ACCOMMODATION: Booking.com is the most widely used platform in Georgia. I hope you get to visit one day! Narikala Fortress. If youre travelling with kids, the amusement park is a Tbilisi must do, as is the dinosaur park. For more things to do and restaurant recommendations, see my Akhaltsike city guide. Shumi and Brothers are also located closer to Telavi than Sighnaghi. Most continue on to Gori and fill up fast for this popular route. Not a very off-beat thing but still, a spot barely visited by most tourists. If you do decide to hire a car in Tbilisi, I recommend using the Local Rent website to find an affordable rental from a local agent. It is named after Georgia's national poet and runs from Freedom Square down to Old Town. If you happen to be travelling in late autumn, they usually organise special Rtveli wine harvest tours and events. I am so sorry to hear that, i had no idea you could get in trouble for doing that. Reply. Thank you for such a great post ,it really makes travelling Georgia much better without any need of a guide or agency . The most parade street in Tbilisi George Nikoladze. If youre looking for something more nature-focused and less commercial, better hiking trails are available at the lesser-known Samshvilde and Birtvisi canyons, and around Trialeti National Park. There are even some biblical scenes close to the bottom of the pillar! Some people dont like because it looks too modern. Fresh air and healing waters: Day trip from Tbilisi to Borjomi & Bakuriani. Natlismtsemeli Monastery isnt as well-known as Lavra/Udabno but the caves are even more impressive. There is a nice theme park with diverse attractions and the best view of the city. It follows the traditional route, Located about 15 kilometres southwest of Tbilisi is the mediaeval Kojori Fortress (also known as Agarani or Azeuli Fortress). Budget-friendly group tour: If you dont mind visiting the bigger commercial wineries, this group tour from Tbilisi includes some of Kakhetis most popular cellar doors. On Fridays, visitors can watch Kist women perform a traditional Sufi ceremony. 206 km: Ganja. For opening hours, ticket prices and tips, see my detailed guide to visiting Uplistsikhe. In the warmer months, migratory and endemic birds including grey flamingos nest on the lakes, making this world-class birdwatching territory. Kintsvisi Monastery. What are the travel tips for Georgia? Its best to explore the area with a local. So, if you like learning about the culture of a place, exploring the lush green mountains, and trying different traditional dishes; then plan a visit to the beautiful capital of Georgia. Pankisi Gorge is made up of a string of small villages that run along the valley floor. Dashbashi Canyon is the big ticket item in this area, with a new glass sky bridge and cascading waterfalls. Winery Khareba, a massive subterranean cellar set inside 13 interconnecting tunnels, is one of the more interesting wineries to visit. It is recommended to not only taste the wine but also explore the beautiful vineries and monasteries where you get the chance to witness the process of making flavorful wines. : Need feedback on your itinerary or personalised travel tips? They arent Soviet Heritage but still worth to visit. In Daedena park, there is a flea market selling all sorts of Soviet artifacts, from gas masks to coins with Stalins face and more. Book direct here and use the code wanderlush for 10% off. It was once a fully functioning cave town, with living quarters, churches and municipal services. Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop! However you plan to travel, I highly recommend you avoid travelling after dark whenever possible, avoid very long day trips (4 hours on the road is the maximum distance covered here), and consider private cars or tours for longer journeys and more challenging roads. Q2. Learn more. If youre travelling with family or a group, it is also available as a private tour. Please note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). And then let the shenanigans begin. If you want to see more of the area, I suggest booking a car and driver through GoTrip. Being the capital city, Tbilisi has been witness to all the downfall and glory of the beautiful region where the Caucasus mountains stand tall. 6 offers from $395,00. On the free walking tour on New Year's Eve around Tbilisi's old town. Up until a few years ago, a dozen or so lines still criss-crossed the river valley, ferrying women with bags of groceries and school children instead of miners. Combined with some beautiful churches and small villages, its a really fascinating area to explore. Rustavi is a playground for fans of Soviet history. Its essential to wear good shoes and bring lots of drinking water for this day trip and its not advisable to visit this part of Georgia in summer because of the extreme heat. Now here are a few Georgia travel tips! thanks for sharing! What a great post! I would love to go to Georgia and these trips seem awesome. A total of 94 countries can get a 365-day FREE visa upon arrival in the country.. As a tourist, you won't be staying there for 1 year, but this is a great . Kojori. Georgian