An Enjoyable 2 Week Georgia Itinerary (The Country!)

Are you headed to the beautiful country of Georgia and looking for the perfect 2-week Georgia itinerary? Well then, you’ve certainly come to the right place, as on this page I will introduce an incredible 2-week road trip across Georgia to you. 

Georgia is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and I do not say that lightly. For such a small country, it packs a huge punch when it comes to amazing places to see and exciting things to do. Everyone who visits Georgia leaves hoping to return again one day. 

I’ve done this exact road trip and spent countless hours exploring the places you will experience on this itinerary in order to give you the most up-to-date and useful information for planning your trip. Georgia is one of my favorite countries in the world and you can trust you’re getting the best info here. 

Note: this article contains affiliate links, which means that should you purchase something or get a quote through them I may make a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps keep the site running with up to date information. I do not represent World Nomads, Booking.com, or Rentalcars.com. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy the product mentioned in this article.

Summary of the Main Sites You Will See

The itinerary below goes into more detail about everything you will see on this trip, but let’s start with a simple list of the main sites and regions to you are going to visit to pique your interest. 

• Tbilisi (capital city of Georgia)
• Mtskheta
• Uplistsikhe
• Rabati Castle
• Vardzia
• Kazbegi (aka Stepantsminda) 
• Truso Gorge
• Juta
• Kakheti Wine Region
• Sighnaghi

Significant additional optional sites:

• Katskhi Column
• Vashlovani National Park
• David Gareji Monastery 

Now, while Georgia is a small country, there are a hell of a lot of places to see and things to do in Georgia. You can’t possibly see everything in two weeks. There are some amazing places that you’re going to miss, such as Ushguli, one of the most picturesque ancient mountain villages in Europe. 

Things you will miss on this Georgia itinerary:

• Batumi and the Black Sea coast
• Ushguli and Mestia
• Tusheti National Park
• Tbilisi National Park
• Most of the optional places listed above

2 Week Georgia Itinerary – Important Information

How to get around Georgia

This 2 week Georgia itinerary is really only possible if you drive yourself. You could do it with a combination of minibusses and organized tours from Tbilisi, but you’ll never be able to go everywhere you’ll want to see with that option. So this itinerary is given as a road trip that you will drive yourself on. 

Driving in Georgia can be a bit hectic. It’s more like driving in Southeast Asia than it is in Europe. But it’s safe, and by far the best way to get around the country. Before you plan your trip, be sure to read my tips for driving in Georgia, as I go into detail about what to expect when driving around the country in that article. 

I won’t go into detail about driving in Georgia here, so be sure to check out that article. But one important thing to note is that Georgian roads are often not in great condition. There are many potholes and dirt roads. 

Due to this, it is highly advised that you rent a 4×4 vehicle with high clearance when driving around Georgia. All rental companies offer 4×4 SUVs, as it’s the most common type of vehicle people rent in Georgia. It’s not 100% required to have a 4×4 for this itinerary, but it will make your trip a whole lot easier and safer. I will note the places on the itinerary where you cannot access without a 4×4.

You can search for car rental options from the Tbilisi Airport and book your rental car using the link for Discovercars below. We have found Discovercars to have by far the best rental rates in Europe and we recommend them to our readers. You have to pay up front with them, but the booking is fully refundable, like other rental car agencies.

Again, be sure to filter for 4x4s and make sure the vehicle make has high clearance.

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Click here to book a great deal on a rental car from Tbilisi Airport! 

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Where the trip starts and ends 

This itinerary starts and ends in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia and the only international airport in the country. You could enter Georgia from Armenia, Turkey, as Azerbaijan, but for the purpose of this itinerary we will assume you are flying into Tbilisi and arriving a day or night before starting your road trip. 

The airport is just north of the city and is not very well connected to the rest of the world. There are flights to Dubai, Istanbul, Frankfurt, and a few other international destinations. So you’ll be laying over somewhere in Europe or the Middle East and likely arrive very late at night. 

Look for a hotel near the airport that first night if you get in late. And don’t worry about renting vehicles late at night. Most of the rental agencies operate 24 hours and will meet you at the airport with your car. Be sure to verify that before booking, though. 

Landscape of Georgia 

The landscape of Georgia is characterized by massive mountains, arid valleys, and rocky gorges. For a small country it’s truly remarkable how diverse the landscape is. Epic mountain lakes and massive glaciers give way to rolling hills covered in ancient monasteries and sprawling vineyards. 

