At the foot of the Caucasus Mountains lies the amazingly beautiful land of Adjara (Georgia). Many tourists come here from different parts of the world to enjoy the sea beaches, get acquainted with ancient monuments, see mysterious gorges and mighty waterfalls. And the guests leave under the impression of the hospitality of local residents, delicious dishes of Adjarian cuisine and the traditional heritage of this people.
Geographical location and climate of Adjara
Adjara occupies an area of 2.9 thousand square kilometers. The entire northwestern side is the Black Sea coast. And in the south, the border with Turkey is more than 100 km long. Adjara consists of mountainous and coastal parts. The coastal regions have a subtropical climate with an average annual temperature of 15 degrees and high humidity. In the upland part, the air is dry and cool.
You can go to Adjara on your own or on a ticket, and all year round. Well-equipped sanatoriums and hospitals will help you restore your health, and seascapes with mountains will help you take beautiful photos. If you like to swim in the sea and sunbathe, plan a vacation in Adjara for the period May-October.
Population
The Republic of Adjara is a part of Georgia, including two cities and seven towns. The population is small – only 400 thousand. Local residents include Armenians, Russians, and others. All of them speak Georgian.
Large investments have given an impetus to the rapid development of tourism. There are no problems with hotel complexes, sanatoriums and boarding houses. This sunny region is attractive for tourists with its service culture and relatively low prices. The products that local residents sell have not only excellent taste, but also high quality. Sausage smells like sausage, and tomatoes smell like tomatoes. The taste of homemade cheese can “swallow your tongue”, and the legendary chacha will not cause a headache.
Religion of Adjara
Adjara is the most Muslim part of the country and has more than 30% of Muslims. Most of them are located in the Khuloy district. Residents of Adjara are also tolerant of other religions. Here, representatives of the Orthodox Church, Catholic, Jewish, etc. feel at ease. Each denomination has its own temple.
Resorts in Adjara
More and more people come to the seaside resorts of Adjara to relax. And it’s not just the beaches and the sun that attract them here. The region treats heart diseases, respiratory organs, and fully restores health without the use of medications. According to experts, people suffering from respiratory problems feel great only in two places in the world: in Italy and Adjara.
Kobuleti
Kobuleti, the most popular resort in the Caucasus, is located near the capital of the autonomous region, Batumi. The city is full of greenery, bamboo and eucalyptus palms. Plantations of tea and citrus produce a refined, unique aroma.
The resort is famous for its healing mineral springs, which treat diseases of the digestive organs, genitourinary system, gallbladder, liver, restore metabolism. For those suffering from hypertension, arthritis and arthrosis, disorders of the nervous system, treatment with mineral baths is provided.
Kvariati and Sarpi
The town is located on the very border of Georgia and Turkey. That is, you can be on Turkish soil in just a few minutes. The sea in this place impresses with cleanliness, and the beaches-with comfort. However, prices here are much higher than in other resorts. Therefore, rest here will not be affordable for everyone.
Chakvi
Not far from Kobuleti there is a small village of Chakvi. This is an ideal place for those who prefer a quiet and peaceful holiday. Young people and lovers of an active lifestyle will be bored here, since there is practically no entertainment. But this resort is loved by those in power in Georgia. Vacationers stay in expensive hotels or rent rooms in cottage houses. Near the village are the ruins of the Petra fortress – one of the most important sights of Adjara.
Mtsvane-Kontskhi or Green Cape
This luxury resort is located near the capital of Adjara. It is also called the Green Cape, because it is covered with greenery throughout the year. The main attraction of the village is the Botanical Garden, famous far beyond the borders of Georgia, planted with rare tropical plants. On the coast there are comfortable hotels, restaurants of local and European cuisine, bars.
Tsikhisdziri
At a distance of 19 kilometers from Batumi is the resort of Tsikhisdziri. There are always vacationers on its Northern and Southern beaches. Southern waters attract divers and divers with their deep, clear sea. Shallow water lovers prefer to swim on the Northern beaches.
Here is a good wellness center for the treatment of diseases of the heart, nervous system, respiratory tract, etc. Thanks to the healing sea air and healing baths, many people fully restore their health on vacation.
Capital of Adjara
The capital of Adjara is Batumi. In addition, it is the main tourist center of the Republic of Georgia. It is home to a little more than 150 thousand people. The city is very ancient, with many old buildings, and next to them towering high-rise structures made of concrete and glass.
The 200-meter-high building of the Batumi Technological University deserves special attention. It is the tallest building in Georgia. Not far from it, you can admire the famous Alphabet Tower, which has an unusual cylindrical shape with letters printed on it.
You can explore the city on your own or with the help of a guide. Interesting excursions and bike rides are provided for tourists. There are gardens and parks, sports fields and shopping centers. Children enjoy walking in the dolphinarium and water park.
