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Winter is the perfect time to begin planning your 2023 summer getaway and the Republic of Georgia in the Caucasus is a great place to have your next vacation. Unlike the American Georgia, this Georgia has delicious wine, amazing cuisine, and can be seen on a shoestring budget.
Whether you like history, nature, or relaxing on black sand beaches, Georgia has it all. There’s a reason it’s always one of the top-rated countries for digital nomads or for people looking for their next vacation. If you’re not currently planning a trip to Georgia, keep reading and see if you haven’t changed your mind by the end of this list.
If you don’t speak Georgian, don’t worry about it. Many Georgians speak English or Russian as their 2nd language, and most restaurants or touristy spots have information in English.
1. Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi
Almost everyone will begin their vacation in Tbilisi, the heart of Georgia. Tbilisi is the capital and is currently bustling with Georgians and foreigners alike. You’ll probably want to spend 2-3 days in Tbilisi to acclimate to the country. While you’re doing that, there are a few places you need to hit up, and the Holy Trinity Cathedral is one of them.
This massive church dominates the skyline when you’re in Old Town Tbilisi looking across the river. It’s a recent construction and is one of the largest religious buildings in the world. You can either walk up to it or take a taxi. Feel free to go inside and look at the grand architecture and design, but there are a few dress requirements you’ll have to follow; men should wear pants, and women should cover their heads. The church will provide coverings if you don’t have any.
2. Narikala Fortress (Tbilisi)
Narikala Fortress is on the opposite side of the city, across from the Holy Trinity Cathedral. It’s an ancient fortress built in the 4th century AD, and some parts of it still stand today. The easiest way to get to the fortress is to take a cable car from Rike Park, another great place to walk around. The cable car will give you great views of the city and take you directly to the fortress itself.
From Narikala Fortress, you can also make your way to Kartvlis Deda, or the Mother of Georgia statue. Kartvlis Deda was made in the 50s to celebrate the 1500th anniversary of the city of Tbilisi. You can also zipline into the botanical gardens and enjoy waterfalls and all sorts of plant life from this part of the city too.
3. Relax in a Sulfur Bath
In the Abanotubani district of Tbilisi near the river, lies perhaps a dozen bathhouses offering sulfur baths. These sulfur baths are said to have health benefits and have been used to try and treat a variety of ailments, from achy joints to heart disease. Before you enter one, decide if you want the local experience or a private sulfur bath.
The local experience involves gender-separated baths where you’ll have to get naked in front of everyone and share a large, hot pool. These are cheap, a few dollars at most. The private experience will cost anywhere from $10-30 and will be much similar to a spa you might be used to at home. You can also expect to get a kisi scrub to remove all your dead skin, a massage, and a soak in a nice warm sulfur bath between cold showers.
4. Try Georgian Cuisine
Like all countries, there are a few foods you absolutely have to try before leaving. In Georgia, the two foods I’d recommend are khinkali and khachapuri.
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Khinkali are twisted knobs of dough with a pouch filled with spiced meat or cheese. Traditional khinkali uses minced lamb, but nowadays, you can even find khinkali with minced mushrooms. Make sure you hold it by the knob and drink all the broth inside before eating it otherwise, you’ll end up with juice all over yourself!
Khachapuri is one of the best things in Georgia. There are a few different varieties, but the most famous is adjarski khachapuri. Imagine a bread bowl filled with cheese topped with a runny egg and butter. The best way to eat it is to rip the exterior of the bread off and dip it in the egg and cheese. There’s also Mingrelian and Imeruli khachapuri. Make sure you try every kind of khachapuri before you leave; they’re all good!
5. Ananuri Castle
Once you’ve finished up in Tbilisi, you’ll want to rent a car or a driver to take you around to the other gorgeous parts of the country. One place everyone recommends is Kazbegi. If you head to Kazbegi from Tbilisi, you will pass by Ananuri castle.
Ananuri castle was originally a lone tower built in the 14th century. It wasn’t until the 17th century that it would be fully built into a castle with two churches inside. It’s free to visit and you can walk around and take as many photos of the stunning architecture and gorgeous views overlooking the reservoir. In the summer, you can take a dip in the water and have a quick lunch on your way to Kazbegi.
6. Gergeti Trinity Church
Most people that go to Kazbegi either go in the winter for skiing or go in the summer for the breathtaking views from the mountaintops and the wonderful hiking trails throughout the area. Easily the best spot in Kazbegi if you’re a fan of mountaintops, hiking trails, and views is Gergeti Trinity Church.
Built during the 14th century, this church sits atop a mountain and easily has some of the best views in all of Georgia. You’ll be at over 7,000 feet, giving you a nearly 360-degree view of the Kazbegi mountain range and Stepantsminda below. Stepantsminda is a popular village for tourists in the summer months. You can easily find an Airbnb or hotel to stay at for the night there while you explore the surroundings of Kazbegi.
7. Take a Trip to the Kakheti Wine Region
Everyone thinks France and Italy are the masters of making wine, but Georgia is definitely neck-and-neck for that title. After all, Georgia is the birthplace of wine, so shouldn’t they know how to do it best after 8,000 years?
Just like winery tours in America, you can take a whole winery tour in Georgia by visiting different wineries in the Kakheti region just outside Tbilisi. Drinking and driving is illegal in Georgia, so have someone DD or pay a local to take you from winery to winery, drinking your fill and eating more cheese and snacks than you ever thought you could. There are guided tours you can go on, but sometimes half the fun of traveling is just seeing what happens and carving your own path.
8. Visit Borjomi
Borjomi is a small town nestled in a valley in the middle of Georgia that is famous for a few things. In this part of the world, there’s a famous mineral water available in stores named after this town that you must try. Borjomi mineral water comes directly from the volcanic springs in the area and is quite unlike any other mineral water you’ve tasted. Trust me, even if you don’t go to Borjomi, just pick up a bottle at the grocery store while you’re in Georgia.
Borjomi is also home to a quaint, walkable city center and a Romanov palace. There is also a hike you can make to the top of a mountain, where you’ll find Petre Fortress. From here, you’ll get a beautiful view of Borjomi and the valley. You can also explore the ancient fortress, just don’t slip! Borjomi is also a great place to go whitewater rafting if that’s something you’re into.
9. Prometheus Cave Natural Monument
In the northwest of Georgia, you can go spelunking in an 11km deep cave known as Prometheus Cave. The name comes from greek mythology, as the mountains where this cave was found are supposedly where the tragic greek character Prometheus was chained as punishment for giving humans fire.
You’ll be able to explore about a kilometer of the cave on a guided tour, and you can even take a boat ride on the underground river deep in the back of the cave. Bring your camera, but don’t touch the walls of the cave. These formations take thousands, if not millions, of years, and even the oils from your finger can destroy cave life.
10. Martivili and Okatse Canyon
Just an hour from Prometheus Cave is a great spot for hikers and kayakers or canoers alike. Martvili Canyon is a great spot to spend the day exploring the natural beauty that Georgia has to offer. You can dive, swim, kayak, hike, and more in this hidden gem.
Okatse Canyon is also extremely close. This canyon doesn’t offer kayaking but has a great hike to a walkway suspended above the canyon floor. This hike isn’t recommended for those afraid of heights, as the only thing separating you from a fatal plummet is a metal bridge connected to the canyon walls. If you can brave it, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of wildlife, the canyon itself, and even a waterfall.