You can now get to Abkhazia by plane — what’s not a reason to visit the country? Even if Lake Ritsa, Pitsundu and New Athos have been explored inside and out, there are definitely unexplored places left, and even more so are non—obvious locations. We have collected unusual sights near the Black Sea.
Content
- How to get there
- Entry rules
- Pitsundo-Mussera Nature Reserve
- Labra Restaurant
- Kyndyg thermal spring
- Otapskaya cave
- Pride Lions Park
- Marnero Beach
- Hashupse Canyon
- “Juliet’s Balcony”
- Where to stay
How to get there
YUVT Aero offers direct flights from Moscow to Sukhum and only on Saturdays. Round-trip tickets will cost from 29,600 rubles. Nordwind Airlines also flies to Sukhum: currently there are flights from Nizhny Novgorod on the schedule (starting from 7,145 rubles one way).
Entry rules
A Russian internal passport is sufficient to enter Abkhazia. You can also use a foreign passport, but after that there will be problems with crossing the Georgian border: the Russian Foreign Ministry does not recommend visiting Georgia with a passport with an Abkhazian stamp. A visa-free visit can last 90 days.
A Russian internal passport is sufficient to enter Abkhazia. Photo: Tanya_Terekhina/Shutterstock.com
What to see
Pitsundo-Mussera Nature Reserve
Location: Pitsunda and Mussera
A relict forest with pines and boxwood is located on a vast territory of almost 4,000 hectares. The air here is especially fresh and has healing properties. The reserve, which is similar in scale to the Chinese national park with the Avatar Mountains, has various camping areas that motivate a savage to relax: a tent, nature, stars and sincere conversations.
And when you come to Mussera, you can see the dachas of Stalin and Gorbachev and the well-preserved ancient temple of the Barn, dating back to the 7th-8th centuries. Well, enjoying the picturesque beaches along the cliffs is an obligatory part of the program. Moreover, some of them once filmed episodes of the Soviet “Robinson Crusoe”.
We wrote about other nature reserves in Russia here.
A relict forest with pines and boxwood is located on a vast territory of almost 4,000 hectares. Photo: Lexis_Jan/Shutterstock.com
Labra Restaurant
Location: Labra village, Ochamchira district
The new restaurant is located on the territory of the Achba Iashta winery. This means that you will not only get delicious food here, but also excellent wine.
The restaurant’s design deserves special mention, worthy of magazine covers: panoramic windows, an elegant mix of metal, stone, wood and ethnic details, referring to the roots of Abkhazia, the history of winemaking and the family of the owners. And yes, they did a good job on the service here, too, so the location is 10 out of 10.
The restaurant’s design, worthy of magazine covers, deserves special mention. Photo: Labra Labra/Yandex.Maps
Kyndyg thermal spring
Location: Ochamchira district, Kyndig
In Abkhazia, you can not only have a delicious meal, swim in the clear sea and admire the views, but also improve your health. In the village of Kyndig, a geyser spring gushes out of the ground, on the basis of which a year-round thermal complex in the open air was built. There are 6 pools with different water temperatures (up to 50°), mud baths with rejuvenation effect and a hydro massage shower.
In addition to relaxing in the thermal baths, arrange a picnic, organize fishing or try the national cuisine. What the doctor ordered!
Otapskaya cave
Location: Otap village
Deep, deep underground there is a cave, pristine and not as crowded as Novoafonskaya. It is named after Abraskila, the Abkhazian equivalent of Prometheus, and boasts various karst forms, many stalactites, stalagmites, and a mystical atmosphere. Excursions began to be conducted here quite recently and they represent a quest: you need to put on boots (size range — from 42nd) and go explore the cave along an underground river in semi-darkness (although in places it is already decorated with beautiful lighting).
The cave boasts various karst forms, many stalactites, stalagmites and a mystical atmosphere. Photo: Yuri/Yandex.Maps
Pride Lions Park
Location: village of Aatsi
That’s how Abkhazia shows even wild cats to its guests! To get to know exotic animals better, come to the Pride Park. There are 13 lions, a tiger, and a leopard living here.(panther), sheep, camel, donkeys, buffaloes and peacocks.
