Charming Gudauta: features of relaxation. Sights of Gudauta: what to visit in the city and surrounding area Where is Gudauta located

The history of the city begins in the Neolithic era, when a settlement of farmers and fishermen was formed on the banks of the Kistrik River. Like many cities in Abkhazia, Gudauta has its own colorful and touching legend. It tells about the fate of a young man named Guda and a girl named Uta. It’s clear that they loved each other madly, but evil relatives belonging to different clans did not allow them to be together. The lovers managed to reunite only by throwing themselves into the river. Hence the name of the city - Gudauta.

During Soviet times, it remained in the shadow of its brighter neighbor Pitsunda, and in the early 90s, like all of Abkhazia, it found itself at the epicenter of dramatic events. But gradually resort life is returning to quiet Gudauta - Soviet boarding houses are being restored, mini-hotels and new cafes are appearing, and wide pebble beaches are being transformed. History buffs will not be bored here either - just 5 km away is the picturesque village of Lykhny - the medieval residence of the ruling Abkhaz princes.

Gudauta today

The return to a peaceful, prosperous life and the revival of Gudauta as a resort began in 1994. A lot has been done since then, but it is not yet ready to provide vacationers with a full range of tourist services; too much has been destroyed both literally and figuratively. But thanks to the hard work and natural hospitality of the Abkhazians, those who come here will always be able to find housing either in the private sector or in the few boarding houses in the city and its environs. It is unlikely to be fashionable, but it will definitely be hospitable.

How to get to Gudauta

Tourists have three options: by plane, by train and by car. When choosing an air route, you need to buy a ticket to Sochi, and from the airport get to the border with Abkhazia and from there to Gudauta by bus. There is also a direct train Moscow - Sukhum, making a stop in Gudauta, but it runs quite rarely, and there may not be tickets available during the season. If you go by car, you will have to spend more than a day. However, many travelers choose this method, which is why in the summer months there are many hours of traffic jams on the M-4 federal highway leading to the Black Sea.

Search for air tickets to Adler (the nearest airport to Gudauta)

Transport

There is no public transport as such in Gudauta. Intercity buses and minibuses stop at the bus station on the Sukhumi highway opposite the railway station and at the turn to the village of Lykhny. However, drivers usually brake anywhere with a wave of their hand. There are no numbers on the minibuses - only signs with the names of the final destinations (in Russian).

For trips to Sukhum, New Athos, Gagry, Pitsunda and Lake Ritsa, the easiest way is to use minibuses. During the day they walk along the Sukhumi highway at intervals of 5-7 minutes, but in the evening the traffic practically stops; you need to return back no later than 19:00. There are no fixed fares. The cost of the trip is announced by the driver, who also takes money at the entrance or exit. As a rule, the price for visitors is higher, so a little bargaining may be quite appropriate. A reasonable amount is 60-80 RUB per person for travel to New Athos and 80-90 RUB for travel to Sukhum or Gagra.

A taxi ride within the city costs from 100 RUB, to Sukhum and Gagra - from 500 RUB, to Lake Ritsa - from 1000 RUB.

On intercity buses Sukhum - Tuapse, Sukhum - Maykop, New Athos - Stavropol, Sukhum - Cherkessk you can get to Belorechensk, Goryachiy Klyuch, Dzhubga and other cities in southern Russia. True, they operate quite rarely - 1-2 flights per day on each route.

A characteristic feature of the Abkhaz mentality is the chronic lack of change and change from large bills. This manifests itself not only in transport, but also in shops, markets, and catering establishments. Therefore, it is worth exchanging money in advance.

Maps of Gudauta

Hotels

Mini-hotels, guest houses, boarding houses and other accommodation places in Gudauta do not qualify for a “star” classification, although the best of them deserve 3*. Sometimes they lack polish, which, however, is compensated by the sincere hospitality of the staff and humane prices. As a rule, they are located in close proximity to the beach, the price of a double room in season is 3000-3500 RUB per day. The majority of vacationers stay in budget mini-hotels and family guest houses (1200-2000 RUB) with a private bathroom, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi and parking.

