August is a traditional month for vacations, but even if you have already had a vacation in June or July, you can always plan a short trip to nature or a trip to the mountains. We tell you how to make the last month of summer 2023 unforgettable: we have selected options for different types of holidays and hotels in each location.
At sea
Abkhazia
In August, the weather in Abkhazia pleases tourists who come to swim and sunbathe: there is minimal rain, the sun shines brightly, the sea is warm. The average air temperature during the day is about +30 ℃, but in the evening it becomes pleasantly cool and fresh. And the Black Sea along the entire coast is heated to +27 ℃, the water is clean and does not bloom, so swimming is a pleasure.
How to get there
The fastest and most convenient way is to fly to Sochi by plane, and then take a bus or taxi that will take you to the border with Abkhazia or the desired city.
Instead of a bus or taxi, you can take the high-speed Lastochka in Sochi, which will take you to Gagra in 3 hours.
Or take a train from Moscow to Sukhum. You will spend about a day and a half on the road.
Entry rules
You can enter Abkhazia with a Russian passport, you don’t need a visa. There are no COVID restrictions.
Where to stay
- Boutique Hotel Amra (score 9.5 out of 10) in Sukhum – from 5,700 rubles* per double room per night.
- Hotel Loft Afon (score 9.1 out of 10) in New Athos – from 10,900 rubles* per double room per night.
- Amra Park-hotel & Spa (score 8.5 out of 10) in Gagra – from 22,700 rubles* per double room per night.
Maldives
August in the Maldives is considered the end of the so-called wet season: from May to the end of summer, winds and rains come to the islands. But at the same time, the air is humid and warm, the thermometer during the day shows about +30 ℃, and the water is a little cooler – about +25 ℃. Showers most often occur at night or briefly during the day, so they will not interfere with your rest at all – on the contrary, they will bring pleasant freshness, like a light breeze from the ocean.
How to get there
By plane, the most convenient way to fly is with direct Aeroflot flights; the journey takes 8 hours and 40 minutes. Tickets with transfers are cheaper, but the journey will take 12 hours.
Entry rules
For travel you will only need a foreign passport. A 30-day visa is issued at the airport; to obtain it you need return tickets, a hotel voucher and medical insurance. All COVID restrictions have been lifted.
Where to stay
- Malahini Kuda Bandos Resort (rating 8.5 out of 10) — from 16,200 rubles* for a double room per night.
- Summer Island Maldives Resort (score 9.1 out of 10) – from 25,100 rubles* per double room per night.
- Kurumba Maldives (score 9.1 out of 10) in Male – from 29,000 rubles* per double room per night.
Turkey
August is considered the peak tourist season in Turkey: travelers are not afraid of even the regular +40 ℃ on the thermometer. At this time of year, it is not recommended to go to resorts with children; they may have a hard time in the sun, but older children will have a great time in game clubs with animators, while adults relax under umbrellas by the pool. If you want a little more coolness, choose the resorts of the Aegean Sea – Dalaman, Fethiye, Marmaris – where the temperature is a couple of degrees lower than in the Mediterranean.
How to get there
Direct flight from Moscow to Istanbul or Antalya, the journey takes about 5 hours.
Entry rules
Travelers only need a passport. You can stay in Turkey for up to 60 days without a visa. All COVID restrictions have been lifted.
Where to stay
- OMMA HOTEL (score 9.0 out of 10) in Istanbul – from 8,900 rubles* per double room per night.
- Argos Hotel (rating 8.1 out of 10) in Antalya – from 9,800 rubles* per double room per night.
- Hotel Berke Ranch&Nature (rating 8.6 out of 10) in Kemer – from 10,700 rubles* per double room per night.
Tunisia
In Tunisia in August it will be good for those who are not afraid of the heat. The sun is shining, the aroma of eucalyptus and the heated sea is in the air, and the water does not cool down even at night. Be prepared for a stable +35 °C, don’t forget to hide in the shade from 11 to 17 o’clock and don’t rely too much on the excursion program (it’s too hot for sightseeing) – and your vacation will be great.
How to get there
There are no direct flights from Russia to Tunisia yet. You can fly with a transfer in Cairo or Istanbul, the minimum travel time will be about 9 hours.
