Southern coast of Crimea: features of recreation

The southern coast is a real pearl of the Crimean peninsula. It is often called simply and briefly - the South Coast. This heavenly place, along with the French Cote d'Azur, is recognized as the second world resort in the effectiveness of the treatment of various diseases.

The name itself speaks of the geographical position of the southern coast. The not very wide coastal strip of the Black Sea - its width is from two to eight kilometers, stretching 170 kilometers from west to east from Cape Aya to the legendary Karadag, is protected from the northern winds by the main ridge of the Crimean Mountains.

From the southernmost point - Cape Sarych, only 142 nautical miles to Turkey. In Soviet times, it was a protected area, which made it possible to preserve rare species of plants and animals here. And now this coastline covered with huge boulders remains wild, there are practically no beaches, the underwater world is very rich and diverse, which attracts tourists-divers here.

The unique location on the southern coast creates a special climate, which generally belongs to the subtropical Mediterranean, but is also subdivided into dry, semi-dry and semi-humid types. This division depends on the altitude and winds. In the narrow sense, the South Coast of the Crimea includes a section of 80 kilometers from Cape Aya to Alushta. The climate here is more humid and mild.

In the section from Alushta to Feodosia, the climate becomes hotter and drier. Strictly speaking, this is already the southeastern coast, where the mountains recede from the sea by 10-12 kilometers. Temperature and humidity are regulated by the Black Sea, which brings coolness in summer and warm in winter.

Winter on the South Coast is mild, but cloudy and rainy. In January, the average temperature very rarely drops below +4, and the daytime - below +7. During the day, it can even rise to + 18-20. This is the time of storms and strong east winds. In spring, the weather is windy and unstable, the average temperature rises to +14 degrees.

The holiday season starts at the beginning of May and lasts until the end of October. This is longer than on the French Cote d'Azur and the Italian coast, which are close in climate. Extreme heat (+ 28-35 degrees) is softened by sea breezes. You can swim from June to October, the water temperature in July-August reaches 26 degrees, remains the same in September, slightly decreases by October, but remains comfortable until the 20th of the month.

The flora of the southern coast is very peculiar. Many species that exist here are endemic, that is, they live only in this natural zone, and even no less species were imported from other countries. The Mediterranean climate, landscape features, economic and cultural activities of man - the combination of all these factors led to the uniqueness and uniqueness of the South Coast flora.

Parks, gardens, vineyards here merge with the evergreen wild thickets. In the famous parks of Livadia, Gurzuf, Massandra, Alupka, Nikitsky Botanical Garden, imported exotic plants have been growing for more than 200 years, and relics and endemics are carefully protected in the reserves located here. Precious beeches and oaks, living from 250 to 1000 years, can now be found throughout the coast. This is largely the merit of biologists, since whole groves were mercilessly cut down earlier.

Small-fruited strawberry is included in the Red Book. This evergreen tree with edible strawberry-like fruits can grow to a height of 6 meters and has an intricate twisting trunk and branches. In Crimea, it is found only on the southern coast and belongs to the endemic species. Evergreen coniferous cypress is prized for its unique medicinal properties. The bactericidal properties of its essential oils help to suppress many disease-causing bacteria. Even in ancient times, figs were brought to the South Coast of Crimea, the fruits of which are very useful for the body.

It is simply impossible to list and describe the richest plant collection, it has more than 1.5 thousand species. It remains only to be amazed at the beauty and fertility of this amazing land. But the fauna of the southern coast can hardly be called very rich. These are hares, squirrels, foxes, hedgehogs, martens, badgers, rodents and bats adapted to the Mediterranean climate.

In winter, the bird kingdom also increases. In spring, migratory birds fly away and cormorants, gulls, white-bellied swifts, city swallows, hooded crows, wild pigeons, kestrels remain on the coast.

Reptiles are represented here by a multitude of lizards, among which there are the endemic Crimean gecko and the relict legless yellow lizard. The leopard snake is listed in the Red Book. This beautiful snake is almost destroyed and is extremely rare.

The southern coast of Crimea is distinguished by a well-developed infrastructure. All cities and towns have their own special atmosphere and are ready to receive tourists at any time of the year, therefore, going on vacation, it remains only to decide on individual preferences. The pearl of the Crimea and its resort capital is the beauty of Yalta.This city is also called Russian Nice. The temperate Mediterranean climate allows not only great relaxation, but also ideal for the treatment of many diseases.

