Abkhazia has incredible tourism potential. There are many natural and historical attractions that amaze with their diversity. Resort towns with amazing gardens and beaches, majestic mountain landscapes and numerous gorges, valleys of waterfalls and lakes, monasteries and fortresses – this is only a small part of what to see in Abkhazia by car.

Benefits of car rental

Many tourists prefer to use the car rental service during their trip. This option of recreation has a number of undeniable advantages, among which it is worth highlighting unlimited freedom of movement. This allows you to independently and calmly explore the places and sights of interest, regardless of the public transport schedule and excursion routes programs.

Car rental makes a trip around Abkhazia more comfortable and meaningful, since you can make stops in any natural corners or resort towns you like. Vacationers have at their disposal as much time as necessary to contemplate the bewitching beauties of the republic, which is a special pleasure.

Tsandrypsh

A small village surrounds its guests with an atmosphere of tranquility, peace and tranquility in the bosom of pristine picturesque nature. The resort corner of the Gagra region of Abkhazia is located in a small bay washed by the waters of the radiant Black Sea. This place attracts both lovers of a measured beach holiday and fans of active pastime.

Cozy streets are buried in thickets of outlandish southern plants that saturate the air with a special healing aroma. Eucalyptus, cypress and pine trees grow here. From anywhere in the village you can admire stunning views of the mountain ranges. Tsandrypsh offers auto travelers a stroll through park areas or soak up the sun on wide pebbly coastal strips. The beaches are equipped with all the necessary resort attributes: sun loungers, showers and changing rooms.

Guest houses, shops, cafes and restaurants are concentrated in the immediate vicinity of the coast. The natural heritage of the resort are white cliffs descending onto a strip of beach pebbles. Their bizarre silhouettes resemble some animals. The beauty and splendor of ancient monasteries, fortresses and churches will not leave anyone indifferent.

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Gagra

30 kilometers from Sochi is the popular Abkhazian city of Gagra with a developed infrastructure. You should definitely go here by car to admire the amazing nature. Enchanting wooded mountains that come close to the coast and the emerald crystal waters of the Black Sea create truly picturesque landscapes. The local air is filled with an unforgettable fragrant aroma of pine needles. The boulevards, parks and pebbly beach lines are surrounded by evergreens, palms and cypresses.

The well-maintained embankment is replete with all kinds of bars, cafes, clubs and entertainment venues for every taste. In addition to natural attractions, Gagra attracts attention with historical architectural monuments. Walking along the shady alleys of parks with subtropical plants, tourists can observe many ancient buildings and old mansions.

Of interest is the castle of the Prince of Oldenburg, the medieval fortress of Abaata and the grandiose building of the Winter Theater. The visiting card of Gagra is a snow-white colonnade with four towers. The structure crowns the entrance to the park. The famous Gagripsh restaurant is of particular historical value. The wooden structure was erected without a single nail. The interiors of the institution are dominated by an aristocratic atmosphere, typical of the past era.

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Musser

A winding mountain road leads to the small village of Myussera. This is a reserved secluded land where the purest emerald sea waters meet green hills and sheer white cliffs. The village is framed by relic pine, majestic oak and chestnut groves, as well as lemon and tangerine trees.

The combination of pristine nature with a cocktail of mountain and sea air makes Mussera a tempting place to relax away from the bustle of the city. On the coast of the village is the former sanatorium of the KGB of the USSR, as well as the state dachas of Stalin and Gorbachev. Tourists are expected by cozy small-pebble beaches surrounded by picturesque rocks. Sand and pebble coastal strips are saturated with the benefits of resort infrastructure, and also have semi-wild areas.

Gudauta

The original Abkhazian town of Gudauta occupies a gentle seaside plain. The majestic Caucasus Mountains recede from the radiant Black Sea for 20 kilometers. This calm and quiet place is characterized by a large number of sunny days a year. Raduzhno hosts several sanatoriums, hotels and guest houses. During the holiday season, a dozen cafeterias with local colorful cuisine open.

The streets intersecting at right angles abound with subtropical plantings. Central Park offers to get acquainted with the unique representatives of the local flora. The total length of pebble beaches is about 4 kilometers. The width of the coastline reaches 200 meters. In Gudauta, you can see some examples of architecture in the Art Nouveau style of the 20th century and late socialist realism.

