Georgia Destinations & Travel Guide | Best Places to Visit

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Tbilisi

King Vakhtang Gorgasali founded Tbilisi in the 5th century on the hot springs that still feed the domed sulfur baths of the Old Town. Climb to Narikala Fortress for panoramic views, wander the cobblestone alleys and ornate wooden balconies of Old Tbilisi, then cross the illuminated Bridge of Peace toward grand Rustaveli Avenue. Evenings bring khinkali, khachapuri, and wine from one of the world's oldest traditions, often paired with Georgian polyphonic singing.

Gudauri Ski Resort

High in the Greater Caucasus, Gudauri is Georgia's premier ski resort, with high-altitude slopes and reliable powder that draw skiers and snowboarders from December through February. When the snow melts, the same peaks open up to paragliders and hikers, with the Gudauri Viewpoint and a climb to Sadzele Peak rewarding you with panoramic mountain views. Cap each day with khinkali, khachapuri, and mulled wine, and a lively apres-ski scene warmed by genuine Georgian hospitality.

Mestia

Set high in the Caucasus, Mestia is the heart of Svaneti, where stone defensive towers built between the 9th and 12th centuries still rise above the rooftops. The isolation that once protected the fiercely independent Svans also preserved a living culture you can still hear in their polyphonic singing and taste at a hearty feast. Spend your days exploring the Ethnographic and Margiani House museums, trekking to the Chalaadi Glacier, or skiing at Hatsvali, with the ancient village of Ushguli within easy reach.

Trinity Church Gergeti

Set against the snowcapped cone of Mount Kazbek, this 14th-century church is one of Georgia's most photographed sights and a living Orthodox pilgrimage site. We walk you up from Stepantsminda, roughly a two to three hour climb through meadows that bloom with wildflowers in summer, or arrange a 4x4 for those who'd rather save their legs. Once a refuge that safeguarded Georgia's religious treasures during invasions, its medieval frescoes and alpine isolation still hold travelers spellbound.

Tsinandali

In the heart of Kakheti, Tsinandali centres on the elegant Chavchavadze Estate, where poet Alexander Chavchavadze brought European winemaking to Georgia in 1818. Stroll the English-style gardens, tour the estate museum, and descend into a cellar whose 1841 winery still pours its celebrated white. With concerts and harvest celebrations through autumn, it pairs aristocratic history with the easy pleasures of Georgian wine country.

Telavi

Telavi is the heart of Kakheti, Georgia's wine country, where vineyard-covered valleys meet centuries of royal history. Once the medieval capital under King Erekle II, it surrounds you with sights like the towering Alaverdi Cathedral, the elegant Chavchavadze Estate, and the cellars of Tsinandali. Days here move from castle walls and monasteries to long tables of mtsvadi, fresh shoti bread, and deep-red Saperavi poured straight from the source. Come in autumn for the grape harvest and you'll taste the region at its most alive.

Ananuri Fortress

Rising above the Aragvi River, Ananuri is a fortified complex that once served as the stronghold of the Dukes of Aragvi, a feudal dynasty whose battles shaped this corner of Georgia. Within its walls stand two churches and a defensive tower, adorned with the intricate carvings and frescoes that define Georgian sacred art. From the ramparts, the view opens across the turquoise Zhinvali Reservoir and surrounding mountains, making it one of the country's most rewarding historical stops.

Kazbegi

Kazbegi, formerly Stepantsminda, is the base for Georgia's high Caucasus. The 14th-century Gergeti Trinity Church sits alone at 2,170 meters with Mount Kazbek—the country's third-highest peak at 5,047 meters—rising behind it. Reach the area on the three-hour drive from Tbilisi along the Georgian Military Highway, then hike to the Truso Valley's mineral springs or walk the cliffs of the Dariali Gorge.

Ushguli

Among the highest permanently inhabited villages in Europe, UNESCO-listed Ushguli sits deep in the Caucasus, where centuries-old Svan defensive towers still rise above the stone houses. The Svan people keep their own language, customs and polyphonic singing alive here, and the village opens onto treks toward the Shkhara Glacier. Reached by 4x4 from Mestia and best in summer, it pairs medieval atmosphere with hearty Svan fare like kubdari.