Administratively, Big Yalta is distinguished - this is the territory from Foros to Krasnokamenka, which includes many villages, several cities and the port city itself - Yalta. The city is located on three hills in the valley of the mountain rivers Uchan-Su and Derekoyki, surrounded by a semi-ring of mountains. On the territory of Big Yalta, on the basis of a natural forest, beautiful parks have been created. The Yalta reserve is considered a state property.

All these natural features create a special microclimate in the city and attract many people who want to improve their health. Back in 1886, Professor S.P.Botkin discovered the special healing properties of the Yalta air, filled with sea salts and phytoncides. Palaces were built here for the royal family, mansions were erected by aristocrats, wealthy industrialists and merchants, representatives of the creative intelligentsia aspired here.

Only 37 kilometers from Yalta is the second largest resort town of the South Coast - Alushta. Big Alushta, stretching for almost 40 kilometers along the coast, besides the city itself, includes 26 more settlements. Alushta is considered the cleanest and greenest city on the coast.

Gurzuf - an old town, the special charm of which is given by narrow streets, beautiful embankments and numerous staircases. The large city beach allows all vacationers to freely accommodate. Gurzuf is famous for its unique climate; it is no coincidence that the famous children's camp "Artek" is located here. The names of the famous natural formations - Cape Suuk-Su, Mount Ayu-Dag, the rocks of Adalary, are familiar to many from childhood.

Livadia Is a small urban-type settlement, which is part of Big Yalta and has a rich history. Since the III millennium BC, its surroundings were already densely populated. It was here in the middle of the 19th century that the residence of the royal family was located. The Livadia Palace, which preserves the furnishings and interiors of the Tsar's time, the palace park complex with valuable species of plants, with many sculptures by Italian masters and beautiful fountains attract many excursions here.

Massandra - one of the suburbs of Yalta, the center of winemaking. Massandra's wine collection is one of the largest in the world and contains a million bottles. The oldest brand of wine is Jerez de la Frontera, dated from the harvest of 1775. Local sanatoriums even offer an unusual course of wine treatment. This settlement is surrounded by three protected areas at once: "Cape Martyan", Yalta and Crimean nature reserves.

Miskhor - a resting place for creative intelligentsia. Gorky, Mayakovsky, Chaliapin lived and worked here. The "Swallow's Nest", which has become a symbol of Crimea, is located right here, on Cape Ai-Todor. And to the top of Ai-Petri, you can make an unforgettable ascent by cable car, entered in the Guinness Book of Records.

Laspi Bay. Catherine II called this place a fabulous mirage from "A Thousand and One Nights". The relict juniper grove, in combination with the mountain air, creates an unusually healing microclimate here. In addition, the coast here is rich in mineralized clay, which gave the name to the bay itself. Its origin is associated with the existence of a large number of geothermal springs here in the past. After the springs dried up, the water here became so transparent that it was recognized as the cleanest on the entire coast, and the bay became a favorite place for diving enthusiasts.

Foros - one of the most ancient settlements of the South Coast, it is here that the Government dacha is located. A fairly large village is considered the most expensive on the coast, although it is located quite far from the rest of the resort areas.

EU Blue Flag - this distinction is awarded to the best beaches that meet international standards... The beaches of the southern coast of Crimea have proven that they deserve to establish it on their territory. Almost all beaches are pebbly, equipped with everything you need: there are changing rooms, showers, bathrooms, sun loungers, umbrellas. But with small children you have to worry about safety - the bottom drops sharply in many places. Admission to almost all beaches is free, you only have to pay for amenities. There are also paid elite beaches, mostly they belong to hotels or sanatoriums.

The golden Yalta beach is covered with legends. Usually sand is called "golden", but here, as elsewhere - pebbles. But compared to other beaches, it is shallower and lighter. There were times when pebbles from this beach were worth their weight in gold and were exported as a building material, being a real "gold mine" for the owners. In addition, unique healing properties are still attributed to it.

