Georgia sights of the country's most. Cable car "Argo". Open-air museum

Travel report by car in Georgia. Sights of the Georgian Military Highway, neighborhoods of Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Svaneti, others Beautiful places and tips.

Foreword

I often heard people's rave reviews about Georgia, about the amazing Georgian nature, cuisine and hospitality of the locals, but for some reason I constantly put off visiting this wonderful corner of our planet.

The pristine beauty of Georgia

The idea to go to Georgia came quite spontaneously. Having quickly put together a travel plan and evaluated all the options for traveling around the country, we decided to go there by private transport.

Initial data:

• Travel time: August 2017.
• Distance to the border with Georgia: 2675 km.
• Vehicle: BMW 318iA with automatic transmission, petrol engine.
• Average fuel consumption: 9 liters per 100 km.
• Team composition: four adults and a child.

The purpose of the trip: in two weeks to explore the country as much as possible, visit all the most popular attractions, beach holiday not a priority, emphasis on leisure and trekking in the mountainous Georgian regions.

Mountain Svaneti - for the sake of such views we went to Georgia

So, having collected things and provisions for the road, we set off on a long journey. At the time of the trip, an average liter of gasoline at gas stations in Russia cost 40.2 rubles. For 2.5 days we used up about 210 liters of gasoline, that is, about 8,000 rubles for a one-way trip.

After 2.5 days we finally got to the Russian-Georgian border.

Passing the border

It is possible to enter the territory of Georgia from Russia only through the Upper Lars checkpoint on the Georgian Military Highway. This is the only legal overland way to get into Georgia.

The border operates around the clock, but the procedure for passing is quite lengthy and can take about 5 hours. After listening to the reviews, we passed the border at night. It is believed that it is at this time of day that it can be crossed the fastest. I know lucky people who managed to cross the border in 40 minutes, but for us this procedure took about 3 hours.

The Upper Lars checkpoint has its own website www.vlars.ru, where you can follow the situation at the border online. Video footage on the site is updated every 15 minutes.

I want to note that the driver with the car crosses the border separately from the passengers. All passengers must get out of the car and walk passport control in a building specially designated for this purpose.

Travel itinerary in Georgia for 2 weeks

Of course, two weeks is too short to study such beautiful country like Georgia, but we tried to cover the regions of interest to us to the maximum during this period.

Here is our sample itinerary:

• Day 1-3: Sights of the Georgian Military Highway (Stepantsminda, Gudauri, Sno village, Aragvi gorge);
• Day 4-5: Tbilisi and environs (Mtskheta, Jvari, Uplistsikhe, Gori);
• Day 6-7: Kutaisi and surroundings of Kutaisi (Okatse canyon, Kinchkha waterfall, Martvili canyon);
• Day 7-10: Mountainous region of Svaneti;
• Day 11: Rest on the sea (Anaklia);
• Day 12-14: Borjomi, Akhaltsikhe and Vardzia.

An important role in the implementation of our plan was played by the availability of personal transport - this greatly facilitated the logistics of movement in Georgia. When traveling on Georgian roads, we usually used the help of the Google Maps navigator.

Well, now I’ll tell you about those places that I remember the most.

Mountainous Georgia: Stepantsminda, Gudauri, Juta

The beauties of Georgia began to open to the eye immediately after crossing the border. We followed the Georgian Military Highway and enjoyed its magnificent views.

Magic of the Georgian Military Highway

The first settlement on our way was the village of Stepantsminda (Gergeti). It is from here that all climbers begin their ascent to the mighty Mount Kazbek. This time we did not conquer it, but went on a radial track to the current temple - the Trinity Church in Gergeti.

Start of the trek to Gergeti Church

View from Trinity Church in Gergeti

Magic clouds, and somewhere down there the village of Stepantsminda

It took us 2.5 hours to walk to the church and back with stops, although it was possible to drive an SUV along the broken serpentine. We followed walking route, which is indicated on the map of the maps.me application.

View of the road leading to Trinity Church

Further, our path lay in the picturesque Sno valley to the highland village of Dzhuta and the Chaukhi massif. The village of Juta is considered one of the highest mountainous villages in Georgia, approximately 2200 meters above sea level. To get there, you need to move along the Georgian Military Highway and after about 20 km from Stepantsminda turn left (there will be a sign indicating the village of Sno). As soon as you pass the village of Sno, the road will begin directly to Juta. You can’t get to Juta by ordinary sedan, you will need an SUV, because the road is very bad.

Hotel with a small cafe in the village of Juta, you can park your car nearby

Juta is an amazingly beautiful place, here you feel your unity with nature more than ever.

The beauty of the village of Juta

Jute - amazing place for complete merging with nature

We came here just for a day, walked around the neighborhood, meditated and did a lot of beautiful photos against the backdrop of mountains.

Campsite in the village of Juta, from here the hiking trails start in the mountains

After visiting Juta, we went to Gudauri - a modern ski resort in Georgia. But even in the summer we had a wonderful time here. In Gudauri, we lived in the beautiful Apartments in New Gudauri for 2500 rubles per day.

