Attractions in Georgia: 6 Off-the-Beaten-Path Routes Away from Tourist Trails

Why do so many tourists keep coming back to Georgia? Even locals who live here full-time admit that it’s tough to see all the attractions in just one year! Plus, each region offers the chance to try new national dishes.

In this country, a wealth of historical and natural sites is packed into a relatively compact area. The challenge lies in accessing these sites; the Georgian intercity transport system often bypasses popular tourist spots or provides inconvenient transfers and schedules. That’s why traveling by car is the most comfortable option. In this guide, we’ll explore some of these amazing places.

📍Distance from Tbilisi: 100 km
📍Travel time: 1.5-2 hours by car
📍 Coordinates: 41.44754966971603, 45.376476155373176

Alongside Vardzia and Uplistsikhe, David Gareja ranks among the top three well-preserved medieval attractions in Georgia, featuring unique cave monasteries. This complex stretches along the Georgian border with Azerbaijan for several dozen kilometers, with hermitages scattered across a desert landscape. Due to unresolved border disputes, it’s not possible to fully explore the area, but it’s still worth a visit.

The name “David Gareja” refers to two monasteries: Lavra and Udabno. They were established during the time of Saint David Garejeli, one of the 13 Assyrian monk-preachers sent from Mesopotamia in the 6th century to spread Christianity.

Monks and their followers carved over 5,000 cells into the rock, ranging from tiny living quarters to larger monastery complexes that included chapels, dining halls, libraries, and watchtowers. Some of these monasteries could accommodate several hundred people.

Since January 2022, access to Lavra has been unrestricted. Unfortunately, you cannot visit the Udabno monastery (the upper one located in Azerbaijan) or its attractions, as Georgian border guards will turn you back. It’s advisable to check current access information before your trip, as the situation may change.

From personal experience:

The landscape here is just as breathtaking as the monasteries themselves. You can see where tectonic plates have converged, creating undulating hills. What’s truly remarkable is the unique landscape: the sedimentary rocks contain so many minerals that they’ve painted the hills in vibrant stripes of color. Be sure to take a stroll through the rainbow hills!

📍Distance from Tbilisi: 90 km
📍Travel time: About 2 hours by car
📍Opening hours: 10 AM – 7 PM
📍Ticket price: 49 lari (approximately $17)
📍 Coordinates: 41.58645909230084, 44.124875759856764

This stunning volcanic canyon is nestled in the valley of the Khrami River and features 8 km of steep slopes covered in lush vegetation. The main draw for visitors is a series of cascading waterfalls that freeze in winter, creating beautiful ice formations.

In addition to hiking to the waterfalls, there are several exciting activities for visitors to enjoy:

• Suspended Glass Bridge: A new attraction that opened in Georgia in 2022, this bridge stretches 240 meters long and hangs up to 300 meters above the ground—looking down can be quite thrilling!
• Diamond-Shaped Restaurant: Located right in the middle of the bridge, this restaurant offers a 360-degree view while serving delicious Georgian dishes. If you are not hungry, you can just grab some coffee and tea.
• Toro Bike Attraction: Experience cycling on a cable with this unique ride; the bike is secured at both ends, and it costs 120 lari.
• Swinging Over the Chasm: For those seeking a bit of adrenaline, you can swing over the canyon for 80 lari per person or 150 lari for three.

The combination of natural beauty and thrilling attractions makes Dashbashi Canyon a must-visit destination! Here you can read how to reach Dashbashi.

📍Distance from Tbilisi: 100 km
📍Travel time: About 1.5 hours by car

This charming town in eastern Kakheti, a well-known wine region, is often referred to as the “City of Love.” The local marriage palace is open around the clock, making it a popular spot for couples. The town boasts a variety of restaurants, hotels, and casinos that offer high-quality service. Even in a casual family restaurant, you can savor delicious Georgian dishes like soups, khachapuri, khinkali, and pkhali.

However, the real draw here is the breathtaking views of the Alazani Valley and the Greater Caucasus Mountains. On your way to Signagi, take some time to stop for photos in the valley. Before reaching Signagi, be sure to visit one of the region’s key attractions—the Bodbe Monastery, located just 2 km away.

Exploring this popular tourist town won’t take more than an hour, leaving you plenty of time to visit nearby vineyards and wineries. One noteworthy spot is Khareba Winery, which features an impressive 8 km long tunnel wine cellar that many tourists may not know about.

From personal experience:

You can reach Signagi by minibus, which departs every two hours from Samgori bus station in Tbilisi between 9 AM and 6 PM. However, this route is quite popular among tourists.

