35 Awesome Things to Do in Batumi, Georgia: The Ultimate Batumi Guide

Discover Batumi beyond the beach with my comprehensive city guide. Here are all the best things to do in Batumi (with a map included), plus the best Batumi restaurants, day trips and more!

The first time I visited Georgia’s Black Sea capital back in 2017, I didn’t exactly love it. When I returned and spent just over 4 months living in Batumi, the city grew on me in unexpected ways.

All the quirks and inconsistencies that baffled me the first time around are now the things I appreciate and adore. I’ve come to realise that Batumi is like several cities rolled into one; there are so many discrete pockets to discover, and only a couple of Batumi’s many faces have anything to do with sun, sand or surf.

Batumi may come off as superficial, but this city has real heart and soul.

Yes, there is a Batumi beyond the beach – that’s exactly what I want to show you with this updated Batumi blog. I hope this list of my favourite things to do in Batumi inspires you to delve beneath the surface of Georgia’s Black Sea resort city.

I’ve also included travel tips and a list of my favourite Batumi restaurants. Enjoy!

Essential reading for Georgia:
– My Georgia travel guide
– The best Georgia itinerary for 1-4 weeks
– 35+ best places to visit in Georgia this year
– What to pack for Georgia
– 12 things you should know before you visit the Caucasus
– Things to do in Tbilisi + Tbilisi day trips

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Please note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). Learn more.

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Is Batumi worth visiting?

Should you include Batumi on your Caucasus itinerary? It’s a fair question, and one I get asked a lot.

Batumi is usually associated with three things: Beach, bikinis and booze. If that’s not your scene, it’s tempting to skip Batumi altogether.

I do think there’s something nourishing and rejuvenating about being by the water (even if it is a rocky beach you have to contend with).

I still remember arriving in Batumi for the first time by marshrutka from Kutaisi and rounding that last wooded hill to get my first glimpse of the Black Sea laid out like a blue satin tablecloth over the tops of the poplar trees. You have to admit it’s a pretty spectacular scene.

During Soviet times, Batumi was a popular summer retreat. Nowadays, it’s an important port. The city still has that seaside resort vibe and the summer crowds to back it up, but there’s another side to Batumi that I really wish more travellers took the time to experience.

Batumi is the capital of Adjara, an autonomous region with its own flag, its own dialect (which borrows some words from Turkish), and its own delicious, indulgent cuisine.

Adjara’s black-sand coastline, super-lush interior highlands and warm, humid climate sets it apart from other parts of Georgia. The history, culture and religious composition of the region is also very unique.

Beyond the beach, Batumi offers bizarre architecture, beautiful nature, an excellent cafe culture, vibrant markets, street art, and much more.

Outside the city, you’ll find everything from Roman ruins to one of the region’s biggest botanical gardens and easy hikes in some of Georgia’s best national parks (including the country’s first Natural UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Colchic Rainforests and Wetlands). Many of these spots can easily be visited on a day trip from Batumi.

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35 awesome things to do in Batumi

There’s a lot to do in Batumi! For ease, I’ve divided this Batumi Guide into four parts:

• Overall best things to do in Batumi
• Things to do in Batumi when it rains
• Things to do around Batumi (Batumi day trips)
• Things to do in Batumi at night

At the end, you’ll find a link to the Batumi map I created, recommended Batumi restaurants, plus more handy Batumi travel tips.

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Overall best things to do in Batumi: Batumi highlights

As much as I love Batumi Beach – especially its sculptural outdoor showers and bright-red shacks – there’s so much more to Batumi.

Let’s start with the best overall things to do in Batumi beyond the beach.

1. Bike or walk along Batumi Boulevard

Batumi Boulevard is the city’s pride and joy. Laid out in 1884 and stretching for 7 kilometres along the seafront, it’s one of the oldest parts of Batumi and one of the largest parks of its kind in Europe.

The Boulevard area comprises a series of walking and cycling paths that thread their way through manicured gardens, past recreation zones and clusters of cafes. The wide Seafront Promenade hugs the Black Sea shoreline all the way from the lighthouse and port to the bottom of Lech and Maria Kachinsky Park.

When Batumi was part of Imperial Russia, the Boulevard was the spot to promenade with your parasole. During the 1990s, families gravitated to the Boulevard to escape the difficulties of daily life. Today, this is the place where all of Batumi comes to exercise, socialise and play.

The best way to explore Batumi Boulevard is to either walk from end to end, or to hire a bike from one of the vendors in the park and cycle (bike hire costs 5-8 GEL per hour). Electric scooters are also available. I recommend visiting in the early evening when the area is teaming with families and young couples. The vibe is wonderful.

Here are a couple of things to see as you make your way along Batumi Boulevard:

• Sculptures: There are dozens of sculptures scattered along the seafront, many of them romance-themed. The most famous Batumi sculpture, ‘Ali & Nino’, is an attraction in itself and features later on the list. Of all the weird sculptures and selfie spots, ‘Flip-flops on Eggs’ is probably my favourite!
• Batumi Octopus: Built in 1975 by architect: George Chakhava and mosaic artist Zurab Kapanadze, this massive three-dimensional Soviet-style mosaic sculpture has a cafe inside (formerly known as Cafe Fantasia). Locals call it ‘Octopus’ for obvious reasons. It was recently restored. You can find it here on the promenade in front of the Hilton.
• Japanese Garden: Just north of Octopus, in front of Batumi State University, there’s a beautiful pocket of Japanese-style garden replete with torii gate, red bridge, toro stone lanterns and maple trees.

• Batumi Summer Theatre: This is one of the most distinctive buildings on the Boulevard. The massive wooden structure is a replica of the old theatre that was built in 1949 and destroyed by fire in the 1990s. Shows take place in the summer months; times can be found here.
• Batumi Lighthouse: Located at the very end of the Boulevard in Miracle Park, this is one of the last relics of Batumi history in an area dominated by new buildings. A lighthouse has stood here since 1863. This latest iteration was constructed in 1882 and is a replica of the lighthouse in Sokhumi in occupied Abkhazia. (On a clear day, you can see the coast of Abkhazia when you’re standing on the waterfront near the lighthouse.)

There’s lots more to see around Miracle Park – I’ll cover a few more attractions in detail later.

2. Go for a stroll in the Batumi Botanical Garden

One of the largest botanical gardens in the region, this is a must-visit in Batumi. Inside the garden, you’ll find walking and hiking trails plus a series of panoramic viewpoints.

