What to see in Anapa and where to go - on your own or with a guided tour

There is not much to see in Anapa itself. Rather, you need to get out of the city in the immediate vicinity in order to see something, for example, the same dolphinarium, or even far away, if we are talking about natural attractions. Unfortunately, there are no waterfalls and beautiful gorges that abound in the area from Tuapse to Sochi in Anapa at all. Around the city there are mostly steppes, so you need to go at least to Gelendzhik around the mountains. Therefore, be prepared that local travel agencies will offer long-distance trips..

I also have a useful post here - A selection of cheap hotels in Anapa, with a good rating and reviews. It is better to start your search for housing in advance, otherwise during the season you may simply not be able to find something worthy. I personally prefer to book everything in advance, so as not to think on the spot later.

The content of the article

Attractions in Anapa itself

Archaeological Museum Gorgippia

The Archaeological Museum is located right in the center of Anapa and consists of an exhibition of antiquities inside the building and an open-air excavation site. Excavations with a total area of ​​about 2 hectares give an idea of ​​the structure of the ancient city of Gorgippia, which was located on this site from the 4th century BC. to the 3rd century A.D. Here you can see cellars, foundations of residential buildings, wells, streets and even a small fragment of the fortress wall. Archaeological finds made on the territory of the city are also displayed in the open air. These are fragments of the temple pediment and columns, tombstones. Bronze and marble statues, dishes, jewelry, weapons and coins are exhibited inside the museum building. There are several very rare and valuable items in the collection. The museum employs professional guides who can hold the attention of tourists with a fascinating story for an hour and a half. The history of the city was very rich in events and there is something to tell about. Both adults and children should visit the museum, it is not only very interesting, but also valuable for the general development and understanding of the history of these places. Moreover, the ticket price is very attractive.

Ticket price: 100 rubles.

Archaeological Museum Gorgippia

Bringing Down the House

Upside down houses have recently become fashionable. The Krasnodar Territory boasts at least two more houses of the same type - in Abrau-Dyurso and Kabardinka (here is my visit report). The Anapa Upside Down House is located in the park named after the 30th anniversary of Victory, right behind the Summer Stage building. Since its opening in 2014, the attraction continues to be popular with numerous tourists vacationing in Anapa. Here you can take funny pictures and just have a good time with friends or family. The building itself and all of its interior furnishings look like a real house has been turned over «upside down». The interiors are recreated quite realistically. So much so that some visitors even feel dizzy. But where else can you run on the ceiling and dive into the toilet?

The ticket price depends on the season and ranges from 100 to 300 rubles.

Musical fountains

The complex of singing and dancing fountains with lighting is located in the center of Anapa, in front of the Administration building. The fountains were opened in 2014. The main one is located in the center of the square, and a cascade of smaller fountains goes towards the park named after the 30th anniversary of Victory. During the day it is just a fountain, and in the evenings a light and music show begins. More than 300 floodlights illuminate the streams of water, the maximum height of which reaches 15 meters. The performance is accompanied by 10 different musical melodies. This is one of the most favorite tourist attractions in Anapa, in the evenings it is quite noisy and very crowded. A very beautiful and mesmerizing show will surely please both adults and children.

Singing fountains in the center of Anapa

Anapa Dolphinarium Nemo and Ocean Park Oceanarium

The relatively new complex, built just a few years ago, includes a dolphinarium, an oceanarium, a zoo and a penguinarium. All this is located a couple of kilometers from the city, but you can get there quite easily: by minibus, taxi or by your own car. Entering the building of the complex, visitors go on a fascinating journey through the marine and underwater fauna. The most interesting of all of the above is, of course, the dolphinarium. The show lasts about an hour and the stunt is good. The show will not leave anyone indifferent. A bit loud music, but in general the audience really likes everything. The animals in the show are different, not just dolphins. There are walrus, seals, beluga whales. In addition to the show, the dolphinarium offers for an additional fee: swimming with dolphins, taking photos with them. In the aquarium, you can watch exotic fish in large aquariums, take a break from the sun and noise in the cool of the underwater kingdom. The zoo and penguinarium will introduce children and adults to exotic animals. In general, the whole complex is a great place for a family vacation, acquaintance of children with the inhabitants of the sea. There is also a souvenir shop, cafes and restaurants on the territory of the complex..

