Routes in Georgia, description of routes in Georgia, features, safety of travel in Georgia, how long it takes to see Georgia on your own, car or public transport, mountains and sea in one route, the main attractions in the routes in Georgia, what to see, the weather in Georgia and at what time year is better travel around Georgia.

Bad is when you want. Don't even try, you'll come again and again. Well - when the time is ten days, and better - a couple of weeks.

Here routes passed by us in Georgia at different times by car, while hiking, hitchhiking or public transport also has the right to life. Some of the routes were originally slightly different. I worked on the bugs - removed something, added something, swapped destinations in several places for reasons of ease of movement, taking into account my experience.

Route number 1 - Batumi plus Svaneti

Ideal route if the goal is to relax by the sea and see the most beautiful mountains of Georgia, you will have to sacrifice. However, if time and budget allow, you can also ride to the capital of Georgia, but I would not interfere with one another.

The route is also suitable for those who arrive in Kutaisi or Batumi, in particular for flights to Kutaisi there are often good discounts, the price of a ticket is considered good if it costs no more than 150 US dollars, both ways.

Batumi - Kobuleti - Kutaisi - Tskaltubo - Prometheus cave - Zugdidi (transit) - Mestia - Ushguli - Kutaisi (Batumi)

Depending on point of arrival Batumi and Kutaisi you can switch places, it won't be a big problem.

Batumi- a separate story and an extensive point of the program, it takes at least three days, and taking into account the rest at sea and trips around the surrounding area - up to a week. Details on what to see Batumi wrote in an article

Tskhaltubo- cool in the past balneological resort, in Soviet times, the Moscow-Tskhaltubo train went here. Now - a quiet beautiful place in subtropical greenery, which I would consider as a transit with an overnight stay along road to Svaneti . We spent the night at the hotel Tskaltubo SPA Resort 4* More housing offers can be found on the familiar Booking.com - Tskaltubo or Booking.com - Kutaisi

Near Tskhaltubo and Kutaisi be sure to go to cave of Prometheus, you can get there by car in 10 minutes, by minibus or taxi. The best time– morning to get to the most beautiful part of Georgia - mountainous Svaneti.

Mestia. The capital of Svaneti, a small regional center and a tourist mecca for all lovers of mountainous Georgia, a must visit for everyone - experienced and not so experienced. We drive from Tskhaltubo or Kutaisi through Zugdidi, further along the mountain serpentines. Road to Mestia excellent, relatively recently built. AT Mestia have to spend at least one night, better 2-3, worth book hotels and guest houses in Mestia according to your budget.

Ushguli- the highest mountain village in Svaneti, we get by SUVs, which we rent together with a driver from Mestia. Round-trip costs about 60-80 dollars, you can have time to hit the road for a full daylight hours, but it's better to stay in Ushguli for the night.

On the Svaneti you need 3 days at a minimum, less will not work, since almost a day and a half as a whole will take you on the road back and forth and along Svaneti. Ideally 4-7 days if hiking tracks are planned to the foot of the most famous peaks and Kuruldi lakes. I advise you to read story about a trip to Svaneti - it describes in detail all the nuances of traveling to Svaneti.

Total, at a minimum - 3 days in Batumi and its environs, 1 day in Kutaisi (Tskaltubo), 3 days in Svaneti. Total at least a week for the whole trip.

Route No. 2 - Tbilisi, Kazbek and Alazani Valley

For those who have only 4-5 days and arrive and depart to/from Tbilisi, as well as for connoisseurs of wine, ancient monasteries and beautiful nature. Along the route Greater Caucasus , the most famous peak Georgia - Kazbek, resort Gudauri and part wine road in Kakheti.

Tbilisi - Mtskheta - Ananuri Fortress - Gudauri - Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) - Tbilisi - Signagi - Tbilisi

Attractions along the route

It is worth spending at least two or three days in the capital of Georgia. What to see, where to sleep and where to eat read in the article Tbilisi - the best sights and itinerary around the city . Very close is ancient Mtskheta, in which the most interesting is Jvari monastery on the mountain, top view of the city and the confluence of two rivers - Aragvi and Kura (Mtkvari). On the Mtskheta You need at least half a day.

Book budgetary hotels in Tbilisi on Booking.com >>

We move forward along the Georgian military road towards the village of Stepantsminda (Kazbegi). We look along the way ancient fortress Ananuri on the shore of the reservoir, we make a stop at the high-altitude ski resort Gudauri and make plans for the winter. We pass the picturesque Cross Pass, stopping every 15 minutes for a photo session.

In the evening we arrive atKazbegi (Stepantsminda), the village is famous for the fact that here is the most famous peak of Georgia -Kazbek and Gergeti monasterypractically at its foot. It is near the monastery that the place with the most stunning panorama that I have ever seen. We “pray” that we are lucky with the weather and Kazbek is not covered by clouds.

Getting to Gergeti monastery and the foot of Kazbek you can walk (about two hours), but it’s better with the locals on an SUV - 20 minutes, you can arrange a rental on the central square Stepantsminda or at the hotel, the price is about 20 dollars round trip with the expectation of as much as you need.

We spend the night in one of the hostels, and if the budget allows, I strongly advise you to stay in the best view hotel - Rooms Hotel Kazbegi , memories for years are guaranteed. We stayed there, but today the price has increased a little (from $90 per night to $110 and up depending on the room), although there are discounts in autumn.

Choose and book Hotels in Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) on Booking.com ⇒

We return to Tbilisi, spend the night and radially leave for Kakheti- beautiful town Signagi. We look at the remains of the fortress, the clock towers and a view of Alazani valley against the backdrop of snow caps Caucasian mountains. If time permits, you can spend the night and walk around the wineries. The most famous and beautiful winery - Chateau Mukhrani, in the same place on the rock there is a view restaurant with open area, prices are higher than city prices, but if you don’t show off, it’s quite tolerable. There is a tourist office in the central square where you can get detailed information about the region Kakheti and a map.

The whole route will take from 4 to 6 days, if there are 12-14 days left, it can be combined with route No. 1.

Route number 3. Svaneti, Kakheti, Tbilisi and more

This route is for those who want to see everything or almost everything in Georgia.

Tbilisi - Mtskheta - Gori - Uplistsikhe - Kutaisi - Tskhaltubo - Svaneti (Mestia, Ushguli) - Batumi - Tbilisi - Signagi

Destinations that are repeated in previous routes will not be duplicated. If a arriving in Tbilisi , then after two or three days in the capital, we look and move to the side Kutaisi. On the way, if there is a desire, we stop by Stalin Museum in Gori I didn't really like it, it's better to climb Gori fortress and look at the city and its surroundings from a bird's eye view. Next is to make a stop and enjoy the air, atmosphere and of course mineral water Borjomi. In this case, you will need at least one more overnight stay.

Choose and book Booking.com - hotels and guest houses in Batumi

Chip of Georgia - excursions from local residents

What is the best time of the year to travel in Georgia?

Bathing season for Black Sea coast from July to early October (we swam at the end of October, water +18), the best time to travel is summer or autumn, because there are fewer people, fruits, reasonable prices for housing and food, comfortable weather almost everywhere, the exception is mountains, there as luck would have it. The cost of fuel in Georgia is cheaper than in Ukraine and is approximately $0.7-0.9 per liter.

How to rent a car in Georgia

For several trips to Georgia, we have found our favorite resource for finding and renting a car - this is the site Myrentacar. It contains local car rental companies with a good reputation. We always find good price, there are cars without a deposit - put the appropriate filter and only 15% prepayment when booking. It is possible to cancel the reservation. The peculiarity of the site is that we choose a specific car, not a type of car. Read the description and specifications carefully. If suddenly it happens that the car did not fit for technical reasons or others - ask for a change. We did that, no problem. The guys value their reputation. There is round-the-clock support in Russian via viber / whatsapp.

How to buy a cheap flight to Georgia

Flight to Georgia can be bought on average 100 -120 USD roundtrip. It is optimal to search for tickets through an international site for searching and booking air tickets TicketsUA or on site airlines UIA.

Useful links when planning a trip to Georgia

TicketsUA– inexpensive air tickets, it is convenient to pay in hryvnia with a Ukrainian bank card, there is no additional conversion

Aviasales- budget flights around the world

UIA– website of Ukraine International Airlines

Hotels Combined (Room Guru)– allows you to save up to 30% when searching budget housing, hotels and apartments as it searches all popular booking sites, including Agoda, Booking.com and others

Farvater– online purchase of tours to Georgia from Ukraine

Hotline Finance– travel insurance for citizens of Ukraine, green cards for traveling abroad by car, round-the-clock online support

Online service for the sale of insurance services in the CIS from leading insurance companies

Pre-ordered transfer (taxi in Georgia)

Don't want to run around the airport looking for taxi drivers and/or bargain with them? Now in Georgia there is a convenient service that allows you to order a transfer online in advance. A car with a driver will be waiting for you upon arrival. You can do it on the website

How to find accommodation in Georgia

Cheap accommodation or hotels in Georgia can be found through the booking system Hotels Combined (Room Guru), a service I use myself. The advantage of the service is that it compares the prices of dozens of booking systems - you just have to choose the best offer. In each article or report, I provide links to hotels where I have stayed and which I liked.

Georgia is a country where your day starts with a smile and ends with a glass of wine. One visit to Georgia is enough to leave your heart here forever. He will be kidnapped by the stunning mountain panoramas of Kazbegi, the sea waves of Adjara, the view of Tbilisi from the Narikala fortress, hot khinkali with a glass of Khvanchkara and, of course, the friendliness of the locals. This will be confirmed by each of the 6 million tourists who annually visit the homeland of winemaking. Why is it worth going to Georgia? What should you know before your first trip? All answers are in the material Traveling. by , prepared jointly with the specialists of the tour operator "Mouzenidis Travel".

The stunning beauty of the mountains, the purity and warmth of the Black Sea, fragrant cuisine and even wine traditions cannot overshadow one thing in Georgia - the boundless hospitality and responsiveness of local residents. Here, anyone you ask about the right way to the church or fortress will personally take you and tell you everything he knows about it. And every driver in Georgia is a guide at the call of his heart, he will tell you from the bottom of his heart everything he knows about every house, street, temple on your route.

Georgians are a people with an open mind. You will not have time to look back, as they are already treating you to their chacha, wrapping homemade suluguni with you and inviting you to your daughter's wedding next year. And Georgians are like that in everything - they sing charmingly, dance incendiary, make the best wine in the world using the most ancient technology, and cook in such a way that the Georgian feast will be in your dreams long after returning home. In this country, hospitality seems to be elevated to a cult. If you are lucky enough to get to a family dinner, the hostess will cook her best dishes to show what a skilled cook she is, and the host will do everything possible to show that he is the head of the family and you are the most honored guest in their house.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE YOU TRIP

The country, stretched in the highlands between the Caspian and Black Seas, at the junction of West and East, has more than 11 centuries of history. Whoever has visited the fertile Georgian lands during this time - Greeks, Turks, Armenians, Arabs, Russians. Georgians not only took all the best from these cultures, but also organically inscribed this heritage into their carefully preserved traditions.

