All about Laspi in Crimea

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

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

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 was mudflows, but the number of people went into a noticeably sharp decline after the strong earthquake in 1790. Since then, the quantity of fresh water began to decrease in Laspi, which was the reason for the mass departure of local residents.

During various interstate conflicts, warships stood here, so there are still military towns. In general, this picturesque area has always been a haven for fishermen. Laspi began its history as a resort and holiday destination from the beginning of the 19th century - it was then that the first attempts were made to pave the way 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 flows of water. In this way, the overflowing streams of mud 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 lack of winds, as it is surrounded by mountains. The abundance of vegetation in the bay and sea air absorb part 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 pine and juniper. A visit to the bay during flowering is recommended. The feature of the pass is wild orchids. The Pontic needle is also appreciated here. The special coastal air along with the smell of pine trees makes this climate useful for people with respiratory problems. In the waters of the bay live mussels mussels.

Most of the beaches in this area are rocky, but with rare exceptions there are also sandy ones. The average water temperature in the summer is +27 degrees. 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 entering there just will not work.

However, one beach still has free access - it is Dolphin. Here you can find everything that is on other beaches - sun loungers, umbrellas, showers, sellers of snacks and just a good atmosphere.

Another beach is located near the campsite "Tauris". Previously, entry was free, but now it is state property. However, relaxing on this beach is still sometimes possible. For lovers of a very extravagant vacation, nudist beaches are suitable. As a rule, they are small in Laspinsky Bay and are located much further than ordinary beaches.

One of the highlights is Temple of the sun. It is located on Mount Ilyas-Kai. It is laid out in a circle of 7 stones. It remains unclear whether this is a creation of human hands or nature. It is traditionally believed that this place is auspicious, and the rays of the sun act there beneficially. 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 is the highest point of the Sevastopol-Yalta highway - Laspinsky Pass. Since 2003, a chapel of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has been established at Laspinsky Pass. Near Cape Sayrich are the so-called "stone gardens", which are a favorite place for visitors to dive. Transparent water allows you to see underwater landscapes almost 20 meters deep. But you can enjoy the stunning views already at a depth of 6 meters.

For those who like to go to the mountains, there is the opportunity to take a walk to the hill of Cape Aya. The rocks located in the Batiliman tract impress with their views. There is also a small forest. The number of pines in it is about 200. The tract, in turn, is the peak of the entire Laspinsky bay. From Greek, its name translates as “blue bay”. The main peak of the tract is a mountain called Kush-Kaya.

Thanks to its history dating back centuries Laspinsky bay can surprise with the remnants of various buildings of ancient settlements - these are temples, ordinary houses and even a monastery. A small number of stores are more than being replaced by coastal restaurants with a menu rich in various seafood.

Other recreational activities include cycling through the scenic countryside, horseback riding along the promenade trails, jeep riding in the local mountains, flying with an instructor in a hang glider, balloon rides and visits to the dolphinarium. The latter is especially good for children.

You can get to Laspi on the highway from the cities of Yalta and Sevastopol. The stop between the cities is of the same name "Laspi". The journey from 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 drive in comfortable conditions. A map or navigators are a must in this area, since after arriving at the bus stop you will need to walk a couple of kilometers on foot to the bay itself.

For those who prefer a budget option, you need to take a bus to Yalta from the stop "Resort" in Sevastopol. The stop, as mentioned above, is called "Laspi". From it, the path to the bay itself is 4 km, which must be walked. And in that, and in another case, you will need to go on foot. Therefore, before traveling, one must take into account the fact that hiking with a heavy load in hot weather can become difficult.

Another way to get to Laspi is by boat. You can board a ship in Foros or Balaclava. Sea voyages here have always been distinguished by 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 Laspi hotels are Hotel "Bay of Dreams", and boarding house "Emerald". "Bay of Dreams" is a 11 interconnected multi-storey buildings of white color. In it you can find a parking lot, many different pools, sports equipment (for example, scuba gear), billiards 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. Just a few tens of meters from the pension there are several beaches at once. For all but hotel guests, the entrance fee to these beaches is paid. It is noteworthy that in Laspi there is no private sector. All accommodation in the resort is equipped with internet access. Medical centers are also available, you can use ATMs.

For those who do not like the noise of hotels, camping is the solution. Camping places, especially in coastal areas, are plentiful. True, you have to pay a small amount for the night. For this fee, you can get an unlimited supply of water for drinking and firewood. Good reviews as a tent-type parking lot were given to a place for an overnight stay in the Batiliman tract under the name “Pearl”.

Separately, it is worth noting the presence of a number of children's camps, where you can quite afford to send 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 camp site, located nearby, has the same good reputation.

Unfortunately, the issue of garbage collection throughout the 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 crowded with vehicles. However, a vacation in the Crimean Laspi is an excellent solution for families with children.

An overview of the attractions in Laspi see in the video below.