Batumi Botanical Garden was established in 1912 and was the most important facility of its kind in the Soviet Union. The location, an area known as Mtsvane Kontskhi (‘Green Cape’), is 12 kilometres north of the city centre and easily accessible by bus or taxi.

The gardens are set on a steep rise so be prepared for a lot of uphill walking – you’ll be rewarded with beautiful views of the Black Sea once you get to the top. You can take an electric car to the end and walk back down if you choose.

The whole area is extremely lush and cool in summer, making it a great place to escape the heat of the beach.

• Read my guide to visiting Batumi Botanical Garden, including the best hiking trails and photo spots.

3. Join a walking tour to learn about Batumi’s past

One of the best ways to discover Batumi beyond its beach image is to learn a bit about the city’s history. For that, I highly recommend joining a walking tour.

Walking tours of Batumi combine old and new to give you a picture of how the city has evolved over the years. Having a local to feed you tidbits of information and answer your questions is really invaluable. I gained so much knowledge and perspective on our Batumi walking tour, it was one of the deciding factors that made me fall in love with the city.

This 3-hour walk provides a good overview of the inner city and is available year-round. Alternatively, local tour companies To Georgia and Budget Georgia organise evening walking tours during the summer high season. Check their Facebook pages for more details.

• Related: The best walking tours in Tbilisi.

4. Step back in time in Batumi Old Town

There’s nothing I love more than wandering around a picturesque old town with my camera. Batumi Old Town isn’t as big or atmospheric as Tbilisi’s, but there’s still some wonderful gems to be found.

The core of the Old Town is located at the eastern end of the city, between the port and leafy Gamsakhurdia Street (formerly Mariinsky Avenue, established in 1911) – you can identify it as the lemon-shaded area on Google Maps.

The cobbled streets running east-west are rich with Art Nouveau facades, Art Deco corner buildings and magnificent old houses with carved wooden doors and wrought iron balconies. Heritage architecture stretches all the way back to 6 May Park, so it’s worth walking down these streets as well.

Most of the buildings in the Old Town date to the end of the 19th century, but some look a lot older. As you walk, keep an eye out for the information panels that reveal black-and-white photographs of what some of the buildings and streets looked like at the turn of the century.

Here are a few highlights of Batumi Old Town:

• Apollo Theatre: This Art Nouveau building is probably Batumi’s most distinctive facade. Along with the Mon Plaisir in Kutaisi, the original Apollo was destroyed during Soviet times and later rebuilt (it still functions as a cinema house, more on that later). Just opposite, you’ll see another famous Batumi building, an apartment block nicknamed ‘Stalin’s House’.
• Hotel O. Galogre: This grand corner building looks old, but it was actually finished in 2000! The local businessman behind it recently passed away so the fate of the hotel is up in the air.

• Inaishvili Residence: Built by a merchant in 1904, this is a typical example of a heritage Georgian interior – the likes of which you see all over Tbilisi’s Chugureti and Sololaki neighbourhoods. I didn’t get to visit the house myself, but there are some great photos of the frescoes here.
• Europe Square: Batumi’s biggest piazza is fringed by a strange blend of architectural styles. Because many of the newer buildings are done in the ‘Belle Époque’ style, it’s difficult to differentiate between old and new. But many of the facades around the square have been here for decades, most notably the old Post Office.

You can cover the entire Old Town at a slow pace in about an hour.

5. Gawk at Batumi’s wild modern architecture

The ostentatious buildings along Batumi’s waterfront are a complete juxtaposition to the classical facades in the Old Town. The strange silhouette of Batumi’s skyline is one of the reasons it’s been nicknamed ‘the Las Vegas of the Caucasus’.

In the 19th century, Batumi’s architects and benefactors took their cues from the West when moulding their city into a picture of European elegance. Fast forward to a future where city planners have let their imaginations run wild, and every building is a whacky utopian feat of glass and steel.

Modern civic buildings and highrise apartments range from the artful to the downright bizarre. Here are a couple of the most iconic Batumi buildings you need to see to believe:

• Alphabetic Tower: Probably the single strangest piece of Batumi architecture, Alphabetic Tower is a monument to the Georgian language. Characters from the alphabet wrap around the scaffold-like structure, culminating in a giant metallic orb. An elevator runs up the middle of the tower and there’s an observation deck at the top.
• Batumi Tower: At 35-storeys high, this is Batumi’s tallest building. It’s immediately recognisable because of the small gold-coloured Ferris Wheel embedded in the upper level (yep, really!). Batumi Tower was built under President Saakashvili and was supposed to house Batumi’s Technical University, but the plan never eventuated. The tower was recently purchased by private investors who want to turn it into a hotel.
• Chacha Tower: Another dream project that never became a reality, Chacha Tower was supposed to be one of Batumi’s biggest tourist attractions. The idea was to distribute free chacha (hard liquor) from four fountains at the tower’s base for an hour every week. For obvious reasons, it never really took off. Chacha Tower now sits dormant in Miracle Park.

• Batumi Piazza: This square was built in the image of an Italian piazza. Cafes and restaurants surround a central marble floor mosaic, one of the largest in Europe.
• Batumi Public Service Hall: In the early 2010s, Public Service Halls (or Houses of Justice) were built in all major cities across Georgia to streamline government services and increase transparency. Each one is completely distinct – Tbilisi’s ‘mushroom building’ is probably the most famous. Batumi’s Hall is a tall cylindrical building that was designed by Italian architect Michele de Lucchi.
• Batumi McDonald’s: Even the local McDonald’s is a display of architectural prowess! The restaurant at 9 Sherif Khimshiashvili Street was designed by Georgian architect Giorgi Khmaladze and is well regarded for its unusual shape and use of space. It looks a bit like a spaceship.

One of the most iconic buildings near Batumi is down the coast at the Sarpi Checkpoint. To see it, you need to take a bus or cycle down to the Turkish border (more on that later!).

6. Hunt down the best Batumi street art

From large-scale panoramas (including the single biggest mural in the country) right down to petite and difficult-to-spot gems, Batumi has some really amazing street art. Some are by local artists who take take their cues from the sea or Adjarian culture, while others have been painted by international artists from Iran, France and beyond.

The street art scene is one of the things that surprised me most about Batumi. You can find lots of murals in the Old Town and in the suburban streets around 6 May Park.

• Check out my Batumi street art guide and map.

7. Track down Batumi’s Soviet mosaics

If you’re into your Soviet-style mosaics and friezes, Batumi has a couple of notable examples that are worth tracking down.

