Things to do in Batumi, Georgia (2026): Travel guide and my tips

Batumi is Georgia’s Black Sea resort. And for some reason, I feel like this is one of the least visited cities in the country by English-speaking tourists – even though it still gets absolutely packed every summer!

So I was really curious to see what it’s actually like. Turns out, you can explore the streets and watch historic buildings give way to sleek skyscrapers, spend lazy beach days by the water, gorging on plates of calorie-packed local food, or go on hiking adventures in the surrounding mountains. And the list of activities doesn’t stop there. So, here’s my take on the most interesting things to do in Batumi or, better say, Batumi travel guide based on our big Georgia trip in 2026.

Article contents

1. Things you need to know before visiting Batumi
2. How to get from Tbilisi to Batumi?
3. Where to stay in Batumi?
4. Notable beaches in the area
5. Things to see in Batumi
6. Things to do around Batumi
7. Day trips from Batumi
8. Where to eat? Food and coffee
9. Essentials for planning your visit

Things you need to know before visiting Batumi

Here are the three less obvious things that stood out to me most and basically shaped my impression of the city:

• Architecture

Architecturally, Batumi is… something else. The city is bold and flashy – from the moment your plane starts descending and Batumi finally comes into view, you’re greeted by a skyline full of mismatched skyscrapers. But behind these high-rises, it’s total chaos – messy streets and half-finished buildings.

Batumi is the second-largest city in Georgia after Tbilisi, and it’s growing fast. Because of this, the whole place feels like one big construction site: Wherever we went, we heard drilling and saw temporary fencing. I really loved the Old Town, though. It’s full of preserved buildings in that charming ethnic Georgian style.

One thing that really surprised me (and not in a good way) were what we called “Frankenstein houses” – apartment buildings where residents have literally built extra floors or made additions to their living rooms by extending the load-bearing slab. These structures aren’t new – loose construction laws back in the day let the homeowners do whatever they pleased to the buildings with zero repercussions, but now the result looks pretty sketchy and definitely unsafe.

• Beaches

When people say “beach vacation in Batumi”, what they really mean are the smaller resorts just outside the city, where the beaches and water are cleaner. Is Batumi worth visiting then? Absolutely! The Adjarian capital itself is where all the action happens – the restaurants, the nightlife, the views, and many of the sightseeing spots. It may not be exactly the perfect place for swimming, but there are still plenty of things to do in Batumi that require being close to the water.

Why not choose Batumi’s beaches for a day outing then if the resort town is otherwise so great? After heavy rain, all the runoff from the upper parts of the city flows straight into the sea, so the water here isn’t crystal-clear. You can, of course, make do with what you’ve got – however, keep reading, because I will give you a few recs of amazing beach destinations close to Batumi.

You must also know that Batumi has a surprisingly short high season, basically June to September. Make sure you remember this when planning to visit Batumi.

• Parking

One of the paramount things to know before you visit Batumi is that there’re basically no parking spots here. It is a pressing issue that only gets worse as years go by. And the clearest example of this is Rooms Batumi – a trendy five-star hotel from Georgia’s best-known hotel brands – which doesn’t have parking. I mean, how does that even happen?

Very few hotels include parking spaces, so if you’re driving, expect to circle around forever before finding a spot – and once you do, leave your car there! You can make do in Batumi without it – we did just fine with buses and taxis during our last stay.

Important: Even though the “parking” filter on Booking only narrows the options down from about 1,700 to 1,100, it doesn’t actually solve the problem! Most of accommodation in Batumi are the shiny new high-rises along the coast with very limited parking – and hosts seem to mention parking in the listing as a formality, just to stay relevant. Some even refer to street parking, which, in this city in summer, basically DOES NOT exist. I spent way too much time trying to find a hotel with actual, real parking – and in the end, I chose Courtyard by Marriott Batumi. They have an underground garage that saved our days in Batumi.

How to get from Tbilisi to Batumi? Train, bus, or car?

For now, let’s cover the basics. There are a few ways to get from Tbilisi to Batumi – by car, by train, and by bus (or a minibus, also known as marshrutka in these parts).

• By car – our choice

You can drive from Tbilisi to Batumi in one day – it takes around 5-6 hours. I decided to break up the trip and spend a night in Kutaisi, then head from Kutaisi to Batumi the next morning to make things easier and see more sights along the way.

❓ I was a bit worried about the road conditions, mostly because of my memories from our first trip to Georgia almost ten years ago. Turns out, there was nothing to stress about. The road is decent: No sketchy or dirt parts and it’s divided most of the way, but expect traffic jams as you leave Tbilisi and are nearing Batumi.

