Gelendzhik is considered one of the best resorts on the Black Sea coast. Firstly, it is very well located on the shores of a picturesque bay with a unique microclimate, comparable in its characteristics to the Mediterranean. Secondly, a large number of fairly good beaches makes the city attractive for beach lovers. Therefore, such an honorary title went to him not by chance.
The mountain slopes surrounding Gelendzhik are covered with dense vegetation, here and there vineyards are scattered, and in the vicinity there are numerous resort villages. Adherents of active tourism also have a place to turn around, as local hiking trails are considered one of the most picturesque within a radius of 100 km.
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What to see and where to go in Gelendzhik?
The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.
Gelendzhik Bay
A bay in the northeast of the Black Sea, which has been used for trade and strategic purposes since ancient times. Due to the shape of the bay and natural conditions, inside it there is a type of climate that is rare for Russia - dry subtropical. In 1900, the first sanatorium was opened here and since then the development of tourism has been increasing. Natural and artificial beaches cover two thirds of the bay area.
Gelendzhik embankment
It is believed that all city roads will certainly lead tourists to the city embankment. It stretches along the Gelendzhik Bay from Tolstoy Cape to Tonky and has a horseshoe shape. Some sources indicate that this promenade is the longest in the world, it stretches for as much as 14 km. But, nevertheless, the main infrastructure and attractions are located on an area not exceeding 3 km.
Beaches of Gelendzhik
City beaches are located along the entire Gelendzhik Bay. By category, they are divided into wild, at boarding houses and recreation centers, urban - only a few dozen places where you can swim and sunbathe. In terms of composition, they are pebble, rocky (with practically no convenient entry into the water) and sandy-pebble. The city is often referred to as one big beach, as their total number is close to 150.
Safari Park
An amusement park and an open-air zoo. It contains animals that once suffered from human cruelty and were brought to this place for rehabilitation. The very first inhabitants were animals selected from street photographers. Today, the park is inhabited by lions, bears, monkeys, wild boars, tigers, leopards, cougars, and wild birds. Visitors can visit the local maritime museum, arboretum and terrarium.
Park "Olympus"
Year-round tourist complex at the foot of the Markotkh ridge with attractions, hiking trails, restaurants, exhibitions, entertainment venues and its own mini-zoo. During the season in the evenings in the "Olympus" concerts are held, guests are entertained by animators. The park has several viewing areas from where you can admire the picturesque panorama of the Gelendzhik Bay environs.
Cable cars to Safari Park and Olympus Park
Tourists are taken to the Safari Park and the Olimp Park by cable cars. They are separate attractions in themselves. Ride tickets are usually sold together with entrance tickets to the entertainment areas. During the trip, tourists admire the mesmerizing mountain views (the views from the cable car to the Safari Park are more picturesque). During the season, transport systems are open until late at night.
Old park in Kabardinka
The village of Kabardinka is included in the municipal territory of Gelendzhik and, along with the city, is a popular resort. It has its own, no less interesting sights, the main of which, perhaps, can be called the Old Park - a picturesque landscape park. According to the creator's idea, it is divided into thematic zones: in one place, visitors will see ancient temples and statues, in another - rotundas and fountains of the 19th century, in the third - the legacy of the Soviet era, in the fourth - exotic plants.
Lermontovsky Boulevard
The alley is one of the most beautiful parts of the embankment. It stretches from Sadovaya Street to the White House Hotel. The boulevard is lavishly decorated with flower beds, fountains and sculptures. There are a large number of verandas and restaurants here. At the beginning of the street there is a 1956 monument to M. Yu. Lermontov. The poet is depicted in full growth in a military uniform. In 1998, the monument was restored.
Water parks of Gelendzhik
There are four water parks in the city and its suburbs: Dolphin, Begemot and Zolotaya Bukhta - the largest water entertainment complex in Russia, plus a small Coconut Paradise in Arkhipo-Osipovka. If there are always a lot of people in the "Golden Bay", then in the more modest size "Begemot" there is a chance not to stand in a long queue for the slide, thereby spending more time on entertainment.
Gelendzhik Dolphinarium
The Dolphinarium is a must-see item for tourists coming to Gelendzhik. Various shows featuring bottlenose dolphins, fur seals, beluga whales and walruses attract hundreds of visitors. It happens that dolphins are also involved in performances, which makes children indescribable delight. During the season, several performances are held here a day, always gathering a full audience.
Oceanarium "Ocean Park"
The Oceanarium is located in the center of the resort area by the waterfront. Aquariums with river and marine life are located on an area of 400 m². The territory is divided into three halls: freshwater and oceanic fish, coral reef fauna, marine predators. Here you can see sharks, piranhas, starfish, octopuses, lobsters, rays and many other inhabitants of the abyss. You can even book an excursion if you wish.
Gallery "White Horse"
An art gallery dedicated to contemporary art. The peculiarity of her collection is that all the paintings are made of rubbish. These works were made by children from dozens of cities in Russia and Ukraine as part of the 2014 environmental festival. On the basis of the museum, master classes are held for participants of all ages on the manufacture of art objects from materials intended for recycling.
Museum of History and Local Lore
The history of the museum is more than 100 years old; it is the main exhibition hall of the city. The complex consists of three branches: the main branch, the street exhibition and the Korolenko family estate. The exposition reflects the history of the indigenous peoples of the Western Caucasus since ancient times, tells about the events of the Caucasian wars and the Second World War. Also here you can see ethnographic and natural science collections.
House-Museum of V.G.Korolenko
The museum is located about 20 km from Gelendzhik on the Dzhanhot farm. The estate is an architectural monument of the early XX century. Inside there is a collection dedicated to the life and work of the writer and publicist V. Korolenko. Vladimir Galaktionovich lived in this house during his visits to the Black Sea coast. Here he created many of his works. The museum opened in 1964.
Holy Ascension Cathedral
The first temple appeared in Gelendzhik in the 1840s, it was built of wood and burned down a few years later. It was restored in 1864, but the stone building appeared only in 1909. The cathedral managed to avoid destruction, although it was repeatedly closed and used for other purposes. In the 1990s, the building was returned to believers, after which its restoration began. Today the Holy Ascension Cathedral is the cathedral church of Gelendzhik.
Sculpture "White Bride"
The graceful monument stands on the embankment of Gelendzhik and is a true decoration of the city space. It was installed in 2010 in honor of the opening of the next swimming season. It is believed that "Gelendzhik" is translated from the Turkic language as "White Bride", so this image was chosen for the future symbol of the city. Today the monument is one of the most recognizable landmarks of the resort.
"Assol and Scarlet Sails"
A composition on the theme of a story known to everyone from the work of Alexander Green appeared on the embankment in 2010 - 2011. It is a small boat with scarlet sails in the middle of a flower bed and a bronze figure of Assoli. The attraction immediately became popular with residents and guests who take pictures with pleasure here.
Fountain "Hearts in Love"
A sculptural composition from 2007, depicting the plot of the ancient legend of lovers, somewhat reminiscent of the theme from "Scarlet Sails". The fountain consists of figures of a girl and a boy embracing, standing on a round stone-pedestal in the middle of a small reservoir with water. It is believed that if you throw a coin into the water, you can successfully get married, so the attraction is very popular with young women.
Spring "Natasha"
Gate lighthouse of Gelendzhik
One of the oldest lighthouses on the Black Sea coast. It was built at the end of the 19th century and survived during the Great Patriotic War. Today the building is considered an architectural monument. It is noteworthy that the design is still working properly, although it is more than 100 years old. Throughout its existence, not a single detail has been replaced, except for the kerosene lamp. The height of the building is 13 meters.
Dolmens of Gelendzhik
Dolmens are ancient ritual structures, the purpose of which has not been fully disclosed. Perhaps these were burials or religious buildings. Gelendzhik dolmens are about 5 thousand years old, which makes them older than some of the Egyptian pyramids. Many tourists come to Gelendzhik precisely for the sake of these formations, to touch the ancient secrets and visit the “places of power”. In total, there are about 150 dolmens in the Caucasus.
Waterfalls on the river Janet
Water streams are in the valley near the village of Vozrozhdenie. This place is considered one of the most picturesque routes on the Black Sea coast. Two groups of cascades are located at some distance from each other, they are separated by 3.5 km. Tourists and locals alike swim in crystal clear water, arrange picnics in the meadows and simply enjoy the beauty of the virgin nature.
"Blue Abyss"
The camping is located in a pine grove, a 15-minute walk from the beach between Divnomorskoye and Dzhanhot. It is a quiet and peaceful place on a high bank for wild outdoor recreation. During the season, the Blue Abyss is visited by a huge number of vacationers, so your stay here can hardly be called secluded. Camping is paid, there are showers, toilets, wash basins. The nearest settlement is several tens of kilometers away.
Dzhankhot forest of pitsunda pine
Pitsunda pine is a relict tree listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation. This plant is a typical representative of the Mediterranean flora, but, unfortunately, it is gradually disappearing. On the Black Sea coast near Dzhanhot there is a fairly large grove with an area of 950 hectares where this species grows. The forest has not only aesthetic, but also conservation and scientific value.
Rock Sail
Natural monument on the Black Sea coast, which is located 17 km from Gelendzhik. It is a flat sandstone rock 25 meters high and 20 meters long. The outlines of the formation resemble a sail, for which the rock was named. At a height of about 2.5 meters, there is a small hole, the origin of which is not entirely clear. Some sources indicate that it was pierced during the Caucasian War.
