Two places for a day trip from Batumi

Lake Paliastomi, the Georgian Amazon, is located near Poti, about a 1.5-hour drive from Batumi, and is part of the Kolkheti National Park. Be sure to take a boat trip around the lake and its narrow canals. In places, the landscape really looks like a small Amazon: water, dense thickets, vines, reeds, and virtually no traces of civilization. You can birdwatch, have a picnic, and enjoy a beautiful sunset over the water. Nearby is Maltakva Beach, a sandy beach with clear water. On the way back, you can stop by Petra Fortress. The fortress was built in the sixth century during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. The best time to visit is around sunset. You can leisurely stroll around the area, take beautiful photos, and then descend to the Tsikhisdziri shore.