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Wander-Lush

The Ultimate Georgia Itinerary for 2024: How to Spend 1-4 Weeks in Georgia

The perfect Georgia itinerary for 1-4 weeks of travel in the Caucasus . Includes detailed transportation info, recommended things to do in Georgia, and up-to-date travel advice for 2024.

Oh Georgia. Where do I begin?

Georgia is a place that first captured my heart in 2017 and has been pulling me back ever since. I eventually gave in and moved here at the beginning of 2020.

I have been lucky enough to experience Georgia in every season from the perspective of both a tourist and an expat. Now that I’ve seen almost everything this country has to offer, I finally feel qualified to recommend the perfect Georgia itinerary for first-time visitors , with options for 1, 2, 3 or 4 weeks of travel.

These itineraries aren’t copied out of a guidebook, and they certainly weren’t designed for me by a tour company. Each one is cobbled together from my various travels around Georgia and based on my personal experiences, mistakes and successes. I have personally visited each and every place mentioned here multiple times, and I’ve done everything I can to make sure these itineraries are both realistic and up-to-date.

I have tried to balance the must-sees and not-so-popular spots for a good mix of nature, culture, history and adventure. For each destination, you will find detailed transportation instructions, personal recommendations for where to stay, and my insider tips for making the most of your time.

This guide includes:

• First time in Georgia? Read my 23 Practical Georgia Travel Tips .
• Want to see more of the Caucasus? Check out my epic Georgia Armenia Azerbaijan itinerary for the perfect route through all three countries.
• Hiring a car? See my alternative adventurous Georgia road trip itinerary and tips for self-driving .
• Questions? My Georgia Travel Guide has more FAQ, tips and advice.
• Want more Georgia travel goodness? Please consider subscribing to my e-newsletter for regular updates from Georgia.

5 things to consider when planning a Georgia itinerary

There are a couple of crucial things to consider in the early planning stages that will affect how your Georgia itinerary comes together. To give you a heads up – and to put my own itineraries into context – I’m going to briefly touch on just five.

Remember you can find tons more valuable information about trip planning here in my Georgia Travel Guide .

1. How long should you spend in Georgia?

Many people start planning a short trip to Georgia thinking they can see the whole country in a couple of days. But it’s important to understand that moving around chews up a lot of time.

Anything less than one full week and you’ll just want to base yourself in Tbilisi and stick to day trips (possibly with an overnight stay in Sighnaghi or Kazbegi). It’s possible to see a decent amount of the country in 2-4 weeks – but even then, you’ll be travelling at quite a fast pace and with several long travel days back to back.

The itineraries I’ve created don’t include specialty activities such as multi-day treks. If this is of interest, you’ll have to carve a few days out of your itinerary to fit it in. (I’ve included a couple of key multi-day hikes and where to do them below.)

If you have extra days, I recommend using them to slow down your overall pace and spend a bit longer in each place rather than trying to squeeze more in.

2. When to visit Georgia

There is no ‘bad’ time to visit Georgia – every season offers something different. Spring is nice for mild weather, wildflowers and Orthodox Easter celebrations; fall for the rtveli wine harvest and festivals; summer for hiking and outdoor activities; and winter for experiencing Tbilisi’s cosy side and Christmas festivities plus skiing/snowboarding .

The only time I suggest avoiding is peak summer – July/August – as it’s very warm in the cities and many places (including Tbilisi and Batumi) are overcrowded. My absolute favourite time to visit Georgia is late spring (late April/May) or fall (late September/October) . If you want to hike or visit remote mountain regions, avoid the colder months as many roads snow over and are impassable.

My itineraries are specifically designed to be trans-seasonal. The only exceptions are Ushguli and the Goderdzi Pass, which may be inaccessible in the middle of winter.

For more insights, see my month-by-month guide to the seasons in Georgia .

3. Where to start your Georgia itinerary

If you’re flying into Georgia, you have a choice between starting your itinerary in either Tbilisi or Kutaisi. Both cities have international airports with regular connections to Europe, Turkey and the Middle East. Budget travellers usually choose Kutaisi, which is serviced by Wizz Air. Tbilisi, meanwhile, has regular connections from Istanbul, the UAE and Qatar .

I love Kutaisi, but I generally recommend starting your trip in Tbilisi , the capital. The itineraries I’ve designed all start and end in Tbilisi. If you’re flying into Kutaisi, I recommend heading straight to the capital by coach. Georgian Bus runs buses direct from the airport that are timed to leave as planes land. The trip takes around 4 hours and tickets cost 25 GEL. See here for more info.

If flying into Tbilisi, do NOT take a taxi from Tbilisi Airport to your accommodation. Refer to my Airport Guide for information about using the airport bus and organising a reliable transfer.

4. How to get around Georgia

Intercity transport is something you want to consider well in advance as it will impact how long you need to spend in Georgia to see everything you want to see.

That’s because Georgia is small, but transportation is quite basic – it can take a long time to get from place to place if you’re relying on ‘public’ transport. Marshrutka vans are affordable, but schedules are flexible. Road safety is a concern in Georgia , so I strongly suggest you only travel by road during daylight hours and avoid using marshrtuka vans for long journeys or dangerous mountain roads.

Unless you hire a car (recommended for maximum flexibility, but only if you’re a confident driver), you will probably end up using a combination of marshrutka vans and trains, with a few transfers for more complex journeys.

• Hire a car from a local agent using Local Rent (the average price is $32/day)
• Read up on the basics of marshrutka travel in Georgia
• For reliable and budget-friendly private transfers, I always use GoTrip

If you do plan on self-driving in Georgia, you can broaden your itinerary even more. Here is my suggested road trip itinerary for 10 days in Georgia , focusing on harder-to-reach corners and hidden gems.

Organised day trips are very affordable in Georgia. They are a good way to make the most of your time, and to get access to alternative areas without self-driving. Even if you’re not a tour person, I suggest you at least consider an organised day trip from Tbilisi.

Friendly.ge is my preferred day tour operator in Tbilisi. Their itineraries are top-notch, as are the expert guides. Browse their private and small group tours here , and use the code wanderlush at checkout to get 10% off when you book direct.

I have sprinkled some specific day trips throughout these itineraries – or you can browse all Georgia day tours using the links below.

• View all Tbilisi day trips on Get Your Guide
• View all Kutaisi day trips on Get Your Guide

Most cities and towns in Georgia have a local bus system that is affordable and easy to use. I highly recommend downloading a taxi app (Grab works in most major cities) rather than hailing taxis on the street – they are unmetered and can be difficult to navigate if you don’t speak the language. See my taxi tips here .

5. Budgeting, insurance, visas & other logistics

Georgia offers visa-free travel for passport holders from 95-plus countries (including Australia, the US and the EU) – and you can stay for up to one year .

Passport holders from most countries in Asia and Africa are required to obtain either an e-visa or a visa in advance. I recommend using iVisa to check if you need a visa for Georgia and to apply for an expedited visa if you do.

You might like to bookmark these helpful guides for future reference:

• Budgeting for a trip to Georgia
• My tips for staying safe in Georgia
• My guide to buying travel insurance for Georgia
• Georgia packing guide & tips on how to dress in Georgia
• Where to store luggage in Tbilisi

Recommended pre-trip reading – How to get from Tbilisi airport to the city – How to buy and activate a Georgian sim card – 12 things I wish I knew before I visited the Caucasus

Georgia itineraries for 1-4 weeks of travel

Here is a brief outline of the four itinerary options included in this guide.

Under each section, you will find a day-by-day breakdown including things to do, recommended accommodations, and detailed transportation instructions for travelling from place to place.

One week in Georgia • Days 1 & 2: Tbilisi • Day 3: Day trip to Mtskheta, Gori & Uplistsikhe • Days 4 & 5: Sighnaghi & Kakheti wine region • Days 6 & 7: Georgian Military Highway & Kazbegi

Two weeks in Georgia • Days 1 & 2: Tbilisi • Day 3: Day trip to David Gareja • Day 4: Mtskheta, Gori & Uplistsikhe • Days 5 & 6: Kutaisi, Chiatura & Tskaltubo • Days 7, 8 & 9: Mestia & Ushguli • Day 10: Zugdidi • Days 11 & 12: Sighnaghi & Kakheti wine region • Days 13 & 14: Georgian Military Highway & Kazbegi

Three weeks in Georgia • Days 1, 2 & 3: Tbilisi • Day 4: Day trip to David Gareja & Udabno • Day 5: Mtskheta, Gori & Uplistsikhe • Days 6 & 7: Kutaisi, Chiatura & Tskaltubo • Days 8, 9 & 10: Mestia & Ushguli • Day 11: Zugdidi • Days 12 & 13: Batumi • Days 14 & 15: Khulo & Upper Adjara • Day 16: Akhaltsikhe & Vardzia • Day 17: Borjomi • Days 18 & 19: Sighnaghi & Kakheti wine region • Days 20 & 21: Georgian Military Highway & Kazbegi

One month in Georgia • Days 1, 2 & 3 : Tbilisi • Day 4: Day trip to David Gareja & Udabno • Day 5: Mtskheta, Gori & Uplistsikhe • Days 6 & 7: Kutaisi, Chiatura & Tskaltubo • Day 8: Martvili • Days 9, 10 & 11: Mestia & Ushguli • Day 12: Zugdidi • Days 13 & 14: Guria • Days 15, 16 & 17: Batumi & the Black Sea Coast • Days 18 & 19: Khulo & Upper Adjara • Day 20: Akhaltsikhe & Vardzia • Day 21: Borjomi • Day 22: Tsalka & Javakheti • Days 23 & 24: Sighnaghi & Kakheti wine region • Day 25: Telavi • Days 26 & 27: Pankisi Valley • Days 28, 29 & 30: Georgian Military Highway & Kazbegi

Georgia itinerary map

Click here to open an interactive map of my Georgia itinerary in a new tab. Each of the four different options is included as a separate layer.

One week in Georgia itinerary

This itinerary for one week in Georgia offers a good introduction to the country. It’s perfect for first-time visitors who want to see the highlights and get a good feel for Georgian culture, food and wine.

If you only have 7 days in Georgia, don’t worry about trying to squeeze too much in – you will almost certainly be back!

Tbilisi – [Mtskheta, Gori & Uplistsikhe] – Sighnaghi & Kakheti –Kazbegi – Tbilisi

• Days 1 & 2: Tbilisi – overnight in Tbilisi
• Day 3: Day trip to Mtskheta, Gori & Uplistsikhe – overnight in Tbilisi
• Days 4 & 5: Sighnaghi & Kakheti wine region – overnight in Sighnaghi
• Days 6 & 7: Georgian Military Highway & Kazbegi – overnight in Kazbegi

Days 1 & 2: Tbilisi

Tbilisi – the coolest city in the Caucasus and one of Europe’s most talked about up-and-comers – is the logical place to begin your Georgia itinerary. This is where you’ll find some of the country’s best museums , restaurants and wine bars .

It might be the capital, but Tbilisi has an intimate feel – especially around Sololaki , the oldest neighbourhood, and in the historic Old Town proper. Tbilisi is a layer cake of different histories and influences collected over a lifetime spent sitting at the nexus of East and West , Asia and Europe.

Ottoman-Persian style bathhouses fed by sulfur springs and an urban waterfall , opulent mansion homes built by Armenian merchants and beautiful Orthodox churches sit side by side with Zoroastrian fire temples , grand synagogues and leftovers from Georgia’s Soviet period .

The cherry on top – the thing that gives the Tbilisi of today its unmistakable character – is a slew of quirky additions to the city’s skyline in the form of ultra-modern architecture .

Scaling the walls at Narikala Fortress , watching the sunset at Mtatsminda , and rummaging the Dry Bridge Market for the perfect souvenir are all must-dos.

Spend some time in the trendy Vera neighbourhood visiting coffee shops and cocktail bars , and pop over the river to Chugureti , the old German district, for unique architecture and the Fabrika creative space.

Two full days is the perfect amount of time to revel in the contrasts between old and new Tbilisi. For a full list of things to do in Tbilisi – including alternative attractions and local favourites – refer to my Tbilisi city guide .

Recommended reading :

• 52 unique things to do in Tbilisi
• The best Georgian restaurants in Tbilisi
• Recommended Tbilisi walking tours
• Best day trips from Tbilisi

If you’re not a huge fan of cities and two full days in Tbilisi feels like too much, you might choose to do a day trip on day 2, or dedicate another day to Kakheti or Kazbegi later in your itinerary.

Where to stay in Tbilisi

There is no shortage of accommodation options to choose from in Tbilisi, ranging from boutique hotels to budget-friendly hostels . My Tbilisi neighbourhood guide explores the different districts and accommodation options in details. Here are a few of my favourites.

Budget hostel: Fabrika Hostel & Suites is Tbilisi’s most popular hostel and hangout. The space, a converted Soviet sewing factory, houses a cafe/bar/co-working area, boutiques and restaurants, and hosts regular events. Accommodation options include hotel dorms and private doubles.

Click here to check rates & availability on Booking.com or read my full review of Fabrika.

Mid-range hotel: For boutique on a budget, I highly recommend Hotel Manufactura in Avlabari. The property is located on a newly refurbished street and is walking distance from both the Avlabari Metro Station and the Abanotubani Sulfur Baths (via Metekhi Bridge). The breakfast here is top notch, and the rooms are very comfortable.

Click here to check rates & availability on Booking.com .

Boutique hotel: The House Hotel Old Tbilisi offers guests the chance to wake up to a typical Tbilisi courtyard, as viewed from a painted wooden balcony. Rooms feature bespoke wall paintings and vintage carpets. Service is professional and warm, and the complimentary breakfast courtesy of Blue Fox’s Michelin-starred chef is the perfect way to start your day.

I have partnered with The House to offer my readers 10% off – use the code WANDERLUSH when you book directly through the website .

Design hotel: Set in a historic 19th-century mansion house that once belonged to an Armenian merchant, Unfound Door embodies the sophistication and edgy elegance of Old Tbilisi. The painted stairwell will blow you away. Unfound Door Restaurant is one of the finest in the city for both breakfast and lunch/dinner – and cocktails.

Day 3: Day trip to Mtskheta, Gori & Uplistsikhe

Georgia’s ancient capital from the 3rd century BC to the 5th century AD, Mtskheta is home to the country’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site , the Monuments of Mtskheta.

This is one of the most important places to visit in Georgia in terms of both religion and culture. Svetitskhoveli Cathedral , one of the oldest and most important Orthodox churches, and the stunning Jvari Monastery that overlooks the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers, are both located here.

Mtskheta is a short 45-minute drive from Tbilisi, so to make it a full day trip, it’s usually paired with a visit to Gori and Uplistsikhe.

Gori is a small city famously known for being the birthplace of Joseph Stalin , who is remembered in an oh-so-Soviet museum dedicated to his life. Uplistsikhe is Georgia’s oldest cave city and an impressive introduction to the country’s medieval history and the legacy of the much-beloved Queen Tamar.

Recommended reading:

• What to see in Mtskheta
• 20 excellent things to do in Gori
• What to expect when you visit the Stalin Museum
• Tips for visiting Uplistsikhe

→ If this particular day trip doesn’t take your fancy, there are plenty of others to choose from – including German heritage and wineries in Kvemo Kartli, Soviet city planning in Rustavi , and even a one-day trip to Northern Armenia .

See my guide for the 15 best day trips from Tbilisi for more ideas .

How to do a Mtskheta, Gori & Uplistsikhe day trip from Tbilisi

You have three options here: Join an organised day tour from Tbilisi, hire a private driver, or go DIY by marshrutka.

An organised tour is the most time-efficient option, but you don’t get much flexibility. In Gori, guides tend to focus exclusively on the Stalin Museum, so you won’t get to see any of the city beyond that. Still, having a guide and guaranteed comfortable transport is the best option for some travellers.

To visit all three in a day , I recommend either this budget-friendly group tour or this flexible private tour . Both visit Mtskheta (including Jvari), Gori and Uplistsikhe, with a stop for lunch in either a local home or restaurant.

If you prefer to go in-depth on Mtskheta , this private half-day tour with Friendly.ge can’t be beat. I have done this itinerary myself and it was absolutely wonderful. It even includes the Chronicles of Georgia. Remember to use WANDERLUSH for 10% off.

Doing this trip DIY by marshrutka is possible, but it will be a bit rushed. I would recommend eliminating Mtskheta (you can visit Jvari and/or Svetitskhoveli on the way to Kazbegi instead) and focusing just on Gori and Uplistsikhe. If you want to try this day trip DIY, jump to full transport instructions in the 2-week itinerary here .

The better option in my opinion is to hire a car and driver for the day through GoTrip . You won’t have a guide, but you will have a lot more flexibility to depart Tbilisi when you want, explore Gori at your own pace, and make extra stops wherever you like.

This example itinerary I designed for Mtskheta, Gori and Uplistsikhe starts from a very affordable $45 per car, inclusive of transfers to and from your front door in Tbilisi. You can design your own route with different stops using the GoTrip platform.

Days 4 & 5: Sighnaghi & Kakheti wine region

Now that you’ve experienced the best of the capital and its surrounds, it’s time to escape Tbilisi and head east to Kakheti , the country’s most productive wine region . The Alazani Valley is a stunning landscape of vineyards and mountain-top churches .

You could easily spend a week or more travelling the tributaries of Kakheti’s Wine Route , visiting the different family-run maranis (cellars) that still make wine the old-fashioned way in clay qvevri and the many larger commercial vineyards. With two full days, you can see a good selection of the region’s most important churches and indulge in a healthy number of wine tastings .

Sighnaghi , the most charming town in the wine region, or Telavi , the biggest city and transport hub, are both ideal places to stay. There are plenty of guesthouses that specialise in good old-fashioned hospitality (and home cooking), so you have that to look forward to on your first night outside the capital.

If boutique is more your style, stay on the vineyards in one of Kakheti’s splendid wine chateaus . The Radisson Tsinandali Estate just outside Telavi is my personal favourite ( read my write-up of the Radisson here ) and every bit worth the splurge if only for the buffet breakfast!

In Sighnaghi, climb the City Walls , visit the local museum to see the exhibit of Pirosmani paintings (Georgia’s favourite artist was born in a nearby village), walk to the exquisite Bodbe Monastery , and drink in the panoramic mountain views from any of the restaurants and wine bars in town. On a clear day, you can see across the valley all the way out to the Greater Caucasus .

• Suggested itinerary for Kakheti
• A shortlist of my favourite wineries in Kakheti
• How to pick an excellent wine tour in Georgia
• Telavi City Guide
• Kakheti accommodation guide

Where to stay in Sighnaghi

For this itinerary, I recommend staying in Sighnaghi rather than in Telavi. Sighnaghi is the more ‘atmospheric’ of the two major hubs in Kakheti and has a good range of comfortable guesthouses.

Telavi has more boutique hotel offerings so if that’s more your style, you might consider staying there instead. Seventeen Rooms and Communal Hotel are my personal favourites. 

Budget-friendly guesthouse: Zandarashvili Guest House is a typical family-run guesthouse that’s been welcoming tourists for years. Rooms set over the family’s three-level home are all comfortably decorated and spotlessly clean. Mum cooks, dad drives (you can hire him for the day to take you around Kakheti), and son David plays the role of toastmaster at their nightly supras .

Click here to check rates & availability on Booking.com.

Boutique: 4 Rooms offers cute suites and studios with jaw-dropping mountain views. Hostess Mzia is renowned for her hospitality, and the breakfast here is particularly good.

Ranch: If you don’t mind staying a little further from the centre of Sighnaghi, Lost Ridge Inn is one of the coolest accommodations in Kakheti. Rooms are thoughtfully decorated and all have a garden-facing balcony. There’s a restaurant and even a brewery onsite – and they can organise horseback riding tours around the valley. You’ll need a taxi to get here from the centre of town because the ranch is located behind Bodbe Monastery.

Click here to check rates & availability on Booking.com or read my full review of Lost Ridge .

→ Find plenty more options in my Kakheti Accommodation Guide .

How to get to Sighnaghi from Tbilisi

Sighnaghi and Kakheti Region in general is very easy to get to from Tbilisi with either a marshrutka or shared taxi. Vans depart throughout the day (roughly every 60-90 minutes) from the bus station near Samgori Metro. Shared taxis leave on demand from the street alongside Isani Metro Station.

One thing to be aware of is that there are two possible routes drivers may take. It’s faster to take the Kakheti Highway rather than the Gombori Pass through Telavi, so try to make sure your driver is heading this way.

