We will tell you about the most interesting excursions in Batumi and its surroundings, their cost and where to order the best.
Georgia is an extremely hospitable country that welcomes hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world every year. The hot sun, gentle sea, numerous ancient landmarks, and incredibly delicious Adjarian cuisine all evoke genuine interest in every tourist.
Those who travel here for the first time usually choose Batumi as their starting point - a unique city and the capital of Adjara. It has everything - the sea and beaches, an old fortress and bridges, nature reserves and vineyards. Batumi is also a modern city with a vibrant nightlife, offering quality leisure activities for both adults and children. Every day, numerous excursions start from Batumi, and every visitor should make it a point to join them. In this article, we will try to provide detailed information about the best excursions and how to book them.
Where to Book
You can book excursions directly in the city at any tourist agency or from a tour operator. However, it's important to note that not all of them may offer guided tours in Russian. Since Georgia is not predominantly a Russian-speaking country, the chances of finding a suitable guide using the above-mentioned method might be limited.
Therefore, it is advisable to plan and book your excursions in advance, even before arriving in Georgia, while still at home. You can do this using special websites, of which there are many on the Internet. Most of them have user-friendly search engines that even beginners can easily navigate. There, you can find all the information you need - the duration of the trips, the cost of the services, and the availability of Russian-speaking guides.
Cost
The price charged by tour guides in Batumi varies greatly. The formation of this price depends on various factors:
type of tour - individual or group;
number of participants - for group tours;
mode of transportation - car or bus;
distance to the tourist attraction;
inclusion of meals during the trip.
When booking a tour, it is necessary to take into account all these and many other nuances. Most often, the price of the trip per person includes:
transfer;
guide assistance;
for longer trips - lunch or dinner at a designated establishment.
Additional money should be brought for entrance tickets to museums, souvenirs, entertainment, and other expenses. Sometimes it is advisable to have a couple of sandwiches and a bottle of drinking water with you, in case food is not provided by the organizers during the excursion.
In general, the cost of excursions in Batumi is not very high - often starting from 7 EUR per person. That's the price of the "Batumi in the Works of Russian Writers" program. In the individual option, a walk to the interesting places of Batumi called "Journey to Georgian Tropics" will cost around 25 EUR. The most expensive outdoor tour to the mountainous Adjara region will cost around 270 EUR for 1-6 people.
Considering all of the above, it's worth noting that many travel agencies offer discounts on their services. If you manage to catch them in time, you can save approximately up to 40% of your expenses.
Excursions in Batumi
Batumi is an extremely vibrant and colorful city, and it's easy to see why. To see its beauty from a different perspective, you can book a yacht cruise. Usually accommodating around 10-15 people, the yacht offers enhanced comfort and is perfect for celebrating special occasions. A sea journey like this will cost you approximately 300 GEL (lari) per hour.
Within the city itself, there are many beautiful places to visit.
Walking city tours
Duration: 4 hours;
Price: 20-25 EUR.
You can explore Batumi on your own, but it's better to have professional guides assist you. The program includes informative insights into the historical roots of the city and visits to the most significant sights:
Alexandrovskiy Garden;
Lake Nurigeli;
Old and modern Batumi streets.
You will witness the life of the capital of Adjara, be amazed by the contrast between quiet streets and modern avenues. A highlight of the journey is a visit to a café where a scene from the movie "Love and Doves" was filmed, where you can enjoy a cup of coffee and choose delicious Eastern sweets.
Wine cellar in the mountainous region of Keda
Established on the initiative of Saakashvili, it warmly welcomes guests from all over the world. There you can taste the famous Georgian wines such as Chkhaveri, Tsolikauri, and Ojaleshi, made from local grape varieties.
In addition to wine, you will also have the opportunity to try the most famous Georgian dishes - khachapuri, lavash, shashlik, and taste various types of cheese. All of this is accompanied by the colorful attributes of Georgian feasting - toasts from the tamada (toastmaster), a drinking horn, and more. For an additional fee, you can also enjoy traditional Georgian folk dances.
The cost of such a trip is approximately 150 GEL (lari) per person.
Botanical Garden
A truly unique place that houses an incredible number of rare plants. You can spend a whole day strolling through the garden, enjoying the coolness of the greenery, and marveling at the meticulously curated collections of flowers and shrubs.
Since it covers an area of 113 hectares, it's advisable to allocate a whole day to explore it. The garden is divided into 21 zones, each with its own distinctive features. In addition to the plants, the garden features pergolas, benches, fountains, well-manicured lawns, and ponds with fish. From the upper terraces of the garden, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the sea, making it a popular spot for photoshoots. The park also provides Wi-Fi zones and cafes, ensuring that visitors have a place to relax and grab a bite to eat.
To witness this magnificence, adults need to purchase an entrance ticket for 8 GEL (lari), while Georgian residents pay 3 GEL (lari). Children under 16 can enter for 1 GEL (lari).
Petra-Tsikhisdziri Fortress
The uniqueness of this structure lies in its construction by Justinian himself in the 6th century. It served as a crucial point along the trade routes to the Eastern Black Sea, Byzantium, Persia, Armenia, and Georgia.
Group Tours from Batumi
Excursions organized for a group of people are a great opportunity to get to know this wonderful country in the company of interesting individuals. If you enjoy a lively atmosphere and don't mind a large number of participants, this type of travel is perfect for you. One of the pleasant features of group tours is that they allow you to save money. Since the cost of transportation, guides, and services is divided among all participants, it becomes more affordable for each individual.
