Free sights of Sevastopol

We have compiled for you a selection of the most interesting free sights of Sevastopol, which in our opinion are definitely worth a visit to the guests of the city. For each attraction, the opening hours are indicated, as well as ways to get to them yourself by local transport or on foot:

Nakhimov Square

This is not a very interesting tourist attraction, but an important landmark in the city center and the starting point of many tourist routes. You can even say that this is a kind of "tourist heart of the city", because nearby there are several important city attractions and walking areas Grafskaya Embankment, Kornilov Embankment, park on Primorsky Boulevard, Matrossky Boulevard and others. Important city events, concerts and rallies are also held on Nakhimov Square. Read more about Nakhimov Square here.

Kornilov Embankment

This is the most popular pedestrian zone of Sevastopol, the center of tourist attraction. Excursions are actively sold here and the tourist market is open, there are several attractions, monuments and tourist attractions on the embankment, and excursion boats to Sevastopol bays depart from here. While walking along the embankment, we advise you to visit the dolphinarium and the Sevastopol aquarium; pay attention to the sculpture "sundial", the monument to the sailors of the cruiser Ochakov, the architecture of the academic dance theater, the obelisk in honor of the creation of the Black Sea Fleet, and, of course, the symbol of Sevastopol – a monument to submerged ships; go under and over the bridge of lovers to make your wish come true desire. Learn more about the embankment here.

Monument to sunken ships

This is the most recognizable symbol of the city of Sevastopol and a kind of business card, which every guest of the city is simply "obliged" to look at. The monument was erected in 1905 in honor of the 50th anniversary of the defense of the city during the Crimean War. At this place in 1854-1855, many Russian ships were sunk to protect Sevastopol from the sea from the approach of the Anglo-French fleet. Such a military move helped to keep the defense for almost 7 months. The monument survived during the Great Patriotic War, becoming not only a symbol, but also a landmark place for the Russian people. Read more about the Monument to the submerged ships here.

Grafskaya embankment (marina)

Grafskaya embankment is located on the pier of the same name and is one of the iconic places of Sevastopol. To be more precise, the embankment is a small, only 60 meters long, part of the marina, to which boats are not usually moored, and it is accessible for walking and fishing. In general, the entire marina and embankment is an architectural monument built in 1783. There is not much room for a walk here, you can only sit down on the steps. But as entertainment there is an opportunity to go fishing (if you have gear), watch other fishermen or look at the passenger ferries, pleasure boats and large ships plying the Sevastopol Bay. Read more about Grafskaya Embankment here.

Vladimir Cathedral and the tomb of the Admirals

This is one of the most important and interesting Orthodox churches of Sevastopol for tourists, an architectural and historical monument, an active religious object. Russian admirals who earned this right after death due to their merits during their lifetime rest here: M. P. Lazarev, V.A. Kornilov, V.I. Istomin and P.S. Nakhimov. Today there are guided tours, entrance for tourists is paid. You can get inside for free, but most of the rooms will be closed to you in this case. Read more about the Vladimir Cathedral and the tomb of the admirals here.

Malakhov Kurgan and Kornilov Bastion

Kurgan was a strategically significant height, which was held by Russian soldiers during the Crimean, Civil and Great Patriotic Wars. Today it is an important historical and patriotic monument, which is worth a visit to the guests of the city. The territory of the mound is a large open-air park area, which houses more than 21 monuments. These are old guns, combat installations left over from those times, commemorative plaques and signs, monuments to famous admirals V.A. Kornilov and P.S. Nakhimov. The central point on the territory of the mound is the building of the Defensive Tower of the Kornilov Bastion, where the museum is located. Read more about Malakhov Kurgan here.

St. Nicholas Memorial Church and fraternal cemetery

This is one of the most important and unusual architectural and cultural sights of Sevastopol, which we definitely recommend to visit. Unfortunately, it is located quite far from popular tourist routes and areas, and therefore it is not very convenient to visit. It is made in an unusual architecture – in the form of a pyramid, and is located on a hill in the center of a large historical fraternal cemetery, where the defenders of Sevastopol rest during the Crimean War of 1853-1856. Read more about St. Nicholas Memorial Church here.