The Caucasus Mountains in the northern part of the country on the border with Russia are the highest mountains in Europe, with peaks that would soar over the Matterhorn or Mont Blanc. Not far away, in the southern half of the country, the climate is dry and arid. There are rocky cliffs with ancient cave cities built into them. 

To the west is the Black Sea, where pebbly beaches form the coastal landscape, surrounded by resorts and highrise hotels. At the far west side lies Vashlovani National Park, Europe’s only natural desert ecosystem complete with endless badlands and poisonous snakes. 

It’s an incredibly beautiful country. And that’s just the natural stuff! The Georgians have cultivated wine for millennia and the valleys of the Kakheti Wine Region are scattered with vineyards. Ancient monasteries are literally everywhere you look. It’s just a fascinating place to drive around!

Hiking 

If you’re not a fan of the great outdoors then this is probably not the Georgia itinerary for you. You will spend a lot of time in the mountains here, where hiking is the main activity. This itinerary includes an overnight hike on Mount Kazbegi, and multiple other hikes.

If hiking is not your thing, there is still a ton of awesomeness to be found in Georgia for you. In that case, you’ll want to shorten your stay up in Kazbegi and skip Juta all together. You can replace that with a visit to Batumi and the beach instead. 

Total mileage covered

Although it’s a small country, you will spend a decent amount of time in the car on this road trip. There will also be little side trips here and there that I’m not including in the total distance, which if you follow this route will be about 700 miles (1120 km). 

Remember how I said that most roads in Georgia are not in great condition. That means driving times are slower than you might be used to. 95% of this road trip is on 2-lane rural highways, which are sometimes literal dirt or gravel roads. There is only one actual multi-lane motorway in the country (between Tbilisi and Batumi) and you’ll be on that sparingly.  

The total driving time is about 21 hours – not including side trips – with the longest day of driving being about 6 hours from Vardzia near the Turkish border to Kazbegi near the Russian border. Including side trips you can reasonably expect to spend at least 24 hours in your vehicle. But hey, it’s a road trip after all.  

That’s also part of the adventure and enjoyment. Everywhere you drive will be flat out gorgeous and there will be surprising things to stop and see. Keep your eyes peeled for hidden monasteries or locals selling fresh honey or fruits on the side of the road. 

Money

Georgia has its own currency, the Georgian Lari. As of early 2024 $1 USD is 2.68 Lari. You will need cash so be sure to take some out from the airport. It’s still a very cash-based society. 

Expected total cost

Georgia is one of the most affordable countries in the world to travel and live in. Things are downright cheap in Georgia and you can get decent hotel rooms for literally $15 USD. Incredibly nice 5-star accommodations can be more like $150/night, which is a bargain for what you’ll get. 

Food is also dirt cheap in Georgia. You can have an epic feast with wine, appetizers, multiple main courses, and desert for $20 (outside of Tbilisi, where things are a bit pricier but still cheap). Groceries at supermarkets will also be very cheap. 

The biggest expense once you get to Georgia will be your rental vehicle. If you decide to forgo the 4×4 it can be pretty cheap. But you should get a 4×4 and a 2-week rental will run you at least $500 USD, not including gas, which is not as cheap as everything else in Georgia.

The flight to Tbilisi will be your main expense, as there are few options. If you find a flight from the US under $1000 or a flight from Europe under $400 you’ve done well.  

So in summary, how much you spend on this Georgia trip is up to you. Not including flight and rental car you can budget $50 per day for 2 people, including accommodation and food. You can go even cheaper if you eat frugally. 

You can also spend a lot more if you stay in the nicest hotels and eat at the fanciest restaurants. Even then it will be tough to spend over $250 per day for 2 people. Georgia is a cheap holiday no matter how you look at it!

Weather in Georgia

The weather in Georgia varies greatly in short distances. This is thanks to the rugged mountains that form the border with Russia. Outside of the Caucasus Mountains, most of the country has a semi-arid ecosystem. It’s dry and sunny most of the time, with hot summers and chilly winters.

Up in the mountains, it never gets hot and storms are frequent. While the rest of the country might be clear and sunny, the massive mountains make their own weather and often bring heavy afternoon downpours. 

