What to see in Sochi: top 20 attractions

Sochi is called not only the city itself, but also the entire region, including neighboring villages, starting almost from Tuapse to Abkhazia. Greater Sochi stretches for 146 km along the coast. Therefore, when they say that this or that attraction is located in Sochi, you need to clarify where exactly.

In my post, we will mostly talk about those places that are located either in the city of Sochi itself or not far from it. Sochi is the largest resort city on the coast, so there really is something to see here. And going somewhere is not a problem, cultural life is also present. It’s not for nothing that some people move to this city for permanent residence, and I myself think about it from time to time.

Arboretum Park

If you don’t know what to see in Sochi, then go to the Arboretum without hesitation!

This park (one of the most beautiful city parks on the Black Sea coast) was founded at the end of the 19th century. In fact, this is a huge museum, on the territory of which unique plants from different parts of the world grow. Here you can watch magnolias bloom, see a mammoth tree, stroll through a eucalyptus grove and bamboo thickets.

The park is divided into 2 parts by Kurort Avenue; they are connected by a cable car. At the highest point of the Arboretum there is an observation deck from which a beautiful panorama of the city opens. In the lower part there is a rose garden, an exotarium, an aquarium, and a lake with exotic river inhabitants.

Working hours

(every day):

In summer - from 8 am to 9 pm;
In winter – from 9 am to 5 pm;
In spring and autumn - from 9 am to 8 pm.

Entrance fees:

Adult – 250 rubles;
Children (from 7 years old) – 120 rub.

Address:

Kurortny Prospekt, 74.

Official site:

dendrarium.ru.

How to get there:

From Sochi bus station to Rosa Khutor - buses No. 105, 105C, stop "Circus";
From Adler - buses No. 105С, 125П, 125С, stop “Sanatorium of Jan Fabricius”;
From Loo and Lazarevskoye take bus No. 76 or train to the Sochi station in Sochi, and then to the “Circus” stop.

Beyond Sochi: towards adventure

Outside the resort city, no less colorful attractions await you: picturesque landscapes, turquoise lakes, architecture, living legends, canyons.

Take a break from the bustle of the city and recharge yourself with the energy of nature by visiting the “Trekking tour of the Psakho canyons” (6,000 RUR for a group of up to 12 people). Ahead is a meeting with stone forest canyons, the Colchis forest, and a panorama of the Gagrinsky ridge. You will make your way through a natural stone labyrinth among glossy ferns, ivy, vines, and garlands of airy moss. Duration - 6 hours.

Lovers of nature, sports and adventure will enjoy the “Trekking excursion through the Psakho canyons”.

Continue exploring the sights of the Black Sea coast by visiting the “Golden Ring of Abkhazia” field trip (RUB 1,300 per participant). In 7 hours you will discover the history and legends of the Abkhazian Golden Ring, the city of Gagra, Pitsunda, take a promenade through the tangerine gardens, and see the ruins of the Anakopia fortress. The trip is organized daily, except Monday.

“Golden Ring of Abkhazia” - in one day you will see the main treasures of the country.

Seaport of Sochi

The seaport of Sochi, featured in The Diamond Arm, is a mooring area for pleasure yachts and boats.

On the territory of the port there is a Marine Station, built by order of Joseph Stalin himself. This small building, designed in the Stalinist Empire style, is one of the few architectural attractions of Sochi. The upper tier of the building is decorated with sculptures representing the 4 seasons, and inside there are cafes and fashion boutiques. At the entrance there is a monument to the movie heroes Papanov, Mironov and Nikulin.

Sea walks are popular in Sochi and they start from this port. The cost of a sea excursion starts from 700 rubles per person. You can order at the pier or in advance on our website.

Entrance to the Sochi seaport is free.

Address:

st. Voikova, 1.

Official site:

https://www.morport-sochi.ru.

How to get there:

Walking distance from the railway station is 10–15 minutes;
Bus - No. 101, 24, 15, 36;
Minibus - No. 114.

Water park "Mayak"

In the very heart of Sochi, you can go to an equally popular water entertainment center - the Mayak water park. A wide selection of attractions will appeal to both adults and the youngest guests of the water park. The “Family” slide is perfect for going down together, the “Sleigh” attraction invites you to slide down a steep mountain on a special sleigh, and for the most courageous – the “Twister”, “Kamikaze” and “Free Fall” entertainment, a visit to which guarantees a storm of emotions. The children enjoy spending time in the “Children's Town” water complex, equipped with slides, waterfalls, Charcot showers and other entertainment. Little fidgets will also love the original “Scarlet Sails” playground in the shape of a ship with real ropes, ladders, holds and boats. On the territory of the Mayak water park there is also a sea beach, where you can continue your relaxation and ride a banana, scooter or hydrobike. This is a great place to take a break from excursions to other attractions of Sochi.

Seaside Park

When planning your walking route around Sochi, don’t forget to include the Primorsky Park. It is located at the top of the Central Embankment.

This is a good place to take a break from the summer heat and admire the beautiful nature. There is a shady alley with benches along the entire sea line, and several stairs lead to the beaches.

Also in the park you can see a lighthouse and 3 historical buildings - the Pushkin Library, the house of the first city healer Gordon and the Primorskaya Hotel. Near it there is a popular summer cafe “At the Palm” with delicious snacks at affordable prices.

In the part where the park connects with Teatralnaya Square, there is a pump room with artesian water.

Address:

Central embankment. Entrance to the park is free.

How to get there:

By bus - No. 125С, 2, 105, 12, 105К, 13, 22, 3, 23, 41, 86, 103, 50, 105С, 120, 14, 121, 125П;
By minibus - No. 45, 19, 38, 43, 37, 48, 87, 98, 92, 83, 94, 95, 113.

Get off at the Organ Hall stop.

Choosing souvenirs

Bring colorful gifts to your loved ones from Sochi:

Lightweight and warm products made from goat wool. The cost of a pair of socks is ≈ 200–350 rubles;
Souvenirs with Olympic symbols: toys, sweatshirts, T-shirts, backpacks. T-shirt price - from 800 ₽. A large assortment is presented in the Olympic Park and the Spor chain stores.
Fresh harvest nuts The cost of 1 kg of unpeeled chestnut is ≈ 120–140 ₽. In October, nut prices are among the lowest of the year.
Honey from chestnut, acacia, blackberry at a price of 350 ₽ for 0.7 liters. The largest selection is in local markets.

