New Year in a new Athos. Holidays in the new Mount Athos from A to Z. New Athos - description

Well-rested tourists begin to think about how to spend their vacation next year, literally 1-2 months after the end of the previous one.

In this article we will take a detailed look at the features and cost of holidays in New Athos (Republic of Abkhazia).

Where to stay or housing prices in New Athos

Holidays in New Athos are chosen mainly by married couples, many of whom come with children (early booking is provided). Many landlords provide rooms with not only beds for adults, but also adjacent beds for children.

Prices for a standard middle-class room in the summer of 2015 ranged from 300 to 400 rubles per day per person (private sector and family cottages). As a rule, housing can be rented without intermediaries; on the Internet you can find offers for renting housing by the sea directly from the owners. Moreover, it is possible to see photographs of rooms and reviews from vacationers about a specific landlord.

For comparison: a two-room luxury apartment on the seashore in summer cost 3,000 rubles per day per person. There are no 5 or 4 star hotels with all-inclusive meals in the city.

What kind of place is it?

Most travelers who find themselves in New Athos believe that they find themselves in a small village located near the sea. In fact, this is a city whose history dates back to the 3rd century AD. At first, this place served as a crossing point for traders, then it became a fortress, a little later - the capital of the state, then - a military garrison. States and eras, names and host countries of nearby territories changed, but New Athos stood indestructible, only becoming overgrown with the wreckage of history and new sights.

According to the latest census, the city has a population of just over 1,500 people. There are more than 10 major historical monuments located on the territory of the settlement. Thus, for every 150 residents of the city there is 1 attraction. You will not find such a ratio anywhere else on earth!

How to get there?

The travel map for a vacation to New Athos is a little ornate, but it's worth it. If you choose a plane as your main means of transportation, it will take you to the international airport of Sochi (Adler). You can take a minibus or taxi to the border, cross it, take a minibus again and get to Sukhumi (100 km), and then transfer there and travel another 20 km to New Athos. Remember that taking a minibus is inexpensive, but traveling by car is extremely unprofitable.

The train, as a method of transportation, is advantageous in that it can take you directly to Sukhumi, but there are not regular connections with all cities of the Russian Federation. You can also get to Adler by train, then your route will either completely coincide with that described just above, or at about 7 am you will take the commuter train Adler - Sukhumi (cost - 200 rubles, runs once a day).

From a number of Russian cities you can get to Sukhumi by bus. This option is extremely tiring, especially if you travel far, with a child, etc. (the map will confirm this).

What to see?

Holidays in New Athos include not only a great time on the seashore, but also a tour of local attractions - a monastery, the New Athos cave with an underground lake, the remains of ancient fortresses, the Seaside Park, etc. (numerous photos of these beauties can be seen on the Internet).

The city has 3 museums, a waterfall, its own power plant, as well as a church and temple. All these places are available for inspection.

You can also visit the famous State Dacha, where I. Stalin loved to relax.

If you climb Iverskaya Mountain, you can see the Watchtower completely restored from old drawings.

It should be noted that entry to many sites is free, even where a fee is charged, it is very cheap (to see everything, about 2-3 thousand rubles is enough for two).

Is there entertainment?

If you decide to choose a holiday in New Athos 2019 without intermediaries, remember that for a while you will have to forget about noisy and fun entertainment.

However, this does not mean that you will be bored. The city organizes horseback riding and field trips to the capital of the republic, Sukhumi, as well as to Pitsunda. You can sit in a cafe, enjoying traditional Abkhaz dishes and wine of the highest quality. Another great option is to stock up on comfortable shoes, find a local instructor and go to the mountains.

The most daring and extreme people can go rafting, which takes place along the unpredictable mountain river Bzyb.

If you rent accommodation by the sea, do not forget to have dinner right on the beach. Believe me, you will not see such beauty anywhere else!

We evaluate the beaches

Those who choose a holiday in New Athos by the sea want to know what beaches await them upon arrival.

The beaches are mostly pebble, but there is also a mixture of pebbles and sand. The descent to the sea is gentle almost everywhere. The city beach is equipped with places for changing clothes, however, there are few of them.

There are also several beaches belonging to hotels and boarding houses, where you can find sun loungers and parasols.

On the coastline you will not find the usual marine entertainment: banana boat, catamaran, etc.

