Adler in Sochi - attractions, beautiful places

Sochi and Adler are inseparable concepts. And all because Adler is one of the four city districts of Sochi. It was in Adler that the Winter Olympic Games were held. Everyone who flies to Sochi by plane arrives in Adler, since there is an airport in this area. Here is the Formula 1 track, the Olympic Park and many other interesting places.

Adler

At the mercy of the subtropics

The Adler district is located 20 kilometers southeast of the center of Sochi. It is sandwiched between the Kudepsta and Psou rivers, along which the state border with Abkhazia passes. Adler stretches along the coast for 17 kilometers. This is the southernmost district of Sochi and the second most populous. The administrative center of Adler is located in the northern part of the district, closer to Khosta.

The Mzymta River flows through the Adler region. It originates in Lake Kardyvach. The length of the river is small - only 89 kilometers. However, it is considered the longest and deepest of the rivers flowing into the Black Sea in Russia. Mzymta has a violent character. It is believed that its name translates as “mad.” At the point where it flows into the sea it forms a large fan. There are many mineral springs on the banks of the river. The largest tributaries are the Tikha, Pslukh, Laura, and Chvizhepse rivers.

Kingdom of the subtropics

The Adler district boasts the highest point in Greater Sochi. This is Mount Agepsta with a height of 3256 meters. It is clearly visible from the observation deck of the tower on Mount Bolshoy Akhun. According to legend, Agepst was the name of one of the brothers of the shepherdess Ritsa. All of them were petrified with grief when the sister threw herself into the lake and drowned, preferring death to dishonor.

On the streets of Adler you can see palm trees - proof that the city is in the grip of the subtropics. The climate is determined by the sea and mountains. In winter, the sea warms the city, and the mountains protect from the north wind. The weather here is the same as in the American states of Mississippi or Louisiana. Winter is warm, snow on the coast is rather an anomaly. Summer is hot and humid. The average temperature in winter months is plus 8 degrees, in summer months – plus 25 degrees.

How to get to the mountains from Sochi?

If you don’t know how to get to the Caucasus Mountains from Sochi, use one of 3 methods.

Method 1: do it yourself

The distance between Sochi and the mountains is 221 km. You can get to them by car and public transport:

bus or minibus – the journey takes 9.5 hours;
train 644 C – runs once a day, the journey takes up to 15 hours;
plane – a direct flight to the airport in Mineralnye Vody lasts 45 minutes.

Method 2: excursion or tour to the mountains

Mountain tours in Sochi include 28 programs, including both walking within the city and trips to nearby villages and resort areas. The duration of group and individual excursions ranges from 4 to 11 hours. The cost, including guide services and transportation costs, is only 700 rubles.

Method 3: Hiking in the mountains with a guide

In the catalog of our website you will find more than 10 interesting routes from the best guides in the city of Sochi. Thanks to the detailed description and reviews, everyone will be able to choose the best option. The cost of a mountain hike with a guide starts from 1100 rubles. Tickets can be purchased online. During the tour you will visit the most famous places and see many unusual natural attractions of the Krasnodar region.

Merchant Harbor

Who lived on the territory of Adler, when the city was formed and how it developed, you can find out in the Museum of the History of the Adler District. Its founder is considered to be the writer and local historian Igor Nedole. The exhibition in the former house of culture "Russia" on Tavricheskaya Street opened relatively recently - in 1989. The collection covers a huge period of time - from the Paleolithic and Bronze Ages to the middle of the last century. In total, the museum has 18 thousand storage units.

In the Middle Ages, the Abkhaz settlement of Liesh appeared on the plain near the mouth of the Mzymta River. At that time, the coast was actively visited by Genoese merchants. For a long time, the lands belonged to the Abkhaz princely family of Arydba. The Abkhazians actively traded with the Turks. In the 19th century, the territory was annexed to the Russian Empire. In 1837, the Russian fortification of the Holy Spirit was founded on the seashore.

This is what the resort looked like at the beginning of the 20th century

There is a version that the name Adler comes from the Turkish word “Arts”. This is what foreign merchants called the area at the foot of the mountains. Then it transformed into Adler. By the way, in German there is a word “adler”, meaning “eagle”. It is not clear, however, how the Germans exerted their influence on the toponymy of distant lands. There is a simpler explanation - the settlement was named after the Russian warship Adler.

It’s hard to believe that until the beginning of the last century, no one even thought of coming here on vacation. In 1910, General Drachevsky ordered a park to be built on the territory of his estate. It became the basis of the future Southern Cultures Park. After the revolution, it was included in the lands of the state farm "Casual". And only in 1927 the first dacha village appeared in Adler. People began to come to relax on the seashore.

