Are there parachutes on the beach. The best sandy beaches of Abkhazia
“Paradise corners” and “land of the soul” - that is how Abkhazia was always called. Gagra is an integral and one of the brightest parts of Abkhazia. The subtropical climate, the unique beauty of the Black Sea coast, the richest and most varied flora, few areas of the former USSR (including the present CIS countries) have something like that…. Sea and sea air, vegetation and aromas of its fragrance are all additional natural components of such a unique treatment as aromatherapy.
To them, you need to add incomparable with any places the rays of the sun, the sea breeze and the natural moisture of the fertile land, which can enhance the beneficial effects of all other components. You look at the photo of the beach in Gagra, and it becomes clear why people have chosen this place for their residence along the entire coast of Abkhazia since ancient times, and from the Romanov era, the entire Soviet period to the present day, the entire infrastructure of sanatorium treatment has been created, preserved and developed. equipped beaches. The beaches of Gagra are an opportunity to simply and pleasantly lie on the sand and take sun and air baths, this is an opportunity to go surfing, diving or deep-sea fishing or other sea activities. The exceptional scenic beauty of the local nature (turbulent rivers, the proximity of mountain peaks, subtropical vegetation) will help enhance the impressions of the fishing success achieved during the day. 
Relaxation in the company of friends by the evening fire with pleasant conversation under your ear and soft music. For those who are not fishing, there is plenty of evening entertainment needed to change from daytime to beaches. For example, it can be pleasant parties in restaurants and bars, everyone can choose them according to their taste and possibilities. It offers shops and cafes, excursions and walks.
The relatively flat surface of the Black Sea coast, which was formed as a result of centuries of exposure to water and wind, turned out to be an attractive place for mass swimming, sunbathing and air baths, which are indispensable attributes of the best rest during the vacation period - these are well-known and popular throughout the world. residents of the former Soviet Union, the beaches of Gagra. 
The updated equipment and improved arrangement of the beaches - everything is designed for a successful modern young man who prefers rest in Abkhazia, which is close to Russia, to rest on the Turkish shores. Beautiful and effectively protecting from excess sun umbrellas, sun loungers, comfortable and clean toilets, beach cabins - there is everything that makes the beach considered cultural and not wild, on the other hand, contributing to the preservation of harmony with nature. Having visited such a well-equipped (in accordance with modern ideas) beach, people do not want to go to Turkey or other regions.
From Soviet times to the present time, unique health resorts have been preserved and modernized, offering unique methods of treatment and restoration of human health. Comfortable spa buildings and a large number of hotels with different levels of services are able to satisfy all the most varied tastes of clients (from economy class to premium class). They are located close to the sea coast. When choosing them, you can discuss all the conditions with the operator and view photos of the beaches of Gagra. The pearl of the Black Sea - Abkhazia - will receive vacationers with all the truly Caucasian hospitality. Gagra has always been considered the most tourist city in Abkhazia. 
These ancient places are covered with legends, the poetry and content of which are fascinating even today. Summer vacation in Abkhazia is an opportunity to immerse yourself in a fairy-tale world and get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday city life.
Gagra are beaches covered with small pebbles, which are pleasant to walk on even barefoot. Occasionally here you can find sandy shores, however, clean, crumbly sand in Gagra is a great success, sandy beaches in total occupy only 4 km here, from the 53-kilometer coast. Such sandy areas are in the greatest demand, therefore, at the height of the holiday season, you can meet the largest number of tourists on them. 
Basically, the beaches of Gagra are available for public use, only a small part of the coastal territories belongs to private and state sanatoriums and boarding houses. Entrance to such beaches is available only to guests of these places, however, some establishments allow everyone to soak up the beach for a separate surcharge. The infrastructure of the beaches of Gagra is rather poorly developed, although occasionally here you can find places for renting water transport or renting a sun lounger.
Basically, Gagra is a place of pilgrimage for people who prefer a wild, original form of recreation. Conventionally, the entire beach area of \u200b\u200bGagra can be divided into two parts:
The beaches of Old Gagra
Old Gagra means the historical part of the city. It will be interesting for a tourist to look at the many pre-revolutionary buildings here, but a real beach-goer simply will not be able to forget its strikingly beautiful beaches. Often, visiting the sights located in the historical part of the city is successfully combined with relaxation on the warm, azure coast of the Gagra, because all these places are located just a few minutes walk from each other. 
