Five Must-See Sochi Attractions

Located between the Black Sea and the Caucasus Mountains, Sochi is perhaps one of the most beautiful resort cities in Russia. It's also one of the largest with more natural and historical attractions than many other Russian resort areas. Whether you're in town for the Olympic Games or for a long family vacation, you'd be remiss to skip out on these local gems. Below you'll find five Sochi attractions you won't want to miss.

Agoura Canyon 

The Agoura Canyon is home to three waterfalls, walking tours and many breath-taking sights. Sphere Travel, a local Sochi agency, describes the canyon as narrow with steep slopes. Visitors to the canyon can look up at the Eagle Rock Mountains and appreciate everything that Russian nature has to offer.

Achun Tower 

This tower, which sits 663 meters above sea level, was originally built in 1936 in order to protect the area. Today, the tower features an observation platform that looks out across the Sochi National Park all the way to the ocean.

Dolmens 

These mysterious tomb-like structures are believed to be ancient graves. The stone edifices have small holes in the front, and local legend has it that the graves have the ability to influence the soul. There are more than 100 of these odd structures in the Sochi area, but perhaps the most famous is the Volkonsky Dolmen, which is believed to be more than 3,000 years old.

Local Caves 

There are more than 400 caves in the Sochi area, but agents from Sphere Travel recommend visitors check out the Akhtyrskaya and Voronzovskaya caves. Each is more than 12 kilometers long and full of fascinating and mysterious sights.

Tea Plantations 

There are numerous tea plantation in Sochi, but the most popular is the Matsesta Tea Garden. It's popularity could lie in the fact that it's the easiest to access, or in the fact that it has a spa and a resort. The Matsesta Tea Garden is the northernmost tea plantation in the world and has been in operation for more than 100 years.