If you’re renting a car in Tbilisi, or any other part of Georgia, I highly recommend using Localrent – my go-to car rental service in Georgia (and many other countries covered on the blog). Why do I love Localrent so much? You would too – the service has low prices, as it works with local rental agencies, and lots of cars without deposit. You can read more about essential car rental details in my guide to renting a car in Georgia.

If you don’t fancy driving to Batumi yourself (or if you simply don’t have the driver’s license), there’s another way to go about the journey – Gotrip, a service where you can book a private transfer with a driver. You can pick the exact car model and even the driver based on reviews. You don’t have to book the route straight to Batumi – you can add stops along the way (I’ll give you our list of the best stops between Tbilisi and Batumi in the end).

• By train – from 35 GEL

The journey from Tbilisi to Batumi takes about 5,5 hours (a tad less in summer months). In my opinion, a train is the second-best option. It is the most popular and convenient way to get from Tbilisi to Batumi Railway Station – rather fast, comfortable, and full of scenic sights that you can admire without any distractions. A modern double-decker train runs twice a day from Tbilisi Central Railway Station and the tickets cost 35 GEL / $13 for the second class and 75 GEL / $28 for the first class.

The ride is very comfortable: There are restrooms, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and power outlets in every carriage. Plus, the views from the window are gorgeous the whole way – valleys, mountains, forests, and finally, deep water as far as the eye can see! You can buy tickets at the station or online on the official Georgian Railways website. Just make sure to book early – tickets sell out days (weeks in high season) before the departure day.

• By bus – 45 GEL

Two main bus companies operate between Tbilisi and Batumi: CityBus and Metro Georgia. The buses depart several times a day from the Ortachala Bus Station in Tbilisi, and there are even night routes. Buses are comfortable and modern – with Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and reclining seats. There’re no restrooms onboard, though.

Travel time between Tbilisi and Batumi is around 6 hours. Price is 45 GEL / $17.

• By minibus (aka marshrutka) – 40 GEL

Let’s reminisce a bit: Our very first trip to Georgia was, coincidentally, the first time we had to use a marshrutka to cover the ground between the country’s most iconic locations. Back then, we didn’t know how to drive yet, so we planned to take the train. But we waited until the day of the departure to buy tickets on the spot (rookie mistake!), and of course, they were all gone. So, we had no choice but to go by marshrutka, hopping on it right there, at the railway station. And let me tell you – Georgian marshrutkas deserve their own chapter.

First, there’s practically no schedule. The minibuses leave whenever they fill up. The driver will usually ask what time you want to leave, tell you an approximate departure window, and quote the fare.

In Tbilisi, you can find marshrutkas to take you to Tbilisi in two places:

• The Didube Metro Station bus terminal
• The parking lot next to the Central Railway Station

Tickets cost 40 GEL / $15, and they run roughly every hour. Get ready for an unforgettable 7-hour ride (despite the 5 hours they promise) and some serious shaking along the way. When we finally arrived, we basically fell out of the minibus, stiff legs and all – so don’t repeat our mistake and book your tickets in advance or, better yet, opt for the car.

Where to stay in Batumi?

And this is the part where I start my relentless accommodation rant! But trust me, these tips will save you hours of searching for a place to stay in Batumi and help you avoid disappointment and unnecessary hassle on the ground.

There’s no shortage of accommodation in Batumi – people here will happily rent out even the most questionable shed to tourists. However, it’s not all cheap huts and back rooms; there are also plenty of big-name chain hotels that offer more comfortable stays.

Batumi has two main areas: The Old Town, with its low-rise buildings and cobbled streets, and the New Boulevard, lined with shiny high-rises that sport balconies overlooking the sea.

❗️ If you’re traveling to Batumi by private car, the Old Town is definitely not the place to stay. Parking is almost impossible to find, and there are barely a dozen hotels with their own parking – all with the kind of price tag you’d expect.

That’s exactly why we chose to stay near the New Boulevard instead. But even there, things aren’t quite that simple.

• We chose: 5* Courtyard by Marriott (from an eye-watering $180 per night). We justified it to ourselves by saying we were only here for a few days, the chain has a solid reputation, the location is right by the sea, and – crucially – there’s parking garage, which is a real luxury in Batumi.

What’s wrong with the New Boulevard? Well, it’s mostly lined with high-rise apartment complexes that I wouldn’t recommend staying in to anyone. They’re affordable, but located far from the city’s main attractions, and often feel like anthills – endless lift queues, poor soundproofing, huge parking problems, a dorm-like atmosphere, construction still going on all around, and the constant confusion over which tower you’re supposed to go to.

To make things worse, Booking is absolutely flooded with listings from owners of these apartments. They even appear under the “hotels” filter – which is ridiculous, because they’re clearly not hotels.

❗️ Want to steer clear of these places? Then avoid booking anything with “Orbi” or “Panorama” or “Luxury” in the name.

