Jan
10
Sochi Travel & Sightseeing Guide
Filed Under Russia
A trip to Sochi
Sochi is the future home of the 2014 Winter Olympics. It’s one of Russia’s southernmost cities, with the Caucasus Mountains filling in the landscape that surrounds this Black Sea resort. Despite its reputation for winter sports, the metropolitan areas of lower elevation can become downright hot during the summer. Of course, heading into the mountains, temperatures drop dramatically.
Flights to Sochi
Sochi International Airport is a growing facility that sees an excess of 1 million passengers every year. The bulk of these are Russian vacationers bound for the nation’s number one holiday destination. The airport is in the midst of constant expansion in the hopes of preparing it for the increased traffic to come with Olympic Games. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Sochi try Ebookers.
Sochi is connected by road to many other cities in Russia—both near and far. However, the quality of these highways is subject to change at a moment’s notice; what was previously a pleasant drive can quickly become a bottlenecked nightmare with very little room to pass. In light of this, trains and aeroplanes are the preferred means of covering long distance. Meanwhile, public transport in town is getting better each year.
Sochi
Sightseeing in Sochi
Sochi’s relatively warm summer temperatures and resort-style accommodation set it apart among Russia’s cities. Russia’s rich and powerful elite frequent Sochi, and an annual summer film festival lures a significant portion of the more than 2 million visitors that come each year.
The city centre covers more than 12 square miles and holds some of the city’s best architecture. Built at the end of the Caucasian War, Michael Archangel Cathedral is one of the oldest structures in the area. The Railway Terminal Station is much younger and it’s a perfect example of Stalinist architecture—easily one of the most well-known sites in Sochi.
Fun by night – eating drinking and partying
On the whole, the city of Sochi takes its dining and accommodation very seriously. You’ll find a variety of upscale restaurants decked out in exaggerated motifs—many of which serve strictly Russian cuisine under the guise of international flair. Even so, there’s something in Sochi for everyone, and plenty of places serve authentic cuisine from all over the world.
The main boulevard in Sochi stays alive long after the sun sets. Evening strolls are popular with visitors, and in the twilight, the shops, bars and cafés all vie for the attention of passers-by. In between visits to the many nightspots on this strip, many patrons will take a short detour to the shores of the Black Sea to stand on one of the piers and enjoy the stars.
Fun by day - shopping and activities
With such a heavy flow of tourists through Sochi, it’s no surprise that the variety of shops and marketplaces have so much success. The main, beachside boulevard is the best place to stroll and shop in your free time. Even if you don’t plan on buying anything, the myriad sights and sounds on the boulevard make it all worthwhile. In any event, as you tire of strolling, you can always retire to the beach.
Daytrips
There are a number of excellent daytrip opportunities for those based in Sochi. The city is surrounded by large tracts of magnificent natural landscape, highlighted by the Caucasus Mountains which are only 30 miles from Sochi city centre.
The mountain range holds a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Caucasian State Nature Bisophere Reserve. This pristine natural area has remained largely untouched by humans throughout the ages.
Anyone visiting during the winter will have the opportunity to visit one of Russia’s finest ski resorts. Krasnaya Polyana is set to play an important role in the upcoming 2014 Winter Olympics, and in the coming years visitors can expect to see world-class infrastructure set in place. The resort is a mere 25 miles from Sochi city proper.
Must-see attractions
While Sochi is best known for its cathedral and rail station, there are many other sites worth visiting while on holiday here. The Archangel Michael is the city’s patron saint, and his image appears in many forms, ranging from the cathedral that takes his name to the Archangel Column, topped by a bronze 25-ft effigy of the angel. This monument, built in the 21st century, is one of the newest additions to the city.
Also of note is the Winter Theatre, a neo-Classical structure that dates to the 1930s. The theatre is fronted by a collection of sculptures drawn from Greek mythology, and to round out the ancient Greek motif is a collection of almost 90 Corinthian columns.
In the Khludov city district is Riviera Park, a green space commissioned by the son of Aleksey Khuldov, the famous Russian merchant who rose to prominence in the 19th century when he made a fortune as chairman of the Russian Stock Exchange. Riviera Park is best known for its magnolia trees, which were planted in stages by every single cosmonaut that ever served Russia.
Best time to go
Sochi is humid and relatively mild throughout the year, and visitors in every season can expect temperatures in the city centre to remain buoyed above freezing. The best time to visit is during the summer months (between May and October) when average temperatures hover between 20 and 30°C and rainfall is less common.
During the winter, temperatures are cool enough to dampen sightseeing, though average temperatures seldom drop below 10°C. This is the best time of year for avid skiers and snowboarders to visit, as snowfall accumulates at higher altitudes.
Rainy day suggestions
As rain can fall in every season in Sochi, it is always wise to keep a potential rainy day activity in mind. The local Museum of Art has been operating for the better part of a century and it contains more than 3,000 pieces of art, most of which were generated by Russian masters. Also of interest is the local arboretum, home to 1,500 unique species of plants sourced from around the world and arranged in themed, international gardens.
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