It's time to get acquainted with the small town of the southern coast of Crimea called Sudak. Many tourists, having visited here, recognize the landscapes and landscapes from famous Soviet films: “Sportloto-82”, “Amphibian Man”, “Three Plus Two”, etc. Aivazovsky’s dacha was in this city, so in many of his paintings you can see local beauty. To this day, the surroundings of the city of Sudak and its bays attract creative people all year round. If you are also interested, then after reading the article, you will find out: where the city of Sudak is located, how to get to it, the best offers of the hotel business for a comfortable stay.
Where is it and how to get there
The city is located between Cape Alchak and Fortress Mountain, on the shore of Sudak Bay.
By plane
There is only one airport in Crimea - in Simferopol, from where you can get to Sudak by bus or taxi.
Bus
Several buses depart from Simferopol airport to Sudak Travel time is 2.5 hours. The bus station is located on the right side of the airport exit. Bus ticket offices inside the airport
Can be reached with transfers. Get to Simferopol - central bus station or st. Kurortnaya, where buses also depart from, and transfer to transport to Sudak. From these stations there are departures almost every 20 minutes.
The fare is 300-400 rubles.
The bus station in Sudak is located on the street. Gvardeiskaya, 34.
- Bus schedule and ticket sales Simferopol – Sudak
Train
After the opening of direct railway communication between the peninsula and the mainland via the new bridge, you can travel by train from Moscow and St. Petersburg.
- From the Kazansky railway station in Moscow you can get to Simferopol in 33 hours.
- From the Moskovsky station in St. Petersburg to Sevastopol, the train takes 43.5 hours.
Flights on this route are not operated by Russian Railways, but by the private company Grand Service Express.
Train tickets to Crimea are not sold on the Russian Railways website. You can buy tickets through official agents – tutu.ru, poezd.ru.
There is no railway station in Sudak, so when you get to Simferopol by train, you need to change to a bus.
Road transport
If you entered the peninsula from Simferopol or Feodosia, then to Sudak you should follow the E97 highway, turn at the village of Grushevka. The P29 highway runs along the coast.
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Taxi from Simferopol airport
To avoid dealing with local bombers in dead cars, you can order an official transfer in advance.
Geographical position
Sudak is located in the southeast of Crimea, between Alushta and Feodosia, it occupies the coastal mountainous part of the peninsula. The resort is notable for its unique landscapes, which at the same time differ from the reliefs of, for example, Greater Yalta: the mountains do not differ in particular height differences, there is no such lush and impressive variety of tropical vegetation. The climate at the resort is quite hot, and the air is sometimes even arid.
Weather in Sudak, best time to travel
On average, there are no more than 84 cloudy days a year in Sudak. Apart from the southern side, the city is protected by mountains. The climate is mild and without sudden changes in temperature.
The swimming season lasts 140 days, from mid-May to mid-October. In the peak month, July, the air temperature can reach + 38, but is easily tolerated due to the sea breeze. Sea water in mid-summer reaches +23.
The average annual temperature is +12. In winter it is cold and windy. In December and January, winds can reach 30 m/s. Winter is not the best time to visit Sudak.
Hotels and private sector in Sudak
Sudak is a small town; even from the most remote hotel the distance to the sea is no more than 30 minutes on foot. Therefore, you should not get hung up on finding a hotel closer to the sea.
In total, more than 250 accommodation options are registered in Sudak - from apartments, hostels to luxury hotels, in addition, more than 1000 offers from locals.
- Housing in Sudak directly from local residents, with a guarantee of occupancy
Recommended hotels:
- The most luxurious hotel is Soldaya Grand Hotel & Resort, built in 2014. The only hotel in Sudak offering spa treatments. Buffet breakfast, with the option to order dinner and lunch. There is a spa, baths, indoor and outdoor pools, a restaurant and a children's club.
- Where it is inexpensive and has a sea view - the Horizon Hotel.
- Where to stay with pets – Hotel Grivaldi, Guest House Lerici.
- The hotel has a restaurant - Swallow's Nest, Eva.
- Hotels with a swimming pool – Sudak, Radiant, Villa Felini.
All-inclusive hotels in Sudak
Some boarding houses and hotels in Sudak offer accommodation with meals on the breakfast + lunch + dinner system.