Ticket price: from 200 rubles to 600. Children under 5 years old - free.

Russian gate

«Russian gate» - an architectural monument of the 18th century. This is all that remains of the Ottoman military fortress. The gate was built in 1783, and the Russians were named in honor of the 25th anniversary of the liberation of Anapa from Turkish rule (in 1828). Inside the gate, behind bars, there is a stone with the inscription «Here lies the ashes of Russian soldiers who fell at the walls of Anapa 1788 - 1828». In modern Anapa, the monument is located on the edge of the park named after the 30th anniversary of Victory, not far from the Administration building. This is one of the main historical landmarks of the city..

Russian gate

Anapa lighthouse

The lighthouse in Anapa is not the most spectacular sight, but it is quite possible to look at it. For example, during a sightseeing walk around the city, passing the shady Fortress street from the park im. 30th anniversary of the Victory and the Russian gate. The lighthouse in the form of an octagonal tower and 3 black horizontal stripes was built in 1955 on a high seashore. The place here is quite quiet, although it is very popular with tourists; a good panorama of the sea and mountains in the distance opens from here. Especially at sunset time.

Lighthouse in Anapa

Aquapark Golden Beach

The water park is located in the center of Anapa, next to the sea. It is so popular among vacationers that in the summer season quite long queues line up at the box office before opening. The same applies to attractions, sun loungers and other infrastructure - there are quite a lot of visitors during the season. You will have to get yourself a place in the sun or, conversely, in the shade - since there are not so many sun loungers in the water park as there are those who want to use them. As for the attractions, there are more than 20 different types of them in the water park, including quite extreme ones. There is a children's playground, swimming pools - ordinary and with artificial waves. In general, this is a pleasant place where you can have fun with the whole family, sunbathe, swim, eat in a cafe and buy souvenirs..

Ticket price: 1000 rubles, for children - 500 rubles.

Aquapark Golden Beach in the evening

Pump room

Admission is free, you have to pay only for disposable tableware. A glass costs 10 rubles.

A pump room is a pavilion built over a mineral water source. In Anapa and the surrounding area there are several sources of mineral waters that have been known since the time of the ancient Greeks. For example, highly mineralized chloride-hydrocarbonate sodium iodine boric waters of the Semigorsk deposit are similar in salt composition to Essentuki No. 17, differing in the absence of carbon dioxide in their composition. Since 1982, mineral water from the High Bank of Anapa has been used for medicinal purposes, it is called that - «Anapskaya». This is low-mineralized sulfate-hydrocarbonate-chloride sodium water, similar in composition to the mineral waters of Feodosia. A mineral water pump room (Anapskaya and Semigorskaya) can be found near the central embankment of Anapa. You can drink some water without a doctor's referral, but it must be borne in mind that it is not advised to take more than one glass at a time. Inside the room there are posters with the chemical composition and rules for the intake of mineral waters.

Pump room with Anapa mineral water

The vicinity of Anapa

Anapa Dolphinarium on Bolshoy Utrish

Dolphinarium on Bolshoy Utrish is located approximately halfway between Novorossiysk and Anapa. You can get to it by land (by any vehicle), or by boat, combining it with a boat trip. The show at the dolphinarium is interesting, and the audience usually likes it. Lasts approximately 40 minutes. In addition to dolphins of various species, other marine animals also participate in the show. From the technical points, it should be noted that the spectators sitting in the front rows may be splashed with water during the performance. The building of the dolphinarium clearly needs repairs, everything looks rather old and shabby, the view from the auditorium is spoiled by unnecessary objects. After the performance, visitors can buy paintings painted by a dolphin or take a ride in a boat pulled by a dolphin, swim with dolphins - all for an additional fee. Photo and video filming during the performance is also paid, the staff of the dolphinarium is watching this. Tickets for the show can be bought both in Novorossiysk and Anapa, and at the box office of the dolphinarium itself. When buying a tour, transfer and insurance are additionally offered.

Ticket price: from 600 rubles, children under 3 years old - free.

