The 10 Best Things To See And Do In Batumi

Now a bustling summer destination for many locals, Batumi has undergone a drastic change in recent years. Today, visitors to this modern city can enjoy many attractions, international hotels, a great dining scene and busy nightlife. Even though Batumi has more modern buildings these days, it has still managed to keep its charm, elegance and relaxed atmosphere. Here are the best things for you to see and do in this Black Sea resort.

Statue of Ali and Nino

Located at Batumi Bay, this statue of eternal love is an iconic landmark in Batumi. Made by Georgian artist Tamara Kvesitadze, the figures move towards each other, merge into one piece and then move away from each other every 10 minutes.

The idea to create this magnificent statue came from the book of the same name by Kurban Said. The book is about a romantic relationship between Azerbaijani Muslim Ali and a Georgian Christian daughter of a nobleman in Baku in 1918.

Statue of Ali and Nino, Batumi, Georgia

The statue of Ali and Nino | © Roberto Strauss / Flickr

Alphabetic Tower

Building

Batumi is full of skyscrapers, and the Alphabetic Tower is one such example. It expresses the uniqueness of the Georgian alphabet and people. Situated near the Ali and Nino statue, the tower is another main landmark of the city. The 130-meter-tall (426.5 feet) building combines the design of a DNA strand holding 33 letters of the Georgian alphabet, with each aluminum letter being four meters (13.1 feet) tall. The elevator shaft leads to the very top of the structure, which provides panoramic views.

Alphabetic Tower, Seaside Blvd, Batumi, Georgia

Alphabetic Tower | © jagermesh / Flickr

Argo Cable Car

Church

Built in 2012, the Argo Cable Car has become a must-do activity once in Batumi. It will take you on a 2.5-kilometer (1.5-mile) ride at a maximum elevation of 252 meters (826.7 feet). At the end of the journey, there’s a viewing platform for sweeping views over the city.

Additionally, there is a small church next to the viewpoint and a café in the upper station if you’d like to grab something and enjoy the splendid views.

Argo Cable Car, Gogebashvili St, Batumi, Georgia, +995 599 98 85 71

Piazza Square

Piazza Square, which features boutique hotels, cafés, and unique architecture, is a go-to destination for many locals to grab a drink or something to eat. Designed by Georgian architect Vazha Orbeladze, the Piazza perfectly mixes different styles and trends.

Piazza Square, Batumi, Georgia

Piazza square | © jagermesh / Flickr

Europe Square

Besides its new buildings, Batumi reserved the best buildings from the 19th century; the time when it used to be a free port on the Caspian oil route to Europe. During Batumi’s restoration period, these old buildings were also renovated, while new ones constructed in the old style were built next to them.

Head to Europe Square and check out the astronomical clock and Medea monument in the middle of it. Medea is a Georgian woman from the Argonauts myth, who helped Jason steal the Golden Fleece from the Georgian state of Colchis to take to ancient Greece.

Europe Square, Batumi, Georgia

Part of the Europe Square| © jagermesh / Flickr

Stroll down the Boulevard

The Boulevard was originally laid out in 1884, but it has changed over time, with new attractions emerging each year. A seven-kilometer (4.3-mile) boulevard starts at Batumi Bay, which offers many exciting attractions to visitors. Besides the landmarks mentioned above, there are plenty of viewpoints, spots to take pictures, the old Boulevard featuring various fountains, and plenty of cafés, to name but a few.

Try Adjaruli Khachapuri

Unique to this region of Georgia, this type of khachapuri (a pizza-like meal made from cheese and dough) is in the shape of a boat and is baked in a brick oven. Once the chef removes the dish from the oven, he or she adds a raw egg and a knob of butter before serving. To eat it, you need to mix everything together, take a piece of the dough and dip it into the cheese-egg-butter mixture.

It comes in different sizes and is quite filling. Most locals can’t even eat a whole one, so some cafés now offer “tsom gamotslili,”which means that the extra dough on the sides of the “boat” is taken out. However, this doesn’t mean you’ll get less cheese in the middle of the dish.

Visit the Batumi Botanical Garden

Botanical Garden

The Batumi Botanical Garden, founded by a Russian botanist and opened in 1912, lies in Mtsvane Kontskhi, a small town 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) away from the city. It’s one of the largest botanical gardens in the former Soviet Union, a time when it was further expanded and developed. The garden offers some great views over the coastline along with beautiful flora and fauna.

Play with dolphins

Visiting the Dolphinarium is an excellent way to end your trip to Batumi. One of the most popular attractions in Georgia, the venue offers an exciting show—in Georgian, Russian and English—where the cute species sing, dance, kiss, and hug. And for an additional cost, you can play with the dolphins after the performance.
Dolphinarium, 51 Rustaveli Ave, Batumi, Georgia, +995 422 22 17 30

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.