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Everything was great in terms of safety and cleanliness, but the prices at the local small shops, restaurants, and cafΓ©s were a bit high.
Gelenjik is an incredibly stunning destination that I highly recommend visiting. In my opinion, it is the ultimate city to explore on the Black Sea, alongside Sochi. The beachfront area is fantastic, offering an array of activities for families to enjoy. There are numerous parks to explore and plenty of opportunities to swim, go boating, play, or simply take a leisurely stroll along the embankment.
The beach is excessively crowded. If you're feeling lazy, you can go there, but if not, it's better to choose a different beach that is closer to the bay's exit.
The water quality at this beach is extremely poor. I would recommend exploring areas outside the city center for better options.
The promenade is known as kucha mala in Russian, which means a bustling mix of kitsch. It offers a variety of street vendors, fish massages, bars with lively but unpleasant music, restaurants with worn-out leather sofas, a carnival, and photo opportunities with monkeys and parrots (questionable legality, perhaps?). In essence, it is a major tourist trap. To escape the crowds, it's advisable to head south and find a cliff beach called Smotrovaya ploshchadka with breathtaking views and a more serene atmosphere.