History and character
Until 1878 the city belonged to the Ottoman Empire, then passed to the Russian Empire and became a free port (until 1886). The railway from Baku arrived in 1883 and Batumi became a port of international importance. In the 1880s a city garden by Nuri Lake and the seaside boulevard were begun.
Historic buildings are mostly late 19th- and early 20th-century eclectic and Art Nouveau; Memed Abashidze Street became the centre’s main axis. Since the 2010s the tourism boom has damaged some heritage, and rising building heights threaten the district’s integrity, researchers note.
What to see
The main places are close together.
- Piazza — a car-free Italian-style square, opened in 2010, with restaurants and bars.
- Europe Square — reconstructed in 2008–2011, with a gilded Medea statue (2007).
- Orta Jame Mosque — built in 1866 per georgia.travel; other sources give 1886.
- Argo cable car — built in 2013, 2.5 km long, upper station at 250 m on Mount Anuria.
- Seaside boulevard — landscaping began in 1884; about 7 km today, with fountains and the Alphabetic Tower.
Life and transport
The Old Town is a walkable centre of narrow streets. Batumi had 235,668 residents in the 2024 census, 54% more than in 2014. The international airport is in the south of the city, and the train to Tbilisi takes about four hours.
Housing market: what is known and what is not
This site calls the Old Town Batumi’s most expensive submarket: $1,800–3,000 per m², up to $3,028 per Colliers. Galt & Taggart: Old Batumi averaged above $3,000 per m² in 2025 and $3,146 on the primary market in Q1 2026. Limited stock restricts new supply, but the same firm notes that across Batumi demand lags supply, with about 12,400 unsold apartments in projects at end-2025. Citywide gross rental yield fell from 8.8% to 7.4%. We found no rental data for the Old Town itself.
- Ask whether the building has heritage status and what it means for renovation.
- Inspect the building and utilities.
- For purchase rules, taxes and mortgages, see this site’s pages on each.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see in Old Batumi?
Piazza, Europe Square with the Medea statue, Orta Jame Mosque and the Argo cable car.
How do I get from Tbilisi to Batumi?
The train takes about four hours, and Batumi has an international airport. Check the current timetable with the operator.
How much does an apartment in Old Batumi cost?
This site gives $1,800–3,000 per m²; Galt & Taggart puts the district’s Q1 2026 primary-market average at $3,146. Check a specific flat against listings.
Sources: Wikipedia (ru): Batumi · Wikipedia (en): Batumi · Georgia Travel: Old Batumi · Eurasia Travel: The Old Town of Batumi · Batumi Boulevard administration: history of the boulevard · Georgian Holidays: Batumi Boulevard · Investor.ge: Galt & Taggart, Batumi residential real estate, 2025 review and 2026 outlook · International Investment: Batumi housing market, June 2026
Other Batumi Districts
Before you buy
Rules that apply across Georgia, whichever city you pick:
Market news · Old Town
A short summary of publications from open sources, prepared with AI; not legal or financial advice. Please check the original source.