The pearl of the Crimean peninsula, Yalta, in December is strikingly different from the summer resort. There are no crowds of tourists, peace and quiet reigns. The city still delights with greenery, thanks to the abundance of evergreen shrubs. The sea acts magnetically and does not lose its bright azure color even during the winter months. Nothing interferes with merging with nature, unhurried walks to the sound of the surf, enjoying the clean sea air.
Arriving in the city in winter, you can change the prevailing stereotypes, see Yalta from an unexpected side. The southern coast of Crimea is rich in sights that many do not have time to see in the summer. Traveling out of season can be very rewarding and rewarding. This is one of the options available to celebrate the New Year in a fiery way, which will be remembered for a lifetime.
Weather
It's pretty cool in the resort in December. In the first half of the month, daytime temperatures are at the level of + 6- + 9˚С, in the third decade it gets noticeably colder - up to + 4-6˚С. Nighttime temperatures are slightly different from daytime temperatures. In winter, the city has high humidity, it often rains, sometimes with sleet, which immediately melts. The sea cools down rapidly in winter, in December the water temperature does not exceed 9-11˚С.
On average, 7 sunny days are observed per month, when the weather becomes quite comfortable, there are long precipitations for 5 days. The rest of the time it is partly cloudy, the weather is unpredictable: the sun that has peeped out can be replaced by pouring rain.
Is it cold in December
Despite the freezing temperatures, it can be quite cold in winter. Affected by the coastal climate. The wind from the sea and high air humidity increase the feeling of chilliness. In order not to spoil your vacation, you need to thoroughly think over your wardrobe for the trip. Clothing should be warm, waterproof, lightweight and free of movement.
When traveling, you will need: a warm windproof jacket with a hood, a hat, gloves, and a warm sweater. Particular attention should be paid to shoes: they should not allow moisture to pass through. Most likely, you will have long walks and ascents to the peaks, high heels will be inappropriate.
What to watch
The sights of the southern coast of Crimea are located quite compactly, during your stay on the peninsula you can see a lot.
Visit the wonderful Palaces of Crimea. Livadia is the residence of the Russian tsars and the venue of the famous Yalta conference. Vorontsov Palace, made in the Moorish style, with the equally impressive Alupka Park, where valuable trees from all over the world are collected. Massandra (palace of Alexander III) - with a beautiful park and fountains.
There are two cable car routes in the city: Yalta-Gorka to the Darsan hill with a length of 600 m and Mishor-Ai-Petri with a path length of 3 km, an ascent height of up to 1234 m above sea level.
At any time of the year, you can visit the Nikitsky Botanical Garden, in winter it is interesting to see a huge greenhouse with succulents. An unforgettable experience will be left by a trip to the Yalta Reserve with a unique natural landscape: the majestic Ai-Petri peak covered with snow, the Trekhglazka cave with amazing stalactites, waterfalls, and the Devil's staircase.
On the territory of the city there is a museum of A.P. Chekhov, in the evening there is an opportunity to visit the theater named after the famous writer.
Vacation with children
Arriving with the whole family, you will find many interesting places where you can go with your children. Museum "Glade of Fairy Tales" (village Vinogradnoye, Yauzy St., 28) - more than 300 sculptures of fairy-tale characters made of clay, wood and metal. The most interesting exhibit: a hut on chicken legs, which opens in front of the visitor and comes out as a real Baba Yaga. There is a petting zoo nearby - a huge territory is divided into zones with exotic plants, fountains, terraces.
In the center of the city there is the Enotodrom (Sverdlova, 12 B), where 30-minute performances about the animals take place. Nearby is the Crocodilarium - here the children will get acquainted with iguanas, crocodiles, turtles, and see the feeding of animals.
On the territory of the hotel "Mriya" there is a garden in the Japanese style "6 senses" (village Opolznevoe, street Ostryakova, 9). The place attracts with its original landscape design, ponds with goldfish, and an exposition "floating stones". The Dreamwood amusement and amusement park is within walking distance.
Tours
Local travel agencies offer a wide variety of excursion options. A boat trip to the Swallow's Nest castle with landing on land provides an opportunity to take wonderful photos. A walking tour along the Botkin Trail takes 2 hours. The route allows you to see Yalta from a "bird's eye view", walk along a suspension bridge across the gorge, see the beautiful Uchan-Su waterfall, 88.5 m high.
Many will be interested in an excursion to Massandra Castle with a visit to the tasting room. Crimean winemakers present the best brands of local wines. An unforgettable walk along the Chatyr-Dag plateau, descent to the Marble and Emine-Bair-hagar caves.
For those who are not afraid of long journeys, a sightseeing tour to the hero city of Sevastopol with a tour of Sapun Mountain, the Panorama Museum, and the ancient city of Chersonesos is offered. A very interesting trip to Bakhchisarai (it is much easier to transfer in cool weather) with a visit to the Khan's Palace and the cave city of Chufut-Kale.
The cost of travel
The most convenient way to get to the resort is by plane, an air ticket Moscow-Yalta costs from 2,120 rubles, the flight time is 2 hours 30 minutes.
The train goes to Simferopol, to Yalta you need to go by trolleybus for about an hour. The cost of train tickets for reserved seats - from 3,200 rubles, compartment - from 3,500 rubles. Travel time will take about 36 hours.
The cost of housing is lower than in the summer. A day in a 3 * hotel costs from 2,000 rubles, 4 * - from 3,500 rubles. You can spend the night in mini-hotels or guest houses for 1,000 rubles.
The approximate budget of a trip for two for 5 nights is 20-30 thousand rubles. taking into account the costs of cafes and excursions. Arriving in a large company and renting a house with a kitchen, you can additionally save on food.
New Year
New Year's Yalta is thoroughly preparing for the arrival of tourists. The main square and the embankment are being transformed: everywhere there are festively decorated Christmas trees, arches made of balls and sparkling garlands. The glowing fairy forest on the embankment looks especially impressive at nightfall.
Already from the morning of December 31, the city has a festive atmosphere, the energy of the holiday is felt. All New Year's Eve people walk along the sea, congratulate each other, admire the fireworks. Many open-air cafes are open around the clock.
Extremals prefer to celebrate the New Year at the top of Ai-Petri. During the day, you can go skiing or skyboarding (equipment can be rented on site). On New Year's Eve, drink a bottle of champagne under the stars, and spend the rest of the time in a cafe or restaurant, admiring the colorful fireworks.
Every year, the city hosts a Santa Claus parade, in which everyone dressed in appropriate costumes can take part. During the event, contests are held, prizes are raffled off.
Reviews of tourists
Many travelers believe that winter holidays in Yalta seemed to them more interesting than summer trips. In the heat, except for the beach, you don't want to go anywhere, and in December every day there is a lot of new impressions. Tourists were satisfied with the prices for housing, food and excursions, which only grow towards the end of the month.
Those who celebrated the New Year in Yalta describe it as something unforgettable. Thousands of tourists come from all over the country and infect each other with a festive mood against the backdrop of beautiful sea and mountain landscapes.When planning the New Year at the resort, you should take care of the places in the hotels in advance. The best numbers are redeemed long before the onset of winter.
Vacationers note that many attractions are easily accessible using public transport, which runs frequently and is inexpensive on the territory of the peninsula.
Conclusions
Going on a trip to Yalta in winter, everyone can find something to their liking. Some go to rest and improve their health, enjoying the view of the sea and mountains. Others set a goal to broaden their horizons, getting acquainted with the architectural and natural monuments of the Crimea. And some are just going to have fun on New Year's holidays and escape from the problems of a big metropolis. No one is left disappointed: Yalta in December is a great place to relax.
