Winter Batumi is good because there are almost no tourists in the vicinity, and the weather is comfortable for long walks. We have already told what to do in the city, and in this article we give recommendations what to do in the vicinity of Batumi, when all the khinkali are eaten, and the streets of the old city have long been investigated.
How to get and where to stop
There is no direct air service between Russia and Georgia. You can fly through Baku, Yerevan or Minsk, the cost of the flight starts from 30,000 rubles* in one direction. For entry, only a passport will be required, without a visa in the country you can be 365 days. From Tbilisi to Batumi, a comfortable high -speed train regularly walks: in just 35 Lari and 5.5 hours he rushes to the city.
Here are a few suitable options where to stay in Batumi:
Colosseum Marina Hotel (rating 8.5) – from 3,900 rubles per night*.
Best Western Premier Batumi (estimate 8.4) – from 4,800 rubles per night*.
Radisson Blu Hotel Batumi (estimate 8.8) – from 11,300 rubles per night*.
Gonio fortress
The location is located 12 km south of Batumi right at the highway. You can get on any minibus that goes towards Gonio, or by taxi.
In ancient times, the fortress of Honio-Apsaros was of unique strategic significance. From her towers, the ways of entering the gorges of Chorokhi and Ajariszkali, which connected the regions of southwestern Georgia with the Black Sea coast, were visible. During its existence, the fortress managed to become a citadel for many empires. Now on the territory there is a small archaeological museum, which presents household items and jewelry dating back to the 80s of the XIX century. Among the fortress walls there is a reconstruction of a Roman camp with tents of legionnaires, a well, a catapult, crossbows and chariot. In a free photo zone, you can try on armor and feel like a resident of another era. Children will also be interested in: in the courtyard you can climb on the ruins of the fortress, and thereby continue the game in the Middle Ages.
The entrance is paid, costs 5 Lari. The working hours from 9:00 to 18:00, on Mondays a day off.
The ruins of the fortress of Peter
The mysterious attraction, which few people know about, is located on the territory of the village of Cichisjiri. It is more convenient to get here by car or use a minibus running towards Kobuleti, Poti or Ureki.
Small ruins are located by the sea on a hill surrounded by green terraces. Fragments of the palace and the old bath, as well as the ruins of outbuildings, have been preserved in the citadel. It is assumed that this fortress is mentioned in the legendary Georgian poem “Knight in the Tiger skin.” Gorgeous views are opened from the sighting site. On the right side, the coastline of the beaches is visible, on the left in the distance, silhouettes of Batuman skyscrapers and mountains are visible in the distance. It is better to capture the camera with a good lens here. Or maybe even to come closer to sunset, when the sky is permeated by pink feathers of the clouds, and the sun dives into the depths of the Black Sea, blushing the golden glare along the surface of the water.
The entrance is paid, it will cost 5 LARI. For 15 Lari you can hire a guide to immerse yourself in the history of this place. Opening hours: daily, except Monday, from 10:00 to 17:30.
Swamps Spain
Not far from Kobuleti, 500 m from the sea, there are mysterious swamps. The path to them on a minibus from Batumi will take 20-30 minutes and will cost 2 Lari. Ask the driver in advance to stop at the intersection of Bagrationi and Rustaveli streets. Further, local residents can suggest the road, or check with the GPS coordinates.
Spanish swamps are unique in that they are covered with sphagnum. It converts carbon dioxide, as a result of which a peat is obtained, the deposits of which are hidden in the depths of Spanish. On the territory there are shields with information about the features of the local flora and fauna. It is very quiet here, and you can fully enjoy unity with nature. Walk along the paths in search of a rare species of swamp turtle and watch the birds, for example, with winter -rods and chibis. Take care in advance about waterproof shoes: in places where there are no stage, it can be wet.
The entrance is free.
Batuman Botanical Garden
One of the most visited natural attractions is only 9 km from Batumi. There are many buses and minibuses from the city, you can familiarize yourself with the schedule on the official website.
The garden is huge, and on the day of its visit it is better not to plan other activities. The territory is divided into different zones: Himalayan, New Zealand, Mexican and others. About 40% is occupied by the Department of East Asia, where bizarre plants from Japan are represented. A small edge in the lower garden deserves special attention, from where a unique phenomenon can be observed – like birds nest and chirp the trees. Stock up with sandwiches and a thermos with hot tea so that observing the feathereds is comfortable. Another unusual entertainment is to catch the moment when trains pass through the tunnel, signaling about their approach by a sonorous buzz.
The cost of visiting is 20 Lari. The garden works from 09:00 to 19:00 seven days a week. For a fee, you can hire a guide or use an electric car.
The National Park MTIRAL
The park is located 25 km from Batumi and 15 km from the village of Chaquer, which is located on the Tbilisi -Batumi highway. It is more convenient to get by car, otherwise you have to go with transfers: first on a minibus, and then by taxi.
The Mtiral Park is considered a place with the highest humidity in Georgia. Rain and thick fog here are permanent guests. It is worth coming here to see the Tsabelnari waterfall and a small mountain lake. Typically, tourists first rise to the waterfall, take spectacular photos on the background of the mountains, and then go down to the lake – restore strength and eat.
The route is not difficult and suitable for people of different ages and levels of sports training. The main thing is to take care of comfortable shoes in advance. Sneakers with good treads or light trekking boots are suitable. For a fee, you can diversify your vacation and ride a ziplane above the river or climb a rope park.
The park is open from 9:00 to 18:00 seven days a week. You will need to pay 2 Lari to cross the river in a trailer along a mini-kannaya road, but it’s worth it.
Mahunceti waterfall
Location 30 km from Batumi. One of the highest waterfalls of Adjara is located by the road and is available for visiting. We recommend going on a trip by a rented car.
Tons of water effectively fall from a height into a stone bowl and fly apart with silver sparks. And if you cross the road, then 500 m from the waterfall will be found another attraction – the arched bridge of the time of Queen Tamara. In warm weather, under the bridge you can swim in the invigorating river. Nearby there are restaurants, a picnic and trading shops. Local products are on sale: honey, churchhela and jam, which can be an excellent gift to the family or souvenir in memory of the days spent in amazing Adjara.
*Prices are relevant at the time of publication.
