Crimean lakes attract tourists with two main qualities: beauty and mineral properties. Health resorts and cottage settlements are being created around some of them, and infrastructure is being developed. Others remain far from civilization, preserving their natural splendor. If tourists have a need and desire to improve their health, then they should visit the lakes near popular resorts such as Saki and Evpatoria.
Their mud will relieve a lot of problems and help you recharge your batteries for the whole year. Vivid impressions will be given by reservoirs separated from the sea by a narrow isthmus. Koyashskoye and the like look especially beautiful, where the color of pink water contrasts with the sea. There are also completely wild places that allow you to take a break from the hustle and bustle, or, on the contrary, give you the opportunity to do active rest and sports.
The most beautiful lakes of Crimea
Mountain, mud, salt and fresh - a list of the best lakes on the peninsula.
Koyashskoe (Pink Lake)
Salt Lake is located in the south of the Kerch Peninsula. The area is 5 km², the depth is about 1.2 meters. It is separated from the sea by a narrow strip of land. In contrast, the pink water of the lake looks especially unusual. This color comes from the brine at the bottom. It is part of the Opuksky nature reserve. The best time to visit is May: nature blooms, the water surface acquires a more intense color.
Sasyk-Sivash
Located between Saki and Evpatoria. Area - 73.5 km², maximum depth - 1.2 meters. Divided into two parts: fresh and salty. In the past, salt was mined here. The color of the water changes with the seasons from pink to red. Sometimes you can see the seething - the emission of salt water. The swimming season starts in May. Local muds are considered medicinal, in addition, algae are used in cosmetology.
Martian (Marble)
It is located 17 km from Bakhchisarai. The man-made hollow is a former quarry. The dimensions of the quadrangular lake are 430 x 190 meters. The average depth is about 10 meters. The filling with water was due to springs gushing at the bottom. Although the water is cool in autumn, it is warmer than in the sea, and in winter it is almost never covered with a crust of ice. There is little vegetation around, but limestone slabs are found regularly.
Saki
The lake can be found near the city of Saki. The area is 9.7 km², the average depth is slightly more than half a meter. It is separated from the sea by an isthmus. The water is salty, local mud is highly valued - black silt, which penetrates through the skin into the body. It helps with edema, hormonal imbalance, skin infections. There are about 15 sanatoriums nearby. The most popular are named after Pirogov and named after Budenko.
Turquoise (Milyan-Gol)
In walking distance from the mountain lake is the resort village of Partenit. At the same time, getting to the reservoir is not easy, given the terrain. Tourists swim, fish, play sports here. Walking along the local hills give beautiful views, for example, Ayu-Dag - a natural observation deck. Nearby attractions: Aivazovsky Park, Stone Museum, Karasan Palace.
Donuzlav
One of the deepest lakes in Crimea is located in the Black Sea region. Area - 48.2 km², depth - 27 meters. It resembles a bay in shape. Before the formation of the isthmus, the water was salty, now it is fresh. Popular activities among vacationers: diving, fishing, windsurfing. The mud of the lake is used for wellness treatments. There are no large hotels nearby, but there are places for camping, budget private sector and guesthouses.
Swan
Refers to the territory of Evpatoria. Area - 75.5 km², depth - up to one and a half meters. Swans settled on a part of the Sasyk-Sivash lake and became a local landmark. They are hand-fed, but a number of rules must be followed so as not to harm the birds. The color of the water is pinkish, there is a not very pleasant smell due to the bird colony, but mostly due to the mud. There are small cafes near the shore.
Chokrak
The nearest settlement to the lake is Kurortnoye. The area is 8.5 km², the average depth is less than a meter. The salinity level is comparable to the Israeli Dead Sea. Of the living creatures, only a tiny crustacean is found. The water has a pinkish tint. A strip of land 50 meters separates from the sea. Chokraksky's mud is used in cosmetology and wellness procedures. You can inspect the area from Tashkalak Mountain.
