Abkhazia

Abkhazia is a small mountainous country located along the Black Sea coast. It is famous for its thermal and mineral springs located in all climate zones, from subtropical to alpine. Unique mountain landscapes and ecotourism are also here.

Clean mountain air, warm sea, wild nature – this is all Abkhazia. But it is also a place where you can enjoy the sun, eat juicy shashlik, which is cooked only here, buy colorful churchkhela and then breathe in the aroma of this country for a long time. The level of service is not as high as in Sochi, but no one has canceled the sea…

The main thing about the country

• The cost of the road depends on the type of transport. A round-trip flight Moscow – Sochi will cost from 6 thousand rubles depending on the season, a round-trip train ride Moscow – Sukhum – 5,500 rubles in a reserved seat, 9 thousand rubles in a compartment.
• The minimum cost of an organized tour for 7 nights is 12 thousand rubles.
• There is no time difference between Moscow and Abkhazia.
• The official name is the Republic of Abkhazia, the capital is Sukhum.
• Abkhazia is located in the northwestern part of Transcaucasia, between the Psou and Ingur rivers. It is washed by the Black Sea from the southwest. The coastline is more than 210 km long.
• The official language is Abkhazian, but Russian is recognized as the state language for institutions. The local population speaks Russian quite well.
• The climate on the coast is humid subtropical. The temperature in January is +2 – 4 °C, in August +22 – 24 °C. In the mountains, altitudinal zonation is clearly expressed. Up to the 400-meter mark, there is a subtropical climate, at an altitude of 2,700 – 3,000 meters there are already eternal snows.
• The business climate for Russian investors is favorable.
• The attitude towards tourists is friendly.
• The main religion is Christianity.
• Abkhazia has reserves of natural resources – coal, peat, marble, granite, limestone.

When to go

The beach season in Abkhazia lasts from May to October, the best time is classically considered to be the end of August – September. Resorts and health resorts accept vacationers all year round, which is facilitated by climatic conditions – the optimal combination of air humidity and temperature.

Holidays and non-working days

• January 1, 2 – New Year;
• January 7 – Christmas;
• January 14 – Azhyrnyhua (Day of Creation of the World, Renewal);
• March 8 – International Women’s Day;
• May 1 – Labor Day;
• May 9 – Victory Day;
• May 23 – Day of the Holy Apostle Simon the Canaanite;
• August 26 – Day of International Recognition of Independence of the Republic of Abkhazia;
• August 28 – Day of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary;
• September 30 – Independence (Liberation) Day of the Republic of Abkhazia;
• the date is set annually – Kurbannyhwa (Kurban Bayram);
• November 26 – Constitution Day of the Republic of Abkhazia.

Currency

The official currency is the Russian ruble. When traveling to Abkhazia, we recommend having cash with you. Several ATMs are installed only in Sukhum and Gagra, but you will have to spend time to find them. The ability to pay with credit cards appeared recently, and then only in large hotels, restaurants and shops.

Prices

Lunch at a mid-range restaurant will cost from 500 to 600 rubles per person. The cost of a hotel room will be 1,500 to 2,000 rubles per day, in high season prices can increase 2 to 3 times. In the private sector, housing will be much cheaper. 

How to get there

Direct railway service Moscow – Sukhum is open. In the summer season trains run daily, in the cold season – with a frequency of once every two to four days.

You can also get there by car. There are minibuses from the airport and the railway station in Adler to the border with Abkhazia. You can also get from the border to the main settlements by minibuses, which leave as they fill up.

Beaches

Contrary to popular belief, Abkhazia has not only pebble beaches, but also sandy ones. We recommend that you find out about this in advance, since in the case of pebble beaches you will have to buy special plastic shoes. In addition, the stone gets very hot in the sun.

Almost the entire coastline of Abkhazia is beaches, well-equipped or wild. When choosing a place, it would be a good idea to find out if a “river” of wastewater flows into the area of ​​your intended vacation spot.

The most famous beaches:

Sinopsky . Located 6 km from the center of Sukhum. The beach is completely sandy, there are minor inclusions of small pebbles. The infrastructure is sufficient for a carefree holiday. There are cafes, areas for active recreation. The entrance to the sea is calm, gentle.

Central beach of Sukhum . Equipped beach with paid services. There is all the beach infrastructure. The beach is sandy, without boulders and large pebbles.

Old Gagra . Beaches with large pebbles, practically without infrastructure, not equipped. The sea bottom is rocky.

New Gagra . The beaches are sandy and with small pebbles, equipped with everything necessary for a comfortable holiday.

Golden Beach . Located in Gudauta. Recognized as one of the best beaches in the country. Quite wide, covered with a layer of sand with small pebbles.

Central beach in Gudauta . The best equipped beach in the city, there are sun loungers, playgrounds, cafes. Sandy, with pebbles.

Beaches in the suburbs of Pitsunda . Sandy, with a smooth and gentle entrance to the sea. There are practically no waves in this place.

Beaches in New Athos . Mostly pebbly. The sea is clean, the entrance is gentle. On weekends a lot of people come here, but the beach is never overcrowded.

