Sochi is Russia’s only subtropical resort and stays green even in winter. The city stretches more than a hundred kilometres along the Black Sea shore, and behind it the Caucasus mountains rise abruptly. That means you can be on the beach in the morning and at two thousand metres in the afternoon. Below I have written about the shore, the mountains and the card question.
The shore and the Arboretum park in Sochi
The central shore is pebble; do not expect sand. In exchange the water stays clean and getting into the sea is comfortable. The walkway along the shore comes alive in the evenings, and the restaurants are directly over the water.
The Arboretum is an enormous subtropical park in the middle of the city with more than two thousand plant species in it. You go up to the upper part by cable car and the whole bay is visible from there. The Riviera park beside it is more of a family place and suits an evening walk.
Krasnaya Polyana and the mountains
Krasnaya Polyana is an hour from the shore by train or by car. Three large resorts stand side by side there, each with its own cable car and its own level. In winter the ski season here runs from December to April.
In summer the same cable cars work for walking, and at two thousand metres there are alpine meadows and waterfalls. Mount Akhun and the Agura waterfalls lower down are half an hour from the city and are walked on marked paths. When going up the mountain take an extra layer of warm clothing, as the temperature difference passes ten degrees.
The Olympic park and Adler
The stadiums of the 2014 Olympics are in the Adler district, next to the airport. It is now a wide area toured by rented bicycle and scooter, and in the evening there is an illuminated fountain show. Beside it are the Formula 1 track and an amusement park.
Adler itself offers cheaper accommodation options and is close to the airport. Staying in the centre, on the other hand, means restaurants and night life. If you are going with family, Adler is usually more practical.
Transport and budget in Sochi
The most important point is payment: Azerbaijani bank cards do not work in Russia, so plan the whole cost in cash. A fast suburban train called the Lastochka runs the length of the city and is the most comfortable way between Adler, the centre and Krasnaya Polyana. There are taxi apps, but payment is again in cash.
| A hotel in the centre | A night, the equivalent of 40–90 dollars |
| An apartment in Adler | Cheaper, close to the airport |
| Cable car | A separate ticket at each resort |
| Payment | Cash only, cards do not work |
The airport is in Adler and takes forty minutes to the centre; if you land at night, booking a transfer in advance is easier than negotiating with a cash taxi. Direct flights from Baku are seasonal, so check the schedule before travelling and compare ticket options in the Sochi direction against a route via Moscow. Official tourism information is on Russia’s national tourism portal.
Season in Sochi
June–September is the beach season, the sea is warmest in August, and the crowds are in that same month. May and October are ideal for walking the city, with the weather staying around twenty degrees. December–March is the mountain season: when it rains on the shore there is snow up above. November is the quietest and cheapest month, but the weather is often overcast.
A last word
Sochi is one of the few choices for those who want sea and mountain in one trip. Work out your cash in advance, learn the Lastochka train, give at least one full day to Krasnaya Polyana, and avoid August if you can. If you want to combine several cities in Russia, you can look at the ready-made tour options. For a route, fill in the application form.
Note: the flight schedule and payment rules are changeable, so check again before travelling.
