Dagestan in April 2026 – Is it worth going on vacation? Weather in Makhachkala and Derbent, reviews, air temperature and the Caspian Sea, how to dress, prices for air tickets and excursions, in hotels and guest houses. What to do and what to see in Dagestan in April, where to go first – says Eurotraveler.
April is not the best time to travel around Russia. And until recently, such a thesis would not have caused any objections among potential tourists of various age groups and different income levels. As well as interest – is it worth going somewhere in the middle of spring, when the much more promising May period is approaching?
But today the perspective of many travelers has changed dramatically. And they first of all try to find corners of the world and periods of the year that will give them the most vivid impressions.
But at the same time, they won’t make you lament the presence of huge tourist crowds. If at the same time you will be able to save money Compared to the so-called “high season”, so much the better!
In this sense, the idea of spending April in Dagestan – if not all, then at least a few days – looks promising. In any case, if we take into account that this Russian region will not still be completely overcrowded with tourists even in the spring of 2026?!
That is, it will not yet turn into a promoted and therefore overly expensive direction. Like the same Black Sea coast of the Krasnodar Territory.
What is the weather usually like in Dagestan in April: both at the beginning and in the middle-end of the month? What do you need to know and take with you? Is it possible feel safe in a region where you can sometimes find roadblocks on the roads?
We found answers to these and some other questions. In particular, we discovered that prices for 3-5-day “weekend tours” in Dagestan are not that high.
So we sincerely suggest that you read our material before even planning a trip!
Weather in Dagestan in April
It can immediately sober up those who seriously expect to swim in the Caspian Sea in mid-spring and generally go on a beach holiday. Because the air temperature even on the coast is much different reluctantly rises higher +20 degrees Celsius.
Which is actually a bit unexpected. Especially if you look at the map and see that the same Dagestan Derbent is located south of Adler, where quite a lot of people come to rest in April.
And even south of Abkhazian Sukhumwhich sometimes sees really hot weather at this time
At the beginning of April, the air temperature in Dagestan (in Makhachkala, Kaspiysk and Izberbash, Derbent are all approximately the same) during the day tries not to leave the range of +12-16 °C.
This is on the coast, where tourists usually settle. In mountain villages it is opposite rarely rises above +8-10 degrees Celsius.
In some years, the air in the Dagestan coastal region in early April can warm up to +18-20 °C. But you should (firmly) count on something up to +15 °C.
At night in lowland areas it gets cold to +6-12 °C. And sometimes it comes to frost – if we talk about mountain villages.
Which, in fact, even if it introduces some confusion into the perception of reality, does not greatly interfere with the conduct of excursions. And why – the same Sulak Canyon is so grandiose and majesticwhich amazes in any weather!
Towards mid-April, air temperatures in coastal Dagestan are rising. And sometimes they go out for a “walk” even at +20 degrees Celsius.
Well, then it’s clear!
At the end of April, both in Makhachkala and Derbent it becomes really warm. Sometimes even hot — on the threshold of May, temperatures up to +22-24 °C are recorded!
Precipitation
Another significant advantage is that April in Dagestan is the driest month of the year. Number of stormy days on the coast rarely exceeds 2-3 per month.
And in the local mountains in mid-spring, the chances of catching the bright sun and a serene blue sky are much higher than driving among the clouds.
So, as a result, you have to almost every minute gasp and admire panoramas opening in all directions. Moreover, nature itself seems to be glad that spring has come into its own.
Cherries and plums, apple trees, apricot trees and dogwoods are blooming vigorously. With her cheerfulness, giving everything around joyful and fresh tones.
- Travel route to Dagestan by car
Water temperature
For those who still insist on their right to swim, we will inform you that the sea off the coast of Dagestan only warms up to +14-15 degrees at the end of April. And then, not every year.
So any attempt to swim in the Caspian Sea in mid-spring turns into a test of endurance!
But you can easily get a tan. Like (for starters) getting burned!
Therefore, do not forget to take with you the necessary things on the beach. At a minimum: sunscreen and swimsuits (swimming trunks) – it’s hot on the shores of the Caspian Sea in April very summery!
What to take with you
Let us limit ourselves to reminding everyone of the already well-known fact that Dagestan is predominantly mountainous country. So if you are going to go somewhere on an excursion, take with you comfortable shoes that fit your feet.
