Zelenogradsk and the Curonian Spit National Park. Russian border in the Curonian Spit National Park

We will tell you how to get to the Curonian Spit from Kaliningrad and Zelenogradsk, in hot pursuit, namely, based on the 2019 trip.

National Park "Curonian Spit" is located 90 km from - this city comes most of tourists and from there goes on excursions. Approximately at the same distance is the resort Svetlogorsk, and a little closer, 50 km from the spit, the resort town of Zelenogradsk. You can get to the Curonian Spit from any of these settlements: buses run, many excursions are organized, entry is also open for personal vehicles - even to the Lithuanian Nida and Klaipeda.

Looking ahead, the most convenient way see were and still are excursions. Group, individual - any.

It makes sense to go by car if you are interested in the villages - Lesnoy, Rybachy, Morskoye - or local beaches. You can also visit the museum, the Dancing Forest and viewing platforms, but only if you first study the routes, and also fill in the places of equipped parking lots in the navigator. Otherwise, either spend time sorting out the place, or get a fine for parking in an unspecified place.

How to get from Kaliningrad

1. By bus Kaliningrad - Curonian Spit

The most convenient flight from Kaliningrad to the Curonian Spit №593 - Kaliningrad - Marine. Since 2017 in summer time(from April to October) it runs four times a day from the bus station: 05-30, 09-35, 12-35, 17-50. Travel time is about two hours. This, of course, made life easier for travelers, because before that the only way to get there was a route with a change in Zelenogradsk.

Route of flight No. 593:

• the first stop is the Northern bus station;
• second stop - bus station Zelenogradsk;
• third stop - Lesnoy settlement;
• fourth stop - p. Rybachy;
• end station - p. Morskoy.

IN winter time the bus from Kaliningrad leaves only twice a day: at 05-30 and at 17-50. It’s easier to check the return flight schedule at the stop where you get off at the Curonian Spit - few travelers go all the way to Morskoy.

There is another flight that can take you to the Curonian Spit - Kaliningrad - Klaipeda. It follows through the villages of Lesnoy and Rybachy, as well as the Lithuanian Nida. The only negative: departure once a day - at 16-30 (from the bus station).

2. Organized excursions to the Curonian Spit

Taking into account the impressive distances of the Curonian Spit (almost 50 km long), the most convenient way to visit the Efa Height, the Fringilla ornithological station and the Dancing Forest in one day is excursions.

• Group tours are best organized by the local travel agency "Royal Castle", whose office is located in. Curonian Spit - the most popular destination, therefore, as a rule, buses of 40-45 people are recruited. The program is rich, there is little free time, but the cost is affordable for everyone - from 1300 rubles. for a person.
• Individual excursions are organized locals who know a lot about their native places, know how to tell interesting stories and can take you by car. The advantages of such routes are mobility and absolutely individual approach(you'll see whatever you want, at whatever pace you're comfortable with). The downside is the price (from 5500 rubles per tour; the number of participants is no more than the number of seats in the car).

Search for individual tours conveniently on Tripster- there is a whole page dedicated to it, currently there are 12 offers to choose from.

Be sure to read the reviews: some guides have more than 170 of them, but this does not always mean that the tour is better - it just appeared much earlier than others. And ask the guides questions: the service allows you to do this before paying.

3. Travel to the Curonian Spit by car

On Russian territory(this is about 45 km in length) there are two cordons: at the entrance from Zelenogradsk in the area of ​​​​the village of Lesnoy and not far from the border with Lithuania.

Checkpoint on the Curonian Spit (Lesnoy settlement)

Bus stop near the checkpoint in Lesnoy

Entrance to the Curonian Spit by car is paid. At the checkpoint, 300 rubles are charged. per car (driver's fare included) + 150 rubles each. for each passenger. Preferential categories: pensioners, children under 12 and residents of coastal villages.

And remember: no matter which side you enter the territory of the national park, you will need to show a payment ticket at the exit - be sure to keep it.

How to get from Zelenogradsk

From Zelenogradsk (and at the same time Svetlogorsk) you can get to the Curonian Spit by bus number 596 along the route Svetlogorsk - Zelenogradsk - Marine from the bus station. It departs four times a day: 07-15, 09-45, 12-30, 16-00 (the time is indicated from Zelenogradsk). Travel time is just under an hour.

Excursions to the Curonian Spit 2019 - the best routes and attractions of the reserve. How to get to the Curonian Spit on your own.

An excursion to the Curonian Spit is the best thing that can happen to you in Kaliningrad region. It's even cooler than Kaliningrad itself. It will especially appeal to those to whom the Baltic (cold sea, snow-white, as if sifted, sand, dunes) is a curiosity. The territory of the Curonian Spit is divided between Lithuania and. The border lies approximately in the middle, or to be more precise - 49 kilometers from Zelenogradsk (total length - about 98 km).

For more than 15 years, this natural landmark of the Baltic has been on the UNESCO lists. The reason for the reverent attitude to this piece of land is simple: the territory is an aesthetic value, similar to which is not found anywhere else in the world. The Curonian Spit, along with the Hel and Baltic Spit, forms a complex of dunes Baltic coast. Biodiversity and several types of landscapes make this area a treasure trove for research in the field of geology.

On the territory of the Curonian Spit there are several unique areas where you can see rare and even endangered species of birds, plants and animals.

