What to see in Sochi in 1 day - route, photo, description, map

If you had to stay in Sochi for several days, you can devote one of them to sightseeing in the city. There are quite a few of them located in the legendary health resort of the former USSR. The Soviet state at one time invested huge amounts of money and attracted large labor resources to turn a run-down village into a flourishing region.

The Winter Olympic Games, organized and held by the Russian Federation in Sochi in 2014, transformed the city's infrastructure. The city acquired the status of a resort and sports center of world significance. This article offers an optimal list of what to see in Sochi in 1 day on your own. It is unlikely that it will be possible to cover everything in such a short time. Therefore, where to go first, you will have to choose for yourself.

Railway station building

This is the gateway to the city of the sun. The airy architecture of the snow-white building puts guests in a festive mood from the first steps on the platform. The railway terminal in its current form was built in 1952 according to the design of the famous Soviet architect Alexei Nikolaevich Dushkin.

The station is 150 meters long. The facade facing the city is an arcade supported by majestic columns. Thanks to the use of sandstone and polished granite, the building retains a coastal flavor.

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The walls are decorated with colored plaster with marble chips. The columns visually lift the structure above the ground, conjuring up the image of the palace from “Tales of 1000 and One Nights.”

The observation tower, whose height with a star on the spire is 55 meters, deserves special attention. The three original clock faces on the tower are decorated with the 12 signs of the zodiac under their corresponding numbers. The high-rise building represents the gateway to the city of the sun.

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Where to stay

During the high season, it is cheapest to choose package tours that include flights and accommodation. Be sure to check last minute deals on Onlinetours, because you can find a tour for the price of a flight (as happened with the author of the article).

Sochi has a large selection of housing to suit every taste and budget. In order not to think about the details of the trip, it is worth booking a package tour with a hotel or health resort. It is convenient to choose a suitable hotel or hostel in the offer aggregator - Hotellook.

It is often more profitable to live in private housing - an apartment or a house. To search for private housing, the Sutochno.ru service in Sochi is suitable.

Navaginskaya street

The main pedestrian artery of the city starts from the railway station and continues all the way to the Seaport, practically cutting the resort into two halves. Before the 2014 Winter Olympics, the street was a vehicle access point.

Currently, it represents one of the most beautiful pedestrian areas of the resort. People arriving at the station who want to quickly get to the sea walk along this street. Along the way, guests will meet a beautiful musical fountain with a waterfall near the shopping center.

Here you can find various sculptural groups representing animals - symbols of past Olympics, heroes of popular fairy tales, animated series and other figures. Along the entire boulevard there are shady areas where people can relax on picturesque benches.

Buildings filled with numerous boutiques, cafes, restaurants and various service centers continuously stretch along the avenue. Selfie machines are popular, where within a few moments the image of those wishing to be photographed is transferred from the screen to photo paper.

A palm alley, picturesque flower beds, lush bushes - all this accompanies passersby all the way to Kurortny Prospekt, through the underground passage of which you can go directly to the Sea Terminal building.

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Dolphinarium

It is worth spending some time visiting the Big Sochi Dolphinarium. This will be especially a joyful event for children. The Circus of Marine Animals was opened in the Riviera Park relatively recently - in 2012. Today it is the largest dolphinarium in Eastern Europe.

The indoor amphitheater has 1,300 seats with separate comfortable areas for wheelchair users, who can enter the hall via a special ramp or elevator. The performance involves bottlenose dolphins, seals and other sea animals.

In a pool with an area of 300 m2 and a depth of 7 meters, trained artists feel at ease and are very willing to demonstrate their talents. In addition, there are two additional artificial reservoirs for dolphins and three pools for other animals.

There are specially designated areas for photo sessions. You can use the services of a professional photographer. The contact pool for children with disabilities to swim with dolphins is very popular. A visit to the dolphinarium will keep pleasant impressions of the water show in your memory for a long time.

Marine Station

The construction of the maritime shipping company, which is essentially the same age as the modern Sochi railway station, was put into operation in 1955. The administrative building of the port is an architectural monument of federal significance. The facade consists of a portico, above which rises a three-tier tower with a peak topped with a five-pointed star.

At the corners of the base of the tower there are 4 sculptures representing the seasons and cardinal directions. On the sea side, in the central part of the building there is a gallery, with two-story wings adjacent to it on both sides. On the city side, in the park there is a fountain, the bowl of which reaches 7 meters in diameter. In its center stands the female figure of the goddess of shipping.

