The pearl of Georgia, Batumi is not only a resort city, but also an inexhaustible storehouse of attractions. And they will interest both adults and children. Unusual buildings, beautiful parks, a zoo and a dolphinarium, squares and embankments, monuments and temples. A week is not enough to see all the beauties and unique places. But if you have only 24 hours, then we will tell you what to see in Batumi in one day on your own, so as not to miss anything important and interesting. With the help of our guide you can create an itinerary, taking into account your interests.
Cable car “Argo”
This is the best place to start your acquaintance. The Argo cable car was opened in 2013. The lower station is located on Gogebashvili street. The trip to Mount Feria (250m) lasts about 10 minutes. One of 9 glass cabins designed for 6 people will take you upstairs. During the ascent, passengers sit on soft benches. Doors open and close automatically.
At the top you are waiting for: an observation deck (you can just admire the city, or you can pay for binoculars), a temple, a cafe and several shops. Prices are high here, so many tourists prefer to bring water and food with them. The cable car operates from 11:00 to 24:00. Someone wants to go up during the day, and someone wants to see Batumi, illuminated by evening lights. The best option is to make both trips, and then decide at what time of day the city looks more beautiful.
Orta-Jami Mosque
About 450,000 Muslims live in Georgia. There are also many Muslims in Adjara, the capital of which is Batumi. Orta-Jami Mosque was built in 1886. “Orta” means “in the middle”. The new mosque was located between two existing ones: Azize Jami and Ahmed Pasha Jami. The money for its construction was given by representatives of the Khimshiashvili dynasty. Of course, after the advent of Soviet power, the mosque, like almost all churches, synanogi, churches, was closed.
It was reopened in 1946 and restored in the 90s. At the end of the 20th century, a minaret appeared here. Today the mosque is very beautiful. Tourists take pictures of the entrance in the form of an arch, admire the oriental ornaments decorating the building from the inside. Religious services are held here. Children from Muslim families come to the mosque to study the history of their religion, to get acquainted with the Koran.
Piazza
How did it happen that an “Italian square” appeared in Georgia, the younger sister of the famous Venetian San Marco? Its author is the architect Vazha Orbeladze. Frankly, he himself did not really believe in success when he worked on the project. But Piazza has become one of the most beautiful squares in Georgia, many events take place here. And here all the tourists try to visit.
The buildings bordering the square are decorated with stained-glass windows, mosaics and artistic painting. There are several hotels, luxurious bars, clubs and restaurants. Work on the external appearance of the square was completed in 2010, however, the Piazza looks like it is several centuries old. A very picturesque place.
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Church of St. Nicholas
The age of one of the oldest temples in the city exceeds 150 years. In the middle of the 19th century, the head of Batumi, Ilya Efremidi, began work on the renewal and expansion of the city. The Turkish authorities allowed the construction of a temple here. Efremidi donated a piece of land, and the townspeople collected the funds. The full life of the parish began in the 90s of the 19th century. Men's and women's schools operated here, and the choir was one of the best in Georgia.
For many years the church of St. Nicholas had the status of a cathedral. During the years of Soviet power, it was closed, and reopened only after the end of World War II, in 1946. The population made donations for the restoration work. The most extensive restoration took place in 1998. Today, not only parishioners come to the temple, but also pilgrims from other cities and countries, as well as numerous tourists.
Maritime Station
Batumi is a major seaport. Many people come here by sea from Sochi. But those who arrived in the city in a different way should also see the beautiful building of the marine passenger station. It was built in 1959-1962 by architects Novakov and Kremlyakov. The building is designed in the Stalinist Empire style, decorated with a spire and mosaics.
During the day, its beautiful blue color catches the eye, in the evenings and at night the building looks especially elegant, thanks to the backlight. There is also a navigation center. There is a walking area. The building of the Marine Station organically fits into the ensemble of sights located on the coast.
chacha tower
Well, how can such an original architectural structure not please the Russians? On the embankment, not far from the sea station, you can see a tower with a chacha fountain. Of course, the population immediately formed a legend that once a week for about a quarter of an hour, free chacha flows from the fountain – just try, guess this time. Moreover, chacha is supplied by different companies, so its taste is different.
It is interesting that about 100 years ago there was the same building in the city. And the new one, built in 2012, repeated it. The tower reaches a height of 25 m. At the level of 18 m, a clock is fortified, so the building is also called the Chacha Tower. The Chacha Tower looks especially beautiful at night, when the sights are illuminated by lights.
