2025 Gorod-kurort Sochi Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in May)

Being in Sochi for my birthday, I also decided to go to see the tea plantations. Even though it was in December, the weather was still very comfortable and the area looked very nice and with no people. You can also buy a local tea and some snack there and have a rest, but the most beautiful part is walking among the tea fields. I was very surprised to see the horses passing by there 😄 but really enjoyed that unusual atmosphere #celebrateit

#celebrateit Sochi is a very popular destination for Russians during summer and this season is sometimes overcrowded. So I decided to visit Sochi in winter and I was so surprised about the climate in December there. Although the majority who travels to Sochi in winter comes for skiing on several ski resorts in Sochi. It turned out that Sochi itself deserves visit in winter! The beach time was so nice and walking along the promenade was pleasant.

#celebrateit If you are coming to Krasnoya Polyana and want not only ski but also explore something, I highly recommend not to skip this ethnographic museum in case you are interested in Russian culture. Different regions of Russia are represented here. There are some shops and master classes and kids entertainment as well. Made not like a separate museum but like an open air museum with different buildings. You can also join a guided tour if you are interested.

Want to celebrate your occasion in a calm and chilling atmosphere in Sochi? This tea plantation is just made for this! You can get there by public transportation but then you will need to walk around 20 mins up. For me it was enjoyable but if you don’t like it you can use a taxi or buy a tour. There is a small van selling tea and some pastries and a place to sit with the view on tea fields for your break there. #celebrateit

Spending time with the animals is the best celebration idea because after that you will be filled with thousands of positive emotions. This park is full of beautiful alpacas. When you buy a ticket you have a short instruction how to behave with them and then you can contact with alpacas 😃 they are very friendly and very careful, but you will have treats for them so they will approach in you anyway)) Small hint: if you want to be kissed by alpaca, just put a piece of carrot on your cheek and move your face closely to alpaca 😄 They will take the carrot right from your face) #celebrateit

At first we were not planning to include visiting this place for our celebration vacation to Sochi. Accidentally we turned out to be not far away from this place and decided to take a look. To our surprise Stalin’s villa was so interesting and informative so we spent there more time that we thought we could! You can explore the whole building, see the different rooms including pool area and his office and so on, also there is a room with a historical movie there. The staff is very welcoming too and happy to answer all your questions. There are some souvenirs shops there and cafes as well. #celebrateit

Gazprom is the second largest ski resort in Sochi, owned by Gazprom, Russia's largest oligarchic gas company. It mainly provides winter vacation services for important figures and company executives. It is less crowded and the service is excellent. The total length of the ski trails is 40 km, with 16 cable cars, and the drop within the trails can reach 1,700 meters. It is mainly composed of two areas: the high mountain area Alpika and the forest area Laura. High mountain area Alpika: The slope is steep but not extreme, similar to the north slope of Rosa Khutor. The terrain is open and there are few people for a long time, so the overall experience is very good. The valley has a wide view, and the ski trails are wide mountain roads, with untouched powder snow areas easy to find. There is a ski trail at the top of the mountain that connects to Rosa Khutor. There is a large cable car at the bottom that connects the high mountain area and the forest area, with a commute time of about 40 minutes. Forest area Laura: The ski trails are wide and flat, and the entire area is surrounded by beautiful snow-capped mountains and forests, with the ski trails winding through the woods. Occasionally, you can enter the woods for a section of powder snow, and then return to the ski trails. The stumps and fallen logs create an interesting terrain. Suitable for all levels, especially beginners or intermediate skiers, with a great experience. Snow quality: The temperature is relatively stable above 1,500 meters in the high mountain area, and the snow quality is well maintained. The temperature has a great impact from 1,100 to 500 meters, and if the temperature is not ideal, the ski trails from 1,100 to 500 meters will be closed. The forest area is generally at a low altitude, and the snow quality is often wet, but still playable.