ADJARA

Adjara

Adjara (Adjara) (Georgian: აჭარა) – The  historical region and  modern administrative-territorial division in Western Georgia. Adjara is located in the extreme southwest of Georgia. All year round, immersed in greenery and washed by the Black Sea, this ancient land, at the foot of the Lesser Caucasus mountain ranges, is unusually beautiful and distinctive. It has a wonderful mild climate and majestic nature. On this small piece of land there are sea beaches, mountain ranges, rich forests, mirror waterfalls, stone gorges, incomprehensible lakes, foamy rivers and many other magnificent wonders of nature. Especially picturesque are the famous resorts of Adjara with wonderful beaches, attracting many tourists.

Mountainous Adjara is famous for its rich and diverse natural beauty. The average height of the surrounding mountains ranges between 2000-2500 meters. Visitors can see amazing waterfalls, a wide variety of flora and fauna, and try mineral waters with unique healing properties. But it is not only the admiration of nature that makes Adjara a famous holiday destination. Here, vacationers can fully immerse themselves in the extraordinary exoticism of this region, expressed by a motley combination of eastern and western cultures – try delicious national dishes, witness the traditional life of the Adjarians, and enjoy viewing ancient monuments.

Batumi City

Batumi (Georgian: ბათუმი) – The administrative center of the Adjara region,  located on the Black Sea coast, is one of the main cities of Georgia. Translated from Greek – “Bathys limen” means “deep port”. Graceful architecture and subtropical vegetation distinguish Batumi from all the cities of Georgia, making it attractive for both local and foreign vacationers. The city is unique in its contrasts and will certainly appeal to sophisticated travelers who have visited different parts of the planet.

Top attractions in Batumi:

• Batumi Lighthouse (Georgian: ბათუმის შუქურა) – Oldest preserved building in Batumi.

• Batumi Sea Port (Georgian: ბათუმის საზღვაო ვაგზალი) – Imposing building in the classic “Soviet-resort” style

• Batumi Boulevard (Georgian: ბათუმის ბულვარი) – Landscaped area between the beach and residential areas.

• Batumi Dolphinarium (Georgian: ბათუმის დელფინარიუმი)- Has existed since 1975 and is considered one of the best in the world.

• Alphabet Tower (Georgian: ბათუმის ანბანის კოშკი) – One of the most unusual buildings in modern Batumi

• The moving sculpture “Ali and Nino” (Georgian: ბათუმის „ალი და ნინო“) – Unusual metaphor for the relationship between a man and a woman.

• Piazza Square (Georgian: ბათუმის პიაცას მოედანი) – One of the main tourist attractions in old Batumi.

• Chacha Tower (Georgian: ბათუმის ჭაჭას კოშკი) – Clock tower with a yellow dome reminiscent of a mosque.

• Argo Cable Car (Georgian: ბათუმის საბაგირო) – Mount Anuria with wonderful views of the Black Sea and the Adjara Mountains.

Top attractions of Adjara:

Machakhela National Park

Machakhela National Park (Georgian: მაჭახელას ეროვნული პარკი) – The park was created to preserve the unique biodiversity and long-term protection of the forest ecosystem of Colchis, impresses with its diversity of landscapes – virgin forests, mountain peaks and rivers, crystal clear lakes. The national park is famous for its virgin Colchis forests.

Mtirala National Park

Mtirala National Park (Georgian: მტირალას ეროვნული პარკი) – Picturesque national park, spread over six thousand hectares, is considered the wettest place in all of Georgia due to its intense precipitation. According to ecologists, Mtirala is currently one of the few remaining places on Earth with such a rich diversity of flora and fauna.

Kintrishi National Park

Kintrishi National Park (Georgian: კინტრიშის ეროვნული პარკი) – The unique natural area, lost among the gentle peaks of the Adjara mountain ranges. 14 hectares of mountains, waterfalls, mountain lakes and relict forests. In addition to picturesque landscapes, full-flowing lakes, turbulent rivers and powerful waterfalls, in Kintrishi you will find ancient Georgian churches, monasteries and other historically important architectural structures.

Protected Areas of Kobuleti

Protected Areas of Kobuleti (Georgian: ქობულეთის დაცული ტერიტორიები), which are unique in the world sphagnum peat bogs, include the Kobuleti-Ispani I Protected Area and the Kobuleti-Ispani II State Nature Reserve. It was created with the aim of preserving unique wetland ecosystems – a natural heritage of international importance. The Visitor Center, located in the administrative building, provides reception and planning of visitor trips to the protected areas.

