What to do in the city for one or two days? Walk around old Batumi, climb the cable car, taste authentic Adjara khachapuri, play with dolphins and maybe you will be the one to find old merchant diamonds.
Old Town
The narrow streets of the old town are full of historical buildings: the center was laid on the site of Batus, mentioned by Aristotle in the IV century B. C. The main part of the buildings of the old center was built in the XIX century. Gaidai filmed «The Twelve Chairs» in the streets of the old town, and according to local legend, the rich merchant Sabashvili hid his jewelry from the Bolsheviks in the figures of Atlanteans.
The buildings in the city are quite young: 150 years is a short time by the standards of neighboring European countries. One of the main architectural sights is Batumi Cathedral. Neo-Gothic building was built in the XIX century as a Catholic church on the money of Stepane Zubalashvili, one of the richest merchants of that time, at the request of local Catholics. In 1980 the church was handed over to the Georgian Orthodox Church and became the Cathedral Church.
Now there are religious buildings of all confessions in the city. The first synagogue in Batumi, built in the late 19th century by permission of Nicholas II, is associated with a legend: the Jews of Batumi long asked the emperor for permission and promised to pray for his descendants.
On the central European Square (Era Square) there are three bright sights at once: the building of the former movie theater, a fountain under which you can walk while staying dry, and a statue of Medea from the legend of the Argonauts. Medea holds in her hands the golden fleece that the Argonauts got (took away?).
Old Batumi is quite eclectic, with modern skyscrapers, monuments and squares next to Art Nouveau or Neo-Gothic buildings. This eclecticism is best felt in Piazza Square, a new square in the old center, built after Piazza San Marco in Venice. There is a bell tower with a clock, Romanesque buildings lining the perimeter, and the square is lined with tables of surrounding restaurants.
And so it is everywhere in Batumi: wherever you turn your head, modern architecture rises above the old.
Batumi Boulevard
The main charm of Batumi is the sea. Even the ancient Greek name of the city was translated as «gate to the sea». The seaside boulevard stretches along the entire seafront, and there is one continuous beach here.
Batumi Boulevard is already a landmark in itself. It was started to be built back in 1881, but it is still being improved, decorated and continues to be built along the coast, all the way to Sarpi — the border with Turkey. The shade of century-old magnolias shelters from rain and sun, here you can have lunch, buy souvenirs, play table tennis and billiards. A bicycle path runs along the entire boulevard.
Entertainment for all tastes: attractions for children and adults, stores, cafes, scooter and bicycle rentals, sports grounds and nightclubs.
The boulevard starts just after the harbor, where small ships and huge cruise liners dock. From here you can take a boat trip.
The statue of Ali and Nino
The famous moving statue is one of the most romantic in the world. It represents 8-meter tall figures of two lovers — Ali and Nino. The figures move towards each other, merging in a burst of love and passing through each other, then moving away again. The sculptor was inspired by the love story of Azerbaijani prince Ali and Georgian aristocrat Nino from the novel of the same name by Kurban Said.
It is free to admire Ali and Nino, but they stand still during the night hours.
Alphabet Tower
The Alphabet Tower, 130 meters high, is dedicated to the Georgian alphabet, it depicts 33 letters, and the shape of the tower resembles the structure of DNA. At the top of the tower there is a rotating glass sphere, and in it there is a restaurant and a viewing platform. The rotation is not fast, one revolution of the restaurant takes 60 minutes.
You can go up to different levels of the tower by two panoramic elevators. Prices in the restaurant are higher than Batumi’s average, but this compensates for the stunning views from the tower.
- Opening hours: from 10:00 to 01:00
- The cost of an elevator ride is 8 GEL.
Fish market
The small market is located at the entrance to the town, where fishermen bring their fresh catch every morning. There are all kinds of seafood here: all kinds of fish, mussels, shrimps and crayfish. You can buy and take away with you, or if you want, you can have everything cleaned, cooked and served in the restaurant at the market.
Prices: from 8 GEL for 1 kg of fish, 1 GEL for cleaning and 3 GEL for cooking. Shrimps and crayfish — 40 GEL per kg.
Ajara House
The cuisine of Adjara is one of the most ancient and original. Adjarian khachapuri is a gastronomic symbol of Batumi, be sure to try it here. Where to find the best khachapuri in Batumi. Local sweets are also delicious, including the famous Ajara baklava.
I recommend Batumi to get acquainted with the specialties of Adjara cuisine:
- Borano is a very caloric dish of melted butter and cheese, eaten hot with corn tortillas — mchadi.
- Malahto is a dish made of young beans with walnuts, onions and herbs. The main ingredient here is sour grape juice, which gives the dish a special flavor.
- Yachny is a hot meat dish made of boiled pieces of veal brisket, with nuts and spices added.
- Sinori — for its preparation young cottage cheese, melted butter, matsoni (fermented milk product), garlic are used. All this is spread between thin layers of dough and baked.
- Kaimag is a dairy product popular in the high mountainous Adjara region, somewhat reminiscent of sour cream.
What else to try in Georgia: A Guide to Georgian Cuisine
The restaurant «Acharuli Sakhli» («Ajara House») specializes in local cuisine. If the names and photos of dishes on the menu do not tell you much, ask the waiters to explain the composition of this or that dish. In the restaurant’s courtyard you can see Adjarian life in miniature: small houses and the household around them, made of wood, clay and straw.
Dolphinarium
Batumi Dolphinarium is one of the most wonderful places in the city. Positive impressions from the dolphins' performance will stay for a long time. The performances are held three times a day: at 4, 6 and 9 o’clock, after which you are offered to see the local aquarium or swim with dolphins. Tickets can be purchased online, selecting the seats of your choice.
When choosing a row closer, remember that dolphins like to get rowdy and may splash you, but at the same time they are eager to play with the audience, and you will have the opportunity to catch balls tossed by them.
- Opening hours: every day except Monday.
- Cost: 15 GEL for the 16:00 performance and 20 GEL for the 18 and 21 hour sessions.
- Spend 15 minutes in the water with dolphins: 120 GEL for children under 12 years old and 150 GEL for older people.
cable car
The Argo cable car will take you to the top of the mountain, where one of the best observation decks with views of the city, sea and mountains is located. The cable car is 2,586 meters long and the one-way trip takes about 15 minutes. At the top you can enjoy the views and visit the restaurant, wine and souvenir store.
- Cost: 15 GEL for adults, 12 GEL for children from 5 to 12 years old, children under 5 years old are free.
- Opening hours: 10:00 to 00:00.
Botanical Garden
Batumi Botanical Garden is one of the most wonderful places 9 km from Batumi, with beautiful landscapes. The garden is located at an altitude of 0 to 220 meters from sea level. Here you can see exotic vegetation of any corners of the earth, there are Japanese, Canadian, Australian zones, departments of North America, East Asia and many others.
How to get to the botanical garden:
- By minibuses #31 and #40, they leave from the Batumi shopping center on Agmashenebeli Street.
- Travel time: 20—25 minutes.
- The fare is 0.80 lari (80 tetri).
It is impossible to walk around the entire garden in a whole day, as the upper park alone covers an area of 11 hectares. Take the left path, where you can enjoy unforgettable views of the sea from above.
- If you get tired on the road, wait for the electric car, it runs along the main routes.
- The garden is open to the public every day, from 09:00 to 19:00. The entrance fee is 15 GEL.
- Electric car services — 5 GEL, 60 GEL for individual use for 1 hour for 5 people.
This small list is a small and obligatory part of what is worth seeing in beautiful and romantic Batumi on the Black Sea coast. What else to do in Georgia.
