Holidays in Gelendzhik - how to get there, what to see, where to stay

General information, recreation, beaches

Gelendzhik (Gelendzhik) - a large resort city on the Black Sea coast, the "capital" of the resort of Big Gelendzhik. Located 180 kilometers from Krasnodar (Gelendzhik on the map).

Big Gelendzhik also includes remote beaches and at the same time independent resorts:

• Village Divnomorskoe
• Kabardinka Village
• The Village Of Arkhipo-Osipovka
• Dzhankhot Farm
• The Village Of Praskoveyevka
• Krinitsa Village
• Betta Farm

In this guide we will talk about rest directly in the resort city of Gelendzhik, about the rest of the resorts read the guides on the links from the list above.

Gelendzhik is one of the most developed and comfortable resorts for recreation on the Black Sea coast of the Krasnodar Territory, and quite competes even with the much more popular and expensive Sochi. And if you compare Gelendzhik with another large resort on this coast Anapa, it looks much more democratic and youthful, while Anapa is more suitable for families with children on shallow sandy beaches. At the same time, what is good, here you can find a place for a quiet rest in sanatoriums and hotels with their own territory, and stay in a noisy and party center. You just need to choose the Right Place (area) to relax, and then you will like the rest in Gelendzhik.

✔ Advantages of the resort

• A very long embankment along the entire coast.
• There are sandy and pebble beaches for every taste.
• The sea is suitable for swimming, there are no shallow beaches.
• Well developed urban and tourist infrastructure.
• A lot of tourist and entertainment for children and adults.

❌ Cons of the resort

• The water in the sea is not often clear and beautiful, more often it is muddy.
• Inflated prices for services and accommodation compared to other resorts on the coast.
• Too many vacationers in peak season.
• It is relatively difficult to get here by train, there is no railway station in the city.

Gelendzhik beaches are located on the shores of the bay, protected from bad weather by thick and Tonkiy Mys (Thin Cape) around the edges. The length of the coastline in Gelendzhik is more than 10 kilometers, but, unfortunately, not all the coast is suitable for swimming. The fact is that there are technical zones and Piers, sanatorium (medical) and children's beaches with limited access, and simply unsuitable for swimming because of too steep shores and a narrow coastal strip. There are not very many such sites, but they can add to the rest a lot of inconvenience if you choose the wrong place for your hotel or rented housing. You can see the unsuitable areas of the beach on our interactive map of the resort, they are marked on it in red.

There are sandy and pebble beaches. It is worth saying that from season to season the state of individual beaches may change, since some of them bring sand, but in general, traditionally only the Central City Beach is Sandy, and all the others are pebbly or even completely terrible concrete. So if you prefer to relax on the sand, choose accommodation closer to the Central City Beach and city center (Center on map). If you like pebbles, you can settle closer to the edges of the Bay in the area of Tonkiy Mys (Thin Cape) (Tonkiy Mys (Thin Cape) district on the map) or Tolstiy Mys (Tolstiy Mys district on the map), or in the center of the Bay where the sanatorium beaches are located.

The development of infrastructure and entertainment on different beaches in Gelendzhik is very different. The most developed place is the Central Beach, where all amenities are presented, ranging from renting sun loungers to the best water activities. But as you move away from the center, infrastructure and entertainment deteriorate sharply. Learn more about Gelendzhik beaches here.

Infrastructure in Gelendzhik is well developed. There is everything you need for a comfortable and varied stay. The main tourist center of the resort is located in the area of the Central Beach, and this is both the central and the most developed part of the city. There are large shops and shopping centers, cafes and canteens, excursions are sold and tourist transport is offered for rent. If you need a tourist service (sale of excursions, guide services, housing offer, etc.), then you can safely go to the embankment of the Central Beach, and there you will find everything. By the way, the embankment here continuously stretches along the entire coast of Gelendzhik Bay for almost eight kilometers, but not everywhere it is as well developed as in the center.

Prices for tourist services and goods in Gelendzhik (for reference):

• Accommodation in a guest house with minimal amenities - from 400 rubles/person.
• Accommodation in a hotel room with amenities in a room for two – from 1600 rubles / room.
• A set lunch in a budget dining room - from 200 rubles/person.
• Eat in a cafe with soft drinks - from 400 rubles/person.
• Bicycle rental - from 100 rubles / hour, 500 rubles/day.
• Car parking near the beach 50 rubles / hour.
• Access to the beaches is free.
• The use of changing booths is free of charge.
• Rent of sun loungers - from 200 rubles / day.
• Toilet, shower-30 rubles.
• Banana riding 400 rubles/person.
• Riding on the "tablet" - 500 rubles/person.
• Souvenirs-magnets - from 30 rubles.
• Draft beer on the beach - from 60 rubles/0.5 liters.
• Draft kvass and lemonade on the beach - from 40 rubles/0.5 liters.

