It turns out that Sochi is the longest city in Europe. Its length is 148 kilometers. The resort is also called the Russian Riviera. He got this name due to the fact that it is located on the same latitude with Nice, Cannes, San Remo and Monte Carlo. This is the only corner of Russia where figs, medlar, magnolias, palm trees, feijoa, eucalyptus grow. There are many places worth seeing. Sochi is a city that includes several resort areas: Matsesta, Magri, Krasnaya Polyana, Adler, Lazarevskoye and others. More than 90% of the area is foothills and mountains of the Western Caucasus. What is interesting for tourists to see in Sochi? More about this later in the article.
Sochi City: Attractions
In the heart of the resort is the arboretum. This is one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in Russia. In this peculiar open-air museum, a huge number of flora samples from both the Western Caucasus and many southern countries are presented. The territory of the arboretum has an area of about 50 hectares. Here metasequoia grows - a plant that was considered by scientists extinct about 60 million years ago. Its seeds were brought from China in 1944. In total, more than 1600 species of plants are represented in the arboretum, only pine species grow here 76 species! On the territory of the botanical garden is a marine aquarium. Admission to the arboretum for adults is 250 rubles, for children from 7 to 14 years old is 120 rubles, for preschoolers admission is free.
Mount Akhun
What to see in Sochi yet? The visiting card of the resort is Mount Akhun.
Its height is more than 660 m. In the thirties of the twentieth century, a tower was erected on the top, thanks to which the mountain gained its popularity. The building is made in the style of a medieval fortress. The tower offers a wonderful view of Adler and Sochi. In fine weather, you can even see the peaks of Elbrus, Fisht and other mountains of the Caucasus Range. Inside the building, a museum of fauna and flora of the biosphere reserve is open, stuffed animals living in the vicinity are exhibited. On the slopes of the mountains grows linden, ash, hornbeam, oak and other trees. You can climb the 11-kilometer serpentine. There are hiking trails that also attract many tourists. In the
Agursky gorge, to which you can go down the path, there are the famous
Eagle Rocks and
Agursky waterfalls.
Park "Riviera"
Tourists coming to the resort do not have the question: "What to see in Sochi?". There are a lot of beautiful places. One of these is the Riviera Park. It was founded in 1898. The park has for many years been considered part of the historical, cultural heritage and natural monument of the resort. A plot of about 14.7 hectares is located on the right side of the river, in the central part of the city. On the territory you can see about 240 different types of shrubs, walk along the alley. Particular attention of the guests is attracted by the unique rose garden. Here is the so-called Shop of lovers, created from 100 forged hearts. The aroma of roses spreads throughout the county. On the territory of the "Riviera" operates more than 60 attractions. There are also performances for children, an aquarium and a dolphinarium. In the center of the site is the Green Theater, in which famous troupes and artists often give performances. Tourists can attend performances by famous singers, dancers, a rock festival, a jazz concert. Restaurants and cafes work in the park. You can have a quick and tasty meal in them. Guests can enjoy dishes of Japanese, Azerbaijani, Uzbek, Caucasian cuisine.
Attractions and Glade of Friendship
For lovers of sports and outdoor activities in the park open volleyball and basketball courts. Tourists can also visit the tennis court. Equipped and playgrounds for the game of towns and chess. Attractions in the park are very diverse: children's, adults, extreme, family. Among them there are those that are especially popular: Roller Coaster, Galaxy, Indiana and others. Glade of Friendship is considered the main attraction of the park "Riviera". Here the first tree was planted in 1960. Since that time, many artists, politicians, cosmonauts of Russia and foreign countries have planted a whole grove of magnolias.
Waterfall Orekhovsky
What to see in Sochi in the summer? Many excursion programs include a visit to Orekhovsky Falls. The path to it passes through the territory of the national park. One and a half-kilometer path will lead to a beautiful waterfall: a water stream, falling from a height of almost three hundred meters, is divided into thousands of thin streams against the background of vertically standing layers of slate, ferns, mosses and stone patterns. Sometimes the roar of the stream is so strong that people standing next to each other do not hear each other. It is very nice to stand near the waterfall on a hot afternoon and feel the touch of the smallest drops of water! This place has been attracting travelers since 1911. Before the October Revolution, the waterfall was called Mill. It is surrounded by an oak-chestnut forest. Rhododendron and evergreen boxwood grow here. A cafe is open at the descent to the waterfall.
Museum of Painting and Ceramics Yuri Novikov
If in the hot season you can visit parks, gardens, waterfalls in the open, then what to see in Sochi in winter? You should definitely visit the private home museum of painting and ceramics. Its magical atmosphere attracts many tourists. Here you can visit the workshop of the creator, see how clay turns into a ceramic figure. Yuri Novikov is a ceramic artist, represents the St. Petersburg direction of ceramics. His works are exhibited in the Art Galleries of Orel and Kursk, the Historical Museum of St. Petersburg, and his creations are in private collections and galleries of foreign countries. The Sochi Museum presents works in the technique of stone masses, faience, majolica. The main topics are: “Urban motifs”, “Golden ring”, “Yards of childhood”, “Russian tile” and others. Visitors can see ceramic vases, wall dishes, interior compositions, handmade sculptures. Today, the permanent residence and work of Yuri Novikov is the city of Sochi.
Attractions of the surroundings
In the Lazarevsky district, between the Bezymyanny and Asheysky ranges, there is a deep canyon - the Mamedovo Gorge. It was formed by the course of the river. Kuapse, and named after one of the locals. According to legend, the Turks attacked the village in order to capture and sell the population into slavery. Elder Mammad led the inhabitants into the gorge, and led the enemies by another route, for which he was later executed. In the canyon there is the Beard Mammad Falls, the deep water boiler Cauldron Mammad, located a little lower, and a picturesque meadow, which is surrounded by limestone cliffs. It is also called the White Hall. The gorge can be visited by tourists with varying degrees of training. A cafe is open at the entrance to the canyon, where guests can enjoy Russian cuisine.
"Three Sophia"
This is a private ostrich farm. It is located in Adler. Today, it is actually a zoo. The focus here is on breeding African ostriches. The farm also has Indian peacocks, pheasants, geese, mandarin ducks. Some animals can be stroked. Those who wish can ride a pony, take a photo on horseback in the clothes of a horseman with a tame kite and a real saber. On the farm there is a pond, on the banks of which there is a gift shop and cafe.