Mineral waters where to relax. Caucasian mineral waters
Before going to Mineralnye Vody, I often thought about this unusual name this town. Many options came to my mind. Resort or not? Do all the inhabitants 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 times of the USSR, 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 they fly to get to Elbrus or Pyatigorsk.
However, despite its small size and the current situation, I think the city is very nice and attractive. When I first came to Mineralnye Vody, I immediately felt the Caucasian spirit and definitely Russian outback. Although, of course, the infrastructure and standard of living leaves much to be desired. But, as I noticed, 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 modes of transport. The most convenient, I think, are the plane and the car. You can also get there by bus and train.
By plane
For me, an airplane is the most convenient way to get to Mineralnye Vody. Flights there are usually inexpensive, and the journey takes only 2 hours from Moscow. From St. Petersburg, the flight 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 very often flights run through Moscow.
Speaking about the Mineralnye Vody airport, I must say that you should not 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 more like a large living room. Immediately after the exit, there will be a stand with a taxi where you can order one, or at the exit from 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 on New Year the price rises to 500-700 rubles. The departure area is equipped with a waiting room, a cafe, toilets and souvenir shops.
By train
You can get to Minvod by train, and this is one of the most popular options. From Moscow, the journey takes from 22 to 27 hours. Several trains leave from the Kazansky railway station every 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 Minvod by train. Travel time is about 40 hours, the cost of tickets starts from 4 thousand rubles one way.
The station of Mineralnye Vody is one of the sights of the city. Inside there are both free and paid waiting rooms, accommodation services at the station, luggage storage, ATMs.
Not far from the train station to the city center. You can use a taxi, they usually stand next to the station, the trip takes 7-10 minutes. You can walk in 15-20 minutes.
By bus
The bus is not the most comfortable option for traveling 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 - 32 hours.
The main carrier companies are: BusArm and Autolines.
It is convenient to take a bus from Rostov-on-Don, from where several scheduled buses. Travel time is 8 hours, and the ticket price is about 800 rubles.
From the bus station Minvod to the city center can be reached both on foot (30 minutes) and by land transport(about 10-15 minutes).
By car
The car is one of the most popular species transport in Mineralnye Vody and on the way to it.
From Moscow the path runs along the Don highway, then along the E50 and the Caucasus highway. The total length of the route is 1500 km. If you go non-stop, 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 others along the way. interesting cities, such as, Rostov-on-Don, Armavir, etc. The cost of such a trip will cost 6-7 thousand rubles one way.
Way from St. Petersburg it is most logical to make 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
Yekaterinburg 2
Novosibirsk 4
Vladivostok 7
When is the season. When is the best time to go
For me in Mineralnye Vody there are two the best of the season- winter and summer. The thing is that in winter, even in the Minvody themselves, lifts work and you can ski, snowboard or tubing. Although, of course, it cannot be compared with Elbrus. In summer, the region of Mineralnye Vody and Pyatigorsk is perfect place to relax on the lakes.
Mineral waters in summer
Summer in mineral waters is usually warm and sunny. average temperature about +35 С°.
There are few tourists directly in the city itself, but there are more of them in the area of Pyatigorsk and Kislovodsk. Basically, very comfortable. At this time it is customary to bathe in mountain lakes, which can be found throughout the Caucasus.
Mineral waters in autumn
The weather in autumn stays at the level of +15 С° and in general it is pleasant to be in the city. In October, there are few tourists, by the end of November they begin to arrive, as the season for skiing and snowboarding opens.
In autumn, housing prices are lower than in summer or winter.
Mineral waters in spring
Spring in the city passes calmly and comfortably. Tourists still travel to the Elbrus region and therefore stop by Minvody.
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 -20 C°. Depends on the year.
It is also one of the highest seasons for the city. You may not meet a tourist here very often, but you will definitely meet a skier or snowboarder who has definitely come from somewhere far away.
Clue:
Mineralnye Vody - monthly weather
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 its environs (or in neighboring cities that belong to administrative district Minvod).
It is convenient to choose and book accommodation at. You can see the prices for apartments, and compare the cost of rooms in hotels by.
What are the prices for holidays
Prices for holidays in Mineralnye Vody are low compared to other Russian resorts.
