Batumi: areas, beaches and where to stay as a tourist

Batumi is called the resort capital of Georgia: it is the southernmost city of the Black Sea coast and the second largest city in the country. The beaches are pebble, the city is compact and the waterfront stretches for many kilometers. For the holiday to go smoothly it is important to choose the area at once: it decides the evening noise, the road to the sea and the budget. Here is where to stay, how to get around and what to keep in mind.

What to know before choosing an area

The city is stretched along the sea, and almost everything interesting for a tourist is a few kilometers from the port. According to Wikivoyage, the beach runs along the whole coast from the port to the Turkish border, with a lit walking path, sunbeds and free showers. The beaches are pebble and the sea is open, so swimming is not recommended in heavy waves. The ideal season is from early May to late September, and most rain falls in autumn.

Another feature of Batumi: Russian is understood here noticeably better than in the rest of Georgia. About half of residents speak it, and signs, directions and street name plates are often duplicated in English.

The Seaside Boulevard and the center

This is the heart of the resort. It has a fountain complex that "dances" to music in the evening, the boulevard's 1930s entrance portico, a summer theater, a park with peacocks and swans and plenty of cafes. This is where every tourist ends up on the first day.

Pros: the sea is a couple of minutes on foot, restaurants, shops and all the main sights are close, and you do not need transport.

Cons: it is noisy in the evening, accommodation prices are higher and it is crowded in high season. If you are a light sleeper, ask for a room in a courtyard, not on a street with bars.

Suitable for a first trip, a short holiday of 3-4 days and people who want to see everything on foot.

New Boulevard and first-line towers

This is the name of the new part of the waterfront with high-rises that have become the symbol of the city. There are many apartments with sea views, pools and hotel-style service. Wikivoyage notes that Batumi has many luxury apartments and villas for rent, sometimes with more comfort and service than the most expensive hotels.

Pros: a sea view, modern buildings and a wide walking and cycling path along the coast.

Cons: to the old town you have to walk or take a ride, and seasonal prices in the towers are noticeably higher than in the center.

The Old Town

The area around Europe Square, Theater Square and Piazza Square. Cozy streets with cafes, balconies and small hotels. Few historic buildings from before the revolution survive, and some complexes were built "in the old style", but the atmosphere does not suffer.

Pros: many restaurants with Georgian cuisine, guesthouses and small hotels, and evening walks.

Cons: about 10-15 minutes on foot to the sea, and noisy on weekend evenings.

Gonio and the southern coast

South of the city is Gonio Fortress, with hotels and guesthouses around it. According to Wikivoyage, the beaches in the south are cleaner than in the city. You can get there by buses 16 and 17 or by minibus taxis 34 and 88.

Pros: quiet, fewer people, suitable with children and for a calm holiday.

Cons: you have to travel to the center, transport options narrow in the evening after the last minibuses, and it is better to have dinner near the hotel.

Kobuleti and the northern direction

To the north is Kobuleti, a center of beach tourism between the sea and the Ispani nature reserve marshes. It is an option for people who want a calm beach holiday and are ready to give up city life for it.

Getting around Batumi

• Bus. Pay with the Batumi Card smart card, which inspectors sell and which can be topped up at terminals around the city. A fare is 30 tetri, and you can also pay with a foreign bank card.
• Minibuses. You pay cash, and a ticket is 70 tetri.
• Taxis. Yandex Go, Bolt and Maxim work. Across half the city you can get for about 10 lari.
• Bicycle. A cycle path runs along the coast, there is rental in the center and automatic BatumiVelo stations are scattered around.
• The cable car to Mount Feria costs 30 lari and is for the restaurant and the viewing platform, not as transport.

Safety and everyday details

The level of crime against people in Batumi is low, but thefts on waterfronts and in crowded places happen, and there are scams. Watch your belongings. Police mostly speak Russian and English. Do not swim in a storm: breaking waves can cause serious injuries. At uncontrolled crossings drivers are not obliged by the rules to give way to pedestrians, although they usually do.

Connectivity: three operators, Cellfie, Silknet and Magti, with 4G across the city and Wi-Fi almost everywhere. Take out travel insurance before the trip.

Getting there and comparing resorts

Batumi airport receives flights from Istanbul, Tbilisi and other cities. When you read about when to go, see Batumi: when to go and what to see. If you are choosing between sea resorts, compare the approach to areas in Antalya: areas, beaches and where to stay and Pattaya: where to stay and what to do. Prices for your dates are in the HotTrip flight search.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to stay in Batumi the first time?

For a first trip the Seaside Boulevard or the old town is the most convenient: the sea, cafes and sights are close, and you hardly need transport.

What are the beaches in Batumi like?

Pebble. A strip with sunbeds and free showers runs along the coast. In the south, near Gonio, the beaches are cleaner than in the city itself, according to Wikivoyage.

When is the best time to go to Batumi?

Wikivoyage names early May to late September as the ideal season. In autumn the city gets the most rain.

How much does a bus ride cost?

According to Wikivoyage, 30 tetri when paying with a Batumi Card or a foreign bank card. A minibus is 70 tetri in cash.

Is Russian enough?

In Batumi about half of residents speak it and another third understand it, so it is usually easy to communicate. A smaller share knows English, but signs are most often duplicated in it.

Cover: photo by Collab Media on Pexels