Nalchik is the capital city of Kabardino-Balkaria, a republic located in the very south of the Russian Federation.
During Soviet times, Nalchik developed into a spa town, with sanatoriums, artificial lakes and parks. The main avenue, Lenin Prospekt, is wide, friendly and boarded with bleached white buildings of 5-6 floors. Nalchik has largely escaped, possibly due to its touristic vocation, the Brezhnev era grey concrete buildings that are common in other Russian cities. As of the 2010 census, the population was 240,203 people, of which 42% were Kabardians (Adiga - Muslims), 28% were Russians, 15% were Balkars (Taulu - a Turkic speaking Muslim population), and the remainder were other ethnic groups. Nalchik is on the banks of the River Nalchik.
Nalchik is easily explored on foot. Minibuses are also available.
The city of Nalchik does not have that much to offer and is mostly used by tourists as a convenient base to explore the region and the North Caucasus. Lenin Prospect is the main street.
Orekhovaya Roscha Square is a verdant area to walk around. Even moreso is the Central Park of Culture and Recreation (Ob'yedineniye Parka Kul'tury I Otdykha) which includes many artificial lakes, Atazhukinsky Garden, an amusement park, and paddle-boat rental. A chair lift is available to the top of a hill to a restaurant with a nice view. Take the gondolas / cabins to the top (2nd station). The snow-cat will take you to the Elbrus base camp at 4200 m. The Bezengi valley and Chegem valley are a 1 hour drive from Nalchik.
Shashlik (grilled brochette of meat) is commonly found at most cafes. Bereg, Lermontova 1, ☏ +7 866 242-25-96. Blackberry, Pushkina 101, ☏ +7 866 277-00-33. Imedi, Inessy Armand 24, ☏ +7 928 721-93-93. Oasis, Kuliyeva 2, ☏ +7 938 077-77-00. Redberry, Baisultanova 1, ☏ +7 866 240-42-22. Ridada, 2-y Tamanskoy Divizii 7, ☏ +7 866 244-50-12. Tameris, Kuliyeva 3, ☏ +7 866 240-17-21. Kafe-Bar, pr. Kuliyeva 2A, ☏ +7 938 077-77-00. some main courses and heavy on desserts
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
In Jul, Nalchik typically sees ~32°C daytime highs and 7 rainy days.
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