Every year, in spring and autumn, up to 20 million birds flock to the national park, most of which linger here to recuperate: before returning home or before rushing south.

Favorable climatic conditions and picturesque landscapes make the Curonian Spit a popular place for beach holiday. True, it is worth making allowances for temperatures Baltic water and air - the “bathing season” sometimes lasts a couple of weeks. But the beaches are gorgeous: spacious, clean, snow-white. Most of them are practically not equipped.

Excursions to the Curonian Spit 2019

There are three options to get to the spit: on your own, with a guided tour and with an individual tour. The first method is mainly for those who have their own car, and even then with restrictions. The other two are in stable demand:

• The most popular option is a regular tour. The only thing that overshadows it: a large number of people in the group and a lack of free time - not just for lunch, at least to look at everything closer and take pictures. As always, gallop. But, despite the confusion of the organization, the tour guides were great. Prices from 1300 rubles. for a person.
• Upon returning, it turned out that there is a more comfortable option - a trip with individual guide. On Tripster, which I now actively use, there is a choice of routes to the spit. The only downside to them is that they are not cheap. The cost is from 5500 rubles. for the tour, in a group of 1 to 4 people - according to the number of seats in the car. Some guides have cars with 7 seats.

The most popular route is (7.5 hours from Kaliningrad to the national park and back). If there are no free dates, look at others - they are no worse. By the way, for new excursions that have not yet received enough reviews, guides make discounts, often up to 50%.

Sights of the Curonian Spit

On the Russian part of the spit, you can visit the national park, leading (!) In terms of attendance among a huge number of reserves in the country. To preserve the delicate ecosystem of the park and protect the spit from destruction, free access to this land area is limited. However, excursions to the Curonian Spit National Park are held: the entrance to the territory is paid, but it is superbly equipped for walking. For excursion groups a route was developed that passes through picturesque places, but does not affect the most vulnerable areas.

1. Fringilla Station (Curonian Spit)

Communication with ornithologists on the Curonian Spit allows you to learn more about the bird world, as well as get to know more than centuries of history cooperation between European and Russian scientists. On the territory of Fringilla, the highest traps of all that can be seen at similar stations are installed.

"Fringilla" is catching and studying a huge number of birds. The process is proceeding very successfully, because the ancient bird migration route runs through the station, along which several million birds fly every year. At Fringill, such species of birds as willow warbler, robin, siskin, yellow-headed kinglet, brambling, great tit, song thrush, moskovka, blue tit and, of course, the chaffinch, whose Latin name (lat. Eringilla coelebs) and the name of the station.

Tourists are met by experienced guides with deep knowledge of ornithology. They tell interesting stories from the life of the research center and birds, along the way answering questions that have arisen. If tourist groups lucky, you can see how the process of catching and ringing birds.

2. "Royal Forest" (Curonian Spit)

Route "Royal Forest" on the Curonian Spit

Another popular forest route is called "Royal Forest" and runs along the initial section of the spit - 5-6 km from Zelenogradsk. This route, the distance of which is 2.8 kilometers, runs through the ancient forest, represented by coniferous trees, many of which are over a hundred years old. Picturesque forest landscapes and nearby water meadows were part of the royal reserve in the old days, where the best falcons in all of Prussia were caught and trained.

The forest growing here has never been cut down. Also interesting fact is that not far from the forest there is one of the most popular tourist centers of the Curonian Spit - "Dunes".

3. "Dancing Forest" (Curonian Spit)

The Dancing Forest is a visiting card of the Curonian Spit

The Dancing Forest route, only 800 meters long, is notable for the fact that along its course you can see a unique section pine forest with picturesquely curved trees planted to strengthen the dune Round. This phenomenon is being studied by scientists, but popular rumor finds its explanation for it. Some are sure that somewhere here, in the Curonian Spit reserve, there was that same pagan Sacred Grove. Others talk about space-time distortions and other anomalies of this kind.

Be that as it may, the Dancing Forest is one of the most beautiful places Curonian Spit. And it attracts not only mystics and lovers of "devilry".

4. "Muller height" (Curonian Spit)

Tour impressions: 9 out of 10 points

The route, laid on the 32nd kilometer, is called the "Muller Height", has a length of 3.5 km. Passes through the territory of the most ancient part of the Curonian Spit - Rasite Island, which has glacial origin and being the historical beginning of the sandy body of the spit. Like the height of Efa (more on that below), the route was named after a scientist who fought against the movement of sand. Along the route, you can get acquainted with the richness of local nature, see how work is being done to strengthen the dune, visit the village of Rybachy. And, of course, to explore the surroundings from the observation deck, located at a height of 44.5 meters.

5. "Height of Efa" (Curonian Spit)

Tour impressions: 10 out of 10 points

Observation deck "Height of Efa"

Another "high-altitude" route of the national park is named "Efa Height". Its length is 2.8 km, it passes on the 42nd kilometer of the spit, near the village of Morskoy. The height of Efa is the most high point Dunes Petsh (Orekhovaya), and it is named after the scientist and activist Franz Efa, who worked on the problem of fixing moving sands. The main part of the route passes along the southwestern slope, overgrown with forest, which is the same “safety belt” that prevents the dune from moving towards settlements.

