What Does Russia Look Like?

Primorskaya Ulitsa Sochi, palm tree lined street in Russia

Ok, so this post is a probably not what you are expecting Russia to look like at all. This was filmed in Sochi during the summertime. Sochi is probably the warmest city in Russia, found on the Black Sea.

What Does Russia Look Like?

I love talking about what Russia looks like, because Sochi doesn't fit in the stereotypes of what people expect. There are no bears walking the streets of Sochi, but what you will find is streets lined with palm trees. The sub-tropical climate is perfect for balmy winters and warm summers.

In this video below, I'm walking along the promenade from the main Sochi train station to the marina, in the daytime. My hotel was directly beside the train station, it was clean, safe, and had an amazing breakfast buffet and I think it was a Radisson Hotel. This video starts across the street from the hotel.

You get a better sense of a typical street in Sochi, the people and the sights of this part of Russia. A video of real Russians living and holidaying, and what you'd expect if you visited Sochi.

Kvas Ladies In Sochi

Sochi has these mini kiosks all around selling cold drinks like Rye Bread Kvas Drink (one of my favorites), Lemonade and Mojitos. It's usually the Kvas drink that freaks out foreigners, it's a Slavic staple made from fermented rye bread. These aren't alcoholic and are usually sold in barrels. In the Soviet days, Kvas was sold in large barrels on wheels, so some traditions remain, although in and updated format.

Museum of Sochi Sport Honor

Sochi is an Olympic city, and they are proud to showcase their achievements. While the main olympic events took place in Adler and Rosa Khutor, along my trip I came across a small square in old Sochi. They had a Museum of Sochi Sport Honor to celebrate their heroes. There are also Sochi signs with hashtags to take photos with.

You'll see pensioners walking from a swim at the beach, to holiday makers heading to the beach, like me. Most of the holiday makers are Russians. Very few foreigners visit Sochi, and it's mostly catered to the Russian market, although everyone is welcome to visit. It is nice to visit a place that's not overrun with tourists from all parts of the globe. It gives a nice representation of a Russian holiday beach town.

It can be hard to believe this is Russia, but it is! It's not all frozen snow and tundra. Millions of people live in the Krasnodar Krai region. I suppose the point of this video is to show a different part of Russia many people couldn't even imagine. I finished the video by arriving at the Grand Marina of Sochi.

Now Sochi isn't all glamorous, I thought I'd throw in a photo from my visit to the Central Market in Sochi. Here a farmer is bringing his fruits and vegetables to sell. I love how resourceful he was in stacking his goods to bring to the market! See more in my Sochi Central Market post!