Georgia Itinerary: 1 Week in Georgia (the country)

November 6, 2021

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When I first started planning my Georgia itinerary, I was shocked by how many people didn’t even though the country existed. Once I visited myself, I was even more shocked that Georgia isn’t filled with tourists. From striking snow-capped mountains and scenic drives in Kazbegi, art and history in Tbilisi, and of course all of the wine in Sighnaghi, Kakheti has it all. There are even national parks, although unfortunately I didn’t include any of those on this one week itinerary. Georgia is the perfect destination for your next trip. Read on to find out everything you need to know about planning your 1 week in Georgia travel itinerary (the country).

One thing that I loved the most about visiting Georgia is that it felt both easy to visit, yet off-the-beaten path at the same time. Safe to say, the country is steeped in history and culture! Not to mention the most beautiful mountain ranges. Plus, it is an amazing place for solo female travel.

The Basics of Visiting Georgia (first step of your Georgia itinerary)

Language: Georgia is the official and primary language of Georgia.

Currency: Georgian lari ($1 USD = 3.12 GEL as of October 2021).

Location: Georgia is located at the intersection of Europe and Asia. Georgia borders Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia.

Name: Locally, Georgia (Republic of Georgia) is known as Sakartvelo

Visa: Traveling to Georgia is incredibly easy as they offer a super lenient visa policy. Passport holders from 98 different countries can enter Georgia visa-free for up to 365 days. Bonus, you are even allowed to work under this visa. This makes Georgia a super popular destination for digital nomads.

Best Time to Visit Georgia

The quick answer? Right now! Tourism has been on the rise in Georgia over the past few years, and I expect to a spike in tourism as travel properly resumes in 2022.

However, what you’re probably wondering is what time of year is best to visit Georgia when planning your Georgia itinerary. From everything I’ve read, late spring and early fall are the best seasons to be in Georgia. You’ll get more mild temperatures during these seasons, which is great if you plan to head up to the mountains and hike. We visited in mid-September and it was perfect! We timed up our trip to align with the harvest season in Khaketi (Rtveli), which is a magical experience in itself for any wine lovers.

Summers in Georgia are also great, but you can except high temperatures in the cities, and the largest number of tourists. I personally always prefer to travel during the shoulder seasons when possible to avoid the crowds (and prices).

Getting to Georgia

Getting to Georgia is fairly easy from Europe and the Middle East, as there are a number of airlines that fly into Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi. We flew Turkish Airlines direct from Istanbul, which is one of the most common layover options coming from the US. Unfortunately there are not currently any direct flights from the US to Georgia – maybe one day!

You also have the option of flying into Kutaisi, located about 3.5 hours from Tbilisi by car or bus. Many of the low-cost European airlines like WizzAir operate flights into Kutaisi.

There are a number of options of getting from the Tbilisi International Airport to the city center. Since we arrived on the later side, we booked a private car through GoTrip. Our ride was just 35 GEL ($11.50), and our driver was waiting for us with a sign when we arrived. You will need to pay in cash, so make sure to take some money out of the ATM.

Getting Around Georgia

There are tons of different options for getting around Georgia depending on your itinerary and budget. Luckily, they are all easy and relatively budget friendly.

By Bolt

Within the city of Tbilisi, I recommend using the Bolt app to get around. Bolt is the local version of Uber. It is both cheap and easy to use, with tons of cars available at any hour. You can expect to pay between 3-6 GEL to get to most locations in the city.

By Rental Car 

Self-driving to Kazbegi from Tbilisi is by far the fastest and most comfortable option. Assuming you are a confident driver, having your own car in Georgia is an incredible, and easy, way to experience the country. Having your own car will allow you to stop as often as you’d like — which I promise will be all of the time! There are a number of car rental companies in Tbilisi, but I recommend booking with CITY RENT CAR. We had originally booked our rental with Budget, only to find a closed office and no car in sight on our arrival. 