It is clear that the owners are happy for their work: all conditions have been created for the animals, so they live happily. And guests can watch their everyday life, feed the predators and be touched.
13 lions, a tiger, a leopard (panther), sheep, and a camel live here. Photo: Lions Pride Park Abkhazia
Marnero Beach
Location: Sukhum
If you do not want to lie on a towel by the sea, but to dress up beautifully and spend time in a trendy beach club, then you are here. A well-equipped beach with stylish decoration, DJ accompaniment and a bar with an excellent cocktail menu.
Water activities for every taste are offered to guests: glanders, water scooters or boat trips. Well, it’s a pleasure to meet the sunset in such a place. If you’re going to explore other cool beaches, then read our guide.
A well-equipped beach with stylish decoration, DJ accompaniment and a bar with an excellent cocktail menu. Photo: Marnero Bar/Yandex.Maps
Hashupse Canyon
Location: Gagra district
The canyon is called one of the most picturesque in the whole of Abkhazia, so do not deny yourself the pleasure of seeing it for yourself. Hashupse stretches for about 2 kilometers in length and up to 300 meters in depth: the river is surrounded by rocks and forests, which looks impressive.
Popular entertainment in Khashups:
- rafting,
- snowboarding,
- canyoning,
- tracking.
The canyon is called one of the most picturesque in the whole of Abkhazia. Photo: Barbacuc/Shutterstock.com
“Juliet’s Balcony”
Location: Gagra
We finish our selection with a fabulous place, known locally by its code name based on Shakespeare’s play. The balcony is located on the territory of an old atmospheric mansion, which has an interesting history. The aristocrat Princess Orekhova lived here, and there was a rest home, and even a Soviet boarding house. Now it is one of the many abandoned buildings in Gagra, but it is obviously the most photogenic and immersive in other eras.
If this is not enough, you can always book an interesting Tripster tour:
Where to stay
In recent years, many aesthetic and modern hotels with good service have opened in Abkhazia.
It is not necessary to book a trip with a travel agency: you can find and pay for accommodation yourself on the Island, and discounts from 5% with the GURU loyalty program will save tens of thousands of rubles.
- A.V.SOKOL Hotel
A stylish hotel with a varied menu and stunning panoramic views from the rooms, which start at 14,000 rubles.
The A.V.SOKOL Hotel.
- Prince Hotel Gagra
Pinterest vacation in Gagra: top-of-the-line sea view, minimalistic design and brand new renovation. Beauty starts from 12,500 rubles per day.
- Guest house “Warm Nights”
Wooden houses in Sukhum with everything necessary for a comfortable stay. There is a forest around, there is a swimming pool and a summer kitchen. Cost per night: from 4,582 rubles.
- Garuda Glamping Abkhazia
Sukhumi, too, but for trend lovers: fashionable awnings (from 8,400 rubles per day) are waiting for lovers of aesthetics and nature. The food is nice and delicious, there is a transfer to the sea and even entertainment for children.
Garuda Glamping Abkhazia.
- Garuda Boutique Hotel
Perhaps the most interesting hotel in terms of interior design. Each floor is decorated in the style of different countries — Egypt, China, Turkey, India. A unique trip starts from 10,950 rubles.
- The Royal Hotel
is a lovely hotel in Novy Athos with stunning sea views and affordable rooms starting from 6,000 rubles.
- The Abaata Hotel
is a four-star classic in Gagra, where good service, a beautiful spa area, delicious cuisine and the first coastline come together. We need to take it. For example, a room in June starts from 20,500 rubles.
The Abaata Hotel.
Well, that’s it: a non-trivial guide to Abkhazia is ready! Don’t forget to try the local hominy and khachapuri, washed down with excellent wine overlooking the sea.
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Cover photo: Marnero Bar/Yandex.Maps
