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Southern Georgia · forests & cave towns

Explore Samtskhe-Javakheti, from Borjomi to Vardzia.

Southern Georgia runs from the forested Borjomi valley to the ski slopes of Bakuriani and the castle-lined roads around Akhaltsikhe. Each base suits a different trip, so choose by season and by how far you are happy to drive.

Check the regional tourism source

Choose a base in Samtskhe-Javakheti

Borjomi, Bakuriani or Akhaltsikhe?

Borjomi is a wooded resort town with its mineral-water park, sulphur pools and planned hikes in the national park. Bakuriani sits higher up, with ski areas in winter and an alpine botanical garden in summer.

Akhaltsikhe is the base for Rabati Fortress and a separate journey to Vardzia's cliffside caves, with Khertvisi Fortress on the way. Sapara Monastery is another outing into the forested hills.

Where to stay

Places to visit in Samtskhe-Javakheti.

Borjomi rooftops beneath wooded hills in the valley01

Forest townSamtskhe-Javakheti

Borjomi

A wooded valley base for the mineral-water park, a longer forest walk and a planned national-park hike.

Mountains & outdoors
About 160 km from Tbilisi
10 things to do Stays & travel
Snow-covered Bakuriani below forested hills, with resort buildings beside the open town centre02

Forested mountain resortSamtskhe-Javakheti

Bakuriani

A mountain-town base for three ski areas, lift views and an alpine garden, with Tabatskuri as a separate highland outing.

Mountains & outdoors
Trialeti Range · above Borjomi
5 things to do Stays & travel
Illuminated stone towers and walls of Rabati Fortress above Akhaltsikhe at dusk03

Southern crossroadsSamtskhe-Javakheti

Akhaltsikhe

A fortress town to stay for Rabati, with separate journeys to Sapara's forest setting and Vardzia's cliffside caves.

Southern Georgia · beyond Borjomi
9 things to do Stays & travel

A starting point

Things to do in Samtskhe-Javakheti.

Walk to Borjomi's sulfur pools

Follow the valley beyond the town park for a longer walk ending at outdoor mineral pools.

Borjomi · Beyond Central Park · forest path

Hike the Likani Valley trail

A seven-kilometre national-park hike through forest and up to views over Borjomi Gorge.

Borjomi · Likani · Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park

Ski Didveli's marked pistes

Make a mountain day around suitable open runs, with lessons and equipment arranged before heading uphill.

Bakuriani · Didveli ski area · winter

Explore Rabati Fortress

Walk the restored fortress complex and use its museum to look beyond the striking walls and towers.

Akhaltsikhe · Rabati · above the town centre

Give Vardzia its own day

Explore a medieval cave monastery carved into the cliff, with enough time for its passages, churches and setting.

Akhaltsikhe · Vardzia · separate southern excursion

Visit Sapara Monastery

A working monastery in the wooded hills offers a quieter and less restored counterpart to Rabati.

Akhaltsikhe · Wooded hills · outside Akhaltsikhe
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