The real picture that has developed at the resort, reviews from vacationers, photographs of New Athos indicate that this resort is calm, quiet, family-friendly and very beautiful.

Health improvement

There are few options, but they exist. 7 km from the city there are mud springs where you can inexpensively improve your health.

You can also stay in a boarding house with meals and an integrated approach to medical and cosmetic procedures.

In Abkhazia, the sea, unique air, sun and climate favorable to health heal. This is especially noticeable for those who come on vacation with a child or elderly family members.

A holiday in New Athos for two or a whole family will cost you little, however, it is better to make a reservation in advance.

New Athos, city

New Athos, city New Athos, city New Athos, city New Athos, city 10 average price: 1,350 rub. Holidays at sea Available rooms New Athos, city Holidays at sea Resort hotel Available rooms New Athos, city New Athos, city Holidays at sea Available rooms New Athos, city average price: 1,375 rub. Holidays at sea Available rooms New Athos, city average price: 600 rub. Holidays at sea Available rooms New Athos– a climatic resort in the central part of the coast of Abkhazia, at the very edge of the Black Sea. The streets of the city rise in tiers to mountain ranges covered with dense deciduous forests. From any point in the city you can see the peak of Mount Iveron, crowned with the ruins of the ancient fortress of Anakopia and cut through by the cavity of the New Athos cave, the golden domes of the New Athos monastery surrounded by a park. New Athos is a place for a calm and measured holiday at sea. Boarding houses and hotels facing a wide strip of small-pebble beach, the Seaside Park with swan lakes, cypress and eucalyptus alleys, tranquil natural landscapes - all this contributes to finding inner peace, and hospitable cafes and restaurants, excursions to the most famous sights of Abkhazia can fill your vacation with vivid impressions . Geographical position New Athos is a climatic resort located in the central part of the Black Sea coast of Abkhazia, 21 km north of the capital of the republic - Sukhum, and 80 km from the Russian-Abkhaz border. New Athos lies on a hilly coastal strip, which is limited from the north by the spurs of the Caucasus Range. The resort's topography is unique in many ways - three plateaus gradually replace each other - a low-lying coastal plain, a foothill and a mountainous region at an altitude of 600 m above sea level. A small mountain river, Psyrtskha, runs through the entire city. Above the streets of the resort rises the massif of the Iverskaya Mountain, on the top of which are the ruins of the ancient Anakopia fortress, in the depths of which there is the famous New Athos cave with an underground lake and bizarrely shaped stalactites and stalagmites. The flora of New Athos changes as the resort rises. The strip of small pebble beach is framed by palm trees, magnolias and oleanders, cypress alleys, weeping willows bend over the surface of the swan lake in the Primorsky Park, the surrounding hills are capped with tangerine and olive groves, and broad-leaved forests in which hornbeam and beech grow along the slopes of the ridges. Climate The climate of New Athos is mild subtropical. The mountains protect the resort from the northern winds, and the city itself, facing south, is caressed by the sun. In general, weather conditions in New Athos are favorable all year round. Winter in New Athos is warm and short, lasting from late December to February. Even in the coldest month, January, daytime temperatures do not fall below 0 °C. The average temperature in January is 2-4 °C. Spring is early and swift, sunny weather sets in at the beginning of March. April is the time for flowering. Summer in New Athos is hot and long - from the last ten days of May to September-early October. The average daily temperature of the hottest month, August, is 25°C. The heat is somewhat moderated by sea breezes. Precipitation is about 1400 mm per year. The number of hours of sunshine is on average about 22,000 per year The swimming season in New Athos lasts from the end of May to October. The water temperature during this period fluctuates between 19-26 °C. Traditionally, the best time for a holiday on the Black Sea coast of Abkhazia is September. At this time, daytime temperatures are more comfortable, and the sea water temperature remains around 25 °C. Connection Cellular communication services in New Athos, as in other cities of Abkhazia, are offered by mobile operators A-mobile and Akvafon. SIM cards from these operators can be purchased on the road - at the airport or train station, as well as in communication shops directly at the resort. Hotels, guest houses, and sanatoriums of the resort are equipped with wireless Internet access points. Wi-Fi hotspots are also available in some cafes and restaurants. The telephone code of New Athos is 84024. When calling from Russia, dial 8-84024 subscriber number. Population The population of New Athos is 1,500 people. The vast majority of the population is Abkhaz; Russians, Armenians, Ukrainians, Greeks and Georgians also live in the city. Transport component Air transport. The closest international airport to Abkhazia is Adler Airport, which is connected by direct flights to Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Kazan, Tashkent and Yerevan. The airport is located 96 km from New Athos. There are several ways to overcome this distance. The fastest and most convenient way to get to the resort