Sakartvelo is a country with stunning nature and ancient monuments. What to see in Georgia on your own? We tell you about popular and non-trivial sights that can be visited in 3, 5 and 7 days.
Look for interesting excursions on the Sputnik and Tripster websites. Individual and group, no crowds of tourists and in Russian.
Georgia sightseeing map
Tsminda Sameba Cathedral
Tbilisi Cathedral is visible from any part of the city. The largest church in Georgia was built in 2004. The height of the cathedral with the cross is over 100 m, and the area is 5000 sq. m. Inside, the Holy Trinity Church resembles an art museum. Its walls and vaults are decorated with frescoes, and the floors are decorated with stone mosaics.
The cathedral is located near the Avlabari metro station. The entrance is free.
Vardzia
What is a must-see in Georgia? Visit the monastery and cave city in a sheer tuff wall dating back to the Middle Ages. Vardzia consists of dozens of natural and artificial caves, temples, chapels, storerooms and cells. The premises on eight floors go 50 m into the rock mass. From the XII-XIII centuries, the remains of a water supply system and secret passages have been preserved.
The cave complex is located in the south of Georgia, 100 km from Borjomi. There are 4 minibuses a day from Akhaltsikhe to Vardzia. The fare is 5 GEL. The price of a ticket to enter the monastery is 7 GEL.
Batumi Botanical Garden
If you like walking in beautiful parks, check out Georgia's large botanical garden. It is located in Batumi, and its history began in the 80s of the 19th century. On an area of 113 hectares, a collection of plants from all continents has been collected. Several types of bamboo, palms, citrus fruits, ornamental shrubs, exotic trees and flowers grow here.
The picturesque Botanical Garden is located 9 km from the city center, right on the Black Sea coast. It is easy to get from Batumi by minibus. The entrance costs 15 GEL.
Learn more about Batumi Botanical Garden.
Vashlovani
If you have not decided what to see in Georgia, go to the national park in Kakheti. The Vashlovani area resembles the American prairies or the African savannah. Come admire the fantastic terrain, pristine forests, exotic landscapes, deep gorges and mud volcanoes.
The information center of the park is located in the town of Dedoplistskaro. The fee for visiting border areas - 5 GEL, renting a tent - 10 GEL, and overnight in a camping - 15 GEL.
Svan towers
Watchtowers in Mestia are one of the most popular sights of Georgia, visited by tourists from different countries. The original tetrahedral buildings appeared in the Middle Ages and served as a refuge during enemy raids. Today the ancestral fortresses of the Svans are under the protection of UNESCO. Some of them are open to tourists for a small fee.
Minibuses go to Upper Svaneti from Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Batumi. Go to Mestia Information Center. You will be given free tourist maps and told about all the Svan towers in the area.
Georgian military road
What to see in Georgia while traveling by car? We advise you to drive along one of the most beautiful routes in the Caucasus - the Georgian Military Highway. It is laid in mountainous terrain. You will see stunning landscapes, gorges, Cross Pass, ancient temples, Zhinvali reservoir, Anauri fortress, People's Friendship Arch, Queen Tamara's castle in Daryali and ancient Mtskheta.
The Georgian Military Highway connects the Russian city of Vladikavkaz and the capital of Georgia - Tbilisi. It is convenient to drive the track in any direction. 1-2 days are enough for visiting the main sights and monuments.
Trinity Church in Gergeti
The list of attractions that you can see in Georgia on your own includes one of the most ancient and revered churches in this country. Trinity Church is a sacred place for Georgians and a real dream of photographers. The cross-domed church was built in the XIV century at an altitude of more than 2100 m above sea level.
The temple is located on the Georgian Military Highway, 12 km from the border with Russia. Nearby is the village of Stepanotsminda - former Kazbegi. The entrance to the church is free.
David Gareji monastery
What to see in Georgia for lovers of ancient architecture? In the southeast of the country, near the border with Azerbaijan, there is an ancient complex of Christian monasteries, which was founded in the 6th century. The Dodo-Rka caves, stone cells and a functioning monastery - the Lavra of David - are surrounded by beautiful mountains and flowering alpine meadows.
The cave complex is located 90 km from Tbilisi. They don't take money for visiting David Gareja.
Alazani Valley
Those who travel around Georgia by car should see the picturesque Alazani Valley. The legendary landmark of Kakheti has become famous all over the world thanks to the original culture of winemaking. Wine is the main drink in Georgia, so everyone knows the place where grapes are grown.
