Gelendzhik is attractive to tourists not only for its mild climate, but also for its rich selection of entertainment venues. Almost the entire infrastructure of the resort is aimed directly at vacationers. A week is not enough to see all the remarkable places.
Sculpture Scientist Cat in Gelendzhik
In the article we will look at what interesting places to visit on vacation in Gelendzhik, an overview of the main attractions, historically significant places, temples, and entertainment venues.
Where to stay in Gelendzhik
Gelendzhik is a small city, so no matter where you stay, it won’t be difficult to get to the sea. Even from the remote Severny microdistrict, you can walk to the embankment in just 30–40 minutes.
As in other resort cities in Russia (except, perhaps, Sochi), in Gelendzhik the situation with hotels is not very good, and in the few decent ones, prices have skyrocketed in the summer season. For example, the best local hotel is Kempinski, where you will have to pay 35,000 rubles for a standard double room in August.
In the four-star Primorye Hotel they ask for 33,397 rubles per room. At the same time, guests of high-class hotels often complain that places on the hotel beach are sold to everyone and this creates certain inconveniences for those who paid a decent amount for the room and expected a secluded vacation.
But still, prices are not so high everywhere in Gelendzhik. Here is a small hotel called Kompass - if you go here at the end of August, you can check in for 6,675 rubles per day. Or here’s another stylish mini hotel, where a night in August will cost from 5,944 rubles.
There is also a private sector, but those who are looking not only for the proximity of the beach, but also for a designer approach to the design, will be disappointed: they simply won’t be able to rent a beautiful room on Airbnb. If you choose between the nicest options, you can rent an apartment for 3,500 rubles per day or a very modest studio for 1,600 rubles.
Popular things to do in Gelendzhik
Absolutely everyone can spend time usefully in Gelendzhik. Some tourists prefer an active nightlife, while others strive to be closer to nature. The resort has entertainment facilities for both some and others.
Most popular entertainment:
- “Golden Bay” is the best water park in Gelendzhik. It is located on the street. Turisticheskaya, 23. The total area of the water park is 15 hectares. It includes 8 swimming pools, 49 slides, 69 slopes and 9 food outlets. Ticket prices vary from 900 to 1800 rubles.
- Horse riding in Gelendzhik began to be in increased demand in 2022. Duration is 1 hour 15 minutes. Estimated cost for 1 person – 1300 rubles.
- A rope park is an excellent option for families with children. In 2022, prices range from 300 to 600 rubles. The park consists of several trails of varying difficulty levels. Before visiting, it is advisable to ensure that you are in good physical condition.
- Nightclubs in Gelendzhik are located directly on the embankment. The most popular ones include Retro Version, Laguna beach club and Salamander.
Laguna - entertainment complex in Gelendzhik - Another interesting activity is trout fishing in Gelendzhik. It is carried out on the territory of the Kastal font. At the entrance, visitors are greeted by the residents of the ornitarium. There are also aviaries with a variety of birds in the park.
- Gladiator Park in Gelendzhik will allow you to plunge into the times of the Roman Empire. The performance takes place in a forested area, 5 km from the city. The total duration of the show program is 2-3 hours.
Karaoke booths in Gelendzhik
Each attraction of Gelendzhik is interesting in its own way. The resort has many interesting objects of both natural and man-made origin. To see everything at once, you need to reserve a huge amount of time.
What sights of Gelendzhik to see
Embankment with sculptures
Photo: SenSeHi/Shutterstock
You should start your acquaintance with Gelendzhik with a walk along the long embankment. This is the most comfortable part of the city; all the tourist infrastructure is concentrated here. Along the way, you will come across many life-size sculptures: the Scientist Cat immortalized in bronze from Pushkin’s fairy tale, monuments to the tourist and the bride (we’ll talk about the latter below) and more.
Sculpture "White Bride"
Photo: Bagrin Egor / Shutterstock
The symbol of Gelendzhik is located between two piers: Central and Commander pier. There is also a plaque with an explanation that the name of the city translates as “daughter-in-law.” This is where the concept of the monument came from. It looks like nothing special, but locals and visitors love the sculpture very much, so there’s almost always a crowd nearby wanting to take a photo as a souvenir.
Gelendzhik lighthouse on Tolstoy Cape
Photo: AleksNT/Shutterstock
One of the most famous and “postcard” places in the city is located on Tolstoy Cape. The image of the lighthouse is found on many souvenirs; you can get acquainted with the attraction during boat trips and excursions. There is a wild beach next to the lighthouse.
Gelendzhik gate lighthouse
Photo: Al_Gol / Shutterstock
If you don’t know that this is a lighthouse in front of you, the building can be confused with a residential pre-revolutionary mansion. Its practical function is only hinted at by the vertical red stripe on the façade. Alas, you can’t get inside, so you’ll have to admire the structure from behind the fence. At the same time, take a photo next to the monument to the Lighthouse Keeper.
