Sochi - Sóchi

Sochi (Cо́чи) is one of the southernmost places in Russia and the second largest city in the Krasnodar Krai, along the Black Sea coast, about 1,600 km south of Moscow. It has a population of 415,000. Sochi became known worldwide in 2007, when it won the right to host the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games [1].

Understand

Sochi has the unofficial 'Summer Capital' nicknames of the Russia, and Pearl of the Black Sea. This is the country's largest and busiest summer resort, drawing more than 4 million visitors annually to its stunning mountainous coastline, endless pebbled beaches, warm sunny days, and bustling nightlife. From May to September, Sochi's population at least doubles with tourists, including celebrities and the country's political elite.

Strangely, only 3% of this crowd of visitors are international travelers, and the city's border location doesn't help to change the situation. Perhaps Sochi's most famous foreign non-political visitor was singer Bono, invited to spend time at President Medvedev's residence in 2010. But overall, the city remains a very domestic destination, somewhat lacking in infrastructure. adequate international structure and with the same language barrier problems as most regional centers in Russia.

Another paradox is that the city, always associated in the national mentality with a “southern, palm trees and warm climate” stereotype, won the 2014 Winter Olympic bid. This phenomenon will likely never be fully understood by Russians: of all the hundreds of places in the country has a real winter, so Sochi? The answers are: 1, no severe frost, and 2, Krasnaya Polyana, a very promising alpine resort in the city area. The most pragmatic explanation is Sochi's lucky fate. The most famous Russian saying about the city is "If I could read the letters, I would live in Sochi" ("Знал бы прикуп - жил бы в Сочи"). Initially coming from the card game of Preference, this proverb shows Sochi and its inhabitants' association with the luck factor, in fact, with accidental and unpredictable fortunes.

Well, maybe such Olympic luck will help the city reach beyond national borders and become a truly global site. Sochi has many attractions to offer for those who love nature, sports, history, leisure and a sunny beach. This marine Black Pearl is still waiting to be discovered.

History

The territory where Sochi is today has been inhabited for thousands of years, populated by Caucasian mountain tribes, and was influenced and dominated by the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Abkhasians and Ottomans. Some historic landmarks from earlier civilizations remain, including bronze age stone tables and medieval Byzantine temples.

The Russian Empire approached these lands in the early 19th century, and after a war with the Ottoman Empire, annexed them in 1829. Shortly thereafter, in 1838, Russian authorities established Fort Alexandria in what is now the center. from modern Sochi, and two more forts in the city's trendy Lazarevskoe district. Alexandria was renamed several times, until the name Sochi (the name of a local river) was fixed in 1896.

In the early 20th century, Sochi became known as a resort. In 1902, the first bath building in Matsesta was built and in 1909 the official resort called "Caucasian Riviera" was opened. Just before the 1917 revolution, Sochi obtained both its city status and the railway connected with the rest of Russia. But regular rail service began only six years later, after the Russian Civil War, which ended with the victory of the Bolsheviks. The city grew very slowly (from 13,000 in 1916 to 17,000 in 1932).

The situation changed in 1934, when a general reconstruction of Sochi was initiated by Stalin's government. In just seven years, from 1932 to 1939, the city's population skyrocketed from 17,000 to 72,000. New roads, theaters, parks, hotels and spa resorts were built, making Sochi much like what can be seen today.

In 1961, the authorities decided to incorporate the neighboring settlements in Sochi, starting the story of Great Sochi (Большой Сочи).

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Sochi assumed the role of the Russian president's traditional summer residence, replacing the Crimea, which became a part of the Ukraine independent.

In 2007, the city opened a new chapter in its history by winning the competition for the host city of the 2014 Olympic Games. The volume of works is enormous, including new infrastructure (roads, sanitation, airports and ports, etc.), sports facilities (indoor and outdoor), commercial and residential buildings. Sochi's new look has already begun to transform the features of what was once a Soviet national resort.

To arrive

By airplane

Sochi's main entrance is the Sochi International Airport[2] (IATA: AERICAO: USSR), which is located in the Adler district, on the way to Krasnaya Polyana. It was completely rebuilt in preparation for the 2014 Olympics. The new terminal opened in 2010, giving the city a chance to become a major regional air hub.

Flight time varies depending on season with maximum number of flights between May and September. During winter, delays due to weather conditions are very common. Alternatively, airports from Krasnodar or Gelendzhik.

International Flights

There are regular air connections with Vienna (Austrian Airlines[3]), Istanbul (Turkish Airlines[4]), and Tel Aviv (DONAVIA[5]).

Countries of the former Soviet Union are also linked to Sochi: Yerevan, Armenia (Armavia[6]), Tashkent, Uzbekistan (DONAVIA), Minsk, Belarus (Belavia[7]), chisinau, Moldova (Air Moldova[8]), and Dushanbe, Tajikistan (Tajik Air[9]).

domestic flights

Several flights a day connect Sochi with Moscow, Saint Petersburg and other big cities in Russia, like Kazan, Krasnodar, Krasnoyarsk, perm, Rostov-on-Don, Samara, Yekaterinburg, etc.