is by using a transfer. Also, buses and minibuses run directly from the airport to the Russian-Abkhazian border, and minibuses to the main resorts of Abkhazia, including New Athos, are located right at the border. Travel time to the border is approximately 20 minutes. In addition, electric trains run from Adler to Gagra several times a day. Railway transport. On the outskirts of New Athos there is a railway station of the same name. Long-distance trains and electric trains stop on the platform. At the top of the resort there is Psyrtskha station, where only electric trains stop. In summer, trains run daily from Moscow and St. Petersburg to Sukhum with a stop in New Athos. Customs and passport control is carried out directly on the train at the stations Veseloye (on the Russian side) and Tsandripsh (on the Abkhaz side). Suburban electric trains connect New Athos with Pitsunda, Gagra, Gudauta and Sukhum. Motor transport. Intercity buses and minibuses run from the Russian-Abkhaz border and from the Sukhum bus station to New Athos. There are commuter routes to the nearest populated areas. City ground transport of New Athos is minibuses. In summer, minibuses run every 20 minutes. In addition, there are day and night taxi services in the city. Unofficial and official taxi drivers are on duty in places with large concentrations of tourists - near railway stations. Tourism Beach holiday. The leading tourist destination of New Athos is beach holidays. Most of the boarding houses, resort complexes and hotels are located in close proximity to the sea. The distance from hotel buildings to the edge of the Black Sea sometimes does not exceed several tens of meters. The beach strip of New Athos is composed of sand and small multi-colored pebbles, the entrance to the water is convenient and gentle, and the sea water is clean. The beach strip is divided into separate sections by breakwaters. The city beach has virtually no infrastructure; only a few changing cabins are equipped. There are areas belonging to boarding houses and hotels, commercial beaches with rental of sun loungers and beach umbrellas. Behind the central beach there is a Seaside Park with cafes and recreation areas. Health tourism. New Athos is a climatic resort. The air here is saturated with microelements such as magnesium, bromine and iodine, and is also rich in medicinal plant phytoncides. Such climatic conditions have a pronounced therapeutic effect on people with diseases of the nervous system, heart and blood vessels and respiratory organs. Near New Athos, in the village of Primorskoye, highly mineralized hydrogen sulfide waters have been brought to the surface. There is a balneotherapy bath at the springs, where you can take medicinal baths. Such procedures are especially effective for diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Excursion and pilgrimage tourism. New Athos has historical and natural attractions that attract tourists from different parts of the world. Guests of the city are offered walking, bus and sea excursions. On the territory of the resort is located one of the spiritual centers of Orthodoxy - the New Athos Monastery, which is visited annually by several thousand pilgrims. Leisure. In New Athos, tourists are offered horseback riding, speleotours to the New Athos cave, sea and river fishing, and rafting on mountain rivers. Important phone numbers Emergency numbers in New Athos: Fire service - 01; Police - 02; Ambulance - 03 Attractions New Athos is a real treasury of ancient monuments and shrines, places of amazing beauty. Here, like nowhere else in Abkhazia, man-made attractions and natural landscapes complement each other. An example of such a symbiosis is the grotto of the holy great martyr Simon the Canaanite. The path to the cave runs past a waterfall and a small dammed lake. On the way to the cell you can see a source with holy water, which, according to legend, cures diseases, a granite stone with the imprint of the foot of Simon the Canaanite. The grotto itself is located in the gorge of the Psyrtskha River - in the cave, pilgrims can see the mosaic faces of Jesus Christ, the Mother of God and Simon the Canaanite himself. For the lion's share of tourists, New Athos is not just a resort, but also a spiritual center, the core of which is undoubtedly the New Athos Monastery. The parish traces its history back to 1874, when the government of the Russian Empire allocated a site for construction in New Athos. The New Athos Monastery unites six temples; in the center of the quadrangle formed by the buildings of the monastery is the Panteleimon Cathedral in the neo-Byzantine style, crowned with five golden domes. The vaults of the cathedral were painted by Palekh masters. An interesting painting has also been preserved in the refectory, above which the bell tower rises. It is noteworthy that on the territory of the monastery there is a dacha of I.V. Stalin. The mansion, surrounded by rose bushes, can only be visited as part of a guided tour. Relatively close to the monastery there is a cave railway station - it is through a tunnel built in the thickness of the mountain that tourists get to the famous New Athos cave. The cave railway is an attraction in itself - the tracks connect three stations - “New Athos Cave”, “Anakopia Hall” and “Apsny Hall”, the lobbies of which look like smaller metro lobbies. Acquaintance with the New Athos cave begins from the Anakopia hall; the tourist route also goes to the halls of Speleologists, Narta, Corallite Gallery, Apkhertsa, Ayukhaa Gallery and Apsny Hall. Along the entire