10 Historic Towns to Visit in Georgia

While there’s certainly no shortage of historic small towns in the state of Georgia, if you really want to go old-school, you need to head to the other Georgia- the Republic of Georgia in Eastern Europe. Georgia is famous for its delicious wine, the whimsical and cosmopolitan capital city of Tbilisi, and many smaller towns where you can step back in time and really get a good understanding of Georgian culture. The great news is that there’s truly something for everyone, and in addition to checking out the history, you’ll also be able to occupy yourself in all of these towns.

With an ancient cave city that features over a dozen monasteries, a sky-high mountainous town that’s utterly remote and inaccessible during the winter, and a ski town that used to be an essential trading post, Georgia’s historic towns are varied and delightful. Put these ten towns on your list next time you go across the pond.

The impressive and ancient city of Vardzia is one of the most interesting sites in southern Georgia. The cave monastery city is about three and a half hours from the capital of Tbilisi and contains fifteen separate sacred sites, including the Church of Dormination, which is full of frescos and artwork. If you leave early enough, Vardzia is an easy day trip from Tbilisi. The caves date back to the twelfth century and were an important part of Georgian history during the reign of King Tamar.

One of the best aspects of this city is that you can have free reign to explore nearly all of it, and a single-entry ticket gives you the bandwidth to go at your own pace. Plan to spend the better part of the day at the caves and be careful visiting when it’s raining, as the caves can get very slippery.

2. Mestia

Svaneti, Georgia’s gorgeous northern mountainous region, is rapidly becoming a tourist destination, and once you visit, it’s easy to see why. Nestled in the Upper Caucasus mountains, Mestia is the gateway to Svaneti. It is a great place to see the famous Svan towers, enjoy Svan specialties like kubdari, and visit the Svaneti Historical Ethnographical Museum.

The Svaneti Ethnographical Museum has thousands of region-specific relics that have been unearthed from Svaneti. Visitors will have the opportunity to get an authentic peek into the region’s history and story told through wooden tools, armor, and religious relics. If you’re interested in ancient history and want to spend some time in one of Georgia’s most interesting regions, it’s time to check out Mestia.

Mtskheta is one of the most convenient places to visit from Tbilisi, and it’s packed with history. At under 30 minutes away from Georgia’s capital, you can easily spend the morning or afternoon there. Mtskheta is ancient, dating back to the 2nd millennium B.C.E., and its prime position between the Aragvi and Kura rivers means that early humans would find it an excellent palace to settle down.

Mtskheta is also considered a holy city in Georgian Orthodox tradition, and its monuments are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Top sights in the city include the Jvari Monastery, Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, and the Samtavro Monastery. It’s also an excellent place to get wine ice cream.

4. Sighnaghi

Khaketi’s fantastic wine-region town of Sighnaghi is easily one of the prettiest small towns in the country. With charming, winding streets, plenty of traditional wineries, and tons of history, Sighnaghi is definitely worth the trip. You can get there by minibus, or rent a car.

One of the most interesting aspects of Sighnaghi is its connection to famous Georgian artist Nikos Pirosmani, and you can see plenty of examples of his work at the Historical-Ethnographic Museum of Sighnaghi. If you love fine art and want to learn more about Georgia’s famous wine culture, Sighnaghi is a tremendous place to visit.

5. Gori

Most people think that Joseph Stalin, the infamous leader of the Soviet Union, was Russian, but he, like Catherine the Great, was not. Stalin was actually Georgian and was born in Gori. You can visit his childhood home and the Stalin Museum. The museum can be visited in half a day, and the town is just a few hours north of Tbilisi. You can rent a car or hop in a shared minivan. 

While modern history buffs will certainly enjoy peeking into Stalin’s private train car and seeing depictions of his life, this destination also has some older history. The Gori fortress dates back to the 7th century, and Gori was an important and strategic town long before the great Soviet dictator was born.

If you spend any time in Georgia, you’re likely to come across a bottle of sparkling Borjomi water, which tastes delicious all on its own or with a splash of fruit juice. What a lot of people don’t know is that you can get Borjomi water straight from the source. Bring an empty bottle and fill it up while enjoying some of the best nature that Georgia has to offer.

Borjomi dates back to the Middle Ages and features three essential forts: Sali, Gogia, and Petra. You can hike to these ruins and get a spectacular view of Borjomi. This town is also a fabulous place to visit if you’re craving some spa time, as there are several fine resorts in town.

7. Gudari

Gudari is a former trading post town that’s since become one of Georgia’s premier destinations for winter sports, including skiing and snowboarding. It’s also relatively close to the Georgian-Russian Friendship Monument, which celebrates trade and comradery between the two countries. The Georgian-Russian Friendship Monument is well worth seeing, and you can get some spectacular views of the mountains from the top of it. Definitely make time to stop at it for a few minutes.

You’ll also find fantastic skiing in Gudari, including slopes that are appropriate for all levels. You can also find plenty of ski instructors, places to stay for all budgets, and adventure sports like heli-skiing and snowmobiling. Those who visit during the warmer months will find plenty of horseback riding in this part of the country.

Stepantsminda is easily one of the most beautiful towns in all of Georgia, set against the Caucasus Mountains and dominated by Mount Kazbeg. You’ll hear this town referred to by different names, including Kazbegi,  but it was actually named after a monk who saved people in the town from avalanches by having them relocate south of the mountain.

Aside from Mount Kazbeg, the most defining feature of Stepantsminda is the Gergeti Trinity Church, a 14th-century religious site with absolutely stunning art and frescos inside, as well as historical relics like Saint Nino’s Cross. Stepantsminda is an excellent place for hiking and trekking, although the hike to Kazbeg Glacier can be a little more difficult in the winter.

9. Omalo

Tusheti is a remote area north of Khaketi and is only accessible during the summer and shoulder months. The sole road to Tusheti is impassible in the winter and even during the summer; this area of the country is very rural and historic. You won’t find conveniences like grocery stores or even too many accommodations or ATMs in Tusheti.

Omalo is one of the key villages in Tusheti and the jumping-off point for people who are hiking or trekking through the area. Key historical sights include Keselo fortress and other ruins that date back to the Bronze Age. Omalo is not just historic, though; you’ll find plenty of animals here that you wouldn’t see anywhere else in the country, like lynxes.

10. Ushguli

Upper Svaneti’s Ushguli is one of the most remote villages in the region, and it’s an excellent place to check out the region’s famous Svan towers. You can also visit the 12th Century Lamaria Church, which is very close to Ushguli, and see some beautifully preserved frescos. Ushguli is very remote, and you won’t find ATMs or supermarkets there. If you visit, bring cash and book your accommodations well in advance.

If you’re feeling especially ambitious, you can always make the trek from Mestia to Ushguli, stopping in several preserved Svan towns along the way. Most people prefer to trek during the summer, but you can visit both Ushguli and Mestia in the winter because Vanilla Sky, a local airline, flies directly to Mestia.

If Georgia isn’t on your mind, it certainly should be. These ten historic towns give you a deep look into what makes this country so special, showcasing the fantastic wine culture, incredible churches, and ancient fortresses. Whether you find yourself in the remote hills of Tusheti or prefer to stick a bit closer to Tbilisi by visiting this holy city of Mtskheta, you’ll find delightful historic surprises around every corner.