This city has always been a kind of barometer in the life of the Crimean Tatars - you just have to trace the main milestones of its history from the Middle Ages to the present day. Its name, meaning "garden-palace", was given to the city when Bakhchisarai became the capital of the influential Crimean Khanate, which existed from the 15th to the 18th centuries.
Today it is a somewhat provincial, but charming town, where life begins to burst into full swing with the arrival of the season. In summer, hotels fill up, souvenir shops open early in the morning, and the aroma of lagman attracts tourists to cozy restaurants serving Tatar cuisine.
Travelers are attracted here not only by delicious and unusual national dishes. Subtle oriental flavor and ancient buildings in Ottoman and Byzantine styles create a unique atmosphere of the ancient city. The unique natural and climatic conditions have a healing effect on the entire body, and the nearby mountains attract lovers of active recreation.
How to get to Bakhchisarai
The atmosphere of Bakhchisarai is literally saturated with the flavor of the Crimean Khanate. Fortunately, you don't need to perform any feats to stroll through the palace gardens and narrow stone streets of the Old Town. The ancient capital is located in close proximity to Simferopol with its busy airport, receiving planes from many Russian cities, and a bus station, which attracts dozens of flights from all over the peninsula and mainland.
More information about how to get to Bakhchisarai is described on this page.
Search for air tickets to Simferopol (the nearest airport to Bakhchisarai)
Transport
Public transport in Bakhchisarai leaves much to be desired. There is a shortage of cars, which is especially noticeable in the high season, when the population increases thanks to tourists. Traffic stops at 19:00, after which you will have to take a taxi to get from the old city to the new one. The only plus is the low fare - 15 RUB. There are only 4 routes running around the city, of which only Nos. 1 and 2 are interesting from a tourist point of view. They go through the railway station and bus station to the Khan’s Palace, the Holy Dormition Monastery and the ancient Chufut-Kale.
The town itself is small, but in the vast Bakhchisarai region there are also many interesting places that are more convenient to get to by car.
Most taxi companies operate throughout Crimea. Popular destinations are from Simferopol airport to seaside resorts, but taxis are the fastest way to get around the city. Prices are moderate - 40 RUB landing and 15 RUB per km. Private owners charge the same amount, but catching a car on the street is risky.
Fans of active recreation will be interested in cycling around Bakhchisarai and its surroundings. This service is not as widespread here as in Europe, but there are several rental offices in the city. You can rent transport for several hours or days. Rental cost is 150 RUB per hour (starting from the 4th hour - 50 RUB) or 500 RUB per day (starting from the 4th day - 350 RUB). Prices on the page are for April 2019.
Maps of Bakhchisarai
Rent a Car
Sights are scattered throughout the Bakhchisarai region - the cave cities of Kachi-Kalyon, Kyz-Kermen and Chufut-Kale, the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory, the Scythian Ust-Alminskoe settlement and many others. To explore all the historical and natural monuments, it is better to rent a car - public transport is infrequent, and taxi services can cost a pretty penny.
Hour-long traffic jams in Bakhchisarai are rare, but in the high season you will have to jostle in the center. There are paid and free parking in the city and near most tourist sites, the average price is 150-200 RUB per hour. Some hotels have their own parking lots.
Many companies take from 3,000 to 20,000 RUB as collateral for a car.
Rental companies operate throughout Crimea - these are Arenda-auto, “Crimea is yours”, “Crimean transfers” and others. There are also international companies on the market, such as Rentalcar. Depending on the class of car, the rental price varies from 1,200 to 10,000 RUB per knock.
Hotels in Bakhchisarai
There are few accommodation options in Bakhchisarai. There is more choice in the coastal villages in the western part of the region. There are also several holiday homes in the settlements closest to the regional center.
The number of rooms is represented mainly by guest houses and mini-hotels. Despite the lack of stars, the service is quite decent. Some hotels have a kitchen. Prices are moderate - from 600 RUB for a double room. A four-bed suite in the most expensive hotel in the city will cost 10,500 RUB per day.
In the surrounding villages you can find very budget options - from 250 RUB for a double room. True, there are almost no amenities, and the drive to the center is at least 20 km.
For those who want to relax and improve their health, there is a tourist and health center in the historical part of the city. The cost of living is from 400 RUB per bed in a dormitory room to 3000 RUB for a double suite.
What to bring
Souvenir shops are bursting with an abundance of wooden products - kitchen utensils, combs, boxes and much more. There is no special symbolism in this, but the name of the city or the silhouette of the Khan’s Palace carved on a tree will remind you of the journey for a long time.
