Batumi "City Breaks"
No matter the time of the year, you always have the chance to attend various events and festivals or take a yacht ride on the Black Sea. Batumi is the perfect place to blend sightseeing of unique and incredible attractions with a discovery of the local culture, cuisine, nightlife, and other activities.
Europe Square is located in the city centre and features an eclectic mix of architecture, with statues, palm trees, and an astronomical clock. The square is surrounded by colorful and decorative buildings, both historical and modern. The most important statue of the Colchian “Medea” holding the Golden Fleece is located here.
The myth of the Argonauts tells the story of the ancient Colchian civilization, which covered most of present-day western Georgia. Medea was the daughter of the king of the Colchian kingdom, Aeetes. She helped the main hero of the Argonauts myth, Jason, abduct the golden ram, the guarantor of the well-being of his people. The statue of the Colchian Medea with the golden ram is a symbol of wealth, prosperity, and Georgia’s connection with the European world.
In the Miracle Park, on the first line of the Batumi Boulevard embankment, there is a cultural landmark with modern architecture, the “Alphabet Tower”, which depicts 33 letters of the Georgian alphabet. The Georgian alphabet is unique in the world and has the status of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The 130-meter-high tower, which depicts 33 letters of the Georgian alphabet, is analogous to the structural model of DNA and is one of the best modern architectural buildings. From this tower, you can best admire the views of the city. A revolving panoramic restaurant and observatory are located at the top of the tower. The panoramic restaurant rotates 360 degrees and allows guests to admire the views of Batumi for one hour. A visit to the Alphabet Tower is interesting both during the day and at night, with a great view of the sunset and sea views, and Batumi illuminated in the evening. The Alphabet Tower was built in 2011, and the architect of the tower is Alberto Domingo Cabo.
The 8-meter-tall kinetic sculpture of a man and woman, Ali and Nino, stands as one of the key sights on Batumi Boulevard and the Black Sea resort of Georgia. Crafted by renowned Georgian artist and sculptor Tamar Kvesitadze, the monument is named after the novel "Ali and Nino" by the celebrated Azerbaijani writer Kurban Said. The novel narrates the love story between Azerbaijani Muslim Ali Shirvashiri and Georgian Christian Nino Kipiani, set in the Caucasus during World War I. The statue of "Ali and Nino", created in 2010, showcases the two figures merging every 10 minutes, symbolising their profound love.
If you enjoy the views, then there is a way to see the city. The wheel takes about 10 minutes to complete one circle. At night, you will especially enjoy the beauty of Batumi illuminated in a thousand colors. The 55-meter-high panoramic wheel is one of the best ways to see and absorb the beautiful views and buildings of Batumi.
The uniqueness of Batumi is that, despite the rapid urban development, it is closely connected with nature, and an example of this is the Batumi Botanical Garden. Batumi has one of the most numerous and unique botanical gardens in the world. The garden, where rare species of tropical and subtropical plants now grow, was opened to visitors in 1912 and hosts thousands of vacationers and guests every year.
When they tell you that you will see the world here, believe it, because the floristic wealth of the garden is concentrated in 9 phyto-geographical sections according to the origin of plants; these are the East Asia, North America, New Zealand, South America, Himalayas, Mexico, Australia, Mediterranean or European, and Transcaucasia humid subtropical sections. The garden also includes upper, lower, and coastal parks; experimental and collection plots; greenhouses; and orangeries for tropical plants. In separate plots, plantations and plantings of citrus, Japanese persimmon, feijoa, tung, Japanese chestnut, oaks, walnuts, magnolias, maples, and others are grown.
For a deep dive into the history of Ajara, make sure to visit its museums, which serve as cultural and educational hubs. The Ajara Museums Association includes the Batumi Archaeological Museum, the Ajara Khariton Akhvlediani Museum, the Nobel Brothers Technological Museum, the Memed Abashidze Building Museum, and the Museum of Religion. These museums offer you the chance to explore preserved exhibits and collections spanning centuries.
In addition to the above-mentioned spots, a stroll through the streets of Batumi and tasting Batumi coffee, along with local and international cuisine, is an excellent way to connect with the local culture on a deeper level.
