We live in the capital of Adjara and enjoy traveling around Batumi. We will tell you about your favorite places, which you have visited yourself, and sights, where you take them on interesting excursions from the city.
Makhuntseti waterfall and the bridge of Queen Tamara
There is a lot to see in the vicinity of Batumi! We liked the independent trip to the mountain village of Makhuntseti. The waterfall, popular in Adjara, has a height of 20 m. There are so many tourists during the season that it is difficult to take a good photo. People are everywhere - on paths, near wet rocks and in a stone bowl under a stream of water!
To see the medieval bridge, cross to the other side of the road and go down to the Adjaristskali River. The stone arch, 6 m above the water, was built in the 12th century and remains strong to this day. On the other side of the river, in a home restaurant, tourists are treated to wine and fried trout.
It is not difficult to get to Makhuntseti. From the old bus station on the street. Mayakovskaya take minibus 77 to Keda and ask the driver to drop you off near the waterfall. Although it is only 30 km to Makhuntseti from Batumi, the trip by minibus takes about an hour. If you don't want to go by public transport, visit this waterfall and bridge with a guided tour - at the same time you will see other sights in the vicinity of Batumi.
Andrew the First-Called waterfall
If you are planning to swim on the cleanest beach in Georgia - in Sarpi, take a look at the beautiful waterfall by the track. The natural landmark is located 16 km from Batumi, between the villages of Sarpi and Kvariati. A small picturesque water stream is decorated with an unusual sculpture dedicated to the arrival of St. Andrew the First-Called to Georgia.
Take bus number 16 and go to Sarpi. From there to the waterfall - about 1 km on foot. From Batumi there is an excursion to the sights of Mountainous Adjara, during which tourists are shown this waterfall.
Fortress Gonio
15 km from the south of Batumi is the Gonio fortress, the history of which begins as far back as Ancient Rome! The Gonio-Apsaros fortification was built in the 1st century BC to protect the Laz coast. Today, on the territory of 4.5 hectares, you can see battlements, an impromptu Roman camp, ancient weapons, ruins of buildings, an ancient water supply and the tomb of the Apostle Matthew. We visited the fortress without a guide and enjoyed the historical reconstruction and excavation sites.
It is easy to get from Batumi to the fort by yourself - by minibuses that run to Gonio, bus number 16 or take a tour. A ticket to the fortress costs 10 GEL.
Petra fortress
The Byzantine fortress city of Petra on the Black Sea coast is not as well preserved as Gonio. At the top of the hill, you can see the ruins of stone walls, towers and traces of ancient buildings. After walking around Petra, we advise you to go down to the sea and swim on the beach in the village of Tsikhisdziri.
The Petra Fortress is located 24 km north of Batumi. All minibuses that carry passengers to Kobuleti and Poti pass by it. Travel from Batumi and back costs 3 GEL.
Popular excursions from Batumi:
- A trip from Batumi to Borjomi - $ 80 per person.
- Bike tour of the Mtirala National Park - € 150 for 1-4 people.
- Okatse Canyon, Kinchkha Waterfalls and Sataplia Cave - € 165 for 1-4 persons.
Temple of the Holy Trinity - Sameba
The picturesque temple is located 10 km from the center of Batumi on a mountain with a height of about 350 m. The views from the church to the city and the Black Sea coast are simply amazing! In our opinion, the view from the Church of the Holy Trinity is much better than from the observation deck at the top station of the Argo cable car. Sameba is an active nunnery, which is open to tourists in the summer from 9:00 to 17:00, and in the winter from 10:00 to 18:00. Before entering the territory, women are asked to wear skirts and headscarves.
Minibuses and buses do not go to the church itself, so it is more convenient to take a taxi. A trip from the center of Batumi and back will cost 18-20 GEL. To take good photos, come to the mountain before 14:00. Then you have to shoot against the sun.
National Park "Mtirala"
The forested mountain 28 km from Batumi rises to 1381 m, and its top is almost always hidden in the clouds. The name Mtirala translates as "crying". The wettest place in Adjara is a great option for a day trip from Batumi! You will visit a real Colchis forest, admire a noisy waterfall and swim in a mountain lake.