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New Athos

During a car trip in Abkhazia, tourists are recommended to stop by the beautiful city of New Athos. It is a calm resort and pilgrimage center of the Orthodoxy of Abkhazia, captivating with its unique beauty of nature. This picturesque place is located in an amazing bay at the foot of the mountains among a riot of blooming subtropical flora, slender cypresses and sprawling palm trees.

Pebble beaches, surrounded by eucalyptus and pine groves, are washed by the crystal emerald bays of the Black Sea. There are no noisy entertainments here, which will appeal to fans of a measured quiet rest. New Athos has an extensive palette of various sights, among which there are many historical architectural monuments. A grandiose monastic complex with six temples was erected on one of the green hills of the city.

Not far from the monastery, you can see an artificial waterfall created by the monks during the construction of the dam. Its height reaches 8 meters, and its width is about 20 meters. Noteworthy is the New Athos karst cave. It is a huge cavity inside the mountain with halls, underground lakes and grottoes. At the top of the Iverskaya mountain rise the ruins of a fortress of the 4th century with the remains of powerful walls and an inexhaustible source of pure water.

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Sukhum

The capital of the Republic of Abkhazia, Sukhum, is comfortably located on the seaside plain, protected by mountain ranges. Tourists come here to enjoy the gentle sun, marvelous nature and warm turquoise waters of the Black Sea. Palm trees, cypresses, cedars, oleanders, eucalyptus trees, as well as plantations of exotic citrus plants create a picturesque atmosphere of the city. It is interesting to see historical monuments of architecture here.

The pebbly and sandy beaches of the South Caucasian capital have areas with comfortable resort attributes and “wild” zones hidden from prying eyes by nature. There are many worthy places to visit in Sukhum. The seaside promenade stretches for four kilometers, where you can take a pleasant walk along shady palm alleys and well-groomed beach areas. On this main resort street there is a considerable number of sculptural compositions, fountains, and a majestic arch rises.

The decoration of the city is the botanical garden, founded in 1838. It grows more than 6 thousand species of trees and flowers imported from all over the world. After examining the diverse flora, you can chat with representatives of the fauna. This is facilitated by the Sukhumi monkey nursery, where scientific medical research in the field of pathology is carried out on primates.

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Lykhny village

In the vicinity of Gudauta there is a small ancient Abkhazian village of Lykhny, whose history goes back 1.5 thousand years. His visit is of genuine interest to inquisitive auto travelers. On the territory of the settlement, you can see several unique architectural structures of particular historical value. The hallmark of Lykhna is the cross-domed church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the 10th century, which has retained its original external and internal appearance.

The walls of the shrine are built of hewn stone and brick. The interior of the church is decorated with colorful frescoes depicting biblical scenes. The grassy ruins of the estate of influential princes who ruled in Abkhazia from the 11th-19th centuries deserve attention. In the central part of Lykhna there is a memorial complex dedicated to the victims of the Georgian-Abkhazian war.

Picunda

It is impossible to pass by one of the main resort places of Abkhazia – Pitsunda. This fertile small town, located 25 kilometers from the resort of Gagra, attracts tourists with amazing natural landscapes. A relic pine grove, an emerald sea surface and an impressive coastline make up the glory of this amazing corner.

Pitsunda occupies a flat area of a sandy cape lying in a bay with an eternally calm bay. The majestic mountain ranges are separated from the coast by 15 kilometers, so the local climate is not too humid. Spreading centuries-old pines and cypress alleys, combined with the sea breeze, give life-giving coolness and form a reservoir of healing air. A forest area of 200 hectares stretches along the coastline.

The beach infrastructure has all the necessary attributes for a comfortable stay by the sea. A favorite place for tourists is the embankment, replete with entertainment venues, cafes and restaurants. Among the iconic sights of the resort, a historical and architectural reserve stands out. Behind the fortress walls you can see the Orthodox Patriarchal Cathedral of the 10th century, the ruins of an ancient city and a stone dolmen.

