Khosta is a small resort village located between Sochi and Adler. Every year Khosta attracts a large number of tourists during the summer. And this despite the fact that the village is small in size and has few historical assets. However, there are plenty of natural attractions here. The main one is the sea, which in most cases is located within walking distance of tourist accommodation. We will tell you about holidays in Khosta in 2022, entertainment, attractions, beaches and prices in this article.
A brief excursion into the history of Khosta
According to some historians, these lands were inhabited by settlers from Byzantium already in the 7th century. The trade route to the Caucasus began here. These places have fertile soils, clean rivers, picturesque mountains, warm seas and a mild climate.
In the 13th-15th centuries. in this territory there was a trading post that belonged to the Genoese, and to this day the ruins remaining from their fortress have still been preserved. In the 16th century, these lands were under the rule of the Ottomans, and in the 19th century, after the wars with Turkey, the Russian double-headed eagle took these territories under its wing and Russian settlements began to emerge here. The town of Khosta itself was founded in 1899.
In the Adyghe language, “hosta” means “clean water.”
In the 20th century, the settlement experienced rapid growth and development. The number of immigrants from the Russian hinterland increased and the fame of it as a wonderful resort quickly spread. These places were liked by the party elite for the construction of nomenklatura dachas, and Comrade Stalin himself also loved to relax here.
Khosta on the map:
The legacy of Prince Khamysh
In the 12th century, on the site of present-day Khosta there was a Genoese trading settlement called Casto. This was the period when the first fortresses appeared on the coast. In the 17th century, Prince Khamysh took possession of these lands. Then several villages appeared on the southern slopes of the Caucasus Mountains. In total, there were about eight dozen households. Piers were built on the seashore, and local residents actively engaged in trade. After the name of the owner, the area began to be called Khamysh.
After the end of the Caucasian War, the indigenous population left the coast, and newcomers began to actively populate it. At the end of the 19th century, the village of Khosta received city status. Dachas and two brick factories appeared on the shore. The population grew to 200 people. The most amazing thing is that there was no administration or police in the city at that time. Hosta lived on her own.
This is what the city looked like at the beginning of the last century
Perhaps for this reason, in 1905, Khosta became the capital of the newly formed workers' and peasants' Sochi Republic, which lasted only one year. In 1951, the city lost its independence, becoming part of Sochi as a district. Now Khosta is a popular beach and health holiday destination.
Climate in Khosta
There is little precipitation in these places, winters are quite comfortable (average temperature 0 ℃), and, thanks to the subtropical climate, the summer months in Khosta are simply magical! The sun shines 300 days a year! Excellent beaches and warm sea. The town is similar to the Garden of Babylon, in which palm trees, magnolias, oaks, cypresses, boxwood and yew trees grow. You literally can’t breathe in the air here!
The sea breeze, mixing with the aroma of fragrant flowers everywhere, turns Khosta into a paradise.
Stalin's dacha
The most famous museum is “ Stalin's Dacha ”. It is located between the Agur Gorge and the Matsesta Valley. The history of this dacha dates back to the 20th century. Once upon a time, all these lands belonged to one landowner named Zenzinov. He was a very rich man and owned gold mines.
He really wanted to have a beautiful house with a park in these picturesque places. Having the funds for this, he built a two-story house, which was called the Mikhailovskoye Estate. But after the revolution took place, this estate became a vacation spot for famous personalities. And only in 1937, according to Merzhanov’s design, the Stalin residence was built here.
He really liked her. The excellent location offered the whole fabulous view of the Caucasus Mountains and the sea. The house had a rather modest interior. There was an office with a table, chairs, books and a sofa with armchairs. The hall was both a dining room and a living room. Currently, the museum is open to tourists, here everyone can see Stalin’s personal belongings and get to know his life in more detail. There is also a wax copy of Stalin.
Location: Kurortny Avenue - 120/1.
What should a tourist see in Khost?
Church of the Transfiguration
The temple, erected before the revolution, combines the features of Byzantine and Russian church architecture and is an architectural monument. Even when the temple was not open during the Soviet era, vacationers still flocked to it to look at this unique structure made of gray brick.
There is a well-known arboretum in Khosta throughout the region. It is home to many rare and beautiful species of trees and plants. Here you have the opportunity to look at the Japanese cherry blossoms in bloom, stroll along the palm alley or enjoy the views in the English landscape park. But their greatest pride here is the amazing yew-boxwood grove, which, according to some estimates, is about 25 million years old.
This place, located on a river bank and a mountain slope, seems to have emerged from the power of time and inexplicably retained its pristine beauty. The grove contains 400 species of rare trees that were prohibited from felling and were taken under state protection back in the 30s of the last century. On its outskirts you can see the remains of an ancient fortress with fragments of walls and towers. Coming here, city residents have an amazing opportunity to close their eyes and listen to the birds, feel complete unity with untouched nature and recharge with its power.
