Pocket-sized Georgia is the greatest destination for an off-the-beaten-track adventure on the edge of Europe. Despite having a small population of just under 4 million people, Georgia has a surprising abundance of historical, cultural, and natural sights for you to explore in what is one of the oldest countries in the world.

Start your 2-week trip to Georgia in Tbilisi, the nation’s capital, where the ancient Narikala fortress looms large over the city. Take a walking tour of the old town, learn how Tbilisi was founded on hot springs (and make a rather enjoyable stop at the bathhouses), and start to appreciate a wine culture that’s said to be 8,000 years old! 

Wine, and food, are a huge part of any Georgia itinerary, and we’ve saved plenty of time for you to visit the wineries and vineyards of Telavi and Sighnaghi, while in Kutaisi, you’ll feast on local produce and dig deep into dishes like khachapuri and khinkali. 

You’ll visit the Black Sea beaches of Batumi, see the hometown of history’s most infamous dictators, and explore a national narrative ranging from antiquity to a Soviet occupation that’s still fresh in memory. You’ll also venture into the snowcapped Caucasus Mountains, where the tallest peaks rise as high as 5,000 meters (16,404 feet) above Georgia.

From Tbilisi to Telavi, if you’re planning a trip to the Caucasus, then keep reading as we unveil our perfect 14-day Georgia itinerary! 

Two Weeks in the Country of Georgia

When to visit Georgia

It might sound like a big cliche, but the best time to visit Georgia really does depend on what you’re planning to do. Despite being such a small country, Georgia’s geography ensures that the climate can vary wildly from one region to the next, so timing is often key if you want to visit as many places as possible. 

For the full Georgia experience, you’ll want to visit in summer, between May and September. This might be peak season, but it’s also when the snow in the mountains has melted and when the roads to remote places like Ushguli have fully opened after months of winter closure. Head to the Black Sea, and Batumi’s subtropical climate is out in force, with scorching temperatures rising into the high 20°C (70°F) and endless days of sunshine. 

If you’re a keen snow sports fan, then Georgia is one of Europe’s last untouched ski destinations. There are slopes, lifts, and resorts just outside of Tbilisi, but none of the crowds you’ll find in France or Austria, while the mountains are becoming increasingly popular for cross-country skiing. Visit in winter, from January until April, to make the most of the ski season, but just remember that you won’t be able to do much hiking.

Foodies will want to save their trip for Autumn. As the summer temperatures drop, the harvests are prepared for collection. In rural areas around Kutaisi and Tbilisi, you can witness traditional harvest festivities and enjoy the freshest fruits, vegetables, and the best wines as you feast on Georgia’s glorious culinary offerings. 

Things to Know Before You Go

Georgia has an incredibly liberal visa regime that’s aimed at attracting tourists and even remote workers and digital nomads to the country. Travelers with European Union, UK, and US passports won’t need to worry about visas because Georgia grants one-year visa-free entry on arrival. You can even extend this by popping over the border to Armenia, Azerbaijan, or Turkey before returning to Georgia.

As soon as you land, you’ll notice the Georgian language, which has its own distinct alphabet. It’s useful to learn a few basic phrases, if possible, but as the language is very unique, it can be difficult to pick up unless you’re a real linguist! 

For many years, Georgia fell under the hegemony of Imperial Russia, and then the Soviet Union, and so the Russian language is still seen and spoken across Georgia, particularly among the older generations. If you speak Russian, you’ll find your way around easily indeed. 

Things are changing, though, and the younger generations of Georgians are learning English and other languages, often speaking English alongside Russian and Georgian. In Tbilisi and other tourist-focused destinations, you’ll find many English speakers to help you out.

Politically, there are a few important things to know before you start your 2 weeks in Georgia. For starters, Georgian isn’t the only language spoken by locals. In fact, different regions typically have local dialects and languages alongside distinct ‘national’ identities. 

In Svaneti and Tusheti, for example, communities are fiercely independent, while Adjara functions as a largely autonomous province. This has been taken to the extreme in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, two regions that have declared independence from Georgia. 