An overview of the beaches of Batumi with photos can be found here.
What to see in Adjara
Adjara is famous for its magnificent nature, clear sea and pebble beaches. The most picturesque places you will see are Sarpi and Kvariati, which are located on the border with Turkey. Here you can endlessly admire the sea and the majestic mountains covered with dense forest.
Tired of a beach holiday, you can take a walk in the mountains, visit ancient monasteries and see the sights of Adjara. There are many attractions in this sunny region, including nature reserves, historical monuments, unique waterfalls, etc.
Batumi Botanical Garden
Over 5000 subtropical plant species grow on the territory of 113 hectares. This garden was founded by the Russian botanist Andrey Krasnov in 1880. Thanks to his efforts, a rich collection of exotic plants is collected here. Walking around the garden, you can feel yourself in different parts of the world: Australia, Japan, New Zealand, South America, etc.
The mountain air is saturated with amazing aromas. Stopping at the observation platforms, you will see the vast expanses, take photos of Adjara, which will then remind you of this fabulous land. If you spend the whole day in the garden, you can recharge with such a healing effect, which is obtained after treatment in a sanatorium.
Arched bridges
There are about 25 arch bridges in Adjara. These are ancient structures made in the form of arches. They are examples of Georgian engineering art, and their creation dates back to the XI-XIII centuries.
The most famous arch bridge is named after Queen Tamara and is located on the Acharistskali River. This structure in the form of a giant stone arch hangs over a mountain stream and rests on the edges of two banks. The bridge has no supports, and the feeling of flying is breathtaking when you are in the middle of the bridge. From this place, you get great photos of the surrounding area.
Ancient fortresses
As in other parts of Georgia, there are many fortresses in Adjara that are of interest to tourists on vacation. Let’s focus on the most popular ones.
- Petra Fortress is located in the village of Tsikhisdziri on the sea coast. It was built in the VI century. One side of the fort faced the sea and the rocky shore, the other was surrounded by difficult terrain and fortified walls. All this made it almost impregnable. And there were plenty of people willing to take control of this land and sea (Persia, Turkey, etc.). This landmark is interesting for tourists with its defensive structures, an ancient basilica, and ancient ruins. From here you can see the surrounding area, take a panoramic photo.
- Gonio Fortress is located 15 km from the capital of Adjara. It used to be a Roman outpost on the Black Sea coast. The fort is surrounded by high fortified walls with a length of 900 m, which are well preserved to this day. Here you will see the remains of a ceramic water pipe and Turkish baths. For more excitement, you can climb the top of the fortress wall and walk along its narrow paths. From this place, the entire citadel is perfectly visible, impressive in its scale.
Green Lake
This unique lake is located near the village of Khulo, in the mountainous part of Adjara. Shimmering with all shades of greenery, it impresses travelers with its extraordinary beauty. The lake is very deep, and the depth begins already half a meter from the shore, dropping down to 17 meters. There are no fish or other animals in it. In winter, it never freezes. Getting here is not easy: either on foot from the Goderzi Pass, or by SUV.
Waterfalls
There are many waterfalls in Adjara. The most popular is considered to be Mahuntseti. Here you can take a photo to envy your friends on Instagram, as well as swim. The distance from the capital of Adjara, Batumi, to Makhuntseti is 30 km. Minibuses often go here.
The waterfall is a stunning sight: from a 20-meter height, an avalanche of water falls directly into a huge stone bowl filled with bubbling water. If you bathe in this “bath” under the powerful power of the natural “shower”, you will feel a rejuvenating effect – so says the rumor.
What to bring with you from Adjara
After a trip to the natural and historical sights of this region of Georgia, you will bring home a lot of positive emotions and a lot of interesting photos of Adjara. And be sure to buy local spices and Adjarian cheese at one of the markets – it is extremely delicious here. Don’t forget to buy some wine. One of the best is the Chhaveri variety. Every little thing you bring will remind you of such a beautiful land as Adjara (Georgia), where you will want to come again and again. A selection of interesting gifts and souvenirs that you can buy as a keepsake can be found here.
Interesting facts
- Traffic regulations in Adjara, as in the whole of Georgia, work very conditionally. Therefore, be careful even if you cross the road at a green light — at first it is customary to pass a car that goes to a red light.
- Several scenes of the Soviet film “Love and Doves” were shot in Kobuleti and Batumi.
- Sergey Yesenin dedicated one of his poems to the capital of Adjara.
- The autonomous region boasts a large number of natives who are famous far beyond the borders of Georgia. Among them is jazz singer Nino Katamadze.
- Georgia’s tallest building with a height of 200 m is located in Batumi. This is the building of the University of Technology.
- Adjara is home to the largest number of Muslims among Georgian regions — 30% of them.
