Things to do in  Georgia

Considered one of the most sacred places in all of Georgia, the Jvari Monastery is a medieval Georgian Orthodox monastery outside the small city of Mtskheta. Stone carvings decorate the interior of this UNESCO World Heritage Site from the 7th century, while its hilltop position provides views over the meeting of Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers.

Nowhere in Tbilisi better showcases the city’s blend of influences and layers of history than Tbilisi Old Town (Dzveli Tbilisi). Its leafy, cobblestone streets bordered by beautiful balconies rarely run in straight lines, meaning the city’s top attractions pop up out of nowhere and surprise you. The old town is unpredictable and unmissable: one moment you’re looking up at an ancient fortress, the next you’re standing outside a wine museum or visiting its famed sulphur baths.

With a carriage from Stalin’s personal train and his childhood home relocated outside, the Joseph Stalin Museum in Gori doesn’t do half measures. Statues, portraits, and personal effects around this dark tourism museum tell the life story of the former leader of the Soviet Union, who was born in this small Georgian city.

Once a Persian citadel, the ancient Narikala Fortress dominates the Tbilisi skyline. Established in the fourth century, it was expanded in the seventh, 16th, and 17th centuries, before much of it was destroyed in an explosion in 1827. The view from the fortress is one of the best in the Georgian capital.

Legends surround Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, an Orthodox cathedral inside a walled complex in the heart of Mtskheta. This UNESCO World Heritage site stands unchanged from when it was built in the 1100s and still bears colorful frescoes across its hallowed walls, including on the pillar marking where Christ’s robe is said to be buried.

Opened in 2012, Tbilisi’s aerial tramway connects Rike Park on the left bank of the Mtkvari river to the Narikala Fortress. Savor 360-degree views of the Georgian capital while the cable car whisks you to the top of Sololaki Hill.

Situated on the left bank of the Mtkvari River, Metekhi Church is one of Tbilisi’s key religious landmarks. First built in the 13th century, and located where ancient Georgian ruler Vakhtang I Gorgasali was said to have established Tbilisi in the 5th century, the church is a popular destination among history buffs and religious devotees.

The tallest church in Tbilisi, the Holy Trinity Cathedral (Tsminda Sameba) is an unmissable feature of the Tbilisi skyline: its golden dome rises out from Elia Hill and is visible from almost any point in the city. The stunning structure is part of a complex that includes a monastery, theology school, and nine chapels (including five underground).

Mtatsminda Park was once the third-most-visited entertainment center in the USSR. Today, the family-friendly landscaped park—with its carousels, waterslides, roller coaster, and Ferris wheel—remains a popular destination for travelers and locals looking for a day of fun and leisure.

Established in the sixth century by one of the 13 Assyrian Fathers, this rock-cut monastery complex has 19 medieval monasteries, churches, chapels, and thousands of cells where monks once lived. It’s among Georgia's most important archaeological sites and is currently under consideration to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Tbilisi means “warm place” in Old Georgian, so it’s little wonder that the capital is famed for its thermal waters. People have congregated in the city’s hot baths for centuries, originally to seek treatment for medical conditions like indigestion and arthritis. These days, the Tbilisi Sulphur Baths—located within the district of Abanotubani—have become an indispensable stop on any trip to the Georgian capital.

One of the world’s steepest funiculars, the Tbilisi Funicular connects the Georgian capital with the Mtatsminda Plateau. Built in 1905 and reopened in 2012 following renovations, the funicular connects Tbilisi with the mountaintop Mtatsminda Park, which comprises a restaurant complex, an amusement park, and a TV tower.

Designed by French architects, this historic wine estate dates back to the end of the 19th century. Once home to the Georgian royal family Bagrationi, it has been a wine estate for more than a century. Near Tbilisi, Château Mukhrani is a popular day trip for wine tastings, cellar and palace tours, and traditional Georgian food.

Immerse yourself in Georgia’s rich and fascinating history at the Simon Janashia Museum of Georgia, part of the National Museum of Georgia. Home to one of the country’s largest collections of artifacts, this Tbilisi museum brings ancient and modern history to life.

Designed by French architects, this historic wine estate dates back to the end of the 19th century. Once home to the Georgian royal family Bagrationi, it has been a wine estate for more than a century. Near Tbilisi, Château Mukhrani is a popular day trip for wine tastings, cellar and palace tours, and traditional Georgian food.