A bright and emotionally rich place is undoubtedly the Olympus Park in Gelendzhik. It is divided into two parts, upper and lower, the connecting link between them is a cable car.
Here everyone will find entertainment to suit their taste. Undoubtedly, kids will enjoy the “Call of the Jungle” petting zoo, the exotarium, the “Planet Pandora” attraction, riding swan boats in the pool, children will be able to ride horses, or go fishing at the trout lake. Adults will be offered to try jeeping, ATVs, extreme mountain descent - "Trolls" and various other attractions. The Varenichya Khata restaurant is very cozy, it’s so nice to be there after a ride on the cable car. And what a magical view of the bay opens from its windows in the evening.
For those who conquer Olympus, soaring into the clouds along a 1,150-meter cable car, an amazingly mesmerizing view from the observation decks will open up. Here, Gelendzhik Bay and its surroundings will appear in all its glory. Also, the only Ferris wheel in Russia, located at the top 640m above sea level, will “tickle your nerves”. The cabins on the Ferris wheel are open, making the ride very breathtaking in windy conditions.
From June 1, you will plunge into the midst of fun, you will be able to attend tastings, free beer programs, and fun discos. In the evening, I advise you to take warm clothes for the climb to Olympus.
In winter you can also go upstairs. But, unfortunately, you can’t get on the Ferris wheel at this time of year.
In the lower part of the park you can visit a bowling alley, a billiards room, a crocodile farm, a museum and a planetarium.
Lake Aya, located at the foot of the slope of the Markhot ridge, is formed from two sources in which “living” and “dead” water flows. “Living water” can be drunk from a cup, and it is customary to wash with “dead water”; they say that it brings healing. A little above the lake, there is a valley of dolmens that will definitely captivate your kids.
Not far from the mountainside there is an open-air concert hall. At the height of the season, your favorite artists perform here.
Olympus Park in Gelendzhik
The Olympus family recreation and entertainment park in Gelendzhik is a large entertainment center and one of the most important attractions of the city.
If you want to see it without rushing, it is better to plan a whole day for a visit. This complex will not leave anyone indifferent - both adults and children will definitely like it. For entertainment, there is: the Olympus cable car, which takes tourists to the top of the Markotkhsky ridge, the famous inscription “GELANDZHIK”, the only Ferris wheel in Russia, standing at an altitude of 640 m above sea level, a huge Poklonnaya Cross 43 meters high, the wildlife park “Call” Jungle", Exotarium, attraction "Planet Pandora", children's playground, attractions. In addition, visitors can enjoy such entertainment as: jeeping, ATVs, a ZIP LIN trolley descent, a cafe and a high-mountain restaurant, concert performances by pop stars, and entertainment programs for children and adults. And a bonus to all of the above is magnificent views from the top of the Markotkhsky ridge over the entire Gelendzhik Bay, the city and its surroundings.
With the presence of a zoo, a cable car and an entertainment complex, “Olympus” is similar to the Gelendzhik Safari Park, which is also located on the slopes of the Markotkhsky ridge, 2.5 km from Olympus.
There really is a lot to see and do here. Let's go through it in order.
Museum exhibitions
Children will love the displays about famous discoveries and voyages at the maritime museum. The guide will tell you about diving and famous naval battles. One of the halls of this museum is decorated like Captain Nemo's cabin on his submarine Nautilus.
In another room, archaeological finds from the local coast are exhibited. Rare engravings and maps, and coin collections are also exhibited there. There you can take beautiful photos with the helm, a diving suit, or near a coral reef.
Park structure
The Olympus complex is divided into two levels. The lower level is located below the slope of the Markotkh ridge, while the upper level is located 600 meters above sea level. They are connected by a cable car, from which an amazing view of Gelendzhik Bay opens up.
In the lower zone of the Olympus Park there are ticket offices, the Call of the Jungle petting zoo, the lower cable car station, a children's rope playground, an exotarium, a bowling alley and a cafe.
Closer to the mountainside there is a large concert hall with a capacity of up to 3,500 people. It is an open-air amphitheater and at the height of the season, concerts by star performers are held here.
In the upper zone there is a Ferris wheel, attractions, the Worship Cross, a nightclub and a cafe. Various events for children and adults are also held here. You can go up by cable car.
Safety regulations
Cable car employees have the right to refuse to sell tickets to visitors if they violate one of the rules for using the lift:
- Are in a state of alcoholic intoxication.
- They violate public order.
- They try to ride in a swimsuit, dirty clothes or half naked.