Georgia has also saved its religion – almost 90% of the population today professes Orthodox Christianity, without contesting the right to other religions: there are mosques, synagogues, Gregorian, Catholic churches in the country. Pilgrims from all over the world flock to Orthodox churches and monasteries.

In addition to shrines, Georgia prepares tourists walking tours around Tbilisi and gastronomic tours in any of the 12 regions of the country, wine cellars Kakheti, the mountain slopes of Svaneti, Gudauri and Bakuriani, the beaches of Batumi and the surrounding resort villages.

HOW TO GET TO GEORGIA

Regular flights have been established between Minsk and Georgian airports - you can get directly to Tbilisi (Belavia aircraft fly every day) or Batumi (every day in summer, on Wednesdays and Sundays in winter). There are also direct flights from nearby capitals - Moscow and Kyiv.

VISA TO GEORGIA

Belarusians do not need a visa to Georgia, as well as citizens of another 93 countries of the world. To visit Georgia without a visa, you must have a passport that will be valid for another six months after returning from a trip to Georgia. You can stay in the country without a visa for up to 90 days in half a year.

CUISINE OF GEORGIA

One of the most delicious cuisines in the world is Georgian. She absorbed all the best that the gastronomic cultures of other peoples who settled on the territory of Georgia at different times could give her. Many people call Georgian cuisine one of the main attractions of the country - and it's impossible to argue with that.

The cuisine is based on an abundance of herbs and vegetables, harmoniously balanced with meat. Because of this, it is almost impossible to get better from these dishes. For cooking, Georgian housewives always take only fresh products - nothing frozen or stored for a long time. They add cilantro to almost all of them - it is precisely its taste that will subsequently cause you persistent nostalgia for Georgia and an acute desire to return.

Feast in Georgia - business card countries. And if you got to the table in the house of a Georgian, then you are incredibly lucky - you will experience the full strength and depth of Georgian generosity. Dishes on the table for dear guests here they put in several layers: lobio with mchadi corn tortilla, ajapsandali, khachapuri, khinkali, satsivi, shish kebab, elarji porridge, shish kebab with tkemali, satsebeli sauces or - for the strong in spirit - with Megrelian adjika. A bottle of chacha or wine will give any dish the right notes and mood. By the way, it is customary to order wine here in bottles or jugs right away, you are in Georgia!

There are no restaurants in Georgia where the food is tasteless - the cooking skill of local chefs knows no bounds. And if such places appeared, they simply would not have withstood the huge competition with all the abundance of cafes and restaurants that any Georgian city can boast of. You can learn about the best of them, as a rule, by chance - on the recommendation of locals. For example, about the Shavi Lomi (“Black Lion”) family restaurant on the ground floor of a house with a huge lion graffiti on 23 Amagleba Street in Tbilisi. Or about the bar in the Berlin spirit of Black Dog at 33 Asatiani, with posters of cult westerns and portraits of the heroes of the film The Big Lebowski. About the classic Maspindzelo restaurant next to the Sulfur baths or the Khachapur chain Machakhela.

A hearty dinner for two in Georgia will cost 15 USD, a bottle of wine to it - from 8 USD to 50 USD, depending on the variety. Tips in Georgia are included in the bill and amount to 10-18% of the value of the check.

SHOPPING AND EXCHANGE IN GEORGIA

The monetary unit of Georgia is lari (GEL), which consists of 100 tetri. Other currencies are not accepted for settlements. It is profitable to exchange money away from tourist areas.

What should be brought from Georgia?

The best Georgian souvenirs for gourmets will be Suluguni cheese, better Megrelian. For it, go to a specialized store of the Aristaeus chain. Here, in addition to traditional cheeses, you can buy rare varieties with spices and additives - cheeses aged in beer or wine, with honey and mint, with garlic, with coriander, paprika and others.

And, of course, how can one return from Georgia without a bottle of good wine. One of the most famous is Khvanchkara, which Stalin loved for its sweetness and rich taste. A bottle of real Khvanchkara will cost about 70 lari (about 30 USD). To choose your favorite Georgian wine, do not miss the opportunity to try the red wines Saperavi, Tsinandali and Mukuzani, among the whites - Tvishi, Rkatsiteli and the pink Aladasturi. This is only a small part of the wine variety, in Georgia wines are also produced from rarer grape varieties, including the most ancient technology - in kvevri clay amphorae.

Spices are brought from Georgia (the most popular is Svan salt, a mixture of herbs and salt from the Svaneti region), sauces, jams and the famous Georgian tea (connoisseurs should look at the Tea Museum in Tbilisi at the intersection of Tabidze and Lermontov), ​​and as a more expensive For a souvenir, you should look at jewelry made from the famous Georgian cloisonné enamel using the minankari technique and clothes of Georgian designers.

TRANSPORT (TBILISI)

Getting around Tbilisi is easy - there is a well-developed public transport network. It is necessary to purchase a card in the metro for 2 GEL and replenish it. The metromani pass is valid for travel on the metro (50 tetri / 0.17 USD), buses (50 tetri / 0.17 USD), minibuses (80 tetri / 0.27 USD), as well as for climbing the cable car to the Narikala fortress and on the funicular to Mount Mtatsminda. It is necessary to keep a receipt for its purchase and return it at any metro ticket office at the end of the trip.

Taxis in Georgia are best booked at the hotel. If you stop a taxi on the street, agree on the cost of the trip in advance.

REST IN GEORGIA WITH CHILDREN

Georgians are family people, they appreciate everything that is connected with the family and love children very much. You will feel it immediately upon arrival in the country. You will meet groups of Georgian schoolchildren during each excursion - in castles, stalactite cave Prometheus, in the rocky cave city of Vardzia and on the Martian-looking slopes of Uplistsikhe. What child didn't imagine being a knight or a conqueror? It is these excursions that help develop imagination and capture little travelers.

In Tbilisi, be sure to check out the Botanical Garden or the water park, which is open all year round. A special place is occupied by the amusement park "Mtatsminda" on the mountain of the same name - climbing it on the funicular will already become an adventure for the baby. And when your cabin of the Ferris Wheel is at its highest point, remember that you are at the highest possible height above Tbilisi and observe the entire panorama of the million-plus city.

ENTERTAINMENT IN GEORGIA

Georgia is a country not only of wine and gastronomic tours, but also exciting excursions into the history that small mountain towns. The city of love Singaghi, the village of Kazbegi overlooking the majestic Kazbek, the restored fortress of Rabat, the complex of David Gareji of the 6th century in the mountains, Kutaisi in Imereti, the ancient Caucasian fortress of Ananuri, the Alazani Valley ... Little hospitable Georgia is ready to give you everything it has: lovers of skis and trekking - the stunning beauty of the mountain, connoisseurs of knowledge - 11 centuries of its history and valuable artifacts, pilgrims - the oldest monasteries and churches with relics, gastronomic fans - qvevri wine and full tables of dishes, lovers nightlife- clubs of Batumi and bars of Tbilisi, for those who yearn for the sea - the entire coast of beaches, and for those who yearn for human warmth - the Georgian soul, open and pure, like Georgia itself.

Choose your level of saturation of the excursion program:

Light: Holiday program “Eureka! Tbilisoba. Gifts of autumn»

• Only two days - from 6 to 7 October 2018, the most popular Georgian festival will be held in the capital of Georgia. As part of the program, you will not only spend several unforgettable days in the world capital of winemaking, take part in wine and Georgian cuisine tastings, but also get a boat trip along the Kura River as a gift!
• Meals: breakfast
• Cost: $484 for 5 nights

Standard: "All Colors of Georgia" 1 / "All Colors of Georgia" 2

• Route: No. 1 Tbilisi - Uplistsikhe - Mtskheta - Gori - Borjomi - Akhaltsikhe - Vardzia - Kakheti - Wine Land
• Meals: breakfast + 1 lunch
• Route: No. 2 Mtskheta - Gori - Uplistsikhe - Batumi - Martvili - Okatse - Prometheus Cave - Kutaisi - Sataplia
• Meals: breakfast
• Cost: #1 - $672 for 5 nights; #2 - $730 for 5 nights

In-depth: "Georgian Odyssey"

• Route: Mtskheta - Gori - Uplistsikhe - Batumi - Martvili - Okatse - Prometheus Cave - Kutaisi - Sataplia - Tbilisi - Borjomi - Akhaltsikhe - Rabat - Kakheti - Wine Land (Bodbe - Signagi - Telavi) - Annanuri - Kazbegi
• Meals: breakfast + 1 lunch
• Cost: $1040 for 9 nights

Advanced: Wine and gastronomic tour "Gamarjoba, Georgia!"

• Route: sightseeing tour in Tbilisi - Mtskheta - Uplikhtsikhe - Chateau Mukhrani - Kakheti - Wine Land - Alaverdi - Tbilisi
• Meals: breakfasts + 4 lunches with drinks + 4 dinners with drinks, cooking classes
• Cost: $732 for 5 nights

GEORGIA CITIES AND RESORTS GUIDE

Tbilisi

Georgians say: if you haven't been to Tbilisi, you haven't seen Georgia. This city is worth choosing for the first acquaintance with the country. It captivates with colorful houses scattered on the slopes of Mount Mtatsminda with carved balconies and garlands of colored linen on them, churches reflected in the Kura River, cats in the narrow streets of the old city, the ancient fortress of Narikala, which offers the best panorama of the capital of Georgia. Tbilisi streets keep the love story of Alexander Griboyedov and Nina Chavchavadze, the echoes of the steps of Tchaikovsky, Lermontov and Mayakovsky.

Be sure to check out the performance on the clock tower of the Rezo Gabriadze Marionette Theatre. Right here you can have a cup of coffee in the cafe "Don't Cry!" - the interior of the cafe was completely created by Rezo Gabriadze himself, the creator of the films “Do not Cry!”, “Mimino”, “Eccentrics”, “Kin-dza-dza!”, “Unusual Exhibition”.

Where to dine in Tbilisi:

• Georgian house with an interesting interior,
• Mravaljamieri, where you can see incendiary Georgian dances,
• Cafe Funicular on Mount Mtatsminda,
• restaurant high class tabla,
• restaurant Tavadouri on the banks of the Kura.

Be sure to visit the ancient capital - Mtskheta. It is located just 20 km from Tbilisi - here the confluence of the Kura and Aragvi rivers creates an unusual panorama, the Jvari monastery of the 7th century flaunts on the mountain, and the tunic of Christ is buried in the grandiose Svetitskhoveli Cathedral.

The pilgrimage program "Holy Places of Orthodox Georgia" includes visits to the main holy places of the country, churches that have the most important spiritual and historical meaning, places associated with the enlightener of Georgia, St. Nina. The cost of the tour is from 784 USD, 7 nights / 8 days, breakfast + dinner, flight included.

