Ureki - Ureki

Ureki(ურეკი)is a popular beach town on the Black Sea coast Guriens in the raion Osurgeti. Ureki is known nationwide because of the artificially poured black, slightly magnetic sand, which supposedly also has medicinal properties, while in contrast to this, most beach resorts in Georgia are made of gravel or gravel.

background

Ureki was given the status of "urban type settlement" - which roughly corresponds to market law in Central Europe - in 1953. The settlement is located a few kilometers from the sea. On the beach itself is the coastal settlement, which for several years has been called "Magnetiti" because of the artificially poured black, slightly magnetic sand, which supposedly also has medicinal properties. (მაგნეტითი)called.

A few kilometers north of Ureki is the village of Supsa (სუფსა) with the large oil terminal at the end of the pipeline from Baku.

getting there

Ureki has a newly renovated train station, which is right next to the trunk road at the turnoff to Magnetiti. The night trains stop there Tbilisi-Batumi and the regional train BatumiKutaisi 1. The express trains that run between Tbilisi and Batumi during the day, however, stop Not in Ureki.

Ureki is about 10 km north of Kobuleti and 20 km south of Potentiometer on the trunk road ს 2 (E 70, E 97). The junction to Magnetiti is well signposted at the train station. A few kilometers north in Grigoleti, the ს 12 branches off from the ს 2 Samtredia from. A well-developed regional road branches off a few kilometers to the south Osurgeti from.

In summer marshrutkas leave the main square in Magnetiti for Poti, Batumi and also Tbilisi. Otherwise you can often stop passing minibuses on the trunk road. They like to stop and still take passengers, as long as they have free seats. However, since the buses only leave the starting point when they are completely full, it can take a while to get lucky.

mobility

In Ureki itself you can walk everything, and the train station is not far (approx. 1.5 km)

Tourist Attractions

The symbol of Ureki is the slightly magnetic, black sand beach. There are few classic sights in Ureki. Things to see around Ureki include:

• Schwarzmeerarena (Black Sea Arena), a 25 m high, multifunctional event hall opened in 2016 for 10,000 visitors, it is located approx. 5 km south of Ureki near Shekvetili on the trunk road. It makes sense to travel only by car.
• Next to the Black Sea arena, a newly created park with some statues
• In the village of Natanebi there is a small, Soviet center with commercial buildings, mosaics and murials.

activities

You can swim in the sea on the beach. However, the water is shallow and only slopes gently, so you have to wade out a few hundred meters before you can no longer stand. Furthermore, it is a good idea to lie on the beach and dig yourself completely into the magnetic healing sand (it might help, but at least it doesn't hurt) or build sandcastles. On site you can borrow umbrellas and loungers for a fee. There are side activities like jet skiing, kite surfing and water slides. The bathing season starts in May and lasts until the end of September. In the high season (July / August) the place is overcrowded.

You can also swim on the sandy beach in the neighboring villages of Shekvetili, Tskaltsminda, Grigoleti, Malatakva. In Kobuleti the beach is already gravel and in Potentiometer the sea is too dirty.

The multifunctional event hall Black Sea Arena is located five kilometers from Ureki near Shekvetili (see also sights). International superstars come at irregular intervals.

Another five kilometers away is the large Tsitsinatela theme park. See also the travel guide Kobuleti.

shop

In Magnetiti there is the usual collection of small and large mini markets where you can stock up on drinks and snacks. Furthermore, in summer there are small shops and market stalls where you can get the usual Chinese-made beach accessories: slippers, towels, air mattresses, inflatable rubber animals, and even paddle boats are available.

kitchen

On the beach itself, hawkers often walk through the bathing crowds to sell snacks e.g. ("Simindi" - cooked kukuruz, "Bulki" - sweet pastries, "Semki" - sunflower seeds). Cold water and coffee from the thermos as well as ice cream from self-made cooling stretchers and cigarettes are also sold.

Snacks and drinks are also available in the numerous mini markets in town.

In the village along the main street there are also some restaurants and cafés of different price ranges as well as fast food establishments (Schaurma - kebab and Chatschapuri).

It should be noted that most restaurants are only open during the bathing season.

nightlife

During the bathing season there are also one or two beach bars that partake until late at night.

accommodation

There are a good dozen hotels and numerous private guest houses in all price ranges.

security

You shouldn't leave your valuables unattended on the beach - thieves are happy to accept this invitation.

There are lifeguards on duty on the beach.

health

Even on cloudy days, you shouldn't forget to use sun protection. When visiting the beach, don't forget to have enough water.

Practical advice

There is a tourist information office at Ureki train station: Open Tuesday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., email [email protected]

trips

Osurgeti, Potentiometer, Kobuleti and Batumi

In the evenings, the Tsitsinatela amusement park in Schekwetili, right on the northern outskirts of Kobuleti, is ideal.

literature

Web links