Those who want to bring a unique gift should pay attention to essential oils. You can find them in pharmacies, shops and souvenir stalls. Most of the products of the Crimea-aromat plant are made from local raw materials.
Lavender, clary sage, rose, alfalfa, fennel and other medicinal herbs grow in the Bakhchisarai region.
Another calling card of the city is balms. Although the Crimean wine and cognac factory “Bakhchisarai” produces wines, vermouths, liqueurs and other alcoholic products, it is the balsam that has gained special love from tourists. It is infused with herbs and has healing properties. The “Bakhchisarai Collection” gift set includes 4 bottles with unusual names “Tavros”, “Finaros”, “Khan’s Palace” and “Ak-Mosque”.
Guide to Bakhchisarai (part 2)
Cuisine and restaurants of Bakhchisarai
In Bakhchisaray, ancient Crimean Tatar culinary traditions have been preserved better than in other cities of the peninsula. This is evidenced by a large number of establishments, the menu of which is dominated by pilaf, shish kebab, lagman, pasties, beshbarmak, “kubete”, shurpa and other national dishes. But those who don’t like experiments won’t have to go hungry either - the city has several eateries with traditional European, Japanese and Russian cuisine.
For an inexpensive, but filling and tasty snack, go to the cheburek shop. The menu has different fillings - meat, cheese, tomatoes and other vegetables. The price of a serving is 150-200 RUB.
For breakfast, the coffee shop serves excellent coffee and pastries; everything together will cost 600 RUB for two. For lunch or dinner, it is better to choose a good cafe or restaurant. Their prices can vary quite significantly. In a small eatery, lunch with wine will cost 400-500 RUB per person, and dinner in a middle-class establishment will cost from 1000 RUB. The average bill in the most expensive establishments in the city reaches 4,500 RUB for two.
The interior of many restaurants has an oriental flavor - low tables surrounded by sofas with soft pillows, on which it is pleasant to relax after a long excursion.
Guides in Bakhchisarai
Entertainment and attractions
Although there are not many attractions within the city limits, a walk through the center brings aesthetic pleasure and helps to understand the mentality.
After wandering through the narrow cobbled streets and admiring the ancient buildings, go to the main site - Bakhchisarai Palace, a unique example of Crimean Tatar architecture. Each ruler added something different to the palace complex; some of the buildings were completely destroyed and then restored according to the description, so there are buildings of different eras and styles here. The first in the period from 1508 to 1535. The Aleviz portal, the Sary-Guzel baths and the Khan-Jami mosque appeared. All buildings are richly decorated inside and out. One of the most famous buildings of the palace is the Fountain of Tears, surrounded by a romantic but sad legend.
Architectural diversity and rich historical past have made Bakhchisarai a “city of five centuries”.
Not far from the palace, on the rocks of the Maryam-Dere gorge, stands one of the most ancient Orthodox monasteries on the peninsula. The Holy Dormition Monastery was founded by the Byzantines in the 8th century. At different times, a hospital and a psychoneurological dispensary were located within the ancient walls; some buildings were recently restored from ruins.
Don’t forget to get water from the holy spring that flows near the walls of the monastery.
Another cave monastery, Kachi-Kalyon, is a 20-minute drive from the city. This place bears little resemblance to the usual Orthodox monasteries - there are no high white walls and golden domes. Kachi-Kalyon is a natural complex of grottoes connected by tunnels and passages. In the 6th-18th centuries there were active temples and monks lived here. Today it is one of the least explored and most mysterious medieval monuments in Crimea.
In memory of the stay of the Karaite people, who had sunk into oblivion, in these parts, the fortified city of Chufut-Kale, 2.5 km from Bakhchisarai, has been partially preserved. It stands on a mountain plateau; a winding rocky path leads to the South Gate. Most of the buildings are more like ruins, but those that have survived paint a picture of the life of the Karaites and the Crimean Tatars who later occupied the city. The most famous building is the mausoleum of the daughter of the Golden Horde Khan Tokhtamysh.
Bakhchisarai for children
There is not much entertainment for children in the city, but there is a place where you can have fun with the whole family, and it is better to devote a whole day to it.
In the historical center there is a park “Crimea in miniature in the palm of your hand”. This young attraction appeared in Bakhchisarai in 2013. Most of the territory will be of interest primarily to those who would like to travel around the whole of Taurida, but do not have the opportunity. On an area of 25 thousand square meters. m somehow miraculously fit the entire peninsula, or rather the most interesting places from a historical and architectural point of view - the Alupka Vorontsov Palace, the Alushta palace of the merchant Stakheev, the Sevastopol monument to sunken ships, the Juma-Jami mosque and much more.
