How to get from Batumi to Gonio. Open the left menu of the gonio. From Roman baths to Turkish hammam

Updated 05/07/2019

Gonio (Georgia) - a resort on the Black Sea coast of the country, located 15 kilometers south of Batumi, is popular among vacationers with the Gonio fortress. At the same time, it does not at all look like the resort capital of Adjara. Simply put, Gonio is a small and quiet village with a long pebbly beach, an ancient Roman fortress right on the highway and several hotels. I advise everyone who does not want to share the beach with crowds of tourists to go here. Fans of noisy entertainment will simply be bored here.

Rest in Gonio (Georgia) can be organized at any time of the year. In the high season, tourists from Batumi come here, many rent accommodation. In the low one, there is no one in the village or on the beach - an ideal time for a secluded holiday. And if there is little entertainment here, then the sea, mountains and nature around compensate for this. For a noisy rest, you can drive to Batumi in 10 minutes.

History of Gonio

The settlement, as such, is almost never mentioned in written sources. Gonio grew around the ancient Roman outpost. Even Pliny the Younger in the 1st century BC wrote about the settlement of immigrants from Ancient Rome in the place of Gonio. The Romans built a fortress here, with which the history of the entire village is inextricably linked. Already by the 2nd century AD, the fortress became one of the most fortified in the region, but the influence of Ancient Rome did not last as long as in other places.

In the Middle Ages, Gonio (Georgia) passed under the flag of Byzantium, for some time in the XIV century it was a major trading port. In 1547, the Turks came here, spreading the power of the Ottoman Empire to Transcaucasia. Only three centuries later, in 1878, after the end of the Russian-Turkish war, Gonio and all of Adjara became part of the Russian Empire, and then the USSR. Now Gonio is becoming more and more popular, so if you want to have time to enjoy a deserted resort, then hurry up.

Gonio beach

Sarpi, Kvariati and Gonio have one circumstance in common - all resorts stand in front of the Chorokhi delta, a river that carries garbage and dirt to the Black Sea of ​​Adjara. Therefore, Gonio Beach is very clean, the water is clear, pleasant and completely safe. The beach is covered with large pebbles, so at first it may be unusual to walk and lie down. Massage lovers get by with towels and go barefoot, but I advise you to bring slates and, if possible, rent a sunbed.

By the way, the prices here are quite reasonable - they ask for 2 GEL for a sunbed, and 3 GEL for a large umbrella. The further you move south, the more tourists and sun loungers, the more equipped Gonio beach.

If you go north, to Batumi, then the beach will turn into a deserted and frightening sight. At the extreme end, you can find an unpleasantly smelling lake, around which dogs roam, and nearby is a truck stop. Real extreme!

In general, the beaches in the resort are conditionally divided into public and private, hotel. There are no borders between them, fences or nets - and even more so, so you can safely move from one to another. In the northern part, the entire beach is wild, but I do not advise you to relax here. It is better to go towards Kvariati (a detailed article about this resort village is available), to the southern part of the beach. You can also relax there with children, because the entrance to the water is safe and very gentle.

Sights in Gonio

The only and most famous attraction of the resort is the fortress of the same name, which is also called the Gonio-Apsaros fortress. The complex received the second part of the name in honor of Apsaros, the ancient prince of Colchis, who appeared in the story of the Argonauts. During the founding by immigrants from Ancient Rome, the Gonio fortress served as the main outpost in the region, closing the only flat route to Colchis (Georgia) from Turkey.

Now there is a museum-reserve in the fortress, which protects the walls and archaeological finds. The whole complex occupies 4.5 hectares, and the fortress itself is located right on the road on the way from Batumi to Gonio. The length of all the walls reaches almost a kilometer, and their height is an average of 5 meters. 18 out of 22 towers have come down to us and only one, the western, entrance, which originally worked together with the eastern, northern and southern ones.

Gonio Fortress (Georgia) is located just 1.5 kilometers north of the village itself, it can be reached in 10-15 minutes. Inside, the fortress resembles the ancient Inca cities - a large and almost empty space, bounded by long walls. But there is something to see here:

1. Tomb of St. Matthew, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ. However, there is no exact information about whose grave this is - the Georgian authorities do not allow excavations around this place.
2. Remains of an ancient pipeline and sewer. They are literally under your feet, so be careful when examining.
3. Roman baths. The ruins of the first buildings were almost not preserved; they were rebuilt in the oriental style under the Ottoman Empire. The remains of these baths can be seen now.
4. Museum of archaeological finds. It presents a lot of things from the excavations, but the most interesting finds were transferred to the Batumi Archaeological Museum.

