Gagra is a city in Abkhazia between the mountains and the sea. The mountains protect the resort from cold winds, but at the same time retain the incoming warm air. That is why Gagra is the warmest corner of the Black Sea.
Another prince of Oldenburg, a relative of Nicholas II, having visited here, decided to equip this place. By his order, a telegraph was built, electricity was supplied, and water supply was established.
Today Gagra is a developed Abkhaz resort, interesting not only by the sea and beach activities, but also by historical buildings and natural attractions. What interesting places to visit and see, where to go to the nearest neighborhood in your free time from the beach - read (and look at the photo) below.
Attractions marked on the city map:
Natural Monuments
Mount Mamdzyshkha
The height of the mountain is 1876 meters. The first person to climb the mountain back in the 19th century was called Mamz - hence the name. The foot of the mountain descends to the Blue Lake. Almost the entire surface of the mountain is covered with greenery, only the top is decorated with alpine flowers due to strong winds. In early summer, a black tulip can be seen blooming.
The Prince of Oldenburg was struck by the beauty of the mountain. Therefore, in 1904, he ordered to build a road so that everyone could enjoy these views. The length of this road was 30 km. 2 observation decks were erected. From this height you can see the gorges, the reserve, the highest point of the Gagra ridge. The ascent along the mountain itself with special equipment takes 2 hours, and the descent takes half an hour. Lovers of romance are advised to visit this place at sunset, and extreme lovers specially come to rest in Gagra to jump from here on a hang glider or paraglider.
Here is a video of what such a flight looks like:
Walking tour cost: 400 rubles
Horse riding: 500 rubles per person
How to get there: Arrive at the railway station and take a bus that will take you to the "Abaat Fortress". It is from the fortress that the gorge begins. On foot to the fortress, you can walk along Naarta Avenue to Gagarin Square.
It stretches from the city limits to the Joequara River in the mountain. Hence the name of the gorge - "zhoekvara" is translated as "12 springs". It is better to go here with a guide who will tell you about this place. And it's not safe to walk here alone. In front of the entrance to the gorge, there is an asphalt road, but after walking a little, it will be replaced by a path. A linden tree grows in the gorge, which is 500 years old. The waterfalls are especially beautiful here. You can come here either on foot or by renting a horse.
It is better to visit this place in autumn from September to November, when there is no heat. In the summer you can meet poisonous scorpions and snakes.
How to get there: from school Gagra №2, which is located at the intersection of st. Tsikherva and st. General Dbar. And the gorge itself is the current natural border between the parts of Gagra.
In translation it means "dried up spring". This gorge divides the city into the Old and New parts. In the gorge there is the Evpatiya cave, divided into 2 halls. The sections of the cave were equipped with observation platforms. Inside there is a waterfall, and behind it is a cave of stalactites.
Architectural monuments
Address: Near the fountain next to the Primorsky Park and the Gagrapsh restaurant on the square in the Old Town.
The Moorish-style colonnade is located in Old Gagra in its very center. It was built in the period after the war in 1951. The opening was in 1956, this place is considered to be a symbol of revival.
The colonnade is located in a semicircle near the fountain in the city square, complementing its architecture. The length is 60 meters, it consists of 4 towers, interconnected by arcades. Each arcade is made of 8 arches. There is a beach behind this architectural structure, so the Gagra Colonnade serves as a gate. While staying here in the evening, you can watch a beautiful sunset against the backdrop of the sea.
How to get there: you can get to the territory of the castle from the park by cable car (200 rubles).
The castle was built in 1902, from which Gagra began its formation. This building is distinguished by the Art Nouveau style. The roof is made of red tiles, the building is equipped with chimneys and a balcony. The falconer's tower complemented the entire design. The castle was built on the side of a mountain.
In Soviet times, the building was given to the Chaika sanatorium. And because of the conflict between Georgia and Abkhazia, devastation appeared. The building is still surrounded by ruins. The entrance to the castle itself is prohibited, as it is in a dilapidated state. Therefore, it can only be viewed from the outside.
Address: Gagarin Square
It appeared in about the 5th century, and it was built either by paragraphs, or by the Romans. The fortress was destroyed, but it was restored. But still, the part of the building located to the sea collapsed under the influence of the surf. Remnants of towers and walls can now be seen.
Address: Gagarin Square, on the territory of the fortress of the same name
Price: Free admission
The Abaat Church, or, as it is also called, the Gagra Temple, is one of the oldest structures in Abkhazia. It was erected by the Christians of the Caucasus in the 6th century, although some scholars believe that it was in the 10th century. At the end of the construction, it was called the Church of the Protection of the Mother of God, later it was consecrated in the name of Saint Hypatius of Gagra, whose relics rest in it.
This church is an example of an ancient three-church basilica. The building has been perfectly preserved to this day. The Abaat Church was built from roughly hewn limestone boulders. Its interior is simple and even a little harsh. On one of the walls of the church there is an image of the Bolnisi Cross, and immediately above the entrance is the Maltese Cross.
For the entire time that the church existed, the building was used for various purposes - a powder magazine and a museum were located here. In 2007, restoration was carried out, after which services began again in the Abaat church.
Address: next to the Abaat Fortress on Gagarin Square
The tower has not survived, only part of the wall has remained. This is a military structure that was used as a fortification and was constantly raided by the mountaineers. The name of the tower comes from the name of the Decembrist Bestuzhev-Marlinsky. Now this wall separates the two houses and serves as a fence.
Other attractions and entertainment
The park was created by the architect Shervinsky and decorator Brener at the beginning of the 20th century. The area of the park is 14 hectares, the length is 6 km along the seashore. To create a cozy place as it is now, it was necessary to uproot the trees and drain the swamps.
Now more than 400 species of various plants grow here: date palms are native to the Canary Islands, fan palms were brought from China, and coconut palms from South America. The climate is favorable for tropical plants. Swans are black, goldfish swim in an artificial pool.