route, tourists are presented with stalactites and stalagmites, underground lakes and sag. At the top of Iverskaya Mountain there is another tourist site - the ruins of the Anakopia fortress. The massive structure, dating from the 2nd-4th centuries, is made of hewn stone blocks. Fragments of the fortress wall with gates, a tower and a temple have survived to this day. Exclusively natural attractions in the vicinity of New Athos are the Agts Grotto and the place “Three Cauldrons” - three natural stone bowls-baths filled with the waters of a mountain river. In addition, guests of New Athos can explore the sights of the neighboring resorts of Gudauta, Pitsunda, Gagra and Sukhum. Leisure at the resort Restaurants. There are restaurants, cafes, canteens and cookeries in New Athos. During peak season, the resort offers beach bars and cafes, and fast food outlets. At the resort's establishments, preference is given to traditional Abkhazian dishes, as well as dishes of Russian and European cuisine. The most modern and, perhaps, the most attractive restaurant in New Athos is Guada. The establishment opened in 2014 and has already gained popularity. Guada serves Italian cuisine - from pizza, risotto and pasta to arugula soup, asparagus in cream sauce and beef togliatto. The restaurant has its own tasting room where you can taste the best Abkhaz wines. In summer, a spacious veranda is open to Guada guests. In the southern part of the city, on the main thoroughfare of the resort, Lakoba Street, there is a restaurant serving Nikofa cuisine. The establishment is stylized as an apatskha - a wicker Abkhaz dwelling. In the restaurant's courtyard there are clay jugs, carts and other attributes of peasant life. Guests of Nikofa are offered dishes of Abkhazian cuisine - mamalyga, Abkhazian kebab, chikhirtma. On the territory of the Primorsky Park, near the surface of Swan Lake, there is the Three Plane Trees restaurant. They serve shish kebab, smoked meat, Abkhazian solyanka, mamalyga and homemade wine. There is a small open area adjacent to the restaurant; in the hollow of one of the trees there is an aviary in which owls live. At the other end of the lake there is the Swan cafe, which occupies a man-made island. There are several other coffee shops in the park. Parks. In the lower part of the city, near the central beach, there is the Seaside Park, founded more than 100 years ago by the monks of the New Athos Monastery. The monks created a system of interconnecting ponds and lakes lined with stone. Weeping willows, plane trees, cypresses and palm trees were planted along the banks of the reservoirs. Today, the Seaside Park is one of the main decorations of New Athos - a network of walking paths connects fragrant flower beds and flower beds, sculptures and rotunda gazebos, swans and ducks glide along the surface of the park lakes. The park of the New Athos Monastery is also an extensive walking area. Alleys are laid along the hilly terrain, combining recreation areas and fountains. In some areas of the park, monks cultivate crops. Museums. New Athos delights guests with interesting museum collections. Next to the Temple of Simon the Zealot is the Museum of the Abkhazian Kingdom. The relatively small hall of the museum is presented with archaeological and ethnographic exhibitions. Visitors can see ancient tools and household items, jewelry and weapons, learn about the history of the ancient Abkhazian kingdom from antiquity to Turkish rule and Abkhazia’s entry into the Russian Empire, the economic way of life of local residents, and the natural features of the region. Among the particularly interesting exhibits are an Abkhazian boat and the “Old Views” stand, illustrating New Athos and its surroundings during the heyday of the New Athos Simon-Kananitsky monastery. In 2004, the Museum of Ethnography was opened in New Athos, represented by an exhibition of works and the personal collection of folk artist K. K. Lakrba. The very small hall of the museum houses the tools and utensils of villagers, national costumes, shoes and musical instruments, and models of Abkhazian dwellings. In the lower part of the city, on Heroes' Square, there is the Museum of Military Glory. The memorial museum is dedicated to the events of 1992-1993. The two-level building is crowned with a belfry; on the walls of the hall hang portraits of people who died during the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict and front-line photographs. Entrance to the museum is free. Entertainment and shopping centers. There are no large shopping and entertainment centers in New Athos. Everything you need for your holiday can be purchased in small shops, souvenir shops and beach markets. Evening entertainment programs are offered by restaurants and cafes of New Athos, usually with live music. Some cafes host discos, parties, and have billiard tables. Many resort hotels and boarding houses have their own leisure centers. Poster New Athos is one of the quietest and most peaceful corners of Abkhazia, but it cannot be said that cultural life bypasses the resort. The city stadium regularly hosts concerts with the participation of folk song and dance ensembles and invited artists. Guests of New Athos can become spectators of an amazing concert - from time to time, under the karst arches of the Apherts Hall of the New Athos Cave, artists of the Abkhaz State Choir and Philharmonic perform. The Energy Drive automobile festival became an annual event for New Athos. The event includes the Moscow-New Athos motor rally, a parade and an exhibition of retro cars.