The fortress of Gonio is worth visiting at least once for the sake of interest. For history lovers, I advise you to take an audio guide, and for a large group of tourists - a guide.

Useful information about the fortress

• Working hours: from 10:00 to 18:00 (Monday is a day off).
• The cost of the entrance ticket is 3 GEL.
• Audio guide - 5 GEL for two.
• Guide - 10 GEL, regardless of the number of people (duration - 1.5 hours).

There are no more interesting places in Gonio itself (Georgia) or in the vicinity. Unless I recommend climbing to the observation deck, which offers breathtaking views of Gonio, Batumi and the sea.

You can go to Batumi for noisy entertainment, walks along the seaside boulevard, chic restaurants or interesting museums. Do not forget about the greenest attraction of Batumi - and the nearby resort. You can also go south, towards Sarpi. The border of Georgia and Turkey passes in this village - you can walk around another country without any problems, because a visa to Turkey is not needed.

Accommodation in Gonio

Before making a choice in favor of hotels or the private sector, look at the links below for photos and the cost of accommodation for your dates. In most accommodation facilities, reservations are available through Booking, but you can pay for accommodation on the spot.

Hotels

Gonio hotels are represented by a variety of options, ranging from complexes on the coast to hotels in the mountains. There are 50 hotels in a small village, so there are plenty to choose from. In the high season, it is better to book a room in advance, because there is a risk of being left without housing at all. In autumn and winter, hotels are empty, some even close, but accommodation is easy to find.

One of the most convenient complexes in the resort is the Mgzavrebi Gonio hotel. It stands right next to the beach, where the road turns away from the sea, so it is quite quiet and calm here. The hotel is located in the northern part of Gonio, but far from the wild beaches described above, so it is also safe here. The main advantages of the hotel, I would include versatility, the place is suitable for tourists with any requests.

The hotel offers an impressive list of services:

• 24 hour front desk.
• Private outdoor pool with sun loungers.
• Possibility to take a sunbed on the private beach.
• Bar and restaurant with Georgian and European cuisine.
• Separate children's playground.
• Free outdoor cinema on the beach.
• Free and fast Wi-Fi.
• Private car park.

I advise you to choose Gonio hotels if comfort and numerous services are important to you. It is worth staying in a hotel 2-4 times more expensive than the private sector, but with early booking there is a chance to find a hotel near the beach. Below is a selection of hotels in Gonio with good ratings from guests (ratings are taken from Booking).

How to get to Gonio from Batumi

If you want to arrange a vacation in Gonio (Georgia), then remember the easy way to the resort from Batumi. In the capital of Adjara, it is enough to take bus number 16 or any minibus with the inscriptions Gonio, Sarpi or Kvariati on Tbilisi Square. Transport goes along the streets of Chavchavadze and Tbel-Abushridze, where you can get hooked and even have time to take a seat. The fare is 80 tetri, the ride takes only 20 minutes. A taxi will cost at least 15 GEL, but you will also get there in comfort. I told you more about taxi in Batumi in a separate article.

Excursions in Adjara

All important points of Gonio on the map

All iconic places of Gonio (Georgia) are marked on the map with purple icons. The blue markers are the accommodations I recommend considering for a stay. Going to the page of a specific hotel / hostel is very simple - just click on the icon and in the tab that appears on the left, follow the link placed under the word "description".

Georgia is a bright, sunny country, where there is everything you need for a wonderful and quality vacation: proud and majestic and gentle sea, ancient architectural monuments and modern beautiful cities. And most importantly, the famous Georgian hospitality awaits guests here. There are many pristine places in Georgia where the healing air, sea water and the beauty of the Caucasus Mountains literally cure all ailments - both physical and mental. One of these places is the small coastal village of Gonio, which is located on the Black Sea coast near Batumi. This article provides a short overview of the Gonio resort (Georgia), reviews and photos. We wish you happy reading!

