Top places to visit in Sochi

• Sochi Olympic Park

  olympic-site · 4.6 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The coastal cluster of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Adler: Fisht Stadium, the singing fountain, Olympic medal plaza and the Sochi Autodrom F1 circuit. Open public grounds, free to wander, lively in the evening.

• Rosa Khutor

  ski-resort · 4.7 rating · about 5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Russia's flagship alpine resort in Krasnaya Polyana, built for the 2014 Olympic skiing events. Cable cars rise to 2320 m at Rosa Peak; skiing in winter, hiking and viewpoints in summer.

• Riviera Park

  urban-park · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  Sochi's oldest and most popular public park (1898) near the seafront, with shaded alleys, an amusement park, rose gardens, cafes and the Glade of Friendship magnolia trees.

• Sochi Arboretum (Dendrarium)

  botanical-garden · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  A 49-hectare hillside botanical garden founded in 1892 with over 1800 subtropical plant species, ponds, peacocks and a cable car linking the upper and lower parks with sea views.

• Sochi Central Pebble Beaches

  pebble-beach · 4.3 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  The pebble beaches along Sochi's central waterfront (Mayak, Primorsky) with promenades, sun-loungers, swimming and Black Sea views; warm bathing season roughly June to September.

• Krasnaya Polyana Resort

  mountain-resort · 4.6 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate

  The historic alpine village and resort cluster (formerly Gorky Gorod) in the Caucasus, with a pedestrian promenade, cable-car network, casino and year-round mountain activities.

• Skypark AJ Hackett Sochi

  adventure-park · 4.6 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  An adventure park in the Akhshtyr gorge with the 439 m SkyBridge pedestrian suspension bridge, bungee jumps, a giant swing and zip-lines over the Mzymta river canyon.

• Sochi Seaport

  landmark · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  The 1955 Stalin-era marine terminal with its landmark spire is one of Sochi's architectural symbols, fronting a yacht marina and waterfront promenade lined with restaurants.

• Imeretinsky Beach (Adler)

  pebble-beach · 4.4 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  A long, wide pebble beach along the Imeretinsky resort embankment in Adler near Olympic Park, with a modern promenade, cafes and calmer family-friendly waters.

• Akhun Tower Viewpoint

  observation-tower · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  A 1936 Romanesque-style stone observation tower atop Mount Akhun (663 m), offering panoramic views over Sochi, the Black Sea and the Caucasus range.

• 33 Waterfalls

  waterfall · 4.4 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  A cascade of 33 small waterfalls on the Dzhegosh stream in the Lazarevsky/Krasnaya Polyana hinterland, reached by off-road vehicle through chestnut and boxwood forest; often paired with tea-house visits.

• Akhshtyrskaya Cave

  cave · 4.4 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  A karst cave in the Mzymta river canyon with traces of Paleolithic human habitation, fitted with walkways and lighting; near Skypark in the Akhshtyr area.

Things to do

• Rosa Khutor Cable Car to Rosa Peak Sightseeing · 3 h · from RUB 2,200 per person
• Mzymta River Rafting Adventure · 2 h · from RUB 2,500 per person
• Skypark Bungee & SkyBridge Adventure · 3 h · from RUB 1,500 per person
• Black Sea Beach Day in Adler Leisure · 4 h · from RUB 500 per person
• Rosa Khutor Skiing (Winter) Adventure · 8 h · from RUB 4,000 per person
• Sochi Arboretum & Cable Car Tour Sightseeing · 2 h · from RUB 600 per person

Day trips and tours

• Krasnaya Polyana & Rosa Khutor Mountain Day 9 h · from RUB 4,500
• 33 Waterfalls & Tea Plantations Tour 7 h · from RUB 3,200
• Olympic Park & Sochi Park Family Day 8 h · from RUB 3,800

Where to stay in Sochi

• Central Sochi about RUB 6,000 per night

  The lively downtown waterfront with the Sea Port, Riviera Park, restaurants and the main promenade. Best for first-time visitors who want beach plus city life.

• Adler about RUB 5,500 per night

  Southern coastal district near the airport and Olympic Park. Newer hotels, family resorts and the gateway to Krasnaya Polyana via the Lastochka train.

• Krasnaya Polyana about RUB 8,000 per night

  Alpine ski-resort villages (Rosa Khutor, Gorky Gorod, Krasnaya Polyana) in the Caucasus mountains, 40 km inland. Best for skiing in winter and hiking/cable cars in summer.