Accommodation on average - 1-2 thousand rubles per night in a hotel. Food prices are also low. There are a lot of cafes in the Caucasian style in the city, you can also buy food in grocery stores. On excursions, prices vary, because if you go to the Elbrus region - it's about 4 hours from Mineralnye Vody - it can get expensive. If in Pyatigorsk, then a taxi costs 300 rubles, a 15-20 minute drive, and here you are in the city of Lermontov.
I remember how many times we caught a car and drove for free, as they said that we were students from Moscow and now we came to look at beautiful Caucasus. In the end, we were told that we didn’t need money and everyone was happy.
Main attractions. What to watch
The Stavropol Territory has always been rich in various sights. Mountains, lakes, monuments, shrines. However, Mineralnye Vody has a small territory, so there are not many attractions here. Most of them are located outside the city. However, there is something to see here too.
Top 5
Churches and temples. Which are worth a visit
Museums. Which are worth a visit
parks
tourist streets
I can say that in fact, in Mineralnye Vody there are no tourist streets. Those that are similar to the standard understanding of tourism, I would rather call central. This is exactly what Avenue 22 of the Party Congress is. In fact, this name seemed unusual to me, since I was already born in Russia, and not in the USSR. And this title carried my thoughts to the Soviet past. But now is not about that. In 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
Mineral waters - not Big city, so all the basics just fit in one day. At least that's what happened to me.
What to see in the surroundings
The surroundings of Mineralnye Vody are very difficult to systematize, because every corner of the Caucasus is sure to be fraught with a bunch of interesting things. However, not far from the described city there are beautiful and historical places. These are Pyatigorsk and Zheleznovodsk.
Food. What to try
The cuisine of Mineralnye Vody is strongly mixed. It contains Russian National cuisine, Caucasian and European. Since the Minvody are not far from 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: khychins (flat cakes 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
Intermediate level
Holidays
Security. What to watch out for
In principle, I did not encounter any dangerous situations. Initially, there was a fear because of the 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 to draw less attention to yourself. Very often on the street they may come up to get acquainted, someone 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 said above - the small size of the city - you can find something to do here, whether you are a tourist or a local. AT summer period always warm and colorful, in winter - snow-white and fun. Some of the classes are suitable for public holidays as well as for weekdays.
The most interesting places:
Shopping and shops
One of the main stores in the city is the Vershina shopping center. Located at the entrance to the city. Inside there are many clothing stores for adults and children, a food court and various entertainments.
Also throughout the city you can find small shops, both food and textile and household.
In general, if you are going shopping, I advise you to go to Pyatigorsk, where there are not only large shopping centers, but also various showrooms.
Tatyana Solomatina
Hello dear readers! With pleasure I continue the theme of rest and treatment in the Caucasian Mineral Waters (CMW).
This information will be of interest to everyone who is going to rest and treatment in CMS for the first time. I will tell you how you can get here, I will advise you at what time of the year it is more comfortable to relax, and when it is better to come for treatment, I will write according to what criteria you need to choose a resort and housing, I will give some practical advice on all these issues.
I have collected everything about the CMS in one place. Here is the information that I myself once searched for on the net, perhaps it will help to draw up an approximate picture of rest and treatment in this place. Interested? Then let's study the material in order.
KMV is located in the Stavropol Territory, so getting here for rest and treatment is not difficult at all. There is an airport and railway stations here. For those who live nearby or simply prefer to travel by personal transport, there are no problems either, the roads are good, and at every sanatorium or hotel, there is almost always a parking lot.
By plane
KMV International Airport is located in the city of Mineralnye Vody (http://mvairport.ru/), it is small, but quite comfortable and accepts many flights from different regions of the country (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Cherepovets, Kursk, Nizhnevartovsk, etc.). d.).
The distance from the airport to the KMV resorts: Kislovodsk - 55 km., Essentuki - 40 km., Pyatigorsk - 25 km., Zheleznovodsk - 20 km.
You can take a taxi from the airport, you can order a transfer from a sanatorium or hotel, in some places this service is provided free of charge.
Unfortunately, getting to the place by public transport is not very convenient, there is no direct connection with the cities from the airport. But walks to the train station fixed-route taxi No. 11, travel time 20-25 minutes, interval 20 minutes (passing the bus station). Further, to any resort can be reached by train. Electric trains, at the time of writing, follow with an average interval of 1 hour.