Sighnaghi

A walled hilltop town in Kakheti's wine country, Sighnaghi keeps one of Georgia's best-preserved fortress walls, whose 23 towers look out over the vineyard-covered Alazani Valley toward the Caucasus. Walk the ramparts, taste qvevri wine made the ancient way at Pheasant's Tears, and see Niko Pirosmani's paintings in the town museum. Nearby Bodbe Monastery holds the tomb of St. Nino, drawing pilgrims to its hillside gardens.

Gremi

Once the royal capital of Kakheti under King Levan, Gremi rises above the Alazani Valley as a church-fortress that survived the fall of 1615. We walk you through the frescoed Archangel Michael Church and climb the royal tower for sweeping valley views, then trace the palace ruins and museum that tell the kingdom's story. Pair it with nearby Nekresi and the wine town of Telavi for a full day in Georgia's old eastern heartland.

David Gareja

Hewn straight into the cliffs of the Georgia-Azerbaijan borderlands, David Gareja is a 6th-century cave monastery complex founded by St. David, one of the Thirteen Assyrian Fathers. Its rock-cut caves survived centuries of invasions and still shelter ancient frescoes, while Orthodox monks continue to tend the site today. We'll explore the Lavra Monastery's frescoed cave church, climb to the Udabno caves for sweeping views, and take in a stark desert landscape unlike anywhere else in Georgia.

Jvari Monastery

Crowning a hilltop above Mtskheta, the 6th-century Jvari Monastery is one of Georgia's defining UNESCO World Heritage sites, built to commemorate the country's conversion to Christianity. Its name means "Cross," and the austere stone church has drawn pilgrims and travelers for centuries as a cornerstone of Georgian Orthodoxy. From the terrace you look out over the meeting of two rivers and the cathedral of Svetitskhoveli below, all just a short drive from Tbilisi.

Ikalto

Set among the hills of Kakheti, Ikalto pairs a 6th-century monastery with the ruins of a medieval academy where the poet Shota Rustaveli is said to have studied. Wander the old lecture grounds, step into the Church of the Transfiguration with its early frescoes, and trace the monastery's long wine traditions through cellars where monks once made their own vintages. It is a calm, contemplative stop that rewards travelers drawn to Georgia's history of faith, learning, and the vine.

Mtskheta

Once the capital of the ancient kingdom of Iberia, Mtskheta is where Georgia first embraced Christianity in the 4th century, and that legacy still shapes every street. A short drive from Tbilisi, this UNESCO-listed town pairs the soaring Svetitskhoveli Cathedral with the hilltop Jvari Monastery and the resting place of St. Nino at Samtavro. Come for the pilgrimage atmosphere, the icon-painting tradition, and a bowl of hearty lobio between the churches.

Mount Ajara

An hour inland from Batumi, the mountains of Adjara trade the Black Sea coast for forested ridges, arched stone bridges, and waterfalls at Makhuntseti and Mirveti. The medieval Tamar's Bridge ties the valley to Queen Tamar's era, while the surrounding villages still keep Adjarian traditions alive in polyphonic song and hearty cooking. It is a green corner of Georgia where history and landscape sit side by side.

Gori Stalin Museum

Set in central Georgia, Gori is best known as the birthplace of Joseph Stalin, and its museum confronts that legacy head-on, from biographical exhibits to his personal railway carriage and one of the few surviving statues. But the town has far deeper roots: founded in the Middle Ages on old trade routes, it is still watched over by the hilltop ruins of Gori Fortress. Wander its lively markets, sample lobio and fresh sulguni, then continue to the nearby cave town of Uplistsikhe, just fifteen minutes away.

Kutaisi

Once the capital of ancient Colchis, the kingdom Jason crossed the sea to reach for the Golden Fleece, Kutaisi pairs deep history with the limestone country around it. See the 12th-century frescoes and mosaics of UNESCO-listed Gelati Monastery, the 11th-century Bagrati Cathedral above the city, the stalactite chambers of Prometheus Cave, and the preserved dinosaur footprints at Sataplia Nature Reserve. Cap it with Imeretian cooking: sulguni cheese, mchadi cornbread, and a true Georgian supra.