The first marshrutka is scheduled to leave Tbilisi at approximately 8am. Tickets cost around 10 GEL , and the journey takes 2-2.5 hours via the Kakheti Highway.

A seat in a shared taxi from Isani Metro Station costs around 15 GEL per person. Travel time is slightly faster, and the driver will drop you off closer to your accommodation in Sighnaghi rather than at the bus station .

→ For updated schedules and fares, see my full guide to travelling between Tbilisi and Kakheti.

How to get around Kakheti & travel the Wine Route

The wineries and churches around Sighnaghi are spread out across the valley so you really need your own car to explore the area properly.

The easiest option is to organise a driver for the day through your guesthouse, which you can either do in advance or during your stay. This should cost somewhere in the neighbourhood of 50-60 GEL per person for a full day depending on the number of people you have and how far afield you’re going. It’s cheaper if you pool with other travellers, so you might want to wait until the day and see who else is up for a road trip.

Normally your host will recommend a standard route, but you can always make special requests if there’s a particular winery or monastery you want to see (or skip).

If you want a more intimate experience, I suggest booking a day tour with a reputable company. I use and recommend Eat This! Tours , a small outfit that specialises in family wineries and creative itineraries. They have two single-day tours that focus on Sighnaghi and Telavi, with a good balance between wine tastings, supra feasts and other cultural activities. Pick up/drop off from your accommodation in Kakheti can be arranged.

Check the programs here on the website , and use the promocode WANDERLUSH to get 5% off your booking.

Days 6 & 7: Georgian Military Highway & Kazbegi

It wouldn’t be a trip to Georgia without an up-close look at the Greater Caucasus mountains . Just three hours by road from Tbilisi, the town of Kazbegi (Stepantsminda) is the most convenient place to immerse yourself in picturesque scenery and do a day trek or two. The Alps without the crowds (or the price tag), this is one of the most beautiful and underrated mountain regions in Europe .

Gergeti Trinity – arguably Georgia’s most iconic Orthodox church – is perched in the hills above town against the snowy peak of Mount Kazbegi. End your Georgia itinerary on a high (literally) by hiking up to the church from town (just make sure you follow the right trail – directions here ).

This is one of my absolute favourite things to do in Georgia, especially when you treat yourself to lunch at Rooms Kazbegi afterwards.

The road that links Tbilisi and Kazbegi (and continues up into Russia) is an attraction in and of itself. There are a dozen or so places to stop along the Georgian Military Highway , ranging from Soviet mosaic monuments to scenic viewpoints, medieval churches, and even a small village that some believe is the birthplace of khinkali!

You really want to take your time on this route, so set aside a full day to make the most of it. Hire a car and driver (details below) so that you can make as many stops as possible.

• 21 things to know before you visit Kazbegi

Where to stay in Kazbegi

• Guide to the Georgian Military Highway
• Essential guide to the Gergeti Trinity Church hike (must read!)

How to travel the Georgian Military Highway to Kazbegi

This is the one route I definitely recommend hiring a car and driver for . There are lots of places to see along the Georgian Military Highway, and if you’re travelling by marshrutka, you simply won’t get a chance to stop.

GoTrip is the most convenient way to find a driver. If you’re coming from Sighnaghi, you should organise for your driver to pick you up from your guesthouse as early as possible. Take the (newly sealed) backroad through Tianeti, stopping off at the cyan-domed Kvetera Fortress Church on the way.

All up, the journey up to Kazbegi takes the better part of 6 hours without stops – so I would give it 8-9 hours in total .

A flexible transfer with GoTrip from Sighnaghi to Kazbegi via Telavi, Alaverdi Monastery and the GMH – with as many stops along the way as you like – starts from 90 USD per car . Customise your own itinerary and book here .

Budget guesthouse: Red Stone Guest House is a lovely little family-run place near the trailhead to Gergeti Trinity. The home-cooked breakfast here is one of the best I’ve had anywhere in Georgia – I’ll never forget sitting in the tiny kitchen while the owner cooked us a magnificent meal on her tiny gas stove. If you’re doing the hike, she simply won’t let you leave without a stash of khachapuri to take with you.

Mid-range hotel: Hotel Stancia offers minimalist Scandi-style rooms in a very convenient location opposite the bus station in the centre of town. The onsite restaurant is really good. Think of it as a budget version of Rooms.

Boutique hotel: Rooms Kazbegi is probably Georgia’s most iconic accommodation and is definitely worth the splurge. Set inside a renovated sanatorium, every little detail is on-point – right down to the outdoor hot tubs. The verandah offers one of the best views of Kazbegi. The only downside is that it’s a bit of a walk from the centre of town. Even if you don’t stay here, it’s worth visiting for a meal at the restaurant.

If A-frame is more your style, there are some stunning luxury mountain cabins and bungalows in and around Kazbegi. Here are my favourite mountain cabins in Georgia .

→ Find plenty more accommodation recommendations in my guide on where to stay in Kazbegi .

When it’s time to say farewell to Georgia, head back to Tbilisi by marshrutka or taxi. If your flight leaves from Kutaisi, transfer directly to Kutaisi Airport via bus from Tbilisi.

Two weeks in Georgia itinerary

Two weeks is enough time to explore both Eastern and Western Georgia in some detail. You won’t see everything, but you will get a small taste for the regions.

For this itinerary, I’ve switched things around to visit Kakheti towards the end of the trip because it makes more sense logistically. If you prefer to visit the wine region on day 3 as in the previous itinerary, you can easily adjust this.

I’ve also chosen to leave out Batumi as you need a full day to get to the Black Sea. I personally love Batumi and Adjara region, but I don’t consider it a must-see if you only have 14 days in Georgia. If you really want to, you could trim a day off Kutaisi and swap out Zugdidi for 2 days in Batumi instead.

This route builds on the previous 7-day itinerary. Additions are bolded:

Tbilisi – [David Gareja & Udabno] – Mtskheta, Gori & Uplistsikhe – Kutaisi, Chiatura & Tskaltubo – Mestia & Ushguli – Zugdidi – Sighnaghi & Kakheti – Kazbegi – Tbilisi

• Day 3: Day trip to David Gareja & Udabno – overnight in Tbilisi
• Day 4: Mtskheta, Gori & Uplistsikhe – overnight in Gori
• Days 5 & 6: Kutaisi, Chiatura & Tskaltubo – overnight in Kutaisi
• Days 7, 8 & 9: Mestia & Ushguli – overnight in Mestia
• Day 10: Zugdidi – overnight train to Tbilisi
• Days 11 & 12: Sighnaghi & Kakheti wine region – overnight in Sighnaghi
• Days 13 & 14: Georgian Military Highway & Kazbegi – overnight in Kazbegi

Refer to days 1 & 2 of the one-week itinerary above.

Day 3: Day trip to David Gareja & Udabno

David Gareja and Udabno is probably my favourite day trip from Tbilisi.

The David Gareja cave monasteries are a set of religious sanctuaries composed of chambers and cloisters hewn from rock . The most famous, Udabno Monastery and Lavra Monastery , straddle the border between Georgia and Azerbaijan, and also house a collection of important religious frescoes painted directly onto rock.

As of 2024, the complex is partially closed due to an ongoing border dispute. But the area is safe, and it’s still worth visiting in my opinion.

The semi-desert around Udabno is absolutely unreal. Unmarked hiking routes can be found in the rainbow hills , a wild landscape of multi-coloured striations created by mineral deposits. It’s best to avoid visiting this area in summer as venomous snakes are common.

• Guide to visiting David Gareja (with up-to-date information about closures)

How to do a David Gareja day trip from Tbilisi

In the absence of a marshrutka service, there are two ways to get to David Gareja from Tbilisi: Either by joining an organised day trip, or by using the Gareji Line transfer. 

Gareji Line is the best option for budget travellers or anyone who is content with just visiting the main monastery. It is essentially a shuttle van that runs between Tbilisi and David Gareja, with a stop for dinner on the way back at the popular Oasis Club .

Vans run every day during high season (starting from May 1) and on demand in shoulder/low season. The cost is 40 GEL per person. More details can be found on their Facebook Page .

If you want to visit the monasteries with a guide and explore more of Udabno, including the rainbow hills, you will need to either hire a car and/or driver, or more conveniently, join an organised day tour from Tbilisi.

There are several different itineraries that combine a visit to David Gareja with either hiking in Udabno or a wine tasting in Sighnaghi. My top choice is the off-road group tour with Friendly.ge , which pays a visit to Natlismtsemeli Monastery – a lesser-seen but very impressive cave temple. Remember to use WANDERLUSH to save 10% on your booking.

Day 4: Mtskheta, Gori & Uplistsikhe

Since Gori is located between Tbilisi and Kutaisi, I suggest spending a night here as you transit from east to west rather than visiting as a day trip like I recommended for the one-week itinerary.

The easiest option is to book a one-way transfer with GoTrip (Tbilisi-Mtskheta-Uplistsikhe-Gori) so that you can leave your bags in the car while you explore Mtskheta and Uplistsikhe. This itinerary I created starts from $45/car .

Once in Gori, use your extra time to explore the city beyond the Stalin Museum , starting with the unexpected old town , and the Great Patriotic War Museum , which chronicles the city’s experience of the South Ossetian conflict in 2008. Finish with sunset at Gori Castle and dinner at Shin da Gori .

Where to stay in Gori

Nitsa Guest House , run by the lovely Lia, embodies everything I love about Georgian homestays: Bucketloads of hospitality, homemade wine and jam on tap, and extremely comfortable and clean rooms. She really is one of the sweetest hosts I’ve stayed with. During our most recent visit, we stayed up late drinking and dancing with her and her school friends, and I know other guests who’ve been invited back to join in the family wine harvest.

How to get to Mtskheta from Tbilisi

If travelling by public transport: Marshrutka vans pass through Mtskheta on the way to Gori. This is one of the most popular routes from Tbilisi, so vans depart frequently – at least every 30 minutes – throughout the day from Didube Station. Travel time to Mtskheta is 45 minutes and tickets cost 2 GEL .

Note that trains do not stop in Mtskheta – but if you are happy to go straight to Gori from Tbilisi, you can take a Poti or Zugdidi train . The journey time is 1 hour, and tickets cost 12 GEL. Check times and buy tickets on TKT.GE .

How to get to Gori from Mtskheta

To travel onwards to Gori, it’s simply a matter of jumping back on a west-bound van. You can easily flag a marshrutka on the roadside. Travel time is roughly an hour , and tickets cost around 2 GEL .

The van might drop you off on the highway, meaning you’ll need to walk down to the road and jump on a local bus to travel the rest of the way (I had to do this once – it’s quite straightforward, and the driver will help you out). If the marshrtuka drops you at the bus station in Gori, you will need to take a taxi into the centre of town.

How to get to Uplistsikhe from Gori

Uplistsikhe is located 14km (around 20 minutes by road) from the centre of Gori. To get there, you can take a local van from Gori’s Bus Station (see location here ) to Uplistsikhe village (around 1 GEL ) and then walk 700 m to the cave entry point.

Or you can take a taxi from Gori, which should cost around 40-50 GEL round-trip including wait time. Taxis wait behind the Stalin Museum near the Chinebuli restaurant . Your guesthouse host can usually organise a reliable driver for you.

Days 5 & 6: Kutaisi, Chiatura & Tskaltubo

Kutaisi is Georgia’s fourth-biggest city and the main hub in the country’s west. It has a completely different vibe to the capital: it is much quieter, and the lush forests of Imereti give it a unique backdrop. That is one of the main reasons why I chose to move here!

I love Kutaisi , not least of all because there are so many cute restaurants and wine bars around town. UNESCO-Listed Gelati Monastery and Motsameta Monastery, linked by a forest walking trail, are both must-sees – as is watching the sunset from the grounds of Bagrati Cathedral .

In the city centre, the sparkling Colchis Fountain pays tribute to the ancient kingdom that once enveloped Kutaisi, one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in Europe . The synagogues, cable car and bustling undercover market are just a few more of my favourite spots.

Tskaltubo is located 20 minutes by road from Kutaisi and is an ideal side trip. A popular summer retreat during Soviet times , it’s home to a collection of sanatoriums that were used for state-mandated health treatments.

Many of these sanatoriums and bathhouses now lay abandoned – a real playground for urbexers and photographers . You can even visit Stalin’s dacha, his former suite at the old Military Sanatorium and Stalin’s personal bath , which is located inside one of the spas that remains open.

Some of the larger buildings were converted into temporary accommodation for IDPs who fled Abkhazia in the 1990s. When exploring Tskaltubo, be a responsible traveller and keep in mind that many families still live here and that some buildings are off-limits (it’s fairly obvious which ones to avoid).

While you’re in Kutaisi, I also suggest taking a full-day trip to Chiatura and Katskhi Column . Chiatura is a small mining city that flourished in Soviet times but has since gone into decline. In the 1950s, the state erected a network of 17 cable cars across Chiatura to ferry workers to and from the manganese mines.

Some of the original cars were still running up until just a few years ago (I was lucky enough to ride on ‘Stalin’s Rope Roads’ back in 2017), but in 2021, they were replaced with a new set of gondolas. If you’re interested in Soviet nostalgia and brutalist concrete architecture, this is the perfect day trip for you.

On the way to Chiatura, stop off at Katskhi Column, a striking monastery that sits atop a tall limestone stalactite .

And if you have time, make a pit-stop in the industrial city of Zestafoni , where you will find some truly remarkable mosaics and a 1930s-era ferroalloy factory .

• Things to do in Kutaisi
• Alternative Kutaisi & quirky activities

Where to stay in Kutaisi

• 15 Kutaisi day trip ideas
• Best Kutaisi restaurants
• Best Kutaisi bars
• Detailed guide to Tskaltubo
• How to do a Chiatura day trip from Kutaisi

Budget hostel: The newly re-launched Black Tomato Hostel offers bright and airy dorms plus private rooms with ensuite bathrooms in the heart of Sapichkhia, the former Jewish Quarter. Everything is newly renovated, while antique furnishings give rooms a classic Kutaisi feel. The onsite restaurant, which takes its inspiration from Kutaisi-Jewish cuisine, is fabulous and worth trying for lunch or dinner even if you’re not staying here.

Mid-range hotel: Hotel Newport is located in the old Kutaisi courthouse, directly behind the Colchis Fountain at the entrance to the historic Jewish Quarter. Rooms are compact and tidy, and the onsite restaurant-bar is great (I often eat here). A nice buffet breakfast comes included. Don’t miss out on seeing their rooftop terrace.

Boutique hotel: The recently inaugurated Communal Kutaisi is easily the loveliest hotel in town. Set on historic Tabidze Street, rooms are small but impeccably designed, with elements that channel Old Kutaisi charm. There is a pool out back, and the hotel’s Georgian restaurant, Doli, is the best place to eat in the city.

→ Find more suggestions in my Kutaisi neighbourhood & hotel guide

How to get to Kutaisi from Gori

There are semi-regular marshrutka minivans and shared taxis departing Gori bus station for Kutaisi throughout the day, starting from as early as 9am. Travel time is around 2.5-3 hours , and the fare is approximately 12 GEL .

Kutaisi’s main bus station, where most vans terminate, is located next to the McDonalds on Chavchavadze Avenue, around 4 km from the centre (see location here ). City bus #1 will take you from the bus station to the Colchis Fountain for 60 tetri.

How to visit Tskaltubo from Kutaisi

Vans to Tskaltubo depart from the end of the Red Bridge (near the Magnolia Hotel) every 15-20 minutes between 7am and 7pm. Travel time is 25 minutes , and the fare is 2 GEL . When you arrive in Tskaltubo, jump out at the park. Alternatively, a taxi to Tskaltubo costs around 15 GEL when booked through Bolt .

To get back to Kutaisi, just flag down a van travelling the opposite way. The fare is the same.

How to visit Katskhi Column & Chiatura from Kutaisi

There are a dozen daily vans to Chiatura from Kutaisi’s main bus station starting from 7.20am and departing once an hour until 4.30pm. Drivers normally make a short stop in Zestafoni on the way, so if you want to see the mosaics and architecture in Zestafoni first, jump out here for a walk around.

Drivers can drop you off on the highway at the trailhead for Katskhi Column on request. Travel time is 1.5-2 hours to Chiatura or just over an hour to Katskhi Column. Tickets cost around 10 GEL .

After you’ve visited Katskhi, you can just jump back in a van to continue to Chiatura. See my detailed instructions for visiting Katskhi and Chiatura from Kutaisi for more tips and important information about getting back to Kutaisi at the end of the day.

You can also go further along the same highway past Chiatura to Sachkhere , where there are a few more notable mosaics and a wonderful fortress called Modinakhe (car required). See my guide to Sachkhere here for inspiration.

With a private driver booked through GoTrip, you could quite easily do all five stops in one day . Drive time is around 4 hours return. Here is my Kutaisi-Zestafoni-Katskhi-Chiatura-Sachkhere itinerary .

Optional detour: Skip Svaneti & continue to Racha region

Sachkhere is the starting point for a new high mountain road that goes all the way to Racha region . It is one of the most beautiful drives in the country, especially in autumn .

If you’re searching for an alternative to Svaneti (Mestia and Ushguli) for days 7-9 of your trip, Racha is a terrific choice – it has alpine villages, hiking trails, incredible wine and cuisine, Shaori Lake, Tskhrajvari , and the wonderful small town of Oni with its synagogue.

I recommend booking a driver to take you all the way to Oni via the Alpana-Mamisoni Pass, then basing yourself at the wonderful Family Hotel Gallery . Racha is a bit tricky to navigate without your own car, but host Nika can help you with organising transport and/or hikes.

Days 7, 8 & 9: Mestia & Ushguli

Remote Svaneti Region is one of the most ruggedly beautiful corners of Georgia. Located in the country’s far north-west, the stunning scenery here is matched by a fascinating cultural mix that comes from the diverse ethnic groups who have lived in the mountains and valleys for eons.

Svaneti offers the best mountain hiking in Georgia. You won’t have enough time for the multi-day Mestia to Ushguli trek on this itinerary, but there are a range of alternative day hikes available.

Mestia is the main hub for Svaneti and has a good selection of guesthouses and restaurants, along with frequent transport connections. This is the place to indulge in hearty mountain fare (kubdari beef pie and spiced Svanetian salt are two regional specialties that you must try), and learn about the legendary Svans at the wonderful Svaneti Museum of History and Ethnography .

Ushguli is just a day trip away from Mestia. One of the highest inhabited villages in Europe (by some measures), it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognised for its iconic medieval stone fortified towers . In the village of Chazhashi, more than 200 towers still stand proud today.

Where to stay in Mestia

Budget-friendly guesthouse: Manoni’s Guesthouse is one of the longest-running in Mestia, and the family really know how to treat their guests. Rooms are very comfortable, especially the private doubles with ensuite. Meals are served in a cosy dining room. They can organise anything and everything on your behalf, including shared vans to Ushguli.

Boutique hotel: Hotel Lahili is a 5-minute walk from the museum, with modern and stylish rooms, comfortable common spaces and a generous breakfast.

Cabin: If you’re looking for something more secluded, Bude Mestia Cottages offer gorgeous self-contained A-frame cabins set in the forest 3km from the main square.

How to get to Mestia from Kutaisi

Kutaisi to Mestia is quite the journey so be prepared for a long and windy day of travel. I highly recommend booking a shared transfer with Budget Georgia – it’s generally a safer and definitely a more comfortable option. Prices start from 80 GEL per person in summer. Mention me when you book to get 10% off.

If you opt for public transport, then depending on the time of year, you might have to change vans in Zugdidi as direct marshrutka vans only tend to run in the high season. This is nothing to worry about though – mention your final destination to your first driver in Kutaisi and they will phone ahead to the next driver to ensure you make the transfer.

Travel time by marshrutka to Mestia from Kutaisi is approximately 5-7 hours . There is one direct van from Kutaisi Central Bus Station departing between 8am-10am, and the fare is 40 GEL . Alternatively, take a van to Zugdidi (hourly; 10 GEL ) and change to a Mestia there.

This road was recently upgraded, but it’s still a nail-biter. If you prefer to go with a driver (not a bad idea, especially in winter), a private transfer with GoTrip starts from 400 GEL.

How to visit Ushguli from Mestia

Ushguli is located 50 km east of Mestia, deeper in the mountains. You can travel between the two by road in around 2 hours . Most people visit Ushguli as a day trip. It’s possible to stay overnight (there are plenty of guesthouses) but in my opinion, a day is enough.

