Find out if it is worth visiting the Vorontsov Palace and Park in Crimea. I tell you how much tickets, excursions and how to get to the palace cost.
Vorontsov's palace and park once made a strong impression on me. I expected to see a boring structure with a dull park, but instead ended up in a unique palace with remnants of former luxury, a lush manicured park and impressive sea views.
Brief history and description
The palace was built as a summer residence of Count Mikhail Vorontsov in the then unknown village of Alupka. The count himself chose this place, and through the efforts of the English architect Blore, the palace organically blended into the surrounding landscape. In architecture, Blore has so successfully combined the English, Gothic and Neo-Moorish styles that you are amazed!
Before the revolution, the palace belonged to the Vorontsovs, and then, of course, was nationalized. Later it was made a museum, then - the state dacha of the NKVD, and then again a museum. In 1945, during the Yalta conference, an English delegation was located in the palace.
I went to the palace with the excursion - it was impossible on my own, unfortunately. Of course, I didn't remember anything of the guide's words, but the interiors of the palace were well imprinted in my memory - very cozy and homely, not at all pompous. The chamber greenhouse, the stucco molding in the Blue living room, wood trim, fireplaces, antique furniture, paintings and statues - everything is very beautiful.
The northern and southern facades of the palace are especially impressive. These are complete opposites: the north is English, gloomy and austere, and the south is a neo-Moorish colorful portal with a long staircase to the sea, fountains, flowers and marble lions.
The English park is very vast and beautiful, it is nice to walk and hide under the trees from the heat. It is so natural: it contains lakes, waterfalls, piles of stones ("Chaos"). Usually the walk takes about 2-3 hours.
How to get there
Vorontsov Palace is located in Alupka at the address: Palace Highway, 18. We arrived there by car and parked on the side of the road. It must be said that even at the beginning of the season it was not easy: the narrow sloping streets were filled with local cars. Well, in the high season, we parked far away and walked to the palace.
If you don't have a personal car, come to the Vorontsov Palace by bus - it's easy to get there. For example, minibuses # 132 and # 102 go from Yalta (the final one is "Vorontsov Palace"). Also from the bus station of Yalta there are buses №107 and №115. From both end stops you need to walk another 10-15 minutes.
Find out more about the sights of Yalta.
Tickets and excursions
The price of a ticket to the Vorontsov Palace depends on what you want to see. You can take a ticket only to a separate exposition or to some building, but it is more profitable to take a single ticket. By the way, there are three types of them - from 600 to 1050 rubles. Choose the one that suits you on the official website.
When I visited the palace, the ticket could only be bought with a guided tour. In general, everything was fine, but they did not give much time for inspection. You can also take an excursion to the Vorontsov Palace on the Tripster and Sputnik8 websites - there are proven guides with tourist reviews.
You can walk in the park for free, but you can only get to the southern terrace, to the marble lions, for money.
Opening hours of the palace and park
In high season, from July 1 to September 15, the palace is open seven days a week from 8:00 to 20:00, and the ticket office is open until 19:15.
In the off-season - from 9:00 to 18:00, tickets stop selling 45 minutes before closing.
Tip: come in the off-season when there are few people. For example, in May my friends and I walked in the park almost alone. And when I came in August, there was a full house.
