The urban district of Alushta is an excellent place to relax on the southern coast of Crimea. Sun, sea, many places of interest and natural beautiful places in the city itself and its surroundings. Active tourists will find many options where to go and enjoy the picturesque vibrant beauty of nature - the Dzhur-Dzhur waterfall, the Chatyr-Dag massif caves. Unusual objects of bizarre shape can be seen in the Valley of Ghosts and the Valley of Sotera.
In Alushta itself, the center of resort life is the embankment. From the arch-rotunda you can start your acquaintance with the city. Museums, ancient mosques and temples, architectural monuments, the ruins of medieval fortresses - all this is in Alushta. A little far from the center is the Professor's Corner. This is a cozy and quiet place, where the dachas of famous scientists, professors and people of creativity were traditionally located.
The most interesting and beautiful places
List, photos with names and descriptions of the best attractions of Alushta and its environs. He will help you plan routes for exploring the top places of the city in 2-3 days.
Alushta embankment
The main walking area, where the resort life is always lively and in full swing. The length of the embankment is almost 4 km. It is lined with tiles of different colors, on one side there are many trees and shrubs, on the other - beautiful views of the Black Sea. There are many cafes and eateries, souvenir points, bars with karaoke and discos. Concerts are held on the stage. There are sculptures of the Seahorse, a monument to Pushkin and a fountain.
Rotunda on the embankment of Alushta
An arch in the Greek style was erected on the embankment in 1952. The snow-white rotunda is the symbol of the whole of Alushta. The arched structure is supported by 6 columns. It looks graceful and airy. This is a favorite romantic place for photo shoots among tourists and newlyweds. Discos and concerts are often held near the rotunda, and merry parties are organized. You can just admire the masterpiece of architecture against the backdrop of the sea.
Estate "Karasan"
The palace and park ensemble is located 15 km from Alushta in the village of Partenit. The estate was founded in 1820. Its most grandiose structure is the Raevsky Palace in the neo-Moorish style. Its facade is decorated with columns, stucco molding, intricate ornaments. The terrace near the house offers a magnificent view of the Black Sea. The landscape park around the palace is made in the English style. It is home to thousands of plant species from all over the world.
Temple-lighthouse of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
A functioning temple that combines a church and a lighthouse in one structure. It is located between Alushta and Sudak in the village of Malorechenskoye. Built in 2007 in a neo-Byzantine style. It is part of the memorial complex dedicated to those who died on the waters. The height of the church is 63 meters - this is the tallest religious building in Crimea. The lighthouse is installed under the main cross of the temple in a ball, symbolizing the globe.
Park "Crimea in miniature"
Located in the center of Alushta on Gorky Street. The open-air museum displays about 50 interesting objects, miniature copies of the most popular Crimean monuments - Swallow's Nest, Livadia Palace, Funa Fortress, Massandra Palace, Genoese Fortress, Vorontsov Palace. They are made on a scale of 1:25. You can see them in 1-2 hours. The park will be interesting for both adults and young visitors.
Crimean natural reserve
Founded in 1913 as a reserve for royal hunting. It includes several forestries and the ornithological zone "Swan Islands". The protected area is 45 hectares. Thousands of different species of birds and animals live. Ecological trails and educational routes have been laid along the reserve. There is an arboretum and a Nature Museum at the reserve. Tourists are introduced to rare inhabitants of the park.
Kosmo-Damianovsky Monastery
It is located on the territory of the Crimean Nature Reserve in the high mountains of Babugan-Yaila. The monastery was founded in 1856. It was erected near a spring, the waters of which are considered curative. Parishioners believe that the holy spring arose thanks to the prayers of the miracle workers Cosmas and Damian. After the destruction in wartime, only the chapel above the spring has survived from the old buildings. Now almost all the buildings of the monastery have been restored.
Jur-Jur waterfall
Located in the Khapkhal gorge near the Generalskoye village. Formed by the Ulu-Uzen River, falling from a 100-meter height, forming 3 cascades. Dzhur-Dzhur is the deepest waterfall in Crimea. It does not dry out even in the hot summer period. From the waterfall to the mountains there is a path about a kilometer long to the observation deck, from which three cascades look especially beautiful and spectacular. There is a cave of the same name next to the waterfall.
