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RussiaMineral springs are the heart of Yessentuki. Even if you're here for just one day, your first stop is the fountain pavilion. We visited all the active fountain pavilions to put together this guide. Below — only verified information and personal impressions.
Important warning
The water from Yessentuki's fountain pavilions is medicinal, not table water. This is not the "mineral water" sold in supermarkets to quench thirst. It has a high concentration of salts and biologically active components. You can drink it without a doctor's prescription, but in very limited quantities (usually no more than 200-300 ml per day) and only if you have no contraindications. It's best to consume mineral water under specialist supervision at a sanatorium. Self-medication can be harmful.
Another thing: taking water to go is pointless. Within a few hours, it becomes cloudy, changes taste, and loses its therapeutic properties, and later becomes completely unfit to drink. Drink fresh water, straight from the source.
🗺 Map of mineral springs and fountain pavilions in Yessentuki
💧 What water flows in Yessentuki
Several types of mineral water are extracted in Yessentuki, but in the open fountain pavilions you can try three main ones:
- "Yessentuki No. 4" — a medicinal-table water of medium mineralization (7–10 g/l). Used for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, biliary tract, and metabolic disorders.
- "Yessentuki No. 17" — a medicinal water of high mineralization (11–13 g/l). More "active" than No. 4. Prescribed for gastritis with low acidity, chronic pancreatitis, and mild diabetes.
- "Yessentuki-Novaya" (sometimes called No. 2) — a medicinal-table water with mineralization of 3–5 g/l. Milder than No. 4, used for drinking treatment and as a table water.
We've summarized the properties and indications in a table at the end of the article. But don't forget the warning about self-medication above.
📌 Active drinking fountain pavilions in Yessentuki
There are four main places in the city where you can drink mineral water straight from the source for free. All operate on a similar schedule with breaks for sanitary maintenance.
Drinking fountain pavilion of spring Yessentuki No. 4 in Kurortny Park
The most visited fountain pavilion in Yessentuki. Located in the center of Kurortny Park, easy to find by signs or simply by the stream of people with bottles. Inside — a long row of taps with warm and cold No. 4 water. The taste is distinctive: salty with a slight bitterness, but you get used to it quickly. We noticed that locals prefer warm water — they say it's gentler on the stomach.
Practical information
🕐 Opening hours: daily, no days off 7:00 AM – 9:30 AM, 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM.
💵 Cost: drinking on site is free. Taking water to go — 7 RUB per liter (payment via machine).
🚶 How to get there: the spring is located in Kurortny Park, about 300 meters from the main entrance from Teatralnaya Square (spring No. 4 on the map).
Drinking fountain pavilion of spring Yessentuki No. 17 in Kurortny Park
Located literally a two-minute walk from fountain pavilion No. 4, closer to the entrance from Teatralnaya Square. No. 17 water is noticeably different: it's more mineralized, saltier to the taste, and even slightly stings the tongue. Don't drink it just to quench your thirst — it's a full-fledged medicine. Be sure to read the information boards inside the fountain pavilion: they indicate recommended dosages based on weight.
Practical information
🕐 Opening hours: daily, no days off 7:00 AM – 9:30 AM, 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM.
💵 Cost: drinking on site is free. Disposable cup — 2 RUB. Taking water to go — 7 RUB/liter.
🚶 How to get there: the spring is located in Kurortny Park, near the main entrance from the square (spring No. 17 on the map).
Fountain pavilion on Lenina Street: another No. 4 and the rare "Novaya"
This fountain pavilion is convenient for those staying in the sanatorium area north of the park and don't want to go deep into the green zone each time. Inside — two types of water: the familiar No. 4 (warm and cold) and "Yessentuki-Novaya." The latter is lighter, pleasant to taste, and can be drunk as table water throughout the day. We noticed there are fewer lines here than at the park fountain pavilions.
Practical information
🕐 Opening hours: daily, no days off 7:00 AM – 9:30 AM, 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM.
