From Wikitravel

Batumi is the capital city of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara in the country of Georgia. Its coastal location and sub-tropical climate make it a popular city for vacationers across the Caucasus. It's the party capital of the region with a night life to match which increasingly includes big name international DJs on the beach-front clubs. Expect to party on the beaches with Armenians, Azerbaijanis, Turks and, of course, Georgians.

[edit] Understand

[edit] Climate

Batumi and its vicinity is one of the important tourism and resort zones on the Georgian Black Sea littoral. The climate is humid subtropical. The low annual range of temperature, with a mild winter and warm summer is a characteristic of the city and of the Georgian coast as well. The average annual temperature is 14,5C. The average temperature in January, the coldest month, is 7,1C and in August, the warmest month, 23,2 C. The annual precipitation is 2560 mm. Showers are frequent. It rarely snows but when it does, the snow melts easily. The average annual temperature of the sea is 16,7 C at the shore.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Batumi Internation Aiport is located 2km south of the city.

The following airlines operate service to/from Batumi International Airport:

Euroline (Kharkiv, Kiev-Boryspil, Odessa, Sochi, Tbilisi), Sky Georgia (Antalya, Kiev-Boryspil, Minsk, Tbilisi), Turkish Airlines (Istanbul-Atatürk)

[edit] By bus

Buses and minibuses (marshutkas) operate regularly between Batumi and Tbilisi. Travel time is 6 hours and the minibuses are more comfortable than the local marshrutkas in the city. The fare is 18 Lari. The scenery along the way is breathtaking.

Daily buses also operate between Batumi and Trabzon, Turkey, with stops in Rize and the border crossing at Sarpi. Make sure you meet all visa requirements before crossing the border into Georgia.

There are two Marshutka stations. One has long distance minibuses to Kutaisi, Tbilisi, Poti, etc. The other, on Tbilisi Square, has marshutkas to Sarpi (2 GEL, 20 minutes).

[edit] By car

[edit] By train

Georgian Railways [1] operates trains between Batumi and Tbilisi. Night train leaves Tbilisi at 22:55 and arrives in Batumi's Makhinjauri Station at 7:05 the next morning. Day train #30 leaves Tbilisi at 8:50 and arrives in Batumi at 4:00pm. First class costs 40 GEL, second class costs 23 GEL. In first class, there are two people per cabin, the berths are a little short, narrow and hard but rather comfortable, and linen is provided. Makhinjauri Station is 5 km north of Batumi, and taxis and marshrutkas await incoming passengers. Night train #621 returns from Batumi's Makhinjauri Station to Tbilisi at 22:40, arriving at 7:10. Train tickets can be bought at the station or in Batumi at the office on Z. Gamsakhurdia str. Reserve your seats in advance on the weekends, as many Georgians flock to the seaside.

Female travellers who travel alone might consider to travel first class and buy both tickets, since many Georgian men enter the night train intoxicated and can keep you from getting a good night sleep. Every carriage, including both first and second class, has a watchman/woman, who protects the passengers from drunks, so you don't need to worry.

[edit] By boat

Ferries run from Sochi, Russia and from Illlichevsk, near Odessa, Ukraine ($145, 42 hours, irregular service). More boats are operated from Poti (5 Lari with marchutka and takes one hour). It's a kind of Freighter travel. Probably best to call first to make inquiries, to avoid coming back from Poti empty-handed. The booking office is on Kutaisi 34, but the staff only speaks Russian and is not very helpful.

A boat operates between Sochi, Russia to Batumi, Georgia. It is a high speed hydrofoil which operates three times a week, Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m., Fridays at 9:30 a.m., Sundays at 10:30 a.m. In 2010, the cost is 3500 rubles for adults, 1750 rubles for children. The number is +7-8622-609-622 or +7-918-409-12-96. Sochi port schedule

[edit] Get around

[edit] By bicycle

An automatic bike sharing scheme, called BatumVelo is available to rent bicycles and ride along the beaches.

[edit][add listing] See

• Black Sea:. enjoy the waves and admire the beach and the port itself.  edit

• Nurigeli Lake.  edit

• Oceanarium (locally called a delphinarium).  edit

• Orthodox, Catholic and Armenian churches.  edit

• Old Mosque.  edit

• Remains of Gonio Fortress. Catch a bus from Tbilisi Square to Sarpi (1 Lari) and tell the driver you want to get out at Gonio. Located at the sea shore the ruins host stunning views and interesting architecture.  edit

• Batumi Botanical Garden,, (To the north of a city. Take marsrutka no. 1 along the coast north until the endpoint, where you find some refreshment stalls.). Georgia has a remarkable tradition of (royal) botanical gardens. It is a quiet spot, next to the Black Sea on a high cliff and it both green and cool. Plan on a visit here to take a half day to nearly a full day as it is very large.  edit

[edit][add listing] Do

Walk along the 'Bulvar' and watch the beach. During daytime families and youngsters play, during nighttime it is the favourite place for couples (even though kissing is prohibited and fined with 50 Lari) and party-goers. There are a number of restaurants and bars both on the beach and a little inland. The area is generally safe, but watch out for pick-pocketing.

[edit][add listing] Buy

• Goodwill Supermarket, Chavchavadze Avenue. Many goods not available in smaller shops. Many of the products come from Germany.  edit

[edit][add listing] Eat

Western Georgia has plenty of local flavors, but in Batumi the dish you must try is a special kind of khachapuri named acharuli khachapuri (Ajarian khachapuri) that resembles a viking boat, with the cheese all mixed up with an egg in the center. Avoid this one if you have high cholesterol, but you'll be missing out — it's absolutely delicious.

• Cafe La Vita Batumi, (on Rustaveli Avenue, across the park from the Theater.).  edit

• San Remo Restaurant, (on the seaside, at the south end of the Batumi Boulevard walking path,). Elegant, with good Georgian and international food.  edit
• Cafe Salve, 10 Abashidze str. (1 block from the Era Square), [2]. An unique blend of fine cuisine, exotic drinks and Rock & Roll. (41°39'6.92N,41°38'20.28E) edit
• Cafe Literaturuli, Gamsakhurdia St (near Eras Moedani). This upscale bookstore-cafe has a number of branches in Tbilisi (in Kala, Vake, Vera, and Saburtalo), but the Batumi location is all the more attractive given the relative dearth of good and service-oriented restaurants in Batumi. Coffees, cakes, and basic Georgian sandwiches (plus khachapuri and lobiani) all available, although the menu seems more like a guideline to what might be available on any given day rather than a list of what's actually in the kitchen.  edit
• Privet iz Batumi, 39 Abashidze (Near Eras Moedani). This charming "colonial Russia" theme cafe is a Batumi insititution, with Georgians as well as foreigners peopling its picturesque outdoor tables. The menu is short on hot dishes, but the many kinds of blinis are delicious  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

• Vinyl Bar, Dumbadze str. (on the Era Square, near the Iranian and Azerbaijani consulates), ☎ +99593331499. Small, Cozy Place to hang out for Beer, Pizza and Live Music. Great Staff, Great Service. A sweet bar ran by sweet people. (41°39'4.22N,41°38'7.20E) edit

[edit] Learn

• R. Shanin Lyceum. a prestigious private school for primary and secondary pupils  edit

• Shota Rustaveli University, [3].  edit

• Batumi State Maritime Academy, [4]. many young men and women in midshipman uniforms  edit

• Batumi International University, (across the road from Marina Complex.).  edit

[edit][add listing] Sleep

Batumi has seen a recent growth in visitors' numbers during the main season from June to August. Prices are lower the rest of the year. Through out the city there are plenty of agencies offering home-stays and/or rooms in private apartments. Prices vary depending on proximity to the beach and level of service provided. Cheapest option are from 40 Lari for a double room incl breakfast.

[edit] Budget

• Siesta Hostel, 4 Zubalashvili str. (In the centre of Old Batumi,1 block up from the Piazza square), ☎ +995 422 277 277. checkin: 24 hour; checkout: 12:00. The Biggest and the comfiest Hostel In Georgia! Terrace, Garden, Bar, BBQ area, 24h. reception, Free laundry, Free wi-fi, All rooms have balconies! URL: http://www.roverhostel.com/siesta, E-mail: siesta@roverhostel.com lat: 41°38'55.12"N long: 41°38'32.23"E Dorms: 12-15 USD,.  edit

• Rover Hostel Batumi, 54 Mazniashvili str. (In the centre of Old Batumi,2 blocks down from the Tbilisi square), ☎ +995 422 27 67 21. checkin: 24 hour; checkout: 12:00. Rooms are bright and clean.The hostel is completely new and fresh. Everything there is to see in the city is in minutes of walk. Air Conditioning. Free laundry, Free Wi-fi, Free Sheets and Towels, Free maps, Free tea and coffee 24h. discounts in local cafés and in Rover Hostel Tbilisi. URL: http://www.roverhostel.com/batumi, E-mail: batumi@roverhostel.com lat:41°38'52.02"N long: 41°38'30.39"E Dorms: 15 USD,.  edit

