TOP35 Sights of Sochi and Adler with photos and descriptions

Speaking about the sights of Sochi, I mean not just stand-alone monumental objects, but also places where you just like to be, and more importantly, where you want to come back again. All the attractions of the resort can be divided into man-made and natural, within the city and beyond.

As you know, Greater Sochi is not only the city of Sochi itself, but also all of its environs. There are a lot of interesting things in them. But I see the main division between the sights of Sochi in the fact that you must see some of them in the first place, and others - as far as possible and if you have free time..

The content of the article

one Unusual excursions in Sochi
2 TOP 35 sights of Sochi and Adler
3 On the map

Unusual excursions in Sochi

For those who want to save time on preparing for the trip and immerse themselves more fully in the atmosphere of the place, I would recommend using the author's excursions. Look below the prices for such excursions, something will definitely suit you - Sochi, Abkhazia, Krasnaya Polyana, etc..

Prices for excursions in Sochi>

In my opinion, individual excursions are much more interesting than organized excursions with their large number of people and a hackneyed program. Moreover, with a private guide, you can always agree on a convenient time and day, as well as adjust the program.

TOP 35 sights of Sochi and Adler

In this post, I tried to collect more attractions for those who have arrived for a long time or have already been to Sochi several times. I traveled most of them myself, a small part I took from the reviews. Now you have a wide variety of things to do. All attractions with names, descriptions and photos. For those who want the most basic sights, see TOP 15 attractions.

Arboretum Sochi

One of the most famous landmarks, the history of which began in 1889 by the publisher «Petersburg newspaper» SN Khudekov, who bought a plot on the slope of Lysaya Gora. The park is divided into two halves by Kurortny Prospect, but under it there is an underground passage, along which you get to another part of the Arboretum.

The territory inside is divided into thematic zones, there is a small poultry house, a funicular to the highest point of the park and throughout the Arboretum there are buildings of different sizes, but equally beautiful. More about the Sochi Arboretum.

Ticket price: entrance to the park - 250 rubles, cable car - 200 rubles

Arboretum and cable car

Stalin's dacha

Historical landmark, primarily interesting for those who still understand the meaning of words «Soviet», «Stalin», «communism». The generation that grew up with GDP does not know any other time and will not be interested in a nondescript house with strange architecture, creaky floors and a wax statue of a Georgian in a cold office..

Older people will be interested in touching history, learning some details from the life of the leader of the USSR, remembering the forgotten past. More about Stalin's dacha - Stalin's dacha in Sochi - history, not an attraction.

Ticket price: 300 rubles

Stalin's dacha in Sochi

Historical Boulevard Sochi

A pedestrian zone, a route along the upper part of the embankment in Sochi, which passes through several dozen historical and cultural attractions of the city. The footpath starts in front of the Marine Station, and it ends in front of the Winter Theater. In the opinion of many (and mine, including) - Historical Boulevard will be better and more interesting than the central embankment of Sochi.

It wins due to its low population, lack of retail outlets and many interesting places along the way, including several cool observation decks overlooking the sunset. More details and pictures about the boulevard - Historical Boulevard in Sochi - a secret walking area.

Historical Boulevard in Sochi

Park "Riviera

Huge in size and the most famous old park in Sochi. Although it is completely different from Adler's Sochi Park, in the Riviera you will spend a lot of time and money. Several entrances to the protected area lead you into lush greenery with alleys lined with attractions. There are bigger ones, like an oceanarium, dolphinarium or hippodrome.

And there are small, standard for this kind of places, entertainment: shooting gallery, stalls, games for accuracy and dexterity, restaurants, children's playgrounds, carousels, wheels and swings. All this happiness is divided into a corner for very young visitors, and all other attractions for any age.. More about Riviera Park.

Ticket price: entrance to the park is free, but for the rides you have to pay separately from 20 to 350 rubles. Or buy a subscription: children - 900 rubles, adults - 1200 rubles, family - 1500 rubles and there are still discounts for them, it is better to check on the park's website.

