Tuapse is an interesting and fascinating city that harmoniously combines a favorable climate, well-developed infrastructure, and an abundance of natural and man-made attractions. Guests are attracted by cultural and architectural monuments and well-groomed sand and pebble beaches. This is not only a resort, but also an industrial city, because there are several enterprises here. Every year hundreds and thousands of tourists come here, wanting not only to relax on the beach and swim in the waters of the Black Sea, but also to improve their health and get acquainted with local attractions.
The city on the Black Sea coast has always been the subject of controversy. At different times, Tatars, Adyrs, and Greeks lived here. Each people left traces of their presence, so the historical and cultural heritage of Tuapse is rich and varied. It also has excellent transport links, developed infrastructure, and favorable climatic conditions.
History of Tuapse
The territory where the modern city of Tuapse is located was inhabited by people thousands of years ago, which is confirmed by archaeological finds. This is evidenced by the dolmens built here more than 5,000 years ago. The name of the resort town comes from the Adyghe word, which meant “mesopotamia”. The territory became part of Russia in 1838 after the signing of the Treaty of Adrianople. In 1864, the village of Velyaminovskaya was built near Tuapse, which soon became a settlement and joined the resort. Roads are also being laid, a port is being built, and a lighthouse is being erected.
In 1916, Tuapse was given the status of a city, after which tourism began to actively develop here. In the twentieth century, a large number of boarding houses, sanatoriums, and health resorts were built. Modern tourism infrastructure includes luxury hotels, modern hotels and resort complexes, and recreation centers.
Krasnodar is the only million-plus population and the largest in Kuban
Krasnodar is the capital and largest city of Kuban, a cultural and economic center. The population is growing rapidly: the 2010 census showed a population of 832,532 people, at the beginning of 2022 the figure was 990,200, and by the end of the year Krasnodar became one of the million-plus cities. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, confirmed by the mayor of the city, Yevgeny Pervyshov, the actual number of citizens is about 1.4 million. However, this fact will only be officially confirmed during the census, which will take place in Russia in 2022. It also has the highest population density in the region: 991.3, according to 2011 information.
In 2022, the number of Krasnodar residents increased by 130,000 people: a record figure even within the metropolis. The main increase is caused not by the birth rate, but by migration. Tired of the cold, residents of Siberia and other parts of the state, including St. Petersburg and Moscow, are moving to the southern capital. A significant part are visitors from small towns, villages and villages, arriving to study, looking for work here with good wages and the opportunity for self-realization. Krasnodar has repeatedly become the best among other Russian cities. Among his titles:
- best city in Russia (2017);
- the sunniest (2015);
- the most comfortable (2015);
- the largest in terms of retail space per capita in Europe (2015).
The main reasons for moving to Krasnodar are also:
- Good ecology due to the absence of large industrial enterprises.
- Location: 100 km from the Black Sea.
- Mild climate with warm, often snowless winters and long summers.
- Economic prospects: the city is attractive for investment and is developing dynamically.
- Affordable housing thanks to mass development.
Due to the sharp increase in the number of residents, a number of serious problems arise. Among them:
- provision of utility and engineering infrastructures;
- lack of hospitals, schools, kindergartens;
- traffic jams during rush hours;
- the ongoing construction of new areas.
There are some unemployment problems in Krasnodar, but the average salary remains at the national level, amounting to about 30,000 rubles. Although some newcomers fill a certain percentage of open vacancies, another category of migrants makes a significant contribution to the economy of the region. They buy real estate here and engage in business, replenishing the budget with taxes. In this regard, many private medical centers, kindergartens, training and development centers have appeared.
Climatic features
Clean sea air and a favorable climate have a positive effect on the health of vacationers. The resort town is located in the middle part of the Black Sea region, where two climatic zones intersect. The ridge of the Caucasus Mountains provides reliable protection from cold air masses.
