Now Sochi is the second longest city in the world along the sea coast (length 145 km). Its surrounding and urban landscapes are enchanting with their varied, delightful beauty. The most significant interstate summits, youth forums, various competitions are held here.
After the Winter Olympics, a dream city, a fairytale city has become an excellent arena for hosting prestigious world competitions such as Formula 1. There is an opportunity not only to have a great rest, but also from the heart to admire the many sights of Sochi.
Olympic park
This most modern grandiose object, created for the opening of the Olympics, is not inferior in its infrastructure and scale to the best world structures of this type. Its scope (200 hectares) and the possibilities 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 a majestic Torch Stele, in the bowl of which the Olympic flame was lit.
Nearby there is a light and music miracle fountain - an example of extraordinary beauty of design and technical innovation. The evening light and music show gathers crowds of enthusiastic tourists and residents of the city: an enchanting play of light reflected in high jets of gushing water (60 m), combined with wonderful music, make the spectacle unforgettable.
The pride of the park is the Fisht stadium (from the Adyghe - "white head"), where the most significant events of the Olympics took place, outwardly resembles a majestic gray cliff, proudly fitting its "top" into the panorama of the Caucasus Mountains. Its 4 stands, two of which are closed and two are open, can accommodate 40 thousand spectators at a time.
Another legacy of the Olympics is the Big Ice Palace - a hockey arena that resembles a giant drop of frozen water. The dome, covering the sports field, is filled with 38 thousand luminous modules, which make it possible to turn it (the dome) into a huge display screen or a bright night light show.
In the park, everyone will find an interesting activity for themselves: there are open points of rental of segways, bicycles, roller skates, electric cars; there is a karting ground. There are free sports equipment for all ages, mini-football and basketball fields.
Sochi Park
The organizers did not forget about the children, for them the Russian "Disneyland" - Sochi Park with dizzying attractions and a fabulous town, colored with bright colors, was opened. This is a real wonderland, filled with the heroes of Russian folk tales, imbued with the game magic of many fascinating entertainments.
The park is located in the picturesque Imereti lowland, against the backdrop of delightful 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 attractions:
The rail-carriage "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. Children from 12 years old are allowed to ride on it. An unusually extreme and high type of slide - "Quantum Leap": height 58 m, speed 105 km. (Children from 12 years old). Free fall attraction "Firebird", the height of the rise of which is 65 m.
First, everyone soars up, and then falls down in flight, experiencing indescribable sensations. (Admission from 12 years old.)
The entertaining and fun attraction "Tea Cups" is very attractive for toddlers who enjoy spinning in cup-booths. Family attraction Charolet "Pinkod" - a kind of roller coaster, decorated in the style of "Smeshariki", causes the indescribable delight of children. (Children under 5 years old are accompanied by adults).
All 13 rides are extremely fun; intricate designs, made with strict adherence to security measures, are very colorful. 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 await visitors to the park.
All this can be seen and tried out any attractions during the whole day of visiting.
Arboretum
The city owes its magnificent collection of subtropical flora to the famous publisher and collector of rarities SN Khudekov, who in 1889 acquired a large plot of land for laying out an orchard. But over time, a real work of garden and park art grew out of the original plan, which accommodated almost 1800 species and varieties of trees and shrubs on the expanses of 49 hectares: pines, oaks, palms, cypresses, the rarest plants of the subtropics.
A tour of the arboretum is an opportunity to see firsthand the 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 Arboretum. Once in the Upper part, you find yourself in the kingdom of Flora, captivating with landscapes of stunning beauty.
Landscape paintings, decorated with rotundas, sculptures, fountains, are like brilliant artistic canvases of great artists. Exotic greenery of palm trees alternates with a vibrant riot of flower beds and lawns. One cannot but admire the huge vase "woven" of 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. A granite pedestal with a bronze bust of the founder of the arboretum S. Khudekov is installed in one of the picturesque alleys as a token of grateful memory.