Want to see the real hotel scene in Batumi? Then use the “Hotels” filter on Booking.com and set the distance to “Less than 1 km from center of Batumi”. Or, if you’re in Batumi on a budget, go for “Guesthouses” instead.

Accommodations in Batumi Old Town come with an entirely different vibe – expect to find cafes, bars, and lots of iconic tourist attractions nearby. After all that searching, these are the hotels I ended up with:

• Batumi Wonderland (close to Old Town; from $60 per night) – this may sound weird, but my choice came down to this affordable guesthouse and the Marriott. And the reason is simple: The guesthouse has free parking and a pretty convenient location – not by the beach, but only a 20-minute walk to the Old Town. Plus, this is exactly the kind of place to stay if you want to experience Georgian hospitality: Judging by the reviews, the hosts are absolute sweethearts. In the end, though, we still went with the Marriott for its proximity to the beach and the pool with a view.
• 3* Boutique 32 (Old Town; from $75 per night, breakfast included) – another lovely option with a gorgeous port view in some rooms and parking on site ($15 a day). The hotel is very clean and quiet; it also offers breakfast. Big comfortable balcony with outdoor furniture, spacious bathroom, comfy bed, working AC, fridge, kettle – you can find everything you need here. The location couldn’t be better: You’re right between the tourist center and the authentic old quarter, not too far from the bazaar and all the main transport connections.
• 5* Tapis Rouge Design Boutique Hotel (close to Old Town and the beach; from $130 per night) – the location is a major win: You’re close to both the beach and the seaside promenade, as well as the Old Town. The hotel is set in a beautiful modern building designed in a classical style. And if you splurge on the Superior Suite – which, by the way, is only about $30 more – you get a balcony with sweeping views over Batumi and the sea. NO PARKING.
• 5* Rooms Hotel Batumi (Old Town; from $160 per night, breakfast included) – I can’t not mention the hotel from Georgia’s coolest hotel brand. Honestly, I’m a fan – we stayed at their properties in Tbilisi and Stepantsminda, and their room and common-area design totally won me over. The Batumi hotel is all about the sea: Even the entry-level rooms are styled like ship cabins. The location is as central as it gets but it’s such a pity they DON’T HAVE ANY PARKING whatsoever…
• 4* Piazza Epigraph (Old Town; from $150 per night) – and if you’re into that minimalist hotel wave – grey bathroom tiles, black fixtures, aggressively white fluffy towels, and floor-to-ceiling windows – this stylish hotel will probably be right up your alley. There’s also a great coffee shop, Nord, just across the street, where we often stopped by for coffee. NO PARKING.

We also spent one night at Hotel Chateau Iveri (from $150 a night, breakfast included) – a hotel with a winery about a 1-hour drive from Batumi. And let me tell you, it’s absolutely worth it. Besides the mesmerizing views of the vineyard-dotted hills, they make their own wine, including a fascinating red from the Satsuri grape, which I’d never tried anywhere else. If you can make it here, please do – it feels like a little holiday within your holiday.

Batumi beaches

Batumi beaches are just that – nothing special, exactly what you would expect from city beaches. Swimming here isn’t the best idea: As I’ve alluded to before, the water isn’t totally clean. We didn’t really see anything alarming, but we did notice some gray runoff pipes nearby.

There’s basically one long beach skirting the entire Batumi seafront. The closer you get to the port, the better the facilities – you’ll find showers, changing cabins, restrooms, and even an area equipped for people with disabilities. But the beach itself is far from pristine – cigarette butts, bottles, and plastic bags pop up here and there.

Sunbathing on the Batumi waterfront is no problem, though (sunbeds are 5 GEL / $2, umbrellas are 5 GEL, too). Just remember that the beaches here are all pebbly. My favorite beach is the one near Botanical Garden – Mtsvane Kontskhi Beach. The water’s cleaner here, and there are fewer tourists. And do yourself a favor – bring (or buy) water shoes. You really can’t get in the water without them. They’re sold everywhere – in little kiosks, beach shops, or by local vendors walking up and down the shore.

Otherwise, if you actually want to swim, you’re better off driving or taking a taxi either north or south of Batumi, to one of the smaller seaside towns that are much better for a proper beach day. They’re not far, but traffic can get bad in summer, so leave early to avoid jams. Check out these beaches near Batumi: Gonio, Kvariati, Sarpi or Ureki.

• Sarpi – about 20 kilometers south of Batumi

Sarpi is a small seaside resort village right on the border with Turkey. The 500-meter-long beach is considered one of the best in Adjara. Ask any Batumi local where they’d go for a swim, and Sarpi will definitely make the list.

We actually came here for the Sarpi Border Checkpoint – one of the most unusual and architecturally striking border crossings in the world, designed by Jürgen Mayer H., who has left quite a mark on Georgia. But the sea here was so crystal clear, that we simply couldn’t resist going for a swim.

The shore is covered in pebbles, and the water gets deep just a meter or so from the edge. You’ll find plenty of cafes and spots renting out loungers and umbrellas. The scenery here is beautiful: The border checkpoint is set against the emerald hills of Turkey – still largely untouched, with a mosque on the slope reminding you that you’re already looking across the border.

The only downside is that the beach and the guesthouses are separated by a busy road where trucks constantly pass through to the border. Still, Sarpi makes a great half-day or full-day trip from Batumi.

• Ureki – about 60 kilometers north of Batumi

Ureki is cheap, very crowded, and famous for its black magnetic sand (said to help with joint and heart problems). The beach stretches for about 5 kilometers and is nice and wide. The entrance to the water is very gentle, and that’s perfect if you’re visiting Batumi with kids. A pine forest grows right along the shore, adding shade and a pleasant scent to the air. The sea here is warmer than in Batumi because the black sand heats up quickly, so the water temperature is a few degrees higher.

During high season, Ureki gets flooded with tourists. I mean, every-inch-of-beach-covered-with-people-flooded. The town itself is tiny, it feels more like a big village, with not much to see besides the sea and sand. That’s neither good nor bad – just something to keep in mind.

Things to see in Batumi

Batumi’s iconic attractions strike a fine balance of historically important Georgian landmarks and new and daring structures. Both are equally fun to explore, especially if it’s your first time in Batumi.

The non-negotiable tourist haunts of the city include:

Batumi Seafront Promenade (aka Batumi Boulevard)

Batumi’s main promenade starts at one of the most iconic landmarks – the Ali and Nino sculpture, a symbol of the city – and stretches for 8 uninterrupted kilometers, all the way towards Batumi Airport. Most of the interesting stuff pretty much ends near the airport, at the plane-spotting area.

As you walk along the boulevard, you’ll find much more than just people sunbathing: There are cafes, parks, a Japanese garden, and a wonderfully bizarre Soviet-era cafe with a bold shape and a mosaic-covered exterior.

Batumi Boulevard is also the perfect area to watch old, restored Batumi collide with the city’s extravagant modern high-rises – that contrast is fascinating. The promenade is one of the best places to visit in Batumi at any time of day, but it’s especially magical in the evening, when the lights turn on and music starts playing.

Ali and Nino

Two metal figures – a man and a woman – slowly shift toward each other, merge for a brief moment, and then pass through one another, continuing on in opposite directions. It’s a moving scene in every sense of the word!

These steel sculptures were installed on the seafront promenade in 2011 by a Georgian artist Tamara Kvesitadze, inspired by the novel Ali and Nino – a beautiful yet tragic love story between a Muslim Azerbaijani man and a Christian Georgian woman. It’s about East meeting West, Islam meeting Christianity, and the ways love can bridge cultural divides – though, of course, not every love story has a happy ending.

This is where the camera plays tricks: In real life, the figures look much smaller than they do in photos – they’re only 8 meters tall.

When? Ali and Nino begin to move in the evening, at 6:30 p.m., and the full cycle takes about ten minutes

Alphabet Tower

Just a short walk away is the Alphabet Tower – a building that celebrates the unique Georgian alphabet (its entire schtick is that it is not derived from any existing alphabet). The beautiful letters of the alphabet run towards the sky on what is essentially a double helix DNA structure.

Honestly, I didn’t quite get this attraction. It’s billed as an observation deck, and you pay to go up. But at the top, instead of views of Batumi, you find a space taken over by a restaurant. Wandering around in circle past people deep in their hedonistic dinner just to get your money’s worth feels pretty weird… And spending even more lari is not exactly tempting. But to be fair, Batumi doesn’t have any other viewpoints.

How much? 20 GEL / $8 for the elevator ride

Dancing Fountains

The fountains are located in a park right by the boulevard. And the park itself is the kind of public spaces they used to build in Soviet times. There’s a colonnade serving as a grand entrance to the beach, plenty of unusual sculptures, little kiosks selling lemonade and ice cream, the obligatory cultural venue – the Summer Theatre, rebuilt according to its original mid-1940s design – and even a free bird zoo.

It’s a really fun area to wander around, but let’s get back to the fountains. The fountain show is one of the loveliest things to do in Batumi at night. Performances take place every evening after sunset – the lights come on, and water jets start “dancing” to classical, pop and rock music.

When? Usually starting around 9 p.m.

Japanese Garden

A pretty little oasis to hide at from the notorious Batumi summer heat! Both entrances are marked with traditional Japanese gates, and inside it’s a quiet, cozy park.