8 things you must do in Georgia:

• climb the cable car: in Tbilisi - to the ancient fortress of Narikala, in Batumi - to Mount Anuria, from where you can enjoy the stunning panorama of the city;
• visit the sulfur baths in Tbilisi (the most beautiful bath is Orbelianovskaya, which Alexander Pushkin himself visited) and check for themselves their magical effect on the skin. By the way, next to them is a monument to the heroes of the beloved film "Mimino";
• listen to how Georgian men sing - Georgian polyphonic singing is included in the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List;
• take a funicular ride to Mount Mtatsminda in Tbilisi and try donuts with cream in the cafe upstairs. Order traditional Logidze Water lemonade with tarragon, cream soda, lemon or pear flavors;
• decide on your favorite sort of Georgian wine by going on a wine tour;
• learn how to eat khinkali correctly - hold the tail, carefully biting off so as not to spill the hot fragrant broth;
• choose your favorite type of khachapuri with cheese - Adjarian, Imeritian, Megrelian or other;
• visit the local market and bargain for homemade suluguni, churchkhela (a sweet made from nuts strung on a string and grape or pomegranate juice) and walnut jam.

Batumi

Over the past few years, Batumi has changed a lot and is not inferior to other European cities - the resort has been declared a national project. Modern buildings and hotels of world chains Sheraton, Hilton, Radisson and others have appeared here. The Batumi embankment is one of the most beautiful and romantic places in Batumi. Walking here past the palm trees against the backdrop of the sunset is loved by both tourists and locals. You can rent a bike and ride along the promenade to see all the sculptures set against the backdrop of the sea. The most touching of them is the monument to Ali and Nino, the heroes of the book of the same name about eternal love. Giant figures slowly move, either converging and merging into a single whole, then parting again, as if forever. Some episodes of the famous Soviet film "Love and Doves" were filmed on the Batumi embankment.

Recently, the fame of the “Georgian Las Vegas” has been entrenched in Batumi - at night the city is lit with the lights of casinos, expensive hotels, the Alphabet Tower and the Ferris Wheel. It is good to enjoy the view of this spectacle from the terrace of one of the restaurants on the shore - to the sound of the waves and the cries of seagulls. Local seafood restaurants are renowned as the best in Georgia.

In summer, the same coast will give you sea baths, a bronze tan and water activities. In winter, holidays in Batumi can be combined with ski holidays in the new Goderdzi resort, which is just an hour's drive from the city.

Borjomi

This healing resort in the mountains at an altitude of 800 meters above sea level is famous for its mineral water. It is worth going to Borjomi for a relaxing holiday in the bosom of nature, walks in the local park, the same amazing Georgian cuisine and health improvement - local sanatoriums and hotels are considered the best in the country, and Georgians themselves love to relax here.

Gudauri

Gudauri confidently takes the palm from other Georgian ski resorts - Bakuriani, Svaneti, Mestia. This young resort, 120 km from Tbilisi, was built by Austrian specialists using the most modern technologies. To the delight of skiers, 57 kilometers of excellent slopes. The best time to travel to Gudauri is from December to April, when the slopes are covered with the best snow cover, and in small cozy hotels in the evenings they burn a fireplace.

Why Georgia with Mouzenidis Travel?

How to get to Georgia by car in 2020 from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and other cities? What do you need to cross the border? The nuances of travel, the necessary documents, as well as reviews and advice from tourists who traveled to Georgia in 2019-2020.

A trip to Georgia by car is an unforgettable journey along the Georgian Military Highway, which has been recognized more than once as the most beautiful mountain road in the world. If you haven't ridden it yet, it's definitely time. Read the article and hit the road!

Note: the only legal crossing of the Russian-Georgian border by land is through the Upper Lars checkpoint.

Rent a car- This The best way travel! - reliable and convenient car rental service in Georgia. Choose a car to your taste and budget - the choice is large. The cost of renting a car is from $23 per day. Got questions? The Russian-speaking support service will help you in everything.

Look for copyright interesting excursions on the Sputnik and . Individual and group, without crowds of tourists and in Russian.

Route to Georgia from Russian cities

How to get to Georgia by car

Road to Georgia from Moscow

From Moscow to Georgia by car, the route runs along the M-4 Don highway through Voronezh to Rostov-on-Don. This segment of the journey of about 1100 km is not very memorable. The highway is four-lane, with high-quality coverage and a couple of paid sections (30 and 55 rubles). According to the reviews of tourists, leaving Moscow in the morning, you can drive this segment in a day and get up for the night.

Further, the path runs through Kushchevskaya, Oktyabrskaya to the intersection with the P-217 "Kavkaz" highway (former M-29), through Kropotkin, Armavir, Nevinnomyssk, Vladikavkaz. From there, follow the A-161 "Vladikavkaz-Georgia" highway (former P-301) to the border. Here begins the mountainous area, only two lanes for traffic, in some places four. There are dangerous sections, descents and ascents. The whole way is about 2000 km. From the border to Tbilisi is about 200 km along the mountain road. The infrastructure on the Russian side is well developed, there are roadside motels, cafes and gas stations.

From St. Petersburg

It is optimal to advance along the M-10 "St. Petersburg-Moscow" highway through Valdai, Tver to Moscow. Then go along the Moscow Ring Road to the M-4 "Don" highway and go to the republic along the route described above from Moscow. Most likely, you will have to make two stops for the night - drive 2500 km to the border, another 200 km to Tbilisi, and crossing the border may take time.

From Yekaterinburg

The same long journey will have to be done by car from Yekaterinburg - to the border of 2600 km. Usually travelers start their journey along the federal highway M-5 "Ural". The route runs through Kyshtym, Zlatoust, Ufa, Oktyabrsky to Tolyatti. Here you can make the first break and stay for the night, then continue your journey along the P-228 "Syzran-Saratov-Volgograd" highway to Volgograd, and along the P-221 "Volgograd-Elista" through Kamyshin to Elista. The third day of the trip will pass through the Stavropol Territory (Budennovsk, Novopavlovsk), Kabardino-Balkaria and North Ossetia (Maisky, Terek, Ardon) to Vladikavkaz, from there to the border along the A-161 highway.

From Samara

Drive 1700 km to the border. First, along the R-228 "Syzran-Saratov-Volgograd" highway. Overnight accommodation can be made in the Volgograd region. Then the path lies to Elista, Vladikavkaz to Upper Lars.

From Rostov

From Rostov to the border to go about 700 km. Theoretically, if you do not stand in traffic jams, then you can keep within two days, with 1 stop for the night. You can get from Rostov to Vladikavkaz and Georgia along the described "Moscow" route (second part) through Kushchevskaya, Armavir, Mineralnye Vody, Nalchik.

From Perm

To the border to go 2500 km, the journey will take 3 days. From Perm, you need to go to the Krasnokamsk bypass road and keep going in the direction of Izhevsk, then the route passes through Naberezhnye Chelny, Cheremshan, Sukhodol, Tolyatti. Here you can stay overnight. Then continue the way through Kamyshin, Sadovoe, Elista, here you can stop a second time. The third day of the trip will pass through Budennovsk, Novopavlovsk, Maisky, Terek, Ardon, Vladikavkaz and to the border.

Mountain serpentine, Georgia (Photo: unsplash.com / @dominik_jirovsky)

Passing the border

In 2020, to cross the border with Georgia by car, you must have the following documents with you: a passport (for all passengers), a registration certificate and a driver's license (for a driver). International car insurance is not required to enter Georgia. Visas for Russians since 2012.

The procedure for crossing the border is quite simple and usually short - within an hour. There are delays on the Russian side. Tourists write that some especially hasty drivers with region 15 number tend to skip the line, which inevitably causes skirmishes with other drivers. Inspection of a car, as a rule, is fast and impartial.

Roads in Georgia

The country is developing tourism, and this can be seen on the roads. Almost everywhere they are repaired, at least the main ones. tourist destinations. There are areas of outright off-road. There are such sections on the Georgian Military Highway due to mudflows that completely block traffic. And although the authorities eliminate the problem promptly, the quality of the road suffers greatly.

According to reviews of car trips to Georgia in 2019-2020, for some travelers, the section of the route through the Cross Pass caused a frank shock: there is practically no asphalt from Kobi to Gudauri. This is a section with a high accident rate, it is easy to break through the bottom of a car with a low clearance, so you have to drive at a speed of a turtle, and preferably in a car with a high seating position. However, the skill of the driver has not yet been canceled.

Road sign after Arsha (Photo: med_fassih / flickr.com)

Travel route in Georgia by car

The beginning of the journey in Georgia begins with the Georgian Military Highway, where the beauty of the surrounding landscapes is simply amazing. Kazbek, Terek, Darial gorge, Friendship of peoples arch, temples.

Usually all travelers start sightseeing from the capital -. Further, the route in Georgia by car can be as follows: from Tbilisi to Mtskheta and Ananuri, from Ananuri to Telavi, from there to Gremi and Tusheti or to David Gareji.

You can go from Tbilisi to Gori with a visit to Uplistsikhe, from there to Kutaisi, then to Mestia and Batumi. Some go to Borjomi - 160 kilometers from the capital - to drink mineral water and visit nearby the cave city of Vadzia, Khervisi and the fortress in Akkhaltsikhe. In summer, the Black Sea resorts are very popular: Sarpi, Gonio, Kvariati,.

A selection of popular excursions in Georgia:

Hotels and apartments in Georgia

See how much hotels in Georgia cost in the summer of 2020:

Type	Price per day (rub.)	Example
Budget guest house in Kutaisi	from 600 ₽	White House Kutaisi
Budget guesthouse in the center of Tbilisi	from 1200 ₽	Guest House Kato
3* hotel with breakfast in Old Tbilisi	from 3000 ₽	7 Baits Hotel
Hotel 3* by the sea in Batumi	from 1700 ₽	Cozy Corner Hotel
Hotel 5 * by the sea in Batumi	from 9300 ₽	JRW Welmond Hotel & Casino

Prices for rooms, apartments and houses in Georgia in the summer of 2020:

Type	Price per day (rub.)	Example
Inexpensive room in the center of Kutaisi	from 800 ₽	Room in Kutaisi
Apartment with a courtyard in the center of Tbilisi (2 bedrooms)	from 3000 ₽	Tips and reviews for traveling to Georgia by car When traveling to Georgia by car, drivers will need a lot of patience. According to tourists, Stavropol Territory, Kabardino-Balkaria and North Ossetia many faced open extortion of money from local traffic police officers. Therefore, the best way not to get into a similar situation is not to violate. There are serpentines in the mountains, so drive carefully. In addition, Georgia has a disgusting driving style. This can be seen especially clearly in Tbilisi. Leaving the extreme left to turn right, not turning on your turn signal, cutting off another car, running a red light - it's all par for the course. Gasoline is expensive - on average, a liter of 95 costs 2.20 lari (at the current rate of 52 rubles). According to the reviews of tourists who traveled to Georgia in 2019-2020, they will not be allowed into the country with canisters, but you can fill a full tank in the Vladikavkaz region. By the way, there are no gas stations on the road immediately after Upper Lars, and there is no currency exchange either. The first gas station will appear only in Gudauri. The food is not the cheapest, but very tasty and the portions are large. Lunch in a cafe - 30 GEL per person. Very good Georgian wine costs 25-30 GEL per bottle. Remember that you can bring no more than 3 liters of alcoholic beverages per person into Russia. In general, the country is safe, you can safely go on a trip with children. The main highways are patrolled by the police, they will also help in case of a problem. The population is friendly, many speak Russian, so there is no language barrier. (Photo: sergi2190 / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0) First photo: vampa_ / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Do I need insurance to travel to Georgia?

