Batumi Tour

Batumi Boulevard and the Seafront

Batumi is the capital of Adjara, Georgia's subtropical Black Sea region, and its seafront is the heart of the city. The Boulevard, first laid out in the late 19th century, runs for several kilometres along the pebble beach, shaded by palms, magnolias and eucalyptus, with fountains, cycle lanes, cafés and playgrounds along the way. In the evening the promenade fills with families and the modern towers behind it light up.

Is Batumi worth visiting on a day trip from Trabzon? If you enjoy seaside cities with a different atmosphere, yes: in just a few hours you feel the change of country in the language, the architecture and the food. Walk the Boulevard first to get your bearings, then head inland to the old town. The best time to visit Batumi is from May to October, when the sea is warm and the promenade is at its liveliest.

Alphabet Tower and Miracle Park

At the northern end of the Boulevard, Miracle Park gathers some of Batumi's most striking modern landmarks. The Alphabet Tower, a slim steel structure about 130 metres high, wraps the letters of the unique Georgian script in a double helix around its core and is crowned by a glass sphere with views over the city and sea. Nearby, the seafront lighthouse, the harbour and the futuristic hotel towers make this the city's favourite photo area.

Allow time here to walk along the water, watch the moving sculptures and enjoy the views back towards the mountains behind the city. Entry to the tower's viewing level is not included, so you can decide on the day whether to go up. In the evening the whole area is lit up in changing colours.

Europe Square and Old Batumi

A few streets inland lies Old Batumi, with its 19th-century houses, wrought-iron balconies and pedestrian lanes. Europe Square is its grand centrepiece, surrounded by restored façades, fountains and an astronomical clock on one of its buildings. Close by, the Piazza is an Italian-style square paved with mosaics and framed by a clock tower, cafés and stained-glass windows, especially pretty in the evening light.

In the old town you also find the Orta Jame mosque, built in the 1860s, and to small bakeries selling Adjarian khachapuri, the boat-shaped cheese bread that is the city's signature dish. This is the best area for your free time: stroll, browse the shops, sit down for lunch at your own pace and change a little money into Georgian lari for small purchases.

The Black Sea Coast Road and the Sarp Border

The drive from Trabzon follows the Black Sea coast east through Rize, Pazar and Hopa, past tea-covered hillsides, fishing harbours and tunnels cut through the mountains that drop straight into the sea. It is one of the most scenic coastal roads in Türkiye, and the comfortable vehicle and light refreshments on board make the journey easy.

At Sarp you reach the border with Georgia. Passport control on both sides usually takes from half an hour to an hour depending on the queues, and your group leader explains each step. How to get to Batumi from Trabzon without the stress of the crossing? This tour is the simple answer, and after the border Batumi is only around 20 minutes away.