Walking Gagra’s palm-lined promenade: history and highlights

Arriving in Gagra, visitors quickly notice a striking detail: a long promenade flanked by stately palms on both sides. Stretching for nearly two kilometers along the waterfront, it is considered the longest palm-lined avenue on the entire Black Sea coast. More than a scenic route for a stroll, it is a defining feature of the city and a vital thread in its history.

How it began

The story starts in the early 20th century, when the Prince of Oldenburg, a distant relative of the imperial family, set out to turn Gagra into a fashionable resort. He imagined a place that would attract the wealthy and the well-born, much like the resorts of Europe. A park was laid out, the Gagripsh restaurant opened its doors, exotic plants were brought in—and the palm avenue was planted. It became one of the emblems of a new, elegant, forward-looking city.

A living slice of the South

Today the avenue is more than a relic of the past; it is Gagra’s living green treasure. Different types of palms, brought from warm countries, have taken root here thanks to a mild climate: plenty of sun, gentle winters, and frequent rains that together create ideal conditions.

The palms do more than please the eye. Researchers note that they help cool the area in hot weather and make the air cleaner. Walking beneath their crowns, it genuinely feels easier to breathe—and a few degrees more comfortable—than in other parts of the city.

A walk through time

The avenue threads together Gagra’s key landmarks. On one end stands the historic Gagripsh restaurant, assembled from wood without a single nail. On the other, the colonnade that often graces postcards. A leisurely walk here feels like paging through the city’s history, step by step, under trees that have seen much.

What about now?

The avenue still charms residents and visitors alike. People come to wander, take photos, and meet up. Yet the palms, like all living things, need care: some are unwell, others are aging. The city is tending to them, though there is not yet a comprehensive program to renew the entire avenue. Even so, it continues to thrive and to matter. It’s not just a green corridor—it is a symbol of Gagra, of its beauty and its story.

In Gagra’s palm avenue, nature and history have found common ground. Even if a southern trip isn’t on the calendar yet, knowing about this place is already worthwhile. It quietly proves how much can be created with care—and last for years.