Georgia is a country with stunning natural beauty, rich culture, and delicious cuisine. One of the best ways to explore all that Georgia has to offer is by taking a road trip: Tbilisi > Signaghi > David Monastery > Borjomi > Mtsheta.
Day 1: Tbilisi to Sighnaghi
Start your road trip by renting a car in Tbilisi and driving to Sighnaghi, a charming town in the Kakheti wine region.
On the way, stop by the David Gareja Monastery Complex, located on the border between Georgia and Azerbaijan. This historic complex features cave monasteries and churches, as well as stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
| English ALT | Russian ALT | English Title | Russian Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panoramic view of the monastery complex | Панорамный вид на монастырский комплекс | Panoramic View of David Gareja Monastery Complex | Панорамный вид на монастырский комплекс Давид-Гареджа |
| Frescoes of the interior walls | Фрески на внутренних стенах | Interior Wall Frescoes of David Gareja Monastery | Фрески на внутренних стенах монастыря Давид-Гареджа |
| Sunset over the desert landscape | Закат над пустынным пейзажем | Sunset over the Desert Landscape of David Gareja | Закат над пустынным пейзажем Давид-Гареджа |
| Exterior view of the Lavra Monastery | Внешний вид Лаврского монастыря | Exterior View of Lavra Monastery at David Gareja | Внешний вид Лаврского монастыря в Давид-Гаредже |
| The Chapel of St. David | Часовня святого Давида | The Chapel of St. David at David Gareja | Часовня святого Давида в Давид-Гаредже |
| View of the Udabno Monastery | Вид на монастырь Удабно | View of Udabno Monastery at David Gareja | Вид на монастырь Удабно в Давид-Гаредже |
| Medieval frescoes on the cave walls | Средневековые фрески на стенах пещеры | Medieval Frescoes on the Cave Walls of David Gareja | Средневековые фрески на стенах пещеры Давид-Гареджа |
| Ruins of the Queen Tamar fortress | Руины крепости царицы Тамары | Ruins of Queen Tamar Fortress at David Gareja | Руины крепости царицы Тамары в Давид-Гаредже |
| The remains of the Chichkhituri church | Руины церкви Чичхитури | Remains of Chichkhituri Church at David Gareja | Руины церкви Чичхитури в Давид-Гаредже |
After exploring the monastery complex, continue on to Sighnaghi and visit the Bodbe Monastery, the final resting place of Saint Nino, who brought Christianity to Georgia in the 4th century.
| English ALT Text | Russian ALT Text | English Title | Russian Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerial view of Bodbe Monastery | Вид на монастырь Бодбе сверху | Aerial View of Bodbe Monastery | Вид на монастырь Бодбе сверху |
| St. Nino's Chapel | Часовня святой Нино | St. Nino's Chapel | Часовня святой Нино |
| Tomb of St. Nino | Гробница святой Нино | Tomb of St. Nino | Гробница святой Нино |
| Beautiful garden in the monastery | Красивый сад в монастыре | Beautiful Garden in the Monastery | Красивый сад в монастыре |
| View of Alazani Valley from the monastery | Вид на долину Алазани с монастыря | View of Alazani Valley from the Monastery | Вид на долину Алазани с монастыря |
| Icon of St. Nino | Икона святой Нино | Icon of St. Nino | Икона святой Нино |
| Bodbe Monastery Entrance | Вход в монастырь Бодбе | Bodbe Monastery Entrance | Вход в монастырь Бодбе |
| Monastery bells | Колокола монастыря | Monastery Bells | Колокола монастыря |
| Interior of the main church | Внутренность главного храма | Interior of the Main Church | Внутренность главного храма |
Afterward, enjoy a wine tasting at one of the local wineries, such as Pheasant's Tears, which serves delicious Georgian cuisine made with locally-sourced ingredients.
