Before going to Mineralnye Vody, I often thought about the unusual name of this town. Many options came to mind. Resort or not? Do all residents there drink mineral water?
In fact, the city is located in Russia in the Stavropol Territory; it got its name thanks to the resorts of the Caucasian mineral waters. Mineral waters were especially popular during the Soviet era, people came here to sanatoriums.
Now the city is better known as a transit point between Russia and Azerbaijan. And also as a place where people fly to get to Elbrus or Pyatigorsk.
However, despite its small size and the current situation, it seems to me that the city is very nice and attractive. When I first came to Mineralnye Vody, I immediately felt the Caucasian spirit and definitely the Russian hinterland. Although, of course, the infrastructure and standard of living leaves much to be desired. But, as I noted, this applies to many Russian cities.
How to get there
Mineralnye Vody is a fairly well-known route hub, so it can be reached by several means of transport. The most convenient, in my opinion, are an airplane and a car. You can also get there by bus and train.
By plane
For me, an airplane is the most convenient transport to get to Mineralnye Vody. Flights there are usually inexpensive, and the journey takes only 2 hours from Moscow. The flight from St. Petersburg is 3 hours. For example, in winter a flight from Moscow will cost about 4-6 thousand rubles in both directions, from St. Petersburg 8-10 thousand rubles. You can see the price of tickets for the dates you are interested in.
Most often the following airlines fly to Mineralnye Vody: Aeroflot, Rossiya AIrlines, Nordwind Airlines, S7 and UTair. Flights from Moscow are direct and operate daily, several times a day. From St. Petersburg, flights very often pass through Moscow.
Speaking about Mineralnye Vody Airport, I must say that you shouldn’t expect anything special from it. Although it is called international, it is very small and receives mainly Russian flights. The arrivals area is small and looks more like a large living room. Immediately after exiting, there will be a stand with a taxi where you can order one, or when leaving the airport, in any case, they will come up and offer their services. The average cost of such a trip is 300 rubles; in the high season and especially for the New Year, the price rises to 500-700 rubles. The departure area is equipped with a waiting room, cafe, toilets and souvenir shops.
By train
Minvod can be reached by train, and this is one of the most popular options. From Moscow the journey takes from 22 to 27 hours. Several trains depart from Kazansky Station per day. The cost of a reserved seat starts from 3 thousand rubles one way, a coupe - from 5 thousand rubles.
From St. Petersburg you can also get to Mineralnye Vody by train. Travel time is about 40 hours, ticket prices start from 4 thousand rubles one way.
Mineralnye Vody Station is one of the city's attractions. Inside there are both free and paid waiting rooms, accommodation services on the station premises, a luggage storage room, and ATMs.
It's not far from the station to the city center. You can use a taxi, they usually stand next to the station, the travel time is 7-10 minutes. You can walk there in 15-20 minutes.
By bus
The bus is not the most comfortable option for going to Mineralnye Vody, but it also exists. Travel time is about 22 hours. The ticket price is about 2.5 thousand rubles. Buses depart from Shchelkovskaya and Krasnogvardeyskaya metro stations and arrive at the Minvod bus station.
From St. Petersburg there is a route from the Kupchino metro station. Travel time is 32 hours.
The main carrier companies: BusArm and Autoline.
It is convenient to travel by bus from Rostov-on-Don, from where several regular buses depart daily to Mineralnye Vody. Travel time is 8 hours, and the ticket price is about 800 rubles.
From the Minvod bus station you can get to the city center both on foot (30 minutes) and by ground transport (about 10-15 minutes).
By car
A car is one of the most popular modes of transport in Mineralnye Vody and on the way to it.
From Moscow the route runs along the Don highway, then along the E50 and the Caucasus highway. The total length of the route is 1500 km. If you drive without stops, the travel time will be about a day. But I still advise you to take a break and spend the night in one of the motels.
There will be many other interesting cities along the way, such as Rostov-on-Don, Armavir, etc. The cost of such a trip will cost 6-7 thousand rubles one way.
Path from Saint-Petersburg It’s most logical to do it through Moscow. That is, first get to the capital, and then go along the above highways. The total length of the route is 2275 km. The cost is about 10 thousand rubles.
