Summer 2019 is approaching - let's try to find out when and where is the best time for families with children, young people and the elderly to relax in the Greater Sochi area. Comparison of resorts and reviews from tourists.

Holidays in the resort area of ​​Greater Sochi have been prestigious among our compatriots for many years, and its resorts are the most sought-after and popular on the entire Black Sea coast. This popularity is facilitated by the rich natural potential of the region and well-developed infrastructure, which last years has changed significantly.

Did you know, that trips to Sochi in 2019 can be purchased for only 6-10 thousand rubles (for example, a 4-night tour for two from Moscow)? And during promotional periods it’s even cheaper! The tour price includes: flights, accommodation, transfer, insurance and meals of your choice.

Last minute tours search on services and they will find best deals among different tour operators. Want to save money? Explore our.

Where to find cheap tickets? Use the Skyscanner search engine - it compares prices of all airlines. Find out the prices for.

(Photo © booking.com / Apartments on Odoevskogo, 87)

Where is the best place to relax in Greater Sochi? Reviews from tourists

In Greater Sochi, the beaches are pebble everywhere. The most popular resorts , according to tourist reviews for 2017, these are Sochi, Adler, Dagomys, Khosta, Lazarevskoye, Kudepsta, Matsesta, Golovinka and new resort- Imereti Bay.

What is so attractive about these resorts in Greater Sochi and why is it best to relax there? Khosta is famous for its yew-boxwood groves and the mildest climate in the region, Lazarevskoye and Dagomys - comfortable and clean beaches, Matsesta and Adler - hydrogen sulfide springs, healing mud and good sanatorium and medical facilities.

In Sochi and Adler it is best developed tourism infrastructure, these resorts are almost never empty. There is a slight lull in transition period from beach holiday to the ski resort and vice versa. This is usually in late November and early December and late April. The rest of the time there are always vacationers.

The question of where it is better to relax, in Sochi or Adler, cannot be answered unequivocally. Sochi is a noisier and more expensive resort, but with developed infrastructure. On the other hand, Adler is only slightly cheaper and does not lag behind Sochi in terms of entertainment.

(Photo © booking.com / Adler)

Where to stay inexpensively in Greater Sochi?

The highest prices for holidays are in Sochi and Adler, slightly lower in Lazarevskoye. It is relatively inexpensive to relax in Kudepst, Golovinka, Vardan. First coastline Sochi is busy expensive hotels and hotels; cheaper options can be found further from the center. Quiet and budget holiday in Vishnevka, Makopsa and Vardan. There is almost no entertainment here, and accommodation is mainly in the private sector.

IN Imereti Bay(villages Veseloye, Mirny and others) prices are different. Accommodation in large hotels built for the Olympic Games, starts from 3500-4000 rubles per day; in the private sector you can find accommodation 1.5-2 times cheaper. Recently, the new resort has been developing rapidly and more and more tourists are choosing to stay in this area of ​​​​Sochi.

Where to stay in Sochi? Look for hotels and hostels on the popular Skyscanner Hotels service - there you can find very cozy accommodation at any price!

Do you want to find accommodation in private sector Sochi? Easily! Airbnb has many interesting offers: rooms, apartments and even houses - this is a good alternative to hotels.

(Photo © killerbass / flickr.com / Licensed CC BY-NC 2.0)

Cultural and excursion holidays

If you are primarily focused on excursion holiday, it is best to stay in Sochi itself, as it is convenient to make excursions and trips from there.

Tourists usually visit the following attractions in Sochi: Winter Theatre, Museum of History, Art Museum, Cathedral of the Archangel Michael. Nature lovers prefer the Sochi Arboretum, the Dolphinarium and Oceanarium in the Riviera Park, the monkey nursery in Vesyoly, the trout farm, the Vorontsov Caves, 33 waterfalls, Mount Akhun and Bytkha, and the parks of Khosta and Adler.

The Rosa Khutor complex is operational all year round. In summer there is a cable car here, you can climb to a height of 2320 m (Rose Peak) and admire the stunning views. No less popular among holidaymakers Olympic Park and a dancing fountain show. It is also convenient to go on excursions from Sochi - the geographical location allows you to make sightseeing trips that take less than a day. You can visit with a Russian passport.

In addition, Sochi often hosts major cultural events. These are the annual May beer festival "Sea of ​​Beer in Sochi", the June film festival "Kinotavr", the maritime festival "SochiBotShow" in August, the KVN festival in January and others. Artists from the domestic show business often come to Sochi to give concerts, and ballet and theater groups perform.

(Photo © Vlad Mikheyev / flickr.com / License CC BY-NC 2.0)

Where is the best place to relax in Sochi with children?

Recently, many parents have spoken negatively about Sochi and Adler and do not recommend them for holidays with children - there are a lot of people, the beaches are noisy and dirty, there are cases of children becoming infected. However, it is worth paying attention to Imereti Bay- According to reviews, it is clean and cozy. Tourists also write about wastewater in Loo, which flows into the river, and from there into the sea. The aroma is appropriate and not very conducive to relaxation.

Where is the best place to relax in Greater Sochi with children? It is worth paying attention to small villages and staying there. According to reviews, the sea is very clean, calm family holiday V Lazarevsky. Nice beaches, many hotels and private sector, on the embankment there is a network of cozy cafes and restaurants. In Lazarevskoye you can find all the entertainment for children: water parks, a terrarium, a penguinarium, a dolphinarium; for adults, sea entertainment and jeeping are offered. But you need to be careful with children - do not allow them to swallow sea ​​water, wash the fruit thoroughly.

(Photo © apdk / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY 2.0)

Resorts for youth recreation

The youngest places are Sochi and Adler. Here are the best nightclubs and discos: Mandarin, Oscar, FeRoom, Plazma, Bachelor and others. Fans of Russian rock prefer the Triangle rock bar in Adler, where they can see the stars in person. Fans of active recreation will find many other entertainments: sea and horseback riding, diving, rafting on the Mzymta River, jeeping and excursions.

Resorts for seniors

Elderly and middle-aged people are better off staying in less noisy resorts in Sochi. In Adler and Matsesta there are many sanatoriums where people are treated with silt mud and hydrogen sulfide baths. There is a lot of inexpensive housing in Kudepst; it is quiet and peaceful here, compared to the large resorts of Sochi and Adler. Dagomys and Golovinka are perfect places to relax for middle-aged and elderly people.

Khosta, despite all its greenery, has a complex mountainous terrain, and walking for unprepared people is somewhat tiring, but there is also a good sanatorium base that is suitable for people of all ages.

(Photo © booking.com / Health Complex "Dagomys")

Weather in Sochi by months

It is best to relax in Sochi with May to September. In May, the sea is still chilly +17°C, unsuitable for swimming, the air warms up to +21°C. This month is more suitable for excursions and walks. It is very sunny and warm in Adler, Khosta, Matsesta, Dagomys.

Starts in September the Velvet season, when the air cools down to a comfortable +25°C, and the sea is warm, like in summer. In October, temperatures continue to decline, and it rains more often. The warmest places in Khosta and Adler are here swimming season lasts until the end of the month. In November, the beaches are empty - during the day + 15°C.

Opens from December ski season and lasts until April. All sanatoriums and hotel complexes Krasnaya Polyana, Rosa Khutor and other resorts are perfectly equipped for a comfortable stay - spas, fitness centers, swimming pools, cafes and restaurants. In the mountains in winter it is moderately cool: +2...+4°C during the day, 0...−2°C at night. On the coast there is a plus temperature of +8...+10°C and dampness.

Introductory image source: booking.com / Imereti Coastal Quarter.

Sochi is the brightest, most modern and more comfortable city Black Sea South of Russia. Big Sochi is really big. The village of Magri is the symbolic gateway to Sochi. The Sochi resort stretches 170 km to the Adler region, the Psou River and even 4 resorts in the mountains below common name"Krasnaya Polyana". Geographically, Sochi covers 4 large resort areas: Lazarevsky, Central, Khostinsky and. Even without traffic jams, the journey along the Sochi highway will take three hours. Lazarevsky is the largest and most extensive district of Sochi. Central is historical Center Sochi. It is the smallest, but here, entertainment, beaches and greenery per square meter. When choosing an area for a holiday in Sochi, the main task is to understand: where and what the beach will be like, how far to get to it and over what terrain, whether it will be free or paid.

Khosta It is endowed with mountainous terrain, so be careful when choosing housing. The Black Sea in Sochi is always unique: at dawn and in the calm morning it attracts clear water, at noon - a slight coolness, in the evening haze - the reflection of the moonlit path on the quiet surface of the sea. Even in a storm, it is impossible to take your eyes off the uncontrollably roaring elements of the Black Sea. In Sochi, everyone will find a place to relax according to their mood and soul. The value of the beach in Sochi must be!