• Bbeach Hostel Batumi, 32 Kldiashvili st. (walk on the main Rustaveli avenue till you reach Tourism information center (just after Sheraton Hotel)take left turn at the traffic lights along the park on your right. Take the first left and you are 5 steps away from our yard), ☎ +995 595 715 745 (bookbatumi@boombully.com), [5]. checkin: flexible; checkout: 1 pm. Located in the heart of Batumi 2 mins from the sea with Huge open terrace and BBQ Area; Air Conditioning; Free Wi-fi; Security Lockers; 24 Hour Security; Tours Desk; SEASONAL PROPERTY (open from 15 Jul to 1 Sept) Dorm From 6.50 EUR Privates From 14 EUR p.p..  edit

• Batumi Hostel, Noe Jordania str. 18 (Old Batumi, Near Piazza square (Piazza's Moedani in Georgian)), ☎ +995 422294286. checkin: 12:00; checkout: 17:00. Good Location, good staff. Clean, internet, some small lockers for gear. Here you get to experience Georgian hospitality at it's finest. 20 - 25 GEL, depending on time of the year.  edit

• Gulnasi's homestay, 24 Lermontov Street, off Chavchavardze Street, Minibus 25, 28, 45 from bus-station; minibus 20 or bus 101 from train station - get off at Lermontov, ☎ +99599797224 (sofo-sofo.83@mail.ru). facebook: gulnasi's homestay; It's possible to use the kitchen; hot showers. from 20 Gel.  edit

[edit] Mid-range

• Boombully Studio, M. Abashidze Ave 1 (Next to Batumi state Drama Theater and Radisson Hotel), ☎ +995 551 100172, +995 322 931638 (batumistudio@boombully.com), [6]. Spacious and clean studio type apartment. With all the necessary amenities. Room service available upon request. Location is perfectly adjusted to the Batumi's old town as well as connected to it's new part. Two minutes from Batumi's Boulevard main entrance. Five minutes to the beach. Please note advanced booking is necessary to check-in  edit
• Hotel EraPalace, 77 Z. Gorgiladze St (on the former 'Era' St), ☎ +995 222 20000 (erapalace@gmail.com). From 120 Lari.  edit

• Iliko(?), Vakhtang Gorgasali St., between K. Gamsakhurdia Str. and Gen.Mazniashvili, in the heart of town. Reasonably clean. Only Russian and Georgian spoken. Situated in a quiet spot. Owners run Piramid as well, which has similar prices. 20-40 GEL for two people.  edit

• Lavro, Pushkin St., between Tbilisis Moedani and Stalin Museum. A room for with no bathroom costs 20 lari (summer 2005). Reasonably clean, hot water.  edit

• Mercury, 10/12 Chavchavadze St., near Tbilisis Moedani, in the heart of town, ☎ 31401. checkout: 12.00h. Reasonably clean. English spoken. Situated in a noisy spot, not worth the money 80 GEL for two people.  edit

• Hotel Ritsa, Z.Gamxakhurdia Street, no. 16, ☎ +995 (222) 73292, [7]. Clean, smart and modern hotel located in the old town. 60-100 GEL for two people, breakfast included.  edit

• Sputnik Boutique Hotel, Shervashidze Aghmarti, No: 28, ☎ +995 422 276066 (info@hotelsputnik.com), [8]. 70 Lari for the standart rooms with queen size beds! Silent environment, great view of Batumi.  edit

[edit] Splurge

• Sheraton Batumi, [9]. direct beach access and friendly service. 203 rooms including 26 suites.  edit

• Intourist, Ninoshvili St., on the promenade. Certainly the best hotel in town. Grand, spacious with all amenities. From $110.  edit

• Radisson Blu Hotel, Batumi, 1 Ninoshvili Street - 6000 Batumi, ☎ +995 422 288 888 (info.batumi@radissonblu.com), [10]. Designed by Italian architect Michele De Lucchi, the Radisson Blu Hotel Batumi is located on the Black Sea beachfront and situated near Batumi's business district  edit

[edit] Get out

• Tbilisi - The capital of Georgia
  • Costs (as of 2011): marshutka, 18 GEL, travel time approximately six hours. Overnight train costs: First class (two couchette car) 40 GEL, second class (four couchette car) 23 GEL, third class (seats) 13 GEL.
• Sarpi - border village with Turkey, 15 km south of Batumi
• Khulo - village in the mountains of Ajara, 3 hours drive East of Batumi
• Trabzon, Turkey

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