Choose a vacation in New Athos 2019 without intermediaries. The city of New Athos (Abkhazia) - all on one site. There are prices, reviews, photos and phone numbers for booking.

New Athos (Abkhazia) 2019

New Athos is a wonderful resort town located in the Gudauta region of the Republic of Abkhazia, on the Black Sea coast, just 80 km from the border with Russia.

The city of New Athos has an ancient history dating back to the third century AD. At the beginning of the fifth century, the Abkhaz peoples built a fortress on Mount Anakop. In those days, New Athos (Abkhazia) was one of the profitable trading points, and the local residents had high incomes and lived in luxury, as evidenced not only by numerous legends and stories of indigenous peoples, but also by data obtained by scientists as a result of excavations. From ancient times to this day, treasures with jewelry and artifacts left by distant ancestors have been found here. Some architectural landmarks have also been preserved.

The name of the settlement has changed many times. Initially, the place was called Anakopia, in accordance with the name of the mountain where the fortress itself was located. Several centuries later, local peoples renamed the city and named it in honor of the Pskhyrtskha River, which flows at the foot of the mountain. After several more centuries, New Athos lost its commercial and economic importance. Gradually, monks from the Greek monastery located near Mount Athos began to come here. This was the beginning of a “new life” and the renaming of the ancient Abkhaz city to New Athos.

New Athos today

Despite the small number and short extent, Abkhazia, including the city of New Athos, is an attractive place for tourists. Only about 2,000 people live here, if we take into account statistics for recent years.

The mild climate and favorable territorial location contribute to favorable relaxation and improved health. Every year, tourists and pilgrims come here from all over the world to enjoy the beauty of local attractions and get to know history better.

Today Mt. New Athos in Abkhazia is one of the most beautiful ancient resorts, located in a short and very cozy bay on the picturesque Black Sea coast. The local population is represented by several nationalities living peacefully side by side with each other: Abkhazians, Georgians, Russians, Armenians, Greeks, Ukrainians, etc. Despite the multinationality, the population of New Athos is quite small.

New Athos provides a relaxing holiday, without a large presence of entertainment venues. By the way, the latter are not here at all. From public institutions of New

Athos can only be distinguished:

· cozy pizzeria;

· dining room;

· confectionery;

· restaurant "Kamarit";

· several cafes offering visitors mainly Caucasian cuisine.

New Athos is a city of shrines and staying here will give you peace and tranquility. The lack of nightlife does not mean that your holiday in the resort area will seem boring and monotonous. A worthy alternative for tourists will be exciting excursions to famous places and getting to know the sights of Athos. In addition, wonderful nature, healthy food from natural products, clean air and picturesque open spaces will allow you to recharge with vital energy and gain strength. Where else than here you can relax not only with your body, but also with your soul.