Park "Riviera

Oceanarium in Adler

Sochi Discovery World is considered the largest oceanarium in the Russian Federation. There are entrances directly to the building, but through a system of barriers, so you will have to twist around in your personal transport in search of parking. The oceanarium itself is a beautiful modern building, inside which delight and admiration awaits you and your children.

Not that everything is done epic there, but the very concept of underwater glass tunnels by default is advantageous. This is one of those places that you leave without regret for the money spent. More about the aquarium - Oceanarium in Adler - surprise, delight and shock.

Ticket price: 700 rubles, photos and videos - 100 rubles

Oceanarium in Adler

Sochi Park

A separate attraction in the Olympic Park is the Singing Fountain, as well as the neighboring entertainment paradise - Sochi Park. A huge area packed with attractions for people of all ages and interests. You have to come here purposefully for the whole day, and even this time may not be enough to completely bypass the entire park.. More about the Olympic Park.

Ticket price: 1200 rubles for children and 1550 rubles for adults

Sochi Park next to the Olympic Park

Mount and tower Akhun

Not the highest mountain in the vicinity of Sochi, but according to legend - it was she who was personally chosen by Stalin, who carefully looked at it from his dacha and ordered to build an observation tower there. For little money, you can easily and quickly get to a beautiful observation deck with a 360-degree view: Adler, the sea, Sochi and the silhouettes of the Caucasian ridge. Akhun Tower is perhaps the most accessible observation deck at this height.

View from the Akhun tower

Orekhovsky waterfall

As far as I understand, this is the closest waterfall to the city, next to which there is an open-air cultural recreation area. The road to it is good almost to the end, but the last couple of kilometers are for drivers with strong nerves and cars with strong suspension. At the end of the route there is a parking lot for a dozen cars and after it the pedestrian zone begins: covered gazebos for a picnic under the trees and below, by the river.

To see the waterfall, you have to go down a steep staircase with a railing, but it's worth it. Choose the season carefully to visit - in the hot season, the waterfall dries up a lot. More about the waterfall - Orekhovsky waterfall in Sochi - a picnic in nature.

Orekhovsky waterfall in Sochi

Zmeikovsky waterfalls

One of the closest waterfalls to Sochi, or rather, a cascade of waterfalls, which can be reached very quickly even by public transport. Almost the entire road to the very end is normal asphalt, which ends with a couple of kilometers of dirt road and a fairly spacious parking lot.

In total, at the Zmeykovsky waterfalls, you can observe four main locations, where the water falls or flows from a decent height and the highest and lowest waterfalls are considered the best. For more details and pictures about Zmeikovsky waterfalls, see here - Zmeikovsky waterfalls in Sochi - 4 pieces.

Ticket price: 100 rubles per person

Zmeikovsky waterfall in Sochi

Akhshtyrskaya cave

One of the simple attractions, both in terms of the road to it, and in terms of attendance. You will calmly reach the ticket offices, park, and in five minutes you will already find yourself in the center of the cave. It is small, cold and smells like bats. On the way to the cave, you will discover two excellent observation platforms overlooking the Mzymta River and the Skypark suspension bridge - it is located on the same road as the Akhshtyrskaya Cave.

Not far from the cave there is another attraction, though of a religious nature - a grotto with an icon. As for me - not worth a visit, but for some it may be significant. More about the cave - Akhshtyrskaya cave in Sochi is not extreme extreme.

Ticket price: 150 rubles

Akhshtyrskaya cave in Sochi

Yew-boxwood grove

Ecotourism trail, consisting of two routes of different lengths (large and small circles). The entire path of the big circle passes through beautiful natural places where relict plants, a canyon, stone grottoes, lianas, boxwood trees are found - fabulous landscapes that definitely deserve a separate hike if you like this format of rest.

