Batumi & the Black Sea
Georgia's other face — the subtropical coast, the palmed boulevard of Batumi, a botanical garden high above the sea, and the lush green villages of the Adjara mountains behind. We drive you there and back, with the time to enjoy both the city and the countryside around it.
- 2–3 daysFlexible to your schedule
- Private groupJust your party
- Hotel pickupFrom your Tbilisi hotel
- Driver-guideEnglish-speaking, full journey
- ≈ 700 kmRound trip from Tbilisi
- May–OctoberBest for the coast
Highlights
- Batumi's famous seafront boulevard — palms, fountains and the Black Sea
- The Old Town — a mosque, Georgian churches and Ottoman-era streets
- Batumi Botanical Garden, clinging to the hillside above the coast
- The Adjara villages and gorge road — a completely different, lush Georgia
- Borjomi mineral spring park on the route west (optional)
About this journey
Most travellers think of Georgia as mountains and monasteries — and they're right. But the Black Sea coast is a different Georgia entirely: subtropical, lush, salt-aired and relaxed. Batumi is the capital of the Adjara region, a port city with a long palm-lined boulevard, a compact Ottoman-influenced Old Town, and the Caucasus mountains rising directly behind the beach.
We drive from Tbilisi, taking the main highway west or the slower, more scenic route through the Borjomi gorge. By evening we're in Batumi, where the seafront comes to life after dark with lights and restaurants and the sound of the sea. The next day we explore the city at our own pace — the botanical garden above the coast is extraordinary — before heading into the hills behind the town to find the green, forested Adjara that most visitors miss.
The return journey can swing south to include Vardzia or Akhaltsikhe, making a western Georgia loop that covers coast, mountains and cave cities in one unhurried circuit.
How the journey usually flows
Day 1 · Tbilisi to Batumi
We leave Tbilisi in the morning and drive west. A stop at Borjomi for the mineral spring park is a natural break on the longer, scenic route. We arrive in Batumi by evening to settle in.
Day 2 · Batumi and the coast
The seafront boulevard, the Old Town, the Botanical Garden above the sea — we take the day at whatever pace suits you. Optional: a drive up the coast to the Sarpi border crossing viewpoint.
Day 3 · Adjara villages & return
Into the green hills behind the city — the gorge road to Khulo, wooden mosques, walnut forests and viewpoints over the valley. Then we head back east towards Tbilisi, arriving by evening.
What's included
We drive, you choose where to stay — we’ll recommend the best options for your group and budget.
Included
- Private car for your group throughout
- English-speaking driver-guide for all days
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Tbilisi
- Fuel and all road costs
Not included
- Accommodation
- Meals and drinks
- Personal expenses and tips
Pickup & good to know
We pick you up from your Tbilisi hotel on the first morning and return you there after the last day. Accommodation in Batumi ranges from guesthouses to seafront hotels — we'll suggest what suits your group and budget when you message us.
Batumi is warm and humid in summer. The Botanical Garden requires some walking on steep paths — comfortable shoes help. The Adjara mountains behind the city can be rainy even in summer: pack a light layer. The journey pairs very well with a Vardzia or Borjomi day on the return road.
More from the road
I didn't expect the mountains behind Batumi — the gorge to the Adjara villages was stunning. And the botanical garden above the sea is one of the most beautiful places I've been. Our driver knew every turn of the road."
Good questions
How long does the drive from Tbilisi to Batumi take?
About 5–6 hours on the main highway, or a little longer via the more scenic Borjomi gorge route. We usually make a stop or two along the way — the Borjomi mineral spring park is a natural break.
What is there to see in Batumi?
The long Black Sea boulevard lined with cafes and public art, the compact Old Town with its Ottoman and Georgian layers, the Botanical Garden high above the coast, and the Adjara mountain villages in the hinterland — each a distinct experience from the others.
When is the best time to visit Batumi?
May to October for the coast. July and August are busiest; June and September are our favourites — warm, less crowded and beautifully green. The city is pleasant year-round, but the sea and the boulevard are really summer experiences.
Can we combine Batumi with other tours?
Easily. The most natural pairings are with Svaneti (both in western Georgia, making a satisfying loop) or with Vardzia on the return road south. Tell us how many days you have and we'll build the circuit around you.
Combine it with
Batumi is at the heart of western Georgia — pair it with the Svaneti mountains to the north or the cave city of Vardzia to the east for a full Georgian circuit.
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3–4 daysSvaneti & the High Caucasus
Medieval towers, glaciers and the UNESCO village of Ushguli — Georgia's wildest region.
View tour → -
Full day · 11–12 hrsVardzia, Rabati & Borjomi
The cave city of Vardzia and Rabati castle — a natural loop from the Black Sea coast.
View tour → -
Full day · 11–12 hrsMartvili & Prometheus Cave
The canyon boat ride and Prometheus cave are right en route between Tbilisi and Batumi.
View tour →
Ready for the coast?
Message us with your dates and we'll plan the Batumi journey — and whatever else you want to see while you're in Georgia.
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