Shekvetili
Quieter beach strip backed by pine forest between Ureki and Kobuleti, home to the Black Sea Arena and Georgia in Miniature.
ShekvetiliPhoto: Kober, CC BY-SA 4.0Shekvetili is a 5 km strip of seaside pine forest and dark sandy beach in Ozurgeti municipality, midway between Ureki and Kobuleti and about 45 km north of Batumi. It is quieter and greener than Ureki, with cottages and holiday homes set among the pines rather than a busy main street. Families often rent a house here for a week or two in summer. In recent years Shekvetili has also gained a cluster of large attractions that make it a destination in its own right.
The Black Sea Arena, a large concert venue for around 9,000 to 10,000 people, opened in 2016 with Christina Aguilera and has since hosted Aerosmith, Elton John, The Killers and others, mostly in late July and August. Nearby, Georgia in Miniature displays more than 50 scale models of Georgian landmarks, and an amusement park offers rides, bowling and karting. Shekvetili is also home to a large dendrological park created by Bidzina Ivanishvili with mature trees moved here from across Georgia.
What to see and do
- See a summer concert at the Black Sea Arena
- Walk among more than 50 scale models at Georgia in Miniature
- Swim from the quiet, pine-backed beach
- Spend an afternoon at the amusement park with rides, bowling and karting
How to visit
Getting there
Shekvetili is about 21 km west of Ozurgeti and 45 km north of Batumi on the coast road, about 300 km from Tbilisi. Marshrutkas on the coast road pass by, and a taxi from Ureki is a short ride.
When to go
July to September; concerts mostly in late July and August. Plan 1 day to a week here.
- Check the Black Sea Arena programme and book concert tickets early
- Book cottages early for July and August
- Bring insect repellent for summer evenings in the pine forest
Shekvetili: FAQ
Is Shekvetili better than Ureki?
It depends what you want. Ureki has more hotels, restaurants and nightlife, while Shekvetili is quieter and greener, with pine forest behind the beach, and suits families renting a cottage.
What is the Black Sea Arena?
A large concert venue in Shekvetili that opened in 2016 and has hosted stars such as Christina Aguilera, Aerosmith and Elton John. Concerts are held mostly in summer.
Nearby places
Straight-line distance from Shekvetili.
