Batumi

Georgia_28country29

View of Batumi Batumi is the capital city of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara in the country of Georgia.

Batumi's coastal location and sub-tropical climate make it a popular holiday destination. It's the party capital of the region with a night life to match which increasingly includes big name international DJs on the beach-front clubs. Expect to party on the beaches with Russians, Armenians, Azerbaijanis, Iranians, Turks, Dutch, and, of course, Georgians.

Also, Batumi has an interesting architecture, mixing modern attempts with old architecture.

Batumi and its vicinity is one of the important tourism and resort zones on the Georgian Black Sea littoral. The climate is humid subtropical. The low annual range of temperature, with a mild winter and warm summer is a characteristic of the city and of the Georgian coast as well. The average annual temperature is 14.5°C. The average temperature in January, the coldest month, is 7.1°C and in August, the warmest month, 23.2°C. The annual precipitation is 2,560 mm. Showers are frequent. It rarely snows but when it does, the snow melts easily. The average annual temperature of the sea is 16.7°C at the shore.

The official and majority language is Georgian. Nonetheless, English, Russian, and Turkish are also commonly spoken. Russian is spoken by most older Georgians, while English is spoken by many (though hardly most) younger ones. In addition, because of the large number of Turkish tourists, it's not uncommon for locals to speak Turkish, or at least simple Turkish phrases.

  • Black Sea. Enjoy the waves and admire the beach, the port, and the Ottoman-era clock tower
  • Music fountain. A nice spectacle at night where fountains are operated to the sound of and music.
  • Dolphinarium. Shows start at 16:00, 19:00, 21:00 (except M). 15-20 lari.
  • Batumi Botanical Garden. Daily 08:00-21:00. Georgia has a remarkable tradition of (royal) botanical gardens. It is a quiet spot, next to the Black Sea on a high cliff and it both green and cool. Plan on a visit here to take a half day to nearly a full day as it is very large. Expensive by Georgian standards but definitely worth seeing. 15 lari.
  • Medea statue. Statue of Medea and the Golden Fleece in the centre of the city, near the Iranian/Azerbaijani joint consulate.

Cathedral of the Mother of God. Georgian Orthodox

Church of the Holy Spirit. Roman Catholic

Armenian church.

Old Mosque.

Synagogue.

  • Archaeological Museum, 77, Ilia Chavchavadze str, +995 422 23694, +995 422 24013. 10:00–18:00 (closed Su). Surprisingly good little museum with helpful and friendly staff. Georgian, Russian and English info and guides. Thorough background info, foreign coins, bronze vessels, glassware, ceramic, etc. Good collection of classical vases. Somewhat unpredictable opening hours. 3 lari adult, 1 lari student.
  • Adjara Art Museum, 8, Gorgiladze str, +995 422 27 38 94. 10:00–18:00 (closed M). Paintings of famous Georgian and foreign artists, sculptures and some samples of decorative art. 1 lari.
  • The Nobel Brothers Batumi Technological Museum, 3, Leselidze str, +995 88 222 7 11 75. 10:00–18:00 (closed M). Exhibits inventions introduced to Batumi at the end of 19th - beginning of 20th centuries by Nobel Brothers, Rotschilds and Mantashev. 2 lari.
  • Khariton Akhvlediani Museum. 10:00–17:00 (closed M). Houses archaeological materials of XII-IX c.c. B.C 1 lari.

Archaeological Museum, 77, Ilia Chavchavadze str, +995 422 23694, +995 422 24013. 10:00–18:00 (closed Su). Surprisingly good little museum with helpful and friendly staff. Georgian, Russian and English info and guides. Thorough background info, foreign coins, bronze vessels, glassware, ceramic, etc. Good collection of classical vases. Somewhat unpredictable opening hours. 3 lari adult, 1 lari student.

Adjara Art Museum, 8, Gorgiladze str, +995 422 27 38 94. 10:00–18:00 (closed M). Paintings of famous Georgian and foreign artists, sculptures and some samples of decorative art. 1 lari.

