Places to Visit in Georgia

Akhaltsikhe is a small Riverside town located in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region of Georgia. It is located on either banks of the river Potskhovi, which separates the city in two halves.

Literally meaning 'New Castle', the name Akhaltsikhe derives from the ancient 12th century castle that dominates the skyline by the northern shores of the river. The beauty of the quaint city derives from the various medieval edifices that scatter the place, making it appear twice as grandiose.

When in Akhaltsikhe, do not miss out on the opportunity to visit the eponymous Akhaltsikhe Castle, known for its 12th century designs. The little Church on the hillside, called St. Marine Church, is also worth a visit when in Akhaltsikhe.

If you're willing to explore the history of the city, then a tour of the Samtskhe- Javakheti museum is an absolute must have in Akhaltsikhe. Trekking enthusiasts can also make their way to the Sapara Monastery on the hills, which is known for its stunning medieval designs and frescoes.

The climate in Akhaltsikhe generally remains cool and dry throughout the year. The summer months, between May and September, are warmer and more suited for sightseeing adventures.

Regarded as the country’s spiritual hub, Mtskheta is the ancient capital of Kartli, the Georgian Kingdom flourishing between 3rd and 5th century BCE. Also recognized as the birthplace of Christianity in Georgia, Mtskheta was bestowed the title of the ‘Holy City’ by the Orthodox Church of Georgia.

If you’re looking to experience the beauty of Georgia’s medieval structures, then Mtskheta is just the perfect destination for you. Ancient stone monasteries and cathedrals define the dominant charm of the city, while the lush backdrop of rolling green hills add to the quiet beauty of the place.

Mtskheta is home to some of the most popular religious tourist attractions in Georgia. Whether it is the Samtavros Convent, with its dominating fortress-like structure, or the quaint Jvari Monastery, the gorgeous medieval edifices beg for a visit.

While touring the several religious attractions here is a definite must, travelers coming to Mtskheta can also try their hand at a wine tour here. The Chamber of Wine in Mtskheta offers comprehensive winemaking tours, taking tourists through the whole process. Those interested in hiking could also make their way to the Bebris-tsikhe, the early medieval fortress atop a hill.

Mtskheta remains warm and dry throughout the year. The summers are warm and mostly clear; the winters are long, very cold, and partly cloudy.

Located on the confluence point of the rivers Mtkvari and the Liakhov, Gori is the regional capital of the Shida Kartli region in Georgia. The name of the city literally translates to a ‘heap’ or a ‘hill’, owing to the hillside location of the place.

One of the oldest cities in Georgia, Gori prides in the typical medieval beauty that is characteristic to the country. Set against the backdrop of ever-bright skies and swift-flowing rivers, the stone-built edifices and buildings in Gori appear twice as resplendent.

The main attraction in the city is the Stalin Museum, dedicated to the great Soviet Leader. The Museum offers comprehensive tours in several languages, making it accessible to all tourists. Another prominent tourist spot here is the ancient medieval Gori Fortress, home to the fantastic Heroes War Memorial that is an attraction in itself.

One of the best ways to explore the city of Gori is to take a walking tour around the place. The tours take place in several languages, and allows one to fully explore the rustic beauty of Gori at close hand. A tour of the Old Town is also a must-have here. If you’re lucky enough, you could also take a trip to the city’s hidden synagogue, stowed away in an ordinary looking house in Gori.

Gori enjoys a warm and pleasant climate throughout the year. While the summers, between May and September, are warm and mostly clear, the winters are very cold, dry, and partly cloudy.

Located on the Black Sea Coast, Poti is a prominent port city in Georgia. Located close to the ancient Greek colony of Phasis and deriving its name from the same, the city has emerged into a thriving trade and cultural hotspot in the 20th century.

Nestled by the banks of Rioni, Poti prides in its urban beauty, coupled with open skylines and uninterrupted views of the sea. The city is surrounded by the Kolkheti National Park on all sides, adding to the beauty of the place.

While in Poti, do not miss out on the chance to visit the Poti Cathedral. Modelled after the Trabzon cathedrals, the Poti Cathedral is known for its elegant design and charms. Those looking to spend a quiet day outdoors can also head over to the Central Park in Poti, replete with flowering gardens and glossy walkways.

One of the best ways to explore the natural wealth of Poti is to head over to Lake Paliastomi. Nestled within the Kolkheti National Park, the lake is popular for fishing and boating activities. The dark sand beach in Grigoleti is another popular tourist spot here, offering fantastic views of the sunset from its shores.

