Batumi is the best place to relax with children. Vacation with children. When is the best time to come to Georgia

In a hotel
In Grigoleti
To Batumi
In Poti
In Kobuleti

I sincerely believe that children on vacation do not need non-stop animation, moreover, it is even harmful. After all, there are so many interesting and unusual things around: the sea, stones, sand, mountains, domestic animals that you won’t find in cities, vegetables and fruits on bushes and trees. Perhaps, for some, Georgia will not seem like a country suitable for holidays with children: there is no all-in, there are no animators, you won’t find water parks and amusement parks on every corner, but, but, but - it’s good and interesting in Georgia with children.

Where to relax with a child in Georgia?

If you are traveling for a long time, I would advise you to book an apartment or a house; such offers can be found on AirBnB, Booking and private owners. For short trips Hotels are much more convenient - good 3 and 4 stars, with guaranteed delicious breakfasts and cribs.

But, to be honest, even after 4 nights with a child in the same room, we a little missed having separate bedrooms for parents and child, I really want to watch movies in the evening without headphones and not drink wine in a whisper, and in the morning wake up at the moment when the child really woke up, and not when he started to spin and sniffle, because it was already dawn. In general, I am for reasonable comfort in this matter, especially on long trips.

The second condition necessary for relaxing with children is the territory. As far as I’ve seen photos of Turkish five-star all-inclusive hotels, Georgia is nowhere near Turkish chic. But! Since neither we nor the child are spoiled by a package holiday, and we need a hotel primarily for a comfortable sleep, the Georgian conditions suited us quite well: a small nice area in roses and pine trees, a sports ground, a children's playground.

Number 3. if you are planning a beach holiday, this is the beach. Here it is: the beaches near the hotels are cleaned, but already 10 meters away there may be dirt. Mostly pebbles, and if there is sand, then this sand is black.

On a small Georgian coast there are not many villages with pine trees and hotels on the shore, primarily Kobuleti and Grigoleti. We stayed at Villa Reta in Grigoleti and were very pleased.

If you are planning a trip in June, be prepared that the sea is still cold and the weather is unpredictable. For example, we needed a raincoat, rubber boots and umbrellas. But also swimsuits;)

From this we move on to another important aspect for relaxing with children - namely, the pool. It will be good if the pool 1) is 2) indoors 3) with heated water or a sauna. When there was wind or rain, we waited it out perfectly in the spa area.

Well, another convenient thing for relaxing with children in the vicinity of Batumi is having a car. Without it, it will either take a long time or be expensive, especially if you do not live in Batumi itself, in one of the seaside villages, where there is absolutely nothing to do.

What to do with a child in Batumi

Number 1. Once in Batumi, I would first of all go to the embankment: there are fishermen, large and small ships, boat trips along the coast.

Perhaps we were just lucky, but not only were children allowed to enter the ship for free, but they were also allowed to stand at the helm. The view of the city is wonderful, there is a chance to see dolphins.

Number 2. Definitely worth a ride on the Ferris wheel. It is large, high, and the views are magnificent. And in Georgia they have not yet addressed the issue of safety, so all the booths are open.

But climbing the Alphabet Tower is not so interesting - well, an elevator and an elevator, what’s surprising here.

Number 3. Take a ride in an electric car. Oooh, this is a sea of ​​delight. On dad's lap (then mom's), holding the steering wheel, driving along the bike path at a speed of 30 km/h, honking at passers-by - what could be better?

Number 4. The cable car is also a very interesting entertainment for children, especially those who have not yet taken up trekking or skiing. A tram on a rope that flies over the city - is it a joke?

Number 5. Batumi has excellent playgrounds, especially in the embankment area. Be sure to take your child there, especially since there will probably be some restaurant serving Georgian cuisine nearby.

Number 6. Well, just walking around Batumi with a child is very pleasant: a lot of greenery, flowers, exotic plants.

By the way, the difference between the last two photos is 5 minutes, so I wasn’t joking about the boots and raincoat.

What to do with a child in Poti?

Poti - no Big city ok in the north of Georgia almost at the border with Abkhazia. Blogs say there's plenty to do there, but judge for yourself. For starters, Poti has a huge cargo port, very bad roads and no beach or promenade. Main attractions: city park, Potiysky Cathedral and the Niko Nikoladze Tower (now abandoned and closed).

The Poti Tower is not impressive at all, probably because it is closed and abandoned.

The cathedral is very similar to its Greek brothers, which can be found in Halkidiki.

The park is neglected and empty. But, but - there is a race track here, the same Soviet one from our childhood, with long sticks that touch the grid with current under the ceiling. Wow, how we've had a blast! Moreover, mom and dad and the son-driver rode in the same car.

This is where the attractions for children end, and for adults there remains only the Museum of Colchis Culture (closed on Mondays) and the lighthouse.

Mtirala National Park with a child

Mtirala is beautiful national park in the vicinity of Batumi. Air, flora and fauna, mountain rivers and mountain trails - I definitely recommend this trip for an adult group.

To see the main attractions, you need to walk 7 km through the mountains, the ascents and descents are not elementary. Therefore, with children, I advise you to go in exactly 2 cases: the child is small and dad is very athletic, or the child is older and very athletic.

We, however, had a 3rd option - we decided to walk around the park with a guide to listen to stories and taste real Georgian hospitality. Therefore, without a moment's notice, our guide, a 70-year-old man, periodically took his son away from his husband and carried him in particularly steep, slippery and dangerous places.

I can’t say that our boy was delighted with the lake or waterfall, except maybe throwing stones into the water. But lizards, birdsong and stories about real bears living here, climbing trees for honey and eating raspberries - that’s another matter.