Also, from the railway station there is bus No. 223 to Pyatigorsk and No. 107 to Zheleznovodsk (stop at the station square). There are also buses to Essentuki and Kislovodsk, they only depart from the bus station.
By train
The resort can be reached by train. Moreover, there are railway stations in almost all cities of the region. Mineral water - http://mineralnyievodyi.dzvr.ru/ http://pjatigorsk.dzvr.ru/ http://essentuki.dzvr.ru/ http://kislovodsk.dzvr.ru/ . As a rule, there are many public transport, on which it will be easy to get to the place you need.
If public transport does not suit you, then you can take a taxi or order a transfer in advance, I wrote about this a little higher. The difference is only in cost, the price in the city is of course cheaper than what you pay when traveling from the airport.
The only resort, of the above, where trains do not go long distance, this is Zheleznovodsk. Guests who go to this city for rest and treatment buy train tickets to Mineralnye Vody, this is the most convenient option if you choose such a movement. Next by bus or taxi.
By car
If you are going to travel by car, then it is difficult for me to get you directions, because everyone has a different starting point. I can only say that the roads in KMV are excellent, with the exception of mountain paths and some streets in the resorts themselves, signs hang on every corner, the locals are good-natured and will gladly tell you the direction if you suddenly get lost. Although with the current technology (navigator) and decent roads, it is quite difficult to get lost.
- If you are from Moscow and are not afraid to fly, then it is easier, and most importantly, cheaper to travel by plane. No matter how much I tried to compare the prices for travel in a compartment and a flight, the second option cost less or came out in the same amount as moving in a reserved seat, even taking into account the transfer. Therefore, the statement: “The train is more economical!” - delusion.
- For those who plan to get to the place from the airport by taxi, it is better to take care of the car from home. It is not difficult to find several carriers on the Internet, their websites have all the information on the cost. The fact is that at the airport you will pay 30% more, and it is unrealistic to catch a sane (for the price) driver there (your own mafia). You won’t be able to get on the highway either, it’s far enough from the terminal.
- If you already know where to stay, ask about the transfer. Sometimes it's free. If not, then compare with the cost of a taxi. Most often, a pre-booked taxi is cheaper.
- You can save money by ordering a taxi in both directions at once. Usually, all carriers offer this service and the trip is 10% cheaper. However, this option is only suitable for those who know the exact date of departure.
- If you decide to travel by public transport, then look at the train schedule for your dates at home (winter is different from summer). I usually look at this site - https://rasp.yandex.ru/, there is always reliable information here. Buses are a bit more complicated, read the forums and recent reviews.
When and for how long to go?
The answer to this question largely depends on the purpose of the trip. As a rule, all guests of the resort are divided into two main groups. Some come here to relax, go around all the interesting places, and at the same time get a little healthier. Others come first of all to undergo treatment, and at the same time to explore the surroundings, if there is time left and there is a desire.
You may ask me: "What's the difference?". The answer is huge. Of course, you can come at any time of the year, for any period, and for any purpose, however, in order for your trip to be as comfortable as possible and your goal to be achieved, I advise you to listen to my recommendations. Let's look at both options separately.
For treatment
It is better to come to the resort for treatment from November to April, and it is advisable not to fall on holidays.
The thing is that in the summer months, a priori, a lot of people, sanatoriums and hotels are packed to capacity.
Accordingly, for the procedures of the queue, the staff is stressed out due to the influx of people, often there are minor hitches that spoil the mood. Some narrow specialists go on vacation - they are also people and do not want to relax in the winter. There are many families with children, there is no silence, which many people rely on when they come for treatment.
This list can still be continued, but I think you yourself understand that being treated in the “off season” is much easier and more fruitful.
Another important plus is the cost. AT winter time the price of vouchers is much lower, plus promotions are regularly held to attract guests. The money saved will always be useful for purchasing the medical services that you need, and are not included in the cost of a tour or course.
I think that we have dealt with the first question, now I want to talk a little about how many days you need to come for treatment.
Remember, back in the USSR, a resort voucher was almost always for 21 days. Previously, I did not understand why there were so many, if the voucher for this period included procedures, only 10 pieces each. It seemed that already two weeks - for the eyes.
However, not all so simple. The fact is that for a full-fledged treatment, both water procedures (baths, a pool, etc.), as well as mud or physiotherapy are usually prescribed. And it is impossible to combine, so they are done every other day, one day water, the other electro or mud therapy.
