A real sightseeing trip across the Crimea. In three days you could get an idea of the Crimea.
First day: sightseeing tour of Sevastopol, which is an important city of the entire Black Sea region. Route: Central Square - Monument to the Flooded Ships - boat excursion - Balaklava - Museum "Underground Sevastopol" (the proposed route through Sevastopol is described in detail here)
Second day: excursion around Bakhchisarai. The capital of the Crimean Tatars, the most eastern city of Crimea in spirit. The journey begins with a tour of the Khan's palace, where the local rulers of the Ottoman Empire lived. Further - the mountain cave city of Chufut-Kale, with stunning views. The way to it is offered in a safe Soviet jeep. After inspection, a short hiking (40 minutes) back, with a tour of the Assumption Monastery. After a walk, if you wish, you can try the Crimean Tatar cuisine in one of the many local cafes.
Third day : Southern coast of Crimea. Drive along the Crimean Riviera, a road with stunning views. Excursion to the Livadia Palace, a historical place where the "Yalta Conference" took place. The central embankment of Yalta is the main tourist embankment of Crimea, it is always interesting here! Next trip by excursion boat to the symbol of Crimea - "Swallow's Nest". During a boat trip you can see all the development of Soviet architecture (from the royal palaces - through the famous Soviet boarding house "Druzhba" - to modern development)
We are ready to answer all your questions about the history of Sevastopol or the peculiarities of modern development. Our guides speak English and have excellent storytelling skills.
| Itinerary | Day 1, Sevastopol: Central Square - Monument to the Flooded Ships - Sevastopol Bay (boat) - Balaklava - Museum "Underground Sevastopol" (city center)
Day 2: Bakhchisarai: Khan's palace - Chufut kale (jeep) - Assumption monastery - Tatar cuisine Day 3: Yalta: Livadia Palace, Embankment, Swallow's Nest (boat) |
| Language | English, Russian |
| Start | 10 a.m. |
| Finish | 5 p.m |
| Cost per | 350 EUR |
| Included | Hotel (possible not to include), guide, transportation (car and boat), museum tickets |
| Not included | Lunch |
You can always suggest your own changes or additions to the itinerary. Read more on the tour arrangements here.
Sevаstopol: Crimea’s key landmark
Sevastopol was founded in 1783 as a home port. The city has made it to textbooks as a city of heroes that had survived two serious sieges. In the Soviet times, the city was partially closed while the Balaklava district was a closed town within the closed city. After the end of the World War II, Sevastopol had been restored by the best Soviet architects and now it is a fast-growing, fast-moving city filled with a vibrant cultural life and beautiful natural sights. We are going to visit the spots that will provide you with the best understanding of Sevastopol and Balaklava. And, of course, you will be able to take beautiful pictures and collect wonderful memories.
Bakhchisarai: Ottoman Empire in Crimea
Bakhchisarai is one of Crimea’s most exotic spots famous for its ethnic cuisine. It is also the former capital of the peninsula. The word Krym (Crimea) is of the Tatar origin; the Greeks used to call this land ‘Tavdira’. Tatars were a part of the Ottoman Empire albeit they did manage to retain their relative autonomy. Later, the name ‘Tatars’ spilled over to the other ethnic groups residing on the peninsula especially those living by the sea. The anthropological research shows that these groups may have included descendants of the Genoese settlers and even of the colonists from Greek poleis.
The Tatars came to the peninsula relatively late, no earlier than in the 13th century. As true descendants of the Mongol nomads, they preferred living in the steppes instead of the sea coast. Thus, it is the central part of Crimea that’s got the most vibrant atmosphere of the genuine Tatar culture and civilisation. And Bakhchisarai with its convoluted streets, tasty chebureks and beautiful mosques is its ultimate expression.
Yalta: most famous city
The South Coast of Crimea models the French Riviera that, prior to the colonisation of the peninsula, used to be a preferred vacation spot for the Russian aristocracy. Basically, the South Coast of Crimea is a local Russian copy of the South of France. In fact, this was one of the reasons why they chose to hold the 1945 peace conference in Yalta. In the Soviet times, the parks and palaces once owned by the Russian elite became a big part of a completely new state healthcare strategy and were turned into public health resorts. Today, these breathtaking spots are open for visitation.
The Yalta conference had marked the start of the Cold War. The Crimean peninsula contains a whole number of objects related to this period.