The small circle consists of asphalt paths and benches, you can walk it in just an hour. More about Tisosamshite Grove.

Ticket price: 300 rubles

Yewsamshite Grove

Navaginskaya street

An excellent walking walk from the railway station to the Marine Station, or just a walk in the city center along an alley densely overgrown with tropical plants. A place of amazing beauty and photogenicity, with rows of restaurants, shops, benches and various sculptures. A very popular place that looks equally good both during the day and in the evening with lighting.

The only drawback is the problem with parking in the center, but you can still find paid parking nearby. More about Navaginskaya street - Navaginskaya street in Sochi - natural local Arbat.

Navaginskaya street in Sochi

Maritime Station

The end point of Navaginskaya Street, the deep-water seaport of Sochi, the marina for yachts, the beginning of the central Sochi embankment - all this is the Marine Station. A beautiful building with a high spire, which now serves as an expensive shopping center.

Interesting both inside and out, so it should be viewed as «attraction for half an hour», not less. You will have time to take pictures of yourself in front of the yachts, stroll through the square opposite the Marine Station and wander inside. More about the Marine Terminal - Marine Station in Sochi - yachts, boutiques and Semyon Semyon.

Marine Station in Sochi

Gorki Gorod and Rosa Khutor

Previously, I would have written - Krasnaya Polyana, but since I figured out the geography of the resort, I am writing correctly - Gorki Gorod and Rosa Khutor, these two resort towns can be considered a real attraction near the village of Krasnaya Polyana.

Both in Rosa Khutor and in Gorki Gorod, the lower part (under the mountain) is an interesting architecture, a pedestrian zone with entertainment and beautiful photographs. And higher up the slope - a ski resort with funiculars and sports infrastructure. More about the resort area - Krasnaya Polyana near Sochi - 4 in 1, the whole truth about the resort.

Rosa Khutor in Estosadok

Sky park

An adrenaline paradise for extreme lovers. One of the most killer rides in the Sochi environs: a suspension bridge over the Mzymta River, which reaches 400 meters in length, and from which crazy people like me jump upside down from a height of 69 and 207 meters.

Here you will find the highest swing in Europe, and trolls, along which you can rush at a speed of 150 km / h. Add another rope park here «Mowgli» and the climbing route Via Ferrata, and get the best extreme amusement park with no less extreme prices.

Ticket price: from 1000 rubles, includes only observation decks and a bridge, all other attractions are paid separately

Skypark and skybridge

Sochi Art Museum

The Sochi Art Museum, which stands in the center of Ordzhonikidze Street, was founded in 1971. The collection of the Art Museum presents works of art from ancient times to modern painting. There is an option of visiting the museum, both with a regular excursion, and in person, with the help of a portable audio guide. There are even rooms with interactive exhibits that children will absolutely love..

Ticket price: Adult - 200 rubles, children or reduced price - 100 rubles, video and photography - 50 rubles, audio guide - 50 rubles.

Sochi Art Museum

Abandoned sanatorium Ordzhonikidze

One of the unofficial sights of the city, where tourists are not brought by buses and they are not offered to buy a private tour. In fact, this is not an abandonment in the full sense of the word, but a sanatorium closed for an indefinite period, guarded and fenced.

I have a separate post with the history of this amazingly beautiful place, which used to be a national health resort, where ordinary workers improved their health, but now it is empty and destroyed due to inconsistency with seismic resistance standards and neighboring illiterate construction projects. More details about the sanatorium.

Sanatorium Ordzhonikidze in Sochi

Singing fountains of Sochi

I would say that this is a fountain, not fountains. He is alone, just very big. The attraction is located in the center of Sochi, not far from the Marine Station and near Platanovaya Alley. The fountain is quite old - it has been operating since 1970, and if earlier people could sit next to it and talk to each other, now in the summer a music and light show begins, attracting attention and eyes.