Entry rules
Travelers only need a passport. An entry stamp will be placed at the airport; tourists can stay in the country for up to 90 days. All COVID restrictions have been lifted.
Where to stay
- Hotel Delfino Beach Resort & Spa (rating 8.8 out of 10) in Hammamet – from 17,300 rubles* per double room per night.
- The Pearl Resort & Spa (rating 8.3 out of 10) in Sousse – from 23,400 rubles* per double room per night.
- Iberostar Selection Kuriat Palace (rating 8.4 out of 10) in Monastir – from 34,000 rubles* per double room per night.
Montenegro
Here, as in many European resorts, there is August heat – the thermometer during the day shows more than +30 °C, but by night the temperature drops to a pleasant +22 °C. But there is no rain at all, and the water in the sea is clean and warm, about +25 °C. And in August, Montenegro hosts many interesting festivals and various cultural events: the summer carnival in Kotor, the electronic music festival in Herceg Novi, and so on. It definitely won’t be boring.
How to get there
There are no direct flights to the country from Russia. You can fly from Moscow to Podgorica with a transfer in Istanbul, and from there get to the resorts.
Entry rules
Tourists from Russia do not need a visa if they plan to stay in the country for no more than 30 days. All COVID restrictions have been lifted.
Where to stay
- Wellness & Spa Hotel ACD (score 8.9 out of 10) in Herceg Novi – from 10,200 rubles* per double room per night.
- Hotel Rendez Vous (rating 8.2 out of 10) in Kotor – from 12,800 rubles* per double room per night.
- Hotel Pozzo (score 9.4 out of 10) in Budva – from 15,700 rubles* per double room per night.
Gelendzhik
One of the most popular domestic seaside resorts among Russians is notable for its long beautiful promenade with cafes and shops, pine alleys and a huge number of beaches for every taste. There are both urban and private pebble ones with paid entrance and sandy areas – however, in August they are all full of people: many want to relax under the gentle sun and swim in the warm sea (the water temperature sometimes reaches +27 °C).
How to get there
Gelendzhik airport is currently closed. You can get to the city by private car or by intercity bus. Or take a train to Novorossiysk, and from there take a bus to Gelendzhik.
Where to stay
- Hotel “Oscar” (score 9.0 out of 10) – from 9,200 rubles* per double room per night.
- Hotel “Lermont” (score 9.4 out of 10) – from 13,000 rubles* per double room per night.
- Alean Family Biarritz (score 10 out of 10) – from 25,800 rubles* per double room per night.
Tuapse
A small resort town not far from Sochi, where in the high season it is much easier to find accommodation, and the prices are much nicer. Tuapse itself, where the port is located, does not seem very attractive to many, but in the small villages in its vicinity you can have a great holiday. Most beaches are pebbly, but the children’s camp “Orlyonok” has an excellent strip of sand (entrance is open to everyone, but you will have to pay 100 rubles).
How to get there
The airports closest to the city are now closed, but you can get to Tuapse by train from Moscow. It takes a little less than two days, one-way ticket prices start at 5,300 rubles.
Where to stay
- “Caravella Hotel” (score 9.1 out of 10) – from 4,300 rubles* per double room per night.
- Hotel “Lastochka” (rating 8.8 out of 10) – from 4,800 rubles* per double room per night.
- “Calypso Nebug” (score 9.7 out of 10) – from 8,100 rubles* per double room per night.
Azov Sea
The resorts of the Azov Sea are perfect for families with small children: the sea is shallow, the water is warm, and the beaches are sandy. Yeysk is famous for its wide sandy coastline and excellent climate, and there are also very attractive prices for holidays. The village of Golubitskaya is located on a sandy spit between the Temryuk Bay and the Akhtanizovsky Estuary. There are not many people here and you can have an almost “wild” holiday.
How to get there
Eysk Airport is temporarily not accepting tourists. You can fly from Moscow to neighboring Rostov-on-Don in 2 hours, and then take a taxi. You can also get from Moscow to Yeysk by bus in 20 hours. It is convenient to travel to the village of Golubitskaya from Yeisk, Anapa or Krasnodar.
Where to stay
- Hotel “Morskaya” (score 9.4 out of 10) in Yeisk – from 3,800 rubles* per double room per night.
- Novinka Resort (score 8.1 out of 10) in Yeysk – from 3,800 rubles* per double room per night.
- Viva Victoria Family Hotel (score 10 out of 10) in Golubitskaya – from 8,300 rubles* per double room per night.
To the mountains
Krasnaya Polyana
In August, Krasnaya Polyana gives its guests the opportunity to escape from the summer heat into pleasant freshness and coolness: the average temperature at the resort is about +24 °C, at night up to +15 °C. Add to this a minimum of rain and long daylight hours – and don’t be surprised that you’re not the only one choosing the best hotels in Krasnaya Polyana and Rosa Khutor. There is a lot of entertainment here: you can walk through the surrounding mountains and hills, admire alpine meadows, waterfalls and relict forests, go down into caves and explore mysterious dolmens. All in all, an ideal vacation for those who like to spend time actively.
How to get there
The fastest and most convenient way is to fly to Sochi by plane, and at the airport take the Lastochka or take a taxi to the resort.
Where to stay
- “Grace Olympia” (score 9.7 out of 10) – from 5,100 rubles* per double room per night.
- HILLS POLYANA Hotel & SPA (rating 9.4 out of 10) – from 7,500 rubles* per double room per night.
- Les-Forest Apart Hotel (score 10 out of 10) – from 7,900 rubles* per double room per night.
Adygea
August is a great month to walk the legendary “Thirty” – a trail based on the Soviet tourist route No. 30 “Through the Mountains to the Sea”. The path passes through the Caucasian Biosphere Reserve and the glacier at the foot of Mount Fisht, through the Guzerpil Pass. To walk the entire route, it will take from 4 to 7 days, but you can just stop in Guzerpil and calmly walk along the surrounding mountain paths without haste.
How to get there
First by plane to Sochi, and then take the train to Maykop, where you change to a bus or minibus to Guzerpil. The journey from Sochi will take about 6 hours.
Where to stay
- Panorama recreation center in Guzerpil – from 3,000 rubles* per double room per night.
- Mountain air in Guzerpil – from 4,900 rubles* per double room per night.
- Hotel “Dynasty” (score 9.3 out of 10) in Khamyshki – from 9,000 rubles* per double room per night.
Elbrus region
August is almost the last month when you can safely go to storm the highest point in Europe, Mount Elbrus (the season ends in September, then the weather is too changeable). The easiest way to reach the top is along the southern slope; the hike will take about 7 days, plus 1-2 in reserve in case of bad weather. Despite the fact that many write that this climb is suitable even for beginners, a certain level of preparation is still necessary – therefore, if you are not yet ready for such feats, it is better to visit the Adyr-Su gorge – the route along the famous Svan trail is suitable even for a one-day hike.
How to get there
First by plane to Mineralnye Vody, then to the village of Terskol by bus or car (the journey takes 3–3.5 hours).
Where to stay
- “Mountain Tale” (score 9.3 out of 10) in Elbrus – from 4,000 rubles* per double room per night.
- Moon Hotel (score 8.6 out of 10) in Terskol – from 8,900 rubles* per double room per night.
- Mini-hotel “Nanook Inn” (score 9.8 out of 10) in Terskol – from 10,000 rubles* per double room per night.
Kazbek
Many people dream of conquering the majestic Kazbek, and we recommend doing it from Georgia: in Russia the climb is too difficult, which only a well-trained professional can do. In Kazbegi, you can join one of the tourist groups, or maybe decide to stay in beautiful Stepantsminda, admiring the peaks from the hotel windows.
How to get there
There are direct flights from Moscow to Tbilisi, travel time is about three hours. Further to Kazbegi, the most convenient way to travel is by the Tbilisi – Kazbegi minibus, which departs from the Okriba bus station next to the Didube metro station. Travel time is 3–4 hours.
Entry rules
Russians can stay in Georgia without a visa for up to one year; to enter, they only need a valid passport. All COVID restrictions have been lifted.
Where to stay
- Sunshine Kazbegi (score 9.4 out of 10) in Kazbegi – from 4,600 rubles* per double room per night.
- Vache Hotel (score 9.5 out of 10) in Kazbegi – from 7,300 rubles* per double room per night.
- Landscapes Hotel (score 9.5 out of 10) in Kazbegi – from 13,300 rubles* per double room per night.
Outdoors
Altai
In August, the grass in Altai fades under the sun, and the turquoise Katun lives up to its name: the sky is reflected in the transparent river, and the water becomes amazing shades of blue and green. Locals say that the end of summer is the optimal time to visit this region: there is minimal rain, the days are long and still warm, about +20 °C (but frosts are already possible in the mountains at night). We recommend combining active recreation with spa treatments; to do this, choose a suitable hotel or recreation center.
How to get there
By plane to Gorno-Altaisk, a direct flight from Moscow lasts about 4 hours 30 minutes.
Where to stay
- Mini-hotel “Golden Bee” (score 10 out of 10) in Cherga – from 2,500 rubles* per double room per night.
- Grand Hotel Altai (score 9.1 out of 10) in Gorno-Altaisk – from 5,300 rubles* per double room per night.
- Spa-Resort “Kedrovy” (score 9.4 out of 10) in Belokurikha – from 13,000 rubles* per double room per night.
Baikal
August is the best time to visit the famous lake. Judge for yourself: the warmest days are (up to +25 °C), the nights are also not cold yet, and the water in the bays is warmed up to +24 °C – but keep in mind that the swimming season ends in the second half of the month. Although, even without swimming, there is something to do here, for example, ride along the Circum-Baikal Railway, explore Olkhon with its attractions and visit the Baikal Live art festival (this year will be held from August 27 to 29 on the Maloye More Strait).
How to get there
By plane to Irkutsk. The road from Moscow will take about 6 hours, flights are direct.
Where to stay
- Hotel “Dauria” (score 9.2 out of 10) in Listvyanka – from 4,200 rubles* per double room per night.
- “Flagship Listvyanka” (score 8.4 out of 10) in Listvyanka – from 8,000 rubles* per double room per night.
- Baikal View (score 9.9 out of 10) in Khuzhir – from 9,400 rubles* per double room per night.
Karelia
A holiday in Karelia in August is suitable for those who like to spend time actively: rafting and hiking are popular here. You can spend the night on the lake, pick mushrooms and berries in the forest, and sing songs around the fire in the evening – or take excursion tours to local attractions. Moreover, the weather is excellent for outdoor activities: there is little rain, and the daytime temperature is around +20 °C.
How to get there
The region’s airport is located in Petrozavodsk, where you can fly from Moscow in 1.5 hours. You can also get there by train, but in this case the journey will take about 10 hours. The best way to get around the region is by car.
Where to stay
- Piter Inn (score 10 out of 10) in Petrozavodsk – from 4,600 rubles* per double room per night.
- “Point on the Map” (score 9.4 out of 10) in Sortavala – from 7,800 rubles* per double room per night.
- Cosmos Karelia (score 9.0 out of 10) in Shuyskaya Chupa – from 10,000 rubles* per double room per night.
Volga region
This region in the last month of summer can delight you with its beauty – the nature is stunning here, and there are a lot of attractions. Plan a road trip, for example, taking in Tver, Rybinsk, Yaroslavl, Kostroma and Kineshma, or go on a cruise along the Volga. There are many travel options; almost every city or settlement on the river is distinguished by its originality and unique atmosphere. The weather in August can be changeable, and it is better to check the forecast before the trip, but in general you can count on warm temperatures above +25 °C and minimal rain.
How to get there
It all depends on which city you choose as your final destination. In general, it is most convenient to travel from Moscow by car; there are good quality roads to Tver or Yaroslavl. Expect to travel 3-4 hours per day.
Where to stay
- Hotel “Lemonade” (score 9.3 out of 10) in Yaroslavl – from 2,900 rubles* per double room per night.
- Park Hotel Berendeevka (score 8.4 out of 10) in Kostroma – from 3,400 rubles* per double room per night.
- AZIMUT Hotel Uglich (score 8.2 out of 10) in Uglich – from 7,300 rubles* per double room per night.
*Prices are current at the time of publication.
