Tickets
Hotels
Tours
Insurance
Trains
AbkhaziaNext to Gagra are the most famous and interesting attractions of Abkhazia. These are, first of all, such natural beauties as Lake Ritsa and Ritsinsky National Park, Geghsky waterfall, Blue Lake, Mamzyshkha mountain and much more. And although these places can be visited from any resort in Abkhazia, because the country is small, the easiest way to do it is from Gagra. The mountain road goes through the Ritsa National Park through many beautiful landscapes, past caves and waterfalls, and does not end at Lake Ritsa itself. You can drive further to the mountain resort of Auadhara, from where hiking trails diverge to Lake Mzy, the valley of the Seven Lakes, the Arabica mountain range and others. In the city of Gagra there are almost no attractions worthy of attention, so you need to be ready to go to interesting places on a long journey on your own transport or with an excursion. You can buy excursions from distributors on the streets of Gagra, or find and book them via the Internet:
As for entertainment, although Gagra is the most developed resort in the country, you should not expect here the level of even the villages of Greater Sochi, not to mention the large resort cities Anapa, Gelendzhik, or the city of Sochi itself, for example.
In Novaya Gagra, there are standard water activities on the beach (banana or parachute riding, jet ski rental), next to the Independence Memorial Square on the shore there is a park with simple children's attractions, there is also the only water park in the country. In Old Gagra, there is almost no entertainment on the beaches, as well as attractions. But you can take a walk in the Seaside Park, it also has several very simple attractions for the youngest children, a rope park and tennis courts. You can also go on a boat trip along the coast: barkers on boats and boats now and then invite tourists through a loudspeaker on all beaches.
Evening and night entertainment in Gagra is quite a bit. There are no nightclubs, only dance floors in bars, plus sometimes they organize discos of popular (not progressive) music for their customers in restaurants at large hotels.
Below is a complete list of attractions and entertainment in Gagra, indicating opening hours, cost, and how to get there. And here is an interactive map of attractions in Gagra and the surrounding area to help you:
- Sights Of Gagra
- Entertainment Gagra
- Attractions in the vicinity of Gagra
Sights Of Gagra
-
Castle of the Prince of Oldenburg
Castle of the Prince of Oldenburg The castle of the Prince of Oldenburg, or rather its ruins – is an architectural landmark of Gagra. It was erected in 1902 in the Art Nouveau style by Prince A. P. Oldenburg, who was the founder of the resort. Nearby was the Seaside Park, which today is one of the most beautiful and green places of the resort. In Soviet times, the castle was converted for recreation of the Soviet elite, and later renamed the sanatorium "Chaika". Unfortunately, during the war in 1991-1992, the castle was very badly damaged by the fighting, and now it is closed to the public, it can only be viewed from the outside. Learn more about the castle here.
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: around the clock.
💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: free.
🚶 How to get there: The castle of the Prince of Oldenburg is located in old Gagra (Castle on the map) near the Seaside Park. You can get here from Novaya Gagra by minibus.
Abaata fortress and St. Hypatius church
Abaata fortress and St. Hypatius church Gagra fortress Abaata - the most interesting historical landmark of Gagra. It was originally built in 5-6 centuries AD, but was destroyed several times and restored again. At the beginning of the 20th century, the Prince of Oldenburg (the founder of the resort of Gagra) ordered the destruction of part of the fortress wall, and built a hotel on the territory. Only some remains of the fortress walls and towers have been preserved, and as such the fortress is no longer there, the hotel is still operating today. But on the territory there is the oldest church of St. Hypatius (6-7 century AD), as well as the Museum of the fortress of Abaata. Learn more about the fortress here.
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: 10:00 - 22:00.
💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: inspection of the fortress and temple is free, access to the museum is 100 rubles adults, children under 7 years old-free of charge.
🚶 How to get there: the fortress is located on the outskirts of the Seaside Park in Staraya Gagra (fortress on the map. You can get here by any minibus going towards Psou.
