Sochi

Sochi is a city on the Black Sea coast. Sochi has always been the most popular region of Russia for summer holidays. There are also several ski resorts and one casino in the mountains, near the village of Krasnaya Polyana. The distance from Sochi to Moscow is approximately 1700 kilometers.

The city of Sochi is located in the Krasnodar region of Russia, on the Black Sea coast, in a subtropical climate zone. The population of the central part of Sochi is approximately 447 thousand people (2023). During the holiday season, the city's population increases significantly, thanks to vacationers coming to the city.

You need to know this before planning your trip! The word Sochi can be used to describe two territorial entities.
This is the city of Sochi itself (Sochi Center) and the Municipal Formation of Sochi - Greater Sochi.

• Sochi Center is a rather small area. For tourists, this is the city center, approximately from the Riviera Park to the Arboretum Park along the seashore (about 3 kilometers) and from the embankment to the train station.
• The municipality of Sochi is known as “Greater Sochi”. The center of the municipality is the city of Sochi. The Greater Sochi also includes (among others) the settlements of Adler, Khosta, Lazarevskoye, Krasnaya Polyana, Dagomys. (You can also add the urban-type settlement of Sirius, the Imereti resort.) The length of the municipality of Sochi is 105 kilometers (along the Black Sea coast). Greater Sochi is the longest city in Russia and Europe.

Greater Sochi - information for travelers

Sochi is one of the most popular resort cities in Russia. The warm subtropical climate and Black Sea beaches attract holidaymakers in the summer. Ski resorts are filled with winter sports enthusiasts in winter and spring. There are also many who want to live in the mountains in the summer and spend the winter in a city with a warm climate. Everyone chooses the Sochi they like.

August is the hottest month of the year in Sochi. January and February are the coldest months. The sea water warms up best in August (24.1°C). In August, the water temperature can even reach 29°C. The swimming season in Sochi usually lasts from mid-May to mid-October.

Greater Sochi stretches for about 100 kilometers along the Black Sea coast. You need to understand well what place you will end up in when buying a tour to Sochi.

• Sochi Airport is located in Adler.
• Adler center is closest to the airport. This is a good place if you are not bothered by planes taking off above you.
• The Imereti resort and the Sirius territory are located slightly southeast of the center of Adler near the border with Abkhazia.
• The center of Sochi is located approximately 27 kilometers northwest of the center of Adler.
• "Resort Town", Khosta, Matsesta are located between the Adler Center and the Sochi Center.
• Even further from the airport, behind the center of Sochi, there are Mamaika, Dagomys, Loo, Vardane, Yakornaya Shchel, Lazarevskoye.

The distance Sochi Center - Lazarevskoye is about 70 kilometers.

All these places have hotels and beaches. But choosing the center of Sochi, the center of Adler, the Imereti resort, you will live in the city. If you are looking for a secluded location, ask your travel agent for advice.

Information on the history of the city of Sochi

Based on archaeological excavations, it is assumed that the first people penetrated into the vicinity of Sochi about 400 - 350 thousand years ago.
Greek colonization of the Black Sea coast began at about VI-V centuries. BC. er. with the emergence of city states and lasted until about I at. BC. er.
Around the end of the XVI century, the Black Sea coast falls into the sphere of geopolitical interests of the Ottoman Empire and Russia. As a result, the Russian-Turkish war of 1828-1829 to the Russian Empire formally leaves the modern district of Sochi. In fact, Russia was controlled only part of the coastal zone.
The city of Sochi was founded in 1838 as Fort Alexander.
In 1917, Sochi was awarded the status of the city.

On vacation in Sochi

Sochi is the most popular resort in Russia for decades. This is not only due to the fact that there are very good beaches and good climate. One of the reasons is that not all Russian citizens have the opportunity to go on vacation abroad. (Almost no one could afford it in Soviet times.)

Among the shortcomings of Sochi can be noted:

• Pebble beaches are here. You will find better beaches at many resorts.
• The holiday season is pretty short here.
• Prices for services and goods here are not the lowest in the world.

But will we recommend you to visit Sochi? Of course yes! If you have already been to other countries and other cities, then you definitely should come here as well.

During the holiday you can visit other cities of the Black Sea coast. You can also make a trip to Crimea (by plane or by bus on a new bridge.) There is also an opportunity to visit Abkhazia.

Places to visit

The location of these attractions and other interesting places you can see on the map of Sochi.

Arboretum Park

Arboretum Park is a great place for a walk. In the park you can see different types of plants, trees, shrubs, as well as (possibly) ostriches, peacocks, turtles, swans, etc. The park is divided into two parts: the upper one is on the hillside, the lower one is more shady and flat. It is especially beautiful in spring, when the trees are blooming. Paid entrance.
Address: Sochi, Kurortny Prospekt, 74.

