Backed by the soaring peaks of the Greater Caucasus Mountains, Sukhumi is a popular beach resort on Georgia’s Black Sea coast that serves as the capital of the unrecognised Republic of Abkhazia. It’s renowned for its palm-fringed beaches that lie juxtaposed against abandoned buildings, which stand as a stark reminder of the city’s tumultuous past.
Things to do in Sukhumi
Stretch your legs on Sukhumi’s breezy seaside promenade lined with restaurants, bars and ice creameries. You can take a dip in the refreshing waters of the Black Sea or relax in one of the leafy parks overlooking Sukhumi Bay. Just west of the main beach is the aptly-named Lighthouse Beach, a pebbly cove watched over by a mid-19th-century lighthouse delivered by sea from France.
A short stroll from the main beach is Sukhumi Botanical Garden, which was founded in 1840 as a means of introducing new plants to the region. It was largely destroyed by Turkish forces in the mid-19th century and again during the Georgian-Abkhazian War. It’s home to more than 4,500 species, including a diverse array of tea cultivars and citrus trees, as well as a wide variety of tropical plants.
For insight into the local culture and history, visit Abkhazian State Museum, which explores everything from the Georgian-Abkhazian War to the region’s archaeological finds. There are stuffed animals highlighting Abkhazia’s native fauna, as well as exhibits detailing the cultural traditions of its people.
Getting around Sukhumi
Sleeper trains connect from Moscow to Sukhumi and there are regular buses to and from the Russian border, as well as from the South Abkhazian town of Gali. Marshrutka minibuses are the main means of getting around Sukhumi and three trolleybus routes travel throughout the city.