If we talk about insurance for your personal health, I think it is definitely needed (although Georgian border guards are absolutely not interested in whether you have it or not). Still, it’s not like lying on the couch at home - you never know, what will happen in the mountains, or you won’t be able to stop eating khinkali in time ..)) Anything can happen - and not only in Georgia. For the past few years, I have been taking out insurance for my travels through an online service - here you can choose from a variety of products on the insurance market exactly what suits you in terms of price and insurance coverage:

Now, as for car insurance (if you do not plan to go to Georgia in your car, you can safely skip this item).

On March 1, 2018, the government of Georgia adopted a law on OSAGO for cars with foreign numbers. Simply put, if earlier this type of insurance was optional in Georgia, now it has become necessary. An insurance policy (not a green card!) can be issued online on the website https://www.tpl.ge/ or buy at the border. There are 4 types of policies - for 15, 30, 90 days and for 1 year. If you are traveling to Georgia for less than 15 days, you will still have to take out insurance for 15 days.

The fine for the absence of OSAGO for the summer of 2018 is 100 GEL (paid at any branch of any large Georgian bank, in no case try to “settle” this issue with the police on the spot!).

How to get to Georgia?

On the ground in a private car- if you are planning to go to Georgia by car, I suggest reading an article about the Moscow-Tbilisi road and the specifics of traveling in Georgia by car:.

If the purpose of your trip is not only Tbilisi, but also the "summer capital" of Batumi, I recommend reading.

An article about public transport in Tbilisi, as well as how to move within Georgia:.

Housing in Georgia - private sector, hostels, guesthouses, hotels, apartments

Before you start searching and booking accommodation for your independent vacation or traveling around Georgia, I recommend reading a separate large article - you will find all the necessary information in it: classification of types of accommodation, where and how best to look for it, how to book, recommendations and tips to minimize costs and the nuances of Georgian specifics.

If you are planning independent travel in Georgia or just relaxing by the sea, I highly recommend to see my articles on the best value for money apartments and guesthouses in Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi:

Transfers in Georgia

If you are traveling to Georgia with a family or a large company, it may make sense for you to think about a transfer right to the door. booked hotel or to the desired attraction.

Comfortable transfers throughout Georgia can be ordered using the local online service go trip. During the booking process, you have the opportunity to choose a class, brand of car and a specific driver based on the reviews of previous passengers. Given the jigit driving style of Georgian street taxi drivers and their cars that are far from always serviceable, this is a very useful option. The price on the site is final, you don’t have to bargain with anyone.

Transfer examples:

Mobile communication and Internet in Georgia

With mobile communications and the Internet, things are going well in Georgia. Of course, there are remote corners like Tusheti or Khevsureti, where civilization in the face of mobile operators has not yet reached, but this is more an exception than a rule. In large and medium-sized cities, as well as in all beach and ski resorts with a local SIM card, you will always be in touch. As for the signal quality, all operators have already switched to 4G, but so far only in Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi. In the outback, the connection is usually either H or 3G.

What to see in Georgia

Below is a map of all the interesting places in Georgia mentioned in the guide. The numbers of attractions on the map correspond to the numbers in the text of the guide (indicated in brackets after the name of the city, church, fortress, etc.). By clicking on the number on the map, you will find a photo and a link for a quick transition to an article about this attraction.

Tbilisi

Tbilisi(number 1 on the sights map) - the capital of Georgia and one of the most beautiful and interesting cities former USSR. Old Tbilisi is unique yards with linens always drying, lazy cats and sedate men playing backgammon. As well as the famous carved balconies, many of which are the size of a small Moscow apartment.

In addition to numerous antiquities, Tbilisi also has modern sights: for example, the Bridge of Peace, the Presidential Palace and the House of Justice.

And, of course, amazingly hospitable and hospitable residents and delicious food. In my opinion, a minimum of 2-3 days is needed to get acquainted with Tbilisi, for a thoughtful inspection - no less than a week.

If you have more time at your disposal than a couple of days, I recommend reading my guide articles on the most interesting areas Tbilisi:

Be sure to take a walk along mine - there are only the best restaurants, cafes and khinkal cities.

And so that the waiter and the bartender understand who they are dealing with, I first propose to study two mega-valuable for everyone " culinary tourist" articles:

In order to better feel the unique atmosphere and energy of old Tbilisi, it is better not to stay in a hotel, but to rent an apartment for rent from local residents in a real Tbilisi house with carved balconies, high ceilings and creaking wooden stairs in echoing entrances. For this purpose, my article can be very useful - in it I, on the basis of personal experience I describe the best options in terms of price and quality.

If you are traveling alone or do not plan to stay in Tbilisi for more than one or two days, then I would recommend choosing a good guesthouse over apartments: .

And in order to fully experience the unique atmosphere of this city, I recommend that the most inquisitive and sociable travelers book author's excursions around Tbilisi from local residents. Your guides will be Tbilisi residents themselves - writers, artists, photographers, journalists, winemakers - who are in love with their city and know everything about it.

Below is a selection of the most interesting and popular excursions in Tbilisi according to traveler reviews. To view all available options, click View All. At the booking stage, you will need to pay online only 20% of the cost of the tour - the rest of the amount is given to the guide before it starts.

Georgian military road

Georgian military road- one of the most picturesque highways in the world and a continuous attraction with a length of 208 km. It was built immediately after the accession of Georgia to Russian Empire to supply the Russian army, which then fought in the Caucasus with the highlanders, Turks and Persians - and this explains its name, today there is nothing "military" in it for a long time.

Georgian military road near the Cross Pass

The main sights of the Georgian Military Highway, located between the Russian border and Tbilisi:

Ananuri fortress and Zhinvali reservoir- number 3 on the map of sights of Georgia
Ski resort Gudauri(number 4)
Trinity Church in Gergeti (5)
Kazbegi (Stepantsminda)- number 6
Cross Pass and Monument of Friendship of Peoples (7)

Mtskheta

Mtskheta (2) — ancient capital Georgia, located 18 km north of Tbilisi, on the Georgian Military Highway. It was from here, through the efforts of St. Nino, that the Christianization of Georgia began.

In addition to the Jvari Monastery, in Mtskheta you should definitely visit the huge Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and the Samtavro Monastery, where, according to legend, Saint Nino lived under a blackberry bush.

Jvari monastery coordinates: 41.83837, 44.73403.

Ananuri

Here, on the banks of the picturesque Zhinvali reservoir, one of the most famous sights of northern Georgia is located - medieval castle Ananuri(number 3 on the map of Georgia).

The castle was built by the rulers of these places - the Aragvi eristavis - presumably at the end of the 17th century, when there was no reservoir here yet. And it was, on the contrary, the narrowest place of the Aragvi gorge, and it was impossible to go from the north, from the Dariali gorge, to the south to Tbilisi, bypassing the Ananuri fortress.

Coordinates: 42.16403, 44.70319.

Gudauri

Gudauri(number 4 on the map) is relatively young, but, along with Bakuriani, one of the most famous ski resorts in Georgia (and the most popular, due to its proximity to Tbilisi and the Russian border). People come here for good skiing, Georgian hospitality and delicious food.

Coordinates: 42.4745, 44.48089.

Gergeti

A small village on the Georgian Military Highway, famous for the fact that on the mountain above it is located the oldest and one of the most revered churches of Georgia - Sameba Trinity Church (5).

Gergeti Trinity Church

The place is really just amazing and "atmospheric", in addition, from the church open great views to Mount Kazbek (in Georgian Kazbegi) - however, the mountain is very “capricious” and even in summer it very rarely looks out from behind clouds and clouds.

Coordinates: 42.66243, 44.62054.

Transfers along the Georgian Military Highway

Adjara

Blessed land of beaches, mountain resorts, national parks and hospitable people. The capital of Adjara, Batumi, is a "showcase" of modern tourist Georgia, as well as the third largest city in the country (after Tbilisi and Kutaisi) and the largest Georgian city on the Black Sea.

Excursions in Batumi and Adjara from local residents:

Beach resorts of Adjara (as well as Guria and Megrelia)

sandy beaches

Ureki (Magnetiti)

The most unusual beach resort in Georgia, located 45 kilometers north of Batumi, on the very border Guria and Megrelia. Unofficially divided into two parts: the village itself is called By the river, and the coastal tourist area with a beach - Magnetity(number 9 on the map of Georgia).

Magnetity is 4 kilometers of black magnetic sand beach, which is considered very useful for the treatment of hypertension, joint diseases and for rehabilitation after a heart attack. Unlike the pebbly beaches of Adjara, Magnetiti has fine fine sand (albeit unusually black), which makes the resort comfortable for families with children.

Coordinates: 41.98689, 41.75924.

Shekvetili

Shekvetili(10) - a small sleepy village 10 km south of Ureki, famous for its huge sandy beach and wonderful pine forest.

Given the sparsely populated resort, even at the height of the beach season, rest here is suitable for notorious introverts and those who are deadly tired of the crowds of big cities. The beach is pretty good - black magnetic sand, the same as in Magnetiti.

Coordinates: 41.92025, 41.76718.

Pebble beaches

Beach resorts south of Batumi (the cleanest sea):

Kvariati

Kvariati(number 11 on the map) is a small seaside village, the main attraction of which is a wonderful pebble beach.

Kvariati beach is considered the best in Adjara - some, however, will not agree with this, considering best beach in Sarpi. This is seaside resort with long traditions and well-developed infrastructure - there is a restaurant and a cafe, you can rent sun loungers and umbrellas, ride a jet ski and a cheesecake.

Coordinates: 41.54584, 41.56179.

Gonio

Gonio(12) is a small Adjarian village, known not only for its beach (very good, by the way), but also for its ancient Gonio-Apsaros fortress located a couple of kilometers from the village and the beach.

As for the Gonio beach, it is typical for this part of Adjara: long, wide, pebbly, with clear water, a standard set tourist entertainment and a relatively wide choice of housing. Along the sea, not so long ago, they made a boulevard one and a half to two kilometers long - following the example of the famous Seaside Boulevard of Batumi.

Coordinates: 41.5675, 41.56591.

Sarpi (13)

The southernmost beach of Adjara and generally its southernmost seaside point. A village on the border with Turkey - on the other side it is called Sarp.

Under Soviet rule, there was a border zone here (after all, Turkey was and remains a member of NATO), and now the border passes just a few meters from sunbathing and swimming tourists.

Coordinates: 41.5213, 41.5478.

Beach resorts north of Batumi:

Cape Verde Beach (Mtsvane Kontskhi - number 14 on the map)

An uncrowded pebble beach with clear water is relatively close to Batumi - you can get there in 20 minutes by minibus. Usually Cape Green visit at the same time with the Batumi Botanical Garden - it is located exactly above the beach.