Personally, I love the symbolism and craftsmanship behind these mosaics, even if they were created at a point in the country’s history many people would rather forget. A lot of Georgia’s mosaics are in disrepair or have vanished completely, prompting local initiatives such as Soviet Mosaics in Georgia to document and preserve them before it’s too late.

The most famous mosaic in Batumi is located outside the Dolphinarium. (As a side note, I advise against visiting the Dolphinarium. Later on, I’ll show you where to see wild dolphins in Batumi.)

Completed in 1974 by Georgian artists Zaur Tsuladze and Vaja Bjalava, the mosaic depicts a pod of dolphins and bikini-clad swimmers swirling around on one side, and a spiritual figure surrounded by several dolphins on the reverse.

There are two more examples of Soviet-style decoration that caught my eye. One is the pastel-coloured frieze around the doorway of the Batumi-Sochi high speed ferry passenger terminal near the Batumi Marina (above right). It shows sailing ships, ferries and aquatic motifs, with Poseidon in the centre.

The second one is a series of allegorical friezes (including Jason and the Golden Fleece) decorated with Georgian script (above left). It’s located near Rhino Coffee on Abashidze Avenue.

8. Indulge in Adjarian cuisine

One of the best things about spending time in Batumi is getting to try Adjarian cuisine. Like all regions of Georgia, Adjara has a number of unique dishes that are considered local specialities and traditionally prepared with local produce. In green, pastoral Adjara, dairy products are especially popular. I hope you like cheese!

Here are a few Adjarian foods that should be on your radar:

• Adjarian Khachapuri: The most famous version of Georgia’s khachapuri ‘cheese bread’, the boat-shaped Adjaruli Khachapuri has its roots in Adjara. Extremely decadent and rich, it’s served with molten cheese, melted butter and an oozing egg on top.
• Sinori: This dish consists of sheets of thin lavash bread combined with cottage cheese and butter. Pleated and arranged in upright scrolls before being baked, it presents wonderfully and tastes even better.
• Achma: Another type of khachapuri, Achma is local to Adjara and Abkhazia. It’s similar to Sinori but instead of sitting upright, the layers of dough are arranged like a lasagna. The crust is crispy and the inside is buttery and soft. Yum.

• Borano: My favourite thing to eat in Batumi is Borano, AKA Georgian fondue. Local to Adjara, this is a side dish made by combining local soft cheese (Sulguni) with hot butter so that it melts and stretches. Newer recipes combine the cheese with eggs, corn flour or potato to make the Borano a little lighter (I love the potato version).
• Iakhni: Similar to Kharcho, iakhni is a beef stew that uses nuts and spices to create a rich, thick sauce. It’s served in many Batumi restaurants but is traditionally eaten up the coast in the town of Kobuleti.
• Chirbuli: This breakfast dish reminds me of Turkish Menemen or Arabic Baid Tamat. It’s essentially eggs (either scrambled or sunny side up) smothered in a spicy sauce made with walnuts, tomatoes and herbs.
• Malakhto: The Adjarian version of Lobio is made from mashed red kidney beans combined with walnuts, spices and Isrimi, a sauce made from green grape juice.

My favourite restaurants in Batumi for traditional Adjarian food are:

• Laguna: Hands down the best Khachapuri Adjaruli in Batumi. There are a couple of different sizes and versions on this cafe’s menu, including one with less bread for the carb conscious!
• Retro: Another popular place for eating Khachapuri Adjaruli. Retro has several branches in Batumi and a restaurant in Tbilisi.
• BatuMarani: 90% of this restaurant’s menu is made up of Adjarian specialties prepared according to family recipes sourced from the villages around Batumi. You can try all the dishes mentioned above at BatuMarani – plus many more. As an added bonus, the decor here is really lovely and staff are extremely friendly.
• Cafe Adjara: The lunch set at this Old Town restaurant features small portions of six different Adjarian dishes, including Malakhto, Dolma, veal stew and Sinori.

Look out for more Batumi restaurant recommendations later!

9. Order the catch of the day at the Batumi Fish Market

There’s one more Adjarian specialty I forgot to mention: Seafood. Being right on the water, fish is a huge part of the diet here – and the fresher it is, the better.

A unique Batumi experience that’s beloved by locals is to pay a visit to the Batumi Fish Market. Here’s how it works: First, you enter the market part, a small room crowded with displays of brightly coloured sea fish, crabs and other goodies fresh off the trawlers out back. Pick whatever takes your fancy (red mullet is a popular choice) and take it to be scaled and cleaned.

Then it’s time to head next door to the restaurant section. Hand over your shopping bag to the chefs and they will fry it up for you while you wait. Sit down at one of the picnic tables and enjoy! It doesn’t get much fresher than that.

If the process sounds too overwhelming, browse the market then head out back to one of the restaurants on the waterfront, where you can order the same fish from an a-la-carte menu. Our favourite is Fishlandia (their garlic sauce is terrific).

Batumi Fish Market is located past the port, roughly 2.5 kilometres from the Old Town and Boulevard on the way to the Botanical Garden. You can get there by taking any of the Botanical Garden buses or a Bolt taxi. It’s open daily from 10am until 10pm.

10. Eat the best khinkali in Batumi at Khinkali Ludi

I’m giving this restaurant a special mention because it’s so unique and completely un-touristy. I spotted it from the bus window one day and decided to come back for a look – I’m so glad I did! The couple who run this place are incredibly kind, and the food is delicious. These are by far the best khinkali in Batumi!

There’s no menu, and staff don’t speak much English. But that’s OK, ordering is easy – just ask for a plate of Khinkali Kalakuri (pork and beef dumplings). I suggest 3-4 per person.

The dumplings are enormous and unlike any khinkali I’ve eaten anywhere else in Georgia (and trust me, I’ve tried a lot). The roughly shaped, perfectly-thin and flavoursome dough tells me they’re 100% handmade. The filling is almost equal parts herbs and minced meat, which is different to how kalakuri are usually made. In addition, they’re very spicy, with visible flecks of fresh and dried chilli.

They’re not as soupy as usual, hence why everyone eats them on their plate with a fork – totally unheard of in Georgia! We couldn’t believe our eyes when we saw people cutting into their khinkali instead of grabbing them, but that’s the way it’s done here, and it works.

The restaurant only has six tables and as far as we could tell, it doesn’t have a name (ხინკალი ლუდი, ‘Khinkali Ludi’ is the name on the window and it means ‘Khinkali Beer’). You can find it behind Batumi Plaza (see my map for the exact location). Dumplings cost around 75 tetri each.

