Abkhazia in winter attracts many tourists from Russia. She is especially beautiful at this time of the year. After all, it is in winter that persimmons and tangerines ripen here, ski resorts operate, and the wonderful climate also attracts. Especially often in winter, Russians go to Abkhazia by car with their families for the New Year holidays.
Climate in the Republic
The republic is most attractive because of its mild climate. The temperature in winter in Abkhazia, as a rule, does not fall below 5 degrees Celsius. This allows even in February to walk in a warm jacket or windbreaker. It only gets cold in the evenings. Basically, the thermometer readings vary between 15 and 20 degrees. And if you imagine that in some regions of Russia at the same time the temperature can reach -40, then the weather in Abkhazia in winter is simply beautiful.
The snow that has fallen here melts very quickly. And flowering trees under the snow look funny and unusual. Palm trees, blooming roses, tangerines - all this appears before tourists in its beauty.
The swimming season here ends in October-November, depending on the weather. December and January in these places are characterized by warm and stable temperatures, which is an additionala plus for those who come to this country for the New Year holidays.
Abkhazia in winter is as wonderful as the French Riviera. Mountains protect it from cold air currents. Snow is very rare here, but in the mountains it persists throughout the winter.
What to see in Abkhazia in winter?
Arriving in the republic after the end of the swimming season, you can not only admire the beauties of nature. Most of the interesting places in the resort towns are available for visiting even during the cold season. Rest in Abkhazia in winter has its own characteristics. Tourists can also take air baths on local beaches, undergo treatment at a sanatorium, visit parks and more. A winter trip to the republic will significantly save the budget.
Especially beautiful is the famous Lake Ritsa. Tourists from Russia are fascinated by Abkhazia in winter, photos of mountains, palm trees, tangerine trees. But Lake Ritsa is incomparable with anything! In addition to the reservoir itself, you can look into the relic national park, whose area is almost 400 square kilometers. It is just located around the famous lake. Even those tourists who have already visited these places as part of a summer excursion will be able to take a fresh look at the beauty of the snow-capped mountains around the silvery surface of the water.
Nature of the country
Fabulous nature is what Abkhazia conquers tourists with in winter. Reviews of those who like to relax here in December enthusiastically praise the local landscapes, trees and more. The winter forest of this country seems toDrawn from the page of a children's book. Huge evergreen firs and firs, nearby mountain gorges and rocks, snow caps on trees and many traces of forest dwellers.
However, do not forget about security measures, admiring the wonderful views. You can easily fall into a stream or fall under an avalanche. Therefore, for forest walks it is recommended to take accompanying people with you. Thrill-seekers can even spend the night in a real booth, which is built by hunters and heated with a fire.
For such movements it is important to be well prepared: clothes, snowshoes and special equipment - all this will make the trip comfortable and safe. In addition, there are beautiful palm trees, citrus trees, cypresses, eucalyptus trees, mimosa and others evergreens.
Rest in Abkhazia in winter will also be remembered for fresh fruits. Persimmons, tangerines, grapefruits, apples, kiwis, lemons, feijoas, pears and dates - all this is presented in abundance on the market at the lowest prices. Abkhazia is waiting for those who are tired of the bustle of the city, frosts and really want to go to the subtropics. In winter, it is completely different.
Cafes and restaurants
A significant disadvantage of winter holidays can be called the fact that so many cafes and restaurants close their doors before the start of the summer season. Most of the establishments that operate here in the winter are designed for the local contingent. And they can please visitors only with national cuisine.
For example, in Pitsunda there are mostly cafes located in hotels. In Gagraall restaurants and cafes on the coast are closed. However, in Old Gagra you can visit the popular local restaurant Gagripsh, as well as the cafe Zhoekvara, which continue to work during the off-season.
Most of all hospitable cafes and canteens in New Athos. Here all year round are open: a dining room at the New Athos cave, cafes "Priboy", "Abkhazian courtyard" and "Prime". In addition, not far from the waterfall, there is a wonderful restaurant "Tsar's Alley".
But in the capital, life is still in full swing. Sunny Abkhazia is still waiting for guests here. In winter (reviews from vacationing tourists confirm) in Sukhum, many cafes continue to work and even open additional verandas.
Transportation
Has a less active connection with the cities of Russia and within the country of Abkhazia in winter. You can still go on vacation by private car or taxi. In addition, many bus and minibus routes operate during the off-season. Despite the fact that buses make fewer trips, they, just like in summer, cross the border. If a tourist does not travel to the republic in a private car, he can take a direct bus from Rostov-on-Don, Nalchik or Krasnodar.
Hotels and pensions
Coastal hotels, ideal for summer living, are not very suitable for those who are planning a holiday in Abkhazia in winter. Reviews of tourists and the owners of some hotels themselves confirm this. It is especially uncomfortable, damp and even dangerous to live in wooden hotels located right on the sea coast.
But apart from theseoptions, offers Abkhazia in winter boarding houses and stone hotels, in which life is equally good both in summer and in winter. Very important in the rooms is additional equipment with electric heaters. The fact is that there are problems with central heating in the republic.
Some tourist hotels have their own steam heating. Settling in remote places and suburbs where there is no public transport is possible only for those tourists who have a private car.
Cities-resorts
Abkhazia in winter receives tourists in many cities. The largest and most popular of them is Gagra. It is located in the western part of the republic and has a sea coast 20 km long. The old part of the city has a particularly beautiful view of the mountains in winter.