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Waterfall Maiden's Tears

Traveling by car along a winding mountain road, independent tourists can make a stop near the Maiden's Tears waterfall. Thin streams of water quietly flow down from the high-mountainous alpine meadows down over the stones of the limestone rock. According to one of the legends, through the thickets of boxwood, moss and ivy, tears of a young girl flow. She had a beloved young man.

The evil mermaid envied their happiness and out of jealousy threw the beauty off the cliff. The girl cried, screamed and called for help from her fiancé, but he was far away in the mountains. Since then, her tears have flowed from the rock. Visitors to the waterfall can tie colorful ribbons to the branches of the thickets to make their cherished wish come true.

Waterfall Men's Tears

It is located right next to the road leading to the famous Lake Ritsa. It is unthinkable to pass by this natural formation. High sheer cliffs, dense forests and the purest mountain air create bewitching landscapes. The waterfall is an impressive sight. A full-flowing stream falls down a rock from a height of 15 meters. Water jets beautifully break on stones, scattering into thousands of crystal drops.

Near the waterfall is a rare car “Victory”, which every year meets tourists in a new color. This place is covered with a legend about a young man who did not have time to save his beloved. The girl was killed by a mermaid, who experienced envy of the bright mutual love of the couple. The groom's heart was filled with pain and sadness. Meager male tears fell on the stone, where the waterfall is now flowing.

Blue Lake

One of the natural pearls of the country is the Blue Lake. The popular miraculous landmark is flanked by towering rock formations overgrown with rich emerald vegetation. You can get to this beautiful corner on your own by car. There is a convenient parking lot for vehicles. The amazingly beautiful water massif impresses with its delightful aquamarine sapphire hue.

The reservoir is not large. Its area is 180 m2. The maximum depth of the lake is 76 meters. Despite any weather conditions, the water surface remains absolutely calm. Even on the hottest days, the water temperature does not rise above + 10 ° C. The lake is fed by underground rivers. A characteristic feature of the reservoir is that it never freezes. There is no living creature in the lake. There are no fish, no plankton, and no underwater flora.

Yupshar Canyon

Author of the photo: IS_Irin (fotokto.ru)

The majesty of the mountain landscape of the Yupsharsky canyon, through which the narrow serpentine of the highway to Lake Ritsa runs, fascinates. An eight-kilometer section of the valley is sandwiched between vertical stone walls rising up to 500 meters. There is a feeling that the tops of the mountains can suddenly close overhead and form a stone bag.

At the height of summer, the sun's rays look into the crevice for only a few hours. The slopes of steep cliffs are covered with age-old boxwoods, ivy garlands and green moss. The asphalt road is fenced off from a steep cliff. At the bottom of the gorge, the Yupshara River flows in a swift stream.

milky waterfall

Among the mountain ranges of the Abkhazian ranges and lush thickets of vegetation, the Milky Waterfall is comfortably located. It is saturated with the flow of a mountain river, the sources of which originate in melting glaciers. A swift stream of water falls over stone ledges from a height of many meters. Due to the high content of minerals, the water boils and foams strongly, saturated with air bubbles.

Such a metamorphosis gives the waterfall a pronounced milky hue, which causes an unforgettable impression. When falling, the streams of water break into millions of splashes, resulting in a chilling cloud of water suspension. Popular belief says that this creation of nature has cosmetic properties and helps to preserve youth.

Lake Rica

Alpine lake Ritsa is the most popular natural pearl of Abkhazia. Due to its magnificent views, it is a huge success among tourists. This fabulously picturesque corner is invariably associated with pristine beauty and purity. A winding serpentine with steep cliffs and sheer cliffs leads to the well-known sights of the republic. Independent travelers can climb to a height of more than 900 meters above sea level.

The route runs through majestic canyons separated by river valleys and dense forests. The surrounding landscapes of Lake Ritsa are so amazing that a lot of indelible impressions will remain in the memory of tourists. A beautiful reservoir of glacial origin has an elongated shape 2.5 kilometers long.

Overhanging its emerald surface are hills covered with centuries-old dense vegetation, and impregnable grandiose mountain steeps with snow-capped peaks. Their height reaches 3200 meters. There are several cafes on the shore of the lake where you can taste fresh shish kebab and fried trout. As additional entertainment, guests of Lake Ritsa are invited to ride catamarans or go fishing.

