Gaspra in Crimea: how did this village appear and how is it remarkable for tourists?

Gaspra is the name of a small resort village, comfortably located not far from Yalta. These are small quiet streets, gentle sea and high mountains. A lot of tourists fall in love with the village from the first day they get to know it. An asteroid is even named after this Crimean recreation area.

The cleanest sea on the entire Crimean coast, healing air with the scent of pine needles, all kinds of entertainment, modern sanatoriums with a high level of medical care and new equipment, ancient palaces and a long cable car - all this is Gaspra. And these are just a few reasons to want to visit there. The urban-type settlement Gaspra is located 11 km from Yalta, and it is separated from Alupka by a distance of 8 km. A detailed map of Crimea will help to find the way to Gaspra for all tourists wishing to visit the resort village. 12,245 thousand people live on the territory of the village with a length of about 3 km.

Before the urban-type settlement Gaspra became a favorite place for holidaymakers, it was the territory of the settlement of the Greeks. All this happened before our era, but in the sources about it, as a village, was first mentioned only in the 18th century.

Yalta Gaspra became part of the city by the middle of the 18th century. The village began to develop actively after the war. This was facilitated by the families of workers specially brought to Gaspra. For them, two now inactive factories were built there.Those villagers who were not involved in collective farm work participated in the development of Gaspra as a resort area: they built boarding houses, roads, children's health resorts, and ennobled park areas. Gradually, the village became famous in the Crimea as one of the most popular places for rest and recovery of the body.

Gaspra is rightfully considered a healing place. This property has endowed the village with nature itself, creating a cocktail of the gentle sun, fresh air, gentle sea, high mountains and lush green vegetation. From the northern winds, the village is like a wall blocked by the massive Ai-Petri, and from the east it is carefully blocked by the Cape Ai-Todor. Clear sunny days here happen much more often than cloudy and rainy ones. The mild climate is due to an average temperature of +25 in the hottest summer month - July. At noon, it can rise to +28, but it is practically not felt, thanks to the mountains and the sea. In Gaspra, the swimming season begins in May and ends towards the end of October. In July, the sea temperature rises to +26, and is kept within this indicator for the entire holiday season.

Gaspra is fragrant with roses, buried in greenery and vineyards. There are many plants and trees that are characteristic of the Crimean nature. The overwhelming majority are chestnuts and cypresses. The air here is saturated with phytoncides and aeroions, and is able not only to heal, but also to alleviate the condition in case of bronchopulmonary diseases, it is indicated for remission to asthmatics. The mountains and the sea purify it like the best natural filters.

Gaspra isn't just about relaxing on the beach. This is one of the few places where you can really have time to visit all the main Crimean "pearls" and get to know Crimea from different sides. Excursions are carried out here often and thoroughly, inviting tourists to get acquainted with the history of the village and the peninsula closer.

Consider a few must-see local attractions.

The pride of the Crimea, located on the territory of the urban-type settlement Gaspra. A tour of the museum inside the palace is presented with a very interesting program, in which creative changes are constantly being made.

A historically valuable building that attracts tourists by visiting Leo Tolstoy's room, in which the writer once lived for a year (from 1901 to 1902). Today, the Yasnaya Polyana sanatorium is located in the palace itself.

A fascinating exhibition of items from the everyday life of sailors is open within its solid walls.

Lies near the estate of Panina. As the story goes, Nicholas II liked to stroll there in the evenings. With the tsar's permission, the writer Leo Tolstoy, who lived in Gaspra, was once granted the right to step on the path.

A visit to this attraction is a good sign. It is believed that the age of the legendary tree is about a thousand years, and whoever touches it and makes a wish will certainly realize it in reality.

Of course, he should also take the time to walk along the paths, admiring the unique plants represented by various coniferous and evergreen cultures. The park was laid for a long time, and there are even representatives of the flora about five hundred years old.

Fortress Charax - the walls behind which the Roman military hospital was once located. Remnants of Gaspra's past have survived to modern days. In addition, you can see estate "Kharaks", standing on the territory of the current sanatorium "Dnepr", and to inspect the unique Harara Park on the slope of Cape Ai-Todor at an altitude of 60 meters above the sea. The park contains a unique collection of over two hundred plant species.

In Gaspra, as in fact on the entire coast of the South Coast, there is a rocky coast, and the road leading to the beach is a series of descending terraces. Therefore, you need to be prepared for the fact that the path to the sea and back will be energy-intensive. From the beach to the place of residence and back - minus a couple of kilos for the rest. But it can be considered healthy physical activity and another bonus to spa recovery.

The coastline of Gaspra is divided into separate small pebble beaches. The promenade is well-groomed and clean. The entrance to the public village beach is completely free. There are also closed beaches belonging to mini-hotels and sanatoriums. Some of them can be accessed without hindrance, but there are some that charge a fee to enter. Or they do not let outsiders go there at all, strictly controlling the presence of a pass in the form of a spa book or a special bracelet on the arm.

The beaches in Gaspra are quite comfortable, equipped with clean showers, awnings and sun loungers. No special bathing shoes are required. There are no sharp stones in the water or on the shore. The pebbles are pleasant to the touch, and even little ones run on them barefoot. Among the free beaches are the municipal and the territory of the sanatorium "Marat". There is the largest number of tourists here, so the beach areas are not very clean, but absolutely acceptable for recreation. The sanatorium beach has a very convenient descent into the sea, so families with children often have a rest there.