Clue:
Mineral waters - the time is now
Hour difference:
Moscow 0
Kazan 0
Samara 1
Ekaterinburg 2
Novosibirsk 4
Vladivostok 7
When is the season? When is the best time to go
For me, there are two best seasons in Mineralnye Vody - winter and summer. The thing is that in winter even in Mineralnye Vody themselves there are lifts and you can ski, snowboard or tubing. Although, of course, this cannot be compared with Elbrus. In summer, the region of Mineralnye Vody and Pyatigorsk is an excellent place to relax on the lakes.
Mineral waters in summer
Summer in mineral waters is usually warm and sunny. The average temperature is about +35 C°.
There are few tourists in the city itself, but there are more of them in the area of Pyatigorsk and Kislovodsk. In principle, very comfortable. At this time, it is customary to swim in mountain lakes, which can be found throughout the Caucasus.
Mineral waters in autumn
The weather in autumn stays at +15 C° and in general it is pleasant to be in the city. In October there are few tourists, but towards the end of November they begin to arrive as the skiing and snowboarding season opens.
In autumn, housing prices are lower than in summer or winter.
Mineral waters in spring
Spring in the city is calm and comfortable. Tourists still travel to the Elbrus region and therefore stop at Mineralnye Vody.
The weather is usually clear, precipitation is rare. In the spring season, especially in May, mountain climbing begins along local trails.
Mineral waters in winter
Winter is my favorite time in Minvody. People are celebrating the New Year, the city is decorated, everything around is snow-white. The temperature can be +10 C°, or maybe -20 C°. Depends on the year.
This is also one of the city's highest seasons. You may not see many tourists here, but you will definitely meet a skier or snowboarder who has definitely come from somewhere far away.
Clue:
Mineralnye Vody - weather by month
Districts. Where is the best place to live?
Since the city is small, it seems logical to me to divide accommodation into housing in the city and in its environs (or in neighboring cities that belong to the administrative district of Minvod).
What are the prices for holidays?
Prices for holidays in Mineralnye Vody are low compared to other Russian resorts.
Accommodation on average is 1-2 thousand rubles per night in a hotel. Food prices are also low. There are a lot of Caucasian-style cafes in the city, and you can also buy food in grocery stores. Prices for excursions vary, since if you go to the Elbrus region - it’s about 4 hours from Mineralnye Vody - it can get expensive. If you go to Pyatigorsk, then a taxi costs 300 rubles, a 15-20 minute drive, and now you are in the city of Lermontov.
I remember how many times we caught a car and got there for free, because they said that we were students from Moscow and had come to look at the beautiful Caucasus. In the end, we were told that we didn’t need money and everyone was happy.
Main attractions. What to see
The Stavropol Region has always been rich in various attractions. Mountains, lakes, monuments, shrines. However, Mineralnye Vody has a small area, so there are not many attractions here. Most of them are located outside the city. Nevertheless, there is something to see here too.
Top 5
Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?
Museums. Which ones are worth visiting?
Parks
Tourist streets
I can say that in fact, in Mineralnye Vody there are no tourist streets as such. Those that are similar to the standard understanding of tourist, I would call, rather, central. This is exactly what Avenue 22 of the Party Congress is. In fact, this name seemed unusual to me, since I was born in Russia, and not in the USSR. And this title took my thoughts to the Soviet past. But that’s not about that now. In real life, this is a useful and spacious street, where there are many shops, cafes and several hotels on all sides. Not pedestrian.
What to see in 1 day
Mineralnye Vody is a small town, so everything essential can fit into one day. At least that's what happened to me.
What to see in the area
The surroundings of Mineralnye Vody are very difficult to systematize, because every corner of the Caucasus is necessarily fraught with a bunch of interesting things. However, not far from the city described there are beautiful and historical places. These are Pyatigorsk and Zheleznovodsk.