Bald Mountain with air defense balls

Bald Mountain is located about three kilometers from the eastern border of Anapa. You can walk up the mountain or drive up to it by car. Interesting is this deserted place with a good panoramic view of the city and the sea below. It is especially pleasant to be here during sunset, catching the wonderful and romantic atmosphere of silence and solitude. In addition to its beautiful view, Lysaya Gora is interesting for its military base with air defense radar balls. To start your walk, you can drive through the village of Supsekh to the Swallow's Nest and the observation deck. You can also just walk from the Orekhovaya Roshcha Park in Anapa along the coast on top, without turning anywhere. Either down the beach, up to the stairs «873 steps», and climbing up it - towards the balls. From the Swallow's Nest to the military unit, you can walk in 20-30 minutes. More about Lysaya Gora and the military base.

bird home

The path on Bald Mountain leading to the air defense balls

Lake Sukko (Cypress Lake)

The lake is located in the valley of the Sukko River, next to the village of the same name. Tourist groups usually stop by the lake during horseback riding tours. There I rode a horse for the first time in my life. In addition to the stables, there are two other local attractions near the lake: «African village» and «Knight's castle». The main attraction of this place is 32 marsh cypress trees that grow right in the water. Because of them, the lake is called Cypress. It is better to come here in the early morning, when there are still no crowds of tourists. There is a beach on the shore of the lake, you can rent a catamaran or rent a gazebo with a barbecue for barbecue. In sunny weather and at sunset, the color of the water in the lake is especially beautiful: it changes from azure to emerald. Travel to the lake is paid, but you can walk, leaving your car in the free parking lot.

Castle «Lion head»

The castle for show tournaments with performances based on medieval knightly duels is located in a picturesque place, next to the lake, in the valley of the Sukko River. Inside the castle there is an arena with seats for spectators around it. The performances are attended by professional actors, dancers and stuntmen. The castle is imposing in size, accommodating 1200 spectators, and its battlements are visible from afar. In addition to the actual performance with fights and tricks on horses, fire shows and tightrope walkers, here you can shoot a bow or crossbow, go to the torture museum, take a picture in the armor of knights, take part in a pottery master class, ride a donkey or mince yourself a souvenir coin. In addition to all of the above, on the territory of the castle there is a tavern, hotel, smithy, souvenir shops. The program of performances changes all the time, so you can come to the castle more than once.

Ticket price: 500 rubles.

African village

In the same place, in the Sukko Valley, next to the lake, there is another tourist complex - «African village». Show programs of professional African dancers are held here every day. The dance show lasts about three hours, includes live sound, songs and dances of different peoples and cultures, from ethnic to break dance, with elements of striptease. The artists perform in beautiful bright costumes, drawing those who wish from the auditorium with them. The village has several African-style huts and an amphitheater. There are tables for spectators around the stage, there is also a bar next to the stage, those who wish are offered a barbecue. You can take a photo with the artists of the show, buy a souvenir as a souvenir in the shop. «African village» works from May to September. Will appeal to lovers of cabaret and discos, bright shows in the style of Broadway.

Ticket prices: for the evening show - 900 rubles, for the day show - 400 rubles. Children under 5 years old - free.

Reserve Bolshoy Utrish

The nature reserve is located between the villages of Sukko and Maly Utrish and covers an area of ​​more than 5 hectares, stretching along the coastline for more than 12 km. The greatest value of the reserve is the unique juniper and pistachio forest, as well as lagoons with the purest water, magnificent mountain landscapes, wilderness, which has been preserved almost in its original form. Here you can find wild beaches and waterfalls, many species of birds, butterflies and fish.

Distant environs of Anapa

Cruiser Kutuzov

Cruiser «Mikhail Kutuzov», which now houses the Naval Ship Museum, is moored at the central embankment of Novorossiysk, next to the Seaport building. A huge warship has been turned into one of the city's most important landmarks. A tour of the museum with a guide gives you the opportunity to learn interesting facts about the structure of the ship and the life of sailors. If you don't want to take an excursion, you can just walk along the deck, take a look at a part of the ship's interior and exhibits, and take pictures as a souvenir. True, the interior rooms look very brutal; cosmetic repairs would not damage the museum. On the other hand, there is a certain flavor in this type of cruiser. In general, the exposition of the museum is not very rich. Among the exhibits are models of warships behind tarnished glass, the meager furnishings of sailors' cabins and other premises of the ship. Soon I will write a post about my visit to the cruiser. More about the Cruiser Kutuzov.

