17 Marvelous Things to Do in Poti – Georgia’s ‘Little Paris’

Poti, a city known for its busy port and ever-present mosquitoes, is rarely on the list of cities in Georgia for locals and foreigners to visit. Everyone thinks Poti doesn’t have much to offer, which is untrue. It is a city rich in culture and history, with walkable streets adorned with captivating architecture and vibrant street art. And with this comprehensive guide, I will debunk the notion by providing plenty of things to do in Poti. 

Affectionately nicknamed ‘Little Paris,’ Poti stands out from the rest of the country with its unique urban layout and splendid heritage structures.

The city’s history intertwines with the Kingdom of Colchis and the legendary Greek tale of Jason and the Argonauts. 

Poti is home to Georgia’s earliest lighthouse, railway, and most profound seaport. Moreover, Kolkheti National Park, a biodiverse wonderland often called “Georgian Amazon,” is also here, one of the unique places to visit in the country and a must-do once in the area. 

This complete travel guide to visiting Poti includes essential travel tips and all the information required to plan a trip.

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A bit about the history of Poti

Poti rests along Georgia’s Black Sea Coast within the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region, 323 km from Tbilisi, 108 km from Kutaisi, and around 75 km from Batumi. 

It is home to the most strategically essential seaports in Georgia and serves as the Georgian Navy’s headquarters.

This area has functioned as a significant transit and trade hub throughout its extensive history, dating back to the 7th-6th centuries BC when it was the Ancient Greek colony of Phasis. The name ‘Poti’ finds its origins in ‘Phasis.’. 

According to myth, this is where Jason and the Argonauts first came to the Kingdom of Colchis. They traveled through the Rioni River from Poti to Aia, now Kutaisi, in search of the Golden Fleece.

Throughout its turbulent history, Poti was governed mainly by the Ottoman Empire on and off between the 16th and 19th centuries. 

During the subsequent Russo-Turkish War, Poti came under Russian control again in 1828, was incorporated into the Governorate of Kutaisi, and was granted the status of a port town in 1858. 

Substantial reconstruction of the seaport happened between 1863 and 1905, which brings me to explain why you should visit Poti in the next section. 

Why is Poti worth visiting? 

Poti experienced significant growth and a rise in importance during the tenure of Mayor Niko Nikoladze from 1894 to 1912. Often hailed as the architect of modern Poti, Nikoladze oversaw a series of ambitious modernization and construction initiatives. 

After graduating from Zurich University in Germany, Nikoladze returned to Georgia and started his first large-scale project to create a city on the swamps (water surrounds Poti on all sides) and turn it into a small town with European standards.

His grand plans started with building the first railway in the Caucasus in 1867-74 to connect Tbilisi with Poti, eased transportation of heavy goods, and helped export Georgia’s coal and manganese via port. 

Nikoladze’s other projects included the construction of a telephone line, three bridges over the rivers Rioni and Maltakva, the establishment of a theater, the building of a grand cathedral, the founding of two gymnasia, the installation of a power station, and the development of an oil refinery, to name just a few.

He also invited German-Lithuanian architect Edmund Fryk (Edmundas Alfonsas Frykas in Lithuanian) to design the city center based on the boulevard of Paris, resulting in Poti’s parallel streets, proportional blocks, and consistent houses, which earned it the moniker ‘Little Paris.’

It is the only old city in Georgia built with prior planning. Twelve streets of the city (each named after 12 saints) connect to the main square, in the center of which stands the cathedral constructed in Byzantine style. It is also a city of low, two-story houses and wide, green streets with the smell of the sea and humidity. The locals call Poti a ‘peaceful city.’ 

Today, Poti has around 70 cultural heritage buildings, out of which the majority are done under the supervision of Fryk. These buildings are of a modernist style of variable height, and despite having different decorative elements, they still look harmonious. 

During Georgia’s independence from 1918 to 1921, Poti was the country’s primary gateway to Europe. It also acted as the entry point for successive German and British expeditionary forces. On May 28, 1918, an important preliminary treaty of alliance between Germany and Georgia was signed in Poti, solidifying its pivotal role in international relations.

Unfortunately, the path of time has changed the appearance of the city. Niko Nikoladze’s ‘Little Paris’ is now a simple city where European architecture falls into disrepair. 

In the last two or three years, Poti has been undergoing some reconstructural progress since the City Hall announced the restoration of some of the cultural heritage monuments carried out together with the National Agency of Cultural Heritage. 

