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Poti

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City
—°6
Poti (Georgia)
ℹ️

Practical info — Poti

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🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Poti is a working port city; while the industrial areas are busy, the center features unique grid architecture.
  • Visit the Poti Lighthouse to learn about the city's maritime history.
  • The nearby Kolkheti National Park is a must for birdwatching and boat tours.
  • Given the coastal location, fresh seafood is highly recommended here.

🍽 Food

🍽
Fried Black Sea Mullet

This fresh fish is served at seafood restaurants around the port or along the coast.

🍽
Megrelian Khachapuri

Find this extra-cheesy version in bakeries located in the city center.

🍽
Elarji

A traditional Megrelian dish made of cornmeal and cheese, available at local taverns.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Poti Central Market

The best place to buy fresh fish, local spices, and fresh produce.

🛍
Maritime Souvenirs

Small shops near the lighthouse and in the center offer sea-themed mementos.

🧘
Kolkheti National Park (Paliastomi Lake)

Enjoy peaceful boat rides and birdwatching in a serene natural landscape.

🧘
Poti Central Park

A pleasant green space right in the middle of the city's urban grid, handy for a rest.

Poti is a key Black Sea port city of around 41,000 inhabitants in Georgia's Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region, set where the Rioni River meets the open sea. The town was founded on the site of the ancient Greek colony of Phasis, established in the 7th century BC by settlers from Miletus and remembered in the Argonaut legend as the final destination of the search for the Golden Fleece. In the 19th century the Russian administration developed Poti into a modern deep-water harbour; today it remains Georgia's largest seaport and a vital hub for container traffic and the transit of Caspian oil and gas. The cityscape is dominated by the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Mother of God, built in the early 20th century as a scaled-down replica of the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, by its rectangular street grid and by a fine municipal theatre. Just north of the city stretches Kolkheti National Park, whose subtropical wetlands around Lake Paliastomi are protected as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is May–Jul.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C9910121722252623201511
Rain mm967481564252495598117113107

Geography

Population
41,175 (2025)
Coordinates
42.14610, 41.67780

Facts

  • Population of approximately 41,000 inhabitants
  • Ancient colony of Phasis was founded in the 7th century BC
  • Largest seaport in Georgia on the Black Sea
  • The cathedral is a scaled-down replica of Hagia Sophia
  • Located at the edge of the Kolkheti National Park
  • Major terminal for oil and gas from the Caspian Sea

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Poti Free Industrial ZonePoti Free Industrial Zone2 km · SEExplore →
Poti Sea PortPoti Sea Port3 km · SExplore →
Paliastomi LakePaliastomi Lake5 km · NExplore →
Kolkheti National ParkKolkheti National Park5 km · NExplore →
Kulevi Oil TerminalKulevi Oil Terminal11 km · EExplore →
Supsa Sea TerminalSupsa Sea Terminal14 km · NWExplore →
UrekiUreki16 km · NWExplore →
Tsitsinatela Amusement ParkTsitsinatela Amusement Park23 km · NWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Poti (6)

Valerian Gunia Theatre🎭 culture

The Valerian Gunia Theatre in Poti is named after the renowned Georgian actor and playwright Valerian Gunia.

Poti State Drama Theater named after Valerian Gunia🎭 culture

The Poti State Drama Theater, dedicated to the works of Valerian Gunia, is a key cultural venue in Poti.

Nikoladze Tower🏛 museum

Historic tower in Poti housing a museum.

Poti Lighthouse📍 landmark

The Poti Lighthouse, built in 1862, aids navigation into Poti's harbor.

Tsotne Dadiani🏺 historical

Monument to Prince Tsotne Dadiani in Poti.

Poti Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary⛪ religious

The Neo-Byzantine Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in Poti was completed in 1907, designed by A. Zelenko and M. Marfeld.

Frequently asked questions

What is the economic importance of Poti?
Poti is one of Georgia's most important seaports and a central hub for Black Sea maritime trade.
Are there any natural attractions nearby?
Lake Paliastomi in the Kolkheti National Park is first-rate for bird watching and boat tours.
What can I see in the city?
The Byzantine-style Poti Cathedral and the old lighthouse are architectural highlights of the city.
How is the climate in Poti?
The climate is humid subtropical with mild winters and very rainy summers.
Can you go on a beach holiday in Poti?
Poti is more of a port than a resort; for beaches, nearby Maltakva is recommended.
Poti: where is it located?
Poti is located in Georgia.
Poti: what is there to see?
Highlights include Valerian Gunia Theatre, Poti State Drama Theater named after Valerian Gunia, Nikoladze Tower.
Poti: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jul.
Poti: why is it worth visiting?
Poti is a key Black Sea port city of around 41,000 inhabitants in Georgia's Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region, set where the Rioni River meets the open sea.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
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Nearby cities

Zugdidi — Poti (Georgia)
Zugdidi
Zugdidi is the historical capital of the Mingrelia region in western Georgia.
Senaki — Poti (Georgia)
Senaki
Senaki is a significant city in the Mingrelia region and an important military base.
Ureki — Poti (Georgia)
Ureki
Ureki is a popular coastal town on the Black Sea, famous for its unique magnetic black sand beaches known for their healing properties.
Anaklia — Poti (Georgia)
Anaklia
Anaklia is an ambitious modern beach resort town in western Georgia, famous for its striking pedestrian bridge and music festivals.

History & landmarks

Enguri Dam — Poti (Georgia)
Enguri Dam
At 271.5 meters, the Enguri Dam is one of the highest arch dams in the world.
Svaneti Towers in Mestia — Poti (Georgia)
Svaneti Towers in Mestia
The medieval defensive towers in the mountainous region of Svaneti shape the unmistakable landscape of Mestia.

Nature

Paliastomi Lake — Poti (Georgia)
Paliastomi Lake
Paliastomi Lake is located near the Black Sea coast and is a significant wetland area within the Kolkheti National Park.
Enguri River — Poti (Georgia)
Enguri River
The Enguri is a wild and fast-flowing river that runs through the rugged gorges of Svaneti before emptying into the Black Sea.

More places

Poti Free Industrial Zone — Poti (Georgia)
Poti Free Industrial Zone
The Poti Free Industrial Zone offers tax incentives and attracts international manufacturing companies.
Poti Sea Port — Poti (Georgia)
Poti Sea Port
Poti Sea Port is a major transport hub and Georgia's largest port for container and bulk cargo handling.
Kolkheti National Park — Poti (Georgia)
Kolkheti National Park
The vast wetlands and swamp forests on the Black Sea coast are a global refuge for migratory birds.
Kolkheti National Park — Poti (Georgia)
Kolkheti National Park
Kolkheti National Park stretches along the Black Sea coast, preserving the unique marshlands and floodplain forests of ancient Colchis.
Kulevi Oil Terminal — Poti (Georgia)
Kulevi Oil Terminal
The Kulevi Oil Terminal is a major facility for loading Caspian petroleum onto tankers in the Black Sea.
Dadiani Palace — Poti (Georgia)
Dadiani Palace
The Dadiani Palace in Zugdidi was the residence of the noble Dadiani family, who ruled historic Samegrelo.
Martvili Canyon — Poti (Georgia)
Martvili Canyon
The Martvili Canyon impresses with its emerald green water and stunning waterfalls.
Mount Laila — Poti (Georgia)
Mount Laila
At around 4,000 meters, Laila is the highest peak of the Svaneti Range.