Direct tickets from Moscow to Sochi

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– the most modern part of the Sochi resort. The Olympics contributed to some very impressive real estate and transport interchange construction in Sochi. For children you need to choose sand - Adler Center. The free Mandarin beach with a gentle entrance to the sea and covered sun loungers is ideal for children from 3 to 7 years old. The best place to relax in Adler is in the area of ​​the Znanie boarding house and Alleynaya Street. There is a lot of greenery here, and the Dolphin Hotel (Alleynaya Street, 11A) and Pribrezhny Lane have tunnels under the railway to the Chkalovsky pebble beach. Boarding house "Knowledge" 3* is a worthy vacation on the first beach line. . Choose “Resort Town” for your holiday in Adler, namely the area that is located on the right side of the highway (if you drive from the Center towards Adler). The top of the Resort town is mainly dominated by sanatoriums and boarding houses. For vacationers in the private sector, there is little greenery within the Izvestskaya and Orbitovskaya streets, it is far from the beach area and you need to go through an overpass. Water park "Amphibius" is the largest water park (2 hectares) in the Adler district of Sochi in Resort Town. In the park water activities under open air on the Black Sea coast you will find a wonderful holiday for the whole family: 5 swimming pools, 15 attractions, three Komikaze slides, each 15 meters high, and the Taboga water slalom. The Amphibius water park is open in the summer from 10:00 to 22:30 at the address: Sochi, Adler, Lenin Street 219A. Ticket to the show at the Sochi Dolphinarium 800 rubles. You can swim with a dolphin individually for 5,000 rubles for 10 minutes.

Imereti Lowland- a new vacation spot after the Olympics in Sochi. Imeretinka is a view of the Black Sea, the Caucasus Mountains and the Abkhazian Mountains. Imeretinskaya Embankment is loved because the Olympic Park is located nearby and there is not a single breakwater. There are still few trees in Imeretinka, but the most best beach with rescuers and civilization. Imereti Beach consists of canopies and one pebble beach made in pieces, 7.5 km long. From to the border with Abkhazia there is the cleanest sea. Here you can see dolphins. The ecological component of the Mzymta River is also excellent. For children, Imeretinka is not entirely comfortable - the depth begins immediately.

Sochi has no analogues. This unique resort transforms every day, gradually becoming the center of world tourism. The legacy of the Winter Olympics combined with the amazing geographical location continue a new era in history amazing city. The appearance of a modern metropolis does not interfere with the wonderful landscapes. Mountain ranges with snow-white peaks serenely looking out over the sea. Palm trees and banana trees have settled near the legendary sports venues. The winter competitions of five years ago entered the annals of the “white games” not only thanks to the success of our national team, but also with the help of the competition venue itself. Southern flora and subtropical climate rarely accompany such forums. It would seem that a fantastic adventure eventually turned into an outstanding triumph (and not only for the winners, but also for the organizers). It’s as if the city, created anew, is still reaping the benefits of its recent past. The arenas are functioning, and hotel complexes, as before, are filled with a diverse audience. In a word, today this brilliant ensemble amazes its guests with a rich program and pristine beauty of the landscape.

I'll take you, I'll take you to Sochi

The status of an international resort was achieved, including with the help of developed infrastructure in the field of transport. Bus, train, and air services here are at the highest level. The airport in Adler is one of the main “arteries” of the region, and trains run throughout all areas of the city, right up to the legendary ski resorts.

Airport. Adler

Some tourists suggest that Adler airport is located far from civilization, and in order to get to Sochi it is necessary to spend a considerable amount of time. In fact, a place with a sonorous name is part of the famous resort town.

  • It will take about an hour to get to the center of Sochi from the airport by taxi (cost from 500 to 1000 rubles)
  • The airport is located a five minute walk from the beach
  • There are stops near the airport building public transport

Railway

The railway, as we have already said, is laid through the entire city. It passes through all famous resort areas. Trains long distance and high-speed “swallows” will allow you to be at the desired station.

  • The cost of a ticket for the “swallow” from Krasnodar will be no more than 600 rubles
  • Long-distance trains stop not only at Sochi station, but also at almost all famous resorts of the city
  • From some stations to the sea the journey will be no more than 7 minutes, and to the ski slopes no more than 15.

Bus and car

The presence of high-quality roads in Sochi allows you to travel from anywhere in the country. A European-level route, naturally, has a positive effect on tourists’ desire to visit the “famous health resort” by private car or other means of transport.

  • Intercity buses complete their journey at Sochi station (at the railway platform of the same name)
  • Many people go to Sochi by car
  • The quality of the route allows you to travel even on a motorcycle

Good weather? Yes! This is Sochi!

The combination of climatic elements freed Sochi from seasonal boundaries. The evergreen city has now turned into winter resort. The temperature is not low. Consequently, pirouettes on the ski slope occur accompanied by the sun. What can we say about the summer period?

  • The swimming season in Sochi begins in early May
  • Ski slopes operate without interruption for summer rest
  • In winter the temperature can reach 20 degrees, and in summer 35

Is this a luxury?

The fairly wide location of Sochi guarantees an incredible range of prices. In addition, a lot depends on the intentions of the visitor. Some people want to indulge in resort vaudeville (the city has turned into the capital of nightlife), some want to be closer to the coast, and others strive for the foot of the mountains. Abundance leads to polarized ideas about the cost of living. However, do not be intimidated by the grandiose price list.

  • The cost of budget apartments near the coast ranges from 1,500 to 2,500 rubles per day per person
  • In the private sector, prices start from 800 rubles
  • Tourist lodges at ski resorts offer prices starting from 1800 per night

A resort for everyone

As described above, Sochi is methodically moving away from the concept of high season. In the sense that legendary resort attracts tourists at any time of the year. However, one should not deny the existence of a rush during a certain period. Holidays and vacation time cannot be canceled. Naturally, a trip to the Black Sea is generally preferred not during the January celebrations, but a voyage to ski slopes It’s unlikely to be adequately received in July.

  • The most popular beaches in Sochi are Adler and Lazarevskoye
  • Sochi beaches have a combined surface with the advantage of pebbles
  • The famous ski resort "Krasnaya Polyana" is suitable for both professionals and amateurs. The best time to travel here is January

This is something

Looking for any attractions in the city is a rather strange idea. Sochi, in itself, can be called a masterpiece of urban planning. Feeling European resort and the fantastic pictures that amaze the viewer throughout the entire perimeter of the region make this particular alliance a real relic. A natural monolith and modern architecture transformed the main health resort Krasnodar region. Of course, the Olympic capital blossomed like an ugly duckling. Although, even before the grandiose construction, it looked quite decent. Memories of old species are still alive, but there are fewer and fewer of them. Nowadays, guests of the “southern metropolis” prefer to make pilgrimages to the buildings of the current era.

  • The legacy of 2014, in the form of the Olympic Park, is the main place for excursion walks
  • Loo offers tourists a grandiose water park
  • A ride on a cable car to the Krasnaya Polyana estate also does not depend on the time of year.

Popular places in Sochi:

Imereti Bay Olympic Park, Adler:
Private sector
Guest houses
Mini-hotels
Hotels
Apartments
Turnkey houses
Recreation centers
Autocamping

Lazarevskoe:
Guest houses
Mini-hotels
Private sector
Boathouses
Hotels
Hotels
Apartments
Turnkey houses
Recreation centers
Boarding houses
Sanatoriums
Guest houses
Mini-hotels
Private sector
Boathouses
Hotels
Hotels
Apartments
Turnkey houses
Guest houses
Private sector
Hotels
Boarding houses
Turnkey house

Thessaloniki:
Hotels
Private sector
Recreation centers
Apartments
Turnkey houses
Guest houses
Private sector
Houses and Cottages
Recreation centers

Anchor slot:
Guest houses
Hotels
Recreation centers
Apartments
Turnkey houses

Council-Kwaje:
Private sector

Rosa Khutor:
Hotels

Chemitokwaje:
Private sector

Choose a vacation in Sochi 2019 without intermediaries. The city of Sochi - all on one site. There are prices, reviews, photos and phone numbers for booking.

They say about this city that it was born from the sea and mountains, and it is also called the “pearl” of the Russian Black Sea region...

Many people have heard that the city of Sochi is special and worth seeing with your own eyes, probably more than once. This is true, and this city differs from many other Russian cities in several ways. Firstly, it is recognized as the longest city not only in Russia, but throughout Europe (the total length along the old highway is 145 km!). Secondly, Sochi has a special climate created by the Caucasus mountains and azure sea. Here you can relax all year round, enjoying the pleasant air and incredible beauty, always clean and alluring with its azure sea and mountain landscapes.

