Now Sochi is the second longest city in the world along the sea coast (145 km long). Its surrounding and urban landscapes enchant with their diverse, delightful beauty. The most significant interstate summits, youth forums, various competitions are held here.
Olympic Park
This most modern grandiose facility, created for the opening of the Olympics, is not inferior in terms of its infrastructure and scale to the world's best facilities of this type. Its scope (200 hectares) and opportunities, embodied in super-innovations, technical excellence and the flight of design ideas, are impressive and give reason to be proud of the greatness of Russia. The central entrance of the park is proudly decorated with the majestic Torch Stele, in the bowl of which the Olympic flame was lit.
Nearby is a light and music miracle fountain – an example of the extraordinary beauty of design and technical innovation. The evening light and music show gathers crowds of enthusiastic tourists and residents of the city: the enchanting play of light reflected in the high jets of gushing water (60 m) combined with beautiful music makes the spectacle unforgettable.
The pride of the park is the stadium “Fisht” (from the Adyghe – “white head”), where the most significant events of the Olympics took place, outwardly resembles a majestic gray cliff, proudly fitting into the panorama of the Caucasus Mountains with its “top”. Its 4 stands, two of which are closed and two are open, can accommodate 40,000 spectators at a time.
Another legacy of the Olympics is the Big Ice Palace, a hockey arena resembling a giant drop of frozen water. The dome covering the sports ground is filled with 38,000 luminous modules, allowing it (the dome) to be turned into a huge display screen or a bright night light show.
In the park, everyone will find an interesting activity for themselves: there are segway, bicycle, rollerblade, electric car rentals; there is a karting area. There are free sports equipment for all ages, mini-football and basketball fields.
Sochi Park
The organizers did not forget about the children either, the Russian Disneyland is open for them – Sochi Park with dizzying rides and a fabulous town, painted with bright colors. This is a real wonderland, filled with heroes of Russian folk tales, imbued with the game magic of many exciting entertainments.
The park is located in the picturesque Imeretinskaya lowland, against the backdrop of amazing landscapes, competing with the beauty of man-made structures with the wonders of the surrounding nature.
The entire territory of the park is divided into thematic zones, each of which has exciting rides:
The rail-car “Serpent Gorynych” is more than a kilometer long, with a lifting height of 38 m, with a maximum speed of 100 km / h, moves along dizzying turns. It is allowed to ride on children from 12 years old. An unusually extreme and high view of the slide – “Quantum Leap”: height 58 m, speed 105 km. (Children from 12 years old). Attraction free fall “Firebird”, the height of which is 65 m.
First, everyone soars up, and then descends in flight down, experiencing an inexpressible sensation. (Admission from 12 years old.)
The entertaining and fun attraction “Tea Cups” is very attractive for kids who like spinning in cup booths. Family attraction Charolet “Pincode” – a kind of roller coaster, designed in the style of “Smeshariki”, causes indescribable delight for children. (Children under 5 must be accompanied by an adult).
All 13 attractions are extremely exciting; intricate designs, made with strict adherence to security measures, are very colorful. Visitors to the park can expect interesting entertainment and laser shows, amazing performances of the Aquatic water theater, the recently opened Dolphinarium, a unique museum of scientific experiments in entertaining sciences.
All this you can see and try out any attractions during the whole day of visiting.
Arboretum
The city owes a magnificent collection of subtropical flora to the famous publisher and collector of rarities S. N. Khudekov, who in 1889 acquired a large plot of land for setting up an orchard. But over time, a real work of landscape gardening art has grown from the original idea, containing almost 1,800 species and varieties of trees and shrubs in the open spaces of 49 hectares: pines, oaks, palm trees, cypresses, rare plants of the subtropics.
A tour of the arboretum is an opportunity to see with your own eyes representatives of the flora and fauna of Japan, Australia, America, China, the Caucasus, the Carpathians and other countries. Its entire territory is divided into 2 parts: the Upper Arboretum and the Lower. Once in the Upper part, you find yourself in the realm of Flora, which captivates with landscapes of stunning beauty.
Landscape paintings, decorated with rotundas, sculptures, fountains, are like ingenious artistic canvases of great artists. The exotic greenery of palm trees alternates with a bright riot of flower beds and lawns. It is impossible not to admire the huge vase, “woven” from climbing plants.
