What to see in Anapa
Russia has many warm cities where you can have a great vacation: Sochi, Krasnodar, Novorossiysk, and so on.
Today we'll talk about Anapa. We'll tell you what interesting things there are to see and how to get to the best attractions in the city and its surroundings. Let's go!
Anapa Central Embankment
There's plenty to see on Anapa's central embankment. This well-maintained coastline stretches for almost two kilometers. In addition to catering establishments, the entire embankment features popular tourist attractions: small (and large) monuments and sculptures.
The embankment has two tiers: the upper one is paved and more suitable for those who enjoy a stroll, while the lower tier is occupied by the 'Golden Beach'. If you get tired of dancing upstairs, it's nice to go down to the sea and relax, watching the waves.
How to get there:
- on foot — from the bus station, you can walk along Krymskaya Street to Soviets Square. After crossing the square, you'll be there;
- by bus — you can get here by almost any transport. We recommend the 'Krasnodarskaya Street' stop: this way you'll immediately reach the center of the embankment. Buses № 109 and 130 go there;
- by marshrutka (minibus) — you can reach the same stop by marshrutka № 114, 116, 135, 111, 25, 126, 17, 9.
Anapa Lighthouse
The Anapa Lighthouse, one of the top 3 local attractions, is located on the Black Sea coast. It stands 21 meters tall. The lighthouse was laid in 1898, but it was destroyed during the Great Patriotic War and rebuilt only in 1955.
Currently, there are many cafes, souvenir shops, and a descent to the sea around the lighthouse. It is said that the most beautiful sunsets can be observed in this part of the embankment. So the lighthouse is definitely a place you should visit in Anapa.
How to get there:
- by taxi/car — just type 'Anapa Lighthouse' into your navigator;
- by marshrutka — marshrutkas № 2, 9, 24, and 25 will suit you. You should go to the 'Krepostnaya Street' stop, then walk for about five minutes towards the embankment.
Anapa Dolphinarium "Nemo"
The local dolphinarium is located at Pionersky Prospekt, 20A. It combines an oceanarium, a diving center, hosts dolphin shows, and offers dolphin therapy. Anapa Dolphinarium is famous for its shows, which leave both children and adults open-mouthed. So the question of where to go with children in Anapa can be considered answered.
The oceanarium is open every day without days off, but the dolphinarium is closed on Mondays. If you want to visit everything at once, choose a day in advance. You can buy tickets on Kupi.com online. Admission is free for children under five, provided the child does not occupy a separate seat.
How to get there:
- by bus — take bus № 130, 129, 105, 106, 103 or 122 to the 'Dolphinarium' stop;
- by marshrutka — take marshrutka № 114, 128 or 127 to the same stop;
- by car/taxi — type 'Pionersky Prospekt, 20A' or 'Nemo Dolphinarium' into your navigator. There is private parking at the building.
Archaeological Museum "Gorgippia"
Long ago, the remains of ancient Greek settlements were excavated in Anapa, and the 'Gorgippia' museum was opened. It features halls with ancient jewelry, pottery, tools, as well as an outdoor exhibition with the stone foundation of the ancient city. 'Gorgippia' is both an entertainment and an attraction in Anapa.
We recommend taking a guided tour (they run several times a day) to fully immerse yourself in history and learn interesting facts. You'll hear about the ancient Greek necropolis, the daily life of the inhabitants of that time, and where they disappeared to.
How to get there:
- by car/taxi — type 'Gorgippia' into your navigator, and follow the route;
- by marshrutka — the closest public transport stop — is 'Gorodskaya Poliklinika' on Lenina Street. Marshrutkas № 9, 25, 24, and 2 will suit you. From the stop, you need to walk seven minutes, and you'll be there.
Singing Fountains
The Singing Fountains are located in the center of Anapa — in front of the main alley of the city square. Every summer evening from 22:00 to 23:00, a light and music show takes place here, with free admission.
Five fountains synchronize with colorful lighting and music — creating an entire performance. It's worth seeing at least once in your life, so let's get tickets for the Moscow — Anapa train and head out soon!
How to get there: the closest public transport stop — is 'Krasnodarskaya Street' on Krymskaya Street. Marshrutkas № 24, 114, 126, 116, 111, 135, 118, 9, 125 stop here.
"Sukko Valley"
An hour's drive from Anapa is the stunningly beautiful 'Sukko Valley' park. It has everything for nature lovers: mountains, lakes, and forests.
Everyone will find something to their liking in the park. For active recreation enthusiasts, there are cycling routes and rental of all necessary equipment, as well as boat rides on the lake and ziplining over the valley. For those who prefer a more relaxed pastime — fishing, hiking trails, observation decks, and cafes.
In 'Sukko Valley', there is a lake where cypresses grow directly out of the water. In fact, tourists come here for such photos. We recommend arriving early in the morning to enjoy the tranquility and atmosphere of this place.
How to get there:
- by bus — from Anapa bus station, bus № 109 goes directly to the valley. Just check with the driver first which direction he is currently heading (you might accidentally end up in Bolshoy Utrish);
- by car/taxi — a navigator will help if you're driving yourself. A taxi will cost around 1,000 rubles.
Mineral Water Pump Room
Another place you can visit in Anapa is the mineral water pump room. Here you'll find several taps with various spring waters, and each is labeled with its beneficial properties.