The climate of Tuapse combines Mediterranean and subtropical features. This region is characterized by a diverse flora and rich fauna. The city has many parks and gardens in which both familiar and exotic trees and shrubs grow, filling the air with useful substances. About 1000-1300 mm of precipitation falls annually. Most - in November-March. May, June, July and August are relatively dry months, but there are occasional periods of heavy rainfall.
Sochi is a densely populated resort
Sochi is a fairly young city: active settlement began only in the second half of the 19th century. Thanks to this, the bulk of the residents are visitors not only from other territories of the region, but also from all over Russia and the countries of the post-Soviet space.
In total, Greater Sochi has 507 thousand 365 inhabitants, the density is 127 people/m2. However, they are distributed extremely unevenly across regions:
- Central (smallest) - 166.06 thousand.
- Adlersky - 149.3 thousand.
- Lazarevsky - 94.5 thousand.
- Khostinsky - 92.8 thousand.
Thanks to the prestige of the resort, the population has been growing steadily since the eighties of the last century. And even the slight decline in 2002 was more than compensated for by the interest in Sochi during the Olympics. In 2010, the number of residents was 420,589, in 2016 - 480,000, and over the past two years it has increased by almost 30,000, which is a significant increase for a city with a population of up to a million.
The ethnic composition of the region is very diverse, since it was previously inhabited by numerous peoples of the Caucasus, as well as visitors from other states. Today, the main part is made up of Russians and Armenians with shares of 69.92% and 20.09% of the total population. Also in the top ten predominant nationalities are Ukrainians, Georgians, Circassians, Greeks, Tatars, Belarusians, Abkhazians, Ossetians.
Spa treatment
Tuapse has a very advantageous geographical position: on one side there is the Black Sea, on the other there are the Caucasian mountain slopes. The city is simply buried in subtropical plants. Hot weather in summer is offset by sea breezes, which fill the air with moisture and desirable coolness. The climate promotes health improvement and has a positive effect on health, so sanatorium and resort treatment is rapidly developing in the region. People with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory and cardiovascular systems, and pathologies of the musculoskeletal system come here.
Sanatoriums and boarding houses are located not only in the city itself, but also in the surrounding area. Institutions of this type use high-tech medical equipment, modern diagnostic and treatment-and-prophylactic techniques. Among the most popular: therapeutic massage, mud therapy, hydrotherapy, speleotherapy, etc.
Geographical position
Tuapse is located where two rivers called Tuapse and Pauk surrounded the surrounding area, and the Black Sea washes the coast - at the foot of the southern slope of the Main Caucasus Range. Getting here is easy, since the following areas pass through the local areas:
- federal highway Adler - Dzhubga;
- Federal highway Maykop - Tupse.
There are such railway stations as “Tuapse-Passenger” and “Tuapse-Sortirovochnaya”.
You can find out where Tuapse is located using some other landmarks. The city is located near the following settlements:
- the northern side borders with Agoy and Aguy-Shapsug;
- eastern - with Prigorodny and Messazhai;
- southeastern - with Kroyansky.
The west of Tuapse itself is washed by the Black Sea. The sea coast stretches for about ten kilometers. Due to the fact that Tuapse is located on the southern slope of the mountain range, in some places rocky cliffs have “grown” above the sea waters.
Beach holiday in Tuapse
Tuapse has well-maintained beaches. Almost all are free. The beach infrastructure is well developed. There are rental points for water transport and diving equipment. You can also rent sun loungers, deck chairs, and umbrellas. Most beaches have small pebbles, the sea is deep, but the slopes are gentle and the bottom is flat. There are areas for children. There are no rocks, so it is safe to swim. Medical centers and rescue services are available. The most popular beach in the resort is considered to be “Central”, which has some features compared to others.
- The strip is long and wide, its length is 1200 meters.
- Sand and small pebbles predominate.
- The descent into the water is smooth, comfortable, without sudden changes in depth.
- The beach has everything you need for a comfortable holiday.
- For the convenience of vacationers, bathrooms, showers, and rental stations have been installed here.
- Within walking distance there is an amusement park, plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants where you can have a delicious lunch, and a market.
