Georgia Bucket List

Toast qvevri wines, hike Caucasus trails, and soak sulfur baths of Georgia

Visit Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. Explore the Narikala Fortress (ancient hilltop citadel with panoramic views over the city and Mtkvari River), stroll through the Old Town (cobblestone streets with traditional wooden balconies and sulfur bathhouses), see the Holy Trinity Cathedral (one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world, standing 101 meters tall), and sample khinkali (dumplings) and khachapuri (cheese-filled bread) at local eateries.

Enjoy the traditional Georgian cheese-filled bread, khachapuri, in its country of origin

Visit Batumi, Georgia's vibrant Black Sea resort city. Stroll along the Batumi Boulevard (7km seaside promenade with botanical gardens and modern sculptures), see the Alphabet Tower (130m tall monument celebrating Georgian script), explore the Batumi Botanical Garden (one of the largest in the former USSR with diverse plant collections), and try local dishes like khachapuri (cheese-filled bread) and khinkali (dumplings).

Visit Abkhazia, a partially recognized state in the South Caucasus. Explore the capital Sukhumi with its botanical garden (one of the oldest in the Caucasus, founded in 1840) and the Abkhazian State Museum (showcasing local history and artifacts). Relax on the beaches of Gagra (a resort town known for its subtropical climate and Soviet-era architecture) and hike in the Ritsa Nature Reserve (home to Lake Ritsa, a scenic alpine lake surrounded by mountains).

Try khinkali, the traditional Georgian dumplings, in their country of origin

Visit the ancient cave monastery complex of Dawid Gareji in Georgia

Drink from a traditional horn (qantsi, kantsi) in Georgia, experiencing the unique Georgian wine culture

Visit Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia and a UNESCO World Heritage site

Visit Sukhumi, the capital of Abkhazia, a disputed region on the Black Sea coast. Explore the Botanical Garden (founded in 1840 with subtropical plants and a giant sequoia), see the Abkhazian State Museum (showcasing local history and artifacts), and stroll along the waterfront promenade with views of the sea and Soviet-era architecture.

Visit Tskhinvali, the capital of South Ossetia. Explore the city's Soviet-era architecture, see the Monument to the Victims of the Georgian-Ossetian Conflict, and visit the South Ossetian State University. Note that travel to this region may be restricted and requires careful planning due to political complexities.

Traverse Caucasus valleys, fortress ruins, and pastoral hamlets of South Ossetia

Twelfth-century monastery city carved storey upon storey into a cliff face.

Lonely 14th-century church beneath Mount Kazbek — Georgia’s most photographed view.

Ancient rock-hewn town on the Silk Road, inhabited from the Iron Age.

Hike between medieval tower villages under the highest peaks of the Caucasus.

A 5,033 m glaciated volcano above the Gergeti church, where Prometheus was said to be chained.

The Matterhorn of the Caucasus: twin granite horns above Svaneti and one of the hardest climbs in the range.

Medieval defence towers in the high Svaneti valleys, the base for treks to Ushguli and glaciers.

The 'city of love' on a hill above the Alazani valley, inside 18th-century walls in the Kakheti wine region.

The Bagrati cathedral, Gelati monastery and the Prometheus cave, in the capital of ancient Colchis.

Drink amber wine fermented in buried clay vessels, the 8,000-year-old Georgian way.