Lucky are those who are just beginning to discover vacationing in Balaklava. This remote area of Sevastopol was developed as early as the ancient Scythians. A huge role in the history of its «life» belongs to Greek, Turkish and again Greek colonists. The aliens from foreign lands liked this «bag full of fish», as the name «Balaklava» is translated from Turkish. Naturally, the unique Balaklava Bay served as the main bait for warriors of all stripes and nations. It’s long and narrow. Plus, like a good Norwegian fiord, this Crimean bay curves at the very entrance. This allowed its features to be kept secret from uninvited guests from the sea.
In our century, when all hydrographic and orographic secrets can be learned with the help of satellite photography, the strategic role of Balaklava has faded a bit. Therefore, today it should be used only for its direct purpose — as the most original and expressive resort of the Southern coast of Crimea.
For this purpose, a whole series of beaches were «opened» along Balaklava — Inzhir, Golden, Silver. If you move from the historical center of Balaklava, that is, along the shore of the bay with the same name as it, to its throat-end, then the guests will be presented beach number 1. It is the City beach. In the list of its disadvantages only one point — insufficient length. Only 50 meters. But the advantages are much more. Guests can go down into the water on a special ladder. Concrete, which lined the beach, it is — not pebbles, so the legs do not prick or maim. In addition, next to it there is all the city’s recreational infrastructure: restaurants, hotels, moorings for boats and tents of traders of souvenirs.
Beaches «Lyagushatnik», «Marble», «Vasili» and «Shaitan», located on the embankment Nazukina from the City Beach to the logical end of Balaklava Bay, differ only in the level of remoteness from civilization. The farther away, the calmer the situation and the cleaner the sea. But the common feature for them is the presence of luxurious views of the Genoese fortress Cembalo and the opposite shore of the bay. Which is remote, by the way, at a distance of only 400 meters.
From the throat of the bay to Aya Cape begins a cohort of the resort’s most famous beaches — the closest Serebrjanyj, Golden and sweet-sounding Fig. Golden Beach is only 3 kilometers away from the beginning of the bay. It can be reached by the top — following the mountain path, bypassing the Cembalo fortress, or by one of the boats, the exchange of which is located on the Balaklava embankment. Due to the fact that there is a pier for water transport, it is here that captains, descendants of Hellenes, Lestrigonians and Genoese merchants willingly take their tourists.
Golden Beach is long — about 500 meters and very narrow. Rocks overhang it almost vertically. But this pressure of the mountains is compensated by the marvelous panorama of the Black Sea, its constantly changing and fluctuating steel, blue, emerald waters. There are many ships in the distant background and black, glossy with fat, frolicking dolphins in the foreground. In the water near the shore there are a lot of rocks, seaweed, small fish and large crabs. Therefore, those who came to holiday in Balaklava can arrange their own safari, only marine. Attractions, «shawarma-pakhalva» here was not a priori, but water and beer here correctly brought by captains or foresters. He who is informed is armed. Knowing what awaits the tourist in Balaklava, he will be able to have a great time, accepting the conditions of the game, that is, the rest, provided to him by the ancient city.