Even if you have traveled halfway around the world, Georgia will find something to surprise you with. This distinctive country has preserved a unique culture and ancient traditions.

From the guidebooks own experience and traveler reviews, BiletyPlus.ru has compiled its top 15 attractions in Georgia.

1. Old and New Tbilisi

Most tourists start exploring new country from its capital. Tbilisi will be great Starting point to start excursions around Georgia. The city is comfortably located between the hills and is divided into two parts: Old and New Tbilisi. The old district is inviting narrow streets and houses of the 13th–19th centuries. Here are the Narikala fortress complex, the ancient churches of Metekhi and Anchiskhati, cathedrals Sioni and Sameba. As for New Tbilisi, it surprises with the ultra-modern buildings of the Ministry of Justice, police stations, hotels, unusual buildings of Rike Park and the futuristic Peace Bridge.

2. Betania Monastery

Founded in the 11th century and currently operating, the Betania monastery is located 16 km from Tbilisi. This stone church, built in the shape of a cross, attracts lovers of ancient architecture, as well as connoisseurs of iconography - icons with biblical scenes and ancient frescoes with images of the royal Georgian family have been preserved here. In Soviet times, this monastery was the only place in Georgia, where liturgical life continued, although officially the monks were listed as museum caretakers.

3. Ancient city of Mtskheta

The country's first capital, Mtskheta, is located 20 kilometers from Tbilisi. It was here that in 337 Christianity was proclaimed the state religion of Georgia. There are many holy and religious places in Mtskheta, for which the city is called the “Second Jerusalem”. Saint Nino of Cappadocia brought the good news here, and here, according to the legend of the Georgian Orthodox Church, one of the greatest shrines of the Christian world is kept under cover in the foundation of the Mtskheta Patriarchal Cathedral of Svetitskhoveli - the Robe of the Lord, brought by the Jewish Rabbi Elioz from Jerusalem. Also, tourists and pilgrims are attracted by the picturesque Jvari monastery located on the top of the “cross” mountain, which offers a beautiful view of the confluence of the Aragva and Mtkvari rivers.

4. Vardzia

One of the oldest monasteries Georgia is called the Cave City, the Rock Monastery, and the Castle of Roses. It was founded more than nine centuries ago as a fortress-monastery that blocked the gorge for invaders from southern countries. At the time of construction, Vardzia consisted of 3,000 large caves that went 50 meters deep and rose to the height of an 8-story building. They could accommodate up to 50 thousand soldiers. The caves housed churches, chapels, baths, cells, libraries and refectories. Today, only about 30% of Vardzia’s former greatness has been preserved.

5. Batumi fountains and sculpture “Love”

The pride of the most beautiful Georgian city on the Black Sea coast - Batumi - is a unique musical fountain with a three-dimensional holographic installation, recognized as one of the best in Europe. Bright lights, fancy patterns and music create the illusion of “water dancing”.

A special place in Batumi is occupied by the symbol of eternal movement, unity and love - the eight-meter moving sculpture “Love”. It represents the figures of a man and a woman made of steel, who move towards each other and become one.

6. David-Gareji monastery complex

This complex of 20 rock-hewn monasteries is located on the Georgian-Azerbaijani border, which divides it into two parts. The main monastery of the complex is the Lavra of St. David, located on the northern slope of the mountain separating Georgia and Azerbaijan. Frescoes from the 8th–9th centuries have been preserved in many of the refectory monasteries of the complex. with images of historical figures, including Queen Tamara.

7. City of love Sighnaghi

This city in the picturesque Georgian region of Kakheti surprises with its low houses in the southern Italian style with red tiled roofs, an ancient fortress with watchtowers and a wonderful panorama of the Alazani Valley. Thanks to this, Sighnaghi is called the city of love. By the way, you can register your marriage here at any time of the day.

8. Alaverdi Cathedral

Another attraction of Kakheti is medieval Cathedral Alaverdi. It was built at the beginning of the 11th century and was the most tall building of its time. The cathedral represents architectural ensemble, surrounded by a fortress wall.

9. Svan towers

Svan towers are a symbol of the mountainous region of Svaneti. You will not find an analogue to these unique defensive structures of the early Middle Ages anywhere else. Towers were built near residential buildings to protect against natural disasters and enemies. In case of danger, families climbed to the very top, the door was closed, and the ladder was pulled inward. Another function of the towers is warning. When a threat approached, a fire was lit on the main tower. As soon as the neighbors noticed it, the flames were lit on their towers. So in a few minutes the gorge was ready for military action and defense.

10. Uplistsikhe

Translated from Georgian, Uplistsikhe means “fortress of God.” This city arose at the end of the second - beginning of the first millennium BC. e., and at one time was the cultural, political and religious center of Georgia. In its heyday, Uplistsikhe consisted of 700 caves, as well as cave architectural and religious structures, of which only 150 have survived to date. From afar, the city looks like a large anthill.

11. Gelati Monastery

Today, the most significant medieval monastery in Georgia is the center of church life in the country. In 1106 it was founded by King David IV Agmashenebeli. The massive domes and walls of the monastery church are visible from afar.

12. Fortresses of Khertvisi

Khertvisi fortresses are located in historical region Meskheti on a high rocky hill in a narrow gorge at the confluence of the Mtkvari and Paravani rivers. They were built between the 10th and 14th centuries. According to legend, Queen Tamara organized a competition to build the best towers. The main rivalry erupted between the famous master and his student. The latter surpassed the teacher, who, unable to bear the grief, ran to the edge of the tower and pierced himself with a knife.

13. Karst caves Sataplia and Tskaltubo

These Georgian attractions will be especially interesting to fans of speleology and everything mysterious. The caves stretch for many tens of kilometers and are interspersed underground rivers, lakes and grottoes.

14. Ananuri Fortress

70 kilometers from Tbilisi, in a picturesque place on the banks of the Zhinvali reservoir, is the Ananuri fortress, which served as a stronghold for the formidable rulers of this region - the Aragvi Eristavis, and became the site of numerous battles. Unfortunately, only the citadel has survived from the entire complex of the large castle. Now on the territory of Ananuri there are three temples and a tower with a pyramidal roof. From the walls of the fortress there is a stunning view of the Zhinvali reservoir.

