All about Laspi in Crimea

Crimea has always been distinguished by its special nature and magical atmosphere. One of the most beautiful places on the Crimean peninsula is Laspi Bay. Despite the name, which translates as “dirt”, the water here is distinguished by extraordinary purity and transparency. Everything about how to get there, where to stay and what you should see, read in this article.

Laspi Bay is located almost at the southernmost point of the Crimea. Almost at the same distance from it are located the legendary city of Sevastopol and sunny Yalta. The road to the bay from Simferopol leads to the bay, and nearby is a quiet small town - Foros. Two capes - Aya and Sarych form this picturesque bay with a length of almost 12 kilometers and a diameter of 5 km.

The first settlements here were built by the ancient Greeks. In the Middle Ages, this place was densely populated, but now everything is the opposite. The main reason for this are mudflows, but a noticeably sharp decline in the number of the population has gone after the strong earthquake in 1790. Since then, the amount of fresh water in Laspi has declined, which was the reason for the mass departure of local residents.

During various interstate conflicts there were warships here, so military camps still exist here. In general, this scenic area has always been a haven of anglers. Its history as a resort and a place of rest Laspi began from the beginning of the XIX century - it was then that the first attempts were made to pave the road here from Sevastopol.

The name of the bay - "Laspi" is associated with the weather and its consequences in this area. Several gorges “go out” into the bay itself. In the rainy season (winter and autumn), mudflows occur in them due to large streams of water. In this way, Crowded mud flows in the cold season are the reason for such an unusual name - “Laspi”, which translates from Greek as “mud”.

Nevertheless, this area is characterized by a favorable climate due to the absence of winds, as it is surrounded by mountains. The abundance of vegetation in the bay and the sea air absorb some of the heat in the summer and make it pleasant to be there. Summer air temperature is +25 degrees, and in winter this mark drops to an average of +5 degrees.

In general, the local climate is subtropical. The main plant fauna is pines and junipers. A visit to the bay during flowering is recommended. The peculiarity of the pass are wild orchids. Also valued here is the Pontic Iglitsa. The particular coastal air along with the smell of pine trees makes this climate useful for people with respiratory problems. In the waters of the bay mollusks mussels live.

Most of the beaches in this area are rocky, but with rare exceptions there are also sandy ones. The average summer water temperature is +27 degrees. The water remains warm even in winter. The optimal period for swimming is a warm half year - from mid-May to early October. The entire territory of the beaches on the bay is distributed between the hotels, so to enter there just will not work.

However, one beach still has free entry - it is “Dolphin”. Here you can find everything that is on other beaches - deck chairs, umbrellas, showers, snack vendors and just a good atmosphere.

Another beach is not far from the Tavrida camp site. Previously, the entrance there was free, but now it is state property.However, it is still sometimes possible to relax on this beach. For lovers of a very extravagant holiday fit nudist beaches. They, as a rule, in Laspinsky bay are small and are located much further than ordinary beaches.

One of the brightest attractions is Temple of the Sun. It is located on the mountain Ilyas-Kai. These are 7 stones laid out in a circle. It is still unclear whether this is the creation of human hands or nature. Traditionally it is believed that this place is favorable, and the rays of the sun act there beneficially. Also the place is called the Crimean Stonehenge. An observation deck was built on the bay, named after Garin-Mikhailovsky, offering a gorgeous view of the entire bay.

At a distance of 700 meters from the bay is the highest point of the route "Sevastopol-Yalta" - Laspinsky pass. Since 2003, a chapel of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has been erected on the Laspinsky Pass. Near Cape Sayrich there are so-called “stone gardens”, which are a favorite place of visitors for diving. Clear water allows you to see underwater landscapes almost 20 meters deep. But you can enjoy the stunning view already at a depth of 6 meters.

For those who like to go to the mountains, there is an opportunity to take a walk up to the height of Cape Aya. Impressive for its views and rocks, located in the tract Batiliman. There is also a small boron. The number of pines in it is about 200. The tract, in turn, is the peak of the whole Laspina bay. From Greek, its name translates as "Blue Bay". The main peak of the tract is a mountain called Kush-Kaya.

Due to its history dating back centuries Laspina Bay may surprise the remains of various buildings of ancient settlements - these are temples, ordinary houses and even a monastery. A small number of shops is more than replaced by coastal restaurants with a menu rich in various seafood.

Other leisure and entertainment activities include cycling through the scenic area, horseback riding along the embankment trails, riding a jeep into the local mountains, flying with an instructor on a hang glider, traveling in a balloon and visiting a dolphin park. The latter is especially good for children's activities.

You can get to Laspi by the highway from the cities of Yalta and Sevastopol. The stop between cities has the same name “Laspi”. The path from both Sevastopol and Yalta will take about an hour by car. The price for a taxi will be more expensive. By the way, by paying this amount, you can save time without the risk of getting confused and you will reach in comfortable conditions. A map or navigators are a necessity in this area, since after arriving at the stop it will be necessary to walk a couple of kilometers on foot to the very bay.

For those who prefer a more budget option, you need to take a bus to Yalta from the Kurortnaya stop in Sevastopol. The stop, as mentioned above, is called "Laspi". From her way to the bay - 4 km, which must be passed on foot. And in fact, and in another case, you will need to go on foot. Therefore, before the trip you need to take into account the fact that trips with heavy loads in hot weather can become difficult.

Another way to get to Laspi is by boat. You can board the ship in Foros or Balaclava. Sea voyages here have always been distinguished by healing air and beautiful views.

The peninsula of Crimea has a fairly developed transport system, which makes living there comfortable. The same applies to housing. Here you can find apartments for every taste.However, the most famous Laspi hotels are Dream Bay Hotel, and boarding house "Emerald". "Dream Bay" consists of 11 multi-storey buildings connected in white. In it you can find a parking lot, a variety of different pools, sports equipment (for example, scuba diving), a billiard room and much more.

Pension "Emerald" is more suitable for families with children. It is equipped with various rooms (from economy to luxury), children's playgrounds, a restaurant with live music. Only a few dozen meters from the boarding house there are several beaches at once. For all but the hotel guests, the amount of entrance to these beaches is paid. It is noteworthy that Laspi is missing the private sector. All accommodation at the resort is equipped with Internet access. Medical centers are also available, ATMs can be used.

For those who do not like the noise of hotels, camping is the way out. Tent sites, especially in coastal areas, are quite numerous. True, you have to pay a small amount for the night. For this fee you can get an unlimited supply of drinking water and firewood. Good reviews as a tent-type parking lot received a place to sleep in the Batiliman tract called “Pearl”.

Separately, it is worth noting the presence here of a number of children's camps, where it is possible to afford to send children for the summer. One of the most famous children's camps, known since the Soviet times - "Gull". Almost all adults living in Sevastopol visited it. The Batiliman camp site located nearby has the same good reputation.

Unfortunately, the problem of garbage collection in the entire bay is still relevant. Often, in places of “wild” rest, one may come across randomly and massively scattered waste. In addition, on weekends and public holidays, parking lots can be crowded with transport. However, rest in the Crimean Laspi is a great solution for families with children.

See the sights of Laspi in the video below.