Relax on the beach

Holidays in New Athos 2017 You can plan ahead by purchasing your ticket now. The cultural and extremely clean beaches of New Athos are covered with small pebbles, and the water bottom near the coast is covered with sea sand. There are no pitfalls or sharp rock fragments here. This will especially please young parents who decide to spend time with their young children. The air temperature during the holiday season fluctuates between +25-30 during the day and +19-22 at night. The water temperature in the sea can reach +22-26 degrees. The most favorable month for relaxation is September, when the sun is no longer so hot and the water in the sea is still warm.

Sports in the form of diving, surfing, jet skiing, etc. it is not particularly developed here and is practiced only by amateurs who decided to bring all the equipment with them personally. This may disappoint fans of noisy water sports. But this is a great place for a family holiday with children, who will certainly be completely safe on beaches that are calm and devoid of all kinds of emergencies. That is why only those for whom peace, tranquility and harmony are above the bustle of the world, the noise of night festivities and drunken gatherings with friends go on vacation to New Athos. Here you can not only fully relax, but also put your thoughts in order.

Trips, walks and exciting excursions

What to do when you arrive in New Athos? Such a question is unlikely to arise for a tourist who sets foot on these lands. After all, during your stay here, many ideas appear that you just want to bring to life as soon as possible. The first thing that tourists who have previously vacationed in New Athos mention is the picturesque nature, which amazes with its beauty from the first minutes of exploring the city. That is why all kinds of excursions and trips to attractions and natural monuments are so popular here. You can also get acquainted with local shrines by visiting the village of Lykhny, the Assumption Church, and the high-mountain village of Khual with its ostrich farm.

Those who vacationed in New Athos last season will probably tell you about the famous natural attraction - the New Athos Cave. To see it you will have to make an independent trip to the mountains, crossing hiking trails. Some instructors offer tourists to try their skills by climbing the mountain on horseback. Simple routes are selected for beginners, and more complex and interesting routes for experienced riders.

City guests can enjoy many exciting excursions and trips:

· conquering the top of the Iveron Mountain;

· trip to the site of the Iversky waterfalls;

· excursion to the Museum of the Abkhazian Kingdom;

· trip to lakes Ritsa and Goluboe;

· horse rides;

· excursion trips to Sukhum, etc.

Another activity that attracts hundreds of tourists is swimming in natural karst baths, which allows you to gain strength and vigor. Such baths are formed by nature itself, and therefore are truly priceless for their benefits for the body. They are located in the middle of a boxwood forest near a river shimmering with a pearly sheen. Having reached here, tourists will have to sweat a lot and expend energy. No problem. Prudent guides will suggest having a picnic right in the middle of the green thickets, where you will be able to taste real, smoky-smelling kebab, cooked on hot coals.

Attractions and entertainment

As you already understand, New Athos is far from a place where you can expect a vibrant nightlife, many clubs and bars with exotic drinks. However, local cafes and restaurants are always happy to welcome their guests and feed them dishes of Caucasian and European cuisine. These are extremely tasty and aromatic meat delicacies, lamb shish kebab, and coffee prepared on sand.

However, you are probably going to come here for more than just that. Local attractions attract tourists much more than culinary delights and pleasant pastimes at a table in a cafe. Having immersed yourself in the atmosphere of these places, you will have an irresistible desire to get closer to the natural monuments and historical heritage of New Athos.

Tourists also like to visit other places:

· ruins of the destroyed Anakopia fortress;

· karst caves, as well as the famous New Athos cave;

· Genoese Tower and Church of the Intercession;

· the museum of military glory, the foundation of which was laid in memory of the events of 1992;

· Museum of the Abkhazian Kingdom;

· New Athos Ethnic Museum.

Cultural recreation in New Athos

So, the first thing you will be invited to visit upon arrival in the city is the Simono-Kananitsky monastery, founded by Russian monks from Greece back in 1875 and located at the foot of Mount Athos. Here you can see several ancient temples with their bell towers, cells and refectories.

