Where to go? The main tourist routes in Georgia
Tbilisi
The heart of Georgia is its capital, Tbilisi. This ancient town takes with the true Caucasian hospitality plenty of tourists from around the world every year . The original culture of the country formed under the influence of Christianity, Islam and paganism, national traditions of East and West, ancient customs of mountain people find its reflection in the picturesque image of this city. Became a modern European megalopolis Tbilisi has retained the unrepeatable charm of the old streets and squares.
Places to go: Narikala Fortress, Metekhi rock, Sioni Cathedral, Betania Monastery, Dry Bridge, Rustaveli Avenue, Old Town, Tbilisi sulfur baths, Sharden Street, Cathedral Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, Tbilisi Ethnographic Museum, Mount Mtatsminda, Tbilisi Sea.
Road Surface: asphalt.
Vehicle: sedan, midget car or SUV 4x4 (Nissan Note 1.5 AT, Mazda-3 2.0 AT, Hyundai Sonata 2.4 AT).
Mtskheta
Mtskheta is one of the most beautiful cities of Georgia, located at the intersection of the rivers Mtkvari and Aragvi. Due to the unique architectural monuments, preserved shrines of pagan pantheon of Georgia, Orthodox churches, old mansions, the unique archaeological findings, presented in the local museum, the center of the city is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Jvari Monastery (Holy Cross) is the Orthodox church of VI century, standing on a hill opposite the town, it attracts particular attention of tourists.
Distance from Tbilisi: 20 km.
Time in a way: 40 minutes.
Road Surface: asphalt.
Road type: highway.
Places to go: Bebristsihe Fortress, State Archaeological Museum-National Park of Mtskheta, Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, Convent of St. Nino, complex Zedazeni, Armazi fortress.
Vehicle: sedan, midget car or SUV 4x4 (Nissan Note 1.5 AT, Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0 AT, Mazda-3 2.0 AT).
Gori
Gori is an ancient fortress, an ancient center of trade, presumably built in the I c. BC. Besides the ancient shrines and monuments, State Joseph Stalin Museum is one of the most popular places; it presents unique exhibits and personal belongings of the leader. Near Gori there is Uplistsikhe cave town, it is one of the oldest settlements in the Caucasus, a monument of Kura-Araxes culture of the Bronze Age.
Distance from Tbilisi: 83 km.
Time in a way: 1.5 hours.
Road Surface: asphalt.
Road type: highway.
Places to go: Gori Fortress, Cathedral of Our Lady, Historical-Ethnographic Museum, the balneological spa resort Goridzhvari , Cathedral Urbnisi, village Gardateni, Transfiguration Cathedral in Ruisi.
Vehicle: sedan, midget car or SUV 4x4 (Nissan Note 1.5 AT, Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0 AT, Mazda-3 2.0 AT).
Borjomi
Borjomi is a unique city-resort, famous for mineral water springs, which, due to its composition, has a powerful therapeutic and prophylactic effect. Moreover in the suburb of Borjomi there are many ancient monuments.
Distance from Tbilisi: 151 km.
Time in a way: 2 hours.
Road Surface: asphalt.
Road type: highway, serpentine, pass.
Places to go: Firuza, mineral water Park, Historical Museum, Gogia Fortress, Petra Fortress, Likani Palace, Green Monastery.
Vehicle: sedan, SUV 4x4 or SUV 4x4 / Off-road vehicle (Nissan X-Trail 2.0 AT 4x4, Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0 AT, Toyota 4Runner 4.0 AT).
Bakuriani
Bakuriani is a mountain village resort in the Borjomi valley (altitude 1700 m). It is the perfect place for a winter or summer holiday with your family.
Distance from Tbilisi: 183 km.
Time in a way: 2.5 hours.
Road Surface: serpentinem, asphalt.
Road type: highway, serpentine, pass.
Places to go: Khertvisi fortress, mineral springs.
Vehicle: sedan, SUV 4x4 or SUV 4x4 / Off-road vehicle (Volkswagen Golf 2,0 AT, Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.7 AT 4x4, Mitsubishi IO 2.0 AT 4X4).
Akhaltsikhe
Akhaltsikhe is divided into two parts by Potshovi River, the old quarters and the areas of new buildings. Charming and mystifying, full of mysteries of ancient fortresses and monasteries, this city of Georgia will not leave anyone indifferent!
Distance from Tbilisi: 204 km.