However, in the thirties, the dacha village was turned into a working village. The Sochi district was abolished. But the Adler district was organized, and Sochi became a city of regional subordination. In 1961, new transformations broke out. The Sochi district was revived again, and the Adler district became part of it. Then Lazarevskoye also became part of the city. The so-called Greater Sochi arose - synonymous with beach holidays during the Soviet era.

Krasnaya Polyana

Krasnaya Polyana today is a general name for two villages in the north of the Adler region and four located there. ski resorts. Moreover, comfortable infrastructure, the presence of natural and other attractions concentrated in this place attract thousands of tourists to Krasnaya Polyana at any time of the year.

Krasnaya Polyana today is a modern territory of a year-round resort

In the summer, it is quite possible to stay here for a few days to breathe clean air, admire the beauty of the Caucasian nature and walk along the well-equipped modern streets of Esto-Sadok or Rosa Khutor.

In winter, it is a modern ski resort with slopes of varying difficulty levels, where you can have great skiing, and in the evening take a walk around the shopping center or swim in the local water parks.

In winter, Krasnaya Polyana is a massive ski holiday. Read more about the history and structure of the Krasnaya Polyana resort, its attractions and opportunities for spending vacation time there - Krasnaya Polyana: history and attractions.

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Water excursions in St. Petersburg

For your health

Today Adler has almost 17 kilometers of beaches. However, people come here not only to sunbathe and swim in the sea, but also for treatment. The natural heritage is Matsesta mineral water, as well as local silt mud. A whole resort town was even formed in the area, uniting a large number of sanatoriums. The Adler pump room with mineral water is considered its calling card. The area also has many hotels, hostels, cafes and restaurants.

Adler has 17 km of beaches

Large shops and entertainment complexes are concentrated in the central part of Adler. The city embankment is considered a hit. The Imereti Lowland, where the main events of the Winter Olympics took place in 2014, gained worldwide fame. Its legacy includes huge hotel complexes, guest apartments, sports facilities and entertainment centers.

Matsesta mineral water is a natural treasure

The tourist infrastructure includes the Adler and Olympic Park railway stations. The Sochi International Airport operates on the territory of the district, which has an Airport railway terminal. There is a yacht port "Sochi-Imereti", as well as berths "Izvestia" and "Adler". In general, Adler is a powerful transport hub.

Tips for staying in Adler

Some tips for those who are planning to relax in Adler for the first time:

It is better to rent a hotel room, apartment or room in a private house in advance (in the case of hotels, you can even make an advance payment).
Transfer from the train station/airport can also be ordered in advance (some hotels provide this service).
There are private taxi drivers on duty at the station, who charge double payment from their passengers (it is better to use special online services).
If you are going to come in the summer, do not forget sunscreen, and if in the fall - warm clothes (even in warm autumn it can be windy on the coast).
Prepare in advance for visiting attractions (for example, for a walk through the Akhshtyrskaya Cave, you can prepare a snack and water in advance - there are no shops there).
Print out the Adler tourist map in advance.

You can save a photo of a tourist map in the memory of your smartphone

Legacy of the Olympics

The iconic landmark of Adler is the Olympic Park. It looks fantastic thanks to the unusual architecture of the sports facilities. The park is located on the Imereti Lowland, on the very shore of the Black Sea. Competitions in figure skating, hockey, short track speed skating and other spectacular winter sports were held here. All sports facilities are located in a circle on a huge area.

The Olympic Park has become a popular holiday destination

You should start your acquaintance with one of the largest sports complexes in the world with the Fisht stadium. It is named after one of the Caucasian mountain peaks. The name is translated from Adyghe as “White Frost”. It was at this stadium that the enchanting opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics took place. The width of the structure reaches 240 meters, length – 270 meters, height – 70 meters (a twenty-story building!). The stadium seats more than 40 thousand spectators.

Park Hotel "Bogatyr"

Next comes the small ice arena “Shaiba”. Its name speaks for itself - the building resembles a famous hockey attribute, and the exterior design creates the impression of a snow whirlwind. The arena welcomes up to seven thousand spectators. Dimensions are 60x30 meters. The weight of metal structures reaches 4800 tons. Despite the impressive figure, the stadium can be dismantled into parts and moved to another location.

The third object is the Bolshoi Ice Palace. Its name also speaks for itself. The dimensions of the hockey stadium are 230x270 meters with a height of 49 meters. It is slightly inferior to Fisht. The giant dome is especially impressive. The architects conceived it in the shape of a dew drop. An area of 100 square meters can accommodate up to 12 thousand people. The stadium can be used as a concert hall.

