5 TOP SITES IN GEORGIA (country)

I unintentionally spent 14 months in the country of Georgia and these are my top 5 favorite locations (+1 BONUS location).

I first went to Georgia in January 2020 with the intention of spending six months there. But 6 weeks after arriving, my life and my plans got put on pause, along with the rest of the world. Those initially intended 6 months of Georgia turned into 14 actual ones. If you’re looking for things to do in Georgia, you’ve come to the right place.

Georgia closed its borders and no new tourists entered for over a year, which meant those of us already in the country could see this beautiful place in the Caucasus Mountains in a unique way. After more than one year of traveling this country, I present to you my top 5 favorite sites in the country of Georgia, in no particular order.

The Country of Georgia

Georgia is a small country of just 3.7 million people. That is fewer people than a medium-sized city in many countries. While Georgia may be small, it is big in personality, culture, history, and nature. I can honestly say that some of my new favorite foods are Georgian (hi lobio and nigviziani badrijani). I have also done some of my favorite hikes in this country. Georgia has 4 seasons, and nightly firework shows in the capital. If you’re in Tbilisi for New Year’s Eve, you’re in for a big treat.

My 5 Favorite Places in Georgia

I have chosen a combination of the best parts of Georgian culture and nature to provide you with the 5 best places to see outside of Tbilisi, Georgia’s capital city. See the sea, taste the wines, and jump into Georgia’s history. Visit the best sites in Georgia: David Gareja, Kazbegi, Batumi, Sighnagi, and Uplistisikhe (plus one bonus listed at the end).

1. Most Unique Location in Georgia: DAVID GAREJA

The monastery complex was founded by an Assyrian monk, Saint David Garejeli, in the 6th century BC. Part of the monastery was built into the side of a rock face, with several small rooms built inside. This is one of the best, but least well-known tourist attractions in the country of Georgia.

How we got to David Gareja

One of the first people I met in Georgia happened to have a car. Immediately we started a WhatsApp group for weekend road trips! One of the first trips we took was to David Gareja, a monastery near the border with Azerbaijan.

Four of us- two Americans, an Irish, and an Aussie, hopped into that bright blue car and headed southeast from Tbilisi into Kakheti, the wine region of Georgia.

If you want to rent a car, I suggest using RentalCars.com as I have always had good experiences with them.

What the Monastery is Like

The moment we arrived at the monastery, the snow began to fall. There were big, thick flakes of snow. We entered the center of the monastery, with the rock face on one side, and the remaining infrastructure surrounding us on the other side. We felt like we were in the center of a real-life snow globe. The snow came down fast and swirled around us. It was an incredibly magical moment.

The best time to visit the David Gareja Monastery

Each season provides a different experience. I went in February and got to experience snowfall while in the center of the monastery, making it feel like a snow globe. If you go in the summer, you’ll get to see the green hills and wildflowers growing.

David Gareja Tour

Where to Stay near David Gareja Monastery

Cottage in Udabno

Udabno is the nearest town to the David Gareja complex. These are A-frame cottages in the countryside with incredible views of the surrounding scenery. All cottages have a fully equipped kitchen, a private bathroom, and a terrace or balcony with views of the garden. It is best if you have your own car/rental car to get here as it is fairly isolated.

Book these beautiful A-frame cottages NOW (incredible views)

2. Most Impressive Scenery in Georgia: KAZBEGI

Kazbegi is in the north of Georgia, near the border with Russia. It’s only a 3-hour drive from Tbilisi. There is a good reason this is one of the top sites in Georgia. I grew up in Boulder, at the base of the Rocky Mountains, and I can still say that the views in Kazbegi are some of the most beautiful mountain views I’ve ever seen. There is a reason why Kazbegi is one of the most famous places in Georgia.

Art (from Gringo Nation) and I went in late July. Once we arrived in Stepantsminda (the main village in Kazbegi), we were in awe everywhere we looked. We stayed at a family-owned guest house just minutes from the main town center.

Kazbegi Hikes

From Stepantsminda, you can easily take several hikes around the Kazbegi mountains. The main hike is the path through the village and up to the Gergeti Trinity Church, which sits atop a hill above the town. The hike was hot in July, but worth it. It got cool and windy once we reached the church, and the 360 views were a deep, rich green. Having a good rain jacket was necessary.

Kazbegi Natural Mineral Pools

Another plus for heading to Kazbegi in the summer is the natural mineral pool. The water was very cool, and it started raining while we were there, but never have I ever swam in an outdoor mineral pool in a valley surrounded by incredible mountain views.

There is not a lot of signage to find the natural mineral pools, so the best thing you can do is ask a local. If you go to the corner of the town where the hikes start, you can follow a dirt road for about 30 minutes until you reach the pools.

