What to see in Gelendzhik for free

There are not many tourist places and attractions in Gelendzhik, which can be visited for free. If we talk directly about the center of the resort, then the free places here are limited to the embankment and the pedestrian zone Sycamore alley, as well as sculptures and monuments on them. If you pay attention to the impressive territory of the so-called "Big Gelendzhik", i.e. The entire Gelendzhik City district, then if you have personal transport, you can visit several ancient dolmens, waterfalls, mountains, observation decks, etc. for free. of course, some places can be visited by local public transport or even on foot, but in this case you will have to spend a lot of time, so in such cases we recommend using inexpensive group excursions that can be bought from distributors on the streets and the embankment, or online on these proven sites:

• search for excursions in Gelendzhik on Tripster.ru
• search for excursions in Gelendzhik on Sputnik8.com
• excursions in Gelendzhik from the tour operator TEZ Tour

And now we present to your attention a list of free attractions of Gelendzhik and how you can visit them yourself:

Gelendzhik Embankment

Gelendzhik embankment is very long, stretches almost along the entire city Bay and beaches for almost eight kilometers! Of course, in different places it differs in arrangement and beauty, but in general it can be completely unhindered from beginning to end, which makes it the longest embankment in the Krasnodar Territory.

The most developed and interesting part for walking is located closer to the center of the resort and the area of Tolstoy Cape, this is the left side of the Bay. Here is most of the entertainment, cafes, shops, sale of excursions, architectural objects and fountains, in the evenings street artists and artists arrange performances. During the walk, we advise you to pay attention to the following sculptures and monuments: the White Bride, The Fountain Of Lovers, The Alley of stars, the Lermontov arch, The Sash Lighthouse. Learn more about Gelendzhik embankment here.

Sycamore alley

Sycamore Alley is another popular pedestrian area for vacationers. It is located in the center of the resort and on the left side of the Bay almost perpendicular to the embankment, and stretches along Ostrovsky street from the embankment for a little more than half a kilometer. Street performances take place on the alley, local artists and artisans exhibit their works. On weekends, there is a fair selling local products and handicrafts, original souvenirs. In general, it is fun and crowded, and especially in the evenings. Learn more about Sycamore alley here.

Dolmen in a wide gap

Dolmen in a wide gap or Dolmen of inspiration – one of the most accessible of Gelendzhik ancient structures of this kind, and free. Its age according to various estimates is from 1000 to 2000 years, and the purpose is not known for certain. Specifically, this Dolmen has the "popular" name "procreation", but what it is connected with, we could not find out. Like other dolmens, this one is considered a place of power. Locals and guides say that under the ground there is a large rift, from which the energy of the Earth comes out, but this is rather a matter of your faith or credulity. Souvenirs and homemade wine are sold next to the Dolmen.

Dolmens Sunny and Lunar on Mount Nexis

Two free dolmens, not very well known among tourists, are located a couple of kilometers from Gelendzhik on Mount Nexis (Bogatyrskaya) near a stone quarry. In fact, these are the dolmens closest to the city, but it is more difficult to get to them than, for example, to the dolmen in a wide gap, since you have to walk or drive an SUV on a very rocky and dusty primer. Like other similar ancient structures, they are considered a place of power.

Dolmen Of Health

One of the most visited and "promoted" dolmens in the vicinity of Gelendzhik, but in fact nothing interesting. Although it is under state protection, as stated by the information plate next to it, in fact it is dilapidated and covered with vandals. There is a cemetery nearby. Attention! In the descriptions and reviews about this Dolmen on Google Maps, it is indicated that there are several domains and a paid entrance here. In fact, this is not so, and these reviews are erroneous and describe a different place.

Rock "Sail"

This is a famous natural landmark, a high rock on the shore of the form of a sail. Moreover, it really has the shape of a thin sail, and not only looks like this from the outside. This is a unique natural formation on the entire Black Sea coast, and almost all tourists who rest on the shores of Greater Gelendzhik come to see it. More about The Rock sail here.

Pshad waterfalls

This is one of the most famous and picturesque natural attractions in the Greater Gelendzhik area, but also one of the most inaccessible. The fact is that they are located on the Pshada River and its numerous tributaries, and you can only get to them by SUV during a group tour or on foot during multi-day hikes. In total, there are about 100 waterfalls and water slides in the valley of the Pshada River. Most of them are small, no more than 1 meter in height. But there are also "Giants" by local standards: Olyapkin or Bolshoy Pshadsky on the tributary of the Red River with a height of 9 to 18 meters according to various estimates, and several more unnamed waterfalls up to 7 meters high. Learn more about the Pshad waterfalls and how to visit them here.

Thunder Gate

Wuthering gate is the scenery left after the filming of the famous movie "Wuthering gate". They are a stone fortress on Mount Abin with other decorations and attributes used in the filming of the film. Nearby there are stalls selling souvenirs, it is offered to take pictures with the form of paratroopers and with weapons (for a fee). And one kilometer from here there is an abandoned cafe with a park of wooden sculptures "Valkyrie", but it can be visited only with an independent trip or with an individual guide, and group tours are not brought there.

Thunder Gate specifically as an independent attraction is rarely visited, it is just one of the places during more complex tourist routes and excursions.

The sunken ship "Rio"

This is a new attraction in Gelendzhik district, located on the shore near Kabardinka. A multi-tonnage cargo ship ran aground on the shore in 2018 during a severe storm. During the accident, no one was injured, but the ship remained in place, and most likely will remain here for a long time as a tourist attraction. It can be viewed from the outside for free, and for the most curious there are guided tours of the deck and interior of the ship for a fee. For the ascent to the deck there is a staircase.

Viewing platforms on Tsemesskaya Bay

On the way from Gelendzhik towards Novorossiysk there are several viewing platforms and monuments dedicated to the events of the Second World War. Near them you can make a stop during a road trip to admire the views of the sea and the Bay, and honor the memory of the heroes of the Second World War. Tourist buses with excursion groups also stop here.

Free children's playgrounds

On Gelendzhik embankment there are several themed playgrounds that children and adults can visit for free. They are all stylized in the theme of popular children's fairy tales and cartoons. For example, there is a platform "Limpopo", "Emerald City" and others. And do not worry, you will not have to look for these playgrounds. During a walk along the embankment, the children themselves will find them, and you will have another problem – how to get them out of there.