During Soviet times, Sukhum became one of the popular resorts. It was a great success to get a trip to Abkhazia and relax on the Black Sea coast. It has everything for a comfortable holiday - a mild climate, a long beach season, mountain landscapes and incredible nature.
By the way, the first people in the territory of modern Sukhumi appeared in the Stone Age. And the history of the city goes back more than 2500 years. If you want to learn more about this wonderful city, then book a tour. In just a couple of hours you will get acquainted with the centuries-old history of Sukhumi and learn about the life of the locals.
What to see first in Sukhumi
City embankment
It’s better to start getting acquainted with Sukhum from the main attraction of the city - the embankment. The embankment appeared immediately after the end of the Russian-Turkish War. Now these are two embankments that imperceptibly merge into one another.
The Dioskouri embankment is only 1 kilometer long. Before our era, the ancient Greek colony of Dioscurias was located here. Next, the Dioskouri embankment turns into the Mahadzhirov embankment.
Ancient houses of the last century have been preserved on the city embankment. They create a unique atmosphere and transport you back several years.
Address: Dioskouri embankment and Mahadzhirov embankment
Colonnade on the embankment
In the middle of the 20th century, another attraction of Sukhum appeared on the city embankment - a neoclassical colonnade. Through it you go to the embankment. In a word - you will not pass by it.
There are cafes next to the colonnade, and you can also play chess or buy a painting by local artists at the vernissage.
Address: Mahadzhirov embankment
Residence of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia
50 meters from the embankment, near a eucalyptus grove, there is a typical Stalinist building. Stalin's dacha was once located here, then the local city party committee.
Now the building houses the Presidential Secretariat and all relevant services. This attraction will attract attention at any time of the day or night. You can calmly walk around the residence and take photographs as a souvenir.
Address: Mahadzhirov embankment, building 32
Botanical Garden
As many people know, Abkhazia is famous for its nature. If you want to get acquainted with all the diversity of vegetation in Sukhum, be sure to visit the botanical garden. The Sukhumi Botanical Garden is considered one of the oldest gardens in the Caucasus.
Back in the Soviet period, the botanical garden became one of the main attractions in Sukhum. This place is still popular among tourists.
The botanical garden presents a collection of more than 5 thousand plants. All of them are collected from different parts of our planet - Southeast Asia, North America, the Mediterranean, Australia.
Address: D. Gulia street, building 22
Central Market
If you want to feel the real atmosphere of Sukhma or just buy vegetables and fruits, be sure to visit the Central Market.
The first impression of the market is that your eyes are filled with variety. Fruits, vegetables, local tea, honey, nuts, color... what’s not here?
Please note that the market closes quite early. Closer to 16:00 the market begins to close. So, go to the market early in the morning - this way you will have the opportunity to buy the most popular goods.
Address: between Vardania, Gulia, Imam Shamil and V.G. Ardzinba streets
Sights of Sukhum
Sights of Sukhum. The most important and interesting sights of Sukhum - photos and videos, descriptions and reviews, location, websites.
- Last minute tours
to Abkhazia
- Sukhum
the very bestDioskouri Embankment
Sukhum
On the site of modern Sukhum in the 6th century BC. e. There was an ancient Greek colony called Dioscurias. Today, the few remains of this ancient settlement are buried under the bottom of Sukhumi Bay.
- Sukhum
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Embankment of Mahadzhirs
Sukhum
The embankment is an invariable attribute of every seaside resort, and Sukhum is no exception. The capital of Abkhazia has its own promenade, which bears a slightly unusual name - Mahadzhirov. What are they?
- Great
Sukhum, st. Shevardnadze, 20
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Sukhumi Botanical Garden
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Sukhum, st. Shevardnadze, 20
The history of the botanical garden - complex, but extremely interesting - began about 200 years ago, in 1838, when the doctor of the Sukhumi garrison, Bagrinovsky, arrived here. He noticed that the local coast had extremely favorable conditions for the rapid growth of tropical plants and flowers.