Key carriers:

• avianova[10] - flights from Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Krasnodar and Yekaterinburg
• aeroflot[11] - flights from Sheremetyevo airport, Moscow
• Nordavia[12] - flights from Arkhangelsk
• S7[13] - flights from Domodedovo airport, Moscow
• Sky Express[14] - domestic discounter, flights from Vnukovo airport, Moscow
• Transair[15] - flights from Domodedovo, Moscow
• Utair[16] - flights from Tyumen, Ufa and Surgut
• Vladivostok Avia[17] - flights from Khabarovsk
• Yakutia[18] - flights from Yakutsk

from the airport to the city

By bus / marshrutka:

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

By taxi:Taxi service at the airport is chaotic, taxi drivers rarely speak English, and the stated price for a tour may be inappropriate. To protect yourself, book in advance. The price varies a lot, depending on the area you go to. A ride to Adler costs 300-500 RUR, to Cental Sochi 800-1000 RUR, to Krasnaya Polyana 1,200-1,600 RUR. For more remote parts of Greater Sochi, like Lazarevskoe, it will cost up to 4000 RUR.

By train

Sochi has two railway terminals, at Sochi Central and Adler. However, most trains make short stops at small stations in the Greater Sochi: Lazarevskaya, Loo, Dagomys, Matsesta and Khosta. Tickets can be purchased from the Russian Railways website [19] (At present the service is only available in Russian), at RZD counters, or via travel agencies. RZD opens ticket sales 45 days prior to tour, book in advance during peak season.

There are regular train connections with major cities in Russia, as well as major cities in Russia. Belarus and Ukraine, including:International:

• Kiev, Ukraine (30 hours)
• Minsk and Gomel, Belarus (34-39 hours)
• Kaliningrad (64 hours, via villa, Lithuania)
• Sukhum, Abkhazia (from Adler station, 5 hours, 200 RUR one way, service launched July 1, 2011)

'Domestic:'

• Moscow (25-28 hours, is scheduled to be launched in 2014 for the Olympic Games, speed train service, 15 hours en route)
• 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 ship

Sochi is among several Russian ports, 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 before using. Unsurprisingly, so far, most international tourists come to Sochi by cruise ship (please check itinerary [20]).

the port of sochi [21] operates several regular international routes, mainly from May to October:

• ferry [22] in Trabzon, Turkey - 3.5 hours, 3,500 RUR, May to October, twice a week
• In Batumi, Georgia - 4.5 hours, 3000 - 3500 RUR per person, daily, open only to citizens of Russia, Georgia and CIS countries.

Sochi ferry tickets can usually only be purchased at the port one day before departure.

There are also regular ship connections with nearby towns of Novorossiysk, Tuapse and gagra, Abkhazia.

circle

Grande Sochi occupies 105 km along the Black Sea coast. Its total area is 3,500 km2 (three times larger than Moscow). However, most of the population is spread along the narrow coastal strip, while the mountain area (1,900 square kilometers) mostly belongs to 'Sochi National Park' and the Caucasian Biosphere Reserve. The city alignment is northwest to southeast, from the neighboring city of Tuapse right to the Russian border with the Abkhazia.

By bus / marshrutka

Unlike other Russian cities of the same size, Sochi does not have trams or trolleybuses. The initial bus transport system, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, was turbocharged with smaller private buses and marshrutka (vans). The last category essentially duplicates existing bus lines, with some minor additions, but often useful. The service is quite frequent and relatively cheap, which makes it the most popular form of transport in Sochi.

For the 2014 Olympics, city officials plan to provide English-language signs on buses, and even train drivers to speak English. But for now, neither the first nor the second has happened. So, as in other regional parts of Russia, get ready to exercise your intuition, and learn a little of the language (or at least the alphabet) so you don't miss your stops.

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

• 3K - from the central bus terminal to Matsesta
• 12 - from Bytkha Matsesta
• 17 - from the central bus terminal to Novaya Zarya (via Sochi Central ring)
• 22K - from central bus terminal to Bytkha
• 36 - from Sochi port to Mamayka
• 47K - from Central Bus Terminal to Transportnaya Street (Olymp Mall)
• 57 - from Adler train station to Imeretinskaya plain and Vesyoloe (from the border with the Abkhazia)
• 64 - from Mamayka to Kudepsta via Central Sochi, Matsesta and Khosta
• 99 - from Sochi train station to Vinogradnaya street (via Sochi Central ring)
• 105 - from the central bus terminal via Matsesta, Khosta Adler and Sochi International Airport sub-districts, 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 Várzea 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 the most sub-districts of the Lazarevskoe district (Dagomys, Vardane, Loo, etc.)
• 167 - from the central bus terminal to Adler (market / Novy Vek Mall)

On buses / marshrutkas number 1 to 99, the fare is fixed for the entire journey distance (9 RUB). Numbers over 100 have a flexible fare system, depending on the distance travelled.

