Poti

Poti is not a city that seduces at first sight. Arriving from Kutaisi or Batumi, the first thing you notice is the activity of the commercial port: cranes in motion, articulated trucks waiting their turn, the smell of fuel and diesel floating in the humid air of the Black Sea. Tourism is not what drives this city, and it shows. The centre has a quiet provincial scale: wide streets lined with plane trees, Soviet buildings in varying states of repair, and the dark dome of Poti Cathedral silhouetted against the apartment blocks.

Lake Paliastomi, south of the city, completely changes the tone. It is a freshwater coastal lake surrounded by subtropical humid forest — one of the rarest ecosystems in Georgia — with tall reeds, lianas hanging over the water and frogs heard from a distance at dusk. A network of canals historically connected the lake to the Rioni River. The atmosphere is dense, dark green, with humidity that weighs on clothing. You can explore it by hired boat from the small jetty or walk along the edge trails among wild ducks and egrets.

Poti port is one of Georgia's main ports, with ferry connections to Ukraine and Romania, giving the city a functional, transit character. Poti's public beach is of dark basalt pebbles and poorly equipped; those looking for comfortable beaches have Batumi 90 km to the south or Anaklia somewhat closer.

Poti stands near the site where the ancient Greeks placed Phasis, the mythical city of Colchis and the destination of the Argonauts in search of the Golden Fleece. The modern city took shape in the 19th century under Russian rule, when the port was built and the railway connected it to Tbilisi and Batumi, making Poti the main logistics hub of the western coast. During the Soviet era it was an industrial and port centre of regional importance. In August 2008, during the conflict between Georgia and Russia, the port suffered damage and was temporarily occupied. Today it remains above all a hub of Georgian trade with Europe and the Black Sea.

• Lake Paliastomi Nature reserve within Kolkheti National Park. Subtropical riparian forest, historic canals and abundant wildlife — herons, cormorants, otters. A boat can be hired from the small jetty by the lake; the basic tour lasts an hour and takes you through the canals between the vegetation.
• Poti Cathedral Built between 1906 and 1907 following the model of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, it dominates the city centre with its dark-tiled dome. The interior is sober and active as an Orthodox parish.
• Port and seafront promenade A walk along the Black Sea with views of cargo ship traffic. The sea breeze and the constant sound of waves on the pebbles set the rhythm of the place.
• Poti Local History Museum Collection focused on the history of Colchis, the Greek classical era and the modern port development of the region. Very affordable entrance.
• Poti Beach Dark basalt pebbles and open sea. Quieter and less crowded than Batumi, though facilities are basic and the water can be murky near the mouth of the Rioni River.

Photo gallery

From Tbilisi there are direct trains to Poti (about 5-6 hours). From Kutaisi it is about 90 km by road, approximately 1.5 hours by marshrutka. From Batumi, also about 90 km north along the coastal M27 road, with frequent marshrutkas (1.5-2 hours). The nearest airport with international flights is Kutaisi, about 100 km away. Poti has no operational airport for regular flights.

Poti has a humid subtropical climate: it rains a great deal throughout the year, even in summer. The driest and sunniest months are July and August, with temperatures of 25-30 °C and high humidity. Spring is rainy but Lake Paliastomi is at its greenest. Autumn brings frequent rains from October. Winter is mild in temperature — rarely drops below zero — but grey and damp. Waterproof clothing is advisable at any time of year.