- Sukhum, st. Gulia, 61
Abkhaz State Museum
Sukhum, st.
Gulia, 61 The Abkhaz State Museum is the largest in the country and, according to many visitors, the most well-groomed and rich. Significant financial investments and the dedication of researchers made it possible to create a very decent institution by local standards. Azantian dolmen
Azantian dolmen, located near the village. Azanta, 30 km east of Sukhumi, is considered one of the most ancient monuments of the megalithic era in Abkhazia. The age of the structure dates back to the 2nd-3rd centuries BC. e., and the exact origin has not yet been established.
- Fine
Sukhum
Beslet Bridge
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1 reviewSukhum
The Beslet Bridge, located 7 km north of Sukhumi, is a unique monument of ancient architecture from the heyday of the Georgian kingdom (10-12 centuries AD). Although it is not possible to determine the exact age of the structure.
- Sukhum, st. Abaza, 75
Annunciation Cathedral Sukhum
Sukhum, st.
Abaza, 75 From ships entering Sukhumi Bay, the shine of the gilded dome of the Annunciation Cathedral, erected in 1909 by the Greek community with private funds and consecrated in honor of St. Nicholas, is noticeable. - Sukhum, st. Gulia, 1
Villa Aloisi
Sukhum, st.
Gulia, 1 The buildings reflect the eras in which they were built, and each house has its own individual personality. Villa Aloisi, built on Mount Chernyavskaya, offers a unique view to everyone who visits Sukhumi. Gali reservoir
77 km from Sukhum is the small town of Gal. It's hard to believe, but the ruined settlement once topped the list of the country's most attractive tourist sites: in former times, many sporting events were held there.
Hot springs Kyndyg
The natural mineral spring in the village of Kyndyg is located just half an hour from Sukhum. This is a whole health complex: in addition to healing springs gushing out of the ground, there are several swimming pools with mineral water, a container with hydrogen sulfide mud, and hydromassage.
- Gulrypshsky district, village. Dranda
Dranda Cathedral
Gulrypshsky district, village.
Dranda Dranda Cathedral, located 23 km from Sukhumi, is one of the first Christian buildings erected on the territory of Abkhazia. The exact date of construction of the temple complex is unknown, but the architectural features suggest that it was built during the time of Justinian. - Sukhum, Mount Bagrata
Bagrat Castle
Sukhum, Mount Bagrata
On the top of a hill above the Basla River a thousand years ago stood the formidable Bagrata Castle, protecting Sukhum from the south from the Seljuk Turks. Built under King Bagrat III (or maybe Bagrat IV), the fortress successfully resisted the adversaries, but over time it lost its defensive significance and was abandoned. - Fine
Sukhum
Kelasur wall
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1 reviewSukhum
The Kelasur (Great Abkhazian) Wall is an ancient fortification structure erected to protect the eastern part of the country from enemy raids from the north. It is not possible to determine the exact age of the building: the elements of the wall date back to different eras.
- Gulrypshsky district
Lake Amtkel
Gulrypshsky district
Is it possible to accurately answer the question of when this or that lake was formed? In 99% of cases, no - scientists, based on indirect evidence, will name only the approximate time of formation of the reservoir with a difference of several thousand years (at best). - Sukhum, Mount Trapezium, NIIEPiT
Monument to monkeys in Sukhum
Sukhum, Mount Trapezium, NIIEPiT
The monument to monkeys stands next to the Institute of Experimental Pathology and Therapy, which is part of the Academy of Sciences of Abkhazia. The choice of a primate as a symbol of this scientific institution was not made by chance. Abrskila Cave
Abrskil is the main character of the Abkhaz heroic epic. The hero, who possessed remarkable strength, once decided to challenge the supreme god Antsva. The Lord of Heaven was angry and, for his insolence, imprisoned Abrskil in a dark cave near the village of Otap.
