Batumi is the capital of Adjara. This is the personification of Georgia in all its modern manifestations. The city smells sweet in the flowering season and is filled with a carefree mood. This is the main Black Sea resort of the country. Here rest the locals and numerous Europeans. Tourists are attracted to the resort delicious national cuisine, warm waves and all-consuming fun.
The road to Batumi
On Tuesday and Saturday from Moscow Domodedovo Airport you can fly to the capital of Georgia with comfort. The path will be approximately two and a half hours and will result in $ 320 (tour). If you choose a flight with a transfer, you can save and pay only 195 dollars. From the city center to the airport, you can take a taxi in 15 minutes. It is cheaper to use the bus number 10. Travel by taxi will cost 10 GEL, and a bus ticket is only 0.4 GEL.
If you get from Tbilisi, it is recommended to use domestic airlines. The flight will take only 40 minutes. You can also travel this distance by train. The road will be 5-6 hours and will cost 25 GEL.From other major cities to the capital are trains and buses. The fare will cost up to 30 GEL.
An interesting experience could be moving from Sochi on the so-called "rocket" on the water. This can be done only twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays. A ticket for this wonderful boat costs $ 110 for an adult, $ 50 for a child and $ 13 for a baby.
Geography Batumi - areas
Batumi stretches along the sea for only 20 km. The most popular tourist sites are located in the center. These are places from the Batumi Bay to the Chorokhi River. In the center, the cheapest accommodation is in Pushkin Street, but it can be ranked as an industrial zone, so the rest here is not for everybody.
Another thing is Old Batumi. This is the historical center where the well-preserved buildings of the 19th century were concentrated. Immediately next to them grow new modern buildings. Because of this, Piazza Square looks very curious. The advantage can be considered a wide variety of housing prices. Here are luxury hotels next to the economy class apartments.
Batumi Boulevard is the heart of the city. Here are the famous singing fountains. Also here come tourists wishing to enjoy the sea views. Local pelicans and peacocks enjoy eating with their hands.
In the area of Sheriff Khimshiashvili street there is a large water park and picturesque French fountains. At the same time, housing prices in this place are quite reasonable. The main street for shopping will be Gorky Street. From here to any attractions of the city can be reached on foot. Any restaurant and cafe is located within walking distance, as well as access to the sea.
Transportation network
Urban transport in the city is the most classic:
- buses;
- minibuses;
- bicycle rent;
- car rent;
- Taxi.
Travel by bus, which runs from the bus stop to the bus stop along the route, will cost 0.4 GEL. Departure to remote areas and suburbs will cost more, up to 1 GEL. The route can be stopped right on the road, but the destination must be named in advance.
Taxis are private and official. The so-called "bombili" is a constant phenomenon. The price of the trip must be negotiated in advance, as the counter in the car - a rarity. The average landing costs 0.6 GEL, the road through the city 5 GEL, remote areas - 15 GEL.
On the boulevards and embankments you can ride a rented bike. For the whole day you will have to lay out 4 GEL, and separately for each hour, 2 GEL. For 10 days in a row you can pay only 10 GEL.
If you go to Batumi only for a beach holiday, then you should not rent a car. But for lovers of excursions there is a car rental service. It should be borne in mind that parking a car will cost 1 GEL. If you violate the rules of parking, you can get a penalty of 10 GEL. Rent a budget car will cost an average of 60 GEL. All of these problems can be avoided if you simply use the sightseeing buses that are in almost every hotel.
Batumi beaches and hotels
Most of the local beaches are covered in pebbles. The best of them are located in the city. Batumi Beach is the most popular beach in the city. It stretches as much as 6 km along the edge of the sea. The Black Sea is clear and warm here. Another advantage is the developed infrastructure:
- an abundance of restaurants and cafes nearby;
- beach showers;
- changing rooms;
- beach discos for parties;
- hire of umbrellas and deck chairs (paid from 2 to 4 GEL).
On this beach you can ride on water skis, inflatable bananas, boats and catamarans. The entrance to the water is shallow - the beach is suitable for families with children.
The second most popular beach in the city "Sarapi". It is located in the suburbs of Batumi. Compared to Baumi Beach, Sarapi provides much less options for outdoor activities, but other elements of a beach holiday are great here. Here you can rent an umbrella and a sunbed for 1-3 GEL, and a sofa or hammock for 7-10 GEL per hour.
At the entrance to the city there are two more remarkable places: “Ureki” and “Kvariati”. “Ureki” is the only sandy beach in the area, and from “Kvariti” you can go diving and see the richest underwater world of this place.Both beaches are well-equipped: sun beds, umbrellas, inflatable slides, boats and more.
Batumi invites tourists for prevention and treatment. Ureki, Makhinjaura, Kobuleti, Tsikhis-Jiri are best suited for this. Each of the regions, due to the natural features of nature, disposes to the treatment of individual diseases:
- respiratory diseases;
- of cardio-vascular system;
- nervous system;
- gynecology;
- skin diseases.
Accommodation in local resorts on average costs about 100 GEL. The price includes a number of mandatory standard procedures. Additional procedures are charged at the price-courant.
In simple (not sanatorium type) hotels you can choose rooms for every taste. Most of the hotel complexes are located in close proximity to the beaches. Also from the most popular hotels you can walk to local attractions.
The most respectable hotels are located on Rustaveli Avenue. Here you can find branches of Hilton, Redisson and other global networks. Accommodation in such hotels costs from 500 GEL per day. If you want to live in the historical center, then you will have to pay 350 to 400 GEL per room. You can also consider options for hostels and guest houses of the budget level. Accommodation in these costs from 8 to 20 GEL per day.
Economy option can be found on the streets of Gorky and Sheriff Khimshiashvili. The prices here are affordable, and the distance from the tourist center is small. Accommodation in a mini-hotel is from 50 to 200 GEL. The cheapest will be living on Pushkinskaya Street, but here it is too dusty for a feeling of complete comfort.
Is it worth living in the private sector?
Most tourists travel to Batumi for a budget holiday. Savings can provide private accommodation. Quite worthy accommodation options can be found here even in high season.
Only in the private sector can one feel real Georgian hospitality. On average, a decent apartment will cost $ 30 per day. The best rooms are located in the first line of the sea, which affects the price. Places at some distance from the beaches in the off-season can be rented for $ 15.
Private rooms with hotel status in the season will cost from $ 40 to $ 55. They will be located closer to the sea and be characterized by increased comfort. According to reviews, the private sector of any price category has three most common drawbacks:
- poor sound insulation;
- smoky rooms;
- no curtains or doors in the shower.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to determine the presence or absence of these problems from photographs from specialized sites.
Prices for holidays in Batumi on an "all inclusive" in 2018
An all-inclusive vacation will require you to spend more money. Walking distance to the beach will significantly increase the price of hotel accommodation. Among the most lucrative offers are the following:
- Hotel Irise (900 m to the beach) - 5 days for two from 70,000 rubles;
- Corner Inn 4 * hotel (walking distance to the beach) - from 55,000 rubles;
- Hotel Rcheuli villa, (1.2 km to the beach) - 8 days will cost 60,000 rubles per person;
- Hotel Leogrand 5 * (first line) - 5 nights cost from 130,000 rubles per person.
In Batumi, you can find other accommodation options for the system «all inclusive». It is a lot of offers, it is necessary to analyze only all conditions and the volume of services.
Batumi climate
The climate of the resort is rather mild, wet and warm. It can be attributed to the subtropical. Snow here is rare even in the coldest winter months. But the rains are frequent phenomena. In the autumn it is warm but rainy, and in the spring it is dry and cool. Summer is long and hot. The holiday season lasts from April to October.
The ideal time for rest will be the end of spring and the beginning of summer. September is a rather warm velvet season: the heat has already subsided, but the sea is still warm. Midsummer is a constant heat and around-the-clock heat.
Shopping and food in Batumi
Along the waterfront are countless shops. They can buy souvenirs. Locals know that you can buy the same thing on the Hopa clothing market, but it is much cheaper.
The Central Market "Parekhi" offers tourists and local people to purchase flavored seasonings and herbs, fresh fruits and vegetables. Traders of honey, nuts, sweets, cheeses, poultry, meat and dairy products are located on the upper floors of this place. Prices here are slightly lower than in Moscow.
Seafood can be bought much cheaper. At the local fish market, they are often fresh, and the range is varied. And, of course, in each wine shop you can buy an excellent “Saperavi” and “Kindzmarauli”.
In local restaurants you can taste the national cuisine. The most popular dishes are still:
- kebabs;
- lobio;
- Kutabs;
- acaruli khachapuri;
- Satsivi and stuff.
Cafe on the coast offer a wide range of dishes from Italian, Russian, German, Japanese and other types of cuisine to those who have time to get tired of national dishes. Dinner in a large reputable restaurant, where the main emphasis is on tourists, will cost about 60 GEL. Tips are usually left at 5% -10% of the bill.
There is another category of institutions. They are especially popular with locals. There is a pleasant atmosphere and no less pleasant prices. Eat plenty to eat for 15 GEL. A full meal will cost just 25 GEL.
Entertainment and Attractions
The most famous Batumi boulevard stretches along the beach. It focuses the whole rakish life of the city. For 2 GEL from this point you can see the whole city from the Ferris wheel. While walking around the city with your soulmate, you need to remember that a penalty is imposed for kissing in public places.
Tourists also gather at the famous singing fountains, the Medea monument, the oldest mosque of Orta Jame of the 19th century, numerous Armenian and Catholic churches, and the ruins of the Gonio fortress.
Also required to visit the museums of Batumi:
- Adjara art;
- Nobel;
- Stalin;
- Archaeological.
It is recommended to visit Lake Nuregel and in the Park on May 6 with a local dolphinarium and an aquarium. The Ardaganskoye Lake picturesquely looks separated from the sea only by a thin strip of beach. Be sure to visit the Batumi Botanical Garden.
For children, swimming with dolphins will be amazing entertainment, for which you will have to pay 100 GEL. In the Park on May 6 there are attractions, the cost of which varies from 0.5 to 1 GEL. A visit to the local water park will cost 25-30 GEL.
Batumi is another unique tourist city that you definitely need to visit at least once.