You need to prepare for all types of weather for this Georgia itinerary. If you go in the summer, it will be hot (30-35 C) in most of the country. But at the same time when you’re hiking in the mountains you need to bring warm clothes, as the frigid mountain air and strong wind gusts can leave you downright freezing. 

Best time of year to set out on this itinerary

The best time of year for a road trip around Georgia is early June to late September. This is based pretty almost completely on weather, as Georgia is still not an international hot spot for most tourists. More and more people are visiting each year, but it’s still off the radar for most people. 

Snow in the mountains doesn’t melt till summer, so even in early June you might have to battle some snow when hiking in the Caucasus. By July the snow has all melted on the hiking trails and the summer wildflowers are blooming. You can visit Georgia year-round, but it will be tough to hit the mountains in the winter and spring if you’re not up for some skiing. 

Where to stay

Each day of the itinerary is discussed in the following sections and each overnight stop includes recommendations for where to stay. Places are listed as “budget”, “mid range”, and “high end”, Keep in mind that “high end” might still be less than $100 USD/night in Georgia.  

Georgian food

Georgian food is one of the best cuisines in the world. On this Georgia itinerary you will be outside the city of Tbilisi for almost the entire time, and you’ll need to be prepared to only eat Georgia food. In Tbilisi you’ll find various cuisines, but elsewhere I hope you’re ready for katchupuri and dumplings!

Travel insurance

When visiting Georgia you’ll absolutely want to have a quality travel insurance policy. We use World Nomads when we travel internationally. World Nomads provides coverage to travelers in over 100 countries.  You can find a great policy on World Nomads by using the link below. 

An Enjoyable 2 Week Georgia Itinerary 

Now we will get into the specifics about the itinerary. I won’t go into great detail about any of the sites and stops here, but you’ll get a good summary that will give you the info you need to plan your trip. You’ll also find links to detailed guides to many destinations in Georgia that I’ve created in the text. You’re going to love it in Georgia!

Day 1: Mtskheta and Uplistsikhe

After a long journey to Tbilisi it’s time to get out and explore what Georgia has to offer! Start by getting out of the city and heading north to Mtskheta. This is a little village just outside of Tbilisi where two rivers meet with a mountainous backdrop. 

The village is known for having two splendid monasteries. A common theme of this road trip will be seeing old Eastern Orthodox monasteries. There are hundreds across Georgia and two of the most spectacular ones are in Mtskheta. Jvari Monastery is atop a hill overlooking the town, while Svetitskhoveli Cathedral is in the center of the village. 

After checking out the two monasteries have lunch in the town before heading west to Uplistsikhe. We recommend Restaurant Check-in Garden for a relaxing atmosphere on the river with good food and cheap drinks. 

Uplistsikhe is the oldest ancient cave city in Georgia and one of the oldest in the world. It dates back to sometime between 1000 and 2000 BC and has been preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Give yourself at least two hours to fully explore the cave city and ingest its rich history. 

For more detailed information on Uplistsikhe, be sure to read my guide to Uplistsikhe and Vardzia!

Optional stops for Day 1

If you’re a history aficionado, you might be interested in the city of Gori just west of Uplistsikhe. The small Georgian city is known for being the home of Joseph Stalin. Not exactly the most friendly figure in history, but he was born right here in Gori. There’s a park and a museum dedicated to him. Just note that the city of Gori in general is super depressing and looks straight out of post-WW2 Soviet Union. 

Day 2: Uplistsikhe to Vardzia 

Have a leisurely breakfast before hitting the road for Akhaltsikhe, about a 3-hour drive west. There is nothing particularly special about the city, other than that it contains the sprawling Rabati Castle. 

What you see today of Rabati Castle was actually built in 2012, as the original castle was destroyed and left in a state of disrepair. The castle complex is impressive and features a splendid mix of Eastern Orthodox and Muslim architecture. Plan to spend about 2 hours exploring Rabati Castle before moving on. 

From Akhaltsikhe it’s another 60-90 minutes to Vardzia, Georgia’s most beautifully preserved cave city. But first, on the road to Vardzia be sure to stop by Khertvisi Fortress, an impressive 15th century castle perched atop a hill on the side of the road. You can climb the hill to see the fortress from the inside, or admire it from the outside.

The best views of the fortress are from a distance though. I suggest driving a bit past the fortress on the E691 for a good view before heading back to take the turn to Vardzia. 

