Sochi, like any other resort city, offers its guests a huge number of diverse excursions. Literally at every turn, you will be tempted with trips to waterfalls, caves, and dolmens. Undoubtedly, all of this is very interesting and definitely worth seeing, but it will be difficult to get to these places on your own. Almost all of them are located in the mountains, and there is nothing to do there without a guide. We, however, offer you a selection of five no less interesting attractions from the “must see” category in Sochi itself or very close to it.
Sochi Arboretum
This is a true treasure trove, containing more than 2000 species of exotic plants from all over the world. Spread across 48 ha are green “representatives” of the Caucasus, North and South America, the Himalayas, Japan, China, the Mediterranean, and the Far East, as well as Australia and New Zealand. In addition, you can see rare birds and animals here, as well as enjoy stunning views that open up during a ride on the cable car.
Address: Sochi, Kurortny Prospekt, 74
Opening hours: in summer – daily from 8:00 to 21:00, in winter – daily from 9:00 to 17:00
Ticket prices: for adults – 230 rub., for children – 120 rub.
Official website
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Riviera Park
In the largest park in Sochi, you can spend an entire day without noticing how time flies. There are more than fifty different attractions here, as well as karting, a racetrack, an aquarium, a dolphinarium, a nightclub, a sports complex, Friendship Meadow, the Reconciliation Bench, the Fountain of Love, and much more. All year round, visitors are delighted by the greenery of century-old trees and the splendor of flowerbeds and rose gardens. In total, about 240 plant species are represented here, 50 of which are considered rare.
Address: Sochi, Egorova St., 1
Opening hours: in summer – daily from 11:00 to 01:00, in winter – daily from 11:00 to 18:00
Ticket prices: park admission is free, each attraction is paid separately
Official website
Have you already found a place to stay? Some Soviet-era boarding house or a guesthouse in Adler? That’s a mistake... In recent years, quite a few excellent hotels have appeared in Sochi, with much better locations, while prices are not always significantly higher. There is probably no need to talk about the difference in service and comfort, right? :)
Oceanarium Sochi Discovery World Aquarium
This is one of the largest oceanariums in Russia - its area is 6000 sq.m. On this vast territory there are 30 aquariums inhabited by piranhas, sharks, seahorses, rays, catfish, and many other species of fish and marine animals. The 44 m underwater tunnel with a glass roof, above which the giant inhabitants of the oceanarium swim, is worth the visit alone. For an extra thrill, you can attend the breathtaking shark feeding show. After visiting this oceanarium, you will know exactly what a surgeonfish looks like and what is located between the eyes of a diadem sea urchin.
Address: Sochi, Adler District, Kurortny Gorodok, Lenina St. 219a/4
Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00
Ticket prices: for adults – 500 rub., for children – 250 rub., concession – 150 rub.
Want us to suggest what else to see in Sochi? Use ready-made sightseeing routes!
Matsesta Tea Plantations
Not far from the famous balneological resort, in the picturesque foothills of the Matsesta Valley, there are unique tea plantations considered the northernmost in the world. Guests who come here are gladly told about tea-growing technologies in such challenging conditions.
The excursion begins with a trip to the plantation, where you will be able to see with your own eyes how tea is grown and harvested. Then you will be invited to the factory to see how the picked leaves are processed. And then comes the most pleasant moment of the visit – the tasting! During it, you will not only be able to enjoy the unusual taste of local tea, but also learn about its many healing properties and brewing rules.
Address: Sochi, Izmailovka village, Izmailovskaya St., 141
Official website
Note: you will find even more useful information about the city in the overview prepared by Ever.Travel. And you can understand how to diversify your trip by studying the map of Sochi attractions, where dozens of interesting places are marked. Each of them can be added to favorites and then synchronized with the free Ever.Travel mobile guide. That way your personal guide to Sochi will always be at hand ;)
Trout Farm and Glassblowing Workshop
At the trout farm, you can see with your own eyes how fish are raised, from fry to adult specimens. There are so many fish here that it seems as though you could catch them even with your bare hands. And fishing is allowed here, by the way, but only in the carp ponds. Moreover, everything necessary for fishing will be provided to you on site. And afterward, in the tasting hall, you can sample this royal fish and learn the secrets of its preparation.
Trout Farm:
Address: Sochi, Adler District, Kazachy Brod village, Forelevaya St., 45-a
Opening hours: daily from 6:00 to 20:00
Excursion ticket prices: for adults – 150 rub., for children – 70 rub.. For fishing – 150 rub. + the cost of the catch.
Not far from the trout farm there is a glassblowing workshop, which is no less interesting to visit. From a small piece of glass, craftsmen will blow vases, goblets, and beautiful figurines right before your eyes. It is an amazing show!
Art Glass Studio:
Address: Sochi, Adler District, Kazachy Brod village, Forelevaya St., 41-a
Opening hours: daily from 9:00 to 19:00
Ticket prices for the glassblowers’ show: for adults – 200 rub., for children – 100 rub.
Official website
What to see in Sochi?
We hope we managed to answer this question! And if you did not choose anything from the options offered, take a look at the interactive map of Sochi, where dozens of interesting attractions are marked. We are sure that among this variety you will definitely find something to your taste!
Photos: adler.su, matsestatea.ru, Panoramio: Mikhail Malinin, Flickr: YuPanch.
