Georgia

Ever wondered where wine was first discovered or where the world’s deepest cave is located? If you guessed Georgia, then you are absolutely right! Not the state in the U.S. but a stunning country that lies between Eastern Europe and Western Asia, which has become a top tourist destination in recent years! Home to many serene natural landscapes, century-old cathedrals, and picturesque villages, Georgia is truly a hidden gem of Europe, which has also been nicknamed the “birthplace of wine.” This country was the first in the world to discover the method of winemaking, also known as “Qveri,” which was established around 8000 B.C. and also has been added to UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity in 2013. Steeped in history, Georgia is divided into 2 autonomous regions, 11 geographical regions, and 76 municipalities and comprises numerous cities, towns, and regions, where a few of the most popular include Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, Mtshkheta, Imereti, Borjomi, Kakheti, and Kazbegi.

With Tbilisi being the capital city, Georgia is bordered by many prominent countries such as Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Russia, also making it a popular transit destination for many travelers from all across the world. Although the exact location of Georgia’s geography has been a topic of debate for decades, technically it is said to lie at the intersection of both Europe and Asia, but in the present day Georgia is hugely considered to be a part of the European nation. Furthermore, Georgia is home to 4 UNESCO World Heritage sites, which include historical monuments of Mtskheta, Gelati Monastery, Upper Svaneti, and Colchic Subtropical Forest Wetland, which have all been top tourist destinations in the country for decades. With its rich cultural traditions, scenic destinations, diverse food cuisines, and warm hospitality, Georgia is a destination that is best known in real life!

Why to visit Georgia?

Georgia offers its visitors an array of vivid and magical experiences, which truly no other nation in Europe can replicate, as it is an all-round and flexible destination that is able to cater to the tastes and preferences of any traveler visiting this stunning destination! For instance, visitors who love exploring ancient and historic places, cities in Georgia like Tbilisi, Batumi, and Kutaisi offer a plethora of historical and cultural fortresses, cathedrals, monasteries, and towers that offer glimpses into the country’s rich cultural heritage and ancient history. In a similar realm, for adventure enthusiasts/nature lovers who enjoy being outdoors, destinations like Batumi Botanical Garden (in Batumi), Bell Mountain (in Hiawassee), Prometheus Cave (in Kumistavi), Okatse Canyon (in Gorde), and Zhinvali Water Reservoir (in Tbilisi) offer varied natural landscapes like mountains, lakes, and forests ideal for participating in adventurous activities such as going trekking, hiking, and mountain climbing. 

Likewise, for tourists looking for a peaceful/relaxing getaway, destinations like Tbilisi, Borjomi, and Abanotubani have numerous mesmerizing hot water springs and calming sulfur pools that are said to contain many healing properties good for one’s mind and body. As Georgia offers a plethora of unique and special destinations that can be customized according to your travel interests, you’ll surely find what you’re looking for in this enchanting country!

Now let’s delve into the top cities and regions of Georgia that have encapsulated the hearts of millions of tourists from all corners of the world!

Tbilisi: The Immortal City

Tbilisi is one of those picturesque cities in the world you cannot forget, a destination that stays in your memory even long after you’ve visited it! As this vibrant city offers a harmonious blend of spectacular destinations, mouthwatering food cuisines, and top rated accommodation/travel options, visitors traveling this city are bound to fall in love with it! Covering an area of 726 square kilometers and being the capital city of Georgia, this vibrant city is known for its ancient fortresses/cathedrals, scenic parks, and historic museums, and for travelers who have a deep passion for photography, this city is truly a delight to capture through the lens! Some of the most popular destinations that capture the beauty of this ancient city include the Bridge of Peace, Narikala Fortress, Juma Mosque, Sioni Cathedral Anchiskhati, Rike Park, the National Botanical Garden, Gergeti Trinity Church, and Liberty Square. 

