1. Batumi Boulevard – The Heart of the Coast

Batumi’s 7-km seaside promenade is the city’s soul. Lined with palm trees, park benches, sculptures, fountains, and open-air cafés, it’s where locals and tourists alike come to stroll, cycle, skate, and watch the sunset over the Black Sea. The boulevard has been a social institution since the 1880s.

Location: Runs along the entire Batumi coastline from the port to the southern beaches.

History: The first section of the boulevard was laid out in 1881 under the direction of Prussian gardener Johann Resler. It was expanded throughout the Soviet era and given a massive renovation in the 2010s, adding modern design elements while preserving its historic character.

Highlights:

• The Alphabet Tower — a 130-metre structural tower representing the Georgian alphabet, with a revolving restaurant at the top
• The Batumi Ferris Wheel — 55 metres of illuminated fun on the seafront
• The Medea Monument — a striking statue of the Colchian princess holding the Golden Fleece
• Bicycle and scooter rentals — the best way to cover the full boulevard length
• Ali and Nino Statue — two moving figures that merge and pass through each other, symbolising love across divides

2. Batumi Botanical Garden

One of the largest and most impressive botanical gardens in the former Soviet Union, the Batumi Botanical Garden sprawls over 111 hectares on the Green Cape, 9 km north of the city centre. Its subtropical climate allows over 5,000 plant species from around the world to thrive in nine distinct geographic zones.

Location: Green Cape, 9 km north of Batumi.

History: Founded in 1912 by Russian botanist Andrey Krasnov, the garden was designed to showcase the full diversity of subtropical and temperate plants in one spectacular setting. It was expanded during Soviet times and continues to function as a research institution alongside being a major tourist attraction.

Highlights:

• Panoramic Black Sea viewpoints from the garden’s clifftop location
• The Japanese Garden — a serene space with pagodas, bridges, and koi ponds
• New Zealand, Himalayas, East Asian, and North American plant sections
• Bamboo groves, eucalyptus avenues, and countless flowering shrubs
• Dappled walking trails with shade and sea breezes — perfect escape from summer heat

3. Batumi’s Architectural Landmarks

Batumi’s cityscape is a fascinating juxtaposition of styles. Elegant 19th-century Belle Époque buildings with wrought-iron balconies stand beside postmodern glass towers and whimsical contemporary structures. It’s an architectural playground that surprises at every turn.

Location: Scattered across the city centre and seafront.

History: The 19th-century oil boom brought European architects to Batumi, who built the city’s finest Art Nouveau and Neo-Gothic buildings. The 2010s construction frenzy added towers designed by international architects, creating some of the most unusual buildings in the Caucasus.

Highlights:

• The Alphabetic Tower — 130 metres tall, the world’s tallest structural alphabet representation
• The Radisson Blu Hotel — the iconic sail-shaped tower dominating the skyline
• The Piazza — an Italian-inspired square with mosaic floors and a striking glass ceiling
• The McDonald’s on the boulevard — arguably the world’s most stunning fast-food building, a glass pavilion
• Batumi Cathedral of the Mother of God — a 20th-century neo-Gothic Catholic church with beautiful stained glass

4. Adjarian Cuisine – Batumi’s Unique Flavours

Adjara, Batumi’s region, has its own distinct culinary traditions that set it apart from the rest of Georgia. Being coastal, the cuisine features more seafood, but the undisputed star is Ajarian khachapuri — the famous boat-shaped bread with melted cheese, butter, and a runny egg baked right into the centre.

Where to eat: Along the boulevard, in the Old Town, and in neighbourhood spots in the Abari district.

