Georgia Travel Route for Backpackers

One of the most frequently asked questions after my trip to Georgia is “Where should we go in Georgia?” it happened. I also prepared a Georgia excursion route that would be suitable for backpackers. I did not do this route on my last trip to Georgia because I had seen some of the places on the route before. I prepared a Georgia travel route by combining my experiences in my first trip to Georgia and my last trip. The reason why this route is suitable for backpackers is that I traveled like that, as well as the fact that all of them can be reached by public transport, that is, it is possible to travel economically 🙂 I hope this article will answer the questions in their minds and be a good guide for those who want to travel.

As a matter of fact, you need a month, maybe more, to tour Georgia properly. I have prepared routes that include main stops and must-see places for you.

15-Day Georgia Travel Route

The 15-day excursion route for backpackers starts from Batumi and ends in Tbilisi, you can apply the plan with different starting and ending points if you want. You can reach every place on this route by public transport and stay in suitable accommodation options.

Batumi 1 day > Svaneti 3 days > Kutaisi 2 days > Kazbegi 2 days > Mtskheta 1 day > David Gareji 1 day > Telavi 1 day > Signagi 1 day > Tbilisi 3 days

Day 1: Batumi

Batumi is the second largest city in Georgia after Tbilisi. With its nightlife, casinos and beaches, this city offers a different experience than the rest of Georgia. Since I don't have much style, I chose to spend only 1 day here and quickly move on to the next destination. However, if you want to go swimming a little, you can consider extending your stay here and removing a place from the list.

Places to Visit in Batumi

For my suggestions for places to visit in Batumi, you can check out this article: Places to visit in Batumi. 

How to go to Batumi?

If you are going from Turkey, THY has direct flights to Batumi. If a direct flight is expensive, which is usually expensive because it is an international flight, then you can fly to Trabzon and go from Trabzon to Batumi by bus. You can also consider this option. Since I had already passed from Artvin to Batumi, I came to the border with the buses/minibuses going to the Sarp border gate. After crossing the border, buses and minibuses going to Batumi are very cheap (2 Lari if I remember correctly) and leave you in the center of Batumi. Drivers want change, so it's a good idea to change a little money at the first exchange office after crossing the border.

Where to Stay in Batumi?

I prefer to stay in hostels because I travel economically. Below you can see the links of the Batumi hotels I have stayed in before.

• Surf Hostel Batumi This is the hostel I stayed at in my development.
• Irise Hotel Batumi It's a mid-range hotel where I've stayed before.

More Click for Batumi hotel option.

Days 2 & 3 & 4: Svaneti

Svaneti region, where you can experience Georgia's newly popular Caucasus in the best way, should definitely be included in your Georgia travel route. The most central city of the Svaneti region is Mestia, so you can make your plan to Mestia and explore this region with day trips from there.

Places to Visit in Svaneti

For details about places to visit in Svaneti and cities in that region, you can check out this article: Fairytale Svaneti

How to get to Svaneti – Mestia?

There is a minibus (masrutka) from Batumi that goes directly to Mestia at 15:00 every day, or to Zugdidi every 2 hours. If you are coming from the opposite direction, you can find a direct minibus from Tbilisi and Kutaisi to Mestia. There is also a plane from Kutaisi to Mestia, a small plane for now, but a new airport is being built, bigger planes will probably take off soon.

Where to Stay in Mestia

There are so many accommodation options in Mestia. You can find accommodation in a wide range and price range, from luxury hotels to camping areas.

The place where I camped first in his hostel and then in his garden. Guest House Old Town. There are no records on any website. You can go to the door and ask for a place, or you can call Dadu, the girl who is the owner, and ask for a place by phone. Phone: +995 591 06 98 88

Day 5 & 6: Kutaisi

The third largest city in Georgia, the Georgian destination of cheap airlines and also the university city of Kutaisi. I stopped by on my first trip to Georgia, I went through transit on my last trip.