Abaat Historical Museum
Abaat Historical Museum The full official name is the Gagra State Museum of local lore "Abaata". This is a small museum consisting of one hall, where there are several expositions dedicated to different historical periods in the life of the city. Periods are covered from the appearance of the first settlements on the site of modern Gagra in the I-th century BC, and ending with the present time. Much attention is paid to the personality of the Prince of Oldenburg, who is considered the founder of the resort. There are not very many exhibits, but thanks to the excursion, which is included in the ticket price, the visit will be informative, especially since this is the only museum in Gagra. Learn more about the museum here.
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: from 10:00 to 18:00.
💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: adults-100 rubles, children under 7 years-free of charge.
🚶 How to get there: the museum is located in fortresses of Abaat and near the Church of St. Hypatius (Museum on the map). Get here from hotels in Staraya Gagra you can walk while walking through the Seaside Park, from New Gagra you can get for 25 rubles by minibus taxis that run between the districts.
Cave Of St. Hypatius
Cave Of St. Hypatius It is believed that the monk and recluse Hypatius (also Eupatius) lived in this cave. According to one historical version, it is believed that the same Monk became a bishop, in whose honor the Church of St. Hypatius in the fortress of Abaata was erected. But there is an opinion that these were different monks who lived at different times, but both are very revered by the local population.
Whatever it was, the cave is an interesting place and worth a visit. Inside you will see two man-made rooms, but apparently there was one or even more. You can leave donations at the entrance. Learn more about the cave here.
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: around the clock, it is better to visit in the daytime.
💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: free.
🚶 How to get there: the cave is located within the city limits roughly midway between New and old Gagra (cave on the map. The entrance to it is located on Cherkesskaya Street. To find the entrance, it is better to use the Navigator coordinates, or just need to look out for the entrance from the road. Next, you will have to climb to a height of about two or three floors along a steep cliff, sometimes holding on to the safety rope and wire thrown through. Before entering the cave will have to overcome two very steep short wooden stairs.
Independence Memorial
Independence Memorial The Independence Memorial is located in the main city square (glory Park) and it is the cleanest and most well maintained place in the city. The memorial was built in memory of those killed during the armed Georgian-Abkhazian conflict in 1992-93, the names of some of them are immortalized on the memorial. There are always fresh flowers and wreaths.
As for this place from a tourist point of view, it can not be said that this is a particularly attractive and interesting place, but it is the only clean and tidy place in the city, in fact, its center. Nearby there is a small area of clean renovated promenade, a children's amusement park on the beach, and a water park within walking distance. Learn more about the memorial here.
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: around the clock.
💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: free.
🚶 How to get there: the memorial and the Square are located in the center of Gagra near the embankment (memorial on the map).
Entertainment Gagra
-
Seaside Park
Seaside Park The park stretches for about a kilometer along the beach in Staraya Gagara. It was founded in 1902 to decorate the resort on the initiative of the Prince of Oldenburg. To fill it with a variety of amazing plants, all kinds of exotic species were brought here from all over the world. Unfortunately, over the years of Abkhazia's independence, the park has fallen into disrepair, and today it is in a neglected and dilapidated state. On the territory there is a playground with very simple old attractions, a tennis court, a rope park, a mini zoo (zoo corner), and of course several cafes. Learn more about the park here.
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: the park is open around the clock, but it is better to visit it in the daytime. With the advent of darkness, there is no lighting here, the park becomes a deserted and eerie place.
💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: free.
🚶 How to get there: Seaside Park stretches along almost the entire area of Stara Gagra (Park on the map. From Novaya Gagra, you can get here by minibus at a cost of 25 rubles, they make a stop right at the colonnade. A taxi ride will cost from 150 rubles.
-
Gagripsh Restaurant
Gagripsh Restaurant Gagripsh restaurant is not just a restaurant with the best interior and exterior, perhaps, in all of Abkhazia, but also a historical place. It appeared here in 1902, and it was not built, but assembled, since the building was brought disassembled from Holland. It was purchased in Paris at an exhibition by the Prince of Oldenburg, who is considered the founder of the resort. Before the revolution, Nicholas II, later Stalin, Maxim Gorky, Bunin and other historical figures visited here. The restaurant managed to appear in the cinema, in particular, the Soviet film "winter evening in Gagra" was shot here. Learn more about the restaurant here.