Despite the apparent provincialism, the fashion for “all inclusive” has reached Gudauta. The Apsiliya hotel, the Zolotoy Bereg tourist center, etc. operate according to this system. Room cost: 2600-4000 RUB per night.

The number and variety of offers from the private sector - rooms, apartments and even individual houses - cannot be counted. A room for two 15 minutes from the sea will cost 600 RUB, in the center - already 1000-1400 RUB.

Communications and Wi-Fi

The cheapest calls from Abkhazia are from SIM cards of local cellular operators Aquafon and A-Mobile, whose coverage area covers almost the entire territory of the republic. "Simkm" are sold in operator showrooms located in the city center at 9, Geroev Avenue.

The starting price of the “Sea” tourist package from Aquafon is 350 RUB, 200 of which remain on the balance of the SIM card. The cost of local calls is 5.80 RUB/minute, starting from the 4th minute of calls per day, it is reduced by 3 times. International calls: to Russia - 9 RUB/minute, to the former USSR republics and Turkey - 13 RUB/minute, to Europe - 20 RUB/minute. The connected option “Summer” (140 RUB) allows you to get 1000 MB of Internet traffic or 500 MB of Internet and 10 minutes of calls to Russia. The option is valid for 1 week. The cost of a call to Russia in the “Resort” tariff of the A-Mobile operator is the same 9 RUB/minute.

There is an Internet cafe with computers and a full range of peripheral equipment in the Sezam supermarket (50 RUB/hour). Free Wi-Fi is available in most hotels and some cafes. True, there may be complaints in terms of speed and quality of connection.

Beaches of Gudauta

The wide beach covered with small pebbles, almost 3 km long, is undoubtedly one of the main advantages of the resort. Sloping, with a good entry into the sea, it is quite suitable for families with children. There is almost no garbage, and thanks to the pebble bottom, the water is unusually clear. Even at the peak of the season it is never crowded here. The area adjacent to Central Park has several cafes and cabanas. There are no rental umbrellas and sun loungers, but many first-line hotels provide their guests with these attributes for free. Others find shade under the trees lining the beach.

The most popular type of active recreation is banana riding (200 RUB).

To the east of Gudauta stretches a 4-kilometer wild pebble beach, cut by breakwaters every 60-70 m. Except for July and August, it is almost deserted. 6 km northwest of the resort, the 4-kilometer sand and pebble beach “Golden Coast” begins - deserted and wild, with the exception of a small section belonging to the boarding house “Golden Coast”. Even further, behind Cape Ambara, there is a place of amazing beauty overgrown with relict pine trees of Musser.

The sand and pebble beach of the Mussera boarding house with umbrellas, sun loungers, cafes, changing rooms and rental of water equipment is considered the best in the Gudauta region.

What to bring

Souvenirs from Gudauta will not make a hole in the family budget, but they will take their rightful place on the dinner table. Traditionally, tkemali sauce and the famous adjika are brought from Abkhazia - mandatory additions to any Caucasian meal. In Gudauta, housewives cook tkemali over an open fire right in their garden from plums and cherry plums growing right there. Feijoa jam, mountain and chestnut honey are very tasty and healthy, which is best bought at the apiary.

On the shelves of the local market there are a lot of fruits and vegetables, dried persimmons and figs, spices, churchkhela, herbal infusions and even special bolsters and pillows for sleeping with aromatic mountain herbs. Suluguni cheese occupies a worthy place in the grocery basket: the most expensive is made from goat's milk, the cheapest is from cow's milk, and the classic one is from sheep's milk.

The cost of a jar of adjika is 100-120 RUB, a set of spices - 100 RUB, churchkhela - 50 RUB, honey - 400 RUB per 0.3 l jar, pomegranate juice - 100 RUB per 0.5 l, magnets in Gudauta species - 30-60 RUB

Abkhazians are great masters of wicker weaving. Boxes, baskets, bread bins, and furniture are made here from bamboo, grapevine, and boxwood. Some people buy Abkhaz knives and daggers as souvenirs, but you should remember that these are edged weapons and problems may arise at the border.

