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Part of a larger journey: This focused Georgia guide is adapted from my complete Caucasus itinerary. Use this page for the Georgia day-by-day detail; use the complete trip for the cross-border route through Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia.

I travelled through Georgia in 2019, between Azerbaijan and Armenia. This is the week-long Georgia section I actually did; the suggestions at the end explain how I would stretch it if you have more time.

Itinerary done quick

🇬🇪 Georgia

That’s it! Click the destination names to jump to each day.

Day 1 Sighnaghi

Back in 2019, I took a bus from Sheki to the border. From the border, I found a bus going to Sighnaghi that also continued onward to Tbilissi, which meant I could stop where I wanted.

Start with the old town’s cobbled streets and carved wooden balconies, then walk the accessible section of the Sighnaghi Fortress wall. From the towers, you can see across the Alazani Valley to the Caucasus.

If your arrival leaves enough time, add Bodbe Monastery, just outside Sighnaghi. I did it using a shared taxi from central Sighnaghi, then went straight to Tbilissi. In retrospect, I wish I had stayed in town a bit longer instead of rushing to the capital.

I also heard that the Sighnaghi Museum is quite nice. I didn’t go, though. It definitely warrants some time.

The bus or marshrutka journey from Sighnaghi to Tbilissi takes about two and a half hours and services should be quite common. I used a shared taxi for this leg because we were four and it was getting late.

Day 2 Tbilisi old city

Start at Freedom Square and walk into the old city through its steep lanes and wooden-balcony houses. Don’t miss the Gabriadze Theatre Clock Tower! It is one of the city’s prettiest spots and is close to the river.

Walk roughly alongside the river for the bridges and the view of Rike Park, then continue past Sioni Church, the museums and Meidan Bazaar. By then it may be around noon, and the area is filled with restaurants. They are a little more expensive than elsewhere; I ate later at a café in Rike Park.

Continue to the Abanotubani sulphur-bath district, where the brick domes sit beside the small gorge and waterfall. From there, climb to Narikala Fortress and the Mother of Georgia statue for the view over the roofs and river. It is not a hard walk and is easy to access. You can walk back through the Botanical Garden side or use the cable car towards Metekhi Church and Rike Park.

From Rike Park, you can spot the Presidential Palace, Darejan Palace and the ugly tube building. That ugly tube is supposed to disappear soon! Cross the Bridge of Peace, which lights up after dark, to return to the old town.

Heavy rain forced me to pause the visit while I was on my way to do more. But honestly… don’t burn yourself out!

Day 3 More Tbilisi

Use the second day for the parts beyond the old city. Walk along Rustaveli Avenue, stopping at Parliament and perhaps a museum such as the National Museum. Definitely mark the Opera on your map; it is nice to look at.

Mtatsminda Park is nearby. I went there for a date, but it is not the best place in town unless you live there.

In the evening, I crossed to the other bank for Fabrika and the surrounding streets, then continued to the enormous Holy Trinity Cathedral. I recommend doing this directly instead of going to Mtatsminda.

With more time, take Metro Line 1 to Ghrmaghele, leave by the David Guramishvili Avenue exit and catch bus 360 from the stop on the same side of the road. Get off at Cadet Corps, then walk uphill for around 10 to 15 minutes to the Chronicle of Georgia. It was on my to-do list.

Day 4 Gori and Uplistsikhe

Visit Gori for its fortress and the Stalin Museum, built around Stalin’s house, with an important side trip to the cave city of Uplistsikhe.

Marshrutkas leave from Didube Bus Station and take around two hours to reach Gori. Uplistsikhe requires an additional local bus; the return to Tbilisi can be harder. I hitchhiked back, so it really was a full-day trip.

This day trip combines Gori, the Stalin Museum, Uplistsikhe, Mtskheta and Jvari (affiliate link). It combines Days 4 and 6, so use the freed day elsewhere. I did not take this tour. Uplistsikhe was the highlight for me: fun to wander around and almost tourist-free back then.

Day 5 Kazbegi

I took this Kazbegi, Gudauri, Gergeti and Ananuri tour (affiliate link). It follows the Georgian Military Highway, stopping at Ananuri, Gudauri, Stepantsminda and Gergeti Trinity Church beneath Mount Kazbegi, then returns to Tbilisi.

Ananuri with its lake backdrop was absolutely stunning, and the road itself was one of the best parts. Stepantsminda was less impressive to me, but it is still a must-do.

Day 6 Mtskheta

Visit Georgia’s ancient capital, Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and the confluence of the two rivers, my personal highlight.

Take a Mtskheta-bound marshrutka from Didube bus station—always the same one. It takes around 45 minutes and drops you near the centre; return marshrutkas leave from the same general area.

As soon as you arrive, taxi drivers will offer to take you to the viewpoint. It is either that or a long walk. You do you—as long as you don’t cross the highway on foot like my ex did…

This is not a full-day trip. Including lunch, it takes a full morning and early afternoon. To continue to Armenia the same day, start at around 7:00. You may then find transport to Alaverdi and arrive before evening, although accommodation was difficult to find there in 2019.

For a guided alternative, this half-day Mtskheta tour visits Jvari and the Chronicle of Georgia (affiliate link). I went independently and did not use that operator.

Personally, I returned to Tbilissi early enough to go on yet another date.

More days? Planned vs Done

Svaneti: my original plan

I originally planned to add Svaneti, but I got fewer paid-leave days than expected and had to shorten the whole Caucasus trip. With enough time, take a night bus from Tbilisi to Mestia and another night bus back. Give Svaneti at least three full days between those journeys: one to discover Mestia and two for hikes or nearby villages. In practice, add three days plus two overnight journeys; more is even better if you want a longer trek.

Batumi: an alternative extension

Batumi is a common Georgian destination. My Chinese friends spent three days there and liked it. I did not include it in the core itinerary because I didn’t go myself, but it works well as a separate two- or three-day extension.

You could walk Batumi Boulevard and the seafront, explore the old town and Europe Square, visit the Botanical Garden, see the Ali and Nino sculpture after dark, and use a final day for the Gonio Fortress or an excursion into the Adjara countryside. Choose Batumi for the Black Sea and city atmosphere; choose Svaneti for mountains and hiking.