Attractions of Georgia

To help inspire or plan your trip to Georgia, some of its major attractions for travellers are shown below, including some of the best natural, historical, cultural and adventure sites in the country. These include all of UNESCO World Heritage Sites for Georgia which represent the best of the world's cultural and natural heritage.
Click on the icons below to focus on specific types of features (click again to return to all).


Natural	History	Wildlife	Trekking	Cities	Religious Monument	Boat Journey	Rail Journey	Diving	Cultural	Adrenaline	UNESCO WHS

Tbilisi
Tbilisi is Georgia's capital and is a charming, historic city, built along the twisting valleys of the Mtkvari River. The old town contains many historic buildings including the 13th century Metekhi Church, the Sioni Cathedral (Tbilisi's main church), the ancient brick-domed sulphur baths and the beautiful 20th century Synagogue. Tbilisi is a cosmopolitan city and other places of worship include an Armenian church, a mosque and a Zoroastrian Fire-Worshipper’s temple. The 4th century Narikala Citadel is one of the city's oldest fortifications and provides great views over the city. Elsewhere Rustaveli Avenue is Tbilisi's main street but wandering around the restored old streets and visiting the cafes, restaurants, art galleries and handicrafts markets is the real attraction of the city.

Tbilisi

Tbilisi is Georgia's capital and is a charming, historic city, built along the twisting valleys of the Mtkvari River. The old town contains many historic buildings including the 13th century Metekhi Church, the Sioni Cathedral (Tbilisi's main church), the ancient brick-domed sulphur baths and the beautiful 20th century Synagogue. Tbilisi is a cosmopolitan city and other places of worship include an Armenian church, a mosque and a Zoroastrian Fire-Worshipper’s temple. The 4th century Narikala Citadel is one of the city's oldest fortifications and provides great views over the city. Elsewhere Rustaveli Avenue is Tbilisi's main street but wandering around the restored old streets and visiting the cafes, restaurants, art galleries and handicrafts markets is the real attraction of the city.

Mtskheta
Mtskheta was the former capital of Georgia and contains many outstanding examples of ancient and beautiful churches. These include the 11th century Svetitskhoveli Cathedral - the largest functioning cathedral in Georgia, the 6th century Jvari church - the most sacred place in Georgia and perched on a hill overlooking the valley, and the 11th century Samtavro which contains the grave of the first Georgian Christian king. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Historical Monuments of Mtskheta

Mtskheta

Mtskheta was the former capital of Georgia and contains many outstanding examples of ancient and beautiful churches. These include the 11th century Svetitskhoveli Cathedral - the largest functioning cathedral in Georgia, the 6th century Jvari church - the most sacred place in Georgia and perched on a hill overlooking the valley, and the 11th century Samtavro which contains the grave of the first Georgian Christian king.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Historical Monuments of Mtskheta

Gori
Gori was the birthplace of Joseph Stalin, still considered by some Georgians to be a hero. Here there is a huge statue of him in Stalin Square (the last surviving statue of Stalin), where a museum describes his life in detail. The museum grounds contain the bulletproof train carriage he used to attend the Potsdam Conference. The house where he was born is now encased in a temple-like structure.

Uplistikhe Cave Town
Uplistikhe Cave Town dates back to the 6th century BC and comprises an entire town carved into a mountainside with streets, temples, palaces and residential buildings.

Kutaisi
Kutaisi was the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Colchis and is famed for being the location where Jason stole the Golden Fleece from King Aeetes. The city's golden age was under the reigns of King Bagrat and Queen Tamar between the 10th and 13th centuries. The ruins of the 11th century Bagrati Cathedral lie in the city. Outside the city the Gelati Monastery Complex was founded in the 12th century by King David the Builder. These beautifully preserved buildings are famous for their frescos and mosaics. In addition to the religious buildings, King David founded the Academy to act as a centre of science and education. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery

Kutaisi

Kutaisi was the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Colchis and is famed for being the location where Jason stole the Golden Fleece from King Aeetes. The city's golden age was under the reigns of King Bagrat and Queen Tamar between the 10th and 13th centuries. The ruins of the 11th century Bagrati Cathedral lie in the city. Outside the city the Gelati Monastery Complex was founded in the 12th century by King David the Builder. These beautifully preserved buildings are famous for their frescos and mosaics. In addition to the religious buildings, King David founded the Academy to act as a centre of science and education.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery

Varzdia Cave Town
Established in the 12th century by King Giorgi III and developed by his daughter Queen Tamar, the Varzdia Cave Town was built as a stronghold against the Turkish. This extraordinary site once numbered some 3,000 caves though it was heavily damaged by a 15th century earthquake. Today, 550 caves have been discovered, serving as meeting halls, churches and wine cellars and connected by stairways and tunnels.

Varzdia Cave Town

Established in the 12th century by King Giorgi III and developed by his daughter Queen Tamar, the Varzdia Cave Town was built as a stronghold against the Turkish. This extraordinary site once numbered some 3,000 caves though it was heavily damaged by a 15th century earthquake. Today, 550 caves have been discovered, serving as meeting halls, churches and wine cellars and connected by stairways and tunnels.

Upper Svaneti
The Upper Svaneti region of north-western Georgia is a spectacular area of snow-capped mountain peaks, forested hills, alpine valleys, glaciers and gorges. Throughout this beautiful landscape lie villages characterised by their medieval towerhouses - 3-5 storey towers that served as dwellings, storehouses and defence posts against invaders. The villages of Chazhashi and Ushguli (Europe's highest permanent village at 2,200 metres) are noted for their high concentrations of watchtowers. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Upper Svaneti

Upper Svaneti

The Upper Svaneti region of north-western Georgia is a spectacular area of snow-capped mountain peaks, forested hills, alpine valleys, glaciers and gorges. Throughout this beautiful landscape lie villages characterised by their medieval towerhouses - 3-5 storey towers that served as dwellings, storehouses and defence posts against invaders. The villages of Chazhashi and Ushguli (Europe's highest permanent village at 2,200 metres) are noted for their high concentrations of watchtowers.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Upper Svaneti

Kazbegi
The region of Kazbegi north of Tbilisi near the Russian border is very picturesque with snow-capped mountains and alpine meadows. A walk from Kazbegi town through Gergeti village takes you to the Church of the Holy Trinity, in a spectacular hilltop location overlooking the peaks of the Caucasus Mountains including Mount Kazbeg at 5,047 metres. Another excellent walk is along Truso Gorge, admiring its rock formations, ancient towers and remote villages.

Kazbegi

The region of Kazbegi north of Tbilisi near the Russian border is very picturesque with snow-capped mountains and alpine meadows. A walk from Kazbegi town through Gergeti village takes you to the Church of the Holy Trinity, in a spectacular hilltop location overlooking the peaks of the Caucasus Mountains including Mount Kazbeg at 5,047 metres. Another excellent walk is along Truso Gorge, admiring its rock formations, ancient towers and remote villages.

Kakheti
The wine growing region of Kakheti lies in the east of Georgia, a region renowned for its hospitality, good food and of course wine. From a base in the town of Telavi, a number of historical monuments can be explore including 11th century Alaverdi Cathedral surrounded by defensive walls and Nekresi Monastery, set on a hillside with excellent views of the surrounding countryside. In Telavi itself, King Hereklie's Palace and the house of Prince Chavchavadze are worth visiting.

Kakheti

The wine growing region of Kakheti lies in the east of Georgia, a region renowned for its hospitality, good food and of course wine. From a base in the town of Telavi, a number of historical monuments can be explore including 11th century Alaverdi Cathedral surrounded by defensive walls and Nekresi Monastery, set on a hillside with excellent views of the surrounding countryside. In Telavi itself, King Hereklie's Palace and the house of Prince Chavchavadze are worth visiting.