Sights of Gelendzhik and the surrounding area: photos, description, map
The main attractions of Gelendzhik are natural places, ancient dolmens, a long resort embankment, and infrastructure for family recreation. The review includes what to see in Gelendzhik: top 20, photos and descriptions of places, map, information on how to get there.
In the resort Gelendzhik, located on the shores of the picturesque Gelendzhik Bay at the foot of the Markotkh ridge, there are dozens of interesting locations that are worth seeing with your own eyes, regardless of the season. to perceive Gelendzhik as an exclusively beach resort: this is a land of protected forests, waterfalls , steep cliffs and a rich interesting history. In addition, you can always diversify your vacation not only with a cultural and excursion program, hikes, but also with active leisure in amusement parks.
Details: Water and amusement parks in Gelendzhik
Getting to know a city, especially a resort, usually begins with its center and pedestrian street, and in Gelendzhik this is the main promenade - an embankment stretching along the entire coast, along which you can walk from Tolstoy to Thin Cape - both ends of the bay are worth a look.
City sculptures are especially popular among vacationers in Gelendzhik: among them is the monument to the scientist cat from Pushkin’s poem “Ruslan and Lyudmila”, the bronze figure “Maestro”, the fountain-monument “Lovers of Hearts” located near the registry office building and, of course, the snow-white sculpture “White daughter-in-law." Most are concentrated on the embankment, but even in the vicinity of the resort there are interesting sculptures: in the Old Park in Kabardinka and on the Mikhailovsky Pass near the Natasha spring.
A memorable landmark is the inscription “Gelendzhik” on the Markotkhsky ridge. According to guidebooks, it is visible even from space, and is larger in size than the iconic memorial sign in the Hollywood Hills.
Children in Gelendzhik are never bored. The best viewing routes are to the waterfalls, and access to the most popular ones is so easy that it is suitable for any level of experience. But the main thing is still large water parks and outdoor attractions. More details about children's holidays in a special selection:
Gelendzhik for children
A universal option for those who want to get to know the life and history of the region better is to visit Gelendzhik museums . This is both a break from the heat if you come during the beach season, and an interesting part of the cultural program.
You can often see the sights of the surrounding area of Gelendzhik on your own, because for many the distance does not exceed 20 km, and public transport runs to them or almost. Excursion routes are well thought out and allow you to see more in a short time, including seeing waterfalls, ethnic complexes and other places more distant from the city.
What sights to see in the vicinity of Gelendzhik
Rock Sail
Photo: Dmitrii Pridannikov / Shutterstock
You need to look for this amazing natural monument in the vicinity of the village of Praskoveevka and the Dzhankhot farm, next to the beach. A huge stone monolith rises 25 meters above the sea, and there is a strange “window” in the lower corner. It is believed that this is a trace from a cannonball that hit the rock back in the distant 19th century (however, this version has not been proven).
Experienced tourists highly recommend Review on Tripadvisor to admire the object from afar - if you believe the reviews, from Praskoveevka beach you will have to walk on slippery stones and water, and the area around is completely unsuitable for recreation.
Wild beach "Sosnovka"
Photo: BSolnyshkin/Shutterstock
The most remote and inaccessible beach of Gelendzhik is located near the Sosnovaya Shchel SNT. There are large pebbles here, and the water is blue and clear. Sometimes you can even see dolphins in the sea, which are not at all afraid to swim close. But it is worth considering the following point: you will most likely have to pay to enter the territory, and the descent to the beach is very difficult and inconvenient.
Pshad dolmens and the Dolmen farm
Photo: Denzenuch/Shutterstock
Dolmens are mysterious archaeological monuments built back in the Bronze Age. Moreover, historians are still trying to unravel the purpose of these stone sculptures. There are many dolmens in the Gelendzhik region, some of them are located in forests and mountains, so few people know where to look for them.
A proven way to see the structures is to visit the private farm “Dolmen”, owned by the Bambakov family and located in the village of Pshada. On its territory you will find as many as four dolmens: one on the top of the mountain, the other three on the mountain slopes.
Gebius Falls
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Posted by Natalya Yuzhnaya (@yuzhnaya1) Mar 11, 2022 at 11:09 PDT
The best time to visit the waterfalls on Mount Gebius is spring or summer, and immediately after good rain. But if you come in the fall, there is a chance that there won’t be much water in the river. The trail to the waterfalls begins on the Gelendzhik-Dzhubga highway near the large white inscription “Gelendzhik”.
For unprepared people, this walk may seem difficult. But in general, it is accessible to any physically healthy person, but you must wear comfortable shoes: you will have to walk a lot on wet and slippery stones.
Dolmens of the Zhane River and the village of Vozrozhdenie
Photo: Aleksandr Grechanyuk / Shutterstock
In the valley of the Zhane River in the village of Vozrozhdenie there are four more famous dolmens. And then the riverbed forms several beautiful cascading waterfalls where you can swim. The river is considered a place of power, so here you can see tent cities where people live, engaged in various spiritual practices. You will have to pay 250 rubles for entry (“environmental fee”), but tourists say Review on Tripadvisor that there are also simple bypass trails.
Waterfalls of Mount Shahan
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