15. Safar Monastery

Founded in the 13th century, the monastery is located in the mountains of the Samtskhe-Javakheti region, near the city of Akhaltsikhe. The monastery is rich in unique frescoes, some of which have been preserved since the time of its foundation. In our time, the monastery continues to operate. Its monks and novices live off farming and donations from the public. Therefore, when going to the monastery, take with you something for the monks.

You can book tickets to Georgia easily and conveniently on the website BiletyPlus.ru. Have a nice trip to this ancient and rich in history country.

Are you planning to travel around Georgia by car? U Alexandra Andreeva, photographer and traveler, there is something for you ready route. IN In August 2016, he planned his future photo tour, driving around Georgia for two weeks.This is the story of his trip.

Route

From Moscow to Tbilisi we drove along toll road M4-Don. Every 20-40 km there are payment terminals that charge from 35 to 150 rubles. Travel at night is cheaper, and with a contactless transponder it’s half the price, and you won’t have to wait to pay. The terminals accept both cash and cards. There were no more than three cars to pay for at any window. The terminals cost approximately up to 500 kilometers, then the road is free. For the entire time, moving during the day, we paid 655 rubles one way.

The road to Rostov is densely clogged with cars, traveling to Sochi. But the road is very good and wide, so keep going average speed 100 km/h is easy. Rostov is an ideal place for your first overnight stay.

After turning towards Sochi, there are significantly fewer cars. With the exception of short sections with repairs, the track is very good.

Before we had time to arrive in Vladikavkaz, the Ministry of Emergency Situations sent a schedule for the opening of the Verkhniy Lars checkpoint, saying that the average waiting time was 8 hours.

View of the hotel in front of the Verkhniy Lars checkpoint, from the Russian side.

The toilet here is very clean and costs 20 rubles, but the shower is very dirty and they want 150 rubles for it. There for 150 rubles. you can wash things.

We arrived at the Verkhniy Lars checkpoint at 18:30, literally right after closing. We were about the twentieth car in the queue. Don’t be confused by the many kilometers long line of trucks: there is a different line for passenger cars.

Chronology of checkpoint passage:

  • 3:17 – we were woken up by a knock on the glass
  • 3:20-3:28 we passed Russian customs very quickly
  • 4.15 arrived at Georgian customs
  • 4:58 Passengers walked through Georgian customs with their feet. There is no queue to walk through, there is a toilet both before and after passport control.
  • 5:09 The car with the driver passed control - we are officially in Georgia.

Rental on site

Another option is to fly to Georgia and rent a car on the spot. We recommend the MyRentacar service, which works with all local rental companies in the country. Prices start at $18 per day if booked long term. You can check the availability of cars for the duration of your trip using this search form:

Kazbegi – Mtskheta

The first couple of kilometers after the border the roads are very broken, but then there will be normal asphalt. Sometimes the police stop oncoming traffic.

Insurance. From March 1, 2018, when entering Georgia, you will need to purchase insurance if you intend to stay in the country for at least 15 days. Read more.

Russians do not need a visa. You can stay in Georgia for up to a year. If you want more, you need to either get a visa or leave for a couple of days and return. The easiest way to apply for a visa run is to Turkey.

In Georgia, everything is generally easy: buy real estate, open a bank account.

We didn't stop once along the way. There are a lot of radars, literally on every bridge.

The first is almost the largest cave in Europe. According to the guidebook, it is the most diverse and there are many places where you can walk. The temperature inside is constant at +14, like in most other caves, so don't go there in a T-shirt and shorts. This time I didn’t go there, I left it for the next visit.

Sataplia has dinosaur tracks and a good viewpoint overlooking the mountains.

Further on there are two canyons: Okatse Canyon and Martvili.

We went to the first one, using the instructions from Maps.me, since this region is poorly represented on Google maps. On the one hand, it was a big mistake, on the other hand, I haven’t spent such a fun day in a long time.

In a nutshell, the normal road to both canyons passes through the city of Khoni and nothing else.
A shortcut from Prometheus Cave, although it actually exists, it looks very radical and I’m not sure that it’s even possible to drive a passenger car in the rain. When there is no rain, you can use a Nissan Note class car to scrape the suspension. You need to be able to drive well, there is no asphalt. It takes an hour or even two to drive 10 kilometers. But you can take a lot of photos. For example, how do you like the bridge over the river?

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With the help of a couple of locals who were miraculously passing by, we folded our mirrors and crossed the bridge, marked on the maps.me map as a normal bridge across the river. We parked and went for a swim in the river. Apart from us, there were only a couple of locals from a neighboring village, sunbathing in the shadow of the bridge.
The water is cool, but very pleasant. Incredibly pure - you can drink it.

Next we had several climbs along a steep gravel road, pigs running across the road, and then a ford of the river. Not deep, but a little scary. Frankly, cars rarely pass there, and the river is quite fast.

Do you see the stripe to the left of the tree? This is the beginning of this beautiful road.
If you are confident in yourself and want adventure and beautiful views, you can go if it’s dry.
It’s better to cut at least through Gelaveri, there’s a little less tin there.

So, next stop, Okatse Canyon.

I didn't like it there. Yes, there beautiful park with trees covered with moss. It’s cool, but the attraction itself is a long iron staircase down, then a long iron corridor at a great height above the canyon (there is no descent to the water), then a sticking out hanging tongue for selfies ala “troll tongue”, then an even longer iron staircase back.

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Made very “convenient”. You arrive, park near the Visitor Center, and walk downhill through the park for 2.5 km. You discover an “observation deck” and the entrance to the canyon itself, where you need what? That's right, show your ticket. Which one is sold where? That's right at the Visitor Center. There is a camera aimed at the door, so you can’t negotiate past the cash register even if you wanted to. Nobody resells tickets. Bummer.

It’s good that at least taxi drivers in SUVs hang out on this site (the road is really tough, I would categorically not recommend driving the last 2.5 km in your own car). We asked the taxi driver to bring a ticket, which, by the way, costs 7 lari. About 40 minutes later he returned with a ticket and we went to see the canyon.