Chatyr-Dag caves
Visiting the karst caves of the mountain range is popular with tourists. From the Angarsk pass it is easy to get to the lower plateau, where the most visited caves, equipped for excursions, are concentrated - Trekhglazka, Marble and Emine-Bair-Khosar, as well as "wild" caves - Suuk-Koba, Bin-Bash-Koba. The Marble Cave is one of the most picturesquely equipped caves in the world. Tourists walk about 2 km surrounded by quaint stalagmites.
Alushta Museum of History and Local Lore
Dedicated to the history and culture of the region, dating back to ancient times. The expositions tell in detail about the peoples of ancient Taurida, the Russian-Turkish wars, the foundation of the Aluston fortress, the Crimean Khanate, and the development of the Novorossiysk province. The museum was opened in 1923 on the basis of a private collection. The museum funds collected about 11,000 exhibits - archaeological, ethnographic, numismatic, personal belongings of famous personalities in the region.
Winery "Alushta"
Large factory for the production of wines and cognac. Tourists are offered excursions, which include inspection of production workshops and wine cellars. Guests will be told in detail about all stages of winemaking, will be shown the technological line, will be introduced to the main facts from the history of the winery. Tasting of wines produced at the Alushta winery is held. Guided tours are available from May to October.
The best beaches of Alushta
The most popular equipped beaches of Alushta are located in the city itself. This is the Central Beach and the beaches of the Professor's Corner. There are beautiful wild beaches in the vicinity.
Central city beach
The most populous beach in Alushta. Vacationers appreciate it for its excellent beach infrastructure and a wide range of water activities. You don't need to go far to see it - the beach will stretch along the embankment. The central beach is covered with rather large pebbles. It is worth remembering that the entrance to the water on this beach is sharp. There are boats and catamarans for rent, banana rides, attractions for children, inflatable slides, cafes and shops.
Beaches at the Professor's Corner
The beaches in the cozy sanatorium area have a total length of 2.5 km. The coastline is covered with pebbles and shale sand. The water is clear, there are almost no jellyfish in it. Some of the beaches are free to visit, some belong to sanatoriums and boarding houses. All beaches are equipped with sun loungers, toilets, sun umbrellas, changing cabins. There are points selling fast food, souvenirs, boat trips.
Gardens and parks of Alushta
One of the best monuments of gardening art on the entire Crimean peninsula is located on the territory of the Aivazovskoye sanatorium. This place is a must-see.
Park "Aivazovskoe"
Also known as Paradise. A large landscape zone is located in a bay near the village of Partenit, 15 km from Alushta. This is an area of 15 hectares, with cypress, pine and cedar groves. About 250 plant species have been planted between the streams.The park is divided into several thematic zones - Mountain Stream Garden, Mexican Garden, Rock Garden, Danish Waterfall Zone. There are many monuments and interesting architectural structures in the park.
Seaside park
A green corner of nature in the city center. Cypresses, chestnuts, fir trees and oaks grow in the park alleys. In the center of the park, the "Kit" fountain was erected. The park contains masterpieces of architecture - the dacha of Dr. Steingolts and the dacha of the merchant Stakheev in the oriental style. There is an amusement area. The Ferris wheel offers a beautiful view of the seascapes. The park has its own beach, a dolphinarium, several cafes, shops with souvenirs.
Children's attractions of Alushta
In Alushta there are traditional and already familiar places that children will surely like. This is a water park and a dolphinarium. An unusual attraction is the "Guardian of the Empire" entertainment center.
Dolphinarium "Aquarelle"
Located in the city center near the coast. The show program of the dolphinarium will not leave indifferent the audience and will give an unforgettable experience. Sea animals perform challenging tricks and show funny numbers under the guidance of experienced trainers. After the show, you can take a photo with the dolphins or swim with them. There is a dolphin therapy service for the treatment of children with health problems.
Alushta aquarium
Founded in the early 2000s. Then it was a small collection of the inhabitants of the Black and Mediterranean Seas. Now representatives of the oceans also live in the aquarium of Alushta - the Pacific, Indian, Atlantic. A total of 4 halls are home to about 250 species of fish, as well as corals, sea shells, turtles and crocodiles. You can see moray eels, piranhas, sea urchins, stick fish, zebra lionfish and starfish.
