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Sochi, Russia

You are here, about sochi.

Sochi is Russia's only subtropical resort city that stretches along the picturesque coast of the Black Sea. With a permanent population approaching 350,000, it holds the record as the largest resort city in Russia. As the unofficial capital of the Riviera of the Caucasus, its many beaches make the city popular in summer. In contrast, skiing in the nearby mountain makes it an ideal place for winter vacations.

The city is set in the Krasnodar Krai, which stretches 145 km (90 miles) along the Black Sea, making Sochi the second longest city behind only Mexico City. The resort has a long history that dates back to Ancient Greek and Roman times when the Zygii people inhabited the Area. The first Russian settlement on the site was called Fort Alexander, founded in 1838 at Sochi River's mouth.

History of Sochi

In fact, Sochi is a relatively new name for the city, as it was first called that in 1896. The name has two possible sources: it could be a variation of the term "sshatche," was used by the local people to mean "place by the sea" or "shacha," which locals used to mean "sell ahead" because the territory of the town used to be where slave markets were held.

One of the first big names to put Sochi on the map was Soviet leader Joseph Stalin - he built his favorite vacation home or dacha here. The city was also known as the "All-Union health resort" of the Soviet Union, and after the collapse of the USSR, the city was, in fact, the only Black Sea resort in Russia. It is still famous today for its recreation facilities.

Reasons to travel to Sochi

It is here that many well-to-do Russians go to rejuvenate in some of the most popular healing mineral springs in Russia. These vibrant spas are the best known of the Matsesta Sulfur Springs, renowned since antiquity as the “fiery river” springs because of the tanned hue that treatment in its waters leaves. A legend says that a local girl bravely wandered into the underworld and brought back its healing waters to the surface as a gift from the spirits below.

Natural mineral springs are a component of Sochi’s vast collection of natural attractions encompassed in the nearby Caucasian State Nature Biosphere Reserve . The Agura and Orekhovskaya waterfalls are perhaps the most strikingly beautiful representations of these attractions. Still, the mountains also hide mysterious caves where traces exist of the first humans migrated northward through here into Neanderthal-dominated Europe some 35,000 years ago. Sochi also boasts a large trout farm, as well as a spectacular dolphinarium and aqua theater. What is more, the air quality in Sochi is excellent, due in part to the fact that the city boasts nearly 500,000 acres of forests, with about 10,000 of those acres located in the city center! Sochi has a beautiful collection of parks, including a botanical garden and arboretum with rare and exotic species of tropical flora, as well as beautiful coastal promenades and trails.

Many local experts consider daily walks as important for the restoration of health to the body and mind, so it's not unusual to find many strollers on scenic pedestrian byways like the gorgeous Eagle Rocks path .

Sochi also contains a special tea plantation , the only one in Russia and the northernmost in the world. Its tea-house’s picturesque view of the Black Sea from the exclusive Dagomys district provides the perfect setting for sampling Russia’s home-grown offerings. Another interesting fact about this city is that it is merely a 37-hour train ride away from Russia’s capital Moscow !

In addition to its status as a resort city, Sochi is known for its sports facilities . For example, Sochi tennis schools have trained such athletes as Maria Sharapova.

With so much local attention to health and exercise, the International Olympics Committee found Sochi to be the obvious choice to host the 2014 Winter Games . The 22nd Winter Olympics welcomed thousands of visitors, and the attention of millions of international television viewers, to this proud resort area. The Games were a first for the Russian Federation - the Moscow Olympics of 1980 were, in fact, hosted by the Soviet Union, a now an extinct country.

The city has undergone several immense changes with billions of rubles spent preparing the city and the nearby Krasnaya Polyana skiing area for hosting this world event. All competitions took place in two areas: the newly constructed Coastal Cluster, for indoor ice events, and the Mountain Cluster - featuring a renovated Krasnaya Polyana for all downhill and skiing sports. The two clusters are only 30 minutes apart, making the 22nd Winter Olympic games one of the most compacts ever held. The Russian Formula 1 Grand Prix is held here until at least 2020, and Sochi is one of the host towns for the 2018 FIFA World Cup . So it is fair to say that Sochi is clearly familiar with top-notch athletes! It would be fair to say that Sochi is long used to being among the most glamorous spots in Russia. Since 1909, Russian glitterati have thronged here, and movie stars have been a regular feature at the city’s Kinotavr Film Festival every June since 1991. The Russian president himself maintains a dacha near the tea plantation in Dagomys, which is used to entertain foreign heads of state.

Best Things to Do in Sochi

• Catch the relaxing vibe of resorts and beaches of the Black Sea
• Explore the Olympic Park of 2014 and the famous Riviera Dolphinarium
• Get inspired bu the natural marvels in Sochi surroundings
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Things to Do in Sochi, Russia - Sochi Attractions

Things to do in sochi, explore popular experiences, top attractions in sochi.

Other Top Attractions around Sochi

What travelers are saying

• Fisht Olympic Stadium
• Krasnaya Polyana Mountain Cluster
• Southern Cultures Park
• Rosa Khutor Ski Resort
• Khostinsky Tisosamshitovaya Grove
• Gornaya Karusel Sport-Tourist Complex
• Iceberg Skating Palace
• Bolshoy Ice Dome
• The Singing Fountains

The Top 12 Things to Do in Sochi, Russia

The Olympics were only the beginning

Savushkin/Getty Images

Many non-Russian travelers had never heard of Sochi prior to the city's hosting of the 2014 Winter Olympics. Local tourism authorities, for their part, have struggled to convert the buzz the games generated ( which, let's face it, was largely negative ) into meaningful tourism numbers—let their failure benefit you. Sochi remains one of Europe's best-kept tourism secrets, and these are the top 12 things to do there.

Swim in the Black Sea

Sacha Mordovets/Getty Images

Sochi's popularity among Russians stems mostly from its location on the Black Sea, and the fact that it's warm basically year round. As a result, whether you sun yourself on crowded stretches of shoreline like Sochi City Beach or the aptly-named Sunny Beach, or take excursions to Rosa Beach Esto-Sadok or Solinki, one thing is for sure: A swim in the Black Sea is in your future!

Go Back to the Time of Stalin

Kristian Malham/Getty Images

Although many travelers associate Sochi with the 2014 games, the city is actually quintessentially Soviet. Its prominence in modern times owes itself almost completely to a 1934 general reconstruction ordered by Joseph Stalin, who had a Dacha (aka Summer House) near the Black Sea, one you can visit today. Other Soviet architecture in Sochi includes Sochi Railway Station and the Winter Theatre. The world history that took place in Yalta on the Crimean Peninsula ( which most non-Russians still consider to be part of Ukraine ) is of even greater significance, having seen Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin meet after the end of World War II.

Or Even Further Back in History

Dmitry Naumov/Getty Images

Of course, Sochi has been populated since long before World War II, the Soviet Union or the Russian State in any form. Strucutres like Godlik Fortress and Loo Temple have stood since the Byzantine era, in fact, and are some of the most impressive examples of pre-Russian architecture in the entire federation.

Make Friends With Adorable Dolphins

Kolderal/Getty Images

Like Vladivostok in Russia's Far East , Sochi is home to a dedicated place for getting up-close and personal with dolphins. Even better, Riviera Dolphinarium is not only home to its namesake animal, but is a full-service amusement park complete with rides, shows, concessions and more.

Take in a Black Sea Panorama

Staying in Sochi's center makes it easy to see how important the Black Sea is to the city. But if you want to get a sense of the sea's geographical grandeur, getting a higher perspective. Specifically, take a day trip to Mount Akhun, which on clear days afford you a breathtaking panorama of the Black Sea lapping at Sochi, which looks like a toy town from such heights.

Expand Your Mind While You Beat the Heat (or Escape the Cold)

a8764/Getty Images

Sochi is warm for much of the year, as stated above, but whether you need to escape sweltering heat or an unseasonable chill, Sochi's climate-controlled museums are the most fulfilling place to seek shelter. From Sochi Art Museum (another Stalin-era structure), to the illumination Sochi History Museum, to the Sochi Museum of Sports Honor (which opened just in time for the 2014 games, as its name not-so-subtly hints), Sochi makes it easy for you to gain knowledge while you wipe your sweat (or the snow that has fallen on you!) away.

Savor Sochi Seafood

Anna Kurzaeva/Getty Images

It should go without saying that Sochi is a wonderful place to eat fish and other seafood, since it sits on the Black Sea. An interesting quirk, however, is that while dedicated seafood restaurants like high end Sinee More serve up delicious sea creatures, restaurants that specialize in the cuisine of former Soviet republics (Vody Lagidze, for example, serves Georgian dishes) can offer a more interesting take on the impossibly fresh fish you enjoy as you explore Sochi.

Go Chasing Waterfalls

Dmitry Shishov/Getty Images

TLC's timeless 90s advice hasn't aged well for travelers—who among us doesn't love chasing waterfalls? In Sochi, you have plenty of options for camera-ready cascades. While the smaller flows at Agurskoe Canyon are closest to the city, truly adventurous travelers can go by car to the Lazarevskoe District, where as many as 33 waterfalls await you, depending on how much rain fell in advance of your trip.

Discover Russia's Underrated Wine Scene

Vostok/Getty Images

Russia is known among drinkers mostly for its vodka , but the country does produce wine—and 60 per cent of this production occurs in an around Sochi. While a day excursion to sample Abrau Durso sparkling wines is the most popular and scenic option, you can find locally-produced wines in the majority of Sochi's restaurants.

See the Olympics, Even if You Missed Them

Alex Stepanov/Getty Images

If you missed the Sochi Olympics, there's good news and there's better news. The good news is that much of the Olympic Coastal Cluster, which sits right on the Black Sea, still stands. From purpose-built structures like Bolshoy Ice Dome, to the aforementioned Sochi Railway Station, a walk through the former Olympic site is just like a trip to the actual games, except without defective hotel rooms (that's the better news!).

Ethnicities and religions [ edit ]

Sochi is one of the most multinational cities in Russia with people of more than 100 ethnic groups living there. Most of them are ethnic Russians (68%), the important minorities are Armenians, Ukrainians, Georgians, Greeks, Circassians, Belorussians, Tatars, and Jews.

Russian is the predominant language spoken by almost everyone in the city, including nearly all minorities, but many local placenames came from Abkhazian and Circassian languages. The most commonly used ones include "pse" / "psh" / "psta" (water), "akh" (high), and "nykh" (holy).

The major part of Sochi inhabitants are Orthodox Christians (80%). There are also Muslims (5%), Catholics and Jews. Orthodox cathedrals are represented in all the parts of the city. The only Catholic cathedral in Central Sochi was built in 1997 (most churchgoers are Catholic Armenians). There is also a mosque, albeit a very small and remote one (in Tkhagapsh community, 15 km towards the mountains from Lazarevskoe). The city authorities are planning to build a new mosque and a synagogue by 2014.

Orientation [ edit ]

Greater Sochi occupies 105 km along the Black Sea coastline. Its total area is 3,500 km² (3 times as large as Moscow ). However, most of the population is spread along the narrow coastline stripe, while the mountain area (1,900 square km) mostly belongs to Sochi National Park and partly to Caucasian Biosphere Reserve . The city alignment is from north-west to south-east, from the neighboring city of Tuapse right to the Russian border with Abkhazia .

Greater Sochi has 4 administrative districts. Central Sochi District is the core of the city and its most developed and populated part. Many of the city attractions, hotels and most shopping centers are there. During the summer season, Central Sochi is usually overcrowded and traffic-jammed. Lazarevskoye District is the largest (1744 km 2 ) and the longest (65 km coastline) one among Sochi districts, includes 34 sub-districts, most of them are spread along the sea shore. Lazarevskoe district is less urbanized that other ones in Greater Sochi. In fact it has many various settlements, often poorly connected with each other and lacking basic infrastructure. Khosta District is to the south-east from Central Sochi, this district contains some major attractions, such as Akhun mountain . While Adler District is the city's important transport hub, which includes Sochi International Airport, Adler train terminal (final point for most trains going to Greater Sochi) and the only open border crossing with Abkhazia . The role of Adler is rapidly increasing now because it will host all the Olympic venues for the 2014 Games (the Olympic coastal cluster at Imeretinskaya lowland and the mountain cluster at Krasnaya Polyana ). By 2014 the look of Imeretinskaya lowland and Krasnaya Polyana has drastically changed, as well as the local transport infrastructure.

The best developed, urbanized and monolithic part of Greater Sochi is the coastline between Dagomys (south-east of Lazarevskoe district) and Imeretinskaya lowland of Adler district.

Money [ edit ]

Like elsewhere in Russia, the Russian rouble (RUB) is the only currency officially accepted in the city. Money exchange is not a problem, but use only official counters at banks and avoid people offering you exchange at major transport hubs. By Russian legislation passport is needed for exchange operations.

Sochi has many ATMs, especially in Central Sochi and Adler. You may withdraw not only roubles, but also dollars or euro at some of them (approximately 10% of all ATMs). Take into account, that Visa and MasterCard are widespread in Russia, but American Express cards are usually not accepted even at major tourist places. Also, expect possible problems with paying by card at minor shops or restaurants and at small private hotels. Have some cash with you for such cases.