You can come with your own bottle or glass, and if you couldn't get a container beforehand — no problem: cups are sold right on site. This kind of attraction, trying all the waters, takes about 15 minutes. It's a great opportunity to cool down on a hot day and also replenish beneficial microelements.
How to get there: the pump room is located to the right of the 'Kovcheg' restaurant and the flea market, but all three buildings share the same address: Prospekt Revolyutsii, 1. The closest public transport stop is 'DYuSSh Viktoriya', where marshrutka № 9 stops.
"Lion's Head" Castle
You can feel like a real knight or a medieval lady at the 'Lion's Head' castle. Just forty minutes' drive from Anapa separates you from an amazing journey into the past. Although the castle was built in 2006 and is more for entertainment, its atmosphere and architecture are impressive.
On the castle grounds, there's a forge, a pottery workshop, a Museum of Torture, and a tavern — everyone will find something to do here. Knightly tournaments are also held here. You need to buy an admission ticket for them, but it's worth it. Plus, children under five enter for free when accompanied by parents.
How to get there: the same bus № 109 that goes to 'Sukko Valley' will also take you to 'Lion's Head' castle. You just need to get off one stop earlier — you need 'Ozero'. Then cross the road towards the lake and follow the signs to the castle.
"Utrish" Nature Reserve
Less than an hour's drive from Anapa is the 'Utrish' Nature Reserve. Guests are offered three walking and two sea excursions. Each route differs in difficulty, duration, and views.
In the reserve, you can see a canyon, forests, and many representatives of flora and fauna found only here. And after a long walk, you'll have the opportunity to relax on 'Utrish' beach. Crystal clear water, a less shallow entry into the water than in Anapa, and a pebble beach await you.
How to get there: the familiar bus № 109 goes towards the reserve; you need to get off at the stop named 'Utrish'.
Pearl Waterfall
In the 'Utrish' Nature Reserve, in addition to what is described above, there is also the Pearl Waterfall. From a height of five meters, a mighty stream of water crashes directly onto the rocky stones below — what a beauty!
The waterfall gets its name from the fact that water droplets, upon falling, scatter in different directions and shimmer in the sun like pearls. Visiting the Pearl Waterfall is part of one of the sea excursions around 'Utrish'. You'll take photos with the waterfall, breathe the sea air, and even enjoy a boat ride.
How to get there: go to the 'Utrish' Nature Reserve and choose a sea excursion from the Bolshoy Utrish peninsula to the Pearl Waterfall.
Lermontov's Gazebo
Lermontov's Gazebo is also among the attractions of Anapa and its surroundings. It is located on the road to Bolshoy Utrish (or back). The sea from Lermontov's Gazebo is visible as if in the palm of your hand, and watching sunsets is a pure pleasure.
The gazebo is right by the road and has no benches or anything resembling seats. Therefore, people don't stop here for long: take a couple of photos for mom and move on.
How to get there: by car or taxi on the road to Bolshoy Utrish. On 'Yandex Maps', the location is marked as: 'Krasnodar Krai, 03K-104'.
Swallow's Nests
Another popular viewpoint is Swallow's Nests. Across the entire sandstone surface, you can observe many round holes — these are the swallows' nests.
The observation deck is located on top of Mount Lysaya in the village of Supsekh. It offers a stunning view of the sea and the Caucasus Mountains. There are no fences here, and the cliff height is about 250 meters. Therefore, please ensure children's safety while here.
How to get there:
- by car/taxi — the journey will take about 30 minutes; a navigator or local taxi drivers will help you find your way;
- on foot — it's an hour to an hour and a half walk from the center of Anapa to Swallow's Nests. Any online map will show you the way.
800 Steps
Between the Swallow's Nests and Lysaya Gora viewpoints, there's another important spot — 800 Steps. This is a descent to the Black Sea from the very top of the mountain.
The reward for climbing the 800 steps up is a breathtaking view and a powerful dopamine rush, filling you with joy and a sense of omnipotence.
How to get there:
- by taxi/car — the drive to the top of the 800 Steps takes 15 minutes;
- by marshrutka — the closest stop is called 'GSK № 12', where marshrutka № 114 stops. It's the only one, but it travels all through Anapa along the Black Sea coast and runs every five minutes;
- on foot — it's only an hour's walk from the center of Anapa; locals or online maps will show you the right direction.
"Soaring Eagle"
The three-meter sculpture 'Soaring Eagle' is located on the road to Sukko Valley and marks the beginning of the Caucasus Mountains. This is another tourist attraction where people come for beautiful photos.
Locals say that Anapa is visible from a completely different angle from here. And on a clear day, you can even see the Blagoveshchenskaya Spit, which is located 20 km from the sculpture.
How to get there: the familiar bus № 109 will take you to the 'Soaring Eagle'. The stop is called 'Pavlovka', and from there, you'll only need to walk 500 meters.
Memorial Cross
Also on the way to Sukko, you can stop at the Memorial Cross. The monument was erected in honor of those who died during the Great Patriotic War. To this day, the Memorial Cross is considered a symbol of friendship and unity of peoples.
Plus, very close by, you can find one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the vicinity of Anapa. Rocks, the sea, and a solitary bench by the cliff. An ideal combination for beautiful photos.
How to get there: unfortunately, public transport does not go to this place. But you can get there by car or taxi in about forty minutes, just by typing 'Memorial Cross' into your navigator.
When choosing where to go to the sea in Russia, remember that in Anapa, everyone will find leisure activities to suit every taste and budget. That's why we recommend this location. Have a great vacation!