Highlights:

• Ajarian Khachapuri: The original and best — torn apart by hand, dipped in egg yolk, and devoured
• Fresh fish and seafood: Black Sea trout, red mullet, turbot — grilled simply and served with lemon
• Adjarian-style shila plavi: A creamy, buttery rice dish with chicken or beef
• Borage (boraji): A local herb used in soups, salads, and pies — light and refreshing
• Adjarian pastries: Sweet and savoury pies like nazuki (cinnamon bread) and kote (herbed cheese pastry)

5. Gonio Fortress & Batumi’s Ancient Past

Just 15 km south of Batumi, Gonio Fortress (also known as Apsaros Fortress) is one of the oldest Roman fortifications in the Caucasus. Its well-preserved walls, towers, and ongoing archaeological excavations offer a fascinating glimpse into the region’s ancient military history.

Location: Gonio village, 15 km south of Batumi.

History: The fortress dates back to the 1st century AD and was constructed by the Romans as a garrison fort. It was expanded by Byzantines, Ottomans, and Georgians over the centuries. According to local tradition, the tomb of the Apostle Matthew is located within the fortress grounds, making it a pilgrimage site for some Christians.

Highlights:

• Massive Roman-era walls over 5 metres tall and 900 metres in perimeter
• Ongoing archaeological excavations uncovering Roman barracks, baths, and mosaics
• Small on-site museum with artefacts from the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman periods
• Peaceful grounds with fewer crowds than Batumi’s more central attractions
• Nearby Gonio beach — a quieter, less developed alternative to Batumi’s main beaches

6. Batumi’s Casino & Nightlife Scene

Batumi has earned a reputation as the “Las Vegas of the Black Sea” thanks to its cluster of luxury casino resorts. While the gambling scene draws visitors from Turkey, Iran, and Azerbaijan, the city’s nightlife extends far beyond the tables — from chic lounge bars on the boulevard to live music venues and beach clubs.

Location: Main hotels along the boulevard, with nightlife concentrated around the Old Town and seafront.

Highlights:

• Casino halls in hotels like Sheraton, Hilton, Leogrand, and Intourist Palace
• Beach clubs with DJ sets and dancing until dawn (seasonal, June–September)
• Live music venues featuring traditional Adjarian songs and international covers
• Rooftop bars with Black Sea views
• Late-night cafés and restaurants that stay open until 2–3 AM

7. Mtirala National Park – Batumi’s Mountain Escape

Just 30 km east of Batumi, Mtirala National Park offers a completely different world — lush, misty, rainforest-like mountain scenery with spectacular waterfalls, dense forest trails, and rich biodiversity. It’s one of the wettest places in Georgia, which explains its name (“Mtirala” means “crying” in Georgian).

Location: 30 km east of Batumi, near the village of Chakvistavi.

History: Established in 2006 as Georgia’s newest national park, Mtirala protects the unique Colchic rainforest ecosystem — a UNESCO World Heritage Site remnant of the ancient Colchis forests that covered the region millions of years ago.

Highlights:

• Spectacular waterfalls — the main Tsablnari Waterfall plunges 15 metres into a crystal pool
• Dense, primeval forest with moss-covered trees, ferns, and bamboo groves
• Moderate hiking trails from 1-hour walks to full-day treks
• Rich bird and wildlife spotting — deer, wild boar, and over 100 bird species
• Beautiful mountain vistas looking back toward the Black Sea coastline

8. Kintrishi Valley & Nearby Mountain Getaways

Beyond Mtirala, the Adjarian highlands offer some of the most beautiful and least-visited mountain landscapes in Georgia. The Kintrishi Protected Area, Khulo, and the high-mountain village of Beshumi are ideal for escaping Batumi’s summer crowds and experiencing authentic Adjarian mountain culture.

Location: 40–100 km east of Batumi, reaching elevations of 1,500–2,500 metres.

Highlights:

• Kintrishi Protected Area — pristine beech forests, ancient bridges, and waterfalls
• Khulo — the gateway to highland Adjara with its famous cable car (one of the longest in Georgia)
• Beshumi ski resort — a small, affordable winter destination with excellent snow
• Tago waterfall — one of the highest in Georgia at 150 metres
• Traditional Adjarian mountain villages with distinctive wooden architecture