The Arabat Spit is a very interesting place, but unfortunately it is very "Soviet". It's a long and narrow stripe of land cutting into the Azov sea. Time stopped here about 30 years ago. You can find broken roads, typical Soviet pioneer camps, destroyed factories and abandoned beaches.
But we liked this place. We found many interesting locations and made good shots. In May there are no people here and we were pleased with the opportunity to walk through the kilometers of empty beaches.
From my point of view it's a very nice place in April and May for those who like to walk in abandoned and unusual places. But it's not suitable for normal summer vacation.
The bravest dare to drive through all the spit by car (length 100 km, width from 270 m to 8 km). If you want to try it, we recommend finding the records of those who already did it. The road is terrible, and if something happens, no one will be there to help you out. The gravel road through the spit was built in 1835!
Beaches at the Arabat spit are empty in May. ©Yuriy Buriak
©Yuriy Buriak
©Yuriy Buriak
Message in a bottle ©Yuriy Buriak
Beach on the Arabat Spit ©Yuriy Buriak
Beach on the Arabat Spit ©Yuriy Buriak
We lived in this hotel. ©Yuriy Buriak
©Yuriy Buriak
Suspicious guy ©Yuriy Buriak
©Yuriy Buriak
Hot spring at Arabat spit ©Yuriy Buriak
Ships in Genichesk ©Yuriy Buriak
Ships in Genichesk ©Yuriy Buriak
Ships in Genichesk ©Yuriy Buriak
One of the points that is worth visiting is the Syvash lake. There are the remains of a plant on the banks of the lake, and the water is pinkish. Due to the high content of minerals the lake was previously used for salt industry.
Abandoned plant on the Syvash lake ©Yuriy Buriak
Abandoned plant on the Syvash lake ©Yuriy Buriak
Syvash lake ©Yuriy Buriak
Abandoned plant on the Syvash lake ©Yuriy Buriak
Syvash lake ©Yuriy Buriak
Abandoned plant on the Syvash lake ©Yuriy Buriak
The spit itself could become a nice resort. But, apart from construction of several hotels, nothing changes here.
New hotels are being rapidly built at the Arabat spit. ©Yuriy Buriak
Getting there: Go by train to the Novoaleksijivka station, then take a taxi or a private car to the Arabat Spit. The price is $5-20 depending on distance. You can get to Genichesk by bus and find a taxi there, so it will be cheaper. Wait until the train passes (it stops for 2 minutes). Then go through the tracks around the station, and the bus will be there.
