Mineralnye Vody

Good to know

1. 1The town grew up around a railway station on the line to the Caucasus, which opened in the 1870s, and it is named after the mineral springs of the surrounding region.
2. 2Nearby Pyatigorsk, Kislovodsk, Yessentuki and Zheleznovodsk have been spa resorts for around two centuries. People still come to drink the spring water and to walk in the long park promenades.
3. 3The poet Mikhail Lermontov lived in Pyatigorsk and was killed there in a duel in 1841. His memory is tied to the town, and the region features in his novel A Hero of Our Time.
4. 4Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in Europe at 5,642 metres, lies a few hours' drive to the south-west, and the road to it passes through the foothills of the Caucasus.
5. 5The food here is a mix of Russian and Caucasian cooking: grilled meat on skewers, dumplings, flatbreads filled with cheese or herbs, and plenty of fresh herbs, cheese and tea.
6. 6The language is Russian, written in Cyrillic, and the currency is the rouble. Many people in the region also speak the languages of the nearby Caucasian republics.

Tips for a first visit

• Treat Mineralnye Vody as a gateway and plan to sleep in Pyatigorsk or Kislovodsk, where the parks, old buildings and spa houses are.
• Learn to read the Cyrillic alphabet before you go, as street signs and menus are often only in Russian and it makes getting around much easier.
• Try the mineral water at the spa drinking galleries, but start with small amounts, because it is strongly mineralised and not meant to be drunk like ordinary water.
• If you walk or climb in the hills, bring layers and sturdy shoes, because the weather can change fast as you gain height.
• If you are invited into someone's home, take off your shoes at the door and bring a small gift such as sweets or cake. Hospitality is a big part of local life.
• Carry a little cash for small cafés, markets and taxis, and keep your hotel's address written in Russian.

When to go

Late spring and early autumn are the most comfortable times, with mild days, green parks and good walking weather. Summer is warm and the best time for the high mountains, though the lowlands can get hot. Winters are cold and often snowy, which suits skiing near Elbrus but makes the spa towns quiet.

From the airport

The airport is on the edge of Mineralnye Vody, and the town itself is only a short drive away. Most visitors go on by taxi, pre-booked transfer or minibus. Pyatigorsk is roughly half an hour away by road and Kislovodsk about an hour. Regional trains and buses also link the town with the other spa towns, and the Elbrus area is a drive of several hours.