The pearl of Georgia, Batumi is not only a resort city, but also an inexhaustible storehouse of attractions. Moreover, they will be of interest to 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 explore 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 our own, so as not to miss anything important and interesting. With the help of our guide, you will be able to create a route, taking into account your interests.
Cable car "Argo"
It is most convenient to start your acquaintance with this object. The Argo cable car was opened in 2013. The lower station is located on Gogebashvili Street. The journey to Mount Feria (250m) lasts about 10 minutes. One of 9 glass cabins for 6 people will take you upstairs. During the ascent, passengers sit on soft benches. The doors open and close automatically.
Upstairs you will find: 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 runs from 11 am to midnight. Someone wants to go upstairs during the day, and someone wants to see Batumi, illuminated by the 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
There are about 450 thousand people living in Georgia who profess Islam. There are also many Muslims in Adjara, the capital of which is Batumi. The Orta-Jami Mosque was built in 1886. Orta means in the middle. The new mosque was located between the 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 coming of Soviet power, the mosque, like almost all churches, synagogues, churches, was closed.
It was reopened in 1946 and restored in the 90s. At the end of the 20th century, a minaret appeared here. The mosque is very beautiful today. Tourists take pictures of the arch-shaped entrance, admire the oriental ornaments that adorn 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 the "Italian square", the younger sister of the famous Venetian San Marco, appeared in Georgia? Its author is the architect Vazha Orbeladze. Frankly, he himself did not really believe in success when he was working on the project. But Piazza has become one of the most beautiful squares in Georgia, and many events take place here. And all the tourists try to visit here.
The buildings bordering the square are decorated with stained glass windows, mosaics and art paintings. There are several hotels, luxury bars, clubs and restaurants here. The work on the external appearance of the square was completed in 2010, however, the Piazza looks as if it is several centuries old. A very picturesque place.
Church of St. Nicholas
One of the oldest temples in the city is over 150 years old. In the middle of the 19th century, the head of Batumi, Ilya Efremidi, began work on the renovation and expansion of the city. The Turkish authorities allowed to build a temple here. Efremidi donated a plot of land, and the funds were collected by the townspeople. The full life of the parish began in the 90s of the 19th century. There were male and female schools, 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 restoration work. The most ambitious 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 large seaport. Many 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 sea passenger terminal. It was built in 1959-1962 according to the project of 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 is striking, in the evenings and at night the building looks especially elegant, thanks to the illumination. The navigation center also works here. There is a walking area. The building of the Marine Station organically fits into the ensemble of attractions located on the shore.
Chacha tower
Well, how can Russians not like such an original architectural structure? 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 it, guess the time. Moreover, chacha is supplied by different companies, so its taste is different.
It is interesting that about 100 years ago there was a similar structure in the city. And the new one, built in 2012, repeated it. The tower reaches a height of 25 m. A clock is fortified at the level of 18 m, so the building is also called the Chacha Tower. The Chacha Tower looks especially beautiful in the dark, when the sights are illuminated with lights.
Lighthouse
Take a closer look at this lighthouse. The first lighthouse - a wooden one - appeared here in 1863. But, after a short time, masters invited from Paris began to rebuild it. At the beginning of the 20th century, a bright beam showed the way for 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 at the same time received the title of warrant officer. And a few years later, it was Stavraki who would shoot Lieutenant Schmidt, carrying out the court's verdict. Other officers will refuse to do so. After the hero was shot, Stavraki began to work 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 Wonderland 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 55 m above the ground. It was assembled by an Italian company, the booths are open, the wheel simultaneously lifts more than 200 people, and the "journey" lasts about 10 minutes.
There are other attractions near the attraction. These are the Chacha Tower, lighthouse, "Statue of Love", etc. And there are also many cafes and street stalls selling food around. So no one will be left 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 spiral comes to mind. And this is no coincidence. Spiral stripes 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. Tower height - 130 m, diameter - 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 will be a permanent restaurant on a rotating platform, designed for 125 people. 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.
Statue "Ali and Nino"
This striking sculpture, installed in the Park of Miracles, is one of the city's main attractions. Its author, architect Tamara Kvesitadze, now lives in the USA. The idea was born after reading the novel of the same name about the love of a Muslim youth and a Christian girl. The book, the author of which is not known for certain, was published in 1937.
In 2007, the sculpture was shown in Venice, at the exhibition of world art, 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, "standing" is a convention. The main beauty of sculpture is that the figures move.
"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 had not been made of metal bars. There are always a lot of people here. There are benches nearby, and people sit here for hours, admiring the movements of figures full of meaning, the sea surface, ships ... In the evening, the sculpture looks especially impressive.
Batumi Tower skyscraper with Ferris wheel
This unusual building appeared several years ago. The 36-storey skyscraper, 200m high, was erected according to the project of David Gogichaishvili. It was supposed to house the Black Sea Technological University. A feature of the building is a mini Ferris wheel located on the 27th floor. 8 cabins can accommodate up to 40 people at the same time. Such a wheel looks very unusual on a building.
However, the university was never opened, and for several years the unique building was empty. Only in 2015, it was bought by the RED-Co company. The new owners had to carry out a global reconstruction, after which a luxurious 5 * hotel was opened here. Now here you can not only ride the attraction, but also play in the casino, do fitness, sit in restaurants.
