Koktebel from A to Z: sea and beaches, hotels, sanatoriums, hotels and boarding houses in Koktebel, reviews. Shops and restaurants, prices in Koktebel.
- Tours for May
in Crimea - Last minute tours
to Crimea
Koktebel is a popular seaside climatic resort in the southeast of Crimea, 20 km southwest of Feodosia. The name of the resort means “land of blue peaks”, and indeed, forest-covered mountains surround the village on all sides - the Karadag volcanic massif adjoins the resort from the west, and from the north and east it is protected from cold winds by the Uzun-Syrt mountain ranges (the highest point is Mt. Klementyev), Kuchuk-Yenishar and Tatar-Khaburg.
It is believed that a great contribution to the development of Koktebel as a resort village was made by the poet and artist Maximilian Voloshin, who hosted writers, poets, artists and representatives of other creative professions at his dacha. Voloshin is also named among the main culprits in the fact that at the beginning of the 20th century Koktebel gained fame as one of the largest centers of nudism and naturism. Today, both those who like to merge with nature in the literal sense of the word, as well as families with children, as well as tourists who prefer wild holidays with bonfires and tents, enjoy relaxing in Koktebel.
How to get to Koktebel
In recent years, as a result of the annexation of Crimea to Russia, transport flows between the peninsula and the mainland have been slightly redistributed, and this has affected the accessibility of resorts. The most convenient way to get to the coast is by air. Rail and road routes have changed. The legendary resort is connected to major cities by bus service.
By air
The nearest airport to Koktebel is in Simferopol; vacationers travel the further distance (more than 100 km) by taxi, bus or minibus.
Flights to Simferopol from Russian cities are operated daily by several airlines, Ural Airlines, and VIM-Avia.
By train
Currently, direct railway communication with Crimea is suspended. You can get to the resort by train through Anapa or Krasnodar - there you will have to transfer to a bus and travel another 6-8 hours. Catamarans ply between Anapa and Feodosia.
The price of a ticket for the Moscow - Anapa and Moscow - Krasnodar trains starts from 3673 RUB, travel time is 20-30 hours. Travel by bus will cost 2500-3500 RUB. Prices on the page are for May 2021[[Category:Price May 2022]]
By bus
There is a bus service between Crimea and major Russian cities, but there are no direct routes to Koktebel; you need to take a ticket to Simferopol. The resort's bus station also accepts buses from Kerch, Sudak and Feodosia. The ticket costs from 2000 RUB depending on the point of departure.
Find cheap flights to Koktebel
By car
The route through Ukraine is not exactly closed to motorists, but rather inconvenient. A more popular route is through the Krasnodar Territory along the Crimean Bridge.
By bus
If you do not want to make transfers, you can take a direct bus flight from Moscow to Koktebel. The fastest one departs from the Shchelkovskaya metro station and goes through Rostov-on-Don and Feodosia. The bus travel time is 22 hours. There is also the option of traveling through Voronezh and Kamensk-Shakhtinsky, but in this case the journey will take 35 hours. The fare starts from 2500 rubles.
For bus schedules and current ticket prices, see Busfor, Bus Tutu and Avtobus Travel. Different services have different transport companies, so it is better to check the prices in all of them.
Transport
The resort does not have a transport system in the usual sense. Buses and minibuses traveling through Koktebel are mainly intercity. They provide communication between the village and the cities of Sudak, Kerch, Feodosia, Simferopol.
Transport follows the route to the Koktebel bus station, the cost of travel to Feodosia is just over 25 RUB, to the nearest popular resorts of Crimea - around 100-300 RUB. You can get to remote beaches on foot or by minibus (50-100 RUB). Sightseeing buses run to local attractions.
It is much more expensive to travel around the area by taxi. For example, a transfer from Simferopol airport will cost 1700-2000 RUB, from the Kerch ferry to the village it will cost 2000 RUB, for a 30-minute journey from Koktebel to Feodosia you will pay about 500 RUB.
How to get there from Feodosia or Old Crimea
From Feodosia and Old Crimea to Koktebel - 20 and 28 km, respectively. The peculiarity of this “triangle” is that all the settlements within it are included in one area. This means that the buses between them are not intercity, but suburban. Getting there is as easy as shelling pears; you don’t even need to stand in line to buy a ticket at the box office. All you have to do is get on the bus and wait for the controller (sometimes the driver himself plays his role).