Get in [ edit ]

Sochi is among several Russian seaports, where international tourists have the opportunity of visa-free entry for up to 72 hours (applicable for cruise ships and ferry line passengers only). Check limitations and requirements carefully before use.

For other foreign visitors standard Russian visa requirements apply.

By plane [ edit ]

International flights [ edit ].

There are regular air connections with Vienna ( Austrian Airlines [dead link] ), Istanbul ( Turkish Airlines ), and Tel-Aviv ( Rossiya Airlines ). Also Belgrade (air serbia, 2022)

Former Soviet Union countries are also connected to Sochi:

Yerevan , Armenia ( Ural Airlines ), Minsk , Belarus ( Belavia ), Chișinău , Moldova ( Air Moldova ), Tashkent , Uzbekistan ( Rossiya ), and Dushanbe , Tajikistan ( Tajik Air ).

Domestic flights [ edit ]

Several flights per day connect Sochi with Moscow and Saint Petersburg . Other major cities of Russia, such as Kazan , Krasnodar , Krasnoyarsk , Perm , Rostov-on-the-Don , Samara , Yekaterinburg and others are also connected by air with Sochi.

Key carriers:

• Aeroflot [dead link] - flights to Sochi from Sheremetyevo airport, Moscow
• Nordavia [dead link] - flights from Arkhangelsk
• S7 - flights to Sochi from Domodedovo airport, Moscow
• Sky Express - domestic discounter, flights to Sochi from Vnukovo airport, Moscow
• Utair - flights from Tyumen , Ufa and Surgut
• Yakutia [dead link] - flights from Yakutsk

Airport transfer [ edit ]

By bus/marshrutka:

• 51 - from the airport to Adler (central market)
• 105 , 124 - from the airport to Sochi central railroad station
• 135 - from the airport to Krasnaya Polyana

Taxi service at the airport is chaotic, taxi drivers can rarely speak English, and the declared price for a ride can be inadequate. To protect yourself, book taxi or hotel transfer in advance. The price varies greatly depending on the district you are going to.

• Sky Express Taxi ( airport transfers only ), ☏ +7 8622 358-100 . SkyExpress discounter airline offers the airport taxi transfer as an addition to other flight services (don't expect discount prices for that).  
• Taxi Galant ( airport transfers only ), ☏ +7 918 101 0342 . Transfers from Sochi International airport to any part of Greater Sochi and back. Order in advance, at least 2 hours, or better one day prior to ride.  

Russian Railway company has completed a two-way railway to Sochi airport and it is the easiest way to get to Sochi Adler from the airport. Tickets are fairly cheap and the train goes approximately every hour.

By train [ edit ]

Sochi has two major rail terminals in Central Sochi and Adler. However, most trains make short stops at small transit stations of Great Sochi: Lazarevskaya, Loo, Dagomys, Matsesta and Khosta. Tickets can be purchased via Russian Railways website , at RZD counters, or via travel agencies. RZD opens ticket sales 45 days prior to ride, book in advance during the high season.

There are regular train connections with key cities of Russia, and also with major cities of Belarus and Ukraine . Round-the-year destinations include:

International:

• Kyiv , Ukraine (30 hours)
• Minsk and Gomel , Belarus (34-39 hours)
• Kaliningrad (64 hours, via Vilnius , Lithuania )
• Sukhum , Abkhazia (from Adler station, 5 hours)
• Moscow (25-28 hours, speed trains and 15 hours route are planned to be launched by 2014 Olympics)
• Saint Petersburg (40-49 hours)
• Chelyabinsk (64 hours)
• Kazan (49 hours)
• Krasnodar (6-7 hours)
• Krasnoyarsk (95 hours)
• Novosibirsk (81 hours)
• Perm (68 hours)
• Rostov-on-the-Don (14 hours)
• Samara (43 hours)
• Saratov (32 hours)

During the high season (May to September) the number of trains and the diversity of destinations increase dramatically.

By car [ edit ]

The M4/E115 road connects Sochi with Moscow (1660 km) via Voronezh (1150 km), Rostov-on-the-Don (570 km) and Krasnodar (300 km).

The quality of this busy road differs from a narrow serpentine to a highway depending on its section, tending to improve during last years. Normally it takes 2 days to reach the city from Moscow and 5-9 hours from Krasnodar , depending on traffic.

Going to Sochi from Europe you can use transit roads through Ukraine or Turkey . In the last case a car can be transferred to Sochi from Trabzon by ferry. Entering Sochi via Georgia and Abkhazia is impossible because the border between these two countries is closed.

By bus [ edit ]

Sochi main bus terminal is near the main train terminal in Central Sochi. The second important terminal is in Adler.

International route destinations:

• Chișinău , Moldova (30 hours, except Fridays and Sundays)
• Odesa , Ukraine (27 hours, weekly by Sundays)
• Sukhum , Abkhazia (4.5 hours, 3 times a day)

Major domestic route destinations:

• Anapa (10 hours, daily)
• Astrakhan (26.5 hours, daily)
• Krasnodar (8 hours, 2 times a day)
• Maykop (8 hours, 2 times a day)
• Makhachkala (27 hours, daily)
• Nalchik (17.5 hours, daily)
• Novorossiysk (8.5 hours, daily)
• Rostov-on-the-Don (12.5 hours, odd days)
• Stavropol (14 hours, 2 times a day)

By boat [ edit ]

Going to Sochi by a cruise ship or by a regular ferry can be an attractive opportunity to visit Russia without a visa . Passengers are allowed to stay up to 72 hours at Russian territory if they live at the cruise ship or at the hotel, which is arranged for this particular group tourist program.

Unsurprisingly, up to now, most international tourists come to Sochi by cruise ships (please check the itinerary).

The seaport of Sochi [dead link] operates several regular international routes, mainly in the period from May to October:

• Fast ferry from Trabzon , Turkey - 3.5 hours, May to October, 2 times a week
• From Batumi , Georgia — 4.5 hours, daily, open only for citizens of Russia, Georgia , and CIS countries.

Ferry tickets from Sochi can be usually purchased only at the port, 1 day prior to departure.

There are also regular ship connections with neighbouring cities of Novorossiysk , Tuapse and Gagra , Abkhazia .

Get around [ edit ]

By foot [ edit ]

Within Central Sochi most distances are walkable, with some regard to hilly landscape and appropriate physical efforts needed.

Other districts of the city have significant spaces between their parts, so it's better to use some transport to get, for example, from Matsesta to Kudepsta or from Loo to Lazarevskoe . To walk between districts and sub-districts of Greater Sochi is also usually not convenient due to lack of sidewalks, hilly terrain, and intensive traffic.

It may seem that the city extended along the sea coast should have long promenades. In fact, most of the coastline space behind the beach is taken by the railroad. So, the only real promenade is between Riviera Park and Dendrarium of Central Sochi. The other one is under construction in the Olympic Park of Adler.

Due to the resort specifics of Sochi, the usual approach there is to measure the distance in meters from the beach. This may play a bad joke: you can find yourself at a hotel or apartment close to the sea, but far away from any infrastructure and transportation. So, be attentive while booking.

By bus/marshrutka [ edit ]

In contrast to other Russian cities of the same size, Sochi does not have any trams or trolleybuses. The initial bus transportation system after the collapse of Soviet Union was doped with smaller private buses and marshrutka (minibuses). The last category mostly duplicates the existing bus routes with some minor, but often useful additions. The service is quite frequent and relatively cheap, that makes it the most popular way of transportation in Sochi.

The most important bus/marshrutka routes in the city are:

• 3K - from the central bus terminal to Matsesta
• 12 - from Bytkha to Matsesta
• 17 - from the central bus terminal to Novaya Zarya (ring route of Central Sochi)
• 22K - from the central bus terminal to Bytkha
• 36 - from the seaport of Sochi to Mamayka
• 47K - from the central bus terminal to Transportnaya street (Olymp Mall)
• 57 - from Adler train station to Imeretinskaya Lowland and Vesyoloe (to the border with Abkhazia )
• 64 - from Mamayka to Kudepsta via Central Sochi, Matsesta and Khosta
• 99 - from Sochi train station to Vinogradnaya street (ring route of Central Sochi)
• 105 - from the central bus terminal via Matsesta , Khosta and Adler sub-districts to Sochi International Airport , then to Alpika-Service part of Krasnaya Polyana . The 105K bus goes to the airport only.
• 106 - from Sochi train station to Trout Farm via Sochi International Airport
• 125 - from the central bus terminal to Imeretinskaya Lowland via Matsesta , Khosta and Adler
• 130 - from Adler train station to Trout Farm
• 135 - from Adler (market) to Krasnaya Polyana
• 155 - from the central bus terminal to Lazarevskoe via most sub-districts of Lazarevskoe district ( Dagomys , Vardane , Loo , etc.)
• 167 - from the central bus terminal to Adler (market / Novy Vek Mall)

Bus / marshrutka numbers from 1 to 99 mean that the fare is fixed for all the distance of the ride. Numbers from 100 have flexible fare system depending on the travel distance.

The 100-km length of Greater Sochi makes the trains one of the fastest and most suitable transports to travel between the city districts. Sochi used to have the only track along significant part of the route between Tuapse and Abkhazia , beading 5 major stations, 4 minor ones, and 28 platforms inside the metropolitan area. Preparing for the 2014 Olympics, Russian Railways (RZD) built two new lines, connecting Adler, International Airport, Imeretinskaya lowland and Krasnaya Polyana region), having a total length of 48 km, with 5 new stations.

Commuter trains of Sochi have been constantly improving, upgrading from standard Russian elektrichki to modern and comfortable ones. Most of them go from Adler (or from Sochi central terminal) to Tuapse or Goryachy Klyuch and back. One or two trains run daily to Krasnodar and Maykop . One-way ticket for a ride in an old train (elektrichka) from Sochi to Lazarevskoe has a travel time of 1 hour and 45 minutes. A ride on a new commuter train has a travel time of 50 to 70 minutes. Expect to pay 40% more if going to Lazarevskoe from Adler (travel time is 2 hours 20 minutes for a plain old train).

While summer hot season brings more interregional trains to Sochi, the number of local commuter trains is decreasing for that period. So, there are only 6 round-the-year local trains (16 in off-season period). The good news is that each long distance train will also stop at Adler, Khosta, Sochi, Loo and Lazarevskaya stations, so it is possible to travel inside the city by these trains. The bad news is that you will need a passport each time you are buying a long-distance train ticket.

By bike [ edit ]

The city bike rental service allows a bike to be taken and left at any of 30 automated terminals (pilot ones are installed in Central Sochi and Khosta districts). The service is free, but you must leave a deposit before you return the bike.

There is also work on cycle lanes allocation in the city. However, Sochi is still uncomfortable for cycling due to heavy traffic and a lot of construction sites.

By wheelchair [ edit ]

Generally, Russia has a huge gap in the level of accessibility for people with disabilities. Several cities have started their improvement programs in this area, and Sochi is among them. The accessible city is a requirement for 2014 Paralympic Games organization.

So far, at least the airport facilities and new commuter trains in Sochi are accessible. The project to create the accessibility map of Sochi has been launched in 2011, giving the start to the same all-Russian project. Hopefully, next few years will bring the significant improvement in the city's accessibility, as it happened in Khanty-Mansiysk prior to another Paralympic sport event.

See [ edit ]

Historical sights [ edit ]

• Stalinist period Empire Style buildings . The modern-period architecture history in Sochi started from the general construction plan of 1934. During the Stalinist period (till 1953) many monumental buildings around Greater Sochi were built. Among them are: Sochi central train terminal, Sochi seaport, The Winter Theatre, Sochi Art museum, and numerous resort hotels, such as Metallurg, Lazarevskoe etc.  
• Godlik fortress , Kurskaya street, Chemitokvadzhe - Lazarevskoe district . The remains of a Byzantine triangle fortress, which was built in 4-5 centuries AD. Despite the poor condition of this site, it still has remained towers and part of limestone walls.  
• Loo temple , Loo - Lazarevskoe district . Another Byzantine site, and also in poor condition. It's at the hilltop away from the sea (1.5 km). It was built in the 10th-12th centuries, rebuilt in the 14th century and converted into a fortress in the 15th-16th centuries.  

Museums [ edit ]

• Museum of Sochi Sport Honour , Sovetskaya, 26 - Central , ☏ +7 (8622) 64-23-26 , +7 (928) 448 90 85 (tours) . Daily 11:00 - 21:00 . This is the newest museum in the city, open in 2010 in the threshold of 2014 Olympics. The items of its collection show the history of Olympics, the Olympic movement, and Sochi participation in the organization of Olympics. The most important items are Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic flags, as well as the miniaturized models of Coastal and Mountain cluster venues, which are in construction in Sochi. The museum also acts as a cultural center, where numerous educational programs and meetings are conducted.  