Accordingly, it takes 20 days if you want to take 10 pieces of each. This is not counting the missed first day, on which you need to visit a doctor in order to get appointments and schedule them by time and day.
And do not forget that on Sunday, treatment is not carried out, or is carried out partially.
Of course, it is not necessary to do 10 procedures, you can take less, then the number of days needed will be reduced. However, here we are considering people who travel for the purpose of treatment, so for a good effect, you need to come for at least 21 days, and preferably in winter, when there are few people.
To rest
For those people who come to the region on vacation, it is much easier. Two weeks is quite enough to have a good rest and visit all interesting places. Even this period can be reduced, but then you have to sacrifice days for a relaxing holiday, or see not all.
As for the time of year, the period from May to October is more suitable for a holiday in the CMS. The weather is almost always comfortable, warm, rains are usually rare and short-lived, there is almost no wind, and nature reveals all its beauty.
Which resort to choose?
Each city of the CMS is beautiful and significant in its own way. However, if your goal is rest, then I recommend choosing Kislovodsk. In my opinion, it is most conveniently located relative to all interesting places. Moreover, it seems to me that there more fun and a better developed tourist infrastructure, one Spa Park costs more than all other objects.
However, this is my personal opinion, and you have the right to disagree with me.
Attention! Those who travel to this region for treatment should choose a resort based on the disease that brought them here.
- diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract, digestive organs, metabolic disorders, andrological diseases. Additional information can be seen around the resort.
Concomitant treatment: diseases of the musculoskeletal system, ENT organs, gynecological diseases. 
- diseases of the organs of movement, peripheral nervous system, peripheral vessels of the lower extremities, digestion, skin diseases, gynecological and andrological diseases, metabolic disorders. Read about the resort. 
- diseases of the digestive system and metabolic disorders.
Related profiles: diseases of the musculoskeletal system, nervous system, consequences of injuries, gynecological and andrological diseases. I wrote about the Essentuki resort. 
- diseases of the circulatory system, chronic diseases of the respiratory system of a non-tuberculous nature, bronchial asthma without frequent and severe attacks, glaucoma.
Related profiles: neurological diseases, diseases of the digestive system and the musculoskeletal system, gynecological. Read more about the Kislovodsk resort in the article. 
An important role in the specialization of a particular place is played by mineral springs, which are rich in resorts. Therefore, when choosing a place of treatment, always pay attention to the water that is suitable for the treatment of your specific disease.
For example, although urology is treated in almost every resort in the region, it is better for people with a disease of the genitourinary system to go to Zheleznovodsk. Because only there is a source of Smirnovskaya water, which is most suitable for the treatment of urological diseases.
The name of the Essentuki resort speaks for itself. The well-known water perfectly treats diseases of the digestive tract. "Narzan", which is in Kislovodsk, is also recommended for the treatment of certain diseases.
I will not list all the diseases (I am not a doctor), I think that the meaning of the above is clear. Which source is best for you, only a doctor can determine, so my conclusions are for informational purposes only. 
Where to stay?
Where to stay also depends on many factors: financial situation, physical condition, purpose of the trip, etc. Let's try to consider some of the possible options.
Basic moments
It is easier and cheaper for those guests who come to rest by car, and consider treatment as an addition to the rest. In this case, having a car allows you to rent housing a little further from the main resort places which saves a lot on the budget.
For those who do not have a means of transportation, it is better to choose housing within walking distance to the sources, so as not to waste money and time on moving around the city. But as you know, such a lease will be more expensive.
Attention! Particularly relevant is the question of the distance of housing to healing springs people who come to the resort for treatment. They simply need walking distance and this is a paramount issue when looking for housing, regardless of whether you stay in the private sector or choose treatment in a sanatorium.
Sanatoriums
Most convenient way relax and get treated - buy a ticket to the sanatorium. The advantages here are obvious. All in one place, food is included in the price, no evening entertainment, treatment is scheduled by the hour, there is always medical staff, you don’t have to go anywhere, etc.
The cons are not so serious: adherence to the regimen (smoking, drinking alcohol, meals by the hour and what they give), the choice of procedures depends on the doctor (though you can change it). In my opinion, the only worthy minus is the cost. But, dear readers, you always have to pay for comfort and convenience. 
