Georgia is one strikingly original travel destination, that’s still far away from mass tourism! In this 7-day Georgia travel itinerary, I want to share how much you can explore in only one week!
The country is an upcoming digital nomad destination with half-Soviet style/half Western-looking hipster cafes that doubles as a wine bar at night, mountainous landscapes, relaxing seaside resort towns, modern architecture in Tbilisi, hard-to-forget cuisine and best of all, incredibly warm and hospitable locals.
In this country, you find hidden gems in the most unexpected areas!
If you are looking for an original destination, and if you are short on time, plan to travel to Georgia with my 7-day itinerary.
To begin with, Georgia is a relatively small country which makes it perfect to explore in a short amount of time. It sits in-between Europe and Asia and the Caucasus region, is a former Soviet republic and inhabits around 3.7 million people. Due to its geographical location, it was part of the silk road and literally a place where all kinds of cultures, people and traditions melted together. What is left is a wonderful tolerant country that’s slowly becoming the new digital nomad hotspot!
If you are short on time, it’s totally possible to explore Georgia from Tbilisi as your base.
Day 1, 2 Tbilisi
What to See and Do in Tbilisi
Tbilisi is the capital of Georgia, and its Old Town is full of cobblestone streets and traditional houses that remind us of history under Persian and Russian influence. You not only find pastel-coloured wooden and traditional brick houses but also Soviet structures and the 4th-century Narikala fortress towering over the city.
The city got a nice vibe and once you take time to explore its hidden cafes, a mix of modern and old, it will quickly grow on you.
Tbilisi is probably where you’ll start your 7-day itinerary through Georgia and a city worth sticking around for!
Old Town
The Old Town of Tbilisi sits on the right bank of the Mtkvari river and below the towering Narikala Fortress. Strolling through this area gives you a nice insight into the history of the city. Tbilisi Old Town was founded by King Gorgasali and went later through the hands of the Persians, the Byzantine Empire and Arab conquerors before being re-conquered.
No trip to Tbilisi would be complete without visiting this part of the city.
The Peace Bridge
Start your Old Town stroll at the newest bridge of Tbilisi – The Peace Bridge. Its shape reminds of a bow and at night its beautifully lit up – a real link between the Old Town and new town.
Aerial Cable Car
Once on the new town side, you can stroll through the pretty Rike Park before heading to the Aerial Cable Car station. This cable car connects Rike Park with the Narikala Fortress and Mother Georgia. For about 2 Euros you get a return ticket and the most spectacular views of the Tbilisi Old Town!
Once on top, you can check out Mother Georgia on your right or head left towards Narikala Fortress. There are also some food stalls with traditional Georgian sweets such as the Chimney.
Mother Georgia
The omnipresent statue of Mother Georgia is towering over Tbilisi and was installed to celebrate Tblisli’s 1500th anniversary. She is the symbol of the Georgian character – with a bowl of wine in one hand to greet the ones who come as friends, and a sword in the other hand to those who come as an enemy.
Narikala Fortress
The Narikala Fortress is visible from anywhere in Tbilisi and was once a Persian citadel used for defence and war. The fortress is also called Mother Fortress of Georgia and was built in the 4th century. It’s free to visit and it gives some fantastic views down of Tbilisi.
Traditional Georgian Houses
From the Narikala Fortress its a short and easy way down to admire some of the traditional Georgian houses and their charming architecture. I found these houses to be so interesting and what really made Tbilisi so distinctive from other cities.
Here you can still see the wooden overhanging balconies, communal courtyards and pastel-coloured facades. Although it’s impressive to think they survived the Soviet era, some of these 70+ years have left their mark on the buildings.
Sulfur Bath Houses
End your day near the sulphur bathhouses that gave the city its name. Interestingly its less staffed by ethnic Georgians but by the minority Muslim Azeris & their hidden teahouses – another beautiful sign of how tolerant this city is
Go early to the place to take photos of the gorgeous Orbeliani Bathhouse and have a drink to admire the architecture.
Kaleidoscope House
A place that I saw all over Instagram, the 19th-century Kaleidoscope House turned out be part of an art gallery and, in no good condition. A sign outside on the famous Betlemi Street asks people to refrain from taking photo sessions and from standing too crowded on the old stairs. It’s also a residential building, and it sounded like the residents were tired of having people on their doorsteps.
However, you can still visit the cute art gallery, buy some souvenirs and take some snaps.
Dry Bridge Flea Market
The Dry Bridge Flea Market is a popular Tbilisi flea market and got some of the most random things you will ever see! Right when you leave the Dedaena Park you will see the first sellers on both sides of the street, showing their treasures.