Along the route, you can visit two observation platforms, each with views of the village, forest and water surface Curonian Lagoon. The height of Efa is an excellent place for lovers of landscape photography.

6. Lake Swan (Curonian Spit)

Not included in the standard tour itinerary

Panorama of Lake Swan on the Curonian Spit

The "Lake Swan" route is the longest route on the Curonian Spit, its length is more than 4 km. It is located closest to Lithuania, on the 47th kilometer of the spit. This route allows you to get acquainted with the geological beauties of the spit and admire the surrounding landscapes from a height of 55 meters.

Of course, there are national park and other attractions, because along its length there are many settlements with rich history. But you will learn more about them from the guide who will accompany you throughout the tour of the Curonian Spit.

It is important to know that the entrance (and at the same time the entrance) to the park is carried out with passes, you can only walk along special paths, walking on sand can be fraught not only with a fine and expulsion from the park, but also with shedding a large number sand into the bay water.

How is the excursion to the Curonian Spit

Now you know everything about the routes of the reserve and even more. But keep in mind: in standard tour only includes a visit of the dancing forest”, “Efa Heights” and the Fringilla ornithological station. Sometimes a miracle happens, and tourists are led first to the “Efa Height”, and then to the “Muller Height”.

To see more and adjust the trip to your taste, you need an individual route. You already have a list.

By the way, after returning home, we figured out what to order private tour for 6000-8000 rubles. for four (and our company just consisted of four participants), it would be profitable. This is 1500-2000 rubles. per person against 1300 rubles. for a group tour, where there were exactly 42 of those same participants. But now it’s too late to think, I will tell you about the trip on a big bus, since we visited it. By the way, you can buy it on the spot, already in Kaliningrad itself.

The first stop on the way to the Curonian Spit is in the village of Morskoy. There is a fish shop where you can buy local products (the hit of the program is smoked eel). At each stop of the route you will also see shops with amber. If you have not yet purchased any of the products, you should know that the prices are lower than in Kaliningrad.

Well, then the Curonian Spit - solid vivid impressions. It is difficult to single out which is more picturesque: viewing platforms, the Dancing Forest or the ornithological station, where the first owl of the season was caught a couple of hours before our arrival.

Only a catastrophically small amount of free time at each object upsets. We ran at a gallop through the Dancing Forest, on the observation deck of Efa everyone was very nervous while 42 people were photographed, and we were given 35 minutes to rest and have lunch on the Baltic coast.

Not even so: either on vacation or for lunch, since it is unrealistic to manage both in such a period of time. We chose a vacation: the coast and white sand no one had seen it before, but the film " Long road in the Dunes” was watched by everyone as a child. And I also love the detective series “Bay of Fear”, which was filmed in Morskoye and right in the middle of the Dancing Forest ... But if I start to tell, the article will be endless.

Tourists on the banks of the Curonian Spit

Thus, we managed to spend 15 minutes (given that you need to get from the bus and back) on the shores of the Baltic Sea - and this is a real buzz.

And in order not to exaggerate, in conclusion I will say: the rest of the tour was friendly and in some places very fun. We even became friends with guys from Yekaterinburg and a girl from Khabarovsk and then traveled together.

Route of the Curonian Spit on the map

Theoretically, you can walk the distance from Korolevskoy Bor to Lebed Lake in 12 hours. In practice, this is almost impossible. There are few places where you can walk around the national park with impunity, and moving around without a car is quite difficult.

curonian spit- listed natural monument world heritage UNESCO (2000). It is a narrow and long strip of land that separates the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea. Located next to the city.

The Curonian Spit is 98 kilometers long. Passes from the city to the city of Klaipeda (Lithuania). Half of the Curonian Spit passes through the territory of Russia (49 km.) And half through the territory of Lithuania (49 km.).

The Curonian Spit is a favorite vacation spot for tourists. Sandy beaches are located here, both in the freshwater Curonian Lagoon and in the salty Baltic Sea.

How to get to the Curonian Spit

The Curonian Spit begins in Russia near the city. Entrance to the Curonian Spit through checkpoint-1, which is located 3 km. from the city. On the border with Lithuania, at 49 km. Curonian Spit, there is a checkpoint-2.

Highway 27A-015 passes through the entire Curonian Spit.

From the city of Zelenogradsk to the Curonian Spit, you can go along Moskovskaya Street.

From Zelenogradsk to the Curonian Spit can also be reached by bicycle. There are no dedicated bike paths on the track and on the Curonian Spit itself, but the traffic here is usually not very busy (on weekends there is more traffic).

The Curonian Spit can be reached by bus. The bus station is located at railway station Zelenogradsk (Vokzalnaya street). Buses 596 (Svetlogorsk - Morskoe), 593, 210 (Zelenogradsk - Morskoe) go to the village of Morskoye (located near the border with Lithuania on the Curonian Spit)

We got to the spit by taxi. Yandex.taxi service operates in Zelenogradsk.

Entrance to the territory of the Curonian Spit is paid (150 rubles per vehicle).

Map

Where to eat

In the village of Lesnoy (11 km. of the Curonian Spit) there are good cafe(located at the Promenade).

Beaches on the Curonian Spit

Beaches are located along the entire territory of the spit. But equipped beaches are located only near settlements: Lesnoye, Rybachy, Morskoye.

