Inexpensive holiday in Sukhum with two children: review from a mother. Resorts of Abkhazia: Gagra, Gudauta, Pitsunda, Sukhum, New Athos Gagra Pitsunda or Sukhum what to choose
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If you decide to go to Abkhazia on vacation, you will be faced with a logical question, which part of the country is best to go to? This small Caucasian republic is so diverse in historical and natural terms that it will be difficult for an inexperienced tourist to determine which resort in Abkhazia is best suited to the criteria that you set for recreation and wellness.
Abkhazia is a country created for relaxation
The main advantages of a holiday in Abkhazia are the opportunity to swim in the Black Sea, soak up the gentle sun on wide beaches, breathe clean air saturated with phytoncides and iodine, see ancient architectural monuments, while the comfortable season lasts from May to mid-November.
How to choose resorts in Abkhazia, if everywhere you can enjoy picturesque nature and beautiful ecology, which has survived to this day in almost its original form due to the absence of production and harmful industrial emissions. In Abkhazia they drink water from any waterfall, spring or mountain river. What makes the republic attractive for recreation is the presence of a large amount of fresh and high-quality locally produced products. At any market you can buy dairy products, cheeses, meat, homemade wine, chacha, delicious vegetables and fruits at the most affordable prices.
The country is also rich in excursion sites: ancient temples and monasteries, ancient castles and fortresses, sacred places, lakes, waterfalls, caves, nature reserves and parks of relict trees will satisfy the curiosity of the most sophisticated traveler.
Whatever resorts in Abkhazia you go to, you will be accompanied everywhere by fresh mountain air enriched with ions, a warm and mild climate, balneological springs and mineral mud, and, most importantly, the absence of a language barrier, since Abkhazians happily speak Russian .
A priority factor when planning recreation is the presence of a developed tourism infrastructure: sanatoriums, boarding houses, holiday homes, luxury hotels, mini-hotels or cozy and inexpensive housing in the private sector. In total, there are more than 200 health resorts in the country with various health benefits, so you can choose resorts in Abkhazia based on the purpose of your trip, age, individual preferences, quality and level of services provided, as well as the pricing policy of a particular accommodation facility.
Gagry - the main Abkhaz resort
During the Soviet Union, Abkhazia was positioned as one of the best holiday destinations for the state elite and wealthy Soviet citizens. The situation has not changed today; subequatorial Gagra remains the most visited resort in the republic: a cozy and picturesque city, framed on all sides by mountains, famous for its smooth pebble beaches and beautiful ancient buildings that bear the imprint of the centuries-old history of these places. No wonder Gagra was called the Russian analogue of “Monte Carlo”, explaining its popularity by the presence of developed infrastructure, excellent natural conditions and a large number of health and entertainment facilities. In addition to recreation and medical procedures, you can have a great time in Gagra: take a walk on the sea on a boat or yacht, fly on a parachute or paraglider, rent a catamaran, frolic with the whole family in a water park or stroll along eucalyptus alleys.
Nightlife is active in the city: restaurants, cafes, discos and nightclubs are open on the embankment. Despite the fact that prices here are higher than in the country as a whole, when asked which resort to choose in Abkhazia, most vacationers will answer Gagra.
Pitsunda - pristine beauty
Among admirers of Caucasian resorts, debates continue as to which is better - Gagra or Pitsunda. Each of the cities is unique in its own way and it is quite difficult to compare them due to the completely different sensations that you experience while being here.
Pitsunda is considered a health resort of all-Abkhaz importance, such is the concentration of sanatoriums and boarding houses. Since the city is located on the territory of the ancient Pitsunda nature reserve, it is especially easy to breathe here. Walking along quiet and cozy alleys and streets, you can enjoy the clean air under the canopy of relict trees and slender palm trees, while the sea and uncrowded beaches with golden sand are some of the cleanest in the entire republic.
While sunbathing, you can admire the small fishing boats cruising on the horizon and, if you're lucky, pods of dolphins playing happily in the azure waters of the Black Sea. Those who love solitude will be pleased by the variety of closed bays and lagoons, which can be reached by boat, and, if desired, also scuba diving under the water, crystal clear and lightly salted.
