Guide to Sarpi
A virtual tour of Sarpi
Today, less than a thousand indigenous people live in Sarpi. Despite the modest size of the village, the fame of the cleanest sea on its coast is known far beyond the borders of Adjara. Local beaches are unique in that they are located up to the Chorokhi River, unlike the same Batumi. It is its current that makes the sea muddy and dirty.
In addition to crystal clear water, Sarpi attracts tourists with picturesque landscapes from both the Georgian and Turkish sides. Therefore, a separate entertainment for tourists is quite often a walk to the Turkish side of the city. Why not compare two parts of the same whole? For example, check personally whether the Orthodox Church and the mosque are located at the same distance from the border. Such a neighborhood will especially appeal to shoppers.
If you like the Georgian side more, we recommend seeing the statue of St. Andrew the First-Called near the waterfall of the same name. The convent of St. John the Evangelist is also located here.
Sarpi is also a wonderful base for exploring the sights of Adjara. From the village you can get to the famous Batumi embankment or the botanical garden, the resorts of Gonio and Kvariati, as well as the interesting Machakhela Gorge in less than an hour.
Photos of Sarpi
Tours to Sarpi
Sarpi is not rich in sights and is suitable for those who value good beaches. Its measured picturesque coast is complemented by bustling restaurants and proximity to the Turkish border.
A trip to Sarpi can become a base point for a shopping tour to Sarp, a Turkish city that opens after crossing the customs.
A package tour to Sarpi is rather an exception for travel agencies. This city is more often chosen for recreation by those who are used to booking air tickets and apartments on their own.
In addition, tourists traveling on their own are mobile in terms of movement and use Sarpi more as a springboard for sightseeing in Adjara.
Rare variants of last-minute tours to Sarpi will cost 800 - 850 USD per week of rest. The price includes a flight to Batumi and a transfer to Sarpi, accommodation in a 2-3 star hotel, breakfast, minimum insurance.
A similar vacation in the high season, ordered in advance on the Internet, will cost about 900 - 950 USD. A tour purchased at an agency will cost 15-20% more.
The most expensive tour option in Sarpi is a vacation in August. The cheapest holidays are in May and September. The end of spring and the beginning of summer are not suitable for swimming in the sea, and besides this, there is no particular entertainment in Sarpi.
Interesting places in Sarpi
Sarpi has passed under the rule of different empires several times over the many centuries of its existence. This could not help but affect the architecture and culture of the city. Therefore, there is something to see for both the beginner and the experienced traveler.
Sarpi is an excellent choice, including for family holidays. The local beach will be to the liking of the kids, and the evening venues - their parents.
An additional advantage of the city is Turkish entertainment at a walking distance.
Flight ticket prices
There are no direct flights to Sarpi, with the nearest airport being Batumi, just 15 km from the border. Flights from Europe to Batumi are operated by Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, Wizz Air, Ryanair, and Lufthansa.
From Warsaw, direct flight tickets start at 90 EUR, while flights with layovers are available from 70 EUR. From Paris, ticket prices with a layover start at 150 EUR. From Madrid, flights with layovers can be found from 160 EUR. From London, connecting flights start at 140 EUR. There are also convenient connecting flights from Berlin, Rome, and Vienna.
During the high season (June to September), ticket prices may be higher, so booking in advance is recommended. From Batumi Airport, you can reach Sarpi by taxi or bus in just 20-30 minutes.
The best hotels in Sarpi
The most popular hotels in Sarpi are the hotel of the same name and the Lika hotel. Both options are three-star apartments with a cost of 30 - 40 USD per single room.
An option for an expensive holiday is also a three-star Zura hotel. Due to the additional service and luxurious renovation, some double rooms in it cost 100 - 120 USD. The indicated prices include breakfast.
Lazika hostel provides a budget overnight stay: 10 USD per day for one adult.
Travel budget
Sarpi is mainly used as a buffer between Georgia and Turkey. Every day the village sees thousands of tourists, but they are not inclined to linger here. That is why the cost of living here is quite reasonable. But with food, things are a little more complicated: local restaurants and cafes are used to the abundance of tourists and set rather high prices during the season.
We calculated a rough estimate for a vacation in Sarpi based on the following expense items:
flight to the nearest airport Batumi with subsequent transfer to Mtskheta;
Accommodation in a 3-star hotel including breakfast;
lunch and dinner at a restaurant;
visiting excursions to the nearest cities of Kvariati, Batumi and Gonio;
Passage by public transport.
| The budget for a trip to Sarpi | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | from 120 USD | Accommodation | from 30 USD |
| Average bill in a restaurant | from 10 USD | Excursions | from 25 USD |
| Transport fare | from 5 USD | ||
| Total: From 465 USD for 1 person for 4 days of vacation. | |||
Sarpi: tips for tourists
Visa to Sarpi
Citizens of most European countries, including those in the Schengen Area, can also stay in Georgia without a visa for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. The same requirement applies to have a valid passport with a minimum validity of 6 months beyond the entry date.
Airport
Sarpi village does not have its own airport. The nearest international airport is in Batumi, 15 km away. Several hundred airplanes land here every day, more than half of which are low-cost airlines from Eastern Europe.
Transfer
A transfer from the Chorokh airport, located in Batumi, to the village of Sarpi costs about 10 USD (26 GEL). The journey will take no more than 20 minutes. It is more profitable to order a transfer in advance via the Internet, immediately after purchasing tickets.
Car rental
Since there are many attractions in the vicinity of Sarpi (in the cities of Batumi, Kvariati, Gonio), renting a car is a profitable solution. For these purposes, a rented subcompact sedan is suitable. Such a car will cost about 30-40 USD per day.
Transport
The public transport system in Sarpi is not very developed: the town is small and there is simply no need for it here. The cost of buses is 0.5 GEL. You can get to neighboring cities by bus for 10 GEL or taxi for 45 GEL.
Safety
Sarpi is a border town that meets thousands of new faces every day. The safety rules here are typical for crowded places: keep valuables with you, watch your hand luggage and luggage.