Places to visit if you come to Batumi for the first time.
Today, Batumi is a modern resort city that holds many ancient secrets and mysteries. It would be difficult to explore it in just one day. Active travelers should allocate two to three days to get to know Batumi better. Located on the coast of the Black Sea, near the Georgian-Turkish border, the resort attracts tourists primarily with its affordability. Here, you can have a quality time whether you're a budget traveler or someone who doesn't shy away from indulgences.
Walking along the Resort's Promenade
A favorite spot for tourists is Batumi's promenade. The city's coastline is now a luxurious seven-kilometer-long park zone lined with palm trees. The promenade is divided into the Old Town (which is essentially the Miracle Park) and the New Town (a boulevard with a small singing fountain in the center).
Miracle Park
The northern part of Batumi's promenade is known as Miracle Park. The area, which was once home to an extensive Turkish fortress, is now a vast square. Miracle Park features the Alphabet Tower, the sculptures of Ali and Nino, a Ferris wheel, and a lighthouse.
Ali and Nino
Most often, a walk around the city starts with its iconic sculpture, "Love" or "Ali and Nino." The sculpture reaches a height of seven meters. In the evening, "Love" attracts guests and residents of the city with its incredibly beautiful lighting. The two figures of the composition, a man and a woman, change their position every ten minutes, moving towards each other and eventually merging into one. Then the stone embodiments of Ali and Nino begin to move in the opposite direction, repeating the cycle.
The Batumi "Love" sculpture was designed by Tamara Kvesitadze, an American architect of Georgian descent. It is no wonder that the sculpture caused a sensation at the 2007 art exhibition in Venice.
Alphabet Tower
In 2012, the Alphabet Tower became a new symbol of Batumi. This original metal structure is wrapped in a ribbon on which 33 letters of the Georgian alphabet are engraved. The tower was designed by Spanish architect Alberto Cabo. According to his concept, the 130-meter tower should rise above the city and be visible from any point of the resort. Inside, there were plans for a restaurant, a television studio, and an observatory, but currently, only the observation deck is open to guests.
Argo Cable Car
The Argo Cable Car allows visitors to see Batumi from a different perspective. By boarding one of the nine glass capsules, guests and residents of Batumi travel at a height of 50 meters along a 2.5-kilometer route. The city unfolds before their eyes.
The Argo Cable Car starts on the Batumi coast and reaches its highest point, the observation deck, on Gogebashvili Street (Feria Hill). In addition to the boarding station, there are cafes, souvenir shops, and an abandoned church.
Statues and Sculptures
On the resort's coastline, you can also find the following statues:
Five heart-shaped compositions. Taking photos with them can be a way to express love for the city and loved ones.
A woman on a bicycle.
Huge boots that many tourists hurry to try on for a memorable photo.
The "I, You, and Batumi" chair.
Traditional sculptures depicting exotic fauna (lions, marlins, dolphins).
Singing Fountains
Batumi has two singing fountains. Both are located on the city's coastline but are at different ends:
The Big Fountain
delights visitors near Ardagan Lake. The Georgian Ministry of Justice building (also known as the "upside-down bottle") serves as a landmark for finding it.
The Small Fountain
is located near the Marriage Palace (ZAGS). It is one of the places where newlyweds start their wedding photo sessions.
Squares of Batumi
Batumi has three significant squares for tourists:
Europe/Argonauts Square
is the central square of the city. It is here that Christmas and Easter fairs are held, cultural events take place, concerts are held, and free outdoor performances are given. The symbols of the square are the astronomical clock and the statue of Medea with a golden fleece.
Poseidon or Theatre Square
is located in front of the Drama Theater. The main street of Batumi, Shota Rustaveli Avenue, passes through this square. The central structure of the square is the statue of Neptune (a replica of the fountain located in Bologna).
Piazza Square
is crossed by Tsar Parnavaz Street. Several cozy restaurants, cafes, hotels, and shops fit in this small area. It is always lively and cheerful: local musicians play live music during the season, and puppet theaters perform shows with cloth puppets.
