Planning a Georgia itinerary can seem a little bit overwhelming when considering just how much there is to see and do here. Though it has always been a popular holiday destination for citizens of the former Soviet Union, the small country of Georgia in the South Caucasus region has only recently begun to gain attention from nations further afield.
Whether it’s the dramatic Caucasus mountains, the world-class cuisine and viticulture, the hip atmosphere of Tbilisi or the famous hospitality that draws you to Georgia, there is no doubt that this country has a lot to offer.
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How Many Days in Georgia?
How long do you need to spend in the Republic of Georgia in order to do it justice, visit where you want to visit and not feel rushed or unfulfilled?
You could be forgiven for thinking that, because it is so small geographically, you wouldn’t need to spend that much time in Georgia. However, you would be surprised by just how much there is to see and do in this seemingly small country.
That is why we wouldn’t recommend staying less than one week in Georgia and would only suggest staying fewer days if you are only planning a short city break to Tbilisi.
Even one week really isn’t enough to give Georgia the justice it deserves, but it does give you an adequate amount of time to get a feel for the country.
If you’re able to take more time to explore Georgia, then that is all the better. If you can, we would really suggest planning to spend at least 2 weeks in Georgia.
However, 3 weeks would be the most ideal length of time for a Georgia trip. When you have 3 weeks in Georgia, you will be able to see a good portion of the country and really feel as if you’ve got a good feel for all of the diverse places and the incredible culture.
In our experience travelling through this country (we also lived in Tbilisi for a couple of years), we have come to agree that that length of time is optimal to see as much of Georgia as possible without overwhelming yourself.
Best Time to Visit Georgia
It is fair to say that Georgia experiences a typical continental climate with cold winters and hot summers. Outside of the mountain areas, you can expect the winter months to be the coldest with temperatures hovering somewhere around freezing.
Because of its southern location, winters do tend to be fairly short (the coldest months will be December and January) and not all that snowy in the bigger cities like Tbilisi and Kutaisi.
However, it will still be necessary to have proper winter clothing if travelling to Georgia between late November – late March. Winter is also an attractive time to visit if you want to take advantage of some of the most affordable ski resorts in Europe.
In contrast, summers in Georgia can be incredibly hot, with temperatures in the lower regions and capital soaring to well over 35-40 degrees Celsius (95-102 degrees Fahrenheit), with the mountainous offering some respite from the heat.
Summer is the ideal season to visit if you plan to do a lot of hiking or trekking while in Georgia as it is the only season where mountain trails and roads are sure to be open. It is also the best time to visit the coastal area of Batumi.
Like most everywhere else in the world, I would say that the ideal time to visit Georgia would be in the shoulder seasons between March-May and September-November. Here is where you will experience the mildest of weather, fewer crowds (though there aren’t many crowds in Georgia to begin with), and the most availability when it comes to accommodation.
What is worth noting is that, if you do plan to travel in spring, the few weeks surrounding Easter tend to get as busy as it does in peak season. That is because people from countries that celebrate both Orthodox and Catholic/Protestant Easter usually have a bit of time off and use it to travel to Georgia.
Getting To & Around Georgia
Unless you arrive in Georgia overland via Russia, Turkey, Armenia or Azerbaijan, it is likely that you will come into Georgia via air. There are three main airports where you could fly into: Batumi, Kutaisi, and Tbilisi.
Kutaisi airport is the hub for the budget airline WizzAir and is where many European tourists will arrive into, however, the highest-traffic airport is in Tbilisi.
All three airports are well-connected to other major cities with buses timed with arrivals to shuttle you onto another destination. For instance, if you fly into Kutaisi (located in Western Georgia) but want to begin your trip to Georgia in Tbilisi, there is a bus connection leaving directly from the airport for those cities.
Georgia is actually a relatively easy country to travel in and has a fairly easy-to-navigate public transport system. If you’re travelling to Georgia on a budget, then your best bet is going to be to rely upon the bus, train and shared taxi network, as it will undoubtedly save you a lot of money.
The most common mode of transport is by minibus, most commonly referred to as a marshrutka in Georgia. These usually seat about 15 people and are incredibly affordable. Popular routes between various cities run frequently, though they don’t often run on absolute set schedules, rather they depart when they are full.
The train network in Georgia exists, but it is neither as developed nor as convenient as the marshrutka system. There are train routes connecting most major cities in Georgia, however, they tend to leave at odd times and can be slow going depending on the route. Trains are, however, also quite an affordable way to travel and can offer a bit more comfort than a minibus.
Travelling by shared taxi is also a popular option in Georgia, and you can usually find a driver to whichever destination you looking to travel to at the bus station.
The car usually has a set price and you will wait until there are enough people to split the fare between before you will depart. Usually, they accommodate up to four people, however, taxis will depart with only one or two provided you pay the entire fare. You can pre-book drivers here.