We are launching a series of materials about travel to Abkhazia. Primordial nature, inimitable history and Caucasian hospitality are all about her, about the "Land of the Soul".
Around Gagra
A dream resort for tsars and Soviet party workers. Gagra is the warmest place on the entire Black Sea coast, because the high Arabica mountains are closest to the coast and protect from cold winds.
We all know the most popular places in the city - the Gagra colonnade, the castle of the Prince of Oldenburg and the Gagripsh restaurant. However, today we propose to go to the outskirts of the city, where you can find no less picturesque corners and monuments with ancient history. And the main plus of Gagra is that the resort is located 30 minutes from Adler, and it is as easy to spend a whole day there as, for example, in Krasnaya Polyana.
White Rocks Beach
A unique natural phenomenon of the Black Sea is the marble beach. This is one of the most beautiful beaches in Abkhazia. Snow-white cliffs emerge from the sea, stretching for a distance of 200 meters along the very edge of the water. In 1981, the white rocks in Abkhazia were recognized as a natural monument. Rocks stretch along the coast, the water is very clear, which is great for snorkeling.
How to get there
📍 The beach is located 7 km from the Russian border between Gagra and the village of Tsandripsh on the Sukhum highway.
Coordinates
43.366140, 40.103998
Mount Mamzishkha
The mountain is located 6 kilometers from Gagra and actually rises over the city. The height of the mountain is 1876 meters, and it is covered with impenetrable forest, except for the very top. Due to strong winds, only grass grows at the peak - this is a zone of alpine meadows.
There are two observation decks on the way up the mountain. The first is located 300 meters above sea level, and from here you can see Gagra at a glance. The observation deck is equipped with a balcony and railings. The second one stands above 975 meters in the middle of the serpentine branch. From here you can clearly see Pitsunda and even the Sukhum Cape. 
How to get there
📍 It is better to choose morning hours for travel. The road starts from Nartaa Avenue along a serpentine upward.
Coordinates
43.301032, 40.307736
Khashup fortress
At the top of a high mountain there are the ruins of one of the largest and most grandiose fortresses in Abkhazia from the early Middle Ages. The fortress has been well preserved to this day. During the Middle Ages, it was very important for local residents: in the event of an enemy attack, they could safely take refuge in it.
For greater protection, the fortress has a very strong wall with towers in the form of quadrangles. The towers are located near the cliffs, as well as near the turns. There are burial grounds and destroyed graves near the fortress. The fortress has never been restored, and therefore largely retained its original appearance. And if you climb the ruins of a watchtower, you can see a majestic panorama from the azure coast in the south to the snowy peaks of the Bzyb ridge in the north.
How to get there
📍 You can get to the fortress along the road from Tsandripsh, leading north along the river valley to the village of Khashupsa. Behind him, the road turns to Bagnari, and a path leaves to the left, leading past the cliffs to the ruins.
Coordinates
43.429725, 40.12305
Hashupse Canyon
The canyon is small, about a kilometer long, but very picturesque. The Khashupse River is formed at the confluence of two rivers and flows into the sea near the Russian-Abkhaz border. Soon after the confluence, the river enters the Khashup gorge - a narrow rocky corridor bounded by high vertical walls. This very gorge consists of several canyons. At the northern end of the canyon, on the mountain, there is a fortress known as the Turkish fortress. It was built an eternity ago - in the 1st-2nd centuries AD. 
How to get there
📍 The way from Tsandripsha is possible along the old road going to the right of the Sukhum highway along the right bank of the river or from the Tsandripsha market right along the bed of the Khashupse river.
Coordinates
43.405555,40.110222
Tsandripsh Basilica
The temple was built in the 5th-6th centuries and is well preserved to this day. One of the most ancient temples in Abkhazia, it is located near the sea coast in the village of Tsandripsh. The architecture, as well as its once excellent acoustics, indicate the high skill of the architects. Excellent acoustic data were associated with jugs embedded in the walls. Despite the fact that more than 1,500 years have passed since the construction of the temple, the building has largely remained in its original form. 
How to get there
📍 To the village of Tsandripsh to Sukhumskoe by the highway about 5 kilometers from the border with Russia
Coordinates
43.379438, 40.070909
Abaata fortress
This is an ancient defensive structure built in the 4th-5th centuries. Throughout its history, the fortress belonged to the Genoese, Sadz, Russian military and even was a resting place for aristocrats. Inside the fortress in the 8th century AD, Christians built the Church of the Intercession of the Mother of God, which has almost completely retained its appearance to this day. Now the Abaata fortress is a historical landmark; there is a museum here. 
How to get there
📍 Stop "Abaata", Gagra, Sukhumskoe highway
Coordinates
43.325426,40.223952
#VsevidelvSochi project
Called to tell about Sochi in detail. Every week on our site there will be material on the resort, created in conjunction with the largest excursion company in the city - "Ruta", and they know everything about Sochi.