Cape Verde beach coordinates: 41.69181, 41.70474.

Chakvi

Chakvi(number 15) - once a fishing village and the center of Georgian tea growing, and now a cozy and calm beach resort on the Black Sea coast of Georgia, located 13 kilometers north of Batumi and 12 kilometers south of Kobuleti.

Coordinates: 41.72181, 41.72929.

Tsikhisdziri

Village Tsikhisdziri(16 on the map) is located 15 km north of Batumi, the easiest way to get there is by minibus, going from Batumi to Kobuleti.

Nowadays, Tsikhisdziri is rarely considered as a beach resort - the Byzantine temple located nearby is much more widely known. Petra fortress. But this was not always the case - thanks to its eucalyptus grove, in Soviet times, Tsikhisdziri was one of the generally recognized "favorites" for recreation and treatment of people with diseases of the respiratory, nervous and cardiovascular systems.

Coordinates: 41.74682, 41.73785.

Kobuleti

Kobuleti(17) is the second largest city in Adjara, located 25 km north of Batumi.

In addition to its huge (about 10 km long!) Pebble beach, Kobuleti is known for its peat swamps of spain- a nature reserve located to the northeast of the town, as well as an amusement park "Tsitsinatela", which in Russian means "Firefly". This name is not accidental: at nightfall, the park lights up with many multi-colored iridescent lights - many young visitors like to tumble on the Tsitsinatela rides just after sunset. The park looks especially impressive from the Ferris wheel.

Coordinates: 41.83887, 41.77516.

Transfers to Adjara

Sights of Adjara

Adjara is a land of countless sights, and if you are interested in not only relaxing on the beach, I recommend that you pay attention to National parks, ancient arched bridges, picturesque mountain roads and much more, located "in the depths" of the region, in its mountainous part.

Transajar highway

Transajar highway(18) is highway through the Goderdzi pass, connecting Batumi with the capital of the Samtskhe-Javakheti region, the city of Akhaltsikhe.

Almost throughout its entire length, the road is literally “stuffed” with interesting sights (waterfalls, ancient arched bridges, picturesque villages, wine cellars, etc.), so you can drive these 160 km for a very, very long time.

Bridge of Queen Tamara in Makhuntseti

Machakhela National Park (19)

Not so long ago, an excellent paved road was laid along the Machakhela River almost to the border with Turkey, thereby turning the picturesque gorge into one of the most interesting and easily accessible places in Adjara.

Fairy forest in Mirveti

Mtirala National Park

Mtirala(number 20 on the map) is a picturesque national park, spread over six thousand hectares, 25 kilometers east of the Adjarian village of Chakvi.

Public transport does not go to the national park, but taxi drivers in Chakvi will gladly take you there for 40-50 GEL (the price includes a round trip and 3 hours of waiting).

Kakheti

Kakheti is the land of stunning landscapes and the main region of Georgian winemaking. It is located to the east of Tbilisi and is known primarily for the "breadbasket of Georgia" - the Alazani Valley.

Alazani Valley

It is here that grapes are grown for most of the famous brands of wine in Eastern Georgia, such as Kindzmarauli, Saperavi, Kvareli. And here are several large wineries where you can come from. In addition, in autumn you can personally participate in the grape harvest.

To get to know Kakheti, you need at least 2-3 days with overnight stays in Sighnaghi and / or Telavi.

Author's excursions to Kakheti from Tbilisi

The most convenient and informative way to get to know Kakheti (IMHO) is an author's excursion from Tbilisi. In this case, you will be driven all day in a comfortable car on the most interesting places, telling stories, legends, and in some places even toasts (without this, you can’t get anywhere in Kakheti). By the way, about toasts - being a member of the tour, you can forget that you are driving and enjoy excellent wines in the tasting rooms of the best Kakhetian wineries.

Sighnaghi (Sighnaghi, 23)

The main tourist “magnet” of Kakheti, the “Georgian San Marino”, the “city of love” are all Sighnaghi (number 23 on the map of Georgia). The small town is located on the top of a ridge - and for this reason it has never been conquered and destroyed by anyone in its long history.

Monument to the doctor Benjamin from the movie "Don't Cry!" George Danelia

Due to its perfect preservation, during the years of Mikheil Saakashvili's presidency, Sighnaghi was chosen as the main tourist "brand" of Eastern Georgia. Something was restored, something was built from scratch - for example, the Wedding Palace, which works around the clock and "combines" everyone without an appointment - it is to him that Sighnaghi owes one of its unofficial names: "the city of love."

Coordinates: 41.61098, 45.92718.

Telavi (24)

The capital of Kakheti and at the same time quiet and cozy town, which became famous in the expanses of the former USSR after the release of the film "Mimino". Many tourists use the city only as a base for traveling to the mountainous Tusheti - but in vain, in Telavi itself there is also something to see.

Monument to King Erekle II in Telavi

Coordinates: 41.92092, 45.4791.

Monastery David Gareji (25)

One of the main Orthodox shrines of Georgia - cave monastery, founded by Saint David of Gareji after he decided to leave the bustling Tbilisi and retire to the wilderness.

In addition to the complex of natural and man-made caves that make up the David Gareji Monastery, this place is notable for the fact that the monastery is located on the slopes of the ridge, along the ridge of which the state border of Georgia and Azerbaijan passes.

Coordinates: 41.4471, 45.37662.

Alaverdi Cathedral (26)

Alaverdi Cathedral is the first and most important temple of Kakheti, the second highest in Georgia (for a long time it was the first at all, but after the construction of the temple of Tsminda Sameba in Tbilisi, Alaverdi gave way to him primacy), and one of the four most revered Christian churches in the country - the so-called "Great Cathedrals ".

Coordinates: N42.03248, E45.3772.

Gremy Castle (27)

Gremi Medieval Castle- this is all that remains of the former capital of Kakhetia, the city of Gremi, destroyed by the Persian Shah Abbas. Along with the castle located on the Georgian Military Highway, Gremi is the most famous object of its kind in Georgia. Both castles are easily accessible from a logistical point of view - they rise literally above the highway passing at their foot.

Coordinates: 42.00161, 45.66099.

Nekresi Monastery (28)

Nekresi is an ancient and very “atmospheric” monastery located on a mountain above the Alazani Valley. Once at the foot of that mountain there was a whole city with the same name, but only the foundations of several buildings have survived from it to this day. And, if the ruins of the city are not of particular interest, then the Nekresi Monastery, floating high in the mountains, is rightfully considered one of the brightest sights of Kakheti.

Coordinates: 41.97249, 45.76027 (parking under the monastery).

Ikalto Monastery (29)

Ikalto- the oldest Orthodox monastery in Georgia. The monastery was founded by the Assyrian father Zenon of Ikaltoy in the 6th century. In the “golden” age of David the Builder for Georgia, the Academy appeared on the territory of the monastery, where Shota Rustaveli later studied.

Coordinates: 41.93707, 45.38026.

Monasteries Old and New Shuamta (30)

Despite its proximity to Telavi, Shuamta is not a popular attraction in Kakheti. Thanks to this, the unique atmosphere of the ancient monastery has been preserved here, where you may well find yourself alone with centuries of history and your thoughts.

New Shuamta monastery coordinates: 41.91253, 45.39015.
The coordinates of the monastery Old Shuamta: 41.90973, 45.40571.

Transfers to Kakheti

Imereti

Imereti- the largest and historically significant region of Georgia with a population of over half a million people. Imereti is located in the basin of the Rioni River, the largest in Georgia. Even against the background of very hospitable Tbilisi residents, the Imeretians stand out for their hospitality and goodwill. The capital of the region - the city of Kutaisi - during the reign of King David the Builder (Agmashenebeli) was the capital of all Georgia and at that time it was in its heyday.

Kutaisi

Kutaisi(number 31 on the map of Georgia) since ancient times "disputes superiority" from Tbilisi and today is unofficially considered the second capital of Georgia. In confirmation of this status, in 2012 the Parliament of Georgia moved to Kutaisi from Tbilisi. Since then, this bizarre configuration of power has been legally spelled out in the country's Constitution: the president and government are in Tbilisi, the parliament is in Kutaisi.

Bagrati Temple in Kutaisi

Gelati Monastery (32)

Located 5 km from Kutaisi towards Tkibuli on a hilltop above the valley of the Tskhalitsitela river. One of the most revered Orthodox monasteries in Georgia, Gelati was founded by King David the Builder and the king was later buried in it - according to the will of the great monarch, his remains rest under the slab at the entrance to the monastery complex, right under the feet of the parishioners.

Coordinates: 42.29489, 42.76848.

Motsameta Monastery (33)

Monastery Motsameta dedicated to the holy martyr princes David and Constantine, located not far from Gelati, closer to Kutaisi.

Coordinates: 42.28226, 42.75909.

Tskaltubo (34)

Once a sanatorium and resort center of all-Union significance, which fell into decay in the 90s and is now gradually reviving. I recommend to combine its inspection with a visit. Prometheus caves and Sataplia park.

By the way, it was in Tskhaltubo that we came across the most delicious khinkali in Georgia.

Coordinates: 42.32834, 42.60124.

Prometheus Cave (35)

The largest of all known caves in Georgia is located near Tskhaltubo. The cave is stunningly picturesque and very skillfully illuminated - you can see this by looking at the photos in the article about.

Coordinates: 42.37664, 42.60082.

Sataplia Reserve (36)

The reserve, located on a mountain above the Rioni River, is famous for dinosaur footprints found on its territory. The name "Sataplia" means "honey place", earlier wild bees were found in abundance in this area.

Coordinates: 42.31257, 42.67384.

Katskhi Pillar (37)

One of the relatively "new" religious sights of Georgia, but has already managed to become one of its symbols.

A stunningly picturesque rock-pillar, on top of which there is a house of a hermit monk.

Coordinates: 42.28759, 43.21569.

Okatse Canyon (38)

A natural landmark of Imereti, gradually becoming one of the most popular. The fact is that the picturesque canyon of the Okatse River (length 3 km, depth 50 m) is equipped with a suspension cantilever bridge, which is an amazing viewing platform.

Coordinates: 42.45547, 42.52772.

Waterfall Kinchkha (39)

One of the most interesting sights of Imereti is a complex of picturesque waterfalls (among which the highest in the country).

Coordinates: 42.49489, 42.55054.

Martvili Canyon (40) and Martvili Monastery (41)

Strictly speaking, Martvili is located not in Imereti, but in Megrelia, but it is more convenient to get there from Kutaisi. A very picturesque canyon, which arose thanks to the waters of the Abasha River, which made its way into the rocks. I recommend to combine a visit to the canyon with a visit Martvili monastery Chkondidi- the main Christian monastery of Megrelia - and Salkhino (42), summer palace Megrelian princes Dadiani.

Monastery coordinates: 42.40558, 42.37771, canyon: 42.45743, 42.37712.

Racha-Lechkhumi

"Georgian Switzerland", "Mountain Imereti" and one of the main wine-growing regions of the country - for example, the legendary "Khvanchkara" is made here, in the village of the same name not far from the town Ambrolauri (43).

