If you are going to Gelendzhik with your family, friends or loved one (then you are a wonderful man!), but the sea, beaches and southern air are not enough for you to have a good holiday, you are in the right place. Gelendzhik, of course, is not as big as Sochi, but there are more than enough attractions and places to go and have a good time.
Especially for those who do not like to sit still, we have collected information about what you need to see in Gelendzhik, even if you are just passing through. Information on how to get there and coordinates for the navigator are included!
If you're looking for a place to go in Gelendzhik to spend the first evening of your vacation, catch your breath after a long journey, drink coffee and feel like you're finally on vacation, the embankment is a great choice.
The 8-kilometer tiled embankment of Gelendzhik with many cafes, trampolines, attractions, flower beds and fountains is perhaps the best place for an evening stroll. It’s worth slowing down for a minute, breathing in the southern air, feeling the light breeze ruffling your hair, and you clearly understand - I’m at sea, all my worries are behind me.
Here you can see and take pictures with sculptures that have become symbols of Gelendzhik - the learned cat, Assol, Lovers, Tourist and, of course, the White Bride.
How to get there: Krasnodar region, Gelendzhik, st. Revolutionary.
Coordinates: 44.559445, 38.076594
Despite its modest size, the Amusement Park, located right on the city embankment, is very popular among tourists. It’s definitely worth going there if you come to Gelendzhik with children. There is not much in the amusement park for adults (a couple or three), but kids will definitely enjoy the Ferris wheel and trampolines; they will also appreciate the water rides, race track, evening disco and animated shows.
How to get there: Krasnodar region, Gelendzhik, st. Revolyutsionnaya, 13b, opposite the Monument to Fallen Soldiers, next to the Monument to the Eternal Flame.
Coordinates: 44.557977, 38.075963
Cost: The price for attractions is from 150 to 500 rubles.
One of the most interesting places where you can go in Gelendzhik is the Olympus complex, an entire open-air amusement park that has been delighting vacationers for several years now (opened in 2005). On the territory of the park there is a concert hall, a Ferris wheel, a petting zoo, a children's playground, a terrarium, an aquarium, a bowling club, a restaurant and a cafe. In addition, entertainment such as horseback riding, jeep and ATV rides, as well as paid fishing are available. But the main attraction of the Olympus entertainment complex in Gelendzhik is the cable car, more than a kilometer long, with open seats.
How to get there: Krasnodar region, Gelendzhik, st. Kupriyanova Shchel, 1. Two minutes from the entrance at the lower station there is free parking.
Coordinates: 44.577463, 38.092915
Cost: Adult - 900 rubles, children - 500 rubles, children under 5 years old - free.
Reviews, stories and tourist routes
Tourists share their impressions of the picturesque surroundings of Gelendzhik in their reviews, which are presented on the portal in the form of stories and photo albums. Some of the attractions appear in every publication - these are the most popular places that everyone must visit. For example, the Parus rock. The information that you will receive when studying all the tips will help you prepare well for the route and choose a convenient time for your visit.
Dzhankhotsky pine forest from Pitsunda pine Photo: © Marina Serova
Other attractions may be little known, but no less beautiful. These can also be found in user publications. Information about them will be useful to those who come to Gelendzhik not for the first time.
- The story “Dolmens of the Zhane River and Big Gelendzhik. Euphoria" from Konstantin Pavlov
- The story “Wonderful Divnomorskoe. A few facts from life on the coast, or National features of the Black Sea Riviera" from Dmitry Traveler
- The story “Old park in Kabardinka - history, content and meaning” from Natalia Semchina
- The story “In search of the Velyaminovsky tract” from Sergei Dukachev
- Photo album “When you can’t sit at home. With a view of the sea" from Anastasia Buyanova
- Photo album “Dzhanhot, Parus Rock and the Orange Claw Coast” from Marina Serova
- Photo album “Gebius Falls” from Anna Gorelova
Reviews of tourists about the surroundings of Gelendzhik on Tourister. RU.
General information about the resort is always available on its main page.
Metochion of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra in Divnomorskoye Photo: © Dmitry Traveler
Wild beaches of Gelendzhik
In addition to comfortable places for swimming, there are also many wild ones, which are popular among tourists for the cleanliness of the water and shores, not crowded conditions and beautiful scenery. Here are a few of the most popular:
- Krucha beach on Tolstoy Cape not far from the lighthouse. The shore is quite narrow, and powerful cliffs hang over it. And although the entrance to the water is not very convenient, both locals and visitors love this place for its picturesque beauty and clean water.
