Why Go
Sevastopol is a relatively young city, founded only in 1783 as the base of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. It overgrew the boundary as a merely a naval base a long time ago. It is now one of the largest cities in Ukraine, an important seaport, a cultural and historic center, and a favorite tourist destination.
The favorable geographic location of the city, the pleasant climate, and the lack of arrogance typical for many tourist destinations makes the city a great choice of summer (and possibly, not only summer) vacation.
The climate in Sevastopol is identical to the subtropical climate of the Southern Crimean Coast. The air is always clean, and the city is surrounded by picturesque mountains, forests and landscapes.
The city is relatively small but incredibly cozy. You can't help but feel at home there.
Insider Tips
- From Sevastopol international airport “Belbek” you can reach downtown taking the bus No. 36. The buses operate at the interval of 30 minutes, ticket price is UAH 10. Another option is to take a taxi which would cost you around UAH 150.
- The central downtown area is small enough to walk, you won't need to use any kind of public transportation. In case you need to reach other districts of the city, in the city guide all routes and destinations are described in English, too. You will not lose your way around the city.
- The national currency of the Ukraine is Hryvnia (UAH). The best places to exchange are large banks. If you use ATMs you might get a better exchange rate even considering the commission your bank will charge you for withdrawal.
- The best time to visit is from the second half of July to the end of September when the climate is especially pleasant and the sea is warm enough. Around September there are fewer tourists but the prices are higher, too.
- The last Sunday of July is Russian Navy Day. Sevastopol (while a Ukrainian city) is still the naval base for Russian Black Sea Fleet. Celebrations of the Navy Day are especially loved by the locals and tourists. On this day you can witness a spectacular parade of Russian warships. Traditionally the end of the day is marked with fireworks.
- There are quite a number of city beaches in Sevastopol itself. However, you can also try some beaches in the city's surroundings. Balaklava and Fiolent can be great choices – clean water, fewer people, amazing scenery.
- Most people in Sevastopol speak Russian, not many speak English. It is recommended to at least have a phrase-book with the most common phrases if you do not know the language. On arrival in the airport or in any newspapers stand you can purchase a city guide which is both in Russian and English. This guide will help you to make your Sevastopol experience unforgettable.
- Most excursions offered in Sevastopol and other cities of the Coast are offered in Russian. Basically, with a city guide and some knowledge of Russian you can cover many areas on your own. However, if it is not enough for you, you can find a private English speaking guide who can arrange a trip for you to any of the neighbor cities, such as Yalta or Bakhchisarai. You can try contacting such qualified guides here. If you travel alone it might become costly unless the guide includes you with another group of foreign tourists. The price per tour varies from $300 to $400. This is the price not per person but for the tour itself. The more people take part in the tour the less money each one of them has to pay.
- The best way to see Sevastopol and any other city located on the sea is from the water. A 2-hour sea cruise from Balaklava (a part of Sevastopol which is often regarded as a separate town) will cost you around UAH120 per person (kids are free). The cruise includes viewing the beauty of the Black Sea cost, swimming in the open sea, and possibly observing dolphins in their natural habitat. If you want to save some money you can choose a 30-minute long boat tour (no swimming) for UAH50.
- While you are there, be sure to sample Crimean fruits and berries, especially apricots, pears and black cherries. Buy them in local farmers markets, where they’re at their peak of ripeness. They make for a cheap and truly delicious snack.
- Crimean Peninsula is a wine-making region. You should definitely try the local wine–famous brands are Inkerman, Massandra and Zolotaia Balka.
- For Sevastopol buses, you pay the driver after you leave the bus, not when you get in. The price is 2-4 UAH.
Where to Stay
As with many Russian and Ukraine cities on the coast, Sevastopol offers a lot of different accommodation options. It can be anything from private apartments to 5-stars hotels. Of course, the cheapest option is to rent private apartments for the duration of your stay. But this option is really only suitable for those who know Russian because you will have to negotiate the price and requirements with the owner who in most cases doesn’t speak English. The price for a 1-bedroom apartment ranges from $30-50 per night.
If you plan to come in summer and opt for a hotel, remember to book well in advance because this is high season. In this case a lovely choice would be the Best Western Sevastopol Hotel in the heart of the city. Clean, spacious and comfortable rooms, professional and efficient service, a magnificent view, free WiFi internet connection and a great choice of restaurants will give you a great stay for just $80-$135 per night (breakfast included).
If you have a larger budget you can stay at Aquamarine Apartments & Hotel. This place can be great for families with children not only because it is situated near the beach but because just a few minutes away there is Sevastopol Aqua park Zurbagan, a great place for a day full of family fun. The hotel also takes special pride in its Spa and Fitness center. Depending on the season the price range is from $80 to $200.
