Batumi Georgia - Meet the Summer City of Georgia
Batumi is the second largest city in Georgia and is radically different from anywhere else in the country. It is more modern, cleaner and more well-groomed, the level of animals roaming it drops to almost zero (in fact, every dog you see will have its owner attached instead of a pack of dogs), people come here to vacation and pamper themselves and not necessarily to travel, and Europeans who don’t have a sea in their country come here to enjoy the Black Sea.
The beach is full of small stones of all kinds and colors, which may look amazing but not luxurious to lie on, and the beach services are quite minimal. So what does the city of Batumi offer its visitors? Great prices, pampering hotels, tasty and cheap restaurants of both local and non-local food, beautiful buildings and squares, an interesting old town and diverse trips in the city and beyond
Old Batumi
If you like to take long walks, you will surely enjoy Batumi! In the narrow and old-fashioned alleys, you discover magical places, restaurants, interesting local shops, modern buildings alongside old ones, graffiti, the daily life of the locals and bars. The farther you get from the port and the ancient part and walk along the promenade along the sea, the closer you get to the skyscrapers and prestigious offices that are completely different in terms of appearance and atmosphere.
Recommended hotels in Batumi
5 recommended hotels in Batumi Center –
What do you do in Batumi? Beautiful squares & parks
If you have walked all the streets in Batumi and you are already tired, many squares and parks are worth sitting in and enjoying both the sight and the atmosphere.
Piazza Square in Batumi
A square that is my favorite, in the center of which is a lovely mosaic, surrounded by interesting buildings, a beautiful clock tower, and has a great atmosphere mainly at night but not only – music, people, restaurants and more. There is probably a good reason for the Chabad House to have chosen to settle there – and you shouldn’t be surprised if you hear Hebrew around you.
Europe Square
Very large square and full of interest. The large fountain and the beautiful buildings built over the years in the different centuries make the spot a meeting place between past and present. Around the square are hotels, wonderful places to eat, the Statue of Medea, and the astronomical clock of Batumi.
A few minutes walk from the square is a wonderful pastry shop that you should visit at least once during your trip to Batumi. Remember the name “Dona Bakery and Sweets”.
Batumi Theatre square
Beautiful square with a pretty Greek atmosphere, Neptune fountain and of course the theater itself. Around them, you will see both completely modern buildings and old (and to be honest – quite ugly) ones, which adds to the special eclecticism of the city.
Miracle Park
The Miracle Park is located near the port and the bay where you can see the impressive Batumi Tower – which is the tallest in the city – and there is even a small Ferris wheel in front of it that gives a nice view of the city and the sea, the Georgian Alphabetic Tower, and of course the statue “Ali and Nino” (Love Statue) that is worth stopping for a moment and waiting for it to move.
Dancing Fountains
These are larger fountains than those on Batumi Avenue, if you walk along the promenade along its entire length, you will reach the lake of dancing fountains. Every evening from nine o’clock there is a beautiful audiovisual show, which is best sought out for the beautiful lighting rather than the sounds because the sounds of the frogs in the lake trump the sounds of music. I swear! Around the lake, there are lovely restaurants but keep in mind they are more expensive than the others in Batumi. Between the fountains and 6 May Park – you will find the mall of Batumi!
If you aim for Bamboo Grove, you’ll see more dancing fountains in a park surrounded by statues, leading in a fun straight line to the sea. The main thing is that there are plenty of benches in the area to sit and be impressed by the atmosphere and the fountain – which in the evening starts dancing every hour.
6 May Park
The oldest park in the country revolves around a lovely lake and is very popular with both tourists and locals. This is because it is not only charming and well-kept, but also surrounded by attractions – the petting zoo that also includes an animal hospital, a dolphinarium (Batumi Dolphinarium) and an aquarium adjacent to each other, with fish species from the nearby Black Sea as well as dolphins and seals.
Things to Do in Batumi Georgia
As you have seen there are lots of squares and parks to visit in the city, but besides that – Batumi has a lot more to offer. We have compiled for you all the most interesting options in the city of Batumi.
Batumi Promenade (Seafront Boulevard)
Batumi’s promenade is long and pleasant. You can walk along it or beside the water, whichever you choose you will have a very nice experience. In the park near the promenade there are sports fields of all kinds, bicycle paths, table tennis and billiards tables, beautiful buildings, statues, children’s facilities, cafes, and the proximity to the sea only upgrades the whole experience!