I rode back with this taxi driver, also as a sign of gratitude, since he didn’t take a penny extra for the ticket, and said that he was a taxi driver, not a huckster. Taking a taxi back was a good idea. Firstly, it’s very beautiful, and secondly, it’s very uphill.
Price – 20 GEL per car. The drive is 3.5 km somewhere, but the time is about 20 minutes - the road is very broken, huge stones, sharp climbs.

In general, now if I have a choice, I will go straight to Martvili, it should be much better and more beautiful there, but you are sailing on a boat along the river in the canyon.

If you get carried away towards the Okatse canyon, be sure to visit the Kinchkha waterfall
(Kinchkha Waterfall). Judging by the photos on Google, it is beautiful and much steeper than the canyon itself. And you can swim in it. Located a few kilometers uphill by car. It’s a pity that I found out about him when I had to leave.

Kobuleti

After the canyon, we set out for Batumi, but miscalculated the time a little and stopped in the Kobuleti area. The city itself is just brutal. Like Patong Beach in Phuket but without the trannies.

It’s nasty, very loud, everything is jammed, a traffic jam on the only road along the beach, people in only swimming trunks crossing the road sideways at night, dragging a towel behind them, a lot of all sorts of traffic on the beach, with a strong feeling of the USSR. As I was told, the place is quite young and people come there to hang out. Definitely refuse.

But a kilometer to the south there are many beautiful houses, it’s quiet, calm and there’s absolutely no one on the beach.
And there is housing for every income, and everything is dotted with fruit trees.

Something interesting is that in Adjara, instead of voicing their price for accommodation, they ask “how much do you pay?” For the same 20 GEL per person there are quite good options.

The owner of the house where we stayed has his own excellent garden. The kindest people, they told us everything and showed us everything, took us to a shop and a cafe, and gave us a whole bag of nuts for the road.

Not far from there, at the level of the main Kobuleti, there are a lot of tea plantations left over from the times of the Union. Now, unfortunately, they are being cut down and fruit trees are being planted, since tea is expensive due to completely manual processing, but the quality is ordinary, so they have no chance to compete with China.

Another interesting point in those parts is located in the Ureki area - Magnetiti. The infrastructure is very, very Soviet, but there is a curious beach covered with magnetic black sand, which, like any Georgian mineral water, cures all ailments.

It works like this: you bury yourself entirely in this sand and lie there until you get tired of it. Very interesting sensations. Deprivation of tactile sensations causes slight glitches on this basis, and the fact that the sand is black turns it all into a light bathhouse.

Batumi

Next stop – Batumi. Dream city, Georgian Las Vegas. Outlandish buildings, casinos, all the pretentious hotels in incredibly cool buildings, an embankment with coniferous trees, in the shade of which it is so great to walk, inhaling the aromas of pine needles.

Excellent restaurants, a beach with large pebbles, a subtropical climate, palm trees and the Black Sea.

In Batumi, for the first time, we were faced with the fact that parking on the main streets is paid. There are two different offices - Batumi Parking and C.T. Parking. Which one is which is clear from the additional signs under the parking icon. If a yellow, barely visible path is drawn, this is the first option, if it says C.T. - second.

Parking is cheap and can be purchased for a day, a week or a month. It can be bought at payment terminals for everything and anything, which are found here at every step, or at a bank branch. There are still many things you can pay through terminals, including fines. It works like this: when paying, enter the car number and the system uses the number to check whether this car has a parking subscription included. You can register on the website and see when things expire and how many fines have accumulated. I couldn't pay with a card, I had to pay in cash.

Be careful, in some terminals there may be a commission from 0.5 to 1 GEL, so if you pay one GEL for one day, in fact you still pay an additional 1 GEL of commission. There is no need to put the receipt anywhere - everything is according to the number in the electronic database.

The second option is that some courtyards are fenced off, locals sit at the entrance and collect 2 GEL per day of parking. Take the phone from them, the guard may go out for coffee and you will have to wait for quite a long time.

Among the must-sees in Batumi, I would say the observation deck/bar/restaurant on the roof of the Hilton Hotel.

From there you have a very cool view in all directions, and you can just go up there for free, hang around and leave, or you can eat a wonderful dinner or drink a glass of wine. Expensive by Georgian standards, but very tasty!

From there you can use binoculars to watch a show with dolphins in the neighboring dolphinarium. You only need to bring binoculars with you.

Housing in Batumi, as elsewhere in Georgia, is excellent. Everything is for rent. But everything that is in Booking costs at least twice as much and is packed, often tightly packed.

Therefore, the algorithm is this: you go to the area where you want to live and start asking everyone on the street/in shops/in houses if they know where there is a good inexpensive room/apartment. A maximum of half an hour and a place will be found for the price you want (out of season you can even get a little impudent).

For example, we found a two-room apartment in the very center for 75 lari, with a landlady who also fed us. And it's actually expensive. Despite the fact that Double Room in a nearby mediocre hotel it cost 120, and there were no places.

When you are looking in the private sector, it is enough to get hooked in one place and until all your sons-in-law/in-laws/daughters-in-law/second cousins ​​are interviewed, they will not let you go. If you are not satisfied with something, feel free to bargain. Below 20 GEL per person in reality good location and in a separate room, it’s better not to let it go - they might pass it, but they’ll be offended. Just past the season, the price can be anything, especially for a good person.

Don’t be afraid to go into yards that seem scary at first glance. There could be an absolutely wonderful apartment inside with a nice courtyard and cats, where the neighbor will talk at night interesting stories from the life of the city.

The beaches in Batumi are quite densely packed, there are sunbeds/umbrellas, but you will have to lie either far from the water or “touching your shoulders.” But no one is stopping you from driving towards the airport - there is no one on the beaches there.

I highly recommend going to the Heart Of Batumi restaurant. They cook amazingly! My favorite there is eggplant with suluguni. There are not many people during the day; in the evening it is better to book in advance.

What can you see/visit around Batumi? There are not many options: Botanical Garden, Sulfur Baths, Waterfall, Trout farm/restaurant.

Somewhere along the road there will be a “wine house”, large and beautiful. You can take photos there, but there is nothing else to do there. Wine is expensive.