Food. What to try
The cuisine of Mineralnye Vody is highly mixed. It contains Russian national cuisine, Caucasian and European. Since Minvody is located near Georgia and Azerbaijan, national dishes are often the same as in these countries. Be sure to try the meat, pastries and mountain tea. For example, my culinary discoveries here were: khichina (flatbread with different contents) and Caucasian khashlama. And, of course, you need to try real mineral water - after all, the city is named after this.
Budget
Mid-level
Holidays
Safety. What to watch out for
In principle, I did not encounter any dangerous situations. Initially, there was concern because of many stereotypes - what will be the attitude towards girls? I can say that it is really better for girls to travel accompanied by men. But not because something might happen, but in order to attract less attention to oneself. Very often people will come up to meet you on the street, but some people may simply not like it.
In mountainous regions, you need to be wary of avalanches, but this, in fact, does not apply to the city itself.
Things to do
Despite what I already said above - the small size of the city - you can find something to do here: whether you are a tourist or a local resident. In summer it is always warm and colorful, in winter it is snow-white and cheerful. Some classes are suitable for both holidays and everyday life.
The most interesting places:
Clubs and nightlife
Karaoke club Soprano. Good selection of songs, delicious drinks and food. There is dress control and face control at the entrance.
Extreme Sports
Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift
From Mineralnye Vody, I advise you to definitely bring something with a mountain touch. For example, it could be jam with pine cones, delicious tea with various mountain herbs, or honey with the addition of unusual ingredients.
You can also buy delicious spices for meat, pomegranate or Svan salt. In addition, local water or a mug for drinking from the springs is a popular gift. Sometimes you can find “mountain air” in souvenir shops, which, of course, is just an empty jar, but as a memory it’s very nice.
How to get around the city
To be honest, Minvody is such a small town that you can easily walk here. However, if you live here for a long time, buses, minibuses, or better yet a car come to the rescue, since many attractions and interesting places are located outside the city.
Taxi. What features exist
How many times have I had to deal with a taxi, so many times it has been different. You can catch them on the street, you can call and order by phone. A trip around the city costs around 200 rubles, from the city to neighboring Pyatigorsk about 400 rubles.
The most popular taxi services:
- Mineral waters No. 1,
- Navigator,
- Real.
The rental cost per day will be about 1500-2000 rubles. You can see the options.
Mineralnye Vody - holidays with children
Ski holiday
There are no good and professional slopes directly in Mineralnye Vody, but people often ski in neighboring cities (for example, in Pyatigorsk or go to Elbrus).
However, in the nearby mountains in Minvody you can see that the locals are skiing: most often these are either small slopes that you can climb yourself, or “homemade” tracks. Ice skating and tubing are often offered on the slopes of neighboring mountains. However, if you choose Mineralnye Vody as a transit point on the way to the Elbrus region, you will not regret it.
Anything to add?
Having no sources of healing water on its territory, the city of Mineralnye Vody received its name due to the close location of the legendary resorts of the Kavminvod region, in which it plays the role of the main transport hub. And not only there - it is strategically important throughout the North Caucasus due to the presence of an international airport, a junction station of the Northern Caucasus Railway and the M-29 Caucasus federal highway.
Mineralnye Vody on the map of Russia is the administrative center of the Mineralovodsky district, which is located in the south of the Stavropol Territory and belongs to a specially protected resort area. To the south is the Predgorny district, where the health resorts of Zheleznovodsk, Pyatigorsk, Essentuki and Kislovodsk are located, as well as the city of Lermontov. Further to the south rises the Caucasus Range. The distance to the regional center by highway is about 160 km.
The city was built in the valley of the Kuma River, at the foot of Mount Zmeika, whose height is almost 1000 m, and its areas are located at different elevations - from 300 to 350 m above sea level. The local mountain landscapes reveal dense forests, meadows, harsh rocks, old quarries and ribbons of roads winding between them.
On clear days, you can see the gray head from the city, which is 100 km away on the map, but the excursion route there will be more than twice as long.
The climate in Mineralnye Vody is largely determined by the proximity of a large mountain range, which blocks the path of humid Black Sea air. One cannot count on the uniformity of precipitation, and its annual amount ranges from 300 to 600 mm.
