Best things to do in Georgia
21.07.2023 - 08:27
/ roughguides.com
/ Boris Stroujko
Georgia long attracted visitors from neighbouring countries – and there's really no wonder, in addition to its wealth of culture and natural beauty, it is also one of the most budget-friendly travel destinations. In this article, we cover the best things to do in Georgia, from stunning mountain hikes to cosmopolitan cities, ancient monasteries and — of course — some of the world's best wine.
The information in this article is inspired by The Rough Guides guidebooks — your essential guides for visiting the world.
Any exploration of Georgia will likely begin with its welcoming capital city, Tbilisi. A fascinating cocktail of beautiful 19th-century merchant homes, blocky and grandiose 20th-century Soviet edifices, and innovative 21st-century architecture – Tbilisi is instantly charming.
With a vibrant coffee-shop culture, as well as fantastic wine bars pretty much everywhere you turn, you can guarantee there’ll be always somewhere to stop for a restorative drink. These experiences are just a taste of the countless things to do in Georgia, promising an unforgettable adventure.
For a well-presented and informative tour through Georgia’s tumultuous history, there’s nowhere better than Tbilisi’s National Museum. Art lovers will be enthralled by the National Gallery and the Georgian Museum of Fine Arts. Don't skip the baths district and the city’s famous nightclub scene, and the fantastic outdoor ethnographic museum and the 16th-century Narikala Fortress make great places for a spacious stroll.
Find more accommodation options to stay in Tbilisi.
Panoramic view of Tbilisi Old Town with Narikala Fortress, Georgia © Boris Stroujko/Shutterstock
A world away from Tbilisi’s cosmopolitanism, the region of Svaneti nestles in Georgia’s northwest among the towering peaks of the Caucasus Mountains. Now a major draw for trekkers, this beautiful corner of the country has a long history of rugged independence – even the Soviets achieved only tenuous control here.
The landscape is dotted with hundreds of defensive stone towers, a necessary feature in an area often riven by family blood feuds. Svaneti’s main town of Mestia is an extremely welcoming place for hikers.
There are walks here for all abilities, from short afternoon strolls up to 2-week arduous expeditions. Perhaps the most popular is the 4-day trek between Mestia and the beautiful remote village of Ushguli, where you’ll find a huge concentration of Svan towers.
Among other best things to do in Georgia for hikers is a trek from Mestia to the Koruldi Lakes, which takes several hours and is accompanied by spectacular views of the mountains and valleys. The lakes are fed by melting snow from the glaciers and snowfields of the local mountain peaks and are of interest to