I can only give you a few tips:
- If you purposefully go to a sanatorium, then when choosing, focus primarily on the distance from the pump room, or the presence of one in the sanatorium itself, which also occurs, though very rarely.
- It is not always reasonable to pay for specialized treatment programs. If necessary, pay on the spot. I had a case when certain expensive procedures could not be done due to a concomitant disease. True, I was lucky, they were replaced with cosmetic procedures and the money was not lost. However, not everywhere they meet, this is the exception rather than the rule.
- Do not neglect the heading "our doctors" on the website of the chosen sanatorium. From the description and schedule, you can usually understand how staffed with specialists, whether this or that doctor is permanent, or visiting. I don't think you need to explain what it's for.
- Buy a ticket directly on the website of the sanatorium, if you have problems with check-in, issues are resolved faster than through intermediaries.
- Be sure to read the latest reviews before choosing. There is usually a lot of information on the net, but it may be outdated.
In more detail about rest and treatment in sanatoriums, about who this type of holiday is not suitable for, I wrote in another article. Separately, I will make reviews of sanatoriums in which I managed to be treated. One review about the Kislovodsk sanatorium, read. Subscribe to my newsletter, you will be the first to receive new publications! 
Hotels and the private sector
In any city you can stay in a hotel, it is not difficult to rent an apartment or a house. I have never gone on vacation and treatment in CMS in this way, however, there are enough services where such options are presented, they are not difficult to find on the net.
This is a good choice for those who want to save money, especially if the train is large and you are traveling for a long time.
The main recommendations here are simple - try to choose accommodation closer to the pump rooms and read the reviews. However, you must understand that private housing is always a lottery and a lot depends on the decency of the owners.
Do not forget that if your goal is treatment, then you need to decide in advance in which medical institution you are going to purchase a course and choose accommodation nearby. Because there are usually a lot of procedures, walking long distances every day is certainly useful, but quite difficult. It is necessary to calculate well your physical capabilities, otherwise the treatment will not work for the future. 
For now, that's all I had planned to tell you today. General information you can read about the CMS region.
Now I say goodbye for a while.
Tatyana Solomatina
Mineralnye Vody is one of the most popular destinations in Russia, which consistently enters the TOP-10 most visited domestic resorts (according to Biletix). However, if you haven't been here yet, the decision to go to Ming. Water may not be so obvious to you: there is no sea, high mountains too, so what do you do then? Throughout August, I lived in the Pyatigorsk area as part of my world travel and I think I'm ready to convince you to come here on your next vacation.
Why go to Mineralnye Vody?
Mineralnye Vody is a resort region. The main resorts are Kislovodsk, Pyatigorsk, Essentuki and Zheleznovodsk. You can end up here for several reasons: a doctor sent you here “to the waters”, the trade union of a state corporation gave you a ticket here, and the third option is that you decided to come here yourself.
In the first case, you are coming here on the recommendation of a doctor, and, most likely, a gastroenterologist. The resorts of Mineralnye Vody (namely Kislovodsk) from the end of the 19th century were a favorite destination for the nobility, who, having loaded bags, servants and all household belongings on motorcades of carriages, went here “to the waters” to improve their health. And "water" mineral springs with a variety of chemical composition and spectrum of action on the body, there is more than enough. These are all kinds of narzans in Kislovodsk, "Essentuki" in Essentuki, water with a hydrogen sulfide flavor in Pyatigorsk and water with a high iron content in Zheleznovodsk.
You can drink mineral water in special galleries scattered around the cities of Ming. Water, absolutely free and in any quantity. But I want to warn and give advice right away - if the doctor has not prescribed a specific water for you, do not abuse it, since the effect can be reversed and you can only upset the activity of the digestive system.
By the second half of the same century, Kislovodsk was in no way inferior to European ones in terms of its “resort” opportunities. balneological resorts– Baden-Baden or Karlovy Vary. The Caucasus in their poems began to be sung by the greatest Russian poets, in particular, Lermontov.
The Russian aristocracy has long been gone, but in resort towns Mineralnye Vody remained whole historical quarters keeping the spirit of that time. And that's another reason to come here.
Where to stay?
I will try to describe the pros and cons of each city.