The city of Sochi is known as a balneological and climatic seaside resort popular among tourists (and not only from Russia). The city is located on the Black Sea coast, at the same latitude as famous cities, like Nice and Toronto. On one side, the city is washed by the sea, on the other, it is reliably protected from the flow of cold air by majestic mountains, and on the third, it borders on Abkhazia.

In Sochi 2019, about 400 thousand residents live on a permanent basis, while more than 3 million tourists manage to relax here during the year. Sochi is the official “summer home” where summit meetings of the head of state are held, which allowed the city to be given the unofficial name of “the summer capital of Russia.” Some are simply enjoying their vacation, some are undergoing treatment, and some are successfully combining business with pleasure. The Sochi website invites all tourists and people simply interested in this magical city to familiarize themselves with the most up-to-date information related to vacationing and visiting Sochi.

How beautiful and unique this city is, its history is so interesting and rich. Both the name of the city and its history go back centuries, touching on the Soviet period, the Middle Ages, and antiquity. Today Sochi is the official city resort value, and one of the most important in the country. It is of great importance in popularizing domestic tourism, helps to create the proper impression of the country in the eyes of a huge number of foreign tourists and simply pleases every person with its uniqueness and originality.

Will help you find out closer to the city Sochi is a site created by people, a piece of whose soul remains to live forever in this magical corner of our homeland. Welcome to Sochi 2019, a truly magical and unforgettable vacation awaits you here!

Sochi has always attracted tourists and has been a popular holiday destination, because the unique conditions given to this city by nature itself were appreciated by many of our compatriots. Holidays in Sochi 2019 open up a huge number of opportunities for every person, since today Sochi is a civilized resort town. It attracts the attention of tourists not only with its clean streets and always gentle and warm sea, but also a huge number of recreational opportunities. Here, everyone can easily find something that is interesting and relevant to them? Treatment, recovery, excursion program, entertainment or just a beach holiday - all this can be combined with each other, getting maximum pleasure from your own vacation. Your holiday in Sochi 2019 promises to be memorable for a long time; after such a great time, you will want to return to this magical city more than once!

If you want to combine quality holidays with affordable prices, then you have two ways to solve this issue. The first of them is to choose a vacation option where you need to save on everything and thoroughly calculate your budget, and this means putting a “tick” on the list of resorts where you just visited, but did not relax at all in the full sense of the word. Or the second is to choose a quality vacation in Sochi without intermediaries, where you will be offered all the necessary conditions for a full-fledged vacation of your own and at the same time, the most affordable and reasonable prices for all types of services. This is exactly what our website offers you, specializing in organizing a quality vacation for each client.

Your holiday in Sochi 2019 will be truly unforgettable and full of positive impressions, you will be able to personally see that it special city, deserving your attention and ready to give you in return a sunny mood and a sea of ​​amazing opportunities for relaxation and entertainment.

Do you think that vacation in Sochi 2019 will be boring and monotonous and will not be able to give you any new impressions? You are mistaken, since modern holidays in Sochi are not only the sea and beaches, restaurants and discos, but also a huge variety of active recreation options - jeeping and rafting, water attractions and The cultural program, hiking in the mountains and even flying on hot-air balloon!

With us, a quality holiday in Sochi without intermediaries will become for you not a dream or a fairy tale, but a reality that brings maximum pleasure!

Housing in Sochi

The issue of accommodation during vacation is one of the most pressing for a huge number of people. Which option should you choose to combine maximum convenience and comfort with an affordable price? Each of the methods of accommodation offered today has its pros and cons, be it hotel accommodation, rent private apartment, a room in a boarding house or any other option.

Housing in Sochi for tourists and vacationers today has become of high quality and, most importantly, affordable. Today, every vacationer can easily choose the best accommodation option for himself, combining all the parameters that are important to him. For some it is important that everything is at the highest level, others prefer that housing be inexpensive and simply comfortable, others choose proximity to the beaches and the sea...

We are happy to help you find accommodation in Sochi for the period of your vacation. You can choose the best option from a huge variety of proposed options for rooms, boarding houses, sanatoriums or hotels. Housing options such as private apartments, guest houses, mini-hotels. Among the offered assortment, you will certainly choose the most convenient option for yourself!

Housing in Sochi by affordable prices and without intermediaries - this is one of the main parameters of a quality holiday, which many tourists pay attention to.

Entertainment in Sochi

It’s hard to imagine a vacation without entertainment, since at this time everyone tries to relax to the maximum - both mentally and physically. However, for each person, entertainment that brings true pleasure can be completely different things. Someone loves leisure and for him, a real pleasure can be a trip to an amusement park or water park, climbing the mountains with real adventures along the road, or, on the contrary, going down a boat along a mountain river, causing the adrenaline in the body to go off scale from the usual levels.

For other people, true pleasure is a quiet and measured holiday - just basking in the sun for hours, alternating swimming in the sea with sunbathing. Another category of tourists enjoy going on excursions, visiting local museums, art galleries, theaters, etc. no matter what you choose, no matter what category of vacationers you belong to, the city of Sochi is ready to offer you a lot of entertainment for every taste.

Active rafting on a mountain river or water rides, a trip to a water park, where you will be able to descend incredibly high water slides or a hot air balloon flight with an amazing bird's eye view of the city - all this can be found in beautiful city by the sea.

Many museums, a huge number of concerts with the participation of your favorite artists and theater productions, nightclubs and excursions to local attractions - all this is also available to you in Sochi!

How to get to Sochi

If you want to spend your vacation in Sochi, then the question of how you can get to this wonderful resort city is relevant for you. Today there are many options, and everyone can choose the most convenient and acceptable way and route for getting to their vacation destination.

Air, rail, automobile transport at your disposal in this case. A flight to Sochi is the fastest, but at the same time, the most expensive way of transportation. It is important to note here that the airport in Sochi is located quite far from the central part of the resort (in the Adler area), so you also need to provide for the possibility of traveling from the airport directly to your stopping place (sanatorium, rented apartment or boarding house). This could be a taxi, minibus or private transfer.

Railroad travel to Sochi is one of the most common ways to travel to this city, and it is used not only by our compatriots, but also by tourists from neighboring Ukraine and Belarus. Depending on the distance you are from Sochi, the trip can take from several hours to several days, so many people, as a rule, combine rail travel with other types (air flight, bus tour and so on.).

Road transport – there are two options here. The first is to drive your own car and be independent of the general travel schedule, or take a bus (the second option).

Sochi (Krasnodar region)

21.11.2015
Vardane Map
In the Lazarevsky district of Greater Sochi is located large resort, which is suitable for an inexpensive holiday with the family and he wears beautiful name Vardane.
Lazarevskoye is a village ideal for a family holiday. It is located on the Black Sea coast in the northern part of Sochi. This place is famous for its unique climatic conditions,

12.12.2014
Holidays in Lazarevskoye in summer 2018

When thinking about where to go on vacation in the summer, many consider the Black Sea coast. There are many good resorts with developed infrastructure and reasonable prices for a vacation, but any experienced tourist will advise going to Lazarevskoye. This resort village, related to Greater Sochi, will appeal to representatives of any age category.

Is it worth vacationing in Sochi, and if so, what time of year is it better to go, what transport to choose, where is the best place to stay, what to do, what to see and what to buy as a souvenir? In this small guide I will try to answer these questions so that you can successfully plan your holiday in Sochi.

Panorama of Sochi from the observation deck of the Sochi Arboretum

Sochi is the most long city in Russia. Its length along the coast is about 145 km. The total area is 3502 sq. km, but 81% of the territory is occupied by specially protected natural areas. Urban development occupies only about 8.1% of the city's territory. The rest is occupied by industrial and agricultural enterprises, transport infrastructure and energy facilities, forestry, etc.

Greater Sochi includes four districts: Lazarevsky, Khostinsky, Adlersky and Central. Lazarevsky district is the northernmost, and Adlersky district is the southernmost. Even further south is the border with Abkhazia.

History of Sochi: from the All-Union health resort to the Olympic Games

Sochi - fashionable seaside resort. Some love it for its beauty and elitism, others hate it, considering it the center of vice. But this city does not leave anyone indifferent.

The first people appeared here about 350-400 thousand years ago. Tools were found in many caves ancient man, sites of Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons. Later, different tribes settled here, in the VI-V centuries. BC. this region was colonized by the Greeks in the 1st-5th centuries. AD - by the Romans. In 562, these lands went to Byzantium; since that time, the ruins of Christian churches and fortresses have survived to this day, some of which were founded in the Roman era. In the XIII-XIV centuries the Genoese appeared here. The region later came under the influence of the Ottoman Empire.