If you arrive by minibus and plan to stay until evening, be cautious—there’s a risk of missing the last minibus due to high demand. Locals often reserve seats with drivers in advance by phone, so free seats might not always be available. You could end up with a backless chair or an uncomfortable seat at the back where it shakes a lot. I once saw an international tourist left at the station because she had to wait for another minibus from Telavi. It’s best to arrive at least 45 minutes before departure.

Driving there yourself or with GoTrip transfer is much more convenient, allowing you to fully enjoy the town’s atmosphere, visit attractions at your own pace, stop by Khareba Winery, and dine on delicious dishes at a restaurant terrace overlooking the Alazani Valley at sunset.

And don’t forget to pick up some local churchkhela; it’s fresh and tasty in Kakheti!

📍Distance from Kutaisi: About 43 km (partly on an unpaved road)
📍Travel time: Approximately 50 minutes by car
📍 Coordinates: 42.104908, 42.586894

One of Georgia’s most Instagram-worthy spots for independent travelers, Vani Thermal Springs features two small natural pools filled with hot, sulfur-rich water from a geyser (a pipe has been installed at its source). One pool has a temperature of 45 degrees Celsius, while the other is slightly cooler at 40 degrees.

These outdoor pools have sandy bottoms, making them perfect for atmospheric photos—especially if you visit during colder weather when steam rises from the contrasting temperatures.

The landscape here is quite unique. The pools are located outside of town in a barren area with little greenery around. Nearby, the Rioni River flows, providing a refreshing spot to cool off after your soak and wash away the sulfur smell from your skin.

Just be prepared: after bathing, you might carry a lingering odor throughout the day (many say it resembles rotten eggs). However, the sulfur water is known for its healing properties and can positively affect cardiovascular health.

This Georgian attraction is a great stop on your way from Kutaisi or Tbilisi to Batumi (or vice versa).

From personal experience:

The springs are popular with locals, especially during summer evenings and nights. If you’re looking for some peace and quiet, it’s best to visit early in the morning or during the off-season.

📍Distance from Kutaisi: 51 km
📍Travel time: About 1 hour
📍 Coordinates: 42.36536409499317, 42.19511544005744

Nokalakevi is another great attraction that’s easily accessible from Kutaisi. The fortress here is one of Georgia’s most significant archaeological sites, showcasing well-preserved Roman fortifications from the 4th century. Even if you’re not a history buff, it’s definitely worth a visit.

The village itself is well-developed, featuring a museum and a restaurant where you can enjoy traditional Georgian dishes for lunch.

Just a short distance from the fortress lies the Nokalakevi sulfur spring (look for signs that say “Betlemi,” which is about 3.5 km away). This spring is quite different from other thermal pools; the water gushes from a high bank and flows down toward the Tekhuri River.

You’ll recognize the area by the large white limestone rock where visitors warm themselves in the hot steam before heading into shallow stone baths that resemble puddles. The closer you get to the source, the hotter the water becomes, while the riverside temperatures are more comfortable for bathing, making it a popular spot for kids to splash around.

From personal experience:

The water at this spring is very hot, so make sure to bring beach shoes—walking barefoot can be uncomfortable or even painful. Choose your bath based on how much heat you can handle. Many visitors like to take a refreshing dip in the clean river water, but be cautious—the current can be strong enough to sweep you away! A calmer current can be found a bit further away from the source near the parking area, where it’s safe for children to swim.

📍Distance from Batumi: 30 km
📍Travel time: About 1 hour by car
📍Opening hours: 9 AM – 6 PM
📍 Coordinates: 41.6654290949066, 41.87745932348519

Mtirala National Park is the most popular park near Batumi, second only to the Botanic Garden. It offers beautiful trails through lush forests where you can spot rare plants and ancient trees, as well as designated picnic areas.

The walking route begins at the information center, where you can pick up a guide, and follows the Chakvisckali River. Tourists particularly enjoy snapping photos on the picturesque cable bridges along the way. At the end of the trail, you’ll find a fork: one path leads to a serene lake, while the other takes you to a waterfall where you can even swim. There’s also a unique river crossing—a small wagon that transports passengers across.

Within the park grounds, you’ll find the “Mtirala Park” hotel, which has a restaurant serving delicious Adjarian cuisine.

From personal experience:

Getting to the park entrance can be tricky if you arrive by minibus—you might need to find a local taxi or wait for a rideshare, which doesn’t come by often. Taxi drivers usually charge around 50 lari.

Although all these attractions can be visited as part of tours, many travelers prefer the freedom of exploring at their own pace.

If you don’t have your own vehicle or can’t rent one (not everyone is comfortable with Georgian driving), consider using the private transfer service GoTrip. We offer various types of vehicles with local drivers who know not just the roads but also some interesting facts about the area.

Explore Georgia’s attractions while soaking in its incredible nature—and enjoy every moment of your travels!