Stroll over through the gems and chat with former professors about their old cameras, Soviet-era antiques, jewellery and much more!
I found this spot to be the best to have chat about life, some laughs with the locals and to connect on a deeper level.
Best Places to Eat and Drink in Tbilisi
Chaduna Cafe – in Old Tbilisi for great coffee, traditional breakfast and amazing decor!
Bread & Wine – for some typical Georgian Khinkali.
Jupiter Tbilisi – for the best coffee I had in Georgia
Shavi Lomi – for some great outdoor seating and interesting food!
Sulico Wine Bar – for some romantic dinner vibes. Make sure to reserve, this place is busy!
Day 3, 4, 5 Kazbegi Mountains & Trinity Church
Kazbegi is a municipality in the far-northern part of Georgia, only 12 km shy of the Russian border. The townlet is the gateway to fantastic mountain scenery and will blow you away with its magnificent Mt Kazbek and the famous Gergeti Trinity Church.
It’s a 3-5 hour drive from Tbilisi and in my opinion very worth staying a couple of days for. As the weather can be unpredictable in this region, it pays off to have an extra day to make sure to actually see the church and mountain!
To get to Kazbegi you can either go by Marshrutka from Tbilisi or you go on a group tour with Gamarjoba Georgia Tours and tick off some great sights along the way. The later is what I have chosen and it was so worth it.
What to See & Do in Kazbegi
Jinvali Water Reservoir
Jinvali Water Reservoir is located on the Georgian Military Highway and makes nice photo options. There are many local stalls selling local Georgian snacks and souvenirs.
Ananuri Fortress Complex
The 16th-century Ananuri Fortress was a castle and seat of the Dukes of Aragvi, a dynasty that ruled the area from the 13th century. The fortress has seen many battles and its winding towers is fun to explore. The ruins also incorporate two churches, one of them being the Assumption Church which you can visit.
The place has been put on the UNESCO World Heritage List and makes a great stop on your Georgia 7 day itinerary.
Friendship Monument of Georgia & Russia
On the way to Kazbegi you cannot miss the Gudauri View Point with the Friendship Monument between Russia and Georgia. It was built in 1983 to celebrate the ongoing friendship between the two countries.
The best part of this place I found to be the views of the Devil’s Valley in the Caucasus Mountains as well as the herds of sheep, also called the ‘sea of sheep’.
Gergeti Trinity Church
If you go on the tour you will arrive around 4.30 pm in Stepantsminda/Kazbegi. From there you will change from the van to a 4WD that brings you up to the church. On these tours, there is no hike included, purely out of time restrictions.
Only 20km before Kazbegi the roads were blocked because of an accident further down the line. After some waiting, the bus decided to head back to Tbilisi. At this point, I already had decided to stay overnight in Kazbegi. I ended up staying 2 nights because it rained one entire day – something that can happen in these regions.
The famous Gergeti Trinity Church perched amongst the Kazbegi Mountain is an absolute dream to visit. The scenery was incredibly breathtaking. The Trinity or Holy Church was built in the 14th century and is an active establishment of the Orthodox and Apostolic Church. It’s free to visit!
The best chance to see Mount Kazbegi which sits at 5047 metres is in the morning. If you do, it’s a feast for the eyes!
If you stay overnight and plan to hike, keep reading.
From Kazbegi village, you head over the river and walk up the hill, passing Restaurant Panorama Kazbegi. Head further until a left turn shows you the way to Gergeti Cafe. Continue that path along the river for as long as possible. Eventually, you will see Gergeti Tower and walk on the left of the mountain and church.
It’s a good 1 hour and a half walk up there and the views will be amazing.
Once you see the church, head a bit further up the hill for the best views of the church.
For the way down, you go back the same way you came or you can take one of the 4WD’s that brought people up. One-way is around 10 GEL or 3 USD.
How to Get From Kazbegi to Tbilisi
On your last day, head to the village centre near the supermarket and you will see the shared taxis waiting. They leave every hour on the hour (more or less) because they leave when they are full so be there ahead of time. A ride should be around 15 GEL or 2.50 USD and takes about 2-3 hours.
Best Places to Eat and Drink in Kazbegi
Cafe 5047m for some great breakfast deals and best views of the church
Restaurant ‘Cosy Corner’ for the best service, traditional Georgian food and cosy cabin vibes.
