North of Batumi: Chakvi, Petra Fortress, Ureki and Gomis Mta Above the Clouds
Tea hills, a Byzantine fortress on a cape, long pebble and black-sand beaches and, an evening's drive inland, a mountain village where the sun sets over a sea of clouds.
North of Batumi the coast runs flat and green past tea hills and resort towns into the region of Guria. It is the side of the coast families love — long beaches, parks and short drives — and it hides one of the most spectacular sunsets in Georgia, at Gomis Mta.
Chakvi: where Georgian tea took root
Chakvi, just past the Green Cape and the Botanical Garden, is where tea growing in Georgia took off in the late 19th century. The hills behind the village are still lined with tea bushes, and the shore is a quieter place to watch the sunset than Batumi.
Petra fortress
On a cape at Tsikhisdziri stand the ruins of Petra, a Byzantine fortress that played its part in the wars between Byzantium and Persia over ancient Lazica. Paths lead through its walls and steps above the sea, with a small lemon garden nearby.
Kobuleti beaches
Kobuleti stretches along a long pebble beach lined with pine trees, guesthouses and cafés. It is calmer than Batumi in summer and a good base for families.
Ureki and Shekvetili
Further north, in Guria, the beach turns black: Ureki is famous for its dark magnetic sand, which many visitors come to for its reputed health benefits. Next door, Shekvetili has a large dendrological park and the open-air Musicians' Park — an easy family day with the sea always close.
Gomis Mta: sunset above the clouds
Inland from Ozurgeti, a mountain road climbs to Gomis Mta, a summer village of wooden houses on high pastures. On many evenings the valleys below fill with cloud, and the sun sets over a white sea with the ridges of the Lesser Caucasus rising out of it.
The last part of the road is rough and best done in a 4×4, and the village is lived in mainly in summer. Bring warm clothes — evenings at altitude are cold even in August.
Local tips
- Kobuleti and Chakvi are within easy reach of Batumi for a half day at the beach.
- Ureki's sand is black and gets very hot in the sun — bring beach shoes.
- Go to Gomis Mta in summer and plan to arrive before sunset; the sea of clouds is never guaranteed, but common.
- Take a warm jacket to Gomis Mta even in July and August.
- Petra fortress has uneven steps — not ideal for strollers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the sea of clouds at Gomis Mta?
On many summer evenings cloud fills the valleys below the village, so you watch the sunset from above it. It depends on the weather and is not guaranteed.
Do you need a 4×4 for Gomis Mta?
The last stretch of the road is rough, so a 4×4 or an experienced local driver is recommended.
Is Ureki good for children?
Yes. The water is shallow near the shore and the beach is wide; just bring shoes, as the black sand heats up quickly.
Which is better for a beach day from Batumi: Kobuleti or Ureki?
Kobuleti is closer and has a pebble beach with pines; Ureki is further but has unusual black sand and a shallow sea.
