Georgia Best Places to Visit
Insider tips by a local guide on the must see places you should visit during your first visit to Georgia
by Anahit Sargsyan
Caucasus Region Local GuideHonoured to show all the secret places and culture in the Caucasus
Visit Georgia and Its Wonders
Visiting Georgia may not be on most travelers’ lists but the truth is that this Caucasus country has a lot to offer and might surprise you for such a not-so touristic destination.
Similar to Armenia being a safe place to travel, when traveling in Georgia you will feel secure making it a great travel destination overall.
Georgia might not have major great attractions, but as a whole, it is a beautiful travel destination, full of hidden gems to be discovered.
12 Best Places To Visit in Georgia For a First Trip
Prepare to Visit Unexplored Beautiful Places
During the multiple local tours I’ve done in Georgia, the reactions from first time visitors are mostly the same.
How such a region isn’t getting more touristic attention considering the number of mind-blowing landscapes and natural wonders that it offers!
Many Gerogian landscapes are seen more and more in tourist guides. So it might be just a matter of time for the country to get more (deserved) touristic attention.
And there is a lot to see in Georgia. But if this is your first trip, here are some must-see places.
1. Tbilisi, the Capital
The Capital of Georgia is a charming city.
It has a magnificent old part with thermal baths, fabulous churches, a mosque, a wonderful fortress, and a neighborhood full of alleys with bars, restaurants, and many stores.
The best way to explore Tbilisi is on foot.
2. Kutaisi
Kutaisi is the second largest city in Georgia and is worth a visit as there are wonderful places in its vicinity.
The bazaar, the magnificent Bagrati Cathedral, and the center of the city is also worth a look.
3. Kazbegi
Kazbegi in winter is an incredible experience. And in summer it is a wonderful trekking destination.
It is a place where life happens at its own pace. The cars are more than 30 years old. The guesthouses are really houses that receive guests, where we stay with local families.
4. Gelati Monastery
The Gelati Monastery, just 8 km from Kutaisi, is a fabulous monastery.
It is a work of art, whose interior is completely painted with frescoes from the 12th century.
5. Motsameta Monastery
Motsameta Monastery has a geographical location that seems straight out of a fairy tale.
The buildings rise on a rocky promontory above an impressive river canyon.
6. Vardzia Monastery
Vardzia is a monastery dug out of the rock in one of the most inhospitable places in Georgia. The monastery is still alive, which means there are monks living there.
Getting to Vardzia is not easy but it is worth it. The church dug into the rock and with beautiful colorful frescoes is one of the most impressive in Georgia.
7. Okasen Canyon
Limestones, are something Georgia has a lot to offer. And in the Kutaisi area, there are some beautiful river canyons, of karst origin, that resulted from the caving down of caves.
The best known of those is the Okasen Canyon.
8. Martvili Canyon
Martvili Canyon is fantastic and one of the most beautiful places to visit when traveling in Georgia.
The emerald blue waters of the river run through the whitish limestones causing a wonderful contrast.
It is possible to take a truly fabulous trail through walkways, viewpoints, and bridges, following the riverbed.
9. David Gareja
Davit Gareja is one of the oldest monastery complexes in Georgia, on the border with Azerbaijan. It is a must-see place to visit when traveling in Georgia.
You can hike up to the monastery viewpoint and wander through the caves. You can also enter the monastery buildings. The snow-covered Caucasus serves as a backdrop.
10. Militar Road
The Military Road from Tbilisi to Kazbegi is a must-drive road when traveling in Georgia as there are plenty of places of interest along the way.
You can go to the Ananuri fortress, the Gudauri Ski resort, the Friendship Arch viewpoint, or the village of Sioni.
11. Tsminda Sameba
The trail to the Tsminda Sameba Church is superb and the location of the church is phenomenal, with Mount Kazbek as a backdrop.
A magnificent setting to take in the sunset or sunrise. Even better in the morning. This is one of the most beautiful places when traveling in Georgia.
12. Prometheus Caves
Prometheus is the name of the most famous caves in Georgia, a few kilometers from Kutaisi.
With over 1 km of route open to the public, the main cavity runs through several gigantic galleries, the size of cathedrals, and ends in an underground river that can be traveled by boat to the resurgence, the place where the river appears on the surface.
Practical Travel Tips When Visiting Georgia
If it’s your first time visiting Georgia, there are some tips that you will appreciate knowing beforehand.
Main Reasons to Visit Georgia
Got curious about visiting this fascinating country? We’ve listed some more reasons to make it your next travel destination