Discovering the Hidden Gem of Alushta: A Charming Town on the Black Sea Coast

I've been itching to share my experience with this captivating town in Crimea, which has left a lasting impression on me. Alushta is a place that's as familiar as it is beloved, with its stunning Black Sea coastline and friendly locals.

My first visit to Alushta in 2013 was a memorable one, despite the less-than-warm welcome we received that year. We arrived in late September, but unfortunately, the velvet season was already over, and we were greeted with nothing but wind and chilly sea. Still, I was smitten with this charming town, its waterfront, and the friendly locals. I was particularly drawn to the chance to see the famous Bear Mountain, Auy-Dag, which is steeped in legend.

Alushta 2024The legend of Auy-Dag is a beautiful one, with a massive bear said to have roamed Crimea, leaving destruction in its wake. Its path was marked by deep gorges and twisted peaks. But when the bear reached the blooming Partenit, it wanted to stay forever, mesmerized by the sea and the scenery. It leaned in to the sea and froze, transforming into a stone mountain.

The legend of Auy-Dag has captivated me, and I was eager to explore the surrounding areas and visit nearby cities like Yalta and Sevastopol. When the weather wasn't cooperating, we'd just go on excursions and relax in the coastal restaurants. We did that a lot, and I have to say, it was a great way to spend our time.

The surroundings of AlushtaIt wasn't until a few years later that we returned to this place, and each year the town seemed to be changing, but so was the influx of tourists, and the prices for accommodations kept rising. I was curious to experience the town's growth firsthand.

My Accommodation Experience

I've gotta say, there's a huge selection of places to stay, and plenty of budget-friendly options. Plus, there are tons of 'For Rent' signs plastered on house fences, so you don't have to worry about booking ahead – you'll definitely find a place to stay. This time, we decided to splurge and book a better place – a studio apartment in a high-rise building near the beach.

Accommodation in CrimeaThis time, there was no scam – the place was exactly as advertised on the site, and the photos matched reality. The apartment was clean and dry, with no mold or weird smells. We had complete autonomy over the place – we could use the stove and washing machine whenever we wanted, and even had a hot water heater in the bathroom. It was a great experience, and I was impressed by the value for money.

Crimean viewsI couldn't help but share the stunning view from our window, which looked out over the city. Alushta is situated in a hilly, mountainous area, so the entire city is on a slope. The further inland you stay, the steeper the incline gets. Keep this in mind when booking your accommodation. It's often worth paying a bit extra to avoid the hassle of climbing up.

My review will focus on the central part of the city, excluding the Professor's Corner and surrounding areas.

About the beaches

Our apartments were located close to Stakheyev Beach, named after the dacha of the same name, which is now a children's camp. As we walked along the street leading to the beach, a mountain stream ran alongside the road. I was amazed by how clean the water was, and I couldn't help but think about the state of rivers in the Krasnodar region, which are often polluted with wastewater and sewage.

]]>I was pleasantly surprised to find this relatively quiet beach, and I think many visitors might not even know it's open to the public. That's because it's tucked away from the central beaches by some technical zones and a closed beach for a kids' camp.

]]>Beach for the kids' camp, then the technical zone, and finally the central beach of AlushtaJust like the central beach, this one has everything you need for a comfortable stay. You can rent a sunbed for the whole day for just 300 rubles - choose from under a canopy or a parasol. There's a bar area, restrooms, kids' animator services, and of course, a lifeguard station.

]]>Crimea, beachNo hassle like on the Krasnodar coast, where some 'clever' individuals set up empty sunbeds and aggressively chase away anyone who dares to move them. The staff here are friendly and helpful, and they make sure everything runs smoothly.

]]>Stahiev beach, AlushtaAll sunbeds are stacked neatly, and when you're ready to pay, the staff will help you set it up. They never rush others who are sunbathing on their towels. One thing that's really cool is that staff members can rent out a catamaran or a sailboat. But if you want to try out a jet ski or a paddleboard, you'll need to head to the central beach.

Aлушта, Крым 2024I was surprised to find that the water is crystal-clear - I have no idea why all my colleagues were telling me that Aлушта is infested with jellyfish. But in reality, there are hardly any jellyfish in Aлушта, and mostly they're just hanging around the buoys.

the sea in AлуштаThe beach itself is pebbly, with a gentle entrance to the water that's covered in small pebbles, not big rocks, so you can swim without special shoes. The beaches are super clean - nobody's littering, nobody's smoking (there's a designated area for that near the entrance), and the best part is that unlike the central beach, there's no one blasting music or shouting stupid jokes all day long... I hate that beach-village vibe.

