The beach resorts of Russia are located on several seas: the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov, the Caspian sea and Baltic sea. In this review on the online travel guide Geomerid you can read about all the most popular beach resorts in Russia:

Caucasian coast:
• Sochi
• Gelendzhik
• Anapa
• Tuapse

Crimea:
• Yalta
• Sudak
• Novy Svet
• Alushta
• Foros
• Balaklava
• Yevpatoria

Baltic Sea:
• Svetlogorsk
• Zelenogradsk
• Yantarny

Caspian Sea:
• Derbent

The Sea of Azov:
• Yeysk

Caucasian coast:

• Sochi – subtropical resort

Area of «Greater Sochi» covers the territory of 140 kilometers from Tuapse to the border of Abkhazia on the Psou River. This area includes four districts: Lazarevsky, Central, Khostinsky, and Adler. At one time these were separate settlements (Lazarevskoye, Loo, Dagomys, Khosta, and Adler), but with the growth of population and development of infrastructure they merged in a single resort zone.

Sochi is the northernmost subtropical region in the world. The climate is due to the tall range of the Caucasian Mountains, which shields the resort from cold northern and eastern winds. From the south the resort is favored by the winds from the Mediterranean Region and the sea. That’s why there are growing magnolias, palms, mimosas and the other subtropical plants.

The snowy peaks of the Caucasian Mountains look rather unusually against the back-ground of this subtropical vegetation. Downhill skiing resorts are literally 50 kilometers of the beaches. So, you may have a rest there all round the year: to go skiing from December to April, and bathe and get browned from June to October.

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• Gelendzhik - marl rocks

Gelendzhik is in the center of Russian Black Sea coast, to the south of Novorossiysk. The airport that was opened in 2010 contributed to development of this resort. The resort zone of Gelendzhik, as the other resorts in the Caucasus, isn’t only within the city, but covers the territory of some 100 kilometers. It includes settlements Kabardinka, Divnomorskoe, and Arkipo-Osipovka in the north, as well as settlements а также поселки Dzhanhot, Praskoveevka, Krinitsa and Betta in the south.

Unlike Sochi, which is only 260 kilometers off, Gelendzhik features dry, Mediterranean climate, the same as on the rest of the Black Sea coast. There are no tall Caucasian mountains here, still, the spurs of the Markhotsky Range impart a kind of picturesqueness to surrounding landscapes of Gelendzhik.

The city of Gelendzhik is at the back of Gelendzhik Bay. Gelendzhik Embankment is the proud of city dwellers. It is very long stretching for over 12 kilometers. There are a lot of flowers all along the embankment, and some sections are planted with Pitsunda pines. There are always many walkers here, and this creates the atmosphere of deliberate resort recreation. Many people come here with children.

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• Anapa – sandy beaches

For several decades Anapa has been considered one of the best children`s resorts on the Black Sea. Various entertainment centers for children were built here, although nature created the best conditions for children`s recreation in Anapa. The tourist infrastructure of Anapa can be recognized as one of the most developed on the Black Sea in Russia, and nowadays it refers not only to children`s recreation.  

The city of Anapa is located in the very west of the Caucasian coast of Russia, near the Taman Peninsula. The Caucasian Mountain range begins on the southern outskirts of Anapa (a stele is installed there). However, the area in the vicinity of Anapa is more hilly. The height of the “mountains” here does not exceed 100-200 meters. Among these mountains there are many valleys where grapes are grown. Winemaking is actively developing in the region. There are many different cafes and restaurants with fine cuisine in Anapa. 

The main advantage of Anapa over all the resorts of the Caucasian coast and Crimea is the magnificent sandy beaches. In other resorts of the Black Sea, the beaches are mostly pebbly. In Anapa, a wide beach with fine golden sand stretches along the entire coast. Near the village of Vityazevo (western suburb of Anapa), the width of the beach reaches 150 meters. There are no concrete breakwaters in Anapa that spoil the landscape of the coast. 

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• Tuapse – Kiselyov Rock

The city of Tuapse is a major cargo port of Russia on the Caucasian coast. However, Tuapse can also be called a resort on the Black Sea, since the territory of “Big” Tuapse stretches for 100 kilometers, from Gelendzhik in the west to Sochi in the east. 

The largest resort villages of Tuapse to the west of the city are Dzhubga, Lermontovo, Novomikhailovsky, Olginka, Nebug, Agoy. To the east of Tuapse are the villages of Shepsi, Dederkoi, and Ashe. All these villages are located in small mountain valleys, along the beds of small rivers that flow from the Main Caucasian Ridge into the Black Sea.  

The main natural attraction of Tuapse is the Kiselev Rock, which is located 4 kilometers east of Tuapse in the relict Kadosh Forest. The Kadosh Forest can also be called a natural attraction. In this place there is a wonderful Beach at Kiselev Rock. It is pebbly, but the bottom is covered with large stones, which is not comfortable for swimming. However, the marl layers of Kiselev Rock and Kadosh Forest are so picturesque that it is interesting to stay here all day to walk around, sunbathe and swim. 

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Crimea:

Yalta - noisiest resort of Crimea

Yalta is the largest and most famous beach resort in Crimea and all of Russia. Yalta can be compared with Sochi, which is located on the Caucasian coast of Russia. Yalta began to develop as a resort at the end of the 19th century, and it became a resort for the high society of the Russian Empire. Emperors and aristocrats built their palaces here. 

In the 19th century, the largest resort on the Southern coast of Crimea was Gurzuf, however, the climate of Yalta was more conducive for the development of the most famous resort in Crimea. This is due to the structure of the Crimean Mountains. In the Yalta area they are located in a form of large amphitheater far from the sea. Thanks to this, pine forests have grown here. Pine phytoncides, sea breeze and mountain air have created a unique climate in Yalta, useful for the treatment of lung diseases.

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Sudak – medieval fortress

Sudak is one of the most popular beach resorts in the eastern Crimea. Here is the largest medieval Genoese Fortress in the Crimea. The coastline of Sudak is formed by reef mountains and this has created in the area of Sudak and the Novy Svet a very beautiful relief of the coast, as well as a unique Mediterranean landscape. 

The local lands are quite arid, but the curved century-old junipers and pines create an amazingly beautiful landscape. It differs from the mountainous regions of Yalta or Foros, as well as the steppe regions of Sevastopol or Yevpatoria. There are many hiking trails in the local mountains, and there are interesting places for diving in the area of Cape Meganom. The embankment of Sudak stretches for 2 kilometers between the Fortress Mountain and Cape Alchak. There are many cafes, restaurants and places for entertainment on it. There are wide sandy beaches along the embankment. The entrance to the sea is flat, so there are many vacationers with children in Sudak.   

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Novy Svet – very beautiful nature

The village of Novy Svet is one of the most beautiful beach resorts in the Crimea. It is located 7 kilometers from Sudak in a cozy Green bay surrounded by high reef mountains that protect the village from cold winds. The climate here is very comfortable, and the water temperature is always higher than in the surrounding resorts. 

In past the village was called Paradise for the beauty of the local nature. In 1878, the village of Paradise was acquired by Duke Lev Golitsyn, who studied winemaking in Europe and decided to create his own Champagne winery in the Crimea. Novy Svet is known for its three beautiful bays. They are called: Green, Blue and Azure. All of them are surrounded by rocks, which are the fossilized coral reefs of the ancient Tethys Ocean. 

The Golitsyn Trail begins in the Green Bay and then runs along the Blue and Azure Bay. Relict Juniper Grove is another wonderful attraction of the Novy Svet resort. It is located on a highland between the Koba-Kaya and Karaul-Oba mountains. Beyond the Juniper Grove there is another wonderful tourist route to the Valleys of Heaven and Hell, as well as to the Cosmos Peak. They are on Mount Karaul-Both. The Valley of Hell looks the most beautiful.

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Foros - Place of Power

Foros resort is located on the southernmost point of the Crimean peninsula. It is a very famous beach resort. The Crimean mountains in Foros approach directly to the sea, and this creates a very warm climate. Sea currents converge in the Foros area near Cape Sarych, so the water in the Foros area is recognized as one of the cleanest in the Crimea.  

Most of the village of Foros is occupied by Foros Park. Its territory is 70 hectares. Most beautiful attractions are located outside of Foros. It is impossible to reach them on foot. While spending a vacation in Foros, you need to plan trips to the Baydar Pass. There you will see the Baydar Gate and the Foros Church. It offers very beautiful views of the Crimean mountains and the sea. 

The excursion to the Temple of the Sun is one of the most interesting in Crimea. It is located near Mount St. Elias (Ilyas-Kaya); 5 kilometers from the village of Laspi and 10 kilometers from Foros resort. The Temple of the Sun in Crimea has many epithets: Place of Power, Crimean Stonehenge, Stone Flower, Dragon Teeth. Both lovers of esotericism and ordinary tourists talk about the special energy that is felt on the top of the mountain, near the altar. 

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Alushta – Valley of Ghosts

Alushta is a fairly large city on the Black Sea coast in Crimea. People mostly come here for a budget holiday, although in recent years high-class hotels have appeared here. The main attraction of Alushta is its huge embankment and beaches. The most interesting natural attractions are located outside of Alushta.  

The most interesting sights of Alushta are located outside. Demerdzhi Mountain with its famous Valley of Ghosts is 10 kilometers away. In Chatyr-Dag mountain you can visit the most beautiful caves of the Crimea: Marble Cave and Mammoth Cave. Many interesting places are located on the coast to the north and south of Alushta.  

There are several interesting places on Demerdzhi Mountain. Most excursions are limited to visiting the Valley of Ghosts, which is located at the foot of the mountain near the village of Luchistoe. However, for the visit of Demerdzhi, it is better to plan the whole day and prepare for long hiking trips. In this case, you can see the most interesting places on the top of the mountain. 

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Koktebel – nudist beach

The small village of Koktebel is located on the eastern coast of Crimea and is one of the most popular resorts. Since the beginning of the 20th century, Koktebel has gained fame as a bohemian resort, where writers, poets and artists came on vacation. Initially, they came to visit the artist and poet Maximilian Voloshin, and then a corresponding subculture was formed here. 

Koktebel resort is located 20 kilometers south of Feodosia, and 34 kilometers north of Sudak. People come to Koktebel for beach holidays and entertainment. At the beginning of the 20th century, a large Nudist Beach appeared on the northern outskirts of Koktebel. The tradition of naturism in Koktebel was founded by poets and artists who visited Voloshin. However, even today, a lot of people rest on the Nudist beach of Koktebel every summer. 

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Yevpatoria – balneology and sandy beaches

Yevpatoria is located on the eastern coast of Crimea. There are no palaces and mountains, as well as subtropical forests, as on the Southern coast of Crimea, however, in the 19th century Yevpatoria became one of the most famous balneological resorts of the Russian Empire. People are not only resting here, but also being treated. 

Therapeutic procedures in numerous health resorts of Yevpatoria are made with therapeutic mud, which is cultivate and extract in local lakes. Previously, mud was extracted in Moynaki Lake, and in recent years it has been done on Saki Lake, as well as Lake Sasyk-Sivash. In summer, these lakes have a fantastically beautiful pink color. All lovers of photo shoots come here. 

In addition to therapeutic mud and mineral water (brine) from local lakes, Yevpatoria is famous for its wide sandy beaches. The width of the beaches in the city center averages about 50 meters. There are not only sun loungers and umbrellas, but also summer gazebos with white fabrics traditional for the beaches of Yevpatoria. The further away from the port, the wider the beaches become. The widest beaches are located on the Belyaus Spit, 40 kilometers from Yevpatoria. These places are often called "Crimean Maldives". 

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Balaklava – the atmosphere of a Greek resort

The small town of Balaklava is one of the coziest resorts in Crimea. There are no beaches here, but its location in a narrow winding bay among the mountains creates a special atmosphere of comfort. Dozens of yachts and boats are moored in the marina of Balaklava Bay. All this gives the impression that you are in a Mediterranean resort in Greece or Italy. 

The center of Balaklava resort life is the Nazukin Embankment with facades of white stone houses. It stretches for 500 meters along the left bank of the Balaklava Bay. Each Balaklava restaurant serves local fish dishes. Many tourists specially come to Balaklava to eat dishes of fresh fish, which fishermen bring here every day. 

Cape Aya Nature Reserve is located to the east of Balaklava. It occupies an area of 1.3 thousand hectares. The protected area of Cape Aya is one of the most beautiful places of the Crimean Mountains. This is the only place where trekking trails (including Great Sevastopol Trail) run along juniper and pine forests directly on the seashore along several beaches: Silver Beach, Golden Beach, Fig Beach. 

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Baltic Sea:

• Svetlogorsk – the largest resort in the Baltic Sea

The village of Svetlogorsk is the largest resort on the Baltic sea coast in the Kaliningrad region. In East Prussian times, it was called Rauschen. The historic center of Rauschen is preserved, and walking among the German houses of the 19th century is a pleasure. Resort infrastructure began to form in Rauschen in the early 19th century, simultaneously with the neighboring Cranz, as part of the Prussian program for the development of resorts on the Baltic sea. Cranz received the status of a Royal resort in 1816, and Rauschen in 1820.

Today, the historical part of the city is very well preserved, since the city was not destroyed at all during the World War II. Many of the houses located on Lenin street and in the Larch Park area have been preserved from the time of East Prussia or have been restored in the German style.

The main attraction of the city is the Water tower, built in 1907 in the style of German romanticism. The Kurhaus building has been preserved, as well as many hotels, including wooden ones built before the World War II. Along the sea, at the foot of a high slope (40-60 meters) for 2 kilometers stretches the Embankment of Svetlogorsk. It is called the Promenade.

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• Zelenogradsk – Curonian Spit

The resort town of Zelenogradsk is located on the coast of the Baltic sea. Before the World war II, this resort in East Prussia was called Cranz. It is smaller than Svetlogorsk, but located near the Curonian spit, so holiday in Zelenogradsk can be combined with trips to the protected areas of the Curonian spit.

Cranz received the status of a Royal resort in 1816, when Friedrich Kassel, doctor of medicine, opened warm sea baths here. Kassel noted several factors for the development of the resort. Here is clear water, dense pine forest, as well as a strong impact of waves on the embankment, so that the air is saturated with useful substances.

There are also the famous "Cranz’s beaches-pans" where people can sunbath. “Pans” are hidden places in the sand dunes at the base of the Curonian spit, which are very warm in the sun and protected from the Baltic wind. Thus, you can sunbathe from the beginning of May until late autumn, even if the water in the Baltic sea is cold.

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• Yantarny – large white sand beach

The resort village of Yantarny was called Palmnicken in East Prussian times. Here is the world`s largest Deposit, where the Sunstone amber is extracted. In addition, it is the only beach in the north of Russia that has been awarded a Blue flag. The village of Palmnicken was founded in 1654. Residents were engaged in fishing and catching in the sea of amber. There was so much of it that amber was used as fuel. 

A very wide Beach of Yantarny village (in some places its width exceeds 100 meters) stretches for more than a kilometer in the Central zone of the village of Yantarny. The sand is very fine and has a beautiful white color. There are no dunes like on the Curonian spit, but the beach is better here. This white sand is saturated with white pulp from an Amber quarry. North beach with white sand is located on the site of the former mine "Anna". In summer, the beaches of Yantarny host major competitions in beach volleyball and beach soccer, including the qualifying rounds of the Russian Championships. Along the beach there is a Promenade where vacationers can walk.

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Caspian Sea:

• Derbent - ancient fortress and beaches

Derbent is the oldest city in Russia, at the same time; it is one of the most beautiful cities in the Caucasus. Many tourists consider Dagestan as an opportunity to travel to the mountains, but the historical sights of Derbent are of no less interest. Derbent is also developing as a resort on the shores of the Caspian Sea. 

Derbent is a picturesque Caucasian city. It`s not just about its attractions, but about the general atmosphere on the narrow streets of the old quarters. The Naryn-Kala fortress, the fortress walls and the Juma Mosque were built in the 6th-8th centuries. The mosque and the fortress are the oldest in Russia. In 2003, they were included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.

In recent years, Derbent has been actively developing a tourist infrastructure and a comfortable urban space. In the north of the city, a well-maintained Breeze beach was opened. In front of it the Derbent Embankment was built. The recreation area was formed in Nizami Ganjavi Park and Suleiman Stalsky Park. Nearby is the pedestrian lane of Mirza Kazi-Bek, which was called "The Street of Happy People". 

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The Sea of Azov:

• Yeysk – sea sports

The city of Yeysk is the main beach resort on the Sea of Azov. Hundreds of thousands of people come here every year, although swimming at the sea here has some specifics. The beaches of Yeysk have a sandy surface, but the Sea of Azov is very shallow, so you need to go a few tens of meters from the shore to swim. 

Despite there are many resorts on the Black Sea nearby, Yeysk is popular among young people. This is partly due to the possibilities of a low budget holiday, but to a greater extent the popularity of Yeysk is explained by the possibilities of windsurfing and kitesurfing. The Yeysk Spit extends 3 kilometers into the sea, so there is almost always a good wind here. There are no waves in the Yeysk Estuary, so beginners train there. Experienced surfers ride in the Sea of Azov, where the waves are higher. In recent years, riding on SUPs became very popular.  

Many hotels and guest houses are specialized for receiving tourists with young children. In this case, the shallow sea becomes not a disadvantage, but an advantage. Adults need to walk tens of meters to swim, and for children such a gently sloping entrance is not a problem. On the beach, they can mess around in the sand, build sand castles and sunbathe. The shallow sea warms up very quickly, so the water temperature comfortable for children begins here in June

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