Arrive in Vardzia as evening approaches and have a chill night relaxing at your accommodation. There are two restaurants to choose from for a nice dinner along the river. 

Optional stops for Day 2

It’s a long day on the road so I suggest not making any more stops than mentioned above. 

Day 3: Vardzia

Today will be dedicated to visiting the cave city of Vardzia, one of the coolest things you’ll see on your trip to Georgia. Vardzia is a cave city built into a giant cliffside. Built sometime around 1200 AD, it’s not all that different than the cave cities of Cappadocia in neighboring Turkey. 

In Vardzia’s heyday there were about 6000 homes built into the cliffside. Today about 640 remain. It’s still an incredibly impressive and beautiful place, worthy of a half day of your time. Wander the paths and go inside the cave houses. Just be prepared for a lot of stairs! 

Vardzia is not a full day activity, but I recommend taking the morning or the afternoon to simply relax and enjoy the Georgian sun. Tomorrow will be a long drive and the next few days will be intense. So spend another relaxing night at Vardzia and prepare to hit the road in the morning. 

For detailed information about Vardzia, be sure to read my guide to Vardzia here. 

Day 4: Vardzia to Kazbegi (Stepantsminda)

Today is the longest day in the car. It’s about 6 hours from Vardzia up to Kazbegi (also known as Stepantsminda) with no traffic. Considering stops for food and gas and getting stuck behind a few slow moving trucks, it’s likely to take you all day to get to Kazbegi. 

Kazbegi is the de facto capital of the Georgian mountain region. It’s a resort town with tons of hotels and guesthouses. Right as the base of Mount Kazbegi, one of the highest peaks in Europe, the town is a popular place for Georgians to spend a summer weekend. 

Once you pass Tbilisi the drive to Kazbegi is stunning. You slowly gain elevation as you climb into the Caucasus Mountains, passing sprawling lakes and mountain ski towns as you go. Some popular stops to stretch your legs on the drive are Ananuri Fortress and Panorama Gudauri.

Ananuri Fortress is a large monastery complex overlooking Zhinvali Reservoir and Panorama Gudauri is a beautiful viewpoint from the top of the town of Gudauri, Georgia’s premier skiing destination. 

Depending on what time you get to Kazbegi you might have time to head up to Gergeti Trinity Church and catch the sun rays beaming on the ancient monastery. The view with the jagged mountains in the background is simply to die for.

Gergeti Trinity Church is one of Georgia’s most famous landmarks and often comes up when you google “Georgia country”. Its unique location high above Kazbegi village in the foothills of Mount Kazbegi makes it truly a unique monastery in a country full of fascinating monasteries.

Spend a quiet evening in Kazbegi, stopping by Restaurant Cozy Corner for dinner. There isn’t much going on in Kazbegi at night if you were wondering. 

Optional stops for Day 4

For the truly ambitious, a major detour to Katskhi Column is an option on the way to Kazbegi. It will add 3 hours to your journey, making it about 9 hours total on the road. But you’ll be able to see the most interestingly located monastery in Georgia.

Katskhi Column is a massive limestone pillar that protrudes from the ground below. And sure enough, there is an old monastery on the top of the rock. If you’ve been to or heard of Meteora in Greece, it’s basically the same thing on a smaller scale. If you’ve been to or plan on going to Meteora I would suggest not investing the extra time it takes to see Katskhi Column. 

Day 5: Kazbegi 

Today you’ll spend the day exploring the Kazbegi region of Georgia. Nestled in the high Caucasus Mountains, this is one of the most naturally stunning landscapes in all of Europe. 

There are a lot of possibilities when it comes to what to do, so you don’t have to follow my recommendations, but I’ve provided a few cool things to do and see here. Be sure to also read my detailed guide to the Kazbegi region for more information. 

Start the day with a visit to Dariali Monastery. Yes, another monastery! This one is literally on the Russian border and you can see the border crossing from it. It’s a huge monastery complex nestled at the base of towering mountain peaks. It’s free to visit and one of the best things to do in the Kazbegi region. 

Heading back towards town from Dariali, you can stop by Gveleti Waterfall if you have a couple hours to hike. It’s only 2.2 miles round trip, but it includes a significant elevation gain, which will show you down considerably. 

Lastly, keep heading south to Truso Gorge, an underrated part of the region that receives little fanfare when compared to Kazbegi mountain itself. Truso Gorge is a mountain valley (it’s not really a gorge) with a bumpy dirt road that goes down it, ending at the ruins of Zakagori Fortress. 