The radiance of souls, which one on one under the sunset sky and the murmur of water exchanged personal and intimate, turned into a rhythmic blinking of LEDs for the entertainment of the crowd. That is why I do not think that the Musical Fountain in Sochi is a place of primary importance..

Ticket price: To see the waterfall is free, but it is located on the territory of the Olympic Park, and there is a paid entrance. Adult ticket - 700 rubles, child ticket - 350. Children under 5 years old - free.

Singing fountain in the Sochi Olympic Park

Park Southern Cultures

Dendrological park «Southern Cultures» located near the Olympic Park in Adler, on the left bank of the Mzymta River. Air, ponds with swans and ducks, bamboo, eucalyptus trees, rare species of pines, in general - one of the regular attractions around the world, which is usually called «Botanical Garden».

Quiet, secluded and calm place in the middle of the resort town, where you can walk under the shade of tall trees, hiding from the southern sun. More about Southern Cultures.

Ticket price: 120 rubles

Park Southern Cultures in Sochi

33 waterfalls

You can get to them with an excursion or by your own car, independently to the village of Kichmay. Any car can drive along the local road, so it is not necessary to rent a jeep. True, the parking will not be near the waterfalls themselves, but it will remain very close to walking. A pedestrian path with trade stalls selling souvenirs leads to the ticket office.

The largest waterfall is the very first, reaching a height of almost 12 meters. The rest are located below, but there is also something to see. On both sides of the river there are wooden walkways and staircases with railings. More about 33 waterfalls.

Ticket price: 370 rubles

33 waterfalls in Lazarevskoye

Agursky waterfalls

Usually this attraction is visited in combination with Mount Akhun and an observation tower on Mount Akhun. In the summer season at Agurskiye waterfalls there is simply darkness to the people, they call from everywhere and offer to buy something, there is an incredible noise and people stand in lines to take a photo against the background of the waterfall.

In summer, it is certainly great here in the sense that you can swim, but still the quietest time for a waterfall is the off-season. A lot of water and few people - everything that we love so much in the waterfalls.

Sochi circus

A classic in Soviet style, a building with a recognizable profile and full face, burgundy reclining chairs and the smell of animals. Unlike many Russian circuses, there is no permanent collective here, and the circus hosts different troupes from all over the country. Therefore, performances can be both great and mediocre, here you are already as lucky.

Ticket price: from 800 rubles

Sochi circus

The Rose of the Winds view tower

One of the not the brightest and not to say very popular viewing platforms, which deserves a separate visit. Moreover, it is not located on the mountains adjacent to the city, but in the middle of Sochi. The road here is a bit intricate, you can even get lost, but in the end you will find yourself in a good parking lot near the tower itself.

The entrance for visitors to the cafe (and this is exactly the cafe) will be free, and if you came to purely gaze at the panoramic view - up to 100 rubles from the nose. And the view is really gorgeous, 360 degrees.Read more about the Rose of Winds

Ticket price: 100 rubles

View from the Rose of the Winds in Sochi

Central Embankment of Sochi

In fact, this is a pedestrian Primorskaya street, which stretches along the coast from the Seaport to the Winter Theater. The embankment is barely one kilometer long, and it all consists entirely of commercial buildings. Which, in fact, makes it a minor attraction of the city.

Crowds of people, a narrow promenade lined with restaurant tables, souvenir shops, entertainment for children, very noisy and no romance in the evenings in season. The historic boulevard wins here in all respects. But on the other hand, this is Sochi as it is. Have a beer, sit in a restaurant, feel the atmosphere of the most popular resort in Russia. More about the central embankment.

