Today I want to bring you my 6-day Georgia and Armenia itinerary. These underrated countries in the Caucasus sit on the border of Europe and Asia. They’re worth a special trip for their stunning scenery, rich history, deep-rooted winemaking traditions, and cultural highlights. I’m here now and I can’t wait to show you around. Read on for my guide. There’s a map, too.
Georgia and Armenia Itinerary
Georgia and Armenia aren’t on most travelers’ radar screens. They should be, though. Along with Azerbaijan, they’re nestled between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, and there’s a lot to love about them.
Whether you’re interested in learning about the history of wine, seeing early Christian monasteries, taking in stunning mountain scenery, or exploring cities full of heritage, you’ll find a lot to get excited about while you’re visiting the Caucasus.
I’ve wanted to come here since I studied about the countries in my school days and university years, and now that I’m in the region I’m excited to share what I discover.
Where to Stay in Georgia and Armenia
My other half and I are spending 4 days in Georgia and 2 in Armenia, and we’re basing ourselves in their respective capitals of Tbilisi and Yerevan while we visit the region. We’ve found great hotels in both cities, and we’re excited for our stays.
In Tbilisi we’ve been offered a complimentary stay at the ROOMS hotel. This hip number is centrally located, and it has stylish guest accommodations with balconies.
On the ground floor there’s a cool bar and restaurant, not to mention a delicious breakfast each morning. If that appeals, you can book a room here.
In Yerevan we’re staying at the Apricot Hotel. This boutique number is in a great location in the heart of the city.
The expansive guest rooms have heritage details, and the hotel offers Armenian hospitality at high-level standards.
Best of all, the beautiful top floor restaurant has sweeping views of the city. It’s the perfect place to indulge in a leisurely breakfast each morning. If that appeals, you can book a room here.
6-Day Georgia and Armenia Itinerary
My other half and I arrive in Tbilisi early on a Sunday morning. After landing at the airport at 4:45am, we take a taxi into the city and drop our bags at the ROOMS hotel. We’re tired, but we’re excited to start exploring.
Day 1: Tbilisi & Mtskheta
We start our trip with breakfast and coffee. We head straight to a place called Daily Grind Coffee & More, which is famous for both.
This cool cafe is just off Liberty Square in the heart of Tbilisi, and we enjoy espresso drinks and delicious pastries as the city wakes up around us.
Sightseeing in Tbilisi
After breakfast we embark on a big day of sightseeing in Tbilisi. We walk through Liberty Square with its column topped by a statue of Saint George. We then check out the old city walls before heading up the famous Shota Rustaveli Avenue.
There we pass landmarks like the Georgian National Museum, Viceroy Palace, the Georgian Museum of Fine Arts, parliament, the National Gallery, and the Opera and Ballet Theater of Tbilisi as we make our way north.
Soon we head back down to explore Ioane Shavteli Street. This narrow pedestrianized stretch has everything from a patchwork clock tower to the 6th-century Anchiskhati Basilica and lots of shops and restaurants.
After checking them out, we take a short walk to the Kura River, where we cross the famous Bridge of Peace. This steel-and-glass pedestrian number is one of the contemporary highlights of Tbilisi.
On the other side of the river, we wander through the Rike Park. We admire the views of the Mother of Georgia statue and the Narikala Fortress before crossing the Metekhi Bridge to explore the old town and Meidan Bazaar.
The market is a tunnel-like space underground, and it’s full of fun finds. After walking through it, we check out more of the area, see the sulfur bathhouse with its domed rooftops, and settle in on the upper floor of a restaurant called Terrace #21.
There we get our first taste of famous Georgian foods like khachapuri (boat-shaped cheese bread) and khinkali (dumplings).
Jvari Monastery, Mtskheta & Chronicles of Georgia
After lunch we head off on a half-day tour to the Jvari Monastery, Mtskheta, and the Chronicles of Georgia. It starts as our guide picks us up at our hotel and takes us on a short drive to the area they’re in.
