A sea town in the morning, waterfalls by afternoon. This Batumi + Mtirala National Park day trip pairs a tight, information-filled city walk with a real hike to Mtirala waterfalls—plus that feel-good moment when you’re finally cooling off in cold water. I especially love the way the guide connects Batumi’s landmarks into one walking route (Europe Square to the Alphabet Tower), and I also love the cable-car river crossing that makes the park feel like a mini-adventure. The one thing to watch is the pace: Batumi time is limited, so if you want to wander slowly, this tour is more action than loitering.

You’ll start early in Kutaisi and keep moving all day. It’s still a great value for $63 because transport and an English-speaking guide are included, but you should budget extra for the sea boat ride and the Mtirala cable car fee.

Key highlights at a glance

• Old Batumi walk that hits Medea, Ali and Nino, the Alphabet Tower, and more
• Black Sea views along the boulevard, ending with a boat ride by Batumi beach
• Mtirala National Park hike to waterfalls with a handmade cable-car crossing
• A real chance to swim in cold waterfall water if you like that sort of thing
• Kid-friendly fun with a rope attraction inside the park
• Clear, well-timed logistics from Kutaisi, with guides like Saba and Maka reported as especially strong

A Full Day of Batumi and Waterfalls

This tour is built for people who like variety. You’ll get Batumi’s seaside sights first—architecture, statues, and sea-breeze promenades—then you’ll trade the city for Mtirala National Park and walk to waterfalls through cooler, greener air.

Batumi is one of those places where the details matter. Even on a short timeline, you can still pick up the main visual story: myth and sculpture here, bold modern landmarks there, and a long stretch of waterfront energy that pulls you onward.

Then Mtirala changes the mood completely. You’re not just looking at nature from a viewpoint. You’re crossing a river, walking toward waterfalls, and (if you want) getting your legs and arms involved in the experience—right up to a swim in cold water.

Kutaisi Pickup and the Pace You Should Expect

The day starts with pickup at 07:30 in Kutaisi, and you leave around 08:00. That early start matters because it gives you enough time for both Batumi and Mtirala without turning the schedule into an all-night event.

The rhythm is simple: drive, walk, cruise, eat, drive again, hike, then back to Kutaisi. You’ll be on the move for most of the day, so wear shoes you can trust and plan for a long sit in the van between stops.

One realistic consideration: Batumi time is tight. The walk covers major landmarks fast, which is great if you want your first impression quickly, but less great if you want to linger at cafés or detour down side streets for an hour.

Walking Old Batumi: From Medea to the Alphabet Tower

Batumi’s old district is where you’ll start getting your bearings fast. The tour’s first stops set the tone immediately, beginning at Europe Square and the statue of Medea. It’s a strong opening because it feels symbolic—myth meets a seaside city that keeps rewriting its own image.

From there, you move to Piazza Square and the Church of St. Nicholas. This isn’t just “here’s a church.” It helps you see how Batumi’s public spaces mix religious, civic, and everyday life, even when the city looks modern from the boulevard.

Then the route shifts toward the port area. That’s where the story turns toward Batumi as a coastal city, not only an architectural showpiece. You’ll walk to Batumi port, then see the famous moving sculpture of Ali and Nino, which is one of those landmarks you’ll understand best when you’re standing right next to it watching it change in front of you.

After that comes a landmark that people love for a reason: the Alphabet Tower. It’s playful and instantly recognizable, and it works as a mid-tour “check-in” point—proof that this isn’t a museum tour, it’s a living, visual walk.

Boulevard Views and Dancing Fountains Park

Once you hit the boulevard, the whole experience starts to feel like a coastline day even when you’re still underground at street level. You’re walking with sea air in your face and getting repeated sightlines back toward the water.

A key stop here is Dancing Fountains Park. It’s exactly what it sounds like—an easy, photo-friendly break that keeps the walking route from feeling like a checklist. It also gives you a moment to slow down for a minute, even though the overall schedule remains busy.

This is also where the guide’s pacing helps. A good guide keeps you moving but explains enough that you understand why each place is worth your time. Guides such as Saba and Maka have been praised for professionalism and clear English, and that matters because you’re learning as you walk, not just collecting photos.

Drama Theatre, Neptune, and the Sea Boat Ride

Near the end of the walking section, you reach the Batumi Drama Theatre and the statue of Neptune. This is another “you’re really in Batumi now” moment. The theatre area gives you a sense of the city’s cultural center, while Neptune ties the whole day back to the sea.

Then you finish with a sea boat ride along Batumi beach. This part is not included in the tour price, so you’ll pay the boat ride separately. It’s worth it because it changes your perspective quickly—suddenly you see the city from water level, and the coastline makes more sense than it did from the promenade.

The boat ride finishes by about 1:00 p.m., which keeps the schedule realistic. After that you get a lunch break, and that’s your chance to refuel before Mtirala.