Parks [ edit ]

• Dendrarium ( Dendrary Botanical Garden ), 74, Kurortny - Khosta district , ☏ +7 8622 62-18-42 . Daily 08:00 - 21:00 . The best park at the Black Sea coast, where a wide variety of trees' species is collected. A beautiful, shadowy, and well-managed place, excellent for leisure, unhurried walking etc. Use cable-car to get to the mountain from the coastal part of Dendrarium and discover a scenic panoramic view of the sea and Caucasus ridges.  

Fischt Olympic Stadium [ edit ]

Watch football at a stadium that has hosted the 2014 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, and the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The home team are PFC Sochi, who play in the Russian National League, the second tier of Russian football. Until 2018 they were FC Dynamo St Petersburg, then they upped sticks and moved down to the Black Sea. The stadium (capacity over 47,000) is actually in Adler, 25 km east of Sochi and only 3 km from the border with Georgia. Long-distance and metro trains terminate at nearby Olympic Park Station.

Do [ edit ]

• Boat tours ( Sochi port ), ☏ +7 8622 609-603 . 11:00 - 21:00 . 1-hour regular sea boat tours. Organized by Sochi seaport, May to October.  

Leisure [ edit ]

• Nautilus Aquapark , Pobedy str., 2/1 - Lazarevskoe , ☏ +7 8622 74-0187 .  

Sports [ edit ]

• Kitesurfing

Festivals and events [ edit ]

• Kinotavr . Open Russian Film Festival - conducted in June annually since 1990. Kinotavr is the largest Russian film festival attracting the top talents of Russian cinema: directors, producers, actors, writers, and photographers.  
• 43.41 39.969 2 Sochi Autodrom , Triumfalnaya St 26, Adler . This motor-racing circuit in the Adler Olympic complex hosts the Russian Grand Prix as part of the Formula One tournament in autumn. The next F1 race was cancelled and racing in Russia with F1 was suspended indefinitely. ( updated Oct 2021 )

Learn [ edit ]

Russian language [ edit ].

There is no sustainable practice of learning Russian as a foreign language in Sochi. Two places can offer such classes potentially:

• Russian University of Peoples' Friendship (RUDN), Sochi Branch ( Department of additional education ), Kuibysheva, 24 - Adler , ☏ +7 8622 40-0895 , [email protected] . This university is among leaders in Russia by number of international students. The Sochi branch is, however, a small one, so your case with Russian study will be probably solved on individual basis.  
• Sphere Travel , 11 Navaginskaya Str. - Central , ☏ +7 8622 64-6305 , [email protected] . This company several years ago offered the following programs of Russian : general, intensive, business, speaking, and academic Russian. Due to lack of students please check the actual situation before planning study.  

Work [ edit ]

Getting a work permit in Russia is not usually an easy process, at least if you are not a former Soviet Union state citizen. Sochi can possibly be an exception, as the preparation of Olympic Games will create many new workplaces. Some of the potential vacancies will require international expertise. Highly qualified international candidates will have simplified visa and work permit procedure.

There are potential vacancies for English tutors, as the demand for English study in the city is constantly growing. It is also possible to find sport instructors' jobs, in both winter (skiing, snowboarding) and summer (diving, yachting, kitesurfing) sports, but knowledge of Russian is essential for those positions.

Eat [ edit ]

Budget [ edit ].

• Art-Pizza , Teatralnaya street, 9 - Central ( Near the Winter Theatre ), ☏ +7 8622 62-2666 . 10:00-00:00 . A reasonably priced pizza place  
• Mama Roza , Moskovskaya, 19A - Central , ☏ +7 8622 64-2872 . 11:00-23:00 . In the center, close to the main train terminal, this cafe offers a budget variety of pizza and other Italian-style food.  
• McDonald's , Kurortny Prospekt 17/1 - Central , ☏ +7 8622 64 87 79 , +7 8622 64 86 74 , +7 8622 64 86 85 . 08:00-24:00 . The only McDonald's restaurant in Sochi, as of 2011. Traditionally popular for its fast-food and free wi-fi.  

Splurge [ edit ]

• La Terrazza , Kurortny Prospekt 105 B - Central , ☏ +7 8622 96-58-58 . 12:00-00:00 . Italian cuisine.  
• Platforma , Chernomorskaya street 11/2, Sunny Beach (Solnechny Plyazh) ( Central Sochi ), ☏ +7 918 918-42-42 . 12:00-92:00 . Probably the most luxurious restaurant in the city. Mediterranean fish & seafood cuisine, plus several meat specialties. Good cocktails.  

Connect [ edit ]

Mobile operators [ edit ].

Sochi has the traditional set of Russian mobile operators:

GSM 900/1800:

• Beeline ( by Vympelcom ), ☏ +7 861 945-95-95 .  
• Megafon , ☏ +7 800 333 0500 .  
• MTS ( Mobile TeleSystems ), ☏ +7 800 333 0890 .  
• Tele2 . A multinational European provider, operating in 22 countries including Russia . Tele 2 has its network in many regions of the country, excluding Moscow . Comparing to others, it is the cheapest operator, but having the smallest coverage area.  
• Skylink . The all-Russian CDMA operator, having less subscribers, than GSM operators, but popular for faster and cheaper mobile Internet service.  
• Yota , toll-free: +7 800 700 55 00 .  

Check roaming prices before using non-Russian sim-card, especially those for mobile Internet. Some standards of mobile connection are not supported in Russia , e.g. those for Japan and United States .

Staying in Russia for a week or more, it's definitely worth to buy a local sim-card, but be aware, that a passport is needed for that. The easiest way refill a local mobile account is to use an ATM for that. Most ATMs have bilingual interfaces, allowing numerous kinds of payments, including those for mobile services by local operators.

Media [ edit ]

Among dozens of Sochi newspapers, magazines and radio stations, there are no expat-oriented or internationally focused media. Everything is published in Russian only. Hotels often provide satellite TV with standard assortment of international channels (BBC, CNN, Russia Today, etc.) Following resources are recommended in addition:

• Sochi Life TV Channel . Music channel with Russian and international playlists, mixed with views of Sochi and tourist information (in Russian only). Available within some satellite TV packages, e.g. Tricolor.  

Cope [ edit ]

Consulates [ edit ].

Sochi has the following consulates:

Go next [ edit ]

Abkhazia [ edit ].

Once a flourishing sea resort and part of Soviet Georgia , this mountainous Caucasian republic passed through a bloody civil war with Georgians after the Soviet Union collapse, proclaimed its independence and was supported by Russia, but yet unrecognized by most countries. Honestly loved by many Russian tourists, Abkhazia is undeservedly mostly unknown by travellers from other parts of the world.

Abkhazia is quite small and can be quickly discovered within a weekend, but longer stay is certainly needed for deeper impressions. The monastery and the cave at New Athos , as well as Lake Ritsa , are definitely among most amazing places at the Black Sea. This breathtaking beauty mixed with Abkhazian poverty and the remains of the civil war will leave no one indifferent. Locals are very friendly, but only few of them will understand anything in English.

Sochi is the only place with Abkhazia border crossing possibility from Russian side. There is a crossing point at Vesyoloe (southern part of Adler district). It can be crossed both by foot and by car/bus (two separate bridges through the border Psou river). Coming to Abkhazia by foot, you will find a marshrutka parking right after the bridge - a cheap opportunity to reach any key destination of the country. The Abkhazian capital Sukhum is also reachable by a direct bus or commuter train ( elektrichka ) from Sochi. There is also an option to get to Gagra , Abkhazia by boat from Sochi port.

Going to Abkhazia be prepared to comply with Abkhazian visa requirements . Be also aware that, to return to Russia after a trip, you may need double-entry or multi-entry Russian visa.

Adygea [ edit ]

A fully enclaved into Krasnodar Krai small national autonomy, neighboring to Greater Sochi, Adygea has a significant tourist potential, which is underestimated. Rafting, waterfall seeing, trekking and other mountain activities in front of awesome Caucasus views make this destination very promising. It is also important that Adygea is safer than any other Caucasian region except Krasnodar Krai.

Maykop , the capital of Adygea, is accessible from Sochi by train (daily, 6 hours) and bus (1-2 daily plus transit buses, 8 hours). There is also an option to reach Adygea by car (6-8 hours via Tuapse ). An extreme alternative to that is the mountainous unpaved direct road connecting Sochi with Adygea via Caucasus ridges. Be more than careful using it.

Caucasian Biosphere Reserve [ edit ]

This natural reserve has the second-largest protected area in Europe and the largest one in Caucasus mountains. It occupies the mountain ridges of Krasnodar Krai, Adygea and Karachay-Cherkessia , including part of Greater Sochi metropolitan area (Khosta district and Krasnaya Polyana), bordering Sochi National Park.

Caucasian Biosphere Reserve is the richest biodiversity treasury, having no equivalents in Russia and an international value as a piece of untouched nature with primeval habitats. Reasonably, this unique area is included into the UNESCO World Heritage List . The official site of the reserve is available in Russian only.

Two exclaved parts of the reserve, those are in Greater Sochi, are easy to visit: yew & boxtree wood at Khosta and the wild animals nursery at Krasnaya Polyana . To visit other parts of the reserve, you need to get special permit, requiring the following:

• list of participants,
• passport details and passport copies of each participant,
• name of the group's leader,
• planned route/itinerary,
• period of stay (number of days),
• entrance fee

In Sochi you can get the permit at the reserve's headquarter: Karl Marx street, 8, room 10, Adler district, Sochi.

Gelendzhik [ edit ]

A resort town at the Black Sea coast to the north-west from Sochi, one of the most popular domestic summer destinations of Russia. Gelendzhik has both natural and leisure attractions. Gelendzhik's aquapark is the largest in the country, and its surroundings have very beautiful scenery. The town is home to International Sea Aviation Conference , which is conducted there each two years.

Gelendzhik is a transit point for several buses going from Sochi (4-5 daily). A ride will take 5.5 hours. The Sea Flight fast ferry going from Sochi to Novorossiysk and back also makes stops at Gelendzhik.

Novorossiysk [ edit ]

This Krasnodar Krai 's 3rd largest city is the biggest Russian port at the Black Sea and the main cement industry center in Southern Russia . The majority of the city's tourist attractions are related to the II World War, when Novorossiysk was among Russian key battlefields. The most known memorials are Malaya Zemlya, Defence Line (Rubezh Oborony) and Death Valley (Dolina Smerti).

Novorossiysk's vicinities have beautiful nature of Caucasus foothills. On the top of local natural wonders is the amazing Abrau lake , the biggest one at Northern Caucasus. Just nearby the wine manufacture of Abrau-Dyurso is located, making this place the capital of Russian sparkling wine (tours to Abrau-Dyurso with wine testing are available). There are also several smaller beach resorts around the city.

There are several ways to get from Sochi to Novorossiysk. Buses go daily (8.5 hours). Sea Flight speed ferry connection operates from May to October, 3 times a week (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays). One-way ride will take about 5 hours. It is also possible to get to Novorossiysk by train via Krasnodar .

Tuapse [ edit ]

Another important Russian port at the Black Sea and the closest neighbour town bordering Greater Sochi. This is mostly industrial and transport hub, attracting fewer number of tourists, than other Russian Black Sea coastal locations. But anyway, Tuapse is good for a single-day trip from Sochi. After a look at the downtown, the awesome surroundings should be visited. There are several very scenic cliffs around, the top of those is Kiselev's Rock , a 46-meter upright cliff breaking down into the sea. There are also quite a few ancient cultural remains, such as table-stones, around Tuapse.

Any elektrichka or long-distance train from Sochi stops in Tuapse, the frequent bus/marshrutka connection is also available. Expect 2 - 2.5 hours for one-way trip from Central Sochi.

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No Borders Required

A Solo Traveler's Guide To Exploring The World

Sochi Travel Guide: 10 Best Things To Do At This Black Sea Resort Town

September 11, 2019 By NoBordersRequired

If you’re going to Sochi, Russia check out my Sochi Travel Guide to find tips on the best things to do, how to get around the city, and where to stay.

Sochi…why does that sound so familiar?

If that sounds familiar it is because this Russia city hosted the 2014 Winter Olympics.

But even if you’re not a fan of the Olympics, Sochi should be on your list of cities to visit in Russia.

It is a BIG tourist destination for many Russians, especially during Soviet times when many citizens were not allowed to leave the country.

Sochi is a city that is filled with natural beauty, beaches, mountains, and much more.

And it is beautiful in the summer with an almost tropical like climate. And during the winter, it is a big ski destination in Eastern Europe.

So if you’re thinking about visiting Sochi, here is my travel guide to help you out.

Where is Sochi?

As I mentioned before, Sochi is a big resort town (or maybe “village” is the more appropriate word).

Before the Olympics, it was more of a small village that a lot of the Soviets would visit back in the day.

Visas to travel outside the USSR were difficult to obtain, so Sochi offered one of the best beach destinations its citizens could travel to.

It is located on the Black Sea and is referred as part of the “Russian Rivera”.

There are many direct flights to Sochi from Saint Petersburg and of course, Moscow. It would take less than 2.5 hours to fly there from those cities. I flew to Sochi directly from another popular Russian Black Sea resort town (Yalta).

