Things to Do in Batumi
Petra Fortress
A fortress located near Batumi. Despite being called Petra Fortress, it’s more of a set of ruins. Our guide had also just arrived before it closed, so it was their first time exploring it as well, but it doesn’t seem like there’s much to see inside. However, there is a nice view towards the sea from the fortress. From what I later read, it was built during the Byzantine period to protect the ancient city of Lazica and played a significant role during the Byzantine-Persian War.
Batumi City Park
This park in Batumi includes cafes, souvenir vendors, birds, ducks, and a dancing fountain. Right in front of it is a beach. The eye-shaped building near the dancing fountain is actually a wedding hall. You can also spot many small sculptures throughout the park.
Piazza
Piazza is a square designed in the style of an Italian courtyard. It’s surrounded by a few cafes and restaurants, and there is live music in the evenings. That wa sone of the places I have enjoyed the most as it felt like I am not in Batumi anymore but in Italy instead.
St. Nicholas Church
Located directly across from Piazza, this church is about 150 years old, but it’s not very different from many other churches you might have seen.
Europe Square
In Europe Square, you’ll find the Medea Monument, which holds the Golden Fleece, symbolizing an ancient legend. This monument represents Georgia’s connections with ancient European civilizations. Many famous artists have performed concerts in this square. There are also several beautiful buildings around the square, which have undergone restoration, making them look old but newly built. There is also an astronomical clock here, though I don’t think it compares to the one in Prague.
Opera Square
This square is home to the opera house and the Poseidon Statue. It’s also a place where you can catch the contrast between old buildings and the skyscrapers rising behind them.
Central Mosque
Located in the Turkish quarter of Batumi, we didn’t tour the inside of this mosque, but from the outside, it didn’t look much different from mosques in Turkey. The door, however, was quite unique, colorful, and in an old-style design.
In addition to these places, the Batumi Botanical Garden houses a wide variety of plants and is quite large, so touring it might take an entire day. 6 May Park, located a bit further from the city center, features Lake Nurigeli. Although we only saw the park panoramically, it seems like a spot that you could visit if you have time, but it’s not a must-see. There are also boat tours along the coast, which you can join if you’re interested.
Food and Accommodation in Batumi
Pizza de Italia: Despite the Italian name, this restaurant is run by Turks. The menu is in Turkish, and the waiters speak Turkish as well. The main options are pizza and pide. We opted for a mushroom pizza, but the taste was similar to pre-made pizzas you’d find in supermarkets.
Piazza Cafe: Strangely, we couldn’t find the cafe’s name either on the receipt or anywhere inside where we sat. The bill just said “Piazza,” and we wondered if all the cafes in Piazza went by this name. From what I saw on the map, it’s located under the Four Colors Hotel. Entering Piazza from the side with the church, it’s the cafe directly opposite, the first one to the left of Minimo. We ordered tiramisu and a mojito. You don’t have to pay extra for the live music.
Pier Batumi: We sat at the cafe located at the far end of City Park. Despite being by the sea, there wasn’t much of a view at night.
Istanbul Restaurant: There are many Turkish restaurants in the Turkish quarter, but Istanbul Restaurant caught my eye the most. Although we didn’t go, some guests we knew went and were satisfied with both the hygiene and the food. Keep it in mind.
Leogrand Hotel & Casino: A hotel owned by a Turk, where almost all of the staff speak Turkish. As the name suggests, it also has a casino. We were very pleased with the hotel, including breakfast. The hotel has its own restaurant as well. It’s a 15-20 minute walk to the city center, or a taxi ride costs about 5 Lari. Other hotels like Sheraton and Radisson Blu are more centrally located.