Places to Visit in Kutaisi

Kutaisi is not a very rich city in terms of cultural places to visit, but it is rich in nature activities. If I give my suggestions for places to visit in Kutaisi;

• You can wander the streets of the old city,
• You can visit Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery,
• You can cool off in the Botanical Garden, but the one in Batumi is definitely better,
• You can take a day trip to the Promethus and Sataplia Caves,
• You can take a day trip to Okatse Canyon and Kincha Waterfall.
• You can go to Martvili Canyon and its cave and do activities such as rafting and hiking in the canyon.

How to Get to Kutaisi?

It is possible to find a car from Mestia to Kutaisi all the time. It would be good to make a reservation at one of the places that says “bus station” one day in advance.

Day 7 & 8: Kazbegi

With an altitude of 5047 meters, it is one of the highest points in the Caucasus, and the name of the city to go to the region where Kazbegi Peak is, which is preferred by mountaineers as the summit is relatively easy to climb, is actually Stepantsminda, but because everyone says Kazbegi, I said so 🙂

Places to Visit in Kazbegi

Do not forget that you will make a nature trip in this region rather than a cultural trip. In the list, I give appropriate suggestions:

• There are many daily hiking routes from Stepantsminda, you can walk one or more of them,
• An exit route for 1,5 hours on foot from Gergeti Trinity Church Stepantsminda, which is the reason why everyone comes to Kazbegi. It is also possible to find a vehicle that goes here, you must go here by walking or by car,
• After walking for 2-3 hours after the hill where the church is located, there is Gergeti Glacier. If you are confident in your performance, you can go there.
• You can go to the Gveleti waterfall, which is 7 km from Stepantsminda.
• You can also see the Russia-Georgia Friendship Monument and the famous ski resort Gudauri on the way to Kazbegi.

How to Get to Kazbegi?

To get from Kutaisi to Kazbegi, you have to pass through Tbilisi. It is possible to get a car to Kazbegi from Didube Bus Station in Tbilisi every hour. The journey takes 3 hours and costs only 10 Lari. There are also some van type vehicles that stop at 20 Lari at Ananuri and the Russian Monument. When you go to Didube, they will block your way anyway.

Where to Stay in Kazbegi

I chose to stay in a tent in Kazbegi. The name of the camp where I am staying Camp at Kuro was. I paid 20 Lari for the tent and 10 Lari for breakfast. There is also a section operated as a hostel here. So if you wish, you can stay in the room if you don't have a tent. It is a very beautiful place about 500 meters outside the town and with a magnificent view of Gergeti. I saw a few other campsites on the Gergeti road, they can also be preferred.

Kazbegi offers a wide range of accommodation options from 5-star hotels to hostels. You won't be left out 🙂

Day 9: Mtskheta

On the way back from Kazbegi, you can get off at Mtsheta, tour the city and continue to Tbilisi in the evening on the same day. Anyway, this place is only 10km from Tbilisi, you can get here from Didube Station for 1 Lari. Mtskheta, the former capital of the country, also holds the title of being the oldest city.

Svetitskhoveli and Samtavro Monasteries are must-see places in the city. The old town has undergone a major restoration and is very touristic, you can easily explore the city on foot.

Jvari Monastery is 12km outside of the city, you can get there by taxi.

Day 10: David Gareji

While the north of Georgia offers you the magnificent beauties of the Caucasus, the south offers a completely different geography with its arid or even semi-desert climate. David Gareji is a monastery made up of many caves in this semi-desert area. Located on the border of Azerbaijan, the monastery was built in the 6th century and consists of 15 caves. It was at the top of the places I wanted to see on my first trip to Georgia. A very interesting geography and a very beautiful monastery.

How to Get to David Gareji

When I first came to Georgia 8 years ago, there was no transportation or even a proper road to this region. Now in Tbilisi the daily bus goes from Freedom Square every day and costs only 25 Lari. The bus, which departs in front of the Alexander Pushkin statue every day at 11:00, reaches the monastery with a 2-hour journey. It gives you time to wander around and returns to Tbilisi around 19:00. Do not forget to take water and food with you, I do not know what you will find there. And of course, since it is semi-desert, it is very hot, it is useful to have sunscreen and a hat.

