Batumi — Georgia's Black Sea resort capital, 370 km from Tbilisi. A 7 km promenade with skyscrapers, an Ottoman Old Town with carved balconies, a botanical garden on the cape, Gonio Fortress (2nd century AD), and mountain Adjara with waterfalls. Guided tour from Tbilisi from ₾250/person for 2 days. Batumi is the only place in Georgia where the mountains meet the sea.
Why Batumi is a must-see in Georgia
Batumi is the Georgia you don't expect. Skyscrapers on the promenade stand next to Ottoman buildings, palms grow alongside cypresses, and Adjarian khachapuri — the boat-shaped pastry with egg and butter — is made best here. The city has transformed dramatically over the last 15 years into one of the most striking resorts on the Black Sea.
Batumi is the capital of Adjara, an autonomous region with its own cuisine, culture and character. Adjarians are historically Muslim who converted to Orthodoxy, and this blend is visible in the architecture: a minaret next to a church, a Turkish bazaar across from a European square.
Batumi completes any trip through Georgia: after the mountains of Kazbegi, the vineyards of Kakheti and the history of Gori — a day by the sea is the perfect finale.
Getting from Tbilisi to Batumi
Night train — overnight service Tbilisi–Batumi (5.5 hours, departure 22:10 or 08:00). Cost: couchette ₾35-50, open berth ₾20-30. The most comfortable option — sleep on the train, wake up at the seaside.
Plane — domestic flight 40-50 minutes, from ₾70 one way. Georgian Airways or Wizz Air. Batumi airport is 6 km from the centre.
Bus/minibus — from Didube bus station, 5-6 hours, ₾25-35. Departures every hour.
Guided tour — comfortable car transfer + stops en route (Gori or Borjomi). Batumi tour from Sakhva Travel — from ₾250/person, 2 days.
What to see in Batumi in 1-2 days
Day 1: city and promenade
Batumi Boulevard (Promenade) — 7 km along the sea. Sculptures, fountains, cafes. Key points: "Ali and Nino" (moving sculpture of two lovers), Alphabet Tower (revolving restaurant at 130 m), singing fountains (evenings). Allow 1.5-2 hours.
Old Town — Piazza Square (modelled on Venice), Abashidze Street with cafes and boutiques, Orta Jame mosque (19th century), Armenian church. 1-1.5 hours to explore.
Argo Cable Car — 2.5 km from the promenade up to Feria Mountain (250 m). View over all of Batumi, the coastline and mountains. ₾25 return. Best at sunset.
Market — Turkish spices, fresh fish, Adjarian cheese, homemade chacha. The real Batumi without any filter.
Day 2: surroundings
Botanical Garden — 9 km from the centre, one of the largest in the Caucasus (113 hectares). Subtropical plants, Japanese garden, bamboo grove. Entry ₾15. 2-3 hours. Minibus #31 from the city centre.
Gonio Fortress — Roman fortress from the 2nd century AD, 12 km from Batumi. By legend, this is where the Apostle Matthias is buried. Entry ₾3. 40-60 minutes.
Surroundings: mountain Adjara
Mountain Adjara is the non-touristic part of the region — waterfalls, stone bridges and villages where the Adjarian dialect is still spoken.
- Queen Tamar's Bridge — arched stone bridge from the 12th century over a gorge. 50 km from Batumi. Free entry
- Makhuntseti Waterfall — 20-metre waterfall in a gorge. Swimming is possible. 55 km from Batumi
- Khulo village cable car — 900 m long, 200 m above the gorge. ₾1. One of the longest in Georgia
Mountain Adjara is a separate half-day route. The road is scenic but winding. With a guide it's safer and more informative.
Tour prices 2026
| Option | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Guided tour (2 days) | from ₾250/person | Transfer, excursions, guide |
| Night train | ₾20-50/person | Transport only |
| Plane | from ₾70/person | 40 minutes, transport only |
| Bus | ₾25-35/person | 5-6 hours |
| Argo Cable Car | ₾25 | Return trip, city view |
Adjarian cuisine: khachapuri, fish, chacha
Adjarian cuisine is a distinct branch of Georgian food, influenced by Turkish and Black Sea traditions:
- Adjarian khachapuri — boat-shaped pastry filled with sulguni cheese, topped with a raw egg and butter. The Batumi original is the best version you'll find anywhere. ₾8-15. Best at "Retro" restaurant or the market
- Fish (barabulka, flounder) — fresh from the sea, pan-fried. At the market from ₾10 per portion. In restaurants ₾20-40
- Borano — Adjarian scrambled eggs with sulguni in butter. ₾8-12. The classic breakfast
- Sinori — pastry rolls with cottage cheese and butter. A local dish you won't find in Tbilisi. ₾6-10
- Adjarian chacha — stronger and more aromatic than Tbilisi chacha. Home-distilled version at the market from ₾15 per litre
For more on Georgian food, see what to eat in Georgia.
Beaches in and around Batumi
Central Beach — pebble beach, 6 km long. Sun loungers ₾5-10/day. Water warms to +24-26°C by July. Clean but busy in peak season.
Botanical Garden beach — less crowded, clean water, views of the cape. 20 minutes by minibus.
Gonio Beach — 12 km from Batumi, near the fortress. Calmer than the central beach, better water quality. Minibus from the centre ₾1.
Swimming season: June-September. In May the water is still cold (+18°C) but the city is already lively. October is the "velvet season" — warm sea and no crowds.
When to visit and what to know
Best time: June-September for beach holidays. May and October ideal for sightseeing without heat. Winter is mild (+5-10°C) but rainy.
- Batumi is rainier than Tbilisi — pack an umbrella or rain jacket
- Book accommodation in July-August well in advance — peak season
- Night train is the best way to get there — saves a full day
- Market closes by 15:00 — go in the morning for fresh fish
Batumi makes the ideal final stop on a Georgia itinerary: Tbilisi → Kazbegi → Kakheti → Gori → Borjomi → Batumi.
Batumi feels like a different country inside Georgia. The sea, the palms, the khachapuri with an egg right on the promenade. Timur organised the transfer from Tbilisi with a Borjomi stop — we drank from the mineral spring and were at the seaside by evening. The perfect ending to a week in Georgia.