The station has a developed infrastructure. Passengers waiting for their passenger ship can admire ships from different countries standing at the pier, visit several cafes and a restaurant. The guides will not fail to mention that episodes of Gaidai’s legendary film comedy “The Diamond Arm” were filmed here.

These are scenes of the farewell and arrival from the cruise of the main character of the film, Gorbunkov. Most recently, sculptures of the characters from this film were installed near the maritime terminal.

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Krasnaya Polyana

The most popular mountain destination near Sochi is the Krasnaya Polyana resort. In winter people come here to ski, and in summer they come here to take the cable car and admire the breathtaking mountain scenery. There are many hotels and cafes, shopping centers, nice architecture in Krasnaya Polyana, but all prices are above average. It is convenient to get here by car, bus or train; transfers are also available from the center and the airport.

Rose Peak

There are many mountain peaks and cable cars in Krasnaya Polyana, but for the first time climbing Rosa Peak is suitable. This is one of the highest points from where in clear weather there is an incredible view. To climb, you will need to make several transfers, and at each level you will find picturesque mountain views.

Usually the website sells complex tickets, so the ascent from Olympia to Rosa Peak will cost approximately 1,800 rubles; the ticket will also include travel by cable car to the Valley of Waterfalls and entrance to the ethnographic museum “My Russia”.

Cathedral of the Archangel Michael

The oldest cathedral in the North Caucasus - the Orthodox Cathedral of the Archangel Michael was built in 1864. It is located at the end of the Central Embankment. The religious building was erected in honor of the end of the victorious war in the Caucasus.

The cathedral went through difficult times when in 1931 the Bolsheviks expelled believers from it and set up a warehouse there, which resulted in the destruction of the interiors and the destruction of church property. In 1943, the Soviet government, by order of Stalin, returned the temple building to the fold of the Orthodox Church, although without compensation for the losses caused to it.

Currently, the Cathedral of the Holy Archangel Michael has returned to its grandeur and demonstrates the splendor of Russian religious architecture. The temple is surrounded by a church ensemble consisting of a chapel, a refectory, a parochial school and a house with a two-story outbuilding. Around the cathedral there is a luxurious park where parishioners and guests of the city love to stroll.

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Garden of Russian-Japanese Friendship

Very close to Kurortny Prospekt, just above the Sochi Hotel, is the Garden of Russian-Japanese Friendship. The landscaped park was opened to the public in 1986. A beautiful Japanese-style park complex was created on 6 hectares.

On its territory there are pagodas, stylized lamp posts along paths paved with paving stones. The central attraction of the garden is a sculpture of a mythological creature - a Japanese dragon.

Professional gardeners constantly care for plants imported from the Land of the Rising Sun, selected with special care. It is especially pleasant to walk here in the spring, when all the vegetation awakens after winter hibernation and begins to smell incredible aromas.

If you had to stay in Sochi for just a day, then while sightseeing in the center, you can spend an hour visiting this amazing place.

TOP - 20 things to see in Sochi on your own and where to go

All tourists are different and everyone’s vacation needs are also different, so I divided the interesting places in Sochi into thematic blocks. If you are more interested in action and want to get an adrenaline rush, then you will probably be bored on sightseeing tours, even if they are top-notch and all the guides recommend them as a must-see. For example, I would prefer a walk up the mountain to a hyped amusement park. Listen to your heart and choose a vacation to your liking

Winter Theater

Walking around the center all day, tourists are unlikely to pass by the Winter Theater. It is located at st. Teatralnaya, 2 near Kurortny Prospekt. The building was built in the style of the best examples of socialist realism in 1938.

The opening of the theater was marked by the premiere of Rimsky-Korsakov’s opera “The Tsar’s Bride” staged by the Moscow Stanislavsky Opera and Ballet Theater. The perimeter of the theater is surrounded by 88 columns of the Corinthian order. The main portico is topped by a pediment with three sculptures depicting the muses: Terpsichore (architecture), Melpomene (painting) and Thallia (sculpture).

The auditorium, which seats 950 seats, is designed so that the stage is clearly visible from any seat. A huge crystal chandelier hangs above the hall, which holds about 300 lamps. Guides always draw the attention of groups of tourists to Stalin’s personal box to the right of the stage. It is designed in such a way that people sitting in it are not visible.