The central beach is also always full of people who want to sunbathe and swim for free. For money, here you can rent sun loungers, jet skis and various attributes for active pastime. The paid category includes the beach of the Parus sanatorium. There is a fee to enter its territory. The price already includes an elevator ride and everything that makes your stay at the beach comfortable: sun loungers, umbrellas, changing rooms, a toilet, a cool shower.

The beach of the sanatorium of the same name "Dnepr" also belongs to the paid areas for outsiders. From the building of the holiday home itself to the seaside one can take lifts on the cliff. But you can also go down on foot, along the path. On closed beaches, only vacationers from certain health resorts sunbathe and swim. For example, these are the beach areas of the Zhemchuzhina or Generalsky sanatorium. They are located directly behind the Swallow's Nest, and no outsiders are allowed to enter.

In general, there are enough beaches in Gaspra for every taste: large and small pebbled, sandy. The inhabitants of Gaspra are proud of their beautifully equipped beaches and clear sea water. The village is a great place for children to swim safely. Enterprising villagers showed creativity and created guest cards that allow vacationers to visit many paid beaches at an impressive discount.

There are many places for living in Gaspra of different levels of service and price category. These are private hotels, guest houses, and large sanatoriums with treatment programs and a full range of services. The most affordable option is to rent a room in the private sector. In this case, the price is highly dependent on the location of the house. Local residents divide the urban settlement into the territory: Upper, Middle and Lower Gaspra. In Nizhnaya Gaspra, prices are an order of magnitude higher for everything, including food and souvenirs. In the upper part of Gaspra, the rest is more democratic in cost, due to the remoteness from the sea.

There are many sanatoriums in the village. Guests of Gaspra can stay at "Parus", "Pearl", "Dnepr", "Dyulbere", "Yasnaya Polyana", "Pine Grove", "Marat", etc. Most of the listed health resorts are open to the public all year round. There are many elderly people among vacationers in Gaspra's sanatoriums. Renovated after reconstruction former Soviet sanatorium "Kurpaty" opened its doors to everyone who needs a rest with treatment.It houses a modern medical center offering a wide range of services.

In "Kurpaty" you can improve your health by taking sea, carbonic, radon or pine baths, and even get a full course of grape therapy. Many active sanatoriums are former estates of Russian princes and aristocrats. In such an atmosphere you feel like a special high rank, resting like a king! Nerves and body will be strengthened thanks to the procedures and efforts of nature itself.

In general, renting housing in the village is not at all expensive. For example, for a one-room apartment with all the necessary amenities, they ask for 500-800 rubles from a vacationer. A whole house with a parking in the yard, free barbecue and the opportunity to take a steam bath will cost from 1200 rubles per day of stay.

Despite the fact that Gaspra is a popular village, and it is located close to Yalta, there are few large hotels here. Since Soviet times, the main emphasis has been placed on sanatorium and resort recreation. But vacationers can stay in mini-hotels, which run the tourist business at a decent level.

This is a private hotel on 56 Alupkinskoye Highway. It attracts guests with spacious rooms with picturesque views from panoramic windows. Located 200-300 meters from the sea. Price per room - from 3,900 rubles.

Comfortable and cozy rooms with a view of the Swallow's Nest. You will have to go down to the sea, but the conditions of staying at the hotel are worth it. Price per room - from 4 thousand rubles.

Small private hotel. An excellent option, just 5 minutes from a cozy and comfortable beach. Located in a green well-groomed park. Provides spacious modern rooms for a comfortable stay. The price of the room is 3,800 rubles.

It attracts with its unusual name and location near the Swallow's Nest. Superior rooms, free and uninterrupted Wi-Fi, all the necessary equipment. Free parking and barbecue facilities are available on site. Go down to the sea for about 20 minutes. The price per day is affordable - from 2,900 rubles.

Gaspra is the "face" of the real Crimea, which falls in love with supporters of sedate rest with their families, lovers of new sensations, ardent extremists and sophisticated intellectuals who study historical and memorable places and outstanding architecture. The small territory of the village does not contain many attractions and entertainment establishments. But the close proximity to Yalta will not let even the most biased and capricious tourist get bored.

There are also many activities for children in Yalta for fun and memorable leisure. A zoo with a variety of fauna, a dolphinarium with an unusually bright program. There are also many attractions that will take your breath away not only for children, but also for adults!

Those looking for thrills can devote time to rock climbing or jump from the high mountain slope of Ai-Petri. Of course, under the strict guidance of an instructor and in the strong "embrace" of reliable insurance. The dizzying extreme will be remembered for a long time and will turn your head, filling your lungs with fresh Crimean air and a feeling of freedom.

Walks on a boat, yacht or catamaran will appeal to those who love sea travel. And the choice of souvenirs will allow you to bring something unusual from the resort as a souvenir for everyone who stayed at home. For those wishing to sing and dance, karaoke establishments and clubs are available in Gaspra itself and in Yalta. Of course, this village is definitely worth a visit, because Gaspra is unique and multifaceted. Vacationers of any age and status are warmly welcomed here.

Tourists remember their vacation in Gaspra warmly and with pleasure. Those who have been here once will certainly want to repeat the successful experience in the new summer season. Many visitors like Gaspra in May, when the water is already warm enough, the weather pleases with sunny days, and there are still very few people around. Couples with children, retirees and youth companies prefer to visit Gaspra during the May holidays. For all categories of vacationers, there are activities to suit your taste, material capabilities and state of mind!

In the village at the height of the season, prices for housing, food and souvenirs are not too high. This is noted in their reviews by most of those who visited Gaspra in the summer.

In the next video, you will find a short overview of the Crimean village of Gaspra.