In spring and summer, it’s full of colorful blooms; in winter, the red Japanese maples still keep their stunning leaves. There’s a small pond with trickling water and bright fish, shaded paths, and a gazebo.

How much? Absolutely free

Fantasia Cafe

Batumi preserves colorful Soviet-era mosaics, which are now seen as unique traces of the city’s past. Many of these mosaics are genuine works of art, and the most famous one is the Batumi Octopus mosaic, part of the legendary Fantasia Cafe.

Located on Batumi Boulevard, Fantasia looks almost exactly as it did when it was built in 1975. Anyone passing by can still stop in and take a look at this retro gem of mosaic design.

Piazza Square

Here, we move to the Old Town. The square is Batumi’s take on an Italian piazza – a small corner framed by pretty classical-style buildings, with cafes and restaurants on the ground floors. Tables and chairs are scattered around the middle for those who fancy a tasteful, slightly bohemian pause over a glass of wine. In summer, you’ll often hear live music or have an opportunity to catch an open-air concert.

At the center of the square, you’ll find a mosaic made of marble collected from fifteen different countries. The concept behind it is the harmony between the urban landscape and the sea elements. The inner circle depicts a composition of five female figures, each representing a different sea deity, dressed in garments of various colors.

Europe Square

One of Batumi’s most popular spots, Europe Square is where many of the city’s main events happen – concerts, festivals, and the big New Year’s celebrations with the main Christmas tree. It’s Batumi’s central square, and it absolutely looks the part.

The area is designed to resemble a medieval European square and the surrounding buildings give the place a cinematic feel. In the center of the square stands the statue of Medea holding the Golden Fleece – a symbol of Georgia’s prosperity – with a fountain and the astronomical clock nearby.

The astronomical clock here is fully functional – it shows the position of the Sun, the phases of the Moon, and more. You can even tell which zodiac sign the Sun is currently in.

Pedestrian streets lined with cafes and souvenir stores stretch out from the square, and many of Batumi’s main attractions are just a five-minute walk away.

Argo Cable Car

The Argo Cable Car in Batumi is an awesome experience if you want to see the city from above – and one of the most popular Batumi attractions. The ride takes about 15 minutes, offering panoramic views of the port, the new and old parts of the city, and the mountains of Adjara in the distance. The route stretches for about 2,5 kilometers, rising up to 50 meters above the city.

How much? 38 GEL / $14 for adults, 9 GEL / $3,5 for kids aged from 5 to 12, free for those under 5

McDonald’s and Magnolia Building

You probably won’t see this recommendation anywhere else – this is my own little addition to the list. To me, this spot is the ultimate Batumi’s contrast: A sleek modern building standing right opposite a pompous unfinished development that is slowly taking on the sad, grey tones of abandonment.

The first one – shiny, new, and beautiful – is McDonald’s at Sherif Khimshiashvili street. From the side, it looks like a bird’s head with a sharp beak. With its all-glass structure, it has nothing in common with the kind of building you’d associate with McDonald’s.

And that “beak” points straight at Magnolia – a seafront residential building with a rather sad story. The apartments were sold out while the building was still under construction, but the complex never received an occupancy permit. Whether it was because the developers exceeded the number of floors or for some other reason, the building was eventually finished in a very slapdash way, and technically, people are not really supposed to live there. But the apartments had already been sold. So people live there anyway. And rent them out to tourists too – so be careful with anything that has “Magnolia” in the name.

What makes the contrast even stronger is the building’s attempt to look luxurious from the outside: All those statues, columns, and elegant facade details are now slowly growing moldy and peeling away.

Things to do around Batumi

Now that we’ve explored Batumi’s streets and its roster of tourist attractions, it’s time to move on to the natural wonders waiting just outside the city and learn the best things to do around Batumi.

Side note: Almost all of these places are easiest to visit by car. Since we drove to Batumi from Tbilisi, the car rental part had already taken care of for us. But you can also rent a car locally in Batumi through Localrent – they have a good selection, and the prices are pretty reasonable. You don’t need an SUV for exploring the area around Batumi – a regular car will do just fine.

Batumi Botanical Garden

The Batumi Botanical Garden is a massive tropical forest just 10 kilometers north of Batumi. Everyone says that you should spend at least 2–3 hours here – ideally half a day, or even the whole day if you want to relax on the nearby beaches afterward.

But honestly, I couldn’t last here for more than half an hour – Batumi’s heat got to me. The park is fairly shady, but the trees somehow seem to trap the humidity and block out any breeze. I found myself looking with envy at people cruising around in electric carts – yes, you can rent one here for 15 GEL / $5,5.