Of the excursion sites in Pitsunda, the Cathedral of St. Andrew the Apostle, the ruins of ancient Pitiunt, the ethnographic museum, the Pitsunda Temple, and the Khetsuriani House-Museum are of interest.
Sukhum - gastronomic paradise
Sukhum was founded 2500 years ago, this city is part of the history of Abkhazia, with long traditions, foundations and national characteristics. Most of all destroyed in the 90s, the resort is gradually returning to its former life and the status of one of the most visited places in the republic.
When choosing a vacation between a trip to Sukhum or Gagry, you should imagine that the capital of Abkhazia is less of a beach resort; a completely different atmosphere reigns here. Despite the sufficient number of sanatoriums, Sukhum is intended more for walking and leisurely pastime, without the fuss and crowds of vacationers.
It is difficult not to pay attention to the abundance of exotic trees and southern vegetation in which the city is buried: magnolias, oleanders, eucalyptus trees and centuries-old pines make Sukhum one of the most beautiful Black Sea resorts.
It is also generally accepted that nowhere in Abkhazia will you try such colorful national cuisine as in the capital. Local restaurants amaze with the variety of dishes and reasonable prices. Small cafes and eateries are always ready to bring true pleasure to everyone who appreciates fresh, organic products and homemade wines.
Among the city's attractions, it is worth noting the Aloisi Villa, the monkey nursery, the Dioscuria and Cibilium fortresses, the Bagrat Castle, the Kelasur Wall, the Beslet Bridge, and the Dou Pass.
New Athos - open air museum
All resorts in Abkhazia can boast of the presence of a large number of historical monuments and attractions. Where is it better to go for those who prefer to plunge headlong into the world of antiquities, see with their own eyes the ruins of castles and fortresses, and touch Christian churches and shrines? You can get all these sensations, diluting them with pleasant idleness on the luxurious spacious beaches in New Athos.
If you are going on vacation with the whole family and are hesitating between two options - Pitsunda or New Athos, where it will be better for you and your children depends on what travel goals you are pursuing. The city stretches along the entire seashore, so you will not have problems finding a place for air and sunbathing. This particular resort is perfect for a holiday with children: the calmness and leisurely nature, wonderful air, as well as the opportunity to feed the large numbers of swans, ducks and domestic donkeys that live here will appeal to kids and their parents.
The world-famous attractions of the resort will not leave anyone indifferent: the New Athos Monastery, waterfalls, one-of-a-kind caves, the unique Temple of Simon the Canaanite, the Anakopia Fortress, the Path of Sinners, Iverskaya Mountain, Stalin's Dacha, the Church of the Ascension of the Lord, the Inexhaustible Well.
New Athos has no equal in natural beauty, number of historical monuments and comfortable climate. Having visited this city once, you will keep the most pleasant memories of it in your soul.
Gudauta and Mussera - affordable resorts
When going on a tour of Abkhazia, you will hear different opinions about what to see, which area has a milder climate and cleaner sea water. Each city is unique in its own way and it is difficult to decide whether in Sukhumi or New Athos, in Pitsunda or Gagra - where it is better to relax, where the sights are more interesting and the prices are more affordable.
There are also lesser-known, but fantastically beautiful, unforgettable and cheap resorts in Abkhazia. Where to go to bypass standard recreation areas and enjoy visiting places that are unpopular among organized groups of tourists?
Gudauta and Mussera are an attractive area shrouded in legends and ancient tales, different from other regions of the republic in its privacy, unobtrusive attractiveness, cleanliness and the lowest prices on the entire coast. Gudauta is surrounded by citrus trees, the street is not crowded even in high season, and the wide beaches with small pebbles will appeal to lovers of a relaxing pastime.
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My husband and I were thinking about vacationing in Abkhazia 2017 - we both haven’t been there, and why not go to Abkhazia on vacation with the whole family? I decided to collect some information and figure out what was what. It seems to me that a vacation in Abkhazia can be no worse than at any other resort - and certainly more exciting than flying to Turkey for the tenth time. In addition, there is no need to obtain a foreign passport. It remains to deal with the nuances.