One of the most grandiose buildings of New Athos is the Panteleimon Cathedral, decorated with frescoes and domes. Here you will get acquainted with the main shrine of the monastery - the miraculous cross. Tourists can visit the monastery on any day from 12 noon to 7 pm. Women must wear appropriate clothing: a long skirt, a headdress covering their hair, etc. Another remarkable place in the city is the famous New Athos Waterfall, formed on the basis of a hydraulic complex built by ancient monks and belonging to the New Athos Monastery. Initially, its function was to protect against floods during high water. The monks made efforts to erect an arched slab, on which a picturesque waterfall is located today.

These are not all the attractions of these places. When you arrive here, don’t forget to take an evening stroll along the beautiful embankment of New Athos, from where you will be treated to stunning seascapes. Visit the Psyrtskha railway station, located above the river with the same name and two tunnels, as well as the famous seaside park, walk along the paths of sinners. A holiday in New Athos will leave in your memory many pleasant memories that you will certainly share with your children and grandchildren.

How to get there?

Many tourists, especially those who decide to visit New Athos for the first time, are concerned about a rather important question: how to get here and where can you buy a ticket to this wonderful Abkhaz city?

It is worth saying that getting to the village is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. There are no special problems with transport accessibility here. You can come here by purchasing a ticket for a train or a minibus. Minibuses from Adler and Psou run with enviable regularity. There are also bus services from Psou, Adler and other cities (Krasnodar, Rostov, Nalchik).

If you wish, you can get to New Athos from border towns by taxi or personal vehicle, using a map or more modern means of communication. As a last resort, use the services of passing transport while in Adler or Sukhum. Here you are unlikely to surprise anyone with such a bold decision.

You can get to New Athos from Sukhum by regular bus - the line with the route was put into operation quite recently. In addition, while in Sukhum, you will probably come across tour guides offering exciting trips to New Athos in cars or gazelles. If you are interested in this or that offer, you can safely pay for an excursion tour and go on an interesting journey through picturesque places with a rich historical heritage. As a rule, the cost of such excursions is not at all high and is affordable for vacationers from various cities with very different levels of income.

New Year 2018 in Abkhazia is a combination of amazing traditions, reasonable prices and famous Caucasian hospitality. The Country of the Soul, as the locals call their republic, is a unique place where snow falls only high in the mountains, and on the Black Sea coast it is warm and comfortable in spring. The thermometer here in January rarely drops below +10 ºС, so if you want to relax in a comfortable, cheerful environment, come to Abkhazia for the winter holidays.

Holidays in Abkhazia for the New Year 2018 will be varied, fabulous and unforgettable. Tourists in this paradise of the planet have several options to have a good time. Among them:

• sightseeing in New Athos;
• visit to the capital of the republic - Sukhumi;
• visit to one of the ski resorts.

Each of the listed celebration options involves a certain range of emotions and financial costs. However, if you plan to stay in Abkhazia for several days during the winter holidays, then all these methods of celebration can be combined.

New Athos - the cradle of ancient architectural monuments

The most interesting places in this Abkhazian city can be visited in 1-2 days, but every cultural tourist must see them. The list of the main attractions of the region should include:

• Path of Sinners;
• New Athos Cave;
• Temple of Simon the Canonite;
• Anakopia fortress;
• New Athos Monastery;
• waterfall near Iverskaya Mountain, etc.

A rich flora and fauna is presented in the Seaside Park of New Athos, and along the local embankment, illuminated at night by dozens of lanterns, it is pleasant to stroll with your significant other.

Sukhumi – a holiday for every taste

Sukhumi is one of the few cities in Abkhazia in which the rhythm of life does not depend on the tourist season. Despite the fact that there will be no snow in the capital of the Country of Soul for New Year 2018, a Christmas tree with original decorations and bright illumination will still be installed in the central park opposite the city administration. On the night of January 1, the most active residents will gather here to celebrate the onset of 2018 on a grand scale. The festival program includes events such as: entertainment performance, round dances, disco, fireworks.

In addition, at the height of the celebrations, Father Frost and the Snow Maiden are scheduled to appear in the central park of Sukhumi. Fairy-tale characters will hold exciting competitions, wish people all the best, and take free souvenir photos with children or anyone else.

For those who do not want to celebrate the New Year 2018 in Abkhazia on the street, it is worth going to local restaurants, bars, and taverns. Among the most popular entertainment venues in the capital, it should be noted:

• "Apra";
• "Aitar";
• "Elbrus";
• "San Remo";
• "Atrium Victoria".