Georgia’s two breakaway territories have been largely self-governing since the fall of the Soviet Union, but they continue to cause political problems, including the 2008 Russian invasion of Georgia. Keep one eye on the news, but these days, things have calmed down, and most of Georgia is a safe place to visit. 

Getting Around Georgia

The country’s primary airport is located just outside Tbilisi, with regular flights connecting the capital to European destinations, as well as regional hubs like Istanbul and Dubai. Budget airlines like Wizz Air operate flights to Kutaisi from many European airports, with direct buses connecting Kutaisi to Tbilisi and Batumi (although it’s a three to four-hour drive to either). 

Stretching from the Black Sea to the Caucasus Mountains, Georgia is a small country, but it’s also a country with an extreme diversity of landscapes. That can make getting around a challenge, particularly when the weather’s bad. 

Outside of the summer season, roads in the mountains are often closed for long periods of time (the road to Tusheti, for example, is closed for almost six months of the year). Those same mountain roads are often treacherous, and it’s recommended to travel with a local driver who knows the routes.

That being said, there are good connections from Tbilisi to Kazbegi (including to the ski resorts during winter) and from Kutaisi, Batumi, and Tbilisi to Svaneti. An irregular network of minibuses (in various states of disrepair) ply major routes between towns and cities. 

These marshrutkas are a hangover from the Soviet era, and while cost-effective, it can be difficult to find local timetables. You may also find smaller shared taxis running the same routes. From Tbilisi, there’s a regular train connection to Batumi (taking around five hours), as well as overnight sleeper trains to Yerevan (Armenia) and Baku (Azerbaijan). 

Georgia Itinerary: 2 Weeks to Explore the Highlights of the Country

Tbilisi – 4 Nights

Your 2-week trip to Georgia starts in Tbilisi, the capital and one of the most beautiful cities in Georgia. Known for its colorful old town, where Persian, Imperial Russian, Soviet, and Georgian designs clash marvelously, Tbilisi is guaranteed to steal your heart and soul with its food, wine, and cultural sights.

Old Town

Start with a walking tour of Old Tbilisi, where you’ll be guided past Orthodox churches, into underground bakeries, and past waterfalls that fall from rocky precipices (how many cities can claim to have a waterfall in the city center?). 

You’ll learn how King Vakhtang I founded Tbilisi on the site of thermal hot springs back in the fifth century AD (after seeing an unfortunate pheasant fall into them), and you can take a steaming hot sulfur bath to experience the city’s bathing culture first hand. 

Take the cable car to the lofty heights of the Narikala fortress, where the Soviet-built Mother of Georgia statue stands above the city, a sword in one hand and a jug of wine in the other. Make your way down to the river, and you can explore the curious Soviet memorabilia for sale at the Flea Market before stopping off at a riverside restaurant for your first taste of Georgian cuisine (start with the khinkali, a type of stuffed dumpling, and a khachapuri, a cheesy, sometimes eggy bread!). 

Museums and Galleries

History buffs can visit the National Museum of Georgia on Rustaveli Avenue before seeing sights like the Georgian Parliament building, the Tbilisi Art Gallery, and Liberty Square. Spend your evening sipping on Georgian wine as you gorge your way around Tbilisi’s best restaurants (start with Barbarestan, Shavi Lomi, and Machakhela).

You’ll want at least four nights in Tbilisi, not only because you’re going to fall in love with the Georgian capital, but because it’s a fantastic base for day trips (you could take four nights at the start of your trip, or if you’re flying back out of Tbilisi you could start with two nights in the capital and end the trip with two more).

Gori

If you’re big into your history, you’ll want to take a trip to Gori, the notorious hometown of Stalin, the world’s most infamous dictator. You can see the house where Stalin supposedly spent his earliest years, while the Stalin Museum tells of his rise to power and rule.

Sighnaghi and Telavi

If that’s too intense, you might prefer a day trip into the heartland of Georgian wine instead. Take a tour of Sighnaghi, a gloriously romantic town about two hours east of Tbilisi. Walk the famous walls, then taste your way around cellars like Pheasant’s Tears Winery, where you can learn more about the unique fermentation process of the Qveri, an 8,000-year-old production process that involves clay pots and orange wine. From Sighnaghi, it’s a short journey to Telavi, where you can visit the famed Tsinandali Estate and tour the Shumi Winery before heading back to Tbilisi. 