And, of course, don’t forget to take a windbreaker and sweatshirt on any trip (regardless of the weather forecast) – they will be the same as those you found on local spring evenings. In summer, by the way, often too…
We also recommend taking with you on a trip around the republic a first aid kit with a set of medicines, bandages and plasters, which experienced tourists always take with them on a hike. Well, hats with visors – the sun in the mountains very quickly bakes your faces to a crispy crust.
Note!
Let us remind you that sometimes in early April the religious fast of Ramadan takes place in Dagestan. During which Muslims adhere to certain rules and, in particular, can eat and drink only before dawn or after sunset.
Therefore, you may find that most cafes will either be closed or only open late in the evening. This problem, judging by the reviews, is usually easily solved in hotels in the mid-price segment, where their own guests are fed – tourdom.ru/…/kak-turistu-ne-ostatsya-golodnym-v-dagestane.
It is worth considering that alcohol is not sold anywhere during Ramadan. If you bring alcohol with you or find workarounds for purchasing it, you still shouldn’t drink it in front of local residents.
In 2026, Ramadan will last from February 17 to March 19
Roadblocks in the republic occur regularly. But in general, as very recent reviews say, a trip to Dagestan does not conceal excessive danger.
Unless, of course, you drive at night or in fog on unfamiliar mountain roads. Which here sometimes have no fence even on the edge of the abyss.
- What a tourist must see in Dagestan
Prices 2026
An air ticket from Moscow to Makhachkala and back will cost ~22-28 thousand rubles per person only with hand luggage or also with luggage. And not so modest – Aeroflot, for example, allows you to carry a suitcase weighing up to 23 kg!
You need to choose hotels that are clearly guarantee you food or at least breakfast. Because this is a key advantage in the case of Dagestan!
After all, it is much more convenient to have a meal in a hotel than to choose an establishment with a cuisine that suits you personally in an unfamiliar city
As for Derbent, things are even better with it. And you can rent a clean apartment equipped with everything you need for 2.5-3 thousand rubles. In the first half of April, at least – for sure!
A long tour of the city, be it Makhachkala or Derbent, will cost 4.5-5 thousand rubles for the whole group travelers. But out-of-town trips, such as voyages to the Sulak Canyon and the Chirkey Reservoir, to the village of Gamsutl or Gunib, already cost from 4 thousand rubles per person or from 7-8 for an excursion.
Things to do
Sulak Canyon, a crack in the body of the Earth, along which a turquoise river rolls its waters of incredible beauty – the main thing to see in Dagestan. In April, in the embrace of powerfully and elastically blossoming nature, you will receive a particularly spectacular experience.
Near the canyon, located Chirkey Reservoir and the hydroelectric power station of the same name. Whose dam, reminiscent of the famous Hoover Dam in the USA, is a separate and extremely memorable landmark of the region.
Where closer to Makhachkala is a huge dune Sarykum. A real mountain of sand with a length of 12 km and a height of 250 meters.
Sarykum is the second largest dune in the world, in size it is second only to the Greater Ergs (Eastern and Western) in the Sahara. Which, of course, are not so easy to get to.
Another attraction of Dagestan that no traveler can miss is old town in Derbent. You will almost certainly be fascinated by the perfectly preserved Naryn-Kala fortress. Which you can’t give for almost 1,600 years.
Near Derbent on the Caspian coast waiting to be turned into a museum exhibit ekranoplane “Lun”. The first and (for now?) last example of this innovative type of ship, capable of rushing over the surface of the water at speeds of up to 500 km/h.
Popular excursions to abandoned mountain village Gamsutl. Even visually reminiscent of the Incan city of Machu Picchu in Peru.
Lovers of unique natural beauty will definitely want to get to Zolotl Canyon and Tobot Falls. A well-known magnet of tourist interest is the underground Saltinsky waterfall.
We also recommend seeing the green man-made miracle – Chokh terraceslocated next to the village of the same name.
- What things should you take with you on a trip to Dagestan?
- What to take in the car on a long trip
- How much does it cost to relax in Kislovodsk in April?
- Where else is it warm in April in Russia?
© Eurotraveler