You can check out my guide to Yalta here.

The main airport in Sochi is Adler International Airport, which is about 30 – 40 minutes away from Sochi.

To get from the airport to the city center, I would recommend taking either the bus or taxi.

Personally, I found the buses in Sochi to be slow and uncomfortable. As a result, I would highly recommend taking a taxi to get to the city center.

It should cost less than 1,000 rubles.

How to get around Sochi?

There are two ways to get around sochi- Yandex (Uber) taxis or the bus.

The bus system is a lot better than Yalta, but I still don’t like it.

It takes forever and riding the bus gives me a headaches sometimes because the drivers drive so aggressively.

I prefer to take Yandex taxi because it is way more convenient and faster. And Sochi is a pretty small city, so you won’t spend more than 300 – 400 rubles to get anywhere in the city even during peak hours.

Best things to do in Sochi (in the summer)

The great thing about Sochi is there is a lot of different activities to do. I went in the summer, so this guide will focus solely on summer activities.

You can go to the beach, hike, visit some historic sites, and even go boating. To the range of activities is very diverse.

Here are the 10 best things to do in Sochi Russia

1. Visit some waterfalls

Sochi is home to more than 30 waterfalls. So one of the things to do in the city for adventurers is to explore one of the waterfalls!

I decided to explore Agura Falls, since it was pretty close to the city center. It costs 100 rubles (about $1.5 bucks) to enter the park.

The entrance is about 40 minutes by bus from the city center.

The hike should take about 3 – 4 hours round trip. Be warned though, in the summer it can get very dry and the falls may not be very visible. Luckily when I went after it rained the night before, so I got to see some pretty amazing views!

Also be sure you pack walking shoes. The path can get muddy and slippery and I saw some locals struggling to get around with their flip flops! Don’t be that person!

There are 3 cool things to see on this trail. The first is the bridge and grotto before the falls. It’s a really nice area, something that is Instagram worthy for sure!

The second part of the falls is super beautiful. There’s a small pond that forms from the waterfall that you can swim around in. I didn’t bring any trunks so I just took my shoes off and walked in the shallow areas.

It’s a beautiful little pond and I stayed here for about 30 minutes to relax.

The third part of the falls is reached by climbing from up from the small pond I just mentioned. The road is a little slippery and muddy, so be warned!

2. Mount Akuhn – hike or drive

Mount Akuhn is the tallest point in Sochi, but it’s actually not very tall – only 700 meters or so (2100 feet). Anyways, you can hike to the top of the mountain, but it’s a pretty long hike.

The nearest bus station is at the base of the mountain, which is about 6 – 7 km away and it’s a BIG uphill hike, so it’ll likely take around 2 – 3 hours.

I would advise getting a cab instead to save time. Just know that you WILL NOT have any cell reception at the top of the mountain.

So make sure you tell your cab driver to WAIT for you. Otherwise you’ll have to do a grueling hike down the mountain.

Anyways, the top of the mountain is really beautiful. When I went there it was super foggy. The main attraction at the top is the tower, which looked like a haunted monastery because of the fog.

Anyways, the tower looks very old, but it was constructed within the last 100 years or so. You’ll get great views of the city and the black sea from the top.

Unfortunately, when I went there it was closed. But I wouldn’t have seen much due to the fog anyways.

On the top they also have several different restaurants and cafes. Also there is a ferris wheel on the top. So ever wanted to ride on an amusement park on the top of the mountain,  you can!

And there was also a husky farm on the top. Pretty cool and I saw a lot of kids playing with the dogs.

3. Rivera Park

Rivera Park is a nice amusement park in the capital of the Russian Rivera. They have a ton of fun carnival games, rides, and street food.

And at night it is absolutely beautiful because of all the lights around the park.

I went here several times and had a blast. It’s also a great place to take the kids in case you are travelling with them. I saw many families here.

The great thing about the park is that it is open VERY late. I don’t think it closes until after midnight.

So plan a stroll in this amazing amusement park with your date or your family – you won’t regret it!

4. Sochi Boardwalk

To be honest, I liked the Yalta boardwalk more. However, the Sochi boardwalk is still a nice place to walk around, especially at night.

Here you’ll find many restaurants, bars, and tiny mom and pop shops. Of course, most of these shops will be selling food and goods at inflated prices compared to other parts of the city.

There are also several large hotels along the boardwalk and you can rent a cabana there for the day to have some fun in the sun. A beach chair will typically cost 300 – 500 rubles for an entire day.

The entire length of the boardwalk is fairly long, its around 2 – 3 km, so you can get a good workout walking there in the mornings.

5. Olympic Park

I really had no idea what to expect when I visited the Olympic park. Would it be just a ghost town of the Olympics?

Well, it’s actually a cool place to see! And it is HUGE so be prepared to walk around A LOT. You can walk through all of the cool stadiums and sights to see. Some of the stadiums are still used to this day, including the hockey one (of course)!

One of the really cool things you can do is rent an electric scooter at the park. It makes traveling a lot faster and more fun! It costs 500 – 700 rubles for 30 minutes depending on which one you rent.

You can also rent bicycles to bike around the stadium.

One of the places you definitely should check out is the shrine they had of the 2014 olympics with all of the winners’ names on the wall!

Truth be told, I enjoyed the Olympic Park a lot more than I thought I would.

6. Sochi Marina

One of the really under-rated things to do in Sochi is go to the Sochi Marina. There are hundreds of boats parked here.

No doubt many of them are owned by oligarchs! But you don’t have to go on a boat tour to enjoy the scenery.

The Marina is pretty small, but it’s a beautiful place to hang out at sunset. And if you like to window shop (or burn a hole in your wallet), there are many premium brand stores in the area, including Gucci, Omega, and more.

The marina is also the site of a really cool historic building. I couldn’t figure out what it was used for, but someone told me it was used in the USSR for something important.

It almost looks like a museum. Anyways, there are two really good restaurants on the top and both offer great menus and even better views of the water of the black sea.

After the marina, you can go walk on the main boardwalk of the city. It lasts for about 2 km (maybe 3 km). On the main boardwalk in Sochi, you’ll get to see incredible views of the Black Sea.

Personally, I liked the boardwalk in Yalta (another popular Russian destination) much more than Sochi, but the boardwalk is still nice.

On the boardwalk you’ll find really good restaurants, lots of fun carnival games, and tons of bars.

Many of the hotels also have beach chairs on the beach for you to relax in the sun. Just be warned that the beaches in Sochi are pebbles, not sand like what you’ll expect in the Caribbean.

7. Hiking in the mountains

Hands down my favorite thing to do in Sochi was visit Krasanya Polyana. It’s about 2.5 hours away from the city, so it will be an all day trip!

You’ll want to take bus 125 S to get here. Also, know that Russians use “C” instead of “S”, so take bus 125C if that makes any sense.

Anyways, the place is super beautiful. It’s a city in the mountains! The place was very developed just for the 2014 winter Olympics.

In the summer there are so many things to do. They have about 4 – 5 really big resorts here. I went to two of them on two separate days.

The resorts I went to were Gorsky Gordo and Rosa Khutor.

Gorsky Gordo

My favorite was Gorsky Gordo because of the hike I did at the top to get the Black Pyramid.

The gondolas are super beautiful and offer amazing views of the scenery.

At Gorsky Gordo, you can hike to the alpine meadows or do what I did and hike to the top of Black Pyramid – costs 500 rubles. Just be warned that they will not let you up unless you understand the instructions in Russian.

Luckily, a couple spoke English and let me go with their group!

Rosa Khutor

Rosa Khutor is also an amazing resort. I would say it’s a bit more “commercialized” than Gorsky Gordo.

On the top you can do things like paragliding (super cool), walk on the suspension bridge, and swing over the top of the cliff!

There are also a ton of animals up here like horses, goats, and huskies.

If you have time, I would do both of these resorts. In fact, if I had to do sochi all over again, I would have spent several nights in Krasanya Polyana.

8. Vorontsovka Caves

While I didn’t have time to do this, I heard about the Vorontsovka Caves from some people in the city.

Apparently, it is one of the longest cave complexes in Russia. In addition, it also has evidence of human life dating back to over 20,000 years ago!

The problem is that the caves are a bit far from the city center. In fact, no buses really go anywhere close to the cave. So unless you have a car or hire a taxi, its going to be hard to get there as a solo traveler.

9. Dagomys Tea House

If you like tea, you must try Russian tea!

You’d probably never guess that Sochi is home to a famous tea house, but it is true! It’s claim to fame is being the most northernmost tea plantation in the world.

The soil here (as a result of the region’s unique microclimate) creates very fertile tea leaves.

You can come visit the farm at the plantation and then go inside the house for some traditional Russian tea. Ideally, you would come here on a rainy day to escape the rain!

10. Stalin’s Dacha

Alright, this is something that I wanted to do, but didn’t have enough time unfortunately. However, I did see Yusupov Palace in Yalta , which also served as another of Stalin’s Dachas.

Soviet leader, Joseph Stalin, maintained a summer house (Dacha) in Sochi like many of the elites back in that era.

The Dacha is actually pretty close to the city center – a 40 minute bus ride will get you there.

The home was built in 1937 for the famous soviet leader. If you’re a big fan of Soviet Russia, you should definitely check this place out.

Best nightlife in Sochi

Nightlife in Sochi is okay. I wouldn’t say it’s something like Vegas, but it’s a nice place if you want to have some fun, drink vodka, and smoke some hookah.

Its been billed as the “Miami” of Russia by some, but I don’t think the nightlife is quite like Miami to be honest.

My favorite place to visit was Bestuzhev Bar. It’s a bar/nightclub really close to the beach so that’s nice.

And it’s not really a touristy spot. In fact, I didn’t even see any tourists at this place at all. It’s more of a locals spot, which I LOVE. And if you look in Google for reviews, you’ll barely see anything (there’s less than 15 reviews).

You’ll see a lot of scantily clad bartenders and gogo dancers here. In fact, when my friends first brought me here, I thought it was a strip club!

Anyways, the drinks are cheap, even if you decide to get a table and some food.

Getting a table with a bottle of vodka will set you back around $30 – $40 bucks. I got a table with a group of friends one night and we had about 3 – 4 bottles of vodka, a pizza, lots of coke and redbull, and our bill came out to around 12,000 rubles.

Of course, one of my friends knew the people at the club, so we got a 20% discount.

Also, if you’re in Sochi during the summer, Hotel Pullman runs a nice pool party once a month. Let’s just say you’ll want to be there to enjoy the fun.

Where to stay in Sochi

If you’re going to stay in the Sochi area, I would recommend three places.

First of all, the best place to stay is simply within the Sochi city center limits.

This ensures that you are very close to many of the main attractions. In addition, you’ll be very close to the beach as well.

Unfortunately, this is also the most expensive place to stay in the area.

If you want to save some money, stay in Adler. Airbnb prices will be about 20% cheaper.

And Adler is a very modern city. But it’s also pretty far from Sochi – a bus ride will take you 45 mins to an hour at a minimum. So you’ll be wasting a ton of time via transport.

Finally, if you plan on going to Krasanya Polyana at all, stay at one of the resorts there.

As I mentioned before, these resorts are HUGE and offer many great amenities and prices for everyone.

When I was there, I saw prices from $20 bucks a night to $200 bucks a night. So you can find something that matches your budget for sure.

Sochi Travel Guide: Final Thoughts

Overall, if you’re interested in seeing a Russian resort town on the famous Black Sea, Sochi is a great place to visit.

Best of all, this town has received A TON of investment over the past 5 years because of the Olympics. It used to be a relatively small village, but now it has been developed at a rate that normally takes decades for most cities.

At Sochi you can find a wide range of activities from beach activities, hiking, mountain biking, and even visit the old Olympic structures!

And best of all? There are not a ton of western tourists here!

Anyways, I hope you found my Sochi Travel Guide to be helpful and save you some time, headaches, and most importantly, your money!

Think I missed something from this list? Let me know in the comments below!

Sochi, Russia

Tours, Attractions and Things To Do in Sochi

Sochi is a priceless pearl of the Black Sea coast, surrounded with bright green riparian forests and exciting mountains that protect it from the northern and southern winds. This is the most popular beach resort in Russia for over 2.5 million people, who annual come there. It is a Russian President’s summer residence, where he receives other heads of states at the official level.

Stretching for 148 km, Sochi ranks the world’s second longest city, trailing only Mexico (200 km). The city’s boundaries stretch from the foot of the Caucasus Mountains along the Black Sea coast. Sochi is famous for its tea plantations, most northerly located in Europe, owing to the experienced tea grower I. A. Koshman, who was the first in 1901 to produce the tea variety adapted to that climate. Thus, Russia got its own brand of tea with a special unique flavor.

But spending holiday at the beach is not the only reason for the tourists to come here. Sochi is famous for a wide variety of attractions, both natural and historical-cultural: mountain canyons and underground caves, relict forests and nature reserves, waterfalls and lakes, cottages of famous people and museums - the list is endless.

