Top Things to Do and See in Georgia

Why Georgia

Wedged between the Caucasus Mountains and the Black Sea, Georgia packs ancient churches, sulphur baths, soaring peaks and the world's oldest wine tradition into a country smaller than Ireland. Here are the places worth your time.

Old Town Tbilisi

Start in the capital's Old Town, a tangle of carved balconies, vine-draped courtyards and crooked lanes below Narikala Fortress. Ride the cable car up from Rike Park for a sweeping view, then walk down to the Abanotubani sulphur baths. A private domed bath room runs roughly 50-100 GEL per hour.

Narikala Fortress and the cable car

The 4th-century Narikala Fortress crowns the ridge above the city. The cable car costs about 2.5 GEL each way (pay with a Metromoney card) and drops you beside the giant Kartlis Deda (Mother of Georgia) statue.

Kazbegi and Gergeti Trinity Church

Drive the Georgian Military Highway north to Stepantsminda (Kazbegi), where the lone Gergeti Trinity Church sits at 2,170 m beneath the snow-capped Mount Kazbek. The hike up takes about two hours, or take a 4x4.

Mtskheta, the spiritual heart

A short trip from Tbilisi, Mtskheta is Georgia's ancient capital and a UNESCO site. Visit the 11th-century Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and the hilltop Jvari Monastery overlooking the meeting of two rivers.

Kakheti wine country

Georgia claims an 8,000-year winemaking history. In Kakheti, taste amber wine fermented in buried clay qvevri vessels at family cellars around Sighnaghi, the walled "city of love" with valley views.

Uplistsikhe and Vardzia cave cities

Uplistsikhe is a rock-hewn town near Gori, while Vardzia is a vast 12th-century cave monastery carved into a cliff in the south, once home to thousands of monks.

Batumi and the Black Sea

On the coast, Batumi mixes a pebble beachfront, botanical gardens and quirky modern architecture. It's Georgia's summer playground.

Svaneti's stone towers

For the wild north, Mestia and Ushguli in Svaneti are dotted with medieval defensive towers beneath glaciers, among Europe's highest permanently inhabited villages.

Practical tips

• The currency is the Georgian lari (GEL); cards are widely accepted in cities.
• Marshrutka minibuses are the cheapest way between towns.
• Many visitors get a long visa-free stay, but check your nationality's rules.

Stay connected in Georgia

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