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In the heart of western Europe lies a country popular for its wine, ski resorts and mouthwatering delicacies. The country we’re talking about is the landlocked country of Georgia, popular with travellers from Europe and Middle East Africa as the perfect weekend getaway. The country is the ideal location for travellers with different likes and a unique taste in adventure. Below we have compiled a list of the best places to visit Georgia on a long weekend.
20+ Best Places To Visit In Georgia
Abudelauri Lakes
One of the many geological features to bless the country of Georgia are the numerous lakes of the region. Few of these lakes rank in the top 20+ best places to visit in Georgia and one of them are the Abudelauri lakes. There are three lakes that get their name from the colour of the water that each of them holds. The colours of the three lakes are green, blue and white, with the white lake being the popular one amongst tourists due to its easy accessibility. The regions around the lake are perfect for adventurous activities in tandem with breathtaking views of the rocky mountains surrounding them.
Location: Khevsureti
Best Time: May to October
Places to explore: Blue and green lakes of Abudelauri
Activities to do: Hiking, boating, fishing
Adjara
On the southwestern side of Georgia facing the Black Sea lies the region of Adjara. The location is one of the popular tourist attractions in all of Georgia with the mountains being the centre of attraction. The region is famous for many activities that entice travellers looking for a travel itinerary with views to die for. Adjara is home to two villages namely Tago and Khulo, which are the definition of countryside villages on top of hills.
Location: Southwest Georgia
Best Time: May to October
Places to explore: Gonio, Sarpi, Kobuleti, Batumi
Activities to do: Hiking, Cable car ride, sightseeing
Akhaltsikhe
The capital city of Samtskhe and Javakheti is the most popular way of getting into Vardzia. Akhaltsikhe is one of the few cities in Georgia that is often left unseen by travellers passing by the city. The city is home to some exquisite archaeological and architectural marvels that have withstood the brunt of times. One such location is the famous Rabati Fortress, which resembles a castle. The fortress is a reminiscence of the architecture that exudes both Georgian and Ottoman-style architecture.
Location: Southwestern Georgia
Best Time: May to October
Places to explore: Sapara Monastery, Ezo, Rabati Castle, Akhaltsikhe Synagogue
Activities to do: Hiking, camping, city tour
Batumi
The next location that falls on the list of best places to visit in Georgia is the city of Batumi. The city is the second-largest in the country and lies on the coast of the Black Sea, popularly known as Georgia’s Black Sea city. Batumi is home to some unique architectural wonders, that often gets the city its name as the ‘Las Vegas of Europe’. The city is also home to several local eating establishments popular for serving lip-smacking Georgian delicacies.
Location: Southwest Georgia
Best Time: May to October
Places to explore: Batumi Boulevard, Agro Cable Car, Monument Ali and Nino
Activities to do: Biking, going for a walk in the garden, sightseeing
Chiatura
One of the prominent locations in Georgia is the mining city of Chiatura. Which is popular for the numerous cable cars that adorn the city’s skyline. The cable cars were set up to help transport the manganese and iron ores that were once abundantly mined in the region. The ropeways often go by the name ‘Stalin ropeways’ as they were built on orders of Joseph Stalin. The awe-inspiring views from the top of the valley make a visit to the city worth every buck spent.
Location: Banks of the Qvirila River
Best Time: May to October
Places to explore: Chitaura Memorial, Chitaura Regional Museum,
Activities to do: Cable car ride, city tour, tasting of Georgian delicacies
Borjomi
The next location on the list of 20+ best places to visit in Georgia is the location by the name of Borjomi. Everyone in Europe is well aware of Borjomi. Which is a popular brand of mineral water available for consumption in many European cities. However, very few are aware of its place of origin. The location itself is as pure and pristine as the water that comes from the region. A visit to the Borjomi National Park allows you to witness the bottling and packaging of the brand in the heart of the region. Samples of the valuable liquid are available for free to the visitors.
Location: South Central Georgia
Best Time: May to October
Places to explore: Green Monastery, Borjomi National Park, Monument Of Prometheus
Activities to do: Trekking, skiing, hiking, city tour
Gori
The city is the birthplace and home of the infamous and notorious Joseph Stalin. The city is home to a museum specially dedicated to the belongings and photos of the leader. However, the city is home to many more archaeological and structural wonders that redefine the purpose of one’s visit to the city. The most popular tourist attraction got to be the Gori Fortress which lies in the centre of the city. The top of the fortress offers mesmerizing views of the landscape that surrounds the fortress.
