Best Beaches of Krasnodar Krai
YasyaAs the saying goes, 'if there is paradise on Earth, it's Krasnodar Krai.' 'Going to the sea' is a magnum opus, a Holy Grail, and a cornerstone of every summer for many Russians. And the resorts of the Black Sea (and the Azov Sea too) beckon with their entertainment, hotels, excursions, and beaches. And yes, beaches are a separate and almost the most important point when choosing a vacation spot. You want it to be both beautiful and comfortable. We have compiled our own top 20 best beaches of Krasnodar Krai on the Black Sea and the Azov Sea. Find your flights to Sochi on Kupi.com and let’s go!
Important: For obvious reasons, Anapa was not included in the list. Whether it's worth going to Anapa in the summer of 2025 was discussed in this article.
Adler
«Velvet Seasons»
Let's start from the southernmost point of Russia and gradually move north. So, the first stop is the beach of the 'Velvet Seasons' micro-district (or hotel-city, if you prefer). It's 650 meters long and up to 60 meters wide, predominantly covered with large pebbles. For the convenience of vacationers, wooden walkways are laid, and special coral swimming shoes will be useful for entering the water. However, during the summer season, there is a separate sandy lounge area here. There are no breakwaters, the shore is quite gentle but stepped, which is worth remembering if you come to the beach with children.
Entry: free
Facilities: sun loungers, umbrellas, showers, changing cabins, first aid post, lifeguard tower, SUP rental.
Bridge Resort
A small but well-equipped beach of the Bridge Resort hotel. There are no underwater barriers, nor are there any seasonal rivers nearby, meaning the water here is clean and transparent (thanks to the pebbles). The hotel is responsible for the cleanliness of the shore. An unobvious advantage is the absence of noisy urban infrastructure along the embankment.
Entry: free
Facilities: sun loungers and umbrellas, shower cabins, toilet, changing rooms, free Wi-Fi, rescue and medical posts, shade canopy, bungalows
«Rosa Khutor. Imeretinka-1»
It's strange – a ski resort, but it has a beach. All the better! Rosa Khutor ends in the Imereti Lowland, opposite the Fisht Stadium. The beach is quite wide, from 40 to 60 m, and deep. Like 'Velvet Seasons,' it is marked with a 'Blue Flag' – our equivalent of the international 'Blue Flag' award. Abroad, such flags designate clean, accessible, safe beaches, so you can definitely rely on this award. Since 'Rosa Khutor' belongs to the hotel chain of the same name, there isn't a huge crowd here.
Entry: free, but with restrictions
Facilities: sun loungers, VIP bungalows, massage cabins, playgrounds, SUP-surfing rental, diving, lifeguards, medics
«Chaika»
This is a municipal beach, located between Tsentralny and the Mzymta River. There is no railway nearby, but there are various cafes, so as soon as you've had your swim and sunbathed, you can immediately go for lunch. It is bordered by breakwaters on two sides; if such an addition to the landscape suits you, come to claim sun loungers (and indeed, spots on the beach) early, before nine in the morning. However, this is an axiom of almost any sun holiday, not just on the best Black Sea beaches.
Entry: free
Facilities: changing cabins, toilets, showers, lifeguard towers
Sochi
«Camellia»
This beach belongs to the Swissôtel Resort Sochi Camellia, and entry is free for guests. Others will have to pay for access to all the luxuries. And there are plenty here: a cafe, a bar, sun loungers, a children's pool with warm water, and even a spa center. The territory is divided into two parts – a natural shore without a canopy and a sandy area in the shade. If you find yourself here and decide to fully enjoy the benefits of 'Camellia,' rent a separate bungalow. If you're going to splurge, splurge!
Entry: free for hotel guests
Facilities: umbrellas, canopies, changing cabins, restrooms and showers, exercise equipment, lifeguard team, medic
«Rapan»
Rapan Beach Club, to be precise. A beach awarded the 'Blue Flag' for the cleanliness of its shore and water. A very stylish and beautiful place: wooden sun loungers with cream mattresses, light white tulle around tables in the bar area, live potted plants. 'Rapan' also functions as an event venue where you can host a wedding or a business breakfast. According to the menu posted on the website, restaurant prices are not significantly different from those in Moscow or St. Petersburg.
Entry: free
Facilities: sun loungers, umbrellas, bungalows, bar with kitchen, free Wi-Fi, showers, changing cabins, lounge area
«Mayak»
Sochi's Central Beach, reconstructed in 2020. Winner of the 'Best Municipal Beach' title for 2021 and the Rostourism 'Blue Flag'. It is located near the lighthouse, hence its concise name. The coastal strip is protected by a long breakwater, and the depth gradually increases, making swimming here very pleasant. The infrastructure is simply wow: various cafes, a SUP surf school, mother and child rooms. It is also a very eco-friendly space: all lighting is energy-saving, waste is sorted, and non-recyclable materials have been abandoned.
Entry: free
Facilities: sun loungers, umbrellas, bungalows, rescue service, security
«Riviera»
No top list of the best beaches in Krasnodar Krai is complete without 'Riviera'. Its length is almost 700 meters, the surface is sand-pebble, and wooden walkways are present. This is the place to go for beautiful photos for social media. White bungalows with curtains, comfortable sun loungers with soft mattresses, shaded aerariums – no worse than Saint-Tropez or Phuket. In 2023, a major reconstruction was carried out here. As a result, underground storm drains with a filtration system, separate waste collection bins, park furniture for relaxation, and drinking water fountains appeared.