Batumi Botanical Garden

Batumi Botanical Garden (Georgian: ბათუმის ბოტანიკური ბაღი) – Thanks to the unique climate and high humidity, the workers of the Botanical Garden managed to turn it into a place of riot of vegetation and colors. Thematic corners dedicated to the flora of various exotic places on the globe. These are hundreds of species of palm trees, vines, cacti, a bamboo grove, flowers of all shapes and colors, the purest “delicious” air and ringing silence.

Makhuntseti Waterfall

Makhuntseti Waterfall (Georgian: მახუნცეთის ჩანჩქერი) – Located in the village of Makhuntseti, the waterfall attracts many people with its stunning beauty. While visiting the waterfall, you can also see the nearby 12th-century stone arched bridge of Queen Tamara. Built from volcanic stone and limestone, the bridge has ideal forms.

Mirveti Waterfall

Mirveti Waterfall (Georgian: მირვეთის ჩანჩქერი) – The 20-meter waterfall is located directly in the village of Mirveti and a stunningly picturesque path leads to it. The path winds through a boxwood forest that looks absolutely fabulous – especially in good summer weather. The same picturesque path leads from the parking lot to the ancient arched bridge.

Sarpi Waterfall

Sarpi Waterfall (Georgian: სარფის ჩანჩქერი) — The waterfall and the statue of St. Andrew the First-Called erected nearby are an important natural, historical and religious monument. It was in this place that the disciple of Jesus Christ, St. Andrew the First-Called, first set foot on Georgian soil, and from here the spread of Christianity began. This place is not only a testimony to ancient history, but also a symbol of the adoption of a new faith by Adjara and Georgia as a whole

Gvara Fortress

Gvara Fortress (Georgian: გვარას ციხე) – The fortress was built in the 6th century and for many centuries was an important strategic object. It played an active role in controlling the entire Chorokhi and Machakhela valleys, as well as the roads leading to the historical regions of Georgia – Klarjeti and Artanuji. The fortress is impressive not only for its size, but also for its architectural details. The view from the fortress opens up stunning panoramas of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

Gonio Fortress

Gonio Fortress (Georgian: გონიოს ციხე) – The  ancient Roman fortress, once protected the only route from the coast into the interior of Colchis. One of the largest and most strategically important military installations on the Black Sea coast. Over the centuries, the fortress was repeatedly attacked by the Romans, Byzantines and Turks. In addition, the myth of the Argonauts and the Golden Fleece is associated with it.

Petra(Lasica)  Fortress

The fortress city of Petra occupied an important strategic position, there was a crossroads connecting Georgia with the Byzantine provinces, Iran and Armenia. The guard part of the coastline was also developed. From the top of the fortress, visitors can enjoy a stunning view of the cliffs.

Khikhani Fortress

Khikhani Fortress  (Georgian: ხიხანის ციხე) – Situated on a steep and rugged mountainside, the Fortress is a mysterious and historically significant structure, the exact date of which remains a mystery. Researchers suggest that this fortress was built in the 10th-13th centuries, making it an ancient testimony of times and an important defensive structure. Situated at an altitude of over 2,200 meters above sea level, the fortress captivates with its stunning views and history.

Holy Trinity Church in Batumi

Holy Trinity Church in Batumi (Georgian: ბათუმის სამების ეკლესია) – The church is located in the historical center of Batumi, on the top of Mount Sameba, and offers an amazing panorama of the city of Batumi and the Black Sea. A beautiful example of Georgian Christian architecture is a symbol of the spirituality and history of this region. The church is known for its unique frescoes and icons that convey the spiritual depth and cultural heritage of Georgia.

Skhalta Monastery

Skhalta monastery complex (Georgian: სხალთის მონასტერი) – The complex includes two churches, a wine cellar and tombs. The main church of the monastery complex is a monument of great importance from the 11th century and occupies a place of honor among other rare examples of Georgian architecture. Unfortunately, this is the only example of medieval religious architecture and monumental wall painting in Adjara that survived the destruction by the Turkish conquerors.

*The full list of attractions in the region is presented in the section – Attractions