This region was ceded to Russia during the Caucasian War (1817-1864). Founded on April 21, 1838 Fort Alexandria(near the Sochi lighthouse and the Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel), renamed a year later to Navaginsky fort. However, during the Crimean War (1853-1856) the Russian garrison was forced to leave it and go to Novorossiysk. In 1864, at the mouth of the Sochi River, a Post Dakhovsky, renamed ten years later to Dakhovsky Posad. In 1896 it was renamed Sochi, after the river on which it stood. Sochi became a city in 1917.

Back at the beginning of the 20th century, people came here to be treated with the healing “fire waters” of Matsesta, discovered in 1902, to sunbathe, enjoy the sea and beautiful landscapes. During the First World War, due to the inability to vacation in Europe, Sochi became a popular destination. Many famous people have been here.

"Caucasian Riviera" is one of the first hotels in Sochi. It was built in 1909, giving rise to Sochi as a resort. Demolished in 2010, now in its place is a long-term construction

In the 30s, Sochi turned into an all-Union health resort; numerous sanatoriums were built both for ordinary citizens and for the party nomenklatura. Stalin and other senior officials of the Soviet state often rested here for a long time. During the war, Sochi became a hospital city, where people were put back on their feet and returned to duty even after the most severe wounds.

The Ordzhonikidze Sanatorium is one of the most famous and beautiful not only in Sochi. Built in 1934-1937 in Italian style. Here, in particular, an episode of the film “Old Man Hottabych” was filmed

In the post-war years, the development of Sochi as an all-Union resort continued. The 1990s were quite dark for the entire region, as well as for the country as a whole. Many previously successful enterprises became unprofitable, some of them were closed. Sanatoriums and boarding houses, previously owned by trade unions, passed into private hands, often through not entirely legal means. Many historical buildings were empty, which subsequently led to their loss. A stream of refugees poured here from the former Soviet republics of the Caucasus and Transcaucasia, which found themselves in the fire of military conflicts.

Marine Station - " business card» Sochi. Opened in 1955

A new stage in the development of Sochi began in the late 2000s, when preparations began for the 2014 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. The city turned into a huge construction site, which, of course, caused a lot of inconvenience to local residents. The work was accompanied by numerous conflicts and scandals. Many famous architectural monuments were lost, such as the Caucasian Riviera boarding house and Khludov's dacha in Riviera Park. Although many other natural, historical and cultural monuments were, on the contrary, put in order.

Those who have visited Sochi in previous years will certainly note the emptiness of this place: behind the beach of the Zvezdny Hotel rises an abandoned building structure on the site of the demolished Caucasian Riviera.

IN Imereti Lowland(coastal cluster) and in Krasnaya Polyana(mountain cluster) magnificent Olympic venues were erected. New modern railway station and airport buildings have appeared in Adler, designed to accommodate a large number of passengers. New highways were built, tunnels were dug, and many Sochi serpentines became a thing of the past.

Expressways and tunnels in Sochi

Contrary to fears, the Olympic venues were not abandoned after the end of the Games. Today, training and performances of athletes and Formula 1 competitions are held here. The Olympic Park has become one of the popular leisure destinations. In 2018, Sochi will become one of the venues for the FIFA World Cup.

Today the Olympic Park is one of the most visited places in Sochi

Sochi is located in the humid subtropical zone. In summer the sea brings wet air and softens the heat; in winter, the Caucasus Mountains protect the coast from cold winds. Thanks to this, there is no climatic winter here. Although in some years snow falls and remains for several days. In the mountains, snow falls already in October and lasts until May.

The warmest months in Sochi are July and August. In June the weather is quite warm, but the water temperature is only about 20°C. In September, the water temperature is on average about 23.5°C, and the air temperature is lower than in the hot months. From about mid-September it is established the Velvet season when daytime temperatures do not exceed +20-26°C. This is the most comfortable time to relax in Sochi.

Sochi is dominated by lush subtropical vegetation. In the photo: blooming oleander in the Primorsky Park of Sochi

During the winter months and early spring, cloudy days and rain are common. In some years there are frosts, and heat-loving vegetation may die. Even in April the weather can be unstable, with the return of cold weather. However, in general, in the winter months the temperature on the coast is about +5-7°C.

In winter in the mountains, the height of snow cover can reach several meters in the high mountain zone (1001-1700 meters above sea level), up to 10-15 meters in the alpine zone (above 1701 meters above sea level). At altitude there are glaciers and snowfields.

There are catastrophic floods in Sochi when mountain rivers overflow their banks, carrying uprooted tree trunks and huge stones in a stormy stream. The formation of tornadoes is possible over the sea.

The Sochi River seems calm. But during floods it turns into a roaring torrent and often overflows its banks, flooding nearby streets

When and why to go to Sochi

If you want to swim and have a sunbath, That best time to visit Sochi - this is July, August and September. However, in summer the city and its surroundings will be very crowded, and prices for hotels and air tickets are significantly higher than at other times of the year.

If you want to swim and see the sights, then choose the Velvet season - September and the very beginning of October. There are already fewer people at the resort.

If you want, first of all, see the sights, if you don’t want to swim or if the hotel pool will suit you, then you can come to Sochi at any time of the year. From my own experience and the experience of my friends, I can say that in the summer, due to the heat and the large influx of vacationers, it is almost impossible to combine a classic beach holiday with sightseeing.

if you love skiing , then it’s best to go to ski resorts Krasnaya Polyana in February-March, when you can find light and soft snow there - Krasnopolyansky puffy. You can also ski in April.

If you want to admire the flowering plants, breathe in the aromas of spring, come to Sochi in March-April. At this time, you will find mimosa, sakura, magnolia and other beautiful plants blooming. However, at any other time of the year there are many exotic flowers in Sochi.

if you love mountains and mountain hikes , then you should go to Sochi from May to October.

If you are going be treated on the waters of Matsesta or Kudepsta, then it is better not to go during the beach season: when taking procedures, the sea and the beach are not recommended.

In August, oleander blooms everywhere in Sochi - a poisonous but very beautiful plant

Beach holiday in Sochi

The resorts of Greater Sochi are suitable for a beach holiday. These are Adler, Vardane, Vishnevka, Volkonka, Deep Cleft, Golovinka, Blue Dacha, Dagomys, Kudepsta, Lazarevskoye, Loo, Magri, Makopse, Sovet-Kvadzhe, Soloniki, Sochi, Khosta, Chemitokvadzhe, Anchor Shchel.

Good beaches were made in the Olympic Village in the Imereti Lowland. The most popular are Lazarevskoye, Vardane, Loo, Dagomys, Sochi, Matsesta, Khosta, Kudepsta, Imeretinsky, Adler.

Almost all beaches in Greater Sochi are pebbly. There are areas with silver-gray sand. In total, there are more than 130 beaches on the coast of Sochi, most of which belong to sanatoriums, boarding houses and hotels. There are also public city beaches. For a small fee you can usually visit closed beaches and use all their infrastructure.

In addition, there are wild beaches on the coast, and there are also nudist ones. As a rule, they are located at a sufficient distance from populated areas.

Many hotels in Krasnaya Polyana have their own beaches on the coast, where buses go several times a day.

Water on pebble beaches very clean. But going into and out of the sea is torture. Only bathing slippers can save you

Disadvantages of a beach holiday in Sochi

Minus of Sochi beaches - Railway, which runs along the entire coast. There are passages through it. Walking along the paths is prohibited, but many people walk by taking shortcuts.

Another significant disadvantage of a beach holiday in Sochi is that when the water temperature is above +24-26°C, it begins to develop rotavirus (intestinal) infection , which is especially difficult for children. Therefore, at this time it is better to prefer swimming in a pool or in shallow mountain springs, where the water warms up. And observe the rules of personal hygiene.

There are four beaches in Dagomys: paid health complex"Dagomys", paid boarding house "Olympic Dagomys", city free beach and wild beach. A railway runs along the coast

Sights of Sochi

There are many interesting sights in Sochi. Here you will find picturesque rocks, waterfalls, relic groves. There are countless architectural monuments - dolmens, ancient churches and monasteries, medieval fortresses, picturesque dachas of the late 19th - early 20th centuries, luxurious buildings in the “Stalinist Empire” style, interesting sculptures. Unfortunately, some of them are in disrepair, while others have been lost and in their place, at best, a new copy has been built.

