City Guide: Sochi

At first thought, it may not seem plausible that Russia has long beaches bathed in sunlight. However; the city of Sochi –situated in Krasnodar Krai- emerges as a stunning vacation spot with its unique location on the shore of the Black Sea and the outskirts of Caucasian Mountains. Such that, it is known as the top spot for vacationers in Russia. Millions of people come to the region every year to spend their vacations and benefit from the region’s unique mineral water with healing properties. The city developed as a vacation spot after 1902. The 140 kilometer-long resting area on the sea side of the Sochi city area was built in 1961. Today, the city is getting ready to host the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.

The local people of the area, Ubykhs, were forcefully removed from their homeland like other Circassian groups, and exiled to the Ottoman Empire and located in the swamps between middle Kuban and Laba rivers under supervision while few who escaped and took refuge in the mountains were exiled to the Kuban region by Russian soldiers. The city of Sochi was built on the area consisting of both sides of Sochi River and outskirts of two hills overseeing the Black Sea, which was opened to Russian settlement in 1896.

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• Tourist Attractions

  Major hotels stand out in almost every part of the city, which is mostly green. Zapolyarya Sanatorium, spread out on a large area, is made up of facilities built by the nickel producer with same name for its work force.
  
  Tourism picks up speed in May. Not only the city’s beaches, but also its port take their share from this high volume. Among the yachts that come to the port from Europe, it is possible to see some with Turkish flags. Facilities in Sochi usually serve visitors who come from the north. These visitors, who come from relatively colder areas, find the underground streams of Sochi –rich in minerals- quite warm.
   
  The starting point of a trip originating from downtown could be the mosaic relief of Lenin located just there. Tropical Park, opened in 1892, is the largest botanical garden in Russia. The Art Gallery -open for service in buildings dating from 1930s- Theater, Station, Port, and Historical Churches are among other places to see for visitors.
  
  The Postal Service, which generally is open for service in historical buildings, is located in a brand new building in Sochi. The sickle-hammer monument located in the square in front of the administrative building bears the history of almost a century.

• Culture & Entertainment

  After it became definite that Sochi would host the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, the city has begun undergoing a major change. 11 new athletic complexes and  2 olympic villages are being built by the local government. Construction of these large premises requires changing the whole infrastructure. Luxury estates which are built in this region meet the needs of Russians who live in the inner parts of the country. It also appeals to wealthy Arabs for its not-too-hot climate and green nature. The population of Sochi reaches two million during summer and specifically the month of June, when the traditional “Kinotavr” Film Festival is organized.

• Food & Drink

  Although the real owners of the land, the Caucasian peoples, have been gone against their will from the region for a very long time; their traces on the cuisine still linger. The Caucasian cuisine still reigns with its striking marks, symbols, sayings, and dishes. According to traditions, the banquet starts with three kinds of bread-pastries, people give thanks to God followed by parents and siblings on the table presided over by Tamada, and then the hosts and guests are given a chance to speak. Every speaker is listened to standing up, empty bottles are never left on the table, and nothing offered by the speaker is refused. Numerous other rituals and traditions are followed to the book.

• Shopping

Ticket Sales Offices: Sochi

• Sochi: Airport Map Information

  Adler Sochi Airport

  Address	:	Adler-Sochi Interntional Airport 354355, Sochi, Airport
  Phone	:	00 +7 (8622) 44-00-25

• Sochi: Airport Map Information