Abkhazia in December 2025 – is it worth going on vacation? Weather and reviews, air temperature, how to dress, prices for air tickets, hotels, excursions. What to do and what to see in Abkhazia at the beginning of December and on New Year’s Eve – in a detailed review by Eurotraveler.
Those who claim that it is worth going to Abkhazia solely for the purpose of beach holiday. Because they are 10% wrong – the republic is not bad, and at times just great, suitable for other options for a non-boring pastime.
How to pair with excursion tourismand oriented toward “doing nothing,” that is, a calm, world-contemplative existence. Why not – finding yourself alone with yourself, the sea, the mountains, you begin to better understand what time is and what the true meaning is hidden in?!
For those who come here during the off-season, this secret will be revealed faster and easier. Along the way, the process of unraveling will reward you with other gifts, such as the restored peace of mind and the nerves returned to relative normalcy.
Not so little, would you agree?! That is why a vacation trip to Abkhazia in December and even January looks very promising business. From the point of view of its (low) cost – in addition – accessible to the widest possible segments of the population.
What will the weather be like as a first approximation? what can you treat yourself to? from Abkhazian fruits at the start of winter? What kind of entertainment remains available in the very south of the Black Sea region at a time of year when tourists, if they remember it, do so from afar? We’ve found out the details!
Weather in Abkhazia in December
It will cause a surge of inspiration and even outright envy among both residents of northern St. Petersburg and regions living much further south. Perhaps only those who live in Sochi-Adler will be able to maintain composure. Everyone else will probably just be happy plunge into a cloud of autumn warmth during a period associated exclusively with frosts and icy sidewalks.
However, let’s make a reservation – here and further we will talk about what the weather is like in December on the coast of Abkhazia. Because in the mountainous regions of the republic it is much harsher and “meaner”.
So, for example, in the warmest resort of Abkhazia, in Gagra, December passes under the sign of air temperatures in the range +10-17 °C. Naturally, at the very beginning of winter it is warmer, up to +13-17 degrees during the day, and closer to the New Year it usually gets colder to +8-12 °C.
It’s great that at the beginning of January capital the weather does not worsen – in most cases, forecasts promise the same +10 or so. So tourists coming to Abkhazia for the New Year holidays can walk along the embankments and meditate on the beachesgo on excursions to Lake Ritsa, visit New Athos and Sukhum.
The mountains around at this time of year often flaunt exquisite snow-white pattern. It looks especially aesthetically pleasing on the evergreen paws of spruce and pine trees, which grow in abundance around the area.
Nights in coastal Abkhazia in December are, of course, cooler – air temperatures fall in the range of +2-7 °C. It rarely happens less. But, however, it happens – even in Gagra in winter there are short-term frosts.
Pitsunda is somewhat colder – in December it freezes already in the middle of the month. But New Athos, Gudauta, Sukhum itself, at this time of year even at night try not to upset local residents and rare tourists in sub-zero temperatures.
So in the reviews of citizens who decided to visit Abkhazia at the very end of December, you will rarely find anything negative. Much more often they are permeated rare calm and tranquility!
Worth knowing
In winter, someone decides to limit themselves to a one-day trip to Abkhazia from Sochi or Adler. In our opinion – in vain!
After all, the southernmost Russian resorts experience slightly colder weather in December. And prices don’t seem to want to notice the drop in demand – and why would they, the ski season in Krasnaya Polyana is just gaining momentum?!
- Weather in Sochi in winter by month
Precipitation
Abkhazia does not see sunny days so often in December – cloudy weather prevails. There are also downright rainy days, during which there is no time for thoughtful gatherings on the seashore or trips around the country.
By the way, you should take into account that in Gagra in December rainiest (on average up to 110-120 mm of precipitation per month). In Pitsunda, nature often only frowns, but Sukhum holds up well and on some days shows clear skies.
The winds in Abkhazia at the beginning of winter are not particularly strong, so you should not expect any trouble from this side. And if waterproof clothes and shoes are needed at this time of year you should definitely take it with youthen there is no need to overload your luggage with warm clothes.
It is also necessary to put sufficiently warm clothes in your suitcase in which you you will go to the hotel. As some reviews rightfully complain, many local guest houses tend to skimp on heating.
And don’t forget to leave free space for Abkhazian specialties – something you will definitely want to buy. Starting from churchkhela and new harvest wine and not ending with fragrant tangerines, juicy pomegranates and incredibly sweet figs.
What to take with you
Nevertheless, it is still worth taking some practical things with you when going on vacation to Abkhazia. Especially in December, when in many local cities there is some stagnation: some not only cafes, but also shops close for the winter.
In particular, in the republic you will probably need cash – after all, there are few ATMs there, and sometimes they are not willing to share their accumulated cash with you. There is no need to stock up on any exotic currency, payments are made in Abkhazia are carried out in Russian rubles.
A traveling first aid kit may also come in handy. Moreover, it is filled not only with bandages and antiseptics, but also some medicines from fever, poisoning, as well as painkillers and antiallergic drugs.
Those who take any less common medications should be especially careful about their fees. Since the assortment in Abkhazian pharmacies is not very large.
For those who decide to go on vacation to Abkhazia by car, we recommend that you remember that for entry you will need not only a vehicle registration certificate, but also an analogue of the Russian OSAGO, that is, driver liability insurance. The easiest way to arrange it is in advance via the Internet.
Prices 2025
Direct flights from Moscow to Adler and back in the first half of December will cost at least 16-18 thousand rubles per person and his modest (no more than 10 kg) luggage. You will have to pay another 3.5 thousand rubles for a taxi from the airport to, for example, Gagra.
You can save money by traveling by train (there is a regular train from Moscow to Sukhum every 2 days, the travel time is about 40 hours), only if you will travel in a reserved seat. Because space in a compartment in one direction alone will ruin 11-12 thousand.
Is it worth taking a (great) risk by going on a winter trip to Abkhazia by car? We don’t recommend it. Because what happens at this time of year on the M-4 Don highway, which the lion’s share of road travelers heading to the south of Russia do not pass, cannot be predicted in any way.
Snowstorms, icy roads for many kilometers, as well as huge traffic jams due to skids and accidents, sometimes involving dozens of cars… All this is hardly necessary for a person who wants to relax and restore his nervous health.
Will it be possible for a relatively little money rent a room? Actually yes! For an amount of about 3.5-4 thousand rubles per day, you can choose a really wonderful option in a hotel or guest house.
Prices for excursions? They also stay at minimums – for only 1,500 – 2,000 rubles, a traveler can purchase a seat on a sightseeing bus from Gagra to Lake Ritsa or to New Athos.
Things to do
Breathe a lot of the sea and walk, admire the sunsets and subtropical greenery, eat the abundance of persimmons and pomegranates, tangerines and feijoas presented in the markets – a trip to the Black Sea outside the beach season is best perceived in this sense restorative and recreational activities. Well, of course, in December you can see literally all of its attractions in Abkhazia.
Both in Gagra and New Athos, Sukhum, and beyond!
Excursions can be diversified with some almost sporting activity. For example, take a hike along the coast or in the mountainous regions of Abkhazia, go skiing (with an instructor, of course), visit completely unusual and, in winter, completely frightening places like the ghost towns of Tkuarchal and Akarmara.
For health purposes, you can visit the famous thermal springs in Kyndyga near Sukhum. Although – if time and finances allow – it is much wiser to plan another trip. And heal in winter at the baths in Kislovodsk or Pyatigorsk!
- How safe is it to travel to Abkhazia?
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