There are about ten creative teams working in the theater. The Kinotavr film festival is constantly held here, and tours of pop groups, capital theaters and symphony orchestras take place here.

In the immediate vicinity

Abandoned sanatorium named after Ordzhonikidze

Not far from the city there is another unusual attraction that has recently become popular. The Ordzhonikidze Sanatorium was abandoned in 2010, but its territory opened to the public several years ago. The sanatorium was built in 1937 in the style of Stalinist neoclassicism. It is difficult to imagine that 15 buildings in the Empire style were erected for the recreation of ordinary workers. Now the entire large-scale complex is gradually being destroyed. It is believed that the amount for its restoration is so impressive that work cannot begin.

You cannot get inside the buildings, but you are allowed to freely walk around the large park of the sanatorium and see inactive fountains, galleries overgrown with plants and take atmospheric photographs. The film “Old Man Hottabych” was filmed on the territory of the complex. You can get here by bus or minibus.

Kurortny Ave., 96

Stalin's dacha

One of the most mysterious points of Sochi is Stalin’s former dacha. The leader often visited the Black Sea coast and underwent treatment in Matsesta, so the construction site was chosen here. Now the house-museum is located on the territory of the Green Grove sanatorium.

The building is specially painted dark green to make it less visible from the air. The interiors of the residence, like Stalin's other dachas, are almost completely devoid of luxury and are said to have remained untouched over the past seventy years. The minimalist bedroom, office, dining room and swimming pool have been preserved. Many details of the dacha correspond to the suspicion inherent in the leader. For example, the floors are specially made to be creaky so that you can always hear if someone is in the house. Because of the foliage, the house is reliably hidden, but the nearest road is clearly visible from inside.

The exhibition includes personal belongings, furniture and household items of the family. You won’t be able to visit the museum yourself, so before your visit you need to book a tour from the museum or come with a personal guide.

There are legends around the dacha: many claim that they have seen the ghost of the leader in the corridors more than once.

Kurortny Ave., 120

Flickr/Reijo Siponen

Phytophantasia

Author of the photo: Nikolay Nikolenko, Fotokto.ru
Next to the Winter Theater there is an amazing landscaped park called “Phytophantasia”. Every square meter of the small area is carefully tended by local dendrologist designers. The wonderful garden is filled with amazingly beautiful plants, among which you can sit on a bench, inhaling the aromas of blooming flora.

The Phytophantasia corner is divided into three zones, each of them has its own separate entrance. The first section resembles an ordinary park with shady alleys and narrow paths. It's nice to take a walk here and take a break from the sweltering city heat.

The second zone is filled with many flowers and ornamental shrubs among old and young trees. Specially processed blocks serve as benches. The walls of the square in one place are decorated in the form of intertwined tree roots, in another part there are shelves filled with household attributes and various objects.

Interesting figures of funny gnomes peeking out from under the roots of trees. The pride of the third department of Phytophantasia is an artificial pond surrounded by a colonnade along which vines climb up.

In the middle of the reservoir there is an island in the form of a small rocky cliff, to which there is a bridge. All these wonders of the magical forest will distract guests from the bustle of the city and allow them to enjoy the cool atmosphere of a romantic man-made corner of nature.

Park Arboretum

Inspection of the botanical reserve will take tourists at least 2 – 3 hours + travel time. The world-famous park complex Arboretum is located on 46 hectares of the foothills of Greater Sochi. It is rightly called the green lungs of the resort.

Over the course of several decades, trees and shrubs were brought here from almost all corners of the Earth. The botanical nursery stock is represented by 1,800 species of flora, including 54 varieties of palm trees, 66 oaks, and 74 pine trees.

The history of the park dates back to 1899, when the publisher of the Petersburg Newspaper, Mr. S.N. Khudekov, having bought 50 acres of land on Bald Mountain, built the Nadezhda villa and laid out a plum and peach orchard.

Subsequently, trees and shrubs were brought into the park from the Crimea, Germany and the Caucasus - about 400 plant species in total. Since then, the atmospheric reserve has been constantly replenished with new representatives of the flora.

The park is cut into two halves by Kurortny Avenue. Access to the Arboretum to its upper part is through an underground passage under the road. Below the avenue there is an aquarium in which almost all types of fish and marine animals of the Black Sea live.