Beach on the White Rocks in Tsandripsh . Covered with large pebbles, you won’t be able to walk along the beach without special shoes. The sea is clean, with transparent water. Huge white stones give the landscape a unique color.

Resorts

Abkhazia is now known as a holiday destination in the Soviet tradition. Sanatoriums and holiday homes have been preserved in the same architecture, and the famous resorts of Gagra, Sukhum and Pitsunda have been known far beyond the country for many years.

Sukhum . The main resort of Abkhazia, operates all year round. The infrastructure is developed since Soviet times. There are a large number of sanatoriums in the city. The resort is famous for its unique natural mineral water springs and a beach area 20 km long. The sea is clean, the beaches are not crowded. And this is despite the fact that the tourist flow in Sukhum is quite intense.

Gagra . The largest balneological resort in the country. It is located near Sochi, the first city from the border. The tourist infrastructure is developed. Many vacationers come here from Russia for 1-2 days. The city is famous for its pebble beaches and warm sea.

Gudauta . A small resort town, suitable for a quiet family holiday. It is considered to have the mildest climate in Abkhazia. There are no special entertainments, the infrastructure is poorly developed, but everything necessary for a holiday is available. The town is located on a plain, the mountains are 15-20 km from the coast. There are usually few tourists, even at the peak of the season.

Pitsunda . The second most important resort in the country. The city is literally drowning in greenery – pines and boxwoods, the Pitsunda relict park is especially famous. It is not as crowded here as in Gagra, but many tourists choose Pitsunda for their vacation. It is believed that the local air is healing, it improves the lungs. The clean sea is another advantage of the resort.

New Athos . A health resort surrounded by eucalyptus groves. You can come here at any time of the year. In summer, guests are attracted by beach holidays, and mineral water springs function constantly. The sea is clean and calm. The place is also of interest to pilgrims.

Tsandripsh . A small village near the border, a quiet and sparsely populated resort. Famous for its White Rocks. For those looking for an inexpensive family vacation, this is the place.

Attractions

The main attractions of Abkhazia are natural. The country is small, if you want, you can see quite a lot during your vacation.

Where tourists are offered to go:

Lake Ritsa . Situated high in the mountains. It is rightfully considered the main attraction of Abkhazia. The road to the lake is a separate and very extreme story.

Gegsky waterfall , also known as Cherkessky. The height of the water fall is about 70 meters. The water is icy even in summer, crystal clear. The best time to visit is a sunny summer day. The waterfall does not freeze in winter, but the flow becomes less intense.

New Athos Cave . Famous for its underground lakes, stalactites, stalagmites and frozen waterfalls. 6 of the 11 halls are available for viewing. Visiting the cave is only possible as part of an excursion.

Restaurant “Gagripsh “. It is located in old Gagra. The restaurant is famous for its interior, which has remained unchanged since the beginning of the last century. A mandatory attribute is snow-white tablecloths on the tables. The level of service is high. Fyodor Shalyapin once performed in this restaurant.

Waterfall “Maiden Tears “. Situated on the road from Gagra to Lake Ritsa. Water seeps through limestone, forming thin streams. The place is shrouded in a legend about tragic love.

Blue Lake . It is known for its unusual color, the saturation and brightness of which remains constant at any time of the year. It is located near Lake Ritsa.

Stalin’s dacha on Lake Ritsa . One of the leader’s five dachas in Abkhazia. An externally unremarkable building in restrained architecture. The location was chosen because of its unique landscape and inconspicuousness from the ground and air.

Sukhumi Botanical Garden . It is located in the city center, covers an area of ​​about 30 hectares. There are 5 thousand species of plants growing on the territory.

Other attractions include Mount Mamzyshkha, the grotto of Simon the Zealot, the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Lykhny, the Sukhumi Monkey Nursery, the Besletsky Bridge, the Yupsharsky Canyon, the Anakopia Fortress and others.

Entertainment

In Abkhazia you will find not only a beach holiday, there are conditions for active pastime. Tourists are in demand for excursions and walks in the mountains, a trip to Lake Ritsa and the Gega waterfall.

Fans of extreme recreation have the opportunity to go diving, including in caves and grottoes, jeeping, rafting. You can also devote time to paragliding and rock climbing.

Horseback riding in the mountains, fishing in the sea and mountain rivers, visiting caves are all worthwhile. We do not recommend going down into caves that are not part of tourist routes on your own.

Children will be interested in the water park in Gagra, the largest in Abkhazia. There are 9 swimming pools on the territory. The level of service is quite high.

Kitchen

Abkhazian cuisine is simple and hearty. It has a lot of meat, vegetables, grains, and spices. You may not see fish everywhere here, but you will be offered excellently cooked lamb and poultry, as well as pastries.

What you must try in Abkhazia:

Azhy dzny. Shashlik made from fresh meat – lamb or beef. Pieces of meat are strung on a skewer alternately with lard. During cooking, they are poured with pomegranate juice or black wine with the addition of adjika.

