Sochi in December 2021 โ what to see, holidays, weather, reviews, prices
If you are thinking about where to go on vacation in December, a trip to Sochi will not disappoint you. The resort has always been considered prestigious, but after the 2014 Winter Olympics, its infrastructure received a new development. New highways, modern interchanges, many comfortable hotels have appeared.
Sochi in December is an ideal opportunity to relax for those who do not like the heat and crowds of tourists. All year round there is an abundance of flowers and greenery โ the city resembles a botanical garden.
Weather
Author of the photo: Oleg Komarov, drive2.ru
December is cool but not cold. During the day in the southernmost point of Russia, the temperature ranges from + 8-12หะก, but short-term warming up to + 17หะก is possible. At night it is not much colder โ + 6-10หะก. At this time of the year there are heavy showers and prolonged rains, small storms are observed at sea. Some days are quite windy.
On average, there are 11 sunny days per month, when the weather becomes quite comfortable, 6 days with long rainfall. The rest of the time the sky is partly cloudy, the sun that has peeked out at any moment can be covered with clouds, splashing rain, sometimes with sleet.
Is it cold in December
Author of the photo: Oleg Komarov, drive2.ru
Going to the resort in the winter, you need to count on the possible vagaries of the weather. The fresh breeze from the sea can be very cool, for this reason it is not recommended to book hotels on the coast in December. When the sun shines, it gets so warm that during the day you can walk around in a T-shirt. When it rains, the piercing wind cuts to the bone.
Properly selected clothes will not spoil the rest. You need to take a windproof jacket or windbreaker with a hood, a hat and gloves with you. There are so many interesting things in the city that you will have to overcome considerable distances. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes without heels.
What to see
In sunny weather, visit the Dendrarium (Khostinsky district), where rare tree species are collected on 11 hectares. To see the city from a bird's eye view, you can take a ride in the funicular on the cable car.
The AJ Hackett Sochi Sky Park will be of interest to both adults and children. Here is the worldโs longest suspension bridge over a mountain gorge with a length of 439 m, extreme attractions: a rope park, high-rise swings, rope jumps.
Sochi Discovery World Aquarium โ 30 huge aquariums with a volume of 5 million liters, where marine and freshwater animals live. A pedestrian tunnel made of thick glass creates the illusion of being in the water column. The aquarium hosts a daily shark and giant sea turtle feeding show.
Even if you are not into winter sports, dedicate a day to a trip to Krasnaya Polyana. Take a stroll through Russian Switzerland along the Mzymta River, visit the Galaktika shopping center, the famous Krasnaya Polyana baths and casinos. Take the cable car up to the Rose Peak mountain peak at an altitude of 2256 m.
Vacation with children
Resting at the resort with the whole family is interesting all year round. There are plenty of activities for kids and teens here. There are 3 year-round water parks in the city. โAkvalooโ, located in the village. Lazarevskoye is the largest in size. The Mountain Beach water park in the Gorki shopping center is interesting for its sandy beach, where you can play volleyball even in winter.
The most impressive is the water park located in the Galaktika shopping center. Here you can swim and at the same time enjoy the view of the mountains through the glass dome, there is access to the outdoor heated pool, where steam rises from the water in winter. The Galaktika complex itself is interesting for children with the Parade of Planets bowling alley, an ice arena, and a modern planetarium.
Going with children to Sochi Park, be prepared for the fact that you will not leave it quickly. A single ticket is purchased for multiple use of 23 attractions, a visit to the dolphinarium, the Medvediya entertainment center, and the Merry Planets pavilion. The equivalent of Disneyland in the Old Slavonic style introduces kids to the characters of Russian fairy tales.
On the territory of the Riviera Park, located next to the seaport, there is a dolphinarium, an oceanarium, a penguinarium and a butterfly garden. The park is very beautiful in the evening: each tree is illuminated, which creates a romantic atmosphere.
