This site is an on-line travel guide to what for most western travellers is a new destination - the beautiful Crimean Black Sea coast. Here you will find detailed information to help you plan your vacation, and you can book self-catering holiday accommodation in Yalta, Balaklava, Sevastopol or Gurzuf, or hotels throughout Crimea and Ukraine.

Blacksea-crimea.com is the US travel agent to specialise in this region - try us, whether you're looking for independent travel, an adventure holiday or just straightforward tourism from a hotel or apartment, for a student budget or backpacking holiday, or for general information on what to see in Crimea and how to get there.

The Crimean coast lies on the far side of the Black Sea from Turkey. Stunning mountain scenery, warm sea and a long season of summer sunshine have made the Crimean coastline the riviera for Ukrainians and Russians since the time of the tsars.

The russian and ukrainian name for Crimea is Krym - pronounced like `cream' with a rolled letter `r'. And it really is the cream as a holiday destination.

Steeped in history, Crimea is a fascinating region to explore, as well as a great place to relax. Across the centuries it has attracted settlers such as the Greeks, the Venetians and the Genoese - all of whom founded cities along the coast and inter-married with the local people. The western terminus of the Great Silk Road was on the Crimean coast. After a long period as part of the Byzantine empire, it was overrun by Chingiz Khan's Golden Horde and remained a Tatar Khanate until annexed by Imperial Russia in the eighteenth century. This rich history is still alive today in its fabulous palaces and historic sites, and in the culture and way of life of today's Crimean people.

Now an autonomous republic within Ukraine, Crimea is busy re-inventing itself after the ending of the old soviet union. Private enterprise is flourishing and well-stocked shops and good restaurants are the norm. Transport and accommodation are cheaper than the mediterranean resorts but the weather is better and the sightseeing amazing!
Visitors from western Europe and further afield are welcomed in a country which has opened its doors to foreign tourists by reducing visa requirements to a minimum.

Whether you want wine-tasting or scuba diving, mountains or sea, to visit the Byzantine ruins of Khersoness, or the fabulous Livadia Palace near Yalta, home of the last of the Russian Tsars - or if you just want to relax on the beach and then while away a warm summer evening in a gourmet restaurant, Crimea has something for you.

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Celebrate New Year and Christmas in Crimea!   Plenty of modern up-to-date apartments in Yalta by the sea or center of the town within few minutes ride from historical sites, palaces and nightlife. (See more offers by clicking text above or picture)
Click here for details

No visa needed !

Citizens of the following countries do not need a visa to enter Ukraine and Crimea for trips lasting up to 90 days: All EU countries Switzerland Iceland Norway USA Canada Japan Andorra Liechtenstein the Vatican Monaco San Marino Please note that nationals of other countries will still require a visa - see Getting There

2010

Anton Chekhov - visit his house in Yalta, and his dacha in Gurzuf

Visit Balaklava, scene of the Charge of the Light Brigade

Links to other useful websites about Ukraine and Crimea

Apartments in Kiev, Kyiv rent, Kiev hotels, Accomodation in Kiev