After years of exploring Georgia, I can say with certainty that these are the best day trips from Batumi. Trust me, you won’t want to miss these unique destinations!
Lush forests, ancient ruins, and sandy beaches all complement Batumi’s urban attractions.
This guide covers the region’s most popular destinations, as well as a few hidden gems where you can escape the crowds. I even give several tour recommendations to make commuting and planning practically effortless!
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9 Best Batumi Day Trips
Mestia
Ascend into another world amid the majestic peaks of the Caucasus Mountains.
🗺️ Distance from Batumi: 5.5 hours | 📍 Google Maps | 👉 Book A Mestia Tour
Mestia, the regional capital of Svaneti, is doable as a day trip from Batumi. This guided trip will take you from warm, subtropical beaches to lofty mountain valleys in just a few hours. No other day trip shares Georgia’s geographical and cultural diversity like this one.
There are fantastic panoramic views at the top of the Hatsvali ski resort lift, even in summer. However, Mestia’s most striking man-made feature is its stone towers, some of which are open to the public.
The local ethnographic museum houses a treasure trove of artifacts. These range from ornate religious artwork to musical instruments unique to Svaneti, one of Georgia’s top destinations.
Kolkheti National Park and Poti
Navigate the waterways of the “Georgian Amazon” to discover unbeatable birdwatching and more.
🗺️ Distance from Batumi: 1 hour | 📍 Google Maps | Website
Kolkheti National Park is a must on your Georgia itinerary. Like Mestia, it showcases the country’s remarkable diversity. The vast wetlands shelter over 200 different species of native and migratory birds. You can visit various places in the park, but some areas remain off-limits to protect the wildlife.
Boat tours wind along the rivers and lakes in Kolkheti. Kayaks are available for hire along designated waterways. There are also hiking and horse riding trails on the landward areas of the park.
The nearby city of Poti is also worth a visit. Admire its vintage architecture ranging from Art Nouveau to Soviet Brutalism.
Green Cape (Mtsvane Kontskhi)
Take time to smell the roses (and much more!) at this tranquil oasis north of Batumi.
🗺️ Distance from Batumi: 15 minutes | 📍 Google Maps | 👉 Book A Botanical Garden Tour
Green Cape is the perfect place to escape summer crowds and the hustle and bustle of the city. The beaches here may not be ideal for swimming, but you can easily soak up some sun. The nearby Makhinjauri Beach is a bit better for a dip in the sea.
The Batumi Botanical Garden is a highlight of the area and well worth a visit. It has trails winding through a diverse array of flora from around the world. Here, you can find everything from demure violets to towering bamboo forests.
👉 Don’t Miss: This guided tour combines three Batumi day trips into one! Explore the Batumi Botanical Garden, Miniature Park in Shekvetili, and Petra Fortress in Kobuleti.
Mtirala National Park
Uncover a treasure trove of emerald green beauty in this forested national park.
🗺️ Distance from Batumi: 1 hour | 📍 Google Maps | Website | 👉 Book A Mtirala Hiking Tour
Hiking enthusiasts visiting Batumi must check out Mtirala National Park. Here, picturesque trails wind through lush rainforests and alongside babbling brooks. Go with a local guide to unlock the secrets of this hidden paradise, including local swimming holes!
Pack a lunch and stop for a picnic in one of several designated places. There are even camping spots in the park should you choose to make more than a day trip of it! Mtirala’s forests teem with wildlife and, like Kolkheti National Park, this is a great place for bird watching.
Machakhela National Park
The rolling hills of Machakhela National Park are full of hiking trails and history.
🗺️ Distance from Batumi: 1.5 hours | 📍 Google Maps | Website
Machakhela National Park is a sister park to Mtirala, but less known among tourists. This makes for a more relaxing experience, especially in the summer — one of the most popular times to visit Georgia. The trails here are more challenging than those at Mtirala but lead to stunning vistas.
Machakhela has more to offer when it comes to culture, too. The freestanding Queen Tamar Bridge is one of the most popular attractions. There’s also a former mosque that houses a museum of local lore, a local gunsmith’s shop specializing in antique firearms, and more unique sites.