The road is only accessible by 4×4, though it can also be hiked, 11 km each way, mostly flat. You can’t go any further than Zakagori Fortress, as there is a border checkpoint just beyond the castle ruins. Not for the Russian border, but for South Ossetia, a disputed self-declared pro-Russia republic within Georgia’s borders. You absolutely do not want to go there!

Zakagori Fortress is at a crossroads of beautiful mountain valleys with lush green pastures. The old castle itself is in ruins, but it’s fascinating to see and you can wander around the ruins. Just be careful as there are a lot of loose stones. 

Lastly, just where you turn off the main highway to go into Truso Gorge you’ll find the Kobi-Gudauri Ski Resort. In the summer you can take the chairlift high into the mountains for some alpine hiking and sightseeing. Just note that the chairlift doesn’t start running till 11 AM and closes by 5 PM. A very short workday for the chairlift operators!

Optional stops for Day 5

Travertine Mineral Hot Springs is south of Truso Gorge. It’s a small geothermal hot spring that smells sulfur, similar to what you see in Iceland and Rotorua, New Zealand. 

Day 6: Gergeti Glacier Hike

Now it’s time to go on a spectacular overnight hike in the mountains to Gergeti Glacier on Mount Kazbegi. This hike includes an overnight stay high up near the glacier at the Altihut, a hostel-like mountain hut with simple rooms and a full restaurant. Be sure to book your room in advance, as it’s usually sold out. 

If an overnight hike is not your jam, it is possible to do this same hike as a long day hike, or do some shorter walks in the area instead. If you go that route, just skip tomorrow’s itinerary and add one additional day to any other destination on this road trip (I’d suggest the Kakheti Wine Region). 

I won’t go into the actual hike to Gergeti Glacier here, as I have a full detailed guide to the hike that you can find here. It’s very strenuous, though the altitude is not high enough that you should have to worry about altitude sickness. 

Day 7: Gergeti Glacier Hike

Most of the walking on the hike will be behind you and today you will just descend from Altihut back to the Gergeti Trinity Church, where you’ve parked your car. Be sure to snap some nice photos of the church as the morning sun illuminates it from the trail before getting back to your car. And if you haven’t already, don’t forget to explore the grounds and inside of the church, which was built in the 14th century. 

You should be back in Kazbegi in time for lunch. You can use the afternoon to do anything you might have missed yesterday or to just chill out and enjoy the view of Mount Kazbegi from your hotel. 

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Pro tip: As hotels are so cheap in Kazbegi, I recommend booking three nights in town so you can just leave all your stuff in the room while you’re hiking and staying at Altihut.

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Day 8: Kazbegi to Juta

Today is a short day on the road. Juta is not far to the south, only about 45 minutes in the car. Sleep in and enjoy a nice breakfast before bidding farewell to Kazbegi. 

Juta is a tiny mountain village that is nothing more than a few hotels and guesthouses. But it serves as the base camp for recreational activities in the sprawling Kazbegi National Park. Here you will find an epic wilderness of snow capped mountains, lush green valleys, and free-roaming horses. It’s a true alpine paradise. 

In Juta, you’ll ideally want to spend 2 nights at Fifth Season, an isolated hotel that’s only accessible by a 20-minute uphill hike from the village. The little hotel has an amazing view of the surrounding nature.

Staying at Fifth Season means you have to carry what you need with you and leave everything else in your car parked in Juta. There is an option, however, to have horses haul your luggage up to the hotel. Inquire with them to plan the horses. 

Spend the rest of the day taking in the views from the hotel and meeting fellow travelers over beers at the restaurant. You can do some hiking today, but you’ll have a long hike tomorrow if you want to rest those legs. 

Day 9: Juta

Day 9 on this 2 week Georgia itinerary will be a choose your own adventure hiking day. There are numerous hikes that start from Fifth Season, most of them heading east towards the valley. The hikes range anywhere from 2 hours to 14 hours, not including the overnight hikes. 

Consider how ambitious you are and choose a hike from this list on AllTrails. Pay attention though, as two of the hikes are one-way hikes so lengths and times are given for one way only, not including the return journey. And don’t forget to see how much elevation gain there is, as some of the hikes have considerable climbs.

