Attractions and entertainment of Anapa

There are few historical, natural or cultural attractions directly in Anapa. You can visit the local history museum or the archaeological museum "Gorgippia", and a couple of iconic places like a monument to a vacationing tourist or an old lighthouse. But if you do not limit yourself only to the territory of the city, then you can easily diversify your vacation by visiting attractions in the vicinity of Anapa and even in neighboring regions. You can do this by car and in rare cases by public transport, but it is most convenient and interesting to go on group or individual excursions. There are a lot of options for excursions, they are sold at every step from distributors on the street and at stationary points of sale. Prices are about the same everywhere, plus or minus 50 rubles. Here is the price list for the most popular (children/adults in USD) for reference:

• Anapa sightseeing and boat trip - 500/450
• Cypress Lake – 500/450
• Dolphinarium in B.Utrish - 500/450
• The Sea of Azov and mud volcanoes - 600/540
• The Sea of Azov and the valley of lotuses - 700/600
• Crimea, Abkhazia, Sochi, Lago-Naki plateau - from 700/600, but plus big additional costs.

Usually the price for excursions does not include the entrance fee to the attractions, so when buying, check this point with the sellers.

Individual excursions are also offered, which, of course, are much more interesting, but also cost more. It is more profitable to buy them if you are vacationing with a large company, so you can save a lot. You can pick up and book excursions from Anapa with reviews on these trusted sites:

• 📷 Search for excursions in Anapa on Tripster.ru
• 📷 Search for excursions in Anapa on Sputnik8.com
• 📷 Excursions in Anapa from the tour operator TezTour

There is much more entertainment in Anapa than there are attractions. In addition to countless children's and adult attractions, there is a water park, two dolphinariums (including a dolphinarium in Bolshoy Utrish), two mini-aquariums, a dinosaur park, a crocodile farm, a wax museum, a rope park, a petting zoo, a live butterfly park and much more. Some of the attractions of Anapa are not in the center, but in its suburbs, and it is not difficult to get to them by taxi or with an excursion. Excursions to tourist attractions in Gelendzhik are also offered, but this is for those who have already been everywhere in Anapa itself.

And here is an overview of the main attractions and entertainment in Anapa, which you can visit yourself (without excursions), indicating the opening hours, cost and ways to get to them:

Golden Beach Water Park

An excellent open-air water park, and according to many ratings it is considered the largest and best. People go to have fun in it even from remote resorts of the Krasnodar Territory, which is why it is always crowded with vacationers, which is its only drawback: waiting in line for some slides can reach one hour. Otherwise, it is a wonderful and fun place with more than 20 slides, several swimming pools, a recreation area, a cafe. For example, the highest hill "Kamikaze" is 13 meters high, and this is almost a five-story house.

Boat trips

Anapa offers several types of sea trips: a yacht trip (700r./ 500r.), evening Anapa (1200r./ 800r.), fishing (1000r./800r.), pirates of the Black Sea (1300r./ 1000r.). Last from 1 to 3 hours, but there are also longer excursions. If you have not previously experienced the pleasure of such walks, then we definitely recommend doing it in Anapa, and it's better to have the whole family at once.

Singing fountains in Anapa

One of the most beautiful fountain complexes in the Black Sea resorts, and a must-visit place in Anapa during an evening walk. There are several fountains that simply raise refreshing jets of water up during the day, but in the evening a real show begins: the fountains are illuminated in different colors, the height of the jets changes to the beat of the music, and all this is accompanied by classical works in a modern arrangement. Everyone will like the show, especially the children remain impressed. Read more about singing fountains in Anapa here.

Amusement parks and attractions

There are a lot of various children's and adult amusement parks and attractions here, the variety is huge. There are simple swings for the youngest, Ferris wheels, roller coasters, extreme swings for adults, prize shooting galleries, modern 3D, 5D and so on to infinity cinemas, interactive virtual reality attractions, houses of fear, etc. They come across almost at every step, but the largest and most modern are in the park near the embankment and the main entrance to the central beach.