By train

The 105 km long Grande Sochi makes the railway one of the fastest transports suitable for traveling between the city's neighborhoods. For a long time, Sochi had the only line that goes from Tuapse to Abkhazia, with five main stations, four smaller ones, and 28 platforms within the metropolitan area. Preparing for the 2014 Olympic Games, RZD built two new lines (from Adler to the airport and from Imeretinskaya to Krasnaya Polyana), with a total length of 48 km, and 5 new stations and platforms.

Sochi's trains have been constantly improving in recent years, upgrading from standard Russian elektrichki to modern and comfortable ones​​. Most of them go from Adler (or Sochi's central terminal) to Tuapse and back. There are also 1-2 trains daily to Krasnodar and Maykop. A one-way trip from Sochi to Lazarevskoe will cost 45 RUB for an ordinary elektrichka (1 hour and 45 minutes). A modernized train ticket is more expensive: 100-200 RUB depending on the class, but also faster (50-70 minutes). Expect to pay 40 percent more if you go from Adler to Lazarevskoe (2 hours and 20 minutes for an ordinary elektrichka).

While the hot summer season brings more interregional trains from Sochi, the number of local trains decreases for this period. Thus, there are only six local trains round-the-year (16 in the off-season). 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 within the city by these trains. The bad news is that you will need your passport every time you buy a long-distance train ticket.

Of boat

Regular ship service from Sochi Central to other parts of the city was interrupted in 2005, due to an obsolete fleet and the destruction of several local piers. Currently, the goal of restoring this transport is in place, and probably in the next few years it will be done.

By bike

Sochi recently introduced the city's bicycle rental service. The bicycle can be taken and dropped off at any of the 30 automatic terminals (riders are installed in central Sochi and Khosta districts). The service itself is free, but you need to leave a 3,000 RUB deposit before returning the skinny one.

There is also work to allocate cycle lanes on the city's road network. However, Sochi is still uncomfortable to ride a bike due to the unevenness, heavy traffic and a lot of construction sites.

On foot

Within Sochi Central, most distances are quiet, considering the mountainous landscape (take into account that the sheer volume of construction for the 2014 Olympics has made some walks less suitable). Other neighborhoods in the city have huge spaces between their parts, so it's better to use some transport to get there, for example, from Matsesta to Kudepsta or from Loo to Lazarevskoe. Walking between the districts and sub-districts of Greater Sochi is also generally not convenient, due to the lack of sidewalks, mountainous terrain, and heavy traffic.

It may seem that a city sprawled along the coast should have long promenades. In fact, most of the coastal space behind the beach is taken up by the railroad. Thus, the only real seaside boulevard is between Riviera Park and Sochi's Dendrário Central. Another is under construction at the Adler Olympic Park.

Due to Sochi's resort specifics, the usual approach, of measuring the distance in meters from the beach, can play a bad joke: you may find yourself in a hotel or apartment near the sea, but far from any infrastructure and facilities. transport. So stay tuned while booking.

by wheelchair

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

So far at least the airport facilities and new trains in Sochi are accessible. The project to create the Sochi accessibility map was launched in 2011, kicking off the same project across Russia. Fortunately, the coming years will bring significant improvement in the city's accessibility, as happened at Khanty-Mansiysk before another Paralympic sporting event.

Look

Historic Sites

• . . The history of modern architecture in Sochi began with the 1934 general building plan. During the Stalinist period (until 1953), many monumental buildings were built around Greater Sochi. Among them are: the central Sochi railway terminal, the port, the Winter Theatre, the Art Museum and numerous resort hotels such as Metallurg, Lazarevskoe, etc. 
• (Mikhailovskoe), 120 Kurortny Street - Khosta District, ☎ 7 (8622) 69 56 00. Initially owned by a merchant, it was confiscated by the Bolsheviks and later converted into Stalin's residence by Miron Merzhanov, chief Soviet architect. Stalin visited this dacha many times, having several meetings with higher-ranking politicians such as Chinese President Mao Tsetung. Inside there is a museum with many Stalin's personal and wax objects. There are also legends about Stalin's ghosts, or his victims, still walking around this place at night. 
• , Kurskaya street, Chemitokvadzhe district - Lazarevskoe. The remains of a Byzantine triangular fortress, first built in the 4-5 centuries AD. In poor condition, there are still towers and part of the limestone walls. 
• , Loo - district Lazarevskoe. Another Byzantine site, and also in poor condition. Located on top of a hill, away from the sea (1.5 km), it was initially built in the 10th-12th centuries, rebuilt in the 14th century and turned into a fortress in the 15th-16th centuries. 

monuments

In addition to the traditional Russian ensemble of monuments left over from the collapse of the Soviet Union, Sochi has several original works of art that are worth exploring.