35th armored turret battery

The construction of the armored coastal battery No. 35 began in 1912, and the final commissioning dates back to 1929. It was a modern, powerful fortification at that time, and therefore it played a very important role in the defense of Sevastopol during the Second World War. Unfortunately, due to the incessant massive enemy attacks and the inability to resist more on the night of July 1 to 2, 1942, it was blown up. The museum appeared here only in 2007. Today, the battery consists of two towers, each with two 305-mm guns, and various basements. Visiting is possible only with excursion service, self-inspection is not provided. You will be taken from the central power station to the well and other auxiliary facilities, taken outside to the tower installations themselves, telling about the history of its creation and the exploits of Soviet fighters. Details about the 35th armored turret battery here.

Sapun Mountain and diorama "Assault on Sapun Mountain"

One of the most important memorial complexes of the WWII period is located on the outskirts of Sevastopol. It is dedicated to the memory of the Soviet soldiers who accomplished the feat in May 1944 during the offensive operation to liberate the city. There is a beautiful park here, samples of large military equipment are exhibited, an obelisk of memory and an eternal flame are installed, the church of St. George the Victorious operates, there is an alley of heroes with memorial plaques. Every day at 12 o'clock the engines of military equipment are started. There is also a diorama museum "Storming the Sapun Mountains on May 7, 1944", the basis of the exposition of which is a panoramic painting on canvas measuring 25.5 by 5.5 meters and an area of the subject (full-scale) plan of 83 square meters. Read more about Breather Mountain and the diorama "Storming Breather Mountain" here.

Coastal defense pillboxes

On the shores and hills in the vicinity of Sevastopol, there are a huge number of pillboxes (a long-term firing point) erected to protect the city during the Great Patriotic War. During the attack of the fascists, the defenders of the defense of Sevastopol took refuge in them, and repelled attacks from water, air and land, conducting targeted fire from machine guns, mortars, artillery. Many of them are not official working monuments or museums, and some of them are simply abandoned. But, nevertheless, it is an important symbol of the heroic defense of Sevastopol and quite interesting historical sights that are definitely worth a visit. Read more about the pillboxes in Sevastopol here.

Kalamita Fortress and Inkerman Cave Monastery

In Inkerman, on the outskirts of Sevastopol, there are three noteworthy sights in one place at once: Kalamita Fortress, Inkerman St. Klimentovsky Cave Monastery and Inkerman quarry. All of them can be visited at one time, and for free. The first Byzantine fortification on the site of Kalamita appeared in the VI century to protect the city of Chersonesos from the north, and was intended not only for defense, but also for sheltering the inhabitants of the city. The place was chosen very well at first glance, because the steep, almost vertical walls of the rock made it impregnable. However, after the appearance of the Khazars in the Crimea of the VII – VIII centuries, the fortress ceases to exist. Later it was restored and conquered several times, and by the middle of the XVIII century Kalamita had lost its military and commercial importance. After the annexation of Crimea to Russia, the Inkerman St. Clement Monastery was revived. Learn more about Kalamita and the cave monastery here.

Cape Fiolent

This is one of the brightest natural sights of Sevastopol, which is not so rich in natural places and beauty. Fiolent is visited with pleasure not only by guests of Sevastopol, but also come here from other neighboring resorts, for example from Yalta. It is located at the tip of the Heraclea Peninsula in the Balaklava district of Sevastopol. The reserve of the same name is also located here, and here begins the Main (Southern) ridge of the Crimean Mountains, which stretches for almost 200 kilometers along the entire southern coast of Crimea (YBK) and ends with Cape Ilya near Feodosia. Ie, we can say that it is here that the southern coast begins (well, or ends, as you like) Crimea. Learn more about Fiolent and how to visit it here.

St. George's Monastery

This Orthodox monastery is located in the Balaklava district of Sevastopol in a very picturesque place on Cape Fiolent on a steep bank at an altitude of about 170 meters. Perhaps it would not be so interesting to most tourists, because it is far and difficult to get here from the city center. But since the monastery is located next to one of the most picturesque capes of the Crimea, and one of the most beautiful beaches on the Jasper Beach peninsula is located below the shore, it is quite possible to say that this is a worthy place to visit during a holiday in Sevastopol or Balaklava. We would not go here specifically just for the sake of visiting the monastery as a tourist attraction. Learn more about St. George's Monastery here.

Diana's Grotto

Diana's Grotto is one of the most beautiful and unusual natural tourist attractions in Sevastopol, located on Cape Fiolent. It is a rocky formation protruding into the sea with a through hole resembling an arch. Boats often pass through it. Here you can dive with a mask and scuba gear, but you need to be careful because of the characteristics of the bottom. Daredevils even jump from the top of a cliff, but this is a dubious and dangerous pleasure. Read more about Diana's Grotto and how to visit it here.