Lunch in Batumi: Use It Strategically

You’ll have about 1.5 hours for lunch in Batumi. That’s plenty of time to eat without feeling like you’re racing the clock every second.

The best strategy is to treat lunch as recovery. Grab something filling, hydrate, and if you’re the type who plans ahead, you can use those 10–15 minutes to decide what you want to do after lunch—because once you’re in Mtirala, you’ll be walking and standing for real.

Also, keep in mind that the day is built around moving. If you pick a long meal, you might cut into the rest of your Mtirala time. For this tour, “quick good food” wins.

Mtirala National Park: Cable-Car Crossing and the Waterfall Hike

After lunch, you drive to Mtirala National Park. Once you arrive, you cross the river using a handmade cable-car. That cable-car crossing is more than a novelty—it changes the energy of the hike. It feels more remote and adventurous right away, and it saves time compared to longer approaches.

Then it’s time for the hike to the waterfalls: about 3 km on foot. The walking section is around 2 hours, which is a meaningful stretch, but not a multi-hour grind through extreme terrain. Still, you should expect uneven ground and slick spots, especially in cooler months.

This is where planning what to wear becomes important. Bring hiking shoes, and in autumn or winter consider shoes with better grip—Mtirala can be slippery depending on conditions. If you’ve got back issues, note that this tour isn’t recommended for you, so don’t force it.

Swimming at the Waterfalls (If You Like Cold Water)

When you reach the waterfalls, the biggest payoff is that you’re not just viewing from a distance. You’ll be close enough to feel the spray and (for those who want it) swim in the cold water.

If cold water is your thing, this is the moment that makes the day feel special. If cold water isn’t your thing, you can still enjoy the hike for the sound, the mist, and the cooler air. Either way, expect a “reset” from the city heat and noise.

There’s also a rope attraction in the park that kids tend to love. Even if you’re not traveling with children, it adds a playful contrast—proof that Mtirala isn’t only about serious hiking.

Price and Value: What You Pay vs. What You Add

At $63 per person for a 12-hour day, this is the kind of tour that can be good value if you care about both city highlights and a nature break.

What you get included is solid: transportation and an English-speaking guiding service. The driving between Kutaisi, Batumi, and the park is a big chunk of the work, and having it handled saves you time.

Two items are not included: the Black Sea boat ride and the cable-car fee in Mtirala. One guide-related detail to remember is that the cable-car fee has been reported as 5 lari. Since the boat ride isn’t included, you’ll want to keep some extra cash or card ready for that add-on.

So the value equation looks like this: you’re paying for guided time and transportation, and then you top up for the two activities that depend on park and sea operations.

Who This Tour Fits Best

This is a good fit if you want a full day that balances city culture with nature without planning anything yourself. You’ll like it if you’re happy with a structured route and you enjoy learning while walking.

It’s especially worth it for:

• First-time visitors who want to see the Batumi highlights fast
• People who want an active break in Mtirala rather than only sightseeing
• Travelers who are comfortable walking on uneven ground and handling cold waterfall water

It’s less ideal if:

• You need lots of quiet time or long, slow pauses in Batumi
• You have back problems, since the hike and park activity aren’t set up for that

When the Schedule Feels Tight, Here’s How to Make It Work

Some tours feel rushed because they cram too much. This one feels busy because it hits a lot of landmarks and still squeezes in a real hike. That’s not automatically bad—it’s just a style choice.

To make it work for you:

• Accept that Batumi is a highlight sweep, not a deep-dive stay
• Wear comfortable clothes for both city walking and park terrain
• Carry a small layer for the park, where temperatures can feel different than the coast
• Think of lunch as fuel, not as a long lingering break

If you go in with that mindset, the day feels productive rather than stressful.

My Booking Advice: Should You Book?

I’d book this tour if you want one day that actually covers both Batumi and Mtirala. The combination is the point: you see iconic Batumi spots like Ali and Nino, the Alphabet Tower, and the Neptune area, then you get to walk to waterfalls through Mtirala with a cable-car crossing.

Skip it (or at least reconsider) if you know you hate tight timelines. If you’re the type who wants to sit and soak in a city for hours, you’ll feel the schedule pressure.

But if you like structure, clear guiding, and a day that ends with cold-water payoff, this is a strong pick from Kutaisi—especially with guides like Saba and Maka being a highlight for many groups.

FAQ

FAQ

Where does the tour start in Kutaisi?

The tour starts at the Budget Georgia office, located between SwissCapital and Andazi shops.

What time is pickup and when does the group leave Kutaisi?

Pickup begins at 07:30, and the van leaves Kutaisi at 08:00.

Is the guide available in English?

Yes. The tour has a live guide in English.

Is the Black Sea boat ride included in the price?

No. The boat ride in the Black Sea is not included in the tour price.

How long is the hike in Mtirala National Park and how far is it?

You hike to the waterfalls for about 2 hours, covering roughly 3 km.

Is this tour suitable if I have back problems?

No. The tour is listed as not suitable for people with back problems.