Lighthouse
Take a closer look at this lighthouse. The first lighthouse – wooden – appeared here in 1863. But, after a short time, the masters invited from Paris began to rebuild it. At the beginning of the 20th century, a bright beam showed the way to ships. At first the light was white, now it is ruby. But the main thing in the history of the lighthouse is that Mikhail Stavraki was its caretaker.
He studied in the same naval corps with Peter Schmidt. Young people simultaneously received the rank of midshipmen. And a few years later, it was Stavraki who would shoot Lieutenant Schmidt, fulfilling the verdict of the court. Other officers will refuse to do so. After the execution of the hero, Stavraki began working as a lighthouse keeper. And when the Soviets came to power, Mikhail Stavraki was sentenced to death.
Ferris wheel
The Ferris wheel is located in the Miracle Park, and attracts both adults and children. This is not just an attraction, but also an opportunity to look at Baku from a bird's eye view. The wheel will lift you up to 55 meters above the ground. It was mounted by an Italian company, the cabins are open, more than 200 people lift the wheel at the same time, and the “journey” lasts about 10 minutes.
There are other attractions near the attraction. These are the Chacha Tower, the lighthouse, the “Statue of Love”, etc. And there are also a lot of cafes and just street stalls around where they sell food. So no one will go hungry. Here you can buy everything – from kebabs and salads to fast food.
alphabet tower
It is also the name of this attraction – “ABC Tower”. One has only to look at this structure, as the DNA helix comes to mind. And this is no coincidence. Spiral strips wrap around the tower, they include letters of the Georgian alphabet made of aluminum. DNA contains information that unites all genes, while the alphabet unites the Georgian people. The height of the tower is 130 m, the diameter is 31 m.
At the very top is a sphere, it includes an observation deck and a TV studio. With the help of lifts, you can climb to different levels of the tower. It was also assumed that there would be a permanent restaurant on a rotating platform, designed for 125 people. The construction of the tower was completed in December 2011, the project belongs to the Spanish company CMD Ingenieros. The tower looks especially beautiful in the evenings when it is lit up.
Statue “Ali and Nino”
This striking sculpture, installed in the Park of Miracles, is one of the main attractions of the city. Its author, architect Tamara Kvesitadze, now lives in the United States. The idea was born after reading the novel of the same name about the love of a Muslim boy and a Christian girl. The book, whose author is not known for certain, was published in 1937.
In 2007, the sculpture was shown in Venice, at the World Art Exhibition, and then in London. And everywhere she delighted the audience. From 2011 to 2015, “Ali and Nino” decorated the embankment, and then the sculpture was moved away from the coast, and, accordingly, natural disasters. Now the lovers are standing near the Ferris wheel. However, “stand” is a convention. The main charm of the sculpture is that the figures are moving.
“Love Story” unfolds in front of the viewer in about 10 minutes. A young man and a girl walk towards each other, then their figures merge, they pass through each other and move away – each in his own direction. This would not have been possible if the figures were not made of a metal lattice. There are always a lot of people here. There are benches nearby, and people sit here for hours, admiring the movements of the figures, full of meaning, the sea surface, ships… In the evening, the sculpture looks especially impressive.
Skyscraper Batumi Tower with Ferris wheel
This unusual building appeared several years ago. A 36-storey skyscraper, 200 meters high, was built according to the project of David Gogichaishvili. The Black Sea Technological University was supposed to be located here. The feature of the building was a mini Ferris wheel located on the 27th floor. Up to 40 people can be in 8 booths at the same time. Such a wheel on the building looks very unusual.
However, the university was never opened, and for several years the unique building was empty. Only in 2015, RED-Co bought it. The new owners had to carry out a global reconstruction, after which a chic 5 * hotel was opened here. Now here you can not only ride the attraction, but also play in the casino, go in for fitness, sit in restaurants.
colonnades
The colonnades symbolize the gate at the entrance to the embankment. They were built in 1934. The idea belonged to the doctor Ivan Mchedlidze, and he came up with it after visiting Italy. Then he sketched the project, which was later brought to life by the architect Bogdan Kirakosyan. The colonnades became very popular and recognizable.
They are depicted on postcards, filmed in films, tourists are sure to take pictures next to them. And although you can go to the sea in various ways, many people prefer to go through the Colonnades. Snow-white Colonnades, surrounded by exotic trees and flowers, and the endless blue of the sea opening behind them, look unusually impressive.
Pier
Near the singing fountains and the Wedding Palace there is a very popular place – the pier. Meetings are scheduled here, people come here to take a walk, admire the sea surface. The pier is long and beautiful. There are cafes, shops and exchangers, as well as a disco bar. Therefore, vacationers stay here for a long time. During the day on the pier it is nice to have coffee in one of the cafes. In the evening, parties are constantly held in the bar, you can dance, smoke a hookah.
For little tourists there is a playground. In addition, you can take beautiful photos of the city from here. From the pier you can see the Alphabet Tower, the embankment and the mountains. You can also recommend visiting a very popular restaurant, which is located here – Pier Batumi. During the summer it is open 24/7. Here you can order complex breakfasts, Italian dishes – pizza, lasagna, as well as national Georgian dishes, desserts, fresh juices, tea and coffee.
Rustaveli Avenue
The ancient city has undergone significant reconstruction in recent years. But still, its authors tried to preserve the historical face of the city. It is walking along the streets, where there are many houses of the 19th – early 20th century – you can fully experience the charm of the capital of Adjara. Rustaveli Avenue starts almost from the embankment. It is advisable to postpone the walk until the evening to enjoy the lights, the illumination of buildings.
Be sure to pay attention to the Batumi Drama Theater named after I. Chavchavadze. The building of the famous theater is an example of classicism. Nearby is a beautiful square, where there are always a lot of people. The fountain is especially attractive for the residents of the city and its guests.
Here you can see the gilded figures of Neptune and the Sirens. The same fountain, only larger, stands in Bologna, a beautiful Italian city. Along Rustaveli Avenue, you can walk to the May 6 park with its picturesque lake.
Europe Square and the statue of Medea
Europe Square is located in the center, not far from the Astronomical Clock. Tourists are attracted here, first of all, by the statue of Medea and the legend associated with it. It is known that representatives of the Colchis civilization once lived on the fertile lands of Adjara. Beauty Medea was the daughter of the king of Colchis. And the prosperity of the people was ensured by the legendary Golden Fleece.
When the Argonauts sailed to the local shores, Medea fell in love with the beautiful Jason. She helped him steal the Golden Fleece. The lovers sailed away together on Jason's ship. The sculptor depicted Medea with the Golden Fleece in her hand. Also, the girl was a skilled healer, a real sorceress. Hence the word “medicine”. On the whole, he is an extraordinary, very strong personality, whom the former president of Georgia, Saakashvili, sympathized with.
The statue of Medea appeared on his initiative. It was supposed to symbolize the wealth and prosperity of the country, its connection with Europe. A neat and clean square also looks quite “European”. Concerts are regularly held here, which attract several thousand people. During the New Year holidays, you can see a large elegant Christmas tree here. In short, the area is worthy of attention.
Museum of Archeology of Adjara
The museum is located in a beautiful mansion located at 77 Chavchavadze Street. This is one of the oldest museums in Georgia, it is almost a hundred years old. More than 22 thousand exhibits are stored here. This is not surprising. After all, on the local fertile lands people lived in time immemorial. Thanks to many years of scrupulous work of archaeologists, the finds have found their place in the exposition. If you follow the chronology, it is better to start the tour from the halls located on the second floor.
Here are exhibited exhibits that belong to the Stone and Iron Ages. Some of them are already about 10 thousand years old. On the ground floor you can see a rich collection of antiquity. These are products made of metal, glass, ceramics. There are also many products of the Middle Ages – dishes, coins, tools, jewelry. Exhibits are presented, confirming the trade relations of the inhabitants with Arab merchants. Of great interest is the treasure from the Gonio-Apsaros fortress – cult figurines and dishes.
Cathedral
The fate of this beautiful cathedral is truly amazing. It was built at the beginning of the 20th century with the money of Stefan Zubalashvili, a well-known oilman. Initially, it was a Catholic church – this is exactly what Stefan's mother, Elizabeth, dreamed of. A painter was invited from Italy, who designed the interior of the church. And it was consecrated in 1902.
In the 20th century, the church had to go through a difficult period associated with the years of Soviet power, the cult of atheism. In the 80s of the last century, it was even planned to place a concert hall here. To this end, the building was restored by artists from Tbilisi. Only in 1989 the temple was handed over to believers. But this time – Orthodox. Patriarch of Georgia Ilya II consecrated the church in honor of the Nativity of the Virgin, and baptized several thousand people here.