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Crime
In Sudak, high-profile crimes are very rarely committed. Mostly petty theft and drunken fights. For example, in February of this year, a guy in a hood snatched bags from women. There were three robberies, the criminal escaped and has not yet been found.
But still, there are several points that shocked local residents. Not long ago, a young man raped a pensioner. The criminal was behind bars.
The WWII veteran's awards were stolen, but law enforcement officers managed to return them.
Not long ago, a man was caught who ordered the murder of his wife 17 years ago. All this time he was hiding from law enforcement agencies, but was finally caught.
Beaches in Sudak
Sudak has several small city beaches that stretch along the entire coast for 2 km. Gentle, safe entry into the water. Beaches with quartz sand, there are small areas with small pebbles.
There are a lot of people on all the beaches. But in general, there are always a lot of vacationers in Sudak; after all, it is one of the best resorts in Crimea.
The water is very clean and transparent. In summer, waves are very rare. The cost of sun loungers is from 300 rubles/day. Toilet fees are 15 rubles.
A well-equipped promenade with many cafes and restaurants stretches along the beaches.
Infrastructure condition
The main problem for residents of the city of Sudak is the lack of normal water supply. Water most often comes to houses by the hour (morning and evening). Residents are forced to acquire tanks that are filled during supply hours. It often happens that there is no water for several days. Despite all the inconvenience, water tariffs are off the charts. One cubic meter costs almost 1 dollar. And heating in houses is not cheap. For a three-room apartment, city residents pay more than $80-100 in winter.
Payments for housing and communal services are also expensive. But here the question arises: “Where does the money go?” There is an almost complete absence of normal roads in the city.
Spendiarova Street
If in the central part there is asphalt, although in holes, it is there, then on the outskirts the roads are only dirt roads. The only normal, renovated street is Morskaya.
Regarding urban transport, only one thing can be said: the residents of Sudak are accustomed to walking. There is only one bus running all year round, which can take you to Dachnoe and Uyutny. During tourist times, another route is added, which can take you from the bus station to the Valley of Roses and the water park.
There are also many taxis in the city. In winter, its cost is reasonable: 1-2 dollars, and you are in the right place. In the summer, taxi drivers charge astronomical fares. Well, it wouldn’t be a sin to rip off an extra penny from a vacationer.
Transport
There are no problems with schools in Sudak. There were 13 schools in total. Many simply became hotels. There are three operating schools left. One now bears the proud name “Gymnasium”. This is where all the children want to gnaw on the granite of science.
School No. 2 was recently renovated. The third school educates Crimean Tatar children.
There is also a music school. But there is only one kindergarten. Of course, the authorities are planning to open a second kindergarten. A ton of money has been allocated for its construction, which is proceeding at a rapid pace. All residents hope that in the fall of 2014 the new kindergarten will open its doors to children.
What to see in Sudak
If you have a driver's license, we recommend renting a car. Even if not for the entire vacation, then just for a few days to explore the local natural beauty yourself. It is much more comfortable than on public buses. And most importantly, don’t rub against sweaty tourists who are sneezing and coughing coronavirus in all directions. travel43 at the rental agency .
Find out how much car rental costs
Once a slave market, and now a resort settlement with a history of several centuries - the city of Sudak. Scientists suggest that Sudak was founded in 212, which is confirmed by the many surviving ruins of ancient buildings, chronicles and numerous studies.
Genoese fortress
An interesting place is a fortification structure called the Genoese fortress, on Mount Krepostnaya, 157 m high. The complex was erected in the 12th-13th centuries. The following has survived to this day:
- 15 towers, one of which is oval, the rest are square;
- fortification wall;
- Consular Castle;
- citadel with Watchtower.
Every year, the “Genoese Helmet” festival is held on the territory of the fortress in July and August. These are knightly tournaments, large-scale staging of battles.
There is a permanent open-air exhibition on the territory - a museum of instruments of torture. These are Bastinda's stocks, masks of shame, garrotes.
Address: st. Genoese Fortress, 1. You can get there by minibus No. 2. GPS coordinates – N 44.8416, E 34.9583. The cost of visiting is 350 rubles; discounts are provided for children and pensioners.
Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The religious building is located in the city center (Lenin St., 27, coordinates: N 44°51'20″N 34°58'31″E). The temple was erected in 1819, the bell tower only in 1841. Construction was carried out with donations from local residents and patrons of the arts: Count Vorontsov, Prince Naryshkin.
The architecture of the building is simple, the building is cruciform, the entrances are decorated with columns and mosaics with the faces of Crimean saints.
Temple of Elijah the Prophet
The church is located in the village of Solnechnaya Dolina on the banks of the Koz River, 16 km from Sudak.
The structure rises in the center of the village, on a hill. It was erected around the 11th-12th centuries. The temple is operational.
In 2001, researchers found the remains of the grave of Priest Peter. A memorial plaque has been installed at this site. And during the service on St. Elijah’s Day, the August rain inevitably falls in the village.
The church is located at: st. Chernomorskaya. GPS coordinates N 44 52.526 E 35 06.060. Bus number 8 runs between the city and the village.
Museums of Sudak
This is a historical, local history museum dedicated to life and culture, winemaking.
Historical Museum (Funk Mansion)
The museum is located in the former dacha of Baron Funk, a German philanthropist. In 14 halls there are 13 permanent exhibitions dedicated to the history of the emergence and development of the city. Conventionally, they are divided into 3 halls, telling about the ancient, middle ages and modern times.
Address: st. Ushakova, 1. The museum is easy to find while walking along the embankment towards the Genoese fortress. The ticket price for an adult is 80 rubles, children under 7 years old are free, and from 7 to 18 years old – 20 rubles.
Museum of the History of Winemaking
Sudak is the oldest wine-producing city in Crimea. There is a museum and a factory for the production of champagne wines "New World". It is located on the territory of the mansion of Prince Golitsyn, because it was he who founded the production in 1878. The wines of this plant have won more than one medal at international competitions, experts highly appreciate its quality. Therefore, after a tour of the museum, tourists are introduced to the production process and invited to a tasting.
By bus number 5, you can get to the company store and museum. Get off at the “Novy Svet” stop and literally 500 m away there is a store (Shalyapina St., 1).
GPS coordinates: N 44° 49′ 45.0012″ E 34° 54′ 29.0232″. Website: nsvet-crimea.ru
Museum of Book and History
At the intersection of Lenin and Mayakovsky streets, there is a museum opened in 1999 and dedicated to book printing and the history of the city.
A visit to the museum is recommended for schoolchildren. On the excursion they will learn a lot about the life and culture of the Russian people, the inhabitants of Crimea. They will find out how printing became established in the country.
GPS coordinates: N 44° 51′ 18.144″ E 34° 58′ 29.8308″.
Monuments in Sudak
There are few sculptures and monuments in Sudak.
Stele in memory of the Novgorod Kirillovsky regiment
In 2021, at the intersection of Kommunalnaya and Vostochnoe Highway streets, a stele 12 m high was installed, the top of which was crowned with the coat of arms of Russia.
The stela commemorates the signing of the Manifesto by Catherine II on the entry of Crimea into the Russian Empire and the Kirillov Regiment. This happened in 1783, and at the same time, the Novgorod Kirillovsky regiment settled in the Sudak fortress. In those days the city was called “Kirillovskaya Fortress”.
Hill of Glory
The monument to Soviet soldiers was erected in 1974. This is the figure of a Soviet soldier, in whose arms a child is pressed to his chest, a second soldier stands nearby, leaning on a shield. The monument is dedicated to underground fighters and partisans who gave their lives for the liberation of their homeland.
The hill is also called the Mound of Glory, where the remains of soldiers are reburied. All the names of the deceased are carved on 13 memorial plaques surrounded by cypress trees.
The staircase leading to the Kurgan is located at the intersection of Lenin and Kurortnoye Shosse streets.
Bust of Knyazeva
In the park on the street. Lenin near the landowner's mansion, there is a small bust of Knyazeva. This woman made a huge contribution to the development of the grape industry in the region. All my life I worked on a state farm. Her team produced the largest grape harvests almost every year.
Architectural structures in Sudak
The Genoese fortress is not the only structure in Sudak that is worthy of attention.
Primorsky fortification
These are the ruins of the former port area near Castle Hill. To this day, there are many disputes regarding the date of construction of these structures.
