What to see in Kislovodsk?
Mild climate, best sanatoriums, and panoramas of the Caucasus Mountains — this is how Kislovodsk can be briefly described. The city is considered one of the best mineral resorts in Russia — it ranks second in the number of health resorts, right after Sochi.
We tell you what, besides sanatoriums, is worth seeing in Kislovodsk.
How to get to Kislovodsk
The fastest way
As always, by plane. Buy flight tickets to Mineralnye Vodyor for a Saint Petersburg — Mineralnye Vody flight. Upon arrival, buy train or bus tickets to Kislovodsk. The distance between the cities is about 65 kilometers, which you will cover in approximately an hour. You can also buy tickets to Stavropol, though you'll have to travel to Kislovodsk for about four hours by bus. But there are advantages to such a long journey: you can admire the picturesque Stavropol Krai from the window while listening to your favorite music through headphones.
For train enthusiasts
Train travel is also available: the journey will take approximately 38 hours, — about 44 hours, and from Yekaterinburg — about 63 hours.
Where to stay in Kislovodsk
Agree, upon arrival, the first desire is to drop your bags, take a shower, and change clothes. Therefore, we share with you accommodation options in Kislovodsk for any budget.
Hostels
The hostel is located at 16 Zelyonaya Street, near Kislovodsk National Park. "Three Suitcases" has three rooms that can accommodate both couples and groups of friends. Guests are offered excursions to the sights of the Caucasus. The most budget-friendly room costs 540 rubles per night.
Outdoor hostel offers separate female and male rooms, as well as family rooms. For comfortable stays, rooms are equipped with refrigerators, microwaves, and bunk beds. It's a fairly economical option — prices start from 900 rubles per night. The hostel is located at 10 Kurortny Boulevard.
Room prices at "Sirius" start from 1,000 rubles per night. Guests especially love the rooms with balconies on the third floor, which offer the best views of romantic mountain sunsets. The hostel is located at 19A Pervomaysky Prospekt, near the railway station, Narzan Gallery, and the resort market.
Four Stars and Up
The hotel offers comfortable rooms, a buffet with dishes made from organic products, and a restaurant with exquisite cuisine and wines. "Aria" is located at 22 Dzerzhinsky Street, a five-minute walk from Kislovodsk National Park.
By the way, you can stay here with pets weighing up to 6 kg. You just need to call the hotel in advance and inform them that you will be bringing a pet. Rental prices start from 6,000 rubles per night.
The hotel is also located near Kislovodsk National Park, on Kurortny Boulevard. 15 comfortable and spacious rooms are available for booking. Prices for a single room start from 4,000 rubles, which also includes breakfast and Wi-Fi. "Venice" tour guides take guests to other resort towns in Stavropol Krai. Perhaps you'll want to extend your trip and visit as many interesting places as possible.
A five-star option for those who love spa retreats. The "Mayrveda" hotel, with its eco-friendly design, offers guests Ayurvedic nutrition, rejuvenation programs, and Tambukan mud therapy. Room prices start from 20,000 rubles. In short, fresh air, mountains, and luxury relaxation.
Where to eat in Kislovodsk
After checking in, let's take a short break for lunch.
Vysota 5642
Arkady Novikov's restaurant serves traditional Adyghe, Georgian, and Caucasian cuisine. You can enjoy dolma, khychiny, and lamb lyulya at: 13 Kurortny Boulevard. Be sure to try the Adyghe cheese pies here!
Stary Dvorik
This establishment is known among locals and tourists for its shashlik. Visitors also note that it serves the most delicious Ossetian pies, khinkali, and even pizza. "Stary Dvorik" is located next to "Vysota 5642" at: 5A Kurortny Boulevard. You can also order food to your hotel here if you don't want to dine at the restaurant.
Mamalyga
The restaurant primarily serves Caucasian cuisine: here you can enjoy lamb shashlik, eggplant appetizers, pies, and khinkali. Vegetarians will also appreciate the establishment: the menu features many green salads and grilled vegetables. The restaurant's address is: 28B Dzerzhinsky Prospekt.
Overview of Kislovodsk's Best Attractions
Kislovodsk National Park
Perhaps this is the main reason most tourists come here. Many call it Kurortny Park, as that was its official name until 2016. The total area is 966 hectares, so you'll definitely have plenty of space to roam. For active recreation, there are therapeutic walking routes of varying difficulty levels. As you traverse them, you'll always be surrounded by picturesque nature, and some trails lead to mountain viewpoints. For those who prefer leisurely strolls, we recommend taking the cable car to quickly catch a panoramic view of the Caucasus Mountains. You can also walk in the Valley of Roses or read a book in the cozy Temple of Air.
Address: 19 Kurortny Boulevard.
Narzan Gallery
This architectural monument in Neo-Gothic style was erected in the mid-19th century under the guidance of architect Samuel Upton. Due to soil subsidence, it had to be reconstructed several times. Currently, under the roof of the Narzan Gallery, a spring, an art gallery, and baths are combined. Those who want to try the local mineral water can buy a paper cup for 5 rubles or a liter bottle of water for 20 rubles. Next to the gallery, there is a lovely park area with a fountain, so be sure to breathe in the fresh air after drinking the water. You'll love it, we guarantee!
Address: 2 Alexey Rebrov Street.
Shalyapin's Dacha
This used to be an Art Nouveau mansion that opera singer Fyodor Shalyapin rented for his family. Now, "Shalyapin's Dacha" is a literary and musical museum that attracts tourists from all over Russia. The original interior of the house has been preserved here, which can be viewed by purchasing an entrance ticket for 250 rubles.