If you climb the mountain, the walk will be quite tiring and will take a lot of time. Therefore, the best option would be to use the cable car. Having climbed into the cabin to the observation deck, tourists descend, calmly examining the upper part of the national park.

Here you can see peacocks, parrots and ostriches. At the exit from the underground passage there is a store where you can buy a variety of souvenirs and seeds of rare plants.

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Interesting places in Sochi

The surrounding area of Sochi is rich in natural beauty. Among them are waterfalls, gorges, archaeological sites and caves. Some of them can be explored on your own, while others can only be accessed with a guided tour.

33 waterfalls

Coming on vacation to Sochi and not visiting a single waterfall would be a big miss. One of the most popular excursions among tourists is a trip to 33 waterfalls. Of course, you can get to the waterfalls by private or rented car, but it is better to choose a guided program. On the way to the Sochi National Park, tourists are taken to taste tea, honey, cheese and wine, and are told about interesting legends and traditions. On a hot summer day, there is nothing more pleasant than taking a dip in the cool waters. There are several waterfalls for swimming. The equipped route covers 17 of them. The rest can also be seen, but you will have to go through the thicket of the forest and make your way over slippery stones.

Yew-boxwood grove

This is another iconic natural attraction of the Sochi region. The name of the grove was given by two trees: yew berry and Colchian boxwood. Yew berry has been growing in the Khosta microdistrict for many centuries. This is a coniferous tree whose wood is red in color. Hence its second name – mahogany. Colchis boxwood* has interesting properties - it sinks in water and has very dense wood. The yew-boxwood grove is located on the territory of the Caucasus State Biosphere Reserve, so there is a small entrance fee. There are two walking routes among the trees: a large one (5 km long) and a small ring (2 km long). Whatever route you choose, shady alleys, trees entwined with vines, limestone faults, karst caves, and a gorge await you. On the large ring, tourists will be able to visit the ruins of an ancient fortress built by the Circassians and even swim in the cool waters of the Khosta River.

* in 2014, a pest was brought to Sochi - the boxwood moth. Butterflies and caterpillars significantly damaged the Colchis boxwood plantings in the grove.

Tea houses in Uch-Der

Tea plantations

Another interesting place in the vicinity of Sochi is located in the small village of Uch-Dere. In the 1980s, a wooden frame was erected here without a single nail. The house was built according to the design of architect Yu.L. Schwarzbraim in the style of ancient Russian architecture. The area is surrounded by aromatic tea plantations and a landscaped park. Most often, tourists come here to taste local Krasnodar tea with traditional sweets: jam, curd pancakes, honey. Before the tasting, visitors are introduced to the history of the tea drink, told about the features of planting and harvesting, and also demonstrated the process of drying tea leaves. It’s worth coming here not only for the tea itself, but also for the stunning view.

Vorontsov Cave

Vorontsov caves have been known since Paleolithic times, when sites of primitive people appeared here. The caves are a multi-level labyrinth with a height difference of 240 meters and a length of about 12 km. Only part of the cave complex is equipped for visitors, which includes a visit to the Prometheus grotto, the Oval, Bear, and Silence halls. There are railings along the entire route, and visitors must be accompanied by an experienced guide. The favorite pastime of all tourists is to look for familiar images of animals, people, and things in the bizarre forms of stalactites and stalagmites. The climate in the caves is humid with a constant temperature of 12 ºC. Therefore, when visiting, it is better to choose comfortable shoes and a waterproof windbreaker.

Observation tower on Mount Akhun

Tower on Mount Akhun

This is one of the most romantic places in the vicinity of Sochi. This is where couples come to watch the sunset over the city at the top of the observation tower. To get to Mount Akhun, you will need to overcome 11 km of serpentine road. At the end of the difficult road, visitors will be greeted by a 30-meter stone tower, which was erected at the beginning of the last century. There is a fee to climb to the observation deck, but the views from above are worth any money. The entire multi-kilometer coast of Sochi appears in full view.