In winter there are frosts and rains. Spring comes before the beginning of March, and soon the air warms up to 25°, but at times it becomes noticeably colder. Summer is hot and dry; starting in the second ten days of May, it lasts almost until the end of September. In autumn it is warm and comfortable, there is no depressing slush and dampness.
History of origin and development
Upon completion of the construction of the Rostov-Vladikavkaz railway in 1875, the new station was named Mineralnye Vody, since it was here that everyone who was going to travel further (on stagecoaches) arrived to rest and be treated at the life-giving springs of Kavminvod.
The entire transport sector (station, depot and other structures) was then served by approximately five thousand workers who lived in the right of way that stretched along the embankment and road surface. But there were also those who, having settled nearby, earned money by servicing the railway workers themselves - these were the ubiquitous merchants, handicraft masters, etc. Sultan Giray allowed them to occupy a plot of their land.
Soon they began to petition for this territory to be considered a village. This status was received in July 1878, the new village was called Sultanovsky. As the railway traffic developed and increased in intensity, workers moved to live in the village, and it began to grow.
This process accelerated after the start of production at a glass factory built in 1898. In 1905, the village was renamed Illarionovsky, in honor of the newly appointed Caucasian governor, who became Count Illarion Vorontsov-Dashkov.
The Mineralnye Vody railway station has made an invaluable contribution to the development and growth of popularity of the region's resorts. Immediately after its opening, the flow of vacationers increased sharply, which forced further development of these cities and the formation of a decent medical base in them. The year 1894 also became a milestone in the history of Mineralnye Vody: trains went further through this station to resort towns.
This created a real boom among entrepreneurs who saw enormous prospects for investing in infrastructure, sanatoriums, hotels, and summer cottages. In this regard, the attendance of resorts has increased even more, and their fame has spread abroad.
Caucasian Mineral Waters have firmly occupied their niche not only in the sphere of improving the health of Russians of different classes, but also in the socio-cultural life of the country. The presence of people of creative professions there at all times became a source of inspiration for them.
In 1922, the new authorities decided that the railway station and the nearby village should be one administrative unit. As a result, the city of Mineralnye Vody appeared on the map of the young republic. It, as before, was the most important point of transport infrastructure in the south of the state.
Two years later, a decree was issued on the formation of the Mineralovodsky district, and in 1925 the importance of the city increased even more due to the construction of an airport nearby. Industry gradually developed: in the late 20s - early 30s, enterprises for the extraction of non-metallic materials and their processing by crushing were opened, and later other production facilities appeared.
Almost immediately at the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, 18 thousand citizens, including volunteers, went to the front. The enterprises, some of which began to produce products for military orders, now employed old people, women and teenagers.
At the beginning of August 1942, Mineralnye Vody was occupied by the Germans, and the commandant’s office was located in the station building: this transport hub played a crucial role in supplying their units rushing to Baku and Vladikavkaz. By the end of the five-month period of German “order” in the city, all significant economic objects were destroyed, and the depot and station also did not survive.
In addition, citizens of Jewish nationality were regularly brought there from all the resort towns of the Kavminvod. The site of mass executions was the vicinity of a glass factory, where there was an anti-tank ditch - the dead were thrown into it. In total, over 10 thousand people were killed.
The beginning of January 1943 brought great joy to Mineralnye Vody - our rifle units and a tank battalion fought into the city, and German rule here came to an end. More than 7 thousand local residents did not return from the war, over 6 thousand people were awarded awards, 12 townspeople became Heroes of the Soviet Union.
The restoration of the city began immediately after the liberation, but they were able to finally recover from the damage and begin the massive construction of housing and the expansion of socially significant communications in Mineralnye Vody only in the 2nd half of the 1950s.
A new station at the railway station appeared in 1955. The growth and development of the city allowed it to become one of the largest cities in the Stavropol Territory.
The desire to increase the health-improving capabilities of the Kavminvod resorts and, at the same time, concern for preserving the unique natural properties of the region became the reasons for limiting registration not only in the area where the springs were, but also in the city of Mineralnye Vody and the nearest settlements (1964).