The Nobel Brothers Batumi Technological Museum, 3, Leselidze str, +995 88 222 7 11 75. 10:00–18:00 (closed M). Exhibits inventions introduced to Batumi at the end of 19th - beginning of 20th centuries by Nobel Brothers, Rotschilds and Mantashev. 2 lari.

Khariton Akhvlediani Museum. 10:00–17:00 (closed M). Houses archaeological materials of XII-IX c.c. B.C 1 lari.

  • Remains of Gonio Fortress, village Tsikhisdziti (Catch a bus from Tbilisi Square to Sarpi (1 lari) and tell the driver you want to get out at Gonio., +995 595 352120. 10:00–17:00 (closed M). Located at the sea shore the ruins host stunning views and interesting architecture. 3 lari.
  • Castle of Petra, village Tsikhisdziti, +995 590 880 121. Early medieval complex.

Remains of Gonio Fortress, village Tsikhisdziti (Catch a bus from Tbilisi Square to Sarpi (1 lari) and tell the driver you want to get out at Gonio., +995 595 352120. 10:00–17:00 (closed M). Located at the sea shore the ruins host stunning views and interesting architecture. 3 lari.

Castle of Petra, village Tsikhisdziti, +995 590 880 121. Early medieval complex.

Black Sea. Enjoy the waves and admire the beach, the port, and the [[:wikipedia:Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]]-era clock tower

Music fountain. A nice spectacle at night where fountains are operated to the sound of and music.

Dolphinarium. Shows start at 16:00, 19:00, 21:00 (except M). 15-20 lari.

Batumi Botanical Garden. Daily 08:00-21:00. Georgia has a remarkable tradition of (royal) botanical gardens. It is a quiet spot, next to the Black Sea on a high cliff and it both green and cool. Plan on a visit here to take a half day to nearly a full day as it is very large. Expensive by Georgian standards but definitely worth seeing. 15 lari.

Medea statue. Statue of Medea and the Golden Fleece in the centre of the city, near the Iranian/Azerbaijani joint consulate.

Walk along the 'Bulvar' and watch the beach. During daytime families and youngsters play, during nighttime it is the favourite place for couples and party-goers. There are a number of restaurants and bars both on the beach and a little inland. The area is generally safe, but watch out for pick-pocketing. Batumi also has many casinos, for visitors so inclined. These tend to have an over-21 policy.

  • Panoramic Wheel. Attraction total time : 7min 5 lari.
  • Cable car. 09:00-02:00. Goes directly to the small (about 250 m height) nearby hill with a nice restaurant on top of it. Stunning views, especially at night. 15 lari.
  • Aqua Park, 12, Khimshiashvili St. (3 km from the city centre, +995 422 210101.
  • Olympic Swimming Pool, Batumi Plaza Hotel, 50 Chavchavadze str. M-F 07:00-23:00, Sa-Su 09:00-21:00.
  • Boat tour. Lots of boats offering boat tours. Yacht can also be chartered. from 15 lari.
  • 6 May Park. Nice park with Nurigeli Lake in the middle of it. There is also a zoo corner in the northern part of it, but some animals (monkeys in particular) are kept in quite a tiny cages, so animal lovers might not enjoy it.

Batumi Drama Theatre, 1 Rustaveli Ave, +995 422 274280.

Batumi Puppet and youth state Theatre, M.Abashidze Ave. 49, +995 422 276234, +995 422 270593.

  • Black Sea Jazz Festival. July 24-27. Annual Jazz festival.

Black Sea Jazz Festival. July 24-27. Annual Jazz festival.

Panoramic Wheel. Attraction total time : 7min 5 lari.

Cable car. 09:00-02:00. Goes directly to the small (about 250 m height) nearby hill with a nice restaurant on top of it. Stunning views, especially at night. 15 lari.

Aqua Park, 12, Khimshiashvili St. (3 km from the city centre, +995 422 210101.

Olympic Swimming Pool, Batumi Plaza Hotel, 50 Chavchavadze str. M-F 07:00-23:00, Sa-Su 09:00-21:00.