Where exactly to go
So, the first question that, in my opinion, should be resolved is where is the best place to relax in Abkhazia? If my husband and I were planning a trip to Abkhazia together, then, most likely, I would be less sensitive to this issue - we have few things, money in our pocket, we can always go to another city. But I’m unlikely to do this with children - it’s not possible to live with two brats everywhere, so I prefer to plan my holiday in Abkhazia with children carefully and find out about all the pitfalls in advance.
Where you can spend your holidays in Abkhazia in 2017:
- New Athos;
- Gudauta;
- Gechripsh;
- Bagripsh;
- Scallop;
- Alakhadze;
- Ldzaa;
- Primorskoe.
New Athos is probably familiar to everyone. In any case, most Russians have heard about this place. New Athos is a unique ancient town, which is comfortably hidden between two mountain ranges, Mount Athos and Mount Iverskaya. People have lived here since the third century after Christ.
Previously, New Athos was the residence of the Abkhaz rulers, and then the city turned into a capital. Somewhat later, in the second half of the nineteenth century, novices and monks from the monastery of Panteleimon came to New Athos and founded a monastery in these places.
Modern New Athos is a great place for a quiet and comfortable holiday. There are many tangerine gardens here, eucalyptus and magnolia trees grow almost everywhere, and you can also stroll along cypress alleys. The beaches here are beautiful, although pebbly. There are always free places, and in principle the resort can hardly be called crowded.
Pitsunda once became a place for a romantic trip for my parents, and since then it seems to me that Pitsunda is a kind of wonderland. The most picturesque resort is located on the territory of the Pitsunda Nature Reserve. Here you can get acquainted with a unique tree - Pitsunda pine.
Relic groves of mighty pines are almost everywhere - which means that the healing aroma mixes with fresh sea air and saturates vacationers with health and new strength.
What is tourist Pitsunda like? There is a tourist complex called “Pitsunda Resort” - several high-rise buildings that serve as boarding houses. Next to them is the central beach. However, there are plenty of beaches here - including those where miraculous pine trees grow.
Pitsunda will appeal to those who love walking and are ready to explore the sights - there are plenty of them here.
Gagra is probably the most fashionable resort in this region. Since the times of the USSR, families went to Gagra on vacation, it was customary to improve their health and start romances here, and now Gagra is a wonderful and picturesque place to relax with both family and friends.
Let’s not create illusions about the infrastructure throughout Abkhazia - it’s clear that the Country of the Soul still needs to grow to the level of European resorts, but Gagra is the very case when the infrastructure really exists. There are many sanatoriums and boarding houses, many restaurants and cafes, and there is a water park.
The beaches are mostly pebble, but large. If you like sandy beaches, then it is better to go to New Gagra, because Old Gagra is almost all covered with large stone beaches.
People also go to Gagra to get acquainted with the natural attractions of Abkhazia - parks and caves, protected areas and waterfalls, alpine lakes and much more await tourists.
When I was looking through the photographs, in addition to the cities, my attention was also drawn to one resort village - Tsandripsh. True, sometimes it is called Gantiadi, out of old memory, and not Tsandripsh - especially when it comes to older people. The main advantage, in my opinion (naturally, after the unique climate and gorgeous landscapes) is the location.
Tsandripsh is located five kilometers from the border, and there are quite a lot of tourists from Russia - they come here for a walk from the nearest town on the Black Sea coast, Adler. In my opinion, you can go to Tsandripsh on vacation with the whole family - you can always go for a walk in other places, and here you can enjoy peace and quiet.
The modern capital of Abkhazia, Sukhumi, should undoubtedly be in the list of places where it is better to go. The history of this amazing city lasts longer than the history of our civilization; there are echoes of almost all cultures here.
In my opinion, you should definitely go here (at least, I’m planning to). There are wild and civilized beaches, several sanatoriums, as well as a large number of mineral springs.
From the point of view of enriching your own health, this is a wonderful place, and leisure time will be very good here, after all, this is the capital - it will not be more interesting than here. Perhaps in Pitsunda, and only because the nature there is amazing.
