Gagra

გაგრა

A once-glamorous seaside resort town backed by steep mountains rising close to the shore. Its historic colonnade, seaside park, and Prince Oldenburg's castle recall its heyday as a Riviera of the Soviet elite.

Things to do

• Stroll the Gagra Colonnade — Wander the elegant Moorish-style arcade built in 1955 that has become the town's iconic seafront landmark.
• Prince Oldenburg's Castle — Explore the ruins of the Art Nouveau palace built by the founder of Gagra's resort era on the mountain slope above town.
• Relax in the Seaside Park — Walk the subtropical park laid out by Prince Oldenburg, filled with palms, cypresses, and exotic plants brought from around the world.
• Swim off the pebble beaches — Take a dip in the Black Sea along Gagra's long stretch of stony shoreline backed by dramatic mountains.
• Visit the Gagripsh Restaurant — See the historic wooden restaurant assembled without a single nail, once frequented by Chekhov and Stalin.
• Ride to Lake Ritsa — Take a day trip up the Bzyb gorge to the stunning alpine lake surrounded by forested peaks about an hour inland.
• Explore Old Gagra — Climb through the atmospheric older quarter to see the 6th-century Abaata fortress and the ancient Church of St. Hypatius.

Food to try

• Khachapuri Adjaruli — The boat-shaped bread filled with melted cheese, butter, and a runny egg is a regional staple along this coast.
• Mamaliga with cheese and ajika — This thick cornmeal porridge is the Abkhaz everyday bread, served with salty suluguni cheese and spicy ajika paste.
• Ajika — Sample the fiery Abkhaz paste of red peppers, garlic, salt, and herbs that accompanies nearly every meal.
• Akhtsipandwar and fresh fish — Enjoy grilled Black Sea fish and greens dishes at seafront cafes along the promenade.
• Abkhaz wine and chacha — Try local homemade wines and the potent grape brandy chacha, often offered by hospitable hosts.
• Churchkhela — Snack on strings of walnuts dipped in thickened grape juice, sold by vendors along the beach.

Local customs & good to know

• Entry is through Russia's checkpoint — Abkhazia is a breakaway region; travelers typically enter from the Russian side and need special permits, and entering via Georgia proper is legally restricted.
• Cash and Russian rubles rule — Bring cash as the ruble is the working currency and card payments are rarely accepted.
• Respect the hospitality toasts — Abkhaz feasts (supra-style gatherings) involve elaborate toasting led by a tamada, so pace yourself and honor the ritual.
• Faded grandeur, limited services — Much of Gagra remains war-scarred and under-developed, so expect basic infrastructure and manage expectations for a former Soviet showpiece.

Nearby

• Pitsunda — 16 km
• Gega Waterfall — 22 km
• Lake Ritsa — 31 km
• Lake Mzy — 38 km