The defensive tower of Frederico Astagvera and the small Church of the Twelve Apostles have been preserved. The church was destroyed twice and was restored twice. Inside, the walls are decorated with fresco paintings depicting the Last Supper.
The fortification is located at: st. Primorskaya, 22.
Lutheran Church
The architectural monument was erected in 1887 and has been well preserved to this day. The church was built by German colonists. They were invited by Catherine II to do these things.
There is a real open-air museum around the church. Here you can see objects belonging to different eras and, first of all, this is a temple of the 10th-12th centuries, in the courtyard of the church. Not far away, behind an iron fence, tombstones of prominent people of the city are collected.
This place is actually located in the village of Uyutnoye on Primorskaya Street, 13, but you can get here on foot, since the village and Sudak have long merged into a single whole.
House of the Zhukovsky-Gertsyk couple
The house appeared in 1915, public figure Zhukovsky and poetess Hertsy gathered interesting people here: Tsvetaeva, Berdyaev, Bulgakov, Parnok. The poetess’s sister, Evgenia, lived in the house for a long time.
Adelaide Gertsyk was a real keeper of the family hearth; after the house passed to Soviet power in 1924, she soon died.
Today, a vocational school operates in the building, and only a memorial plaque reminds of the old days. Although since 1996, literary readings have been held here. Location: st. Gagarina, 39.
Pallas House
Naturalist and scientist Pallas P.S. he moved to Crimea in 1798 and lived for 15 years in Sudak. He was granted 20 hectares of land, half of which was planted with vineyards. He built himself a house and rebuilt it several times. It was in this house that he summarized his scientific research and wrote a major work: “Zoographia Rosso-Asiatica”.
Today the house is located in a private sector quarter; only a memorial plaque on the wall reminds of Pallas. The house is located on the street. Paratroopers, 9.
general information
The resort town is located in the southeastern part of the Crimean peninsula. Sudak is famous for its production of amazing wines and famous vineyards.
Sudak is located between the resorts of the peninsula - Feodosia and Alushta. It consists of the village itself and nearby holiday villages, the largest of which are: Dachnoye, Novy Svet, Morskoye, Vesyoloye, Uyutnoye and Solnechnaya Dolina.
The name of the resort comes from a derivative of the Old Russian name “Surozh”, Italian “Soldaya” and Byzantine “Sugdeya”. The Ottomans called the settlement “Sudak”, which translated from Iranian means “pure”, and from Tatar means “mountain”.
The resort has a fairly mild climate, the air here is warm, and the sea sometimes warms up to 30 degrees. Rain and cold winds are rare occurrences in Sudak. In the northern part of the city there are mountain ranges, and near the coast lies the famous Sudak Wall, which has the official name - the Genoese fortress.
Natural attractions of Sudak
The city boasts of its natural attractions, beautiful mountains, trails with magnificent landscapes and “singing” grottoes.
Mount Manjil
It rises to 498 m. From the top there is a magnificent view of the city, Solnechnaya Dolina, coordinates N 44.866562, E 35.016965.
The manjil has a rounded shape and the top is treeless. The second name of Mount St. George. It appeared in the Middle Ages, when there was a monastery on Manjil. Now all that remains of it are ruins. Archaeological excavations have established that before the medieval monastery, there was a pagan temple dedicated to the goddess Demeter on this site.
You can climb to the top by three paths:
- along a flat road from the village of Mindalnoye;
- from Tokluk Valley;
- along a difficult path from Sudak.
Below the peak there is a source of drinking water that does not dry out even in the driest season. The hike to the top and back takes half a day.
Mountain and tract Alchak
When there was no Crimean peninsula yet, Mount Alchak was already forming as a coral reef. The mountain extends into the sea by 520 m, the height of the peak is 152.3 m. It is located in the eastern part of the city (GPS coordinates N 44.831910, E 34.989628). You can get to it in several ways, but in the end all the paths converge into one.
The path from the embankment is one of the most picturesque, on the one hand there is the sea, into which in some places you can plunge, and on the other hand there is a mountain. The length of the trail is 1.3 km.
