then you should walk to the Mound of Glory “Star”. The total distance from Simferopol to the spring is approximately 17 km.

According to rumors, this spring supplied water to local partisans. Clean and cool water flowed from there, and the spring still functions to this day. Next to it is a monument to the partisans.

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Yuri Gagarin Park is an ideal entertainment complex for children

According to reviews from travelers who have already visited Simferopol, one of the most

Gagarinsky Park is a popular entertainment area for children. For a long time its territories remained swampy and empty, in the 1960s. The authorities decided to drain and lay out a park area on an area of ​​50 hectares. It received its name in honor of the first person to conquer outer space - Yuri Gagarin, the street leading here was also named after him.

Today this is the main park that Simferopol is proud of, entertainment for children, places of recreation and walks for adults, ponds where you can ride catamarans - just a small list of what you can do here. Children love the squirrels that live here in huge numbers; you can sunbathe on the green lawns, play outdoor and sports games, and organize a light picnic. More active options for spending time include thrilling rides and the possibility of cycling.