What to Eat
In Sevastopol you can find many cafes, bars, and restaurants in different price categories from fast food to elite cuisines. You can find here restaurants that serve Italian, Japanese, Mexican, Ukrainian cuisines among others. The best places to eat are small cafes or restaurants that offer Tatar dishes such as shashlik ‑ marinated meat cooked on skewers over a smoldering grill (I would recommend trying pork shashlik), manti (dumplings filled with minced lamb or beef) or delicious lagman soup (lamb and homemade noodle soup).
In Sevastopol you just have to try fish and seafood. Almost every café or restaurant offers fresh fish dishes. You can enjoy a great culinary experience in the restaurant “Izbushka Rybaka” (“Избушка рыбака”) in the city of Balaklava on the quay. A wide choice of fresh fish from the morning catch attracts a large number of gourmands. The average bill for 2 persons is around UAH 150.
What to See and Do
The Sevastopol Aquarium is one of the oldest in the world and the only sea aquarium in Ukraine. There are more than 180 species in the aquarium: invertebrate, Black Sea and tropical fish, and reptiles. Entry fee is UAH 50 for adults and UAH 25 for kids aged 6-16. Kids below 6 can visit the Aquarium for free.
The world famous Panorama “Sevastopol Defense 1854-1855” tells about the defense of the city from the assault on June 6th, 1855. It is a round building with a dome and a rotunda, 36 m in diameter and in height. Inside the building there is a picturesque canvas. The Panorama was created by the famous artist Rubo.
It is one of the few places in Sevastopol where you absolutely need to arrange the services of the guide or the exposition will hardly make much sense to you. The entry to the Panorama costs UAH 45 which includes the services of the English speaking guide.
Tauric Chersonesos, or Chersonesos, is the name of the ancient city which used to be a Greek colony, founded in 420 BC. The city was destroyed by the middle of the 15th century. The remainders of the Greek colony are today a national museum. Over 10,000 tourists from all over the world visit Chersonesos yearly. You can walk along old streets, squares that used to be crowded and lively and imagine what kind of life people lived back then. You can have a look at the antique theatre, columns of the medieval temples, and ruins of the towers.
Guided tours in English are available. Cost – UAH 45 for adults, UAH 30 for children.
Chersonesos is known as cradle of Christianity that has spread all over Russia. In order to commemorate the beginning of Christianity in Russia the Vladimirsky Cathedral was erected in 1861 which you can see in Chersonesos nowadays.
Fiolent stands for ‘God's Land'. Fiolent Cape is situated on the coast of the Black Sea between Sevastopol and Balaklava. To reach there you can take any bus from downtown that goes to the stop 5km (5-ый км), and from there take bus No. 3. Your stop is ‘Monastery'; this is where most people will get off the bus anyway. Just follow everyone or ask how to get to the Monastery. Once you reach your destination you will be stunned: a mesmerizing landscape, rock and sea, beautiful beaches, pristine water, fresh air and very few tourists. This is the loveliest view in the Sevastopol area.
Balaklava is a district of Sevastopol, yet many refer to it as a town. And rightly so. The town is over 2,500 years old. It is believed that Greek mythology makes many references to Balaklava. In a way the town is unique–it is hidden in a small bay that can't be seen from the sea. From Balaklava you can see Cape Aya and Cape Fiolent, ruins of Genoese fortress Cembalo and ancient temples.
To reach Balaklava, take any bus from downtown to the bus stop 5km (5-ый км), then transfer to bus No.9.
The Crimean Peninsula is filled with so many places you’ll want to explore. Mountains, beaches, caves and cave cities, churches, monasteries, wineries. You name it and you've got it! Almost any of these places can be covered within a day excursion. If you are on a tight budget you can try going on your own using public transportation, though it might be exhausting. From the central bus station in Sevastopol you can go to almost any destination in Crimea by bus.
The one that I would recommend most is Ai-Petri. It is a mountain peak in the Crimean Mountains with the most spectacular view over the Black Sea. Ai Petri is a 1.5-2 hours' drive away from Sevastopol. You can either take a bus to Yalta and then from Yalta to Miskhor (around UAH 40 per person), or you can take a taxi in Sevastopol to drive you (around UAH 250). In Miskhor you will have to take a cable car to reach the top of the mountain.
On Ai-Petri you can visit a few caves, enjoy the view, eat original Tatar dishes (absolutely mouthwatering, better than anything you can eat in Sevastopol), and take pictures with a baby lion, falcons, and horses.
Sevastopol and the entire Crimean coast of the Black Sea is a unique place which can't be discovered in its entirety on one visit. You’ll definitely want to come back for more, be it for the clear water of the Black Sea, the fresh air of the mountains, or captivating scenery.
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Photos: Lena Toporikova, Best Western Sevastopol, Aquamarine Apartments and Hotel, Argenberg, Grigory Mumrikiov, d_proffer, astique, Socialism Expo