Tourist vans ply this route and there are always a couple of daily departures leaving Mestia at around 9am and returning before nightfall. The going rate for a seat is around 40-60 GEL per person return, and itineraries usually include lunch and a few scenic pit stops on the way to Ushguli.

Your guesthouse owner should be able to phone ahead and save you a seat the day before – or you can try your luck by approaching a driver near the main square (there are usually 4WDs waiting here as well if you prefer to go in a private car).

This road has improved considerably in recent years, but about 10 km is still unpaved. Note that if snow is particularly heavy in winter or if there’s a landslide in spring, the road to Ushguli may be closed for several days or more.

Day 10: Zugdidi

Zugdidi is a convenient place to stop for a few hours on the way down from Svaneti before you cross back into Eastern Georgia.

I have a soft spot for the biggest city in Samegrelo Region , a part of Georgia that’s very culturally distinct from the rest of the country. It also happens to be home to my favourite regional cuisine . Megrelian specialty restaurants such as Diaroni serve up kharcho (rich beef stew with walnuts) and elarji (cheesy cornmeal).

The biggest attraction in Zugdidi (apart from the food) is the Dadiani Palace , a former royal residence-turned-museum that holds a rare Napoleon death mask in its collection (strange, I know).

Zugdidi Botanical Garden , the former palace grounds, is now a beautiful public park. The city’s aristocratic heritage and connection to the French royal family is quite fascinating.

If you have time, take a 20-minute bus ride to Rukhi Castle for a view of Abkhazia before boarding the evening train back to Tbilisi .

• 15 things to do in Zugdidi
• Visiting a traditional Megrelian pottery workshop in Zugdidi
• The perfect day trip around Samegrelo region (coming soon!)

How to get to Zugdidi from Mestia

There are at least three direct vans from Mestia to Zugdidi daily departing from the bus station off Seti Square (see location here ). Check times when you arrive in Mestia – the owner of your guesthouse will know. Travel time to Zugdidi is around 4 hours with a stop at Enguri Dam, and the fare is around 40 GEL .

Taking the train from Zugdidi to Tbilisi

The rest of this two week Georgia itinerary is based in the east of the country. You’ll need to transfer through Tbilisi to get to Kakheti, so I recommend taking advantage of the late train to get back to the capital from Zugdidi. This will save you a full day on the road.

An evening train departs Zugdidi at around 5.20pm and arrives in Tbilisi just before midnight. Tickets start from 16 GEL and can be purchased online in advance via TKT.GE .

Spend a night in Tbilisi, then on day 11, take a metro or taxi to Samgori/Isani to catch a marshrutka/taxi straight to Kakheti (the first van of the day is scheduled for 8am).

You will arrive bright and early in Sighnaghi, so you can afford to have a rest morning to recover from the long journey. Make sure you organise an early check-in with your guesthouse in advance.

Days 11 & 12: Sighnaghi & Kakheti wine region

Refer to days 4 & 5 of the one-week itinerary above.

Days 13 & 14: Georgian Military Highway & Kazbegi

Refer to days 6 & 7 of the one-week itinerary above.

Three weeks in Georgia itinerary

Three weeks in Georgia is ideal for travelling at a slightly slower pace. You will have more time up your sleeve for specialty activities such as hiking, and you’ll be able to visit a few of the more remote corners of the country that take longer to reach by road.

This route builds on the previous 2-week Georgia itinerary. Additions are bolded:

Tbilisi – [David Gareja & Udabno] – Mtskheta, Gori & Uplistsikhe – Kutaisi, Chiatura & Tskaltubo – Mestia & Ushguli – Zugdidi – Batumi – Khulo & Upper Adjara – Akhaltsikhe & Vardzia – Borjomi – Sighnaghi & Kakheti – Kazbegi – Tbilisi

• Days 1, 2 & 3: Tbilisi & day trips – overnight in Tbilisi
• Day 4: Day trip to David Gareja & Udabno – overnight in Tbilisi
• Day 5: Mtskheta, Gori & Uplistsikhe – overnight in Gori
• Days 6 & 7: Kutaisi, Chiatura & Tskaltubo – overnight in Kutaisi
• Days 8, 9 & 10: Mestia & Ushguli – overnight in Mestia
• Day 11: Zugdidi – overnight in Zugdidi
• Days 12 & 13: Batumi – overnight in Batumi
• Days 14 & 15: Khulo & Upper Adjara – overnight in Khulo
• Day 16: Akhaltsikhe & Vardzia – overnight in Akhaltsikhe
• Day 17: Borjomi – overnight in Tbilisi
• Days 18 & 19: Sighnaghi & Kakheti wine region – overnight in Sighnaghi
• Days 20 & 21: Georgian Military Highway & Kazbegi – overnight in Kazbegi

Days 1, 2 & 3: Tbilisi & day trips

For things to do in Tbilisi, refer to days 1 & 2 of the one-week itinerary above.

This itinerary allows for an extra day in Tbilisi. You might choose to spend it visiting the Chronicles of Georgia and Tbilisi Sea , exploring the outdoor market at Navtlugi and visiting the Stalin Printing House Museum , or by venturing up to the Open Air Ethnography Museum, Turtle Lake , and one of my favourite restaurants in Tbilisi , Rachis Ubani.

Or you might choose to add on an extra Tbilisi day trip instead.

Day 4: Day trip to David Gareja & Udabno

Refer to day 3 of the two-week itinerary above.

Day 5: Mtskheta, Gori & Uplistsikhe

Refer to day 3 of the one-week itinerary above.

Days 6 & 7: Kutaisi, Chiatura & Tskaltubo

Refer to days 5 & 6 of the two-week itinerary above.

Days 8, 9 & 10: Mestia & Ushguli

Refer to days 7, 8 & 9 of the two-week itinerary above.

Day 11: Zugdidi

For things to do in Zugdidi , refer to day 10 of the two-week itinerary above.

For this itinerary, I recommend spending the night in Zugdidi before you continue down the coast to Batumi.

Where to stay in Zugdidi

Guesthouse: Casa de Khasia is a gorgeous boutique guesthouse that’s run by a local couple who are extremely active in advancing the rights of Abkhaz IDPs and promoting Zugdidi as a tourist destination. Rooms are large and beautifully furnished, and the outdoor common spaces are delightful. Breakfast is included.

Guesthouse: Another guesthouse option in Zugdidi, Elco is conveniently located near the railway station. The owners are beyond friendly (I was invited to dinner when I stayed with them), and the rooms are really above and beyond, with tidy ensuites and a full coffee set-up for preparing your morning brew.

Optional detour: Poti & Kolkheti National Park

Located north of Batumi, the Black Sea city of Poti , also part of Samegrelo region, is a short 60-minute drive from Zugdidi. If you are more interested in nature and history, you might like to spend a day here on your way down to Batumi.

The site of an important sea port, Poti has beautiful turn-of-the-century architecture, a heritage lighthouse, and some fun street art. Just outside the city, Kolkheti National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can take a boat trip across Palistomi Lake and explore an exceptional landscape of wetlands and mangrove forests.

See my full guide to Poti for ideas, and my Kolkheti National Park guide for information about booking a boat excursion.

Days 12 & 13: Batumi

Batumi is Georgia’s biggest Black Sea resort city . I will be the first to admit that it’s not everyone’s cup of tea (it wasn’t mine either at first) – but with three weeks in Georgia, it would be a shame not to visit the Black Sea region, which is very important to Georgian culture.

Adjara (the region Batumi is part of) is another culturally distinct pocket of the country with a palpable Turkish influence and yet another scrumptious local cuisine to its name. Adjaruli Khachapuri – that iconic boat-shaped bread oozing with molten cheese, butter and a gooey egg – was born in Adjara.

Batumi revolves around the stony beachfront and Batumi Boulevard, a scenic park that traces the sealine and has been a fixture of the city since 1881. Hire a bike and cycle along the foreshore – all the way to Sarpi and the Turkish border if you’re game.

The Batumi Botanical Garden was the largest in the Soviet Union and is a must-visit for easy hiking and sea views. Eat lunch at the Fish Market , walk the old town , then take a bus down the coast to Gonio Fortress or north to Petra Fortress , Seaside Shukura at Tsikhisdziri Hidden Beach and the magnetic black sand beaches around Ureki.

Some of Georgia’s best national parks (and the country’s newest UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Colchic Rainforests and Wetlands), are a day trip away . Go hiking in Mtirala National Park or visit the more-spectacular and more-remote Machakhela , which straddles the Turkish border.

Admire Batumi’s street art and imaginative architecture , then finish your day with sunset drinks at high-rise Kartuli . As long as you’re visiting outside of peak summer season, you’ll no doubt find plenty of reasons to love Batumi.

• 35 things to do in Batumi
• 10 excellent day trips from Batumi
• Guide to visiting Batumi Botanical Garden
• Where to find Batumi’s best street art
• Cycling to Sarpi and the Turkish border from Batumi
• Guide to the best short hike near Batumi

Where to stay in Batumi

Boutique hotel: Kartuli Hotel is my top choice of accommodation in Batumi. Rooms range from very affordable doubles all the way to luxury suites. The location on the 37th floor of Orbi Tower is mind-blowingly good – the sea views, especially at sunset, are insane. Every little design detail is on-point and the breakfast is also top notch. Just note that the New Boulevard location is a little far from the centre of town, and food options at this end of the beach are more limited.

Click here to check rates & availability on Booking.com or read my full review of Kartuli.

Mid-range hotel: Mariinsky Boutique Hotel has an excellent location in the centre of Batumi, walking distance from both the Old Town and the Old Boulevard. Rooms are clean and contemporary. The property has a nice rooftop terrace.

Up-scale hotel: Launched in 2023, the latest Rooms hotel, Rooms Batumi , takes design inspiration from its harbourfront location. Prices for the ‘haute bunk bed rooms’ are very affordable, while suites have a higher price tag.

How to get to Batumi from Zugdidi

There are at least eight daily vans to Batumi departing from the bus depot near Zugdidi Railway Station (see location here ). Travel time is 3 hours and the fare is around 25 GEL . If there’s no van available when you arrive at the station, you can always transfer through Poti (a charming city in its own right, see the optional detour described above).

The journey down the Black Sea Coast is a real treat. Grab a seat on the righthand side of the van for the best views.

Days 14 & 15: Khulo & Upper Adjara

Upper Adjara is the mountainous region east of Batumi. Majority Muslim, it’s known for its opulent painted mosques . In summer, shepherds come here to pasture their flocks. In winter, picturesque mountain towns dotted with sweet cabins transform into ski slopes.

Khulo is not the biggest town in Upper Adjara, but it’s definitely my favourite place to base your stay. It offers a good selection of accommodation and a couple of reliable food options ( Restaurant ABX is my top pick).

As you will see, they do things a bit differently here – one of the ways to get around is by using a cable car to travel across the valley! Built in 1985, it still uses all its original mechanics. The line is just under 2 km, making it the second-longest single-span cable car in Europe .

I have done this trip twice now and let me tell you, it is mighty nerve-racking. Taxis are available from Khulo to take you to Glamping Tago if you prefer (see below).

Where to stay in Khulo

Guesthouse: Hotel Khulo Inn is a short walk from the centre of town and boasts direct views of the valley and Tago cable car. Rooms are new and very comfortably furnished, and the owners – a young local family – are incredibly gracious. I stayed here recently and rate it highly.

Glamping: For something special, Upper Adjara has a few ‘glamping’ luxury tents and geodesic domes. Glamping Tago is located in the small village on the opposite side of the valley and can be reached via cable car from Khulo. The spectacular mountaintop location makes it one of the most memorable accommodations in Georgia.

Book a tent here , and read my review of Glamping Tago here .

How to get to Khulo from Batumi

Marshrutka vans bound for Khulo and the villages in Upper Adjara leave every hour or so from Batumi’s old bus station (see location here ). Travel time is 2.5 hours and tickets cost 10 GEL . Alternatively, a taxi costs around 150 GEL. Hotel Khulo Inn and Glamping Tago both offer this service.

The road into the mountains is windy and a bit rough, so if you suffer from motion sickness remember to have your medication on-hand.

Day 16: Akhaltsikhe & Vardzia

Akhaltsikhe is a small city in Georgia’s Samtskhe–Javakheti region , a culturally diverse part of the country that is loaded with historical monuments and archaeological sites . The most famous of them all is of course Vardzia , Georgia’s biggest cave city , which lies just east of Akhaltsikhe.

Composed of more than 4,000 individual cells and chambers hewn from a sheer rock wall , it cuts an impressive figure. It’s enthralling to explore on foot, especially when you have a guide to point out the copper pipes, bread ovens and clay qvevri – ancient amenities that once supported a large community of resident monks .

The biggest attraction in Akhaltsikhe city is Akhaltsikhe Fortress, AKA Rabati Castle , a massive fortification that was originally built in the 9th century.

Some say the recent renovations went a step too far and left the castle feeling like a theme park . I still think it’s quite beautiful , despite not being able to tell where history ends and fantasy begins! I’ll let you be the judge.

• My tips for visiting Vardzia
• Things to do in Akhaltsikhe
• Complete guide to visiting Akhaltsikhe (Rabati) Fortress
• 10 things to do in Samtskhe-Javakheti region
• Meskhetian foodie guide

Where to stay in Akhaltsikhe

Located on the steep street that leads to the castle, Old Street offers a handful of large and very comfortably furnished rooms, one with an ensuite bathroom. The family live onsite and are very helpful with organising drivers, transport and the like. A fulsome breakfast can be added for a few extra GEL. We once had to wake up at dawn to catch a van when we stayed here and they very kindly prepared breakfast for us the night before so that we wouldn’t miss out.

How to get to Akhaltsikhe from Khulo

The mountain road between Khulo and Akhaltsikhe is still unpaved in sections and quite slow-going as a result. In 2024, work will continue and hopefully the entire road will be sealed and safe to drive soon.

A vehicle with high clearance, preferrably a 4WD, is required, and it’s not recommended to travel after heavy rain. If in doubt, call the Roads department hotline (+995 322 313 076) to check conditions.

There is only one daily direct marshrutka van during summer that I’m aware of – check times locally – or else you can travel by shared or private taxi. The trip takes around 3.5-4.5 hours via a beautifully scenic stretch of mountain road that passes by Goderdzi ski resort.

Note that the high pass is closed in winter. If you are travelling in the low season (approximately November to April), you will need to re-route back through Batumi and Khashuri instead.

How to visit Vardzia from Akhaltsikhe

Vardzia is 60 km south of Akhaltsikhe and can be reached in around 75 minutes by road. There are infrequent marshrutka vans to Vardzia from Akhaltsikhe’s bus station (see location here ) for around 7 GEL one-way, but the more convenient way to travel is by hiring a car and driver to take you there and back. This should cost around 60 GEL including wait time, and your guesthouse in Akhaltsikhe will be able to organise it for you.

For times and fares, see this guide on how to get to Vardzia .

Day 17: Borjomi

In Georgia and across the former USSR , Borjomi is associated with one thing: Mineral water. Natural carbonate springs were ‘discovered’ here in the 1850s, but archaeological evidence suggests the waters have been used for health purposes since at least the 7th century BC.

Today you can visit the original spring inside Borjomi Central Park – a leafy slice of parkland with walking trails, a cable car and open-air thermal baths – and fill up a bottle with water straight from the source. 

Borjomi has traditionally been a place for rest and respite, so it’s a good place to pause for a day. Aside from the park and a short cable car, there are Soviet mosaics and Romanov-era buildings .

Unfortunately, Georgia’s only scenic railway, the Kukushka train from Borjomi to Bakuriani , was cancelled in 2020 and has not recommenced. Bakuriani village is a ski resort in wintertime and a lovely village in summer, with old sanatoriums and a Greek village in the hills nearby.

The stunning Romanov Palace in nearby Likani is also closed, with no re-opening date in sight. You can see objects from the palace on display at the Borjomi History Museum instead.

Outdoor enthusiasts can find easy day hikes and challenging multi-day expeditions in Borjomi Kharagauli National Park . Because of its lower elevation in the Lesser Caucasus, trails here open earlier than in Kazbegi or Svaneti – making it a great option for spring.

• Complete Borjomi city guide
• 7 best day trips from Borjomi

Where to stay in Borjomi

Self-contained apartment: Borjomi Cottages (formerly called Guest House on Erekle) is a terrific choice for singles or couples. They offer several self-contained studio apartments set inside little cabins, complete with a kitchenette and modern bathroom. It’s walking distance from the train station and Central Park, and Pesvebi restaurant – which happens to be run by the guest house owner’s sister – is just footsteps away.

Budget-friendly guesthouse: Guest House Besarioni is another solid choice in Borjomi. Private rooms are set inside a family home on the hill above town, accessed via a flight of stairs from the main street. Rooms are comfortable, there’s a washing machine, and the owner is extremely friendly and helpful. There are a number of short hiking trails in the hills above the guesthouse too.

Boutique hotel: Set in one of the most beautiful old buildings in Borjomi – a house built for the Iranian Consul – Golden Tulip Borjomi is steps from Central Park. Rooms are furnished in the same opulent style as the exterior. The upstairs breakfast terrace affords lovely views.

How to get to Borjomi from Akhaltsikhe

Borjomi is 50 km (around an hour by road) from Akhaltsikhe. There are minivan connections from the bus station in Akhaltsikhe throughout the day. The fare is around 5 GEL .

Optional detour: Abastumani instead of Borjomi

If you’re looking for an alternative to Borjomi, Abastumani is another former spa resort around 40 minutes north of Akhaltsikhe in the Lesser Caucasus. It too has hot springs, a Romanov Palace and heritage architecture , plus a Soviet-era mountain observatory where you take a tour of the restored telescopes or book in for an evening stargazing session.

See my Abastumani guide for more information, transport tips and accommodations.

Days 18 & 19: Sighnaghi & Kakheti wine region

Days 20 & 21: georgian military highway & kazbegi, one month in georgia itinerary.

If you’re able to budget four whole weeks for Georgia, you are setting yourself up for a really wonderful trip.

I call this the ‘Ultimate’ Georgia itinerary because it touches on all the major cities, historical and cultural sites and landscapes. It includes 21 cities and towns, 9 out of the 12 regions, and all 4 UNESCO Sites (plus 8 of the 15 Tentative Sites).

This itinerary follows the same format as previous routes but with more stops included. Additions are bolded:

Tbilisi – [David Gareja & Udabno] – Mtskheta, Gori & Uplistsikhe – Kutaisi, Chiatura & Tskaltubo – Martvili – Mestia & Ushguli – Zugdidi – Guria – Batumi – Khulo & Upper Adjara – Akhaltsikhe & Vardzia – Borjomi – Tsalka & Javakheti – Sighnaghi & Kakheti – Telavi – Pankisi Valley – Kazbegi – Tbilisi

• Day 8: Martvili – overnight in Martvili
• Days 9, 10 & 11: Mestia & Ushguli – overnight in Mestia
• Day 12: Zugdidi – overnight in Zugdidi
• Days 13 & 14: Guria – overnight in Ozurgeti
• Days 15, 16 & 17: Batumi & the Black Sea Coast – overnight in Batumi
• Days 18 & 19: Khulo & Upper Adjara – overnight in Khulo
• Day 20: Akhaltsikhe & Vardzia – overnight in Akhaltsikhe
• Day 21: Borjomi – overnight in Borjomi
• Day 22: Tsalka & Javakheti – overnight in Tbilisi
• Days 23 & 24: Sighnaghi & Kakheti wine region – overnight in Sighnaghi
• Day 25: Telavi – overnight in Telavi
• Days 26 & 27: Pankisi Valley – overnight in Jokolo
• Days 28, 29 & 30: Georgian Military Highway & Kazbegi – overnight in Kazbegi

Days 1, 2 & 3: Tbilisi

Refer to days 1, 2 & 3 of the three-week itinerary above.

Refer to day 4 of the three-week itinerary above.

Refer to day 4 of the two-week itinerary above.

Day 8: Martvili

This one month Georgia itinerary is full to the brim, so I recommend enjoying a bit of downtime whenever you can.

Martvili , a small town in Samegrelo region, is the perfect place to pause between Kutaisi and Svaneti, giving you a chance for some much-needed rest between long drives. If you want to power through, you can easily travel directly from Kutaisi to Mestia and enjoy an extra day in the mountains.

There are a couple of noteworthy attractions in and around Martvili, including Martvili Monastery and two popular canyons, Martvili and Okatse . I’m not a huge fan of the canyons (or the nearby Kinchkha Waterfall ) – all of these sites are overdeveloped in my opinion and charge a hefty entrance fee.