Honey is a sweet and healthy gift.

Churchkhela at a price of 100 ₽ per piece.

A large selection of souvenirs can be found at the Central Market (Moskovskaya St., 22).

Stalin's dacha

The Sochi dacha is among the top 20 most famous country residences of the leader of all nations.

Today a museum is opened here, the interior of which preserves its historical appearance as much as possible. And since Stalin did not like luxury, everything here is quite simple and without luxurious frills. The only exception is a few rooms decorated with precious wood.

Interestingly, the facades and roof of the dacha are painted in a special shade of green, making it almost invisible against the background of the surrounding greenery.

Museum opening hours:

every day from 10 am to 6 pm. Tours run every hour.

Cost of excursions:

Adults – 350 rubles;
Children 7-13 years old – 200 rubles;
Preferential – 200 rubles.

Address:

Sanatorium "Green Grove", Kurortny Prospekt, 120/1.

How to get there:

Bus - No. 125P, 2, 105S, 125, 105;
Minibus taxi - No. 122, 124C.

Features of Sochi you need to know about

1. Huge distances. If you didn’t know, the length of Sochi’s coastline ranks second in the world - 145 kilometers. This is a huge plus because here, like nowhere else in the south, there is an abundance of beaches. But there is also a minus when you need to move along the route, only the road from the airport can take 2 hours, taking into account traffic jams.

2. Ski slopes and recreation in the mountains. Sochi is not only swelteringly hot, the resort also includes the Krasnaya Polyana ski complex, so once you climb the mountains, you still won’t leave the city’s borders.

3. Humid climate. The weather in Sochi is humid subtropics; for comparison, the same weather is found in Thailand, but nowhere else in Russia. During the hot tourist season, namely in the summer, it is unbearably stuffy here, sweat flows from the body like hail, clothes become sticky and all the dust and dirt settles on the skin, causing a lot of inconvenience, including rashes. Lingerie and swimsuits hung on lines may not dry even within a day. Not to mention that everywhere in hotels you will smell dampness, just be prepared for the fact that this is the norm here.

4. Sochi Narzan. Within the city limits, healing springs bubble up from the ground, capable of healing any ailment or illness with their rich composition. You can try Sochi Narzan for free, the pump rooms are located in the Riviera Park, as well as the Metallurg and Znanie sanatoriums, and the health resorts offer services for taking rejuvenating baths with mineral water.

4. Rich fauna. Sochi is surrounded by greenery, and these are not just words - only here there are palm trees the height of a three-story house, plane trees - unusual trees shedding their bark and blooming magnolias. Even an ordinary Pyaterochka supermarket looks like the entrance to a park, with a living curtain and framed with bouquets of oleanders. To be honest, I walked the streets with my mouth open, admiring the beauty and greenery of Sochi.

Observation deck Windrose

The site was built in the center of Sochi at an altitude of 146 meters above sea level.

Initially, this simple twenty-meter structure was an ordinary site, but after several large-scale reconstructions, water supply, sewerage, a gallery and the Panorama cafe appeared within its walls. The latter is located right on the roof - through its windows you can see the whole city.

Address:

central part of Sochi.

Entrance fee:

100 rubles or free when visiting the Panorama cafe.

Working hours:

24 hours a day, seven days a week.

How to get from the airport to the city center

A high-speed electric train runs between the airport and the railway station, located in the center of the resort, 5-6 times a day. This is the most cost-effective solution to the problem. The station is located in the central part of the city, where hotels, inns, natural and architectural monuments can be found at every step.

Buses No. 105 and No. 124 run between the station and the center. Traveling by public transport is also considered a budget solution. Payment for the services of minibus No. 105-K will cost a little more. The main disadvantage of such options: there are no night routes. The advantage of a private taxi: it works around the clock. But the cost of the trip may be too high.

How to get to Sochi - 5 ways

What to do if public transport is not working at the time of your arrival and there is no desire to overpay for a taxi. In this situation, there is a real way out: ordering a transfer on the websites of official organizations that specialize in such services. Each of them has its own system of discounts, so a new visit to Sochi and transfer services next time will cost you less.

Abandoned sanatorium named after Ordzhonikidze

Famous monument of the Stalin era. Built back in the 30s to treat members of the working class. In 2010, the health resort was closed for reconstruction, but due to lack of finances, the work was never completed. Despite the fact that the object is under guard, you can walk around it.

The Ordzhonikidze sanatorium is often called the lost world of Sochi. There are sculptures along the grassy paths, and there are 2 huge fountains near the grand staircases. Due to the fact that the sanatorium has not been used for its intended purpose for a long time, its territory has begun to be actively overgrown with subtropical flowers and trees. Now it is a wild area, from the buildings of which there is a beautiful view of the sea.

Address:

Resort Avenue, 96/5. Free admission.

How to get there:

From the airport - bus No. 105, 105C;
From the railway station - bus No. 120, 121;
From Imereti Bay - bus No. 125;
By car along Transportnaya Street.

See you on the main avenue

Resort Avenue is considered the longest Sochi highway, but that is not why travelers and citizens love it. A walk along it in the evening brings a lot of emotions and memories; there are many beautiful squares, alleys, cozy benches, original monuments made with humor and love. Among those offered to vacationers are:

Pedestrian Plantain Alley;
“Singing fountains”, leaving vivid emotions and stunning photos;
Sculptural composition "Golden Fleece".

The Art Museum with its famous masterpieces by Aivazovsky, Klodt and Petrov-Vodkin, the Arboretum, the circus and the Stereo cinema are also located here.

Olympic Park

The Sochi Olympic Park is a huge sports complex, which includes the Fisht stadium, the Shaiba ice arena, the Formula 1 track and two ice palaces (Bolshoi and Iceberg).

In 2014, the park hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics. The singing fountain, built on the site of the former Olympic torch, reminds visitors of them. Now concerts, performances by Ilya Averbukh’s troupe and various sporting events are organized here. Every evening there is a light and music show with Lezginka, songs by the Queen group and Magomayev, and world pop hits.

