Golden Beach, (Balaklava, Russia) - location, description, opening hours, entertainment and infrastructure. Useful tips and practical information from “The Subtleties of Tourism”.
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If you are bored with the beaches located within the city limits of Balaklava, to complete the experience you should go to Golden Beach - a truly peaceful place and impressive in its beauty. According to some estimates, the beach is one of the five most beautiful in Crimea. Zolotoy is located 3 km from Balaklava Bay, two times further than another popular Balaklava beach - Serebryany. The old name of these places, Megalo-Yaylo, is translated from Greek as a large shore, but now it is not used, remaining only in history. A popular legend explains that the current name of the beach is not at all connected with gold deposits, as one might think. Once upon a time, city dwellers looking for heaven on earth were ready to shell out an impressive sum of money to get here. Now, detachment from the bustle of the world in the lap of beautiful nature will not cost a pretty penny, but will only require a little time.
Golden Beach is a truly peaceful and impressive place. According to some estimates, it is one of the five most beautiful in Crimea.
Infrastructure on Golden Beach
Golden Beach stretches for 800 m along the coastline, like most local beaches, its coast is covered with medium pebbles, and there are also boulders. From about one and a half meters deep, the seabed is simply strewn with stones and boulders.
There is a rental equipment for classes on the beach aqueous waters sports facilities, luggage storage and even a small diving club. From amenities to summer period Sun canopies and sun loungers are equipped, and at the height of the tourist season there is a small retail outlet.
How to get there
There are two main ways to get to Zolotoy - by land and by water. A walk along the mountain paths will take about an hour and a half, and a boat will take you to the place in 25-30 minutes. In general, there is an official schedule according to which ships communicate with the beach from approximately eight in the morning to eight in the evening. However, you can negotiate with the owner of a private boat to return from the beach at any convenient time, without waiting for the arrival of a scheduled ship.
By the way, during stormy winds, boat trips to the Silver and Golden beaches are canceled.
Along the hiking trail you will have to measure at least 6 km, sometimes rising 200 m from sea level. The walk is at least an hour and a half, so it’s worth taking on the road minimum required beach items - towel, sunscreen and, of course, more water. When traveling, you need to look not only at wonderful views in the camera screen, but also under your feet; sometimes the path winds along the very edge of the cliff. The road on your own may seem tiring - it’s no joke, walking under scorching sun several kilometers, but your efforts will be rewarded with magnificent views and beautiful photographs, which, without a doubt, will decorate the Crimean photo album.
Those who want to hide from prying eyes and soak up the sun in secluded place can walk along the path stretching from Golden Beach towards Cape Aya. Along it you will reach a small cozy bay, where there are usually few people. One of the reasons for this unpopularity is the paid entrance, but you will also have to pay if you meet a guard of the Ayazma reserve, to which this territory belongs. And you should definitely refrain from making fires; it is strictly prohibited here.
Balaclava beaches for those who love exotic seascapes, mountain beauty and bright undersea world. Come to Balaklava!
From the Fortress Mountain of Balaklava there is a view that delights with its beautiful uniqueness!
On one side of the mountain there is the entire Balaklava Bay in full view, on the other there is a view of the open sea and the coast from Cape Fiolent to Cape Aya protruding in the south, along which stretches a series of various beaches and beaches with various fancy names: “Figs”, “Shaitan” “... Behind Cape Aya, the Southern Coast of Crimea immediately begins.
The beaches of Balaklava are another plus in favor of your holiday in Balaklava! Storms are rare here, the water near the rocks is clean, filled with bustling life: various fish scurry between fabulous-looking algae, crabs hide under boulders strewn with mussels...
The slopes of the mountains going down to the sea are covered with evergreen relict plants, the air around is filled with the aroma of pine forests and the sea, the beaches of Balaklava beckon with their beauty...
The mountains reliably protect the beaches of Balaclava from all winds; only the warm southern wind is available. Here, already at the beginning of spring, the air warms up to 25 degrees Celsius.
The beaches of Balaklava are very diverse. The best of them are on the coast, towards Cape Fiolent: “Yashmovy” (“Monastery”) and “Vasili”, as well as – towards Cape Aya – “Silver” (“Near”) beach, behind which lies the “Golden” beach .
Crystal clear, even transparent, water, sand and pebbles, and around there are thickets of juniper, Crimean pines... Fancy boulders stick out from the water, from which you can dive into the water! The smell of the sea and pine needles, the gentle sun, the amazing underwater world, the beaches of Balaklava - all this cannot but delight!
The advantages of these vacation spots in Balaklava are undoubted: always the cleanest water in the sea, healthy air mixed with mountain Crimean forest, the opportunity to find nook and be left alone with the beauty of the surrounding nature of Balaklava.
