Alushta in December 2021 – what to see, holidays, weather, reviews, prices

Alushta is attractive for tourists even at the beginning of winter. Green lawns and numerous evergreen trees and shrubs please the eye, the sun is reflected in the azure sea waves. The weather is ideal for those who do not tolerate stuffiness and heat. The lack of a beach holiday compensates for the opportunity to visit the sights that the Crimean peninsula is so rich in.

Weather

In December, the resort is cool. At the beginning of the month, daytime temperatures are at +6-+9˚С, at night the thermometer drops to +4-+6˚С. In the second half of December it gets significantly colder – up to +4-6˚. Night temperatures fluctuate at around +2 – + 4˚С, slight frosts are possible. In winter, the city has high humidity, rain can be accompanied by sleet, which immediately melts.

The sea cools down rapidly in winter, in December the water temperature does not exceed +9 – 11˚С. For a month, on average, there are 8 sunny days, when quite comfortable weather is observed, and heavy rainfall occurs for 5 days. For more than half of December, the sky is partly cloudy, the sun peeking out is suddenly covered by clouds.

Is it cold in December

The weather in the first winter month at the resort is notable for its inconsistency. On clear days, the sun is noticeably hot, you can walk in light clothing. During bad weather, the combination of piercing wind from the sea and high humidity create a feeling of chilliness. So that the weather does not spoil your vacation, you need to choose a wardrobe that is optimally suited for travel.

You will need a warm windproof jacket with a hood, a hat, a wool sweater and gloves. In case of warm weather, you should put a windbreaker in your suitcase. Particular attention should be paid to shoes. These should be insulated sneakers or boots with a flat waterproof sole.

What to see

In the center of the city is the Alison Tower – the remains of a Byzantine fortress built in the 6th century, on this site, later, the city of Alushta grew. Nearby is the Yukhari-Jali mosque (Verkhnyaya st., 9), the first floor is visited by men, the second – by women.

In the village The cliff is the palace of Princess Gagarina, made using Italian tiles and windows made of Venetian glass. There is a cypress park around the palace. Nature lovers can independently get to the Soter Valley with rocky sculptures in the form of mushrooms, up to 5 m high, with a “cap” diameter of up to 2 m.

By minibus you can get to the foothills of Chatyr-Dag to take a walk through the picturesque mountainous area. In the area with Radiant are the ruins of the fortress “Fauna”, built in 1423. In inclement weather, you can take a one-day pass to visit the SPA, in one of the many hotels and devote time to swimming in the indoor pool and bath procedures.

Vacation with children

Traveling with the whole family, you will find enough places in Alushta where you can go with your children. Oceanarium (Gorkogo St.) – in 4 halls there are huge aquariums with marine and freshwater inhabitants. Here you can see more than 250 species of fish, sea turtles, crabs, crocodiles. Exotic animals live in the Jungle World exposition in conditions close to the tropics.

Nearby is “Animal Park” – Alushta contact zoo, divided into geographical zones: “Africa and Madagascar“, “Australia”, “South America”. Visit the Park of Miniatures (Gorkogo St., 7) – an open-air museum of architectural sights of the Crimean Peninsula, the exhibits are made on a scale of 1:25.

The museum is especially beautiful at dusk, when the individual illumination of the building models is turned on. In the Aquarelle Dolphinarium, located on the city's embankment, you can watch performances with the participation of dolphins and fur seals, swim and take pictures with the artists.

Excursions

Local guides offer many routes for every taste. It should be noted that prices for excursions in December are record low. On a comfortable bus you can visit the Swallow's Nest, the famous palaces of Crimea: Livadia, Massandra and the Vorontsov Palace. Architectural monuments are surrounded by picturesque parks, which are pleasant to walk around at any time of the year.

Families with children will be interested in a trip to the Glade of Fairy Tales, where there are more than 300 skillfully made characters of Russian fairy tales and a petting zoo. An excursion to the Taigan Safari Park will be remembered for a long time. About 50 African lions live in natural conditions in the foothills of Crimea.

For nature lovers, there are trips to Mount Demerzhi with a tour of the highest waterfall in Crimea, Dzhur-Dzhur, the Valley of Ghosts, the Marble and Ban-Bash-Koba caves. An excursion to Bakhchisarai with a tour of the Khan's Palace, the Assumption Cathedral and the ancient city of Chufut-Kale is invariably in demand.

New Year

To meet a holiday on the seashore is tempting for many vacationers. Thousands of tourists flock to the southern coast of Crimea at the end of December, where nature itself creates a festive atmosphere. Most hotels organize a banquet and a festive program with Santa Claus and the Snow Maiden.

On the main square of Alushta, a huge Christmas tree is set up, decorated with garlands and children‘s crafts. It hosts free concerts, theatrical performances, holiday contests and programs.
On New Year's Eve, the embankment is crowded. Bright illumination and sounds of music from coastal cafes under the splash of the sea surf create a romantic atmosphere.

Festive-minded people in demi-season clothes thrown over evening dresses admire fireworks, congratulate each other on the holiday. Fans of alternative recreation are celebrating the New Year at a ski resort located 12 km from Alushta. The slopes there are quite gentle, but equipment rental is inexpensive. Tourists spend New Year's Eve under the stars, enjoying the mountain air.

The cost of travel

The city can be reached in several ways. A ticket for a Moscow-Simferopol plane costs 2,204 rubles, the flight time is 2-2.5 hours. Railway tickets in the compartment of the branded train “Tavria” will cost 3,493 rubles, the journey will take 1 day 9 hours. A comfortable bus runs from Moscow to Alushta, the ticket price is 2,200 rubles, the travel time is 28-31 hours.

You can book a hotel room in December at the lowest possible price. Hotel 3 costs from 1800 rubles, 4 – 3200 rubles. In guest houses you can take a room for 900-1000 rubles.

The budget for a trip for two for 5 nights is approximately 25-30 thousand rubles. including the cost of meals and excursions.

Tour operators make very interesting offers: tours with low prices, including flights, transfers to the hotel, accommodation and insurance. A tour for 5 nights in a 3 * hotel costs from 16,798 rubles. By purchasing a tour, you are freed from the hassle of booking accommodation and buying tickets, there is no need to plan a trip route. In most cases, this is cost effective.

View prices for tours to Alushta

Reviews of tourists

Vacationers who visited the resort at the beginning of winter agree that Alushta in December is interesting for fans of sightseeing trips and for those who, without heat and human hustle, prefer a relaxing holiday. For young people at this time of the year it is boring here, there is practically no active evening life.

At the end of December, the situation changes, the number of tourists in the city increases significantly, cafes and restaurants on the embankment open, the city revives, preparing for the New Year. Tourists note that the prices at the resort at the beginning of winter are very attractive. You can easily find cheap accommodation for every taste, the cost of excursions and meals is much lower than in summer.

Conclusion

December is the time to see the ancient city of Alushta from an unexpected angle. At the resort, you can have a great rest without causing significant damage to your budget. Travelers spend their time as they please. Some seek to expand their horizons by devoting time to visiting architectural sights. The surroundings of Alushta are replete with amazing natural monuments, attracting lovers of hiking.

Others come at the beginning of winter just to take a break from the hustle and bustle of big cities and improve their health. Vacationers spend hours walking along the seafront, enjoying the healing salty air and magnificent mountain scenery.