Saki can hardly be called a typical Crimean resort. Nicknamed the capital of mud therapy, the city is interesting and unique in various aspects.
For a good rest, quality treatment and pleasant walks, you can safely come to the Crimean health resort even in the off-season. Here you can stroll along beautiful alleys, look at sculptures, touch history, explore the surrounding area and be impressed by the views of salt lakes.
Places of interest in the area around Saki City
Saki is located in the steppe zone, noticeably inferior in beauty to the mountainous Crimea. But the nature of the steppe can also work miracles, and their true fans will find something to see in the vicinity of the city.
Saki Lake
- Coordinates on the map: 45.121378, 33.557110.
The main attraction of the resort, the source of its popularity and fame, is Lake Saki. It has an estuary origin and is quite large by Crimean standards - the area of the water surface is 10 square meters. km. But the depth in it is insignificant, and only in places exceeds 1 m.
The lake is divided into sectors for the extraction of healing silt (some sectors are kept untouched in order to renew reserves of valuable medicinal raw materials).
The salinity of its water is higher than that of the Dead Sea. The shores are not landscaped, but relaxing near the lake and trying to arrange “therapy” right on its shore is not prohibited. You just have to bring fresh water with you to wash away the silt and excess salt.
Lake Sasyk-Sivash
- GPS coordinates: 45.184301, 33.517968.
Another healing estuary lake near Sak attracts attention with its unusual water color. It is home to special types of microorganisms that have adapted to life in conditions of extremely high salinity. When they multiply en masse, they color the water bright pink.
Sasyk-Sivash is not a nature reserve; anyone can visit it. True, there are no special amenities on the shore, but due to the shallow water (the depth of the lake is less than a meter), you can swim in it as early as May, and many people willingly do so. Tourists also use the local silt for cosmetic or “medicinal” purposes.
Mikhailovskoye Lake
- Coordinates: 45.184301, 33.517968.
The lake is fundamentally different from the group of Saki lakes, because it is not salty or estuary, and the extraction of healing mud is not organized on it. We are talking about an ordinary body of water in which there are a lot of fish.
For this reason, reviews recommend it specifically to fans of float and sinker. On Lake Mikhailovskoe they can indulge in their favorite activity in civilized conditions. There is a rental of fishing equipment and boats, equipped parking lots, small guest houses and hotels, and shops of the appropriate profile.
Ostrich farm
The Ostrich Farm located in the vicinity of Saki is popular among tourists with children and nature lovers; it is part of the Sergiev Posad ethnographic complex. The main inhabitants of this farm are giant ostriches, which visitors are allowed to pet and feed. Ostrich eggs are also sold here, which many tourists buy as souvenirs. In addition to ostriches, the farm also houses deer and horses; there are special enclosures for them. Everyone can ride horses; for experienced riders, long horseback riding tours through the picturesque surroundings are organized. Near the farm there are several ponds that are attractive places for fishing.
Where to go for a walk in Saki
Saki has long been regarded as an exclusively medicinal resort, and the local social life is no different. It’s hard to believe, but the city doesn’t even have a promenade embankment, which is obligatory for any large seaside settlement - it’s only just begun to be built! However, there are also interesting places in Saki where vacationers can go to see people and show themselves off.
Resort Park
- Address: Kurortnaya street.
The park is over 100 years old - it was created in 1890. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that trees and shrubs should not grow at all on the over-saline Saki soils under the eternal winds, but there are dozens of species in the park, including exotic and rare ones.
The issue was resolved by the professionalism of the gardener P.S. Melnichenko, who took up the creation of the Resort Park. Having a good understanding of biology and having many connections in horticultural circles, he acquired for the city those types of trees and shrubs that are highly resistant to drought and soil salinity. Also, the gardener did not use small seedlings, which are especially vulnerable in unfavorable conditions, but well-grown planting material, which is more resistant to adversity.
Now, due to problems with water supply in Crimea, the park is not in the best shape, but its plantings are still holding on and fighting for life. People come here to relax on hot days, when it is difficult to be in open areas. There are several monuments installed on the territory, there is a pump room with mineral water and an artificial lake.