In the area of the protected Cape Aya there is a unique corner wildlife – Lost World Beach.
In The Lost World, perhaps, the cleanest sea, the most Fresh air, the most beautiful landscapes. This beach can only be reached from the sea, as the tract is surrounded by inaccessible cliffs. These rocks are fantastic! They descend steeply into deep sea! Swimming in underwater grottoes will delight you! IN summer season There are regular boat excursions to the beaches of Balaklava.
Before the Lost World beach there are 12 more grottoes, which can only be reached by water transport.
In the cozy coves of Cape Aya and the Inzhir tract there are also comfortable beaches of Balaklava: sandy, with multi-colored pebbles and fancy rocks - whatever you like!
Balaklava Bay is famous for the fact that its coasts are not like most others (albeit comfortable, but too similar) - here each section has its own “face”, there is also given name. If it is especially popular to the west, then on the eastern side, Silver and Gold attract vacationers. We'll talk about the latter today.
Where is Golden Beach in Balaklava?
A vast stretch of coastline, about 800 m long, between and Cape Aya - this is what Golden Beach is. Balaclava is located 4 km by sea. You will have to cover more ground by land due to the mountainous terrain.
Object on the map of Crimea
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Description of a recent savage
Until recently, Golden Beach was considered wild. There was no infrastructure here, and holidaymakers reached it along mountain paths or hired boats. But clear water and beautiful scenery contributed to the growth of its popularity. Boats began to travel here regularly during the season, for which a temporary pier had to be installed (it was removed during the cold season).
Gradually, the site acquired a fully-fledged infrastructure - changing rooms, toilets, showers, a cafe, and a rescue service appeared. Passenger boat flights became regular, and beachgoers were able to get to places where they had to walk for an hour for an affordable fee in 20 minutes.
Reviews from vacationers especially noted the financial benefits - many rightly noted that the name of the attraction obviously owes to the exorbitant appetites of private boat carriers. However, there is no crowding here today - after all, there are more accessible beaches, and Zolotoy is also distinguished by its considerable length.
Stone beauty near Balaklava
The attractiveness of the place is primarily due to the surrounding landscapes. As you can see in the photo, the Golden Beach in Balaklava is beautiful with a special, untouched beauty. Many nature lovers even prefer to spend time and effort getting there on foot - the walking paths offer views of amazing beauty, and coniferous trees freshen the air.
You can't count on sand - it's pebbly, and the pebbles are quite large. But today there is an equipment rental point here, so those who are not accustomed to lying on rocks can get sun loungers. And the rocky bottom also has its advantages - the water here is clean. Breezes from the sea rarely occur here; algae, jellyfish and other “pleasures” of the open sea do not drive to the shore.
The clear water is especially loved by divers, and a scuba diving center is open. Tourists who do not have this skill and necessary equipment, don’t be upset - you can see fish, shrimp and crabs with the help of diving masks, or even with the naked eye. 
Without equipment, it’s easy to look for mussels and brine. But you shouldn’t dive blindly - the depth in this area increases gradually, but along with it, the size of the boulders at the bottom also increases. If you have glasses or a mask, it’s easy to avoid danger, but without them, not everyone can dive with their eyes open.
Many large boulders are convenient for jumping into the sea surface. It is not allowed to climb only one, painted with gold paint - there is a checkpoint on it rescue service. For beginners, it’s better to look at what rocks others are jumping from - this way you can avoid an unwanted encounter with an underwater remnant.
Relaxation in a world of privacy
Although the beach is quite popular, secluded relaxation is also possible. If you move to any of its ends, among piles of larger stones you will find mini-beaches, fenced off from prying eyes. But nudism is not particularly welcome - there is a section of the coast nearby, semi-officially given over to supporters of naturalness.
Tourists often come here for several days, setting up tents on these beaches and higher up on the mountains. Yes, this is not prohibited, you can collect dry brushwood in the surrounding area, and the proximity of a “civilized” vacation helps solve a lot of problems. everyday problems. There are also two official sites for installing tent structures.
Tourists planning to visit the Golden Beach in Balaklava should also take into account the fact that, like everything in this world, it is not without its drawbacks. Due to inappropriate weather conditions, the regularly scheduled boat trip may be cancelled. The sea also often brings surprises: a cold current passes through the area.
Its “bed” is not constant; sometimes cool water moves close to the shore edge. In this case, its temperature often instantly drops by 10 degrees, or even more, and this is not observed on other Sevastopol beaches. But there is no need to worry too much - this phenomenon is rare and short-lived, and then the water quickly becomes warm.
How to get there (get there)?