11. Browse the wonderful Batumi Market

One of my favourite things to do in Batumi is walk through the agricultural market (Batumi Bazaar). Like the Green Bazaar in Kutaisi and the Dezerter Bazaar in Tbilisi, the vibrant display of fresh produce, nuts, cheese and dried fruits is a window onto the area’s culinary culture.

The Batumi Central Market is mainly indoors, occupying a huge, light-filled warehouse. There are two levels: Downstairs is the fresh fruit and veg section with the butchers out back. Upstairs is for preserves, honey and churchkhela, with a separate cheese section and a small area for ground flour. You can also find loose leaf tobacco and locally grown tea leaves, and lots and lots of coffee and spices. 

Unlike other markets I’ve visited in Georgia, this one is extremely well organised and sparkling clean. Each produce section has its own marked area with a gorgeous hand-painted sign hanging above the row of stalls. You can also find interesting allegorical murals on some of the walls.

Stores continue outside and into the streets beyond, but the main part of the market is located behind the freight railway station, just up the road from the Bus Station, roughly 2 kilometres from the Old Town. To get there, take circle bus 1a from the Old Town or bus #12 from Chavchavadze Street.

12. Find ‘Laundry Lane’

You never quite know what to expect from Batumi weather, thus every spec of sunshine is something to be cherished. Torrential rain can last for days on end, so when the sun finally comes out, so does the laundry!

Every apartment block and alleyway throughout the city is strung with washing lines. There’s one particular spot where the laundry is laid on thick – to my eye, it’s one of the most photogenic spots in Batumi.

The apartment block in question, which I’ve nicknamed ‘Laundry Lane’, is located on Melikishvili Street. You can see the exact location on the map at the end of the post.

When photographing laundry and street scenes in Batumi or anywhere else in Georgia, just be mindful that people do live in these apartments.

13. Grab a cold glass of kvasi from a street vendor

You know it’s summertime in Batumi when the kvasi (kvass) vendors start popping up. Kvass is a fermented beverage made from brown bread. It has a very minimal alcoholic content and a fruity, refreshing taste. Think of it as Georgia’s answer to kombucha.

It’s a popular drink throughout Russia, Ukraine and the Baltics – and apparently in Batumi, too. It’s sold all over Georgia, but Batumi takes it to the next level. The cool thing is the way it’s served on-tap from bright yellow ‘tanks’ parked on every other street corner. I saw some photos online of kvass vendors in Estonia in the 1970s – not a whole lot has changed!

People flock to these fill-up points bearing empty bottles. You can also buy kvass by the glass for 25 tetri or so. I quite like the taste. Throwing back a cold, foamy glass of kvass is a bit of a Batumi institution.

Other Batumi snacks I swear by are:

• Adjarian baklava from Baklava House or Koklozina Adjarian Sweets
• Ice cream from Luca Polare
• Sweets from Dona Bakery (the best cake shop in town)

14. Ride the Argo Cable Car for a view

There are lots of vantage points around Batumi for a view of the city skyline, including from the top of Chacha Tower. In the eastern suburbs there are two small mountains that both offer amazing vistas. The first, Anuria mountain, is accessible by cableway.

As I’m sure you know, Georgia loves a good cableway. You can find cable cars everywhere, from the Soviet-era ‘steel coffins’ in Chiatura to the popular tourist ropeways in Tbilisi. Batumi’s Argo Cablecar was built to connect the port area with a mountaintop entertainment complex in 2013. It soars 250 metres above the city, offering magnificent views of the Black Sea.

The Batumi cable car is open year-round from 11am-8.30pm daily. The bottom station is located on the waterfront, 650 metres from Miracle Park.

Return tickets cost 30 GEL per person or 10 GEL for kids. I have found a couple of budget-friendly alternatives to the cable car that offer even better views – keep reading for more details.

15. Visit Batumi Sameba Church for an even better view

Personally, I think the views from Batumi Sameba Church (AKA Holy Trinity Cathedral) are even better than those from the Argo Cable Car. Plus it’s also a lot quieter and completely free to visit. I recommend taking a car up then walking back down.

Georgia is famous for its majestic mountain churches (including Gergeti Trinity), and Batumi Sameba is one more to be counted among the most spectacular in the country. The church is located atop the opposing Trinity mountain. Its sand-coloured stone walls and glimmering domes can be seen from the port.

A church has been located on this site since the mid-19th century, but the building you see today was finished in 2002. The grounds also contain a nunnery and a large viewing platform that looks out in the direction of the Black Sea.

The church is open from 10am until 6pm in summer and closes early in winter. After hours, the complex is gated off – something we found out the hard way after showing up for sunset one night!

The nicest part about visiting the church, however, is walking back down the mountain. You pass through a series of pretty villages with panoramic views of Batumi’s skyline visible through the trees the whole way down. The walk is about 6 kilometres and took us roughly 2 hours when we did.

A Bolt taxi up to the church costs 10 GEL and takes around 30 minutes.

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What to do in Batumi when it rains

Heavy rain and spontaneous thunderstorms are not unusual in Batumi (winter snow is also a thing!), so it’s a good idea to keep a few indoor activities up your sleeve.

While you can enjoy these next Batumi attractions in any weather, they’re especially well-suited to rainy days.

16. Bask in Batumi’s cafe culture

Turkish-style coffee is very popular in Batumi and this is what you’ll see most people sipping at street-side cafes. You’ll also see ‘sand coffee’, coffee that’s brewed by heating the pot over a bed of hot beach sand.

In summertime, iced coffee with vanilla ice cream is the beverage of choice in Batumi. Privet iz Batuma and Shemoikhede Genatsvale both serve awesome iced coffees in tall glasses.

Batumi doesn’t have quite as many specialty cafes as Tbilisi, but a specialty coffee scene is definitely developing here. On a rainy day (or indeed a stifling hot day), nothing beats chilling out at a cafe for a couple of hours with a good book or your laptop for company.