Khludov’s dacha and the sculpture “Doe with a Cub” in Riviera Park. This is not an entirely exact copy of Khludov’s old dacha, demolished in 2009, which was built in 1896 according to the design of the famous architect Lev Kekushev

Dolmens, ancient fortresses and temple ruins

  • Dolmens Solonik- single and groups of dolmens located in the vicinity of the village of Soloniki.
  • Volkonsky dolmen(village of Soloniki) is the only surviving dolmen of a monolithic type in the world, carved into a stone boulder with an imitation of an entrance portal. The height of the internal dome-shaped chamber is about 1.5 meters. Located in the Lazarevskoye forestry of Sochi national park.
  • Tract "Three Oaks", located a few kilometers from the village of Solokh-aul. More than a dozen dolmens. The road there after winter is difficult.
  • Bagu Fortress(Godlik, Soloniki village). Located on the left bank of the Godlik River, the perimeter of the walls is about 700 meters. It was erected before the 5th century, when it was first mentioned in written sources. Until the 10th century it was owned by the Byzantines, then until the 15th century by the Genoese. In antiquity and the Middle Ages - large shopping mall. The walls and six towers have been preserved.
  • Solokhaul Fortress — small fortress at an altitude of 388 meters above the village of Solokh-aul. Apparently, it had a sentry role, guarding the ancient caravan route along the Shakhe River.
  • Khosta fortress(Khostinsky district). Located in a hard to reach place yew-boxwood grove on the eastern slope of Mount Bolshoi Akhun. The construction time has not been precisely established. To date, the remains of walls made of limestone and four towers have been preserved.
  • Ruins of a Byzantine temple in the village of Loo. The Loo temple was built in the X-XII centuries, restored in the XIV century, in XV-XVI centuries rebuilt into a fortress. It is located on the top of a mountain 308 meters high, 1.5 km from the coast.
  • Ruins of the Temple of Agua(Svanidze River). Presumably the temple was built in the 14th century. Walls up to 1 meter high have been preserved. They believe that countless treasures are buried here.

Monasteries and temples

  • (Solokhaul village, Koshmana street, 10) is a Serbian monastery with strict Athonite charter, built in the early 2000s. Nearby, in a picturesque gorge, is the Holy Spring of the Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon.
  • Cathedral of the Holy Archangel Michael(Moskvina st., 12) - chief Orthodox church Sochi. Built in memory of the end of the Caucasian War (1817-1864), consecrated in 1891. Partially composed of the remains of fortress walls.
  • Temple of the Apostles Simon and Thaddeus(11 Parallelnaya St.) - Roman Catholic church, erected in 1995-1997. According to Catholic tradition, the apostles Simon and Thaddeus preached in the Caucasus. Most parishioners are Armenian Catholics.

Cross and icons near the Holy Spring of the Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon near the Holy Cross Hermitage

Estates and dachas

  • V Riviera park(Egorova St., 1). Built in 1896 in the pseudo-Russian style with Art Nouveau elements according to the design of the architect Lev Kekushev. It belonged to the founder of the park, Vasily Alekseevich Khludov. During the Soviet years, the building housed a clinic; in 2009 it was demolished. The current building is a remake, different from the original.
  • V Sochi Arboretum. Built in 1899 by Sergei Nikolaevich Khudekov for his wife. In 2014, the building was restored and now houses a museum.
  • (Kurortny Prospekt 32a/1) was built in the Art Nouveau style with eclectic elements in 1910 by Sochi city mayor Nikolai Anatolyevich Kostarev. Currently - Sochi City Center for Extracurricular Activities.
  • Dacha of Colonel A.V. Kvitko(Novorossiysk highway, 11a). Built in 1916 for Gendarmerie Colonel Andrei Kvitko. After the revolution, a children's labor colony was located here, then a sanatorium, then a rest home for NKVD employees. The building is surrounded by dark secrets and is haunted by ghosts. Currently empty and gradually being destroyed.
  • Trapeznikov's dacha(Pirogov St., 10/1 building 3). Built in the Moorish style for the famous St. Petersburg doctor Fyodor Trapeznikov. After the revolution, sanatorium No. 6, owned by the NKVD, was located. Yagoda and Beria rested here. In the 1960s, the boarding house "Zapolyarye" was located. Currently, the external appearance of the building has been restored, but the interiors have been lost; only two fireplaces have survived.
  • Sanatorium named after Sergo Ordzhonikidze(Kurortny Ave., 96). Located on the slope of Mount Bytkha, offering beautiful views of the sea. Built in 1934-1937 in Italian style. Many will remember Old Man Hottabych, who mistook this building for luxurious palace padishah, and Volk, who explained that this palace was built for the recreation of ordinary people.
  • (Khosta, Kurortny Ave., 120) is a two-story green building on the territory of the Green Grove sanatorium. You can go inside only with a guided tour, which is organized on site as the group gathers.

Villa "Nadezhda" in the Sochi Arboretum

Museums

  • Sochi Art Museum(Kurortny Avenue, 51). Built according to the design of the architect I.V. Zholtovsky in 1936 as an administrative building. Sections: painting, graphics, sculpture, decorative and applied arts, arts and crafts. More than 6,000 exhibits, the oldest dating back to the 1st century. BC.
  • Museum of the History of the Resort City of Sochi(Vorovskogo st., 54/11). It was founded in 1920 and is one of the oldest cultural institutions in the city. It is based on the collection of the Sochi branch of the Caucasian Mining Club (1902-1917). 14 halls, more than 4,000 unique exhibits reflecting the history of Sochi and the entire region from antiquity to the present day.
  • Literary and Memorial Museum of N. Ostrovsky(Pavel Korchagin St., 4). Includes the Memorial House of the Soviet writer Nikolai Alekseevich Ostrovsky (1904-1936) and a literary museum. Exposition dedicated to the literary history of Sochi, exhibitions visual arts from the collections of central museums of Russia and private collections.
  • House-Museum “V. Barsova’s Dacha”(Chernomorskaya St., 8) - museum of the Russian opera singer Valeria Barsova, since 1920 - soloist of the Bolshoi Theater. She had a lyric coloratura soprano. The house was built according to the design of the architect N. Trishkin.

Streets, squares, interesting places

  • - formerly Stalin Avenue, the main thoroughfare of Sochi, where the most magnificent buildings and sanatoriums are located.
  • Vereshchaginsky viaduct— a picturesque road bridge on Kurortny Prospekt over the Vereshchaginka River. Built in 1935. The length of the bridge is 220 meters, height is 27 meters.
  • Sochi Embankment (Promenade). Extends approximately 2 km from seaport to Pushkin Avenue. One of the popular walking places. One of the episodes of the movie “The Diamond Arm” was filmed here, on the square near the building seaport Monuments to Geshe Kazadoev and Lyolik, and Semyon Semyonich and his family were erected.
  • Arts Square(Kurortny Prospekt, 51). Located next to Sochinsky art museum And Resort Avenue. A small open-air museum: sculptures, fountains framed by subtropical vegetation and flower beds.
  • — pedestrianized street, coming from Railway station to the side seaport. Subtropical plants, sculptures, a fountain, many shops and cafes.
  • - a huge coastal cluster in the Imereti Lowland. Includes the Fisht stadium, ice palaces“Bolshoi”, “Shaiba”, “Iceberg”, indoor skating center “Adler Arena”, curling center “Ice Cube”. In the center of the Main Ceremonial Square, Medal Plaza, there is the Olympic Flame Bowl, now a light and music fountain. Nearby is the Main Olympic Village and the “Russian Disneyland”.
  • . You can go there at any time of the year to admire the beautiful scenery, interesting buildings, take the cable car to Rosa Khutor to an altitude of 2320 meters above sea level. There are several interesting museums in Krasnaya Polyana and the village of Esto-Sadok.

Buildings, observation decks

  • . From a 700-meter height, magnificent panoramas of Sochi, the Black Sea, Caucasus Mountains. Near the tower there are stalls with souvenirs and a cafe. They serve delicious Krasnodar tea with pastries.
  • . Beautiful building The maritime terminal in the “Stalinist Empire” style, built in 1955, is somewhat reminiscent of the Admiralty in St. Petersburg. They are moored in the marina luxury yachts, large vessels and ships. You can book a boat trip.
  • Sochi lighthouse (Primorskaya embankment). Built in 1880 from remains Navaginsky fort. Its light was visible at a distance of up to 32 km. In the past, depending on the time of year and day, it shone in different colors; now the light of the lighthouse is green.
  • Pushkin Library V Seaside Park(Primorskaya St., 1). One of the oldest libraries in Black Sea coast Caucasus. Founded in 1899. In 1912, a new building was built in the Art Nouveau style according to the design of the architect A.Ya. Butkin. The volume of the library collection currently amounts to about 70 thousand copies of books and magazines. Book exhibitions, literary and musical evenings are held, subscription services and a reading room are provided.
  • Sochi railway station(Gorky St., 56) opened in 1952. A three-story building with three courtyards and a tower 55 meters high. It is included in the UNESCO Red Book and is recognized as the most beautiful railway station building in Europe.