Kislovodsk
The main and indisputable plus is a huge magnificent park. In my opinion this best park in Russia. Dozens of kilometers of trails, narzan galleries, healing air, beauty around and Elbrus on the horizon are a bonus. For one park, you can safely lay 3-4 days. You can safely fly here for the weekend to "reset". Beautiful in the city historical part, reflecting the tastes of high society of the century before last. Minus Kislovodsk is the most expensive resort in the region. Something like central Sochi.
Pyatigorsk
This city is livelier and noisier: in addition to the resort itself, it has its own life. In the vicinity of Pyatigorsk, there are huge opportunities for mountain trekking and mountain biking due to the proximity to the Mashuk and Beshtau mountains (1500+ meters). Nearby there is a paradrome on Mount Yutz. Galleries with specific hydrogen sulfide mineral waters are scattered in the city, there is an awesomely cool market, and historical Center very beautiful. Cons: the city is noisier and, as spoiled locals say, “the climate is worse”, since the city is “in the fields”, and not in a hollow, like Kislovodsk.
Zheleznovodsk
Quite a small, quiet resort town for introverts. Mountains Zmeyka, Beshtau, Zheleznaya and Razvalka are buried nearby in the forests. Enough for a week of trekking, hiking and cycling. Minus - Zheleznovodsk is a little out of the way from other resorts, so it takes longer to travel around the region from here, but if you have a car, it's quite convenient.
Essentuki
In my opinion, despite the sounding brand, Essentuki is the worst choice for a holiday in the region. The only plus is the Essentuki mineral water. There are no mountains in Essentuki, no feeling of the Caucasus and a very small park for a couple of hours maximum.
Mineral water
This is generally an industrial city, and if you stop in it, consider that the vacation is gone.
Bonuses
A big plus of the region as a whole is a rich excursion program in the North Caucasus. From here it is convenient to travel to Karachay-Cherkessia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Ossetia and Adygea, Chechnya and Dagestan, Elbrus and Dombai. And all these places - numerous gorges, canyons, peaks and mountains - you can explore at least a lifetime, and then there will not be enough time.
Personally, I recommend traveling to the national republics of the North Caucasus with individual guides, and not to sightseeing buses: guides will show the Caucasus, and buses will bring you to the markets. Caucasian markets are colorful, of course, but the Caucasus is even better.
Mineralnye Vody - relatively small cozy town in Stavropol Territory. Despite the name, there are no healing springs in the very administrative center of the Mineralnye Vody District, all of them are located in neighboring Zheleznovodsk, Lermontov, Pyatigorsk, Essentuki and Kislovodsk. The city serves as a kind of gate that annually passes hundreds of thousands of tourists to the resorts of the Caucasian Mineral Waters. It is here that the largest transport hub of 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 wellness procedures - there are many sanatoriums with healing water from mineral springs in the vicinity.
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 is 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 flights to Mineralnye Vody
Transport
The main public transport is buses and minibuses. Most of them leave from the railway station, 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 late somewhere, be prepared to take 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. Also works international service booking transfers, but prices are much higher - from 600 RUB. Prices on the page are for November 2018.
Maps of Mineralnye Vody
Rent a Car
If you came to Mineralnye Vody for a short time and do not plan to leave the city, then renting a car, perhaps, makes no sense. The public transport network covers the entire territory along with the suburbs, buses run frequently, and the fare is not much. In case of late walks, there are taxis with fairly low fares. If you want to explore the surroundings and other cities resort region, it would be more expedient 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. Parking should not be a problem - there are several round-the-clock car parks, paid and free. The cost per day in the open area is 100 RUB, in the parking lot near the airport - 500 RUB.
Most car rental companies operate throughout the region, which allows you to take 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. The cost of car rental, depending on the class and rental period, varies from 1000 RUB per day.
Treatment in Mineralnye Vody
The Caucasian Mineralnye Vody 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 inhabitants 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 various wellness treatments to vacationers.
It is worth coming here, even if there are no specific diseases. Mineral and foam-licorice baths, therapeutic mud and the healing climate of this region cleanse the body of toxins and toxins.
Various health resorts treat ulcers and gastritis, diabetes and obesity, diseases of the liver, kidneys and nervous system. This is far from full list ailments, which help to cope with water from underground sources. Depending on the indications and contraindications, different methods are used - drinking cure, beneficial baths with mineral water and mud therapy.
Mineralnye Vody Hotels
When choosing a hotel in Mineralnye Vody, the first thing you need to decide is the purpose of the trip. The city has both ordinary hotels and guest houses, and 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, you should look 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. It offers bars, restaurants and karaoke, and in the evening - an entertainment program with animators.