The best time to visit Kazbegi

Summer and spring are the best times to visit if you like hiking. However, you should be prepared for summer rainstorms. If you like skiing and cozy snowy settings, then go in the winter.

Kazbegi Tour

Where to Stay in Kazbegi

Rooms Hotel Kazbegi

This is one of the more well-known hotels in Kazbegi/Stepantsminda. There is a swimming pool, restaurant, balcony, and incredible views of the Kazbegi Mountains.

Stay in the best Hotel in Stepantsminda and BOOK NOW

Ketino’s Home

This is a cute 3-star hotel with amazing mountain views. The hotel is on the opposite side of the river from the town center, which means it’s closer to hiking trails and very quiet.

Stay in this affordable Stepantsminda Hotel with great views

3. Best Summer Spot in Georgia: BATUMI

You either love Batumi or you hate it; I loved it. Before I went, everyone warned me I would probably hate it. Batumi is known for being a mini Dubai- new buildings, casinos, skyscrapers along the boardwalk, fountain shows, and neon lights. But there is a good reason that Batumi stays on my list of top sites in Georgia.

Due to this description, I chose to live in Tbilisi over Batumi when I first moved to Georgia. I didn’t want something flashy. But I did spend 5 weeks there over the summer, and I was sad to return to the capital city by September. Batumi is just 5 hours away by train from Tbilisi.

What Batumi is Really Like

After seeing a few Black Coast cities in Turkey, I reflected back and appreciated Batumi so much more. Batumi understands how to take advantage of its geographic location along the sea. There is a long boardwalk stretching the entire length of the city where people run, walk, and bike all day.

In the summer there are mini carnival rides, and fountain shows set to music. There are restaurants and cafes all over. The center of Batumi feels European, with cobblestone streets and enchanting architecture. It feels much more like a city center than anything in Tbilisi does.

If I had another year to spend in Georgia, I would probably choose Batumi this time. It is a very livable city, with proximity to nature, and lots of infrastructure.

Batumi Day Trips

While I love the city center of Batumi, there are also great day trips from here.

You can rent bicycles and ride to Sarpi, on the Georgian-Turkish border. There is also the Mtirala National Park just 30 minutes north of Batumi with lots of hiking and waterfalls.

The best time to visit Batumi

Batumi is the best in warm weather as there are many outdoor activities to do (swimming, sunbathing, biking, hiking, carnivals, outdoor ping-pong, etc.). Batumi in the winter feels more dreary and empty. There is not much to do in the winter.

Mtirala National Park Tour

Where to Stay in Batumi

Barakah Apartments Batumi

This is a beautiful, modern hotel in Orbi, which is the newer and fancier part of Batumi. It’s just blocks from the beach and has incredible sea views. There is an indoor pool and restaurant, and breakfast is included in the price.

Book NOW to stay in this luxurious hotel in the modern part of Batumi

Hotel N16

This is a cutely decorated hotel in the center of Old Batumi. It’s a great place to explore the city and its cobblestone streets. It’s not a far walk from the seaside promenade and Ferris wheel. The price is very fair for what you get.

Stay in this charming hotel in the heart of Old Batumi BOOK NOW

4. Most Peaceful Village in Georgia: SIGHNAGI

There are not enough adjectives to express the beauty of Sighnagi. To Georgians, Sighnaghi is known as the city of love, which is made obvious by all the weddings happening here. As you stroll through the hilly streets of Sighnagi, you’re sure to see at least one wedding party roaming around. This is not just a top site in Georgia for both foreigners and locals.

Food and Drink in Sighnagi

Not only is Sighnagi the beautiful city of love, with some of the old city walls outlining the city, but it also has some of the best food and wine in Georgia. Sighnagi is in the Kakheti region of Georgia, so it’s no surprise there are no shortages of wineries here. We went to a couple of them, Okros Winery and Cradle of Wine Marani. They both have stunning views of the city, the walls, and the greenery surrounding the area.

Sighnagi is also home to some of the best meals we had in all of Georgia. As soon as we arrived in the city, our taxi driver explained how we must go to Pheasant’s Tears, so we took his suggestion and he was not wrong. All the ingredients were fresh, traditional, and delicious.

We were even lucky enough to experience a table of Georgians all singing traditional songs together. Restaurant Traveler had some of the best lobio and khachapuri in our lives. It’s casual and unassuming, but homemade and family-run, and will exceed your expectations.

The best time to visit Sighnagi

The best times to visit Sighnagi are late spring and early fall. In the summer it will be hot and more crowded with wedding parties. In the spring and fall, there is still great weather for walking along the old city walls and sipping wine high above the town and the hills.