Our apartments in Gudauri

While in Gudari, we climbed to the highest point of the ski resort - Sadzeli Peak at an altitude of about 3200 meters above sea level. From the top of Mount Sadzeli, stunning views of the gorge and mountain ranges with snow-capped peaks.

Stunning view from the top of Mount Sadzeli

Most convenient way Climb Sadzeli Peak by cable car. To reach the top, you need to ride on three lifts, it costs about 130 rubles for each level of the lift.

I’ll tell you about one trick that will help you save money: buy a ticket only for the ascent on the first and third cable cars. The distance between the second and third cable car is easy to walk in 5 minutes. Thus, the cost of climbing will be 260 rubles instead of 390. If you want to climb Sadzeli Peak, dress warmer, it is quite windy and cool at the top even in summer.

Only mountains can be better than mountains: we study Svaneti

Svaneti is what attracted me the most. Svaneti is an amazingly beautiful mountainous region of Georgia. Due to its inaccessibility and remoteness from the capital of Georgia, Svaneti was able to preserve its original beauty and integrity.

Svaneti is located about 460 km from Tbilisi. The road to Svaneti is extremely picturesque and can be safely called a separate attraction of this region.

View of the Svan mountains from the Mestia route

Our road to Svaneti took about 5 hours, and we moved from the town of Martvili, which is located in the vicinity of Kutaisi.

Waterfalls of the Martvili Canyon near the town of Martvili

Sailing on a boat along the Martvili canyon, you can meet such a waterfall:

If you are going to Svaneti, drive only along the Mestia highway, which connects the city of Zugdidi with Mestia. The road here is of excellent quality with perfect asphalt. After the village of Jvari, a decent serpentine begins. To the village of Jvari, if you drive from Kutaisi, there are several sections with no asphalt, but it is possible to drive.

This is what a bad road looks like

After Jvari, we turned left from the main road and looked at the Ingurs hydroelectric power station.

Inguri hydroelectric power station - the largest hydroelectric power station in the Caucasus

The scale of the building is impressive.

View of the river Enguri

Then we returned to the main track and drove on. It is impossible to get lost, there is only one way. After a few tens of kilometers, the asphalt ended, a concrete road of excellent quality began, we did not notice much difference.

This is how the route to Mestia looks like

There is also a shorter road to Mestia - through the settlement of Lentekhi. The navigator can show it as the shortest one, but in no case should you drive along it, especially in a sedan. The road through Lentekhi is a test even for a large SUV.

Arriving in Svaneti, we stopped for a few days in Mestia - administrative center this region. With the help of Booking, we booked a cozy two-room apartment Apartments KM Rest for 2500 rubles per day.

At first glance, Mestia attracts attention with its magnificent Svan towers. They are everywhere here, and in the evening, when the lights turn on, the towers look even more amazing. Svan towers - business card Mestia and all of Svaneti as a whole.

Svan towers of Ushguli village

Mestia is the starting point for many trekking, there are many picturesque authentic villages and villages in the vicinity, there are stunning glaciers, waterfalls, lakes and alpine meadows.

And, of course, mountains and more mountains. In four days in Svaneti, we managed a lot.

We went trekking to the observation deck "Cross" and the lakes of Koruldi from Mestia.

Koruldi lakes - a hidden oasis among the mountains

During hiking you can meet horses in the mountains

View of Mount Ushba during a trekking to the Koruldi lakes

View of the road leading to the Koruldi lakes

Then we went trekking to the Chalaadi glacier in the vicinity of Mestia.

The dangerous beauty of the Chalaadi Glacier

We also went trekking to the Ushba waterfalls and the Ushba glacier from the village of Mazeri.

The largest Ushba waterfall

Then we went to the mountainous Svan village of Ushguli to conquer the Svan tower.

View of Mount Shkhara from the village of Ushguli

During the tracks we used the maps.me app.

To get to know all the beauty and versatility of Svaneti, here you need to be mobile and constantly move around. Roads in Svaneti leave much to be desired. Of course, this region of Georgia is gradually developing, and in some places an asphalt road appears, but this is only a small part of the Svan roads.

Roads in Georgia: myths and reality

When reading the reviews of other tourists, we were very worried about the road issue. Georgian roads seemed like bumpy roads with steep serpentines and Georgian drivers desperately racing against the rules. But having driven almost two thousand kilometers across Georgia by car, we can say with confidence that not everything is so scary.

In Georgia, the roads between cities and popular attractions are mostly excellent: with a smooth road surface, signs and barriers. From Tbilisi to Kutaisi, a simply gorgeous high-speed autobahn is laid in general, where you can safely rush at a speed of 110 km / h.

As for parking places, there are no particular problems with this in Georgia. You can leave your car anywhere. The only exception is Tbilisi. Organized parking in the city is paid, in the city center every now and then there are signs indicating the work of a tow truck. Since we only stayed in Tbilisi for a day, we didn’t waste time on finding out the parking rules, we walked around the city on foot. Toll roads not in Georgia, at least we didn't meet any.

We also did not meet traffic on the roads, with the exception of Tbilisi, where the traffic is quite heavy. It will be difficult for a novice driver to drive a car in Tbilisi. All traffic on the roads, no matter how ridiculous it may sound, is created by cows.