The clifftop Orthodox monastery dates back to the 6th century. It has rich historical details and amazing views of the city of Mtskheta and the confluence of the Kura and Aragvi rivers below.
After touring the monastery we drive Mtskheta. It’s not only one of the oldest cities in Georgia, but also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It’s the birthplace of Christianity in Georgia, too.
We’re here to see the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, an 11th-century Orthodox church that’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We tour the historic interior as our guide tells us about the history of the cathedral and points out the 4th-century baptismal font.
The last stop on our tour is the Chronicles of Georgia. This unfinished monument atop Keeni Hill is comprised of 16 tall pillars with metal sculptural reliefs.
It was started in 1985 by sculptor Zurab Tsereteli. He created it to commemorate the 3,000-year anniversary of Georgian statehood and the 2,000-year anniversary of Christianity in Georgia.
Evening in Tbilisi
After the tour we check into our hotel room and head to a place called Fabrika for drinks. This former factory has been transformed into a multi-functional cultural center packed with cafes, bars, artist studios, shops, and more. There’s even a hostel.
We get drinks from one of the bars and settle in at an outdoor table in the huge interior courtyard. There are people everywhere, and it’s a fun place for a pre-dinner cocktail.
Afterwards we walk to dinner at Shavi Lomi. This cool restaurant is tucked away in a former house on a residential street. Inside we find a series of rooms with cool decor.
We’re seated in the largest of them and we tuck into a dinner of traditional Georgian food and wine. It’s a great way to end the first day of our trip.
Day 2: Tbilisi & Wine Tour
The next morning our Georgia and Armenia itinerary continues as we wake up early to do a bit more sightseeing before heading off on a big wine tour.
Tbilisi Funicular
Our first stop is the Tbilisi Funicular. We’ve heard there are amazing views from Mtatsminda Park at the top, and we’re not disappointed.
We can see the whole city from here, including landmarks like the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi. It’s the largest functional church in Georgia and the third largest Orthodox cathedral in the world.
Wine Tour
At 10:45 we’re picked up by our guide from Eat This! Tours, a local company with a great reputation that’s offered us a complimentary excursion. He whisks us and two others off on a day-long trip from Tbilisi.
Eat This! Tours offers a range of 1-day and multi-day excursions, and we’re going on the first leg of their 2-day Kakheti Food & Wine Tour. You can see it and more on their website. Use the code lady5 for a 5% discount.
The tour starts with an hour’s drive to the first winery of the day. We take a tour of the modern facility, learning about the 8,000-year-old winemaking tradition in Georgia. We also get to see how they make wine in large clay vessels called qvevri.
After the tour we enjoy a delicious multi-course lunch and wine pairing in the tasting room. It’s a great way to try Georgian specialties and see how the local wines taste with them. Our favorite is a red wine made from the saperavi grape.
From the winery we drive to the mountain village of Sighnaghi. This historic place is full of cobbled streets and shops.
It’s also home to city walls that make up the longest fortification in Europe. We walk along them, taking in the views over the Alazani Valley and Causasus Mountains.
Afterwards we head to a local family-run winery in the village. We’re here for a short tour and tasting. We see the qvevri buried in the ground, then settle in at a table by a fireplace and sip a range of Georgian wines.
From Sighnaghi our wine tour continues with a trip to a vineyard. We’re not here during the harvest, but there are a few grapes clinging to the vines.
We do a quick pick, then drive to a local family’s home to tread the grapes with our feet in a big wooden trough. I’ve always wanted to do this, and it’s as fun as I imagined.
After the crush, we head down to the cellar to learn about our host’s wine. He explains his process, gives us a taste, then leads us up into the dining room for a traditional Georgian supra (feast).
He’s the tamada, or toastmaster, and as we enjoy our food we learn about the importance of giving toasts in Georgian culture.
The dinner is as delicious as the toasts are entertaining, and afterwards we drive back to Tbilisi for a good night’s sleep.
