Georgia has a plethora of resorts, interesting historical towns, and regions. Let’s explore the most attractive ones for the traveler, which are worth including in your holiday.
- Tbilisi
- The spiritual capital Mtskheta
- Telavi and Kakheti wine regions
- Kutaisi is the capital of Imereti
- Borjomi mineral resort
- Gori and Uplistsikhe
- Batumi and Kobuleti
- Abkhazia
Tbilisi
Most tourists devote their first holiday in Georgia to the capital Tbilisi. It is the economic, cultural, and entertainment center of the country, and the largest transport hub – from Tbilisi it is easy to leave not only to other cities but also to neighboring countries.
But don’t be in a hurry to leave – the capital of Georgia is worthy of a full-fledged holiday. A city with 1500 years of history, Tbilisi will offer its guests temples and museums, priceless treasure troves of artifacts, and the most delicious restaurants.
And then there’s the cable car, the ancient hilltop fortress of Narikala, and the authentic neighborhoods of the Old Town. Before you go on holiday, check the cultural poster – Tbilisi hosts the most fun festivals, holidays, and premieres.
The spiritual capital of Georgia – Mtskheta
Tbilisi’s neighbor, Mtskheta, is an even older and more venerable city. In the history and culture of Georgia, it is revered as the Holy City and the center of Georgian religiosity.
The spiritual capital of Georgia is one of the oldest cities in the Caucasus. Mtskheta was founded over 2,500 years ago and its annals include names such as St Nino of Cappadocia, the enlightener of the country.
It is believed that Christianity in Georgia began in Mtskheta – as a reminder of the early Middle Ages, the city has preserved magnificent temples and monasteries.
Visit Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, the unique temple of Jvari, and the ancient shrine of Samtavro. The old town of Mtskheta, with its fascinating history and architecture, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Telavi and Kakheti wine regions
From the capital Tbilisi, it’s not difficult to visit Telavi, the center of the Georgian wine region. Bright, sunny, beautiful Kakheti is located in the east of Georgia, and it is not only known for the vineyards of the Alazani Valley.
One should come to Telavi for authenticity and color, visiting the oldest Christian shrines – Alaverdi Cathedral, Nekresi and Bodbe monasteries, David-Gareji complex of cave temples.
In the center of the city there is a thousand-year-old fortress Batonis-Tsikhe, in the vicinity there are the legendary Tsinandali and the city of love Sighnakhi. Kakheti is a champion in terms of vineyards, wineries, and production of the noble drink.
In autumn Kakheti hosts the most cheerful holiday in Georgia, the Rtveli festival of young wine – tourists from all over the world come to participate in the harvest and appreciate the young wine.
Kutaisi is the capital of Imereti
Emerald Imeretia is located in the center of the country – a land of mountains, canyons, and valleys.
In ancient times Imeretia was a separate principality with its capital in Kutaisi. In ancient chronicles, Kutaisi is described as the capital of the legendary kingdom of Colchis.
Here are preserved monuments of the Middle Ages, such as the temple of King Bagrat and the tomb of Georgian princes, the magnificent Gelati monastery complex. Take a stroll through the center of Kutaisi – it’s historic, pretty, and delicious.
On the outskirts of the city, visit Sataplia Nature Reserve and Prometheus Cave, the largest in Georgia. Here you can admire the canyons and endless forests for which Imeretia is known.
Borjomi mineral resort
In the south of the country, in the fabulous region of Samtskhe-Javakheti, is the world-famous balneological resort of Borjomi.
It is a charming resort town in the heart of the mountains, on the bank of the Kura River. The historical buildings of the XIX century have been preserved here, in the neighborhood there are ancient fortresses, palaces, and monasteries.
Take a walk in Central Park, drink Borjomi mineral water directly from the spring, or ride the cable car. If you like recovery procedures, take a swim in warm thermal pools.
It is interesting to combine a relaxing holiday in Borjomi with a visit to the cave town of Vardzia and the restored fortress of Rabat in Akhaltsikhe, all trips can be made within a one-day itinerary.
Gori and Uplistsikhe
The historic region of Shida Kartli is considered the jewel of central Georgia.
Start exploring it from the administrative center, city of temples, and authentic quarters – Gori. Visit the hill with the picturesque fortress of Goritsikhe, stroll through the Old Centre and, if you wish, take a look at the Stalin Museum.
There are many sights to see near Gori, the most famous being the cave town of Uplistsikhe. One of the most ancient cities of Georgia – Uplistsikhe’s history is more than 3000 years old, nowadays it works as an open-air museum.
Here you can see medieval cave temples and dwellings, farm buildings, and the Throne Hall – according to legend, Queen Tamara herself was crowned here.
Batumi and Kobuleti
In the south of the country, washed by the waves of the Black Sea, lies sunny Adjara – the region is considered the main tourist mecca of Georgia.
Adjara boasts a venerable history, these lands were part of the Colchis and Iberia, Ottoman, and Russian empires. Nowadays Adjara attracts tourists with its subtropical nature, mild climate, long coastline, and a lot of entertainment.
The capital of the sunny region is the resort city of Batumi. Excellent beaches, warm sea, natural and architectural beauties such as Botanical Gardens, cathedrals and mosques, museums, and ruins of ancient fortresses will not let you get bored.
If you are looking for a more relaxing holiday, check out Kobuleti, the second most important seaside resort in the country. Also get acquainted with the nature of Adjara – rivers, waterfalls, forests, and gorges will not leave anyone indifferent.
Abkhazia
Abkhazia is a region in northwestern Georgia that declared independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, leading to a violent conflict between Georgian forces and Abkhaz separatists. Despite a ceasefire in 1994, tensions remained high.
In 2008, following the Russia-Georgia war, Russia officially recognized Abkhazia’s independence, though most of the world, including Georgia, continues to view it as part of Georgian territory. Today, Abkhazia operates as a de facto independent region with significant Russian military and political influence, though it remains internationally unrecognized by the majority of countries.
It is difficult to visit the region without visiting Russia, and you have to obtain the Russian visa for it.