It’s not for nothing that Yalta is called an open-air museum - the concentration of historical, cultural and simply beautiful places here is off the charts! For those who do not have the opportunity to stay in the pearl of Crimea for a long period, we have already published a route for an independent walk through the city center, so now you have a route through the main attractions of Yalta for 3-4 days. So let's begin!
First, book a good hotel or apartment so you can get quality sleep before your busy first day. When checking in, ask about the presence of a cafe or canteen nearby - you need to leave no later than 8 a.m. if you plan to visit as many attractions as possible in a day. We also recommend renting a car or scooter if you are in Crimea without transport.
It won’t hurt: in which area of Yalta to stay?
Nikitsky Botanical Garden
The first point of our adventure is the oldest Botanical Garden in the village of Nikita, which has no equal at least in the entire post-Soviet space. It is interesting because for more than 200 years a huge number of plants unique to Russia have been collected here.
The garden area is huge, so a walk through it can take from 2 to 6 hours . There is a good canteen on site.
If you leave the botanical garden through the lower gate, you can also look into the cactus greenhouse and Montedor Park. And about a kilometer away is Nikitsky Beach, where you can cool off during the season. But it's time for us to move on.
After taking a walk in the shady alleys of the botanical garden, take a look at the cozy Massandra Palace located relatively nearby.
If you travel by public transport - minibus No. 29 runs from the botanical garden, ask to stop at the turn to the Massandra Palace
Travel calculator: calculate expenses
May is the start of the high tourist season, but there are still few guests in the city. Prices for housing, food, and entertainment are lower by about 15% compared to June-July. Here are the main possible expense items:
- air tickets on the route “Moscow-Simferopol-Moscow” ≈ 16,000 rubles (direct flight, UTair company) - find out the current price of air tickets on Aviasales.ru →
- transfer from Simferopol airport to the hotel ≈ from 2200 rubles when booking through Kiwitaxi.ru →
- hotel accommodation 3*≈ 3500 rubles, 4*≈ 6000 rubles per day for a double room - find a hotel on Hotellook.ru →
- renting an apartment from private owners is cheaper; a one-room apartment can be rented for ≈ 2,000 rubles per day through the service Sutochno.ru →
- medical insurance per day per person ≈ 50 rubles - you can apply for it online in a few minutes at Cherehapa.ru →
- five-day trip for two with flight from Moscow and accommodation in a 4* hotel ≈ 50,000 rubles - find a ready-made tour on Travelata.ru and receive a promo code for its purchase →
- lunch in an inexpensive cafe ≈ 400 rubles per person;
- snack (chicken in pita bread + espresso) - 250 rubles.
Lunch with a sea view at the Crimea restaurant.
Yalta in May means gentle sun, fresh sea air, ripe aromatic fruits. There are many attractions and entertainment in the city. It will be interesting for both adults and children. Have a colorful holiday!
Author: Olga Ponka
Vin
After visiting the botanical garden and the Massandra Palace, be sure to visit the operating Massandra wine factory. Here you will find an interesting excursion through cool wine cellars, tasting the best examples of Crimean wine and the opportunity to buy what you like for yourself or friends.
about 2 hours at the Massandra wine factory . Now is the time to take a break - return to Yalta, rest, change clothes and go out for the evening part of the first day.
How to spend your first evening in Yalta? Take a walk along the Lenin embankment, have dinner at a good restaurant and return to the hotel on foot. This way you will get to know the city better and get a sound, healthy sleep. Along the way, buy water and snacks for tomorrow. Don't stay too long at night - tomorrow we have a busy day ahead.
Don't forget to charge your camera and action camera batteries - we'll need them tomorrow
Snow-white Livadia Palace
Let's start the day with the favorite residence of the last emperor of the Russian Empire, Nicholas II and his family - Livadia Palace.
You can book a tour of the palace on site (about 400 rubles per person) and breathe fresh air in the pleasant palace park.
A walk through the palace and park complex will take about 2.5 hours .
The next point of our today’s route is the calling card of Crimea and the favorite of all its guests, the Swallow’s Nest castle in Gaspra:
What excursions are worth visiting?
Group with transfer
As part of an 8-hour excursion, travelers can visit several key attractions of the South Coast : visit the resort village of Gurzuf, Alupka and other picturesque places.
The cost of the excursion for groups of up to 6 people is 6500₽ . Additionally, tickets to the Vorontsov and Livadia palaces are paid (from 250₽).