The most equipped place for recreation is Lesnoye village(11 km. Curonian Spit). There is a Promenade with a restaurant on the sea. Rental of bicycles, sports equipment, boats. Many camp sites, guest houses and hotels.

Near the village Morskoe very nice beach near the Curonian Lagoon ( fresh water). Here the water warms up to 27C in summer.

Remember that the Curonian Spit is a National Park. Campfires and camping are prohibited here.

The beaches of the Curonian Spit consist of the purest, fine crystalline sand. It's nice to walk barefoot on the beach. The sand here is made of crystalline quartz, so it does not stain and it is enough to shake it off, and the feet are clean.

In the village of Lesnoy, along the beach, a small Promenade is equipped - a walking walking street. The peculiarity of the local promenade is that it is made like a wooden flooring.

IN strong wind you can hide from him by going behind the dune, which stretches along the sea coast.

Raspberries and currants can be found in the forest of the Curonian Spit.

Sights of the Curonian Spit

72% of the territory of the spit is occupied by forests. About 600 species of woody, artisanal and herbaceous vegetation grow here.

The fauna includes 296 species of terrestrial vertebrates (elk, roe deer, wild boar, fox and others).

The Curonian Spit is called as a bird's bridge. Here passes the ancient migration route of birds (150 species) from northern regions south of Europe and North Africa. During the days of migration, up to a million birds fly over the spit every day. 102 species of birds nest here.

One of the first in the world and the oldest in Europe ornithological station "Fringilla", located in the village of Rybachy, operates on the spit. It was founded by the German theologian and bird lover Johann Thienemann on January 1, 1901.

Along the Kursk Spit guided tours. The duration of the tour is from 5 to 6 hours. During the tour, you will be taken to the main sights of the spit and taken along some walking routes. A tour of the Curonian Spit can be booked at the Zelenograd City Museum of Local Lore (Zelenogradsk, Lenina St., 6). But there are many other organizations that conduct tours of the Curonian Spit.

Visitor Center "Museum Complex"

Located at 14 km. Curonian Spit. Part museum complex includes two main buildings and a museum under open sky, on the territory of which: the village of the Viking Age "Ancient Sambia", an arboretum cultivated plants, a pier with a boat, an interactive complex, a children's playground and a collection of wooden sculptures.

From May to September, on fine days, boat trips "Chaika" are held along the Curonian Lagoon.

Walking routes

Korolevskiy Bor (walking route)

Located at 6.6 km. Curonian Spit (from the coast of the Curonian Lagoon).

Here marked walking route length - 2.9 km.

The route passes through the territory of centuries-old coniferous forests and old plantations of introducers, primarily the giant thuja.

Part of the route runs along the shore of the Curonian Lagoon. There is a wooden tower with observation deck. Here you can see the black alder forests adjacent to the bay, willow thickets and large-grass meadows, admire the views of the freshwater reservoir that open from the observation platform, get acquainted with the numerous inhabitants of the reed-reed thickets.

Part of the route runs along a section of the old postal route, which was the main road from East Prussia to Russia for a hundred and fifty years. Along the path, which ran partly along the seashore, partly along the flood part of the spit, in different time Peter I, Queen of Prussia Louise, Prussian kings Frederick I and Friedrich Wilhelm III were passing by.

View of the Curonian Lagoon

observation tower

forest path

Tui Giant Nursery

Müller height (walking route)

Located on the 32nd km. Curonian Spit (near the village of Rybachy).

A 2 km long hiking trail is marked here. The route of the route passes through the wet alder forest at the foot of the dune, along the age-old plantations of spruces and pines of various species, along young plantings in the place of the burnt forest.

The route is equipped with an observation deck located at an altitude of 44.4 m above sea level.

Muller Height is the highest point of the Bolotnaya dune (Bruchberg), which is the largest of those located near the village of Rybachy (former Rossitten).

The height is named after the forester of the Königsberg Forest Office Müller, who studied forest soils and introduced a new method of afforestation, which made it possible to fix moving sands.

From Rossitten to Rybachy (walking route)

Located on the 33rd km. Curonian Spit.

The walking route is 3.8 km long.

The route passes through the village and along the highway towards Zelenogradsk to the old German cemetery.

The historical and cultural route "From Rossitten to Rybachy" passes through the village of Rybachy and introduces the architecture and history of the largest settlement in the southern part of the Curonian Spit, with its famous residents who were engaged in scientific activities on the peninsula, and also made a significant contribution to the popularization of the spit and turning it into a world-class resort.

Rossitten Forest (walking route)

Located on the 34th km. Curonian Spit.

Walking route length - 2 km.

Walking and educational route starts from the bus stop in the village. Rybachy on the 34th km of the Zelenogradsk-Klaipeda highway and passes through the territory of the Golden Dunes district forestry of the Curonian Spit National Park, along a forest clearing and a dirt road towards the sea.

The route starts from the highway in the area of ​​the Rybachy Village bus stop on the sea side and passes through the flat wooded palva plain (along the forest area) from the widest point of the Russian part of the Curonian Spit (4 km from the sea to the bay). In the mixed (pine-birch forest with oak and spruce, in the undergrowth with mountain ash) visitors can meet its various inhabitants: wild boar, roe deer, fox, raccoon dog and even elk, or see traces of their life. For example, numerous pores, beds and so on.

Dancing forest (walking route)

Located on the 37th km. Curonian Spit.