Cuisine and restaurants of Gudauta

Little Gudauta does not amaze with the variety and abundance of catering establishments. But those that exist are quite capable of fulfilling their mission. Most of them serve Russian cuisine, which is a definite plus for those vacationing with small children. Abkhazian food is usually spicy. The most common home dish is “sharks” made from boiled beans. It’s hard to imagine a Caucasian table without juicy kebab, Adjarian khachapuri in the shape of a boat and thick mamalyga made from corn flour. Georgian khinkali, kharcho and solyanka take pride of place on it. True, due to difficult relations with neighbors, no one here calls these dishes Georgian.

The easiest way to solve the issue of food is when choosing a hotel or guest house that has a restaurant or cafe. For the rest - about a dozen canteens and cafes, located mainly in the center and in close proximity to the city beach.

Average price tag: Caucasian-style solyanka - 120 RUB, mamalyga with cheese - 100 RUB, khachapuri - 120 RUB, shish kebab - 75 RUB per 100 g, coffee brewed on sand - 20 RUB. Lunch in a cafe - 250-300 RUB, dinner with wine in a hotel restaurant - 600-1000 RUB.

Traditional local fast food is “amgal” flatbread (50 RUB), incredibly large chebureks (70-90 RUB) and, of course, boiled corn (30-50 RUB). Prices for products on the market and in local stores are quite comparable to those in Moscow, but the cost of wine (from 140 RUB per bottle) from the local winery is pleasantly surprising.

Entertainment and attractions

Abkhazia is rich in attractions, many of which are located in Gudauta and its immediate surroundings. 4 km from the resort, in the village of Lykhny, you can see a whole architectural complex: a bell tower, a cathedral and the ruins of a palace, all of which were built during the Middle Ages. Particularly interesting is the interior painting of the temple, made in the 14th century.

Literally nearby is the palace of the ruling princes of Abkhazia Chachba-Shervashidze. Another tragic legend is associated with it about a young man and a girl walled up within its walls, thanks to which it became impregnable to external enemies. Whether it’s a legend or not, history says that the palace was destroyed only by time and the elements; the enemies were never able to do it. The picturesque ruins are overgrown with grass, and two stages of construction are clearly visible in the remains of the walls.

The Hasanata-Abaa fortress with the Bzyb watchtower was supposedly built in the 9th-10th centuries. The fortress is surrounded by a powerful wall, the thickness of which reaches 1.5 m, and the building occupies a convenient strategic position. Traces of frescoes are preserved on the inside of the wall. Archaeologists believe that many unique finds are hidden in the depths of the earth under and around the fortress.

Most tourists consider it a must to visit the famous Musser Temple, built in the 10th-11th centuries. Despite the fact that only fragments of it have survived, it is one of the most important cult monuments of medieval Abkhazia. Its southern façade with expressive arched entrances to the temple is especially impressive.

Unfortunately, time has not been kind to this landmark: the roof of the temple has long since collapsed, the walls have been worn away by rain and wind, but it is easy to imagine how majestic this structure was. The temple stands in the middle of the Mussersky Nature Reserve, the road to it leads through thickets of rare plants, oak and boxwood forests, chestnuts, dogwoods and hazels.

All excursions can be booked at the city tourist offices; it is almost always possible to go to explore the surrounding attractions as part of a mini-group, and, thanks to the compact location, visit more than one of them in a day.

5 things to do in Gudauta

Buy delicious tkemali and strong adjika at the market.
Take part in a traditional Abkhaz feast.
Taste all varieties of local suluguni.
Go on a jeep safari along mountain roads.

november

December

The resort has a humid subtropical climate (cooler than in Sukhum and Gagra), mild winters, very warm summers. At this point on the coast, the mountains retreated from the sea by 25-30 km, forming a vast plateau. Due to the terrain, winds here are extremely rare and very warm. Precipitation is also infrequent.

The air is clean, since there are no industrial enterprises in the immediate vicinity of the city. Thanks to these factors, the holiday season in Gudauta lasts all year round.

Basic moments

Gudauta lies on a gentle hill near a convenient bay. People began to inhabit these places since Neolithic times. Archaeologists conducting excavations here managed to find traces of a large settlement in which fishermen and farmers lived. Since Soviet times, the Russian military base "Bambuora" has been located to the west of Gudauta, giving its name to a large military airfield.

Today, about 8.5 thousand people live in the city. They work in tobacco production and a tea factory, are engaged in winemaking, growing and packaging citrus fruits and manufacturing building materials. A significant proportion of local residents are employed in the tourism and hotel business.

As a resort, Gudauta is distinguished by relatively low prices, good pebble beaches, a small influx of vacationers, an abundance of sunny days and a wonderful warm climate. There is no public transport in the city. However, Gudauta is small, and it is not difficult to walk from anywhere in the city to the beach.

Historically, Gudauta has always been in the shadow of the more famous Abkhaz resorts - Gagra, Sukhum and Pitsunda. But most travelers who have visited Gudauta are very satisfied with their vacation and the impressions they received. In addition to beaches and the sea, in the city itself and its surroundings there are many interesting natural and historical monuments - hydrogen sulfide springs, karst caves, the picturesque Bzyb ridge and the Abakhvatsa fortress built in the 13th century.

Climatic features of Gudauta

Gudauta lies in the subtropical zone. In this seaside resort town, winter is very mild, and the average air temperature is around +9°C. Summer is hot and long - from late May to early October. In July, the average temperature exceeds +28°C.

The high Caucasus Mountains, standing like a wall at a distance of 15-20 km, reliably protect the coast from strong winds, and therefore the holiday season in Gudauta does not stop all year round. Swimming in the sea begins in mid-May and usually ends at the end of October.

Gudauta receives about 1500 mm of precipitation per year. The abundance of moisture and warm climate contribute to the growth of fruit plants in the resort. Citrus fruits – lemons and tangerines – are especially thriving.

Beaches in Gudauta and its immediate surroundings

Most of the beaches in and around the resort are pebbly, although there are a few places where you can find sand. They are mostly not equipped. Vacationers in Gudauta can get minimal beach amenities only on sections of the coastal strip near large boarding houses and sanatoriums.

The central city beach stretches for 1 km and is up to 100 m wide. It consists of a mixture of small rounded pebbles and sand. Beach lovers will find here rental sun loungers, comfortable sun umbrellas, changing rooms, toilets, showers and many small cafes. This beach is never crowded, and the sea water is always clean and clear.

To the east of Gudauta, towards the village of New Athos, there is a strip of wild beaches separated from each other by breakwaters. Halfway between Gudauta and New Athos, near the village of Tskuara there is a spacious wild pebble beach.

10 km west of the resort town there is the popular sand and pebble beach “Golden Coast”, which stretches along the seashore for 4 km. It also does not have resort infrastructure, with the exception of several cafes built near the Zolotoy Bereg boarding house.

Historical and architectural monuments

On the western outskirts of Gudauta, in the village of Bambuora, you can see the ruins of the Ailaga-Abyku temple, which was built in the 6th-7th centuries. The walls of this ancient church have been preserved almost completely. The apse has five sides. On the western side you can see ceramic jugs-voices built into the walls, with the help of which they improved the acoustics inside the church building. The plaster is poorly preserved, and traces of ancient painting are visible on it. Near the doorway, which is located on the south side, an image of a cross is carved into the stone. Here, an oblong hall adjoins the temple, and a small vestibule to the west. To the north-west of the church there are the ruins of the foundation of another rectangular structure, near which archaeologists discovered pieces of pottery made in the 8th-10th centuries.

The Orthodox Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary stands in the center of Gudauta, on Kharazia Street, 26. It was erected relatively recently - in the middle of the last century. Near the church there is a source of holy water.

Several monuments have been erected in Gudauta. In the green square near Heroes Avenue you can see a memorial created in memory of the participants of the Great Patriotic War; monument to pilots who died in 1943 and 1968; as well as a monument to the heroes of the Abkhaz legend - Gud and Uta. In Central Park there is a memorial to the victims of the Lat tragedy, which occurred in 1992.

Museums and exhibitions

In the center of the resort, on Ardzimba Street, 167, there is the Barn Museum. Its exhibits consist of archaeological finds made on the territory of the Gudauta region, as well as a rich ethnographic collection. Household items, tools and musical instruments that were traditionally used by the Abkhazians are exhibited here.

Another place where you can get acquainted with the history and traditions of the Abkhaz people is the Abazgia Museum-Reserve. The local history museum is located in a one-story house on Mahadzhirov Street, to the west of Central Park. Two of its halls are dedicated to archeology and ethnography, and two more to the events of the Abkhaz-Georgian war, which took place in 1992-1993.

Excursions around the resort town

5 km northwest of Gudauta lies the village of Lykhny, whose history goes back about 1,500 years. Local attractions are the ruins of the summer residence of the princes Shervashidze-Chachba of the 10th century and the cross-domed Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, built in the 10th-11th centuries. Inside the ancient church you can see unique frescoes from the 14th century. On the outskirts of the village there are the ruins of an even more ancient temple, which appeared here in the 6th-7th centuries. Lykhny is also home to one of the seven sanctuaries revered by all Abkhazians - Lykh-nykha.

Residents of the village have long been engaged in growing selected Abkhaz tea. Located in the foothills, the tea plantations cover 140 hectares. In Lykhny there is the Gudauta tea factory, which conducts interesting excursions for tourists with tasting of grown tea.

14 km northeast of Gudauta, above the mountain river Aapsta, the Abakhvatsa fortress rises. It is located on the territory of the village of the same name, 6 km north of the Primorsky highway. The name “Abakhvatsa” means “bonfire on the mountain”. From watchtowers built in the 13th century, local residents monitored the approach of the enemy. The surviving fortress walls have a perimeter of 140 m and a thickness of up to 1 m. Excursions are organized from Gudauta to the ancient fort. But, if you wish, it is easy to get to the fortress on your own, using a regular bus or taxi.

14 km east of Gudauta, in the village of Tskuara (Primorskoye), sulfur-hydrogen mineral springs were discovered as a result of drilling in 1940. A small hospital was built on the site of one of them. Local waters have a healing effect on diseases of the stomach and intestines. There are also medicinal muds in the village, which are used to help patients with joint and skin diseases.

While vacationing in Gudauta, many try to visit the Orthodox shrines of New Athos and the picturesque New Athos Cave, which are located just 20 km from the resort town. Trips to Sukhum, Pitsunda and excursions to Lake Ritsa are also popular among tourists.

Active recreation in Gudauta and its surroundings

Among fans of speleology, tours to the picturesque karst caves, which are located at the sources of the Chernaya River (Mchishta), are popular. And horse lovers are attracted to horseback riding in the outskirts of Gudauta.

Travel companies operating at the resort organize interesting off-road tours to the mountains for vacationers. They have different routes and lengths, but invariably pass through picturesque foothills and alpine meadows. Participants in such trips can admire breathtaking views of the coast, drive through fast-moving mountain rivers and streams, and also see what the famous Colchis forests look like.

Fans of water tourism can try their hand at rafting on the Bzyb River. It originates in the spurs of the Caucasus Range and has a length of more than 100 km. The Bzyb is a fast river, and there are routes on it for both experienced watermen and beginners.

Gudauta, as a seaside resort town, offers its guests a lot of water activities. Here you can ride a banana boat, rent jet skis, go scuba diving or go on a speedboat ride. In addition, local travel agencies and private owners are always happy to take those interested on exciting sea fishing.

Where to stay in Gudauta

In Gudauta there are a variety of options for accommodating vacationers. Several popular sanatoriums welcome guests all year round. They treat patients using climatotherapy - sunbathing, swimming in sea water and walking in the fresh air. The attention of qualified doctors and the healing powers of nature help patients with metabolic disorders and those who suffer from respiratory diseases.

Hotels, of which there are few in Gudauta, are two- and three-story permanent buildings. They offer rooms with a standard set of services, costing 800-1500 rubles per day. For a fee, you can order meals and transfers at hotels, use laundry and choose your favorite excursions.

Most vacationers prefer to stay in small guest houses, as well as rent apartments, rooms and turnkey houses in the private sector. All guest houses are approximately the same distance from the seashore, so, regardless of your choice, a walk to the beach will not take more than 10 minutes.

Souvenirs

It is customary to bring souvenirs to remember a pleasant vacation. If a good tan, photographs and beautiful stones and shells found on the seashore are not enough, then it’s worth visiting the Gudauta market. They sell a lot of inexpensive crafts made from lacquered shells, Abkhazian coffee pots and skillfully crafted daggers.

Most tourists prefer to take “delicious souvenirs” from Gudauta - churchkhela, aromatic Abkhaz tea, mountain honey, green walnut jam, spices, cheap fruits, tangerine juice, adjika and homemade cheese. Wonderful souvenirs are chacha, Abkhazian wines and medicinal herbs collected in the foothills and on the sea coast.

How to get there

Gudauta lies on the seaside highway E60, so it’s easy to get to the resort town by car.

Gudauta is connected by rail with Sukhum and Adler. Every day the fast train “Moscow – Sukhum” passes through the resort town, making a stop at the Gudauta railway station. Customs control when crossing the border of Abkhazia is carried out directly in the carriages when the train stops at the Veseloe station.

Intercity buses running between Rostov-on-Don, Krasnodar, Nalchik and Sukhum pass through Gudauta.

The nearest airport is located in Adler. From here to Gudauta there are regular buses and trains going to Sukhum. You can also get from the border of Abkhazia to Gudauta by minibuses and taxis.

When going on vacation to Gudauta, many expect to visit a European-style city. But Abkhazia is unique and original; there is a completely different atmosphere here. This city is especially interesting for those who want to communicate with nature. It is small and compact; the local population is not as large as in neighboring Sukhum. If you love solitude, then Abkhazia opens its doors for you. Gudauta is a resort where even in high season there are few vacationers, so the beach is always free and there is no annoying city bustle.

History of Gudauta

It goes back centuries, since the first settlements on this fertile land date back to the Neolithic period. Since then they have grown, developed and strengthened. Medieval times became the heyday of the city; it was a large trading port. Then, for unknown reasons, it was abandoned. New settlements in the 19th century were subject to constant raids by Turkish soldiers, so Gudauta flourished again and received the status of a resort town in the 20th century, namely in 1926.

City location

Photos taken from above show the beauty of the bay surrounded by wooded areas. Abkhazia is famous for this climatic resort. Gudauta once had the status of an all-Union health resort. When visiting the city, tourists first note its special comfort, cleanliness and tidiness. It is very quiet here, but if you quickly get tired of the calm environment, you can visit neighboring Gagra or Sukhum. By the way, unlike them, the air temperature in Gudauta is almost always several degrees lower.

It’s almost impossible to get lost here; the whole city is built surprisingly linearly, as if divided into squares. The streets are quiet, almost deserted, lie strictly parallel to each other or intersect at right angles. The city's population is only 8,000 people. There are few apartment high-rises, mostly houses and cottages. If you want to save money on your vacation, then you have come to the right place; Gudauta (Abkhazia) will provide you with this opportunity. The private sector is a place where you can rent a bed, a room or an entire house quite cheaply.

Urban transport

He's not here at all. You can get around the whole city on foot, as well as get to the sea. But a taxi service is developed, and they can offer ground, air or your choice. Intercity minibuses stop outside the city and will take you to any neighboring town. You can save a lot of money if you negotiate the fare; drivers usually don’t have a fixed rate.

Resort area

The city owes its status as a recreation center to its mild subtropical climate. Hospitable Abkhazia awaits its tourists all year round. Gudauta is famous for its mild temperate climate. In summer the air temperature does not rise above 28 degrees, and after a short period the time comes for a dry and fairly warm winter.

All tourists, without exception, admire the nature of these places. The delicate vegetation is protected from cold winds by the northern mountain range of the Caucasus Range. This formidable ridge is worthy of admiration; it is located only 15 km from the settlement. Almost 7 months a year its snow-white peaks sparkle in the sun. The real Alps, if you forget that Abkhazia lies before you. Gudauta is famous for its parks, which are worthy of competing with the Sochi Arboretum.

One of them borders the resort area. This is a magnificent park, captivating with its shady alleys and amazing plants that can be found here. Tourists always note the strong impression that exotic palm trees, magnolia groves and other subtropical plants made on them. What are the huge fruit and citrus orchards worth? This is a paradise for fresh fruit lovers. And when the trees bloom, their aroma fills the entire coast.

Ideal time of year to visit the resort

People come here all year round, but the main influx of tourists occurs in the summer. When leaving, vacationers take with them the warmest memories and share enthusiastic reviews of the warm sea and golden beaches. You can swim from May to September, and what’s nice is that even in the hottest months (July, August) the fresh sea breeze makes being on the beach comfortable.

October is quite boring here. This is a period of gray, cool rains, so it is better to reschedule your trip. Already in November, warm and snowless weather sets in. At a temperature of +10 degrees, it’s good to wander around the surrounding area and admire the natural beauty of these places. But March and April are not so favorable; cool winds often blow at this time, and in general it is uncomfortable outside. At any time of the year, nature here is beautiful in its own way, this is the uniqueness of the Gudauta resort. Abkhazia, reviews of which are always saturated with warmth, is a hospitable hostess; she greets every guest as the dearest and closest.

The best hotels for tourists

A trip to the sea is always an expensive event, so it is logical to want to rent decent housing at the lowest possible price. In this regard, the attitude of the population of the city of Gudauta (Abkhazia) towards tourists is always surprising. The private sector provides individual rooms or entire houses for vacationers to live. If you are vacationing alone, then for a modest fee you can rent a bed in the house together with the owners. This is a chance to attend a family dinner and taste delicious local dishes.

The cheapest boarding house is "Argo", the cost of a room without meals is only 250 rubles per person per day. You can have lunch and dinner in the dining room or cafe; in addition, the hotel has a special room with a refrigerator and a stove on which everyone can cook their own food.

There are also more famous hotels for which Abkhazia is famous. Gudauta/Bambora is a classic combination for many tourists. The boarding house is a whole complex of small cozy cottages, located near the city and just 50 meters from the beach. This small village is surrounded by tropical greenery. Tourists celebrate the excellent national cuisine and excellent service.

Those who visited the Zolotoy Bereg boarding house never change their choice. For vacationers, Gudauta (Abkhazia) appears in the most magical colors. The boarding house is located at the very entrance to the city, near the village of the same name. The beaches here are actually incredibly clean and well maintained, with fine golden sand. But that is not all. The beaches are surrounded by a majestic park, where a huge number of exotic plants, fruit trees and flowers are collected. Tired of the hot sun, it’s so nice to relax in the green shade, where you can enjoy a ripe orange picked straight from the tree.

In addition to a great holiday on the beach, one cannot fail to note the amazing local cuisine, good service, cleanliness and comfort in the residential cottages.

Attractions, excursions and activities

Each boarding house, in addition to standard entertainment (disco, barbecue cafe, sauna, animation program), offers its own set of excursion tours. If you are interested in a route that is not included in the standard program, then you can visit it individually. For this purpose, there are guides who take tourists to the most interesting corners, for which they come to the city of Gudauta. Abkhazia is rich in magnificent landscapes, so you won’t get bored along the way.

The proximity of the Caucasus mountain range always generates interest in its exploration. I want to breathe in the cleanest air, look at the city and the endless sea from above. Therefore, the most popular route is to the high mountain. First, tourists climb the river gorge, the guide shows ancient villages, the ruins of an ancient fortress and watchtower. Along the way you come across Blue Lake, so named because of the amazing color of the water, colored by lapis lazuli deposits. - another stop of the group - breathtaking in its splendor. And finally, the last stop is the majestic Lake Ritsa, surrounded by snow-capped mountains. The shore is well prepared to receive guests, there is a cafe with excellent cuisine, mountain bikes and water bikes for rent. For one such trip it is worth visiting the city of Gudauta. Abkhazia, reviews of which may be quite modest, is a country of stunning beauty, but to see them, it is not enough to lie on the beach near the hotel.

If you are interested in cultural and historical heritage, then pay attention to the following route. The village of Lykhny is located 4 kilometers from the city. This is the historical center of Abkhazia, here you can see a miracle of ancient architecture, the Church of the Virgin Mary, built in the 10th century. The painting of the walls was carried out much later, during its restoration by masters of the 19th century. The walls of the Musser temple also date back to the 10th century. The Abazgia Museum-Reserve will tell the history of the people and the whole country. This route usually includes a visit to unique karst caves, which once served as a rock monastery for monks.