The following are the most popular group tours organized from Batumi.
Cycling Tour in Mtirala National Park
Travel time: 4.5 hours;
Price: 35 EUR per person.
You will embark on an exciting journey with a guide to the picturesque areas of mountainous Adjara. You will see the "crying" Mtirala Mountain, named so because of its abundance of rainfall. You will have the opportunity to swim in a beautiful lake, take a break near the 10-meter Tsablnari waterfall, and have lunch at a campsite. You will also experience a ride on a cable car operated manually. Additionally, you will see unique houses built from chestnut trees over two centuries ago.
Batumi and Mountainous Adjara in 1 Day
Duration: 6 hours;
Price: 25 EUR per person.
This tour is very convenient for those who want to see much more in a single day. It includes an overview of Batumi, followed by a trip to the mountainous regions of Adjara. In the city itself, you will see:
Rustaveli Avenue;
Dramatic Theater;
Neptune Fountain;
Modern original structures like the bottle-shaped house and the upside-down restaurant.
In Adjara, you will encounter relic forests, gorges, and wild rivers. You will visit:
The arched bridges of Makhuneti and Makhuntseti, associated with the era of Queen Tamar;
The 48-meter Makhuntseti waterfall.
You will also have the opportunity to enjoy a wine tasting at the Adjara House and have lunch on the banks of a scenic river, indulging in Georgian cuisine.
Private Excursions from Batumi
Traveling on a private program is a common way to explore Georgia. Many tourists prefer such tours because their price is reasonable, and the effect and quality are significantly better. The higher cost of service is due to a different approach to organizing the process. You can bring 1-2 companions with you on the tour, which will make the trip much more affordable.
For travelers in Batumi, the following options are available.
Heading Towards Tbilisi: "Georgia from West to East"
Duration: 2 days;
Price: 270 EUR for 1-2 people.
During the trip, you will experience unforgettable impressions as you have the opportunity to see:
The ancient rock-hewn city of Uplistsikhe, a legendary place;
The Prometheus Cave, located 80 meters below sea level, with a total length of 11 km;
The Martvili Canyons, often referred to as a lost world. Fossilized dinosaur bones have been found near the canyons.
During the journey, you will discover the most beautiful places in Georgia, get to know the mentality of the Georgian people, and capture numerous unique photos in the midst of nature.
Svaneti - Land of a Thousand Towers
Total Duration: 2 days;
Price: 290 EUR for 1-2 people.
Svaneti is a unique region of Georgia that has managed to preserve the untouched nature and distinctiveness of its inhabitants, the Svans. Their capital, Mestia, is located high in the mountains, and the fair-haired and blue-eyed locals speak the old Georgian language.
Thanks to its advantageous location, Svaneti has always been inaccessible to enemies, and the presence of defensive structures allowed the inhabitants of the region to remain hidden. The awe-inspiring views in Svaneti include snow-capped mountain peaks and ancient towers built centuries ago.
This land is a true treasure trove for photography enthusiasts and professionals. The old Georgia is revealed here in all its glory, providing abundant material for unique photographs.
Kutaisi - Ancient Capital of Georgia or In Search of Prometheus
Trip Duration: 1 day;
Price: 175 EUR for 1-3 people.
Kutaisi, located 2 hours away from Batumi, is an ancient city that has preserved numerous interesting artifacts for tourists, making it one of the most attractive destinations for travel throughout the ages. Visitors usually go there to explore unique landmarks such as:
The Bagrati Cathedral on the Ukimerioni Hill;
The Gelati Monastery Complex with the Church of the Virgin;
The Sataplia Nature Reserve, where traces of prehistoric dinosaurs have been preserved;
The former residence of the kings, the Okros Chardak in Amereti;
The Motsameta Monastery.
Kutaisi is a city surrounded by mythical legends, filled with natural and man-made beauty that captivates anyone who embarks on a journey here. By visiting these places, you will witness breathtaking mountains, old monasteries immersed in greenery, and numerous monuments of Georgian architecture.
Machakhela: Trip through Mountainous Adjara with Feast
Duration: 10 hours;
Price: 160 EUR for 1-3 people.
This excursion can also be organized as a group trip. It takes place from May to October, and the cost per person in a group will be around 30-40 EUR per participant.
This trip will allow you to see impressively large waterfalls, admire the marvelous panorama of Batumi and its surroundings from a special observation deck. You will also visit the following places:
The Adjara motorway bridge and its ancient counterpart, built over six hundred years ago;
The Mirveti waterfall, camouflaged by a mossy grove, and its sibling waterfall in Chkhukuneti;
The ancient fortress of Gvara, built in the 6th century AD, which still holds many secrets about the life and military glory of its inhabitants.
You will cross the Adjara Tskhali River on a bridge built during the reign of the mighty Queen Tamar. You will be invited to a real Georgian feast, and in the homes of the local residents, you will have the opportunity to buy authentic Georgian chacha (a strong alcoholic drink) and taste homemade cheese. If you wish, they will be more than happy to sell you these items as souvenirs to take back home.
Georgia is a small country with a big heart, history, and culture. It is a paradise for travelers who want to see as many sights as possible with minimal travel time. Come to Georgia, as there is a place for everyone: history and culture enthusiasts, archaeologists, pilgrims, athletes, couples in love, and families with children.