An alternative to an entertaining route to the mountains could be a trip along the beaches to the south, all the way to Sarpi, a city on the border with Turkey (Sarpi, Georgia). There are plenty of beautiful and relatively deserted beaches along the way. Quite beautiful in Kvariati (Kvariati, Georgia). And for those who like to spend a day in nature and wander around nature reserves, Mtirala National Park is definitely recommended for visiting (Mtirala National Park, Adjara, Georgia).

There are a lot of different pets on the roads in Georgia. Most of all there are cows; there are also horses and donkeys. As a rule, they stand in the most unfortunate way, closer to the middle of the road. They also love to hang out on bridges. They don't seem to care at all about passing cars.

For a long time I could not understand what was wrong with them. Why is it so weird to get up? And then one of the locals said that it was all about the flies. Passing cars blow them away, and the breeze from the cars is pleasant. And since the cow is a Buddhist by vocation, the possibility of being run over does not bother her at all. She knows there are many more lives ahead. Very soon you stop noticing them and drive around as if there was another car there.

Svaneti

I've been wanting to come here for a long time. Last year I couldn’t because of the snow (I didn’t have warm clothes with me and had to spend the winter in Tbilisi).

This time there was only enough time to visit the most popular city - Mestia. The region's calling card: the ancient towers in which the highlanders hid when the invaders came.

The road to Svaneti is very picturesque and runs past the Enguri reservoir and dam, where you definitely need to stop. There are two roads to Svaneti: the main one, through Zugdidi, and there is a second one, on the map on the other side. You don’t need to go to the second one, it’s very uncomfortable even in a jeep.

From Zugdidi without stops to Mestia is just over two hours. The first time, most likely, there will be 4 or more, since the road is very beautiful and you want to photograph everything.

On the road to Svaneti there are plenty of places where you can climb, take pictures and swim in a waterfall. I advise you to set aside a whole day for this segment so that you can slowly enjoy the beauty.

Mestia

Arriving in Mestia, they traditionally began to look for housing by interviewing those around them. There was nothing for rent in the first house, but the woman didn’t want to let us go without housing, so she called, it seems, all her relatives and friends. Everyone was busy and we went to ask further, while the hostess firmly said that if we didn’t find anything, we could stay with them, although they didn’t rent out rooms, but “we’ll figure something out.”

A couple more full-time homestays and here it was, a life-saving souvenir shop, the owner of which immediately found where we could stay for our budget. It turned out very nice: a slightly unfinished one-room suite with its own toilet and a huge separate room with a common room.

The next morning we went to explore the famous Svan towers. There are a lot of them here, but only two are allowed inside, and if you want, you can even climb onto the roof.

In one of the turrets, access to the roof is official and even slightly fenced off with a stick, while in the other it is at your own peril and risk. Locals do not advise getting out, the roof is flimsy. But it survived us.

The first tower is Khergiani Tower, next to the Old House Hotel. Entrance costs 2 lari, you can also climb into the basement.

The second one is higher up the mountain along the same path and to the right. It’s free, so all taxis take you there. The manholes are quite narrow, the stairs are very flimsy.

Everything is unclear with food in Mestia. On the one hand, there are a lot of nice cafes where they serve very tasty food for about the same money as in Batumi (more expensive than the average price tag in Georgia, but acceptable), and on the other hand, the shops are complete trash. The food looks and smells like it was found expired in a supermarket trash bin. There are no fruits, the vegetables are rotten. Sour milk is almost everywhere last days expiration date. And all this is twice as expensive. The climax for us was the owner of the store, who walked around the refrigerators and sprayed air freshener so that it would not stink.

I liked the Koshki cafe, the portions are huge, say hi to the chef and waitress (from Australia!) if you stop by.

From Mestia you can go to the local ski resort and take the lift to the very top. The drive to the lower station is about 6 km, a walk of almost two hours. Or you can go trekking to the cross, lakes and further to the glacier.

Besides this, very popular place- Ushguli village. It takes about two hours to get there by car. If you don’t have your own transport - with main square There are minibuses and taxis. They say it is very beautiful there.
But we decided to leave it all for next time. I no longer wanted to rush, so two days were devoted to exploring Mestia.

Here we have found a natural source of lightly carbonated, very tasty mineral water. After Borjomi, which smells like sewage for the first couple of hours, this one was incredibly cool!

Back to Tbilisi

From Svaneti we headed straight to Tbilisi. The drive back is much faster, so after 7 hours we were already in Mtskheta, where we all stayed in the same hospitable house near Tsyra. We had to get the car in order (the wheels turned out to be bent and slightly flat), buy souvenirs and food for Moscow and walk around Tbilisi a little.

What to buy?

There are several main shopping spots in Tbilisi. For those who want to stock up on brands - Tbilisi Mall. It is difficult to get there on foot - you need to take a special minibus from Didube station. There is nothing special to do there, except maybe stock up on store-bought wine and cheese at the Carrefour grocery supermarket (there is a smaller one in the center of Tbilisi). It is better not to buy all kinds of nuts here. It's about 30-40% more expensive here, but very high quality. It’s convenient to drive here by car, there are good turns off the highway and a large parking lot. This is an ideal place to buy food “on the go” towards Russia, without stopping in Tbilisi.

Now about where you need to buy EVERYTHING. This is the area around railway station. To buy everything edible there is Deserter(on the map). Here you can find any food for a very reasonable price: homemade wine (you can try it), nuts, spices, churchkhela, cheese. Vegetables and fruits here cost around one and a half lari per kilogram. Nuts – 22-25 (they sell for 20) for Georgian walnuts. They are a little larger and lighter than the Ukrainian ones and you need to buy them. Spices – 1 GEL per glass. They refused to take money from us when they found out that we were from Moscow, under the pretext that they loved Moscow very much.

Svan salt- amazing stuff. You can cook anything with it. It turns out very tasty. I fry zucchini and eggplants with her and add them to scrambled eggs. Just make sure you don’t wake up, you can’t get rid of the smell.

Svan salt

Fruits. On the main streets the sellers are quite arrogant. For a rubber churchkhela, they can ask for 5 lari and more (at the market 2 lari). The situation with fruits is even worse - for a kilogram of figs they asked for 12-15 lari, depending on the variety. This is 10 times more expensive than the market price. So we don’t buy anything on tourist streets. Either we retreat deeper, or we go to the market. You can also buy it in stores, but it’s still expensive and the quality of fruits and vegetables is quite mediocre.