Travel documents
Do you need a foreign passport to travel to Abkhazia? Russians can present both an internal and a foreign passport at the border, but residents of other countries will need a foreign passport.Where to relax in Abkhazia in the summer without problems with documents? Anywhere, throughout the territory of Abkhazia, Russians can vacation without a foreign passport. But if you are going on a trip with children, then you need to take with you the baby’s birth certificate with a special insert that confirms our citizenship.
If children are traveling accompanied by other persons, a power of attorney from relatives will be required.
Vacation prices
Now it’s time to calculate how much a vacation in Abkhazia in the summer will cost. In my opinion, the cost should be absolutely acceptable, but it is better to find out about any monetary expenses in advance.Abkhazia does not have its own currency; Russian rubles are used here, so everything should be easy and simple with prices.
The journey to Abkhazia begins, naturally, from the road. We live in the Moscow region, so all calculations were made along the Moscow - Abkhazia route. You can get there by train and plane. If you prefer to go on holiday in your car, then it’s worth calculating the amount about 15,000 rubles, this is exactly how much will be spent on travel in both directions, not counting expenses on the way and the cost of depreciation of the car.
Traveling to Abkhazia by train will cost much less. If you want to go from Moscow directly to Sukhumi, then travel will cost about 7000 rubles(this is for a round trip ticket per person). You can go the other way and go from Moscow to Adler - then the ticket price will be slightly lower, about 5800 rubles.
By plane from Moscow you can fly to Adler. There will be return tickets from 3500 rubles and up to 9000 rubles- this price range depends on the season, the availability of discounts and various special offers.
How much does a holiday in Abkhazia with accommodation cost? Here it must be said that prices depend directly on your preferences. For example, you can go on vacation to a nature reserve and live in a tent, then the costs will be 500-1000 rubles for each place for a tent.
People who prefer an inexpensive holiday in Abkhazia choose accommodation in guest houses - their prices fluctuate. The lowest price for accommodation in common dormitories with shared amenities is from 300 rubles. A room with a toilet and shower for 2-3 people will cost a little more - 1200 rubles.
Boarding houses with meals, apartments and cottages will cost a little more, but are also quite affordable - from 2,000 rubles per day.
When is the best time to vacation in Abkhazia to save money? A seaside holiday can be enjoyed inexpensively in Abkhazia - especially if you do not choose the high season and go on vacation in May or September.
By the way, a cheap holiday in Abkhazia can also be found on a last-minute tour. In general, Abkhazia is inexpensive, so you shouldn’t try to save too much - as a rule, it is not the most conscientious people who offer the lowest price.
How much money to take with you on a summer vacation
Calculate the cost of living for all vacationers for the required number of days, and then multiply this amount by 1.5-2 times - my experience suggests that this amount is enough to slightly improve living conditions on the spot (for example, choose a room with a more pleasant view or ask for an extra cot for the baby).
Think about nutrition issues. In principle, the cost of products here is the same as in Russia - prices are lower on the market, and higher in resort areas. You can eat in canteens - it will be cheap and tasty, but not too varied; you can visit restaurants.
Lunch in the dining room will cost approximately 500-600 rubles for two - this amount will include first and second courses, side dishes, soft drinks and simple desserts.
In restaurants, prices are higher - per vacationer it costs about 500 rubles for lunch, and 1000 rubles for dinner (if with alcohol). I prefer to count such expenses to the maximum than to then eat only soups.
Be sure to calculate the cost of entertainment. Even if you are going to lie on the beach all day long (which is hard to believe) - this still needs to be calculated.
So, the beaches in Abkhazia are free. Sun umbrellas - 200 rubles, sun loungers - 100 rubles. The beaches often have water activities for children, so it is better to determine the amount for a beach holiday with a reserve.
A visit to thermal springs will cost 150-200 rubles. The cost of visiting attractions varies, some are free and some are paid. In most cases, the prices, if you look carefully, are quite reasonable - no more than 500 rubles, and on average 150-250 rubles.
Excursions will cost 500-2000 rubles.
On average, the cost is as follows: for ten days per person it will take about 25-30 thousand rubles. It can be cheaper (for example, if you plan to lie on the beach and sleep), or it can be more expensive (what if you want to paraglide every day?).
