City Zoo

Batumi City Zoo (6 May Park Zoo) – A Historic Urban Wildlife Experience

Overview

Hidden within the green expanse of 6 May Park (Park of the 6th of May), the Batumi City Zoo (Georgian: ბათუმის ზოოპარკი) is one of the city's oldest family‑friendly attractions. Established in 1975 and spanning an area of approximately 2–6 hectares, this compact zoo has been a fixture for generations of local children. Unlike modern mega‑zoos, the Batumi Zoo follows a unique dual‑zone concept: a paid sector housing primates and birds, and a larger, free area where you can walk among friendly ungulates.

While the zoo‘s infrastructure retains a decidedly Soviet‑era character—with some critics pointing to small enclosures and a lack of animal enrichment—its central location and almost symbolic free admission to a significant portion of the park have made it an enduringly popular spot for quick, family outings. It is a place where visitors can be surprised by the sight of zebras grazing just a few hundred metres from the Black Sea coast.

Location & Contact

Operating Hours

Operating hours vary by season. The zoo takes a lunch break every day.

Standard Schedule (Regular Season)

Summer Schedule (June – August)

💡 The zoo is not open all day—it consistently closes for a long lunch break in the early afternoon. Plan your visit either before lunch or after 3:00 PM.

Best Time to Visit

• Morning (11:00 AM – 1:00 PM) – The animals are most active and the midday heat hasn‘t set in yet. Crowds are manageable on weekdays.
• Late afternoon (after 3:00 PM) – A quieter time, especially after the lunch break ends. The playground and pool area nearby are also less crowded then.
• Avoid – Rainy days, Mondays (closed), and the lunch break, unless you‘re just walking through the park and don‘t mind empty enclosures.

Tickets & Admission

💡 The zoo does not offer discounted tickets for children, students or seniors. You can pay by cash (Georgian Lari) at the entrance booth.

Notes on Admission

• The zoo‘s paid sector houses primates (e.g., baboons, macaques, mandrills, lemurs) and exotic birds (parrots, peacocks, swans). It is relatively small and can be walked through in 15–20 minutes.
• The free sector features herbivores in more spacious, park‑like enclosures: zebras, fallow deer, roe deer, Shetland ponies, goats, and rabbits.
• In the summer, refreshment kiosks and souvenir stands are available near the entrance.

Animals & Zones

The zoo’s animal collection is modest in size but includes several crowd‑pleasing species. It is divided into three thematic zones.

🐾 A word on animal welfare: While the zoo is free and accessible, several visitors have expressed deep concern over the conditions—describing the enclosures as “tiny” and “Soviet‑style,” some even calling it a “prison for animals.” The animals appear to be fed adequately and have indoor shelters, but their psychological well‑being is questionable. The zoo lacks modern enrichment and the enclosures are largely bare concrete and grass. If ethical animal treatment is a priority for you, this may not be a place you want to support.

Park & Amenities

The zoo is just one element of a larger, more varied public space.

💡 This makes the zoo an ideal “add‑on” to a larger family day out: start with the dolphin show, ride the Ferris wheel, visit the zoo, and then let the kids run wild at the playground.

Getting There

The zoo is situated within 6 May Park (also known as Park of the 6th of May), approximately 1.5 km south‑east of Europe Square. The main entrance is located behind the large central lake of the park, directly off the main walkway.

By Foot

• From Europe Square or Batumi Boulevard – 15–20 minutes. Walk east along the main boulevard until you see the Ferris wheel; the zoo is on the left side of the park.
• From the Hilton Batumi Hotel – The zoo is directly behind the hotel, less than a 5‑minute walk.

By Public Bus

Several bus routes stop near the park:

A single ride costs approximately 0.30 GEL (contactless bank card or local transport card required). Get off at the stop nearest the park‘s main entrance, then walk towards the Ferris wheel.