Cheese. The softer the cheese is to the touch, the less salty it is. If you can’t press the cheese with your finger, you won’t be able to eat it, but it will easily last a week on the windowsill. Homemade cheese costs about 4 GEL per circle (~0.5 kg). It is very tasty. In addition to regular cheese, there is also smoked suluguni. This is a separate issue; when I see him, I lose my will.

Wine. You can officially transport three liters across the border, that is, four bottles. Well, and unofficially a couple more. There are also people at the border and, unless you get impudent, they don’t pay attention to such trifles.

You can buy wine at a winery (cheap, tasty, far away), in a supermarket (it’s not clear, they let you try some varieties, inexpensive), or in wine cellars. There are many of them here and they are all different. Tasting is usually free and often allows you to try really worthy varieties. Supermarkets sell alcohol 24 hours a day.

My choice is the historical cellar Vinoground. With no less historical sommelier Arthur. He seems to know everything about wine. Until you try 10 varieties, you won’t let go. The prices are high, but the wines are also elite. So if you want to give a gift to a connoisseur, go to the cellar. In Russia, these wines are many times more expensive.

Minankari. For lovers of all kinds of jewelry business card Georgia and Tbilisi are Minankari, “decorations made of silver with cloisonné enamel”. It's like FreyWille, only with thousands of options and a fraction of the price. They sell them everywhere, but the most good prices and a large assortment were found at the gold market in Tbilisi. The market is located in the basement of the main station. It's open strictly until seven, so it's better to come during the day.

The largest permanent flea market is market near the Dry Bridge.
Everything is there. For lovers of rare vintage pieces - heaven. But everything is expensive. However, they trade very well and with desire and persistence you can get a really good price.
Open every day, closes at sunset.

Every region of Georgia has something to see. The map will help you navigate and create a convenient route.

Green labels indicate objects from our list

1. Old Tbilisi



The old part of Tbilisi is full of historical monuments from different eras. Ancient fortresses and temples, the famous Tiflis sulfur baths and the architecture of the Middle Ages have been preserved here. And a walk along the narrow cobbled streets is simply irreplaceable if you want to feel the mood of the city.

How to get there

The closest stop to the Old Town is the Freedom Square metro stop.

2. Memorial “History of Georgia”



This is the creation of the hands of Zurab Tsereteli. The monumental ensemble is located on a hill, not far from the Tbilisi reservoir, and consists of 16 columns 35 meters high. Each of them depicts scenes from Georgia. The memorial is impressive in its scale and special atmosphere.

How to get there

By bus number 60 from Tbilisi metro station "Grmagele" or by taxi.

3. Jvari



Jvari Monastery became the first facility in the country World Heritage UNESCO.

It is believed that after the baptism of Georgia, St. Nina erected a cross at this place. Its foundation is still kept within the walls of the monastery, which is why Jvari is so revered.

The temple was built on a mountain, and from it observation deck there is a view of the confluence of two rivers - Aragvi and Kura. Lermontov wrote about this in his poem “Mtsyri”.

How to get there

Jvari is located 25 km from Tbilisi, near the city of Mtskheta. The most convenient way to get there is by car, since the monastery is located on a mountain.

4. Svetitskhoveli



“Life-giving pillar” - this is how the name of the most important temple in Georgia is translated. According to legend, the tunic of the Lord, an important relic of Christians, was buried here. A cedar tree grew at the burial site, which was considered sacred, and later turned into a pillar and placed at the base of the temple. Thus, the first Christian temple in Georgia arose. The cathedral is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

How to get there

Svetitskhoveli Cathedral is located in the city of Mtskheta, 25 km from Tbilisi. It's easy to get there by public transport or by taxi.

5. Arch of Peoples' Friendship



The arch was designed by the famous sculptor Zurab Tsereteli, and it was installed at an altitude of 2,384 m in honor of the friendship of the Georgian and Russian peoples. The arch is decorated with mosaics with scenes from Georgian history. Mesmerizing views can be observed from the observation deck, which is also the arch.

How to get there

The arch is located near the village of Stepantsminda. The place can be reached not only by private car, but also by public transport from Tbilisi. Choose minibuses that go to Stepantsminda or Gudauri. They depart hourly from Didube metro station.

6. Church of the Holy Trinity in Gergeti



The church was built seven centuries ago, and it is located at an altitude of 2,170 m at the foot of Mount Kazbek. In addition to its historical value, this place is also attractive for tourists due to its location. During the climb to the church, a breathtaking view of the mountains opens up.

How to get there

Go to the village of Gergeti. For this purpose, minibuses Tbilisi - Stepantsminda are suitable. From the village you need to climb a dirt road. You can cover this distance on foot or by taxi. The ascent on foot will take about an hour.

7. Sighnaghi



A small town in Kakheti is famous for its legends and has the status of a city of love. They say that it was here that Niko Pirosmani, being a poor artist, sought reciprocity from the European actress Margarita and gave her a million scarlet roses.

And Sighnaghi is a local 24-hour service. You can sign here at any time of the day. It is enough to have documents and two witnesses with you.

The atmosphere in Sighnaghi is attractive. Narrow cobbled streets going up and down, and views of the Alazani Valley do their job.

Another attraction of the city is the ancient fortress wall, 3 km long.

How to get there

By personal or public transport. Route taxis Tbilisi - Sighnaghi depart from Samgori metro station.

8. Alaverdi Monastery



Alaverdi was built at the beginning of the 11th century and belongs to the four most significant medieval churches in Georgia. For almost a thousand years it was the highest in the country: up to the top point as much as 50 m. But in 2004, construction of the Holy Trinity Cathedral was completed in Tbilisi, which turned out to be 18 m higher than Alaverdi.

Restoration work has slightly changed the appearance of Alaverdi. But inside the cathedral, unique frescoes and wall paintings of the 11th–17th centuries have still been preserved.

How to get there

The cathedral is located 20 km from the city of Telavi, away from the main highway. So go by car or join a tour.

9. David Gareja



How to get there

By train or bus from Didube metro station in Tbilisi.