Next comes curling. Externally, it is more likely a parallelepiped rather than a cube. Of course, it is not made of ice, but of concrete and glass. The stadium is small - it can accommodate up to 3 thousand spectators. It's nice that the International Curling Federation recognized the Ice Cube as the best curling stadium in the world!

Olympic Flame Bowl

Number five is speed skating. It resembles a military cap. The length of the stadium reaches 400 meters; there and back – almost a kilometer! After the Olympics, the building was refurbished and handed over to tennis players. Among the large buildings, the Iceberg Winter Sports Palace should also be noted. It has an ice arena measuring 60x30 meters and stands with 12 thousand seats.

Your acquaintance with the Olympic Park should end near the Singing Fountain. Now this is the calling card of not only Adler, but the entire Greater Sochi. The fountain is called the "Olympic Flame Bowl". It symbolizes the firebird with fiery wings. The show runs from May to September daily from 20:00 to 21:00. The enchanting spectacle is definitely worth watching!

Adler Dolphinarium

A visit to the dolphinarium is a great activity for the whole family. The Adler Dolphinarium features dolphins, fur seals and lions, and even polar beluga whales. The show program lasts approximately 50 minutes. During this time, sea artists will perform many tricks with equipment such as balls and hoops, jump through hoops and much more.

You can see an amazing sight - a whale rides a fur seal. The dolphins will also paint a picture. After the performance ends, you can take a photo with the artists. For an additional cost, you can ride around the pool on a boat, which will be driven by one of the dolphins.

Address: Adler, st. Lenina, 219-A.

Entertainment for every taste

The Olympic Park is not only sports, but also entertainment for every taste. At the Sirius Planetarium you can not only take a walk through the starry sky, but also watch a ballet or listen to a symphony orchestra. The dome with a diameter of 27 meters is equipped with twenty laser projectors and a ten-channel sound system. The Sirius dome is the fifth largest in the world.

The Museum of Ancient Animals has an assortment of ancient reptiles on display. The dinosaurs are virtual, however, you can take a photo with them and even purchase a 3D photo. You will receive viewing glasses as a gift. Sochi Museum is a whole collection of unusual exhibitions. The complex includes the Tesla Electric Museum, the Mechanical Museum, and the Leonardo Museum, which contains amazing machines and mechanisms of the distant past.

Museum of Ancient Animals

The Motor Sports Museum displays about forty racing cars. Including the legendary Formula 1 cars and speed record holders. In addition to cars, the exhibition includes car models, racing costumes, helmet collections - several thousand exhibits in total. In addition to sports, there is the Sochi Automuseum. About a hundred domestic cars are parked there forever, including luxurious Chaikas and rugged Pobedas.

Sochi Automuseum

The Olympic Park has its own USSR Museum. His motto: “Welcome to childhood!” Five thousand exhibits cover the entire history of the country. And the Southern Cultures Park can be called an open-air botanical museum. It was defeated in 1910 on the left bank of the Mzymta River. Magnolias, oleanders, cypresses - these exotic trees can not only be seen, but also touched. The attention of visitors is invariably attracted by the oak figures of fairy-tale characters and animals.

Sochi Park is located next to the museum complex. The country's largest amusement park consists of seven thematic zones - “Avenue of Lights”, “Land of Heroes”, “Sea Kingdom”. In the "Land of Science and Science Fiction" those who wish are invited to make a Quantum Leap, in the "Sea Kingdom" - to fight with pirates, in the "Enchanted Forest" - to meet Leshiy or the brownie Kuzya. At the Sharadeyka Museum you can touch any exhibits, and at the Artelny Dvor you will be taught crafts. The park has a large dolphinarium.

Sochi Park

Among the attractions, the hits include the Quantum Leap gravity slide, the Firebird free-fall tower with a height of 65 meters, and the Zmey Gorynych roller coaster, which is more than a kilometer long. Some rides allow you to reach speeds of more than 100 km/h. There are 20 attractions in total. The “Magic Labyrinth”, which was created from 3 thousand rose bushes, is very popular! The park has the Bogatyr Hotel, which resembles a medieval castle.

In Adler there is also a monkey nursery, an ostrich farm and an ornithological park. The Akhshtyrskoye Gorge is considered a natural attraction. On one of the river terraces there is a cave that was discovered in 1903. The cavity extends 160 meters deep into the mountain range. The height of some halls reaches ten meters. Archaeologists discovered in the cave the site of a primitive man and many bones of ancient animals.

