Where to go on a beach holiday in Georgia? A selection of popular resorts for active recreation, treatment and holidays with children. Prices for all-inclusive packages, hotels and groceries. Tips and reviews from tourists.
Georgia is a hospitable, friendly and very diverse country. It literally has everything. Majestic mountains, warm sea, delicious food and wine, friendly locals and rich culture - every guest will find something to do on vacation in Georgia.
Last minute tours search on the services and - they will find the best offers among different tour operators. Want to save money? Explore our.
Rent a car- this is the best way to travel! - reliable and convenient car rental service in Georgia. Choose a car to suit your taste and budget - there is a wide choice. Car rental costs from $23 per day. Do you have any questions? The Russian-speaking support service will help you with everything.
Beach holidays in Georgia
The Caucasus Mountains provide the country with protection from cold winds, and the climate near the sea is very favorable.
The peak summer tourist season in Georgia is July and August. At the same time, people also swim in the sea in May and September.
In June and September, daytime temperatures on the beaches of Georgia are the most comfortable - up to +25°C. The sea warms up to 20°C. July and August are hotter months; during the day the air warms up to +30°C, and the water temperature at this time is +25°C.
However, not everything is so rosy, because the weather in the country is changeable - there are winds, big waves, and rain. In general, you will remember a seaside holiday in Georgia in the summer because of the hot weather.
(Photo © jagermesh / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0)
Which resort in Georgia to choose for a beach holiday
Where to go on a beach holiday in Georgia? The country's most famous seaside resort is. This is one of the favorite vacation spots not only for Russians, but also for residents of the CIS countries. Batumi will appeal to those who want to relax by the sea without leaving civilization. Here, ancient buildings coexist with skyscrapers, and all this is right on the Black Sea coast.
In addition to relaxing by the sea, in Batumi you can visit the central area - the attractions are collected there. These are singing fountains, a summer theater, a dolphinarium, and a little further - the Botanical Garden. With children in Batumi you can visit the dolphinarium, zoo and Seaside Park.
Not far from Batumi there is a village Gonio. There is practically no entertainment here, but the nature is very beautiful. There are ancient houses and fortresses. The beaches in Gonio are more secluded and calm - only casual tourists need to be wary. This combination - the lack of infrastructure and a beautiful natural landscape - is typical of many Georgian resorts, but if you are going to explore the country from the inside, then these are the best options for relaxing by the sea in Georgia.
Kobuleti is also a popular holiday destination in Georgia. First of all, the resort is known for its healing properties - clean air and forest area. The beaches in Kobuleti are small-pebble, and entertainment includes yachting, catamaran and scooter rentals.
According to tourists, the roads in Kobuleti are not very good, but in the north of the resort you can easily stay in a tent on the shore. Villages are also suitable for a more secluded holiday. Shekvetili, Grigoleti or Tsikhisdziri- you will find a wild beach holiday in Georgia right here.
(Photo © booking.com / Mgzavrebi Gonio ApartHotel)
By the river- the resort is more relaxed and inexpensive. The uniqueness of this place is the black magnetic sands, which have healing properties. The sandy beach in this region of Georgia (in fact, Ureki is a small village) is very attractive to tourists, because pebbles are not suitable for everyone. Tourists note that these places are characterized by rain, and as a result, mosquitoes. However, lovers of a relaxing beach holiday will love this corner of Georgia.
(Photo © torbence / flickr.com)
There are also beaches in Georgia with mountain air and crystal clear water. First of all, this is Kvariati - a village near the border with Turkey. The combination of mountain and sea air makes this place unique in its healing properties, and it is also the only place in the country where you can go diving.
To summarize, Batumi is a large modern city with infrastructure, Kobuleti is a small mid-level resort, and Ureki is a small village with sandy beaches.
According to tourists, the cleanest sea in the Batumi region is in the villages Sarpi, Kvariati, Gonio, in a southerly direction. In the north of Batumi, the best beaches are in the area Cape Verde.
Prices for tours and hotels in Georgia in 2019
Georgia is a fairly inexpensive country. Let's consider prices for tours to Georgia with a seaside holiday (Batumi, Kobuleti) with departure from Moscow.
In July 2019, prices for tours to Georgia start from 60 thousand for two in Kobuleti and from 65 thousand for two in Batumi. For this price you will get a week of beach holiday in a three-star hotel, about 500-1000 meters from the sea. In August, prices are even nicer - from 53 thousand in Kobuleti and from 56 thousand in Batumi (the conditions are the same). But there are almost no all-inclusive holidays in Georgia. Hotels above three stars are very rare, and the rooms in them are many times more expensive.
If you travel on your own, you can find accommodation right on the spot or book online on the Rumguru service. For example, in Batumi, a room in a 3* hotel costs from 1,500 rubles per night, and the location can be very good - literally a few blocks away from the sea.
Keep in mind that Georgia also has a huge selection of private housing. Search for apartments, apartments or houses through the Airbnb service. There you can choose both original and simply budget accommodation.
See how much hotels cost in Georgian resorts in the summer of 2019:
(Photo © booking.com / Argo Hotel)
Prices in Georgia - 2019
You will remember your seaside holiday in Georgia at reasonable prices. A 1.5 liter bottle of water costs only 1 GEL (about 25 Russian rubles), wine is also inexpensive - from 11 GEL per bottle. A cup of cappuccino costs 3.5 GEL, the same price for a 0.33 liter can of beer.
The average bill for dinner in a restaurant is about 15 GEL. On embankments and in tourist places, food is more expensive. Keep in mind that portions in Georgia are generous, so one dish is often enough for two adults.
You can travel by bus within the city for 0.5 GEL, between villages - 2-3 times more expensive.
Beach infrastructure is also affordable. Renting a sunbed and umbrella costs from 3 to 5 GEL for one thing, depending on the beach - this is the price per day. You can pay by the hour, then an umbrella and a sunbed will cost 1 GEL per hour.