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Mount Battery: 43.581319, 39.731772
Mount Big Akhun: 43.550379, 39.843507
33 waterfalls: 43.839975, 39.558635
Waterfall Azhek: 43.710246, 39.819088
Orekhovsky waterfall: 43.707384, 39.773866
Agursky waterfalls: 43.553400, 39.820118
Mount Picket: 43.643336, 39.788429
Yew-boxwood grove: 43.527399, 39.874520
Zmeikovsky waterfalls: 43.635951, 39.816234
Olympic Park: 43.405609, 39.954700
Eagle Rocks: 43.559638, 39.822736
Ski resort "Rosa Khutor": 43.671808, 40.297817
Sochi Arboretum: 43.566835, 39.740853
Park \ "Southern Cultures \": 43.418110, 39.937363
Stalin's dacha: 43.545340, 39.801874
Extreme Park SkyPark: 43.525402, 40.000620
Mountain Stone Pillar: 43.613429, 40.330811
Amuko: 43.781505, 39.883461
Navaginskaya street: 43.588236, 39.724342
Akhtsu gorge: 43.587896, 40.007751
Seaside Park: 43.573791, 39.726203
Observation deck at Tea Houses: 43.668304, 39.629095
Rotunda on Terrencourt: 43.547886, 39.784467
Ovsyannikov ridge: 43.519444, 39.883611
Restaurant "At the End of the Earth": 43.799931, 39.632869
Sanatorium Ordzhonikidze in Sochi: 43.555896, 39.768730
Sochi Central Market: 43.593900, 39.724128
Sochi Marine Terminal: 43.580796, 39.718833
Soviet mosaics in Sochi: 43.609048, 39.735304
White Rocks Beach: 43.366140, 40.103998
Mount Mamzishkha: 43.301032, 40.307736
Khashup fortress: 43.429725, 40.123050
Hashupse Canyon: 43.405555, 40.110222
Tsandripsh Basilica: 43.379438, 40.070909
Gagra, view of the colonnade near the city parkThe history of the emergence and development of Gagra is very ancient. In the 2nd century BC, Greek merchants founded a city called Triglyph. After the arrival of the Romans, the city was renamed to Nitika. Then there was a long series of names: Byzantine Trachea, Kakara and Hakari, Venetian Kontesi and Kakura, Persian Derbent and Turkish Badalag. With the annexation of the Caucasus to Russia, the city was named Gagra, which means "the sanctuary of the Hagba clan."
Initially, the city was founded as a trading port, attracting merchants from all over the world to its shores. It became a resort thanks to the Prince of Oldenburg, who considered it necessary to make Gagra a resort town, a health resort town, provide electricity, build a climate station, and lay a park. After a couple of years, tourists from all over the world began to come here for rest and treatment. And today Gagra invites lovers of clean air and warm sea to its land. There are no harmful industries in Gagra. The air is saturated with ions, sea salts and oxygen. And this healing cocktail contributes to the healthy rest of the guests and residents of Gagra.
Climate and weather
Gagra's climate was formed under the influence of sea air. Cold mainland winds have almost no access to the city thanks to the Gagra ridge. Mountains and gorges create special ventilation here, cooling the air in summer and warming it in winter. Many people note that Gagra has warmer and milder weather compared to other Black Sea cities.
The hottest time of the year is July-August. The air temperature during the day rises to + 27 ... + 30 ° C, and at night it does not drop below +20 ° C. The sea warms up to + 22 ... 24 ° C. The beginning of autumn is the best time to stay at the resort: the air is warm, the thermometer rises to + 23 ... + 25 ° C, and the sea water warms up to + 24 ... 26 ° C. The swimming season starts in May and ends in November.
The winter is mild. The coldest month of the year is January. Frosts are extremely rare and do not last long (10-12 days). The average air temperature in winter is + 8… + 10 ° C. The water is cooled down to + 9 ... + 12 ° C.
Most of the precipitation falls in winter and early spring. Sunny days - more than 7 months a year.
Nature
The Gagra resort is located in a picturesque place - between the blue sea and a high mountain range, immersed in greenery. The rivers Bzyb and Psou flow near the city. They are complemented by picturesque waterfalls and rock tunnels. Lake Ritsa is located 50 kilometers from Gagra among the mountains. It is small, but very deep, with clear azure water. In Gagra itself, the rivers Gagripsh, Zhoekvara, Tsikherva and Reprua flow - the shortest river in the world (18 meters). Some of them flow into the Black Sea.
Not far from the city rises Mount Mamzishkha, whose height reaches 1878 meters. Mamzishkhi offers a stunning view of the sea surface, lush greenery and distant mountain peaks.
The mountain slopes near Gagra are mostly covered with beech forest. Not far from the city, in deciduous forests, you can find groves of seaside pine, which purify the air, giving it a unique aroma. These forests are often called the Gagra forest dacha. High in the mountains, you can enjoy alpine meadows with lush grass and colorful flowers. The peaks of the mountain ranges are covered with eternal snow that does not melt even on the hottest days. Tangerines, lemons, oranges, and boxwood grow on the seashore. There are vineyards, olive trees, figs, laurel in Gagra.
Tour, chamois, deer, roe deer, wild boar, bear, jackal, wolf, fox, wild cat are found in the vicinity of Gagra; also nightingales, blackbirds, jays, starlings, pheasants, golden eagles, falcons love to nest here. The sea is inhabited by trout and perch, dolphin and stingray, in the rivers - zander and river trout.
Not far from the resort is the Zhoekvarskoe gorge, along the bottom of which the river Zhoekvara flows. The gorge is covered with dense thickets of boxwood, moss and other plants. The Caucasian linden tree grows here, which is more than 500 years old.
sights
Gagra is divided by the Tsikherva River into the Old City and New Gagra. The old part of the resort was built before the October Revolution, and the main attractions are concentrated in it. New Gagra is equipped with modern infrastructure.
The most notable attraction of Gagra, which occupies almost the entire coastal area of the city, is the Primorsky Park of the Prince of Oldenburg. The park contains more than six hundred different plants: dates, coconuts, magnolias, bananas, candy trees. All of them were brought from various parts of the world. The park is decorated with sculptures by Zurab Tsereteli. Swans and ducks swim in the ponds. In the park there is the oldest restaurant in Abkhazia - "Gagripsh", which is more than 100 years old. Chekhov, Bunin, Gorky rested in it.
The oldest attraction of the resort is located on the banks of the Zhoekvara River. This is the castella fortress of the same name, which was built by the Romans in the 4th century. Not far from the Zhoekvara fortress are the remains of a 6th century fortress.
The Gagra Temple, a massive monumental structure, has a special atmosphere. A path made of thousands of slabs polished to shine leads to the temple. It is surrounded on both sides by tall cypresses. Today the temple is inactive, it houses the Museum of Abkhazian weapons with a unique collection of swords, knives, daggers.
A peculiar attraction of Gagra is the castle of the Prince of Oldenburg, which was built back in 1902. It was with him that the construction of the resort town began.
