All about the village of Massandra in Crimea

Having been in the Crimea once, I want to go back there every year. It is impossible not to admire the beauty of this region. Those who want to feel the special atmosphere should visit Massandra. This small village combines not only the beauty of the Crimean land. Here you want to wander for a long time along the quiet streets, breathe the purest sea air in full, admire the beauty of the mountains, enjoying the miraculous climate. And wine lovers will appreciate the taste of this divine drink.

Located in a quiet village Massandra very close to the noisy Yalta. Many consider it even a suburb, although it is not quite so. In this place there is no such hustle and bustle as in Yalta or other cities of the Crimea. This place is more like a family holiday or a holiday with small children.

Neighboring Massandra with Yalta, there is a village 5 km from the bustling Crimean city. The height of the village above sea level is 140 meters. Massandra is conventionally divided by the Yalta-Simferopol highway into two parts: the upper and the lower. Lovers of hiking in the woods should settle in the upper Massandra. Almost near the last house in the village begins the forest.

The village is located at some distance from the sea coast, if you look at the map. To get directly to the sea, you need to walk a little. The village is located on a mountain, from the window you can admire the beauty of the sea surface, to observe the surroundings.

About the origin of the village almost nothing is known. There is evidence that the settlement here already existed since ancient times.

After the Crimea was annexed to the Russian Empire, the village of Massandra changed its owners more than once. In this area, Count M. F. Vorontsov laid the foundations of winemaking. Graf appreciated all the features of the local climate and used them in production, starting the production of fortified wines.

After 1889, Prince Golitsyn, who in 1884 founded the now famous wine-making industry, became the main wine-maker of the resort village.

In 1926 only 270 people lived in this village. Gradually, the population grew and by 1979 was 4412 people. Currently, there are about 8 thousand.

The climate here is subtropical Mediterranean. In hot days it is less hot here than in Yalta, since the settlement is located in close proximity to the mountains and at some distance from the seashore. In the cold season in the village is quite warm.

It is very beautiful in the village at any time of the year, but Massandra is especially beautiful in spring, when nature begins to wake up, and everything is blooming. In mid-April, the air temperature here reaches 15-17 degrees Celsius.

The average temperature in July is 23-24 degrees. In the afternoon the temperature warms up to +32 degrees Celsius.

The velvet season here lasts from September to October. At this time in the village remains sunny weather with a comfortable temperature. Many advise to come to Massandra in the offseason, when there is no strong heat and the influx of tourists. In addition, the price of housing and food at this time becomes much lower.

In May, the water in the sea warms up to 17 degrees, in the middle of summer it warms up to 25-26 degrees, and by the middle of October it has a temperature of about 17 degrees.

Winter is the coldest time of year in the village. Although the air temperature is about 5 degrees Celsius, it seems much colder due to high humidity.

Since the sea is in some remoteness, you have to walk to it or drive to Yalta beach by transport. This holiday village is more suitable for quiet walks through the shady streets. Here you can walk for hours around the famous park. This place has a special atmosphere. Here it is pleasant to wander along the forest paths, stopping to rest and visit the ancient castle.

This is a great place for thrill-seekers. Behind them you should go to Ai-Petri or make a fascinating paragliding flight, jump with a rope or just climb on the Crimean rocks. To make a flight on a paraglider, you need to pay about 7 thousand rubles. A jump with a rope costs from 1 to 4 thousand rubles.

In the Crimea, there are a huge number of unique and beautiful places to visit. Many recommend going to Massandra and seeing local sights, including the famous winery, Massandra Park and the castle. Such a vacation will not leave anyone indifferent.

Massandra wines are not in vain the hallmark of the village. To appreciate their taste and aroma, you need to visit a winery. In the cellars of the plant is stored a unique collection of wines listed in the Guinness Book of Records, which has up to 1 million bottles.

Most of the production is dessert, liqueur and fortified wines. Produce drinks only from grapes, it is grown on vineyards, which extend from Foros to Sudak. In the production of wines, only classic technologies are used; chemical ingredients and sugar are not added during the processing.

The winery is one of the main attractions of the resort settlement. It is as popular as the famous Massandra Palace. At the winery come not only on the tour. Visitors have the opportunity to tasting unique wines.

The old factory with a massive stone tower is more similar to the old castle. In the basement there are stone niches where aged vintage wine is stored.

The oldest wine in the collection is considered "Jerez de la Frontera" (1775). The most popular is the “White Muscat of the Red Stone”, which has repeatedly been recognized as one of the best wines in the world.

