Major city · Russia
Derbent
Spend one day in Derbent: citadel, museum, beach; arrive by train from Makhachkala (≈3 h) or bus, no airport.
Derbent is Russia's southernmost city, a UNESCO World Heritage site with a massive citadel, historic museums and a Caspian beach. Its compact centre fits a half‑day walk, so one full day is enough for the main sights.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- RUB
- Best months
- May–September
- avoid December–February (cold, limited services)
- Airport
- MCX
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…Reach this subregion only from the EU side — Romania for …Check your own government travel advice for Russia before…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Eastern Europe ↗Reach this subregion only from the EU side — Romania for Moldova — through crossings run by recognised authorities; no route through Ukraine, Belarus or Russia is planned here.
- Eastern Europe ↗Re-read your government's advice for Moldova (it covers Transnistria) in the week you travel; the situation next door changes fast.
- Eastern Europe ↗Carry euros in cash for Transnistria and village Moldova; cards stop working at the Dniester.
- Russia ↗Check your own government travel advice for Russia before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- Russia ↗Direct flights from much of Europe and North America are suspended; no independent tourist route is documented here.
- Russia ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to Russia before you rely on it.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Derbent112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Derbent, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Foreign-issued cards, ATMs and most transfers do not work: see Insurance & payments above.Russia-wide
- SafetyDerbent is in a region with occasional security alerts; stay in well‑known areas, avoid night travel near borders, and keep updated on advisories.
- Emergency numbers112 police · 112 Medical (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMCX Uytash Airport (Makhachkala) (No airport in Derbent; fly to Makhachkala, then bus or train (≈3 h).).
- Getting aroundWalk the historic centre (most sights within 2 km (1.2 mi)).Walk the historic centre (most sights within 1.2 mi (2 km)).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee₽150–250
- Street or quick mealKebab or shashlik₽200–400
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))₽400–600
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry₽300–500
- Budget bedBudget hostel/guesthouse, a night, per personRUB 800
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel double, a night, per roomRUB 3,500
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel double, a night, per roomRUB 5,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget RUB 1,500 · Mid RUB 2,500 · High RUB 4,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MCX Uytash Airport (Makhachkala) (No airport in Derbent; fly to Makhachkala, then bus or train (≈3 h).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Feb
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Mar
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Apr
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
not flagged
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Dec
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C) low), wettest Apr (9 rain days), driest Jul (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Derbent: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
7 rd
Feb
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
6 rd
Mar
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
8 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
4 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Nov
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
9 rd
Dec
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk the historic centre (most sights within 2 km). Local minibuses (marshrutkas) run from the north and south bus stations; taxis are available but negotiate fare.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Makhachkala
goDoor to door: ≈3 h
Train from Derbent station, about 3 h; 2nd class sleeper optional
Main rail link to the regional capital; check schedule at Derbent station.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
City centre hotels
Within walking distance of citadel and beach; options from budget guesthouses to mid‑range hotels.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₽1,500–2,500 excl. bed
- Mid
- ₽2,500–4,000 excl. bed
- High
- ₽4,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range hotel double1 × 1 night × RUB 3,500 | RUB 3,500 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × RUB 2,500 | RUB 2,500 |
| Train Makhachkala → Derbent (2nd class)1 × RUB 800 · check | RUB 800 |
| eSIM data (1 week)1 × RUB 3,000 · check | RUB 3,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | RUB 980 |
| Trip total≈ RUB 10,780 per person per day, bed included | RUB 10,780 |
2026 estimate in rubles; flights and visas excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | ₽150–250 |
| Kebab or shashlik | ₽200–400 |
| Taxi (5 km) | ₽400–600 |
| Museum entry | ₽300–500 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Regional security situation can be volatile; check travel advisories before visiting.
- Train schedules may change; verify times at Makhachkala station.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Medical
- 112
Pocket card
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DerbentDerbent
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
К этому адресу, пожалуйстаTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
- Medical112
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Makhachkala → Derbent train (2nd class): ≈ ₽800, 3 h (check)
- Taxi within Derbent (5 km): ≈ ₽500–600
Say or show
- Извините — Excuse me / Sorry (izvinite)
- Спасибо — Thank you (spasibo)
- Сколько стоит? — How much is it? (skolko stoit?)
- Где туалет? — Where is the bathroom? (gde tualet?)
Check local security advisories before travel.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Derbent. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–September · avoid December–February (cold, limited services)
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- officialDerbent official site
- secondaryWikidata Derbent
- secondaryWikivoyage: Derbent, revision 5253446 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Derbent
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