The city greeted the beginning of the 1980s with a completely comfortable state - this applied to most of its territory; The construction of multi-storey, including high-rise, residential buildings began. In 1984, the development of the mining quarry, which had been going on for more than half a century, was completed, and transport links continued to develop - a new highway was built between Mineralnye Vody and Kislovodsk.
City and modernity
As in the whole country, the 1990s in Mineralnye Vody were remembered for the fact that in various spheres of life everything that had been created in previous decades fell into decay. A reduction in the number of workers, non-payment of wages, the emergence of enterprise owners and the transfer of property from hand to hand - the same scenario was everywhere, the townspeople survived as best they could.
The events of July 1994 intensified the drama of this period of history: an intercity bus was seized by terrorists, and 36 of its passengers were taken hostage. During the operation to free them, 4 people died.
March 2001 brought a new test: in the busiest place in the city (the entrance to the market), an explosive device went off, many people were injured, and 26 people died. The events in the peaceful city of Mineralnye Vody shocked the whole of Russia.
Today it is still among the largest cities in the Stavropol region and not only remains an important transport hub, but is also increasing its potential in this area. The airport currently receives 20 flights from all over our country and 24 international flights.
You can get from Mineralnye Vody to resort towns via modern roads and electric trains. The local branch of SevKavZhD is in charge of the Kavminvod region, part of the Stavropol Territory and the North Caucasus republics (a total of 20 long- and short-distance routes).
Mineralnye Vody today is also a large industrial center with a good investment climate. There are almost a thousand enterprises of various profiles in the city. Of these, the most significant are those related to instrument making, representing the light, food, chemical, woodworking and construction industries.
There are also about 2 thousand entrepreneurs working there. The well-known mineral water “Novoterskaya healing” is produced here (it is mined at the Zmeykinskoye deposit, at a depth of up to 1.5 thousand m).
The city covers an area of 51.6 square meters. km, its multi-ethnic population has grown to 76 thousand people. As the administrative center of the region, television and radio companies operate here and newspapers are published.
Mineralnye Vody is trying to actively develop social infrastructure in order to better meet the needs of citizens in the field of medical care, preschool education, secondary school, special and higher education, intellectual and physical development, and cultural leisure activities. The southern part of the urban areas was chosen for the implementation of a grandiose project to build the so-called New City.
Culture and attractions
Arriving in Mineralnye Vody, in your free time you can take a walk in the city park, get acquainted with the exhibits of the local history museum and the House-Museum of the writer A.P. Bibika, visit art galleries, concert halls, cinemas, entertainment centers.
If the soul asks to turn to religious values, this will be facilitated by visiting one of the churches (there are several of them) or the Intercession Cathedral, which is very interesting in terms of architecture.
Built less than 20 years ago, the cathedral graced the entire city with its presence. Church authorities designated it as the storage place for the relics of St. Theodosius of the Caucasus, who lived in the city of Mineralnye Vody in the last years of his life (1931 - 48), courageously carrying his cross. Believers pray to him for help in healing the soul and body.
Several monuments and memorials are dedicated to military valor:
- General A.P. Ermolov, commander of a group of Russian troops during the Caucasian War in the 19th century;
- mass grave of Red Army soldiers who died in the Civil War;
- Fire of Eternal Glory, a tribute to the memory of the city residents who died in the Great Patriotic War;
- liberators of the city (T-34 tank on a pedestal).
A year after the terrorist attack, a monument was erected in the city of Mineralnye Vody to perpetuate the memory of its victims.
A unique “face” of the resort region is the monumental station building at the railway station. Nearby stands a hard-working steam locomotive that “ran” along the local tracks in the 1930s.
Mineralnye Vody has a natural monument of national significance - this is Mount Zmeyka, at the foot of which the city lies. Thanks to its fossilized magma, it is of interest to scientists studying the characteristics of volcanic rocks. There are two springs on the mountain - St. and St. Theodosius. Tourists go on climbs: there is something to see not only above, but also below - the city will be at your fingertips.