- Sosnovka Beach is a remote beach in Gelendzhik, but extremely picturesque. It is surrounded by high cliffs. To get to it, you need to overcome a steep descent and then a metal staircase.
- Beaches behind the boarding house "Thin Cape". Its advantages: a small number of vacationers, clean water. Cons: in some places the entrance to the sea is rocky, garbage is not removed.
- A wild lagoon located between the Torik apartment complex and the Breeze boathouse complex. The water here is clean, the beach is rocky, and there are few people.
Sosnovka
We have listed only part of the beaches of Gelendzhik. Let’s mention a few more that are also popular: the boarding house “Thin Cape”, the yacht club “Vityaz”, “Sandy Bottom”, the boarding house “Stroitel”, the boarding house “Azure Coast”, the boarding house “Friendly Beach” and others. In general, upon arrival in Gelendzhik there will definitely be a place to relax, soak up the sun, swim in the sea and have fun.
Flora and fauna of this area
Forests occupy more than 80% of the territory of Gelendzhik. The Mikhailovsky ridge becomes the border of the forests . Towards the northern part there will usually be quite little rainfall. It is thanks to this that the surface here is covered with herbaceous plants, shrubs, and trees.
Mikhailovsky ridge
Only the Pitsunda pine knows no boundaries. It grows in the Black Sea and near the city of Anapa. This type of pine is a fairly ancient species that has been able to survive to the present day. By the way, it is worth mentioning that this pine was able to survive the Ice Age. These pines are considered unpretentious to the soil. Pine grows quite quickly and within a hundred years, reaching a height of 40 meters.
Pitsundskaya pine
On the slopes of the coastal zone grow oaks, hornbeams and pines of various types. You can also find bakout , which is a pistachio tree. There are also forests with juniper.
lignum vitae
Closer to the southern part of the city, hornbeams, maples, elms, poplars and many other trees grow here. Climbing types of plants and trees are also characteristic of this area. For example, clematis, grapes, peahen, thymus and others. They intertwine trees very densely on forest lands, near mountain gorges.
clematis
In the area of the city of Gelendzhik, more than 150 shrubs and trees grow, among them there are fruit trees, berries and others.
fraxinella
In clearings or near roads there is a plant called ash tree ; its height reaches sixty centimeters. It blooms from early May to June. The stems of this plant contain essential oil, which is quite toxic. This plant is popularly called the fire flower.
Living history
In Kabardinka, neighboring Gelendzhik, between the sea and a juniper grove, the Old Park is located - an architectural and park ensemble that unites different cultures and times: from ancient Greece and Egypt to the Middle Ages. Here you can get acquainted with the culture of the East and the Caucasus.
It is impossible not to mention the Gelendzhik dolmens, ancient religious buildings up to nine thousand years old. In fact, this is a living history that remembers times older than the Egyptian pyramids (the oldest pyramid of Djoser is more than 4,500 years old), which you can touch with your own hand. Superstitious tourists believe in the special energy of dolmens, and by touching them they make wishes.
The most accessible dolmens in terms of transport are located in the valley of the Zhane River. There are also dolmens in the vicinity of the village of Pshada, where you can also visit the Big Pshadsky waterfall, almost ten meters high.
In Gelendzhik you have the opportunity to appreciate the architecture of the temples. The snow-white Holy Ascension Cathedral on Pervomaiskaya Street is considered the most beautiful. The Church of Michael of Chernigov and the Holy Transfiguration Church on Gornaya Street also deserve attention.
The Greek cultural center in Gelendzhik includes a library, a museum exhibition with archaeological finds related to Greek and Byzantine culture. There is also a research center and a conference room for cultural events.
The Dolphinarium and Oceanarium are usually popular in the summer among tourists with children. In winter, the facilities are also open. In addition to the dolphin show, you can get acquainted with thematic zones, each of which represents the flora and fauna of a particular continent.
Nature in Gelendzhik
The natural conditions in the resort city are simply magical. The city of Gelendzhik largely occupies a strip of mountains on the coast of the Caucasus and the Black Sea. Between cities such as Novorossiysk and Tuapse, the length is approximately 90 kilometers, and the width of the coastline reaches 30 kilometers.