Golden Beach is an amazing place... It is located on the territory of a beautiful park, surrounded by mountains on three sides, and the water in the sea is famous for its transparency. The bottom is flat, so it is preferred by families with children. The left side of the beach belongs to the Kurpaty sanatorium, while the right side is absolutely free. The legendary staircase, built over 50 years ago, leads to the territory. There are about 8 kilometers from the city to this coastal strip, so there are a little fewer tourists than on the city beach, but a comfortable rest is guaranteed here.

Massandra beach is the proud owner of the European blue flag. This is one of the most comfortable and lively beaches on the coast. The comfortable territory is divided into several zones, three of which have the "VIP" status. The entrance is mostly paid, the prices in each zone are different.

No one will be bored here, there is a lot of entertainment: from fun with animators, sports to relaxing and wellness massage. You can rent water equipment, frolic on the rides, have a bite to eat in a restaurant, watch a concert in the evening or go out on the dance floor.

Another blue flag flies over the beach of the famous hotel "Yalta-Intourist". This is a world-class beach, appropriately equipped and providing tourists with a lot of interesting entertainment. There is also a fitness center, a massage parlor, a children's water park, and attractions. The use of the beach for hotel guests is free, for guests it is paid. A high level of service also implies appropriate prices.

Beach in Livadia considered one of the cleanest and most beautiful, it is distinguished by medium-sized and very smooth pebbles, on which you can walk even barefoot. The descent to the sea is quite steep, but there are lifts. The beach area is small, but it has everything you need: changing cabins, showers, a cafe, a rental point.

This beach will be preferred by lovers of peace and solitude. There are no animators and a large influx of tourists.

The list of natural and man-made sights of the South Coast is very extensive. It is almost impossible to refrain from excursions and devote time only to beach vacations. What can you admire here?

• Landscape Park "Paradise", also known as "Aivazovskoe" - a magnificent monument of park art. Located at the foot of Mount Ayu-Dag in the village of Partenit. The park complex is remarkable for its original modern design developments, which are based on the history of Crimea, its legends and myths, as well as the achievements of gardeners from other countries. This is a whole open-air landscape museum.

• The "eternally gurgling" waterfall Dzhur-Dzhur on the Ulu-Uzen river is the deepest. Its height is 15 meters, and the water temperature does not exceed 7 degrees. It is forbidden to swim in the waterfall, but tourists still try to do it, since, according to legend, its waters relieve all sins and diseases.

• Not so full-flowing, but very beautiful Jurla waterfall - one of the famous Crimean waterfalls. You can see the mesmerizing water cascade only in spring, when the snow melts in the mountains.

• Crimea symbol - a unique architectural monument "Swallow's Nest" in the village of Gaspra. The castle soaring in the sky invariably causes surprise and admiration, and from its observation deck a magnificent view of the mountains, the sea and Big Yalta opens up.

• Livadia Palace and Park - a historical monument, where you can get acquainted with the life of three generations of the royal family, visit museums dedicated to other events that took place here, walk along the Tsar's path and admire one of the best parks in Crimea.

• Foros Church and Foros Park are located not far from the southernmost point of Crimea - Cape Sarych. The Church of the Ascension of Christ is another “flying” monument of the Crimea. This building of the late 19th century was built in the Byzantine tradition and is dedicated to the salvation of the imperial family. Foros Park is famous for its unique collection of rare plants collected literally from all over the world.

• Vorontsovsky, Yusupovsky, Massandrovsky palaces and adjacent parks - the most famous sights of the southern coast, which are impossible not to visit.

• Crimean rivers cannot be called deep and full-flowing, many of them often dry up in the summer heat. The largest rivers are largely man-made, since without human intervention it would have been impossible to provide the regions with fresh water.

The southern coast of Crimea is a tourist paradise with something to do at any time of the year. In the spring, this is an amazing journey through blooming parks and gardens. Amazingly beautiful plants, clean air, interesting excursions and walks along the famous Tsar's path, charming architecture of resort towns - all this splendor will not leave indifferent fans of outdoor activities.

In summer, beach holidays come first. Water attractions and water parks will help to diversify it. You can rent any equipment for water entertainment and sports games. On large beaches, you can use the services of animators. Sanatoriums, boarding houses, hotels, villas, private housing stock are never empty on the South Coast. Noisy youth companies, families with children, and lovers of interesting and informative excursions can perfectly relax here.

For information on where to stay on the southern coast of Crimea, see the next video.