Ticket price: 200 rubles for adults and 100 rubles for children.

The cruiser Kutuzov in Novorossiysk

Museum of Technology in Temryuk «Military slide»

The open-air museum is located at the entrance to Temryuk, on a hill that was once a mud volcano. Therefore, the people call the museum «Military slide». Until now, on the territory of the museum, as a bonus to the exposition of military equipment, you can see a small mud geyser. The museum contains equipment from the Second World War and post-war: tanks, cannons, aircraft, ships, mines and much more. There is even a steam locomotive with a carriage. Almost all branches of the armed forces are represented by more than a hundred exhibits. On the territory of the museum there is also a monument to the liberation of Temryuk from the German invaders in the form of a T-34 tank on a pedestal. There are no guides in this museum, as well as fences - you can touch everything with your hands. Children will especially enjoy it here. Also in the museum you can take interesting pictures with technology. The state of the art for an amateur, painted over everything that is possible.

Ticket price: 50 rubles.

Factory of sparkling wines in Abrau-Durso

The plant is located not far from Novorossiysk, on the shores of the picturesque Lake Abrau, in a picturesque area surrounded by hills. A tour of the factory can be ordered with or without wine tasting (about 5 types of wines). It is cool and damp in the cellars of the plant, so it is better to additionally take something from outerwear, a windbreaker or a jacket. The guides tell about the history of the plant and the technology of production of champagne, the secrets of their production. How to choose and consume sparkling drinks correctly. At the end of the tour, you can go to a souvenir shop, choose a small bottle of wine you liked at the tasting, or some other souvenir. Prices in the factory's souvenir shop are moderate, similar to those in ordinary shops. After the excursion, you can take a walk along the picturesque shore of the lake, enjoy nature, or go boating. There is a playroom for children on the territory of the plant.

Ticket price: 650 rubles with tasting, 350 rubles without tasting, children under 10 years old - free.

Valley of the lotuses

The Lotus Valley is located near the village of Golubitskaya and the Akhtanizovsky estuary, not very far from Taman and Anapa. Lotuses appeared in these places in the 1980s. They do not take root in salt water, therefore they have successfully rooted only in a desalinated reservoir. Lotuses bloom actively from mid-July to August, stems and leaves stick out of the water, and do not float on its surface, as is usually the case in Asia, in their homeland. To get to the lotus valley by car, you need to go along the Temryuk - Strelka highway to the Kazachiy Yerik river, and then follow the signs «Lotuses». You can also buy an excursion to the valley at almost any travel agency. It is better to come to the lotuses at dawn, when they are just beginning to open, and in July-August, when they bloom. Although they say that in June they also start. Since the coast around the lotuses is swampy, tourists are usually brought to the flowers by boats along the canal, which was dug by the Cossacks 200 years ago. An excursion to the lotuses is interesting and romantic, and a boat ride adds impressions to admiring exotic flowers.

Mud volcanoes in Taman

There are many active mud volcanoes on the Taman Peninsula. This is one of the main natural attractions of the Krasnodar Territory. Mud volcanoes in Taman have been known since ancient times; Homer wrote about them in his «Odyssey», placing in this area the entrance to the underworld, Hades. The mud spewed out by geysers is highly prized for its healing effect. It is used to prevent and treat many diseases. Among the largest and most famous volcanoes of Taman, which are annually visited by thousands of tourists from all over the country, include Tizdar, Plevak, Karabetova Sopka (I was right here because there are no people there) and others. There are about 26 of them in total. The temperature of mud in most volcanoes is 20-25 C, but in some it is even lower. The volcanoes of the Taman Peninsula operate periodically, periods of rest are replaced by activity. Some have already cooled down and turned into hills, others are still throwing out mud, which consists mainly of blue clay, mineral water and contains bromine, iodine and a little oil. Some volcanoes, like Tizdar, are well-equipped tourist complexes with all the necessary infrastructure, others retain their pristine, wild look.