Excursions
Going on excursions in the city is very convenient: having bought a ticket, you name the name of your hotel. At the appointed time, you will be picked up, and then delivered to your place of residence. The cost of excursion services in winter is record low.
A sightseeing tour of the city includes an inspection of the seaport, the tower on Mount Akhun, Olympic facilities. The tour in the evening ends with a show of musical fountains in the Olympic Park.
An excursion to Abkhazia includes a free tasting of wines and mountain honey, a visit to Lake Ritsa, a trout farm, the cities of Gagra and Pitsunda. A visit to the monastery in New Athos leaves a special impression.
The cost of a trip to the Krasnaya Polyana ski resort includes a lift to one of the mountain peaks, a walk through the alpine village of Rosa Khutor, and a visit to the Olympic facilities.
Fans of extreme recreation are offered jeep or ATV trips to the area of โโโโ33 waterfalls, in the Dzhegosh gorge, along the difficult roads of Abkhazia.
The cost of travel
The most convenient way to get to the resort is by plane, flights from Moscow to Sochi in the beginning and middle of the month cost from 1,499 rubles. Flight time is about 2 hours. In the last days of December, prices increase by about 3 times.
Railway transport offers a reserved seat from 1,980 rubles, a coupe โ from 2,900 rubles.
Housing prices are significantly different from summer ones: a night in a hotel 3 โ from 990 rubles. at 4 โ 3,500 rubles. You can rent a room in a guest house for 500-600 rubles.
The budget for a trip for two lasting 5 nights will be approximately 15-30 thousand rubles. (depending on the place of residence) taking into account the cost of meals and excursions.
Tour operators make interesting offers for December: tours from 5 days with attractive prices, including flights, transfers and accommodation. A tour to a guest house costs from 11,645 rubles, to hotel 3 โ from 13,878 rubles, 4 โ 27,786 rubles. A trip to the famous Bogatyr Hotel for two will cost only 32,934 rubles. By taking a tour, you will free yourself from the hassle, you will be taken directly to your place of residence. This is often cost effective.
New Year
Favorite holiday under palm trees โ what could be more exotic? Many have already recognized the advantages of the New Year under the splash of the sea surf; a lot of tourists flock to the city at the end of December. The resort every year prepares wonderful holiday programs in the Olympic Park, near the city Christmas tree (next to the Marine Station). There are performances of pop artists, fire shows, a disco until the morning.
The holiday is stormily celebrated in Krasnaya Polyana โ theatrical performances, laser shows, fireworks. During the New Year holidays, Sochi Park turns into a winter fairy tale: the residence of Baba Yaga opens here, the factory of Santa Claus and the Snow Maiden works, and bear cubs Mila and Potap are joyfully greeted.
If you plan to come to the city on your own, you should take care of a place in a restaurant. Tour operators offer tours where a festive banquet is included in the price.
Reviews of tourists
Most travelers agree that in winter you can have a great rest in Sochi. No matter how many days the trip is planned, it will not be boring. Housing and food prices in December are reduced by 2-3 times. Having rented an apartment or a room in a guest house with a kitchen, you can cook on your own. Prices in chain stores in the city are normal.
Tourists, having visited Sochi for the New Year holidays, note that this was one of the brightest events in life. And some do it every year. Experienced travelers are advised to rent accommodation for the last days of December in advance.
Conclusion
December is the time to see Sochi from an unexpected angle. The lack of a beach holiday is compensated by the opportunity to see many interesting objects without stuffiness and queues. When, after returning from a trip, you will share your impressions with friends, many will not believe that you can have such a high-quality and cheap vacation in the Russian south.
At the resort you can have a great time for every taste and budget. Someone is specifically waiting for the opening of ski resorts in the second half of December. Others devote time to interesting trips, sightseeing. Many people come to Sochi at the beginning of winter just to take a break from the hustle and bustle of megacities. They walk along the seafront, breathe the salty air, enjoy the mountain landscapes.