Almond Grove Water Park
Located at the embankment of the Professor's Corner on the territory of a large hotel complex. The open-air water park is open only during the warmer months. It has several water slides - Python, Anaconda, Gyurza, Boa, a wave pool, a children's pool with a depth of only 50 cm, a play pool with water activities, grottoes and waterfalls. There is a restaurant and a bar, a sauna, a VIP area where you can relax in a sun lounger by the pool.
Scientific and entertainment center "Guardian of the Empire"
The interactive project combines an entertainment and educational center, a hotel, a place for quests and excursions. Guests will travel across the Galaxy in a spaceship, take part in a virtual space battle, taste dishes from the space menu, see exhibits dedicated to space - meteorites, spacesuits, samples of space weapons from popular films, and also talk with the V-4 robot.
Cult places of Alushta
The main places of worship in the city are churches and mosques. These are beautiful architectural monuments that adorn the streets of Alushta.
Temple in the name of all Crimean Saints and Theodore Stratilates
Orthodox church, founded in 1824. Built in the style of romantic eclecticism with Gothic elements by the architect Toricelli. It is a republican monument of architecture and history. In 1909, a chapel was built near the temple. In Soviet times, the temple was closed twice, but the parishioners managed to protect the temple from complete destruction. During the restoration, the bell tower of the temple became higher, new domes appeared.
Yukhari Jami Mosque
Located in the historic center of the city on the top of the Fortress Hill. The mosque has a traditional look, luxurious and elegant design. The walls are covered with paintings, some of the decor elements are carved from wood, the windows are decorated with stained-glass windows. The minaret, damaged during the 1927 earthquakes, was rebuilt in the 1990s. In Soviet times, the building of the mosque housed cultural and public organizations.
Church of the Royal Passion-Bearers
A young temple founded in 2006. It was built on a former helipad in the forest on Yubileinaya Street. Since 2009, a procession of the cross from Poklonnaya Gora to the temple has been performed annually. Since 2013, regular services have been held. The church was built and decorated with donations from parishioners. It is planned to build a Sunday school, a rehabilitation center, a refectory and a chapel.
Interesting museums of Alushta
The best museums with interesting exhibits that are definitely worth a visit.
House-Museum of Ivan Shmelev
Located in the Professors' Corner, where many representatives of the creative environment lived before the revolution. The writer Shmelev lived in Alushta from 1918 to 1922. A museum dedicated to his work and personality opened in 1993. The house-museum of the writer was built in the style of classicism; earlier it belonged to academician Beketov. The exhibition displays personal belongings of Shmelev, photographs, publications of his works.
Museum-Estate of A. N. Beketov
The house of the famous architect is a cultural monument. The two-storey house is located in the Professor's corner. Alexey Nikolaevich built it according to his own design in 1896. The house is made of hewn stones. Its cornice is decorated with horizontal belts of "crackers" and ionics; carved columns hold the canopy on the terrace. The multi-tiered roof is decorated with graceful turrets. Five halls of the museum show the original furnishings of the 19th century.
House-Museum of S. Sergeev-Tsensky
Opened in 1962. Located in the Professor's Corner in the west of Alushta on Eagle Mountain. The house was used by the outstanding writer not only for housing, but also as a creative workshop. In it Sergeev-Tsensky wrote outstanding works "Sevastopol Passion" and "Transformation of Russia". The furnishings of the house have been preserved since the writer's life. Almond grove and pyramidal cypresses grow in the memorial park around the estate.
Water Disaster Museum
The museum keeps the memory of the sailors who died in the oceans. It is located at the lighthouse temple named after Nicholas the Wonderworker. The halls of the museum are stylized as the cabins and holds of a real sunken ship. Among the exhibits are wooden boats, blackened from dampness, torn anchors, fragments of torn fishing nets. There is an observation deck in the form of a sailboat near the museum. You can turn the wheel and enjoy the views of the Black Sea.