During my visit to Poti in the summer of 2023, I saw works in progress in some of the most beautiful architectural gems of Fryk. I hope that next time I am in Poti, I will see more buildings restored instead of crumbling down. 

Poti has a vibe of tranquility, and I now understand why locals call it a ‘peaceful city.’ Like many towns in Georgia, Poti has its own fair share of challenges but a considerable potential to become one of the primary tourist destinations of the region and even a competitor to Batumi or other coastal towns. 

Fun fact: Poti has 11 twin-sister cities, some of which are Larnaca in Cyprus, LaGrange in the United States, Nafplio in Greece, Pazar in Turkey, Östhammar in Sweden, Berdyansk and Chornomorsk in Ukraine, and Shanwei in China, to name just a few. 

17 marvelous things to do in Poti

Here are some fantastic things to do in Poti to debunk the notion that Poti lacks sites. To see everything enlisted here, you’d need two full days. However, if you plan on making some day trips from Poti to neighboring cities and towns, add another day or two. 

The city is compact, but several sites are spread across its urban landscape. While you can walk to almost every spot mentioned here, you’d need to use public transport or a taxi for a few sights, such as Kolkheti National Park, War Memorial, and Golden Lake. 

Adore Poti’s rich architectural heritage

Poti boasts approximately 70 Cultural Heritage-listed buildings, many built during Niko Nikoladze’s times. These architectural gems, spread across the city, are the perfect examples of how Poti would look if we took care of these buildings. Therefore, one of the first things to do in Poti is to hunt down these cultural heritage houses. 

Along David Aghmashenebeli, the city’s main avenue leading from the river to the seaport, you’ll discover numerous superb houses adorned with European influences. 

Most of these houses have been renovated and repainted. While some color choices are questionable and “too flashy” for me, I was happy to see some works made to preserve the intricate details. 

Here are some of my favorite heritage houses I found during my treasure hunt for them. You can see the exact locations on the map provided below. 

Kolkheti Culture Museum: while I’ll talk about the museum below, I also decided to include it in this section because it has a historical and cultural significance. Even if you wouldn’t go inside, it deserves to be seen from the outside. 

Architect Edmund Fryk constructed it as a residential house for a merchant and a businessman named Omer Avgenino. It is one of many examples of Fryk’s style of towering brick buildings of large neo-Gothic style. 

Former Grand Hotel: on G. Chanturia No.5, you’ll find another neo-Gothic style building of Fryk constructed in 1907 that once used to be a Grand Hotel owned by S. Mikiashvili and then functioned as a building for the Deaf and Mute Society back in the day. 

Sadly, today, it is half abandoned and emptied. On the ground floor, there’s a car repair shop. 

Children’s library named after Niko Nikoladze: A red, modern-style building in Poti’s central park built in 1909 still is the children’s library. 

Former TV Chanel Phasis: This striking Art Nouveau building was home to a TV channel, Phasis. The building caught my attention when I first visited Poti briefly in 2018, which regrettably is still left as an empty shell with the “for sale” sign since then. 

The former Bristol Hotel: now a restaurant of the same name, was designed by architect Fryk in 1906-1910. The two-story building in the city center with red bricks and white color accents gives it a festive mood (more on this restaurant below).

At the edge of the 19th and 20th centuries, it became fashionable to call hotels Bristol, and similar luxury hotels of the same name were built in various cities in Europe, including Paris, Vienna, Warsaw, Odessa, and Oslo, to name just a few. 

There are two versions of why hotels were called Bristol back in the day. According to one, Frederick Augustus Harvey, the fourth Earl of Bristol and Bishop of Derry, was a rich, educated person who traveled a lot. 

The places where the bishop used to live during his traveling should have complied with a high level of comfort and luxury. Thus, the tendency to call high-class hotels “Bristol” is related to him. 

Another version links the British city of Bristol, the origin of the modern hotels where an inn separated rooms for customers and provided isolated spaces for their horses. 

House of Ter-Nikogosovi: another gorgeous corner house of Fryk built in 1894. The first floor of this two-story red brick house extends on both streets, has an open arched entrance with the year of the construction plastered on top, and has a brick pediment at the center of the building. The second floor has one open balcony with metal plant ornaments. 

Former State Security Service building: one more masterpiece of Fryk used to house the State Security Service. This captivating two-story red brick and stone manor house of neo-Gothic style, constructed in 1901-1910, was still under construction during my visit in summer 2023 but almost finished.

