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More Things to do in Sochi, including Tours, Layover, and Overnight Ideas


Stuff to do in Sochi



Home > Destinations >Country flagRussia > Krasnodar Krai > Sochi


Things To Do in Sochi & Sochi Airport Layover Ideas


Sochi things to do

Things to do in Sochi if you have a Sochi Airport Layover or Extended Sochi Airport Stopover


If you have an extended layover at the Sochi Airport or staying in town, why not consider getting out with some fun activities? We list a few here and there are many more on Sochi.LayoverIdeas.com.


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Exploring Sochi on foot


Exploring Sochi on footWithin Central Sochi most distances are walkable, with some regard to hilly landscape and appropriate physical efforts needed (construction prior to 2014 Olympics has made some walks less suitable).


Other districts of the city have signuificant spaces between their parts, so it's better to use some transport to get, for example, from Matsesta to Kudepsta or from Loo to Lazarevskoe.


To walk between districts and sub-districts of Greater Sochi is also usually not convenient due to lack of sidewalks, hilly terrain, and intensive traffic.


It may seem that the city extended along the sea coast should have long promenades. In fact, most of the coastline space behind the beach is taken by the railroad. So, the only real promenade is between Riviera Park and Dendrarium of Central Sochi, plus the new Olympic Park of Adler.


Due to the resort specifics of Sochi, the usual approach there is to measure the distance in meters from the beach. This may play a bad joke: you can find yourself at a hotel or apartment close to the sea, but far away from any infrastructure and transportation. So, be attentive while booking.


Sochi has recently introduced a city bike rental service. A bike can be taken and left at any of 30 automated terminals. The service itself is free, but you need to leave RUB 3,000 deposit. There are some cycle lanes in the city, but Sochi is gnerally uncomfortable for cycling due to heavy traffic and a lot of construction sites.


Sochi Olympic Park Map

Museum of Sochi Sport Honour


Museum of Sochi Sport HonourMuseum of Sochi Sport Honour, Sovetskaya, 26 - Central, ☎ +7 (8622) 64-23-26, +7 (928) 448 90 85 (tours). Daily, 11-00AM - 9-00PM. Entrance RUB 80.


The newest museum in the city opened in 2010 on the threshold of 2014 Olympics. The items of its collection show the history of Olympics, the Olympic movement, and Sochi participation in the organization of Olympics. The most important items are Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic flags, as well as the miniaturized models of Coastal and Mountain cluster venues. The museum also acts as a cultural center, where numerous educational programs and meetings are conducted. 

Sochi Art Museum


Sochi Art MuseumSochi Art Museum, Kurortny, 51 - Central, ☎ +7 (8622) 62-2947, +7 (8622) 62-2916. The museum occupies one of the most beautiful buildings of Sochi, built in 1936. Its collection is the largest at the Black Sea coast (more than 5 000 items of various style and period from antique to contemporary). The exposition expands with new paintings of Sochi artists, regular solo exhibitions are organized. 

Stalin's Summer Residence


StalinStalin's Summer Residence, 120, Kurortny - Khosta district, ☎ +7 (8622) 69 56 00. Initially a merchant's Mikhailovskoe estate, taken by Bolsheviks and later converted into Stalin's residence by Miron Merzhanov, Soviet chief architect. Stalin visited this dacha quite often, having numerous meetings with top-echelon politicians, such as Chinese chairman Mao. Inside is a museum with many personal belongings and Stalin's waxwork. There are also legends about Stalin's phantom, still walking around this place by nights.

Statue of Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin


Statue of Churchill, Roosevelt and StalinStatue of Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin, Vinogradnaya, 14 - Central (at Krashmashevsky resort hotel area). Erected in 2008 by an Israeli sculptor Frank Meisler, the monument commemorates the  Yalta Conference, which brought together the leaders of the of the anti-Hitler coalition in World War II (there are copies in the USA and the UK). At the same place, a historical museum of World War II was opened.

Byzantine Ruins


There are some ancient Byzantine ruins in Sochi:


  • Godlik fortress, Kurskaya street, Chemitokvadzhe - Lazarevskoe district. The remains of a Byzantine triangle fortress, which was initially built in 4-5 centuries A.D. Despite of the poor condition of this sight, it still has some remaining towers and part of limestone walls. 
  • Loo temple, Loo - Lazarevskoe district. Another Byzantine site, and also in poor condition. Located at the hilltop away from the sea (1.5 km), it was initially built in 10-12 centuries, rebuilt in 14th century and converted into a fortress in 15-16 centuries. 

Riviera Park


Riviera ParkRiviera Park, Yegorova, 1 - Central, ☎ +7 (8622) 64-33-77, +7 (8622) 64-08-85. Free entrance.


The most popular and the biggest public park of Greater Sochi, established in 1898 and fully renovated 100 years after. Riviera is an all-season sight. In summer it offers shadow and numerous leisure attractions, while in winter its silent alleys attract fans of quiet walks and solitude. The park has restaurants and bars, sports facilities, leisure centers, a cinema, and other attractions.


The Green Theatre of the park is a venue for frequent concerts and festivals.


The main point of interest is probably Friendship Alley (Поляна дружбы), established in 1960, with trees planted by famous politicians, celebrities and other well-known people. For example, 45 Russian cosmonauts and American astronauts planted their trees at this site. 

Oceanarium at Riviera Park, Open daily, summer 10-00 - 0-00, winter 10-00 - 21-00. The most centrally located of Sochi's aquariums. Adults RUB 300, kids (6-11 years old) RUB 200.

As always, make sure you leave plenty of time to get back to the Sochi Airport in time for your connection and enjoy your layover city rather than whiling away the time leaning up against your luggage in the departures lounge.



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Last Updated: 20 Sep 2023