Where to go to the sea in Russia?

A seaside vacation in Russia is a great solution if you still haven't decided where to go to the sea abroad. Because, in addition to lying on the beach, Russian coastal cities offer other entertainment: hiking, windsurfing, excursions to historical sites.  

So, dive into the world of Russian coastlines with us to choose the best place under the sun. Let's go!

Black Sea

When it comes to Russian seaside resorts, the Black Sea coast is the first thing that comes to mind. Here is a list of worthy places.

Sochi

From May to October, you can swim here, and in winter, which is more like autumn, you can go hiking and skiing. Sochi is suitable for both family vacations and solo trips with any budget: there are hostels and five-star hotels like Rodina and Swissotel, quiet secluded spots and noisy party places, Moscow-level restaurants (there's even its own “Sakhalin” in Estosadok) and canteens that take you fifty years back in time. Everyone will find a place to suit their mood in Sochi and its surroundings.

Anapa

Another popular location in the Krasnodar Krai, where the water temperature reaches +28 degrees in summer. But even if the sea turns out to be cold, it's not a problem: guests will be welcomed by the “Golden Beach” water park. After swimming, head to the Anapa Dolphinarium to see dolphins, whales, and fur seals. You can take great photos at the Anapa Lighthouse and in the Valley of Lotuses: 40 km from the city, a plantation of these flowers has been planted in an artificial bay. It's best to go there during the blooming season: in July-August.

Lermontovo

Introverts and families will especially enjoy Lermontovo. In this village, next to the well-known Dzhubga, there are almost no tourists, and the water is incredibly clean. The reason is that there are no ports or factories polluting the Black Sea here. The beach in Lermontovo is a mix of sand and pebbles, and the entry into the sea is gentle, so bringing a child here for their first encounter with the sea is an excellent option. In addition, tourists note that you can often see schools of dolphins here. And the panoramic view of the mountains from the shore, of course, will also captivate anyone.

Azov Sea

A good budget option for a seaside trip in Russia is Azov. The Azov Sea is an alternative to the Black Sea, though a more modest one: highlands give way to steppes, but it's shallow here, and thanks to this, the water warms up more, there are fewer tourists, and vacation prices are lower.

Yeysk

The warm and calm sea makes Yeysk a winning location for a vacation with a child, a romantic trip for two, and a slow-life retreat alone. While pebbles are more common on the Black Sea, Yeysk boasts fine sandy beaches.

For family entertainment in Yeysk, there's a water park and a dolphinarium; for active pursuits, there's windsurfing, fishing, yachting, and horseback riding along the beach. After sunbathing, you can stroll along the three-kilometer Yeysk Spit and watch ships in the Yeysk seaport: from here, you can travel to Turkey, Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, and even Egypt.

Stanitsa Golubitskaya

We tell you where to have an inexpensive yet vibrant seaside vacation in Russia: Stanitsa Golubitskaya is a good resort for a budget-friendly and diverse holiday, whether with children or an adult company. In the village, besides the beach, there's a water park, a zoo, a dolphinarium, and a crocodile farm. Open-air events are held here in summer, and those looking to improve their health will enjoy Golubitskaya's therapeutic mud lake. The stanitsa also offers sailing and horseback riding lessons.

Kuchugury

Any introvert can also relax in this village on the Azov Sea coast. Kuchugury mainly has sandy beaches. You can descend to the most popular one  — “Peschanaya Rossyp” (Sandy Placer) — directly from the village, from Krasnaya or Gagarina streets. There is all the necessary infrastructure for vacationers: showers, cafes, changing rooms, catamaran and banana boat rentals. Tourists with children usually head to the “Emelya” amusement park after swimming. 

Baltic Sea

If you want to visit Europe without the hassle of a visa, grab a ticket to Kaliningrad and explore Russia's westernmost region and the Baltic coast.

Curonian Spit

This sandy peninsula stretches from Russian Zelenogradsk to Lithuanian Klaipeda, separating the fresh Curonian Lagoon from the salty sea. The Spit is worth visiting for its natural diversity: it features dunes, forests, and swamps. Popular locations include the Dancing Forest with its unusually curved pines, the Royal Forest — a reserve for rare plants and animals, and Lake Chaika — the largest on the Curonian Spit.

Zelenogradsk

There's also a city in Russia where your camera roll will be filled with cats — that's Zelenogradsk. Cats are everywhere here — they are the symbol of the city. Take a walk along the embankment — 2.5 km along the sea, with the Central Beach running alongside it. The Old Town has preserved a European atmosphere: there are many German villas on Pugacheva and Moskovskaya streets, as well as on Kurortny Prospekt. You can walk along Moskovskaya to the monument to Zelenogradsk cats, and on Kurortny Prospekt, there's the “Kotofeynya” square with cat houses and a food dispenser.

