In which area of Sochi is it better to relax - Big Sochi and Sochi itself
For those who are going to go to Sochi and are thinking about choosing housing, it is useful to know what the different districts of this city are and in which area of Sochi it is better to relax. First of all, it should be noted that the phrase Greater Sochi (or even just Sochi) means a narrow strip along the sea, about 100 km long. This is practically the entire coastline, from Abkhazia and almost to Tuapse. The mountains do not allow the agglomeration to grow inland, from the sea, so it grows in length. At the same time, the settlements related to Sochi are known by their own names, but still they are administratively related to Sochi. Like, for example, Adler, which is also a part of Sochi. Moreover, this is a large and practically independent area, which includes the village of Krasnaya Polyana.
The content of the article
Greater Sochi districts and map
Officially, there are four districts in Greater Sochi: Lazarevsky, Central, Khostinsky and Adlersky. The Central District is usually called the city of Sochi. This is the smallest area, but the most populated and developed in terms of tourist infrastructure area..
Sochi Airport is located in Adler, from where it is about 30 km to the center of Sochi, and only 7 km to the border with Abkhazia. Sochi Central Station is connected to the airport by Aeroexpress, which also stops at the Adler railway station. Train and buses go to Krasnaya Polyana from Adler.
Descriptions of areas
Lazarevsky district is the farthest from the center of Sochi and from the airport. It is considered the least convenient in terms of transport accessibility. But the sea is cleaner here than in the center. The Lazarevsky district includes the villages (in order from west to east): Shepsi, Magri, Vishnevka, Makopse, Sovet-Kvadzhe, Golubaya Dacha, Ashe, Lazarevskoye, Chemitokvadzhe, Zubova Shchel, Glubokaya Shchel, Golovinka, Yakornaya Shchel, Nizhnyaya Beranda, Vardane, Nizhnyaya Khobza, Loo, Nizhnee Uchdere, Cultural Uchdere, Dagomys. If you are looking for where in the Lazarevsky district you can stay, see my list of cheap and good rated hotels.
The Central District is the historical part of Greater Sochi, that is, the city of Sochi itself. Not all neighborhoods of the city are equally good for recreation. For example, only the microdistricts of Mamayka, Novy Sochi, Central, Svetlana, Yana Fabricius go out to the sea. Donskaya, Areda, Zavokzalny, Sobolevka, Maly Ruchei - do not border the sea. And further from the coast there are microdistricts KSM, Hospital town, Makarenko and Vishnevka.
Famous Sochi sights are located on the territory of the Central District: Winter Theater, Sea Port, Railway Station, Art Museum, Park "Riviera, Sochi Arboretum and the Bocharov Ruchey residence (in the Novy Sochi microdistrict).
In the Central District of Sochi, the terrain is flat and everything that is needed for life and recreation is located in close proximity, including the sea. Therefore, we can say that this is the best area for families with a child. My list of cheap and well-located hotels and hostels for young people in Central Sochi look here.
The Khostinsky district is considered a balneological resort. There are more sanatoriums here than beach hotels. Matsesta waters and silt mud are the main attractions of this place. The Khosta district includes microdistricts (from west to east) Bytkha, Matsesta, Maly Akhun, Khosta, Kudepsta.
Adler District - it includes the microdistricts of Kurortny Gorodok, Golubye Dali, Central Adler, Cheryomushki, Nizhneimeretinskaya Bay (Imeretinsky) and Krasnopolyansky settlement district (Krasnaya Polyana). It was on the territory of the Adler district that buildings were erected for the 2014 Olympics, including the mountainous part (Krasnaya Polyana) and the coastal (Olympic Park in the Imereti Lowland). The airport is also located here. The Imereti region is now gaining popularity, reviews about it are mostly good, since the entire infrastructure is new and modern, comfortable for recreation. For families with children, youth recreation, the area is perfect, since a large beach club with golden sand has recently opened here, there is a beautiful embankment, convenient for walking, the Sochi amusement park, an oceanarium, water parks and much more. It is also beneficial to stay in Adler for those who have come to go skiing, since accommodation here is cheaper than in Krasnaya Polyana, and you can get to the slopes by bus or the Lastochka train. There are also regular transfers from many hotels in Adler to the ski slopes and Krasnaya Polyana. About good and inexpensive housing in the Adler district read in detail here.
Greater Sochi Map
Districts of Greater Sochi
Sochi:
Adler:
Host:
Lazarevskoe:
Microdistricts of the Central District of Sochi
In simple terms, these are just different areas, in fact, the city of Sochi. There are quite a few of them, but not all of them are of interest from a tourist's point of view. In summer, the most popular areas for guests of Sochi are areas adjacent to the sea and bordering them. These are, for example, the area of Donskaya street, Zavokzalny area, where the Sochi railway station is located, as well as the areas of Makarenko, Zarechny, Mamayka, Novy Sochi, Central, Svetlana and the Yana Fabricius microdistrict. For me personally, due to the combination of factors in terms of recreation, I like Central, Zarechny and Svetlana the most..
Donskaya
The microdistrict is adjacent to Novy Sochi, but is located further from the sea, rising up from the valley. The main street is Donskaya. Along the Donskoy, the area is flat, but it is worth moving a few houses inland from it and the slope of the mountain begins. The area is comfortable and quite developed in terms of infrastructure. There are many shops, a market, small cafes. There is also the largest shopping and entertainment center Moremall in the city and the Yubileiny cinema. Not a bad option for families with children, as the area is quiet. Sochi city center is 5 to 8 minutes away by car, to the sea - about 15 minutes. Also, the beach can be easily reached by minibus. Public transport runs on schedule and quite often. In this microdistrict there are inexpensive and well-rated Guest House Solnechny and Hotel Bellagio.
