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Georgia map & highlights

Click on our interactive Georgia map and highlights to get tips on where to go in Georgia, from the snow capped Caucasus Mountains to the country’s lively and historic cities. Discover ancient monasteries and cave cities, stay in local homes, hike through the hills and discover a rich and ancient wine and food culture.

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Georgia Map & Highlights

Most Georgia vacations last between seven and 15 days, with travel undertaken by road, and on more active tours you’ll spend a significant amount of time exploring the countryside on foot, by bike or on horseback. Typically, you’ll start in Tbilisi, before moving on to visit the historical highlights of Davit Gareja, Vardzia and Mtskheta and perhaps the wine producing region of Kakheti. Longer tours will then head for the mountains – usually either the Kazbegi or Svaneti region, or both. If you’re on a trip combining Georgia with its Caucasian neighbours, you’ll enter Georgia via Armenia, usually via the Haghpat monastery and the Sadakhlo border. If moving on to Azerbaijan, you’ll cross the border at Lagodekhi and drive on to the market town of Sheki, in the Caucasus foothills.

Our Georgia Vacations

1. Caucasus Mountains
2. Davit Gareja
3. Kakheti
4. Kutaisi
5. Lagodekhi National Park
6. Mtskheta
7. Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)
8. Svaneti Region
9. Tbilisi
10. Vardzia

Caucasus Mountains

1. Caucasus Mountains

Hiking over high meadows close to Russia is just one of many reasons why the Caucasus Mountains are held in such high regard with Mount Kazbegi, Tetu Peak and the Abodelauri Pass adding to the endless appeal. Trekking routes are extensive and range from easy to challenging, with overnight mountain camps and white water rafting offering a couple of distinctly different perspectives of life.

Caucasus Mountains

Davit Gareja

2. Davit Gareja

Set in a remote, arid landscape alongside the Azerbaijan border, these mysterious cave monasteries were carved out of the cliff face hundreds of years ago and soon became a centre of monastic culture. Hundreds of cave structures are tucked away into the mountainside and many hide saints tombs as well as 1,000-year-old murals above the valleys.

Kakheti

3. Kakheti

Wine lovers, look no further. Georgia has one of the oldest wine producing traditions in the world, and it’s at its finest in the Kakheti region, which is gathering increasing attention as the home of natural qvevri wines, which are made using the whole grape (including skin and stems) in an underground clay vessel called a qvevri.

Kakheti

Kutaisi

4. Kutaisi

Georgia’s second largest city features a cultural cornucopia of churches, theatres and UNESCO world heritage sites, including the Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery. Kutaisi in spring is a real pleasure with leafy parks and the swollen banks of the Rioni River matching the agricultural fields and forests that line the foothills of the surrounding mountains

Lagodekhi National Park

5. Lagodekhi National Park

Located in Georgia’s eastern region of Kakheti, Lagodekhi was the country’s first protected natural area and contains some particularly rare varieties of plants and animals including lynx, eagles, wolves, bears and over 150 species of birds. Aside from the wildlife watching you’ll find waterfalls, glacial lakes and sulphur springs as well as an excellent walking trail that crosses the border into Azerbaijan.

Lagodekhi National Park

Mtskheta

6. Mtskheta

The ancient capital of Georgia, Mtskheta is a beguiling city with a beautiful setting where the Mtkvari and Aragvi Rivers meet. It’s also Georgia’s spiritual heart, where Christianity was established back in 327. The magnificent 11th century Svetitskhoveli Cathedral dominates the skyline and is still the setting for important ceremonies of the Georgian Orthodox Church.

Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)

7. Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)

Around 150km north of Tbilisi, Stepantsminda (formerly Kazbegi) is famed for its surrounding scenery which incorporates Dariali Gorge, Mount Kazbek and the Greater Caucasus, alongside the alpine meadows of Kazbegi Nature Reserve. The area is perfect for mountain bikers and hikers with the three-hour, steep trek to Gergeti Trinity Church often preferable to a 30 minute bumpy Jeep ride.

Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)

Svaneti Region

8. Svaneti Region

This region of northwest Georgia, part of the southern Caucasus, is like a forested blanket of folds formed by deep gorges and permanent glaciers to create sublime scenery including the twin peaks of Ushba, valued by photographers and climbers alike. Svan heritage is inherent here, with many an impromptu polyphonic song bursting forth from the guesthouses, inns and medieval towers of the highland hamlet of Mestia.

Tbilisi

9. Tbilisi

Georgia’s capital straddles the Mt'k'vari (Kura) River amongst the flourishing hills and vales of the South Caucasus. A tour of the cobbled old town reveals Tbilisi’s reputation for religious tolerance with cathedrals, basilicas, synagogues and mosques standing side by side in the shadow of the Narikala Fortress that overlooks the city just above the waterfalls and springs of the resplendent botanical gardens.

Tbilisi

Vardzia

10. Vardzia

Reached by a dramatic 60km drive from Tbilisi through the wilderness, Vardzia is a beautiful medieval city carved into the side of the Erusheti Mountain. The highlight is a grand subterranean church, featuring a number of important historical murals. Monks still live in and oversee the complex.

Helpdesk

Hello. If you'd like to chat about Georgia or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help. Rosy & team.

Toll free 1-866-821-6866

rosy@responsiblevacation.com

Toll free 1-866-821-6866

rosy@responsiblevacation.com

Sample travel times in Georgia

Tbilisi – Svaneti Region: 5hrs 30 mins by car Tbilisi – Mtskheta: 40 mins by car Tbilisi – Kutaisi: 3 hours 20 mins by car Tbilisi – Lagodekhi National Park: 5hrs by car

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Written by Nana Luckham

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Photo credits: [Page banner: Creative Travel Projects] [Mountains - Mestia: Igor Peftiev] [Caucasus Mountains: Morten Oddvik] [Cave monastery - Davit Gareja: John Crane] [Kakheti vineyard: Levan Gokadze] [Gelati Monastery - Kutaisi: Dmitry Torbins] [Lagodekhi National Park: Joar Wandborg] [Mtskheta: Stefano Bologniniano Bolognini] [Stepantsminda: Natia Rukhadze] [Svaneti Region: Peyman Zehtab Fard] [Tbilisi: Jaanus Jagomägi] [Vardzia: Max Benidze] [Road: Soso Kruashvili]

Georgia map & highlights

Georgia Map & Highlights

Our Georgia Vacations

1. Caucasus Mountains

2. Davit Gareja

3. Kakheti

4. Kutaisi

5. Lagodekhi National Park

6. Mtskheta

7. Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)

8. Svaneti Region

9. Tbilisi

10. Vardzia

Our top Georgia Vacation

Sample travel times in Georgia

More about Georgia

More relevant guides

More relevant guides

Why book with Responsible Travel