When we were here in 2021, the beach was still a bit rough around the edges, but now it's fully kitted out for a great holiday experience - definitely check it out if you're in the area!

Now, let's talk about the town and the entertainment

Right next to this beach is the Primorsky Park, which has a ton of activities for kids, including a panda rope park and other attractions. There are plenty of entertainment options for all tastes, with not only paid attractions but also free kids' playgrounds set up in the area.

Alyssa, Primorsky ParkRight across from the playgrounds are cafes and snack bars where you can find any dish to your liking. To be honest, finding food in Alyssa isn't a problem at all. The park is also home to the Alyssa dolphinarium, which has a giant yellow fish sculpture in front of it. When I was taking photos, I overheard a little boy asking his mom, 'Mom, Mom, is that the coronavirus?'

Dolphinarium in Alushta Alushta also has a Temple-Chapel dedicated to ancient Crimean martyr saints Inna, Pina, and Rimma Alushta, Temple-ChapelWalking along this park will lead you to the central waterfront, the landmark being Alushta Rotunda. It's situated at the intersection of the promenade and the street leading to the beach. Many guided tours of the city and the Yalta Bay begin here. The rotunda was erected in 1951, and on it, you can see a commemorative inscription 'Alushta - Resort'. Alushta's central waterfront is relatively short, and you can walk from the rotunda to the observation deck in about 20 minutes at a leisurely pace.

Viewpoint in AlushtaAs you make your way to the viewpoint, you'll pass by plenty of cafes, restaurants, and snack bars to suit every taste and budget. This is the perfect place to try the famous Crimean chebureks or indulge in a seaside cafe - every whim is catered for... The music is flowing everywhere, and the street performers on the waterfront make strolling along a real treat.Waterfront in AlushtaYou can also take in the views from the Ferris wheel - it's 30 meters high, giving you a great panorama of the city and surrounding area. The ticket costs just 200 rubles, and they only accept cash, which is a bit of a pain, especially if you have a cashback card.Ferris wheel in AlushtaOne thing to watch out for is the cash situation - it seems like almost everywhere only accepts cash, which can be a real hassle, especially if you're used to using your card. Just a short walk from the Ferris wheel is an amusement park and a small skate park, so if you've got a teenager who's into skateboarding, they'll be in their element here.

A skate park in Alushta Also, the Alushtinsky Aquarium and the trolleybus station are located here. Aquarium in Alushta You can buy a ticket for the trolleybus in any direction and head to Yalta on your own. For example, you can visit the Yalta Aquarium. Trolleybus schedule to Yalta The station hasn't undergone any repairs since Soviet times, but that adds to the charm of the place. As an added bonus, there's an old trolleybus on site that now serves as the technical support office. Trolleybus station in Alushta I still can't believe it, but when we first visited Crimea in 2013, we took the trolleybus from Simferopol to Alushta! Of course, they've replaced those old ones with modern ones now.

Right across the station is the Storm Cinema, which is still operational and open for visitors.

Storm Cinema in Alushta There are just as many people strolling along the waterfront in the evenings as there are during the day.

A quiet night out in AlushtaOne of the things I love about Alushta is that the nightlife is just as exciting as the daytime. You can visit all sorts of restaurants and cafes, or even go extreme sports like kitesurfing and get a rush of adrenaline while taking in the stunning views of the lit-up waterfront.A quiet night out in AlushtaOr, you can grab a drink and smoke a hookah on the central beach, which transforms into an outdoor cafe in the evenings with a dance floor and comfy chairs with footrests.A quiet night out in AlushtaWhat I really love about Alushta is that people here are super laid-back and don't mind dancing in the streets whenever they hear a song they like. It's not uncommon to see families with kids out and about, as Alushta is more of a family-friendly resort, so you won't find any topless clubbers here.

It's a really great atmosphere, and I feel like I can be myself without worrying about what others think.

Seaside Park, AlushtaBut that doesn't mean life comes to a standstill in the evenings - the park is open late, and it's not just kids who have fun here, adults do too entertainment in CrimeaYou can also book a guided tour in any direction - a general tour of the peninsula, or just hit the hills or explore a cave.

Prices are roughly the same across different operators, so you can either book on the spot or online.

