Where is the best place to relax in Gelendzhik: beaches, resorts and holidays with children

Advantages and disadvantages

Among the positive aspects of a vacation in Gelendzhik:

Climate. On the northern side, the bay is protected by rocks, so the weather on the coast is mostly calm and windless. Suitable for young children, people with weakened immune systems and chronic diseases.
Purity. The streets and beaches are frequently cleaned. There is a lot of greenery and trees around.
Embankment. It is considered one of the longest among the Black Sea resorts. Its length is about 8 km.
Entertainment. It's easy to find something to suit your taste and age.

But you should also pay attention to the disadvantages:

Prices. At the peak of the season, it is not so easy to find budget accommodation in the city, and prices for food and entertainment become somewhat inflated.
"Invasion" of tourists. At the height of summer, the city is full of queues, the embankment becomes dirtier as services do not have time to cope with cleaning, and the beaches look crowded.

Blue Bay Beach

One of the leading beaches in Gelendzhik, according to reviews, is located in the bay, after which it is named. Just like the neighborhood, the hotel and the color of the flag, which can easily be stuck here. Well, there is also the smallest pebble in the entire area.

Suspicious transparency, and the level of inclination is more reminiscent of the lagoon type. It’s not scary for very young children, but closer to Medical Beach the depth increases quickly: be careful.

How to get there?

There are several ways to get into the city:

Airplane. The nearest airport is 10 km from Gelendzhik. After arrival, you can take a taxi or wait for a regular bus. True, there are regular flights only from Moscow and some large cities during the high season. The cost of the flight is within 15,000 rubles.
Train. It is best to take a ticket to Novorossiysk, since there is no railway station in Gelendzhik itself. The journey will take about 1-1.5 days from the capital. But the trip will cost less - about 2,500 rubles. After arrival, you can get to your final destination by taxi or bus. Avid travelers recommend option 2.
Bus. The price of a ticket from Moscow is from 1500 to 3000 rubles. It will take about 24 hours to travel.
Automobile. It is considered the most convenient mode of transport, as it provides advantages in visiting city excursions and attractions. Gasoline costs when leaving the capital are approximately 4,000 rubles. Since the road is long, it is better to take a partner with you.

Don't have cash

Almost everywhere they accept bank transfer or the good old transfer to Sberbank, but in our hotel they only took cash, and we, as non-residents of the Krasnodar Territory, had to pay a tax of 10 rubles. per person per day (this is the rule in the region). So it’s better to stock up on cash; it will be useful for tips, for shopping at the market, and as payment for sun loungers and umbrellas on the beach.

When vacationing in Gelendzhik, it is better to always have cash with you: pay for sunbeds and umbrellas on the beach, leave a tip, buy fruit at the market. Photo: nikolpetr / Shutterstock.com

Where to stay?

Among the accommodation options in Gelendzhik:

Sanatoriums. They provide wellness services, which are included in the price of the tour. On average, they cost 10,000 rubles.
Hotels. They have a large range of services, including a swimming pool and a children's playground. But often the room price does not include food, so you have to eat in nearby cafes and restaurants. The range of prices is huge - from 1,000 in the simplest hotel to 20,000 rubles. for accommodation in a luxury hotel.
Boarding houses. The advantage is 3 meals a day, which is included in the price. 1 night in a double room of average comfort will cost between 3000-7000 rubles.
Guest houses. The price range depends on the location, furnishings of the rooms and the number of residents. On average, you can rent a room for 500-1000 rubles. per night per person. Typically the building has a kitchen and a shared toilet.
Private sector. Tourists have the opportunity to rent a room or an entire house. For example, renting a 3-room house located a few meters from the beach will cost 4,000 rubles. for 1 night.

It is better to book a room 1-2 months before the trip, since during the high season it is not so easy to find accommodation. It is necessary to clarify in advance the availability of amenities and the possibility of staying with animals if you plan to check in with your pet. More affordable housing can usually be found in areas further from the center.