- Sukhum
Sukhumi lighthouse
Sukhum
In the northwestern part of the capital of Abkhazia there is Cape Sukhumsky. It borders the bay of the same name, cutting into the Black Sea for several hundred meters. The convenience of the shores of this bay was once appreciated by the Greeks, Romans and Byzantines, who established their trading settlements here. - Tkuarchal district, Tkvarcheli
Tkvarcheli
Tkuarchal district, Tkvarcheli
Ghost towns can be seen not only in movies, but also in real life. And for this it is not at all necessary to go, for example, to Greece to visit medieval Mystras, or to America, for example, in order to see the next “Silent Hill”. - Tkuarchal district, village. Tsarcha
Tsar's Fortress
Tkuarchal district, village.
Tsarcha 3 km north of the village of Tsarcha, Ochamchira district of Abkhazia, there is a unique monument of military architecture of the late Middle Ages, included in the List of Cultural Heritage Sites of the country - the Tsarcha Fortress.
Sukhum is a very pleasant, quiet city, where lovers of ancient ruins will certainly like it (the ancient Greeks and Romans left a lot of legacy here) and those who prefer to relax on the beaches.
There is a lot of greenery here, the whole city is planted with palm trees and eucalyptus trees, and one of the most picturesque places is the Mahajirov embankment, where both tourists and locals love to walk all year round. Near the seaport of Sukhum there are excavations of the Dioscuria fortress. It was built by the ancient Greeks, who intended to build the capital of their vast empire on this site. Part of the fortress is under water, probably because the city was flooded at one time. Later, in the 19th century. in this fortress there was a Russian prison and garrison, and today there is a good restaurant of Abkhazian cuisine there.
Another famous ruin, the Tsarchei Fortress, is located not far from the village of the same name. This fortress dates back to the 17th century and for many years served as a refuge for local residents during military raids. One fine day the danger passed, there was no one to hide from, and the fortress was soon abandoned. Today it is overgrown with grass, but these buildings with thick walls were built conscientiously from large cobblestones, and therefore have survived to this day.
They have been planning to restore the Tsar’s fortress for several years now, but Abkhazia’s budget is not yet able to do this.
The historic city center is sometimes called the “quarter of religious tolerance.” The fact is that there are many temples located there. And since Sukhum is a multinational city, and the local population professes a variety of religions, the temples also belong to different faiths. The very beautiful Annunciation Cathedral, which is considered one of the symbols of the city; it coexists quite peacefully here with the Lutheran and Catholic churches.
History buffs should visit the Abkhaz State Museum. It is believed that the richest collection of valuable historical artifacts in the Caucasus is collected here. The museum's exposition tells about the history of Abkhazia and other countries associated with it, starting from the times of the Byzantine Empire and ending with modern eras.
The Sukhumi Botanical Garden is a must-see. Plants and animals of both Abkhazia and other parts of the planet are collected there. The special pride of the garden is the Caucasian linden tree, 3 m high. It is already more than 250 years old, and it grew here long before the appearance of the botanical garden.
Well, one of the most visited attractions in Sukhum is its monkey nursery. The primatological center was created back under Soviet rule as an experimental center for conducting scientific experiments. Sukhum was not chosen by chance: the climatic conditions of these places are as close as possible to the natural habitat of primates, and they feel almost at home. Medicines for hepatitis are being tested on monkeys, resistance to stress is being studied, and they have even been launched into space. They live in quite comfortable conditions, you can feed them and endlessly watch them play with each other.
What to see in Sukhumi with children
Abkhaz State Museum
The state museum is located in a spacious building in the center of Sukhum. By the way, the exhibits can be seen not only inside the building. On the territory of the museum there is the grave of the artist Alexander Shervashidze, a dolmen from Escher and stone sculptures.
Inside the museum there is a huge collection of attractions dating back to prehistoric times. Also here you can “visit” the traditional home of a Caucasian family and learn more about local traditions.
Address: D. Gulia street, building 61
Apery
In 1927, a monkey nursery opened in Sukhum. It was created to study human diseases. In fact, all residents of the nursery were experimental materials. By the way, 12 monkeys from the Sukhumi nursery became astronauts.