(Photo © kryshen / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY 2.0)
Seaside holidays in Georgia with children
What is important to know if you are going to Georgia on vacation with a child?
You don’t need a visa, but you need to include your child in your passport or get him your own.
If you are planning a seaside holiday in Georgia for less than a week, it is better to stay in Batumi. There is definitely entertainment for both the child and you - a dolphinarium, a water park, walks along the shore and along the embankment. Batumi also has many pharmacies and supermarkets where you can buy medicines and baby food.
For older children, you can order dishes in a cafe, simply specifying that less spices are needed. In addition, almost any menu includes such familiar things as rice or potatoes, so you and your child can eat without any problems.
If you come for 2-3 weeks, resorts with less developed infrastructure are suitable. Kvariati you will enjoy the purest mountain air, By the river- sand and flat bottom. From here you can get to Batumi by bus in about 20 minutes. A ticket costs about 1.5 lari.
An important feature of Georgia is the absence of fresh milk in large cities, only ultra-pasteurized milk, stored for a year. Therefore, living with a child in a small village and buying fresh milk from the locals is a good option; you definitely won’t find this in supermarkets.
(Photo © varfolomeev / flickr.com / License CC BY-NC 2.0)
for family leisure, and also get comprehensive information necessary to plan your movement around the city with children. We assure you that visiting the places on this list will bring you no less joy than your dear offspring. The atmosphere of “family” Tbilisi will completely captivate you. Feel how children are loved and cherished here, how carefully they are treated, and what they are willing to do for their smile! So let's begin.
Parks, attractions:
Vake Park
Vake Park was opened in 1946. This is the largest and greenest park in the city. There are many fountains in the center of the park, including ones you can go into and run around. In the summer they work, and in the heat children always frolic in them. In the evenings they turn on beautiful lighting. You can ride cars around the fountain. There are a couple of ice cream cafes. There are several children's playgrounds. One is quite large, with a soft surface, the rest are smaller, but also cozy - with slides and swings. There are places where you can have a picnic on the grass. Sometimes people come here to celebrate a child’s birthday in the fresh air, but still within the city limits. There are always a lot of mothers, nannies, grandfathers and grandmothers walking with their kids. The park also houses Shumbaland, a new amusement park, and a media library.
Address: Chavchavadze Avenue 76, Vake district
How to get there: minibus No. 170, 137 from Rustaveli.
Working hours: 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Price: Free admission.
Rike
Rike Park is located in the very center of the old city, on the left bank of the Kura. This is the newest park in Tbilisi, and the best option for spending time with the youngest children. There are no steps or dangerous sharp corners. Several places have soft surfaces. A round swing where you can put and rock even a baby who doesn’t even know how to sit. Although it will be pleasant for children and adults of any age to visit here - the park is modern, with a beautiful design.
What's interesting here? A flower clock at the entrance, a cable car station to and from Mother Georgia, a lot of greenery, illuminated singing fountains (they are turned on in the evenings during the warm season), soft children's playgrounds for games and roller skating and skating, a chess board with figures in meter high, and much more. The downside is the lack of a proper toilet on the premises, plus the trees planted not long ago do not provide shade, so on hot days it is better to come here with children in the evening. But there are also many advantages!
How to get there: It’s very easy to find it - walk along the Leselidze side - and you’re already in the park. Or from Meydan: cross the Metekhi Bridge over the Kura River. The third option is from: take the subway, cross the road from the metro and go down the stairs or along the steep cobblestone street along the weeping wall. Or by cable car from the Narikala fortress. If you are driving, there is underground parking next to the park.
Working hours: open 24 hours a day.
Price: Free admission.
In the very center of the old city, at the foot of Narikala, there is the huge ancient Tbilisi Botanical Garden. It’s very nice to walk along it with children, listen to the sound of the river, breathe clean air right in the heart of Tbilisi. Children will be interested in looking at unusual plants, for example, seeing real bamboo, watching frogs in a pond, and even in the warm season, swimming in a small picturesque pond with a waterfall. Not far from the entrance there is an excellent two-level children's playground with a bungee and various rope structures for climbing and hanging. The kids really like it! There are toilets in the garden, and there is a drinking waterfall near the entrance where you can get water for a long walk.
Address: st. Botanical (Botanicuri), 1.
How to get there: You can enter while descending from the Narikala fortress, or climb on foot from or from Meydan.
Working hours: from 9:00 to 18:00 (entrance, but you can leave later than 18:00).
Price: children free, adults 2 lari ($0.75).
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/NBGGEO/
Dedaena
Translated - Native Speech Park. It is located right next to the House of Justice, on the embankment. It may not be worth coming here from somewhere special. But if you are walking nearby, or came to the Dry Bridge for trinkets, we recommend visiting this special place. There are no cafes or attractions here, but there is coolness, greenery, peace and quiet. The park is attractive because it has no levels, so you don’t have to worry about your child falling from somewhere. Tbilisi parents bring their children here to ride bicycles, roller skates or skateboards - there is a roller skating rink.
Address: left bank of the Mtkvari (Kura) river, Dry Bridge.
How to get there: on foot from Kolkhoz Square, crossing the bridge over the road to the House of Justice.
Working hours: open to the public 24 hours a day.
Price: Free admission.
Mushtaidi
This park has a particularly interesting history. It is truly ancient - according to legend, it was founded in the 19th century by a Persian named Mushtaid in honor of his late Georgian wife. Also, back in 1934, the very first children's railway in the world, 1 km long, was inaugurated here! She still works now. Previously, even the controllers and drivers on it were children, now - not, but still it is a very interesting and memorable place in which children will not only relax, but also touch the history and flavor of the “warm city” of Tbilisi.
In the park you can see sculptures of characters from cartoons and fairy tales; children will have fun running under the jets of the fountain, riding the train and various attractions. The park is clean, green, with many benches. Now it is on private property, so it is not open 24 hours a day.