A nice bonus would be a branded wine shop, where products come directly from the factory. Here is a huge selection of alcoholic beverages. Buyers will be pleased with reasonable prices. And also invaluable assistance will be provided by qualified sales assistants who will help to navigate the choice.

Do not ignore the magnificent Massandra Palace, which was built since 1881 by order of Vorontsov. In 1889, the estate was purchased for Alexander III. Finished building a palace in 1902.

It is better to visit the palace in the morning when there is no large influx of tourists. It looks very beautiful, the building is well maintained and restored. Here you can wander around the park for a long time, away from excursion groups, enjoying the beauty and grandeur of nature, inhaling the purest air. The park grows unique trees, a lot of rose bushes.

The palace is located 700 meters from the highway. The entrance to the park is completely free. The park is quite large, but well-groomed flower gardens are made only in close proximity to the palace. Guided tour in the palace is 350 p. Ticket recommend to purchase a full with all the exhibitions. On the last floor of the building there is a large balcony, allowing you to admire the magnificent surroundings and views of the sea.

By the way, until 1941 there was a sanatorium in the building, then the "Stalin's" dacha. In 1992, the palace became a house-museum. There is a lot of wood in its decoration. Looks great brown marble fireplace made from a single piece, exquisite mirrors and furniture.

Between the village and the sea is the famous Massandrovsky Park. It is broken in the place of the forest at the beginning of the XIX century. The park area is 42 hectares. Here grow majestic cedars, tall cypress trees and spreading pines, juniper. The air in the park is truly healing.

You can get to the village on the highway Yalta - Simferopol. If you go from Simferopol, you need to buy a ticket to Yalta and then go one stop earlier on the “Upper Friendship”. The bus is on the road for about two hours. The price of a ticket is 150 rubles. The distance from Simferopol to Massandra is 78 km. At 7 o'clock the first buses start running from Simferopol, and continue to carry out those who wish until 22 o'clock.

Since there is no center in the village, you need to get off at the Druzhba bus stop, which divides the village into two parts: the upper and lower Massandra.

Lovers of long journeys should try to get to Massandra from Simferopol by trolley bus. This route will take about three hours, which can be tiring. But such a long route will allow plenty to admire the beauty of the South Coast.

Although this town has rather modest size, there are a lot of public transport stops. So, from Yalta you can get here by minibuses number 3.14, 29, 44, 106, 109, 110, as well as on trolley buses No. 3, 41, 42, as well as 52 and 53.

If you go to Massandra from Yalta, you need to get to the bus station, from where buses are going to Massandra. The ticket price is about 12 rubles.

Massandra is a great place for a quiet holiday. And also the village is suitable for those who do not have a solid budget. The prices here are lower than in neighboring Yalta, which can be reached in a few minutes by shuttle bus.

The private sector is more suitable for a quiet budget holiday as well as possible. The price of housing here depends on the influx of tourists and on the season. So, at the very peak from July to August, the price increases by an average of 2-3 times than at other times of the year.

Many people prefer to choose hotels with their own beach. There are not so many hotels here, most of them are located in the Lower Massandra near the park, practically near Yalta.

1. Those who come to relax in a big noisy company should look for a house or cottage in the private sector. So, a cottage for 12-14 people with a small pool will cost from 6 to 10 thousand rubles per day.
2. A small cozy house will cost from 2 to 4 thousand rubles.
3. In the guest house "Manor in Massandrovsky Park" the price of 3-4-bed room is 1500-1700 rubles.

Many vacationers prefer to stay in the guest house, as there is provided accommodation even with the youngest children. And also there is an opportunity to come to the resort with pets, while an additional fee is not charged for them.

Residents can cook their own food in the common well-equipped kitchen. The rooms are almost everywhere installed air conditioning, satellite TV.

Popular with vacationers also enjoys pension of the same name "Massandra". Although this complex is old and equipped with a modest environment, the rooms have all the amenities that work without interruption. The price for a room here is an average of 2.5 thousand rubles per room per day. The pension has its own swimming pool with sauna. This hotel is the closest to the beach.

Lovers of a more comfortable holiday should choose Villa Catherine. Although the institution is located not so close to the sea, but it has all the amenities for a comfortable stay. Residents can visit the wood-fired sauna or relax by the heated pool. And also there is a cozy bar, a comfortable laundry is provided, there is a parking lot.

This quiet village is a great place for a family holiday. Here is where to play with children, sometimes show children's ideas. There are small grocery stores. The market sells fresh vegetables and fruits, various delicacies and sweets.

About the village of Massandra in the Crimea, see the following video.