Day 3: Rainbow Mountains, Natlismtsemeli Monastery & David Gareji
The next morning our Georgia and Armenia itinerary continues as we embark on a day trip to the Rainbow Mountains, the Natlismtsemeli Monastery, and the Davit Gareja monastery (and a few other places along the way).
Rainbow Mountains
After meeting our tour group in the city center, we make a quick breakfast stop at a delicious pastry stand in the neighboring city of Rustavi.
From there our tour gets underway with an off-road drive past flocks of sheep and into the countryside. Soon we pull up to the Mravaltskaro Reservoir, a beautiful lake surrounded by mountains, and start on a hike.
The 2.5-mile (4-kilometer) route takes us up above the water and to the Rainbow Mountains. These unique hills are striped with natural colors, and they’re beautiful to see up close.
After the hike we continue our tour with a drive to the Natlismtsemeli Monastery. Dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, this 6th-century cave monastery is steeped in history. The views from the top of the tower outside are breathtaking, too.
From there we continue our day trip with a drive to the David Gareji monastery complex on the slopes of Mount Gareja. This ancient Georgian Orthodox site also has a cave monastery, and it’s fascinating to take in the history here.
After visiting the monasteries we head to a local restaurant in the village of Udabno for lunch. Afterwards we stop for a quick winery tour and tasting at a local family’s home.
Evening in Tbilisi
Back in Tbilisi, we head to dinner at a restaurant called Barbarestan. It’s unique in that it serves traditional Georgian cuisine from recipes found in a historic cookbook.
The atmosphere is cozy, the service attentive, and the food (and Georgian wine) delicious. It’s a great way to end our day, and we can’t help recommending it to everyone else we meet on our trip.
Day 4: Kazbegi
The next morning our Georgia and Armenia itinerary continues as we set off on a day trip to Kazbegi. We’ve been offered a complimentary tour with Gamarjoba Georgia Tours, a company that runs excursions throughout Georgia.
Kazbegi
After meeting at the company’s office in Tbilisi, we board a mini-bus and head off to the Zhinvali Reservoir. This lake is located on the Aragvi River, and there are beautiful views of it from where we stop. There are also lots of souvenir stands where we browse for gifts.
From the reservoir our tour continues with a stop at the Ananuri Fortress Complex. Dating back to the 17th century, it overlooks the Zhinvali Reservoir. It’s a classic example of traditional Georgian architecture.
We explore the historic church, then climb to the top of the tower for views over the lake. They’re breathtaking.
After a quick stop for lunch at a local restaurant, we drive deep into the Caucasus Mountains. The scenery is stunning, and we can’t take our eyes off the views.
Eventually we reach Stepantsminda (also called Kazbegi), a town near Mount Kazbek. There we board vans that drive us up a winding hill to get to the Gergeti Trinity Church. This sacred place was built in the 14th century, and it’s the highest-elevation church in Georgia.
After touring the church and seeing the historic interiors, we stop at the ROOMS Hotel Kazbegi for hot chocolate. This contemporary lodge has stunning views of the mountains, and it’s the perfect place to sip cocoa with a view.
Leaving the hotel, we start our drive back to Tbilisi. On the way we make a final stop at the Panorama Gudauri, a Georgian-Russian friendship monument from the Soviet era. There are stunning views from it.
We pick up some khachapuri at one of the food stalls next to it, then settle in for the long drive back to the capital.
Late Dinner in Tbilisi
We arrive back at the ROOMS hotel in Tbilisi around 9pm and settle in for a light dinner at the bar. It’s buzzing with a hip crowd, and we soak up the scene as we enjoy cocktails and light bites after a big day of sightseeing.
Day 5: Armenia
The next morning our Georgia and Armenia itinerary continues as we set off to spend the next 2 days in Armenia. We’ve booked a private tour, and we’re excited to see what Armenia has in store for us.
Armenia
We check out of our hotel at 8am and leave Tbilisi before traffic hits. We reach the border crossing in an hour, and it’s a quick process to get our passports checked and stamped.