Walking route length - 0.8 km.

Here you can buy souvenirs.

On the Curonian Spit you can see a coniferous forest, the trunks of which wind in bizarre zigzags. This forest is called "dancing" here. The reasons for this formation of a pine trunk are not known for certain.

The route introduces an unusual piece of pine forest, planted in the early 60s. 20th century on the dune Round (Runderberg - Round Mountain). Unlike most of the dunes of the spit, stretching along the shore of the Curonian Lagoon, the separate Kruglaya dune is located directly on the palva - a flat wooded plain between the sea and the bay.

Several pine trees are fenced off with a wooden fence. These pines were especially popular with tourists, but this caused harm to these trees. They were fenced off to save. The trunk of one of these pines makes a complete closed loop.

Before the Great patriotic war in this place there was a German glider school, in which about 30 thousand pilots were trained.

Efa height (walking route)

Located on the 42nd km. Curonian Spit.

The walking route is 2.8 km long.

Here you can buy souvenirs and have a snack. There are small cafes along the highway and on the coast of the Baltic Sea.

One of the highest dunes in Europe, Orekhovaya (Petsh) dune, is located near the village of Morskoye. Being on its top, you can hear the famous "singing sands". The highest point of the dune - 55 meters - was named the height of Efa in honor of the dune inspector Franz Efa, whose work was devoted to the study and fixation of shifting sands.

Here are two observation decks, from which the whole variety of landscapes of the spit opens: the sea, the bay, sand dunes, forested areas, cozy houses Morskoye village.

Most of the route passes along specially installed wooden decks.

Swan Lake (walking route)

Located on the 46th km. Curonian Spit.

Walking route length - 3 km.

"Swan" is a unique lake of eolian origin, located on the lagoon plain and separated from the Curonian Lagoon by a thin sand barrier. The lake appeared relatively recently in a small bay.

This lake is an oasis of waterfowl. Mute swans, coot ducks, grebes, mallards and gray herons are found here.

Other attractions

"Fringilla" - field hospital of the Biostation of the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Located on the 23rd km. Curonian Spit.

The field station is a subdivision of the world's first ornithological station, founded in Rossitten (now the village of Rybachy) back in 1901 by Professor I. Tinnemann. The station got its name in honor of the finch bird (in Latin "fringilla"), located on the path of seasonal migrations of various birds.

During the tour, you will be shown bird traps, as well as how scientists ring birds.

There are also wooden houses in which scientists live.

bird trap

cuckoo ringing

Residential houses for scientists

Lake Chaika (resting place)

Located on the 32nd km. Curonian Spit.

The biggest freshwater lake Curonian Spit (length 1400 m, width - about 400 m). It is located on the 32nd km of the spit on the ancient moraine foundation of the Rybachinsky Peninsula.

Fishing is excellent here, especially crucian.

Chapel in the village of Lesnoy

It is located in the village of Lesnoy - (11th km of the Curonian Spit), in the narrowest place of the Curonian Spit (the distance between the sea and the bay is 400 m). Built in memory of the lost fishermen.

Lighthouse in the village of Lesnoy

A navigation sign that carries a radio and a light beacon (11th km of the Curonian Spit). The lighthouse signal is visible in the sea and the bay at a distance of up to 20 miles. The lighthouse also has antennas - cellular repeaters. The people called the lighthouse in Lesnoy the “Floor Lamp of Love”.

Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh in the village. Fishing

Located on the 32nd km. Curonian Spit (Rybachy village).

The temple was built in 1873 as a Lutheran church by the architect Tischler. After 1945, a flour-grinding shop was located in the building of the former church for some time, later a shop for repairing the networks of the local fish farm. In 1992, the building was handed over to the Orthodox community in the village of Rybachy.

Video

Kos is the birthplace of Hippocrates. At least, this is what the locals and the myths of Ancient Greece, familiar to us from childhood, say. From above, the island reminded me of a sand castle surrounded by the sea. He blinked and beckoned with lights. And I already imagined how I would go around it on a bicycle. And in one day. But more on that later.

Colors and Facts of Kos Island

Kos is part of the so-called Dodecanese archipelago, which has 17 miniature Greek islands. Having coastline only 112 km away, the island will find something to surprise you with. Even in winter, flamingos fly here. And in summer the island is immersed in greenery and silvered with olives. The inhabitants of Kos boldly call themselves Greeks and are very proud that after 400 years of Turkish and then Italian "patronage" they have finally returned to their roots. The industry is not at all developed here, but olives and tourists provide local jobs almost all year round.

The capital of the same name to the island is truly a city of contrasts. A sort of mixture of Italian courtyards with oriental bazaars. A city within a village. A ten-minute walk from the port with its majestic fortress and bustling restaurants will take you to the outskirts where goats, sheep and cows graze peacefully. Other resorts of the island: Kefalos, Mastichari, Marmari, Psalidi, Agios Fokas are more created for a relaxing, beach holiday.

Short video about Kos

How to get there

There are two main ways to get to Kos: by plane or by ferry. By plane it is faster and more convenient, and by ferry you can sail along with the car. But you will not get to the island by bus or train.

