Beyond Sochi's Crowds: A Travel Blogger's Guide to Russia's Undiscovered Coasts

Looking for a seaside escape in Russia without the infamous Sochi crowds? Travel blogger Elena Liseykina has mapped out seven compelling alternatives, shared on her 'Travels with a Camera' blog.

Her first suggestion is Primorsky Krai in the Far East. She describes finding near-deserted coves with turquoise water and sandy shores, even at the height of summer. The sea warms to comfortable temperatures, and fresh scallops and oysters are a local staple, not a restaurant luxury.

Dagestan on the Caspian Sea is next. Liseykina notes the coast is just one draw, and perhaps not the primary one. The region offers mountains, ancient villages, and what she calls incredible cuisine.

She labels Kamchatka 'Russia's most cinematic seaside address,' highlighting the dramatic black volcanic sand of Khalaktyrsky Beach, Pacific waves, and volcanoes on the horizon. While the water is cold, it's home to one of the country's few surf schools, creating a unique vibe.

For a truly northern experience, she points to Murmansk Oblast. The summer is brief, but swimming isn't the point. Instead, visitors can absorb the stark beauty, listen to the waves, explore untouched nature, and spot whales.

Rounding out her list are Chukotka, Sakhalin, and the Solovetsky Islands. Liseykina poses a pointed question to her followers: 'What's your choice—a packed Sochi beach with umbrellas crammed together and a queue for the water, or a wild shore of the Sea of Japan where, for a kilometer of sand, it's just you and the seagulls?'

The recommendations follow her own recent trip to Sochi, which she bluntly characterized as a 'beach hell,' citing overwhelming crowds.