Personally I would suggest using your time in Martvili to relax at Karma Hostel , visit lesser-known canyons such as Balda and perhaps the hot springs at Nokalakevi , enjoy a meal at Oda Family Marani , and maybe visit the Martvili tea fields instead.

Don’t miss the monastery and if you happen to be in town on a Friday, be sure to attend the weekly farmers’ market .

Where to stay in Martvili

Karma Hostel offers dorms and a private room for two on the outskirts of Martvili. This is an excellent place to chill out for a day or two, drink wine on the verandah and eat meals made with fresh produce from the neighbour’s garden.

Click here to check rates & availability on Booking.com or read my full review of Karma Hostel.

How to get to Martvili from Kutaisi

There a dozen daily vans to Martvili from Kutaisi starting from 7am and departing every hour until 6pm. The trip takes around an hour , and the fare is approximately 6 GEL . In Martvili, vans terminate in the centre of town. If you’re staying at Karma Hostel, you’ll want to jump off early at or near this gas station .

Days 9, 10 & 11: Mestia & Ushguli

Day 12: zugdidi.

Refer to day 11 of the three-week itinerary above.

Days 13 & 14: Guria

Western Georgia’s Guria Region is well and truly off the beaten track . I didn’t know anything about this part of Georgia before I visited this summer, but it quickly became one of my favourite places. I’ve been back several times since. The train station in Ozurgeti has passenger connections to Batumi and Tbilisi, making it relatively easy to get in and out.

As soon as you arrive in Guria, you will immediately notice the change in climate. This part of the country is very warm and humid, perfect conditions for growing hazelnuts and tea , the two crops this area is famous for.

Georgia’s little-documented tea heritage is absolutely fascinating and it all begins in Guria, where massive plantations and factories were built to furnish the entire Soviet Union with provisions for their daily cuppa.

There isn’t a whole lot of infrastructure in Guria, so I recommend staying centrally in or near Ozurgeti, the region’s small capital. It’s worth coming this way just to spend a few nights at Komli , a family run guesthouse and tea farm 10 minutes from Ozurgeti.

To explore further afield – such as the tea fields in Anaseuli , the Soviet mosaics around Meria and the incredible Soviet architecture in the village of Shroma – you will need to organise a car and driver.

Don’t miss visiting either Gomismta or Bakhmaro , Guria’s twin mountain-top summer resorts that both offer stunning views (sealed roads open in the summer months only, unless you want to travel by snowmobile!).

• Things to do in Ozurgeti & Guria
• How to visit Bakhmaro for the most magnificent sunset in Georgia
• Attending Lelo Burti, Georgia’s coolest cultural festival

Where to stay in Guria

Guesthouse: Komli is one of the coolest accommodations in all of Georgia. Hosts Mariam, Lika and Mari – three generations of women – are personal friends of ours. There are just two guest rooms set inside their wooden home outside Ozurgeti, or you can sleep inside a giant wine barrel in the yard that’s been fitted out with a double bed.

The family has an intimate relationship with the tea industry and they keep a small field on the property where they harvest leaves. The only thing better than the tea is the home-cooked Gurian fare, served up in plentiful quantities on the outdoor deck.

Boutique guesthouse: Another solid option outside Ozurgeti in Shemokmedi, Menabde Winery is a historic wooden house that has been retrofitted into a comfortable guesthouse (all rooms have ensuite bathrooms) and a wine restaurant. This place is pure magic. Eating a home-cooked Gurian feast in the garden, accompanied by a bottle of house wine, is an unforgettable experience.

How to get to Guria from Zugdidi

Ozurgeti, Guria’s biggest city and main transport hub, is 100 km south of Zugdidi via Poti and the Black Sea Coast. Travel time by marshrutka is around 2.5 hours . Depending on the bus schedule, you might need to transit through Poti. Check times and fares at the bus station in Zugdidi.

Days 15, 16 & 17: Batumi & the Black Sea Coast

For things to do in Batumi , refer to days 9 & 10 of the two-week itinerary above.

This itinerary allows for an extra day on Black Sea Coast, which you can use to explore another of Adjara’s national parks. My personal favourite is the Machakhela Protected Areas , a magical landscape of primary forest along the Turkish border.

Or you could spend a day in Poti and visit the Colchic Wetlands, as described in the previous itinerary, or go mosaic hunting in Kobuleti , a small resort town near Batumi.

• 10 day trips around Adjara (with transport instructions)
• How to visit the Machakhela Protected Areas

How to get to Batumi from Ozurgeti

To get from Ozurgeti to Batumi, I recommend taking a direct marshrutka van ( 2.5 hours ) or a marshrutka via Ureki. Check times and fares locally.

Days 18 & 19: Khulo & Upper Adjara

Refer to days 14 & 15 of the three-week itinerary above.

Day 20: Akhaltsikhe & Vardzia

Refer to day 16 of the three-week itinerary above.

Day 21: Borjomi

Refer to day 17 of the three-week itinerary above.

Day 22: Tsalka & Javakheti

Another of Georgia’s lesser-visited areas, the Javakheti Protected Areas is a high-altitude plateau of volcanic lakes and endless plains . This is one of Georgia’s most majestic landscapes – a complete contrast to the lush west and mountainous north – and absolutely worth the detour if you have time.

You can see a lot in the space of a day if you hire a car and driver to take you through Javakheti on your way from Borjomi back to Tbilisi.

This area is known as the ‘Georgian Arctic’ because of the unforgiving climate. The landscape is covered with deep snow for much of the year, so make sure you have the right gear if you’re travelling in the colder months. In late summer and fall it becomes one of the region’s most important nesting grounds for endemic and migratory birds .

Each of the lakes has a bird watching tower and short hiking routes nearby. If you only have time for a couple of lakes , I suggest visiting Bughdasheni Managed Reserve and the nearby Doukhobor village of Gorelovka , plus Paravani Lake and Poka St. Nino Monastery (don’t miss the convent shop that sells delicious preserves and skincare products made from local beeswax and botanicals).

If there’s time, stop off in the city of Tsalka for lunch at Restaurant Pontia before visiting Dashbashi Canyon and the petroglyphs in Trialeti.

If you have time, drop by the historic German villages of Asureti and Trialeti in Kvemo Kartli region , and make a stop at Manglisi Cathedral the spectacular Didgori Battle Memorial before arriving back in Tbilisi.

If the lakes district doesn’t interest you, you can always head straight back to Tbilisi from Borjomi by marshrutka or train and spend an extra day in the capital instead.

• Things to do in Tsalka and Javakheti
• How to visit the Didgori Battle Memorial
• More things to do in Kvemo Kartli region

How to get to Tsalka & Javakheti from Borjomi

To travel between Borjomi and Tbilisi via Tsalka and Kvemo Kartli, you’ll need a car and driver. I recommend hiring a driver for the day through GoTrip for this route so that you can make as many stops along the way as you please.

Prices for Borjomi-Tsalka-Asureti-Didgori-Tbilisi start from 80 USD per car. Customise your itinerary and book a driver here .

Days 23 & 24: Sighnaghi & Kakheti wine region

Day 25: telavi.

This extended Georgia itinerary allows for an extra day in the wine region. I recommend you spend it in Telavi, Kakheti’s biggest city.

You can find dozens more wineries in and around town for tours and tastings (Akido and Togonidze’s Wine Cellar are two of my favourites). If you skipped it on your first days, the historic Tsinandali Estate outside Telavi is a must-visit.

Telavi city itself is a very pleasant place to spend an afternoon. Wander beneath the balconies of the old town , visit the Giant Plane Tree – Telavi’s pride and joy – and explore the mammoth undercover market .

Where to stay in Telavi

Budget-friendly guesthouse: Guesthouse Lilia is a simple, warm and spotlessly clean family guesthouse in the centre of the city. The back garden and onsite wine cellar are a treat. Owner Lilia is very hospitable and can help with organising a car and driver to take you around for the day.

Mid-range hotel: Hestia Hotel, Wine and View offers the best of all three. Rooms are neat and stylish, and the panorama from the rooftop restaurant/bar is stunning.

Boutique hotel: Seventeen Rooms offers stylish modern rooms, an outdoor pool and delightful common areas, including a comfortable lounge with an open fireplace in winter. Some rooms have balconies overlooking the city. A generous breakfast is available, while lunch, dinner and local wines are served at the onsite restaurant.

Luxury hotel: The Radisson Tsinandali on the grounds of the Tsinandali Estate is a little bit pricey, but it’s worth every penny. Rooms are amazing, as is the buffet breakfast, and guests get unfettered access to the estate gardens. If you’re going to splurge on one hotel in Georgia, this is a great choice.

How to get to Telavi from Sighnaghi

There are only a handful of marshrutka services from Sighnaghi to Telavi – and the journey is quite slow as they stop frequently to pick up passengers from the villages along the highway.

It’s much more convenient to take a taxi between the two towns. This should take around 1.5 hours and cost somewhere in the neighbourhood of 60 GEL for a car. In Sighnaghi, taxis wait at the top of the park and down the road in front of the large building near the donkey statue.

If you’re already travelling the Wine Route , it might make more sense to throw your bags in the back of the car and ask your driver to drop you off in Telavi at the end of the day.

Days 26 & 27: Pankisi Valley

Visiting Pankisi Valley is one of the most memorable and enriching experiences you can have in Georgia.

Located in the north-eastern corner of Kakheti, the valley is defined by a series of small villages inhabited by families from the Kist community , whose ancestors migrated to Georgia from Chechnya 200 years ago. The area only opened to tourism relatively recently – it’s a real privilege and an honour to be able to observe the Kists’ rich and beautiful culture as a guest of the community.

Nazy’s Guest House in the village of Jokolo is the leading accommodation provider here. As well as offering comfortable rooms, Nazy can organise activities around the valley including guided cultural walks .

If you’re visiting on a Friday, you can attend the women’s zikr , a fascinating Sufi ritual that takes place every week. Eat copious amounts of delicious Kist food , and visit some of the many watchtowers, mosques and other historical monuments that dot the landscape.

Pankisi lies in the shadow of the Tusheti Protected Areas and is right on the doorstep of some immaculate nature. Marked hiking trails , guided mountain biking and horse trekking are all available.

• 20 things to do in Pankisi Valley
• What to expect when visiting Nazy’s Guest House

Where to stay in Pankisi

Nazy’s Guest House in Jokolo is the place to stay in Pankisi. Nazy has spearheaded tourism in the region and her family guesthouse is one of the longest-operating. Rooms are comfortably furnished, home-cooked meals are available, and Nazy can help organise everything from culinary classes to walking tours and guided horseback riding.

How to get to Pankisi from Telavi

Pankisi Valley is located less than an hour’s drive from Telavi. Marshrutka vans to Jokolo and Akhmeta, the nearest city to Pankisi, depart frequently from Telavi’s new bus station (see location here ). The fare should cost around 7 GEL .

Alternatively, there are plenty of taxi drivers that know this route and will take you to Jokolo for around 30 GEL . They tend to wait near the bus station – ask around and no doubt you will find someone who knows Nazy.

Days 28, 29 & 30: Georgian Military Highway & Kazbegi

For things to do in Kazbegi, refer to days 6 & 7 of the one-week itinerary above.

This one month itinerary allows for an extra day in Kazbegi which you can either use for an additional day hike or for relaxing in town at Rooms.

For alternative hiking routes , Juta and Truso are both popular choices and easy to reach from Stepantsminda (see more in the next section below).

How to travel the Georgian Military Highway to Kazbegi from Pankisi

It’s possible to get onto the Georgian Military Highway from Pankisi without having to double-back through Tbilisi. Since I recommend using GoTrip for this route even if you are travelling from Tbilisi, you can simply organise for a driver to pick you up from Jokolo instead.

Organise for them to travel through Tianeti , a scenic (and newly sealed) backroad with a few places to stop along the way (including the delightful Kvetera Fortress’s Church ).

From Tianeti, the road continues to the base of Zhinvali Reservoir and the start of the Georgian Military Highway, which you can then follow all the way up to Kazbegi with all the stops mentioned previously.

Total travel time from Jokolo to Kazbegi is just under 4 hours without stops. A car and driver for the day starts from 90 USD when booked through GoTrip .

More places to visit in Georgia

These itineraries hit on all the major highlights – but that’s really just the tip of the iceberg. If you have more time in Georgia (or you’re already planning your return trip), there are lots more places that are worthy of your time.

Here is a small handful. I’ve also included suggestions for where to slot these into your Georgia itinerary so as to avoid backtracking.

Tusheti – add 4-5 days

The Tusheti Protected Areas is located in far north-east Georgia along the border with Russia. It’s extremely remote – and extremely beautiful – but you need a good amount of time and an experienced driver to get there.

Tusheti is all about dramatic peaks and valleys, clusters of stone tower houses and massive herds of sheep, all shrouded in mist because of the high altitude. Remote villages such as Dartlo are only inhabited during summer and offer basic guesthouses, but infrastructure is overall pretty limited. This of course is part of the appeal. The main things to do in Tusheti are hike, horseback ride and enjoy the mountain hospitality.

The road up to Tusheti is only open in the warmer months, meaning you only have a small window to visit. The season changes year to year depending on the weather but it’s usually from early June until October.

You must go with an experienced local driver who knows the roads and has a good car. Shared and private cars can be arranged from Telavi, thus it makes the most sense to visit Tusheti after Kakheti wine region. See here for transport instructions . Adventurers can travel up by horseback from Pankisi Valley.

Khevsureti – add 3 days

Similar to Tusheti, Khevsureti is a remote region of the Greater Caucasus in Georgia’s north-east. It’s sandwiched between Kazbegi and Tusheti.

The main attractions here are the village of Shatili , home to yet more stone tower dwellings , and the incredible Mutso Fortress . The Abudelauri Lakes Hike is also fantastic, and the entire drive up via the Datvisjvari ‘Bear Cross’ Pass is absolutely spectacular.

It takes at least 4 hours to reach Shatili from Tbilisi by road , so it’s recommended to spend at least 2 nights in a local guesthouse to make the most of it. It’s a smart idea to add it to your itinerary before or after Kazbegi. See my recommended 3-day Khevsureti itinerary for full details .

Racha-Lechkhumi – add 2-3 days

Racha is a mountainous region in Western Georgia between Svaneti and South Ossetia. It’s very popular with locals but doesn’t attract many foreign visitors, mainly because it was always a bit trickier to get to without a car. That changed in 2021 when a new road opened from Sachkhere in Upper Imereti, making it possible to reach Oni in under 4 hours from Tbilisi .

Oni is a magical town with a stunning old synagogue. Shovi , an old Soviet summer retreat, is home to ‘Stalin’s Dacha’, and the more remote villages such as Ghebi offer hiking and homestays where you can eat ‘real’ Rachan cuisine and sip famous Khvanchkara wine pressed from grapes that only grow in Lower Racha.

It’s possible to get to Racha by marshrutka van from Kutaisi to Ambrolauri or Oni, as described in the ‘detour’ above. Adjacent Lechkhumi Region has magnificent rock karst formations and high-altitude villages. This is where you’ll find the Instagram-famous Lailashi Secret Pool and the mythological Khvamli Mountain , which is great for an easy day hike .

Vashlovani Protected Areas – add 3-4 days

The far south-eastern corner of Kakheti region, approaching the border with Azerbaijan, is a wicked landscape of savannah plains and mud volcanoes. Vashlovani Nature Reserve is definitely an off-the-beaten track destination and only for the adventurous. You need your own 4WD to make the most of it.

While you’re in the area, be sure to spend a day around the town of Dedoplistskaro , visiting Eagle Gorge, Elia Monastery, and Big Shiraki , an abandoned Soviet airfield.

Lagodekhi National Park – add 2-3 days

Also in the eastern corner of Kakheti, Lagodekhi Nature Reserve is a lush forested landscape with plenty of hiking trails. One of the most popular routes is Black Rock Lake, a 2-day hike to the border with Azerbaijan and Russia. Duende Hotels offers delightful A-frame cabins on the edge of the park and is a great place to base your stay.

If you’re travelling to Azerbaijan next, you’ll pass right through Lagodekhi on your way to the border (keep in mind that overland travel into Azerbaijan is currently not possible as the country’s land border remains closed to inbound travellers until at least October 1, 2024.)

Otherwise you can easily get to the villages around the park from Tbilisi or Telavi by marshrutka.

Juta or Truso Valleys – add 1-2 days

If you’re looking for more hiking opportunities in the Greater Caucasus, Juta is an easy addition to your Georgia itinerary after Kazbegi. Fifth Season is a popular cabin accommodation in Juta and a good place to pair up with hiking buddies to tackle the trails around the valley. The Juta Valley Hike is totally doable in a day from Kazbegi and well worth it!

Mountain Freaks organises transfers to Juta and Truso from Kazbegi throughout the trekking season.

Georgia essentials

Here are the websites and services I personally use and recommend for Georgia. Check out my full list of travel resources for more tips.

FLIGHTS: Search for affordable flights to Tbilisi, Batumi or Kutaisi on Skyscanner .

TRAVEL INSURANCE: Insure your trip with HeyMondo , my preferred provider for single-trip and annual travel insurance (get 5% off when you book with my link).

SIM CARD: Magti is my preferred provider, with prices starting from 9 GEL/week for unlimited data. See this guide for all the details about buying a Georgian SIM card .

AIRPORT TRANSFERS: Most flights into Georgia arrive in the early hours. For ease, pre-book a private transfer from Tbilisi Airport to your hotel (from $17) or from Kutaisi Airport to Tbilisi (from $90) with my partners at GoTrip.ge.

ACCOMMODATION: Booking.com is the most widely used platform in Georgia. Use it to find family guesthouses, private apartments, hostels and hotels around the country.

CAR HIRE: Find a great deal on a rental car in Georgia – use the Local Rent website to book through a local agent (prices start from $20/day).

DAY TRIPS & CITY TOURS: Use Viator or Get Your Guide to browse a range of day trips and city tours. For off-beat programs, I recommend Friendly.ge (use the promocode wanderlush for 10% off). For in-depth day trips to Georgia’s wine regions, I recommend Eat This! Tours (use the promo code wanderlush for 5% off).

PRIVATE TRANSFERS: GoTrip.ge is a terrific service for booking a private professional driver and car for the day. Use it for A-to-B transfers, a customised round-trip itinerary, or a multi-day trip. You can stop wherever you like for as long as you like without the fixed price going up.

NEED SOME HELP?: Need feedback on your itinerary or personalised travel tips? I offer a one-on-one consultation call service for Tbilisi and Georgia. More information and bookings here .

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51 comments.

Just wanted to share my appreciation for your beautifully detailed blog on Georgia. We are in Georgia for over 3 weeks and been following your guidance mostly. We are having a great time, big thank you !!

Thank you so much, Rashi! Happy travels!

Hi, Emily! Thank you for giving the world your comprehensive blog. It’s a treasure! My mom and I are in Georgia for 12 days. The first two days are in Tbilisi, and after that, I wanted to show her a few beautiful spots around the country (some but not all of the places could Kazbegi; Racha, Mestia, or both, Kakheti or Borjomi (?); I’m not interested in Batumi). We don’t have a lot of time, but we do have quite a few bags with us haha. Also, neither of us drives. Do you think it makes more sense to prolong our booking in one of Tbilisi’s hotels and take various tours from here (like tour guides and gotrip drivers recommend) or just pack up and move forward?

Hi Sunny, thank you for the kind words! I would recommend using a couple of different cities as bases – so doing day trips from Tbilisi, then taking the train to Kutaisi and doing some trips from there. For Racha and Mestia you will need to overnight in those places as the travel times are longer.

Hi Emily Your blog is super helpful. I have 8 days in Georgia in August and will be using a driver or public transport (may include GoTrip). From Sighnaghi does it make more sense to go directly to Kazbegi or to go back to Tbilisi and go from there to Kazbegi? If we were to go directly from Sighnaghi, what’s the best way to get there? thanks Miranda

Hi Miranda, thanks! Definitely go direct (not through Tbilisi). You should go via Telavi and Tianeti – and definitely stop at the beautiful Kvetera Fortress Church! From there you can link up with the Military Highway and make all the stops recommended in my guide.

Been in Georgia 2 weeks and planned everything based on Emily’s blog. A gold mine which will save you a bunch of time – and money- and will make sure you do the best from your holiday time. Please consider this and support his work on his donation page, there are several options, it’s fair and deserved!

Thank you, Benoit! I really appreciate your support!