12. Vardzia



The atmosphere of this place can captivate anyone. The cave city was cut down during the reign of Queen Tamara. It included many rooms, tunnels, a water supply system and a monastery and was completely hidden in Mount Erusheti. But in 1283, after a strong earthquake, part of the mountain collapsed and Vardzia suffered greatly. Now there are about 600 rooms left, including a functioning temple with unique frescoes.

How to get there

On regular buses or taxi from the city of Akhaltsikhe or with an excursion group.

13. Abastumani Astrophysical Observatory



The Abastumani Observatory became the first high-mountain observatory in the USSR. Its construction began in 1934 at an altitude of 1,650 m. It is noteworthy that it is still functioning and its territory is open to visitors.

You can climb Mount Kanobili, where the observatory is located, by a special cable car or by car. And those who are most interested have a chance to go on a night excursion and even look at the stars through a telescope.

How to get there

The first goal is the village of Abastumani, where the road to the observatory begins. You can get to the village by your own vehicle or use public transport. Bus service has been established with Tbilisi, Borjomi and Akhaltsikhe.

14. Cable car "Argo"



The longest cable car in Georgia was built in the resort city of Batumi. Its length is 2.5 km, and the ascent takes 10 minutes. The carriages start from the lower station, not far from the sea terminal, and finish on Mount Feria, gaining a height of 252 m. This is the best way to see the whole of Batumi, including it tourist area, industrial areas and sea line to the horizon.

During the tourist season, the cable car is open until one in the morning, allowing you to admire the sunset and the lights of the city at night.

How to get there

Lower station cable car located near the Batumi sea station, st. Gogebashvili.

15. Primorsky Boulevard Batumi



Dynamic sculptures, chacha tower and Alphabet tower, Ferris wheel and Batumi lighthouse. And also bicycle paths, dancing fountains, flower beds, palm trees and, of course, seascapes. The length of the modern seaside boulevard reaches 8 km. This place has become a new symbol of the resort Batumi.

How to get there

Buses and trains travel to Batumi from almost any part of Georgia. The city also has an international airport.

16. Temple of Bagrat



From the hill on which the temple is built, the whole of Kutaisi and its surroundings are visible. This is the most high point city ​​and its main attraction. In 1089, King David the Builder was crowned here.

The temple has a difficult fate. It suffered several times from enemy raids, and in the end only ruins remained of its walls.

The destroyed Bagrati was included in the list of World Heritage Sites. Later, restoration began, and in 2012 it ended with the installation of a two-meter bronze cross on the renovated temple. However, such changes did not suit UNESCO, and the temple was removed from the lists due to the loss of its former appearance.

How to get there

The Bagrati Temple is visible from anywhere in the city, so it is easy to find. You can drive or walk up. The journey from the center of Kutaisi will take no more than half an hour.

All the cable car cabins and stations are a real rarity: they have been in use for more than half a century. Local residents are accustomed to such transport, but for beginners this entertainment may seem extreme: the slope of the lines reaches 48 degrees.

How to get there

You can get to the mining town of Chiatura from Tbilisi or Kutaisi by minibus or train. Minibus taxis depart from the Tbilisi metro station "Didube".

20. Svan towers



Largely thanks to these medieval fortress towers, Upper Svaneti was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. When local settlements were attacked by enemies, the Svans used the towers for defensive purposes. Now it is a symbol of the region.

You can look at the unique Svan structures in Mestia - administrative center Svaneti, as well as in the high mountain village of Ushguli.

How to get there

Not only do regular minibuses go from Tbilisi to Mestia, but planes also fly: an airport was built in the mountain village. It is better to buy plane tickets in advance at the airline office: Tbilisi, street named after. Vazha Pshavela, 5.

For us, Georgia itself turned out to be full of pleasant surprises and an incredible number of interesting places. But visiting all the most exciting attractions in one trip is quite difficult. Therefore, it is not surprising that many tourists who are in love with this country and culture decide to divide their travels and see something new every time. Many of our friends have already visited, and still, like us, every year they dream of returning here again on vacation. This country is a comfortable and cozy place for any tourist to stay: there is something to see here for both state employees and wealthier people who are accustomed to not denying themselves anything.

Adjara (including Batumi)

The capital of the Adjara region is modern, “stuffed” with a huge number of interesting things for both young travelers and their parents.

Kids and their parents will be curious to visit a small zoo corner located not far from central beach Batumi. In the near future it will be moved to the village of Chakvi.

Believers will be especially pleased to visit and explore, located on the corner of Tavdadebuli and Zubalashvili streets in Batumi. The temple is very unusual not only externally, but also internally, because it was originally built as a Catholic church, and now it successfully functions as an Orthodox church. We recommend paying attention to the beautiful window paintings in the cathedral. read in a separate article.


Once inside the Batumi Opera House, you don’t immediately realize where exactly you are thanks to the rich design, exquisite lighting and gurgling fountain.

Another highlight of Batumi is the Center for Music and Art or, in simple terms, Opera theatre. This miracle of construction thought is located on Odyssey Dimitriadi Street, 1, almost on the outskirts of the city. The theater is truly impressive inside and out. In fact, it was previously an inconspicuous House of Culture, but after the grandiose transformation, it is impossible to enter it without amazement. The Center often hosts performances, concerts and all kinds of performances in Russian. We advise you not to be greedy for a ticket and be sure to visit this place, because it is not for nothing that it is included in the top five most unusual buildings of modern theaters in the world.

You can read more about the Center for Music and Art in the article: Amazing Opera House in Batumi.

In the evening Batumi comes alive. Tourists and locals fill the streets and slowly move towards the embankment, where the most unusual ones are located. For example, amazingly beautiful on Lake Ardagan (next to the Ministry of Justice). It takes place every day, from approximately 21:00 until midnight. Huge jets of water dance merrily and shimmer beautifully to various music. Sometimes (not every day) a spectacular laser show is turned on against this background. There are restaurants and cafes near the lake, and there are benches along it to make it convenient to watch the performance.

ABOUT singing fountains We have a separate useful article that we recommend reading to anyone who is interested:


In the evening, the Piazza is especially crowded with tourists. This is facilitated by live music and figures leaving the tower every 3 hours.