The observation tower on Mount Bolshoy Akhun, built in 1936-1937 on the site of the ruins of an ancient Turkish fortress, offers a magnificent view of the surrounding area, and in clear weather even Abkhazia is visible

Theaters

  • (Chernomorskaya street, 11). Built in 1937 according to the design of the architect V.S. Krolevets. Accommodates 800 spectators. Located on the territory Frunze Park.
  • Winter Theater(Teatralnaya str., 2). Built in 1934-1937. Surrounded by 88 columns of the Corinthian order. The pediment is decorated with three sculptures by V.I. Mukhina, personifying painting, architecture and sculpture. The hall seats 946 spectators. Near the theater there are Seaside Park And garden "Phytophantasia".

Summer theater in the evening

Monuments

  • Monument "Anchor and Cannon" V Seaside Park. Created in 1913 in memory of the end of the Caucasian War and in honor of the 300th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty. The anchor was cast in 1779 at the Votkinsk (Botkin) plant in Udmurtia, and the ship's gun - in 1807 at the South Ural Aleksandrovsky plant.

Unusual forged sculptures by Hakob Khalafyan can be found in many parts of Sochi. In the photo: sculptures in the courtyard of the restaurant “Old Bazaar” (Nesebrskaya St., 4)

Tea attractions

Sochi - homeland Krasnodar tea. There are tea plantations along the coast. They buy tea for themselves and as a gift: black, green, with herbs (mint, thyme, berries, etc.).

  • (Solokh-aul village, Koshmana street, 29). The place where Judas Koshman was first able to successfully grow the northernmost tea at that time. The tea plantations planted by Koshman, the grave of Koshman and his wife, and the house where the museum is now located have been preserved. Tasting and sale of Krasnodar tea from the plantations of Solokh-aul.
  • Tea houses in Uch-Der(village Uch-Dere, Zaporozhskaya st., 302). Built in Russian style in the 1970s to receive foreign delegations. Tasting and sale of Krasnodar tea. The museum has a collection of Russian decorative and applied art. Performances by the Russian song and dance ensemble “Rus”.

Tea plantation and graves of Judah Koshman and his wife at Koshman's estate in Solokhaul

Parks and squares of Greater Sochi

Sochi has many beautiful parks and squares where exotic plants grow and amazing flowers bloom. Many of them were brought from distant countries even before the revolution. Eucalyptus trees are planted in Sochi, which perfectly absorb moisture from the ground and thereby help drain the swamps - in the past, malaria was a real scourge in these places.

On the streets and in gardens you can see palm trees, bananas, eucalyptus, ginkgo, figs, ivy, yucca, cycads, agaves and other plants that we usually grow as indoors.

  • (Kurortny Avenue, 74). Large collection plants from different parts of the world, themed gardens. On the territory there is Villa "Nadezhda", various sculptures, fountains and pavilions of pre-revolutionary and Soviet times. Consists of two parts: Upper and Lower Park. You can take the cable car to the very top, from where observation deck opens beautiful view to Sochi, mountains and sea.
  • (Egorova St., 1). It was founded in 1883. Initially, the dacha of the owner, V.A. Khludov, was located here. Numerous exotic plants were planted. Since 1902 it has been a public city park. Currently, the territory houses numerous attractions, aquarium. Restored Khludov's dacha.
  • Southern Cultures Park(Adler, Tsvetochnaya St., 13) - founded in 1910 on the initiative of the owner of the “Casual” estate D.V. Drachevsky according to the design of the gardener-decorator A.E. Regel. A beautiful landscaped park with elements of formal gardens. Exotic coniferous and deciduous plants. Currently, large-scale restoration work is being carried out in the park.
  • Garden of Russian-Japanese Friendship(Morskoy lane, 9). Founded in 1891 in the style of Japanese gardens. The author of the project is landscape architect S.I. Venchagov. The garden is especially beautiful in spring.
  • . Founded in the 1930s on the site of an old boulevard. Many exotic plants and beautiful panoramas Black Sea. At the bottom - Sochi embankment. Interesting objects: Hotel "Primorskaya" built in the 1930s, Pushkin Library, composition "Anchor and Cannon" and others. Located nearby Winter Theater, Temple of Michael the Archangel, concert hall"Festival", antique Sochi lighthouse.
  • Frunze Park(Chernomorskaya st., 11). Founded in 1899, at that time it was called Vereshchaginsky Park. Later, in honor of the Russian philanthropist A.S. Ermolov, it was named Ermolovsky, and after the revolution it received the name Frunze. Located on the territory of the park.
  • Yew-boxwood grove(Khosta village, Samshitovaya street). Located on the eastern slope of Mount Bolshoi Akhun. Relict vegetation grows: yew berry, Colchian boxwood, oak, beech, hornbeam, linden, holly, rhododendron and others. On the northern border of the grove there is a medieval Khosta fortress. Currently, the yew-boxwood grove is endangered due to boxwood moth, accidentally imported from Italy during preparations for the Olympic Games.
  • Park "Berendeevo Kingdom" (Lazarevsky district, valley of the Kuapse River). Picturesque rocks, mountain streams, waterfalls, swimming pools. Alexander Ostrovsky’s fairy tale “The Snow Maiden” was filmed here, so all the waterfalls bear names from this fairy tale. Above waterfall "Berendey's Beard" An observation deck is equipped.
  • Botanical Garden "Fitophantasia"(Teatralnaya str., 2). Park of “continuous flowering”, created by S.I. Venchagov. About 260 species of exotic trees and shrubs and more than 100 species of flowers have been collected. Located next to Winter Theater.
  • Ornithopark in Imeretinka(Lenin St., 96). Located on the territory Olympic Park in the Imereti Lowland. Thanks to the activity of environmentalists, during the preparation for the Olympic Games it was possible to preserve this unique corner, where more than 40 species of birds live naturally, many birds stop during migration.
  • Sycamore Alley(Kurortny Ave., 113) was planted in 1913 as a monument to the 300th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty. During the construction of Stalin Avenue (nowadays) it was in danger of disappearing, but it was managed to be defended. In 1970, singing fountains were installed here.
  • Park named after Bestuzhev-Marlinsky(Adler, Democratic St.). Laid down in 1910 on the initiative of local residents and with the support of General Drachevsky, founder of the Southern Cultures Park. In 1957, a monument with a bas-relief of the poet was erected at the grave of the Decembrist Bestuzhev-Marlinsky (1797-1837).
  • Sochi national park (Sochi, Moskovskaya st., 21). One of the first national parks in our country, created in 1983 in order to preserve the unique natural complexes Black Sea coast of the Caucasus. A program is being carried out to restore the population of the Central Asian leopard in the wild.

The parks of Sochi are an amazing harmony of nature and people, lush flowers and exotic plants. In the photo: a flowerbed with agave in the Sochi Arboretum

Farms

  • (Adler district, Kazachiy Brod village, Forelevaya St., 45A). There are interesting excursions where you can see how trout and other types of fish are raised. Nearby there is a fish store and a tasting room.

The Adler trout farm breeds golden and rainbow trout, as well as other species of fish.

Natural beauty and active recreation in Sochi

Around Sochi - beautiful nature: mountains, mountain rivers and streams, waterfalls, picturesque rocks. Some places can be easily reached, while others will have a lot of difficulties getting to. The surroundings of Sochi are an ideal place for hikes, both independent and organized, of varying difficulty levels. There are hiking, horseback riding, river rafting, and rock climbing. Jeep trips are organized to many places. In the vicinity of Krasnaya Polyana and Rosa Khutor there are special trekking trails.

Registration of permission to visit the Caucasian State Biosphere Reserve and border zone

Some natural attractions of Greater Sochi are located on the territory Caucasian State Biosphere Reserve. To get there, you need to get a pass to visit the reserve (issued on the spot), the cost is 300 rubles per day per adult, 100 rubles per child.

You can only walk along special trails (11 routes are currently open), tents can be set up only in specially designated areas, and you must take garbage with you. Usually the reserve is open to tourists from mid-June to mid-October. In spring and autumn, the reserve is closed for animal registration.

Some natural attractions are located in border zone. To visit it, permission is required from the border guards (Sochi border detachment of the FSB).

Documents for issuing a pass can be submitted in Sochi (Teatralnaya St., 5, FSB reception) or on the “Government Services” website in the “Federal Security Service” section Russian Federation(federal Service)". The period for preparing documents is 1 month. If the exact dates of the trip are unknown, you can apply for a permit for the entire season. Entering the border zone without permission is punishable by a fine and deportation from the zone.

  • For information about obtaining passes to the Caucasus State Biosphere Reserve, places where permission from border guards is required and addresses where you can obtain a pass, read on the reserve’s website.
  • What documents are required to obtain a pass to the border zone, see the website of the FSB of the Russian Federation.