Walking individual
A 3-hour individual walking tour invites you to get acquainted with the Old Town and its history and architecture, learn many interesting facts about the life and work of talented people of Yalta, and admire the architecture of the New Town, which was created towards the end of the 19th century.
Cost – 3700₽ , number of participants – up to 4 people.
Romantic "Swallow's Nest"
Admire the sweet symbol of love and the Crimean peninsula, as well as stunning views of the Black Sea coast all the way to Mount Ayu-Dag near Gurzuf and take some of your most beautiful photos as a keepsake.
The walk to the tiny castle will take about 1.5-2 hours .
from the editor
Lifehacks: how to save in Yalta
From the Swallow's Nest we will go to another beautiful place on the southern coast of Crimea - the palace of Count Vorontsov in Alupka.
Weather in Yalta in May: what to prepare for
Weather forecast for May 2022 - sunny, dry, warm. In the first half of the month, however, sharp changes in day and night temperatures are often observed. In early May, the air temperature reaches +15–17°C. After sunset it is still cool - +12°C on average. At the end of May it is +18–20°C outside.
Weather forecast in Yalta for May 2022.
Almost no precipitation is expected. Statistically, this is the driest month of the year. Daylight hours are 11 hours.
Due to temperature changes, you need to take from clothes:
- T-shirts, dresses, shorts - for hot days;
- long sleeves and trousers - for walking after sunset;
- comfortable shoes without heels;
- accessories - sunglasses, hat, moisturizer.
The water temperature in Yalta in May is +13°C. The swimming season is closed for now.
Olga and Sergey Petrenko, a married couple from Kostroma, say in their review:
“The weather in Yalta in May is suitable for excursions, but not for a beach holiday. It’s too early to swim, although you can walk barefoot along the shore. Believe me, you will have something to do without it! The city hosts many great events and May is a good time for hiking. There is no scorching heat, the nature is wonderful, the water blows cool, there is a lot of sun - it’s a fairy tale, not the weather!”
The water is still cool, but you can already sunbathe.
Vorontsov Palace
A palace in a cold English style (with an unexpected surprise on the south side) and an adjacent ancient park with cascading waterfalls, centuries-old sequoias, stone chaos, lakes with handsome swans... A very beautiful and cozy place that is definitely worth a visit. During the holiday season, you can swim at the “children’s” beach at the bottom of the park.
A walk through the Alupka palace and park complex will take approximately 3-4 hours .
Useful information: what you can bring from Yalta
Health improvement
As for health improvement in this climate zone, the above-mentioned thalassotherapy is precisely treatment due to the influence of natural factors. The general condition of the body improves due to the influence of algae, sea water, and healing mud. Thalassotherapy effectively fights cellulite, significantly reducing it or completely eliminating it. Sea air has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the endocrine system, which regulates the amount of fat in the body. It is better that the course takes place in a sanatorium-resort environment under the supervision of a doctor. But there are specialized cosmetology centers where some procedures are acceptable, for example, anti-cellulite wrap.
Mount Ai-Petri
Not far from the Vorontsov Palace there is the lower station of the Miskhor - Ai-Petri cable car, so it makes sense to take advantage of this and climb to the top with a memorable height of 1234 meters.
The cable car itself is quite an adventure! It is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest unsupported span in Europe. The trailer will take you to one of the highest places in Crimea in 12-15 minutes.
Climbing the mountain, you can admire amazing views, visit caves, ride horses and drink local Crimean Tatar cuisine with tea made from mountain herbs. The climb and walk along Ai-Petri will take about 3-3.5 hours .
May events in Yalta: parade, festivals, demonstrations
The end of spring is a period rich in events. The poster of the city of Yalta at this time is more than full! We invite you to familiarize yourself with the most colorful, in our opinion, events of May 2022.
May 1 is Spring and Labor Day. According to tradition, the city hosts a May Day demonstration, starting near the Oreanda Hotel and finishing near the central McDonald's. At the head of the column is the Yalta Brass Band. After the demonstration there will be a concert of children's and youth groups. In the evening there is a festive disco on the embankment.
From May 1 to 5 – youth jazz competition “Djaliton”. 200 musicians will take part in it. The main events will take place in the Black Sea concert hall and the Sanatorium complex named after. Kirov. Starts every day at 12:00. Free admission.
May 5 is the Crimean Tatar spring holiday “Khydyrlez”. Venue: Embankment. Lenin. The celebration consists of a set of rituals, the main one of which is the rolling of bread. It is planned to light a fire, dance, and sing.