Summing up
What is good about Abkhazia, where to go for impressions and what to see? In my opinion, it makes sense to immediately decide what you want more, whether it will be a beach holiday on the shore, or whether you want to go on excursions and some other attractions?
The advantage of Abkhazia, undoubtedly, is that all the most interesting things here are located on the seashore. Be it beaches, relict groves or ancient monasteries - all of Abkhazia stands on the seashore, not too far from the coastline.
Think about your route and entertainment. I planned to visit Gagra and Tsandripsh. I am attracted by the opportunity not to bother and not to do documents, but simply to travel with a Russian passport.
There are several large resorts where you can relax - almost all of them are available for early booking, and this applies to both hotels and ordinary guest houses (you can relax there in Abkhazia for ridiculous money).
I have been to Abkhazia more than once. I lived in different cities. They all have their advantages and disadvantages. If you know what you want to get from your vacation, then you can easily choose the right Abkhaz resort. I already know where is the best place to relax in Abkhazia, so I will help you make your final choice.
Where is the best place to go in Abkhazia
There are many popular resorts in Abkhazia, but they are all different from each other. I would like to highlight some of them. So:
- Gagra;
- Sukhum;
- Musser;
What impressed me most was Gagra. It is in Gagra that life is in full swing. There are many good restaurants and nightlife spots. Gagra quite big. They are conventionally divided into two parts - New Gagra And Old Gagra. We lived in Old Gagra. There are more picturesque views and excellent pebble beaches. IN New Gagra There are no such picturesque views anymore. But there is a good market and supermarket here. If we talk about housing prices, then Old Gagra it is more expensive than New.
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Although Abkhazia is a small country, we have several cities in which you can spend your holidays. Which one to choose depends on your preferences. If you want to lounge on a warm beach all day, you can do this anywhere - there are a lot of beaches in Abkhazia. But if, in addition to this, you plan to see the country or you need a more active holiday, then options already appear.
Comparison of resorts in Abkhazia
We have prepared for you a comparative analysis of popular resorts in Abkhazia. Several criteria were chosen for this:
- Beaches - quality and availability of equipped beaches in the city.
- Entertainment - availability of entertainment.
- Prices are a general criterion for the cost of everything: products, hotel stays, services.
- Attractions - availability of interesting attractions within walking distance.
- Crowded - for those who do not want to walk in a crowd of tourists
- Transport accessibility - the criterion determines how easily you can get to the resort, or from it to other cities.
Each criterion is assessed on a 5-point scale. The assessment is quite subjective, but should give a general understanding.
The result was a summary table like this:
And now in more detail why exactly this is so
Where is it cheaper to relax in Abkhazia?
Compared, for example, with the resorts of the Krasnodar Territory, holidays in Abkhazia are cheaper. But every year these differences are slowly disappearing. Vacations are becoming more expensive, but the quality of services remains the same. We really hope that one day this trend will stop.
In Abkhazia there is also a gradation of cities according to the price of vacation. As you might expect, prices are higher in cities with the most tourists. This primarily concerns, and. In the summer, everyone is trying to make money from tourists, and accordingly, prices are inflated. Things are better in, where there are not so many tourists, and therefore prices are lower. The best situation is in Sukhum due to the fact that competition is higher, and in Tsandripsha, where the border is nearby.
The best places in Abkhazia for a beach holiday.
As we wrote above, sand and pebble or rocky beaches stretch almost along the entire coast of Abkhazia. In cities, you can rent a sun lounger, a beach umbrella, or go to a coastal cafe. But despite this, we can single out the undisputed leader in the category of cities convenient for a beach holiday - the city. It is located on the shores of Pitsunda Bay, which protects the city’s beaches from storms. Thanks to this, the water in Pitsunda is cleaner than in any other place on the coast of Abkhazia. The famous one, which stretches along the seashore for more than 10 kilometers, also contributes to comfort.
We placed both in second place in the ranking. The beaches in these cities are extensive, fairly clean and well-maintained. There are also popular well-maintained beaches, for example Mocha Beach, but the rating is reduced for the dirty sea in the city center, the most accessible place for swimming.
Entertainment in Abkhazia.
