Batumi is a city where eras, cultures and emotions intertwine. At first glance, it is a city of contrasts: old Art Nouveau buildings next to futuristic skyscrapers, bustling embankments next to tranquil wine courtyards. Whether you want to relax by the sea, discover gastronomy, enjoy the nightlife or immerse yourself in history, there’s something for everyone. The heart of the city is the promenade, which stretches for seven kilometres along the Black Sea. It is a place for leisurely strolls under palm trees, morning jogs to the sound of the surf and romantic sunsets as the sun dissolves into the sea. Art objects such as the moving sculpture «Ali and Nino», which symbolises eternal love, or the singing fountains, which enchant with the dance of water and light, add a special charm.
The architecture of Batumi is a journey through time. In the old town, you can get lost in the maze of cobbled streets, where XIX century facades are decorated with carved balconies and stained glass windows. Just a few blocks away, the Alphabet Tower and the Batumi Technological Tower rise up to remind us of the city’s rapid development. The Batumi Boulevard deserves special attention with its colonial mansions and piazza square, which looks as if it came straight from Italy.
Gastronomy in Batumi is a feast for gourmets. Local restaurants offer not only the famous Adjara-style khachapuri with crispy dough and runny eggs, but also the delights of world cuisine. Be sure to try freshly grilled fish, homemade wines from Imereti or Mingrelia, and Adjarian sweets such as baklava with walnuts. And in the evenings, cafes serving strong Turkish coffee with cardamom and bars serving author’s cocktails based on chacha come alive.
For lovers of active recreation, Batumi offers dolphinariums, water parks and cable cars with panoramic views of the city and the sea. Just an hour’s drive away are the mountain villages of Adjara, with waterfalls and thermal springs, and in winter the ski resorts of Goderdzi.
But the main thing about Batumi is its atmosphere. It is a city that never sleeps: nightclubs with live music, casinos with bright lights and street performers create a sense of perpetual celebration. At the same time, it is easy to find solitude in a botanical garden with relic plants or on deserted beaches in the suburbs.
Batumi defies definition. It is multifaceted, like a mosaic made up of the memories of travellers. And everyone who has been here takes home their own kaleidoscope of impressions – warm, noisy, tasty and so different.
