Gagra is a picturesque resort city in Abkhazia, located on the shores of the calm bay of the Black Sea. It attracts tourists and travelers like a magnet. The city stretches a narrow strip for several kilometers along the coast and is surrounded by mountains, on top of which the snow does not melt year-round.
The history of Gagra has more than 2 thousand years. According to historical data, the city was founded by Greek merchants. And the city began resort history only from the end of the 19th century, when the infrastructure, including entertainment, began to actively develop here. Today Gagra is a modern resort city in which you can have a great vacation for everyone, including families with children. There are excellent beaches and the sea, there are many attractions and excellent opportunities for outdoor activities. Read more in our guide.
How to get to Gagra?
Unfortunately, today Gagra, however, like all of Abkhazia, is not very convenient in terms of transport accessibility. The fact is that there are only two airports in Abkhazia: Babushara and Bambour. One of them is military, the second is civilian and is located in Sukhumi, the capital of the country. However, as of today, none of the airports has been recognized as international, which means that it will not be possible to get directly to Abkhazia by plane.
The nearest international airport is located in the Russian Federation in Sochi. From here, you can go to Gagra by bus, train or ferry (only in summer).
Also, from Sochi airport, you can take a taxi or bus to the Psou border checkpoint, and after passing it transfer to Abkhaz transport to Gagra.
Things to do in Gagra
Gagra is the perfect holiday destination, where every day can give you an unforgettable experience. But still, what can you do in Gagra? Let’s see.
- Beaches in Gagra;
The sea and beaches are perhaps the main reason why tourists come to sea resorts and Gagra in this sense is no exception. The beaches of the city are stretched along the entire coast, they are all open and public. It offers boat tours, pedal boats, paragliding, diving and a water park.
- Wellness treatment;
Surprised? But the truth is, in Gagra, a wellness vacation is very popular. The main source of procedures is thermal and mineral waters from local sources. Procedures help with diseases of the skin, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, genitourinary and nervous systems. In addition to the therapeutic effect, local water also has a rejuvenating effect.
- Sightseeing;
In addition to the sea and beaches, Gagra is also a city with a rich history. Starting a tour is best with the Old Town. Here is the castle of the Prince of Oldenburg, the colonnade and Seaside Park. Further you could visit: Abaata Fortress, Gagra Temple, Stalin’s dacha, Museum of Abkhazian weapons, waterfalls, caves, mountain lakes and many other interesting places. You can buy tours at hotels at the reception or directly at any of the travel agencies of the city.