Black Sea resort of Gonio: mild climate and warm sea

From Batumi to Gonio can be reached in just 20 minutes by bus, the distance to this small village from is only 12-15 kilometers. This is surprising, but the name of the village of Gonio comes from the name of the Italian city of Genoa. To understand what connects a small Adjarian village and a distant Italian city, you need to immerse yourself in the ancient history of the region.

In the XV-XVII centuries BC. e. in this place there was an outpost of the Great Roman Empire, guarding its eastern borders. Later, the territory passed to Byzantium and became the center of the Genoese trade. Vessels from Italian Genoa came here by sea. The locals changed the name in their own way, so the village of Gonio appeared on the future Georgian land (by the way, it was on this territory that the first Georgian state formations were created). The ancient fortress has survived to this day and is the main attraction of Gonio. If you look at reviews of Gonio in Georgia, tourists come here for mountain air, warm sea and silence.

Choosing accommodation in Gonio

Reviews of holidays in Gonio in Georgia suggest that choosing a place to stay here is quite easy. Part of the housing for vacationers is located on the seashore, part - in the mountains. You can book a hotel, villa, guest house or apartment. True, at the height of the season, you may be faced with the fact that there will be no free places. The fact is that Gonio is a favorite vacation spot not only for guests from afar, but also for Batumi residents. Here you can rent a room in a four-star or three-star hotel, where guests will be offered comfortable apartments with sea or mountain views. Hotel services usually include free Wi-Fi, a parking space in the car park, a restaurant with Georgian cuisine and a bar with a classic selection of drinks. The room rate includes a breakfast buffet. Hotels of this format: Egrisi, Lisa, Shore House.

The most popular accommodation option in Gonio are locally owned guest houses. In such a place guests are offered a standard room, bed linen, towels. The food is prepared by the guests on their own in the common kitchen, or the boarding house is purchased from the owner of the hotel. The TV is usually located in the common room. But there are mini-hotels where the rooms are equipped with TVs.

The most convenient and profitable option for a family or a large company is to rent a private apartment. It will cost less than previous types of housing. If desired, and sufficient financial capacity, you can rent very decent apartments. You can also rent a detached villa. In general, the cost of rented housing, as well as recreation, is quite budgetary and affordable for many. This is the case when for little money you can get all the delights of a holiday at sea.

History of the ancient fortress

Reviews of tourists about Gonio in Georgia necessarily contain references to the only, but very significant Georgian architectural landmark. The oldest architectural monument of Gonio-Apsaros fortress is the oldest in Georgia. Its origin is attributed to the XV-XVII centuries. BC e. The history of the fortress is intertwined with different eras and countries.

The first legend is connected with the Argonauts. It says that it was in this place that the Argonaut Jason killed Prince Apsyrtus, who organized a chase after him in order to take the Golden Fleece and his sister Medea. The second legend tells that the fortress during the Roman Empire was an important strategic object on the eastern border. The third legend claims that the tomb of Matthew, one of the 12 apostles of Christ, is located in the fortress.

Surprisingly, the fortress has well preserved the architectural features of that time almost in its original form. Even 18 out of 22 watchtowers survived. You can explore the fortress as part of a group and listen to a professional guide, or you can take an independent walk to touch the antiquity.

Resort infrastructure

Currently, the settlement is in the process of developing the resort business. This is noted by vacationers in reviews of sea holidays in Gonio in Georgia. This quiet Adzharian village has recently begun to turn into a full-fledged Black Sea resort. Hotels, shops and restaurants are being actively built. Of course, there are no special entertainments in Gonio. This is a quiet and peaceful resort. Walks along the promenade, a quiet evening in a local restaurant or a trip to the waterfalls - this is, perhaps, all that Gonio can offer vacationers, except for a beach holiday. The village is located in a very beautiful place, where the mountains come close to the sea.

The lush greenery that covers the mountain slopes hides a lot of waterfalls, streams and lakes with crystal clear water. Exciting walks in the mountains with a mandatory visit to waterfalls are often held here. If you want noisy and fun entertainment, then you can easily get to Batumi, as the capital of Adjara is very close. Everything is very close here. Even the capital is only about 270 kilometers away. Therefore, while living in Gonio, you can make small trips to many cities and memorable places of this original country.