The lower part of the arboretum is full of interesting objects: an aquarium, an exotarium, a pond covered with water lilies will leave the best impressions for everyone. In one of the picturesque alleys, a granite pedestal with a bronze bust of S. N. Khudekov, the founder of the arboretum, was installed as a token of grateful memory.
Autodrom
The racing track, which occupies 38 and a half hectares of area, is the result of huge work and billions of dollars of cash investments. The state-of-the-art high-speed circuit was designed by renowned German Formula 1 circuit designer Tilke and, upon completion, was recognized as the best racing circuit in Europe.
Its official opening took place in September 2014, and already in October the first races of the prestigious “royal” Formula 1 competition at the Russian Grand Prix took place, proving the impeccable preparation of the track.
The scale of the autodrome is also impressive: the width is from 13 to 15 meters, the length of the large circle is 5 km 854 m, the small one is 2 km 312 m. Since the opening, 4 racing competitions have already taken place, the last one was dedicated to the Victory Day.
Superbly equipped stands, landscape man-made beauty surrounding the super track, create a festive mood among the fans. The only pity is that while the high cost of tickets is far from affordable for everyone.
national park
The unique natural area, stretching over 194 thousand hectares and including 15 forest areas, was declared a national reserve in 1983. In terms of the diversity of flora and fauna, the number of ancient natural monuments, it can compete with the most famous National Parks in the world.
Dozens of rare species of animals, birds and plants from the Red Book list live and grow in the National Park.
Here you can feel the hoary antiquity of the planet, seeing relic species of trees and shrubs: berry yew, pyramidal anakampatis, Colchis boxwood and others. Rare flowers of incredible beauty that disappear from the wild grow here: Kesselring's lily, Lipsky's tulip, Caucasian cyclamen and dozens of real plant relics.
The composition of mammals is also unique, including bison, leopard, large and small horseshoe bats, etc. The rarest bird species live in the park and breed offspring: short-toed eagle, black stork, red kite, bearded vulture. Dozens of peaks, ridges, canyons, gorges, caves and waterfalls are natural attractions: Eagle Rocks, Fisht, Royal Gates – you can't count everything.
Circus
Being in the Khostinsky district, at the intersection of two main avenues, it is impossible not to notice the round building of the circus, outwardly resembling a space “flying saucer”. Surrounded by exotic palm trees and pointed cypresses, the circus facility really resembles a huge UFO. Its round façade is adorned with bright mosaic panels depicting various circus tricks and attractions involving trained animals.
The visor of the building is decorated with picturesque masks by local sculptor Glukhov. This new building of the circus, which can accommodate 2000 spectators, was erected according to the project of a creative group of architects in 1971 next to the old circus (1955). An enchanting fountain with powerful silver jets irrigating a funny symbolic figurine of a clown adorns the elegant square in front of the building.
Circus performances go on all year round. The most eminent stars of the arena shone with their talent here, the unforgettable voices of the great Soviet and Russian singers sounded. In addition to spectacles, visitors to a wonderful institution can chat with animals backstage, ride circus horses, take pictures while sitting on an elephant and get a lot of positive emotions.
Singing fountains on Plane Alley
Known to many, Plane Alley, famous for its sprawling, age-old handsome plane trees, laurel cherry and boxwood, is also marked by unique fountains, which not every city in the world can boast of.
A real water engineering miracle was created in the Soviet years and still amazes with the high art of construction and the magical play of light in water jets that cascade at different heights.
The complex drainage system is equipped with musical and lighting equipment in such a way that when the fountains are turned on, the sounding music “forces” the jets to change height in different ways. One gets the impression of water dancing to the musical accompaniment, shimmering with colors of various, non-repeating shades. The enchanting sight of the Singing Fountains is an evening summer tale of a seaside resort.
Skypark AJ Hackett Sochi
Skypark is a place of extreme entertainment, invented by the New Zealander Hackett, who has become a world celebrity, like his invention. The mind-blowing rides are based on free fall from different heights.
Actually extreme AJ did not have to reinvent the wheel; he remembered the principle of the bungee, well known to all the boys who live by the river.
In Skypark, all attractions are associated with height and jumping from it (bungee jumping): “Bungee-207 m” (the highest in Europe”), super-fast “Mega-Troll” (150 km/h), dizzying swing “Sochi- swing” at an altitude of 170 m; freestyle “Bungee-69”. The essence of the rides is basically jumping from a terrible height on an elastic belt.