By plane

The island of Kos is lucky. With an area of ​​290 km², he even got an international airport. Charter flights from Russia, Ukraine and CIS countries fly here from May to October 1-2 times a week. To purchase a charter, you will need to contact a travel agency. From Moscow (Vnukovo) to fly 3.5 hours, from St. Petersburg (Pulkovo) - 3 hours 17 minutes. There are no direct (not charter) flights from Moscow or St. Petersburg. When booking on your own, you will have to make a transfer in Athens. The flight to Kos from Athens takes 1 hour. The best time to fly is April/May or October. During these months, you can fly from Moscow (DME) to Kos (KGS) with a transfer in Athens for 9,000 rubles, from St. Petersburg (LED) - for 14,000 rubles. (Aegean Airlines). In the middle of the season, flight prices to Kos from both capitals grow one and a half times. You can’t avoid transfers in Düsseldorf, Munich, Athens, Thessaloniki at all. low season- from October to April. You can pick up tickets on search engine sites, for example,.

A little about Kos airport. Hippocrates Airport is located in the center of the island, about 1 km from the town of Antimachia. It has only two small terminals, signs in English and Greek are accompanied by international signs, some of the staff even speak Russian. It's hard to get lost. In the summer there are queues - count your time. There is Duty Free at the airport, but the prices there are higher than in city shops.

I will talk about how it is more convenient to get from the airport to the city of Kos or resorts in the section on urban transport.

By ferry

You can fly to Athens, get to the port of Piraeus and sail to Kos by ferry. This method is longer, but in winter or when charter flights are expensive, it can help out. In addition, the ferries are comfortable and enjoy the views to your heart's content. The most convenient way to get from Athens Airport (ATH) to the port of Piraeus is by bus X96. The trip takes 90 minutes and costs 5 euros. You can get there by metro in 1 hour 20 minutes and 8 euros. On the ferry from Piraeus to Kos, you will sail for about 12 hours (with a stop at). The most economical ticket for one will cost about 40 euros. Schedule can be viewed

Between the Greek islands is also established ferry service. For example, you can take a ferry in Rhodes and sail to Kos. This will take about 4 hours. However, ferries may not run every day - check in advance. All ferries land at the Port of Kos.

To moor to about. Kos on your own yacht can be used, which is a 10-minute walk from the port.

If Kosmarina is crowded, you can use the Old Port or the ports in Kardamena and Kefalos (Kefalos-Bay).

Clue:

Kos - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 1

Kazan 1

Samara 2

Yekaterinburg 3

Novosibirsk 5

Vladivostok 8

When is the season. When is the best time to go

The season on the island of Kos lasts from April to October. The main flow of tourists falls on the summer months. In July-August, prices for flights and accommodation rise significantly. Thanks to the more famous neighboring islands, you will not feel the crowds on Kos even in summer. In winter, mostly European pensioners come here for sedate walks along the sea. Many hotels/shops/restaurants are closing altogether.

You can get acquainted with the prices for tours to the island of Kos in the travelask section.

Kos in summer

Summer on Kos is hot. The air temperature can rise up to +45C. The weather is calm. If you are a sightseeing hunter, you should not go in the summer. In the heat, climbing the ruins or just walking around is dubious pleasure. But fans of a beach holiday will like after a sunbath, to plunge into the coolness of the Aegean Sea.

The sea is pleasant, it doesn’t look like a warm soup at all, because. does not heat up more than + 25C. Fragrant fruits on Kos are available all year round. Considering the heat, I advise you to lean on watermelons and peaches for lunch.

Kos in autumn

September and early October are truly velvet here. Water +20C, air +25C. This time seems to be created for walks, excursions, cycling trips. It's nice to spend the first part of the day on the beach, get covered with a light tan, and then go in search of adventure. Local almonds appear in shops. This is in addition to peaches, which do not disappear from the shelves.

But there is also bad news. From mid-October it may start to rain. Rain on Kos is like a flood. The whole sky is covered with black clouds, thunder rumbles, and the rain pours over the unfortunate tourists for two or three days in a row. The streets can only be walked in rubber boots to the knees. Also, it gets very cold. Tourists can only sit in bars and complain together about their fate. Although the bars may close due to bad weather. Umbrellas are sold on every corner, but the quality is so-so. Better take it from home. But after the rains, the island looks happy, and the sun warms so friendly that tourists forgive everything and continue to have fun until the end of October. November is out of season.

Kos in spring

In spring, the island blossoms. No wonder it is called the garden of the Aegean. Since February, everything that can bloom. Even cacti. And almonds and bougainvillea bloom especially exotic for the Russian eye.

For spring secluded walks around the island, you can fly in March-April. Air temperature +18C, water +17C. In addition, the first nectarines and cherries ripen. But in May there are more tourists. Obviously, and in connection with the May holidays in Russia. Like autumn, late spring in the Mediterranean is considered velvet season. You can sunbathe beautifully and explore the whole island.

Kos in winter

In winter, you can fly to Kos for only one purpose. Live as a hermit. Look at the sea in a storm, listen to the wind. Chill and warm up with almond liqueur in the nearest cafe.

Cloudy weather from December to February. The temperature is about +10C. We have not seen snow here in winter, but there is plenty of rain. Of course, the extinct resort has its own charm, but a visit in the spring will delight you with completely different colors.

