Tourist information about Arabatskaya Strelka, Crimea

General information

Arabat arrow or Arabat spit - a narrow strip of land with a length of more than 110 kilometers and a width of 270 meters to 8 kilometers, is located in the northeastern part of the Crimea in the Sea of Azov (the beginning of the Arabat arrow (plat) on the map of Crimea). Separates the Sea of Azov and the Salt Lake (Bay) Siwash. Strelka is connected to the land only with the peninsula of Crimea in the south in the area Kamenskoye village. The northern tip is connected to the mainland of Ukraine by a bridge.

Today, the Arabat Strelka is actually divided between Ukraine and Russia. Of these, the Russian part is 66 kilometers. The territory of the spit behind the village of Solyanoye is a border zone and is allowed to be visited only by citizens of the Russian Federation with an internal passport.

Rest on Arabatskaya Strelka

Most of the infrastructure and tourist-attractive places of Arabatskaya Strelka are located on the territory of Ukraine. The Russian part is practically without settlements and infrastructure, there is nothing: no hotels, no cafes, no at least any worthy attractions. There is only one tiny village of Solyanoye, but for tourists it is of little interest.

Nevertheless, Arabatskaya Strelka remains a popular place for recreation among a separate category of tourists and travelers: these are lovers of independent recreation in tents, fishermen, as well as lovers of kitesurfing. They are attracted here by an endless sandy beach, warm waters of the Sea of Azov and solitude. All 110 kilometers of Strelka is a sandy beach of the Sea of Azov. The sand here is large, shell-like, yellow. The depth is varied, but generally moderate, you can find excellent shallow places for children.

Another reason why people go to rest on the Arabat spit is the healing mud of Lake Sivash, which also stretches along the entire Arrow. It is believed that the salt water (brine) and mud of the lake are saturated with useful minerals, acids, carbohydrates, nitrogenous substances, salts of magnesium chloride and potassium, sodium iodide, magnesium bromide. Therefore, sivash mud is recommended for use in diseases of the musculoskeletal system. See for more information about the therapeutic mud of Crimea.

There are several very successful spots of kitesurfing (places of training and riding). In high season, the bekite kite school camps (be-kiter.com).

Infrastructure, entertainment and attractions

As mentioned, there is no infrastructure here at all. The nearest "civilization" is located in the village of Kamenskoye, three kilometers from the beginning of the spit. There you can find a grocery store, a mini market and a pharmacy. The market and more serious shops are located in the village of Semisotka another six kilometers further, and for normal purchases you will have to go to Kerch or Feodosia.

300 meters from the Arabat fortress is the Safari Recreation Center. Several more recreation centers, boarding houses, hotels and a private residential sector are located three kilometers from the fortress along the shore in the village of Kamenskoye.

Along the entire spit there is a dirt road "grebenka". It is inconvenient to drive on it, you will not accelerate much, since it is all like a washing board, but it is all-weather, it almost does not wash out in the rain. You need to go on it either very slowly, or vice versa quickly, then the "comb" is not felt. From this road to the beach there are many gentle ramps, so you can find a place to camp without problems. On weekends, many local fishermen come here, but even at this time there is plenty of space. And if you want complete privacy, you can drive along the spit a little further. There is absolutely nothing to do here except fishing, swimming, sunbathing and mud bathing in Lake Sivash, so you will have to take care of entertainment yourself.

Keep in mind that there is no fresh water, no toilet, no shade from the trees here. Also, you will not find a single tree on the spit for firewood or protection from the wind. The landscape here is steppe.

There are no attractions here at all. The Arabat fortress, which previously acted as a historical landmark, has been occupied by the military since 2014, and its inspection and photographing are prohibited. Four kilometers along the coast near the village of Kamenskoye there are Akmonai quarries.

• Arabat fortress

  

  Arabat fortress is known as the only Tatar-Turkish on the Azov Coast. The first mention of it dates back to 1651. It was built by the Turks to prevent Russia from reaching the Black Sea. The perimeter with five bastions was designed for a long-term siege, in addition it was surrounded by a moat, which was filled with sea water if necessary.

  However, despite all the engineering ideas, the fortress was captured by Russian soldiers in 1771. After the Crimean War, it was no longer used as a military object, and in the 20th century it became a historical object. However, in 2014 it was again occupied by the Russian military.

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: the fortress cannot be inspected in detail and climbed on it, as before 2014, since it is now a military facility. You can walk around it and look at the outside, no more. Getting from the village of Kamenskoye to it is easy on foot by walking along the shore for 3 kilometers (Arabat fortress on the map).

Weather and tourist seasons on Arabatskaya Strelka

The sea of Azov is warmer than the Black Sea, and besides, it is not subject to temperature fluctuations due to undercurrents, so the bathing season here begins earlier than on the southern coast of the Crimea. The first tourists appear here in early May (you can sunbathe and fish), and you can swim comfortably in early June. The bathing season lasts until September inclusive, and sometimes passes into October.

Current weather in Kamenskoye and Arabatskaya Strelka and forecast

How to get to Arabatskaya Strelka

Arabatskaya Strelka is located 140 kilometers from Simferopol, 100 kilometers from Kerch Bridge, and 40 kilometers from Feodosia (the beginning of the Arabat arrow (plat) on the map of Crimea). It is best to get here on your own transport. A normal paved road leads to the village of Kamenskoye. Before reaching several hundred meters to the village, you need to turn left on the sign to the dirt "comb", and then another four kilometers to the entrance to the arrow.

Public transport does not go here, but you can get by bus to Kamensky, and then to the arrow on foot or by hitchhiking 3 kilometers.

For more information, see how to get to Kamenskoye, Crimea.