As mentioned above, the road from Tbilisi to Kazbegi is completely paved, so any car will you do. However, if you plan to visit Juta, I recommend either renting a Jeep or hiring a driver in Kazbegi to drop you off. We hired a driver with a car that was suitable for off-road driving, and still managed to get a flat tire on the way.

By Private Driver 

If you don’t feel comfortable driving yourself, you can consider booking a driver through GoTrip.com. Their drivers are reputable, fairly priced, and many of them speak English. This option is probably best if you plan on visiting Kazbegi on a day trip — however I definitely recommend overnighting for at least a night in the town of Kazbegi if you have the time in your itinerary.

By Marshrutkas (shared vans)

If you’re on a budget, marshrutkas are a cheap was to travel outside of the city

We did not take any marshrutkas during our trip, but I have heard that they are quite easy. Simply head to the Okriba Bus Station and look for a van labeled Stepantsminda. The vans depart about once an hour, and the journey will take between 3 to 4 hours. Be prepared for some crazy local driving!

The public transport system within Tbilisi is also quite good!

Group Tour

If you only plan on visiting on a day trip, or are traveling to Georgia solo, then you might want to consider a group tour to Kazbegi. Tours typically last 10-12 hours, with rates starting around $25 USD. This won’t give you nearly as much flexibility, but it is a good option if you’re short on time.

Is Georgia Safe?

The quick answer is yes! I found Georgia to be incredibly safe. In fact, Tbilisi is often considered to be one of the safest cities in the world. This is of course not to say that there aren’t scams to look out for such a petty theft or getting ripped off by taxi drivers.

Although I took this trip with my boyfriend, I would definitely feel comfortable traveling here solo. I’ve even added it to my list of top solo female travel destinations. That said, if you plan on hiking solo make sure you follow my guide for solo female hiking.

What is typical Georgian cuisine?

Georgian cuisine is a reason enough to plan your next trip to Georgia. Below I’ve outlined some of the best places to eat in Georgia, but I also want to highlight a few dishes that you must try while in Tbilisi.

• Khinkali – if you only eat one thing in Georgia (if that is even possible), let is be khinkali. These are essentially Georgian soup dumplings that you eat with your hands. These doughy dumplings are filled with meat, potatoes, and/or cheese.
• Khachapuri – Easily the most popular Georgian dish outside of Georgian, eating Khachapuri is one of the best things to do in Tbilisi. One thing you’ll learn very quickly is that there are many different types of Khachapuri. The most popular are Adjarian khachapuri (filled with egg and cheese), Lobiani (filled with beans), Khabizgina (filled with potato).

Georgian Wine

Admittedly Georgian wine played a very large role in my decision to book a trip to Georgia.

Georgian wine is traditionally make in a qvevri, a clay pot underground. The traditional wine making method is done by putting everything into the qvevri – the seeds, the skins, everything. It is only after many weeks of fermenting in the qvevri that the wine is separated from the seeds and skins (otherwise known as the chacha).

A few popular types of wine to try while in Georgia are those made from rkatsiteli and saperavi. You can book a walking wine tour in Tbilisi if you’re interested, especially if you won’t be visiting the wine region.

1 Week Georgia Itinerary

We had just one week to spend in Georgia and so much that we wanted to see. Ultimately we broke our trip into three parts: the mountains, the wine region, and the city. This breakdown allowed us to see and do a ton of different things while spending 1 week in Georgia. I think that 1 week is enough time to get a great taste for the city, I would recommend at least 10-14 days if you have the time. Then again, no amount of time in a country ever feels like enough time for me.

• Day 1: Tbilisi
• Day 2: Kazbegi
• Day 3: Juta
• Day 4: Kazbegi – Sighnaghi
• Day 5: Sighnaghi
• Day 6: Sighnaghi
• Day 7: Tbilisi
• Day 8: Tbilisi

Day 1: Tbilisi

We arrived in Tbilisi on the later side, so it was already past dinner by the time that we made it to our AirBnB. We opted to stay right in the middle of the city center, so that we could be walking distance to our car rental the next morning.