Cape Alchak is famous for the beautiful Aeolian Harp grotto (western slope). This is a through hole, formed naturally and constantly expanding. The name of the grotto was given back in the 18th century, in honor of the god of the winds - Aeolus. Indeed, with a strong wind, the atmosphere inside is reminiscent of a chamber music concert, where the harp is the key figure.
Crab Island
The piece of land is a cluster of stone boulders. The largest is 8 m in diameter. The name of the island was given because of the huge number of crabs on it and in the area, which are the only inhabitants of this land.
You can get to the island by wading along a spit, where the depth does not exceed 1.5 m. The distance to the shore is 65 m. The island itself is located in the west of Sudak, not far from the Genoese fortress, almost near the central beach. GPS N 44.838195, E 34.961278.
This is the best place for beginner divers; there are always a lot of people wearing swimming masks. Under no circumstances should you approach the island during a storm, it is very dangerous.
Chaliapin's Grotto and Golitsyn's Path
The Golitsyn Trail and Chaliapin's Grotto are amazing places that can surprise even an experienced tourist. Golitsyn stored wine in the grotto; there is an ideal microclimate for storing intoxicating drinks. Over time, the prince realized that the acoustics inside were perfect. Musical instruments were brought into the grotto and concerts were held. The grotto is used as a concert hall even today. It is unknown why it received such a name; nothing is known about Chaliapin’s visit to the city.
The Golitsyn trail is cut down on the slope of Mount Khoba-Koya, 5.5 km long. On the way there are many observation platforms, high cliffs, relict trees and shrubs.
Address: New World, st. Embankment, 3. Regular bus route No. 5 runs from Sudak.
Markets and shops in Sudak
Most markets in the city operate exclusively during the summer season, when there is an influx of tourists. Shops are open year-round, there are chain and small shops.
Markets
The central market is located in the upper part, about 500 m from the bus station (Lenin St., 19). There are rows of vegetables, fruits, fish, groceries, meat and milk. At the market you can buy household goods and summer things - T-shirts, shorts, caps, etc.
Prices are high, but lower than on the beach. Rows with fish and milk have refrigeration equipment.
On the lane The market operates at the Primorsky market . Located at the beginning of Cypress Alley. Industrial goods are sold here.
On the embankment near the Water Park there is a spontaneous market with vegetables and fruits. In the area of the fortress, in the place where the street intersects. Sea and embankment, there is also a small market.
Grocery stores
On the street Lenina, 38, the PUD store is open 24 hours a day, where you can purchase a wide range of grocery and industrial goods. On the street Gagarina, 1 there is a store "Flora". A small grocery store operating like a supermarket.
There are still many small shops in Sudak where you can buy, the prices are different everywhere and not the lowest, but less than in the capital.
Liquor stores
To try the wines, you don’t have to go to the factory; everything can be bought at the company store on the street. Lenina, 88.
You can purchase wines produced by Mansarda PJSC in two company stores, at the following addresses: st. Feodosiyskoe highway, 4 and st. Lenina, 28. Prices in the store are reasonable.
Story
Sudak is one of the oldest cities in Crimea. It was founded in 212 as a settlement of the Bosporan kingdom called Sugdeya. In the 7th century, the Byzantines settled here, built a port and founded a bishopric. At the beginning of the 13th century, Sudak became part of the Trebizond Empire, and a few decades later it was ravaged by the Seljuks.
In the second half of the 13th century, Venice tried to control the city, but during the first half of the 14th century it was ravaged by the Horde several times. Subsequently, Sudak was part of the Crimean ulus, which was controlled by the Golden Horde.
Panorama of the Genoese fortress
In 1365, Sudak was captured by Genoa. The Genoese ruled the city for 110 years. They restored and improved the ancient fortress, which is now the hallmark of the city, and built temples, wells and even a water supply system. In 1465, Sudak was conquered by the Ottoman Empire, within which it remained for more than two centuries and fell into decay.
In 1783, Sudak, like the whole of Crimea, became part of the Russian Empire. In the 18th century, the city practically ceased to exist and only a few dozen inhabitants lived here. Sudak began to develop again in the 19th century as a wine-making center. The status of a city was returned to it only in 1982.
Where to go with children
Sudak has a lot of entertainment for children.
Aquapark
The Water World water park has been operating since 2003. This is as much as 200 sq. m. entertainment: 6 swimming pools, children's park, restaurants and water disco. Locals claim that this is the best water park in Crimea.
