Sochi

Russia's Black Sea resort capital, where a subtropical palm-lined coast is just an hour from snowy Caucasus peaks, with 2014 Winter Olympics venues, Krasnaya Polyana ski resorts and the Skypark suspension bridge.

Sochi lies in Russia's Krasnodar Krai, stretching about 140 km along the northeastern Black Sea coast with the Caucasus Mountains at its back. It is Russia's most popular resort city and hosted the 2014 Winter Olympics. It's one of the few places in Russia with a subtropical climate: summers are hot and humid, winters on the coast are mild with little snow, yet the mountains are blanketed in deep snow, so "ski in the morning, beach in the afternoon" is the signature experience. The destination divides into three areas: central Sochi (the seafront promenade, the Sea Port terminal, the Arboretum, the Winter Theatre and Riviera Park); the Khosta–Matsesta area (Stalin's Dacha, the Agura Gorge, Mount Akhun and the Yew and Boxwood Grove); and Adler and Imereti (Olympic Park, Sochi Park and Skypark). About 40 km further into the mountains are the three main ski resorts of Krasnaya Polyana. Jun–Sep suits beaches and hiking, Dec–Apr is for skiing, and spring and autumn bring fewer crowds and pleasant weather. Getting around: Sochi International Airport in Adler connects to Moscow and other cities; Lastochka electric trains link Sochi, Adler, Olympic Park and Krasnaya Polyana, taking you from the seaside to the snow in about an hour. Plan on 4–6 days. Note: foreign bank cards generally don't work in Russia, so bring cash or set up a local payment method in advance; check the latest visa and safety advisories before travelling. Abkhazia to the south is close by but requires separate formalities and is not covered in this guide.

Top sights

Where to eat