The mud bubble bursts

Attractions Map

Sights in Krasnodar Krai

Kiselev Rock:
Guam Gorge:
Mount Turkey:
Lake Khan:
Ash ferry:
Beautiful places:
Cape Tuzla:
Artillery Fort:
Salt Lake:
Mud volcano Karabetova Sopka:
Salsa - active mud springs:
3 dolmens on the river Janet:
Dolmen in the Renaissance:
Mother's Heart:
Dolmen village in Pshad:
Lunar dolmen:
Farm farm Dolmen:
Single dolmen:
Spit Dolgaya (village Dolzhanskaya):
Bird home:
Air defense balls on Lysaya Gora:
Upside Down House Krasnodar:
Volkonsky dolmen:
Mount and tower Akhun:
Agursky waterfalls:
Olympic Park:
Attractions Sochi-Park:
Park Southern Cultures:
Gebius waterfalls:
Cruiser Mikhail Kutuzov:
Museum of Military Equipment:
33 waterfalls:
Rose Beach:
Trolls Flight of the Eagle:
Health trail:
Complex My Russia:
Center Galaxy:
Walking route to the Stone Pillar:
Mountain Stone Pillar:
Lookout Rose Peak:
Fir glade:
Dolmens:
Yew-boxwood grove:
Devil's Gate Canyon:
Bison nursery:
873 steps:
Lighthouse:
Museum of Local Lore:
Gorgippia:
Russian gate:
Valley of the Lotus:
Stele to the dead:
Lighthouse:
Cultural Center 'Old Park':
Skypark:
Captain Zubkov's battery:
Dolmen Power of Spirit:
Waterfall on Jan:
Waterfall on Jan:
Waterfall on Jan:
Sunny Dolmen:
Rock Sail:
Champagne factory in Abrau Durso:
Anapa Dolphinarium:
Mud volcano Tizdar:
Bringing Down the House:
Lake Sukko or Cypress Lake:
Matsesta aquarium:
Musical fountains:
Dolphinarium Nemo and Ocean Park:
Lion's Head Castle with Knights Show:
Show African Village:
Aquapark Golden Beach:
Reserve Bolshoy Utrish:
Aquapark Starfish:
Svir gorge:
Mamedovo gorge:
Waterfalls of the village of Najigo:
Mineral water pump room:
Park of Culture and Leisure:
Waterpark "Nautilus:
Oceanarium Tropical Amazon:
Shapsug waterfall:
Waterfall Psydakh:
Quest Voobrozharium:
Orekhovsky waterfall:
Pshekhsky waterfall:
Akhshtyrskaya cave:
Ostrich farm Three Sophia:
Rope park Uzelok:
Oceanarium and Exotarium:
Exhibition City of Kuban Masters:
Dolphinarium:
Glass workshop:
LunaPark amusement park:
Entertainment complex Olympus:
Safari Park:
Embankment with sculptures:
Hippo Water Park:
Dolphin Water Park:
Aquapark Golden Bay:
Dolphinarium:
Gallery White Horse:
Museum of History and Local Lore:
Amusement park:
Oceanarium:
Pshad waterfalls:
Mount Shahan waterfalls:
Korolenko House Museum:
Ferris wheel:
Dolphinarium Starfish:
Neighborhoods of the village of Tkhagapsh:
Berendee kingdom:
Sochi circus:
Art Museum:
Stalin's dacha:
Dolphinarium Aquatoria:
Adler Oceanarium:
Amfibius Water Park:
Sochi Arboretum:
Park "Riviera:
Embankment:
Singing fountain:
Dolphinarium Riviera:
Oceanarium Riviera:
Attractions for toddlers:
Suspension bridge:
Grotto with an icon:
Observation deck overlooking the Akhshtyr Canyon:
Sanatorium Ordzhonikidze in Sochi:
Cooperative Square in Sochi:
View Tower:
Monument to Vladimir Vysotsky:
Cathedral of Archangel Michael:
Fort Art Gallery:
Concert Hall Festival:
Cannon and Anchor:
Maritime Station:
Hellenic Descent:
Library named after Pushkin:
Monument to Pushkin:
Pump room with mineral water:
Sochi Phyto-Fantasy Park:
Navaginskaya street:
Zmeikovskie waterfalls -1:
Zmeikovsky waterfalls:
Car Museum in Sochi:
Orchard Park:
Estosadok Oak:
Imeretinskaya embankment:
Mountain Beach Water Park:
Cave Falls:
Karting club Rosa Khutor:
Park Virtuality:
Auto Track Qualification:
Panda Park:
Mendelikha Waterfalls Park:
Sovarium: