Mysterious, magical, amazingly beautiful Crimea has many faces, it is not without reason that it is called “the world in miniature”, because it has everything: steppe and mountains, green valleys and healing lakes, protected forests and beautiful parks, beautiful palaces, noble estates and amazing natural monuments, mysterious caves and cultural monuments of long-vanished peoples, the sea with its beaches and underwater caves.
Look at the map of Crimea: the inner part of the peninsula is occupied by the steppe, mountain ranges are concentrated in its southern part, and all this is surrounded on all sides by the sea. Many of the most beautiful places in Crimea are located on the coast, but there are also many that lie off the tourist trail and cannot be reached by transport.
This wild peninsula, one of the most beautiful places in Crimea, is located at its westernmost point and will probably remain the place with which people will never do anything. It just can't. The steep cliffs are too formidable, its underwater caves are too deep.
The sea here is so clear that standing high on a cliff, you can see the stones at the bottom. But the most amazing sight will be seen from the sea: huge through grottoes cut right through the rocks, caves are hidden behind high arches, and the rocks are twisted into the most unimaginable shapes. From time to time, the tireless surf and wind collapse part of the rocky coast, and then a new cliff of a fantastic appearance appears in this beautiful place of Crimea.
Atlesh, the protected area of Tarkhankut, is made up of white limestone rocks, the processing of which has been worked on for centuries by a brilliant sculptor - nature. He cut up the coastline in a fantasy way, giving the rocks of this beautiful place in Crimea amazing shapes:
- Turtle - a large rock jutting out into the sea, really resembles a giant turtle looking out to sea.
- The Cup of Love is a rock in the shape of a round pool. Its depth is 6 meters, and it can only be reached through an underwater tunnel.
- A 150-meter, completely unexplored cave, which can only be reached in one way: by swimming under a rock hanging over the sea.
Ak-Kaya (White Rock)
A huge white cliff is located in the Belogorsk region of Crimea, in the valley of the Biyuk Kara-Su River. The huge stone plateau ends with a sheer wall 150 meters high. The rock, hanging over the valley, is especially beautiful in the rays of the setting sun. It was once the seabed, and its layers are a kind of chronicle of the past 70 million years. A careful eye will definitely notice fossilized mollusks, sea urchins, crabs, and in the youngest layers that are on the surface of the plateau, shark teeth, whale and seal bones are found.
Koyashskoye Lake
This is amazingly beautiful and the most salt Lake in Crimea lies in the south of the Kerch Peninsula. In summer, algae living in the lake color its water pink color, and the higher the temperature, the more intense the color becomes. The shores of this beautiful place in Crimea are covered with salt crystals that smell like violets, and on the water surface there are bizarre salt icebergs. Just a narrow strip sandy beach separates the pink from the Black Sea.
Balaklava Bay
You will not find another such beautiful place in Crimea as this bay. It is sandwiched between two mountains and protrudes into the land to a depth of 1.5 kilometers. The entrance to it is not only very narrow, but also invisible from the sea. The unique shape of the bay in the form of the English letter S makes it the quietest harbor even during a strong storm at sea. You can admire this beautiful place in Crimea from the top of the mountain on the eastern bank, where the ruins of the ancient Genoese fortress Chembalo have been preserved.
New World
This is the name of a small village near Sudak. When the car passes the last turn, an unusually beautiful place opens up before your eyes, provocatively beautiful even for Crimea itself. Mountains Eagle and Falcon protect New World from the winds, and the air is saturated with phytoncides of pine and juniper. The three bays of this beautiful place in Crimea - Green, Blue and Blue - fascinate with the purity and transparency of their waters, and the mountain paths and grottoes add a unique charm.
Demerdzhi
Among the most beautiful places in Crimea is an amazing mountain range, which was once the seabed. When a stone ridge rose from the sea, the sun and wind created strangely shaped stone sculptures from it. In the setting rays of the sun, it seems that the figures really look like running people. Hence the name of the valley with stone sculptures -. Of course, there are many legends explaining the appearance of stone idols in this beautiful place in Crimea, and who knows, maybe something described in them actually happened.
Taraktash trail
You can follow this trail from Yalta to Ai-Petri and in the opposite direction. Of course, it's easier to go down. The views that open to your eyes during the descent are beautiful, but the crazy delight will be caused by one of the most beautiful places in Crimea - the Taraktash tract itself and its main attraction - an arched rock several tens of meters high. It’s amazing that with thin walls and quite high altitude a lonely rock does not collapse. The path will take you along a ravine, then through a narrow passage between the rocks it will lead you out. This passage is called the Taraktash Gate, it’s scary to walk along it, but the delight of this beautiful place in Crimea makes you forget about fear.
If you are lucky enough to be near the rock at noon, when the sun is high, you can see how the rock shimmers in all shades of yellow and brown. The height is breathtaking, but the beauty is such that you don’t notice anything else. Continuing the descent, you find yourself at another fantastically beautiful place in Crimea - “flying water”.
Wuchang-Su
Wuchang-Su - “flying” or “hanging water” in the old days called this two-cascade stream of water falling from Ai-Petri. It appears in all its power only in the spring, when the snow melts. In winter, the water freezes, and its frozen streams become like organ pipes, and this sight is almost more beautiful than the one in April.
Nature is capable of creating monuments of amazing beauty. But the creations of human hands are sometimes no less beautiful. Talented architects have written beautiful palaces and magnificent parks into the history of the beautiful Crimea.
Karaite kenas in Evpatoria
Among the beautiful places of Crimea and snow-white temple complex Crimean Karaites, consisting of two halls, two-story buildings with lancet and semicircular windows. In the courtyard of this beautiful place in Crimea you can see arched galleries and a fountain. The building is not only an architectural monument, but also of historical value.
bird home
In the village of Gaspra, which lies on the beautiful southern coast of Crimea, on the very edge of the Aurora cliff, there is a tiny building made of white stone. The battlemented walls, high lancet windows and round tower with spiers make it look like a medieval knight's castle. It was once a country house with fireplaces and thick ceiling beams, but it doesn't matter what it is now. , like an elegant toy, seems to float between the sea and the sky, attracting the gaze of every guest to this amazingly beautiful place in Crimea.
Livadia Palace
Known as the summer residence of the last Russian emperor and the site of the Yalta Conference. But it’s not so much that makes him attractive historical facts How beautiful is the palace and the park that was laid out around.
The snow-white building in the Renaissance style with four courtyards, luxurious chambers and a unique interior fit perfectly into the landscape of the Crimean coast and became one of the most beautiful places in Crimea. The park, laid out on 40 hectares of land, was developed and preserved to this day: winding paths go around beautiful flowers and rare trees, green lawns are decorated with sculptures and fountains, shady alleys lead to the sea, and from observation platforms the endless sea opens to the horizon.
Palace in Massandra
Emperor Alexander III is considered one of the most amazing and beautiful places in Crimea. The palace is small, but incredibly beautiful and elegant. The architect, having decorated the facades with balconies, ornaments and sculptures, gave it the appearance of a fairy-tale, simply gingerbread castle. On the spacious terraces and in the park, according to the fashion of that time, sculptures of satyrs and chimeras were installed. The building was erected right in the forest, and it formed the basis of a beautiful park. Paths were laid out throughout the park and flower beds were laid out, additional junipers and conifers were planted along the alleys, and exotic plants were brought from abroad.
Foros Church
Between Sevastopol and Yalta, between the sea and the mountain range, the Red Rock rises, and at its very edge, like a fragile toy in the palm of a giant, stands the Church of the Resurrection of Christ. It is clearly visible from the highway, and everyone who drives past involuntarily turns their head to see this beautiful place in Crimea once again. The legend tells about miraculous salvation the daughter of a rich merchant on the edge of this cliff. There was salvation, but it was about Emperor Alexander III. Built in the Byzantine style, it has survived four restorations, and services are still held there.
Vorontsov Palace
Among the most beautiful places in Crimea is the beautiful palace in Alupka, which was created by order of Count Vorontsov, who was then the Governor-General of the Novorossiysk Territory. The Count wanted the palace to combine English austerity and the luxury of Indian palaces. Such luxury was suitable for these beautiful places in Crimea: from the windows of the palace one could see the sea, on the other side the Ai-Petri massif hung over the palace, and numerous springs would help grow a beautiful garden. This is how it turned out: the heavy English style is diluted with elements of luxurious oriental style, and the battlements of watchtowers are adjacent to openwork decorations and arches.
Palace Park deserves a special place among all the beautiful places in Crimea. Both of its parts – the Upper and Lower parks – are amazingly beautiful. There are three meadows in Verkhny (Chestnut, Solnechnaya and Contrast), and on each of them separate types of trees grow. There is also Swan Lake, where these beautiful birds live, and Mirror Lake, there is even a waterfall. Lower Park decorated in Italian style, many unique plants grow there. Anyone who has been there claims that this beautiful place in Crimea is always in a festive mood.
Yusupov Palace
The magnificent Yusupov Palace is located in one of the most beautiful places in Crimea - in Koreiz, on a steep rocky seashore. It was built in the style of the Italian Renaissance, and its interior is simply luxurious: Viennese sofas and chairs skillfully made by Austrian furniture craftsmen, porcelain and bronze figurines. But the palace park is even more beautiful! It is decorated with trees aged from 100 to 500 years, and in total there are 7.5 thousand species of plants. The entire territory of this beautiful place in Crimea is decorated with fountains and small pools with figures of goddesses, naiads and mermaids. All entrances to the park, all niches are “guarded” by marble lions.
Nikitsky Botanical Garden
The garden was founded more than two hundred years ago. Its director, Christian Steven, conceived the idea of creating a nursery for plants that had never grown in Crimea, in order to acclimatize them to the Crimean soil. And he did it very well. But the main goal was to collect on the territory of this beautiful place in Crimea all the plants that could benefit not only Crimea, but also the whole of Russia. Within three years, the botanical garden’s collection included 50 varieties of pear trees and almost a hundred varieties of apple trees. Gradually, the collection grew with Italian and French grape varieties, magnolias, palm trees, and plane trees. Plants unique to this beautiful place in Crimea have appeared: Californian sequoia, Caucasian fir, cedar, eastern pine, strawberry tree, bamboo, and it’s hard to even count the types of flowers. Today the collection consists of 30 thousand plants from all over the world globe. And no matter what month you visit this garden, you will always see flowering plants: in the spring it is the “Tulip Parade”, in the summer – the “Rose Ball”, in the autumn – the “Chrysanthemum Ball”. The Botanical Garden, a wonderful creation of human hands, is still considered one of the most beautiful places in Crimea.
Crimea is the pearl of Russia. The purest mountain air, combined with sea air, has incredible properties. This peninsula makes you fall in love with it again and again; having visited once, you will definitely want to return to feel this air and enjoy the stunning views. Konstantin Paustovsky also wrote “...For the hundredth time I regretted that I was not born an artist. It was necessary to convey this geological poem in colors. For the thousandth time I felt the sluggishness of human speech.” He was right, because words cannot convey all the beauty, so we invite you to admire with your own eyes the most Beautiful places Crimea.
1. Yalta. Mount Ai-Petri.
Ai-Petri is not the most high mountain, but because of its mighty appearance and rich history it is one of the natural monuments of Crimea. The Greeks gave the mountain the name Ai-Petri in honor of St. Peter and founded an Orthodox monastery on it, the ruins of which preserve the memory of the events of the past. More than 600 meters mountain peaks and slopes amaze with their beauty, majesty, give a feeling of security, which is why Ai-Petri has become the crossing point different nations of the world who created the history of Crimea.
2. Sevastopol. Baydar Valley.
The Baydra Valley is one of the most beautiful and impressive places in Crimea, with rich history, as evidenced by excavations. Found fragments and materials indicate that the peoples who settled in the valley were repeatedly attacked and fought. Currently, this place attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world to admire the vastness and beauty of this place. A special influx of people is observed during the daisy flowering season, when the entire valley is covered with white flowers and turns into one big cloud.
The valley is 8 km wide, 16 km long and rises 260 meters above sea level. The Chernorechenskoe reservoir has spilled in the very heart, which is actively protected local residents, as it is the main source of fresh water for nearby cities.
Balaklava Bay is certainly one of the most picturesque and stunning places in Crimea, but this place also keeps many secrets, mysteries, and legends. History remembers many bloody naval battles. The bay was an important strategic site where a hidden underground base submarines. Now this place attracts a large flow of tourists, who affectionately call it Russian Venice.
4. Belogorsk. White Rock.
Ak Kaya (from Tatar White Rock) is a huge, almost vertical rock, a natural monument that rises 325 m above sea level. It is distinguished by its almost white color and unusual flat top. The slopes of the rock seem to be riddled with caves; thanks to them, researchers found a lot of interesting materials and revealed many mysteries of this place. But the history of this rock is mostly bloody and frightening, as it is believed that people were executed by being thrown off the cliff. This story does not scare tourists, and they come again and again to admire this giant.
Thanks to its mighty appearance, the rock has repeatedly attracted film directors here, who shot famous films here, one of which is “The Headless Horseman”
4. Alushta. Jur-Jur waterfall.
The Jur-Jur waterfall, which translated from Tatar means “murmuring water,” lives up to its name, since the waters of the mountain waterfall do not fall with a terrifying roar, but shimmer and gurgle like a stream. A picturesque place in which a waterfall sings among the mountains and well-placed plants gives a special flavor. This babbling waterfall pours out 270 liters of water per second.
5. Alupka. Vorontsov Palace.
The Vorontsov Palace, the author of whose construction was Edward Blore, fits perfectly into local flavor. The creator very organically managed to combine English style from ancient to modern. There were also oriental elements, as evidenced by the South entrance of the building, on which there are drawings of a lotus and a Tudor flower, as well as carving decorations. There is also an inscription in Arabic, which means: “And there is no winner but Allah.”
6. Alushta. Valley of Ghosts.
The name of the valley did not happen by chance. Huge rocky stones, as if scattered throughout the valley, have bizarre shapes, similar to human figures or the profile of a person’s face, and at sunset they cast amazing shadows that resemble rapidly moving images. Each person sees something different that his imagination tells him. The mountain itself attracts with its changes. Depending on the time of day and the location of the sun, it can change its color.
The Kadagar Reserve can certainly be considered one of the most beautiful places in Crimea, because this place skillfully combines the expanse of the steppe, the endless and gentle waters of the Black Sea, as well as mountain peaks that strive to pierce the skies. This place time after time attracts not only tourists to admire the indescribable beauty, but also scientists, as well as representatives of various organizations.
The most unusual place on the Crimean peninsula is Lake Koyashskoe. Thousands of tourists come from different corners world to admire this unusual pink lake. It's all about the algae that lives here. During photosynthesis, a red pigment is released, which gives the water a red tint, but does not evaporate as the lake dries, so the hotter and drier it is, the brighter the color of the water becomes. This lake is also the saltiest on the peninsula, its average annual salt levels are 360 grams per liter. The water of the lake is also extremely useful and valuable, since it contains a lot of iodine and beta-carotene.
9. Lavender fields.
Few people know that in Crimea there are lavender fields that are not inferior to those in Provence. In several places on the peninsula, farmers grow an amazing plant with a stunning color and an equally stunning smell. The influx of tourists sometimes upsets farmers, because careless visitors to the fields trample and take too many flowers as souvenirs, but if visitors respect the work of the field owners, then they do not in the least interfere with taking photographs and admiring these wonderful places.
10. Gaspra village. bird home.
The Swallow's Nest can rightfully be considered a symbol of the Southern Coast of Crimea. The building, located on a steep cliff, is about to fall straight into the Black Sea. The view of the Swallow's Nest is amazing; it seems that a little knight lives in it, because this miniature building resembles a castle. In fact, in bringing the Swallow's Nest to life, Baron Rudolf von Stengel took the medieval castles of Germany as a basis, and now tourists from all over the world come to see it.
The inside of the Swallow's Nest is quite modest, and there was no room for the baron to turn around, since the dimensions of the building are only 10*20*12 meters.
Swan Islands is an ornithological part of the Crimean nature reserve. Bird protection and breeding are carried out here. From the name you can understand that the main inhabitants are swans, but here you can meet all the birds that live on the peninsula. Not everyone knows how to get here, because you can only get there by water.
11. Yalta. Livadia Palace.
Livadia Palace is one of the most famous and beloved by tourists architectural monuments Crimea. It is known mainly due to the fact that the summer abode of the last Tsar Nicholas II was located here. It was he who built a completely new palace on the site of a dilapidated palace, mainly due to the fact that the emperor’s large family simply did not have enough space. Tourists are now flocking to the summer residence of the king to see how the royal family lived, because everything is in its place unchanged, even photographs are left in place, which speaks of the liveliness of this building.
12. village Upper Massandra. Massandra Palace.
After construction was frozen for 7 years due to the death of Count Vorontsov, who originally created this palace, the estate was purchased for Alexander III. The architect Messmacher expanded the building, added stairs, balconies and terraces, covered the walls with yellow tiles and the new castle began to shine. Unfortunately, Alexander III he never had time to settle in the castle, and the estate passed to Nicholas II. He, in turn, visited the residence in memory of his father, but still preferred to stay in Livadia.
More than 1,000 different plants grow around the castle, which undoubtedly attracts botanists from all over the world.
13. village Marble. Marble Cave.
Marble Cave is a very interesting and unusual place that is accessible to travelers at any time of the year. The length of the route inside the cave is 1.5 kilometers, which makes it possible to perfectly see the limestone deposits, which are several thousand years old.
14. Sevastopol. Cape Fiolent.
Cape Fiolent is one of the most beautiful capes on the entire peninsula. The main component of the cape is volcanic rock. Because of ancient volcano, which operated 150 million years ago, at the foot you can see the remains of solidified lava. IN this moment the volcano was destroyed by sea waters and covered with limestone growths. The unique nature untouched by man, magnificent air and privacy attracts more and more tourists from all over the world.
Unusual plants grow here, and the history is shrouded in secrets, riddles and legends.
Cape chameleon is very mysterious and interesting place. An animal that had never lived in these places gave its name to the entire cape. Why is this so? Firstly, the outline of a piece of land is very reminiscent of a bending animal, and secondly, like a chameleon, it can change its color depending on many factors, be it the time of day, season, weather, direction of the wind and sun.
16. p. Zelenogorye. Lake Panagia.
Among the mountains in their very heart there is a deep-water lake Panagia, which has an emerald color. Its waters are filled by the nearby Kushen-Uzen River. Lake water all year round remains cold due to its glacial origin. The view of this picturesque place is mesmerizing, but if you take a swim in this magical reservoir, you are guaranteed a surge of strength and vigor. The waters heal and seem to cleanse not only the body, but also the soul.
18. Yalta. Wuchang-Su waterfall.
Crimea is rich in waterfalls, each of which is unique, but the Uchan-Su waterfall is the highest and most abundant of all on the peninsula. The total height of the water fall from the two water sites is almost one hundred meters. By the way, this is even higher than Niagara Falls. And this giant is fed by a completely inconspicuous river, the length of which is only 7 km. But the waterfall is not only beautiful, but also useful; it is a source of fresh water for local residents.
19. Sevastopol. Chersonese Tauride.
Tauric Chersonesus, which translated from Greek means “Taurian peninsula”, is the ruins of an ancient Greek trading city, which was at the crossroads of sea routes. It was very rich and actively developed, which attracted many conquerors. Currently, the site is part of the UNESCO heritage and is a historical and archaeological reserve, where excavations are periodically carried out to this day in order to learn more about the city.
The oldest street in the city, which stretches straight along the Black Sea coast. She invites guests to stroll along the seashore, enjoying sea air and pleasant looking nature. Famous poets and writers have repeatedly mentioned this street in their works. And of course, the Yalta embankment boasts the best restaurants, discos and entertainment on the entire peninsula.
Attractions
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At all times, Crimea was considered one of the most beautiful corners of the planet. The splendor of local nature has more than once become a source of inspiration and the subject of images by the world's best artists, striving to convey the amazing richness of colors of the wonderful peninsula. However, not a single masterpiece of art is capable of giving those sensations that arise when directly immersed in a bright and diverse world called Crimea, open to everyone. An inexpressibly vibrant and changeable sea, picturesque bays, majestic mountains and spacious valleys, mysterious caves and mesmerizing waterfalls, dense forests and clear lakes... From all the stunning diversity of the Crimean land, we have selected 20 picturesque places that invariably attract thousands of tourists from all over the world.
One of the most amazing places in the vicinity of Sevastopol - Cape Fiolent. A piece of land formed by volcanic rocks intruding into the sea offers its visitors landscapes of extraordinary beauty. You can admire the expanses of the sea here on the tops of the cliffs, whose height ranges from 50 to 200 meters. Coastline formed by numerous niches, stone piles, miniature islands, rocky coves with grottoes. The nature of the cape is represented by a sparse forest, including a variety of plants. However main feature The places are bare, windswept, bizarrely shaped rocks plunging into clear water. To the east of the cape is the famous Jasper Beach, which can be reached via an ancient stone staircase of about 800 degrees.
Cape Fiolent is pristine nature, beautiful panoramic views, wonderful air and the purest emerald sea, an atmosphere of peace and, at the same time, a source of new impressions.
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Vacationers in Crimea in June-July cannot ignore the blooming lavender fields. As you know, the homeland of lavender, an evergreen shrub that captivates with the subtle scent of its flowers, is the Mediterranean. In Crimea, this beautiful plant began to be grown on an industrial scale to obtain essential oil, starting in 1928. Over the past decades, the area of plantations has decreased significantly, many of them are abandoned. At the same time, there are several vast and well-groomed fields that allow you to compare the surroundings of Crimea with French Provence. Such magical places can be found near Bakhchisarai - in the village of Turgenevka, near the villages of Kudrino and Shelkovichnoye, in the mountains near the villages of Rastushchee and Zavetnoye; not far from the suburb of Alushta - the village of Lavender; at Cape Tarkhankut. Lavender fields stretch on both sides of the Simferopol - Sudak road.
The violet sea receding into the distance, filling the air with an intoxicating aroma, is beautiful in different ways at different times of the day: lavender flowers change shades depending on the lighting. But whenever you manage to contemplate this natural splendor - at dawn, in the middle of the day or at sunset, the impressions of what you see will last a lifetime.
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Ai-Petri Yaila, which is part of the Main Range of the Crimean Mountains, stretches from east to west for 25 km. The highest point of the massif is Mount Roca, whose peak rises 1347 m above sea level. However, the less high, but incredibly picturesque peak of the plateau - Mount Ai-Petri, reminiscent of a magic castle with sheer walls and dilapidated towers, has gained the greatest popularity. Its height reaches 1234 m.
The white figured teeth of the hill became an amazing completion of the mountain amphitheater starting from the Black Sea. The spectacular appearance of the mountain has evolved over thousands of years. In the past, Ai-Petri was a huge coral reef located at the bottom of an ancient sea that existed back in the Upper Jurassic period. But the legendary teeth arose much later, as a result of long-term weathering of the limestone rocks of the former reef.
Getting to the top of Ai-Petri is not at all difficult: there is a road leading to it from the village of Koreiz cable car, famous for the longest unsupported span in Europe. The mountain offers an impressive view of the South Coast.
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Numerous Sevastopol bays are a specific attraction of Crimea that is worthy of special attention. Among them, Balaklava Bay has gained well-deserved popularity, distinguished not only by its expressive landscapes, but also by its rich history. The distant past of the modern Crimean resort - Balaklava is evidenced by a number of most interesting monuments, the main of which is the Genoese fortress of Chembalo. The ruins of a medieval fortification, located on the top of the Fortress Mountain (Kastron), rise above Balaklava Bay, forming, together with the surrounding natural landscape, a complete majestic ensemble.
The bay itself, which arose as a result of a tectonic fault, is also a unique phenomenon. Hidden behind high cliffs, it “cuts” into the land at 1500 meters. It is connected to the sea by a narrow and winding strait, in some places not exceeding 45 meters in width. All of these features make the bay protected from strong winds and waves from all directions. In addition, Balaklava Bay, unlike many others, is not loaded with large-capacity vessels. This is a cozy and, at the same time, colorful place that will forever captivate fans of southern nature and ancient history.
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“Flying water”, or in Turkic “Uchan-Su” - this is the poetic name given to the largest waterfall of the peninsula. The overthrow of water jets from a height of 98.5 m can be called nothing other than flight. The luxurious waterfall was born by the river of the same name, flowing at an altitude of 390 m above sea level along the slopes of the Yalta Yayla. 6 km from Yalta, a mountain river meets a steep limestone cliff, forming a truly magnificent sight. You can feel the full power of Wuchang-Su during the rains or when the snow melts on the yayla. But in the hot summer the waterfall almost completely dries up.
There are many legends about this beautiful creation of nature. So, there is a legend that tells that the girl Zeinab was stopped from diving into the water, and for her dexterity and lightness she received the second name Uchan. The beauty was kidnapped by a mountain spirit, who nevertheless heeded her pleas and allowed her to help her family get rid of the drought by turning Zeinab-Uchan into a mountain stream. Since then, the swift Wuchang has been rushing from the mountain peaks to the sea, overcoming a huge rocky barrier on its way.
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An equally beautiful legend tells about the emergence of rocky islands located near the village of Gurzuf. According to legend, two rocks that “grew” in the middle of the sea are petrified twin brothers, punished by their own mentor for their selfish use of magic. Despite the originality of the explanation of origin, the natural attraction received a simple name - “Adalary”, which from the Crimean Tatar means “all of the islands”.
The “brothers” are located 40 m from each other, and about 250 m separate them from the shore. The height of the stone giants is 35 and 48 m. “The sky is blue above, the sea is turquoise below” - such a harmonious frame was given to Adalary - one of the symbols of the Southern Coast of Crimea , so simply and sincerely glorified in one of Artek’s songs.
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One of the most spectacular protected landscapes of Crimea is Cape Ai-Todor. Its three rocky spurs, like a huge trident of Neptune, crash into the sea. The central spur of the cape, also known as “Monastery-Burun” (i.e. “Monastic Cape”) amazes with its beauty. It was here that during the Middle Ages the monastery of St. Theodore was located, from which the toponym Ai-Todor comes. But for more than a hundred years, on the eastern edge of the middle spur, one of the most recognizable Crimean landmarks - the Swallow's Nest - has risen.
No less remarkable is the southernmost and at the same time the highest spur of the cape - the Ai-Todor spur itself, which has served as a landmark for sailors since ancient times. A lighthouse was erected here in 1835, which not only has survived to this day, but is still successfully functioning. The age of the trees surrounding the ancient navigation structure has also passed the century mark.
Ai-Todor with its steep cliffs is a massif that is practically inaccessible from the sea. The only convenient pier is a small but very picturesque cove located between the spurs, where regular boats moor.
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In the immediate vicinity of the village of Simeiz, near the sea, a giant stone cat lurks, preparing to jump. This is a large limestone outlier rock, the outlines of which determined its name. Mount Cat is an interesting complex natural monument, distinguished by its varied relief, containing rock formations of original shape and colorful southern vegetation. Over 350 plant species grow here, 12 of them are listed in the Red Book, and some are even endemic.
Ancient civilizations left their mark on Mount Cat. Until now, the massif has become the site of archaeological finds, among which are Taurus burial grounds in the form of stone dolmen boxes dating back to the 6th-2nd centuries. BC. The ruins of medieval fortresses have also been preserved here.
The top of the massif is the highest point of the “curved back” of the Koshka (254 m above sea level). It’s quite easy to get to the rock, which is inaccessible at first glance. One of the ways to visit the attraction can be a walking tour.
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A unique natural attraction of the Kerch Peninsula is Lake Koyash. It is located on the territory of the Opuksky Nature Reserve, where the virgin steppe meets the sea. Nearby are Lake Uzunlar, a cape and Mount Opuk.
An endorheic lake of estuary origin with salt water cannot boast large sizes: its area is only 5 sq.m., and its depth does not exceed 1 m. The reservoir is distinguished by the amazing color of the water, changing depending on the time of year from pale pink to rich red. The reason for this unusual natural phenomenon was microparticles produced by the algae Dunaliella salina growing on the bottom of the lake - one of the few organisms that can survive in such saline conditions. Not only the water is colored, but also the salt crystals, which also acquire the aroma of violets. In spring, the bright pink lake, surrounded by flowering steppe, is especially picturesque. In summer, the water evaporates, leaving real salt icebergs on the sand.
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A truly mysterious landscape can be observed not far from Alushta, on the western slope of the southern ridge of Demerdzhi-yayla. Here, huge blocks and boulders were transformed by the great creator - Nature into bizarre sculptures reminiscent of figures of people, animals, fantastic creatures or objects. Anything can be seen in southern Demerdzhi: it all depends on the time of day, lighting, and, of course, the imagination of the beholder. Not only the shapes of the rock formations, intricately intertwined with each other, but also their impressive sizes make you tremble. The largest “exhibit”, nicknamed the Giant, with a diameter of 5 m reaches a height of 25 m. There are more than a hundred stone “ghosts” in total. Looking at each of them, guessing the images, watching how centuries-old natural sculptures will change and “come to life” with the movement of the sun - what could be more exciting.
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A cave of unique beauty with a complex system of halls, corridors and galleries was discovered on the lower plateau of the Chatyr-Dag massif in 1987. Soon they laid here tourist routes: the cave was equipped with paths with handrails and lighting. For almost twenty years, the “underground kingdom” has received hundreds of thousands of guests from all over the world, admiring its vast spaces, the original silhouettes of numerous sinter formations, and rare varieties of crystals.
The depth of the cave, located at an altitude of 920 m above sea level, reaches 60 m, and the total length of its halls exceeds 2 km. Each hall has a unique appearance, which is reflected in the names of many of them. In the Marble Cave there are Palace, Pink, Balcony, Chandelier halls, a gallery of Fairy Tales, a Hall of Hope with stone altars, Chocolate and others. What stands out among them is the Perestroika Hall (Collapse Hall), which is the largest hall in the caves of the peninsula. Its length is 100 m and its height is 28 m.
The walls of the underground palace are decorated with caralites that look like flower buds, the space is divided by powerful sinter columns, luxurious “chandeliers” hang on the ceilings, there are openwork gur baths with water and even waterfalls. The varied “decor”, complex composition, and grandiose scale of the Marble Cave amaze the imagination and allow us to call the Crimean landmark one of the most beautiful caves on the planet.
Read completely CollapseCrimea, village Marble
Sight
You can see how gracefully and silently the noble snow-white birds with a gracefully curved neck glide across the water surface by visiting a nature reserve of international importance - “Swan Islands”. It is located in the Karkinitsky Bay of the Black Sea and consists of six islands with an area of 52 hectares, stretching along the coast and separated from each other by shallow straits. Natural conditions attract many waterfowl to this place. In summer, over five thousand swans accumulate here, for which during this period the islands become their home. The number and species composition of the reserve is striking: the shallow waters of the bay are a stopover for more than 250 species of migratory birds. Various species of ducks, waders, gulls, white and gray herons, cormorants and other beautiful birds live here.
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The deepest waterfall in Crimea is located in the vicinity of Alushta, in the mysterious high-mountain gorge Khapkhal, overgrown with dense forest. The average volume of water it throws out is 250–270 liters per second! The waterfall was created by the Ulu-Uzen Vostochny River flowing through the gorge, at an altitude of 468 m above sea level, starting on the slopes of Dzhemerdzhi-yayla and flowing into the Black Sea.
The unique attraction has the simple name “Jur-Jur”, which comes from the onomatopoeia of murmuring water. Indeed, the waterfall does not subside even for a minute. Even in a dry summer, a powerful stream of water falls from a height of fifteen meters into a huge pit and then rapidly rushes along the bed of a mountain river. Stones also fly down along with the water flow, so you should not go close to the waterfall. It is better to admire this miracle of nature from a distance. Not far from the waterfall there is a cave of the same name, surrounded by forest.
Read completely CollapseCrimea, village Solnechnogorskoe
Landmark, Panorama View
Luxurious panoramic views open from the top of Mount Roman-Kosh - highest point Babugan-yayly, in turn, is the highest mountain range of Crimea. Here, at an altitude of 1545 meters above sea level, you can see almost the entire Crimea, breathe in the air filled with the aromas of fragrant herbs and flowers, and feel a state of serene peace and harmony. It is not surprising that, according to one version, the toponym “Roman-Kosh” is of Indo-Aryan origin and is translated as “upper rest”, “highest peace”. Although there is a more prosaic translation of the name of the mountain, from the Turkic language meaning “forest peak”.
The mountain is located near the village of Gurzuf. The path to the top passes through a picturesque pine forest. In the valleys of Mount Roman-Kosh you can often see red deer and graceful roe deer, barely touching the ground while running. The mountain is indescribably beautiful during sunset. Open glades here serve as excellent viewing platforms. However, since Roman-Kosh is located on the territory of the Crimean Nature Reserve, climbing the mountain is officially prohibited.
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Many picturesque corners are united by the Baydar Valley - a huge basin in the southeastern part of the peninsula, surrounded on all sides by green mountains. Numerous rivers flow here, forming small but very beautiful waterfalls. In the center of the valley there is the largest reservoir in Crimea - Chernorechenskoye, the source of which is the crystal clear mountain river Chernaya.
In the north-west of the intermountain basin there are formed deep canyons, in the southeastern part you can find several caves. The sun-drenched meadows, whose flowers fill the mountain air with fresh aromas, are incredibly beautiful. In total, over 50 species of plants grow in the valley, including relict trees, medicinal herbs, and rare orchids.
Thanks to its natural beauty and surprisingly mild climate, the Baydar Valley received the unofficial name - Crimean Switzerland. Walking through its picturesque places is wonderful at any time of the year.
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The natural border between Koktebel Bay and Quiet Bay is Cape Chameleon. Today it is a narrow, high ridge with a very unusual silhouette. Thanks to ancient maps of Crimea, it is known that the cape became this way centuries later: the part of the land formed by clay rocks, eroded by the sea and rains, significantly decreased in size over time.
The Cape was named a chameleon because of its phenomenal ability to change shades depending on the lighting. So, in the morning you can observe a gray-blue color. But at sunset, the sun's rays “color” the rocks golden, gradually turning into purple and blue shades. The “play of light” continues throughout the day, during which the cape changes its appearance up to twenty times.
Crimea is the most beautiful peninsula in the world. It is rich in natural and historical attractions. It is famous for cultural monuments of different eras, beaches, resorts, sanatoriums, nature reserves. The landscape of the peninsula is represented by both steppe expanses and mountain ranges. The colorfulness of Crimea attracts tourists from all over the world.
Emerald Lake
A small natural reservoir located near Alupka near the Shaan-Kaya rock.
The lake is famous for its emerald crystal color clean water. It is fed by underground springs, so the water is always cold. From the shores there is a view of the Shaan-Kaya rock. It is ideal for professional climbing.
Cape Chameleon
The cape is located near the village of Koktebel. The outline is similar to a dinosaur drinking water from the sea.
