Sarpi

Updated 26.02.2021

An Adjarian village 16 kilometers from Batumi, known for its excellent beach and the Georgian-Turkish land border crossing. The azure sea and healthy air invariably attract holidaymakers. From here you can easily visit Turkey.

Unique aspects of the holiday

Sarpi and the nearby villages, Kvariati and Gonio, can boast beaches with mountain scenery. In guidebooks it is advertised as a beach with views of Turkish mosques. In truth, only one mosque is visible from here, but it most clearly demonstrates that the neighboring country is literally a stone's throw away: Regularly, five times a day, the "chants" of the local mullah can be heard. Locals are used to it, and for holidaymakers it adds "exoticism". The Sarpi checkpoint is located right at the edge of the town. You can walk to Turkey. Crossing the Sarpi checkpoint to Turkey takes from an hour to several, depending on the queues at the border. Being in Sarpi you fully feel that you are in a border town. After all, all passenger and transport traffic passes along the main road separating the residential area from the beach.

Sarpi Beach

The pebble beach, about 600 meters long, has the shape of a crescent, which is symbolic, considering the white crescent on the red flag of Turkey. The water is so clean and transparent that every pebble on the bottom is visible, and of such an extraordinary turquoise-azure color that thoughts arise about the inappropriateness of the name Black Sea. But holidaymakers with children must definitely take into account that the shallow water is only in a narrow part of the water area, the depth after about four meters is already at human height - this is a common feature of Adjarian beaches.

Holidaymakers who have explored many Georgian beaches consider this one among the best. And the opinion of local residents who come here specifically to the beach (including from Batumi with its long coastal zone) is especially worth trusting.

During the USSR this was a closed border territory, only village residents were allowed, outsiders required special permission. And for the last quarter century access here has been open. Here you can meet many foreigners from near (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey) and far abroad.

Although there is no demarcation along the coastline, the "vigilant eye" of border guards on both sides and a patrolling coastal guard boat strictly monitor compliance with order. Only dolphins can "violate" it, sometimes swimming close to shore. Then you will be lucky to see a small performance by these amazing animals.

Sarpi attractions

The main attraction is the border checkpoint. On the Georgian side this is a distinctive, one could say, futuristic structure. Some see in its form waves rolling over each other, and most - a "key to Europe". It is no coincidence that next to the national flag of Georgia the banner of the European Union also flies.

700 meters away, on the highway to Batumi, there is a monument to Andrew the First-Called. According to legend, it was he who built the first Orthodox church in Georgia and ordained the first priests. The size of the statue is impressive, and right next to it - a waterfall.

Almost next to the beach, a church of Andrew the First-Called was recently built.

Of course, some consider it a minus to have a busy customs and an almost constant line of cars on the highway passing directly above the beach. The eyes of holidaymakers are mainly directed towards the sea, but you will have to cross the busy road. You cannot call Sarpi an excellent place for holidays precisely because of being at the very border, but staying for a couple of days is quite possible.

Entertainment

Sarpi is not very suitable for a quiet family seaside holiday. The beach in the northern part runs into a small rocky section. Jumping from the rocks is a very popular entertainment for daredevils.

The rocks separate the beach zones of Sarpi and Kvariati, you can even walk along the shore. There is located the only diving center in Georgia so far, "Concord", providing opportunities for excellent pastime for lovers of underwater swimming and photo hunting.

Several vessels were specially sunk in the water area, which now serve as artificial reefs for populations of marine inhabitants. A long underwater stone section called "stone alleys" has also been explored. Anyone can make a trial dive accompanied by a qualified diving instructor.

Fishermen will also be able to indulge in their favorite activity: experts recommend excellent sea fishing.

You can rent jet skis, water bikes, "bananas" and ride along the coast.

The infrastructure is absolutely suitable for recreation: right on the coast there are several colorful cafes covered with straw, there are shops and cafes in the village. Of course, there are few entertainment establishments and they are far from the sophistication of Batumi's, but Batumi is very close, so you can go there "for entertainment" even every day.

How to get to Sarpi

From Tbilisi Square in Batumi minibuses leave every 10 minutes, fare 1 lari, the journey takes 20-25 minutes. Or taxi - about 25 lari.

Accommodation

There are four large hotels and many private houses that receive guests. Some - on the coast, others - on the mountain slope. At first you may be confused by the narrow streets and quite a difficult climb, but local residents will show you "secret paths" by which you can reach the sea in a couple of minutes. Some guesthouses are located right on the border and are separated only by barbed border wire.

Climate

During the swimming season (June - September) the water temperature in the coastal zone is on average 25 degrees. The mountains protect Adjara from cold air masses, so the climate is mild and warm, subtropical. The village is immersed in greenery, in the gardens there are many oranges and nuts. The combination of sea and mountain air gives a wonderful healing effect, beneficial for diseases of the respiratory system, cardiovascular and nervous systems.

Excursions from Sarpi

Shopping in Turkey

The border divides the village and the coastal zone into two parts: on the Turkish side this is already Sarp. And although a popular song from the last century sang: we don't need the Turkish shore..., it is still curious. And how in this case not to take advantage of the border?! Especially for those interested in shopping in Turkey. You can visit the nearest large city of Trabzon, and in the village of Kemalpasha get to a fairly large market complex, proudly called the "Istanbul Bazaar".

The Sarpi checkpoint operates around the clock, citizens of the Russian Federation do not need a visa, formalities at the border are minimal, but if you are going in your own car, you need to purchase Turkish insurance (about $100).

Journey through the Machakhela Gorge

You can continue the "Turkish theme" and go on a journey through the Machakhela Gorge (about 50 km one way, about two hours). Recently the Machakhela Gorge received the status of a transboundary protected area (about 9 hectares), on the Turkish side this is the Camili Biosphere Reserve. The largest chain of Georgian cuisine restaurants is called "Machakhela".

Unforgettable impressions will remain from the wonderful nature with suspension bridges over mountain rivers, with picturesque slopes and waterfalls. Since ancient times Machakhela was a "shield" protecting Georgia from the Ottoman Empire, which left its mark on the traditions and way of life of the local population.

At first the road goes along the Turkish-Georgian river Chorokhi, and then - along the Machakhela river, this section is narrow, with a fairly steep climb. Clouds hanging over the peaks create the impression that the road goes into the sky. Many interesting places will appear before you: arched bridges in Kokoleti and Tskhlemlari, fortresses of Gvara (7th century), Chkhutuneti-Kalikava (11th-13th), waterfalls of Chkheri and Kvemo Chkhutuneti, monument "Topi Machakhela" - unique rifles that were made in the 17th-19th centuries. In the ethnographic museum of Upper Chkhutuneti you can see silver jewelry, carved items from local wood species, antique household items of the local population. Interestingly, the museum is located in an old Turkish mosque: the dome, walls and staircase are decorated with carvings in which elements of traditional Georgian painting (grape clusters) are clearly visible.

Be sure to try the famous Machakhela honey, produced by Caucasian bees (their species is threatened with extinction).

Tips for tourists

• Sun loungers and umbrellas are rented by the hour or by the day, so choose what is more beneficial for you.
• It is advisable to have special shoes for walking on pebbles. If you have not purchased them in advance, no problem, you will be offered to buy them on site.
• There are many currency exchangers here, but experts advise exchanging currency in Batumi, at a more favorable rate.