Hi Emily, My sister and I are leaving for Georgia in three weeks and are very much looking forward to it. Many thanks in advance for your hands on information! We wander whether it is possible to hike the Puchguli – Toucheti trail in May or whether it is too early in the year? Kindest, Jasmien

Hi Jasmien, I am not sure which hike you mean – maybe Mestia-Ushguli? Usually hiking season in the high mountains starts from June, so May might be a little too early.

Dear Emily,

I cannot thank you enough for this awesome guide to Georgia.

We followed your 2 weeks itinerary and will be flying back home tomorrow.It has been the best vacay till date. The itinerary was perfect and the details impeccable.The recommendations were excellent.

And of course Georgia is such a beautiful country.

Thank you so much for everything!

Amazing – thank you so much, Harsha! I hope you will get a chance to return some time. Safe travels home and thank you again for your comment and feedback!

I have been researching about Georgia as I intend to travel with my family in Mid April this year and I’m so glad I came across your blog.

We have 2 options – 3 days in Baku + 6 days in Georgia or we can give all 9 days to Georgia. Do you suggest we take the latter option given the weather in Mid April (April 12th-20th).

Either way we would be exploring Tbilisi, Kakheti, Kazbegi and attractions on the route to them. If plan plan to skip Baku, I think I can fit in Kutaisi and/or Batumi. But would it be a wise decision to do so?

We’re short on planning time, so I thought I’d seek your expert opinion.

It’s really up to you! Baku is a wonderful city but you can easily fill 9 days in Georgia. Kutaisi is lovely in April, it’s still a little early for the coast but the Batumi Gardens and national parks around the Black Sea will be very nice.

Hi Emily, hope you’re having a great day. Our recent family Christmas vacation in Georgia was certainly more than great, all thanks to your very instructive blogs. I had been reading yours for many weeks prior to our trip, and literally based my planning from it – from the places to stay and visit, logistics, and of course food. Such information loaded articles have saved me a lot of time and made our travel so much easier as well. I’m not so much into reading blogs, and have never done in our previous travels. But this first time has inspired me to make it as a first resource in our next family adventure. I’ll try to write some points (or tips) in another comment next time, that might help other travellers/readers of your blogs. Thank you once again.

Thrilled to hear that, thank you May! I hope you had an incredible trip and will get a chance to revisit Georgia again soon. Thank you for the kind feedback, it means a lot to me!

Hi Emily – thanks a ton for this blog! We’re planning or trip for a few weeks from now and this has been the most helpful resource we’ve found.

Somehting that would help us firm up dates and get our accomodations booked whould be to know what to prioritized on weekends vs weekdays. Should we aim to be at wineries on the weekend for a better experience with the hosts? Are Sundays usually quiet? Should we avoid being in Stepantsminda on the weekends due to crowds?

In general, we’re going to be roughly following your one week itinerary in Tbilisi, Sighnaghi and Stepantsminda but over about 10 days. We’ll spend the first weekend in Tbilisi for sure, but your opinions on the timing of the others would be great!

Hi AJ, sounds like a great plan! As it’s school holidays now there is not a huge difference between weekdays vs weekends. Some very small wineries might prefer to not have guests on a Sunday, but they would open for you regardless. I think Stepantsminda will be quite crowded every day throughout August (it was already in May!) so my biggest tip there is to get up to the church nice and early ahead of the groups.

Thanks Emily – appreciate your insight!

Thank you so much for this post. Exactly what I was looking for. Question: I know I shouldn’t compare but since I’ll be in Armenia before arriving in Georgia, should I skip Dilijan? Svaneti and Kazbegi regions look more impressive than Dilijan.

Hi Lee – in my opinion, yes. Dilijan is a nice base for hiking but the town itself is not that great in my opinion. Svaneti and Kazbegi have the Greater Caucasus mountains of course, and that’s very hard to beat!

Hi Emily, we are planning our 16 day trip through Georgia and so we are following your two week itinerary. We will land in Kutaisi. You recommend to always start in Tibilisi first. We wonder what the reason for that is. We also noticed that you drive from the east to the west and back to the east. For us even more, because we are leaving from Kutaisi again. We wonder if this is necessary or why you don’t do all the destinations in the east at once and then go to the west afterwards.

Thank you for your reply

Hi Julia – most of my readers fly into Tbilisi. Of course you can simply reverse the route.

H! We are just finishing a two week tour of Georgia, and we heavily used your blog, so thank you!

Random question: most of the houses we see have an outside staircase that goes to the second floor. We couldn’t figure out why. Any thoughts? What is the layout of a “typical” Georgian house? Thanks!

Hi Jenna, so happy to hear that!

Yes you’re right, a lot of houses have an external staircase (including mine!). I think there are a couple of possible reasons depending on the vintage of the home… Maybe upstairs was living quarters while downstairs was set aside for guest rooms, so there were two separate entrances. Or perhaps the house was divided up during the Soviet period between several different families, each of whom wanted their own entrance (so the stairs were tacked on later – this is often the case in Tbilisi especially). I have also been told that during the Soviet period it was not permitted to build a 2-storey dwelling, so some houses had a bottom level with a low ceiling height set aside as ‘storage space’.

As for a typical Georgian house – there are variations between regions and of course it depends when it was built. But I would say that many houses have conjoined rooms with multiple doorways and no hallways, plus at least one balcony.

Hello Emily, I intend visiting Georgia next September and I found your site which is very informative. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience. I am sure I will have a great time. I intend travelling for one month, unfortunately it will be in July and it will be warm. I will also try to hire a small car. And off I go on an adventure! I am a bit worried about the political situation with Russia so this is why I want to do it soon. Thanks again! Michele

Hi Emily, I’ve been reading your blogs and taking notes for some days now Very useful information indeed so first I wanna thank you Secondly, I need your help. My itinerary includes Tbilisi, Telavi, Kazbegi, Mestia and Batumi. I'm planning to spend a few nights in each destination and have day trips to Sighnaghi, Ushguli, etc. Can you please help me put the main 5 destinations in a smooth order I'd really like to get around Georgia without wasting time and I'm helpless mostly because of Mestia and Batumi. They are quite far.

Hi Beatrice, great to hear that! How many days will you spend in Georgia? The most logical order is Tbilisi – Mestia – Batumi – Tbilisi – Telavi – Kazbegi – Tbilisi (or the reverse).

Hi Emily, today my boyfriend and I came back from our 2 week trip to Georgia. It was a postponed 2020 holiday, so we were very much looking forward to it. In 2020 already and again these past months I have binged your blog and I want to thank you a lot for your extensive and clear blogs!! So many highlights are coming from your tips, for example dinner at Iasamani in Tbilisi (we also had our very last dinner there yesterday as a goodbye), the “secret” trail up to Gergeti Trinity, or visiting Tskaltubo, to mention some. Our only negative experience was with our rental car from Local rent. The car was definitely not in good shape and after 3 days we were forced to return to Tbilisi and we decided to rent a car from a more expensive company. The experience with the guy we rented the car from was really unpleasant. That aside, Georgia is a beautiful country and we would not have been able to enjoy it to the fullest without your help and commitment to this blog. Thank you so much! It will be weird to close off all the tabs with your posts I have been reading the past time haha. Good luck and perhaps we’ll read another one of your blogs for one of our coming holidays. Cheers from the Netherlands.

Hi Lily! Thanks so much for your comment, I’m so happy you finally made it to Georgia! It sounds like you had some wonderful experiences!

Sorry to hear about the car – I haven’t heard of anyone having such an experience before, but I know they are working on some enhanced quality control measures this year (ratings and so forth). Please write them and give them feedback on the agent if you haven’t already. I hope that didn’t disrupt your plans too much.

Thank you again for the comment and for reading, it means a lot! Hope to see you back in Georgia some time soon!

Thanks Emily. My partner booked us flights to georgia without consulting me and your site helped me to warm up a lot to the idea.

It is a great resource but I am left wondering about the following things – Are shops open on weekeneds? (I assume major attractions are, but maybe worth asking about that as well). Can totally live without shopping for two days, but if supermarkets are closed it is something that needs some planning. – Credit card acceptance and ATM availability, can we trust being able to pay with CC at resturants? We are going to land in kutaisi and spend few days there, and while I am sure CC usage is not a problem in tbilsi and batumi, not sure about kutaisi and even smaller towns. Guess another way to ask it is should we bring cash with us. – Personal safety. Stuff may happen in the safest places in the world, so this is about relative safety, are there places/activities in the cities which smart tourists should just try to avoid in the first place? – How bad is the humidity in the summer (june is what I care about realy) saw that you do not recommended comming to tbilsi at that time of the year, and I am sure people that are not used to heat+humidity will not enjoy the experiance, but can you compare it to some other generally humid places? And sub question, do places in general have AC, or do we need to be prepared to change cloths several times a day when walking around the city :)?

Hi Mark, glad to hear that!

I do go through a lot of these topics in depth in other guides…

Everything is open on weekends except banks and some Magti mobile phone shops, which are closed on Sundays. Shops, malls, restaurants all trade on weekends.

CC is widely accepted in all cities including Kutaisi, but you should carry cash for small towns/rural areas. Do not bring cash though, just use an ATM. See here for tips: https://wander-lush.org/georgia-travel-budget-costs/

Georgia is extremely safe by world standards. Specific safety advice here: https://wander-lush.org/is-georgia-safe-country-europe/

Humidity/heat – it depends where you’re going, the climate is vastly different from place to place. August is the warmest month, usually June is not too bad. AC is ubiquitous. See here: https://wander-lush.org/best-time-to-visit-georgia-country/

Hope this helps!

cool, thanks alot.

Thank you for all the incredible guides Emily, they are proving so useful in planning as I go.

I’m disappointed to read your note about the Kukushka train being suspended, as it was definitely on my list. I wondered if you are able to confirm whether this is still the case, or is there any way to check the status of it? Thank you

Hi John, thanks! Yes unfortunately the train is still not working. I hope it will start up again soon.

WOW Emily, I love all articles. I am planning for two weeks and most probably will follow your guidelines. Thanks alot Hugs from UAE

Thanks Ahmed! Very happy to hear that. Have a wonderful time in Georgia!

Hi Emily. I’m as Georgian very glad that such talented person choose to live here. You wrote very good travel guide, and the site itself is very good. I’m glad that came across it. You are doing great job to encourage people travel to Georgia.

Thank you Rusudan!

Hi Emily, Do you think staying in Shekhvetili and touring batumi is possible? or would be a long journey? As we liked the paragraph hotel but its showing 50 mins away from the batumi city? Below is our itinerary for Georgia trip; Tbilisi (2 nights – city & borjomi & bakuarini train journey) – Kazbegi (2 nights – trinity church & gudauri ski) – Shekhvetili (4 nights – Batumi, Kutaisi) – Tbilisi (2 nights – city tour) Please advice us your suggestion and if any changes needed on this itinerary. Appreciate your help.

Best to stay in Batumi and Kutaisi to explore those cities. I would do one night in Kutaisi, one in Shekvetili and two in Batumi. Also note that the train in Borjomi/Bakuriani isn’t running at the moment – hopefully it will start up again soon but it’s been closed for a long while now.

Hi Emily, thank you very much for your detailed guide for Georgia. With reading it I just become more sure that I must visit this beautiful country. I need one advice from your side. We (me and my husband) would like to visit Georgia for 2 weeks in April/May next year. But we don’t want too often to change the base cities where we stay. So we would prefer for 2 weeks to have base in only 2 cities. Are Tbilisi and Kutaisi good enough as base. Or could you suggest some other. Thanks again. All the best, Zlata

Tbilisi and Kutaisi are both good bases – from Tbilisi you can do Kakheti and Kazbegi, and from Kutaisi the west and south of Georgia. If you want to explore the coast as well, I would recommend a few days in Batumi. Just know it’s quite rainy on the coast during spring!

First of all, thank you for your great effort on the extremely detail blog.

I have almost finish reading your blog and planning to visit Georgia on either 14~27 Oct OR 27 Sep~10 Oct (hire car). May I have your advise on which is the best time if I wish to see the better autumn foliage color? I’m a bit confuse on the timing as I saw Svaneti region have earlier foliage than lower region.

Any advise?

My flow will be basically (stay: means places with overnight stay): Tbilisi (stay)- Tsalka-Paravani Lake- Vardzia (stay)- Akhaltsikhe- Kutaisi(stay)- Martvili(stay)- Mestia+Ushguli (stay)- Zugdidi- Baghdadi (Baia’s Wine-stay)- Chiatura- Gori (stay)- Kazbegi (stay) – Sighnaghi (stay) – Tbilisi (flight) It seems Svaneti will have earlier foliage than other region?

Hello Aeneas, thank you for the kind words! Your itinerary sounds absolutely wonderful, great job putting it together.

I’m not super familiar with Svaneti, long overdue for another visit, but I would say the earlier time slot would be safer. You’re right that fall does get an early start up there and since it’s near the middle of your itinerary, it may already be too cold if you go in late October.

You might even catch some post-wine harvest activity in Kakheti on your way out!

I really hope this helps! Have a fantastic trip and don’t hesitate to ask if there’s anything else I can assist with.

Your Georgia section is phenomenal. I am planning a trip there for next year, and your articles gave me everything I needed in order to decide where to go.

I hope I’ll be able to spend those 20 says there soon, the country looks incredible for photography

Hi Luca – thank you so much for taking the time to comment. I’m really glad to hear you’re planning a trip to Georgia! And even happier that my posts have been helpful. 20 days is a nice amount of time. I can’t wait to see your photos of the country!

Don’t hesitate to reach out if there’s anything at all I might be able to help with. Enjoy your trip planning!

Kindest, Emily

20 days should be enough for a first visit, but I plan to visit many more times as the places to explore are a lot. Also, I much prefer to visit less cities, spending more time in each one, rather than rushing through the country.

I actually have something to ask you; In my itinerary draft I put Sighnaghi right after Akhaltsikhe, and I was wondering about the best way to get from point a to b. Should I take a van/taxi to Tbilisi and then follow your instructions to get to Sighnaghi from there? I can’t find any precise information about a direct Akhaltsikhe to Tbilisi van.

Hi Luca, that’s what I tell everyone – don’t try to fit too much into your first visit because there’s a 99% chance you’ll be back!

There is no direct transport from Akhaltsikhe to Kakheti, so yes you should take a van to Tbilisi first then continue by van/taxi to Sighnaghi. Marshrutka vans from Akhaltsikhe to Tb should be fairly frequent, I don’t have the update times on me but I’d guess there are at least 6/day. Best to check times when you arrive – Akhaltsikhe has a small bus station on the main highway with times posted.

I hope this helps!

Fantastic detailed guide. Wish I had that on my first visit. It would have saved us hours and days of research and planning. I have been to Tushsto twice now. It doesn’t take that much time, count on half day up and half day down. The road is spectacular, pot holed and hair raising but a good local driver with a decent car/van can make it safely. There are now a handful of nicer bed and breakfasts. You can ask the driver bringing you up to take you by car to one or two side valleys. A special experience is horse back riding in the area, though most of the time you will rode on dirt roads as it is hard to go bybjorse into the woods and mountains. Happy to provide some recommendations if interested.

Thanks so much for your comment Ksenija, I’m really glad you found the itinerary helpful!

Tusheti is at the top of my list for this summer. I’ve planned it so many times but always miss the window. This year it’s going to happen! Would love to hear you recommendations for driver and guesthouse.

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The Top 10 Places to Visit in the Country of Georgia

This tiny country is Europe's best-kept secret

When you think of "Georgia," you probabably think of Atlanta, peach trees and Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport , the hub of Delta Air Lines. Georgia is also home to ancient citadels, ornate Eastern Orthodox Cathedrals, a budding wine culture and some of the tallest mountains in the world. The other Georgia, anyway.

With all due respect to the home of the Brave(s), the country of Georgia (known in the Georgian language as "Sakartvelo") offers a richness of experience for travelers with which the state just can't participate. The country of Georgia may be much farther away than the state, but it's well worth a visit. Here are the top 10 places to visit in Georgia.

Narikala Fortress

Emad Aljumah/Getty Images

Tbilisi's Narikala Fortress isn't technically ancient, even though it occupies a very old site. The 13th century church that originally sat perched above Tbilisi's Old City burned down, and most of what currently exists was built in the late 1990s. Still, this is a must-see when you come to Georgia, if only because of the panorama it offers of Tbilisi's city center and the Kura River, which snakes through town. If you don't feel like hiking up to the fortress, which takes about 15-20 minutes, ride the cable car inside.

Sameba Cathedral

Nutexles/Getty Images

One of the most conspicuous Tbilisi attractions you can see from Narikala is the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, known colloquially as Sameba. Whether you see it from afar or close up, it's most beautiful at night, when it lights up in a bright golden color that beautiful contrasts it from the more dim tones of the surrounding neighborhood. Sameba is the world's third-largest Eastern Orthodox church as of 2018, and is one of the largest religious structure on the planet in general.

Stepantsminda and Mount Kazbeg

Emad Aljumah/Getty Images 

Georgia is a treasure trove of Orthodox architecture, it so happens, with another beautiful example being the hilltop 14th century Gergeti Trinity Church, located in the Caucasus Mountains a few hours north of Tbilisi. From the town of Stepantsminda, the nearest settlement to the church, it's about 90-minutes on foot at a brisk pace on a relatively steep incline. On a clear day, you can spot Mount Kazbeg (one of the highest peaks in the Caucasus Mountains) towering above the church from many points in the town, including the Rooms Hotel.

Davit Gareja Cliff Monastery

Juergen Rittenbach/Getty Images

Want to see an amazing religious site in Georgia, but can't devote an entire day and night to visiting Kazbegi? Another option would be to take a day trip from Tbilisi to Davit Gareja, a massive monastery complex a couple of hours from the city that's literally carved into a mountainside. Tour buses to Davit Gareja, which dates back to the 6th century, leave from Tbilisi's Freedom Square every morning.

Batumi's Black Sea Coast

Ihar Paulau/Getty Images

Not in a religious mood and aren't a mountain person? Not to worry. Though relatively short in length, Georgia's Black Sea coast is idyllic, and the city of Batumi has some lovely beaches to visit. One of the things many visitors to Georgia love about the city beach in Batumi is the fact that it's made of rocks, not sand. This means not only that the water is clearer, but that you won't get sand everywhere when you sunbathe!

Kakheti's Wineries

 Anna Bogush/Getty Images

Among the many reasons Georgia is rising to mainstream prominence? The country's long-secret wine scene (the Caucasus region is arguably where the modern wine tradition was born) is gaining more and more positive press, from the honey-sweet white wine Tvishi to fruity Aguna rosé. Popular wineries in the Kakheti region southeast of Tbilisi include Pheasant's Tears and Shumi Winery Khaketi.

Historical Sighnaghi

Sebastiano Garilli/Getty Images

Like Narikala in Tbilisi, much of the town of Sighnaghi (which, like the wineries listed above, is also located in the Kakheti region of Georgia) is significantly re-built. However, if you can overlook this fact, this is sure to be one of your favorite Georgia destinations. Notable Sighnaghi attractions include the Bobde Monastery, which sits just outside the town center, and eighth-century Kvelatsminda Church. A day or two in Sighnaghi town pairs perfectly (pun very much intended) with a trip to one or more of the Georgia wineries listed above.

Stalin's Hometown

Epics/Getty Images

Although Joseph Stalin and his mythology are mostly associated with Russia, he actually hails from Georgia (which was, to be fair, a Soviet Republic, albeit a reluctant one). Apart from the massive Stalin Statue and extensive Stalin Museum that sits in the center of Gori Town, you can visit the ancient Gori Fortress or Uplistsikhe, an architectural site that dates back to the Iron Age. Keep in mind that while locals here are proud of the fact that Stalin hails from here, it's probably not a good idea to confuse them as being Russian, or to refer to them as such.

Affordable Ski Resorts: Bakuriana and Pasanauri

TripSavvy / Jamie Ditaranto

Thrifty European skiers have long known Georgia as an affordable alternative to the slopes of France and Switzerland, and a beautiful one as well. The country's Caucasus mountains are every bit as beautiful as the Alps, and their comparative lack of development makes them arguably more charming. While some would-be Georgia skiers might feel doubtful about their decision after video footage of a recent mishap circulated online , resorts like Bakuriani and Pasanauri are generally very safe, and are always an incredible value.

