Best Sandy Beaches in Russia

Imagine you've arrived in the south. You've dropped your bags, put on your swimsuit, and are already rushing to the sea. Seeing the clear blue water, you forget everything in the world and, headlong…

…You hurt your delicate heels on sun-heated pebbles. Sounds unpleasant, doesn't it? To prevent this from happening, we've compiled a list of the best sandy beaches in Russia for a super comfortable seaside vacation.

Sandy Beaches of the Black Sea

Along the entire Black Sea coast, there is a huge variety of recreation areas. We have selected the best sandy beaches in Russia for you — all you have to do is book your flights to Sochi on Kupi.com and pack your swimsuit.

Anapa Central Beach

Parallel to the city center stretches the main tourist attraction — Anapa Central Beach. The softest sand, a gradual increase in depth, and good infrastructure.

Despite all the advantages, this place also has its drawbacks. The main (and obvious) one is its popularity due to its location, which means a huge number of people. In addition, many note the murky water.

Dzhemete Central Beach

Dzhemete is a village located near Anapa. The sandy coastline reaches up to 90 meters in width in some places, allowing vacationers to place sun loungers at a comfortable distance from each other.

The infrastructure here is also well-developed. You can rent a catamaran, an ATV, or even parasail over the water. By the way, the sea here is cleaner than in Anapa, but everything depends on the weather. For example, right after a storm, there will be both seaweed and jellyfish. So don't forget to check the forecast.

A distinctive feature of Dzhemete is the sand dunes found at every turn. This is why ATV rental is popular here — an entertainment for thrill-seekers.

Vityazevo Central Beach

Also near Anapa is the village of Vityazevo, home to one of the popular holiday destinations. Here, the entry into the sea is super shallow: you need to walk twenty meters before the water reaches your chest. Excellent infrastructure and shallow waters near the shore make Vityazevo beach very attractive for families with children.

Dunes are also present here, and ATVs can be rented to ride at high speeds among the sands. A special ATV track is laid out here, so you won't disturb other vacationers.

In Vityazevo, storms are rare, so the water remains clean and you won't encounter jellyfish. Along the coast, there are sanatoriums and hotels for every taste and budget. And of course, all of the above implies a large number of tourists. So, this place is unlikely to suit those who prefer solitude.

Lermontovo Central Beach

A beach almost a kilometer long is located in the Tuapse district of Krasnodar Krai — in Lermontovo. The climate here is drier than in Adler. The water remains clean because there are no factories or ports in the village.

There is everything for a family vacation here, but party lovers might find it boring. The embankment is a mix of sand and small pebbles. The entry into the water also involves a small strip of small and medium-sized stones.

Why did we still include it in the list, even though it's not 100% sandy? For two reasons. The first is that you can see pods of dolphins swimming nearby (real dolphins!). The second reason is that the shore offers a great view of the mountains. Thanks to this, Lermontovo beach is among the most beautiful in Russia.

"Golden Beach"

Another popular sandy beach in Russia on the Black Sea is "Golden Beach". As the name suggests, the sand here has a special golden color. This is due to it being carried here by the current from the nearby Sekua River valley.

Nearby are:

• cafes and canteens;
• jet ski, "banana boat" rentals, etc.;
• showers and changing rooms;
• lifeguards and medical staff.

"Orlyonok"

"Orlyonok" beach is located in the city of Tuapse and is considered a favorite place for families with children. Entry to the territory is paid. People under the influence of alcohol are not allowed, and smoking is prohibited.

"Orlyonok" occupies a small stretch of sandy shore, only 500 meters. But here you'll find absolutely everything for a comfortable and safe family vacation: trampolines, slides, an enhanced lifeguard team, pleasant golden sand, and crystal-clear water.

A large number of vendors and hawkers are not allowed here, so compared to other beaches, this is a super quiet place without shouting and touts.

Sandy Beaches of the Azov Sea

Features of the Azov Sea climate include frequent storms and water blooming. Despite this, excellent sandy beaches are found here, and along the coast are hotels, hostels, and the best sanatoriums in Russia.

Peresyp Village Central Beach

Finally, an option for lovers of more secluded relaxation — the beach in Peresyp village. There isn't a large crowd of tourists here, the sand is pure, and the water remains clean almost all year round.

There are a small number of cafes, "banana boat" rentals, and several changing rooms. Otherwise, it's a beach without complex infrastructure that attracts crowds of people.

Among the features of the place is the Tizdar mud volcano. Its mud is considered medicinal: it is used for joint pain, skin diseases, and cosmetic purposes.