Address: st. David Kipiani
How to get there: minibus No. 6, 85 and 109 from Kolkhoznaya Square.
Working hours: 11:00-18:00 (until 20:00 in the warm season).
Price: Free admission.
Bombora Park on Mtatsminda
On the upper plateau of the famous Tbilisi funicular there is a huge modern and picturesque park with many coniferous trees, a wide selection of attractions, a Ferris wheel, a dinosaur park, a shooting range, a water playground for children, a wooden town, carousels, and more. There are several cafes and restaurants on its territory, including a cafe in the funicular station building. You can easily hang out here all day. On Mount Mtatsminda the air is cooler than in Tbilisi. There are many places where you can sit on a bench in the shade. There are fountains, kiosks with fresh juices and smoothies. But this all works during the season and on weekends. On weekdays in winter, the park is open, but many entertainments are not available. Despite this, you should definitely come here at any time of the year - even if only for the funicular ride and the observation deck with an incredible view of the city.
On the road to Bombora, to the left of the highway in a pine forest there is a restaurant “Taglaura” with a children’s playground. Recommended for visiting with children! The food is delicious, the prices are reasonable, and there is plenty of room for children to have fun. It’s probably better to eat here than in the park - it’s more expensive and the choice of dishes is limited.
How to get there: from the lower funicular station, or by buses No. 90 and 124, going from McDonald's to the street. Rustaveli.
Working hours: 11:30-21:00 (until 19:00 in low season, until 23:00 in summer).
Price: Free admission. A plastic card of the park, which is used to make all payments in it, costs 2 lari ($0.75). Attractions – from 2 GEL and above.
Zoos
Tbilisi City Zoo
Founded back in 1927, it is still a favorite family vacation spot for residents and guests of the capital. There is a lot of talk and gossip around it - some don’t like the fact that it is located right in the city center, others advocate for improving living conditions for animals. Especially a lot of negativity was directed at the management of the zoo after the notorious flood in 2015. Despite all these controversial facts, the zoo has been restored and is once again welcoming everyone. Elephants, hippopotamus, zebras, deer, llamas, lions, monkeys, ostriches, peacocks and many other animals live here. The Exotarium is open. There are also various attractions and a Ferris wheel. They sell cotton candy and other delicacies, healthy and not so healthy.
Address: st. Kostava, 64.
How to get there: No. 72 and 2c Avlabari, Kolkhoz Square, Freedom Square and Rustaveli.
Working hours:
From March to May from 10:00 to 19:00.
From May to September: from 10:00 to 21:00.
From September to December: from 10:00 to 19:00.
From December to March: from 10:00 to 18:00.
Price: children under 3 years old - free of charge, from 3 to 12 years old - 1 GEL ($0.35), from 12 years old and older - 2 GEL ($0.75).
Web site: http://www.zoo.ge/?lang=eng
Petting Zoo on Kolkhoznaya FAUNALAND ”
Address: Former Kolkhoz Square (“Kolmeurneoba” in Georgian), st. Vekua 3.
The GTC shopping complex is located there. On the ground floor of the building there is a “Carefur” store and a small cafe. Above it, on the third floor, is this small but cozy zoo.
It has two halls – “Farm” and “Jungle”. At the Farm you will see a calf, a sheep, a goat, piglets, chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs and a variety of birds: several breeds of chickens, geese, turkeys, as well as peacocks, pheasants and ostriches. All animals can be fed and almost all can be held. There are many you can visit in the paddock.
In the “Jungle” themed room there are many terrariums inhabited by a python, a crocodile caiman, a bearded dragon, bald sphinx rats, a skink - a lizard with a blue tongue, tarantula spiders, huge cockroaches, an iguana and large Achatina snails. In addition, flying dogs, parrots, pygmy hedgehogs, land and water red-eared turtles live there. For the latter there is a small pond.
How to get there:
Crossing the bridge over the road from the House of Justice - a famous building of modern architecture that looks like mushrooms.
From the city center - Rustaveli Street - you can also come on foot - from Alexander Park go down the bridge.
By minibus. Route taxis No. 176 go here (the end is at Kolkhoznaya, ask any passer-by where Carrefour is, and they will direct you). No. 150, 140, 149 drive past the House of Justice.
Working hours: Every day from 11:00 to 20:00.
Price: adult ticket 10 lari ($3.70), children’s ticket – 8 lari ($3). Children under 3 years old are free.
Web site: trogay.ru
Petting Zoo “ZOOTOPIA” in Tbilisi Mall
TbilisiMall is a large shopping center. Located in the western part of the city, at the exit towards Mtskheta, on the 16th kilometer of Agmasheneblis Kheivani (Agmashenebeli Highway). For entertainment for children, it has a BoomBoom children's center and a petting zoo. In principle, it is not much different from FAUNALAND, except that it has a larger territory, and there are some animals that are not in the first one: meerkats, kittens, a lot of monkeys. The only downside is that it’s a long drive, but it can be combined with shopping.
Address: Agmashenebeli Highway, 16th km, 3rd floor of TbilisiMall.
Working hours: from 10:00-22:00 daily.
Ticket price: 7 GEL for an adult ticket, 7 GEL for a child’s ticket ($2.60).
How to get there: minibus No. 51, 116, 117.
Facebook page: facebook.com/zoozootopia
Children's centers
Boom Boom
Not the largest and most well-equipped children's center in Tbilisi, but it also has its advantages. For example, the music here is not as loud as in Focus Mokus, by the way. If you came to TbilisiMall for shopping, or to take your children to the petting zoo and children's center at the same time, then you will find yourself in a place where there is a cafe, a large selection of slot machines, as well as a fenced area for the little ones with labyrinths, small cars, houses , trampoline, ball pit, toy dishes, etc. By signing the appropriate document, you can even leave your children here for an hour or two to go shopping in peace.
