Batumi beaches: photos, reviews and sea. Our holiday impressions

What would we like to see while spending our holidays on the Black Sea? Last time Georgia- a state living in newspaper articles and military footage reeking of anxiety. Holidays in Georgia on the Black Sea, is it possible? Let's not guess, but pack a virtual travel bag and go to the land of Lezginka and Khachapuri for Batumi resort.

Geography with economics: “passport” of Batumi

Georgia is located on the border of the highlands of Western Asia and the semi-humid Mediterranean. The region is characterized by a mild subtropical climate, which determines the richness of Georgia's flora. The country's landscape is varied: from plateaus, bizarre cliffs and cliffs to green plains. The length of the Black Sea coast of Georgia is only 308 km. If desired, you can travel from the southern to northern borders in a few hours by car.

The Georgian coast is a relatively flat line, without large peninsulas and bays. With this “short” and “resortless” coast, Georgia can hardly compete with the resorts of neighboring Abkhazia (Sukhumi, Gagra, Pitsunda). But there is one place in this Caucasian Black Sea region that has long attracted vacationers from all over the world. The name of this piece of paradise is Adjara. Holidays in Batumi, the capital of Adjara, was the dream of millions of tourists in Soviet times. The older generation remembers with nostalgia vacations on Batumi beaches, the hospitality of local residents and surroundings steeped in history.

Batumi located on the shore of a natural bay, in Kakhaber lowland, just 2-3 meters above the Black Sea level. This is a typical southern city - the streets are drowned in the greenery of cypresses, palms, lemon and orange trees, laurels, boxwoods, oleanders, thujas.

Batumi is the capital of Adjara Autonomous Republic and tourist center No. 1 of modern Georgia. In addition, the city is the most important economic and cultural center of the country. On its territory there are numerous historical monuments and buildings. Today, Batumi is home to about 180 thousand residents professing Orthodoxy (the majority), Judaism, Islam and Catholicism. The total area of ​​the city is more than 19 square kilometers.

The basis of the economy of Batumi is:

• port, oil and container terminal;
• light industry (clothing and shoe production);
• a tobacco and tea factory, a pharmaceutical factory and a coffee factory;
• tourism industry ( hotels, entertainment centers, theaters, museum, large aquarium).

Nature and climate of Batumi

Batumi is dominated by a subtropical climate with high humidity. Local old-timers can count on their fingers the years they have seen snow here. Summers in the region are hot. The beginning of the swimming season is May, the end is the last weeks of October. Residents of Batumi claim that over the summer the sea warms up so much that you can swim in it in November. Temperature maximum in summer is +36 degrees. Winter temperatures rarely fall below +8 degrees, and range from +8 to +15 degrees. There is little precipitation here, most of the annual norm falls in winter.

Beaches of Batumi

Beach holiday in Batumi- this is swimming in highly mineralized waters. If within the city the movement of sea vessels slightly changed the color of the water, then in the “calm” surroundings of the city it retained its natural emerald hue.

Batumi is actively being rebuilt and renovated. This also applies to areas adjacent to the sea. Therefore, urban Batumi beaches“a little” polluted, and vacationers prefer to communicate with the sea in the areas of Sarpi and Kvariarti, located slightly south of the “central” resort of Georgia. This area is considered environmentally friendly and most suitable for beach holiday.

There is no sand to be found on the beaches of Batumi - they are all strewn with large pebbles. Therefore, in the summer heat, do not forget to take care of your feet and buy “flip flops” to avoid burning your feet.

Urban beach, nicknamed by some optimist “Batumi Beach” - a wide pebble strip, in some places equipped with sun loungers, umbrellas, showers, changing cabins, restaurants and cafes, water sports stations. Right behind the beach is the Batumi park-boulevard with a palm alley.

Batumi beach stretched along the sea for less than 8 km. A promenade runs along it - a favorite place for evening walks for townspeople and vacationers. The promenade starts from the marine terminal, and where it ends is not yet known - construction continues today.

In search of clean sea water, you can diversify holiday in Batumi visiting quiet beaches in the small villages of Sarpi and Gonio. The easiest way to get to them is by minibus, which departs from Chavchadze Street. Travel time one way is about 20 minutes.

In addition to the beach, you can see the famous historical monument - the remains of the Roman fortress Gonio. You can stay in the village for a while: right on the Black Sea shore, several hotels.

In Sarpi you will see a small pebble beach, very clean water and... Turkish border guards, because Turkey begins south of Sarpi. Gonio and Sarpi are equipped with umbrellas and sun loungers.

Recreation for the soul and entertainment in Batumi

Which one holiday in Batumi, and, in general, a holiday on the Black Sea, without entertainment? We return from the beaches to the “sinful land” to see what the complex of “resort entertainment” in Batumi offers.

Park Boulevard "Batumi", squeezed between the city and the beach with a narrow one and a half kilometer strip, is a real "center of wild life." With its restaurants, cafes, bars, small shops and stores, it catches vacationers returning from the sea, like fishing nets. Among its old, literally “historical” trees, the Batumi Ferris wheel is located. From its top point there is a picturesque view of the sea and the city, of the eternal and the transitory...

After exploring Park Boulevard, you can go to Europe Square and indulge in the general joy of the idle crowd walking between the famous singing fountains and the huge monument to Medea.

By the way, about monuments: Batumi many architectural masterpieces. Of these, the 19th century Orta Jame mosque stands out. It is decorated with beautiful Arabic calligraphy. If we continue the conversation about religious monuments, then it is worth mentioning Orthodox churches (of which there are many in Batumi), Catholic churches, and Armenian churches. While walking around the city, don't miss:

• Cathedral Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary;
• Church of St. Nicholas;
• Armenian Church of Surb Prkch.

While swimming in Gonio, visit the fortress ruins. These walls were once the citadel of the great Roman Empire, and later of Byzantium and the Turks. 900 meters of walls with 18 towers located on them are well preserved for their age.