Hotels and accommodation where to stay

In Gelendzhik, during the peak season, a huge number of rooms and private housing are rented. You can find accommodation of any price category and comfort, there are even chain hotels of international level Category 5 stars. Budget accommodation is represented by private housing, private guest houses and mini-hotels. It is better to book hotels and accommodation in advance, but even if you arrive at the resort without a reservation, you can find it on the spot through intermediaries who meet guests of the city at the bus station, at the entrance to the city (if you travel by car), and in the center near the embankment.

As for the choice of area for living, if you read information about the beaches of Gelendzhik, most of the questions will disappear. If not, here's how best to choose a location:

• The closer to the beach, the better. Ideally, you should look for accommodation within walking distance from the shore and the embankment.
• If you want to be in the heart of the party and fun, it is better to settle closer to the Central City Beach (Center on map).
• If you need a calmer atmosphere and at the same time proximity to the center, then you can consider options in the area of Tolstiy Mys (Tolstiy Mys district on the map).
• An even calmer situation in the central part of the Bay. But there are beaches of sanatoriums, access to some of which is limited, and it is not always easy and close to get to the shore and the embankment through the territories of sanatoriums.
• Very quiet and peaceful in the area of Tonkiy Mys (Thin Cape) (Tonkiy Mys (Thin Cape) area on the map. There are also good beaches, but the most important thing is not to settle on the very tip of the Cape, there is nothing to do there.

We recommend searching and booking accommodation in Gelendzhik in advance through these sites of world and Russian booking systems or the search form from Booking:

• 🛌 search hotels in Gelendzhik on Yandex.travel
• 🛌 Search hotels on Ostrovok.ru
• 🛌 Search for affordable housing in Gelendzhik on Sutochno.ru

Weather in Gelendzhik, tourist seasons

• 🌞 need to go from June to August. The beach tourist season in Gelendzhik takes place in the summer months, especially the hot months – July and August.

• ⛅ you can go in May, September and October. These months are also suitable for rest. But in May, the weather can present unpleasant surprises in the form of rains and cold weather, besides, the tourist infrastructure is just beginning to "wake up", the beaches are not equipped, many cafes and restaurants do not work. September and October are the velvet season, when the main flow of tourists decreases, and accommodation prices fall significantly. However, in mid-September, some entertainment stops working.

• 🌨 do not go from November to April. These months are too cold and uncomfortable for beach holidays and swimming. But if there is nothing to do at all, and cheap tickets or tours to Gelendzhik are caught, some tourists come here just to change the situation, take a walk and see the sights. But you need to understand that most of the entertainment and attractions in winter are inaccessible.

Current weather in Gelendzhik and forecast

* - прогноз указан по местному времени. Данные получены с https://openweathermap.org. Если отображаются устаревшие даты, обновите страницу с помощью F5+Ctrl.

How to get there

Gelendzhik is located 180 kilometers from Krasnodar and 1520 from Moscow (Gelendzhik on the map). There is a small airport here, but, unfortunately, there are very few flights from the regions here, and prices are high. Therefore, as an alternative, you can get here by train. But there is no railway in Gelendzhik, and you will have to go by train to Novorossiysk, Anapa or Krasnodar, and from there to get to the place of rest by taxi or buses. To do this is not difficult, transport is well developed. There is also a bus station in Gelendzhik, where flights from the cities of the Krasnodar Territory and neighboring regions are operated in high season, and there are direct buses from the cities of the European part of the Russian Federation.

See more about all the ways, How to get to Gelendzhik here.

• By plane

  Gelendzhik has a small airport that accepts regular flights from Moscow, St. Petersburg and some regions of the Russian Federation. IATA code-GDZ, site - http://www.gdz.aero/. An alternative option is the airports of Anapa (105 kilometers) and Krasnodar (180 kilometers), kdua operates more low-cost flights from Moscow and the regions. They will have to get to the place of rest by taxi or buses with transfers, but even with this in mind, traveling through these airports can be cheaper than a direct flight to Gelendzhik airport.

