Gelendzhik, a popular resort town, boasted packed beaches even 50 years ago. These historical photos offer a glimpse into what vacationing in Gelendzhik looked like during the Soviet era.

Before the introduction of sandy beaches, Gelendzhik’s coastline was primarily covered with pebbles. In the late 1960s, the discovery of significant sand deposits in the bay led to the creation of the first sandy beaches in the early 1970s. This transformation coincided with the city being recognized as an all-Union resort.

The presence of a civil airport further boosted Gelendzhik’s appeal to Soviet vacationers. Operating since the mid-1950s, the airport was situated on the western shore of Gelendzhik Bay, in the area of Tonkiy Mys (Thin Cape). In Soviet times, it managed up to 34 daily flights, linking the resort with major cities like Moscow, Krasnodar, and Rostov-on-Don. This air connectivity enabled tourists from across the Soviet Union to easily reach Gelendzhik for their vacations.