If you’ve chosen the 17-mile Juta to Chauki Pass hike or the 22-mile Sadzele Pass Loop, you’ll get back to the hotel pretty late. If you’ve gone in one of the shorter hikes you’ll have time to relax when you get back and enjoy a Georgian beer on the terrace as the sun sets.  

Day 10: Juta to the Kakheti Wine Region

Now it’s time to totally switch gears. A trip that was focused on ancient cave cities and alpine recreation will now be centered around wine and the history of winemaking. It’s not common knowledge, but the origins of winemaking trace back about 8000 years to the Kakheti Valley in Georgia. And that’s where you’re headed today. 

Even if you’re not a wine drinker or don’t drink alcohol, this part of the itinerary is important for understanding Georgian culture and history. Wine is ingrained in Georgian culture and daily life in the country. You’ll see grape vines growing on individual homes throughout the country. Locals have little wine cellars in their basements. Wine is life in Georgia. 

Historically, Georgian wine has been made by fermenting grapes in massive underground clay pots known as qvevris. Georgian winemakers today still use the same process unless they’re mass producing for international shipping. Any visit to a winery in Kakheti will introduce you to the Georgian winemaking method and show you the underground wine cellars. Truly a unique method of winemaking!

The Kakheti Wine Region is shown in the map below. For detailed information on which wineries to visit and to learn more about the region be sure to read my guide to Sighnaghi and the Kakheti Wine Region. Just be sure to call ahead when visiting the smaller wineries, as many do not have public visiting hours but will be happy to host you if it’s arranged in advance.

Day 11: The Kakheti Wine Region to Sighnaghi

You might have not had enough time yesterday to explore Kakheti properly, so use the morning to visit more wineries or check out Nekresi Monastery. And when you’re ready, head east to Sighnaghi, Georgia’s most beautiful village.

Perched atop a small mountain, Sighnaghi is Georgia’s only ancient walled city. Much of the old city wall still remains, and it’s possible to walk on parts of it. The charming village is something you’d be more expecting to see in Italy or Greece, and not Georgia. 

By this point in the trip you’ve noticed that the majority of the towns and villages in the Georgian countryside are not exactly pretty or enticing. This is thanks to decades of Soviet occupation. Georgian villages are most run down and full of communist block buildings devoid of architectural imagination. Sighnaghi, however, is the exception to this rule.

Sighnaghi is small and can be comfortably explored in an hour or two. Walk around the cobblestone streets and check out the old city wall. For dinner, head to Kusika Restaurant, where you can have an amazing Georgian feast for dirt cheap. Be sure to try the local wine!

Day 12: Sighnaghi and Dedoplis 

Today you have 3 options, as discussed below. 

Option 1: Stay in Sighnaghi 

The easiest option today is just to stay in Sighnaghi, check out the museums, have some good food, and relax. For things to do in Sighnaghi refer to my article on Sighnaghi and Kakheti.

Option 2: Explore Dedoplis 

About 45 minutes southeast of Sighnaghi is the town of Dedoplis. Now, Dedoplis itself is not the most attractive town you’ll ever see to say the least. But just outside of the town are a couple really cool sites that are not too difficult to visit. 

The first is Eagle Gorge Natural Monument, which is a beautiful gorge with some neat hikes. There is also the ruins of Khornmanuji Castle, an old fortress perched atop a mountain north of the town (a steep hike is required to get to the ruins, not for those afraid of heights). Lastly, south of town you’ll find St. Elia Mountain, a small mountain peak with a monastery built into the side of the peak.  

Option 3: Visit Vashlovani National Park. 

For the truly adventurous traveler, nothing beats a day trip to Vashlovani National Park at the southeast corner of the country. Vashlovani is a desert wilderness of badlands, dried river beds, and savanna-like grasslands. There are gazelles and bobcats, and up until the turn of the century there were even leopards and hyenas. It’s unlike anything else you can see in all of Europe, and it’s close enough to Sighnaghi to visit as a day trip.

Vashlovani is not a walk in the park and requires careful preparation and planning. A high clearance 4×4 is 100% necessary. Emergency supplies are a good idea too. Very few people visit the park and it’s likely you won’t see another human the entire day outside of the vehicle checkpoints.

For those who make it there, though, it’s an incredibly beautiful place, wild and untamed. If this sort of adventure sounds good to you, then please carefully read my guide to Vashlovani National Park, as there is a lot to know and multiple things you have to do before visiting the park. 