My favourite Batumi cafes are:

• Rhino Coffee: Batumi’s first specialty coffee shop, Rhino roast their own beans and sell branded grounds as well as Italian-style coffee and bakery treats.
• Coffeetopia: This cafe has an incredible plasterwork interior that’s reminiscent of Cafe Leila in Tbilisi. Interestingly, a few scenes from the Soviet-Georgian film Love and Pigeons were shot here. Prices are quite high, but the quality of the coffee is pretty good.
• Erti Kava: One of Tbilisi’s best specialty cafes, Erti Kava opened a branch in Batumi Old Town in June 2020.
• Blue Elephant: This popular cafe serves great coffee and an all-day breakfast.
• Freeduchio: Decorated with colourful Frida Kahlo murals, Freeduchio has a cosy sitting room and a small footpath terrace where you can enjoy excellent coffee and light, healthy meals.
• Greejeen Coffee: Greejeen is a new specialty coffee house near the piazza, serving Shavi Coffee Roasters beans and delicious house-made cakes.

Leuville is another Batumi cafe with a beautiful interior, but I think it’s a bit overpriced and I didn’t like the taste of the coffee very much.

17. Visit a museum or gallery

There are several cultural institutions in Batumi that are perfect for whiling away a rainy afternoon. My favourite is the Batumi Archaeological Museum on Chavchavadze Street.

Spread over two levels, the museum exhibits artefacts uncovered on digs around Adjara, mainly from the Pichvanri Greek necropolis. These range from painted pottery to coins and gold jewellery, some of which has been dated to the 5th century BC. The collection of clay amphora and qvevri is particularly impressive. A lot of the signage is in English and staff are very helpful.

The Archaeological Museum is open daily (except Mondays) from 10am to 6pm. Entrance costs 6 GEL. More information here.

Other museums in Batumi worth visiting include:

• Nobel Brothers Batumi Technological Museum: Located in the north of the city just past the railway station, this small museum documents interesting chapters of Batumi’s history – with a focus on the oil industry, printing and photography – through archival photos and documents. Highly recommended if you want to learn more about the legacy of the Nobel Brothers, the Rotschilds and Alexander Mantashev. More info here.
• The Museum of Adjara: Housed inside a beautiful heritage building from 1883, Adjara’s flagship museum reveals the history of the region through artefacts and displays arranged over two floors. More info here.
• The Museum of Art: Established in 1995, this small art gallery displays works by prominent Georgian painters including Niko Pirosmani and Lado Gudiashvili. More info here.
• Ethnographic Museum Borjgalo: This incredible museum is the work of one man, Kemal Turmanidze, who has made it his mission to preserve and showcase Adjarian culture. Immersive exhibits showcase woodcarving, costume and traditional dwellings. This museum is a great choice for families with kids. It’s located in the south of Batumi, on the way to Machakhela/Upper Adjara. More info here.

18. Visit the Orta Jame, Batumi’s last mosque

Around 30-40% of Adjarians follow Islam. Along with Pankisi Valley in Kakheti, Batumi is one of the few places in Georgia where you can hear the call to prayer humming over the rooftops.

Orta Jame, also referred to as Batumi Central Mosque, is the city’s only active mosque. The name means ‘Middle Mosque’ and comes from the fact that it used to be one of three. The white minaret towers above the Old Town and can be seen from any of the cobbled streets near the port, and the courtyard contains an interesting Shadirvan ablution fountain.

The Orta Mosque was built in 1866 and adorned with decorations fashioned by local craftsmen. It functioned as a house of prayer until 1935 when it was seized and turned into a military depot. In 1946, the mosque returned to its original function.

Visitors are welcome to go inside the mosque outside of prayer times. I highly recommend stopping off to see the interior, which features wood carvings and brightly coloured plasterwork.

Worshippers have been petitioning for years to expand the mosque or build a second one to accommodate more people, but their request is yet to be granted. The Orta Jame recently reopened after extensive renovations and today it looks even more vivid and impressive than in the photos above.

19. Pop into the Batumi Cathedral & Batumi Synagogue

Batumi’s biggest Orthodox Church, the Holy Mother Virgin Nativity Cathedral, is an imposing Gothic Revival church on the western fringe of the Old Town.

Built in 1897 with donations from the Zubalashvili brothers – a pair of wealthy merchants who financed dozens of hotels, shelters and public libraries around Georgia – it was originally used as a Catholic church. In the Soviet era, it was closed and used as a power station before being consecrated as an Orthodox church in 1989. Many of the frescoes that were destroyed through this process are now being restored.

The three-domed facade of the church is very distinct, as is the interior. If the gates are open, it’s worthwhile stepping inside for a quick look.

Also worth seeing is the Batumi Synagogue. Its history dates back to 1899 when the city’s Jewish population were given special permission by the Russian Emperor to build a house of worship.

Designed by Semyon Volkovich and completed in 1904, the massive building bares a resemblance to other Georgian synagogues in Oni and Kutaisi, but with a distinctive white-washed facade. The blue-and-white interior is minimal and very befitting of its seaside location.

The Armenian Apostolic Church, St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, a Roman Catholic Church, Orta Jame mosque and the Batumi Synagogue are all located within a few blocks of each other – something I’m told Batumi prides itself on as a mark of diversity and religious tolerance.

20. Shop for local souvenirs

If you want to pick up a special something to remember your time in Batumi, the city has a few boutiques and shops selling locally made products.

For the foodies, Agromania has a great range of wines, chacha and liqueurs plus locally grown Georgian tea, tangerine products, honey, artisanal cheeses, and more. They also sell hand-felted slippers by social enterprise My Sisters.

See what second-hand treasures you can turn up at Antiques in Batumi, and shop local fashion designers at Yuliko & Friends.

For traditional Georgian handicrafts such as lurji supra blue tablecloths, enamel and ceramics, I recommend saving your shopping for Tbilisi’s boutiques.

21. Watch a movie at the Apollo Cinema

As well as being one of Batumi’s most striking facades, the Apollo is the city’s only working cinema. The theatres are managed by Kinoafisha, and screenings are in Georgian, Russian and English. Check session times here.

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Things to do around Batumi

Batumi is a terrific base for exploring Adjara, one of my favourite regions of Georgia. Once you’re done with the top city sights, these half-day excursions or full day trips from Batumi will show you the best the area has to offer.

• View a full list of the top 10 Batumi day trips (with detailed transport directions)

22. Explore Gonio Apsaros Fortress & Petra Fortress

One of the easiest side trips from Batumi is Gonio Apsaros Fortress. It’s located just 12 kilometres south of the city along the coast.

Gonio Apsaros is a well-preserved Roman fortification that dates back to the 1st century AD. A walk around the walled grounds reveals ruins from different epochs and a number of important burial sites. It only takes a hour or so to explore the fortress so it’s a good idea to combine it with a visit to Gonio Beach (a nice swimming beach in front of the castle), lunch at one of the seafood restaurants in town, or the hike up to Gonio Cross (more on that in a moment).