| Pheasant's Tears Winery building exterior | Здание винодельни Pheasant's Tears снаружи | Exterior of Pheasant's Tears Winery Building | Внешний вид здания винодельни Pheasant's Tears |
| Vineyard at Pheasant's Tears Winery | Виноградник на винодельне Pheasant's Tears | Vineyard at Pheasant's Tears Winery | Виноградник на винодельне Pheasant's Tears |
| Interior of Pheasant's Tears Winery tasting room | Внутреннее пространство комнаты для дегустации на винодельне Pheasant's Tears | Interior of Pheasant's Tears Winery Tasting Room | Внутреннее пространство комнаты для дегустации на винодельне Pheasant's Tears |
| Traditional Georgian Qvevri used for winemaking at Pheasant's Tears Winery | Традиционный грузинский квеври для производства вина на винодельне Pheasant's Tears | Traditional Qvevri Used for Winemaking at Pheasant's Tears Winery | Традиционный квеври, используемый для производства вина на винодельне Pheasant's Tears |
| Wine fermentation tanks at Pheasant's Tears Winery | Танки для ферментации вина на винодельне Pheasant's Tears | Wine Fermentation Tanks at Pheasant's Tears Winery | Танки для ферментации вина на винодельне Pheasant's Tears |
| Wine tasting at Pheasant's Tears Winery | Дегустация вина на винодельне Pheasant's Tears | Wine Tasting at Pheasant's Tears Winery | Дегустация вина на винодельне Pheasant's Tears |
| Bottles of wine at Pheasant's Tears Winery | Бутылки вина на винодельне Pheasant's Tears | Bottles of Wine at Pheasant's Tears Winery | Бутылки вина на винодельне Pheasant's Tears |
| Pheasant's Tears Winery courtyard with seating area | Внутренний двор винодельни Pheasant's Tears с зоной отдыха | Pheasant's Tears Winery Courtyard with Seating Area | Внутренний двор винодельни Pheasant's Tears с зоной отдыха |
| Pheasant's Tears Winery wine cellar | Винный погреб винодельни Pheasant's Tears | Pheasant's Tears Winery Wine Cellar | Винный погреб винодельни Pheasant's Tears |
For affordable accommodation, stay at the Hotel Pirosmani, which offers comfortable rooms and stunning views of the Alazani Valley.
Day 2: Sighnaghi to Borjomi
Start your day by driving to Borjomi, a resort town known for its mineral water and beautiful nature. On the way, stop by the Ujarma Fortress, a historic site dating back to the 3rd century.
Once in Borjomi, take a stroll through the Borjomi Central Park and visit the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, which offers hiking trails and beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. For lunch, head to the local restaurant Akhaltsikhe, which serves delicious Georgian dishes, including khinkali and khachapuri.
You can stay at the Hotel Borjomi Likani, which features comfortable rooms and a spa. For dinner, head to the restaurant Gogia Puri, which serves delicious Georgian cuisine made with locally-sourced ingredients.
Day 3: Borjomi to Tbilisi
On your final day, drive back to Tbilisi, stopping at the historic town of Mtskheta on the way. Visit the Jvari Monastery, which dates back to the 6th century, and the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, which is one of the most important religious sites in Georgia.
For lunch, head to the restaurant Salobie Bia, which serves delicious Georgian cuisine in a cozy atmosphere. After lunch, continue on to Tbilisi and spend the rest of the day exploring the city's many attractions, such as the Narikala Fortress, the sulfur baths, and the Georgian National Museum.
For dinner, head to the restaurant Cafe Leila, which serves delicious Georgian and Middle Eastern cuisine.You can stay at the Fabrika Hostel, which offers comfortable rooms and a lively atmosphere.
Tips for travellers
When renting a car, make sure to check for any scratches or damages before driving off, and take pictures as proof.
- Always have cash on hand, as many small restaurants and shops may not accept credit cards.
- Bring comfortable shoes for hiking and walking.
- Try to learn a few Georgian phrases, such as "gamajoba" (hello) and "madloba" (thank you), as locals will appreciate the effort.
In conclusion, a weekend road trip from Tbilisi is a great way to explore some of Georgia's hidden gems. From the historic David Gareja Monastery Complex to the charming town of Sighnaghi, and the beautiful nature of Borjomi, this itinerary offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and nature.