Since most restaurants nearby were already closed, we grabbed some food from the local Spar to cook up for a dinner. Checking out local supermarkets is one of my favorite things to do when I visit a new country. And the Georgian supermarket did not disappoint. We grabbed an assortment of potato dumplings, snacks, water, and a few beers for less than $8 USD total.

Day 2: Tbilisi – Kazbegi

Get an early start on the day and make your way up north to Kazbegi. Kazbegi is a mountain town nestled at the foot of the Caucasus mountains in the northeast of Georgia in a region called Mtskheta-Mtianeti. Located just 153 km (95 miles) north of Georgia’s capital, Kazbegi can be reached by car in under 3 hours along the Georgian Military Road. 

After a bit of a travel hiccup with our original rental car, we ended up snagging a last-minute car and we were on our way! While you could drive the 3 hours straight through, I recommend making at least a half-day out of it. There are tons of beautiful spots to stop along the way. The Georgian Military Highway is a must-see in Georgia itself, so make the most of your drive.

We stayed at Rooms Hotels Kazbegi, a luxury hotel that is known as one of the top hotels in all of the country. I’m not usually one for fancy hotels, but I promise you that this one is worth every penny. It is something that you don’t want to miss on your 1 week in Georgia itinerary.

Day 3: Kazbegi – Juta

I recommend rising before the sun to make your way to the famous Gergeti Trinity Church, the most popular thing to do in Kazbegi. I go into more detail on my Kazbegi guide, but there are a number of ways to reach the church, including hiking or hiring a driver. Usually you can self-drive but currently part of the road is closed. You can make this hike as long as you want, depending on if you plan to continue hiking beyond the church.

After a late breakfast, make your way to the small mountain town of Juta. Juta is located just 30-45 minutes from Kazbegi, so it is also possible as a day trip. However, if you have the time I definitely recommend overnighting at Fifth Season. Make sure to book in advanced to snag one of their preferred rooms. We were lucky enough to grab a room the night before, but ended up in a room to ourselves with 2 bunk beds and a little twin bed. But worth it nevertheless!

I recommend not packing much for this leg of the trip as you will need to hike about 20-30 minutes (1.2 km, mostly uphill) from where you’re dropped off to reach Fifth Season. We packed a day bag and left the rest in our car in Kazbegi. However, if you do not have your own car you can most likely store it at your previous hotel/guesthouse in Kazbegi. If you do bring all of your luggage, however, there is an option to rent a horse to take you up.

There are a number of hikes in Juta that you can explore. The most famous, of course, is the multi-day hike from Juta to Roshka via the Chaukhi Pass. More on that hike below! Since we only had one full day in Juta, we hiked from Fifth Season to the lake, and then continued on to the first waterfall in the Upper Juta Valley. The hike should take you about 1 hour each way. There isn’t a ton of elevation gain, but if you haven’t acclimated to Juta’s already high elevation, you may find hiking to be a bit more difficult than usual.

Day 4: Juta – Kazbegi – Sighnaghi

We gave ourselves the morning in Juta to explore, which included a sunrise horseback ride to the lake (a must do if you have 1 week in Georgia!!). We stayed at Fifth Season which meant we were able to warm up afterwards with hot tea and pancakes, and an epic view of the mountains.

Our driver picked us up from Juta village around noon and we made our way back to Kazbegi to grab our car and start our drive to Sighnaghi. Here is where I would do things a little differently! We were advised by locals to take the longer, scenic route through the mountains. After driving over an hour on sketchy, bumpy mountain off-roads, this wouldn’t be my recommendations. The route that takes you through Tbilisi will definitely have much better maintained roads, even if there is a bit more traffic. In fact, if you have the time I would recommend dropping your rental car in Tbilisi and either taking public transportation or hire a private driver to take you to Sighnaghi. This is because you really won’t need your car at all once you reach Kakheti because ~wine~.