  Minimum price for tickets from Moscow to Gelendzhik airport:

  ЦЕНА	ПЕРЕСАДКИ	АВИАКОМПАНИЯ	ДАТА ВЫЛЕТА	ДАТА ВОЗВРАЩЕНИЯ
  Купить от 18176 ₽	Без пересадок		30.05.2026	11.06.2026
  Купить от 15289 ₽	Без пересадок		09.06.2026	11.06.2026
  Купить от 28495 ₽	Без пересадок		10.07.2026	12.07.2026
  Купить от 28681 ₽	Без пересадок		30.08.2026	25.09.2026
  Купить от 26032 ₽	Без пересадок		18.09.2026	25.09.2026
  Купить от 26008 ₽	Без пересадок		16.10.2026	21.10.2026

  Minimum price for tickets from Russia to Gelendzhik airport:

  ЦЕНА	МАРШРУТ	ПЕРЕСАДКИ
  Купить от 14341 ₽	Москва ⇄ Геленджик	Прямой
  Купить от 17875 ₽	Санкт-Петербург ⇄ Геленджик	Прямой
  Купить от 16783 ₽	Екатеринбург ⇄ Геленджик	Прямой
  Купить от 33180 ₽	Красноярск ⇄ Геленджик	Прямой
  Купить от 17258 ₽	Казань ⇄ Геленджик	Прямой
  Купить от 16065 ₽	Тюмень ⇄ Геленджик	Прямой
  Купить от 13346 ₽	Самара ⇄ Геленджик	Прямой
  Купить от 19744 ₽	Уфа ⇄ Геленджик	Прямой

  Gelendzhik airport is located on the outskirts of the city in the area of Tonkiy Mys (Thin Cape) (airport on the map). Almost immediately at the exit from the airport, the tourist zone begins, so that some accommodation can be reached even on foot. You can get to another part of the resort city and to the center by city buses No. 5 or No. 16 for 23 rubles, or by taxi from 70 rubles on the meter.

• By train to Gelendzhik

  In Gelendzhik there is no railway and station, you will have to get by train through the railway stations in Novorossiysk (35 kilometers), in Anapa (85 kilometers) or Krasnodar (190 kilometers).

  The most convenient and closest is the railway station in Novorossiysk (railway station on the map). There are many trains from Moscow, St. Petersburg and the regions, many additional flights are launched in the summer. It is better to buy tickets for the summer season in advance a month or two before the trip, so it is Cheaper.

  Upon arrival at the railway station in Novorossiysk to Gelendzhik, you can take a taxi from 800 rubles, or by bus from 100 rubles, which will take 1-2 hours, depending on traffic jams and the type of transport.

  If there are no suitable flights from your city to Novorossiysk railway station, you can get here via Krasnodar or Anapa. In our opinion, it is more convenient to go through Krasnodar, since you do not have to make transfers between stations. The fact is that the railway station Krasnodar-1 is located next to the main bus station as Krasnodar (see for more information on how to get to Krasnodar). Therefore, immediately after arriving by train, you can walk to the bus station, and take the nearest bus to Gelendzhik. They are sent at least every hour, 4-5 hours on the road, the cost of 500 rubles. For bus schedules, see https://kpas.ru.

• By bus to Gelendzhik

  By bus you can get from many cities of the Krasnodar Territory and neighboring regions, as well as during the summer season there are direct flights from Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities of the European part of Russia. While it is generally cheaper to travel by bus than by train or plane, we recommend using this mode of Transport for long journeys (more than 12 hours) only as a last resort.

  The Schedule of buses to Gelendzhik in the Krasnodar Territory can be viewed on the website https://kpas.ru, long-distance here.

• By car to Gelendzhik

  The route to Gelendzhik from Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities of the Western (European) part of the Russian Federation usually passes along the high-speed Federal Highway M4-Don with partially paid sections. The fare on it will be from 1720 rubles. For all information about toll booths and payment procedures, see on the Rosavtodor website.

  You can go around the paid sections of the M4 on free roads, but then you will have to spend a few hours more time, because you will have to go through settlements with traffic jams.

  After Krasnodar, the last 180 kilometers can be driven along the M4 or A146. Both roads are free and about the same distance, but still the trip on the M4 is a bit faster.

See more about all the ways, How to get to Gelendzhik here.

Transport in Gelendzhik, what to move

Gelendzhik is a large city, and if you plan to relax actively with visiting various beaches and visiting local attractions, you can not do without transport. You can travel around the city by taxi, local city buses, a rented bicycle. We recommend that you do not use personal vehicles, since parking spaces are limited: there are prohibition signs everywhere, and photo and video recording of violations works. Personal transport should be used only for trips to remote attractions and entertainment, equipped with free parking.