Armenia Tour
Back on the road, we make our first stop at the Haghpat Monastery. This UNESCO World Heritage Site in the town of Alaverdi was built between the 10th and 13th centuries.
Our guide takes us on a tour, explaining everything from the history to the architecture as we stand in awe of it.
From there we continue our tour with a quick lunch stop at a big roadside food court and a trip to Lake Sevan. It’s not only the largest body of water in the Caucasus, but also one of the largest freshwater alpine lakes in Eurasia.
While here we take in the views and pop into the Sevanavank Monastery, which is situated on what used to be an island in the lake.
The next stop on our tour is the Monastery of Geghard. It’s located at the entrance to the Azat Valley near Yerevan.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the monastery was founded in the 4th century. It was an important ecclesiastical and cultural center in medieval Armenia, and it’s unique in that it was partially carved out of the mountain it sits on.
We head into the caves to see the historic site, awed by the history, the columns, and the carvings inside.
From there we make a short drive to the Garni Temple. It’s a reconstruction of a classical building in the village of Garni that dates back to the 1st century.
The best-known structure from pre-Christian Armenia, it’s thought to be a pagan temple built by King Tiridates I as a tribute to the sun god Mihr (Mithra). Whatever it is, it’s stunning to see with the sun setting behind it.
Evening in Yerevan
After admiring the temple, we head into Yerevan. Our driver drops us off at the Apricot Hotel, where we check into our room and get ready for a night out.
Our first stop is a cool cocktail bar called Simona. We order their excellent signature drinks and chat with the bartender. He tells us about everything from Armenian brandy to his favorite places in Yerevan.
Afterwards we walk to dinner at Renommee. This fine dining restaurant in Yerevan is known for its tasting menus, theatrical presentation, and great wines.
We settle in for an evening of culinary delight as our server takes us on a journey through modern Armenian cuisine. From eggplant to trout and a delicious apricot dessert, it’s our favorite meal of the trip.
Day 6: Armenia
The next morning our Georgia and Armenia itinerary continues as we check out of our hotel after breakfast and head off for another day of sightseeing in Armenia.
Yerevan Tour
We start in Yerevan. Our guide takes us to cultural highlights like the Cascade Complex and Cafesjian Center for the Arts before driving us to a brandy tasting at a local factory.
We tour the factory, the highlight of which is a trip underground. We walk through rows of enormous barrels and into centuries-old caves, all while learning that the wall next to us dates back to the 6th century. We also get to taste fortified wine from 1944.
Leaving the factory, we continue our tour with a stop at the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial complex. It’s is dedicated to the memory of the 1.5 million Armenians who perished in the genocide in the early the 20th century. It’s a moving tribute.
After touring the museum and visiting the memorial outside, we drive to our last stop in Yerevan: the Victory Park. This place has everything from old military airplanes to a monumental statue of Mother Armenia and views over the city.
Dilijan
After waving good-bye to Yerevan, we hop in the car to start the drive back to Tbilisi. We make a lunch stop at the same place we went to the day before, then pop into the historic resort village of Dilijan.
It’s situated in the heart of Dilijan National Park, and it’s known for its historic buildings, charming atmosphere, and small handicraft shops.
We walk around with our guide, taking in the atmosphere and seeing the Greek-style amphitheater in town.
From there we drive back to Georgia. We arrive in time for a late dinner at a casual restaurant called Mussels Place. We like the cool interior, and we love that the menu features a lot of seafood. It’s a great restaurant for the last meal of our trip.
Georgia and Armenia Itinerary
The next morning we’re up eye-wateringly early for our trip back to London. We’re traveling via Austria, where we’re stopping to spend a day in Vienna. But that’s the subject of another blog post.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this 6-day Georgia and Armenia itinerary and that it’s given you good ideas for things to do in the Caucasus. There’s a lot to love about this underrated region, and it’s ripe for exploring.
Georgia and Armenia Map
As promised, I created an interactive Google map of all the spots we visited on our trip to Georgia and Armenia. You can see it here. I hope it helps you follow in our footsteps and have a fun time in the Caucasus.
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