Everything here is provided for the safety of jumpers: they are carefully prepared, instructed in detail. A half-kilometer bridge for pedestrians “Skybridge” (height 207 m), stretching over the river. Mzymta, fenced with reliable railings and netting. Tourists like to walk along it, wishing to see the panorama of the city from a height.
Park of Culture and Leisure “Riviera”
One of the old parks with a name that means “coast” in Italian. Traditionally, this concept is associated with a beautiful, comfortable place to stay. The Sochi “Riviera”, founded by the respected businessman V. A. Khludov in 1898, fully corresponds to this value. The resort park is located in the Central district, being its main decoration.
The flora of the park is magnificent and diverse: 240 species of trees, shrubs, meadow plants grow in it. Mighty cedars and larches, hundred-year-old oaks and plane trees, fan palms, magnolias of amazing beauty, recently planted sakura trees. A precious scattering of numerous roses of various varieties are planted in different parts of the park – the result of painstaking creative work of landscape designers and florists.
Everyone strives to see the Glade of Friendship here, captivating with the beauty of flowering magnolias, which were planted by Russian and American cosmonauts, political and public figures of many countries. Fascinating rides, a go-cart track, an oceanarium, a dolphinarium, a Green Theater will make visiting the park an unforgettable event.
Central embankment
A popular place with local residents who have a rest next to the South Pier of the Marine Station begins. Passes along the Primorskaya street of the city (often called the Primorskaya embankment, the Promenade, the visiting card of the city) and comes to the Edem beach, not far from the Dolphin Resort hotel. The length of the embankment is 1500 m. On the one hand, the Black Sea advances on it, the coast, which is equipped with recreation areas in the form of 15 beach areas.
Beautiful stairs, comfortable viewing platforms, a number of interesting shops, boutiques with modern clothes, a water park, two interesting rotundas, a large number of cafes and restaurants are part of the architectural ensemble of the embankment. Palm alleys, rose gardens, modern playgrounds, evening lights in the sounds of night discos make the street a favorite place to relax.
Here is the main concert venue of the city – the concert hall “Festivalny”. Parallel to the central Embankment runs Kurortny Prospekt, along which it is easy to find any place on the embankment.
Sanatorium them. Ordzhonikidze
A historical monument of Stalin's times, a magnificent palace in the Renaissance style, designed by architect I.S. Kuznetsov and built for the rest of the workers of the Land of Soviets. The place for it was chosen by Sergo Ordzhonikidze himself. The sanatorium received its first vacationers back in 1937. Luxurious architecture with many arches, galleries, columns, balconies, passages harmoniously fits into the magnificent park of the southern subtropics.
The center of the park composition is a fountain with dancing bacchantes, completed a little later, in 1939. Unfortunately, all this splendor is in a deplorable state today, although it looks very picturesque – the columns and walls of the palace are twined with ivy, lush vegetation gradually fills the paths and stairs, the fountain does not work. You can walk around the park and arrange a photo shoot, but you won’t be able to go inside the building, and it may be unsafe.
The sanatorium was closed for the first time for reconstruction in 2010, but so far there has not been a responsible investor who is able to carry it out in full. This requires a lot of money, but if they are found (should be found, such beauty cannot be lost), this place can become the best resort complex on the coast.
The resort is located on Kurortny Avenue, 96. From the center of Sochi, moving towards Khosta, you can get there by bus or car in about 15 minutes.
Mount Akhun
One should not miss the opportunity to see the city from the top of the most beautiful observation deck located on the top of Mount Akhun. It is located at the top of the important landmark of the Akhun tower. The snow-capped peaks of the Caucasus Mountains, the nearest cities, the boundless Black Sea make up unforgettable views. The mountain is located between two gorges and still keeps its secrets in 30 caves (among them is the Big Akhunskaya Cave).
The tower, which attracts the attention of tourists, was built in the image of a small fortress, reborn from the times of the Crusades from untreated limestone blocks. The outer façade is covered with blooming wisteria. Inside the tower there is a staircase, there are loopholes.
On the ground floors there is a tasting room, a cafe, a restaurant, a museum with an exposition dedicated to the local flora and fauna. A Ferris wheel was built on top of the mountain.