Autodrom
The race track, which occupies 38 and a half hectares of area, is the result of tremendous work and billions of dollars in investment. The modern high-speed circuit was designed by the renowned German developer of Formula 1 tracks - Tilke and upon completion it was recognized as the best racing circuit in Europe.
Its official opening took place in September 2014, and in October the first auto races of the prestigious Formula 1 competition at the Russian Grand Prix took place, proving the impeccability of the track preparation.
The scale of the circuit is also impressive: the width is from 13 to 15 meters, the length of the big circle is 5 km 854 m, the small circle is 2 km 312 m. The winding track has 18 turns, the highest speed of the cars is 334.4 km / h. Since the opening, 4 races have already taken place, the last one dedicated to Victory Day.
Superbly equipped stands, man-made landscape beauty that surrounds 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 forestry 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 relict species of trees and shrubs: berry yew, pyramidal anakampatis, Colchis boxwood and others. Here grow incredibly beautiful rare flowers disappearing from the wild: Kesselring's lily, Lipsky's tulip, Caucasian cyclamen and dozens of real plant relics.
The composition of mammals is also unique, including bison, leopard, great and small horseshoe bats, etc. The rarest species of birds live in the park and breed: snake eagle, black stork, red kite, bearded vulture.Natural attractions are dozens of peaks, ridges, canyons, gorges, caves and waterfalls: Eagle Rocks, Fisht, Tsarskie Gates - there are just a few.
The circus
Being in the Khostinsky district, at the intersection of two main avenues, it is impossible not to notice the round circus building, which outwardly resembles a space "flying saucer". Surrounded by exotic palms and spiky cypresses, the circus structure really looks like a huge UFO. Its round façade is decorated with bright mosaic panels depicting various circus tricks and attractions with the participation of trained animals.
The roof of the building is decorated with picturesque masks by the local sculptor Glukhov. This new circus building with a capacity of 2,000 spectators was erected by a creative team of architects in 1971 next to the old circus (1955). An enchanting fountain with powerful silvery streams irrigating a funny symbolic clown figurine adorns the elegant square in front of the building.
Circus performances are held all year round. The most eminent stars of the arena shone here with their talent, the unforgettable voices of the great Soviet and Russian singers sounded. In addition to spectacles, visitors to this wonderful institution can talk backstage with animals, ride circus horses, take pictures while sitting on an elephant and get a lot of positive emotions.
Singing fountains on Plane Alley
The well-known Plane Alley, famous for its sprawling centuries-old handsome plane trees, cherry laurels and box trees, is also marked by unique fountains, which not every city in the world can boast of.
This 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, beating in cascades of different heights.
The sophisticated drainage system is equipped with musical and light equipment in such a way that when the fountains are turned on, the sounding music "makes" the jets change the height in different versions. One gets the impression of water dancing to the accompaniment of music, shimmering with colors of various, non-repeating shades. The enchanting spectacle 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 New Zealander Hackett, a lover of risky adventures, who has become a world famous, like his invention. The stunning rides are based on free fall from different heights.
Actually extreme AJ did not have to reinvent the wheel; he remembered the principle of "bungee", well known to all the boys who live by the river.
In Skypark, all the rides are related to height and jumping from it (bungee jumping): Bungee-207 m (the highest in Europe), the super-speed Mega-Troll (150 km / h), the dizzying Sochi swing swing "at a height of 170 m; freestyle "Bungee-69". The essence of the rides is mainly jumping from a terrible height on an elastic belt.
Everything here is provided for the safety of the jumpers: they are carefully prepared, instructed in detail. Half-kilometer bridge for pedestrians "Skybridge" (height 207 m), stretching over the river. Mzymta, fenced with reliable railings and mesh. Tourists who want to see the panorama of the city from a height like to walk on it.
Park of culture and rest "Riviera"
One of the oldest parks with a name that means "coast" in Italian. Traditionally, this concept is associated with a beautiful, comfortable resting place. The Sochi "Riviera", founded by the respected businessman V. A. Khludov in 1898, fully corresponds to this meaning. 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 larch trees, century-old oaks and plane trees, fan palms, amazingly beautiful magnolias, 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 wants to see the Glade of Friendship here, captivating with the beauty of blooming magnolias, which were planted by Russian and American cosmonauts, political and public figures of many countries. Fascinating attractions, a karting track, an oceanarium, a dolphinarium, the Green Theater will make a visit to the park an unforgettable experience.