Departure point - bus station (in each city in a single copy).
It’s a good idea to buy a ticket from the airport to Feodosia, and from there take a taxi to the hotel door in Koktebel. Convenient, considering that you will also have to somehow get from the bus station to the hotel, and Koktebel, if you remember, is an urban-type settlement, and public transport there is a bit difficult.
From Simferopol you will have a choice of bus routes (stable every hour), and from the bus station you can order on the same Qiwi from 1,300 rubles. The option, of course, is complex, but has a right to exist.
Transport of approximately the same quality awaits you in Koktebel
Hotels in Koktebel
Accommodation facilities in Koktebel are represented by hotels, mini-hotels, apart-hotels, sanatoriums and boarding houses, as well as the private sector. Most operate only in the high season, but some (for example, the Meganom Hotel, the hotel on Veresaeva and the Tepsen Guest House) welcome guests all year round. The cost of living depends on the proximity to the sea and the season. The cheapest place to stay is in the private sector, where accommodation prices start from 500 RUB. A little more expensive - about 1000 RUB - is to stay in a guest house. A room in a 3* hotel will cost 1500-3000 RUB per day.
The only diving center in Koktebel operates at the White Griffin hotel complex.
When choosing where to stay in Koktebel, pay attention to the following nuances: availability of hot water, choice of food offers, availability of your own beach and sun loungers and umbrellas on it, proximity to the village center and the sea, possibility of parking on site or transfer from the Feodosia railway station , if you are arriving by train, and also at what age children are accepted into the hotel.
Where is the town located in Crimea?
Koktebel is a small urban-type village on the Crimean Peninsula, located southwest of the city of Feodosia. It is washed by the waves of the Black Sea, and on the land side the settlement is surrounded by mountain ranges. Steady air currents directed from the sea coast create favorable conditions for hang gliding here. Koktebel does not belong to the South Coast, but the climate here is hot - with a lot of sunny days.
Koktebel on the map of Crimea
GENERAL INFORMATION
- The population is almost 3 thousand people.
- Area – 0.8 km2.
- Founded in 1902.
Beaches
The beaches in Koktebel are mostly pebble, but further out into the sea the bottom is sandy. The busiest place is the center of the embankment; look for more secluded places further away on both sides of the village.
The best beach in the vicinity of Koktebel - “Quiet Bay” - boasts not only the cleanest sea water, fine sand and luxurious scenery, but also the fact that the bay has served as the backdrop for many films. Among them: “Richard the Lionheart”, “Scarlet Sails”, “Don Quixote”, “The Man from the Boulevard des Capuchins”, “Kings and Cabbages”, “9th Company”, “Pirates of the 20th Century”.
Koktebel has mostly comfortable beaches, safe for children, with a natural gentle entrance. Care should be taken in the area of the Dead Bay beach, where descent into the water is difficult, and large stones and algae are found at the bottom. This is a beautiful place in its own way, but it is more for meditation than for swimming. Don't let your children run around on Malta Beach. This is one of the most comfortable places to relax in Koktebel, but part of the beach is equipped with a concrete platform. The entrance to the water is via steps, and the depth on the descent is quite deep.
Koktebel is an unofficial but generally recognized center of nudist recreation in Crimea. They say that the founder of nudism in the village was the artist and poet, ideologist of naturism Maximilian Voloshin many years ago. Today, nudists gather on a sand and pebble strip about 700 m long near Junge Hill. According to reviews, you shouldn’t count on naked solitude here - the coast is always crowded, local entrepreneurs rent out jet skis and go on boat rides. And right behind the beach there is a whole tent city where lovers of nudist holidays live for months.
What to bring
A unique calling card of Crimea is Wine, its wines and cognacs have an expressive, incomparable taste. Drinks are made from unique grape varieties according to ancient recipes. The impeccability of the Koktebel product is confirmed by numerous awards.
According to experts, Kutuzov, made into 25-year-old cognac, surpassed even the famous Napoleon in its quality.
Pay attention to the local tea, which is more reminiscent of a herbal mixture, because it is based on mountain herbs and berries. It has healing properties and a bright aroma. This tea is a good way to please yourself in winter.
