Old Town and Sololaki 3 nights, with a day in the Kazbegi mountains
I made this for a group that wants a bit of adventure and a lot of good food. You fly over the mountains in Gudauri, hike to Gergeti and spend your evenings in the liveliest corners of Tbilisi.
Tandem paragliding over GudauriHike up to Gergeti Trinity ChurchLate nights in the Fabrika courtyardBest in May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
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Hotels, 3 nightsShown for your dates when you make it yours
Prices are checked when you open the plan, a month ahead. They are never saved in it.
Day 1 Old town and the first sunset
13:30Land at Tbilisi International Airport, transfer to the Old TownBolt XL fits four people with bags, much cheaper than the taxi desk.Tbilisi Airport · about 30 min · 30 to 45 GEL per car
15:00Check in and freshen upDrop the bags and head out light, everything today is walkable.Old Town · about 1 hr 30 min · FreeArrive by car
16:30Walk the Old Town to the Bridge of PeaceWander Shardeni Street, Meidan and the wooden balconies of Betlemi Street, then cross the glass bridge.Old Tbilisi · about 1 hr 30 min · FreeWalk, 5 min
18:15Sunset at Narikala by cable carRide up from Rike Park and walk the fortress walls as the city turns gold.Rike Park to Narikala · about 1 hr 15 min · 2.5 GEL each wayWalk, 5 min to the Rike Park station
20:00Dinner at Shavi LomiModern Georgian food in an old house with a garden, perfect for sharing lots of plates. Book ahead.Sololaki · about 1 hr 30 min · 60 to 100 GEL · Order: Badrijani nigvzit and chicken shkmeruli in garlic sauceWalk downhill or Bolt, 15 min
22:00Late night at the Fabrika courtyardAn old Soviet sewing factory turned hostel, with street art, coffee spots and a courtyard full of people until late.Marjanishvili · about 1 hr 30 min · free entry, drinks 8 to 15 GELBolt, 10 min
Tip: Tbilisi is very safe at night but the old town streets are steep cobbles, so wear proper shoes.
Day 2 Kazbegi adventure day
08:00Drive north on the Georgian Military RoadHire a driver with a minivan for the group, it works out cheap when split and you control the stops.Tbilisi to Kazbegi · about 3 hrs with stops · 350 to 450 GEL per minivan for the day
09:15Ananuri FortressQuick photo stop at the fortress on the Zhinvali Reservoir, climb the tower for the lake view.Ananuri · about 40 min · FreeDrive, 1 hr 15 min
10:45Tandem paragliding in GudauriFly 15 to 20 minutes with a licensed pilot over the valley. Many operators wait near the Friendship Monument, agree the price and video first.Gudauri · about 1 hr 30 min with waiting · 250 to 350 GEL per personDrive, 1 hr
13:00Lunch on the terrace at Rooms Hotel KazbegiFuel up before the hike with a view of the church you are about to climb to.Stepantsminda · about 1 hr · 50 to 80 GEL · Order: Beef khinkali dumplings, ask for beef onlyDrive, 50 min
14:15Hike up to Gergeti Trinity ChurchAbout 1 hr 15 min up a steep forest trail from Gergeti village, 1 hr down. Take water and a layer, the top is windy. Women need a skirt wrap and head cover inside.Stepantsminda · about 3 hrs return · FreeWalk from the hotel to the trailhead, 15 min
17:30Drive back to TbilisiStraight back down the mountain road, you will be in town by about 20:30.Kazbegi to Tbilisi · about 3 hrs · included in the day hireSame driver
Tip: Paragliding and the Kazbegi road both depend on weather. Check the forecast the night before and swap with day 3 if rain is coming.