Central embankment
This is the beginning of a popular place among locals vacationing near the South Pier of the Marine Station. It passes along the Primorskaya street of the city (it is often called the Primorskaya embankment, the Promenade, the hallmark of the city) and approaches the Edem beach, not far from the Dolphin Resort hotel. The length of the embankment is 1500 m. On one side, the Black Sea comes on it, the coast, which is equipped with recreation areas in the form of 15 beach areas.
Beautiful staircases, 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 resting place.
The main concert hall of the city, the Festivalny Concert Hall, is also located here. Parallel to the central Embankment is Kurortny Prospect, along which it is easy to find any place on the embankment.
Sanatorium them. Ordzhonikidze
A historical monument of Stalinist times, a magnificent palace in the style of the Renaissance, designed by the architect I.S. Kuznetsov and built for the recreation of the workers of the Land of the 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 entwined with ivy, lush vegetation gradually fills the paths and stairs, the fountain does not work. You can walk in the park and arrange a photo session, but you will not be able to go inside the building, and it may be unsafe.
The sanatorium was first closed for reconstruction in 2010, but so far there has not been a responsible investor capable of fully implementing it. This requires a lot of money, but if they are found (they must be found, one cannot lose such beauty), this place can become the best resort complex on the coast.
The sanatorium is located at 96 Kurortny Prospekt. From the center of Sochi, moving towards Khosta, you can get there by bus or car in 15 minutes.
Mount Akhun
The opportunity to see the city from the top of the most beautiful observation deck located on the top of Mount Akhun should not be missed. It is located at the top of an 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 the Great Akhunskaya cave).
The tower, attracting the attention of tourists, was erected in the image of a small fortress, which was reborn from the time of the Crusades from untreated limestone boulders. The outer facade is entwined with blooming wisteria. There is a staircase inside the tower, loopholes are located.
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 the top of the mountain.
The easiest way to get to the mountain is with an excursion.Hikers are advised to start climbing the mountain (about 11 km) from the Zelenaya Roshcha bus stop, past the Agursky waterfalls to the gate near the tower. By car, you need to go along the A-147 highway until the turn to Bolshoy Akhun. Leave your car in the parking lot and walk 11 km up.
Marine Station
Near the embankment is the Marine Station. The building with a tall beautiful spire, a five-pointed star, which has become a symbol of the city, was built at the suggestion of the architect K.S. Halabyan 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 the 4 seasons (female statues).
The decorative belt around the columns consists of dolphin figures. 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, precious woods).
Now the main waiting room and numerous shops and boutiques are located on the ground floor squares. There is a restaurant on the open gallery. The Marine Station is located in the central part. The famous Embankment of the city begins from it.
Train Station
The opening of the Caucasian Riviera resort in 1909 required the organization of convenient travel routes for those wishing to relax. The first station building appeared in 1916. The modern railway station according to the project of 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, and numerous hotels in the city.
Three floors of the building have a luxurious look, distinguished by the richness of stucco moldings, marble finishes, and beautiful oak elements. The station (145 m long) covers an area of 0.6 hectares. It includes three cozy courtyards for passengers, 3 platforms, a tunnel for the passage to four exits.
Trains arrive at the station on 9 tracks (two of them are passenger). In the completed building there is a medical office, rooms for resting 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 the 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 source", a baptismal church. There is a Sunday school and an Orthodox library in the cathedral. The temple is accessible daily from 7 am to 9 pm. In the morning, the service (liturgy) takes place at 8.30. The evening service starts at 5 pm.
Address: st. Moskovskaya, 12. You can get there by buses 1,14,37,103,105. Go to the bus 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 porticoes designed by V. I. Mukhina, is considered the symbol of the city. Having started its interesting life in 1938 with the performance of the opera The Tsar's Bride, it has become a prestigious venue for famous singers and actors.