It is quite difficult to walk around this vast territory on foot. It is more convenient to rent a scooter (5 rubles per minute), a bicycle (50 rubles per hour) or book an excursion on a golf cart (500 rubles).

You can relax after your walk in one of the many restaurants. There are also shops and souvenir shops in the park.

Working hours:

every day from 8am to midnight. Free admission.

Official site:

https://olympic-park.rf.

Address:

Imereti Lowland.

How to get there:

by train from Tuapse to the Olympic Park station.

What to see in the city of Sochi itself

In addition to the sights, I also visited restaurants and cafes, after which I wrote a post - Where to eat in Sochi. Of course, not everything fit there, but I mentioned the most important places. You can add your reviews about your visit, because they will be useful to everyone who goes to Sochi.

Also, if the TOP 15 is not enough for you, then look at my TOP 35 attractions, there is more choice there.

Just in case, here is a selection of inexpensive hotels with good ratings and reviews. You’re not coming for a day, but for a couple of weeks, and you’ll need to stay somewhere.

Hotel selection in Sochi →

Stalin's dacha

Atmospheric and slightly unusual museum. You can go inside the building with a group and listen to a tour. The story is very interesting, it helps to look at this place in a special way. There are few historical exhibits in the building, but the building itself and the surrounding landscapes are impressive. Stalin's dacha is located on the territory of the Green Grove sanatorium. The park offers wonderful views of the surrounding area. More about Stalin's Dacha - More about Stalin's Dacha.

Ticket price: up to 14 years old - 200 rubles, from 14 years old - 350 rubles. Individual excursion - 1000 rubles.

Stalin's dacha in Sochi

Sochi Arboretum

The Sochi Arboretum is one of the main attractions of the city. The beginning of the park was laid in 1889, when the publisher of the Petersburg Newspaper, S. N. Khudekov, bought a plot of land in Sochi, on the slope of Bald Mountain. Later, his villa “Nadezhda” was built there, named after his wife, and a park with exotic plants was founded.

In 1922 the park was nationalized. Now the territory of the modern Sochi Arboretum is divided in two by Kurortny Prospekt, under which you can walk from one part to another via a passage. There, at the entrance to the Arboretum from the avenue, the cable car begins to the highest point of the park.

Walking through the Arboretum, you can see a Japanese garden, ponds with ducks and geese, enclosures with ostriches and peacocks, gazebos, pavilions, statues and solemnly decorated stairs. Many species of subtropical plants, pine trees, eucalyptus trees, and cypress trees are planted here.

The arboretum is kept in excellent condition, the central part looks like a regular palace park with neatly trimmed plants and wide, well-kept stairs. Read more about the Sochi Arboretum.

Ticket price: entrance to the park - 320 rubles, cable car - 500 rubles one way. Children from 7 to 14 years old - 150 rubles.

Arboretum and cable car

Adler Oceanarium

The largest aquarium in southern Russia, Sochi Discovery World, is located in Resort Town (Adler). The oceanarium was opened at the end of 2009. It has 29 halls, a transparent tunnel under water where you can walk, a sea pool where you can scuba dive, and a professional photography studio.

Every day in the aquarium (above a transparent tunnel, so that visitors can see better) shows are held: shark feeding and “Underwater Tale” - with the participation of mermaids who swim above the tunnel and pose for visitors for photos. The aquariums are divided into several thematic zones. For example, tropical forest, ocean inhabitants, etc.

In the aquarium you can see not only different breeds of fish, but also turtles, sharks, and moray eels. There are small open ponds where you can feed koi carp, food is sold in vending machines nearby. More about the aquarium - The aquarium in Adler is surprising, delightful and shocking.

Ticket price: 950 rubles, children from 4 to 11 years old - 550 rubles.

Oceanarium in Adler

Olympic Park

The Olympic Park is a new landmark of Sochi and one of the main sites of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. It is located on the seashore, in the area of the Lower Imeretinskaya Lowland. On the territory of the park there are sports arenas where competitions in speed skating, figure skating, curling, and the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games took place.

Now the Olympic Park is a huge area with bicycle paths along which you can ride a bicycle or a rented golf cart. There is a large singing fountain (the show starts at 19:30 and lasts an hour), a beautiful embankment with a beach, the territory of Sochi Park with attractions and, of course, Olympic facilities: the Iceberg Winter Sports Palace, the Fisht Olympic Stadium, hotels, as well as the Formula track 1.

Sochi Park

An amusement park in the spirit of Disneyland or the Spanish Aventura Park is located next to the Olympic Park. On the territory of Sochi Park there are fourteen large attractions, including quite extreme slides like Quantum Leap and more children's carousels, playgrounds and small swings. There is entertainment for both adults and children.

They tried to create a fairy-tale atmosphere in the park: the attractions are called the Serpent Gorynych, the Firebird, a magic tree, picturesque ponds, sculptures and life-size puppets of fairy-tale characters. The Bogatyr hotel complex rises above the park. In addition to all kinds of entertainment, the park has a dolphinarium, an experimentarium, and themed shows, for example, “Alice in Wonderland.”

In the evenings, the park is beautifully illuminated, and cafes and restaurants are open. Read more about Sochi Park.

Ticket price: adult - 1900 rubles, children - 1700 rubles.

Amusement park Sochi-park

Southern Cultures Park

The Southern Cultures Dendrological Park is located near the Olympic Park in Adler, on the left bank of the Mzymta River. Now the park is being restored, because... It's been a little neglected lately. The park has wonderful air, atmosphere, few people, unity with nature. Ponds with swans and ducks. The park was founded at the beginning of the last century, about a hundred years ago.

It was a large landscape park on an elevated part of the territory, separated from the regular French park by a system of ponds. Now in the park you can see bamboo, eucalyptus trees, rare species of pine, ducks and swans on the ponds. A quiet, secluded and peaceful place where in summer you can walk in the shade, hiding from the hot sun. Read more about Southern Cultures.

Ticket price: up to 14 years old - 150 rubles, from 14 years old - 300 rubles.