Now nothing reminds me of the laboratory. You can see the monkeys and feed them.
Address: Mount Trapezium, NIIEPiT
Location and climate
Abkhazia is located in the north-west of the Main Caucasus Range. Sukhumi is the central part of the republic and is located 107 km from the Russian border. The city is located on the Black Sea coast in Sukhumi Bay.
There are 3 rivers flowing through Sukhumi: Basla, Sukhumka and Kyalasur, the latter is the border of the city in the south.
The highest point of the city is Sukhumi Mountain, 201 meters above sea level. This mountain has two peaks, on one of them there is a television tower. There are also the Trapezium and Bagrata mountains.
The relief of Abkhazia is represented by high mountains and lowlands on the Black Sea coast.
The climate of this region is determined by its geographical location and topography. Situated in a lowland, Sukhumi is characterized by a humid subtropical climate. Winters here are warm and mild, temperatures up to +8 degrees Celsius. The average summer temperature is from +23 to +25 degrees. The water in the sea warms up to +30 degrees. In summer the weather is ideal for a beach holiday.
Remember that according to Georgian legislation, Abkhazia and South Ossetia are considered occupied territories. Accordingly, by visiting these territories from the Russian side, you are breaking the law.
What to see in the vicinity of Sukhum
Beslet Bridge
An interesting attraction is located a 20-minute drive from Sukhum. This is a 13-meter stone arch bridge over the river. It was built 800 years ago, but it has been preserved in almost perfect condition.
By the way, you get beautiful pictures here. Try taking a photo from a modern bridge - you'll get a great shot for Instagram.
Address: Changba Street
Azantian dolmen
Not far from the village of Azanta, 30 kilometers from Sukhum, there is a place that is shrouded in many legends. The Azantian dolmen is hidden in the depths of the forests. It is believed that it was built by people in the 2nd-3rd century BC.
There are still many legends about why this amazing structure was created. Most historians agree that the dolmen was created for burial. And then the versions diverge - there is still no consensus on the construction and emergence of dolmens.
Address: Azanta village
How to get around Sukhumi
Sukhum is one of the few cities in Abkhazia where there is public transport. And the only Abkhaz city where there is a trolleybus network. There are 30 trolleybuses operating within the city. Trolleybuses run regularly.
In Sukhum, trolleybuses operate on 3 routes:
- No. 1 “Market – Station – New District”
- No. 2 “Kyalasur – Market – Lighthouse”
- No. 3 “Old village – Station – Market”
You need to pay the driver for travel on a trolleybus.
The main transport in Abkhazia is minibuses. They are mainly used as intercity transport. The fare depends on the distance. Although minibuses travel frequently and quickly, it sometimes takes 15 to 20 minutes at the end points until all passenger seats are completely filled.
Transport
You can get to Sukhumi by bus, train and plane. Unfortunately, all of these methods are illegal. The only correct way to legally enter Abkhazia is to cross the bridge over the Inguri, arriving in the Georgian town of Zugdidi. You must cross the bridge on foot or in a paid carriage. To “legally” enter Abkhazia you need to obtain a “visa” from the de facto authorities of Abkhazia. You can request and receive a visa online. On the other side of the bridge, in territory not controlled by Georgia, you can take a minibus or hire a taxi and get to any place in Abkhazia.
As for public urban transport, trolleybuses and minibuses operate in Sukhumi. There are only three trolleybus routes in Sukhumi.
Remember that according to Georgian legislation, Abkhazia and South Ossetia are considered occupied territories.
Accordingly, by visiting these territories from the Russian side, you are breaking the law. This leads to a fine of 400-800 GEL and other troubles.
If you have a stamp in your passport about visiting these territories, it is better not to go to Georgia with this document.
If you want to visit Abkhazia or Ossetia legally, do it from the Georgian side. Get official permission and there will be no problems. Read more about this on the website of the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: www.mfa.gov.ge
