Georgia · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Georgia
These are the places worth your time in Georgia, from the sulphur baths, wine bars and markets of Tbilisi to the cellars of Kakheti, the peaks around Stepantsminda, the Black Sea at Batumi, the towers of Mestia and the caves and canyons around Kutaisi. Classics sit beside quiet corners many travellers miss, so every kind of visitor finds something to love.
Places to Visit in Tbilisi
Things to Do
- Narikala Fortress (Old Tbilisi)
Ancient walls above the old town with the best views over the river, domes and balconies. - Chreli Abano (Abanotubani)
The blue tiled sulphur bathhouse that is the city's most photographed, with private rooms to book. - Gulo's Thermal Spa (Abanotubani)
Private sulphur bath rooms in the old bath quarter, ideal for an evening soak for two. - Mtatsminda Park (Mtatsminda)
A hilltop funfair with a Ferris wheel and city views, reached by an old funicular. - Rike Park and Narikala cable car (Rike)
Fountains and play space by the river, with a cable car gliding up to the fortress. - Bridge of Peace (Old Tbilisi)
The glass and steel footbridge that lights up after dark over the Mtkvari river. - Kartlis Deda (Mother of Georgia) (Sololaki Ridge)
The aluminium statue holding wine for friends and a sword for enemies, sums up the national spirit.
Arts and Culture
- Georgian National Museum (Rustaveli Avenue)
The gold treasury of ancient Colchis and the story of the country in one building. - Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba) (Avlabari)
The vast modern cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church, golden at sunset. - Sioni Cathedral (Old Tbilisi)
Home of the revered grapevine cross of Saint Nino, with candlelit services most days. - Anchiskhati Basilica (Old Tbilisi)
The oldest surviving church in the city, small, dim and hauntingly beautiful when choirs sing. - Rezo Gabriadze Marionette Theatre (Old Tbilisi)
Moving puppet shows and the leaning clock tower whose angel rings the hour. - Open Air Museum of Ethnography (Vake)
Wooden houses, wine cellars and Svan towers from every region on a wooded hillside. - Chronicles of Georgia (Tbilisi Sea)
Giant carved pillars telling the country's history, far from the crowds above the reservoir.
Nature and Outdoors
- National Botanical Garden of Georgia (Old Tbilisi)
A green gorge with a waterfall right behind the fortress, a cool escape on hot days. - Turtle Lake (Vake)
A small lake in the hills where locals walk, picnic and swim in summer. - Lisi Lake (Lisi)
Lakeside paths, cafés and space for children to run on the edge of the city.
Shopping and Markets
- Dry Bridge Market (Mtkvari embankment)
A flea market of Soviet badges, old cameras, paintings and family silver. - Dezerter Bazaar (Station Square)
The city's big food market, loud and real, with churchkhela, spices, cheese and fruit. - Meidan Bazaar (Old Tbilisi)
An underground arcade beneath the old square selling wine, spices, enamel and souvenirs.
Restaurants
- Barbarestan (Aghmashenebeli Avenue)
Dishes revived from a nineteenth century duchess's cookbook in a cosy cellar. - Cafe Littera (Sololaki)
Modern Georgian cooking in the garden of the art nouveau Writers' House. - Shavi Lomi (Sololaki)
Creative takes on Georgian classics in a bohemian old house. - Pasanauri (Old Tbilisi)
A straightforward spot for juicy khinkali dumplings named after the mountain village that made them famous. - Sakhachapure No1 (Sololaki)
Simple, reliable khachapuri of every regional style. - Zakhar Zakharich (Mtkvari embankment)
A busy, family friendly khinkali hall where groups share big platters. - Funicular Restaurant (Mtatsminda)
Famous ponchiki doughnuts and a dining room with the whole city glittering below. - Keto and Kote (Vera)
A garden restaurant in an old villa above the city, lovely on summer evenings.
Cafés
- Café Stamba (Vera)
A soaring former printing house turned café with its own bakery and roastery. - Lolita (Vera)
A leafy courtyard café and bar that moves from brunch to cocktails.