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: 11:00 – 00:00.
💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: admission is free, eat the first, second and drinks will cost from 1000 rubles.
🚶 How to get there: the restaurant is located in Staraya Gagra district (restaurant on the map).
-
Gagra Water Park
Gagra Water Park This is the only water park in Abkhazia, and perhaps the most popular entertainment for children and the whole family in the country and Gagra in particular. Water park of open type. There are slides of different types: for the youngest children, older and for adults, a total of 9 slides. There are 7 swimming pools with sun loungers and umbrellas, cafes with somewhat inflated prices.
Do not expect a wide variety of slides and entertainment, yet compared to even Russian water parks, it is modest. But given that this is almost the only worthwhile entertainment for the whole family in all of Abkhazia, it is worth a visit.
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: open only in summer from 1 June to September from 10:00 to 19:00.
💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: tickets are only for the whole day, there is no hourly payment. The price varies depending on the month and demand, on average adults – 1000 rubles, children 4-10 years – 800 rubles, up to 4 years free. The ticket is one-time, you can not go out and return on it.
🚶 How to get there: the water park is located in the center of Gagra near the embankment, 57/1 Abazgaa Street (water park on the map. Phone: +7 (840) 234-47-42. Hotel "Abkhazia" on Abazgaa Street. From other resorts, you can also get to the water park by minibuses costing from 50 rubles, but you will have to get out on Demerdzhipa Street near the former continent shopping center, and walk towards the embankment for 15-20 minutes.
-
Hydrogen sulfide hot spring and mud
The hydrogen sulfide spring and therapeutic mud are located in the Balneological clinic of Gagra (now the sanatorium "Sana"), and are available not only to guests. For a fee, any tourist from the street can come here and take bathrooms with hot hydrogen sulfide water, or hold a mud treatment session. To obtain a valid Therapeutic Effect, it is necessary to undergo a course of 10-12 sessions under the supervision of specialists, for which it is better to stay in this Sanatorium and enroll in a course of recovery. In other cases, tourists should consider it more as a kind of pleasant relaxing procedures, rather than treatment.
It is worth warning that the type of Sanatorium and living conditions in it at first glance can scare away, everything is in decline. However, as for the baths and mud procedures themselves, everything is more or less in a normal state, so it is quite possible to visit the procedures from the street. Learn more about the hot spring and mud here.
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: 09:00-15:00, seven days a week.
💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: the cost of taking a hydrogen sulfide bath – 250 rubles, therapeutic mud-200 rubles.
🚶 How to get there: sources are located in the sanatorium "Sana" in Novaya Gagra on Demerdzhipa STR., 49 (Hot Springs on the map). It is somewhat away from the center and the embankment, but it will not be difficult to get there on foot. You can also get here by minibus for 25 rubles, including from the area of Staraya Gagra, go to the former Shopping Center "continent".
Attractions in the vicinity of Gagra
-
Ritsa relic National Park
View of Lake Ritsa in the park Ritsa relict National Park is the most popular and most visited reserve of Abkhazia. The excursion route through the park, known to most tourists as an excursion to Lake Ritsa, is the most popular among tourists, and almost every vacationer in Abkhazia visits it. The park is located in the southern mountainous part of Abkhazia near Gagra and almost at the border with the Russian Federation . Almost the entire National Park is located in the mountainous part with complex relief, Heights from 100 to 3256 meters, many mountain lakes, rivers, waterfalls, caves, glaciers, Gorges. Usually during a tour of the National Park also you can visit:
- Lake Ritsa
- Malaya Ritsa island
- Blue Lake
- Waterfall of male tears
- Waterfall maiden's tears
- Gega waterfall
- Yupshar gorge
- Bird's beak falls
- Waterfall Milk
- Stalin's dacha
There are also several viewing platforms along the route. More advanced and challenging overnight itineraries may include Valley of the Seven Lakes, Lake Mzy, Auadhara Resort and mineral water source. Read more about Ritsa National Park here.
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: around the clock.
💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: for access to the Ritsinsky National Park, a fee is charged at the checkpoint: adult – 350 rubles; children 8-12 years old – 150 rubles; children under 8 years old – free of charge. A group tour costs from 750 rubles per person+entrance fee to the park.