House-Museum "Stalin's Dacha"

This is one of several residences of I.V. Stalin, where he loved to spend time with his family. The small two-story building was designed by architect M.I. Merzhanov. The house was built taking into account the terrain and blends as much as possible with the surrounding landscape. For the same purposes, the walls are painted with a special green paint, which makes it impossible to detect the building from the air. The dacha is surrounded on all sides by centuries-old trees and greenery. Visitors are allowed inside only if accompanied by a guide. As you know, Stalin was indifferent to luxury, so the entire interior is made in an ascetic style. Natural materials were used for finishing: wood and stone. The study of the “Father of Nations,” the living-dining room, the swimming pool, and the library have been preserved in their original form.

Skypark Sochi

This attraction will appeal to true extreme sports enthusiasts. Skypark is located in the Akhshtyrskoye Gorge, in one of the most beautiful places in the vicinity of Sochi. Here you can walk along the longest suspension bridge in Russia at an altitude of over 200 meters. The bridge offers a breathtaking panorama of the Mzymta River, the Akhshtyrskoye Gorge, the Caucasus Mountain Range and the Black Sea. Photos taken from the bridge will be included in your favorite memories of your vacation in Sochi. In addition to walking along the suspension bridge, here you can jump from a bungee, fly on a swing, ride a high-speed trolley, try your hand at a climbing wall or conquer the rope course. In the evening, live concerts and parties with DJs take place on the territory of the skypark; their schedule can be found on the official website.

Agur waterfalls

Traveling to the Agur waterfalls is one of the easiest walking routes and at the same time one of the most beautiful. The waterfalls are located in the Khostinsky district of Sochi and are easily accessible by public transport or private car. In its flow, the Khosta River forms several water cascades with a height of 18 to 23 meters. Unfortunately, the river is not full-flowing, so in especially hot August the riverbed can dry out. The entire pedestrian route is equipped with wooden decking and railings. The minimum time for the walk is 1 hour, but it is ideal to allocate 3 hours for visiting the Agur waterfalls with full stops and photos as a souvenir.

Matsesta

Matsesta is primarily a balneological resort in Sochi. It is here that hydrogen sulfide springs, which have been known since the times of ancient Rome, come to the surface from the bowels of the earth. Like all such sources, they are accompanied by a persistent unpleasant smell of “rotten eggs”. Until the first half of the last century, the springs remained unequipped; through the efforts of local enthusiasts, baths were made into which water was collected by gravity. Currently, there is a balneological resort here, where anyone can improve their health with the help of healing water. To obtain the effect, doctors recommend performing at least 10-14 procedures.

Trout farm in Adler

The trout farm in Adler has been operating for more than 50 years and is considered one of the oldest in Russia. Among the mountain landscapes on the banks of the Mzymta River, trout, carp, sturgeon, and pike splash in pools with the purest water. Tourists from all over the Sochi coast come to see amber and rainbow trout. As part of the excursion program, trout farm employees talk about the features of growing and keeping fish. Visitors will also learn why trout is called the “royal” fish. During the excursion you can feed the fish with special food. Here you can also purchase farm products: live fish, smoked fish, caviar and even fry for breeding. Anyone can try their luck at fishing, and the caught fish will be cooked and served right in front of you.

Olympic Park

The park complex is a legacy of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. Every year the sports center, located in the Adler district of Greater Sochi, attracts a huge number of visitors. The park is open daily from 8am to midnight.

The following Olympic venues are located on its territory of 200 hectares:

the stadium for football matches "Fisht" accommodates 47 thousand fans
The Bolshoi Ice Palace presents a sports and concert complex with 12,000 seats for spectators
hockey arena for training
ice arena for figure skating
Formula 1 track "Sochi Autodrom"
entertaining
Adler Arena – exhibition hall
ice arenas: Puck and Ice Cube

Sights of the Sochi Olympic Park

The main attraction of the park is the Singing Fountains. The evening show lasts only 1 hour from 18:30 to 19:30 (in summer from 20:30 to 21:30). In the center of the water complex there is an inclined tower in the form of a cliff. Below it are nozzles that release jets of water.

Throughout the performance, the fountains display 17 compositions, each with its own colorful water picture. Water displays are accompanied by various popular musical pieces.

List of Sochi attractions with descriptions

Sochi is a multifaceted city where everyone can find entertainment and activities to their liking. Sea or mountains, sports or relaxing holidays, clubs or amusement parks, extreme sports or a walk in the park - everything is here! All that remains is to choose.

