Sochi (Russia)

Sochi is a Black Sea port city in Krasnodar Krai (Russia), located close to the Russian border with Georgia. The city covers a total area of approx 177 km2 (68 mi2) and has population around 350,000, ranking it Russia's biggest resort city.

Greater Sochi (metro area including subordinated localities and territories) covers land area approx 3526 km2 (1361 mi2), sprawling 145 km (90 mi) along the Black Sea coast near the Caucasus Mountains. Part of the Caucasian Riviera, Sochi is one of the few places in Russia with a subtropical climate, mild winters and warm to hot summers.

Dubbed "Russia's Black Sea cruise capital", Sochi is the homeport for several Russian cruise liners operating roundtrips to ports in Crimea. Since March 2022, Sochi is the homeport for the new brand "Akvilon Cruises" and its ship Astoria Grande (fka AIDAcara). Astoria Grande offers voyages in the Black Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean, visiting ports in Georgia, Turkey, Greece (Greek Islands), Egypt, Israel.

With the alpine and Nordic events held at nearby ski resort of Roza Khutor, Krasnaya Polyana, Sochi hosted XXII Olympic Winter Games and XI Paralympic Winter Games 2014, as well as the Russian Formula 1 Grand Prix 2014-2020. It will also be one of the host cities for 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Sochi is unique among other bigger Russian cities as a subtropical resort. Apart from the picturesque Caucasus Mountains and sand beaches, the city appeals to vacation-tourists with its numerous parks, monuments, vegetation, and extravagant Stalin-era architecture. Around 2 million people each summer visit Greater Sochi, when in the city is held the annual "Kinotavr" film festival - one of the getaways for Russia's elite.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Caucasian Biosphere Reserve (2957 km2 / 731000 acres) is located north from the city.

Sochi cruise terminal