On the banks of the Salgir River in the center of the Crimean Peninsula there is a unique city with an interesting and rich history - Simferopol. In ancient times, he was the main one in the Scythian kingdom. At the end of the 19th century, the Ak-Mechet settlement arose in its place. Translated from the Tatar language, its name sounds like “White Mosque”. In modern history, it was the capital of Taurida, and then the Crimean Soviet Socialist Republic.
The city is the “gate” of Crimea, from which paths diverge to all corners of this ancient land. It combines cultural, natural and historical attractions. Many tourist routes start from here. There will always be something to do and where to go in Simferopol for tourists who come not even for the first time.
How to get to Crimea from Russia
The capital of the peninsula is a major transport hub, which can be reached in different ways:
- by plane - in summer, direct flights are carried out from more than 40 settlements in Russia;
- by car - via ferry crossing;
- by train - communication passing through the territory of Ukraine was canceled and the Moscow-Simferopol direction was organized with a transfer through the Kerch Strait;
- by ferry running from the port of Kavkaz to the port of Kerch.
It is also the starting point for all resort villages, which can be reached by bus or taxi. From the Simferopol-Pasazhirsky railway station, trolleybuses run every 1 hour to Alushta and Yalta.
Journey into the natural world of Simferopol
There are many green areas and corners in Simferopol, but even more unique natural landscapes and landscapes can be found beyond its boundaries. Having driven just 25 km from the center, travelers find themselves in a landscape park. Among the main attractions is the Red Cave, located in the Kizil-Koba valley.
There are many stone sculptures located on the territory of this park complex. To view them in detail, you can go on a walking tour or ride a steam locomotive.
With its help, the excursion will be easy and fun; there is also a special place for games and a living corner.
Where to go in the capital of the peninsula
Monuments of the city of Simferopol, among which there are monuments to famous figures of art and culture, are only a small part of what is worth seeing when visiting it. There are many beautiful and interesting places to visit in the vicinity of the capital.
The excursion program should begin with a discovery from the Paleolithic era - the Chokchura cave. She was found on the outskirts of the city. Scientists consider it the most ancient human habitation in Europe. The settlement located nearby is the same Scythian Naples, the appearance of which gave rise to the construction of the current capital. The mausoleum of King Skilur was discovered there; archaeological excavations are still ongoing. These and other important Crimean heritage sites are included in a detailed map of Simferopol with attractions.
The oldest building that survived a severe fire, but has survived to this day, is the Kebir-Jami Mosque. Muslims maintain its external and internal aesthetic appearance, taking care of the preservation of the architecture - tourists are amazed by the strict asceticism with the simultaneous splendor of decoration. It is advisable to reschedule the visit to the afternoon, since services are held in the first half of the day. During its history, Crimea has retained several confessions; their representatives here are tolerant of people of other faiths. Only in this city, not counting the others, are there:
- Holy Trinity Convent.
- Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.
- Peter and Paul Cathedral.
A unique structure is the Simferopol Kenassa (Karaite). This is a building with elements of the Moorish style, in which the Karaites, a small ethnic group that professes a form of Judaism, used to pray.
When visiting religious places, you should show maximum respect and tolerance to the local residents. The capital authorities carefully preserve not only prayer houses, but also other memorial buildings. At different times, great Russian poets and writers visited Crimea - V. Zhukovsky, A. Griboyedov, L. Tolstoy, A. Pushkin and others. Beautiful and interesting places in Simferopol, the buildings in which they stayed, have been preserved to this day almost in the same form in which the great figures found them. Ancient estates of past centuries represent the landscape architectural heritage. Among them, it is worth noting the following parks for mandatory visits:
- “Salgirka” (Vorontsovsky), in which 2 London plane trees grow, more than 200 years old, and a five-trunk chestnut planted in the century before last.
- Gagarinsky, located in the Zheleznodorozhny district, and has become a favorite vacation spot for local residents and tourists.