Boat tour. Lots of boats offering boat tours. Yacht can also be chartered. from 15 lari.

6 May Park. Nice park with Nurigeli Lake in the middle of it. There is also a zoo corner in the northern part of it, but some animals (monkeys in particular) are kept in quite a tiny cages, so animal lovers might not enjoy it.

The main (open-air) food and clothes market in the city is on the Eastern side, near the sea on the main (Chavchavadze) street. In poor weather the sellers move down side streets under umbrellas and are harder to spot, but still there. Vegetables and grains are much cheaper here than at the smaller indoor 'markets' dotted around the city.

Closer to the main crossroads is 'tobacco street' (still on Chavchavadze). The salesmen are easily visible with their wares heaped up in bowls on stands. Prices start at about 50 lari a kilo (locals can pay half this) and the product can be rather good. As always, watch the scales so as not to be ripped off. They are more than willing to make a small taster cigarette if requested.

As per usual in Georgia, prices are almost always slightly higher in the supermarkets than in the small family-run shops. This is counter to what most westerners will be used to. The difference is about 5–10%.

  • Goodwill Supermarket, Chavchavadze Avenue. Many goods not available in smaller shops. Many of the products come from Germany.
  • Carrefour, Tbel-Abuseridze St (Bus #12, +995 422 20 03 74. Supermarket at the Black Sea Mall
  • Metro City Forum, 1 Lech and Maria Kaczynski Street, +995 577 14 17 14. Shopping mall
  • Nikora Supermarket. Georgian supermarket chain operating at several locations in Batumi.

Goodwill Supermarket, Chavchavadze Avenue. Many goods not available in smaller shops. Many of the products come from Germany.

Carrefour, Tbel-Abuseridze St (Bus #12, +995 422 20 03 74. Supermarket at the Black Sea Mall

Metro City Forum, 1 Lech and Maria Kaczynski Street, +995 577 14 17 14. Shopping mall

Nikora Supermarket. Georgian supermarket chain operating at several locations in Batumi.

Western Georgia has plenty of local flavours, and a local specialty is a type of khachapuri named acharuli khachapuri (Ajarian khachapuri) that resembles a Viking boat, with the cheese all mixed up with an egg in the centre.

The (vegan) Georgian classic, lobiani (kidney bean paste in bread or pastry) is available at any small bakery around the city. Most are 1 lari but can be up to 1.50. Perhaps the best lobianis in the city are sold just north of the cross section of K. Gamsakhurdia and V. Gorgasali streets, in a nondescript bakery opposite Carpisa and Georgian Kitchen. Unlike other doughy lobianis in the city, they are triangular with flaky pastry. 1.20 lari (as of Mar 2019).

Since Batumi is a also seaport, you have to try the fish here! Head to the local Fish Market., buy some of your choice and take with you to your ho(s)tel, or let it be prepared at one of the many restaurants there. Preparation costs 3-5 lari, plus the fish 20-30 lari per kg. Salmon is quite cheap, flounder a little more expensive. Take some Ojakhuri or mashed potatoes with the fish. Btw. it is better to buy the fish yourself, since the restaurants charge about twice the original price for the fish when ordered inside of the restaurant. And so you really know what you get.

Since Batumi is a also seaport, you have to try the fish here! Head to the local Fish Market., buy some of your choice and take with you to your ho(s)tel, or let it be prepared at one of the many restaurants there. Preparation costs 3-5 lari, plus the fish 20-30 lari per kg. Salmon is quite cheap, flounder a little more expensive. Take some Ojakhuri or mashed potatoes with the fish. Btw. it is better to buy the fish yourself, since the restaurants charge about twice the original price for the fish when ordered inside of the restaurant. And so you really know what you get.