Some call Racha mountainous Imeretia (by analogy with "mountainous Kakheti" - Tusheti, and "mountainous Megrelia" - Svanetia). Racha is famous for its landscapes and excellent wine - you can get to the center of Lower Racha, the town of Ambrolauri, from Kutaisi by an ordinary passenger car in 2-3 hours, the cities are connected by an excellent asphalt road. The main thing is to go back to Kutaisi along it, and not try to drive through the village of Khvanchkara - this path is only for off-road vehicles.

Ambrolauri coordinates: 42.51449, 43.14576.

Transfers to Imereti and Racha

Svaneti

Of the three highland regions of Georgia, Svaneti, located in the north-west of the country, is the most popular with tourists due to its stunning nature, well-preserved Svan towers and the original Svan culture, which has survived to this day with minimal distortion due to the isolation of this region from the rest of Georgia. A normal asphalt-concrete road from Zugdidi to the capital of Svaneti was built only recently - and before that, with the onset of winter, snow filled up the passes and tightly blocked Svaneti and the Svans.

Svaneti has everything that people go to the mountains for: stunning landscapes, clean air, picturesque villages bristling with Svan towers, mountain lakes, glaciers, amazing mountain honey and much, much more - there is even a modern ski resort! True, it is very difficult to get to it in winter.

Mestia (Mestia)

The capital of Upper Svaneti (Zemo Svaneti), a small town Mestia(44) is located in the mountains at an altitude of 1500 meters at the confluence of two mountain rivers.

Mestia is located extremely well in terms of landscapes: the town is surrounded by alpine meadows and forests, behind which majestic snow-capped mountains rise. You can get to Mestia from Zugdidi in 3-4 hours (there is a good asphalt-concrete road).

Historical center of Mestia

Coordinates: 43.03346, 42.68948.

To "feel" Svaneti to the fullest, you need to go from Mestia to remote mountain villages - such as Ushguli or Latali.

Transfers to Mestia

Ushguli (45)

A village that has preserved its traditional look much better than Mestia, which has undergone a merciless restoration. Ushguli is the second settlement in Europe after the Dagestan Kurush in terms of height and is famous for a large number of well-preserved Svan towers.

Hatsvali (46)

Ski resort on the Zuruldi ridge, located at an altitude of 2400 meters. The resort is new (was opened in 2011) and is currently being actively developed. From Mestia to Hatsvali, located 8 km to the south, you can take a taxi along the mountain serpentine. Hatsvali is also popular in summer: you can take the cable car to the top of the ridge and enjoy stunning views and breathe in rarefied mountain air - the main thing is to be lucky with the weather.

Coordinates: 43.01755, 42.73882.

Tusheti

Tusheti(47) - an isolated high-mountainous region in the north-eastern part of Georgia, which is administratively part of Kakheti. get to Omalo(this village is the "capital" of Tusheti) is possible only on a good SUV - the road is a dirt mountain serpentine.

Tushetia is a stern (but not very warlike) highlanders, stone sakli, ancient towers (vaguely similar to Svans), excellent products made from sheep wool, “guda” sheep cheese and special local khinkali with mountain herbs.

The views in the mountains of Tushetia are amazing - and for this reason, the main occupation of the Tushino people is gradually becoming the reception and service of tourists, however, not yet numerous.

Coordinates of the capital of Tusheti Omalo: 42.37085, 45.63346.

Khevsureti (48)

Another original mountainous region of Georgia - along with Svaneti and Tusheti. Administratively part of central region Mtskheta-Mtianeti, but due to the inaccessibility to visit Khevsuretia, it is better to allocate at least a couple of days.

The main man-made attraction of this region is the defensive towers. But, unlike the Svan ones, they are not rectangular, but more like pyramids and in this way they look like the towers of Chechnya and Ingushetia.

Khevsurs are mentally very little like lowland Georgians, and there is a simple explanation for this. For a long time they were something like the Georgian Cossacks - the Khevsurs did not pay taxes, but they had to protect Georgia from the invasions of the highlanders from the other side of the Caucasus Range.

The coordinates of the capital of Khevsureti Shatili: 42.65813, 45.15457.

Georgia - from Tbilisi to Batumi

By train or bus, 300 km between the two cities can be covered in 5 hours, by minibus - in 6. But it is much more interesting to go on this journey by car - your own or rented.

There are two ways to get from Tbilisi to Batumi by car: the first one is longer and goes through Imereti, the second is geographically shorter, but is available only in summer, and even then only for SUVs - through Borjomi valley and region Samtskhe-Javakhetia, from where you can get to Batumi along an unpaved mountain Transajar highway.

Now let's take a closer look at the attractions of each of the two options.

The first route Tbilisi - Batumi

The first path is through hometown Stalin - Gori, "cave city" Uplistsikhe, past Katskhi pillar in Kutaisi. And from Kutaisi to Batumi you can drive along the Black Sea coast through Kobuleti, visiting some sights of Imereti along the way - for example, monasteries Gelati and Motsameta and cave of Prometheus.

Stalin Museum in Gori (49)

Gori is located 80 km west of Tbilisi and is known primarily as the place where the Father of All Nations was born and spent his childhood. And now the city has a large and very interesting museum dedicated to Stalin.

Coordinates: 41.98694, 44.11348.

Rock city Uplistsikhe (50)

Once the main pagan religious center of ancient Iberia and the main stronghold of resistance to the Christianization of the country, now Uplistsikhe is one of the most interesting sights located in the vicinity of Tbilisi.

Coordinates: 41.96737, 44.20724.

The second route Tbilisi - Batumi

It looks something like this: Tbilisi — Borjomi (Bakuriani) — Akhaltsikhe and Rabat Fortress- cave city Vardzia, fortress Khertvisi and further to Batumi along the mountainous Transajar highway.

Borjomi (51)

Tiny resort town with a population of 15 thousand people, which has gained worldwide fame thanks to the brand of mineral water produced here.

Bridge-"curl" in Borjomi

In addition to mineral water, Borjomi is famous for its sanatoriums, a huge park, a cable car, an outdoor pool with water from hot springs and a culinary “trick”: pine cone jam.

Coordinates: 41.84119, 43.38298.

Ski resort Bakuriani (52)

In the past - the center of skiing of all-Union significance, today - the best (IMHO) ski resort in Georgia, located 37 km from Borjomi at an altitude of 1700 meters.

Coordinates: 41.7509, 43.52839.

After Borjomi, the way from Tbilisi to Batumi lies through Akhaltsikhe, the capital of the region Samtskhe-Javakhetia. The city itself is not particularly interesting, but it houses the largest fortress in Georgia - Rabat.

Fort Rabat (53)

The former Turkish fortress of Rabat, being the largest in Georgia, was recently restored and became one of the tourist attractions of Samtskhe-Javakhetia.

According to popular belief, the restorers overdid it a bit: the ancient fortress now really shines with a new-made gloss. Like it or not, you can find out from the article about.

Coordinates: 41.64211, 42.97537.

Before driving further west to Batumi along the most picturesque Transajar highway, I highly recommend taking the time to stop by for half a day at cave city of Vardzia (Vardzia), located 60 km southeast of Akhaltsikhe (200 km southwest of Tbilisi). On the way there, about 45 km southeast of Akhaltsikhe, there will be another attraction of Samtskhe-Javakhetia - Khertvisi fortress.

Khertvisi (54)

Khertvisi (54) is an extremely photogenic fortress on a rock at the confluence of the Mtkvari (Kura) and Paravani rivers. The place is extremely historical - according to legend, the first Georgian city was here in the era of Alexander the Great.

Khertvisi coordinates: 41.47947, 43.28535.

Cave city of Vardzia (55)

A unique cave city, a symbol of the struggle of Georgians against foreign invaders and a monument to the will and fortitude of people who preferred life in caves to surrender to enemies.

Coordinates: 41.3812, 43.28416.

After visiting Vardzia and Khertvisi, we return to Akhaltsikhe, from which there are two options for the road to Batumi:

If it's summer, you have a solid SUV, and you are confident in yourself and in the car, you can go to Batumi along the shortest route - through the mountains along the Transajar highway. The road is dirt, sometimes very difficult - but the views are amazing.

The second option is for those who have an ordinary passenger car, or they just feel sorry for killing the suspension and tires of their SUV: we drive to Batumi along an excellent highway through Borjomi, Khashuri, Kutaisi and Samtredia.

Have a good holiday in Georgia!
Your Roman Mironenko

17.01.19 214 134 103

In August 2018, my girlfriend and I went on vacation to Georgia.

Vadim Muratov

vacation in Georgia

I wanted to see the mountains, and she - the sea. Georgia has both - the country fits our criteria perfectly.

We liked Georgia. It's warm, tasty and kind people. When we left, we realized that we would come back here again. I’ll tell you how to organize such a trip, how much it cost and how the main prices have changed in 2020.

87,800 R was spent in Georgia in 10 days

flights

42 700 R

15 900 R

12 200 R

Entertainment

10 400 R

Intercity transfers

3330 R

Urban transport

2250 R

Souvenirs

745 R

cellular

275 R

Route

We had 10 days to travel. At first we wanted to travel around the country: to see the capital, to go to Mayakovsky's homeland in Kutaisi, to drink mineral water directly from the source in Borjomi. Then we realized that dividing 10 days into all cities means wasting time on the road.

$2.7 billion

Georgia earned on tourism in 2017

As a result, we decided to stop at Tbilisi and Batumi. We went to the capital for the sake of national color and Mount Kazbek, which is located 165 km from the city. In Batumi, we planned to swim in the Black Sea.

At first glance, we did not like Tbilisi. Around were unkempt buildings, stray dogs and beggars. But the first impression was wrong. The capital charmed us beautiful architecture old town and panoramic views. There are also delicious local fruits and friendly people.

Batumi did not sink into the soul. The sea was wonderful, warm and calm, but the city itself seemed to me an ordinary resort like Tuapse. There is a bright embankment and houses hung with tourist towels. The old center is beautiful, but there are too many people and narrow streets. If we knew in advance, it would be better to go to Borjomi for a couple of days.

We spent seven days in Tbilisi, three in Batumi. This time was enough to see the main sights. But in general, 10 days in Georgia was not enough for us: 12 days would be better, and 20 would be ideal. Then we could visit Kutaisi, Borjomi, walk along the beaches along the Black Sea and climb other picturesque mountains.

Of the popular sights of Georgia, we looked ancient city Mtskheta and Mount Kazbek.

width="1000" height="667" class="" style="max-width: 1000px; height: auto"> The pebbly beaches of Batumi look like Russian ones. Sellers of churchkhela, bathing slippers and bananas walk past tourists. A sun lounger costs 3 ₾ (75 R)

When is the best time to go

From the west, Georgia is washed by the Black Sea, it is humid and hot here. In the east of the country, summers are hot and dry, in July +29 °C.

July, August and September are suitable for relaxing on the sea. The water temperature of the Black Sea in August is 27 °C. There are fewer tourists in September, but the water is still warm - 25 °C. We went at the end of August, and the weather was good: there was no heat, and light rain fell only once.