If you would rather not rely on public transit while in Georgia, then your best bet is going to be to rent a car. Driving in Georgia can prove to be a daunting task as the road can be in poor repair and the drivers can be aggressive and erratic, but it is nonetheless a popular option amongst travellers looking to be a bit more flexible with their Georgia travel itinerary.
If you want to rent a car in Georgia, you can rent directly from locals by using LocalRent which connects private individuals renting a car with drivers.
1-Week Georgia Itinerary
As stated above, one week can very much seem like not enough time to spend in Georgia, however, it is long enough to give you an excellent taste of the country. The only harm of this itinerary is that you are sure to leave ready to plan another trip.
Days 1-3: Tbilisi
The most logical first stop through this beautiful country is in the capital city of Georgia, Tbilisi. A metropolis known to charm all of those who care to explore it, this hip capital has a tonne of great things to do and can easily keep visitors occupied for a number of days.
However, for your 7 days in Georgia, we recommend spending three days in Tbilisi.
This will give you a solid amount of time to be able to explore all of the main sites in Tbilisi and maybe take an easy day trip to nearby Mtskheta, which was the former capital of Georgia, to the incredible Chronicles of Georgia Monument or to Stalin’s birthplace of Gori and nearby Uplistsikhe.
Spend your first day exploring Tbilisi’s old town, seeing the Narikala Fortress and the Mother of Georgia statue and wandering over to the gorgeous botanical garden.
On your second day, hunt for interesting antiques at the Dry Bridge Market before crossing the Mtkvari River to the Marjanishvili neighbourhood.
And on your third day, you can either spend it exploring more of Tbilisi or opting to head out on one of the aforementioned day trips.
Where to Stay in Tbilisi
Pushkin 10 Hostel — A high-rated hostel located in the centre of the city, this is a great option for budget and solo travellers looking to meet others. They have both private and dorm rooms available and good common areas available to mingle with other travellers.
Guest House Rampa – A budget guesthouse located in the Abanotubani neighbourhood is an excellent option for those looking for more of a local experience. They have a range of private rooms available for both solo travellers and couples and a kitchen available for guests to use.
Hotel Flower — This centrally-located hotel is an excellent place to stay if your budget allows for a bit more luxury hostel or guesthouse. It is within walking distance of most of Tbilisi’s main attractions, they have numerous rooms available (some with their own hot tub!) and a great breakfast included in your nightly rate.
Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Tbilisi hotels
Days 4-5: Kazbegi
After spending your first few days in Tbilisi, it’s time to head north and venture into the beautiful Caucasus mountains. One of the most famous places to do this and one of the best places to visit in Georgia, is in the town of Stepantsminda, commonly referred to as Kazbegi.
Nestled in a valley surrounded by the Greater Caucasus, Kazbegi may well be one of Georgia’s most picturesque areas. And while the town itself isn’t anything to write home about, the scenery surrounding it is truly spectacular.
The most popular thing to do in Kazbegi is to hike up to the Gergeti Trinity Church, which is perched in an incredible location in view of the imposing Mount Kazbek — the 7th highest peak in the Caucasus and a site to numerous legends.
Because of its small size, many treat Kazbegi as a day trip from Tbilisi, however, we would recommend spending one full day (two nights) here in order not to rush yourself and to truly be able to enjoy the incredible scenery.
Where to Stay in Kazbegi
Guest House Kavtarashvili 38 — A small, family-run guesthouse well-located within a short walk of the main drag in Kazbegi and the bus station. They have a handful of clean and comfortable rooms available and a great breakfast option.
Red Stone Guest House — Located in Gergeti Village, this guesthouse is a great option if you want to get an early start on the hike to the Gergeti Trinity Church. They have a number of great rooms available and a hearty breakfast option included.
Rooms Hotel Kazbegi — This is the place to stay if you want to live in luxury during your time in Kazbegi. They have a number of chic and comfortable rooms to choose from, great facilities such as a swimming pool and sauna and a great restaurant with commanding views of Mount Kazbek.
Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other options in Kazbegi!
Days 6-7: Sighnaghi
After enjoying the cosmopolitan vibes of Tbilisi and taking in the imposing Greater Caucasus in Kazbegi, it’s time to discover another aspect that makes Georgia famous — its wine! And there is no better place to do this than the postcard-perfect town of Sighnaghi in the Kakheti region.
You will need to head back to Tbilisi in order to easily get from Kazbegi to Sighnaghi, but it isn’t far from the Georgian capital.
This walled hill town is often referred to as the prettiest town in Georgia and it is an excellent place to escape for a couple of days. Located in the heart of Georgia’s main wine-producing region, you can also opt to go on a wine tour to local vineyards and cellars and learn about Georgia’s ancient viticulture techniques — the oldest in the world!