May 9 is Victory Day. In the morning - laying flowers near the Hill of Glory, a festive rally. In the afternoon there will be an “Immortal Regiment” event, a concert program and fireworks.
Festive events in honor of Victory Day.
May 12, 08:00 - large-scale hiking trip to the waterfalls of the Ulu Uzen and Dzhurla rivers. Anyone can join it. Ticket - 700 rubles. Its price includes travel from Yalta by bus (round trip), accompaniment by experienced guides, and lunch. You will cover a distance of 15 km, see the most beautiful Crimean waterfalls, and make new acquaintances.
May 17, 12:00 - exhibition “Museum of Tauris”: at the origins of creation.” Venue: Yalta City Library (Rudansky St., 8). Free admission.
Silver gazebo and Wuchang-Su waterfall
After you’ve had your fill of walking around Ai-Petri, you’ll need to take a minibus and go down to Yalta. The cost of the trip is usually equal to the cost of the cable car ticket. And ahead of you lies a descent along a mountain serpentine with stops at the silver gazebo and the Uchan-Su waterfall.
Most likely, you will find yourself in your room after dark, but if you still have the strength and desire, you can take a walk around the center of Yalta - tomorrow will not be so busy.
Shopping
Shopping in Yalta is quite an expensive pleasure . The cost of goods, according to vacationers, is greatly inflated.
Confetti
Shopping center "Confetti" is located at st. Bolshevikskaya, 10 . It includes branded boutiques and a gallery of clothing and shoes, supermarkets for household appliances and electronics, and a food supermarket.
Fountain
The Fountain shopping center in the city center offers its visitors to purchase fashionable clothes, cosmetics, and souvenirs. The complex is located on Lenin Embankment, 5a .
Ray
The trade and office area includes clothing, footwear and electronics stores. The complex is located at st. Kievskaya, 24b .
• • •
Day three . We have already visited the most significant places, so the third day can be spent depending on your personal preferences.
So, if you come to Yalta with children, you can visit the curious and unique Museum of Fairy Tales, the Yalta Zoo, the Aquatoria Marine Animal Theater, the crocodilarium and the Dreamwood amusement park.
Useful information: what to do in Yalta with children
If you come with a group of friends, go to the Atlantis water park or the Blue Bay water park (in Simeiz), take a ride on the Yalta-Gorka cable car, take a tour of the Miskhor palaces or take your favorite walking route along the Yalta trails, and hang out in the evening in These Russians or “Chaika” on the beach.
If you are interested in the history, architecture and culture of Yalta in general, go to the Chekhov house-museum, listen to the organ in the organ hall "Livadia" or the Roman Catholic Church, visit the historical and literary museum, art galleries "Art-Boulevard" and "Art- South", the White Gallery of contemporary art, the Chekhov Theater, and also take a walk to the Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky and the Armenian Church of St. Hripsime.
Try Black Sea oysters
Bad weather is an ideal reason to treat yourself to delicious and healthy gifts from the Black Sea with a bottle of sparkling wine! We have already talked in detail about the places on the South Coast with the freshest oysters, mussels and sea fish.
helpful information
Where to go in Yalta with children
To Sevastopol on the Comet
Have you already been to all the places we listed or are they not suitable for you for some reason? We have something for you too! We recommend taking a ride from Yalta to Sevastopol on the Comet, which runs by sea between these cities twice a day from June to September. This way you can admire the magnificent views of the southern coast of Crimea and visit the city of Russian sailors - the beautiful Sevastopol.
Ps if you are thinking about spending more time in Yalta, book a hotel or apartment in advance - during the high season the best options sell out very quickly.
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Nutrition
As at any other resort, food prices are, of course, high. But you can find inexpensive catering establishments - it is better if these places are suggested to you by those tourists who have already vacationed in these places and got acquainted with canteens, snack bars and cafes. On average, you will pay 200-300 rubles for a soup, and about 500 rubles for a three-course course. Vegetables and fruits become cheaper in November, which is simply wonderful. You can not only save on food and improve your health, but also lose extra pounds. You can cook your own meals by buying food from local markets and inexpensive supermarkets. In establishments such as mini-hotels and guest houses, there are separate kitchens with a stove, microwave, household appliances, and dishes. Cooking your own meals not only saves a significant amount of your budget. You can prepare your favorite dishes yourself, including for children if they are traveling with you. In addition, this is a great opportunity to prepare meals for people who are on a diet due to illness or simply want to lose weight.