We recommend taking a walk in the evening to the embankment in the area of ​​the sea station, where the Wonderland Park and the special one are located. It “works” during the day, but after sunset, when the backlight is turned on, it looks more romantic and bewitching. Vacationers like to gather around it; people invite you to take a boat ride nearby. There are other entertainments here as well.

Piazza Square is another exotic, typically “Italian” attraction of Batumi, which is best visited in the evening when the lights turn on. It was located on Tsar Parnavaz Street, 25, in a very convenient location, where tourists often go. Visiting it is absolutely free. The area is surrounded by hotels, restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops. Inside the square there is high tower, in its center there is a window. Every three hours it opens and dolls appear from it to the music. Live music creates additional romance. Separately about Piazza there is an article: An Italian corner in the heart of Batumi - Piazza.

Neighborhoods of Batumi

Not far from Batumi there is also something to see and be truly surprised by. If you wish, you can go on your own, by minibus or as part of an excursion to the most ancient and preserved one on the territory of Georgia. Admission for an adult costs only 3 lari GEORGIAN GEL RATE:
3 lari = 0.99 euro;
3 lari = 1.14 dollars;
3 lari = 75.66 rubles;
3 lari = 31.92 hryvnia;

. The inside is now, although a little empty (too few buildings have survived), but quite interesting. You can climb the centuries-old walls, examine the dilapidated remains of the first pipeline and sewer system, see the supposed burial place of the Apostle Matthew, enjoy the aromas of flowers, or watch the excavations.


Near the museum of the Gonio Fortress there is the alleged burial of the Apostle Matthew, as well as the foundations of ancient buildings.

An equally exciting trip awaits you to and, located literally across the road from each other, on the way from Batumi to the village of Keda. These attractions are among the most visited in the Adjarian region. Minibuses go to them and excursions are organized. Near the Queen Tamara Bridge there is an excellent cafe with incredibly tasty kebab and others.

And for 29 euros per person you can take a group excursion to less touristic places in Adjara: Mirveti and Chukhuneti waterfalls, suspension and arched bridges, the confluence of two rivers, a bunker and a mill.

The next recommended place is guaranteed to leave no one indifferent. The easiest way to get to it is by minibus No. 31 or by car. Entrance to the garden will cost 15 lari GEORGIAN GEL RATE:
15 lari = 4.97 euros;
15 lari = 5.7 dollars;
15 lari = 378.3 rubles;
15 lari = 159.6 hryvnia;

Exchange rates and prices may not be accurate. from an adult. In addition to the huge variety of trees, bushes and flowers from 21 zones, the park also contains some representatives of the animal world: lizards, fish, turtles, frogs, etc. Straight from botanical garden you can go down to, and then freely return to further inspect the flora. By the way, the sea off the coast of the park seemed to us the cleanest and warmest in all of Adjara. Therefore, do not forget to bring your swimwear with you.

To explore the following attractions: Prometheus caves And Sataplia from Batumi, you will need to either take a car with a Russian-speaking driver, or book excursions (the named places are included in different excursions). It is also possible to get to them by public transport with several transfers, but since the road is long (it takes about 2.5 hours to get to the canyon alone) and tiring, we do not recommend this option. IN Martvili Canyon(input is 15 lari GEORGIAN GEL RATE:
15 lari = 4.97 euros;
15 lari = 5.7 dollars;
15 lari = 378.3 rubles;
15 lari = 159.6 hryvnia;
15 lari = 12.75 Belarusian rubles.
Exchange rates and prices may not be accurate. per adult) You can not only enjoy several cascading waterfalls located on the territory, but also take a boat ride through a fabulous gorge for an additional 13 GEL GEORGIAN GEL RATE:
13 lari = 4.3 euros;
13 lari = 4.94 dollars;
13 lari = 327.86 rubles;
13 lari = 138.32 hryvnia;
13 lari = 11.05 Belarusian rubles.
Exchange rates and prices may not be accurate. per person (it's worth it).


It’s worth getting into Prometheus’ Cave even just to wander among the bizarre play of shadows against the backdrop of constantly changing illumination.

No less interesting will be a trip to the Prometheus Cave, the monasteries of Gelati and Motsameta. The territories of the monastery complexes are large and spacious: the first is more touristy, the second is cozy and quiet. The trip takes place in a large car. The guide talks about the Shrines of each place, visiting monasteries with tourists. For a rather intense 9-hour program, we paid 175 euros. Get to the specified attractions from Batumi by public transport difficult. It is much more convenient and practical to book a similar excursion, as we did. Detailed description for trips, read the article: The most interesting sights in the vicinity of Kutaisi.

If ordinary excursions with typical sights no longer impress you, we advise you to take a closer look at Machakhela. It contains new locations that are not always known even local residents. During the excursion, tourists will see waterfalls and bridges, conquer the fortress and explore the bunker, enjoy the beauty of Batumi from a bird's eye view and have a good rest at the table in a Georgian family with national songs and dances. There is a group option for a similar trip. Visit all key route points by public transport impossible. About our individual excursion By amazing places Machakhela, read the article: The most soulful corner of the Adjarian region.

For each of the listed attractions there is individual articles. To get acquainted with them, you just need to follow the active link (highlighted in blue in the text).

Tbilisi and surroundings

Separate article about the Peace Bridge will tell you more details and interesting information, including how and how you can get to this attraction:

About the rest interesting temples in Tbilisi You can also read the corresponding publication:


The sulfur baths are located in semi-basements, and only their domed roofs protrude from above.

A significant number of tourists confidently mark the quarter with Abanotubani as one of the main attractions of Tbilisi - a truly beautiful place and magnificent in its own way. Whether to go wash in it or not is up to everyone to decide for themselves, but it’s definitely worth seeing it from the outside. By the way, the cost of bathing in sulfur springs varies depending on the choice of halls: in general, washing will cost approximately 3 lari GEORGIAN GEL RATE:
3 lari = 0.99 euro;
3 lari = 1.14 dollars;
3 lari = 75.66 rubles;
3 lari = 31.92 hryvnia;
3 lari = 2.55 Belarusian rubles.
Exchange rates and prices may not be accurate., in a private room - from 30 lari GEORGIAN GEL RATE:
30 lari = 9.93 euros;
30 lari = 11.4 dollars;
30 lari = 756.6 rubles;
30 lari = 319.2 hryvnia;
30 lari = 25.5 Belarusian rubles.
Exchange rates and prices may not be accurate.. Near the baths there is a Fig gorge, with a small river flowing through it, recently liberated from the ground.

