Anapa's beaches reopen after cleanup as summer bookings surge 40%

A once-polluted paradise makes a comeback. With pristine beaches and soaring demand, Anapa is the Black Sea's hottest budget-friendly escape—before prices rise.

, and Administrator

2026 April 15 . 2:07 AM

1 min read

The image shows a large body of water with a lot of construction equipment on it, including... — The image shows a large body of water with a lot of construction equipment on it, including vehicles, poles, lights, and other objects. In the background, there are trees, buildings, and a bridge, and the sky is filled with clouds and the sun. This scene is likely part of the construction of a new port in Russia.

Summer Bookings to Anapa Surge 30–40% Above Last Year's Levels

Anapa's beaches reopen after cleanup as summer bookings surge 40%

Bookings for summer tours to Anapa have risen by 30–40% compared to the same period last year, according to Sergei Romashkin, a board member of the Russian Union of Travel Industry (RST) and CEO of the tour operator Dolphin.

"Travelers are in a very positive mood, and since the beginning of the year, demand for Anapa bookings has been roughly 30–40% higher than in January–March 2025," he said. "Tourists believe the beaches will open, and that's what's driving this strong demand."

Romashkin noted that Anapa's affordability is another key factor behind its popularity this summer. Currently, it remains the most budget-friendly resort on the Black Sea coast.

The expert emphasized, however, that prices could rise once the beaches reopen, as Anapa seeks to align its costs with other top destinations like Gelendzhik, Crimea, and Sochi. For now, he added, it is an opportune time to buy property in Anapa at last year's prices—over the past year, real estate costs have increased by just 2–3%, TASS reports.

Earlier, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Saveliev announced that Anapa's beaches are scheduled to reopen by June 1, 2026. He stated that over 90% of the fuel oil contamination has been removed and that the water is now safe for use. Studies conducted by Rospotrebnadzor (Russia's consumer watchdog) confirmed the effectiveness of replenishing the resort's beaches with fresh sand. Following the agency's recommendations, the new sand layer will be at least 50 centimeters thick.