Address: Agmashenebeli Highway, 16th km, 3rd floor of Tbilisi Mall.
Working hours: from 10:00-22:00 daily.
How to get there: minibus No. 51, 116, 117.
Price: a soft play area plus a labyrinth costs 8 lari ($3).
Focus-Mokus
The largest entertainment complex for the whole family in Tbilisi is currently located in the EastPoint shopping center. Everything is here! And slot machines, and a huge climbing slide, and a carousel, and a train making a circle around the hall, and an excellent soft playground for the little ones.
Address: st. Alexandre Tvalchrelidze, 3, EastPoint entertainment center.
How to get there: minibus No. 224, 89, 119.
Working hours: from 11:00 to 22:00.
Price: Various packages are offered, starting from 15 lari ($5.50).
Madagascar
Perhaps the biggest advantage of this center is that it is located right on Rustaveli. Any tourist walking in the city center will find it without problems, and there is no need to go anywhere special. In “Madagascar” there is a cafe and a small hall with slides and labyrinths. We do not recommend going here with very young children under three years old, as the slides here are quite steep, and there is not that much space, so sitting in a cafe while the kids are having fun will not work out very well - you will have to climb everywhere with your little one. Although, if this is not a problem for you, or you were walking along Rustaveli and nearby streets, and you were caught in bad weather, this is quite a good option to entertain the children.
Address: st. Mikeladze, 11. Rustaveli cinema building.
How to get there: walk from Rustaveli or Tavisupleba metro stations.
Working hours: from 11:00 to 21:00.
Price: 7 lari ($2.60) 1 hour, 10 lari ($3.70) – for 2 children.
TbiliKids
On the outskirts of Tbilisi, in Digomi, there is a large entertainment center for children of all ages. Parents of very young children will especially like it: there is a lot of space, it’s clean, and there is a cafe with good food. For older children there are slot machines. For preschoolers - classrooms with professions: supermarket, gas station, clinic, beauty salon. There are battery-powered cars that kids can ride in. You can also do some crafts with children for an additional fee.
Address: Marshal Gelovani Ave., 36. This is on the way to TbilisiMall.
How to get there: minibus No. 19 from the House of Justice, No. 34 - from Avlabari metro station and from Freedom Square.
Working hours: from 10:00 to 22:00.
Price: from 10 GEL ($3.70) – playground, 2 hours. There are packages with unlimited time, discounts for large families.
Facebook page: facebook.com/TbiliKids2015/
Experimentarium
This is a relatively new interactive museum of chemistry and physics. Here you can touch all the exhibits, assemble and disassemble them, and check how they work. There is a darkened room where you can draw in the sand and touch the Tesla ball. There is also a room with musical instruments and a compartment where you can play with giant soap bubbles, and for a fee of 2 lari ($0.75) children and adults can try their strength on a gyroscope - a special chair for testing the vestibular apparatus of astronauts.
How to get there: there is no public transport there. You can take the metro to Tavisuplebis Moedani and go towards the Government House, from where you need to go up to the street parallel to Rustaveli.
Price: children under 3 years old - free, from 3 to 6 years old - 9 GEL ($3.35), from 7 to 17 years old - 11 GEL ($4), adults - 13 GEL ($4.80). Family package for two adults and two children – 39 GEL ($14.50).
Facebook page: facebook.com/experimentorium.ge/
Theaters
Theater named after Griboedova
The Russian theater in Tbilisi has existed for a very long time - since the beginning of the 20th century. A few years ago, the Theater named after. Griboyedov received the title of best Russian theater abroad. On New Year and Christmas there is a real boom in this theater - during the holidays all the Russian-speaking children of Tbilisi are here! But throughout the year, interesting performances for children and adults are staged here. Among the first, the theater currently presents to your attention “The Adventures of Carlson”, “Scarlet Sails”, “The Scarlet Flower”, “The Tale of Tsar Saltan”.
“Or maybe I really should go on vacation with my husband,” I thought for the third day. Every summer, my husband takes the boys for a couple of weeks and goes with them to Ukraine or Crimea. And I rest at home, and they manage to unwind. But since these places had already been traveled far and wide, my husband was thinking about going to Abkhazia this year. I did research through word of mouth, and Abkhazia was decisively replaced with Georgia.
Idea
There were no problems with purchasing air tickets and choosing a hotel. A couple of clicks, and lukewarm itinerary receipts were already crawling out of the printer. Flip flops, swimming trunks and Panama hats flew into the suitcase, and I slowly began to catch myself thinking that I wanted to go with them, especially since Varya stayed with me, and it wouldn’t be bad for her to swim in the sea either. The friend who recommended this direction described the delights there too deliciously, and my mother and sister convinced me that a change of scenery would be beneficial.
A day later I finally matured, but, as it turned out, it was too late: there were no more plane tickets. And our men flew away without us.
Of course, it would be possible to arrive later, but my daughter is not included in my foreign passport. I had a faint hope that this could be fixed quickly. And as soon as our men got into the taxi, we went with her to the passport office.
Much to my disappointment, the secretary on site said that they could not register the child for me. They offered to give my daughter a separate passport. “Especially since now it’s fast. Only 2 weeks!” the passport officer said cheerfully. “If you have all the documents with you, the registration will take 15 minutes,” the girl added, still smiling. I don’t know why I agreed (in 2 weeks mine will be back), but we submitted the documents. It was Tuesday August 13th.
Then everything was like a movie miracle. On Friday morning, while I was rummaging through my laptop, a website with air tickets accidentally fell out of my bookmarks. Just out of curiosity, I clicked on the right direction - and tickets for Sunday happily fell out to me. “Yes, now they are there when there are no documents,” I thought sadly, and my hand was already reaching for the phone: “Tell me, can I find out if my passport is ready?” — I asked the operator at the other end of the line with a breath. “Just a second,” the girl answered, and a cheerful clicking of keys was heard in the receiver. “Yes, you can take it,” it sounded as if I had been handed a jackpot in a casino.