Entry: free
Facilities: showers, changing cabins, toilets, first aid post, lifeguard towers, workout area, tennis court, water entertainment zone
«Orlyonok» in Novomikhailovsky
A sandy strip 3.7 km long – for the Black Sea coast, such a figure sounds like a luxury. But it's important to consider that the beach belongs to the 'Orlyonok' All-Russian Children's Center, which includes ten basic children's camps. And all these children need to be evenly distributed across the area, with additional guests added. It's no surprise that the entire beach infrastructure is designed primarily with children's recreation in mind. The sanitary inspection monitors water purity, so a Black Sea beach without wastewater and sewage is right here.
Entry: paid, 250-300 ₽
Facilities: bungalows, sunbeds, canopies, lifeguard towers, first aid post, cafe, water activities
Lermontovo
«Golden Shore»
Which beach is best in Lermontovo is a difficult question. There are eight of them here, including a wild one, and each has its advantages. But locals often prefer the 'Golden Shore'. That's why we included it in the list of best sandy beaches in Russia! It is located between the resort villages of Lermontovo and Novomikhailovka. The entry into the sea is gentle, with depth starting 20 meters from the surf zone. Warning: during high season, it's always packed here.
Entry: free
Facilities: shade canopies, changing cabins, toilets, showers, cafe, rescue posts with an on-duty doctor
Inal Bay
Quiet, calm sea, turquoise water, and all this without leaving the resorts of Krasnodar Krai? Yes! Inal Bay is located in the Tuapse area, the shore is covered with small pebbles, and nearby there are mud baths, said to even have healing properties. Divers often hang out in the eastern part of the bay. The beach is surrounded by firs, pines, and junipers, so the pleasure of relaxing under the sun naturally combines with health benefits thanks to the beneficial essential oils in the air.
Entry: free
Facilities: water activities, shops, cafes, sunbeds
Gelendzhik
«Blue Abyss»
From the most comfortable and well-equipped beaches, we move to the wildest. But how captivatingly beautiful it is! A steep cliff up to 50 m high outlines a thin strip of white pebbles next to turquoise water. 'Blue Abyss' is located between the village of Divnomorskoye and the settlement of Dzhankhot, and is named so because of the sharply descending seabed 20 m from the shore. Getting to the beach takes a long time, and descending to it is difficult, but the enchanting views make all the effort worthwhile.
Entry: free
Facilities: none on the beach itself; at the camping sites – toilets, washbasins, barbecues, trash cans, summer shower
Another beach known for its magnificent views is Kiselev Rock in Tuapse. We talked about it in this article.
«Fakel»
If you decide to relax in Divnomorskoye, we suggest heading to the beach of the 'Fakel' sanatorium. Tourists love it for its clean water and the combination of large and small pebbles. On one side, it is limited by a breakwater, and on the other, by a pier, resulting in a calm, small bay where children can play in the shallow water and parents can swim further out. Another advantage of 'Fakel' is its convenient descent. A wide staircase leads from the parking lot to the water's edge.
Entry: free
Facilities: changing cabins, toilet, sun loungers, umbrellas, water activities, cafe
«Sosnovka»
One of the most beautiful beaches on the Black Sea near Gelendzhik! Sheer cliffs of layered, stepped rock, a narrow strip of pebble-covered shore, and crystal-clear water. There's one catch: to behold this beauty, you'll have to sweat quite a bit. First, you drive to the Parus micro-district, then walk through a pine forest, and then descend a long and steep staircase. And yes, you'll have to carry umbrellas, food, and drinks with you, and after a long day at the sea – climb back uphill. But it's still worth it!
Entry: free
Facilities: none
«Ulyotny Bereg»
Gelendzhik is located around the bay of the same name. Plus – no big waves, water warms up faster; minus – more people, less clean water. 'Ulyotny Bereg' is located on the Thin Cape and faces the open sea, which is why we chose it. A few years ago, the area was tidied up, leveled, and all necessary amenities were added. Now you can ride a SUP board and sunbathe on sun loungers here.
Entry: free, there is a separate paid zone
Facilities: umbrellas, sun loungers, bungalows, water activities, toilet, shower, rental
Near the dry cargo ship «Rio»
This is certainly not a place in the category of 'top most comfortable Black Sea beaches,' but it's definitely among the ten most spectacular. In 2018, due to a storm near the village of Kabardinka, an African dry cargo ship ran aground. Tourists, of course, immediately flocked here for unusual photos. Why should Greek Zakynthos be allowed, but not us? If not for 'Rio,' the area would hardly be so popular. If you go, bring swimming shoes: the bottom here is rocky, with large boulders.
Entry: free
Facilities: none
Azov Sea
«Molodyozhny»
We've figured out where the best beaches and sea are in Krasnodar Krai. Now let's talk about another, less obvious tourist zone – the Azov Sea coast. There are good beaches here too. For example, Molodyozhny in Yeysk. It is located at the tip of the Yeysk Spit in the Taganrog Bay and is covered with a mixture of sand and shell rock. You should come here primarily for windsurfing and kitesurfing. By the way, this place refutes the idea that the Azov Sea is just a paddling pool for children. The entry into the water here is steep, the depth is significant, and the currents are strong.
Entry: free
Facilities: changing cabins, sun loungers, umbrellas, toilet, cafe, surfing equipment rental, volleyball court
Central Beach of Primorsko-Akhtarsk
The most spacious of the local beaches. This is exactly where it's best to relax with children: the shore is pebble-shell, the shallow water is extensive, but the water is clean. The surrounding embankment is quite nice; you can take a stroll and see the monument to the Azov Flotilla. In 2023, the Central Beach was recognized as the best on the Azov Sea coast.
Entry: free
Facilities: sunbeds, umbrellas, changing cabins, shade canopies, water activities, cafe
