Batumi

Batumi: Georgia's main seaside resort

Batumi is Georgia's second-largest city and the capital of Adjara, the country's main seaside resort on the south-eastern Black Sea, about 20 km from the border with Turkey. People come here for the warm sea and the long seaside boulevard, while the mild, humid subtropical climate makes the city a year-round destination: winters are warm, and the "velvet" autumn is especially good for a beach holiday. Since 2010 the city has changed noticeably — modern high-rises have risen next to restored 19th-century buildings, so the old town and the new embankment fit easily into a single route. Thanks to its beach and evening life, Batumi is even called the "Las Vegas of the Black Sea".

Batumi attractions

Here you'll find both ancient history and modern architecture — you won't be bored:

• Batumi Boulevard — a long, well-kept seaside promenade along the Black Sea, the city's central promenade and the main focus of the whole resort.
• Ali and Nino statue — the famous moving sculpture on the embankment and one of Batumi's most recognisable modern landmarks.
• Batumi Botanical Garden — located north of the city on a high cliff by the sea; a rich collection of subtropical and tropical plants that can easily take half a day or more to explore.
• Batumi Sea Port — an important Black Sea port and a distinctive part of the city's look; the historic port area is also considered a sight in its own right.
• Piazza and the European squares — the city is known for its European-style squares and sculptures, including the "Boy with a Pipe" statue, regarded as a symbol of Batumi.
• Alphabetic Tower — a modern architectural landmark often included on must-see lists.
• Statue of Medea with the Golden Fleece in the city centre — a reference to the ancient Colchian myth.
• Batumi Cathedral of the Mother of God — a Georgian Orthodox cathedral and one of the city's main religious and historical monuments.
• Orta Jame Mosque (Old Mosque) — a historic mosque in the old town, a reminder of Batumi's Ottoman heritage and multinational character.
• Armenian Cathedral of Christ the Saviour — built in 1885–87, with a bell tower in front of the façade; it stands diagonally to the street grid in the very heart of the old town.
• Batumi Archaeological Museum — small but very worthwhile: ancient vases, bronze ware, glass and ceramics; labels in Georgian, Russian and English.
• Singing (musical) fountains — an evening fountain show set to music, popular with visitors.
• Batumi Dolphinarium — family entertainment with regular performances.
• Batumi Lighthouse — a historic lighthouse built in 1863.

What to see in Batumi in 3 days

In three days you can quite realistically see the sea, the history and the greenery:

• Day 1. A walk along Batumi Boulevard by the sea, the Ali and Nino statue, the port area, and the singing fountains in the evening.
• Day 2. The old town: the Piazza, the "Boy with a Pipe", the Cathedral of the Mother of God, the Orta Jame Mosque, the Armenian Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the statue of Medea and the Alphabetic Tower. The second half of the day can be set aside for the archaeological museum.
• Day 3. A trip to the Batumi Botanical Garden — allow at least half a day, the grounds are large and located on a cliff by the sea. With children, it's worth adding the dolphinarium.

Where to go in Batumi in the evening

In the evening, life buzzes on the embankment: Batumi is known as the region's party capital, with nightlife right by the beach. Those travelling with family will enjoy the musical fountains and a stroll along the boulevard, while music lovers should check the listings — the annual Black Sea international jazz festival takes place here.

Tours in Batumi

There is no separate "must-do" set of excursions — the city is easy to explore on your own. The most worthwhile: the Batumi Botanical Garden (half a day or more), the archaeological museum (a token entrance fee), the dolphinarium, and a walking tour of the old town with its churches and squares. Marshrutkas run in all directions around the city, the new city buses accept the Batumi Card or Visa/Mastercard, and the embankment is easy to cycle along using the BatumVelo service.

When is the best time to go to Batumi

The climate here is humid subtropical: the annual temperature range is small, winters are mild and summers are warm. The average annual temperature is about 14.5 °C, January (the coldest month) averages 7.1 °C, and August (the warmest) 23.2 °C. Rainfall is very heavy, around 2560 mm a year, so rain is possible in any season. Early autumn — the local "velvet season" — is officially considered the best time for a beach holiday, when it's warm but no longer hot. Overall, the city is promoted as a year-round destination.

Batumi weather by month

Summers are warm and humid, winters are mild for a seaside city: the average January is only about 7.1 °C, the average August 23.2 °C. Because of the heavy rainfall (around 2560 mm a year), an umbrella and a light rain jacket are useful in any month, while the sea air softens both the heat and the cold.

Batumi: holiday prices

The currency in Georgia is the Georgian lari (₾). Price guidelines from guidebooks: entry to the Batumi Botanical Garden — 20 lari, the archaeological museum — 3 lari for adults and 1 lari for students, the dolphinarium show — 20–25 lari. For comparison: a Tbilisi — Batumi bus costs about 40 lari, the night train — roughly 40 lari (first class), 23 lari (second class) and 13 lari (seat).

How to get to Batumi from Tashkent

The main option is Alexander Kartveli Batumi Airport (BUS): it handles international flights and is just 2 km south of the city. If there is no convenient flight to Batumi, fly to Tbilisi and travel on from there by Georgian Railways train (several services a day plus a night train), bus or marshrutka — the journey takes about 6–7 hours. By car from Tbilisi, the E70/S2 highways lead there. In addition, daily buses run from Turkey via the Sarpi border crossing, and ferries and cruise ships call at Batumi port.

Where to stay in Batumi

The heart of the resort is Batumi Boulevard, so accommodation near the embankment offers maximum convenience: the sea, walks and evening entertainment are all close by. The second logical option is the old town: it is also by the sea and lets you see the main sights on foot.

Practical information

• Currency: Georgian lari (₾).
• Language: the official language is Georgian; Russian, English and Turkish are also widely spoken.
• Transport: marshrutkas in all directions; the new buses require a Batumi Card or Visa/Mastercard; BatumVelo bikes — for rides along the beaches.
• Weather: take an umbrella — Batumi gets very heavy rainfall in every season.

Holidays in Batumi with Onyx Tour

Onyx Tour will help you find a great-value tour to Batumi — with visa, flights and hotel arranged end to end, and will also point you to hot deals for a family seaside holiday. Book your trip with Onyx Tour.