The most striking early Christian monument of Abkhazia and Gagra is the Tsandripsh Basilica, erected on the Black Sea coast in acacia thickets.
Nutrition
The Old Town has many parks, attractions, but few cafes and restaurants, and if there are any, then, as a rule, they remain from Soviet times. There are much more modern catering establishments in Novaya Gagra. Cafes and restaurants are usually open until 24:00. The prices are quite high; you can eat on a budget only in buffets and canteens (full lunch - from $ 5 to $ 10).
One of the most popular places among tourists in Staraya Gagra is the summer cafe "Araucaria" in the Seaside Park, not far from the boarding house "Kolkhida". The cost of lunch per person is $ 15-25.
The Shtab cafe reminds of the military operations in the country with its army decoration. Here you can taste Caucasian, European and Japanese cuisine. Some dishes are prepared in front of the guest on an open fire or grill. The cost of the dinner is $ 10-15.
Dishes of European and national cuisine can be tasted on the seashore, in the cafe "Ritsa". The cost of a dinner for one person here will be $ 15-25.
The pearl of the gastronomic world of Gagra is the century-old Gagripsh restaurant. At the beginning of the 20th century, it was almost destroyed and recently rebuilt. In the last century, secular balls and meetings of high-ranking people were held here, and today almost everyone can dine in the restaurant. The cost of lunch will be $ 15-30.
Accommodation
In Gagra, you can stay in boarding houses, hotels, holiday homes or rent an apartment. When choosing accommodation, remember that the more modern New Gagra is far from the sea coast. Rooms of hotels and rest houses are equipped with all conveniences: bathroom and shower with constant cold and hot water, air conditioning. New private hotels are decorated in a modern style, rooms are equipped with satellite TV, hairdryer, iron, kitchenette with fridge and kettle, internet access. Very often, by agreement, the owners of a private hotel or holiday home meet their future guests.
Many boarding houses and rest houses offer relaxation by the pool, on the tennis court, and make it possible to cook a juicy barbecue right in the yard. Some hotels have a sauna, steam bath, bar, massage, hairdressing services, body wraps. As a rule, you can order meals or cook yourself for an additional fee. Sometimes breakfast is included in the room rate.
Accommodation prices vary greatly by seasons: the middle of summer is the “hottest” time, when the cost reaches its maximum and can be $ 20-100 per person. In some places, children under 7 years old are free of charge.
It is possible to find housing - a separate house or rooms with amenities on the floor - in the private sector. As a rule, such housing is rented only in summer. Room cost - $ 10-15 per person per day; a house for four can be found for $ 50-70, a villa for more people - $ 80-150.
Entertainment and recreation
Gagra is a great place for youth and active family holidays.
The resort's beaches, pebbly and sandy, surrounded by evergreen palm trees, stretch for 53 kilometers. Most of them are generally available, but there are also paid ones. Some beaches offer sun loungers and umbrellas for rent.
In Gagra you can go snorkeling, conquering water attractions. Some clubs offer boat trips, which are accompanied by diving.
In Gagra, there is the only water park in Abkhazia, very popular among children. The cost of the visit is $ 15. In the summer, an amusement park with all kinds of attractions is set up in the city.
Nightlife was raging in Staraya Gagra. Nightclubs, bars and discos, which have been increasing in recent years, are located on the Black Sea coast. The clubs are open until 2: 00–3: 00.
In Gagra, active recreation is quite developed - paragliding and hang-gliding, rafting, horseback riding, climbing the mountains. There are tennis courts in the city. Mountain peaks with eternal snow await ski lovers.
Purchases
There are no boutiques or large shopping centers in Gagra. The most luxurious place to shop is the Continent supermarket. It is located near the railway station; next to the supermarket - minibuses and buses stops. In the "Continent" you can buy food, accessories, dishes, souvenirs. There is a small Sly market near the store (prices are slightly higher than in the "Continent").
The largest market in Gagra is the city market. On it you can buy Abkhaz pomegranates, feijoa, honey, wine, chacha, spices, fruits and vegetables; souvenirs are also sold. If you cook on your own, then it is better to buy food here: prices are low and you can bargain. The market is open from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm, although sellers usually leave at 2:00 pm; for fresh homemade meat, you should come by 6: 00–7: 00. It is very easy to get to the market - on a minibus with the words “Market” written on it.
Souvenir shops and small shops are scattered around the city. Many of them work only in June-September.
Transport
The resort can be reached by rail and bus. Two trains run through Gagra, Moscow - Sukhum and Adler - Sukhum. In the near future, the Sochi-Gagra train is going to be commissioned. There is a bus from the border with Russia to Gagra.
Buses and fixed-route taxis run around the city. There are only two bus routes, flights are made only during rush hours with a frequency of 1 time per hour. The cost of one bus ride is $ 0.16.
You can also take a taxi. Please note that the fare is often overstated, so negotiate the price in advance.
Connection
There are two Abkhaz operators in Gagra, Aquafon and A-Mobile, which cover not only the city's territory, but also the surrounding area. Aquafon offers 3G communication. The cost of 1 MB of traffic is $ 0.17. Top-up machines and payment points are everywhere. Of the Russian operators, Beeline, MTS and Megafon operate in roaming in Gagra.
At the moment there are 4 Wi-Fi access points in the city. Connection to them is free (for this you need to buy a universal payment card, the prices for them are different and depend on the tariff) and is possible from any device that supports Wi-Fi. There are only a few Internet cafes in Gagra. An hour of work on the World Wide Web costs $ 1.5.
There are several post offices in Gagra. As a rule, they only work on weekdays from 9:00 to 17:00. A city call costs $ 0.06, the cost of long-distance and international calls depends on the distance of the call.
Security
Money and valuables should be kept in the safe of the hotel, boarding house. It is better not to leave the car unattended, park it in a visible place. Police cars and patrol groups of 3-4 people patrol the city all day and night. If necessary, you can contact them for help.
