Our country offers many travel options for lovers of sun, sand and water activities. Black, Azov, Baltic, Japanese – each of the seas has its own characteristics. In this article we will talk about popular and unobvious places to relax on the Russian coast in the summer. From the crowded resorts of the Krasnodar Territory to the distant islands of Primorye.
Black Sea Resorts
Sochi
In summer it is sunny and warm here. The air temperature during the day reaches 30–35 °C, and the sea water warms up to a comfortable 23–25 °C. Sochi has many beaches to suit all preferences. If you wish, you can visit Adler, Khosta and even neighboring Abkhazia. In addition to the beautiful coastline, the city has many attractions – the Botanical Garden, the Riviera Park with attractions and a water park, as well as mountains, canyons and waterfalls in the surrounding area.
How to get there
Direct flight from Moscow to Sochi airport in 3.5 hours or by train in 24 hours.
Where to stay
- Station (rating 9.3) – about 2,000 rubles* per night.
- “Grand Way One” (rating 9.0) – about 5,500 rubles* per night.
- “Malecón” (rating 9.5) – about 7,800 rubles* per night.
Anapa
A resort town on the Black Sea coast in the Krasnodar Territory attracts thousands of tourists with its warm climate, sandy beaches and attractions. The coast is equipped with everything you need: sun loungers, umbrellas, sports equipment rentals and water attractions. In addition to the central beaches of Anapa, guests have access to freer coastlines in the villages of Vityazevo and Dzhemete, as well as the Bugazskaya Spit, where you can enjoy the beauty of wild nature.
How to get there
Anapa airport is currently closed. If you wish, you can fly to Sochi, and from there take the Lastochka train to the resort in 8 hours.
Where to stay
- “Turgenev” (score 9.0) – about 3,000 rubles* per night.
- “Albatross” (rating 8.8) – about 6,100 rubles* per night.
- “Villaggio” (score 10) – about 9,600 rubles* per night.
Gelendzhik
The third most popular resort among Russians, where you can enjoy the sun and sea breeze on sandy and pebble beaches. The most famous of them are Central, Dolphin and Kabardinka. The coastline is equipped with sun loungers, umbrellas and other necessary amenities. To have the most interesting time on vacation, take a boat trip on a yacht or catamaran, go diving or visit waterfalls in the vicinity of Gelendzhik.
How to get there
Gelendzhik airport is currently closed. You can get there by personal car, as well as by bus or train, which depart from most major cities in Russia.
Where to stay
- Strass (rating 8.8) – about 3,150 rubles* per night.
- “Favorite” (rating 9.9) – about 4,200 rubles* per night.
- “Lermont” (rating 9.6) – about 9,000 rubles* per night.
Resorts of the Azov Sea
Taganrog
The quiet and provincial city on the coast of the Azov Sea has a more modest tourist infrastructure than the resorts of the Krasnodar Territory, but the prices here are much lower. This place is ideal for families with children – the sea here is calm, shallow and warm. Popular beaches are Central, Solnechny and Eliseevsky. The swimming season lasts from May to September. Lovers of cultural recreation will also be able to visit Chekhov’s places and enjoy ancient architecture.
How to get there
By plane from the capital to Rostov-on-Don in 2 hours. Or by bus Moscow – Taganrog in 17 hours.
Where to stay
- “Assol” (rating 9.1) – about 2,000 rubles* per night.
- “Gold Coast” (rating 8.6) – about 4,200 rubles* per night.
- Crystal Park (rating 8.1) – about 6,600 rubles* per night.
Yeysk
The small green city is famous for its excellent climate, wide sandy coastline and healing sea. The central beach has a developed infrastructure: here you can rent sun loungers and umbrellas, play volleyball and just enjoy the sea. The most popular beach in the city is Kamenka on Taganrog Bay. Also visit the shores of the Yeisk Spit, which is located behind the seaport – buses go there regularly. Travelers in their own cars go for a swim in the village of Dolzhanskaya, 40 km from the city – a place of attraction for windsurfers.
How to get there
Eysk Airport is temporarily not accepting tourists. You can fly from Moscow to neighboring Rostov-on-Don in 2 hours. There is also an option to get from the capital to Yeisk by bus in 20 hours.
Where to stay
- “Lily” (rating 8.8) – about 2,600 rubles* per night.
- “Asteria” (rating 7.2) – about 3,900 rubles* per night.
- “Tornado” (rating 7.6) – about 7,400 rubles* per night.
Stanitsa Golubitskaya
A cozy resort village in the Krasnodar region. It is located on a sandy spit – a natural border between the Temryuk Gulf of the Sea of Azov and the Akhtanizovsky Estuary. The beaches here are not as crowded as on the Black Sea, which creates a more relaxed atmosphere. And if you go further away from the center of the village, you can arrange a real holiday for yourself as savages with tents. The place is also famous for the healing mud of the estuary.
How to get there
From the capital, take a train to Anapa or Krasnodar, and from there take a bus or taxi to the village itself. You can also get by bus to Temryuk, and from there by taxi to Golubitskaya.
Where to stay
- Villa Vita (rating 8.6) – about 2,600 rubles* per night.
- “Premier” (rating 8.9) – about 3,600 rubles* per night.
- “Flamingo by Undersun” (rating 8.5) – about 7,300 rubles* per night.
Baltic Sea Resorts
Zelenogradsk
A city in northern Russia that will pleasantly surprise you with its developed tourist infrastructure, excellent restaurants and modern hotels. It is most comfortable to swim here in July and August. The beach with golden sand and the long promenade are the main attraction for tourists and townspeople. Also in the center of Zelenogradsk you can find architecture reminiscent of the resort’s European past.
How to get there
Fly from Moscow to Kaliningrad in 2 hours, and from there take a taxi to Zelenogradsk in 30 minutes.
Where to stay
- “Residence” (rating 8.7) – about 8,600 rubles* per night.
- Zelenogradsk Spa Hotel (rating 9.6) – about 13,000 rubles* per night.
- GreenDorf Hotel & Spa (score 9.1) – about 16,000 rubles* per night.
Svetlogorsk
Another resort town on the shores of the Baltic Sea in the Kaliningrad region. In the summer, the tourist season is in full swing here, and the beaches are filled with vacationers. The city boasts a beautiful long promenade with pleasant cafes and souvenir shops. True, you will have to go down to the sea by stairs or elevator. Lovers of European slow life will appreciate this place – Svetlogorsk is officially considered the only “slow city” in Russia. During the high season, it is worth booking accommodation in advance.
How to get there
Fly from Moscow to Kaliningrad in 2 hours, and from there take a 40-minute taxi ride to Svetlogorsk.
Where to stay
- Chayka Hotel (rating 7.8) – about 4,500 rubles* per night.
- Malina Alt Platz (rating 9.6) – about 6,000 rubles* per night.
- “Volna” (rating 7.4) – about 9,000 rubles* per night.
Forest
The village is located on the territory of the Curonian Spit National Park, 11 km from Zelenogradsk. On one side it is washed by the Baltic Sea, and on the other by the waters of the Curonian Lagoon. On the Baltic coast there is an equipped sandy beach with cafes, restaurants, sun loungers and umbrellas. Fishing and boating are popular on the shores of the bay. To catch the sunniest days and sunbathe on the coast, head here in July and August. A popular format for accommodation in the village is guest houses and tourist centers surrounded by forest.
How to get there
Fly from Moscow to Kaliningrad in 2 hours, and from there take a taxi to Lesnoy in an hour.
Where to stay
- “Guest house Eliza Zarkau” (rating 9.3) – about 3,100 rubles* per night.
- “Fisherman’s House” (rating 8.8) – about 5,400 rubles* per night.
- “Mayakovsky” (rating 8.8) – about 16,200 rubles* per night.
Resorts of the Sea of Japan
Azure Bay
In the vicinity of Vladivostok, in the bay of the Ussuri Bay, there is Shamora Beach with a wide sandy coastline. The peak season is in July and August, when there are a lot of vacationers here. Along the shore there are cafes and restaurants, as well as tourist centers and guest houses.
How to get there
You can fly from Moscow to Vladivostok in 8 hours. From there you can take a taxi to the bay in 30 minutes.
Where to stay
- “Carmen” (rating 8.1) – about 3,500 rubles* per night.
- Teplo (rating 8.9) – about 5,900 rubles* per night.
- “Gray” (rating 8.1) – about 6,500 rubles* per night.
Akhlestysheva Bay
This picturesque place is located 20 km from Vladivostok on Russky Island. There are several sandy and rocky coastal areas. Akhlestysheva Beach is the most popular and equipped among all. The location is suitable for families with children, as the sea here is shallow and warm. People come here to sunbathe and swim until October.
How to get there
You can fly from Moscow to Vladivostok in 8 hours. Travel time from Vladivostok to the bay by car or city buses is 20 minutes.
Where to stay
- Makura Capsule Hotel (rating 8.7) – about 3,300 rubles* per night.
- Eagle House Inn (rating 8.6) – about 5,200 rubles* per night.
- “Astoria” (rating 9.3) – about 7,300 rubles* per night.
Popov Island
Located in the Peter the Great Bay, it offers unique landscapes with valleys and hills, clean beaches and opportunities for active recreation. Diving, fishing, kayaking and windsurfing are popular activities here. The best time to visit is from July to the end of September. Lovers of swimming and sunbathing choose picturesque bays – Alekseeva, Zapadnaya and Pogranichnaya.
How to get there
From Vladivostok to the island you can only get by ferry or catamaran. There are direct flights to Vladivostok from Moscow, travel time is about 8 hours.
Where to stay
- Deep Hotel (rating 9.1) – about 4,200 rubles* per night.
- “Primorye” (rating 8.9) – about 8,300 rubles* per night.
- AZIMUT (score 9.5) – about 10,500 rubles* per night.
*Prices are current at the time of publication.
