Batumi: A Beach Town with Character
Batumi is Georgia's answer to the question "can I get a beach, mountains, food, and casinos in one place?" The city is small — you can walk the center in an hour — but packed to the gills: 7 km of waterfront, a botanical garden, a cable car up Mount Feriya, dozens of restaurants with sea views, and Adjarian khachapuri served boat-shaped with an egg and butter on top.
Batumi has changed dramatically in the past decade: skyscrapers have risen, an Italian-style Piazza was built, along with dancing fountains and a clock tower. Yet it remains cheap — dinner at a restaurant for two runs $18-25, and apartments with sea views go for $25/night.
Itineraries for Batumi
Top 8 Places in Batumi
The waterfront, Botanical Garden, Argo cable car up Feriya, Piazza, old Batumi, and a trip to Martvili Canyon.
1. Batumi Boulevard (waterfront)
Seven kilometers along the sea — the city's main attraction. Cycle paths, palms, sculptures (Ali and Nino — a moving statue of lovers). Free. Best in the evening when it's lit up.
2. Botanical Garden
110 hectares of subtropical plantings on a hillside. Nine zones: Japanese garden, Mexican cacti, Australian eucalyptus. Entry 15 GEL. 9 km north of the center, marshrutka (minibus) #31 (1 GEL).
3. Argo Cable Car
Up Mount Feriya (256 m). View over all of Batumi and the sea. Round trip 25 GEL. At the top: restaurant, Petra Fortress. Operates 11:00-22:00.
4. Piazza Square
Italian-style square with mosaics, cafes, and live music in the evenings. Free. Excellent dinner spot — 4-5 restaurants line the perimeter.
5. Old Batumi
Streets between Europe Square and Orta Mosque. Wrought-iron balconies, courtyards, small cafes. The mosque is the only one in the city; free entry.
6. Alphabet Tower
130 meters with a revolving restaurant at the top. Lift 10 GEL. 360° view — sea, mountains, city.
7. Martvili Canyon
2.5 hours from Batumi. Boat ride through the turquoise canyon — 17.5 GEL. One of Georgia's most beautiful canyons. Can be combined with Prometheus Cave (entry 23 GEL).
8. Gonio Fortress
Roman fortress from the 1st century, 12 km south of Batumi. Entry 3 GEL. On the way: Kvariati beach (clean water, fewer crowds, diving).
When to Go
For the beach — July-September (water 24-27°C). For sightseeing — May-June and September-October.
July-August — peak season. Water 24-27°C, hot (28-31°C), beaches full. Accommodation prices are 1.5-2x higher. Rain is rare, but when it falls it's tropical and brief (30 minutes).
September — the best month. Water still warm (24-25°C), fewer tourists, prices drop. Grapes and figs at the market.
May-June — for those for whom the beach isn't priority one. Green, cooler, excellent for canyons and the botanical garden.
November-March — rainy season. Batumi is the wettest place in Georgia (2,500 mm of rainfall per year). The upside: an empty city, cheap hotels, and atmosphere.
Getting There
Direct seasonal flights to Batumi in summer; year-round via Tbilisi by domestic flight, night train, or bus.
Direct flights — Georgian Airways and seasonal carriers serve Batumi (BUS) in summer (June-September). Flight times depend on origin. Batumi Airport is just 2 km from the center; taxi 10 GEL.
Via Tbilisi — year-round. Fly to Tbilisi, then take a domestic flight (45 min, from 50 GEL) or the night train (8 hours, from 35 GEL in a sleeper compartment).
Bus from Tbilisi — marshrutka from Didube station, 5-6 hours, 35 GEL. Runs hourly.
Food: Adjarian Cuisine
Adjarian khachapuri from 8 GEL, khinkali from 1 GEL/piece, grilled fish from 15 GEL.
Adjarian khachapuri — boat-shaped dough with cheese, egg, and butter. 8-12 GEL. A complete meal. Best at: Retro (Gogebashvili St. 4) or Porto Franco.
Khinkali — Georgian dumplings. 1-1.5 GEL each. Order 5-8 per person. Filled with meat, mushrooms, or cheese.
Fish — red mullet, flounder, trout on the grill. 15-25 GEL per serving. At the Batumi Fish Market, it's fresh and cooked in front of you.
Wine — local, by the liter: 5-8 GEL. Saperavi, Kindzmarauli. A bottled wine in a shop starts at 10 GEL.
Churchkhela — grape juice with nuts, 2-3 GEL each at the market.
Where to Stay and Get Around
Center (New Boulevard) is the best location; apartments from $25/night; the city is compact and taxis cost $2-4.
New Boulevard — near the waterfront, restaurants, everything walkable. Apartments $25-50/night in high-rises with sea views. Best district.
Old Town — more atmospheric, but accommodation is simpler. $12-30/night.
Kvariati / Gonio — 10-15 km south. Clean beach, quieter. For families. Accommodation $18-37/night.
Transport: The city is small — walk it. Taxi via Bolt or Maxim: 3-7 GEL around town. Bus 0.5 GEL. Airport 10 GEL.
Tips
Bring a swimsuit and an umbrella — Batumi can deliver sun and tropical downpour in one day.
Beach — pebble, not sand. Water shoes recommended for getting into the water (15-20 GEL on site). The sea is clean but goes murky for a day after rain.
Casinos — Batumi has 10+ casinos, the largest attached to hotels (Hilton, Sheraton). Entry from age 21, passport required. Free for foreigners.
Money — 1 USD = ~2.7 GEL. TBC Bank and Bank of Georgia ATMs on every corner. Cards accepted almost everywhere.
SIM card — Magti or Beeline at the airport. 10 GEL for 5 GB.
Weather — Batumi is the wettest place in Georgia. Even in summer a heavy 30-minute downpour can hit, then sun returns. An umbrella or rain jacket is essential.
Frequently asked questions
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