Business climate
The most developed areas of private business are tourism, hotel business and restaurant business. Many boarding houses and hotels in Gagra have recently begun to offer accommodation services for business delegations, as well as meeting and transporting members of delegations to the desired location. State and international exhibitions and conferences are held in Gagra.
Real estate
A one-room apartment in Gagra costs $ 30,000- $ 45,000, a two-room apartment - $ 40,000-60,000. If the apartment has been properly renovated, its cost increases by 1.5–2 times. Prices for a house with a plot depend on the area of the plot and the house and vary in the range of $ 35,000-250,000.
In some areas of the city, cold water is supplied from 7:00 to 9:00 and from 19:00 to 21:00, hot water is even less common. But, as a rule, such difficulties can only be encountered in the private sector in the vicinity of the city. Electricity is rarely a problem.
If during your vacation in Gagra something happened to your health, contact the Gagra Central District Hospital. Russian citizens can be accepted under insurance, but most often they are paid.
In pharmacies, medicines are dispensed without a prescription.
The city of Gagra is the first large Abkhaz settlement that travelers meet after passing the Psou checkpoint. What has to do with it by Abkhazian standards, it is a city, but by Russian standards it is more of a settlement. The population of this resort town is about 15 thousand people. The names "Gagra" and "Gagra" are equivalent, it is correct to say this and that.
Although at the beginning of the twentieth century Gagra was considered "Russian Nice", they were much more popular than Sochi, with a more developed infrastructure. This place owes its transformation into a resort to the Prince of Oldenburg. It's hard to believe, but before that there were many swamps on the territory of modern Gagra, stuffiness, malaria was a common disease ...
In general, this place is considered the warmest on the territory of the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus. This is facilitated by the favorable geographical position of the city. It is located in a cozy bay, surrounded by the Gagra ridge from the side of the mountains. There are more than 200 sunny days a year. In summer, the water warms up to 30 degrees, the air temperature in July in the shade usually rises to almost 40. You can swim from May to almost November. Often the water temperature allows you to plunge into the sea even in the last month of autumn. Rains are relatively rare here.
Very diverse flora and fauna, many plants listed in the Red Book. The climate allows for the cultivation of tropical fruits. The beaches are mostly pebbly. Although there is a small sandy beach in the Seaside Park area.
How to get to Gagra
City districts
The city is divided into two large districts - New Gagra and Old Gagra. The section runs along the Tsikherva gorge, which itself is a local attraction.
Old Gagra
As the name suggests, this area was the first to emerge. It was formed at the beginning of the twentieth century. There are many buildings of historical value here. Some of them arose thanks to the Prince of Oldenbug, on the initiative and under whose control, starting from 1900, this area was landscaped as a resort. Active work was carried out to drain the swamps and combat malaria. Outlandish plants were brought from all over the world. Tourists perceive many of them as originally grown here, but this is not so. The names of the sights have survived to this day, perpetuating the name of the Prince of Oldenburg.
This part of the city is the first on the way of tourists coming from Russia. It is most suitable for a relaxing holiday, for those who prefer to live in boarding houses and not only enjoy the sea, but also visit museums and objects of historical value. All those objects that are considered symbols of the city and its visiting card are concentrated in Staraya Gagra.
New Gagra
For a more active holiday, this area is better suited than the historic center of the resort. There is a water park, a market, a large offer of housing in the private sector, more cafes and restaurants.
The area arose during the Soviet era. Dwelling houses, including multi-storey ones, prevail. There are many small shops with food, clothing and souvenirs. There are beaches whose condition is quite normal. The area looks much more modern compared to its neighbor, but as in the first, there are many unfinished or destroyed buildings.
Since the offer of accommodation is at every step, the tourist has a choice. I didn't like some of the owners - it is quite possible to find another room or apartment in a short time.
One of the attractions of New Gagra is a monument to the victory in the Georgian-Abkhaz war. This armed conflict happened in 1992 and became one of the bloodiest in the history of the country. Abkhazians attach great importance to the military operations of 1992-1993, after which the "Country of Soul" remained in a dilapidated state. Many cultural sites of historical value were damaged at that time.
Attractions Gagra
All objects of interest to visitors to this city can be divided into those located in Gagra and those located in the vicinity. The second primarily includes natural objects.
What to see in Gagra?
As already mentioned, most of the historically significant sites are located in the older area. Their inspection is very convenient when walking along the former Nartaa Avenue. Now it is called Ardzinba Avenue. In Gagra every day there is a place to go.
1. Abaata fortress. This bastion is about one and a half thousand years old. Both local tribes and the Romans had a hand in its construction. The fortress wall has not been completely preserved. It was partially destroyed by order of the Prince of Oldenburg. 
On the territory of the fortress there is a no less ancient temple, where services are still held. At the beginning of the 20th century, a hotel was built next to it.
2. Seaside park... This park is also called the Park of the Prince of Oldenbug or the arboretum. It runs parallel to the sea. They began to equip this park in 1902. We prepared the area, brought plants from all over the world. There are wonderful alleys, several ponds with fountains, a mosaic labyrinth. The beauty of the vegetation is amazing. Tropical trees make a special impression on the inhabitants of the northern regions. 
The legendary eucalyptus alley runs parallel to Ardinba Avenue. The trees are huge. A unique smell reigns here. Eucalyptus trees were planted here at the beginning of the last century to combat swamps and small insects.
3. In the Seaside Park there is one of the main symbols of the city - Colonnade... It was built over 60 years ago. 
Opposite this building is a small square and a fountain. 
4. Walking through Primorsky Park, on the opposite side you can see castle of the prince of Oldenbug... Previously, a cable car led from the park to it. It still exists, but more and more often it is closed for repairs. The castle was built as the residence of the prince. It towers over the city. For its time, the building was built in an unusual style. 
