— the old boulevard, where the day ends
there's a version of batumi you only meet on foot, with nowhere to be. coffee in the old town, two squares, four faiths within a few minutes' walk, khinkali when you're hungry, and an afternoon that drifts down to the sea.
about six hours, a little over a kilometre, no rush. if you're staying with us you're already inside the map — most of this begins a few minutes from the door.
start at nova.
the old town wakes up slowly, and so should you. we start at nova coffee on parnavaz mepe — specialty coffee, open from eight, calm before the street fills up. order a pour-over, take the window seat, and watch the city come on.
this is the caffeine you'll walk off over the next few hours, so don't rush it. the morning is the whole point.
the piazza, then europe square.
two minutes from your cup, the piazza opens up — mosaic façades, stained glass, a clock tower, and by midday a crowd. at ten it's almost empty, which is exactly when you want it.
keep walking and you reach europe square: medea on her column with the golden fleece, the tall neo-gothic astronomical clock, and enough room to just stand and look up.
the piazza
mosaics, stained glass and the clock tower. quietest before noon.
europe square
medea and the golden fleece, the neo-gothic astronomical clock.
four faiths, five minutes.
this is old batumi's quiet point of pride: within a short walk you pass an orthodox cathedral, an armenian church, the orta jame mosque, and a small working synagogue — four faiths, a few hundred metres apart, all still in use.
step into a courtyard for the cool stone and the shade. mornings are best — fewer people, softer light, and the bells if you're lucky.
domes & spires
the old town's churches — gold domes and ornate façades on quiet streets.
orta jame
the minaret over a cobblestone street — the city's old mosque.
a roastery break at kopi brew.
by now you've earned a second cup. kopi brew roasts its own — a small specialty roastery and shop where the coffee is the point. a quick stop, a fresh bag to take home, and back into the streets.
khinkali at daphna.
when you're properly hungry, go to daphna for the khinkali — honest georgian food in the heart of the old town. order more than you think you need, eat them with your hands, and don't ask for a fork.
this is the long stop of the day. sit, take your time, let the afternoon start without you.
get a little lost.
after lunch, don't aim anywhere. the old town is small enough that getting lost is the plan — carved balconies, peeling façades, a spire at the end of every other street, cats asleep in the sun.
finish on the boulevard.
let the streets tip you out onto the boulevard. walk the promenade to the water, find a bench or a flat stone on the pebble beach, and stay until the light goes orange over the sea. that's the day.
the route,
on a map.
places you can visit.
the piazza, europe square, the cathedral, orta jame mosque and the synagogue are public landmarks — no booking, just walk up.
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