The cape is capable of changing color up to 20 times a day. It is made up of shale that displays the sun's rays in different ways. The color of the cape depends on the time of day, the position of the sun, the season, and weather conditions.
Waterfall Jur – Jur
A fifteen-meter waterfall, located 2 kilometers from the village of Generalskoye, Alushta district.
The waterfall is located in a protected area. Its width is 5 meters, speed is 270 liters per second. This is the most powerful waterfall on the peninsula. It attracts with its bizarre shapes - water falls in numerous large and small streams.
bird home
Architectural and historical monument. It was built in the 19th century, in the village of Gaspra, on a steep forty-meter cliff.
Swallow's Nest resembles a medieval castle; it is considered the main symbol of the southern coast of Crimea. Co observation deck there are views of Yalta Bay, Mount Ayu-Dag, and surrounding landscapes. Exhibitions are held in the castle, and not far from it there is a wishing tree.
Valley of Ghosts
Geological natural monument on the western slope of the Demerdzhi massif. It is located near Alushta, the nearest village is Luchistoye.
The area is famous for the accumulation of thousands of bizarre rocks in the shape of pillars and mysterious figures. Rocks look like trees, people, animals, fantastic creatures.
Karadag Reserve
A natural reserve occupying the Kara-Dag volcanic massif. Located in the southeast of the peninsula, 36 kilometers from Feodosia.
The place is famous for its cliffs, mountains, and narrow coves. Endangered species of flora and fauna live here. The calling card of the reserve is the Golden Gate. This is a rock in the sea, shaped like an arch.
Cup of Love
Natural pool located at Cape Tarkhankut. The nearest village is Olenevka, 8 kilometers away.
Volcanic forces combined with winds eroded the rock. This contributed to the formation of a kind of pool, similar to a heart. The cup of love is deep, sea water enters it through an underground tunnel.
Nikitsky Botanical Garden
One of the most famous parks in Crimea. Located in the village of Nikita, near Yalta. It was founded in the 19th century.
The garden area covers 40 hectares. Thousands of plants from different climatic zones are grown here. The park includes a collection of roses, cacti, woody plants, and juniper. In the garden you can find flowering plants at any time of the year.
Ai-Petri
A mountain located on the southern coast of Crimea. Geographically located in the Yalta district. It is part of the Ai-Petrinsky massif.
Ai-Petri is an extinct volcano. The mountain is gradually being destroyed, its top looks like battlements. Height – 1234 meters. The mountain offers views of the sea and the surrounding area of the southern coast. There is a cable car leading to Ai-Petri; the ascent begins at Miskhor station.
Bay in Balaclava
A small bay located in Sevastopol. The ancient city of Balaklava stands on its shores. The bay is located in a rock cleft and appeared due to a tectonic fault.
The bay is semi-enclosed, it is reliably protected by rocks, so it resembles a lake. Famous for its beaches: Gold and Silver. This the best place for yachting on the Black Sea coast.
Genoese fortress in Sudak
A fortress built by the Genoese on Fortress Hill in the 14th – 15th centuries. For several centuries it was the main military base on the Black Sea coast.
The area of the fortress occupies 30 hectares. The fortifications and defensive wall are well preserved. 14 defensive towers became a symbol of Sudak.
Vorontsov Palace
The estate of Count Vorontsov, located in Alupka. The palace was built in the 19th century, in the Tudor style.
The palace has 150 rooms, each of which has a unique design and is designed in the English style with oriental notes. The main staircase leads to the sea and is decorated with sculptures of lions. The palace is complemented by a magnificent park with lakes and fountains.
Chersonese Tauride
A unique archaeological monument-reserve located in Sevastopol. It was founded by the Greeks in the 5th century BC. According to the chronicle, Prince Vladimir was baptized here.
IN ancient city many attractions from different time periods. These are the remains of ancient columns, medieval buildings and buildings of the 19th and 20th centuries.
New World
A village founded in the 19th century. It is located in the southeastern part of Crimea, on the shores of Green Bay, seven kilometers from Sudak.
The village is famous for its sand and pebble beaches, unique nature, mild climate and wine museum. The New World is not as crowded as the major resorts. This attracts tourists who love a relaxed holiday.
Livadia Palace
The estate of Russian emperors. Since the 19th century it has become a summer residence royal families. It is located 3 kilometers from Yalta, in the village of Livadia.
During Soviet times, the palace was turned into a sanatorium, the Yalta Conference took place there, and many films were filmed there. In 1993, the palace became a museum. It regularly hosts exhibitions, and several exhibitions on the history of Russia are open.
Massandra Palace
The estate of Alexander the Third, built in the 19th century. It is located 5 kilometers from Yalta, in the village of Verkhnyaya Massandra.
During Soviet times, the palace became a state dacha; Stalin, Khrushchev, and Brezhnev vacationed there. In 1992, the Massandra Palace became a museum. It contains the largest collection of exhibits from the Romanov dynasty.
Chufut-Kale
This cave city, formed in the Middle Ages. Translated from the Crimean Tatar language it means “Jewish fortress”. Located in the Bakhchisarai region of Crimea.
A significant part of the city was destroyed. A number of caves have been preserved in the western area of the fortress, two Karaite temples, a mausoleum, and some outbuildings
