7 days in Georgia: the complete first-time itinerary

Overview

Seven days gives enough time to experience Georgia properly without feeling rushed. This itinerary covers the four essential Georgian regions accessible from Tbilisi: the capital itself, the Greater Caucasus mountains via Kazbegi, the wine country of Kakheti, and the spa and monastery landscape of the southwest via Borjomi and Vardzia.

This is the most recommended duration for a first visit. Arrive with an open mind, eat everything, drink the wine, and let the extraordinary hospitality of this country recalibrate your travel expectations.

Day 1: Arrival and first evening in Tbilisi

Arrive in Tbilisi, transfer to accommodation in the Old Town or Vera neighbourhood. The evening is perfect for an initial walk through Abanotubani and the Old Town — the sulfur steam rising from the dome rooftops, the carved wooden balconies, the illuminated churches above. End the evening at a wine bar and a simple dinner. Reserve the deeper explorations for tomorrow.

Day 2: Tbilisi in depth

Full day exploring Tbilisi’s Old Town and surroundings. Morning: Narikala Fortress for the panoramic view, the Old Town’s historic churches (Anchiskhati, Sioni Cathedral), the Metekhi Church on its cliff above the river, and the Armenian quarter of Avlabari.

Afternoon: Rustaveli Avenue for the Georgian National Museum and the grand boulevard architecture. Then the sulfur baths — book a private room for an hour of soaking in the 38°C mineral water. See our thermal baths guide.

Evening: wine bars in the Old Town. Vino Underground first, then G.Vino for dinner with wine.

Day 3: Mtskheta and Gori

A cultural day west of Tbilisi. Morning in Mtskheta — Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (UNESCO, 5th century) and Jvari Monastery (6th century with panoramic views). Return via Gori for the Stalin Museum — a fascinating, bizarre glimpse into Georgian-Soviet memory.

Afternoon: Uplistsikhe cave city, 10 km from Gori — a 3,000-year-old cave settlement carved into red sandstone above the Mtkvari River. Return to Tbilisi by evening.

Day 4: Kazbegi mountain day trip

Early departure for Kazbegi. The 3-hour drive north on the Georgian Military Highway is itself a highlight — steep gorges, medieval towers, the turquoise Jinvali reservoir, and the Ananuri fortress complex along the way. Stop at Ananuri (30 minutes) before continuing to Gudauri and Kazbegi.

In Kazbegi: hike to Gergeti Trinity Church (2 hours up, 1.5 hours down), lunch in the town with mountain trout and khinkali, and the return journey with views of Mount Kazbek as the evening light falls.

Book your Kazbegi, Gudauri, Gergeti, and Ananuri day trip

Day 5: Kakheti wine country

Another early departure east into the Alazani Valley. Visit 2–3 wineries for qvevri cellar tours and tastings — see our best wineries guide for recommended producers. Lunch at a Kakhetian family restaurant. Afternoon in Sighnaghi — the beautiful walled wine town above the Alazani Valley — with its cobbled streets, wine shops, and sweeping views.

Return to Tbilisi in the evening.

Book your Kakheti wine tour with 9 tastings

Day 6: Borjomi and Vardzia

The longest day trip — an early start for the 2.5-hour drive southwest. The route passes through the Trialeti highlands and descends into the Borjomi Gorge, a beautifully forested valley with mineral spring facilities and the Victorian-era park.

Borjomi for an hour — the mineral water springs in the park, the spa culture, and a cup of the carbonated mineral water that made the town famous.

Continue to Akhaltsikhe and Rabati Castle — a massively reconstructed medieval fortress. Then to Vardzia — the 12th-century cave monastery city carved into a volcanic cliff face, with frescoed cave churches, a complex of hundreds of cave dwellings, and one of Georgia’s most dramatic landscapes.

Return to Tbilisi late evening.

Day 7: Tbilisi leisure and departure

Final morning for the Dezerter Bazaar market — the living heart of Tbilisi’s food supply system. Pick up churchkhela, fresh cheese, spices, and wine to take home. Visit Wine Factory No. 1 for bottle selection.

Afternoon: any favourite sites revisited, final coffee, final khachapuri. Depart from Tbilisi International Airport.

Practical notes

Transport: Organised day tours for Kazbegi and Kakheti; taxi or local driver for Borjomi-Vardzia (or a tour); marshrutka for Mtskheta.

Accommodation: All 7 nights in Tbilisi, using it as a base. This saves packing/unpacking and gives Tbilisi proper time.

Budget: Mid-range 120–200 GEL/day. Borjomi-Vardzia tour is the most expensive day trip (60–80 GEL per person for an organised tour).

Best season: April–October for all destinations. Some mountain roads and higher-elevation sites are challenging in winter.

Day-by-day food guide

Every day of this itinerary has a specific food focus that mirrors the geographical experience:

Day 1: The first Georgian meal — eat at a traditional restaurant in the Old Town and try everything. The combination of khinkali, khachapuri, and pkhali with a pitcher of amber wine is the correct introduction.

Day 2: Dezerter Bazaar market in the morning (if you have time before the day’s activity) for fresh shoti bread and a piece of sulguni cheese from a market vendor. The evening wine bar dinner at G.Vino is the first proper food-wine pairing meal — let the staff guide the combination.

Day 3 (Mtskheta/Gori): Lunch in Mtskheta at one of the riverside restaurants. Mtskheta is known for its fresh river trout; the churches and the fish make an unexpectedly excellent pairing. Stop at a Pasanauri roadside restaurant on the way if the timing works — the khinkali here are considered among Georgia’s finest.

Day 4 (Kazbegi): Mountain food. The Kazbegi trout is the freshest fish in Georgia — from the cold Terek River to the plate in hours. Mountain-style khinkali (larger, thicker dough). Bean dishes (lobiani) made with the mountain-region beans. The chakapuli (spring lamb with tarragon) if visiting in April or May.

Day 5 (Kakheti): The complete Kakhetian experience — a winery lunch with the family’s own wine and food. The combination of amber wine, roasted nuts, dried fruit, fresh cheese, and grilled meat in a family’s garden courtyard is the defining food memory of a Georgia trip for most visitors.

Day 6 (Borjomi/Vardzia): Pack a lunch from the Tbilisi market or eat at a Borjomi park cafe. The café culture in Borjomi is improving; the town’s mineral water (drink it from the park springs, free) is an essential experience.

Day 7: The Dezerter Bazaar market morning is the food finale. Buy everything you couldn’t carry before: spices, churchkhela, vacuum-packed fresh cheese. Eat one last khachapuri from a neighbourhood bakery before the airport.

Adjustments for different interests

For wine-focused visitors: Replace the Gori/Uplistsikhe day with a second Kakheti day based overnight in Sighnaghi, giving time for more winery visits and the Sighnaghi wine bar scene. See our wine lovers itinerary.

For adventure-focused visitors: Replace the Borjomi/Vardzia day with an overnight in Kazbegi (two nights, more hiking). See our adventure itinerary.

For families: Replace Borjomi/Vardzia with western Georgia’s cave and canyon circuit (Prometheus Cave, Martvili Canyon, Okatse Canyon). See our family itinerary.

For budget travellers: The day tours can be replaced with marshrutkas for Kazbegi and Kakheti, reducing the organised tour cost from 60–80 GEL to 20–25 GEL per trip. See our budget itinerary.

Related guides and resources

• Day trips from Tbilisi — detailed guide to all day trip logistics
• Amber wine guide — understanding the wine before the Kakheti day
• Supra feast guide — cultural preparation for Georgian dining
• Safety guide for Georgia — practical safety information
• Getting around Georgia — transport options and costs