One of such places is the famous Sochi Arboretum. There are plants and animals brought from different corners of the world. The arboretum territory itself is beautifully decorated with various sculptures and fountains, whch add a special flair to this place.

You must visit the famous 28-meter Orekhov Waterfall, surrounded by mighty oaks and chestnuts. You are also recommended to visit Tisosamshit Grove, famous for its observation decks. They command magnificent scenery with the Khost River, running at the bottom, and the groves with over 60 varieties of different trees and shrubs.

To enjoy stunning views of Ahune mountain peaks can be from famous Eagles Rocks, where the tourists can catch a breath of purest mountain air. From there, it is also possible see Agura Waterfalls.

The cultural and historical landmark of Sochi is the Art Museum, displaying the paintings of Aivazovsky, Polenov, Shishkin and other famous artists. One of the places where the locals and tourists like to relax is "Riviera" Park of Culture and Rest, founded as far back as 1898. Located directly in the “Riviera” territory, there is the Green Theatre, which often arranges concerts of showbiz stars.

Every year Sochi hosts many major cultural events and festivals, at both regional and national levels, for example “Kinotavr”, Club of the Funny and Inventive, “Sochi+”, etc. Of, course, it cannot but be mentioned, that Sochi was chosen to host the XXII Olympic Winter Games-2014.

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Plan Your Trip to Sochi: Best of Sochi Tourism

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Sochi city, Russia

The city of Krasnodar krai .

Sochi - Overview

Sochi is Russia’s only subtropical resort city located in Krasnodar krai, on the northeast coast of the Black Sea, 1,620 km south of Moscow. Sochi is informally referred to as the summer, the southern and resort “capital” of Russia. The city is a major transportation hub as well as a large economic and cultural center of the Black Sea coast.

The population of Sochi is about 433,500 (2022), the area - 177 sq. km.

The phone code - +7 862, the postal codes - 354000-354539.

Sochi city flag

Sochi city coat of arms.

Sochi city map, Russia

Sochi city latest news and posts from our blog:.

21 August, 2021 / How to Spend a Weekend in Sochi .

4 December, 2017 / Stadiums and Matches of the World Cup 2018 in Russia .

21 August, 2016 / Sochi - the view from above .

13 March, 2016 / Official Look of Host Cities of World Cup 2018 in Russia .

17 February, 2015 / The Olympic Park in Sochi - one year after the Games .

More posts..

News, notes and thoughts:

30 May, 2021   / In April 2021, according to CIAN, the average price of 1 sq. m in new buildings in Sochi has reached 200,000 rubles (about 2,700 USD), while the demand has increased by 70% over the past two years. The unstable economic situation, fluctuations in exchange rates, and a decrease in bank deposits rates are among the main reasons.

22 May, 2017   / A resident of Sochi became the owner of a record lottery win for Russia - 364,685,787 rubles (about 6.5 million USD). The winner of the lottery "6 out of 45" bought a ticket for 700 rubles, the winning combination - 11, 44, 26, 3, 22, 34. According to statistics, 15 lucky Russians become millionaires through lotteries every week.

Brief History of Sochi

The territory of Sochi has an ancient history. The first people appeared in the vicinity of present Sochi about 400-350 thousand years ago. The most famous monument of the Stone Age is Akhshtyr cave inhabited about 250 thousand years ago. In the first half of the 6th century BC, a large group of Scythian tribes settled on the coast of the Black Sea.

Greek colonization of the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus began with the appearance of city-states in the 6th-5th centuries BC, and lasted until the 1st century BC. The period from the 1st century till the 5th century AD was the time of Roman colonization of the Black Sea coast.

In the 6th-15th centuries, the region was under control of various Christian kingdoms. As a result of the Russian-Turkish war of 1828-1829, the Russian Empire received the territory of present Sochi.

More Historical Facts…

Sochi was founded as a fort called Alexandria in April 21, 1838. The purpose of the construction of fortifications was the suppression of the slave trade and smuggling of weapons. In 1839, the fort received a new name - Navaginskaya fortress. During the Crimean War of 1853-1856, the local garrisons were transported to Novorossiysk, because of the English-French squadron that appeared in the Black Sea.

In 1864, the fortress was rebuilt as Dahovsky fort. Since 1874, it was known as Dahovsky Posad, from 1896 - Sochi (after the name of the Sochi River, on the banks of which the fort was standing).

In June 14, 1909, the first resort “The Caucasian Riviera” was opened. This date is the beginning of Sochi as a resort city. Sochi became a town in 1917.

After the Russian Civil War, great attention was paid to the development of Sochi as a resort city. In 1937, Sochi became a part of Krasnodar Krai. On the eve of the Second World War, there were 61 sanatoriums in the city. 51 hospitals were opened on their base in December 1941. In 1993, Sochi acquired the status of a federal resort.

September 15, 2009, Sochi joined the World Union of Olympic cities. Winter Olympic Games 2014 were held in Adler district of Sochi and in Krasnaya Polyana, located 39 km from the coast of the Black Sea.

In October 2010, an agreement to hold the Grand Prix Formula 1 Russia in Sochi was signed. The first F1 race was held in the beginning of October 2014. The contract is signed until 2020. Formula 1 track, built in the Sochi Olympic Park, was designed by Hermann Tilke.

6 matches of FIFA World Cup 2018 were played in Sochi.

Pictures of Sochi

Sochi is beautiful

Author: Vyacheslav Leksin

Sochi - a fashionable old resort town

McDonalds in Sochi

Sochi - Features

In 2014, Sochi became the first city with a subtropical climate which held the Winter Olympics.

Sochi is located approximately midway between the North Pole and the equator, at the latitude of Nice, Toronto and Vladivostok. The length of the city on the Black Sea coastline is about 145 km. The urban area is located mainly along the coast, sometimes expanding into the mountain valleys.

Sochi, the urban village of Krasnaya Polyana and a number of settlements located on the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus mountain range form a municipal formation resort-city of Sochi, also informally referred to as the Big Sochi. The territory of the Big Sochi is divided into four districts: Adlersky, Hostinsky, Central, and Lazarevsky.

Tourism and related services are the backbone of the local economy. The Big Sochi has a lot of hotels, motels, restaurants, cafes, bars, entertainment centers, water parks, marinas, piers, etc.

Sochi is a major transportation hub of southern Russia. Sochi international airport offers flights to Moscow, St. Petersburg, Ekaterinburg, Krasnodar, Novosibirsk, Tyumen, Rostov-on-Don, Istanbul (Turkey), Yerevan (Armenia), Minsk (Belarus) and a number of other cities. Public transport is mainly represented by small buses (marshrustkas), taxis and a small number of buses. An alternative way is to hire or rent a car.

Sochi - Climate

Sochi as well as the rest of Russia’s Black Sea coast south of Tuapse is located in the zone of humid subtropical climate, which strongly distinguishes this region from the northern part of the coast from Anapa to Tuapse, dominated by the typical semi-arid Mediterranean climate.

A similar climate is observed in nearby Abkhazia as well as in the south-eastern United States (Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia). Maximum precipitation occurs in the winter season, mainly in the form of rain.

Winters are warm, summers are hot and humid. As the city is located on the northern edge of the subtropics, frosts and snowfalls sometimes occur in winter.

The average temperature in January is plus 6.1 degrees Celsius, in July - plus 23.2 degrees Celsius. In summer, the water temperature reaches 26 degrees in August. The average number of sunny days is 211.

Sochi - a resort city

Sochi seafront

Sochi River

Hotel Moskva in Sochi

Attractions of Sochi

The most important factors that attract tourists in Sochi are its warm, subtropical climate, the Black Sea, mineral sources, the proximity of the mountains, relatively well-developed tourist and recreational infrastructure.

Protected areas (Caucasian Biosphere Reserve, Sochi republican state natural reserve, Sochi National Park) occupy about 80% of the total area of the Big Sochi (3,502 sq. km.). Colchis forests located partially on the territory of Sochi (Caucasian Biosphere Reserve) are the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

“Rosa Khutor” (ski resort in Krasnaya Polyana), Krasnaya Polyana (mountain cluster) - the venue of the Winter Olympic Games 2014, the Olympic Park in Adlersky district, Imertinskaya Embankment (walking area) are among the main places of interest. There are more than 30 Orthodox churches and chapels in the city.

• Sochi Art Museum (Kurortnyy Avenue, 51),
• Ethnographic Museum (Pobedy Street, 97),
• Literary-Memorial Museum named after N. Ostrovsky (Korchagina Street, 4),
• Museum of the History of Sochi (Vorovskogo Street, 54/11),
• Stalin’s Summer Residence (Kurortnyy Avenue, 120).

Theaters and other cultural institutions

• Winter Theater (Teatralnaya Street, 2),
• Green Theater in “Riviera” Park (Egorova Street, 1),
• Concert Hall “Festivalny” (Ordzhonikidze Street, 5),
• Summer Theater (Chernomorskaya Street, 11),
• Sochi Hall of Organ and Chamber Music (Kurortnyy Avenue, 32),
• Sochi State Circus (Deputatskaya Street, 8),
• Oceanarium “Sochi Discovery World Aquarium” (Lenina Street, 219/4),
• Dolphinarium in “Riviera” Park (Egorova Street, 1).

Sochi city of Russia photos

Sochi views.

Summer in Sochi

Sochi cityscape

Author: Al Jamir

Marine station in Sochi

Sights of Sochi

Sochi State Circus

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Welcome to Sochi comrade!

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Matsesta spa and resort in Sochi

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Krasnaya Polyana Ski Resort

Krasnaya Polyana ski resort in Sochi

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Krasnaya Polyana ski resort

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Sochi Travel Essentials

Ideal duration: 2 days

Best Time: May to October Read More

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"The Most Quaint & Charming City Of The Country"

Sochi tourism.

Sochi is an idyllic seaside retreat that attracts hundreds of people to it each year, including celebrities and renowned politicians. In 2014, Sochi hosted the Winter Olympics, making it even more popular amongst tourists across the globe. The city is also called the Black Sea Pearl.

Think picturesque mountains, pretty shingle beaches and a nightlife to die for! Sochi is a popular spot among tourists, attracting a whopping total of more than 4 million visitors each year. It also has something on offer for everyone _ parks for nature lovers, museums and other sites for history lovers and beautiful beaches for some true R&R.

Things To Do In Sochi

Rosa Khutor Ski Resort

Park 'Riviera'

Park Arboretum

Frunze Park

33 Waterfalls

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I spent a week in Sochi, the BEST place to go in Russia in the off-season (PHOTOS)

On the day I left the Russian capital, every single flight to Sochi was overbooked. It was November 2021 and the demand to leave the greyness, sleet and an upcoming lockdown in Moscow was so high that Russia’s largest airline needed to use larger aircraft to accommodate everyone who wanted to head to the warmth of Sochi. Muscovites were heading south in droves, much in the way migratory birds leave the cold environs of the north in the fall.  

As the plane landed in Sochi, it was not hard to see why this city by the Black Sea was one of the most popular holiday destinations in Russia. A blue and inviting sea with water that looks warm enough to swim in, even in November, welcomes every visitor.  

Ready for an influx from the north 

November in Sochi feels like summer

Expecting tourists from Moscow and other northern parts of the country, the authorities in Sochi informed hotels to only allow in those with QR codes showing that a person was vaccinated or had recovered from Covid recently or recently tested negative. The local government was not going to allow the city to turn into a hotspot for the virus at a time when case numbers were rising at an alarming rate in Russia. Having family in Sochi meant that I did not need to check into a hotel.  

There were rumors of a lockdown in the city, as well, but I had the privilege of staying in an independent house with private outdoor space and a large terrace.  

As if there were no pandemic  

Thankfully, there was no lockdown in the city and one could have easily been fooled into thinking that there was no pandemic in this part of Russia. Absolutely no one wore a mask in the only mode of public transportation in the city - the local bus. Restaurants had signs asking for people to wear a mask before entering, but this was not enforced. I had reached the city five days before the official week-long national holiday (that was declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin) was to begin and, so, there were no restrictions of any kind anywhere.  

View from a hill overlooking the sea

The one place where masks were obligatory was the ‘My Documents’ multifunctional public services center. As a foreigner, I was obligated to register my visa in the city, so I went to the office with my host. The sight of the sheer number of people in that office took me aback. A large number of them were in the office to register their property in the city. Sochi has become a very popular destination for people looking for second homes. A friend of mine who works as a realtor says she takes potential buyers from other parts of Russia almost every single day to show properties.  

The Krasnodar Territory, in which Sochi is located, is also a popular retirement destination for people from Siberia, the Russian Far East and other northern parts of the country. While housing costs are rising in Sochi and across the region, the cost of living is substantially lower and there is an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables here throughout the year. And frankly, who wouldn’t want to live in such a wonderful climate?  

Like a resort somewhere in Italy  

While there’s no doubt that Sochi has world class infrastructure, including a stunningly beautiful motorway that runs parallel to the coast and connects the airport and the city center, it is very different from the 19th century glamour cities of the Black Sea, like Odessa in Ukraine or Constanța in Romania. The city was founded in 1838, but hardly has any architecture of the time left. 