- Children's park, where "Bogatyr of Taurida" continues to grow. This is a 750-year-old oak tree, which, according to legend, inspired A.S. Pushkin to write the work “Near Lukomorye there is a green oak.”
- Vorontsov's house is a magnificent architectural monument with stone lions at the main entrance. This house, which is located on the outskirts of the city in a shady park, opened its doors to the imperial family and the teacher who accompanied Tsarevich Alexander, Konstantin Zhukovsky.
The attractions and entertainment of the city of Simferopol do not end there. For lovers of scientific and simply fascinating excursions, the capital offers museums:
- Crimean ethnographic.
- Simferopol artistic.
- History of the city.
- Chocolate "Salon du Chocolat".
- Human anatomy.
- Electric transport "Crimea trolleybus".
- Central Museum of Taurida.
This is not the entire list of scientific and educational institutions with large collections and a rich history.
The best cultural sites of the city include:
- Crimean Academic Theater named after M. Gorky - besides Chersonesos, it is the oldest on the peninsula.
- Academic puppet theater, mobile. Its main base is here, but classical and avant-garde productions are staged periodically in different cities.
Those who are not here for the first time and are looking for where to walk and what to do in Simferopol will also find something to do. The city offers cinemas, which are still popular among people of all ages:
- "Simferopol".
- Named after T. G. Shevchenko.
- Cinema park "Viking".
Tourists who are passionate about space and scientific achievements will be interested in the TNA-400 Radio Telescope in Shkolny. This is the first Soviet small-scale technology with a high level of accuracy, designed to monitor spacecraft launches to a satellite and planets located in the Solar System. In 1968-1969 With the help of this device, the ships of the Apollo 8, 10, 11, and 12 expeditions were monitored.
Yuri Gagarin Park is an ideal entertainment complex for children
According to reviews from travelers who have already visited Simferopol, one of the most
Gagarinsky Park is a popular entertainment area for children. For a long time its territories remained swampy and empty, in the 1960s. The authorities decided to drain and lay out a park area on an area of 50 hectares. It received its name in honor of the first person to conquer outer space - Yuri Gagarin, the street leading here was also named after him.
Today this is the main park that Simferopol is proud of, entertainment for children, places of recreation and walks for adults, ponds where you can ride catamarans - just a small list of what you can do here. Children love the squirrels that live here in huge numbers; you can sunbathe on the green lawns, play outdoor and sports games, and organize a light picnic. More active options for spending time include thrilling rides and the possibility of cycling.
Neighborhoods of Simferopol: what interesting things to see and where to go
In addition to the ruins of the ancient settlement, not far from the capital there are other interesting places for tourists to visit. For example, the Denisovskaya ostrich farm is located 6 km from the city limits. Picturesque landscapes and a variety of entertainment activities will leave a deep impression of peace and pleasure. Guests are expected here:
- farm tour;
- horseback riding;
- fishing;
- program for children with the participation of animators;
- delicious dishes of Vietnamese piglets and ostrich meat.
This place offers a comfortable stay, immersing you in the world of wild nature.
The surroundings of the Crimean capital are relief and colorful. To the south of it there are natural attractions of Simferopol for tourists:
- Red caves from the “Meadow of Fairy Tales”. Until 2014, a gathering of scouts “Jamboree” was held here, which brought together schoolchildren and students belonging to the organization from different cities and countries.
- On the Chatyr-Dag plateau we recommend visiting the Mramornaya and Emine-bair-khosar caves.
- Hiking tourist routes are laid not only to the Angarsk Pass, which cuts through the main ridge of the Crimean Mountains, but also go further beyond it, going deeper into the interior of the peninsula.
Along the southern and western highways there is an abundance of restaurants in different styles that offer different cuisines:
- Ukrainian;
- Tatar;
- Russian;
- eastern and others.