Donskoy street area
Zavokzalny
If the distance from the sea is not very critical for you, this is a very convenient area for living in Sochi. The infrastructure is excellent here - everything you need is there. The sea is actually also not far away - several stops by public transport. On foot, if you wish, you can also walk. In general, the area is quiet and calm, sleeping. The city center is also within walking distance. The building density is low, from here you can get to any part of the city without traffic jams. In the Zavokzalny district, on the very border with the Central district, there is the Denart hotel, which is popular among tourists in Sochi..
Makarenko
This area is good because there are quite a few people here, compared to Central or Zarechny. It was built up in the 70-80s, some of the buildings still look relatively fresh, the technical condition is good. It's a long way to get to the sea and the Center on foot - 20-30 minutes walk, so this is not the best option for families with children. In addition, Maccarreno is mainly located on the mountain. Locals prefer to get to the beach by public transport. The infrastructure in the microdistrict is well developed and housing is inexpensive here. Near Makarenko, but in other districts, there are two highly rated hotels: Vishnevka (as the name suggests, the hotel belongs more to the Vishnevka microdistrict) and Marianna in the Hospital town.
Makarenko district in Sochi
Zarechny
The main streets of this area are Gagarina and Krasnoarmeiskaya. There is good infrastructure, relatively close to the sea (much closer than from the same Donskoy), Riviera Park (attractions, shops, cafes) and the free beach of the same name. The entire area is permeated by the colored boulevard, perfect for walking, and also near the river embankment, along which you can also walk. The area is not mountainous, flat. The buildings are quite old, there are many Khrushchev houses. But mostly quiet, green, close to shops, cafes, central market and public transport. Not a bad choice for both short and long term rentals. If you are choosing the best area for a vacation with a child, then this is just one of the options, since, among other things, there is a large playground here..
Tsvetnoy Boulevard in the Zarechny District
Mamayka
Beaches, a well-developed resort infrastructure, a Magnit hypermarket, relative proximity to the center, where Vinogradnaya Street, a new bypass road and a backup road to Kurortny Prospekt go - all this makes the area very popular both for tourism and for long-term stays. From Mamayka to the center of Sochi about 10 minutes drive. If you are on a private vehicle, then staying in this area would be a good choice. A well-rated hotel in the area - Dream by the Sea.
New Sochi
In New Sochi, there is also a private sector and new buildings. But housing in the latter is not of the highest quality and the infrastructure is still rather poorly developed. The sea is nearby, but it is difficult to get to it, as the terrain is hilly. If you are with small children and a stroller, it may not be very comfortable to move around. In this area, it is better to choose accommodation closer to the Riviera Park. Some distant parts of the district can only be reached by car, there are many construction sites. But there are also quiet corners with a good view of the sea. There is a nice free beach here «Albatross», many parks. It is not far from the center of Novy Sochi. In general, this is a fairly popular area for holidaymakers. Closer to the sea and the Riviera, there are expensive hotels with a large territory, like overseas beach resorts. But in general there are quite a few hotels in this area and most of them are new. One of the most rated - Green Deck boutique hotel with pool and meals included (half board).
In the background, Vinogradnaya Street, New Sochi
Central
The very center of the city, with a developed tourist infrastructure, attractions, cafes, restaurants and more. The commercial port of Sochi is located here, Navatinskaya Street is a green pedestrian zone, where it is pleasant to take a walk. The sea, of course, is not as clean as on the outskirts, but the very center of life, there are many large expensive multi-star hotels, as well as fairly democratic housing. Minus - there are a lot of people during the season. The terrain is flat, one of the few flat areas in Sochi. Good transport accessibility to the railway station. This is perhaps the best area for youth recreation. There are a lot of hotels in this area. One of the best-rated guests is the international network Mercure Sochi Center.
Central district in Sochi
Svetlana (Vereshchagin side)
A microdistrict popular with tourists with a developed infrastructure is located close to the city center, in fact, it is also a center. There are many inexpensive and good cafes for every taste, canteens, public transport stops, shops, including Magnit and Perekrestok. Nearby there are theaters, Arboretum. Close to the sea. True, the nearby beaches are small and belong to different sanatoriums, so many people go to the Riviera beach. From the railway station to Svetlana on foot about 40 minutes. This is one of the best areas where relaxation is pleasant and comfortable. In this area, three minutes from the sea, there is a boarding house Svetlana with studios with a kitchenette and a washing machine. Convenient for families with a child.
District Svetlana
Jan Fabricius microdistrict
This is a comfortable, green and quiet neighborhood located behind the Arboretum. The city center of Sochi is 2-3 minutes away from here, the sea is also close. The beaches and the sea are cleaner here than in the center. There are many boarding houses, still Soviet, there are also good expensive hotels with a high level of service. There are not as many cafes and shops as in the more central areas, but it is green, there are many gardens, and new business-class houses are being built recently. Of the hotels in this microdistrict, it is located by the sea and has the highest rating Avangard Sanatorium.
Sochi microdistricts map
We made a map of Sochi's neighborhoods to make it easier to navigate where and what, especially when housing is offered, you can immediately estimate how far to the sea and the center. And then they can write 15 minutes on foot to the sea to go, but in fact the area is much far away and you need to run to keep within this time. Map drawn based on © openstreetmap.org
Sochi microdistricts map