Square named after Pushkin
- Address: st. Revolution/st. Galushkina.
This is a relaxing area. The square is a fairly large park area in the city center. Both tourists and locals walk here. There are several cafes and a wine tasting room on site.
The square received its name due to the location of the monument to the poet on its territory. Also, the alleys and lawns are decorated with sculptural images of fairy-tale characters - and not only from Pushkin’s fairy tales.
House of Culture
- Address: st. Revolutions, 2.
For some reason, in our time, such establishments are considered “yesterday”. But the tradition of cultural centers is a worthy tradition, and I am only glad that the Cultural Center in Saki is alive and thriving. Its architecture is a classic of the genre of the era of “developed socialism”.
They were not built very elegantly then, but they were functional and reliable. The club today is the main city cultural platform. It has an excellent concert hall, on the stage of which numerous touring artists and groups perform.
Amphitheater
- Address: embankment of Saki Lake.
On the shores of Lake Saki, in the Resort Park, an Amphitheater was recently built - an open-air area for showing films, entertainment and dance events. As a rule, tourists praise this place, but there are also those who are dissatisfied with the fact that the embankment has become very noisy during the season.
Resort Park
The city has a very famous park, which the locals are very proud of. It took a lot of time to create it, a lot of manual labor was invested. Now the park has about 80 different species of shrubs and trees. Some of the most beautiful representatives of the flora are cypress, Syrian rose, oaks and birches from China and North America, pines, maples, cedars, etc. Local residents love to spend time in the park because the healing air, enriched with salt ions from the lake, very useful for the body.
Where to go in Saki for history lovers
Although photos of Sac attractions rarely make it into brochures, the small town has an interesting history. And fans of studying the past will find a lot of interesting things here - they will discover an unusual Crimea, which bears little resemblance to the Southern Coast.
Settlement Kara-Tobe
- Address: Evpatoriya highway, 2A.
This is a relatively small but rich ancient settlement. Archaeologists call such multi-layered monuments - representatives of different cultures and peoples lived in one place at different times. Research into the settlement began in 1983, but was carried out irregularly, so that only about 10% of its territory has now been explored.
The city was built by ancient Greek colonists and depended on Chersonesus. However, it was later captured by the Scythians, who lived with the Greeks in a state of easily violated, well-armed neutrality.
Experts easily distinguish Scythian monuments from Greek ones - accustomed to nomadic life, they were poor architects and builders. A Roman treasure was also discovered during the excavations, and researchers speculate that the city fortress housed a Roman garrison in Roman times.
Church of St. Elijah
- Address: per. Kovaleva.
The church building is interesting because it looks united, although in fact it was built in parts and by different architects. The bell tower (which was a separate chapel) was built in 1894 according to the design of A. Karapetov.
Its architecture was dominated by the antique style. In 1902, they decided to add the church itself to the bell tower, and the project was developed by H.V. Vasiliev. He managed to organically combine the existing and planned buildings into one ensemble. The church was consecrated in 1903.
Today, nothing remains of the original interior decoration (the church was used as a club for a long time, and then it stood abandoned). However, the appearance after the renovation carried out in 1990 was largely preserved.
Saki Museum of History and Local Lore (mud therapy museum)
- Address: Kurortnaya st., 29.
The museum was created in 1909, but after the Great Patriotic War it had to be recreated - almost the entire collection was lost. However, today its funds are quite rich - the exhibition includes several departments dedicated to different eras in the history of the Saki region.
The museum contains archaeological artifacts. There are old documents and photographs, but the main part of the exhibition is devoted to the history of spa medicine, mud treatment and specifically the Saki mud resort. The museum building is also a landmark - it is an architectural monument, the house of Princess Panina.
Artesian Observatory
- Address: Resort Park.
The word "observatory" is usually associated with astronomy. But in Saki everything is different. An observatory for monitoring the quality, level and flow of artesian waters was created in 1897 by N.A. Golovkinsky, a famous person in Crimea. The need for it arose in connection with the drilling of artesian wells in Saki during the construction of the Resort Park.