In its cozy hall (for 1000 seats), equipped with modern technology, restoration works of 2005, performances are constantly held. The Winter Theater 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., delighted the audience from its stage.
Many KVN games were held here. Now the theater is considered an architectural monument of federal importance.
Address: st. Teatralnaya, 2. Ticket offices are open any day of the week from 10 am to 8 pm.
Navalishchenskoe gorge
In ancient times, dinosaurs roamed among the thickets of ferns, 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 considered to be the landowner Navalishen, who later gave the name to the amazing natural heritage. It is located near the village of Krasnaya Volya.
Walking along Lesnaya Street, you can see the barrier that opens the entrance to the natural kingdom (you have to pay 200 rubles). It is easier to do this together with an organized excursion. Along the 1.5 km of the gorge (its depth is 150 m) there is a river bed, a large number of lakes, waterfalls. They are surrounded by thickets of ancient plant wealth of the region. Along the gorge, many places of worship, castles, caves, rocks of a strange shape have been preserved.
There are many interesting legends about them (for example, about the Eagle Rocks and Prometheus). A complex of baths, saunas, a restaurant with dishes from Caucasian cuisine, and comfortable gazebos have been created in the protected area. You can stay in the bath all day long. The clear waters of the river serve as the basin.
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 exhibition areas and storage.
The exhibition hall contains exhibits of permanent and temporary exhibitions. Themed evenings, forums, art projects are regularly held here. The permanent exhibition contains 6,000 works of art, arranged by theme and in 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 conducts sightseeing tours on the topics "How to look at a painting", "History of a landscape". You can visit the landmark of the city on any day of the week (Monday is a day off) from 10 am to 5.30 pm.
Address: Kurortny prospect, 51. You can come here by shuttle bus to the stop "Hotel Sochi".
N. Ostrovsky Museum
The landmark of the city is located in the house in which the man spent his last years who created the great works "How the Steel Was Tempered", "Born by the Storm" at a time when his personal life became unbearably difficult. That is why excursions to the Museum (there have been several thousand of them) are called “Be able to live, and when life becomes unbearable, make it useful”. The house, designed by Yakov Kravchuk, was donated to the writer in 1936.
In the role of a museum, it opened its doors two years later. Furniture, personal belongings, decoration, the atmosphere of the life of the famous writer have been preserved in seven rooms of the house. In 1956, another museum building was built. It regularly hosts exhibitions of the works of many writers whose life was associated with the city.
Of interest are exhibitions of works belonging to private collectors, museums from different countries.
The museum is located at st. Korchagin, 4. The museum is open from 10 to 18 hours. Day off on Wednesday.
House-Museum "Stalin's Dacha"
Not far from the Green Grove sanatorium there is a green building in which the great leader once rested. The dacha does not look like modern palaces, guarded by incredible security systems, sparkling with lights and special building materials.Also, the inner chambers are not lined with exquisite furniture, they are decorated with expensive paintings by famous artists.
Austerity, asceticism, respected by the leader, are visible in the atmosphere of all the rooms of the dacha. The writing desk at which Stalin worked, the sofa where he read while smoking the famous pipe, the study with billiards. An unusual element of the dacha is the huge wax figure of Stalin in the study. It seems that he is alive, real. You can visit the museum only with a guided tour.
It works every day from 9.30 to 18 o'clock. The address of the dacha: Khosta, Kurortny prospect, 120, sanatorium "Green Grove". You can get there by bus 25, a minibus.
Aquarium Sochi Discovery World Aquarium
In 2007, the city opened the third largest aquarium in Russia. It is a huge pool with an almost real coral reef in the center. The inhabitants of the Black Sea, other seas and oceans comfortably live in it. For visitors, it presents a fabulous underwater world, consisting of a web of labyrinths, caves, grottoes, and underwater rocks.
Among the secret passages lurked not only bright fish, but also terrible octopuses, sharks, rays. You can see them very close by through a transparent tunnel that goes 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 and technologies.