Sochi Park

This is a large theme park, which is located next to the Olympic venues in Adler. On an area of 25 hectares, visitors will find dozens of breathtaking attractions, several themed areas, master classes, shows, quests, a rope town and meetings with their favorite children's characters. The park will be interesting not only for adults, but also for children. There is entertainment for every taste: from extreme to family. The park has everything to make visitors feel comfortable, from numerous recreation areas to numerous food outlets. The Sochi Park complex also includes a modern hotel built in the shape of a fairy-tale castle.

Nizhneimeretinskaya embankment

Adler embankment

The 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi greatly changed the architecture and infrastructure of the city. One of these changes was the appearance of the Nizhneimeretinskaya embankment, 7 km long. The wide embankment has become a center of attraction for tourists vacationing in the Adler area and visiting the Olympic venues in Sochi. In addition to the pedestrian zone, there is a dedicated lane for bicycles on the embankment. Here you can rent a two-wheeled friend, a scooter, a Segway or a unicycle. On one side the walking area is framed by a pebble beach, and on the other there are restaurants and shops.

Sochi railway station

The snow-white station building is the first thing travelers arriving in Sochi by rail encounter. The building was built in the middle of the last century according to the design of the architect A.N. Dushkina. The station has three floors with several courtyards and fountains. The central place in the ensemble is occupied by a clock tower; its height is 55 meters including the spire. High ceilings, arches, columns, arcades, floral patterns - all this makes the railway station in Sochi one of the most beautiful in the country.

Trinity-St. George Monastery

This is a convent located in the village of Lesnoye. Most tourists visit it on the way to Krasnaya Polyana. This amazing place on the map of Orthodoxy appeared only in 1999, when the first monastery buildings appeared on the site of an abandoned reinforced concrete plant recreation center. Currently, the monastery ensemble includes 9 churches. All of them were designed by one architect - F.I. Afuksenidi. People come here to venerate the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, Blessed Matrona of Moscow, St. Luke. Be sure to try the monastery pastries; they are inexpensive, but very tasty and aromatic.

Aquapark Amphibius

This is an ideal place for a family holiday with children. It's worth going here for the whole day to try all the attractions. On an area of 2 hectares there are several pools of different depths: some are intended for small children, others for adults. Particularly popular among holidaymakers are the Kamikaze, Blue Hole, Multislide and Giant slides. After a busy day of entertainment, you can have a pleasant time in the cafes and bars of the water park. There is a special menu for children and, of course, ice cream.

Resorts of Krasnaya Polyana

Rosa Khutor

Coming on vacation to Sochi and not visiting Krasnaya Polyana would be a big miss. Therefore, be sure to try to set aside at least one day for a trip to “Russian Switzerland”.

Several guidebooks could be written about the sights of Krasnaya Polyana; there are so many interesting sites and routes here. It is impossible to see everything in one day. Therefore, it is worth choosing in advance which attractions to visit first.

Dolmens

These are ancient religious buildings, which are made of large stone slabs. On the territory of the Black Sea coast and Crimea there are dozens of such structures, dating mainly to the Neolithic period. The dolmens of Krasnaya Polyana are distinguished by their compact size and excellent preservation. A visit to megalithic sites will be primarily of interest to lovers of archeology and history.

Casino Sochi

The casino in Krasnaya Polyana opened its doors to visitors in 2017. And since then it has served as a place of attraction not only for gambling professionals, but also for curious tourists. Entrance to the casino is carried out only with a passport, for which a guest card is issued. Bets start from a few kopecks, which allows you to try your luck without much loss to your budget.

KRC Galaktika

It’s worth going here for the whole day, especially if you are on vacation with children. Under one roof there is a water park, a cinema, restaurants and shops, a robotics exhibition, an ice skating rink, a bowling alley, and the Umnikum children's club.

Aviary complex "Laura"

Here you can get acquainted with the animals living on the territory of the Caucasus Biosphere Reserve. All the animals presented here were rescued from the hands of poachers, traps, were wounded, or were cubs who had lost their parents. All of them are treated, fed and released into the natural environment after a period of adaptation.

Mendelikh Waterfalls Park

The resort has several beautiful waterfalls: Polikarya, Medvezhiy, Keiva, Dragon's Mouth, Khrustalny, Maiden's Tears. But one of the most interesting routes is the trip to the Mendelikh waterfalls. The trail passes through a fairytale forest, where every view is like a postcard. Comfortable shoes (trekking), water and a good mood are required to visit.