Expect to find tidy paths, labeled trees, and exotic plants from all over the world. The garden looks lovely any time of year – summer, fall, even winter – but spring is when it really shines. Everything bursts into bloom, the air smells fresh and green, and the sea views from the hilltops are just breathtaking.

There are flower terraces, a pond with golden fish, and scenic viewpoints overlooking both the mountains and the Black Sea. The pebble beach just below is considered to be one of the cleanest around Batumi.

How much? 25 GEL / $9,5

Side note: I really wouldn’t recommend driving here. Instead, take a taxi. First, the road leading up to the garden is very narrow, and there’s always a traffic jam. Second, parking spaces are few and they’re constantly full. In the end, we had to buy a bottle of chacha from an elderly local man just so he would let us park by his little stall.

Makhuntseti Waterfall – 30 km from Batumi

Makhuntseti is a beautiful waterfall and, most importantly, it looks like a proper waterfall – wide, powerful, and plunging from a decent height. It’s actually the tallest in the region. It’s located just a short 100-meter walk from the main road.

The waterfall is stunning, especially after a good rainfall – its full-bodied and ribbon-like cascading drama is more prominent with all the extra water. Bring a swimsuit if you’re visiting in summer – there’s a small swimming hole at the fall’s base.

How much? Entrance is free, and so is parking

Mirveti Waterfall – 27 km from Batumi

Another waterfall nearby, but this one requires a 1 km walk. The walk itself is scenic: First you cross a suspension bridge, which already is a little adventure, and then continue through the forest before reaching a waterfall. We visited in August, and Mirveti had more water than Makhuntseti.

Technically, you can drive across the suspension bridge to the parking area for 2 GEL, but for the sake of our rental car’s (the bridge is extremely narrow) we left it by the cafe near the bridge.

Be careful, though: We arrived early in the morning, around 8 am, and already in the parking area two stray dogs tagged along with us. On the way to the waterfall, we picked up three more. They were completely friendly towards us, but they kept playing with each other, growling and nipping. Just something to keep in mind.

Mtirala National Park – 30 km from Batumi

Mtirala National Park is a lush subtropical paradise. It’s one of the most interesting natural attractions in the region – a misty, green world of waterfalls, lakes, and mountain forests. Mtirala is one of the wettest places in the region, and nature here is THRIVING. It actually reminded me a little of the Azores.

The park has two main hiking routes: One short and popular, and one that is a longer, wilder trail fit for more adventurous hikers.

• The short trail leads to Tsablnari Waterfall and a small lake. It’s an easy, family-friendly hike about 1,5 km one way long. Even seniors and toddlers manage it. It’s a nice, simple route – the scenery here is not exactly jaw-dropping (unless you’re prone to whimsy), but still pleasantly beautiful.
• The main loop trail covers about 12 km.

Side note: If you’re planning to book a one-way taxi ride here, you have to know that it’s tricky to get a ride back. The best option is to arrange with your driver to wait for you (for an extra fee). Or book a tour with pickup and dropoff from Batumi ⬇️

Tour to Mtirala for $20 >>

Gonio Cross – 17 km from Batumi

Overlooking the village of Gonio, stands a concrete cross – and it’s massive. From this viewing platform, you get a full 360° panorama of Batumi, the sea, and the lush hills of Adjara. The jade-green hills are covered in tea bushes, by the way.

But now, READ CAREFULLY! Googlemaps shows a wrong way to get here – along the road that’s long abandoned. Organicmaps instead shows the correct way both from Batumi and Gonio village (driving right through Avgia village). But the road is still far from great: It’s narrow, constantly climbs uphill, has sharp bends, potholes, and some unpaved sections.

With our hearts in our mouths and the potential damage to the rental car already weighing on our budget, we made it almost all the way to the top – only to find out that the road was closed that day for pipe-laying works. Overall, it felt uncomfortable and a little scary. I really wouldn’t recommend this drive.

Instead, you can hike there: Follow the bike route starting from Gonio here. It’s 2 km uphill.

Gonio-Apsaros Fortress

Gonio Fortress sits right in the seaside village of Gonio and is one of the most important historical sites in Georgia. It’s not only one of the largest fortresses in the country, but it’s also the oldest – first mentioned in the 1st century AD. Originally built by the Romans, it later came under Byzantine control, and eventually became part of the Ottoman Empire. Legend has it that the fortress’s ancient name, Apsaros, comes from the Greek myth of the Argonauts.

How much? 15 GEL / $5,5

Day trips from Batumi

If you have enough time for a 1–3 days Batumi itinerary and you’d rather just enjoy the beauty of Georgia without worrying about logistics, then organized day trips are here to save the day.

