Nalchik, Capital city in Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia.
This city in the North Caucasus sits at the foot of a semicircular mountain range about 500 meters above sea level. Wide streets run through residential districts with Soviet-era architecture that cluster around a central area of administrative buildings and green spaces.
The Russian Empire built a fortified outpost here in 1818 as part of frontier defense in the Caucasus region. In the early 1920s the settlement became the capital of an autonomous region within the newly formed Soviet Union.
The city takes its name from the Kabardian word for horseshoe, referring to the shape of the surrounding mountain range. Residents gather in the many parks where fountains and tree-lined paths create meeting places for walks and conversation.
Temperatures in winter hover around or just below freezing, while summer brings readings around 20 degrees Celsius (68 Fahrenheit). Many health facilities spread across the city use mineral springs for different types of therapy.
A few plants in the city process rare metals such as molybdenum and tungsten, which are mainly used in technical applications. This production dates back to Soviet industrial projects that found access to natural resources here.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
Blue Lakes
29 km
Shkhara
67.6 km
Chegem Waterfalls
33 km
Lake Tambukan
65 km
Dykhtau
62 km
Alaniya National Park
65.6 km
Pushkin
61.9 km
Kabardino-Balkarski Nature Reserve
59.6 km
Baksan hydroelectric power station
26.1 km
Janga
68.8 km
Bezengi alpine camp
56.2 km
Bezengi Glacier
63.5 km
Nalchik Mosque
588 m
Aylama
68.5 km
Gistola
68.1 km
Shota Rustaveli Peak
69 km
Gora Zolotoy Kurgan
65.5 km
Victims of Deportation Memorial
5.6 km
Shkhara Glacier
69.5 km
Lalveri
66.9 km
St. Nicholas Cathedral
43.8 km
Chrdiloeti Tsaneri Glacier
66.1 km
Zhabo-Kala
36.6 km
Koshtan-Tau
58.3 km
Château Erken
20.4 km
Tatartup
51 km
Бассейн
3.9 km
State Musical Theatre
868 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes