Russian Caucasus
The centrepiece of the regional museum are the exhibits covering the 3rd century BC until the 4th century AD, when Greek trading colonies flourished at…
Must-see attractions in Russian Caucasus
Mineral Water Spas
Ask locals about hiking routes up and around this 1400m, five-peaked mountain that gives Pyatigorsk it's name. It's located a couple of kilometres…
Mineral Water Spas
These broad steps, planted with flower beds, lead up into Kurortny Park. The colonnade at the top provides a frame for vistas across central Kislovodsk.
Russian Caucasus
The region's oldest art museum, the Kovalenko's collections span the ages, from 'Old Rus' to post-Soviet periods. The building – the historic Shardonov…
Mineral Water Spas
You can sample the local mineral water (small/large cups R2/5) here. It tastes rather sulphurous, but the best reasons for dropping in are the wonderful…
Mineral Water Spas
An Italian company designed this circular fountain that performs a dramatic music and lights show (with even the occasional burst of fire!) every evening…
Mineral Water Spas
This small museum houses a small collection of critters (spiders, snakes, frogs) as well as a lovely butterfly collection from around the globe.
Russian Caucasus
You can swim, fish and rent boats at this small lake bordering the main road running through Teberda.
Russian Caucasus
This 600m long trout-filled lake, 7km northeast of Dombay, is best reached by taxi (around R400).
Mineral Water Spas
This attractive classical building is perched above the eastern terminus of pr Kirova. It was built in 1851 to house one of Pyatigorsk’s best-known…
Russian Caucasus
On a scenic peninsula on the Kuban River, this leafy green space is filled with kiddie rides, open-air cafes and blooming gardens. The park is accessible…
Kislovodsk Museum of Local History "Fortress"
Mineral Water Spas
To secure Russia’s new southern frontier, Catherine the Great built a line of forts along the Caucasus mountain range. Kislovodsk was one of them, and…
Russian Caucasus
This unusual sculpture, on the corner of central ul Krasnaya, features two elegantly dressed dogs out for a stroll. It was inspired by a quip by famed…
Black Sea Coast
If you're not swimming among the fish, or eating the fish, you might considering paying a visit to the fish in the Discovery World Aquarium, which is a…
Sochi
Here's a smallish museum that delves into Sochi’s archaeological history, its maritime roots, its role in WWII and other aspects of its social history…
Museum of the Weapons of Victory
Russian Caucasus
Located by the river in Victory Park, this open-air museum's display of WWII tanks and rocket launchers conjures up images of Soviet-era military parades…
Mineral Water Spas
Near the Colonnade entrance to Kurortny Park is this multilevel monument to 19th-century writer Mikhail Lermontov. Caged in a grotto at ground level is an…
Sochi
In the middle of a leafy park, the Art Museum resides in a classical building that’s a work of art in itself. The permanent collection includes age-old…
Russian Caucasus
An elaborate statue of Catherine the Great – with lute-strumming Cossacks and Potemkin at her heels – lords over an attractive park at the southern end of…
Russian Caucasus
You'll spot this observatory from the Elbrus cable cars, but you can also hike here along a steep track from Terskol. It's a popular route for those…
Mineral Water Spas
The striking, classical-style Spa Research Institute, built in 1828 and rebuilt in 1955, was once Restoratsiya, the town’s first hotel and scene of the…
Nativity of the Virgin Cathedral
Russian Caucasus
The lavish, gold-domed neo-Byzantine cathedral, built in 1856, overlooks the central market. If you approach from Soborniy per, it is framed beautifully…
Mineral Water Spas
Marking the southern entrance to Kurortny Park is this broad white-washed colonnade. Next to it, when the weather is good, local artists and craftspeople…
Mineral Water Spas
On a clear day, there are great panoramas of the yawning valleys and green plateaus of the pretty surrounding countryside from this 1065m viewpoint within…
Mineral Water Spas
Adjacent to the drinking gallery is the university, which has some expressive gargoyles and bas-reliefs on its upper facade.
Mineral Water Spas
A network of paths in Park Tsvetnik leads to this much-photographed bronze eagle sculpture at the top of a hill.
Mineral Water Spas
The baths were built in 1831 and 1810, respectively. The latter is now a treatment centre.
Fortified House of Kondraty Bulavin
Russian Caucasus
Near the western end of ul Sovetskaya stands the fortified house of Kondraty Bulavin, the Cossack rebel leader during the Peasant War (1707–09). Bulavin…
Black Sea Coast
Fans of Soviet kitsch will appreciate Adler's silver-painted Lenin statue. Come out of the central market, turn left and Lenin is waiting for you on the…
Black Sea Coast
The central market is a hive of activity, packed with shops, kiosks and produce sellers. It's also the site of Adler's main bus stop.
Memorial to Victims of Political Repression
Sochi
This modest memorial lists the dozens of Sochi residents who perished in Stalin-era purges.
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