If the heat drives you away from the beach, hide from it in the eternal cool of museums. They will find theirs here holiday in Batumi your soul and mind: Adjarian Art Museum, Nobel Museum, Stalin Museum, Batumi Archaeological Museum.

There is another place in the center of Batumi recreation- Park named after May 6. The park received an unusual name for the Russian ear (accustomed to the combination “May 9”) after the events of May 6, 2004, when the government of the former leader of the autonomy was expelled from Adjara. True, the residents of Batumi themselves call the park by the old Soviet name - “Pionersky”. Lake Nurigel overflowed in the park, on the shores of which there were water attractions, boat stations, a dolphinarium and an aquarium. And the guests of the park are greeted by a huge tree, planted by Alexander III during his short stay in Batumi.

Nurigel is not the only lake in the city. Another, picturesque Ardagan Lake, is separated from the sea by a narrow strip of beach. This lake is decorated with light and music fountains, and exciting smells of Caucasian and Chinese cuisines, escaping from local restaurants, wander along the shore.

Batumi Botanical Garden- a green fairy tale of the city. To fully enjoy its shady expanses, plan a walk for the whole day. Because otherwise you will see only mosaic pieces of the great creation of man and nature, created by A.N. Krasnov at the beginning of the last century. But the garden, which covers 111 hectares, presents plants from all over the planet - more than 5 thousand species, of which there are more than 2 thousand species of trees and shrubs alone.

Recently a water park appeared in Batumi. It is planned to open in 2015 hotels, built next to it. If you love water attractions, this is your reason to go to the capital of Adjara!

About food options and prices in Batumi

Batumi is a representative of Western Georgian cuisine, which includes fish, an abundance of vegetables, fruits and herbs, dairy products with a variety of savory snacks and sauces. Restaurant Batumi menus resemble a summary of “The Book of Tasty and Healthy Food” due to the abundance of national dishes on offer: kutabs, kebabs, lobio, satsivi and so on. delicacies. "Crown" dish Batumi- this is “acharuli khachapuri” - Adjarian khachapuri, a puff pastry pie with egg and cheese filling. It is baked in the shape of a boat, and when ready, it is a delicate pastry filled to the brim with a mixture of thinly sliced ​​eggs and cheese. The best Adjarian khachapuri is prepared in “Lunga”, on the corner of Baratashvili and Gorgiladze streets. If you get hungry on the beach, then you can have a good snack at “Sanapiro” (and at the same time, admire the view of the harbor) or at “Zakara” (street corner Vazha Pshavela and Pushkina). The best Batumi restaurants:

• "Ukrainochka" ( price average lunch 350-950 rubles);
• "Clouds Restaurant and Bar";
• "Neocca";
• "La Brioche"
• "Grand Grill";
• "Megrul-Lazuri".

Batumi Hotels

Among “our” tourists there is an opinion that holiday in Batumi- expensive pleasure. In part, they are right - the capital of Adjara can “boast” prices in hotels(from 1500 rubles per day). Therefore, when choosing a place to live, first of all remember the basic law of any Black Sea resort - the farther from the sea, the cheaper the housing. No one has repealed this law in Batumi either: hotels"first line" offer rooms at inflated prices, and life in private boarding house or in rented apartment accessible to the average tourist. As for hotels, according to reviews from our compatriots, the best are:

• Radisson Blu Hotel Batumi (5,307 rubles);
• Hotel Egrisi (1,873 rubles);
• Golden Fish Hotel (1,499 rubles);
• “Elegant” (1,873 rubles);
• Sheraton Batumi (5,713 rubles).

Our virtual “Batumi” vacation is over. Behind you are the palm grove of the park-boulevard, the lake in the park named after May 6, the fortress in Gonio... I would like to believe that ahead of you is a real holiday in Batumi, a real Adjarian holiday on the Black Sea. And perhaps you will be able to nullify the value of the advice given on all sites about Batumi:

“If you are in the mood for a romantic mood, and a vacation in Batumi for you is the oceans of the eyes of your companion or companion, remember - in Batumi there is a fine for kissing in a public place...”

About a beach holiday in Georgia and about which city to choose for your trip to the sea.

What is the sea like in Georgia?

In Georgia the Black Sea. The length of the coast is about 110 km, and all of these are beaches, mostly pebble, but you can also find sandy ones.

When is the best time to go to the seaside in Georgia?

You can swim in the sea in Georgia from May to September.

But in May the water is quite invigorating, the temperature is comfortable - from mid-June.

But in general, this is a rather subjective question; in Montenegro we swam in fairly cool water, and we liked everything. But after Thailand, I want something warmer)

The high season on the coast is from June to September. It gets really crowded in July and August.

At this time, prices for housing and food increase, portions in restaurants decrease) But clubs, summer cafes and the entire tourist infrastructure are working at full capacity.

But honestly, I would not recommend going to Batumi during these months. A beach holiday in Georgia in June and September will be much more comfortable, more interesting and cheaper. The sea is warm, you can swim, there are not many vacationers, all establishments are still open.

Rains happen at any time of the year, no matter how much travel agents and guidebooks try to convince you otherwise)

But from June to September there are actually fewer of them. The rainiest months occur from November to March.

Sandy beaches of Georgia

Sandy beaches in Georgia can be found in the village of Ureki (Magnetiti) - this is perhaps the most famous place due to its magnetic sands. During the season, the beach is densely covered with tourists.

Wilder, quieter places are the villages of Shekvetili (not far from Kobuleti) and Grigoleti (located further than Ureki). People come here who prefer a calm and secluded holiday, away from all the hustle and bustle.

Few people come here, but as a rule, those who have visited are delighted and return repeatedly.

The rest of the beaches in Batumi and its surroundings are pebbly. Somewhere the stones are large, somewhere smaller.

In this regard, I really like the beach in Kobuleti - there are small pebbles, mixed with sand. It’s nice to go into the sea and the water is quite clean.

Where is the cleanest sea in Georgia?