Riviera Park

Riviera Park is probably the most visited park in the city. The park is located in the central part of the city, on the right bank of the Sochi River, near the seashore. The park has many attractions and entertainment for tourists (carousel, observation wheel). Therefore, the park can be a bit noisy, but quiet corners can also be found. Next to the park is Riviera Beach.
The park houses the Big Sochi Dolphinarium.
Address: Sochi, Egorova street, 1.

"Sochi Discovery World"

The Sochi Discovery World is the largest aquarium in Russia. The total area of the aquarium is 6000 square meters. There are 30 aquariums with a total volume of 5 million liters of water. The aquariums contain about 4 thousand fish (more than 200 marine and freshwater fish species). The oceanarium is located in the resort town of Adler.
Address: Russia, Sochi, Adlersky district, Lenin street 219a/4.

Adler Dolphinarium

This dolphinarium is located in the “Resort Town” of Adler. The dolphinarium's pool has a diameter of 20 meters and a depth of 6 meters. The Dolphinarium hosts performances of dolphins and other marine mammals.
Adler, st. Lenina, 219.

Aquarium-terrarium

The aquarium-terrarium of the city of Sochi presents more than 200 species of fish, birds, reptiles and amphibians (lizards, snakes, crocodiles). The total area is approximately 340 m2.

"Southern Cultures" Park

The Southern Cultures Park has the same theme as the Sochi Arboretum Park, only smaller and quieter. Perhaps this is why many tourists like it. Paid entrance.

Tower and observation deck on Mount Akhun

On Mount Bolshoy Akhun near the city of Sochi there is a tower with an observation deck. The tower offers views of the Black Sea coast and the Caucasus Mountains. The height of the tower is 30.5 m. The most convenient way to get to the tower is by taxi.

Sea station

Sea Port of Sochi has two passenger berths with a total length of 330 meters. Seaport can take passenger ships, ferries and cargo ships. Address: Sochi, street Voykova 1.

How to get to Sochi

Foreign tourists usually travel to Sochi by plane. Direct flights to Sochi are operated from a small number of airports. (For example, in 2024: Istanbul, Tel Aviv, Yerevan, Baku, Belgrade.) Most likely, you will have to buy tickets for a flight with a stopover in Moscow or St. Petersburg.

Find flights and buy tickets here.

You can also come to Sochi by train from Moscow and St. Petersburg, but this journey will take you a lot of time. Perhaps this route is suitable for those who do not like to fly by plane.

The Sochi airport

Sochi Airport is located in the city of Adler, approximately 25 kilometers from the center of Sochi. The airport serves a huge number of tourists and ranks 5th in Russia in terms of passenger traffic. The distance from the airport to Moscow is approximately 1,350 kilometers (flight time is about two hours). The distance from the airport to the ski resorts is about 40 kilometers. The airport has bus and train connections with Sochi, Adler, Krasnaya Polyana.

It is very convenient to use a taxi. (Although this is not the most deshovy form of transport.)
You can book a transfer (taxi) from the airport to your hotel even before departure, online.

Sea port

The seaport of Sochi is located near the city center. The seaport receives passenger ships and cruise ships. During the tourist season, the passenger port offers boat trips on yachts, boats and tourist ships.
Address: Sochi, Voykova street, 1.

Train Station

The railway station is located approximately 1.4 km from the marine passenger station. Long-distance trains from many Russian cities arrive at the station. From Sochi station you can also get to Tuapse, Adler, as well as to ski resorts near Krasnaya Polyana (Rosa Khutor station). There is also a bus station next to the train station.
Address: Gorky street 56, Sochi.

Places to stay in Sochi

Greater Sochi has many accommodation options for tourists. You can book a hotel room, rent an apartment or villa.

In the center of Sochi, the most convenient hotels can be considered those located near the central beach, not far from the Marine Station.

There are several good hotels near the embankment and the Festivalny concert hall. For example: Grand Karat Sochi, Mercure Sochi Centre, City Park Hotel Sochi.
Behind the Winter Theater is the famous Zhemchuzhina Hotel. (This hotel was one of the best during the USSR.)

There are also quieter and more isolated places to stay in Sochi. For example, the Khludov Estate Boutique Hotel is located on the territory of the Riviera Park. The Rodina Grand Hotel & SPA is located in a rather isolated location behind the Riviera Park. The Luciano and Swissôtel Resort Sochi Kamelia hotels are located behind the Arboretum Park.

There are many inexpensive hotels in Sochi, but they may be located some distance from the beaches.

Hotels in Adler, at the Imereti resort next to the Olympic Park, are also very popular. Ski lovers usually stay in hotels in the village of Krasnaya Polyana in winter.

You can find and book a hotel room with any hotel reservation service. We can recommend a few useful links to you.

Get more information about hotels in Sochi and Adler.