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NatureUreki is a small health and holiday town on Georgia's Black Sea coast, in the Guria region within Ozurgeti District, roughly 60 kilometres north of Batumi and about 300 kilometres west of the capital Tbilisi. It sits right on the shoreline at only four metres above sea level, framed by mountains to the east and the Supsa and Sepa rivers to the north and south, positioned between the port city of Poti and the resort town of Kobuleti.
History & Name
Its name means "deep forest" in Georgian, recalling a past as a densely wooded hunting ground; the settlement received town status in 1953.
Magnetic Beach & Health Tourism
What sets Ureki apart from the Black Sea's otherwise pebbly shores is its unique beach, which Georgians call "Magnetiti" after the mineral magnetite. The fine, dark sand here contains a remarkably high concentration of magnetite (an iron oxide) — between 20 and 30 percent — giving the beach a natural, gentle magnetic field. This property is widely believed to be therapeutic, said to ease cardiovascular and peripheral vascular conditions, musculoskeletal disorders, arthritis, rheumatism and stress-related complaints. Those claims blend folk belief, mid-20th-century Soviet balneology and modern spa marketing; rigorous scientific support is limited, but the sand is harmless and has sustained decades of health tourism.
Visiting, Access & Tips
Turkish agencies include Ureki in cross-border Black Sea–Georgia itineraries entered via the Sarp frontier, favouring it especially for families with children and health-oriented travellers, because it offers soft sand instead of pebbles, a shallow and safe sea entry and a calm atmosphere. Against Batumi's lively casino-and-entertainment strip, Ureki provides a restful, curative counterpoint, usually programmed as a half-day beach stop or a single overnight stay. The average visit ranges from a two-to-three-hour beach break to several days for spa-minded guests. Notable nearby points include the Kolkheti National Park wetlands near Poti, the Kobuleti coastline, the town of Ozurgeti and Guria's tea plantations.
Best Time & Photo Spots
The finest photograph is captured at sunset from the seaside boulevard, when the low light glows across the black sand and the waves.
Visit & Logistics
Visit & Logistics- Getting thereAbout 60 km north of the Sarp border crossing via Batumi on the E70/S1 highway (roughly 1-1.5 hours); take the Ureki turnoff from the Batumi-Poti main road. Marshrutka (minibus) services and a train stop (Ureki station) are available from Batumi and Poti.
- ParkingFree and paid open-air parking areas around the beach entrances and the seaside boulevard; occupancy is high during the summer peak season, so arriving early in the morning is advised.
- Coach accessTour coaches can drop off and pick up near the seaside boulevard and beach entry points; access from the main road into the town is flat and bus-friendly.
- AccessibilityThe flat coastal topography and seaside boulevard are relatively favourable for wheelchairs; however, ramps down onto the soft sand are limited and crossing the beach can be difficult.
- Photo spotsThe black sand and waves from the seaside boulevard at sunset; a close-up of the magnetite experiment done with a magnet on wet sand; the long perspective of the empty beach in early morning; the point where the Supsa river mouth meets the shore.
- Suggested routeAs a half-day rest-and-beach stop, or a single-night health stay, on the Black Sea-Georgia tour between Batumi and Poti/Kobuleti.
Nearby Places
Tours that include this place
Tours that include this placeNo published tour features this place just yet — but we can build one around you, with no obligation. AI Concierge
No published tour features this place just yet — but we can build one around you, with no obligation. 