Museum of the Languages of the World
A unique museum where you can get acquainted with the peculiarities of more than 7000 languages. Tourists will be shown samples of ancient writing on palm trees, birch bark, clay, wood. Almost all of the museum's exhibits are interactive - you can not only touch them, but also twist and press them. Installed about 100 hearing tubes, in which you can listen to the sound of different languages. Located in the village of Zelenogorye, 30 km from Alushta.
Famous dachas and palaces of Alushta
The most famous and beautiful monuments of civil architecture in the resort town are its magnificent palaces and summer cottages. They were built by wealthy merchants and industrialists. Today, many of them are public places that you can visit and see.
Princess Gagarina's palace
Built in 1907 in the village of Utes on Cape Plaka. The building looks like a medieval castle. It contains elements of the Romanesque, Art Nouveau and Gothic - narrow windows, turrets. One of the building facades is entwined with grapes. Materials from different countries were used for construction. Ceramic tiles and marble were brought from Italy, Venetian glass was delivered from France, and tiles from Germany. A beautiful park is laid out around the palace.
Don't miss: 20 of the best palaces in Crimea.
Villa "Joy"
The luxurious mansion was built in the 1860s for the merchant, industrialist and philanthropist Stakheev as a summer residence. For its interesting architectural appearance, the building was awarded the status of an architectural monument. The appearance of the villa combines the styles of Art Nouveau and Classicism. Its first floor is surrounded by an arcade, the terrace has arched passages, on the second floor there is a rotunda with a domed roof. The artist Shishkin often visited the dacha.
Dacha "Dove"
An interesting historical building is located in the city center.The dacha was built in 1827 and belonged to General Golubkov. The sandy-blue building made of shell rock and diorite stone has a different number of storeys. In the 19th century, his style was traditional for summer cottages in southern Crimea. The walls of the dacha saw many historical events - the meeting of Nicholas II with his future wife, the rebellion of the White Guards and the visit of Joseph Stalin.
Ruins of medieval fortresses of Alushta
Medieval fortresses of Alushta are cultural monuments of archeology and architecture of federal significance, are popular tourist sites.
Fortress Aluston
The Genoese fortress was built in the 4th century BC. It is a monument of fortification architecture. Built by order of Julian I. In the Middle Ages, destroyed and rebuilt in the XIV century. In the 15th century, the fortress was badly damaged by the actions of the Turkish invaders. In the 19th century, Aluston was restored at the expense of the patron Stakheev. Since 2020, the fortress has the status of a museum object, archaeological finds are exhibited.
Funa fortress
The medieval fortress is located on the rocky slope of South Demerdzhi Mountain. The entire architectural complex is a cultural monument. The fortress was built at the beginning of the 15th century, later it was rebuilt into a castle. And already at the end of the 15th century, it was first destroyed by the Turks, and the fortress was finally destroyed by a landslide. Now tourists can only see the ruins of a defensive structure, but even they look very impressive.
Monuments and monuments of Alushta
The most famous historical and modern monuments and sculptures of the city.
Monument to Crimean Partisans
Installed on the Yalta highway in 1981. Dedicated to the movement of partisans in the Crimea during the Great Patriotic War. From 1941 to 1944, Alushta partisans destroyed more than 200 fascists and about 40 tanks. The monument is made in the form of a monolithic monument, on which figures of partisans and a commemorative inscription are carved. Nearby there is a plate with the names of the killed partisans. The creators of the monument - I.T. Semenyak and F.I. Aleshenkov.
Sculpture "Seahorse"
Located on the waterfront. It is one of the symbols of the embankment and a favorite place for photo shoots. Seahorses live in the Black Sea and live in the Alushta aquarium near the embankment. The art object was made by the sculptor Alexander Romashenko. The figure of an unusual marine life is 2.5 meters high. It has a rotating base, so children often circle on it, hugging the seahorse.
Kutuzov fountain
Located near the village of Luchistoye at the foot of Mount Demerdzhi. In this place, Kutuzov was seriously wounded in the head in 1774. The Sungu-Su spring was designed as a fountain in this place back in 1804. It had an oriental style and was erected in memory of the Turkish officer Ismail-agi by the order of his son. After the end of the Russian-Turkish war, the memorial fountain was renamed Kutuzovsky. The fountain has gone through several renovations.