We went to Sevastopol this time, visited the Tavrichesky Palace, and stopped by in Balaklava. To be honest, the tours weren't as packed as they used to be, but the atmosphere was a bit tense, especially in Sevastopol, though Balaklava left an unforgettable impression on me and I'm even thinking of visiting again for a few days next year

Balaklava, CrimeaFood

Given how active we were and the number of attractions, it's no wonder we didn't have time to cook ourselves, so the promenade is literally lined with restaurants, cafes, and snack bars. We found that the dining hall starts serving food at 8 am, but the café opens around 12.00. To be honest, we preferred having breakfast at home because the dining hall only serves reheated meals from the previous day, and I'm not a fan of that. So, we'd head out to the local supermarket, Pud, which is a chain store similar to our Perekrestok back home. Even the concept inside is the same.

Pud, AlushtaBy the way, these supermarkets have Sberbank ATMs installed, so you can withdraw cash without any fees. I mentioned earlier how people on the peninsula love cash, and it's true. I was surprised at how expensive food is here. A liter of milk costs around 120 rubles, and yogurt or cheese slices are around 100 rubles each.Prices in Crimea 2024Check out the egg prices compared to what you're used to in your region.

Prices in Crimea's storesAnd here are the prices for instant soups – we'd buy them for our train journey, but I think they're overpriced. I haven't had them in ages, but is the price really that high?

Prices in Crimean StoresPrices on bread

Prices on Bread in AlushtaThe cost of fruits and vegetables is exactly the same as in central Russia, but the peaches, melons, and watermelons are way tastier than what we have here

Prices in the Pud Store, CrimeaWe bought peaches from street vendors (200 rubles per kilogram) and from the store (150 rubles per kilogram) – there was no difference in taste – both were sweet and aromatic, with the street vendors' only having a slightly thicker skin, but that was it. As for the melons from the store, I actually preferred them over the ones from the street vendors – they were softer and had a more intense aroma.

What really got me down, though, was the exorbitant prices for alcohol.

Prices on Products in CrimeaThe peninsula is home to the Massandra wine and grape processing plant, but the prices for their products are not exactly reassuring – you can get the same stuff for cheaper in Moscow. And in a Crimean cafe, a bottle of local wine will set you back at least 1,600 rubles

Prices for drinks in CrimeaI've got to say, the cost of cocktails really took me aback

Prices in Alushta shopsAnd it's not even the most expensive options, but honestly, who wants to drink that swill that's only for hardcore drinkers in central Russia? It's basically cheap cocktails with low-quality booze that'll give you a pounding headache. It's way better to order a round in a cafe - you'll get a better taste and can sit down at a table instead of running from the cops.Prices in Alushta cafes 2024Yeah, despite the fact that booze is sold in all the shops along the waterfront in original packaging (not on tap), you're not allowed to drink it in public places without the packaging - or you'll get fined and in trouble.

If I'm being honest, I'd recommend eating at places that have long queues - it means the food is good and you won't get food poisoning.

Even at the cafeteria, they're serving 'fresh' food for lunch, and this snack cost us just 800 rubles

Prices at the Aushitsa cafeteriaI really loved the food market Kvartal, which is right behind the fountain on the central waterfront - all the cafes and restaurants are in one place, with prices that are pretty reasonable. And they're open all day until late at night

Kvartal food market in AushitsaYou can just sit down and have a coffee, or go into a restaurant and go all out - with drinks and dancing to live music. I'm a fan of concepts like that, where everything is all in one place

Kvartal food market in AushitsaBut we also visited a couple of other spots that I wanted to write a separate review about, and I'll leave the links to them below

What to bring back

Coming to Crimea without bringing anything back is just wrong, so there are tons of souvenir shops here. I've found some genuinely unique items here, like the deep-sea shells you can't find on any other marketplace.

What to Bring Back from CrimeaI also always bring back sheepskin slippers from Bakhchysarai - they're handmade there. But, between you and me, I've found them cheaper on the marketplaces than in local shops. I'm not sure what they're really worth, though, since they only accept cash here and don't give receipts.

What to Bring Back from CrimeaThere are also plenty of shops selling local cosmetics from the 'Crimean Rose' brand, which I think many people know and love.

If you're driving to the peninsula, you can pick up some local honey, pomegranate jam, nuts, spices, and homemade sauces.

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Overall, I really hope the peninsula continues to thrive, and the locals remain as welcoming as those on the Sochi coast. I'll definitely be back to Crimea and would recommend it to anyone.

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