• The cleanest sea is in the vicinity of Gonio, Sarpi and Kvariarti. If you come not during the high season, this is not so relevant; in September it is quite pleasant to swim in the center of Batumi. But in August the difference is colossal - how dirty and muddy the water is in Batumi, it is just as clear and turquoise in Kvariarti. These places are located south of Batumi; in the summer there are enough cafes and accommodation where you can stay. There are minibuses and buses to Batumi, the ride takes 20-30 minutes.

• The clear sea is also in the area of ​​the Botanical Garden - Cape Verde. This is also not very far from Batumi, the drive is about 20-30 minutes, housing is for rent, and in the summer there is minimal infrastructure for recreation.
• Also clean on the wild beaches in Tsikhisdziri and Mtsvane-Kontskhi. I'm not sure about the possibility of staying there, it's a very secluded place.
• A spacious beach with clean water and infrastructure is in Kobuleti. Even in high season it's full and I really like the atmosphere.

• In Batumi the sea is also suitable for swimming, but dirtier than other places on the coast. This does not stop thousands of tourists from swimming here, and it is actually because of these thousands of tourists that the sea becomes so dirty) In August, we tried not to swim at all in Batumi, but since the beginning of September the water has become noticeably cleaner every day.

• In Makhinjauri the sea is approximately the same as in Batumi. This place is suitable for those who want to live away from the center and enjoy all the advantages of the city, and for those who want to save on housing.

• Chakvi is quite clean, but it’s definitely not the best place to relax.
• Shekvetili is a village for lovers of silence. There are sandy beaches here with the same black sand as in Ureki and a pine forest on the shore.
• In Ureki the water is muddy due to the sandy bottom. In the high season there are a lot of people and it’s dirty, in the low season it’s beautiful, clean and graceful)

Which place to choose for a holiday in Georgia by the Sea?

Which is better, Batumi, Ureki or Kobuleti?

I am always at a loss when faced with such questions, but I will try to describe how the resorts differ from each other.

The largest city in Georgia on the Black Sea coast is Batumi. If you want to combine a beach holiday with the usual city life, developed infrastructure and entertainment, this is definitely the best choice.

There is something to do here, many attractions, and if the beach still doesn’t suit you, you can easily drive to neighboring villages and swim there. At the same time, don’t be tormented by the question of what to do with yourself in the evening.

Ureki is not a city, but a village or even a village 50 km from Batumi. Known for its beach with black magnetic sands, there are a huge number of vacationers here in the summer. A minimal infrastructure appears, but in my opinion, there is nothing interesting in the village except the beach itself.

There is not much to do in Ureki, and getting to other places in Adjara will be problematic if you do not have your own transport, since it is located quite remotely.

And you know, black sand can be found in Shekvetili, only it is not so far from Batumi and there are much fewer people there.

Kobuleti is a village or small town located about 25 km from Batumi. There is a pebble beach here, but the pebbles are smaller and nicer than in Batumi.

In summer there are a lot of people and traffic jams fill the town. But there is still a place on the beach.

In the vicinity there is a cool amusement park Tsitsinatela, which I can wholeheartedly recommend to both children and adults. And in the same place there is a miniature park where you can see small copies of many famous Georgian attractions.

It makes sense to go to Gonio, Kvariarti and Sarpi during the high season. During this period there are markets, cafes, and a lot of housing for every taste. But in the off-season everything is closed there and there is simply nothing to do; it is better to stay in Batumi.

Where is the best place to relax with children?

• As practice shows, children like pebble beaches no less than sandy ones. It is more difficult to move on them, but this is also not a problem - since slippers for entering the water are sold everywhere.
• Kobuleti has places for walking and entertainment for children.
• In Ureki, at the height of the season, some entertainment for children appears, but in my opinion, it is better to set aside 1 day and go there than to plan your entire vacation in the village.
• In high season it makes sense to stay in Gonio and Kvariarti.
• The most interesting places where you can take children are in Batumi. And it is this place that I can call the most convenient for relaxation for both children and adults. Well, seeing other beaches is also not a problem; you can take or go on an excursion. You can also order

Batumi(ბათუმი) - the capital of Adjara, the most seaside and most resort city in Georgia with a population of 120,000 people (10 times smaller than Tbilisi). This city is warm, tasty, interesting, well restored, and by 2013 the restoration was almost complete. Batumi has an unreal number of hotels and restaurants, and this is the place where it is easiest to spend money - which is what Turks, Azerbaijanis, Iranians and residents of the capital do here. In Georgia, it is customary to love Batumi and recommend it to tourists. It is famous for its architecture, its beach, and its Botanical Garden.

History of Batumi

The history of Batumi consists of several phases. This is a very vague antiquity, then the Turkish era, when the first buildings appeared in the city, then the era of the Russian presence, Soviet and post-Soviet. The 20th century in Batumi was especially eventful: it was shelled by the Turkish fleet, it was occupied by the British, it was recaptured from the Turks by the Georgian army, and so on. In 2011, Batumi got into the film “Love with an Accent,” where he was given a whole long story.

Around town

Batumi has a convenient grid layout and it is easy to navigate the city - it is the most logical city in the country. People enter Batumi, as a rule, along Tsereteli Street and end up at the beginning of Chavchavadze Street. This is a long “horizontal” that divides the city into two halves - northern and southern. The southern one is of no interest and there is nothing to do there. I'll tell you about the northern half.

In the northern half of the city there is a square Old City- this is the square within the boundaries of which the city existed at the beginning of the century. The northern border of the square is Ninoshvili Street. This was once an embankment. The southern border is Chavchavadze. Eastern - port. Western - very roughly according to Vazha Pshavela. At the corner of Vazha Pshavela and Ninoshvili there is now a clearing and a temple - this is the former territory of a British military hospital. In 1918 this was the edge of the city. The northernmost corner of the city is now being built up with something unknown, and until recently there was a Batumi fortress there, which covered the entrance to the Batumi bay. Unfortunately, it was torn down.