  • Adjara, Kutaisi street 11 (close to HB restaurant - a german style place (it's the only blue building in this area. A wide variety of different kinds of local and international food (khachapuris, pkhalis, pakhlava etc.) If you crave for something sweet then their brownie is something for you. They have free Wi-Fi and a friendly English-speaking staff.
  • Boulangerie, M. Abashidze Street 11 (near the corner of Mazniashvili Street. A French-style bakery/cafe which looks quite posh but has much lower prices than similar places in Tbilisi. A very nice cappuccino or latte is 3 lari. There are many cakes, croissants, etc.
  • Cafe La Vita Batumi.
  • Cafe Literaturuli, K. Gamsakhurdia St 18 (near Europe Square (formerly Era Square). This upscale bookstore-cafe has a number of branches in Tbilisi (in Kala, Vake, Vera, and Saburtalo), but the Batumi location is all the more attractive given the relative dearth of good and service-oriented restaurants in Batumi. Coffees, cakes, and basic Georgian sandwiches (plus khachapuri and lobiani) all available, although the menu seems more like a guideline to what might be available on any given day rather than a list of what's actually in the kitchen.
  • Press Cafe, 1 Akhmed Melashvili Street, Batumi (on the coastal road right next to the Ukrainian restaurant, +995 422 27 52 79. daily 10:00-01:00. It has fast Wi-Fi (for Batumi) and cheap food and drinks, but beware at some point you will be kicked out suddenly for a school group.
  • Privet iz Batumi, 39 Abashidze (near Europe Square (formerly Era Square). This charming "colonial Russia" theme cafe is a Batumi institution, with Georgians as well as foreigners peopling its picturesque outdoor tables. The menu is short on hot dishes, but the many kinds of blinis are delicious.
  • Radio Cafe & Bar, 11, Rustaveli str. (on the main street, +995555974977. 15:00-00:00. Good place to go if you are looking for non-Georgian food in Batumi. Good choice of wine and cocktails. Staff are very friendly.
  • San Remo Restaurant. Elegant, with good Georgian and international food.
  • Munich, Kutaisi/Kostava str.8/5, 6000, +995 422 227284. 10:00-02:00. Restaurant with German traditional cuisine. Pizza, Seafood and Vegan dishes are also served. Paying: Visa, American Express, Mastercard and Cash. Restaurant has open-air seats also. A bit overpriced. US$15 for one course meal per person.

Adjara, Kutaisi street 11 (close to HB restaurant - a german style place (it's the only blue building in this area. A wide variety of different kinds of local and international food (khachapuris, pkhalis, pakhlava etc.) If you crave for something sweet then their brownie is something for you. They have free Wi-Fi and a friendly English-speaking staff.

Boulangerie, M. Abashidze Street 11 (near the corner of Mazniashvili Street. A French-style bakery/cafe which looks quite posh but has much lower prices than similar places in Tbilisi. A very nice cappuccino or latte is 3 lari. There are many cakes, croissants, etc.

Cafe La Vita Batumi.

Cafe Literaturuli, K. Gamsakhurdia St 18 (near Europe Square (formerly Era Square). This upscale bookstore-cafe has a number of branches in Tbilisi (in Kala, Vake, Vera, and Saburtalo), but the Batumi location is all the more attractive given the relative dearth of good and service-oriented restaurants in Batumi. Coffees, cakes, and basic Georgian sandwiches (plus khachapuri and lobiani) all available, although the menu seems more like a guideline to what might be available on any given day rather than a list of what's actually in the kitchen.

Press Cafe, 1 Akhmed Melashvili Street, Batumi (on the coastal road right next to the Ukrainian restaurant, +995 422 27 52 79. daily 10:00-01:00. It has fast Wi-Fi (for Batumi) and cheap food and drinks, but beware at some point you will be kicked out suddenly for a school group.

Privet iz Batumi, 39 Abashidze (near Europe Square (formerly Era Square). This charming "colonial Russia" theme cafe is a Batumi institution, with Georgians as well as foreigners peopling its picturesque outdoor tables. The menu is short on hot dishes, but the many kinds of blinis are delicious.

Radio Cafe & Bar, 11, Rustaveli str. (on the main street, +995555974977. 15:00-00:00. Good place to go if you are looking for non-Georgian food in Batumi. Good choice of wine and cocktails. Staff are very friendly.

San Remo Restaurant. Elegant, with good Georgian and international food.

