14 best resorts in Abkhazia

A mild subtropical climate, 220 sunny days a year, the virgin beauty of the Caucasus Mountains and wide beaches - all this is the Republic of Abkhazia. In Soviet times, the blessed land was called the "Soviet Riviera". The popular coastline was considered a paradise and a favorite vacation spot for millions of citizens. Time has passed, the huge country has sunk into oblivion, but the hospitable resorts of Abkhazia still attract tourists with picturesque nature, balneological springs, popular attractions and affordable prices.

Gagra

The history of Gagra, covered with a romantic halo, began in 1903, when the great-grandson of Paul I, Prince of Oldenburg, set out to create a resting place in the Black Sea province worthy of the title of "Russian Nice". Thanks to His Highness, this wonderful corner of the coast has become a famous climatic resort.

And today Gagra, located only 41 km from the Sochi airport, attracts tourists with a developed (by the standards of Abkhazia) infrastructure, healing spa facilities and the highest air temperature in the republic. The latter is due to the location of the city, nestled on a narrow plain between the sea and the Caucasian ridge. The impression of the Abkhaz resort capital can only be spoiled by the echoes of the war - dilapidated houses, abandoned boarding houses and dilapidated long-term construction projects.

Geographically it is divided into two parts. Old Gagra is a concentration of architectural monuments of the Tsarist and Soviet period, a deserted pebble coast and small tourists. New Gagra is famous for its restaurants, cafes, hotels, the only water park in Abkhazia and beaches offering all kinds of sea activities: from riding bananas to diving.

Pitsunda

At 21 km from Gagra there is a small town, immersed in greenery, whose name comes from the Greek word "pintus" (pine). This is the only place on the planet where the unique Pitsunda pine grows - the same age as the ancient dinosaurs. The relict tree is known not only for its venerable age, but also for the phytoncides secreted by it - active volatile substances that suppress the development of bacteria that cause tuberculosis. The healing sea air and the famous pine reserve have turned Pitsunda into a resort where people come to restore their health.

There are no night bars, noisy discos and luxurious five-star hotels. Tourists stay in the private sector or in democratic institutions, the most popular of which are the modern Paradise Beach, the secluded LDZAA and the comfortable Pine Grove boarding house. Pebble and sandy beaches. Storms bypass the local coastline, and the water delights in crystal clearness. On the gently sloping coast, the sea depth does not exceed one meter, which makes the paradise a suitable place for families with small children.

Sukhum

Sukhum can hardly be called an exclusively beach resort. There is a different atmosphere here. The capital of Abkhazia attracts those who prefer leisurely walks along the city embankment, acquaintance with the ruins of the ancient walls of the Sukhum fortress, measured rest among the exotic plants of the Botanical Garden and the Arboretum. Compared to other Abkhaz resorts, the tourist infrastructure is flourishing here. Sukhum has everything a traveler needs for a comfortable life: hotels, guest houses, sanatoriums, shops, cinemas, pharmacies and two theaters.

The city center is cozy and clean, public transport works without interruption. There are also magnificent beaches in Sukhum. The most popular of them - Central and Sinop - are covered with pebbles and equipped with changing cabins, umbrellas and sun loungers. The entrance to the sea is gentle, with a calm relief. There are children's attractions on the shore, catamarans and jet skis rentals are open, and a chain of cafes and restaurants stretches along the embankment.

New Athos

The multifaceted New Athos is similar to a blossoming garden. Graceful cypresses rise along its alleys, spreading palms give blessed shade and oleanders are fragrant. The mountain slopes, reliably sheltering the city from cold cyclones, create a special microclimate here with a minimum temperature drop and moderate humidity, and the sea breeze protects from the sweltering heat.

Surrounded by eucalyptus and pine groves, the coastal strip of the former capital of Abkhazia stretches from east to west for 10 km. There are plenty of places to relax on the beaches covered with pebbles and coarse sand for everyone. But this picturesque region is famous not only for the warm sea and gentle sun. New Athos is known to Russian tourists as the spiritual center of Christianity.

Thousands of pilgrims come annually to the Simono-Canonite Monastery to bow to the miraculous Cross of the monastery and attend a service in the Cathedral of St. Panteleimon. In addition to the Orthodox shrine, not far from the city is the pride of Abkhazia - the New Athos Cave - one of the most beautiful rock formations on the planet. The depth of the natural masterpiece reaches 180 m, the length is 1.9 km.

Tsandripsh

The main advantage of the resort Abkhazian village is its proximity to the Russian border. Choosing Tsandripsh as a resting place, you will kill two birds with one stone at once: spend your vacation in an atmosphere of cozy tranquility and visit numerous attractions and entertainment centers of the noisy Adler located 5 km away.

The coastline in Tsandripsh stretches for 8 km. It is not interrupted by fences or concrete breakwaters. The gentle beaches here are covered with large pebbles, which is uncomfortable to walk on without special shoes. However, this inconvenience is compensated by sun loungers, umbrellas and water activities: banana rides, paragliding, boat and jet ski rental.