In general, it’s not exactly a children’s place, but it turned out interesting.

Holidays in Kobuleti with a child

We drove through Kobuleti several times by car and spent about 4 hours there (on the beach and in the restaurant). From the car window, Kobuleti looks beautiful, especially on the outskirts. The fact is that on almost all the coasts of Georgia, luxurious Pitsunda pine trees grow, which make the air healing and the beaches fabulous.

In June, almost all restaurants in Kobuleti are closed, and the beach is empty and quiet. I already thought that something had been found fabulous place where there are no people. And it doesn’t matter that there are no showers, changing cabins or any beach infrastructure at all. But, later looking at photographs of Kobuleti in July and August, I realized that Sochi there is the same as in Sochi.

I don’t know if I convinced you that Georgia is suitable for a holiday with children; probably, a holiday in Turkey, for example, will be cheaper, less stressful for parents, and more fun for children. So why? To show another life, non-tourist, very colorful and real.

Coordinates: 41.65603, 41.63935

Taking the elevator 10 lari (3$)

Height 130 meters, 360° view through glass. Climb during the day, at night you can see little. At the top is a restaurant, prices are above average.

The Alphabet Tower is a symbol of Batumi, designed to perpetuate the Georgian alphabet (33 letters). Dear symbol. It cost the city as much as 65 million lari ($34 million at the exchange rate at the time of construction).

Argo cable car

Coordinates 41.64749, 41.6455

Adults 15 lari($6), children 5 lari

11.00-23.00 seven days a week

Travel time one way is 10 minutes, the cabins are closed and can accommodate 6 people.

In summer it is better at sunset or in the evening, when the lighting is not so hot. For photos of Batumi, go before lunch (until 14-15.00), after which it will be against the light.

From the observation deck you can see the port, the buildings of the new and old city, and the mountains of Adjara. About ☞

Sameba Church

Coordinates: 41.63225, 41.69397

Visible are Batumi and Gonio, the mountains of Adjara and Turkey, the Chorokh River.

Skybars in hotels

Skybar in the building on the right

So far I have only been on the terrace of the Hilton Hotel in Nephele Sky Bar, 41.64934, 41.6258

We ordered pizza on the advice of the waiter (bad idea). You can drink coffee or wine with a view of Batumi; it’s good in sunny weather.

More: Sky bar at the Sheraton hotel, 41.65092, 41.6304 And Clouds bar in Radisson, 41.65356, 41.63763

At the restaurant Tower(41.63974, 41.61087) is also an observation point - you need to go up to the top floor of the tower. The endless sea and views of the new Batumi.

These are the main observation platforms of Batumi. Do you want to love the city? Book accommodation in a new house or a good hotel with panoramic windows (floor 12+) and enjoy the view from your balcony. Such a thrill that words cannot describe it.

What to see in Batumi

It makes no difference in what order you examine architecture and nature.

You can start by walking along the streets of the old city and squares, or, on the contrary, walk along the boulevard along the sea, turning into parks.

Sights of Batumi:

Batumi Piazza

Coordinates: 41.64958, 41.64116

Piazza is the heart of Batumi. A round square with a couple of cafes around it. In summer, pleasant music is played, and sometimes concerts are held. Clean, neat, romantic.

You can live in a hotel or apartment right on this square. From Piazza you can go to Europe Square or in the other direction - to the Turkish quarter.

According to old Batumi there is a cool individual tour Soul of Batumi. Walking around the city takes 3 hours. History buffs love it.

Europe Square and Medea statue

Europe Square

Coordinates: 41.65109, 41.63596

Pleasant well-kept square in the center of Batumi. Pedestrian streets with cafes and souvenir shops depart from the square. The Medea statue is a symbol of Georgia's wealth and prosperity.

There are fountains on the square in summer. Concerts are held, and in winter the largest Batumi Christmas tree stands here.

One of my favorite places in Batumi, especially in the evening. It reminds me of Europe in some way.

Fountain "Neptune"

Fountain Neptune

Coordinates: 41.65242, 41.63728

This fountain is installed on Theater Square near the Batumi Drama Theater named after Ilya Chavchavadze.

Port of Batumi

Coordinates: 41.65045, 41.64483

They periodically call at the port of Batumi cruise ships. If you haven't seen such ships up close, it will be interesting to take a look.

I tried to climb onto the deck of one of the liners. I wanted to evaluate my strength and understand whether I could live on this for a week if I decided to sail across the Atlantic.

The guard smiled and winked, but did not let me onto the ship. German pensioners are reliably protected from intrusion by unwanted guests.

There is a boat parking near the port. You can buy a boat trip. Prices from 50 lari($20) per hour. They take you to dolphins in the open sea.

Chacha fountain

The guy on the right has waited for Chacha, the others haven’t yet

Coordinates: 41.65281, 41.64269

A fountain of chacha (grape vodka) is installed near the Batumi sea terminal. Chacha once flowed from it (for a short time), now it doesn’t, but the fond memory remains.

Park of Wonders

Ferris wheel

The New Batumi Boulevard begins from the Park of Wonders. It's so big open area on the embankment, where sooner or later everyone who comes to Batumi wanders.

There is a Ferris wheel, a statue of “Me, You and Batumi”, a sculpture of Ali and Nino, a lighthouse and chair stones. A choice of vehicles is available for rent: pedicabs, family bicycles, electric scooters.

Sculpture of Ali and Nino

Ali and Nino

Coordinates: 41.65563, 41.64341

Local Romeo and Juliet. A symbol of acceptance and understanding that religion and ethnic hatred should not be an obstacle to love. The film of the same name “Ali and Nino”, 2015, was shot about these people.