Southern Cultures Park

Abandoned sanatorium Ordzhonikidze

One of the unofficial attractions of the city, where tourists are not brought by buses and are not offered to buy a private tour. In fact, this is not an abandoned place in the full sense of the word, but a sanatorium closed for an indefinite period, under guard and with a fence.

I have a separate post with the history of this amazingly beautiful place, which used to be a national health resort, where ordinary working people improved their health, and now it is empty and destroyed due to non-compliance with seismic resistance standards and neighboring illiterate construction projects. Read more about the sanatorium.

Sanatorium Ordzhonikidze in Sochi

Navaginskaya street

An excellent walk from the railway station to the Marine Station, or just a walk in the city center along an alley densely overgrown with tropical plants. A place of amazing beauty and photogenic, with rows of restaurants, shops, benches and various sculptures.

A very popular place that looks equally good both during the day and in the evening with lighting. The only drawback is the problem with parking in the center, but you can still find paid parking nearby. More about Navaginskaya Street - More about Navaginskaya Street.

Navaginskaya street in Sochi

All hotels in Gelendzhik →

Historical Boulevard

It doesn’t look like a boulevard in the classical sense, but this pedestrian area deserves a separate visit, which may turn into an addiction. The path begins at the Seaport and runs along the upper edge of the shore of Greater Sochi.

There is no such crowd here as on the central embankment below, from here you have gorgeous views of the bay and port, there are plenty of benches and beautiful secluded places. The boulevard covers about 30 historical and culturally significant places and buildings, and ends near the Winter Theater. More details and pictures about the boulevard - More about the boulevard.

Ticket price: free. The territory has no fences.

Historical Boulevard in Sochi

Imeretinskaya embankment

The Imeretinskaya embankment in Adler was built specifically for the opening of the Olympics.

Now this is the newest, longest and widest of all the promenades in Sochi. The length of the walking area is 7 km - it starts at the port of the same name and ends almost at the border with Abkhazia.

The embankment area is very clean and landscaped. For the convenience of vacationers, it is divided into 2 parts - pedestrian and bicycle.

Along the entire line of the promenade there are portrait painters and souvenir sellers, there are cafes and restaurants, benches and lanterns. There are also a huge number of beaches where people relax even when the Caucasus Mountains are already covered with snow. The contrast is very interesting!

Address:

Nizhneimeretinskaya Bay, Adler. Free admission.

How to get there by bus:

From Sochi - No. 125С, 88, 135, 57;
From Rosa Khutor – No. 135, 135E;
From the airport - No. 57.

Almost all transport stops at the stop opposite the “Big” Ice Palace. You can also get off at the “Residential Buildings” stop and go down to Imeretinskaya Embankment through a block with new houses.

Water park "Amphibius"

It is impossible to imagine a full-fledged active holiday in hot Sochi without visiting everyone’s favorite water attractions. Therefore, we suggest you go to Adler and spend the whole day in one of the most popular Sochi water parks called “Amphibius”. There's a huge selection of water activities to choose from, from outdoor spiraling slides to indoor twisting rides, five-lane family slides and as many as five swimming pools. The coolest (literally and figuratively) slides in the Kamikaze and Blue Hall water parks are perfect for adrenaline junkies. And for kids, there are fun slides in the form of a kite, an elephant and an octopus, as well as an exciting attraction called “Fantasy” with water barrels, artificial rain and mischievous fountains.

Sochi Park

Where to go with your children? Go to Sochi Park! It is similar to Disneyland, only here the traditional attractions are named after Russian fairy tales - “Magic Flight”, “Firebird”, “Snake Gorynych”, etc.

In addition to the carousels, the park has a sovarium, a dolphinarium, a petting zoo, a puzzle center, playgrounds and workshops. Master classes and quests are held for little visitors, and Baba Yaga’s birthday is celebrated on Halloween.

Working hours:

from 11 am to 6 pm.

Ticket price:

1700 – 1850 rub.

Official site:

https://www.sochipark.ru.

Address:

Imereti Lowland, Olympic Avenue, 21.

How to get there:

By buses No. 125С, 54, 88, 135Э, 57 or 135;
By free bus from the Olympic Park railway station;
On "Swallow".

Let's go shopping

There are a large number of shopping centers in Sochi. They present mid-price and luxury products.

"MoreMall" (Novaya Zarya St., 7) is the largest shopping and entertainment center. There are more than 250 shops and 40 cafes on its territory.

Shopping and entertainment (Transportnaya St., 28) is another place for comprehensive shopping.

For shopping, go to Olympus.

Goods from local producers can be purchased at the Central Department Store (Gorky St., 53).

Formula 1 track

The Formula 1 track route runs through the entire Olympic Park, and racing events are held throughout the year on special track days.

You are allowed to drive along the track in your own car or a powerful sports car as a co-pilot. In addition, Formula 1 competitions are held here every year.

You can get to the circuit's territory on a guided tour, during which you will see the central grandstand, garages, paddock, awards podium, control center and car museum.

Address:

st. Triumfalnaya, 26.

Official site:

https://sochiautodrom.ru.

Ticket price

– from 500 rub.

Working hours:

every day from 10 am to 6 pm.

How to get there:

From the Sochi or Adler railway station by Lastochka to the Imeretinsky Resort station;
From MoreMall to Sochi - bus No. 125C;
From Adler - bus number 57.

Prices for tours to Adler in October - 2021

The best part of traveling to Adler in October, along with the weather, is the cost of airfare/accommodation and tours. First about the latter.

1. Choosing a tour as a way to get and live in Adler is not a bad idea at all. Many tour operators deliver tourists to Russian resorts, and the price range is wide; see the best offers on aggregators:

Travelata
Level.Travel
Onlinetours

In October 2022, a 7-night trip costs from 25,000 rubles for two. The closer we get to November, the lower the minimum bar. Tour to a hotel with “breakfast, lunch and dinner” – from 40,000 rubles per week, and “all inclusive” – from 80,000 rubles.

2. Air tickets in October are also much cheaper - for example, we bought a direct flight for 2,500 rubles one way from Kazan. Find out prices from your city to Sochi on Aviasales.

Sky Park

The only adventure park in Russia at altitude. Built by architects from New Zealand.

