10 best places in Adjara

10 best places in Adjara for every taste!

If summer is already approaching or you have happy and carefree days of vacation ahead of you, then it's time to start thinking about where and how you will spend it so that it is especially memorable, impressive, and full of positive emotions.

Georgia has many beautiful and unique places for people of all tastes and styles, whether you prefer to relax by the sea or in the mountains , but we agree that spending your vacation days thinking about where to go is a waste of time and it is better to plan everything in advance.

This time, we will focus your attention on Western Georgia, specifically the region of Adjara , where the youthful life of the Black Sea coast and the radically different life of mountainous Adjara wonderfully blend together.

When you hear the word "Adjara", I'm sure everyone will first think of the city of Batumi and the Black Sea coastline.

Yes, that's largely true, but you'll agree that Adjara is not just about the sea and the coast. Just like in other parts of Georgia, in Adjara you can discover and enjoy places that will surprise and delight you.

In this article, I will take you on a journey and introduce you to places still unknown to many, where people of any character and taste will find their place to unwind and experience new emotions...

In order to plan your route properly, let's first break down what you can see in Upper Adjara.

What to see in Adjara!

If you are a nature and hiking lover, something you should visit alongside Mtsvane Kontskhi and Mtirala National Parks is the Goderdzi Alpine Botanical Garden . It is located in the Khulo district , 3 kilometers from the Goderdzi Pass and is 1960 meters above sea level. The best time to visit the botanical garden is from May to October. The garden is planted with vegetation appropriate and characteristic of the alpine and sub-alpine zone, which stretches over approximately 10 hectares. 161 different species of plants naturally grow and thrive in the park itself. The park has various types of spaces, such as hiking or picnic areas. The garden is also divided into different zones, lake, swamp, and spring zones. There is a nursery zone, as well as an apiary, where Jara honey is also obtained in parallel with modern hives. This is a unique tradition of honey production that has survived in Upper Adjara and occupies a worthy place among modern forms of honey production.

Jara is a traditional Georgian hive that our ancestors used to domesticate bees. In the highlands of Adjara, mainly in the Merisi Valley, jara continues to exist alongside modern hives and is no less popular because there are very few places in the world where there is a natural way to get honey from wild bees, which locals still use to this day. Jara is an ordinary, hewn log of wood, in which a new bee colony is housed. It does not require artificial combs or special care. Honey is harvested from jara only once a year. This happens in June, between the 10th and 15th. It is worth noting that jara honey is 100% natural.

Goderdzi Botanical Park has walkways that allow for pleasant walking and good viewing. There is also a rock garden here. This is a certain part of the garden where vegetation characteristic of high mountains is grown.

On your way to the Goderdzi Alpine Botanical Garden, you will witness the extraordinary beauty of the nature characteristic of Adjara, Adjarian odes, rivers, and waterfalls, and my advice is to definitely bring a camera to capture and remember these beautiful shots.

Hiking in Adjara!

As a second sight, I would like to recommend Green Lake , which is also located near the Goderdzi Pass, just 6 kilometers away, and it is possible to plan a 1-day tour with the above.

Green Lake is located at an altitude of 2058 meters above sea level. In the sub-alpine zone, you will find beautiful views during the spring-summer period. Based on the name of the lake, it is easy to guess that the lake has a green tint, and this is where the name comes from.

Green Lake is an ideal place for hiking enthusiasts, as well as for picnics. It is possible to freely walk around the lake, which will not take you much time and will allow you to enjoy various beautiful views.

The waterfall is located in the village of Mirveti, which is 28-30 kilometers from Batumi. You can easily find this sight by following the signs in the village. On hot summer days, this is a wonderful place to cool off and enjoy the impressive sight. It is also possible to swim in the river that flows near the waterfall, so it would be good if you bring a swimsuit. Cycling enthusiasts will also find a short but beautiful cycling route in Mirveti.

Extreme in Adjara!

4. Tago Cable Car

If you are an extreme sports fan, then I can recommend the "Tago" cable car , which is located in the Khulo district and connects the village of Tago with the Khulo district center. The length of the cable car is 1720 meters, and the height is 280 meters.

The cable car is mainly a way to shorten the route for locals, but adrenaline and extreme sports enthusiasts will be no less interested.

A cable car ride promises extraordinary views and unforgettable emotions...

By the way, in 2014, Russian extreme sportsmen performed a parachute jump from a cable car, and despite the height being only 280 meters, the jump was successful.

The waterfall is located in the village of Merisi in Keda Municipality, where it is accessible both by road and by minibus from Batumi.

The distance from Batumi to the Keda district is 40 kilometers, and from the center of Keda to the Merisi Gorge is 10 kilometers. You can reach Merisi by well-maintained road.

If you have time while in Keda, you can also visit Zendidi Fortress, which unfortunately has only survived in ruins. Its total length is 50 meters.

You won't have to go to Merisi just to see the waterfall. This is a place where nature lovers will enjoy the view of the Alpine mountains, as well as feel and enjoy the rural idyll. On the way to Merisi, you will come across family-style hotels where you can taste local, Adjarian dishes, and if you wish, you can also rent an apartment or room for a few days where you will fully experience the lifestyle and traditions of Upper Adjara.

One of the must-see places in Keda is the Medzhibna Waterfall . It is located in the village of Medzhibna, 7 kilometers from Keda, and leaving without seeing it is truly a crime against yourself.

This is a large, flowing and powerful waterfall that will truly leave an indelible impression on your eyes. It is possible to take extraordinary photos against the backdrop of this beauty, not to mention the nature and amazing beauty characteristic of Upper Adjara.