It was promoted as a resort town in the Soviet days, but modern and posh buildings are quickly replacing structures built in the 1950s-1960s, especially in the city center. 

Sochi also has the feel of an Italian town. With its hilly terrain, there are some places in the center that offer absolutely stunning panoramic views of the Black Sea.  

Sochi's Marine Terminal

The biggest eye catcher in the city center is the marine passenger terminal that was built in Stalinist style in the mid-1950s.

The building’s center is topped by a 71-meter high three-tiered tower and a polished stainless steel spire. The area around the terminal is one of the main hubs of activity in the city. There are regular ferry services from Sochi to other Black Sea ports in Russia and neighboring countries, but if time is not on your side, the best option is a one-hour long yacht ride on the Black Sea. 

View from a yacht

I was lucky with the weather and set sail on a warm and sunny afternoon. The biggest surprise that awaited me was the view of the Caucasus Mountains from the sea. They rise above Sochi like a giant protector. A white-pebbled beach is just a short walk from the terminal and, throughout my stay in the city, the water was warm enough to swim in.  

You won’t go hungry in Sochi  

Since the city is used to hosting tourists from around the world (thanks to the 2014 Winter Olympics), there are several high quality restaurants on the city’s beachfront. If you’re not a vegetarian, it would be a sin to leave Sochi without trying the red mullet that is on the menu of just about every single beachfront restaurant.  

The city is also enthusiastic about its Italian feel and quite a few gelaterias and Italian restaurants have popped up across the city center. Let’s just say the Italian ice creams in Sochi are more authentic than the Italian main courses, which feel like Russianised versions, despite very good efforts by trained chefs to be genuine.  

The restaurants in the city center specially cater to tourists, so the prices are on par with what you’d pay in Moscow.  

Jungle in the city 

Adding to Sochi’s uniqueness is of course, its palm trees. Imagine a city in Russia with green palm trees and +14°C weather, even in February!  

A fountain at the Sochi Arboretum

When I am on holiday, I always look for a place where I can find some peace and quiet and read a book or scribble in a journal. In Sochi, the ideal place for such peaceful activities is the Arboretum (Dendrarium, as it is called in Russian). This beautifully landscaped park is full of expansive lawns, fountains, neo-classical pavilions and a variety of trees. It has 24 species of palm, 80 species of oak and 76 species of pine. There is a cable car that goes to the top of a hill, but it wasn’t functional when I visited the garden. Turn up at 8 am and you’ll have the entire place to yourself.  

A pavillion at the Arboretum

Off the beaten track  

When you live as a local with a Russian family in Sochi, you see another side of the city. This is a Sochi that is free of tourists (and tourist prices). Drive a few kilometers away from the city and you’ll see a series of new housing estates on the fringes of hilly temperate forests.  

In a forest outside Sochi

As we trekked up these hills, we felt like we were in any forest during fall in central Russia. The foliage, mushrooms and the fresh scent of pine greeted us on the trail. We could also see charming and quaint wooden houses on these forested hills. The amazing part of being here was that touristy areas were just a short drive away, but they might as well have been in another part of the continent. Such was the peace and tranquillity!  

Caucasian flavors 

Also away from the commercialised center are small bakeries and cafes that serve food from Armenia and other parts of the southern Caucasus. This is where I got my first taste of dzhash, a brothy tomato-based stew, and a variety of dishes made with bulgur (parboiled cracked wheat). Some cafes also serve chacha, a clear and strong pomace brandy. The alcohol content ranges from 40 to 65 percent. Make sure you know how strong it is before gulping it down like vodka!  

Enjoying an evening by the Black Sea

This influence of places like Armenia, Adygea, Abkhazia and Georgia (located not far from Sochi) is also visible in the city’s teeming markets. One of the best ways to enjoy all the delicacies of these places is to go shopping in the markets and stock up for a picnic in the forests outside the center.  

We were also fortunate to catch up with Sochi’s thriving cultural scene. The city’s concert halls are heavily subsidised and a ticket for an organ music concert cost me just 250 rubles (approx. $3). In addition to world class instrumental music, we had a chance to listen to vocalists singing traditional songs from neighboring regions.  

Twilight in Sochi

Thinking of the blue skies, warm sun, milk white clouds and gentle breeze that are present well into the heart of November, I can say that this peaceful part of the country definitely warrants an off season visit.

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17 cool things to do in Sochi – Russia’s Beach and Ski Resort

Although it likely was brought to the attention of most of the world by the 2014 Winter Olympics, there are a lot of exciting things to do in Sochi that make it a great place to visit. Spanning 145 kilometers across the coast of the Black Sea, Sochi is the second longest city in the world, giving it plenty of room to pack in many attractions that’ll keep you busy no matter how long your trip is.

Sochi is one of Russia’s most popular destinations . It’s also one of the few places on Earth where you can spend the morning on the slopes and the afternoon swimming in the sea. This is possible because Sochi has multiple mountain resorts that are open throughout the year, including the summer.

Sochi’s popularity as a tourist destination began during the time of the Soviet Union, with people from all over Eastern Europe visiting for their annual holidays, and has remained popular ever since. Like any good beach resort, there are plenty of nearby attractions and the goal of this article is to highlight the best things to do in Sochi.

Explore the Krasnaya Polyana Mountain Cluster

Starting off this list of cool things to do in Sochi, we have Krasnaya Polyana (the Beautiful Meadow); one of the main reasons why Sochi is referred to as “The Russian Switzerland”. It is one of the most popular and most beautiful mountain clusters in all of Russia. Krasnaya Polyana features brand-new facilities, stylish luxury resorts, superb ski slopes, hiking trails, and of course, traditional Russian saunas. It’s a fantastic place for practicing winter sports but also for enjoying the mountains and some of the most amazing views of the magnificent West Caucasus Mountains.

Chase Waterfalls (33 of them to be exact)

The area surrounding the city boasts beautiful nature that features 33 waterfalls. These waterfalls are a part of the Dzhegosh Stream. There are both, large and small waterfalls, with the highest one set at 90 feet or 27 meters. The best time to go waterfall chasing in Sochi is the early spring. The snow starts melting from the Caucasus Mountains, feeding the falls with more water and making them look even more spectacular.

Enjoying this post? Then you may also like this article about the most popular stereotypes about Russia .

Visit Mount Akhun

Located around 15 km away from the city center, Mount Akhun is one of the best things to do in Sochi for people who want to see the best views in the Krasnodar Region. The mountain summit is marked by a fascinating 100-foot-tall Romanesque tower. From here, you can enjoy panoramic views that stretch all the way to the remote coastal parts of Turkey . This tower was once a sacred site for the local Unykh community.

On your way to the summit, you will find a monument devoted to the heroes of the Great Patriotic War. If you’re a history lover, you’ll definitely want to visit this site.

Interact With Animals

Sochi has numerous different attractions for animal lovers . One of them is the Aquarium-terrarium, which features more than 200 species of birds, reptiles, and fish. If you have a particular love of owls, you’ll want to visit the Sovarium which describes itself as an “interactive exhibition of owls” with over 30 different types.

A particular highlight is the Husky Center, which provides visitors with the opportunity to experience and learn about the culture of northern Russians, with a focus on the Siberian Husky – a breed of dog that is essential to human life in remote regions. In winter, guests are able to take part in dog sledding, being pulled along by the Huskies.

Check Out The Dendrarium Botanical Gardens

Visiting Sochi’s Dendrarium will make you feel like you’re taking a trip around the forests of the world . Where all of them are located in one place. Sochi’s Dendrarium is one of the most diverse botanical gardens in Russia and the world. It features species from around the world organized in sections that represent different continents. Visiting this garden is a great way to get some fresh air and experience some amazing views of the Caucasus Mountains and the Black Sea coast.

For the cheapest flights to Sochi, use this Qatar Airways offer to save up to 30% off on all flights to Russia.

Visit The Northernmost Tea Plantation In The World

Enjoying this post? Then you may also like our guide to Seversk and our list of things to do in Georgia (the country) .

See Stalin’s Holiday Home

Many people that belong to the Russian elite have a holiday home in Sochi and the former Soviet dictator was no exception. Stalin’s Dacha has remained untouched since Stalin’s death in 1953 and many of his possessions are still in the dacha.

Get In Touch With Nature In Sochi National Park

The National Park in Sochi is the second largest in Russia and one of the most exciting things to do in Sochi. The park contains a lot of waterfalls, caves, gorges, and canyons that offer incredible views of the Caucasus mountains. It also has many accessible hikes that offer stunning views and a lot of camping spots where you can reconnect with nature. However, camping isn’t recommended due to the fauna in the area which includes bears, wolves, and leopards.

The park also includes a lot of interesting places to visit . One of them is the Loo Byzantine Church from the 10 th century, located at the top of the mountain. If you are looking for a fascinating insight into one of the oldest remains of Russia’s Eastern Orthodox Church, you really shouldn’t miss visiting this church.

See One Of The Longest Cave Complexes In Russia

Not only is Vorontsovka one of the longest cave complexes in Russia but it also hides evidence of human existence dating back to over 20,000 years ago! This, along with the cave’s fascinating visual look draws visitors from around the world. You can enter the caves by foot from one of the many entrances on the slopes of the Kudepsta Valley.

Related: Popular Russian stereotypes which aren’t true

Take A Look At The Olympic Park -For Free!

Outside of Sochi’s Olympic fame, sporting events are at the heart of this Black Sea city. It hosted a number of matches in the FIFA 2018 World Cup , has been featured on the Formula One calendar since 2014, and hosts a round of the 2019 World Poker Tour in January. Also, inside the Olympic Park, there are famous “Singing Fountains”, which provide visitors with a one-hour show of music and colorful, dancing fountains. Prior to the Winter Olympic Games, a number of modern sporting facilities were built, including the $50 billion Olympic Park.

The park continues to host sporting events, including the aforementioned Russian Grand Prix and ice hockey games. It’s not just athletes that can use the facilities. The Iceberg Skating Palace is open to the public, allowing you to skate around on its two 1800m² ice arenas, practicing your figure skating skills, or perhaps just trying to not fall over. The entrance to the Olympic Park is completely free for all visitors.

Check Out Russia’s Number One Skiing Destination

Rosa Khutor might not be as famous as its counterparts in Northern and Southwestern Europe but this part of Russia is one of the most exciting things to do in Sochi for skiing enthusiasts. It’s the number one skiing destination in Russia that features some beautiful winter resorts, nestled deep in the Caucasus Mountains. The resort is one hour’s drive from Sochi and it was the main scene of the 2014 Winter Olympics. Rosa Khutor features 132 kilometers of ski slopes, 56 ski lifts, and multiple luxury hotels and fine restaurants.

Relax On The Beaches Of Lazarevskoye District

This district is one of the best destinations in Sochi when it comes to summer tourism. The district today is a peaceful country settlement with the potential to become one of the best seaside resorts in the region. There’s a range of different hotels in the district suitable for everyone’s budget with quite high service standards. Lazarevskoye even has its own private 5-star recreation center reserved for Russian celebrities. This is proof of the status this summer retreat has in Russia. The best part is that the prices are still relatively low in order to stay competitive with the Russian standard of living since most of the visitors are still locals.

Visit A Fortress That’s More Than 1,500 Years Old

Sochi is a city where you’ll find a lot of ancient ruins scattered across the city but there’s one site that’s the most impressive one of them all. I’m talking about Godlik Fortress. This fortress with a triangular shape was built around the end of the 4 th century and it’s still in great condition today, 1,500 years later. This is one of the most important historic sites in the region and visiting will make you feel like you’re stepping back in time. If you’re a history lover, this is one place you really shouldn’t miss while in Sochi.

Related: Tips on taking the longest train journey in the world  (Moscow to Vladivostok)

Enjoy Art At The Sochi Art Museum

Sochi’s Art Museum has been around since 1936 and it’s obviously not one of the oldest sites in the city. However, it sure is one of the most visually striking landmarks with its ornate classical architecture that will take your breath away and lure you to visit. After you enter the building, the experience becomes even better. The museum features a huge variety of artworks from different time periods from different parts of Russia . Visiting is also a great way to learn about the city as many of the exhibits featured in the museum are about Sochi’s fascinating and at times, turbulent history.

Try fresh Russian lavash

No trip to Sochi is complete without trying the delicious local delicacy, Lavash. Lavash is a flatbread that’s the tastiest when it’s just taken out of the oven. In Sochi, you’ll find fresh lavash on every corner and many bakeries prepare it right in front of your eyes. The bread tastes even better with savory meals but locals also serve it with sugar and a cup of tea/coffee.

Buy Caviar From A Trout Farm

You must have heard about salmon caviar. It’s arguably the most famous Russian delicacy. But what you might not know is that here in Sochi, you can find everything pertaining to caviar. If you’re curious about how caviar is made and placed on the market, you should definitely visit a farm in Sochi. This is where you can buy caviar for the lowest price since there won’t be any intermediaries between you and the farmer.

A Few Other Places You Should Visit In Sochi

To round up this list of things to do in Sochi, we have a few more suggestions for you. If you’re looking for the best place to eat and drink, head to Primorskaya Street.

