Digital Nomads Should Consider Batumi Over Tbilisi, Georgia. Here’s Why.

There are several reasons why digital nomads love the Republic of Georgia. It’s affordable, the locals are friendly, there’s a rich culture, and it has one of the most liberal entrance requirements. 

You can stay in Georgia without a visa for a whole year! Plus, the count resets if you leave and return to the country, even if just for a few days. 

For these reasons, I lived there intermittently for about two years. Like many, I spent most of my time in Tbilisi. There’s a lot to love about “The City That Loves You” but it’s not for everyone.

There are some great alternatives, though — and in my opinion, the best is the city of Batumi. 

Tbilisi – pros & cons to consider

Pros: The capitol’s wide selection of housing and activities draw expats from around the world

Tbilisi, the capital, is the most popular place for digital nomads to settle down for a while. It has the widest selection of places to stay, the best variety of retailers, and plenty of things to do.  

The nightlife ranges from dive bars to lavish opera performances, and there are a lot of other expats from around the world. 

Cons: Tbilisi is very crowded, has higher costs, and a few other downsides

Life in Tbilisi has its drawbacks, though. For one, it’s crowded — really crowded. Many Georgians from around the country have been and are moving to Tbilisi. Infrastructural development can’t keep pace with the population growth. 

Driving in Tbilisi is not for the faint of heart or the impatient. Georgian drivers are aggressive, to put it mildly, but their daredevil driving grinds to a glacial crawl come rush hour. Frequent roadwork only worsens the situation.

The metro is, by far, the fastest way to avoid traffic jams, but the train cars get jam-packed around peak hours. 

Tbilisi is also more expensive compared to the rest of the country. Unfortunately, many once-lovely old neighborhoods near the city center are now covered in coarse political graffiti. Tbilisi’s location in a river valley makes it a trap for smog. Oh, and the summers are HOT.

As much as I love Tbilisi, I always felt a sort of relief when leaving the city behind for a while. One of my favorite escapes for a breath of fresh air is the coastal city of Batumi.

Why I think Batumi is a fantastic alternative

Batumi lies tucked between the Black Sea and the Lesser Caucasus Mountains. It offers an oasis for anyone tired of the grind, be it Tbilisi or elsewhere. 

It’s the second-largest city in the country and has boomed in recent years. This development has come with a few urban growing pains, but it’s a marked difference from Tbilisi.

Batumi has plenty of housing options, from quiet rental homes to coastal high-rise apartments

There are plenty of housing options in Batumi. The recent development has brought about many new places to stay, including seaside high-rise buildings. Apartments are available at a fraction of what you’d pay for a similar place in, say, Miami. 

You can find even more affordable lodging in the distinctively bland Soviet-era apartment buildings. These apartments tend to be more dated, but many are charming in their own right. 

There are a variety of other options across and outside of town, too. If you have local friends, they can help navigate Georgian real estate websites or find opportunities via the grapevine (pun intended).

One of the best options, in my opinion, is to look for rental houses on the outskirts of Batumi. Here, the hustle and bustle of the city gives way to silence and lush greenery replaces the concrete, glass, and steel.

There’s always something going on in Batumi, especially in the summer

With so many things to do in Batumi, you’ll never be bored, either. 

The city swings into party mode in the summer, with Batumi Boulevard being the epicenter of the fun. It’s a hot time of year but the sea offers a little relief, both for the general climate and also for a refreshing dip. The best beaches, though, lie a little further afield to the north and south of city limits.

Several summer music festivals also take place in and around Batumi, featuring everything from jazz to contemporary hits. Things quiet down around September when school starts back up.

Digital nomads will find plenty of coffee shops and coworking spaces in Batumi

In recent years, the coffee scene has slowly gained ground in Georgia’s biggest cities. Cafes have opened up, offering artisan coffee and food, as well as strong WiFi. Batumi has several spots perfect for meeting with friends, getting a little work done, or just enjoying a coffee break by yourself on a rainy day.

There are a handful of dedicated co-working spaces in Batumi, too. Electronics stores also have all the gear you will need. The quality of products is good but, in general, it would be better to have a laptop and other electronics on your Georgia packing list.

The dining scene is stellar with regional foods and Georgian wine

Georgian food is as diverse as it is delicious, so it can be fun to discover regional specialties (the best of which is, undoubtedly, the boat-shaped cheese bread khachapuri). There are also a lot of international options. Whether you fancy an Indian curry or a delectable brioche, Batumi has what you’re looking for.

Georgian wine is also a world unto itself. Local legend holds that wine was first cultivated in Georgia 8,000 years ago and as reported by the BBC, recent discoveries back this claim. [Source]

You can indulge in luxurious experiences, as prices and the exchange rate are great

Batumi is great for indulging in a little luxury at prices that beat even the best bargains back home. For example, admission to the Alphabet Tower won’t break anyone’s bank. It costs 12 Georgian lari (or about $4.50) as of August 2024. 

The panoramic views atop the tower are even better at sunset; plus, there is a coffee kiosk and restaurant. The restaurant is on the spendier side by Georgian standards, but perfect for a date night or special occasion.

The Adjara region (where Batumi is located) offers outdoor adventures and rich cultural experiences

It’s fascinating that for a relatively small country, Georgia is highly diverse. Adjara, the region that encompasses Batumi, is the lushest and greenest part of Georgia. There are some excellent forest hikes to the east of town that are among the best day trips from Batumi.

Further up into the mountains, there are also a few great skiing spots such as the resort at Goderdzi. It isn’t as popular as resorts like Gudauri and Bakuriani, so it’s even better if you don’t like crowds.

Adara’s regional culture is also unique. The traditional dances are livelier with a free and easy vivacity (think Latin dancing), as opposed to the dignified rigidity or war-like intensity of other regions. 

And believe me, Georgia’s music deserves its praise. Watching videos of it online is fine, but it can’t capture the sheer magic and majesty of seeing it in person — which you can do at several places in Batumi.

Overall, it’s easy to get around locally & abroad

The city is walkable but it also has buses and minibuses, which are ideal if you wind up living further from the center. Rideshare apps (Bolt and YandexTaxi) are also a fraction of the cost of their Western counterparts. A ride across town might cost you only a few dollars!

Batumi has an international airport, but there are not many connections and flights tend to be more expensive. However, getting around in Georgia is easy and affordable. 

You can easily book a flight to Tbilisi and take the train to Batumi. Just know that Tbilisi has a local quirk of most of its flights arriving in the wee hours of the morning.

Another option is to fly into Kutaisi, which is a real hidden treasure for budget travelers. Its airport offers connections on low-cost carriers to destinations across Europe. They will, for the most part, be to lesser-known cities — but going off the beaten path is part of the charm of being a digital nomad.

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Have you ever been to Batumi? If so, what was your favorite part? Tell me about it in the comments below and read our guide to the best places to visit in Georgia for more travel inspiration!