The easiest way to get to the mountain is with a guided tour. Hiking enthusiasts are advised to start climbing the mountain (about 11 km) from the Green Grove bus stop, past the Agur waterfalls to the gate near the tower. By car, you need to go along the A-147 highway until you turn to Bolshoy Akhun. Leave the car in the parking lot and walk 11 km up.
Maritime Station
Near the embankment rises the Marine Station. The building with a high beautiful spire, a five-pointed star, which has become a symbol of the city, was built at the suggestion of the architect K.S. Alabyan in 1955. The central tower of the building (its height is 71 m), made of stainless steel, is decorated with sculptural groups symbolizing the 4 cardinal points (male statues) and 4 seasons (female statues).
The decorative belt around the columns consists of figures of dolphins. In the inner hall there is an original fountain with the figure of the goddess of navigation, Isis. The building has two floors and an L-shaped gallery (wings). The building, corresponding to the Empire style of the Stalinist period, is made of high quality materials (marble, mosaic, stucco, valuable types of wood).
Now the main waiting room and numerous shops and boutiques are located on the ground floor areas. There is a restaurant on the open gallery. The Marine Station is located in the central part. From it begins the famous Embankment of the city.
Train Station
The opening of the resort “Caucasian Riviera” in 1909 required the organization of convenient routes for those wishing to relax. The first station building appeared in 1916. The modern railway station designed by Dukhin was built in 1952. A high tower with a star and a huge clock rises in the center, not far from the Marine Station, numerous hotels in the city.
Three floors of the building have a luxurious appearance, characterized by the richness of stucco, marble finishes, beautiful oak elements. The station (145 m long) occupies an area of 0.6 ha. It includes three cozy courtyards designed for passengers to relax, 3 platforms, a tunnel for passage to four exits.
Trains arrive at the station along 9 tracks (two of them are passenger tracks). In the completed building there is a medical office, rest rooms for passengers with children, disabled people. There is free internet at the station. The building is located at: st. Gorky, 56.
Cathedral of Michael the Archangel
The temple of Orthodox believers is considered the main church of the city. It was erected in honor of the end of the Caucasian battles in 1864. The place for the temple, designed by the architect Kaminsky, was determined on the territory of the Navaginsky fortification. It is made in the form of a quadrangular cross, a drum, decorated with a dome. After a difficult history of its life, the temple was returned to believers in 1944.
Since 1981, it has been considered an architectural monument; in 1994, its last restoration was completed. Now it corresponds to the original image of the building in the Moscow Baroque style. The main shrines of the cathedral are the icon of the Archangel Michael (he is considered the patron saint of the city) and the Matrona of Moscow with particles of holy relics. The temple is painted with gold, a three-tiered iconostasis was built.
In the courtyard there is a small chapel “Life-Giving Spring”, a baptismal church. The cathedral has a Sunday school, an Orthodox library. The temple is available daily from 7 am to 9 pm. In the morning worship (liturgy) takes place at 8.30. Evening service starts at 5 pm.
Address: st. Moscow, 12. You can get to it by buses 1,14,37,103,105. Exit to the stop Cinema Stereo.
Winter theater
The golden building, bordered by slender columns (their number of 88 units corresponds to the number of keys in musical instruments), towers and porticos designed by V.I. Mukhina, is considered a symbol of the city. Having started its interesting life in 1938 with the performance of the opera “The Tsar's Bride”, it became a prestigious venue for performances by famous singers and actors.
In its cozy hall (for 1000 seats), equipped with modern technology, restoration work in 2005, performances are constantly held. The Winter Theater has never had its own theatrical staff. It was created for the role of a touring platform for various creative teams. During its existence, more than 20 groups from Moscow, 15 from St. Petersburg, Minsk, Kiev, Tbilisi, etc. pleased the audience from its stage.
Many KVN games were held here. Now the theater is considered an architectural monument of federal significance.
Address: st. Teatralnaya, 2. Ticket offices are open on any day of the week from 10 am to 8 pm.
In ancient times, dinosaurs roamed among the thickets of ferns, and the Bolshaya Khosta River carried its violent waters nearby. In the Mesozoic era, she created an amazing canyon in the rocky limestone. The first inhabitant of these places is the landowner Navalishen, who subsequently gave the name to the amazing natural heritage. It is located near the village of Krasnaya Volya.