If you want to take a glimpse of the best of Sochi’s nightlife, check out Cabaret Lighthouse, Hart’s Irish Pub (one of the largest Irish pubs in the world), and ABBA bar.

As you can see, Sochi is a city of many faces, allowing it to cater to almost every taste. The recent regeneration and redevelopment brought on by the Winter Olympic Games, Formula One, and the FIFA World Cup have helped to boost tourism in the area. However, there were already plenty of other reasons for tourists to visit before this.

A Few Helpful Tips For Things To Do In Sochi

A good first step would be to get a Russian visa.  However, this isn’t always that easy. Russia’s visa policy is quite strict and only a handful of countries have visa-free agreements with Russia. So, unless you come from South America or some of the former Soviet countries, you probably need a visa to enter Russia. If you want to get your Russian visa without spending a lot of time and money, check out this website .

If you’re planning to rent a car in Sochi, use this link to get 20% off on car rentals .

For the best travel insurance for your trip to Sochi, I strongly suggest you check out SafetyWing .

Next, for the cheapest flights to Sochi, this Qatar Airways offer can get you up to 30% off on all flights to Russia . Finally, for accommodation deals, use my Booking discount code and save up to 15% on all accommodation rentals in Sochi. And if you want to stay in the finest hotels in town, this offer gets you 10% off on your stay at all Radisson Hotels in Sochi .

Finally, it’s your turn. Have you ever been to Sochi? Would you like to visit and if so, what are some of your favorite things to do in Sochi? Let me know in the comments below.

Monday 4th of February 2019

The Ski Resorts look amazing and World Class! I am not much into Skiing right now but I would love to visit this summer beach resort of Russia. The palm-filled Arboretum, the neoclassical buildings such as the columned Winter Theatre, the forested Sochi National Park and the Caucasus Mountains all sound visit worthy!

Passport Symphony

That's the beauty of Sochi, Richa- it has something in store for everyone. Even if you don't like skiing, you can head to the beach and vice versa :)

Anca from Dream, Book, and Travel

Sunday 3rd of February 2019

I am currently trying to learn Russian while putting together all the info I can gather about the country. I have always left Sochi out of my plans so far, but I would not want to miss seeing the world's most Nordic tea plantation! Thanks for the very comprehensive list! I am convinced to visit Sochi now!

Thank you, Anca and I'm glad you could learn a few new things about Sochi and Russia from this post :) Also, good luck with your Russian lessons

Rajat Kumar

I love the way you've described the Details. Caviar is something which I would love to taste someday. :)

Thank you, Rajat- I'm glad you liked it.

Saturday 2nd of February 2019

Lovely list of things to do! The aquarium looks so amazing and how you can walk through it. being a fan of outdoor activities, we would love to go to those waterfalls.

Thank you, Bilal- I'm glad you liked it.

Friday 1st of February 2019

If there's one type of destinations I prefer is one that offers variety and that's what Sochi seems to be all about. Mountains on one side and the beach on the other is just paradise. Have never visited Russia but I will definitely keep Sochi as a must visit destination in mind when I do.

Thank you, Cato- I'm glad this article inspired you to visit Sochi and Russia :)

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• 9 Exquisite Places To Visit In Sochi For An Enthralling Vacation In 2024!

23 Mar 2023

The ‘Summer Capital’ of Russia, Sochi is a city sitting in the lap of the Black Sea. With the weather being temperate almost year long, Sochi is paradisiacal for all kinds of travelers ranging from adventure seekers to tranquil lovers. With limitless places to visit in Sochi , lush green vegetation, soul-soothing mountains lining the coastline, palm trees covering the city’s land, beautiful contemporary architecture, and warm sunny climate, this city has earned a place in the bucket list of most of the wanderers, especially during summertime. Sochi most definitely does justice to the tag ‘summer beach resort’ given to it.

The Black Sea Pearl allows you to experience a perfect blend of a thrilling and relaxing vacation. Once a host of the biggest event in soccer in 2018- Fifa World Cup, Sochi experiences at least a double population with tourists in summer! The nightclubs boom out on the coastline and the city becomes lively and vibrant. Tourists get to encounter happy, friendly, and helpful faces when visiting the summer capital of Russia. The unparalleled hospitality by the locals makes one feel like they are at home. Take a visit to these places below when traveling to Russia and you will certainly not regret any second of it!

9 Places To Visit In Sochi

Satiate your thirst for an adrenaline rush by visiting the mesmerizing mountains, achieve peacefulness and calmness in the various parks, and get in touch with the culture through numerous museums on your trip to the fierce land of Sochi.

• Akhun Mountain
• ‘Riviera’ Park
• Sochi Arboretum
• Sochinsky Natsional’nyy Park
• Tiso- Samshitovaya Roshcha
• Sochi Art Museum
• Roza Khutor
• Marine Station

1. Akhun Mountain

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The highest point in Sochi, Mount Akhun allows you to witness the panorama view of the beautiful city. Mount Akhun houses a small Romanesque-like view tower at the top of the mountain. While ascending the tower, visitors get to encounter various scenic views of the lush greens, never-ending breathtaking mountain ranges, and the concrete jungle of the city. Whether time you choose between beautiful early sunrise or picturesque sunset, this tower gives you a chance to lose yourself in the mesmerizing views of the landscape.

Must Read: 12 Best Things To Do In Sochi For A Frolicsome Getaway To Russia This Year!

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2. ‘Riviera’ Park

For travelers seeking to be closer to nature and yet get a chance to partake in various exciting activities, Park ‘Riviera’ will give you a perfect opportunity to spend your time in tranquility. The park is full of various common and a few rare species of flora along with other exciting sights including dolphin beach, recreational area, fountains, Oceanarium, and many more. ‘Riviera’ Park is nothing but one of the most peaceful and tranquil places to visit in Sochi.

Suggested Read: 8 Reasons Why Visiting Russia In December Is A Great Idea!

3. Sochi Arboretum

Home to numerous unique flora and fauna, Arboretum is an epitome of surreal landscape architecture. Along with trees and shrubs from all over the world, Arboretum also blankets Australian, Mediterranean, North American, Chinese, and Caucasian flora. Ponds, fountains, pavilions, and sculptures on the path add to the appeal and vibe of the park. To get a perfect view from the top, one can make use of the cable-way that connects to the highest point of the park and walk back down, enjoying the serene surroundings and wonders of mother nature. Arboretum is one of the most amazing places to visit in Sochi, giving you an insight into the flora and fauna from countries in varied continents.

Suggested Read: Summer In Russia: For Soaking In The Country’s Most Splendid Vibes On Your Next Trip!

4. Sochinsky Natsional’nyy Park

Russia’s first national park was founded with only one purpose- to preserve the dreamlike natural biodiversity of the country. This national park envelops that domain where the forest-clad foothills of the Great Caucasus Mountain Range submerge with the Black Sea. Distinguished and numerous species of contrasting flora and fauna can be found in this pristine jungle. Visitors also get to witness rare animals such as golden eagle, bearded vulture, Caucasus wood grouse, and many more on their thrilling escapade to this national park.

Suggested Read: 12 Day Trips From Moscow To Explore The Beautiful Capital City Of Russia!

5. Tiso- Samshitovaya Roshcha

Nothing less than a paradise for adventure seekers, and nature lovers alike, these backwoods are thousands of years old. These forests give you an opportunity to dive into a waterbed surrounded by mighty mountains, walk around and in between ancient yet majestic trees, and witness unique and interesting trunks of varied species of bushes. The picturesque scenery of these forests takes away the breath of the spectators, making one feel calm and excited at the same time.

Suggested Read: Russia In March: An All Inclusive Guide When The Snow-Clogged Wheels Turn Again!

6. Lake Ritsa

Nestled in the green forest clad mountains, and few kilometers away from Sochi, Lake Ritsa is one of the deepest lakes in Abkhazia. The clear blue waters with a tint of turquoise, lush green mountains in the background, and serenity in the surroundings make this lake one of the most popular attractions of the city. The soul-soothing and charming landscapes has definitely added Lake Ritsa to the list of best places to visit near Sochi.

Suggested Read: 8 Compelling Reasons To Go Witness Snowfall In Russia In Winter

7. Sochi Art Museum

Housing centuries old gold and silver weapons in the present day, Sochi Art Museum was initially the administrative center of the Authority of the All Russian Central Executive Committee of the Soviet Union. This art museum envelops masterpieces by local and international artists, paintings, graphics, and art from the 19th century through the 21st century. Master paintings by Aivazovsky, Polenov, Serov, and many more can be seen on the display.

Suggested Read: Visiting Russia In April? Here Are All The Places You Can Visit To Enjoy The Chilly Weather

8. Roza Khutor

Once a host of 2014 Winter Olympics, Roza Khutor is a world-class ski resort located a few kilometers from Sochi. Roza Khutor is one of the focal locales for the inhabitants of Sochi and other neighboring cities. Cable-car allows visitors traveling in the offseason or who is not a fan of skiing to experience stunning views of the snow-clad mountains. One can also indulge in scrumptious meals at one of the cafes established on the location with a dreamlike mountain range as their view. Roza Khutor is one of the best places to visit near Sochi to escape the sunny days of Sochi and cozy up in the snow-clad mountains.

9. Marine Station

An engineering landmark of the Russian government, Marine Station is the main Port of Sochi. This architectural monument reflects four seasons and four cardinal points via the magnificent sculptural pieces established over the three-tiered tower. A fountain with a statue representing goddess navigation, polished stainless steel tower in the center of the building, and the surreal view of the endless sea from the station has landed Marine Station to be one of the best places to visit in Sochi.

Further Read: 8 Hostels In Russia To Enjoy An Affordable, Fascinating And Comfortable Vacation

With so many beautiful and mesmerizing places to visit in Sochi, the summer beach capital is emerging as a focal point not only for the travelers from its neighboring cities but also for the tourists worldwide. Pleasant weather, warm and swimmable Black Sea almost throughout the year, forest-clad fierce mountains, and unparalleled hospitality makes Sochi one of the adventure-packed destinations in the world. Plan your escapade to Russia and experience a perfect blend of peaceful and thrilling vacation.

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Travel Budget for Sochi Visit Sochi on a Budget or Travel in Style

• Sochi Costs

• Is Sochi Expensive?
• How much does a trip to Sochi cost?
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• How much does it cost to travel to Sochi? (Average Daily Cost)
• Sochi trip costs: one week, two weeks, one month

Is Sochi expensive to visit?

• How much do I need for a trip to Sochi?
• Accommodation, Food, Entertainment, and Transportation Costs
• Travel Guide

How much does it cost to travel to Sochi?

You should plan to spend around $61 (₽5,578) per day on your vacation in Sochi. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

• $17 (₽1,612) on meals
• $29 (₽2,699) on hotels

A one week trip to Sochi for two people costs, on average, $848 (₽78,096) . This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

• Travel Style: All Budget (Cheap) Mid-Range Luxury (High-End)
• Average Daily Cost Per person, per day $ 61 ₽ 5,578
• One Week Per person $ 424 ₽ 39,048
• 2 Weeks Per person $ 848 ₽ 78,096
• One Month Per person $ 1,816 ₽ 167,350
• One Week For a couple $ 848 ₽ 78,096
• 2 Weeks For a couple $ 1,695 ₽ 156,193
• One Month For a couple $ 3,633 ₽ 334,699

How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Sochi cost?

A one week trip to Sochi usually costs around $424 (₽39,048) for one person and $848 (₽78,096) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Sochi on average costs around $848 (₽78,096) for one person and $1,695 (₽156,193) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Sochi will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Sochi on average costs around $1,816 (₽167,350) for one person and $3,633 (₽334,699) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.

Independent Travel

Traveling Independently to Sochi has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.

All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.

Sochi is a reasonably affordable place to visit. Located in Russia, which is a reasonably affordable country, visitors will appreciate the relatively low cost of this destination. It is in the top 25% of cities in the country for its overall travel expenses. If you're traveling on a budget, then this is a good destination with affordable accommodation, food, and transportation.

Within Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, Sochi is a very affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 10% of cities in Europe for its affordability. Very few cities in the region are as affordable as Sochi.

For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Sochi Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Sochi?

The average Sochi trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Sochi travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.

Accommodation Budget in Sochi

Average daily costs.

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Sochi is $15 (₽1,350). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Sochi is $29 (₽2,699). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.

• Accommodation 1 Hotel or hostel for one person $ 15 ₽ 1,350
• Accommodation 1 Typical double-occupancy room $ 29 ₽ 2,699

Hotel Prices in Sochi

Looking for a hotel in Sochi? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.

Food Budget in Sochi

While meal prices in Sochi can vary, the average cost of food in Sochi is $17 (₽1,612) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Sochi should cost around $7.00 (₽645) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Sochi is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.

• Food 2 Meals for one day $ 17 ₽ 1,612

Entertainment Budget in Sochi

Entertainment and activities in Sochi typically cost an average of $114 (₽10,469) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.

• Entertainment 1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc. $ 114 ₽ 10,469

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Sochi on a budget, neighborhoods, food and dining, transportation.

