Top 10 places to visit in Georgia in 2023

Top 10 places to visit in Georgia in 2023. Travel is fun. Travel is also exploring new and old places. Georgia has a lot of places for any taste, no matter whether are you interested in culture or you are looking for adventures in nature, you will find the perfect place. We made a list of some must-see places in Georgia, but of course, there are more and more interesting places, which are impossible to cover in a single article.

Old Tbilisi

Tbilisi – the capital and the biggest city of Georgia, with dramatic history is the main gateway to the country. Probably it will be your first and last destination while traveling in the country. Do not miss the narrow streets and courtyards of the old city. A good option is to take a half-day guided tour and afterward explore the city by yourself. Old churches, narrow streets and stairs, courtyards, bazaars, flea market, XIX – early XX century city, quiet cafes, and exhibitions, everyone will find suitable places to spend time here.

Upper Svaneti

The green pearl of Caucasus is one of the must-see places in Georgia. It is relevantly remote from Tbilisi, so those, who are visiting Georgia for just a couple of days usually do not have a chance to travel so far away. But if you have one week or more in Georgia, then better to make Svaneti the highlight of your trip. fantastic nature, authentic architecture, local experience, folk, museums, hiking, horse riding, challenging jeep tours – all this is possible to find in Svaneti.

Vardzia

Cut and carved meticulously into the sandy rock faces that rise like phalanxes against the meanders of the Mtkvari River in the deep Georgian south, Vardzia remains without question one of the most dramatic sights to behold in the country. It’s estimated that the various tiers of monolith churches, caves, and shrines seen here were inhabited from at least the middle of the 12th century when the dynastic kings of the Bagrationi are thought to have commissioned the first constructions on the sheer-cut edge of Mount Erusheti. The real must-see, however, remains the glorious Church of the Dormition; a rock-carved shrine that displays an enthralling montage of murals and iconostasis that fuse Oriental, Byzantine, and Romanesque styles alike.

Tusheti

If it is summer then a real paradise for wild nature lovers is Tusheti national park. Cascading down the northern edges of the Greater Caucasus Mountains, right on the cusp of Russia and Chechnya, the Tusheti National Park is the historic home of the eponymous Tush people. It’s also breathtaking in the extreme; big on relief and made up largely of soaring peaks and grass-clad hills. There are few roads in sight, and the villages that can be found nestled amidst the misty mountaintops are historic, brick-built affairs like Dartlo, which can be seen protruding almost organically from the Georgian lands, encompassed in rural sheep farms (the region is particularly famous for its wool and cheeses) and swathes of spruce forests to boot.

Kakheti vineyards

Eastern Georgia region Kakheti is famous for winemaking. Alazani valley in Kakheti is full of vineyards, big wine factories, and small, family-run wineries. Lovely nature, cozy towns like Signagi and Telavi, and historical monuments are perfectly fitting the valley. One or two days in Kakheti, mixing up wine, and cultural tour, relaxing atmosphere, will be a fine addition to your tour in Georgia. The most interesting time to travel to Kakheti is harvest season – September.

Batumi botanical garden

Located pretty close to Batumi is the biggest botanical garden in Georgia – it covers 108 hectares. The Batumi Botanical Garden was started by the Russian botanist Andrey Nikolayevich Krasnov, in 1880. He was aided by two skilled gardeners and decorators – the French D’Alphonse and the Georgian Yason Gordeziani. Fantastic place to spend one day away from Batumi city center. Beaches are also nearby.

Village Saro

located in southern Georgia, is off beaten trek. It is not included in common travel itineraries around Georgia and really very few tourists have a chance to visit it. Located on the Javakheti plateau has a fantastic view above Mtkvari valley and Erusheti mountains, but this is not the most important thing here. 90% of houses in the village are several centuries old, this is one of the most authentic villages of southern Georgia, here you can find well-preserved remains of old stile noble houses. And the most important highlight of the village is the mystic megalith fortress, dated by the early bronze age. Also here is possible to try local wine and get an unforgettable local experience. If you are traveling in south Georgia, it is recommended to spend some time here.

Racha

Wine, mountains, and rafting – all in one space. Only in Racha you can find rare wines, enjoy the frescoes of Nikortsminda cathedral, and challenge yourself with great rafting and short trekking or jeep tour. If you are landing in Kutaisi, then visiting Racha is extremely recommended. For rafting and nature lovers, Racha-Lechkhumi is a fantastic place, and this region is not as tourist as neighbor Svaneti.

Martvili

Located in the Samegrelo region is often visited by tourists but for short time. Most tourists visit only the famous Martvili canyon. Besides the canyon Martvili cathedral deserves also attention, it has fine medieval frescoes. In Martvili is also found the best wine of the region – Ojaleshi. Megrelian cuisine is slightly different from other regions’ cuisines, and in Martvili are wonderful options to try local gastronomic threats – Gebzhalia, Elarji, and chilly ribs. For nature lowers besides the famous Martvili canyon there is Balda canyon and Kagu waterfall.

Tskaltubo

The list wouldn’t be full without these important places to visit in Georgia – Tskaltubo, a gem of Imereti. The Tskaltubo mineral water has healing features that are more effective than traditional medicines in many cases and for different diseases. The treatment has the best effects on your health here in the mountains, where you can enjoy the fresh air, warm sun rays, and natural springs. There is a pleasant, relaxing environment at the Tskaltubo Spa Resort. People visit this place to get treatments for cardiovascular system disease, nervous system disorders, skin, and endocrine diseases, etc. The Tskaltubo Spa Resort is located in the western part of Georgia, 7 km away from Kutaisi.

What are your favorite places to visit in Georgia?

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