There are 7 aquarium rooms in winter from 10 am to 7 pm. In summer they are open from 10 am to 11 pm. Tours start every hour. Aquarium address: Adler district, st. Lenin, 219 / a.
Matsesta
The famous balneological resort is located in the valley of the Khosta region of Sochi Matsesta. You can take a course of treatment in the clinics of the Matsesta resort after purchasing 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, which contains 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 healing procedures, blood circulation improves, tissue structure is restored. The modern balneological resort includes 8 sanatoriums. The cost of living, payment for the course of treatment they have are different, depend on the time of rest and are specified on the websites of health resorts before a specific trip.
It is easy to get to the hydropathic center by public transport of the city from the old part of the city. These are bus 120, 130, route taxis.
Address: 14 Cheltenham Alley.
Tea houses in Uch-Dera
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 steaming samovar with pies, honey, milk and jam, surrounded by amazing household items, created on the model of ancient enamel, Gzhel, Zhostovo trays, Gorodets painting.
The popular excursion complex was opened in 1979 in the place where the northernmost tea plantations are located. You can see endless rows of tea plants, learn all about precious leaves, taste the most delicious drink in a log tower built without nails.
The original design is complemented by an exact copy of the Museum of Russian Architecture in Kizhi, standing in the courtyard thanks to the craftsman Danchakov. In memory of the tea feast, you can buy different varieties of the most northern tea growing among the Dagomys and Loo mountains.
Address: Uch-Dere village, st. May 9, 46. You can get there by bus 141, which departs from the city bus station to the stop "Semashko Sanatorium".
Vorontsov Caves
You can come to the village of Vorontsovka from the village of Khosta. The purpose of the trip of many tourists is to visit the Vorontsov Caves system, a natural attraction of the region. Among the longest underground kingdoms in Russia, the system ranks 6th in length. It 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 at 720 m.
One entrance is equipped for visiting. A speleological paradise has emerged on the site of the ancient Tethys ocean. The seabed has turned into the famous Caucasus Mountains. Ancient marine deposits are visible on the walls of the caves. At different times, the caves served as a dwelling place for people, a refuge 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 throughout the planet. Their purpose, devices are studied by specialists. A scientific classification and description of ancient megaliths have been created. LI 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 erection from large stone slabs without the help of a fastening mortar. The buildings resemble a stone table, which means dolmen in Breton. Many of them show ancient drawings. Sightseeing trips to them are popular while relaxing on the shores of the Black Sea.
In the vicinity, the most famous is the semi-monolithic dolmen in the Mamedova gap. From the west, it looks like a pyramid with a top indicating the point of sunrise on the days of the spring and autumn equinox. Most often, dolmens stand in groups on high 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 an independent journey. A wooden staircase leading upwards overlooks stone bowls filled with falling water inviting to take a dip. On the slopes of the Bell Tower, the Dzhegosh stream is born, filling the Shahe River, which has become the owner of the picturesque waterfalls.
Among the shores, bordered by subtropical vegetation, 7 rapids, 13 rapids, 33 waterfalls ring. All year round, water does not dry up here, coming from the underground storehouses of the mountains and coming from the environment. The excursion route starts near the stop "Svetlana Pension".
Yew-boxwood grove
A unique protected area of nature is considered an open-air museum, hiding in its ancient thickets over 200 species of plants belonging to 60 families and protected by the state. Among them are the ancient berry yew, evergreen boxwood (an iron tree sinking in water). The useful properties of plants have been studied by scientists, plans have been drawn up for their protection on our planet.
In their opinion, the age of the Sochi grove is 30,000,000 years. Since 1931, the grove, located on the slopes of Mount Akhun, became part of the reserve and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. * plant species from the grove are included in the Red Book of the planet. You can see the ancient natural heritage during a guided tour of the National Park.
There are two routes for viewing: Small and Big ring. You can buy a tour at any coastal tour desk. You can walk along it throughout the year every day from 9 am to 6 pm. All the way there are signs with information about the plant. There is a unique grove in the Khosta district. Entrance from the side of Samshitovaya street Khosta.