Beach holidays in Gonio

The warmest words in the reviews and description of Gonio in Georgia are addressed to the local beach. This place on the Black Sea coast has the cleanest water. It is much more transparent than in Batumi. That is why the local beach holiday is so popular among Batumi residents. The coastal strip is completely pebbly, the stones are large and smooth. Judging by the reviews of the Gonio beach (Georgia), it is quite comfortable, since the coast here is flat and the entrance to the sea is convenient. Another advantage of the beach is that it is quite spacious, so you can stay relatively secluded. If necessary, umbrellas and sun loungers are available for rent. The beach also offers all the standard water activities.

The uniqueness of the climate

Gonio has a very mild and comfortable climate. Due to the proximity of the mountains, there is no strong heat here. And the eucalyptus groves that surround the village in abundance fill the air with healing power. A life-giving cocktail of sea and mountain air has a beneficial effect on well-being, energizes for a long time.

Waterfalls and icy mountain streams influence the microclimate, lush greenery also brings its note. The water temperature in the middle of summer is +25 degrees Celsius. In their reviews of Gonio (Georgia), many say that the local air is very useful for respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases and many other health problems.

Family holiday

It is good to spend summer with children in Gonio. In hotels and guest houses, all household trifles are provided to make such a vacation hassle-free and calm.

It will be very useful for little tourists to breathe in the local air and splash in the warm sea water. In Gonio there is no bustle of people and noisy entertainment venues, so it is easy to look after a child and maintain a daily routine. The beach is quite suitable for children's recreation: the sea is quiet here, the coast is clean, largely due to the pebble coating.

For older children, an adventure will be a mountain walk to the waterfalls, a visit to the fortress, water activities. And you can go to the water park or to entertainment events in Batumi. But how pleasant it is to return to quiet and cozy Gonio after a busy day in the capital, to walk along the embankment with pleasure and look at the impressive southern sunset!

In the very south-west of Georgia is the Adjara region - the warmest and most humid of all Georgian regions. The main city of this region is Batumi. But we will go to look at the mountainous part of Adjara, see and listen to the Makhuntseti waterfall and look into the Gonio fortress.

Batumi was left behind, flat urban landscapes were replaced by the following:

* the next picture and some others in the upper right corner are marked with . This means that under such a picture there is another one hidden - similar or from a different angle. To display the second snapshot, click on the first snapshot, to return the first, click on the second.

many of which were taken simply from the window of our taxi rushing along the serpentine:

On the left side of our path, a mountain hangs, on the right side, the Adzharistskali River flows, which in translation into Russian means "Adzharian water." We pass the village of the same name:

In some places, the river became much shallower, the color of the water also changed to sandy - the river carries a lot of sand from the mountains:

The quality of the mountain road here is excellent - new asphalt, everywhere there are markings, chippers:

So we arrived at the Makhuntseti waterfall.

The height of the waterfall is a little over twenty meters. The midday sun, reflected in wet stones and a cloud of spray from the first cascade, completely illuminated the upper part of the waterfall :(.
At the time of our arrival, the waterfall was not in its best shape - after all, the rivers become shallow in August, and the strength of the waterfall was not the same as in late spring. Nevertheless, it was a bewitching sight that I wanted to look at endlessly:

I barely found the only picture where the waterfall entered in its entirety - from the beginning of the first cascade to the drain bowl:

Having poured out, the waterfall turns into such a small river that you can jump over with a run (and in the spring there is a stormy stream):

We looked at Makhuntseti, admired it, but it's time to get into our taxi and move on. By the way, many thanks to the taxi driver Alik for helping us realize this trip and taking us safe and sound.

On the slopes of the mountains you can see the houses of local residents:

The same houses on zoom:

Here's where to live! But ... of course, the Internet is required. And a must-have SUV. :)

Entrance to the mountain village. Cows in Georgia are found almost everywhere, they graze where it is convenient for them and walk by themselves:

On such stone stairs mountain dwellers climb to their homes:

Oh, to live here and enjoy the cleanest air and the ringing silence of the mountains:

It's good to dream a little, but it's time to go back. We cross the Chorokhi River over the bridge and head for the Gonio fortress.

Fifteen kilometers from Batumi there is a small fortress.