Hotels

• Rodina Grand Hotel & Spa 5-star · RUB 30,000 to RUB 90,000 per night
• Swissôtel Resort Sochi Kamelia 5-star · RUB 12,000 to RUB 40,000 per night
• Rosa Springs Hotel 4-star · RUB 9,000 to RUB 28,000 per night
• Mercure Sochi Centre 4-star · RUB 6,500 to RUB 15,000 per night
• Bridge Resort 4-star · RUB 7,000 to RUB 22,000 per night
• Hotel Sea Galaxy 4-star · RUB 5,500 to RUB 14,000 per night

Where to eat

• Estrada Russian, European, Caucasian · about RUB 2,200 per person
• Sandyk Caucasian, Abkhazian, Georgian · about RUB 1,500 per person
• Sochi Discovery (Khmeli & Suneli) Georgian, Caucasian · about RUB 1,400 per person
• Kavkazsky Aul Caucasian, Georgian, Barbecue · about RUB 1,800 per person
• Belye Nochi Russian, European, Seafood · about RUB 2,000 per person
• London Restaurant & Pub European, Pub, International · about RUB 1,800 per person
• Mandarin Adler Russian, Caucasian, Asian · about RUB 1,100 per person
• Brigantina Russian, Seafood, European · about RUB 1,700 per person

Getting to Sochi

Airport: Adler (AER)

How visitors arrive in Sochi

• Flight into Sochi Airport (Adler) By air from Moscow and Russian cities · common

  Sochi International Airport in Adler is the primary gateway, with domestic and some international flights. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Train to Sochi or Adler By train from Russian cities · common

  Trains from many Russian cities reach the Central Sochi and Adler stations. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Cruise or ferry By ferry from Black Sea ports · possible

  Most international tourists arrive by cruise ship; seasonal ferries link Trabzon and Batumi. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Bus or car via M4 By road from Krasnodar, Moscow · possible

  The M4 highway links Sochi with Moscow, Rostov and Krasnodar; buses use terminals in Sochi and Adler. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Train from the airport (RZD)

  A rail line built by Russian Railways links the airport with Adler station, where most trains to greater Sochi end. Change there for the rest of the coast. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Bus routes 105 and 124 unconfirmed

  Bus route 105 runs from outside the terminal to Sochi central railway station. Other routes (such as 124) are reported locally; confirm stops and route numbers on arrival. Source: worldtravelguide.net

• Pre-booked transfer unconfirmed

  Official airport taxis are arranged at a dispatch desk in the baggage claim area; unofficial drivers wait outside arrivals. Agree the fare before getting in, or pre-book a transfer. Source: worldtravelguide.net

Getting around

• Bus

  Sochi public transport routes

• Taxi
• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• Overpriced street and beach taxis

  Airport, Sea Port, beach promenades

  Drivers without meters quote inflated flat fares to tourists, especially for the airport-center or Krasnaya Polyana runs, sometimes 2-4x the fair price.

  How to avoid it: Use the Yandex Go app for an upfront fixed price, or take the Lastochka train, instead of hailing taxis off the street.

• Beach photo props and "free" offers

  Central and Adler beaches

  Touts offer photos with animals, birds or in costumes, or hand you a souvenir as a "gift", then demand a steep payment afterwards.

  How to avoid it: Politely decline upfront, do not take anything offered as free, and agree any price before posing for a photo.

• Inflated excursion touts

  Promenades, hotel lobbies, near attractions

  Street agents sell day tours (33 Waterfalls, mountains) at marked-up prices or with hidden extra fees and rushed stops at souvenir/tea shops.

  How to avoid it: Book through your hotel or a reputable operator, confirm exactly what is included, and compare prices before paying cash.

Best time to visit Sochi

• Jan 6°C
• Feb 7°C
• Mar 11°C
• Apr 17°C
• May 21°C
• Jun 25°C
• Jul 27°C
• Aug 28°C
• Sep 23°C
• Oct 18°C
• Nov 13°C
• Dec 7°C

More in Russia

• Moscow
• St. Petersburg
• Kazan
• Yekaterinburg
• Vladivostok
• Nizhny Novgorod

Frequently asked questions about Sochi

What are the top-rated places to visit in Sochi?

The highest-rated places in our Sochi guide are Rosa Khutor, Sochi Arboretum (Dendrarium), Sochi Olympic Park, Riviera Park, Krasnaya Polyana Resort.

Where should I stay in Sochi?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Sochi: Central Sochi, Adler, Krasnaya Polyana.

How do I get around Sochi?

Ways to get around Sochi covered in our guide: City bus, Taxi, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Sochi?

Scams reported to us for Sochi include Overpriced street and beach taxis; Beach photo props and "free" offers; Inflated excursion touts. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Sochi?

Average daytime highs in Sochi run from 6°C in Jan to 28°C in Aug.

Which airport is nearest to Sochi?

The nearest airport to Sochi has the code AER.