Yalta Embankment and Bay – Ukraine River Cruise

Yalta is blessed with a deep harbour which allows cruise liners to come into Yalta Bay and river cruisers such as ours to moor at the Embankment. The Embankment is Yalta’s main thoroughfare and the centre of all activities.  Locals come here to promenade and Russian holidaymakers flock here to enjoy the sun, the sea and whatever else Yalta has to offer…

River cruise boat at Yalta Embankment

Shops, open-air cafes and restaurants line the main strip along the waterfront and behind these lie layers of more shops and food outlets.  In the midst of summer, with its blue skies and high temperatures, the Embankment is bursting with activities for young and old.  Lenin stands tall in the main square, watching over the Bay.  Unfortunately for the poor man, he also happens to now face that symbol of Americanism – the Golden Arch. 

Afternoon tea dance

We heard music coming from the direction of Lenin’s statue and on approach, we spotted an orchestra playing and were also fortunate to see the locals enjoying their afternoon tea dance. As the people danced around in a large circle, we noted these two ladies who were well made-up and they danced really well.  They looked like they may have belonged to a dance company in their younger days and age has not dented their enthusiasm for performing.  When they spotted Tony’s professional camera, they made a point of posing, each time they swirled past our spot.  It was such a treat to watch the locals enjoy themselves and I envied them that they could dance so well.  The kids had their fun as well.  All around Lenin’s statue was a giant amusement park.

Lenin at Yalta Embankment

Walking westward along the Embankment, one of the icons is the Espacola Sailer from Robert Stevenson’s Treasure Island.  It has for a long time been used as a restaurant and was once the most trendy in Yalta.  Nearby is another landmark, the Golden Fleece Restaurant which was built as an ancient Greek ship.

There’s so much to see and do during the day and nightime is another story.  How fortunate for us that our ship was right where all the action is.

Helen