Lzhtcaa dzny . Smoked meat, roasted on coals. Can be considered as a variant of shashlik. Served with sauces and vegetables.

Lobio . Prepared from red beans with spices, walnuts, garlic. Traditionally, meat is not used. It is usually served with tandoor bread.

Khachapuri . In Abkhazia they are prepared in the form of boats or round. There is a lot of cheese, khachapuri boats are decorated with yolk on top.

Akudrtsa . Bean soup with garlic, adjika, corn flour.

Abysta . Thick corn porridge. Put it on plates in piles, you can eat it with your hands. In fact, it can replace bread.

Kharcho . In Abkhazia, kharcho is not a soup, but stewed lamb in a thick sauce with walnuts. Served with abysta or khachapuri.

Churek . An unleavened flatbread made from corn flour, sometimes filled with cheese, beans or meat.

Abaklazhanchapa . A traditional Abkhazian snack made from eggplants stuffed with nut-garlic paste.

Chicken in nut sauce e. Fried meat is covered with sauce.

Adjika . The most popular sauce in the country. Spicy, with lots of garlic, fresh and dried herbs.

Fermented milk products. Matsoni, ayran, feta cheese, suluguni.

Souvenirs

Abkhazia is an agricultural country. There are not many souvenirs as such, but you will definitely find something to buy as a keepsake of this country or to bring as a gift.

When buying at the market, it is worth bargaining. The Abkhazians really enjoy it.

The list of what is brought from Abkhazia includes:

• Laurel and eucalyptus brooms. The former are for use in cooking, the latter are for the steam room.
• Adjika. Green, red, orange, brown. Always very hot and garlicky. The color of the seasoning depends on the amount of spices and fresh herbs.
• Honey. Linden, chestnut, eucalyptus, blackberry-blueberry, mixed herbs (May). Almost all apiaries are located in the mountains.
• Wine. Local wines are made from special grape varieties that grow only here. We recommend buying the product in specialized stores or when visiting the Sukhumi plant.
• Churchkhela. The most famous and revered dessert in Abkhazia. It consists of nut kernels strung on a thread and covered with evaporated grape juice.
• Suluguni. Prepared from cow, goat and sheep milk.
• Nuts. Hazelnuts, walnuts, and pecans are in particular demand.
• Fruits. Pears, peaches, grapes, quince, feijoa, mulberry, and cherries grow in Abkhazia. It is better to buy fruits at the market early in the morning.
• Cezve. The best coffee is obtained when such a Turk is placed in hot sand.
• Cutting boards made from hardwood.

You shouldn’t buy food on the beach or from street vendors. It’s better to go to the market or shops for shopping.

Transport

Public transport includes trolleybuses, buses, minibuses and taxis. You can get to Sukhumi from any part of the city to the bus and train stations in no more than 20 minutes.

Cost of travel within the city:

• in a trolleybus – 5 rubles;
• by bus – 10 rubles;
• route taxis – 20 rubles.

A taxi ride within the city limits will cost approximately 200-400 rubles, between settlements the cost will be significantly higher. It is cheaper to order a taxi by phone, rather than to hail a car on the street. This will be 2-3 times cheaper. Abkhazian taxi drivers do not have child seats.

Safety

We recommend being extremely careful, especially in crowded places, on beaches, in the private sector. The crime rate in Abkhazia is quite high, especially widespread are thefts, robberies, hooliganism, fraud. Of particular interest are parked cars.

For safety reasons, excursions to remote mountainous areas are best booked as part of organized tourist groups. Visits to the Gali District and Kodori Gorge bordering Georgia are only possible with permission from the State Security Service of Abkhazia.

Medicine

The level of medical care in the country leaves much to be desired. Foreign citizens can get the best quality care at the Republican Hospital in Sukhum. An ambulance can be called by dialing 03 or, from a mobile phone, 003.

Please note. Gastrointestinal disorders may occur due to untreated wastewater being discharged into the sea. When swimming, seawater along with pathogens may enter the body. Stomach disorders may also occur due to eating unfamiliar food – quite spicy and fatty. We recommend having a first aid kit with antiemetic and antidiarrheal drugs.

Traditions

Like all Caucasian peoples, Abkhazians are characterized by hospitality and respect for elders.

There are no strict traditions that regulate behavior. However, we do not recommend, especially for women, to wear excessively revealing clothing when on the streets or visiting public places. Such behavior may cause a negative reaction from local residents and lead to conflict.

Internet

Mobile communications in Abkhazia are provided by two operators – “Aquafon” and “A-mobile”. Internet coverage is 4G. Tariffs are approximately the same, you can buy a SIM card for 550 – 600 rubles. In the mountains, there may be problems with communication.

Useful facts

• The network voltage is 220V.
• The main highway of Abkhazia runs along the Black Sea coast. In some places there are subsidences of the road surface.
• Paid parking does not mean 100% safety of the car.
• There are few public toilets. They are usually located on the Psou-Sukhum highway and near tourist sites.
• Do not leave things unattended, they may be stolen.
• Be careful when buying bulk wine from locals.