Nemo Dolphinarium

Classic indoor dolphinarium, open all year round. High-quality and spectacular shows are held with the participation of bottlenose dolphins, Chilean sea lion, walrus and northern fur seals. In addition to performances, dolphin therapy sessions and diving with dolphins are held here.

Dolphinarium in Bolshoy Utrish

This dolphinarium is one of the few where dolphins live almost in their natural environment - in an open-air bay in seawater. However, it is objectively worth saying that the performances themselves are nothing special compared to the classic closed dolphinariums do not stand out. In addition to the show, swimming with dolphins (dolphin therapy) is offered.

Monument to a vacationing tourist

It does not represent any artistic value and interest, but it is a well-known landmark of the resort and the most popular place for photographing. And, probably, there is not a single guest of Anapa who would not take a selfie against the background of this monument. You can also look at the monument while walking along the beach, just keep in mind that next to this you will be offered a traditional tourist divorce "free photo". You will be offered as a gift from the city to take a photo for free, but after a long wait you will receive miniature photos of poor quality, and immediately for a huge fee you will be offered to buy magnets with your photos of good quality. The calculation is made on the fact that because of the heap of lost time you spent, you will agree to the purchase.

Old Lighthouse

This lighthouse does not represent any special historical or architectural value, it is just another of the iconic points in Anapa. The lighthouse was built in 1898 and is still in operation, and therefore, unfortunately, it is impossible to climb to its observation deck. But even from the embankment at its foot there are excellent views of the sea and rocks. The descent from the shore here is steep and rocky, so it's better not to even try to go down.

Aquarium "Bathyscaphe"

A small aquarium Bathyscaphe allows you to plunge into the atmosphere of a tunnel aquarium. In fact, it is not quite a tunnel, but its original design is built in such a way that several small aquariums simulate a real tunnel aquarium, when the inhabitants can be observed not only on the sides, but also above themselves. As for the inhabitants, the underwater fauna of the Black Sea and warm seas is represented here, but there are no large specimens. It cannot be said that this is a very exciting entertainment, and adults will definitely like it, but children visit it with pleasure. The visit will take 10-15 minutes.

Oceanarium "Reef"

This is also a small aquarium, but still bigger and more interesting than the previous one. Among the inhabitants there are exotic species from tropical waters and even sharks. There is even something like a contact zoo where you can touch and pick up turtles.

Rex Dinosaur Park

A classic amusement park with huge interactive dinosaur figures that move (not move, but only move body parts) and make sounds. There is also a children's playground with a trampoline, everything is included in the price.

Rope Park "Gammy"

Next to the dinosaur park there is a rope park with two children's tracks. Before passing, an instruction is conducted, instructors help during the passage.

Anapa Museum of Local Lore

The Anapa Museum of Local Lore, also known as the Anapa Archaeological Museum, is the main city museum that is worth a visit if you are at least a little interested in history and if you don't mind paying a fairly high entrance fee. It is small, consists of several sections: an exhibition about the nature of the region; an exhibition dedicated to the Second World War; an archaeological department. It cannot be said that the museum is very interesting and modern, but a general understanding of the history of these places will appear. When buying tickets, you can buy a tour guide.

Archaeological Museum "Gorgippia"

Gorgippia is an ancient city that existed on the site of the present Anapa from the IV century BC to the III century AD. Its ruins were discovered during archaeological excavations, and now they are part of this open-air archaeological museum. The museum also includes a collection in the building, which includes the most valuable finds: coins, sculptures, dishes, jewelry, weapons, etc. To be honest, this museum is much more interesting to visit than the local history museum, so if you are faced with a choice, we recommend visiting this one.

Museum-square of military equipment

This open-air exhibition of large military equipment opened in 2018 and is dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Anapa from the Nazis. Old and relatively modern images of equipment are presented here, including the famous T-34, other tanks and self-propelled guns, military vehicles, helicopters, airplanes. Some exhibits can be touched and even climbed on them.