Walking along Lesnaya Street, you can see a barrier that opens the entrance to the natural kingdom (you have to pay 200 rubles). It is easier to do this with an organized tour. For 1.5 km of the gorge (its depth is 150 m) there is a riverbed, a large number of lakes, waterfalls. They are surrounded by thickets of ancient plant wealth of the region. Along the gorge, many religious buildings, castles, caves, rocks of a strange shape have been preserved.
There are many interesting legends about them (for example, about Eagle Rocks and Prometheus). A complex of baths, saunas, a restaurant with dishes from the Caucasian cuisine, and comfortable gazebos have been created in the protected area. You can stay in the bath all day long. The pool is the clear waters of the river.
Sochi Art Museum
The museum is located in the central part. The building was erected in 1936. The exhibition pavilion of the city received the official status of the museum in 1971. Now the museum owns an area of 0.67 hectares. It houses large exposition areas and storage.
The exhibition hall presents exhibits of permanent and temporary expositions. It regularly hosts themed evenings, forums, art projects. The permanent exhibition contains 6,000 works of art arranged by theme and historical sequence.
Among the exhibits you can see paintings (for example, works by Aivazovsky, Shishkin, Polenov), graphics of the XIX-XXI centuries. Weapons, icons, arts and crafts, embroidery, porcelain, lace.
Especially for children, the Museum organizes sightseeing tours on the topics “How to look at a picture”, “History of a landscape”. You can visit the sights of the city on any day of the week (Monday is a day off) from 10 am to 5.30 pm.
Address: Kurortny Prospekt, 51. You can come here by shuttle bus to the Sochi Hotel stop.
Museum of N. A. Ostrovsky
The landmark of the city is located in the house in which the man who created the great works “How the Steel Was Tempered”, “Born by the Storm” spent his last years at a time when his personal life became unbearably difficult. That is why excursions to the Museum (there were several thousand of them) are called “Know how to live and when life becomes unbearable, make it useful.” The house, designed by Yakov Kravchuk, was presented to the writer in 1936.
In the role of a museum, it opened its doors two years later. In seven rooms of the house, furniture, personal belongings, decoration, and the atmosphere of the life of a famous writer have been preserved. In 1956 another museum building was built. It regularly hosts exhibitions of works by many writers whose life was connected with the city.
Of interest are exhibitions of works belonging to private collectors, museums in different countries.
The museum is located at: st. Korchagina, 4. The museum is open from 10 am to 6 pm. Day off on Wednesday.
House-Museum “Stalin's Dacha”
Not far from the sanatorium “Green Grove” there is a green building in which the great leader once rested. The dacha is not like modern palaces, guarded by incredible security systems, sparkling with lights, special building materials. Also, the inner chambers are not lined with exquisite furniture, they are decorated with expensive paintings by famous artists.
Severity, asceticism, respected by the leader, are visible in the atmosphere of all the rooms in the dacha. The desk at which Stalin worked, the sofa where he read while smoking his famous pipe, an office with billiards. An unusual element of the dacha is considered to be a huge wax figure of Stalin in the office. It seems that he is alive, real. The museum can only be visited with a guided tour.
It works daily from 9.30 to 18 hours. Address of the cottage: Khosta, Kurortny Prospekt, 120, sanatorium “Green Grove”. You can get there by bus 25, fixed-route taxi.
Sochi Discovery World Aquarium
In 2007, Russia's third largest aquarium was opened in the city. This is a huge pool with an almost real coral reef in the center. Residents of the Black Sea, other seas and oceans comfortably live in it. For visitors, it represents a fabulous underwater world, consisting of a web of labyrinths, caves, grottoes, underwater rocks.
Not only bright fish lurk among the secret passages, but also scary octopuses, sharks, and rays. You can see them very close by through a transparent tunnel that runs through the entire oceanarium. Having visited the attraction, you can take part in feeding the animals of the underwater world, find yourself in the show “Underwater Fairy Tale with the Little Mermaid”.
For all the inhabitants of the sea kingdom, conditions have been created that correspond to their natural living conditions. They are supported by special devices, technologies.
7 halls of the aquarium are open in winter from 10 am to 7 pm. In summer they are open from 10 am to 11 pm. Tours start every hour. Oceanarium address: Adler district, st. Lenina, 219/a.