There is something to do in Tsandripsh and active tourists. Among the popular attractions are the Tsandripshsky temple built in the 6th-8th centuries, the whimsical White Rocks, the Khashupse canyon and the Khashup fortress - the largest medieval defensive structure in Abkhazia.

Ldzaa

The undoubted advantage of the resort Ldzaya is the combination of the untouched nature of the picturesque Pitsunda Bay and civilized recreation. Here you will find restaurants, cafes and shops everywhere. No surprises are expected with the accommodation. The village offers a variety of accommodation options - from a democratic private sector to comfortable villas. The resort's beach is located in a quiet bay, which is rarely visited by strong winds. The sea here is warm and transparent, and the coast is covered with the smallest pebbles and light yellow delicate sand, which is so pleasant to walk on barefoot.

That is why Ldzaa is loved by families with small children. You can spend time here not only on the beach. The resort and nearby villages are rich in natural and architectural monuments, the most popular of which is the pagan sanctuary of Ldzaa-Nykha.Fans of history will be interested in the Pitsunda Temple and the open-air museum complex "Great Pitiunt", which stores the remains of ancient Hellenic settlements.

Bagripsh

Cozy Bagripsh, familiar to the inhabitants of the former USSR as the village of Kholodnaya Rechka, attracts travelers with its location. On the one hand, there is the tourist populous Gagra, stretching for 14 km, and on the other, crystal clear air, the virgin nature of the majestic mountains and serene tranquility. There are 2 beaches at the foot of the Gagra ridge. One of them, called the White Rocks due to the bizarre lime deposits, is picturesque and deserted.

The second - equipped with umbrellas and sun loungers - although it belongs to the "Bagripsh" boarding house, is available for everyone who wants to soak up the sun. For those who choose Abkhazia not only because of the beach holiday, local travel agencies offer to take part in trips to New Athos, to hydrogen sulphide springs, high-mountainous Lake Ritsa and magnificent Alpine meadows.

Gudauta

Fanned by ancient legends, Gudauta, immersed in the greenery of citrus trees, is nestled on the shores of a picturesque bay. The beaches here delight in the absence of crowds of people who want to find a place in the sun. The resort town attracts with a combination of tranquility and an abundance of interesting places located in the vicinity, such as Lake Ritsa, the ruins of the palace of the Abkhaz kings, the Temple of the Assumption of Our Lady with frescoes from the 14th century and a unique cave monastery, whose cells are carved into a 50-meter rock.

The wide coastline stretching for 4 km is covered with fine gravel, turning into sand in the eastern part. The water is clear, the descent into the sea is gentle and comfortable. The most well-groomed and adapted for relaxation is the Central Beach, equipped with a cafe, sun loungers, showers and changing cabins. In Gudauta, you will not find luxury hotels and developed tourist infrastructure - resort life has recently begun to return to the village. Among the available accommodation options are the private sector, guest houses, modest boarding houses and the hotel cottage complex "Bambora".

Scallop

What do tourists remember when they choose a small Abkhaz village with the funny name Grebeshok as a place to spend their holidays? About the pristine beauty of mighty mountains, crystal clear sea water, magical sunsets, shady coolness of tangerine groves and extraordinary ringing silence. Located on the slope of the Gagra ridge overlooking the Black Sea, Grebeshok is a paradise for lovers of secluded relaxation. There are no noisy establishments and crowded hotels near the village, but there are mini-hotels that delight with low prices for accommodation, the hospitality of the owners and incredibly delicious home-cooked dishes.

A deserted wild beach is within walking distance from the village. Descending to the water's edge along a picturesque slope, you will meet the mysterious castle of the Prince of Oldenburg. And below there is an azure sea and a clean coast, covered on one side with large pebbles, and on the other - with delicate sand. Those wishing to take a break from swimming can go to Lake Ritsa, Gega waterfall or to the Seaside Park.

Alahadzy

Located between Pitsunda and Gagra, Alakhadzy is a small village surrounded by mountain ranges and citrus groves. Life here is leisurely and measured, and the tourist infrastructure is not developed and offers only a few shops, mini-hotels and cafes. Therefore, those who do not need entertainment come here who appreciate a quiet village rest, diluted only with a visit to a few attractions: the ruins of an ancient basilica and natural parks.

If you wish, you can book an excursion to nearby resorts. The central beach is always not crowded. The "wild" view of the coast is not overshadowed by the fruits of civilization: changing cabins and sun loungers. Sunbathing can only be hindered by locals, who occasionally dock on the pebble shore on jet skis, and the ubiquitous traders of beer, homemade wine, dried fish and smoked mussels.

Musser

Mussera is unique and amazing. This is the only place on the Black Sea where mountains overgrown with lush vegetation come close to the shining azure waters, leaving only a narrow strip of pebble coast free. The amazingly beautiful landscape has not been spoiled by the fruits of human activity: there is neither a railway nor a highway. That is why this fabulous land was chosen by the Soviet leaders as a resting place.