If you’re staying right in town, a meal at Pheasant’s Tear cellar is a must. While pricier than your average Georgian meal, both the food and wine is phenomenal.

Day 5: Sighnaghi

I recommend exploring the town in the morning, before any day tours of crowds arrive. From the local market selling spices and homemade wine, to the walls surrounding the town, there is plenty to see.

With a full day to explore Sighnaghi, we knew we wanted to hit up some local wineries. Today’s itinerary included an extensive wine tasting experience and tour at Cradle of Wine Marani. This is an excellent way to learn a ton about the traditional Kakhetian qvevri style of making wine in Georgia.

Another must-visit stop while in Sighnaghi is

Day 6: Sighnaghi

I had originally booked 2 nights in Sighnaghi at Three Gracia, a small homestay with excellent reviews. However, when we arrived around our long drive, we realized that I had booked for the wrong nights, oops! Luckily, our wonderful host to be was able to set us up with a room next door. And through that, we met Roman at Guest House Vista. Who graciously drove us to his private vineyard for a tour and tasting. Even if you’re not staying here, I highly recommend having your guesthouse give Roman a call to arrange this for you. It was definitely one of the highlights of our trip.

I also recommend getting outside of Sighnaghi to explore more of the Kakheti region. You’ll find tons of vineyards, both small and large to visit. These range from small family properties to larger commercial farms. If you don’t want to worry about planning, you can simply book a full day tour!

We decided to hire a driver to take us to Wine Yard N1, a small family vineyard in Kvareli. For 50 GEL per person you can enjoy a large meal, a tour of the property, and plenty of wine. The host, Tika, is super knowledge and quickly welcomes you into her home. Her and her dad even opened up a qvevri for us to try true unfiltered wine straight from the ground!

Day 7: Tbilisi

We drove back to Tbilisi directly from Sighnaghi in under two hours. Unfortunately the weather wasn’t in our favor when we checked into our penthouse apartment that we booked through airbnb. Nevertheless, we got to spend a rainy day eating meat-filled khinkali and soaking at one of the sulphur baths

Day 8: Tbilisi

Kazbegi Travel Guide

Things to do in Kazbegi

Hike to Gergeti Trinity Church

A visit to the famous Gergeti Trinity church is a must on any Kazbegi itinerary. This 14th century church is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the country. You can hike or hire a car to take you to the top. The road to the church is currently under construction (as of September 2021) so you will need a 4-wheeler for some off road driving. We paid a local driver to take us to the top, and then hiked down after watching the sun rise over the mountains. Expect to pay around 40-60 GEL for a taxi from town up to church and back, including waiting time at the top. Or you could just pay the driver for a one-way trip, and hike back down like we did!

Make sure to get a viewpoint with Mount Kazbek (Kazbegi Mountain) in the background. Sitting at 5,047 meters above sea level, it is the 3rd highest mountain in Georgia.

There are a number of different routes that you can take to the top, so I recommend following this guide if you plan to hike. If you’re looking for a more challenging hike, once you reach the top you can continue a few more miles to Gergeti Glacier. This hike is a full day hike so plan accordingly. I promise you that you’ll be ready for a glass of wine and a large plate of khinkali after that!

Spend a night at Rooms Hotel Kazbegi

Rooms Hotel Kazbegi is undoubtedly much pricier than the other simple guesthouses in the area, but I promise you it is worth the splurge! It was by far one of my favorite places that we stayed throughout our trip to Georgia. I’m not usually one for fancy hotels, as they can often feel sterile and a bit isolating from the local community. However, between the incredible views of Mount Kazbek and intricate interior details, a visit to Rooms Hotel is an experience in itself. You could spend a whole day just swimming in the mountain-view hot tub or pool, hanging in one of the hammocks, or simply enjoying a glass of wine of the patio. In the evening, you can cozy up by the fire as you sip chacha and play a round of pool. No detail goes unnoticed!