Matsesta
The well-known balneological resort is located in the valley of the Khostinsky district of Sochi Matsesta. You can undergo a course of treatment in the hospitals of the resort “Matsesta” after acquiring a referral in one of the sanatoriums that are part of the medical resort. The price also includes a daily “transfer” to the health resort, which has been operating for over 100 years. Matsesta mineral water, containing a high percentage of hydrogen sulfide and other important mineral elements, is considered rare.
Its healing power has long been used in the treatment of many diseases. Treatment sessions include the application of silt mud for applications. After wellness procedures, blood circulation improves, tissue structure is restored. The modern balneological resort includes 8 sanatoriums. The cost of living, payment for a course of treatment is different for them, depends on the time of rest and is specified on the websites of health resorts before a specific trip.
It is easy to get to the balneary by public transport of the city from the old part of the city. This is bus 120, 130, fixed-route taxis.
Address: 14 Cheltenham Alley.
Tea houses in Uch-Dere
The traditions of Russian tea drinking can be remembered in the unique cafe-museum of the mountain village of Uch-Dere. As before in Russia, they pass by a smoking samovar with pies, honey, milk and jam, surrounded by amazing household items created on the model of ancient enamel, Gzhel, Zhostovo trays, and Gorodets painting.
The popular excursion complex was opened in 1979 in the place where the northernmost tea plantations are located. To see the endless rows of tea plants, learn all about the precious leaves, taste the most delicious drink is offered in a log house built without nails.
The original design is complemented by an exact copy of the Museum of Russian Architecture in Kizhi, standing in the yard thanks to the craftsman Danchakov. As a memento of the tea feast, you can buy different varieties of the northernmost tea growing among the mountain ranges of Dagomys and Loo.
Address: Uch-Dere village, st. May 9, 46. You can get there by bus 141, departing from the bus station of the city to the stop “Sanatorium Semashko”.
Vorontsov caves
You can come to the village of Vorontsovka from the village of Khosta. The purpose of the trip of numerous tourists is to visit the system of Vorontsov caves, a natural landmark of the region. Among the longest underground kingdoms of Russia, the system occupies the 6th place in terms of length. This is 11,720 meters with a height difference of 240 m. The lower entrance is at an altitude of 419 m above sea level, the upper one is at around 720 m.
There is one entrance for visiting. A speleological paradise arose on the site of the ancient Tethys Ocean. The seabed turned into the famous Caucasus Mountains. Ancient marine deposits are visible on the walls of the caves. At different times, the caves served as dwellings for people, shelters for animals.
You can plunge into the atmosphere of forgotten times, discover many secrets of life on our planet, during an interesting excursion. The easiest way to get to the Kudepsta river valley is by sightseeing bus.
Dolmens
Ancient structures dating back to the Bronze Age are scattered in many places on the planet. Their purpose, devices are studied by specialists. A scientific classification and description of ancient megaliths has been created. L.I. Lavrov compiled a detailed catalog of dolmens located in the regions of the Caucasus Mountains. On the territory of the Krasnodar Territory of Russia, there are a large number of mysterious structures (about 2.6 thousand).
A feature of the buildings is their construction from large stone slabs without the help of a bonding solution. The buildings resemble a stone table, which in Breton means dolmen. Many of them show ancient drawings. Excursion trips to them are popular during holidays on the shores of the Black Sea.
In the vicinity, the most famous dolmen is a semi-monolithic type in the Mamedova gap. From the west, it looks like a pyramid with a peak indicating the point of sunrise on the days of the spring and autumn equinoxes. Most often, dolmens stand in groups on elevated places of ancient watersheds, along river basins. During archaeological excavations, ancient burials were found in many dolmens, made according to the customs in force at that time.
33 waterfalls
In the village of Lazarevskoye there is an interesting sight of the region “Valley of Legends and Waterfalls”, which can be seen during the excursion, by independent travel. A wooden staircase leading up offers a view of the stone bowls filled with falling water, calling for a swim. On the slopes of the Belfry Mountain, the Dzhegosh stream is born, filling the Shakhe River, which has become the owner of picturesque waterfalls.
Among the shores, bordered by subtropical vegetation, there are 7 waterfalls, 13 rapids, 33 waterfalls. The water coming from the underground storage mountains and coming from the environment does not dry up here all year round. The excursion route starts near the stop “Pension Svetlana”.