Facing a devastating past, this vibrant city was attacked and invaded by many powerful nations in the past, resulting in massive destructions where many lives were lost once, but due to this city’s everlasting resilient nature, it has always managed to bounce back and become whole, hence also being called “the immortal city” of Europe. In terms of culture and architecture, this city celebrates many festivals and traditions that are rooted in preserving Tbilisi’s rich history and cultural heritage. Additionally, many ancient buildings and cobbled streets located here follow a unique blend of Arabic, Turkish, and Georgian architecture, giving many parts of the city a unique retro look! As food makes a big part of traveling for food enthusiasts, Tbilisi is surely a must-visit destination where many dishes available here and are made using a ton of fragrant spices and dried herbs, resulting in the most flavorful dishes that Nepali travelers can surely enjoy! A few of the prized local dishes here include chakhokhbili (spicy braised chicken stew), ajapsandali (savory vegetable stir fry), lobio (mashed red beans), and gebjaila (cheese rolls served in cold yogurt sauce).

Mtskheta: Little Jerusalem

Travel to one of the most historic cities of Georgia, which is said to have been discovered during the first millennium BCE (which is around 1000 years ago!). Being one of Georgia’s renowned pilgrimage sites, Mtskheta is also known as “Little Jerusalem” due to the countless number of religious churches and ancient cathedral/Christian monastery complexes located here, making it a pivotal stop for many pilgrims in Georgia. Additionally, Mtskheta is home to three historical monuments, namely Jvari Monastery, Svetitskhoveli, and Samtavro Monastery, that have been listed in UNESCO’s historical monuments in 1994. Additionally, this city was said to be the first location in Georgia where Christianity was practiced and was also given the title of “Holy City” by the Georgian Orthodox Church in 2014 as well. 

For history lovers and architecture enthusiasts, Mtskheta is the destination to travel to in Georgia, as you’ll be able to find traces of history scattered all over this city, which is mainly reflected in the city’s medieval-style architecture and buildings. To witness the true beauty of Mtskheta, you can tour places in and around the city like the Royal City of Dzalisi, the village of Mukrani, the Zedazeni Monastery, and the Tsikhani Cathedral of Mother of God that has helped capture the historical charm of this picturesque city. Similarly, as food plays an integral role in making any travel destination memorable, most dishes made in Mtskheta incorporate ingredients such as cheese, walnuts, and fresh herbs/spices into their dishes, where a few of the most renowned dishes cherished here include: churchkhela (a sweet nutty dessert), khinkali (flavorful meat-filled dumplings), lobio (red bean stew), and chvishtari (cheesy cornbread).

Batumi: Pearl of the Black Sea 

For travelers looking for a more relaxing getaway in Georgia, Batumi is the ideal city for you to explore! This vibrant city’s beauty has encapsulated the hearts of millions of tourists and also due to it being in close proximity to the Black Sea, it is also nicknamed “Pearl of the Black Sea”. Located in the southwestern part of Georgia, this destination has numerous serene beaches, first-class restaurants/cafes, and colorful markets, making it suitable for any age group traveling to this stunning city. In a similar realm, as Georgia is one of those countries with a high hospitality culture, Batumi is best known for its friendly locals who are said to welcome tourists with open arms, so you’ll definitely feel a sense of comfort traveling in this spectacular city. 

Covering an area of 64.9 square kilometers, this thriving city has many scenic beaches like Batumi, Sarpi, and Kobuleti, which feature crystal clear waters, soft white sand, and tons of options for exciting water activities such as jet skiing, parasailing, and banana boat rides, ideal for adventure enthusiasts. Similarly, for history lovers, you can explore popular areas such as Piazza Square, Batumi Mosque, Amiran Kakhidze Ajara Archaeological Museum, and Gonio-Apsaros Fortress, as they have helped to preserve the city’s rich history and cultural heritage, also resulting in an educational experience as well. Likewise, Batumi’s food culture is also top-notch, where a few of the renowned dishes here include supra (traditional Georgian feast), adjaruli khachapuri (soft cheesy bread boat), pelamushi (sweet grape jelly), and yakhni (savory beef stew).

