At a glance
- Best for
- Beaches, promenades, food, nightlife and family time
- Airport
- Batumi International Airport (BUS), about fifteen minutes away
- Time needed
- Two to four days
- Best season
- June to September for the beach; May and October for mild walking weather
- Getting around
- Walking, bikes, buses and taxi apps
- Good base for
- Gonio, Mtirala National Park and the Adjara mountains
Why go
Batumi offers something different from the rest of Georgia: palm trees, warm sea and a holiday mood. In summer the boulevard fills with families, cyclists and evening strollers, beach bars play late, and restaurants serve Black Sea fish and the famous Adjarian khachapuri. The surrounding hills are some of the greenest in the region, with tea plantations, waterfalls and rainforest.
Top things to do
Walk or cycle the **Batumi Boulevard**, which runs for kilometres along the shore with gardens, sculptures and beaches. At its northern end stand the **Alphabet Tower**, celebrating Georgian script, and the moving steel statue of **Ali and Nino**, two lovers who glide together and apart each evening. In **Old Batumi**, wander **Europe Square** with its Medea statue, the mosaic **Piazza**, and streets of restored merchant houses. Ride the **Argo cable car** up for a view over the port and city.
North of the centre, the **Batumi Botanical Garden** climbs a hill above the sea at Mtsvane Kontskhi, with plants from around the world and paths down to quiet coves. South towards Turkey, **Gonio Fortress** has Roman walls and, by tradition, the grave of the apostle Matthias. Inland, **Mtirala National Park** has forest trails, and the **Makhuntseti Waterfall** sits beside a medieval arched stone bridge.
Beaches
Beaches are pebble, not sand, so water shoes help. The sea is warm from late June to September. The central beaches are busy and convenient; quieter stretches lie south towards Gonio and Sarpi and north towards Green Cape. Swim where lifeguards are on duty and watch for flags on rough days.
Food and drink
Order **Adjaruli khachapuri**, a boat shaped bread filled with molten cheese, an egg and butter that you stir together and tear apart. Try fried Black Sea fish from the **fish market**, where you choose your catch and have it cooked upstairs, and **borano**, cheese melted in butter. Adjara is also tea country, and local honey and citrus are excellent.
Where to stay
The **seafront** and **New Boulevard** suit beach holidays and have big hotels and apartment towers. **Old Batumi** is better for walking, cafés and character. Book early for July and August, when Batumi is at its busiest.
Practical tips
Batumi gets heavy rain, even in summer, so pack an umbrella. Casinos are a big part of the city's economy and nightlife; if you visit them, set a budget in advance. The **Sarpi** border crossing to Turkey is a short drive south, making it easy to combine Georgia with the Turkish Black Sea coast. Abkhazia lies further north along the same coast; do not try to travel there from Georgia without first reading your government's advice.
Getting there
Batumi has its own airport. Trains run from Tbilisi in around five to six hours, and marshrutkas link it with Kutaisi and other western towns.
Day trips
Take a day in the **Adjara mountains** inland, following the Ajaristskali river past arched stone bridges to the village of **Keda** and its wineries. The tea plantations and seaside town of **Kobuleti** lie north, and **Sarpi** at the border has clear water for swimming.
See our places to visit list for beaches, food and stays, and the places finder for a map.
Questions about Batumi
Are Batumi's beaches sandy?
No, they are pebble beaches. Bring water shoes, or choose a hotel with a pool if you prefer sand-like comfort.
When is the best time to visit Batumi?
July and August for warm sea and nightlife, June and September for warm weather with fewer crowds.
How do I get from Tbilisi to Batumi?
By train in around five to six hours, by domestic flight, or by marshrutka. The train is the most comfortable option for most visitors.
Is Batumi good for families?
Yes. The boulevard, parks, botanical garden, cable car and calm summer sea make it one of the easiest places in Georgia for children.
Facts checked . Fees, schedules and entry rules change, so always confirm the latest with the official source.
