History and character
Greek settlers from Miletus founded the colony of Phasis here around the 7th-6th centuries BC. The Ottomans took the town in 1578 and Russia in 1828; the port dates from 1858 and the railway from Tbilisi from 1872. Mayor Niko Nikoladze (1894-1912), called the father of modern Poti, built a theatre, a cathedral and an oil refinery.
The port was bombed in the 2008 war. Poti hosts the headquarters and main base of the Georgian Navy.
What to see
The centre is flat and walkable.
- Poti Cathedral (1906-1907), dedicated in sources to the Resurrection of the Saviour or to St Andrew, imitates Hagia Sophia in reinforced concrete. A theatre in Soviet times, it returned to the Church in 2005.
- The lighthouse, first lit in 1864.
- The Alexandre Dumas statue in the park by the cathedral.
- Lake Paliastomi, Georgia's third-largest, in Kolkheti National Park (194 bird species recorded).
- Maltakva beach, with a swimming season from May to October.
Life and economy
Wikipedia puts the port's throughput at about 7.7 million tonnes a year. In 2008 a majority stake went to an investor from Ras Al Khaimah under a 49-year concession to develop a free industrial zone, which reports more than 100 companies, mostly trading. The population is shrinking: 41,465 in 2014, 38,845 in 2024. The climate is humid subtropical, with roughly 1,900-2,100 mm of rain a year.
The housing market: what is known and what is not
We found no independent price data for Poti housing, nor data on demand from port and zone staff; only developers' advertised figures exist. Rely on listings and a local agent; see buying-process.html and taxes.html. Check:
- ground and foundations: the town stands on a marshy delta, and the cathedral needed reinforced concrete for poor soil;
- flood risk and groundwater level in the specific district;
- building age and utilities;
- real rental demand, not developer advertising.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see in Poti?
The 1907 cathedral, the 1864 lighthouse, Lake Paliastomi and Kolkheti National Park, and Maltakva beach. A day covers the town; the park needs longer.
How do I get from Tbilisi to Poti?
About 4 h 25 min by car per georgia.travel, 1 h 25 min from Kutaisi, 1 h 10 min from Batumi. A railway also links Poti and Tbilisi; check the timetable.
Can I buy an apartment in Poti?
No independent price data exists. General rules for foreigners are on buying-process.html; check a specific property on the spot.
Sources: Wikipedia (en): Poti · Wikipedia (ru): Poti · Wikipedia (en): Poti Cathedral · Wikipedia (en): Kolkheti National Park · Georgian National Tourism Administration: Poti · Poti Free Industrial Zone (potifreezone.ge) · CityPopulation.de (Geostat census data): municipalities of Georgia
See Also
Before you buy
Rules that apply across Georgia, whichever city you pick:
Market news · Poti
A short summary of publications from open sources, prepared with AI; not legal or financial advice. Please check the original source.