Traffic jam on the Georgian road

Georgia is a country of cows. Cows on the roads are more important than cars.

A cow is a full participant in the road traffic

Cows occupy the right lane

Separately, I will tell you about the situation with the traffic police. It seemed to us that there are practically no police posts on the roads in the sense we are used to, when a traffic cop with a baton stands on the road and slows down unwanted cars. However, there are police on the roads, for example, on the autobahn between Tbilisi and Kutaisi, we saw bored police cars every 20-30 km.

Georgia is a mountainous country, so there are a lot of serpentines here, they are quite steep and winding. You need to drive carefully, especially at night, and it gets dark quite early in Georgia. Serpentines are often so sharp that there is no way to see what is waiting for you around the corner. The situation is complicated by the fact that such roads are very narrow, and when turning, the driver sometimes occupies the entire traffic lane.

To solve this problem, Georgian drivers have developed an interesting warning system. Every time a manoeuvre, the driver constantly honks, thereby warning others. This allows you to avoid problems on the roads, and believe me, they are quite common here. We ourselves have witnessed several unpleasant road accidents.

As for the aggressive driving of Georgian drivers, this is a myth. They drive fast but carefully.

I want to note that despite the fact that our sedan is equipped with an automatic transmission, we often switched to manual control mode on serpentines. It seemed to me that the car in this case behaved more confidently on the road.

The beginning of the serpentine on the way to Mestia

Along with good paved roads, Georgia is full of off-roads. More often bad roads can be found in mountainous regions and villages. And for such roads, an ordinary sedan, even with high ground clearance, is no longer suitable. Such roads will be mastered only by an SUV.

What does bad road mean in Georgian? This is the complete absence of asphalt, pits, stones and other irregularities, water or just deep puddles, gravel or clay in some places.

A section of bad road on the way from Mestia to Ushguli

This is how the Georgian off-road appeared before us.

Personal transport or car rental?

As a rule, the most beautiful and authentic places in Georgia are difficult to reach by passenger car. If you do not have an SUV like we do, then there are two options: rent a car and use the services of local drivers.

Enough to rent a car in Georgia Russian rights with category "B". The cost of renting a car on average is about $ 30 per day, excluding gasoline. The price depends on the specific car model and the number of rental days. As a rule, the longer the rental period, the cheaper the cost of the day. For example, renting a Toyota RAV4 for a month will cost only $20 per day, for two weeks - $40 per day, and the same car, but rented for just a couple of days, will cost $55 per day. The difference is obvious.

You can save on car rental with promotions early booking. All current promotions, current prices, conditions and the fleet itself can be viewed on car rental websites in Georgia, for example, www.georentcar.ge and hire-auto.biz. Most car rental companies require a deposit when renting a car.

In general, having considered the possible expenses for this article, we came to the conclusion that this option does not suit us, so we used another option - the services of local drivers.

Private transport is very popular among the locals. The most popular car in Georgia is the eight-seater Mitsubishi Delica. This car seemed to be specially designed for off-road conditions. It is on such cars that locals are ready to give a lift to a designated place for a fee, wait a few hours, and then take them back.

Tip: when you hear the price, be sure to bargain. The competition is developed here, it will certainly turn out to bring down the price a little.

Here is a list of places we visited with the help of local drivers:

• The picturesque village of Juta is 14 km from the exit from the Georgian Military Highway. Cost: approximately 3,000 rubles (from Stepantsminda), waiting time for the driver: 3 hours.
• Ushguli community in the mountainous region of Svaneti. Cost: about 5000 rubles (from Mestia), waiting time for the driver: about 3 hours.
• The village of Mazeri in Svaneti. Cost: 2000 rubles (from Mestia), waiting time: about 3 hours.

In Georgia, in addition to simply bad roads, there are frankly bad roads. Yes, they can hardly even be called roads, rather directions. In principle, you should not drive on such roads, even if you are driving a super-resistant jeep. These include:

• short road to Mestia through the village of Lentekhi
• Short road from Batumi to Akhaltsikhe through the pass
• The road to the village of Upper Omalo in the mountainous region of Tusheti

Please note that you cannot drive on such roads in rented cars.

Separately, I will tell you about the situation with gas stations in Georgia. Prices at gas stations vary greatly, from about 46 to 60 rubles per liter of gasoline. What is the reason for this is unknown, but it is recommended to refuel at large network gas stations, for example, "Wissol" and "Gulf". We refueled exclusively at Gulf gas stations. A nice bonus was the fact that the employees of this gas station wipe the windshield of the car for free.

Costs for two weeks in Georgia

The financial issue worries everyone at the stage of planning a trip. Here is an approximate list of our expenses for a two-week trip to Georgia.