Everything to the west of the mentioned square is Soviet construction, and the western half of the Boulevard is a modern major new building. These areas are worth visiting for the third and fourth time.

The square of the Old City itself is divided into two halves by Baratashvili Street. To the east of the street, almost everything has already been cultivated, restored and turned into Europe, and to the west of it, reconstruction has just finished. So the most beautiful and walkable part of the city is from Baratashvili to the port.

What we have in the old city: a cathedral, a synagogue, an Armenian temple, a Greek church, a Batumi mosque, a local history museum, the Batumi Piazza, a cable car and a bunch of hotels. And several consulates. Well, and Boulevard, of course. The botanical garden is located far away from the center.

Well, now a little about some streets, starting with the famous Boulevard.

Boulevard

This is something huge. The old part of the boulevard stretches for 1500 meters, and the entire length with modern sections (with the Seaside Park) runs for 5000 meters. At the entrance it is about 300 meters wide (without the beach), and gradually narrows. The boulevard is planted with palm trees, spruce trees, and even bamboo. In some places there live parrots in cages, ducks and herons.

Ninoshvili Street runs along the Boulevard: it used to be the seashore. At the entrance you can now see a strange white structure in the shape of an eye, in the place of which there once stood a marker “former seashore”. Next to the "eye" is a glass booth of the tourist information office. In my opinion, it was worth making a larger office in Batumi. There is also a stand with rental bicycles near the office.

Now the Boulevard is a popular place for recreation and walking. There's a lot of ice cream, coffee and girls here. From here you have the best views of the sea. The boulevard is also famous for its free Wi-Fi with good speed. This is a gift from the Magti company.

At the far end of the boulevard is the university building and the Hilton Hotel. Directly in front of the Hilton is a concrete structure with a mosaic: the famous Fantasy Cafe. It is famous for the fact that two scenes of the film “Love and Doves” were filmed against its backdrop, one during the day and one at night. The night shot was shot using composite photography, which can be confusing.

Streets and avenues

Rustaveli Avenue. This name is usually given to the most official street in the city, but in Batumi they have deviated a little from this rule. Batumi Rustaveli is also central and large, but there is not much interesting on it. Even "Intourist" faces it only with its back side. If you walk from the embankment, the first building on this street is a huge theater building. In front of the theater there is an enlarged copy of the Golden Lion of Tsrom, and in the square there is a fountain with erotic overtones, an almost exact copy of the fountain in the main square of Bologna.

Memed Abashidze Avenue(Former Mariinsky Avenue, also known as Stalin Avenue) is one of the horizontal lines of the old city, which begins in the port area and ends at the southwestern end of the May 6 Park (it goes directly to the main entrance to the park). Here is the building of the old Apollo theater, the central post office (on the corner with Baratashvili) and several central banks. The avenue runs along the southern edge of the European Square (where the column with Medea is) and here on the avenue stands one of the calling cards of Batumi - the newly built clock tower. Once upon a time, the house of Ilya Chavchavadze stood on this avenue, but he did not survive to our time.

Prospect in 1926

	Historical reference. Memed Abashidze (1873 - 1937) was one of the Adjarian Muslim princes Abashidze and a relative of the future ruler of Adjara Aslan Abashidze. They say that he personally translated "The Knight in the Skin of a Tiger" into Turkish. He took part in the revolution of 1905, and after 1917 he tried to unite Muslim Adjarians with Christian Adjarians and advocated integration with Georgia. After the Soviet conquest, he managed to come to an agreement with the Bolsheviks and took part in the creation of the Adjarian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. He had good relations with Stalin - apparently since 1905 - but in the ominous year of 1937 he was nevertheless arrested and shot.

Konstantin Gamsakhurdia Street(formerly Lenin). It goes from the entrance to the Boulevard to Tbilisi Square. The total length is 900 meters. This is one of the central streets of the Old City; until 2004, the residence of Aslan Abashidze and the building of the Supreme Council of Adjara were located on it, so during Abashidze’s era, movement along it was partially limited. It was on this street that Russian traveler Grigory Kubatyan was arrested in 2000 for walking past his residence. On the same front street there is now a wine store of the Khareba company.

The Adjara Armed Forces building was demolished in 2011, but the residence remained completely intact.

General Mazniashvili Street- one of the oldest streets in Batumi, which runs past the Piazza. Useful mainly for house No. 5, where they are located railway ticket office- You can buy a train ticket there. Otherwise, there are a few hotels and some just cute houses on the street.

King Farnavaz Street. A long street (2 kilometers) crossing the entire city from the Embankment to new buildings. This is an old town street, half renovated and cultivated. Two blocks from the waterfront on this street stands a striped Greek temple. Opposite is the most famous place of modern Batumi - the Italian square in the Venetian style. From here to Baratashvili the street has the most formal appearance, and beyond Baratashvili it is densely planted with fir trees.

Kutaisskaya street- this is a small Batumi “vertical”, passing very close to the port and slightly curved, which is rare for Batumi. This is one of the oldest streets in the city, it is on it that the Batumi Mosque stands, and the section of the street around the mosque is inhabited by Turkish lokants, restaurants and shawarma shops. The best coffee in Batumi is prepared here, and at the southern end the street ends at a small park where they usually sell coffee and coffee.

Kutaisskaya street

Chavchavadze Street. as already mentioned, Chavchavadze divides the city into two parts. The street starts from the seashore, where the obelisk stands. There are usually a bunch of suburban minibuses there. Further down the street there is a Goodwill hypermarket, many good exchange offices, a cheap food store and a huge Batumi Plaza. Behind the plaza is Tbilisi Square.

500 meters from the square there is now a bank building, in the past it was the building of the Batumi station. There was once a railway line along Chavchavadze, which has now been dismantled, and in its place is a lawn. On the same site stands the famous Batumi Cathedral. In the past - Catholic, now - Orthodox.

Gorgiladze Street(formerly Gorky) - a linear street that does not reach the center. It is famous for its cafe "Laguna" in building No. 18. Adjarian khachapuri is made here, one of the best in Adjara. This place is definitely worth a visit to have a sample of khachapuri for further comparison.

