Architecture can tell us a lot about the history of any city. Among the tourist places in Batumi, some buildings will tell you a tale of the amazing history this ancient city has. Here you will see a variety of buildings built in previous centuries, as well as beautiful modern architectural monuments. Diversity adds more charm to Batumi and does not leave the visitor indifferent. Below you will find the list of the most outstanding tourist places with their architecture.
Cafe 'Octopus' should definitely be included among the tourist places in Batumi that have outstanding architecture. The building decorated with colorful mosaics in the shape of this strange creature of the sea has become one of the most well-known places in Batumi since the day it was opened. The cafe is actually called 'Fantasy', but everyone calls it 'Octopus' because of its visuals.
The building is not only a cafe, but also a sculpture. 'Octopus' is located in Batumi Boulevard and was built in 1975. The structure has an iron frame and is decorated with different colored mosaics and smalt. Other marine creatures placed on the octopus are also adorned with mosaics. Among them are the dolphins, the symbol of Batumi.
'Octopus' was closed in 2000 and before reopening, its exterior was quite damaged. That is why, in 2018 its restoration began and it was officially opened a year later. It should be noted, that the building is very important for the locals. Therefore, in 2020 the Adjara Cultural Heritage Protection Agency recognized the 'octopus' as a cultural heritage monument.
You cannot ignore the colorful octopus, because its beauty and original exterior attract everyone's attention. Additionally, it is an amazing place for tourists to take memorable photos. So, if you are wondering which tourist places in Batumi will make you fall in love with its unique architecture, you should definitely visit the cafe-statue 'Octopus'.
Cable Car “Argo” has been operating for more than a decade and is still as relevant as ever. Its upper station is located at 256 metres above sea level, where a beautiful view of the city awaits you. The trip to the upper station lasts for 15 minutes. Additionally, a total of 20 eight-passenger gondolas are operating, which means that the cable car can transport up to 500 people during an hour. An especially compelling scene will greet you at sunset, that will leave no person indifferent. Cable Car “Argo” is a perfect place for those who enjoy the view overlooking the coast and the city.
The building is quite original and is decorated in a way that gives the impression of colored stained glass from the outside. It is one of the best examples of modern architecture and has a characteristic exterior that leaves a lasting impression on the visitor. You will never forget its unique visuals.
Despite the fact that theater performances have been staged in Batumi since 1879, and the theater building already existed since 1884, the present building of the Batumi theater was opened in 1952. In 1959 the theater was named after Ilia Chavchavadze and has been gifting unforgettable performances to the audience. Actors like Mikheil Napireli, Luba Kobeshavidze, Iuri Tsanava, Nino Sakandelidze and others grew up on its stage.
The building of the theater was in a serious need of restoration for a long time and it was achieved in 2015-18. The renovated theater was equipped with infrastructure and modern equipment. You can experience maximum pleasure and comfort now. The exterior of the building is quite interesting, the columned facade reminds you of ancient Greek buildings. It should be noted that the theater has an excellent location as well - near Batumi Boulevard and Europe Square.
Shardevani, the so-called 'Chacha' tower was built in 2012 and is an exact replica of a building of similar purpose existing at the beginning of the 20th century. The building is 25 meters high and you can look over the landscape from the top floor. Beautiful views of the city of Batumi and the Black Sea can be seen from there. There’s also a clock on the 18th floor of the tower, which acts like an actual clock to the passerby. The building is located near the Alphabet Tower and the Ferris Wheel and attracts many visitors because of its height and golden details.
The history of the name of the 'Chacha' tower is related to the traditional Georgian alcoholic drink, chacha. Once a week, for 10-15 minutes, the said drink flowed from the building. People had the opportunity to taste chacha for free. For public safety, alcoholic beverages are no longer served here, but you can enjoy the other uses of this exceptionally beautiful building. It is quite interesting that there was a similar building in Batumi 100 years ago and it had the same purpose.
Like other port cities, Batumi also has its own lighthouse. It was built in 1863 and at first was just a cast-iron column with a dioptric lamp on top. Over time, the old lighthouse needed to be restored and updated. Therefore, its reconstruction began.
The lighthouse was rebuilt in 1882 by French constructors. The old cast-iron column was replaced with a rectangular stone column. A lighting device was installed in the tower. From this point onwards, local meteorological and rescue stations functioned in the one-story wings of the lighthouse.
Batumi lighthouse is a favorite place for many tourists, because in addition to its purpose, it is also a great place to take photos at. It is quite close to the city center and other sights. So, if you decide to see the outstanding architectural buildings of Batumi, you should definitely visit the lighthouse.
Hotel 'Le Meridien' is located in Batumi and is considered to be the tallest building in Transcaucasia. Its height reaches 205 metres and it has a modern design. The hotel is located in the middle of the historic Batumi Boulevard, and in addition to the 105-room hotel, it is an amazing place for enjoying the panoramic views of the city.
The hotel is close sights like: Statue 'Ali and Nino', Europe Square, etc., and it is surrounded by the sea on two sides. If you decide to visit 'Le Meridien', you can enjoy the scenery of the sea, the Caucasus Mountains or the city and its outstanding tourist spots from your room. You’ll also find a restaurant, a conference hall and a spa here.
In addition to the time, the Batumi Astronomical Clock shows the position of the sun, moon, planets and constellations, the meridian, the horizon and other details. It may interest those who are into celestial bodies. The mechanism of the clock is similar to the clock of the Prague City Hall and was made in Germany. It should be noted that the production of the astronomical clock was ordered in 2010 with the decision of the Batumi City Council.
The clock is located on the tower of the building of National Bank of Georgia. This building itself is gorgeous and reminds you of the architecture of European cities. The facade and towers of the building are decorated with green and gold details and look even more beautiful against the background of the local environment. If you want to see an example of European architecture in Batumi, you have to see the astronomical clock.
Colosseum Marina is a 5-star hotel located in the west of Batumi. The building has 10 floors and includes 101 rooms for the guests. In addition to relaxing in a comfortable environment, you will also be able to enjoy the restaurants, spa, conference hall and swimming pools.
The biggest charm of 'Colosseum Marina' Hotel is probably its exterior. It looks like the Roman Colosseum and definitely stands out from the local environment. The rooms offer the most beautiful view of the sea, which will create unforgettable memories. The night lighting makes the building more beautiful and creates a magnificent background for taking pictures.
If you are looking for architecturally outstanding buildings from the tourist places in Batumi, you absolutely need to see the new stadium. 'Adjarabet Arena' was opened in 2020 and it is the home field of Batumi 'Dinamo' and the national football team of Georgia. The arena, equipped with the latest infrastructure and equipment, is designed to host 20000 fans. Its architecture is so outstanding that it was even nominated for the best public buildings in the world in 2023.
'Adjarabet Arena' is white during the day and from a distance it reminds you of an origami figure. The stadium is especially beautiful when illuminated at night and reminds you of a scene of falling dominos. It becomes the most beautiful when the image of the Georgian national flag is displayed on the exterior.
The Batumi Summer Theater was founded in 1947 and has hosted many concerts and theater performances over the years. The building is quite unique, as it’s made of wood. Small round windows add an interesting element to its facade. Additionally, the outside of the theater is decorated with various wooden ornaments and attracts the attention of the passers-bys.
The uniqueness of the architecture of the theater looks like it came to life from a cartoon.
It was restored in 2013 and is located in the center of the boulevard. Thanks to its outstanding design, the summer theater has many visitors during the tourist season. So don't miss the opportunity and if you find yourself in Batumi Boulevard, definitely visit this place.