Dagestan: overview
The Republic of Dagestan is the southernmost region of the Russian Federation and has direct access to international maritime routes. The republic has borders by land and sea with five states - Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Iran. Within Russian Federation, it neighbors Kalmykia, Stavropol Krai, and the Chechen Republic. Dagestan's landscape is unique and peculiar: the 245-km-long strip of foothills rests on transverse ridges that form a huge arc around Inner Dagestan. However, Dagestan is not only the mountains of the eastern part of the North Caucasus, but also the adjacent plains of the Caspian Sea. The Caspian Sea is the largest lake in the world, called a sea for its large size. The Caspian Sea contains up to 90% of the water of all saline lakes of the world. The coast of the Caspian Sea along the Republic of Dagestan is 530 km long. The natural environment of the Caspian Sea, with its warm climate and magnificent sandy beaches has become in recent years a popular vacation destination for tens of thousands of tourists from all over Russia and abroad. In the summer almost all the resorts on the coast are working at their maximum capacity. The republic is rapidly modernizing existing and building new tourist centers, resorts and hotels. Most travelers choose Makhachkala, the capital of the republic, as the place to stay. Be aware: attractions are somewhat few and far between in the city proper. However, it is a perfect place to stay if want to travel around and see all the nooks and crannies of the region with your own eyes. If you want to combine sightseeing with a vacation at the beach, it may be worthwhile to consider coastal hotels in the suburbs of Makhachkala, Kaspiysk, Izberbash or Derbent. Dagestan is a unique and amazing place. This region is stunningly beautiful! Its unforgettable landscapes include all sorts of natural wonders: the sea, bubbling rivers and waterfalls, plains and steppes, high picturesque mountains and ancient architectural constructions. In addition, Dagestan is the most ethnically diverse region in Russia, a place where over 50 ethnicities have been able to peacefully coexist with each other. And the variety and uniqueness of the local cuisine, coupled with the local traditions of hospitality, will surely make your holiday an unforgettable and treasured memory. In short, everyone should visit Dagestan.
Availability of transport hubs
Airport
Port
Railway station
Bus station
Climatic features
Winter
Winter in Dagestan is cold, especially up in the mountains. At night, the temperature can drop to -15...-20 °С in the mountain areas. It is warmer on the coast: frequent rains, wind from the sea and -5 ... +5 °С. Snow happens, but you will not encounter any snow storms around those parts.
Air temperature:
up to -20... +5 °С
Spring
In spring, there are many sunny days, the weather is fairly humid because of the frequent rains, and the temperature stays above 0 ° C. On average in March it is +6 °C outside and in May it reaches +18 °C. The end of spring is the beginning of the tourist season.
Air temperature:
up to 0... +18 °С
Summer
Summer is dry, sunny and hot. This is the best time to travel around Dagestan. There is practically no rain in the coastal areas. Rain can happen in the mountains, but does not last long. The swimming season opens in June, but at the beginning of summer the sea is still cold. The water warms up by the middle of summer: the water temperature reaches + 23 ... 25 ° С. The average temperature in June is +23 ° С, in August +28 ° С. It is cooler in the mountains than on the coast.
Air temperature:
up to +32... +20 °С
Autumn
Autumn in September is not in full swing just yet. The temperature outside is as warm as it was during the summer, and the shop counters are bursting with fruits and vegetables. The average temperature during the day is +19 ° C and at night it's +14 ° C. In October the golden autumn begins in the mountains. Summer greenery turns into fields of yellow. In the mountain settlements, hay is harvested and prepared for the winter. In November, it rains more and more often, and there are fogs in the mountains.
Air temperature:
up to +10... +22 °С
Useful tips
1 What to pack
- Passport and birth certificates for children
- Confirmations of airline reservations, hotel reservations
- Cash (credit cards may not be accepted in some places)
- A small backpack (10-25 liters) or belt pouch
- Phone, camera, and chargers
- Large memory cards for photos and videos
- Power adapter, if your devices are incompatible with standard EU type outlets
- Windbreaker jacket
- Lightweight, breathable, quick drying trekking pants
- A fleece jacket or sweatshirt
- A set of thermal wear: long sleeve t-shirt and pants
- Hats and gloves for cold weather
- Swimsuits
- Comfortable footwear
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- Bug repellents
- Good mood
2 Top things to do
- Appreciate the beauty and scale of the Sulak Canyon
- Wander in the ghost village of Gamsutl
- See the Naryn-Kala citadel built in the 3rd century BC in Derbent
- Walk the sands of the Sarykum barkhan
- Drive on a picturesque road to Karadakh valley, see its unusual rocks and labyrinths
- Walk around the liana forest - Samursky forest
- Make a wish in the ancient village of Kala Koreysh
- Climb the sacred Muslim mountain Shalbuzdag
- Descend into a mountain cave to enjoy the view of Salta waterfall
- Swim in the Caspian Sea
- Enjoy a variety of local cuisines and sorts of cognac
- Find out what local hospitality is all about
3 Things to bring back home
- Dried fruits and treats: apricots, apricots, figs, prunes, urbache paste, honey
- Sheep milk cheese or suluguni cheese
- Drinking horns, blades and knives
- Cognac: "Derbent", "Makhachkala", "Old Dagestan" and "Kizlyar" brands
- Local wine
- Carpets
- Ceramics and handicrafts