Blue
Formed by the river Auzun-Uzen, flowing in the Grand Canyon. The diameter is small, the depth does not exceed 2 meters. There are several capes nearby, the most beautiful of which is called the Fifth. You can get to the lake only for a fee, since the Grand Canyon is a nature reserve. The road is not easy, it is laid in mountainous terrain. On the way, there are natural attractions, including the Postal Oak.
Emerald
Located on the outskirts of the village of Zelenogorye. Another name is Panagia. It refers to a religious theme. Lovers of mysticism also recognize the area as unusual. The sizes vary significantly depending on the season, but the lake does not completely dry up. The area around is reserved, so there is no service or infrastructure. The natural beach is quite comfortable. There are waterfalls nearby.
Mangup (Maiden)
Located in the Bakhchisarai region, not far from the cave city. The lake is man-made. It was formed less than 50 years ago due to construction work and springs that filled the pit. The springs make some parts of the water cold, although it is generally comfortable to swim. There is a hotel on the shore. Places for eating by the water have been equipped. Fishing is paid, all tackle can be rented here.
Castel
It can be found a few kilometers from Alushta. Nearby is the mountain of the same name, and around is a plateau. You will have to get to the reservoir on foot along a mountain path. There are benches and small sheds near the coast, and boulders that once descended from the glacier are scattered. The season is long, as the water warms up well and quickly. Tourists come for fishing, for medicinal herbs, for a picnic.
Red
Lake in the Krasnoperekopsky district. The original name is obtained because when shallowing, the water turns pink or red due to algae and small crustaceans. The landscape is complemented by boulders with salt deposits, clearly visible in shallow water. The area is 23.5 km², the average depth is within one and a half meters. The dam divides the reservoir into two parts. The northern one is a raw material base for the plant, the southern one is a recreation area.
Tobechikskoe
Lake in the southeast of the peninsula, about 30 km from Kerch. The area is 18.7 km², the average depth is 1 meter. It is separated from the bay by a narrow isthmus, in the past there was a bay. There are no health resorts on the coast. However, during the excavations, traces of ancient hospitals were found, which indicates the awareness of the ancestors about the healing properties of local mud. Usually they come here for a day or two with a tent. It is better to stock up on food for future use, the infrastructure is poorly developed.
Raven
The lake is located near Sudak and the resort village of Morskoye. It was formed due to the blocking of the river of the same name by a dam. The nature around can be called wild, so rest here is suitable for those wishing to retire from civilization. If you climb on a hill, then from several sites opens an amazing view of the surrounding area. Hiking trails have been laid, there are parking lots "Masks" and "Crow House".
Moinak
Located on the western outskirts of Evpatoria. Area 1.76 km², depth less than a meter. Water with a high content of salts and minerals is used for treatment and prevention. Also good for the body and mud from the bottom of the lake. The East Coast is an ideal swimming place due to its easy entry into the water and the availability of sunbathing spots. There are many health resorts in the district, for example, the mud bath of the same name.
Oyburskoe
Belongs to the Saki region.The area is 5 km², the average depth is 2 meters. Used as a place for recreation. Blue clay is actively used in cosmetology, mud is useful for those who want to calm the nerves, get rid of skin problems and heal blood vessels. In Oyburskoye, tourists are actively invited to go fishing. You can pitch a tent almost along the entire coast. The West Bank is suitable for kitesurfing.
Lyman
The nearest settlement is Olenevka. Area - 1.36 km², average depth - 1 meter. The water level is changing. A narrow strip of sandy land separates the lake from the Karadzha Bay. Sometimes there are gaps in it. The bottom is covered with silty deposits with a high mineral content. The open spaces and sea winds made the area ideal for kiting and windsurfing.
Aktash
Refers to the territory of the Leninsky district. The area is 26 km², the depth does not exceed a couple of meters. It is separated from the Sea of Azov by embankments of clay and sand. Aktash is partially man-made, since several reservoirs have united people into one. The salt content in the water is very high, when the lake partially dries up, salt accumulations form in its place. Wind generators are installed on the shore.