Kazbegi – 2 nights

After settling into the capital, it’s time to leave the colorful streets and balconies of Old Tbilisi behind in order to venture into Georgia’s iconic mountains. Located at an altitude of 1,740 meters (5,709 feet), your next destination is Kazbegi – or Stepantsminda, as it’s also called – a mountain town on the border with Russia that’s home to one of the most dramatic churches in the world.

Hop on a marshrutka in Tbilisi, and it could take anywhere between three and five hours to reach Kazbegi – it really depends on the weather and traffic. Rather than busing it, we recommend embracing the slow travel and hiring a driver or joining a group tour from Tbilisi. The road north is winding, always scenic, and epic at almost every turn. 

Zhinvali Reservoir

Just outside of Tbilisi, you can start by stopping in the ancient Georgian capital of Mtskheta, one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. Take your time, and you can then stop for a panorama of the Zhinvali Reservoir, you can explore the rebuilt walls of the ancient Ananuri Fortress Complex, and take a look at the crumbling Soviet remains of the Russia-Georgia Friendship Monument. You also pass Gudari on the way, where you’ll find Georgia’s best ski resorts in winter. 

Gergeti Trinity Church

Kazbegi is really Tbilisi’s mountain retreat, and you’ll find everything from basic homestays to a fabulous five-star hotel you can book for your next two nights. Depending on the time you arrive, you can make your way straight to Gergeti Trinity Church – if you’re not too tired – for an epic sunset. It’s a 1.5-hour hike (mostly uphill) or a much shorter taxi drive. 

Gergeti Glacier

Get an early night for an early start, as the next day, you’ll be hiking all day. There are plenty of different trails to suit different abilities. The Gergeti Glacier hike takes you up to around 3,500 meters (11,483 feet), passing the Gergeti Trinity Church along the way. At around eight hours in walking time, it’s a great day trip. 

Truso Valley

The Truso Valley hike is a much flatter walk through spectacular mountain villages, although you’ll need to take a four-by-four to the start point. All the while, you’ll be walking in the shadow of Mount Kazbek, which, at over 5,000 meters (16,404 feet), is the third-highest peak in the Caucasus. There are countless more hiking trails, but unfortunately, the following day you need to make your way back down to Tbilisi for the next stage of your Georgia itinerary. 

Batumi – 3 nights

Overlooking the Black Sea, Batumi is a beautiful resort town lined with pebble beaches and gifted with a sub-tropical climate that keeps temperatures toasty all year round. You’re a far cry from the mountains of Kazbegi now, and you’ve got three nights to relax and recuperate on the Black Sea. 

Batumi Boulevard

You can reach Batumi on the train from Tbilisi (save time and money by taking the overnight sleeper, if you fancy) or by direct marshrutka (it generally takes a minimum of six hours). After the journey, you’ll welcome a cold drink at a beach bar along Batumi Boulevard, the long boardwalk that fronts the city. The same boulevard is popular for joggers and cyclists, so feel free to stretch your legs if you’ve still got the energy!

Gonio Fortress

The next day, you can start your sightseeing. Batumi has a long history stretching back to antiquity (you can even visit Gonio Fortress, a nearby Roman ruin, if you have time), but today the city is best known for its somewhat garish modern architecture. 

Alphabetic Tower

The McDonald’s looks like it was dropped out of space, while the Alphabetic Tower is equally bizarre. Much of the building spree has been funded (presumably) by the recent tourism boom, which is largely driven by Middle Eastern and Turkish visitors interested in spending money in the many casinos lining the seafront.

Other Things to do

There’s much to do in Batumi, but halfway through your trip, you’ll want to take things slow. You can hop on the Argo Cable Car for spectacular views over the Black Sea or head to Batumi’s extensive Botanical Gardens to see the different flora from around the world that thrive in subtropical climes. There are sandy (rather than pebbly) beaches to the north, while waterfalls and canyons await you in the forests inland.