Water park "Mayak"
The modern water kingdom, replacing swimming in sea waters during a storm, bad weather, in winter, making it possible for people of any age to have a safe rest, 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 the streams of water pistols, Charcot's soul.
For kids, there is a playground in the form of a steamer with the 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 in a sun lounger, swim in the sea, rush on water skiing, scooter, and fly with 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. Accessible easily with public transport routes.
Mount Agepsta
At the top of the mountain, covered with legends of local residents, lovers of active recreation can not only assess their physical fitness, show a certain 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 near Sochi. The first conquerors of difficult mountain climbing routes were athletes from Sochi back in 1935.
Their followers made 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 paths 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 Agepsta Gate, 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 correctly issue permits. The mountain is located in the border area.
Dolphinarium "Aquatoria"
All year round, in any weather, you can see performances 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 performances of sea lions, white whales, Pacific walruses, and fur seals are no less interesting.
All the artists perform their part flawlessly. White whales sing (it's not for nothing that they are called sea canaries), paint with brushes and paints. Seals play ball, juggle with small objects. Severe walruses admire the ability to perform plastic exercises.
The Dolphinarium opened in Adler in 1998 and quickly won the title of a favorite recreation area. It hosts dolphin therapy sessions. Located at: Adler, st. Lenin, d. 212/2. Day off on Monday.
Apery
In the village of Veseloe, located not far from 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 an important 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 specialists of the institute. The excursions are called "Large open-air cages", "Discover science", "Observation". The nursery is located at the Veseloye village, st. Peace, 117. Day off on Monday.
Every day, you can get to the nursery by sightseeing bus, leaving from the stop "Sovkhoz Russia". Several excursions take place 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 a state institution were able to get their own special kind of beautiful, tasty, healthy fish, previously served only to the royal table, but perfectly developing in sea water.
The farm has over 111 trout ponds. 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, they can weigh 12 kg. Excursions to the farm help you learn the details of fish farming, buy live trout or catch 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, a minibus.
Agursky waterfalls
The attraction of the National Park is located on the Agura River. A path carved into the rock leads to them. It seems that while walking along it, ancient legends about Prometheus, the girl Agura and many others come to life. And the silvery ringing of falling water helps to plunge into the magical world of ancient places. Tourists quickly pass along fenced paths to the Agur canyon with a small lake, the Devil's font, the Devil's hole cave and the Lower waterfall, the most beautiful in the canyon.
Directly below it is a swimming lake. There is a statue of Prometheus on the Eagle Rocks. The second Agursky waterfall is visible only from a height. After 500 m there is a third waterfall, 23 m high. There are waterfalls in the Khosta region between the Matsesta and Khosta rivers. On the city bus route number 2 you can get to the stop "Sputnik". Further on foot about 3 km.
Mendelikha Waterfalls Park
It is located 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 - 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, electric train "Lastochka"), by cable car "Olympia" you need to climb to a height of 2320 m to the top of Rosa Peak. Then, changing to the Edelweiss chairlift, descend to an altitude of 1470 m, where the walking route begins in the Park of Waterfalls.
Visitors to the park will have a 4-5 hour walk along a picturesque ecological path, which is made up of three rings - large, small and medium. You do not need to go all three routes, but the splendor of the opening landscapes is worth it to overcome the entire path. On the way, there are benches for rest, gazebos, viewing platforms with handrails, 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, Snezhnoe channel, Chervonny and Zolotoy. The largest of them is Zolotoy, its height is 77 m. Having walked a lot along the mountain paths and absorbed the surrounding beauty, you can relax and have a snack 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. You must have your identity documents with you, because the park is located in the border zone with Abkhazia.
Psakho river canyons
An amazingly beautiful natural landmark 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 (north of Khosta). It is convenient to get there 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 guided tour.
The 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 banks overgrown with moss and entwined with ivy, a subtropical forest of boxwood, beech and ash look fabulous, as if they are carried away 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 water in the dry canyon, its length is about 200 m, 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 using them. Climbers come here to hone their skills, but just a walk along the bottom of the gorge will leave an unforgettable experience.