Day 3 Baths, markets and the city at night
10:00Jumah Mosque and Leghvtakhevi waterfallStart at the old town mosque, then walk into the little gorge behind the baths to the waterfall.Abanotubani · about 40 min · Free
10:45Sulphur bath at Chreli AbanoRent a private room for the group and add a kisi scrub, the traditional rough mitt massage. Your legs will thank you after yesterday's hike.Abanotubani · about 1 hr · 120 to 250 GEL per room per hour, scrub 30 to 50 GELWalk, 3 min
12:30Lunch at Cafe GabriadzeNext to the leaning puppet theatre clock tower. Walk over by 12:00 to see the angel ring the bell first.Old Tbilisi, Shavteli Street · about 1 hr · 30 to 50 GEL · Order: Lobio in a clay pot with mchadi cornbreadWalk, 15 min
14:00Dry Bridge MarketFlea market of Soviet medals, old cameras, paintings and enamel jewellery. Haggling is expected.Dry Bridge · about 1 hr · free to browseWalk, 10 min
15:15Georgian National MuseumHead to the gold treasury in the basement, ancient Colchian gold that is genuinely stunning.Rustaveli Avenue · about 1 hr 30 min · 15 to 20 GELWalk, 15 min
18:30Funicular up to Mtatsminda ParkRide the old funicular up for the big Ferris wheel and the best night view over Tbilisi.Mtatsminda · about 1 hr 15 min · Funicular about 3 GEL each way, Ferris wheel about 5 to 10 GELBolt to the lower funicular station, 10 min
20:00Dinner at Funicular RestaurantWindow tables over the whole city. Finish with the famous ponchiki from the cafe downstairs.Mtatsminda · about 1 hr 30 min · 50 to 80 GEL · Order: Chicken mtsvadi skewers and ponchikiWalk, 5 min
Tip: Use a contactless bank card on the cable car and funicular, they no longer take cash.
Day 4 Old capital and fly home
09:00Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba)A quick stop at the giant gold domed cathedral on the hill. Dress modestly.Avlabari · about 30 min · Free
10:00Jvari MonasteryA 6th century hilltop church above the meeting of two rivers, great group photo spot.Mtskheta · about 45 min · FreeBolt, 30 min
11:00Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Mtskheta old townGeorgia's holiest cathedral, then the souvenir lane outside for churchkhela and honey.Mtskheta · about 1 hr 15 min · FreeTaxi, 15 min
13:00Lunch at Machakhela / Samikitno, MeidanCheap, fast and busy, an easy last meal before the airport.Meidan, Old Tbilisi · about 1 hr · 25 to 40 GEL · Order: Adjaruli khachapuri, cheese bread with egg and butterBolt, 35 min
14:15Back to the hotel to collect bagsLeave bags at reception after check out in the morning.Old Town · about 30 min · FreeWalk, 5 min
15:00Transfer to Tbilisi International AirportBook a Bolt XL for the group with all the bags.Tbilisi Airport · about 30 min · 30 to 45 GEL per carBolt XL, 30 min
Tip: Change leftover lari in town before you go, the exchange booths near Freedom Square give far better rates than the airport.
Where to stay
Tbilisi, Old Town and Sololaki · nights 1 to 4Walk home from dinner and the baths, with Fabrika a short ride away.
Stamba Hotel luxury · about 550 to 900 GEL a night A converted Soviet printing house with a buzzing lobby cafe, the coolest stay in town.
Mercure Tbilisi Old Town mid · about 220 to 350 GEL a night Walk to the baths, cable car and old town restaurants.
Fabrika Hostel and Suites budget · about 120 to 220 GEL a night Private rooms right above the city's liveliest courtyard.
Hotel prices are typical. Make it yours to see today's prices for your dates.
What to eat
Khinkali (ask for beef)at Rooms Hotel Kazbegi, Stepantsminda The mountains are where khinkali was born, eat them by hand and drink the broth first.
Adjaruli khachapuriat Machakhela / Samikitno, Meidan The cheese boat that every group shares on the first night.
Chicken shkmeruliat Shavi Lomi, Sololaki Crispy chicken in a hot garlic and milk sauce, rich and addictive.
Lobio with mchadiat Cafe Gabriadze, Old Tbilisi Hearty bean stew with cornbread, cheap and filling.
Ponchikiat Funicular Restaurant, Mtatsminda Warm cream doughnuts with the best view in town.
Churchkhelaat Stalls outside Svetitskhoveli, Mtskheta Walnut and grape sweets that travel well as gifts.
Tbilisi stays up late. Fabrika, the old town lanes and Mtatsminda are busy well past midnight, and Bolt home costs only a few lari.
Why it is planned this way
I put the sulphur bath the morning after the Gergeti hike, that is exactly when you will want it.
I scheduled paragliding in the morning because the Gudauri winds usually pick up after lunch.
I kept the National Museum on day 3, but it closes on Mondays, so I left a Sololaki walk as the swap.
I flagged that pork is common in Georgian food, so ask for beef khinkali and chicken or lamb mtsvadi.