Shekvetili
Magnetic sands and quirky attractions make Shekvetili one of the most unique destinations on Georgia’s Black Sea Coast.
🗺️ Distance from Batumi: 45 minutes | 📍 Google Maps | 👉 Tour Shekvetili’s Miniature Park
Visiting the beaches in Batumi is one of the best things to do in Georgia — but you also can’t miss the shores in Shekvetili. They’re famous for their black magnetic sands with purported healing properties. It’s a lovely place to visit, regardless of the truth of these claims.
Shekvetili has some rather unique attractions further inland. The Musicians Park features weathered bronze depictions of modern music legends. The statues play the tunes that made the artists famous, although the physical resemblances may leave something to be desired. It’s an interesting attraction, nonetheless.
There’s also Miniature Park, which features scaled-down replicas of famous buildings throughout Georgia. Explore the park on your own or on a guided tour.
📚 Related Reading: Where to Stay in Batumi, Georgia (Best Places in 2024)
Gonio
Step back in time to the days of the Caesars or soak up the sun in this town south of Batumi.
🗺️ Distance from Batumi: 20 minutes | 📍 Google Maps | Website | 👉 Book A Tour to Gonio
Gonio is a must for any history buffs visiting Batumi. The old Roman fortress here has kept silent watch on this corner of Georgia since the time of the first Caesars. The fortress, much like Georgia itself, has stood the test of time and political turmoil. A replica of a Roman encampment lines part of the walkways here.
Tradition states that St. Matthias, one of the Twelve Apostles, is buried here. A shrine marks the place where he is believed to be interred. Guided tours provide in-depth recountings of this and other aspects of the rich history of the area.
The beach at Gonio is also a great alternative to the often-overcrowded shores back in the city. Keep your eyes peeled for a unique monument near the Turkish border in nearby Sarpi, too. This statue commemorates St. Andrew, another of the Twelve Apostles, who also preached in Georgia.
Kobuleti
Kobuleti is a cross-section of everything that makes Lower Adjara an amazing place.
🗺️ Distance from Batumi: 30 minutes | 📍 Google Maps | 👉 Book A Petra Fortress Tour
The city of Kobuleti makes for another great day trip from Batumi. It sits 16.5 miles north of the city and offers all the same seaside charms, minus the crowds. Kobuleti also has a large protected wetlands area, similar to Kolkheti, harboring a wide range of flora and fauna.
Petra Fortress stands in ruins south of Kobuleti. This Roman stronghold dates from the 5th century AD. The Eastern Roman Empire (aka the Byzantines) once held sway in this corner of Georgia while under Emperor Justinian’s rule. The Petra Fortress guarded the important routes between the Caucasus and the rest of the empire.
Upper Adjara and Goderdzi Ski Resort
Venture into highlands rich with stunning scenery and superb ski slopes in Adjara’s upper reaches.
🗺️ Distance from Batumi: 3.5 hours | 📍 Google Maps | Website
Upper Adjara also has some amazing destinations. Goderdzi, one of Georgia’s lesser-known ski resorts, gets consistent powder in the winter months. There are snow sports opportunities in the backcountry, too.
Upper Adjara is also worth a visit in the summer. The town of Khulo offers scenic vistas and, depending on season and maintenance, a cable car ride (for those not afraid of heights!). Goderdzi turns from brilliant white to vibrant green in the summer, replacing skiing with excellent hiking opportunities.
FAQs About Batumi Day Trips
What are the best day trips from Batumi?
The best day trips from Batumi include Machakhela National Park (great for nature lovers), Gonio (perfect for beachgoers, as well as history buffs), and Upper Adjara (a must for snow sports enthusiasts).
What are good destinations within 2 hours of Batumi?
Green Cape,Shekvetili, and Kobuleti are all good destinations within 2 hours of Batumi. This article features a guided tour that visits all three in a single trip!
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I hope you’ve found some good ideas for day trips from Batumi! See my guide on driving in Georgia to learn how to get around the Batumi region and beyond.