Central embankment in Sochi

Adler Dolphinarium

The show with the participation of dolphins is held 3 times a day, at 12, 15 and 18 hours, lasts about 40 minutes and a significant part of this time is occupied by banal trade - an auction for the sale of paintings drawn by dolphins. It would be possible to remove this place from the TOP of the best, but oddly enough - children like it. Adults are likely to be bored, but that's why they are adults. More about the dolphinarium - Dolphinarium in Adler (former Aquatoria) - for the inexperienced

Ticket price: 600 rubles

Adler Dolphinarium

Navalishchenskoe gorge

One of the striking natural attractions of the Sochi environs. The gorge is located on Mount Akhun and you can get here only on foot along the tourist routes. Rocks, grottoes, caves, backwaters and fonts, a mountain lake and an amazingly calm atmosphere of a century ago. It's pretty dull here in autumn, and I would recommend visiting only during the summer months, when nature is riot with colors and aromas, and the earth does not sag underfoot..

Olympic Park

Olympic facilities of the maritime cluster, which are located between the old Adler and the border with Abkhazia, on the shore of the Imeretinskaya Bay. The main buildings are the Formula 1 track, arenas for sports and competitions, between which there are kilometers of excellent cycle paths. The Olympic Park is a new attraction in Sochi, which appeared as part of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. More about the Olympic Park.

Olympic Park in Sochi

Cooperative Square

Never a historical value, but from the point of view of resting the eyes and heart - it is very beautiful here. That's very beautiful. A chic place for a photo shoot against the backdrop of tropical plants, a great option for a walk with a baby or a city picnic for the whole family.

There are serious problems with parking, so it's better to come here on foot so as not to have a headache about where to park your car. In spring, cherries bloom here, which for some reason are proudly called sakura. More about the blooming sakura in the Sochi Cooperative Square.

Cooperative square in Sochi

Imeretinskaya embankment

A relatively recent building, which was created as part of the improvement of the maritime cluster of Olympic facilities. Several kilometers of the shores of the Imeretinskaya Bay were poured with concrete, a high parapet and a wide pedestrian path, combined with a bicycle path, were laid. This is the only place in Adler where cyclists feel like a fish in water and are not afraid of hitting someone or being knocked down..

Along the entire embankment there are cafes and restaurants, there are bike and electric scooter rentals, and in general it is a magnificent pedestrian zone between the port and the border with Abkhazia. For more details and photos, see here -Imeretinskaya embankment in Adler - the road to heaven.

Imeretinskaya embankment in Adler

Aquarium in Matsesta

The aquarium is most suitable for children; it will be interesting for them to see fish and animals, especially if they get into their feeding hours. Circus performances are held with some animals and you can take pictures with them. In addition to many varieties of fish, corals and algae, you can see iguanas, crocodiles, sharks, turtles and stingrays in the aquarium..

There is a python and a seal with their own names, a hippopotamus and a fur seal, an alligator. This is not a very large and spectacular aquarium., «local significance», so it's not worth going here from afar, but to go in between times, no matter what, especially not counting, it is quite possible.

Ticket price: adult - 500 rubles, children (from 6 to 11 years old) - 300 rubles.

Svir gorge

The gorge is interesting primarily for the Svirsky waterfall. This is the highest and most beautiful waterfall, which, moreover, is located close to the beginning of the route. If you walk along Svirskaya Street in Lazarevskoye, going upstream of the stream, at the beginning of the walking route along the gorge you can see a clearing. To the right of it will be the Svirsky waterfall. After that, you need to return back to the clearing and walk in the other direction for about three kilometers.

The trail climbs the mountain over rough terrain, winding from one side of the stream to the other, and leads to the Slava dolmen, the Adam and Eve waterfalls, the Moonstone (a piece of rock or a boulder of a slightly unusual shape), the tree of desires and the Mother-in-law's tears waterfall. It will take several hours to complete the entire route. You should focus on red marks on stones and trees.

Ticket price: 100 rubles for entrance to the territory of the Sochi National Park.