The climate in Poti is characterized by fairly high temperatures and evenly distributed rainfall throughout the year. Barring a few months between December and February, when the temperature is on the lower side, the weather here remains hot and humid.

Nestled between the majestic Caucasus and Gombori mountain ranges, Telavi is the largest city in the Karkethi region of Georgia. The inception of the town dates back as early as the Bronze Age, making it one of the oldest cities in the country.

Strewn across vineyard covered valleys, the hill station of Telavi prides in its unique natural beauty. Telavi also happens to be the only town in Georgia where all fortification monuments remain intact, leading historians to dub the place as the ‘most medieval city in Georgia’.

The biggest attraction in Telavi is undoubtedly the fortresses here- the Dzveli Galavani, the Fortress Batonis Tsikhe, the Kuchibashi Shvilebis Tsikhe  and the akhvakhishvilebis Tsikhe. Another extremely popular tourist spot here is the 900 year old plane tree, rising to a height of 40 meters above ground level.  The city is also home to the Alaverdi Cathedral, the second largest cathedral in the country.

If you’re keen on exploring the local wine in Telavi, you could head on over to the Schuchmann Wines Chateau, a resident winery offering wine making tours. While in Telavi, you could also head over to the Iketo Academy in the outskirts of Georgia. Founded by the 13 Assyrian fathers of Georgia, this ancient monastery complex is the biggest cultural spot in the country.

Telavi experiences the temperate climate typical of Georgia. The summers are warm and mostly clear; the winters are long, very cold, and partly cloudy. Precipitation remains sparse throughout the year.

One of the oldest cities in the whole world, Kutaisi is among the grandest places in Georgia. Ensconced within the Rioni region, this ancient city prides in its heritage edifices. Although replete with some of the best tourist attractions in Georgia, the city is fairly unexplored till date, making it an ideal spot for a quiet vacation.

Home to centuries-old monuments and buildings, the rustic charm of Kutaisi is quite unmissable. A smattering of religious structures lines the hillsides in all directions, adding a medieval charm to the place.

If you’re keen on exploring the history of Kutaisi, the Bagrati Cathedral warrants a visit. The Gelati Cathedral is another prominent Orthodox church in the outskirts of the city, well known for its elaborate frescoes. Towards the northwest, the dominating Prometheus caves boasts of gushing waterfalls and ethereal stalagmite formations.

When in Kutaisi, do not miss out on the chance to take a tour of the Kutaisi State Historical Museum, with its exhibits of preserved Georgian artefacts and ceramics. A hike to the caves in the Sataplia Nature Reserve is never a bad idea as well. Those looking for a leisurely day out can also spend a morning picnicking at the Kutaisi Botanical Gardens, with its flowering meadows and gardens.

The city of Kutaisi experiences warm weather throughout the year. The summer months, between May and September are generally quite humid and hot, while the winters are cool, pleasant and wet.

Zugdidi is a city in the western Georgian city of Samegrelo. Its name literally translates to ‘The Big Hill’, the little town is known for its quiet beauty, and is often sought after by tourists who are looking for a leisurely vacation in the countryside.

Generally regarded as a stopover point between other cities, the attractions in Zugdidi are less but striking. One of the best places to visit in the city is the Dadiani Palace. Built in the 19th century, the Palace was home to the erstwhile royalty of Samegrelo. The Palace is also home to a monastery, whose peaceful ambience makes it popular among tourists.

One of the best ways to spend time in Zugdidi is to take a stroll or have a picnic at the Zugdidi Botanical Gardens. With its flowering gardens and walkways, the quiet charm of the Gardens is quite unmissable. If you are a connoisseur of food, then you’d also have quite the time exploring the local Mergelian cuisine at the various eateries around the city. If you’re there for the weekend, you could also head over to the Weekend Handicraft market to look at some of the locally made goods sold here.

The climate in Zugdidi is warm and temperate, with significant rainfall throughout the year. The summers in the city are humid and hot, while the winters are generally very cold and cloudy.

Formerly known as Macharadze, Ozurgeti is the capital city of the Western Georgian province of Guria. Established in the 16th century, Ozurgeti was initially founded as the resident city of the Price of Guria, and later developed into a trading hub.

Known for its dramatic cityscape, Ozurgeti is riddled with ancient buildings, grandiose theatre halls and medieval structures dating back to the early 16th century. Although not as prominent for its tourism as other Georgian destinations, the city is an ideal visit for those seeking the quiet urbane charm.

