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 "mud", the water here is distinguished by its extraordinary purity and transparency. Read everything about how to get there, where to stay and what to see in this article.

Laspi Bay is located almost in the southernmost point of the Crimea. The legendary city of Sevastopol and sunny Yalta are located almost at the same distance from it. A road from Simferopol leads to the bay, and nearby there 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 kilometers.

The first settlements were built here by the ancient Greeks. In the Middle Ages, this place was densely populated, but now the opposite is true. The main reason for this is mudflows, but the number of population began to decline significantly after a strong earthquake in 1790. Since then, the amount of fresh water in Laspi began to decrease, which was the reason for the massive departure of local residents.

During various interstate conflicts, warships were stationed here, so there are still military camps here. In general, this picturesque area has always been a haven for anglers. Laspi's history as a resort and recreation site began at the beginning of the 19th century - it was then that there were first attempts to pave a 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 (in winter and autumn), mudflows occur in them due to large flows of water. Thus, the overflowing streams of mud in the cold season are the reason for such an unusual name - "Laspi", which is translated from Greek as "mud".

Nevertheless, this area has 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 summer and make being there a pleasant experience. Summer air temperature is +25 degrees, and in winter this mark drops to +5 degrees on average.

In general, the local climate is subtropical. The main plant fauna is pine and juniper. A visit to the bay during the flowering period is recommended. Wild orchids are a special feature of the pass. The Pontic butcher is also appreciated here. The special coastal air, together with the scent of pine trees, makes this climate beneficial for people with respiratory problems. The waters of the bay are inhabited by mussels.

Most of the beaches in this area are rocky, but with rare exceptions there are also sandy ones. The average water temperature in summer is +27 degrees. The water stays warm even in winter. The optimal period for swimming is the warm half of the year - from mid-May to early October. The entire territory of the beaches on the bay is distributed between hotels, so you won't be able to enter there just like that.

However, one beach still has free entrance - this is "Dolphin". Here you can find everything that is on other beaches - sun loungers, umbrellas, showers, snack vendors and just a good atmosphere.

Another beach is located not far from the Tavrida tourist center. Previously, the entrance 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 vacation, nudist beaches are suitable. They, as a rule, in Laspinskaya Bay are small and located much further than usual beaches.

One of the striking attractions is Temple of the Sun... It is located on the Ilyas-Kai mountain. These are 7 stones laid out in a circle. It still remains unclear whether this is the creation of human hands or nature. Traditionally, this place is considered to be auspicious, and the rays of the sun are beneficial there. Also the place is called Crimean Stonehenge. An observation deck was built on the bay, named after Garin-Mikhailovsky, from where a gorgeous view of the entire bay opens.

At a distance of 700 meters from the bay, there is the highest point of the Sevastopol-Yalta route - the Laspinsky Pass. Since 2003, a chapel of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has been installed on the Laspinsky Pass. Near Cape Sayrich, there are so-called "stone gardens", which are a favorite place for diving for visitors. The 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 hike in the mountains, there is an opportunity to take a walk up to the hill of Cape Aya. The rocks located in the Batiliman tract are also impressive with their views. There is also a small forest there. The number of pine trees in it is about 200. The tract, in turn, is the peak of the entire Laspinskaya bay. Its name is translated from Greek as "blue bay". The main peak of the tract is a mountain called Kush-Kaya.

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

Other recreational activities include scenic cycling, horseback riding along the embankment paths, jeep riding in the local mountains, guided hang gliding, hot air ballooning and a visit to the dolphinarium. The latter is especially good for children.

You can get to Laspi by road from the cities of Yalta and Sevastopol. The bus stop between the cities has the same name "Laspi". The way from both Sevastopol and Yalta will take about an hour by car. Taxi prices will be more expensive. By the way, by paying this amount, you can save time without the risk of getting confused and will get there in comfortable conditions. A map or navigators are a must in this area, since after arriving at the stop, you will need to walk a couple of kilometers on foot to the bay itself.

For those who prefer a more budgetary option, you need to take a bus to Yalta from the Kurortnaya stop in Sevastopol. The stop, as mentioned above, is called Laspi. From it the way to the bay itself is 4 km, which must be walked. And in fact, and in another case, you will need to walk. Therefore, be aware of the fact that hiking with a heavy load in hot weather can become difficult before your trip.

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

The Crimean peninsula has a fairly developed transport system, which makes living there comfortable. The same goes for housing. Here you can find apartments for every taste. However, the most famous hotels in Laspi are hotel "Dream Bay" and boarding house "Izumrud". Dream Cove consists of 11 interconnected white multi-storey buildings. Here you can find a car park, many different pools, sports equipment (for example, scuba gear), a billiard room and much more.

Pension "Izumrud" is more suitable for families with children. It is equipped with various rooms (from economy to suites), children's playgrounds, a restaurant with live music. Just a few dozen meters from the boarding house there are several beaches at once. For everyone, except for hotel guests, the amount of entry to these beaches is paid. It is noteworthy that there is no private sector on Laspi. All accommodation in the resort is equipped with Internet access. Medical assistance centers are also available, you can use ATM machines.

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

Separately, it is worth noting the presence of a number of children's camps here, where you can afford to send your children for the summer. One of the most famous children's camps, known since Soviet times - "Gull". It was visited by almost all adults living now in Sevastopol. The Batiliman tourist center, located nearby, has the same good reputation.

Unfortunately, the problem of garbage collection throughout the entire bay is still relevant. Often in places of "wild" rest you can come across randomly and massively scattered waste. In addition, on weekends and holidays, car parks can be overcrowded with vehicles. However, rest in the Crimean Laspi is an excellent solution for families with children.

For an overview of attractions in Laspi, see the video below.