Bars and Nightlife
- Vino Underground (Old Tbilisi)
A cellar bar pouring natural qvevri wines from small family producers. - 8000 Vintages (Sololaki)
A wine shop and tasting bar named for Georgia's eight thousand vintages of winemaking. - Fabrika (Chugureti)
A Soviet sewing factory turned courtyard of bars, studios and street art. - Bassiani (Dinamo Arena)
A world famous techno club in a drained swimming pool beneath the football stadium. - Wine Factory N1 (Vera)
A historic wine factory complex with several bars and restaurants around one yard.
Stays
- Stamba Hotel (Vera)
Industrial chic rooms in the old printing house, with a pool on the roof. - Rooms Hotel Tbilisi (Vera)
A design hotel with a big garden courtyard, a short walk from Rustaveli Avenue. - Fabrika Hostel (Chugureti)
Dorms and private rooms above one of the liveliest courtyards in the city.
Events
- Tbilisoba (Old Tbilisi)
The autumn city festival of harvest food, wine, music and street stalls.
Places to Visit in Mtskheta
Arts and Culture
- Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (Mtskheta)
The spiritual heart of Georgia, believed to hold the robe of Christ. - Jvari Monastery (Mtskheta)
A sixth century church on a hilltop above the meeting of two rivers. - Samtavro Monastery (Mtskheta)
A quiet working convent linked to Saint Nino and the first Christian king.
Places to Visit in Kakheti
Things to Do
- Sighnaghi town walls (Sighnaghi)
Walk the towers of the walled hill town with the Alazani valley and the Caucasus beyond. - Twins Old Cellar (Napareuli)
A family winery with a qvevri wine museum and hands-on tastings. - Khareba Winery tunnel (Kvareli)
Wine stored in a long tunnel cut into the mountain, with tastings and bread baking.
Arts and Culture
- Bodbe Monastery (Sighnaghi)
The convent where Saint Nino is buried, with gardens and a spring far below. - Tsinandali Estate (Tsinandali)
The Chavchavadze family manor, gardens and historic wine collection. - Alaverdi Monastery (Telavi)
A towering eleventh century cathedral among vineyards, still making wine with its monks. - Gremi Citadel (Gremi)
The brick church and tower of a lost royal capital on a hillock. - Nekresi Monastery (Nekresi)
One of the country's oldest churches, high on a forested hill with a valley view. - Batonis Tsikhe Palace (Telavi)
The fortress palace of King Erekle II in the centre of Telavi. - David Gareja Monastery (Sagarejo)
Cave monasteries cut into a semi-desert ridge, eerie and beautiful.
Restaurants
- Pheasant's Tears (Sighnaghi)
Natural qvevri wines and seasonal Georgian food from one of the pioneers of the revival.
Bars and Nightlife
- Okro's Wines (Sighnaghi)
A family natural wine cellar with a terrace over the valley.
Events
- Tsinandali Festival (Tsinandali)
A classical music festival in the estate's park each September. - Rtveli grape harvest (Kakheti villages)
Join families picking grapes and pressing them in the autumn harvest.
Shopping and Markets
- Telavi Bazaar (Telavi)
A farmers' market of churchkhela, cheese, bread and homemade wine in plastic bottles.
Nature and Outdoors
- Lagodekhi National Park (Lagodekhi)
Forest trails to waterfalls in one of the oldest protected areas in the Caucasus.
Stays
- Schuchmann Wines Chateau and Spa (Kisiskhevi)
A winery hotel with a wine spa and views over the vines. - Kvareli Lake Resort (Kvareli)
A lakeside resort beneath the mountains, popular with families and couples.
Places to Visit in Stepantsminda
Arts and Culture
- Gergeti Trinity Church (Gergeti)
The iconic hilltop church with Mount Kazbek rising behind it. - Dariali Monastery (Dariali Gorge)
A new monastery in a dramatic gorge at the very edge of the country. - Sno village stone heads (Sno)
Giant carved heads of Georgian poets and saints in a field below the mountains.