Settle on the first line from the sea

Otherwise, you will have to fall asleep to “Come into my house, my doors are open,” coming from the left, and “My baby, I miss you,” coming from the right. And so on until the morning. And all because the bars and clubs of the city are concentrated on the first line, so there are no options.

The good news: the second line is located very close to the sea, so you won’t have to go to the beach for a long time, and there is a decent selection of hotels and apartments. More specifically, it is better to look at housing in the Central District (its boundaries are delineated by Lunacharsky, Novorossiyskaya and Kurzalnaya streets) and in the Tolstoy Cape area (within Revolyutsionnaya and Griboyedov streets). Today, all the life of a small town is concentrated in these areas - both tourist and business.

Features of the holiday

There are a few key points to pay attention to.

Beaches

There are about 114 beaches in Gelendzhik.

Of these, two main types can be distinguished:

Sandy. The most popular is the Central Beach, which is almost 1.5 km long. It is equipped with changing cabins, showers and toilets. Rescuers and paramedics are on duty on the shore. Here you can find a lot of entertainment for children. The beach is famous for its clean water and the absence of strong waves, which is especially important when vacationing with children. The disadvantage is the abundance of tourists, because of which the water becomes cloudy by the middle of the day.
Pebble. It is considered safer because the sea here is cleaner, and the risk of catching an intestinal infection when water gets into the stomach is much lower. But for people with very sensitive feet, it is better to take comfortable slippers with them.

Resorts

There are only 2 large recreation areas in the city itself:

Thick Cape. Located in the central part of Gelendzhik. It has a rocky and high coastline. Better suited for active youth recreation. There are more entertainment options and higher prices.
Thin Cape. The shore here is low and flat. There are fewer people on the beaches, the surroundings are quieter and calmer, which is an excellent option for a family vacation. Coastal boarding houses and hotels offer more favorable prices.

Neighborhood

The list of holiday destinations also includes the villages of the so-called “Big Gelendzhik”, which includes not only the city itself, but also the surrounding environs.

Among the most popular:

Arkhipo-Osipovka. A village located 50 km from Gelendzhik. This is a beautiful mountain valley, the hallmarks of which are clusters of dolmens and the ruins of a Roman tower. It pleases with its rich infrastructure and the availability of entertainment programs for all ages.
Kabardian. It is only a 30-minute drive from the city to this picturesque village on the shores of Tsemes Bay. The resort is surrounded by the Markotkh ridge, juniper forests and green spaces. Here you should definitely visit the Kastalsky font and the Old Park.
Divnomorskoe. The resort is located 12 km from Gelendzhik. An excellent place for a relaxing holiday. Transparent water, coniferous forests with Pitsunda pines and clean air will delight every nature lover.
Betta. This is a small village adjacent to the city. Its features are underwater gorges, where you can find many unusual marine life, and luxurious cypress groves. In August, vacationers can watch a stunning spectacle - the night glow of sea waters due to the proliferation of algae.
Dzhanhot. Another small village located 17 km from Gelendzhik. The main attractions are the Korolenko dacha and the Parus rock.
Paskoveevka. A quiet and cozy place with no active entertainment. It has clean water and inexpensive housing. From Gelendzhik the drive is 30 km.
Krinitsa. The village is located in the delta of the Pshada River. It is surrounded by gardens and vineyards. The beach here is rocky and there is a descent of 130 steps leading down to it. The sea is clean, although cooler than on the Central Beach.

You can learn more about the features of holidays in the main resorts of Gelendzhik while watching the presented video:

Night clubs

On the city embankment you can find a large number of entertainment venues.