Primorsky Beach is also popular among local residents and guests of the city. The beach area is covered with pebbles and stretches for 225 meters. It is quiet and cozy here, there is no noise typical of large beaches. The water in the sea is clean, there are trees that provide shade. Vacationers will be offered to ride on catamarans, chutes, rent beach equipment, and equipment for water sports.
In the village of Novomikhailovsky, which is located a few kilometers from Tuapse, there is the Orlenka beach. The beach line is covered with pure quartz sand. Width – 40 meters. The shallow and flat bottom without stones is attractive, there are no holes or sharp changes, so it is safe for both children and adults to swim. Near the shore the depth is shallow, so the water warms up quickly. Those who love depth and diving can visit the beach in Olginskaya Bay. There are also large-pebble beaches and even nudist beaches.
Novorossiysk is the largest port city
Novorossiysk, located on the Black Sea coast, plays a vital role in the state’s economy, since it is home to the country’s largest seaport, which accounts for 55% of the cargo turnover of the Azov-Black Sea basin. In this regard, there are always jobs with stable wages, which attracts residents of small surrounding settlements.
The population of Novorossiysk is steadily increasing:
- 1853 - 960;
- 1906 - 43,000;
- 1959 - 93,461;
- 2000 - 203,300;
- 2018 - 334,506.
According to the migration service, the actual figure is even higher: 420,000 people at the beginning of 2022. The increase is due to the birth rate and migration: only the official number of visitors in 2022 was 6.5 thousand, the real level may be higher. The overwhelming majority in terms of national self-identification are Russians - 88.01%. Armenians follow by a large margin: their share is 3.37%. Ukrainians, Tatars and Greeks were also recorded in Novorossiysk.
Entertainment and attractions
After a beach holiday, you can take a walk along Primorsky Boulevard and have dinner in a cafe. As for entertainment, there is plenty of it. Directly on the beach you can rent diving equipment, ride catamarans, rent a boat, or go fishing. In the evening, nightclubs operate, beach discos and theme parties are organized.
More advertised resorts compared to Tuapse are Anapa and Sochi. They attract not only with their climate and beaches, but also with other attractions. The center of the Tuapse region is not much inferior to them. There are also plenty of amazing natural sites that are definitely worth a visit. You can take a whole day to tour the city, explore local historical, religious and cultural monuments, and visit museums. Modern infrastructure facilities will leave a pleasant impression: a dolphinarium, an amusement park, a water park, etc.
Mount Turkey
The mountain peak is located 40 km from the resort town. To get to this site, go in the direction of the Prichernomorsky nature reserve. You should definitely visit this place if you are a fan of rock climbing or are a professional mountaineer or hiker. Hiking trails lead guests to very unusual, breathtaking places with picturesque landscapes. When you see this mountain, you will immediately understand why it is called that way. The fact is that in shape it has some similarities with the crest of this poultry.
Perun Waterfall
A beautiful waterfall, the height of which reaches 33 meters. Perun is the largest in Kuban. It is most amazing during spring floods, when the streams are full. The visitor will see an incredibly bright spectacle, and the noise from the roar of the water masses spreads far across the surrounding areas. In summer, Perun is less impressive, but also worth attention. Here you can take beautiful photos and simply admire the natural beauty.
Dolmens of Tuapse
Dolmens are probably the most interesting mystery of the city of Tuapse, which arouses the interest of archaeologists, historians, and geographers. There is no consensus on what these buildings were intended for. One category of scientists hypothesized that these were burial places, the other – pagan altars. There are hundreds of such dolmens in the region. The approximate date of creation is III – II centuries BC.
Water park "Dolphin"
A few kilometers from Tuapse is the village of Nebuga. There is a water amusement park here, which has slides of varying heights and complexity, pipes, and pools for children and adults. The Dolphin water park was opened in 1997. It is located in the open air. The variety of attractions is surprising: classic water slides, complex extreme objects, places for downhill skiing, a bar and cafe serving delicious dishes, a relaxation area, etc.
