Koktebel

View from Black Sea to Koktebel town

Koktebel (Ukrainian: Коктебель) is in the Crimea. Also known as Planerskoye, is one of the most popular resort townlets in the Crimea, situated on the shore of the Black Sea about halfway between Feodosiya and Sudak. It is best known for its literary associations. The Russian poet Maximilian Voloshin made it his residence, where he entertained many distinguished guests, including Marina Tsvetayeva, Osip Mandelshtam, and Andrey Bely (who died there). They all wrote remarkable poems in Koktebel.

Get in

You can get to Koktebelj either directly by minibus from the train station in Simferopol or by going to Feodosiya and catching a minibus from there. You can also get by boat from Feodosiya.

See

If you go for a walk into the eastern hills over Koklteblj you will have a great view of the bay. Frequently from here you can see schools of dolphins jumping and playing in the middle of the bay.

Do

Koktebel "Golden gate"

You can take boat trip out around the national park to see a 'natural bridge' several hundred meters out into the ocean You can go for a horse back ride into the national park Great beaches for swimming. Koktebel is well known for its naturist beaches and communities with naturist tourist coming from Russia and Eastern Europe. The Koktobel Jazz Festival , which takes places each September.

Sleep

Accommodation in Koktebelj is a bit more expensive than many of the other places in the Crimea (and a lot nicer too). For US$20 per night (for up to 3 people) you can get a western standard room. If you're looking for something a bit cheaper head east down the main road towards the large Arab looking hotel. Around the hotel you should be able to find accommodation for US$5-10, and for the price it will generally be quite clean and nice.