Tourists Share Honest Gelendzhik Reviews: Dirty Sea, High Costs
Not all visitors find Gelendzhik vacations enjoyable due to overcrowding and pollution.
Gelendzhik is particularly popular among tourists this year because the neighboring Anapa beaches are still closed. Russians who have just returned from vacation are already sharing their opinions about holidays at one of Russia«s main resorts.
93.RU reviewed the latest feedback on the Otzovik website. Among the main advantages are the promenade and views, but entertainment in Gelendzhik is unaffordable for an average family, and the sea water is unsatisfactory. Read more below.
«We always vacationed in Crimea, but this time we had to go to Gelendzhik out of necessity. The positives: a beautiful promenade, lots of entertainment and places to eat well — that»s about it.«
Now for the negatives. Accommodation prices are two to three times higher than in Crimea. Traffic rules are ignored here; you almost always drive on the wrong side of the road, cars are parked haphazardly everywhere, and parking is a challenge. Parking near the sea is always full and paid; you can«t get close to the sea anywhere. I brought a stand-up paddleboard but never got to use it. I enjoy fishing, but you have to go god knows where, and offshore fishing is for millionaires — I paid 35,000 rubles (approximately $350 at current rates) for the family and caught half a bucket of horse mackerel.
The warm bay waters in Gelendzhik often have high bacteria levels from sewage discharge.
Don«t even think about the sea; I almost vomited at the sight when we approached and saw the mess. Like in India: people swimming in trash and neighbors» snot, it«s just insane, and the main issue is the crowds everywhere. I just want to yell: what are you all doing here?
I love peace and connecting with nature, but you can forget about that here. In Crimea, walking along the wild coast, you might meet a couple of people over five kilometers. We drove to any point on the peninsula daily without issue. The entertainments are the same but exactly half the price. Parking is unofficial and free everywhere by the sea. Last year, we rented a two-story house 800 meters from the sea — all modern amenities were included, with figs and various grapes in abundance, the owner even insisted we eat them, and all for 5,000 rubles (approximately $50 at current rates). Here, an apartment costs 7,500 rubles (approximately $75 at current rates). Well, overall, the city is more for young people; they enjoy it, but I won«t set foot here again.
«We decided to go to Gelendzhik with my wife and son, having previously been to Adler and Lazarevskoye. Didn»t like the city at all. The sea is dirty and smelly. There«s a lack of ordinary canteens for lunch (restaurants with exorbitant prices are plentiful), no simple shashlik spots, and excursions are expensive — the safari park with a cable car ride cost 9,000 rubles (approximately $90 at current rates) for three people.»
Dining costs in Gelendzhik vary, with many tourists facing higher-than-expected prices for meals.
Public transport fare in the city is 50 rubles (approximately $0.50 at current rates), but we took taxis. There are few chain stores, so we had to walk far; if you had one nearby, you were lucky. Also, issues with souvenir shops. Overall, for this money, you can vacation more comfortably elsewhere. Too bad I can«t travel abroad.
Summary: Over 6 days, we spent 60,000 rubles (approximately $600 at current rates). Overall impression: I do not recommend it.
Earlier, 93.RU published a review from a girl who spent over 350,000 rubles (approximately $3,500 at current rates) on a Gelendzhik vacation.
