Home Georgia How to Spend One Day in Batumi, Georgia

How to Spend One Day in Batumi, Georgia

by David
Batumi Old Town, Batumi Georgia Travel

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Before visiting myself, there were few countries I knew of with as good word of mouth as Georgia. Everyone I knew who had been loved it and couldn’t wait to recommend going. I’d wanted to visit for years and was finally able to make it happen last October. Building my itinerary, I noticed the coastal city of Batumi and was genuinely curious why it had never been mentioned to me when people raved about the country. I guess they simply didn’t get the chance, as my one day in Batumi sightseeing assured me it was well worth the trip.

For a first stop in Georgia, Batumi probably seems a strange choice. I’d say even more so given that I actually flew into a totally different city. But as far as gentle entries into a brand new country and culture go, it couldn’t have been smoother. I’ve since learned there are many places you’ll want to see while in Georgia and the Caucasus. But allow me to show you how you can go about spending a day in Batumi if you get the chance.

 

A Little Bit About Batumi

Batumi Grapevines, Travel to Batumi Georgia

Just so you have an idea of where I’m talking about here, let’s do a little rundown on the city of Batumi. Found in the country of Georgia – one of the Caucasus nations that tread the line between Europe and Asia – Batumi sits in the southwest of the country by the Black Sea. As the capital of the Adjara region it’s an important regional centre, but also one of Georgia’s main beach getaways.

In terms of tourism, the main draws of Batumi are its beaches, resorts and casinos. Designed for leisure, it tends to be popular with Russians and Turkish tourists coming along the coast, as well as quite a few Ukrainians based on personal experience.

It’s sometimes called the “Las Vegas of the Black Sea” for that reason, although that seems a little unfavourable. That being said, there does seem to be a lot of development going on as more and more high-rises get built. A lot of this makes it seem like not my kind of destination and yet I remember Batumi fondly. Hopefully it doesn’t change too much.

 

Seafront Boulevard

Batumi Boulevard, Things to Do in Batumi, Georgia

The perfect place to start your one day in Batumi is with a stroll along the Seafront Boulevard. Running right along Batumi’s long, sprawling coastline, the boulevard is the city’s primary leisure and recreation space. No matter where you are in the city, you can just head to the boulevard and then follow it as far as you like. You name it, the park along the boulevard has it, from tennis courts and outdoor gym equipment, to bikes and golf cart rentals, plus of course bars and restaurants.

Boulevard Lion, Visiting Georgia's Black Sea Coast

Two of the most prominent landmarks in the boulevard are the Batumi Boulevard Fountains and the Batumi Summer Theatre. The fountains fill a large square leading towards the city’s Old Town, with plenty of interested and assorted statues surround the large pool. The theatre on the other hand is a great big wooden structure that made me think of Vikings and something you might find in Norway.

 

Batumi Beach

Batumi Beach, One Day in Batumi, Georgia

To many, Batumi is first and foremost a seaside getaway, which means you have to at least go see the beach when you visit. Running right along the promenade you’ll spot quite a deep rock beach that gently runs down to the calm waters of the Black Sea.

Batumi is one of Georgia’s main beach destinations and in summer it sounds like the beaches can get quite busy. Not so much in October when I was there, even though the weather wasn’t too bad. Still, there were sun lounges out in certain places near beach clubs and a few people out lounging or going for a dip. Having seen the far side of the Black Sea with Bulgaria’s coast, it was interesting to see the contrast.

However the beach did get a fair bit busier when it came time for the sunset. From Batumi Beach you have an uninterrupted view of the sun as it falls down below the horizon and plenty of space to watch it from. With clear skies, I was treated to a great sunset during my Batumi visit, but couldn’t help get distracted by the person paramotoring about in the sky. So after you’ve seen the beach, remember to come back that evening to watch the sunset.

Batumi Sunset, A Day in Batumi, Georgia

 

Miracle Park

Miracle Park, Batumi Sightseeing

As you follow the waterfront boulevard around, you eventually reach a space by the city’s harbour entrance, Miracle Park. An interesting space, you not only have views over the water, but also your best chance to see many of Batumi’s towers in one place.

With the city’s old white lighthouse firmly in place, you can see a range of more modern towers. This includes the distant Batumi Tower with a small Ferris wheel built into it and the nearby spiraling oddity that is Alphabet Tower, with the Georgian alphabet up its side.

It’s also here at Miracle Park that you’ll come across Batumi’s Ferris Wheel and the moving sculptures of Ali and Nino that slowly merge into and through one another. Miracle Park is basically an unusual menagerie of attractions, but I do imagine you get some good views from the restaurant at the top of Alphabet Tower or from the Ferris wheel.

Batumi Lighthouse, One Day in Batumi, Georgia

 

Theater Square

Certainly one of the prettiest squares in the city, the square also does a great job of encapsulating Batumi’s many different sides. The standout landmarks are naturally the Batumi Drama Theatre that gives the square its name, as well as the golden Statue of Neptune taking pride of place at its centre.

Both give the square a classic feel like you’re somewhere in Italy. That fades though as you look to one side to see modern skyscrapers one way, slightly more soviet apartment buildings opposite that and Georgia’s own take on French belle epoque architecture.

Neptune Statue, Visiting Batumi, Georgia

Quick food/cafe recommendation while we’re here: Coffeetopia Batumi here on Theater Square is a great place to take a break. A little more expensive than typical Georgian standards but good food and a nice view from the outdoor tables.

 

Astronomical Clock

Astronomical Clock, Visiting Batumi, Georgia

The attraction in Batumi that immediately caught my eye and kept me coming back was the city’s striking Astronomical Clock Tower. With its golden zigzag design on the tower, it’s easy to spot most places in the Old Town. But the tower only gets better as you get closer, from the elaborate clock to the golden statues around it.