There are no buses or minibuses to the entrance to the national park, so you will have to take a taxi to the heart of the Georgian subtropics or take an excursion.
Music Park in Shekvetili
Of the free attractions in the vicinity of Batumi, we recommend an unusual park near the resort village of Shekvetili. The green area with beautiful paths and stylish design covers several hectares. You will move from sculpture to sculpture and listen to magical music - Georgian polyphony, arias from operas and popular songs of musicians. The park has statues of famous singers, dancers and conductors, composers of the past, pop divas and rock musicians. After a walk in the park, it is pleasant to swim on the luxurious beach with magnetic sand.
Take any minibus that goes in the direction of Poti or Kutaisi and ask the driver to drop you off near the Black Sea arena. The round trip costs 8 GEL.
Park "Georgia in Miniature"
To see all the interesting places of Georgia in miniature, go to a beautiful park located to the north of Kobuleti, 40 km from Batumi. More than 50 reduced copies of the country's architectural and natural monuments have been installed on the beautiful site - Mount Kazbek, quarters of Old Tbilisi, the Holy Trinity Church in Gergeti, Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, Jvari Monastery in Mtskheti and Akhaltsikhe Fortress Rabat. There are also sights of Adjara - Batumi Cathedral and Gonio Fortress.
The entrance to the miniature park costs 4 GEL. Minibuses pass by the territory that carry passengers to Ureki, Poti and Kutaisi. The round trip will cost 8 GEL. From Batumi there is an excursion, during which tourists stop by the Music Park and the Park "Georgia in Miniature".
Reserve "Marshes of Ispani"
From the northeast to Kobuleti there is a beautiful nature reserve, where excursions are almost not taken. Tourists are more fond of canyons and waterfalls, so the "Bogs of Spain" remain a little-known pearl of Adjara. The unique ecosystem of sphagnum bogs 500 m from the sea is completely atypical for the subtropics. It was formed 1700 years ago and occupies 770 hectares.
A 2 km long trail for tourists has been laid along the reserve, there are convenient observation platforms, signs and information boards. We were delighted to listen to the choirs of frogs, see marsh turtles, new species of plants and birds. Free admission to the territory is at the end of Rustaveli Street. Just open the gate and you will find yourself in an amazingly calm green world!
Getting to the reserve is easy. We got to Kobuleti by minibus for 2 GEL per person, and to the entrance - by taxi for 5 GEL.
Reserve "Kintrishi"
Not far from Kobuleti, 58 km from Batumi, there is a national park famous for its beautiful landscapes, beech and chestnut forests. In wild, uncrowded places live Caucasian bears, roe deer, weasels, squirrels, jungle cats, moles, foxes, hares, otters, badgers and bats. Buzzards, eagles, hobbies, hawks, falcons, eagle owls and scoops live in the crowns of trees and in the mountains, and the rivers and lakes are full of fish. A true paradise for nature lovers! Connoisseurs of history will also be glad - on the territory of the reserve there are old arched bridges, the Hemvani nunnery and the ruins of the Khulo monastery.
The entrance to the reserve is free, an overnight stay in a tent costs 10 GEL, and for a place in a comfortable cottage you need to pay 25 GEL.Get to Kobuleti by minibus for 2 GEL, and from there take a taxi to the visit center of the park, because you need to go 24 km. For 70-80 GEL, they will take you to the place, wait 2-3 hours and bring you back to Kobuleti.
Martvili Canyon
For many thousands of years, the Abasha River has carved a passage through the limestone, and the result is a narrow canyon 2.5 km long. Beautiful rocks 50-70 m high hang over the clear greenish water. You can sail along the top of the canyon by boat for 15 GEL. It is convenient to walk along the lower part.
This is the most distant attraction in the vicinity of Batumi - a picturesque canyon is located 150 km from the resort, so it is more convenient to get there by car or with a guided tour.