In a separate zone there is a “Multipark”, on the territory of which there are figures of The Simpsons, Little Raccoon, Mickey Mouse, Smeshariki and other cartoon and fairy-tale characters. Thanks to the sound and play of light, they all seem to come to life. There is also a mini-zoo where small piglets, kids, chickens and peacocks live. All inhabitants can and should be fed and petted.
Weather
Thanks to its favorable location, the climate in Bakhchisarai is moderate. The mountains protect it from strong winds, and the proximity of the sea provides humidity. Severe frosts and suffocating heat practically never happen here. There is little precipitation; in winter it usually rains, less often snow, which immediately melts.
It is better to choose spring for excursion tourism. In April it is already quite warm, trees and flowers begin to bloom. Against the backdrop of reviving nature, the city looks especially romantic. But if you plan to visit the coast and swim in the gentle Black Sea, you should choose the beginning of June or the end of August.
Tourists coming to Simferopol most often travel the route that you see on the map by taxi. But there is a nuance here: if you choose a private taxi at the station, then you should add to this time the waiting time for other fellow travelers (which drivers do not always warn about in advance). And privately driven cars are not that convenient. And prices vary depending on the weather, gas prices and especially appearance, so we would not recommend choosing private owners.
It is better to use the transfer service, which has recently been provided by more advanced taxi drivers who have learned the benefits of working with online services. In addition to the possibility of early booking, it guarantees a timely meeting at the specified place and arrival in Bakhchisarai at a certain time, convenient and safe movement. In addition, tourists are offered additional services:
- choice of car class and brand;
- meeting at the train station/airport;
- waiting at the meeting point;
- stopovers;
- age guarantee means in case of driver no-show
- child car seat, etc.
It is clear that you will have to pay for additional comfort, but the service is quite inexpensive by Russian standards.
How to get there by public transport
electric train
One of the most popular and easiest ways to get to the once capital of the Crimean Khanate is the railway. True, trains to Sevastopol do not go often now. You will spend about 1 hour on the road.
Bus or minibus
- Price: 28 rubles
You can't get to Bakhchisarai by trolleybus. The famous mode of transport connects Simferopol only with Alushta and Yalta. But the undoubted leader of transport links is the bus. Comfortable and fast, it will transport anyone to this city without any problems. The cost of the trip will be 28 rubles and will take no more than 30-40 minutes.
Buses depart mainly from the Zapadnaya bus station. Keep in mind that buses to Sevastopol and other settlements located outside the resort town pass through Bakhchisarai, so the final destination of the bus route will not necessarily coincide with the name of the city.
Tourists should know that direct buses “Simferopol - Bakhchisaray” depart from the “Zapadnaya” bus station, and those going to Sevastopol depart from the central bus station or “Kurortnaya” station. And if getting to the last one is not difficult, it is located on the station square, opposite the railway station, then you still need to go to the other two.
You can get to the central bus station by the following routes:
- by bus No. 60, 64, 65, 85, 12-A, 12-B;
- trolleybus No. 6, 51,52, 54, 55, etc.
Those tourists whose route involves departure from the Zapadnaya bus station will need the following vehicles:
- bus No. 89, 36, 52,53, 59, etc.;
- trolleybus No. 5, 9, etc.
It’s easy to find a site on the Internet where you can see the routes of all public transport in Simferopol, and here is one of them. By entering the point of departure and destination and clicking the “Create a route” button, you can see not only the routes themselves, but also the names of the stops (where you need to get on and off), the cost and travel time.
useful links
- Map of Simferopol with three bus stations
How to get to Bakhchisarai
The atmosphere of Bakhchisarai is literally saturated with the flavor of the Crimean Khanate. Fortunately, you don't need to perform any feats to stroll through the palace gardens and narrow stone streets of the Old Town. The ancient capital is located in close proximity to Simferopol with its busy airport, receiving planes from many Russian cities, and a bus station, which attracts dozens of flights from all over the peninsula and the mainland. More information about how to get to Bakhchisarai is described on this page.Transport
Public transport in Bakhchisarai leaves much to be desired. There is a shortage of cars, which is especially noticeable in the high season, when the population increases thanks to tourists. Traffic stops at 19:00, after which you will have to take a taxi to get from the old city to the new one. The only plus is the low fare - 15 RUB. There are only 4 routes running around the city, of which only Nos. 1 and 2 are interesting from a tourist point of view. They go through the railway station and bus station to the Khan’s Palace, the Holy Dormition Monastery and the ancient Chufut-Kale.The town itself is small, but in the vast Bakhchisarai region there are also many interesting places that are more convenient to get to by car.
