Swarms of people flocking to the coastal retreat.
Crimea, a popular domestic destination within Russia, has been facing a significant downturn in tourism this year, despite efforts to attract visitors.
Many tourists are looking for alternatives to traditional destinations like Turkey and Egypt, with the top-6 resorts for a chill holiday being mentioned. One such alternative is Crimea, which has been attracting a large number of tourists, particularly on the South Coast. The eastern and western Crimea also see a significant influx of tourists.
The main influx of tourists arrives via the Crimean Bridge, with 59% traveling by car or bus and 29% by train.
However, the region's tourism industry has been heavily affected by environmental and geopolitical issues. Last December, a Black Sea oil spill severely disrupted tourism along the coast, reducing visitor numbers and hotel occupancy significantly. As a result, Anapa's July 2025 visitors fell from around 100,000 last year to only 24,000 this year. Although some hotels have lowered prices by about 20% to attract tourists, overall influx remains depressed, and many accommodations operate at partial capacity or remain closed.
Despite these challenges, Crimea remains a popular destination for Russians, albeit with a notable decrease in visitor numbers. Approximately 70% of bookings are for mid-range hotels - three-star and below.
A new secret beach near Sochi has been named, with affordable prices and an August 2 opening. This could potentially boost tourism in the region, but it remains to be seen whether it will be enough to offset the impact of the oil spill.
Meanwhile, other destinations like Gelendzhik are becoming inaccessible for tourists with limited budgets. Almost all tourist destinations in Crimea are currently occupied, except for outdated hotels in need of repair.
Solo travelers often choose Crimea's cities of Feodosia, Alushta, Yalta, and Sudak. In Yevpatoria, prices for accommodation range on average from 4845 rubles per day, while in Yalta they range from 7251 rubles per day. In Sudak, the daily stay costs 5007 rubles, in Feodosia - 5293, and in Alushta - 5520.
August is expected to bring even more tourists, making this season one of the best in the past five years. Five eco-friendly, clean, and quiet resorts are recommended for a peaceful holiday. The top three most popular August destinations are the Crimean cities of Yalta, Sudak, and Sochi.
Despite the challenges, Crimea continues to be a recognised destination in Russia. However, 2025 has not seen record-breaking tourism there due to environmental damage from the Black Sea oil spill, ongoing emergency measures, swimming bans, and infrastructure challenges. Efforts to mitigate the downturn—such as price reductions—have had limited success so far.
- Many tourists, seeking alternatives to traditional destinations, are finding interest in Crimea, attracting a large number of visitors, especially on the South Coast, eastern, and western regions, despite the ongoing challenges faced by the region's tourism industry due to environmental and geopolitical issues.
- Amid the struggles in Crimea's tourism sector, budget-conscious solo travelers often choose cities like Feodosia, Alushta, Yalta, and Sudak, with prices for accommodation ranging from 4845 rubles per day in Yevpatoria to 5520 rubles per day in Alushta, making Crimea a popular choice for a budget-friendly holiday.