Among the usual entertainment for sea holidays in Abkhazia, there are various kinds of sea attractions - parasailing, rental of scooters, catamarans, children's trampolines, shooting galleries, and so on. That is, exactly what comes to mind when you think about a seaside holiday in the territory of the former USSR. The largest number of similar attractions are in the resort towns of Gagra and Pitsunda.
As for evening and night life, there are no usual nightclubs in Abkhazia. Cafes and restaurants host impromptu discos in the evenings. In addition to tourists, local young guys usually come to them, whose goal is to meet tourists. Theft is rampant on dance floors, so keep a close eye on your belongings.
Sights of Abkhazia.
And finally we moved on to the main wealth of Abkhazia - our nature and history. We have many beautiful places, waterfalls, mountain lakes, caves, a visit to which will remain in your memory for many years. Many structures dating back more than a thousand years have also been preserved. These are primarily Christian churches, the construction of which dates back to the first millennium AD. We also wrote a special article that contains attractions.
Many places on the coast can be reached by public transport. Things are worse when traveling to the mountains. If you have a car, then there are no problems at all.
In terms of the concentration of the most interesting places, the undisputed leader among cities is New Athos. People come here specifically to visit and climb Iverskaya Mountain to see the ancient capital of Abkhazia. Sukhum and Gagra are also on the second level of the ranking - there is also something to visit here. In other cities there are few attractions, so their rating is even lower.
Transport accessibility.
The easiest way to get around is by public transport in Sukhum and Gagra. Minibuses run frequently within cities, and if you need to go to another city, it won’t be a trip.
Tsandripsh is the easiest to get to, it is located just a few kilometers from the Russian border. Gudauta and New Athos are located on the main route passing through the entire territory of Abkhazia, so many intercity buses pass between all these cities. There is less transport to Pitsunda, or you need to get there with transfers, this is what causes the small score.
Results.
- The first place was shared by and. Sukhum stands out for its low prices for food and housing, and Gagra scored points due to transport accessibility and services provided in the city.
- . The city came in second place due to the number of attractions within walking distance. If you are going to Abkhazia to see more, we recommend settling in New Athos.
- . We recommend vacationing in Pitsunda to those who will spend a lot of time at sea. Here it is the best in Abkhazia.
- Took fourth place. It is easiest to get here from the border; the city is located just a few kilometers away. On the other hand, other than this, there is nothing remarkable here.
- Gudauta. Gudauta is also not particularly remarkable, like Tsandripshe, we recommend staying here for those who like a quiet and relaxing holiday.
Resort Gagra located 22 km from Sochi Airport in Abkhazia.
Gagra is the warmest and driest place on the entire Black Sea coast of the Caucasus, since Gagra is surrounded on all sides by mountain ranges.
The microclimate of the resort has a number of healing properties, so numerous sanatoriums were created on its territory. The local beaches are small-pebble.
Holidays here are suitable for both families with children and young people.
Along the coastline of Gagra there is a wide embankment lined with numerous bars, restaurants and clubs.
There is a water park in the city center that offers a large number of attractions.
There are several dive centers in the city that organize dives to the flooded ancient cities of the Roman Empire (2nd-1st centuries BC). These cities include Dioskuria near Sukhumi, Anakopia near New Athos and Pitiunda near Pitsunda. The diving depth here varies from 10 to 50 m. Also in the coastal waters of Abkhazia, at the bottom of the sea, there are sunken ships of Ancient Rome, ships and aircraft of modern history, which will be of interest to lovers of wreck diving.
In the city itself, among the historical attractions, the ancient fortification of Zhoekvara, which stands at the mouth of the river of the same name, the Khashup fortress and the fortress temple on the territory of the Seaside Park, have been preserved. The fortification of Joëquart was built by the Romans in the 4th-5th centuries AD. The fortress walls, in the construction of which masonry from large square blocks was used, as well as the fortress gate with an arch, are well preserved.
The seaside park was founded at the beginning of the 20th century. About 1000 species of plants are collected here - there are date and coconut palms, magnolias, Syrian mallow, candy tree, oleanders, Himalayan cedars and oriental plane trees. On the territory there is a fortress temple from the 6th century, which houses the Museum of Ancient Abkhaz Weapons.