What to bring
Since rest in Mineralnye Vody is usually associated with treatment, something with healing properties is usually taken away as souvenirs. First of all, you should grab a few bottles of healing mineral water from nearby sources. There are none in the city itself, but "narzan" and "essentuki" can be found in many stores.
Any water that has a therapeutic effect should be drunk with extreme caution. When choosing a present, 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 mud, as well as cosmetics based on it, is sold in pharmacies and Mineralnye Vody stores.
There is also a souvenir in these places that heals not the body, but the soul. The famous Praskoveya cognacs are produced at the winery of the same name, located 100 km from the city, and are considered one of business cards cities.
Cafes and restaurants of Mineralnye Vody
The choice of cafes in Mineralnye Vody is not as great as in larger tourist regions, however, here you can also find where to have a bite or a delicious dinner. There are several excellent restaurants in the city with a luxurious interior and quality service, the menu includes dishes of Russian, European and Caucasian cuisine. The average check is from 1000 to 2000 RUB.
among tourists and local residents The most famous restaurant is Holburg, located in the building of the castle of the same name. Its main advantages are excellent cuisine, friendly staff and the atmosphere of the Middle Ages.
Numerous cafes are perfect for a quick and satisfying snack, breakfast in which will cost 300-500 RUB. For lovers of pizza and sushi, there are restaurants of Italian and Japanese cuisine. A special place among the establishments of Mineralnye Vody is occupied by barbecue cafes. Caucasian cuisine cannot be imagined without this hot and fragrant dish. Real barbecue is served here at quite reasonable prices - the cost of lunch in most cafes and restaurants in the city does not exceed 700-1000 RUB.
Guides in Mineralnye Vody
Entertainment and attractions of Mineralnye Vody
You should not perceive the city 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 megacities. In addition, there are interesting natural, historical and architectural sights, not to mention sanatoriums and clinics, for which many people travel to these parts.
They say that only the sea is missing in Mineralnye Vody: attractions, entertainment and even mountains are already there.
Arriving in Mineralnye Vody by train can start 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 the old building.
In front of a semicircle of white columns stands a sculpture of an eagle clutching a snake in its claws. The monument illustrates local legend about how a proud bird managed to recover from a poisonous bite with the help of water from local healing springs.
One of the most interesting natural sights is the Zmeyka igneous mountain. It attracts tourists not only with beautiful mountain landscapes and unique flora and fauna. On the slopes there are several holy springs and monuments of the Second World War, as well as adits and quarries. Often you can meet outdoor enthusiasts with climbing equipment.
In Mineralnye Vody there are several temples and cathedrals 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 Most Holy Theotokos. 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 exhibits military and civilian ships. Those wishing to learn more about the history of Mineralnye Vody should visit 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 moderately continental and rather mild at any time of the year, there is a high risk of falling into the rainy season in winter and spring. 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, there are practically no severe frosts. During the period of early and short spring, which comes to these parts already in late February - early March, there is a high probability of precipitation.
12 chairs were filmed here and Lermontov was killed. Here the climate is mild, and mineral water flows from the tap. Here you can run in the mountains and walk through the tennis parks. Here you can send your parents to a sanatorium for a vacation, or bring a romantic young lady for the weekend. I spent two wonderful days here with my son. I tell you what you need to see and how to do everything as inexpensively as possible.
How to come here?
The city of Mineralnye Vody is the logistics center of the Caucasian Mineralnye Vody.
There is an airport and a railway station, from which it is convenient to take trains to all cities of the KMV.
You can see the schedule of electric trains. The ticket price, depending on the distance, is from 50 to 250 rubles. You can buy them at the station or directly on the train from the controllers 
Quarrel over the quality, dug up on the Internet
We arrived by plane. There are a lot of flights here and dated tickets are often available. Found on Skyscanner for the May weekend from Moscow and back for 5280! (relevant for May 4) It's cheaper than in a compartment car 
Where to live?
We stopped in Pyatigorsk. This is the largest city in the center of the KMV, from the railway station you can reach any city within an hour. Kislovodsk is also a good option, it also has a lot of interesting things. (A little later about it)
Taxi is the most convenient RED-taxi. Phone 8-919-733-33-33, work on the counter
At the entrance to the station square, near the barrier, there is an inexpensive canteen where you can eat tasty and cheap. 