Vazha Pshavely Street. Once upon a time, its southern end abutted the Batumi station and, getting off the train, the passenger ended up on this street. Now the station has been converted into shops, and on the street you can find a synagogue, the Church of St. Barbara and the monument to Vazha Pshavela. The street is wide, green, nice.

Vazha Pshavely street
monument to Vazha Pshavela				House No. 30

Khulo Street. This is a short street, 260 meters long, running from the embankment to the Piazza. The surrounding area of ​​this street is a kind of “Turkish Batumi”. If you walk along it from the embankment, then a minaret will flash on the right, and if you then turn left along Kutaisskaya, then the entire Batumi mosque will be there, but it is practically not visible at all. The facade of the mosque merges with its neighbors, the roof is flat, the entrance is barely visible. Then we cross Zviad Gamsakhurdia Street, and almost immediately after it on the right side there will be a barely noticeable building of Turkish baths. These are real bathhouses with round domes, but it’s not clear whether they are working now or not. (renovated in 2015)

Church of St. Nicholas

The Church of St. Nicholas on the corner of Farnavaza and Zviad Gamsakhurdia streets is the most important historical site in Batumi, if only because it is almost the oldest surviving building in the city - the Batumi mosque was built only a couple of years earlier. At one time, the Turks settled these lands with the Greeks, who did a lot for the development of the city and for these merits they were allowed to build a temple, but only without a bell. Construction began in 1865, finished in 1871, and in 1878 the Russian army arrived and the Turkish era ended, they allowed to install a bell on the temple. In the 1990s, the temple underwent renovations, and it was then that the paintings that can be seen in it today appeared.

It is interesting that eyewitnesses mention the ringing of the bells of this temple even at the time the Russian army entered Batumi in August 1878: ...The ringing of bells came to us from the city, for the first time, after many centuries, announcing the sound of a Muslim land. This was rung in the Greek Church of St. Nicholas, and the solemn bell called the people to prayer at this solemn and great moment for Christians.

In any case, this ringing made the temple a visual symbol of that historical event.

Church of St. Nicholas Coordinates: 41°39"0"N 41°38"29"E

Batumi beach

Since Batumi is a seaside resort, people come here mainly for the beaches. There are some in the outskirts of the city, but there is also a large pebble beach directly within Batumi. It is very wide and for this reason the presence of the city does not affect it very much. Along the beach there are all kinds of restaurant establishments and, in particular, the Batumi Pier restaurant. It has a competent design and good views of the sea, but the prices are steep - 6 GEL for a cappuccino and 7 GEL for a latte.

The fashion for swimming existed in this place at the end of the 19th century. One Russian traveler wrote this: " As much as the baths are visited in winter, in spring and summer there is just as much swimming in the sea, which takes place along the entire coast, but mainly along the boulevard, where in one place, for this purpose, there is a small bathing house, of course, far from being able to accommodate everyone, and therefore, the latter undress and swim along the entire boulevard, and, it should be noted, bathing suits are not in fashion". (What the last sentence hints at is not entirely clear)

Museums of Batumi

Batumi Archaeological Museum. Located right on Chavchavadze Street in a large gray building. The entire museum is one hall in size on two floors. On the second floor - Stone Age and Early Iron Age, below - Hellenistics, early and late Middle Ages: amphorae, coins, etc. The top floor is more interesting: all the stones are laid out on shelves, everything is numbered, explanations are in Georgian-English-Russian, everything is competent and serious.

Batumi Museum of Local Lore. It's not very easy to find. First, I advise you to find a synagogue. From there, go north and turn left at the first opportunity. The museum building is not very expressive.

The museum has a pleasant old, academic atmosphere, preserved from the Soviet era. There is silence here, there are heavy cabinets with insects and stuffed birds. Some places are signed in Russian. There are Black Sea fish, some kind of minerals, samples of tea leaves and other biological things on display here. The archaeological department contains a lot of pottery and several bronze Colchis axes.

Adjara Museum of Art- The least informative museum of the three. It positions itself as an exhibition of famous Georgian artists, but there are exactly four paintings by such artists, so your brain will not be enriched with anything new there.

Museum of Memed Abashidze. Located on Abashidze Street, building 7. A small dark room hung with photographs. There is almost no information content, there is no point in visiting. Why it is carefully drawn on all maps, one can only guess.

Batumi cable car

This object appeared in Batumi quite recently and immediately became famous. This is a very long cable car, which you can take from the embankment to the nearest mountain. There is a good observation deck and an expensive restaurant on the mountain. In good weather there are good views from here. The only downside is the low throughput.

Food in Batumi

There are several types of food in Batumi. The most common are standard Batumi eateries in the folk spirit, where nothing has changed over the past half century. They sell kebabs, lobio, khachapuri and other ordinary things there. They even pour wine, but you shouldn't drink it here - ever. This is cheap stuff you shouldn't stoop to. An example of such an establishment is the corner restaurant "Cafe Saamo" on Abashidze 37, corner from the street. Tavdadebuli.

Another type is pretentious restaurants, where the menu includes many mysterious names for a lot of money, and where you can spend your money beautifully, but it is illogical to eat there regularly.

The third, purely Batumi option is Turkish lokants, of which there are especially many on Kutaisi Street near the mosque. They are a little more expensive than Georgian ones, but for a change they are very good.

The Batumi brand is Adjarian khachapuri. They really make them well here, although not always and not everywhere. The Laguna cafe on Gorgiladze Street is considered a good place.

As throughout Georgia, in Batumi there is a problem with “light” food like omelettes. However, this niche has recently been filled Ukrainian coffee shop on Abashidze, 13. They serve light breakfasts for 5 GEL each - porridge, omelettes, pancakes and so on. This is especially valuable if you are in Batumi with children. In terms of prices, it is slightly more expensive than the average Georgian eatery (and their cappuccino costs 3.5), but there is no alternative in Batumi yet.

