This year’s summer vacation will certainly be different from anything before. However, it is important to have a vacation. Moreover, it is important to avoid the daily routine of scrolling through news feeds and the sound of the air raid sirens, at least for a while. Therefore, spending a vacation in Bakota – will become a lovely option. It is a vast water location with amazing coast areas, fascinating camping, fishing, many interesting hiking trails, and informative stories about the flooded village on the Dniester River – mark my words; you will love it. So there is no time to waste – rent a car and spend your summer vacation with pleasure.

The story of a flooded village.

Bakota is a village in the Khmelnytsky region, which is often referred to as Ukrainian Atlantis. The village has been gone from the map for many years. After all, in the 1970s, it was flooded with water from the Dniester River during the construction of a hydroelectric power plant.

Of course, the flooding was a real disaster for many village residents, as they were forced to leave their homes. The republic government had about eight years to relocate and clean the village. After the eviction was completed in early 1981, the water level in the river slowly began to rise.

Before the flooding, Bakota thrived with over a thousand residents, serving as a significant center in Podolia. The village housed the Bakot monastery, and until the mid-1990s, a network of caves with ancient 11th-13th-century paintings existed. Unfortunately, the collapse of the White Mountain led to the near-complete destruction of this historical treasure.

What are the typical tourist sightseeing places?

The village’s place of interest remains Bakota Bay, enclosed by steep shores, lush gardens, and breathtaking views. Now part of Podilski Tovtry National Nature Park, this area hosts numerous endangered species from Ukraine’s Red Book. Rarely found elsewhere, comparable sites exist mainly in Switzerland and Australia, though in our country, these wonders are on the shore, not underwater.

The local climate, often likened to Crimea’s, offers a mild and warm experience, thanks to its rocky shores—an ideal sea vacation alternative. With all the benefits for a beach getaway, tourists enjoy camping, hiking, biking along park routes, catamaran and boat rides, fishing and grilling, triathlons, yoga, and mesmerizing sunrises and sunsets that leave vacationers breathless.

The main local tourist attraction is the St. Michael’s Monastery ruins. Its building was constructed by pagans at the edge of 2000 B.C., and then in the 11th century A.D., the monastery became the dwelling of Christians. Not far from the monastery, there are several water springs, which water has healing powers. Hundreds of pilgrims rushed to these springs to worship the shrines; therefore, here, you can see a lot of small ribbons and icons left by the religious ones.

After getting to know Bakota, it is worth driving further – to interesting places, which are located near the city of Kamyanets-Podilskyi, which will take less than an hour.

Getting to Bakota

The most comfortable way to get here is to rent a car. When choosing a particular model, you should consider that the highway to Bakota is not the best quality; therefore, it makes sense to choose an off-road vehicle with high clearance. Our lozynskyi-transfers.com manager will choose the best car for this trip and deliver it to your location.

While planning a low-cost trip, you can get here by bus to Staraya Ushitsa or Horaevka. After getting off the bus, you need to walk another 3 kilometers, and then you will reach Bakota.

Where you can spend the night?

Based on your budget and preferences, opt for a tent, trailer, or private house, or enjoy the conveniences of the local camping site. There is no need for a tent, as a camping town can offer a cafeteria and showers.

Helpful Tip: if you carefully plan your trip, you can save about 15% of the rental price by booking a car in advance.

Visit Bacota for a vacation, which will fill you with mental strength. Moreover, you will enjoy the breathtaking nature views.