Colonnades
Colonnades symbolize the gate at the entrance to the embankment. They were built in 1934. The idea belonged to the doctor Ivan Mchedlidze, and it came to him after visiting Italy. Then he sketched the project, which was later implemented by the architect Bogdan Kirakosyan. Colonnades have become very popular and recognizable.
They are depicted on postcards, filmed in films, tourists are sure to be photographed next to them. And although you can go to the sea in different ways, many people prefer to go exactly through the Colonnades. The 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 made here, they come here to walk, admire the sea surface. The pier is long and beautiful. There are cafes, shops and exchange offices, as well as a disco bar. Therefore, vacationers stay here for a long time. During the day on the pier it is pleasant to have a coffee in one of the cafes. In the evening, parties are constantly held in the bar, you can dance, smoke a hookah.
There is a playground for young tourists. In addition, you can take great pictures of the city from here. The pier offers a view of the Alphabet Tower, the embankment and the mountains. You can also recommend visiting a very popular restaurant, which is located here - Pier Batumi. In the summer, it works around the clock. Here you can order complex breakfasts, Italian dishes - pizza, lasagne, 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 nevertheless, its authors tried to preserve the historical face of the city. Walking along the streets, where there are many houses of the 19th - early 20th centuries, one 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 in order to enjoy the lights and illumination of buildings.
You should definitely pay attention to the Batumi Drama Theater named after I. Chavchavadze. The building of the renowned theater is an example of classicism. There is a beautiful park nearby, 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. A similar fountain, only of a larger size, stands in Bologna, a beautiful Italian city. You can walk along Rustaveli Avenue to the 6 May Park with its picturesque lake.
Europe square and the statue of Medea
Europa 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. The beautiful 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 these shores, Medea fell in love with the beautiful Jason. She helped him to kidnap 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 personality, very strong, with whom the former President of Georgia Saakashvili sympathized.
The statue of Medea appeared on his initiative. It was supposed to symbolize the wealth and prosperity of the country, its connection with Europe. The neat and clean square also looks quite "European". Concerts are regularly held here, which are attended by several thousand people. During the New Year holidays, you can see a large elegant Christmas tree here. In a word, 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 kept here. This is not surprising. After all, people lived on the local fertile lands in time immemorial. Thanks to many years of meticulous work by archaeologists, the finds have found their place in the exhibition. If you follow the chronology, it is better to start the inspection from the halls located on the second floor.
There are exhibits that date back 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 items from the Middle Ages - dishes, coins, tools, jewelry. Exhibits are presented, confirming the trade relations of residents 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 money from Stefan Zubalashvili, a famous oil industrialist. Initially, it was a Catholic church - this is exactly what Stephen's mother, Elizabeth, dreamed of. A painter was invited from Italy to decorate 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. For this purpose, 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 a 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 non-believers, or professing 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. The neo-Gothic style is a legacy of Catholic architecture. Inside the temple, much resembles the Siktin Chapel in the Vatican.
True, there are many Orthodox icons here. Some of them are written in the Russian style, others are made by Georgian icon painters according to their own traditions. The frescoes and stained-glass windows of the cathedral, as well as the statues of St. Nina and the Apostle Andrew the First-Called, are remarkable. The cathedral is located on Demetri Tavdadebuli street, 51.
May 6 park
Residents love this park very much. 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 audience. Even Emperor Alexander III 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 favorite recreation area of the townspeople changed. But the main decoration of the park is the Nurigeli Lake. You can wander along its banks, or you can rent a catamaran or a special boat - with a canopy from the sun and a small table with barbecue. Thus, you can not only ride, but also have a snack during the water trip.
There is a fountain 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, carousel, etc. There are viewing platforms in the trees - the guys are happy to climb them. Attention will be drawn to the unusual cobblestone fountain and sundial. During the warmer months, the park also has an open-air summer cinema.
Zoo
This small zoo is located in the May 6 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 amazingly know how to make anyone laugh - in short, it's nice to be here. The entry fee is small and is only charged for bird and primate watching.
Gorgeous vultures and eagles, funny monkeys, elegant exotic parrots - the kids love them very much. Surprisingly, here you can see both zebras and kangaroos that come up to the fence of their enclosures and, thus, find themselves 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. The amusing lemur is a common favorite; its congeners live in distant Madagascar.
Dolphinarium
The dolphinarium has 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. It was actually perceived as a symbol of Batumi. In the 90s, devastation came to the country, money was sorely lacking, the dolphinarium began to decay, it was dismantled. Trained pets moved to Cyprus. But thanks to donations, a new complex has 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 be present at the same time. Equipped with the necessary amenities for people with disabilities. Dolphins perform every day except Monday. The program is available 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 dolphinarium is very popular, so it is better to book tickets in advance, especially at the height of the tourist season. Moreover, it is worth making an appointment 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, you will hardly be able to get around the main attractions in 1 day. But, having familiarized yourself in advance with what is worthy of attention here, you can go to those places that interest you especially. And good luck exploring this charming city!
How to get from the airport to the center
Leaving the airport building, you will see a bus stop on the right. Tickets are purchased from the conductor. They cost 0.4 lari (12 rubles), buy a ticket for 2 trips - 0.8 lari. You need buses No. 9 or No. 10. Bus No. 9 goes along Bagrationi Street to the city center. Bus number 10 along Rustaveli Avenue will take you to the railway station.
About where to get off in order to get where you need to - it is better to ask the driver or conductor in advance. You can also use a taxi service. It is better not to contact private traders, they inflate prices by 3 times. Pay attention to kiwitaxi.