Kotsekhurskiy ridge
The border of the northeast of the city runs along the Kotsekhursky ridge. One peak of such a ridge reaches almost 1 kilometer in height. From the city of Anapa to Tuapse lies the second highest point of Gelendzhik. Near the sea, parallel to the previous ridge from Novorossiysk, there is a second ridge, which is called Markotkhsky , its point reaches almost 800 meters in height. These pairs of ridges are able to protect the city from cold winds. The coldest months for this area are January and February. Other mountain ranges are more than low in height and small in length and to such an extent are not capable of having a beneficial effect on the climatic conditions of the resort city.
Markotkhsky ridge
Mountain ranges in this territory occupy almost the entire area. The slopes of the mountains descend straight to the sea water, and also break off near the edge of the sea water. Cliffs with plumbs can reach a height of more than 100 meters. On the surface of this territory you can see various palaces, castles, churches and monasteries, ancient fortresses, and the ruins of various buildings. All this beauty is completed by incredibly beautiful and tall pines that grow in a bizarre way near the crevices of the rocks.
Moving through the narrow valleys you can see beautiful rivers and small streams. Here you can see traces of human habitation everywhere. Here you can find ancient dolmens, erected burial mounds, and near the coastline you can find various ancient clay vessels. Now people live on the territory of these paved valleys and vineyards are being built. At the top of the rivers there are gorges and canyons, the area is crowned with beautiful waterfalls. The largest waterfalls in this territory are called Vulan and Pshada. They begin their mighty stream from the top of the mountains and that is why their length can reach about 40 kilometers, but no more.
Pshad waterfalls
The source of nutrition for most rivers is ground water or sedimentary water. In the summer season, when there is no rain, the rivers can be completely dry. The water disappears under the pebbles and then moves closer to the sea. But when there is too much rainfall, particularly in winter, rivers become wide and turbulent.
The sea becomes larger if the wind blows too strong, causing high waves. The height of the waves in Gelendzhik can even reach five meters, but in the bay they are much smaller.
The best beaches of Gelendzhik Bay
There are plenty of beaches in this area. For example, Tonky Cape is the site of a large concentration of various boarding houses and sanatoriums, which have their own beaches. Let's look at some of them:
- One of the most prestigious is the beach of the Krasnaya Talka sanatorium. In 2013-2014, it underwent reconstruction, after which it was incredibly transformed. Those who do not live in this resort must pay an entrance fee. What's missing here! Modern infrastructure according to European standards, cafes, toilets, showers, solariums, sports grounds. Even in the photo this beach looks impressive.
- Beach of the boarding house "Chernomorets". Today the boarding house no longer operates; although it is small (60 meters, the rest was taken by the Krasnaya Talka sanatorium), but it is quite decent. There is a changing room, paid sun loungers, a toilet, a canopy, and an inflatable children's pool. The entrance is free.
- The beach of the Blue Wave sanatorium is also one of the best. Covered with small and medium pebbles. It has everything you need for a complete leisurely or active holiday. Sun loungers are available for rent, there are changing areas and a pontoon pier. There are sports grounds, a cafe, attractions and the opportunity to ride a “tablet”, a jet ski and a “banana”.
- Beach of the boarding house "Caucasus". Located in the heart of Gelendzhik Bay. Entry here is free. The place is very comfortable. There is everything necessary for relaxation for adults and children.
Red Talka
Among the best places we can also include the Central Beach of Gelendzhik, located directly in the city. Its length is about 1.4 km. Its widest part is in the area of the Brigantine Hotel, and the narrowest part is near the city museum. Everything here is very well equipped: showers, locker rooms, exercise equipment, volleyball courts, water activities, sun loungers, attractions, cafes and much more.
The best beaches of Greater Gelendzhik
The beaches of Greater Gelendzhik, located outside the bay, are popular due to the fact that the water here is much cleaner and there are not so many vacationers. We list those that are most popular:
- Blue Bay, located to the west of Thin Cape. Amazingly beautiful place. The shore is mostly covered with sand and small pebbles, the entrance to the sea is smooth, and the water is very clean. That is why this place was chosen by families with children.
- Beaches in the village of Kabardinka. There is a very convenient entrance to the water, clean water and a small number of vacationers.
- Beaches of the Blue Abyss tract, located between the villages of Dzhanhot and Divnomorskoye. The cleanest air, saturated with the aroma of pine, azure waters, beautiful places, the presence of your own camping and tent camp are the main advantages of these places.
There are very good pebble places in the villages of Betta and Arkhipo-Osipovka. However, it's quite crowded here.
Blue Bay