• Taxi

  At the resort, you can order a taxi by phone, catch on the street, or order through aggregator applications. The last option is the most profitable and convenient, the trip starts from 70 rubles. As of 2021, Yandex.Taxi, Uber, Gett, and Luck work here. Citymobil doesn't work here yet.

• Bicycle and gyro scooter rental

  Rental of gyroscuters due to the high rental price is still more of a type of entertainment than a real way to move. But renting a bicycle is quite possible to move around the city and even the surrounding area, especially since the price is more or less acceptable. For example, rental points on the beach ask for a bicycle rental of 100 rubles / hour, 500 rubles/day and 700 rubles/day, and on the streets of the city and in guest houses you can get a price even lower. Unfortunately, there are almost no bike paths around the city, but it is quite safe to move along the roadway and along the entire width of the embankment.

• City buses

  The city has a public transport system of buses and taxis. Travel costs from 23 rubles (depending on the route and the length of the trip), paid in cash in the cabin at the entrance. Transport runs frequently, make stops at marked stops. Information about the schedule and traffic pattern can be viewed at the stops, and it is also marked on the buses themselves. There are only about two dozen routes, but not all are useful for tourists. Here are the most useful:

  • №№ 102, 30, 117/2, 646 – in Divnomorskoe.
  • No. 103 - to Kabardinka.
  • Nos. 5 and 16 - to the airport.
  • No. 2, 40 or 6A-to the bus station "upper".

  To take suburban routes (to Kabardinka, Dzhankhot, Divnomorskoye, etc.), the easiest way is to walk/drive to the old bus station in the center at Sadovaya Street 23 (bus station on the map).

• Free buses

  Special free express buses take you from the Centre to the safari park and cable car on the outskirts. They depart every 30-40 minutes from the Old Bus Station on Sadovaya Street 23 and the market stop on Kirova Street 48.

Attractions and entertainment, what to see

Directly in Gelendzhik itself there are not very many historical and cultural attractions, but taking into account tourist attractions and attractions in the vicinity, this is one of the most attractive sightseeing and entertainment places on the Black Sea coast. Here's what you should definitely visit during your vacation at the resort:

• Safari Park and cable car or Olymp Park and cable car (recommended with children)
• Dolphinarium (recommended with children)
• Golden Bay Water Park (recommended with children)
• Boat trips on motor ships
• Museum of local lore Gelendzhik
• Dolmen complex in Pshada
• Battery No. 394 captain Zubkov
• Attractions in Novorossiysk
• Waterfalls on the river Jean or Pshad waterfalls
• Roman Empire theme park (recommended with children)

In addition to interesting places that can be visited in the city itself and its surroundings, a huge selection of excursions to the Krasnodar Territory, to neighboring regions and to Abkhazia is offered. Excursions are sold everywhere by distributors on the embankment and streets of the city, as well as in travel agencies and hotels. It is safe to buy and distribute on the streets, but try to get full information about the tour right away, as the price of some excursions does not include an entrance fee to attractions and Entertainment, which can significantly increase the total cost. And, by the way, pay attention to the entrance fee called to you, because in some excursions it is too high, and it is cheaper to get there yourself and buy tickets on the spot. For reference, here are the prices for the most popular group excursions (adults/children in USD):

• Beauty of Adygea Plateau Lago-Naki-1800/1500.
• Crimean Bridge and swimming in Taman Bay-1500/1200.
• Mud volcanoes of Taman-1000/800.
• Waterfalls on the river Jean-500/400.
• Overview of Novorossiysk-650/500.
• Sightseeing in Abrau-Durso-700/600.

Well, if monotonous group tours are not very interesting to you, you can choose individual or author's excursions on these proven sites:

• 📷 search for excursions in Gelendzhik on Tripster.ru
• 📷 search for excursions in Gelendzhik on Sputnik8.com

As for entertainment for adults and young people, everything is fine with this in Gelendzhik. The older generation can dine in the restaurant overlooking the sea in the evening and listen to old or live music in one of the many cafes along the promenade. Young people can "Party" All Night Long in one of the nightclubs, here are the most progressive and popular nightclubs: Formula club, Sea House club & restaurant, Retro Version (there is mainly music for the older generation), CALIGULA strip club, night visit. There are several karaoke bars. Well, if you want something quite unusual, you can go to an evening disco on the high seas on a motor ship.

Learn more about all the sights of Gelendzhik with an indication of the cost of visiting, opening hours, ways to get to them, and a map of the resort with attractions here.