A calm Crimean resort town with 2,500-year-old Greek ruins, Ottoman mosques, and therapeutic mud spas along its Black Sea coast. The narrow streets lead to a 16th-century bazaar.
Walk through Yevpatoriya's narrow streets to find the 400-year-old Juma-Jami Mosque with its twin minarets, or take a mud treatment at Moinaki Lake's health centers. You can swim at the calm waters of western beaches, explore ancient Greek ruins at the Kerkinitida site, or hop on a 1914 tram that circles through the city center.
Beaches and Wellness Centers
The western coast of Yevpatoriya has 12 kilometers of Blue Flag beaches with fine golden sand. At Moinaki Lake's health centers, you can take mineral water treatments from natural hot springs or apply therapeutic mud rich in iodine and bromine. The mud treatment facilities follow methods documented by Roman scholar Pliny the Elder in 80 BC, combining these ancient techniques with modern medical equipment. More than 30 spa centers operate in the city, each focusing on specific medical needs from respiratory conditions to joint problems.
Religious Architecture of Yevpatoriya
The Juma-Jami Mosque (1552-1564) rises 35 meters with its twin minarets and multiple domes - the only such Islamic structure in Europe. Inside the Karaite Kenasa complex (early 19th century), you'll find two prayer houses with walls covered in Hebrew inscriptions and geometric stone carvings. The white stone walls of St. Nicholas Cathedral (1893) support five copper-green domes, creating a landmark visible from the waterfront.
Getting Around on the Historic Tram
A single-track tram line from 1914 connects the main areas of Yevpatoriya. The route passes through the old town's narrow streets and continues along the seafront promenade. Trams run every 15 minutes from 6 AM to 11 PM, making it convenient for exploring the city's main areas.
Museums and Archaeological Sites
The Local History Museum occupies a 1912 merchant's house with distinctive Moorish architecture. Its rooms contain artifacts from the city's Greek, Ottoman, and Russian periods. At the Museum of the Crimean War, you can see six original 19th-century guns, military uniforms, and personal items from the 1854 conflict. In the city center, a glass pyramid protects the excavated remains of ancient Kerkinitida, where you can walk above 5th century BCE Greek streets and building foundations.
Climate and Visiting Seasons
The city gets between 258 and 289 sunny days each year. Summer temperatures reach 30°C (86°F). During the autumn months of September and October, temperatures stay between 20-25°C (68-77°F) with sea water at 22°C (72°F). Winter brings mild temperatures, averaging 5°C (41°F) in January. The mix of sea air and dry steppe climate makes the city particularly suitable for respiratory treatments from May to October.
