The drive from Tbilisi to Batumi crosses the whole country from east to west. Thanks to the new highway sections, it is now an easy day — but the best part of the trip is what lies a few kilometres off the road.
Stops worth making
Gori and Uplistsikhe (≈ 85 km)
The Stalin Museum in Gori and the 3,000-year-old cave town of Uplistsikhe just east of it — a perfect first break.
Surami (≈ 140 km)
Stalls along the road sell nazuki, a sweet spiced bread baked in clay ovens. Buy it warm.
Rikoti Pass and the tunnel
The road crosses the Likhi range, the border between eastern and western Georgia. The weather and the vegetation often change on the other side.
Kutaisi and Tskaltubo (≈ 230 km)
Georgia's second-oldest city: Bagrati Cathedral, Gelati Monastery and, a short detour away, the Prometheus Cave and the abandoned Soviet spa town of Tskaltubo. Martvili and Okatse canyons are 45 minutes from Kutaisi — reason enough to stay a night.
Black Sea coast
- Ureki — famous for its black magnetic sand, recommended for health.
- Shekvetili — pine forest, a dendrological park and a quiet beach.
- Kobuleti — long pebble beach, 25 minutes before Batumi.
In Batumi
The seafront boulevard, the Old Town, the moving statue of Ali and Nino, and the Batumi Botanical Garden on the cliffs north of the city. South of Batumi: Gonio Fortress and the beach of Sarpi at the Turkish border. In the hills, Mtirala National Park and the Makhuntseti waterfall are an easy half-day trip.
Parking in the centre of Batumi is paid; the easiest way is to choose accommodation with its own parking.
Which car for the coast?
The highway is fine for any car. For a few days on the coast, a comfortable crossover with a big boot is the most popular choice — especially if you continue to the mountains afterwards.
Goderdzi Pass is not allowed with our cars. The mountain road from Batumi through Khulo to Akhaltsikhe and Borjomi has long unpaved sections. To get from Batumi to Borjomi or Vardzia, drive back towards Khashuri on the main highway.
Leaving the car in Batumi? One-way rentals (pick up in Tbilisi, drop off in Batumi or at Kutaisi airport) are possible for longer rentals and depend on availability. Ask us before you book and we will confirm the drop-off and its price.
Practical tips
- Speed cameras are common on the highway — follow the limits.
- Summer weekends are busy around Kobuleti and Batumi; leave early.
- Combine the coast with Svaneti: Batumi → Zugdidi → Mestia is about 5 hours.