The Black Sea coast north of Batumi is where Georgians go when Batumi gets loud: Kobuleti's long beach, the magnetic black sand of Ureki, the port town of Poti and the empty resort of Anaklia. All of it is on one coastal road, and a rental car turns it into a two-day drive with swims. This post covers the road, each stop and where to sleep. For the car, see our car rental in Batumi page with delivery at the airport or your hotel.
Updated 9 October 2026. Prices and rules checked against our booking system on that date.
The Black Sea coast north of Batumi: the road
From Batumi the coast road runs north through Kobuleti, joins the Tbilisi motorway near Ureki, then continues as the S2 road to Poti and Anaklia. Batumi to Kobuleti is 30 km and half an hour; to Ureki 55 km; to Poti 80 km; to Anaklia 115 km, about two hours with traffic. The road is paved and flat the whole way, so any car works, and it is the easiest driving in Georgia. In July and August the Kobuleti stretch crawls at weekends.
| Stop | Distance from Batumi | Why go | Beach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kobuleti | 30 km | The long, quiet alternative to Batumi; pine park and seafood | Pebble and sand, 10 km long |
| Shekvetili | 45 km | Black Sea Arena concerts, the Tsitsinatela park for children | Black sand under pines |
| Ureki (Magnetiti) | 55 km | Magnetic black sand said to help joints; very shallow water | Fine black sand, ideal for children |
| Poti | 80 km | The working port, the Kolkheti lagoons and Paliastomi lake | Not a beach town; go for the nature |
| Anaklia | 115 km | A boulevard built for a city that never came, the Enguri river mouth | Pebble, wide and empty |
Two days, one car
Day one: leave Batumi mid-morning, swim at Ureki, lunch in Shekvetili, drive into the Kolkheti National Park near Poti for a boat trip on the Paliastomi lake, sleep in Poti or Anaklia. Day two: Anaklia beach in the morning, then either back to Batumi along the same road, or inland to Zugdidi and up to Mestia if you have more days. The day trips near Batumi Airport post covers the mountain side of Adjara, which is the other direction entirely.
Practical notes for the coast
- Season. The sea is warm from June to September. Ureki in May and October is lovely and empty; the magnetic sand cures work best without crowds.
- Parking. Free everywhere except the Batumi boulevard in summer. In Kobuleti the side streets to the beach have room.
- Police. The coast road has cameras in every town. The limit drops to 50 km/h and sometimes 40 km/h in Kobuleti.
- Fuel. Stations every few kilometres; no need to plan.
- One-way. You can collect the car in Batumi and return it in Kutaisi Airport or Tbilisi; the locations page lists the fees.
Want a coast-and-mountains week? Tell us whether you fly into Batumi or Kutaisi and we build the route. Message us on WhatsApp (+995 591 89 60 60) and we will plan a custom route with you: the right car for the roads, pickup and drop-off in different cities, and honest advice on driving times.
Questions about the Black Sea coast north of Batumi
Which beach is best for small children?
Ureki. The water stays shallow for a long way and the black sand is soft. Kobuleti is second, with more services.
Is Anaklia worth the drive?
For the strangeness, yes: a long boulevard, a bridge and a wide empty beach. For a beach day, Ureki is closer.
Can I continue to Svaneti from the coast?
Yes. Anaklia to Mestia is about three hours via Zugdidi. From Mestia you need a 4x4 for Ushguli, as our Mestia or Kazbegi post explains.
Which car for the coast?
Any. The Prius at $35 a day is the obvious choice, the Ford Fusion for four with luggage, and the Toyota Sienna or Nissan Quest if you are a family of six or seven.
The Black Sea coast north of Batumi is the easy half of Georgia: flat, warm, paved and cheap to drive. Pair it with the mountains and you have the whole country.