“Varyunya, we’re going to see dad and brothers!” — I laughed, grabbing the baby in my arms. Just to make it before closing. If only there were still tickets...
After 1.5 hours we were already stuffing swimsuits, dresses and beach bags into our suitcase. "Missed you?" — I wrote an SMS to my husband. Having received an affirmative answer, she reported the flight number with the team to meet the girls’ landing. I can imagine my husband’s surprised face at that moment.
Reunion
Sunday. Metro. Paveletsky railway station. Aeroexpress. Domodedovo. Reseption. Passport control. Boarding gate. By the way, I didn’t need any additional documents at all, except for two passports, including route receipts. It turned out that it’s not at all difficult to fly away on vacation on your own, even with a small child. Another 2 hours in the sky, and Gamarjoba, Georgia!
Batumi airport was just a toy compared to Moscow. Smiling passport officers - I noticed that I’m lucky with them. One conveyor belt, 10 minutes, and I caught my suitcase.
At the exit to the waiting room, a guy and a girl in national costumes are treated to delicious baklava. "Mom mom!" - joyful cries of those greeting. We haven’t seen each other for less than five days, and mine are already so tanned. “Well, let’s go, girls,” said the beaming husband.
Actually rest
The sea was magnificent! Across the road, 2 minutes walk. The beach is pebble, but there are places with a soft entrance made of volcanic dark sand. There were great waves for several days. After about 3 meters the depth begins, but these meters are enough for children to splash in the warm water. The majority of vacationers sunbathe on towels, right on the pebbles, but, of course, there are also sun loungers with umbrellas for a fee. And yes, they also carry churchkhela, corn and other beach snacks. There are a lot of people, but there is always somewhere to sit without tripping over other people’s sandals.
Various inflatable swimming devices are especially popular among vacationers. Everyone, young and old, rides on colorful donuts along the waves in the surf line, but for some reason only a few swim further. Honestly, I don’t know what this is connected with. It seemed to me that few people knew how to swim.
The town of Kobuleti itself is a typical resort settlement: an embankment with souvenirs, cafes and tattoo shops. The main street with the same home-style restaurants, mini-markets, private hotels and expensive hotels. Several banks, a market, hairdressers, pastry shops, internet cafes, billiards. And that’s it, absolutely everything is buried in grapes. This is simply amazing. In the morning, the delicate aroma of coffee and freshly baked khachapuri wafts through the open window...
Oh, what delicious food there! There are several types of these same khachapuri! And the sauces! Satsebeli, tkemali - this is actually a song! Rich kharcho, rich ojakhuri, delicious chkmeruli, tender mchadi and wine... Mmmm, real Georgian wine. To top it all off, August is the fruitiest time: peaches, figs, melons, nectarines, watermelons, grapes - a real abundance! And everything is significantly cheaper than in Moscow. On one excursion I even came across a ripe persimmon on a tree, although, of course, it was not yet the season.
In general, as you understand, we did not go hungry, we swam into the sea behind the buoys, sunbathed and felt at home. In fact. We were welcomed everywhere, and sincerely. The feeling of openness of people and hospitality did not leave the entire holiday. Absolute feeling of security. All my cockroaches and fears dissolved after the first day of my stay in this wonderful Georgian town. In addition, we arrived just before Varenka’s birthday, and they gladly helped us organize a real family feast with national toasts and a gorgeous cake for the birthday girl. And they also gave me a doll, which made my beauty happy. Little things, but incredibly nice.
A few minutes walk from our house there was a large recreation park with playgrounds, fountains, hammocks and summer verandas, where entire concerts with singers and dancers performed in the evenings. Music flows from all sides - national melodies and foreign pop rhythms. There is a place for everything, everything is aimed at relaxing with friends. And the fiery dances don’t let you just sit on a bench, you’re tempted to join.
Attractions
We went to Batumi a couple of times. I don’t know what was there before, but now it is a very beautiful resort town. All old houses have been restored and preserved as much as possible. Lots of beautiful new buildings, cobbled streets, intricate monuments and well-kept parks. There is definitely something to see here; it is not without reason that they say that a large amount of money is now being invested in this resort. An intricate tower, decorated with the letters of the Georgian alphabet with an observation deck and restaurants, an observatory tower, a chic embankment, a funicular, a dolphinarium, a water park and much more appeared. So you definitely can’t explore the entire resort at one time.
By the way, a piece of advice: ask a taxi driver you know to take you to the most beautiful places in Batumi - I assure you, the city will open up to you from a completely different side. For lovers of eco-transport, there are bicycle rental terminals throughout the city. But just walking along it is a great pleasure. Minibus taxis constantly run between Kobuleti and Batumi, so getting there is not a problem at all. The trip will take about 25 minutes and cost 30 rubles.
At the exit from Kobuletti there is another nice place - Petra, the ruins of an ancient city. The remains of the city themselves may not represent anything extraordinary, but the view from the mountain on which they are located is simply breathtaking. The embankments of Kobuleti on the left side and the visible towers of Batumi on the right seem to embrace the endless expanse of the sea. By the way, the locals are very proud of their gorgeous sunset: the sun sets right in the middle, creating an unforgettable landscape.
If you love antiquities, you can spend half a day traveling to Gonio. True, unfortunately, only the walls of the ancient fortress have been preserved there. But for my boys, climbing them was great fun.
We set aside one day for a trip to the mountains. The air is simply intoxicating with its purity. Along the way, we rejoiced with the children at the tangerine groves and fields of corn. And when they drank water from a mountain spring, complete peace and bliss came. Yes, it’s just a miracle that I ended up here. How the stars aligned favorably that I could collect the best eucalyptus branches for my mother myself, or that I could stand on the bridge built during the reign of Queen Tamara and watch the boys below trying to cross the rocks over the seething stream.
