At first glance, it might seem like Georgia may not have that much to explore, but nothing could be further from the truth. This tiny country in the South Caucasus is packed from end to end with beautiful places to discover and adventures to be had!
Georgia is completely unique, and the same is true of the many attractions scattered across this ancient country. Bronze-Age ruins, lush canyons, jagged mountains, serene wine country, and more await travelers that are willing to make the effort to dive into everything Georgia has to offer.
This guide will give you a rundown of beautiful and historic places to visit in Georgia that make traveling through this country the one-of-a-kind journey that it is. Whether you spend several months here or only have time to see a few, all of these sites will make your time in Georgia an unforgettable experience.
Svaneti
Starting with probably the most alluring destination on this list, Svaneti is legendary even among Georgians for good reason. This region in the northwestern corner of the country offers adventure as only Georgia can: gorgeous landscapes, delicious mountain food, and a distinct culture that truly sets it apart.
Accessible at most times of the year, Svaneti is awash in color and breathtaking sights no matter when you decide to visit. This is home to the famous Mestia-Ushguli Trek, a multi-day hike that is undoubtedly Georgia’s most rewarding. Hikers venture from the regional hub of Mestia town to the endpoint of Ushguli, a small village that holds the honor of being one of the highest settlements in Europe.
Throughout Svaneti, you’ll see things that are distinctly Georgian. There are medieval towers standing out amongst the surrounding mountains in a way that’s simply iconic. On top of that, the glaciers, short day hikes, secluded villages, and tiny churches dotting the landscape will keep you plenty busy. All these go a long way in defining Georgia as the unique destination that it is.
The Svaneti is also the centerpiece of Epic’s own Svaneti itinerary. It’s a region that is just too good to pass up, and although there are other highlights on the trip, this portion is the real showstopper.
Iprari Village
This tiny, rustic village is a stop that every hiker makes while trekking the Mestia-Ushguli route. Dramatic peaks surround Iprari and visitors get a stunning panoramic view of the valley below.
Most notable about this village though is its tiny orthodox church. Although it may seem decrepit and unassuming, this church, dating back to the 11th century, hosts some of the best-preserved and most impressive frescoes in the whole country. All this hidden in a tiny mountainous hamlet!
There’s also a medieval hall in the nearby village of Khe that is worth visiting along the way. Combined with a visit to the church, it’s easy to see why the Svaneti is often seen as a land separated from time.
Iprari is one of the more quaint villages on the journey and rarely gets too crowded, even in the summer months. It would be easy to spend a few nights here simply taking in the views, going on short day hikes, and enjoying the delicious cuisine of Svaneti.
Sololaki, Tbilisi
A slice of Old Georgia in the heart of Tbilisi, Sololaki is pretty hard to miss since it serves as the main hub for travelers visiting the capital.
This district showcases traditional Georgian lifestyle and architecture, and it’s easy to spend more than a few hours wandering the narrow streets and discovering the city’s cafes, bars, and stunning vistas.
It might seem a little touristy but don’t overlook spending some time in Sololaki. This is a window into seeing what Georgia has been like for centuries and far too many travelers skip over taking enough time to explore all of the gems that Tbilisi’s historic district has on offer.
Lake Paravani
Located about a three-hour drive southwest of Tbilisi, Lake Paravani sees few visitors. Despite the lack of traffic, it’s home to both interesting history and wide-open, sweeping green landscapes that are so devoid of trees that it almost doesn’t look real.
The villages that dot the lakeside are tiny and partially abandoned, and while they are scenic, they are not the main draw of the region.
A short hike away from Lake Paravani is Mount Koroghli, where visitors will find the Bronze Age ruin known as Shaori Fortress awaiting them at the summit. Shaori is one of the oldest known ruins in Georgia and while the centuries have clearly taken their toll, it has stood the test of time.
This site is something of an enigma because while it’s called a “fortress,” archeologists have been unable to find any evidence of permanent human settlement. As a result, experts have come to speculate that Shaori may have been used simply as some sort of religious site instead.
If you’re into ancient history and distinct landscapes that get pretty much zero tourism, this area is more than worth checking out.
Gergeti Trinity Church
Overlooking the town of Stepantsminda near the Russian border, Gergeti Church is visible from miles away and can be reached by hiking (or even by car) on your way to the foothills of Mount Kazbegi, one of Europe’s highest peaks.
Gergeti is one of Georgia’s most interesting places to see and for good reason. This mountaintop church is a sight that you won’t see anywhere outside of Georgia. In many ways, it is a perfect representation of the unique experience one is afforded when journeying through Georgia and its mountains.
The tiny churches, chapels, and monasteries populating the mountainsides of the southern Caucasus define the landscape of this country, and Gergeti serves as the model for the kind of vistas that only Georgia can offer. There’s truly nowhere else you can see anything like this.
Tusheti
The Tusheti region sits on the far end of one of Europe’s more dangerous roads and holds some of Georgia’s most spectacular hiking. Accessible only during summer – mainly July and August – Tusheti doesn’t see many visitors even during high season, so you’ll never have to worry about crowds.