Dolphinarium "Aqua World"
In the same village of Nebuga there is also a dolphinarium, which attracts both local residents and tourists from different regions. Sea creatures put on real performances that delight both children and adults. Among the actors who take part in organizing the show: a fur seal, a sea lion and, of course, the public's favorites - dolphins. After the performance is over, you can take a photo with them.
House-Museum of A.A. Kiseleva
Artist A.A. Kiselev captured many shots from the life of the city of Tuapse on his canvases. A memorial museum was founded in the building where he lived. Among the exhibits: objects indicating the life and everyday life of the artist, his famous paintings, documents, personal belongings. The permanent exhibition has been open since 1988. The guide will tell you the most interesting moments from the life and work of A.A. Kiseleva.
Singing fountain
The Singing Fountain is an outstanding landmark of Tuapse, which attracts local residents and visitors to the city. It is especially crowded here in the evening. The uniqueness of the art object is that the streams of water skillfully shimmer in different colors and shades, and this entire show is accompanied by melodic music. The central jet rises to a height of 18 meters. There is no container for collecting waste water. The water seems to emerge from the pavement, which makes the fountain mysterious and attractive.
City Park
There is a park not far from the city embankment. This is a great place for a relaxing holiday and leisurely evening walks. Neat, well-groomed lawns, paved paths, benches - a pleasant pastime is guaranteed. There are also attractions in the park, a fountain, monuments and sculptures. There is a functioning concert hall, restored in 2015.
Sycamore Alley
In the very center of Tuapse there is a pedestrian street, the length of which is 800 meters. Luxurious trees - plane trees - are planted here on both sides. The first “residents” of the alley appeared back in 1913. This event was timed to coincide with the 300th anniversary of the rise to the throne of the first representative of the Romanov dynasty. Powerful hundred-year-old trees provide shade and coolness, which is so lacking during the hot summer.
Primorsky Boulevard
Primorsky Boulevard begins at the Tuapse port. Its length is 400 meters. From here you have amazing views of the city and the sea. You can see ships sailing in the sea, the docks, most of the sea coast are clearly visible, as well as the control tower, which is also one of the most interesting sights of Tuapse. There is a fountain and monuments on the embankment, children's attractions and street cafes.
Tuapse seaport
A seaport appeared here in 1898. Since that time, it has been operating continuously, providing transport connections with major cities of Russia and other coastal countries (36 in total). Here they receive and dispatch cargo, and passenger airliners operate here. The length of the harbor is 3.2 km.
How to get to Tuapse?
Tuapse does not have its own airport, so it is not possible to get to the city directly by plane. The nearest civil airport, which serves domestic and international flights, is in Gelendzhik. Here passengers can use the private transfer service. There are also regular buses and taxis to Tuapse.
You can get to Tuapse by train. The city has a railway station, Tuapse-Pasazhirskaya, a station in the Krasnodar region of the North Caucasus Railway. The station is located at st. Pobeda, 2. The railway station is open every day around the clock. High-speed trains “Lastochka” run to Tuapse from Sochi, Rostov-on-Don, Krasnodar.
There are also regular buses to Tuapse. The local bus station is located at st. Marshala Zhukova, 6. The bus station building is located near the Magnit grocery store and the central food market. The bus station is open every day from 4:30 to 22:30.
To get to Tuapse by private car, you need to drive to the village of Dzhubga along the M4 Don federal highway. After this, you need to turn onto the A147 highway, which passes through Tuapse.
The solemn date contains a variety of events
On this day, plane tree alley welcomes participants in an exhibition of works by artists and photographers. Masters of folk art present their own works and share their experiences with visitors. The House of Culture is filled with the sounds of a chamber orchestra concert. There is a children's entertainment program in the form of competitions and games. Performances are shown, circus troupes demonstrate acrobatic acts and magic tricks. Groups perform famous compositions. Navy workers are honored. The best ones are given awards and valuable prizes. Excursions introduce you to the sights and history of the locality. In the evening, popular performers take to the stage. The finale of the holiday is a colorful fireworks display.