In these and many other establishments you will be offered to try traditional Abkhaz cuisine, such as lamb on a spit, chicken in nut sauce, akud, cheeses, halva and, of course, adjika. Each restaurant has its own entertainment program, which usually consists of live music, dancing and exciting competitions. The average bill here rarely exceeds 4-5 thousand rubles per person, although it all depends on the number of drinks and dishes ordered.

Ski holidays in Abkhazia

Since part of the republic is located on the slopes of the Main Caucasus Range, there are several dozen tourist bases with developed infrastructure. The ski business in the country is just beginning to actively develop, but in snowy areas there are already slopes for both beginners and professionals. The slopes are especially attractive for extreme sports enthusiasts who dream of meeting pristine nature face to face. These people should go to the following mountain ranges:

• Arabica;
• Auathara;
• Mamzykhsha.

Those who just want to stretch their legs for the New Year 2018 in Abkhazia are recommended to go to the ski resorts near New Athos. Here you can rent sports equipment and order the services of an instructor who is ready to teach you all the intricacies of skiing or snowboarding for a reasonable fee.

What do tour operators offer?

New Year tours to Abkhazia for 2018 are available from hundreds of companies, as this destination is rapidly gaining popularity. The cost of a 5-day trip for residents of the European part of Russia will be in the range of 14-20 thousand rubles. This amount already includes:

• transportation from the train station or airport to the hotel;
• New Year's banquet with the delights of Abkhaz cuisine;
• accommodation and meals (usually only breakfast);
• excursions or visits to museums, galleries, local attractions.

It is recommended to book tours to Abkhazia for the New Year 2018 in advance, because already at the beginning of December most trips with an interesting entertainment program are sold out, leaving only ordinary trips at an inflated price.

Thus, Abkhazia is rightfully considered a country of hospitality, comfortable climate and fun. Having celebrated the New Year here at least once, you will probably want to once again become familiar with the local culture, attend a grand celebration in a restaurant, and also visit the most beautiful cities with medieval architecture.

Do you want to spend your summer holidays or vacation on the coast surrounded by shrines? Choose a holiday in New Athos. In this city, everything is imbued with peace and tranquility, and the absence of any entertainment infrastructure will allow you to focus on your own thoughts, restore harmony and simply take a break from the noise in the beautiful town of New Athos. Holidays here will also appeal to lovers of cultural and religious tourism.

What to see in New Athos?

It is no secret that many believers are attracted to holidays in New Athos. Abkhazia has a large number of shrines, and some of them are located here. If you are interested in temples and ancient buildings, be sure to visit:

• monastery;
• remains of the Anakopia fortress;
• Panteleimon Cathedral;
• Museum of the Abkhazian Kingdom.

Many of those who come to relax in New Athos in Abkhazia go for a swim in the karst “baths” created by nature itself. It is believed that the water in them is healing and helps to recharge with energy for a long time.

Where to stay?

When you come to New Athos on vacation, you should not count on accommodation in luxury hotels. They are not here. Several boarding houses offer organized holidays with meals, and private mini-hotels also accept tourists. The private sector offers rooms with a shared kitchen. The owners will kindly sell the freshest food, wine and even eucalyptus brooms.

New Athos - description

If you are a true connoisseur of natural beauty and admire its creations, New Athos will not leave you indifferent. This is a very beautiful small town with a rich history, many natural and architectural monuments and fragrant pine greenery.

A little history

Scientists are sure that New Athos (Abkhazia) existed back in the 3rd century. It was the largest trading state of Anakopia. In different centuries, it was this ancient city that kings and queens chose to live in. A major role in the development of the city of New Athos was played by the monks, who in the 19th century. construction of a monastery began here.

Geography, climate, population

The city of New Athos occupies a small part of the coast in the Gudauta region. A small mountain river, Pskhyrtskha, flows through the city and flows into the sea, and the peaks of the Caucasus Mountains rise above the settlement. It is separated from the border with the Russian Federation by 80 km of highway.

The climate in this part of the coast is the most favorable. Even during peak season it is always a little cooler here than in neighboring cities. The average annual temperature at the resort is around +14 degrees.

About 1.5 thousand people live in the city permanently. Among them are Armenians, Abkhazians, Greeks, Georgians, Russians.