🚶 How to get there: The park entrance checkpoint is located 30 kilometers from Gagra (Ritsa Park on the map. You can visit it yourself by car; with a group tour (from 750 USD) from the resorts of Abkhazia or from Sochi; with a private guide (from 3500 per car). The road to the lake is good, any car can do it. Public transport does not go here.
-
Hasan Abaa Fortress
Hassan-Abaa fortress is one of the few historical sights that tourists meet on the way to Lake Ritsa. The fortress was built in the 9th-10th century AD in order to control the approaches to the gorge. Indeed, the fortress is very well located on a high hill, and it is clearly visible from the road.
Today, the ruins of the fortress are about 10 meters high with very thick walls, and a stone fence around. It is impossible to get inside, except with the help of climbing equipment or stairs. It can not be said that this place is certainly worth a visit, but if you love all sorts of antiquities, and besides, they are also free, you can explore the fortress closer. Learn more about the fortress here.
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: around the clock.
💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: free.
🚶 How to get there: the fortress is on the way to Lake Ritsa on the other side of the river from the highway (fortress on the map. You can see it from afar from the road, and to get directly to the ruins, you need to drive about a kilometer further along the road to the suspension bridge, cross it and return to the fortress. From Gagra to the fortress is 25 kilometers.
-
Mamzyshkha Mountain
Mountain View The top of Mamzyshkha mountain (Mamdzyshkha, Mamzyshka) is located just five kilometers from Gagra at an altitude of 1,876 meters, but the serpentine road leading to it has a length of 30 kilometers. It is this distance that is overcome by jeeps along one of the most interesting mountain routes of Abkhazia. Along the way there are two observation platforms, from where you can enjoy breathtaking views of beautiful Alpine Meadows, mountains, the sea, and in good weather from the top you can even see Sochi. At the top there are some old shepherds ' houses (booths) and a tiny lake. From above, you can go down on a paraglider (descent from 3000 rubles, available to everyone without preparation), and land directly on the beach in Gagra. Learn more about Mount Mamzishha here.
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: round the clock, visiting is recommended during the day. Viewing platforms can be visited in the evening at sunset, from there you can enjoy a beautiful view of the sea and the sunset.
💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: free, Jeep tours from 1500 rubles.
🚶 How to get there: the top of the mountain is in the Gagra District, 5 kilometers from the center of Gagra in a straight line and 30 kilometers along a serpentine road (Mamzyshkhi peak on the map. Previously, there was a good paved road (turn to Mamzyshu on the map) , but now it is partially destroyed, and you can only climb to the top by SUV, horses, bicycle or on foot. By a simple car you can reach the first and second observation deck (20 kilometers from the beginning of the road), which also offers wonderful views. You can drive part of the way by car (to the cafe "Shashlychny Dvor"), leave the car there, and then walk. The complete walk to the top can be reached in 2-4 hours depending on your preparation.
-
Ruins of the Bzyb temple
Ruins of the Bzyb temple The bzyb temple (Basilica) and the fortress were built approximately in the IX-X centuries AD (the era of the Abkhazian Kingdom), the exact dates of construction are unknown. It is a protected cultural monument, one of the few preserved in Abkhazia. The fortress was built to protect the road to the Northwest Caucasus, and belonged to a powerful feudal clan. Unfortunately, in 1914-1916, during the construction of the railway, part of the monument was destroyed and then not restored. The fortress walls were then dismantled to use their stone to build the piers of the railway bridge. These pillars you will see on the site in front of the ruins and one unfinished on the other side of the river. By the way, the bridge itself was never built as a result. Learn more about Bzybsky temple here.
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: during daylight hours.
💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: 50 rubles, children under 12 years-free of charge.
🚶 How to get there: The ruins of the temple are located 15 kilometers from the center of Gagra on the road to the mountain lake Ritsa (ruins of the Bzyb temple on the map. You can get there by private car, taxi, excursion, hitchhiking or bicycle. If you do not have your own transport, you can take any bus towards Sukhum, get off at the stop "Bzyb" near the river, and then walk 1 kilometer.