In 1926, the observatory was converted into a mud observation and research station, as evidenced by the inscription on the decorative rotunda in the Resort Park. Monitoring the condition of healing silt and groundwater in Sakam is now more necessary than ever.
Church of St. Luke
- Address: Resort Park.
At the entrance to the Pirogov sanatorium you can find another Orthodox shrine of Sak - the Church of St. Luke. It is recommended to go here to find peace of mind and tranquility, because the atmosphere and the parish ministers contribute to this as much as possible. The territory is also surrounded by stunningly beautiful natural surroundings.
Estate of Ferdinand Matveevich Schlee
- Address: Saki district, Chebotarka village.
In the village of Chebotarka, Saki region, you can find an interesting historical object - the palace-estate of F.M. Schlee. True, today practically nothing remains of the former grandeur of this estate, built at the end of the 19th century in the neo-Baroque style. Time has not been kind to this architectural monument; for the most part, only the walls remain.
Be sure to read: Palaces of Crimea
Yangyi Jami Mosque
- Address: Evpatoriya highway, 80G.
Not only Christian believers live in Saki, but also Muslims - Crimea has always been famous for its harmonious combination of different cultures, religions and nationalities. The Yangy Jami Mosque was built in the city for followers of Islam. As an object of architecture, it is beautiful, made in an unusual style. But not every tourist can visit its halls.
Entertainment Sak for children
Although the city of Saki is popular as a place for children's treatment and recreation, it cannot be said that there are a lot of children's “entertainments” in it. However, there are places where children will have fun and interesting, and the parents accompanying them will not wither away from boredom.
Water park "Banana Republic" ("Medusa")
- Address: Kalamitskaya st., 14, Pribrezhnoye village.
The Meduza water park, which previously had a different name, is located outside the city limits - it is a separate republic after all! This entertainment complex is one of the largest and richest in Crimea. It is located on the seashore and has its own sea beach.
The decoration of the territory is made in Latin American style. The park has 8 different pools and 25 slides - from very simple ones for kids to something so extreme that not every adult would dare try it. There are also cafes and restaurants, sunbathing terraces, changing rooms on the territory - everything that tourists on an exotic island could want.
Entertainment complex "Saxony"
- Address: Kurortnaya st., 4Yu.
The Saxony aqua complex is popular when the weather does not allow swimming in the sea. Its basis is a large heated pool with a special area for children (it’s shallow there and the temperature is higher). The complex is open all year round.
In addition to the swimming pool, the complex has other entertainment - sports grounds, a restaurant. Even the famous dinosaur monument in Saki now formally belongs to “Saxony”.
Rabbit park in Chervonoye
- Address: 43, Chervonoye village.
In the vicinity of the city you can find not only natural, but also man-made attractions. The rabbit park in the village of Chervonoye is a vivid example of this. It is recommended to visit it with a child - children will be delighted with the little rabbits that they can touch and stroke.
Fast and Furious Racing Factory
- Address: Zavodskaya st., 97.
If you come to Saki with young boys, be sure to attend racing performances at the Forsazh club. There is no doubt that every little boy will be delighted with both the racing tracks laid here and the karting shows themselves, which are practically never seen anymore in Crimea.
Cinema "World of Cinema"
- Address: Kurortnaya street, 101, 2nd floor.
You can go to the cinema with or without a child. The Saki cinema does not differ in size, but it will delight you with a comfortable, sincere atmosphere, coziness and friendliness of the staff. When vacationing here in the summer, you can always go to this place and watch one of the new releases in Russian and world film distribution.
Aloha Waterpark
- Address: embankment of the village. Novofedorovka.
In the summer, at the height of the season, in the Crimean Novofedorovka, Saki district, there is another water park - “Aloha”, especially for those who could not get to the “Banana Republic”. Of course, it is not so big, but it is located literally in the sea itself, on one of the central Novofedorovo beaches.
A little about treatment
Saki mud is a brand known almost since tsarist times. Mud resorts were founded in this area under Nicholas I. This miraculous gift of nature is widely used in modern medicine. Mud lakes located near the city are sources of waters rich in minerals, salts, silt and mud. Numerous health resorts and sanatoriums of various medical profiles welcome guests in Saki all year round.
