The famous embankment, the seaport, the Olympic Village, and the beaches of the Black Sea — do you think you’ve seen everything in Sochi? We have collected 9 non-obvious locations that were recommended to us by local residents. This is a reason to visit the city again!
Contents
- How to get there
- The Tree of Friendship Garden Museum
- The Yew-Boxwood Grove
- The Bathhouse in the Navalishenskoye Gorge
- The Nero Cafeteria
- Keyva Waterfall
- New Sochi Theatre
- Babushkina Khata Winery
- Dagomys Troughs
- Shambhala Cafe
How to get there
By plane. It only takes 3.5 hours to get to the south, where you’ll find the sea on one side and mountains on the other. The most budget-friendly option is offered by Pobeda: tickets start at 5,600 RUB one-way (prices are for the summer season). From St. Petersburg, it’s cheaper to fly with a stopover in the capital (starting at 9,600 RUB), while direct flights start at 19,500 RUB.
By train. If you’re looking for romance, head to the train station. Trains run from Moscow to Sukhum and Adler: the journey takes 1 day and 9-12 hours, and tickets cost from 4,800 RUB. Trains from St. Petersburg take 1.5 to 2.5 days, and tickets cost from 7,400 RUB.
By car. There is a nuance in the form of a steep mountain serpentine: you need to have good driving skills and be prepared for constant traffic (especially in the summer). If you’re up for such adventures, fill up the tank and hit the M-4 Don highway. It’s a 1,620-kilometer journey that takes about a day (if you don’t stop and switch drivers). If you prefer a leisurely pace and want to make stops along the way, explore the sights along the route.
Tree of Friendship Garden Museum
Location: St. Jan Fabricius, 2/5a.
There is a quiet garden in the heart of Sochi with a citrus tree, which was planted back in 1934 by the famous breeder Fyodor Mikhailovich Zorin. The scientist was obsessed with the idea of international unity and decided to bring it to life in an interesting way: he grafted different varieties of citrus fruits to the wild lemon tree. Since then, representatives of more than 173 countries have made more than 600 vaccinations in the tree’s crown. Among those who have left a “friendship branch” on the tree are presidents, cosmonauts, poets, and children of various nationalities.
We recommend taking a guided tour (starting at 300 rubles per person), taking a leisurely stroll through the garden, picking up fallen fruits, and admiring how pears, apples, and oranges grow on the same tree.
In the heart of Sochi, there is a quiet garden with a citrus tree that was planted in 1934 by the famous breeder Fyodor Mikhailovich Zorin. Photo: nikolenko1962/Shutterstock.com
For more unusual excursions, visit Tripster:
Yew-Boxwood Grove
Location: Khostinsky District, Yew-Boxwood Grove National Park.
This grove of more than 300 hectares resembles a mysterious forest and is located on the slope of Mount Akhun. Relict plants from prehistoric times have been preserved here. There are three routes on the territory, and we recommend choosing the longest (5 km): along the way you will see tectonic faults, turquoise waters of the Devil’s Gate Canyon, more than 400 species of different vegetation. Well, a swim in the sea or go to the sauna after such a walk will be the perfect end to a day in Sochi.
In addition to non-standard places, we have prepared some free ones for you. You can find a list of them in the article about budget-friendly Sochi.
This grove, which covers more than 300 hectares, resembles a mysterious forest and is located on the slope of Mount Akhun. Photo: elly_kei/Shutterstock.com
Banya in the Navalishenskoye Gorge
Location: Khosta, Navalishenskoye Gorge.
Banyas are popular in Sochi and Krasnaya Polyana, and with the trend towards steaming, new trendy locations are regularly opening. But the locals prefer one bathhouse, which is located on the territory of a complex with gazebos and a restaurant (not far from the yew-boxwood grove, by the way). This bathhouse is public, and its special feature is that it is located right next to the white rocks in a beautiful gorge. After leaving the steam room, you can dive straight into the mountain river, which is incredibly beautiful.
During the season, there are a lot of people here, so it is better to go on a weekday.
Nero Cafeteria
Location: 9a Navaginskaya Street.
An atmospheric coffee shop with a history, where you can drink real Sochi black coffee brewed in a teapot. But you’ll have to fight for a seat, just like in the famous St. Petersburg pyshechnaya.
Founded in 1995, the coffee shop retains its old-school, nostalgic atmosphere, where you can feel like you’ve traveled back decades with a cup of coffee, admiring the photographs of old Sochi on the walls and savoring the taste of the beverage.
An atmospheric coffee shop with a history, where you can drink real Sochi black coffee brewed in a teapot. Photo: Lyuda Stepanova & Olga K./Yandex.Maps
Keva Waterfall
Location: Krasnaya Polyana resort, Melnichny stream.
There are many waterfalls in the vicinity of Sochi, but today we will talk about Keva. It is almost always full of water, which is a plus. The path here is not easy, so you’ll need a good mood and comfortable trekking shoes. The climb is steep, and at times you’ll feel like a character from “Fort Boyard,” but the destination is worth the effort. You can take a dip after a long journey, grab a bite to eat, and return refreshed.
“New Theater in Sochi”
Location: 5 Ordzhonikidze Street, Central District.
If you’re looking for a way to combine your vacation with both entertainment and culture, consider visiting the theater. Even during the summer season (which is not typically a theater-going season), the New Theater in Sochi offers performances such as Bunin’s “Dark Alleys” and Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” With a capacity of only 96 seats, the theater creates a intimate atmosphere and reduces the distance between the actors and the audience. The troupe consists of talented artists from all over Russia, and the performances are directed by guest directors.
Shakespeare’s play “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” can be viewed at the New Sochi Theater even in the summer. Photo: New Theatre of Sochi
Babushkina Khata Winery
Location: 12 Zapadny Lane, Progress Village.
You can’t visit Sochi without tasting the local wines and chacha. There are many wineries in the south of Russia, but only one has a homey vibe, and that’s Babushkina Khata. The name itself hints at the concept: a family-owned project steeped in tradition and history. Roman Veslovsky is in charge of everything. He has restored his ancestral home from 1945, makes wine, welcomes guests in a country estate, and explains the craft in simple terms. The drinks are made from the harvest of their own vineyards. In addition to the tasting, you can visit the museum dedicated to the life of a rural house.
For those interested in wine tourism, O!Blog has provided information about Abrau-Durso and wineries near Anapa.
The Dagomys Troughs
Location: Lazarevsky District, the Western Dagomys River.
It’s not the most secluded place during the season, but it’s beautiful and a relief in the summer heat – these are natural baths and mini-waterfalls with clean, cool water from mountain springs. There’s a nice cafe with Caucasian cuisine and a sauna nearby. Come in the morning or on a weekday to enjoy everything without the hustle and bustle.
Beautiful and saving in the summer heat are natural baths and mini-waterfalls with clean cool water from mountain springs. Photo: Dan-Rus/Shutterstock.com
Shambhala Cafe
Location: Krasnaya Polyana, Zavodnaya Street, 8.
A soulful tea house that has already become a symbol of Krasnaya Polyana, which is not called Russian Bali for nothing. In Shambhala, people gather to enjoy tea ceremonies, listen to musical jams on drums or glockophones, and taste vegetarian dishes. There are also ethnic evenings, film screenings, an interesting crowd, dream catchers, an esoteric atmosphere, and a bombastic coconut soup.
The unusual locations have been chosen, and all that remains is to book a room on the Island. Even during the season, you can find a room that suits your taste and budget. Bon voyage!
Cover photo: frantic00/Shutterstock.com