Explore the nearby towns of Sno and Juta

Just 5km outside of Stepantsminda you’ll arrive in the small town of Sno. It is actually on the way to Juta, so you can plan to stop here on your drive to Juta. In Sno you’ll find a number of sites, including a small church. However, the most remarkable site is definitely the Sno Heads. These heads, carved by local artist Merab Piranishvili, are of prominent figures in Georgia history. You can’t miss them as they are right on the side of the main road through town.

Located just 20km from Kazbegi town, Juta may have been my favorite place that we visited in all of Georgia. Do not skip this on your Georgia itinerary!! It reminded me of the jagged peaks of the Dolomites in Northern Italy. In order to reach Juta, you’ll want to make sure that you have a car that is suitable for off-roading, as you make your way through the (very) windy mountain roads.

Where to Eat in Kazbegi

Admittedly, we ate the majority of our meals at our hotel, Rooms Kazbegi. This was mostly out of convenience, however the food is also quite good! Even if you don’t stay here, make sure to stop by to enjoy a glass of wine and their delicious falafel salad with a view! While prices are higher than the local restaurants, they are still very reasonable. I recommend grabbing a falafel salad for 17 GEL and a glass of house wine for 9 GEL, and you can enjoy a meal for under $10 USD. And whatever you do, you must order a slice of the Rooms cheesecake. I still dream about it every day!

If you’re looking for more local spots, especially if you’re dining on a budget throughout your Georgia itinerary, I recommend the following:

• Kazbegi Good Food
• BeBa Bar
• Restaurant Cozy Corner

Where to Stay in Kazbegi

If you have the money in your budget to do so, definitely book a night at Rooms Hotel Kazbegi. It was one of the highlights of our Georgia itinerary. We opted for a mountain-facing room, but I personally don’t think the upgrade is worth the money. This is because there are so many great viewpoints throughout the property. The hotel’s location just north of town gives it one of the best views in town.

If you are traveling to Kazbegi on a budget, there are still plenty of great accommodation options. However, if you are traveling during the high season, make sure to book ahead of time! Here are a few good options for any budget:

• Chemodann Kazbegi ($80 USD/night)
• Hotel NOA Kazbegi ($25 USD/night)
• Homestay Lela and Mari ($20 USD/night)

Wherever you choose to stay in Kazbegi, you’ll just want to make sure that it is walking distance from the center of town if you don’t have your own car.

Sighnaghi Travel Guide

Things to do in Sighnaghi

Book a wine tasting at Cradle of Wine Marani

One of the main reason that I decided to plan a trip to Sighnaghi, Georgia was to learn more about the traditional wine culture. Georgian wine is traditionally make in a qvevri, a clay pot underground. The traditional wine making method is done by putting everything into the qvevri – the seeds, the skins, everything. It is only after many weeks of fermenting in the qvevri that the wine is separated from the seeds and skins (otherwise known as the chacha).

Cradle of Wine Marani is run by a man named Paul, an American who is originally from NYC. While this may not feel as authentic, it is an incredible way to learn so much about the traditional winemaking process, as well as the various toasts expected during a Georgian supra.

Visit a local vineyard (Roman of Guest House Vista offers an amazing experience)

As I mentioned above, visiting a local vineyard was by far one of our favorite experiences that we had while in Georgia. We learned that in 1992/1993, every family in Kakheti was given 4 lines of grapes to produce their own wine. While many trade or sold these lines of the years, it is still very common for families in the area to have their own vineyard. Roman of Guest House Vista drove us about 25 minutes from town to visit his personal vineyard. At this point he keeps the majority of wine for his own family to drink, but I hope one day he chooses to sell it as it was some of the best wine I’ve ever tried!

