Culture and Calm: A Budget Guide to Feodosia

Why Go

With a name that translates from Greek to “Gift of the Gods,” it's no wonder that Feodosia (also spelled Feodosiya) has been a popular place to visit for ages. Founded by Greeks in 6th century BC, Feodosia is the only Crimean city that has retained its ancient name, not counting that medieval period when it was known as Kaffa. Over the past 25 centuries, the city has changed dramatically. And today, this Ukrainian city is a port, as well as the administrative, cultural, and tourist center of the Southeastern Crimea. Travelers unsure of when to plan a trip should shoot for once weather is warm. During the summer months, the city's smaller 80,000 population swells as thousands of tourists arrive. They’re attracted to the warm waters of Feodosia Bay, a large swimming season, and beautiful beaches. For those budget travelers who simply want to unwind, that unique mixture of mountain air and sea breeze plays a huge part, too, as do the healing minerals of nearby lakes.

Insider Tips

The swimming season in Feodosia lasts from May 23 to October 15 for adults, though for children those dates change to June 22 to September 3. Make sure to allow a few days to acclimatize to the heat, especially if you’re traveling with young children in the middle of summer.

Feodosia has both sand and pebble beaches. Closer to the bus station you’ll find a nice sandy beach, though in many other places, the beaches are more pebbly. Some of the best beaches in Feodosia are Golden Beach, Pearl Beach and Bounty Beach. Other popular spots are Stones Beach (Central City Quay), Sunrise Beach Resort, the beaches of the Theodosius and “Riviera Beach Resorts.

Golden Beach is the entire resort area along the coastline of the eastern area of Feodosia, which stretches all the way to the Seashore Camp. Here, you’ll find clear water and velvety sandy beaches. Golden Beach can be reached in 10-20 minutes by minibus (№ 4 or № 4-B). Minibuses come about every 10 minutes and the fare is only about 2 Hryvnia (about 25 cents). You can also take a taxi, but that is more expensive at 25 hryvnia (about $3 USD). Be sure to agree on the fare beforehand, to avoid being ripped off. Budget travelers should be able to do just fine with the generous bus hours and regular schedule.

If you wish to go hiking, do remember that it's good to know a bit about the local wildlife. There are poisonous snakes and insects (tarantula karakurt, skolopendra) that are native to the area, though that's no reason to avoid the wooded areas. Reading up in advance and paying attention to posted signage are the smartest things to do.

Where to Stay

For a mid-range option with heavenly views, The Hotel Atlantic (Отель «Атлантик») is an excellent choice. A 3-star hotel located practically on the beach, the windows and balconies in many rooms here overlook the sea, meaning a divine breeze while sleeping or waking. There are rooms of various sizes, including larger apartments for families or groups. Our room was small in size, but very cozy. Everything was nicely decorated in delicate colors and the furniture and the bathroom were modern and new. Perhaps this is because the hotel is quite new, not more than 4 years old. The room was also equipped with a TV, small refrigerator, and telephone.

An important difference between this hotel and the old resorts is the round the clock availability of both cold and hot water; in older resorts hot water is only available at certain times. As we were there during peak season, it was quite crowded; if you can, come earlier or later in the season (that helps with the cost, too). The whole hotel is very neat and well appointed, with lots of greenery and flower beds. For families traveling, it's good to know that small children (up to 3 years) can stay for free, and older children (3 to 12 years old) stay at a discount.

What to Eat

Café Pizzamania (Zemskaya St. 16) has a very nice atmosphere, and the servers are friendly and fast. There are communal tables with wooden benches, a bar, and flowers on the windowsills. Better yet for those who are hungry, there are a number of different pizzas on the menu, and you can also experiment with the ingredients yourself. Everything was freshly cooked and very delicious. You can easily have a great meal for two for less than $20.

Another nice choie for a more romantic meal is Café Mezzanine (Gorky St. 13a). This cozy café not far from the beach definitely delivers on atmosphere. When we were here, lovely music played in the background. There is often great live music here, so it's a nice pick for those who want a different kind of setting. Since it was so hot outside, we started simply, with salad and tea made from herbs that are collected by staff cafe in the nearby mountains. The menu is international and service is excellent. Portions are large, too. It's also nice that most of the café is non-smoking (there’s a separate room for smoking). Prices are slightly higher than the average Feodosia cafe, but this place is well worth it.

What to See and Do

In addition to the many resorts and recreational facilities, a number of parks dot Feodosia. Some of the most popular with locals and travelers alike are the Komsomolsk and Jubilee Parks, Sailor's Garden, Pushkin Square, and the Alley of Heroes. While the mild temperatures and beaches certainly attract families, there’s also plenty for young singles and couples to do, from good nightlife and entertainment to thrilling sports like diving, windsurfing, and parasailing. Back on land, there is a hunting season, plenty of trails for bicycling, and even a thriving golf scene. Of course, after checking out the great outdoors, it might be nice to do some things inside. Here are some culturally enriching (and fun!) activities around Feodosia.

For history buffs and readers alike, the Literary Memorial Museum of A.C. Grin is a must-see spot. In Feodosia, author Alexander S. Greene wrote novels, including “Running on Waves” and “Jessie and Morgiana,” as well as tons of different short stories. The house where the writer lived for more than four years old is now a literary museum, decorated in the form of an ancient ship. Sometimes referred to as the Green House Museum of Romance, it's definitely worth a visit. Near the main entrance to the museum hangs a large ship, with the rooms decorated like cabins. The museum has a lot of different ancient utensils and travelers will find nautical maps, intricate marine equipment, flashlights, and, of course, documents, photographs, books and manuscripts. The museum is closed on Mondays and the entrance fee is 25 hryvnia (about $3.00).

While visiting Feodosia, why not check out the Art Gallery of IK Aivazovsky? Located on Gallery Street next to the house where the artist was born, it's an excellent place to catch a glimpse of his incredibly prolific output. And those with an interest in history can gaze at paintings by Aivazovsky and imagine what things were like in the old days of Theodosius. For more on Aivazovsky in Feodosia, there is also a fountain of Aivazovsky, which was built based on sketches and drawings of the artist. The gallery is open daily from nine in the morning until eight at night, except on Tuesdays when it's a half day, and on Wednesdays, when the museum is closed. Entrance costs 40 hryvnia (about $5.00).

For a different kind of museum experience, heading to the Museum of Money is a fun idea. This is a private collection that is 40 years old, and here travelers can see coins that date all the way from antiquity to the early 20th century. In the museum, you can get an idea about the history and development of banking in general, and in the particular area, too. Travelers can visit the Museum of Money from 10:00am until 5:00pm, except during the break hours between one and two in the afternoon. Sundays the museum is closed. The entrance fee is 10 hryvnia per person (about $1.50).

Construction of the Genoese Fortress began in 1340. It consisted of a citadel, fortress walls, more than 30 towers, and even a few sea berths. The walls were 11 meters in height and 2 meters in width, and below them was a deep ditch filled with water. This was one of multiple defense structures in place. This channel is also assigned the rainwater from the mountains to the sea. Now, you can see only part of a medieval fortress: the ancient citadel, the southern wall of the citadel with two towers and part of the western wall. But it's possible to look at those remnants and imagine a more powerful time, when the fort was being used to actively defend those living in Feodosia.

With its original version built in 1880, All Saints Church (Nazukina 15) has weathered some major change, like a mid-20th century demolition. Of the old buildings from the 19th century, what remained were the church gate and the tomb-chapel of the Chernetsky princes. Now, the whole church is fully restored, with services held on weekends. The Armenian Church is another religious spot well worth visiting.