Picturesque places of Greater Sochi

  • Neighborhoods of the village Solokhaul. One of the most scenic spots in Greater Sochi. Attractions: , tract "Three Oaks" with dolmens, Shahe river valley, Solohaula Canyon. It is planned to create a safari park.
  • Mount Fisht(2867.7 m). Mountain peak in the western part of Main Caucasian ridge. Translated from Adyghe - “white head”. Climbing routes of difficulty from 1B to 6A, horseback riding to the mountain. Named after her Fisht stadium V Olympic Park.

The Caucasus Mountains are extremely picturesque. In the photo: view towards the Main Caucasus Range from observation tower on Mount Bolshoy Akhun

Waterfalls

  • Agur waterfalls- cascade of waterfalls Agura River in a picturesque Agur Gorge. A 3-meter-high waterfall, the “Devil’s Font” lake, the “Devil’s Hole” cave, the Lower Agursky two-cascade waterfall (18 and 12 meters), the Middle Agursky waterfall (23 meters), the Upper Agursky waterfall (21 meters). Nearby - Eagle Rocks. One of the most popular places in Sochi, access to the waterfalls is paid. Located between Matsestoy and the mountain Big Akhun.
  • Thirty-three waterfalls(Lazarevsky district, Dzhegosh tract, in the valley of the Shakhe River, 4 km north of the village of Bolshoy Kichmai). A mountain gorge with a cascade of waterfalls up to 12 meters high on the Dzhegosh River. Relict vegetation. Natural monument. Included in .
  • Bzogu Waterfall(village Dagomys). A two-cascade waterfall with clear water, relict vegetation, a picturesque gorge. About an hour's walk from the village of Solokhaul.
  • Polikarya Waterfall(Krasnaya Polyana village). The height of the waterfall is about 70 meters, this is the most high waterfall V Krasnodar region and one of the highest in Europe. It is located a few kilometers away at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level, in the area of ​​alpine meadows. Next to the waterfall is a glacier. You can get there on foot or by SUV.
  • . Picturesque baths in a deep gorge created by inclined layers rocks, lying across the channel. Popular place recreation: beach, cafe. Excursions often stop on the way back from Solokhaul. Nearby are tea plantations.
  • Makopse waterfalls(village Vishnevka). A group of waterfalls on the Makopse River and its tributaries. The most picturesque are “Tears of Laura” and “Serenade of Love”.
  • Boxwood Falls(Dagomys village) - picturesque waterfalls in the gorge on the Eastern Dagomys River. They are located upstream of the river from the village of Baranovka.
  • Waterfalls of the Khadzhipse river valley(village Anchor Shchel). Small picturesque waterfalls 1.5 km from the village. Anchor Slot. A horse trail runs past them.
  • Svanidze waterfalls— a cascade of 2-3 meter waterfalls on the Svanidze stream, the left tributary of the Agva River. Few tourists.
  • Psydakh and Shapsug waterfalls(Lazarevsky district, Ashe, Kalezh village). Two- and three-cascade waterfalls, one of the most beautiful in the Caucasus. The Wishing Stone is located near the Shapsug waterfall. The area around the waterfalls is landscaped for a comfortable stay, there are observation platforms.
  • Zmeykovskie waterfalls(Khostinsky district, Izmailovka village). A group of waterfalls on the Dikarka River, a tributary of Matsesta. The area around is landscaped and a fee is charged for visiting.
  • Waterfall Maiden's tears (Krasnopolyanskoye forestry). A 13-meter waterfall flowing into the Mzymta River. Represents unhappy love. The exit to the waterfall is located behind the village of Chvizhepse, 2 km before reaching Krasnaya Polyana.
  • Waterfall " Paradisaic delight» (village Verkhnee-Armenskoe Loo). Waterfall in the valley Loo River, not far from the village, easy to walk. Nearby is an ancient Armenian village that has preserved its traditional way of life, and a trout farm.
  • Achipsinskiye waterfalls. The waterfalls are located on the Achipse River on the southern slope of the Achishkho ridge. It takes some physical preparation to get here.
  • Orekhovsky waterfall(Orekhovka village). A two-stage waterfall, the second highest in Sochi. Located in the Khostinsky district on the Bezumenka River at its confluence with the Sochi River. The height of the most picturesque part of the waterfall is 27.5 meters. Picturesque gorge. The area is landscaped and a fee is charged for entry. There is a cafe.

It’s nice to swim in Koryty on the Western Dagomys River on a hot day

Caves

  • Akhshtyrskaya cave(Adler district, Kazachiy Brod village). Located on the starboard side Akhshtyr Gorge over the Mzymta river. The entrance to the cave is located at an altitude of 120 meters above the river level. Site of primitive man - Neanderthals, Cro-Magnons. The first people settled here about 70 thousand years ago and lived until the early Middle Ages. The thickness of the cultural layer is about 5 meters. Unique monument primitive architecture. There is an entrance fee to the cave.
  • Vorontsov Cave(Khostinsky district, Vorontsovka village). Located in the upper reaches of the Kudepsta River. More than 10 entrances on the sides of the Kudepsta River valley at an altitude of 419-720 meters above sea level. Collapse-type chambers in Upper Cretaceous layered limestones, stalactites, stalagmites, columns. Sites of ancient man of the Upper Paleolithic, Neolithic and Eneolithic eras, bones of a cave bear. Excursion route through the cave.
  • Witches Cave. Other names: House of Spirits, Cave of Salvation. Located on the right bank of the Ashe River. To get to it, you need to cross a long suspension bridge over the Ashe River. The cave is half-flooded; part of the path passes through water. Excursions are organized.
  • Tiger Cave(village Lazarevskoye, aul Tkhagapsh). The cave is divided into three branches. The length of the cave is about 145 meters, but due to the low height of the arches it is impossible to walk through it all. On the way to the cave you need to cross the suspension bridge over the Psezuapse River. Multi-colored layers of rocks make up the walls of the cave, which is why it received its name.

Gorges, canyons, rocks

  • Dzykhrinskoye Gorge. A small picturesque gorge near the top of Mount Dzyhra (1277 meters above sea level). Formed by the Dzykhrinka stream, a left tributary of the Mzymta River. The depth of the gorge is 60-100 meters, the width in the lower part does not exceed 10 meters, and the length is 1.3 km. The stream forms cascading waterfalls with a total length of 20 meters, the height of big waterfall- about 6 meters.
  • Volkon Gorge and rocks Two Brothers. A picturesque gorge through which the rapids Godlik River flows. Volkonsky dolmen. Hydrogen sulfide mineral spring, rich in sodium and chlorine. "Glade of Roots" Rocks Two Brothers connected by a natural tunnel. Located in the Lazarevsky district near the village of Volkonka.
  • Canyons of the Psakho River. One of the most beautiful Sochi routes. Takes place near the village of Golitsyno in the Adler region, across the territory Sochi National Park. Jeeping. Standard a tourist route includes a visit to two Psakho canyons - “dry” and “wet”, Ivanovsky waterfall, Trinity-Georgievsky convent. Entry into the territory of the Sochi National Park is paid.
  • . A picturesque gorge on the road to Krasnaya Polyana, flowing below Mzymta River. Akhshtyrskaya cave, where people lived from the Middle Paleolithic era to the early Middle Ages. Skypark AJ Hackett Sochi with the longest in the world suspension bridge Skybridge (439 m long, at an altitude of 207 m), bungee jump, Sochi swing swing and other extreme entertainment.
  • Agur Gorge. Hydrogen sulfide sources, Agur waterfalls, the Devil's Font reservoir and the Devil's Hole cave. From here there are routes to Eagle Rocks And .
  • Eagle Rocks and Prometheus Statue. Rocks 125 meters high on the right bank of the Agura River. Territory Sochi National Park. The statue of Prometheus on top of the rocks was installed in 1998. The Lower Agursky waterfall is visible. Routes to Agur waterfalls And Mount Bolshoy Akhun. Can be combined with a trip to.
  • Svir Gorge(village Lazarevskoye). Svirsky waterfall, Slava dolmen, Adam and Eve waterfalls, Mother-in-law's tears. Moonstone, Wishing Tree. Walking route.
  • Mamedovo Gorge(Valley of the Kuapse River). The walking route is about 7 km. Waterfalls Happiness (12 m), Health and Youth (10 m), cascade of Love waterfalls (13 m). Water cascade Mamed's Beard and Mamed's Bath reservoir. If you return along the upper road, you can see dolmens, the most popular is dolmen healer.

The Akhshtyrskoye Gorge attracts with its beauty and attractions

Rivers and lakes

  • Svanidze stream,
  • Valley of the Ashe River,
  • Khmelevskie lakes.

The rivers in Sochi are picturesque and treacherous. In the photo: Matsesta River

Children's holidays in Sochi

Children will be delighted with their trip to Sochi. In Greater Sochi there are several oceanariums, dolphinariums, numerous water parks, and animal farms.