Monument to Nadezhda Suslova-Golubeva
Dedicated to the country's first female doctor. Installed on the territory of the central Alushta hospital. The monument was opened in 2012. Prior to that, it was kept for more than 20 years in the storerooms of the literary and memorial museum of Alushta. It was planned that it will be installed in the Museum. Suslovoy. The monument is a full-length female figure leaning against a column. The column depicts a snake and a bowl - a symbol of medicine.
Monument to the first government of the Republic of Taurida
Located in the Seaside Park, surrounded by trees. Installed in 1940 and is dedicated to revolutionary events. A high stele rises above the mass grave. Partisans and soldiers who died during the liberation of Alushta from the Germans and White Guard rebels are buried in it. The Soviet government was executed. The stele is crowned with a five-pointed star - a symbol of Soviet power. Its height is 12.5 meters.
Natural attractions of Alushta
In the vicinity of Alushta there are beautiful waterfalls and lakes worthy of attention. And the main natural sites are bizarre mountains and rocks that you will remember forever.
Demerdzhi tract
The tract is also known as the Valley of Ghosts. This unusual place is located on the slope of Mount Demerdzhi. The tract contains many bizarre stone sculptures created by nature itself. Wind, water and earthquakes have created boulders of different shapes - similar to people, animals, mythical creatures and cartoon characters. The most interesting rocks are named - Giant, Pillars, Profile of Catherine II.
Mount Castel
Located in the south of Alushta. The dome of the mountain, covered with dense forest, is clearly visible from the Professor's Corner. The height of the mountain is 439 meters. The mountain was formed several million years ago and could become a volcano. Climbing the mountain, you can appreciate all the beauty of the seascapes and picturesque nature around. It is better and more convenient to climb the mountain from the side of the village of Vinogradny - the slopes are more gentle.
Stone mushrooms in the valley of Sotera
Soter's gully is located 18 km from Alushta. The natural monument "Stone Mushrooms" is popular with tourists - visiting this amazing place will give you unforgettable emotions. "Mushrooms" were formed as a result of a landslide of clay rock and stone pillars emerging from under them. The height of the "mushrooms" reaches 6 meters, and the diameter is 2.5 meters. The valley has been declared a protected area to protect the mushrooms from destruction.
Golovkinsky waterfall
It is located in the Yaman-Dere gorge near the village of Vinogradnoye. Formed by the Uzen-Bash river. The height of the waterfall is 12 meters. The waterfall is cascading and consists of 8 terraces-ledges. It is named after the scientist Golovinsky, who in 1893 examined and described the waterfall in detail. There are two hiking trails leading to the waterfall, one of them is laid at Mount Castel. It is better to visit the waterfall in spring, as it often dries up in summer.
Turquoise lake
A picturesque natural area 1.5 km from the village of Zaprudnoye. The lake was created in 1975 as a reservoir for nearby settlements. It feeds on spring water, so it has clear and clear water of an unusual turquoise color. It is good to relax here among the dense forest, next to the beautiful mountains, enjoying the clean air. The depth of the lake reaches 6 meters. On the shore of the lake they often rest with tents.
Rock chaos Tuzlukh
Also known as Cheese Rock. It is considered the most visited natural attraction in Alushta. It is a grotto with steep steep shores, in which the wind and waves of the sea have made several holes, so that the rock mass looks like a head of cheese. Divers and climbers often come to this place - you can swim in the grotto, and on the "cheese" stops - train in mountaineering.
Stones "Chernovsky"
Located in the Professor's corner at the end of the embankment. Two halves of one large stone have a tragic legend about their origin. She tells about the priestess Iphegenia, who, against her will, sacrificed people on the stones. Many call them "stones of fate" and believe that with their help you can change your life. The height of the stones is much higher than human height, but they can be climbed.
Mount Ayu-Dag
It is better known as "Bear Mountain". By its appearance, it resembles a large bear that bent over the water surface. Located between the villages of Partenit and Gurzuf. Its height is 577 meters - from its top you can see the nature of Yalta and Alushta. The mountain was formed about 150 million years ago and is a "failed volcano". At the foot of the mountain, in a beautiful picturesque place, there is a famous camp for children Artek.