Yantarny

The village of Yantarny is the main center for amber mining and processing in Russia and worldwide. The beach here is 6 km long, with fewer people than in Zelenogradsk — you can try your luck and look for amber on the shore, as the city's amber industry once began with collecting the sun stone on the local beach. Now, there is a museum at the combine where you can see an amber exhibition, observe the extraction process, and even create your own jewelry.

Caspian Sea

A vacation in Dagestan on the Caspian Sea is also a good idea for a holiday: photos from the Caspian will definitely make you stand out among vacation photo reports from the resorts of Krasnodar Krai. Moreover, the Caspian Sea offers the same Caucasian hospitality, warm water, and hot weather until October. 

Kaspiysk

In Dagestan's main city, Makhachkala, although there is a beach, there aren't many attractions. However, there are plenty of cool locations in the suburbs. We recommend visiting the small town of Kaspiysk, 14 km from Makhachkala, for a quiet family vacation: there are few tourists here, the water is warm, and there's a water park. For swimming, choose “Jami” beach — it's clean and well-maintained. Kaspiysk doesn't have intrusive vendors and tour guides like Sochi, so if a social detox is part of your plan, this destination is definitely for you.

Derbent

We've already talked about the westernmost region, now it's time to mention the southernmost city — Derbent. Besides its southern location, it also stands out for its age: by various estimates, the city is two to five thousand years old. If you're going to Derbent, be prepared not only to bask on the local “Breeze” beach but also to immerse yourself in history. The city was long located between Europe and Asia on the Great Silk Road and absorbed Christian, Jewish, and Muslim cultures. It also has its own Great Wall — the Naryn-Kala fortress, 42 km long, and Derbent is home to Russia's oldest mosque — the Juma Mosque, built in the 8th century. In short, if you love studying history, you won't be bored.

Izberbash

A small resort town with a clean sandy beach 3 km long and a gentle entry into the water. According to locals, swimming and sunbathing here is the best: there's enough space for everyone on the long coast, and the town itself is quite quiet and budget-friendly. However, other entertainment options in Izberbash are scarce: if your goal is to relax by the sea in the most direct sense of the phrase, this location is perfect; if you want parties, excursions, or mountain hikes — this is not the place for you. There aren't many noisy activities in Izberbash, but a couple of attractions can be found: the town is loved for its hot springs, and people also come here to see Mount Izberg-Tau, whose relief resembles Pushkin's profile.

Sea of Japan

When tourists wonder where to vacation by the sea in Russia, the Far East is either not remembered at all or only as a last resort. And by the way, in summer, there is a comfortable warm climate here: in July-August, it's hot up to +30 degrees, and there are fewer tourists than at traditional Black Sea resorts. Local recreation areas are only a couple of hours' drive from Vladivostok: buses run to the coast, and you can also get there by car.

Lazurnaya Bay (Shamora)

Shamora (the bay's former Chinese name) has the largest and cleanest beach in Primorsky Krai, making it the most popular resort among locals. The entry into the water is gentle, and inflatable water slides are set up for children, so the location is suitable for a family vacation. There are recreation centers and guest houses in the bay, and sometimes tent camps are set up. Come here to meditatively gaze at Ussuri Bay and listen to the sound of the waves, or to water ski, dive, and boat. 

Triozyorye Bay

The name appeared due to three freshwater lakes at the entrance to the bay. In terms of photogenicity, Triozyorye is on par with the Maldives or Bali: it has blue water and white sand. You can stay in Triozyorye in campsites or guest houses, and have fun riding boats, scooters, and banana boats. But diving is especially popular here: in the clear water, you can see mussels, sea urchins, octopuses, and starfish. If you haven't dived yet, training is offered right at the recreation centers, and a certificate is issued. The downside of the location is intermittent mobile connection, but a digital detox is guaranteed.

Spokoynaya Bay

Here, there's a warm sea, windless weather, and no waves thanks to the cliffs that protect the bay from hurricanes. Spokoynaya Bay is a great place for swimming, diving, and fishing from a boat. Previously, this territory was part of a border zone, so it was closed to tourism. But now, the bay boasts untouched nature, plenty of space for tents, and springs with fresh water. 

Before your trip, be sure to read our article where we tell you what to take with you to the sea for a worry-free vacation. 

We wish you great travels this summer!