The most popular among tourists are the following:

Disco Terrace. The establishment is located on the seashore. During the day it is an ordinary restaurant, which in the evening turns into a nightclub. Visitors note relatively low prices, good service and a pleasant atmosphere.
Formula. It is an entertainment complex where night events are held 3 days a week. These could be laser shows, striptease, foam parties. The establishment is praised for its good music and large selection of soft drinks.
People. It is located not on the embankment itself, but at a distance. Visitors will be interested in themed evenings, competitions and shows.

For lovers of more original entertainment, parties are held on the ship. The ticket price is 800-1200 rubles. excluding drinks.

Events

Places to visit are:

Palace of Culture, Art and Leisure. It will delight tourists with vocal, instrumental and choreographic concerts.
Central square. Celebrations, performances by artists, promotions, competitions and family programs are held.

With kids

What to visit:

Embankment. During your walk, you can meet cartoon characters and take pictures with tame animals. Along the path there are tents with sweets and toys for all ages.
Ropeway. For older children, Olympus is suitable, and for children, Safari Park, where you can also visit a small zoo.
Dolphinarium. Shows are held with the participation of fur seals, seals and, of course, dolphins. You can swim with the animals for an additional fee.
Aquapark. There are only 3 of them. The most popular is Golden Bay, which is one of the largest parks in the country. You can find slides for all ages. But you will have to stand in lines and leave a considerable amount of money.
Oceanarium. Inside there are a large number of aquariums with beautiful and unusual fish that will interest any child.
Neptune Festival. This is an event that takes place on the waterfront in the middle of July. During the day, children can meet the lord of the sea and take pictures with fairy tale characters, and in the evening gather around the fire and sing songs.

Sights, excursions

Where you can go:

Abrau-Durso. This is a factory where you can learn more about wine production and also taste local drinks. A ticket will cost 600 rubles.
River Zhane. This place is famous for its rich history and extraordinary beauty. Tourists can walk through the forest, swim in the cool waters and listen to local legends.
Diving. It involves preliminary instruction and subsequent diving with equipment to a depth of 4-15 m or more. The excursion is conducted in groups led by a professional. Allows you to explore the underwater depths and their inhabitants. Costs 3000 rubles. per person.
Museum of Local Lore. Here tourists will hear a lot about the history of Gelendzhik.

You can also visit the surrounding farms and villages or go to the nearest city by boat. The tour can be easily purchased at one of the themed tents located on the embankment.

What to see:

Monument "Scientist Cat". This is a character from Pushkin's poem.
Pshad waterfalls. There are 13 pieces. The largest has a height of 4.5 m.
Rock sail. It consists of sandstone, the height is 25 m.
Musical fountain. A beautiful and unusual attraction.
Administration building. It is famous for its rich history and the presence of many interesting monuments around.
Big Afips. This is a mountain that rises 700 m above sea level. Climbing to the top is very popular among visitors.

Food and drink

Where is the best place to eat:

Boarding houses. Despite the availability of 3 meals a day, tourists complain about the monotony and simplicity of the menu.
Cafes and restaurants. The choice must be approached with special responsibility, since some establishments reduce the price by deteriorating the quality of the dishes.
Kitchens. An ideal option for vacationers with children is to choose accommodation with space for cooking. This way you can save on food and be confident in the quality of the food.

Among the delights worth trying:

berries, especially mulberries, dogwoods and lingonberries;
fruits, including cherry plum, figs, persimmons;
fish, better caught yourself;
wine made from grapes grown in the surrounding area.

Available in trusted places

Not all such establishments have an acceptable price tag and well-prepared food, so it is better to look into establishments that I have personally tested. For example, the Prichal 93 restaurant serves good seafood (especially mussels), and in the morning they serve delicious breakfasts and serve good wine all day. The average bill here is 1000 rubles. with a glass of wine per person.

You can visit the Giros Odissea chain, obviously, for gyros. And in “Eden” you can buy grilled vegetables, fresh vegetable salad and shish kebab; the average bill here is 800 rubles. At Eden, it’s also worth drinking proper coffee on the sand, and for other varieties of coffee drinks, you can look to the guys from Naked coffee (this is my love at first sight and a sip of cold brew).