The road winds and rises higher and higher. How was it possible to lay it here in the mountains... Stop, continue on foot. 250 meters up, and in front of us is an Orthodox monastery and a view that creates the feeling of a wonderful natural theater. The mountains are like scenery, like painted silk carpets, and there is no end to them. Here we are sitting on the edge of the world, our legs dangling down, chewing still warm khachapuri, and there is no greater happiness in the world...
10 days for Georgia is insanely short. There is so much more I would like to see, go somewhere, or just bask in the sea more. This country has become a discovery for me. We rarely go anywhere twice, but I really want Georgia to become a happy exception. And we will tell her again gamarjoba, genatsvali! Moreover, there is a cozy house, entwined with vines, where guests are always welcome!
I receive a lot of questions about vacationing in Georgia with children, and I have a gap in knowledge on this topic, so today on the blog there is a guest post from Daria and Kirill Shelukhin, who are traveling with their two sons: Max and Kolya.
The guys spent a total of more than a year in Georgia and share reviews and useful tips about where it is better to go on vacation at sea with a child, what documents a child needs to enter Georgia, what to feed the children, and why Georgia is an excellent alternative to the resorts of Crimea and the Krasnodar Territory.
Below is Daria's text.
Summer is ahead and many families are planning to spend their holidays with their children by the sea. In this article I would like to describe the features of holidays in Georgia with children and tell you why Georgia is a worthy alternative to the usual Krasnodar region or Crimea.
Entry to Georgia with a child
Let's start with the visa issue. To enter Georgia (citizens of Russia, Ukraine and 92 other countries) do not need a visa; a valid passport is sufficient.
For a child to enter, a child’s passport is required or the child must be included in the passport of one of the parents. There is a lot of information on the Internet that it is mandatory for the child’s photograph to be in the passport, but in reality this is not the case.
If, according to the rules of your country, photos are not pasted in, tell them so at the border if a question arises. We traveled with our children many times, passed through different borders (both air and road), a couple of times they asked us “where is the photograph,” but they let us through without any problems.
On the official websites of Georgia they write that a document confirming kinship is required, such as a birth certificate. This is probably just in case the child has his own foreign passport. Our children are registered and therefore we were never asked for any certificates.
If a child is traveling without parents, a notarized permission from one of the parents is required.
Roads in Georgia
The roads in Georgia are good. If you are relaxing by the sea and will only drive along the sea, there is no need to worry at all - everything here is flat and without sharp turns.
If you are traveling to the sea from Tbilisi, be prepared for a 6-7 hour drive. The section from Khashuri to Zestafoni is mountainous and a child can get seasick here. The rest of the road is very flat. Along the roads there are restaurants with playgrounds. And at every gas station there are free toilets.
But sidewalks are often not designed for walking with children. Which beach resort in Georgia to choose for a holiday with children
We looked into this issue for a long time, traveled to all the resorts, lived by the sea in Georgia, talked with other families. And based on this they formed their opinion.
If you come with children to the sea for a period of up to 3 days, it is best. The sea there is not of the best quality, but your child will be delighted with a visit to the water park, dolphinarium, zoo, ride on the cable car, playgrounds with cartoon characters on the Batumi embankment and walks around evening Batumi.
Batumi embankment is an ideal place for walking with children 
The venues in Batumi in the center are very well thought out. The same cannot be said about the outskirts. If your vacation is a standard 1-3 weeks, then it is better to settle in a beautiful or. There is no entertainment for children there (only simple playgrounds and traditional rubber band trampolines are available), but there is a very clean sea and healing mountain air. Well, to unwind, you can go to Batumi 2-3 times a week (by bus - 20 minutes, $0.4).
Beach in Sarpi. Very clean sea, but boring for children. 
The site in Gonio turns into a muddy mess after the rain As you know, almost the entire Georgian coast is pebble. Adults experience much more discomfort from walking on stones than children. But it’s worth considering that at noon the stones get very hot, and you can’t walk on them without shoes. I recommend rubber slippers - you can wear them both on rocks and in water.
As for the shore itself, most often it is quite deep, the depth reaches 1 meter already 2 meters from the shore. If there are waves, they roll in such a way that even an adult sitting on the shore can be dragged into the sea. So keep an eye on the kids.
In my opinion, the pebble beach is much better with kids. No matter how you wash your child of sand, it will immediately stick again. And visually such a beach seems cleaner. For those for whom it is critical that there is sand and not so deep, it is worth going to or to Grigoleti. And children have a place to build castles and adults can benefit from it.
Ureki sands are special magnetite sands, famous for their healing properties (indicated for diseases of the nervous, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal systems, as well as childhood diseases and infertility). But you should be prepared for the fact that these resorts have a small selection of accommodation and it is advisable to book it in advance.
If for some reason you liked Kobuleti, it’s worth settling closer to the city center, because it’s boring on the outskirts and there’s nothing to do, and walking along the 5-6 km embankment every day with children is somehow stressful.
We settled on the outskirts of Kobuleti and it was completely deserted. Georgians' attitude towards children
In general, Georgians love children very much. They probably even pamper them too much and look after them with extreme care. Get ready for the children to be treated to sweets, picked up, squeezed and kissed.
But Georgian men are especially successful in this. I noticed this feature in women. Young girls without their children are thrilled in front of your child. Adult women are either indifferent or with slight contempt (like, “I’m so tired of these children, I have seven myself”).
Separately, I would like to discuss the topic of “naked” children. Our 1.5 year old child ran along the beach without panties. No one has ever said anything about this. But only twice did I hear indignation that the child was naked and was embarrassing other children. A strange remark, in my opinion.
