Located more than 900 miles south of Moscow, Sochi is known as the “Russian Riviera”. It’s an interesting place not only for tourists, but also for photographers who want to capture its unique beauty. The resort region is Russia’s most popular and largest, stretching to over 100 km along the Black Sea’s coastline.

The weather in Sochi is perfect for photographers. There’s a mix of sun and snow – the warmth, the cold and some fog. It’s basically sub-tropical seaside weather. There are more sunny days than cold, rainy days in Sochi.

What will draw awe-inspired expressions from photographers is Sochi’s picturesque landscape and sceneries. There are also a lot of buildings with intricate architecture, such as Joseph Stalin’s luxury villa, which is now open to the public. If you’re visiting Sochi for the Winter Games, you’ll need to find time to bask in the refreshing cool air of its mountains. It’s a breathtaking adventure any photographer wouldn’t want to miss.

Picture-worthy Places in Sochi

Sochi is conveniently located in between the Black Sea and the Caucasian Mountains. This means a mix of mountains and seas. There is, however, more in Sochi that you’ll love to capture with your camera lens.

1. The Dendrarium

The Dendrarium is Russia’s largest sub-tropical park. This mountainside botanical garden will have you snapping your camera, with its more than 1,700 species of plants, trees and bushes that come from different parts of the world.

If you go to its highest point via a gondola ride, you’ll capture the beauty of the Black Sea on one side and the majestic mountains on the other side. You’ll find ostriches, ducks, flamencos and many other interesting subjects to photograph.

Founded in 1892, the Dendrarium has several fountains and terraces.

2. The Riviera Park

photo by Mikhail Mordasov

The Riviera Park pleasantly combines all the exciting elements of an amusement park and a typical Russian park. It is most alive with people and activity in the evenings. There are games and rides, cafes, art galleries and a beautiful line of Magnolia trees found at the “Glade of Friendship”. The trees were planted by Russian astronauts.

Originally designed in 1989 for Russia’s Tsars, the park is perfect for photographers wishing to capture Sochi’s natural surroundings.

3. Two Anchors Fountain

The Two Anchors Fountain, designed by sculptor Victor Gluhov, is found in Komsomol Square, right in the center of Sochi. The fountain features two original anchors created in the first half of the 19th century.

Komsomol is the city’s oldest park.

4. The Square of Art

If you love taking photos of sculptures, the best place for you to go to is Sochi’s The Square of Art. You’ll not only enjoy the cool breeze in the square, you’ll also have a grand time taking photos of world class sculptures that are found in the alleyways surrounding the Sochi Art Museum. The museum is located right in front of the square.

5. Sochi Boardwalk

The Sochi Boardwalk is where you’ll find a seemingly endless line of beaches. It is several kilometers long and is protected by a sturdy concrete seawall. The Boardwalk is where you’ll find not only miles upon miles of beaches with palm trees and pebbles, but also some of Sochi’s best hotels and restaurants.

You’ll find a lot of interesting faces and activities to photograph along the Sochi Boardwalk.

6. Caucasus Biosphere Reserve

photo by Lite

The Caucasus Biosphere Reserve is home to Europe’s 2nd largest protected area. It is also considered as the world’s richest biodiversity treasury and is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage list. The reserve embraces the Krasnodar Krai, Karachay-Cherkessia and the Adygea mountain ridges, as well as Khosta and Krasnaya Polyana in Sochi.

You’ll find a lot of interesting scenes to shoot in the Reserve as it has around 400 bird species, some 153 mammals, several reptiles and 200 fish species.

The landscape – which includes a river basin, some mountains and forests – make for a picturesque photographic masterpiece.

7. Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel

The Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel, Sochi’s oldest Orthodox Church, is another breathtaking photographic wonder. Designed by Alexander Kaminsky, it was originally built in 1874.

One of the Cathedral’s most striking features is its domed baptistery.

8. Monument of the Archangel Michael

photo by Mikhail Mordasov

After visiting and taking photos of the Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel, try to find the Monument of the Archangel Michael. This picturesque masterpiece was built fairly recently, in 2006, in remembrance of the soldiers who died in the Caucasian War.

The statue sits at the top of the monument and on a red granite podium that is approximately 5 meters high. It is made of bronze.

9. Park of Southern Cultures

Established in 1910, the Park of Southern Cultures is where you’ll find graceful old oak trees that are 300 years old. There are also Sakura Trees, Chinese fan palms and a lot of mini-ponds where lilies and lotuses float to no end.

It may not be as big or as grand as The Dendrarium, but is just as majestic and beautiful, especially when all the over 5,000 species of plants are in blossom. You’ll want to take sunrise and sunset photos on the park, with the beautiful flowers in bloom adding drama and color to the scene.

10. Box Tree and Yew Grove

The Box Tree and Yew Grove is part of the Caucasian National Reserve. Located in the Khosta River area, it sits comfortably at the center of a primeval forest. You’ll find a lot of Box Trees (which are evergreens) and Yew Trees, two of the world’s oldest tree species.

11. Akhun Mountain Observation Tower

photo by Andrey Dumchev

If you want to take a photo of Sochi from its highest viewpoint, go to the Akhun Mountain Observation Tower. Located atop the mountain, the tower stands 30.5 meters tall. Even if you have to go through a 7.5-mile long road, the trip will be worth it because once you stand on the tower’s observation platform; you’ll forget all your worries and cares. The view of the city will leave you breathless and in awe.

12. Sochi Discovery World Aquarium

The Sochi Discovery World Aquarium is perfect for photographers who favor subjects like sharks and other forms of sea wildlife. The Discovery World Aquarium is around 6,000 square meters big and accommodates around 30 aquariums.

Sochi is an interesting place mainly because not a lot of people have discovered its wonders. There is still a lot to uncover about the beauty that Sochi holds. For photographers, this mystery is part of the reason why Sochi is perfect for creating exceptional and unique photography.