How to get to Abrau-Durso?
The distance between Novorossiysk and Abrau-Durso is 13 kilometers in a straight line and 19 kilometers along roads. To get there by bus, you need to take route No. 102. The bus leaves from the Kutuzovskaya Street stop and goes to the village of Bolshie Khutora, both through Abrau and Dyurso. Departure times from Novorossiysk are 5:00, 7:00, 9:55, 15:00 and 17:20.
Minibuses No. 102 run much more frequently than buses. On average, the interval is 15-25 minutes. Departure from the square opposite the bus station. The journey will take you 20 minutes. Minibuses go only to the Winzavod stop in the center of Abrau, i.e. if you need to go to Durso, you will have to walk a few more kilometers or pay about 300 rubles for a taxi.
Bus and minibus tickets cost 40 rubles. Payment is only in cash to the driver. If you go by taxi, the average price from the center of Novorossiysk is 800-1,000 rubles.
Why Lake Abrau is attractive
Lake Abrau is the largest freshwater lake in the Krasnodar Territory, it is located on the low-mountain Abrau Peninsula, 18 km from the center of Novorossiysk and 2 km from the Black Sea coast.
Lake Abrau is the second largest mountain lake in the Greater Caucasus in terms of surface area, after Lake Kazenoyam in Dagestan. The greatest depth of Lake Abrau is 11 meters, the average depth is 5.8 meters. The length of Lake Abrau is more than 3100 m, the greatest width is 630 m.
Lake Abrau does not freeze in winter and can be visited all year round. The winery and almost all tourist sites are open regardless of the season.
On the shore of Lake Abrau there is a small village with a population of 3,500 people - Abrau-Durso. Notable in the village is the Church of St. Xenia of Petersburg, located not far from the shore of the lake.
View of Lake Abrau and the hills around it from Novaya Street
Sights of Abrau-Durso
Abrau-Durso has beaches, picturesque folk routes, a stunningly beautiful lake and many attractions that deserve attention.
Temple of St. Xenia of Petersburg
In 2000, with the blessing of Metropolitan Isidor of Kuban and Ekaterinodar, construction began on a church complex in honor of Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg in a beautiful picturesque place above Lake Abrau itself.
Despite the fact that the temple was built not so long ago, today it is the spiritual and cultural center of the village of Abrau-Durso. Every Sunday, Sunday school classes are held in the temple building, and classes in handicrafts, drawing and music are held for children.
Address: st. Industrial, 18.
Fountain "Tsar Bottle"
The five-meter fountain with its outline resembles a bottle of champagne at the moment of uncorking it. To create it, 1,954 bottles of champagne were used with a total weight of 343 kilograms. The design also assumes that, if desired, a person can enter inside the fountain under refreshing streams of water.
The most remarkable and beautiful thing is that at night the bottle rotates around its axis, while the illumination changes with multi-colored colors, and streams of water are thrown out of the bottle like splashes of champagne.
Address: Abrau-Durso, Alexander Square.
Monument to L. Utesov
In the village there is a monument to the great artist L.O. Utesov. It is located on an alley leading from the factory to the lake. The actor is presented in the image of a shepherd from the famous film.
The monument to Utesov is located on a low marble monument. Behind it is a structure consisting of balusters arranged in the shape of a semicircle. Not far from this place there is a cozy gazebo where you can relax and enjoy the view of Lake Abrau.
Fountain with a monkey
In the park near the wine house, you can hear the splashes of a fountain with a monkey sitting on a bottle of sparkling drink. Here you can also find out that the founder of the Champagne House, Prince Galitsyn, had a pet monkey. He taught her how to open bottles and entertained his many guests with this trick.
Address: Abrau-Durso, st. Industrial.
Other attractions
In addition, the following interesting sights are worth seeing in Abrau-Durso:
- Gallery of Light. The quantum room and scanner are presented here.
- Thermal SPA resort "Rasputin". There is a SPA, a sauna, a restaurant, billiards, and swimming pools with thermal water.
- Fair of handicrafts "Art Bazaar". This place can be compared to a museum tour. Every Sunday, historians, designers, writers, antique collectors, connoisseurs of antiquity and simply romantics gather at the art bazaar.