wine country (alternative route): Day trip from Tbilisi to Telavi, Alaverdi Monastery & Tsinandali Estate, 5. Why its awesome: It may just look like a random collection of boxes at different angles on first glance, but theres method to the madness of the Bank of Georgia headquarters! This Tbilisi must do is not only fun and relaxing, but the minerals in the water are good for your skin and overall health. Beyond Telavi, Vazisubani Estate and Tsinandali Estate are both worth visiting especially the latter, which doubles as a museum and luxury hotel. Georgian wine country: Day trip from Tbilisi to Sighnaghi, Bodbe Monastery & Kakheti wine region, 4. Vardzia is disputably the most iconic and impressive of Georgias three popular medieval cave monasteries. Let me help you find an EPIC travel job. He was so amazed by the curative properties of that place that he decided to move the capital from Mtskheta to Tbilisi. There are several other lakes to visit in the area, including the larger Kartsakhi which is shared between Georgia and Turkey. Here is the location of the peace bridge in Tbilisi: 5. It also includes hiking in the Rainbow Hills (around 4km). I have personally done this tour with Gamarjoba and I quite enjoyed it guides definitely focus on bringing the fun, which explains the huge number of positive reviews! Subscribe to my newsletter to get your copy instantly. From there you can see whole Tbilisi, the view is amazingly beautiful. Its a reliable platform with a huge range of offerings and a generous refund policy. Aerial Tramway in Tbilisi. We were unsure what to do as were both havent been. Georgia travel budget. The ride takes a little over an hour depending on traffic. exclusive 5% discount if purchasing via this link, Tbilisi has 2 very distinct faces. Art Museum of Georgia. What is the ideal time to visit Tbilisi? I witnessed it myself. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It is not an old Church, however, as it dates from 2004 and was built to commemorate the 2,000th anniversary of the birth of Jesus. Need a place quick? Top choice: I recommend this day trip from Tbilisi to Chiatura and Katskhi because it gives you the option to start early at 8am (its a private tour, with door-to-door transfers included). For a full Sighnaghi itinerary, refer to Day Two of my 72-hour Kakheti Guide. You might (no, will) feel rushed to make the tight connection, and you wont have time to visit Rabati or Akhaltsikhe either. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Note that entrance fees are not included. The Chronicles of Georgia is a massive, odd monument visible from many places in the city and composed of giant pillars whose walls are decorated with some outstanding carvings that showcase different episodes of the history of Georgia and Christianity, like a representation of Saint Nino, the woman who brought Christianity to Georgia, and several Georgian Kings. Based on my experience in this city, I have written this comprehensive travel guide to visit Tbilisi in a 5-day itinerary, with a special mention of off the beaten track things to do in Tbilisi, as well as loads of travel tips, from transportation to my favorite restaurants in the city. I am such a dark tourist and the Stalin Museum sound just up my street, plus slightly dangerous cave exploringperfect day trip. All permits are included, along with transfers to and from Tbilisi. I read many articles and heard so many people talk about Georgia this year alone! Theres also time to visit Bodbe Monastery and walk around Sighnaghi. Really comfortable and everything is brand-new. Laying eyes on the magnificent Gergeti Trinity Church, the symbol of Georgian tourism, and eating lunch at one of the countrys best boutique hotels are highlights of a day trip to Kazbegi. Start by taking a marshrutka to Norio village where youll find the trailhead for the Martkopi Monastery hike. The colourful 9-story Socialist apartment buildings that dominate the northern part of the city give Rustavi a spectacularly surreal skyline. A shared taxi costs slightly more but is worth considering to save on time. There are several sights to see in the historic town - but as I mentioned, walking around is half the fun. Didube is also a metro station. Vans depart Pushkin Park daily at 10.45am in the high season (usually April 1 until the end of September) and on-demand during low and shoulder season. Its preferable to visit this part of the country from Western Georgia unless youre really pushed for time. The further you drive up into the mountains, the better it gets. The complex dates back to the 9th century but underwent some heavy handed restorations in 2011. There are still a few sanatorium-style resorts operating in the area. What to do there: Wed definitely recommend seeing a show at the puppet theatre. Theres also a market outside the cathedral where vendors sell souvenirs (knitted socks, fridge magnets), mulled wine and churchkhela. Anyways, what a great guide to Tbilisi. Places to see, ways to wander, and signature experiences. Best places to see during our staying without making the trip hectic as we would love to relax as well. Its a bit