Time in a way: 3 hours.
Road Surface: asphalt.
Road type: highway, serpentine, pass.
Places to go: the fortress Rabat, Vardzia, Tmogvi fortress.
Vehicle: sedan or SUV 4x4 (Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0 AT, Honda CRV 2.4 AT 4x4).
Vardzia
Vardzia is one of the most popular tourist places of Georgia. Cave City is located 60 km from Akhaltsikhe, it fascinates and attracts. The central building is the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin, which adjoins with several cave complexes, fortress and the monastery. On the walls there are unique frescoes, including a lifetime portrait of the legendary Queen Tamara.
Distance from Tbilisi: 200 km.
Time in a way: 2.5 hours.
Road Surface: asphalt, rock.
Road type: highway, serpentine.
Vehicle: sedan, midget car or SUV 4x4 (Nissan X-Trail 2.0 AT 4x4, Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0 AT, Toyota 4Runner 4.0 AT).
Pass Goderdzi
One of the most beautiful and fascinating places of Georgia is Goderdzi pass. It can be seen moving along the route Batumi-Akhaltsikhe. If you go this way, you uncover the stunning, gorgeous and the unique world of Georgian Alps!
The length of the route Batumi-Akhaltsikhe: 180 km.
Time in a way: 5 hours!
Road Surface: asphalt, rock, dirt road (it's sometimes in very bad condition).
Road type: serpentine, pass.
Vehicle: SUV 4x4 or SUV 4x4 / Off-road vehicle (Nissan Pathfinder 3.5 AT, Ford Explorer 4.0 AT, Mitsubishi Montero 3.5 AT, Toyota 4Runner 4.0 AT).
Batumi
Batumi is one of the most famous Georgian spa town. Sunny, blooming all year, Batumi is famous either for an excellent mild climate or unique monuments of architecture and history.
Distance from Tbilisi: 380 km.
Time in a way: 5 hours.
Road Surface: asphalt.
Road type: highway, serpentine, pass.
Places to go: Seaside recreation park, dolphinarium, Cathedral of Our Lady, the National Museum of Adjara, Batumi Arts Center, River Chorokh.
Vehicle: edan, midget car or SUV 4x4 (Nissan Micra 1.2 AT, Nissan Tiida 1.5 AT, Mitsubishi Outlander 2.4 AT 4X4).
Gonio, Kvariati, Sarpi
Gonio, Kvariati, Sarpi are villages on the Black Sea coast. They are famous for their unique combination of mountain and sea climate, as well as a surprisingly clean water and enchanting landscapes.
Distance from Tbilisi: 383 km.
Time in a way: 5.5 hours.
Road Surface: asphalt, rock.
Road type: highway, serpentine, pass.
Places to go: Gonio- Asparosskaya Fortress, diving center, Ajara beach rock.
Vehicle: sedan, midget car or SUV 4x4 (Mitsubishi Colt 1.3 AT, Toyota Corolla 1.6 AT, Hyundai Tucson 2.0 AT 4x4).
Chakvi
Chakvi is Green resort on the Black Sea coast. It is the homeland of the best varieties of Georgian tea, also Chakvi has rich plantations of Japanese mandarin and bamboo.
Distance from Tbilisi: 360 km.
Time in a way: 5 hours.
Road Surface: asphalt, rock.
Road type: highway, serpentine, pass.
Places to go: Botanical Garden, coast.
Vehicle: sedan, SUV 4x4 or SUV 4x4 / Off-road vehicle (Mazda-3 2.0 AT, Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.7 AT 4x4, Mitsubishi IO 2.0 AT 4X4).
Ureki
Ureki is a seaside resort in southwest Georgia. The sand on the beaches of the area has unique medicinal properties, which alleviates the symptoms of heart disease and circulatory system pathologies.
Distance from Tbilisi: 324 km.
Time in a way: 4 hours.
Road Surface: asphalt, rock.
Road type: highway, serpentine, pass.
Places to go: eucalyptus groves, entertainment park "Tsitsinatela".
Vehicle: sedan, midget car or SUV 4x4 (Hyundai Getz 1.4 AT, Nissan Tiida 1.5 AT, Mitsubishi Outlander 2,4 AT 4X4).
Kobuleti
Kobuleti is one of the resort cities of Georgia, and also it is a very popular tourist destination.
Distance from Tbilisi: 331 km.
Time in a way: 4 hours.