Crimean essential oil is a pleasant and useful souvenir that can be used for cosmetic and medicinal purposes. It is impossible to pass by handmade soap with the addition of clay, herbs and flowers. Therapeutic muds and cosmetics based on them are worthy of attention.
And, of course, it is unimaginable to return from Koktebel without a shell, gem or souvenir with Crimean attributes. On the shelves you will also find many crafts made of stone and wood.
Cafes and restaurants in Koktebel
Most Koktebel catering establishments are concentrated on the village embankment. They are famous for their affordable prices and fast service. You can also eat at the Santa Fe nightclub, but the main thing here is to dance until you drop. On the beach, vendors of hot corn, baklava, pies and berries will not leave you hungry, and local markets are a real paradise for gourmets, especially when fruits are ripening.
A quick lunch in the canteen will cost 250-350 RUB, a more refined and expensive meal in a restaurant - a good dinner with locally produced wine or cognac will cost 600-800 RUB.
If you prefer to cook yourself or decide to go on a picnic, the markets sell fresh tortillas, produce, herbs, nuts and jams. It is better not to take meat or fish in tents. On the shelves you will see bottles of homemade wine (what would you do without it in Crimea?), but opinions about the quality of the drink vary greatly. We still recommend purchasing alcohol in stores and cellars. Locally produced wine is deservedly considered one of the best in Crimea.
Entertainment and attractions of Koktebel
The main attractions of Koktebel are created by nature. This is, first of all, the Karadag reserve. A visit is only possible with a guided tour. During the boat trip, boats pass under the “Golden Gate,” a rock formation in the water at the foot of the volcano. Having climbed Mount Klementyev, you can admire the views while standing firmly on your feet, or you can take off from the ground on a paraglider or hang glider, jump with a parachute, or soar into the sky on a glider or AN-2 airplane. The thrill is guaranteed by powerful updrafts of air - a unique feature of this place. There is a Gliding Center on the mountain.
It’s best to start getting acquainted with the reserve at the Karadag Nature Museum, whose exhibitions are dedicated to the nature of the ancient mountain range. The total number of museum exhibits is more than 600 units. These are documents about the formation of the scientific station, samples of tree species, stuffed birds and animals, rock vegetation, photographs of landscapes. The entomological section introduces visitors to rare butterflies, as well as amphibians. Guests are especially delighted by the geological and mineralogical exhibition of the museum - it is a real storehouse of multi-colored stones.
Arriving on vacation in Koktebel, it is worth devoting several hours to a hike to Cape Chameleon, which protrudes far into the sea. This long cape got its name due to its ability to change color during the day depending on the degree of illumination.
Maximilian Voloshin, who actively popularized the resort in the creative community, has not been forgotten in Koktebel either. The house where the poet lived has been preserved in the village; there is a literary and memorial museum named after him. Poetry evenings are regularly held at the Voloshin House-Museum, and once a year writers and readers gather within the walls of the house - the International Literary Festival is held here. The grave of the famous poet and artist is located on Mount Kuchuk-Yenishary to the east of the village, from the top of which there are beautiful views of the city and the surrounding area.
Geography and climate
The village is located in the east of the peninsula, near the city of Kara-Dag. The mountain range, which is a protected area, is covered with forests. Numerous rare animals and unique plants grow here. The village is surrounded from the north and east by steppe mountains.
This territory of the peninsula has a steppe climate. On summer days it is hot and dry; in winter there is no frost. In winter, troubles are caused by winds that blow due to the influence of arctic air. The velvet season lasts from the first autumn month to mid-October. Spring comes earlier than in the south of the peninsula, but later than in the central part.
6 things worth doing in Koktebel
- See the rising or setting sun through the Golden Gate arch and make a wish.
- Finally overcome the fear of heights, soar over Koktebel on a paraglider and understand that it was worth it.
- Go to the mountains, envy the climbers and consider rock climbing as a new hobby.
- Visit the Koktebel Jazz Party festival and make friends all over the world.
- When you come to a nudist beach, try to undress.
- Search and find the famous Koktebel pebbles in the Blue Bay, which Pushkin and Tsvetaeva wrote about.
