Overnight Trips from Tbilisi

October 29, 2026

Travel advisory, as of October 2026. The UK FCDO advises against all travel to Russian-occupied Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and against all but essential travel to areas next to their boundary lines. Anti-government protests have continued for well over a year in central Tbilisi, around the Parliament on Rustaveli Avenue. They have sometimes turned violent, often on Saturday evenings and political anniversaries, so keep away from them. Read the FCDO advice for Georgia and check travel.state.gov before you book.

Tbilisi has no multi-day tours of its own, because the city itself is covered in two or three days. Longer trips mean leaving the capital for the wine country, the mountains or the south, and each one needs its own planning. This page gives the shape of four such routes and what to check first. It does not set out detailed itineraries or prices, which vary by season and operator.

Kakheti wine circuit (2 to 3 days)

Kakheti lies east of the capital and is Georgia’s main wine region. A typical loop takes in Telavi, the former royal capital, Tsinandali Estate with its museum and winery, Alaverdi Cathedral and Gremi Fortress. Small natural-wine producers around Napareuli and Kvareli can be visited too. Alaverdi is a working church where monks make wine, so dress modestly. Sighnaghi, about 110 km from Tbilisi, makes an easy one-night add-on.

Kazbegi and Juta (2 to 3 days)

The first day usually covers the Military Road to Stepantsminda and Gergeti Trinity Church. A second day can be a hike from Juta village toward the Chaukhi massif, often called the Georgian Dolomites. The road crosses the Cross Pass, about 2,379 m, and this stretch closes to traffic in snow and avalanche risk, mainly from December to March. Check the road on the same day before you leave. Mountain rescue response may be limited, so go with a local guide for any high route.

Svaneti (4 to 5 days)

Mestia and Ushguli in the Greater Caucasus are known for their medieval stone towers, and Ushguli is among the highest permanently lived-in villages in Europe, at about 2,200 m. The road runs from Zugdidi or Kutaisi. Flights to Mestia have been offered, but their schedule is unconfirmed, so do not plan around them without checking. Allow extra time for weather on mountain roads.

Vardzia and Borjomi (2 to 3 days)

The southern loop links Borjomi, a mineral-water spa town, the fortress at Akhaltsikhe and Vardzia, a cliff-face cave monastery from the 12th century from the reign of Tamar. It has 13 levels and hundreds of rooms. Vardzia is a monastic site, so be quiet and dress modestly.

Planning notes

Keep an eye on the FCDO advice for mountain areas before you commit.
Stay on main roads and established sites, and keep away from any boundary line.
Carry lari in cash for rural shops and guesthouses, since cards are patchy outside the centre.

To compare places to stay, search Tbilisi stays and then look at the regional towns above.