Excursions to the mountains to Lake Ritsa and the Ritsinsky National Relict Park depart from Gagra. Lake Ritsa is located in the northern part of Abkhazia at an altitude of 1000 m above sea level. They get to it through the Bzyb Gorge, along the bottom of which the Bzyb River flows. On the way to the lake you can see several waterfalls. - the "Women's Tears" waterfall, which flows down steep rocks, the "Men's Tears" waterfall, which was named so because it is very difficult to see the level from which the water flows, because it is located too high, and the Gegsky waterfall, which gives rise to the Gega River, breaking out from the center of the rock.
Also, before reaching Lake Ritsa, you can see the Blue Lake, the water of which is actually blue. The water temperature in the lake is only 4 degrees Celsius. Lake Ritsa is famous for the fact that above it, at an altitude of 1700 m above sea level, there is the Avadhara mineral spring, which is located on the territory of the Ritsa National Relict Park. The park was founded in 1930 to protect the Colchis mountain forests. The area of the park is 16 thousand hectares. It is home to aurochs, roe deer, Caucasian chamois, the endangered Caucasian red deer, brown bears, wild boars, wolves, foxes, jackals, wild Caucasian cats and martens.
City Gudauta located on the Black Sea coast of Abkhazia between Pitsunda and Sukhumi.
There are beaches along the coastline of Gudauta where you can relax. The beaches of the resort are mainly composed of gravel, and in the eastern part they become sandy.
There are historical sites in the vicinity of the city. The Musser temple is one of the most significant religious monuments of Abkhazia of the 10th-11th centuries. Its ruins, covered with vegetation, stand in a small clearing.
The facade of the temple, which is decorated with three arches, has been well preserved to this day. Also be sure to go to the Lykhnensky Palace. It is famous for its paintings, the oldest of which date back to the 8th century. The Gudauta Museum of Local Lore is very interesting. The museum has rooms dedicated to the victims of the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict, archeology and ethnography.
Hydrogen sulfide, sodium chloride and iodine bromide mineral springs were also discovered near Gudauta. Gudauta mineral water is widely known outside the republic, and its healing properties are used in sanatoriums to treat various diseases.
Pitsunda- the most popular resort in Abkhazia. It is a small village located 90 km north of Sukhum and 15 km south of Gagra.
People began to settle here even BC. During the Roman Empire, the ancient city of Pityus was located here. Its ruins have survived to this day; in Pitsunda you can find stone walls, temples, towers, water supply and sewerage systems left over from those times.
Part of the ancient city of Pityus today rests on the seabed. You can explore the underwater ruins of Pityus at the resort’s dive centers, which can be found on the coast.
In the Middle Ages, Pitsunda was the residence of bishops, as evidenced by the 10th century Church of the Mother of God, which is decorated with frescoes. There is a museum on the territory of the temple, which tells about the history of Pitsunda.
All Pitsunda beaches are sandy, and the coastal waters are considered the cleanest on the coast of Abkhazia.
The popularity of the resort was brought by the Pitsundo-Myussersky Nature Reserve, which is adjacent to the village and stretches for 7 km along the coast. There are about 27 thousand unique Pitsunda pines growing in the reserve. These trees are relict, as they grew in these places 2 million years ago.
Pitsunda pine is found only on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus and nowhere else in the world. The Pitsunda resort owes its popularity to the reserve, because pine trees fill the air with ozone, which has a healing effect on the human body. Next to it is a boxwood grove, which is also popular among tourists as a place for walking and relaxing.
Lake Inkit is also interesting on Cape Pitsunda. Inkit is a small lake, its area is 0.6 square meters. km. It is fed by the waters of the Bzyb River. There is a legend that during the time of the Roman Empire, an ancient temple stood on the site of the lake, but as a result of the lowering of the banks of the Inkita, the temple found itself under water.
Sukhum- the capital of Abkhazia. The city is located on the Black Sea coast.
Now there are many sights left here that remind of the historical past of the city.