Kuchugury Central Beach

In Kuchugury, there are several wild beaches for quiet relaxation, but we will talk about the well-maintained part — "Peschanaia Rossyp" (Sandy Placer). The high hilly shore offers only a few descent options: the central one, from Krasnaya and Gagarin streets.

It is much quieter here than on the Black Sea coast. Occasionally, shells are found in the sand, which can be excellent building material for sandcastles. There are showers, cafes, changing rooms, and rentals for various water transport and equipment.

If you go further from the center, you'll find yourself in places favored by "wild" campers. You can only get here on your own, but the secluded beach vacation is worth it.

Yeysk Beaches

The central beach of Yeysk is the most popular spot among tourists of the entire Azov Sea. Here's the infrastructure available:

• showers, changing rooms, toilets;
• cafes, bars;
• rentals for everything imaginable;
• slides and trampolines for children;
• stalls and souvenir shops.

The entry into the water here is steeper than in other places on the Azov Sea, but still quite comfortable.

Another beach in Yeysk — "Detsky" (Children's) — is specifically designed for families with children.

There's even more sand here for building castles and moats, as well as a super-endless shoal. So parents can relax a little.

"Molodyozhny" (Youth), as the name suggests, is for an older audience. Here you'll find a windsurfing school, and bars and nightclubs open late. What more could youth need?

Sandy Beaches of the Baltic Sea

The Baltic Sea is chosen by lovers of a colder climate and no queues. The sea only warms up by July and involves much stronger winds, but this also makes the waves more beautiful. Below, we've compiled a selection of great places for a vacation in Russia on the Baltic Sea.

"Yantarny" (Amber)

A beach about a kilometer of pristine sand is located near Kaliningrad — in the village of Yantarny. Hotels, guesthouses, and hostels are located on the shore, so there are plenty of accommodation options here.

At "Yantarny", there are shower stands, changing rooms, sun loungers, and drinking fountains. In addition, the beach has received the so-called "Blue Flag" — a sign that the water and coastal area are distinguished by a high level of cleanliness and environmental friendliness.

Zelenogradsk Beaches

In total, there are four beaches in Zelenogradsk that are recognized as safe for swimming (divers specially explored the bottom). Among them are "Zapadny" (Western), "Gagarina", "Neptun" (Neptune), and "Sambiya". "Neptun" is the smallest of those listed, its length is only 400 meters. The others occupy an area of about a kilometer each.

All beaches have lifeguard towers and changing areas. Toilets are located in the coastal zone near cafes and recreation centers. In addition, "Zapadny" has sun loungers and deck chairs, as well as wooden walkways for comfortable access to the water.

All the aforementioned beaches of Zelenogradsk are famous for their pleasant sand and not-too-steep entry into the water. However, it should be remembered that a black flag on a lifeguard tower is a sure sign that swimming is prohibited on that day.

Beaches of the Caspian Sea

Resorts in Russia with sea and sandy beaches can also be found on the Caspian coast. There are many places here that delight with soft sand and mountain views.

"Dzhami"

The uncrowded and well-equipped "Dzhami" beach is considered one of the best in Russia. Entry is free for guests of the "Dzhami" hotel; others need to pay for admission (in 2024, the fee is 400 ₽).

The entry into the sea is gentle, and the shallow water warms up quickly. This fact, along with the presence of a water park nearby, makes "Dzhami" beach an ideal place for a family vacation with a child.

"Oasis" and "Lagoon"

Both beaches are located near Makhachkala; you can get there by car or taxi. Both "Oasis" and "Lagoon" have free entry, but this does not lead to crowds of tourists. You will always find secluded spots here.

Everything is equipped for relaxation: sun loungers and umbrellas can be rented. In addition, there are shared showers and changing cabins, as well as toilets (you'll have to walk a bit to the areas with cafes).

Overall, the names of these places speak for themselves much more vividly than our text: they wouldn't just call anything "Lagoon" and "Oasis".

Derbent Central Beach

Another excellent location with golden sand and a gentle entry into the water is Derbent Central Beach. On the embankment, you can grab an inexpensive bite and stroll among flowerbeds and fountains. The temperature does not rise above +30 degrees, and Derbent rightfully ranks among the warmest cities in Russia.

There isn't a large concentration of vendors here, so it's not particularly noisy. You can rent a "banana boat" or "tube" for riding on the water, but otherwise, everything is free.

As the saying goes, there's no accounting for taste. The same applies to Russia's sandy beaches. But you're sure to find a spot you love. Have a great vacation and an even tan!