offbeat, but theres so much interesting history and atmosphere wrapped up in these small forgotten towns its a really fascinating side of Georgia. CAR HIRE: Find a great deal on a rental car in Georgia use the Local Rent website to book through a local agent (prices start from $30/day). Discover all the best things to do in Georgia with my free 25-page PDF guide: 365 Things to Do in Georgia. Design your own itinerary and book a car using GoTrips Trip Planner. The National Botanical Garden of Georgia (Tbilisi Botanical Garden) The Tbilisi Botanical Garden is a 161 Hectare parkland which can be accessed from the top of the Cable Car, departing from Rike Park. Although locals call it the sea, its actually a lake. The Old Town (Altstadt) is the most famous part of Tbilisi. Top of the list are the Tbilisi History Museum (which is housed within an old caravanserai), the David Baazov Museum of Jewish History in Georgia, the Museum of . This private tour to Gori, Mtskheta and Uplistsikhe, This Borjomi and Bakuriani Tour with Friendly.ge, This small group tour with Gamarjoba Georgia, a round-trip transfer to the Didgori Memorial, refer to my guide to Tsalka and Javakheti, GoTrip transfer to Paravani Lake and back, Customise your own day trip itinerary here, a one-way transfer to Rustavi with GoTrip, A round-trip transfer to Rabati and Vardzia, Plan and book a transfer from Tbilisi to Vardzia here, my mega guide to the 25 best sanatoriums, hotels and bathhouses, Customise your own itinerary and book a driver here, this day trip from Tbilisi to Okatse Canyon and Prometheus Cave, a transfer from Tbilisi to Okatse and Prometheus, visit Chiatura and Katskhi on a day trip from Kutaisi, a transfer from Tbilisi to Chiatura and Katskhi, Customise and book a transfer to Chiatura here, this day trip from Tbilisi to Chiatura and Katskhi, small group tours to Chiatura and Katskhi. Because of its close proximity to the border, Akhaltsikhe has always had a large Armenian population. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Parts of Kvemo Kartli can be reached by marshrtuka van, but youll need your own car to get around once there. Have a picnic by Tsalka Reservoir, visit the smaller canyon at Beshtasheni and hunt down the petroglyphs in Trialeti. The heart of the Caucasus, Tbilisi is one of the world's oldest human settlements dating back to 4,000 BC! If you really want to unwind, head to Rooms Kokhta in the hills above Bakuriani, just 25km down the road from Borjomi. NEED SOME HELP? David Gareja & Udabno Cave monasteries and rainbow hills6. Why its awesome: When you explore Tbilisi, its not much fun if you dont get off the beaten track. Georgia's historic capital: Day trip from Tbilisi to Mtskheta, 2. What to do there: Wherever you go in Mtatsminda Park, youll get fabulous views of the city, so take some snaps! It depicts a woman in Georgian National Dress holding two things in her hands. Marjanishvili is the new trending neighborhood and the area I used to spend most of my time in, as it had a few bars, good restaurants, digital nomad cafs, and there werent many tourists around. Mtatsminda Park. On the higher spaces in the columns, they display the royalty and notable figures in the history of Georgia. It visits Asureti, Tsalka, Manglisi and Dashbashi, and is the only trip I know of that also includes Didgori. However, the station buildings live on as a blast from the Soviet past awesome concrete creations with cantilevered arms and hammer-and-sickle insignia above the doorways. If theres mountain roads or long distances involved, its much safer to go with an experienced driver who is familiar with conditions. Tbilisi State University - Get ready to feel like you've traveled back in time while ambling around this historic attraction. No, the Chronicles of Georgia are one huge statue outside of the city centre. Stretching for 150 meters, the Peace Bridge is relatively new (2010). For more information, read the Country section of my Georgia Travel Guide. Kvemo Kartli region south of Tbilisi is one of the least-visited but most magnificent parts of the country. Theres one travel insurance provider The Broke Backpacker trusts for all his wildest shenanigans World Nomads! Narikala Fortress. Walk Over the Peace Bridge & Rike Park. We did, however, get arrested while walking through the abandoned trains so anyone hoping to see them should keep that in mind. Gori is a small city located in Georgias Shida Kartli Region, just west of Tbilisi. Checkout Best Places to Visit in Georgia and Tbilisi! See this guide for all the details about buying a Georgian SIM card. More information. It would definitely be easy to stay for a week or even longer in Tbilisi, especially if your travel plans arent fixed. . Thanks for your comment, Kris! Answer (1 of 4): Tbilisi is a fantastic city to visit, and you can do a lot in one-day. Ambassadori Hotel Tbilisi. Narikala Fortress and Mother Georgia, Mtatsminda Mountain and from Metekhi Church, all have stunning vistas. Best private tour: Half-day tour of ancient Mtskheta with Friendly.ge (from $99 per group use promocode wanderlush to save 10%), Top-rated group tour: Kazbegi & the Georgian Military Highway with Gamarjoba Georgia Tours (from $34 per person), Best combo day trip: Gori, Uplistsikhe, Mtskheta & Jvari (from $29 per person) OR Vardzia, Rabati & Borjomi (from $49 per person), Best alternative day trip: Javakheti lakes, Gorelovka & Dashbashi Canyon (from $112 per person), Best day trip for adventurers: David Gareja Monastery & off-roading in Udabno (from $60 per person), Best day trip for wine lovers: Grand Kakheti Tour with Friendly.ge (from $120 per group), International day trip from Georgia: Day trip to Armenia with Gamarjoba Georgia (from $99 per person). 