• , Pushkinsky Park - Central (near Primorskaya street). The oldest monument in the city, built in 1913. An original 19th century cannon and an 18th century anchor symbolize the victory of the Russian army in the Russian-Ottoman war of 1828-1829. 
• , Vinogradnaya, 14 - Central (in the Krashmashevsky hotel area). Probably the only monument to this coalition of important anti-fascist leaders in Russia. Built in 2008 by Israeli sculptor Frank Meisler. Two copies of the monument were presented to the USA it's the UK. At the same location, a World War II historical museum. 
• (Подвиг во имя жизни), Riviersky pereulok - Central (riviera park entrance). An architectural ensemble dedicated to Sochi's medical personnel, which saved more than half a million victims during World War II. The monument is a steel arch with marble statues of doctors, nurses and injured people on its pediment. 
• , Ploschad Isskustv - Central (near the Sochi Museum of Art). The symbolic composition, illustrating a well-known classical Greek myth about the Argonauts and the Golden Fleece, was inaugurated in 2008. Between two elegant columns, the gold-plated sheepskin, guarded by a dragon, is stretched out. The sculptor suggests the idea of ​​a historic bridge between Greece and Olympic Sochi. 
• , Kurortny - Central. Located in the city centre, on the corner of Navaginskaya Street and Kurortny Prospekt, at the entrance to the Sochi Commercial Gallery. A swimming pool with numerous water courses, special sound and visual hardware, allowing the water to "sing" and "dancing" to the rhythm of music. The fonts only work on summer nights, when the visual effects are beautiful. Initially built in 1970, they were completely renovated in 2009. 
• , Zavokzalny sub-district - Central. The memorial to Sochi soldiers who died during World War II, where more than 2,000 of them are buried, built in 1985 for the 40th Anniversary of Victory. At the top of the hill, there are memory plaques with their names, forming a semicircle around an eternal flame. Overlooking Sochi Central, this place has become an unavoidable setting for photos at the city's weddings. 
• (near the port). Installed and launched in May (Olympics) and June (Paralympics) 2011, 1000 days before the start of the Sochi 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Games. An innovative visual construction, it is worth seeing. 

museums

• , 51 Kurortny Street - Central, ☎ 7 (8622) 62-2947, 7 (8622) 62-2916. The museum occupies one of the most beautiful buildings in Sochi, built in 1936. Its collection is the largest on the Black Sea coast (over 5,000 items of various styles and periods, from ancient to contemporary). The exhibition expands with new paintings by Sochi artists; there are regular individual exhibitions. 
• , Vorovskogo Street 54/11 - Central, ☎ 7 (8622) 64-28-91. This museum, one of the city's oldest cultural sites, was opened in 1920. The exhibition covers important landmarks in the city's history, archaeological and natural finds, and famous people. In total, there are 14 rooms and around 150 thousand items. 
• , Sovetskaya, 26 - Central, ☎ 7 (8622) 64-23-26,

7 (928) 448 90 85 (tours)FORMATNOCC. Daily, 11am - 9pm. This is the city's newest museum, opened in 2010, on the threshold of the 2014 Olympics. The items in its collection show the history of the Olympics, the Olympic movement, Sochi and its participation in organizing the Olympics. The most important items are the flags of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as the models of the sports, beach and mountain spaces, which are under construction in Sochi. The museum also acts as a cultural center, where various educational programs and meetings are held. Entry 80 RUB. 

• , Zvezdnaya Street, 1, office 24 - Khosta district, ☎ 7 (8622) 65-90-08. 10am - 8pm. The individual art gallery of a talented local sculptor, Alexander Sobol. The exhibition of more than 500 wooden works is accompanied by specially composed music. 1 h guided tours are provided. 

parks

• , Yegorova, 1 - Central, ☎ 7 (8622) 64-33-77, 7 (8622) 64-08-85. Greater Sochi's largest and most popular public park, founded in 1898 and fully renovated 100 years later. Riviera is a spectacle in all seasons. In summer, it offers shade and countless leisure attractions, while in winter, its silent streets attract fans of walking and solitude. The park has restaurants, bars, sports centers, leisure centers, a cinema and other attractions. The Park's Teatro Verde is a venue for frequent concerts and festivals. But the main point of interest is probably the Alameda da Amizade (Поляна дружбы), created in 1960, with trees planted by famous politicians, celebrities and famous people. For example, 45 Russian cosmonauts and American astronauts planted their trees in this place. Free entrance. 
• (Dendrarium Botanical Garden), 74, Kurortny - Khosta district, ☎ 7 (8622) 62-18-42 ‎FORMAT. daily, 8am - 9pm. The best park on the Black Sea coast, home to a large collection of tree species. A beautiful, shady, well-run place, great for leisure, leisurely walking, etc. Use the cable car to get from the coastal to the mountainous part of the Dendrarium, and discover a scenic panoramic view of the cliffs and the Caucasus. Entry 180 RUB. 
• , Adler district. Another botanical garden, in Adler, on the left bank of the Mzymta River. Founded in 1910, the park has collected more than 5500 species of plants from around the world, which bloom all year round. In one place, you'll find 300-year-old oaks, blooming sakura, and Chinese palms. There are also lakes with water lilies and lotuses, inhabited by swans and ducks. The park, with its exceptional landscape and biodiversity, is definitely among the best in Russia. Entry 150 RUB. 