Munich, Kutaisi/Kostava str.8/5, 6000, +995 422 227284. 10:00-02:00. Restaurant with German traditional cuisine. Pizza, Seafood and Vegan dishes are also served. Paying: Visa, American Express, Mastercard and Cash. Restaurant has open-air seats also. A bit overpriced. US$15 for one course meal per person.

  • Eredeli's Bar, N. Baratashvili St. 1 (Down the stairs to a door with no sign and no name on the diagonal street just next to Europe Square (formerly Era Square) where the monument to Medea and the Golden Fleece is.. Attracts locals and expat English teachers. There are no signs and you might have to ring the doorbell on nights with live music, but it's not a private club. The Caesar salad is excellent. It's also a gallery and it has Wi-Fi.
  • Metro Bar, Melashvili st. 11, +995 8 422 27 30 42. A nice but small bar that often has live music and attracts locals as well as expat English teachers.
  • Vinyl Bar, Dumbadze str. (on Europe Square (formerly Era Square), near the Iranian and Azerbaijani consulates, +995 93331499. Small, cozy place to hang out for beer, pizza and live music. Great staff and great service.
  • The Cork Irish Bar, 22 Noe Zhordania Street (head north on K. Gamsakhurdia street to the gas station, then turn left down Jordania street, +995 568 67 50 27. daily 15:00-02:00. Great Irish pub near the centre of Batumi. The bar is larger than it seems from the road. Quite new (opened July 2018) but manages to draw a crowd. Majority expats but still frequented by a fair few locals. Friendly staff, English, Russian, Georgian and Turkish-speaking.

Eredeli's Bar, N. Baratashvili St. 1 (Down the stairs to a door with no sign and no name on the diagonal street just next to Europe Square (formerly Era Square) where the monument to Medea and the Golden Fleece is.. Attracts locals and expat English teachers. There are no signs and you might have to ring the doorbell on nights with live music, but it's not a private club. The Caesar salad is excellent. It's also a gallery and it has Wi-Fi.

Metro Bar, Melashvili st. 11, +995 8 422 27 30 42. A nice but small bar that often has live music and attracts locals as well as expat English teachers.

Vinyl Bar, Dumbadze str. (on Europe Square (formerly Era Square), near the Iranian and Azerbaijani consulates, +995 93331499. Small, cozy place to hang out for beer, pizza and live music. Great staff and great service.

The Cork Irish Bar, 22 Noe Zhordania Street (head north on K. Gamsakhurdia street to the gas station, then turn left down Jordania street, +995 568 67 50 27. daily 15:00-02:00. Great Irish pub near the centre of Batumi. The bar is larger than it seems from the road. Quite new (opened July 2018) but manages to draw a crowd. Majority expats but still frequented by a fair few locals. Friendly staff, English, Russian, Georgian and Turkish-speaking.

Batumi is generally quite safe. Drivers are more careful than in Tbilisi and the police are reliable for the high number of tourists coming through the city. However, more caution should be taken with street beggars than in Tbilisi. Very young children are often used as pickpockets, especially around the area just south of Batumi Piazza, and beggars are generally more aggressive than in the capital.

  • Khulo — village in the mountains of Ajara, 3 hr drive east of Batumi
  • Kobuleti — sleepy nearby coastal town
  • Sarpi — border village with Turkey, 15 km south of Batumi
  • Tbilisi — the capital of Georgia
  • Kutaisi — historically the capital of western Georgia, Kutaisi is a must visit for its two UNESCO World Heritage sites
  • Zugdidi — stopping off point on the way to Mestia and Svaneti. Marshrutkas run from the bus station.

  • Direct trains to Yerevan run daily during summertime. The train leaves at 15:35 and you'll arrive to Yerevan around 07:30. Second class (coupe, 4 people) costs 93 lari.

  • Direct buses from the terminal to various cities in Turkey. Coaches to Istanbul 60-80 lari depending on operator.
  • Trabzon, Turkey – From the old bus terminal, near the centre, there is a marshkruta that runs by Rize until Trabzon for 25 TL.