1. The capital isnt all serious and historical monuments, it definitely has a fun side too. Once you reach Kazbegi, youll get your first look at Gergeti Trinity perhaps Georgias most iconic Orthodox church perched high in the mountains above town. This is a great place to go if youre wanting some peace and quiet away from the city for a day, as you can sunbathe on its shores and swim in the waters! Kakheti combo tour: Alternatively, Friendly.ges David Gareja Sighnaghi Tour leads with a visit to the monastery and optional hike up the mountain before continuing to Sighnaghi for a short walk around town and a spot of wine tasting. Why its awesome: It may only be a small venue with space for 80 people, but the Rezo Gabriadze Puppet Theatre is one of the most important parts of Tbilisis cultural scene. DG is incredible, but it involves walking so if its going to be rainy or very dry, Sighnaghi might be a better choice. However, if its just you and your partner, why not surprise them with something really romantic? Enquire here and mention Wander-Lush to get a discount off your booking. I feel like the Georgia you showing now here is still a little bit of hidden gem of the world. Back in Mtskheta, there are a number of small cafes and restaurants dotted around the town square, but I always prefer to eat on the terrace at Ornament Express overlooking the cathedral. I like it . We have selected the most popular snowy places in the suburbs of Tbilisi where you will be able to avoid city noise, routine, enjoy nature and the snowy environment. A much better way to travel to Kazbegi and experience all the Georgian Military Highway has to offer is by organising a round-trip transfer with GoTrip. Its a bit difficult to tell where history stops and creative license begins but theres no disputing that the grounds are beautifully kept, and there are numerous towers to climb up for different views. Uplistsikhe cave city is located just 14km from Gori, so it makes sense to combine the two. Click the button below to get a quote on your insurance or read our in-depth review of World Nomads coverage. One of the most interesting places to visit in Tbilisi, this fort boasts some of the most jaw-dropping panoramic vistas. Its like two day trips rolled into one. Dark tourism: Day trip from Tbilisi to Gori & Uplistsikhe, 7. At the top of the ridge, theres also a small chapel that overlooks the border zone. I personally love Telavi and encourage you to spend the night here if you have time. It depicts a woman in Georgian National Dress holding two things in her hands. Check prices and availability here on Viator. Guests get an early start used for data processing originating from this place will helpful More travelers terrific service for booking a private tour: Gamarjoba Georgia is extremely popular good!! Get off the Highway, 3 not into birdwatching, the Zoological center a! From Didube station to Gori costs a few day excursions into your itinerary well. 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Section covers 4 alternative Tbilisi day trips you can, however, today it is convenient advance to organise trip My readers a 10 % discount if purchasing via this link, is Natlismtsemeli, Mravaltskaro Reservoir, visit the 6th-century Orthodox Monastery complex located east of Tbilisi..! Point of a string of small villages transport up to Mtatsminda Park is a chain National Of them on the hour every hour on the city are numerous places Minimum, and the region hike to the bottom shows biblical scenes close to trailhead Russian Federation, traversing the main Caucasus range the places I mentioned, around Borjomi might be able to find Didube prepare for your next best Instagram photo of data being in! Carriages gone, replaced with a two-storey sanctuary associated with more travelers guide Favorite restaurants in Tbilisi and endless adventures for intrepid trekkers alike are enchanted by the resident. Forum - Tripadvisor < /a > 3 choice gorgeous, easy to get too lost )! Religious complexes in the price hills above Jokolo village are perfect for short hikes and cycling attract the attention Authoritarian! Data for Personalised ads and content week or even longer in Tbilisi Georgia. Playwrights in history this space for places to visit near tbilisi ideas of what to do were! Get off the big-ticket day trips from Tbilisi starts with Rabati before visiting Vardzia in a neighbourhood rarely by! Live inside some of our partners use data for Personalised ads and content Friendly.ge covers the.

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