- Carry weapons, drugs, explosives, food or alcoholic drinks with them. The exception is water, soda, tea in plastic containers.
Children under 12 years old are not allowed on the cable car unless accompanied by an adult. Those who take hand luggage with them or try to disembark without permission in places that are not intended for this will also not be able to ride. Although the Austrian equipment works like a charm, on a cable car it is better not to rock the cabin during the ride. You should also not smoke while driving, or throw garbage or flammable objects down.
The upper and lower stations are fenced for safety reasons. Boarding and disembarking can only be done in the presence of funicular employees who are on duty at the foot and top of the ridge. Before the trip, every tourist is required to undergo a short safety briefing. After landing, you need to lower the protective bracket, which is located above the passenger’s head, fix the safety belt and rest your feet on the stand.
Lower level of Olympus Park
First of all, from the free parking we approach the ticket office and the beginning of the park along a rather high staircase:
Entrance to Olympus Park. Gelendzhik
After the ticket office (see prices here), you can not immediately take the cable car, but take a walk along the lower level.
Dolmen Valley
If you go left along the path from the ticket office, you will come to a complex of several dolmens. The dolmens are artificially created and placed here solely for atmosphere. But they look quite beautiful and attractive. They are located at different heights relative to each other, and a stone staircase leads to them along a shady alley.
Wildlife Park "Call of the Jungle"
At the Call of the Jungle petting zoo, children and adults can observe and interact with animals up close. Most of the pets can be touched, fed and photographed as a souvenir. Treats for animals and birds can be purchased at the entrance.
There is a contact area “Aviary with Birds” with various species of birds and parrots. Among them are cranes, peacocks, pelicans, pheasants, emus, parrots and many others.
In addition to birds, in the zoo you can see and feed: Himalayan bear, goats, rabbits, nutria, monkeys, Indian Zebu cow, raccoons, guinea pigs, lemurs, chinchillas.
Exotarium
There is a wide variety of reptiles in the exotarium. Here you will see different types of snakes (anacondas, boa constrictors, 8m long reticulated python), iguanas, Nile crocodile, lizards, chameleons and several types of turtles. The highlight of the exotarium is the giant spurred turtles weighing up to 100 kg, which wander right among people around the territory and sometimes even give rides to small children.
Rope park
Between the exotarium and the petting zoo there is a small ropes course for children. There are bridges, ropes, swings and many other entertainments for children. Meanwhile, parents can relax on the benches located nearby.
Rope park in Olympus Park
Cable car "Olympus"
The chairlift will take you leisurely in 30 minutes to a height of 540 meters above sea level. The length of the cable car is 1150 meters. The climb up is a memorable flight over the picturesque mountains of the Markotkhsky ridge with gorgeous views of the lower level of the park, the lake and Gelendzhik Bay.
Olympus cable car in Gelendzhik
And after sunset, when descending on the cable car, romantic views of the city sparkling with lights open up.
Olympus cable car in Gelendzhik
Holidaymakers should take note - at Olympus, for guests who climb the cable car to its top, during the summer, free beer show parties and children's entertainment programs are held.
Be prepared for the fact that it may be noticeably cooler at the top than at the bottom. The cable car operates even in winter.
Upper level of Olympus Park
Ferris wheel and amusement park
We take the cable car up to a height of 540 meters and here an amusement park awaits us, as well as a large Ferris wheel, which you can ride for free as part of your purchased cable car ticket. The wheel is located at the very top of the mountain, its diameter is 25 meters. The booths are open, so children need to be closely supervised. In the evening, the Ferris wheel is illuminated, lit with multi-colored lights and can be seen from any part of the city.
Ferris wheel and amusement park
The Ferris wheel offers magnificent panoramas in all directions. The mountains and sea with Gelendzhik Bay look especially beautiful.
Sea view from the Ferris wheel
View of the mountains from the Ferris wheel
During the summer, a variety of free activities for children and adults are held here. There is an opportunity to ride horses, bicycles and quad bikes. In addition, museum exhibitions are organized on the territory of the amusement park and there is a terrarium.
Observation deck
If you walk to the left along the Markotkh ridge, you can go to an observation deck located on one of the highest points of the area. The observation deck offers a view of the entire upper level of Olympus Park and the Worship Cross. The view is about the same as from a Ferris wheel, but you can take your time to look at everything.
Worship cross with viewing area. Gelendzhik
Olympus Park. Top level
Worship cross
From the upper level of Olympus Park, a concrete road has been laid to the Poklonny Cross. Many compare the Worship Cross with the statue in Rio de Janeiro and popularly call it “Rio de Gelendzhik”. The cross can be seen from almost anywhere in the city, especially at night when it is illuminated.
