Batumi is the capital of Adjara and Georgia's main seaside resort on the Black Sea. Population: around 180,000. The layout is chaotic: Soviet-era blocks, a compact Old Town around Piazza Square and Europe Square, and a new district of casino-topped skyscrapers along the waterfront. Beaches are large pebbles – water shoes recommended. Casinos: around a dozen major venues inside hotels (Hilton, Radisson, Le Méridien), passport required, some demand a $100 deposit. The Boulevard stretches 7 km along the shore – the main promenade with sculptures including Ali and Nino and the Alphabet Tower.
Batumi Airport (BUS) is within city limits, 10 minutes by taxi to the centre; bus #10 costs 0.30 GEL. Flights from Istanbul, Dubai, and European cities. From Tbilisi: train (35–75 GEL, 5 hours, modern Stadler carriages), marshrutka (30–35 GEL, 5–6 hours). The city itself needs 2–3 days. Batumi is a convenient base for day trips to the Botanical Garden, Gonio Fortress, Mtirala National Park, and the Kintrishi and Machakhela canyons. For trips outside the city, it's better to rent a car – buses don't serve the national parks.