• Accommodation: 29,000 rubles (about 6,000 rubles per person). In Georgia, we mostly rented apartments and only once a hotel room. The average cost of living in apartments was about 2000 rubles per day. We never booked accommodation in advance, but decided everything along the way with the help of Booking.
• Meals: 28,000 rubles (about 5,500 rubles per person). Eating in Georgia can be delicious, and most importantly cheap. The average check in a cafe per person is 300 rubles. The portions are just huge, for the money you can get enough.
• Visiting attractions: 20,000 rubles (4,000 rubles per person).
• Gasoline expenses: 8,000 rubles (1,600 rubles per person).
• The average cost of gasoline in Georgia: 56 rubles per liter of "premium" gasoline.
• Total mileage in Georgia: 1750 km.
• Total liters of gasoline spent: 152 liters.
• Actual gasoline consumption: 8.69 liters per 100 km. My advice: since gasoline in Georgia is much more expensive than in Russia, I recommend refueling, for example, in Vladikavkaz before crossing the border. Drive back across the border with almost an empty tank to refuel again in Russia.
• Other expenses (purchases, souvenirs): 4000 rubles.

Total: approximately 90,000 rubles for everyone, that is, 18,000 rubles per person.

My story about a trip to Georgia by car has come to an end. I hope the information was helpful and my story encourages you to go on your own adventure. Let's say goodbye to Georgia as we drive through the Aragvi Gorge on the Georgian Military Highway.

This is a country that lies between the Greater and Lesser Caucasus. She has centuries of history, its own alphabet, a language that is unlike any other in the world. The locals call their country Sakartvelo, and we call it Georgia.

The IGotoWorld.com team has collected for you the most interesting sights of Georgia, which should help you better understand the history and culture of this magnificent country and its hospitable people.

Ancient Tbilisi

The capital of Georgia, Tbilisi, is real center country in every sense of the word. The oldest towers over the city, which is already more than 1500 years old. This is one of the most ancient buildings in Georgia. It offers a wonderful panorama of the city.

Photo source: vartumashvili.livejournal.com.

It is also worth visiting the unique quarter of the Old City called. Here are the city baths, which were built in the 17th-19th centuries. Oriental style together with Georgian flavor will not leave you indifferent.

Photo source: dlmn.info.

It has become an important symbol of modern Georgia. It was built in 2010 by the Italian architect Michele de Lucca, and the lighting designer was the Frenchman Philippe Martineau. Be sure to check it out at night when 30,000 light bulbs make it even more beautiful.

Photo source: stopmakler.com.

Temples of Mtskheta

Photo source: shuvayev.livejournal.com.

Kintrishi National Park

It is a gorge of the Kintrishi River with the mountains of Adjara. There is a lot of greenery and small mountain lakes. Tourists call the highlight of the park a series of ancient bridges in the valley of the gorge.

Photo source: betravel.ge.

Darial Gorge

It is located to the east of Mount Kazbek near the upper reaches of the Terek River. The Georgian Military Highway runs along it. Definitely, the gorge can be considered one of the picturesque places Georgia.

Photo source: dariali-elizi.blogspot.com.

are not only ancient temples and magnificent nature. Do not forget to get acquainted with the culture of Georgians and their mentality. Only together these ingredients will help you enjoy the country to the fullest.

Georgia is a vacation on the sunny coast of Adjara, the ancient fortresses of Kakheti, the picturesque ski resorts of Upper Svaneti, as well as delicious cuisine and excellent wine. A lot of sights fit in the small territory of this country, so experienced travelers know that one trip to Georgia will not be enough. In order to feel the atmosphere of this ancient land, learn its history and understand the mentality of the proud Georgian people, you need to come here at least five times.

In Georgia, the traveler is waiting for the architectural treasures of Kutaisi, theaters and cathedrals of Tbilisi, modern seaside resort and the port of Batumi, as well as scattered among the expressive nature small towns where time flows the same as several centuries ago. The Georgian region is famous for its healing mineral springs, healing mud And thermal waters. On famous resort Borjomi can improve health and get rid of long-term ailments.

A trip to Georgia is a real holiday for gourmets and connoisseurs of good wine. Who hasn't heard of Adjarian khachapuri or Kindzmarauli brand of wine? Legends have long been circulating about Georgian spices and sauces, they are used to prepare the most delicious and savory dishes.

The best hotels and hostels at affordable prices.

from 500 rubles/day

What to see in Georgia?

The most interesting and beautiful places, photos and a brief description.

1. Tbilisi Old Town

Part of the city on both banks of the river. Hens, where medieval buildings of bygone centuries have been preserved. There are architectural objects of the 5th century in Old Tbilisi, many of them are included in the lists of valuable historical heritage. The old city occupies the historical territory of ancient Tiflis (as it was in the 12th century) and even now has preserved special atmosphere those times. Narrow streets, fortress walls and ancient cathedrals help the traveler to plunge into the complex interweaving of Georgian history.

Most ancient city country, founded in the 5th century. BC. According to legend, it was laid by the descendant of Noah Meskhet (Mtskhetos). The city is located 200 km. from Mount Ararat - it was there that Noah's Ark landed after the end of the Flood. Mtskheta is located near Tbilisi and is ancient capital Georgia. This Holy place for every Georgian, the locals call the city "the second Jerusalem".

Alpine temple of the XIV century, located at an altitude of more than 2 km. above sea level. The ancient walls of the temple stand against the backdrop of the sparkling glaciers of Kazbek. It was founded on the site of a pagan temple, according to some guidebooks, an ancient silver idol in the shape of a ram is still kept in the walls, which was not destroyed for some reason by the local clergy. There is a picturesque view of the church from the Georgian Military Highway.