The main sightseeing in the town is the ruins of the ancient Baths at the heart of the city. The Baths were initially built for the use of the Gurian royalty, and have weathered over time. Another prominent attraction here is the Palace of Dimitri Gurieli, which is the oldest building in the city.

Those desiring to explore the culture and history of the town can go for a museum tour in Ozurgeti, with the Historical Museum of Ozurgeti and the Ekvtime Takaishvili Archaeological Museum being the two such prominent destinations. The Parks and Gardens in the city are also ideal for a leisurely visit or a romantic walk outdoors.

Ozurgeti experiences a typical temperate type climate. The summers in the city generally remain warm, humid and clear, while the winters here are quite cold and wet.

Nestled on the southwester edge of Georgia, Batumi is the second largest city in the country. Located on the coast of the Black Sea, the port city is a prominent trading hub here. The city is also one of Georgia’s oldest ones, and was founded around the 4th century BC.

Presenting an eclectic mix of architecture, ranging from 19th century monuments to ultra-modern skyscrapers, Batumi’s charm is unique to itself. Surrounded by rolling mountains on all sides, the beautiful ancient city is much loved by nature lovers as well as those interested in touring a city.

A trip to Batumi inevitably warrants a visit to the Batumi Boulevard, one of the most beloved places in Georgia. A seaside promenade, the Boulevard features a variety of fun, recreational hubs, ranging from zoos to sports communities. Those looking to escape into nature could also make it a point to visit the Botanical Gardens here, full to the brim with its lush forests.

While in Batumi, do not miss out on the chance to take a walking tour of the Old Town here, with its rustic old buildings and boho charm. Those looking for a fun time out could also pay a visit to the Batumi Dolphinarium, which hosts interactive dolphin shows every day. A trip to the Batumi Boulevard, which frequently hosts festivals, is never a bad idea as well.

The weather in Batumi is largely influenced by the sea, which means it remains warm throughout the year. The summers in the city generally remain warm and muggy, while the winters are cool and cloudy. A good amount of rainfall occurs interspersed throughout the year.

The capital city of Georgia, Tbilisi is the vibrant, beating heart of the country. Sprawling along the banks of the Kura river, the ancient city was founded in the 5th century by the erstwhile Georgian king Vakhtang 1, and has now grown into a thriving cultural hotspot.

With its dramatic valley setting, Tbilisi is one of the most visually stunning places in Georgia. Narrow cobblestone alleyways snake their way across the charming old town, passing centuries-old buildings as they go. The crafty, bohemian architecture of the contemporary building, coupled with the ornate charm of Tbilisi’s churches, boast of a beauty quite unfound anywhere else.

One of the best ways to explore the city’s heritage and culture is to explore the many medieval churches in Tbilisi. Whether it is the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, or the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, each cathedral here is more beautiful than the other. The city prides in its other architectural gems as well, such as the neoclassical Bridge of Peace or the quirky Clock Tower building at the heart of the city.

When in Tbilisi, do not miss out on the chance to take a walking tour of the Old Town, with its colorful bohemian buildings and quirky cafes. You could also head on over to the flea market at the Dry Bridge to stake your claim on some wonderful locally made items. As an added luxury experience, you could also opt to take a Sulphur bath at the Royal Bath house in Tbilisi, known for its therapeutic bath experiences.

Tbilisi enjoys dry weather throughout the year. The summer months, between May and September, generally remain warm and clear, while the longer winter months are very cold and cloudy.

Situated in the southeastern parts of Georgia, Rustavi is a fairly new city. The city was developed after the first world war to house the new iron and steel plant in Georgia.

The most striking thing about Rustavi is its pure Soviet charm.  Largely untouched by tourism, Rustavi has still maintained most of its original beauty. Most travellers prefer exploring the city on foot, thus experiencing the typical Georgian way of life close at hand. 

The steel mill is by far Rustavi’s biggest pride, and exploring it is an absolutely must do while here. The ethnographic museum is another prominent tourist spot here. Those looking to spend a casual day out could also head on over to the Park of Culture and Rest, a gardened park on the banks of the Mtkvari river.

While walking tours are most popular in Rustavi, there are several other activities that can be done here as well. For example, the comprehensive tours offered by the Steel Mill is a popular activity here. If you’re visiting Rustavi in the month of October, you could also stay back to experience the annual Rustawkalakoba festival held here.

Rustavi has a subtropical climate. The month of January is the coldest with temperatures being around 5 degrees while the month of july is the warmest month when the temperature rises to 31 degrees.