For just 20 GEL ($6.50 USD) each, Roman gave us a full tour of his vineyard, plus prepared a mini supra for us with wine, fruit, and homemade khachapuri.

Walk the walls of the city

One of the first things you’ll notice about Sighnaghi is the 4km defense wall that surrounds the town. The wall reminded me of a (much) smaller Great Wall of China. You can walk along the walls for some great views of the city, and a little exercise after all of the wine and kinkhalis. Simply spend some time exploring the old town. I recommend visiting the city walls in the morning or evening, as midday can get quite busy with tourists who are visiting Signagi on a day trip.

Visit the market (and try local wine)

One of my favorite things to do in Sighnaghi was to visit the local market. In fact, I think we stopped by every day of our visit to Sighnaghi for more goodies. Here you’ll find a plethora of local spices, as well as bottled wine, churchkhela and a local fruit leather. You’ll also find the famous hand-knit socks of the region.

One thing you’ll notice is that local wine in Sighnaghi is sold in plastic water bottles. Typically a small bottle costs 5 GEL and the full liter costs 10 GEL. If you visit the market you can taste the different types of wine before selecting your purchase.

Try churchkhela

When you were driving from Tbilisi to Sighnaghi, you probably noticed a sausage-like item being sold on the side of the road. This is actually churchkhela, a local Georgian dessert. Affectionately referred to as the “Georgian snickers,” churchkhela is made from nuts and grape juice, a by-product of the wine-making process. If you didn’t grab one on your way into town, you can find them sold in the local market. They come in a variety of flavors! Admittedly it wasn’t my favorite dessert, but I still recommend giving it a try.

Explore the greater Kakheti region

Sighnaghi is just a small slice of what the greater Kakheti region has to offer. You may want to base yourself out of Sighnaghi for your entire trip to Kakheti, or consider moving around a bit. Another popular area to consider is Telavi.

We opted to stay in one place in Sighnaghi, however we did hire a car to take us to visit Wine Yard N1, a farm winery. I definitely recommend visiting Wine Yard N1 while visiting Kakheti. We waited 50 GEL ($16 USD) each for a delicious meal, a tour of the property, and plenty of wine and chacha. Our host Tika even served us wine straight out of the qvevri, which was one of my favorite experiences in Georgia. You can send a message through Facebook to make a reservation.

Tbilisi Travel Guide

Things to do in Tbilisi

You could spend a week just in Tbilisi exploring. However, if you just have a day or two, i’ve outlined a few of my favorite things to do in the city.

Visit a Sulphur Bath

In Tbilisi, you’ll find almost a dozen ancient bath houses. The majority of these Persian-Ottoman style bath are located in the area of Abanotubani in the Old Town. These sulphur bath houses are a must-have experience when visiting Tbilisi. That said, not all bath houses are the same. They range from budget-friendly to luxury, public to private.

Booking an hour at one of the bath houses was one of our favorite experiences in Tbilisi. You typically book an hour or two in one of the private rooms. Prices range from $40-120 depending on the size of the room. Make sure that you book ahead! We tried to book same day and ended up with one of the more expensive rooms at Chreli Abano that fits up to 13 people.

When you book your room, you’ll have time and privacy to enjoy the various hot and cold baths, the saunas, and steam rooms. You also have the option of booking a kisi, or scrub.

Fabrika Tbilisi

Fabrika is a former soviet sewing factory that has been converted into one of the best places to socialize in Tbilisi. Fabrika offers a hostel, a number of casual restaurants, and plenty of space to drink, as well as a few boutiques.

Visit the Dry Bridge Flea Market

The Dry Bridge Market is a daily market in Tbilisi where you can find antiques, paintings, maps, and more. Exploring the market was one of our favorite things to do in Tbilisi. We walked away with an old film camera, a few antique maps, and a painting of the city. Make sure to bargain though!