Yew-boxwood grove
The unique protected corner of nature is considered an open-air museum, hiding in its ancient thickets over 200 species of plants belonging to 60 families and under state protection. Among them are an ancient berry yew, an evergreen boxwood (an iron tree sinking in water). The beneficial properties of plants have been studied by scientists, plans have been drawn up for their protection on our planet.
According to them, the age of the Sochi grove is 30,000,000 years. Since 1931, the grove, located on the slopes of Mount Akhun, has become part of the reserve and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. * plant species from the grove are listed in the Red Book of the planet. You can see the ancient natural heritage during a tour of the National Park.
Two routes have been created for inspection: the Small and the Big Ring. You can buy a tour at any excursion bureau of the coast. You can walk along it throughout the year daily from 9 am to 18 pm. All along the way there are signs with information about the plant. There is a unique grove in the Khostinsky district. Entrance from Samshitovaya Khosta Street.
Aquapark “Mayak”
The modern water realm, which replaces swimming in sea waters during storms, bad weather, in winter, which makes it possible for people of any age to have a safe vacation, opened in Sochi in July 2000 and became the first building of this type in the Krasnodar Territory. The atmosphere of fun, joy from participating in the entertainment of the water park is created in the streams of waterfalls, water slides, under jets of water pistols, Charcot's soul.
For kids, there is a playground in the form of a steamer with real attributes of young sailors. There is a special children's pool with warm water. From the water park you can find yourself on the city beach, lie down in a sun lounger, swim in the sea, rush on water skis, scooters, fly on a parachute. Visitors are provided with comfortable changing rooms, a safe, showers, and a toilet.
The water park is open from June to October from 10 am to 6 pm seven days a week.
Water park address: st. Primorskaya, 3/7. Easily accessible by public transport routes.
Mount Agepsta
On the top of the mountain, covered with legends of local residents, lovers of active recreation can not only evaluate their physical fitness, show some skill in mountaineering, but also see all the beauty, power of the Caucasus Mountains, the bright colors of their alpine meadows, the majestic power of the famous karst glacier. All this makes up a fairy tale, located next to Sochi. The first conquerors of the difficult paths of climbing the mountain were athletes from Sochi back in 1935.
Their followers paved several climbing routes to the top of the mountain. The most difficult of them corresponds to category 3B. For tourists with an average level of training, routes are offered along the southern slope of the mountain. Near the forest trails at the beginning of the path, you can see the waterfall of the Gega River, the Cherkesskaya Polyana tract. From here begins the path to the gates of Agepsta, the popular Expeditionary Peak.
Alpine meadows, beautiful rocky landscapes accompany the path to the pristine mountain lake. To conquer the difficult northern rise of Mount Agapest (in this place it was considered unconquered for a long time), it is necessary to properly issue permits. The mountain is located on the border area.
Dolphinarium “Aquatoria”
All year round, in any weather, you can see the performance of these wonderful marine life. At the same time, about 1000 people are accommodated in the hall with popular artists. The diameter of the arena for showing unique tricks is 20 m. This is a special pool with a depth of 6 m. Bottlenose dolphins are considered the main artists, but the performances of sea lions, white whales, Pacific walruses, fur seals are no less interesting.
All the artists perform their part flawlessly. White whales sing (no wonder they are called sea canaries), draw with brushes, paints. Fur seals play ball, juggle with small objects. Severe walruses delight with the ability to perform plastic exercises.
The dolphinarium opened in Adler in 1998 and quickly won the title of favorite recreation area. It hosts dolphin therapy sessions. Address: Adler, st. Lenina, d. 212/2. Day off on Monday.
Apery
In the village of Veseloye, located near the Olympic Park, there is the only monkey nursery in Russia. It belongs to the Research Institute of Medical Primatology. It has existed for almost 100 years. Until 1992, the nursery worked in Sukhumi.
The nursery is now home to about 5,000 monkeys on an area of 100 hectares. Primates play a big role in medical experiments, helping to test and create new drugs for humans and animals.
You can learn about the life of monkeys, see their habits, method of behavior during organized excursions conducted by the institute's specialists. Excursions are called “Large enclosures”, “Discover science”, “Survey”. The nursery is located at the address: Veseloe village, st. Mira, 117. Day off on Monday.