Location: Eastern Georgia
Best Time: May to October
Places to explore: Gori Fortress, Gori Old Town, The Avenue
Activities to do: Historic city tour, visiting old ruins, savouring the best-iced coffee
Kakheti
The next 20+ best places to visit in Georgia brings us to the region of Kakheti. The region is home to some of the most beautiful monasteries in the country. In the olden days, the monks living in these monasteries would make their own unique blend of wines for sale. The consumption of wine was not something the monks would do, as the sale of these custom made wines would fetch a decent revenue. Over the years the winemaking process has become better and passed down generations.
Location: Eastern Georgia
Best Time: May to October
Places to explore: Bodbe Monastery of St. Nino, Gombori Pass, Signagi City Walls
Activities to do: Sightseeing, trekking, wine tasting
Katskhi Pillar
The most intriguing and adrenaline-pumping location on the list of the best places to visit in Georgia is the Katskhi pillar. The location is home to a column atop a 40-metre tall rock face. The pillar is the mark of the struggle of a monk that used to go up and down the mountain twice a day for supplies. The location is home to a winery, which eventually shut down to the public due to the dangerously steep ladder one would have to climb to access the winery.
Location: Western Georgia
Best Time: May to October
Places to explore: Kadagidze Waterfall, Prometheus Cave, Tskhrajvari Mountain
Activities to do: River cruising, fishing, hiking, biking
Kazbegi
This nest destination in the country of Georgia is a haven for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts. The popular tourist attraction of Kazbegi in Georgia is a place you’d want to move to permanently. Kazbegi is one of the popular destinations in Georgia when it comes to landscapes, sceneries, flora and cultural retreats. One of the happening and popular locations in Kazbegi is definitely the Gergeti Trinity Church, which is worth a visit.
Location: Western Georgia
Best Time: May to October
Places to explore: Stepantsminda, Dariali Gorge, Gergeti Trinity Church
Activities to do: Horseback riding, biking, trekking, hiking
You can read: 10 Reasons Why Visit Georgia Country Next?
Kutaisi
Travelling and food are two sides of the same coin and this next location deals with both. The city of Kutaisi is one location one needs to pay a visit if they wish to explore more about Georgian history and food. The city is the third-largest in the country and has its own Green Bazaar, offering inquisitive travellers a peek into the heart of local cuisine. The bazaar is also popularly famous for the local produce that the region has to offer.
Location: West Georgia
Best Time: May to October
Places to explore: Bagrati Cathedral, Colchis Fountain, Bely Bridge
Activities to do: City tour, cave hopping, modern architecture
Martvili
Destinations like these in Georgia keep piling up and guaranteeing some of the best visual wonders that the country has to offer. One such location is the popular tourist attraction of Martvili. The destination is home to some of the best scenic views that Georgia has to offer. The trip to the small town is certainly worth at least a two-night stay spent exploring the beautiful landscapes that adorn the region.
Location: Western Georgia
Best Time: May to October
Places to explore: Kaghu waterfall, Martvili Canyon, Gelati Monastery
Activities to do: River rafting, boating, hiking
Rustavi
The fourth-largest city in Georgia and the youngest city in the country is the city of Rustavi. Post the fall of the Soviet Union the city often went by the name ‘the Sleeping city’. This was due to the fact that the locals who would leave for work to Tbilisi, would only return back in the night to catch some shut-eye. Nowadays the city has become Georgia’s motor city with the city being home to the biggest manufacturers of car parts. It is also the city in Georgia that one needs to travel to in order to get one’s driving license.
Location: Southeast Georgia
Best Time: May to October
Places to explore: Birtvisi, Newarmeniatravel, Rustavi, International Motopark
Activities to do: Jeep safari, hiking, wine tour
Signagi
One of the recommended locations by several fellow travellers is the quiet and tranquil small town of Signagi. The town itself is a day’s tour and the peace that one experiences here is addictive. One of the popular things to do in Signagi is to walk along the Signagi town wall, which houses 23 towers named after the nearby cities the towers point to. Another location to visit in Signagi is the Bodbe Monastery, where you will find the remains of St Nino. St Nino was the saint who introduced the locals to the religion of Christianity.