If you're one of those people who can't go a day without good coffee, they'll help you here.

If you don’t want or can’t eat in a cafe, you can buy delicious vegetables, fruits, berries, delicious local cheese and fresh fish in city markets, I counted four of them here.

At all markets, bargaining is appropriate, and tasting everything that is offered here is highly encouraged. Well, yes, it’s better to come to the markets when there is plenty to choose from.

When is the best time to relax?

What is remarkable about each period:

April. This time is suitable for mountain hiking and tourist excursions. The water temperature is around 18 degrees, so it’s too early to swim.
May June. At the beginning of the holiday season in Gelendzhik the weather is around 25 degrees. Therefore, it will be still cold at sea with children, but just right for young people. At this time there are fewer tourists and prices are slightly lower.
July August. The height of summer. The temperature rises to 27-35 degrees. The sea is warm, there is much more entertainment and cultural programs. But the beaches are crowded, and the prices are hard on your wallet.
September October. The heat subsides, but the sea remains warm. Great time to improve your health and sunbathe.

The choice of time for the trip depends on the goals and age of the vacationers.

Six things not to do in Gelendzhik

“Shouldn’t we go to a corporate event in Gelendzhik? Well, none of us have been there yet, it’s by the sea and inexpensive, so let’s support the trend towards domestic tourism,” I suggested to my employees in the summer. And when they suddenly agreed for me, it became clear that there was nowhere to retreat, the team weekend in Gelendzhik loomed ahead, whatever that meant.

I returned as an absolute ambassador of the city and to this day I continue to strongly recommend it to everyone who wants to listen to me (and those who don’t either). The reasons are simple and obvious: just a two-hour flight from Moscow, inexpensive tickets, accommodation and food, stunning nature, delicious seasonal food, a long promenade with bike paths, a picturesque cape, hospitable residents, a warm sea and a lot of things to do. But there is something that you definitely shouldn’t do in Gelendzhik, and today I’ll tell you about it.

Where is the best place to go?

You should pay attention to the differences between the city and other popular resorts.

Gelendzhik or Anapa

The first one is more suitable for lovers of active recreation. Mountain ranges, forests and waterfalls will appeal to adventure seekers. There is less algae here, so entry into the sea is cleaner.

Anapa is a great place for a family holiday. It's easier to get here. The advantages are good weather, warm water and clean sand.

Therefore, when choosing, you need to focus on the age and preferences of family members.

Gelendzhik or Sochi

Many vacationers prefer Sochi resorts. This is due to the rich infrastructure, warm subtropical climate and clean beaches. The holiday season opens here earlier, so tourists will be able to find entertainment to suit their tastes already at the end of April.

Although Gelendzhik is inferior in these parameters, its advantages are the warm sea, fresh air and a shorter distance between the city and nearby resorts.

Gelendzhik or Adler

In this case, it is advised to give preference to the 2nd. The resort is praised for its clearer and warmer sea, cozy and clean city, large selection of accommodation and convenient location. There are also no problems with food, which can be ordered in canteens. The presence of such a large city as Sochi nearby plays a big role.

However, Gelendzhik has a more beautiful and longer embankment, the presence of amusement parks and the absence of long traffic jams.

Gelendzhik or Lazarevskoye

Vacationers are advised to go to the city. There are more entertainment options, hiking trails and programs for children.

But the village will delight you with a clean and calm sea, mild climate, affordable prices and proximity to Sochi.

Gelendzhik or Tuapse

Definitely 1st. There is a network of amusement parks, cleaner seas and a beautiful coastline.

The main disadvantage of Tuapse is the presence of oil terminals within the city. However, prices here are somewhat lower than in Gelendzhik.

Beach of the Blue Wave sanatorium

Locals and visitors, those on vacation packages, and just “savages” - everyone has just been loving this place lately. There was not a single negative response about him.