To get to Gonio, you can either join a guided excursion from the city, take local bus #16 or a taxi, or rent a bike and cycle down like we did. Entrance costs 5 GEL.

Petra Fortress is located in the opposite direction on the coast between Batumi Botanical Garden and Kobuleti. It’s not as well-known or popular as Gonio, but it’s still worth a visit, especially if you’re passing through on your way to Ureki. The popular Tsikhisdziri ‘Hidden Beach’ is located nearby.

Petra was constructed in the year 535 and is thought to be one of the castles mentioned in Shota Rustaveli’s epic poem The Knight in Panther’s Skin. The surrounding terraced gardens – the remains of a limonarium – look incredible from afar; on the ground, there are shaded walking paths leading you between the remains of a citadel, baths, farmhouses and soldiers’ barracks. Majestic sea views are available at every turn. Entrance costs 5 GEL.

23. Visit a nearby National Park

There are several national parks in Adjara region and neighbouring Guria that can be visited from Batumi in a day, including the four parks that make up Georgia’s newest UNESCO World Heritage Site. All offer opportunities for hiking, picnicking and water activities.

The most popular national park near Batumi is Mtirala National Park. Located 30 kilometres north-east of the city, it’s known for its dense forests and mountain streams that are criss-crossed with picturesque rope bridges. There is a visitor’s centre in Chakvi village where you can find more information about trails and accommodation.

There are regular minibuses to Mtirala from Batumi (more information here), or you can join a tour like this one, which combines a visit to the Botanical Garden along the way.

Kintrishi Nature Reserve is nestled further inland behind Mtirala National Park. The park is at a higher elevation than Mtirala so more dramatic mountains and ravines define the landscape here. Highlights include colourful rhododendron bushes, a series of pretty stone Tamari bridges and the gorgeous alpine Tbikeli Lake at the northern edge of the park, which can be accessed on a full-day 24km hike. Kintrishi is more remote so it’s advisable to take your own car.

In contrast to the highland parks, Kobuleti Nature Reserve is located close to the coast and is known for its marshy wetlands, sphagnum moss and nesting birds. There are boardwalk tracks, short hiking paths and a lookout tower you can use to navigate around the park. It’s easy to reach from Batumi in under an hour – first, take a north-bound van to Kobuleti then use public bus #1 to travel up to the entrance.

Kolkheti National Park, located 70 kilometres north of Batumi near the charming port city of Poti, boasts a huge wetland area and shimmering lake. Best explored by boat, it has been given the nickname ‘Georgia’s Amazon’ because of its thick forests and meandering waterways. It’s a bit tricker to access without a car, so I recommend joining a guided tour with transfers to and from the city (this one includes kayaking on the smaller Okros Tba lake plus a spot of cycling).

My favourite national park in Adjara – one of the most unique landscapes in all of Georgia – is Machakhela National Park. This area along the Turkish border contains pockets of primary Colchis forest that provide a perfect backdrop to hiking trails and a very unique mountain culture. Villages along the valley have a fascinating history and heritage of flint gunmaking, and there’s an ethnographic museum and various craft workshops located within the park. 

We recently explored the area by scooter – it was one Batumi day trip I’ll never forget.

• Here’s my guide to visiting Machakhela National Park from Batumi.

24. Swim in Makhuntseti & Mirveti waterfalls

Nothing beats cooling off in an icy mountain spring on a hot Batumi day. Makhuntseti and Mirveti waterfalls are located south-east of Batumi, above Machakhela National Park. If you have your own wheels, you can visit both in an afternoon and see the nearby stone Tamari bridges at the same time.

In the summer months, Budget Georgia organises small group tours to the waterfalls for a reasonable price.

25. Hike to Gonio Cross for a panoramic sunset view

The best hike near Batumi is just down the coast above the town of Gonio and Gonio Apsaros Fortress.

Gonio Cross marks the site of a future Orthodox church high in the hills above the coast. There’s a road leading to the lookout point, but it’s much more fun to walk up via the small villages and forest paths. Sunset overlooking the sea from the viewing platform is nothing short of spectacular.

• Here’s my complete guide to the Gonio Cross trail, with a map and directions.

26. Go for a swim on the magnetic beach at Shekvetili

Batumi Beach isn’t the best beach for swimming – instead, you’ll want to head up or down the coast to one of the smaller towns. Kobuleti is a popular choice, but nothing beats the black sand beaches at Shekvetili and Ureki in neighbouring Guria region.

While most beaches around Batumi are pebble beaches, Shekvetili has a coarse black sand. It has magnetic properties which are said to have various healing properties. Also, the striking black sand looks great in photos!

To get to Ureki/Shekvetili from Batumi, you can either travel by marshrutka or by train. Vans depart from Batumi Bus Terminal regularly throughout the day. The 60 kilometre journey takes just over an hour.

Other things to see in Shekvetili include the Dendrological Park and the Miniature Park.

27. Pop down to Sarpi for a peek at Turkey

The Georgian border is only 20 kilometres south of Batumi, so if you fancy a view of Turkey, you can pop down to the last town on the Georgian side, Sarpi, for a look.

This is where you’ll find the Sarpi Checkpoint, one of Batumi’s most recognisable pieces of architecture.

I hired a bicycle and rode all the way down to the border. There is lots to see along the way. Another option is to public bus #14, which will take you from the city centre all the way to the border for the low price of 30 tetri (or around 80 tetri if you pay with an international debit card – coins are no longer accepted).

• Read my guide to cycling from Batumi to Sarpi via Gonio.

28. Drink Chkhaveri at a winery near Batumi

If you’re looking for a Batumi day trip that’s less active and more culture-focused, there are plenty of wineries and family vineyards to check out outside the city. Upper Adjara’s Wine Route winds through the mountains The thing to try here is Chkhaveri, a special regional rose made from local grapes.

Adjarian Wine House is a very popular restaurant, cellar and wedding venue 15 minutes’ from the city. But it’s quite commercial and has mixed reviews – which is why I suggest visiting a small family winery instead.

My top pick is Beridze Wine Cellar, located 20 minutes from Batumi in Makhinjauri. As well as Chkhaveri, winemaker Zaira uses Kvevari, Usakhelouri and other grapes to make natural wines. The family offers wine tastings on demand, Georgian cooking masterclasses, and sit-down supra-style lunches. Contact Zaira through Instagram or by phone to arrange a visit.