Road Surface: asphalt.
Road type: highway, serpentine, pass.
Places to go: the national park "Mtirala", Peter Fortress, National Park "Kintrishi", national park "Spain", the mineral springs.
Vehicle: sedan, midget car or SUV 4x4 ( Mazda-3 2.0 AT, Nissan Note 1.5 AT, Honda CRV 2.4 AT 4X4).
Kutaisi
Kutaisi is one of the oldest cities in the world, standing on the bank of the river Rioni. There is Georgian Parliamentary Centre, a concentration of unique natural and architectural monuments there, many of them are included in UNESCO's World Heritage List.
Distance from Tbilisi: 230 km.
Time in a way: 3 hours.
Road Surface: asphalt.
Road type: highway, serpentine, pass.
Places to go: the area Mtsvanekvavila, Sataplia karst caves, Bagrat temple, architectural complex Gelati, Monastery Motsameta.
Vehicle: sedan, midget car or SUV 4x4 (Nissan Note 1.5 AT, Nissan Mikra 1,2 AT, Honda CRV 2.4 AT 4X4).
Ambrolauri
Ambrolauri is a unique combination of rich flora and fauna, incredible climate, breathtaking scenery and purest waters. It's European-style, modern and developed city, it has an extensive tourist infrastructure and everything you need for an interesting and comfortable rest.
Distance from Tbilisi: 222 km.
Time in a way: 4 hours.
Road Surface: asphalt, rock.
Road type: highway, serpentine, pass.
Places to go: Reservoir Ladzhani and Shaori, village Hvanchkara, Cathedral in Nikortsminda, Barakonsky Shrine of Our Lady, Minda fortress.
Vehicle: sedan, midget car or SUV 4x4 / Off-road vehicle (Mazda-3 2.0 AT ,Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.7 AT 4x4, Mitsubishi Montero 3.5 AT 4X4).
Anaklia
Anaklia is a small resort town located on the Black Sea at the height of 30 m. The climate is mild, sand is magnetic, boundless expanse of water will make your vacation memorable in Georgia!
Distance from Tbilisi: 343 km.
Time in a way: 4 hours.
Road Surface: asphalt.
Road type: highway, serpentine, pass.
Places to go: the amphitheater, a bridge across the Inguri (the longest pedestrian bridge in Europe).
Vehicle: sedan, midget car or SUV 4x4 (Mitsubishi Colt 1.3 AT, Toyota Corolla 1.6 AT, Hyundai Tucson 2.0 AT 4x4).
Zugdidi
It is the capital of the province of Samegrelo. Zugdidi is the ancient city with many interesting places and fascinating landscapes that are definitely have to visit.
Distance from Tbilisi: 325 km.
Time in a way: 4 hours.
Road Surface: asphalt.
Road type: highway, serpentine, pass.
Places to go: the Palace-Museum of the princes Dadiani Samegrelo, Ruhskaya fortress, the Botanical Garden.
Vehicle: sedan, midget car or SUV 4x4 (Nissan Note 1.5 AT, Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0 AT, Mazda-3 2.0 AT).
Mestia
Mestia is a village in Upper Svaneti, located at an altitude of 1500 m above sea level. For a long time it was the cultural and religious center of the mountainous Svaneti. Many architectural and religious monuments in the region are listed UNESCO World Heritage Site. Moreover the village is a ski resort, and also it is a center of mountaineering and alpine tourism.
Distance from Tbilisi: 463 km.
Time in a way: 7 hours.
Road Surface: asphalt, rock.
Road type: highway, serpentine, pass.
Places to go: the historical and ethnographic museum of Svaneti, Michael Hergiani Museum, Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral in Lagami.
Vehicle: sedan, midget car or SUV 4x4 or SUV 4x4 / Off-road vehicle (Nissan X-Trail 2.0 AT 4x4, Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0 AT, Toyota 4Runner 4.0 AT).
Ushguli
It is the most highland permanently inhabited village in Europe, which located at an altitude of 2200 m at the springhead of the Inguri River. Ushguli has perfectly preserved medieval architecture (IX-X century.) Dizzying mountain landscapes attract many tourists from all over the world. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Distance from Tbilisi: 395 km.
Time in a way: 8.5 hours.
Road Surface: asphalt, rock, dirt road (it's sometimes in very bad condition).
