Batumi is a captivating city located on the Black Sea coast in southwestern Georgia. With its stunning beaches, historical structures, vibrant atmosphere, and delectable cuisine, it is a popular destination for tourists. Batumi, which has taken on a modern appearance thanks to recent investments, welcomes millions of visitors each year.
If you’re planning a trip to Batumi, this article will help you discover the city’s most beautiful corners.
Historical and Cultural Sites:
Batumi Boulevard: This 7-kilometer-long coastal strip is one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions. You can rent a bike, go for a walk, sit in cafes, or enjoy the sea along the boulevard.
Piazza: This square, which stands out with its Italian-style architecture, is one of the city’s most beautiful squares. The various sculptures and fountains in the square attract the attention of tourists.
Batumi Fortress: This 16th-century castle is one of the city’s oldest structures. From the castle, you can enjoy the magnificent panorama of Batumi.
Ali and Nino Sculpture: This sculpture, symbolizing love and sacrifice, is one of Batumi’s most iconic symbols. Tourists watch with interest as the statue moves closer and farther apart every hour.
Natural Beauties:
Argo Cable Car: One of the longest cable cars in Europe, the Argo Cable Car takes you 2500 meters above the city. You can watch the breathtaking panorama of Batumi from this cable car.
Mtskheta Cathedral: This cathedral, one of the most important religious structures in Georgia, is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Makhinjauri Waterfalls: Located 20 kilometers from Batumi, these waterfalls are an ideal place for nature lovers. You can hike and have picnics around the waterfalls.
Entertainment:
- Batumi Botanical Garden: One of the most diverse botanical gardens in the world, the Batumi Botanical Garden is home to over 2500 plant species.
- Dolphinarium: Offering dolphin and seal shows, Dolphinarium is one of Batumi’s most popular tourist attractions, providing entertainment for both children and adults.
- Aquapark: You can visit Aquapark to have a fun day with water slides, pools, and other water games.
Food and Drink:
- Khachapuri: Khachapuri, a dough filled with cheese and eggs, is one of the most famous dishes of Georgian cuisine.
- Khinkali: Khinkali, a dough filled with meat and spices, is one of the most delicious dishes of Georgian cuisine.
- Chacha: Chacha, the traditional alcoholic drink of Georgia, is a brandy made from grapes.
Shopping:
- Batumi Boulevard Market: This market, where you can find local products, souvenirs, and handicrafts, is one of the most popular places for tourists visiting Batumi.
- Europort Shopping Center: Batumi’s largest shopping mall, Europort Shopping Center, offers a wide variety of brands for shopping enthusiasts.
This is just a brief overview of the many things you can see and do in Batumi. With its rich history, culture, and natural beauty, Batumi is a city that has something to offer everyone.
Here are some additional tips for planning your trip to Batumi:
- The best time to visit Batumi is during the spring (April-May) or fall (September-October) when the weather is mild and sunny.
- Batumi is a relatively affordable city, but it’s always a good idea to budget for your trip.
- The official language of Georgia is Georgian, but Russian is also widely spoken. English is becoming increasingly common, especially in tourist areas.
- The local currency is the Georgian lari (GEL). You can exchange your currency at banks or currency exchange offices.
- Tipping is not expected in Georgia, but it is appreciated if you do.
- Batumi is a safe city, but it’s always a good idea to be aware of your surroundings and take precautions against petty theft.