Extreme sports enthusiasts willingly go to the Akhshtyrskoye Gorge, since the adventure park “Skypark AJ Hackett Sochi” is located there. Unique attractions are located at record heights. It has no analogues in Russia. The author of the bungee platform is New Zealander Alan John Hackett. The basis of the park is the SkyBridge, a 439-meter-long suspended pedestrian bridge. It is the longest in the world!

There is a monkey nursery in Adler

In the park you can perform long jumps and tricks in the air. The world's fastest troll works here, and on the Sochi Swing you can swing at a height of 170 meters! Rock climbing enthusiasts are invited to the “Via ferrata” trail, which leads to the Liana Cave. The route is suitable for both beginners and advanced climbers. There is a rope park "Mowgli", a climbing wall, an amphitheater for festivals, observation decks and a restaurant on the edge of the abyss.

What to take with you to the mountains?

You need to be well prepared for a trip to the mountains. To avoid forgetting anything, follow this list:

Trekking sneakers or boots (with thick soles and a special tread pattern). The former are suitable for short walks along equipped trails, the latter – for more difficult routes.
Sports socks. Choose seamless ones, made of elastic material, not too thick, but not thin either. They should be durable, hold the foot well, allow the skin to breathe and wick away moisture well. Among other things, such socks reduce fatigue, improve blood circulation and promote rapid recovery.
Trekking poles. They reduce the load on the hip joints and knees, distribute weight correctly, and increase stability on loose soil. What is also important is that with them your hands will turn into additional support points.
Sports backpack with a volume of 25-30 liters.
The tent is two-layer and wind-resistant.
Sleeping bag if you plan to go overnight.
Sunglasses - ultraviolet radiation in the mountains is very harmful to vision.
Khoba (a piece of foam with straps) – worn on the lower back
Watches are better than mechanical ones
Hygiene products
Dishes – standard set of plastic or iron
Headlamp - essential in the dark
Sunscreen - skin burns faster under the mountain sun than on the beach
Food, pot, axe, gas burner - distributed among all participants of the hike
Useful little things - matches, raincoat, bags, first aid kit, tape, rope, etc.

Sochi Formula

When people talk about Formula 1 racing, they usually remember the legendary track in Monaco. However, it is not unique. Other countries also have tracks where the fastest cars in the world compete. Russia also has its own racing track for racing cars. It appeared in 2014 in Adler. The track around the Olympic Park was built for the Winter Olympic Games.

Sochi has its own Formula 1 track

The length of the large circle is 5848 meters, the small one is 2312 meters. Since oncoming traffic is not provided, the width of the track does not exceed 15 meters. Turning is the most difficult element for racers. There are 18 of them. In these difficult conditions, the cars managed to reach a speed of 339 kilometers per hour! The average speed is slightly less - it is 220 kilometers per hour.

The author of the project is the German architect and racing driver Hermann Tilke. The first competition on the track was the stage of the Russian circuit racing series, which took place in September 2014. His main goal was to test the track and all services of the circuit. Only after this did the official opening of the Sochi highway take place. Soon the first race of the Formula 1 World Championship took place.

During the four years of the autodrome’s existence, Formula 1 racing drivers competed there five times. British racer Lewis Hamilton has won three times. Finn Valtteri Bottas won once and German Nico Rosberg won once. The Russian Grand Prix usually lasts three days. Another four days are provided for sports and cultural events. These days there are no empty seats in the spectator stands.

Ivanovsky waterfall

A ten-meter waterfall flowing into a crystal clear lake. A very beautiful place. And if you love pristine nature, then this is the place for you. The waterfall in the gorge of the Psakho River is surrounded by a dense emerald array of vegetation. Birds are singing around. And the sound of falling water calms and relaxes. The rocks all around were overgrown with ferns, mosses and vines. The surface of the lake is azure-transparent. Everything is just like in the jungle. Gorgeous photos are guaranteed to you.

People often come here to meditate and fill themselves with positive energy.

To get to the waterfall you will need to walk a bit. Approximately 3 km. This walk is also part of the journey. The surrounding area is very picturesque.

To get to the place, take bus 105 or 135. Get off at the stop “Monastery village”. (You can also take a taxi.) From here, walk a short distance to a dirt path. The 3-kilometer route to the waterfall begins there.

In the village itself there is a bomb viewing platform. It offers a panoramic view of the mountains and river valley. Entry price to the waterfall: 200 rubles.