Another, no less interesting place in Khost for those who are interested in history is the Vorontsov Caves. They are located 30 km up the mountain slope. This is another unique historical site, an archaeological monument stretching underground for more than 11 km. Wandering through the underground labyrinths, you can see strange sculptures and fragments of rock paintings (once there were sites of primitive people), immerse yourself in the mysterious, amazing world of extreme antiquity and, perhaps, see the shadow of the local “minotaur”.
And just 8 km from Khosta you can look into a real abyss - there is the Navalishensky Canyon and an observation deck. From here, glancing hundreds of meters down, you can admire the bizarre crevices in the white rocks and waterfalls with crystal clear water falling from a height. The gorge itself stretches for about 2 km, and its depth is about 150 meters (5 nine-story buildings), so the tourist route along the canyon cannot be called an easy walk: in places it is quite difficult.
Another canyon, “Devil’s Gate,” is located 5 km from the village. As soon as the time for the snow to melt comes, and the spring flood begins, the water level rises so much that there are only a few meters left between the rocks and it is almost impassable. The age of the forest growing along the canyon is attributed to the pre-glacial period.
The village of Khosta itself is also surrounded by dense vegetation. Many representatives of the local flora are listed in the Red Book.
Beaches
Along Platanova Street (the main street of Khosta), passing cozy shops and cafes, you can go straight to the coast. The beaches of the village are pebbly and sandy. They are very well equipped - there are sun loungers, large umbrellas and awnings, as well as breakwaters and piers. Along the same street, if you go further, you can come to a pedestrian suspension bridge over the Khosta River.
On the beach, guests can rent jet skis and catamarans. There is an opportunity to go water skiing, fly like an eagle over the sea on a seaplane or parachute, or go diving. One way or another, all paths and paths lead visitors to the beach. By the way, the width of the beaches is not large, but they stretch along the entire coast.
If you go around Cape Vidny, the accessibility of the beaches decreases due to a very sharp descent into the water. But, as a rule, those beaches that belong to sanatoriums are pebble or sandy, with convenient entry into the sea and a short section of shallow water, are well equipped on land and have water attractions at their disposal. The cleanliness of the beaches is well monitored.
Zmeykovskie waterfalls
The next place you definitely need to go to is the Zmeykovsky waterfalls.
Their beauty is mesmerizing; they are located not far from the Zmeyka River. Ask why the name is like that. Yes, everything is very simple from above, the river and its tributaries look like a snake. You can't get lost here, because there are always a lot of curious tourists. The waterfalls consist of 5 cascades and are simply stunning. If you have never seen natural waterfalls and picturesque gorges, then you definitely need to visit this place. Get a lot of impressions. Here, it is even possible to swim. And for photography lovers, you can take wonderful photographs of the picturesque nature of this place.
Location: Izmailovskaya street - 180.
Which accommodation is better to choose?
When going to Khosta, an experienced traveler will first of all think about the place where he will live. This tourist village provides a huge selection of accommodation for tourists. Most of this housing is represented by the private sector and sanatoriums. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.
It should be noted right away that the private sector is more popular among tourists than sanatoriums. This is largely due to the fact that the cost of living there is significantly lower. Since the private sector is represented by guest houses, therefore, the purchase of housing is carried out without intermediaries and markups. This is what attracts tourists with average incomes.
In addition, in the private sector you can save a lot of money if you give preference to a room rather than renting an entire home. Even at a low price you can find a comfortably furnished apartment here. Please note that the cost of housing in the private sector directly depends on the degree of its proximity to the sea.
Sanatoriums are a different story. This is a more comfortable option that will cost more. Sanatoriums are usually preferred by people who can afford a little luxury. Consequently, the price for the sanatorium will also be much higher.
For the average Russian, the best option is still purchasing housing in the private sector. In addition to the above advantages, it should be said that prices in the private sector in Khost are significantly lower than in other resort towns located nearby.
When choosing housing, you must take into account that there are boarding houses, sanatoriums and hotels near the sea coast. The private sector is located approximately 1 km from the sea, this also affects the price.
Therefore, when going on a trip to Khosta in 2022, you should choose accommodation based on your budget. If you want to save money, go to the private sector. If you want to allow yourself to relax, stay at a sanatorium.
Agur waterfalls
Another place that deserves attention is the Aguar Falls. Here you can see three beautiful waterfalls, all of them different in length. The lower one has a height of 30 meters, and the upper one is 21 meters. There are always a lot of tourists here. The places are simply mesmerizing; there is a restaurant on site where you can refresh yourself and just relax in a picturesque place.
You can also use the services of a guide who will tell you the interesting history of these places. You can, of course, go on an independent walk, leisurely walk through picturesque places, enjoy the gorgeous nature and take beautiful photographs.
In Khosta with children
Fans of active, nightlife resort life in Khosta may get a little bored after 23:00. All noisy entertainment events end by this time. But this is an ideal place to relax with the whole family, with kids. And for those who have enough daytime entertainment, of which there is quite a lot. The sea, sun, beach and surrounding attractions have already been mentioned. But in Khosta there are water complexes designed specifically for children. Right on the beach there is the Breeze water park, which has swimming pools and a jacuzzi. The local market is literally bursting with an abundance of ripe fruits and vegetables, and if desired, there is the opportunity to take the whole family to the circus or arboretum (the village of Khosta, located not far from Sochi).