Sighnagi Tour

Where to Stay in Sighnagi

5. Most Historical Site: UPLISTSIKHE

This is an old cave town, about 30 minutes and 1 lari ($.30) from the city of Gori, which is the birthplace of Joseph Stalin. Since we visited during the pandemic and no new foreigners were permitted to enter the country, we had the place nearly to ourselves. We climbed over rocks and discovered old wine cellars, prayer rooms, and tunnels.

History of Uplistsikhe

Uplistsikhe has a very interesting history. It was at times a major player in Christianity, then Islam, and it eventually was raided by the Mongols. This led to its ultimate abandonment. However, it was used as a place of refuge at times by other foreign invaders. Uplistsikhe has been one of the top sites in Georgia for centuries!

What Uplistsikhe is Like

You can easily spend hours here, wandering around all the hidden spaces, and staring out into the beautiful stretches of nature just beyond this village.

At the entrance, there is a small cafe where you can also enjoy an ice cream or a beer before you head out!

The best time to visit Uplistsikhe

The best times to visit Uplistsikhe are the spring and fall. There is not a lot of shade or covering, so it is incredibly hot in the summer. Make sure to wear SPF and sturdy shoes.

Uplistsikhe Tour

Where to Stay near Uplistsikhe (Gori)

Hotel Continental

A beautiful and clean modern hotel in the center of Gori. It is close to the old town, the fortress, and the Stalin Museum. You’ll sleep well here.

Stay in the center of Gori, BOOK NOW

6. Bonus: BORJOMI-BAKURIANI KUKUSHKA

Because this is more of an event than a place, I bring you a bonus: the kukushka train between Borjomi and Bakuriani. This train line is more than 100 years old and was originally built when Georgia was still a part of the USSR.

What the Kukushka Train is Like

We went in the winter, pre-pandemic, so the trains were packed full of people, and the snow was falling. I honestly can’t imagine going in any other season. The snow was all around us while riding on this slow train (2.5 hours), which made the experience feel like a Disney film. It was truly magical. I could practically hear birds chirping. Everyone on the train was so full of joy and happiness, making friends with one another, that nobody minded how full the train was.

I suggest choosing a spot on the outside of each train. There are small balconies at the ends of each train, as you can see in the photo above. You don’t notice the chill if you dress warm because there is so much energy around you.

About 30 minutes before arriving at Bakuriani, the train conductor came back and asked our group of friends if we wanted to come up to the front of the train. So for the last leg, we got to chat with the two conductors and get a scenic viewpoint from the very front!

The best time to do the Kukushka Train

When you do the train depends on the kind of experience you want to have. Summer will be the most crowded, which means the train cars will be hot and everyone will be sweaty. Spring and fall will still have warm weather, with slightly fewer people, and green surroundings. I did the kukushka train in the winter and loved it. It felt magical to ride this little train through white-covered hills and trees with snow falling down on us.

Kukushka Tours

Where to stay near the Kukushka Train

Borjomi Apartments Apart Hotel

This apartment hotel is in the heart of Borjomi and is a short taxi ride to the kukushka Borjomi stop. Enjoy Borjomo’s central park, great food, and walks along the river.

Book NOW this beautiful hotel in the heart of Borjomi

Hotel King David Bakuriani

This is a great place to stay in Bakuriani, especially if you’re there to ski. There are great views of the mountain, a fantastic buffet breakfast, and comfortable, modern amenities.

Stay in this stunning Bakuriani Hotel BOOK NOW

Final Thoughts on the Top 5 Sites in Georgia

I hope you are excited about heading to the top sites in Georgia. I had an absolute blast. There are so many fantastic places to visit in Georgia, which makes the decision difficult. But after much thought, I narrowed it down to my 5 favorites. Which one are you most looking forward to?

TRAVELING SOON?

INSURANCE: Cover yourself with travel medical insurance by SafetyWing.

FLIGHTS: Get the best flight deals with Skyscanner and set flight alerts with Hopper.

STAYS: Check out hotels and apartments with Booking.com and Vrbo.

RENTAL CARS: Get the best deal on rental cars with Discover Cars or RentalCars.

GOING HIKING? Get a 30% discount off your yearly AllTrails+ Account (code: nickiposts30)

eSIM: Get an international eSim with Airalo.

CITY GUIDES: Save time and purchase pre-made city guides with Thatch.

CITY TOURS: Book your tour with GetYourGuide and Viator

LUGGAGE: Get the best carry-on suitcase here.

CREDIT CARD: Start earning travel points with the best travel credit card.

BUENOS AIRES GUIDE: Purchase my Buenos Aires travel companion here.

CONSULTATION: Book a 1:1 travel consultation with Nicki here.

SUBSCRIBE: Get the Nicki Posts Travel Stuff newsletter every month.

TRAVEL BETTER: Check out my Travel Tips and best Travel Resources pages.

MORE? Check out more on my LINKS page to find me in more places!