Tsikhisdziri, Banana Grove
Georgia is rich with mysterious and unexpected places, and discovering a true tropical Georgian corner is a dream for any tourist. The coveted Banana Grove is located in Adjara, in the village of Tsikhisdziri. This spot is about 15 kilometers from Batumi, approximately a 30-minute drive by car. On some maps, the grove is marked as “Banana Forest.” However, this name might be a bit of an exaggeration, as the entire “forest” can be explored in just 10 minutes.
Still, it is a truly unique place! Imagine dense banana thickets that block out sunlight, with thick stems, massive leaves, enormous flower clusters, and bunches of tiny bananas. Add the sound of a mountain stream nearby, and just a few steps away, you’ll find a hidden beach with a waterfall and rocky cliffs!
But let’s go step by step.
Banana Grove: How to Get There from Batumi
Address: Tsikhisdziri Village
Parking Coordinates: 41.758306, 41.749404
I’m providing the parking coordinates and directions from there to the grove because entering the grove’s direct coordinates into maps often generates confusing routes.
There are several ways to reach the Banana Grove:
1. City Buses and Minibuses
You can take Bus #6 or Minibus #40 to their final stop in the village of Buknari (coordinates: 41.745176, 41.739701). From there, the walking route to the grove is about 2 kilometers and will take around 40 minutes, as most of the path goes uphill along the roadside.
Important!
While the shortest route might seem to be along the shoreline, do not attempt this path. Near the Castello Mare Hotel, a large rock juts into the sea, making it impossible to bypass along the coast.
2. Regional Minibuses
You can also take a regional minibus heading to Kobuleti, Poti, Kutaisi, or Tbilisi. The best place to catch these is at the stop near the Catholic Church (coordinates: 41.646211, 41.649865), close to the Welmond Hotel.
IMPORTANT! Be sure to tell the driver you are going to Tsikhisdziri. Otherwise, long-distance minibuses might take the highway, bypassing the village entirely.
You’ll need to exit the minibus at the turn toward the Castello Mare Hotel (coordinates: 41.755168, 41.749484). From there, it’s about a 15-minute walk to the grove entrance.
3. Taxi
A taxi from Batumi will cost approximately 30 GEL and will take you directly to the entrance.
Note: Keep in mind that you may not be able to call a taxi for your return trip using an app. Your only option might be to walk to the main road and flag down a passing minibus, which may not always have available seats.
4. Rental Car
The most convenient option is to rent a car. This allows you to drive straight to the grove and park right at the entrance.
There is an open barrier at the parking area. If you’d like to save money, you can park just before the barrier on the roadside, where there are spots available. If you don’t mind spending a few lari, you can drive through the barrier and park in the designated parking lot. During the off-season, the lot is often empty, and you might not even be charged.
How to Reach the Banana Grove
Once you’ve arrived at the coordinates I provided, you’ll find yourself at a crossroads, like a knight deciding which path to take. The far-right path is for service use. If you go left, you’ll descend along a slightly damaged sloped road. If you go straight, you’ll find a picturesque staircase — this is the route I recommend.
From there, descend the staircase to the end, and continue along the single path leading away from it.
Note:
If you use Yandex Maps to plot a walking route directly to the grove, it will take you on a detour through a small hamlet. You’ll end up walking along narrow roads between private fences, searching for passages. It’s better to use my parking coordinates as a reference and follow that location.
Banana Trails
As mentioned earlier, the grove itself isn’t vast. It’s impressive due to the size of the banana plants (yes, bananas grow on shrubs, not palm trees) and the density of vegetation, but it can be explored fairly quickly.
However, I must disappoint anyone hoping to snack on ripe, sweet bananas. Firstly, in this climate, the fruits are very small and almost never fully ripen. Secondly, even if they do turn yellow, they are completely inedible — trust me, I’ve tried.
Once you descend to the banana grove via the staircase, you’ll reach a pathway. To your left, there will be a small pond. You can cross it using the dam to reach the opposite shore or continue straight — either way, you’ll end up in the same spot.
If you head slightly uphill to the left, you’ll be close to the railway tracks and a small seasonal café. From this point, turn right and descend along a path equipped with wooden railings.
This will lead you to a small tunnel that opens up onto a unique beach by the sea.
Important:
If you try to reach the beach by crossing the railway tracks from above, you’ll have to walk over slippery rocks, which is very dangerous. Stick to the recommended path for safety.
Shukura Beach in Tsikhisdziri
Emerging from the tunnel and descending the stairs, you’ll find yourself in a stunning place! This is Shukura Beach, featuring wooden platforms, a seasonal bar, loungers, cliffs, and even its own waterfall!
For the best photos, it’s worth arriving early, as there might be a line to the waterfall later in the day.
If you venture along the shore to the right, you’ll discover a breathtakingly beautiful rock with a natural opening inside — a scene reminiscent of the Mediterranean!
Banana Grove: Photos
This unique location offers magical photo opportunities, making the search for the banana grove worthwhile. Take a look at photos from 2020 and compare them to those from 2024:
By the way, the most recent photos were taken in November, which is why I’m wearing a jacket. In the summer, it’s as warm here as anywhere else. However, on sunny days, you’ll enjoy the cool shade. Keep in mind that the downside of shade is the humidity. After rain, everything takes a long time to dry, and the paths can get muddy. Wear closed, non-slip shoes — they’ll also come in handy for navigating the rocks by the sea.
Banana Grove: Nearby Attractions
If you walk 200 meters from the waterfall along the beach, away from Batumi, you’ll reach a tunnel with a mountain stream flowing through it. You can explore the tunnel, but be aware that getting back out on the other side can be tricky.
Nearby, there’s another beautiful beach, simply marked as Tsikhisdziri Beach on maps. It’s only accessible from the main road; there’s no way to reach it along the shoreline.
Just a kilometer from the beach is Petra Fortress, built about 1,500 years ago. This historic landmark played a significant role in Georgian history and offers breathtaking views of the Black Sea coast.
Have a fantastic trip, friends!
More about Batumi and Georgia:
Best hotels in the mountains of Georgia
Souvenirs – what to bring from Georgia as a gift
The Best Adjarian Khachapuri in Batumi. Top 5 Places
Shekvetili Dendrological Park (48 km from Batumi)
Hello!
I am Victor, the founder of this site and its main, but not the only author.
Traveler and photographer. Visited more than 40 countries.
Born and raised in Batumi. I love to travel in Georgia.
More about me here.