The hospital mentioned in the title is the closest to the airport. The beach is adjacent to it from the south. We are talking about 300 meters running along the sea promenade built on concrete - from the Na Naberezhnaya cafe to the fence and bike rental. The width of the zone is small - 20 m.

Rather small than medium pebbles, a smooth descent to the bottom, dozens of brand new tents with sunbeds for rent, wooden flooring, greenery and areas for sports.

Probably, all this is the second reason to have fun at the Blue Wave. Lifeguards (with a boat and rings), a VIP area and a doctor are available, as well as a toilet and changing rooms.

It remains to add that, tired of sunbathing and swimming in clean water, you will quickly get from here to the attractions and the Golden Bay water park. Entrance to the beach is free. For guests of the Blue Wave, all its services are freely available.

Beach "Gardens of the Seas"

Come here with the kids! Crystal water, easy access to the bottom and the absence of dangerous microbiology are combined with luxurious infrastructure. There are many expensive VIP zones in the Gardens of the Seas. That is why the cleaners, the local paramedic of the Ministry of Emergency Situations and the management of the guest complexes adjacent to the Riviera are trying. The one they get to by getting off at Krymskaya.

The beginning of Tolstoy Cape has always attracted those who like especially clear water. This beach is also famous for its free entry, the famous wooden mushrooms with a reed cap, its length (as much as 400 m, where there are paid VIP zones), small pebbles and a number of other services:

Clean beaches on the map of Gelendzhik

The question of where to swim in Gelendzhik to avoid getting infected can take a long time to answer. If the sea is cleared of debris and turbidity during a storm and with the help of underwater currents, then getting rid of pathogens is a more difficult job. The fact is that they do not threaten people with strong immunity in any case. Therefore, the problem of infections does not receive resonance. However, what about children and people with initially poor health, pregnant women and those recovering? Go to the clean beaches of Gelendzhik, which we described!

Source

Beach of the boarding house "Pine Grove"

The only user-approved beach in the central regions of Gelendzhik. It is cleaner here than in the neighboring equipped sections, which is noticeable even with the naked eye. Well, the rest has already been confirmed by water studies.

Stvorny Mayak and Mayachnaya Street, leading to the Alean Family Resort Biaritz complex, are the main landmarks here. In addition, at a distance there is a colorful sanatorium named after Lomonosov, and three restaurants nearby.

We also recommend taking a look at excursions in Gelendzhik

The length of the medium-pebble section is 170 m. Cleanliness, the absence of any animals and public order are constantly monitored here. There is security, a paramedic, lifeguards and a whole range of other amenities - a coastal shek, rental of sun loungers and places under canopies.

Comfortable wooden paths, a bathroom, changing cabins and the opportunity to engage in water extreme sports (bananas, cheesecakes, parachutes, jet skis, and so on). In the center is a fragment with a new generation of artificial turf (your limbs are not in danger).

From here you probably have the best view of the Markhot ridge . The eastern end of this piece of paradise is the sculptural composition “Lighthouse with a Dog”. It is often used as a background for selfies or other memorable photos.

Wild beach "Sosnovka"

Zero infections! Confirmed by the Ministry of Health. And how will they appear in a place that does not position itself as a beach at all? Of all the equipment here, there is a staircase along which tourists descend from the cliff, as well as stream water seeping out of the cracks in the rock.

The name of the beach is taken from the landscape towering above it - a fragrant pine forest. By the way, you can live there - there is a campsite with parking and tent spaces, showers, toilets, exercise stations, an equipped kitchen, a ropes course and a cafe. The latter is at the same time an awesome “lookout” - this terrace is on the very ledge of the ravine.

The distance of the Sosnovka beach from edge to edge is 300 m. But the width of the strip is not large - 6-8 m. The surface is large pebbles and cobblestones. The water is quite clear. The shore angle is average.