We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works .

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A decade since Sochi, John Carlson is still playing big minutes for the Capitals at age 34

The Associated Press

April 10, 2024, 1:37 PM

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John Carlson has played more hockey than anyone in the NHL this season not named Drew Doughty, and that volume has not gone unnoticed around the league.

“He’s playing a lot of minutes,” Detroit winger Patrick Kane said. “As time goes on, you don’t get any younger, but he seems to be keeping his endurance and stamina up and obviously capability for the team, as well.”

A decade since playing with Kane for the U.S. at the Sochi Olympics, Carlson recently passed the 1,000-games milestone and is still shouldering a heavy workload at age 34. While Washington’s longtime No. 1 defenseman isn’t quite sure how he has been able to log so many minutes for so long — “I don’t know, I think you just do it” — more than a half-dozen of his teammates from the 2014 Games believe Carlson’s durability and longevity are a credit to his smarts and the ability to do everything on the ice, from scoring and setting up goals to preventing them by opponents while not letting all the shifts take a toll.

“His brain is just elite at how he plays the game offensively, defensively, so I think he’s able to be super efficient,” said winger James van Riemsdyk, now with Boston. “His physical tools kind of speak for themselves, but you don’t play that long and that high of a level, especially at this age, unless you have a really good hockey sense.”

Carlson is averaging nearly 26 minutes of ice time a game for the Capitals, who lean on him in all situations as they’re trying to return to the playoffs. Veteran Max Pacioretty, who got to know Carlson in Sochi and is teammates with him again, compared him to Hall of Famer and seven-time Norris Trophy winner Nicklas Lidstrom.

“He doesn’t expend useless energy,” Pacioretty said. “He knows when to use it, kind of when to be a little bit more reserved, and I think that’s a skill that so few people have.”

Retired defenseman Brooks Orpik knows all about needing to pace oneself throughout a long season, as Carlson has over his 15 years in the NHL, skating more than 26,600 shifts comprising 23,700 minutes of ice time. And Orpik thinks his 2018 Stanley Cup-winning teammate has gotten better about picking his spots.

“He has the ability to be physical when he has to be; he probably is a little bit more in the playoffs than he is regular season,” Orpik said. “It’s impossible to play that way with the minutes he’s playing, so I think he’s gotten smarter as he’s gotten older, too, which is kind of learning when to kind of go at it a little bit harder and then when to maybe conserve his energy.”

While Carlson is known more for his offense — 670 points in 1,005 regular-season games — his defensive acumen is often underappreciated, given how many tough matchups the Natick, Massachusetts, native by way of New Jersey has been tasked with throughout his career. Ryan Callahan felt more than a few shoves in front of the net from Carlson over the years, especially in Capitals-New York Rangers playoff series.

“He definitely had some snarl to his game,” said Callahan, now an ESPN analyst. “As a teammate, when you see an offensive guy, a defenseman like that who puts up those points but also has that little bit of a bite to his game, it drags the rest of the guys to have that compete and have that bite.”

With that bite, Callahan pointed out, also comes Carlson being a reliable player whose consistency makes him predictable and easy to work with. Watching some highlights recently, Bruins defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk notices his former teammate “making these typical big-time John Carlson plays” to keep the Caps in the playoff race.

“There’s no moment too big for him,” Shattenkirk said. “Nothing seems to faze him. That usually comes with experience, but he seemed to have that from the start.”

T.J. Oshie, who has played with him since 2015 after sharing the Sochi Olympic experience, saw that from afar when he was with St. Louis in previous years and thought Carlson had the ability to be a “mainstay” in Washington. He has been, skating nearly 30 minutes — including the final 4:38 — in a crucial victory at Detroit on Tuesday.

“He doesn’t seem like he’s slowing down all that much,” Orpik said, “even at this age.”

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Copyright © 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

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Thailand’s Tourist Towns Deal With Their Own Russian Invasion

I t’s just past 11 p.m. on Phuket’s neon-festooned Bangla Road and revelers are out in force, though the heady atmosphere is distinctly more Sochi than Southeast Asia. TVs overhanging the sprawling beer bars show ice skating instead of soccer; Cyrillic signage proliferates; and Russian-speaking touts dispense flyers for pole-dancing clubs exclusively featuring women from former Soviet republics. “Russians, Ukrainian, Belorussian, Kazakhs,” says one tout in dark Ray Bans and a skin-tight Armani polo shirt. “We have them all here.”

The war in Ukraine has entailed an incalculable human toll, while roiling markets, disrupting supply chains, and sending inflation soaring across the globe. But in Thailand, the two-year-old conflict is also having a profound social effect despite being over 4,000 miles away. While many Western nations have shut out Russian air travel in response to Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Thailand sees Russian arrivals as key to reviving its pandemic-ravaged tourism industry. In October, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin extended 90-day visas upon arrival for Russian passports, insisting in a February interview : “We’re not part of the [Ukraine] conflict. We are neutral.”

Read More: 5 Takeaways from TIME’s Conversation with Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin

Last year, Russians ranked top for tourist arrivals in Thailand from outside of Asia with 1.4 million visitors. Meanwhile, Russians were top overall on the southern resort island of Phuket, which has long been a favorite haunt. Last July, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited Phuket to inaugurate a new consulate to cope with surging visitor numbers. A month later, the Phuket Tourist Association sent a delegation to St. Petersburg and Moscow seeking to court even more vacationers.

In the first three months of this year, 366,095 Russians arrived at Phuket International Airport, almost double the same period of 2023 and transforming the island’s commercial and social life. (That figure doesn’t include the significant number who transferred via Thailand’s main gateway of Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok.) But while a boon for the macro economy, the influx has chafed with locals who increasingly complain that Russians are stealing jobs and upsetting cultural mores. Across Thailand, lurid headlines such as “ Rabid Russian assaults police team in Phuket after going berserk at a city centre hotel ” and “ Russian tourist kicks pregnant Thai woman after asked to leave shoes outdoor ” are both a symptom and cause of alarm. (However, transgressions involving New Zealand , Swiss , and Portuguese nationals admittedly proliferate also.)

“Russia and Thailand are so different and sometimes they don’t understand Thai law and culture,” Lieut. Colonel Akachai Siri, chief inspector of Phuket Tourist Police, tells TIME. “Sometimes they break the law and they don’t recognize we have law enforcement.”

Nevertheless, Thailand’s Russian incursion appears here to stay. Other than the preferential visas, sanctions on Russian air carriers and reciprocal bans on Western airlines have slashed the destinations where Russian nationals can escape their frigid winter, making already-popular Thailand an easier choice. And then there are the not inconsiderable numbers fleeing economic doldrums and a war of choice that they had no part in choosing—not least since the Kremlin has ramped up military conscription amid mounting casualties .

“That was the final straw for us,” says Mark, a Russian who fled to Thailand with his boyfriend after an initial draft announcement in September 2022 and asked that TIME use a pseudonym for security. “We understood we can’t go back because anyone can be called to the army and just die in the war.”

As a result, the number of Russians choosing to stay in Thailand long-term is soaring. Beyond 90-day visas upon arrival, thousands are applying for one-year business or education visas. Arnold, who asked that TIME use only one name for fear of reprisals in his homeland, moved from Moscow to the Thai resort town of Hua Hin permanently last year and has noticed an increase in what are colloquially termed “ relocants ” fleeing the “various negative things which are going on back home.”

The affluent are acquiring luxury cars and yachts and renting or purchasing villas. Phuket’s plush Laguna beachfront complex of villas, ornamental lake, and 18-hole golf course is now dubbed “Little Moscow,” says Bhummikitti Ruktaengam, advisory chairman to Phuket’s Tourist Association. Over half of all residents across its 1,000 acres are Russian, according to the Laguna real estate management office, which employs two native Russian speakers to deal with the shifting demographic. Across Phuket, real estate prices have bumped some 20% owing to the Russian influx, says Bhummikitti.

The incursion has also increased pressure on Akachai’s Tourist Police, which has only 60 officers to assist the 2,000-odd regular Royal Thai Police and 60 dedicated Immigration Police across both Phuket and the larger adjacent province of Pha Nga. In addition to swelling tourist numbers, whereas 60% of tourists before the pandemic traveled on tour groups with guides and agents on hand to smooth any problems, today, 70% are independent travelers, which means the Tourist Police are increasingly called to mediate all manner of conflicts.

Relaxed entry requirements have also attracted a criminal element. In early February, Phuket police arrested five suspected Russian gangsters for the kidnapping and extortion of over $800,000 in cryptocurrency from a Belarussian couple that Akachai says was retaliation for a financial dispute back home. And last month, a 42-year-old Russian man was found stabbed to death in a rented house that was being used as a cannabis farm. The chief suspect is a Tajikistani man who fled Thailand for Turkey just hours after the murder.

Yet Akachai says most crimes relate to illegal work involving Russians determined not to return home while the war rages but without the means to support themselves indefinitely—not least since international banking sanctions have rendered accessing savings more difficult. Many Russians have set themselves up as unofficial tour guides, car and motorbike rental services, real estate agents, hairdressers, or even sex workers, advertising online via Telegram groups.

Yet not all aspects of the phenomenon are troublesome. Other than Russians, a significant number of Ukrainians have fled their war torn nation for Thailand, potentially creating a tinderbox atmosphere. But Akachai says he has not encountered a single skirmish or negative incident between the two nationalities in Phuket. Yury Rozhkov, 46, a Russian national who works for a travel agency in Bangkok, says he regularly meets Ukrainians staying in his apartment building and relations are nothing but cordial.

“They understand it’s Putin, it’s not Russia, Russian people are different,” he says. “And I’m sure Russians who have money to travel to Thailand do not support Putin and the war in Ukraine.”

In Hua Hin, Arnold is a member of a Russian-language Telegram group with more than 4,500 members from across the former Soviet bloc, but he says he cannot recall a single politically charged message among the 400 or so posted every day. “99.9% of discussions are where to find the best pad thai, current prices in the local market, how to rent a car, or where to get a vaccine,” he says.

Perched by the main gate of Phuket’s Laguna resort, the d’Odessa restaurant serves Ukrainian syrniki pancakes and smoked salmon croissants slathered with gold leaf. The tablet menu has options for Ukrainian, English, and Russian—and staff say the majority of clientele speak the latter. “There are many Ukrainian restaurants filled with Russians in Phuket,” says Bhummikitti.

Ultimately, both sides caught up in this senseless conflict share a desire to stay out of harm’s way by whatever means necessary. Mark is still employed by his Russian IT company thanks to an understanding boss despite remote working being strictly against company policy. Every day he fears a draft ticket or internal enquiries by higher management could spell the end to that vital paycheck. If that happens, “I will try to find a local job or another [remote] job in Russia,” he says. “I will try every way I can not to go back.”

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Write to Charlie Campbell / Phuket, Thailand at [email protected]

Golden Knights re-sign Noah Hanifin; Ducks' Jakob Silfverberg to retire

The Vegas Golden Knights agreed to an eight-year, $58.8 million extension with defenseman Noah Hanifin on Thursday.

Hanifin was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after the season. Vegas acquired him from the Calgary Flames in a three-team trade that also included the Philadelphia Flyers days before last month's NHL trade deadline .

Hanifin, 27, has nine points (two goals, seven assists) in 16 games with the Golden Knights. Overall, he has a career-best 13 goals and 31 assists this season, counting his totals in 61 games with Calgary.

Hanifin has 116 blocked shots this season, just 13 shy of his career best from last season.

Overall, Hanifin has 62 goals and 221 assists in 675 NHL games over nine seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes (2015-18), Flames (2018-24) and Golden Knights.

Hanifin was the fifth overall selection by Carolina in the 2015 draft.

Ducks' Jakob Silfverberg to retire at season's end

Anaheim Ducks alternate captain Jakob Silfverberg announced Thursday that he will retire at the end of this season.

Silfverberg, 33, has played in all but one of the Ducks’ 79 games this season. Anaheim (26-48-5, 57 points) will play its final home game of the campaign on Friday against the Calgary Flames.

“It’s been an honor and privilege to play in the National Hockey League,” Silfverberg said. “I want to thank the Samueli family for being who they are, gracious, community-minded owners that support their team while making a significant impact in our community. Obviously I wouldn’t be where I am without my teammates, all the trainers and staff that have helped me along the way. Most importantly, thank you to my family who have supported me as I lived out a dream.

“Thank you to the fans around the league, specifically in Anaheim and Ottawa. To spend 11 years in Orange County playing for the Ducks is something I will cherish every day, thanks in large part to all of you.”

Silfverberg has recorded 19 points (seven goals, 12 assists) in 78 games this season and 373 points (168 goals, 205 assists) in 817 career games with the Senators (2012-13) and Ducks.

“On behalf of the entire Ducks organization, congratulations to Jakob on an outstanding NHL career,” Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said. “He was the ultimate character player for the Ducks, Senators and his native Sweden, leading by example and always putting the team first. His contributions on the ice and in the Orange County community will have a lasting impact.”

Silfverberg also helped Team Sweden win the silver medal at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.