Rant-Worthy Getaway on Your Dime
Unwelcome visitors beware: Russian shores masked with green cultivation and unruly males.
Summer's here, and plenty of Russians are planning their domestic vacations, hoping for sunny beaches and a warm sea. But this year, the dream's turned sour in many popular destinations. Tourists are up in arms about dirty beaches, overpriced goods, and shoddy service.
Sochi: From Picturesque to Polluted
Once a scenic haven, Sochi's been giving tourists a reality check this year. Darja from Krasnodar shared her disappointment—the sea was too nippy early on, and when it finally warmed up, the beaches were a mess, littered with trash. Guests are ticked off when they've shelled out big bucks for subpar accommodation.
Anapa: Blooming Disappointment
Welcome to Anapa—overrun with seaweed! Tourists' been greeted with algae blooms, making the beaches hazardous for swimming. Olga from Volgograd had a miserable break—apart from exorbitant prices and mediocre service, her kids picked up rotavirus and the flu.
Gelendzhik: Algae, Scooters, and Dangers Untold
Gelendzhik hasn't escaped the algae issue either. Marina from Rostov-on-Don sang praises for her hotel, but the sea was murky, and tourists complained about reckless scooter riders putting pedestrians in danger. Plus, the bay's rocky bottom added to the unwelcome surprises.
Crimea: Clean Sea, but Service's a Drag
Crimea entices with its clear water and affordable prices, but the service leaves much to be desired. Natalia from Rostov-on-Don criticized the overpriced amenities and poor service.
Dagestan: Foodie Paradise... With a Catch
Dagestan's a rave, with its stunning landscapes, affordable prices, and tantalizing local cuisine. But it's not all sunshine and rainbows. Female tourists have reported feeling uncomfortable with the sometimes pushy attention from local men.
Abkhazia: Nature vs. Neanderthals
Abkhazia's beautiful scenery and attractions have been a hit with tourists, but the boorish behavior of some Russians has put a damper on things, with wild parties and inappropriate actions marring the holiday vibe.
Russian Resorts' Future? It's a Miserable One.
Despite all the complaints, Russian resorts are still in high demand. Maybe it's due to travel restrictions or a patriotic push to support domestic tourism. Whatever the reason, Russian resorts have mountains to climb to live up to tourist expectations.
Extra Morsels
- Environment worries plague the Black Sea coast as oil spills have made several beaches unsuitable for summer getaways since 2025[1]. The ongoing pollution could be a symptom of larger, long-term beach cleanliness issues.
- The Bridge Resort Hotel has received criticism for its high prices not matching the quality of its service or accommodations[5]. Although this report isn't tied to 2021, it highlights ongoing service-related concerns.
- Economic and environmental factors such as pandemic recovery, geopolitical instability, and climate change are causing challenges for the tourism sector[3][4]. These issues might contribute to inconsistencies in service quality and pricing.
- Despite the concerning environmental issues and ongoing pollution issues on the Black Sea coast since 2025, Russian resorts like Sochi continue to attract a high number of tourists due to travel restrictions or patriotic support for domestic tourism.
- Tourists visiting Sochi this year have criticized the quality of service and accommodation in popular destinations like Sochi, with Darja from Krasnodar expressing her disappointment over the littered beaches and subpar accommodation.
- Guests in Anapa have encountered algae blooms, making the beaches hazardous for swimming and causing discomfort for tourists like Olga from Volgograd, who also suffered from exorbitant prices and mediocre service during her vacation.
- The general news outlet reported that local men in Dagestan sometimes behave inappropriately towards female tourists, causing some tourists to feel uncomfortable, while praising the stunning landscapes, affordable prices, and local cuisine.
- In Abkhazia, the stunning scenery and attractions have been tarnished by the boorish behavior of some Russian tourists, resulting in wild parties and inappropriate actions that contrast with the holiday vibe, raising concerns about the future of domestic Russian tourism.