The key place of the park is a three-level swimming pool, with many cascades, a water curtain and a boiling geyser. There are regular events for children, and at night the park turns into a real dance floor.
Address: st. Gagarina, 79, near Mount Alchak, on the seashore. Website: sudak-aquapark.com
The cost of visiting for adults starts from 1300 rubles, depending on the time of day. Children who are only 1 m tall have free entry. Ticket price for children with height from 100 to 130 cm – from 1000 rubles.
Crocodile farm
The farm is located opposite the Water Park, on the street. Gagarin. More than 100 alligators and crocodiles are collected in the three-story building. In addition to them, children will be able to watch reptiles, turtles and iguanas.
There is a small petting zoo on the farm's territory. Here children can interact directly with goats, raccoons and rabbits. The cost of visiting the zoo is 400 rubles. for children, for adults 500 rub.
Central Amusement Park
On Cypress Alley (at the intersection with Naberezhnaya Street) there is Central Park, which has many carousels, slides, a rope park, and trampolines.
The prices for the attractions vary, but are quite reasonable.
Route for exploring Sudak on your own for 1-2 days
If you come on vacation without a car and for a short time, then in two days you can see almost all the main attractions.
You can start the first day with a tour of the street. Lenin (city center) and move towards Fortress Mountain. Along the way you can buy souvenirs and have a snack. On Fortress Hill, be sure to go on an excursion to the Genoese fortress, which will take at least 2-3 hours. After that, you can go to Cypress Alley and go straight to the embankment, where you can swim on the beach you like.
It is better to devote the second half of the day to a trip to the village of Novy Svet to a champagne wine factory, with a tour or on your own. You can take the bus going in that direction at any stop. Upon return, you can go to the beach or sit in one of the cozy restaurants in the city.
On the second day you can go to the New World on the Golitsyn trail. The passage to it is visible from the beach. Length 5.5 km. The first attraction is the Chaliapin Grotto, then the Blue Bay. Further, the trail goes around Cape Kapchik and leads to the Blue Bay with the Tsarskoye Beach. Next, the road runs through the Juniper Grove - the final destination of the journey. If you don’t swim in the sea along the way, the whole journey will take 1.5-2 hours.
The second half of the day can be devoted to a sea walk with dolphins and a trip to Tsarsky Beach. Boats regularly run from the New World beach.
Car rental in Sudak
Yes, once again about car rental. Because then you will regret that you only saw full beaches of people and expensive tomatoes on the market.
Rent is available from 1 day. Renting a car for 3-4 hours will cost the same as renting a car for the whole day. Most people rent a car immediately at the airport and drive it to the hotel to save on taxi costs.
When renting for 7 days or more - discounts. To rent, you only need a passport, driver's license and a deposit in case of damage to the car.
There are offers to rent a car without a deposit, but there are not many of them. The choice of cars is large - from economical small cars to jeeps and convertibles. You can find out prices, conditions and book a car on the aggregator website of all rental agencies in Crimea.
The filter will help you choose a car in accordance with your budget and required parameters.
Most people who come to Crimea on vacation take a car immediately at the Simferopol airport and drive it to Sudak or other resorts. This saves money on taxis to the hotel and back.
During high season, we recommend booking a car in advance! As a rule, in the summer all cars are reserved and only expensive or short-term ones remain in stock.
Kitchen
Crimean pastries will not leave anyone indifferent. These are not only sweet pies, but also many recipes with meat and vegetable filling.
A popular holiday food in Crimea is “kubete” - a meat pie with potatoes and onions. You can often find kubete with rice and chicken.
Small “chir-chir” pies, reminiscent of pasties in shape, are found everywhere. It comes with meat or vegetable filling. The dish came from Karaite cuisine. The pies are very soft, not crispy like pasties.
“Samsa” came to Crimean cuisine from Uzbek cuisine. These are unleavened pies filled with meat and onions. The shape can be round or triangular; pies are baked in a tandoor.
You should definitely try fish and seafood on the Black Sea coast. Local restaurants offer a fish menu of katran, flounder and long narrow fish - garfish. Fresh mussels and brine, as well as shrimp, are popular.
mussel dish
