The castle "swallow's nest" [↻50%]

"Swallow's nest" – the toy castle on a steep rock, which adorns nearly all of the covers of the tourist publications about the southern coast of the Crimea. No joke, even on the cover of National Geographic this castle had to go. And this despite the fact that castle is a real structure can not be named.

"Swallow's nest" purely decorative, but still falls apart all the time restaurerede I Have this Crimean tourist attraction has always caused controversial feelings. Some mixture of wonder and frustration.

But to be near Yalta and visit the well-known "pearl" – is not the case. Only need to do it correctly…
The castle "swallow's nest" in the Crimea: today
And a little uninteresting modern history. "Swallow's nest" is constantly used for different purposes. Quite a long time there was an Italian restaurant with questionable cuisine and exorbitant prices. And then held exhibitions of artists, and now we are shown the interior of the castle. One time the entrance to the territory did pay, but it was illegal.
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Now again the reconstruction and need to be prepared for the fact that on a "balcony" over the sea is out of bounds. Will have to settle for views of the rear part of the castle. But! Still breathtaking, when you look at this 40-foot cliff, topped with a stone Palace with turrets. Anyway, this fairytale castle has the status of an object of cultural heritage of Federal importance. So go watch it, and it is better to walk or sail to this fragile beauty.
Swallow's nest: where and how to get

Address: Russia, Crimea, Big Yalta, Gaspra, Alupka highway 9a. The exact coordinates for online maps: 44.430662 N, 34.128532 E. GPS: 44°25.839', 34°7.119.

And now the obvious tourist language. "Swallow's nest" is located in 20 km from Yalta and the main flow of tourists coming from Yalta. Near the "Swallow's nest" there are towns included in the greater Yalta: Livadia and the Levant. To get to the castle as much as three ways. And here you can be sure that your choice depends on the perception of the sights. So, you can get:

By car/ public transport/ taxi that is on the way. On my car it will be very fast. A taxi is also fast and reasonable price – 400 rubles from the Yalta bus station. But public transport to travel longer and cheaper. From the bus station in Yalta from the upper platform from the bus number 102 (the journey takes about 30 minutes), and from downtown you can catch a bus No. 132 (about 40 minutes). The price for both bus – 35 rubles one way. The map shows that there are two roads: upper and lower. Before the buses went a different route. The one closer to the sea was long, but pleasant, along the road are the most famous health resorts of Yalta. Last year on the lower road near Oreanda collapsed, and the road back to normal they got all the traffic circles collapse of the upper road. Version of this travel is quite convenient and cheap, but please get at least in one direction and better in the opposite direction.

By boat. Wow, is the best option for exploring the "swallow's nest". The main advantage of this lock is its hanging location on the cliff Aurora. And this is best seen from the sea. Feel like a real tourist and take a ride on a tour boat from the pier the seafront of Yalta (under the chapel). The cost of walking one way – 300 rubles per adult and 240 rubles per child. Just take a ticket with the possibility of landing, then you can climb to the castle and back, for example, by taxi.
Source: http://travelask.ru/russia/yalta/lastochkino-gnezdo

Afoot. Virtually walk 20 km to go it is not necessary. This option is ideal for those who do not plan to carry out the "Swallow's nest" all day, especially because there hours enough. Swallow's nest is not far from the famous king of the solar path. The trail starts at the Livadia Palace. You go to Livadia on the bus from the city (12 rubles, rooms: 100, and 11). Here you can see the Palace, but the important thing is to calculate the time. At the Solar path will have to go through about 5-6 km. And at least for the usual Google maps, the whole path is not visible, don't worry, because you won't get lost. Throughout the trail placed stone plate indicating the distance covered, the height above sea level and the remaining mileage of the trail.
Source: http://travelask.ru/russia/yalta/lastochkino-gnezdo

On the Sunny trail hunted and walked another kings. Love her. There is a beautiful white rotunda, cross hill, pine grove, best. And "swallow's nest" begins to appear on the horizon. Don't miss the pointer to turn to him.

Get down to the track, go and just look for the black-and-white fence the roads of the old steps. It is possible to reduce the descent to "Swallow." There will be quite a well-trodden path that leads to home. Just before reaching the houses, there is an option to turn left. That's where we must go. Such a short journey will take about 15 minutes, plus a bonus in the form thickets of the shameless. If the stairs won't find or don't want to go fencing, then you can stomp 2 km down the road. In both cases, the "swallow's nest" will be nice to be on the horizon.
If you get to the castle from Livadiya Palace, or on the bus/car, then you will find yourself at the "swallow's nest". Here you can start to make the first pictures from the lookouts, but the Palace still have to go through 800 meters on the ladder past the resorts.

