13 days in Sochi, Krasnodar & Anapa Itinerary

Called the "Summer Capital of Russia," the busy resort town of Sochi is best known as the host of the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Family-friendly places like "Laura" Cross-country Ski & Biathlon Center and Lift Complex Roza Khutor will thrill your kids. Get outdoors at Rosa Khutor Ski Resort and Khostinsky Tisosamshitovaya Grove. There's much more to do: take an in-depth tour of Sochi Auto Sport Museum, take in the dramatic scenery at Agura Waterfalls, make a trip to Adler Lighthouse, and engage your brain at Electrical Museum of Nikola Tesla.

To see more things to do, other places to visit, traveler tips, and more tourist information, go to the Sochi online trip builder.

If you are flying in from United Arab Emirates, the closest major aiport is Sochi International Airport. December in Sochi sees daily highs of 13°C and lows of 3°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 31st (Tue) early enough to travel to Krasnodar.

Founded as one of Catherine the Great's southern border outposts, Krasnodar is now a modern urban center, known locally as "Little Paris" because of its elegant European appearance.

Deepen your sense of the past at sights like Voyskovoy sobor svyatogo blagovernogo knyazya Aleksandra Nevskogo and Memorial Arch Kuban Proud of Them. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at St. Catherine's Cathedral and St. George's Church. When in Krasnodar, make a side trip to see Dante Gorge in Goryachy Klyuch, approximately Goryachy Klyuch away. There's much more to do: buy something for everyone on your list at 7 Zvezd/7 stars, pause for some serene contemplation at St. Elijah Church, have some family-friendly fun at Cyberforce Laser Tag Club, and learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Safari Park.

For where to stay, reviews, photos, and more tourist information, you can read our Krasnodar trip itinerary maker app.

You can fly from Sochi to Krasnodar in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Traveling from Sochi in December, expect Krasnodar to be slightly colder, temps between 6°C and -1°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Fri) early enough to drive to Anapa.

Like many other destinations in the Black Sea region, Anapa remains under the radar for most foreign travelers, despite its popularity among Russian families.

Start off your visit on the 4th (Sat): don't miss a visit to Lion's Head Castle and then take in the spiritual surroundings of Saint Springs Neberdzhai. On the 5th (Sun), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: contemplate the geological forces at Volcano Shugo, then don't miss a visit to Tserkov' Serafima Sarovskogo, and then look for all kinds of wild species at Wildlife Preserve of Bolshoy Utrish.

To find traveler tips, maps, reviews, and other tourist information, read our Anapa tour itinerary planner.

You can drive from Krasnodar to Anapa in 3 hours. Other options are to do a combination of train and taxi; or take a bus. January in Anapa sees daily highs of 6°C and lows of -1°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 6th (Mon) to allow time for travel back home.