Devil's Gate Canyon
The canyon is located at the confluence of two rivers, the Western and Eastern Khosta, and there is also a small lake. This place is very loved by tourists because you can have a picnic under the shade of boxwood trees. The bravest ones can swim in the lake. The height of the canyon walls in some places reaches 50 meters, and the width between them is only five meters.
Not far from the canyon there is a hotel and restaurant. The beauty of this place is simply breathtaking. But many tourists wonder why such a beautiful and picturesque place has such an ominous name. Previously, narrow passes and canyons were called this way, perhaps that is why this area received this name.
Location: Sochi National Park.
What will surprise you with the local cuisine?
It is probably not correct to say that in Khost you can try some culinary delights. Of course, it all depends on the skill level of the chef, but, in general, the menu here contains the same dishes as the menu in restaurants and cafes of other Russian resorts.
Caucasian cuisine is widely represented: shish kebab, khachapuri, pasties. They serve Uzbek, Japanese, Italian dishes. Lots of fresh fish and seafood dishes. The prices are reasonable, and you can find an establishment within your means. In addition, the Adler region is the only place in Russia where citrus fruits and tea are grown. There are many apiary farms in the area; you can try chestnut honey. The average bill ranges from several hundred to several thousand rubles per person.
Tiso - boxwood grove
Another wonderful place that undoubtedly deserves attention. Trees grow here that are almost more than 1000 years old . The area of this grove is 301 hectares . There are a lot of plants and animals here that are classified as wild, and boxwood and yew also grow here.
And these trees were only seen during the Ice Age. Therefore, the grove is under UNESCO protection. On the territory of the grove, almost every group of plants and trees has a sign on which the history of origin is written. A walk through such a rather rare grove will not leave you without impressions, and here you can simply breathe in the fresh air.
Location: Samshitovaya street.
What will we take with us as a souvenir?
Souvenirs in Khosta are quite typical: products and crafts made of wood, beads, Russian nesting dolls, home interior items made using the decoupage technique, handmade jewelry, costume jewelry, towels with artistic embroidery, soft toys, etc.
Next to the Luch House of Creativity, exhibitions and fairs of folk crafts are held. Every visitor has the opportunity to learn about the secrets of local craftsmen involved in decorative and applied arts and purchase their works. Often, the material itself from which the souvenir is made is not as important as what is depicted on it. What emotions does it evoke in memory? And Khosta with its picturesque surroundings cannot but evoke warm feelings in everyone who has been here.
Vorontsov caves
Another interesting place is the cave system, which is called Vorontsovsky. Illarion Vorontsov - Dashkov was the royal governor in the Caucasus. This is the largest cave system, which is suitable for tourist visits. Their total length is 600 meters . Moreover, the temperature there is +12 degrees all year round; during the excursion you can see the formation of stalagmites and stalactites. There is also evidence that there used to be sites of ancient people there, so next to the cave you can find a real model of a “Cro-Magnon” site. In the parking lot there is a fireplace, a goat, a bed.
The best way to get to Khosta
By plane - to Adler airport. From the airport by bus, minibus or train from Adler to Sochi (but you should know that you first need to get from the airport to Adler railway station). The railway track is laid along the entire coast. Train intervals are 30 minutes in the daytime and 1 hour in the evening. Minibuses run from Khosta station in all directions.
White Rocks
Continuing your exploration of the interesting surroundings of Khosta, it would be nice to visit the white rocks. They are located near the Eastern Khosta River. There are very picturesque places here. A beautiful boxwood forest, a huge number of canyons and waterfalls, and breathtakingly beautiful gorges.
Of course, you can walk here in a few hours, but it’s better to devote a whole day to it. Then it will be possible to explore these wonderful places in more detail, take beautiful photos of these picturesque places and just have a great time in nature in the company of family and friends. White rocks will give you a lot of good impressions.
Park of Culture and Recreation of Khostinsky District
A cozy park area is surrounded by lush vegetation. Here you can take a quiet walk, relax on benches in the shade of trees, and go on rides. Unique views of the sea and the town can be seen from the Ferris wheel. And on weekends and holidays, festivities and entertainment programs are often held in the park. You can visit the attraction any day.
Park of culture and recreation of Khostinsky district. Photo taken from the site: https://sochi24.tv/
Temple of Agua
The history of this temple is not as well studied as historians and researchers would like. Now the ruins of a medieval building in the vicinity of Khost attract the attention of a large number of archaeologists and tourists. Agua is located on the top of a mountain, and even in the photo it looks unusual and mysterious. Many legends are told about treasures buried on the territory of the ancient temple.
Photo of the Temple of Agua photo taken from the site: https://sochigram.com/attractions/agua