Twins: these twin residential houses of neo-Gothic style are my favorite ones we saw of Nikoladze and Fryk period, dating back to the turn of the 20th century. 

Similar to other two-story buildings, they are also built of red brick but have distinctive elements of the modern style architecture of that time. While we haven’t seen the inside of the building, I’ve read that the houses have high ceilings that allow for creating a mezzanine/lost interior.

Both buildings still have their original roof, and the central park has substantial concrete balconies at the entrances. 

And even though they are called ‘Twins,’ they are pretty different in shape, layout, and decorations. I absolutely loved admiring them and imagining what they looked like back then. Sadly, like others, they also require some refurbishment. 

Art school: one of our last finds was the now-renovated Art School at Tamar Mepe Street. 

The one-story red brick and white stone building is very artistic and visually pleasing, with a mixture of architectural styles and elements. The construction work was still underway on our visit, so we only saw its facade from the fence. 

See the iconic Poti Lighthouse from the inside

Painted in striking red and white stripes, Poti Lighthouse stands as the city’s most recognizable landmark and a top attraction. Initially crafted in London in 1862 at Easton Amos & Sons Engineers company, the parts were transported to Poti from London, bringing British engineers along to help reassemble them. 

It took two years to screw cast iron plates according to a particular numeration system with bolts and nuts. When finished, the inaugural light was turned on in 1864, making it the first nationwide navigational facility of its kind. 

The lighthouse is currently within the State Hydrographic Services complex but accessible to visitors. The first two floors house a quaint museum adorned with archival photographs, antique lanterns, navigational instruments, and assorted maritime memorabilia.

To reach the pinnacle of the lighthouse, climb on a 160-step spiral iron staircase that leads to the top. Unfortunately, the viewing deck is not open to visitors anymore. However, you can still admire the vistas of the Black Sea from its windows as you go up. 

Once at the top, you can admire the lantern Henry Lepaute A Paris company made. You can see the plate below. 

The guard will instruct you on what you are not allowed to do when visiting Poti Lighthouse. For example, you should not speak loudly or shout; climbing on the platform of the lantern’s rotating optical instrument is forbidden, and so is stepping on the railing to go on the roof, and you should not touch the exhibits. 

The guard will also ask you to leave your bags, small or big, at the bottom – he will show you where. There are signs everywhere, so it is easy to notice what you can or can not do. 

Once finished, you can see a peculiar small park or walk to the seafront. Adjoining the Poti Lighthouse is the cemetery, as seen from the small windows once you ascend the staircase. 

• Opening hours: daily from 9 am – 6/7 pm. They won’t let you inside during rain or wind.
• Entrance fee: FREE

Understand the city’s history at the Kolkheti Culture Museum

Officially known as the Giorgi Chitaia Museum of Colchian Culture of Poti, the museum provides a glimpse into local history. While the museum desperately needs some refurbishment, its exhibitions are intriguing and educational, guided by passionate and welcoming staff.

The lower floor holds multiple rooms brimming with artifacts excavated during archaeological studies in the region. These artifacts encompass clay vases, weaponry, and jewelry retrieved from dives in Lake Paliastomi, believed to be the site of Ancient Phasis. 

On this floor, you can also see the typical house of the region and a miniature model of the boat Jason and the Argonauts traveled to Poti with. Sadly, this section of the museum lacks signage, even in Georgian. 

Upstairs, the exhibition delves into Poti’s modern history, having more English signage. It showcases captivating archival photographs documenting the construction of the lighthouse, cathedral, and the only buffet of the port, alongside an array of city plans, passenger and other ship models, and much more.

• Operating hours: Tue-Sun from 10 am to 5 pm; Closed on Mondays
• Entrance fee: Georgian citizens – 5 GEL; foreigners – 15 GEL

Relax at Poti Central Park

The center of Poti is concentrated around the cathedral and the adjacent Central Park. Inside the park, you’ll find scenic walking paths, picnic areas, remnants of an ancient Ottoman fortress, an impressive Soviet-era mosaic, and the Children’s Library mentioned above. 

If you are visiting Poti in summer, spending a few minutes under the shade of the trees in Central Park is one of the things to do in Poti to recharge your batteries and also see the local’s everyday life. A small amusement park opens in the afternoon, bringing families with kids for a joyful day. 

After your leisure stroll, venture out to discover more of Poti’s beautiful landmarks, including the distinctive Poti Theatre.

Try local ice cream called White Bear

Nothing beats a tasty ice cream on a hot summer day. The White Bear booth inside the Poti Central Park brings a wide variety of cheap and delicious ice cream from Senaki, one of the cities in Samegrelo. 