Malaya Ritsa

Five kilometers from Lake Ritsa is the equally famous reservoir Malaya Ritsa. It can only be reached on foot along the path. Leaving the car in the parking lot, travelers set off on an hour and a half climb up the coniferous and beech forest. The hiking route requires certain physical strength and comfortable shoes. The lake is located in a giant karst funnel among mountain ranges, the slopes of which are covered with centuries-old trees.

Malaya Ritsa is fed by the waters of glaciers melting in spring and atmospheric precipitation. The motionless bright turquoise water surface impresses with its crystal clearness and transparency. The steep banks are littered with tree trunks and huge boulders, which testifies to the pristine nature of a secluded corner of nature, unspoiled by the benefits of civilization. The only inhabitant of the lake is the newt, listed in the Red Book.

Alpine meadows

Alpine meadows of Abkhazia are fields immersed in flowering herbs, surrounded on all sides by mountains with sharp peaks and dense forests. This wonderful place provides an opportunity to enjoy the aesthetics of natural nature. Vast green valleys are located at an altitude of more than 2000 meters above sea level. They can only be reached by a four-wheel drive car, as tourists have to overcome a long off-road route with numerous ditches, pits and winding turns and steep climbs along sheer cliffs.

Along the way there are waterfalls, mineral springs, small rivers and lakes. Difficult ascent will be crowned with delightful natural beauties. In all its splendor, marvelous mountain landscapes, endless meadows and steep slopes with sprawling trees will appear. Ringing silence reigns around, and the purest aroma of wild flowers will not leave anyone indifferent. In alpine meadows, tourists can ride horses, have a picnic or go tasting high-mountain honey, cottage cheese, cheese, matsoni.

Valley of the Seven Lakes

During a walk through the alpine meadows, a wonderful view of the valley of the seven lakes opens up. A visit to the high-mountainous natural sights of Abkhazia will leave a lot of positive emotions in the memory of tourists. The valley is located at an altitude of more than 2000 meters in the mountains of the Caucasus Range. Travelers have to walk about seven kilometers.

The route follows amazing fields and hills, which delight with their rich green vegetation. The mesmerizing panoramas of the majestic mountain snow-capped peaks deserve to overcome the difficult ascent. Tourists will see emerald lakes scattered like beads with the purest glacial and amazingly turquoise water.

Geg waterfall

On the northern slopes of the Gagra Range, there is a spectacular and unique waterfall that breaks through the middle of a narrow crevice in a sheer cliff. The waterfall is formed by the Gega River, which flows through the depths of the karst cave. A stormy and wide stream of water falls in a cascade of ice splashes from a height of 70 meters. This amazing creation of nature impresses with its powerful beauty.

You can get to it through a winding, bumpy off-road, which only a four-wheel drive SUV can handle. The scenic beauty of the surrounding landscapes is breathtaking. Around the waterfall are majestic vertical stone walls overgrown with shrubs. It was here that the legendary fight scene between Sherlock Holmes and his sworn enemy Professor Moriarty was filmed.

Kodori Gorge

Independent tourists are advised to go to see the Kodori Gorge, located at the foot of the southern slope of the Caucasus Range. This unique corner of the nature of Abkhazia is a picturesque river valley. Its length is more than 100 kilometers.

The gorge is distinguished by rather large differences in elevation from 1300 to 4000 meters. On the way of vacationers there are narrow tunnels, mountain ranges, vast green fields with pleasantly fragrant herbs, wooded hills, banks with rapid river currents and waterfalls.

Haatsyn Gorge

In the vicinity of Gudauta there is a beautiful natural landmark of Abkhazia – the Aatsyn Gorge. The emerald waters of the mountain river Aapsta rush in a stormy stream between sheer cliffs. Vertical stone walls amaze with their majestic beauty. Tourists can expect a fascinating hiking route through the gorge.

The path runs through boxwood, beech and hornbeam forests. Moss-covered trees create a mysterious atmosphere. The land is covered with lush and lush vegetation. Having passed thorny forest paths, vacationers will come to a waterfall, under the jets of which you can refresh yourself. Huge boulders lie at the bottom of the gorge. In the recesses of the rocks, you can explore the mysterious grottoes.