Cable car

This is a separate attraction of Krasnaya Polyana and at the same time a fun attraction for the whole family. The resort has several cable cars that rise to heights ranging from 1000 to 3000 meters. The mountain ridges offer the best views of the Caucasus Mountains and the entire valley.

What else can you do in Krasnaya Polyana

The list of attractions and activities is endless. Firstly, it is worth paying tribute to Cultural-ethnographic. Be sure to visit the rope park and tickle your nerves on the high-mountain swings. Don't miss the opportunity to play billiards, bowling or take part in a quest. A special pleasure is stopping at a high-mountain tent camp and spending the night admiring the starry sky. Children will love the high-speed rodelbahn and the visit to the reindeer farm. Toboggan or tubing, husky or enclosure, beach or surf station - the choice is always yours. In addition, there are a lot of events and festivals held here (be sure to look at their descriptions and detailed information before visiting the resort).

Skypark AJ Hackett Sochi

The park in the sky is located near Adler in the Akhshtyr Gorge above the Mzymta River valley. The entertainment complex is formed around the longest and highest suspended pedestrian bridge in Europe - Skybridge. Skypark is the product of a joint activity between the New Zealand company AJ Hacket and Russian businessmen.

The company offers 6 types of entertainment - these are:

BUNGY 207 - a man jumps down from a platform in the middle of the Skybridge bridge, 207 meters high, with a halyard attached to his torso. The instructor has several options for jumping, which are selected based on the individual characteristics of the guest. Experienced jumpers, while flying over the abyss, have time to enjoy the panorama of the gorge and mountain river.
BUNGY 69 is an attraction for less confident pilots. The difference is the height of the platform – 69 meters. It is installed at the beginning of the bridge. However, it should be noted that these jumps also quite significantly excite the nervous system.
SOCHISWING is a dizzying flight on the highest swing in the world with the feeling of free fall. The maximum amplitude of the pendulum swing is 170 meters. The speed of a person on a swing can reach 120 km/h. The Sochiswing platform is located at the beginning of the Skybridge suspension bridge.
MEGATROLL - an attraction that involves flying over a gorge at an altitude of 200 meters in a special cart sliding along a steel cable. 2 or 3 people go on the flight at once. Participants in the entertainment can feel like birds soaring in the skies above the Akhshtyr Gorge.
MOWGLI – the Mowgli attraction is a rope park. Here, adults and children learn to walk on a tightrope at an absolutely safe height. Extreme walking involves overcoming minor obstacles. The entire rope system has been tested many times from a safety point of view, especially since all participants on the route are fastened with a hanging halyard.
VIA FERRATA is rope climbing. The route runs from the left bank of the Mzymta River up to the cave. An almost horizontal path awaits guests, turning into a vertical ascent along steps carved into the rock. The entire hike is accompanied by an instructor who will lead you to the Liana Cave on a steep cliff.

Of course, it is impossible to see all of the above attractions and take part in all the exciting attractions in Sochi in 1 day. Therefore, guests of the resort city will have to choose the route that is optimal in time.

Third day - Agur waterfalls

Sochi is not only a huge resort city and its surroundings, but also unique nature. You can get imbued with its spirit by going to visit Mount Akhun. In fact, it is an entire mountain range, which includes several peaks.

And it is named after the god of cattle breeders, who was revered by the locals. People have lived in this blessed land since time immemorial. Initially, caves served as their habitat. There are about 2 dozen of them here, the largest area occupies about 600 sq.m.

If you are interested in speleology, such caves will seem like a real gift from fate. Later, 2 Christian churches were built in the same places, which have not survived to this day. And in the 20th century. the territory began to be actively inhabited.

In the 30s, the White Tower observation tower appeared on Mount Bolshoy Akhun. Architect S.I. Vorobyov designed it very successfully - after that the tower was filmed more than once in television and feature films, so it turned out to be picturesque.

The height of the tower is just over 30 m. The view from here is such that all eminent guests were always brought here to admire the surroundings. For a short time there was a restaurant in the tower.

Now it has been replaced by a tasting room, where you will be offered infusions that you will not try anywhere else: with honey and fruit according to ancient recipes. Stuffed local animals are also on display here. Relatively recently, the tower was restored, and now you can get here either independently or as part of a tour.

