Ureki is a Black Sea resort with unique black magnetic sand. The beach is shallow and gently sloping, which makes it the best place in Georgia for a family holiday with kids. It's ~310 km from Tbilisi and ~50 km from Batumi, the swimming season is June–September with warm water, and accommodation runs 60–120 GEL a night.
While everyone heads to Batumi's pebble beach, an hour north hides Ureki — a village with black magnetic sand, warm shallow sea and pine groves. It's a different kind of holiday: not a skyline promenade but a calm, family coast where Georgians themselves bring their kids 'for the sand'. Here's how Ureki differs from Batumi, how to get there, and whether it's worth it.
Magnetic black sand: what it is and why
The sand in Ureki is black because it contains magnetite — a magnetised iron-bearing mineral. It's credited with healing properties: the sand's magnetic field is said to help the musculoskeletal system, circulation and nerves. That's why Ureki historically developed as a spa resort — people come to 'lie in the hot sand'.
The scientific evidence for these claims is thin, but one fact holds: dark sand heats up more than pale sand and holds warmth longer, and burying yourself in warm sand by the sea is pleasant regardless. Don't come for a miracle cure — do come for a soft, warm beach.
Why Ureki is Georgia's best beach for kids
The entry into the sea is very gradual: shallow for dozens of metres, waist-deep well offshore. There are almost no waves, and the bottom is soft sand with no pebbles or stones. In summer the water warms to 26–28°C, warmer than Batumi. For families with toddlers this is the deciding factor: the child splashes near the shore while parents relax. It's a rare combination on the Georgian coast, where most beaches are pebble with a sharp drop-off.
- Shallow and safe — no sudden drop-off.
- Soft sand instead of pebbles — easy on feet, great for sandcastles.
- Pine groves along the beach for shade and fresh air.
- Quieter and cheaper than Batumi — fewer crowds, lower prices.
Travelling to Georgia with a child? Ureki fits naturally into the route — more in the Georgia with kids guide.
Ureki or Batumi — which to choose
| Criterion | Ureki | Batumi |
|---|---|---|
| Beach | Black sand, gentle | Pebble, sharp drop |
| For kids | Ideal | Hard with toddlers |
| Vibe | Quiet village | City, promenade, nightlife |
| Infrastructure | Basic | Full (malls, waterpark, casinos) |
| Prices | 20–30% lower | Higher |
| Best for | Families, calm rest | Youth, couples, nightlife |
The takeaway is simple: Ureki for the sea and calm with kids, Batumi for buzz and city life. Many combine them — 3–4 days on the sand in Ureki, then a couple of days in Batumi for the city.
How to get to Ureki
| From | How | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| From Batumi | Minibus / taxi | 50–60 min | 5–10 / 40–60 GEL |
| From Kutaisi | Taxi | ~1 h | 60–90 GEL |
| From Tbilisi | Train to Kobuleti + taxi | 5–6 h | 35 + 25 GEL |
| From Tbilisi | Car | 4.5–5 h | fuel ~40 GEL |
The easiest route is the Tbilisi–Batumi train to Kobuleti station, then a 20-minute taxi. By car from Tbilisi it's a scenic, easy drive via Kutaisi.
Where to stay and what it costs
| Type | Price/night | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Guesthouse | 60–90 GEL | Families, budget |
| Apartment | 80–130 GEL | Couples, 3+ nights |
| Seafront hotel | 120–220 GEL | Comfort, breakfast |
Ureki and neighbouring Magnetiti are resort villages; book on Booking or Airbnb — 2–3 weeks ahead in peak July–August. A lounger with an umbrella is 10–20 GEL a day. Cafes are simple and family-run: khachapuri, grilled meat, fresh fish.
Beyond the beach: what else to do
Ureki is mostly about the sea, but for 4–5 days there's more:
- Paliastomi Lake and Kolkheti National Park — half an hour away near Poti: boat trips through marshy channels, birds, and the relict nature of ancient Colchis.
- Pine forest walks — groves of Pitsunda pine run right up to the beach, and the resinous air is considered healthy.
- Bike rental — the village is flat; Magnetiti and Grigoleti are an easy ride away.
- Batumi day trip — 50 minutes and you're in the city: waterpark, cable car, promenade. Back to the quiet by evening.
Food and infrastructure in Ureki
Ureki is a village, not a city, and it pays to plan ahead:
- Shops. Small markets and a farmers' stall with fresh fruit; there are no big supermarkets — for larger shopping people drive to Kobuleti (15 min) or Batumi.
- ATMs and cash. ATMs exist near the centre and petrol stations, but they're few and can run empty in summer — withdraw cash in advance. Many guesthouses take cash only.
- Pharmacy and medical. There is a pharmacy but a narrow range; bring chronic medication and a kids' first-aid kit. The nearest hospital is in Kobuleti.
- Food. Cafes are simple and family-run: khachapuri, mtsvadi, fresh fish, summer terraces by the water. Dinner for two with wine — 40–70 GEL.
- Connectivity. 4G is stable (Magti, Silknet); an eSIM is enough for a tourist's navigation and calls.
Not just for families: evenings in Ureki
Ureki is rightly known as a kids' resort, but couples and child-free groups have plenty to do too — just at a calmer pace. Sunsets. The west-facing coast means the sun sets straight into the sea; in the evening the whole beach watches it go down, and the black sand is especially photogenic at this hour. Dinner by the water. Summer terraces along the beach have live music on weekends — fresh fish, homemade wine, an unhurried evening without Batumi's bustle or mark-ups.
Sunset walks in the pine forest are cooler and more fragrant. A coastal bike ride to Grigoleti and back takes about an hour and works well in the evening. Some guesthouses offer spa and warm-sand treatments — a nice option for a couple. And if you want some buzz, Batumi with its bars is only 50 minutes away: an evening out and back to the quiet is entirely doable. Ureki is about reset, and for adults it works just as well as for kids.
We came with our two-year-old — the pebbles in Batumi were tough with him, but in Ureki he spent all day in the water by the shore. Warm sand, shallow, quiet. We rented a guesthouse for 70 GEL with breakfast. For a holiday with a little one — perfect.
When to go and for how long
The swimming season runs from mid-June to late September. The best windows are late June and early September: warm water, fewer people, lower prices. July–August is the hottest and busiest. Three to five days of beach time is plenty in Ureki, and it pairs well with Batumi and western Georgia — see the 7-day Georgia itinerary.
Arrange the coast trip, hassle-free
Want to get there and set it all up turnkey — Sakhva offers a private trip to the sea and Ureki with a guide, and if you travel with kids, a family tour of Georgia at your own pace.