Dolphinarium, aquariums, zoos

  • Sochi Discovery World Aquarium(Sochi, Adlersky district, Kurortny Gorodok, Lenina St. 219a/4) - the largest oceanarium in Sochi. There is a tunnel.
  • Big Sochi Dolphinarium V Riviera park(Egorova St., 1). Performances of dolphins and marine mammals.
  • - a small aquarium with an interesting collection of fish, sea animals and corals. Show.
  • Matsesta Aquarium(Khostinsky district, Cheltenham Alley, 4). It is home to fish, reptiles, amphibians and marine mammals. Circus shows, you can watch feeding.
  • Zoo "White Kangaroo"(Plekhanov St., 42-44). A small zoo on the territory of the Oktyabrsky sanatorium. Among the most interesting animals is the liger, a hybrid of a tiger and a lion.

The Sochi Dolphinarium is considered the largest in Eastern Europe. Performances with dolphins and other marine mammals are regularly held here.

Water parks and other entertainment

  • Luna Park (Ordzhonikidze St., 6),
  • Marine Park "Aquatoria" (Lenin St., 219, building 2),
  • Water park "Mayak" (3/7 Primorskaya embankment),
  • Water park "Amphibius" (Adler, Lenina St., 219a),
  • Water park "Starfish" (Lazarevskoye village, Lazarev St., 108a),
  • Water park “Nautilus” (Lazarevskoye village, Pobeda str., 2/1),
  • Year-round water park "Aqualoo" (Sochi, Dekabristov St., 78-b).

Entertainment for children in the Olympic Park

Be sure to visit with your children (Adler district, Imereti Lowland, Olympic Avenue, 21) - this is a Russian Disneyland. It's better to go here for the whole day. Some attractions, such as Quantum Leap, are among the most extreme in the world, but are absolutely safe for children and adults.

In the very Olympic Park Children will certainly be interested in the car museum, the electric museum of Nikola Tesla, the dinosaur museum, and the mechanical museum of Leonardo da Vinci.

You can spend the whole day with your children in Sochi Park. All conditions have been created here for young visitors: attractions, entertainment programs

Danger for children: rotavirus infection in warm water

The sea is good for children, but do not forget about rotavirus infection in warm water. Many complain that in the summer children often catch it and become seriously ill. The holiday is ruined. Judging by numerous reviews on the Internet, in children's hospitals at this time there are usually a lot of small patients, there are not enough places and there are beds even in the corridors.

Perhaps in July-August, when the water warms up best, it is better to choose another children's resort or swim in the pool. Be sure to have a first aid kit with you and practice good hygiene. And at the first signs of illness, take your child to the hospital.

Many hotels have swimming pools where children can safely frolic and swim. In the photo: swimming pools of the Dagomys health complex

Ski holidays in Krasnaya Polyana

Snow in the mountains usually falls in October. However, the snow cover may then disappear several times and lie down again. At the beginning of the ski season, which is usually mid-December, and New Year holidays Krasnaya Polyana, Esto-Sadok and Rosa Khutor are very crowded. Prices for hotels and ski passes are the highest at this time. There are many who come to the mountains just to have a good time, sit in a cafe and ride the cable cars.

The best snow is in February-March. Prices for hotels and ski passes are lower. At this time, mostly educated people who sincerely love alpine skiing come to ski resorts. The ski season lasts until the end of April. Some fans manage to finish the ski season in May.

You don’t have to take your ski equipment with you from home; you can rent it.

In summer, life in Krasnaya Polyana does not stop either. You can walk in the mountains, ride horses or mountain bikes, climb the peaks along cable cars. Many hotels have their own beaches on the Black Sea coast, and a special bus runs there several times a day. It is colder in the mountains than below, so even in the hottest weather, take warm clothes with you.

You can get from Sochi to Krasnaya Polyana by car, taxi or bus along the highway, as well as by a comfortable Lastochka train.

Mountain Olympic village at an altitude of 1170 meters above sea level in Rosa Khutor. You can live here both in winter and summer

Treatment on the waters

If you want to be treated on the waters of Matsesta and Kudepsta, it is better not to go during the height of the beach season to avoid the temptation: it is not recommended to combine procedures with sun exposure and swimming in the sea. Before the trip, you need to undergo an examination, since treatment with hydrogen sulfide waters has a number of contraindications. The waters of Kudepsta are considered more gentle on the body than those from Matsesta.

During pauses between procedures, you can get acquainted with the sights. Or simply lead a healthy lifestyle and relax while walking around the area.

Hotels and accommodation in Sochi

Hotel prices in Greater Sochi strongly depend on the season; the difference in room prices can vary by two or more times! Of course, in the summer season prices will be higher than in the low season. During the New Year holidays, prices will also be higher than at other times of the year. You can buy a ticket to a sanatorium or health complex.

Hotels in Sochi - for every taste and budget. There are expensive luxury hotels with their own beaches that are closed to outsiders. The price for such a room during the season can exceed 10-15 thousand rubles per day.

Hotel Primorskaya and Hyatt Regency Sochi

There are small hotels, the price of a room in them is 2-4 thousand rubles per day, but breakfast is not necessarily included in this price. Private beach is not provided, you will have to walk through urban areas to get to the sea. Some of them may have a small swimming pool, which is very convenient.

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In addition, you can rent a room or apartment. Housing prices start from about 500 rubles per day during the season. In the off-season, prices can drop to 200 rubles and below. You can book accommodation in advance, for example, through, or you can book it on the spot (although this option is not the best). At train stations and airports there are special services for booking accommodation; upon leaving the building you may be approached with an offer to rent an inexpensive room. Advertisements for housing rentals can also be seen on houses.

Boathouses along the Dagomys River. You can rent a room here for 500 rubles

How to get to Sochi: car, plane or train?

One of the most difficult questions for a traveler is how to get to your destination. Of course, it all depends on the time of year, the availability of free time, the state of personal vehicle, cash.

In general, there are four possibilities: car, long-distance train, plane and bus.

To Sochi by car

The car is very convenient for travel. There is no need to depend on public transport; you can get to almost anywhere. However, there are also many disadvantages. First of all, it's a long road.

For example, the distance from Moscow to Sochi by car is 1622 km. From St. Petersburg to Sochi - 2334 km. The last section is especially difficult: in summer, traffic jams accumulate on the roads, there are many serpentines that exhaust both the driver and passengers.

In addition, driving along serpentine roads requires certain skills from the driver. I have seen terrible accidents several times: on descents, drivers constantly applied the brake pedal, causing the brakes to overheat and fail.

About the condition of the road, paid areas and places to stay overnight you can read in the article. Although only part of the route is described there, I think the tips will be useful when traveling by car to Sochi.

It’s very pleasant to get around Sochi by car

To Sochi by long-distance train

You can arrive to Sochi by long-distance train. By train “Double-Decker” 104B the travel time from Moscow to Sochi will be 23 hours 20 minutes, by train “Premium” 102M - 23 hours 20 minutes. However, their ticket prices are higher than on other trains. On average, from Moscow to Sochi passenger trains It takes more than a day and a half.

From St. Petersburg to Sochi goes branded train“Northern Palmyra” 035A, travel time is 37 hours. Other trains take longer.

Train schedule Moscow -

Train number Route Departure Arrival On my way Approximate prices Travel date

Moscow Kurskaya → Sochi → Adler

20:03 Moscow Kursk

09:31 +1 day

1d 13h

4,285 rub.

4,134 rub.

102M "Premium"

14:10 Moscow Kazanskaya

13:24

23h 14m

RUB 5,833

4,146 rub.

RUB 13,634

RUB 38,538

Moscow Kazanskaya → Sochi → Imereti Resort (Olympic Park)

23:18 Moscow Kazanskaya

08:24 +1 day

1d 9h

RUR 3,962

RUB 3,820

Murmansk → Moscow Kursk → Sochi → Adler

00:24 Moscow Kursk

17:12 +1 day

1d 17h

RUB 4,099

6,046 rub.

RUB 13,381

St. Petersburg Ladozh.→ Moscow Kursk → Sochi → Adler

04:33 Moscow Kursk

18:40 +1 day

1d 14h

RUR 3,962

RUB 3,820

RUB 12,163

St. Petersburg-Glavn.→ Moscow Kursk → Sochi → Sukhum

10:40 Moscow Kurskaya

02:29 +1 day

1d 16h

RUB 3,798

RUB 5,812

Moscow Paveletskaya → Sochi → Adler

16:35 Moscow Paveletskaya

04:28 +1 day

1d 12h

RUB 3,501

RUR 5,171

RUB 13,197

104B "Two-story"

Moscow Kazanskaya → Sochi → Adler

10:52 Moscow Kazanskaya