Batumi

Batumi puts Georgia's Black Sea coast within one walkable seafront: stroll the 7-kilometer palm-lined Batumi Boulevard, watch the moving Ali & Nino statue tell its love story, and climb the 130-meter Alphabetic Tower honoring the Georgian alphabet for 360-degree views. Wander Europe Square's Belle Epoque facades, then lose an afternoon in the vast Botanical Garden, where plants from six continents spill down the hillside. Every cafe serves Adjarian khachapuri, the boat-shaped cheese bread cracked open around a runny egg.

Martvili Canyon

Glide through the emerald waters of Martvili Canyon, a limestone gorge in lush Samegrelo once used by local nobility for bathing in medieval times. Drift beneath waterfalls and natural rock arches by boat, then follow the forest trails as Megrelian guides share the canyon's stories. Round out the day with regional cooking like gebzhalia, cheese in a fresh mint sauce, with Okatse Canyon an easy hour away for a second gorge.

Shuamta

In the wooded hills of Kakheti, Shuamta pairs two monasteries that span a thousand years of Georgian Orthodox life. Old Shuamta traces back to the 5th-7th centuries, its trio of ancient basilicas still standing in quiet woodland, while New Shuamta rose in the 16th century under Queen Tinatin, its church holding original frescoes. Monastic traditions endure here, and with Telavi and the surrounding vineyards close at hand, a visit folds easily into the rhythms of Kakheti's wine country.

Okatse Canyon

Carved over millennia by the Okatse River, this Imereti canyon is best known for its suspended hanging walkway, which carries you high above the gorge as lush greenery and rock walls drop away below. Beyond the cliff-edge path you'll find panoramic viewing platforms and the nearby triple cascade of Kinchkha Waterfall, all set among Imeretian villages an easy hour from Kutaisi. It makes a rewarding day out for hikers and anyone drawn to trails with a real sense of height and drama.

Bakuriani

High in the Lesser Caucasus, Bakuriani has welcomed visitors since the late 19th century, when it grew into a mountain resort under the Russian Empire and later a Soviet sports hub. Today its slopes draw skiers to Didveli Peak and Kokhta Mountain in winter, while summer opens up the Botanical Garden and scenic trails. Ride the historic narrow-gauge train up from Borjomi, then warm up with khinkali, khachapuri, and trout in walnut sauce.

Alaverdi

Rising over the vineyards of Kakheti, Alaverdi has stood since the 11th century, when King Kvirike raised it as a theological center that would weather centuries of invasions. Its cathedral remains one of the tallest churches in Georgia, and the monks here still keep a living wine tradition in their own cellar. Visit in autumn for the Alaverdoba harvest festival, climb the bell tower for views across the plain, then continue to the nearby wine towns of Telavi and Tsinandali.

Gombori Pass

Winding through the Gombori Range on the old travel route between Tbilisi and the wine country of Kakheti, Gombori Pass turns the drive itself into the destination. The road climbs past forests, open viewpoints over valley and mountain, and small villages where shepherds still work the slopes. Stop at a roadside stall for fresh bread, cheese and local honey, and time your visit for spring or early summer when wildflowers cover the hillsides. Telavi's vineyards sit just half an hour east.

Uplistsikhe Cave

Uplistsikhe is a whole town carved into the rock above the Kura River, and one of Georgia's oldest urban settlements. Walk among cave dwellings, a stone theater, and tunnel passages that served as homes, temples, and gathering halls from the 2nd millennium BC, when this was a thriving pagan and later Christian center until the Mongol invasions. With its 9th-century church and sweeping river views, it's an unhurried, hands-on encounter with ancient Georgian life etched directly into the cliffs.

Borjomi

Wrapped in the forests of Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, this spa town has drawn visitors to its mineral springs since the days when it served as a fashionable retreat of the Russian Empire and hosted the Romanovs. Sip the famous water straight from the source in the central park, wander trails alive with wildlife, and tour the regal Romanov Palace. Cap the day with trout in walnut sauce and a slower, restorative pace.