This building has been standing almost since the foundation of Tbilisi. Residents call the fortress the "heart and soul" of the city. IN different time Arabs (VII-VIII centuries) and Mongols (XI-XII centuries) took part in its construction. For many centuries the building was an important fortified point on the Great Silk Road. In 1827 the citadel was partially destroyed by an earthquake. Now the Narikala fortress has not been fully restored, but its walls and towers are silent witnesses great history this land.

The building is 64 km. from Tbilisi on the Georgian Military Highway. The fortress played an important role in numerous wars between feudal lords in the Middle Ages due to its convenient location. Ananuri is well preserved - not only the walls and towers, but even the ceilings and internal buildings remained intact. Almost all tourist routes across the country run through the citadel, so it is almost impossible to miss it.

An active monastery towering over the ancient city of Mtskheta. He was sung by Lermontov in the poem "Mtsyri" and, apparently, in honor of this event, a monument was erected to the poet near the monastery. Like many others religious buildings, Javri was erected on a hill in the rock, since in ancient times it was believed that a person should work hard to get to the “places of the Lord's dwelling”.

It was founded by King David IV in the 12th century and later became his tomb. Gelati Monastery is considered the most significant medieval monastery in Georgia, it is included in the UNESCO heritage list and is under the protection of this organization. The Gelati Academy operated at the monastery (cultural and science Center medieval Georgia), whose members studied Greek philosophy.

Shrine of Kakheti, located in the village of the same name. The building of the Cathedral was erected in the XI century. and at that time was the highest in the region. Alaverdi was repeatedly destroyed by invaders, but people restored and restored it. The first restoration took place in the 15th century. Until now, fragments of paintings of the XI-XVIII centuries have been preserved on the walls. The ensemble of the cathedral includes a bell tower, a palace, a refectory, a fortress wall.

One of the best examples of Georgian temple architecture. It was erected during the time of Queen Tamara. According to legend, the ruler liked to stop in these places to rest. The monastery has preserved unique ancient frescoes depicting royal family, icons with scenes from the Bible, altar painting, consisting of biblical verses and psalms.

This cathedral is considered a symbol of "renewed Georgia". It was erected in 2004 in compliance with all the traditions of temple architecture that have developed over the centuries. The construction was carried out at the expense of donations from the townspeople and the funds of wealthy Georgians. Tsminda Sameba can accommodate up to 15,000 people, its area is more than 5,000 m² and it is not afraid of earthquakes.

cave city, built during the reign of George III. There are 15 temples with ancient frescoes and a functioning monastery. The surviving frescoes are considered unique, as they were created at the end of the 12th century. and survived to our times. They contain images of Tamara, George III, the Mother of God and Christian saints.

Another cave city in Georgia. It is considered one of the first settlements in the country. Founded in the II century. BC. During its long existence, Uplistsikhe experienced several ups and downs, in the 19th century. it was finally abandoned by the inhabitants. During its heyday it consisted of 700 caves, which housed residential and administrative buildings. Many buildings have survived to our times.

Buildings on the territory of Svaneti, on south side Caucasian Range. The towers were not used as defensive ones, since at the time of their construction there were no internal wars in the region. There is a version that they were built to maintain prestige and intimidate potential enemies, while they kept stocks of vegetables and other provisions.

Singing fountains in the center of Batumi, one of the brightest city attractions, attracting many tourists. During laser show viewers will see not only bizarre play of light rays, but also a brief history cities and countries, told in colors and sounds. The fountains were built relatively recently - in 2009, but have already become one of the main attractions of Batumi.

The main street of Tbilisi, its "face" and facade. Here are ministries, official residences, government buildings, so the avenue is the center political life Georgia. Also on Rustaveli Avenue there are many expensive boutiques, restaurants, hotels and nice cafes where you can drink a cup of excellent Georgian coffee.

A modern structure connecting the banks of the river. Chickens in Tbilisi. It symbolizes the bridge from the past to the future, as it connects the old and new parts of the city. During the construction, the project of the Italian architect Michel de Lucci and the French lighting engineer Philippe Martino was used. The bridge was opened in 2010 on the feast of St. George.

Routes in Georgia, description of routes in Georgia, features, safety of travel in Georgia, how long does it take to see Georgia on your own, car or public transport, mountains and sea in one route, the main attractions in the routes in Georgia, what to see, the weather in Georgia and at what time year is better travel around Georgia.

Bad is when you want. Don't even try, you'll come again and again. Well - when the time is ten days, and better - a couple of weeks.

Here routes passed by us in Georgia at different times by car, while hiking, hitchhiking or public transport also has the right to life. Some of the routes were originally slightly different. I worked on the bugs - removed something, added something, swapped destinations in several places for reasons of ease of movement, taking into account my experience.

Route number 1 - Batumi plus Svaneti

Ideal route if the goal is to relax by the sea and see the most beautiful mountains Georgia, while having to sacrifice. However, if time and budget allow, you can also ride to the capital of Georgia, but I would not interfere with one another.

The route is also suitable for those who arrive in Kutaisi or Batumi, in particular for flights to Kutaisi there are often good discounts, the price of a ticket is considered good if it costs no more than 150 US dollars, both ways.