The wonderful, green and warm resort town of Mineralnye Vody was founded in 1878 at 994 meters from sea level on the banks of the Kuma River and is adjacent to Mount Zmeyka. The city is located in the southeast of the Stavropol Territory and is the administrative center of the Mineralovodsk region. According to the results of the 2013 census, about 70 thousand mineral water residents lived in the city. The largest transport hub and the main gate of the large resort of Caucasian Mineral Waters. Near the city, guests of the Caucasus are welcomed by the international airport of Mineralnye Vody "Kavminvodyavia" and the junction railway station. In sunny, clear weather, Elbrus Peak, located 100 kilometers from the city, can be seen from the city’s observation platforms.
Along with such resorts as Essentuki, Pyatigorsk, Kislovodsk it is part of the large resort area of Caucasian Mineral Waters. The temperate warm climate facilitates effective treatment and restoration of health after medical operations.
The average temperature in winter does not drop to -5 degrees, summer with an average temperature of 23 degrees Celsius begins in early May and lasts until the end of October. The resort is famous for its balneological and hydromineral means of treatment and health prevention; the mineral waters of the region are famous throughout the world. The city is famous for its sanatoriums and holiday homes, including the largest sanatorium “Mineralnye Vody”.
Mineralnye Vody is a large industrial center of the Caucasus with high production and economic potential. The city has more than 1,000 enterprises in the food, light, woodworking, instrument-making, chemical and construction industries. Thanks to the good investment climate, the city annually attracts both domestic and foreign capital for economic development.
The city administration is interested in the development of private business and state enterprises, preferential taxation is actively used, and areas are allocated for the construction of industrial facilities and business centers.
Social infrastructure is well developed. Patients are received by two medical centers and a maternity hospital, and there is a clinic. Workers of the Russian Railways are served by a clinical hospital.
There are more than twenty institutions of secondary and secondary specialized education: schools, technical schools, lyceums. Children are welcomed every morning by 17 kindergartens, as well as music, art and sports schools. Mineralovodsk residents actively spend their leisure time, visiting the city library, the Polet entertainment center, a sports complex and several cinemas; the Children's Art House is open for children.
Connoisseurs of high art will enjoy visiting art galleries, a local history museum, concert halls and the House-Museum of the famous Soviet and Russian writer Alexei Pavlovich Bibik.
City residents take joint family walks in the Culture and Recreation Park. Several churches and the recently built Intercession Cathedral, considered a monument of modern church architecture, open their doors to believers..
The monuments of Mineralnye Vody are in one way or another connected with military operations and perpetuate the memory of valiant Soviet and Russian soldiers. A monument to the commander-in-chief of the Russian troops in the Caucasian War, General Ermolov, was erected, a memorial of Eternal Glory to the wars of the Great Patriotic War was opened, and a mass grave of soldiers of the Civil War of 1918-1920 is located.
The population of Mineralnye Vody is multinational. The national communities of Armenians, Cossacks, Nogais and Greeks coexist successfully with each other.
Mineralnye Vody is a relatively small cozy town in the Stavropol Territory. Despite the name, there are no healing springs in the administrative center of the Mineralovodsk District; all of them are located in neighboring Zheleznovodsk, Lermontov, Pyatigorsk, Essentuki and Kislovodsk. The city serves as a kind of gateway, annually allowing hundreds of thousands of tourists to the resorts of the Caucasian Mineral Waters. It is here that the largest transport hub in the region is located - an international airport, a railway interchange and a federal highway.
Although many consider Mineralnye Vody as a transit point, the city itself is also of interest from a tourist point of view. Warm and mild climate, stunning nature and mountains towering on all sides - why not a place for rest and relaxation? In addition, you don’t have to travel far for health treatments - in the surrounding area there are many sanatoriums with healing water from mineral springs.
How to get to Mineralnye Vody
The city of Mineralnye Vody grew up around the Sultanovskaya railway station, which later became a major interchange. Then a large international airport and bus station were built nearby, so in terms of transport accessibility there are no problems here - it is easy to get here from almost any corner of Russia and neighboring countries.
The fastest way for Moscow and St. Petersburg is by plane, although residents of the Northern capital have fewer flights and tickets are more expensive. Trains regularly depart from both capitals to Mineralnye Vody, but in reality this option turns out to be not much more economical, and you will have to spend much more time on the way. Buses from Moscow and many southern cities of Russia arrive at the local bus station.
