The City of a Million Birds, Seaside Promenade, Mountains and Futuristic Attractions

Batumi is not quite like other Black Sea resorts. Georgia’s second-largest city sits on the coast of Adjara, but the mountains begin almost immediately behind it, creating one of the most unusual mixes of seaside promenades, subtropical forests, historic and futuristic architecture and dramatic mountain scenery you will come across on your travels. 

Batumi. Photo: frantic00 / Shutterstock.com

That crazy combination is what makes Batumi so appealing to many tourists throughout the year. If you're curious to know what this beautiful desination hides, keep reading.

Walk Batumi Boulevard and See Ali and Nino

The natural starting point is Batumi Boulevard, a roughly 7-kilometer stretch along the Black Sea lined with gardens, walking and cycling paths, sculptures and seaside views.

Ali and Nino Love Statue. Photo: Jesse33 / Shutterstock.com

One of its most recognizable landmarks is the Ali and Nino statue, an interesting kinetic sculpture showing two metal figures slowly moving toward one another before passing through each other, representing the tragic love story of tthe couple.

The sculpture has become one of the city's most recognizable symbols and is particularly striking with the Black Sea behind it.

At the northern end of the boulevard, Miracle Park brings several of Batumi's modern landmarks together. The 130-meter Alphabet Tower is wrapped with the 33 letters of the Georgian alphabet and has an observation area offering views across the city and coastline.

Take the Batumi Cable Car

Butami cable car. Photo: Shutterstock

For a view from above, the Argo Cable Car climbs from the city toward Mount Anuria. The approximately 2.5-kilometer journey reaches around 256 meters above sea level, opening wide views across Batumi, the Black Sea and the surrounding green hills.

The ride is especially appealing around sunset, when the coastline and city begin to change as the light fades. At the upper station, visitors can also find viewing terraces and places to stop for a drink.

Escape to Batumi Botanical Garden

Batumi Botanical Garden/ Photo: Shutterstock

Just outside the center, the Batumi Botanical Garden offers a very different experience from the city's busy waterfront. Covering 111 hectares on the hills above the Black Sea, the garden contains plants from regions including East Asia, the Himalayas, Australia, New Zealand, the Mediterranean and the Americas.

The garden is also a particularly interesting place to visit in autumn, when sections of the landscape take on seasonal colors while the subtropical vegetation provides a striking contrast.

Discover Europe Square

Europe Square, Batumi. Photo: ColorMaker / Shutterstock.com

Europe Square is one of the best places to see Batumi's more historic and European-inspired side. The square is surrounded by ornate buildings and is dominated by a statue of Medea holding the Golden Fleece, linking the modern city with the ancient story of Colchis.

The square is also close to several of Batumi's other central attractions, making it a natural stop during a walking tour of the old part of the city.

Nearby, Batumi Piazza adds another distinctive architectural detail, with an Italian-inspired design, cafés and a large central mosaic.

The Most Unusual Ferris Wheel You Will Ever See 

ABatumi Tower with small ferris wheel. Photo: ColorMaker / Shutterstock.com

The Batumi Tower, also known as the Batumi Technological University Tower, is one of the city’s more unusual landmarks. Rising high above the Batumi skyline, the building is particularly recognizable for its small Ferris wheel built into the structure, making it a distinctive sight along the Black Sea waterfront.

Step Back Almost 2,000 Years at Gonio

About 12 kilometers south of Batumi, Gonio-Apsaros Fortress provides a striking contrast to the city's modern skyline.

Gonio Fortress, Batumi. Photo: Shutterstock

The fortress was an important Roman military center on the eastern Black Sea coast. Archaeological excavations have uncovered Roman baths, streets, military buildings and a water system, while the site contains evidence of much older settlement.

Walking along the fortress walls offers a glimpse into the strategic importance of this part of the Black Sea long before modern Batumi existed.

Batumi Beach

Batumi Beach .Photo: Shutterstock

The city’s pebbly Black Sea beach runs alongside the famous Batumi Boulevard, making it easy to combine time by the water with a walk, bike ride or stop at one of the nearby cafés.

The Unexpected Autumn Attraction: A Million Birds

Perhaps Batumi's most unusual seasonal attraction is not a building at all.

Every autumn, more than one million birds of prey pass through the Adjara region as they migrate along the eastern Black Sea corridor. The main season runs roughly from mid-August through mid-October, with observation sites around Sakhalvasho, Shuamta and the Chorokhi Delta.

Chorokhi delta. Photo: Shutterstock

More than 35 raptor species have been recorded in the region, making the migration a particularly interesting reason to visit Batumi in September and early October.

Instead of simply looking at the autumn colors, visitors can head into the surrounding hills and watch thousands of birds moving across the sky.

Adjarian khachapuri. Photo: Shutterstock

If you visit Batumi, Adjarian khachapuri is one dish you should not leave without trying. This boat-shaped Georgian bread is filled with melted cheese and topped with a soft egg and a generous piece of butter.

• Chirbuli is a hearty breakfast-style dish of eggs cooked with butter, garlic and other local ingredients, including sour plum juice.
• Chirbui. Photo: Shutterstock
• With under 20 EUR a night in October for two adults and two children, we found excellent accommodation options, including sea-view apartments with direct beachfront access.