The city infrastructure is adapted for the reception and accommodation of people with limited mobility, conditions have been created for the treatment and rehabilitation of people with diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
The best Saki beaches for relaxation
A vacation by the sea primarily means the sea. And in Saki, beach lovers will find somewhere to go. Local beaches will definitely appeal to connoisseurs: they are sandy (pebbles in some places), wide, long, clean, with a gentle entrance to the water, but also with accessible deep water.
City Beach
- Address: Morskaya street.
Since the central city embankment in Saki has just begun to be built, the main city beach is located not in the center, but somewhat to the side. It is convenient due to its good infrastructure and huge size - a “seal beach” does not form even at the height of the season.
The place is known for its good entry into the water and a large number of different water activities, including a children's pool. It is also convenient that near the city beach there are cozy inexpensive cafes where you can have a snack and just sit with coffee or ice cream.
New beach
- Address: Simferopol highway.
This is now one of the fashionable beach recreation areas in the city. People have been swimming in this place since time immemorial, but the infrastructure appeared relatively recently - that’s why it’s New. The beach is especially recommended for lovers of active recreation - its infrastructure is “tailored” just for such people.
Like all beaches in Saki, Novy is impressive in size. It has paid and free zones, but you can safely not pay - many vacationers are sure that the free zone is even better here.
You can happily spend the whole day here - there is a shower, toilet and cafe (the local specialty is seafood dishes). You can save money on a sun lounger - the beach is covered with sand with only minor inclusions of pebbles.
Surf Beach
- Address: Morskaya street.
The huge beach (more than a kilometer long and up to a hundred meters wide) is assigned to the Priboi tourist center, but is publicly accessible. It is considered the most convenient and interesting in Saki in terms of variety of infrastructure and entertainment.
Vacationers will find a variety of water attractions of varying degrees of extremeness (from the simplest for children to those that not every adult would risk), rental points, sports grounds, and various entertainment events.
The child will be happy to do sand construction here, and parents will not have to constantly watch over him - the entrance to the water on the beach is gentle and safe, and the rescue service works conscientiously. At the same time, the beach is also convenient for good swimmers; in principle, you can go diving here.
On topic: The best beaches in Saki
Waterpark "Banana Republic"
What can be offered to guests of the Saki resort in Crimea? Sights and entertainment will certainly interest travelers. The main thing is to decide on the route, and forward to adventure!
The water park, located between the cities of Saki and Evpatoria, fits ideally into the category of entertainment and attractions. Thousands of people visit it every day to ride a huge number of different slides, relax in specially equipped areas, and try delicious fruit cocktails from the bar. The water park has 25 exciting slides and attractions that are suitable for both children and adults. The name of the water park speaks for itself, all the slides there are painted in bright colors, and exotic plants and incredible landscape compositions decorate most of the complex, making it a truly ideal place for relaxation and entertainment for the whole family.
What else should you visit in Saki?
As in any city, there are places in Saki that do not fall into any typical tourist guide category, but are considered popular, symbolic and even sacred. Such attractions in Sak impress with their diversity. The city united paleontology, military aviation and Chinese medicine into a single complex. There is no need to talk about mineral water supply.
Ancient pump room
- Address: Kurortnaya street.
When laying the resort park in Saki, artesian wells were drilled (previously there were none in the city). During these works, mineral water deposits were also discovered. The old pump room installed in the Resort Park is also filled from one of them.
The water has the official name “Crimean” and is used in sanatoriums for treatment. In the pump room, anyone can dial it for free. But we must take into account: mineral water is not at all harmless. It should be used according to indications and in limited quantities.
Dinosaur Monument
- Address: Alley Nadezhd.
The sculptural group, officially called “The Fight of the Brontosaurus with the Ceranosaurs,” is unique in the time of its appearance. Nowadays, no one is surprised by the extensive dino parks, but the Saki monument was erected in 1932. It is interesting at least because of the mystery: who and why came up with the idea to build such an installation in those years? Why dinosaurs and why in Saki?