Batumi - Kobuleti - Kutaisi - Tskhaltubo - Prometheus cave - Zugdidi (transit) - Mestia - Ushguli - Kutaisi (Batumi)

Depending on point of arrival Batumi And Kutaisi you can switch places, it won't be a big problem.

Batumi- a separate story and an extensive point of the program, it takes at least three days, and taking into account the rest at sea and trips around the surrounding area - up to a week. Details on what to see Batumi wrote in an article

Tskhaltubo- cool in the past balneological resort, in Soviet times, the Moscow-Tskhaltubo train went here. Now it's quiet beautiful place in subtropical greenery, which I would consider as an overnight transit road to Svaneti . We spent the night at the hotel Tskaltubo SPA Resort 4* More housing offers can be found on the familiar Booking.com - Tskaltubo or Booking.com - Kutaisi

Near Tskhaltubo And Kutaisi be sure to go to cave of Prometheus, you can get there by car in 10 minutes, by minibus or taxi. The best time is morning to get to the most beautiful part of Georgia - mountainous Svaneti.

Mestia. The capital of Svaneti, a small regional center and tourist mecca all lovers mountainous Georgia, must visit for everyone - seasoned and not so experienced. We drive from Tskhaltubo or Kutaisi through Zugdidi, further along the mountain serpentines. Road to Mestia excellent, relatively recently built. IN Mestia have to spend at least one night, better 2-3, worth book hotels and guest houses in Mestia according to your budget.

Ushguli- the highest mountain village in Svaneti, we get by SUVs, which we rent together with a driver from Mestia. Round-trip costs about 60-80 dollars, you can have time to hit the road for a full daylight hours, but it's better to stay in Ushguli for the night.

On Svaneti you need 3 days at a minimum, less will not work, since almost a day and a half as a whole will take you on the road back and forth and along Svaneti. Ideally 4-7 days if hiking tracks are planned to the foot of the most famous peaks and Kuruldi lakes. I advise you to read story about a trip to Svaneti - it describes in detail all the nuances of traveling to Svaneti.

Total, at a minimum - 3 days in Batumi and its environs, 1 day in Kutaisi (Tskaltubo), 3 days in Svaneti. Total at least a week for the whole trip.

Route No. 2 - Tbilisi, Kazbek and Alazani Valley

For those who have only 4-5 days and arrive and depart to/from Tbilisi, as well as for connoisseurs of wine, ancient monasteries and beautiful nature. Along the route Greater Caucasus , the most famous peak of Georgia - Kazbek, resort Gudauri and part of the wine road in Kakheti.

Tbilisi - Mtskheta - Ananuri Fortress - Gudauri - Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) - Tbilisi - Signagi - Tbilisi

Attractions along the route

In the capital Georgia You should spend at least two or three days. What to see, where to spend the night and where to eat, read the article Three days in Tbilisi. Very close is ancient Mtskheta, in which the most interesting is Jvari monastery on the mountain, top view of the city and the confluence of two rivers - Aragvi and Kura (Mtkvari). On Mtskheta You need at least half a day. Book budget hotels in Tbilisi on Booking.com .

We move forward along the Georgian military road to the side Stepantsminda village (Kazbegi). On the way we look at the ancient Ananuri fortress on the shore of the reservoir, make a stop at the high mountain ski resort Gudauri and make plans for the winter. We pass the picturesque Cross Pass, stopping every 15 minutes for a photo shoot.

In the evening we arrive at Kazbegi (Stepantsminda), the village is famous for the fact that here is the most famous peak of Georgia - Kazbek And Gergeti monastery practically at its foot. It is near the monastery that the place with the most stunning panorama that I have ever seen. We “pray” that we are lucky with the weather and Kazbek is not covered by clouds.

Getting to Gergeti monastery and the foot of Kazbek you can walk (about two hours), but it’s better with the locals on an SUV - 20 minutes, you can agree on a rental central square Stepantsminda or at the hotel, the price is about 20 dollars round trip with the expectation of as much as you need.

We spend the night in one of the hostels, and if the budget allows, I strongly advise you to stay in the best view hotel - Rooms Hotel Kazbegi , memories for years are guaranteed. We stayed there, but today the price has increased a bit (from $90 per night to $110 or more depending on the room), although there are discounts in autumn. I also advise read article from A selection of the best hotels in Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) ⇒ Choose and book Hotels in Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) on Booking.com ⇒

We return to Tbilisi, spend the night and radially leave for Kakheti- beautiful town Signagi. We look at the remains of the fortress, the clock towers and a view of Alazani valley against the backdrop of snow caps Caucasian mountains. If time permits, you can spend the night and walk around the wineries. The most famous and beautiful winery - Chateau Mukhrani, in the same place on the rock there is a panoramic restaurant with an open area, prices are higher than city prices, but if you don’t show off, it’s quite tolerable. The central square has tourist office, in which you can get detailed information by region Kakheti and a map. The whole route will take from 4 to 6 days, if there are 12-14 days left, it can be combined with route number 1.

Route number 3. Svaneti, Kakheti, Tbilisi and more

This route is for those who want to see everything or almost everything in Georgia.