• (Парк имени Фрунзе), Chernomorskaya street - Khosta district. One of the oldest parks in the city, on the coast of the district of Khosta, close to the Dendrarium, with the Summer Theater in its area, sports venues, and a fountain with an incredible waterfall. 

Sochi Olympic Park

The Imeretinskaya floodplain in the Adler district was chosen as the site of the 2014 Sochi coastal Olympic Park (the Mountain Park is in Krasnaya Polyana). Initially occupied by chaotically built private houses, this area began to be fully re-developed in 2007, appearing to be the largest construction site in modern Russia. As of 2011, construction is halfway through and should be completed by the end of 2013.

In 2014, the Olympic Park will be used for the opening and closing games, hockey, skating, curling and all medal awards ceremonies. After the Games, the park will become the city's legacy, while several competition venues will be moved to other venues in Russia, and the Olympic Village facilities will be converted into hotels and apartments.

The Olympic Park will include the following spaces and facilities:

Competition venues

• Central Stadium
• Bolshoi Ice Palace (12,000 spectators)
• Maly Ice Palace (7,000 spectators)
• Speed ​​Skating Center (8,000 spectators)
• Figure Skating and Short Trek Center (12,000 spectators)
• Sochi Curling Center (3,000 spectators)

Non-competition venues

• Olympic Village
• Olympic and Paralympic Family Hotel
• Main Press Center

Other facilities and locations

• Formula 1 Circuit
• The campus of the Russian International Olympic University
• leisure theme park
• Two new train stations: Olympic Park and Imeretinskaya

The Olympic Park is 7 km away from Adler Station and Sochi International Airport. It will be connected to the rest of the city of Sochi by train and bus lines.

zoobotanical attractions

• , Lenin 219/4 - Adler, ☎ 7 (8622) 46-33-56. Tue-Sun 10am - 6pm. Russia's largest oceanarium, and one of the largest in Europe. The impressive range of marine species is complemented by a wide variety of freshwater fish species from Russia. 500 RUB. 
• , 4 Cheltenham alley - Khosta (New Matsesta), ☎ 7 (8622) 67-72-26, email: [email protected]. Daily, summer 9am - 8pm, winter 10am - 6pm. Opened in 2005. It is possible to participate in the feeding of animals: sharks, penguins, hippos etc. Adults 300 RUB, Children (6-11 years) 100 RUB. 
• , Yegorova, 1 - Central, ☎ 7 (8622) 64-43-43. Daily, summer 10am - midnight, winter 10am - 9pm. The most central aquarium, however, is not the most impressive. Adults 300 RUB, children (6-11 years) 200 RUB. 
• , Lenin 219th - Adler, ☎ 7 (8622) 46-33-03, fax: 7 (8622) 46-33-03. Summer Tue-Sun, 11am, 2pm and 4pm. Winter Sat-Sun and holidays, 3:30 pm. A copy in Sochi of the Utrish Delfinarium of Novorossiysk. There are 50-minute dolphin shows throughout the year; the pool is 20 m wide and 6 m deep. The venue has a capacity for up to 1,000 spectators. Adults 450 RUB, children (3-12 years) 250 RUB. 
• (Обезьяний питомник), Vesyoloe, 1 - Adler (Marshrutka / bus 134). The site is owned by the only Russian scientific institute of veterinary primatology of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences. It is famous for having prepared crew for experimental flights in space, in the 60s and 70s. Here the animals undergo training for space flight, get used to the conditions of the spaceship, etc. The center has a large area, where 2,700 friendly animals from more than 11 species live (mainly non-anthropoid monkeys). The nursery is 1.5 km from the entrance. Open for visitation. entrance 200 RUR. 

outdoor locations

As a general rule, with some exceptions, all these outdoor locations are within the Sochi National Park. This means that in some cases you will have to pay the park entrance fee. All these sights attract independent travelers and guided groups. Tours can be arranged at hotels or in tourist areas of the city.