But this pearl of architecture must be seen even by people who do not believe, or who profess not Orthodoxy, but another religion. The cathedral is built of white stone, and it is special – it can change shades depending on the lighting. The cathedral has three domes, it is decorated with red bricks, ornaments, using gold and blue colors. Neo-Gothic style is a legacy of Catholic architecture. Inside the temple, much resembles the Sictine Chapel in the Vatican.
True, there are many Orthodox icons here. Some of them are painted in the Russian style, others are made by Georgian icon painters according to their traditions. The frescoes and stained-glass windows of the cathedral are remarkable, as well as the statues of St. Nina and the Apostle Andrew the First-Called. The cathedral is located on Demetri Tavdadebuli Street, 51.
May 6 Park
The residents love this park. It is located in the center and covers an area of over 150 thousand square meters. m. Do not think that this park is modern. It appeared in 1881, and German and French gardeners worked on its creation. The area with beautiful trees, shrubs and flowers attracted the public. Even Emperor Alexander the Third appreciated the magnificent park and planted a magnolia here.
Some time after this, the park bore the name of the monarch, and was called “Alexandrovsky”. In 2007, in honor of the end of the Adjara crisis on May 6, 2004, the name of the city's favorite recreation area was changed. But the main decoration of the park is Lake Nurigeli. You can wander along its shores, or you can rent a catamaran or a special boat – with a canopy from the sun and a small table with a barbecue. Thus, you can not only ride, but also have a snack during a water trip.
A fountain is equipped in the center of the lake; in the evenings it is beautifully illuminated. There are also many children's attractions in the park – a train, carousels, etc. There are viewing platforms on the trees – the guys are happy to climb them. An unusual cobblestone-shaped fountain and a sundial will attract attention. In the warm season, the park also operates an open-air summer cinema.
Zoo
This small zoo is located on the territory of the 6 May park. Many parents who brought the children here said that they did not expect much from the mini-zoo, but then they were pleasantly surprised. Clean and green territory, funny animals that surprisingly know how to make anyone laugh – in a word, it's nice to be here. The entrance fee is small and is charged only to those who want to see birds and primates.
Magnificent vultures and eagles, funny monkeys, elegant exotic parrots – kids really like it. Surprisingly, here you can see both zebras and kangaroos, which approach the fence of their enclosures and, thus, are close to the public. True, it is forbidden to feed the animals. But it is clear that the care of the animals is good, they are full and do not beg. Everyone's favorite is a funny lemur, his relatives live in distant Madagascar.
Dolphinarium
The Dolphinarium gained fame far beyond the city limits. It was built in 1975, becoming the first and for a long time the only one in the USSR. He was actually perceived as a symbol of Batumi. In the 90s, devastation came to the country, there was a catastrophic lack of money, the dolphinarium began to deteriorate, it was dismantled. Trained pets moved to Cyprus. But thanks to donations, a new complex appeared.
It is located in the park “May 6”. There are 3 swimming pools, a spacious hall in the form of an amphitheater, where up to 700 people can attend at the same time. Equipped with the necessary amenities for people with disabilities. Dolphins perform every day except Monday. The program is in 3 languages, including Russian. In summer, you can watch the show 3 times a day, in spring and autumn, usually only on weekends.
The popularity of the dolphinarium is huge, so it is better to book tickets in advance, especially at the height of the tourist season. And even more so, you should sign up in advance if you want to swim in the pool with dolphins for a quarter of an hour. 8 dolphins participate in the show, they show up to 30 numbers – they dance, work with hoops and balls, and perform other funny tricks.
Of course, it is unlikely that you will be able to get around the main attractions in 1 day. But, having got acquainted in advance with what is worthy of attention here, you can go to those places that are of particular interest to you. And good luck with your acquaintance with this charming city!
How to get from the airport to the center
After leaving the airport building, on the right you will see a bus stop. Tickets are purchased from the conductor. They cost 0.4 lari (12 rubles), buy a ticket for 2 trips – for 0.8 lari. You need buses number 9 or number 10. Bus number 9 travels along Bagrationi street to the city center. Bus number 10 on Rustaveli Avenue will take you to the railway station.
It is better to ask the driver or conductor in advance about where to get off in order to get where you need to go. You can also use taxi services. It is better not to contact private traders, they inflate prices by 3 times. Pay attention to kiwitaxi.