Here everyone can test their nerves and strength. Among the most “scary” entertainments are a rope jump from a great height, trolls accelerating in the air up to 120 km per hour, and a huge swing over a mountain abyss.

All attractions require considerable courage, because you will have to take a “step into the abyss” on your own.

If you still can’t decide to go extreme, take a walk along Skybridge, the longest suspension bridge in Europe. It passes through the canyon above the Mzymta River at an altitude of 207 meters.

Address:

11 km of highway to Krasnaya Polyana.

Website:

https://skypark.ru.

Ticket price

– from 1200 rub.

Schedule:

every day 10:00 to 17:15.

How to get there:

by car on the E97 / M27 highway.

Interesting sights near Sochi: Achipse fortress

Not far from the village of Esto-Sadok, the ruins of the Achipse fortress have been preserved. Ancient walls and towers were built during the early Middle Ages in a strategically advantageous location - on the ridge of a mountain. No details are known about the owners of the fortress: you can come up with a fairy-tale story yourself and translate it into a romantic photo shoot.

The Achipse fortress is located on a spur of the ridge directly above the confluence of the Mzymta and Achipse rivers in the village of Esto-Sadok. The climb from the road takes half an hour. If you are afraid of getting lost in the forest, you can join the excursion.

Southern Cultures Park

The list of must-see sites also includes the Adler Dendrological Park, founded at the beginning of the 20th century.

Thanks to the skillful work of landscape architect Rigel, 11 hectares of land turned into a picturesque landscape garden ensemble.

In the middle of the last century, “Southern Cultures” could boast of the largest collection of exotic plants in the entire USSR. However, two strong tornadoes that swept through this area in the 80s and 90s caused great damage. Work is still underway to restore it to its former splendor.

In addition to its beautiful nature, the park is distinguished by a convenient system of stairs, alleys and paths. On the territory there are benches, gazebos and ponds with bridges for observing turtles and swans.

Schedule:

every day from 9 am to 7 pm.

Ticket price:

Adult – 300 rubles;
Children (7 - 14 years old) – 120 rubles.

Official site:

https://kavkazzapoved.ru.

Address:

Dead end Nagorny, 13.

How to get there:

Bus No. 56, 125P, 57, 50, 132, 54, 171, 88, 59, 55, 135;
Minibus No. 58, 134, 60, 117, 109.

Historical landmarks

In order to get to know Sochi better, I advise you to take a ride along the main street - Kurortnaya, where you can see in all its glory the power and splendor of the Soviet heritage - the sanatoriums of the 30s, which, according to Stalin's idea, were built as palaces for the working class by the best architects of the USSR. During the war, health resorts served as hospitals, after which Sochi was awarded the Order of Glory, as evidenced by the memorial wall at the Main Post Office.

Stalin's dacha

Stalin's dacha is not only a residence where the leader of the Soviet era recuperated, but also a unique place, built in the neoclassical style, preserving its original appearance, interior items and furniture.

You can read my detailed review about visiting Stalin’s dacha in Sochi here >>>

Opening hours: daily from 9.00 to 18.00

How to get there - stop. Sanatorium Zelenaya Roshcha, bus. 2, 50, 105s, 105, 105k, 115, 125s, 125P, minibus 48. Having entered the territory of the health resort, you need to climb up the serpentine road for 15 - 20 minutes. GPS coordinates - 43.545207, 39.801557

Entrance - 350 rub. (adult), children under 7 years old free (7 - 12 years old 200 RUR), parking free

Sanatorium Ordzhonikidze

This is the only sanatorium of the last century in Sochi where you can get in for free, without a guest card, and all because it has been inactive since 2010. The monumental buildings have long been overgrown with ivy, the fountains are covered with cracks, and tropical plants are making their way through the granite steps. You can come here to see with your own eyes the victory of nature over human labor, and immerse yourself in a mysterious atmosphere.

Opening hours: daily, 24 hours a day

You can read my photo report on visiting the Sochi abandoned abandoned place here >>>

You can also come to the sanatorium with a guide who will tell you in detail about the history and every corner of the sanatorium. The cost of the walk is from 600 rubles. per person

The children's movie Old Man Hottabych was filmed here, and you can take a photo at the fountain where the company with the old man and the boys landed on a carpet plane.

How to get there - stop. Sanatorium Ordzhonikidze or Truth, author. 2, 3, 41, 50, 86, 105, 105с, 105к, 120, 121, 125П, 125с., minibus 41, 43, 48, 90

Entry is free. It’s impossible to get inside the buildings, the doors and entrances are boarded up with partitions, there is a vigilant guard

Temple of Michael the Archangel

Regardless of your affiliation with any faith, I advise you to take a walk to the main Sochi Temple - St. Michael the Archangel, especially since it is located in the very heart of the city. And if you are not a southerner, then you will forever remember the cathedral surrounded by palm trees and blooming magnolias. On the territory there is a water chapel with a spring, a parish school and an icon shop.

Opening hours: morning liturgy - 8.00, evening service - 17.00, Sunday - 06.30, 08.30, 17.00

How to get there - st. Moskvina 12, stop. Marine Station, bus. 115, 15, 114, 36, minibus 101

Entry is free

Chapel with holy water

Marine Station

The tower with a spire in the center of Sochi is considered to be a symbol of the city, and all because it is located on the roof of the marine terminal building, which is the main port and water gate of the resort. Here at the pier you can buy tickets for boat trips on all types of transport - sailing yachts, boats and motor ships.

The scene of Semyon Semenovich’s farewell to his family from the film The Diamond Arm was filmed in this place, and on the plane tree alley in the shade of an exotic plane tree you can take a photo near the monument to the heroes of the film

Opening hours: daily, boat trips 8.00 - 04.00

How to get there - st. Cruise Harbor 4, stop. Marine Station, bus. 115, 15, 114, 36, minibus 101

Entry is free

Semyon Semenovich's farewell to his family

Monument to smuggler Lelik and Gesha Kozodoev

Art Museum

The sea in Sochi can be seen not only on the beaches, but also in the paintings of the Art Museum. I advise you to take a walk along its cool corridors if you are tired of the heat. The works of the great creators of Russian painting are presented here - Aivazovsky, Shishkin, Polenov, Serov, Kustodiev, as well as other figures and has more than 6,000 works of art.