Try the ‘soft serve’ type Georgians call ‘Chamosaskhmeli,’ meaning “to pour.” They have three types: vanilla, chocolate, and a mixture of two. They have dozens of different ice cream types if you like something else. 

Go inside St. Virgin Cathedral

The Poti Cathedral is a remarkable architectural gem, boasting the distinction of being the sole neo-Byzantine cathedral in Georgia, drawing inspiration from the iconic Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey.

The cathedral’s proportional, low-domed structure results from the creative vision of architects Alexander Zelenko and Robert Marfeld, who constructed it in 1906-1907 under the sponsorship of Niko Nikoladze. The cathedral underwent architectural changes during its existence, and in times of Soviet rule, it functioned as a theatrical venue.

The interior of this large cathedral can accommodate up to 2,000 people, featuring tangerine-colored marble columns and bright golden icons. 

• Opening hours: daily from 8 am
• Entrance fee: FREE

Visit the Niko Nikoladze Tower and a museum

The Niko Nikoladze Tower is the oldest structure in Poti, dating back to 1578 when it was part of an enormous fortress constructed by the Ottomans after their initial conquest of Poti (you can see the model of this fortress in Kolkheti Culture Museum). 

Therefore, one of the essential things to do in Poti is to visit this tower and a small museum. 

When Nikoladze was the Mayor of Poti, he resided in the tower, expanding it with two additional floors and adorning its facade with a mechanical clock crafted in Paris in the 1870s.

The tower houses a modest museum dedicated to Nikoladze and exhibits his memorabilia, archival photos of him, his family, and the city of Poti. With a narrow spiral wooden staircase, you walk up the second and third floors and eventually to the attic, where you can see the back of the Parisian clock. 

I absolutely loved the city plans, intricate and almost concealed fireplaces, a vintage typewriter with the Georgian alphabet, a red wooden spiral staircase, and his beautiful table. The views from the windows over the cathedral are also splendid. 

As a side note, his main house museum is in Didi Jikhaishi village in Imereti, around 80 km from Poti. 

• Operating hours: Tue-Sun from 10 am to 5 pm; Closed on Mondays
• Entrance fee: Georgian citizens – 5 GEL; foreigners – 15 GEL

Hunt down street art in Poti

Unlike Kutaisi, Batumi, and Tbilisi, there are only a handful of street art in Poti. Niko Movement created a few murals in 2019 and 2020, an initiative and a project that brings local and international muralists to beautify buildings nationwide. 

Most murals intimately connect to the city and offer insightful critiques of local society or culture.

Medea by David Samkharadze, created in 2019, depicts the mythological daughter of King Aetes, known for her botanical elixirs and her elopement with Jason. 

Next to it is the funniest mural I’ve seen thus far, a so-called Cowsquito, created in 2020 by Goga Katsarava. He portrays a huge-sized mosquito, a playful representation of oversized insects, and a punch in Poti’s moniker of ‘city of mosquitos.’ However, I was not disturbed by mosquitoes at all, when I usually am! 

Musya Qeburia’s Beauty Buried in a Swamp is another striking street art in Poti showcasing a partially dunked woman surrounded by floating plastic bottles and lotus flowers. This is another punch for Poti’s second nickname, ‘Swamp City,’ and a response to the environmental problem. 

There’s also an Elephant in the Air by Rosto near the railway station and a Georgian Alphabet mural behind the Bristol restaurant that has faded colors. 

I found two murals while searching for Soviet-era mosaics on the shores of Poti – one that shows the white-sided dolphins of the Black Sea and another depicting the journey of Jason and the Argonauts. The latter has a signature of S. Khazalia.

At the Rustaveli Embrakment and the corner of Merab Kostava Street, I also found a mural dedicated to Niko Nikoladze, with his portrait, seaport, and lighthouse. This one also has the signature of S. Khazalia. 

Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any information about these last artworks online. You can find the exact locations of these murals on my Poti City Travel Guide Map below.

Savor Megrelian cuisine at Bristol Restaurant

Megrelian cuisine is one of my personal favorite regional fares in Georgia, so when visiting Poti, one of the things to do in Poti is to try as many local dishes as you possibly can. 

Bristol Restaurant, housed in a former hotel of the same name I mentioned above, boasts a charming interior adorned with framed archival photographs. 