• , Khosta. Mount Akhun is famous as the best panoramic view of Greater Sochi. The castle tower, at the top of 700 meters, is a perfect viewpoint of the city. It is probably even possible to see the Turkish coast far away, if time and visibility work together. Taking a trail down Mount Akhun, it is possible to reach the Agurskoe Canyon (Агурское ущелье) nearby, another popular destination with a cascade of three waterfalls surrounded by high cliffs. There is talk of being the oldest tourist spot in the city. Outside the waterfalls, there is the place called eagle stone (Орлиные скалы) with few caves around. Legend has it that the Eagle Stone is the place where Prometheus (an ancient Greek god of fire) was chained. To get to Mount Akhun and its surroundings, it's best to use a car / taxi. Using a bus, take route 110 from Central Sochi to the Sputnik stop. In this case, you will have to climb the mountain (2-3 hours of walking). Entrance 100 RUB (Mt. Akhun lookout), 100 RUB (Agurskoe canyon), 50 RUB (Eagle Stone). 

• (тисо-самшитовая роща), Khosta. An exclave of the Caucasian Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Yew and Boxtree grove occupies 3 km2 of a slope of Mt. Akhun. It is a unique spectacle of nature, with more than 700 species of plants, some of them unaltered relics for 30 million years. There are also endemic species and very aged plants, such as 2000-year-old trees. The forest has 20 endangered species included in the IUCN Red List. If you are not going by car or taxi, take marshrutka 122 from Central Sochi to Khosta. The stop you need is "Khosta-most". From there, take Samshitovaya Street (Самшитовая улица) until the curve with the sign. Right after the turn, a usual group of taxi cars serves as the entrance sign to the woods. Entry 150 RUB. 
• (Воронцовские пещеры), Vorontsovka village - Khosta. The mountain part of the Greater Sochi area contains more than 400 caves in total. The best known of these is the cave complex of the village Vorontsovka in the district of Khosta. These are three interconnected parts (Kabanya, Vorontsovskaya and Labirintovaya) with a total length of 11 km and a difference in level of 240 m. This is one of the largest cave systems in the Caucasus, a significant part of which is open for visits. 
• , Dagomys and Uch-Dere - Lazarevskoe. O chá mais setentrional do mundo tem sido cultivada em Sochi desde 1887, sob a marca "Krasnodar Tea". Há passeios em grupo para Dagomys Tea Plant, e também, em uma colina na Uch-Dere, existem casas de chá do partido, aberto para visitar. Lá você pode descobrir como o chá é cultivado, coletado e fabricado. Você será oferecido um chá-party com samovar, pirójki (panquecas), compotas, e canções populares. Como um bônus, no local há um museu com exposição de artesanato tradicional russo. 
• , Lazarevskoe district. Há várias cachoeiras na área de Grande Sochi. Estas certeza estão em localidade um pouco remota, mas contém nada menos que trinta e três cachoeiras, não muito altas (1,3 a 10 m), mas de grande beleza cênica. Elas ficam mais belas na primavera, quando as chuvas e derretimento de neve em montanhas trazem mais água. O córrego Dzhegosh só tem 2 km de comprimento até o rio Shakhe, não muito longe da aldeia circassiana tradicional de Bolshoi Kichmay, a 11 km da costa do mar, do sub-distrito Golovinka e transporte público regular. Para chegar às cachoeiras, o mais adequado é usar um táxi ou para participar de uma excursão organizada. 
• (Форелевое хозяйство), rua Forelevaya, 45, aldeia Kazachiy Brod - Adler. A maior fazenda de peixes da Russia, inclui 131 tanques para a truta e mais 6 para carpas. Este não é apenas uma fazenda, mas também um ponto turístico incrível. Ao visitá-lo, você pode obter informações sobre a criação de truta, observar os peixes, alimentá-los, e até mesmo ir à pesca em alguns tanques. Também é possível comprar truta defumada, incrivelmente saborosa, no local. 
• (Ахтыршская пещера), Adler district. Muitas das cavernas de Sochi eram habitadas por povos primitivos. A caverna Akhtyrshkaya está entre elas, tendo muitos desenhos rupestres e outros restos primitivos. Pegue um ônibus / marshrutka 106 ao seu ponto final (Trout Farm). Atravesse a rua da paragem de autocarro e vá para o túnel. Vire à direita perto do túnel e desça para Mzymta rio e uma ponte de macaco. Antes da ponte, vá para a esquerda até a entrada da caverna. Há belas paisagens e uma vista panorâmica perto da caverna: Atravesse o rio Mzymta e pegue a trilha esquerda que sobe. Entrance 100 RUB. 

Knife

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With the

Economic

• , rua Teatralnaya, 9 - Central (ao lado do Teatro de Inverno), ☎ 7 (8622) 62-2666. 10-00AM - 12-00PM. Uma pizzaria com preços razoáveis 500 RUB / pessoa. 
• , rua Moskovskaya, 19A - Central, ☎ 7 (8622) 64-2872. 11h - 23h. No centro, próximo ao terminal de trem principal, o café oferece uma variedade de pizzas e outros alimentos de estilo italiano. 500 RUB / pessoa. 
• , Kurortny Prospekt 17/1 - Central, ☎ 7 8622 64 87 79, 7 8622 64 86 74, 7 8622 64 86 85. 8h - meia noite. O único restaurante McDonald em Sochi. Tradicionalmente popular por sua fast-food, e pelos banheiros e wi-fi grátis. 100-300 RUB / pessoa. 