Every day, the nursery can be reached by a sightseeing bus departing from the stop “Sovkhoz Russia”. Several tours run daily.
Trout farm “Adler”
In the village of Kazachiy Brod, along the beautiful banks of the Mzymta River, a unique fish farm has been built, living in clear clear waters. Specialists of the state institution were able to get their own special kind of beautiful, tasty, healthy fish, served earlier only at the royal table, but perfectly developing in sea water.
The farm has over 111 ponds for growing trout. Large fish swim freely in them, not only with an orange color, like in natural specimens, but also blue, golden. At the age of 4 years they can weigh 12 kg. Excursions to the farm help to learn the details of fish farming, buy live trout or catch it in the process of organized fishing.
You can visit the tasting room with delicious trout dishes. It is easy to get to the trout farm from Adler by bus 105 or fixed-route taxi.
Agur waterfalls
The landmark of the National Park is located on the Agoura River. A path carved into the rock leads to them. It seems that ancient legends about Prometheus, the girl Agura and many others come to life while walking along it. And the silvery sound of falling water helps to plunge into the magical world of ancient places. Tourists quickly pass along the fenced paths to the Agur Canyon with a small lake, the Devil's Font, the Devil's Hole Cave and the Lower Falls, the most beautiful in the canyon.
Directly below it is a lake used for swimming. Here on the Eagle Rocks is a statue of Prometheus. The second Agur waterfall is visible only from a height. After 500 m there is a third waterfall 23 m high. There are waterfalls in the Khostinsky district between the rivers Matsesta and Khosta. On the city bus route No. 2, you can get to the Sputnik stop. Then walk about 3 km.
Mendelich Waterfalls Park
Spread in the resort area of Rosa Khutor in the bed of the river of the same name, on the southern slope of the Aibga mountain range. The river was named in memory of a local resident – the doctor Boris Mendel, who settled in these parts after participating in the Caucasian War.
Having reached Rosa Khutor in any convenient way (by car, bus, Lastochka train), you need to climb the Olympia cable car to a height of 2320 m to the top of Rosa Peak. Then, transferring to the Edelweiss chairlift, go down to a height of 1470 m, where the walking route-walk through the Waterfalls Park begins.
Visitors to the park will have a 4-5 hour walk along the picturesque ecological path, which consists of three rings – large, small and medium. You may not go through all three routes, but the magnificence of the landscapes that open up is worth it to overcome the whole path. On the way there are benches for rest, gazebos, viewing platforms with railings, places for photographing, signs and maps of the area.
There are 7 waterfalls in total – Mendel, Aya (that was the name of Mendel's wife), Chara, Mishkin Grotto, Snow Channel, Chervonny and Golden. The largest of them is Zolotoy, its height is 77 m. After walking along the mountain paths and soaking up the surrounding beauty, you can relax and have a bite to eat in the Les cafe. Souvenirs are also sold there.
Important: take care of comfortable shoes, you will have to go up and down the stairs more than once. It is necessary to have identification documents with you, because. The park is located in the border zone with Abkhazia.
Canyons of the Psakho River
A natural landmark of amazing beauty almost next to Krasnaya Polyana. They are located between the village of Golitsino (on the side of the road to Krasnaya Polyana) and the village of Krasnaya Volya (to the north of Khosta). It is convenient to get from Adler by bus. It is possible by car, so it will be possible to drive closer, but in this case an SUV is preferable. The easiest (but also expensive) way is an organized tour with a guide.
Canyons were formed many millennia ago as a result of tectonic faults in the earth's crust. The Psakho River, a tributary of the Kudepsta River, continued to work on the formation of gorges, gradually washing out sedimentary rocks and forming karst channels, grottoes and fonts. Wet canyon 2 km long – sheer limestone cliffs with a turquoise river at the bottom of the gorge.
The shores overgrown with moss and ivy, the subtropical forest of boxwood, beech and ash look fabulous, as if they take you to another reality. It is cool here even in hot weather, and swimming in the river will refresh you at the end of the walk.
There is no more water in the dry canyon, its length is about 200 m, its width is from 1 to 10 m. The height of its walls is up to 15 m, and it is possible to study the structure of the earth's crust from them. Climbers come here to hone their skills, but just a walk along the bottom of the gorge will leave an unforgettable experience.