Wet canyon of the Psakho River

The wet canyon is part of the Sochi National Park. The river in this canyon is of an unusually beautiful azure color. The limestone rock that borders the river ranges from one and a half to ten meters wide. The length of the canyon is two kilometers. Along the rocks there are waterfalls and grottoes.

Boxwood trees grow along the edges; breaking off its branches is strictly prohibited. These trees in Russia are found only in the area of Sochi. The canyon area is equipped with paths, railings and bridges, but you can go beyond this area. You should wear comfortable shoes and follow safety rules.

Address: Galitsino and Krasnaya Volya villages.
Coordinates: 43.541349; 39.939048.

general information

Mountains in Sochi are an integral and numerous part of the local landscapes. Therefore, it is very difficult to answer unequivocally which mountains in Sochi are the most beautiful. Different areas of Sochi have their own charm and appeal of the mountains. The elevation in Adler is quite different from the one located in Kislovodsk.

Experienced scientists are accustomed to calling only hills that reach more than 2 thousand meters in height a mountain. Although in Sochi, the most popular tourist routes along the rocks are laid precisely on mountains reaching just over 1500 meters. It is from these positions that the most beautiful views of the Black Sea, Krasnaya Polyana and other popular places in the area open up.

Every year, various tourist excursions to waterfalls are organized in the mountains near Sochi. The most popular are:

Mountains in the vicinity of Sochi

Important! Before including a trip to a ski resort on your tourist itinerary, you should make sure in advance that the season is open.

Akhshtyrskaya cave

At least 400 caves are known in the suburb, a tenth of which is actively being studied and explored by scientists. On the way to Krasnaya Polyana, on a cliff near Mzymta you can get into one of the most famous caves in the Caucasus. Ashshtyrkaya Cave has become popular because of its age; it is the oldest. Archaeologists have carefully carried out their scientific research here, and now entry is open to ordinary discoverers. According to scientists, this object appeared here 350 thousand years ago, initially the entrance was near the water, now it is located at a level of 120 meters. The main inhabitants were Neanderthals and bears, the latter left more traces, the walls of the cave were polished with their backs to a shine. What remains from ancient people is the outline of a hearth. Modern people have gone further, they made railings and installed electricity here, thanks to which now this location can be visited on a tour. An entrance fee of 160 rubles is charged. Open daily from 10:00 to 18:00.

Cave on the map

Dry canyon of the Psakho River

It is believed that this canyon was formed after an earthquake and was then filled with water. The dry canyon is located at a distance from the current bed of the Psakho River, since over time the river had to change its course, and the canyon itself dried up. Now it is a path around high rocks made of limestone layers, inside of which there are depressions and grottoes.

The height of the limestone walls reaches 30 meters. Various bushes and trees grow on the rocks. The road to the canyon goes from the Wet Canyon through a clearing. Entrance to the Dry Canyon is paid separately. There are cafes and souvenir shops in the canyons.

Address: Galitsino and Krasnaya Volya villages.
Coordinates: 43.546511,39.94724.

Akhtsu Gorge

The landscape of this place was formed millions of years ago. According to one version of the origin of the name, the word “akhtsu” means “the place where lightning struck.” The gorge is a huge arch of limestone strata at an altitude of a kilometer and a length of 3 km.

The slopes are covered with coniferous and deciduous forests. A detailed tour of the gorge will take a lot of time, but it is worth it. You should definitely visit the Kepshin Cave, where primitive people once lived, and see the monument to the Red Army soldiers who died during the Civil War.

Address: Picnic Glade Gorge AHCU, Monastery, Krasnodar region, Russia.

Trout farm Cossack Ford

This object belongs to a popular direction of tourism in the West, which is gaining momentum every year in Russia - industrial tourism, so a few words about this enterprise in the review of the Adler attraction, photo with description. Like some other places in Adler, it is the largest in the state; production areas stretch here for a distance of more than one and a half kilometers along the river coast. The picturesque nature, as noted by the employees of this enterprise, is impressive and forces not only to work, but also to relax. Crystal clear water, only in water of this quality can fastidious trout live, is taken from artesian springs. The enterprise has a special department that deals exclusively with excursion work, whose employees conduct tours of the farm. Here you can learn not only the nuances of this fishery, but also try yourself as an employee and feed the hungry fish. The place is suitable for gourmets; the program includes tasting delicacies from farmed trout, this is not only a game, but also freshly prepared grilled fillets. The company's opening hours for visitors are from 9:00 to 18:00. The ticket costs 250 rubles. Among the paid services there is the opportunity to independently catch prey while fishing; for this we are ready to provide the necessary equipment for this for an additional fee. The cost of one kilogram of fish is from 90 to 450 rubles.