Tusheti consists of a string of tiny mountain villages dotting the landscape. This is one of the most beautiful and remote places to visit in Georgia’s mountains and showcases the country’s natural beauty at its finest. The highest settlement in Europe resides in these mountains, amongst a whole host of other gorgeous vistas.
Mashruktas (public vans) don’t run here, unlike most other places in Georgia, so you’ll either have to book a group tour here or take your own transportation. It’s important to say that if you’re considering driving yourself here, you should be experienced with off-road driving if you want to stay safe. Whether you’re taking a car or a motorcycle, a manual transmission is a must.
Truso Valley
Truso Valley is one of northern Georgia’s lesser-known places to see and is a fairly short day trip from nearby Stepantsminda. The hike itself is brisk and easy, but the valley is worth exploring because it offers hiking as only Georgia can: with historic villages and a wild color scheme.
A few tiny villages dot the valley and an abandoned fortress overlooking an ancient Silk Road route awaits hikers a few hours in. That being said, the visual highlight of this short trek are actually the sulfur fields running through the middle of the valley. Orange and black deposits of the fields mix with the lush greens of the surrounding hills, creating a truly bizarre color scheme that you simply won’t see in many other places on the planet.
The pungent smell of sulfur permeating the air is less than ideal but it’s a small price to pay for the experience. This short, underrated day hike showcases how beautiful Georgia can be.
Azeula Fortress
This ancient fortress is known for being the place where the legendary Queen Tamar – who was technically a king – died. Despite that fame and not being too far away from Tbilisi, Azeula sees almost no visitors.
Also known as Kojori or Kor Ogli, the fortress itself is in pretty dismal repair, and restoration efforts are basically non-existent. Despite that, it has stood for nearly a thousand years and is very impressive to take in.
The commanding views of the valley get even better if you manage to hike out to the back of the fortress. It’s worth noting though that while climbing any further past that point isn’t illegal, it does get a bit dangerous at points and you should first and foremost consider any damage you might do to the ruins – and yourself – before continuing. This is an ancient site and a national treasure to Georgians, and we as visitors need to respect the history we’re exploring.
Azeula is close enough to Tbilisi that it can be reached by hiking or even a city bus (bus number 380) which stops in the nearby village of Kojori. Keep in mind that hiking here to or from Tbilisi is a 3 to 4-hour commitment at minimum, so be ready to dedicate a full day to this trip.
Juta
Juta, a picturesque village in Georgia’s Kazbegi region, is a hidden gem renowned for its stunning mountain scenery. Nestled in the Greater Caucasus Mountains, Juta is often compared to the Italian Dolomites due to its dramatic peaks and breathtaking landscapes. With their sharp, jagged ridges and snow-capped summits, it’s easy to see why the nearby Chaukhi Mountains evoke the same feelings as their karst counterparts are called the “Dolomites of Georgia.”
The pristine beauty of Juta’s surroundings makes it an ideal destination for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts. Hiking and trekking are popular activities, with trails leading to panoramic viewpoints and alpine meadows filled with wildflowers. The trek to the Chaukhi Pass offers the most expansive views of the region and is the highlight of any visit here.
Juta’s charm is not only in its rugged terrain but also in its tranquility and traditional Georgian hospitality. Visitors can stay in cozy guesthouses or camp in the serene mountain setting, enjoying the simplicity and peace of this remote area.
Although the Svaneti region is the highlight of our Georgia itinerary, we can’t bring ourselves to pass up the opportunity to visit such an amazing location. After the Svaneti, we visit Juta because we must: a Dolomite-like landscape is already tempting enough, but the Dolomites without crowds is just too good to pass up.
Kakheti
The beating heart of Georgia’s wine culture, Kakheti evokes imagery of Tuscany without coming at a similarly high cost to your wallet. Rolling, green hills, monasteries, and wineries are all in abundant supply, making Kakheti a place that is as relaxing as it is beautiful.
You may or may not know this already but Georgian wine is quite infamous. Although other European producers, such as Italy and France, receive most of the attention, Georgian winemaking is arguably more significant. Why? Georgia is one the oldest known winemaking regions in the world and arguably the birthplace of the beverage!
Many wineries offer tours that most visitors will find very cheap, and it’s not uncommon to get offered wine – a lot of it – for free! Life in Kakheti is slow and easy, but it’s still possible to get some adventuring in by exploring the region’s many historic sites hiding in the region’s lush hillsides.
If you’re just looking to relax, Kakheti can’t be beat. Georgia’s tranquil wine country is a perfect place to go to slow things down after venturing through the rugged Caucasus. The wine too is totally unique and unlike anything you’ll find elsewhere in Europe.
See Georgia's Attractions for Yourself
Despite being such a tiny nation, Georgia has countless beautiful places to see and it’s impossible to put them all on a single list. The remnants of Georgia’s unique history scattered across the mountainous landscape make this a country like no other, and venturing through it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Our tours to Georgia mainly focus on the alpine destinations, such as Svaneti and Juta, in addition to Tbilisi. We think that these areas are the best in the entire country and truly unmissable.
That’s not to say you can’t visit the many other superlative locations in Georgia outside of our program! Exploring this country from tip to tip will be worth every second of your time, and few if any places should disappoint. This is one of the most exotic destinations in all of Europe and is still unspoiled. So see everything there is until the masses arrive!