On Wednesdays and Fridays at 3:00 PM, concerts and literary evenings are held at the "Dacha". Admission to such events costs from 700 rubles. If time and budget allow, be sure to attend such an event: here you can meet famous musicians and poets, and discuss the latest news with people of art.
Address: 1 Shalyapin Street.
N. A. Yaroshenko Artist's Estate Museum
Passing by the cozy white house at 1 Yaroshenko Street, you wouldn't guess that this building houses many paintings by great artists. This house, immersed in greenery and wonderful flowers, is called the "White Villa". Here, paintings by the famous 19th-century artist Nikolai Yaroshenko are exhibited. Besides his works, you will also see creations by Levitan, Kuindzhi, and Vasnetsov. Travelers note that this is the best location to visit if you're caught in the rain and want to spend time immersed in art.
Historical and Local Lore Museum "Fortress"
This is the stone fortress that Mikhail Yuryevich Lermontov described in his novel "A Hero of Our Time". The museum opened here, at: 11 Mira Prospekt, in 1965. Today, exhibits dating back to the 3rd millennium BC are presented here. Additionally, the "Fortress" houses permanent exhibitions dedicated to the fight against fascism, the chronicles of Kislovodsk lands, and the natural riches of the region. The museum is a must-visit for family travelers with children who love stories about ancient relics and discoveries.
Surroundings of Kislovodsk
Shall we go beyond Kislovodsk? Okay, then let's explore the surroundings with the most interesting natural attractions.
Honey Waterfalls
The Honey Waterfalls are located 16 kilometers from Kislovodsk. You can come here with an organized tour or by car on your own — there are many signs everywhere, so you definitely won't get lost. Previously, bees lived in the rock gorges. In summer, the Alikonovka and Echki-Bash rivers washed away honeycombs, and the honey, flowing into the water, made it sweet. Besides admiring the majestic waterfalls, you can go horseback riding or rafting on mountain rivers here.
Bermamyt Plateau
Bermamyt Plateau is considered the best place for those who dream of stargazing. However, we do not recommend going here on your own to arrange a date. Of course, the road from Kislovodsk is about 50 kilometers, but the biggest challenge is getting to the top. Therefore, you need to go on an organized tour in SUVs. Everyone notes that such a difficult road is worth all expectations. As you drive uphill, you admire the alpine meadows where horses graze. In good weather, Elbrus can be seen from the peaks of Bermamyt.
Ring Mountain
This natural monument is part of the Borgustan Ridge, which is composed of sandstone, giving it a light color. The rocks have weathered, resulting in an eight-meter hole in the cliff. Look through it to see a magnificent panorama of the Uchkeken — Kislovodsk road. By the way, after admiring the city views, be sure to make a wish. Locals say everything comes true. Wonders, indeed!
Lermontov Rock
This twenty-meter cliff is located a few kilometers from Kislovodsk. The natural monument is situated on the territory of the M. Yu. Lermontov State Museum-Reserve. It is believed that the duel between Grushnitsky and Pechorin, characters from the novel "A Hero of Our Time", took place here. Just a couple of kilometers from this rock, seemingly grown into the earth, is a waterfall of the same name.
What to bring from Kislovodsk
No one leaves Kislovodsk without souvenirs! We share a small list of the best gifts for friends and family:
- mineral water and Tambukan mud — a must-have for those who care about their health;
- mountain herbal tea — you can grab it not only as a gift but also for yourself. Such teas usually contain oregano, thyme, and lungwort, which have antioxidant properties;
- porcelain products from the "Phoenix" factory: mugs, vases, dinnerware sets, and even clocks, which can be bought in a small shop on Kurortny Boulevard;
- sheepskin products. In the Caucasus, this material is one of the highest quality, so be sure to grab warm socks, mittens, or a sweater as a souvenir.
Ready-made routes: what to visit in Kislovodsk in one day
We have compiled ready-made routes with the best locations for those who come to Kislovodsk for one day and want to visit the most interesting places in the city.
Route 1: For the most cultured
Let's head to Kislovodsk's museums: we begin our journey at the cozy N. A. Yaroshenko Artist's Estate Museum. The next stop is the "Fortress" museum, where you'll learn about the city's history. Then, a short break for mineral water at the Narzan Gallery and lunch at the "Vysota 5642" restaurant. We conclude the route with a concert at the "Shalyapin's Dacha" literary and musical museum.
Route 2: For nature lovers
Going south and not breathing fresh mountain air? Not for us!
Let's conquer Kislovodsk National Park: take selfies in the Valley of Roses, visit the Temple of Air, and then switch to the cable car — from here, picturesque views of the Seven Winds Gazebo and Red Sun Mountain open up. If you love "hardcore" travel, then let's go conquer Ring Mountain. To do this, you need to go to Pervomaysky Prospekt, take marshrutka 104g at the "Polyclinic No. 1" stop and get off at the "Povorot na Nezhinsky" stop.
Tips for Tourists
We conclude the article with tips for a comfortable trip to Kislovodsk:
- download "Yandex.Maps" to your phone: we've marked points and routes on them. This way, you can quickly orient yourself and easily reach your desired destination;
- be sure to bring cash: some places may not accept cards;
- make space in your suitcase for several bottles of mineral water. By the way, it's better to buy water in plastic containers to avoid breaking anything on the way;
- bring warm clothes: it can be colder in the mountains than you might imagine;
- only bring comfortable shoes that will allow you to overcome any obstacles;
- take organized excursions or routes. When exploring natural attractions on your own, you risk not reaching the desired points due to the difficulty of the route;
- put an umbrella or raincoat in your bag. Bad weather in the mountains is a common occurrence.
We wish you a great trip to Kislovodsk, magnificent views, and the most delicious mineral water!