Tbilisi - Mtskheta - Gori - Uplistsikhe - Kutaisi - Tskhaltubo - Svaneti (Mestia, Ushguli) - Batumi - Tbilisi - Signagi

Destinations that are repeated in previous routes will not be duplicated. If arriving in Tbilisi , then after two or three days in the capital, we look and move to the side Kutaisi. On the way, if there is a desire, we stop by Stalin Museum in Gori I didn't really like it, it's better to climb Gori fortress and look at the city and its surroundings from a bird's eye view. Next is to make a stop and enjoy the air, atmosphere and of course mineral water Borjomi. In this case, you will need at least one more overnight stay.

Choose and book Booking.com - hotels and guest houses in Batumi

What is the best time of the year to travel in Georgia?

The swimming season on the Black Sea coast is from July - to the beginning of October (we swam at the end of October, the water is +18), best time for travel - autumn, because there are fewer people, fruits, sane prices for housing and food, comfortable weather almost everywhere, with the exception of the mountains, as luck would have it. The cost of fuel in Georgia is cheaper than in Ukraine and is approximately $0.7-0.9 per liter, as of June 2016.

How to rent a car in Georgia

To search and rent a car in Georgia, I recommend using the site myrentacar.com, which specializes in local local distributors with a good reputation. This site has a good price, only 15% down payment and flexible cancellation terms. You can choose a specific car, so carefully read the description, specifications. If suddenly it happens that the car did not fit for technical reasons or others - ask - they will change it, do not worry. Everything is very friendly, including 24/7 phone/viber support.

How to buy a cheap flight to Georgia

Flight to Georgia can be bought on average 100-170 USD roundtrip. It is optimal to search for tickets through an international site for searching and booking air tickets airline sales. It is almost always cheaper than a search on airline websites. For example, along the routes Kyiv-Tbilisi, Kyiv-Batumi, Kyiv-Kutaisi, Moscow-Tbilisi, Moscow-Batumi.

A pre-booked transfer is also required if you are traveling from Tbilisi to Gudauri or Batumi, from Kutaisi to Batumi or Mestia (Svaneti) or any other popular destination.

Cheap accommodation or hotels in Georgia can be found through the booking system Hotels Combined (Room Guru), a service I use myself. The advantage of the service is that it compares the prices of dozens of booking systems - you just have to choose Best offer. In each article or report, I provide links to hotels where I have stayed and which I liked.

Each region of Georgia has something to see. The map will help you orient yourself and make a convenient route.

Green labels indicate objects from our list

1. Old Tbilisi

The old part of Tbilisi is full of historical monuments from different eras. Ancient fortresses and temples, the famous Tiflis sulfur baths and the architecture of the Middle Ages have been preserved here. And a walk along the narrow cobbled streets is simply indispensable if you want to feel the mood of the city.

How to get there

The closest metro stop to the Old Town is Ploshchad Svobody.

2. Memorial "History of Georgia"

This is the creation of the hands of Zurab Tsereteli. The monumental ensemble is located on a hill, not far from the Tbilisi reservoir, and consists of 16 columns 35 meters high. Each of them depicts scenes from Georgia. The memorial impresses with its scale and special atmosphere.

How to get there

By bus number 60 from the Tbilisi metro station "Grmagele" or by taxi.

3. Jvari

Jvari Monastery became the first object in the country world heritage UNESCO.

It is believed that after the baptism of Georgia, St. Nina erected a cross on this place. Its foundation is still kept within the walls of the monastery, which is why Jvari is so revered.

The temple was erected on a mountain, and from its observation deck overlooking the confluence of two rivers - Aragvi and Kura. Lermontov wrote about this in his poem "Mtsyri".

How to get there

Jvari is located 25 km from Tbilisi, near the city of Mtskheta. The most convenient way to get there is by car, as the monastery is located on a mountain.

4. Svetitskhoveli

"Life-giving pillar" - this is how the name of the most important temple of Georgia is translated. According to legend, the tunic of the Lord, an important relic of Christians, was buried here. A cedar grew at the burial site, which was considered sacred, and later turned into a pillar and laid at the base of the temple. Thus, the first Christian church in Georgia arose. The cathedral is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

How to get there

Svetitskhoveli Cathedral is located in the city of Mtskheta, 25 km from Tbilisi. It is easy to get there by public transport or taxi.

5. Arch of Friendship of Peoples

The arch was designed by the famous sculptor Zurab Tsereteli, and it was installed at an altitude of 2,384 m in honor of the friendship between the Georgian and Russian peoples. The arch is decorated with mosaics with scenes from Georgian history. Fascinating views can be observed from the observation deck, which is the arch in combination.

How to get there

The arch is located near the village of Stepantsminda. The place can be reached not only by private car and, but also by public transport from Tbilisi. Choose fixed-route taxis that go to Stepantsminda or Gudauri. They depart hourly from Didube metro station.

6. Church of the Holy Trinity in Gergeti

The church was built seven centuries ago, and it is located at an altitude of 2170 m at the foot of Mount Kazbek. In addition to its historical value, this place is also attractive for tourists due to its location. During the ascent to the church, a breathtaking view of the mountains opens up.