Uzunlarskoe
Located in the Leninsky district. It is separated from the Black Sea by a strip of land. The area is variable, in the season it reaches 21 km², the average depth is slightly more than half a meter. The composition of water and mud is considered medicinal. At the same time, the sludge is of different colors, depending on this, its properties also change. The reservoir has a brown color, only near the coast is a white salt strip usually visible. It is part of the Opuksky Nature Reserve.
Dzharylgach
The largest lake in the Black Sea region. The area is 8.3 km², the depth is variable. Silty deposits vary in composition and color. Used in medicine and cosmetology. Herbaceous plants grow around the basin. Lots of camping sites. There is no fish, as well as other living creatures around. Archaeological excavations were carried out, which made it possible to establish that people lived here since ancient times.
Shaan-Kaya
The name of the lake is given from the mountain, and it is located not far from Alupka. The area is very small. The water is clear, cool and clean, as the food comes from underground sources. There are hiking trails to the rock, as climbers love to train here. A great place for paragliders. Since Alupka is close, the abundance of its attractions is almost within walking distance.
Barakol
Located near the village of Koktebel. Sheltered from the winds by small elevations that formed a bowl. The lake is salty, changing its area depending on the season and the amount of precipitation. Camping is very popular with visitors. It also brings in the conquerors of Mount Klement'ev - glider pilots. When getting to Barakol, you need to stock up on all supplies, including water, food and even firewood.
Ajigol
It can still be found on the Ak-Monaysky isthmus. However, the lake may soon disappear altogether: it dries up more and more from year to year. The area is 0.5 km², the maximum depth barely exceeds half a meter. In the past, water and mud were used for healing, now the properties are lost. The lake remains a unique object in terms of natural splendor, therefore it attracts tourists.
Gasfortovskoe
Located in the Balaklava region. The area is changing, the depth is about 10 meters. The lake is named after the mountain, and it, in turn, is named after the commander during the Crimean War. They made a reservoir from the reservoir, began to breed fish. Some time ago, bikers chose this area for their rallies, so it is very noisy in August. Near an abandoned quarry. For tourists there is a camping with everything you need.
Inkerman quarry
Located near the city of the same name. In the past, white stone was mined here, which was used in construction. The quarry was naturally filled with water and became a resting place. The area is small, the depth reaches 60 meters. The road runs right next to the water. The banks are mostly overgrown or rock-like. Nearby attraction: Klimentovsky Monastery.
Yusupovskoe
Man-made lake at the source of Sary-Uzen. The existing ravine was deepened and blocked with a dam. There is something like a loophole in it, so the waterfall of the same name flows down. The lake is very modest in size. Around there are bushes of viburnum and other vegetation. Nearby attraction is the Silver Streams waterfall. It is part of the Grand Canyon, so the visit is paid, but the prices are affordable.
Lower
Located in the village of Peredovoe. It is the largest reservoir of the valley covered with greenery, if you do not take into account the Chernorechenskoye reservoir. High transparency of the water, the bottom is visible several meters from the shore. Leisure of tourists - fishing, swimming, picnics. A nearby attraction is a waterfall called Kozyrek, but it can be seen only in the springtime, when the stream is gaining strength.
Pear lake
The recreation center with the same name was built on the shore of a reservoir in the Simferopol region. Wooden cottages on stone foundations rise directly to the water. The local cafe is a cozy castle with a corresponding decoration inside. After fishing, walking or swimming, a Russian bath awaits guests. A summer playground, places for games and several gazebos in the shade are equipped. There is a fountain in the middle of the lake during the warm season.
Kyzyl-Yar
It was formed over 6 thousand years ago in the Saki region. Sea water flooded the river bed. The north side is a sandy strip where sunbathing is comfortable. In the south, an extended monolithic rock with a height of 25 meters rises. There are traditionally many fishermen on the lake. The most fishing area - the Upper River - is paid. The rest of the territory is free.