Winter is mild everywhere. In January, in Tbilisi and Batumi, the temperature rarely drops below zero. Ski lovers go to the resorts: Gudauri, Bakuriani, Mestia or Goderdzi.

Flight

We flew to Tbilisi from Yekaterinburg. Tickets were bought three months before the trip. For a one-way flight, they spent 17,190 R for two. They flew back through Moscow for 25,510 R. On average, the cost of a flight Moscow - Tbilisi ranges from 5 to 15 thousand rubles one way. There are also direct flights from Russia to Batumi and Kutaisi.

Since July 8, 2019, direct flights between Russia and Georgia have been closed. Therefore, now you can get into the country only with transfers. They fly from Moscow with transfers in Yerevan, Baku, Riga and Minsk. A ticket for one costs from 7500 R. From Yekaterinburg, the price of a flight starts from 15,000 R - this is with a 12-hour transfer.

You can also get there by bus. There are direct flights directly from Moscow to Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi. A ticket to Tbilisi costs 3500 R, it will take almost 30 hours to travel. If you go from Vladikavkaz, the ticket will cost 2000 R, travel time is about 4 hours. Direct flight "Victory" from Moscow to Vladikavkaz - another 3500 R.

In Tbilisi, you can get from the airport to the center by taxi for 15-20 ₾ (375-500 R) or by bus number 37 for 0.5 GEL (12 R). During the day, he walks every 15 minutes, at night - once every half an hour.

We went by taxi so as not to stray around an unfamiliar city. It cost 19.1 GEL (480 R) to get from the airport to the apartment in the center. A driver named Mamuka drove us with a breeze to Russian rap.

Money

The national currency of Georgia is lari (₾). During our trip, 1 lari cost 25 R. In March 2020 - 26 R.

Cards are accepted in cafes, restaurants and large chain stores. We had no problems with currency exchange. In the center, at train stations and tourist streets there are many exchange offices and bank branches. Most often we met Bank of Georgia and TBC Bank. It was more profitable to exchange rubles for lari at the Bank of Georgia than at TBC. Lari in TBC cost 32 R, in the "Bank of Georgia" - 27 R.

We took 30,000 R with us. The money was divided into three parts: one was exchanged for dollars, the second was put on cards, the third was left in cash. After the trip, we analyzed the expenses and came to the conclusion that it was more profitable to exchange rubles for dollars, and then for lari. So we would have saved 30 GEL (750 R). For this money you can have dinner together in a restaurant.

Housing

We chose accommodation three months before the trip. To save money, we compared prices on Airbnb.com and Booking.com. At the end of August 2018, a hotel room through Booking cost at least 4000-5000 R per day. In 2020, a room in a three-star hotel within 1 km from the center of Tbilisi through Booking costs from 2500 R per day. An apartment through Airbnb in the center can be found for 2 thousand, so we booked through it.

It is convenient to live in Tbilisi in the historical center: the Old City, Avlabari, Mtatsminda, Sololaki. There are old buildings of the 19th century, narrow streets and main attractions. the main street city, Rustaveli Avenue, is located in the Mtatsminda district. There are many cafes, shops and several museums.

We lived in the Sololaki area. We walked all the sights in three days - we didn't even use the metro or buses. An apartment in the center on Tabidze Street near Freedom Square cost 11,830 R for six nights. It had everything you need: two beds, a bathroom, a kitchen with a refrigerator, a gas stove and even a washing machine. In 2020, the same apartment for the same dates costs 14,930 R.

14 930 R

stay for six nights in an apartment on Tabidze street

It was unusual how everyone dried their clothes: on clotheslines outside. I haven't used clothespins since the late nineties, but I had to. The clothes are hung on a rope and the block is scrolled. Pants slowly move away from the window, and there is a place for a T-shirt.

In the Chugureti region, we stayed for one night before flying, because we found there cheap apartment for 770 R per day. In 2020, the apartment has risen in price to 1029 R per day, but appliances have appeared there, furniture has changed.

Batumi has historical Center and young areas. The center lies between Chavchavadze, Baratashvili, Gogebashvili and Rustaveli streets. Here beautiful buildings late 19th century with average price rent on Airbnb 2000 R per day. In new areas, housing within a 15-minute walk from the coast costs 1100 R per day. The line along the sea is being actively built up, here you can find an option from 800 R per day. The city is growing due to the influx of tourists from Turkey, Russia and Armenia. In shops and exchange offices, inscriptions in Turkish are often found.

In Batumi, we first encountered a paid elevator. You can enter it using a key fob that looks like an intercom key. It is applied to the display in the elevator. For each trip, points are deducted from the key fob. On what basis is not clear. Sometimes a point was written off, other times two or three. We were lucky: the hostess gave us a keychain with 30 trips on it. We spent half in two days. If there was no key fob, I would have to climb the stairs to the seventh floor.

Our apartment in Batumi. Photo: Airbnb.ru

Our apartment in Batumi was somewhat reminiscent of a room in a three-star hotel with a kitchen. It was not very comfortable and there were few dishes: two cutlery, two mugs, three plates and one frying pan. There was simply nowhere to spread the food - I had to cut the salads directly into the pan. We were upset, but we did not conflict with the hostess, because we arrived for two nights. Just gave four stars in an Airbnb review.

An ambulance hospital was also built near the house. During the day it was noisy and dirty because of the construction: if the windows were opened, the floor was covered with white dust. The work did not begin until ten in the morning, and by the time we returned at about nine in the evening it was already quiet. Saved from the heat by air conditioning.

Transport

Public transport in Georgia, these are buses and minibuses. Tbilisi still has a metro. Travel everywhere costs 0.5 GEL (12 R).

12 R

cost of travel public transport in Tbilisi

Routers are paid at the end of the trip. For other types of transport in Tbilisi, you can buy a single Metromani pass. It works on the principle of the Troika or Plantain cards. They can be used to pay on the metro, buses and on the cable car.

"Metromoney" is issued at any metro station. They take 2 GEL per card (50 R). The fare on it costs 0.5 GEL (12 R), there are no discounts. You can top up at terminals at metro stations, streets or stops. If there is money left on the card, you can present a check, return the card and receive the balance.

We got a travel card from the owner of the apartment. We replenished it with 10 GEL (250 R), and then returned it to the owner. Spent only 5 GEL (125 R) on the cable car. The rest of the time we walked.

Taxi inexpensive: a trip within the center costs 4 GEL (100 R). Taxi drivers do not comply with traffic rules, like other drivers in Georgia.

We ordered a taxi through the Taxify and Maxim applications. The car arrived within 5-10 minutes. In the Maxim application, you can enter an address in Russian, but maps are in Georgian.

We liked taxi drivers in Batumi less than in Tbilisi. The capital's drivers knew Russian better, were more polite, helped with the suitcases, gave the change themselves.

In Batumi, we changed the cost of the trip after we got into the car. The price of the trip in the application did not take into account that the exit from the station parking lot costs 2 GEL (50 R). I refused to pay more than the price. The driver called the taxi service manager, spoke long and loudly, and the price went up by 2 ₾. No one helped us with our luggage. Even in Batumi, you need to ask for change, otherwise the driver will politely say goodbye, wish you good luck and leave.

Cars with drivers. We went to Mtskheta and Mount Kazbek through the Goutrip service, which provides drivers with a personal car. On the site, you can choose a tour, if you wish, adjust it a little, choose a driver and book a trip.

5750 R

cost a trip to Mount Kazbek in a car with a driver

We chose a driver with no reviews because it was cheaper, and we did not regret it: the driver was friendly and accurate. We booked the day before the desired date and paid in cash to the driver. A trip to Mount Kazbek cost 230 GEL (5750 R).

In 2020, prices have dropped slightly: the same trip can be booked for 131 GEL (3406 R). The price we paid also includes a minivan ride up the mountain. It doesn't count on the Goutrip.

On the Goutrip, you can ask the driver to stop to take a photo. The rules of the service are strict: if the driver refuses, he will be banned forever. We used the service twice, the site is clear, there is a Russian language. We liked that you can choose the route yourself, and it’s more convenient to ride together in the back seat of a sedan than in sightseeing bus.

Car rent will cost 20-40 $ (1450 -2900 R) per day. The main attractions are located in the mountains, where there are dirt and rocky roads, so it is better to take an off-road vehicle. We decided not to take the car because we used the Goutrip.

Trains. We traveled from Tbilisi to Batumi by high-speed train. For one ticket they paid 25 GEL (625 R). The level of comfort unexpectedly pleased: these are not Soviet-era second-class carriages, but modern comfortable trains with Wi-Fi, sockets and dry closets. We were in second class on the second floor. In the carriage on one side there were three seats in a row, on the other side - two.

Tickets are sold on the website of the Georgian Railways. They are available 40 days before the departure date. You can also buy tickets through the Georgian Railway Tickets app. After payment, you will receive a letter with the details of the trip. I did not figure out whether it is necessary to print tickets or can be shown from a smartphone, so I played it safe and printed a letter from the post office. There were no landing problems.

Bus. We traveled back from Batumi to Tbilisi by bus. The bus ticket is sold on the Metro Georgia website, registration is not needed. We paid 35 GEL (875 R) per person. After payment, you will receive an email with a code. It must be printed and presented on the bus. From March to May 2020, such a trip costs 25 GEL (650 R). Whether it will be more expensive in the summer is not clear.

Service in the bus - at the level of air travel. Several times during the trip, the steward passes with a cart with drinks, offers water, tea, coffee, distributes headphones. There is free wifi, but slow.

There is no toilet on the bus, only paid at the bus stop. The entrance costs 0.5 GEL (12 R). Our bus left a little late, but on the way it was delayed for an hour. The reasons are not clear, because there were no traffic jams.

The final station in Tbilisi is Ortachala bus station. This is the outskirts - half an hour to the center by public transport.

In our opinion, it is better to travel between cities by train. It's not as comfortable as taking a bus, but it's faster and cheaper. Another train arrives on schedule, and the train stations are located close to the center.

Restaurants

Streets adjoin Freedom Square in Tbilisi, where there are many cafes, eateries and restaurants. I am a vegetarian, but in any institution I could eat to satiety. Most often I ordered lobiani - a closed pie made of thin dough stuffed with beans and spices. This is the perfect meal for vegans: egg-free, dairy-free, satisfying, and inexpensive. Georgian cheeses are not suitable for vegetarians: they contain rennet. On average, lobiani cost 10 GEL (250 R).

The cafe has big portions. Often we asked to wrap up something that we didn’t finish at lunch, and ate it for breakfast. The girl was delighted with local cuisine. And I am ready to return to Georgia, if only for the sake of lemonade, which is served here in all establishments. A liter of lemon-peach lemonade cost 10 GEL (250 R).

Wine in Georgia is sold in supermarkets and specialized wine shops. A glass costs from 6 GEL (150 R), a bottle of inexpensive wine will cost 17-20 ₾ (425-500 R). Some restaurants sell their own wine. At the liquor store, I ordered freshly squeezed juice from local oranges, and it was the most delicious juice in my life.