On the Dioscuri embankment you can see the ruins of the Sukhumi fortress, which was founded at the end of the 1st century AD. At that time, the ancient city of Sebastopolis flourished here, as evidenced by the original Roman brickwork that dominates most of the fortress's structures. During the Ottoman rule, the Sukhum-Kale fortress stood in this place.
In the south-eastern part of Sukhumi, Bagrat Castle is interesting. It was erected on a high hill under the king of the united Georgia Bagrat III in the 10th-11th centuries. Thick walls have survived to this day; their thickness reaches 1.8 m. Now they are overgrown with ivy and look very picturesque. There are also remains of an underground passage leading to a nearby stream.
The Besletsky Bridge, which is laid across the Basla River, is impressive. It was built in the 12th century under Queen Tamara. The total length of the bridge is 35 m, and the width is 4.7 m. Its load capacity reaches 8 tons. The arch of the bridge is made of square limestone slabs, which are fastened with lime mortar. On the side edge of the bridge, a carved inscription in ancient Georgian letters was discovered on hewn slabs. During the research it was proven that the inscription was made in the 11th-12th centuries.
5 km from the city center there are the ruins of a huge tower made of boulders, which is the beginning of the Kelasur (Great Abkhazian Wall). The wall stretches from the sea along the gorges and mountains of Abkhazia for 160 km. It was built in the 6th century AD. by order of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian. The wall had a defensive function and consisted of almost 2000 towers, the distance between which varied from 50 to 300 m. It ends at the right bank of the Ingur River.
You can learn about the past of Sukhum at the Abkhaz State Museum. It was founded in 1919. The museum presents exhibitions telling about nature, archeology, history, ethnography of this region, and the entire republic as a whole. There is a unique archaeological find here - a marble tomb stele (5th century BC), which was found at the bottom of the bay.
Be sure to go to the Botanical Garden, where more than 5 thousand species of plants from all over the planet are collected. The area of the Botanical Garden is 30 hectares, and the demonstration part is 5 hectares. The main attraction of the Botanical Garden is the 250-year-old Caucasian linden tree, which grew here even before the garden was founded. A little to the north is the Research Institute of Experimental Pathology and Therapy of the Academy of Sciences of Abkhazia with the famous monkey nursery.
It is very interesting to stroll through the Sukhumi Arboretum in the eastern part of the city. The arboretum was founded at the end of the 19th century. 850 species of plants from various regions of the world are collected here, and representatives of local flora make up only 1% of the total exhibition.
North of Sukhumi along the Black Sea coast there is a city New Athos.
It is famous for the fact that the largest religious building in the republic is located here - the Orthodox Simono-Kananitsky monastery. The monastery was founded in 1875 by Russian monks who preached in Greece in the Panteleimon Monastery.
The Simono-Kananitsky monastery stands at the foot of Mount Athos at an altitude of 75 m above sea level. It was erected near the ancient temple of the Apostle Simon the Canaanite. According to legend, this is where this apostle of Jesus Christ preached.
The monastery houses a miraculous cross with a particle of the Tree of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord. Not far from the monastery there is a cave in which Simon the Canaanite retired and prayed. The cave is consecrated, and inside it stands an icon of the holy apostles Andrew and Simon.
In New Athos there is one of the largest caves in the world - the New Athos Cave. This is an extensive karst cavity with a volume of about 1 million cubic meters. m. It is located in Apsara Mountain. In 1975, an artificial tunnel was built to the cave, through which the Tourist electric train now runs. In the New Athos cave you can see stalactites, stalagmites and lakes, which are illuminated by special lanterns. There are nine large halls in total. The largest hall is the "Speleologists' Hall". Its length is 260 meters, height - up to 50 meters, width - up to 75 meters. The highest hall of the cave is the Apsara Hall. Its height is up to 70 meters.
There are several ancient castles in the vicinity of New Athos. The most interesting of them is located on the site of the ancient city of Anakopia. The ruins of the Anakopia fortress are the remains of a wall in the form of a small ring, which was built from large, well-processed limestone blocks. The entrance to the fortress is protected by three monoliths with paintings in the form of animals and crosses. Inside the fortress walls there is an inexhaustible well, the phenomenon of which has not yet been solved.