The dinosaurs do not reach the real size (however, sculpting a real brontosaurus is a Herculean task, and a lot of space is required), but they are depicted with skill. They are located “in natural conditions” - in a small artificial lake.
Until recently, the group was neglected and looked unkempt. But now the dinosaurs have been restored, and they are like new again. This is a favorite backdrop for tourists to take photographs, and the Saxony complex (to which the monument now geographically belongs) allows everyone to access it without any problems.
Training airfield
- Coordinates on the map: 45.090892, 33.595033.
It is located outside the city (otherwise it is simply not allowed), near the village of Novofedorovka, which was once a summer town. The airfield is considered the largest naval aviation training base in the CIS. You can’t get to the airfield itself (a military facility!), but that’s not necessary.
The huge training jump and signal towers can be seen from a great distance. Nearby there is also a small park with the Alley of Heroes (busts of famous Soviet pilots are displayed on it) and a monument in the form of a Soviet bomber.
Don't miss: Sights of Novofedorovka
Monument to Zhang Wei Lin
- Address: Resort Park.
In the difficult year of 1991, a young Chinese professor who specialized in traditional acupuncture arrived in Saki. He believed it was possible to combine the principles of mud therapy with the effects of Chinese therapy.
Zhang Wei Lin lived in Saki for only 2 years and shared the fate of many who were unlucky enough to live in the former USSR in the “dashing 90s”: he was killed by criminals. The doctor was only 38 years old.
However, the method he developed turned out to be so successful that the doctor was able to help hundreds of patients during his short Crimean practice. It was they who took care of installing a monument to him - it was built in the Resort Park.
Monument "Bathing Girl"
- Address: Resort Park.
This is probably one of the most resort monuments in the entire Saki region. It is located in the Resort Park, in the middle of a small bowl, which was probably used as a fountain. The locals have already given this girl a name - “Natasha”. The sad thing is that both the monument and its surroundings are now in disrepair.
The most colorful restaurants and cafes in Saki
When relaxing at a resort, it is important to eat tasty and healthy food. But often it will be interesting not just to have dinner, but also to relax and find yourself in a colorful environment.
Restaurant "Charivny Mlyn"
- Address: st. Revolutions, 23.
This, probably the most famous public catering establishment in the city, is located in the center of Sak. The portions here are large, the dishes are very tasty, the staff is polite and friendly. The stylization of a Ukrainian hut makes this place also a kind of museum, immersing you in the past.
Cafe "Fairy Tale of the East"
- Address: Kurortnaya street.
This establishment already offers more oriental dishes and dishes. Tourists especially praise the meat - the kebab here is truly incomparable, you can drive across the whole of Crimea to get it. The territory of the restaurant is also remarkably decorated, it even has its own fountain.
Restaurant "Caravanserai"
- Address: Evpatoriya highway, 94B.
“Caravanserai” is another Saki restaurant with oriental motifs. The food there is very tasty, and the prices are average, and often even lower than that. The service staff works quickly, pleasant, soulful music plays, and the food served is impeccable.
Don't miss: Sights of Crimea and Excursions in Saki
The city of Saki is not a popular excursion route; numerous buses do not travel here, taking guests from other regions to explore local wonders. There's nothing you can do - the specialization is wrong. However, vacationers in Saki can easily provide themselves with a decent cultural program during their vacation - there are enough interesting places for this in the city and its environs.
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How to get there
The Evpatoria Highway passes through Saki. A major highway connects Simferopol and Yevpatoria. There is also access to the Yevpatoriya highway from Simferopol airport.
The distance from the airport is less than 40 kilometers, so transfer by bus or transfer in a rented car after arrival will not take much time.
At the entrance to Saki. Photo: multiurok.ru
You can also get to Saki by rail.
All trains and electric trains heading towards Evpatoria make a stop at the local station. The railway travel option from Simferopol to the capital of mud therapy will take no more than an hour. From Yevpatoria to Saki is about half an hour’s drive with a view of the sea from the carriage window. Here's more about healing places: Sun, air and water. Where is the best place to improve your health in Crimea?