- Tree of Happiness, where everyone can tie ribbons and make a wish.
- Walk of Fame of winemakers – a beautiful green alley where you can relax. It is called so because grape vines are planted on it.
- Art park. All the exhibits in it are unusual and original: various statues, wooden figures, sometimes funny and absurd. There is even an ordinary wooden barrel. You can not only look at them, but also photograph them or touch them with your hands.
- Petting Zoo "Funny Farm" ‒ this is a mini-zoo where a large number of different animals live: rabbits, raccoons, ponies, horses, chinchillas, ferrets and guinea pigs.
- Yoga House – a two-story gazebo that stands on the edge of a cliff. During the warmer months, yoga master classes are held there.
Legends about the lake
Legends are made about any mysterious place and passed on from generation to generation. There are several of them near Lake Abrau.
The first tells about the love of a young Circassian woman for a poor young man. She did not dare to disobey her parents and yearned for her chosen one alone.
The beauty was unlucky; she lived surrounded by idle people who valued nothing but their pleasures. For this God punished them. One fine day the village fell into the ground.
The orphaned girl cried so hard and for a long time that it turned into a stream that filled the hole with water. This is how the lake was formed.
The Circassian woman went to drown herself, but she was disappointed. She walked across the water to the opposite shore. A young man in love was waiting for the girl there. As is usual in fairy tales, they lived the rest of their lives in love and harmony.
Another legend tells of a dissolute girl who, as punishment, was imprisoned in the rocks and forced to swear by the well-being of her native village. A shepherd passing by radically changed her plans. The village failed, the girl repented and cried until tears filled the hole. The end of the legend is as happy as in the first case.
But the most beautiful fairy tale is about a dragon living at the bottom of a lake. The sun's rays reflect off its scales and color the water emerald blue.
On moonlit nights, a path appears on the surface of the lake. Some say that it surprisingly resembles a chain of footprints from a girl who could not drown herself. Others claim that it is the glowing crest of a sleeping dragon.
In addition to legends, a story about a treasure is connected with Abrau. At a time when the Nazis were rushing to the Caucasus, an order was received to drown all the champagne stocks from the factory’s cellars in the lake. There were several tens of thousands of bottles. No one wanted their enemies to celebrate their victories with the country's best sparkling wine.
After the war, attempts were made to find the priceless treasure, but to no avail. It is known that there was a flood, but no one remembers where. Abrau-Durso keeps his secrets securely.
Entertainment in Abrau-Durso and its surroundings
The resort village is a fashionable holiday destination with developed infrastructure. Here you can organize an eventful leisure time as comfortably as possible. Vivid and unforgettable impressions are guaranteed to you.
Russian wine house
In 1870, by decree of Emperor Alexander II, the specific estate of Abrau-Durso was founded on the shore of Lake Abrau. The sparkling wine of the same name became a symbol of luxury and the favorite drink of Tsarist Russia.
The plant has a wine tourism center that organizes excursions. Here you can choose one of the programs, including a visit to the Russian wine house Abrau-Durso with tasting and inspection of the vineyards, a visit to the winery, cellars and a master class on making white sangria.
Cultural and tourist complex "Russia"
Located in a beautiful place, surrounded by forest in an ecologically clean area on the Black Sea coast. The complex offers a concert and sports arena, a cafe, a hotel, a hidden arena, show programs and entertainment events, banquets, weddings and corporate events with the participation of an equestrian theater, equestrian sports tournaments, and a riding club.
The complex is also unique in that within walking distance is the only high-mountain lake Abrau in the foothills of the North Caucasus with a picturesque embankment.
The basis of the Rossiya CTC is a unique indoor arena in our country with a theater arena of more than 1,500 square meters. m and modern light and sound infrastructure, built according to an original design and designed to receive up to 2,000 guests at a time.
Center address: st. Korolenko, 16A.
Ticket prices: 700 rub. – adult, 500 rub. - children's.
Opening hours: from 10:00 to 18:00 seven days a week.
Center for Media Arts "MARS"
The MARS gallery of contemporary art operates in the historical complex of the Abrau-Durso wine house. Here are presented audiovisual installations of the multimedia laboratory Kufleх, combining video, sound, light and even dance. At the same time, the viewer is given the role of an accomplice and co-creator of the artists - one can interact with certain objects, as if traveling through parallel worlds.