Tbilisi's Rustaveli Avenue

 Emad Aljumah/Getty Images

Tbilisi is not only where Georgia begins for most travelers, but also where it tends to end, being the location of the country's main international airport. Presuming you follow the advice on this list and devote the first part of your Georgia trip to seeing Tbilisi's ancient sites, spend your last day or two in the country walking up and down cosmopolitan Rustaveli Avenue. Whether you enjoy high-end shopping, having a coffee or cocktail in trendy cafés that evoke Western Europe or simply watching the sunset over Freedom Square, you're sure to have a lovely time in Tbilisi.

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Tips & how to travel to Georgia in 2024

By Joan Torres 23 Comments Last updated on August 27, 2024

Georgia is the ultimate European travel destination. 

This Caucasian country is home to, definitely, the most striking mountains in Europe, composed of massive glaciers, fairy meadows, and 5,000-meter snowed capped peaks; and great, vibrant capital, very Eastern European on the one hand but, on the other, with its unique Caucasian and Georgian identity and filled with the most unimaginable chaos. 

Barely discovered by the average traveler, Georgia is a country with a very strong national character, visible in many aspects, from having their own Christian branch to a unique architectural style, a very elaborate cuisine considered the best in the former Soviet Union and a deeply rooted wine culture. 

I lived and traveled in Georgia for more than 7 months, and it is truly one of those countries which, every time I write about its beautiful things, I can’t avoid falling into nostalgia. 

Georgia is a great country and this guide contains everything you need to know for traveling to Georgia , from how to get a visa to cultural facts, trekking advice, and plenty of travel tips, making it the most detailed Georgia travel blog. 

In this Georgia travel guide you will find:

Table of Contents

• Best time to visit Georgia
• Travel Insurance
• How to get in
• 5 Top experiences
• Is Georgia safe?
• The people and the culture
• Non-recognized republics
• Get off the beaten track
• Soviet heritage in Georgia
• Georgian food
• Transportation in Georgia
• Accommodation
• More information

our recommended travel insurance for Georgia

With its backpacker plan, IATI Insurance is the best insurance for any kind of trekking destination, like Georgia.

🪪 Visa for traveling to Georgia

Free one-year visa.

Georgia has one of the greatest visa regimes in the world, as you can get a 1-year FREE visa upon arrival in the country. 

You can live in Georgia for the rest of your life

The best part is that this 1 year gets automatically renewed once you leave and re-enter the country, even if you cross the Armenian border and come back after one minute. This means that you can stay in Georgia forever. 

Which nationalities?

Here you can see the list of the countries (94) which are eligible for the 1-year travel visa, which includes all Western Nationalities, Latin America, and all high GDP Asian nationalities. 

By the way, apparently, EU citizens can enter the country without a passport, with just their national ID but, just in case, I recommend you bring both. 

Other nationalities can get an online visa

Then, some countries like India, China or Egypt , among many others, can apply for an e-visa through this portal . 

Remember to read my Tbilisi travel guide

⛅ Best time to visit Georgia

First of all, you should know that Tbilisi can be visited all year long as, in winter, it never gets too cold plus you won’t find tourists. Summer is particularly hot in Tbilisi but it is the best season to enjoy the rest of the country. 

• Visit Georgia in winter – Georgia has a few ski resorts, Gudauri being the most popular one, around 3 hours away from Tbilisi. Obviously, their ski resorts are not as great as the ones in Europe, but they are all right and for people living in Dubai and other warm areas, Georgia might be the best nearby ski destination.
• Visit Georgia in spring – Beautiful landscapes and many sunny days but it might be too early to go trekking in the Georgian Caucasus . 
• Visit Georgia in summer – The best time for trekking in the high Caucasus and visiting the coastal area. 
• Visit Georgia in autumn – Mid-September is the harvest season, so for wine lovers, this is the best time to visit Kakheti region . 

I personally think that September would be the ideal month to travel to Georgia because the trekking season is not over yet, it is harvest season, the weather in Tbilisi is great and the big crowds have already gone. 

🚑 Travel Insurance for Georgia

Georgia is an adventurous destination, so we recommend going there with proper travel insurance.

I recommend IATI Insurance because:

• Their backpacker plan covers all types of adventure activities, including trekking
• Very competitive prices
• Readers of this blog can get a 5% exclusive discount

🛫 How to get to Georgia

How to travel to georgia by air.

• Via Tbilisi – Tbilisi has many connections with Europe, some Asian destinations and Dubai and other Middle Eastern cities. 
• Via Kutaisi – There is a low-cost airport, with many Wizzair flights coming from several European cities, so it would also be a great chance to visit Kutaisi .

How to travel to Georgia by land

• Russia – Officially, only one border with Russia is open, which is the one in Kazbegi . Then, you have the South Ossetian border, which can’t be used for entering/exiting Georgia, and the border with Abkhazia, which can be used for exiting but not entering. For more information, read my travel guide to Abkhazia . 
• Azerbaijan – There are two official borders, one closer to Tbilisi, which can be crossed by train, and the other one in the Kakheti region . Both are friendly and very easy to cross. Read my Azerbaijan itinerary for more information. 
• Armenia – There are three borders to choose from, depending on where you want to go. 
• Turkey – The are two very friendly borders, the easiest being the coastal one, which takes you straight to Batumi. 
• Ukraine – You can travel to Georgia by ferry from Odesa in Ukraine. There are two companies offering this service, Ukrferry , and Ferrysped , and detailed schedules may be found on their websites. A ticket costs around 100USD. Read my travel guide to Ukraine

Read: Everything you must know for visiting Iran

📚 The best books on Georgia

These are just my favorite 2 books. For more options, check the best 15 books on Georgia

Georgia Diary: A Chronicle of War and Political Chaos in the Post-Soviet Caucasus – Thomas Goltz

In this insightful book, Thomas Goltz tells all the struggles Georgia went through after the independence from the Soviet Union, ranging from separatists conflicts (Abkhazia), the war of neighboring Chechenya, corruption, crime, and endless politicals problems.

Bread And Ashes: A Walk Through the Mountains of Georgia – Tony Anderson

If you ever traveled to Georgia and had to read one single book on the country, I would definitely recommend this one.

The author Tony Anderson traveled across the Georgian High Caucasus in 1998, on foot, through Tusheti, Khevsureti, Racha and Svaneti. In his journey, he discovered something that I have always been saying in all my articles, which is that despite belonging to the Soviet Union and basically, being the crossroads of the world, this part of Georgia managed to keep their culture and ancient traditions intact.

This book is great not only to also understand Georgian’s national identity but also to learn about the Caucasian ethnicity and culture.

🛖 5 Top experiences in Georgia

1 – explore the capital, tbilisi.

Whether you come for sightseeing, partying or to live your life as a digital nomad, Tbilisi is a great capital to spend a couple of days in.

2 – Discover the Communist Heritage of Georgia

From abandoned factories to masterpieces of Soviet Modernism, Communist buildings and functioning infrastructure, as a former Soviet Union country, Georgia has the largest Communist heritage I have ever seen.

Check this Soviet modernist building:

3 – Wander around unspoiled Mountain villages of Tusheti

One of the remotest mountain regions in Georgia, only accessible by a 4×4 through a 3,000-meter pass, and where you find some of the most unspoiled mountain villages in the country.

4 – Visit Kakheti during harvest season

Georgia was the first country ever to produce wine and Kakheti is the region where most wine is produced, so I recommend you go there during harvest season and visit small, random wineries to see how wine is made most traditionally.

Read my Kakheti travel guide

5 – Visit the Muslim villages of Adjara

Georgia was never fully under Ottoman rule, just a small part of it one occupied part being the mountains that stretch from the coast along the Turkish border, and that is the reason why most people living there are Muslims.

That area is named Adjara, and its tiny villages are home to absolutely hospitable people and aluminum-made mosques.

⚠️ Is it safe to travel to Georgia?

There is not much to say here other than Georgia is very safe to visit, as it enjoys some of the lowest crime rates ever. 

In fact, I used to work in different cafés around Tbilisi every day and I was very surprised that the Georgians would always leave their laptops and belongings on the table and go outside for a couple of minutes, something I would never do in Spain or in pretty much any European city.

Traveling to Georgia is safe, really, including for solo women. 

Are you traveling to Central Asia? Check my travel guide to Central Asia

🕌 The people, the culture and the country

The country.

Georgia is a country located in the Caucasus region that used to be part of the Soviet Union until its dissolution in 1991. It is located at the crossroads of Asia and Europe, which made it particularly appealing and convenient to occupy for several empires, from the Mongols to the Ottomans, the Persians and, of course, the Russians, both the Russian Empire and the USSR.

Georgia is a country with many layers of history, absolutely fascinating, yet, and, surprisingly, they have been able to maintain their strong culture and character, very different from anywhere else you may have been to. 

Read: What to do in Iran for 1 month

Is it part of Europe or not?

From a geographical point of view, the country is literally, right in between Asia and Europe, in Eurasia, so some people may argue when it comes to allocating it.

To be honest, I don’t really care where it sits because I personally think that its culture is more important than its geographic location and, in my opinion, Georgia has many similarities to Eastern Europe, more than even Turkey, which is geographically closer; and it barely shares any similarity with its Central Asian cousins and it is extremely different from any country in the Middle East . 

Moreover, as a Spaniard, I will even tell you that they have many similarities with South Europeans, especially Greeks and Spaniards, not only in the way we look like but also, in the way we eat, drink and sit around the table.

Actually, some studies confirm that Georgians have common ancestry with Basque people, a separate nation within Spain. 

So yes, I think that Georgia is part of Europe. 

Georgia and Russia

Heads-up. Georgians don’t like Russians, for many reasons, but mainly due to the Georgian-Russian war in 2008 . I don’t really want to enter into politics but, basically, Georgia went to war with South Ossetia, a region that wanted to separate from Georgia and had the support of Russia, which ended up into a military invasion of Georgia with Russian tanks. 

It is, of course, much more complicated than that, but this is what most Georgians will tell you and, if you meet some Georgians, you are likely to hear them complaining about Russians all the time. 

This topic is kind of controversial because Georgia largely depends on Russian tourism, and they can actually travel to Georgia visa-free, but Georgians need to go through a very tedious process to enter Russia. 

My country is 20% occupied by Russia If you stay in the country for long enough, you are going to hear this sentence quite often, directly from Georgians or even written on blackboards from the most progressive bars. This 20% refers to South Ossetia and the Republic of Abkhazia .    

Georgia is where traditional and European values collapse

Tbilisi is one of those capitals which, on the one hand, is home to a very traditional and super religious, conservative society which still lives in the last century and, on the other hand, a large young population, very open-minded in all senses and with very strong European values. 

From not hiding their homosexuality to fighting for gender equality, the young crowd is really demanding change.

They would like to be at the level of any EU country, to be part of it even, but, unfortunately, they are in conflict with the large, utterly conservative branch, who are supported by the powerful Church and, as a result, many of their demonstrations end up with violence. 

Really, when I was living there in 2018, I witnessed quite a few extremely violent episodes. 

The language 

Georgians speak Georgian , a language whose origins are a bit uncertain plus it is similar to nothing you ever listened to. They also have their own alphabet, pretty beautiful in my opinion. 

How to communicate with the locals

In Tbilisi, most young people speak good English but outside of Tbilisi not that much. Unlike in most former Soviet countries, in Georgia, they stopped teaching Russian at school right after their independence, which means that people who were born after 1991 don’t speak Russian at all, and some of the older generation who do don’t really like to speak it for the above-mentioned reasons. 

85% of Georgians belong to a Christian branch named Georgian Orthodox, one of the world’s most ancient Churches, founded in the 1st Century and the main reason why Georgians have been able to preserve their national identity despite all the invasions. 

Georgia is the most religious Christian country I have ever been to, a country where you are going to see a lot of young people crossing themselves every time they pass a Church. 

By the way, visiting the endless Georgian Orthodox churches and monasteries is one of the highlights, as they tend to be built in epic locations, plus they have their own architectural style. 

Furthermore, 10% are Muslims, mainly living in Adjara, a region bordering Turkey, as that area used to be part of the Ottoman Empire. 

Read: What to do in Azerbaijan in 3 weeks

The unrecognized republics within Georgia

In this Georgia travel guide, I think it is a good idea to mention some independent, yet, non-recognized, countries you may not have heard of. 

Basically, an unrecognized republic is a country that has got its independence, but, nobody in the international community recognizes it, which means that the UN doesn’t acknowledge its existence. 

There are many ghost countries around the world and in Georgia, you find two: Abkhazia and South Ossetia. 

Those countries declared themselves independent from Georgia, which led to a bloody war and, since nobody recognized them, they weren’t able to be part of the international banking system and their borders were closed, so today, they are economically backed up by Russia, in exchange for recognition, influence and military presence. 

However, entering these enclaves feels like being in a totally different country, as they have a border, require separate visas, have a distinct culture and Georgia has absolutely zero power and influence over them. 

• Abkhazia – You can easily visit it from Georgia and all you need is an e-visa which takes one week to process. For more information, read: How to travel to Abkhazia . 
• South Ossetia – Not accessible from Georgia: you can only enter from Russia and you may need to have a double-entry Russian visa. 

Read my articles to other unrecognized countries:

• Transnistria

🧭 Getting off the beaten track when you go backpacking in Georgia

Georgia is an emerging tourist destination but I think that, in a couple of years, it will enter the mass tourism destination stage. 

In fact, some parts of Georgia, like Kazbegi or Mestia are already quite commercialized, which means that taxi rip-offs are common and the locals don’t care about anything but the money you have in your pocket. 

It is a pity because Georgians are known for their humble hospitality and it seems that this commercialization came too quickly.

Nevertheless, don’t be disappointed because most of the country has been barely visited by tourists and there are many pure regions, pretty raw, where the locals will bless you with their hospitality. These are the best off the beaten track places to go backpacking in Georgia:

• The mountains of Adjara (bordering Turkey)
• Some villages of Kakheti

Soviet Heritage in Georgia

Like I said before, the Georgia-Russia relationship is kind of controversial because, on one side, they want to erase any Russian influence from their culture but, on the other side, here you find a shit load of Soviet Heritage, much more than in its neighbor Azerbaijan , a Soviet Country that decided to eliminate most Soviet buildings, yet, they have good relations with mother Russia. 

Some Soviet relics you may find:

• Soviet Modernism – Soviet Modernism was an artistic movement that flourished during the last decades of the USSR and mainly consisted of buildings with particularly weird shapes. Well, in Tbilisi you find traces of this movement everywhere. 
• Concrete Soviet buildings – Outside of the Old City, most of the buildings are from the Communist era, especially in the suburbs, where everything remains untouched. 
• Abandoned factories – There are loads of abandoned Soviet factories all over the country, my favorite being the one in Zestaponi. 
• Mining towns – Chiatura used to be one of the most important centers for the mining industry in the Soviet Union (Stalin himself used to live here) and the town hasn’t changed much since then.

Here you can learn more about Soviet countries in Europe

🏔️ Trekking in Georgia

Georgia is the ultimate trekking destination, home to some of the highest mountains in Europe, with its highest peak being Shkhara , located at 5,193 meters. 

A few things you should know about trekking in Georgia:

• Most of the high mountains are located in the north of the country, at the heart of the Greater Caucasus. 
• If you are planning to trek in high altitudes, summer is the ideal season but the end of spring and beginning of autumn should be good as well.
• The Greater Caucasus is no joke, as it offers some really challenging treks and the weather is highly unpredictable. If you don’t have much experience, don’t go alone, or try doing one of the busy, popular treks.
• Except in some parts of Svaneti and Tusheti, you won’t find any guesthouses along the way, so you must bring proper mountain equipment. 
• From epic glaciers to mind-blowing snow-capped peaks, the mountains of Georgia are a real wonder, so enjoy. 

For more information, including my personal tips + a packing list, read my trekking guide to Georgia .

If you really want to know about all the hiking trails in Georgia, I recommend you check this website: Caucasus Trekking – It contains very detailed guides to pretty much any trek in Georgia. 

🍷 Wine in Georgia (and chacha )

Wine is part of Georgian’s identity and, therefore, the highlight of traveling to Georgia and it truly deserves a single section in this Georgia travel guide. 

Archaeological evidence shows that they have been producing wine for nearly 8,000 years, making them one of the oldest countries in the world , if not the oldest, to ever produce wine. 

Traditionally, they used to make wine in something called qvevri , which are some clay vessels which are placed on the floor of a room called marani . This used to be the traditional way and, like most traditions in Georgia, many wineries still use it. 

In rural areas and smaller towns, it seems that everybody produces their own wine at home and, if you are staying in a traditional guest house, it is not uncommon that your host will probably offer you some for breakfast, no kidding. 

It also happened to us that random people stopped us in the middle of the street to just greet us and give a few litters of wine, for free. 

The fact is that Georgian wine is everywhere, and you are going to find good wine and bad wine but the most important is that for just a few €, you can find some good stuff. 

If you want to really witness the wine culture in Georgia, you must visit Georgia in September, during the harvest season, when all Kakheti is filled with Soviet trucks extra loaded with grapes and all the small wineries are in their production stages. 

By the way, Georgia produces a large variety of grapes but the most common ones would be Saperavi for red wine and Rkatsiteli for white wine. 

What about chacha ?

When Georgians don’t drink wine, they drink chacha, a really strong liquor usually made from grape which can easily contain up to 60-70% of alcohol.

You will be surprised to know that some guest houses also offer you chacha for breakfast. 

We also got offered chacha by many taxi drivers, bus drivers and just random people we bumped into. 

Moldova has a very similar wine culture. Read my Moldova travel guide

🍲 Georgian cuisine: what are you like to eat when visiting Georgia

The food is another of the highlights of visiting Georgia. 

In fact, Georgian cuisine is the cuisine of reference in the Soviet Union, to the extent that the best local restaurants in Ukraine and Russia are Georgian restaurants. 

Their food, however, tends to be heavy but they offer a large variety of dishes and, unlike all the developing countries I have been to, in Tbilisi you already find quite a few restaurants serving high local cuisine.

Cheese, walnuts and meat, loads of meat, are usually the core of any of their meals but they also have many vegetarian options, especially eggplant dishes. 

Some of the dishes you are likely to taste are:

Churchkhela

Churchkhela is not really a dish but a traditional candle-shaped candy, and I am putting it on the top of the list because you find it everywhere.

Basically, it consists of walnuts and almonds dipped into a super thick, and extremely hot, grape juice, which they need to hang for a couple of hours to dry out.

Don’t buy it in touristic areas, as they charge 4 or 5 times the actual price. The local price is 2-3GEL per unit. 

The local dumplings, typically stuffed with meat. You may also find them stuffed with cheese and other ingredients but those are aimed at tourists.

By the way, the local way to eat them is biting one a tiny bit to suck all the meat broth and then eating it as if it was an apple. 

Khachapuri Adjaluri

Khachapuri is, basically baked bread with melted cheese, but they have many variations and adjaluri is boat-shaped khachapuri with loads of melted cheese, butter and an egg floating over on top of it.

Badridzhani Nigvsit

Grilled eggplants with walnut paste. Perhaps, my favorite. 

Chicken in walnut sauce. This dish tends to be expensive and not available on most menus but I strongly recommend you order it, at least once. 

Bean stew, usually served with cornbread and pickles. 

Gobi is a special starter dish containing several vegetarian snacks such as phkali , which are spinach balls with walnut paste. 

The local grilled sausage.

💻 Internet and connectivity in Georgia

Wi-Fi – Wi-Fi is great throughout the country. In the mountains, the signal is bad, of course, but you can still connect to pretty much anywhere, even in Tusheti. 

SIM Card – Magticom is the mobile company I was using and I remember that for just a few €, you can get loads of GB every month. The best is that you can top-up your phone online. Check their website for the latest deals. 

eSIM for browsing, calling and traveling in Georgia

Basically, an eSIM is a regular SIM card with a digital format that works like a normal physical SIM card, with the added benefit that you can buy it from home before the beginning of your trip, hence avoiding the hassle of buying it at your destination. 

With Holafly , you can get a SIM Card for a wide range of destinations, including Georgia . 

Moreover, you can benefit from a 5% discount with the following code:  AGAINSTTHECOMPASS

Get a VPN for traveling in Georgia

You should always use a VPN when you travel, especially when you connect to public Wi-Fi networks.

Your connection will be much safer. 

Moreover, you will be able to access content which is typically censored in Georgia. 

I recommend ExpressVPN – Extremely easy to use, fast and cheap. 

If you want to learn more about VPN, check: Why you need a VPN for traveling .

💰 Money in Georgia – Georgia travel budget

In Georgia, they use the Georgian Lari (GEL) and, approximately:

1 USD = 2.60 GEL

They call the small currency Tetris.