Little historical background.
The Gonio Fortress (formerly called Apsare) was a Roman outpost in Adjara, on the Black Sea, 15 km south of Batumi, at the mouth of the Chorokhi River. The village is located 4 km north of the Turkish border.

The first mention of the fortress belongs to Pliny the Younger (I century AD). In the 2nd century AD, it was a well-fortified Roman city in Colchis. Later fell under the influence of Byzantium. The name "Gonio" was first mentioned in a report by the Trebizond historian Michael Panaret in the 14th century. For some time there was a place of Genoese trade. In 1547, Gonio became part of the Ottoman Empire, this continued until 1878, when, after the Treaty of San Stefano, Adjara became part of the Russian Empire.

Main alley:

Kiwis grow in the fortress above the main alley:

Ruins of ancient settlements:

Excavations are underway in many places inside the fortress:

The remains of the water supply of those ancient times:

Gonio is a small resort village in Georgia - a place much less famous than neighboring Batumi, the capital of Adjara and a recognized leader in tourist entertainment and recreation. However, it is in its relative "incognito" that the main attraction of the small resort lies. Here you can relax and feel how, finally, all worries and anxieties go away, and the long-awaited vacation comes. Gonio is calm, hospitable, very picturesque and peaceful. For those who want to relax with the family and are not ready for the constant resort rotation, this place is better not to be found. The sea is nearby, the mountains - certainly, and even with springs, waterfalls, diverse vegetation. And if you want a "noisy ball" - here it is, Batumi, just 15 km away!

Gonio is a difficult village, first mentioned by Pliny the Younger himself in the 1st century as the main outpost of the great Rome in Colchis, as Georgia was then called. Then the fortress became Byzantine, and in the 15th century it became part of the Ottoman Empire, from which it managed to get out only after the Russian-Turkish war of 1878. Turkey lost this war, and Adjara became Russian. Despite the difficult history, Gonio has retained its national identity, visual appeal and hospitality, which everyone can easily be convinced of by visiting here.

How to get to Gonio

Public transport to Gonio from Batumi departs daily from Tbilisi Square, it is not necessary to arrive at a specific time, it is unlikely that you will have to wait long. You can get to the city by bus number 16 or by any minibus that says Gonio. Travel time - 20-30 minutes, fare - 1-3 GEL.

By car - along the E60 road south from Batumi, following the signs to Sarpi, about 20 km. A taxi with a meter will cost about 10 GEL, without a meter - 18 GEL, but you can bargain up to 13-15 GEL. Prices on the page are for October 2018.

Search for flights to Batumi (nearest airport to Gonio)

Beaches

The beaches in Gonio are divided into those belonging to hotels or resorts and public. At the same time, the boundaries between them are conditional, there are no fences, and vacationers move from one beach to another at their discretion. The cover is large pebbles, the coastal strip is quite wide. It is good to travel here with children, because the sea is shallow near the coast. The water is exceptionally clean and warms up well. Entrance to the beach is free, but you will have to pay 3 and 2 GEL for an umbrella and a sunbed, respectively.

Gonio Hotels

Although the size of Gonio is small, his whole way of life is “sharpened” for tourists, so there are a lot of accommodation options. There are more than 50 hotels here - a variety of price categories and sets of entertainment and amenities offered.

Staying on the first line of the sea during the high season will cost 150-250 GEL per night; if you settle away from the coast or in the mountains, you can get a job for 60-90 GEL. There are many options for private housing, and some hosts offer not only accommodation, but also food - from breakfast to full board, at the request of vacationers. Prices in this case range from 30 to 60 GEL.

Cuisine and restaurants of Gonio

One thing Gonio has no problems with is the places to eat and drink - there are establishments of various types. Beach cafes offer simple traditional Georgian food - khachapuri, barbecue, draft wine. There are several restaurants where the cost of a dinner for two with wine or beer is about 15 GEL. The cuisine is national Georgian: a lot of meat, vegetables and cheese. It is worth trying Adjarian khachapuri with a raw egg, lobio - a dish of stewed beans and chakhokhbili - pieces of chicken meat stewed in a spicy sauce.

A special conversation is Georgian wines. Every village, yes there, every winemaker in Georgia believes that it is he who prepares the real wine. It is impossible to resolve these disputes, but it is worth paying tribute to Adjarian wines: they may well claim to be the best.