You can buy souvenirs next to the tower, and your little ones will enjoy playing in the playground. In good weather, tourists are offered to climb up on the Ferris Wheel; the whole of Sochi will be visible from here at a glance.

On Maly Akhun there is another highlight - “Vysotsky’s Glade”. They say that the famous bard visited here during his honeymoon with Marina Vladi. Here you can see a sculpture of Vysotsky, and if you’re lucky, you can listen to the bards who often gather here for various events. In the vicinity of Greater Sochi, you can count a little less than 100 waterfalls. These include the Agurskys.

The lower waterfall is located a few hundred meters from the entrance to the reserve. The road to it leads along a wooden bridge and further through the forest. You will breathe in plenty of cool and fresh forest air.

The stream of the waterfall breaks into a blue bowl, which is called the “Devil's Font”. There is also a cave called “Devil’s Hole”. To get to the next one, the Middle Waterfall, you need to travel several kilometers. A walking trail runs along the river.

Then there is one more bridge to overcome, but the beautiful large waterfall that opens to you is worth the effort. Its maximum height is 18 m. A stream of water falls into a mountain lake. If you wish, you can comfortably relax next to the waterfall. There are benches and a table here.

If you have some strength left, go to the third waterfall. It is also very picturesque, and there is a trail leading to it. The height is 23 m. But local residents warn that people with good physical fitness, and possibly special climbing equipment, should decide to take such a road.

There is another attraction in this area - Eagle Rocks. Due to the limestone they contain, they are white in color. The forest growing at a distance is also beautiful - it is made up of trees whose age is estimated to be centuries old. There are also caves here.

But the attention of tourists is more attracted by the sculpture of Prometheus. As you remember, this is the hero of Greek myths who gave people fire. For which he was punished by the gods: he was chained to a rock, and a huge eagle flew every day to peck at his liver.

The sculpture was installed here in 1998. In the Caucasus, the legend was continued. According to her, Prometheus fell in love with the mountain woman Agura, who brought the hero water and food. As punishment, the local god Akhyn turned the beauty into a river.

It is not at all difficult to come to these regions. The easiest way is as part of an excursion. Just remember that some guides will not take you further than the Lower Falls. You can also get here by bus, book an individual excursion, or just take a taxi.

As for the length of the walk, you will have to cover about 8 km. Another tip: take raincoats with you in case of inclement weather: clouds come quickly in the mountains. And also choose suitable clothes and shoes so that you don’t mind getting them dirty.

Shoes should be such that you will not slip in them on mountain paths. Thus, even in a short time you can see a lot. The main thing is to plan your time correctly. And if you come here in the warm season, take the time to swim to your heart’s content in the sea.

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Everything you need to know about Sochi beaches

Due to the significant elongation of the city along the coastline, there are plenty of beaches here. In Sochi, all beaches consist of small smooth pebbles, so if you don’t like pebbles, you can choose the Imereti coast with an artificially created sand beach. But the entrance to the water will still be pebbly. By the way, pebbles are an imported material; before each season, the city authorities fill the beaches with stones, popularly called pebbles, taken from the beds of mountain rivers.

Another distinctive feature of Sochi beaches is the breakwaters, concrete paths going far into the sea. On the one hand, they create an unsightly appearance, but on the other hand, they perform an important function by preserving the shore from storms.

Conventionally, all beaches in Sochi can be divided into three groups:

1. Free . This includes all the municipal beaches of Sochi, which are popular among vacationers “not on a package tour” - these are Primorsky, Albatross, Vardane, Mayak, Riviera, etc. Despite the budget holiday, the beaches have everything you need for free - a clean coastal area, showers and changing cabins, toilets, comfortable entry into the water.

2. Paid,

where, in addition to the sea, you can sunbathe on a sun lounger and swim in the pool. They are located on the territory of local boarding houses, but not all of them allow entry even for money; I will list only those that are open to non-guests. This is the beach at the Eden boarding house (entrance 300 rubles), the Zapolyarye sanatorium (children - 750, adults - 1500 rubles), the Oktyabrsky sanatorium (children - 200, adults - 500 rubles)

3. Wild. These are places on the coast where there are no landscaped beaches, but for those who like to sunbathe alone and have a nudist holiday, they are quite suitable. This includes the 73rd kilometer beach, Uch-Dere, Thessaloniki