Credit cards and ATMs

In Tbilisi, you can pay by credit card pretty much anywhere and ATMs abound, all of them accepting international credit cards. You will need cash for taxis and the traditional shops. Outside of Tbilisi, do bring cash. 

Exchanging money

Exchanging money is easy and € and USD are accepted everywhere. 

How much does it cost to travel in Georgia? 

The good news is that Georgia is really, really cheap. 

How much does food cost in Georgia?

• A meal in budget, local eateries – Around 7-10GEL
• A meal in higher quality restaurants – Around 15-25GEL
• A meal in top-end restaurants – From 50-60GEL
• Cappuccino – 4-5GEL
• Local beer – 2-3GEL
• A glass of local wine – 2-4GEL
• A glass of good quality wine – 8-11GEL

How much does transportation cost in Georgia?

• Taxis within Tbilisi – 3-5GEL
• Bus/metro ride – 0.50GEL
• Marshrutka to Mtskheta – 1GEL
• Marshrutka to Kazbegi – 10GEL
• Train to Batumi – 50GEL

How much does accommodation cost in Georgia?

• Budget Hostels – From 15GEL
• Double room in a budget guest house – From 40-50GEL
• Double room in a mid-range hotel – From 80GEL

Backpacking Budget for Georgia: from 25-30€ a day

🛺 Transportation – How to go backpacking Georgia

How to move around tbilisi:.

• Taxi – If you want to get the cheapest rates (and avoid bargaining), download Yandex or Taxify. Most rides cost around 3-5GEL. 
• Metro – There are two metro lines. A single metro ride costs 0.50GEL, but you need to first buy a metro card for 2GEL. 
• Bus – It works with the same metro card and Google Maps tells you the bus number of your route. 
• Yellow mini-vans – You will also see some yellow mini-vans roaming around Tbilisi. They are private and one single ticket costs 0.80GEL. However, they are more difficult to use because the signs are in the Georgian alphabet. 

How to move around Georgia:

Marshrutka – Marshrutkas are the tiny mini-vans used to move around the country. They go pretty much anywhere, are the cheapest way to move around and leave once they are full. However, the drivers are literally crazy, seriously, some of the craziest I have ever met, and note that I have been traveling in places known for their crazy driving like Saudi Arabia and Pakistan . 

Train – There is a train line that goes all the way to Zugdidi, Batumi and also to Armenia and Azerbaijan. You can book your train tickets at the train station itself but I used to buy them online through this website . Do book them in advance, especially in summer because they run out pretty quickly. 

Renting a car – When my parents came to visit us in Georgia, we traveled around Georgia for a week by car. It is very convenient and, if you drive carefully, you should be all right. We used a local company named parent.ge , which is significantly cheaper than most international branches. The owner of this company was our landlord, Dato. He is a cool guy. 

Here you can find more information on renting a car in Georgia .

🏨 Accommodation in Georgia

In Georgia, you find a wide range of accommodation throughout the country:

Hostels – In Tbilisi, you can find a shit load of hostels.

Guest Houses – Budget, lovely guesthouses also abound all over Georgia. 

Hotels – From 5-star hotels in Tbilisi to the mountain lodges in Kazbegi, the hotel options are endless. 

Homestays – In Svaneti and Tusheti, homestays are the way to go. 

❗ More information for traveling to Georgia

📢 In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more.

All guides and articles for traveling in Georgia destination

• Travel Guide to Kakheti
• Travel Guide to Kazbegi
• Tbilisi Travel Guide
• Georgia Itinerary
• Best Books on Georgia
• Trekking Guide to Georgia

Facebook Groups – Expats in Tbilisi and Georgian Wanderers are some great Facebook Groups where you can ask questions. 

Travel guides to former Soviet countries

• Belarus Travel Guide
• Ukraine Travel Guide
• Travel Guide to Moldova
• Azerbaijan Travel Guide
• Travel Guide to Kyrgyzstan
• Travel Guide to Tajikistan
• Uzbekistan Travel Guide
• Kazakhstan Travel Guide

23 comments

Georgia is a beautiful country and you also described it more beautifully and worthy. Nice photos with good content.

Nice post! Thanks for sharing!

Hi Joan, Thanks for sharing. Very informative content and quite different from other travel blogs especially the Russian buildings. BTW, I will be travelling from Tbilisi to Chiatura on June 23, do you have any idea how much does it cost by shared taxi (We are a group of 3 adults) so that I have some ideas on it rather than being ripped off. Actually I did ask for private transfer, it quotes 270 GEL, seem quite expensive for me. Hope you can give me some advice on this as you have been in Tbilisi for quite a time. Thanks in advance for your help! Cheers!

Hi Paulina, I don’t know if there are shared taxis going to Chiatura but, from Didube station, you can take the marshrutka that goes to Kutaisi, which costs 15GEl if I am not mistaken, drop off in Zestaponi and from there, take a second marshrutka to Chiatura.

Joan, as always a very informative and comprehensive post – thanks a lot!

But to be honest I have never thought of Georgia as “barely discovered by the average traveler”. Quite the contrary to be honest. By average you mean western European tourists? Because it is (and has been for quite some years) one of key tourism destination for eastern Europe and Russia… Gone are the days when Georgia was an unknown country. Last time I visited (in 2016 and off season) only to find that it is quite prepared for mass tourism and even then (January) there were quite a lot of tourists not only in Tbilisi, but also in Kutaisi and, of course, Singhnaghi. Very different to how it was, let’s say 10 years ago. I will be back again in few days and I wonder or rather I am a bit afraid, how things have changed in these 3 years and how is Georgia during high season. Even now, without Russian tourists.

I will check the tarmac road in Kazbegi 😉 Hope it will decrease a bit the taxi mafia… Cheers!

very interestingly written and informative content. Different and unique from other blogs same like Georgia. Thanks for sharing your experience in so detail , it was very helpful

Really fantastic blog! My wife and I are in the early stages of planning a 6 week trip to Georgia,Azerbaijan and possibly Armenia and I’m delighted to read that there is a border crossing between Sighnaghi and Azerbaijan,as we’d like to travel the High Caucasus on our way to Baku before catching the train back to Tbilisi. Can you confirm that there is definitely no border crossing from Agstafa into Armenia as without that,I think we may have to give Armenia a miss this time. Will now get your Georgia guide! Thanks,Peter

Hey Peter, thanks for your kind message! No border crossing between Armenia & Azerbaijan, 100%, unfortunately.

Hi Joan, My buddy and I are looking at visiting for a 3 day weekend from Frankfurt (COVID travel pending of course). We saw some pretty nice looking tours on Trip Advisor to Vardzia-Rabati-borjomi-back to Tbilsi, and another to Kazbegi. Both tours are 10 to 14 hours. Do you have any suggested tours. Due to COVID we had to announce our vacation time a lot earlier from work so we figured we would try to get a taste of Georgia, and then return next year if it is as it seems, beautiful.

Hi Aaron, I don’t know about any specific tours, other than the one recommended in the articles from GetYourGuide, sorry

Nicely informative narrative but of course impossible to evaluate for what may have been left out for a first time tourist that could be of interest. Well, that’s the adventure aspect in travel, isn’t it. Like, hooking up, female sexual mores, clubbing, etc. Also missing was any mention of medical, dentistry, and hospital services in the nation. All in all a good, readable word on Georgia. Thanks.

Hi Joan, I am planning to visit Georgia and other neighbouring countries such as Mongolia post-COVID 19, in 2022. Thank you so much for a very informative blog and beautiful photos of Georgia. I will need a visa as I am a Papua New Guinean. I reckon the closest place to get a Georgian visa will be Australia our neighbour to the south. I am not a trekker but love walks and want to find out if Tbilisi has lakes in the city or near the city. I am interested in buying your book so will check out Amazon. Would love a copy of your book ‘Against the Compass’ – it sounds exciting and different.

Thanks, Mari, I wish you all the best with your visa, and let me know if you need anything

Hey Joan! Incredible post. I’m fully vaccinated (yayyy) and planning a trip to Georgia this spring – so soon. I can’t wait to buy your book and learn more. I’m curious, have you heard anything about the country actually being open? I know that I can travel there with vaccine proof but I’m curious what it will be like once I arrive.

Hi Kylee! I think Georgia is now requiring a mandatory quarantine, but they kept it changing every now and then, and not sure how it works with people who are vaccinated. Did you check on IATA?

Hi Joan, I just came across your account of living in Georgia, I enjoyed the read and have subscribed!

I’m a solo female traveller from Canada and I have a specific question I’d like to ask you about the South Ossetia region. I’d like to visit the Gudauri Ski Area, and from what I can tell this area “seems” to fall within the South Ossetia region. I say “seems’ because I’m finding a lot of different information. From what I can understand the border is not static and is always fluctuating. My government’s travel website says that this region is not recommended for travel, and as such my insurance would not cover me if I have an incident in this region. So I’m just trying to find out from someone who’s been there what their take on it is, is the ski resort in this region and is it a generally safe place to visit? It looks like a chill place with new hotels opening up. And a great place to spend a few days playing in the snow! (I heard about the chair lift incident in 2018, but hopefully they’ve worked out this issues)

I hope that you are able to help me out, any information you can provide would be great.

Hi Leslie, thanks for your message! Gudauri is near South Ossetia but it doesn’t belong to the region. It’s a very safe touristic area, however, and as you well said, there are many hotels.

South Ossetia on the other hand is a breakaway territory today only accessible from Russia. I would not say it’s dangerous but you cannot access from Georgia anyways and even from Russia is tricky.

Thank you for the quick reply! I will continue to plan my ski trip and I can’t wait to get out there!

> Really, when I was living there in 2018, I witnessed quite a few extremely violent episodes.

Sad to say, but things are getting only worse. Orthodox priests were just yesterday beating journalists and gays while police was just watching and enjoying the show. The ruling mafia and extremist Georgian Orthodox church are promoting violence, intolerance and racism against sexual minorities, Russians and everyone who threatens their Jihadist values and way of life. And high level of nationalism is boosting xenophobia.

We are planning a lengthy European trip from early spring to late autumn in ’25 or ’26 , I am planning buying or renting a camper van for ease of travel, the trip includes Western Turkey. How easy is it to drive along the Black Sea coast and enter Georgia by private vehicle, any insurance problems ? Could the return trip be via Russia and/or Ukraine, is there a vehicle ferry from Georgia to the Ukraine ? PS, I have driven to India via Turkey in the past, so I am aware of many potential problems for the traveler. Thank you, David

Hi David, driving along the route is super easy, no hassle at all, but I am not sure about travel insurance. That’s something you’ll need to figure out. Via Russia is also OMK, as long as you have a visa. No VOA available.

Hi David, Thanks for sharing! We were considering Georgia for travel in 2022, however with the eastern europe conflict, is this something you think would make Georgia unsafe for travel in 2022?

What a fantastic resource for discovering Georgia in 2023! This article gives such a clear impression of this lovely nation, from its breath taking surroundings to its distinct culture and welcoming people. Every phrase shows the author’s obvious passion for Georgia, which makes me want to go on my own adventure there. The helpful advice on visas, travel insurance, and the ideal times to visit is of the utmost value. Additionally, the inhabitants’ emphasis on safety and friendliness is quite touching. It is excellent to emphasise Georgia’s extensive history, diverse language, and, of course, its renowned wine culture. This page serves as a travel guide as well as an open invitation to first-hand experience Georgia’s charm. I’m grateful to you for sharing this amazing story, and I’m looking forward to experiencing it myself!

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Visiting Georgia in Europe: Everything You Need to Know

• Post last modified: August 18, 2024
• Post author: Danielle Zito
• Post published: March 17, 2022
• Post category: Europe / Guides

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After visiting 90 countries, it takes a lot to really surprise and impress us while traveling, but Georgia in Europe was one of those places. Delicious food, friendly people, and stunning landscapes are just a few of the things that you can expect when you visit this truly underrated country.

When we told our friends and family that we were visiting Georgia for two weeks they thought, but why would you go to Atlanta for that long? Little did they know that we meant the Georgia in Europe, not the state.

When we were getting ready to go to Georgia we had no idea what to expect! Because of that, we were truly blown away, and the country really exceeded our expectations, But we're here to share with you just why we loved it there so much, and prepare you for an incredibly special experience.

*Please note that this blog post may contain some affiliate links, which we make a small profit on, at zero cost to you.  Links are only used on products & services that we've used and believe in, to give you the best buying experience.  Purchasing from these links helps us to continue providing free travel guides for you- so thank you for your support!

Where is Georgia in Europe Exactly?

Georgia is a small country tucked away all the way in Eastern Europe . It lies to the east of Turkey , bordering Russia to its north. In the south it borders Armenia and Azerbaijan, two other small European countries that don't seem to get much attention either.

Georgia is located all the way in the east of Europe  under Russia .

How to Get to Georgia in Europe

Georgia is actually rather easy to get to, and is pretty well connected to many cities throughout Europe . We flew from Greece for just 25 euros, and also have seen flights from Ukraine, Poland, Italy , Turkey and other countries in Eastern Europe.

The capital of Georgia is Tbilisi , which has the most international flights. Kutaisi is the second biggest airport, which is where we found our super cheap flight from Thessaloniki with Wizz Air.

Flight Tip:  Using Skyscanner you can put from "your city" to "Georgia" and see which is the best airport to fly to. Also, you can try out the calendar feature to see which are the cheapest dates for flying to each airport.

The two cities that have airports are  Kutaisi  (left) and  Tbilisi  (right).

Entry Requirements to Visit Georgia in Europe

Here is everything you need to know for entry requirements to enter Georgia in Europe. 

Covid Requirements to Visit Georgia in Europe

Every country in Europe has different requirements for entry when it comes to Covid-19 standards. Georgia in Europe currently is open for travelers from all countries. If you are arriving by air you can travel freely if you are fully vaccinated, or have proof that you have had Covid within the past 100 days.

If you travel by land or sea to enter, then you will also need to provide a PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival.

Update: There are currently no longer any restrictions to entering Georgia due to Covid.

Visa Requirements to Visit Georgia in Europe

Georgia in Europe is one of the most welcoming countries in the world! They allow visa free travel to 98 different countries. While most countries grant 30-90 days for foreigners, Georgia allows those without a visa to study, work, and live in the country for a full year with no paperwork necessary. Pretty incredible right?

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Local Adjustments for Visiting Georgia

Like anywhere, traveling to a new place means a lot of adjusting to some local differences such as language, currency, and other things. Here are a few things you need to know for when you visit Georgia in Europe.

What Language is Mostly Spoken in Georgia?

Georgia in Europe does indeed have its own language, and it is a super difficult one. It is one of the oldest languages in the world, and they use a completely separate alphabet to the rest of the world as well.

Luckily, pretty much everyone speaks English, so you won't need to worry about struggling to communicate while traveling, unless you're visiting tiny rural towns.

What Currency is Used in Georgia?

Although Georgia is a European country , it is not actually in the European Union. Georgia uses its own currency, which is the Georgian Lari. Currently (April 2024), the exchange is 2.68 Lari for every USD, 2.86 Lari for every Euro, and 3.3 Lari for every GDP.

There are plenty of banks and ATMs to take money out at. Many restaurants and hotels do take credit card, but there are a lot of markets and shops that are cash only. Also, if you go outside of the major cities, there are many hotels and restaurants that will only take cash.

Electrical Plugs in Georgia

The outlets in Georgia are the same to the rest of Europe , which are plug types C and F.  Plug C is the one which has two round pins, and plug F is the one which has two round pins and two earth clips on the side. Georgia in Europe operates on a 220 V supply voltage and 50 Hz.

Is it Safe to Drink Tap Water in Georgia?

The water throughout the country is very fresh and safe to drink. We suggest bringing a refillable water bottle, as buying bottled water in not necessary.

What is the Tipping Etiquette in the Country of Georgia?

In general, tipping is very welcome in the country of Georgia. Many times there is actually already a 10% service charge added, in which case you won't need to tip more unless you feel they deserve a little extra. If it is not included, we suggest a 10-15% tip for great service.

Don't have time to read the whole article and want to save it for later? Just pin it!

Getting Around Georgia in Europe

Georgia is a country that we rented a car in, and were so happy that we did. While you can certainly get from city to city by public buses, we found that renting a car in Georgia really allowed us to see so much more.

Just driving through the country there are tons of hidden gems, great viewpoints, and surprises along the side of the road. That being said, if you plan on going to the stunningly remote areas in the mountains, it is absolutely necessary that you get a high clearance vehicle.

The good thing is that rental companies are pretty cheap, and they include everything from road assistance to full insurance in their packages. We had a few mishaps, and the rental company was super helpful with everything.

Driving in Georgia allows you to stop and enjoy the stunning landscapes.

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Places to Visit in Georgia

Although Georgia is a pretty small country, it is super diverse, and has tons of cool places to visit! Here are some of the top places to visit in Georgia.

This is the capital of Georgia, and one of our favorite cities in the world! Tbilisi is an amazing mix of ancient and modern worlds colliding. Stunning architecture, a neighborhood of thermal baths, and trendy restaurants are just a few of the things that you can find in Tbilisi.

This is a great place to start or finish off the perfect trip in Georgia, and definitely deserves at least 4 days to see all that it has to offer.

Tbilisi  is the capital, and deserves at least a few days to explore all it has to offer.

Suggested Read: Things to Do in Tbilisi, Georgia: The World's Most Enchanting Capital

Here are some popular routes to Tbilisi:

• Kutaisi to Tbilisi
• Mestia to Tbilisi
• Batumi to Tbilisi
• Kazbegi to Tbilisi

This is the second largest city in Georgia, and has tons of cool things to check out. We loved the stunning churches, delicious food, and some of the very unique landscapes here.

Kutaisi has a nearby town with thermal baths, large fields of yellow flowers, and a system of stunning caves that you can sail through.

Kutaisi is the second largest city in Georgia , and has plenty of cool things to see.

Suggested Read: The Best Things to Do in & Around Kutaisi

Here are some popular routes to Kutaisi:

• Tblisi to Kutaisi
• Batumi to Kutaisi
• Mestia to Kutaisi

Batumi is in the south western corner of the country, just bordering Turkey . This coastal city is an interesting blend of where both ancient and modern worlds collide. The city itself is known as the " Las Vegas of Georgia" as its known for its casinos, nightclubs, and fun beach vibes.

The area of Batumi is surrounded by beaches, waterfalls, and some of the best Glamping sites in the country.

Here are some popular routes to get to Batumi:

• Tbilisi to Batumi (train and bus routes)
• Kutaisi to Batumi (cars and buses)
• Mestia to Batumi (car service)

Adjara is a truly stunning region between Kutaisi and Svaneti. This is where we had some of the most scenic drives, and beautiful fall colors. Spend a night Glamping, or stay in a tiny cabin in the middle of lake. Adjara is the place for some truly unique accommodation, and enjoying the outdoors.

In the region of Adjara you can stay in the middle of a blue lake surrounded by mountains.

Want to explore the best of Adjara? Here are some great tours that you can take:

This was our absolute favorite area to visit in Georgia, because of it's stunning mountain villages. The region of Svaneti will make you feel as if you've just jumped back in time with its tall stone towers, dirt roads, and livestock roaming the area.

Mestia is the capital of the area, and has plenty to offer touristically. Our personal favorite of all of Svaneti was the village of Ushguli though, which is one of the highest continuous settlements in all of Europe , and is hidden deep in the mountains.

Ushguli is one of the most stunning villages in Europe.

Want to explore the best that the area of Svaneti has to offer? Here are some tour packages that you can check out:

Want to visit the area on your own? Here are some of the routes you can look into:

• Kutaisi to Mestia
• Batumi to Mestia
• Tbilisi to Mestia

Kazbegi is another stunning area tucked away in the mountains. The region is full of breathtaking churches on hilltops, waterfalls, and other hidden gems to discover. 

Also known as Stepandsminda, the city lies right by the border with Russia . We suggest visiting the small town of Juta, and doing the hiking trails for some spectacular mountain views, and the most adorable A-frame bar.

Juta has beautiful hikes from its small town near Kazbegi.

Want to take a tour from Tbilisi to Kazbegi? Here are a few that you can choose from:

Want to go on your own? Here is another option:

• Transportation from Tbilisi to Kazbegi

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Georgian Cuisine

One of the best parts of visiting Georgia in Europe was the incredible food that it has. The cuisine is on the heavier side, and perfect for those cool temperatures throughout a large part of the year. They are known for their great wine, as well as chacha, which is a homemade liquor that Georgian's typically have at home to share with guests.