Again, Sighnaghi is often treated solely as a day trip, however, as we believe that both the surrounding wine country and the town itself are worth exploring, we recommend spending as much time as your itinerary allows.
Where to Stay in Sighnaghi
Maya Guesthouse – This well-located family guesthouse is a fantastic budget option in Sighnaghi. They have a few clean and comfortable rooms available, a beautiful balcony commanding spectacular views of the Alazani Valley and an option to add breakfast and dinner to your room rate. They will also organise tours of the surrounding area.
Guesthouse Wine – An excellent family-run guesthouse in the town centre that has numerous comfortable and clean rooms with friendly and helpful owners. They also make and sell their own delicious wine on site.
Boutique Hotel BelleVue – A boutique hotel in the town centre, they have myriad rooms to choose from. This is a great option if you’re looking for a romantic getaway in Sighnaghi and your budget allows for more than a guesthouse.
Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Sighnaghi hotels!
2-Week Georgia Itinerary
If you have a fortnight, this will give you a great amount of time to really dig deep and visit a number of different destinations and really get to know the country and its people. Here is what to do in Georgia in two weeks:
Days 1-3: Tbilisi
Begin your 14 days in Georgia with three days in Tbilisi. Follow the suggestions above as to how to spend your time and where to stay in the city.
Days 4-5: Kazbegi
Like in the one-week itinerary, your next stop should be Kazbegi, the beautiful mountain with imposing views of the stunning Mount Kazbek. Again, you only really need about two nights here (one full day) to be able to get the most out of these destinations.
Days 6-8: Sighnaghi
Like in the one-week itinerary, make your next stop be the lovely town of Sighnaghi and spend a couple of days tasting wine, walking the town walls, and enjoying the prettiest town in Georgia.
Days 9-11: Borjomi
From Sighnaghi, you can easily head to the town of Borjomi with a quick connection in Tbilisi. Borjomi is a beautiful spa town located to the west of Tbilisi and is famed for its healing, sulphuric waters.
You can spend one day exploring the lovely town of Borjomi, taking a walk through its lush central park and going for a swim in naturally warm sulphur pools which is one of the most iconic things to do in Georgia!
Borjomi is also an excellent jumping-off point to explore the incredible cave city of Vardzia, which is located about 100 kilometres south of Borjomi and accessible as a day trip from the city.
You could also venture into nature at the lovely Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, the largest national park in Georgia. Here you will find ample trekking opportunities.
Where to Stay in Borjomi
Guesthouse Metreveli – This is an excellent guesthouse located in a quiet neighbourhood about 10 10-minute walk from the city centre. They have three comfortable rooms available, a delicious breakfast option, and friendly owners who will fill you with their homemade wine and chacha.
Crowne Plaza Borjomi – This is the place to stay if you want a swanky, luxury hotel in Borjomi. Located next to the Central Park in a beautiful historic building, they have a myriad of luxe rooms available and numerous amenities.
Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Borjomi hotels!
Days 12-14: Kutaisi
End your trip to Georgia in the country’s third-largest city of Kutaisi. Though it has now become a hub for low-cost airlines that have affordably connected Georgia with continental Europe, this city is often overlooked by tourists.
We find this to be a huge mistake as there are a number of really great things to do in Kutaisi and the surrounding Imereti region. Take one day to explore the laid-back city, take in the bustling Green Bazaar, visit the Bagrati Cathedral and head to the lovely botanical gardens.
On your other days, use it as a base to explore the region and maybe go on a day trip to the impressive Prometheus Cave or lovely Martvili Canyon. There are also some excellent wineries to head to in the Imereti region and the nearby town of Tskaltubo is popular for urban explorers, as well.
Kutaisi also has a very good restaurant scene and you can eat very well in this city. All in all, Kutaisi is an excellent way to see a smaller city in Georgia and a great place to end your trip.
Where to Stay in Kutaisi
Pospolita Guesthouse – A small, family-run guesthouse with very friendly owners, this is an excellent budget option in Kutaisi. Well-located within easy walking distance of all of the Kutaisi attractions, there is also a large homemade breakfast included.
Hotel Green Town – If you’re looking for a proper hotel rather than a guesthouse, then this is a great option. Located a stone’s throw from the beautiful and historic Bagrati Cathedral, they have a range of rooms available, offer a shuttle service from Kutaisi Airport and a hearty breakfast included in the nightly rate.
Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other hotels in Kutaisi!
3-Week Georgia Itinerary
3 weeks is really the ideal amount of time to really get to know the country.
With this amount of time, you will be able to see and do as much as possible without totally exhausting yourself. If you’re wondering what to see in Georgia for three weeks, follow these suggestions:
Days 1-4: Tbilisi
Begin in the capital of Tbilisi. While we recommend spending three days here in the other routes above, we suggest upping that to 4 days if you have 3 weeks for your trip.
