Abkhazia: A Travel Guide by Garuda Boutique Hotel

Here you will find both the alpine landscapes of high mountains and the subtropical coast with palm trees, nestled among green hills are ancient temples and fortresses. No wonder Abkhazia is called the Land of the Soul – every guest will find a holiday to their heart's delight.

In this guide, we will describe in detail the key attractions of Abkhazia – its natural beauty, historical and cultural monuments – and offer advice on the best times to visit, convenient routes, and transportation. Garuda Boutique Hotel, located in the center of Sukhum, will be your ideal starting point: from our hotel, it's just a few minutes walk to the sea, and a trip to different corners of Abkhazia will take no more than a couple of hours.

Unique Natural Attractions

Lake Ritsa and Mountain Beauties. In the heart of the Caucasus Mountains, at an altitude of almost 950 meters above sea level, lies one of Abkhazia's wonders – Lake Ritsa.

This picturesque mountain lake, covering an area of about 1.5 km², amazes with its bright turquoise waters, framed by dense ancient forests and snow-capped peaks.

Interestingly, the color of the water in Ritsa changes with the seasons: in summer and spring, the lake acquires greenish-yellow hues, while in autumn and winter, it turns a cold blue.

The shores of Ritsa are a place of incredible quiet and coolness on a hot day. Here, you can take a boat ride, admire the reflection of the mountains in the mirror surface, and enjoy a trout meal at a lakeside cafe. On the way to the lake, tourists are treated to equally breathtaking views: the narrow Yupshar Canyon with its sheer cliffs and resonant waterfalls (such as the "Men's" and "Women's Tears"). Don't miss the tiny Blue Lake – a bright azure body of water by the road, which, according to legend, has no bottom. In the vicinity of Ritsa is the 70-meter high Gegsky Waterfall, famous for being the backdrop to the famous scene of the fight between Sherlock Holmes and Professor Moriarty (the role of the "Reichenbach" waterfall in the Soviet film was played by Gega).

In summer, the path to the mountains leads through fragrant fields of boxwood and oleander, while in autumn the road is painted with the gold of beech forests – a true photographer's dream!

Caves and the Underground World. Abkhazia is famous not only for its mountain peaks but also for its depths. The main speleological gem is the New Athos Cave in the city of New Athos. This grand underground complex of nine halls has been open to tourists since 1975.

To enter, visitors board a special underground train that takes them through a tunnel right into the heart of the mountain in just a few minutes. The tour lasts about 1.5 hours: during this time, you will see gigantic halls with stalactites and stalagmites in fantastic shapes, underground lakes, and "stone waterfalls." The largest hall in the cave – the "Makhadzhery" hall – reaches 260 meters in length and 50 meters in height—it’s hard to believe that such an enormous space could be hidden underground! The temperature inside is around +11 °C all year, so bring a light sweater even in summer. Remember that the cave's operating hours depend on the season: from June to October, tours are held daily, but in winter, only a few times a week, and a group of at least 40 people needs to be gathered to start a tour. Therefore, during the peak season, it's better to buy tickets in advance, and in the winter months, plan your visit on days when the cave is open. Besides the New Athos Cave, Abkhazia has other caves for speleology enthusiasts – for example, the Abrskila Karst Cave in the Ochamchire district, wrapped in legends about the hero Abrskil.

The Black Sea Coast and Beaches. The coastline of Abkhazia stretches over 210 km: from the border with Russia to the Inguri frontier in the south, you will find alternating rocky capes and wide beaches. The most popular resorts are Gagra, Pitsunda, New Athos, and Sukhum, each with its own character. Gagra is famous for its picturesque seafront and romantic colonnade, its beaches covered with fine pebbles, and its especially clear water. Pitsunda is a unique resort located on a cape surrounded by a relic pine grove. Pitsunda's beach is considered one of the best: swimming in the warm sea, you breathe in the aroma of Pitsunda pine – the healing air the resort is famous for. The infrastructure here remains from Soviet times: multi-story buildings of old boarding houses rise right at the water's edge, but nature surpasses any architecture. By the way, the sea in Pitsunda is often a bit warmer, and storms are less frequent than in open Gagra – the cape creates a quiet bay. The capital of Abkhazia, Sukhumi, also has city beaches where locals and guests enjoy walking in the evenings. The beach in Sukhumi is pebbly with sandy areas, stretching along the Mahajirov embankment, lined with palms and plane trees. It is especially pleasant to spend time here in the velvet season when the heat subsides. Overall, the swimming season lasts from May to October: during the height of summer, the water temperature is +25…+27 °C, and the peak heat is in late August. September is considered the perfect month for a beach holiday – there's no longer scorching heat, the sea is still warm, and yet there are fewer tourists. October can also delight with sunshine and +24 °C, although the nights are cooler. If you dream of seeing dolphins – head out early in the morning: often pods of dolphins swim close to the shore in search of fish, making for an unforgettable sight.

