It turns out that Sochi is the longest city in Europe. Its length is 148 kilometers. The resort is also called the Russian Riviera. It received this name due to the fact that it is located on the same latitude as Nice, Cannes, San Remo and Monte Carlo. This is the only corner of Russia where figs, medlar, magnolias, palm trees, feijoa, eucalyptus trees grow. There are many places worth seeing here. Sochi is a city that includes several resort areas: Matsesta, Magri, Krasnaya Polyana, Adler, Lazarevskoye and others. More than 90% of the area is foothills and mountains of the Western Caucasus. What is interesting to see in Sochi for tourists? More on this later in the article.
Sochi City Attractions
In the very center of the resort there is an arboretum. This is one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in Russia. This original open-air museum presents a huge number of flora samples from both the Western Caucasus and many southern countries. The territory of the arboretum has an area of about 50 hectares. Metasequoia grows here - a plant that was considered extinct by scientistsabout 60 million years ago. Its seeds were brought from China in 1944. In total, more than 1600 species of plants are represented in the arboretum, only 76 species of pines grow here! On the territory of the botanical garden there is a marine aquarium. The entrance fee to the arboretum for adults is 250 rubles, for children from 7 to 14 years old - 120 rubles, for preschoolers admission is free.
Mount Akhun
What else to see in Sochi? Mount Akhun is considered the hallmark of the resort.
Its height is more than 660 m. In the thirties of the twentieth century, a tower was erected on the top, thanks to which the mountain gained its popularity. The building is made in the style of a medieval fortress. The tower offers a wonderful view of Adler and Sochi. In good weather, you can even see the peaks of Elbrus, Fisht and other mountains of the Caucasus Range. Inside the building, a museum of fauna and flora of the biosphere reserve is open, stuffed animals that live in the vicinity are exhibited. Linden, ash, hornbeam, oak and other trees grow on the slopes of the mountains. You can climb along the 11-kilometer serpentine. There are also hiking trails that also attract many tourists. In the Agur Gorge, to which you can go down the path, there are the famous Eagle Rocks and Agur waterfalls.
Riviera Park
Tourists coming to the resort do not have a question: "What to see in Sochi?". There are a lot of beautiful places here. One of these is the Riviera Park. It was founded in 1898. The park is alreadyfor many years it has been considered part of the historical, cultural heritage and natural monument of the resort. A plot of about 14.7 hectares is located on the right side of the river, in the central part of the city. On the territory you can see about 240 different types of shrubs, walk along the alley. A unique rose garden attracts special attention of guests. Here is the so-called Lovers' Shop, made of 100 forged hearts. The fragrance of roses spreads throughout the region. On the territory of the "Riviera" there are more than 60 attractions. There are also performances for children, an aquarium and a dolphinarium. In the center of the site is the Green Theater, where famous troupes and artists often give performances. Tourists can visit performances of famous singers, dancers, a rock festival, a jazz concert. There are restaurants and cafes in the park. They can be a quick and tasty meal. Guests can taste dishes of Japanese, Azerbaijani, Uzbek, Caucasian cuisine.
Rides and Glade of Friendship
Volleyball and basketball courts are open for fans of sports and outdoor activities in the park. Tourists can also visit the tennis court. There are also playgrounds for playing towns and chess. Attractions in the park are very different: children's, adults, extreme, family. Among them there are those that are especially popular: "Roller Coaster", "Galaxy", "Indiana" and others. The Glade of Friendship is considered the main attraction of the Riviera Park. Here the first tree was planted in 1960. Since that time, many artists, politicians, cosmonauts of Russia and foreign countries have planted a whole grove of magnolias.
Orekhovsky Waterfall
What to see in Sochi in summer? Many excursion programs include a visit to the Orekhovsky waterfall. The trail to it passes through the territory of the national park. A one and a half kilometer path will lead to a beautiful waterfall: a water stream falling from a height of almost three hundred meters breaks into thousands of thin jets against the background of vertically standing layers of slate, ferns, mosses and stone patterns. Sometimes the roar of the stream is so strong that people standing nearby cannot hear each other. It is very pleasant to stand next to the waterfall on a hot afternoon and feel the touch of the smallest drops of water! This place has been attracting travelers since 1911. Earlier, before the October Revolution, the waterfall was called Melnichny. It is surrounded by oak and chestnut forest. Rhododendron and evergreen boxwood grow here. There is a cafe at the descent to the waterfall.
Museum of Painting and Ceramics of Yuri Novikov
If in the hot season you can visit parks, gardens, waterfalls in the open air, then what to see in Sochi in winter? You should definitely visit the private home museum of painting and ceramics. Its magical atmosphere attracts many tourists. Here you can visit the creator's workshop, see how clay turns into a ceramic figurine. Yuri Novikov - ceramic artist, represents the St. Petersburg directionceramics. His works are exhibited in the Art Galleries of Orel and Kursk, the Historical Museum of St. Petersburg, his creations are in private collections and galleries of foreign countries. The Sochi Museum presents works in the technique of stone masses, faience, majolica. The main themes are the following: "Urban motifs", "Golden Ring", "Courtyards of Childhood", "Russian Tiles" and others. Visitors can see ceramic vases, wall dishes, interior compositions, handmade sculptures. Today, the permanent place of residence and work of Yuri Novikov is the city of Sochi.
Sights of the surroundings
In the area of Lazarevsky, between the Bezymyanny and Asheisk ridges, there is a deep canyon - the Mamedovo gorge. It was formed by the course of the river. Kuapse, and named after one of the local residents. According to legend, the Turks attacked the village in order to capture and sell the population into slavery. Elder Mamed led the inhabitants into the gorge, and led the enemies by another road, for which he was later executed. In the canyon there is a waterfall Beard Mameda, a deep water trough Vanna Mameda, located a little lower, and a picturesque glade, which is surrounded by limestone rocks. It is also called the White Hall. The gorge can be visited by tourists with varying degrees of training. At the entrance to the canyon there is a cafe serving Russian cuisine.
Three Sofia
This is a private ostrich farm. It is located in Adler. Today it is actually a zoo. The focus here is on breeding. African ostriches. There are also Indian peacocks, pheasants, geese, mandarin ducks on the farm. Some animals can be petted. Those who wish can ride a pony, take pictures on horseback in the clothes of a horseman with a tamed kite and a real sword. The farm has a pond with a souvenir shop and a café on the shore.