Other wineries on the way into Upper Adjara include Mirveti’s and DidWine. This wine tour from Batumi combines wine tastings with a visit to the nearby waterfalls and a family-style lunch.

If you have your own transport to head into the mountains, you’ll find dozens more family wineries in Upper Adjara around Keda and Khulo.

• Related: My guide to visiting Kakheti, Georgia’s main wine region.
• Also read: My Tbilisi wine guide.

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Things to do in Batumi at night

In the warmer months, Batumi comes to life at sunset. The whole city undergoes a transformation as the sun drifts into the sea and the lights come on. After that, Batumi stays awake long into the night.

Here are my favourite things to do in Batumi at dusk and after dark.

29. Drinks at Batumi’s best sky bar

There are several sky bars in Batumi to choose from. The restaurant-lounge inside the Alphabet Tower is a popular choice, but honestly I think it’s overpriced (the elevator alone costs 15 GEL) and because the bar is completely glassed-in, the views and photo opportunities are not that good.

Umami at Clouds on the top level of the Radisson Blu Hotel is a much better choice. They have a mid-sized terrace that’s completely open, with views over the city and Black Sea. The bar serves local wines and cocktails, while the restaurant specialises in Asian cuisine (if you have a craving, this is for sure the best sushi in Batumi).

Stick around after sunset: If you think Batumi’s skyline looks striking during the day, wait until you see it lit up at night. Umami at Clouds is open daily from 11am until late. Call ahead to reserve a table or spot on the lounge outside.

For an alternative (free) view of the city skyline after dark, you can get a great photo of the Alphabetic Tower, Ferris wheel and Tower of Batumi all in a neon row if you position yourself on the waterfront further up the coast near the Railway Station.

30. Sundowners at Kartuli

Located at the opposite end of the city on the New Boulevard, Kartuli Hotel is the best place in Batumi to watch the sunset. The unobstructed views of the Black Sea and waterfront from the 37th floor are hard to beat.

Better yet, every room and common space of this high-rise hotel boasts panoramic views of the Black Sea. The sun sets directly in the hotel’s line of sight, which means you get a front seat every time.

If you’re a guest, you can watch the light show from the comfort of your private balcony or your bed. If not, Kartuli has a public bar where you can drop in for a sundowner. Cocktails, craft beers and local wines are all on the menu.

• Here’s my full review of Kartuli Hotel.

31. Go bar-hopping

Tbilisi might be the bar capital of Georgia but Batumi has some excellent offerings for wine, cocktail and craft beer lovers as well. Set aside a night to try the best of the best and experience Batumi nightlife.

Georgian Naturale Wine & Food (formerly Bu&Khari) is one of the best bars in Batumi and a must-visit if you’re a fan of Georgian vino. Owner Beka Minadze is an expert and can walk you through some incredible local and Kakhetian homemade wines (most are poured from unlabelled bottles, the real deal!). Organic and qvevri wines are a specialty. Also in the Old Town, Garage Wines matches local bottles with decadent cheese platters.

ChaCha Time and Sami Ludi Craft Beer Pub are two laid-back bars specialising in cocktails and beer respectively. If you want to socialise, Mary’s Irish Pub is popular among expats, Freespace has a fun vibe, and quirky Komuna is a local favourite.

32. Watch Ali & Nino embrace

Ali & Nino is a bit of a cliche but a Batumi must see nonetheless. Also known as the ‘Statue of Love’, the metal sculpture was created in 2010 by Georgian artist Tamara Kvesitadze. The two figures, Ali and Nino, come from the pages of Kurban Said’s terrific novel of the same name.

(Sidenote: If you’re planning a trip to the Caucasus and you haven’t read the novel, I highly recommend picking up a copy. It explores the relationship between Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan through the lens of a young couple’s Romeo-and-Juliet-style love story. The evocative descriptions of Baku and Tbilisi – plus the subtext of the novel – will greatly enrich your travel experience.)

Ali & Nino live at the top of the Boulevard near the Ferris wheel. You can visit any time of day, but it’s best to come at 7pm when the revolving platform starts moving. The two figures slide together, merging for an instant before drifting apart again.

33. Spot Batumi’s resident dolphins

The Seafront Promenade near Batumi Pier and Ali & Nino is the perfect spot to spy on Batumi’s resident pod of bottlenose dolphins. You can usually find them frolicking at golden hour around the sea port.

34. Watch the Dancing Fountains

At the opposite end of the Boulevard, in the artificial lagoon behind the stadium, there’s an evening show of a different kind.

The Dancing Fountains might be one of Batumi’s corniest attractions, but I secretly love it! Every night in summer at 8.30pm, music starts pumping through loudspeakers around the lagoon and the strip of fountains starts firing.

Spurts of water timed to the rhythm of Beethoven or Zorba the Greek shoot into the air. It’s a bit of fun to end the day.

35. See the sunset from the beach

This Batumi guide has been all about discovering the city ‘beyond the beach’, but I wanted to finish with a waterfront activity!

Batumi sunsets are the best in Georgia and honestly some of the most vivid I’ve seen anywhere in the world. I think it’s the combination of the glistening Black Sea reflection and the thick clouds that usually appear around sundown.

As long as it’s not too rainy, you’re all but guaranteed an epic sunset every night from west-facing Batumi Beach. The best part is that every sunset is totally different – one day it’s a mellow strawberry milkshake, the next day it’s a roaring burnt orange number.

I clocked up almost 150 Batumi sunsets while I was living in the city – but even one or two should be enough to convince you. There’s no better way to put a cap on your time in Batumi than with a beautiful sunset on the beach.

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Batumi map

To help you make the most of your visit, I created a free map of all of the Batumi attractions, restaurants and bars mentioned here.

Click here to open it in Google Maps.

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Where to eat in Batumi: Best Batumi restaurants & cafes

Aside from the restaurants and cafes already mentioned above, here are a few more recommendations for where to eat and drink in Batumi.

• Also read: The best restaurants in Tbilisi and Kutaisi.

Pirosmani

A local favourite, Pirosmani serves immaculate khinkali and one of the best tomato and cucumber salads I’ve had anywhere in the country. We ate here on almost a weekly basis during our extended stay in Batumi.

Tavaduri

If you’re after a good value, no-frills Georgian meal, Tavaduri is an excellent choice for lunch or dinner. I loved sitting on the top level balcony overlooking the street. Meat is a specialty here – the chicken and pork mtsvadi skewers are cooked to order over coals in a cute little outdoor grill on the street outside the restaurant. You can smell it well before it arrives at your table!