Day 11: Treatment

Telavi, which was once on the Silk Road, is considered the center of the Kahketi Region, just as Mestia was the center of the Svaneti Region. This is one of the places you can go to and from Tbilisi for the day.

Places to Visit in Telavi

• You can visit Batonis Castle and its ethnographic museum,
• You can visit the Alaverdi Monastery, the second highest monastery in Georgia,
• You can see the Ikalto and Shumta Monasteries,
• The real hallmark of the Kahketi Region is its wines. Georgia is known as the country where wine was first produced and there are many wine tasting places in Telavi. Be sure to visit one of them.

How to get to Telavi?

From the Ortchala Bus station in Tbilisi, you can take a 2-hour journey to Telavi by masrutka. 10 Lari minibus price.

Day 12: Signagi

One of the smallest and cutest towns in Georgia is Signagi. This is a very touristic yet cute town that has recently become popular on Georgia's wine route. Signagi is also located in Kahketi Region, you can consider shaping your trip by passing here from Telavi. There is a minibus that leaves from Telavi once a day at 1:15.

Places to Visit in Signagi

With its photographic streets, Signagi deserves to be visited on its streets. You can climb the city walls and visit the Bodbe Monastery. And don't forget to drink lots of wine. Visiting the wine routes and vineyards in the Kahketi Region can also be added to the things to do.

September would be the best time to go to this region because you will coincide with the vintage time. I suggest you take into account that it will be very hot in the summer months.

Day 13, 14 & 15: Tbilisi

Tbilisi, the capital and largest city of Georgia, is different from the boring capitals we know, it is a colorful, vibrant and enjoyable city to spend time with. The reason why I spent 3 days in Tbilisi is that if there is any delay in the route above, it can be compensated with an extra day, or if you like a place very much, you have the option to stay for 1 more day. Even if there is none, you can easily fill three days in Tbilisi.

Places to Visit in Tbilisi

Tbilisi is the kind of city where you want to wander for a long time and spend time in its cafes. Let me list my suggestions for places to visit in Tbilisi:

• Walk around the old city street by street,
• You can't jump in the old city, but I'll repeat it anyway, you should definitely see the Clock Tower,
• You can go up to Narikala Fortress either on foot or by cable car, it is best to go up and down with a cable car. From here you can watch the view of the city from the top,
• If you like a bath, you can go to the bath in the baths area, if you don't like a bath, you can go just to see it.
• Do not forget to cross the bridges that cross the river that cuts the city,
• You can visit Sameba Holy Trinity Church, currently the tallest church in Georgia,
• National museum for museum lovers

among the main sights. In addition, many churches in the city will attract your attention, enter the ones you like 🙂

How to go to Tbilisi?

THY and Pegasus Airlines have direct flights to Tbilisi from Turkey. You can reach Tbilisi with a 2-2,5 hour flight. Tbilisi Airport Check out my post too.

Where to Stay in Tbilisi

As in this route, I took Tbilisi as the center point and stayed at different times and continued on my next route. Although I mostly stay in hostels, I share the links of the hotels and hostels I stayed in below:

• Tbilisi Art Hostel 
• Eleon Boutique Hotel 
• Georgian House Hotel

7-Day Georgia Travel Route

If you say we don't have that much time, you can also make a travel plan as follows by eliminating certain places from the route above:

Batumi 1 day > Svaneti 3 days > Mtskheta 1 day > Tbilisi 2 days

Sights Not On The Route

Stalin's city Gori, the cave city Vardzia, Borjomi famous for its mineral waters, the untouched and wild Tusheti National Park are the places you can add to your list of places to visit according to your time and period.

By the way, let me tell you in advance that if you can finish this route in 15 days, you really deserve congratulations because all transportation is provided by minibus and the road is quite tiring. If you say you can't handle this pace, you can eliminate a few routes.

Other Georgia Travel Articles

Below is a list of my other travel articles about Georgia.

• What to eat and where to eat in Mestia? 
• Fairytale Svaneti 
• Tbilisi-Yerevan transportation
• Tbilisi airport
• Batumi places to visit 

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