In the evenings the figures move ( in summer from 20.00). First towards each other, then in the opposite direction. At night they turn on the backlight, making it more interesting to watch.

Iveria beach club

Coordinates: 41.65613, 41.64193

Beach club near Wonderland Park. Cafe, bar, nice music, hammocks, beds for rent. Good zone relaxation overlooking the sea.

Registry office and fountains

Colonnade on the way to the beach

Bamboo Grove

Wedding

The central entrance to Batumi beach is a square. Registry office in the shape of a snail, cheerful weddings, fountains, bamboo grove

Seaside Park Batumi

Seaside Park
Veterans Club
Sculptures in the park

In the north-eastern part of Batumi, behind the boulevard, a large landscaped park begins. Several fountains, a bamboo grove, a chessboard, arches overgrown with grapes.

A veterans' club has been built, where men play chess and there are table tennis tables.

Sheraton hotel pool

Coordinates: 41.65187, 41.62977

Across the street from the Sheraton Hotel in Primorsky Park there is a seasonal open pool and a recreation area for those who do not want to swim in the sea.

If you don't live at Sheraton, you can use the pool for money: ≈50 GEL per day, I don’t know the exact price.

New Batumi Boulevard

New Batumi Boulevard is a 7 km long pedestrian promenade. You can rent a vehicle or walk along the boulevard.

Along the road there are palm trees, benches, sculptures, playgrounds, cafes, beaches.

The boulevard is fun in the evening during the season. There is music on all sides, they sell ice cream and soap bubbles. Peruvian musicians play pipes and attractions operate. You can shoot at the shooting range and win a toy.

Singing Fountains

Coordinates: 41.64144, 41.61342

Singing fountains on Lake Ardagani turn on in summer 20.30 and until night. Classics are playing, the water is dancing.

New Batumi

New Batumi
"My" park

New Batumi - areas starting behind the San Remo cafe. In New Batumi there is Lake Ardagani, the Alley of Heroes, the House of Justice, a couple of parks, and the “Where” and “Liberte” sculptures.

My favorite place in New Batumi - a park on Lech and Maria Kaczynski Street. Roses, palm trees, soft grass. This is my paradise. Most often personal. While housing has not been completed around the park, there are few people here even in summer.

There is a children's playground: 41.62855, 41.59974

Planes to Batumi

Coordinates: 41.61828, 41.58686

The runway of Batumi Airport starts 100 meters from the sea.

You can watch the planes from any beach, but in this place they fly directly overhead. They buzz terribly and are so fast!

Night Batumi

In the evenings the city lights are turned on. The palm trees along the boulevard glow green, the buildings shimmer with all the colors of the rainbow. Even moving Ali and Nino change colors.

Dressed people walk along the boulevard. A celebration of life and relaxation!

Churches Batumi

There are several Georgian churches, a Russian church, an Armenian church, a synagogue, a mosque and one Catholic church

Church of St. Nicholas near Piazza

Catholic Church of the Holy Spirit

Orthodox Cathedral

Casino in Batumi

Hotel Leogrand

Casino Campione

There are several casinos and casino hotels in Batumi:

Sheraton, Leogrand Hotel & Casino, Hotel-Casino President, Casino Iveria, Casino Campione

Batumi with children

People vacationing with children in Batumi great amount. It is convenient to walk along the boulevard here, there is plenty of entertainment.

Dolphinarium Batumi

Coordinates: 41.64757, 41.62343

Address: Batumi, Rustaveli Avenue, 51

A sea lion cub was born in the Batumi Dolphinarium in the summer. Look how cute he is ♡

Buy tickets to the show the same day or a couple of days in advance. Swimming with dolphins register in advance. In the summer, a few weeks or a month.

WITH October to April It is possible to change the schedule. During the low season, the dolphinarium is open only on weekends.

Dolphins in Batumi are kind and cheerful. You can also see them in the sea - in spring and autumn they swim near the shore.

Zoo Corner Batumi

Coordinates: 41.64673, 41.62754

11.00-18.00; lunch 14.00-15.00, closed Monday

Next to the Batumi Dolphinarium there is a mini-zoo, divided into two sectors. Entrance to one sector is free.

Zebras, ponies, and small deer live. There used to be a kangaroo, but I haven't seen it for a long time. Maybe he moved somewhere.

Park 6 May

Lake Nuringel in the park on May 6

The Dolphinarium and Zoo are located in the 6 May Park near Lake Nuringel. There are attractions for small children.

Prices for attractions: 0.5-1 GEL.

Birds in Batumi

Coordinates: 41.65282, 41.63152

There is a small lake in Primorsky Park, around which pelicans, swans, peacocks, and guinea fowl live behind a low fence.

Waterpark Batumi

There are almost no people in July

Coordinates: 41.63461, 41.60539

Price for the whole day 40 lari(1040 rub/16$) per person

June-August 9:00-20:00

Address: st. Sheriff Khimshiashvili, 12 at the intersection with st. Kobaladze

Use of slides, mattresses and sun loungers is included in the price. There are changing rooms and closets for storing things.

The Batumi Water Park is located on the territory of the Batumi Hotel Euro Park, but you do not need to stay at the hotel to visit the water park.

Gorki is already old. Negative reviews. For 40 GEL, it’s better to go to a dolphin show together than to a water park (IMHO).

What else to see in Batumi?

If you just wander aimlessly around old Batumi, you can find several churches, cozy streets with low houses and large balconies, and buildings of amazing shapes.

Rustaveli Avenue in Batumi
Marine Station in Batumi
Rent from 20 GEL. If you are a girl and are walking alone, they offer free rides five times a day
Streets of Batumi
Interesting buildings
Deserted beaches late autumn

Streets with beautiful houses

Outside the embankment and the center of Batumi there are also attractions worth visiting. There were separate articles about each place, but here I’ll just list where else you can go.