A guide to Simferopol will be a useful acquisition in Crimea. It describes both parts of the city - the old, with winding streets and preserved architecture of past centuries, and the new, with wide roads that appeared under Catherine II and Soviet high-rise buildings.
Beautiful places in Simferopol that are worth visiting
There is something to visit in Simferopol for tourists who want to get acquainted with the history, customs and traditions of the peninsula. The cultural life of the capital of Crimea is diverse and exciting. Places worth visiting include the musical theatre, archaeological and art museums.
Simferopol reservoir
The largest reservoir in Crimea was built to provide the city and surrounding areas with fresh water. Its water reserves are replenished by the Salgir River. The area around the reservoir is protected, but during the season you are allowed to fish, have picnics, and walk around enjoying the natural beauty.
Address: Yalta highway E105.
How to get there: trolleybuses 4, 21, 52, 55, bus 49, minibus 41, 60, 64, 114 pass through the “Student City” stop.
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Catherine's Garden
The garden, with elements typical of the English style, was laid out in the 19th century. The central part of the park is decorated with a monument to Catherine the Great. During Soviet times, the previous monument was destroyed. The modern monument was erected in 2021. The garden is divided into zones for active and relaxing recreation.
Address: Lenin street, 1.
How to get there: buses 3, 7, 30, 22, 70 arrive at the Sovetskaya Ploshchad stop.
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Denisovskaya ostrich farm
The ostrich farm is a place where tourists with children will be interested to visit. Ostriches, horses, sheep, and quails are bred on a vast territory. Visitors are invited to play paintball, walk along the river, ride horses, visit the rope park and zoo, and purchase eco-products.
Address: Denisovka village, Solnechnaya street, 57.
Opening hours: daily 9:00-18:00.
How to get there: by bus from the stop “Ul. Borodin" to the farm.
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Simferopol museums and theaters
It is known that parents rarely visit museums with their children, leaving this issue to be decided by the school. Holidays in Simferopol are a great opportunity to spend time interestingly and usefully.
There are many museum institutions in the city, the most famous is the Central Museum of Taurida, which was the name of the Crimean Peninsula in former times.
Museum exhibitions will tell about the first inhabitants of these territories, animals and birds, about the people who came after them, their occupations and crafts. The Simferopol Museum of Art is more suitable for adults, but the Chocolate Museum, located on Kirov Avenue, will be interesting and tasty for everyone.
In addition to museum institutions, Simferopol theater institutions are popular among guests and citizens. Special programs and performances are prepared for children; they can be watched at the Puppet Theater and the local Drama Theater. And the Crimean Musical Theater is an opportunity to watch a fun children's musical.
During the holidays, children should also have fun. Simferopol is a wonderful city intended for recreation for both adults and children. The younger generation of tourists is very capricious in their choice of activities, but here they will be able to find leisure activities according to their age, interests, and parental finances! In conclusion, watch a short video of a circus performance in Simferopol. Enjoy watching!
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Marble Cave
One of the most mysterious places on the entire peninsula. The underground rooms are given romantic names: Chandelier and Palace Halls, Hall of Hope, Gallery of Fairy Tales and so on. Their main decorations are numerous figures that create a mysterious impression thanks to their shape and colored lighting. Sometimes symphony orchestras take place here.
Taxi - from 1,500 rubles* Entrance ticket - from 400 rubles*
Territory of childhood and smiles
In the capital of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea there are also plenty of fun corners designed for children's pastime. The list of these includes various clubs and game rooms, one of them has exactly this name - “Childhood Territory”. You can stay there almost every day, or spend holidays, sign up for a fun two-week educational and entertainment program, or come and play.
The second establishment of this type has the cheerful name “Mona Everything!” It has game rooms and a cozy cafe with tasty and healthy food. Labyrinths, lots of toys, the opportunity to watch your favorite cartoons or movies - as you can see, there are many options for where to go in Simferopol with a child.
