Agura Waterfalls
Also known as Agursky, the Agura Waterfalls are one of the most
famous tourist attractions in Sochi. Located just outside the city,
these majestic waterfalls cascade from a height of 98 feet (30m)
and are a popular stop off along hiking trails that wind through
the forest along the Agura Ravine in the Sochi National Park. At
the Eagle's Rocks, hikers can enjoy the view of the crystal clear
waterfalls crashing down to the oval pool below and admire the
panoramic views over the city and Black Sea. Swimming is allowed
and a very popular activity in the warmer months. It is possible to
organise tours to the waterfalls, but also easy to seek them out
independently.
Agura Waterfalls, Sochi National
Park
Yufereff
Matsesta Spa
Matsesta is a micro-district in Sochi, on the Black Sea coast,
primarily renowned as a health resort. Matsesta, meaning 'fiery
water', has harnessed the powers of the hot sulphur springs that
have become synonymous with Sochi and become the city's most
renowned health spa district. The water from the hot springs
naturally contains more than 27 types of minerals and is used to
treat people with respiratory and cardiac problems, though it is
also perfect for simple relaxation. Featuring a number of different
spa facilities which all have bathing rooms, massage tables and
inhalation cubicles, Matsesta Spa is a major tourist attraction and
a big draw card for travellers to the region.
Matsesta, Sochi
Alexander V. Solomin
Dagomys
Located just outside of Sochi, the small village of Dagomys is a
popular holiday resort on the Black Sea. The former haunt of
Russian nobility in the 19th century, the holiday residence of Tsar
Nicholas II is still standing and travellers can play royalty by
spending a night there as it is now a large hotel. The scenic
village boasts lovely pebble beaches, which are set against the
dramatic backdrop of the Caucasus Mountains, and visitors can tour
local tea plantations and the mineral springs of Matsesta. Dagomys
is also a paradise for outdoor activities, including hiking and
bird-watching in the Dendrarium Botanical Gardens. Summers in
Dagomys are noticeably cooler than in other coastal areas due to
mountain air currents, earning the village its name, which means 'a
cool and shady place' in the Adyghe language. While Dagomys is not
as lively as nearby Sochi, the resort's quiet and relaxing
atmosphere makes for a great weekend getaway.
Dagomys, Russia
Rdfr
Dombai
One of the more popular ski resorts in the Caucasus region,
Dombai is a scenic mountain valley located at the confluence of
three rivers, 37 miles (60km) from the Black Sea coast. Famous for
its pure air, Dombai is frequented mostly by Russian holidaymakers,
lending it a unique and lively atmosphere and preserving the town's
authentic character. The facilities at Dombai are old and fairly
worn, but there is a tourist complex comprising hotels and a
recreation and sports centre. Five lifts and three ski trackers
operate on a pay-as-you-go riding system serving varied pistes
(tracks) that cater for all levels of skiers. The gentle slopes
near the top of the mountain are better suited to beginners, as the
incline becomes very steep toward the bottom.
Dombai Ski Resort, Russia
Webster
Gelendzhik
The laidback seaside resort of Gelendzhik has been around for
several millennia, having been founded as a Greek outpost around 64
BC. The town is set along a curving bay with calm pebble beaches
that are ideal for swimming and watersports, and land-based
activities like horseback riding, quad biking and hiking.
Gelendzhik is best known for its spa and waterparks, and there is a
cable car line specially built for tourists to take in the scenic
views from the top of the mountain. A new airport opened in 2010,
making it easy to get to Gelendzhik from Moscow and St
Petersburg.
Gelendzhik, Russia
Vihljun
Krasnaya Polyana
Set 1,968 feet (600m) above sea level, Krasnaya Polyana, ('red
meadow') is fast becoming the most popular ski resort in Russia.