▫ Amusement Park Tsitsinatela from 18.00 to 00.00, 41.907562, 41.776634

▫ Miniature Park, 41.904615, 41.777762
Sights of Georgia in miniature. Near Tsitsinatela Park, open from 10:00 to 00:00 seven days a week, entrance fee

There I talked about the Makhuntseti waterfall, National parks Mtirala and Kintrishi, tea plantations of Kobuleti, beaches in Sarpi, Gonio, Kvariati, magnetic sands in Ureki and Shekvetili, Trans-Adjara highway and other interesting places.

Arch bridge in the Kintrishi Nature Reserve

Excursions to Batumi

Smart guides don’t stand on the streets with signs. Understand Batumi and Adjara, hear historical facts and stories – book on georgia4travel.

They have a strict selection of guides, and the excursions are of high quality.

The Dolphinarium is a great boost of positive emotions for children and adults! Incendiary performances and seas of happiness will give you 8 interesting dolphins (one of them is a calf). A modern building, well-groomed lawns - you can walk and run everywhere, and of course the most important thing - you can swim with dolphins, hug and take pictures. Be sure to recharge like a battery at the dolphinarium!

Zoo - who among the children does not like funny and funny animals? The Batumi Zoo is rich in species of primates, birds, marsupials and ungulates, which will greatly delight children. The entire area is green and well-groomed, the animals calmly react to children's enthusiastic cries - you will find it very interesting to walk here, and of course you will get a lot of positive emotions from communicating with the animal world.

Decorative aquarium in Batumi is another favorite place children, in front of the aquarium there is a beautiful, rocky dam, in which many colorful fish and snails live. The aquarium features more than 100 different and beautiful fish, which are representatives of the Black Sea, coming from fresh water oems and artificially bred in the aquarium itself - an insane combination of all the colors of the rainbow in fish that you will remember for a long time. This place is very popular, visiting it your child will gain unforgettable impressions.

Park 6 May is green, well-groomed and simply beautiful; you and your children will love it. Here you will find children's attractions, be sure to look at the sundial and try to guess what time it is, and of course, here you can take a boat ride in the calm lake Nurigel - very clear water and beautiful views, you can also just take a walk along the lake. There is a beautiful stone fountain in the park, which seems to dilute all the green spaces with its fresh water. The 6 May Park is planted with rare and ornamental trees, colorful flower beds - a green paradise where you can relax from the bustle of the city and breathe fresh air. And in the evening it will delight you and your children with its multi-colored lighting - a very beautiful and memorable sight.

Botanical Garden- it’s like a separate beautiful kingdom of green spaces, a huge territory - here your child will be interested in walking and looking at the Japanese garden, bamboo grove, huge Mexican cacti, flowers from China itself and much more. There are a couple of places where you can eat snacks and stock up on water. Be sure to include it in your Batumi itinerary.

Mtsvane-Kontskhi (Cape Verde) - pebble, clean beaches await you here, there are sun loungers, cafes and restaurants. It will be interesting for children to ride on colorful catamarans, jump into the water from the pier, and have the opportunity to catch mussels. From the beach, in the distance, you can see Batumi. And if you take a risk and want to get to wild beach, then you will have to cover the distance along the cliff by water (the journey is short, but there are beautiful caves along the way - the children will be delighted), for example, on catamarans. The view on the beach is simply stunning, everything is green (above the beach itself there is a botanical garden), the water is clean - it’s a pleasure to relax with children. Back in Cape Verde, you can have a picnic by the rocks or fry fish/kebabs, and in the evening you can admire how Batumi lights up its lights at night. In general, come with your children and enjoy your vacation.

Dancing fountains - two different fountains, one is located near the registry office and, of course, children really like it, because there you can run between graceful streams of water. Near the fountain there are comfortable benches, restaurants and cafes, and you can rent cars for children. In the evening, the fountain shimmers in different colors - a truly beautiful sight. You can also build a bridge over the fountain, from which you can look at dancing fountain. The second fountain is located on Lake Ardagan - whole performances are staged here with changes in music and directions of water, laser shows are also a fascinating spectacle - something that will cause admiration and joy in your child, and you yourself will never forget this performance. These two fountains are one of business cards Batumi is always crowded with tourists, and it is especially spectacular for children. Be sure to visit the dancing fountains.

The embankment is rightfully considered the longest in Europe. Here you can go rollerblading or organize a bike ride along the bike path (you can rent double bicycles with an umbrella). Along the embankment there are a large number of cafes and restaurants for every taste, refrigerators with ice cream and fruit stands, beautiful lawns, there are shady benches, a variety of attractions for children that shimmer with colorful lights in the evening - your child has somewhere to roam. Also along the embankment you can see the sculpture in endless movement "Ali and Nino" - children will find it interesting in the evening, when the multi-colored lights turn on. The Alphabet Tower will be no less interesting for children - it’s very beautiful inside and spectacular views open from the tower. On the floors below the observation deck there is a cafe where you can buy sweets and ice cream and at the same time see Batumi. There are a lot of illuminated sculptures along the embankment; the entire overview of Batumi and the embankment can be seen from the Ferris wheel - breathtaking landscapes and a sea of ​​impressions for little travelers! Street shows, mimes, music - the child will be delighted with what he sees and hears. Having visited Batumi, you will not be able to deny yourself the pleasure of strolling along the embankment.

The cable car is a special attraction for a child, it’s like a mini adventure, because seeing the city from a bird’s eye view is impressive not only for adults. On top station The cable car has a restaurant, ice cream is sold, kids will especially like the souvenir shops and Observation deck- you can make a purchase, there is somewhere to run and something to see, plus there are wonderful and memorable views. If you're in Batumi, be sure to take your child on a cable car ride.

The beach in Batumi is, of course, primarily a black sea for children; along the beach there are entire inflatable towns and trampolines, mini attractions for children. There is also an ice cream cafe, and you can rent sun loungers and umbrellas throughout the beach. Spend your holiday at sea in Batumi clean, pleasant and fun.

Sarpi Beach has very clean water, so you can swim freely with a mask and goggles; children will love this activity. Sweets and ice cream are sold on the beach. You can take a boat trip. You can also jump into the water from a small rocky ledge - there are always a lot of children here. And very close to the beach you can admire the spectacular waterfall (there is an opportunity to go down closer to it along special steps) - children will really enjoy this hike to the waterfall, and general relaxation Little tourists will be happy on this beach.

Makhuntseti Waterfall and Queen Tamara Bridge are located 30 km from Batumi towards Keda. The beauty of the mountains opens from the very beginning of the hiking path from the signs with inscriptions on the central road. Long before you reach the waterfall, you will hear the melody of mountain water, and natural beauty Makhuntseti will simply enchant the young traveler. And indeed, the 30-meter-long beauty will delight you also because you can swim at its foot - the water here is crystal clear and warm, so don’t forget to take swimming clothes for your child. When you have sufficiently refreshed yourself, you can walk to the Queen Tamara Bridge - a very interesting, rocky building, you can walk along it, nearby there is a small, improvised beach, which will once again delight your child, and a good cafe where you can have a snack. Feel free to go on adventures to these lands.

The cable car to Khulo is a breathtaking adventure awaiting children, because this cable car passes over the gorge. From the top there are wonderful views and magnificent landscapes that children will remember for a lifetime. This village is located 90 km from Batumi, but you will have to get there by SUV because the road is a little complicated, but you and your child will get a lot of pleasure from this little adventure. All these efforts will pay off with interest on the spot - fresh and cool air from majestic mountains, unforgettable pictures of nature, your child will plunge into the enchanting atmosphere of the Adjara region.

Have a fun and unforgettable holiday in Georgia!

Batumi, the Black Sea pearl of Georgia and the capital of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, is very popular among tourists: thousands of vacationers from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Iran, Russia, Ukraine, Israelis come here to enjoy the subtropical climate, clean mountain air and warm sea. If you are looking for a place to relax with children on autumn holidays, sunny Batumi is a great option.

For family vacation Batumi has everything you need: comfortable hotels and apartments, a clean pebble beach with a gentle entrance, shady parks and alleys, entertainment for every taste and budget. In summer local markets they abound in fruits and vegetables; at almost every step there are restaurants and cafes where the food is tasty and inexpensive. Another important point that worries parents with children is safety. Today, Georgia is a country where law and order reigns, so resort guests have nothing to worry about.

Holidays in Batumi: travel tips

• Russian tourists do not need a visa to Georgia; all they need for travel is a valid passport.
• The flight duration from Moscow to Batumi is 2-2.5 hours. The time difference between Batumi and Moscow is +1 hour (UTC+04:00).
• Considering that Georgia is a post-Soviet space, many here know Russian and speak it fluently (especially the older generation). Almost all inscriptions and signs written in Georgian are duplicated in Russian or English.
• The local currency is Georgian lari and tetri (1 lari = 100 tetri). To buy lari, you don’t have to bring dollars or euros with you: in local exchange offices they accept rubles. In 2018, the lari to ruble exchange rate is approximately 27 rubles per 1 lari. In shops, shopping centers, restaurants and cafes accept payment bank cards, but be prepared for the fact that payment terminals may not work.
• At first glance, it may seem that it is impossible to get lost in Batumi. The city, although small, consists of seven districts, the names of which not every tourist will remember. To avoid getting lost in the narrow streets, download an offline map of the city to your phone in advance - it’s safer.
• All beaches in Batumi are free, you only have to pay for renting an umbrella and sun lounger (2-4 GEL). Since the beaches here are exclusively pebble, we advise you to buy special rubber shoes in advance - coral slippers or aqua shoes.
• When moving around the city on foot, be careful and careful. In Batumi, the rule “the pedestrian is always right” does not apply, so when crossing the road at the zebra crossing, make sure that they really see you and let you pass.
• Be sure to try the main dish local cuisine- the famous Adjarian-style khachapuri - “boat” flatbread with an egg that spreads deliciously over the hot cheese.

Whether you are planning a vacation in Batumi or the trip will last only a couple of days, this is enough to see the main attractions of the capital of Adjara. So 10 best places Batumi, where you can have a good time with children.

Batumi Park Boulevard - perfect place for walks at any time of the year. Most vacationers begin their acquaintance with the city from here: the park boulevard is located on 8 kilometers of the coastal zone and allows you to enjoy the sea and city landscapes at the same time.

Being here, you get the impression that you are somewhere in Miami Beach: the bright sun dazzles your eyes, the sound of the sea and the rustle of palm trees caress your ears, and from afar you can see skyscrapers - an area of ​​elite residential complexes and hotels in Batumi. Particularly notable are the three majestic towers of the Sea Towers apart-hotel - a project of the largest Georgian developer Orbi Group, the unusual oval building of the Alliance Palace hotel, owned by international company Mariott, as well as the House of Justice, which looks like an upside-down glass bottle.

The Primorsky Park is a real haven for children: there is a place to run and make noise, play tennis or huge floor chess, eat ice cream, fly a kite and compete in throwing pebbles into the sea.

Another popular entertainment for adults and children in Batumi is riding bicycles and pedicabs. For the safety of vacationers, there is a bicycle path along the entire length of Primorsky Park Boulevard; for those who want to ride, there are rental points operating from morning to late evening. The price for renting a bicycle is approximately 2 GEL per hour.

For fauna lovers, in one of the alleys of the Batumi Seaside Park there is a bird park, which is home to numerous birds: peacocks, swans, turkeys, ducks of all kinds and even pelicans. Birds move freely throughout the park, they are allowed to be fed and photographed. Entry to the bird nursery is free.

Popular holiday destination local residents and tourists with children - Batumi Park named after May 6, a real green oasis in the very center of the city. Here you can hide from the midday heat in the invigorating shade of trees, enjoy a walk along Lake Nurigel, ride on boats or catamarans, buy delicious khachapuri and have a Georgian picnic right on the grass. For children, the park offers all kinds of swings, carousels and an inflatable trampoline. There is a small Zoo "Batumi City", where for just 2 GEL you can get acquainted with the monkeys, lemurs, parrots, birds of prey, ponies, zebra and kangaroos that live here.

After a walk in the May 6 Park, it’s worth stopping by the Batumi Dolphinarium: there are fun performances here that will delight not only children, but also adults. You can watch dolphins dancing, juggling, balancing on their tails and playing with balls every day from 16:00 to 21:00. The entrance ticket price varies from 15 to 20 GEL; for children under 6 years old, admission to the dolphin show is free. At the Dolphinarium you can purchase a 15-minute session of swimming with dolphins, but this requires advance registration (by phone or email).

Next to the dolphinarium building is one of the oldest aquariums, which was created in 1966 on the basis of the Research Scientific Institute of Georgian Marine Fisheries and Oceanography. On this moment In the Batumi demonstration aquarium, up to 100 species of some species of inhabitants of the fresh waters of Georgia, the Black Sea and ornamental fish are presented: fur seal, sea fox, sole, seahorses, red mullet, umbrines, mullet and other unique species of fish.

Of the exotic species, the inhabitants of the Amazon are notable: piranhas, cichlids, fish South-East Asia- barbus, botia, gourami, discus, labeo. As a result of breeding work, the Japanese koi carp was bred in the aquarium. It is noteworthy that most of The inhabitants of the Batumi aquarium were bred and bred by local scientists. The entrance ticket costs 2 GEL.

Everyone who comes to Batumi finds themselves in a large open square on the embankment, where the New Boulevard originates. "Park of Wonders" - popular place for a holiday with the whole family. Here you can rent bicycles, pedicabs or electric scooters, or go rollerblading or skateboarding. For those who want to take a bird's eye view of the city, there is a large Ferris wheel (entrance ticket price is 5 GEL).

Another famous attraction of the “Wonder Park” and the symbol of Batumi is "Alphabet Tower"- 135-meter structure, similar to DNA molecules, combining 33 letters of the Georgian alphabet. The essence of the tower is to show the importance and significance of Georgian writing and its history for the Georgian people.

Not far from the Ferris wheel there is a working Batumi lighthouse, built in 1882. The 21-meter octagonal white building somewhat resembles a residential building and is popular among tourists looking for an unusual backdrop for selfies.

7. Statue of love - "Ali and Nino"

Right there on New Boulevard there is a unique moving sculpture "Ali and Nino", which is also called statue of love. The 8-meter art object depicts an Azerbaijani young man Ali and a Georgian girl Nino, who are in love with each other, but due to different nationalities and religions they cannot be together. Within 10 minutes you can watch a real dance of lovers: the statues slowly come closer, merge into a single whole and part...

Batumi seaport is one of the leading and the most important centers logistics of the Black Sea: tens of thousands of cargo operations, vessel staging and maintenance are carried out here around the clock. Walking around the port, you can watch snow-white whales enter it. cruise ships with romantic names like Silver Wind or Spirit of Advernture.

Not far from the Batumi port there is a yacht club, where you will be offered to ride on all sorts of sea attractions or organize an unforgettable trip to the open sea on a small boat or a luxury yacht. Half-hour Boat trip on a boat it will cost 30-50 GEL, on a yacht - 60-70 GEL.

Walking around the area seaport and New Boulevard, be sure to take a ride on the Argo cable car, which is considered one of the longest in Europe. The kids will definitely love it! The ascent to the observation deck located on Mount Anuria takes place in closed 6-seater cabins, smoothly sliding along steel cables. Already from the window of the cabin, tourists can see stunning views of Batumi: a city immersed in greenery and the sea stretching far beyond the horizon.

At the top point cable car located Entertainment Center"Argo". There is an observation deck with stunning panoramic views, a restaurant, and ice cream and souvenirs. The cost of tickets for the cable car is 15 GEL for adults, 5 GEL for children under 12 years old.

After enjoying walks along the city streets, go with the whole family to the town of Cape Verde, which is located 9 km from Batumi. There is a stunning natural area here - the Batumi Botanical Garden, founded in 1912 and designed according to the principle of the Gardens of Babylon, where over 5,000 species of unique plants grow, a significant part of which are endemic, that is, they grow exclusively here in Adjara.

The Batumi Botanical Garden is divided into three zones - the upper park, the lower park and the Georgiy Gabrichidze Park, and includes 9 phytogeographic sections interconnected by a network of asphalt paths. Electric cars ply around the park, which is very important for elderly visitors or vacationers with children. The cost of a trip by electric car is 5 GEL.

At the entrance to the Botanical Garden, there are cafes and souvenir shops for visitors; they sell ice cream, natural honey, churchkhela (a national Georgian delicacy), and adults are offered to taste local wines and chacha. There are fountains in the park drinking water and toilets.

