This Batumi day trip takes you from the seafront to the hills and back to the coast: the moving Ali and Nino statue on Batumi's Boulevard, the Makhuntseti Waterfall in the lush Adjaristskali valley, and the beaches of Gonio near the Turkish border. It is a private tour, so it is only your group, your guide and a route shaped around what you enjoy.
It is a good choice once you have seen central Batumi and want to get out of the city without committing to a long drive. Families like it for the mix of waterfall, sea and open space; couples come for the romance of Ali and Nino and a sunset by the water. Along the way your guide will tell you about Adjara's history as a borderland between empires, and about the mountain villages whose honey, cheese and wine you will see sold by the roadside.
Highlights of the route
Ali and Nino
The Ali and Nino statue is one of the most photographed sights in Georgia. Created by the Georgian artist Tamar Kvesitadze, it is a pair of tall steel figures, a man and a woman, that slowly move towards each other, pass through one another and drift apart again. It takes its name from Ali and Nino, the 1937 novel by Kurban Said about a Muslim boy from Azerbaijan and a Christian Georgian princess whose love crosses the lines of religion and culture. Set on the seafront near the Alphabetic Tower, it suits a city that has long been a meeting point of peoples. The sculpture is at its best after dark, when it is lit up, so ask us if you would like to finish the day here.
Gonio Beach
Gonio lies on the coast south of Batumi, close to the Turkish border, and is quieter and more relaxed than the city beaches. The shore is pebbly, the water is clear, and the green mountains rise almost straight from the sea, which gives the whole bay a lovely setting. In summer it is a good place to swim and have a long lunch of fresh fish; outside the season it is simply a peaceful spot for a walk along the water. Gonio also has a long history: the Roman-era Gonio-Apsaros Fortress stands just inland, its walls still largely intact, and tradition holds that the Apostle Matthias is buried there. Ask us to add it if you are curious. Water shoes help on the pebbles.
Makhuntseti Waterfall
Inland from Batumi, the road follows the Adjaristskali river into a valley of forested hills, tea terraces and small villages. Makhuntseti Waterfall drops down a mossy rock face into a pool close to the road, and the spray keeps the air cool even on a hot day. You can stand right beneath it and feel the mist, and there are stalls nearby selling local honey, churchkhela and other mountain produce. A short distance away is the medieval stone bridge known as Queen Tamar's Bridge, a graceful arch over the river that is well worth a few minutes. The rocks around the falls are often wet and slippery, so wear shoes with good grip and take care near the edge.
Make it your own
This route is a starting point, and we will happily change it. If history interests you, add Gonio-Apsaros Fortress, or extend the day along the coast to Sarpi on the Turkish border. If you prefer the mountains, we can continue further up the Adjaristskali valley for more villages, viewpoints and a lunch of hearty Adjarian mountain food. Travellers with more time often combine this trip with our Batumi city tour, which covers the Botanical Garden and the Argo Cable Car, or with a day in Mtirala National Park. See all our tours from Batumi for more ideas.
With young children or older relatives, we can keep the time at the waterfall short, build in a beach break and plan an early finish. Guides speak English, Russian and Georgian. If Batumi is just one part of your journey, a private driver in Georgia can carry on with you to Kutaisi, Svaneti or Tbilisi.
Good to know
- The paths near Makhuntseti Waterfall are often wet. Shoes with good grip are more useful than sandals.
- Gonio's beach is pebbly. Bring water shoes, swimwear and a towel if you plan to swim in summer.
- Adjara is green because it rains a lot, in every season. A light rain jacket is always worth packing.
- Carry some cash in lari for roadside stalls, honey and small cafés, where cards are not always accepted.
Message us on WhatsApp with your dates, group size and where you are staying, and we will send a route and a quote for your day around Batumi.