Address: st. Industrial, 13.
Prices: adult ticket - 500 rubles, children's ticket (5-7 years old) - 300 rubles, schoolchildren, students and pensioners receive a 50 rubles discount.
Bringing Down the House"
It is located on the territory of the Rossiya complex. This is a neat wooden house with a blue tiled roof and a car parked upside down next to the house. Everything is upside down - the car, the bright roof, the windows, and the flowers on the windowsill.
Tables and chairs, a snow-white bathtub and shampoos on the shelf, a toilet and plates of fruit, a bed and a TV, an armchair and slippers - everything is upside down. It’s not possible to stay here for a long time, because my head starts to feel a little dizzy. But there is enough time to take a photo and laugh.
Other interesting places
In addition to those listed, there are other interesting entertainments in Abrau-Durso:
- The Voice of the City is a federal network of promenade performances “Hear Your City.” This is an amazing combination of learning something new, rethinking the familiar, establishing personal growth and motivation, elegantly packaged in a theatrical format and taken to the streets of the city.
- On the adjacent territory to Abrau beach there is a sports and entertainment complex with the same name “Abrau”, where you can have a great time with friends and family. A pleasant, calm environment will allow you to take a breath and hide from the scorching sun. Address: Abrau-Durso, st. Primorskaya.
- Traditional Russian bathhouse, made in the best style of the Russian old spirit. Has a large spacious steam room. There is also a bar where you can order tea with organic honey and herbs. Entertainment options include billiards, a relaxation room, and a small pool with cold water. If you don’t have bath accessories with you, you can buy everything you need right here. Address: st. Shkolnaya, 2.
What to do on Lake Abrau
Walk along the lake, Art Park and the Church of St. Xenia of Petersburg
On the shore of the lake there is a park with an embankment for walking. The distance from the bus stop to the beginning of the park is 170 meters. There are amazing art objects throughout the park.
The park is not large in size, its length is about 300 meters and width 100 meters, but the impression from it remains pleasant. In the summer, you can see a singing fountain here, the height of its jets reaches 30 meters, with wonderful evening illumination.
On the embankment at the end of Art Park
Art object “Symphony of the Wind” - a Circassian woman running along a lunar path to her lover
Monument to Leonid Utesov in the Abrau-Durso Art Park
After visiting the Art Park, the journey can be continued with a walk along the lake along Novaya Street; this 300-meter path is marked in green on the map. Here along the way there are wild exits among the trees to the edge of the lake and beautiful views of the hills surrounding the lake.
If you go in the other direction from the park, you can visit the Church of St. Xenia of St. Petersburg. The path from the Art Park to the temple, 485 meters, is drawn on the map in purple. On the shore opposite the temple you can relax on a bench overlooking the lake.
View from the embankment in Art Park to Lake Abrau and the Church of St. Xenia of Petersburg
View of Lake Abrau from a bench opposite the temple
After walking 286 meters behind the building of the wine tourism center (orange mark on the map with No. 3), you will find yourself on Alexander II Square with beautiful fountains. This path is marked in red on the map. A fountain in the shape of a champagne bottle with the name “Splash of Champagne” and a fountain with a monkey will not leave anyone indifferent.
Excursions at the Abrau-Durso winery
The Abrau-Durso wine tourism center offers several excursion options.
A tour of the Abrau-Durso Wine House without wine tasting is possible with children. The duration of this excursion is 1 hour 20 minutes, the cost for adults is 750 rubles, for children 6-9 years old - 350 rubles, under 6 years old - free. On this excursion, the guide walks through the corridors of champagne production and talks about the technology of its creation. Also, tourists are shown a film about the history of Abrau-Durso.
There are 3 types of excursions with wine tasting - champagne tasting, still wine tasting and a wine and gastronomic excursion with the preparation of mulled wine. They all cost the same - 950 rubles per person and last 1 hour 30 minutes.
On an excursion with champagne tasting, you can find out what the mysterious French words mean: “Cuvée”, “Remuage”, “Dégorgage”, what is the difference between the classical method of production and Charmat, get acquainted with the modern production of champagne and try 5 of its varieties.