I’ve rounded up some of the best day trips from Batumi for you:

• Wine & dine tour to waterfalls is a delightful mix – short hikes to waterfalls I’ve mentioned above, delicious Georgian food, and local wine. A perfect combo, really.
• This one one takes you to some of Georgia’s most jaw-dropping natural wonders – Martvili Canyon and Prometheus Cave, the largest cave in the country. Martvili Canyon is one of Georgia’s true natural treasures and among the top five most visited nature reserves in the country. You’ll see limestone cliffs, turquoise water, waterfalls, and have the option to ride in a boat through the canyon. These sights are quite far from Batumi, so an organized tour is the best option.
• And this route introduces you to more of Adjara’s natural gems: Makhuntseti Waterfall, Mirveti Waterfall, and the Ethnographic Museum of Zemo Chkhutuneti, where you’ll get a taste of local history and culture.

During our last trip, we actually went all out exploring the vineyards and wineries of Georgia and put together a complete guide for you – including other fantastic spots for wine tasting with accommodation. You can read it here.

Where to eat? Food and coffee

One of the best things to do in Batumi is to indulge in the local cuisine. Adjarian cuisine is pretty similar to what you’ll find in the rest of the country, but there are a few local twists. Thanks to its seaside location, Batumi’s menu includes more seafood dishes – a rare thing for most of Georgia.

Of course, the classics are still everywhere: Juicy meat dishes, khinkali (local dumplings), and all kinds of khachapuri (cheese-filled bread). In fact, this region is the birthplace of Adjarian khachapuri – the boat-shaped bread filled with melted cheese and topped with an egg yolk. I made it my mission to find the best Adjarian khachapuri in Batumi (and I think I succeeded).

Some of the other dishes of the Adjarian cuisine are:

• borano – Adjarian cheese simmered in melted butter, “Georgian fondue”, if you will,
• achma – another type of khachapuri with a crispy crust, more lasagna-style,
• sinori – a dish made of extremely thin layers of flatbread with cheese and butter,
• and chirbuli – fried eggs with a sauce made of tomatoes, walnuts and spices.

It feels like every corner in the city has a cafe serving great food at good prices. We never had a question of where to eat in Batumi lingering in our heads for too long. Khinkali and khachapuri are reliably delicious everywhere.

Batumi coffee and breakfast spots

🔹Rhino Coffee – a cozy loft-style spot with good reviews. The coffee is excellent (a small cappuccino costs 9 GEL / $3,5), and so is the food. They serve breakfasts including syrniki (21 GEL / $8) – great opportunity to try it if you still haven’t.

🔹Nord Specialty Coffee – arguably the best coffee in Batumi in the Old Town area! Try their raf citrus (cream-based coffee, very popular in some former USSR countries) for 15 GEL / $5,5 – you won’t regret it.

🔹Fox Coffee – absolutely adorable, and also one of the best coffee shops in Batumi in my opinion. The cafe is in a cute little house with a fairy-lit window display and a cozy interior. Most drinks are no more than 11 GEL / $4. There’s also a wall of handmade crafts by local artists – ceramics, knitted items, postcards – all super cute and unique.

🔹Freeduchio – this was our go-to spot for breakfast in Batumi. The interior is bright and colorful – carpets on the floor, graffiti-style murals on the walls, lots of personality. We ordered two breakfast sets (from 22 GEL / $8), and then decided to try their sweet syrniki with fruit (22 GEL) for dessert. They were so soft and heavenly that I ended up coming back for them several times.

Georgian cuisine restaurants

🔸Shemoikhede Genatsvale – that’s the place where we tried THE BEST Adjarian khachapuri, with fluffy dough and perfectly melted cheese. It’s not a “hidden local gem” but prices are still below average, and the food is delicious.

🔸Cafe Adjara – a small, pretty authentic restaurant with brick-lined walls and a laid-back vibe. I’d say it’s one of the best restaurants in Batumi. Soft background music, cozy atmosphere, and friendly staff – we asked them to skip the spicy seasoning, and they happily obliged. This is where I tried baklava with ice cream for the first time, and now baklava from Adjaria sits proudly on the pedestal of my all-time favorite desserts!

🔸Pirosmani – a solid choice with consistently tasty food. Expect both traditional Georgian staples and tried-and-tested European dishes. The dining room is a bit dark, but the terrace is nice. Prices are mid-range. Their khinkali are incredible – easily the best khinkali in Batumi (I can go so far as to state their dish is one of the best we had in all of Georgia). The only downside is that it’s always packed.

Essentials to plan your visit to Batumi

After reading my Batumi travel guide, you’re probably buzzing with excitement to visit the city and can’t wait to start planning your trip. Here’s some handy info to make your life easier.

When’s the best time to visit Batumi?

Locals say the weather in Batumi can be a little tricky – winters and falls tend to be chilly and damp, and summers can get pretty hot. The weather here changes constantly. It’s not unusual to see sunshine, clouds, and rain all in the same afternoon.