Georgia is certainly not the easiest place for vegans or those that are gluten free, as it is very heavy on meat, dairy, and carbs. However, there are a number of vegan Georgian dishes that you can find.

Here are a few of the top foods & drinks to try while in Georgia:

• Chacha : a very strong liquor made from fermented grapes
• Khinkali : traditional soup dumplings - we also suggest taking a khinkali cooking class !)
• Khachapuri : the national dish which is bread stuffed with cheese (each region has their own version)
• Georgian bread : bread baked in traditional clay ovens like they did centuries ago
• Walnut salad : tomato and cucumbers drenched in a thick sauce made of blended walnuts
• Satsivi : a winter chicken dish smothered with a thick walnut cream sauce
• Churchkhela : nuts covered with a chewy and fruity sweet and strung together
• Tklapi : thin sheets of dried fruit (similar to fruit roll-ups!)

Kachapuri is a boat of cheese melted perfectly into homemade bread.

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Is Georgia in Europe Safe?

Georgia is very close to Russia , and has some eerie communist vibes in many areas. Many people have a straight face on the streets, and it is particularly confusing as a tourist in this country.

That being said, the people in Georgia are some of the nicest in the world! As soon as we got to know them they were super friendly, helpful, and generous.

We felt extremely safe throughout the entire country, and really think this is a great destination for all types. Solo travelers, couples, and families alike can enjoy all that Georgia has to offer, without having any safety concerns.

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Other Things to Know About Visiting Georgia in Europe

Now you know all about the cuisine, the best places to visit, and how to get around Georgia. Now here are a few other things to know when visiting.

Is Georgia in Europe Expensive?

This is another thing that we found extremely surprising, and amazing- Georgia is such  a cheap country!

We stayed in beautiful apartments for $10 a day, had entire meals for just a few dollars, and visited tons of awesome nature for free. Georgia is a super budget friendly country, making it one of the best countries to visit when it comes to bang for your buck.

Weather in Georgia

Georgia experiences all four seasons, sometimes even in one day! It can have pretty heavy snow in the winter time, or even earlier and later in the mountainous areas. Tbilisi has the warmest temperatures in the country, but still sees snow in the winter time.

The weather in Georgia  largely depends on which area you are visiting in the country.

Best Time to Visit Georgia in Europe

The high season for Georgia is the summertime, as temperatures are moderate and there is a lot of sunshine, without scorching temperatures.

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We visited in October, and thought it was such a great time to visit though! We got to experience warm sunshine, gorgeous fall colors, and even snow. There were very few tourists, so we really had a lot of places to ourselves. 

If you are looking for a more lively atmosphere, then we suggest going in July or August. It's also important to note that if you plan on visiting the mountainous areas such as Svaneti and Kazbegi, you won't be able to go in the winter. This is because the roads are not in great condition, and due to heavy snowfall it isn't possible to get there.

Georgia  experiences all four seasons, sometimes all in one day!

Another thing to keep in mind is that from mid/end of October to March/April most hotels and restaurants in those areas close. So if you want to explore the mountains of Georgia in Europe, we suggest avoiding traveling there in the winter.

Packing for a Trip to Georgia in Europe

When it comes to packing, we suggest being prepared for everything! No matter when you go, you'll want a bathing suit for the awesome hot springs and baths around the country. You'll also want plenty of layers, and sneakers to go on hikes.

Even in the colder parts of the year you should have a bathing suit to enjoy Georgia's  thermal waters.

Packing for a trip to Georgia in Europe should include pretty casual clothes, as a lot of the best areas to explore are out in nature.

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Now you're all ready for an epic trip to Georgia in Europe! We have another article coming up soon about all of the awesome things you can do. Sign up for our newsletter , and we'll let you know as soon as it's published!

We also have so many other great unique destinations to share with you, so check out some of our other guides throughout Europe .

Ready to plan your next trip? Let us do the work! Worry less, spend less, and explore more with Scratch Your Mapa Travel Planning. Want to learn how? Take a look at some of the travel planning packages which we have to offer.

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• Destinations In Georgia

The 9 best places to visit in Georgia for karaoke, Porsches and hikes

Apr 6, 2022 • 6 min read

Georgia offers a kaleidoscope of historical landmarks and natural treasures © Andriy Blokhin / Shutterstock

As a former battleground during the Civil War and cradle for the Civil Rights Movement, it's hard to separate Georgia from its loaded past. 

But look closer and you'll see a kaleidoscope of historical landmarks, contemporary communities and natural treasures skirting the cityscapes; each offering a variety of experiences for a range of travelers. 

Here’s our list of the best places to visit in Georgia. 

Go shopping in Helen 

The town of Helen is brimming with revelry during the fall Oktoberfest, but it can turn into a shopper’s paradise during the holiday season. Kitschy at first glance, gift shops and strings of lights illuminate the streets of this faux Germantown situated along the Chattahoochee and about two hours from Atlanta. 

The tinny clink of bells on shop doors signal the hurried movement of shoppers while the clacking in the woodshop keeps time for them as a countdown to Christmas. 

Here, visitors can purchase apparel, toys, or decadent treats from the fudge shops that fill the air with the cloying scent of vanilla, cream, and chocolate at once. 

A life-size gingerbread man and technicolor light display make this town a festive spot to snap holiday photos and warm up to a steaming bowl of goulash or spätzle after. 

Embrace eco-friendly life at Serenbe 

Ground yourself with an escape to Serenbe , a collection of sustainable neighborhoods in the rural hamlets on the outskirts of Atlanta . Dirt paths, quaint cottages and penned pastures abound along its winding farmsteads. The settlement’s layout and building features minimize environmental impact. 

The scent of sodden earth, the bleating of livestock or the succulence of locally-grown produce will detox the mind and reinvigorate the body. 

From outdoor goat yoga to farmer's markets, art galleries to healing centers, Serenbe's eco-friendly establishments make way to reconnect with oneself and strengthen a connection to one's surrounding spaces.

Don’t miss dinner at the Farmhouse , where hearty risottos, Georgia fowl and signature bourbon pecan pie are favorites. In the summer months, visitors can roll up their sleeves for flower arrangement workshops or blueberry picking. 

Enjoy the nightlife in Poncey Highlands

Rooftop bars, underground karaoke and alternative strip clubs find a unique home in Atlanta’s Highlands. This vibrant neighborhood plays host to Clermont Lounge , Atlanta’s oldest and most offbeat adult entertainment venue, flaunting an entirely female ownership, quirky dancers, live music, an enviable rooftop bar and indiscriminate patronage. Keep your eyes peeled for celebrity visitors. 

For those looking to take a more active role in the entertainment, look no further than karaoke in the basement of Dark Horse Tavern . A live metal band provides vocalists with accompaniments.  

But it’s not all adult fun. Grab some grub in the mess hall of Ponce City Market and then head to the roof for vintage games and a brilliant panorama of the Atlanta skyline. The whole family can enjoy post-dinner amusement amidst the carnival atmosphere at Skyline Park .

Top 7 state parks in Georgia  

Get a dose of wealthy history on Jekyll Island 

Join the ranks of the richest American families in history who comprised one-sixth of the world’s wealth — from J.P. Morgan to Joseph Pulitzer and John D. Rockefeller.

The Jekyll Island Club Resort is luxuriously furnished with Victorian decor while offering modern comforts and activities to make for a memorable stay. The beachside bungalow once hosted the likes of the Vanderbilts, who came down to Jekyll Island for a respite from city life in the North. 

Along the isolated coasts of Georgia’s barrier island, they enjoyed hunting, fishing and golfing. Here, an exclusive group of them, identified only by first name, drafted the beginning of the nation’s federal bank, the Federal Reserve.

Today, visitors can enjoy modern room amenities and ample activities, such as boating, art classes, biking and guided horse-drawn carriage rides. 

History buffs will particularly enjoy walking the lavishly draped halls and sun-bathed terraces where the movers and shakers of the 19th and early 20th centuries once stood. 

Escape to Georgia’s rolling hills at Chateau Elan 

The plush, pillowy villas of Chateau Elan in Braselton beckon to couples seeking a secluded, sensuous experience. The sweeping views of the European-style resort against Georgia's undulating hills (just an hour from Atlanta) transport one to the French countryside.

Enjoy a sumptuous brunch at the Versailles restaurant in the hotel's lofty atrium. Take part in a hands-on culinary class during the day, or indulge in the syrupy sweetness of Georgia's local, hand-picked muscadine grapes.

For ultimate relaxation, unravel in the mist of the spa's eucalyptus steam room or melt away stress with a candlelit couple's massage. End the night with a guided stargazing session away from city lights. 

The14 best free things to do in Georgia  

Rev your engines at the Porsche Experience Center

Adrenaline junkies put the pedal to the medal at the Porsche Experience Center – one of three locations in the USA. The 1.6-mile racing track emulates the countryside and gives drivers the thrill of hugging sinuous roads at high speeds – if they dare.

For the less ambitious, an indoor Simulator Lab offers virtual access to drive a myriad of tracks and Porsche models around the world. 

And if the cars weren't exhilarating enough, the elevated Restaurant 356 provides a bird's-eye perspective of the track as well as uninterrupted views of commercial jets taking off and landing at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.  

The restaurant's locally-sourced seasonal menu includes tasty seafood and pasta dishes.

Stroll the cobblestone streets of Savannah

Savannah stoops seep with charm – from cobblestone squares to horse-drawn carriages. Take a stroll through the arboretum at Forsyth Park , with its collection of Spanish-moss swathed trees, fountains and scattered sidewalk musicians. 

To soak up architecture, tour the historic district, particularly the Hamilton-Turner Inn , one of the first buildings in Savannah to be completely equipped with electricity. From there, traverse Jones Street still paved in the original colonial-era red brick. 

At twilight, promenade the riverwalk or take a river cruise to explore the waterways surrounding this coastal city that has so much of America’s history to tell.

Savannah vs. Charleston: which Southern gem to visit 

Go for a hike at Providence Canyon 

The vermillion ridges of Providence Canyon carved by erosion from poor farming practices in the 1800s attract visitors every year.  Less than an hour from Columbus, this 1003-acre state park has miles of trails to check out. 

The wondrously colorful red, pink, purple and orange layers of soil make it one of the most picturesque destinations in the region. 

Visitors can hike the canyon itself, but your feet will get wet from the water table below that permeates the canyon base. Looking to stay dry? A rim trail traces the outer edge of the canyon.

Backcountry overnight stays are available.  

You might also like: Georgia’s 10 best hikes Top things to do in Macon, Georgia Top 7 beaches in Georgia  

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• Map of Europe | Europe Map

Map of Georgia

Georgia is a small country of a about 4 million people as of 2017. Situated at the most eastern end of Europe, on the shores of the Black Sea. In Ancient times it was a key point on the famous Silk Road and possibly where Jason and the Argonauts found the Golden fleece.

During the Soviet years it became a backwater and was little considered by the west other than for the Soviet navy bases stationed there. Although recently embroiled in hostilities with Russia, it has come out of this period with a strong sense of self and willingness to embrace the rest of the world. The people are friendly and hospitable. It is definitely a must see if you are touring the other countries in the area.

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Illustrated tourist map of Georgia

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Top 5 Best Places to Visit in Georgia, Europe (According to a Local)

Georgia is a beautiful country, not yet too popular with tourists. Bordering with Turkey, Russia and Azerbaijan, Georgia is surrounded with the Caucasus mountains and the Black Sea.

The presence of mountains as well as the sea makes this country a true gem, which is accentuated by the hospitality of the locals and the incredible food.

If you ever get the chance to visit Georgia, here are the best places which you really must visit.

Tbilisi is the capital of Georgia and is one of the most vibrant and exciting cities in the country. With its techno scene and the Old Town to explore, Tbilisi is the perfect place to start any visit to Georgia. 

There are so many things to do in Tbilisi, like in any other capital city. The Old Town is the perfect place to stroll around on foot, where you will find some hidden gems and colourful balconies.

This is also where you can buy some souvenirs to take home, including khinkali and khachapuri socks and some traditional Georgian items.

I would also suggest exploring the New City and taking the cable car to the top for some amazing views of the city. When you are up there, make sure to go hungry. The restaurant “Funicular’ offers some of the best Adjarian khachapuri (the cheeseboat) in the city. It’s a must try!

If you want to know more about Tbilisi, you can read my guide here .

Located 5 hour train ride away from Tbilisi, Batumi is the second most visited city in Georgia. It is often referred to as “Las Vegas of the Black Sea” due to the soaring skyscrapers, 5 star hotels and the abundance of casinos.

This is the best place to be during the summer. Not only tourists, but also lots of Georgians visit this seaside resort during the summer. 

Batumi is located in Adjara, the region where the Adjarian Khachapuri comes from. Therefore, trying the cheeseboat is essential here if you are a fan of cheese!

There are many restaurants where you can try it, but I would recommend Askaneli . Here they have a terrace and offer views over the sea with a side of some Georgian wine! 

What is more, Batumi has a very different vibe from the capital. The sea gives the city a much more relaxed vibe. You can stroll by the boulevard while watching the magnificent sunset and enjoy a drink at a beach bar.

I personally always enjoy visiting Batumi as it feels a lot like a getaway into a different European city.

Kazbegi is one of the best places to visit in Georgia because it is perfect for every type of traveler. Whether you like hiking and backpacking or you enjoy a luxury stay in a hotel, Kazbegi has the best of both worlds. 

Only 1 hour drive away from Tbilisi, Kazbegi offers some of the most spectacular views of the mountains in the whole country. If you enjoy backpacking, this is the perfect place to start your explorations.

Go hiking on Mount Kazbeg and discover some beautiful viewpoints and waterfalls around. 

If you seek a more relaxing getaway, then I would suggest staying in Room Hotel for a couple of nights. Nothing compares with the views this luxury hotel offers over the mountains.

Make sure to book a room with the mountain view so that you can wake up to the sunrise over the snowed on mountain tops!

Another activity which you must do in Kazbegi is to visit the Gergeti Trinity church. This church is located at 2170 meters and it was constructed in the 14th century.

The dramatic landscape and the breathtaking views are what make this church so popular with tourists. The best way to get up here other than hiking is to take a car – there are drivers which you can pay to take you all the way up.

This is the best option as the roads going up are pretty bumpy and require a specific type of car to go all the way to the top. 

 Svaneti

A list of the best places to visit in Georgia would not be complete without Svaneti. If you want an authentic Georgian experience, then Svaneti is the best place to go. 

I am from Georgia but I was pretty impressed by Svaneti when I visited for the first time 2 years ago. 

The drive from Tbilisi takes about 5 hours, but the trip starts in the car. Driving along the twisted roads, you are greeted by some incredible scenery which opens up around you. The roads are very beautiful, and you can see how they are carved into the mountain.

However, they are also not the safest! At some point we had to drive through a waterfall and on the other side we could see a very deep fall. It was a little scary, but the adventure is what makes this experience so much more exciting!

When in Svaneti, I would recommend staying in an inn or a guesthouse in order to get the most out of your experience. Our guesthouse included homemade breakfast and we still talk about that feast to this day.

Activities in Svaneti involve mostly hiking, but also discovering the different regions within Svaneti. It is worth driving to Ushguli, which is the highest populated village in Europe at 2,100 meters.

The village is very interesting and beautiful, as it offers a clear view of the Shkhara glacier.

Kakheti is the wine region in Georgia. I guess this gives away the reason I decided to put it on the list of the best places to visit in Georgia!

Kakheti, like Kazbegi, is also very close to Tbilisi and can be the perfect place for a day trip. It has also developed a lot in the past couple of years, so you can find many impressive luxury hotels in this region.

Of course, you cannot go to Kakheti without doing some wine tasting. You can go on a winery tour where you can see how the wine is produced and fermented, and then you get to try it for yourself!

This is one of the most popular activities in Georgia, as our country is famous for its wine, being the oldest producer of wine in the world. 

If you are feeling up for it, there are also other masterclasses you can try here. These include the making of the tonis puri (the bread made in a furnace), churchxela (the dessert made of grape juice and nuts) and khinkali (Georgian dumplings).

It is one of the best ways of acquainting yourself with the Georgian culture!

All in all, Georgia may be a small country but it does not lack in beauty. No wonder that it is a favourite of many visitors, as they come back wanting to go back again and again!

Have you been to Georgia? What did you enjoy visiting the most? 

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• The Best Attractions In Georgia

Must-Visit Attractions in Georgia

With its incomparable mountain landscapes, prime position at the intersection of Europe and Asia, and fascinating if turbulent past, Georgia is becoming a popular holiday destination. Despite its small size, this former Soviet republic offers snow-covered peaks, seaside spots, scenic hiking trails and centuries-old defence towers. Read on to discover the best places to see on your next trip to Georgia.

Want to visit Georgia but not sure where to begin with planning your itinerary? Culture Trip has you covered with our specially curated nine-day Georgia tour .

Building, Architectural Landmark, Natural Feature

In its long, 2,000-year history, the city of Telavi has been moulded by the preferences of Kakheti kings, Roman leaders, Eastern invaders, Russian Tsars and Georgian monarchs, resulting in a breadth of cultures and architectural styles throughout the city. Start your visit by admiring the defences of the Dzveli Galavani, the fortress of the first Kakhetian kings, then head for the Batonis Tsikhe, one of the few well-preserved medieval royal palaces in Georgia. Also you should visit the city’s 900-year-old sycamore tree, where you can make a wish: it’s said that any wish made near it will come true. If you have more time, head out of the city to the Alaverdi monastery, home to one of the largest cathedrals in Georgia.

Natural Feature, Architectural Landmark

Sighnaghi, also known as the City of Love, is a popular wedding destination. High up a steep hill, it offers views over the Alazani valley, making it one of the most charming places in the country. Take your time to enjoy the city’s beauty and stroll hand in hand with your loved one down cobblestone streets and past pastel-coloured houses. Look up and you can admire the view of neatly ordered red rooftops against the impressive Great Caucasus mountains.

Tusheti National Park

Uplistsikhe

Natural Feature

Tucked away in the hills of the Shida Kartli region, the ancient town of Uplistsikhe has been identified by archaeologists as one of the oldest urban settlements in Georgia. The town is believed to have been strategically located in the heart of the kingdom of Kartli, a late medieval monarchy that ruled eastern Georgia, and to have been a major political and religious centre. Visitors today can explore the town’s unique cave residence complex and discover its architectural significance.

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In recent years, Gudauri has become Georgia’s prime winter destination. Situated 2,196m (7,204ft) above sea level and just two hours’ drive from the capital, this ski resort offers views of the Greater Caucasus range and, of course, a variety of ski runs to suit all levels. The area has also become well-known for heliskiing, and comes with all the facilities you’d expect at a European ski destination.

Jvari Monastery

Cathedral, Monastery

Stepantsminda

Vardzia is a notable ancient cave city and monastery complex in southern Georgia dating back to the 12th century. Though it was abandoned after the Ottoman takeover of the country in the 16th century, it is a rich cultural site and awaiting future inscription on the Unesco World Heritage List. According to legend, the name of the cave city derives from Tamar the Great, Georgia’s first queen, who reigned over the region from 1184 to 1213. When a young Tamar became lost while exploring the caves, she called out to her uncle “ Aq var dzia ” (I’m here, uncle). When she was found, the affectionate name Vardzia stuck.

Rabati Fortress

Historical Landmark

The Rabati Fortress is a prominent landmark in southern Georgia built in the ninth century and renovated in 2011. Originally known as Lomisa Castle, its modern name, Rabati, is of Jewish and Arabic origin, meaning a fortified place. The fortress is unique due to the myriad cultures – Georgian, Ottoman, Jewish – that influenced its development over centuries.

Natural Feature, Hiking Trail

Zugdidi, in Samegrelo province in the west, is a quaint, charming city with impressive architecture. For your daily dose of culture, head to Dadiani Palace, where you can get lost exploring the 19th-century structure and the grounds. Make your way to the capital, Tbilisi, where you can see the rare death mask of Napoleon Bonaparte on display at the Zugdidi Historical Museum. If you’ve had enough of the city sights, head out of town, take to the water and find your sense of adventure in Martvili Canyon.

The coastal city of Batumi, one of Georgia’s largest cities, has in recent years gained popularity as the Las Vegas of the Black Sea. Its bustling summer nightlife, neon lights, modern architecture and cultural festivals make it a popular spot and you can easily spend a few enjoyable, action-packed days here.

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