In the village are the dachas of Stalin and Gorbachev, as well as the former KGB sanatorium - now the Mussera boarding house, famous for its modern infrastructure, excellent food and its own equipped beach. There is no private sector here. Outside the territory of the boarding house there are centuries-old subtropical and coniferous forests of the biosphere reserve, tea plantations, seven kilometers of the cleanest beach and picturesque gorges. In one of them - the Ambar - there are the dilapidated walls of an ancient temple, erected in the X century, entwined with ivy.

Zcuara

The village of Tskuara (Primorskoe) is located 81 km from the Abkhaz-Russian border. Here green mountains frame endless valleys, and a path running through a fragrant eucalyptus grove leads to the cleanest coast. However, people come here not only for the warm sea and picturesque landscapes. The goal of most tourists is to visit the famous hydrogen sulphide and mud springs. The balneotherapy facility located next to the village has healing mud, three hydrogen sulphide pools and a hot shower.

Healing baths are indicated for diseases of the skin, cardiovascular, nervous and genitourinary systems. To fully experience the therapeutic effect, you must complete a course of 10-15 procedures. The time free from taking health baths can be devoted to a trip to Swan Lake, to the New Athos Cave, to the Iverskaya Mountain, to the cell of Simon the Cananite and the New Athos Monastery.

Agudzera

Enchanting landscapes and cheap holidays in the private sector are all the advantages of the humble Agudzera. In Soviet times, a large defense research institute worked here, which ended its activities in the late 80s of the last century. The destructive effect of perestroika was continued by the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict, which turned the once popular resort into a half-dead village. Agudzera beach, which overlooks Sukhum, is wild and not crowded.

The coast is not equipped with breakwaters, so in the crystal clear waters you will not see even a hint of debris. At noon, when the heat reaches its climax, you can hide in the shade of century-old eucalyptus trees or go to nearby attractions. There is no shortage of tourist routes. In the village itself there is a functioning Orthodox church of Elijah the Prophet. The ruins of the medieval castle of King Bagrat are 8 km away, and the stone Beslet Bridge, the famous Botanical Garden and the Monkey Nursery are 10 km away.

Ochamchira

Ochamchira is located in the southern part of the republic, which is rarely visited by tourists accustomed to civilized beach idleness. The town itself can only attract the attention of fans of street photography, who can see the non-trivial beauty of abandoned houses, unfinished objects and forever frozen attractions. The main attraction of the resort is the embankment, washed by the purest sea waves and bordered by a wall of impenetrable boxwood forests.

The wide beaches, covered with small pebbles, are not equipped, but are picturesque and deserted, which attracts lovers of quiet rest and absolute solitude. The tourist infrastructure of Ochamchira is very poorly developed. A cinema, several cafes and souvenir shops - that's all the entertainment that the city offers to its guests. You can settle for the night in the private sector or in the only mini-hotel "Samshit", which has prepared comfortable rooms and three meals a day for the guests.

Which one to choose for families with children

Parents planning a vacation in Abkhazia with children need to know: the independent republic has only recently embarked on the path of reviving the resort business. Here you will not find a developed tourist infrastructure or club hotels. Therefore, you will have to organize leisure for your children yourself. Do not forget about nutrition: usual milk formulas are rare guests in local stores.

Families with children, who prioritize the ideal ecological environment and cleanliness of the coast, should pay attention to Pitsunda and the nearby village of Ldzaa - the land of relict pine forests and transparent waves of the Black Sea. There are almost no strong storms here, and the coastal strip is covered with pebbles and sand. The weak point of the resort is children's entertainment, you will have to go to neighboring Gagra for them.

Noisy Gagra is popular for its proximity to the Russian border and more developed (compared to other resorts in Abkhazia) infrastructure. The city has a good selection of family resorts and hotels, including all-inclusive ones. From the offered entertainment - a water park and beach attractions.

Parents of teenagers interested in history and natural attractions should choose Sukhum as a vacation spot. The capital of Abkhazia is famous for its Monkey Nursery and the oldest botanical garden in the Caucasus. The beaches in the resort are sandy and pebbly, the entrance to the sea is shallow. Of interest is also New Athos with its numerous natural and architectural monuments.

Best time to travel

The high season begins in Abkhazia at the end of spring, when the air warms up to +22 ° С. The numbness of the winter months subsides, and the first guests come to the Black Sea coast. This time is good for sightseeing and health-improving rest. Summer heat prevails on the territory of the republic from mid-July to August. The air temperature rises to + 35 ° С, even frequent short-term showers do not save from the depressing heat.

They swim on the Black Sea coast of Abkhazia from June to the end of September. At the beginning of summer, the water "invigorates" with a refreshing + 19 ° С. By July, the sea warms up to + 26 ° C, delighting with this comfortable temperature until the velvet season. The most favorable month for rest is September. A light breeze brings a welcome coolness, and the risk of sunstroke is reduced to zero. Air temperature ranges from +24 to + 27 ° С, water - from +23 to + 25 ° С. The flow of tourists is thinning, and local markets, on the contrary, are filled with inexpensive freshly picked fruits and vegetables.

Resorts of Abkhazia on the map