The attached building looks like a palace almost, although it was really the National Bank, and boasts a stunning stainglass window as well. This beautifully ornate tower has the ability to completely distract you from the rest of Europe Square that lies behind you. It even looks great when its lit up at night, I’m sure you’ll agree.

Batumi Astronomical Clock

 

Europe Square

Not to be overlooked, there’s more to Europe Square than the sight of the Astronomical Clock. There are other grand and curious buildings here that really draw your attention, as well as a fountain and museums to check out. One really noteworthy landmark in Europe Square is the tall Statue of Medea rising above everything.

Medea was a figure from Greek mythology who helped Jason and the Argonauts steal the Golden Fleece. Yes, that tale is said to have taken place in western Georgia and may relate to a method that the native people had for prospecting for gold back then. That may explain all the golden flourishes you see everywhere, including the tower of the Astronomical Clock!

 

Batumi Piazza

Batumi Piazza, Visiting Batumi Georgia

To be honest, I still don’t know what to make of the Batumi Piazza. When I arrived, the grand yet unbalanced architecture around this small square quickly drew me in. Basically a hub within the city for drinks and dining, the Batumi Piazza is really just a brief curiosity if all you’re doing is sightseeing.

Much of the buildings around it seem to be quite new and come across as quite refined, but the significance of the square was mostly lost on me. If you’re staying nearby then this could well be a great place to get dinner or a nightcap later on in the day.

 

Streets of Batumi Old Town

Batumi Streets, Things to Do in Batumi, Georgia

For me, one of the best things to do in Batumi was simply walking around the city’s Old Town. Away from the major roads, the Old Town is really quite a peaceful place and comes with plenty of character. Many of the buildings and homes feel like they’ve had quite a life in a vintage-kind-of-way, but rarely look rundown. What’s more, so many of them had grape vines sprawling over their balconies or draped along wires, giving things a relaxed, communal vibe.

This was my first experience of the relaxed nature you find in many Georgian cities and it’s something that is hard to put into words. All I know is that this air of calm makes you immediately like Georgia more and more.

Streets of Batumi, Sightseeing in Batumi Georgia

 

Religious Buildings of Batumi

As you explore the Old Town of Batumi, you’re sure to come across various religious buildings. While Georgia is very much an Orthodox Christian country, you’ll still find the City Synagogue and Central Mosque among the many orthodox churches.

The two churches most worth seeing are the St. Nicolas Church across from Batumi Piazza and the Holy Mother Virgin Nativity Cathedral. Only a little more than a hundred years old, the gothic revival architecture of the cathedral makes for an unusual sight in this part of Batumi.

 

Cable Car to Anuria Mountain

Argo Cable Car, Things to Do in Batumi, Georgia

While it’s positioned by the sea, Batumi is also surrounded by quite a mountainous landscape. With hills directly overlooking the city, you just know you have to head up there to see the view. That’s easily enough done with the Argo Cable Car that runs from on the waterfront along from Miracle Park up to Anuria Mountain.

A ticket for the cable car costs 15 GEL, roughly 5€, and gently takes you to the city’s outskirts and beyond. The views from the cable car are already good, but they don’t quite compare with the Argo observation deck at the top. Yep, another reference to “Jason and the Argonauts“.

With a restaurant and small historic church on top of Anuria Mountain, there’s a few things to see up here other than the sweeping city views. You can see the entire skyline of Batumi and you realise just how much bigger it is than you think. Looking down to the downtown area, you spot each of the main towers of the city and get to look out at the endless expanse that is the Black Sea.

Batumi Cityscape, Sights to See in Batumi, Georgia

 

6 May Park

A really pleasant place to spend the end of the day at is the peaceful 6 May Park. Found near the city’s Zoo and Dolphinarium, the park centres on Nurigeli Lake and is a popular spot with locals. With fountains, park benches and nice lake views, the park becomes especially pretty as the waning sun starts to reflect across the lake’s surface. The park is also only a short walk away if you decide to head back to the beach to watch the sunset over the water.

 

Visiting Batumi in Georgia

Batumi Sunset, Best Places to Visit in Georgia

You shouldn’t have too much finding your way to Batumi. The city has its own international airport, which I know Wizz flies to from various places. Then there’s a modern train connection with Tbilisi which I had the pleasure of using when I left.

Worth knowing is that the train station is a fair way from the city centre, so plan ahead. The other option, which I used to get there, is Georgian Bus who have buses direct to Batumi from Kutaisi Airport. The minibus was nothing fancy but I didn’t have to wait long for it to leave and it made good time. Recommended!

Given its popularity with beachgoers, Batumi has loads of hotels and resorts to pick from. Like most things in Georgia, they’re affordable and usually good value. For an affordable option near 6 May Park, I’d recommend Daisi Sunset Hotel as they were welcoming and found it quite comfortable.

Khachapuri, Things to Know Before Visiting Georgia

Before I go, I’d like to mention a few great opportunities I had to try Georgian food. Just round the corner from Daisi Sunset is Kiziki, a highly rated Georgian restaurant in Batumi. If you want to try khachapuri, a flatbread with lots of cheese and egg that’s the most popular Georgian dish, go here. Another great choice closer to the city centre is Laguna, where I had some delicious but piping hot pelmeni dumplings.

 


Have you had the opportunity to visit Batumi or anywhere in Georgia? Does one day in Batumi sound like to do? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.


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2 comments

California Globetrotter April 15, 2019 - 8:24 am

I’m in love with everything about this city! It’s just so pretty and the history is so fascinating! I love how it’s described as the LV of the Black Sea! Hopefully, as you say, too much doesn’t change!

Reply
neredenasilgidilir April 27, 2019 - 7:52 am

It’s a great city. I wish I could see it.

Reply

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