Stays
- Rooms Hotel Kazbegi (Stepantsminda)
A wood and glass hotel whose terrace looks straight at Kazbek.
Nature and Outdoors
- Truso Valley (Kobi)
A gentle valley walk past mineral springs, travertine and abandoned Ossetian villages. - Juta Valley (Juta)
Meadows and the jagged Chaukhi peaks on one of the best day hikes in the country. - Gveleti Waterfall (Dariali)
A short walk to a tall waterfall near the Russian border. - Gergeti Glacier hike (Gergeti)
A long, high walk from the church towards the glacier below Kazbek.
Things to Do
- Ananuri Fortress (Zhinvali Reservoir)
A fortress and churches on a turquoise reservoir, the classic stop on the road north. - Russia Georgia Friendship Monument (Gudauri)
A colourful mosaic viewpoint hanging over the Devil's Valley. - Gudauri Ski Resort (Gudauri)
The country's biggest ski area, with paragliding in summer.
Restaurants
- Pasanauri village khinkali houses (Pasanauri)
Stop for khinkali in the village said to have invented them.
Places to Visit in Batumi
Things to Do
- Batumi Boulevard (Seafront)
Miles of seafront promenade with bike lanes, gardens and pebble beaches. - Ali and Nino statue (Seafront)
Two moving steel figures that pass through each other at dusk, a tale of love. - Alphabet Tower (Seafront)
A spiral tower celebrating the Georgian alphabet, with a viewing deck. - Europe Square (Old Batumi)
Belle époque façades, the Medea statue and an astronomical clock nearby. - Argo Cable Car (Old Batumi)
A cable car up to a hill with views over the port, city and sea. - Dancing fountains (Batumi Boulevard)
Evening light and water shows by the lake on the old boulevard.
Nature and Outdoors
- Batumi Botanical Garden (Mtsvane Kontskhi)
Subtropical gardens on a hill above the sea, among the largest in the region. - Mtirala National Park (Chakvi)
One of the rainiest spots in the region, with lush forest trails and a lake. - Makhuntseti Waterfall (Makhuntseti)
A waterfall and medieval stone arch bridge in the green Adjara hills.
Bars and Nightlife
- Piazza Batumi (Old Batumi)
A mosaic square of cafés and live music on summer nights.
Arts and Culture
- Gonio Fortress (Gonio)
Roman walls by the sea, said to hold the grave of the apostle Matthias.
Shopping and Markets
- Batumi Fish Market (Batumi)
Choose fresh Black Sea fish and have it fried upstairs. - Batumi Central Market (Batumi)
A big local market for fruit, tea, spices and Adjarian cheeses.
Restaurants
- Retro (Old Batumi)
A local favourite for boat shaped Adjarian khachapuri with egg and butter.
Stays
- Sheraton Batumi Hotel (Seafront)
A reliable seafront hotel at the start of the boulevard.
Places to Visit in Mestia
Arts and Culture
- Svaneti Museum of History and Ethnography (Mestia)
Icons, manuscripts and treasures kept safe for centuries in Svan churches. - Margiani House Museum (Mestia)
Step inside a family tower house and see how Svans lived beside their animals. - Mikheil Khergiani House Museum (Mestia)
The home of the legendary Svan climber, with a tower you can enter. - Lamaria Church (Ushguli)
A tiny tower guarded church above Ushguli with frescoes inside.
Things to Do
- Ushguli (Upper Svaneti)
One of Europe's highest villages, with stone towers below Shkhara. - Hatsvali Ski Resort (Hatsvali)
Small ski runs in winter and a chairlift for views in summer. - Tetnuldi Ski Resort (Tetnuldi)
Long runs beneath Tetnuldi peak with Svan towers on the horizon.