On an excursion with a tasting of 6 samples of still wine, the story is told, which began precisely with the production of still wines, they show ancient tunnels built at the end of the 19th century under Alexander II, and introduce the technology of making still wines.
On a wine and gastronomic excursion with the preparation of mulled wine, you can taste locally produced cheeses and learn how to prepare a hot, spicy drink from red wine - mulled wine.
In the Abrau-Durso wine tourism center there is a children's room where you can leave your child during the excursion under the supervision of teachers.
You can get detailed information about excursions and sign up for them by phone or on the tourist website.
Wine cellar at the Abrau-Durso plant
Camping
Places for outdoor recreation in Abrau-Durso are rare green corners for useful and fun pastime with family or friends.
Lake Abrau
Those who prefer to relax in tents are provided with specially designated places right next to Lake Abrau. There are tables, barbecues and fish in the lake.
On the shore, among the relict forests, there is also the Ivanhoe guest house. There you can stay in comfortable double and triple rooms of standard and luxury categories, equipped with modern furniture and appliances. There is Internet access and satellite TV. Self catering. There is a shared kitchen equipped with everything you need. Room prices: standard - from 1,500 rubles, luxury - from 3,000 rubles.
Lake Maly Liman
Lake Maly Liman, or as it is also called, Sweet Limanchik, is one of the natural monuments of the Krasnodar region. Near the reserve there are several recreation centers and car camping.
Autocamping on Liman is located between South Ozereyka and Abrau-Durso beach. This calm place in a small bay will appeal to lovers of a quiet family holiday. Here you can fish both on the sea and on the lake itself. The beach is equipped with everything you need: pantons, a wide pier with anti-slip coating, sun loungers under canopies, changing rooms, toilets.
Also on the shore of this lake there is a hotel-chalet “Liman”, which is located near the beach. There is a special place for barbecue cooking. Parking spaces are provided. Guests can go on walks and arrange excursions.
Tourists are offered spacious family rooms that can accommodate two or more people. The rooms include air conditioning and a work desk. To provide food and drinks, you can use an electric kettle and microwave. For those relaxing in the fresh air there is a dining area. A special feature of the chalet is a fireplace.
Beaches of Abrau-Durso
Abrau-Durso has many sea beaches. Here are some of them:
- Central beach. This pebble beach stretches for 350 meters. Its width in some places reaches 40 meters. This is the most popular beach in the village, and every year it receives hundreds of tourists.
There are several paid car parks near the beach, but at the height of the season it is difficult to find a place for a car. The beach infrastructure is well developed. Shade canopies and bends protect from the sun. Sun loungers and deck chairs are available for rent. There are several cafes, shops, sports equipment rentals and a rescue post on the territory. There are changing rooms, toilets and showers. Near the beach there are hotels, guest houses and campsites. - Wild beaches of Durso. You can get to them by car. There are tent camps on each beach in the summer. There is a beach for nudists.
- Limanchik Beach. This is a pebble beach that stretches 350 meters between the sea and the estuary. Access to it is free, but the infrastructure is in its infancy.
Other natural attractions
Also worth a visit in Abrau-Durso:
- Rocky shore of Lake Abrau. The length of the reservoir is more than 3,100 meters, width – 630 meters, depth – about 10 m. The water has a wonderful emerald color. This natural monument is protected by UNESCO.
- Underwater bays of Durso. Daredevils love to dive and snorkel, as there is a unique underwater world here.
What to see in the area
Abrau is a modern and very neat village.
Lake Abrau is amazingly beautiful; its water has an unusual emerald green hue. Local legend says that this color is given to the water by the scales of a dragon that lives in the depths of the lake. It is quite possible to swim in the lake in the summer.
A whole park of roses is planted on the embankment, exuding a wonderful fragrance. Here, on the embankment, the azure jets of the Fountain of Wishes .
Above the village, on the rock where the beautiful Abrau once sobbed, stands the red brick church of St. Xenia of Petersburg .