After 1917, the sanatorium named after V. Stalin, then the sanatorium "Chaika". Now this historical site is officially closed to the public. It is in disrepair. However, the place is not guarded or fenced off by anyone, so those who wish can take a chance and go up to the upper floor, from where a view of the Seaside Park and the sea opens. Also, an excursion to the castle is sometimes conducted for its visitors by the staff of the restaurant "Gagripsh", which is no less interesting place.
5. Restaurant "Gagripsh" Is another visiting card of the city, a popular object for images on magnets and souvenirs. He has a peculiar architecture. This building is more than a hundred years old, its design has remained almost unchanged. The building is interesting in that it was created without a single nail and decorated with real Swiss watches. 
The Prince of Oldenbug ordered the details of these buildings from Europe, and they were delivered ready-made. Nearby was the castle of the Princess of Oldenbeg. It was created in the same architectural design as Gagripsh. It has not survived to our time. A long stone staircase leads from the restaurant to the park, on which tourists love to take pictures. Famous people of the Soviet Union and the Russian Empire have visited this restaurant.
6. Gagra embankment starts from the Colonnade and stretches along the Seaside Park. Throughout its entire length, you can go to the sea. The embankment ends with a pier. The Abkhaz authorities are gradually improving it. All along there are urns, benches where you can sit and relax. There are catering facilities and sanatoriums near the Embankment. 
7. Sanatorium "Georgia"... Now it is also called the "Gagripsh Resort Complex", but the object is still an abandoned Soviet rest house for the elite. Previously, it was possible to walk to it along a path leading from the sea, but now the easiest way to get there is from the bypass road. Once it was one of the most luxurious party sanatoriums in the Soviet Union, only the elite of the party got here. 
The building has preserved the remnants of its former grandeur even now. However, it is not recommended to take children on the excursion, as the structure is in disrepair. You should also be afraid, having opened the next door, to fall into the elevator shaft.
8. And, perhaps, one of the few attractions of New Gagra - aquapark, completes the list of top places to visit within the city. This complex has been operating since June 1, and receives visitors daily. Ticket prices fluctuate depending on the season. Children under 4 years old are admitted free. Having bought a ticket, you can stay on the territory of the complex without time limits. The water park includes 8 rides, swimming pools, and a small section for very young visitors. There are mini-versions of the slides. There are small cafes near the attractions where you can have a bite to eat. Sun loungers and umbrellas are enough for all visitors. 
Attractions outside the city
In order to visit many interesting natural sites, you will have to go to the vicinity of Gagra.
1. Climbing to the Mamdzysh mountain and, in clear weather, you can see the panorama of Gagra and Pitsunda from a height of almost 2 thousand meters. The view is amazingly beautiful. There is an asphalt road on the mountain. The ascent takes place in jeeps.
2. Not far from Gagra is located. At different times of the year, the color of its water is not the same. It is amazingly beautiful. One of Stalin's dachas is located not far from the lake. It is painted green and designed so that it cannot be seen from the plane. In summer, the water in Ritsa warms up to such a temperature that you can swim there. 
3. Zhoekvarsky waterfall... It can be reached on foot. To do this, you need to go up the road from Gagarinskaya Square. The waterfall is amazingly beautiful. It is located in the Zhoekvarsky gorge. At the beginning of the twentieth century, he powered a small power plant, the building of which is located nearby. In addition to him, they are also famous Gegsky and Milky waterfalls.
Gagra Markets
In Novaya Gagra, spontaneous markets are located everywhere. However, it is better to make most of your purchases at the Central Market, which is located not far from the Energetik boarding house. The market is located near the sea. 
It is convenient to get to it from Adygov street. On the Gagra market there is more choice and lower prices compared to street mini-markets. There are practically no supermarkets in Gagra. In small stores, it is rare for any products to have price tags. In many cases, the seller names the price based on what the buyer looks like.
At the Central Market you can buy local fresh vegetables and fruits, wine, dairy products, honey, clothes, souvenirs. However, it should be borne in mind that not everything can be transported across the border. Bread prices are practically the same as in the Krasnodar Territory. On the market you can buy meat and cook barbecue, if the conditions of rented housing permit.
Here you can buy cheap bay leaves and spices. Bay trees grow in almost every yard. Dried persimmon is very popular. You can buy inexpensively grafted lemon seedlings, other outlandish plants.
1. In this area, there are different types of palms, including coconut, date. In some places you can find palms with bananas growing on them and fruiting grapefruit trees.
2. The shortest river in the world flows in the Gagra region. It's called Reprua.
3. Near Gagra is the second deepest cave on Earth - Krubera Cave. Until recently, it ranked first among the deepest caves on our planet.
4. In the Gagra region, there is only one species of poisonous snakes - the Caucasian Viper.
5. Most of the frames of the film "Funny Fellows" were filmed in Primorsky Park.
6. Pugacheva's clip "Antique Clock" was filmed against the background of the "Gagripsha" clock.
Day 8. Mount Mamzishkha and Gagra 06/08/17 VSK
Pitsunda - Mamzishkha - Gagra - Pitsunda
Mileage 124 km.
We are drawn to the mountains again! Does the word Mamzishkha, which is so unusual for the Russian ear, say anything to you? You can find more options Mamdzyshkha or Mamzyshka. All of them designate one place, or rather a mountain, at the foot of which the resort Gagra is spread. And its conquest became our next venture.
The new day of our southern holiday began in the same way as the previous ones. Breakfast in the kitchen, then a walk to the seashore and morning swim. Every day at the beach would be like every other day - the same weather, the same temperature, the same activities. Someone also loves such a vacation. But not us!
Today it was decided to go to the neighboring town and climb the mountain, which "presses" Gagra to the very edge of the earth. The mountain is called Mamzishkha. What this word means, I could not find on the Internet. The mountain is a mystery!
In preparation for this trip, I wrote out the coordinates of a dozen places that can be visited in Gagra and its environs. But the most interesting were, of course, the viewing platforms on Mamzishkh. Climb higher, take a bird's eye view of the surroundings - what could be more exciting?
We are going all together again in one car. As I already said, our Qashqai, if desired, easily turns into a seven-seater minibus, and can take on board a fairly large company. Its high ground clearance of 200 mm is also useful to us today.
A short collection, and off you go. No extreme transitions like the trail to Malaya Ritsa were expected here. Along the usual path past the Pitsunda pines, we leave the city and, having reached the Sukhumskoe highway, we turn left - towards the Russian border. On the very first day, when we were still driving ahead in the darkness of the night, we passed through Gagra. Now let's take a look at her in the light of day.
After two dozen kilometers, the road dives into tunnels, two of which are functioning, and the third, apparently, was never completed. On the other side, Gagra's houses are already appearing. We begin to look out for the lapel to the left - up the hill. Here he is!
A fairly good quality asphalt path quickly leads us to a place called the first observation deck. As we expected, after lunch there is silence and desolation. No cars, no people. Even the cafe is empty.
The site itself is a concrete ledge on a mountainside facing the sea. There is even a decorative tile and parapet. The height is about 300 meters above sea level. The view is excellent at all 180 degrees. Gagra stretches along the seashore. And somewhere in the haze in the south you can see both Pitsunda and the mouth of the Bzyb River. A small pause, and we go further. There is nothing else to do here.
It was much more interesting to get to the second observation deck. Reviews about the road there were the most controversial, but intriguing. The way up was paved at the beginning of the 20th century for the phaetons who rolled the resting public. In Soviet times, the road was even asphalted, hoping to create a ski resort on the top of the mountain. A cable car was stretched from below. But perestroika burst out, and behind it the Soviet Union collapsed.
The higher we climbed, the worse the road surface became. In some places, the asphalt was still preserved, and even better than what we saw in the Auadhara valley, but in some places there were very large ruts. I would say, like craters after shelling, if this could not be true. During the 1992-93 Georgian-Abkhaz conflict, fierce battles took place here. Georgian troops occupied Gagra, cutting off the Abkhaz from the Russian border. And the dominant height of Mamzshkhi made it possible to control the entire Gagra and its surroundings.
In my story, one cannot ignore the particularly difficult theme of that war of 1992-93. The more I learned about the details of the fighting, the more the hair on my head stood on end. Such barbarism took place at the end of the twentieth century!
For the Russians, these events somehow remained outside the confines of the time of troubles. We were more worried about what was happening in our country. And here - on the territory of the former USSR, a real massacre broke out, when ambitious politicians pitted two peoples, who had lived side by side with each other for centuries, in a cruel and senseless war.
On the territory of the Abkhaz Autonomous Republic, which was part of the Georgian SSR, about half of the population were Georgians. But in 1992, the Abkhaz Supreme Council announced the restoration of the 1925 Constitution and the de facto secession from Georgia. In response, Georgia brought the troops of the National Guard into the territory of Abkhazia, first of all occupying Gagra, thereby cutting off the Sukhumi authorities from the Russian border. Very quickly, the entire territory of Abkhazia was taken under the control of the Georgian army, except for a small patch around the Russian military base in Gudauta.
Volunteers sent by the Confederation of Mountain Peoples of the Caucasus came to the aid of the Abkhazians. Among them was the notorious later Shamil Basayev. It was in the Abkhaz mountains that his fighters acquired combat experience, which would later turn against the Russian army. Where did the weapons and ammunition from semi-partisan detachments come from? Let the reader guess for himself. But the carnage broke out in earnest. I was most struck by the facts of terror and genocide, which were used from both sides. Doctors, teachers, and art workers were massacred without trial. Whole families, young and old, were cut out. Examples of modern barbarism were recorded from both the Abkhaz and Georgian sides.
Largely, thanks to the inaction and indecision of the Georgian authorities headed by E. Shevardnadze, control over the territory of Abkhazia ended up in the hands of illegal armed groups. There was a mass exodus of the Georgian people. The country's population has almost halved. The entire economy was destroyed. But the new leaders of the country declared their victory and independence.
Now the border between Georgia and Abkhazia runs in the south of the Gali region and represents an almost frozen front line - minefields and firing points. There is no communication with Georgia. The sovereignty of Abkhazia is recognized by only a few states (including, of course, Russia). For the rest, this is the occupied territory of Georgia.
The conflict was suppressed 25 years ago. And since then, nothing has changed. Abkhazia is content with the position of the Russian dominion and feeds on it. Georgia does not have the strength and political will to restore the status quo. The rest of the world community is trying not to interfere in this hornet's nest, where hot Caucasian guys can break new firewood.
Traveling throughout Abkhazia, we came across a lot of different monuments, steles, monuments dedicated to that war. These are perhaps the most well-groomed objects in the republic. Kept in perfect order. But not less often along the roads at the battlefield you can see grave obelisks or just memorial plaques with photographs of young people who died for other people's ambitions.
So, along a narrow path, hidden under the branches of trees and sandwiched between the slope and the precipice, going around the craters, our car climbed higher and higher. A couple of times we were overtaken by local horsemen, until we “got on the tail” of one minibus. This is not the first time the local drivers have been driving along this road, they know the most optimal trajectory of movement through potholes. And we will use their experience.
In some places, the pits have sharp steep edges, and I thought it was good to have a high ground clearance, otherwise you will strip the whole bottom or leave the bumper here. And it's good that we didn't take Solaris with its low fit. But as soon as I thought about it, both Solaris and BMW, which were rather briskly rolling down the pits, fell into a meeting.
Meanwhile, the serpentine climbed higher and higher, and soon we found ourselves at an altitude of about 1000 meters above sea level, where the second observation deck is located. By the way, you can easily pass it and not notice it. It's good that there were a couple of cars with the same as us, autotourists. The site is a metal structure fixed to the side of the road. Gagra from her is seen quite somewhere far below. And the sea turns blue in the haze. The horizon line merges with the sky. The entire fencing of the site is tied with hundreds of rag ribbons, which makes it look untidy. They stood and looked. By the way, it's not scary to look down. There is no sheer cliff here. Just a very steep slope, all overgrown with trees and bushes.