Nature and Outdoors
- Koruldi Lakes (Above Mestia)
Alpine lakes reflecting Ushba, a hard but unforgettable day hike. - Chalaadi Glacier (Mestia)
An easy forest walk to the snout of a glacier. - Mestia to Ushguli trek (Upper Svaneti)
A four day village to village walk, among the best treks in the Caucasus.
Cafés
- Cafe Laila (Seti Square)
The town's long-running gathering spot, with live Svan music some evenings.
Events
- Lamproba (Svaneti villages)
A winter torch festival honouring ancestors with bonfires and song.
Places to Visit in Kutaisi
Arts and Culture
- Gelati Monastery (Gelati)
A medieval academy and monastery with dazzling mosaics and frescoes. - Bagrati Cathedral (Ukimerioni Hill)
An eleventh century cathedral on a hill above the river. - Motsameta Monastery (Motsameta)
A small monastery on a cliff above a river bend.
Nature and Outdoors
- Prometheus Cave (Kumistavi)
Lit caverns of stalactites with an underground boat ride at the end. - Sataplia Nature Reserve (Sataplia)
Real dinosaur footprints, a cave and a glass viewing platform. - Martvili Canyon (Martvili)
A green gorge with walkways and boat rides on turquoise water. - Okatse Canyon (Gordi)
A cliffside walkway hanging over a deep canyon. - Kinchkha Waterfall (Kinchkha)
A tall, quiet waterfall near Okatse that many people skip.
Shopping and Markets
- Kutaisi Green Bazaar (City centre)
A covered market of Imeretian cheese, pickles, spices and fruit.
Things to Do
- Colchis Fountain (Central Square)
A fountain of golden figures from the ancient Colchis treasures. - White Bridge (Rioni river)
An old bridge with a glass panel and a bronze boy statue over the river. - Tskaltubo sanatoriums (Tskaltubo)
Faded Soviet spa palaces in a park, a haunting walk for photographers. - Katskhi Pillar (Katskhi)
A tiny church on top of a sheer limestone pillar. - Chiatura cable cars (Chiatura)
A mining town criss-crossed by cable cars over a deep valley.
Places to Visit in Borjomi
Nature and Outdoors
- Borjomi Central Park (Borjomi)
Taste the famous salty mineral water at its source and bathe in sulphur pools. - Borjomi Kharagauli National Park (Borjomi)
Huge forested park with marked trails and simple shelters.
Places to Visit in Vardzia
Arts and Culture
- Vardzia cave monastery (Aspindza)
Queen Tamar's cave city carved into a cliff above the Mtkvari.
Places to Visit in Akhaltsikhe
Arts and Culture
- Rabati Castle (Akhaltsikhe)
A restored fortress complex with a mosque, church and synagogue in its walls.
Places to Visit in Gori
Arts and Culture
- Uplistsikhe (Gori)
A rock cut town older than Christianity in Georgia, above the river.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Erti Kava Coffee Room (Sololaki, Tbilisi)
A small specialty coffee room loved by the city's freelancers. - Art-Gene Festival (Open Air Museum of Ethnography, Tbilisi)
A summer folk festival of polyphonic song, dance and crafts from every region. - Kapiloni (Sighnaghi, Kakheti)
A simple local restaurant for mtsvadi and Kakhetian dishes. - Shorena's (Stepantsminda, Stepantsminda)
A homely restaurant serving mountain dishes to hikers. - Batumi Dolphinarium (Batumi, Batumi)
A long-running family favourite near the boulevard. - Black Sea Jazz Festival (Batumi, Batumi)
A summer jazz festival by the sea when it runs. - Mtsvane Kontskhi beach (Green Cape, Batumi)
A quieter pebble beach below the botanical garden. - Svanetian salt and felt hat stalls (Seti Square, Mestia)
Buy Svan salt and a felt hat straight from local sellers. - Palaty (City centre, Kutaisi)
A relaxed restaurant for Imeretian dishes in the old town. - Sisters (City centre, Kutaisi)
A cosy restaurant with live Georgian folk song in the evenings.