- First trip without a car? Stay in Old Batumi or on the Old Boulevard, a short walk from Europe Square, the Piazza and the beach.
- The New Boulevard towers suit pools and flats, Gonio and Kvariati have the clearest water, and Makhinjauri and Chakvi are the quiet northern choice.
- Kobuleti, ~28 km north, is calmer and cheaper for families, and Ureki, ~50-55 km north in Guria, has soft sand and shallow water.
- In summer 2026 a double costs about 80-160 GEL (about $30-60) in a guesthouse, about 180-400 GEL (about $70-155) in a mid-range hotel and from about 450 GEL (about $175) upscale.
- Book July and August early. From October to May many seaside guesthouses close, while city hotels stay open for less.
Where to stay in Batumi depends on one question: do you want the city or the sea? For a first trip without a car, pick Old Batumi or a hotel along the Old Boulevard: Europe Square, the Piazza, the cable car and the beach are then minutes away on foot. The towers of the New Boulevard suit pools and flats with a kitchen. Gonio and Kvariati, south of the airport, have the clearest water. Kobuleti is the calm family resort, and Ureki has soft sand for toddlers.
We rate eight areas on the same points: street life, the beach, the walk to the sights, night noise, the usual places to stay and a rough price for summer 2026. Then come stay types, the summer rush, the quiet months and the distances to the airport and the station. The sights are in our Batumi travel guide, and the Batumi weather page shows which months suit a swim. Prices were checked in October 2026.
Where to stay in Batumi: the quick answer for each kind of trip
Batumi is a long, narrow city between green hills and the sea, so the main choice is how far along the shore you want to be.
- First visit: Old Batumi or the Old Boulevard, with the sights, the beach and most restaurants on foot.
- Sea views and full service: the brand hotels of the Old Boulevard.
- Pools and a kitchen: a flat in the New Boulevard towers, ~3 km from the airport.
- Quiet nights and gardens: Makhinjauri, the Green Cape or Chakvi.
- Clear water and snorkelling: Gonio, Kvariati or Sarpi, near the Turkish border.
- Families on a budget: Kobuleti, a relaxed resort town ~28 km north.
- Toddlers and sand: Ureki in the neighbouring region of Guria.
- An early train or mountain minibus: the districts by the stations.
Batumi neighbourhoods compared
All prices below show one double room for one night in July or August 2026. Times to Europe Square are by car, unless marked on foot.
| Area | What it is like | Beach | To Europe Square | Night noise | Typical double, summer 2026 | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Batumi | 19th-century streets, cafes, the Piazza | Central pebble beach, 5-10 min on foot | You are there | Busy near the Piazza on summer nights | about 80-400 GEL (about $30-155) | First visits, no car |
| Old Boulevard | Palms, promenade, brand-hotel towers | Pebbles right below the promenade | 5-15 min on foot | Beach bars and casinos in summer | about 180 to 1,000 GEL (about $70 to $385) | Sea views, short stays |
| New Boulevard and Sherif Khimshiashvili Street | Residential towers, Ardagani Lake | Broad pebble beach | ~2-5 km, 10-15 min | Traffic, building sites, beach clubs | about 80-400 GEL (about $30-155) | Pools, flats, early flights |
| Near the train and bus stations | Blocks of flats, shops, main roads | None close by | ~1.5-5 km, 5-15 min | Traffic by day, calm at night | about 80-160 GEL (about $30-60) | Early trains and buses |
| Makhinjauri, Green Cape, Chakvi | Wooded hills, small resorts | Small pebble coves, clear water | ~7-14 km, 15-25 min | Quiet | about 80-400 GEL (about $30-155) | Couples, gardens, walkers |
| Gonio, Kvariati, Sarpi | Villages, villas, family hotels | Pebbles, the clearest water | ~13-20 km, 20-30 min | Quiet, busy summer weekends | about 80-400 GEL (about $30-155) | Swimmers, snorkellers |
| Kobuleti | Long, low resort town, pine grove | ~10 km of sand and pebbles | ~28 km, 35-40 min | Calm | about 80-160 GEL (about $30-60) | Families, budgets, long stays |
| Ureki (Guria) | Busy summer resort | Black magnetic sand, shallow sea | ~50-55 km, about 1 hour | Loud in July and August | about 80-160 GEL (about $30-60) | Small children, sand lovers |
Old Batumi: Europe Square, the Piazza and the oldest streets
Old Batumi is the grid of oil-boom streets behind the port. The national tourism board traces it from the harbour to Nuri-Geli Lake in May 6 Park, and inland to Chavchavadze Street. Merchant houses with iron balconies line streets such as Memed Abashidze, and the Orta Jame mosque of 1866 stands a few blocks from the 1904 synagogue.
- On foot: Europe Square, the Piazza, the Argo Cable Car and the museums. The sea is 5 to 10 minutes away, at the busiest and murkiest beach in town.
- Noise: the Piazza and the bar streets stay loud past midnight in summer. Streets near May 6 Park are calmer.
- Stays: rooms in old family houses, small hotels, hostels and a few newer hotels. Expect about 80-400 GEL (about $30-155) in July and August. Many old houses have steep stairs and no lift.
- Suits: first visits and travellers without a car. Not ideal for light sleepers in August, or for drivers, since parking is tight.
The Old Boulevard: brand hotels on the central seafront
Batumi Boulevard began in 1881 as a park along the shore, and its northern part still has palms and shady paths. At the port end stand the Alphabetic Tower, the 1863 lighthouse and the Ali and Nino Statue, ringed by the glass towers of brand hotels. Further on, the 1939 Intourist building by the architect Alexey Shchusev stands on Ninoshvili Street.
- On foot: the promenade, the Colonnades and Old Batumi, one or two streets inland.
- Beach: pebbles right below the promenade, with loungers and lifeguards in summer.
- Noise: beach bars play late in July and August, and several big hotels run casinos through the night.
- Stays: brand and upscale hotels, where summer doubles run from about 180 GEL (about $70) to about 1,000 GEL (about $385). Suits couples and short stays, less so tight budgets in August.
Want a day off the beach? The private Adjara Highlands Day Trip starts at your hotel and heads inland to Makhuntseti Waterfall, a medieval bridge and a family wine cellar, on the date you pick.
The New Boulevard and Sherif Khimshiashvili Street: the high-rise strip
South-west of the centre, the promenade runs on past Ardagani Lake towards the airport, and a 2009 extension took the whole boulevard to about 7 km. Behind it, Sherif Khimshiashvili Street is lined with residential towers, and owners let many of their flats by the night. New towers are still going up.
- Getting around: Old Batumi is ~2-5 km away, 10 to 15 minutes by Bolt or a flat ride on the seaside cycle path. The airport is only ~3 km off.
- Beach: a broad pebble beach, a little calmer than in the centre.
- Noise: traffic, daytime building work and summer beach clubs. High floors on the sea side are the quietest.
- Stays: tower flats, aparthotels with pools and big resort hotels: about 80-400 GEL (about $30-155) for most of them in summer. Suits families and early flights, not lovers of old streets.
Flying out at dawn? Our Batumi airport guide covers the bus, Bolt fares and transfers.
Near Batumi Central station and the bus stations
Batumi's transport hubs are split. Trains end at Batumi Central in Tamar Settlement, on the northern edge of the city, ~4-5 km from Europe Square. The two bus stations stand on Gogol Street and Mayakovsky Street in the eastern districts, ~1.5-2.5 km from the old town. Both areas are mostly flats, shops and traffic, with no real beach.
- Stays: simple hotels, guesthouses and flats at about 80-160 GEL (about $30-60) per night in summer.
- Suits: one night before an early train or a mountain minibus. Not ideal for a beach holiday.
In late October 2026 the first fast train to Tbilisi left at about 08:00, and minibuses for Keda and Khulo used the old bus station on Mayakovsky Street. Batumi Central has a left-luggage room. Our Tbilisi to Batumi guide lists the trains and coaches.
Makhinjauri, the Green Cape and Chakvi: quiet hills north of the city
Beyond Batumi Central the coast turns green and steep. Makhinjauri is ~7 km from the centre, the Green Cape with the Batumi Botanical Garden ~9 km and Chakvi ~14 km. Hotels climb the wooded slopes for the view. Chakvi was one of the first places in Georgia to grow tea, and it is the turn-off for Mtirala National Park.