To get to Golden Beach, you can use the sea or walking route. Unfortunately, it is not possible to get there by car. Most best option– boats from the Nazukin embankment, traveling 8 times a day during the season: the first one at 8:30, the last at 18:45.
The journey on foot will not be easy, since its length is about 6 km of a difficult road from the central part of the Sevastopol suburb. See how to get to the desired object on the map:
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Note to tourists
- Address: Balaklava, Sevastopol, Crimea, Russia.
- GPS coordinates: 44.479895, 33.629645.
Several years ago, some Ukrainian media began to compile ratings of Crimean beach areas. Balaklava also received approval - Golden Beach was invariably included in the lists of the best (the position depended on the taste of the rating compiler). Since then, things haven’t gotten any worse here - more amenities have been added, and the pristine landscapes have retained their charm! In conclusion, see short video about him.
The golden beach in Balaklava has become a symbol of this small ancient city, located 15 km from Sevastopol. Many come specifically to visit Golden Beach and swim to their heart's content in its transparent and clean waters. For almost 40 years, Balaklava was a closed military facility, so it is worth taking advantage of the fact that now a visit is possible for any tourist.
Golden Beach
How was the Golden Beach in Balaklava called? The ancient Greeks called it Megalo-yaylo, i.e. Big Shore. Then the beach received the nickname Far.
It became golden in the 19th century, when boatmen charged exorbitant prices for transporting passengers to the beach, and the name stuck. And so that no one doubts the veracity of the name, modern entrepreneurs covered the beach stones with gold paint.
According to reviews, Golden Beach in Balaklava is one of the best, and this is true. It is perfectly equipped for relaxation.
Its length is almost a kilometer and its width is about 20 m. Such large beaches are rare in the Sevastopol region. The area is covered with large pebbles, but you can rent sun loungers and get comfortable. Passengers from the boat are dropped off at a convenient pier; in addition, lifeguards are on duty on the territory all day. There is a cafe, toilet, and changing rooms on the beach.
The mountains protect from the wind on Zolote, but the water often brings surprises - sometimes warm water carried away by the cold current, then swimming is difficult for 1-2 days.
Relaxing on the beach, you can admire the beautiful views, breathe cleanest air and enjoy the serenity of a summer day.
By the way, diving on Zolotoy is incomparable. If you happen to be in Balaklava, you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to visit Golden Beach!
How to get to Golden Beach in Balaklava
There are 2 ways for tourists and locals to visit Golden Beach.
The first method is overland, suitable for those who are hardy. You need to walk 6 km along the mountain range to the Inzhir tract, which will take about 2 hours. The height difference is about 100 m; from the top there is an amazing view of the sea and mountains. However, we must take into account that the road passes under the sun, so it will be hot, dusty, and if you also take enough things with you for rest, it will be a bit difficult.
When going to Golden Beach on foot, you should leave your flip-flops at home and wear sneakers - the rocky path is slippery in places, and it goes over a cliff.
What is the easiest way to get to Golden Beach in Balaklava? We must use the sea method. At the end of the Nazukin embankment, a poster “To the Beaches” is visible from afar. Boats depart from here and you can quickly get to your destination.
Near the pier there is a stand that contains information about the cost of travel to different beaches, benefits and boat schedules.
On a boat, a trip from Balaklava to Golden Beach will turn into half an hour of entertainment: while staying on the upper deck, you can admire the beautiful rocks, cliffs, and grottoes.
To the beach by boat
Regular flights to Zolotoy, as well as to other Balaklava beaches, are carried out only during the holiday season, i.e. from June to the end of September. However, you can negotiate with the owner of the ship and go along your own route any day.
When setting off, you should first check the weather forecast: boats do not operate during storms.
The cost of a trip from Balaklava to Golden Beach is 150 rubles, there are benefits for children, large families, etc. The most expensive will be travel to Jasper Beach - 200 rubles, to Vasili and Blizhny it will cost 100 rubles.
From Balaklava the boat to Golden Beach runs according to a schedule in July-August, usually the first flight is at 08:30, the last at 18:45. All information about the movement of boats can be obtained directly from the captains and sailors at the pier.
Important for tourists!
When going to Golden Beach, you should stock up drinking water, sunscreen, beach umbrella.
It is allowed to spend the night in a tent on the beach, but you cannot make fires, because there is a nature reserve nearby - Cape Aya.
A little about other beaches of Balaclava
There are many beaches in the vicinity of the city:
- The Nazukina embankment on the left side of the bay ends with a tiny city beach. The descent to the water is concreted, as is the beach area. At 50 m there are canopies, sun loungers, sun loungers, and changing cabins.