Most taxi companies operate throughout Crimea. Popular destinations are from Simferopol airport to seaside resorts, but taxis are the fastest way to get around the city. Prices are moderate - 40 RUB landing and 15 RUB per km. Private owners charge the same amount, but catching a car on the street is risky. Fans of active recreation will be interested in cycling around Bakhchisarai and its environs. This service is not as widespread here as in Europe, but there are several rental offices in the city. You can rent transport for several hours or days. Rental cost is 150 RUB per hour (starting from the 4th hour - 50 RUB) or 500 RUB per day (starting from the 4th day - 350 RUB).
Rent a Car
Sights are scattered throughout the Bakhchisarai region - the cave cities of Kachi-Kalyon, Kyz-Kermen and Chufut-Kale, the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory, the Scythian Ust-Alminskoe settlement and many others. To explore all the historical and natural monuments, it is better to rent a car - public transport is infrequent, and taxi services can cost a pretty penny. Hour-long traffic jams in Bakhchisarai are rare, but in the high season you will have to push around in the center. There are paid and free parking in the city and near most tourist sites, the average price is 150-200 RUB per hour. Some hotels have their own parking lots. Rental companies operate throughout Crimea - these are Arenda-auto, “Crimea is yours”, “Crimean Transfers” and others. There are also international companies on the market, such as Rentalcar. Depending on the class of car, the rental price varies from 1,200 to 10,000 RUB per knock.Hotels in Bakhchisarai
There are few accommodation options in Bakhchisarai. There is more choice in the coastal villages in the western part of the region. There are also several holiday homes in the settlements closest to the regional center. The room stock is mainly represented by guest houses and mini-hotels. Despite the lack of stars, the service is quite decent. Some hotels have a kitchen. Prices are moderate - from 600 RUB for a double room. A four-bed suite in the most expensive hotel in the city will cost 10,500 RUB per day. For those who want to relax and improve their health, there is a tourist and health center in the historical part of the city. The cost of living is from 400 RUB per bed in a dormitory room to 3000 RUB for a double suite.What to bring
Souvenir shops are bursting with an abundance of wooden products - kitchen utensils, combs, boxes and much more. There is no special symbolism in this, but the name of the city or the silhouette of the Khan's palace carved on a tree will remind you of the trip for a long time. Those who want to bring a unique gift should pay attention to essential oils. You can find them in pharmacies, shops and souvenir stalls. Most of the products of the Crimea-aromat plant are made from local raw materials. Another calling card of the city is balms. Although the Crimean wine and cognac factory “Bakhchisarai” produces wines, vermouths, liqueurs and other alcoholic products, it is the balsam that has gained special love from tourists. It is infused with herbs and has healing properties. The “Bakhchisarai Collection” gift set includes 4 bottles with unusual names “Tavros”, “Finaros”, “Khan’s Palace” and “Ak-Mosque”.Cuisine and restaurants of Bakhchisarai
In Bakhchisaray, ancient Crimean Tatar culinary traditions have been preserved better than in other cities of the peninsula. This is evidenced by a large number of establishments, the menu of which is dominated by pilaf, shish kebab, lagman, pasties, beshbarmak, “kubete”, shurpa and other national dishes. But those who don’t like experiments won’t have to go hungry either - the city has several eateries with traditional European, Japanese and Russian cuisine. For breakfast, the coffee shop serves excellent coffee and pastries, all together will cost 600 RUB for two. For lunch or dinner, it is better to choose a good cafe or restaurant. Their prices can vary quite significantly. In a small eatery, lunch with wine will cost 400-500 RUB per person, and dinner in a middle-class establishment will cost from 1000 RUB. The average bill in the most expensive establishments in the city reaches 4,500 RUB for two. The interior of many restaurants has an oriental flavor - low tables surrounded by sofas with soft pillows, on which it is pleasant to relax after a long excursion.Entertainment and attractions
Although there are not many attractions within the city limits, a walk through the center is an aesthetic pleasure and helps to understand the mentality. After wandering through the narrow cobbled streets and admiring the ancient buildings, go to the main site - the Bakhchisarai Palace, a unique example of Crimean Tatar architecture. Each ruler added something different to the palace complex; some of the buildings were completely destroyed and then restored according to the description, so there are buildings of different eras and styles here. The first in the period from 1508 to 1535. The Aleviz portal, the Sary-Guzel baths and the Khan-Jami mosque appeared. All buildings are richly decorated inside and out. One of the most famous buildings of the palace is the Fountain of Tears, covered in a romantic but sad legend. Not far from the palace, on the rocks of the Maryam-Dere gorge, stands one of the most ancient Orthodox monasteries on the peninsula. The Holy Dormition Monastery was founded by the Byzantines in the 8th century. At different times, a hospital and a psychoneurological