«Berendee kingdom» and Mamedovo gorge

Recreational object Berendeevo kingdom near Lazarevskoye is a dedicated area of a large natural park and part of the Mamedov gorge. The name of the gorge is associated with the legend about the Adygea Mamed, who saved his native village from Turkish robbers, sacrificing his life. Following the route on the territory of the Berendey Kingdom, you can see the waterfalls of the Bezymyanny stream (a tributary of the Kuapse River).

In addition to natural attractions, the park is interesting because the Soviet fairy-tale film The Snow Maiden was filmed here. On the territory of the park there are wooden figures of fairy-tale heroes, and the waterfalls have romantic names: Kupava, Emerald, Berendey's Beard. A 450-meter trail leads along the stream from the ticket office to the waterfalls.

Then you can walk from the observation deck at the farthest, 30-meter waterfall Beard Berendey through tea plantations to ancient megaliths, a sanctuary and a dolmen. This part of the route is 700 meters long. The trail is equipped with bridges with handrails, is marked and quite simple, here you can even walk with children.

A marvelous fairy forest with intertwining tree roots and lianas hanging from branches and stones is spread around. In addition to the purely natural component, on the territory of the Berendey Kingdom, you can fish in a small reservoir where trout are bred, dine in a cafe, take pictures with fairy-tale characters and take part in entertaining animation shows for children and adults..

The route along the Mamedov Gorge begins behind the boarding house «Amber», dirt road from which leads to the restaurant «Kuren». About half an hour walk along the Kuapse River, through a magical green forest, where beech and chestnut and lime trees grow, and now the road goes to the right, and the path along the stones of the river leads to Orekhovaya Polyana.

The narrow corridor between the rocks marks the beginning of the most interesting: first you can see the grotto with dripstone formations and bizarre rocks, and then - the stone gates of the gorge, where the stone walls converging overhead form an arch. Outside the gate, travelers find themselves in a limestone so-called «White Hall», on one of the walls of which a stream of waterfall flows «Mamed's beard».

Behind the waterfall there is a small natural body of water called Vanna Mamed. Three more waterfalls of the gorge are called Happiness, Youth and Love. They are just over 10 meters high. According to tradition, one must bathe in each of them and find all of the above. Climbing even higher, you can reach tea plantations and a tea house with a cafe near the village of Bolshaya Mamedka. In the gorge, you can also visit the stone block where the waterfall is located «Mamed's head» and dolmen.

The cost of a ticket to the Berendeevo kingdom park: environmental fee - 100 rubles, children under 7 years old - free.

Quest Imaginarium

Popular entertainment in the form of a room quest. The meaning of the entertainment is that in 60 minutes you need to find the keys according to the prompts and leave the room. A team of 5-6 people participates in the game. Children from 8 to 14 years old can only participate with adults.

The atmosphere of a mysterious story and exciting puzzles give vivid emotions and thrills to both children and adults. The game takes you to an unfamiliar environment and gives you the opportunity to test your intelligence, logic and team play skills.

Ticket price: from 1000 to 3000 rubles for a team of 5-6 people.

Amfibius water park

The water park is located in Kurortny town (Adler). Suitable for vacationers with children. The rest may be boring. In addition to the standard slides and attractions, there is a children's area with a swimming pool and fountains, many cafes where you can have a bite to eat, shops. The area is green and well appointed. During the day, you can leave and return from the water park, it works during the season from morning to late evening.

Ticket price: children under 3 years old are free, from 3 to 7 years old - 700 rubles, adults - 1400 rubles.

Three Sophia ostrich farm

The farm is located next to the road to Krasnaya Polyana and the entrance to the Akhshtyr canyon. On the territory you can see ostriches emus and rheas, golden pheasants, a goose from the banks of the Nile, peacocks and other birds that can be fed.

In addition to the birds, the farm is also home to a decorative boar, a pony that you can ride and a kite with which you can take pictures. Guided tours are organized around the farm, you can relax in the gazebo, and before leaving, buy an ostrich egg as a souvenir.

Ticket price: 100 rubles. The farm is closed as of June 2018.

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