Historical and Cultural Landmarks

New Athos Monastery and Orthodox Shrines. Abkhazia has long been a center of Christianity in the Caucasus. The main spiritual attraction is the men's monastery in New Athos, founded by monks from Mount Athos in 1875. The New Athos Monastery complex, dedicated to the Apostle Simon the Zealot, impresses with its scale and architecture: the five golden domes of the main cathedral shine in the sun, and the buildings with openwork galleries line the cobbled courtyard. The interior of the cathedral is adorned with frescoes – the murals were painted by masters from Palekh and Moscow, covering the walls with exquisite scenes on gospel subjects. Visitors can freely visit the monastery any day; remember that this is an active monastery, so it’s necessary to observe silence and dress modestly. On the hill behind the monastery, a holy spring flows, and there is the cave of the Apostle Simon the Zealot – according to legend, the disciple of Christ meditated and suffered a martyr's death in these places. On the day of the saint's commemoration (May 13), pilgrims flock here, as well as on Easter and other major church holidays.

Besides New Athos, Abkhazia also has ancient temples worth visiting. One of them is the majestic Pitsunda Cathedral of the 10th century. This patriarchal cathedral was the main church of the medieval Abkhazian Kingdom and is renowned for its impressive architecture. The cathedral's interior astounds with its frescoes – the walls are covered with exquisite scenes from the Gospels painted by masters from Palekh and Moscow. Inside the temple, the acoustics are amazing – no wonder an organ was installed here during the Soviet era, and classical music concerts are regularly held today. In the surrounding villages, ancient churches have been preserved: for instance, in the village of Lykhny – the Church of the Assumption (10th century) with frescoes, and in the village of Lykhny – the Church of the Assumption (10th century) with frescoes. Fans of military history will be interested in Anacopia Fortress on Iverian Mountain in New Athos – the remains of the once impregnable citadel of the medieval Abkhazian kingdom. Climbing 350 meters up (about a 40-minute walk from the monastery), you will see the fortress walls, towers, and the ancient well of the fortress. Here, in 736–737, a small army fought valiantly against invaders. The view of the sea and the coast from the top is breathtaking – well worth the climb, especially on a clear day.

Sukhum – The Ambiance of Old Times and Resort Life

Climate and Seasons: When to Visit

Spring (March–May): During spring, the temperature ranges between +10 and +15 °C but frequent cloudiness and precipitation mark the evenings. In the mountainous areas, snow falls; high up in the mountains, the possibility of snowfall exists for up to several days. November marks the start of the rainy season and storms at sea. Nonetheless, late spring is a wonderful time to dive into the inviting sea with temperatures warming up to around +18 °C – the adventurous even begin the swimming season by the end of May. By this time, the scenery is particularly picturesque: the mountains are still covered with snow on the top, while everything below is lush green.

Summer (June–August): The hottest and busiest season. Air temperature ranges between +25 to +30 °C and the sea is a comfortable +23 to +27 °C, making the beaches crowded with vacationers. The peak season falls in July and August, when popular beaches like those in Gagra and Pitsunda are bustling with activity. Cities can feel stiflingly hot at times, but the mountains around Lake Ritsa are pleasant – with temperatures around +20 °C and a cool breeze. During the summer, all touristic sites are open, and daily passenger boats operate along the coast (for instance, there is a sea cruise from Gagra to Pitsunda). Keep in mind that it is best to plan swimming or shaded relaxation during the heat of the day, and schedule excursions for the morning or evening to avoid the heat. Always use sunscreen, as the Abkhazian sun is very strong. Summer nights are warm, and festive events are often held: in Sukhum, for instance, the City Day is celebrated at the end of August with concerts.

Fall (September–October): As mentioned earlier, September is the ideal month for a trip. The daily temperature is around +26 °C, the sea is still as warm as fresh milk (~+25 °C), and meanwhile, the heat subsides, and there’s no summer hustle. All cafes, museums, and resorts continue to operate as usual. It gets a little cooler in the mountains, but the autumn colors make it worthwhile – particularly around Lake Ritsa, surrounded by golden foliage. October is also beautiful in its own way: it is often sunny, though the evenings are cooler at around +15 °C. The sea cools to +20…+22 °C by the end of October. During this time, figs, persimmons, and nuts ripen in Abkhazia – a treat for gourmets. If the thought of dolphin spotting excites you, head out early in the morning: often, pods of dolphins swim close to shore in search of fish, creating an unforgettable sight. In these months, the Black Sea also boasts fewer tourists, allowing for a quieter experience.

Garuda Boutique Hotel – Your Gateway to the Heart of Abkhazia

Garuda Boutique Hotel is your gateway to the heart of Abkhazia. Our hotel is located right in the center of the capital, just a few minutes' walk from the sea and the promenade. This means you can take a leisurely evening stroll along the beach or sit in a seaside café without spending time traveling. At the same time, the proximity to the main attractions of the Garuda Boutique Hotel saves you time on getting around, so you can see more.

After returning from a trip, guests of Garuda Boutique Hotel can enjoy the comfort of designer rooms and the famous Abkhazian hospitality of our staff.

Abkhazia is an amazing country, where every kilometer is full of beauty and history. Let our hotel be your second home during this journey, and may this guide help you make the most of your time in the enchanting Land of the Soul.