Coffee! This is exactly what you should come to Batumi for. The best coffee place is the Turkish canteens near the mosque. For 1 lari they brew amazing Turkish coffee - probably even on the sand. In the rest of Georgia, this occurs occasionally, but here - regularly.

Wine in Batumi

Batumi is a resort, so the wine issue is very important here. Until recently, all was not well with him here, but by 2015 the situation had improved. Wine can be seen in almost any store, but - BUT! - Smart people don’t buy wine from markets, but look for branded ones. The highest quality point now is the company store of the Khareba company on Konstantin Gamsakhurdia Street. "Hareba" is a proven, reliable company with a large assortment. The store offers tastings.

Another decent point is the brand store of the Lagodekhi winery "Eretian Wine House" on Melashvili Street, building 11. The company is unverified and rare, but the store is organized competently. There is Kindzmarauli on tap for 6 GEL per liter. The quality is not bad. Tasting, pleasant decoration and competent staff are provided.

The third point is the Kindzmarauli Marani brand store on Abashidze Street, building 45. This company is generally not bad, but they committed an epic failure in the area of ​​management by placing an older woman in the store who has hardly ever sold wine and can hardly carry out competent consultation.

Consulates in Batumi

There seem to be four of them. The consulates of Iran and Azerbaijan are located right on Europe Square. Near the beginning of Chavchavadze you can find the Armenian consulate. The Turkish Consulate has settled on Kostava Street.

Infrastructure

In terms of infrastructure, everything in Batumi is good, except for overnight stays.

Transport. A city bus in Batumi costs 30 kopecks, a city minibus - 40 kopecks. There are no trams and never have been. A taxi in Batumi is slightly cheaper than in Tbilisi; you can travel through half the city for about 4 lari.

Exchangers. There are many of them - very many. They change dollars, euros, rubles, manats and lira. In 2015, the ruble exchange rate was approximately the same everywhere - from 37 to 38 lari per 1000 rubles.

Internet. It occurs quite often, usually 1 GEL per hour. On the Boulevard there is 24-hour free Wi-Fi with good speed.

Other. From time to time there are baths, hairdressers and public toilets for 30 tetri. Tourist information works rarely and poorly.

Georgia is a country where literally everything is created for relaxation and exciting pastime. Rare natural beauty, balneological resorts, majestic mountains, historical monuments - every corner of it has a special appeal and is of considerable interest to tourists. However, the most attractive for travelers remains the picturesque Georgian coast with the best beaches, which offer unlimited opportunities for swimming, sunbathing and water activities. What is the sea like in Georgia, where to visit upon arrival in the country, what reviews do guests leave about prices and holidays in 2019 - you will learn all this in detail from our review.

What is the sea like in Georgia?

The waters of the Black Sea wash the western part of Georgia along its entire coast, stretching for a distance of 308 km. The coastline of the state is completely covered with cozy resort towns, replete with clean beaches, modern hotels, boarding houses and sanatoriums. Batumi, Kobuleti, Poti, the villages of Kvariati, Ureki, Makhinjauri, Gonio - any locality is always happy to travelers and is ready to offer them quality service combined with traditional Georgian hospitality and excellent national cuisine of Georgia.

Thanks to the mild subtropical climate, you can relax at sea for 6 months a year. The beach season traditionally opens in early summer and lasts until September, but many travelers come to the beaches as early as May or stay to bask in the warm autumn sun until October. The best months for the trip are considered to be July and August, when the average air temperature reaches +24... +28 °C, and sea water warms up to + 25 °C. During this period, you can easily get a tan and feel all the benefits of a Black Sea holiday.

The velvet season begins in September in Georgia. Towards the end of the month it often rains, but on sunny days you can still swim and explore the local attractions. The abundance of fruits, lower prices for accommodation and food are exactly what encourages many travelers to come to the Georgian coast at the end of the beach season.

Where to relax by the sea in Georgia: the best resorts

Along the sea coast of Georgia there are dozens of resort areas, famous for their comfortable beaches, hotels, and opportunities for active recreation. The most popular of them include:

Batumi

Batumi beach

The main and largest Georgian resort is a modern tourist center with rich cultural and historical potential and a wide selection of marine entertainment. On the 7 km long coastline of Batumi you can find many pebble beaches, a water park, a dolphinarium, and jet ski rental points, which allows both young people and couples with children to have a great time.

Kobuleti

Kobuleti is considered the true pearl of Adjara and is replete with clean beaches covered with a mixture of pebbles and sand. The resort is especially popular among young people, since on its territory you can find many discos, cafes, and night clubs. Many tourists come to the village to improve their health in its sanatoriums, which offer treatment for pathologies of the cardiovascular system, musculoskeletal system, and gastrointestinal tract.

Kvariati

Within the boundaries of Kvariati, truly exotic nature rages, and in the sea, endless opportunities for exciting scuba diving open up for tourists. At the very beginning of its kilometer-long pebble beach there is a diving center, with the help of which travelers can go to explore the seabed and see not only beautiful fish and algae, but also sunken ships.

Gonio

A secluded village 11 km from Batumi attracts tourists with a luxurious eucalyptus grove and the ancient Gonio-Apsaros fortress, the oldest in Georgia. Built several thousand years ago, it is surrounded by many myths and has great historical significance. The beaches of Gonio are suitable for those who prefer to relax in peace and quiet; they are always sparsely populated and have virtually no entertainment infrastructure.

By the river

The village of Ureki is famous for its healing sand, which allows you to get rid of some cardiovascular diseases. It has a characteristic dark color and is rich in the natural mineral magnetite, which promotes overall well-being, eliminating insomnia and the effects of stress. Additional healing power is given by the surrounding pine and eucalyptus forests, which make the local air truly beneficial.

Chakvi

Chakvi is called the Georgian tea capital, as its surroundings abound with vast tea plantations. In addition to them, on its territory you can see groves of bamboo and Japanese mandarin, as well as soak up the pebble beach, dotted with small shells and sandy islands. From the village it is easy to get to famous tourist attractions - the Botanical Garden and the Mtirala National Park, created to protect unique relict forests.