Worship cross in Gelendzhik
Worship cross in Gelendzhik
The height of the cross together with the base is 43 meters: the cross is about 34 meters, the base is 9 meters. It rises at an altitude of 580 meters above sea level. Approval for the construction of the Worship Cross was received in 2015, and construction was completed in 2020.
Worship cross in Gelendzhik
The design of the cross is made of metal. Its base is made in the shape of an octagonal truncated pyramid. Inside the pedestal there is a chapel of St. Seraphim of Sarov.
Chapel of Seraphim of Sarov
From the upper station of the cable car you can walk to the Poklonny Cross or take an excursion train running in its direction. One way distance is 800 meters.
Worship cross in Gelendzhik
Worship cross in Gelendzhik
This is where the main attractions of the Olympus Park in Gelendzhik end. As you can see, there are a lot of them here and it is better to allocate at least half a day for a visit. This is a good holiday destination for the whole family. The park is all-season, but some attractions operate depending on weather conditions.
Attractions
The park has a large Ferris wheel from which you can admire a gorgeous view of the coast and the entire park. It is located at the very top of the mountain, the diameter of the wheel is 25 meters.
Children are not allowed on this attraction without their parents. The cabins on the wheel are open and children must be closely supervised. In the evening, the Ferris wheel is fully illuminated and lights up with colorful lights.
Another attraction is a swimming pool with swan boats. Children can ride independently, starting from 3 years old, and it is easy to control such a “swan”. Parents can accompany their children if they wish.
In the children's town, children can ride ponies. In addition to carousels, there are also extreme entertainments. The attraction “Planet Pandora” will be of interest - it is a world with luminous objects in the dark, but they do not glow from electricity.
Extreme lovers will be interested in “Trolls”, in which you can go down the mountain using a cable and special fastenings. In general, there is both active and contemplative recreation here, for every taste.
© Olympus cable car group VKontakte
How to get to Olympus Park in Gelendzhik?
Address of Olympus Park: Gelendzhik, Kupriyanova Shchel, 1 (area of the new bus station).
If you come by car, there is free parking near the entrance.
By public transport, you can get to Olympus Park by buses along the street. Kirov, from the “Avtovokzal” stop by buses No. 2, 6, 6a, minibuses No. 13a, 48, as well as by free branded minibus of the “Olympus” park.
Tourist entertainment and recreation complex OlympusCable car, funicular in GelendzhikSports and entertainment center in Gelendzhik
Prices for tickets to Olympus Park in Gelendzhik
Prices for tickets to Olympus Park depend on the chosen place of visit and it is better to check them on the official website of the park. The average price breakdown is as follows:
- Adult ticket - 1000 rubles
- Child ticket up to 12 years old (5-11 years old inclusive) - 500 rubles
- Children under 5 years old - free
Included in cost:
- Cable car: ascent and descent. From 10:00 to 23:00 (ticket office/boarding up until 22:00, boarding down until 22:30)
- Ferris wheel (weather permitting). From 10:00 to 21:00
- Dolmen complex
- Call of the Jungle Petting Zoo. From 10:00 to 19:00
- Exotarium. From 10:00 to 19:00
Other entertainments are paid separately, for example:
- Trolley descent ZIP LINE - 1000 rub.;
- Attraction "Planet Pandora" - 100 rubles, children under 5 years old free;
- ATV rental for 3 km - 600 rubles;
- The Call of the Jungle petting zoo can be visited as part of a single ticket (prices are higher) or visited separately, paying 450 rubles for an adult, 200 rubles for a child. It is located on the lower level, there is no need to go up by cable car.
All sights of Gelendzhik
Entertainment activities
Most of the entertainment activities are concentrated in the upper park. Here you can go fishing, ride ATVs, jeeps, mountain bikes, and sign up for a horseback ride. In the lower park there is the Dolmen Valley, created artificially, and Lake Aya. It is formed by two sources - living and dead water. It is believed that the local water has healing powers, so there is a ladle near the source that can be used to drink “living” water, as well as wash with “dead” water, which brings healing, according to beliefs. The cable car in Olympus Park not only connects its two parts, but also allows you to enjoy the beauty of Gelendzhik Bay both during the day and in the evening, when the coast is strewn with a scattering of night lights. On the mountain there is a reconstruction of the ancient Spanish sea fort Fort Royal, built in 1518. Having visited this local attraction, vacationers can not only admire the scenery, but also take pictures with the cannons.