7. Apartment-tent "Hill Inn"

You will agree that after an interesting day, spending the night is no less important. For people who are like to spend the night in a tent and spend the evening around a campfire further enhances the positive emotions, some prefer a family-style hotel, but I am sure that we will all agree that for a night out, the “Hill Inn” offers a surprisingly large exotic in which these two are ideally combined. “Hill Inn” is a modern tent that consists of 1 room, but it is more reminiscent of a beloved, cozy apartment. In the tent-apartment you will find a small kitchen with all the necessary and necessary inventory. You can enjoy a cup of coffee and enjoy the beautiful views of the mountainous Adjara on the open terrace in front of the tent, furnished with wooden tables and chairs. There is also an open sauna-pool, an exotic type of hammock and sun loungers. The area is equipped with wireless internet and is included in the room rate.

'Hill Inn' is located in Keda. If you are traveling by car, the tent-apartment also has a parking space. Pets are also allowed. The only restriction is smoking.

Resort in Adjara!

8. Gomarduli Resort

If you decide to visit Adjara in winter or just happen to be there during that season, it is not at all necessary to head to Bakuriani or Gudauri to relax at a winter resort. Adjara has its own winter resort, Gomarduli, which is located at an altitude of 1120 meters above sea level. Gomarduli is a village in the Shuakhevi district and is 23-25 kilometers from the regional center. The season here starts at the end of November and lasts until March-April. You can rent both cottages and family houses with or without meals. The ski slope is 250-300 meters long. Ski rental is also possible on site.

What to see and where to go near Batumi!

If you don't want to travel too far or you can't, you can visit Lake Tbikeli , which is located nearby,in the Kobuleti municipality . It is 2000 meters above sea level. In winter, it is covered with snow and ice.

The lake is located in the territory of the Kintrishi State Reserve.

A tourist trail runs near the lake.

10. Sky Bar "Nefele"

And finally, for those returning to Batumi, we offer another great place to spend both an energetic and a quiet evening.

This is the Nefeleia Sky Bar, located in the Hilton Batumi Hotel, where you can taste both Georgian and Asian-European cuisine.

"Nefele" offers delicious desserts, signature cocktails, and the best selection of wine.

Your chosen evening, whether it's dinner or dessert with a cup of tea, will be pleasantly combined with the sounds of live music.

I'm sure no one will be able to resist the temptation to try Nefele's signature cocktail or a glass of the best wine and enjoy the incredible views of both the city and the Black Sea from the open terrace.

Adjarian dishes!

You will agree that it is especially pleasant and interesting to taste foreign dishes when traveling. I will not tell you about such standard and common Adjarian dishes as Adjarian khachapuri , achma , baklava , etc.

In this list, I will introduce you to several foreign dishes that you should definitely try while in Upper Adjara.

Duck.

The first dish is yakhni, which meat lovers will especially enjoy. This dish is common throughout Adjara, but Kobuleti yakhni is special.

It is made from beef, which is sautéed with butter, onions, and saffron, and finally garnished with spiced walnuts and various seasonings. The dish is served hot, but it is no less delicious the next day when the spices and walnuts are well-integrated into the dish.

Malachite.

Malakhto is an Adjarian dish made from kidney beans. After cooking, they are strained and seasoned with various spices, onions, herbs, and walnuts. Finally, a sauce of dried grapes, called Isrim, is added, which gives the dish a special and unforgettable flavor.

The dish is served cold, preferably with hot chad.

Upper Adjara is characterized by mainly rich and fatty foods, many of which are made with butter, erbo, and nadughi.

Here are a few of them:

Borano.

This dish is made from mountain cheese, which is sliced and soaked in hot water to make the cheese stretchy. It is placed in a cold bowl and topped with melted butter. The dish is delicious and nutritious. It goes well with chadi. It is mainly served for breakfast and dinner.

Signor.

Sinori is also a hearty dish, made from thin, fried sheets of dough, to which noodles mixed with garlic dissolved in water and hot melted butter are added.

Kaimagh.

Since kaimagi is not a dish as such, it is edible.

It has a thick, creamy texture and contains a fairly high fat content of almost 60%.

Kaimagh is prepared as follows: milk is slowly boiled, and after boiling, it is stirred and left in a warm place for several hours, and sometimes even a day. It is served with chad and cheese.

Since it falls into the dessert category, it is also delicious with baklava and honey pancakes, and has a special and memorable taste with kombucha and apples.

I will conclude my review of Adjarian cuisine with Adjarian desserts, one of which is burme, and the other is boregi.

Burmese

It is a sweet similar to baklava, in the shape of a roll. It is made with butter, walnuts or hazelnuts, and sugar. Freshly baked burmese is poured with hot syrup made with saffron and lemon zest.

Borage

It is made from a mixture of ground walnuts or hazelnuts with sugar, which is wrapped in a thin layer of dough and baked in the oven. It is baked until golden brown, and when it is ready, it is poured with boiling syrup and hot ghee, the same as salted butter.

They also make it another way: they coat it with greasy bread flour and fill it with sugared walnuts or hazelnuts. They roll it up like a roll.

This time, this was just a review of Adjarian dishes , but believe me, Adjarian cuisine is much more diverse and exotic.

I think you have a sufficient idea of the dishes and desserts typical of Upper Adjara , and I'm sure you've already promised yourself to try everything, which, believe me, is the best decision among the best.

Both desserts, along with the dishes listed above, are incredibly delicious and will make your trip to Adjara truly unforgettable.

For my part, I wish you to start packing your luggage right now, which, together with the information provided above, is already one step forward towards traveling to Adjara!