Batumi
Black Sea city of towers and palms — the beach in the morning, the boulevard at night.
What you would see
Seaside Boulevard & beach
Seven kilometres of promenade between the city and the sea, with a cycle path the whole way, the Alphabet Tower at one end and the piazza behind it. The beach is pebble, not sand — the water is clearer for it, and easier on the feet than you expect once you are in.
Botanical Garden
One of the largest botanical gardens in the region, laid out along a headland nine kilometres north of the city, with sections planted by continent and paths that come out on cliffs above the sea. It is more of a forest walk than a flower garden.
Ali & Nino moving statue
Two eight-metre steel figures that pass slowly through each other every evening and separate again — a man and a woman from a novel about a love that could not survive its two worlds. It takes about ten minutes to complete the movement, and everyone stays to watch.
Dolphinarium
A working dolphinarium in the middle of the city park with two or three shows a day. Children love it without exception; if you have views about performing animals, this is the stop to skip.