On average, lunch cost 25-35 ₾ (625-875 R) for two. The most expensive trip to the cafe cost us 45 GEL (1125 R). With this money, they ordered fried potatoes with spices for 6 GEL (150 R), lobiani for 10 GEL (250 R), kupaty with polenta for 15 GEL (375 R), a liter of homemade lemonade with mint for 10 ₾. Kupaty with polenta are Georgian spiced sausages filled with porridge made from cornmeal.

Tipping in Georgia is immediately included in the bill. Usually it is 10%. Service is different, but everywhere - without haste. No one will rush headlong with the order. It will be cooked and slowly brought in 15-25 minutes.

1125 R

we spent on the most expensive lunch in a cafe

We recommend the restaurant "Sakhli No. 11" on Tabidze Street, the cafe "Water Lagidze" on the territory cathedral and Khinkal "Iveroni" on Rustaveli Avenue.

The shops

We had breakfast and dinner at the apartment. Georgia has a network of hypermarkets "Carrefour", "Spar" and small shops. The cheapest is to buy in Carrefour. This is a typical large store like Auchan with groceries, household chemicals and pastries. It is visited by the locals. In "Spar" almost all cereals and canned food are Russian. It was inconvenient for me that the composition of local products is entirely in Georgian: neither Russian nor English translation, what it is made of is not clear.

On average, prices in Georgia are at the level of Russian or lower. A package of Pringles in Tbilisi costs the same 160 R as in the Chelyabinsk Pyaterochka. Only fruits and Borjomi are cheaper. A bottle of 0.5 liters costs 0.8 GEL (20 R), in Russia - 60 R.

We bought fruits and vegetables in Carrefour and in shops near the house. There are fewer spoiled vegetables in the shops than in the supermarket. Prices were not compared: they took where they liked, it was always delicious.

Figs and grapes grow right on the streets, but we did not dare to pick them. Grandmothers sit near Carrefour and sell them in whole baskets for 3-4 ₾ (75-100 R) per kilo.

The cost of groceries in Georgia

Figs, 1 kg

4 GEL (100 R)

Bananas, 1 kg

3-6 ₾ (75-150 R)

Cucumbers and tomatoes, 1 kg

2-5 ₾ (50-125 R)

Apples, grapes, pears, 1 kg

2-4 ₾ (50-100 R)

Lemonade "Iberia", 1 l

0.9 GEL (22 R)

Borjomi, 0.5 L

0.8 GEL (20 R)

Watermelon, 1 kg

0.3-0.5 ₾ (7-12 R)

Attractions and entertainment

Sulfur baths in Tbilisi they are called Abanotubani. This is beautiful place where you should go at least once. Botanicheskaya Street leads to the baths, where there are many souvenir shops, and prices are 0.5-1 ₾ lower than in other places.

Going to the bathhouse costs from 15 GEL (375 R) to 150 GEL (3750 R) per hour. We didn’t go there, but our friends gave 90 GEL (2250 R) and said that it was not worth it: too expensive for washing.

cable car located in the center of Rike Park. It is open from 10:00 to 22:00. The line is long: we stood for half an hour. Six people are placed in the booth, the rise lasts a minute and 42 seconds.

The fare can only be paid with a Metromoney card. Price - 2.5 GEL (62 R) per person. We put money on the travel card in advance so as not to replenish it at the entrance to the booths.

Funicular. The highest place in Tbilisi is Mount Mtatsminda. At the top is an amusement park with a Ferris wheel. Finding the mountain is easy - there is a television tower on it, which can be seen from any open space. You can go upstairs on foot or by funicular.

The metromani pass does not work on the funicular - at the entrance you will have to buy a separate card for 2 GEL (50 R) and put money on it. The rise costs 3 GEL (75 R) per person. It is impossible to return the card and return the money from the account.

The funicular has one cabin that runs every 15 minutes. We rode on Thursday morning, there were not many people. The view from the cabin is good, but there are tall trees along the rails, so beautiful photos make it difficult. It’s easier to wait until the end of the ascent: there will be a large observation deck.

width="495" height="742" class="" style="max-width: 495px; height: auto"> Tickets for the Ferris wheel are sold at the small box office inside the park. A ride on a wheel costs 5 ₾ (125 R) per person

botanical gardens. In Tbilisi, the botanical garden is located next to Abanotubani. Entrance costs 2 GEL (50 R). Inside - waterfalls, river, bridges, paths. It's pretty, but the garden is more like a big park.

The trees are not labeled and the map booklet is hard to navigate. We looked at the signs in Maps-me too. The park map that comes with the ticket is useless. With navigation in the park, everything is so bad that a Russian girl came up to us and asked where the exit was. We were only able to answer roughly.

375 R

there is a ticket to the Botanical Garden for an adult

Entrance to the botanical garden in Batumi costs 15 GEL (375 R) per adult. It takes 3-4 hours to go all the way. There are many trees in the garden from different climatic zones from South America to Japan.

We liked the garden in Batumi more than in Tbilisi: navigation is easier there, there are picnic areas with Wi-Fi, free toilets. More from botanical garden there is access to the sea. We did not know about him and were upset that we arrived without bathing accessories: there are small pebbles on the beach and few people.

Bus number 31 runs to the botanical garden, the fare costs 0.5 GEL (12 R). Usually transport stops at the main entrance to the park - southwest. The driver offered to take us to the southern entrance for 3 GEL (75 R) each: according to him, it is easier to walk through the park from there. We agreed - and in vain: we went uphill in the same way, as if we had entered from the main entrance. We'll be smarter next time.

Mtskheta- a city near Tbilisi, in which there are many churches. I advise you to go there on an excursion only to those who are interested in religion or temple architecture. Spending 50-60 ₾ (1250-1500 R) on temples is a pleasure for an amateur. The trip will take four hours.

Among the natural attractions of Mtskheta is the confluence of the Kura and Aragvi rivers. We read that the rivers are of different colors: one is green, the other is brown. We should have seen their borders, but I couldn't make sense of those 50 shades of brown.

Kazbek and Gergeti temple. The tour operator "City-Sightseeing-Tbilisi" organizes bus tours to Mount Kazbek. The tour costs 81 GEL (2106 R) per person. View of Mount Kazbek opens at the Gergeti temple. The road to it is rocky and steep - a bus or SUV will not get there. Therefore, you will have to pay an additional 20 GEL (500 R) for renting a minivan that will take you to the temple.

We decided to overpay and ordered a car with a driver on the Goutrip. It is more comfortable to ride together, and the driver answered my questions about life in Georgia with pleasure. A trip for two cost 230 GEL (5750 R). 155 ₾ cost the services of a driver, 75 - climbing the mountain in a minivan. The journey from Tbilisi to the temple took three and a half hours.

Security

When we left the first apartment in Tbilisi, the owner went on vacation, could not pick up the keys and asked to leave them under the rug. We did not see the owner of the second apartment in Tbilisi at all, the key was also handed over under the rug. People also leave their cars on the street with their windows open.

Rules traffic practically none in Georgia. Drivers drive through narrow streets. When we were driving along the highway, the driver drove into the oncoming lane before a blind turn on a serpentine road, overtook a truck, although another one was driving towards him. At first we were amazed, then we got used to it.

There are few crossings and traffic lights for pedestrians in Tbilisi. If the zebra is still drawn, it's just a drawing on the pavement. There is still no guarantee that the pedestrian will give way. There are underground passages on Rustaveli Avenue, but there are not many of them. Therefore, locals run across even streets with heavy traffic. The streets in the old town are narrow, so it is easier to cross them.

In the center of Tbilisi, near the temples, there are many beggars, and in general in the cities there are homeless dogs and cats. Animals are sterilized, vaccinated and released into the streets with tags on their ears. People are not afraid to play with street dogs and pet cats.

People

In Georgia, sympathetic people. Sellers, waiters, employees of railway stations and airports - all treated us friendly. There was no language barrier: nine out of ten Georgians with whom we spoke spoke Russian. The rest spoke English, especially the youth. Russians are treated without prejudice, we have not encountered nationalism.

Georgians are also close-knit: all residents of high-rise buildings know each other. In their free time, they visit each other. When we complained that we didn’t know where to put the rest of the watermelon that we didn’t have time to eat before leaving, our driver Davit said: “Give it to the neighbors.” From his lips it sounded like something ordinary: everyone does it.

cellular

In Tbilisi, we immediately bought a SIM card. We chose from the local Magtikom and Beeline: there were no other operators at the airport. There was a queue to Magtikom, no booklets with prices were found, so we went to Beeline and took a tariff with 4G Internet without calls. For 9 GEL (225 R) we got 4 GB of internet.

The cashier did not have change, so he threw 10 GEL (250 R) into the account. As it turned out, not in vain: you still had to call. They called up the owners of the accommodation to clarify the address or to inform that they had arrived. Once I had to hire a taxi driver: he didn’t know Russian well and didn’t understand where to go the first time, but I didn’t figure out where the car was in the application.

In 10 days, I spent less than a gigabyte on social networks, Instagram and Google search. The apartments had Wi-Fi - it saved traffic. Now I understand that I had to take 1 GB for 4 GEL (100 R) and pay 2 GEL (50 R) for telephone calls. One lari would be enough for 10 minutes.

In March 2020, the Georgian "Beeline" had special tariffs with the Internet: for 6 GEL (156 R) they gave 4 GB for two weeks. Minutes and SMS are not included in the tariff.

I have a Xiaomi smartphone. In Russia Mobile Internet connects automatically after changing the SIM card, and in Georgia, the settings must be entered manually. The seller at the Georgian Beeline branch said that only iPhones, Huaweis and some Samsungs are automatically configured.

In Tbilisi and Batumi, 4G catches stably, coverage is worse on the tracks. All cafes and restaurants had free wifi. There is also a free access point "Tbilisi-loves-u" on Freedom Square.

Souvenirs

There are souvenir shops on all tourist streets. You can buy magnets, key chains, toys made of felted wool, national clothes, bookmarks.

Compared to Moscow, prices for souvenirs are low. Magnets cost 1-3 ₾ (25-75 R), key rings - 8 GEL (200 R), figurines - 10 GEL (250 R). According to observations, in shops on Botanicheskaya Street near the sulfur baths of Abanotubani, magnets are 0.5-1 ₾ cheaper.

3375 R

we spent on souvenirs in Georgia

We bought a figurine for 20 GEL (500 R) and were satisfied. In total, 135 GEL (3375 R) was spent on souvenirs.

As a gift, you can bring churchkhela, that is, nuts in grape syrup. On the streets, it is sold for 2-8 ₾ (50-200 R). The thicker and longer, the more expensive. Carrefour has small churchkhelas for 1 ₾ each and Georgian spices in foil bags. Price - 1.5-2.5 ₾ (38-63 R).

RememberWe worked on the material

Author - Vadim Muratov, editor - Anastasia Osyan, photo editor - Maxim Koposov, information designer - Zhenya Sofronov, responsible officer - Anna Lesnykh, production editor - Marina Safonova, proofreader - Alexander Salita, layout designer - Evgenia Izotova