Opening hours: Tuesday - Sunday - from 10.00 to 18.00, Monday - closed

How to get there - st. Kurortny Prospekt 51, stop. hotel Sochi, bus. 2, 3, 11a, 22, 23, 41, 50, 86, 103, 105s, 105, 105k, 120, 121, 125p, 125s, minibus 12, 19, 37, 38, 43, 45, 48, 83, 87 , 92, 94, 95, 98, 113

Entrance - adults 200 rubles, children 100 rubles, audio guide 50 rubles, photography fee - 50 rubles.

Rosa Khutor

The famous resort "Rosa Khutor" operates in winter and summer. In the first case, 102 km of trails (training and Olympic) await you, in the second - mountain trails.

Conventionally, it is divided into 3 levels of heights. From the lower one (560 m) the Strela and Olympia cable cars start. There is a bus stop, car parking, an embankment of the Mzymta River, hotels and restaurants - a good place for a quiet holiday. There is no need to pay to enter here.

The second height is located at 1170 m. It is in this part that the Olympic mountain village with developed infrastructure was built.

The third height is Rose Peak - 2320 m. It offers a beautiful view of the sea, forests and mountains. From it you can walk to the neighboring peak “Stone Pillar” (40 minutes one way) or go to the other slope of the ridge and walk through the waterfall park (at least 3 hours).

There is plenty of entertainment at Rosa Khutor at any time. The greatest demand is for a ride on the monorail on a sleigh ride, a walk along a suspension bridge stretched between two mountain ledges, paragliding, tubing, horse riding, swings over an abyss, etc. A nice bonus is a beautiful sunset in the mountains.

Address:

Estosadok village, Olimpiyskaya street, house 35.

Official site:

https://rosakhutor.com.

Ticket price

– from 890 rub.

Schedule:

from 09:30 (10:30) to 17:20 (19:15), depending on the lift.

How to get there:

By Lastochka or commuter train;
By bus number 63 along Krasnaya Polyana to the stop. Achishkhovskaya;
From MoreMall to Sochi - bus No. 105, 105C;
From the Olympic Park - bus No. 135.

From Sochi by car: Lake Ritsa, Abkhazia

Lake Ritsa is a place where you can forget about the bustle and listen to yourself.
From the center of Sochi to Abkhazia is less than 40 km. Having crossed the border, the first thing to do is wander along the half-empty beach in Tsandripsha or the more crowded one in Gagra, where, by the way, you can check out the lovely food market. Stock up on smoked cheeses, nuts and fig jam and head to the mountains. The road to the bright turquoise Lake Ritsa rises steeply into the clouds and on the way from lush coastal vegetation to fir and beech trees passes through the deep Stone Bag canyon - you are literally driving through a giant crack in the rock.

If the weather permits, rent a motorboat or rowing boat on Ritsa and sail away from the tourist bustle. Another way to be alone with nature is to follow the forest path to Malaya Ritsa. The round trip takes about three hours. Even higher in the mountains, among the alpine idyll, lies the small resort of Auadhara. You can get to Auadhara by car from Ritsa - the road, however, is bad.

Going from Sochi on vacation to Abkhazia is a little more difficult than going to the dacha, except that you have to wait a little at the border. The asphalt road to Ritsa branches off from the Sukhumi highway in the village of Bzyb.

Krasnaya Polyana

The best places for active recreation also include the Krasnaya Polyana ski resort, which attracts tourists from all over Russia. Life here is in full swing all year round. And the main reasons for this popularity are the beautiful nature and developed infrastructure.

There are also several levels of the cable car here. At the very bottom there is a town of apartments, which in former times was called “Gorki-gorod”. Now it is a long avenue with restaurants, family cafes, hotels and a walking area.

The second level, from which a picturesque panorama opens, begins at an altitude of 960 meters. In the spring, people go hiking to the Polikarya waterfall from here, and in the fall they take a hot air balloon ride. For a fee, anyone can ride an ATV.

The highest point of Krasnaya Polyana is at an altitude of 2200 meters. At this peak there is a circular observation deck and several walking routes from 0.5 to 5 km, running along the mountain ridge. All of them are designed for tourists with unprofessional physical training and those who do not have a lot of time.

Official site:

https://krasnayapolyanaresort.ru.

Cable car ticket price

– from 490 rub. The operating mode depends on the lift.

How to get there:

Bus No. 105, 105С – goes from the Sochi bus station via );
Bus No. 135 – from Sochi Park, Olympic Park, Adler railway station;
"Swallow" to the Rosa Khutor resort.

Prices in October

There are also groceries, cafes, restaurants, canteens - and all this does not come with a price tag. The cost of catering in Adler is on par with large Russian cities.

Here, for example, is a purchase at a grocery store:

Potatoes, 1 kg - 22 rubles
Carrots, 1 kg - 21 rubles
Eggs, 10 pcs. — 60 rubles
Avocado, 1 kg - 390 rubles
Can of beans, 400 g - from 40 rubles
Bananas, 1 kg - 55 rubles
Non-milk, 1 l - 110 rubles
Water, 5 l - 35 rubles

Dine in the dining room: 250–300 rubles per person. Go to a cafe: 300–600 rubles.

More information about prices in Adler >>

Mount Bolshoi Akhun

Mount Bolshoi Akhun, rising near Sochi, is considered the highest on the entire Black Sea coast.

At the beginning of the 20th century, an asphalt road with cozy cafes was laid along it, and at the top a Ferris wheel and an observation tower were built, the height of which is 30 meters. The initiator of the construction was the “leader of the peoples” himself.

From here there is a magnificent view of all directions of the world, and in sunny weather the horizon can be seen for as much as 100 km. If you want to see the city from a bird's eye view, there is no better place!

How to get there:

Book an excursion and go to the mountain in comfort, accompanied by a professional guide;
Or take bus number 2 to the Maly Akhun Microdistrict stop.

