Nikitsky Botanical Garden

Nikitsky Botanical Garden is a research center on the Black Sea coast near Nikita in Crimea, housing more than 15,000 plant species from different climate zones. The grounds cover more than 1,000 hectares and divide into several areas with Mediterranean, Caucasian, and Asian flora.

Duke de Richelieu and botanist Christian von Steven founded the garden in 1812 as the first botanical research center in the Russian Empire. The grounds grew over the decades through expeditions to the Mediterranean, Caucasus, and Asia that brought back new species for the collection.

Staff maintain one of the largest rose collections in Europe, with hundreds of varieties from Asia and the Mediterranean blooming between spring and autumn. Visitors can see how different climate zones work together in a single garden during the spring and autumn flower exhibitions each year.

The garden sits about 7 kilometers from Yalta and offers guided tours in several languages that walk through the different climate zones. Bring comfortable shoes, as the paths stretch over several hills and terraces and include some steep sections.

Scientists developed over 400 new plant varieties here, including peaches, almonds, and figs specially adapted to the local climate. Many of these cultivars now grow in orchards and parks all along the coast and support local farming.