Here you can touch the beauty and live the happiest moments. It will be an unforgettable vacation. Abkhazia (Gudauta, as a small part of it) remains forever in the heart of every tourist; it is not without reason that it is called “the country of my soul.”

Active recreation and sports

Here everyone will find entertainment to their hearts. Do you like to fish? There are luxurious places specially designated for this. Moreover, the caught trout can be fried right on the shore. If underwater inhabitants interest you from an aesthetic point of view, then welcome to scuba diving.

Near each hotel there are tables for tennis, and on the beaches there are courts for volleyball and badminton.

Do you dream of learning how to prance on a horse? The largest hippodrome located in the village of Bzyb is at your service.

How to get to Gudauta?

All international and long-distance connections lie through the city of Sukhum. You can choose a transport that is more convenient for you, be it a plane, a train or a bus. From Sukhum to Gudauta it is only 38 km; route and intercity taxis will pick you up here.

Let's sum it up

The shores of the Black Sea are famous for their wonderful places to relax. And fortunately, they are all so diverse that any tourist can choose the region that suits them.

Gadauta is a resort town in Abkhazia. It is located in the south of the country, or rather on the shore of the small Gudauta Bay. This city is the administrative center of the Gudauta region. Not far from it are the famous resorts of Sukhum and Gagry. The E60/Tbilisi – Senaki – Leselidze highway passes through Gadauta, so getting there is not a problem at all.

The name of this city, unusual for us, comes from the small Gudou River, which flows here. Therefore, sometimes you can come across a slightly different name for this city - not Gadauta, but Gudauta. Another version of the origin of the name of this city says that its name came from an Abkhaz legend. According to legend, the young guy Guda and the girl Uta loved each other very much, but because of the enmity of their families they could not be together. Unable to bear this, Guda threw himself into the river, and Uta repeated his action.

The population of Gadauta is approximately 15,000 thousand people, most of whom are Abkhaz. Such a number of residents provides, on the one hand, a relaxing holiday for tourists, and on the other hand, the opportunity to develop the city’s infrastructure.

Gadauta is open to tourists from different countries and with different incomes, so you have a fairly wide choice of places to stay during your holiday. It could be a luxury hotel, or it could be a simple but cozy guest house.

As for nature and weather, everything is certain here. The stable climate of the humid subtropics, providing mild winters (average temperature about 10 °C) and quite warm, and some would say hot summers (temperatures on average reach 30 °C) makes it possible to relax in Gadauta all year round. Another good advantage of this resort is that, thanks to the terrain, there are practically no strong winds (according to meteorologists, they occur only on 8 days out of 365). Gadauta also boasts surprisingly clean air, which is due to the absence of industrial enterprises near the city. The good ecological condition of the area contributes to the cultivation of tea and tobacco, various citrus fruits and grapes. By the way, it is the Gudauta region that produces a significant part of agricultural products in Abkhazia.

Not only clean air and healthy local fruits, but also healing hydrogen sulfide springs will help you improve your health in Gadauta. On the site of one of them, a small health complex was built, near which there is a mountain river and a small waterfall. In this hospital you can attend procedures that take place in the open air. These are thermal baths, hydrogen sulfide hot showers, mud.

There is also a cultural center in Gadauta, where local creative groups often perform, and at the height of the tourist season, artists of the republican level come. Cinema art “Kiaraz” has been operating since the summer of 2006. Then local authorities, in honor of its opening, invited the entire city to the first film show.

Now let's move on to the most important thing - the sea. The water in the Gudauta region is clean, transparent, you can even see the bottom, and the beaches have small pebbles. Every year there are more people here, but it is still possible to choose a place you like. There are cafes and a few changing cabins along the beaches, but there are no private enclosed areas with sun loungers and umbrellas. This is probably good, because it makes vacation accessible to everyone.

As you can see, Gadauta is a small but cozy town that can give an unforgettable vacation to everyone.