Visit the city of Telavi and the village of Tsinandali, admire the Gremi Castle and the Ikalto Monastery. If you want to feel the unique taste of Georgia, be sure to look into the wine cellars and taste the famous Georgian wines.
A wide valley stretches for 200 km along the Alazani and Agrichay rivers. It takes 2-3 days to see its main attractions.
Borjomi resort
Borjomi is popular with tourists in winter and summer. The small town lies at an altitude of 800-850 m, surrounded by forested mountains. What to see at the famous resort of Georgia? Drink healing mineral water and visit the large national park, which occupies 7% of the country's territory.
The Borjomi-Kharagauli reserve has observation platforms, tent sites and hiking trails. It is interesting to go to the neighboring resort of Bakuriani, which in the winter months becomes a mecca for lovers of skiing and snowboarding.
Borjomi is located in the southwest of Georgia. From Tbilisi, trains and buses run here.
Dadiani Palace
One of the famous architectural monuments of Georgia is the residence, which was built in the 70s of the XIX century for Princess Yekaterina Dadiani. The Mengrelian rulers had more than 50 palaces, but the stone mansion in the center of Zugdidi is considered the most beautiful.
A magnificent botanical garden is spread around the palace. Inside there is a museum, where more than 40 thousand exhibits are collected - rare icons, personal belongings and the death mask of Napoleon, a collection of weapons and monuments from the fallen Constantinople.
The palace is open to tourists from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 18:00. The ticket and half-hour guided tour cost 5 GEL.
Megaliths Gogichaant Gele
What to see in Georgia for those who are not indifferent to historical mysteries? One of the unusual sights of the mountainous country is the cyclopean structures on the right bank of the Mtkvari River.
In 2007, large-scale excavations were carried out here. Archaeologists have discovered five terraces on which buildings of huge boulders have been preserved. According to experts, they appeared before the 7th century AD. The giant boulders are stacked on top of each other without mortar and make a very strong impression.
Megaliths are located 2 km north of the village of Chobiskhevi, in the Borjomi Gorge. You can get to them for free.
Gudauri
What to see in Georgia in February or March? At the end of winter, it is especially good at the largest ski resort in the country - Gudauri. The mountain village lies at an altitude of about 2150 m, on the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Range. The modern center of winter entertainment is loved for its comfortable slopes, good snow and developed infrastructure. Skiing and snowboarding in Gudauri is cheaper than in Europe.
The resort is located on the Georgian Military Highway, 46 km from the border with Russia. Buses and route taxis go from Tbilisi to Gudauri.The fare is 7 GEL.
Abudelaur lakes
Do you want to see the most beautiful reservoirs of Georgia? Come to the Abdelauri River Valley. White, Blue and Green lakes are located at an altitude of 2600 to 2800 m above sea level. Streams flow into them from the surrounding mountains and glaciers. It is especially beautiful here when rhododendrons bloom on the banks of the reservoirs.
The lakes lie at the foot of the Chaukhi mountain. Take a minibus to the Khevsur village of Roshka and walk to the natural attractions on foot - 6 km.
If you have only 3 days to Georgia and you do not know what to see on your own and how to plan your trip, do not get distracted. It is better to see the city you will fly to and its surroundings, and leave the rest for next time.
If you arrived in Tbilisi, then spend the first day exploring the capital of Georgia. Be sure to see the iconic landmarks: climb to the Narikala Fortress, stroll through the modern Rike Park and the narrow streets of the Old City. On the second day, go to the ancient capital of the country - Mkhtsekha and the Betania monastery. Leave the third day for a long journey. Go to the city of Gori or to the Black Sea coast - to Batumi.
If you arrived in Kutaisi. In 3 days you can see a lot in Georgia: admire the Bagrat Cathedral and the Colchis fountain in Kutaisi, take a walk in the botanical garden and go to the wooden White Bridge over the Rioni River. Not far from the city there are the picturesque Martvili canyon, the Prometheus cave and the ancient monasteries of Gelati and Motsameta.
If you arrived in Batumi, get acquainted with the sights of coastal Adjara. Take a trip to the small resort of Ureki, which is famous for its healing magnetic sands. Visit the ancient fortresses of Gonio and Petra, near the large Makhuntseti waterfall and Tamara stone bridge. Find out what to see in the vicinity of Batumi.
