Georgia sits at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, where Silk Road stories mingle with modern cafes and mountain air. From the cobbled lanes of Old Tbilisi to the vineyards of Kakheti and the snowy shoulders of the Caucasus, this compact country rewards curiosity at every turn.

History lovers will trace ancient Christian monuments at Mtskheta, while food travelers discover qvevri wines and comfort dishes like khinkali dumplings and Adjarian khachapuri. Street art, sulfur baths, flea markets, and balcony-laced houses create a mood that’s equal parts poetic and playful.

Practical notes: cards are widely accepted in cities, but keep cash for markets and villages. Dress modestly for churches; carry a scarf. Georgian hospitality is legendary—arrive hungry. This 7-day itinerary splits time between Tbilisi and Stepantsminda (Kazbegi), with smart day trips and detailed food picks.

Tbilisi

Tbilisi is an atmospheric city where Persian-style bathhouses steam beneath a 4th-century fortress and 19th-century mansions lean over the Kura River. Wander from sulfur domes to modern bridges, tasting your way through bakeries, wine bars, and market stalls.

• Top sights: Narikala Fortress, Abanotubani sulfur baths, Metekhi Church, Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba), the Chronicles of Georgia monument, and Dry Bridge flea market.
• Why visit: layered history, excellent coffee and natural wine culture, and easy day trips to UNESCO-listed Mtskheta and the Kakheti wine region.
• Where to stay:
  • Design-forward: Stamba Hotel (brutalist glam, leafy courtyard, great café).
  • Boutique classic: Rooms Hotel Tbilisi (retro-chic, lively bar scene).
  • Budget/social: Fabrika Hostel & Suites (industrial complex with bars and galleries).
  • Browse more: Hotels.com – Tbilisi or apartments on VRBO – Tbilisi.
• Getting there: fly into Tbilisi (TBS). Search fares via Omio (flights to/from Europe), Trip.com (global flights), or Kiwi.com. Many European hubs have 3–5 hr directs; regional low-cost carriers run seasonal routes.

Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)

Stepantsminda—still fondly called Kazbegi—is a valley town ringed by serrated peaks. The postcard shot is Gergeti Trinity Church perched under mighty Mount Kazbek; the reality is even better with alpine meadows, waterfalls, and khinkali houses.

• Top sights: Gergeti Trinity Church, Dariali Gorge, Gveleti Waterfalls, Juta village and the Chaukhi Massif.
• Why visit: big-mountain scenery within a half-day of Tbilisi, village warmth, and hearty mountain fare.
• Where to stay: rooms and guesthouses with panoramic terraces—search Hotels.com – Stepantsminda or cabins on VRBO – Stepantsminda.
• Travel note: the Georgian Military Highway is 150 km (3–3.5 hrs by car) with scenic stops at Ananuri Fortress and the Jinvali Reservoir. Summer brings wildflowers; winter can mean snow delays—check road conditions.

Day 1: Arrive in Tbilisi, Sulfur Baths and a First Taste of the City

Morning: In transit. Book flights via Omio, Trip.com, or Kiwi.com. Aim to land by early afternoon to make the most of Old Tbilisi.

Afternoon: Check in, drop bags, and stroll Abanotubani’s bath district. Book a private room at Chreli Abano or Orbeliani Bathhouse; the mineral soak and scrub are perfect after a flight. Coffee at Coffee LAB (single-origin pours) or Prospero’s Bookshop & Café (quiet, leafy courtyard).

Evening: Join this gentle orientation through the old town with tastings and a river view cruise:
Tbilisi: Evening Walking & Talking Tour with Wine & Boat Ride

Afterward, dine at Barbarestan (heritage recipes from an 1874 cookbook—try chakapuli or adjapsandali). For a casual spot, Salobie Bia serves excellent lobio (bean stew) with mchadi cornbread. Nightcap at 41 Gradus (creative cocktails) or Warszawa Bar (retro dive, shots and pickles).

Day 2: Old Tbilisi, Cable Car Views, and Modern Wine Bars

Morning: Breakfast at Stamba Café (shakshuka, house pastries) or Tone (Fabrika) for fresh toné bread with sulguni cheese. Ride the Rike Park cable car to the hilltop Mother of Georgia; walk to Narikala Fortress for panoramic photos, then descend by stone lanes to the Meidan bazaar for spices and churchkhela.

Afternoon: Visit Sameba Cathedral’s monumental complex, then wander the Dry Bridge flea market for Soviet memorabilia and local art. Grab khachapuri adjaruli at Retro or Machakhela; watch the egg set as you stir in butter at the table.

Evening: Explore Marjanishvili and Aghmashenebeli Avenue’s neo-classical facades and courtyards. Dinner at Keto and Kote (romantic garden, West Georgian dishes like chkmeruli chicken). Sample natural wines at 8000 Vintages—ask for a qvevri amber from Kakheti and a spritzy mtsvane pet-nat.

Day 3: Mtskheta and the Chronicles of Georgia, Back to the Baths

Morning: Head 30 minutes to the ancient capital for UNESCO-listed treasures on a compact tour:
Tbilisi: Mtskheta, Jvari, Bazaar, wine tasting, Chronicles of Georgia (5-hour)

You’ll see Jvari Monastery’s hilltop viewpoint and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, then the striking “Georgian Stonehenge” monument back in Tbilisi.