Search for flights to Mineralnye Vody
Transport
The main public transport is buses and minibuses. Most of them depart from the railway station; the route network covers all areas of the city and nearby villages. The fare is relatively small - about 16 RUB.
The only drawback is that the transport runs until 19:00-20:00. So, if you plan to stay somewhere late, be prepared to use a taxi. The latter in Mineralnye Vody are represented by several local companies, the tariffs are low compared to Moscow - travel around the city will cost 50-150 RUB, transfer from the airport - from 150 RUB. There is also an international transfer booking service, but prices are much higher - from 600 RUB. Prices on the page are as of November 2018.
Rent a Car
If you come to Mineralnye Vody for a short time and don’t plan to leave the city, then there’s probably no point in renting a car. The public transport network covers the entire territory including its suburbs, buses run frequently, and the fare is low. In case of late walks, there are taxis with fairly low tariffs. If you want to explore the surrounding area and other cities in the resort region, it would be more advisable to take a car and not depend on the schedule of trains and intercity buses.
Mineralnye Vody is a small city, and there is no such car traffic as in Moscow or St. Petersburg. The traffic is calm, but sometimes there are traffic jams. There shouldn't be any problems with parking - there are several 24-hour parking lots, paid and free. The cost per day in the open area is 100 RUB, in the parking lot at the airport - 500 RUB.
Most companies providing car rental services operate throughout the region, which allows you to rent a car in Mineralnye Vody and return it in Pyatigorsk or Essentuki. This opportunity is provided by Urentcar and Autorent-KMV. Most companies, including Avant Car and Avto Dar, accept bank cards for payment. The cost of car rental, depending on the class and rental period, varies from 1000 RUB per day.
Treatment in Mineralnye Vody
The Caucasian Mineral Waters region has long been famous for its healing climate and healing natural springs. The first information about them appeared in the 17th century, and in Soviet times this resort was one of the most popular among the residents of our country. And although the springs themselves are located in neighboring cities, there are also many sanatoriums in the vicinity of Mineralnye Vody, offering vacationers various health treatments.
It’s worth coming here even if you don’t have any specific diseases. Mineral and foam-licorice baths, healing mud and the healing climate of this region cleanse the body of waste and toxins.
Various health resorts provide treatment for ulcers and gastritis, diabetes and obesity, liver, kidney and nervous system diseases. This is not a complete list of ailments that water from underground sources can help cope with. Depending on the indications and contraindications, different methods are used - drinking treatment, beneficial mineral water baths and mud therapy.
Hotels in Mineralnye Vody
When choosing a hotel in Mineralnye Vody, the first thing you need to do is decide on the purpose of the trip. The city has both regular hotels and guest houses, as well as sanatoriums offering various medical procedures. The price per day in the latter is much higher. The cost of accommodation does not greatly depend on the location of the hotel, in the center or on the outskirts, however, it is worth looking for budget options closer to the suburbs.
Those who want to save money should pay attention to inexpensive guest houses. A night in a shared female or male room for several people will cost only 500 RUB. Prices for accommodation in a double room start from 1000 RUB.
There are three- and four-star hotels in the city, most of them are concentrated in the central part. For a day in a comfortable room with a designer interior and satellite TV you will have to pay from 2500 to 3000 RUB. Guests can enjoy bars, restaurants and karaoke, as well as an entertainment program with animators in the evening.
What to bring
Since holidays in Mineralnye Vody are usually associated with treatment, something with healing properties is usually taken from here as souvenirs. First of all, you should grab a few bottles of healing mineral water from nearby springs. There are none in the city itself, but “Narzans” and “Essentuki” can be found in many stores.
Any water that has a therapeutic effect should be drunk with extreme caution. When choosing a gift, be sure to familiarize yourself with the composition and properties of different varieties.
Another useful souvenir is Tambukan mud, which is actively used in the treatment of skin diseases and cosmetology. Its source, Lake Tambukan, is located 30 km from the city, so you can collect some silt yourself. If this is not possible, the collected and packaged dirt, as well as cosmetics based on it, are sold in pharmacies and stores in Mineralnye Vody.