The capital of the country - the city of Sukhum - is the most developed resort place in all of Abkhazia. In addition, the city is so well located behind the mountains that the warmest weather in winter is here. In Sukhum, the sea is almost always calm, many cafes and restaurants are open, and there are also tourist excursions.
Pitsunda is another well-known climatic resort of the country. Here is a world-famous pine grove, which occupies about two hundred hectares. This grove is a nature reserve and is protected by the state. In addition to the unique flora, Pitsunda has a 7 km long beach.
The city of Gudauta is characterized by lower housing and food prices. However, it is not very popular with tourists. He is at a distanceabout 45 km from Sukhum and Gagra.
New Athos is a popular resort in Abkhazia. It is located between two mountains, Iberian and Athos. Here you can see with your own eyes how beautiful Abkhazia is in winter. Photos and impressions from the trip will remain in the hearts of tourists for a long time. Indeed, in addition to the beauty of the mountains, a river flows here, many exotic trees grow here. Almond and olive groves, slender cypresses, orange trees and vineyards are everywhere. Among other things, there are extensive caves that have historical significance.
Excursions in Abkhazia in winter
Some mistakenly believe that they will have nothing to do in this republic in winter. In fact, many attractions are available during the winter.
Tourists can go to lakes Ritsa or Goluboe. Visit the Pitsunda temple, the church of St. George in Ilore or the village of Pskhu. Tourists can visit the famous cave in New Athos all year round. The flow of those wishing to get acquainted with these places never dries up. During the off-season, the opening hours here are limited to three days a week: Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. The price of excursions does not depend on the season. Inside the cave itself, visitors can stop by a local cafe.
The Metropolitan Botanical Garden and Monkey Nursery also operates all year round and is waiting for guests. Despite the short working day, tourists will have time to get acquainted with rare plant species and look at monkeys in one excursion.
In addition to the usual familiarization walks in winter Abkhazia, visitors can improve their he alth. There are many hydropathic clinics in the republic that work round the clock.year. In addition, it is possible to visit hot springs. One of them is located in the village of Primorskoe, which is located near New Athos. Tourists also have access to mineral waters and mud baths in the hospitals of Abkhazia.
Geg waterfall
One of the most wonderful places in the republic is the Circassian or Gegsky waterfall. You can see it during an excursion to Lake Ritsa. But since the waterfall is far from the highway, in order to get to it, you need to drive along a mountain serpentine and endanger passengers, and most often guides exclude this magical place from the standard route. You can drive to it only on an all-wheel drive unit, since the road is very narrow and lies near a terrible abyss. Since it is very cold, it is recommended to dress warmly for visiting this place.
The waterfall itself looks amazing. Its height reaches 55 m, the water is very cold not only in winter but also in summer. It originates from the waters of the Gega River, which flows from the Gagra Range, flows through caves and falls from a cliff, making a mesmerizing impression with its powerful current.
Lost Paradise
Pskhu is a village in the republic, where about 200 people live. It is located high in the mountains at an altitude of 760 m above the sea. The main attraction of the village is the sanctuary of Inal-Kuba. There are also rich lands for hunters and fishermen.
Coming here, you can get into a completely different world. After all, there are no means of transportation at all, excepthorse harness. Cellular and other communication is absent. Villagers communicate with the city by radio.
There is a small hydroelectric power plant here, maintained by the villagers themselves. Products are delivered to the settlement by helicopter. In winter, so much snow falls here that it falls asleep up to the very roof of the house. In order to get out of the house, residents have to dig tunnels in the snowdrifts between the houses.
The village of Pskhu is one of the most beautiful places in the entire Caucasus, with a very rich history. This place has a unique climate, fertile soil, honey plants and beautiful views. Mountain honey from the apiaries of these places is considered the best in the country. Mountains rise to the west. Especially beautiful is the Silver Mountain after the rain.
You can get here by helicopter. The people in the village are very hospitable. In summer, the valley is reached by land routes, and in winter - only by air. Once here, a person feels like in another world and can be distracted from all the problems and everyday worries of the big city.
Hot springs
Many people know that Abkhazia is the sea, beautiful nature and a huge amount of juicy fruits and fruits, famous lakes, waterfalls, temples and monasteries. But not everyone knows about hot springs in this country. In winter, visiting springs can diversify your vacation and make it useful. Moreover, to improve your he alth, it is not necessary to pay for a sanatorium ticket. The course of thermal procedures with beneficial waters and mud can be taken separately.
There are a lot of sources in Abkhazia. Even if notyou will be able to complete the full course of treatment, one visit to the hot spring in winter will bring a lot of impressions and positive emotions.
The most famous healing springs are located in the villages of Kyndyg and Primorsky. Bathing, smearing and wrapping in these places have a healing effect on the body and give a lot of positive emotions to all tourists. There is an improvement in mood after visiting hot springs. Tourists confirm that after visiting the thermal procedures in children, teeth begin to erupt painlessly and quickly, and muscles become stronger. In adults, the condition of the skin, muscles or joints improves. Recovery occurs through the forces of nature itself.
The hot springs of Abkhazia don't look like sanatoriums. There are only some amenities for visitors, but in general, a person feels alone with nature. A visit to the source will cost only 100 rubles per visitor. In winter, hot springs are one of the best types of he althy recreation.
Abkhazia is ready to receive tourists from Russia in summer and winter. There is a lot to do, a lot of interesting places and low prices for vacations and accommodation.