Yes, the road goes further up, gradually going around the whole mountain. Somewhere at an altitude of 1500 meters there is a fairly large clearing from which paragliders start. There is such a kind of entertainment - together with an instructor on a paraglider, descend from Mamzishkha directly to the sea beach of Gagra. With us three paragliders started from the mountain, and we observed the landing of one of them already below in Gagra.
The zone of alpine meadows begins even higher. But the asphalt road ends here, turning into a muddy lane accessible only to four-wheel drive all-terrain vehicles. We got to the mud and turned back. Local residents who happened to be nearby offered to transfer to them on a UAZ and get to the very top of the mountain (which is 1873 meters above sea level), but we refused. Although, maybe it was worth agreeing. A few more kilometers of dirt road, and we would find ourselves at the very top of the mountain. And so, it turns out, we have not conquered her. But then it seemed to us that such a bold raid along the mountain serpentine somewhere to the very sky was enough.
The machine reacted to the difference in height quite calmly and pulled, as if nothing had happened. In the pits in the first or second gear, and where it is more even, even in the third. Nothing warmed up. And it rolled down even easier. Don't just overuse the brakes to avoid overheating. Better to brake with the engine. Although it will not be particularly possible to accelerate. And the pits have not gone anywhere, and I want to stop at every turn in order to contemplate the panorama that opens up.
After about forty minutes, we passed the first observation deck and rolled further down.
“I have been transferred to the terrible climate of Abkhazia. There is on the Black Sea coast, in Abkhazia, a depression between huge mountains. The wind does not fly there; the heat there from the hot rocks is unbearable, and, to top off the pleasure, the stream dries up and turns into a fetid puddle. In this gorge, a fortress was built, into which enemies beat from all sides in the windows, where the fever rages to the point that one and a half sets a year die from the garrison, and the rest just leave from there, as with deadly obstructions or dropsy. There is the 5th Black Sea battalion, which can only communicate with other places, like the sea, and, not having an inch of land for pastures, feeds on corned beef rot all year round. "
Now it is difficult to imagine what the fortress looked like two hundred years ago. On its territory there is a hotel and a restaurant. Behind their buildings, the low, two meters high, stone walls of the citadel are completely lost. Admission is completely free. But there was nothing to watch. Of the old buildings, only the temple of St. Ipatius of Gagra has survived, the same age as the fortress, which is still active. Yes, a small house with a signboard "Museum", which was closed to a large barn castle. We entered the church, but the strict guardian warned that the priest was blessing only one photo from the threshold of the temple. We put down candles and moved on.
A hotel is now built between the fortress and the sea, which has fenced off a section of the beach. But the lock on the gate of the fence did not work, and we walked through its territory completely free to the coast, and there we found ourselves near the famous Gagra pier, which goes 200 meters into the sea.
When I read earlier that in the evening all vacationers love to walk along this pier and look at the city colored with lights from the sea, I imagined it a little differently. I imagined a stone breakwater pier with a pedestrian promenade arranged along it. In fact, the pier turned out to be a fairly tall metal structure. This building is more of a utilitarian and technological nature, but in no way a place for walking and amusement. Nevertheless, to check in here, we still walked to the end of the pier. Despite the presence of a barrier at its beginning with a warning inscription that the structure is in emergency condition, and the passage is prohibited. But if there is no barbed wire fence, then a simple inscription will not stop our tourist at all.
The view of the mountains and the city from the pier is not so-so, but not outstanding. Maybe more beautiful in the evening? On the side of the mountain stands out the castle of the Prince of Oldenburg, which has now been turned into a restaurant.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, Prince Alexander of Oldenburg, seduced by the mild climate of Gagra, decided to turn the city into a resort. He built himself a castle on the side of a mountain and was actively engaged in the improvement of the adjacent territory. This is how the Primorsky Botanical Park, named after its founder, appeared on a narrow strip along the sea beach.
After the pier, we walked along the seashore in this park, where you can see many strange tropical plants and examples of park architecture. Due to the heat of the afternoon, the audience is very small. Only there and here they were bored, buried in their phones, sellers of boiled corn, drinks or some kind of entertainment.
We walked past the cable car station, which has not been operating for a long time. Now there is a cafe. In general, the impression was that the Abkhaz were using the remnants of the Soviet era with all their might. Time stopped at the 1980s. Nothing new has been erected or built since then.
We reached the famous colonnade. Walked between her white columns. Nothing special. Why is she so praised? Built in 1955, when the whole country was still healing the wounds of severe war and devastation. She appeared in the film "Winter Evening in Gagra" and became an unspoken symbol of the city.
The time allotted for acquaintance with Gagra was coming to an end. I had to go in the opposite direction again through the park to the car left at the Abaat fortress.
On the way we saw and bought unusual melons. Small (about the size of an apple) and striped like watermelon, but the stripes are brown over a yellow background. They look very original and bright. But you need to eat them like ordinary melons - p cut, peel the seeds, then gnaw out the pulp until a thin, dense crust. Not very comfortable. Especially if you try to do it on the go. Pampering.
Near the car, they found another object listed in tourist guides. This is a playground where some kind of concrete structures were built, decorated with pieces of colored tiles. It turned out that before us, neither more nor less, the diploma work of Zurab Tsereteli! As always, monumental! But it does not fulfill its main task. We did not see children there.
Having returned to our place in the Monastic Gorge, before dinner we still managed to go to the sea for a swim. The water is clean and warm. And then the usual evening gatherings with a glass of wine and board games.
It so happened that our day was completely devoted to Gagra. The city most loved and visited by Russian tourists. But we were able not only to walk along its wonderful Primorsky Park, but to look at the city from a bird's eye view from the slopes of Mamzishkhi Mountain, and from the sea side - from the end of the 200-meter pier. And they saw about the same thing that happened here forty years ago.