The entertainment infrastructure of the beaches of Old Gagra is poorly developed, or it would be more accurate to say that it is not there at all. These places are well suited for lovers of a simple, quiet and relaxed holiday on the seashore. Along the coastline of Old Gagra, you can find more than a dozen different sanatoriums, from the windows of which simply amazing views of the sea open up.
In addition to cozy and fairly inexpensive sanatoriums, you can also find quite good restaurants here, teeming with delicious dishes of both traditional cuisine and the most famous culinary capitals of the world. Lovers of real, live beer will enjoy one of the most popular beer halls in the city, called Stepan Razin.
The vegetation of the coast of old Gagra is truly amazing. Here you can find, not only pines, oleanders and cypresses, but even palms that are uncharacteristic for this climatic zone.
Photos of the central beaches of New Gagra and its surroundings
On the beaches of New Gagra, you can fully enjoy a comfortable stay. Both the entertainment and tourist infrastructure of New Gagra remains at the highest level.
However, here you can also find some disadvantages.
Due to the rapid dominance of these places by various social groups of vacationers, in the very height of summer it is often very dirty and littered here. The coast of the central beach in Novaya Gagra mainly consists of pebbles.
For families with small children, this place can become a real paradise for relaxation. There is a full-fledged water park in Novaya Gagra, as well as a number of gaming establishments. The descent into the water here is smooth, most of the beach areas are shallow, which is another argument in favor of choosing this place for families with children.
But fans of nudist beaches in the holiday season in Gagra have nothing to do.
The thing is that, for now unknown reasons, this type of beach holiday has not taken root at all in Abkhazia.
However, if there are no special places reserved for lovers of "natural" recreation here, this does not mean that this type of recreation is not practiced here. 
Immediately after the end of the holiday season, in September, when the weather is still warm enough and the sea has not cooled down, in some secluded places of Old Gagra you can meet whole groups of people relaxing without clothes.
"Honey, take me to Gagra!" - so in Soviet times, girls insisted on luxurious and comfortable rest, following the example of the heroine of the Soviet film "Ivan Vasilyevich is changing his profession." During the years of the former USSR, rest in Gagra was really considered premium, only stars, actors, directors, in general, the "cream" of Soviet society, could afford it.
BEACH HOLIDAY IN Gagra
Today rest in Abkhaziaavailable to almost everyone, it is chosen much more often than Turkey, Egypt or the Emirates. There are several reasons for this: it is easy to get there by personal transport, you can choose any region of Abkhazia for recreation, depending on your preferences, and the price for a vacation is much lower than that offered by foreign tour operators. The main reasons for such a choice of compatriots are the exciting flavor of the region, the amazing hospitality of the inhabitants, the unusual local cuisine, the gentle sea and the stunning natural beauty of the surroundings. All this can be found in one city of Abkhazia - in Gagra. The beaches of this resort have always attracted travelers with their neatness and some originality.
Gagra Central Beach
Address: Gagra Beach, Gagra, Abkhazia.
Beaches in Gagramostly covered with small pebbles, but there are pebbles with texture and more. In some areas there are also sandy beach areas, where there are always a lot of people. On the Central Beach of Gagra, which is most in demand during the "high" season, the coast is a sandy bar with a shallow entrance to the sea. This part of the resort town is chosen mainly by tourists who come with small children.
For a comfortable family vacation, literally everything is offered here: rental of sun loungers and sun loungers, attractions on the water for children and adults, you can rent a scooter, catamaran, jet ski and so on. Kids can happily spend the whole day in the water park located near the beach area.
Often travelers come to Central Beach in the morning to go fishing, while those who are tired of the summer heat boldly combine passive beach recreation with playing tennis - courts for this purpose are located not far from the embankment. The infrastructure here is quite developed, including cafes and bars, where it is offered to have an inexpensive and tasty lunch.
The beaches of Old Gagra
Address: Old Gagra, Gagra, Abkhazia.
The very popular Gagra beach, located in the old part of the city. It is relatively uncrowded here. Almost nothing has been invested in this area since Soviet times, there are no private 
and boarding houses. The same sanatoriums and hotels that remained from the past still find their tourists. Those who are not accustomed to the hustle and bustle of a large crowd of people like to rest here - in contrast to the same New Gagra, which is considered youth and modern.
Basically, the beaches of Old Gagra are public, but they are found on the coast and areas belonging to sanatoriums, where they charge a certain entrance fee. The coast here is strewn with small pebbles, but the entrance to the sea can be difficult because the boulders are much larger in the sea water - this can cause significant inconvenience.
On the embankment, you can compensate for all the shortcomings due to the Caucasian cuisine - here the attention of many travelers is offered good restaurants and cafes that attract the opportunity to taste little-known culinary masterpieces. As for fruits, because of their low price, you can saturate the body with vitamins in just one vacation so that it will last for a year. Tangerines, peaches, persimmons - even locals sometimes treat tourists with fruits from their private garden.
Sand and pebble beach of the "Solnechny" boarding house
Address: boarding house "Solnechny", village Kholodnaya Rechka, Gagra, Abkhazia.
Of course, if you go to Gagra for a comfortable stay, then it is better to choose good places, with clean and well-groomed beach areas of the coast. Then we will talk about a private beach, access to which is exclusively available to the guests of the Solnechny boarding house. It is located near the Russian-Abkhaz border, so Russians are frequent guests here.
The beach area here is stunning, combining conditions even for the most capricious holidaymakers. On the coast there are both sand and pebbles, which is an ideal condition for families with children. Sheds and sunbeds, changing cabins, and for an additional fee, you can pamper yourself with any of the types of attractions - bananas, parachutes, even a walk along the coast on a yacht.
Beach of the boarding house "Gagra"
Address: boarding house Gagra, prospect Nartaa, 36, Gagra, Abkhazia.
The same can be said about the beach of the Gagra boarding house. It is clean and calm here, nearby are local attractions - the Park of the Prince of Oldenburg, symbolizing the revival of the resort, the colonnade and the restaurant, which, according to legend, was built without a single carnation.
The beach here is private, there are conditions for a cozy and relaxing pastime. Swimming in the sea can be combined with boat trips on the sea, massage, reading books in the library or playing billiards.
Holidays in Abkhazia have not lost their popularity, because every corner of this region is shrouded in many secrets and legends, Gagra is no exception to the rule. You can spend your vacation here according to your taste, inexpensive and not boring!
In the Soviet past, Gagra was one of the most popular resorts in Abkhazia, it was considered quite prestigious to rest here - every citizen of a large country secretly dreamed of getting a ticket to one of the local sanatoriums. The city began to purposefully turn into a resort area with the active assistance of Prince A.P. Oldenburgsky, who did a lot to improve the Black Sea coast.
Starting in the 1990s, Gagra gradually fell into decay due to wars, conflicts, lack of funding and general instability, although tourists, despite everything, continued to come to this wonderful city, albeit in much smaller numbers. Today Gagra is a legacy of a bygone era with a touch of nostalgia, quiet beaches, magnificent parks and picturesque natural attractions.
The best hotels and hotels at affordable prices.
from 500 rubles / day
What to see and where to go in Gagra?
The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.
1. Gagra colonnade
This is one of the most famous sights not only of the city, but of the whole of Abkhazia. It is located next to Seaside Park. Tourists entering the country from the direction of Sochi first of all pay attention to this building, as it is clearly visible from the road. The colonnade was built in the 1950s. It is a structure of arched spans and porticoes surrounded by lush tropical vegetation.
2. Seaside park
The park was founded at the beginning of the 20th century. Throughout the century, it was a favorite place for guests of the city - walking along the alleys, they breathed in the fresh scent of pine needles, mixed with the salty sea breeze, and admired exotic plants brought here from different parts of the world. The park stretches for several kilometers along the coast, its area is more than 14 hectares. One of the most striking compositions is the Sagittarius fountain sculpture located in the middle of the pond: the figure of a young man with a bowed bow, from where a stream of water escapes.
3. Beaches of Gagra
The beaches of Gagra stretch along the coast for several tens of kilometers. All bathing areas are open for free access, even those located at boarding houses. Conventionally, they are divided into the beaches of New and Old Gagra: the first has more developed infrastructure and more people, the second, located closer to the border, are perfect for tourists looking for a quiet rest. The entire coast is covered with small and large pebbles.
4. Gagra water park
Like any self-respecting seaside resort, Gagra has its own water park of pretty decent size. There are many attractions-slides of various difficulty levels, seven pools, a food court area, where you can order Abkhaz cuisine in restaurants. In the summer season, the water park organizes night sessions with discos and an entertainment program that lasts until the morning.
5. Castle of the Prince of Oldenburg
The castle-residence of Prince A.P. Oldenburgsky, a relative of the emperor, a public figure who, during the time of Nicholas II, was engaged in the improvement of the Black Sea coast. The building was built in the Art Nouveau style in 1902, it is located in the bowels of the picturesque Primorsky Park. In Soviet times, the Chaika boarding house was located in the castle. After the collapse of the USSR, the building was plundered, and it fell into decay. All that a tourist can see today is the remnants of a former luxury.
6. Restaurant "Gagripsh"
"Gagripsh" has been hosting guests since the beginning of the 20th century. Immediately after the opening, the restaurant became a symbolic place of Gagra, it was visited by many famous personalities: Nicholas II, I. A. Bunin, F. I. Shalyapin, and later I. V. Stalin. We can say that it was from this institution that the history of the city as a popular resort began. "Gagripsh" is chic historical interiors, excellent cuisine, wide panoramic windows overlooking the Primorsky Park, and a special atmosphere.
7. Cinema "Gagra"
The cinema is located on Primorsky Boulevard. Films began to be shown here not immediately, at first the building served as a winter theater. The building was built in the classical style: the entrance portico is supported by a slender row of columns, the symmetrical facade is decorated with laconic decor. At the moment, the building is abandoned, but from the outside it looks quite picturesque and even well-groomed.
8. Railway station building
The passenger station, which in the past years was one of the most demanded in the country. The building was built in the middle of the 20th century, so everything that has survived, outside and inside, is the legacy of the USSR. The building is an example of the Soviet classical style: a monumental facade, columns, painted ceilings, massive chandeliers and arched enfilades. Today the once majestic structure is abandoned.
9. Abaata fortress
The structure of the Early Middle Ages, presumably built in the 5th-6th centuries. At different times, the bastion belonged to the Byzantines, Genoese, Russians - each owner made his own changes in its architectural appearance. In the XX century, a hotel was built on the territory of the fortress. The remains of the fortress walls, the church of St. Hypatia Gagra, where the museum operates, and a hotel with a restaurant.
10. Church of Abaat
Church of St. Hypatia Gagra is a functioning church run by the Abkhaz Orthodox Church. The building was erected in the 6th century (according to another version, in the 10th century). It is an example of Byzantine architecture, or rather, its Caucasian interpretation, and has great cultural value. The building has powerful walls made of rough hewn stone, narrow windows and a gable roof topped with a stone cross.
11. Tsandripshskaya basilica
The basilica building was built in the 6th century. It existed until the 16th century, after which it was partially destroyed by the Turks. It was never restored again. At the beginning of the 20th century, they tried to reconstruct the temple, but the plans remained on paper. During the Soviet era, archaeological excavations were carried out on the territory several times. Only the ruins of the church have survived to this day. Sometimes services are held in the surviving walls of the basilica.
12. River Reprua
The Reprua can be considered the shortest river in the world, as it is only 18 meters long. It is a small section of a powerful underground stream that comes to the surface just before it flows into the Black Sea. According to experts, the water in Reprua has the highest purity characteristics, so it can be safely used for drinking. According to the Abkhaz legend, the river was formed from the tears of three sisters who mourned their dead brother.
13. Zhoekvarskoe gorge
The gorge begins in the western part of the Gagra and stretches to the high-mountain source of the Zhoekvara River (translated from Abkhaz as “12 springs”). This scenic spot is a wonderful ecological trail for nature lovers, passing through boxwood, chestnut and yew groves and winding along a winding river bed. There are several boarding houses very close to the gorge, so tourists often come here for a walk.
14. Mount Mamdzishkha
The hill is located about 6 km from Gagra, it offers a stunning view of the Black Sea coast, the Colchis lowland and the surrounding settlements. There are observation platforms on the mountain, where an asphalt road leads. In Soviet times, it was planned to build a full-fledged sanatorium and resort complex here and lay ski slopes, but they could not implement the plan.
15. Lake Ritsa
When you remember Abkhazia, Lake Ritsa immediately comes to mind - perhaps one of the most popular sights of the country, sharing glory with the New Athos Monastery and the cave of the same name. The reservoir is located in the mountains at an altitude of about 1 km above sea level; a picturesque winding road leads to it, laid among the green slopes of the mountains. The lake looks especially impressive in autumn and winter, when the water acquires a pure blue hue.
The article describes in detail the rest in the resort of Gagra in Abkhazia in 2020: sea and beaches, entertainment, attractions, cafes and restaurants, where to find accommodation, how to get there, a map with marks and a lot of photos.
Gagra is the main resort of Abkhazia
✔ General (group) excursions
On the streets of Gagra there are a huge number of tents and points where tourists will be offered to choose excursions. The list and prices, as a rule, are almost identical for everyone. Basically, these are group or jeep excursions (in the latter, drivers often perform only the role of carriers, but not guides).
✔ Individual excursions
Such tours are conducted by private guides - residents of Abkhazia. Individual excursions are designed for a family / company of 1-6 people, they are pedestrian or car (on the guide's off-road vehicle).
There are the following options order this type of excursion:
- By contacts from the experience of friends
- The guide can come up on the street and offer his services.
- On specialized sites (for example, on).
Examples of individual excursions in Abkhazia with prices and reviews are presented below (you can go to any tour you like, familiarize yourself with and, if desired, order).
What to do in Gagra
In addition to sightseeing and sightseeing trips, while on vacation in Gagra, you can have fun in the following ways:
✔ Visit the water park : adult - 1000 rubles, children (4-10 years old) - 700 rubles.
✔ Take a boat trip (2 hours): adults - 800 rubles, children - 400-600 rubles.
✔ Ride a jet ski : about 1000 rubles. in 10 minutes
✔ Bungee ride (height - 150 m): 2000 rubles.
✔ Fly with a parachute above the sea.
✔ Go down on a paraglider from Mount Mamdzishkha: flight - 4000 rubles. + disc with photo - 200 rubles.
Where to eat
Gagra has a decent number of canteens, cafes and restaurants. For regular breakfast / lunch / dinner, everyone will find an establishment in their area of \u200b\u200bresidence. But for "going out", you may want something special. We did not manage to visit all the restaurants of Gagra, so we will share a brief opinion only about those we have visited ourselves.
✔ - yes, this is the same old restaurant that was mentioned earlier in the section on the sights of Gagra. Moderately tasty. More expensive than other dining establishments in Abkhazia, but quite affordable.
✔ - a restaurant near the famous Gagra colonnade. Prices are slightly lower than in "Gagripsh". The food is delicious, the portions are large.
✔ - a restaurant of Abkhaz cuisine on the outskirts of Gagra, which is mainly visited by locals. Inexpensive, very tasty and sincere.
The location of these restaurants is marked on the map of Gagra in the corresponding section of this article.
Other usefulness
✔ Main shopping in Gagra takes place on the market. The town also has small shops and minimarkets. Some outlets during the tourist season can serve customers even at night. About the market and not only is written in the article at the link.
✔ Abkhazia is dominated by two cellular operators : A-Mobile and Aquafon. SIM cards can be purchased both in the branches of these networks and in almost any store. The tariffs of both operators are adjusted for tourists, the quality of communication and coverage is equal. 4G in Gagra is not bad at all.
✔ Operating railway railway station is located in Novaya Gagra, and closer to Staraya, there is the half-abandoned platform Gagripsh, where only suburban trains stop.
✔ Pharmacy there is enough in Gagra. In any case, don't forget in advance.
How to get to Gagra
Requisites for help:
✔ Tinkoff Map 4377 7237 4260 2448 Samorossenko Konstantin Igorevich (Pope Elisha)
✔ Yandex money 410012258423394 Samorossenko Konstantin Igorevich (Pope Elisha)
Abkhazia is an amazing place of incredible beauty. The unique and fertile nature, the healing climate, the very special atmosphere of this region make your vacation here unforgettable. All these qualities of the Land of the Soul, as the locals call it, are perfect for families with children. Including for the first acquaintance with the sea, especially since it is much cleaner here than in the Russian Black Sea resorts, located not so far away. And since swimming in azure water is the main thing for which people go to Abkhazia, then it is worth learning more about the beaches directly, since this is an inseparable attribute of such a vacation. And if adults may well lie on pebbles or even a rocky surface, then little tomboys certainly need to run, and jumping on stones, you see, is not a pleasant occupation. That is why the sandy beaches of Abkhazia are popular with families with children. Basically, the coastline is pebble or sandy-pebble, although if you try, you can find clean sand. Consider the main beaches in some of the resorts of this amazing country.
Sukhum
A city with an ancient history, the capital of the Land of the Soul. There are few vacationers on the beaches, so you can not be afraid to be left without a place in the sun. Basically, there are large and small pebbles. However, those who are looking for a sandy beach in Abkhazia can also get what they want.
The most popular among locals and city guests is the Sinop beach. It is located in the southwest of Sukhum. From the center can be reached by public transport in 5 minutes, on foot - in about half an hour. There is an entrance for vehicles, here you can leave your car. Wide enough (over 50 meters). The shallow entrance to the sea is exactly what children need. On the territory there are cafes, snack bars, shower, toilet, various water activities are offered.
You can also note the beaches belonging to the sanatorium "Strategic Missile Forces" and "MVO". It is impossible to call them completely sandy, since nevertheless there is a strip of pebbles closer to the water. However, these are the most comfortable recreation areas with sun loungers, cafes and beach equipment rentals. But these sandy beaches of Abkhazia are not municipal property. They can be used freely only by the guests of the sanatoriums. However, this does not mean that you cannot get there if you are not resting in a health resort in a country called Abkhazia. The sandy beach is a private sector, or rather its guests can also visit. Only vacationers will have to pay for the entrance. However, the price is rather purely symbolic.
Pitsunda
This settlement is the best suited for families with children. It has amazingly clean air thanks to the relict Pitsunda pine grove and the cleanest sea on the entire coast. Basically, the coastal strip is covered with small pebbles. But there is perhaps the best sandy beach in Abkhazia. More precisely, it is located not in Pitsunda itself, but 6 km from it, in the resort village of Rybozavod. Very spacious, there is always a place to put the rug. And if you get up early and come to the morning sun, then here you can see the dolphins splashing. There is another big plus for this place: the Pitsunda Bay protects the coast, and therefore there are no strong winds and high waves, the sea is mostly calm and quiet.
In addition, while resting in the vicinity of Pitsunda, it makes sense to turn your attention to the sandy beaches of Abkhazia in the village of Agarki and the village of Ldzaa (Lidzava). Of course, they are not like the well-maintained beaches of foreign resorts, and they are far from the Russian coast in terms of comfort and infrastructure. However, in silence, tranquility and beauty, they may well compete.
Gagra
Gagra can rightfully be called a youth resort. This is where most vacationers tend to. In both the old and the new parts of the city, the beaches are mostly pebbly. However, there is a very good beach that belongs to the "Solnechny" sanatorium. Strictly speaking, it is also not entirely sandy, rather sandy and pebble. The entrance to it is paid. It is fortunate that here, as in Pitsunda, the sea is not very rough. The Gagra ridge protects tourists from high waves.
New Athos
Quiet, calm resort, there are not many tourists here, so families with small children love this place very much. The sea is clean and warm, the entry into the water is gentle. But, however, the phrase "sandy beaches of Abkhazia" is not about this resort. There are mostly pebbles here. However, if you choose not public beaches, but be content with wild ones, in the vicinity of New Athos it is quite possible to find a sand and pebble cover. Of course, you don't have to dream of infrastructure, but you can fully enjoy the delightful nature. There is also a sandy-pebble beach belonging to the territory of the boarding house "At the Monastery". Despite the fact that this is a private territory, admission is free, and vacationers are few enough, so there is enough space for everyone.
Finally
If you are thinking whether to choose a sandy beach should not be the only criterion. In any case, visiting the Land of the Soul is a must. After all, this is an unforgettable place that is very easy to fall in love with.