Medium

• , rua Sovetskaya, 2 - Central (perto do porto), ☎ 7 (8622) 33 72 72. Acolhedor e elegante restaurante alemão com uma boa variedade de cervejas e agradáveis salsichas ​​Nuremberg. 500-1500 RUB / pessoa. 
• , Morskoy pereulok, 1/1 - Central (perto do porto), ☎ 7 (8622)37-74-74. 11h-meia noite. Cozinha uzbeque enfeitada com pratos russos e europeus. Recomenda-se fortemente o Shashlyk it's the pilav. 500-1500 RUB / pessoa. 
• (Воды Лагидзе), rua Primorskaya, 16 - Central, ☎ 7 918 401 3373. Um restaurante popular de cozinha tradicional georgiana, com música ao vivo. Especiallidades russas e européias também. 

waste

• , rua Moskvina, 2, Central Sochi (near the seaport and Mayak aquapark), ☎ 7 (8622) 62-40-33. noon midnight. Restaurante fino e caro, elegantemente concebido, de culinária italiana e mediterrânea. 2500 RUB ou mais / pessoa. 

• , Kurortny Prospekt 105 B - Central, ☎ 7 (8622) 96-58-58. 12.00-0.00. Culinária italiana. 2500 RUB ou mais / pessoa. 

• (Синее Море), rua Chernomorskaya, Praia do Sol (Солнечный пляЖ) (Sochi Central), ☎ 7 (8622) 66-21-21, 90-20-02NOCC, email: [email protected]. meio dia-2h. Provavelmente, o restaurante mais luxuoso da cidade. Peixes do Mediterrâneo e cozinha de frutos do mar, além de várias especialidades de carne. Bons cocktails. 2500 - 5000 RUB / pessoa. 

drink and go out

• , rua Nesebrskaya, 6 - Central (na praia). diariamente, 24h. Restaurante e bar elegante, oferecendo almoços de negócios durante o dia e se transformando em um clube de música á noite. Cozinha europeia e japonesa, grande variedade de cocktails e destilados. Concertos (rock, discoteca, chillout, tanto russa quanto internacional) e festas, toda semana. 500 - 1,500 RUR / pessoa. 

• (Шум), rua Navaginskaya, 9 - Central, email: [email protected]. diariamente, 24h (restaurante, 9h - 18h; karaoke, 19h - 7h).. Clube de karaokê de luxo, com design fino e grande variedade de cocktails. Som e vocalistas de nível profissional,, as canções são gratuitas de domingo a quinta-feira. 

• (Треугольник), rua Kirova, 56 - Adler. meio dia - 03h. Um clube de rock-n-roll democrático, com uma atmosfera autêntica e uma grande coleção musical, de clássicos do rock a novas tendências. Festas regulares e concertos de bandas tradicionais e/ou obscuras (principalmente da Rússia e países da antiga União Soviética). Biblioteca de livros e DVDs sobre temas de rock. O clube oferece não apenas bebidas e festas, mas também pequenos-almoços, almoços e jantares, a pizza parece ser a melhor de Adler. a partir de 500 RUB / pessoa. 

sleep

Sochi tem muitos hotéis (mais de 200), e seu número é cada vez maior, mas o custo da estadia pode parecer muito caro, em comparação com outros destinos europeus. Há vários e vários hotéis e resorts de saúde gigantescos, orgulhos da indústria turística da ex-União Soviética, mas completamente obsoletos no momento. Por outro lado, muitos mini-hotéis multiplicaram em Sochi recentemente, mas apenas alguns deles são capazes de atender às necessidades de serviços internacionais médios. Muitas vezes, funcionários de hotel são limitados em relação a questões de hospitalidade, de dar respostas e conselhos úteis, e de falar qualquer outra língua além de russo.

Entre esses dois extremos, há uma lacuna de hotéis normais ou de 2-3-4 estrelas, com preços razoáveis, nível aceitável de inglês e habilidades de hospitalidade do pessoal. A situação está melhorando lentamente, mas o espaço para crescer ainda é grande.

Em geral, distrito Lazarevskoe oferece acomodação mais barata, enquanto Sochi Central e Adler tem opções mais caras. Os preços também dependem da época, aumentando tradicionalmente no verão e no início de maio (entre dois feriados nacionais). Sempre reserve com antecedência no verão. A selecção de hotéis abaixo inclui principalmente aqueles onde níveis melhores de inglês e / ou serviço tem sido relatados. Para os hotéis de montanha, consulte Krasnaya Polyana.