The extensive menu offers Megrelian staples and other European or regional dishes. We had kverebi, a simple cheese dumpling, and a Megrelian take on nationwide Khinkali. It is typically prepared from a very freshly made Sulguni cheese. As you can see in the picture, they were huge, so remember when ordering if you want to try other meals.  

Elarji is one of my favorite Megrelian dishes, so I was curious to try it when I saw it with a ham. Unfortunately, the kitchen mixed the orders and served us a big portion of classical elarji instead. The manager refused to take it back or replace it. 

I debated whether to write this on the post or not. However, I honestly believe my mistakes and experiences can save you from the same situations, so I’d advise you to be more mindful and double-check the order with the server. 

Visit Poti Synagogue

I love finding synagogues in different cities of Georgia, and since we had quite a big Jewish community in the country, every big town had at least one synagogue. Sadly, most are inactive, a few are abandoned, and the majority closed off. 

I have now visited synagogues in Gori, Kutaisi, Tbilisi, Batumi, Oni, Sujuna (abandoned), and Akhaltsikhe (this one is home to the 500-year-old Torah I had no idea we ever had), Poti’s Synagogue is simple yet quite captivating constructed in 1903 and located on Jerusalem Street. 

It is an inactive synagogue and closed. However, there is a number on the gate of the caretaker (+995 555 519 929 Merabi) you can call and ask them to open the gate for you to have a quick peek. 

Like several synagogues I have seen, this is disguised from the outside; the only giveaway is a David Star on the western wall of the building, unseen from the street or the gate. 

The synagogue inside has a wooden ceiling and walls painted in light yellow but no decorations. In the center, you’ll find the Bema and Torah Ark.

Track down a few remaining Soviet-era mosaics

I adore Soviet-era mosaics and always look for them when visiting a city. Sadly, many mosaics I knew of have been covered, damaged, or demolished. 

One of my favorite Soviet-era mosaics in Poti is within Central Park grounds, adorning a curved amphitheater’s interior. This mosaic portrays a girl and a boy playing traditional instruments while wearing traditional clothes and surrounded by flowers, animals, and birds.

Another still-preserved one is on Gegidze Street near the port. Both sides of the Hotel Anchor have a massive mosaic depicting theatrical performances and dances on one side and the maritime theme with Poseidon in the center, accompanied by two ladies riding dolphins on the other. 

Enjoy sunset at Okros Tba

Translated as Golden Lake, visiting Okros Tba at sunset is one of the remarkable things to do in Poti and definitely the highlight of our visit. 

Lodged between Paliastomi and the Black Sea coast, Okros Tba has a massive bridge, giving breathtaking vistas during the golden hour. 

The area has an abandoned building that I assume could have been a Soviet-era youth camp, but sadly, I could not find any information about it online. 

Once you cross the bridge, there’s a bar called Bari Tbaze, or a bar at the lake in English. Sit down here, sip a drink, or order a snack/dinner (French Fries and Caesar salad were great) and enjoy as the sunset brings gorgeous hues to the abandoned building on the opposite side, its reflection on the lake, and the sky. 

Eat anchovy and other local fish at Beer House

Poti is known for the local Black Sea fish. It is particularly famous for anchovy, but since its season is in winter and we visited Poti in summer, we couldn’t try it. Instead, we opted for red mullet, locally known as ‘barabulka.’ 

The pan-fried fish was very crispy and quite delicious. Pictured are the two portions of it, as it typically comes in small quantities and is also relatively small. 

Get produce at Poti bazar

Poti produce market is full of fresh fruits and vegetables, churchkhela, cheese, and honey, to name a few. Because it’s part of Samegrelo, you can also find different types of adjika – regional chili sauce. 

It’s a great place to buy something as a snack, bring it as a souvenir, or watch the local life. 

See the unusual WWII Memorial

Poti’s memorial differs from many WWII Memorials across Georgia that look more tragic or patriotic. 

This memorial, located outside the city on the main highways named Monument to Heroes-Sailors, pays homage to fallen WWII soldiers and sailors, featuring a golden figure resembling David on top of the column with three towering white sculptures that look like crashing waves or fists, adding an intriguing dimension.

Created by sculptor E. Amashukeli and architect V. Davitaya in 1979, it apparently even won the USSR State Prize. You can make a quick stop here when going to the Okros Tba. 

Tour Kolkheti National Park by boat

Kolkheti National Park stands out as one of Georgia’s premier national parks and is one of the wonderful things to do in Poti. 