By Taxi

A taxi from Europe Square or the Batumi Boulevard area takes about 5 minutes and costs 3–5 GEL. Tell the driver “6 May Park Zoo” or “Zooparki 6 Mais Parki” (Georgian: 6 მაისის პარკის ზოოპარკი). If using an app like Bolt or Yango, just search for “Batumi Dolphinarium” – the zoo is a 2‑minute walk from there.

By Car

• Limited street parking is available around the park‘s perimeter, but spaces fill up quickly on weekends and during dolphin showtimes.
• Better option: Park at Batumi Mall (approx. 5 minutes away, free parking) and walk 10 minutes through the park to the zoo.

Guest Reviews Summary

Ratings Overview

Positive Highlights

Constructive Feedback

💡 The stark divide in reviews—between those charmed by the free, kid‑friendly atmosphere and those horrified by the conditions—is unusually pronounced. If you are a dedicated animal advocate, this is probably not the place for you. If you simply want a quick, low‑cost distraction for children under 10, you will likely find it acceptable.

Practical Tips

What to Know Before You Go

• The zoo is not air‑conditioned. Animals seek shade during hot summer afternoons; you may see very little activity between 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM.
• No official feeding program. You may bring your own safe food (carrots, apples, lettuce) from outside. Do not feed the primates or birds—only the ungulates and small petting animals.
• Language – Staff speak Georgian and Russian; some basic English is possible at the ticket booth.
• Cash only? – The zoo prefers cash. Cards are not always accepted.
• Plan for only 30–45 minutes – The zoo is small, and the entire visit (including both sectors) rarely takes longer than an hour, even at a slow pace.

What to Bring

Tips to Avoid Disappointment

• Manage your expectations – This is not a modern zoo. It is a small, dated, municipal facility that has not been substantially upgraded since Soviet times.
• Visit the dolphinarium first – The zoo is a complementary, not primary, attraction. Combine both for a fuller afternoon.
• Avoid Monday at all costs – The zoo is completely closed (no animals visible from outside the gates).
• Don‘t come during the lunch break – You will wait outside the closed sectors.
• If you are passionate about animal welfare, consider donating – Some visitors suggested that an entry fee for the entire zoo would allow for better maintenance.

Why You Should Go

Whether you are looking for:

• A quick, low‑cost activity for toddlers and young children – The free sector alone offers plenty of animal sightings for short attention spans.
• A nostalgic, old‑school zoo experience – For those curious about what a Soviet‑era municipal zoo looked like.
• An easy add‑on to a family day at 6 May Park – Combine the dolphin show, Ferris wheel, playground, and zoo into one trip.
• A central green space with picnic potential – The surrounding park is lush, with benches and shade, making it a nice spot to relax after seeing the animals.
• To snap unusual urban photos – Zebras and deer grazing just a stone‘s throw from high‑rise hotels and a busy Ferris wheel make for unique shots.

The Batumi City Zoo is a modest, imperfect and strangely endearing institution—a small piece of the city‘s history tucked into one of its loveliest parks. It will not impress serious animal lovers or zoo connoisseurs, but it remains a free, accessible and surprisingly popular refuge for local families and their youngest animal enthusiasts.

Map & Navigation

• Enter the 6 May Park from Rustaveli Avenue or Khimshiashvili Street.
• Walk toward the central lake.
• Turn left at the lake (if approaching from the boulevard) — the zoo and Ferris wheel are on the left side of the park, directly behind the Hilton Batumi.
• Look for the Ferris wheel — the zoo entrance is immediately next to it.

GPS Coordinates (Park Entrance)

• 6 May Park Main Gate: 41.62738, 41.64665
• Batumi Dolphinarium: 41.62705, 41.64545
• Zoo Entrance: 41.62823, 41.64793

Public Transport Hubs Nearby

• Nearest bus stop (Lake / Hilton Batumi): Routes 1, 7, 10, 11, 15
• From Batumi Central Bus Station: Take bus no. 10 towards the city centre and get off at the stop ”6 May Park“.
• From Batumi Train Station: Take bus no. 15 to ”Rustaveli Avenue“, then transfer to no. 1 or 7.

Walking from Key Landmarks