Economic

• Setor Chastny - muitos visitantes russas de Sochi ficam em quartos ou apartamentos oficialmente alugados (o chamado setor chastny). Esta oportunidade pode ser significativamente mais barata do que hotéis, especialmente se várias pessoas alugarem uma instalação. Mas os proprietários de tais propriedades normalmente não falam inglês, suas instalações não estão disponíveis através de qualquer reserva on-line, e sua qualidade varia muito. Você vai encontrar muitas propriedades, proprietários e agentes de aluguel em anúncios colocados em terminais de trem e ônibus (eles costumam oferecer komnata (комната), ou seja, quarto). Setor Chastny de qualidade comprovada é algo que só pode ser recomendado por alguém que já tenha ficado lá. Os preços variam desde 350 RUB por um quarto em uma casa básica, com banheiro e chuveiro ao ar livre, até 5000 RUB ou mais, por uma casa confortável.

• , Kurortny Prospekt 72/5 - Khosta district (perto do Dendrarium), ☎ 7(8622) 92-88-45. . Esta acolhedora pousada tem 15 quartos e recepção 24/7. O acesso Wi-Fi e o café da manhã são fornecidos por um custo adicional. Os quartos são apenas para não-fumantes. 2000 - 3500 RUB por um quarto duplo, dependendo do quarto. 

• , rua Bytkha, 41/28 ((entre a Central Sochi e Matsesta, no distrito de Khosta). Mini-hotel recém construído, com 10 quartos. Acolhedor, com preços razoáveis, com pessoal simpático, novas instalações e piscina. Localizado dentro de uma área residencial, na colina de Bytkha, um pouco longe do mar e transporte. double 2300 - 3000 RUB. 

• , rua Pirogova, 40 B - Central. O hotel dispõe de quartos amplos com varandas. Pequeno-almoço incluído, wi-fi pago, 100 RUB por hora. Há também piscina ao ar livre e um centro de fitness. Double 2,300-3,900 RUR depending on room.. 

• , rua Lenina, 280 А - Adler, ☎ 7(8622) 45-01-47. Este hotel tem um spa-center com sauna e uma piscina. O preço relativamente baixo é compensado pelo barulho da rua principal de Adler. 1200 RUB o quarto single, 1600 - 3300 o double. 

• , rua Chkalova, 21 G - Adler (entre Adler e Kudepsta). 21 quartos com ar condicionado, piscina ao ar livre, um pouco longe do centro de Adler, café da manhã continental e acesso wi-fi à Internet estão incluídos na tarifa do quarto. double 2400 - 2900 RUB. 

• (Жемчужина), rua Chernomorskaya, 3 (centro, perto do mar), ☎ 7 (8622) 66-11-88. O monumental Hotel Zhemchuzhina, de 19 andares, foi construído nos anos 1970 e tornou-se o símbolo da Sochi centro de turismo na União Soviética. Infelizmente, pouco mudou desde então: quartos não foram renovados, e novos funcionários não foi recrutados. O pessoal existente mal conhece a palavra "hospitalidade". Zhemchuzhina está perfeitamente localizado no centro da cidade, à direita na costa, sempre tendo quartos disponíveis, mas ficar por uma noite que seja pode parecer um desafio. Single 2900 RUB, double 3500 RUB. 

Medium

• , Kurortny Prospekt 72/2 - Khosta (perto do Dendrarium). Este hotel de 4 estrelas ocupa um prédio que é uma cópia de um castelo medieval escocês. 30 quartos, acesso wi-fi, piscina ao ar livre. Alguns quartos têm banheiro privativo, jacuzzi e cozinha. Double 3400 - 4800 RUR dependendo do quarto e temporada. 

• , Morskoy pereulok 2 - Central, ☎ 7 (8622) 69-3015, 7 (8622) 69-3034. Moderno e grande hotel de 4 estrelas com localização central, com quartos de categorias "médio" e "esbanje". Pequeno-almoço incluído, todos os quartos são não-fumantes. Double 3500 - 8000 RUR dependendo do quarto e temporada. 

• , rua Vinogradnaya, 12/1 - Central, ☎ 7 (8622) 53-2680, 7 (8622) 53-2681, 7 (8622) 53-2682. 4 estrelas, 70 quartos confortáveis, piscina ao ar livre e outras instalações. Problemas com acesso a internet têm sido relatados (apenas no lobby). Single 2500 - 6000 RUR, double 3000 - 9000 RUR. 

waste

• , Kurortny Prospekt 103 (Between Central Sochi and Matsesta), ☎ 7(8622) 66-3333. Grande hotel da marca Radisson, com sua própria praia e todos os equipamentos de apoio. Propagandeado como um lugar luxuoso, mas, na realidade, um hotel resort de 4 estrelas, um pouco caro demais para o que oferece. Single 5600 - 10000 RUB, double 9000 - 16500 RUB. 

• , rua Vinogradnaya, 33 - Central, ☎ 7 (8622) 53-9036. Único hotel boutique de 5 estrelas em Sochi. Cada um dos 40 quartos foi concebido individualmente por Suzanne Loggere e Patrick Brugman, decoradores da corte da rainha Beatrix da Holanda. a partir de 12500 RUB. 

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