Enlisted as a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site along with Mtirala, Kintrishi, and Kobuleti national parks and protected areas, the Kolkheti National Park visit includes boat tours across Paliastomi Lake to the Pichori River. 

The winding watercourse brings you deep into the complex wetlands and forests to spot birds and unique flora. 

You need to contact the Visitor Center and book in advance to do the boat ride. Do note that the boat ride will be canceled in windy and rainy weather, and the administration will let you know as soon as they know. 

Stroll down Poti Beach

The coastline near Poti Lighthouse comprises rocky terrain; however, it still is a relatively lovely walk along the shore. 

When locals want to dip in the Black Sea, they go south to Maltakva or Grigoleti for magnetic sandy beaches. It’s a short car or taxi ride from the center. 

Even further south, Ureki or Shekvetili has better areas for swimming and sandy, magnetic beaches. 

Poti travel map

I have created a Google Maps list you can safely refer to with all the spots and places I mentioned in this guide. 

Where to Stay in Poti

Unfortunately, Poti doesn’t have a wide choice of accommodation options listed on Booking.com, and I was happy to find Express Inn, a recently established boutique guesthouse near the center and the lighthouse. 

The guesthouse has only five rooms and a shared studio-like space with a kitchen and a sofa to relax. We loved the style, the rooms’ comfort, and the whole area’s cleanness. The only thing we missed is an outdoor seating in its small garden. 

→ Check prices and availability here. 

Poti travel planning essentials 

The best time to visit Poti

Poti, more an industrial center than a resort town, experiences a different pronounced seasonality than places like Kobuleti, Tsikhisdziri, or Shekvetili. Businesses remain open year-round, though the city is much more livelier in summer. 

Summer in Poti might be rainy with sudden floods and oversized mosquitoes. However, I have always been in Poti in summer, both in August, and it hasn’t rained for a second. It gets scorching in the afternoons to do the sightseeing, though. 

As for the mosquitos, we were armed with repellant, but they bothered me more in Tbilisi than they did in Poti without even putting a repellant on. 

Winter is a fishing season, especially for anchovy. And while it is a perfect time to visit Poti to try Black Sea anchovy, it also brings a less appealing odor in some parts of the city.

Late spring and early autumn are also lovely times to visit Poti; remember that not all the restaurants and establishments can be open, especially those that depend on the seasonal warm months. 

When planning a visit to Poti, also be prepared that strong winds might lead to the cancellation of boat trips to Kolkheti National Park. 

How to get to Poti

Poti, located on Georgia’s Black Sea Coast, is an easy destination to get to from various parts of the country. In this section, I’ll provide detailed information on how to get to Poti from major cities like Tbilisi, Kutaisi, and Batumi. You can get to Poti by train, marshrutkas, rent a car, or use a private transfer offered by GoTrip, which is more affordable than it sounds.

As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, there is a direct train from Tbilisi to Poti, leaving every day in the morning, taking 5:30 hours to reach Poti. The train tickets cost 16 GEL for the second class and can be purchased at Tkt.ge

Driving from Tbilisi to Poti takes the same time if there is less traffic on the road. However, this allows you to detour and explore a few spots in Imereti, Samegrelo, and Guria. If driving is not your thing, you can still do the same detours with GoTrip’s private transfer when putting all the sites you want to explore on their travel planner. 

While you can certainly take a marshrutka from Tbilisi to Poti, I don’t recommend it because of the comfort of the vans for such a long journey. Plus, it might take you longer to get there. 

If you are already traveling in Georgia, you can take a marshrutka from Kutaisi to Poti, leaving from Kutaisi’s Central Bus Station every hour from 8 am to 6 pm. It takes around 1:45 minutes to get there. Expect to pay 8-10 GEL for a ride. 

Even though it might take longer, you can also take a train to Poti from Kutaisi’s Rioni Station, 10.3km away from the city. 

It is also relatively easy to get from Batumi to Poti with a marshrutka departing from Batumi’s Old Bus station during the day, approximately over an hour. Unfortunately, there are no trains from Batumi to Poti. Tickets cost 10-12 GEL. 

For all the locations, you can use GoTrip to get you to the Poti from wherever you are traveling from or rent a car in these major cities at LocalRent for affordable prices and a wide choice of cards. 

Traveling onwards from Poti

To return to Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Kobuleti, or Batumi from Poti, you can follow the same route I explained above or catch a train from Poti to Tbilisi and Kutaisi. 

If you plan on visiting nearby areas, explore the Samegrelo, Guria, and Adjara regions in western Georgia.