TVIL.RU
Even during a trip to the Crimea, I discovered the wonderful Twill service.
On this site, you can find very budget, but quite decent housing, all kinds of mini-hotels, guest houses, hostels, etc.
I needed accommodation near the station and very inexpensive. Found it 2 minutes walk from the railway station. 
Here is a guest house in Bystry lane 6 with budget prices. There is a room with a fireplace (!) for three for 1800 rubles. In the courtyard behind the fence you can fry kebabs on the grill) Link to the house on the Twill website 
We took a very modest room for two with my son for 1200 per day. However, everything was clean inside. 
There was even a small kitchenette where you could drink tea and heat food.
By the way, I noticed that in the south all budget options include a kitchen so that you can cook on your own. 
Pyatigorsk
We threw our things and went for a walk around Pyatigorsk.
On the streets are living heroes from the scenes of the famous KVN team and Zhorik Vartanov from Nasha Rashi. 
Ossetian Pies
The best Ossetian pies in Pyatigorsk are prepared in a modest eatery with the name (who would have thought!) "Ossetian Pies" on Karl Marx 4. They have no website, no VK group, they are not even in Double GIS. 
And there is nothing but Ossetian pies. But they are incredibly tasty and quite cheap.
We were able to eat half of this huge potato pie for 350 rubles, and took the rest home. 
Walk along Kirov Avenue to Tsvetnik Park. From there you can climb up to the sculpture of the Eagle on Mount Goryachaya - the symbol of Pyatigorsk and all the Caucasian Mineral Waters. 
In Pyatigorsk, the novel and filming of the film 12 Chairs took place.
Mineral springs and healing springs are everywhere.
life hack
Near the Tarkhany sanatorium there is a pump room where you can get mineral water for free. 
Gagarin Avenue 
You should definitely go to the famous Failure. Of course, it's free)) 
Life hack. If you climb up from the Failure along an inconspicuous path among the trees, you can see it from above)
Lermontov is also our everything!
Mikhail Yurievich Lermontov served in Pyatigorsk.
He was shot by lieutenant Martynov in a duel at the foot of Mount Mashuk. Right at this place.
Do you remember the chapter about Princess Mary from Hero of Our Time? Events also took place on the waters, in Pyatigorsk.
In general, I strongly advise you to climb Mount Mashuk, a funicular goes there or you can climb on foot. 
From the place of Lermontov's duel, Mount Beshtau (five heads) is visible, which actually gave the name to Pyatigorsk.
Beshtau.
Mount Beshtau (1400 meters) can be climbed from Zheleznovodsk, Lermontov or Pyatigorsk.
I rise from the rock "God Carry", near the Beshtautinsky monastery. Taxi from the railway station to the monastery 180 rubles
The slopes of the mountain are extremely picturesque 
View of the summit from the saddle 
An hour and a half later (for ordinary people 2-2.5 hours) I am at the top of Beshtau.
From here you can see almost all CMS, and in good weather majestic caps of Elbrus
View of Inozemtsevo 
Zheleznovodsk and Minvody. On the right is Mount Zmeyka, you can see it when you fly up from an airplane to Minvody
Pyatigorsk 
The top is always full of people. Even a child can climb here 
city of Lermontov 
Kislovodsk
The whole day was dedicated to him. If you want to relax in the resort silence and you have a whole week, then it is better to live in Kislovodsk. This is a city of quiet bliss, where pensioners and children walk.
Here you can walk around the park all day and not bypass it. 
Kurortny Boulevard
This place is reminiscent of better days Russian Empire who wanted to make her own Baden-Baden. 
At the beginning of the resort boulevard there is the Narzan Gallery, where you can drink unlimited mineral waters for different tastes. 
My favorite place in Kislovodsk it is Kurortny Park. It is huge, a city within a city. 
Stelannaya jet 
grotto 
The pensioners have taken mini-bicycles and ride around the park. Send your parents here!
Unlike abroad, here everything will be native to them and there will be someone to chat with. 
red stones 
Askar and I leisure. We rest, only climbing the next hill. 
Air Temple
Near the funicular in the park there is an open library. Anyone can take a book from here, read it and bring it back. 
And of course, my favorite childhood books are waiting for me here. 