In these places there is also a souvenir that heals not the body, but the soul. The famous Praskovey cognacs are produced at the winery of the same name, located 100 km from the city, and are considered one of the calling cards of the city.
Cafes and restaurants in Mineralnye Vody
The choice of cafes in Mineralnye Vody is not as wide as in larger tourist regions, but here you can find somewhere to have a snack or a delicious dinner. There are several excellent restaurants in the city with luxurious interiors and quality service; the menu includes dishes of Russian, European and Caucasian cuisine. The average bill is from 1000 to 2000 RUB.
Among tourists and local residents, the most famous restaurant is the Holburg restaurant, located in the building of the castle of the same name. Its main advantages are excellent cuisine, friendly staff and a medieval atmosphere.
For a quick and satisfying snack, numerous cafes are perfect, where breakfast will cost 300-500 RUB. For lovers of pizza and sushi, there are restaurants serving Italian and Japanese cuisine. Kebab cafes occupy a special place among the establishments of Mineralnye Vody. It is impossible to imagine Caucasian cuisine without this hot and aromatic dish. They serve real shish kebab at very reasonable prices - the cost of lunch in most cafes and restaurants in the city does not exceed 700-1000 RUB.
Entertainment and attractions of Mineralnye Vody
The city should not be perceived solely as a transfer station on the way to the resorts of the North Caucasus. Quiet and cozy, it is perfect for rest and relaxation after the frantic rhythm of big cities. In addition, there are interesting natural, historical and architectural attractions, not to mention the sanatoriums and hospitals, for which many people travel to these regions.
They say that the only thing missing in Mineralnye Vody is the sea: sights, entertainment and even mountains already exist.
Those arriving in Mineralnye Vody by train can begin exploring the sights without leaving the ticket office. The railway station is one of the most interesting and beautiful historical buildings in the city. It was built in the late 50s. last century on the site of an old building.
In front of a semicircle of white columns stands a sculpture of an eagle clutching a snake in its talons. The monument illustrates a local legend about how a proud bird managed to heal from a poisonous bite with the help of water from local healing springs.
One of the most interesting natural attractions is the magmatic mountain Zmeyka. It attracts tourists not only with its beautiful mountain landscapes and unique flora and fauna. On the slopes there are several holy springs and monuments to the Second World War, as well as adits and quarries. You can often meet outdoor enthusiasts with climbing equipment.
There are several temples and cathedrals in Mineralnye Vody that will be of interest to believers and those who want to get acquainted with the history, culture and architecture of the city. The main religious attraction is the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Among its shrines are the relics of St. Theodosius of the Caucasus, the patron saint of these places.
Of the city's museums, the most interesting is the Museum of Aviation Technology, which displays military and civilian vessels. Those wishing to learn more about the history of Mineralnye Vody should look into the Museum of Local Lore.
Weather
It is better to go on vacation to Mineralnye Vody in the second half of summer or autumn. Although the city's climate is temperate continental and quite mild at any time of the year, in winter and spring there is a high risk of falling into the rainy season. Summer here begins early, in mid-May, and ends only in September, giving way to a cool, but sunny and dry autumn, but in June short but intense showers are not uncommon.
Winter in Mineralnye Vody is warm and rainy; severe frosts practically never occur. During the period of early and short spring, which comes to these regions already at the end of February - beginning of March, there is a high probability of precipitation.
The city of Mineralnye Vody is located on the territory of the state (country) Russia, which in turn is located on the territory of the continent Europe.Which federal district does the city of Mineralnye Vody belong to?
The city of Mineralnye Vody is part of the federal district: North Caucasus.The Federal District is an enlarged territory consisting of several constituent entities of the Russian Federation.
In what region is the city of Mineralnye Vody located?
The city of Mineralnye Vody is part of the Stavropol Territory region.A characteristic of a region or a subject of a country is the integrity and interconnection of its constituent elements, including cities and other settlements that are part of the region.
The Stavropol Territory region is an administrative unit of the state of Russia.