Vehicle: SUV 4x4 or SUV 4x4 / Off-road vehicle (Nissan Pathfinder 3.5 AT, Ford Explorer 4.0 AT, Mitsubishi Montero 3.5 AT, Toyota 4Runner 4.0 AT).
Sighnaghi
Sighnaghi is the old town, situated on one of the peaks of the Alazani Valley. Each street is literally saturated with the spirit of history, legends and traditions. The city has become a real tourist center of Kakheti, which definitely have to visit!
Distance from Tbilisi: 110 km.
Time in a way: 2 hours.
Road Surface: asphalt.
Places to go: the museum of Niko Pirosmani, Wedding Palace (it works around the clock), Bodbe monastery.
Vehicle: sedan, SUV 4x4 or SUV 4x4 / Off-road vehicle (Nissan Tiida 1,5 AT, Subaru Forester 2.0 AT 4X4, Ford Explorer 4,0 AT 4X4).
Telavi
Ancient sunny Telavi is a paradise for tourists, located between the valleys of the rivers Iori and Alazani, Telavi conquers your heart at first sight with breathtaking views and unique architecture.
Distance from Tbilisi: 95 km.
Time in a way: 2 hours.
Road Surface: asphalt, rock.
Road type: highway, serpentine, pass.
Places to go: Batonistsikhe castle, cathedral Alaverdi, Tsinandali village, the monastery complex of St. Zeno, monastery Nekresi.
Vehicle: sedan, SUV 4x4 or SUV 4x4 / Off-road vehicle (Nissan X-Trail 2.0 AT 4x4, Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0 AT, Toyota 4Runner 4.0 AT 4X4).
David Gareji
David Gareja monastery complex is located on the border with Azerbaijan and Armenia. Part of the ensemble is in the caves, and the rest is outside the building. Due to the proximity to Tbilisi and unique coloring of ancient relics it is one of the most popular tourist destinations. Most of the territory of the monastery, including Laura David, Transfiguration Church, caves Dodo-Pka, opens to the public. You can also buy unique icons and special varieties of dry red wine there.
Distance from Tbilisi: 90 km.
Time in a way: 2 hours.
Road Surface: asphalt, rock, easy off-road.
Road type: highway, track, country road.
Vehicle: sedan, SUV 4x4 or SUV 4x4 / Off-road vehicle (Nissan X-Trail 2.0 AT 4x4, Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0 AT, Toyota 4Runner 4.0 AT).
Ananuri
In mountain forest array Sheupovari there is the village of Ananuri, which is perfectly preserved fortress with the same name, a genuine architectural masterpiece of late feudal Georgia. It fits well into the majestic mountain landscape, Ananuri Castle leaves an indelible impression in the memory of every visitor.
Distance from Tbilisi: 67 km.
Time in a way: 1.5 hours.
Road Surface: asphalt, rock.
Road type: highway, serpentine.
Vehicle: sedan, SUV 4x4 or SUV 4x4 / Off-road vehicle (Nissan X-Trail 2.0 AT 4x4, Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0 AT, Toyota 4Runner 4.0 AT).
Gudauri
Gudauri is one of the most modern and developed ski resorts in the Caucasus Mountains. It is located at an altitude of 2196 m. Coming here, you can fully enjoy the winter sports, including freeride, slalom and giant slalom, and downhill skiing.
Distance from Tbilisi: 120 km.
Time in a way: 2 hours.
Road Surface: serpentine, asphalt.
Road type: highway, serpentine, pass.
Places to go: Shan Mountain, Cross Pass Gudauri.
Vehicle: SUV 4x4 or SUV 4x4 / Off-road vehicle (Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.7 AT 4x4, Mitsubishi Montero 3.5 AT, Toyota Sequoia 4.7 AT).
Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)
One of the highest peaks of the Caucasus is Mount Kazbek, it is an extinct volcano, covered with eternal snow and the valley of ice. Unique mountain scenery, fresh air, ancient monasteries - all these await you in Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)!
Distance from Tbilisi: 155 km.
Time in a way: 2.5 hours.
Road Surface: asphalt, dirt road, road-metal.
Road type: highway, serpentine, pass.
Places to go: the Church of Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi in Gergeti, narzan springs, Ananuri castle.
Vehicle: SUV 4x4 or SUV 4x4 / Off-road vehicle (Ford Explorer 4.0 AT, Nissan Pathfinder 3.5 AT, Suzuki Grand Vitara 2,7 AT 4X4).