Bodbe

A short drive from Sighnaghi, Bodbe Monastery holds the tomb of St. Nino, who brought Christianity to Georgia in the 4th century; the church standing today goes back to the 9th. Walk the rose gardens, take in the wide Alazani Valley views, and follow the path down to St. Nino's Spring, long visited for its healing waters. The small monastery museum fills in the rest of this enduring pilgrimage site.

Dashbashi Canyon

Carved by the Khrami River over countless millennia, Dashbashi Canyon in Kvemo Kartli is one of the most striking landscapes within easy reach of Tbilisi, just an hour and a half by road. Our hiking trails wind past dramatic cliffs and rich birdlife down to the 70-meter Dashbashi Waterfall, while the suspended glass bridge offers a thrilling view over the gorge. Beyond the wilderness, shepherds and farmers go about a quiet village life that gives the visit its genuine Georgian character.

Dmanisi

Dmanisi is where human history runs deepest in Georgia: excavations since the 1980s uncovered 1.8-million-year-old Homo erectus skulls, the earliest known human remains outside Africa. You will walk the fossil beds and ruins, climb to the 9th-century medieval fortress, and study early-human exhibits in the museum. Beyond the science, this is pastoral Georgia at its most genuine, with scenic hill walks, farm bread and cheese, and villagers proud of their ancient heritage. An easy day trip from Tbilisi, best in spring.

Gveleti Waterfall

Fed by glacial meltwater and carved over millennia into the Greater Caucasus, the Big Gveleti Waterfall plunges through dramatic mountain terrain just off the historic Georgian Military Highway near the Dariali Gorge. A short, rocky trail leads you to the main falls and a smaller cascade nearby, opening to wide views of the surrounding Caucasus peaks. Pair it with traditional mountain hospitality in nearby Stepantsminda, where hearty khinkali and khachapuri await.

Juta

High in the Caucasus, Juta is a Mokheve mountain village where traditional stone houses and a pastoral way of life have carried on for centuries. The reward for the rugged 4x4 climb from Kazbegi is a valley of scenic hiking trails leading toward the dramatic Chaukhi peaks, with the Fifth Season Hut as a base for treks to hidden alpine lakes. Evenings bring genuine mountain hospitality, homemade khinkali and khachapuri, fresh dairy from local herds, and stories shared over local honey.

Vardzia

Cut into a cliff above the Mtkvari River, Vardzia is a 12th-century cave city ordered by Queen Tamar during Georgia's Golden Age. A 1283 earthquake sheared away the outer rock and laid the warren of chambers open to view. Inside the Church of the Dormition, original frescoes survive, including a portrait of Tamar herself. You can also trace the Royal Chambers, the qvevri wine cellars, the rock-cut bell tower, and the hidden tunnels of this UNESCO World Heritage site.

history

culture

religion

Explore Georgian Destinations

Tbilisi

Gudauri Ski Resort

Mestia

Trinity Church Gergeti

Tsinandali

Telavi

Ananuri Fortress

Kazbegi

Ushguli

Sighnaghi

Gremi

David Gareja

Jvari Monastery

Ikalto

Mtskheta

Mount Ajara

Gori Stalin Museum

Kutaisi

Batumi

Martvili Canyon

Shuamta

Okatse Canyon

Bakuriani

Alaverdi

Gombori Pass

Uplistsikhe Cave

Borjomi

Bodbe

Dashbashi Canyon

Dmanisi

Gveleti Waterfall

Juta

Vardzia

Explore Georgian Destinations

Tbilisi

Gudauri Ski Resort

Mestia

Trinity Church Gergeti

Tsinandali

Telavi

Ananuri Fortress

Kazbegi

Ushguli

Sighnaghi

Gremi

David Gareja

Jvari Monastery

Ikalto

Mtskheta

Mount Ajara

Gori Stalin Museum

Kutaisi

Batumi

Martvili Canyon

Shuamta

Okatse Canyon

Bakuriani

Alaverdi

Gombori Pass

Uplistsikhe Cave

Borjomi

Bodbe

Dashbashi Canyon

Dmanisi

Gveleti Waterfall

Juta

Vardzia