Kakheti: Little Tuscany 

Only 2 hours away from the main capital, Tbilisi, Kakheti is a charming region located in the northeastern part of Georgia. Earning the title of “little Tuscany” due to this destination resembling the Tuscany region in Italy in terms of its old-style architecture and traditional winemaking traditions, Kakheti is a must-visit destination in Georgia! Covering a massive area of 11,310 square kilometers, Kakheti has been the birthplace of many renowned kings, writers, and artists, so because of this, there are plenty of historical museums located here that also contain many ancient artifacts and antiques of these renowned public figures, and two of the most popular ones include Kote Marjanishvili House Museum and Sandro Akhmeteli Museum. 

Additionally, due to Kakheti being a pilgrimage town there are many numbers of religious destinations here, such as St. Nino’s Cathedral, David Gareji Monastery, Nekresi Monastery, Ikalto Monastery, and Gremi’s Archangel’s Complex, making it a suitable location for spiritual/religious tourists. As winemaking is an inseparable part of Georgian culture, Kakheti is said to be responsible for more than 70% of Georgia’s wine production, so you’ll find many variations of wineries and vineyards here. Similarly, most local and traditional cuisines eaten in this region are heavily meat and dairy-based, where a few of the most popular food items include mtsvadi (barbequed meat), khashlama (savory meat and vegetable stew), chikhirtma (soupy meat broth), ghandzili (pickled leek), and kakhetianshoti (traditional Georgian bread) that you can try as well! 

Imereti Region

Imereti, an enchanting region situated on the western part of Georgia, has to be every nature lover’s dream destination! With a plethora of hidden caves, serene natural reserves, and stunning waterfalls, who wouldn’t want to visit this region? Compromising an area of 6552 square kilometers, Imereti is divided into 2 sections, which are the upper and lower regions. The scenic region of Imereti has many promising natural attractions, such as Okatse (Kinchkha) big waterfalls, Kutaisi botanical garden, Rioni river, Tskhrakvari mountain, and Ganzaruli river that are best for nature enthusiasts to explore and some of these destinations even offer scenic trails for going on exciting treks/hikes. Additionally, these destinations also make the perfect drop for those taking aesthetic photos and videos as well!

Likewise, for thrill seekers who love exploring caves, you can go visit this region’s top three caves, which are the Prometheus, Tetra, and Sataplia cave/nature reserve, where inside the last one, you’re also able to see stalactites (icicles), uniquely shaped rocks, and even fossilized footprints of the dinosaur species “Satapliasaurus”! On the opposite spectrum, travelers looking for culinary experience, Imereti also offers a rich array of traditional restaurants/cafes that serve top-notch Georgian cuisines, where a few of the most renowned ones include Palaty, Fleur, Maisis Ezo, and Egrisi, locations cherished equally by tourists and locals here. In a similar way, a few of the most prized dishes in this region include: ekala pkhali (a type of savory spinach salad), imeretian cheese, field phkali (mixed spinach and walnut salad), and imeretian khachapuri (cheesy flatbread).

Best Time to Visit Georgia

Georgia is one of the countries that is blessed with four distinct seasons, where each season holds its own unique charm. The ideal time to visit this nation depends upon your preferences for weather and preferred activities, but in a general sense, the best months for you to explore this scenic destination are during the spring season, which starts from March to May. During these months, the temperatures stay pleasant and moderate, so you’ll be able to go sightseeing/engage in many outdoor activities visiting vibrant markets (in Kutaisi and Batumi), going on exciting treks and hikes (in Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park), attending the popular Tulip Festival (in Tbilisi), or just taking a relaxing day off to explore scenic beaches and top-notch restaurants (in Batumi and Kvariati).

Likewise, the autumn season, which begins from September to November, is another favorable time to explore the beautiful country of Georgia. Over the three-month period, the temperatures drop slightly, leading to cool, crisp weather ideal for engaging in outdoor activities such as going on peaceful nature walks/hikes in areas such as Kazbegi, Borjomi, and Kharagauli National Park, as you’re able to see picturesque views of fall foliage around these regions! Another popular activity loved by tourists here during this season is wine tasting (in Kakheti), as these months mark the wine-harvesting season well. Moreover, to make your travel days more joyful, you can also visit historic churches, go on scenic drives, and explore stellar cafes and restaurants in this beautiful country as well.