If you get tired, you can rent bicycles or scooters to ride the entire length of the promenade or alternatively go lounging on the beach. Although it is not sandy, the stones are special and it is an interesting sight that we are not used to. If you exhaust the stones and insist on the sand, you can drive to Ureki Beach – the black sand beach (and the harmful-to-phones! Be sure to wrap the device well).
The Batumi Bazaar
The bazaar is the big market of a city. You can find spices, fruits, vegetables, local products, fish and of course special local souvenirs. Highly recommend visiting it to soak up the local atmosphere. And don’t forget to buy churchkhela (a particularly delicious Georgian dessert made from grape and nut skins).
Aquapark Batumi
Coming with children to Batumi and looking for something to do with them? Batumi Water Park is an excellent solution. Small park and a bit far from the city center, but if you travel with kids it’s only a short taxi ride and you’re there!
Holy Mother Virgin Nativity Cathedral
The famous church in Batumi is very impressive inside. It is important to mention: cover yourself well and do not cross your legs if you sit down to be impressed by the paintings and atmosphere. They are very devout!
Batumi Synagogue
The synagogue in Batumi has an interesting history – it was built by the Russian Tsar at the request of the city’s Jews, later converted into a sports competition hall and to our delight returned to serve as a synagogue. Over the years it was even renovated and declared a national heritage site.
Argo Cable Car
The Argo cable car goes up to Mount Anoria where you can stand at the observation point and also sit in the restaurant overlooking the beautiful view of the city and the Black Sea. It is important to note that the carriages are not very ventilated, so on very hot days prepare mentally or wait for it to cool down – it is beautiful even in the evening. In my opinion, most of the experience takes place in the carriage itself when you pass over the city and its less touristy parts, the more dilapidated houses in which the locals live are exposed to us and give us a taste of the other Georgia, in places that have not yet reached the cultivation level of the center of Batumi.
Casino in Batumi
A lot of People come to Batumi because of the casino. Batumi has several casinos that you can choose from. Please be smart and responsible, I do not recommend gambling as a hobby 🙂
If you still can’t do without a casino, here is the list of recommended ones in the city –
Casino International Batumi at Hilton Hotel.
Casino Peace Batumi at Sheraton Hotel.
Casino Euphoria Batumi at Euphoria Hotel
Short sorties from Batumi
Holy Trinity Church Batumi –
The Holy Trinity Church in Batumi offers another view of the city, which in my humble opinion is wider and more impressive than that of the cable car. The church itself is not impressive but the view is spectacular! I climbed on foot because I like to discover the locals on the road (and also like to suffer as it turns out), but do yourself a favor and take a taxi. It’s cheap and quick, and worth it (compare Bolt and Yango and book ahead).
Batumi Botanical Garden
Around 25 minutes away from the city center by taxi or marshrutka (the local minibus that leaves across the road from the cable car). Over 100 dunams dominate the “green dome” that overlooks the Black Sea and gives an angle of a gorgeous view over the sea and from a certain part of the park also the city. You can hike or ride a scooter for a fee, and you can start at the main entrance and end at another point at the other end of the park and from there just take a paid shuttle to the starting point or the city.
Gonio - for history buffs
A Roman fortress with a fascinating history, which has changed hands several times over the years. Excellent for history buffs, but also beautiful and overlooking the sea even if you are less into it. And if you’re already around, you can combine a trip to the Adjarian Wine House where you will taste the region’s wines. Feel free to chat with your accommodation about organized trips there.
Mtirala National Park
About an hour’s drive from Batumi hides the wonderful nature of Georgia’s forests. The park offers a variety of options for all types of travelers: extreme – zipline and rope park, a difficult route up a sharp climb to the falls (the signs minimize the level of difficulty unless you are in good shape and your cardio is wonderful), or a more medium-level, pleasant and nice route, which descends and goes up to the lake. The brave who are not afraid of cold can bring swimsuits and splash in the water. If you are traveling alone, you can rent a car, and it is only important to know that there is nowhere to buy food and water (i.e. stock up in advance) and that the climate is tropical (i.e. you’ll get sweaty).
Makhuntseti Waterfall
Makhuntseti Waterfall is one of the most popular waterfalls in Georgia. It is located in Adjara, just a 50-minute drive from Batumi. It can be easily reached by car or on an organized tour. The waterfalls can be visited in all seasons. Around the falls you can buy natural products prepared and sold by locals, such as honey, churchkhela and cha-cha (local alcohol).
This article is written by Noam Gutkin – a travel and nature addict, and a tourism reporter for Romi Travel magazine.