Afternoon: Lunch at Pasanauri (khinkali specialists—pepper the tops, bite, slurp the broth). Browse Fabrika’s courtyard studios for local crafts. Coffee at Skola or Hurma for a lighter, modern menu.

Evening: Reserve a private sulfur bath you didn’t try on Day 1 for round two. Dinner at Shavi Lomi (The Black Lion) for seasonal plates in a cozy townhouse—order pkhali spreads and veal chakapuli. For live music and a dram, try Tsiskvili or climb to Wine Factory N1’s courtyard for a mellow late night.

Day 4: Full-Day Kakheti Wine Country (Sighnaghi, Bodbe, Kvareli)

Full-day tour into Georgia’s wine heartland with tastings and hilltown views:
Day Trip to Kakheti Wine Region Including 9 Wine Tastings

Expect a mix of family cellars and established producers, with qvevri amber wines, chacha, and a supra-style lunch. Walk Sighnaghi’s walls at golden hour for Alazani Valley vistas. Back in Tbilisi, keep dinner light—perhaps shawarma from Shemomechama or a salad and khachapuri share at Entree—after a generous day of tastings.

Day 5: Tbilisi to Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) via the Georgian Military Highway

Morning: Depart around 8:30–9:00 a.m. for the 150 km drive (3–3.5 hrs). For a comfortable ride, consider:
Tbilisi–Kazbegi Shared Transfer

Budget option: marshrutka from Didube Station (~$8, 3.5–4 hrs). Private car with scenic stops runs ~$100–150 per car.

Afternoon: Stop at Jinvali Reservoir (turquoise photo stop) and Ananuri Fortress (16–17th c. roadside citadel). In Gudauri, pause at the Russia–Georgia Friendship Monument for a cliff-edge panorama. Arrive Stepantsminda and check in.

Evening: Dinner at Rooms Hotel Kazbegi’s terrace (trout with tarragon, mountain herb salads) or Restaurant Khevi (hearty kharcho, khinkali). Dessert at Café 5047m with hot chocolate and warm apple cake. Early night under starry skies.

Day 6: Gergeti Church, Waterfalls, and Village Walks

Morning: Hike or 4x4 up to Gergeti Trinity Church (2170 m). The trail takes 1.5–2.5 hrs uphill; a local 4x4 costs ~$15–25 round-trip per person. On clear days, Mount Kazbek’s glacier dominates the horizon—carry a wind layer.

Afternoon: Choose an easy add-on: Gveleti Waterfalls (short walk from the trailhead; pack grippy shoes) or a transfer to Juta village (45–60 min) for the Chaukhi “Dolomites” meadow walk. Picnic with local cheese and churchkhela from town shops.

Evening: Return to Tbilisi (3–3.5 hrs) to be closer to the airport tomorrow. Late dinner back in the capital: Dine at Rigi for Western Georgian specialties (odjakuri, elarji) or Ezo for courtyard comfort food. If you prefer to stay in the mountains a second night, shift tomorrow’s morning plan accordingly and allow travel buffer for your flight.

Day 7: Tbilisi Slow Morning, Last Bites, Departure

Morning: Leisurely breakfast—try Puri Guliani for freshly baked breads, then pop into the National Gallery for Niko Pirosmani’s naive masterpieces if time allows. Pick up last-minute souvenirs: blue supra tablecloths, spice blends, and clay qvevri miniatures at the Dezerter Bazaar or a boutique near Rustaveli.

Afternoon: Transfer to the airport. For train or onward travel elsewhere in the region, check Omio (trains in Europe), Omio (buses in Europe), or Trip.com Trains for Asia. Flights: compare via Omio, Trip.com, or Kiwi.com. Safe travels—gaumarjos!

Where to Stay: Quick Picks

• Tbilisi design hotels: Stamba Hotel, Rooms Hotel Tbilisi. Social budget: Fabrika Hostel & Suites. More choices: Hotels.com – Tbilisi or VRBO – Tbilisi.
• Stepantsminda (Kazbegi): Panoramic terraces and chalet-style inns—search Hotels.com – Stepantsminda and VRBO – Stepantsminda.

Food & Drink Cheatsheet (Save for Later)

• Khachapuri: Retro (Adjarian), Alubali (Megrelian-style cheese bomb).
• Khinkali: Pasanauri; order mix of beef-pork and mushroom. Eat with hands—no fork leaks!
• Classic dinners: Barbarestan; Keto and Kote; Shavi Lomi; Ezo courtyard for relaxed evenings.
• Wine bars: 8000 Vintages; g.vino for flights of amber wines and mtsvadi skewers.
• Coffee & breakfast: Stamba Café; Coffee LAB; Prospero’s Bookshop & Café; Hurma for healthy bowls.

Optional add-ons if you extend: Uplistsikhe cave town and Gori’s Stalin Museum (pair with Mtskheta), or a cross-border Armenia day trip for medieval monasteries and lake views (check guided options departing Tbilisi on other days from Viator’s Armenia listings above).

In one week, you’ll taste qvevri wine, soak in centuries-old baths, and stand beneath the Caucasus sky. Georgia’s warmth lingers—on your palate, in your photo roll, and most of all in the memory of every table where you were urged, lovingly, to take one more helping.