And here it is – a fairytale castle rises on a rock and just begging under the scope of the camera. You can enjoy its aesthetic benefits and to make good photos.

"Swallow's nest": the best locations for photos

Share your favorite and the winning platforms for photography. the "Swallow's nest" on the background:
The observation deck near the bus stop and gift series. At this point we can estimate the location of the "Swallow's nest" from afar.

Area before descending on a long bridge. Swallow's nest is clearly visible, and tourists around it is not visible and it will be one of the few photos where the castle and only you.
The bridge over the beaches of the sanatorium "Pearl". From here stunning views of the rock Sail. Not only "swallow's nest" to take pictures.

Berth. If the sea is not able to see the castle, go down and take a picture of it "with water" here.

The most popular location. This place is in front of the castle. It is here photographed on the magnets. But this is the best place for a selfie near the castle.

The site of the "swallow's nest". Carefully – the rocks slippery, polished and more desperate lovers photos.

What to do on the "Swallow's nest"
By the way, a few important practical information: from November to may the castle is open from 10:00 to 16:00 (closed on Monday), and from June to October – from 10:00 to 19:00 (excluding weekends). The entrance is free. At the entrance there is a free toilet. With pictures all is clear, is one of the main attractions here. There are several options to stop.

Exhibition inside the castle. Now for 300 rubles offer to explore the castle from the inside. The exposure can change. I was inside the castle still functioned at the restaurant and, to be honest, the interior is nothing special is no different. It is not even clear that you are inside the castle.
The wish tree. Make a wish and tie the ribbon on this beautiful "tree". And in order that the chances of execution has become more necessary and even a coin in the box under the tree to drop. Near the tree all beautifully painted, and my desires, no guessing. Tape, of course, you can buy immediately at the castle.

The magnet on the memory. Not just a magnet, and your photo on the background of the "Swallow's nest". Photography and production of plastic magnet takes a little time. And there is one magnet 200 rubles.
Souvenirs. I have the feeling that souvenir shops occupy more space than the actual "swallow's nest". The first souvenir series will be at the bus stop. But there they are the most expensive and the selection is smaller. But right before the last stairs at swallow's nest lies a souvenir town. The selection is great and the prices are less frightening. For souvenir dish will give 200 rubles, magnets – from 30 roubles. Look at the pictures of the "Swallow's nest". Sell their own good the Crimean seascapes. The prices of paintings: from 3 thousand rubles per canvas 25x30 cm and above. Suggest to buy a souvenir with the image of "Swallow's nest", because it will be really pleasing to the eye.

Where to eat near the "Swallow's nest"

As the restaurant inside the castle is not functioning, the most interesting places for lunch, the ones overlooking the swallow's nest. I have to say that the award-winning restaurants and cafes there. So let your stomach decides to eat is right here, right now for double the price or not. Here are the options:

The Restaurant "Elena". The most old of the local restaurants. The point of the restaurant – stunning views of the "swallow's nest". Open from 11:00 to 22:00. Summer may work until the last customer. The average check per person 1000 rubles. There is an option of a set meal for 400 rubles. Is among the souvenir ranks at the bus stop.
The Restaurant "Erpan". It is a complex with rooms, a conference room and all services. They say that the chef is good. The average check per person – 1500-2000 rubles. Located across the street from the restaurant "Elena", about 100 meters down the road. The restaurant is better to specify by phone: +7 (978) 817 79 79.
Cafe at the bus stop and near the souvenir stalls (near the castle). There are pancakes, sandwiches, samosa. Samsa, for example, costs 60 rubles. It's not even a café, and such courts with a total area and is composed of close tables and chairs.
Shop. A great place if you need to buy just a bottle of water or a chocolate bar for a snack. The shop is opposite the entrance to the sanatorium "Parus". Working hours to 9-10 PM. The prices are normal.
6 interesting facts about "Swallow's nest"

Castle can see some paintings by Aivazovsky.
The image of "Swallow's nest" circulate not only on postcards and t-shirts. Ukraine has produced memorable moments with face values of 10 and 50 hryvnia with the image of "Swallow's nest". Now, in the course of 100 roubles with the image of "Swallow's nest", released only in 2015.

d rock with the castle there is an underwater cave. This small and beautiful system of caves could be the site of the old people, when the water level was lower.
"Swallow's nest" flashes in such famous old movies: "Ten little Indians", "First strike" (with Jackie Chan, who was amazed by the view from the "Swallows"), "hamlet. XXI century".
4 Sep 2011 on the "Swallow's nest" was held the final of the prestigious competitions in diving from the rock – Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series. The competition was held in Mexico, France, Italy, USA and Greece. The guys jumped from a 27-metre cliff at the foot of the castle. Gained more than 10 thousand spectators.