- On the opposite side of the bay there is Mramorny beach, which ends the Tavricheskaya embankment. The beach is small, in summer there are always many people wanting to take a dip. But you need to swim carefully, without swimming far, because boats and yachts pass nearby.
If you head west, towards Cape Fiolent, then Vasili Beach is the first, then Yashmovy, or Monastyrsky.
If you go east from Balaklava, then immediately at the exit from the bay there is Shaitan Beach. This place is visited by extreme sports enthusiasts, because you have to jump into the water from steep cliffs. The beach is small - about 20 m, not equipped.
The next one is Near Beach, also known as Silver Beach because of the color of the rocks. You can walk along the mountain path in 40-50 minutes, or you can take the sea route.
The last one before the Golden Beach is called Skalki, or Halva. The coast here is covered with large boulders, there is no infrastructure. Nudists often relax on the beach.
The best beaches of Balaklava, Russia: beach holiday season in Balaklava. Photos and reviews about the most beautiful beaches.
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Any Pebble beach
The Crimean city of Balaklava, comfortably located in the middle of mountain ranges and reliably sheltered from the winds, is not without reason loved by connoisseurs of picturesque nature and relaxed relaxation. Among the advantages of the resort are its numerous and incredibly beautiful beaches. It’s worth noting right away that there are no endless beaches that merge with the sky on the horizon; the coastal strip is quite narrow and cut into small coves. In addition, the rocky terrain of Balaklava Bay determines that almost all local beaches are pebbly. However, thanks to these natural features of Balaklava, the beaches have become so attractive. Just imagine: the clearest sea, rushing like snow-white lambs onto formidable rocks, mountains covered with evergreen relict plants, sliding into blue water, air filled with healing pine and sea aromas.
It is not without reason that the Crimean city of Balaklava has become a favorite among connoisseurs of picturesque nature and relaxed relaxation. Among the advantages of the resort are its numerous and incredibly beautiful beaches.
Traditional beach holiday and sunbathing here is truly artistic subtext and turn into a relaxing spa treatment under open air. Stone, pebble, sandy areas The shores of the generous hand of nature are scattered from Cape Fiolent to Cape Sarych. Due to the distances and difficult terrain, the beaches of Balaklava can be difficult to access, but the more valuable and exotic is the vacation on them. At the same time, even local residents differ in their preferences - so only personal experience will help you choose your favorite beach spot.
City beaches of Balaclava
Only a small part of Balaklava beaches are located directly in the city, so getting to them will not be difficult. Most are in more hard to reach places, you can get there either by boat or by crossing winding mountain paths in the heat.
Within Balaklava Bay there are City and Marble beaches. The city beach stretches from the Nazukin embankment. This is a small concrete platform beach with all the necessary entertainment infrastructure.
Approximately opposite, after the end of the Tavricheskaya embankment, there is the pebble Marble Beach, where there are also plenty of snack bars, souvenir shops and other pleasures of life for vacationers.
Within the borders of modern Balaklava lies Jasper Beach, which stretches 1 km along the coast. This beach is deservedly considered very picturesque. It's covered small pebbles, shimmering in the sun with all the colors of the rainbow, and the sea water is so clear that the seabed is easily visible. After boats began running from Balaklava Bay to the beach, the beach became very popular; now it is equipped, landscaped and acquiring infrastructure.
Remote beaches
The most attractive in terms of beauty, cleanliness and comfort, as usual, are considered to be the beaches located beyond easy reach. These beaches are particularly transparent sea water, which annually attracts diving enthusiasts.
To the east of Balaklava Bay towards Cape Aya there is a whole series of beaches, the first of which is the inaccessible “Shaitan” beach, a mountain footpath leads to it past the ruins of the Chembalo fortress. Next follow two undisputed leaders among local beaches - “Silver” (“Near”) and “Golden”. They can also be reached along a romantic mountain path, and regular boat trips depart from the Nazukin embankment.
- Where to stay: In the main seaside resort of Western Crimea - in the charming and ancient Yevpatoria, whose beaches are famous for their fine sand, and there is a whole scattering of accommodation options, from sanatoriums and resort hotels to VIP cottages. Accommodation in Peschany can be recommended for those who are tired of the “benefits” of civilization; the options are private guest houses and small boarding houses. Nikolaevka is the “beach of Simferopol”, it is closest to the station. Chernomorskoe is suitable for families with children; in addition, it is one of the most environmentally friendly places in Crimea. We recommend a stay in Sevastopol for fans of excursions, and in Balaklava the balance between beach and excursions is perfectly maintained.
- What to see: Panorama Museum of Sevastopol, a memorial on Sapun Mountain, Death Valley, as well as the ruins of the ancient city