Ideas where to go from Sochi: New Athos, Abkhazia

Returning to the Sukhumi highway, turn left, east - after 45 km you will find yourself in New Athos. At the top of Iverskaya Mountain there are partially restored ruins of a 7th-century fortress (in those days the city was called Anakopia). Inside the same mountain is the New Athos Cave, so large that there is a mini-metro in it for tourists. Dress warmly: among the stalactites and stalagmites it is cold at any time of the year.

The spiritual center of the city and all of Abkhazia - the New Athos Simon-Kananitsky Monastery - was founded at the end of the 19th century by monks from a Russian monastery on the Greek Mount Athos. In the center of the monastery stands Panteleimon Cathedral, famous for its magnificent frescoes. Two more important holy places in New Athos are the ancient temple and grotto of Simon the Zealot. And finally, take a walk to the Psyrtskha railway station: it looks like an elegant gazebo or tea house and, in addition, stands right above the picturesque lake.

Cathedral of the Archangel Michael

An equally interesting landmark of Sochi is the Cathedral of the Archangel Michael. This is the first Christian church in the Black Sea district, built in honor of the end of the Caucasian War of 1864.

Starting from the 30s, it was used as a warehouse, but soon after the Second World War the cathedral was returned to believers. Nowadays, it is the main temple not only of the central region, but of the entire city.

The building resembles the shape of a four-pointed cross, the elongated branches of which are covered with vaults, and the center is decorated with a huge dome. Over the long history of its existence, it was rebuilt many times, but after reconstruction in the 1990s, the cathedral managed to regain its historical appearance.

Schedule:

every day.

Address:

st. Moskvina, 12.

How to get there:

By bus - No. 3, 125С, 105К, 2, 125, 1, 14, 22, 125П, 23, 103, 121, 86, 105С, 105, 120;
By minibus - No. 37, 19, 38, 43, 41, 83, 45, 92, 122, 87, 94, 98, 95, 113, 180.

Get off at the Organ Hall stop.

Dolphinarium "Aquatoria"

The Aquatoria Dolphinarium in Adler is rightfully one of the most visited attractions in Sochi. The dolphinarium hosts exciting water shows featuring local crowd favorites. Black Sea dolphins demonstrate their flexibility and ingenuity during mischievous games with a ball and giving their trainer piggyback rides. A white polar dolphin named Stepan enjoys interacting with viewers, making a variety of funny sounds, from chirping to whistling. In addition, Stepan and his relatives can draw well: right during the performance, they paint pictures that can easily be classified as works of abstract art. Another star of the dolphinarium, the sea lion Masha, performs complex acrobatic acts and even knows how to juggle. As a souvenir of the performance, you can purchase paintings painted by dolphins, photographs of your favorite artists, or video footage of the concert.

Trout farm

Trout lives only in clean water bodies. On the territory of Sochi, these are the waters of artesian wells located near Cossack Brod. It was near them that one of the largest enterprises in Russia for breeding tasty and very healthy fish was created.

Arriving at this place, you can see huge pools with amber trout, feed them with special food and try seafood dishes in a local restaurant. Other entertainment includes excursions, as well as sport and paid fishing. Plus, the nature here is very beautiful.

Excursions are held every day from 9 am to 5 pm; you can book them on our website.

Ticket price:

Adult – 250 rubles;
Children (7-14 years old) – 150 rub.

Official site:

https://forelevoe-hozyaistvo.ru.

Address:

Kazachiy Brod village, Forelevaya street, 45a.

How to get there:

Bus from Adler railway station - No. 105, 105с;
Bus from the market - No. 135.

Oceanarium Sochi Discovery World Aquarium

It opened in 2009.
On 6 thousand square meters, there are 13 zones of different themes, a 44 m long tunnel, 30 aquariums with inhabitants of fresh and sea waters. The aquarium offers excursions, as well as half-hour performances for children featuring fairy-tale characters twice a day. Every day there is a “Feeding” show that lasts an hour. In addition, you can scuba dive in a 3,000-ton pool. For 5 thousand rubles, diving enthusiasts have the opportunity to swim among stingrays, turtles, moray eels and more than 100 fish species.

The oceanarium is located in the Adler district, on the street. Lenina, 219a/4 (stop “Izvestia”). The cost of visiting in 2022 is 800 rubles for adults, 500 rubles for children and 400 rubles for beneficiaries. Children under 4 years old can enter free of charge.

Psaho Canyons

In the vicinity of Sochi there are two Psakho canyons - Mokry and Sukhoi. Both are located on the territory of the Sochi National Park. The places are not the most accessible, but it’s definitely worth going here (preferably as part of an excursion).

The main pride of the canyons is the amazing beauty of nature. In Sukhoi Psakho you will see high limestone cliffs. It is believed that in ancient times this gorge was the ocean floor.

The wet canyon will delight the eye with a crystal clear river, mountain waterfalls, rocky cliffs, evergreen bushes and plants, as well as thickets of boxwood trees. The latter do not grow in any other corner of Russia.

There are also souvenir shops and cafes on the territory of Psakho.

Entry price

— 100 rub.

Official site:

https://npsochi.ru.

Address:

between the villages of Galitsino and Krasnaya Volya, 50 km from Sochi.

How to get there:

Book an excursion and travel accompanied by a guide;
By car - to the airport, then along the A-148 highway in the direction of Krasnaya Polyana, turn to Galitsino, after 20 minutes you will see a sign. From there it's a 10-15 minute walk;
By bus No. 128 from Khosta to the village. Red Will;
By bus No. 131 from Adler to the village. Galitsino (stop “Batiyskaya Street”).

Unusual excursions in Sochi

For those who value their time and want to fully immerse themselves in the atmosphere and history of a place, I would recommend taking advantage of the author’s excursions (group and individual). There are both standard and very unusual. Most with reviews will make it easier to choose.

Look below at the prices for such excursions; something will definitely suit you - Sochi, Abkhazia, Krasnaya Polyana, etc.

Prices for excursions in Sochi →

Yew-boxwood grove and Devil's Gate canyon

The yew-boxwood grove, planted on the eastern slope of Mount Akhun, is the most beautiful place in Sochi and the surrounding area. It is often called a living museum of ancient nature, because trees have been growing here since prehistoric times.

