Balaclava

General information

Balaclava (Balaclava) is a small settlement and district of Sevastopol in Crimea on the Black Sea coast (Balaclava on the map of Crimea). Balaklava is not administratively an independent settlement, it is part of Sevastopol, although it is removed from the city by a considerable distance and separated from it by an undeveloped territory. It is a popular tourist destination with a developed infrastructure.

Balaclava has always played a very important strategic and historical role. In the 19th century, a resort was formed here, but in 1957 the city was incorporated into Sevastopol, and became a closed facility due to the construction of a plant for the repair and equipment of strategic submarines. This plant still remains unique. It is located under a rock, and according to calculations it should withstand a direct blow from a nuclear weapon. With the collapse of the USSR, it ceased to perform its functions, and today the museum is located here - one of the main attractions.

Rest in Balaclava

Balaklava is a full-fledged independent resort on the seashore, but at the same time it is an ambiguous resort. On the one hand, there is the sea, hotels, developed infrastructure, entertainment for tourists and attractions. It is really interesting here, tourists from all over the Crimea come to visit the submarine museum-factory alone, and there are so many more interesting things in the district and in the city of Sevastopol, which can be reached by city bus. There are also active types of entertainment here: boating, hiking in the nearby mountains, the Espionage Academy theme park.

But on the other hand, there are no beaches as such here. The city is located in a bay with very beautiful views, but historically, all the shores here are covered with concrete, because this is a port city, and it is impossible to swim with comfort and pleasure in the bay. Although some tourists and local kids manage to sunbathe right on the concrete beach and swim among the oil stains from boats, there is very little pleasure from such a beach holiday. Several beaches are located further along the bay to the exit to the sea, and if you really want to, you can get to them, but not every tourist will be able to make a march every time or go there by boat. See more about Balaklava beaches here.

But this does not mean that Balaclava is not suitable as a place to spend a whole vacation. This is a great cozy resort with a special atmosphere, somewhat reminiscent of European seaside towns. In addition, there is something for tourists to do here. But if you are going to the Crimea to sunbathe and swim in the Black Sea, relax with your family, Balaclava will not be the best choice. That is why most of the resort's guests are tourists who come here as part of organized excursions from other resorts, or independent travelers who come here for a few days.

Infrastructure in Balaklava

Balaklava has all the necessary tourist infrastructure for a long stay. There are two dozen hotels in the city, there is a promenade, cafes and restaurants, food stalls. There is even free Wi-Fi on the embankment. There are no large shopping centers, but there are shops with souvenirs, basic necessities and food. At first glance, it seems that there is nothing in Balaclava except hotels and restaurants, and everything is very expensive. But this is only in the tourist center itself – in the area of the embankment in the bay. It is worth going a little deeper into residential areas, you will find shops with inexpensive products, banks, and an ATM on Krestovsky St., 35. There are few travel agencies here, since all excursions and entertainment for tourists are offered right on the street. Touts and implementers of pleasure tours and boat excursions are here at every step.

Weather and tourist seasons in Balaklava

The season in Balaclava begins in May, and lasts until September. However, in May and the first half of June it is still too cold for swimming, it often rains. The real bathing season begins at the end of June and lasts until August inclusive. In September, with the beginning of the school year, the Balaclava empties quite sharply, but the good weather and warm sea remain throughout September.

Current weather in Balaklava and forecast

How and by what to get to Balaklava

Balaklava is located 90 kilometers from Simferopol, 110 from Simferopol airport, and 15 kilometers from the center of Sevastopol (on the map). You can get here from Simferopol airport and other resorts of Crimea only by buses, taxis, or by your own transport. Sometimes it is faster and cheaper to take buses with a transfer through Sevastopol, where you need to transfer to a city bus directly to Balaklava. If you want to visit Balaklava on your own, then it is quite realistic to get here within one full day from the cities of the South Caucasus (Yalta, Alushta, etc.), from the resorts of the west coast (Yevpatoria, Saki, Nikolaevka), explore the city and return back the same day. From cities more remote from Balaklava, it is best to plan an overnight trip, since you will be able to return in one day, but you will not have time to see anything. Read more about all the ways to get to Balaklava.

Attractions and entertainment of Balaklava

Balaklava is home to one of the most popular attractions of the entire Crimea – the Submarine Museum. In addition, here you can visit the Balaclava History Museum, see the ruins of the Genoese fortress of Cembalo, the Barrel of Death. Several architectural objects have been preserved in the city, the most famous of which are the house of Prince Yusupov (an old dilapidated building), and the temple of the 12 Apostles built in the 18th century. There are no other attractions in Balaklava, but you can take city buses to Sevastopol on your own and get acquainted with its sights, or buy excursions to other interesting places in the Crimea.

There is not much entertainment in Balaclava, but it will be enough for a few days of stay. In addition to recreation and entertainment on the beaches, every guest of the city should take a boat trip to the beautiful places on the coast, which are offered on the embankment. Here you can also buy quad bike tours in the surrounding hills. Both children and adults will be interested in visiting the extreme entertainment park "Espionage Academy", which is located at the end of the Nazukin embankment. The best place for evening walks is the same Nazukin embankment, and during the day you can have fun on simple attractions: a prize shooting gallery, children's trampolines. Read more about the sights of Balaklava here.