Kos - monthly weather

Clue:

Kos - monthly weather

conditional areas. Descriptions and features

Tourists choose the area of ​​the island depending on the type of holiday. The bulk settles directly in the capital, the city of Kos, or in nearby villages. I usually look for hotels on Booking - check if there are more favorable price, Can . If you prefer to rent private apartments - be like.

Kos city

The beaches here are equipped and clean. In the evening, you can walk to the city without spending money on a taxi. By the way, there is an interesting system with the beaches in the city of Kos. They belong not to hotels, but to bars. Bartenders stand at the entrance to the beach and invite vacationers to their place. Sunbeds are free, but the client always orders something: beer, ice cream, juice. However, you can make friends with the bartender: they are not averse to chatting. Then you, as a friend, can use the sunbed without ordering anything.

Kamari and Kefalos

The resort of Kamari near the city of Kefalos is also suitable for those who wish to Ancient Greece take a look and lie down on the beach. It is located 43 km west of Kos. In Kefalos, it is worth visiting the ruined castle and the ancient basilica. Active travelers will also find their energy here.Kitesurfing and windsurfing equipment can be rented on the beaches of Kamari and neighboring Kollihari. An hour of renting one set of equipment costs about 25-30 euros, it is more profitable to take equipment for a day - pay about 70 euros.

Kardamena

Food. What to try

On Kos they believe that Greek, and not Italian Cuisine rules the world. It's useless to convince - I tried, don't get involved. Nod, smack your lips, and become the favorite guest of every cafe.

There are a lot of snacks here. But the cheese fried in olive oil seemed the most unusual to me. It's called saganaki. They bring a briquette 10 by 10 cm, golden, salty and very oily. But you will never forget this taste.

Local olives are neither green nor black. They are oblong, irregular in shape and some kind of light purple or brown. Depends on lighting. I only admire them, because I do not eat. A plate of snacks usually costs 4-7 euros.

Greek salad. Without it, the kitchen cannot be described. A proper Greek salad is eaten with a fork and spoon. Just like pasta. Apparently, a spoon to draw oil with tomato juice and vinegar, which flow from vegetables to the bottom of the plate. The salad portions are large. If you are not very hungry, you can get by with them. It costs 5-8 euros depending on the level of the institution.

Fish dishes are simple, juicy and relatively expensive, despite the fact that the sea is nearby. But for some reason, their octopuses taste like rubber. Hot fish will cost 9-15 euros.

The local goulash won me over. Prepared like this: pieces of beef are stewed in a pot with feta and potatoes. They bring it hot. It smells of spices and comfort. Be sure to try. It costs about 10 euros.

Wine. Be patient until you return to Russia. Decent red wines in local stores are expensive - from 10 euros (in Moscow stores you can buy a similar wine for 6 euros). IN local restaurants You can't go wrong with wine prices. I tried homemade wine in several establishments - very weak.

I would recommend The Fish House Taverna at 25th Martiou St, Kos Harbor (see map). Place in the center, colorful, white with blue accents. It is located on a hill, and a terrace was made on the stairs. Sitting on the terrace is more pleasant, only there they often take pictures. No wonder this is the most beautiful corner in the city. The food is delicious, we even got a Russian waitress. It was possible to talk about life in exile. Hot + salad cost about 15 euros.

And if you go down the stairs and turn left, then there you can go to the most popular pub on Kos. At least among the locals. The bartender on the beach assured me that they make the best cocktails in all of Kos. I don’t remember what it was called, but there are large tables in the air, and inside the room is small, with mirrors. There are a lot of people, although this is by no means a cheap place - all cocktails are from 7 €. But take a look, see where the locals rest.

Safety. What to watch out for

Kos is pretty quiet. Serious crimes are unheard of, sensational. Just beware of petty theft. Keep track of your bags, wallets, phones. It is better to take the minimum amount of money to the beach, and keep expensive jewelry, money, passport in a safe. If there is no safe in the room, put everything in a suitcase and fasten all the zippers. Even better if you get a lock on your suitcase in advance.

Outside of Kos, there is a lot of talk about Syrian refugees. In vain - they are completely harmless here. They set up a small camp in the port and live in tents. Around the refugees, a police squad is constantly on duty, so they say something in a whisper. They are really a pity, but it is more likely to be afraid of pickpockets.

Things to do

Top 3 non-tourist activities in Kos

Go to visit the Metropolitan on a bicycle

Of course, it will not work to travel around the entire island on a bicycle. I really hoped. But try to at least go outside your resort. If you move away from the port of the city of Kos at a decent distance (about 4 km) and go through the hills, you can stumble upon the house of the local metropolitan (free entry). And there are cages with parrots, and a pebble floor, and silence.

Get to know the fauna in the vicinity of the resorts

Tours and sightseeing are useful things to do. But they are very well planned. But if you just go for a walk, you can make an unexpected acquaintance. For example, with a turtle. My new friend got stuck in the fence and could not get out for so long that she even bent her shell.

Taste Kos

What does Kos taste like? It will be great if you can answer this question upon arrival. Therefore, being on the island, try everything. The Greeks are very hospitable people, in every shop they smeared me with creams, fed me with honey, butter, nuts. When the restaurant found out that I didn't drink strong drinks, they said that I hadn't tried raki. And then they brought a glass. Raki, local grape vodka, tart and bitter, burned my throat, and the Greeks smacked their lips happily. And they didn't include it in the bill.