However, in 2014 this famous natural landmark was under threat. During preparations for the Winter Olympics, the evergreen Italian boxwood was brought to the city. And everything would be fine if the boxwood moth had not arrived in Russia along with the planting material, which in a few years destroyed the bulk of the relict trees. It was not possible to remove the parasite, so if you want to enjoy the gorgeous views, hurry up and sign up for an excursion tour.

The grove also includes the Devil's Gate Canyon, a natural pool with giant stone caves hidden in liana thickets. This place is in great demand among visitors and locals. People often have picnics here and swim in the icy waters of the Khosta River. In addition, not far from the canyon there is a recreation center with a Russian bathhouse, a cafe and barbecue areas. There are also ruins of an ancient fortress here, where people like to arrange photo sessions.

Operating mode:

In summer (from 15.03 to 30.09) – from 9 am to 6 pm;
In winter (from 01.10 to 14.03) – from 9 am to 5 pm.

Entrance fees:

Adult – 300 rubles;
Children’s – 150 rub.

Official site:

https://kavkazzapoved.ru.

How to get there:

From the center or Khosty railway station on foot;
By buses No. 115, 105, 50 to the stop. “Bridge”, then walk 2.5 km;
By minibus No. 134;
On the "Swallow";
By car – about 25 km.

What to see in the vicinity of Sochi

Zmeykovskie waterfalls

Near the city of Sochi, literally half an hour by car, there is a cascade of four waterfalls on the Zmeyka River. The upper and lower waterfalls are considered the most beautiful. To see the entire cascade, you need to start along the walking trail, which begins near the Snake cafe, and the entrance is paid.

The entire journey will take about 2-2.5 hours. The upper waterfall is suitable for swimming, so take swimsuits with you during the hot season. See more details and pictures about Zmeykovsky waterfalls here - More about Zmeykovsky waterfalls.

Ticket price: 150 rubles per person.

Zmeykovsky waterfall in Sochi

Agur waterfalls and Mount Akhun

Mount Akhun is not high, but a tower of the same name is built on it. For a reasonable fee you can climb to the very top of this tower, where the observation deck is located, and from where you can see the views of Sochi and Adler. Quite beautiful. In my opinion, this is the easiest observation deck in Sochi in terms of accessibility. Read more about waterfalls.

Agursky waterfall in Sochi

In the summer season, especially on weekends, there are a lot of people on this route, people are calling from everywhere to try barbecue, it’s noisy around and you can easily stand in line just to take a photo with the waterfall. The waterfalls look best in the off-season, in spring or late autumn, when they are fullest and there are no large crowds of tourists. But in the summer, when it’s hot, you can swim in the lakes under the waterfalls, which is refreshing. Read more about Mount Akhun.

Ticket price: entrance to the tower - 300 rubles.

View from Akhun Tower

Yew box grove and Devil's Gate canyon on the Khosta River

The yew-boxwood grove is an eco-trail with a length of approximately 5 kilometers (the so-called large circle, and there is also a small circle). The walking route passes through unusually beautiful places with relict species of trees and plants that have been preserved here since pre-glacial times. The Devil's Gate Canyon on the Khosta River is a natural pool with stone grottoes, vines and boxwood trees hanging from above.

In order to walk along the trail and canyon, you need to prepare a little: a supply of water, food, comfortable closed sports shoes. If you arrive early, before the crowds of tourists, and walk in a large circle, you can almost find yourself in a fairy tale: moss-covered trees, ruins of a fortress, a cave, rocks, lizards and the murmur of water in the river. The small circle consists of asphalt paths and benches; you can walk through it in just an hour.

On the territory of the canyon there are equipped places for recreation, a bathhouse on the river bank, tables and barbecues. Read more about the Yew-Boxwood Grove.

Ticket price: 300 rubles. Children under 7 years old are free, from 7 to 12 years old – 150 rubles.

Yew-boxwood grove

Skypark

Skypark is one of the most exciting places in the Sochi region and a tourist attraction that will appeal to adrenaline junkies. It is located on the way from Adler to Krasnaya Polyana, in the valley of the Mzymta River. The park includes a high-rise suspension bridge over the Mzymta River, which is more than 400 meters long. This is the longest suspension bridge in the world.

There are also bungee jumps in the park, one of which is over 200 meters high - the highest in Europe. The highest swings have a swing of 170 meters, and the fastest trolls reach speeds of up to 150 km/h. The complex also includes the Mowgli rope park and the Via Ferrata climbing route. In general, Skypark is good for everyone, but the prices are a little exorbitant, almost like the scenery.

Ticket price: adults from 1,700 rubles, children (up to 12 years old, upon presentation of a document) - 800 rubles. Includes only observation decks and bridge, all other attractions are paid separately

Skypark and Skybridge

Orekhovsky waterfall

Orekhovsky waterfall is located in the village of Plastunka, about 14 kilometers from the center of Sochi. This two-cascade waterfall is 27 meters high, one of the most impressive in the vicinity of Sochi. You can get to the waterfall along the Sochi River.

From the final bus stop the journey will take only half an hour. The path is not difficult, passes through a very beautiful forest with oaks and chestnuts. There are two springs along the road where you can get mineral water. The descent to the waterfall is equipped with a staircase with railings, and there is a cafe nearby. More about the waterfall - More about Orekhovsky waterfall.

Ticket price: free.

Orekhovsky waterfall in Sochi

Akhshtyrskaya cave

The cave is located in the Dzykhrinsky gorge, above the right bank of the Mzymta River, near the village of Kazachiy Brod. This is a fairly large cavity in the mountain, going 150 meters deep, forming a corridor and large halls up to ten meters high. The cave is interesting because people have lived in it since ancient times. The thickness of the cultural layer in the cave reaches five meters.

Bones of cave bears and primitive tools were found here. Now it is “a monument of primitive archeology and history.” The entrance to the cave is located one hundred and twenty meters above the Mzymta River; you can climb to it along an equipped path. At the entrance there are stairs with railings, and there is lighting inside the cave. The outside entrance offers views of the picturesque White Rocks Canyon. More about the cave - More about the Akhshtyrskaya Cave.

Ticket price: adult - 200 rubles, children - 100.

Akhshtyrskaya cave in Sochi