Vacation prices

Hotels on the coast of Georgia

A trip to the sea in Georgia can without a doubt be classified as inexpensive. Prices here are moderate for food, accommodation and entertainment. That is why many tourists go on a trip with the whole family, choosing the most suitable resort according to their preferences and financial capabilities.

• Accommodation . Most guests of the state stay in hotels, which, depending on the star rating, offer comfortable rooms at average prices from 70 to 100 GEL per day. If you want to save money, you can go to the private sector, where a room will cost 25–30 GEL, and a separate apartment will cost about 50 GEL.
• Nutrition . The cost of lunch in a small national cafe is 15–30 GEL, a good shish kebab can be ordered for 15–20 GEL, and dinner in a restaurant (excluding alcoholic drinks) is 40–50 GEL.
• Entertainment. Every resort town in Georgia offers entertainment for every taste, but their choice depends entirely on the thickness of your wallet. In particular, a visit to the dolphinarium in Batumi will cost 15 GEL, and a ride by cable car to the observation deck will cost 10 GEL.

The beach holiday season in Georgia lasts from June to September. From mid-July and throughout August there are a lot of people and housing prices rise, but summer cafes are open on the beaches and clubs are open.

Comfortable swimming in the sea with 20th of June before 10th of October, then the water temperature gradually decreases to +17+18С. Some people swim in May and at the end of October, but the sea is cold at this time, at least for me.

The ideal time for a seaside holiday in Georgia is the second half of June (the sea has already warmed up, and the crowds of people have not yet arrived), September And first week of October. Sunny days, not many vacationers, the sea is warm, the air warms up to +27 day, night +17+20 , there is no sweltering heat.

The rainiest months on the coast are November, February, March. There may also be rain in June - depending on your luck.

You can read more about the weather in different regions of Georgia (in Tbilisi, in the mountains, in Kutaisi, at the sea) in my photo article: .

When is the sea warm in Georgia?

The warmest months for swimming in the sea in Georgia are: July August And September. In June it is comfortable to swim in the 20s; at the beginning of the month it can be cool. Average sea water temperature:

May +16(minimum +12, maximum +20)

June +23(minimum +20, maximum +24)

July +26(minimum +24, maximum +27)

August +27.5(minimum +25.5, maximum +28.3)

September +25.5(minimum +25, maximum +26)

October +22(minimum +18.5, maximum +25)

The graph shows the average sea water temperature in Batumi, Ureki, Kobuleti, Sarpi:

Where is the clean sea in Georgia?

In the vicinity of Batumi, the cleanest sea is considered to be in the villages. Located south of Batumi. Each has private housing and hotels, in the summer there are cafes on the beaches, and a couple of mini-markets. Quiet, calm, if you get bored, you can go to Batumi (20 minutes by minibus).

To the north of Batumi there is a clear sea in the area of ​​​​the Botanical Garden on the beaches (in the summer there are cafes on the beach, there is one hotel and rooms in the private sector near the beach). It takes 20 minutes by minibus from the center of Batumi.

The sea in Batumi can also be clean and transparent

Sand on the beaches of Georgia

There are sandy beaches in Georgia in villages (magnetic healing sands), in, (quiet places, you can live in the private sector in a forest). There is also sand in Poti, but there is no beach there as such (a port city, the shore is dirty, the sea is also dirty).

Other beaches on the Black Sea coast in Georgia (Batumi and the surrounding area, Makhinjauri, Chakvi, Tsikhisdziri) are covered with pebbles and stones, or rather large cobblestones. Lying on the rocks is uncomfortable; you can’t really run on the beach.

In summer, instead of sitting on the rocks, you can rent a sun lounger by the sea. Many people buy special rubber slippers to go into the water and walk along the beach.

Kobuleti also has pebbles, but mixed with sand and less coarse than in Batumi. It's easier to go into the sea.

Sand in Ureki
Pebble beach Batumi
Sand on the beach in Batumi occurs only during a strong storm, when the cobblestones are washed away by the sea

What to choose - Batumi, Ureki, Kobuleti?

This is the most common question, the answer to which is impossible to give. Firstly, all people are different, and secondly, these are three completely different formats of recreation. Batumi is a big city with entertainment, Ureki is a village with a black sandy beach and Kobuleti is a kind of hybrid that comes to life in the summer and sleeps at other times of the year. Therefore, it is better to choose a place to relax on your own.

Batumi- the largest city on the coast in Georgia. If you need civilization, then this is definitely Batumi. Beautiful architecture of old Batumi, there is a boulevard, bicycle rental. Developed infrastructure: supermarkets, markets, restaurants, cafes, clubs.

Batumi is a big city

There is a lot to see both in the city itself (singing fountains, cable car, zoo) and within a radius of 20-30 km. From Batumi it is convenient to travel independently by transport on one-day excursions around.

Choose Batumi as your “base” if the beach is not your main priority. Still, the large size of the city, the port and the rivers flowing into the sea in Batumi affect the purity of the water. From Batumi you can go to neighboring villages to swim if you don’t like the city beach.

Batumi city beach in August
Batumi beach in November

By the river- in fact, a large village. In July-August it is lively here, even too much. There are a lot of people vacationing with children. There are playgrounds and water slides. There is a market and shops. The beach and sea become dirty.

In other months there is silence, even cafes and shops are closed. In the low season, the beach is relatively clean, as is the sea. At the end of September, there was one cafe and a couple of shops open; there were about 30 people on the beach.

There is nothing to see in Ureki, there is also nowhere to go. People come here solely for the sandy beaches. It’s a bit far to travel to the main attractions of Adjara, and the mountains are not nearby either.

Road along the sea in Ureki

Kobuleti- a large settlement stretched along the sea. As for me, it is also a large village, but in size it is much larger than Ureki. The beach is pebble.