Unfortunately, I didn’t find a summer photo about the love of Georgians. But there is a very indicative winter one. Food for children in Georgia
If we talk about older children, then Georgian cuisine is very specific - it has a lot of mixture of spicy and spicy. This does not mean that the food is very spicy (although there are such dishes, for example, khinkali, spicy, chashushuli, adjika, satsivi), but if your child is not used to seasonings, it may be a little difficult.
But almost any establishment serves mashed potatoes or boiled rice, and you can order poultry kebabs, salads, stewed vegetables or meat with them.
But children will be delighted with churchkhela (nuts in grape juice) and carbonated drinks (tarragon, duchess, etc. from Natahtari - very good quality).
Now about small children who need special nutrition. In Batumi, large supermarkets and pharmacies have departments with a large selection of baby food (canned fruit and vegetable purees, milk porridges).
At other resorts everything is sadder. Here, even if you find baby food at the pharmacy, the choice will be very small (not 4-5 brands, but 1-2). And, of course, if your child is used to a certain brand or has a special diet, you shouldn’t risk it; it’s better to take it with you.
As for dairy-free mixtures, I couldn’t find instant dairy-free porridges in Georgia. But I was happy with the option of dairy-free porridge, which needs to be boiled. I only saw this in Georgia and even then, when we left, I specially bought more.
Company Baia food ltd, Zestavoni. Rice, millet, corn, oatmeal, buckwheat, a mixture of 5 grains, similar in grinding degree to flour. Without any additives at all, which is very useful. The only thing is that to cook such porridge, you need a kitchen.
Photo from the Internet There is almost no information about Baiafood, mostly all in Georgian. Another important feature is that there is practically no fresh milk in Georgia. Only highly pasteurized (stored for a year) is available in stores. Fresh can only be found in markets or by special order from locals.
Exclusively for WoMo, he shares tips on which cities in Georgia are worth visiting with the whole family, what to see and where to stay.
In Georgia there is a cult of family, they value traditions and honor elders, families are large and strong, at least two or three children, and the elders help with the younger ones. And most importantly, in Georgia they adore children and wherever you go with your child, you will always be welcome and you will never hear the phrase: “take the child away.” Georgia is warm in every sense of the word - a lot of sunny days, delicious food and a lot of beautiful and amazing places that you can visit not only in summer, but also in the cold season. In general, it is a great pleasure to travel with the whole family.
Tbilisi
A warm city (“Tbili” in Georgian means “warm”) - you can’t call it anything else, because from the weather conditions to the character of the people living here, this city is imbued with hospitality, warmth and attention to others. Tbilisi is original, it is beautiful with its antiquity and its wrinkles, “unvarnished” facades, cracked pavements and Italian courtyards filled with children's laughter. It has its own history, its own life, its own heroes and its own traditions, its own achievements and its own victories. Old two-story houses with carved wooden balconies, the facades of which are often entwined with grapevines (fancy running along the cracks), real Georgian small courtyards with their own unique atmosphere - in all this you can feel the spirit of old Tbilisi. Here, in the courtyards, men play backgammon, clothes dry on lines, and children's laughter of boys playing football can be heard. It’s a pleasure to wander around the old city, along quiet streets, find unusual front doors, and notice seemingly inconspicuous, but very colorful details.
Where to live:
The VINOTEL hotel occupies a historic 19th-century building with stained glass windows and two terraces. Classic rooms with carved furniture, a wonderful library with books in Russian and English, a restaurant serving European and Georgian cuisine, a wine cellar with a rich selection of wines (a professional sommelier conducts wine tastings for guests) - all this is VINOTEL, which fully lives up to its name. To go with the European and Georgian dishes you order, they will select exclusive Georgian wines for you, and then they will recommend Borjomi - so that after such rich dishes and wines there is still room for dessert. By the way, they serve the most delicious Georgian dessert called “Fantasy” (goat cheese, honey, nuts, churchkhela, 3 types of jam). Cost per room starts from $180 per night*.
Rooms Hotel Tbilisi
This hotel, which, by the way, is part of the association of designer hotels around the world, is said to have “Georgian flavor with European service.” Designer furniture (chairs with Georgian ornaments and lampshades), a luxurious fireplace, a library and a restaurant with incredible cuisine - all this is Rooms Hotel Tbilisi. Cost per room starts from $200 per night.
What to watch:
Take a walk around Botanical Garden, It's very quiet and peaceful there, there are a lot of interesting plants and a beautiful waterfall at the end of the garden. Be sure to take the cable car up to Narikala fortress(one of the most ancient monuments of Georgian architecture of the 4th century), go to Metekhi temple and then take a walk around area of the famous sulfur baths. Cross the new pedestrian bridge, which is the second most complex in the world in terms of its design, to the left bank of the Kura River and enter a new park called Rike, having the outlines of a map of Georgia. There is freedom for children there: a human-sized chess set, a huge piano, many flowers in the warm season and playgrounds.
Take a walk around Leselidze and Sharden streets(a very cozy European street where most of the secular cafes, bars, clubs, shops and galleries are located) and walk to Rustaveli Avenue- the central street of the city, which is named after the author of the world-famous poem “The Knight in the Tiger’s Skin”, a poet of Georgia of the 12th century. On Rustaveli there is the Parliament of Georgia, the Shota Rustaveli Theater, the Opera named after. Z. Paliashvili.
Be sure to go up to Holy Trinity Cathedral (Tsminda Sameba) - main cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church. The cathedral was built several years ago and is considered the largest Orthodox cathedral in the world (the total area of the cathedral is about five kilometers). Right on the territory where the Holy Trinity Cathedral is located, there is a cafe called Lagidze Waters. This is a traditional Georgian lemonade, which was produced back in Soviet times, the most delicious is double chocolate with cream, rest assured, your children will be delighted.