Adjara

Batumi is the capital of Adjara, a region that is best known for its extravagant khachapuri. This is the home of the Adjarian khachapuri, a boat-shaped bread bowl that’s filled with eggs and cheese. Take a cooking class to learn more! 

Svaneti – 3 nights

After a few relaxing days on the pebble beaches of Batumi, it’s time to pack the bags and lace up your hiking boots again. You’ve got another long travel day ahead, but it’s worth every bump in the road when you finally make it to Svaneti. 

Caucasus Mountains

Svaneti is Georgia’s northwestern mountain province, where you’ll find high-altitude communities and soaring peaks rising above 5,000 meters (16,404 feet) – Svaneti is home to some of the highest mountains in the Caucasus, including Shkhara, the highest peak in Georgia. 

Svaneti Region

You’ll be making your way along the long, dramatic road to Mestia, where you’ll find a growing hub for tourism in the Svaneti region. Mestia sits at an altitude of around 1,500 meters (4,921 feet), and it’s at least a six-hour drive from Batumi. You can hire a driver or find a marshrutka, although you may need to change minibuses in Zugdidi. 

Acclimatize to the mountain air and altitude with a leisurely exploration of the town, where you can climb the distinctive Svan Towers that were built for defense during the perpetual clan wars that were once endemic in this isolated part of the world. Visit the excellent Svaneti Museum of History and Ethnography, and you can learn more about the wild history and unique language of the Svan people who call the mountains home. 

Other Places to See

Mestia is a perfect base for hiking, and if you have more than 2 weeks in Georgia, there are many multi-day routes you can tackle. For those of you without the luxury of time, however, you’ve got many a day hike to choose from. One of the best is the hike to Chaladi Glacier, a relatively flat route that’s around 19 kilometers (12 miles) there and back, while Koruldi Lakes is an epic eight or nine-hour day hike away.

One of the best places to visit in Georgia is Ushguli, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed village that’s dotted with crumbling Svan Towers. At an altitude of 2,100 meters (6,890 feet), Ushguli is the highest permanently inhabited village in Europe. It’s a four-day walk one way from Mestia, but you can hire a four-by-four or join a tour to make it there and back in a day. 

Kutaisi – 2 nights

Now it’s time to head back down the mountain for the last stop on your Georgia itinerary. Kutaisi is one of the top places to visit in Georgia, particularly if you love food, wine, and gorgeous natural scenery. This is Georgia’s third-largest city, and like many cities here, it has a long history stretching back to antiquity. 

Prometheus Cave

Nearby, you can join a day trip to Prometheus Cave, a vast underground cavern that is said to be where the mythical Greek character Prometheus was chained for eternity after defying the gods and stealing fire.

Day trips to the cave typically take in the Martvili Canyon, too, where you’ll be awed by a thundering river crashing through a dramatic gorge. 

Famous Religious Attractions

In Kutaisi itself, you can visit famous religious attractions like the Bagrati Cathedral and the Gelati Monastery, or you can take a trip to the old Soviet spa town of Tskaltubo, which is slowly being revitalized after decades of neglect. The sights are great, but Kutaisi is the capital of Georgia’s Imereti region, which is best known for its excellent cuisine (you’ll have already tried Imeretian khachapuri by this stage in the trip, we guarantee!).

Baia’s Winery

Join a food-focused day tour from Kutaisi, and you can visit local farmsteads in the countryside, where you’ll be able to find fresh, seasonal Georgian ingredients, including the saltiest cheeses and classic dishes like lobio. 

One of the best tours takes you to Baia’s Winery, where you’ll learn the ancient art of Georgian winemaking (which has a history stretching back 8,000 years) on a family-run vineyard that exports its best vintages to thirsty markets across Europe. 

You can fly direct from Kutaisi to many destinations in Europe and the Middle East, or you can hop on one last marshrutka and return to Tbilisi, which is roughly a 4-hour drive away. 

There you have it! That’s our perfect 2-week Georgia itinerary. Where will your trip to Georgia take you?

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