There is an amusement park Tsitsinatela on the outskirts (10 km north of the center), in the summer there are cafes on the embankment, there is live music, and festivals are held. There are places to go for a walk with the children.

I don't like Kobuleti. It’s like you’re going back in time with broken roads and some kind of disorder. But I’ve only been to Kobuleti in the fall. Perhaps the city leaves a different impression in summer.

Housing in Kobuleti is on the first line from the coast behind the highway (noisy due to the road and expensive), on the second line it will be quieter and cheaper. The further you are from the sea and from the city center, the lower the housing prices.

If infrastructure and civilization are not very important to you, but you just need a good beach, clean sea and peace, read the next section of this article - it says about good beaches.

Where to relax by the sea in Georgia with children?

There is an excellent blog post on this topic about choosing a resort, food, entertainment for children: I recommend checking it out.

• Ureki and Magnetity- a large village on the Black Sea. The most popular holiday destination in Georgia with children. The advantage is that Ureki has a sandy beach, shallow depth, and a gentle entrance to the sea.

The downside of Ureki is that in July-August there are a lot of people and mosquitoes there. Accordingly, large quantities of garbage appear on the beach, and the water in the sea is cloudy. In summer there is a market, shops, and cafes. Accommodation - private sector and several hotels. More details

Ureki in low season

• - 10 km south of Ureki. Black sand (like in Ureki), coniferous forest, houses are located at a distance from the highway, you can rent a room in a cottage in the private sector in a small forest. Clean sea, few people, good beach (if vacationers don’t leave trash). There is a shower and toilet on the beach, and you can pitch a tent.

The infrastructure is represented by a couple of cafes and markets with a minimum set of products. In summer they bring fruit. To go to the market and shops you need to go to Kobuleti or Ureki.

• - another small village near Ureki. Sandy beach, forest near the sea, private housing and several hotel complexes. In summer there are cafes. In general, the infrastructure is poorly developed. There is a lot of garbage on the shore, so I don’t recommend it.

• Kobuleti- an overgrown village, the second most popular seaside resort in Georgia. There is a market, shops, and a train station. Long embankment (10 km). The village is stretched along the sea. The beach is pebble, with a small amount of coarse sand here and there. Many people choose Kobuleti for a holiday with children.

• or - villages 10-15 km south of Batumi. The sea there is clean. Stone beaches, mountain views. In summer there are cafes, markets, and housing for rent in the private sector or in hotels. There is no point in going to these places in the low season.

Hotels by the sea in Gonio

• Batumi as a place for a beach holiday - a dubious choice. A big city, a port, rocky beaches, the sea is not clean everywhere due to sewage and rivers. It’s worth going to Batumi only if swimming in the sea all day long is not a priority for you. More about our

But in Batumi there are many places where you can take a walk and where to go with children: a 7 km boulevard along the sea (convenient for walking with a stroller), the streets of old Batumi, a large number of parks, the Botanical Garden. Batumi has beautiful architecture and developed infrastructure. There is a dolphinarium, playgrounds, a zoo, and two lakes.

Kangaroo in Batumi

If you are traveling to Georgia for the beaches in high season(from June to mid-September), then it makes sense to consider small towns and resorts.

If your vacation falls on low season(from the 20th of September to May), then I recommend rent a house in Batumi.

In small resort villages, cafes and shops are closed during the low season - there may be problems with food, and it’s simply boring, because the sea is already cool until mid-June and from October, and it’s somehow easier to walk around the city and enjoy it in Batumi (there is a boulevard for walking).

Batumi Boulevard

If you are traveling to Ureki and Kobuleti, you can book accommodation in advance through booking for a couple of nights, and then look for something more suitable on the spot.

In the second half of July - August, prices are high everywhere and many good places are occupied, so it is better to book in advance so as not to search on the spot in the heat, especially if you are with suitcases, children and without a car.

Residential buildings in Batumi

If you are traveling for 4-5 days, there is no particular economic benefit in looking for accommodation locally. Then it’s better to rent an apartment or room via the Internet in advance, come and relax.

And if you are traveling for 2 weeks or a month, then you can spend time looking for accommodation locally. There are chances to find a cheaper apartment or room. You need to walk, look, bargain with the owner.

The price of housing in the private sector is not fixed, but depends on the weather, season, time of day, the mood of the owner, your appearance and well-being (determined by the owner of the property by eye).

Private sector in Ureki

Nightlife at the resorts of Georgia

Batumi- the center of nightlife on the coast. In summer, there are clubs, cafes on the shore, and restaurants with live music. Casinos in Batumi are open all year round.

The second relatively youth resort is Kobuleti. In July and August, clubs, cafes, and discos are also open here. Personally, I don’t like Kobuleti for a number of reasons, but this is a matter of taste.

In other towns on the coast, nightlife is poor, but during the season, almost every resort village has summer cafes, sometimes even with live music.

Since mid-September, seasonal establishments on the coast (including in Batumi and Kobuleti) have been closed; literally a couple of clubs and dozens of cafes for locals remain open in Batumi. In Batumi you definitely won’t go hungry even in winter, but in other settlements this is a big question.

You can read about my favorite places in Batumi at the link:

Food at Tavaduri restaurant

Conclusion. Which village by the sea in Georgia should you choose?

Thus, to choose a coastal resort in Georgia that is right for you, you need to decide on your goals and priorities.

1. Civilization, active, parties, architectural attractions, entertainment, clubs, long walks along the sea, cafes with delicious food, food markets, supermarkets, a dolphinarium, a water park - this Batumi

2. If needed sand beach, and everything else is not so important, then the north of Kobuleti, Ureki, Shekvetili, Maltakva, Grigoleti

3. The most clean sea— Sarpi, Gonio, Kvariati, Cape Verde, Tsikhisdziri, Shekvetili

4. A successful mix: rural tranquility (subject to rental housing in the right place), the presence of a market, shops, infrastructure, a more or less clean sea and a long embankment with a cafe - this is Kobuleti