- Beach: small pebble coves with clear water, far quieter than the city. The old town is 15 to 25 minutes by car.
- Noise: calm at night, but the railway and the coast road pass between some hotels and the sea.
- Stays: resort hotels with pools, mid-range hotels and guesthouses, priced at about 80-400 GEL (about $30-155) during the season. Hill villages above Chakvi have homestays from about 50 GEL (about $19) a person with three meals.
- Suits: couples, garden lovers, walkers and birdwatchers. Not ideal for nights out without a car.
From mid-August to mid-October, vast numbers of birds of prey stream south over these hills. Our Birdwatching in Georgia tour sleeps at Sakhalvasho, close to the count platform.
Gonio, Kvariati and Sarpi: clear water near the Turkish border
South of the airport and the Chorokhi River, the hills come back to the shore. Gonio, ~13 km from the centre, has the Roman walls of Gonio Fortress and a wide beach with a promenade. Kvariati Beach, ~15 km out, is a small bay with transparent water. Sarpi, ~18-20 km away, has 3 km of fine pebbles beside the border post.
- Getting around: the airport is ~7 km from Gonio, and Old Batumi 20 to 30 minutes by car.
- Beach: the cleanest water on this coast, over a steep pebble shelf, so bring water shoes.
- Noise: quiet evenings, busy summer weekends.
- Stays: family hotels, guesthouses and villas on the slopes. Guesthouse doubles go for about 80-160 GEL (about $30-60) and hotel rooms about 180-400 GEL (about $70-155) at peak. Many close from October to May.
Kobuleti: a long, calm beach for families and longer stays
Kobuleti stretches along the shore ~28 km north of Batumi. It is a town of guesthouses, family hotels and old sanatoriums, with no wall of towers, and a pine grove backs much of the seafront. The Adjara tourism department describes about 10 km of wide sand and pebble beach. Its directory even lists more places to stay here (308) than in Batumi (240).
- Getting around: fast trains from Tbilisi stop here, minibuses to Batumi cost about 3 GEL, and the drive takes 35 to 40 minutes.
- Noise: calm, apart from a few beach bars in high summer.
- Stays: family guesthouses and small hotels, about 80-160 GEL (about $30-60) a night for two in summer.
- Suits: families, small budgets and week-long stays. Not ideal in winter, when most cafes and many hotels close.
The Ispani peat bogs of the Kobuleti Protected Areas lie on the edge of town, and Petra Fortress is ~7 km south.
Ureki and Shekvetili: black sand and shallow water in Guria
Ureki lies over the regional border in Guria, ~50-55 km north of Batumi and about an hour by car. The national tourism board describes 1.5 km of shore covered in dark magnetic sand, and many Georgians come for its reputed health effects.
- Beach: soft sand and a sea that stays shallow far out, the gentlest swim for toddlers near Batumi.
- Season: June to mid-September. Outside it, most cafes shut.
- Noise: loud in July and August, with beach bars, water slides and jet skis.
- Stays: family hotels, guesthouses and cottages, typically about 80-160 GEL (about $30-60) between June and September. The fast train calls at Ureki, a walk of ~1.5 km from the beach.
Shekvetili, ~45 km from Batumi, is calmer, with cottages among pines and summer concerts at the Black Sea Arena. Grigoleti, ~5 km north of Ureki, is quieter still.
Batumi hotels, aparthotel towers and guesthouses: what to expect
Adjara has more hotels than any other part of Georgia. Geostat's 2025 count found 2,783 hotels and hotel-type businesses nationwide, and 21.3% of them, roughly 590, were in Adjara. Batumi's branded hotels were also the fullest in Georgia that year, at 73.6% occupancy.
| Stay type | Typical price per night, summer 2026 | Where most of them are |
|---|---|---|
| Hostel bed | about 30-60 GEL (about $12-23) | Old Batumi, near the bus stations |
| Guesthouse or family hotel, double | about 80-160 GEL (about $30-60) | Old Batumi side streets, Gonio, Kvariati, Kobuleti, Ureki |
| Flat in an apartment tower or aparthotel | about 80-400 GEL (about $30-155) | New Boulevard, Sherif Khimshiashvili Street |
| Mid-range hotel, double | about 180-400 GEL (about $70-155) | Old and New Boulevard, Chakvi, Gonio |
| Brand or upscale hotel, double | about 450-1,000 GEL (about $175-385) | Old Boulevard by the Alphabetic Tower, New Boulevard |
| Village homestay with three meals | from about 50 GEL (about $19) per person, meals included | Hill villages above Chakvi and Kobuleti |
Apartment towers and aparthotels
Most New Boulevard towers hold private flats let by the night, and two flats in one block can differ a lot. Check for a staffed desk, how late check-in works and whether the pool is open in your month.
Older guesthouses and family hotels
In Old Batumi, Gonio, Kobuleti and Ureki, many rooms are in family houses with the owners downstairs. Expect a warm welcome and simpler services: no lift, a small bathroom and sometimes nobody awake after midnight.
Brand and resort hotels
Chains stand mainly on the Old Boulevard and in the New Boulevard towers, with a few resort hotels on the slopes to the north. Across Georgia, branded hotels averaged about 277 GEL (about $105) a room in the first half of 2026.
Ending a longer trip by the sea? Two of our private tours finish here, From the Mountains to the Sea over eight days and East to West over six, each with a room facing the water. Both run on your dates for any group size, and the tour pages list what is included.
Booking a room in Batumi: what to check and when to reserve
Before you book
- Sea view: in the towers this can mean a slice of water between two buildings. Ask for the floor, the direction and a photo taken from the window.
- Building sites: ask whether a new tower is going up next door.
- Air conditioning and heating: summer nights stay above 20°C and winter nights drop to about 5°C, so look for reviews that mention both.
- Getting there: the airport is ~7 km south of Old Batumi, and Batumi Central ~4-5 km north of Europe Square. Bolt in Batumi costs about 10-20 GEL (about $4-8) across town in 2026.
- Insurance: every foreign visitor must be insured, with medical cover of 30,000 GEL or more.
When to book early
- July and August: rates run roughly a quarter to a half above the rest of the year. Reserve the moment your dates are certain, above all for weekends, the Black Sea Jazz Festival (10 to 12 July in 2026) and the Mariamoba holiday on 28 August.
- June and September: a warm sea and easier rooms. A few weeks' notice is usually enough.
- October to May: city hotels stay open and cost less, but many seaside guesthouses shut, so confirm before you go.
Where to stay in Batumi: FAQ
Which area of Batumi is best for a first visit?
Old Batumi or the Old Boulevard. From either, you can walk to the main sights, the restaurants and the sea within minutes, so you need no car. Light sleepers should ask for a side street.
Is it better to stay in Old Batumi or on the New Boulevard?
Old Batumi for character, food and walking. The New Boulevard for modern flats, pools, a wider beach and the airport ~3 km away. A Bolt between them takes 10 to 15 minutes.
Where should families stay near Batumi?
Kobuleti for space, calm and lower prices, or Ureki for shallow water and sand, which suits small children best. In the city, a New Boulevard flat with a kitchen and a pool works well.
How much does a hotel in Batumi cost per night?
Plan on about 80-160 GEL (about $30-60) for a guesthouse double in summer 2026, while a mid-range hotel asks about 180-400 GEL (about $70-155) and upscale rooms start near 450 GEL (about $175). Rates fall outside July and August.
Which beach area near Batumi has the clearest water?
The south. Gonio, Kvariati and Sarpi lie ~13-20 km from the centre near the Turkish border, and Kvariati is the snorkellers' favourite. Many places there open only in summer.
Are Batumi hotels open in winter?
Yes. City hotels, aparthotels and many guesthouses work all year, at their lowest prices. Kobuleti, Gonio and Ureki go very quiet, and many family hotels there close until late spring.
Where should I stay near Batumi train station or the airport?
For the train, stay near Batumi Central on the northern edge of the city, or in Makhinjauri just beyond. For flights, the New Boulevard is ~3 km from the terminal and Gonio ~7 km.