Rain is a frequent guest, and the humidity makes the usual +25…+30°C (77…86°F) feel heavier than you’d expect. And your laundry takes forever to dry.

Tourist season really starts in June. In May it’s still too rainy, and the sea hasn’t warmed up yet. We were here in late August, and while it was warm, it wasn’t unbearably hot – though a couple degrees cooler would’ve been perfect.

How many days do you need for Batumi?

If you are wondering how many days are enough for Batumi, I’d say two to three days if you’re short on time – that’s plenty of hours to swim, explore the city, and take a few short trips around the area. But if you’re after a more relaxed beach getaway combined with some Batumi sightseeing, mountain drives, and day trips to nearby spots, I’d say plan for about a week.

How do you get around Batumi?

Batumi public transport system works quite well. There are plenty of minibuses (called marshrutkas) and large city buses running all over town. There’s no metro here.

• You can pay for bus rides either in cash or with a Batumi Card, which you can buy at most supermarkets and top up easily at the orange terminals of the Bank of Georgia.

Marshrutkas don’t have fixed schedules and will stop pretty much anywhere you wave them down. Just raise your hand or call out to the driver when you want to get off, and hand him the fare directly.

But getting around by taxi in Batumi is so cheap that even though we came by car, we just left it parked and used taxis to hop all over town. Rides usually cost around $2–$3 tops. We ended up using them all the time. Download the Bolt taxi or Yandex taxi apps – both work great here, and drivers show up fast. Street taxis, on the other hand, tend to overcharge tourists, so don’t be shy about haggling – they can charge prices that are two to three times higher than the rate.

If you do decide to drive around in your rental car, though… let me just say this: There seem to be no traffic rules here, and plenty of traffic accidents. Drivers run red lights, ignore pedestrians, and cross solid lines like it’s nothing. And parking? Absolute chaos – people figuratively park on top of each other, getting full use of every last inch of parking spaces. Drive around very carefully so as to keep your deposit safe and sound.

For trips outside the city – like the ones mentioned above in my Batumi travel guide – it’s totally okay to drive the rental car.

What to see on the way to Batumi (if you’re driving a rental car like we did)

We drove to Batumi by rental car over two days, with a night in Kutaisi – just to take it slow and actually enjoy the towns along the way. We rented our car through our go-to service, Localrent – we’ve used them on many trips, and they never let us down.

*During our last visit to Georgia, our rental carried us through a bunch of day trips from Tbilisi – up the sketchy passes on the Georgian Military Highway, along the emerald vineyards and prosperous wineries into the Kakheti region, and many more, before finally braving the long drive to Batumi.

The main “offenders” and the main stops you absolutely must make along the way are the following:

• Uplistsikhe

Uplistsikhe is an ancient cave city carved into volcanic rock – one of the oldest settlements in the Caucasus, dating back to pre-Christian times.

There are around 150 caves that can be found in Uplistsikhe today (of the original 700!), and many are open to visitors. Admission is 15 GEL ($5,5), and there’s a paid parking lot by the entrance. An hour or so is enough to see everything unless you’re a huge history buff. The place is quite reminiscent of Cappadocia, so if you’ve already been there and you’re wondering whether to stop here or not – you can probably skip it.

• Gori

Gori sits perfectly along the route, so it’s worth stopping by. Especially if you’re into history – in that case, it might be one of the best places to stop between Tbilisi and Batumi. We spent about an hour here as well. The main reason most people come to Gori is the Stalin Museum, since this city is where Stalin was born and spent his early years. The complex consists of three parts: Stalin’s preserved childhood home, the main museum building, and his personal train carriage, which he used for travel.

Another local landmark is Gori Fortress. There’s not much to see here beyond the old stone walls, but the ancient masonry is beautiful and free, and even half-ruined, the fortress looks striking and monumental.

• Borjomi

Now, this one deserves more time – at least 3–4 hours. Borjomi is one of Georgia’s famous mountain resorts, known for its mineral springs and healing air. It’s a small, green, cozy town that’s perfect for a relaxing stroll. We walked around, tried the mineral water straight from the spring (free, by the way), and had a late lunch that was basically a dinner.

Borjomi is slightly off the main road, so it’s a small detour – and during peak season, expect some traffic when driving into town.

If you have time, take a short ride on the local cable car – it only takes 4 minutes to reach the top, where you’ll get panoramic views of the city’s central park, the Borjomi Gorge, and the surrounding mountains.

Hopefully, after reading my complete list of the best things to do in Batumi, you’re already planning a trip to Georgia – particularly the Adjarian capital! This wonderful, if slightly quirky, city is definitely worth visiting at least once in your lifetime.