Skiers and snowboarders in Krasnaya Polyana can enjoy magnificent
panoramic views of the West Caucasus. Located just 25 miles (40km)
from Sochi and the Black Sea coast, Krasnaya Polyana is sometimes
called the 'Russian Courchevel" for its well-groomed pistes
(tracks), good après-ski nightlife, and high prices. The resort
owes much of its popularity to its excellent heliskiing
opportunities, but there are also good runs for beginners. The
resort underwent massive renovations ahead of the 2014 Winter
Olympics in Sochi. Olympic facilities located in Krasnaya Polyana
include the Russian National Sliding Centre (luge, bobsleigh, and
skeleton), Psekhako Ridge (biathlon, cross-country skiing, and
Nordic combined), Roza Khutor Alpine Resort (Alpine skiing and
snowboarding), Alpika Service Mountain Resort (freestyle skiing),
and Russian National Ski-jumping Centre (ski jumping and Nordic
Combined).
Krasnaya Polyana, Russia
Lite
Sochi experiences a humid subtropical climate with warm summers
and mild winters that seldom see the temperature drop below
freezing. Average summer high temperatures reach up to 83ºF (28ºC),
while average winter lows drop to 37ºF (3ºC). The Krasnaya Polyana
mountains experience perfect snow conditions and are largely
protected from the wind - unique conditions that cannot be found
anywhere else in Europe. The ski season is from October through
May.
Adler-Sochi International Airport
Location: The airport is located 19 miles (30km) from downtown
Sochi.
Time: Local time is GMT +3
Getting to the city:
The Aeroexpress train is the fastest way to get from the airport
to Adler or Sochi. A number of Sochi Autotrans buses connect the
airport with the city centre, Adler and the 'Rosa Khutor' Alpine
Centre in Krasnaya Polyana. There is also a Skybus offering direct
connection to accommodation at Gorki Gorod, Laura and Rosa Khutor
resorts.
Car Rental:
Avis and Sixt offer car rental services at the airport.
Airport Taxis:
Taxis are always available outside the airport. The official
airport taxi provider offers a set rate according to the price
list.
Fascilities:
Sochi International Airport offers cafes, restaurants, a post
office, banks and currency exchange offices, baggage storage, a
pharmacy, first aid and a baby-care room.
Parking
Short-term parking is available. Parking is free for the first
15 minutes, RUB 200 per hour and RUB 1,000 per day. Daily and VIP
parking is also available.
Trolleybuses and minibuses run frequently throughout the city of
Sochi. Taxis are also readily available but can be quite expensive;
it is best to negotiate a price with the taxi driver before setting
out. Car rental is another option in the city, but the chaotic
driving style, heavy traffic, and lack of parking makes it
inconvenient for most short-term city trips.
Sochi offers travellers a varied sightseeing buffet. The
beaches, ski resorts, health spas, and scenic wilderness areas
ensure that a holiday in there can be a very healthy one, and also
that most tourists will travel well beyond the city centre to
explore the wider region's offerings.
Sightseeing in Sochi is less about iconic cultural and
historical attractions and more about recreational fun, with spas,
malls, parks, and sporting facilities often taking centre stage.
Popular attractions within the city include the Arboretum Botanical
Garden (Dendrarium), which allows for beautiful views over the
city; Riviera Park, where recreational facilities are plentiful and
open-air concerts are held; the Zovokzalny War Memorial, dedicated
to local soldiers killed in World War II; the Loo Temple, including
ruins dating back to the 12th century; and the Discovery World
Aquarium, a world-class marine facility.
Beyond city limits the Sochi National Park beckons visitors with
striking natural features like the Agura Waterfalls. The seaside
resort towns of Dagomys and Gelendzhik draw beach bums, and ski
resorts like Krasnaya Polyana and Dombai lure snow enthusiasts.
Agura Waterfalls, Sochi National
Park
Yufereff
Matsesta, Sochi
Alexander V. Solomin
Dagomys, Russia
Rdfr
Dombai Ski Resort, Russia
Webster
Gelendzhik, Russia
Vihljun
Krasnaya Polyana, Russia
Lite