dispensary were located within the ancient walls; some buildings were recently restored from ruins. Another cave monastery, Kachi-Kalyon, is located a 20-minute drive from the city. This place bears little resemblance to the usual Orthodox monasteries - there are no high white walls and golden domes. Kachi-Kalyon is a natural complex of grottoes connected by tunnels and passages. In the 6th-18th centuries there were active temples and monks lived here. Today it is one of the least explored and most mysterious monuments of the Middle Ages in Crimea. In memory of the stay of the Karaite people, who have sunk into oblivion, in these parts, the fortified city of Chufut-Kale has been partially preserved, 2.5 km from Bakhchisarai. It stands on a mountain plateau; a winding rocky path leads to the South Gate. Most of the buildings are more like ruins, but those that have survived paint a picture of the life of the Karaites and the Crimean Tatars who later occupied the city. The most famous building is the mausoleum of the daughter of the Golden Horde Khan Tokhtamysh.Bakhchisarai for children
The city has little entertainment for children, but there is a place where you can have fun with the whole family, and it’s better to devote a whole day to it. In the historical center there is the park “Crimea in miniature in the palm of your hand.” This young attraction appeared in Bakhchisarai in 2013. Most of the territory will be of interest primarily to those who would like to travel around the whole of Taurida, but do not have the opportunity. On an area of 25 thousand square meters. m somehow miraculously fit the entire peninsula, or rather the most interesting places from a historical and architectural point of view - the Alupka Vorontsov Palace, the Alushta palace of the merchant Stakheev, the Sevastopol monument to sunken ships, the Juma-Jami mosque and much more. In a separate zone there is the “Multipark”, on the territory of which there are figures of The Simpsons, Little Raccoon, Mickey Mouse, Smeshariki and other cartoon and fairy-tale characters. Thanks to the sound and play of light, they all seem to come to life. There is also a mini-zoo where small piglets, kids, chickens and peacocks live. All inhabitants can and should be fed and petted.Weather
Thanks to its favorable location, the climate in Bakhchisarai is moderate. The mountains protect it from strong winds, and the proximity of the sea provides humidity. Severe frosts and suffocating heat practically never happen here. There is little precipitation; in winter it usually rains, less often snow, which immediately melts. For excursion tourism, it is better to choose spring. In April it is already quite warm, trees and flowers begin to bloom. Against the backdrop of reviving nature, the city looks especially romantic. But if you plan to visit the coast and swim in the gentle Black Sea, you should choose the beginning of June or the end of August.While on vacation in Crimea, it is worth making a trip to Bakhchisarai.
With your own transport this will not be difficult, especially since you can use several directions.
The distance from Yalta to Bakhchisarai is approximately one hundred and twenty kilometers, depending on which road you choose. It's a little over an hour's drive.
The most common and easiest way is through the cities of Alushta and Simferopol. The road is very picturesque and also does not require special driver training, even in winter.
First you will have to drive close to the sea, and then among the mountains. Despite this, the road is good, without sharp turns or climbs.
The fact is that this route is also intended for trolleybuses and buses. And although in summer there is practically no traffic jams on it.
From Simferopol, turning to the side, you will soon reach Bakhchisarai. It is impossible to drive through it. It is located next to the road. Yalta Bakhchisarai distance can be calculated on the map.
There is also a road that runs through the small resort village of Foros. This is the South Coast Highway, which goes towards Sevastopol.
The road is very narrow with many sharp turns, but on the other hand it is worthy of respect. If heavy traffic bothers you, you can use the adjacent road.
This is an old highway, which also runs close first to the sea, and then next to the mountains. The road was recently repaired so that its condition is quite tolerable.
Despite the fact that the road is very winding, it passes through several resort villages, where you can take a short walk or relax. In front of Foros there is a church and the Baydar Gate.
You will need to turn away from them without going to Sevastopol. Since traveling around the city will take a lot of time. You can drive through the villages and drive straight into Bakhchisarai, but the road here is in terrible condition.
If you have excellent health, then you can consider the shortest road that passes through Ai-Petri. From Bakhchisarai to Yalta the distance is difficult for many to overcome, since this path is very steep.
It is possible to go up by cable car and go down by car. This track is, of course, for those who love extreme driving.
It is very narrow and consists of blind turns, and there is a lot of traffic on it. But it is the shortest. Climbing higher you can admire the coast, provided the weather is clear. This road is open only in summer and then only if there is no fire hazard, and in winter it is closed due to snow.
Those who don't have a car can get there by bus.
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