On the shores of the Black Sea, seven kilometers from Abrau, at the mouth of the river of the same name, is the village of Durso . The word Durso translated from Turkic means “four waters”: the Durso River is formed by the confluence of four rivulets. There is a small, well-maintained pebble beach in Durso. Two recreation centers “Fregat” and “Sailor” .
Best routes
Despite the fact that the village is one of the most popular resorts in Russia, there are quite a few excursions to Abrau-Durso. The most popular is the demonstration of the museum-factory of champagne wines.
On one's own
You can get to Abrau-Durso from almost any city on the Black Sea coast. It’s better to get there on your own from Novorossiysk or Anapa.
Abrau-Durso is a small village 15 km from the city with its main attraction - a champagne wine factory. The minibus stops almost opposite the entrance to it. Next to the factory there is a wine company store where you can buy something from an extensive range of sparkling wines.
Not far from the plant, right on the shore of the lake, there is a recreation area. A 5-minute walk from the plant there is also a small park on the embankment, where there is a heart-shaped stele dedicated to all lovers. Here you can take a walk, relax, and just look at the surrounding beauty.
About a 10-minute walk (450 m away) is the Church of Xenia of St. Petersburg. It was built quite recently, at the beginning of this century. You need to go along the street. Industrial - it will lead to the temple.
Another main attraction of Abrau-Durso, which you can walk to on your own, is the fountain. It opened recently and is considered the largest in the Krasnodar region. A light and musical show takes place here every evening. And if you want to swim, you can go back 100 meters and walk to the wooden deck. There you can also sunbathe on the shore of the lake.
If you want to get to know the wine museum in more detail and in depth, its history and wine production, as well as other attractions, you can use the services of a guide. An individual guide costs 800-1,500 rubles.
About the main attractions and beautiful places in Abrau-Durso, watch the following video:
As part of the excursion
The Abrau-Durso Valley is located in the vicinity of the hero city of Novorossiysk, among mountains covered with relict forests and a beautiful lake. Tourists are offered excursion programs for every taste here:
- Excursion to the terroir. Cost – 10,000 rubles for a group of 4 people. Duration is 2 hours.
- Voice of the City – a flash mob walk through local attractions using an audio guide. Duration – 2 hours, cost – 700 rubles for adults, for children – 350 rubles.
- Champagne wine factory. Champagne tasting – 400 rubles, a bottle of champagne – 350-1,800 rubles.
Climatic features of resorts
The Novorossiysk region is influenced by the Mediterranean type of climate, which is characterized by the predominance of winter precipitation over summer, a large number of clear sunny days and moderate humidity.
A short review video from our channel
The weather of the port city is determined by the proximity of the sea and the uniqueness of the relief, which is a combination of wooded mountains and hills of different sizes. The average air temperature in May is +15.8 °C, in June +20.2 °C, in July and August – about +24 °C, and the sea warms up to +25-26 °C by mid-summer. However, the local weather often presents unpleasant surprises in the form of temperature changes and sharp gusts of wind.
In Abrau-Durso, which is not for nothing called the Russian Riviera, the climate is milder: here it is always three to four degrees warmer, the air is drier, and the settlement is protected from strong winds by mountain ranges.
In June and August, 30-degree heat reigns on the beaches, and the sea warms up to a relaxing +25-26 °C. During the velvet season, the infernal heat recedes: the water cools down to an invigorating +22-23 °C, and the air temperature remains at +23-25 °C.
A short review video from our channel
Reviews about holidays in Abrau-Durso
Tatyana, 43 years old. Abrau-Durso has everything for an interesting, eventful holiday for adults and children. Beauty is everywhere, interesting excursions, clean air. This beautiful village has something interesting for everyone.
Ekaterina, 24 years old. The most vivid impressions of the splendor of local landscapes can only be obtained here – in Abrau-Durso.
Sergey, 32 years old. I myself did not visit Abrau-Durso, but they brought me wine from the wineries there. I was delighted! So I’m thinking about a trip to this famous plant.
Valentina, 34 years old. Lake Abrau is stunning, and it was precisely because of it that we went with the whole family. Crystal deep water, picturesque alpine landscapes. This is not forgotten. And the children are delighted.
A holiday at sea would not be complete without cultural leisure. Visiting the sights of Abrau-Durso not only provides additional interesting knowledge, but also provides pleasant and unforgettable memories.