If you want to learn more about Tbilisi, we recommend taking a guide. It was during a walking tour of the capital of Georgia with the charming Dina that this time we discovered and fell in love not only tourist places, but also the most amazing corners of the city. You can order a similar walk accompanied by an experienced guide on the local website Georgia4travel.ru or on the international one.

Neighborhoods of Tbilisi

In the vicinity of Tbilisi there are almost more attractions than in the city itself. Many of them are accessible by public transport, and some are best visited by car with a driver and guide ().


Driving along the Georgian Military Road is a real pleasure. You just want to constantly stop and absorb the beauty of these places.

Next, we advise you to go along a route that is well-known far beyond the borders of the country. If, like us, you use the services of a guide with a car, then along the way, in addition to beautiful views to the mountains, you will find stops and photo breaks near amazing bodies of water, acquaintance with and, as well as lunch in a very picturesque place. Bright emotions, sincere smiles, lots of drive and positivity during the trip are guaranteed. It’s worth saying separately that this excursion was surprisingly eventful - it also included a walk through the ancient churches of Mtskheta.

Wine region Kakheti will be able to please not only connoisseurs of alcoholic beverages, but also those tourists who are interested in ancient temples, castles and fortresses. It is best to go here by car with a guide. At the same time, we advise you to explore the city of love, Sighnaghi, located along the route. Our excursion to Kakheti can be found in a separate article: Romance and wine are two key features of a trip to Kakheti. A good choice excursions around affordable prices offered on the website.

If you wish and have free time (such an excursion will take the whole day), it is possible to travel from Tbilisi to the Rabat fortress. It is located in a small Georgian town, literally on the border with Turkey. The fortress is known for the fact that it was recently practically rebuilt. The inside is very interesting and beautiful, there is where to walk and what to see. The entrance to the paid part is 6 lari GEORGIAN GEL RATE:
6 lari = 1.99 euros;
6 lari = 2.28 dollars;
6 lari = 151.32 rubles;
6 lari = 63.84 hryvnia;
6 lari = 5.1 Belarusian rubles.
Exchange rates and prices may not be accurate. from an adult.


The caves of Vardzia still amaze the imagination. But they say that this fortified city used to be three times larger.

Located not far from Akhaltsikhe cave city-monastery This extraordinary place has been attracting tourists from all over the world for a very long time. different countries peace. Almost all caves of Vardzia can be visited, and from some especially successful ones observation platforms, enjoy fantastic panoramic views. Getting to this attraction is also most convenient by car or during an individual excursion, capturing at the same time the fortresses of Rabat and Khertvisi, the monasteries of Sapara and Foka, and, of course, famous park Borjomi (the journey from Tbilisi is long and slightly tiring).

Lots of useful and relevant information about Vardzia You will find in the article:

A good alternative to the caves of Vardzia will be the cave city of Uplistsikhe, an equally interesting and fascinating place. Individual and group excursions are organized from Tbilisi to Uplistsikhe. If you don’t want to go with a guide, you can order a car with a Russian-speaking driver on the gotrip.ge service. Read our impressions of the trip to Uplistsikhe in the article: Excursion to the Uplistsikhe caves with a stop in Gori.

During our several visits to Georgia, we managed to get to know its sights and attractions quite closely, as well as learn the intricacies of transfers around cities and interesting places countries in a variety of ways.

To feel like a tourist on vacation, we recommend not to chase dubious savings in the form of traveling long distances on public transport. You may save money, but you will lose time: you will be tired, overwhelmed and nervous, because you never know for sure whether a suitable minibus will come back.

The best way to travel around Georgia is in convenient ways: book an excursion on a local or website, or rent a car with a Russian-speaking guide. Such a vacation will definitely be remembered for a long time, and the country will remain your favorite for many years.

Photos of Georgian sights

We tried to capture as much of the sights as we could with our cameras. We will be happy to show you the most beautiful and interesting photographs:

The Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Batumi is a very beautiful and unusual building. During its construction, a special stone was used that slightly changes its color depending on the weather.

This is a country that lies between the Greater and Lesser Caucasus. It has a centuries-old history, its own alphabet, a language that is unlike any other in the world. The locals call their country Sakartvelo, and we call it Georgia.

The IGotoWorld.com team has collected for you the most interesting sights of Georgia, which should help you better understand the history and culture of this magnificent country and its hospitable people.

Ancient Tbilisi

The capital of Georgia, Tbilisi, is the real center of the country in all understandings of the word. The oldest towers over the city, which is more than 1500 years old. This is one of the most ancient buildings in Georgia. It offers a wonderful panorama of the city.

Photo source: vartumashvili.livejournal.com.

It is also worth visiting the unique quarter of the Old Town called. Here are the city baths, which were built in the 17th–19th centuries. Oriental style along with Georgian flavor will not leave you indifferent.

Photo source: dlmn.info.

It has become an important symbol of modern Georgia. It was built in 2010 according to the design of the Italian architect Michele de Lucchi; the lighting designer was the Frenchman Philippe Martineau. Be sure to see it at night, when 30 thousand light bulbs make it even more beautiful.

Photo source: stopmakler.com.

Temples of Mtskheta

Photo source: shuvayev.livejournal.com.

Kintrishi National Park

It is a gorge of the Kintrishi River with the mountains of Adjara. There is a lot of greenery and small mountain lakes. Tourists call the highlight of the park a series of ancient bridges in the valley of the gorge.

Photo source: betravel.ge.

Daryal Gorge

It is located east of the Kazbek Mountain at the headwaters of the Terek River. The Georgian Military Road runs along it. Definitely, the gorge can be considered one of most picturesque places Georgia.

Photo source: dariali-elizi.blogspot.com.

- it's not only ancient temples and magnificent nature. Don’t forget to get to know the Georgian culture and their mentality better. Only together these ingredients will help you enjoy the country to its fullest.