Batumi: when to go and what to see in 3-4 days

Batumi is called the main resort of Georgia, but people come not only for the sea. The city is compact: the boulevard, squares, churches and parks lie close together, and in a day you can easily reach the mountains or a fortress. Here are the months to go, what to see in the city and where to go beyond it. Where to stay is covered in Batumi: areas, beaches and where to stay.

When to go

According to Wikivoyage, the ideal season for Batumi runs from early May to late September. For swimming these are the most reliable months: the sea is warm and the city is in full swing, with most venues open on the boulevard and around it.

Autumn and winter are different. Batumi is known for rain: even in Soviet times it was the city with the highest average annual rainfall, most of it in autumn. Heavy rain lasting several days is possible at any time of year. So in the shoulder season keep backup plans for bad weather: museums, cafes and trips to covered places.

What to pick:

• May, June and September: comfortable for walking and trips around the area, with less bustle.
• July and August: the peak of the beach season and the liveliest evenings.
• October to April: a city for walks, cafes and excursions, but do not count on swimming.

What to see in the city

One or two days is enough to get to know the center.

1. Seaside Boulevard. A park founded in 1884 and added to ever since. It has a "dancing" fountain that runs to music in the evening, an entrance portico from the mid-1930s and the 1975 Fantasia cafe decorated with sea creatures.
2. Europe Square. Old buildings, a fountain, a small park and a 30-meter statue of Medea.
3. Piazza Square. A Venetian-style courtyard built in 2010. In the evening there are performances, and almost everything is taken by open-air cafes.
4. The former republic bank building. A corner tower, an astronomical clock and tiles that make the building look like a gingerbread house.
5. The Cathedral of the Nativity of the Mother of God. Neo-Gothic from 1898-1903, with almost all the stained glass preserved inside.
6. The Orta Mosque (1886) and the Turkish quarter around it on Khulo, Kutaisi and Chkalov streets, with many places serving national cuisine.
7. The Alphabet Tower, 130 meters tall. Its observation deck has an unusual schedule, so check whether it is open on your day.
8. The "Ali and Nino" sculpture on the waterfront and 6 May Park around Nuri lake with a zoo and a dolphinarium.

The botanical garden and fortresses

The most popular trip out of town is north of Batumi.

• The botanical garden. Founded in 1880, with nine sections by region and more than 9,000 plant species. The garden stands on heights up to 220 meters, so it offers sea views, and sightseeing electric buses run around it.
• Petra Fortress. The ruins of a 6th-century Byzantine fortress: walls up to 7 meters thick, towers, a basilica foundation and a bath. Public transport does not reach it, so a taxi or a car is easier. According to Wikivoyage a ticket costs 8 lari.
• Gonio Fortress south of the city. It was founded by Greek colonists and has archaeological finds and reconstructions of daily life inside. According to Wikivoyage an adult ticket is 5 lari. Buses 16 and 17 and minibuses 34 and 88 go south.

Mountain Adjara

If you have one free day, go to the mountains: it is a completely different picture.

• Khulo. A village with a cable car almost 2 km long over a gorge. You get there by intercity minibus from the old bus station.
• Mahuntseti. A twenty-meter waterfall, a 12th-century stone arch bridge and rafting on the Adjaristskali. There is a local products market and small cafes nearby.

A plan for 3-4 days

• Day 1. The Seaside Boulevard, the fountain, Piazza, Europe Square, dinner in the Turkish quarter.
• Day 2. The botanical garden and Petra Fortress.
• Day 3. Mountain Adjara: Khulo and Mahuntseti.
• Day 4. Gonio Fortress, the beach and free time.

Getting there and flights

Batumi has an airport about 7 km from the center, with its runway running right into the sea. Cheap flights within Georgia are also often searched for neighboring Kutaisi. Compare dates and prices in the HotTrip flight search. If you plan to include the capital, see Tbilisi: where to stay and what to see.

Frequently asked questions

Which months are best for Batumi?

The most convenient period is early May to late September, according to Wikivoyage.

How many days do I need for Batumi?

For the city and two or three trips around it, 3-4 days is enough.

Is it worth going to Batumi in autumn?

Yes, but with a backup plan for rain: autumn is the wettest time of year, and swimming is usually not planned.

How do I get to Petra Fortress?

Public transport does not reach it, so it is better to take a taxi or go by car.

How do I get to Khulo and Mahuntseti?

Intercity minibuses to Khulo leave from the old Batumi bus station, and Mahuntseti can be reached along the same mountain route.

Cover: photo by Roman Odintsov on Pexels