Architectural and Cultural Landmarks
Among the architectural landmarks in Batumi that will interest tourists are the following structures:
Drama, Opera, and Summer Theaters
All buildings are ancient but well-maintained. The city authorities periodically renovate them.
Apollo Cinema
located in the heart of the city.
Archaeological Museum and Art Museum
introduce visitors to the past and cultural present of Adjara.
Marine Station
The building with a high spire is surrounded by a green park.
Sculptures
generously "scattered" throughout the city: a boy on a barrel, a pair of deer, a curved figure of a woman with the unusual name "rotation."
Chacha Fountain
The chacha tower fountain, built in 2012, is an exact replica of its century-old predecessor. The central tower, 25 meters high (with a clock on it), is surrounded by four smaller arched structures.
The reconstruction of the tower was attempted to be combined with a commercial concept. It was planned that according to a predetermined schedule, the fountain would serve different brands of alcoholic beverages, allowing tourists to taste and choose their favorite chacha. However, since 2015, the fountain has not been operational, and the tower has only architectural value.
Religious Landmarks in Batumi
Throughout its centuries-long history, Georgia has learned to embrace different religions. For a long time, the country was part of the Ottoman Empire, which influenced the Christian character of the state with Turkish motifs.
Orthodox Cathedrals
Today, Batumi is home to churches of various denominations, with the largest number being Orthodox cathedrals:
Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
the central sanctuary, which belonged to Catholics just a couple of centuries ago.
St. Nicholas Cathedral
the oldest church in Batumi.
Holy Trinity Church
a remote church located on Mt. Sameba.
Church of St. Barbara
a small but cozy temple.
Armenian Apostolic Church
known for the magnolia tree growing in its garden, planted by the famous artist Ayvazovsky.
Churches of Other Denominations
Catholic parishioners gather at the Church of the Holy Spirit, located near the seaport. This cathedral was relatively recently constructed. One distinctive feature of the church is a unique two-meter silver cross crowning the building. Inside, as is customary in modern Catholic churches, everything is modest and simple.
Near the Batumi History Museum, you can find the synagogue, a white brick building that stands out among its modest neighbors.
In the Muslim part of the city, there is a mosque. There used to be three mosques where Islam was practiced, but only the "Orta Jame" (Middle Mosque) remains today. This small Muslim temple was located between the other two, which did not withstand the test of time.
Attractions in the Surroundings of Batumi
In addition to the interesting places in Batumi itself, there are also attractions in its surroundings that will captivate even the most seasoned traveler. They represent a kind of "Seven Wonders" of Georgia. The must-see places include:
Mountainous Adjara
A trip to this region is considered one of the most popular excursions. During the tour of Adjara, tourists have the opportunity to see the Sarpi and Makhuntseti waterfalls, cross the ancient bridge of the legendary Queen Tamar, and explore the Gonio fortress.
Martvili Canyon and Prometheus Cave
The crystal-clear mountain air, majestic waterfalls, and the natural beauty of the canyon will impress even those who are indifferent to the charm of Georgian nature.
Sataplia
A cave that has been turned into a nature reserve, with a surrounding natural park.
Batumi Botanical Garden
One of the largest botanical gardens in the world, covering an area of 110 hectares. It showcases over 5,000 species of plants. The mild climate of Batumi allows the cultivation of exotic plants such as Japanese cherry blossoms, bamboo, palm trees, cypresses, eucalyptus, cacti, and more.
Okatse Canyon
A trip to this canyon is an ideal option for those who enjoy thrilling experiences. The excursion includes a stop at the observation deck at the top of the waterfall.
Motsameta and Gelati Monasteries
These monasteries are often described as heavenly places due to their tranquility and beauty.
Mtirala
A national park renowned for its rich exotic flora and fauna.
You can find a map with the attractions of Batumi on tourism websites. They offer electronic maps indicating the most interesting places. Travel portals also feature photographs of attractions from the personal archives of other tourists.
To make the most of your time in Batumi, it is advisable to hire a Russian-speaking guide who can provide a map of Batumi with the attractions.