This will allow you to see a lot of the capital city while giving you time to go on a day trip or two. Popular and easy-to-organise day trips from Tbilisi include to Mtskheta, Gori, Telavi and beyond.
Days 5-6: Kazbegi
After spending four days in Tbilisi, head up to Kazbegi and follow the suggestions above for how to spend your time there and where to stay.
Days 7-9: Sighnaghi
Like the one- and two-week Georgia routes outlined above, we recommend heading to the lovely town of Sighnaghi to taste some fantastic wines and enjoy the lovely atmosphere.
Days 10-12: Borjomi
After visiting Sighnaghi, Borjomi makes an excellent next stop on this three-week trip.
Spend one day on a day trip to Vardzia and the Rabati Fortress complex in Akhaltsikhe and the other day either exploring the town of Borjomi itself or trekking in the national park.
Days 13-15: Kutaisi
Georgia’s third-largest city of Kutaisi is the logical next stop from Borjomi and it is worth spending a couple of days exploring the city and its surrounding area and enjoying its gastronomic scene.
Days 16-18: Mestia
After enjoying laid-back Kutaisi, it’s time to head into the Greater Caucasus once more and explore the beautiful Svaneti region. The most developed, easy-to-reach and tourist-friendly town here is the lovely village of Mestia.
While this three-week trip doesn’t give you enough time for it (unless you cut out the last stop!), Mestia is well-known as the starting point for the four-day Mestia to Ushguli trek, a hiking route that takes you from village to village until you reach what claims to be the highest town in Europe: Ushguli.
However, if you don’t have the time for this trek, you can spend one day in Mestia and going for one of the day hikes that are easily accessible from the town. On the other day, you can hire a 4WD or take a tour up to the town of Ushguli and even trek to the glacier from there.
This is truly a beautiful place in Georgia and very much cannot be missed on your 3-week itinerary for Georgia.
Where to Stay in Mestia
Guesthouse Guram Baba – This family-run guesthouse is an excellent place to stay if you’re visiting Mestia on a budget. They have a number of clean and comfortable rooms available, a kitchen available for guests’ use, and the friendly owners will organise transport to Ushguli if you’d like.
Hotel Level – This hotel is a great option if you’re looking for a more high-end place to stay in Mestia. They have numerous rooms available and an option to include breakfast in the nightly rate.
Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more accommodation in Mestia!
Days 19-21: Batumi
After ascending some of the highest peaks in Georgia, it’s time to soothe those sore muscles in the saltwater of the Black Sea in Georgia’s premier resort town of Batumi!
Batumi has been a popular holiday destination since the days when Georgia was under the rule of the Russian Empire, however, these days its grand colonial past also shares space with modern high-rises, futuristic architecture, and plenty of casinos. Acting as something like a mini Las Vegas on the sea, Batumi isn’t for everyone.
However, it is possible to have a mellow beach holiday here as well. You can spend one of your days soaking up the rays on the beach and swimming in the Black Sea and another getting lost in the massive botanical garden located a few kilometres outside of the city centre.
Batumi is a little bit out of the way for shorter Georgia routes, however, it is the perfect place to end your trip.
Depending on where you plan to visit after Georgia, it is possible to travel on to Turkey from Batumi. There are also easy connections from Batumi to Kutaisi or Batumi to Tbilisi.
Where to Stay in Batumi
Hotel N16 – This hotel is an excellent place to stay in Batumi. Located within walking distance of the beach and the promenade, they have numerous rooms available, an incredible view and a helpful staff.
Hotel Monarch – This hotel is a great option if you’re looking for a nice place to stay while still supporting a local business. Well-located close to the beach and the main sites, they also have an array of clean and comfortable rooms available.
Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Batumi hotels!
Planning a trip to Georgia can seem daunting when you consider just how much there is to see and do in such a small country. However, regardless of how long you have you’ll be sure to make your trip a memorable one.
Are you planning to visit Georgia? Have any questions about these routes? Let us know in the comments!
thank you so much.. this is very helpful. Can u give more details where to visit during december? we are plannig on a trip to Georgia by december end- january start. am assuming, many places will be blocked due to snow? we plan to rent a car for traveling within the country. Will snow be an issue for this? Any info would be helpful. Thank you.
Good morning,
thanks for this excellent blog, it really helps me planning my trip!
I have one question: how do you get from Borjomi to Kutaisi by train? I’ve read it somewhere but cannot find it anymore, I’ve also checked the Georgian railway’s website … are you familiar with this option? Or do you recommend the marshrutka?
Thank you in advance!
Katya
The most frequent and easiest way to get between Kutaisi and Borjomi is going to be the marshrutka 🙂
Thank you for these information about Georgia. This will help a lot those travellers who are planning to visit Georgia, and I hope we will also be able to visit this beautiful country soon.
Thanks for your comment! I hope that you’re able to get to Georgia soon 🙂