What to see

The main historical attraction of Gonio is the old Roman fortress, or rather, its ruins. The remains of the ancient walls, theater, hippodrome and baths are well preserved here. It is believed that inside the fortress there may be the grave of St. Apostle Matthew, the evangelist and disciple of Christ. However, excavations near it have not yet been carried out, but intensively carried out in other parts of the fortress. It is worth visiting Batumi, an amazingly colorful, light and unusual city. Adjara is also famous for the bridge of Queen Tamara, the pride of the people and evidence of its glorious past.

Weather

Gonio is located on the Black Sea coast, surrounded by mountains. The sea softens the climate, making it easy to endure even extreme heat, and the mountains protect from the winds, creating a special microclimate. As in other coastal cities, the difference between winter and summer temperatures does not reach 20 degrees, so not only subtropical, but also tropical plants feel good and at ease here. The variety of colors and smells simply amazes the traveler, who is accustomed to the modest charm of nature in the middle lane.

Just a fifteen-minute bus ride from Batumi is one of the oldest fortresses in Georgia - the Gonio fortress. We will also visit a place with a great history.

Personally, it is not worth going to the Gonio fortress from Tbilisi. Unless suddenly you are in Batumi or its suburbs. Then between swimming in the Black Sea and sunbathing (in summer, of course) for a change, you can afford this little trip. To do this, you just need to take a minibus with Gonio or Sarpi signs on Tbilisi Square in the center of Batumi.

The direction is very popular, the interval between minibuses is about 15 minutes (by the way, the same amount of travel). Batumi city bus number 16 also runs to Gonio, but I do not recommend using it, since it will take another hour to travel through the streets of Batumi. The fare is the same on the bus and on the minibus - 80 tetri (about 20 rubles).

The stop of buses and minibuses is right in front of the entrance to the fortress. It is not difficult to recognize it, by the presence on the left side of the movement of a large fortress wall.

The wall of the fortress is located in the shape of a rectangle with a long side of 222 meters and a width of 195 meters. Throughout the continuation, 18 completely different towers are built into the wall.

Fortress Gonio.

Well, let's see what's inside. To enter inside you need to buy a ticket, the price is only three lari (about 90 rubles), for children one lari. When traveling to the fortress, you should not forget about the opening hours: all days except Monday, from 10-00 to 18-00.

From the entrance there is a single shady alley that cuts the fortress into two equal parts. I would say that this is the most beautiful place inside the fortress.

Against the background of the flowers of the alley and the Adjarian mountains, the fortress walls also look good.

Photo by Gonio.

In the middle of the alley there is a small platform from where you need to go wherever you want.

On the left side is a huge field overgrown with grass and the ruins of an ancient city. Previously, the Gonio fortress was called Apsarunt and was a Roman bastion in Adjara back in the 1st century AD. Nothing remains of the buildings except for the foundations.

Archaeologists are working on the ruins, cleaning the ancient mosaic.

You can go straight and climb the old walls.

And you can go to the right, where a small part of the buildings still survived.

Once upon a time there was a fairly large and lively trading city. Romans, Byzantines, Turks and Russians owned this place.

Of the main attractions of the fortress - a well and a tree of desires (you can attach your message to the Lord);

Matthew's grave.

and the alleged grave of one of the apostles of Christ Matthew. The excavation of the grave is prohibited by the Georgian government, but the ennoblement of the grave is in full swing.

My recommendations for visiting the fortress boil down to the following: for those who are indifferent to the remains of ancient structures and the vast centuries-old history of our planet, there is absolutely nothing to do here. As one woman said to her husband (they met me in the fortress): “What the hell are we doing here instead of the sea?” and it will be true!
Another important point is the weather. Most of the sights of the fortress are located on the open surface, so in the heat, a tour of the fortress is not pleasant.
But if it gets really hot, then you can hide from the heat for a while in a small museum (a room of 15 meters), where there are exhibits found in the fortress, as well as in a small shop, while buying Georgian tea, honey and other souvenirs.
Almost all excursions in Adjara include a visit to the Gonio fortress. If there is a desire and a place in the cabin, you can agree with the driver and continue, already as part of an excursion group, acquaintance with local attractions. And you can do it yourself, as we go to Turkey (only seven kilometers). Our journey in the article