Where to stay in Sochi: What You Need to Know
Sochi is the most famous tourist town in Russia and the Soviet spa town par excellence.
It emerges between the snowy mountains of the Caucasus and the Black Sea, in the Krasnodar region, a 145 km long coastline with a mountainous backdrop extending from Magri to the Psou river, on the border with Abkhazia.
Sochi is known for its sea and snow scene, and its surroundings boast temperate climate, subtropical vegetation, medicinal, mineral-rich lagoons, and beautiful sandy beaches. Sounds like a Caribbean paradise, but immersed in ex-Soviet lands. Sochi has an important sporting heritage, hosting world-class events such as the Winter Olympics in 2014, the Formula 1 Russian Grand Prix, and the World Cup Russia 2018.
May and September are the best times to visit the “Russian Riviera”, the coastal environment and the events are a subtle invitation to stay at some of Sochi’s fine resorts, private beaches, spas, recreation centers, water parks and docks; It’s the high season of the city.
The winter in Sochi, unlike the rest of Russia, is quite warm. The snowy mountains of the Caucasus reflect the winter face of Russia and are attractive for extreme sports, skiing, ice skating and snowboarding.
During the 2014 Winter Olympics, the tourism infrastructure of Sochi was remodeled and expanded. Training camps and competition venues were taken to the next level. Sochi’s transport system was also perfected.
Best Areas to Stay in Sochi, Russia
1. Best area: City Centre (Near the Central Train Station)
Sochi’s Train Station is located in the dynamic city centre, close to the historic quarter, the city’s theater and only half an hour from sea promenade.
It’s an area with several museums. Sochi’s history museum illustrates the past and development of old Sochi. Sochi’s automobile museum is also near the station area.
Traveling by train is the best and fastest way to move around Sochi. The city’s railway infrastructure was improved for the 2014 winter Olympics.
Sochi’s train station surroundings are the most convenient area to stay in Sochi.
There are stations from Adler to Tuapse and in all large towns.
From here, you can easily access the Oceanarium, the Riviera Park and the Olympic Stadium (Fisht).
What makes this the best area to stay in Sochi
- City Centre
- Tourist attractions
- Train station
- Good restaurants
- Cafés and nightlife
- Best area for tourists
Hand-picked hotels in this area
Our Top PickPark Inn by Radisson Sochi City Centre features a restaurant and a fitness center, it is located in Sochi, a 15-minute walk from the Black Sea coast. The Sochi Train Station is 100 meters away and the Black Sea Port of Sochi is 1 km from the hotel.
Budget OptionDenart Hotel is located in the center of Sochi, a 10-minute walk from the Black Sea coast. It has free Wi-Fi and free private parking.
Midrange OptionZvyozdny Hotel has a seasonal outdoor heated pool. It consists of 2 buildings: the main building and VIP. A free shuttle service to the Black Sea private beach is offered from May to October.
Luxury OptionRodina Grand Hotel & SPA is a 5 star hotel, located on the Black Sea coast, in Sochi. It has a private beach, several gourmet restaurants, a Wellness and Spa center by Rodina with indoor and outdoor pools and a kids’ club.
2. Port of Sochi
Sochi’s seafront promenade and port are must-see attractions of the city. This Russian stretch of coast is really attractive, the Black Sea imprints a captivating and melancholic atmosphere on the borders of the Riviera.
Sochi is a tourist resort in every sense of the word and nowhere is this fact as obvious as near the port area.
The several port restaurants offer a varied menu at lunch time. Here, you can taste an exotic aperitif, ideal to enjoy the sea breeze and contemplate captivating views of the sea.
The jetty is the #1 choice for tourists looking to eat international dishes and seafood.
It should be noted that the facilities of the port underwent a radical transformation during the Olympic renewal of Sochi. It was enlarged and its infrastructure remodeled. Its maritime and railway connections were much improved.
Accommodation in this arera includes resort-style hotels, tourist apartments and quaint hotels. Some of them feature seaviews.
What makes this the best area to stay in Sochi
- Close to the centre
- Resort-type hotels
- Refined atmosphere
- Near the beach
Hand-picked hotels in this area
Our Top PickMarins Park Hotel, located on Sochi Beach, it offers spacious rooms with views of the Black Sea and a free wellness center with swimming pool and sauna. The establishment serves local and international cuisine.
Luxury OptionPullman Sochi Centre Hotel offers an indoor pool, seasonal outdoor pool, access to Fit and Spa Loung and free WiFi. During the summer season, the hotel offers serviced beach.
3. Olympic Park & Fisht Stadium
Built in 2014 and open to the public since then, the Olympic Park is a live story of an extraordinary edition of the Winter Olympics where the Russian Riviera was the center of attention for a month.
Its facilities hosted Olympic feats and memorable sports stories, it was the scene of different sporting disciplines such as figure skating, hockey, curling and other winter sports, without forgetting the Olympic village that housed coaches, athletes and country delegations at the time.
Just metres from the Olympic Park is the Olympic Stadium Fisht, the largest in Sochi and one of the most modern in Russia. It gained popularity after being the central stage for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2014 Winter Olympics, It is one the 12 venues for the 2018 World Cup.
What makes this the best area to stay in Sochi
- Modern area
- Connected by train
- Olympic Park
- 2018 World Cup Stadium
Hand-picked hotels in this area
Our Top PickBogatyr Hotel is located in Adler, a 5-minute walk from the Black Sea shore. The rooms have a balcony, air conditioning, a seating area, an electric kettle, a minibar, a hairdryer and a flat-screen satellite TV.
Budget OptionBoutique Hotel La Terrassa is located in Adler, just a 5-minute walk from the Olympic Park. La Terrassa Boutique Hotel offers free Wi-Fi.
4. Near Sochi Discovery World Aquarium
It has many names such as Sochi Oceanarium, Adler Oceanarium or Sochi Discovery World Aquarium, it is located in Adler, south of Sochi.
It is the largest of its kind in Russia, thanks to its 6000 m², it holds 30 aquariums holding some four thousand species of more than two hundred marine habitats and a total volume of 5 million liters of water.
Sharks, eels, jellyfish, corals, rays and turtles captivate young and old visitors, it is one of Sochi’s must-see attractions, their shows remain open to the general public. You can even dive in or have contact with marine life by feeding the fish in the aquarium.
This area of Greater Sochi is connected by train to the rest of the city and the Olympic Park, a few kilometres to the south.
What makes this the best area to stay in Sochi
- Sochi Discovery World Aquarium
- Connected by train
- Near Olympic Park
- Modern area
- Cheap accommodation
Hand-picked hotels in this area
Our Top PickEcodom Adler is a 5-minute drive from the Adler Train Station, 200 meters from a public beach on the Black Sea. It has an outdoor pool, children’s playground and sauna.
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