Koktebel for children
Little guests of the resort will appreciate the rich selection of entertainment that Koktebel, which is essentially small, offers them. And parents will be pleased with the opportunity to combine water-solar treatments with educational activities. In three places in the village you can delight your child with simple rides: in the amusement park opposite the Blue Bay boarding house, on the embankment and next to the water park.
The Koktebel water park, the largest in Crimea, has 11 adult slides and 13 children’s slides, as well as 7 swimming pools and 3 hydromassage baths.
The local dolphinarium hosts daily performances with dolphins and fur seals.
Wildlife lovers will love the Koktebel Aquarium and the recently opened “Butterflies and Reptiles” pavilion. And the bravest ones can go straight to the Taigan lion park, where 58 lions live. Visitors will be able to observe their behavior in the wild from observation bridges, the total length of which exceeds a kilometer.
Children will be given a sea of impressions by the Dinotherium Koktebel bird park, which takes visitors back to the past - millions of years ago. It is named after the proboscis animal Dinotherium, whose skeleton greets park guests. In the paleontological pavilion, visitors get acquainted with prehistoric animals, and in the ornithological pavilion they discover the world of birds and animals that fly and walk freely around the premises. On the territory of the park there is the only clock in the world with two dials, one of which demonstrates the progress of the development of life on Earth.
Active recreation in Koktebel
Among the active ways to spend time, in addition to the above-mentioned delta and paragliding, in Koktebel you can take an exciting horseback ride along picturesque routes. To do this, it is not at all necessary to have experience in the saddle - the instructor will provide training and accompany you on the trip. And on the beaches of Koktebel you can rent a windsurfing board and, after just a few lessons, feel free to conquer the wave.
Intercity communication
Feodosia – Koktebel
If any city in Crimea is not directly connected with Koktebel, then the easiest way is to get to Feodosia first and then to Koktebel.
Feodosia is the closest large city to the village. The objects are separated by 20 km of road. Travel time will take 26 minutes. Koktebel is connected to Feodosia by bus number 101.
From Feodosia it departs from the final stop, near a large shopping center (address: Feodosia, Krymskaya str. 21 B).
Route 101 runs quite frequently, approximately every 20 minutes, thereby not forcing tourists to languish while waiting on a hot, stuffy day. The price of the trip is 25 rubles.
Simferopol – Koktebel
The distance between cities is 114 km. It's a 2 hour bus ride. Departure for Koktebel from the Kurortnaya-2 bus station.
The station is located right next to the Simferopol railway station. Departures to Koktebel every hour starting at 9 a.m., and the last bus leaves at 7 p.m. The cost of the trip is 150 rubles.
By the way, you can get to Koktebel from Simferopol directly from the airport. True, there are only two routes going directly to Koktebel, departing at 03:30 and 18:30.
If you don’t have time for these buses, then you will have to get to the Simferopol bus station (all routes go there), and from there to Koktebel. The cost of a trip from Simferopol airport to Koktebel is 150 rubles.
Sudak – Koktebel
The distance between the cities is 33 km. Travel time will be approximately 38 minutes. You need to take any bus going to Feodosia. The fact is that this route is laid through Koktebel.
The first bus to Feodosia leaves early in the morning at 06:10. And the last one departs from the Sudak bus station at 20:00. The cost of a trip to Koktebel will be only 70 rubles.
Kerch – Koktebel
Kerch is separated from Koktebel by 115 km. The travel time will be a little more than an hour and a half. Soon, when the Kerch Bridge connecting Crimea with the “Big Land” is opened, tourists will come to the peninsula in their own vehicles.
Therefore, the easiest way to get from Kerch to Koktebel by car is by moving first along the E97 highway, and then along the Kerch Highway (P29).
If you plan to get to Koktebel by public transport , then from Kerch you will first have to get to Feodosia. Buses depart in this direction every two hours. Trip cost: 150 rub. And from Feodosia, take the same route No. 101 - to Koktebel.
Yalta – Koktebel
Yalta is separated from Koktebel by 146 km. It's almost 2.5 hours away by car or bus. But the cities are not connected by direct transport links.
But all buses going to Feodosia pass through Koktebel. The bus makes a stop at the Koktebel bus station. This is where you need to get off if you are going to Koktebel itself. The cost of the trip is 170 rubles.