The market is open daily from 10am to 5pm.

The Clock Tower

Located just a 10 minute walk from the Dry Bridge Flea Market, you’ll find one of Tbilisi’s most popular spots: the clock tower. The tower is tucked along a small little road, but you can usually find a number of people there snapping photos.

Built in 2011, the clock tower is attached to the puppet theatre, and houses both the largest and smallest clock in Tbilisi. There are plenty of other small intricate details on the clock to check out.

Chronicles of Georgia

Although slightly outside of the city center along the sea, the Chronicles of Georgia was one of my favorite things to do in Georgia. The monument consists of 16 pillars, each 30-35 meters each. As the name suggests, the monument chronicles the history of Georgia.

The easiest way to reach the Chronicles of Georgia is by a private Bolt car, the equivalent of Uber in Georgia. The average price is 20-40 GEL each way, and takes 20-25 minutes by car.

Where to Eat and Drink in Tbilisi

There are so many fantastic places to eat and drink in Tbilisi. Here are a few of my favorites:

• Salobie Bia
• Asi Khinkali
• Shemomechama
• Black Dog Bar
• mvino Underground
• Barbar’a Bar
• Wine Factory N1

Where to Stay in Tbilisi

We stayed at a penthouse airbnb in a more residential neighborhood. While it was a bit far walking from many of the popular things to do, Bolt made it super easy to get around.

• Penthouse Airbnb – we absolutely fell in love with our airbnb in Tbilisi. Although it wasn’t super central, private Bolt cars made it super easy to get around. The apartment was huge, with a large bedroom, living room, and spacious kitchen. There is also a large outdoor patio and a rooftop with 360 panoramic views of the entire city.
• Rooms Hotel Tbilisi
• Stamba Hotel
• Fabrika Hostel

How Much Does it Cost to Visit Georgia?

I am currently working on a full guide just on the costs of visiting Georgia, but for now I’ll give you a few details. The first thing that I’ll say is that Georgia can be extremely budget friendly if you want it to be. Not including flights, I spent $900 for 1 week in Georgia. While these costs are still relatively low, there are many things that we could have done to easily cut these costs in half. Here is how our budget broke down:

• Accomodation: $236
• Activities: $115
• Food/Drink: $270
• Covid Tests: $25
• Gifts/Shopping: $30
• Transportation: $224

Based on the above, accommodation broke down to $33/day per person. While this could have been much cheaper as some of our hotels were only $15/night total, we also splurged on a few luxury hotels. However, with our itinerary we actually booked 9 nights of hotels, as we wanted to be able to check into our airbnb early in the morning, as well as have a place to stay on the night we were flying out.

The two categories where we definitely could have spent less were in the Food/Drink category and Transportation. We ate a LOT. I’m talking bursting at the seams at the end of every meal. But who could blame us? We wanted to enjoy everything that Georgia had to offer. And that included wine. Lots and lots of wine, including a few bottles to bring back home to the US. If are traveling to Georgia on a budget you could eat for much less than our $38.50 per day.

Lastly, we spent more on transportation than we probably needed to. I say this because we kept our rental car while in Sighnaghi, even though we didn’t drive it once (hello wine country). A more economical decision would have been to drop the car in Tbilisi after Kazbegi, and take the shuttle bus to Sighnaghi. However, this was also a safer decision for us with the country only recently coming out of lockdown when we visited.

Where else to visit in Georgia

There are so many other places to visit in Georgia that I didn’t mention on this itinerary. But don’t worry, I’m already planning another trip back to visit them myself. Here are a few of those places:

• Mestia and Ushguli in Upper Svaneti (a UNESCO Heritage Site)
• Batumi
• Kutaisi
• Gori

Already planning your Georgia itinerary? Here are some other articles to check out:

• Sighnaghi Travel Guide
• Kazbegi Travel Guide

Make sure your pin this Georgia itinerary to reference later!