How to get there

Go to the village of Gergeti. Minibuses Tbilisi - Stepantsminda are suitable for this. From the village you need to climb along a dirt road. You can overcome this distance on foot or by taxi. The hike will take about an hour.

7. Signagi

A small town in Kakheti is famous for its legends and has the status of a city of love. They say that it was here that Niko Pirosmani, being a poor artist, sought the reciprocity of the European actress Margarita and gave her a million scarlet roses.

And Sighnaghi is a local round-the-clock. You can sign here at any time of the day. It is enough to have documents and two witnesses with you.

The atmosphere in Sighnaghi is attractive. Narrow cobbled streets, going up and down, and views of the Alazani valley do their job.

Another attraction of the city is the ancient fortress wall 3 km long.

How to get there

Personal or public transport. Fixed-route taxis Tbilisi - Sighnaghi depart from the metro station "Samgori".

8. Alaverdi Monastery

Alaverdi was built at the beginning of the 11th century and belongs to the four most significant medieval temples Georgia. For almost a thousand years, it was the highest in the country: as much as 50 m to the top point. But in 2004, the construction of the Holy Trinity Cathedral was completed in Tbilisi, which turned out to be 18 m higher than Alaverdi.

Restoration works slightly changed the appearance of Alaverdi. But inside the cathedral are still preserved unique frescoes and wall painting of the XI-XVII centuries.

How to get there

The cathedral is located 20 km from the city of Telavi, away from main route. So go by car or join a tour.

9. David Gareja

How to get there

By train or bus from Didube metro station in Tbilisi.

12. Vardzia

The atmosphere of this place can bewitch anyone. The cave city was cut down during the reign of Queen Tamara. It included many rooms, tunnels, a plumbing system and a monastery and was completely hidden in Mount Erusheti. But in 1283, after a strong earthquake, part of the mountain collapsed and Vardzia was badly damaged. Now there are about 600 rooms left, including a functioning temple with unique frescoes.

How to get there

By regular buses or taxis from the city of Akhaltsikhe or with an excursion group.

13. Abastumani Astrophysical Observatory

The Abastumani observatory became the first high-mountain observatory in the USSR. Its construction began in 1934 at an altitude of 1,650 m. It is noteworthy that it is still functioning and its territory is open to visitors.

You can climb Mount Kanobili, where the observatory is located, by a special cable car or by car. And the most interested have a chance to get on a night tour and even look at the stars through a telescope.

How to get there

The first goal is the village of Abastumani, where the road to the observatory begins. You can get to the village by your own transport or use public transport. bus service established with Tbilisi, Borjomi and Akhaltsikhe.

14. Cable car "Argo"

The longest cable car in Georgia was built in the resort city of Batumi. Its length is 2.5 km, and the ascent takes 10 minutes. The trailers start from the lower station, not far from the sea station, and finish on Mount Feria, gaining a height of 252 m. This The best way how to see the whole of Batumi in the palm of your hand, including it tourist area, industrial areas and the sea line to the horizon.

IN tourist season the cable car is open until one in the morning, which allows you to admire the sunset and the lights of the city at night.

How to get there

The lower station of the cable car is located near the sea station of Batumi, st. Gogebashvili.

15. Batumi Seaside Boulevard

Dynamic sculptures, tower with chacha and alphabetical tower, Ferris wheel and Batumi lighthouse. And also bike paths, dancing fountains, flower beds, palm trees and, of course, seascapes. The length of the modern seaside boulevard reaches 8 km. This place has become a new symbol of the resort Batumi.

How to get there

Buses and trains run to Batumi from almost any part of Georgia. The city also has an international airport.

16. Temple of Bagrat

From the hill on which the temple is built, you can see the whole of Kutaisi and its surroundings. This is the most high point city ​​and its main attraction. In 1089, King David the Builder was crowned here.

The temple has a difficult fate. Several times it suffered from enemy raids, and in the end only ruins remained of its walls.

The ruined Bagrati was added to the list of World Heritage Sites. Later, restoration began, and in 2012 it ended with the installation of a two-meter bronze cross on the renovated temple. However, such changes did not suit UNESCO, and the temple was removed from the lists due to the loss of its former appearance.

How to get there

The Bagrat Temple is visible from anywhere in the city, so it is easy to find it. You can ride or climb on foot. The road from the center of Kutaisi will take no more than half an hour.

All cabins and stations of the cable car are a real rarity: they have been used for more than half a century. locals used to such transport, but for beginners this entertainment may seem extreme: the slope of the lines reaches 48 degrees.

How to get there

The mining town of Chiatura can be reached from Tbilisi or Kutaisi by minibus or train. Fixed-route taxis depart from the Didube metro station in Tbilisi.

20. Svan towers

Largely thanks to these medieval fortress towers, Upper Svaneti was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. When enemies attacked local settlements, the Svans used the towers for defensive purposes. Now it is a symbol of the region.

You can look at the unique Svan buildings in Mestia - the administrative center of Svaneti, as well as in the highland village of Ushguli.

How to get there

From Tbilisi to Mestia not only go scheduled minibuses, but planes also fly: an airport was built in the mountain village. Plane tickets are better to buy in advance at the airline office: Tbilisi, street them. Vazha Pshavela, 5.