Day 12: Sighnaghi to Tbilisi

After a relaxing breakfast on your last day in the Georgian countryside, head west back to Tbilisi. You will finish your trip with a couple days in the capital of Georgia, one of the most underrated cities you will ever set foot in. 

I suggest returning your rental car now to avoid parking it and paying for it in the city. You won’t need the car for the rest of the trip. Some rental companies will meet you at your hotel to pick up the car from you so if that’s an option be sure to take advantage of it.

Tbilisi is small enough to walk around, but large enough that if you want to venture far enough from the Old Town you’ll need to take a Bolt (essentially Uber). If you’re up for walking, though, all Tbilisi’s main sites and attractions can be reached on foot. Just note that the city is incredibly hilly and on a hot day it can feel like hiking in the desert. You’ll be shocked at how Streep some of the streets are and even more shocked that cars manage to park on them!

As usual, I’m not gonna go through all the specifics of visiting Tbilisi here. I recommend reading my full guide to Tbilisi, as there are a ton of things to see and do in the Georgian capital.

After checking into your hotel, enjoy the rest of the afternoon sun by climbing the steep hill to Narikala Fortress, Old Town Tbilisi’s main landmark at the highest point in the city. You might see people selling fresh pomegranate juice or other fresh fruits/juices, which will taste especially great on a hot day.

Now that you’re back in a city, you’ll have the option to get some different types of food. After traveling around the Georgian countryside where variety in food does not exist, you’ll have access to ethnic cuisines like Indian, Chinese, or even American here in Tbilisi. So if you’re tired of Georgian food this is the time to mix it up.

Just think hard before making that decision, as other cuisines are not particularly great in Tbilisi and once you get home you might not have access to amazing Georgian food anymore. Big American cities like New York, Washington DC, and Miami have Georgian restaurants, but it’s not a particularly popular cuisine worldwide just yet! Though fun fact: there is a Georgian restaurant in Siem Reap, Cambodia of all places.

Day 13: Tbilisi

Today you’ll have a full day in beautiful Tbilisi. Tbilisi is loaded with cool things to see or do. I’m not gonna go into detail here, but check out my Old Town Tbilisi travel guide for more information about Tbilisi’s main attractions. 

Some things to be sure to see (in addition to Narikala Fortress) are the Tbilisi Clock Tower, Leghvtakhrvi Waterfall, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Rike Park, the Bridge of Peace, and Dry Bridge Market, among others. My Tbilisi guide goes through all these in detail. 

Tbilisi is also known for its thermal baths. There are numerous thermal baths and they are all concentrated just east of Narikala Fortress at the base of the hill. The most famous bath in Tbilisi is Chreli Abano. Book a private room and enjoy a nice Turkish-style bath!

Old Town Tbilisi is a charming part of the city to just walk around and explore on foot as well. There are tons of cute cafes and hidden restaurants to discover. For dinner I recommend Restaurant Usakhelouri, possibly the best restaurant in Tbilisi with a beautiful view from the balcony overlooking the thermal baths. 

Day 14: Tbilisi

We will end this Georgia itinerary with one final day in Tbilisi. Depending on what you did yesterday you may want to just explore more of the Old Town, or perhaps get outside of the old city for a bit. If that sounds interesting to you the main things to see just outside the city or at the outskirts of the city are Mtatsminda Park, Tbilisi Sea Club, the Tbilisi Open Air Museum of Ethnography, and the Tbilisi Zoo. Again, my Tbilisi travel guide goes through these places in a bit more detail. 

Or if you haven’t had enough Georgian wine already, one of the coolest things about Georgia is that the wine shops let you sample any wines before you buy them. They’ll just open a bottle and let you try! It’s pretty amazing. And if you head to Wine Therapy Tbilisi you might even end up staying the night trying all the wines in the store! 

Tbilisi is one of my favorite cities I’ve ever traveled to and I’m sure you’ll love it as much as I do!

The End of Your Epic Georgia Road Trip

By now you’ve seen a lot of what Georgia has to offer. You’ve experienced Georgian hospitality, had some amazing food, tasted historic wines, and hiked epic mountains. Even though you’ve been here two weeks, you’re likely ready to book another trip to Georgia! It’s an amazing country with wonderful people and your friends are going to be so jealous! 

2 Week Georgia Itinerary: FAQs