💵 Cost: drinking is free. Takeaway water — 7 RUB/liter.
🚶 How to get there: 11 Lenina St., a 10-minute walk from the northern entrance to Kurortny Park (fountain pavilion on the map).
"Pyatitysyachnik" Drinking Gallery: the largest fountain pavilion in Europe
"Pyatitysyachnik" impresses with its scale: a huge bright hall with columns, mosaics, statues, and a fountain in the center. Here you can try three types of mineral water at once: No. 4, No. 17, and "Novaya." Essentially, it's the same water as in other fountain pavilions, but the atmosphere is grand. The gallery is located on the outskirts of the resort zone, near the "Victoria" sanatorium. If you're short on time, you can skip it — the park has the same thing. But for the architecture alone, it's worth a visit.
Practical information
🕐 Opening hours: daily: 7:00 AM to 9:30 AM, 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM, 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM.
💵 Cost: free. Cups — about 2–3 RUB.
🚶 How to get there: 4 Pushkina St. From the main entrance to Kurortny Park, it's about a 2 km walk through Victory Park, or take minibuses #14, #14a from the train station (Pyatitysyachnik on the map).
🌈 Historical and inactive fountain pavilions
Some old spring pavilions are no longer functioning today but have been preserved as architectural monuments. They're also interesting to see during a walk.
Fountain Pavilion No. 1 of spring No. 4 — the oldest pavilion
This ornate gazebo in Kurortny Park is one of the symbols of the old resort. Built in the late 19th century and for a long time was the only place where you could get No. 4 water. Now the fountain pavilion is decommissioned, the taps don't work. Inside, unfortunately, signs of neglect. Still, photos with the pavilion as a backdrop turn out atmospheric.
Practical information
🕐 Access: can be viewed at any time.
💵 Cost: free.
🚶 How to get there: in the central part of Kurortny Park, you can't miss it (fountain pavilion No. 1 on the map).
Also in the park, you can find remnants of other old fountain pavilions, for example, a small pavilion of spring No. 18 (inactive) and capped wells, but they are less remarkable.
📈 Comparison of Yessentuki mineral water types
To help you navigate, we've summarized the main characteristics of the water from active springs in a table. Remember that specific indications and dosages should be determined by a doctor.
| Water name | Mineralization | Main indications (general) | Taste characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yessentuki No. 4 | 7–10 g/l (medium) | Chronic gastritis with normal and high secretion, liver and biliary tract diseases, urolithiasis, metabolic disorders. | Salty-bitter, slightly oily |
| Yessentuki No. 17 | 11–13 g/l (high) | Gastritis with low acidity, chronic pancreatitis, mild diabetes, obesity. | Intensely salty, "stinging" |
| Yessentuki-Novaya (No. 2) | 3–5 g/l (low) | Prevention of gastrointestinal diseases, can be used as table water. | Mild, pleasant, slightly salty |
Tip: If you're trying No. 17 for the first time, start with a couple of sips. The water is very active and may cause loose stools or discomfort in someone unaccustomed to it. Better to dilute it with No. 4 or simply drink smaller portions.
💡 Practical tips for visiting fountain pavilions
- Schedule: all fountain pavilions close for a break from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM and from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM. Keep this in mind when planning your day.
- What to bring: your own cup or glass (more eco-friendly). For taking water to go — plastic bottles, payment via machines with coins or card.
- Lines: in high season (July-August), there may be lines in the morning at the park fountain pavilions from vacationers with sanatorium health books. Locals recommend coming after 5:00 PM — fewer people.
- Drinking on the go: doctors recommend drinking water slowly, in small sips, warm. Hot taps are marked in red.
- Souvenirs: kiosks near the fountain pavilions sell special drinking cups with a spout — convenient for those with sensitive teeth.
If you want to learn more about the city itself, its parks, architecture, and other interesting places, check out our complete guide to Yessentuki: