Old Batumi

Cult buildings

If you want to understand the mystery of a quaint seaside town, experience the rhythm of Batumi city life, and admire the stunning blend of European and Asian-style architecture, you should visit the old neighborhood, also known as Old Batumi.

The old, narrow, paved streets and houses with cozy balconies and beautiful camellia flowers look stunning at any time of day.

There are numerous sights on the territory of old Batumi. Walking around the city, you can take a cable car and enjoy the breathtaking views from the observation deck at the last station.

Everyone knows that Batumi is a multicultural city. While strolling through the town, you can notice the Virgin Mary's church, Jewish synagogue, minaret with the mosque, a small Armenian chapel, or a new, Gothic-style Catholic church building.

The astronomical clock installed on the Georgia National Bank tower is among the most popular old Batumi attractions. The clock is unique as it shows the time while offering astrological information such as the sun, moon, zodiac signs, and planet locations.

Old Batumi also hosts a favourite place for children: the Puppet Theatre. Readers will find a variety of unique books in the old library building.

The Batumi Art, History, and Archaeology Museums are all near the library. In the evening, you can walk along the harbour, boulevard, and lake, visit a yacht club and take a boat trip, or have a genuine Batumi coffee in the cafe "Fantasia," also called "Octopus." The cafe is one of the best examples of Soviet mosaic artwork.

In old Batumi, on Era Square and its adjacent area, you can find a variety of old and new architectural pieces. Among them is the Appollo Theatre, a building adorning the city since 1911.

One of the eye-catching and prominent buildings built by the Rothschilds near the seaside was a grandiose two-story house, which now accommodates the Batumi Maternity Center.

Notably, nearly 100 Georgian and foreign film episodes have been filmed on the old streets and beaches of this seaside town. They include "Repentance," "Children of the Sea," "Love and Pigeons," "The Sea Wolf," "Manana," "Two Families," "The Roots," "The Swimmer," "Mevlud," "Mizani," "The Sea Path," "The Call," and so on.

Piazza Square is another stunning location in old Batumi. It is a popular gathering spot for tourists and locals looking to spend an evening in a relaxing environment. The square has numerous restaurants, cafes, and bars around it. Adjacent streets with two, three-story old houses with arches and balconies, housing shops and cafes on their ground floors, attract visitors with their sparkling shop and cafe windows. Passing through these old arches, you will get into the genuine Batumi flamboyant yards.