How to move around the region

The most convenient way to get around Kos is by bus or rented car. You can also ride a bike, but you won’t go around the island in a day, and there are a lot of hills here - you’ll have to sweat. There are many sightseeing buses on the island, but this method of transportation is more expensive and ties you to a group.

Taxi. What features exist

Taxis on Kos are usually located at special parking lots and have "TAXI" checkers. The cars are new, with air conditioning, but moving around in them is quite expensive. For example, a trip from the airport to the city center of Kos will cost about 35-40 euros. Prices are fixed, prescribed for each resort. Bargaining is not very appropriate. Booking information can be viewed

Public transport

It is convenient to move around the city of Kos and the surrounding area by city buses. Tickets can be bought at special booths on bus stops. They will also advise you on which bus to get to right place. The ticket costs 1.6 euros. In order to go to the baths or other resorts of the island, use the suburban buses. trips to long distance can cost 7-8 euros. Tickets to commuter buses buy directly from the driver. All buses depart from the Central Bus Station (Kleopatras 7) and make a stop near Neratzia Fortress.

A bus ride from the airport to Kos town will cost 3.20 euros. Stop next to the terminal exit. You will arrive in 45 minutes. The route passes through the Mastichari resort. Buses from the airport run from 7.55 to 19.50 (or until 16.15 from November to April).

Transport rental

You can rent a bike at your hotel or in the city. Rental points usually have a large parking lot that can be seen from afar. This pleasure costs about 4 euros per day. Documents and age are not important, you will not have to draw up and sign any contracts. The bike is supposed to be returned by a certain hour to where you took it. You pay in advance. Be sure to check that the bike is on the move and ask for a lock for it. The castle is usually included in the rental price.

You can rent a car at the airport and at any of the resorts. If you plan to pick up the car at the airport, it is better to book in advance so as not to waste time comparing prices. In town, look for "Rental Car" signs. The cost of renting a car per day is from 40 euros. You can pick up and book a car in advance. To draw up a contract, you must have a driving license, a passport with a visa and about 200 euros on the card. Requirements for the age and experience of the driver: age from 21 years and driving experience from 1 year. It's great if you know English - you can study the lease agreement. There are no problems with parking on the island, but they are paid. In resort centers and near attractions, parking costs from 1.50 euros per hour. Gasoline 95 costs about 1.50-2 euros per liter.

How to get to the Curonian Spit. This post contains all possible options. I mean the Lithuanian part, because it is much easier to get to the Russian part, and there is much more information on the network in this regard.

Option 1. Allegedly the cheapest. By train to Kaliningrad, then by bus.

Train number 147 runs from Moscow to Kaliningrad. A reserved seat ticket costs 2155 rubles. compartment 3800. From St. Petersburg No. 79. A reserved seat ticket costs 2283 rubles one way. It is better to buy these tickets 45 days in advance, because they are in short supply. These trains travel for about a day. Unfortunately, the only bus to the spit leaves from the bus station in Kaliningrad at 16.30, and trains from Moscow and St. Petersburg arrive later: at 19.40 and 16.50, respectively. From Moscow there is another, branded, train number 29, it arrives in Kaliningrad around noon, but a reserved seat ticket costs 3,175 rubles for it.

For those who are very mobile, there is also a bus to the village of Morskoye, located just 10 km away. from Nida. It leaves at 17.50 from the Kaliningrad bus station, and you can catch it at least from the St. Petersburg train. But it is forbidden to cross the border on foot.

My recommendation: if you come to Kaliningrad by train, get to Zelenogradsk (last bus at 21.30). Spend the night there, take a walk for a day, and then take the same Kaliningrad-Nida bus, in Zelenogradsk it is at 17.30. The road will cost 400 rubles. An alternative is a taxi from Kaliningrad to Nida, the cost is 2500-3000 rubles.

Option 2. By car. 1600 rubles for " green card"plus 220 liters of gasoline (from an average calculation of 9 liters per hundred). For simplicity, let's calculate 60 liters at 1.34 euros (prices in the Baltic states) and 160 liters at 33 rubles. The total is 10600 rubles. If you are not a fan of sleepless driving on bad roads, then on the way to Kosa it is better to spend the night. On the way from St. Petersburg, the best place for an overnight stay in terms of price-quality-location ratio is hotel Jaunsetas in Latvian city Aluksne near Russian border. It is checked up on own experience.

If you are traveling from Moscow, it is reasonable to spend the night in the city of Rezekne. You can compare prices for hotels in Rezekne by clicking on this link

Option 3. The fastest and most comfortable. But dear.

Fly to Vilnius by plane, and then rent a car. A ticket to Vilnius from Moscow with a convenient connection in Minsk costs about 8 thousand rubles. Renting a car in Vilnius will cost about 1,000 rubles per day. We think we are going for a week. In total, for two for a week, the road with the car turns out to be 23 thousand rubles. I agree, not budget. But very easy and pleasant. From Vilnius to Klaipeda and to Kosa, it takes 3 or 4 hours to drive along an excellent highway.

Option 4. Bus

On the Ecolines website, you can buy a ticket from Moscow to Klaipeda for 2400 rubles.

On the way the bus 19 hours. you need to make a transfer in the city of Maryanpol. From Klaipeda to the spit and along the spit local bus. Almost a day on the bus is an amateur, but cheap.