Museum of Entertaining Sciences "Einsteinium"

This is an interactive entertainment museum for children and adults, where visitors get acquainted with entertaining physical and chemical phenomena in a playful way. The visit is conducted in the form of an excursion with a demonstration of exhibits and with the direct participation of visitors.

Utrish Nature Reserve

The Utrish Nature Reserve surrounds the village of Bolshoy Utrish from all sides and is its main attraction. Relict flora grows on its territory, including endemic juniper, pistachio, scumpia, Pitsunda pine. The fauna is rich in red Book species, including marine life. During boat trips and diving, you can see the Mediterranean turtle, flocks of horse mackerel, mackerel, hamsa, bottlenose dolphins.

Although the village itself is actually located on the territory of the reserve, you are unlikely to see anything interesting directly in it. Hiking and sea tourist routes are provided for visiting the reserve, which can be visited with excursions accompanied by eco-guides. They start from different points, these routes are available from Bolshoy Utrish: sea to Zhemchuzhny Waterfall, sea to Lobanova gap, sea to Navagirskaya gap, coastline, overview.

Pearl Waterfall

This waterfall is located on the beach two and a half kilometers south of the center of Bolshoy Utrish on the territory of the reserve. The way to it is a paid tourist route No. 5. You can get to it on foot along the shore or swim on a sightseeing boat. The height of the waterfall is 5 meters. It is full-flowing in winter and spring, and in summer it turns into a thin trickle of cold water. Objectively speaking, the route and the waterfall are not particularly impressive, so it is worth going to it when there is absolutely nothing to do. It is noteworthy in it, perhaps, only that it is the westernmost waterfall in the Krasnodar Territory, and the only one available to tourists in Anapa.

For hiking, wear comfortable shoes, it is very difficult and painful to walk on pebbles in beach slippers. Also take water with you, and you can use beach accessories to swim in the sea or under the icy streams of the waterfall. When hiking with children, keep in mind that the path along the shore will pass through a nudist beach, also nudists often spend time and swim near the waterfall.

Oceanarium in Bolshoy Utrish

The aquarium in Bolshoy Utrish operates at the scientific center for the Study of the Black Sea. But you need to understand that this is not a traditional spectacular aquarium with a large number of colored fish and predators, but rather an educational place. Ie, it is not very spectacular, but very interesting, you can learn a lot about marine life. The visit is possible in the form of three excursions: an oceanarium consisting of two halls with large aquariums with Black Sea inhabitants (400 USD); a laboratory of the scientific center (450 USD); a walk through a juniper grove to get acquainted with flora and fauna (500 USD).

Diving in the Bolshoy Utrish

The Utrish Dive Center offers an introduction to the underwater world of the Black Sea in the coastal waters of the Utrish Nature Reserve. The water here is clean, the underwater world is rich in fish and crabs, at the bottom there are remnants of ships and man-made objects (underwater museum) to enhance the emotions of diving. We offer dives for beginners without certificates, training with an international certificate, equipment rental and dives for experienced divers.

Viewing platforms in Bolshoy Utrish

On the way to Bolshoy Utrish there are several viewing platforms with views of the sea and coastal mountains, and from them there are trails down to the shore on wild pebble beaches. You can make a stop here on the way to take some beautiful photos, but it's not worth going on purpose.

Cypress Lake and Sukko Park

One of the most striking natural attractions in the vicinity of Anapa is located on the territory of Sukko Park. This is an artificial lake, notable for the fact that in 1934-1935 a grove of swamp cypresses was planted here, which became the hallmark of this place. They grow right in the water at the northern tip of the lake, and they are usually inspected from the shore, although some tourists get to them by water. Around the lake in the park there are places for swimming, walking and cycling paths, cafes, gazebos for rent, zipline. Read more about Cypress Lake and Sukko Park here.

Tiki-Tak Water Park

This is a relatively new water park, opened in 2008. It is open type without heating, so take into account the weather and the temperature of the water before going into it, it is best to go in hot sunny weather. By the way, the water temperature is always displayed at the entrance to the water park before buying tickets. Otherwise, it is a standard water park with a large number of slides for children and adults, a children's area for games and swimming, etc.