Location: Eastern Georgia
Best Time: May to October
Places to explore: Bodbe Monastery of St. Nino, Marriage Palace, St. Stephan’s Church
Activities to do: City tour, Wine tasting, trekking
Svaneti
One of the most interesting and 20+ best places to visit in Georgia has to be the historic province of Svaneti. Tall mountainous ranges and valleys surround the region making it a haven and home for the Svans. The unique location of the villages surrounded by the mountains in the heart of the valleys has kept the locals in extreme isolation. It is for this very reason that the locals of Svaneti have their own set of traditions, cultures, language and characters.
Location: Northwest Georgia
Best Time: May to October
Places to explore: Ushguli, Zugdidi, Anaklia
Activities to do: Hiking, skiing, city tour
Tbilisi
The location in discussion is the one city in Georgia that if not explored ,would render the entire trip to the country meaningless. The location we speak of is the most popular tourist place to explore in Georgia, Tbilisi. The city is the capital of Georgia and a place that has everything for travellers. From historical and archaeological sites to restaurants with good food and clubs to party at, the city has something to offer every traveller. The nightlife in Tbilisi is something that one should explore as you would get the opportunity to savour some street food.
Location: Eastern Georgia
Best Time: May to October
Places to explore: Bridge Of Peace, Sulfur Baths, Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
Activities to do: City tour, cable car ride, wine tasting
Tskaltubo
The country of Georgia lies in a region of jagged rocks and high peaks offering the country a very cool and pleasant climate. One of the locations in the country is the region of Tskaltubo, which is a popular tourist destination. Tskaltubo is popular for the sanatoriums and bathhouses that adorn the region long before world war II ravished the country. Some of these operate to this day in the region, while other remain in ruins post the civil war in Georgia.
Location: Central region of West Georgia
Best Time: May to October
Places to explore: Prometheus Cave, Tsilivi Lake, Tskaltubo Central Park
Activities to do: City tour, wine tour, Hiking
Tusheti
The list of 20+ best places to visit in Georgia brings us to the remote region of Tusheti. The historic location is accessible between the months of May to October. Challenging weather conditions and difficulty in maintaining roads at such high altitudes makes it hard to reach in the chiller months. The region of Tusheti is one of the few locations in Georgia that to this day has been least affected by the human influence. Which guarantees a location blessed with pristine and serene landscapes that are a treat to gaze at.
Location: Northeast Georgia
Best Time: May to October
Places to explore: Keselo Fortress, Oreti Lake, Diklo Fortress, Abano Pass
Activities to do: Trekking, biking, hiking
Uplistsikhe
Uplistsikhe is a popular cave city in the country of Georgia that lies on a rocky plateau on the Kura River. The city is one of the oldest human settlements in the country dating back to the 6th century BC. The city was a popular destination in those days as it became the centre of trade between Europe and Asia. Today the city is one of the most historically happening locations in Georgia with several ancient structures surviving in pristine condition to this day.
Location: Eastern Georgia
Best Time: May to October
Places to explore: The hall of Queen Tamar, Princely Church
Activities to do: Hiking, city tour, wine tasting
Ushguli
One of the interesting and intriguing locations in Georgia is the community of five villages by the name of Ushguli. Ushguli is home to several defensive towers that date back to the 9th century. Which has become a renowned UNESCO approved heritage site in the recent few years. The location is said to be the highest continually inhabited location in the world with an elevation of 2,400 meters above sea level.
Location: Svaneti
Best Time: May to October
Places to explore: Lamaira Church, Ushguli Museum, Latpari Pass
Activities to do: Hiking, wine tour, kayaking
Try winters: 7 Fun Things To Do In Georgia In Winter
Vardzia
The city of Vardzia is a cave monastery town in southern Georgia. The city in recent times has begun to garner a lot of attention from the international travel community. The cave monastery dates back to the 12th century during the reign of Tamar and Rustavelli when it was constructed. Vardzia has over 400 rooms, 12 chapels, 25 wine cellars, a church, a bakery and many intriguing relics dating back from that time. The cave monastery stays shut on Mondays and is open to the public on other days from 1000 hours to 1900 hours.
Location: Southern Georgia
Best Time: May to October
Places to explore: Tmogvi Fortress, Vanis Kvabebi, Tsunda Church
Activities to do: Hiking, trekking, safari