You can admire blooming magnolias, oleanders and hydrangeas, inhale the delicate aroma of osmanthuses, touch centuries-old eucalyptus trees and feel like a midget in a bamboo grove every day from 9:00 to 20:00. The entrance ticket price is 15 GEL. Children under 10 years old, disabled people and war veterans have free admission.

A visit to the Batumi Botanical Garden can be combined with a visit famous beach Cape Verde, which is located literally three hundred meters from the central entrance to the park area. Its distinctive feature is water with a greenish tint and air that is intoxicating with its purity. A real piece of paradise!

You can get to the Batumi Botanical Garden and Cape Verde Beach:

• By bus number 31. The main route within the center of Batumi runs along the street. Parnavaz Mepe and departs towards the Botanical Garden from the Argo cable car.
• By bus number 15, the route of which runs along the street. Shota Rustaveli.
• By taxi. The cost of the trip will cost approximately 15-20 GEL.

Batumi is hospitable, colorful city, which is impossible not to fall in love with. And if you still don’t know where to go on a seaside holiday with your children or where to spend a weekend, feel free to go to Georgia - you are always welcome here!

The material was prepared based on the results of a press tour in Batumi (Georgia), organized by ORBI Group in August 2018.

For our website, she talked about all the features of the trip: the pros and cons of choosing this Georgian resort, where it is better to stay with children, what beaches there are, where you can eat tasty, inexpensive and, most importantly, safely in Batumi.

Important! If you have already been to Abkhazia and you have the appropriate stamps in your international passports, you may have problems entering Georgia, even being denied entry!

If you haven’t been to Abkhazia yet, but are planning to, take Russian passports there (they don’t have stamps) and read ours.

A trip to Georgia has become a tradition for us, we visited many cities in this country and each of them is good. However, based on experience, for the third year in a row we have chosen Batumi for our vacation.

At first they didn’t want to let us into Georgia, since one of the group members had previously traveled to Abkhazia. But due to the fact that the trip took place a long time ago, we still ended up on vacation. If you have been to Abkhazia before traveling to Georgia, problems may arise, take this into account.

So, why Batumi, and not Tbilisi, Ureki or Kobuleti? I can highlight several points why we return here:

1. Clean sea. Compared to Tbilisi, the difference is very noticeable. There are many more clean, optimized for sea ​​holiday places Of course, the beaches are better in Gonio or Kvariati, but there is little entertainment there other than the sea.
2. Relatively acceptable prices . Again, I compare it with the capital, where the cost of housing, food at the market and the average bill in a restaurant are much higher.
3. In no high season no crowds of tourists. In Georgia, in principle, there are few visitors at all, when compared with Turkey and other resort countries.
4. Infrastructure development. There is very good traffic in Batumi, a lot food markets, restaurants. There is a place to walk and have fun.

Your vacation becomes much more comfortable if you rent a car; there are no problems with this in Georgia. If you have your own transport, it becomes much easier to travel to remote beaches and travel with children.
A day's rental of a car costs approximately $40. We took a jeep, the daily rental of which cost $60. It is much more profitable to rent a car for a week or more, then the daily rental amount can drop to $30. We booked a car.

Children are treated very well in Georgia. The kids are constantly being treated to something, being squeezed and trying to pamper them in every possible way. Georgian men are especially kind to children. Don’t worry if someone comes up to your child and hands him some kind of tasty treat.

All prices in the article are given in lari; as of June 2018, 1 lari is 25 rubles.
It is better to go to Georgia with euros/dollars and change them to lari on the spot. There are a lot of exchangers in Batumi: at the airport, banks and regular exchangers-stalls. Before changing money, you should look at the rates in different exchangers; the difference in the rate can be high (when exchanging 100 dollars, you can lose up to 30 lari). You should not change money at exchange offices, where the difference between the buying and selling rates is large (20-30 tetri).

Housing options

There is simply a huge amount in Batumi rented apartments, hotels and boarding houses. In the city you can rent accommodation to suit every budget and taste.

Immediate advice: book your accommodation in advance, especially when you are traveling with children. If you do not address this issue before your trip, then upon arrival in Batumi you may have to spend several hours searching suitable place. And if your vacation falls during the high season, when does he arrive? greatest number tourists, finding accommodation will be even more difficult.

The most ideal housing option in Batum is to rent an apartment or rooms in guest house. You can rent housing in old or new Batumi. Please keep in mind that in the old town there are no apartments directly by the sea.

The option of renting housing or a room from local residents is good not only because it is the most economical. Georgians will surely surround you with attention, tell you everything and can even give you a free tour of the city.

You can also stay in a hotel in Batumi. There really is a good hotels with comfortable rooms, but their rent is simply prohibitively expensive. Regardless of whether you are staying in a hotel or renting from a private owner, choose an apartment within walking distance of shops and beaches.

Nutrition

If during your holiday in Georgia you rent accommodation in a private sector or a guest house, you will have the opportunity to cook your own food. That's exactly what we did. We bought food at the market; there are 2 of them in Batumi.

Markets

The first is the Pareja market (also known as the central bazaar). The market is located on Mayakovsky Street, open on all days except Monday, from 8:00 to 16:00. You can get to it by minibus (24, 45, 46 and 1, 4 from Mayakovsky Street) or bus (2, 10,17 from Gogebashvili).

At the central bazaar you can buy everything from vegetables and fruits to meat and fish. Prices for food at the time of our vacation were as follows:

• tomatoes and cucumbers (kg) - up to 2.5 GEL;
• smoked mackerel - 3 GEL per piece;
• whole chicken - 13 GEL;
• eggplants (kg) - 2 GEL;
• cherries/strawberries (kg) - up to 10 GEL.

In general, prices are approximately the same as in Russia. In some cases, the cost of vegetables and fruits is even much lower. By the way, on the second floor of the Parekha bazaar you can buy local churchkhela, marshmallows, honey and nuts.

The second market that I would like to highlight is the fish market. It is located on the outskirts of Batumi and is open from 9:00 to 21:00. The market itself is quite small, but it sells a variety of fresh and smoked fish.

Prices at the fish market:

• sturgeon - 25 GEL;
• salmon - 30 GEL;
• mullet - 10 GEL;
• Dorado - 22 GEL;
• trout - 9 GEL;
• flounder - 21 GEL;
• needle fish - 30 GEL.

You can also buy crayfish at the fish market. We took fish from this place several times and I would like to say that it is very fresh there. The sellers are friendly, they tell you everything about the product and even give advice on how to cook the fish most deliciously.

There are no more stationary large markets in Batumi. At the same time, there are separate small points where you can buy fruits and vegetables. In such places, prices may not be the same as at the bazaar.

Supermarkets

Sometimes, when we didn't want to wake up early in the morning and go to the market, we bought food in supermarkets. Of all the supermarkets in Batumi, we liked these most:

• GoodWill. Located on Chavchavadze Street, near the lower cable car station.
• Batumi Mall. Located at 88 Zurab Gorgiladze.

• Yalcin Market. There are 3 such stores in Batumi. Their addresses: Yalcin, 57/68 H. Abashidze St, 128 Vakhtang Gorgasali St, 2 Inasaridze St.
• Willmart Located on Inasaridze Street, 14. The second supermarket is located near the intersection of Gorgiladze and Takaishvili.
• Nugeshi. Supermarkets are located on Tbilisi Square and on the street. Tavdadebuli, 16.

The assortment in supermarkets is approximately the same. There you can buy frozen fish, sweets, bread, alcohol, household chemicals, etc. Among all those listed, the GoodWill supermarket and Batumi Mall turned out to be the best. Upon arrival in Batumi, we shopped around at Goodwill and spent approximately the same amount of money as we would have spent at the market.

Restaurants and cafes

Of course, opinions about food can be quite subjective. But in Batumi there are several establishments that are worth attention:

• Tavaduri. Average prices, delicious food, but the room can be smoky.

• Ajarian House. Cozy place, where classic Adjarian dishes are served. Here we ordered soups, meat and achma for the children.
• Tower. An interesting tower-restaurant where you can taste dishes from different cuisines of the world.

The average bill per person in Georgian cafes is usually no more than 25 lari. With this money you can eat soup, khachapuri and take some kind of drink.

By the way, most Georgian restaurants and cafes have terminals that accept Mastercard and Visa cards. The calculation takes place according to the current exchange rate at your bank, and no commissions are charged. So, if possible, it is better to pay by card and do not spend cash.

Beaches in Batumi

All beaches in Batumi are pebbly, but the stones on them are quite small. Children can walk along the shore comfortably without shoes.

The beach season in Georgia lasts from June to September. We went in September, at which time most tourists are already leaving. Even in September, the water temperature is about 25 degrees, so it was comfortable for children to swim in the sea.

Choose a good one and clean beach in Batumi itself it’s a little complicated. It is not recommended to swim on the beaches near the port, since oil slicks often float on the surface of the water. Also you should not swim on the beaches near the dolphinarium and residential buildings , because all sewage and waste water from there ends up in the water.

The cleanest beach in Batumi is located next to the Alphabet Tower and the Ferris wheel (Wonder Park). The water there is very clear and this beach is rarely crowded with tourists. In terms of transparency, the water is not inferior to places outside the city.

If you have the opportunity to go to the beach outside of Batumi, then you should definitely visit:

• Sarpi.
• Gonio.
• Kvariati.

• Tsikhisdziri.
• Grigoleti.
• Ureki (the beaches there are sandy).

To the north of Batumi near the Botanical Garden or Cape Verde there are also clean and picturesque beaches. It doesn't take long to get to the beaches located in the surrounding area. The journey by minibus usually takes no more than 20 minutes. And if you have a car, then even less.

Leisure and places worth visiting

Free from beach holiday You can take the time to walk around Batumi, because there really is something to see.

Batumi is a big city, so it’s definitely not possible to get around it completely in a day. However, I would like to highlight a few places that are recommended for every tourist to visit:

• Piazza. There are many cozy cafes, entertainment and shops there.
• Cable car. This is a great way to explore Batumi from above; the children really enjoyed the walk.

• Park of Miracles. Quite a minimalist amusement park compared to ours. Of the local attractions, we liked the Alphabet Tower and the Ferris wheel.
• Port. We were in an abandoned port where there are some abandoned ships.

• Seaside Park. This is a place where many locals and tourists go in the evening. For children, the seaside park has plenty of space: trampolines, animators, attractions and snacks.

• Dolphinarium. The performance is very interesting and exciting, but it is better to book tickets in advance. At the water park we ordered the service of swimming with dolphins for children.

• Batumi Zoo. Quite a small zoo, located next to the dolphinarium. You can go to the free sector (there are zebras, kangaroos, ponies) or the paid sector (where you can look at birds and primates).

• Botanical Garden. Our young naturalists were delighted with this place and the views that open from it. But only children aged 7 and 10 went with us on the trip to the Botanical Garden. For very young children, such a journey can be very difficult.

We visited every location, but the children were especially delighted with the zoo, dolphinarium and seaside park. Our little travelers love walks, so we walked almost all of Batumi. There are a lot of interesting monuments in the city, with which the children enjoyed taking pictures. A mini-performance for them was the movement of the sculptures of Ali and Nino (they are located on the seaside boulevard).