Don’t Miss These 7 Top Things To Do in Batumi, Georgia

Rising from the shores of the Black Sea, Georgia’s second city couldn’t be more different from its first. Tbilisi is an open-air history book; a celebration of all things Georgian. Batumi is its antithesis. The proud capital of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, Batumi is Tbilisi’s rebellious teenager with a penchant for designer gear.

It may be packing over 2,000 years of history, but from the surface, you wouldn’t know it. Batumi is edgy, trendy and ever-evolving. A peculiar mix of Las Vegas and Brighton Beach, coupled with architecture which would feel at home in Red Square and some serious border town vibes, Batumi is the Georgia you never knew existed.

There’s a reason Batumi feels a little mixed up. Originally an Ancient Greek trading post, then the site a Roman fortress, Batumi has found itself under the control of the Ottoman Empire, both Imperialist and Soviet Russia and, briefly, even Britain.

Now, Batumi aims to please. And please, it does; a perfect family summer holiday destination, a romantic weekend hotspot and an ideal base for exploring Adjara. Whether long days at the beach or late nights at the slots are your idea of a great city break, there are plenty of great things to do in Batumi.

When to Visit Batumi

Summer (June to August) is by far the most popular time to visit Batumi. Unlike central Georgia, Batumi’s coastal location keeps the temperatures in check. Whilst the occasional heatwave brings temperatures in the high 30s, summer averages tend to be around 22°C (71°F).

The key benefit to visiting during summer is that Batumi is a hive of activity. The Boulevard is always buzzing. Pop-up bars, al-fresco cafes and street food vendors take up every spot of land. The downside, of course, is that everyone else is there trying to find the best things to do in Batumi.

Travel tip: Warm as it is, Batumi has the highest rainfall of the entire Caucasus region. Whenever you visit, pack an umbrella.

To avoid the crowds, and benefit from lower hotel prices, visiting Batumi in the shoulder seasons is never a bad idea. April and May are a little milder, but they have the advantage of being the driest months. September and October are still warm and most restaurants and bars are open, though it can be wet.

Getting to Batumi

By Air

Spare a handful of seasonal flights from Tel Aviv, the only reasonable route from Europe to Batumi is via Istanbul. The alternative is to transit through Baku or Dubai (seasonal) and backtrack. Whichever route you take, you’ll land at Batumi International Airport (BUS).

At just two kilometers from the city centre, getting into town is easy. There is an airport bus, but taxis are so cheap (around 10-15 GEL), it’s almost a false economy to wait. If you prefer to use ridesharing apps, Bolt is the app of choice in Georgia. Car rental services are also available.

By Land

As Georgia’s busiest seaport, Batumi is well connected to the rest of the country and wider South Caucasus region. Aside from all the great things to do in Batumi, there’s plenty to see and do in Adjara before crossing the mountains towards Kutaisi and Tbilisi. Hiring a car is the best way to do this, but public transport is available.

Georgian Railways connect Batumi with Kutaisi (twice-daily) and Tbilisi (daily, more frequent during summer months). Trains to Tbilisi are comfortable, modern high-speed trains which complete the journey is just over five hours. Alternatively, take an intercity bus. Citybus and Metro Georgia are the most comfortable options.

Travel tip: The Caucasus feels as though it’s designed to be explored overland. In one trip, you can easily tick off Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. With the recent end to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, now is a better time than any to plan your trip.

It’s also possible to reach Batumi by land from neighboring countries. Minibuses cross the border from Arhavi, Turkiye several times per day with connections available across Anatolia.

For a unique start to your trip exploring the things to do in Batumi, take a ferry across the Black Sea from Bulgaria. Drujba Line sails weekly from Burgas; the crossing takes three days.

Where to Stay in Batumi

Batumi Boulevard

Batumi’s wide, treelined coastal promenade runs for almost seven kilometers from the Old Town to the airport. Through summer, it’s a hive of activity and a great place to base yourself for exploring all the top things to do in Batumi. If you’re visiting Batumi for a family getaway or relaxing beach break, the Boulevard is the place to stay.

The northern end of the Boulevard is home to most of Batumi’s big name chain hotels. Fine as they are, the prices are often eyewatering. By eyewatering, I mean London or New York prices. Instead, opt for one of the many independent hotels slightly further south.

Holiday Point Orbi City is a firm favorite. All rooms are self-contained studios or suites, and most come with balconies and sea views. If larger resorts are more your thing, Colosseum Marina Hotel, complete with outdoor and indoor pools, a full service spa and numerous bars and restaurants is a great choice. For a bargain not to be sniffed at, check out West Hotel Ataman.

Old Town

The historic heart of Batumi is my favorite area to stay. Picking a hotel here will put you within walking distance of all the great things to do in Batumi. Plus, you’ll be a stone’s throw from the best restaurants and shops and you’ll enjoy a far more local experience away from the crowds.