Day 6 Khakheti Wine Region
Georgia is referred to as the ‘Cradle of Wine’ where scientists found the ‘World’s Oldest Wine’ in an 8000-year-old jar. There really is no better place to do a wine tour than in Georgia!
I’d recommend choosing Gamarjoba Georgia Tours for your trip to Khakheti as this was the best wine tour I’ve done! (not sponsored, but I truly loved it!)\
What to See & Do in Khakheti
Badiauri Bakery
A local bakery in the Badiauri village where you can see how the women make the traditional Georgian bread and enjoy some cheese – and of course some wine. It’s a beautiful tradition to speak some words before you drink, which your tour guide will happily demonstrate every time.
Bodbe Nunnery
Bodbe Nunnery of St. Nino according to the legend, is built on the burial of the saint who converted Georgian religion into Christianity. You will see the inside of one of the churches and can wander on the premises to enjoy the neat garden and fantastic views of the valley.
Sighnaghi – City of Love
Sighnaghi or also known as The City of Love is a town in the Khakheti region. There is a love story behind it all, which your guide will happily tell you about. The city is also home to the Great Wall of Georgia, the best-preserved city wall after the Great Wall of China!
The tour will take you through the village, you can walk along the wall and admire the fantastic views! By the end of it, you will stop for lunch at a local restaurant. If you are lucky, you can watch how the women prepare the traditional Khachapuri bread.
Corporation Kindzmarauli Wine House
The Kindzmarauli Wine House dates back to 1533 and produced wine exclusively for the royal family. In Georgia, they use qvevri clay pots to make their wine, a process that’s UNESCO protected and is around 8000 years old. These clay pots are buried in the ground, in where you toss grapes and let it sit. The result is an amber-looking white dry white wine.
After the tour, you will do a wine tasting with four or five different wines. Also, don’t forget to try their wine ice cream in the adjacent cafe!
Khareba Winery
The last stop of the tour is Khareba Winery, the largest of Georgia’s wine cellars. The Kvareli Wine Cave has this unique tunnel that stretches over 7.7 km long and is entirely carved into the Caucasus Mountain. They let you try three of their wines and pair it with cheese and bread. So good!
At the entrance, you also get a chance to listen to traditional Georgian folk songs.
Final Day 7 Tbilisi
Use the rest day of your 7-day Georgia itinerary to relax in a park, sip on some wine or stroll through the city admiring the landscape once more. Or, head to the nearby (and still somewhat offbeat) Chronicle of Georgia, a hilltop structure with vast pillars depicting the local history.
Some other sights in the centre include Leghvtakhevi Canyon and Waterfall near the Sulfur Baths, the Botanical Garden and Mtatsminda Park for some more amazing views of the city.
Must Try Georgian Cuisine
Georgian cuisine seems to be on the rise in many countries, and rightfully so. Just like its diverse nature, it also boasts a cuisine that offers something to everybody. When in Georgia you should definitely the dishes like Khinkali (filled dumplings) at Khinkali House or Khachapuri (a delicious cheese-filled dish topped with an egg) at Puri Guliani in Tbilisi.
Another tasty dish is Lobio, a stew made with beans and spices soaked overnight and of course cheese! They got a variety of salted cheese, some stronger than others.
One thing that will surely strike your eyes is the candle-like-looking sweets called Churchkhela. Made with walnuts and grape juice, it reminds of a snicker and is a popular snack when hiking or in winter.
Food is something so essential to Georgia and should definitely have its place in this 7-day itinerary.
Costs of Traveling Georgia
Georgia is an affordable country that can be explored independently without problems. Most trips from Tbilisi can be done with Marshrutka, although with tours you will see more of the sights around!
The scenic hotels in the mountain area of Kazbegi would be the biggest expense and currently flights to get to Georgia.
Budget Hostel Dorm: from 10 Euros/Dollar
Private Room in Hotel/Hostel: from 30 Euros/Dollar
Food: 10-15 Euros for a main dish and 4-5 Euros/Dollar for coffee (Flat White, Latte etc.)
Tours: from 25-40 Euros per day tour
Flights: in June from 150-200 Euro one-way with Pegasus Airlines
Sim Card: On arrival at the airport – 10 GB for 5 Euros/Dollar
Transport: Bolt – 1.50 to 3 Euro per ride
Long Distance Marshrutkas: from 5-7 Euros.
Don’t want to go home just yet? You shouldn’t! Head to Georgia’s neighbour Armenia instead. It got one of the smoothest border crossings and only takes 5 hours to reach Yerevan.
If you liked this itinerary, check out my blog post on the best two weeks cultural Iran travel itinerary!
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