You definitely need to take the cable car up to Mount Mtatsminda, take a walk in Bombora Park and have lunch at the Funicular restaurant, which offers an incredible view of the whole of Tbilisi. In Soviet times, this restaurant was the hallmark of the city, and today it is a whole restaurant complex, where on the ground floor they serve the best donuts in the city, next to a bakery with the famous Adjarian khachapuri, and on the top floor a restaurant serving Georgian-European cuisine. On Mount Mtatsinda there is a children's amusement park "Bombora" - wonderful fresh air and a lot of entertainment for children.
20 km from Tbilisi is located city of Mtskheta, the first capital of Georgia. This is a completely restored town, which is a pleasure to walk around with children. An incredible view of Mtskheta opens from the observation deck near Jvari Monastery(IV century), which rises on the mountain. According to legend, this temple was erected over a cedar stump that exuded fragrant oil (myrrh), under which St. Nino, the enlightener of Georgia, prayed. Lermontov’s Mtsyri once stood on the edge of an abyss and thoughtfully looked at the ancient city, which was built at the confluence of the Aragvi and Kura rivers - “where the streams of the Aragvi and Kura merge, noisily, embracing as if two sisters, there was a monastery...” Next to the monastery there is a wishing tree, which is all hung with colorful rags. Tie a piece of cloth and make wishes, what if... And be sure to go to the best restaurant in Mtskheta “ Gujari"(156, Agmashenebeli). From there you have a stunning view of the mountain, on the top of which stands the Jvari Monastery. They serve excellent Georgian cuisine, and the restaurant has a large beautiful garden where rabbits and guinea fowl run around in the summer.
Kazbegi
Where to live:
It's best to stay at a hotel Rooms Hotel Kazbegi. It takes your breath away when you look at the snow-capped peaks from the hotel veranda . Designer furniture, a luxurious fireplace, an indoor pool with mountain views, a Georgian restaurant and a casino with toy tables. Room rates start from $170 per night.
What to watch:
The Georgian Military Road leads to Russia and is considered one of the most beautiful roads in Georgia. Along the way you will see places of incredible beauty and energy. — Zhinvali Lake(Zhinvali reservoir with an area of 11.5 km) and Ananuri Castle(complex of the 16th-17th centuries, residence of the princes of Aragvii).
And then you will climb the dizzying narrow mountain roads to the Cross Pass (the height of which is 2395 meters) and see the legendary “celestial” ancient Church of the Holy Trinity. This temple was built in the 14th century on Mount Gergeti at an altitude of 2200 meters. In good weather, there is a beautiful view of Kazbegi Peak from here. If you wish, you can go up to the observation deck (height 2170 meters). A few kilometers away there is a mineral lake where you can get healing water.
Borjomi and Bakuriani
Where to live:
At the hotel Rixos Borjomi large protected area, children's center with animation, diagnostic center, SPA with swimming pool and 4 baths. And most importantly: incomparable mountain air and the legendary Borjomi mineral water. Great offer for the winter season (except dates from December 20 to January 20): deluxe room with breakfast $150 and $190 for half board.
What to watch:
Borjomi- the famous resort, home to the most famous mineral water, is distinguished by its wonderful nature, exceptional healing climate and clean mountain air. A wonderful place for a quiet and relaxing holiday, including a therapeutic one. You can take a walk in the famous Borjomi park, take the cable car up the mountain and drink warm mineral water that comes straight from the ground. The uniqueness of this mineral water lies in its volcanic origin and mineral composition, which has remained unchanged for 125 years.
Bakuriani- an urban-type settlement, a ski resort, located at an altitude of 1700 m above sea level and surrounded by coniferous forests. In winter, Bakuriani has a lot of sun and snow (average height is about 60 cm). The ski season itself begins in December and ends in March. Bakuriani is a special climatic zone, with wonderful mountain air and huge coniferous forests. This air is especially good for people who have a weak throat, asthmatics, those who have suffered from pneumonia, lymphadenitis, chronic tuberculous diseases of the respiratory tract, and those who have anemia. They say that if a child rests in Bakuriani for three years in a row, he stops getting sick altogether.
Batumi and Tskaltubo (Prometheus and Sataplia Caves)
Where to live:
If we talk about grids, then this Sheraton, Radisson and Hilton(from $120-150 per room), Kempinski and Crown Plaza are under construction. Highly recommend hotel "Divan"(from $80 per room) it is beyond praise, if from more budget, then this Piazza(from $60 per room).
What to watch:
It’s better to go to Batumi in the summer, here it’s worth walking along the boulevard, riding electric motorcycles, renting bicycles, swimming in the sea, jumping on a trampoline, going on rides, eating real Adjarian khachapuri, admiring the beauty of tropical botany in Botanical Garden and Reserve "Mtirala". If you have time, it’s worth going to the Tsitsinatela amusement park near Kabuleti. Be sure to go to the dolphinarium for a show: emotions are overflowing, the dolphins are incredible and so touching, you can sign up separately and swim with them (the pleasure is not cheap, but the emotions are worth it).
If you are traveling by car to Batumi, then along the road in the village of Tskhaltubo (near the city of Kutaisi) there is Prometheus caves and Sataplia cave complex. The caves are quite cool - the year-round temperature inside is +14 degrees. Once inside the cave, you walk up and down winding paths to the sounds of classical music and ever-changing colorful lighting that adorns the stalactites and stalagmites. Finally, after walking 1450 meters, you reach a small pier and board the boat. In the twilight, the boat glides through the water, you bend down to avoid getting hit and imagine yourself as a treasure hunter - the sensation is amazing.
The Sataplia cave complex is a unique reserve, which is famous for its cross caves and dinosaur tracks, located between the resort of Tskaltubo and the city of Kutaisi. The length of the cave is 500 meters, the height is up to 400 meters, and each calcite growth resembles either an animal or a person, and there is also a “stone heart” (a huge stalagmite resembling a human heart).
When planning a vacation for your children's holidays, take a closer look at Georgia; this country knows how to surprise, treat, entertain and impress - it will definitely appeal to both adults and children.
*Hotel prices are indicated at the time of publication.