Where is
The most convenient way to get to Abrau-Durso is from Novorossiysk, from where there is a minibus service and a modern highway.
However, bus service has been established with other resorts in the Krasnodar Territory. To get to Abrau by car, you should go along the way to Novorossiysk to the village of Tsemdolina , behind it, where the traffic police post is installed, turn right, then drive about another ten kilometers, and after the village of Glebovskaya make another right turn (there is a pointer to Abrau-Durso).
Part of the road is a mountain serpentine, running between slopes covered with forests or planted with vineyards.
Mountain Lake Abrau is one of the main local attractions. Translated from Turkic dialects, the word Abrau means “failure” or “precipice”.
Scientists are still arguing how this lake was formed: either as a result of an earthquake when the water of a mountain river rushed into a fault, or whether it is the remnant of an ancient freshwater sea.
The water in the lake is a little cloudy due to the limestone lying at the bottom, but it is fresh and clean (there are many crayfish here), without a swamp smell, although researchers have not found how the water flows out of Abrau.
In addition, the water in the lake never freezes. At night, a lunar path is noticeable on the water, which, surprisingly, is always located in the same place, regardless of where the moon is.
Local old-timers tell a legend about the beautiful Circassian woman Abrau , whose legs were so light that they left marks on the surface of the water. The tears of Abrau, who was mourning her lost home forever, merged into a mountain stream flowing into the lake, which is called the Tears of the Cherkeshenka .
Entertainment and attractions
Where in Abrau-Durso can you have a good time and just have a great time? Of course, at the Abrau-Durso sparkling wine factory. On the excursion you will be able to hear a story about the history of winemaking in Abrau, learn more about the production technology and properties of wines, as well as visit wine cellars and taste 6 varieties of champagne in the Tsarsky, Golitsynsky and French halls.
Please note age restrictions - no one under 18 years of age is allowed on tasting tours.
But Abrau-Durso is famous not only for alcohol. One of the main attractions of the village is Lake Abrau, located at an altitude of 84 m above sea level. By the way, there is a rental point here where avid fishermen can rent boats and fishing rods.
And for lovers of active recreation, you can offer, for example, jeeping. A trip by SUV to the semi-abandoned mountain village of Novosadovy will be unforgettable (especially if you take your camera with you). You can get there along several routes, overcoming numerous fords of mountain rivers and streams, as well as driving along the tops of mountain ranges and gorges. Near the village there are climbing rocks accessible to an unprepared person, and beautiful waterfalls of the Mill Stream. From the neighboring ridges there are views of the sea and the main Caucasian ridge. And in case you want to stay a little longer, the village has an exotic “Popeye Club”, a bathhouse and places to spend the night.
For those who crave spectacle, there is an equestrian theater in Abrau-Durso. Here you can see show programs and theatrical performances, and in your free time from entertainment, the complex hosts hippotherapy sessions - therapeutic horse riding.
Features of the holiday
No matter what resort potential Novorossiysk has, it is still an industrial and port city, which is more suitable for lovers of active pastime. This is an excellent place for those who want to learn more about the history of the country, since the variety of attractions here is eye-popping: numerous art objects, the Mikhail Kutuzov museum ship, and war memorials (Defense Line, Valley death" and "Small Earth"). The city has many observation platforms, parks and natural monuments, including: Cape of Love, Tsemes Grove, Circassian Gorge.
Cruiser-museum "Mikhail Kutuzov" (photographer Roman Alb)
Abrau is a renowned center of wine tourism, so the infrastructure here is appropriate: tasting rooms, pre-revolutionary wine cellars, specialty shops and restaurants, champagne museums. On the embankment, in the local amphitheater, gastronomic festivals, master classes, concerts and other events are held all year round. But there is also a huge amount of other entertainment in the village: riding catamarans, scooters, motorboats, paragliding, ATVs, trekking and horseback riding in protected areas, scuba diving.
On the Abrau embankment (resource https://7-kont.ru/)
Thus, in contrast to the large, noisy and civilized Novorossiysk, the provincial little Abrau can offer a calmer, but no less exciting holiday surrounded by picturesque nature and fragrant plants.
