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Crimea is located in southern Ukraine, bordered to the east by Russia across the Taman Bay and surrounded by protruding coastlines and cliffs. It's a city less influenced by the West and better known for its wartime history than for tourism. However, Crimea offers a Mediterranean feel with warm sunshine and prices that are only half that of European tourist cities like Venice or Naples (Italy), or Nice or Marseille (France).
Tarkhanut Point – the westernmost point of Crimea - Sergey Stepanenko.
Besides the beauty of the ocean, the green expanses of forests and mountains give Crimea one of the wildest landscapes in Eastern Europe. Every summer, many tourists from Russia and other Eastern European countries flock to Crimea to enjoy the beaches. Hot girls and muscular guys are everywhere, and they see Crimea as a land of freedom and independence.
In autumn, the atmosphere changes gently and softly; it's the harvest season for the vast vineyards of Massandra, a region built to supply wine to the last Russian Tsar, Nicholas II, in the 19th century. Here, visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy fine Riesling wines with their grassy mountain aromas and pearly white color.
In addition, major cities such as Yalta, Novyi Svit, and Sevastopol are all less than an hour's drive from Simferopil, the capital of Crimea. Simferopil itself is also the only place on the peninsula with an airport.
Nhwalkpoint dnotto bignore tin Crimea
Swallow's Nest, also known as the Castle of Love, is a structure located near Yalta. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Crimea. The castle was built between 1911 and 1912 atop a 39.6-meter-high rock formation called Aurora Cliff. Over its century-long existence, the Neo-Gothic castle was owned by several wealthy families and later used as a library and restaurant. In 2011, after restoration, Swallow's Nest opened as a museum.
Located right next to Yalta on the southern coast of the peninsula and offering perfect views of the Crimean Mountains, Livadia Palace is a prime example of Neo-Renaissance architecture, featuring expansive courtyards in the Arabic and Italian styles, Florentine-style watchtowers, and exquisite Bramantesque windows. Additionally, the palace's church, designed in the Neo-Byzantine style by the renowned Italian architect Monighetti in 1866, is also a highlight.
The castle of love, or Swallow's Nest, juts out into the Black Sea, offering incredibly romantic views. Photo: globeimages.net.
The palace became known worldwide in 1945 when it hosted the Yalta Conference, attended by the heads of state of three major powers: Stalin (the former Soviet Union), Roosevelt (the United States), and Churchill (the United Kingdom), from February 4-11. Today, it serves as a museum and a venue for conferences.
Vorontsov Palace, located in the town of Alupka, is one of the oldest and largest royal buildings in Crimea. Built between 1828 and 1848 as a summer residence for Prince Mikhail Vorontsov, the palace was designed by the British architect Edward Blore (who also designed Buckingham Palace in England). A highlight of the palace is its surrounding park, spanning 40 hectares, with the entire garden designed by the renowned artist Carolus Keebach.
Crimea is truly a land of palaces, with the Massandra Castle being one of the most beautiful on the peninsula, situated right on the coast near Yalta. Built in the 19th century for Tsar Alexander III amidst a lush forest, the castle follows the traditional French Renaissance architectural style. Since 1992, Massandra has been used as a museum.
The Khan Palace evokes the image of a mosque with its pointed minarets reaching towards the sky. Photo: twiga_swala/Flickr.
The Khan Palace, or Hansaray, located in the town of Bakhchisaray, the former capital of the Crimean Khanate, was built in the 16th century. It is the only surviving example of Crimean Tatar architecture and a precious gem. Currently, the palace is open to visitors to explore the artistic and cultural heritage of Crimean Tatar, featuring paintings, weapons, temples, the royal harem, a cemetery, and the king's living quarters.
The Foros Church, or the Church of the Resurrection, is known for its unique location on the Red Cliff, 400 meters above the Black Sea. Built in 1892 and situated near Baidarsky Pass, the church was abandoned until it reopened in 2002. Today, you wouldn't be surprised to see couples choosing Foros for their wedding ceremony.
Little Jerusalem is located in the heart of Yevpatoria. The streets feature ancient architecture with Crimean-Tatar mosques, Armenian churches, Orthodox churches, the Karaim Mosque, and residential areas for Muslim worshippers. During the summer, Little Jerusalem hosts numerous festivals and prayer services. Tourists flock to Crimea to enjoy local cuisine, experience the fusion of different religious cultures, participate in dances, and take home souvenirs.
Additionally, you can visit four of the 1,500 caves open to visitors, such as the Soldatskayathat cave or Kizil-Koba in the Perevalnoein Simferopol district, which has six levels, a lake, and a 17.3 km long river flowing beneath.