Another bonus to staying in the Old Town is that you’ll get far more for your money. Hotel Old Town is unequivocally the number one place to stay in Batumi. Aside from its enviable location, it comes with a complimentary breakfast and a cutesy wine terrace. For an even more central location, Hotel Monarch is steps from Europe Square, whilst Acord Hotel offers, quite possibly, the best value in the city.

The Best Things to Do in Batumi

1. Ride the Argo Cable Car

We don’t always start our lists with a showstopper, but when it comes to things to do in Batumi, there can be no contest. A ride on the Argo Cable Car is the Batumi highlight.

Running from the harbor by the Old Town to the hillside Argo Entertainment Complex, the journey takes around 15 minutes each way and offers unbeatable views. Once you reach the top, there’s a gift shop, wine cellar and an al-fresco restaurant.

The cable car operates daily from 11am to 9pm. Always buy your tickets from the official ticket office at the bottom station (or the Argo website); there have been reports of taxi drivers and ticket touts selling fake tickets to visitors.

2. Explore the Old Town

One of the oft-overlooked things to do in Batumi is explore the beautiful Old Town. Dating back to the times of Ottoman occupation (from the 15th to 19th century), Old Batumi is a blend of cultures.

It’s well worth taking a guided walking tour with a local to get your bearings. Then, pay a visit to the State Art Museum of Adjara and Khariton Akhvlediani Museum to get a feel for Adjaran history and culture.

3. Check Out the Ali & Nino Statue

If you haven’t read Kurban Said’s 1937 masterpiece yet, please add it to your reading list. Ali & Nino is a tragic love story like no other. Set in Baku, it follows the lives of Muslim Ali, and Nino, a Christian Georgian princess, as they fall in love and marry against the backdrop of the Russian Revolution and the Red Army’s invasion of Azerbaijan.

Batumi is never mentioned in the book, but in 2010, Georgian artist Tamara Kvesitadze created a statue in their honor. Today, it marks the northern end of Batumi Boulevard. Try to visit both during daylight and after dark, it’s quite the spectacle when it’s lit up.

To see Ali & Nino lit up, and get a different perspective on Batumi, consider joining this night walking tour. You’ll see all the major landmarks, and finish up with a glass of Georgian wine.

4. Visit the Dolphinarium

Tucked away in a corner of Central Park, a trip to the Dolphinarium is definitely one of the best things to do in Batumi, especially if you’re visiting with children. Home to Bottlenose Dolphins and California Sea Lions, when it opened in 1975, it was the only Dolphinarium in the Soviet Union.

Be sure to stick around for their 35-minute dolphin show. Once you’re done, head next door to Batumi Aquarium to come face to face with over 100 species. They have everything from Black Sea native sea cats toAmazonian piranhas.

5. Stroll Along Batumi Boulevard

As you’re working through all the best things to do in Batumi, you’ll find yourself hopscotching across the Boulevard on several occasions. The Dolphinarium and Ali & Nino Statue are both located on it. But it’s well worth giving yourself time to walk the length of the Boulevard.

From the Ali & Nino Statue, stroll between the bamboo groves and jumping fountains as you work your way towards Nuri Lake. Pause for reflection in the Japanese Garden, admire the statues and stop for coffee at beautifully decorated Lovita.

Push on past Ardagani Lake, where there’s an excellent Ukrainian restaurant if you fancy a stop for lunch, to the New Boulevard. Just after a slightly bizarre statue of a pair of flip flops resting on some giant golf balls, you’ll reach the airport runway which marks the southern end of the Boulevard.

6. Take a Day Trip to the Mountains

As great as all the best things to do in Batumi are, one of the highlights of any trip to Adjara is getting out of the city. The countryside surrounding Batumi is, like anywhere in Georgia, spectacular.

For those who aren’t driving, there aredozens of day and half-day tours from Batumi to the Adjaran mountains. This 6-hour tour with a traditional lunch and wine included is our favorite. You’ll get to see two spectacular waterfalls, cross a medieval bridge and catch a Georgian folklore show.

7. Savor Georgian Food & Wine

As the old saying goes “every meal in Georgia is a feast.” From experience, I can tell you to abandon the idea of visiting Georgia and not coming home with a few extra pounds. With that in mind, tucking into some Georgian delicacies is always one of the best things to do in Batumi.

You’ll find everything you’d expect from Georgian cuisine, with a few local additions thrown into the mix. If you’ve tried khachapuri elsewhere, make sure you sample the eggy Adjaran version. Yakhni is another local highlight. It’s a hearty beef stew with walnuts, onion and garlic.

Travel tip: Try your hand at making Georgian classics. Take a cookery class to master the art of khachapuri and khinkali or join a churchkhela making workshop.

Our top recommendations for a true taste of Adjara are Lurji Sufra in the Old Town and Grill Town on the Boulevard. If you want to pick up some Georgian wine to take home, Winery Khareba’s store near Europe Square has some great value bottles.

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