Batumi Boulevard

Is Batumi Boulevard worth it?

Yes — it is the best part of Batumi, and almost any day in the city passes through it. Think of it as the city’s seafront park rather than a single sight: beach on one side, shady walkways, cafés, sculptures and fountains on the other. There are no tickets, gates or closing times; joggers are out at dawn and couples stroll well past midnight.

You don’t need to do all 7 km. Most visitors get the best of it from the old boulevard: start at the fountains by the main entrance, walk north-east under the magnolias to the colonnade, the lighthouse and the Ali and Nino statue in time for sunset. Our take at YesGo: the full length is worth it only on a bike, or if you want the Dancing Fountains on the New Boulevard after dark.

Things to do on Batumi Boulevard, north to south

• The lighthouse in Miracle Park — built in 1863, before the boulevard existed, and one of the few old landmarks by the port.
• Ali and Nino — the moving steel sculpture whose two figures glide together and pass through each other. Best at sunset.
• The Alphabet Tower, about 130 m tall, wrapped in a spiral of Georgian letters, with the Ferris wheel next to it.
• The colonnade of 1934 — the white, classical-style gallery that is the old boulevard’s symbol.
• The coloured fountains at the main entrance, first installed in 1977; the tourist info centre is right by them.
• Magnolia Alley, the boulevard’s first walkway, where locals play chess and backgammon in the pavilion every day.
• Bronze statues of the gardeners Michel d’Alphonse and Iason Gordeziani, who created the park, among the old trees.
• The Japanese Garden (2015) — red torii gate, a koi pond and stone paths; small and calm.
• The New Boulevard — modern sculpture, wide lawns, cycle and skating paths, and the lake with the evening Dancing Fountains show.

How long is Batumi Boulevard, and should you walk or cycle?

The boulevard is about 7 km long. On foot, the old section from the main entrance to the lighthouse and Ali and Nino is an easy 1.5 hours with stops. The whole thing end to end is 1.5–2 hours one way without stopping, and the same again back unless you grab a taxi.

To see both parts in one go, rent a bike: the full ride along the cycle lane takes around 30 minutes. The city scheme BatumVelo runs from automated docks; you get its card at the tourist info centre at the main entrance, with your passport. Private rental stands for bikes and e-scooters line the boulevard too — unofficially, they cost more and often hold your passport as a deposit.

Old Boulevard vs New Boulevard

The Old Boulevard is the 19th-century park next to the old town: tall trees, deep shade, the colonnade, the chess pavilion, cafés and fountains. It is busier, especially on summer evenings, and it is where most walks start. One evening in Batumi? Spend it here.

The New Boulevard, built from 2009 onwards to the south-west, is wider and calmer, with younger trees and little shade but plenty of room for cycling, skating and running. It has fewer cafés and is a favourite for wedding shoots; its big draw is the fountain show on the lake after dark. People usually treat the water park as the dividing line, but it is one continuous promenade.

The beach along the boulevard

The city beach runs along almost the whole boulevard and is free to use. It is pebbly, with stones from small to fist-sized, so bring water shoes or thick-soled sandals — they are sold everywhere in town. Sunbeds and umbrellas cost extra; a towel on the pebbles costs nothing.

Peak beach season is July to mid-September, when the sea is warmest. In October the water is still pleasant, but the weather changes from day to day, and swimming is banned when the flags say so.

A short history

In the late 19th century the shore here was waste ground. In 1881 the district governor, Smekalov, proposed a seaside park, and Prussian gardeners Ressler and Reier drew up the first plan. After Ressler died, the Frenchman Michel d’Alphonse took over and became the boulevard’s first keeper — remembered as the “kind genius of the Batumi seaside”.

Georgian gardener Iason Gordeziani, trained in France, ran the city park and boulevard from 1917. The colonnade followed in 1934 and the coloured fountains in 1977. From 2009 the boulevard was extended south-west as the New Boulevard, to a design by a Spanish architect. Today it has its own city administration and is protected as cultural heritage.

Boulevard vs Europe Square vs Dancing Fountains

You don’t have to choose: the square, the boulevard and the fountains make one easy evening. Start at Europe Square, hit the sea for sunset and finish with the fountain show.

Sunset spots in Batumi compared

Batumi places worth catching the sunset from, rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.

Nearby — add to your day

45

Europe Square

Batumi, Georgia

30 min · Free · 6 min walk

Yes — add to my route: Europe Square

44

Piazza Square

Batumi, Georgia

30 min · Free, open 24/7 · 12 min walk

Yes — add to my route: Piazza Square

49

Ali and Nino statue

Batumi, Georgia

30 min · Free · 13 min walk

Yes — add to my route: Ali and Nino statue

38

Argo Cable Car

Batumi, Georgia

1 h · 39 GEL return · 19 min walk

Yes — add to my route: Argo Cable Car

How to do it right

• Go before sunset: the beach faces west and the sun sets straight into the sea.
• Start at the main-entrance fountains and walk north-east to the lighthouse — the old section takes about 1.5 hours.
• Want the New Boulevard too? Rent a bike — on foot, there and back is half a day.
• On hot summer afternoons stick to the old alleys for shade; the New Boulevard’s trees are still young.
• After dark, head for the Dancing Fountains on the New Boulevard.
• Out of season the boulevard is quiet and nearly empty — ideal for a long, crowd-free walk.

Questions