Shemoikhede Genatsvale

This is a popular local joint in Batumi Old Town with a generous menu of Georgian fare. I didn’t love the khinkali, but their chirbuli is delicious. We came back several times to drink their amazing (and cheap) iced coffees.

Oval

Newly opened in 2021, Oval is the latest restaurant by Guram Baghdoshvilli (the same chef behind the popular Chveni restaurant in Tbilisi). You’ll find his famous Georgian Croquettes on the menu alongside Meskhetian and Tushetian regional specialties and local seafood, including Black Sea mussels with tarragon and white wine.

Blue Elephant

Aside from the buffet at Kartuli, Blue Elephant serves some of the best breakfasts in Batumi. Choose from eggs, gourmet toasts or cottage cheese pancakes. The coffee here is on-par with the best breakfast cafes in Tbilisi.

Privet iz Batuma

The wood-clad dining room at Privet iz Batuma (literally ‘Hi from Batumi’) harks back to the days when Batumi was a popular Soviet seaside resort. This is exactly the reputation Batumi is trying to shake, but this cafe plays on the theme in a quirky, nostalgic way.

The food is a total contrast – there are plenty of modern, fresh lunch options (including sandwiches) and great iced coffees. Save room for something sweet from the revolving cake cabinet.

Heart of Batumi

A Batumi favourite, this family style cafe serves up simple but delicious Georgian and Ukrainian dishes. Portions are a little smaller, making it another good option for a light lunch in Batumi.

Radio Cafe Batumi

This petite restaurant/bar serves Czech beer alongside a refined menu of European and Middle Eastern dishes. Steak is a popular choice; I can personally vouch for the exceptional house-made pasta.

Chacha Time

Chacha Time serves the best burgers in Batumi – hands down. The ‘Georgian Taste Burger’ with sulguni cheese and sour plum sauce is worth a try, but I usually opt for the classic cheeseburger. They also serve a selection of artisanal chacha plus cocktails, craft beer and wine.

If you fall in love with the flavour, you’ll be pleased to know there’s a Chacha Time in Tbilisi, too.

Fanfan Batumi

If you like your bistros pretty with a bit of a French flair, you’ll love Fanfan. The restaurant’s mismatched vintage decor complements a menu that pairs local seafood with Georgian flavours (e.g. walnut-stuffed trout).

Fanfan is one of the priciest Batumi restaurants on this list – save it for a special occasion.

BERN

Located inside a historic building on Rustaveli Street, BERN is another Batumi restaurant that comes highly recommended. I haven’t had a chance to try it yet but I will report back once I do!

Restaurant Bravo

Another venue with an extensive menu of can’t-go-wrong Georgian classics, Bravo is a good choice if you’re on a budget and just need a khinkali fix. Don’t let the faux-fancy decor put you off – prices here are very reasonable.

MacShaurma

Shaurma is a bit of an institution in Batumi thanks to the Turkish influence. There are kebab joints on almost every corner, but we have it on good authority that MacShaurma is the best in the city. We only tried it once – it’s quite greasy, but it does hit the spot.

The blatant logo and branding always makes me chuckle. Watch out for the jalapenos!

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Plan your visit to Batumi

How to get to Batumi

Being Georgia’s second-biggest city, Batumi is extremely well networked and can be reached from any other city or small town by either marshrutka van or train. There is an international airport in Batumi, but it’s quite small and has limited flights.

The best way to travel to Batumi from Tbilisi is by high-speed train. From Kutaisi, the fastest option is marshrutka van. For more information and instructions for buying tickets, check out my transport guides linked below.

• Complete guide on how to travel from Tbilisi to Batumi
• Complete guide on how to travel from Kutaisi to Batumi

When is the best time to visit Batumi?

Batumi is extremely seasonal – packed to the rafters with tourists in summer and comatose in winter. Plenty of people live here throughout the winter, so not everything closes down. Summer on the other hand is very hot and humid.

Spring/autumn is a nice time to visit as it’s neither too busy nor too quiet. Late September/October is known as the ‘Velvet Season’ in Batumi and usually brings ideal weather conditions.

Batumi is notorious for rain and heavy thunderstorms – rather unfortunate for a city that prides itself on its beachfront. Rainy days are an inescapable reality, but it’s also what makes Adjara so beautiful and green.

How many days in Batumi?

If you want to explore the city at a reasonable pace and take a few day trips around Adjara, then I recommend spending 3-4 full days in Batumi.

As I already mentioned, the weather in Batumi is often far from ideal. If you’re coming for the beach and hiking, it might be an idea to incorporate a buffer day in case of cloudy skies.

Is Batumi safe?

Like elsewhere in Georgia, Batumi is generally very safe for tourists. Exercise the same common sense and caution as you would in any other big city.

• Read my safety tips for Georgia

Is Batumi expensive?

We find Batumi slightly more expensive than Kutaisi but slightly cheaper than Tbilisi. As always, it depends on your choice of accommodation and where you choose to eat. Prices are obviously inflated in high season, another reason to avoid travelling to Batumi at the peak of summer.

Transport within Batumi itself is cheap (as is standard across Georgia), but you’ll need to budget for entrance fees to some attractions.

• Read my guide to travel costs & saving money in Georgia

How to use the buses in Batumi

Batumi has a city bus network that you can use to travel around town and up and down the coast. Public buses run as far north as the Botanical Garden, and all the way south to the border at Sarpi.

Buses in Batumi do not accept coins, so you can’t buy a single paper ticket. Instead, you need to tap on. Dedicated Batumi rechargeable transport cards are available to purchase at Spar and Goodwill supermarkets. International credit/debit cards also work, but the fare is doubled. If you have a MetroMoney card for using public transport in Tbilisi, you can also use it in Batumi.

A single bus fare in Batumi costs 30 tetri.

Onward travel from Batumi

Svaneti (Mestia and Ushguli) lies directly north of Batumi and is an obvious choice for your next stop. We did this journey by marshrutka via Zugdidi. Staff at the tourist information office in Batumi are very helpful with explaining bus connections.

You can travel anywhere in Georgia by marshrutka or train within the space of a day, as long as you’re willing to wake up early.

If Batumi is your final stop in Georgia, it’s possible to travel onward to Trabzon or even Istanbul by bus via the border crossing at Sarpi. In summer, there are direct sleeper trains from Batumi to Yerevan.

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And there you have it – all my favourite things to do in Batumi! What did I miss? Please leave your suggestions in the comments below.

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